Eagle Pass ISD trustees approve MCAD nomination, school calendar, pay schedule and vocational MOU; closed session set for personnel

At its March 11 regular meeting the Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustees took several unanimous actions and then moved into a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

MCAD nomination The board voted to adopt Resolution 2024‑25‑04 to nominate Trustee Tom Gonzales to serve as a director of the Maverick County Appraisal District (MCAD), filling a vacancy left by Ms. Purcell's resignation. The motion was made by Trustee Christopher Hiller and seconded by Trustee Martinez; the board approved the nomination by voice vote.

School calendar and payroll schedule Trustees approved the 2025–26 school calendar and the payroll direct‑deposit schedule after discussion about multi‑week pay gaps during holiday periods. Trustee Jaime C. Barrera made the motion and Trustee Tom Gonzalez seconded it; the motion carried unanimously.

Trustees and staff discussed concerns raised on social media and in meetings about a three‑week gap that can occur in pay between checks around major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving and spring break). Payroll staff and Superintendent Samuel Mijares explained that the district sometimes adjusts pay dates so employees receive pay before major holidays and that the district distributes both calendar options to employees during the voting process. Board members requested clearer communications, including posting the schedule on the district website and highlighting instances where pay dates cluster or where pay is advanced before holidays.

MOU renewal with Workforce Solutions The board approved a memorandum of understanding renewing a three‑year partnership between Eagle Pass ISD, the Texas Education Outreach Program, and Workforce Solutions (as named in the agenda). Board members said the agreement provides vocational training and occupational rehabilitation services and supports transition services for students in special education. The motion to approve was made by Trustee Hiller and seconded by Trustee Gonzalez and passed by voice vote. District staff said only personnel signatures changed and that program terms remained consistent with previous renewals.

Consent items and closed session Trustees approved consent agenda items 1–4 together by motion of Trustee Martinez, seconded by Trustee Perry. After the consent vote, the board convened in closed session under Texas Government Code chapter 551.074 to deliberate personnel vacancies and consider term contracts; the board stated in open session that no action would be taken while in closed session.

All votes recorded on the public record during the March 11 meeting were unanimous voice votes; the board did not record roll‑call tallies for individual yes/no votes in the public minutes for these items.