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Laredo ISD adds esports stipends, funded by Texas Workforce Commission grant
Summary
Trustees approved five esports sponsor stipends of $2,500 each and one lead coach stipend of $1,000, returning funding to a Texas Workforce Commission esports grant (district described the grant as $100,000). The program operates as an after‑school extracurricular club and has participation and reporting requirements.
The Laredo ISD board voted Nov. 13 to amend the compensation plan to add five esports sponsor stipends of $2,500 each and one lead coach stipend of $1,000, funded by a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) esports grant.
District staff said the grant was awarded in September 2025 and that the district is returning stipend funding to the grant so the district no longer uses campus funds for the program. "The grant is written in a certain way," the director of guidance and counseling explained, noting the stipend amounts were stipulated by the grant language.
Staff described the esports program as an after‑school club structure (grant rules prohibit in‑school class time), with campus goals of approximately 30 participating students and reporting obligations documenting meetings, attendance and expenditures. Games mentioned during discussion included Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Splatoon, Overwatch and League of Legends; staff said Laredo ISD coordinates with local higher‑education partners such as Laredo College and Texas A&M International University for events and pipelines into collegiate programs.
Trustees questioned parity to UIL coaching stipends and equipment needs; staff said the grant (described as a $100,000 award) covers equipment, switches, screens and other necessary items and that stipends align with the grant’s terms. The board approved the amendment.
Next steps: administration will finalize stipend agreements, ensure grant compliance, and provide tournament and equipment schedules to trustees.
