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Laredo ISD board votes to lift hiring freeze, citing need to fill tutors, custodians and bus drivers
Summary
Trustees approved lifting the district hiring freeze until further notice to allow filling budgeted vacancies including tutors, custodial staff, bus drivers and teacher aides; trustees emphasized conservatism in hiring and the need to maintain instructional services.
The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Oct. 17 to lift the district's hiring freeze, allowing administrators to begin filling budgeted vacancies as needed.
Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios told the board that several categories remain understaffed and that conservative hiring — rather than blanket vacancy retention — would better protect student services. "There's 34 custodial positions that have not been filled," Rios said while describing the range of vacancies the district has tracked. She and other staff asked the board to trust administrative judgment to fill essential roles without bringing each hire back to the trustees for individual approval.
Trustees voiced concern about the fiscal tradeoffs of leaving positions unfilled to create savings, noting that critical jobs — particularly tutors, transportation and classroom support — have direct impacts on student services. Supporters said lifting the freeze would let the district move more quickly to fill high‑need roles and avoid burdening existing employees.
The board approved lifting the freeze "until further notice," with trustees instructing staff to act conservatively and prioritize positions that sustain instruction and student supports. The vote followed earlier budget discussion that tied available savings to funding a one‑time employee payment.
Staff said they will return with regular updates on hiring and budget implications as part of routine budget planning and board reporting.
