Laredo ISD board approves $1,700 one‑time payment for employees tied to mental‑health module

The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees on Oct. 17 approved a one‑time employee performance payment of $1,700 for full‑time employees and $8.50 per hour for part‑time employees, to be paid in December provided staff complete a required mental‑health and wellness module.

The payment, described by Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios as tied to a district forecasting exercise, is contingent on documentation that employees completed the training spelled out under Section 45.105 of the Texas Education Code. "Based on the funding forecast that Ms. Ayala is saying, she is saying that we can still manage this right now," Rios said during board discussion, urging trustees to follow staff recommendations.

Finance staff told trustees the payout would be funded from the district's operating budget. "It is about, I think, $6,000,000," Ms. Ayala said when asked for a ballpark estimate of conservative savings the district identified to cover the payment. Board members asked whether the sum was the lower‑end estimate and whether additional hires could reduce available funding later in the year.

A board amendment to raise the payment to $2,000 was proposed and seconded during debate but was not accepted by the maker of the motion. Trustees who supported the $1,700 figure cited guidance from the superintendent and finance team that the amount was the most prudent option that would allow the district to continue filling prioritized vacancies and avoid program cuts. The board called the question and approved the motion by voice/show of hands; the president announced the motion passed.

The district plans to release the module to staff after board approval so human resources and finance can document completion and process the December payout. Officials said the payment is a one‑time extra duty/bonus rather than an ongoing salary increase, and further compensation changes would require action in a future budget cycle.