Board moves to correct bilingual‑stipend payments, approves broader eligibility for 2025–26
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Summary
Trustees voted to change criteria so teachers in positions that require bilingual certification qualify for the bilingual stipend; the board also agreed to make retroactive payments this year to two teachers who had not been receiving the stipend.
The Uvalde CISD board voted Dec. 15 to amend how the district awards its bilingual stipend after administrators reported inconsistent practice.
Administration said the compensation plan specifies the bilingual stipend is for certified teachers, but some uncertified instructors had been receiving the stipend. "We either need to make it right, or we need to fix the compensation plan," the superintendent said during discussion.
The stipend was identified as approximately $2,750 per teacher; administrators estimated a one‑time catch‑up payment could be about $10,000 to cover retroactive adjustments for the current year. Trustee Quinones moved to change the criteria so that all teachers who teach in positions requiring bilingual certification are eligible; Trustee Flores seconded. The board approved the motion.
Trustees discussed whether to change policy language permanently or make one‑time corrections this year; administration recommended making affected teachers whole for the current year and then enforcing the certification criteria going forward.