McAllen ISD board approves $750 one‑time retention stipend for full‑time employees

The McAllen Independent School District Board of Trustees on Dec. 11 approved a one‑time retention stipend of $750 for full‑time employees and passed budget amendments to cover the expense.

During a statutorily required public hearing, Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Lorena Garcia recommended the $750 payment, saying it was intended to support recruitment and retention and would be paid to employees working at least 27.5 hours per week. "The administration is recommending that this 1 time retention incentive pay be of $750," Garcia said.

Garcia presented cost estimates, saying the district used a snapshot headcount (about 3,300 employees on the report date) and provided an estimated district total and net amounts after typical tax deductions. She explained the majority of the stipend would be paid from local general fund resources with some eligible state and federal program funds covering portions.

After the hearing, trustees voted to approve the board resolution authorizing the retention stipend. The transcript records the motion passing (vote recorded as 6‑0 in the meeting record). Trustees also approved budget amendments moving $2,000,000 into the functions allocated to the retention stipend and noted roughly $500,000 would come from federal funds not requiring board action.

Ms. Garcia said the stipend would be paid in a separate check and is not TRS‑compensable. The administration said payments were planned for mid‑December and staff will finalize the payroll programming.

The vote completed the formal action; the district will finalize payroll and funding transfers prior to the payment date.