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Victoria ISD board approves retention stipend, library purchases and a contested shift to at-large trustee seats
Summary
At its Nov. 20 meeting the Victoria ISD board approved a $600/$300 retention stipend for employees, a library acquisition list under Senate Bill 13 (5-1), added a dual-credit religious literature elective, extended the superintendent's contract, and adopted a resolution to dissolve two super-districts and convert those seats to at-large positions (4-2).
The Victoria ISD Board of Trustees approved multiple motions Nov. 20 covering personnel pay, library purchases, curriculum and governance changes.
Payroll incentive: The board approved a one-time retention incentive to be paid in December: $600 for full-time employees and $300 for employees who work at least 15 hours but less than full-time, payable to eligible staff and excluding the superintendent. Administration said the district's audits and lower expenditures in some areas created capacity to fund the stipend. The motion passed 6-0.
Library acquisitions (SB 13): The board approved a district list of library materials to be purchased following the process required by Senate Bill 13 and local policy EFB(Local). Staff said the list was publicly displayed Oct. 1–30 and that the library committee (SBEC-certified librarians) vetted titles. Trustees asked about public feedback and the committee's vetting process. The motion carried 5-1, with Trustee Nelson recorded in dissent.
Curriculum: Trustees approved adding a dual-credit literature option covering Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament, which Victoria College can offer as a literature course. Administration noted a recent Attorney General opinion regarding the State Board of Education adopting TEKS for religious literature and that SBOE guidance is pending. The motion passed 6-0.
Personnel and superintendent contract: After returning from closed session the board approved administrative hires (Brittany Cervantes and Katherine Shrift) by voice vote and then approved the superintendent's evaluation and a one-year contract extension through 11/20/2028, authorizing the board president to sign once finalized; both motions passed 6-0.
Trustee districting resolution (contested): The board moved and approved a resolution to dissolve Super Districts 6 and 7 at the end of current terms and elect those two seats on a pure at-large basis in future elections. The resolution listed current trustees and their terms and authorized administration to work with legal counsel to update policy and procedures. The motion passed 4-2; the transcript records applause after passage.
Votes at a glance: - Cast votes for Victoria Central Appraisal District Board of Directors (2026–2030 term): passed, voice vote 6-0 (motion included candidate tallies for Micah Patton and Jan Scott). (SEG 1471'SEG 1511) - District-wide retention incentive: passed, voice vote 6-0; $600 full time / $300 part time; payable in December. (SEG 1512'SEG 1576) - Add religious literature dual-credit elective: passed, voice vote 6-0. (SEG 1577'SEG 1667) - Library materials acquisitions (per SB 13): passed, voice vote 5-1 (Nelson dissent). (SEG 1669'SEG 1834) - Consent agenda: passed, voice vote 6-0. (SEG 1836'SEG 1861) - Employment of named administrators: passed, 6-0 (post-closed session). (SEG 1887'SEG 1911) - Superintendent contract extension through 11/20/2028: passed, 6-0 (post-closed session). (SEG 1912'SEG 1923) - Resolution changing trustee voting districts (dissolve Super Districts 6 & 7; make two at-large seats): passed, 4-2. (SEG 1925'SEG 2112)
Board documents and the official minutes will record full vote tallies and exact motion language. Several motions were approved unanimously; the library acquisitions and the trustee-district resolution drew recorded dissent.
