Lancaster ISD board approves one-time $1,000 early-resignation incentive for certain administrators
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Summary
The Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously April 8 to adopt a resolution offering a one-time $1,000 early-resignation payment to qualifying central-office administrative and support staff who resign effective at the end of the 2025–26 contract year, citing budget planning needs amid stagnant state aid.
The Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees on April 8 approved a resolution to offer a one-time $1,000 early-resignation incentive payment to qualifying administrative and support employees who tender resignations effective at the end of the 2025–26 contract year. Trustee Todd Jones moved to adopt the resolution; Vice President Queenie Nichols seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, Secretary Carolyn Moore announced.
Board members said the incentive is intended to increase voluntary separations among administrative and support staff so the district can plan personnel reductions thoughtfully and preserve direct instructional staff amid constrained finances. In a reading of the resolution the president cited authority under the Texas Education Code (referenced in the reading as sections 45.105 and 44.04) and described eligibility criteria for employees in specified pay grades employed on Sept. 1, 2025. The resolution states the payment will be made on or before the last payday of the employee’s current contract term and that it is available only for the 2025–26 school year unless the board acts again.
Trustees framed the measure as a planning tool rather than a disciplinary or punitive measure. The board’s materials and the read resolution state the district faces a difficult budgetary situation because state aid did not increase for the upcoming 2026–27 school year and the district must balance compensation and staffing priorities.
The resolution names Board President Mary Ann Hamilton and Secretary Carolyn Moore as signatories. The board provided no dollar-line item in public discussion beyond the per-person payment and did not specify a total budget impact during the work session; staff indicated payroll taxes and withholdings would be applied to the payment.
