During a recent Uvalde CISD board meeting, significant discussions centered around budget constraints, student attendance, discipline issues, and the evaluation of the district's bilingual program.

The board addressed ongoing budget challenges related to school construction projects. The district is currently facing a shortfall of approximately $1.1 million, with a total budget of $1.9 million against an estimated need of $3 million. Efforts are underway to redesign plans and potentially remove certain projects, such as central administration and florist facilities, to align with available funding. The urgency of the situation is compounded by a deadline to utilize grant funds by the end of July.

In terms of student attendance, the district reported a slight decline, with current figures at 90%, compared to a state average of around 87%. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining high attendance rates, noting that each percentage point can significantly impact funding. Strategies to improve attendance include proactive outreach by liaisons, who have made approximately 8,000 calls to families.

Discipline issues were also a focal point, particularly at Morales Junior High, which has seen an increase in referrals due to a rise in student enrollment. The addition of a new grade level has contributed to this uptick, prompting the implementation of programs aimed at fostering social awareness and conflict resolution among students.

Additionally, the meeting included a presentation on the Uvalde CISD bilingual program, which aims to enhance bilingualism and biliteracy among students. The program has shown promising growth in standardized test scores, particularly in third, sixth, and eighth grades. However, challenges remain, including the need for all teachers to be fully certified and the goal of improving overall STAR scores for emergent bilingual students.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included various administrative items, and discussed a memorandum of understanding with Southwest Texas College to align high school programs with college courses, ensuring students receive meaningful dual credit opportunities.