[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6228166,"mediaKeyId","3477368-1655bd8eade87e408ccd45f0f5eb6cef","parentId",3477368,"title","Canutillo ISD trustees debate HR title change, staffing cuts as part of budget shortfall review","audioSeconds",2984,"startMs",472000,"endMs",3456000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477368-1655bd8eade87e408ccd45f0f5eb6cef&start=472&end=3456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477368-1655bd8eade87e408ccd45f0f5eb6cef/thumbnail_472000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228166/Texas/Canutillo-ISD-trustees-debate-HR-title-change-staffing-cuts-as-part-of-budget-shortfall-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228166-a26652847c67992d20e1f0f9c8f5ae66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432718&Signature=FdoF4lyZ-fNxTJ4PMIU9ESWAXEtR8dW-nJKgtKqEcDhaDwaAS95kRCPIej3XwwwwzQ5sY6mWbh5gs8giyb7HtgzN5hoddLldEw3npVh~hgIlbL4rj3LZpiOOSxI-HR2xkk0qoGOjdrTRe6UQ9003z-m0HGwEvYBTyiR3vf33vSBgN3Xq3nNcyOxuZpKIntyfn1EaP-4yt4h0reLxaRapegjiGYqdePFgzKOjRxm9UvPneuC9w~Oz5aN5z2r2oGnnuWUNvQAa96c2bzpV3WjmtuhMrl7uPjTJzTQpx50-8QTqwDMkDkmutM~mRNSrPHhSXS1FyDwXjEwjUabEZ2sDfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Canutillo ISD","date","2025-05-24T00:25:02.14Z","article","Canutillo Independent School District trustees on May 20 debated whether changing the district’s chief human resources officer (CHRO) title to human resources executive director and cutting certification specialist positions could reduce costs as the district faces a budget shortfall.

The discussion centered on potential savings beginning in the 2026–27 school year; legal counsel advised the board that existing contracts for 2025–26 are binding and cannot be changed for the current year. Trustee members pressed administration for job descriptions and a cost-comparison so the board can evaluate whether the title change and staff reductions would actually produce savings.

Why it matters: personnel and title changes affect pay, day-to-day HR capacity and could shift workloads that support teachers, certifications and student services. Board members said they want to balance fiscal responsibility with protecting employees and maintaining operations.

Public comment and staff concerns: Carlos Antuellos, who identified himself as a district employee, said the agenda item affected his livelihood and family and asked which legal or local policy justified removing or demoting staff. Antuellos said the request to terminate or demote staff was not recommended by TASB or administration and described stress caused by the proposal, saying, \"This agenda item has caused a great deal of stress and is wrong.\" The board’s discussion repeatedly returned to whether procedures for reductions in force and contract changes had been followed.

Board and administration positions: Trustees emphasized different roles in budget oversight. Several trustees said the board’s statutory duties include overseeing district management and adopting a balanced budget but that the superintendent, not the board, controls staffing decisions. Trustees repeatedly cautioned against micromanaging the superintendent while also requesting information so trustees can make informed recommendations.

Specifics discussed:
- Timing: Multiple speakers said any change to titles or contracts would apply beginning in the 2026–27 school year; administration and legal said the 2025–26 year is already \"locked in.\"
- Job descriptions and comparisons: Trustees asked administration to provide distinct job descriptions for CHRO versus HR executive director and a cost comparison showing any salary differential and projected savings.
- Certification specialist positions: Trustees asked whether two certification specialists (elementary and secondary) plus a senior certification specialist were all necessary and requested analysis of duties and potential redundancy. Administration said certification duties are currently distributed and that a previous reduction in force had already reduced HR staff.
- Contract and legal limits: Legal counsel and administration advised that contracts already issued cannot be retroactively changed for the current year; any structural changes would require planning for future years.

Outcome and next steps: Trustees who proposed the review said they were requesting administration and legal to prepare comparisons of job descriptions and a cost-savings analysis for the 2026–27 school year so the board can consider options when contracts and staffing cycles permit. No change to current contracts or staff assignments for 2025–26 was implemented during the meeting.

Context: Trustees also discussed broader budget measures at the meeting, including a separate proposal to rescind a 3% central-office salary increase (discussed elsewhere on the agenda) and the district’s need to weigh small savings against employee impacts. Several trustees urged caution about reducing pay or positions that could affect certification, compliance and operations.

Looking ahead: Administration was asked to provide (1) distinct job descriptions for the CHRO and HR executive director roles, (2) a dollar estimate of proposed savings if the title were changed or positions reduced, and (3) a timeline tied to contract and hiring cycles for 2026–27. Trustees signaled they will revisit the matter in future budget workshops and when a new superintendent is in place.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CISD Regular Board Meeting - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Canutillo Independent School District trustees on May 20 debated whether changing the district’s chief human resources officer title to human resources executive director and reducing certification specialist positions could produce budget savings amid a district shortfall.","taxTitle","CANUTILLO ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",38866,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228162,"Canutillo ISD trustees ask administration to draft policy on filling vacancies and adding agenda items",2174,4480000,6654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477368-1655bd8eade87e408ccd45f0f5eb6cef&start=4480&end=6654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477368-1655bd8eade87e408ccd45f0f5eb6cef/thumbnail_4480000.jpg","/articles/6228162/Texas/Canutillo-ISD-trustees-ask-administration-to-draft-policy-on-filling-vacancies-and-adding-agenda-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228162-23911967b370d6c63635769a564e0226/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432718&Signature=RSxc1y~xCRp~tkOByrmw-JQpYVLvGkhPKjmqvRGDjNRXh78GZ5y5Zx7ob8DTIcy~8mx4uHPO0qzBaRtUWpasrZCS8y4YtJpFPO9CBdUo2NyY1FAf6C7CCzr3hUOoZnUK4DNuZTCBw58K90~K6wcGaEASDbXaAf3jEObrSmoyh3vcJDwoU7tOn-KxalrwiQSu~DsTreZzuWHfX9KxSUlzZk-iPxN6GJDm7QWvgp8j4-ihIGpuLXgUQMZes2-G93HRtOXTd-rxgEzNIYlCMFSCS-lUTWaKThhcksYeIsj-2K1Ho0q6Pi9Mwruap9Sx14M6-GnUbxzOoNq1XCIso-F3sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Canutillo Independent School District trustees on May 20 directed administration to draft a policy clarifying how the district fills board vacancies after an election and how trustees may place items on meeting agendas.

The motion asks administration to consult the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) guidance and the Council of ASSOC (CASB) for model language and return a draft policy for the board’s consideration.

Why it matters: The board discussed recent appointments after vacancies and members’ concerns about transparency, perceived favoritism, and the cost of special elections. Trustees said consistent, written policy could reduce confusion and increase public trust.

Key points from the meeting: Trustees debated several options for filling vacancies: (1) offer the position to the next-highest vote-getter from the most recent election, moving down the ballot if that person declines; (2) hold a special election (noted to be costly); or (3) open the position to applications and an interview process if election candidates are exhausted. Legal counsel and trustees referenced TASB guidance and a Texas Attorney General opinion on board procedures.

Agenda access: Trustees also focused on whether a single trustee should be able to place an item on a future meeting agenda without requiring the support of two other trustees. Several trustees cited TASB guidance that a single trustee may request an item. Some trustees expressed concern about meeting length and the need for a \"safety net\" to avoid excessively long meetings; others stressed that board members should be able to bring items that reflect constituent concerns.

Action taken: The board unanimously approved a motion directing administration to research existing policies and best practices (including contacting CASB) and return a proposed local policy or operating procedure for discussion. The motion passed on a roll call of \"yes\" votes.

Context and next steps: The administration will draft a proposed revision to local policy to address vacancy appointments and agenda-item procedures; the board scheduled follow-up discussion in a future meeting (trustees mentioned a target of the June or July meeting cycle). Trustees said they want the draft to specify timelines and options in cases where candidates decline an appointment so the process is consistent and transparent.

Representative comment: A public commenter who participated earlier urged the board to avoid favoritism and to ensure any process gives voters confidence that appointments are made democratically rather than by private agreement.

The board’s directive asks administration to return a policy draft for the trustees’ review and possible adoption.","Trustees voted to direct administration to research and draft a policy, aligned with TASB guidance, clarifying how the board fills midterm vacancies and how individual trustees can place items on future agendas.","actionData","errors"]

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Canutillo ISD trustees debate HR title change, staffing cuts as part of budget shortfall review

Canutillo ISD trustees ask administration to draft policy on filling vacancies and adding agenda items