SMCISD to consider an advisory commission for redistricting and paying a stipend to all district employees who are vaccinated

By Professor “LMC” Lisa Marie Coppoletta

On Monday, the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District’s Board of Trustees will discuss and take possible action on Single-Member Districts. Section VIII of the agenda under Items for Action “B. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Formation of a Citizens Advisory Commission on Single-Member Redistricting.”

“I believe that it’s extremely important that the school board take the politics out of the once-every-decade single-member district redistricting process and put it in the hands of a citizen redistricting commission,” said Miguel Arredondo, SMCISD Board Trustee Single-Member-District 1. “Monday’s agenda item will be an opportunity for the board, ISD leadership, and the district’s legal counsel to discuss how or if we can make this concept a reality here in San Marcos.”

According to the San Marcos CISD School Board elections page, which provides general information about the elections of the San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees, upcoming elections are as follows:

Additionally, the board will discuss whether to pay a stipend for all district employees vaccinated against COVID-19.

Section VIII, Item D states, “Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Stipend for all District Employees who are Vaccinated Against Covid-19.”

The item reads, “A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUTHORIZING A ONE-TIME COVID-19 VACCINATION INCENTIVE STIPEND FOR ALL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.”

“Texas has the highest COVID positivity rate and case count in the nation. Hospitalizations are up 75% since June. We know that the Delta variant also spreads very fast. As we prepare to fully reopen our ISD schools this upcoming fall, it’s so important that every staff member eligible for vaccination gets vaccinated, and the school board should use every tool in our toolbox to make that happen, said Arredondo. “The resolution as drafted, I believe, provides flexibility to the district in terms of employees who want to opt into this voluntary program but still allows employees who cannot be vaccinated due to religious belief or pre-existing medical conditions to receive the benefit as well.”

The amount of stipend has not been determined at this time. Two sections from the supporting documentation to the agenda in the board book state:

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 19, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. To review the full agenda, click here.

You can watch the meeting live at https://www.smcisd.net/Page/320 or in person at San Marcos High School, Criminal Justice Classroom (11), 2601 Rattler Road, San Marcos, TX 78666-5077.