January 28th, 2026

Top Picture is a screen shot from Uvalde CISD Livestream

By Michael Robinson

Following a video presentation made by Batesville School staff and students praising the Uvalde CISD School Board during School Board Appreciation Month, Parent Selena Vasquez spoke during public comment portion of the January 20th, 2026 Uvalde CISD school board meeting citing repeated requests for help in getting at home educational instruction for her child Calliope having gone unanswered.  

At the meeting, Vasquez said, “I know if my daughter was here, she wouldn’t be able to give a message like that for the school board, because we are in well into the school year, and we are still in the same situation we were in back in August.”

“I want you to see everything that goes into providing medical care for my daughter, the struggles I have teaching her because the district has failed to provide instruction for my child at home.” she said.

“On my standpoint, I invite you to my home as well. After countless of meetings with the School District, District nurse, campus administrators, Ms. Graber, Ms. Chohlis ,mediation that led to nothing, no resolution for my child, I’m still standing here asking for the same things I started asking for back in August, for my daughter to receive the education she’s entitled to,” Vasquez said.

“My daughter sits at home day in and day out, staring at a workbook and worksheets that are sent home with no instruction. How is that fair to my child?” she said.

Vasquez went on to say, “Ms. Gonzales, can you help me? Can you help me get my daughter back in school? Miss Munoz, JJ, you’re a parent. My daughter’s missing out on so much, according to her recent test results, my daughter’s not learning anything at home, and I am doing my best, but I’m not a teacher. I know my time is up, but you want to look at it. I have it right here for you guys, who helps my child, because she’s not the only one like that in the district. Thank you.”

Calliope’s father David Fuentes and her Grandmother Leanore Rose Fuentes followed Vasques speaking to the District Trustees citing the district’s failure to provide special education for their child.

 Calliope’s Grandmother Leanore Rose Fuentes also spoke to the school board and said:
“According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA, this federal law makes sure that children with disabilities have access to a free, appropriate public education. It mandates the development of an individual education program for the student, outlining specific educational goals and services required to support their learning, and I’ve had in a couple of workbooks, I don’t think meet that qualification section 504, of the Rehabilitation Act. This law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance under Section 504 students with disabilities are entitled, entitled to a reasonable accommodations and modifications to assure their equal access to education.”

Uvalde CISD Trustee Robert Quinones spoke after Father David Fuentes requested a follow-up with a plan for site visit to help the child and the parents.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-25-25

At Thursday night’s Uvalde CISD Special Board meeting, the district heard a Grade Audit Energy Services Contract presented by Schneider Electric 

 Uvalde CISD Chief Financial Officer Pam Bendele introduced Senior Account Executive Aaron Garcia of Schneider Electric Sustainability Business presented the audit contracted by the district last year.

 According to Garcia, Schneider Electric reported on an investment grade audit identifying areas of improvements. 

 Goals of the audit included modernizing the campuses providing a safe learning environment, reducing deferred maintenance, maximizing utility savings and addressing all of the HVAC issues and to identify available grants.

 Ryan Wunder joined Garcia with a virtual presentation.  Wunder stated that a high priority for the district is the control systems that are made by various vendors that are “quite old” and need to be upgraded as these controls manage the air conditioning systems. Wunder said these controls are at a critical point. The number one energy using item within the school district is the air conditioning equipment and the controls manage these systems.

 “We focus on building automation more than anything else. It’s the number one thing to protect and keep the energy bills low,” Wunder said.

 Wunder mentioned the current systems are failing and parts are not available as the system is over 20 years old. 

 In addition to the controls, Wunder proposed an LED lighting upgrade to help reduce energy costs by up to 17% with an average annual utility and D&M savings of $199,500.

 The proposed project cost is $4.1 million. 

 Wunder mentioned that the newer air conditioning equipment at the district is over 25 years old.

 “There is significant need for electrical renovation.” Wunder said.

  Responding to a comment by Gonzales about the mechanical system being at the end of its life, Bendele said, “There are lots of things at the district that are at the end of its life.”

   Gonzales asked why the mechanical equipment was not being included in the proposal.  Garcia said it all has to do with money and the controls and LED project is self-funding.

    Wunder mentioned that with a one-time AEP rebate of $30,000 and the energy savings, the project would pay for itself. Wunder said Schneider Electric would cover the shortfall if the savings did not cover the cost of the loan.

   According to discussion among the board members, the district would have to either take out a loan to cover the proposed project or the district could hold a bond election.

“If the high school controls go down. We don’t have a plan. What do you do with 11oo kids when the air conditioning goes down?” Bendele said.

Jacqulyn Gonzales brought up the age of the mechanical HVAC systems. 

Wunder said the mechanical systems costs would not pay for itself quickly. Superintendent Chohlis said currently the district has been able to repair the mechanical systems.

“We need to get it done.” Chohlis said.

Garcia stated the district has $20 million dollars’ worth of work including lighting, air conditioning and controls.

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-18-25

During the Superintendent’s Report during Monday night’s April 14 Uvalde CISD school board meeting, Superintendent Ashley Chohlis stated that during the next school year, the district will be in a position where they will be concerned with cash flow.

Chohlis cited a list of necessary expenditures including $7 million dollars in necessary roof repairs, $4 million in HVAC controls and lighting upgrades because the District’s energy costs will go up by about 50%, and within the next two years the district will have to address its technology plan which will cost about $1.5 million dollars in addition to old busses which is a majority of the fleet will have to be replaced.

She also mentioned the losses the district may face with students attending schools outside the district as well as loss of funds due to the Texas Legislature School Voucher Plan.  She stated that at 3% of our students choosing to go somewhere else she estimates the loss to be $1.7 million dollars. She went on to say 7% of the students who live in the area who currently do not attend the district

Chohlis mentioned the district does not get reimbursed for athletics and fine arts. She went on to say that a large part of the district’s special ed programs are not reimbursed.

She mentioned the district hopes to increase school attendance through program modifications and marketing programs.

Chohlis also mentioned the district will be reducing the number of employment positions.

“If we don’t make tweeks to some of our programs and staffing, it won’t be good,” Chohlis said.

She also stated that the 70% of the increase in funding allotments from the State are designated for teacher raises only and cannot be used for operational and other expenses.

02-20-25

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

 At Monday night’s Uvalde CISD school board meeting on February 17th, 2025, the board of trustees approved the 2025 -2026 Academic Calendar Board approved Calendar C over two others that were under consideration for the 2025-2026 school year which according to Superintendent Ashley Chohlis, meets the State of Texas requirements of  75,600 minutes of classroom instruction per calendar year. 

 Three proposed calendars were voted on by teachers and staff members.

Uvalde ISD Chief Instructional Officer Amy Graeber presented the calendar agenda items. Under the proposed Calendar C, instructional days during four weeks during the month of October 2025 would be Monday through Thursday with Fridays being designated supplemental instruction to tier 2 students needing tutoring as well as utilized for professional development and planning time for teachers.  

Chohlis referred to October as “Shock-tober” as a long, difficult month for students soon after the start of the Fall Semester. 

 Additionally, because of the days off, it would reduce the operational costs on electricity use and not running school buses. 

 Under the new calendar, August 6th would be the first day of school for the 2025 Fall Semester and the last day of school would be May 28th, 2026.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

01/19/2025

The Uvalde Consolidated School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 6 PM at the Benson Board Room on 6-1 Dean Street. A livestream of the proceedings can be viewed at Uvalde CISD School Board Meetings – YouTube

During the Regular Board meeting on Monday night, the board will consider approval of adoption of Reproductive Curriculum along with other items listed on the agenda below.

On Wednesday, January 22nd, a Board Workshop will be held at 6 PM at the Benson Board Room.

The one agenda item listed on the Wednesday workshop meeting is: The State of the State: Legislative Update: Public Finance.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

12-17-24

Uvalde CISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the purchase of new cafeteria tables for Morales Junior High School and Uvalde High School and a food service vehicle for deliveries and walk-in coolers and freezers amounting to $330,000. The tables would be purchased from Jean’s Restaurant Supply not to exceed $120,000.

Uvalde CISD Superintendent Ashley Chohlis stated that the current tables are old and in disrepair and the maintenance department can no longer find replacement parts.

“The cafeteria tables at those two locations are awful,” Uvalde CISD Chief Financial Officer Pam Bendele said

Chohlis stated the Food Service Departments funds is not part of the District’s General Fund, but the district would need to pay a part of the cost. She explained that the food service fund currently has an excess balance, and the district is required by the State of Texas Department of Agriculture to spend the balance down.

Chohlis also stated that if the Food Service Budget was used exclusively for the purchase, the tables would not be able to be used for other purposes like community meetings and PTO meetings and other non-food service activities.

Regarding the General funds, Bendele stated monies can be reallocated from the Morales Junior High new marquis budgeted amount.

 

 

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

12-16-24

  The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees is set to meet tonight at 6:00 PM at the Benson Board Room at 601 Dean Street in Uvalde. 

  An open forum for public comments is scheduled following the Superintendent’s report. 

  Among the items on the agenda include an item of information on the district’s recent security audits, negotiations with Broaddus and Company on financial topics involving construction of security vestibules at the district’s campuses. Additionally, an item of information on proposed budget cuts will be delivered to the Trustees from the Office of Business and Finance. 

   A public report will also be provided on the recent campus security audits followed by the board adjourning into a closed executive session to further discuss the security audit report. 

  A video livestream of tonight’s proceedings can be viewed at Uvalde CISD School Board Meetings – YouTube

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-20-2024

 The Uvalde CISD Board or Trustees met for over 6 hours at the Monday, November 18th regular board meeting with approximately 2 1/2 hours spent in a closed executive session.

Nearly all the seats in the audience were filled with several standing in the back of the Benson Board Room.

Following the opening preliminaries were held. Superintendent Ashley Chohlis’ introduced Chief Academic Officer Amy Graeber who reported on A. DOMAIN 1: High Quality Curriculum and Effective Instruction and B. DOMAIN 2: Effective, Well Supported Staff

  Earlier this year during the Spring, the Board of Trustees voted to approve using Open Education Resources/ Conceptual Teaching which was implemented for the 2024-225 school year. Graeber reported the implementation of the new curriculum and at what level each of the teachers were at in terms of mastering the delivery of the instruction. Graeber discussed the Success Criteria Breakdown on measuring teacher’s success age effectiveness on teaching a new curriculum on a phase scale measuring how teachers are progressing through the learning curve.

   Superintendent Ashley Chohlis said, “I’m less concerned about test scores as I am about student achievement.”

“Every kid should come prepared for the grade level (they are entering). The STARR test is important but it’s not the best all end all. said Chohlis (paraphrased)

  Uvalde CISD Teacher/Resource Officer Nicole Ogborn spoke during the Citizen’s Comments portion of the board meeting voiced her concerns about district’s approach to implementing the new curriculum “Our teaching style has been taking from us: our craft,” Ogborn said.

 

Uvalde CISD Teacher and Resource Officer Nicole Ogburn address the Board.Chohlis  spoke on Domain 3, C. DOMAIN 3: Positive School Culture and Safety and Security 

  Toy weapons also called Look-A Like Weapons

   According to Chohlis, the District has listed those items in the code of Conduct as being not allowed and students caught with such items can be assigned to DAEP/ (discretionary placement). The State of Texas does not have the same weapon definitions and State Laws apply. Trustee Jacklyn Gonzales brought up situations where students with those toy lookalike weapons can speak threats with those items.

 Gonzales also stated there are many Kids at Morales with PTSD and that an incident involving a potential threat perpetrated using a look-a-like toy weapon could further traumatize students already suffering with PTSD.

   Later in the meeting, the district voted to require clear backpacks at the Honey Bowl