La Joya ISD has approved a new set of special education stipends designed to address staffing shortages, improve compliance, and ensure students with disabilities receive the individualized support they deserve. The initiative, approved at the October 22 Board Meeting, directly aligns with findings from the district’s special education audit and supports the superintendent’s constraints focused on strengthening instructional quality and resource access for all learners.
The new stipends will provide financial incentives to critical special education staff, including educational diagnosticians, psychologists, special education teachers, and related service providers. Stipend amounts range from $2,000 to $7,500 depending on caseload size and service assignments. The district also introduced an additional case-management add-on for educators who manage individualized education program (IEP) records beyond standard workloads.
Chief of Human Capital and Talent Development, Ms. Jaime Miller, said the initiative will be funded by repurposing existing vacancy dollars, ensuring no new costs to the district while maintaining compliance with IDEA’s Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements.
Ms. Anna Marie Candelario, Deputy Chief for Student Family and Support Services said the stipends represent the district’s deep commitment to supporting both staff and students.
“Our students with disabilities deserve the very best services and support possible,” Candelario said. “These stipends are one way we can recognize the incredible work our special education staff do every day and help attract and retain the professionals needed to meet every student’s unique needs.”
The district’s plan also includes launching a Request for Proposals (RFP) for additional staffing services, prioritizing the recruitment of educational diagnosticians and visually impaired-certified teachers. Ongoing monitoring of staffing ratios and compliance benchmarks will continue throughout the school year.
Aligned to the District’s strategic plan: Achieving Excellence Together 2030, this initiative supports three key priorities:
Excellence in Leadership, through cross-department collaboration and accountability for staffing results.
Thriving Students, by advancing inclusive, high-quality special education services.
Operational Excellence & Financial Stability, by responsibly repurposing funds to strengthen workforce retention and compliance.
Candelario added that the focus remains firmly on ensuring students receive the services they are entitled to.
“This initiative is about doing what’s right for children,” Candelario said. “By investing in our special education team, we’re investing in stronger systems, better support, and brighter outcomes for every student we serve.”