[{"_1":2,"_107":-5,"_108":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6123711,"mediaKeyId","2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19","parentId",2688762,"title","Votes at a glance: Mercedes ISD board passes bond parameters, instructional purchases and multiple authorizations","audioSeconds",1927,"startMs",4053000,"endMs",5980000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19&start=4053&end=5980","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19/thumbnail_4053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123711/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Mercedes-ISD-board-passes-bond-parameters-instructional-purchases-and-multiple-authorizations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123711-e963321776c0fc2b15e3753b3b03af11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186594&Signature=D3LnR-l8XPHfdw9Pw7cRthweKqlbmrBndCUva2Qlu1YScR0TvHSh4GU26JfsbJGLvJjtsr5cOK3NlSv-KgLS96MaWDcO--6w9HTV5iXOLHKYKgl42fn0PqtQGFUz-Jx1Uyn6HJoPjNRebfQxT50hDV2~dTAOnkCEFl0nwD-3U-04wDopEthMt2OnX0AOD8XRrvaGlzKA5OrOFw2VUfLp7tXg3c~wBTpksvXsj~uVJ8i8188xUwJPDRZGZPNblkEhXiDdEoroLTixCrszlKWWq9ar9HVz3TrlUqfNoaDjfUkPCh93uDOYRcov5gHRa~Fx-AkV-Uu5MxJOVLzN7MZ2xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercedes ISD","date","2025-03-19T14:12:42Z","article","The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees took multiple formal actions during its meeting. The list below summarizes each item, how the board voted and next steps. Each motion and tally reflects the official roll-call language recorded at the meeting.

Votes at a glance

1) Parameters order authorizing issuance, sale and delivery of unlimited-tax refunding bonds (A.1)
- Motion: Authorize superintendent and advisers to pursue refunding within parameters, authorize a pricing officer to approve terms.
- Moved: Trustee Hernandez; Second: Trustee Rodriguez.
- Vote: Approved 6-1 (one trustee identified in the record as Mister Hall voted no).
- Next step: Staff and advisers to monitor market and return with transaction details if executed.

2) Authorize administration to solicit RFP for SHARS billing services, and notice to current vendor (A.2)
- Motion: Authorize superintendent to solicit RFPs for SHARS billing services and, if appropriate, notify current vendor per contract terms.
- Moved: Trustee Rodriguez; Second: Trustee Hernandez.
- Vote: Unanimous.
- Next step: District will review proposals and return with recommendation.

3) Approve Region 1 Early Childhood Partnership Consortium membership (Curriculum A.b1)
- Motion: Approve consortium membership to enable partnerships between district and local child-care providers under state funding for pre-K expansion.
- Moved: Trustee Hernandez; Second: Trustee Hinojosa.
- Vote: Unanimous.
- Next step: Region 1 to assist with outreach, MOU development and follow-up support.

4) Approve High-Quality Instructional Materials (Bluebonnet/Eureka) for 2025-26 (Curriculum A.2)
- Motion: Approve purchase of Bluebonnet print materials to secure state HQIM allocations and the additional $20 per student bonus for print purchases.
- Moved: Trustee Hernandez; Second: Trustee Noosa.
- Vote: Unanimous.
- Next step: Staff will use available HQIM funds (including a cited $333,000 balance) and state per-student allocations to complete purchases.

5) Approve 2025-26 district instructional calendar (A.3)
- Motion: Approve Calendar A as recommended by staff and vote of employee stakeholders.
- Moved: Trustee Rodriguez; Second: Trustee Hernandez.
- Vote: Unanimous.
- Next step: District to plan professional development, PLCs and summer training tied to the calendar.

6) Approve MOU with Region 1, UT-RGV and Texas Strategic Staffing for paid teacher residency (A.4)
- Motion: Approve MOU enabling a paid teacher residency program; district estimated resident stipend at $12,000 per resident.
- Moved: Trustee Hernandez; Second: Trustee Noosa.
- Vote: Unanimous.
- Next step: Program to host seven residents at elementary campuses with UTRGV technical assistance and site coordination.

7) Authorize solicitation of RFPs for installation of automated gate operators at Travis Elementary, Ruben Inojosa and the Agriculture complex (Facilities A.2)
- Motion: Authorize administration to solicit proposals for gate-operator installation; board asked staff to provide the underlying vendor estimates used to justify the RFP.
- Moved: Trustee Veliz; Second: Trustee Nohosa.
- Vote: Unanimous (board requested the four estimates used in the cover sheet be supplied to trustees).
- Next step: RFP issued; staff to return with bids and recommendation.

8) Approve consulting agreement for Lone Star governance training (Governance D.1)
- Motion: Authorize superintendent to execute a consulting agreement with O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo for Lone Star governance training as a TEA-approved provider.
- Moved: Trustee Rodriguez; Second: Trustee Hernandez.
- Vote: Unanimous.
- Next step: Training sessions scheduled per contract dates.

9) Consent items and donations
- The board approved the consent agenda (with several items pulled for discussion). Donations were accepted from the KC Mercedes Columbus Club ($500), Magic Valley Retired School Personnel ($500) and Mercedes Lions Club ($792) for campus supports.

Items requiring follow-up or more detail
- Several trustees requested additional documentation or follow-up reports: the financial adviser agreed to present final bond transaction numbers after closing; staff will provide the four gate-contractor estimates; curriculum staff will return with post-test analysis and fidelity reports after interventions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MISD Regular Board Meeting 3 18 25","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the Mercedes ISD Board approved a parameters order for bond refunding, authorized RFPs for SHARS billing and gate installations, approved Region 1 early childhood partnership membership, confirmed instructional-material purchases, the 2025-26 calendar, and other items; one bond motion failed to gain unanimous support (6-1).","taxTitle","MERCEDES ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",56460,"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},6123716,"Mercedes ISD athletic trainer recognized after administering EpiPen to child at varsity game",125,1301000,1426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19&start=1301&end=1426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19/thumbnail_1301000.jpg","/articles/6123716/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-athletic-trainer-recognized-after-administering-EpiPen-to-child-at-varsity-game","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123716-39ea836d14826ee8070cc86c74c0eb1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186594&Signature=e~EkK6MF~HcINgbScwQUx08dkDwQfqT4SyO1wSHv9pQ6msSk9ALZzD3ZVUkwAR007ULd5u60RAjro3Xg7M~I9fO3eTJY1ahBq2bfWFAmMpgF9Ut6ue3s8t3-JSsSFBWdrWmk9v4Mc4KjTHy~p1zDzje8rT4BEr82ZWZL6QdrbRthZoViNAtscDiGncdkuaozMpFWd-EevUEALvebk4~nVcqXTxYzO~P4morWhSX6DSAu0eRvgpwEE3Cx24KcrYo2QrpL-pxt7irwcp8xUoIKRrpTfhXEExztJfovvSxw3pz-RjBjz4TurpQ64Ac2IJ0vXo2RmhyscgB6aPWjIlihTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercedes Independent School District board publicly recognized athletic trainer Jaime Garcia after he responded to a medical emergency at a varsity softball contest and administered an epinephrine auto-injector that staff said helped stabilize a 7-year-old boy until emergency medical services arrived.

At the board meeting, athletic director Roger Adame Jr. described Garcia's actions and the visiting team's gratitude. \"When he called me that night, he said, coach, I happen to have an EpiPen for a child,\" Adame said, describing the trainer's preparedness. Trainer Jaime Garcia spoke to the board and community: \"It was a tough night that night, but we practice and we did the job,\" he said, adding that the district's training and equipment made the response possible.

According to the account presented to the board, the child suffered a severe allergic reaction to ants during the game, became unresponsive and was being carried by his father. Officer Bocanegra called 911; with parental permission, Garcia administered the EpiPen and performed airway maneuvers while awaiting EMS. Board members and staff praised his quick action and the result: the child regained alertness and later, staff said, communicated with Garcia by FaceTime.

Why it matters: Board members said the incident underscores the value of on-site medical training, equipment and coordination among event staff. Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Clinton and trustees publicly thanked Garcia, and the board used the recognition to reinforce the district's emphasis on safety and readiness at extracurricular events.

","Athletic trainer Jaime Garcia was publicly thanked by board and staff after using an epinephrine auto-injector and first-aid measures to stabilize a 7-year-old spectator during a varsity softball game; district leaders highlighted training and emergency readiness.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123722,"Mercedes ISD trustees hear concerning STAR benchmark results; district plans targeted adjustments",2004,1619000,3623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19&start=1619&end=3623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688762-65ac4035c0d40f598b3c7bc70bac6f19/thumbnail_1619000.jpg","/articles/6123722/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-trustees-hear-concerning-STAR-benchmark-results-district-plans-targeted-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123722-357b97f4a73cc632d364dae2eb55f334/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186594&Signature=iIq3QiViBXXzm6fRmUzAEdXAHpjbRAjx7MZNrljjmfxuMBwC65ew3NjQUkgmP78xk1tA9qwomn~0Ji8qNvSgSM6ukJ9LQXW1Ei2oBv5-RA5fCCP7Ik~FLs4kNH1Ho3LScUrBjXeUnLl22dJLvfpZoLxx8JyGfvlXjGBVTt5tCGLwnKyXkyGGrvMku7bxj4JqyZPuwEyjslPzMSViRNHZsTzK0RcYLsn6A-98~gowowaBJBLoWb2dQtWIAUSNRF-wrUZ2L7Ad7pAZU~RVNsNwEmf88aK3VR6-8tTczVNkT2InbvF1CxlU9Kfyr4URJf7QA5cRExCZ~dBaAdDDVuMP5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Clinton and district curriculum staff told the Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees that preliminary STAR benchmark results show areas of concern across elementary and secondary grades and outlined targeted steps the district is taking to improve reading and math outcomes before state testing.

The board reviewed campus-level benchmark comparisons against last year and heard that while some grade levels and campuses posted gains, there were \"significant losses\" in other places. The district said it is responding with a package of actions that includes revised master schedules, targeted co-teaching and coaching supports, extended-learning opportunities, use of IXL for practice, and increased principal-led classroom monitoring.

Why it matters: Trustees said the data show the district is \"not where we should be\" in student performance and urged a focus on implementation fidelity, follow-through and cross-campus coordination. Multiple trustees pressed staff for specifics on what the board can do to help ensure teachers and principals implement the adjustments consistently.

What staff presented
- Elementary benchmarks: The district's presenter compared current STAR benchmarks with last year's and said math gains appeared districtwide while reading remains uneven; some campuses showed gains in mastery-level performance for certain grades.
- Secondary benchmarks: District staff reported mixed results at the middle and high school level. At one middle school, staff said two algebra modules had not yet been taught and that scores reflected that gap; principals and coaches were providing in-class support and blitz periods were planned.
- Implementation steps: District staff described districtwide practices being reinforced: data analysis to identify misconceptions, revised pacing and master schedules, targeted PLCs, lesson rehearsals, co-teaching through Carnegie, in-class coaches, after-school ACE programming, Saturday tutorials through April, and summer preparations.

Trustee and staff exchange
- \"These these scores were concerning. I don't want to downplay it,\" Dr. Benjamin Clinton said, acknowledging the results and outlining three district priorities: maximizing instructional time, deploying staff strategically, and closely reviewing data to track progress.
- Curriculum staff said, \"we do see that we have, a lot of work to do,\" and described adjustments to master schedules to better align new curricula (Amplify and Carnegie) with STAR test emphases.
- Trustees repeatedly pressed for evidence of follow-through. Trustee Trevino said the board must ensure the district not only approves curriculum inputs but also guarantees implementation. Trustee Rodriguez asked for more detail on master-schedule changes; staff responded that principals were scheduling targeted, grade-level reading and math blocks and intervention periods.

Board direction and next steps
Trustees directed staff to continue twice-monthly data reviews, to proceed with targeted coaching and blitz instruction before testing, and to report back on implementation fidelity and progress. Staff said they would provide campus STAR action plans already shared with the superintendent and return with additional details after testing.

","Superintendent and curriculum staff presented STAR benchmark results showing declines in some grades; trustees pressed for follow-up actions including schedule adjustments, coaching and extended learning.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":105,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":106,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123726,"Mercedes ISD board authorizes bond refunding parameters to pursue up to $17M in savings","/articles/6123726/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-board-authorizes-bond-refunding-parameters-to-pursue-up-to-17M-in-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123726-f062a423e9edc7cf13b108470c6f9b87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186594&Signature=T6PrU4NaYgnicusfdZ5k~MS9PwdjLt7i8lG7I6Sw1hrX4004006vZ1mF4Yx2eHCP18qy3CsJoHzIa0et8poI7G2KGs-3r21-cWa-mVvhB-PP~JyPH1LF1RwG5qivPYbytLHTPDHPib~Js2N9iHL~maQI-IkjZIkJ-vWds88RXqQ~tVHNnuIGvD7TqfiH8-QiPutRmw7QcCTYDsJici11cpqbybgVaMqBtcY2Ws0MKkXw6d0wDe-AA0aQCSxjbROzi-rHqYaoA9O-SENlE~31cTUFf~Ljp9FBeLwXGS60A7DO9Q3Bashck7jbdL4vamDSy1Klq05RgW8kSynZGHvkyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to approve a parameters order authorizing district staff, the district's financial adviser and bond counsel to pursue refunding certain unlimited-tax school building bonds.

The vote authorizes the superintendent and the district's advisors to monitor the municipal market and, if pre-set parameters are met, to price and close a refunding sale for callable maturities. Miguel de Los Santos of Estrada Hinojosa & Company presented the proposal and said about $13.8 million in currently callable principal was a reasonable target under current assumptions, with room to increase the refunding size to roughly $17 million if the market allowed.

Why it matters: The district's general obligation bonds carry an average coupon of about 4.42 percent, De Los Santos said, while the market true interest cost used for the district's analysis was roughly 3.48 percent. Under the sample pricing he presented, the district's net present-value savings would be about $750,000 and interest savings over time about $1.03 million if the transaction closed at those levels. The board and staff said any deal would only proceed if it met minimum savings thresholds described in the parameters order.

Details of the proposal and vote
- Financial adviser Miguel de Los Santos framed the scope: the package targeted several series of already-refunded general obligation bonds with callable maturities. He walked the board through amounts outstanding, amounts callable, and a modeled savings schedule.
- David Zepeda of bond counsel reviewed the legal paperwork that would enable staff to act within council-set parameters without convening special board meetings if market windows opened.
- Board discussion focused on safeguards and communications: trustees asked how the district would be informed before any sale, the estimated cost of issuance, and the minimum savings hurdle the board would accept. De Los Santos said the order would allow staff to proceed only if market pricing met the board's parameters and the superintendent gave explicit sign-off before pricing.

The board approved the parameters order 6-1; the motion was made by Trustee Hernandez and seconded by Trustee Rodriguez. Board members recorded in the roll call included Trustees Howell, Vallejo, Hernandez, Rodriguez, Rosa and Reynosa (aye); one trustee identified in the record as Mister Hall voted against the motion. The board directed staff to return with final deal results if a refunding is executed.

What the resolution permits and limits
The parameters order sets: (a) the maximum par amount the district may refund (a cap included to preserve flexibility), (b) a minimum present-value savings threshold to justify refunding, and (c) an authorization model that requires superintendent approval to proceed when the market meets the parameters. De Los Santos and bond counsel said costs of issuance (counsel fees, ratings, and other transaction costs) would be included in the financing and not billed separately to the district.

Next steps
If the market meets the resolution's criteria, the superintendent and the district's advisers would proceed to price and close the refunding and then report back to the board with actual transaction results and final savings figures.

","The Mercedes ISD Board approved a parameters order authorizing staff and advisors to pursue refunding of eligible unlimited-tax bonds, a move the district\u0000said could lower interest costs and net about $1 million in savings if market conditions hold.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Mercedes ISD board passes bond parameters, instructional purchases and multiple authorizations

Mercedes ISD athletic trainer recognized after administering EpiPen to child at varsity game

Mercedes ISD trustees hear concerning STAR benchmark results; district plans targeted adjustments

Mercedes ISD board authorizes bond refunding parameters to pursue up to $17M in savings