[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6271747,"mediaKeyId","3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc","parentId",3028660,"title","Mercedes ISD board approves insurance renewal, budget amendments, summer programming and other measures","audioSeconds",4879,"startMs",3172000,"endMs",8051000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc&start=3172&end=8051","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc/thumbnail_3172000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271747/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-board-approves-insurance-renewal-budget-amendments-summer-programming-and-other-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271747-3dff2f8fee429aabbffb3f83777cc7ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968773&Signature=SAQfTaetjkFa8US8t1Nmg8Kalp92xbIHarfIRsuMhumhbereDuaMflLpX~Z6ae7Sq22Qvo8mte5GyRJ31ODEf6ppoLjeHdaFKz9gDZIvGltvVgL6stqzINpuSPbZQ03nJoxS1qlgE-ydgZfYXawEZRCZRNW9VOK3qCgrHVt3V7d6FZwI~oFwFKgsB8Wd5Lps0-SpvgRF7QYWc1HbdyhaKwGT7bxyTMZptK6fpBW-q3gcFUJvK1jqiJ9XqZf44OsInhKgxk93mV6oKnQsQBSqdlFzgCKGN6H6FW55TrsoYVTzKMJWmpdQg1I9Wl-G7ND4-FG9dAVckB24Q8suryo~tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercedes ISD","date","2025-04-17T00:40:14.353Z","article","The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a slate of administrative, budgetary and program items during its April regular meeting, including the renewal of student athletic insurance, a multi‑part budget amendment, contract renewals and the district's summer programming and optional flexible school day applications.

The actions largely passed by unanimous vote. Separate coverage has been published for the board's award of the general‑counsel contract, which passed 4–1 with one abstention.

Votes at a glance

- Student athletic insurance renewal (FY 2025–26): The board approved renewal at the same premium amount as the prior year, $133,575, with no rate changes. Recommendation to renew was presented by district staff; the motion was moved by Mister Hernandez and seconded by Ms. Trevino. Vote: unanimous.

- Budget amendment: The board approved General Operating Budget Amendment No. 5 and an Internal Service Fund 1 amendment. Highlights included creating a separate Child Nutrition budget (May 2025) of $66,500, planned Child Nutrition equipment purchases of $215,000, and an internal transfer to the health insurance account to cover a high claim (approximately $1,802,030) that the district will submit for stop‑loss reimbursement. Recommendation moved by the superintendent; the board approved the amendment unanimously.

- External auditor contract renewal (annual audit): Trustees approved a one‑year renewal with the current auditing firm under the district's cooperative purchasing allowance. The board approved the extension unanimously.

- Security guard services: The board authorized staff to solicit proposals for security guard services for the 2025–26 school year. The superintendent said the current contract expires July 31; the motion to go to RFP passed unanimously.

- Texas State Billing Services (TSBS) renewal: Trustees approved renewing the district's third‑party billing services contract with TSBS after staff reported responsiveness and projected savings; the vote passed unanimously.

- Summer school program and summer pay addendum: The board approved the summer school program overview, projected payroll without benefits, and a summer pay rate addendum to the district compensation plan; the motion passed unanimously.

- Optional Flexible School Day Program (OFSDP): The board approved the OFSDP application for summer 2025 (to generate ADA funding for certain secondary summer hours) and separately approved the OFSDP option for the 2025–26 school year for the district's MA (academic academy) campus; both votes passed unanimously.

- Board resolution: compensation for employees for emergency closure on March 28, 2025: The board adopted a resolution authorizing the superintendent to excuse absences and pay employees for time missed because of the flood closure, citing Texas Education Code 45.105(c); the motion passed by unanimous vote.

- Early notice-of-resignation incentive extension: The board authorized a retroactive extension of the early‑resignation incentive to accommodate employees affected by the flood and authorized another round of incentives for select classified positions (secretaries, clerks, receptionists); the motion passed unanimously.

- Consent agenda: Trustees approved the consent agenda after trustees pulled two items for separate review. Donations and routine items were approved unanimously.

Ending: The board moved into executive session on personnel, student discipline and privileged attorney consultation at 8:19 p.m.; items discussed in executive session were not disclosed in public minutes.

The district staff will return to the board with final contract documents, RFP timelines, and budget adjustments as required by the items approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MISD Regular Board Meeting 4 15 25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April meeting the board approved the renewal of the student athletic insurance, budget amendments including child nutrition and an internal‑service fund transfer, renewals and solicitations for several contracts, summer school plans and personnel‑related resolutions; most items passed unanimously.","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},6271752,"Mercedes ISD board hears attendance and enrollment report; ADA drop cited as near‑term budget risk",560,2600000,3160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc&start=2600&end=3160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","/articles/6271752/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-board-hears-attendance-and-enrollment-report-ADA-drop-cited-as-nearterm-budget-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271752-3de4a7248df46daafccb57faf532663b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968773&Signature=DK~7KHo01wIzCon7t4fLUjl7kVr6dVndOYaSoPeNkl2IDXg67ZrtQcirhzxq4KOVQ0BBU7hN5ii9WCTrTN2PEehQKNhVeymQiJGrXN1J1nJeQVKlDY9apOCI3G361CxvMOw9UmK0~ZzozNZhv~kbO-nlwzc9uHmwxYb4VTc6nwaYlxqeIcPEMc3m2nToDeQerDYccJ0BDDZb0l-yGoabQc8tAnAebBw~E-~FvQQ3STu3Dn8e0U48qb8Zg-PXIMh7CFKS9azjAt3aIBykuPD6b-Vm5RcwlAv6l-fKzgWKxd2xdVRSizYzlSjk7~GEhsIMxGJJR1ynJ7TVeniM9tOOYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercedes Independent School District leaders presented trustees with an August-to‑April snapshot showing a year‑to‑date enrollment decline and mixed attendance results that administrators said will factor into next year's budget.

Technology Director Roland Handy said the district will report three indicators each month: average enrollment, attendance rate and ADA (average daily attendance). He told trustees the district recorded an average‑enrollment drop of about 90 students compared with the prior year, an attendance‑rate increase of roughly 0.92 percentage points, and an ADA decline of about 114.1 students.

Dr. Clinton and district staff explained why ADA matters for funding: the district uses ADA to build state funding projections, and the district calculates a weighted funding estimate of about $8,000 per ADA. \"We're building into the budget about a decrease in close to a million dollars in funding from the state due to the ADA,\" Dr. Clinton said during the discussion.

Trustees reviewed campus‑level figures presented by staff. Among examples cited in the presentation:

- Mercedes Early Literacy: average enrollment down 22 students; ADA down roughly 5.34 students.
- Taylor Elementary: average enrollment down 47 students; ADA down about 24.06 students.
- Sergeant Chacon Middle School: average enrollment down 51 students; ADA down about 46.22 students.
- Mercedes Early College Academy (MECA): average enrollment up 4 students; ADA up about 4.71 students.
- Mercedes High School: average enrollment down 18 students, with a reported ADA increase (staff noted a 27 increase in ADA for the high school as presented).

Trustees and administrators discussed how the district uses ADA to model next year's revenues and emphasized that ADA is a better number for financial projections than simple enrollment counts. Trustee comments praised staff for outreach that increased the attendance rate in several campuses and urged continued work to improve attendance and mitigate funding risk.

Ending: Trustees asked staff to continue monitoring enrollment, refine revenue projections for the budget cycle, and report back with follow up analysis and recommendations.","District staff told trustees average enrollment fell about 90 students year‑over‑year and average daily attendance (ADA) dropped about 114 students; administrators said the ADA loss could reduce state funding by roughly $1 million as the district builds next year's budget.",{"_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},6271756,"Mercedes ISD board awards general‑counsel contract to Law Office of Tony Torres after close vote",918,7123000,8041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc&start=7123&end=8041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028660-da809d167d663841b80f11e05bf65efc/thumbnail_7123000.jpg","/articles/6271756/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-board-awards-generalcounsel-contract-to-Law-Office-of-Tony-Torres-after-close-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271756-11af15ef9e6779dc0cd0a773b974ddb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968773&Signature=dBzWaX10nkA4LVQ-T1DvN4OXoLqKQpccn61lc9rQwhIUY11if-3l~rknDjRc7tjP5Zkc-J9f9GgPHmq849TVqsNthwJriKExMs-C82vG1qcePeF1la5aYGySY4leJnC4D-AHXFDZQBi~zTQG3dEAAxNkyKpK7Eb4s3tOLraCtTSJDSi2gA~EtFG022sz22DvmS1sg-SBkNQqOhwNNkHn7-0rS3Vd1qWROe1VFzkuoFYAAOuQNodKbLbeGdD2CKg00PyswidgxikO6xGezBuMhUsjW4PpkzkMVzNLf6BzEInwZUpW1-mpslgoPABRTLaaV0W-w3B0KDRDWj~2fotVsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 4–1 with one abstention to award the district's general‑counsel contract (RFQ No. 02-08-25-408) to the Law Office of Tony Torres, PLLC, following presentations by two finalist firms and a lengthy board discussion about process and continuity.

Board President Marcus Garcia called for presentations by Walsh Gallegos Trevi\u0000o, Rolston & Townsend and by the Law Office of Tony Torres. Walsh Gallegos highlighted its statewide school‑law practice, TEA certification for board training, and a large special‑education practice; Mike Saldana of Walsh Gallegos said the firm represents more than 500 districts and stressed its depth of resources. Tony Torres and his team described their local availability, experience with both plaintiff and governmental clients, and proposed fee terms including an hourly rate disclosed in the proposal package.

The board debated competing priorities. Several trustees said continuity with the incumbent firm would help the district as it works through budget and contract seasons; others emphasized local roots and direct availability. Trustee comments also flagged concerns about the selection process: several trustees asked that an apparent tabulation oversight be corrected in the record and questioned whether a board committee roster had matched what was publicly expected.

Trustee [name on record: Mister Rodriguez] moved to award the legal services contract to the Law Office of Tony Torres, PLLC and to authorize the superintendent to negotiate contract details; the motion was seconded (record shows a second by Mister Rubio). The motion carried 4–1 with one abstention. Trustee Hernandez voted no; Trustee Vallejo recorded an abstention. The board president cast a vote in favor, completing the tally.

Board members and staff said the procurement paperwork will be corrected to reflect the committee's tabulation and that the superintendent will handle transition details and provide appropriate notice to the incumbent firm.

The contract award replaces the district's prior arrangement and takes effect under terms to be negotiated by the superintendent. The district posted the RFQ as RFQ No. 02-08-25-408; trustees said they expect a formal contract document and scope of work to return to the board in a future packet.

The decision followed nearly two hours of presentations and questions. Members of the public were not part of the selection discussion; the matter was handled as an open agenda item with voting recorded on the public minutes.

Ending: The board directed the superintendent to complete contract negotiations and to return final contract documents to the board for recordkeeping and, if required by law or policy, for final approval.","After presentations from two law firms and a debate about committee procedure and tabulation accuracy, the Board of Trustees voted 4–1 with one abstention to award RFQ No. 02-08-25-408 to the Law Office of Tony Torres, PLLC and authorized the superintendent to finalize terms.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mercedes ISD board approves insurance renewal, budget amendments, summer programming and other measures

Mercedes ISD board hears attendance and enrollment report; ADA drop cited as near‑term budget risk

Mercedes ISD board awards general‑counsel contract to Law Office of Tony Torres after close vote