Board tables Lone Star governance superintendent constraints, plans public workshop with consultant

The Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees voted to table a decision on narrowing nine superintendent constraints to the five TEA recommends and agreed to hold a public workshop with consultant Dr. Ramos before returning the item to the board. Board members said they want full participation from all trustees for a guided conversation on which constraint items should remain or be consolidated. Trustee Rodriguez and others proposed delaying action until a session could be scheduled with Dr. Ramos and after community input. Dr. Ramos has been working with the board on Lone Star governance principles and recommended focusing the constraints list; trustees noted other districts use three to five constraints. Trustees discussed process questions including whether monitoring could continue on the previously planned schedule while the constraints item was tabled; Dr. Ramos indicated monitoring could proceed and the constraints conversation could continue alongside it. The board then moved to table the item, with a formal motion, second and unanimous vote of those present. Board members said they will schedule a meeting with Dr. Ramos and arrange community outreach so the board can narrow and refine the superintendent guardrails before returning the item to a future board meeting.