Mercedes ISD board unanimously authorizes RFP for fire-alarm replacement, approves policy change and voluntary insurance pilot

The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees, meeting that reconvened in open session at 11:12 p.m., unanimously authorized administration to solicit proposals to replace the fire alarm system at Mercedes Early College Academy and approved several other superintendent-recommended actions, including revisions to policy GKD, authorization to proceed on personnel matters discussed in executive session, legal counsel action in a pending case, and a voluntary health insurance pilot program.

The actions address safety and district operations: the fire-alarm solicitation would start procurement for Mercedes Early College Academy, the policy change updates the district's non-school use-of-facilities rule (GKD local), and the insurance pilot would be offered on a voluntary basis to staff. The board recorded unanimous votes on each motion.

Superintendent Dr. Clinton asked the board to allow staff to solicit proposals for the fire alarm replacement, saying, "I request to approve, permission to solicit for for proposals." Trustees moved and seconded the item and the presiding officer called roll; members answered in the affirmative and the motion passed unanimously.

On a separate consent-item motion, trustees approved revisions to policy GKD (community relations — non-school use of facilities) with a clerical change to reflect the meeting date rather than the prior 02/27 date. The motion to approve the policy revision was moved by Ms. Vallejo and seconded by Mr. Rodriguez; the board voted unanimously.

After an executive session on personnel, the board voted to authorize the superintendent to proceed on personnel matters "as discussed in executive session," following a motion by Mr. Hernandez and second by Mr. Raveno. That motion also passed unanimously.

The board authorized legal counsel to proceed in the lawsuit captioned CL-20-3009-D, Rafael G. Real v. Mercedes Independent School District. The presiding member moved the item and trustees voted unanimously to authorize private consultation with counsel to handle the case.

Trustees also approved a superintendent-recommended health insurance pilot program pursuant to section 541.071. Board discussion noted the program would be voluntary; one trustee commented, "I appreciate the, the option to look at, some plans that will actually have a cost savings for some of our, summer staff. So I applaud you for bringing up, I think it's an innovative plan. And and, I assure the staff is it's, it's a it's a good opportunity. I wasn't really aware of it." Board members asked that details be explained to staff in both English and Spanish before enrollment. The motion to proceed with the pilot was moved by Mr. Rodriguez, seconded, and passed unanimously.

The board noted there was no action on legal services RFQ No. 11-19-24-407; committee direction from executive session will govern next steps. Administrators announced a budget workshop scheduled for March 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Administration Building, and the regular April board meeting is set for April 15. The meeting minutes also record that Mr. Howe left at 10:46 p.m.

Votes at a glance: authorization to solicit RFP for fire alarm replacement at Mercedes Early College Academy — passed unanimously; approval of revisions to policy GKD (non-school use of facilities, date correction) — passed unanimously; authorization for superintendent to proceed on personnel matters discussed in executive session — passed unanimously; authorization for counsel to proceed in CL-20-3009-D (Rafael G. Real v. Mercedes Independent School District) — passed unanimously; approval to offer a voluntary health insurance pilot program pursuant to section 541.071 — passed unanimously.

The board adjourned at 11:19 p.m.