Mesquite ISD board approves consent agenda, renews general counsel contract, hires two head football coaches and adopts 2025–26 calendar

The Mesquite Independent School District Board of Trustees approved several routine and personnel items during its Jan. 13, 2025 meeting, including passage of the consent agenda; renewal of the district general counsel’s contract; appointment of two head football coaches on administrative-term contracts; and adoption of the 2025–26 school calendar. All four measures were approved unanimously by recorded voice votes.

Consent agenda and housekeeping After reconvening from a break, the board approved the consent agenda on a motion by Mr. Carbo with a second by Mr. Rose. The board’s announced result was “motion passes 7-0.” The consent agenda included routine items noted in the board packet (details of specific consent items were not pulled out for separate public discussion at the meeting).

General counsel contract renewal Following an earlier executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.074 on the general counsel’s evaluation and contract renewal, the board voted to renew the general counsel’s contract on a motion by Mr. Bingham with a second by Ms. Collier. The public motion and vote were recorded as passing 7-0. The meeting transcript did not provide the general counsel’s name during the public vote; the item was discussed in closed session prior to the public vote.

Athletics administrative contracts: Mesquite and Poteet head football coaches The board approved two administrative-term contracts for head football coaches as recommended by the district’s athletic staff. The athletic director, Cody Groves, introduced the recommendations and campus principals presented the candidates. - Mesquite High School: The board approved Coach Rafael Thomas on a motion by Mr. Everett, seconded by Mr. Carball (transcript spelling varies), with the board recording the vote as 7-0. Administrators presented Thomas’s decade of coaching experience, including recent roles at Houston-area programs and a noted appearance on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 40 Under 40 list. - Poteet High School: The board approved Terrence Orr II on a motion by Mr. Rose, seconded by Ms. Hornsby, with the public vote recorded 7-0. The superintendent and principals summarized Orr’s coaching background, including prior roles at DeSoto and experience as an offensive coordinator at multiple high schools.

2025–26 school calendar adopted The board adopted the district’s proposed 2025–26 school calendar on a motion by Ms. Hornsby with a second by Mr. Everett; the vote was recorded as 7-0. The calendar sets a student start date of Aug. 12, 2025, includes a weeklong fall break, preserves traditional holidays, and front-loads professional learning days for staff; the administration said the calendar satisfies state-required instructional minutes and 187 workdays for most staff. The administration reported survey results used during calendar development: 1,691 total responses, with about 72% of parents/guardians rating the draft calendar a 7–10 out of 10 and 61% of staff doing the same.

Executive sessions and superintendent evaluation The board convened an executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.074 to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation; trustees reconvened to open session at 9:53 p.m. and announced no action was taken from that closed session.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: mover Mr. Carbo; second Mr. Rose; outcome: approved, yes 7/no 0. - General counsel contract renewal (discussed in exec. session): mover Mr. Bingham; second Ms. Collier; outcome: approved, yes 7/no 0. - Mesquite High School head football coach Rafael Thomas: mover Mr. Everett; second Mr. Carball; outcome: approved, yes 7/no 0. - Poteet High School head football coach Terrence Orr II: mover Mr. Rose; second Ms. Hornsby; outcome: approved, yes 7/no 0. - 2025–26 school calendar: mover Ms. Hornsby; second Mr. Everett; outcome: approved, yes 7/no 0.

Ending Board members thanked staff and community volunteers for their work on the facilities study and other reports. No further action items were taken after reconvening from the final executive session, and the board adjourned at 9:54 p.m.