WESLACO ISD board upholds administration's level-2 grievance finding for Monica Martinez
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Summary
At a special meeting, the WESLACO ISD Board of Trustees held a closed hearing on a level-3 grievance filed by Monica Martinez and, following a return to open session, voted to uphold the administration's level-2 finding. Trustees emphasized following district policy while expressing personal support for the employee.
WESLACO, Texas — The WESLACO ISD Board of Trustees on the evening of a special meeting upheld the administration's earlier level-2 finding in a grievance filed by employee Monica Martinez, following a closed-session grievance hearing and a roll-call vote in open session.
Trustees convened the special meeting at 5:32 p.m. and moved into a closed session at about 6:38 p.m. for a level-3 complaint hearing requested by Monica Martinez, the board said. Board President Mr. Isor Nieto presided and the board attorney read limits imposed by the Texas Open Meetings Act and the district's procedures for public comments and hearings.
During the public-comment portion, James Cuell identified himself and said he came to speak "for my kids," urging the board to "do what's right" for students and praising staff who have helped his children. The board then heard presentations in closed session under the procedures the presiding officer described: initial presentations were limited to 10 minutes per side, with five minutes for rebuttal or closing remarks.
After returning to open session at about 6:46 p.m., a trustee moved that the board "vote to uphold the administration's level-2 recommendation." The motion was announced as made by "Vista Los Santos" and seconded by "Missus Usteta" (transcript spelling). Trustees discussed the importance of following district policy, including vetting candidates and applying policy DK (local) consistently across campuses.
Trustee Jackie Sustaita commented in support of the employee, saying, "You're awesome... You're doing a great job at Central, so keep it up." Dr. Jaime Rodriguez added, "good luck to you moving forward there," expressing personal support while noting the board is policy-driven.
The presiding officer conducted an individual roll-call vote. The transcript records "aye" votes from Trustee Jackie Sustaita, Dr. Jaime Rodriguez, Ben Castillo, Eddie Serna and Mark Delosantos. The presiding officer announced the motion passed and the board adjourned at about 6:49 p.m.
The board cited WESLACO ISD policy DGBA in scheduling and conducting the level-3 grievance hearing. The transcript also records the board attorney's reading of limits under the Texas Open Meetings Act, including that the board may not deliberate on matters not on the posted agenda and that public comments are limited to three minutes.
What's next: The board took a formal vote to uphold the administration's level-2 findings; the transcript does not specify additional remedial steps, appeals timelines, or personnel actions beyond the board's decision. Those procedural details were not specified in the portions of the record provided.