Socorro ISD trustees vote to dissolve standing committees, plan monthly workshops starting February

The Socorro ISD Board of Trustees voted Dec. 17 to dissolve the district’s standing committees established under Policy BDB and to replace them with regular full‑board workshops, subject to a transition plan. Administration argued that committee meetings (typically three trustees attending) created information gaps and inefficiencies because other trustees were not present for the discussions. Superintendent Michelle Vasquez and legal counsel Steve Blanco advised that while policy requires dissolution action for the committees, workshops are scheduled like other special board meetings and do not require committee rules.

Board member Mr. Guerra moved to dissolve the committees but amended his motion to delay the dissolution until Feb. 1 so January committee meetings could proceed and staff would have time to design the workshop schedule and agenda. The board approved the amended motion by show of hands. Trustees discussed feasibility and staff workload, and administration said they anticipate workshops could begin in February with planning and a structural workshop in January led by facilitator Ben Mackey.

Trustees said the change aims to improve transparency and allow all seven trustees to hear presentations and ask questions in the same forum. Legal counsel recommended setting a regular time for workshops so the public can anticipate and attend discussions that will precede any formal votes.