Judson ISD board censures Trustee José A. Macias, finds him in noncompliance and imposes restrictions

The Judson Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to adopt a resolution censuring Trustee José A. Macias and, in a separate action, found him to be in noncompliance with previously ordered corrective measures.

The board adopted the censure resolution after reading findings that it says show a pattern of misconduct, including abuse of official capacity, misuse of official information, retaliation, harassment and conduct creating a hostile work environment. The resolution cites supporting materials "including but not limited to social media posts, news articles and public statements, district email communications, board meeting video recordings, executive session memoranda and litigation filings," and lists possible Texas Penal Code provisions the board says the conduct appears to implicate (36.03; 39.02; 39.06; 36.06; 39.03). The censure imposes sanctions including a public censure, mandatory completion of employee‑treatment/harassment/retaliation training within 90 days with proof of completion, ineligibility to serve as board president, vice president or secretary for one year, and a one‑year prohibition on initiating contact with district staff (with limited exceptions for conducting board business). The resolution also authorizes referral of the investigation materials to appropriate law enforcement and courts for review.

"What message do we send to our employees if we fail to act?" Trustee Ms. Stanford asked during debate, arguing investigators documented threatening and retaliatory conduct and that the censure was necessary to protect employees and maintain governance integrity.

Trustee José A. Macias opposed the censure. He told the board he would litigate and said he believed the measures infringed on his free‑speech rights and were politically motivated. "I love Judson ISD. I've been reelected and served five terms," Macias said, and added that he would have his day in court. Macias repeatedly denied some factual assertions tied to the investigators' findings.

Later in the meeting the board read and adopted a second resolution finding Trustee Macias in noncompliance with the board's April 23, 2026 corrective measures and with court‑imposed conditions. That resolution lists specific alleged failures: not attending required monthly meetings with the board president and superintendent, entering district facilities during a period of restricted access, and asking administrators to remove students from instructional settings to question them about matters the board says are outside an individual trustee's authority. The board concluded those actions interfered with campus administration and instructional operations and undermined confidence in governance.

The noncompliance resolution added further sanctions: formal finding of noncompliance; prohibition from serving in any board officer role for 18 months; restrictions on entering district property and participating in district events for a defined period (with exceptions only for official board meetings and legally authorized governance functions); requirements that visits to campuses or events be requested through the superintendent at least three business days in advance with a cabinet‑level or board officer available; and mandatory completion of three additional hours of Texas Education Code training within 60 days. The board again authorized limited waiver of attorney‑client and work‑product privilege to refer materials to law enforcement and courts "for review and any action deemed necessary," including review of potential criminal violations.

Both measures passed with divided votes. The censure motion passed 4‑2; the noncompliance resolution also passed 4‑2. Earlier in the meeting the board approved two motions identified as agenda items 4A and 4B — both described as "proceed as discussed in closed session" — each by a vote of 4‑1 with one abstention; those items concerned the legal matters the board had consulted about in closed session.

Trustees who supported the actions said their decisions were based on investigators' findings and documentary evidence presented to the board and framed the measures as necessary to protect employees and district operations. Trustees opposing the measures argued they were punitive, disagreed with factual findings and said they would pursue relief through the courts and other channels. During the public debate, trustees and other speakers repeatedly cautioned participants to remain on the agenda topic and to respect closed‑session confidentiality where applicable.

The board adjourned at 9:18 PM. For the official record, the Judson ISD approved minutes and the board's adopted resolutions should be consulted for full text and any redactions or withheld privileged material.