Mesquite ISD board votes 7–0 to nonrenew employee contract after closed hearing

The Mesquite ISD Board of Trustees voted 7–0 on July 13 to nonrenew the term contract of an employee identified in the meeting as Alex Johnson after conducting a hearing that included a closed session for consideration of student-identifiable evidence.

President Robert Seward announced the hearing and directed the board to consult with legal counsel. The board first appointed Andrea Mooney to serve as the presiding officer and board adviser for the proceedings; trustees voted 7–0 to appoint Mooney. During preliminary proceedings, the administration objected to an open hearing, citing Texas Government Code §551.0821 and FERPA concerns because exhibits included handwritten student statements, photos and videos that would be impossible to redact without rendering them meaningless, according to district counsel.

The board moved into closed session at 8:09 p.m. under the specified Texas Government Code sections and returned to open session at 12:23 a.m. on July 14. In open session a trustee moved to nonrenew Alex Johnson’s contract; the motion was seconded and carried on a 7–0 vote. The presiding officer advised the employee would receive written notice consistent with board policy and that the employee retains the right to appeal to the Texas Commissioner of Education within 20 days of receiving written notice.

The board did not provide additional details about the content of the closed hearing in open session, citing the confidentiality of student-identifiable material. The district record included references to the legal code sections governing closed deliberations and the board’s statement that the decision is final at the board level.