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Rockdale ISD board unanimously hires Dr. Michael Watson as superintendent
Summary
At a March 9, 2026 special meeting, the Rockdale ISD Board of Trustees voted 7-0 to employ Dr. Michael Watson as the district's new superintendent and authorized the board president to sign the employment contract; contract terms were not specified in the minutes.
Board President Charles Miles called the Rockdale Independent School District Board of Trustees to order at 5:00 p.m. on March 9, 2026, in the Rockdale ISD Conference Center. During a brief special meeting, the board voted to employ Dr. Michael Watson as the district's new superintendent and authorized the board president to execute all necessary employment documents on behalf of the district.
The motion to employ Dr. Michael Watson was made by Board member Janice Keen and seconded by Board member Karen Laughlin. The motion text recorded in the minutes states: "Motion by Janice Keen, seconded by Karen Laughlin to employ Dr. Michael Watson as the new superintendent for the district, and further move that the Board approve the proposed contract of employment to be offered to Dr. Michael Watson, and authorize the Board President to execute all necessary employment documents on behalf of the District." The minutes record the vote as "Motion carried (7 for - Miles, Barcak, Casas, Cardona, Keen, Laughlin, and Heintze); 0 against."
The special meeting minutes list the trustees present as Board President Charles Miles; Board Vice President Jason Barcak; Board Secretary Amy Casas; and members Julia Cardona, Janice Keen, Karen Laughlin, and Scott Heintze. Administrators and guests listed in the minutes included Dr. Michael Watson, Assistant Superintendent Kathy Pelzel, Assistant Superintendent Tiffany Whitsel and Business Manager Rebecca King, among others.
The minutes do not specify the terms, salary, or length of the employment contract approved at the meeting. Following the employment vote, Board Secretary Amy Casas moved to adjourn, the motion was seconded by Julia Cardona, and the meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
The board took formal action to appoint the superintendent; no other business or substantive discussion appears in the minutes for this special meeting.
