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Mercedes ISD board amends District of Innovation to allow 184–187 educator contract days
Summary
The board approved an amendment to the District of Innovation allowing the district to set educator contract days within a 184–187 range to aid teacher recruitment and retention; the measure passed 6–1 with Trustee Nancy E. Vallejo voting against.
The Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees voted on June 9 to amend its District of Innovation (DOI) Plan to add an exemption to the minimum service requirement for educators, permitting the district to set educator contract days in a range of 184 to 187 days instead of the single state-required 187 days.
Mona Guerra, the district's Federal Programs Director, presented the proposed amendment and Interim Superintendent Dr. Alicia Noyola said administration recommended approval. The board voted to approve the amendment; the tally was six in favor and one opposed (Trustee Nancy E. Vallejo cast the lone no vote).
The stated purpose of the amendment is to support recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators while maintaining annual compensation levels. The minutes note that the superintendent will annually recommend the number of educator contract days to the Board of Trustees for consideration and approval.
Trustees did not specify the exact educator contract day count for 2026 at the meeting; the amendment creates the ability for the district to select within the 184–187-day range in future annual recommendations.
