By Edmond Ortiz
Trustees of a Northeast Side school district used a special Valentine’s Day meeting to authorize internal investigations into two school board members.
What you should know
The Judson Independent School District board unanimously approved beginning a formal investigation into two employees’ complaints filed against trustee Jose Macias.
The board also voted 4-3 to start a separate investigation into whether Macias violated parts of the Texas Penal Code, including sections covering coercion of a public servant, abuse of official capacity, and misuse of official information.
Additionally, the board unanimously backed an investigation into Macias and trustee Suzanne Kenoyer’s claims that school board President Monica Ryan abused board authority and retaliated against an employee.
All of the votes came in a closed session to wrap up a three-plus-hour meeting that included a closed session discussion involving the launch of the aforementioned investigations.
What they are saying
While by law the public is not privy to the details of the matters being investigated, Macias said in open session that the investigations of him primarily are focused on his use of social media and are a form of retaliation by Ryan.
Specifically, Macias claimed he is under fire from Ryan and some others for using his Facebook profile to defend the recently ousted Superintendent Milton Fields, and to openly question current school board leadership.
There have been some JISD board meetings where Macias and Ryan have talked over each other or exchanged heated comments, especially concerning how a narrow board majority reached a decision to fire Fields.
Macias on Feb. 14 said his social media posts reflect his right to freedom of speech, adding that he is using Facebook to keep community members updated on key issues, including the removal of Fields and a current, controversial proposal to close multiple campuses.
“Some of those posts are specific about my defense of the superintendent. I still believe in my heart that there was a potential violation of the (Texas Open Meetings Act), led by Monica Ryan,” Macias said.
“If you’re going to use my social media post, Ms. Ryan, the only way to address the dark is by shining a light on it, so I’m going to expose everything I possibly can to make sure the community knows how chaotic, dysfunctional and toxic things are right now in this district.”
Ryan did not directly respond to Macias’ remarks other than to tell the audience that two district employees had lodged a complaint against him.
The earlier part of the Feb. 14 meeting revolved around discussions on JISD’s proposal to shutter several schools in a larger initiative to reduce a budget deficit.
Also of note
The board will have another special meeting Feb. 16, starting at 5:30 p.m., when trustees may vote on such closures and consolidations in separate motions:
*Possibly closing Kitty Hawk Middle School and the JSTEM Academy or Judson Middle School;
*Possibly close three of five of following elementary schools: Park Village Elementary Blended Learning Academy, Ed Franz Elementary Leadership Academy, Woodlake Elementary School, Olympia Elementary Fine Arts Academy, and/or Spring Meadows Elementary/Spring Meadows College Prep Academy.
Any approved closures will take effect before the 2026-2027 academic year.
