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Mercedes ISD trustees voted 5-2 to accept Superintendent Carolyn Mendiola’s resignation at a special meeting Monday.
Mendiola announced her intention to step down by September last week, saying it was simply the right time to retire and spend more time seaside.
That announcement, however, followed significant turmoil at the district, including sexual misconduct scandals, a controversial campus move and an often bitterly divided board.
Trustee Rachel Treviño previously said she felt Mendiola is leaving because of board micromanagement, an opinion she repeated Monday. She said she was disappointed to see her going.
“Although I know that you requested this, in my heart — because I witnessed it — I know it had to do with a lot of micromanaging that was going on…” she said. “You were talked down to. I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that you just want to sit by the beach. I’m very disappointed because we had a job to do, and now we have to worry about finding another leader.”
Trustee Brian Acosta also spoke favorably about Mendiola, particularly about her community involvement.
Support was not unanimous, however.
Although Lucy Delgado thanked Mendiola and complimented her personally, she said she felt the job at Mercedes ISD proved too much for the superintendent.
“Accountability was definitely an issue,” she said. “And you really tried, you tried to do well by everyone and it just — you were overwhelmed.”
