The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to suspend its search for a superintendent and signaled its plans to keep current interim superintendent Richard Rivera around for a while.
Virtually all discussion on the topic was held in executive session, but Rivera told The Monitor Wednesday that a new contract locks him in as interim superintendent for two years.
“It contains the standard benefits of health insurance and car allowance,” he wrote. “The salary remains the same as the previous superintendent. Even though it is low compared to other superintendents, it was my decision to remain the same. I’m reducing the budget and do not want to increase it with a higher salary for me.”
Rivera was appreciative at Tuesday’s meeting.
“Thank you for the compliments. Thank you, and I will not let you down,” he told trustees.
The board tapped Rivera as interim superintendent in June after a series of scandals culminated in the arrest and subsequent suspension of Superintendent Carolyn Mendiola.
Mendiola was charged with interfering with public duties in relation to a sexual misconduct investigation at the district that resulted in an arrest.
Through an attorney, Mendiola has denied those allegations and said that they’re politically motivated.
Mendiola is still on leave and still holds the title of superintendent, although before her arrest she announced plans to retire from her position in September.
The board cannot name a new superintendent while Mendiola continues to hold that title, Board President Oscar Hernandez said Wednesday, although he called the district’s two-year contract with Rivera a step in the right direction.
“I think we need stability. We need the experience and the leadership qualities of Dr. Rivera more than ever,” he said.
Rivera, is a Mercedes native and veteran Rio Grande Valley educator, serving previously as superintendent at Edcouch-Elsa, Monte Alto and Weslaco ISDs.
Over the summer, Rivera has touted his hands-on, active approach while setting out to grapple with the district’s financial troubles and the fallout of its various safety scandals over the past year.
So far, that approach seems to have won him support on the board. Generally vocally divided, most of the board’s meetings this summer have been fairly meek.
“Dr. Rivera, welcome,” Trustee Lucy Delgado said during Tuesday’s meeting. “Thank you for all the work. Thank you for all the work that you’ve been doing. We certainly appreciate you staying on with us, and we’re looking forward to it.” [email protected]
