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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
ECISD Superintendent Mendez Announces Retirement 3/19/13
3/19/13
UPDATE: 2:56 P.M.
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The ECISD released this statement about the retirement of Superintendent Mendez:
During a school board meeting this afternoon Superintendent Hector Mendez announced his intention to retire at the end of this school year. Mr. Mendez is finishing his 38th year in public education, his 33rd in ECISD, and his sixth as superintendent.
“It has come time for me, soon to be 63, to look at my future and family, and other activities I’m involved in. I’m officially going to retire on June 30,” Mr. Mendez stated. He thanked the Trustees, the community, and all of ECISD’s staff for making his a long and rewarding career. “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve this district for 33 years. I still run into former students and parents and that is one of the many joys of this job.”
Mr. Mendez began teaching in San Angelo Independent School District. His one year there was followed by four in Midland ISD before being hired by ECISD in August of 1980. He served the students of Ector County as a teacher, principal, executive director, and assistant superintendent. In July 2007 Trustees named him the temporary interim superintendent, removed the temporary shortly thereafter, and ultimately hired him as the full-time superintendent in May 2008. He was given a three-year contract at that time. After two years that original contract was extended by two years through June 2013.
During his tenure, Mr. Mendez led the District and community through several significant events. He spearheaded the year-long strategic planning sessions that ended with the development of a five-year comprehensive plan for the school district. He guided the district through the mediation process that led to the settlement of the decades-old desegregation lawsuit and the development of a new Diversity Definition for student enrollment. Mr. Mendez held discussions with groups of high school students that began the investigation of and eventual formation of New Tech Odessa and its emphasis on project-based learning. And he played a central role in the development and passage of the largest school bond election -- $129.75 million – in school district history in November 2012.
“In taking care of my duties I have not been as attentive to my family,” added Mr. Mendez. “I’ve missed things. After a lot of reflection, thought, and prayer, it is time to move into that next phase of my life.”
He has been married to Rose for 42 years and they have five children and 9 grandchildren.
The Board of Trustees spent approximately one-and-a-half hours in closed session discussing his contract before returning to the board room and voting unanimously (7-0) to have a retirement agreement drawn up that will allow Mr. Mendez to remain superintendent through June 30 or work as a consultant through June 30 if another superintendent is hired before that date. The Board also voted to give him a 3% raise – the same raise given to all employees last summer – retroactive to the beginning of this school year as well as pay him for his accrued leave.
The meeting adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
(PHOTO: ECISD)
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ODESSA - Ector County Independent School District Superintendent Hector Mendez announced today that he will be retiring.
CBS7 News will bring you the latest developments on this developing story.