Mission CISD inks separation agreement with superintendent

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Mission Consolidated Independent School District approved a severance package for Superintendent Carol G. Perez on Wednesday.

Perez agreed to walk away from her job at Mission CISD without filing a lawsuit. In exchange, the school board agreed to keep Perez on the payroll until Halloween.  

“The settlement includes a severance agreement that provides for three months compensation,” school board President Iris “Coach” Iglesias said Wednesday night. “This approach avoids the potential uncertainties and extended duration and cost associated with litigation, providing a clear path forward for the district.”

Questions about Perez’s future with Mission CISD surfaced in 2023, when CBS 4 News reported that she had a 10-year contract.

The Texas Education Code, however, limits the length of a superintendent’s contract to five years.

CBS 4 News asked three attorneys to review the contract. They said it did not comply with the law.

Attorney David P. Hansen, who represented Mission CISD, disagreed.

Hansen said the contract included a “Controlling Law” clause that limited the contract’s length to five years — regardless of what the contract actually said.

The school board did not take any action to address the contract. In May 2024, though, voters elected two new school board trustees.

They moved quickly.

On Wednesday, less than two months after the election, the school board inked a separation agreement with Perez and selected a new law firm to represent Mission CISD.

Perez did not attend the meeting and could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday night.

Under the agreement, Perez agreed to serve as “Superintendent Emeritus” until Sept. 1.

“Dr. Perez will receive her regular salary and benefits via her monthly paycheck,” according to the agreement. “After September 1, 2024, Dr. Perez will receive a lump sum payment for the remaining salary and benefits due to her until October 31, 2024.”

Perez had a base salary of about $317,000 in October 2023, according to information published by the Texas Education Agency. Keeping her on the payroll for three months would cost at least $79,250.

Asked why Mission CISD and Perez had parted ways, Iglesias said the district needed to “go in another direction.”

Attorney Ben Castillo, who represents Mission CISD, said the agreement included a non-disparagement clause.

“So, we’re limited in what we can say,” Castillo said.

Trustee Jerry Zamora said Mission CISD hired attorneys to conduct an investigation.

Zamora said he could not discuss what, exactly, the investigation revealed, but the results would be released shortly.

“The cost of this agreement is less expensive than the potential years of litigation,” Zamora said.