EDITORIAL: Judson ISD trustees let feud get in the way of governing

May 11-The two most vocal and contentious members on Judson Independent School District's board of trustees continue to drag their organization into counterproductive conflict.

Neither board President Monica Ryan nor trustee José Macias has demonstrated the level of decorum that sets a positive example for students.

Macias' rhetoric has been contentious. It's unhelpful to declare in an open meeting, as Macias did April 23, that Ryan, who is up for reelection next year, will "be a one-term board member." And there have been other blustery words.

But political huffing and puffing is not new on elected boards. Provided it's not accompanied by hostile action, it is best met with a shrug and a "Let's move on."

Instead, Ryan led a 4-3 vote to censure Macias based on allegations that he intimidated fellow trustees to influence votes, shared social media posts that violated governing rules, disclosed confidential information and allowed a TV station on campus without proper vetting.

Coming two days after Macias called out Ryan for choosing to potentially disparage rather than merely fire Milton Fields as superintendent, this censure seems more petty and petulant than productive.

We're not surprised that a judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing Macias to access district property and schools, and attend district-sponsored events, thereby blocking the most severe element of the censure.

At the same time, for Macias to seek more than $1 million in damages in court is not in the district's best interests.

Given the vitriol exchanged in recent months, one can easily forget that Ryan and Macias have policy differences that merit thoughtful discussion, particularly on how to address the district's budget deficit.

We don't - nor should anyone - fault Ryan for aggressively pushing the board and staff to balance the district's books and improve academic performance. Her judgment in escalating unnecessary personal beefs, not so much.

On a board whose members are clearly raw with emotion, turning down the temperature is imperative to build a stronger Judson ISD.

Whether or not Ryan likes it, that starts with her as board president. She wanted the gavel. Now she has it.

The question going forward is, how will she wield it?

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