CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Tuloso-Midway ISD board members reached an agreement Tuesday with embattled superintendent Rick Fernandez, ending his tenure with the district. It will take effect Jan. 31, 2022.
A 4 to 3 vote decided the fate of Dr. Fernandez the district ultimately deciding to release dr. Fernandez from his job duties at the school district.
This comes after the Texas Education Agency launched an investigation into allegations of grade tampering. The TEA found that four students -- including the child or children of a board trustee -- had "an unfair advantage involving a non-district P-E course that was not offered to other students in the district."
Fernandez was put on paid administrative leave in July.
Parents present at Tuesday’s meeting like Cindie Gonzalez were able to express their thoughts and concerns. Telling board members to put the wellbeing of the district as the top priority when making their decision.
Gonzalez tells 3News she was hoping for a different outcome than what was decided.
"I feel he was on the verge of doing great things for our district, bringing us into the 21st century just kind of like a big city school because we are small, but we want to be up there too, we deserve, our kids deserve that,” said Gonzalez.
The state investigation alleges that 12-hundred grades were changed without proper authorization in fall 2020.
Moments after the decision was announced i reached out to Gonzalez to see what she thought about it and she shared with us quote.
"Our district has suffered and will continue to suffer a huge financial blow. In my opinion monies spent on attorney fees and on an interim superintendent can be used more effectively on teacher raises and learning tools for our students."
As for the tea investigation we reached out to the Texas Education Agency for comment when it all unfolded, and they confirmed there was an ongoing investigation but beyond that they do not comment of course as we learn more, we will be sure to keep you all updated.