Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Orangefield Independent School District Board of Trustees will discuss the possible censure of Place IV Board Member Marcus Wernig and his status as a trustee during Monday’s board meeting.

The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at Orangefield Elementary School cafeteria, 10288 FM 105, Orange.  The board agenda does not state why Wernig will be the topic of the discussions. The news comes a day after Wernig self surrendered to law enforcement on two warrants related to DWI offenses.

Wernig was charged with driving while intoxicated with blood alcohol content greater than .15 following a one vehicle crash last week Feb. 14. He was released at arraignment, according to information from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. 

He was previously arrested in 2023 on a DWI charge and the new arrest is a violation of that bond, an official said.

Police with the City of Orange were dispatched to mile marker 869 on Interstate 10 in reference to a single vehicle accident Feb. 14. The driver, identified as Marcus Wernig, 55, reportedly showed multiple signs of intoxication and the standardized field sobriety test was administered, according to information from Orange Police Department. 

Wernig was arrested on a charge of DWI with blood alcohol content greater than .15. He was released the same day on arraignment according to information from the OrangeCOunty Sheriff’s Office. 

The case has been filed with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review. 

Orangefield ISD Board President Laura Clark issued a statement regarding the issue:

“The Orangefield ISD has been made aware of an incident involving a member of the Board of Trustees, Marcus Wernig, who was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated on February 14, 2025.

The Board and district administration take this matter seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and responsibility among our leadership. While this situation is a personal

legal matter for Mr. Wernig, we recognize that our community expects accountability and transparency from those who serve in public office.

At this time, Mr. Wernig remains in his elected position, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Board will follow all applicable policies and legal processes while ensuring that the focus

remains on serving the students, staff, and families of our district.

As this is an ongoing legal matter, we respect the rights of all individuals involved and will refrain from further comment until appropriate legal proceedings have concluded.

We appreciate the community’s trust and remain dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our district and the well-being of our students.”

Wernig, Place IV trustee, is a native of Orange and a 1988 Orangefield High School graduate, according to his bio information  the district’s website.  He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in mechanical engineering. 

He has been involved with the oil and gas drilling industry machinery design since 1995 with three patents.