Early voting for the Marfa Independent School District school board begins April 19, with Election Day on May 1. While Yolanda Jurado, running unopposed for her seat, did not respond to the candidate questionnaire, newcomers Rene Gonzales and Jose Grajeda, who are facing off for a seat on the board, responded to The Big Bend Sentinel to share more about their candidacies.
Rene Gonzales
- Tell us about yourself. What experience will you bring to this role?
My name is Rene Gonzales, I am a 38 year old, husband to Roxanne Lujan and father to Steven Granado (a proud graduate of Marfa ISD), Alexis and Aidyn Gonzales who are students of Marfa ISD as well. I have been involved with my community as well as a loyal fan to the Marfa Shorthorns athletic program for many years now. I have helped organize fundraisers, coached little leagues, assisted as manager, as well as managed teams and roadside cleanups. As of today, I am captain of the Marfa Volunteer Fire Department which I have been involved in for over seven years. I’ve worked with a private security company for a little over 15 years now, which is contracted by the Department of Homeland Security to work alongside with Federal Police to secure their federal buildings throughout the United States. I have been in a supervisory position with the company for about six years now, currently holding a position as a lieutenant for the West Texas/Permian Basin contract area which includes the Presidio Port of Entry, Odessa, Midland, Big Spring, Abilene, San Angelo and Brownwood federal buildings, for four years now. I also went to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to become an instructor for the National Weapons and Detection Training Program, where I learned how to secure buildings and Federal properties. I would definitely share my experiences and knowledge to help better secure the school and keep our students and buildings safe and secured.
I believe with my experiences, I will become part of the Marfa ISD team and bring the knowledge that I have learned throughout my career and also learn and understand from the Trustees in place already. I manage 27 officers in a very large area. I do the scheduling and budgeting for my area which I believe could relate with the responsibilities of being a member of Marfa ISD School Board.
- With school district budgets limited, what do you see as a priority for the upcoming budget cycle?
As a team, we’d look at what is out there. Of course the priority would be academics, then just in general consider and look at all the options out there and what’s best for our school and most importantly, the students. Check on new revenues and as a team, make the best decision with the information we obtain.
- Marfa schools offer traditional and Montessori-style learning. Do you think the Montessori program should be expanded, kept as-is or eliminated?
My youngest son Aidyn went to Montessori for three years and had lots of fun and liked it a lot. Right now, I believe I can’t answer this question without having facts and information on the Montessori learning program at the Marfa ISD School. I do believe any kind of learning or teaching is great when done with well-trained and certified passionate teachers.
- Because of disruptions caused by the pandemic, students across the country have fallen behind on academics and missed out on social milestones. How would you as a board member address these academic and emotional needs?
These needs need to be addressed very delicately. This pandemic has caused a historic issue on schooling and communication with students and their families as well. I would be lying to you if I told you I had an answer. This is something we have never seen or dealt with before, but just like everything else, we will learn from it and keep adjusting until we get our groove back.
Jose Grajeda
- Tell us about yourself. What experience will you bring to this role?
My name is Jose Grajeda, I was born and raised in Chihuahua but have been living in Marfa for the last 20 years. I graduated from Sul Ross State University with a degree in business administration. Over my professional career, I have held positions in restaurants, construction companies and in the classroom. Working as a teacher at the Presidio ISD provided me with hands-on experience working in the classroom. I have a clear understanding of teachers’ and students’ needs. Throughout my business career, I have used formal education and practical on-the-job experience to work with and manage various groups of people to accomplish organizational goals. Whether the goal is increasing sales, taking care of customers or helping students achieve their potential, I’ve been able to be a team player and a team leader.
- With school district budgets limited, what do you see as a priority for the upcoming budget cycle?
Just as in business, budgeting for priorities is important. As always, there are budgeting needs in our schools, such as facilities maintenance, supplies, school buses, athletics, personnel retention and special programs. But there may be a need toward readjusting the budget to account for COVID-related issues.
- Marfa schools offer traditional and Montessori-style learning. Do you think the Montessori program should be expanded, kept as-is or eliminated?
I am fortunate to have my three children be part of the Marfa Montessori program. My children benefited immensely from their Montessori education. I think that it is important to offer learning alternatives to our community, because children have different educational needs. We need to continue to support Marfa Montessori, while at the same time strengthening our traditional education system. It is not a matter of supporting or funding one system over the other, but the matter of providing a high-quality education for our children across the board.
- Because of disruptions caused by the pandemic, students across the country have fallen behind on academics and missed out on social milestones. How would you as a board member address these academic and emotional needs?
It is clear there will be negative academic and emotional effects of the COVID crisis. Our school system will need to help students and their families to make up for academic deficiencies through tutoring, additional online learning and one-on-one teacher attention. Some of these needs may be met by hiring volunteers or teacher aides. Likewise, counseling from qualified personnel may be necessary to help students and their families cope with social and emotional distress brought on by the COVID pandemic. As long as we follow health recommendations and abide by COVID guidelines for our community, our school should make up for missed graduations, proms, dances and any other social events, because they are important for our children’s social and emotional development. Let’s have some outdoor events y’all!
