May 17, 2023 739 PM
PRESIDIO — On Tuesday, Presidio ISD’s new crop of school board trustees were sworn in, accompanied by Superintendent Ray Vasquez and current board members Iris Galindo and Jusby Vasquez. The ceremony was short and sweet, but signaled big changes for the district in the years to come.
This year, Presidio voters were treated to an unusually large pool of candidates: Perla Natividad, Jaime Sanchez, Marco Lujan and Brenda Witty came out on top, but not without admirable challengers Jessica Acevedo Nuñez, Jeremy Velasquez, Steven “Nicky” Alvarez and Carlos Reyna.
In addition to a diverse and enthusiastic slate of contenders, the number of officers leaving the board also presented unusual challenges for the district. The outgoing board’s last meeting was scheduled for April, but had to regroup for a special meeting last Wednesday in order to have a quorum for the election of an interim president.
Superintendent Ray Vasquez explained that — in order to abide by a Texas Association of School Boards technicality — the board needed a full quorum to vote on Wednesday. With President Ethel Barriga, Vice President Hugo Ramos, Secretary Fidel Baeza and Board Member Yvonne Spencer leaving their posts, there would not be sufficient board members to vote on the last meeting’s minutes and begin the proceedings for electing new leadership.
New member Jaime Sanchez saved the day by attending the meeting, allowing him to participate in casting the new board’s first votes. Board Member Iris Galindo was elected as interim president to lead the next meeting’s proceedings.
Vasquez said that he was looking forward to working with the newcomers. “It’s a big transition, of course,” he said. “As we look forward, we can expect really good collaboration.”
