MARFA — Marfa ISD School Board trustees accepted the resignation of Student Success Coordinator David Natividad on Monday.
Natividad started in the role, similar to that of a counselor in which he also assisted with testing and college and career readiness, in November 2023. Board President Teresa Nuñez said his last day with the district will be February 26.
Nuñez said the school board discussed opening up the position publicly as well as tapping an existing district employee for the role, stating “we like to grow our own.”
There is an ongoing shortage of counselors nationwide. According to the American School Counselor Association the national average ratio of students to counselors is 385 to 1, while the recommended ration is 250 to 1.
Natividad said he could not yet comment on what he will be doing next. Interim Superintendent Arturo Alferez said Natividad’s resignation is a loss for the district but a “very understandable and respectable one.”
“We want to wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Alferez said. “As far as moving forward, the leadership team will meet and explore ideas to fill the position.”