ECISD Approves Hiring Of Chief Academic Officer On Second Try
By Arnoldo Mata
Edinburg TX – The Edinburg School Board approved the hiring of a Chief Academic Officer during last week’s board meeting. The Board also hired several other positions in preparation for the new school year.
During the June 9th meeting, the request to hire a Chief Academic Officer was first rejected. During that meeting, the item was first discussed in closed session. Upon exiting the executive session, the Board took up personnel matters in open session. When the item was brought up, Salinas recommended hiring Jose Garza for the position. After a long pause, there was a motion made to approve the item; however, no trustee offered a second to the motion.
At that point, Trustee Xavier Salinas then spoke. “Mr. President. I don’t feel we need this position. We have capable curriculum executives already. We don’t need another salaried (staff) to oversee them. The superintendent can do that himself.”
At last week’s meeting, the item was again discussed during the closed-door session. After convening in open session, Superintendent Mario Salinas recommend Dr. Sonya Rodriguez, was is listed as Area Director for Curriculum and Instruction on the most recently posted ECISD organizational chart.
Trustee Salinas again spoke up after the motion had been made and seconded. “Dr. Salinas, I have six questions. We previously turned down this position, so I just don’t feel we need another high salary position for this. Do we have it in the budget for this year?”
Supt. Salinas responded, “Yes, we do. It’s been in the budget for several years.”
Trustee Salinas then asked, “Is it in the compensation plan for this year?”
Supt. Salinas responded that it was not.
“So that’s already a problem for me that we’re approving a position without it being the compensation plan,” Trustee Salinas said, “because then that needs to come to the full board for approval, again, to include whoever you’re recommending for that.”
The trustee then went on. “Would this position have a ripple effect? If you hire Ms. Rodriguez, are you going to replace her and (then) replace her? Replace her? Replace her replacement?”
Supt. Salinas responded that he would not.
“So we’re not going to hire additional staff beside this promotion?” Trustee Salinas asked.
“Correct,” Supt. Salinas responded.
Trustee Salinas then asked, “Do you have a plan already for her assistance to help you?”
“Yes, sir,” Supt. Salinas responded.
The Board then voted to approve the request with Salinas voting against it.
In neither meeting was there a public explanation of why the position was needed or what duties the job entailed.
According to a social media post by ECISD, Rodriguez is a native of Edinburg and graduate of Edinburg High School. She has been an educator for 35 years. She has served as a classroom teacher, librarian, and an administrator.
The post also said eleven of Rodriguez’s years as an educator have been as a principal where she has led three elementary schools to excellence. As a principal, she served Eisenhower Elementary for seven years; opened Ramirez Elementary and served it for two years; and served LBJ Elementary for two years before being named Area Director in 2015.
Rodriguez has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Texas – Pan American, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.