WACO, Texas — The Waco Independent School District Board of Trustees said in a press release it filled its vacant seats during a closed session Wednesday night. It voted unanimously to appoint Jose Vidana for the Trustee District 3 seat, and Robin Houston will fill the at-large trustee seat.
This comes after the board decided not to go forward with a special election for the seats, since it wanted the positions filled before it selects a new superintendent.
Both Vidana and Houston will serve on the board until the next regularly scheduled school board election in May 2020. A special election will be held at that time for the last year of the unexpired term for the at-large position, and an election will be held for the full three-year term to represent District 3.
The school board said it is now focusing on hiring a new superintendent.
The Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search services is encouraging the public to voice their opinions on what characteristics they want in a superintendent. To do so, fill out this survey, which is open until midnight on June 10.
The application deadline for the superintendent position is set for midnight on June 19. At the June 24 board meeting, the board will have its initial review of the candidates.
Interviews are expected to start in mid-July, and the finalist could be named in early August, the district said.
Board president Angela Tekell said the amount of letters that came in for the empty board seats shows the community prioritizes education.
“We are blessed to live in a community that is committed to our students and their success,” board president Angela Tekell said. “It was heartening to see how many people were willing to serve on the school board. While this was by no means an easy decision, I am confident that Robin and Jose will bring valuable perspectives to this board as we search for the district’s next superintendent.”
Houston is familiar with the district, since she herself is a Waco High School alumna and the parent of two students in the district. She has been the juvenile prosecutor in the McLennan County District Attorney's office for more than 10 years now.
She told the board in her letter that her mother was a teacher in the district for more than 20 years.
“My mother… showed me how much work and dedication it takes to be an effective teacher,” Houston wrote. “Observing her triumphs and struggles instilled in me a deep and abiding respect for the profession and specifically for the professionals that teach in our district’s schools.”
Vidana and his wife both graduated from University High School in 1997, and four of his children graduated from there. His other two kids are still students in the district.
He is a postal carrier who delivers mail in the Alta Vista neighborhood. In his letter to the district, Vidana stressed his connection to the community he'll represent.
“Being bilingual gives me another opportunity to hear the voices of the Spanish speaking community that is continuously growing and populating the South Waco community,” Vidana wrote. “Another benefit about being bilingual is the ability to break cultural and language barriers that currently exist. I would love to serve the community and let them know that they matter, that the education of their children matters.”
Vidana and Houston will be sworn in at the next board meeting on June 24.
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