Seton Healthcare Family's Chief Advocacy Officer Geronimo Rodriguez was appointed tonight by the Austin ISD board of trustees to represent District 6, a seat left vacant after the
resignation of former trustee Paul Saldaña in early April. District 6 straddles the southeast and southwest portions of the district.
Geronimo Rodriguez was sworn in off-camera tonight following his appointment to the Austin ISD board of trustees.[/caption]
Trustees referenced Rodriguez's "invaluable experience" in various citywide organizations and his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Austin community.
"It's been a beautiful thing to see so many members of our Austin community, those at the grassroots level and those in various positions in the establishment of a wide range of organizations, to be supportive of our appointment of Mr. Rodriguez to the board of trustees, and I personally look forward to the possibility of working with him," said Jayme Mathias, District 2 trustee.
Rodriguez co-led the implementation of Seton's Project SEARCH, a best practice for hiring individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. His top priority, as listed on his candidate questionnaire, is to advocate for equity in Austin ISD by exploring special education and dual language efforts.
In addition to his work with Seton, Rodriguez has served on the National PTA Board of Directors' Diversity Committee and has acted as chair of Leadership Austin and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he promoted community involvement in District 6 and throughout Central Texas, according to his candidate questionnaire.
Following his appointment to the Austin ISD board of trustees, Geronimo Rodriguez shook the hand of one of his opponents, Alejandro Delgado.[/caption]
Trustees Kendall Pace, Yasmin Wagner and Ann Teich vocalized their appreciation for the two candidates who ran against Mr. Rodriguez. Glen Shield, a computer specialist, and Alejandro Delgado, a non-profit director for Foundation Communities and former principal of IDEA Allan College Prep, both have extensive experience serving on different AISD committees.
"Mr. Shield has one of the longest track records I have seen of PTA [Parent-Teacher Association] involvement and working in our schools, and I really hope to see him continue to stay involved," Wagner said.
Fighting back tears, board president and trustee Pace encouraged Alejandro Delgado, the youngest candidate, to continue his involvement in the district.
"I think you have so much to bring to the table in terms of your youth and your spirits and your successful track record as a principal of which we can learn strongly from," Pace said. "It's tough, it was a tough decision for me. I hope that you stay involved and this just the beginning of your journey with Austin ISD."
Trustee Rodriguez was sworn in off camera and immediately joined the board to participate in the remainder of the work session. He will be officially sworn in at the June 19 regular board meeting.
Geronimo Rodriguez was sworn in off-camera tonight following his appointment to the Austin ISD board of trustees.[/caption]
Trustees referenced Rodriguez's "invaluable experience" in various citywide organizations and his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Austin community.
"It's been a beautiful thing to see so many members of our Austin community, those at the grassroots level and those in various positions in the establishment of a wide range of organizations, to be supportive of our appointment of Mr. Rodriguez to the board of trustees, and I personally look forward to the possibility of working with him," said Jayme Mathias, District 2 trustee.
Rodriguez co-led the implementation of Seton's Project SEARCH, a best practice for hiring individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. His top priority, as listed on his candidate questionnaire, is to advocate for equity in Austin ISD by exploring special education and dual language efforts.
In addition to his work with Seton, Rodriguez has served on the National PTA Board of Directors' Diversity Committee and has acted as chair of Leadership Austin and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he promoted community involvement in District 6 and throughout Central Texas, according to his candidate questionnaire.
Following his appointment to the Austin ISD board of trustees, Geronimo Rodriguez shook the hand of one of his opponents, Alejandro Delgado.[/caption]
Trustees Kendall Pace, Yasmin Wagner and Ann Teich vocalized their appreciation for the two candidates who ran against Mr. Rodriguez. Glen Shield, a computer specialist, and Alejandro Delgado, a non-profit director for Foundation Communities and former principal of IDEA Allan College Prep, both have extensive experience serving on different AISD committees.
"Mr. Shield has one of the longest track records I have seen of PTA [Parent-Teacher Association] involvement and working in our schools, and I really hope to see him continue to stay involved," Wagner said.
Fighting back tears, board president and trustee Pace encouraged Alejandro Delgado, the youngest candidate, to continue his involvement in the district.
"I think you have so much to bring to the table in terms of your youth and your spirits and your successful track record as a principal of which we can learn strongly from," Pace said. "It's tough, it was a tough decision for me. I hope that you stay involved and this just the beginning of your journey with Austin ISD."
Trustee Rodriguez was sworn in off camera and immediately joined the board to participate in the remainder of the work session. He will be officially sworn in at the June 19 regular board meeting.
