Hays CISD selects Esmeralda Pérez-González to fill single-member District 2 seat after resignation of Willie Tenorio Jr.

The Hays CISD board of trustees approved the resignation of Willie Tenorio Jr., trustee for single-member District 2, at a special meeting Dec. 2. Tenorio resigned after moving outside of the district he represented. Living within one's district is a requirement for all trustees.

Superintendent Eric Wright and the trustees honored Tenorio’s 12 years of service with a short ceremony after the approval of his resignation.

Tenorio was first appointed to the Hays CISD board in 2009, filling the vacant seat after the prior trustee moved out of the district. He also served as vice president from 2011-12 and as president from 2012-14.

“I’d like to thank all the students and staff of Hays CISD. This is a great honor, to have served you all. I’m very proud of my time here, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all succeed in the future,” Tenorio said.

Additionally, after convening in executive session, the board chose local educator Esmeralda Pérez-González to fill the vacant seat until the next election in May 2022.

She was a founding staff member of Camino Real Elementary School when it opened in 2008 and was elected as the school’s first Teacher of the Year. She retired in May after 38 years of work in education as a bilingual teacher, curriculum leader, principal and more throughout her career.

“I am humbled and excited, and a little nervous. I am looking forward to the opportunity of working with each school board member, parents, schools and school communities to ensure our teachers and students have a successful rest of the school year amid the unusual circumstances we’re in today,” she said.