Natalia School Board Vice President Tiffany Rodriguez and member Paul Almendarez will retain their positions after the Board voted to cancel the upcoming election during a Special meeting held on Monday, August 17.
The election had been scheduled for November 3, but was canceled because no one signed up to challenge incumbents Rodriguez and Almendarez.
A motion by President Eric Smith and member Fernando Garza to cancel the election passed 5-0 with support from Secretary Gordon Gentry, member Andrew Besa, and Rodriguez.
TASB Board of Directors
The Board nominated Dilley Board member JD Rodriguez to serve as the Region 20 position on the Texas Association of School Boards Board of Directors.
Incumbent Rolinda Schmidt, a member of the Kerrville ISD Board, was also a candidate.
“I think they’re both great candidates,” Smith said. “I know JD is eager to try and get in, I know Ms. Schmidt is eager to try and continue.”
A motion by Garza and Gentry to endorse Rodriguez for the position passed 6-0 after member Mireya Vanderslice joined the meeting.
School Resource Officer
Superintendent Dr. Lana Collavo met with Natalia City Administrator Rene Hinojosa and Police Chief James Fleming regarding the School Resource Officer and recommended that NISD continue to utilize an SRO through the City.
Collavo said that the contract between the two entities remains unchanged except for the cost.
“The difference is that there is an increasing cost to the district of about nine hundred dollars,” Collavo said.
Smith said the Board had considered contracting with the Medina County Sheriff’s Office for an SRO because of past conflicts with the City.
“But with the new police chief in charge, with the new city administrator in charge, I’m hopeful we’ll have a much more positive relationship with the City and with the police department this year,” Smith said.
A motion by Rodriguez and Besa to accept the memorandum of understanding with the City for an SRO passed 6-0.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer