The Weslaco board of trustees approved an interim superintendent contract with Richard Rivera on Monday.
The board voted to name Rivera interim earlier this month after contentiously approving former superintendent Dino Coronado’s departure from the district.
Weslaco has faced significant turmoil over the past two years. Administrative turnover preceded and followed a forensic audit conducted in 2021 that pointed to deficits in the district’s leadership structure.
An administrative reform spearheaded by Coronado over the summer drew some board criticism, although it’s unclear if that restructuring directly led to his exit.
At least one trustee suggested last month that Coronado’s actions could have justified his termination, which Coronado said is untrue.
The board discussed Rivera’s interim agreement in executive session before approving it Monday. A longtime former educator and leader at Weslaco ISD, Rivera was greeted by applause and hugs from trustees during the meeting.
“I was here 10 years ago, and now I’m back,” he said. “But I’m more excited, more motivated, more determined than ever before. I can tell you that we have a very good district, but we’re going to become better.”
Rivera most recently served as interim superintendent of Mercedes ISD. He resigned that post after the board voted against naming him permanent superintendent, saying that the opening in Weslaco didn’t prompt the decision and that he would only serve at Weslaco through the end of the school year in an interim capacity.
Speaking Monday, Rivera promised a commitment to student success, high attendance and low dropout rates, and moves to ensure a healthy fund balance.
“We’re going to evaluate programs,” he said. “We’re going to evaluate the finances, make sure we’re going in the right direction. Athletics. Academics. Safe schools. And we’re going to approach every single one to make sure we’re the best in everything that we do.”
He promised to achieve those goals using the same method he adopted in Mercedes: a boots on the ground, personnel-oriented approach.
“I’m going to have high standards for everyone, and I expect for everyone in this district to do their job,” he said.
Rivera also promised transparency, trust and cohesive leadership at the top of the district. The latter has been an issue at Weslaco, which has frequently had a split board over the past two years.
Trustees seemed receptive to the message.
“We look forward to working as a team of eight with you. Definitely,” Board President Jacky Sustaita said.
