The La Joya school board unanimously appointed former superintendent Roberto Zamora as a trustee Tuesday, which board President Alda Benavides says will help bring stability to the battered district.
Place 5, which Zamora will fill, was left empty in January after Trustee Armin Garza pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and resigned from the board.
That arrest is part of an ongoing Western Hidalgo County corruption investigation.
Benavides says Zamora will help steer the district away from trouble.
“He just stood out in terms of his credentials,” she said. “A well-respected member of our community. And we felt that with the turmoil that has been going on in the district that he would provide stability.”
Those credentials, Benavides said, include previously serving as La Joya ISD’s superintendent on more than one occasion and working with Region 1. Zamora has also worked for the Texas Education Agency and he currently teaches at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
“Besides his schooling and credentials it was important that he is well-respected and at least we would communicate to the community that we really are serious about doing what’s right for children,” Benavides said.
Trustees received 11 resumes to fill Place 5 and Place 6, which was also left vacant earlier this year after the trustee holding it was convicted in federal court and resigned.
The board discussed filling Place 6 as well Tuesday, although they did not wind up selecting a person to fill it.
The deadline to fill Place 5 was in July, while the deadline for Place 6 is in September, Benavides noted.
“So we felt like we don’t have to be in a rush and fill that one. Let’s at least agree on one and be on our way, and then late summer we can appoint the other one,” she said.
The board is not planning to solicit more applicants for that seat and will choose a name from one of the 10 remaining in the pool.
