HARLINGEN — She’s seen lots of changes.
When Gerry Fleuriet received a phone call asking her to serve on the Harlingen school board, she never imagined she would serve the district for more than 25 years.
“I never dreamt that it would become the journey of a lifetime, of soaring heights and excitement, of all of us reaching up and grabbing those stars of astonishing district success to the searing tragedies of COVID,” said Fleuriet, who has just announced her retirement from the board.
“What an indescribable journey education has experienced in these 27 years,” Fleuriet said. “We have done it all together, becoming in fact the HCISD family that we celebrate today.”
School Board President Bobby Muniz thanked Fleuriet for her years of service to the district as well as her support to him personally.
“She has been one of our biggest cheerleaders for the district and personally she’s been not only a leader but a mentor to me,” he said. “When I first came on the school board eight years ago, she was one of the board members amongst others that would guide me and we have discussions about educational topics. She would guide me and help me in the decision-making process, and she continues to help me with that.”
Fleuriet began her journey with the Harlingen school district when she was a six-year-old student at Austin Elementary School. She has served as an elementary teacher and a volunteer in Harlingen schools, and as a board member she has participated in decisions bringing about innovative change to HCISD, said a statement announcing her retirement.
Superintendent Alicia Noyola hailed Fleuriet as a “pivotal member of our journey”.
“We often talk about the positivity she brings to our school district and our students,” Noyola said. “She also brings a level of calmness and grace through any type of situation. Her historical knowledge has been such a critical piece in maintaining our momentum as a school district.”
Fleuriet has been recognized on numerous occasions for her work as a school board member. In 2019, she was on the board that was recognized as Board of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators. She was on the board in 2021 when it was awarded the 32nd Kennedy Center and National School Boards Association Award.
“I have devoted my adult life to our family and to community service, which I believe encompasses everything we all try to do, professionally and personally, to make life the best it can be for everyone,” Fleuriet said. “Whether in teaching, serving as a school trustee or a banking officer for community outreach; helping to create South Texas Emergency Care Foundation, Inc, and RioFest, working with the UTB Development Board, the Valley Baptist Development Foundation, and various other boards and organizations, my goal has always been just to do my part to work with others to service our community.”
She thanked her husband, children and grandchildren for their support in all of her endeavors on behalf of the district, its employees and students.
“As we finally were able to share more time together, the more I realized how grateful I am for their sacrifices in hundreds of ways and experiences for me to continue to serve our and their beloved HCISD,” she said in a recorded statement.
“As they have always been supportive of my mission after 27 years, it is time for me to step down to support theirs, and ours as a family with my time fully devoted to them,” she said. “That is an opportunity and privilege I do not take lightly. I thank you for understanding how important they are to me and we are to each other.”
