Superintendent Mijares Has Failed to Address School Board Vacancy With Elections Around the Corner

While the election is drawing attention, the vacancy left by Lupita Fuentes remains a critical issue that has yet to be addressed.

As the registration deadline for the Eagle Pass Independent School District (EPISD) Board of Trustees election draws near, a significant vacancy on the board remains unaddressed. The seat, left vacant by the passing of longtime board member Lupita Fuentes earlier this year in April, has yet to be filled. Despite the importance of this position, Superintendent Samuel Mijares has failed to submit the agenda item for the board of trustees to appoint someone to take over the role. With the candidate registration deadline looming on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., this delay is raising questions among the community

What is the superintendent waiting for?

The upcoming EPISD election has already drawn eight candidates vying for four key positions on the board. The current members—Jorge Barrera, Glenna Purcell, Christopher Hiller, and Hector Alvarez—have served the Eagle Pass community together for years, guiding the district through numerous challenges. But now, their long tenure is being tested by a new slate of candidates who believe it’s time for fresh ideas.

Hector Alvarez, who has held Position 6 since his first election in 2012, faces a challenge from Jaime Barrera. Alvarez’s decade-long service has seen him play a pivotal role in key decisions, but Barrera is positioning himself as a fresh alternative, offering voters a different perspective on how the district should move forward.

In Position 2, incumbent Christopher Hiller, a board member since 2016, is up against Manuel D. Hernandez. Hiller has focused on improving educational outcomes and securing necessary funding for the district. Hernandez, who registered his candidacy just days before the deadline, is also new to the political scene. The race for Position 7 is perhaps the most competitive, with three candidates already in the running. Glenna Purcell, who has been on the board since 2010, is facing Albert Daniel and Tom González. Purcell’s long experience and deep community ties are her strengths, but Daniel and González are campaigning on the need for modernization and innovation in the district.

Meanwhile, Jorge Barrera, the President of the EPISD Board, is seeking re-election for Position 1. Barrera, who has been on the board since 2016, has been a steady leader during his tenure. So far, no one has registered to run against him, making his re-election seem likely. However, with the registration deadline approaching, there is still time for a challenger to step forward.

While the election is drawing attention, the vacancy left by Lupita Fuentes remains a critical issue that has yet to be addressed. Superintendent Mijares’s decision not to submit an agenda item for the board of trustees to appoint a replacement has led to speculation about his motives. Some in the community are beginning to question whether Mijares is trying to influence the board’s composition by delaying the appointment. The timing of this decision, or the lack thereof, is particularly concerning given the upcoming election.

The delay in filling the vacant seat has sparked discussions about the balance of power within the school district. Some believe that by not moving forward with the appointment, Mijares may be attempting to control the board of trustees during an election that could significantly change the district’s leadership. The fact that this seat remains unfilled only adds to the complexity of this election season.

As the August 19 deadline approaches, voters in Eagle Pass are preparing to make important decisions that will shape the future of their schools. The experience and collaboration of the current board members have undoubtedly played a role in guiding the district, but the new candidates and the unresolved issue of the vacant seat have created a sense of urgency and anticipation around this election.

With just a few days left for candidates to register, the community is watching closely to see who will step up and what impact the unresolved vacancy will have on the election. The candidates’ campaigns, debates, and community engagement in these final days will provide voters with the information they need to make informed choices that will shape the educational landscape of Eagle Pass for years to come.

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