Gadsden Elementary Board elects Luis Marquez president, approves personnel slate

The Gadsden Elementary School District No. 32 Governing Board elected Luis Marquez to serve as board president and approved a series of routine personnel actions at a meeting on Jan. 15, 2025.

In a reorganization vote during the meeting, Governing Board Member Liliana Arroyo nominated Marquez, who seconded his own nomination; the motion passed by a 3-1 vote with Governing Board Member Lucky Hoyos voting no and Rosa Varela noted as not present. Marquez then moved to approve Tadeo De La Hoya as Governing Board Clerk; that motion passed unanimously.

The reorganization was the meeting’s principal formal action. The board also approved the meeting agenda and the Dec. 10, 2024 minutes by unanimous votes earlier in the session.

Administrators presented and the board approved multiple personnel items. Governing Board Member Lucky Hoyos moved to ratify the district’s New Employee list (items 1–14); the motion was seconded by Governing Board Member Liliana Arroyo and carried 4-0. The board next approved a list of employee resignations (items 1–11) on a 4-0 vote after a motion from Arroyo and a second by Hoyos. A separate motion by Clerk Tadeo De La Hoya to approve a transfer and associated salary change — including changing position #4 to “special IA” — was seconded by Arroyo and also approved 4-0.

Chief Financial Officer Mr. Bernhard provided an expenditure report summary and answered board questions during the information portion of the agenda.

Superintendent Lizette Esparza used the meeting to mark National Board Member Month and to announce a new district practice: the district will serve supper to all students who remain for after-school programs, a change administrators said was intended to support extended learning opportunities. Esparza and board members also congratulated staff from SWJH for recent achievements.

The board set its next meeting for Feb. 11, 2025 at the district administrative office and adjourned at 6:50 p.m.