Somerton board re-elects Juan Castillo as president, keeps Nana Dela Rio as clerk; sets monthly meeting schedule

The Somerton Elementary District board re-elected Juan Castillo as board president and appointed Nana Dela Rio as board clerk during a reorganizational session, and approved the district’s regular meeting schedule.

A board member nominated Juan Castillo to continue as president and another member seconded the nomination. When asked if he accepted the nomination, Castillo responded, “I I accept.” The board approved the nomination by voice vote.

For clerk, a member nominated Nana Dela Rio to continue in the role that serves when the president is unavailable; that motion was seconded and carried. “The board clerk is a position that is held…this person fills in whenever the board president is not available,” a board member said during the discussion.

The board also voted to continue holding its monthly regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., and to keep the boardroom at 343 North Carlisle Avenue as the meeting location until a larger space is identified. A motion to set the schedule was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: Board leadership and meeting logistics determine who sets the agenda and how the public can engage with district governance. Re-electing existing leaders preserves continuity as the district begins the new semester and prepares for assessment season.

What’s next: Board members were reminded to email future agenda items to the president for inclusion on upcoming agendas. The board also noted opportunities to expand meeting locations and community engagement when facilities allow.