Marquez named Gadsden school board chief — for 20th year
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Luis Marquez must be doing something right as a member of the Gadsden Elementary School District’s governing board.
The board has named Marquez to serve as its president for 2018 for a 20th consecutive year.
And by the way, 2018 marks the 28th year Marquez has served on the board, having been reelected every four years by voters in the district that covers San Luis and neighboring Gadsden.
Marquez’s reappointment as president came on a unanimous vote by the board at its meeting Monday.
“I think they are satisfied with the work that I have done,” he said of the board. “We all have the same power as members of the governing board, but the role of the president is to represent (the board) at conferences and meetings, and also representing the district.”
Neither he nor other board members receive pay for their service. “Our pay is the satisfaction of seeing how our students are progressing academically, seeing that there are good school buildings for them, and that both students and teachers have all the resources they need,” Marquez said.
The board sets policy and establishes budgets for the district that has six elementary schools, a middle school and a junior high.
Serving on the board “is something I love,” Marquez said. “I think I still have more years to give to the district. I like to dedicate time to this, to be able to discuss education with people at the state and federal levels. I have told my colleagues on the board that if someone else wants to be president, I will step aside, but they elect me.
“It may sound vulgar, but as I have always said, this post is like a bone without flesh. There’s no pay, but there is the satisfaction of seeing our children grow academically, seeing (the district’s) marching band excelling at the international level and (seeing) our schools standing out in the state and nation.”
Other Gadsden board members are Guillermina Fuentes, Gloria Torres, Tadeo De La Hoya and Rosa Varela.