Brownsville ISD seats new trustees, elect board president

After canvassing the vote from the Nov. 5 election, the Brownsville Independent School District on Thursday administered the oath of office to four newly elected members of its board of trustees, which then elected new officers.

The new board elected Erasmo Castro president, Daniella Lopez Valdez vice president and Minerva Pena as board secretary on a 5-2 vote.

Outgoing board president Jessica G. Gonzalez made the motion proposing the new slate of officers. Trustee Denise Garza seconded, and she, Gonzalez, Castro, Lopez Valdez and Trustee Frank Ortiz voted in favor. Pena and Trustee Carlos Elizondo voted against.

Gonzalez had served as board president the past two years. After the meeting she said she made the motion to elect Castro and the others because she had known the move would receive the needed support, even though she had hoped for a unanimous vote. She said she was prepared to take a breather after two years as president.

Castro’s election and elevation marked a triumphant return to the board. He was elected in 2018 but resigned before he finished his term.

Eddie Garcia was appointed to Castro’s vacant position but did not run for re-election in 2024 due to his successful candidacy for county assessor-collector.

After receiving recognition for his service, Garcia noted on his way out that he was being replaced by the very person he replaced. The two embraced as Garcia was leaving and Castro took his seat on the dais.

“Mr. Castro, the gavel is yours,” Gonzalez said after the vote.

“It’s time to work together and to continue to make this district what it is, the right choice, the best choice, the only choice for our children here in this community,” Castro said, referring to congratulatory comments and admonitions made during the meeting’s public audience period.

“In order for us to do that, we have to come together as a board, as a district, as a community and together we will make it happen. I have faith. Thank you all,” Castro said.

A total of 53,509 votes were cast in the election.

Gonzalez was re-elected to position 3, receiving 52.6% of the vote and defeating a single challenger.

Lopez Valdez was re-elected to position 5, receiving 49.8% of the vote and defeating two challengers.

After a long-running battle, Pena was elected to position 6, where Marisa Franco Leal served the final six months of the term to which she was elected in 2020 but that Pena served after a razor-thin election margin and challenges.

After a Texas Supreme Court decision, Franco Leal won a special election in May, but Pena won on Nov. 5, receiving 51.9% of the vote.

Castro was elected with 36.8% of the vote, defeating three challengers.

The post Brownsville ISD seats new trustees, elect board president appeared first on MyRGV.com.