Edcouch-Elsa school board names fellow trustee’s wife interim superintendent

EDCOUCH — The school board here voted Wednesday to approve a voluntary separation agreement with superintendent Alda Benavides and named Sandra “Sandy” Ochoa, board member Ricardo Ochoa’s wife, interim.

With discussion only occurring in closed session, the board, without vice president Ochoa or trustee Rolando Lozano in attendance, unanimously voted to approve the separation agreement with Benavides.

Naming Sandra Ochoa as the interim superintendent did receive push back from board member Norma Linda Peña, who asked legal counsel to read the board policy regarding nepotism and a grandfather clause.

The policy states that there is an exception for the nepotism policy under the grandfather clause, stating further that nepotism prohibitions do not apply to the appointment of a person if they are employed in the position immediately before the election or appointment of the public official to whom they’re related in a prohibited degree, and this prior employment is continuous for at least 30 days if the public official is appointed, or six months if the public official is elected.

“The naming of this interim superintendent does fall under this continuous employment policy. However, I still take issue with this because there is a conflict from where I stand,” Peña said.

Board Secretary Fernando Torres made the motion to place Sandra Ochoa as the interim superintendent and said it comes with no additional cost to the budget.

Board member Cindy Chapa Tanguma abstained from the vote. Tanguma is employed by Ricardo Ochoa at his family practice.

School board president Juan Jose Ybarra, Torres and trustee Ashley Vasquez all voted to appoint Sandra Ochoa as interim superintendent, with Peña the only board member to vote against it.

Benavides explained the decision to voluntarily have a separation agreement and said it was the perfect time for her to step down.

Alda Benavides

Coming out of retirement in 2023 to become the interim and then permanent superintendent for the district, she said her intention was only to stay at EEISD for no more than one or two years.

“I was just there to help them when they needed the help,” Benavides said. “I was glad that I had an opportunity to work with (the district) and that I wish them the best. I know that they have wonderful teachers, administrators and children.”

She confirmed her last day is on May 30 and said she promised to graduate the students, calling them a great group of kids, on that day.

“I think the biggest highlight is … our partnership with Region One (Education Service Center), with the (SB 1882) and making sure that we provide additional resources for the children,” Benavides said. “Knowing that it’s a poor district with limited resources, but it’s a district with great kids and a wonderful staff. And so I think that being able to apply for the 1882 partnership … to me, that’s the biggest accomplishment.”

The SB1882 partnership is set to bring in close to $1 million every year from 2025 to 2028.

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