Progreso ISD School Board President encouraged by community to resign at meeting after DWI arrest

PROGRESO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Progreso Independent School District held a school board meeting on Thursday, where community members took the stand to encourage its board president to step down.

Progreso ISD School Board President Juan Jose Ramos was arrested June 17, on charges of public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance, according to a previous ValleyCentral article.

During the school board meeting held on Thursday, June 26, Daniella Costo, an educator, asked the school board members to consider removing Ramos as school board president following the recent headlines of his arrest.

"His recent actions with law enforcement are not a reflection of what Progreso ISD stands for, it is a disgrace that once again we are making headlines," said Costo during the school board meeting. "[Ramos is] a public figure that is representing the school and the community at all times, therefore there is no such thing as whatever he does in his personal time is not our concern."

Ramos made a public apology during the meeting, addressing the students, the Progreso community, staff, and the school board.

During the meeting, it was specified that the board does not have the authority to vote out a member.

"My term finishes in 10 months, the way people put me in this position, I will respect when people vote me out," Ramos stated. "I will do my best these next 10 months, my term is over in May 2026, anyone is welcome to sign up, but ladies and gentlemen, one mistake that I do is not going to define me."

Maria Acosta, Progreso ISD School Board Member, told Ramos, "You have not given a good example and you have not been a good role model to our district, and if you have some decency today, like you had to apologize, you would resign for the best interest of the district."

Item A. under the Executive Session portion of the agenda for Thursday's meeting stated that the board heard the superintendent's recommendations for resignation, termination, proposed terminations, re-assignments and proposed non-renewals of district employees.

Following the executive session, there was no comment regarding Ramos's employment status with the district or board. However, the district did make a motion to approve new hires recommended by the principal and superintendent for "non-professional personnel-clerical/technical and auxiliary employees."