WACO, TX — The Waco ISD school board filled the two vacant seats Wednesday night.
The district said after interviewing several individuals in closed session Wednesday night, the board voted to unanimously appoint Robin Houston to fill the vacancy for an at-large trustee. They have also chosen Jose Vidana to fill the vacancy representing Trustee District 3.
Both were appointed to serve until the next regularly scheduled school board election in May 2020.
At that time, a special election will be held for the final year of the unexpired term for the at-large position, and the election will be held for a full-three year term representing District 3.
“We are blessed to live in a community that is committed to our students and their success,” board president Angela Tekell said. “It was heartening to see how many people were willing to serve on the school board. While this was by no means an easy decision, I am confident that Robin and Jose will bring valuable perspectives to this board as we search for the district’s next superintendent.”
For over a decade, Houston has been the juvenile prosecutor in the McLennan County District Attorney's Office.
In her letter that she sent to the board, she emphasized her personal connection to education as the daughter of a Waco ISD teacher.
Vidana was a postal carrier who delivered mail in the Alta Vista neighborhood. In his letter to the board, he emphasized his connection to the area that he was appointed to represent.
The newly appointed trustees will be sworn in at the board's meeting on June 24.
These vacancies came after the resignations of Pat Atkins and Larry Perez last month.
The Waco ISD school board will now turn its attention on hiring the next superintendent.
