When Roaring Fork Schools Superintendent Rob Stein announced he would be leaving the district, Voces Unidas pledged to monitor the hiring process in order to hold our elected officials accountable for meeting the needs of today's students — and tomorrow's leaders.
Following the announcement that the district has extended an employment offer to Dr. Jesús Rodríguez to serve as its next superintendent, we commend the Board of Education for the breadth and depth of their search and the deliberative steps they took throughout the process — from identifying candidates and finalists to engaging the public and the community in this critical decision.
Voces Unidas Action Fund, as an independent 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy organization, spent considerable time and resources vetting the three finalists once they were announced. We obtained records from government entities, researched their backgrounds and positions on issues that we care about, and sought information on how they worked with parents and community groups. Each of the finalists had impressive credentials, but Dr. Rodríguez distinguished himself as being a better fit for our school district and our valley - and we publicly recommended he be hired.
Touted as one of the most forward-thinking school districts in the region, the decision to extend an offer to Dr. Rodríguez to serve as its next superintendent shows that the district not only talks the talk -- but walks the walk.
At the start of the superintendent search, we noted that, for a district in which nearly 6 out of 10 students are Latinos and where a majority speak Spanish, finding a qualified Latino educational leader was a top priority. We also implored the district to make the public engagement culturally relevant and not to rush the process. They succeeded on all counts.
Moving forward, we are committed to continuing our role as an advocacy organization to ensure that the school district—and its leaders— are doing all that they can to deliver a quality education for all students.