Editor’s Note: Each week leading up to the May 6 general election, the San Benito News will feature selected City of San Benito and SBCISD School Board of Trustees races. The content for each piece was derived from the Meet the Candidates’ Forum held at San Benito’s iconic La Villita Dancehall on March 27, 2023.
By DAVID LOPEZ
Special to the NEWS
SBCISD SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES PL. 4
The SBCISD Board Pl. 4 seat currently held by trustee Orlando “Papas” Lopez, a vascular specialist seeking a third term, is up for election against Julian Joseph Rios, manager of Chuy’s Custom Sports and chairman of the San Benito Economic Development Corporation.
Former board president Lopez cited his leadership guiding the district and its policies during the COVID pandemic, saying it was those policies that helped mitigate the loss of learning.
“During my tenure, I served our district to make sure students did not suffer a loss of learning, in fact, we were so successful that SBCISD is home to one of the only virtual academies in Texas,” he said.
Furthermore, he mentioned how under his administration, teachers’ salaries improved and noted that the bond projects were approved during his tenure. It was only after the addition of a new board, he said, that the bond project went over budget.
“I have served for two consecutive terms, I served as school board president for a year and a half, and I’m going to continue serving our schools to meet the standard,” he said.
During the Q&A portion of the forum, Lopez was asked what can be done to prevent a situation like what happened in Uvalde?
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