January is School Board Recognition Month and El Campo ISD is celebrating its trustees' dedication and commitment to the district and its students.
This year’s School Board Recognition Month theme is Locally Elected, Community Connected, which highlights the connection between school trustees and their communities. School board members are the largest group of locally elected officials in the state.
“Our board members are vital. Their dedication, vision, and commitment shape the future of our schools and students,” Bob Callaghan, Superintendent said.
Callaghan continues, “The El Campo ISD board dedicates their time and energy to provide our students with a quality education and our staff with a safe and welcoming environment. Our district expresses its thanks to each board member for their selfless leadership.”
Dan Troxell, executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards, applauded the efforts of volunteer trustees in providing leadership and good governance so that school districts can focus on educating the 5.4 million public schoolchildren in their care.
“Texas school boards are so important because they bring a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of their local communities to their role,” Troxell said. “Boards lead their districts by providing oversight, setting goals, overseeing the budget, and selecting and evaluating the superintendent. These volunteers serve for the betterment of their communities.”
Callaghan commented, “In my years working with the board I have seen their leadership lead to significant salary increases for district employees, remarkable upgrades to our facilities and infrastructure, and continual growth in student achievement both in and out of the classroom all while maintaining a perfect score on the state’s FIRST (financial integrity rating system of Texas) rating. Our community should be proud of these accomplishments.”
Board members serving El Campo ISD are:
Board President James Russell, a Trustee for 15 years states, "I choose to serve on the board because I understand how important the collective board and The District are to the students, teachers, and staff. ECISD is a crucial part of our community. The people who make up ECISD make our community better through their work in The District and their work outside of their school district roles. Thus, as a Trustee, I see my job as helping make decisions that are good for our kids, good for our educators and staff, and good for Our Community." James works in the insurance industry and specializes in Commercial Risk including Oilfield, Construction, Marine, and Surety.
Board Vice President Anthony Dorotik, a Trustee for 12 years, says, "I serve because I have always felt it is important to serve the community, and have served on numerous boards through the years, but I have always believed there is nothing more important than educating our youth." Anthony graduated from Texas A&M in 1974 and pursued a career in agricultural production. He has raised cattle and farmed rice, corn, cotton, and milo for 50 years.
Board Secretary David Vallejo, a Trustee since May 2021, states, "My primary reason for serving ECISD is because I believe that students hold the keys to the future and that the staff of ECISD are the mechanism that set them on the path to success. I am pleased to do my part to make that journey a positive one." David is self-employed in the areas of Facilities Management and Real Estate.
Board Trustee Rich DuBroc, a Trustee for 5 years, states, "I serve because I love El Campo and ECISD. Being on the school board is an opportunity to give a little back to a community and school district that have been wonderful to me and my family for as long as I can remember." Rich is an educator.
Board Trustee Ed Erwin, a Trustee in his 5th year, says, "Having attended several Summer Leadership Institutes for School Board Members over the last few years has made me feel very fortunate that we (as a school board team) get along so well with no political issues. There are many districts across the state where this is not the case. We are blessed to live in a community of parents, educators, and administrators that are very giving of their time, talents, and treasures." Ed works in the farm and ranch business.
Board Trustee Susan Nohavitza, a Trustee in her 4th year, states, "After retirement I wanted to continue to keep a connection with our district, and I thought serving on the school board could help me do that. I feel that my 31 years of experience in the educational realm helps me to make the best possible decisions for everyone in El Campo--students, support staff/personnel, teachers, and administrators. I truly enjoy seeing the educational process from a different perspective now and I will always do my best to be a voice for our teachers." Susan is a retired educator who was with ECISD for 31 years as a teacher and then as an educational diagnostician and is currently enjoying her retired life!
Board Trustee Kathy Smith, a Trustee since May 2021, states, "I serve on the board to serve the teachers, students, and my community. I’m a retired teacher of 27 years from El Campo and I’m a proud Ricebird. My father was a Ricebird and a board member, I graduated from El Campo, as well as my husband and children. I now have grandchildren who are Ricebirds. I want people to be proud of our school and all we have to offer. It’s always a work in progress and I’m proud to contribute what I can so that we are the best." Kathy is retired from teaching and is enjoying time with family and friends.
Learn more about school board service at tasb.org.