Rodriguez is first El Pasoan to lead Texas’ organization for school trustees in more than 25 years
Canutillo Independent School District Trustee Armando “Mando” Rodriguez earlier this month was sworn in as president of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) – the largest and most influential organization for elected school board members in the state – during a special ceremony in Dallas.
Rodriguez, a fifth-term trustee in CISD and a longtime public servant in Canutillo, is the first El Pasoan to be selected to lead TASB in more than 25 years. Only three other El Paso County trustees have ever served as TASB presidents: David Sublasky from Fabens ISD (1997), Ross Borrett from Ysleta ISD (1975) and Ted Andress from El Paso ISD (1958).
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve in this role, and to represent not just Canutillo, but the entire El Paso community at the state level,” Rodriguez said. “I hope to bring a different perspective to the table by guaranteeing that all students — regardless of the community in which they live, the language they speak or the cultural background of their family – have access to high quality educational services.”
In his role, he will help lead an organization that provides its more than 7,000 members with governance resources and sets an agenda for public-education advocacy. TASB is widely recognized as one of the most influential education organizations in the state.
Canutillo ISD Board President Patricia Mendoza said having Rodriguez serve in this capacity at the state level will be beneficial to the District and El Paso.
“Already, Mando has been a transformative figure in public education for our region. His advocacy at the state and national level has helped bring about changes that have benefited students and their families,” she said. “Now, with a bigger megaphone, he will be a better cheerleader for the Border and the students that go to our public schools. He is going to do a great job!”
Rodriguez will serve as president for a year and then serve an additional year as immediate past president.
During his presidency, Rodriguez hopes to advocate for equitable funding for public schools and to develop better systems that will help elected school board members improve governance and accountability. He also plans to further advocate against school vouchers and other initiatives aimed at attacking school districts.
“Public schools remain the best option for Texas students and we must continue to do everything we can to guarantee that our teachers and school systems have the resources they need to continue doing the good work they have been doing,” he said.
Rodriguez has served on the TASB Board of Directors for several years. He is a 2012 alum of the Leadership TASB Program, which earned him the title of Master Trustee.
His work on behalf of students extends beyond TASB. He is involved in a variety of education and community boards in Texas and throughout the United States. He currently serves on the board of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund.
Rodriguez’s previous leadership positions include serving on the National School Board Association Board of Directors as chair of the National Hispanic Council and as secretary of the National School Boards Action Center. He also has served as president of the Mexican American School Boards Association and the Far West Texas School Boards Association.