Marquez elected Gadsden school board president for 13th year

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Luis Marquez is beginning his 13th year as president of Gadsden Elementary School District's governing board.

Marquez was re-elected president by the board last week in its first meeting of the new year.

“Perhaps it's a recognition of good work,” Marquez said after the vote, “but any one of the five of us on the school board could (be board president).”

Marquez, a San Luis police officer, has served on the school board since 1991. In 2010, he was honored by the Arizona School Boards Association with the All-Arizona School Board Award, in recognition of his service.

Fellow board members Martina López, Gloria Torres and Rosa Isela Varela voted at last week's session to name Marquez to a new one-year term as president of the board, which oversees eight schools in San Luis and neighboring Gadsden.

The lone dissenting vote was cast by Tadeo De la Hoya, who has periodically opposed other members on issues that come before the board.

“I would have liked for someone else to be president,” said De la Hoya, “and not because Marquez has done a bad job, but to give the opportunity to another board member.”

De la Hoya would have proposed himself as president, he said, but other board members were already voting to reappoint Marquez just as De la Hoya showed up.

“Not everyone will be happy with me continuing to lead the school board, but they nominated me, and I would support my colleagues if they wanted someone else.”