Emotions ran high again Tuesday as Washoe County School Board Trustees met to discuss on how to replace outgoing Superintendent Pedro Martinez.
While today's goal was to decide how the board should move forward, members of the public still seem to be focused on past issues.
Tuesday's meeting was really about two issues: the process of replacing Martinez, and replacing Trustee Dave Aiazzi, who is leaving for health reasons.
Public input was still centered on continued calls for resignations from the remaining board members.
“It's clear you are ambivalent to the public's comments. There have been over 100 meetings since July 22nd. You are deaf to the calls to resign so I urge the public watching to exercise your dissatisfaction at the ballot box,” says concerned parent Jim Pfrommer.
Another parent, Collin Robertson added, “Now, please, leave with a remnant of integrity so that your successors' constituents and your remarkable staff can pick up the pieces of what remains.”
Leslie Mix of the Latino Leadership Forum adds,” I shutter to think about who you'd pick for a replacement for Mr. Martinez. Trust? We don't have any trust anymore, none.”
All that said, the board also discussed replacing Aiazzi, who is leaving in November. They decided to publish ads for two weeks and take applications.
When it came to Martinez's replacement, more emotions surfaced.
Estella Gutierrez, who is also leaving the board, was the only voice of reason pushing for the deputy superintendent to take over until a permanent replacement is found.
The board has put that issue on the agenda for the next meeting.
Interested applicants for Aiazzi's position can answer questions online. The deadline is October 27th and they hope to have finalists to interview by November 5th, one day Aiazzi's last day.
