Mission school board appoints Martinez to vacant seat

The Mission CISD Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Danny Martinez to its vacant seat Wednesday.

Last month longtime board trustee Minnie Rodgers resigned from the school board and the district solicited candidates for her seat.

The school district’s attorney said 12 candidates applied for the position initially and the board interviewed four.

According to Board President Iris “Coach” Iglesias, Mission trustees also interviewed Beto Garza, J.C. Avila and Teresa Zapatero, but Martinez stuck out.

“Mr. Martinez just did very well in his interview,” she said. “His outlook and everything he wanted to do as far as what he could offer to the board. It seemed like a good fit.”

Martinez works as a watch commander for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Wednesday night he called special needs education his priority at the district and said it’s why he applied for the position.

“So my little boy, my oldest, is autistic,” he said. “We were extremely worried about how his school experience was gonna be. My wife and I made the decision to send him to Salinas Elementary, and it’s been a great journey thus far, his teachers have been incredible with him, and that was really the primary reason — just to ensure kids like him have a good experience going to school.”

Martinez didn’t rule out the possibility of running to retain his seat.

“I think that that’s a possibility,” he said. “Obviously I have my daytime job and because of that there’s certain restrictions I have to abide by, and at this time I couldn’t tell you if that’s allowed, but on a personal note I’d definitely want to venture into that — especially with the influence that you’re able to have on these kids in this situation.”