WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 9, 2024) – The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) is welcoming four new members to its executive board. The board will help lead the organization alongside incoming ALAS President Dr. Alex Marrero.
The executive board members were voted on during ALAS’ board of directors’ retreat in July. They are:
- Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez - President-Elect
- Dr. Zandra Jo Galván - Treasurer
- Dr. Ruth Perez - Secretary
- Dr. Francisco Durán – Historian. This newly created position reflects the organization’s commitment to documenting its 20+- year history in order to help it chart its path forward.
“Drs. Torres-Rodriguez, Zandra Jo Galván, Ruth Perez, and Francisco Durán are amazing leaders with a passion for driving positive change in their districts, their communities, and in the larger education industry,” said ALAS Executive Director Ulysses Navarrete. “They will lay the foundation for ALAS to be the premier organization for cultivating Latino leaders to ensure equitable outcomes for all students, especially our Latino youth.”
About the new Executive Board members:
Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez is Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut and currently serves as ALAS Treasurer and Director for Region 8 New England.
Dr. Zandra Jo Galván is Superintendent of Greenfield Union School District in California and currently serves as ALAS State Affiliate At-Large Director West.
Dr. Ruth Perez is Deputy Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education in California and currently serves as ALAS Director for Region 1 West.
Dr. Francisco Durán is Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools in Virginia and currently serves as ALAS Past President.
ALAS’ board of directors, who serve staggered two- or three-year terms, will be sworn in during the ALAS 21st National Education Summit, October 9-11, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.
The Summit is ALAS’ flagship leadership development and networking event for administrators at schools and districts that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized youth. The event focuses on addressing challenges in the education system, particularly those impacting Latino students, and provides a forum for participants to engage in meaningful discussions and identify solutions that can be applied throughout the industry.
For information about the Summit and to register, visit https://www.alasedu.org/annual-summit.
For more information about ALAS, visit www.alasedu.org.
About the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS)
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents [ALAS] is committed to providing a perspective to all aspiring school and district administrators including superintendents through programs, services, advocacy and networks rooted in Latino experiences and culture. Our Vision, Mission and Goals are to provide leadership at the national level that assures every school in America effectively serves the educational needs of all students with an emphasis on Latino and other historically marginalized youth through continuous professional learning, policy advocacy, and networking to share practices of promise for our students and the communities where we serve.
By the year 2026, Latino children will make up 30 percent of the school-age population. In the nation’s largest states – California, Texas, Florida, and New York- all of whom are ALAS State Affiliates – Latinos already have reached that level. It is of vital interest to invest in the education of every child, and the professional learning of all educators who serve Latino youth.
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