Samuel Valtierrez is the new board president of the Proviso High School Township District 209 school board.
Valtierrez, who joined the board in April 2017, was appointed as the new board president after Amanda Grant announced she would not seek reelection.
“As your newly elected president, I would like to thank the board, those who voted or didn’t vote for me, either way we are a team here,” Valtierrez said.
Before last week’s appointment, board member Arbdella Patterson motioned to move the board reconfiguration to the top of the agenda, above public comment.
The board reconfigured during executive session before going into close session.
According to board member Rodney Alexander, per policy, the board was supposed to be reconfigured in April, not in May, in even-numbered years.
“So, what we should possibly do right now is move that agenda item first and then structure the board before we even go into closed session,” Alexander said. “Amanda, you should not technically be leading this meeting right now, unless you are reelected.”
Alexander nominated Valtierrez, who accepted. Board member Jennifer Barbahen nominated board member David Ocampo, who also accepted.
Board member Sandra Hixson, Alexander, Patterson, and Valtierrez voted in favor of Valtierrez leading the board.
Grant, Ocampo and Barbahen voted against him.
During his first board president report, Valtierrez addressed issues he said were important to him, including public comment.
“To me public comment is very important,” he said. “I am going to ask the board that when we do have public comment and we do have a student or community member speak, I am going to ask the board to take the name down and assign it to an interim superintendent and make sure they get communication back.”
That was one of his “pet peeves,” he said.
Valtierrez said this would help community members feel heard.
“That is very important for students, parents and the community,” he said. “We want you to know that we are listening. We want to hear from you.”
Valtierrez also addressed what has been the “elephant in the room” for the past three board meetings – the hiring of a new superintendent who would replace James L. Henderson after his resignation last August.
“Just in case you are wondering, yes we are continuing the superintendent search,” Valtierrez said. “So, for all those newspapers or whoever is here who writes, we are continuing the search as you already know.”
Valtierrez expressed his desire to hire someone “seasoned” or “somebody that we all trust, we all agree on.”
“We have to work together as a board to keep moving forward,” Valtierrez said. “I am only one vote. My job is to represent the board to the best of my ability.”
The board also appointed Sandra Hixson, who joined the board in the April 2023 election as part of the HBO slate, as vice president.
Barbahen nominated Ocampo, who did not accept the nomination.
Hixson received a unanimous vote. She has not responded to requests for comment.
Barbahen, who joined the board last year, will continue to serve as secretary.
Barbahen secured her position by beating Patterson, who was nominated by Alexander, with a vote 4-3.
Valtierrez, Patterson, and Alexander voted for Patterson and Hixson, Grant, Barbahen, and Ocampo voted for Barbahen to continue in her position.
Barbahen was appointed to the board during the April 2023 election as part of the HBO slate.
The next board meeting will be held on June 11 at Proviso Math and Science Academy at 7:30 p.m. for an open session. The board convenes for executive sessions at 5:30 p.m.