Rodriguez Named 2009 Superintendent of the Year
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2009
Contact: Barbara Williams, 800.580.8272, ext. 6418
(AUSTIN)—Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. of Mission CISD was named Superintendent of the Year
(SOTY) by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) October 3 in Houston. The
Award is presented annually at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)/TASB Convention to recognize chief administrators who exemplify excellence and achievement in educational leadership. State finalists for the prestigious award included Mark Henry, Galena Park ISD, ESC 4; Ray Braswell, Denton ISD, ESC 11; Rose Cameron, Copperas Cove ISD, ESC 12; and Jesús Chávez, Round Rock ISD, ESC 13.
The state selection committee, which interviewed SOTY finalists October 2 in Houston, focused on such issues as public school advocacy, equity, college and workforce readiness, education finance, community support, and student success.
Serving more than 15,000 students, Rodriguez has led Mission CISD for four years and has 30 years of experience in education administration. The selection committee noted the district’s emphasis on success for every student and a partnership with South Texas College and the University of Texas-Pan American to create Operation College Bound, where seniors are assisted in completing college and financial-aid applications.
Under his leadership Mission CISD was one of six districts in Texas recognized for use of the high school allotment in building a college-going culture; the district has experienced an increase in the number of graduates proceeding to college while also increasing the number of students taking the ACT.
Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in education at Stephen F. Austin State University. He has been active in the local United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Mission Economic Development Association, and Leadership Mission. In addition, he works with various district-level advisory committees, District Council of PTOs, and MCISD Council of Clergy, among others.
Rodriguez received a monetary award for prfessional development and a Superintendent of the Year ring from Balfour, program underwriter. State finalists also received an award from Balfour.
SOTY candidates are chosen for their dedication to improving educational quality, board-superintendent relations, student achievement, and commitment to community support and involvement in public education. Superintendents from any of Texas’ 1,035 school districts and county school boards are eligible for nomination by their local boards of trustees if they have been with the district at least three years. District nominees are submitted to a regional selection committee, which submits one nominee per region to the state selection committee.