DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D., CEO
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors Appointments
SUMMARY:
This item allows City Council to approve recommendations for appointments to the Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors for the five even-numbered City Council District appointments for Board Members whose term ends on May 31, 2018.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Early Childhood Education Municipal Development Corporation (Pre-K 4 SA) Board of Directors is comprised of 11 Board Members. In accordance with the Pre-K 4 SA bylaws, the Board of Directors is appointed by the City Council and the Mayor. Each City Council member and the Mayor appoint one Director to the Board. The Mayor's appointee serves as the Chairperson of the Board. District appointees do not have to reside in the City Council District for which they are serving, but they do need to have residency in the City of San Antonio.
Board Members serve two-year staggered terms. Appointees of even-numbered City Council Districts served a term of two years beginning in 2016 and ending on May 31, 2018. The new two-year term begins June 1, 2018 and ends May 31, 2020. The odd-numbered City Council Districts appointments also serve a two-year term that will end on May 31, 2019.
The current Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors, their respective City Council Districts, and expiration dates of terms follow.
Mayor - Elaine Mendoza
May 31, 2019
District 1 - Dr. Richard Middleton
May 31, 2019
District 2 - Pamela E. Ray
May 31, 2018
District 3 - Major General Josue "Joe" Robles, Jr.
May 31, 2019
District 4 - Richard Perez
May 31, 2018
District 5 - Gloria A. Ramirez
May 31, 2019
District 6 - Dr. Tracy Hurley
May 31, 2018
District 7 - Frances Guzman
May 31, 2019
District 8 - Dr. Shari Albright
May 31, 2018
District 9 - Dr. Gogi Dickson
May 31, 2019
District 10 - Vacant
May 31, 2018
ISSUE:
The City Council Members for City Council Districts 4, 6, and 8 have each recommended reappointing the existing Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors Members to serve their respective Districts. The incumbent Pre-K 4 SA Board Members have expressed a willingness to serve an additional term. Staff is supportive of the City Council Members’ decisions to recommend the reappointment of the existing Board Members for City Council Districts 4, 6, and 8. City Councilmembers for City Council Districts 2 and 10 have selected individuals to serve their respective Districts on the Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors. District 2 recommends Brandon Logan. District 10 recommends Jennifer Laster.
The new term for appointees of Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 will begin on June 1, 2018 and last through May 31, 2020.
The following list is the City Council Member making the reappointment and the recommended Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors Member for the even numbered City Council Districts.
District 2 - Brandon A. Logan
As CEO of Urban Capital Partners, Brandon is responsible for the corporation’s strategy management, operational production, and expansion initiatives. The purpose of Urban Capital Partners is to establish people and place-based strategies that uplift the standard of learning and living in inner city communities. Brandon graduated Cum Laude in three years from Grambling State University with a BS degree in Business Management. Currently, Brandon serves on the Board of Trustees at Hallmark University and on the Board of Directors at KLRN, Najim Family Foundation, Rotary Club of San Antonio, SAISD Foundation, and the Valero Alamo Bowl.
District 4 - Richard Perez
Richard Perez is the CEO of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He formerly served as a City Council Member for District 4 and Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Richard has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.
District 6 - Dr. Tracy Hurley
Dr. Tracy Hurley is the Dean of the College of Business at Texas A&M University - San Antonio. Dr. Hurley previously served on the SA 2020 Education Task Force as a representative of Texas A&M University - San Antonio. Dr. Hurley has a Ph.D. in Business and a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston.
District 8 - Dr. Shari Albright
Dr. Shari Albright is the Norine R. Murchison Distinguished Professor of Practice and Chair of the Department of Education at Trinity University. She has formerly served as Fellow in the Kellogg National Leadership Program, Principal at International School of the Americas, Director of Special Projects at North East ISD, and Elementary teacher and administrator in East Central ISD. Dr. Albright obtained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Columbia University. Starting August 1, Dr. Albright will leave Trinity University to start a new position as Executive Director of the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation, a nonprofit that works to improve Texas public education.
District 10 - Jennifer Laster
Jennifer Laster is the Brand Content Manager at Whataburger Restaurants. She previously served as a reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and handled public relations and communications for the University of the Incarnate Word and Texas Lutheran University. Recognitions include a Fellowship for the National Endowment for the Arts Program for Arts Journalism, San Antonio ADDY award for print media, Women in Communications awards for writing and publications, Council for Advancement and Support of Education Awards for writing and publications, and Associated Press Managing Editor awards for writing among others. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas Lutheran University.
ALTERNATIVES:
City staff worked with each of the City Council Members to provide them alternative Board appointee options. The recommendations herein are consistent with the City Council Districts’ input.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the reappointment and appointment of members for City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 to the Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors.