Harlingen school district's Board of Trustees shuffled

HARLINGEN - The school district's Board of Trustees was reorganized Tuesday with the naming of new President George McShan.

The board also elected Javier De Leon as vice president and Verna Young as secretary during a regular school board meeting.

Although school board elections were not held this year because incumbents Gerry Fleuriet and Javier De Leon were not challenged for their seats, the two were re-appointed to the board and sworn in by state District Judge Migdalia Lopez for another three-year term.

McShan replaces Cesar Maldonado, who served as president during the 2007-2008 school year.

McShan has served on the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District's Board of Trustees since 1988, serving on every position including president four previous times.

Before being elected to his fifth term as president Tuesday, McShan was serving as vice president.

This will be De Leon's second term on the board. He served as secretary during his first term on the board.

Young has served on the Board of Trustees since 2001 and has served as president, vice president and secretary.

Superintendent of Schools Linda Wade said Tuesday that the community is happy with its school board and that was made apparent by the unchallenged board seats.

Wade also recognized and thanked Maldonado for his work during his presidential term.

"Thank you for always putting children first in every decision you make," Wade said.

Maldonado will remain on the HCISD board as a member.

McShan said he appreciated the confidence placed in him by his fellow board members to lead the board again.

McShan also said he hoped to follow in the tradition of excellence in leadership established by Maldonado.