RIO HONDO — Superintendent of Schools Ismael Garcia released a letter last week informing students, parents and the community that high school band director John Garza had resigned.
According to the letter, Garza notified his students and colleagues before he informed school officials about his resignation.
Attempts to reach Garza by phone or email were unsuccessful.
The sudden notification came during the week of band camp.
Garcia confirmed Monday that Garza has submitted a letter of resignation.
He also informed the band leader students and two other band staff members, the letter stated.
Located more than 40 miles away, Garza plans to take a job with the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District in Pharr.
Garcia couldn’t confirm the school where Garza had been hired but did say he was hired as band director.
“This came as a surprise to the students and to me, since he and I had previously had a conversation regarding his continued employment with our district,” the letter said. “As soon as Garza officially submits his letter of resignation, the district will move forward to search for a qualified replacement.”
While Garza was band director, Rio Hondo High School won the silver medal in the 3A University Interscholastic League State Marching Contest in 2008 and was named the USSBA State Marching Champion in 2009.
In 2010 the band was ranked 4th in the state in the Outstanding Performance Series Contest and has 16 consecutive UIL sweepstakes, which is the longest streak in the 3A district.
The Rio Hondo Band has also been crowned the UIL Area E Marching Champion since 2002.
According to the letter Garza informed the band leader students that the person who replaces him would be in charge of selecting the program for the coming school year.
“As you may be aware, this is a state year,” the letter said. “The board and I will continue to support the band program so that it may continue to be the success and pride of our community.”
“Mr. Garza is a great band director and I wish he could stay with us,” Garcia said Monday afternoon.
