San Marcos — Robert J. Duron, the superintendent of the Socorro school district, has been selected to head the 55,000-student San Antonio Independent School District.
San Marcos CISD superintendent Dr. Sylvester Perez was a finalist for the position.
“He’s (Duron) is a good superintendent. I wish him all the luck in the world,” said Perez.
Perez, who came to San Marcos in 2002, will continue as superintendent.
The San Antonio school board on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-year, $255,000 contract with Duron, 48. He replaces outgoing Superintendent Ruben Olivarez, who has accepted a job at the University of Texas in Austin.
Perez won the Superintendent of the Year award for region XIII in June. That qualified him to be nominated for the state Superintendent of the Year award which will be announced Oct. 6.
SAISD Board president Julian Trevino said Duron proved himself in Socorro, a community with similarities to San Antonio, including a largely Hispanic population and a high percentage of low-income students. Duron spent three years in the 34,000-student Socorro district in suburban El Paso.
“He was the type of leader who can inspire people to act and be leaders themselves,” San Antonio board member Justin Rodriguez said.
