By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-926732.mp3
Dallas, TX – The vote wasn't even close. Last night, Clark County, Nevada School Board members rejected Dallas superintendent Michael Hinojosa as its next leader. Trustees chose Colorado's Education Commissioner, Dwight Jones. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports Hinojosa knows he has work to do here, and says he is committed to Dallas.
The Las Vegas vote was 6 to 1 for Jones. It might have been unanimous but one trustee disliked the process, not the candidates. Hinojosa was relieved.
Hinojosa: That I don't have to make that tough decision about whether I will take it or not. Someone else gets to make that decision.
But the Dallas superintendent also acknowledged disappointment.
Hinojosa: I'm competitive, I'm a coach. Everybody likes to win. I won't dispute I wasn't trying to win, but I'm not disappointed. I'm excited. I'm re-energized for 5 more years in Dallas.
Hinojosa gets those years thanks to a contract extension narrowly approved last week by the Dallas school board. He knows he must mend some trustee relationships.
Hinojosa: It takes 2 people to make those relationships work, and I'll do my part, because I'm in it for the long haul. I've got 5 more years, and I want to work with individuals who weren't supportive of the extension.
Trustee Jack Lowe, who helped put together that extension, was pleased.
I'm very pleasantly surprised. I was very anxious about losing him. I was also anxious about replacing him. Who could we attract, who would we select to replace him? So I'm thrilled.
Hinojosa says he'll waste no time signing the contract extension. He also says his name is off the market, so don't call him with a superintendent offer.