Gutiérrez was chosen from a group of three finalists in January. They each visited and held a “Day in the District” including a public question and answer session.
He visited again after being given the job and a $250,000 contract in March during Seguin’s spring break. While here on that trip, Gutiérrez spoke about his excitement to begin the job and plans to “unify the community.”
“My goal is to work to unify the community, the school district, so that we can all begin moving in the same direction and focusing on what matters; that is the 27,000 students within this organization,” he said during a press conference.
The Seguin Independent School District School Board had discussed its superintendent contract in closed session in a March 31 meeting.
The School Board had approved a $30,000 contract for a consulting firm to help Gutierrez transition into the job by conducting a review of district departments.
At a news conference on March 10, Gutierrez said he wanted to “unify the community” during his first year in Madison.
But the task was likely to be difficult, as Gutierrez faced criticism from some African American community leaders, who questioned his qualifications. But he had received support from Latino leaders and others prominent community members.
Related: Jennifer Cheatham (2013-2019) and the Madison Experience.
“The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”.
Madison has long spent far more than most taxpayer supported K-12 school districts.