Roark Resigns From EPISD Board Of Trustees
EL PASO, Texas — Charles Roark resigned as a member of the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees during a board meetingTuesday night, EPISD officials announced Wednesday.
In his resignation letter to Board President David Dodge, Roark wrote that he sold his home and referred to district policies that require a trustee to live in their district, officials said.
Roark represented campuses in the Andress High School feeder pattern. Roark was first appointed to serve the unexpired term of Robert L. Benson in 1995 and has served as trustee for 12 years including a term as board president.
Roarkis the third trustee to resign from the board after being named in El Paso’s ongoing public corruption investigation. Last year Sal Mena and Carlos Cordova resigned, citing health problems. Cordova later pleaded guilty to bribery.
Dodge accepted the resignation and thanked Roark for his dedication and years of service and commitment to the EPISD school community and said he would be sorely missed, officials said.
Roark wrote inhis resignation letter, “It has been my privilege to serve as Trustee for the El Paso Independent School District. During that period, we have seen significant improvement in student achievement as measured by test scores; significant improvement in facilities through construction of new schools and the modernization of many campuses; a restructured budget process resulting in better reporting and a more effective overall operation; better management of our healthcare and worker’s compensation benefits program; improvement in employee attitudes and job satisfaction; and a marked improvement in meeting the needs of children requiring extra assistance.”
Roark expressed his appreciation to the trustees, administration and the people of El Paso for “the great honor and privilege it has been to serve in this position.”
Roark’s term ends in May 2009. EPISD officials said that the trustees will discuss the options for filling the vacancy at the next board meeting on August 26.
