YISD Trustee McLean sells home, resigns district seat

YISD Trustee Patricia McLean has resigned. ABC-7 recently reached out to the school board member, who put her home in the district up for sale and had recently missed several meetings and workshops.

Monday, McLean emailed ABC-7 a statement she sent her constituents:

To the Del Valle and Ysleta ISD Communities,

“I have had the honor to represent the Del Valle community since November of 2010. During my tenure, I was committed to the students of the Del Valle Community and all the students of Ysleta ISD. The students were always my priority and I worked tirelessly for their benefit.

After much thought and prayer I have decided to resign as trustee. It was a very difficult decision which was precipitated by my home selling very quickly. My term would have ended in May and my hope is that someone who is committed to the students take on the challenge and run for this volunteer position.

I was blessed to have been embraced by the Del Valle Community and have seen the power of “One Family One Destiny.” The principals, teachers and staff serving our children are amazing, hard-working and very talented. I was very fortunate to meet many wonderful Ysleta ISD employees. I want to thank you for your patience and kindness.”

With best wishes and warm regards,

Patricia Torres McLean

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
EL PASO, Texas – ABC-7 was able to track down the Ysleta Independent School District board member who has missed several meetings and workshops with the district over the past several months.

Patricia McLean has been a YISD board member the past three and a half years. She was board president for two years prior. A story published by the Brownwood (Texas) Bulletin revealed in October her husband, Doug, got a job there as Vice President of TexasBank, raising some concerns about her future with the district.

Since that story was published, McLean has missed several Ysleta ISD board meetings. She was absent for the Oct. 26 meeting, attended the Nov. 9 meeting, was absent Dec. 14, present on Jan. 18, but absent again at Wednesday’s regular board meeting, meaning she’s missed three of the past five board meetings. During the past four months she has also missed four workshops.

ABC-7 went to McLean’s home Thursday in the Placitas Del Ray neighborhood off North Loop near Del Valle High School, the area she represents. There was a “For Sale” sign in front of the home and a small sign indicating the home was “Sold.”

A woman answered the door and told ABC-7 that McLean was not there, but was still living there and would be home soon.

About an hour later, ABC-7 received a call from McLean. She said she missed the meeting in December to attend her children’s graduation from Texas Tech. She said she missed Wednesday’s meeting because movers were at her home.

McLean declined an on-camera interview, but confirmed that her home has sold and said: “I haven’t fully decided what I’m going to do. I’m looking at options. It should be finalized within the next few days.”

McLean, whose term ends in May, said she is considering moving into an apartment in the Del Valle area and completing her term.

Board rules clearly state a member must remain a resident of a district throughout the term and anyone who doesn’t vacates the office.

“Her home is for sale,” YISD spokesperson Patricia Ayala told ABC-7. “This is something you need to speak with Mrs. McLean about. She has not resigned.”

ABC-7 spoke with several members of the board about McLean’s situation.

“It’s not a concern to me.” board member Paul Pearson said. “She missed (thursday’s) meeting, but she called me before.”

Other board members were more concerned.

“Even a vacancy for a short number of months is a concern,” said board member Sergio Ramirez. “There’s always concern about leaving a community without representation.”

Added board member Shane Haggerty: “She’s been very absent. There are taxpayers that don’t have a voice.”