He started with an issue that had families worried: the possibility of more school closures and consolidations. On September 2, his first day, Villalobos paused the review process affecting more than two dozen schools. He wanted a better understanding of how the schools were selected and clearer communication before moving ahead. The pause doesn’t guarantee any school will stay open, but it gives families some breathing room.
He also turned his attention to district headquarters. Within days, Villalobos proposed changes to his administrative team that he said would save more than $1 million. Whether those savings materialize will be worth following, especially for employees hoping the district can find more money for salaries.
There was good news at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, too. Villalobos joined state and district leaders to present a $100,000 check for SpaceHUB, a program that helps prepare students for careers in science and technology. It’s the kind of investment families want to see in their public schools.
Then came the budget. On September 9, the School Board approved a $7.4 billion spending plan for the school year. The district says more than 96 percent goes toward teaching, student services and other school-level operations. Villalobos now has the responsibility of putting that plan to work.
At his installation this week, he named reading, enrollment and staff pay among his priorities. Those issues matter here. Parents want their children learning, schools need families choosing them, and employees want pay that reflects the work they do.
Eight days is early. But taking another look at possible school closures and proposing cuts at the administrative level are meaningful places to start. Now families will want to know what comes next—and how those decisions will help their own schools.