Washoe school board gets first Hispanic member
Reno contractor Perry DiLoreto, left, swears in Estela LeVario-Gutierrez to the Washoe County School Board. She replaces Lezlie Porter, who died in July.
Estela LeVario-Gutierrez was sworn in Tuesday as the first Hispanic member of the Washoe County School Board, replacing the late Lezlie Porter.
LeVario-Gutierrez, 44, was chosen from among 11 candidates in a school board vote last week.
Her term in District F ends in 2010.
“Right now, the school district is at a crossroad especially with the budget crisis,” LeVario-Gutierrez said. “I want to be part of the solution and make sure education is a priority.”
She has been on local and national committees focusing on student achievement, is director of counseling and career services at Truckee Meadows Community College and co-founder of Mariposa Dual Language School.
As liaison to the Mexican government, she worked to promote bi-national educational programs that serve immigrants who temporarily work in Nevada.
“I think (a Hispanic trustee) does mean a lot to the Hispanic community. I want the public to know that I am very proud of my heritage, but, just like any other school board member, I’m here for all students,” LeVario-Gutierrez said.
This article originally appeared in Reno Gazette-Journal.
