CISD welcomes Orozco as new superintendent, Sotelo retires




Charlotte ISD welcomed a new superintendent, Jon Orozco, left, to their district on Monday, Jan. 6 after former Superintendent Mario Sotelo, right, announced his plans for retirement back in November. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Charlotte ISD welcomed a new superintendent, Jon Orozco, left, to their district on Monday, Jan. 6 after former Superintendent Mario Sotelo, right, announced his plans for retirement back in November. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Charlotte ISD welcomes Jon Orozco as their new superintendent as the spring semester begins. Orozco comes to Charlotte from Waelder ISD in what is his 30th year as a school administrator. He first started his administrative career down the road in Pearsall where he served as an assistant principal under outgoing CISD Superintendent, Mario Sotelo.

“It’s pretty neat coming back full circle, because I get to replace somebody who was influential in my career early on,” said Orozco of Sotelo.

Since Jan. 6, Orozco has been working with Sotelo and visiting with the students, staff and teachers at the three campuses. He stated that Sotelo has done an incredible job in his time at Charlotte, and he doesn’t plan on changing everything, but rather build on it.

“I was visiting with Mario the other day, and sometimes superintendents have their own way of doing things and their own agenda. I think just spending time together these last few weeks … we’re very similar in personality. And one thing that I’ve learned from Mario is that sometimes when there needs to be action, it doesn’t have to be right away. You need to think about it, what could be the consequences, what’s benefitting the kids and the community members and everybody else. I think Mario’s done an incredible job of that … and my plan is to just take all the wonderful things that we’re already doing and just improving them, and just making sure our kids are receiving the best education they possibly can,” said Orozco.

One of Orozco’s goals is to expand the band program that currently has 75 students in the high school band.

“We’re hoping to grow that into about 100-110. And we have some neat ideas from our band director on teaching kids how to read music in elementary school and as they’re coming into middle school, because it really is its own language,” he said. “So, if kids can read music, I just think that, especially with the fine arts, really makes a well-rounded student.”

Other goals in mind for the superintendent are career and college readiness. Orozco hopes to have at least three to five students graduate with their associate’s degree and high school diploma at the same time. Orozco is also a huge supporter of the school’s military certification program.

In his two weeks at Charlotte ISD, Orozco has attended numerous events including awards assemblies, sporting events and as even out supporting students at the Atascosa County Livestock Show last week. Orozco has served as an assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent and student services director over his 30 years and plans on retiring at Charlotte ISD. Having been at districts of various sizes, he says rural schools are where he wants to be because of the kids.

“The kids know who you are, and they look for you, they count on you being at their games and walking in their classrooms,” he said. “It’s just been very enjoyable and the kids, the quality of kid that Charlotte has, has just been amazing to me. They greet you with respect every time they see you … when you have young people doing that, how can you not be in a positive mood all the time and love your job?”

Sotelo retires

After 48 years in education, outgoing CISD Superintendent Mario Sotelo retired at the end of the fall semester.

“At some point in time, your body and your mind tells you it’s time to do something different. To slow down and not have to worry about any schedules or pressures or stuff like that,” said Sotelo, who says the board was extremely receptive of his decision.

Sotelo will continue to work for the district in introducing and handing the ropes over to Orozco until the end of January at no cost to the school. Of Orozco taking over, Sotelo stated that he is relieved with how smooth the pro- cess has been.

“I was worried about who was going to take over, the staff was always worried about who was going to take over. But, I think the staff is going to be real comfortable with Orozco. I’m just thrilled. I really am,” said Sotelo.

Sotelo, who worked at Charlotte ISD the past eight years, said that the small town has one of the best school boards he’s ever worked with.

“I guarantee you; I’ve actually worked in 10 different districts and worked in central office in eight districts. The school board in Charlotte is probably second to none of all the places that I’ve been. For a small town, we’ve got a really good school board and it’s been a really good ride. It’s been a pleasure. I feel blessed to have worked here and know I am leaving it in good hands,” said Sotelo.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *