Board of Trustees

Ricardo Molina

Ricardo Molina is a Laredo native and Parliamentarian of the United I.S.D. Board of Trustees. He believes serving on the Board involves keeping in mind the interests of the people in the community. "You have to look out for the taxpayers, students, and the people you serve." Molina's district is composed of the communities of Rio Bravo and El Cenizo.

Molina identifies with students of modest means who struggle for success. In his younger days, Molina was a member of his high school's chapter of the Distributive Education Club of America. "I know what hard work is. To succeed you have to make the best of your situation." Throughout his life Molina has worked in a variety of jobs. He has labored in oil fields, machine shops, and as a field hand picking cotton. Molina is the Director of the Rio Bravo and El Cenizo Community Centers.

As a Trustee, Molina helped initiate the district's dropout recovery program. The program allows students who have left school to pursue a General Equivalency Diploma. Molina also knows the importance of providing educational opportunities for adults. He worked for the establishment of GED and adult education programs in his community.

Molina says he joined the Board because he wanted to do something for the community. "We on the Board are like a family. We look out for the best opportunities for kids." Molina says United ISD has seen numerous changes in the last few years. "We've seen better curriculum, an improvement in our bilingual education program, and lower dropout and teen pregnancy rates." Molina says the schools in his area are good facilities that are well built. "We've been able to add new wings and cafeterias, to our many schools." He adds, "UISD is doing a great job of educating our children." He is particularly proud of the many accomplishments made by the schools in the south, especially all the great things happening at United South Magnet School. Molina says, "I will continue to work for the children and taxpayers of United ISD. Nothing is too good for the kids. I wish I could do more."

Molina, working with other board members, has been able to implement many positive changes for the benefit of children, parents, and taxpayers. These changes include increased security at elementary campuses and fighting the increase of gang involvement at schools. Gang Intervention Facilitators have been placed in high schools and their respective feeder campuses. Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors have been hired to fight drug use by students. Zero tolerance policies and the establishment of k-9 patrols help keep schools drug free.

In addition, one-third of the UISD school bus fleet has been replaced with new school busses. Two-thirds of the school bus fleet has been retrofitted with air conditioning. The second phase of the construction has been started at L.B. Johnson High School. There will be additions to Alexander and United South High Schools. A replacement building for United High School will be built and a new middle school will be constructed to relieve overcrowding at Los Obispos Middle School.