Austin Elects Former Teacher Fernando Lucas de Urioste as New School Trustee

Austin’s New Educational Champion: Fernando Lucas de Urioste Wins Big!

In an exciting turn of events, Austin has welcomed its new school trustee! Former special education teacher Fernando Lucas de Urioste has decisively triumphed over Lindsey Stringer in the runoff election for the open at-large seat on the Austin Independent School District (AISD) board. The polls were bustling with activity on Saturday, and de Urioste gathered a whopping 12,455 votes – that’s a stunning 70% of the total 17,778 votes cast!

Goodbye to Trustee Noelita Lugo

This election marked the end of an era, as de Urioste steps in to take the reins from outgoing Trustee Noelita Lugo. After a hard-fought campaign between six candidates back on November 5, de Urioste and Stringer emerged as the top contenders. The community’s message is clear: they sought a leader who truly understands the challenges facing students.

A Heartfelt Moment

In a heartfelt statement following the win, de Urioste expressed his gratitude: “I am honored and inspired to have received a clear show of support. This win leaves me feeling good about my ability to serve the community and work towards our common goals.” He plans to take a couple of days off before diving right back into the vital conversations he’s started with families and AISD stakeholders.

Support from the Education Community

It’s no secret that district leaders favored de Urioste’s candidacy. The influential teachers’ union, Education Austin, threw their weight behind him, contributing a generous $20,000 to his campaign funds, which gave him a staggering 3-to-1 funding advantage over Stringer. Following his victory, Ken Zarifis from Education Austin shared on social media that this win showcased the union’s commitment to supporting candidates who prioritize educators and students alike.

Controversy in the Air

Before the general election, there was palpable tension, particularly after the Austin American-Statesman endorsed Stringer. Some education leaders worried Stringer might leverage this endorsement to secure victory, especially in the runoff where there typically is lower voter turnout. Additionally, Stringer found herself in a bit of hot water when opponents circulated a letter she wrote back in 2009, revealing her anti-abortion stance that she hadn’t mentioned during her campaign. While she didn’t dispute the letter’s authenticity, she insisted her views on abortion were irrelevant to her candidacy.

Champion of Special Education

With his background as a special education teacher within AISD, de Urioste is well-equipped to tackle the urgent issues related to special education, especially given how this sector has been dramatically affected in recent years. During the pandemic, many parents faced significant struggles when it came to securing necessary services for their children. Transforming these challenges into successes is now at the forefront of de Urioste’s mission.

As he personally knows the complexities parents face in navigating these systems, de Urioste mentioned how vital it is for AISD to enhance its special education services: “Quality special education services attract families and, more importantly, they help our kids.” He highlighted that parental inquiries about the best districts for special education have risen significantly, underscoring that AISD needs to respond effectively to these concerns.

Looking Ahead

De Urioste is determined to focus on consistency in service quality across special education programs and also to improve the diverse range of programs within AISD, such as magnet and dual-language curriculums, which have been drawing families in. With his extensive experience advocating for educational access, de Urioste promises change that could ease the ongoing budget crisis within the district as families begin to feel confident about returning to AISD.

Austin’s educational community is abuzz with anticipation as de Urioste embarks on this significant journey. If you have thoughts or insights on the election results, why not share your opinion with the community?