In 2018, IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Rodrigo Flores ran a remarkable campaign in his bid to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Weaver Unified School District – the same district where he attended school, where his son is currently enrolled, and where his wife works as a teacher. Flores went up against a long-time incumbent — and lost the race by just one single vote.
Rodrigo Flores
Undeterred by the outcome of that race, Flores knew that he would pursue public office again some day. That day came a bit sooner than anticipated, when that same incumbent that Flores ran against resigned from the Board. Flores decided to submit his name for consideration for that newly vacant seat.
“I was the only individual who submitted an information sheet to the District during the 60-day window that the District has to fill the position,” Flores explained. “I had to attend a special board meeting on February 19 that was open to the public and had to answer questions from the current Board, and then my answers to the questions were discussed in public at the meeting.”
After this thorough screening process was complete, Flores was appointed to fill the seat on the Weaver USD Board of Trustees, making him is the first Local 1245 Organizing Steward to hold public office. His appointment is effective March 1 2020. He will be sworn in on March 11, and will serve out the remainder of the term, which ends in December of 2022.
Weaver USD is comprised of four schools – a preschool, two elementaries and one middle school. The District serves approximately 2,800 students in southeast Merced and employs approximately 120 teachers. According to Flores, Weaver USD has several important projects in the works, include new classrooms for the middle school, a new administrative office, and upgraded security. Planning for an additional school is slated to begin in the near future to accommodate a growing student population.
Flores, a 21-year IBEW member who works for the Merced Irrigation District, is excited to have this unique opportunity to give back to his community, and appreciates the assistance he’s received through the union as he embarks on this new path.
“Thanks to Organizer Fred Ross and all of IBEW 1245 for the support and help through this whole process!” said Flores.