Former Trinidad School Board Member Defending Superintendent Hire

A former Trinidad School Board member is firing back after being accused of not doing due diligence in the hiring of the superintendent.

Vic Meyers is speaking up after those behind a grassroots effort to get Manuel Rodriguez ousted brought up accusations of an improper review of his background prior to being hired.

“When you separate emotions and look at data, the facts support what he’s doing is working,” said Meyers.

Meyers said a thorough background check of Rodriguez was done upon his hiring. Meyers said the board found sealed records in one New Mexico school district at which Rodriguez only spent one year. All other districts gave Rodriguez glowing reviews.

“I think he’s doing the job he was brought in to do,” said Rodriguez. “The overarching issue here is that Dr. Rodriguez came to town and found budget issues and low test scores.”

The group Concerned Parents and Community of Trinidad is still collecting petition signatures to get Rodriguez out. They’ve said he’s given a false and negative image of the school district and made changes that are detrimental to teachers and students.

Meyers said that’s not the worst he’s heard about Rodriguez around town.

“They’re just hateful, nasty, disgusting rumors,” said Meyers.