Houston city councilman Gabriel Vasquez surfaced as a possible candidate for the HISD superintendent job Wednesday, the same day Hispanic leaders held a news conference calling for a Hispanic to replace Rod Paige, who has been tapped to join President-elect George W. Bush’s Cabinet.

But Vasquez, who is preparing to run for his second term representing District H on City Council, has a difficult political history that may undermine his support among some in the Hispanic community.

“He is an obvious candidate for this position,” said Rice University political scientist and pollster Bob Stein. “He has a doctorate, he taught at the University of Houston, he was on the school board. But he is a controversial figure in the Hispanic community, and he draws fire.”

Among other things, Vasquez angered Hispanics by helping craft a new bilingual education program while serving on the Houston Independent School District board that was regarded by some as anti-Hispanic. The policy emphasized that students learn English as rapidly as possible.

When he ran for City Council, entrenched Hispanic political powers in Houston, led by state Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, actively worked against him, branding him as a “sellout” to the community.

In the end, Vasquez carried his Heights-area district in part by running strongest in Anglo neighborhoods. Bitter feelings over the race have lingered, however, and Vasquez has never mended relations with other Hispanic elected officeholders.

Given his history, it’s unlikely Vasquez could assemble a coalition of Hispanic support behind him for the superintendent’s job, Stein said.

“If an Hispanic is drawn for superintendent, it will have to be someone without prior baggage, and Gabriel has too much prior baggage,” Stein said.

HISD board member Esther Campos said she believes that the district should look for someone with school administration experience. She added that Vasquez isn’t the only local Hispanic with a doctorate and agreed that he would come with some baggage.

“I think there would be a lot of questions raised. I don’t think he’d have overwhelming support,” said Campos. “There would be some people who would call to question some of his positions on the board.”

But community activist Macario Ramirez believes that despite past conflicts, Vasquez would be a viable candidate.

“He’s a Latino. He is a good potential candidate,” said Ramirez. “I think we have, hopefully, a forgiving community. I think we’ve grown beyond that point.”

Johnny Mata, spokesman for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said Vasquez would have to defend his actions on the bilingual education policy, but also agreed that the councilman would have support.

“He would have some support. I think he would be a strong candidate,” said Mata.

At a news conference Wednesday, LULAC reiterated its call for a Hispanic superintendent by calling on other organizations to join their lobbying efforts.

LULAC was joined by members of the Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston and community and civil rights activists in calling on HISD to hire a qualified Hispanic to lead Texas’ largest district if Paige is confirmed as Secretary of Education.

“It is time. It is time. It is time for a Hispanic to lead HISD,” Mata said at the news conference. “We’re going to do whatever is necessary to get a capable qualified Hispanic before the board.

Mata said the agency plans to establish a LULAC-community superintendent search committee and conduct an aggressive letter-writing campaign to board members, community, religious and political organizations to seek support.

Hispanic leaders at the news conference said race is important when about 54 percent of HISD’s student enrollment is Hispanic and that many school officials aren’t able to speak Spanish.

According to HISD statistics, 27 percent of school campus principals in the district are Hispanic; 21 percent of assistant principals are Hispanic; 24 percent of senior staff are Hispanic and four of the 13 district superintendents are Hispanic.

Of 1,063 school districts in Texas, 76 have Hispanic superintendents.

Vasquez, who is on vacation with his family, has not discussed the job with school district officials, said spokesman Frank McCune.

Asked whether Vasquez was interested in or pursuing the position, McCune said, “He is really happy serving as a City Council member.”



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