Richmond Community Schools’ new board member, Michael Elorreaga Jr., is a Richmond High School graduate, is married to an RCS principal and has two children attending the district’s schools.
After requesting applications from the community to fill a board vacancy, three candidates were selected for interviews. One voluntarily left the selection process before those interviews took place.
On Nov. 6, the board met with Elorreaga and Duane Hodgin, an RHS graduate and retired educator. On Nov. 7, Elorreaga took the oath of office.
Elorreaga’s two children are in fourth grade at Charles Elementary and sixth grade at Hibberd and were among his inspirations to seek the new role.
“I started to think of the vision I wanted for my kids and for all kids and the community,” he said.
He’s also gained insights about the district through conversations with his wife, Jenny, who is principal of Crestdale Elementary School. He said you can’t understand what’s happening in schools without listening to teachers, kids and parents.
“I’m definitely proud and support him and his efforts,” said Jenny Elorreaga. “He cares about the community and the students and teachers who work at RCS and wants to see it grow and prosper and do his part to make this a better place.”
The new board member is focused on bringing RCS the opportunities that he knows a lot of kids want, along with collaborating with parents, teachers and administrators who want the best for kids.
“Putting my hat in the ring is my opportunity to help with that vision,” he said.
Elorreaga said he’s willing to put in the hard work to make that happen.
Two of his priorities include early childhood education and providing opportunities for students who aren’t college bound to succeed at trade schools and in the workforce. He also wants to address concerns with aging facilities and improving student attendance.
He appreciates his family’s deep roots in Wayne County. Elorreaga, who grew up in El Paso, Texas, moved to Richmond in 1994.
He is a 1999 RHS graduate who also stayed local for college, earning his bachelor’s at Earlham and his master’s at Indiana University East.
“I want to give back in the way Richmond gave to me and propelled me,” he said. “I’m thankful to Richmond. The opportunities are here, and I definitely want RCS to be a beacon for the Richmond community and want RCS to be the schools everyone wants to go to.”
Elorreaga is an insurance agent for Indiana Farm Bureau and said he brings small business knowledge along with budgeting, teamwork, and values such as integrity and character. His other community involvement includes serving on Reid Health’s Finance Committee and the boards of Amigos and IU East’s School of Business Advisory Board.
Board President Kristen Brunton said they’re excited to have him join the board.
“I look forward to his input and how he can contribute to the achievement of the students of Richmond Community Schools,” Brunton said. “He has a diverse background and brings volunteer experience and other board experiences.”
RCS’ next meeting will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 13. Another meeting has been added at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, starting with a work session and then moving into a business meeting at 6:30 p.m.
A version of this article appeared in the November 13 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.