When TUSD board members voted to suspend Mexican American Studies courses, they vowed to incorporate more multicultural curriculum into all subject areas.
The man overseeing that effort as of July 1 will be Augustine Romero - one of the founders of TUSD's MAS program, which for years has been under fire by the state.
In January, the program courses were eliminated after being found in violation of state law. The finding, made by Arizona Schools Chief John Huppenthal, could have resulted in the loss of millions of dollars to the district in state aid.
Romero, who most recently has been serving as Tucson Unified's student equity director, has been named the multicultural curriculum director.
In his new role, Romero will be responsible for rewriting the K-12 social-studies curriculum and ensuring that multicultural curriculum resources are included in all subject areas.
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Cara Rene, a TUSD spokeswoman, said the job was created "partially" in response to the Mexican American Studies decision, "but also due to the district's approach to incorporate multicultural resources throughout all curriculum."
Romero's salary will remain the same - $89,162 a year.
Taking over for Romero in student equity, which aims to ensure an equitable education for every student, will be Jim Fish, who up until now served as assistant superintendent of middle schools.
The assignments of Romero and Fish were not approved by the district board, Rene said. Rather, they are part of an internal restructuring to ensure the district appropriately addresses curriculum needs.
As part of the restructuring, Abel Morado, assistant superintendent of high schools, will also oversee middle schools. Morado's title will change to assistant superintendent of secondary leadership.
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Maggie Shafer will add the responsibility of K-8 schools, becoming the assistant superintendent of elementary/K-8 leadership.
As director of multicultural curriculum, Romero will report to interim deputy superintendent Maria Menconi, who is in charge of curriculum, instruction and professional development.
He will have one administrative assistant, but no other staff reporting to him, Rene said.
It is unclear whether Romero plans to incorporate any of the Mexican American Studies curriculum that he helped to create in the new social-studies curriculum.
Romero did not return calls or emails for comment, but did release the following statement through Rene:
"I'm excited about this opportunity. I'm confident we can deliver an equitable and excellent educational experience for our students."
Though the Mexican American Studies classes were dismantled, the department itself remains under the new name of Mexican American Student Services.
The department's work will continue to include eliminating disparities for Hispanic students in the areas of achievement, discipline, special education placement, grade retention and placement in special programs.
What has changed, aside from the elimination of classes, is who would run it after the TUSD board voted not to renew the contract of the program's director, Sean Arce.
Some believed at one time that Romero would take the reins of the Mexican American Studies department, however the position remains unfilled.
The application period is now closed. In all, there were six applicants who met the criteria for the position, Rene said. The district would not release the names Friday.
The district is in the process of interviewing the candidates and hopes to have a director for the department by August.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
