The principal of the Alternative Education Center is now the principal of Ector Middle School.
Charles Quintela was introduced in his new post at an Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees work study session. Robin Self is the interim principal of the Alternative Education Center.
Quintela replaces Kendra Herrera who resigned earlier this month citing personal reasons.
Herrera was arrested Feb. 1 on a charge of misdemeanor Class A theft following an investigation by the Ector County Independent School District Police Department, Superintendent Tom Crowe has said.
In October, Crowe said questions were brought to the district from the girls’ basketball booster club at Odessa High School. He said ECISD police investigated and turned the results over to the County Attorney’s Office.
Crowe has said Herrera was officially put on paid administrative leave Jan. 16 because of the allegation against her, but Crowe said her resignation letter cited personal reasons.
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Operations Roy Garcia stepped in as interim principal. He will now work half time at Ector through the end of the year.
Crowe told those attending Tuesday’s meeting that he was looking forward to Quintela transferring some of the culture from the Alternative Education Center to Ector, such as high expectations for discipline and academics.
Garcia said Quintela knows the staff and knows some of the students because they have been to the Alternative Education Center.
Ector is one of three campuses in its fifth year of improvement required status under state accountability standards. The other two are Noel and Zavala Elementary School.
If the schools do not come off improvement required, they will face closure or the Texas Education Commissioner will appoint a board of managers over the whole district. ECISD has a total of eight IR campuses.
