The Central Union High School District (CUHSD) has announced the departure of three of its Board of Trustees members, marking the end of a combined 12 years of service. Trustees Diahna Garcia-Ruiz, Maria Peinado, and Eric Rodriguez officially concluded their tenures on December 10, 2024.
The three outgoing board members played key roles in district initiatives, ranging from facility improvements to expanding student enrichment programs. Their departure paves the way for new leadership on the CUHSD Board.
Diahna Garcia-Ruiz served on the CUHSD Board for eight years, from 2016 to 2024. During her tenure, she played an integral role in the planning and development of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) building at Central Union High School. Garcia-Ruiz also served as a board representative with the El Centro Education Foundation from 2016 to 2020 and was a member of the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly.
Reflecting on her service, Garcia-Ruiz stated, “Serving on the Central Union High School District Board has been a very rewarding experience in my life… My advice to the new board members is to always keep the focus on the student’s best interest; they are our priority.”
Maria Peinado joined the CUHSD Board in 2020, serving for four years. She focused on expanding access to music and performing arts education and advocating for students with special needs. Under her leadership, the district facilitated mariachi workshops for students and transitioned the county’s special education program to a district-managed model. Peinado also served as a representative of the El Centro Education Foundation, overseeing scholarship initiatives.
Peinado emphasized the importance of student advocacy, saying, “Students, please keep showing up and speaking up because yours is the most powerful voice on our campuses. As we approach a new administration, I encourage staff, parents, and students to ground themselves in joy and community and take care of one another.”
Elected to the CUHSD Board in 2020, Eric Rodriguez brought a parent’s perspective to the governing body, as all three of his children graduated from Central Union High School during his time in office. He served as the board’s representative with the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP), where he helped raise funds for student scholarships.
Rodriguez described his role as a rewarding experience, stating, “Serving on the Central Union High School District board during my daughters’ high school years has been a true privilege… Stepping up to serve under CUHSD was a very rewarding experience and one that helped shape the future of our children.”
The district acknowledged the contributions of all three outgoing trustees, highlighting their leadership, advocacy, and lasting impact on the student community.