Rene Sanchez Named Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union Interim Superintendent

We are excited to announce that we have named Rene Sanchez as Interim Superintendent effective July 1, 2024. Mr. Sanchez has stated, “I am deeply honored to be chosen as the RNESU Interim Superintendent. I am prepared to continue the diligent work of Superintendent Hubert, her team, and the RNESU boards. As I arrive, not only am I excited to meet everyone, but also to learn from and develop partnerships with the students, the educators, and the community. Together, we will build on the boards’ and communities’ goals to create the best possible outcomes for our students.” 

RNESU board chair Laurie Bertrand has said of Mr. Sanchez, “We are delighted to have Rene join our supervisory union. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will benefit RNESU and help us continue to provide a quality education to all of our students.”

Prior to taking on this role, Mr. Sanchez most recently served as the superintendent of the Champlain Valley School District. Prior to that role Mr. Sanchez served as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations in South Bend, Indiana, and as a secondary principal in Houston and Austin, Texas. He has also written chapters for educational leadership books focused on implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Science, Technology, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

Originally from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Mr. Sanchez attended undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Government and International Studies. He has a law degree from Ohio State. Mr. Sanchez graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s in Education. He is currently enrolled at Indiana State to conclude his Ph.D. 

In Vermont, he has been responsible for bringing a data-driven focus and systems-thinking processes to the organization in the academic, belonging, and operations areas.  With his board,  he has successfully passed a five-year strategic plan and a facilities bond and implemented the district’s Equity Policy and equity audit recommendations. 

In South Bend, as the Assistant Superintendent for Operations for the South Bend Community School Corporation. He oversaw Human Resources and Transportation. Within HR, he created a New Teacher training monthly series focusing on Equity and Universal Design for Learning, coordinated the move to a new HRIS system and digital personnel records, and improved the teacher hiring timeline. He spearheaded the purchase and implementation of WIFI on the district’s school buses in the transportation realm. This action led South Bend Schools to bridge the digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic and recognize the district in local, state, and national news.

As principal of Houston ISD’s 3000+ students Chavez High School, his team founded the IB Diploma and Career Programmes, the Process Technology Associates’ Degree program with San Jacinto College, which was featured in the book, UDL: Moving from Exploration to Integration for its culture and use of Universal Design for Learning schoolwide. The school was recognized by America Achieves and the Organization for Economic and Community Development for closing the academic gap with affluent schools. Scholarships increased from $6 million to over $19 million. And, in just 3 years, his vertical team increased their fine arts programs by 250%.

Mr. Sanchez is married to Jean, a native Vermonter. They have three children and three dogs. Mr. Sanchez loves cycling, cooking, reading, fishing, golfing, and working in the garden and yard.

Recording of Community Forum 5/3/2024