Natalia school board member resigns; board president responds

Emilio Flores, 22, charged with arson

NATALIA, Texas – The former secretary of the Natalia Independent School District Board of Trustees resigned Thursday following an arrest and charge of arson.

 

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Emilio Flores, 22, was arrested Wednesday after being questioned by San Antonio police when they found his 2014 Chevrolet Silverado completely burned in the 6000 block of Highway 90 on June 28.

 

Witnesses told police Flores had previously joked about setting the truck on fire because of his high monthly payments.

 

School board President Eric Smith said Flores resigned voluntarily via email Thursday morning and then went to the district later in the day to sign the resignation. 

 

"I feel the district is making great strides to a better future, and do not want this personal matter to bring any negative publicity to the district," Flores said in the resignation.

 

Smith said instead of talking about the event that led to the accusations, the two focused on what, if any, impact the accusations could have on the district.

 

When the next school board meeting takes place Aug. 24, the school board will decide how to move forward. Smith said there are already three school board seats on the November ballot and adding Flores' will likely make four.

 

"He's a very passionate individual," Smith said. "You can tell he was bothered by the whole situation. The allegations and the charges he faces do not represent what we're about as a board or district."

 

Flores was elected to the Natalia ISD Board of Trustees November 2013.