Tre Rhodes Brings Fresh Urgency to TUSD School Board Race

Tre’Davon Rhodes knows what public schools can do for students whose futures are anything but guaranteed. Raised by a single mother with an incarcerated father, he worked throughout high school and wasn’t certain college was his next step.

A Sabino High School counselor helped him find direction. His grandmother supplied another reason: Before she died, she told him she wanted to see him attend college.

Now a first-generation University of Arizona student, Rhodes wants a seat on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board to give more students that same chance.

“For students who aren’t going to take that four-year pathway, we have to make sure that we’re giving them the same opportunity and a shot at success,” he told KOLD’s Shea Devyn.

Rhodes, 20, is the youngest of five candidates competing for two board seats on November 3. His message: Recent experience inside TUSD classrooms belongs at the table where their future is decided.

Democrats of Greater Tucson has endorsed Rhodes, praising the fresh perspective he would bring. He previously served on the organization’s board.

Experience that matters

Rhodes connects his upbringing to students facing financial pressure, family instability and responsibilities that do not disappear when the school day begins.

He argues that preparing those students requires more than chasing test scores. “I am not a fan of the concept of what’s called teaching to the test,” he said.

His priorities include:

• Updated curricula
• Greater flexibility in educational pathways
• An artificial intelligence policy that teaches ethical, responsible use without encouraging dependence.
• Expanded career and technical education, stronger partnerships with Pima JTED, and more opportunities for students who don’t pursue four-year degrees.

One proposal: Explore converting unused district buildings into career-training hubs offering fields such as automotive work, cosmetology and culinary arts.

TUSD is preparing to announce which specific schools may close or consolidate starting the week of October 19, 2026. Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo said the district may consolidate up to 10 schools (out of 88 total schools) over two years because of a long-term drop in enrollment and low building capacity rates.

Before closing schools, demand answers

Rhodes refuses to make an unrealistic promise that every school can remain open.

“I can’t promise that I will never close a school,” he said, “but I will make sure that we look at every alternative.”

His questions are practical: Could new programs rebuild enrollment? What happens to displaced families? Will consolidation drive more students away?

“Are we going to lose more than we gain?” he asked.

Teachers need support; students need belonging

Rhodes wants higher teacher and staff pay, quality benefits and enough support personnel to keep educators from being overwhelmed. He proposes partnerships with Pima Community College and the University of Arizona to develop a local teacher pipeline.

On campus safety, he supports school resource officers, counselors and access to overdose-reversal medication – but without making schools feel unwelcoming.

“Our schools should be schools, and they shouldn’t be feeling like prisons,” he said.

Eckstrom’s scrutiny, Romero’s oversight problem

The other candidates are incumbents Jennifer Eckstrom and Val Romero and challengers Pilar Acosta Ruiz and Skye Fernandez. Voters can choose two candidates for four-year terms in the nonpartisan election.

Eckstrom offers a constructive complement to Rhodes’ student perspective: local-government experience and a willingness to demand answers. The former South Tucson mayor works in Pima County’s community and workforce development department.

Democrats of Greater Tucson also endorsed Eckstrom.

In August, she opposed scheduling public meetings about consolidation because board members lacked enough information.

“We need to be transparent. I’m not seeing that, and I’m a Governing Board member,” she said.

Romero also faces questions about financial oversight. At September’s candidate forum, he said Chief Financial Officer Ricky Hernández had “sugarcoated” problems. Hernández disputed that claim, saying he had been forthcoming.

Hernández told the Tucson Sentinel the board had not asked about TUSD’s financial-risk designation since state auditors flagged the district earlier that year. It raises a sharp question for an incumbent: What did Romero do to secure the information he says was missing?

Addressing students’ everyday needs

Rhodes knows how one counselor, one supportive school and one timely opportunity can change a life. He wants that opportunity to depend less on luck.

For families weighing the district’s future, his campaign offers a clear focus: stronger classrooms, broader career options and decisions grounded in students’ everyday needs.

“I think the experience that I have is crucially needed in today’s moment,” he said.