Officials confirmed the death of San Leandro Unified district school board president Christian Rodriguez on Monday after he was hit by a vehicle on Friday, San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“As you can only imagine, his tragic, untimely death is enormously devastating for our entire San Leandro community,” expressed Superintendent Mike McLaughlin through an online statement Monday. “Christian has been an indispensable member of our SLUSD family for many years now and was also a dear, cherished friend to so many of us.”
The school board president met with an accident by the road on Friday while he was walking with his wife, Marina. The school district on Saturday said he was “gravely injured” and is in serious medical condition.
In 2018, Rodriguez assumed a four-year term when he was elected on the seven-member board. He represented Area 2.
On Dec. 14, Rodriguez was elected unanimously as board president by co-trustees. A Facebook post by the school district said he had served as a vice president previously.
“As an inspirational, impassioned advocate for our students and families, his joyous and inclusive leadership will never be replaced,” said McLaughlin. “His passing leaves a painful void in our district and in all of our hearts.”
Rodriguez’ bereaved wife, Marina, asked for their family’s privacy through a Facebook post Monday. She just said her husband “had an accident.”
Meanwhile, the district is currently on holiday break, a school district official said, and that no one is available to release a statement on the school board president’s death.
“We want to remember him as a very happy person that loved life and loved his children dearly and me,” wrote Marina Rodriguez. “He was an amazing Father, Husband, Brother, Son and a Great Friend. We will miss him so much.”
