Del Valle ISD board president resigns over reinstatement of other board member

The announcement of her resignation preceded the board's reinstatement of trustee member Damian Pantoja

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Del Valle Independent School District Board President Rebecca Birch resigned from her position at Tuesday night's board meeting.

The announcement of her resignation preceded the board's reinstatement of trustee member Damian Pantoja after he previously had vacated his seat due to filing homestead tax exemption paperwork in another district last year.

Birch's announcement came at the start of the school board meeting, with her saying the action the board was about to take was the final straw.

"I can no longer for my conscience or my mental well-being sit in this incompetent behavior, effective immediately," she stated.

Birch called the board agreeing to let Pantoja return "immoral behavior" before announcing her resignation and leaving the meeting.

In June 2023, the district said Pantoja, District 2, filed the exemption paperwork for residency in Austin ISD to obtain the exemption, according to DVISD.

Since Pantoja filed his exemption paperwork in the AISD jurisdiction, he “immediately and automatically ceased holding office in Del Valle ISD,” according to the district.

Pantoja was sworn back in on Tuesday after being appointed at a special meeting on February 15. He was then asked to come around and take his seat before proceeding with the remainder of the meeting.