MADISON – Luis Ferrer was willing to serve with Madison Board of Education because he “firmly believes the greatest gift we can give our future generations is the opportunity to shape their own destiny.”

Ferrer was sworn in during the board’s meeting on June 2.

He also applied for the board because “a sound academic foundation fosters not only individual growth but also provides our children with the basic academic tools necessary to achieve career and personal goals”

Ferrer strongly believes solid academics will level the playing field for everyone. “As a parent and a former Triana council liaison to Madison Board of Education, I understand the need for quality education for all the children residing within the cities of Madison and Triana. These children represent our future, and we must not neglect our educational commitment to them.”

Madison City Schools has three preeminent needs, Ferrer believes:

* “More infrastructure to maintain adequate classroom population and continue excellent levels of education.”

* “Identify alternative sources of revenue.”

* “Continue investing in development of our teachers, (which) directly benefits all students.”

As an enlisted soldier, Ferrer first moved to this area in 1995 to attend Avenger Missile System School at Redstone Arsenal and returned in 2011 to Madison with Army Contracting Command at Redstone. In 2011, he moved to Triana and then back to Madison in 2016.

Currently, he works as a contracting officer at the arsenal’s Army Contracting Command.

“I earned a master’s degree in business administration and graduated with honors from Inter-American University in Puerto Rico” with a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering.

He and wife Zoraida are parents of son Luis, a student at Heritage Elementary School, and daughter Greishka, who participates in color guard at mes Clements High School.

With Triana Town Council, he served on committees for street and cemetery, park and recreation and utilities.

 Ferrer fills the school board slot vacated by Dr. Terri Johnson, who decided to leave the board after 10 years of service.