Monday, July 21, 2014

BISD: MICROMANAGING, FAVORITISM AND DOG-EAT--DOG

"Minerva definitely had something to do with this, I was sitting in the Board room before the meeting started and I overheard Minerva asking Mr. Powers why did you take off the "s" (after the singular 'superintendent'), and lets ask if we can just add the "S." I'm sure the other people in the audience also heard, she was very persistent. What a disappointment they stoop so low in order to be liked."  Commenter on post on BISD trustee Minerva Peña behind hiring two area superintendents

By Juan Montoya
The commenter on our post of a few days ago outlining the micromanaging by Brownsville Independent School District trustee Minerva Peña in the possible illegal hiring of two (count them, two) area superintendents instead of the one listed on the board's agenda just confirms what district employees have known all along: we're back to the bad old days.
In the case of the hiring of both Terry Alarcon and Dora Sauceda when the agenda – and the compensation approved in the budget– only called for one, only points out the fact that favoritism, patronage and micromanaging is alive and well. It harkens back to the days when former trustee Ruben Cortez could into the Special Needs Department and demand that his relative be hired for the summer even though the application period had long been past.
And it goes even further to the administrative positions inbreeding that resulted when Otis Powers was trustee and a slew of his relatives found themselves in cushy jobs. Partly as a result of the public becoming aware of that, the voters rejected him once. Now it looks like Otis and his bods are up to their old tricks.
The following is a list of hirings and reassignments that have raised district employees eyebrows because the source of the acts are so obvious. For example, consider these placements:
– BISD counsel Baltazar Salazar and trustee Cesar Lopez are said to have been behind the reassignment of Jimmy Haynes from Operations to an assistant superintendent's position to remove him from the scene so they could act at will there.
– For years before Powers resurrected his political career and came back as board president, Teresa de la Jara had been applying for a principal's position but had never gotten her wish. Once Powers came on board, that changed and the administration gor her a spot at the Brownsville Education Center. It wasn't long before she wore out her welcome there and the complaints started coming. Administrative inaction has led to a drop in morale and continued strife.
– Trustee Jose Chirinos is said to have been the moving force behind the hiring of former BISD administrator Rachel Ayala's relatives (including one daughter?) who is rumored to have been selected for a spot as principal at Manzano Middle School.
– As they say, it all starts at the top, and BISD Superintendent Carl Montoya is not exempt from employee criticism. They point to both his wife and daughter being employed by the BISD, and allowing some trustees to dictate assignments and pay raises for their proteges. At stake?, their vote for his contract extension and pay raise requests.
The BISD has gotten to be a rumor mill and a pit of vipers as employees jockey for favor with the trustees and administrators. It's getting to the point where no one trusts anyone or believes their motives. We now have surveillance cameras in front of the superintendent and chief financial officer's doors. What has happened to the district when administrators have to look over their shoulders? 
 
 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reason why Haynes was shifted (removed) to another position was because he refused to go along with "finders fees" that are paid by certain vendors to crooked employees.

Anonymous said...

and the classified people . they get nothing

Anonymous said...

The 4 board members, Dr. Montoya and the 8th boad member Baltazar Salazar have been cutting deals left and right! Bunch of crooks I hope they end up in jail for abusing the system.

Anonymous said...

We are finally seeing minerva's, otis, cesar, chirinos, carl montoya's true colors, crystal clear crooks. Never thought I would say this, but Luci and Caty have been right all along about these individuals. Good job ladies!

Anonymous said...

Can you post the ranking chart from the first round of interviews so we know who made the top three?

Anonymous said...

Dora Sauceda is the lady that got in trouble in Dallas lying about moving expenses. She had to resign immediately I believe. Yet, BISD doesn't think twice about hiring her. I would've gone to another district pero no tienen verguensa. Only in Brownsville.

Anonymous said...

What happened to equal opportunity employer and most importantly adhereing to policies, thisbisbtotally illegal and unethical. Not only did they post the 2 vacancies, they are not in the compensation plan or adopted budget. TEA needs to come down here and boot out these horrible board members and Dr. Montoya. What a disgrace, You had us all fooled guys not anymore!

Anonymous said...

So who's going to hold these 3board members and Dr. Montoya accountable? They fire teachers and punish students for violating policies, how can we punish Minerva, Cesar, Otis, Montoya and Salazar for allowing this to happen. Carlos Guerra as well. Eeezzz

Anonymous said...

These two ladies Caty and Lucy are two nut jobs.

Anonymous said...

ALL Board Members are crooks

Anonymous said...

Dr. Montoya is a kiss ass, brown noser, asshole. of all the asst principals, he appoints Rachel Ayala's daughter that is a Dean to Principal??? Only bcuz he wants Chirinos vote to extend his contract. What a worthless coward. He has caused 28 grievances and 6 lawsuits bcuz of his hiring 2 area supt snd didn't post. Hooe the dumb majority aren't stupid enought to extend his contract.

rita