Thursday, April 9, 2015

LACK OF SUPPORT FOR ESPIE ZENDEJAS EVIDENT AT BISD

By Juan Montoya
During the last meeting of the Brownsville Independent School District board of trustees, those attending noticed that when the public comment section, only two people could be recruited to sing the praises of interim superintendent Dr. Esperanza Zendejas.
One of them was former BISD trustee Graciana de la Peña, who served with current BISD trustee COach Joe Rodriguez in the late 1970s, and the other was Birdie Rodriguez, his daughter-in-law. Was it just a coincidence that trustee Rodriguez was the moving force behind the rehiring of Zendejas who moved to Indianapolis after she sensed that a new BISD board majority would have put her out on her ear?
In a sense, many BISD administrators, staffers and employees look upon Zendejas' Second Coming as one of retribution by the Rodriguez cadre bent on revenge.
As soon as she arrived, administrators on the outs with the Coach started being investigated, suspended and removed. Even board president Otis Powers was shunted aside to be replaced by Rodriguez sycophant and gushing admirer Minerva Peña.
In the last meeting last Tuesday, the BISD board majority under Peña and Rodriguez retroactively approved the hiring of a law firm to investigate the perceived wrongdoings of some administrators, a sort of cart-before-the-horse act to cover up their bad will.
The change in administrative roster fit right into the plans of board general counsel Balatzar Salazar who had already cut a deal with the devil when he hired the firm where Joe's son (Tony) was a partner to handle the First Amendment lawsuit brought against the district by trustees Catalina Presas-Garcia and Lucy Longoria.
The BISD has paid Colvin, Chaney, Saenz and Rodriguez LLP $193,053 through an open purchase order in the seven months preceding November 2014. Even more outrageous is the $192,759 paid to Williams, Birnberg and Anderson – again, through an open purchase order – for acting as a "pair of second eyes" for Colvin and Chaney so they won't miss anything important in their defense.
Tony Rodriguez's office was the same law firm where trustee Cesar Lopez had a pachanga in his bid to get reelected. That firm also gave him a $500 political contribution.
We will get an update on the payments made to that firm since.
Also in the favorede circle is AA Dr. Rita Hernandez, wife of Luis Hernandez, the law partner of Rick Zayas, who just happens to be representing Rodriguez in the $1 million lawsuit he and his protege Tom Chavez filed against the BISD over the release of a forensic audit which he alleges painted him in an unflattering money-grubbing fashion. Rodriguez, with his cronies on the board's majority, fully expects to get another golden parachute like the $90,000 gift made to him by a former board.
The ham-fisted approach to extracting retribution from BISD employees has made some trustees flinch. We understand that trustee Cesar Lopez, who as a member of the board's insurance committee has found himself embroiled in the scandal surrounding the extension of the multi-million windstorm insurance contract, has made himself scarce lately. He is said to have met with trustee Carlos Elizondo and Powers to put their heads together and compare notes on the reported probe.
Some sources say that trustee Hector Chirinos and Presas-Garcia have lost heart over the evolution of the board's actions and may decide not to run next year. Peña, who never dreamed she'd be board president, would be making a mistake if she decided to run for reelection, sources say.
About the only one who might have a decent shot at reelection, believe it or not, is Powers, whose core of support is seething over the shoddy treatment he received from his supposed friends Lopez, Peña, Chirinos and Rodriguez.
For now, however, the majority is joyous over the control they have achieved over the BISD administration and its employees.
After Tuesday's meeting, a number of Zendejas and a few of her supporters including AA Hernandez, Rodriguez, Peña and others in the inner circle were seen celebrating at the Vermillion. To them, things were going along swimmingly. The tab – said to total $168 and a few pennies – was picked up my magnanimous BISD counsel Salazar. At a salary of close to $250,000 a year plus expenses, it's the least he can do to show his trustees his gratitude.
For Espie, get it while the getting is good and you have to go looking for greener pastures again with a change of the board majority.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

For your information it was not Birdie Rodriquez but Judy Rodriqeuz who was a teacher and administrator for many years in BISD. She is beter know as J Rod.

Anonymous said...

Ah, pero cuando Cata ruled the majority? Todo hunky-dori, verdad?

Anonymous said...

Lopez had an event at Martinez's law firm and Elizondo picked the wrong side. Powers thinks he's still in HS and captain of the football team. He has his whole family employed so the sup got crap from the top and all the powers Atkinson clan from the bottom, so Z isn't playing favorites and making people work suck it up cupcake at least you still have a job. Bisd is all messed up because these people are crappy and been there too long, the kids suffer and they will need to let people go eventually. I like her and am glad she opened up the transfer process. She's looking to make it to where bisd can compete with the charter schools who are kicking our butts, we can't pretend everything is alright and we don't need to innovate. Change needs to come or our district is screwed. How many grants do you think these and other charter schools can apply for with all the needs we have down here.

Anonymous said...

Juan,
The person was Judi Rodriguez, not Birdie Rodriguez and also no relation to JRod.

Anonymous said...

So what ever happened to the Transportation Administrator? Is he in the BISD Main Building or out? So sad that only the BISD lawyers and firms are the ones getting big bucks, tax-payer money. Did the AA Hernandez also get her request for more money grievance? Wine and dine the Board Members and money, money, money.

Anonymous said...

Please explain how any of this helps meet the needs of students and staff?

It is amazing the shit that goes on in the district. Joe Rodriguez, who was a do-nothing over-paid joke of an AD is on the board, not to make things better for students, but rather to carry out his own personal agenda.

Zendejas was an unprofessional hatchet woman the first time around. She was buddy buddy with those who sucked up to her, and a tyrant to those who didn't kiss her very ample ass. I can't say I remember one good thing that she did, or that came out of her time as superintendent.

Kind of just like Joe. Can anyone think of one good thing Joe did for the students of BISD?

Anonymous said...

And folks wonder why BISD is a four rate school system graduating people who are ignorant and ill prepared for life in 2015.

Anonymous said...

He set up a scholarship that will still be around after we all leave this earth for student athletes of Bisd which I bet is more than any do us commenting. Z already did a good thing by opening up the transfer issue. Your last name must be powers or Atkinson, god darn leeches.. Either put up or shut up, get your sup cert if you don't have it already. Everyone knows what you all try to do, you're manipulative and make moves to keep power and that's why some of the district is unhappy and some of it, your buddies are so crappy.

Anonymous said...

Yea everybody cries now that Joe is back in,one question who are all these pendejos who voted for this fart? There going to rape bisd with layers etc it's a shame Brownsville people are so stupid to let this shit happen again.we only have ourselves to blame

Anonymous said...

Did Joe Rodriguez had anything to do with those damaged football helmets, that cause a student to be paralyzed??????

Anonymous said...

You are acting like Lucy, reporting on the notes given to you by your dear Cata with the intention of harming those who want to improve on a district that has been misguided by those wishing to gain power and wealth in this community. Lucy would sit and read her notes not knowing what she was saying but relating the information given to her by others. You are doing the same, writing your articles based on information given to you.

Anonymous said...

You are completely WORTHLESS. Your lies are laughable. It is Sad what you have become. You used to be brilliant and now you are a SAD Sack.

Anonymous said...

I can: 972 scholarships for student athlets. Hall of Fame as coach n A D. Organized Supt golf tournament that has raised I
Over 1 Million $'s.

Anonymous said...

It's all about themselves and their compadres, screw the students! Carlos Eliot do already sold his soul to the demons, Cesar Lopez and Joe Salazar from Salazar Insurance. A birthday bash at Adoleos paid by the one and only Joe Salazar and the corrupt board members in attendance.

What a dispicable shameless group.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe the BISD Board of Trustees has made a sound decision based on what best for the children of Brownsville, in the living memory of any human being.

I have never known of a more inept, corrupt and venal bunch of people elected to public office. I really can't blame them though, the voters keep electing these losers time and time again. There seems to be an endless supply of the folks ready to step up and be elected.

I am at a loss to explain why this is so. I would think that even pathological ignorance would run it's course after many years of this nonsense.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe the BISD Board of Trustees has made a sound decision based on what best for the children of Brownsville, in the living memory of any human being.

I have never known of a more inept, corrupt and venal bunch of people elected to public office. I really can't blame them though, the voters keep electing these losers time and time again. There seems to be an endless supply of the folks ready to step up and be elected.

I am at a loss to explain why this is so. I would think that even pathological ignorance would run it's course after many years of this nonsense.

Anonymous said...

You can’t do anything to stop charter schools from taking student away until you change the Republican majority. Zendejas has done some positive moves to gain public support for BISD. Regardless of what those crazy ladies feed Juan I believe Zendejas was a good choice. Stop listening to those crazy ladies Juan or you’ll sound as ignorant as they are.

Anonymous said...

Its so sad and so evident of the personal agendas all the school board members have. The newly elected board members have become part of the problem instead of the solution. And worst you have top administrators on the take aswell.

Anonymous said...

It's that La Cuellar, El K. leak, El Whitimor, set the bid to be awarded to the highest bidder for their "Mordida". They set up a fall guy. We at the Glass Palace are aware of their crap. Don't forget the crook Caesar too.

Anonymous said...

What's wrong with being invited and attending a birthday bash?

Anonymous said...

very interesting very interesting . lets continue to see what happens in may and june. til end of school year. school board election should be moved up next year to may instead of November. also heard some of board members were meeting at vermillion recently .

Anonymous said...

Wow!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

How Convenient!!!The Move to May iso special interest have a tight control with the politiqueras votes, the mail votes, and some harvested votes. How convenient!!!

Anonymous said...

If it looks wrong, it must be wrong, and remember the U.S. marshals are near.

Anonymous said...

Cesar, Chirinos , Minerva and Otis might have won with Ralph Elizondo, Joey Garza and the Other politiquera votes, just remember Karma?

Anonymous said...

Now is Pinche Joe Rod, pulling pen Pena's strings,,,,

Anonymous said...

The Transportation Administratot is on the Lam. He fled to San Esteban, Tamaulipas.

Anonymous said...

The Shyster lawyer pays for the beers at the Vermillion. Remember he get paid 20 grand a month. Compliments of the taxpayers.

Anonymous said...

Is this company already doing business with the district?

Anonymous said...

Rendon from Transportation was exhiled to the food dept.

Anonymous said...

the interim administrator is not there anymore. last day was Friday . Haynes is in charge til june. so who will be new administrator after summer?

Anonymous said...

We could of have elected Tha lady Rey, and things would be going much better for the students, and for us, teachers. As a 15 year teacher at Hudson, as well as others at different schools who voted for her, We know things would have been different......sigh!! :(
Hope and pray this lady Rey, runs again!!!!

Anonymous said...

The Ozuna lady is still working on campaigns, as a matter of fact, she's now working for Zaratel and Ahumada....

Anonymous said...

Rendon was, is and always be an asshole. Lerma and Guerrero too, they treated the employees like shit. Karma is a bitch.... ain't it?

Anonymous said...

There you go..... stupid!

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha!!!
Honky dorm ha ha ha

rita