Monday, September 19, 2016

TSC BOARD APPROVES TERCERO DISMISSAL 5-2

By Juan Montoya
By a 5-2 margin, the board of trustees of the Texas Southmost College approved the dismissal of President Lily Tercero for what board counsel Frank Perez said were at least 22 instances of "willful and reckless" acts that cost the college, the students and the community real and potential damages.

Perez, in his recitation of the facts, focused on Tercero's failure to alert the trustees of the impending demise of the college nursing program, her unilateral extension of a windstorm insurance coverage without board approval, her use of signature stamps of past board members to issue more than $1.5 million in payments through checks, and her willful disregard of directives from her supervisors, the members of the board.

Only two trustees – Art Rendon and Rey Garcia – voted against dismissing her.
After Perez's recitation of the reasons for Tercero being placed on suspension with pay, her attorney, Richard D. Illmer, of Dallas, said he was objecting to the whole dismissal hearing process saying it denied his client of due process and did not afford her the right to face her accusers since the college did not call forth any witnesses.

However, Perez said at the start that 95 percent of the evidence put forth in his reasons for dismissal could be found on the public record and in the minutes of the meeting. In the case of the windstorm insurance, he said that Tercero had been told that 2015 was the last year that she was authorized to renew it without going through the board. Instead, about two weeks before the insurance was due for renewal, she decided to act on her own and renewed it regardless.

In the case of the nursing program, Perez said that even though Tercero knew as early as 2013 that the program was in trouble, she "willfully and recklessly" kept this from the board.
"She did it willfully and deliberately after considering the circumstances." Perez told the board.
And when new board member Ruben Herrera requested seeing the checks which Tercero was using his name stamp to co-sign, Perez said that she refused to show them to him citing a board policy.

Herrera then requested that a policy change item be placed on the next board agenda.
The case will most likely end up in the courts as Tercero tries to collect on the two-year extension that the former board majority bestowed upon her in May, just two weeks before the election. Two of the trustees who engineered that little stunt – Kiko Rendon and Ed Rivera – opted not to run for reelection and left the new majority saddled with the contract extension.

Now, in the unlikely case that Tercero prevails in the courts if her for-cause dismissal is overturned, TSC will have to pay her close to $500,000 to buy out her contract.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pay her $500,000 to buy out her contract. Yeah, only in Brownsville is this a loss for Lily Tercero. TSC is a joke. Shut it down already!

Anonymous said...

Tercero will.

Anonymous said...

Trey was also in on the contract extension, what a flip-flopper.

Anonymous said...

Who is in charge at TSC?

Anonymous said...

Well I guess Adela "La Manka" Garza got what she wanted!! She Cry's and begs for what she wants!!!

Anonymous said...

Excuse me, this isn't abuot Adela is about Dr. Tercero bad judgment

Anonymous said...

Dr. Tercero will get her money. And, again. TSC is played by its low-rent politicians. Trey Mendez is a hypocrite! Vato inutil!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Watch the video to hear both sides!

Anonymous said...

I was told you could hear Adela screaming so loud while in executive session. This mistake is going to cost TSC some major money!

Anonymous said...

I just watched the videos of the board meetings. Trey DID vote for a contract extension and one month later seconded the motion to dismiss her. Then he tries to hug her as she is being escorted out. That's crazy.

Anonymous said...

Wow that was bad judgment to get rid of the president in a manner that will expose the college to a huge payoffs for violating her rights and holding the deliberation and closed section.

Anonymous said...

Adela Garza is an intelligent hard working woman, she has her economic future solved since many years ago thanks to a successful business career, if she is suffering all her haters attacks is because she cares about younger generations future, she is doing it all out of generosity and love for the community, her high ethics standards and honesty had earned her the hate of corrupt individuals.

Anonymous said...

Actually was Dr. Garcia the one screaming

Anonymous said...

By saying she solved her economic future your talking about her marriage to someone with money.

Anonymous said...

I don't hate Adela Garza, but if she is so intelligent, maybe she can tell us where Washington DSC is located. She wanted to be a congresswoman there.

Chief cool arrow said...

After further review that play stands. lol cca

Anonymous said...

This action is long overdue. The mismanagement on the campus is, unfortunately, widespread and deeply rooted, and its origins are at the top. This Board is taking a long overdue action. Estela and the other members of the Board majority were put there by a public well versed in their policy positions vis a vis Dr. Terceros' job performance. In removing her for cause, they are simply carrying out the will of their constituents and going some ways to right the wrongs committed by their predecessors on the Board.

Anonymous said...

Your comment is malicious get a life

Anonymous said...

Well, turn the page on that parts of TSC history and get around finding a qualified person and getting the school on track, if it is not to late.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Dr. Tercero's attorney exposed the TSC Board of Directors for exactly what they are...a batch of corrupt, incompetent, meddling busy bodies up to NO GOOD! There should be a CRIMINAL investigation immediately! They violated about every Texas Open Meetings rule that exists!
I take that back...just calling them 'incompetent' disrespects all of the good, decent incompetents that I know! Evil, malicious people, ONE AND ALL!

Anonymous said...

Romana PĂ©rez there you go. You only wish you could do half the things she has done. No she didn't marry into money. They both made lots of it working hard and many hours a day. Dr, and Mrs Garza were the best bosses I've ever had. I am where I am because of them.

Anonymous said...

I don't hate Adela, and you give her way to much credit. five trustees voted the sour grapes are Art Rendon and Garcia. They have lost sight of the reason they were elected that was to protect the College not Tercero. Losing the Nursing program was not enough for them. Having her violate statue by renewing insurance was not enough. Losing qualified personnel was not enough, When were they going to hold her accountable? Staff and faculty hated her and her management style. She left TSC in shambles and you can't see that? Shame on you Rey Garcia and Art Rendon.

Anonymous said...

Anony 12:18PM:

Let it go already, Roman.

Anonymous said...

The problem is that there was no cause and then they violated the president's rights which is going to cost the College a Fortune thanks to the ignorance of the Board.

Anonymous said...

The nursing program is now doing well. It is on its way up. You are grossly misinformed. Get over it you moron. Get a life and stop bitching!

Anonymous said...

No cause you stupid? Losing the nursing program no Cause? Ignorance of the board? They have the facts and the support of faculty, staff and community. That is the reason they got elected by chingos of votes.

Anonymous said...

Suing TSC will end her career. No one will hire her now. She must be desperate, and obviously not fit to have such an important job.

Good ridence

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you've been served already. Why the hate & wishing anybody's future to be ruined. Remember the "golden rule", dude. What goes around comes around. Ignorance is bliss!

rita