Monday, March 6, 2017

BISD COULD HAVE BOUGHT STUDENTS RINGS, NOT THE VENDOR

(Ed.'s Note: One of our sharp-eyed readers sent us this post from the SportsDay Section of the Dallas Morning News shedding light on the ability of school districts to purchase a ring or other "major" award for a state-winning run. The current Anillogate controversy in which the Brownsville Independent School District is embroiled differs in several crucial aspects. For one, the rings were acquired outside the district's procurement process. There was no Purchase Order issued or approved. Whoever ordered the rings was never been identified by the district's investigation. Secondly, neither the BSD nor the school had money budgeted to purchase the rings. And thirdly, students are not allowed to accept gifts from vendors, but only from their school district. The Porter Early College High School Championship Soccer Team $25,060 rings issue will be discussed this Tuesday at the BISD board meeting. The post below was published in October 2015.) 

By Corbett Smith
Staff Writer

ROUND ROCK - The bling of a state championship ring is about to be more accessible for title-winning athletes and their families.

In the midst of a massive overhaul of the University Interscholastic League's constitution, the league's Legislative Council passed a proposal allowing school districts to purchase a ring or other "major" award for a state-title winning run.

There was a hardy debate on the issue prior to its presentation to the Standing Committee on Policy and the full Legislative Council, according to UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt.

The revision sets no monetary cap on what a school may spend on an award for winning a state title, instead leaving that decision to the discretion of each district. Currently, students must spend their own money to purchase a ring.

"State championships are rare, and in many cases in small communities, there are a lot of kids that come through that don't have the money [to buy a ring]," Breithaupt said. "And those schools have benefited from a state championship, sometimes financially. So why shouldn't the school – if they wanted to with their own money – provide a ring for them? I think it's a noble cause and a way for schools to celebrate a championship.

"You shouldn't be having to do a bake sale after winning a state championship [to get a ring]."

In general, the new re-writing of the UIL constitution has liberalized many of the state's amateur athlete rules. Among the items passed by the Legislative Council on Monday were provisions removing restrictions on providing parents with free tickets or passes, increasing the amount a school can spend on a letterman's patch, and allowing student-athletes to receive "reasonable fees" for coaching and officiating.

"The way that we move forward in 2015 is with less restrictions on things that don't really matter," Breithaupt said. "I think people get that."

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I told you that your prior article on this matter had many holes on it. Thank you for posting my submitted post. All it takes is a little research and a factual argument can be made on any issue. You do not need to present an argument with "alternative facts" like the Trump administration. You are an excellent writer, just do more investigating research to present your arguments. Thanks,again.

Anonymous said...

Juan, is Erasmo Castro really Da Blimp? You never see a picture of them together.

Anonymous said...

"No agas cosas males que parecen buenas o cosas buenas que parecen malas" that's what my grandma always said.

BISD TAXPAYER said...

BOARD PRESIDENT WE THE BISD TAXPAYERS ARE LOOKING AT THE BOARD HOW YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THIS ISSUE.

WE DONT WANT NO PUSSIES ON THIS ISSUS OK .

Anonymous said...

In other words, all this scandal for nothing.

chief cool arrow said...

juan talking and speaking of Anillogate, I saw in todays newspaper an agenda item to award a bus shelter contract for the purchase and installation of these bus shelters, I know you ran an article some time ago did the BUS offices have these bus shelters in stock that was purchased by a former grant or something? what is wrong wit the City of Brownsville staff, City manager where the hell are you? Juan can you look into this asap, thanks

Anonymous said...

chief cool arrow, what does this have to do with the ring mess?
The one who ordered the rings should have the guts to speak out and admit it. So many people are being blames for what one person did and now refuses to stand up to it. Como dice Charlie Clark, "Ohale, vato!" no te rajes!!!! Pin marin de don pingue,
cucaramaca a ver quien fue? "

rita