Longtime Brownsville Independent School District administrators and employees have found out that after decades of having their cheese and eating it, too, someone has moved the cheese.
Confronted with a decrease in the district's budget – from $505.3 to $475.3 million – the current school board bit the bullet and implemented a 5.9 percent decrease after the state cut about $19 million in BISD funding.
"This year it's bad," admitted board chairperson Catalina Presas-Garcia, "but let's not fool ourselves. Next year doesn't look any better. In fact, it could be worse."
Not only did the district feel the full impact of the state budgetary woes, it also took a hit in its academic ratings by the Texas Education Agency which brought BISD schools down a notch from “recognized” to “acceptable.”
Coming after the district had won the prestigious Broad Award for excellence, it came as a shock to some educators that the district's "recognized" and "exemplary" campuses fell from 56 last year to 43 this year. And, the unthinkable: Faulk Middle School and C
anales Elementary slipped to a rating of "academically unacceptable."
And, as if to add insult to injury, 14 campuses left children behind, failing to achieve the Adequate Yearly Progress benchmark as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
This, of course, necessitated quick – if not rigorous – action on the part of the board and administration and it was not long in coming.
Wholesale changes started almost immediately with the old dinosaurs offered early retirement packages and those that had outworn their welcome being confronted with the unceremonious hint that perhaps they had outworn their welcome and it might not displease the district if they got the hint and left.
Many did. Some, however, seem to think that if they just stick around a while longer the old cheese will return. For some, it was time to move on. There wasn't any more cheese coming.
For example, Rachel Ayala ($117,642) got the hint after a 45-year career as a teacher, elementary and middle school principal and assistant superintendent.
She had been BISD’s area assistant superintendent for Educational Services, and was transferred to head the district’s programs for students with dyslexia. The former head of that department (Gladys A. Bernal) was getting paid $70,374. The writing, apparently, was on the wall.
Among other changes, Carlos Guerra ($84,327), the former assistant superintendent for operations, was transferred to administrator for Guidance and Counseling ($?), while the board approved Jimmie Haynes ($90,949) at its Aug. 9 meeting to assume Guerra’s old position. Haynes had been principal of Southmost Elementary.
Meanwhile, Mary Jo Monfils ($117,640), the former area assistant superintendent for the Porter and Lopez clusters, becomes the assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Berta Peña, who had been head of Curriculum and Instruction ($73,396), becomes assistant superintendent for Support Services.
Jay Harris ($72,369), the former area assistant superintendent for the Veterans and Pace Clusters, becomes the administrator for Advanced Academic Services (a position held before by Merril L, Hammons, ($90,197 ).
Kathleen Jimenez ($85,331), who had been administrator for Special Services, becomes the administrator for Professional Development. Sharon Moore, the former administrator for secondary Curriculum and Instruction ($107,063), takes over at Special Services.
Ismael Garcia replaced Tony Fuller ($111,000)as chief financial officer and Sylvia P. Atkinson (earning $78,173 as grants administrator) became assistant superintendent of Human Resources, a position once held by Susan Fox ($117,640) . Garcia and Atkinson were serving in the positions on an interim basis.
However, some of the mice just keep nibbling on the old cheese, as is the case with fake PhD holder Oscar Cantu Jr. In a degree-mill scandal, both Cantu Jr. and his father (now retired) Oscar Cantu Sr., were both outed by the Brownsville Herald as listing doctorate degrees from an unaccredited university. Cantu, who left his position as principal at the academically unacceptable Canales Elementary, is obviously not getting the message that there is no more cheese for him at BISD.
Cantu Jr. ($84,327) becomes a lowly curriculum and instruction specialist. Perhaps Cantu Jr.'s tenure at BISD should have ended a long time ago. He was accused of philandering with the help under his supervision while he was a principal at an elementary school but hired former trustee Rick Zayas to defend him in court. His mother-in-law is the former trustee Gracie de la Peña, and she is known to have played interference with the board and administration to keep her son-in-law on the payroll despite his dalliance.
Even though the BISD personnel handbook states that claiming false academic qualifications are grounds for immediate termination, no action was ever undertaken by former superintendent Brett Springston ($198,000) in the Cantu and Cantu Jr. cases. In faact, it was Springston who assigned Cantu Jr. to poor Canales.
Bertha Presas ($77,309), the former principal at Champion Elementary, replaced Cantu Jr. at Canales.
Other who can't quite seem to get the message include Mary Jo Monfils ($117,640), the former area assistant superintendent for the Porter and Lopez clusters, who was reassigned to assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Berta Peña, who had been head of Curriculum and Instruction ($73,396), becomes assistant superintendent for Support Services.
Likewise with Kathleen Jimenez ($85,331), who had been administrator for Special Services, becomes the administrator for Professional Development. Sharon Moore, the former administrator for secondary Curriculum and Instruction, takes over at Special Services.
Other who can't quite seem to get the message include Mary Jo Monfils ($117,640), the former area assistant superintendent for the Porter and Lopez clusters, who was reassigned to assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Berta Peña, who had been head of Curriculum and Instruction ($73,396), becomes assistant superintendent for Support Services.
Likewise with Kathleen Jimenez ($85,331), who had been administrator for Special Services, becomes the administrator for Professional Development. Sharon Moore, the former administrator for secondary Curriculum and Instruction, takes over at Special Services.
I tell you, Hem, someone keeps moving the cheese.
It was about time.
28 comments:
Rachel Ayala was awful. She was a horrible person. How can that tick say that if teachers and students failed, she was to blame. She told us that if student's fail, it was the teachers Fault. Belive me, everyone is happy. The boardroom was clapping in happiness. Cantu should have been fired a long time ago.
Gladys Bernal was never in charge of the dyslexia department, she just thought she was. Prior to Mrs Ayala it was Bea Garcia, prior to her it was LeeRoy Corkill and prior to him it was Yolanda Sauceda.
Why not move teachers in exemplary and recognized campuses to the lower rated campuses? All kids, no matter where one lives can learn with the right teachers, administration,and over paid assistant superintendents. Teachers should make the difference to care for all kids. Everyone is subjected to be transfered according to need. They are our BISD kids.I taught 32 years and made a difference.
Thank you for keeping us informed.
Come on Juan give us some real interesting facts, like how CATA PRESAS-GARCIA stole money from the aquatic center and how she sued BISD and took money then also. Oh way, she is your friend and she feeds you info for your blog. Guess it would not be smart to bite the hand that feeds you. RIGHT?
Bola de BISD FAT RATS, they are surprised because now they have to work for the cheese.
Get your facts straight. Mrs. Ayala did her job and did it well. She became a principal at 28 and did a great job Russell. While there she was selected to be part of a team for TEA to monitor school districts because of her success. When she was moved to Stell, she turned it around in less than a year to a Recognized campus. When she became an Area Assistant Superintendent for the Porter cluster, she helped her Principals get what they needed to do their jobs. While under her leadership, every campus under her direction was Recognized or Exemplary. When they moved her and placed her campuses under Monfils, they went down the drain. Look at the facts. Mrs. Ayala had her detractors, and its those individuals who talk about her, but she has many more supporters who recognize a remarkable person who came from 26th Street and Southmost and lives the motto, "Si se Pudo!"
Just to let you know that the texas tribune was not updated for salaries. Ms. Pena and Mr. Guerra are both making the same salary as Ms. Ayala and Ms. Monfils. That is why Ms. Ayala filed her grievance for her salary last year stating she had more years experience but was making the same $117,000 as the other AA's. As for the cheese, some moves make sense, however some are clearly vendettas. Thanks for reporting on this issue. Mel
You forgot to mention the new principal at Rivera, Hector Hernandez, Judy Cuellar from classified personnel, Sandra Lopez from Ortiz to AA????, the fiasco with Rey Arteaga, Rose Longoria at Pace???? and all the other principal changes. Th question is:"Who made the final decision to place who where?" Was it Dr. Montoya or the 3 Musketeers who have personal vendetas? Change is needed at times, but make them for the right reason - the children. What is Oscar Cantu still in the district when policy say he should not be. What hold does his mother in law-Gracie- have on the board? If she went out on his support it says very little for her since he made a fool out of her daughter by fooling around when he was at Garcia. Whatever became of that?
CBS could develop a sure award winning novela/soap opera on BISD!
Whenever a person reacts negatively and has to post such horrible things about Mrs. Ayala was probably a teacher who did not do her job and had it brought to her attention. The people in the audience were not clapping because they were glad she was gone but because of the way she chose to honor her husband and her years of service. You can say what you want, but facts are facts. She did a great job.
"Rachel Ayala was awful. She was a horrible person. How can that tick say that if teachers and students failed, she was to blame. She told us that if student's fail, it was the teachers Fault......whoever wrote this was obviously someone who DID NOT DO THEIR JOB and needs to get out of education.
"....somebody moved the cheese."
Why does Special Services have three level five (J.W., L.G., S.P.) and one level six (S.M.) administrators? There are too many rats in that hole. They moved a school principal and a main office administrator to replace one administrator. There is to much fat in that department. Perhaps, this is the new system of saving money for the district.
Rachel Ayala was awful. She was a horrible person. How can that tick say that if teachers and students failed, she was to blame. She told us that if student's fail, it was the teachers Fault.....
the understatement of the year. She was a monter and a wanna be who will invite herself to all events and functions including not BISD's. She filed a grievence because she has always been about money and kickbacks. Check out her yrs of service and age. Her pension will probably be more than her salary so why was she still working?
Ayala was one of the worst excuses for an administrator ever. She had no business as an AA. Zero instructional skills. She was demoted twice in the last few years...sent to CAB and told to stay away from the main office and board meetings. She finally took the hint. Few will miss her.
Thank you for this info. There are still too many dinosaurs who are there just for the paycheck and have no interest in our children. They need to be asked to leave-PRONTO!!!!
They have soooo many specialist at the GLASS PALACE yet our schools are getting worst. Shouldn't they be on campus where their expertise(?) can better be put to use?
The majority are always on FACEBOOK just bragging about their idiotic families, acting all pobrecitas,announcing what they eat,toilet runs etc. etc.
Their friends cheering them on like a bunch of teeny cheerleaders.
They are also on FB during working hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why doesn't Cata check this and fire their sorry asses?
Viejas flojas pedoras rateras.
WE'RE ALL ABOUT CHILDREN!!!!!!!!
YEAH-------RIGHT.
Whether you liked Mrs. Ayala or not, the mere suggestion that she would accept a kickback or that she was in it for herself is uncalled for. She has always put children first. Furthermore, if it is true that she was not invited to the cabinet meetings, that is privliged information and someone is leaking information from the Glass Palace...oh it is also slanderous.
Regardless of all the senseless comments, the fact remains that she served the district for 45 years and tomorrow is her last day. Let her enjoy it.
I agree, Que Peyton Place! Let's be fair, Rachel Ayala knew her shit. She was very knowlegable in her field. No one is perfect and neither was she. Unfortunately she wasn't around when God was passing out the people skills. Unfortunately for us at BISD, she forgot to take her little Rachel with her. So in reality, the only benefit from this deal is a reduction in payroll. We still have a little tyrant running around!
To all those who believe Ms. Ayala did a bad job or have a negative opinion of her, get your facts straight. She was an excellent educator. She put her kids/students first. She helped her teachers, principals and campus strive to be the best.
Special Services is a rat hole where a bunch of rats are eating the cheese. Why do they have numerous interim administrators running the schools and a fully certified school principal drawing principal salary holding the new administrator's hands at special services?
Once again I would ask the same question for the 100th time...Why instead of JUST moving these bunch of lazy asses around for the board's PERSONAL VENDETTA, why no fire them all??? That would save the district well over a million dollars...And if you also cut the all expenses paid trips of some board members..Maybe then the district can have enough $$ to buy some pinche paper towels, and toilet paper for the students. Bola de mamones!!You forgot way too soon the reason you were elected. Y como diria Don Pedro "Enseñaron el cobre luego luego" Y Como dijo el indito "Fijise numas patroncito, estos requete cabrones y cabronas pos numas si sintaron sus flat nalgotas in la pinche silla el 2 de noviembre, y pal 18 del mesmito mes ya estaban requete haciendo su primeras tranzas por debajo de la mesa..pus si hasta estaba yo prisenti allí...Ni pudia creyer lo que taba orejeando..pero asi fue...por eso decidi retirarme a la chingada de allí...ora pus ya todos lo saben patroncito!!!
They aren't moving the cheese... They are stealing it.
just when rendon had special services under reform and had discovered all the cheese...he was moved...now it takes four administrators to do what he and lee garcia had under control....lets thank, colunga, zayas, cortez, mike saldana and augilar for making a royal mess
Let the teachers do their job on their own and get rid of all administrators and you will definitely see a difference. Let the teachers evaluate each other and get rid of all those who are not in it because they they love what they are doing and if it weren't for direct deposit, would forget to pick up their check on the 25th. We need teachers who care and do not need someone leading them by the hand. Some of the higher ups do not care anymore and are just waiting for their retirement day and making sure their last 3 years are at the top level. "Hey, administrators, leave us teachers alone!" You can't even run your own life, I'll be da-- if I let you run mine! I heard those lyrics in several songs and we can not make them the background music for the BISD soap opera!
Pack up Rachael it's your last day. She did lack people skills. She always praised me as a teacher, but then again ladies are nicer to men. She was a tyrant and she read the writing in the wall. Good bye!
So we should be proud of somebody's accomplishment of being a pricipal at 28. So being in the classroom for 5 years makes her an expert in education. The real battle is in the classroom, not the front office doing crap. Let's be honest, it does not matter what principal you put at Faulk middle school.There has been good ones here. It will never change. Ive subbed there. Teachers leave and say that the kids are different at other campuses. Maybe the community should focus more on their childerns education. Trade all the teachers it will not matter. It is what it is. It is a rough school. The students at this school have low self esteem, not all but the majority. Whoever disagrees with me is in another world.
Now the question should be, "Who ate our lunch?"
No one would ever answer the question about why there are so many AA at the gass palace?? Same Q is been asked time and time again, and the board is deaf and mute...No cojones to do what it takes!!! sad, very sad!!
ALL YOU RACHEL AYALA HATERS CAN KISS HER ASS! APPARENTLY YOU REEALLY NEVER KNEW THE RACHEL AYALA THAT I KNOW! SHE IS A FIRST CLASS ACT, A HARD WORKER AND AN EXCELLENT ADMINISTRATOR. HER DAUGHTERS ARE ALSO EXCEPTIONAL AND DEDICATED EDUCATORS. You haters wish you had an ounce of what the Ayala women bring to the table of education! Some people always need to be negative towards people that make more money than they do-it's all "embidia"! Good luck Rachel. There are many more people that appreciate you and know what you've done for BISD than there are haters. You can walk with your head held high while the haters drag their asses around whining and putting good people down. No tienen nada mas que hacer-son egoistas!
Post a Comment