By Juan Montoya
On February 16, a unanimous board of trustees of the Brownsville Independent School District announced that it was hiring Dr, Esperanza Zendejas as interim superintendent and promised the district would launch a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Dr. Carl Montoya which would include a citizens' committee's input.
At the time that Zendejas' appointment as interim was announced, the Brownsville Herald and remarks made by trustees on the district's public channel agreed to hire a consultant at the March 3 board meeting to conduct a national search for a permanent replacement for Montoya.
That did not happen, and in fact, videotapes of that March 3 meeting are not available online for some reason.
Each board member was select two community members to serve on a committee to assist in the final selection of a superintendent of schools.
“The board believes that Dr. Zendejas will provide the necessary leadership and stability required during this transition period,” Board President Minerva Peña said. “We look forward to having a new permanent leader in place in the near future.”
Additionally, the trustees had an understanding that Zendejas would not be allowed to apply for the permanent position. As it is, unless the board decides after the May 24 deadline to hire someone else, it'll probably be Zendejas for next year, if not the next two.
On February 16, a unanimous board of trustees of the Brownsville Independent School District announced that it was hiring Dr, Esperanza Zendejas as interim superintendent and promised the district would launch a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Dr. Carl Montoya which would include a citizens' committee's input.
That did not happen, and in fact, videotapes of that March 3 meeting are not available online for some reason.
Each board member was select two community members to serve on a committee to assist in the final selection of a superintendent of schools.
“The board believes that Dr. Zendejas will provide the necessary leadership and stability required during this transition period,” Board President Minerva Peña said. “We look forward to having a new permanent leader in place in the near future.”
Additionally, the trustees had an understanding that Zendejas would not be allowed to apply for the permanent position. As it is, unless the board decides after the May 24 deadline to hire someone else, it'll probably be Zendejas for next year, if not the next two.
Things, apparently, somehow have changed.
If you look in the BISD Human Resources page, you will notice that the posting for a district superintendent was placed there May 15 and revised May 19 for the 2015-2016 School Year – Until Filled (Applications will not be accepted once the screening process begins.) https://hr.bisd.us/Jobs/Jobpost.exe
If you look in the BISD Human Resources page, you will notice that the posting for a district superintendent was placed there May 15 and revised May 19 for the 2015-2016 School Year – Until Filled (Applications will not be accepted once the screening process begins.) https://hr.bisd.us/Jobs/Jobpost.exe
And a cursory check with several school board members indicates that none have appointed the two community representatives the board promised. For that matter, the district has not even hired a consultant to assist the board and citizens' committee to make the choice.
In fact, the posting indicates that the selection of the new school year superintendent is limited to BISD employees. "Internal Applicants Only! Closing Date: May 24, 2015 (this Friday)," the posting states.
During that February 16 meeting, just about all the trustees expressed their support for a committee made up of community residents.
Board president Peña emphasized that "we do need community residents to participate in the choice," and suggested two per board member.
Catalina Presas Garcia also chimed in with support for a committee and made a motion to do it. Trustee Joe Rodriguez – who wanted only a three-member committee and not 14 (two per member) eventually joined the rest to vote unanimously for 14.
Hector Chirinos said that the search should be done nationwide and said "we must not close the door so fact" on the search. "This search is going to take time."
However, with the posting for the superintendent's job for the next school year due to close in four days and limited to BISD employees only, all this seems to have amounted to no more than lip service. En otras palabras, dandonos atole con el dedo.
In fact, the posting indicates that the selection of the new school year superintendent is limited to BISD employees. "Internal Applicants Only! Closing Date: May 24, 2015 (this Friday)," the posting states.
During that February 16 meeting, just about all the trustees expressed their support for a committee made up of community residents.
Board president Peña emphasized that "we do need community residents to participate in the choice," and suggested two per board member.
Catalina Presas Garcia also chimed in with support for a committee and made a motion to do it. Trustee Joe Rodriguez – who wanted only a three-member committee and not 14 (two per member) eventually joined the rest to vote unanimously for 14.
Hector Chirinos said that the search should be done nationwide and said "we must not close the door so fact" on the search. "This search is going to take time."
However, with the posting for the superintendent's job for the next school year due to close in four days and limited to BISD employees only, all this seems to have amounted to no more than lip service. En otras palabras, dandonos atole con el dedo.
9 comments:
We don't accept corruption in BISD, we demand corruption in BISD....and the BISD Board of Trustees continually adheres to our demand for corruption. It is amazing how such corruption can be practiced in full view of the public. But, wait, the public in Brownsville are ignorant and pay no attention....as long as their offspring have their BISD daycare and feeding system in place.
BISD reminds me of our elected body in Harlingen which consists of the white Klan led by Mayor Chris Boswell who is a puppet to Klan daddy Boggus. Their objective is to line the pockets of the selective few like BISD!
Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between corruption and politics??
Maybe I am wrong but it seems to me some folks misinterpret political maneuvering with corruption?? Am I wrong?
The RGV where only 7% are honest citizens?
People actually think that by voting they are making a positive difference.
This state has always been and always will be the bottom rung of this great country. How the Texas legislature hasn't created laws ensuring that democracy is actually practiced in this state in any significant way is beyond me. The people's voice should be a requirement, not a passing thought. Then again, I doubt many Texans even know what popular sovereignty is. Sad.
What percentage do you fall under ?
Isn't this type of behavior considered illegal?
This is still a form of nepotism/compadrismo no matter how hard you try to spin this. I hope BISD wises up and drops this charade but since this is the actions of the new board leader who is dumber than a box of bricks I don't see this happening.
I hope you FOIA the meeting minutes and the tapes.
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