Special to El Rrun-Rrun
On a motion by Dr. Sylvia Atkinson and a second by Laura Perez-Reyes, a majority on the board of the Brownsville Independent School District tabled two items that would have added two more administrative positions in midyear, including one which would have given City of Brownsville commissioner – and school teacher – a cushy $85,000 gig as BISD Marketing Director.
Those voting against were Atkinson, Reyes, Minerva Peña and Phil Cowen. Those voting for the creation of the marketing director position and awarding it to Longoria were Cesar Lopez, Carlos Elizondo and Joe Rodriguez.
The inclusion of the Longoria job by the administration raised questions on the timing, since the board elections are scheduled for Tuesday and Lopez is not running for reelection, and depending on the mood of the BISD electorate, Elizondo and Rodriguez may not emerge among the winners.Depending on the outcome of the election tomorrow, the item may not be brought back soon.
This issue was raised by Atkinson, who questioned why those two new administrative positions were included in the agenda.
"We are prepared to provide the personnel necessary for the campuses now," she said. "Adding two administrative positions can wait until later at budget time."
The motion to table and the second drew the ire of Rodriguez who said that by tabling the agenda item the board was going against the administration instead of supporting their recommendations.
Surprisingly, trustee Minerva Peña schooled Rodriguez on the function of the board when she told him that the voters didn't elect board to be the superintendent's rubber stamp but to vote based on their "conscience."
After the item was tabled, another had to deal with compensating BISD employees with stipend that had not been paid in the past four years. One of those items read:
8. Recommend approval to compensate professional employee (C.D.E.) for a stipend earned but not paid in the following fiscal school years: 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018
When Atkinson questioned whether Elizondo could vote for the item since it dealt with his wife (Cindy Elizondo), she called on legal counsel for his guidance."I can vote or abstain for whoever I want," Elizondo said.
But board counsel Baltazar Salazar told him he could not vote since it involved a relative and he told him he would be conflicted out and forced to abstain, and Elizondo grudgingly accepted his ruling.
After four years on the board, it is strange to see that Elizondo does not understand a basic premise of public service: that as an elected official entrusted with the public's dime, you are not allowed to vote on a benefit to a relative, in this case, his wife.
14 comments:
A desperation to bleed the tit dry before the departure. 4 years in the board and never knew his wife was underpaid?
PEDEJO !!
PENDEJO!
No seas pendejo, Carlos. No mames. Pobre vieja y familia. Que culpa tienen ellos.
Hurrah! For Laura who voted her conscious like I always knew she would. She has been the only sensible one on the board from the time she came in, because her heart is in the right place - the children. She came through on this item that I, myself questioned the timing, and so it shows that she has no political interest in being a board member. Continue on this path, Laura, cause it may be that after today's election you will need to stand your ground more so.
Thank you,Finally some decency? and for all those who have remained silent and not voiced any concern that a member being accused and indicted can still make decisions with fellow board members,shame on all of you. Rik Longoria was one of his biggest supporters when Carlos got the Fire Chief post and now Elizondo is trying to return the favor. Same for his business partners Justin Oakerson “ intercity ambulance” pocketed the bisd cte contract again this year. Sorry Beto but you just danced with the devil himself I honestly hope that pic on internet with Carlos doesn’t ruin you. Do they serve rice n beans in prison? Vote these crooks out! And don’t bring Jesus into politics he can’t vote anyway you Religious hypocrite.
Kudos to the board for doing the right thing! I know somebody who applied for the position that Longoria was supposed to get so I hope they give everybody another opportunity to be hired!!!
Rats, rats rats, all the time puros tquaches estos dudes, only after the money honey, longoria is a joke, perhaps he should be crowned el Jester
Thanks to the four board members who voted to table the requests. This is the way it should be. Remember board members, the Supt. works for you and you represent us. I hope this is a sign of good things to come.
I voted for candidates that said they would consider going to a year round schooling. If you teachers are REALLY concern about the students you too would consider year round schooling. Don't think but yourself think of the children.
Comment November 6, 2018 at 1:25 AM
La vieja al igual que la familia son tan culpables como el vato, les gusta disfrutar el dinerito que hizieron asi que se chingen todos.
I am responding to a comment that Minerva Pena made about voting her conscious! Really dumb! Board members are given all pertinent information before walking into their meetings. Those two positions that were tabled where just plain wrong! Based on procedure how positions are opened and candidates are collected, interviewed, and recommended! Not voting your conscious! And some idiot commentator that appears to be a board member about Elizondo shouldn't be making decisions because he is having legal problems! I thought you were innocent until proven guilty???
Heard that Longoria may be recommended again at board meeting Tuesday. Is that true?
Taxpayer question - will he have three months off vacation with pay in his contract?
Post a Comment