FORGET THE PHD., BISD BOARD CAN ONLY COUNT TO 4

By El General

Special to El Rrun Rrun

While the smoke is still clearing from last Tuesday’s local elections, a power grab is unfolding at BISD. At stake is the powerful position of board president, the new majority voting block of four members, and the fate of embattled superintendent Dr. Rene Gutierrez and his upper Valley team of administrators.

With the fall of incumbent members Dr. Prisci Roca Tipton and Drue Brown, a power vacuum has developed. Ready to step in as president is Daniella Lopez-Valdez. Unfortunately, her two years on the board have been markedly undistinguished and have labeled her as more of a follower than a leader. 

She sees her blind, puppet-like support of the superintendent as a strength. There is no way she can ever change the fact that she is a public school outsider who has never spent a day of her student education in a BISD classroom.

Her only claim to fame is her father, county commissioner Joey Lopez, a man who would love to get a firm grip on the business of BISD. Valdez was part of the majority rule of Tipton, Denise Garza, and Eddie Garcia. What was once four votes and control of everything is now three and on thin ice.

The second suitor to be board president is Carlos Elizondo. This macho man’s resume is well known to local citizens. A bully who carries an extensive collection of pending criminal charges, the former BISD board member is on a reunion tour to try to polish his tarnished reputation. He is not a fan of Rene Gutierrez, but he is a long shot to run meetings because he, too, lacks four votes.

The third board president contender is Jessica Gonzalez, a community and district favorite who has proven to be a smart and savvy board member. Gonzalez voted a few months ago with Brown and Minerva Pena not to extend the superintendent’s already lengthy contract. The contract was extended when the former board majority, Tipton, Garza, Lopez-Valdez and Garcia cast their four votes in lockstep.

Minerva Pena has been abused, censured and muzzled at every opportunity by the former majority of four and Gutierrez. Both Pena and newcomer Frank Ortiz are expected to support Elizondo in his bid to be president.

It’s no secret that most BISD employees and many members of the community are ready to see Gutierrez taken out as the district’s leader. 

But, at what cost for the taxpayers? The fun starts Thursday at the scheduled board meeting. The fate of Brownsville’s largest employer is at stake. Those looking for a bloodless coup and a smooth transition are likely to be very disappointed.