By HEATHER C. COX &
MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
San Benito News
San Benito CISD Board President Yliana G Rodriguez
As new developments in the insurance debacle plaguing San Benito CISD and its Board of Trustees continue to emerge, elected officials involved, directly or otherwise, are beginning to come forward with additional information; this after months of silence.
When the San Benito News – via sbnewspaper.com – first broke the story Thursday evening about emails that Janie Gonzalez, the now-former risk management director for the district, sent to Salazar Insurance Group representative Robert Champion Jr. in May, it confirmed a level of involvement between her and the vendors that was previously considered mere speculation.
Also involved is Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez, who – on May 16 – signed a letter Gonzalez has claimed she prepared at Rodriguez’s request that would have made Champion and SIG “the sole agents handling all medical, dental and stoploss contracts” for the district. The Bob Treviño Insurance Agency is the group currently serving the district.
Rodriguez retracted the letter two days later, but not before fellow board members, Oscar Medrano included, questioned her motives and criticized her actions. Criticisms levied at Rodriguez focused primarily on her lack of authority for changing the district’s insurance agents without board approval, which was later confirmed by Ronald Rowell of the Texas Education Agency.
On her intentions behind securing SIG as the district’s new insurance agents and why she did not inform the board of her plans, Rodriguez has remained mum.
Until now.
On Friday, Rodriguez spoke candidly regarding these matters and more.
“I think it is politically motivated,” Rodriguez said when asked for her thoughts on the controversy surrounding her. “I don’t have anything personal against Bob Treviño. My only intent, representing students and employees of the district, is that we be competitive looking for low bids for district employees. After all, it is their money paying for their services, so I want to make sure we get the best service for the least amount, and that may not necessarily always come from Bob Treviño.”
Rodriguez added, “But we [Board of Trustees] need to be more open minded as far as other companies working for San Benito. When we were provided the information for the insurance, it did indicate that the Salazar Insurance Group did have the lowest bid.”
Medrano, however, has doubts.
In June, Medrano requested an investigation into Rodriguez and Gonzalez’s involvement with Champion and SIG, but to no avail as Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón informed him that such action requires the approval of the board.
It wasn’t until district officials were recently processing a public information request that Gonzalez’s emails to Champion were discovered and some of Medrano’s questions were answered.
“We have an email from [Janie Gonzalez] where she says she has no communication, no emails between her and the vendors,” Limón said, adding that Gonzalez was terminated after the emails that she allegedly claimed didn’t exist were discovered. “I terminated her due to her failure to disclose the existence of the emails.”
These recent developments have led some, Medrano included, to speculate the existence of questionable activity occurring during Gonzalez and Rodriguez’s efforts to obtain the services of Champion and SIG. With the emails now released, Medrano said he feels closer to uncovering “the truth.”
“Right now, I feel that my efforts in looking into an investigation were not to no avail,” Medrano said. “We need to look in depth into what occurred, and hopefully this will clear everything and get us to the truth.”
The Emails
“Attached is the list of our products. It was really nice having lunch with you today. Looking forward to our changes,” read an email that Gonzalez sent to Champion. The email was sent at 1:22 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, and contained an attachment that included product codes and a listing of the district’s cafeteria and health plans.
In another email correspondence – this one sent to Champion at 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 – Gonzalez attached what may be the first draft of the now-infamous letter. But it was Limón’s name that appeared at the bottom of the first draft rather than the board president.
The superintendent said Gonzalez prepared the document unbeknownst to him. “Not at all,” Limón said when asked if Gonzalez sought his approval to include his name on the letter. “I had no knowledge she had done that or that the letter even existed until after it came out.”
Thirty-three minutes after emailing Champion the first draft, Gonzalez sent another email, this time attaching a letter prepared on school district letterhead and undersigned with Rodriguez’s name instead of the superintendent. “What do you all think?” Gonzalez asked in the email sent to Champion and to a second party that was later revealed to be Glenn Hillyer, the district’s insurance consultant who Medrano recently requested to be terminated.
Medrano has since gone on the record alleging that Hillyer withheld the identity of the company whose insurance plan he presented to the board. It was later revealed that the company offering said plan was SIG.
In response, Hillyer said, “I told [Oscar] multiple times that I did not withhold information. What happened is I presented the option and only one option because that’s what the superintendent had decided.”
When asked why Gonzalez emailed him a copy of the letter signed by Rodriguez and naming SIG the district’s sole insurance agents, Hillyer said it was his job to consult.
“People like Janie (Gonzalez) have to deal with agents all the time, and many times I’ll be consulted on wording for contracts, for stop loss contracts, for planned documents, for everything,” Hillyer said. “So if you want to say that, because she sent me this letter and asked if it was correct, that I was in cahoots with [the vendors], then go right ahead.”
“I’m a paid consultant and that’s my job,” Hillyer continued. “If I were in cahoots with somebody, wouldn’t I be doing things to get them this business?”
Rodriguez also came to Hillyer’s defense, stating, “As far as Glenn Hillyer is concerned, I’ve been pretty pleased with the work he’s done for the district, so i think he’s working to the best of his ability.”
The superintendent, meanwhile, did not comment on whether Hillyer’s involvement in the May 16 letter concerned him, but Limón did note that the consultant’s services can be utilized when needed and at his discretion.
The Grievance
School district officials have also confirmed that Gonzalez filed a level II grievance Thursday challenging her termination. The News filed a public information request on Friday seeking a copy of the grievance.
When contacted, Gonzalez deferred comment to her attorney, Cindy Garcia. But Garcia said she would not disclose any information pertaining to her client until after the grievance process ended.
Limón has 10 days from the date the grievance was filed to schedule an interview with Gonzalez and another 10 days following such time to make a decision.
Meanwhile, Limón said Lucy Garcia, Gonzalez’s secretary, will absorb risk management duties pending the outcome of the grievance. “I’m going to wait until the grievance passes until I reinstate that position,” Limón said, adding, “The board can choose to re-instate Janie.”
Initially, Gonzalez claimed that her immediate supervisor, San Benito CISD Business Manager Emma McCall, was aware of her intentions to prepare the May 16 letter. But McCall has said she was unaware that Gonzalez was planning to draft said letter until May 17. “I asked Janie, ‘Who is Salazar Insurance Group?’ Janie said, ‘Who’s that? Oh, did you get a copy of the letter?’”
Adrian Garcia, purchasing agent for the school district, also claims to not have been made aware of the letter before it was drafted. Garcia said, “The only thing [Janie] did was she wanted to go through my files… She said she needed information, but that’s normal. My files are open records.” The file Adrian Garcia was referring to is over seven years old and had to be retrieved from a warehouse.
Why, exactly, Gonzalez was in search of these files is, at present, unknown. Garcia said, “I told her to go see the superintendent” regarding her inquiry on individual insurance plans. “I wasn’t aware this [letter drafting, information gathering for purposes aside from assigned business duties] was going on. I didn’t know what [Gonzalez] was up to. Emma, Limón, me – we didn’t know.”
To read this story in print, pick up a copy of the September 2 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
33 comments
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What ever happened to “innocent till PROVEN guilty.” Stop being chismosas….and let the system do its job.
to whom it may concern: Have you ever heard of “LIBEL” you should look it up! and I would be extremely careful of what you post!! You may come back and say that it is your 1st amendment right, however what you have posted is is more than just an opinion!!
To attack Mr. Medrano for simply asking the tough questions that no one else has dared to ask is shameful!!
@ Voice Of Reason: You are Jaine Gonzales and Rita you sure sound like Yliana Rrd. “Re-Tract your comment” & you said; in one of your Special Board meetings “That Letter Was Re-Tract’ed” ….Haha!! Ofcourse you two have to defend each other…
Mary,
What would you like me to retract? And Rita is correct the information, the information was included in the Bid process. What chonito and other fail to grasp regarding possible bid rigging is this…..Once again the bid was specifically written so that any agent could not block the market, the district had the flexibility to choose whatever product, and whatever agent. So it became very interesting when the Board voted to renew with the Current agent AND RENEW WITH THE OLD, WAY MORE EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS SOME OF WHICH WERE NOT EVEN SUBMITTED IN THE BID. That plain and simple is exactly what WAS VOTED ON!!! I challenge anyone to factually explain otherwise.
Rita: Did SIG request this “public Information”? If they did, what day was it to prove your point?
Chonito: Let me make your day. Gonzales released information to SIG that was PUBLIC INFORMATION that anyone could ask for and receive. At the time Gonzles provided that information, the district was not out to bid. So there can be NO BID RIGGING since the District was not formally out to bid. Furthermore, even during a formal bid process, any vendor could have requested and legally obtained this information. In fact, I suspect it was included in the bid package. If you are a gentleman, you should apologize to Ms. Gonzales in this forum. Rita
Give it up Voice of Reason! You don’t make sense!!!
Although the prez of this board has been less than professional and has caused a ruckus, at least they decided against raising taxes. Live within your means, cut expenses, no more trips to the beach, movies, peter piper pizza no more trips out of town that are unecessary, limit to those which are required and go to the ones close by, cutdown on assistants, helpers, administrative jobs, eliminate a position and split duties among those left. Just a few ideas but cut expenses. A|C is expensive, raise temps in schools one degree and see what you save. On this one thing, Congratulations school board and Mr Limon on not raising taxes.
Delasera,
All they did was postpone the inevitable. I wouldn’t mind a $10-$20 increase per month of taxes on my little old home if it meant keeping my local school district from dipping into the fund balance and gave fellow co-workers a raise. Prices around us are going UP, while our salaries are not. We elect these individuals to make the tough decisions. Why aren’t they?
What did people really expect? This is the end result when you vote for inexperienced candidates over experienced candidates and place them in leadership roles.
Oh yeah, I forgot, it is for the kids!
When you vote foolish; you get foollish.
Amen, Denny Crane!
At beginning of becoming Board members they take a workshop/orrientation to get them aquainted with most procedures,rules . Before i found that out ,i was sympathetic but ignorance no defense ,as they say . Illiana should at least step down as Prez, and let someone take it over ..pending outcome.
Outstanding job to SB News for keeping this story alive. Way to go Mr. Editor!!
Rita is 100% correct , there was no bid rigging, and I do think that the Paper will get it right. There was nothing in the bids process that gave SIG any edge at all, and the bid was set up specifically so that the District could choose the best product with any agent that they wanted to select. So the board majority bypassed the correct way to do it, which would have been to award the best products with Bob Trevino if thats who they wanted and they did. So they Just awarded the current products which were the highest prices even tho Ms Cruz says just pennies. Then when the smoked settled they then allowed Bob to make the changes to primarily the recommended products without board approval……….talk about the wrong way to do it, I would be surprised if SIG doesn’t sue the District…..
I agree that a criminal investigatin should be conducted on this and Yliana needs to be replaced as president.
TO RITA: I am not going to sugar coat my comments simply because you say so. Whether you want to see it like it is, we all know that what happened here was illegal and wrong. Plain and simple! Seems to me that you are in denial to the fact that private information was released to give the edge to the Salazar & Champion Group. I am sure the San Benito News will report what remains to prove my point. A crime was committed here, and I believe a criminal investigation should be conducted. I will give my opinion Missy Rita whether you like it or not. THIS WAS BID RIGGING!!!!
Never before had we heard about so much controversy going on within the school board until Y. Rodriguez took over last year. It’s obvious that she feels since she is the president she does not need to consult the rest of the members about certain things. Citizen Maria is right. We should show up at meetings and hold elected officials responsible…beginning with the so called president.
It’s time SB citizens. Start showing up to the meetings in high numbers and start holding your elected officials accountable. Form a citizens watch group. It’s time.
I agree 100% , those board meetings should be full every time and people should question and hold these people accountable. If not then “armchair comments/opinions,” dont count toward changing the system.
I am with you Citizen Maria!! Those school board members need to know that we are going to watch their moves and listen carefully when they speak at board meetings. By the way, can someone tell that board member to make sure she chooses her words more carefully. “People are going to lose their houses (by paying a one cent tax increase)”, really? I forgot.. You don’t pay taxes. Just wonderful!!
DEFINITION OF BID RIGGING: Bid rigging is a form of fraud in which a commercial contract is promised to one party even though for the sake of appearance several other parties also present a bid.
(When Janie Gonzalez wrote the letter by order of Yliana Rodriguez two days after the elction, they sent it out and immediately placed Salazar & Champion as sole agents. To me this was fraud, because it was clear they had promised the job to these people once the election was over. When the actual bids were received, Salazar & Champion had the upper hand on the bid thanks to the information provided to them by Janie and Yliana, thus rigging the bid.) Ladies and Gentleman a crime has been committed here!!!
Chonito, go back and read your comment. “I also think the law was broken when the Gonzales Lady sent out those numbers on the current insurance provider. No wonder Salazar had a better bid…they had the inside information way in advance. This is another crime called “bid rigging”. And Ms. Rodriguez was right in the middle of it!! Mr. Limon should call the DA for CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION into this matter!!!!”
You accused Gonzales of “BID RIGGING” and releasing “INSIDE” information. There is no reporting by San Benito News that Gonzales did this. If this IS the case, back up your comment with facts. If not, retract your comment.
Janie Gonzalez doesn’t want her job back — she’s sitting on a lottery ticket. The only thing that might keep her from cashing in is her lying to Limon about not having previous communication with Champion and SIG. If she gets by that, she’s in line for quite a handsome payday thanks to Rodriguez. Not only did Rodriguez compromise board and TEA policy – perhaps criminally – she also exposed the CISD to financial liability in suit.
Citizens, if you want sleazy elected officials prosecuted, VOTE MATTINGLY FOR D.A. in November!
This BOARD PRESIDENT FINALLY talks and she thinks we are going to believe her. As Chonito said, “do you think we are ignorant?” NO, we are not. To know that you are a school PRINCIPAL in LOS FRESNOS CISD, and really think we are not as smart as you. Guess what? We are smart. But don’t blame me citizens of san Benito, I DID NOT VOTE for YOU Mrs. Rodriguez!!!
Rodriguez had just won an election over an obviously superior candidate and then she tries to get a new agent, without board approval. She felt invincible and thought she could get away with it since she controls the votes. If she got a contribution from Salazar in return for this favor? Possible. But she will not even deny it. Then Anna told her she did not have authority, then she goes silent for months. Now she talks but admits nothing was wrong? TEA even said the board needs training this was so obviously wrong anyone would know that.
Very disappointed with the latest news. Really ” Politically movtivated”. Rodriguez was voted the seat, inherited power, now clean up the mess. Saving money? I wonder if people using the insurance were even offered there opinion after all it is there healthcare? Of course not.. people abuse power, money .. and that leads to Greed.. Saving money isn’t always the best choice.. People ” get what they pay for”, and thatsnot always great. As for Mr Cahoots, ” I was doing my job”. No sir if you were doing your job, this would have not occured. You are there to consult, you are like the therapist to go over the right and wrong.and the suspicious..(he needs to be investigated… you get paid just like everyone else .. our tax money has to pay for someone’s job.. The only person that seems to care and properly follow procedure is Mr Medrano. .. I’d like to meet this gentleman and thank him for the work he’s done, considering he may not be getting paid to speak his mind. I’m glad he’s not thinking of Saving money .. but actually saving people.. He sure does have the community’s heart at interest.. Not about Quantity .. But Quality! ..
Yliana should be ashamed of herself. She got this woman, Janie Gonzalez, to do her dirty work, and now the poor woman is fired. Yliana should fess-up, take the blame and admit she ordered Janie to write the letter, beg that Janie be given her job back and then RESIGN as board TRUSTEE. This little game Yliana played has cost a woman her job. It is not a game to Janie, is it? Yliana has lost the trust and respect of most people in town, cost a woman her job, and brought shame upon the school board. Do what’s right and RESIGN, YLIANA.
Yliana is trying to cover this up by saying it was all politically motivated. Common Ms. Rodriguez!!! Do you think we are ignorant or what? Why don’t you tell us why you wrote the letter and what affiliation you have with SIG and Champion? Why don’t you just admit that you violated district policy and possibly even the law? I think the DA needs to come and investigate this. Shame on Ms. Rodriguez for still not coming clean with the community. I also think the law was broken when the Gonzales Lady sent out those numbers on the current insurance provider. No wonder Salazar had a better bid…they had the inside information way in advance. This is another crime called “bid rigging”. And Ms. Rodriguez was right in the middle of it!! Mr. Limon should call the DA for CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION into this matter!!!!
Go back and read the email. That “Gonzales lady” did not give any “inside” information to Salazar. Those were product codes. Bid rigging is a heafty accusation. You should retract your comment.
Why doesn’t the super investigate on how people are getting raises and supposedly there is no money.or how people are politicaly protected by him.you have people that do not have a pesticide license yet they are applying at schools.who is to blame if a child is to get sick.
The “Super” himself got a hefty raise recently,for towing the line. Why they gave him a raise,when they knew their budget (yes,even back before school finished) was not projected to good? You be the judge. Even though our school district as a whole has been rated pretty poorly . They tout the one or two schools doing good. Then shuffle personnel around,while they keep a superintendent ,who is always “reactive”But never” Pro active” and inspiring any ideas of his own to lead the district . We got what we paid for in him all these years (a warm body in a suit). I think major house cleaning is in order .Board and Superintendent.
Give me a break… Changing agents a few days after election before new board was even sworn in had nothing to do with best interest of staff….it was all about money for the new agent! Did she have something to gain?
Richard: you sure make a lot of sense. “Best interest of the district”…who are you KIDDING Mrs. Rodriguez. Team of Seven board members and not ONE .. Didn’t you go to enough school board classes to know this?
Get a MAJOR CLUE and LEAVE the BOARD!!!! Have some professional class and leave…..But do not blame me… I, too, DID NOT VOTE for you!!!