By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
I may not have what it takes to run for public office, but I do know how to return a phone call.
It’s my hope that I can one day say the same about our elected officials, but I’m also not holding my breath. After all, nearly four months have passed since the San Benito News first broke the story about the school district insurance letter debacle, and those involved have only responded to our requests for comment a pathetic 5 percent of the time.
I’m saddened by this statistic, especially when considering what’s at stake. So in the interest of embracing the concept of accountability, let’s address the facts before moving on.
On one hand you have the San Benito CISD School Board President, Yliana G. Rodriguez, signing her name to a now-infamous letter on May 16 announcing changes to the district’s insurance agents, an action we’ve come to learn she had no authority to take, at least according to Ronald Rowell of the Texas Education Agency and school district policy, without the approval of the board. On the other hand is fellow trustee Oscar Medrano calling for an investigation into the involvement of Rodriguez and others in drafting and distributing said letter.
Then there’s Janie Gonzalez, the ex-risk manager for the district who was recently fired for allegedly lying to school district officials about having documented correspondence (in this case emails) between herself and Robert Champion, Jr., a representative of the Salazar Insurance Group and the vendors named in the letter Rodriguez signed. These are the same vendors that, in the letter, were announced as the “sole agents handling all medical, dental and stoploss contracts” for the district. SIG’s plans were also recommended by insurance consultant Glenn Hillyer to board members at recent workshops and meetings.
You know the story. But now let’s connect the dots. From what we’ve been able to confirm, Rodriguez instructed Gonzalez to pen the May 16 letter that the board president signed. Emails between Gonzalez, Champion and Hillyer about Rodriguez’s letter reveal a level of involvement of all of the above – either indirect or otherwise – in an effort to secure SIG as the district’s insurance agents. It’s the extent of said involvement that we remain largely unaware of, and while nothing conducted was illegal – as far as we’ve been able to determine – it’s clear that the methods utilized to complete such a task were not in accordance with what TEA and school district policy dictate.
This opens the door for Medrano, on the opposite side of Rodriguez in the local political spectrum, to pounce. It’s also important to consider that all he has to do is request a probe, make a few accusations here and there, and voila! Conspiracy theory complete. In doing so, he’s mastered the art of opting for a subtle, (albeit aggressive) inquisition that indirectly applies wrongdoing without actually having to make any outright allegations.
Of course, Medrano is within his right to question these issues, and we’re all better informed as a result. Still, I can’t help but wonder if he would have done the same if the circumstances were flipped and Bob Tumberlinson or Oscar De La Fuente, Jr. had signed that letter.
It can be difficult to identify the truth in this town if you’re not privy to at least 20 years of background on the history and development of certain political factions; besides, politicians’ smiling faces and calls for transparency often belie less admirable interests. And I say this not to accuse Rodriguez, Medrano or anyone else involved of being dishonest. However, that seven board members would collectively comment five times in about 100 attempts is, as I stated earlier, pathetic.
In my view, refusing to comment on matters of this magnitude, the significance of which will have a profound and lasting impact on the community for years to come, sends a clear message to voters that their concerns are inconsequential.
Promise the world to voters and you may get a few of them to cast their ballots in your favor, but show the public you’re not afraid of answering tough questions and you’ll gain something much more valuable: respect and continued support.
I understand that situations such as these are sensitive and, as a result, officials are often prohibited from discussing particulars. Howbeit, as public servants whose roles require them to represent the community via the school board, you should all be perfectly capable of saying your piece – if for nothing else, to show citizens that you are acknowledging a matter of concern – without compromising or incriminating the district, its employees and fellow trustees.
Forget the silly notion that if you avoid a problem it’ll go away. Take it from me, such a practice tends to have the opposite effect.
To read this story in print, pick up a copy of the September 9 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
23 comments
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Rodeo,
You might want to learn how to spell. You continue to create your own stories and subplots. The good thing is that they more you write the less credible you get. The anlysis and subsequent decision by the District to question and pursue abnormalities in the billing was done AFTER the award of the contract. In the Finance comittee Oscar fought to retain the HCA program which was not doing the job and the Finance comittee agreed. He being an employee of HCA should not have said one word at all clearly a conflict, but for some wierd reason nobody want to look at the messiah that way!!!!!!!
@Senior Analyst
Playing the blame game is just for kids. Kind words do not cost much.You ought to try it sometimes.
To Jade;
Yes, the people spoke on May 12th, but it wasn’t loud and clear. What, did all the votes go to them? Is that how you campaigned for them? telling voters that you don’t need fancy cars and nice homes to be an effective school board leader? Wow! Well don’t blame me for Yliana’s actions; I did’t vote for her. Don’t blame me that Mr. Huerta shows absolutely no clue to what is going on. I didn’t vote for him. Don’t blame me, I voted for Bob. Oh, by the way, I heard that Bob T. is building a huge house. Another fancy house for that successful ex-school board member!
Jade Robertson:
1 quick question, you state ” That piece of paper that Medrano continues to focus on was never even an OFFICIAL DOCUMENT, due to lack of signatures. Therefore; it DID-NOT and COULD-NOT take any action-
and that my friend is a FACT!” if this is so, then why oh why did TEA notify the district that what the Pres did was not right, and why oh why did Janie get fired over “this poor, poor, little, tiny, peewee, piecsshh of paypa!???
Answer that…
No, on second thought…don’t answer that….
we will just wait and see your people pay the price and suffer the consequences of their ignorant acts!!!
Once all the TRUTH is out!!!!!
Jade! Jade! Jade! That little piece of paper you mention has caused someones job. All this thanks to the incompetence of President Yliana Rodriguez! Lack of signatures? Boy how quickly we forget! Let me refresh your memory: THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD SIGNED THE DOCUMENT JADE!!! MY GOODNESS! IGNORANCE SURE FEEDS IGNORANCE!!!
As much as you would like for this to go away, I hate to break it to you Jade, but as taxpayers we deserve to know the truth! Mr. Medrano and Ms. Cruz have been the only ones on the board asking the tough questions. As for the clinic thing, GIVE ME A BREAK! We all know it was the Hyliar guy who made all these aquisations against the previous company to bring the Salazar Insurance Group and his buddy Garza who owns 3 rural clinics in the Port Isabel Garza. They are over charging the district, and we have PA’s running the place! NOW THAT’S A FACT!!! The fact of the matter is that, if Janie Gonzalez lost her job, because of all this mess then the President must be held accountable too! I really don’t think this was the change many had hoped for. Boy how a few months in office can show people’s true colors. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT JADE!!!!!
The truth has nothing to do with it because the district administration is full of liars who cover for each other because they know each other and companies/ people pay them under the table. There needs to be investigations from outside agencies to stop all this corruption cause here its just each other pointing fingers at one another without solving the problems created by the corruption.
To Rodeo, do not, I repeat do not STRAY from the TOUGH QUESTIONS.
My comments were about FAIRNESS ACROSS THE BOARD on both sides and let me enlighten you further. That piece of paper that Medrano continues to focus on was never even an OFFICIAL DOCUMENT, due to lack of signatures. Therefore; it DID-NOT and COULD-NOT take any action-
and that my friend is a FACT!
Lets stick to the facts, the point here is I only mentioned Medrano affiliated with this entity because he and he alone is OBLIGATED as a Board Member to investigate this OVER BILLING that in fact HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID. Once this was paid, it no longer is an allegation my friend it is called public knowledge because it was taxpayers dollars that were used. Please don’t believe me, just click on the link below & click on the date June 11, 2012
http://board.sbcisd.net/agendas
And It is because we elected Medrano to represent us that we need to CARE why he missed this most extremely vital meeting and on the contrary I absolutely do not want this scandal to go away without hearing answers from BOTH SIDES!
As to Michelle, I just informed the readers with the REST OF THE FACTS that were left out in regard to this June Trip-who’s complaining? The fact of the matter is “Previous and Current Board Members have taken family”, however, when you take FRIENDS, that and that alone is a TOTALY DIFFERENT ISSUE!
Now you attack the Huerta family for using the restroom, unbelievable comment This my friend is called intentional criticism and I believe your repeated denunciation of this family is because of what NO OTHER FAMILY has done before. Not only did the people elect one but they elected two of them to the same Board and that is history. This family may not live in brick homes or have fancy vehicles or take fancy vacations, but it is their Unity and Humbleness that makes this family wealthy. The people spoke on May 12th and they spoke loud and clear….
To JADE: The people spoke… Give me a break!! Mrs. Cruz is at least an active participant at board meetings…and not the other two who were elected in May. That BOARD PRESIDENT needs to re-read her board president duties. SHE HAS MADE A MESS at SBCISD. unbelievable!!! Election time cannot get here soon enough. My friends and I are embarrass to own property in this city due to YOUR BOARD PRESIDENT!! Don’t blame us… We did not vote for YOUR BOARD PRESIDENT!!
By the way, if you are going to post at least be correct in your facts for you are not!
As usual you are incredibly misinformed and just plain ignorant. The current clinic has no ties to the current clinic at all. THE CURRENT AUDIT OF HCA WAS PERFORMED AFTER THE AWARD OF THE NEW CLINIC.. You need to check your sources and facts..as usual you are wrong on your facts and i wonder at this point if you even care. And if you spent 5 minutes checking you wouldn’t even thinking about backing HCA which has been one of the top abusers of FRAUD in 2002 they paid $631 million in fines to the U.S. government and 1.7 BILLION in whisteblower fines in the same time period. So as usual you are ignorant and uninformed. I bet Ms. Gonzalez’s attorney is drooling over this one, go Jade go!!!!!!!
@ Voice of Reason: you need to open your eyes AND CHECK THE FACTS!!!
“Drooling over this”… Do not think so…SBCISD has the best school lawyers in the state!! Do YOUR own FACT CHECK!!
I don’t know why Jade is complaining about Mr. Medrano taking two friends of his to the June San Antonio Meeting….. Yliana Rodriguez took two people to the national Chicago, Illinois meeting and DIDN’T EVEN ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS. She took them to all the museums and planatoriums and all the other tourist venues. Just a tax payer paid vacation. Who does she think she’s kidding? We all know who Jade is. ANd we all know what Yliana’s been up to lately.
No to mention how the Huerta’s take advantage of things— All of the Huerta’s use the restroom in the press box at the stadium instead of going down like all the rest of us humans. Those people take advantage of their positions just like Yliana does. Ask how many of the Huerta’s attended the same meeting?
And Mr. Medrano works for Valley REgional Hospital, along with June Aguilera’s mom, not the clinic Jade accuses him of. Just because that huge hospital is affiliated with the clinic didn’t mean that he worked for the clinic. But this is just one more of Yliana’s smoke screens.
By the way, WHY IS THIS DISTRICT STILL LISTENING TO GLEN HYLIAR??? OMG get rid of that man. He is full of lies.
“Want this scandal to go away”…nope. We the taxpayers expect answers. Thank you Mr. Medrano for trying to get the answers. Do not stop. The community elected these people and we want answers!! But do not blame me and my friends…WE DID NOT VOTE FOR THAT BOARD PRESIDENT!!!
Isn’t in it funny that when someone is in trouble they try to blame someone else for their faults? And now they want to blame Mr. Medrano? TO JADE ROBERTSON: First of all, Mr. Medrano does not work for the previous clinic. He works for the corporation that owns the hospital where he works at. Second, you forgot to mention that litlle June Aguilera’s mother also works for the same hospital. So what’s you point? As for the overcharge, you forgot to mention that this an allegation that Glen Hyliar and Janie Gonzalez brought forward to get rid of the previous clinic and now will cost the district thousands of dollars in attorney fees and court costs. The company they are claiming overcharged the district is largest hospital corporations in America! Why did they do that? To bring the current clinic who is charging $87,000 a month and has links to Salazar Insurance Group. DOES THAT RING THE BELL?? As for Mr. Medrano not going to the meeting, maybe he was out ill or had another engagement. Who knows and why should we care! Why don’t you ask him? It seems to me that Jade Robertson want this scandal to go away and will mention anyone and anything to do so. In my opinion, this is so typical of Chuy Aguilera and his sinking supporters. GO FIGURE!!!
So did the BOARD PRESIDENT who is also a PRINCIPAL in LOS FRESNOS call about this article? Bet not!! She and her “I don’t answer to no one” attitude are an embarrassment for our great community. How in the world did she win a re-election? promises?? . Don’t blame me or my friends, we DID NOT VOTE for HER!!! Can’t wait for the next school board elections!!!
I know what u mean GOT IT RIGHT,….. I remember hearing about the Huertas goin and stayin at a nice hotel..on that trip in June….something I know they cant afford …
To Its plain and simple-
You also failed to mention ALL Board Members were there as well and of course Medrano and Felix and Sonia were also part of that June trip.
If you want to ask TOUGH questions, well lets just do it across the board!
1. If Medrano is requesting an investigation on Rodriguez than lets do it and at the same time lets go ahead and make it FAIR by also requesting an investigation on Medrano. Why you ask? Lets start with investigating the prior SBCISD Clinic that OVERBILLED the School District over $150,000 of taxpayer money which also by coincidence happens to employ Medrano.
2. Why wasn’t Medrano at the June 11 School Board Meeting when this was placed on the agenda under item 551.071- Pending Litigation, Discussion/ Possible Action on Valley Regional Medical Center/HCA Services dba Primary Health Services of South Texas?
*The agendas are posted on the SBCISD District Website for confirmation.
Therefore; in conclusion Medrano continues to focus on a letter (piece of paper) that never took any action in any way, shape or form and continues to request an investigation. However, the TOUGH QUESTION here is –
WHY DOESN’T MEDRANO SHOW THE SAME DETERMINATION AND PERSISTENCE OF REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS OVER BILLING OF OVER $150,000 OF TAXPAYERS MONEY??????
What are you talking about? You are just trying to make excuses for the VERY BAD DECISION that YOUR BOARD PRESIDENT DID!! PIECE OF PAPER??? Yep, a very important piece of paper!! Tough Question? The only tough question is what she did. She needs to get a clue and evidently pay attention at school board conferences!! How many does she need to go to learn???
Mr. Medrano is a class act. Those other board members, especially that Board President, could learn from him. Haven’t they been to enough school board conferences to know how to behave? Guess not… Don’t be surprise if they go to another CONFERENCE this MONTH!!! All on our dime! I sure hope we the taxpayers are not paying for ALL THEIR FAMILY TO GO ON THIS TRIP!! we are Paying attention, school board members!
Yes, it’s PATHETIC that these elected officials can’t pick up a phone to return calls! Agreed! What’s worse is that Yliana is the PRESIDENT of the board… Most board presidents are also the board’s spokesperson. Y nada! To top it off, she moves meetings around when she cannot be there or at her convenience. What is the point of having a Vice-President then? Perfect example…she moved tomorrow’s Meeting to Tonight because tomorrow is 9/11. Yet, she called an “emergency” meeting and set it for Memorial Day, a NATIONAL HOLIDAY, just to attempt to fulfill her personal agenda, the infamous insurance craziness.
“Promise the world to voters and you may get a few of them to cast their ballots in your favor, but show the public you’re not afraid of answering tough questions and you’ll gain something much more valuable: respect and continued support”…..So true Mr. Editor! That is why I applaud Mr. Medrano for asking the tough questions when others just stayed silent including the other board members. Mr. Medrano has sure has gained my respect and support! He’s got my vote!
Author
On an issue of this nature, it’s important, if not dutiful to question the motives of all who’re involved. You disagree?
“Question the motives of all”…. Wow. I would think someone as educated as yourself, Mr. Editor, would have at least be thankful that someone like Mr. Medrano is asking these kinds of questions. Would you have no one ask these questions? Many, many people have responded to your article about the HUGE MESS the BOARD PRESIDENT CREATED. Her behavior clearly indicates that she could care less about policies. She FINALLY TALKS and you want to give her a “pass” on her responses. Well, we the people don’t think so. I am disappointed in you questioning what should have been asked back in May when this HUGE MESS was created. Not fair sir… Not fair at all. By the way, don’t blame me and my friends, none of us voted for her!
The hypothetical question you presented regarding what if it were Bob T or Oscar would not hapen because they are not going to do something like this Prez did, without board approval. You are questioning Medrano’s reasoning into calling an inquiry but you know very well, just by the public outcry on this forum alone that he is doing the right thing, since it is still not cleared up there must be something to hide.