By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The jury is out regarding just how happy the holiday season will be for non-contracted San Benito CISD employees, as School Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez has denied the request of two senior trustees to hold a special meeting on Monday, addressing holiday bonuses for staff meeting certain requirements.
Trustee Oscar Medrano expressed outrage over Rodriguez’s denial of his and fellow trustee Hector Leal’s official request to hold a meeting on November 19 to vote on a resolution to award additional compensation for employees’ extra duties occasioned by 2011 district-wide reorganization, and to reward retained employees for their continued service to SBCISD. Medrano said, “This is very uncharacteristic of a president to do, not to grant the request of two senior board members.”
In this matter, Medrano said time is of the essence. He said, “We need to approve this item as soon as possible. I’m encouraging and hope all of my fellow board members follow through and approve this item. It’s going on two years since they have received a raise.”
Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón said, “If the board is going to approve this, we would need time in order to ensure that qualifying employees will get their retention incentive before the break in December.”
According to procedure, which comes from SBCISD’s “Policy BE Local,” proper procedure to request a special meeting should come from the president or by two members of the board. In this case, Leal and Medrano were the two members suggesting “an emergency or urgent public necessity, as defined by law, warrants the meeting.”
Medrano said, “I find it very interesting that other special meetings have been called recently, and we need to do this. It’s an emergency. If we don’t do it now, it might put extra stress on accounting to organize the bonuses.”
Leal explained, “If we do take it to a vote, and they approve, employees will receive their bonuses for the Christmas holiday.”
The retention incentive calls for $1,000 for all professional staff and $500 for all hourly staff. Leal said, “We’re trying to get them to have it (the bonus) right before the Christmas holidays.”
On Thursday, School Board Vice President Anna Cruz said she hoped the meeting would happen “because our employees do merit an incentive. If we could bring it to the board, and bring it to a vote it would be something. All of our employees in the district work very hard.”
An unhappy Medrano asked the superintendent to call the Texas Association of School Board (TASB) legal department on Friday, to inquire if Rodriguez was within her legal rights to deny such a request.
Limón said, “I went ahead and asked TASB legal for an opinion, as Mr. Medrano requested. They said the board president has to call a meeting if such a request has been made, but it does not have to be during the time the board members request.”
Ultimately, Rodriguez made contact with Limón, stating that she would approve a special meeting to be held on December 4 and not before, the superintendent said.
To that, Medrano replied, “This circumvents our request. December 4th is not an option for me. We are requesting to have the meeting on Monday, November 19 not December 4.
“As far as I’m concerned, every board meeting we’ve had has been urgent. I think this is very urgent and important because it affects our district employees,” said Cruz.
Medrano concluded on Friday with the following: “Mrs. Cruz and I are planning on being there on Monday at 6:30 p.m. for sure. I can’t speak for the others. We will be there as a gesture of support for employees in approving this. We are behind them and we made every effort to have this meeting on Monday, and unfortunately it was not approved by our school board president.”
TASB Legal explains that while a district cannot outrightly offer employees a holiday bonus, “If certain steps are followed…bonuses may be paid to non-contract and contract employees.” Because this request is being viewed as a retention incentive, in which candidates must meet strict and specific requirements to be qualified, this request is not otherwise considered out-of-the-ordinary.
Medrano, who stressed that he and a fellow trustee sent the request for this meeting appropriately, said, “This is the legal way of doing it.” He is otherwise disappointed by the president’s decision.
Rodriguez was unreachable for comment as of presstime.
Read this story in the Nov. 18 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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Laura Ann: my family is very supportive of SBCISD programs. However, if this community is to attract home buyers, they will see if the community is stable. This CITY and MEMBERS of the BOARD do not help the cause with their actions. Buyers will think that we all behave like them. But someone please, please tell them to act with better manners, especially that BOARD PRESIDENT!
Way to go BAND and CHESS TEAMS!!! You have my family’s support.
No more business for Chuys Custom Sports! Shame on you sir! And you call yourself a veteran?
Bonus , incentive whatever I’d be happy with a pat on the back and your doing a good job or something IM easy. Anything positive I’ll accept lately everybody has been walking on egg shells. They only mention your name when they think your doin something wrong . I try to be a ghost that’s how I survived rbis long.
I suggest that principals in san benito that use his business should immediately Cut all ties with him. For once, DECREASE HIS BUSINESS…IF I was a principal or anyone that had a business and had dealings with him I would of ended them a long time ago……I”d be ASHAME TO BE RELATED TO THAT GUY…… Lol to think he could afford to wear clean, untorn clothes.lol……Maybe shoud look in the mirror and he will see the true anti-christ!
Chuy should take a good look at himself. He is an embarrassment to our city. How dare he call Mr. Medrano the “Anti-Chritst”. He should apologize!
I am reading that Chuy Aguillera called Oscar the anti-chritst and I am in disarray. This man has no morals and should appologize to Mr. Medrano. He should read the bible where it says “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Chuy has crossed the line, and as a veteran and soilder he should be ashamed of himself! I will pray that God grant him peace in his heart.
Hey nelda – but the value of your house has gone up when you hear of our band going to state or our chess team winning Nationals. When come here for events such as pigskin the value of your house goes up. It’s not that bad Nelda. Is it?
I showed up for the meeting that Yliana Rodriguez denied Mr. Medrano and Mr. Leat. I thank Mr. Oscar Medrano and Mrs. Ana Cruz for fighting for all the teachers of our school district. Several of my colleagues were there including bus drivers, custodians and other employees. To my surprise Chuy Aguilera was there standing outside his car parked right in front of the administration building as if making an attempt to block people from approaching the building. As I approached the door, It was like looking at a bully trying to intimidate everyone with a mean face. Of course he was wearing some old torn shorts and a t-shirt that looked like twenty years old.. Mr. Medrano and Mrs. Cruz came outside of the building and played it like champions and presented themselves professionally and with class. Chuy was like rattle snake coiled with anger and ready to strike. As I stood there it reminded me of what my grandmother would tell us when we were little girls. My grandmother always told us “perro que ladra no muerde”. “Dogs that bark much don’t bite”. By the time we knew it he left like a bat out of hell. He missed out on seeing the many teacher friends that also came. The shocker for many of us was when he tried to take away the attention of everyone by calling Mr. Medrano the “Anti-Christ”. For those of us that heard him, we found his remarks offensive and shameful. This to all of us proved that this guy is not all there and hates the world and maybe even himself. I will never buy another t-shirt from this man. As many more people showed up, Mr. Medrano and Mrs. Cruz patiently answered questions from everyone and listened to everyone’s concerns. One thing for sure, we all agreed that Rodriguez was wrong, and should have extended the courtesy to Mr. Medrano and Mr. Leal to have the meeting tonight and vote on this issue. It seems to us that Yliana forgets where she came from. I do promise you this, when she and her painter father comes asking for our vote in 2015, we will deny her just like she has denied us our incentive. It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Medrano and Mrs. Cruz. Thank you!
Every time this school board is in the news, the value of my home decreases. Can someone please talk to these people? I hear everyone is related to someone in this town.
I would like to say that this bonus for us would be very nice during these hard economic times. We have not received a raise in several years. I could buy my three little children a few toys for Christmas. It would also help me pay a few bills. Thank you sirs Mr. leal and Mr. medrano for caring about us. We are hard workers. You have my family’ s support. May you receive many blessings.
Jade, all you have is that Oscar is behind in paying taxes. It is not illegal. What your board member does is illegal, just hasnt been charged. What Common Sense has stated are facts and no such charges can be made of Oscar.
Disclaimer: I am not necessarily in agreement with the bonuses unless we can afford it but to deny the meeting to discuss this is wrong.
Jade, I am glad you pay taxes that would be great if I could say the same for some of the board members that don’t own property.
I am also behind on my taxes but at least I am a taxpayer. Times are hard for everyone. This is why our employees need this bonus. I don’t know Mr. Medrano, but I want to thank him and Mr. Leal for sticking out for us. Don’t listen to this Robertson person Mr. Medrano. You have our support!
BOARD PRESIDENT, you Need to go to another training to learn how to show respect. How dare you deny Senior Board Member Mr. Leal his and Mr. Medrano’s request. All the employees now know which board members truly care and not just give them lip service during campaign season. How do you show your head in town? Oh wait, you don’t … You go to SPI and have dinner with the relative board members. A picture is worth a thousand words. INTERESTING???
A board member of over 20 years is denied a request for a Special Board Meeting for EMPLOYEE BONUS, but that unprofessional board president can call a meeting on Memorial Day? You have no shame lady.
To Attend,
I have explained several reasons already why I question the motives of Mr. Limon and these Trustees, I have lost the trust in them and it is especially difficult to support Mr.Medrano since he should be leading this district by example; however, I am prevented from agreeing with their movement and I am obligate to share the following facts with the taxpayers and the employees.
Click on-> http;//www.cameroncountytax.org/faces/searchByName.jsp
and type in last name box: MEDRANO
and type in first name box: OSCAR
then just click on-> Search Button
Account# 6157400020004000 states Delinquent Taxes are DUE
Account# 8852702010001510 states Delinquent Taxes are DUE
BOTH PROPERTIES ARE UNDER MR. OSCAR MEDRANO.
This makes it very difficult to support and follow Mr.Medrano when this is the kind of leadership he is contibuting to the community and the district employees.
And in addition this is not the first time Mr. Medrano is Delinquent in Taxes.
So in conclusion, I pay property taxes and Attend pays taxes for three home, but
Where are Mr.Medrano’s priorities, what kind of example is he setting?
My question remains the same, can they assure the taxpayers no future budget cuts that will be reflected increasing property taxes to supplement loss of funds.
Jade Robertson dares to talk about “unethical” behavior? Are you kidding me! She criticizes Mr. Medrano for being out at 1 a.m. and paying a dog ticket? What time did you go to bed Saturday night Jade? Is that all you can scoop on Mr. Medrano? And then Jade dares to mention the suppose “overcharge” by the HCA Physicians services which she forgets to tell us that it was Glen Hylliar and Janie Gonzalez who invented these so called “over charges” to bring their buddy from Port Isabel to run the clinic charging the district over $859,000 a year. Where is the case now Jade? Why hasn’t it gone to court? hmmmm It has gone nowhere, because there were no overcharges. Oh…and somehow she forgets to mention that June’s mother is also employed by HCA. Bingo!! So what’s your point Jade? What I find mind boggling is that Jade’s “little brain” forgets to mention the following unethical and shameful deeds by the board members she somehow tends to conveniently forget:
* In 2010, Yliana attends a conference paid by taxpayers in Chicago with her entire family. 3 months later we find out thanks to Mr. Medrano and the San Benito News that the district had paid for her husband and child and Yliana had yet to reimburse the district. UNETHICAL!!
* It took Yliana two years to complete her school board member requirement training hours when they should have been completed in one year. UNETHICAL!
* Campaign records show no expenses for TV Commercials/Spots that ran on cable tv during the election. Cost for the spots was over $10,000 dollars each! Where did the money come from? And why wasn’t it reported? UNETHICAL!!
*2 days after the 2012 election Yliana Rodriguez sends out a letter in district letterhead replacing Bob Trevino Insurance and hiring her sidekick Robert Champion Jr. and Salazar Insurance Group without board approval. UNETHICAL!!!!
* Mr. Medrano requests an investigation and it is denied by Mrs. Rodriguez. UNETHICAL!!
* We find out through the San Benito News that e-mails tie directly Yliana to Janie Gonzalez as the main author of the letter without board approval and consent by the superintendent. UNETHICAL!!
* In an attempt to hide the truth and prevent Janie from taking the case to court, Yliana, Fatima, Julian and June vote to recommend to hire Janie Gonzalez back. UNETHICAL!!
* In a recent meeting, Yliana and Fatima were not happy with several bus drivers who were present because they clapped after a member of the audience made some comments during public comment that bothered them They reported the bus drivers and questioned why they were wearing thier uniforms. UNETHICAL!
* As for the lady who spoke, Yliana and her group have made every attempt to get her fired by calling board members in Mercedes and questioning her company. UNETHICAL!
* June Aguilera visits campuses and sells t-shirts for her “pappy” and micromanages principals and teachers without approval. We now have found out that since elected to the board June and her “pappy” have profited thousands of dollars in business from the district. UNETHICAL!!
* Yliana denies a special meeting to approve “bonuses” for the district’s teachers and staff by Mr. Medrano and Mr. Leal. UNETHICAL!!
I could go on and on and on and on! So there you have it folks…everything Jade Robertson doesn’t want you to know. It is loud and clear who is unethical on this board!
Gee? $10,000 in Campaign expenses? Two days after election she has that letter sent out? I wonder who contributed to her campaign???? SIG????
It is funny how Jade Robertson doesn’t stick to the subject and never criticizes the Huertas, Yliana or June. And then her stupid question to Mr. Limon, Mr Leal, Ms Cruz and Mr. Medrano to guarantee that there will be no further budget cuts? Either Jade Robertson is delusional or just plain ignorant! Doesn’t she understand that the Texas Legislature will convene in January and will tackle the issue of funding public education? Doesn’t she know that all districts including “Los Fresnos” have given incentive bonuses to their employees rather raises? Doesn’t she realize that all districts “especially poor ones” won’t know if there will be budget cuts only until the legislature decides how to fund our schools? I could go on and on and on and on! So please Jade Robertson, spare us your nonsensical comments and stick to the facts!
I “own” my homes… Yes there are three homes in San Benito!
To Jade: the superintendent provide information for board members to review. This is not something new. He explained all about the “bonus” at the Finance Committee meeting. Those two board members and that board president were present. You know which two I am referring to. They record every meeting, so listen to the tape. Be informed, ask relevant questions, and ask for clarification from “your board member friends”.
I owe my home unlike several board members and am happy to reward outstanding employees with our taxpayer funds. I have confidence that the “professionals of Mr. Limon’s Adminstration” will do what is financially sound. That’s their job. If the superintendent has been renewed every year with his contract, why all of the sudden are you questioning his skills?
GIVE the SBCISD employees THEIR BONUS!!!
I hope someone files a formal complaint against Rodriguez. No tiene verguenza esta mujer! Medrano and Leal should have been allowed to have this meeting. I have seen how our employees work so so hard. This money would come in handy and sure help. Look at our bus drivers and all the Huertas and Yliana promised them. They promised them raises for votes. I think we know now where Yliana, June, Fatima, and Julian stand now!! I am sure Rodriguez and Huerta have already cashed their checks from the incentive they got at Los Fresnos CISD! Ouch!!! I will never support these people when they run again. Looks like the Huertas have sold their souls to the devil! You have my support Mr. Leal, Mr. Medrano and Ms. Cruz! I know many employees are grateful for standing up for us! Thank you! Gracias!
Funny how Jade Robertson makes no negative comments regarding The Huerta’s, Yliana Rodriguez, or June Aguilera (lol). Hhhmm, we wonder who Jade Robertson really is. Suspense is killing us!!!
WeThePeople: File an ethics complaint? Please guide all of us on the path to investigate this matter. The SBCISD Board President needs to attend yet again another training, Wait just a minute? I hear there was a Board Training at SPI today. DID SHE ATTEND? DID SHE COMPREHEND THE MATERIAL? We would all like to know.
INVITE Ryan WOLF!! Great idea! Serves that Board President right. As someone stated earlier on this post: GET OUT !!
YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT to all hard working employees of SBCISD.How in the world did that lady win a re-election??
To Attend- with all due respect who are you referring to about not remembering, is there a written report or documentation on the discovery of these massive amount of funds that have recently been revealed under Mr. Limon Administration and if there is, where is it available to us taxpayers..
Once trust has been lost, it must regain and it has become difficult to continue supporting Mr. Limon when he makes decisions like in 2010 upon knowing that a Principal had been convicted on federal charges of defrauding the Country instead of immediate termination , he allows the Principal to finish out the year. In 2011 another Principal admits to sexual harassment and again instead of immediate termination, he reassigns that Principal to another campus. Now in 2012 he proposes increasing property taxes for raises but is not approved, then there’s the issue with the Insurance Agent being compensated thousands for not providing any services, he fires and re-hires the Insurance Risk Manager and suddenly he has funds for employee incentives.
Then you have Mr. Medrano, in Jan. he was picked up by SBPD at 1:00 am in an alley, arrested and taken to a convenience store to get a money order
In June the Medical Center/HCA Physicians Services Primary Health Services (affiliated where Mr.Medrano works) immensely over bills the district.
In the summer he attended a workshop at the expense of the taxpayers just to find out he took friends along, NOT FAMILY but friends – unethical.
Then you have Mrs. Cruz, which has now been known to participate and assist the Board President herself generating the infamous letter and at one time herself was forced out of the district by Mr. Limon and now she defends him?
These persons actions speak louder than words and the trust has diminished.
My question remains the same: Mr. Limon, Mr. Medrano, Mr. Leal and Mrs. Cruz, since this is your movement – can you all guarantee us taxpayers that there will be no more budget cuts in the coming year where these funds in question could be applied, to prevent proposing increasing our property taxes AGAIN and to prevent laying off any of the district employees?
Mr. Medrano and Mrs. Cruz, You can count on me to be there Monday. We thank you for supporting us. YOU BOTH CARE!!
I would like to know,: WHERE ARE the COMMENTS from those OTHER BOARD MEMBERS? VMS and SB News have done a good job trying to contact board members, but WHERE are THOSE 3 that the PRESIDENT CONTROLS? I voted for you now answer the questions. As employees, we want to know WHY ARE YOU 4 STOPPING OUR INCENTIVE?? Why, why??
Rodriguez continues to violate Texas law by denying board members the opportunity to place items on the agenda and hold meetings. Too bad that TEA doesn’t come down on her, and enforce their own rules.
Generally, Texas law states that items may be placed on the agenda by the Superintendent, the Board President, any Board Member with approval of the President, or through a request by any two Board Members.
As well, the Board President does not have authority to remove from the agenda without consent of members that have placed the item there.
Items which cannot be placed on the agenda for open discussion and/or action (i.e., these must be discussed in Executive Session)
• All personnel issues unless specifically required by the Texas Open Meetings Act.
• Any item that violates the right to privacy as defined by the Texas Open Meetings Act and Texas Open Records Act.
Someone should be filing ethics complaints with Office of Attorney General and TEA. There are some serious questions here with conduct that is not proper and could be potentially be criminal.
Richard: excellent point. What happen to the TEAM of 8. Didn’t they just have a training two weeks ago? What a waste of money by those “4” as we all know she is controlling them. Don’t each of them answer to the community???
I wonder when Los Fresnos ISD will start asking questions about leadership this person offers their district. She showed disrespect to Mr Leal and Mr Medrano. She forgets Mr Leal was her swing vote when she was first elected President.
Yes, I can see what Medrano, Cruz, and Leal intensions are however; a few months ago Mr. Limon was on a crusade to increase our property taxes in order to give raises and had it been passed by the Board ask yourselves how could he reverse such a decision after he finds over a million in funds? This is a serious concern to me as a taxpayer, just the thought of so much money being found is a red flag. Yes the employees could use an incentive but THANK GOD they still have jobs, you hear of so many companies laying off their employees everywhere, even here in SB like the big successful store of Walmart.
This administration needs to provide to the community taxpayers where so much money came from all of a sudden because only a few months ago they wanted to raise property taxes. My question to Mr. Limon, Mr. Medrano, Mr. Leal and Mrs. Cruz, since this is your movement – can you all guarantee us taxpayers that there will be no more budget cuts in the coming year where these funds in question could be applied, to prevent proposing increasing our property taxes AGAIN and to prevent laying off any of the district employees?
Because, logically “The BOARD’s” main PRIORITY should be securing employees jobs and protecting taxpayers from increasing property taxes.
Attend a meeting and you will know exactly where the money is coming from. This was already explained to the members. All of the sudden, some do not remember. Just goes to show you what kind of people this community voted for last May and earlier elections. Don’t blame me though.. My friends and I didn’t vote for that PRESIDENT who has NO CARE at all FOR EMPLOYEES.
I just read the VMS article on this subject, and it looks like Yliana answers phone calls after all! What a shocker! What’s NOT a shocker is Yliana’s behavior. This woman will do ANYTHING to spite Mr. Oscar Medrano. The sad part is that her cronies, The brother/sister duo and pappi’s girl, follow her like little puppies. Who knows? Maybe these four get together often, forming a QUORUM, just to plan out their next plot against Medrano? Tell us the real reason, Yliana, why you don’t want this special meeting. Is it because you don’t want to give the hard-working employees of SBCISD a retention incentive? Your vote to DENY employees a raise two years ago speaks volumes, Yliana!!!! And now this? Just do us all a favor and GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE!
BOARD PRESIDENT, your ACTIONS SPEAKS VOLUMES about YOUR CHARACTER!! As the performance says (as you have seen the show), “Get Out!”. The employees are VERY DISAPPOINTED in YOU.
This is the lady that we re-elected. How in the world did we do that…. She doesn’t care about the employees. If she did, this whole meeting would not be an issue. Thank you Mr. Leal and Mr. Medrano for caring about us. You can count on us as we CANNOT COUNT on the BOARD PRESIDENT. Move along lady, you do not care!!
I don’t know this woman…..but just think about all the embarrassment she’s brought to our district. SOMEONE who Has the Legal Power Needs to Remove her from being the School Bord President!.. TEACHERS/ TAs need to show up at school district on Monday at 6:00pm….invite RYAN WOLF ask him to do a report & give this issue media attention!
What is wrong with this lady? And she calls herself a an educator? Hello!!!! She should be ashamed of herself. When is the rest of the board going to realize that this women is making all of us look bad and take her off as president???? This lady has no business being president!! Denying Mr. Leal and Mr. Medrano the courtesy of having a meeting is plain rude and unprofessional!!! I hope this is a lesson learned for all the district employees who voted for this so called “Educator”….NOT!!!! SHAME ON YOU LAILIANA!!!!!!
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on that BOARD PRESIDENT!!!
Talk about the grinch that stole Christmas! You’re a mean one, Ms. Rodriguez!