By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
Thursday night, a friend asked, “What happened at the meeting?” Little did my friend know that a series of events had just occurred prior to his inquiry that, momentarily, anyway, left me vexed at that particular time.
After breaking the story earlier that same evening about a report filed by San Benito CISD Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez accusing fellow trustee Anna Cruz of misdemeanor assault, I received a text message from our lead reporter, who was covering a special board meeting at the time, about $1,000 bonuses passing unanimously for all district employees. “What a night for school district news,” I thought. “I wonder what’s going to happen next.”
Well, Yliana G. Rodriguez happened, which was quite a surprise since she’s recently stayed away from the San Benito News like the bubonic plague. Imagine my excitement when I heard from our reporter that she’d spoken to Ms. Rodriguez after the meeting, and although the board president refused to comment on most of the questions posed, as she’s done since we learned this May of her involvement in the now-infamous attempt to replace the district’s insurance agent without board approval, the little she did say revealed more about her than any candid interview has or ever will.
As to why she not only declines comment but refuses to return phone calls from the News, Rodriguez claimed that I’ve misrepresented her and distrusts me as a result. My initial reaction was laughter, then indifference, and finally irritation. But I wasn’t irritated because Rodriguez believes something about me that isn’t true. The source of my annoyance, rather, derives from her lack of acknowledgement that the community wants answers. She avoids providing those answers at all costs, even at the expense of logic.
Take for instance Rodriguez’s claim that I’ve misrepresented her; how about we just call that what it is: a cop-out for avoiding accountability. As the president of the school district’s board of trustees, it’s incumbent upon her to be vocal regarding any and all matters pertaining to the district she represents, to speak to her constituents through the media, at meetings, public functions and in person. Speaking of which, there was something else Rodriguez said Thursday that didn’t add up.
In conversation with our reporter, Rodriguez said that no one has approached her with questions when informed that the News has fielded dozens, if not hundreds of concerns from the community regarding her role in the aforementioned insurance debacle. So what exactly is that supposed to mean? That any questions posed by concerned citizens from this community will not be addressed or are somehow irrelevant unless taken to Rodriguez in person? I’m sorry, but if you buy that then I’ve got a raspa stand to sell ya.
One of the primary functions of a newspaper is to hold public officials accountable, but it seems as though Rodriguez wants no part of that and only cherry-picks reporters and newspapers she plans to give comment to – albeit rare – depending on the nature of the current circumstances. I know this because Rodriguez’s last comments she made to us did not come unconditionally. She asked, curiously I might add, that we print everything she says and not out of context. That wasn’t a difficult condition to honor since we always do that anyway, but I humored her for argument’s sake.
Considering that there’s been no other time she’s commented in a half year’s worth of attempts to gain as much, I beg the question: How can I misrepresent someone who has yet to represent herself? Ms. Rodriguez, you’ve given me nothing in which I can misrepresent, misunderstand, misconstrue, mislead, misinterpret and/or misquote or any other mis- in your vernacular. You’re simply not here. The teacher has called your name but you have not raised your hand to say “present.” Simply put, you’re either lying or you’re sadly mistaken. Either way, it ain’t good.
So going back to that question my friend had about the meeting. “What happened?” Well, friend, that’s what I’d like to know. What has happened to our community that the school district’s board president would rather blame the local media than address the concerns of the constituents she swore to serve?
Read this story in the Dec. 2 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
8 comments
Skip to comment form
This is good writing by the Editor. Great job sir! I have also already called TEA to place my complaint against Mrs. Rodriguez. I don’t think that as taxpayers we should stay quiet. We elected her and she should be held accountable just like anyone else. I think her behavior justifies her removal as president. I hope the other board members are listening.
We had already called the TEA offices a few weeks ago.
We have figured out that “the LETTER” Mrs. Rodriguez wants to
disappear, is not going to disappear. We are taxpayers, unlike some people,
and we want answers. By the way, very nice man at TEA.
You go Mr. Editor! Your words will hopefully be seen by that “how did she get elected” lady. Richard is so right. If people had just decided to get involved back during this past election, that board president would not have been elected. Her character of who she is everyday is appalling. How did the Los FRESNOS Superintendent hire her? San Benito deserves better and I hope Miss June figures out how “her friend” trulys is to all.
Great job! The truth needs to be known. However, as long as she controls 3 votes plus her vote she will continue to do what she wants. The Brother and Sister will follow her blindly. Only hope is if the TShirt Bully gets his daughter to pull away. That is what happens when only 16% of the registered voters vote.
Everybody keeps stating to report the idiot board president to the T.E.A.; however, it seems as if no one has actually taken the time to do so. I believe that this accusation from Yliana is merely an act to remove the attention from the infamous insurance letter she asked Janie to write. Instead of taking the time to comment, everybody should take the time to call the T.E.A. to conduct a thorough investigation. They should also ask for an investigation of the e-mail account she uses to communicate with the board, if it is a personal e-mail she uses it can still be investigated because it is the one given to communicate about school district issues. If we the citizens of San Benito do not take the time to call the T.E.A. and report Yliana, we are just as guilty for allowing this. I urge everyone to call or write to the T.E.A., I already have because I will not stand for this!
Texas Education Agency
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas, 78701
(512) 463-9734
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/
Her behavior is similar to a leader in a 3rd world country, Not someone in the USA. She assigns blame to everyone except herself. In her world she is perfect and everyone is out to get her. When she is accused of something she blames someone else. The first was when she did not reimburse the District for a trip paid for by the District for her husband and child. She blamed the District and Oscar for bringing up the fact. And the people keep electing her. Please resign.
Mr. Editor, you hit it right on the mark. The BOARD PRESIDENT, in her own little world, thinks that she answers to no one. We thank you for saying what we have all know, SHE REPORTS TO THE CONSTITUENTS. I hope she gets that through her head.
Perfectly written, Mr. Editor!!!! Great job!