By JOE BOCANEGRA
Special to the NEWS
“Student achievement, student achievement, student achievement – that is our number one goal.”
So says San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón in regards to the district’s upcoming goals for 2013.
“We’re working very hard and diligently with the staff and with Celeste Sanchez (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction), and we’re looking at the student benchmarks and seeing what can be done,” Limón said.
However, this has been difficult due to the State of Texas not yet setting standards for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), which took the place of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test this year. According to Limón, final assessments are pending a standard being decided upon.
“The levels for the STARR are one to three, one being the worst, two acceptable, and three exceptional,” Limón said. “We are waiting for the state to tell us what the standards will consist of.”
On the financial side, Limón plans for a balanced budget.
“We’re looking through all the figures and seeing what can be done with them,” he said. Although, the superintendent said a lot of the budget will depend on state funding.
“The Legislation Sessions in Austin have much to with the budget, because they will discuss how much the district will be funded,” Limón said.
San Benito CISD Board of Trustees Vice President Anna Cruz also hopes for adequate state funding and has also pieced together her plans for the district.
“I have two priorities,” Cruz said. “One is for the safety for all of the students and employees. After hearing about the recent violence (the Newtown shooting) I will try and make sure to make sure everyone is safe.”
She also agrees with Limón that schools need to be back to acceptable levels.
“We (the board and superintendent) still need to make sure to provide the schools the support they need,” she said. “We can do better, and we are.”
Also planned for next year is a joint workshop between the City of San Benito and the district. According to Limón, the objective of the workshop is to “collaborate and see what projects can both work together” and see about forming a working relationship with the two. No date for said workshop has been confirmed as of presstime.
Read this story in the Jan. 2 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
5 comments
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well said Art. Many of these school district cops are lazy and are just earning a pay check. The whole police department needs revamping beginning with the chief. I should know I used to work there.
If they lack training, then the one to review this is the chief. If the district has funds to send the school board to conferences, then they should have funds for police training. I wonder what that budget (school board travel) looks like?
The Right One:
You’re right about the district bringing back the police full force. However, get rid of all the SBCISD Police Dept. since they are a joke and lack much training and bring in real trained police officers that know what they are doing to keep our children safe!! That department needs to be looked at and changes need to be done starting with a joke of a police chief, then his staff need to go!!
Then, maybe, with a new chief and staff, will we feel that are schools are safe!!
Someone needs to educate the administration on the correct words to use when explaining STAAR. The phrase “being the worst” have yet to be used by TEA. These people run our school district?
Now, they talk about school safety. The board and superintendent should never have reduced the work days of the police officers. Shame on them. Do the right thing by our children and bring back the school police in full force. Your actions, board members and Mr. Limon, speak volumes about what you really care about when it comes to our children and the district staff.