By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Antonio G. Limon
The San Benito CISD Board of Trustees will revisit Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón’s contract at a regular board meeting on Tuesday, March 19.
Following Spring Break, the board will consider the superintendent’s “summative evaluation” and “possible action” on his contract. Such action comes after trustees tabled Limón’s evaluation at the last regularly scheduled meeting, which was held Feb. 19.
“As far as his performance, he’s tried to do what he can, and he’s tried to do his best, but it takes all seven of us to try to work with him and support him with what he wants to do with our school district,” said Board Vice President Anna Cruz of Limón.
Cruz also expressed concern with the direction of recent proceedings.
“We really need to concentrate on academics, all seven of us,” Cruz said of the board. “I think other things have been more important instead of academics, such as insurance.”
The board vice president was referring to trustees seeking RFQs (request for qualifications) from insurance providers in what some believe has been an effort to replace the current agent, Bob Treviño. In fact, trustees are also scheduled to take action at the March 19 meeting on requests to approve qualifications proposals, received from prospective agents, for the district’s voluntary and major medical plans.
“I know insurance is important, but what’s the priority?” Cruz challenged. “Our priority is to make sure that we’re addressing academics. In (Limón’s) defense, he has tried working with all of us, but if he can only work for one or two, what can one or two people do? So he really needs all of our support.”
The superintendent, meanwhile, has downplayed the discussions on his contract continuing a month after such talks began, citing one year in which his evaluation was not completed until May.
“It’s just the annual evaluation that’s due at this time,” Limón said Friday. “It’s no different from any of the other eight evaluations I’ve had since I’ve been superintendent. This is number nine, so this is just a routine evaluation.”
Limón’s contract talks will follow action that was taken at the Feb. 19 meeting that limited the superintendent’s purchasing powers.
As previously reported by the San Benito News, Limón was limited from approving expenditures of over $5,000. Although he’s acknowledged that the trustees would have to become more involved in the district’s day-to-day operations as a result of limiting his purchasing powers down from the $20,000 that was the previously-approved limit – and trustees have indeed had to call special meetings recently to approve purchases of over $5,000, such as iPads and air condition repairs, – Limón has remained relatively mum on the matter, saying only, “That’s fine with me,” when asked to comment in previous interviews.
Attempts to reach Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez, Secretary June Aguilera, trustees Hector Leal, Fatima and Julian Huerta were unsuccessful as of presstime Friday.
Read this story in the March 10 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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Thank God Oscar Medrano is back. (Flipping cap inside out, forming a rally cap).
The Brownsville School Board has been in the news of late, board members sparring over a Pay Day Loan for employees. I like what some citizens have done, they have filed a complaint against the board with the Texas Commissioner of Education, & have asked for a monitor to be present at future school board meetings. We need to closely monitor the commissioner’s response to these types of requests.
Sin Fin,
Has anyone ever told him to Shut Up!..at any of those meetings?? Maybe it’s time someone did…Perhaps if someone digged into his past(hint sb news).. The skeletons in closet will banish him from SBCISD building for good. ……If other ppl that have been removed for their past problems that ppl have found unethical..why cant they investigate his background….Did Anyone investigate the board members when they ran fortheir seat?????
To: Harriet Z
This 4 Board-Members are never going to act responsibly and conduct the SBCISD busniness in manner fitting
Or as a professionial organization. They CANNOT ACT with intergrety and they are being guided use as Puppets. Everyone know’s it, The Huerta’s are being use by Aguilera’s(June Aguilera, her PAPI) and the Presidents(Yiliana Rodruguez)…The Huerta’s can’t think for them self’s, they Should’ve listen to Mr. Cruz instead of corrupted people…like Chuy Aguilera, Yliana Rodriguez but that’s the direction they want to take then they will learn the HARD WAY….The President NEVER avalible for any Comments & June Aguilera her “PAPI” has to Speak for her even though his an embarrassment for her and everyone associated with him. San Benito Tax payers This is what you Voted for.
These 7 SBCISD board members need to act responsibly and conduct the SBCISD busniness in manner fitting a professional organization. It is a shame that those individuals, excluding certain members, cannot act with integrity and principles. But what do we expect…. This community voted for these individuals. Wonder when was the last time they read a book or magazine? Or for that matter the SB NEWS.
I’m not going to begin to throw titles, names, or offices that I presently work for or know because I don’t think that’ll suffice or be relavant to what I think. Nor is what I think something that I intend to be placed upon a pedestal. This is my mere 2 cents for the day as I do have thoughts about the future of our city, our children’s education, and the overall interconnectedness of a (our) community. It’s funny to think how everything was different at one point or another. One time period was always better than the last, commonly being regarded as the “golden age” of San Benito. Which is understandable given that as humans, we’re always looking for the next best thing, or time period for that matter. It’s not a foreign concept to have one reminisce about the “good ole’ days” of San Benito, I say this because in a lot of “Letters to the Editors” I have seen nothing but extensive expressions of nostalgia in recent editions. R.A Salvatore once said, “Nostalgia is a necessary thing, I believe, and a way for all of us to find peace in that which we have accomplished, or even failed to accomplish. At the same time, if nostalgia precipitates actions to return to that fabled, rosy-painted time, particularly in one who believes his life to be a failure, then it is an empty thing, doomed to produce nothing but frustration and an even greater sense of failure.” I see the value yet cringe at the same time this generation is compared to “their” generation. We may be talking about the same city, but we are dealing with very different people, ideas, and issues. I’ve always understood that if you can’t learn from the past each time it is placed at the forefront of the mind, refrain from continuing to hold on to that past long after you realize you are now in the present and have still yet to actualize something. In regards to the priorities of a community, or a school board for that matter, it may/ may have not been as noticeable the type of “disconnect” that’s presently being noted within our community. Maybe it was due to my young age, (I still cease to remember discussing school bord/city politics during nap time or recess while in grade school; then again, my memory has never been the best) being unfamiliar with the dynamics of an effective school system, or a combination of the two, but whether we come to recognize these mishaps within our community as truth or rumor we still have to acknowledge that something isn’t right. And I say this not to be nonchalant about city and school board finances or detract from the obvious grudges certain individuals may have against school board members, but to draw attention to the fact we’re spreading our energy and attention very thin. We’re spinning our wheels, so to speak, and getting no where faster. As a previous commenter noted, we should be focusing on graduation/ retention rates, teen pregnancy, higher education enrichment programs, academic support services, and student success initiatives. Why do some students leave to competitive neighboring school districts was another question asked. The answer is in the fact that those districts are making it a point to BE student centered, provide their students with enriching school experiences, and are trying their best to work past differences that IDEA and STISD employees may presently have amongst each other. I’m not trying to glorify these districts either, every object, human, or school district for that matter always has room for improvement. We’re stuck though, and I refuse to believe that SBCISD is incapable of reforming their practices, structures, and priorities. As a SBHS 2010 alumni I can attest to the fact there are glimmers of hope for the school district of San Benito. Beneath the gossip, name calling, finger pointing, and budget cuts, there are educators, individuals, and ideas eager to assist the community of San Benito as whole. We’ve got to dig deep (past all the blame games and personal agendas), roll up our sleeves, and not be reluctant to the idea that in order to make progress we need not be afraid of getting “down and dirty” so to speak. Call it wistful thinking, naive perceptions, or even go as far as labeling this as an overall ignorant belief system, but there’s no hiding the elephant in the room any longer. We’re capable of conducting our matters as competent, intelligent, and mature beings, and I really think it’s about time we conducted our meetings in places other than the playground. The elementary kids called, and they want their sandbox back ASAP.
I wish that the San Benito Newspaper can print these comments on the paper editions for people that don’t have internet access. Perhap they can print Wednesday’s comments on Saturday’s paper. Then more people will know what’s going on in the district. I notice that many comments are from people who know first hand of what is goes on behind those glass doors at the SBCISD building. The paper will have more information that people can read about too..:–). I know it might just be cheaper to keep comments out of the actual hardcopies but its …… . Just a Thought!! for the purpose of letting our community know about what is really going on IN our Town.
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@ Mr. Olivo. Your Dad was my 6th Grade Teacher. In my 12 years of attending public schools, only 2 teachers left a profound, memorable impression on me, and your Dad was one of them.
He was always nicely groomed, wore a shirt that was always neatly pressed, and wore a tie every single day. He was polite, sharp, and really drilled the ciriculum to his students. You have every reason to be proud sir.
And you are 100% correct on your assessment of Ms Rodriguez regarding her ability to serve our children. I recall seeing our former school district board members being constantly recognized for their achievements and successes. Geez, those days seem like it was a century ago.
Sin Fin,
thank you for your comments. I still to this day get asked if he was my father. I followed in his footsteps. I have been teaching for over 23 years in a neighboring school district. I have his picture when he was a teacher in my office. I try to follow him by example, but I do not think I could ever match him. He knew way too many people. It was evident at his funeral. Someone asked me the other day, why SBCISD had not named a school after him yet. I know he made quite an impact on his students. Some of my co workers at school were also his students. He turned down the principalship many times, because as he said ” I still love being in the classroom”. I will pray for Mr. Limon, I know if my dad were here today, he would fully support him. Thank you again, for your comments.
Well said RSB, I fully concur. Last Friday, my granddaughter came home with a temporary Tatoo sticker in her homework folder, that had a note stapled to it, which read “From Chuy’s Custom Sports”. SBISD continues to give Chuy’s their business, this practice must stop.
For the last 6 months or so I have been stressing to friends & family members to boycott Chuy’s T Shirt shop. Mr. Amaya at MJ’S does a great job. I am glad to hear that another printing business has opened up as well.
Sin Fin,
There appears to be a new printing business in the 600 block of North Sam Houston. For those of you unhappy with the politics of the Aguilera’s, what better way to send the message of your displeasure than to take your business elsewhere. Tell your friends and families there’s a new printer in town and they no longer need to use Chuy’s. Next time I pass will get the name of the NEW PRINTER IN TOWN and post it here.
Citizens, in the case of the Aguilera’s, if they can’t support your vision and work for you for the San Benito city and school district you want, stop supporting their business. This applies to every elected official who is a business owner. Their actions show you over and over they’re not listening to you nor care what you want. Let your actions of boycotting their businesses be your response.
You do not have to wait until election day 2014 to be heard. Do not allow elected officials and their supporters to use the money they charge you for goods and services to work against you when they hold public office. Send a mesage now to Chuy and the rest of them — do not spend money in his business!
To: J. Olivia
Mr. Limon is a good Superintendent, it’s just that his in there way. All she(Yliana Rodriguez) and her followers(Puppets) want, “who they want to run the District”. For there own personal gain and agenda($$$$) that’s all they are thinking, NOT THE KIDS or Employees. I Just can believe the Two Huerta’s are listening to her and following her around like puppy’s, I Thought Mrs. Huerta would be a lot smarter than that but, I guess I was wrong. Her brother well Everyone knows he can’t talk & think for him self.. He follows around June Aguilera, and she’s a JOKE just like her father. Huerta’s & Aguilera you are Yiliana Rodruigez “Followers” known as her Puppets!!!
What ever happen’s Limon is sitting on top if he get released he’ll go out smileing like a kid who just whooped all the other kids playing marbles. He’ll pull out the beauty and place it in front of is eyes watching it glimmer with the sun as he walks away from sand box.
Well according to a neighboring newspaper, June A. asked about a “buy out” of Mr. Limon’s contract.. Her father had the nerve to talk at Open Forum that there was no new supt. coming. UNBELIEVABLE!
Mr. Limon is an excellent superintendent. My father who worked for San Benito CISD for over 38 years, always said Mr. Limon was an excellent educator. My dad was never wrong. He was well respected by the San Benito school district. As an educator myself for over 24 years, and a member of many educational committees, I am appalled at Ms. Rodriguez actions. I believe her ability to serve the children of San Benito is no longer a priority. When we lose the insight and knowlege to serve as a school board member, and a school administrator, we lose the respect and confidence of our constituents. I hope each school board member acts for the benefit of the children of San Benito. I believe Mr. Limon has always proved himself as an effective leader. It is hard for me to believe Ms. Rodriguez is a principal, in another school district. I would not tolerate such actions.
J. Olivo
What is that board president thinking? She is leading the parade to get rid of the superintendent. Does she have the funds to pay him off? The SBCISD sure does not. Just ask to see their approved August budget and you will see transfer after transfer. Just ask or better yet, attend the March 19 meeting at 7:00 pm. I hope that board room is packed of concerned citizens. The is BEYOND belief!!
San Benito News Editor, Can you talk to the board president and have her answer the questions:
1.why did they go to a conference in Corpus when the district has no funds?
2.Why did they hire a budget consulant when the supt. did not recommend one?
3.Why are they hiring a new insurance agent?
4.Why are they hiring a new attorney?
5 Why is she meeting with people without the board knowingl?
6.And lastly, why in the world does she think she is in charge of the district?
These people lead by YLIANA RODRIGUEZ, LOS FRENSOS PRINCIPAL are draining this district dry!
Let’s see if she will talk to the media.
Did mean Texas Open Meetings Act. Got to stop blogging late at night. Lol
PUT THOSE BOARD MEMBERS IN A CIRCUS AND THEY CAN RAISE THEIR OWN MONEY FOR THEIR TRIP IF THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET AFTER ALL THAT IS WHERE THEY BELONG IN A DAMN CIRCUS !!!!!!
First thing that needs to happen is reverse the board’s ruling on the superintendent’s $5,000 sign off limit, this is ridiculous. Let him run the District, allow him to do his job.
Second, according to the Texas Meeting Open Acts Law, a School Board President CAN use discretion in allowing a member of the public to speak at a school board meeting. The President can use discretion to not allow an audience member to speak if the audience member is disruptive. I hereby ask the President of the school board, and the public, hasn’t Chuy Aguilera been disrupting the meetings? Enough is enough, we are sick and tired of his unproductive ramblings. He has the audacity to stand up at board meetings and state “We are not planning on firing anyone”. We? I can’t further stomach this guy’s senseless remarks.
Sin Fin,
Is he like a member ot the school board? I guess he would be what they they call out spoken? Where does he sit during the meetings? Does he speak a very meeting? Does he work for the SBISD? Is he related to a school board member? Is his name Chuy or Jesus?
I with you. All those board members should show their receipt to SB News. Come on…do it!!
I can’t believe these people have gotten away with polluting our district And no one has stopped it. I hope that someone more powerful than all those combined with come and cleans up the mess THEY have create in San Benito, Tx…Do you really want to send your kids to these schools with that group running the district??? This whole mess is pathetic.. Beginning with the leader & her followers!!!!….
Where’s TEA, Tx Attorney General, US. Dept of Education?…
These people are really going to stink the place up before it’s over. Chuy must think that people are stupid. I do NOT believe that these people are paying from their own pocket; maybe from a vendors pocket but not theirs…Show the receipts where you paid for the trip to the San Benito News!!
WOW!! Speechless!
I wonder what will happen in 2014??
To Claridad:
You are so right about Chuy Aguilera making a public statement at a board meeting about previous board members having their conferences paid with district funds. He made it very clear that his dtr. and other members were going to make it a practice to pay for their own conferences out of their own personal monies. I work in the district so I know for a fact they have their
conference paid for in advance, their flight, they have their hotel paid for in advance, they can even have an advance for meals, per deim. So what is with the CREDIT CARD! And you know you made that statement Chuy Aguilera, gloating how they were going to pay on their own. If I recall, you smile all the way to the bank with all the money you make at your business. Share your monies with those board members whom are now NOT so willing to pay on their own as YOU STATED!!!
Learning manuels and siminars also come in vidios. I am sure the school board can train themselves.Or Can they? Students learn by reading and viewing material they need in order to gain information and be self suffecient at their college level studies to earn thier degrees.
Wow!! They sure can wait to get Mr. Limon out and get control of what they really want which is: New Insurance, New Attorney, and buy out Mr. Limon, get New Superintendent . SBCISD Employee’s Good Luck!! I Feel bad for the Students, TEA needs to come & Take control of everything!!!
This is from the posted March 19 SBCISD BAORD AGENDA: §551.074 – For the purpose of the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee, to hear complaints or charges against a public officer or employee.
a. Report on Personnel
b. Superintendent’s Summative Evaluation and Possible Action
on Superintendent’s Contract
c. Resignation
I sure hope those 4 are not trying to buy out Mr. Limon’s superintendent contract. If that is the case,
then you all paid him out from YOUR OWN MONEY AND NOT TAXPAYERS’ money.
You 4 have no shame. He has tried to work with all of you and you act like you know more than him.
Guess what? You don’t. 2014 is right around the corner. WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU WASTING THE CHILDREN’s Money!
Surely they will buy out his contract using tax payer money! They need him out of there if theyre gonna carry out their schemes. yes, these 4 have their agendas and it has YLIANA written all over it. She is using the other three for her personal gain and it’s gonna bite her where the sun don’t shine. Don’t forget that we know your next move Ms President. From your insurance friend to your “close” attorney friend and his buddy, the consultant at that design built services company that our district DOES NOT need, WE KNOW! I hope and pray that you think twice about all of this nonsense and that you do what is right. Dont waste tax payer money… Let Limon finish out his contract, don’t waste money on consultants or companies that are unnecessary, and don’t spend on TWO attorneys when you already have an attorney that handles school matters AND SpEd.
We are praying for Mr. Medrano.
The probably is that these 4 will deplete the little money the district has left. As a district employee, I am looking at finding another district to work at next year. I support three children and I cannot take a chance of being one of the ones who job is going to be cut. Word is that there are people that this board is looking at to get rid of as soon as Mr. Limon is gone. This district was an example of pride, but these board members have really done us in.
I hope someone asks for the DISTRICT CREDIT CARD STATEMENT. If these people do not have their own funds to travel, then STAY HOME! You are not special. The rules for reimbursement apply to all board members.
2014 can’t come soon enough.
Can’t they attend via internet vidio confernceing?
Corpus ? And family? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? Can they not read a budget sheet? They are spending our tax dollars and last time I checked THOSE LOVELY 4 DO NOT OWE PROPERTY IN SAN BENITO! New insurance agent, new attorney and new superintendent ? Heaven help us. By the time June 28, 2013 they will have picked “THEIR ADMINISTRATION”. San Diego? I just checked that national school board trip and their trip to San Diego is the same time as my business trip. I hope I get a seat by one of them so we can account for OUR TAX DOLLARS! 100 times UNBELIEVABLE !!
California ? Wow!
If the community is seriously concerned about the upcoming superintendent’s evaluation, it would serve it well to study the following link: ttp://www.tasb.org/services/lts/documents/2012_instrument_instructions.pdf It basically outlines the factors on which the superintendent should be evaluated. Let’s see if the present board is able to specifically address the evaluation factors and not come up with general statements. Specificity, my friends, specificity!! A TEA monitor has the right to any and all personnel evaluation documents.
It was a conference in Corpus for the traveling board and their families this weekend. Spring break in Corpus. After that it is back home to pick a new insurance agent and new attorneys. Shortly after that they get to pick a new Superintendent. Busy schedule before they take off to San Diego for national conference.
What’s funny is that June made a big deal about board members paying their own way to these conferences. Her pappi even used public comment to brag about his baby girl paying her way to SA. And now, she goes on and on about why thEy need a credit card. bad practice to have these cards. If they don’t have the money to go, they should STAY HOME!!!!
Limiting the Superintendent’s ability to administrate effectively was the first step in making a case to get rid of him. He is not playing their game and is viewed as being a big obstacle for them to have complete control of the district.
If they have their puppets in the administration, then they can really go to work with their money and power grab.
Unfortunately, they could care less about what ‘should be important’. One of the bloggers recently stated: Vote Stupid, Get Stupid. I agree.
Send in the clowns.
Just review what is important:
1. Medrano’s health & what the city is saying
2. Chuy’s information system and his calls
3. Clinic for employees
4. Budget consultant $10,000.00
5. Dipping into the fund balance
6. Cutting police officers
7. Pay raises & incentives
8. Bouncing babies?
9. Balance budget
10. Superintendent’s evaluation since January
11. Insurance agent
12. T.E.A. Training the board
13. Purchasing power of superintendent
What should be important:
1. Student achievement
2. Graduation rates & college acceptance of seniors
3. Retire/rehire rates
4. Why students leaving for IDEA, STISD?
The circus continues!
What a surprise! Those board members, except for Ms. Cruz, Mr. Leal, and Mr. Medrano, have no respect for the superintendent. It is ALL ABOUT THEM and THEIR FAMILIES! Can’t be reach for a comment….another SUPRISE!! Ms. Cruz is right. He cannot do it alone. Where are the discussions on student achievement? It is a Team of 8 and what part of that don’t those people get. Heaven knows they LOVE going to CONFERENCES and NOW they HAVE A DISTRICT CREDIT CARD. Guess what? We will be looking at that credit card statement. You can bet on that BOARD PRESIDENT!