CONSIDER THIS: It ain’t easy being Antonio G. Limón

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

Michael Rodriguez

It’s funny that, during Spring Break, the hottest subject in San Benito this past week was a school matter. So while the city is abuzz with speculation about whether San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón will get the boot, I thought it would be interesting to retrace our steps in hopes of discovering how we came to this point.

To recap, we reported in our March 10 weekend edition of the greatest newspaper in the history of mankind that the Board of Trustees would continue their evaluation of the superintendent at a regular meeting scheduled Tuesday, March 19. Limón’s contract, which expires in June 2014, is also up for discussion by the board.

The superintendent, meanwhile, has downplayed the matter and even recalled a previous evaluation that did not conclude until May. Still, this is a dialogue that has been accompanied by animosity between board members since December. Consider the simple fact that this dispute can mean only one thing: there’s conflict. If conflict exists, it’s clear that the possibility of not renewing Limón’s contract has gone beyond mere contemplation.

Consider further the approval by the board to limit the superintendent’s purchasing power. Just to be clear, does this mean that the superintendent cannot be entrusted with purchases of $5,000 and over yet can be entrusted with the overseeing of an academic institution that educates San Benito’s sons and daughters?

Excuse me for saying so, but attempting to rationalize some of the board’s recent decisions can be dizzying; after all, it’s not like certain trustees have been forthcoming. Even during the meetings, for instance, Board President Yliana G. Rodriguez is vague in her explanations, and it’s not like the media has had very many opportunities to seek clarification. In fact, I now have the statement, “Attempts to reach Rodriguez for comment were unsuccessful,” saved in my Microsoft Word template in anticipation that Madam President will not be available. What we’re left with in Rodriguez’ absence is the accusation that I’ve somehow “misrepresented” her, not to mention the assumption that she operates in shadows. We’re also not hearing much from her opponents, other than bloggers taking to sbnewspaper.com to express their strong disapproval of, well… everything.

This is where we stand today, in a sort of political standoff as two warring factions wait for the other to make a move; hanging in the balance is an administration that doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going. Make a decision and anger an entire clique, make another and infuriate the other side – these are the superintendent’s choices.

Love him or hate him, it probably hasn’t been easy being Antonio G. Limón this past year.

After taking all that I’ve shared with you into consideration, it’s important that the citizens of San Benito identify what they should really fear, and it’s not whether Limón will be out of a job come Tuesday, or in a future meeting should talks once again be tabled, but whether a decision will be influenced by political maneuvering. The superintendent’s renewal or nonrenewal of his contract, whatever the case may be, should not be an opportunity to score political points but an honest exercise of accountability.

In a perfect world, school board members would ask of each other this simple question during such proceedings: Is the district better off with or without Limón’s leadership? So long as the answer to that question is rooted in what’s best for the students as opposed to what better serves personal interests, then no matter what choice is made it’ll be the right one. But this is not a perfect world; it’s the world of San Benito politics. You might as well be in the Twilight Zone.

Read this story in the March 17 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/03/15/consider-this-it-aint-easy-being-antonio-g-limon/

8 comments

Skip to comment form

  1. My family, relatives and I support and pray for your well being through all this BS, Mr. Limon.(excuse my language) Keep your head up high sir, you’ve done nothing wrong. While they in the other hand…I don’t know how they sleep at night!! Dios es muy Grande….

    • Citizen Maria on March 19, 2013 at 8:55 pm
    • Reply

    I’m at the sbcisd mtg. This Janie lady who was rehired because she sued is complaining about the insurance. It’s obvious she is at it again. To get rid of the presentinsurance and get the one she, the board president and others wanted (remember the letter she wrote at the instruction of the president). I guess they are hoping people have short memories. Janie’s comment regarding forms being sent without employee signatures to the insurance is actually her job. Anyone who has taken leave or disability knows that you go to benefits to sign forms. Don’t even get me started on June’s form of speech. She needs to take some lessons. That’s all folks.

    • Harriet Z. on March 18, 2013 at 10:18 pm
    • Reply

    Amen, WeThePeople. Mr. Limon has our respect and prayers.

    • WeThePeople on March 17, 2013 at 8:54 pm
    • Reply

    Whatever happens, Mr. Limon has won! He has maintained his professionalism, and given the board the best advice regardless of the consequences. Mr. L has not been their stooge, and has shown that he is a man of integrity. The community is proud of you, sir!

    • Marty Nicol on March 16, 2013 at 11:15 pm
    • Reply

    This board positioning is nothing new; it happens with every new board, and it is unfortunate for those who are in the way. I don’t believe citizens want an upheaval that will affect their children’s education. Our goal, first and foremost, should be the children and their education. And whatever affects the top layer trickles all the way down, and children are very perceptive. We just don’t give them enough credit.

    By the way, you hit the nail on the head…the “twilight zone.” I was raised in San Benito, moved away and was never coming back, but family brought me back and the first thing I thought when I got back was …. it’s like the twilight zone.

    One only need to look around us; other cities around us have made great strides, and here we are stuck in the middle, or in the “twilight zone.” The problem is not just the San Benito school district, but San Benito as a whole.

    • Jenny Pena on March 16, 2013 at 10:00 am
    • Reply

    DON’T YOU ALL SEE WHERE ALL THIS IS HEADED YLIANA WILL BE SBCISD SUPERINTENDENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE JUST WAIT AND SEE THAT IS WHAT SHE WANTS AND SHE SURE IS GOING AFTER IT WITH THE HELP OF HER COMADRES AND COMPADRES ! IT’S BOUND TO GET WORST ONCE SHE IS WHERE SHE SEEKS TO BE !

    • Linda M on March 15, 2013 at 11:00 pm
    • Reply

    Mr. Limon, We will continue to pray for you.

    • That One on March 15, 2013 at 10:59 pm
    • Reply

    Mr. Limon is a good man. He has dedicated his professional career to SBCISD. Those 4 board members have no shame. If it is time for him to go, then let him work the rest of his contract until June 2014. SBCISD does not have the funds to buy him out. The 2013-2014 budget is going to dip into the fund balance again. Program and staff cuts are on their way. These are the people that this community voted for….
    The value of my home is falling, falling and falling…..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.