BREAKING: Limón says suspension due to allegations of obstructing online solicitation probe

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Antonio G. Limón

Antonio G. Limón

Antonio G. Limón said he was suspended as the San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools for what he called a “ridiculous” accusation of attempting to block an investigation involving the former Berta Cabaza Middle School Choir Director, Alfredo Hernandez, Jr., for online solicitation of a minor.

Hernandez emailed BCMS Principal William Snavely at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2012 announcing his resignation as the school’s choir director following his arrest for soliciting a 12-year-old Harlingen girl on Facebook. As previously reported by the San Benito News, charges levied against Hernandez stem from allegations that he attempted to lure the girl out of her parents’ house to meet.

The victim’s mother reportedly alerted authorities when she learned of the

Alfredo Hernandez

Alfredo Hernandez, Jr.

situation and informed that Hernandez had allegedly contacted the 12-year-old on Facebook. Harlingen police believe Hernandez allegedly called himself “Freddy Love” on Facebook to lure the minor out of her home and rendezvous in Harlingen to take part in “illicit sexual conduct.”

Despite his suspension being discussed in closed session at Thursday evening’s special meeting of the Board of Trustees, Limón said he decided to divulge the cause of his suspension as per his attorney, Gus Acevedo’s advice.

“They suspended me because they were claiming that I had done something to obstruct the investigation,” Limón said of the Hernandez case. “In fact, I informed legal counsel from O’Hanlon (the law firm serving the district at the time of the incident), and when I ran it by him he said we were not an investigative unit and if we find evidence that he (Hernandez) did that (soliciting a minor) in our district to turn it over to Harlingen PD.”

The now ex-superintendent said he believed that was the end of it.

“Just a few months ago someone tells the DA’s office that we are holding all this information and hadn’t turned it in.”

The information Limón is referring to he insisted was handed over to Harlingen police, further noting that the department’s chief was aware of as much and confirmed being in possession of said information but only after discovering the information had been held by an officer unbeknownst to the chief.

“They turned it over to the DA; everything we had went over to the DA’s office,” Limón said. “So now all of a sudden a week before graduation I get suspended because I was supposedly trying to block an investigation? We did everything correctly. We thought it was a closed case. Why is this in question now if they’ve had these concerns already? Why did they have to suspend me?”

“Their response was, ‘Well, we’re going to a conference after graduation and won’t have time to call a meeting.’ Give me a break,” a distraught Limón contended. “It is ridiculous to put me through this ridicule and embarrassment over a personal vendetta from these four board members.”

The board members Limón was referring to include Board President Yliana Gonzalez (formerly Yliana G. Rodriguez), Vice President Julian Huerta, Secretary June Aguilera and trustee Fatima Huerta — all of whom voted in favor of placing Limón, whose annual salary is $162,000, on paid administrative leave Thursday evening with trustees Anna Cruz, Oscar Medrano and Hector Leal opposing the action.

“They’re just trying to hurt me where the can hurt me the most,” Limón said, referring to his daughter’s, a San Benito High School senior, graduation ceremony on Friday, June 7. Limón has alleged that the timing of his suspension was to prevent him from being on stage to hand his daughter her diploma. When asked if he planned on seeking legal action, Limón said it was “too early to tell.”

Six of the seven board members did not comment at Thursday’s meeting; Gonzalez, however, said, “I can’t discuss this matter. It was discussed in executive session and it’s going to remain confidential.”

Other action taken at Thursday’s meeting included the approval of Alfonso Obregon, who retired as superintendent of Robstown ISD in summer 2012, as San Benito CISD’s interim superintendent.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/05/24/breaking-limon-says-suspension-due-to-allegations-of-obstructing-online-solicitation-probe/

64 comments

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    • Not true on May 30, 2013 at 7:21 pm
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    I hope you pay taxes filli like the rest of us oh except the four board members ready to spend the students’ money

    • Filli on May 30, 2013 at 2:13 am
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    @Editor, earlier I gave you an ulterior motive because that is what you were looking for so enjoy it, go all out.

    @EVERYONE THAT HAS BEEN MAKING ACCUSATIONS, ASSUMPTIONS, AND PLACING BLAME ON THE BOARD PRESIDENT FOR MY COMMENTS, YOU ARE ALL WRONG. I DON’T EVEN PERSONALLY KNOW HER BUT IT PROVES THAT YOU ALL ARE WILLING TO CRUCIFY HER, EVEN FOR THINGS SHE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONES WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES. NOW, DON’T GET ALL BENT OUT OF SHAPE, QUIT BEING BABIES, AND FOCUS YOUR ENERGY ON MAKING A POSITIVE CHANGE!

    BECAUSE I DECIDED I AM GOING TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE, I WILL NO LONGER TAKE PART IN ‘FANNING THE FLAMES’ ON THIS SITE…. TIL THEN, FAIR-WEATHER FRIENDS

      • Tired Citizen on May 31, 2013 at 8:07 am
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      Filli, you have proven yourself to be an incompetent individual. In the words of honest Abe, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”.

      By the way, Filli, ” Honest Abe” is Abraham Lincoln….our 16th president. It would not surprise me if you did not know that based on your wonderful english.

    • who you know on May 29, 2013 at 1:54 pm
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    K.D. – don’t play the who you know card. that card can be played both ways. every board member has their skeletons, some more than others. regardless what happens, represent the school district right and justify your actions. whether limon deserves to be suspended or not can be argued both ways. however the reasoning for his suspension is very questionable. tax payers deserve an explanation. Filli-buster: HEB currently has huevos on sale. seems like you need some. say what you have to say. it is very easy for you to put down others whose comments favor limon for their lack of vision however you provide no vision of your own. it reminds me going to the eye doctor for glasses. now do you see better out a or b, 1 or 2, this one or that. very little difference. your points and proof maybe true but until you show it you’re just making a fool out of yourself. now that’s sad. because deep down inside, you know that’s what your doing. you got the tortilla to make a taco, but no huevos to put in it. now that is sad. very unfortunate.

      • Filli on May 29, 2013 at 11:45 pm
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      @who you know….

      K.D. is right, it’s who you know…. and I have more “huevos” than you, that’s for sure. I don’t hide behind phrases, Filli is my name. And I’ve said what I’ve had to say, you just don’t like what I have to say so you cry about it. I’ve more than provided my vision, unfortunately it is people like you that have no vision that is the problem. Now, put your tail between your legs and go run under the house where you belong.

    • Poncho H. on May 28, 2013 at 10:45 pm
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    This board will settle for his yearly salary and attorney fees. What these people have done have dug this district further into the hole there is no court in education. Get your facts in order otherwise you are just talking, talking, talking board president oh I mean filli

      • Filli on May 29, 2013 at 11:52 pm
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      Then what’s the big deal Poncho, it’s better to lose one year and attorney’s fees than continued bad decisions by a so-called leader that lacks the perspective to know better when it comes to handling situations like investigations and complaints, or even leading the school district. And for the record, I am NOT the school board president, but if I was, there sure as heck would be a lot more changes in the school district.

    • K.D. on May 28, 2013 at 5:22 pm
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    Oh my gosh. By the sound of it I bet close to all of you know Limon on a personal level because anyone with a brain can see that Limon has done nothing for this school district but sit on his butt and put his daughter on a pedestal. And for him to use the handing of the diploma to his daughter as an excuse is RIDICULOUS. This town is all about WHO you know and not WHAT you know. Because, obviously most of you are too blind to really know anything.

    • Como Es Juan on May 28, 2013 at 9:54 am
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    I find it amazing listening to most of the garbage that is put out there. You all talk about low scores and drop out rate YET don’t have a shred of evidence to prove how bad Mr. Limon’s tenure. I am not saying he has been the perfect Super but come on show the facts before going off on a man like this. It’s very easy to say your’e a taxpayer and criticize someone but have nothing of merit in proof. Don’t give me another “low scores” speech until you are willing to provide proof, not just what so and so told you.

    The thing is Mr. Limon did nothing to warrant a suspension. The 4 stooges just decided to use the weakest excuse and provided the weakest responses to suspend him.

    It’s ok though. Mr. LImon is a good man and he’ll be ok. This embarrassment will be over soon enough. Congratulations. Not only will he probably sue and win a settlement, but he’ll be sworn in as a NEW board member next year.

    Limon, Gonzalez, Smetter!

      • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 2:26 pm
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      Limon should have been released a long time ago… low scores, if Limon did not approve teacher assignments for subject areas where those teachers were not certified to teach and truly hired highly qualified teachers instead of rehiring, then maybe there wouldn’t be any low scores…Limon knows its true.

      As long as the citizens continue to recycle (vote in) the ‘bad apples’ on the school board, like if they voted for Limon, then the district will never achieve and demonstrate the true potential that it is capable of. People that keep running and running without ever making real changes are just in it for themselves.

      Citizens, stop voting for bad apples. Your kids deserve better.

        • Como es Juan on May 28, 2013 at 9:12 pm
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        As my previous reply stated. SHOW ME PROOF. Sitting here and telling me scores were low or teachers are bad etc doesn’t prove anything. Your’e jusr making BASELESS assumptions over Mr. Limon. No evidence whatsoever

          • Filli on May 30, 2013 at 12:03 am
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          Dude, look it up on the TEA website for yourself , if you can comment on here than you can certainly at least google it…. the scores are there. And the proof is in the scores, if it wasn’t true than the school district would be exemplary and no school would have an unacceptable rating. If I want to make sure that I know the facts, I search for them myself, and your mind is made up because you believe in Limon. Looking them up yourself will remove the doubt, so get to it.

      • Ray on May 30, 2013 at 1:35 am
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      No proof of low scores? It was a main story on VMS a few weeks back,”again!” Again. meaning that for last few years,it has been the same news about our childrens lack or stagnant improvement in school! How can you accept a Supt. excuses for the low scores received from the state BUT tout only 2, maybe 3 schools reach exemplary and handful of others get only a commended status? Is that acceptable year after year .Limon may be nice man ,but he clearly was not person to steer this school district as a whole to better things . You look it up. I read it and Iam not the only one to state this fact. You cant tout something as a success if 1/2 of your other campuses not progressing. Its a “school district”, together as a whole . You dont shine praise on some and dont direct your energy to improve those that didnt pass year after year, do you?
      Man at top should of fired some people and if he didnt want to rock the boat,then he should be let go.Its called “accountabilty.”

    • Ray on May 28, 2013 at 7:56 am
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    Limon got the boot but head of curriculum for school should have too. Mrs.Weaver left because she saw the writing on the walll too. These people did nothing to introduce change and get “all our schools”,higher ratings. while they were in charge. They re all just self serving “suits”. Limon should of been transferred to principal ,to finish up.,or lets some heads roll at top of school district.,,cronism.But do the right thing and Just Do It! !

    • Roel on May 27, 2013 at 10:37 pm
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    Hello!! They Vote for all this new attorney, this 4 Board Member are the only one bringing the SBCISB the Lowest it’s ever been and it’s going to get worst not over until TEA comes in and STOP’S there STUPIT decision….

    • senior analyst on May 27, 2013 at 9:51 pm
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    To Reality Bites: Well this blogger is not missing any picture. I saw the agenda; and it began with the retraction of the insurance letter. And about the bid going out for Mr. O’Hanalon and him sending Mr. Cabrera.
    They would rotate. And with that “Reality Bites”, my question to the board members that hired and fired that firm. Why did they not do their research, ask questions prior to hiring him? They had Mr. Acevedo, he was only one attny. they fired him. I assume Yliana asked if O’Hananlon would be the one attending all meetings or someone else on the firm. Or did she not ask? I know the Huerta and June would not have. With that stated, it does matter who hands out the diplomas.

    • Reality bites on May 27, 2013 at 10:52 am
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    You few bloggers are missing the big picture. The real victims are us the taxpayers, a million dollars down the drain, our graduating class who’s most important day if their lives has been clouded by Mr. Limons sympathy tactics and focusing on only handing his daughter he diploma. Mr. Limon has once again demonstrated at a much larger scale and made it very clear of his selfishness and primary focus. It’s appalling that you feel sympathy for him when for the last 9 years he was a puppet to the board and allowed them to micromanage the district (tumberlinson, sloppy joe, de la fuente, oscar, and leal) we the people have spoken and that’s why they are no longer there.
    In another topic, the continuous attorney conversations are sickening. If you do your research o’Hanlon got the bid (we all know who was behind that) and who does he send us? Cabrera. Who is Cabrera? Is he O’Hanlons partner? Of course not! That goes to show how much importance he placed on san benito. We applaud the changes and are confident in the decision making that has transpired. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors! Don’t let your selfish superintendent ruin your night. It doesn’t matter who gives you your diploma you earned it!

    • CrystalR on May 27, 2013 at 8:41 am
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    I would like to leave a positive comment about this school district and the school system in general, but it’s difficult. What I see from my unique perspective as an educated professional is a system of fear and control. The fear is of what would happen if we truly educated the children and taught them that knowledge is power and they are capable of creativity that has no limit? Perhaps they would rise up and steal our jobs or take control of their city. I see people’s comments blaming the population of children and parents in this community. If you were an educator here, you would see that there is no lack of brilliance in these kids. You would see that the poorest of parents are full of pride and dignity and a passion for their children unmatched by their wealthier counterparts. Teachers are creative and hard-working, but they are ruled by fear, pressure of and by their leaders. Why else would they be under-utilized, their talents and gifts squashed? If you are a teacher, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Educators are leaving this profession with bitterness and illnesses due to the unbelievable stress and pressure of test scores, scores, scores. The kids are brilliant, even the special education children, the so called “problem” children. What is the solution? I wish I know, but I believe it begins with setting aside your jealousy, fear, and personal nonsense and supporting teachers. Supporting and teacher, is supporting a child. Supporting each other, is supporting a strong team. We are all turning on each other. Do you think the true powers that be care about that? Look around you and have some respect for all those that work in the field of education from the custodians all the way up to our Superintendent. I don’t know the politics of it, but maybe, just maybe Mr. Limon could have been granted the dignity and respect for his years of service, by allowing him to pass out the diplomas and finish off the school year? Who deserves to be humiliated and punished? We all fall short of perfection. None of us is pure.

      • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 2:10 pm
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      I agree with all you say…. except that you know they say about karma, Limon mistreated, humiliated, and punished others, maybe this was just that…. karma.

    • CrystalR on May 27, 2013 at 8:27 am
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    Test message.

    • CrystalR on May 27, 2013 at 8:26 am
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    Testing message

    • Also an SB alum on May 26, 2013 at 9:43 pm
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    To “SB Alum” – I am also in the profession, and instead of talking down to someone and nitpicking that they do not know that the “official” title is a “Licensed Professional Counselor”, I am instead appreciative of the overall message that counselors with more of a clinical background, as opposed to those whose focus is academics, be made available to students. I am far from offended, but I am rather appreciative of someone advocating for the benefit of my profession and its potential to benefit students.

      • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 2:06 pm
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      Thank you.

      • This side on May 29, 2013 at 11:42 am
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      Unfortunately, clinical-type counselors are long gone in this business. Yes, business. It’s sad to say that even the school system is just another business. Everything is about money and power, and it all becomes POLITICS! The whole world I going to shit.

    • Leo Rodriguez on May 26, 2013 at 9:35 pm
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    When an employee is suspended with pay, the sole reason for the suspension, and not termination, is to investigate whether there is a strong enough case to terminate, or to reinstate the employee due to insufficient findings that will be upheld internally, or via the judicial system.

    And it behooves the School District to specify by when the investigation should be wrapped up, so both parties can move forward. It appears that in Mr. Limon’s case this is an indefinite suspension. If his actions were already determined to be a misconduct issue, an obstruction of an investigation, why then not issue a termination letter?

    I guess we all know the answer to that question, the majority board has already predetermined their finding, and their ruling. I hope this matter is resolved expeditiously, for all concerned.

    • SBAlum on May 26, 2013 at 2:25 am
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    Filli: “licensed clinical counselor”….. Ummm…. Incorrect occupational title….. there is no such thing….. I’m in the field and can assure you there are no “licensed clinical counselors”. Please be informed before making a point. It’s offensive to professionals in the field.

      • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 2:03 pm
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      I’m sorry but you are wrong. How in the world are you in that field. If you’re offended, it’s because you don’t know any better. Proves my point that the district needs to do more to ensure students are educated and not just fall into an occupation. There is a big difference between school counselors and clinical counselors. You should have looked it up before you made that incorrect statement.

    • senior analyst on May 25, 2013 at 11:23 pm
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    I know that I will be placing my name on the ballot to challenge Ms. Rodriguez, aka Mrs. Gonzalez, aka “no comment”. I know I will come out ahead at public dabate because she does not comment. LOL
    And Filli, when I run it not so I can loose.

      • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 1:56 pm
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      If you think you can make a difference by all means do your best because if all this division and bickering doesn’t stop soon, the only ones losing are the students.

    • Get Ready on May 25, 2013 at 10:43 pm
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    Sure hope the board president Gonzales has the district checkbook ready…. They are going to need it. Paying TWO SUPERINTENDENTS. Come on. All the board had to do was assign mrs. Sanchez to cover the district while an investigation was conducted. Again, the board president thinks she knows more than an educator of 30 plus years, such as mrs Sanchez . YOU FOUR HAVE FAILED MISERABLY!!!

    • Agustin D. on May 25, 2013 at 10:38 pm
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    SBEducator,
    You are so correct.

    • SBEducator on May 25, 2013 at 9:28 pm
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    @Filli if you remember correctly it was the board, not limon who decided that everyone would receive $1,000.Get your facts straight. The board has just thrown the district into chaos and not at the appropriate time. This should have been handled differently. Why did he receive meets expectations on his evaluation? If these allegations that led to him being put on administrative leave turn out not to be correct limon can turn around and sue the district, and I for onr would not blame him for doing it. Remember he was not put on administrative leave because of his lack of leadership.

      • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 1:52 pm
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      Well, I took the quote directly from the San Benito News, are you saying they don’t report the facts correctly? I’m not against the bonuses, I was just saying there is enough money to get the student what they need.

      Let the cards fall where they may.

    • Teresa G. on May 25, 2013 at 7:04 pm
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    Happy PAID VACATION Mr. Limon! Enjoy it because those 4 board members are clueless as to what your attorney is getting ready to do to this district….. Mr. O’Hanlon would never have allowed this CIRCUS to HAPPEN!

    • This side on May 25, 2013 at 2:59 pm
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    Why did they give him an extra year last February? maybe they thought they were going to be able to “make him” do what they wanted?! Wasn’t June PRAISING him a few months ago (this past Fall)? Pfft! Bunch of self-serving punks! Grow up!

  1. Some how that Lone Star Card money spent in the community ends up in everybody’s pockets or paychecks in SB. It keeps going round and round . You can not change the constitution of the county and you will never have another country like ours. It’s lot worse in other countries were people are starving and have nothing. All their money is in the pockets of the rich The nature of the situations maybe be to complicated to understand such as the air we breath it’s just there and it benefits everybody we ned it in order to survive. Food is a necessity so is money. As far as the school systems in the country they could use a little imagination and restructuring . Imagination is what discovered he America’s and modern science is only limited to one’s imagination. Poor countries like Latin America , India, even the eastern countries have produced more educated people who come to the U.S to work at high level jobs. Leave it to the locals to waste precious time on school boards by in fighting and never focusing on better newer and innovative education systems for their children. Higher level of Math subjects early in elementary levels. All the schools boards are to focused on how to ing money not on the children’s education. a=x2-x1

      • Filli on May 25, 2013 at 3:31 pm
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      well said Mr. Johnson!

    • God Fearer on May 25, 2013 at 10:44 am
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    What has occurred in this situation, is morally reprehensible. This “Fab Four,” has created an unnecessary chaos and lack of respect for district. The excuse provided for this suspension is a proverbial grasping at straws. Mr. Limon is not responsible for the inexcusable choices made by other employees, when that was not on the job site. Yes, that person has no business around our children, most certainly. But this event does not create a grounds for the treatment of Mr. Limon. We need to to show appreciation to the instigator of this fiasco, Mr.. Chuy Aguilera, by choosing to take our business to others in the community who seem to be less combative to the good of our district.

      • Reform San Benito on May 25, 2013 at 11:42 am
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      Well said! Take our busines to anyone not name Chuy Aguilera or Chuy’s Custom Sports.

      What I’m curious about, since the time the board stripped Limon of his purchassing power and assumed that responsibility, has there been discussion and action, or purchases or payments authorized by the board to Chuy’s Custom Sports that June Aguilera did not recuse herself? If so, we can file ethical and criminal charges against her.

      If anyone has any information on this, please contact me at reformingsanbenito@gmail.com

      • Filli on May 25, 2013 at 3:12 pm
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      @God Fearer… the school district lost respect a long time ago because of Limon… And it’s not whether he was at that location, it’s about obstructing an investigation. And it’s not the first time he has obstructed an investigation, even if it wasn’t a criminal one, he still lied about the event(s). I have to say that you all seriously do not know the true actions of Limon or you’re his ally for one reason or another that has nothing to do with the betterment of the school district or the education of the students.

      @Reform San Benito, there is another school board member that for years has done business directly with the school, will you be filing ethical and/or criminal charges against him? Don’t get me wrong, he is a nice man but why is it okay for him to do it? If there is a conflict of interest concerning school board members for services provided to the school district then that service provider should not be up for consideration. If you are serious about reforming San Benito then do it objectively and across the board.

        • Reform San Benito on May 26, 2013 at 8:52 am
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        Filli, no, I will not be filing a complaint against the other board member. As far as I see, he has conducted himself with class and dignity and professionalism. If he has created or acted in conflict, feel free to make a complaint against him.

        Aguilera, on the other hand, has conspired with three others on the board and her father to create a hostile environment, not only for Limon, but the entire district. They started a campaign to harass and undermine Limon immediately following the May 2012 election, when they reached a majority, and kept at it until their harassment culminated in his inappropriate and ill-timed suspension this week. Ill-timed for the students and district; premeditatedly timed by them. They have shamelessly publicly bullied Limon almost every month and seemingly every meeting. They even went out of their way to call special meetings to harass him. Their conduct has been unprofessional, juvenile and ‘high schoolish.’ They are a life-imitating-art example of the movie Mean Girls.

        Yes, I know Julian Huerta is one of the four. Congratulations, Julian! For meekly following the other three and never once manning up to voice your own opinion, you are one of the Mean Girls!

          • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 1:49 pm
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          He still has a conflict of interest regardless of his demeanor. So, you’re trying to reform San Benito by picking and choosing who you like not who does wrong, I see.

          And if they were scrutinizing Limon, it was because of all the wrong doing he has done. That’s so funny that you all claim harassment when Limon is the expert in harassment and intimidation.

          I think you are being immature and childish. If you truly want to reform San Benito, then do it the right way. And the suspension was not ill-timed, they had a deadline. How come when Limon was trying to bully them into giving him the severance package (the money he wanted) it was okay, he was willing to walk away quietly, but since it didn’t work out the way he wanted it, now he is crying about it.

    • hounds83 on May 25, 2013 at 9:44 am
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    James Dillon what you state is absolutely correct ! Some of these “parents” need to step up to the plate already.

    For everyone concerned about the district’s academic progress
    holding Mr. Limon, SBCISD administrators and teachers the ONLY ones responsible is not fair.
    Parents and students LACK of effort and participation is also a big factor in this.

    The education of a child is a combined effort of parents and educators.

      • Filli on May 25, 2013 at 2:51 pm
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      Yes parents need to step up to the plate, but I know that at least in one school teachers were told not to contact parents because the principal was afraid of lawsuits…. they only really talk to parents of students that are not labeled trouble-makers, but if there is a student that is having problems then it should be addressed. We never know why he/she is acting out that way, and if the parents don’t want to help with the behavioral issues or even just turning in homework, then by all means call CPS. Its child neglect. And that is why I feel so strongly about having clinical counselors in secondary schools, kids are having a hard time adjusting to all the changes that come with hormonal changes and growing up, living in poverty, abusive homes, and have no one to turn to. Help them now to give them a chance to succeed.

      And if teachers start off with…” I need your help” when speaking to parents, it makes all the difference in the world. Addressing negative behaviors in a positive way is how it needs to be done, instead of how some administrators tell teachers not to talk about negative things to the parents. That defeats the whole purpose. Teachers need training on how to speak to parents and certainly not from certain deans because they have no idea what they are doing. I’m sure Region One would be more than happy to assist.

    • DelaSera on May 25, 2013 at 12:33 am
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    And why is wasting a salary for an interim a good thing? No fact to support your claims just like the libelous 4,

      • Filli on May 25, 2013 at 3:23 pm
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      It’s not wasting, it’s investing in students’ education. You must be one of his supporters. To be libel, one has to make a false statement, I’m saying it the way it is, unfortunately, some people don’t like the truth.

        • Coincidence on May 29, 2013 at 9:14 am
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        @Filli

        To put it bluntly, it was reported that Mr. Limon’s performance was rated as “Meeting Expectations” or something to that affect. So either, they lied about his performance or they’re lying about why he was suspended. Either case, they are lying and I believe that lying is making a false statement which means they are libel or libelous. And to quote a favorite movie of mine, “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!”

    • Citizen Maria on May 24, 2013 at 9:18 pm
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    The 4 are costing the district money! Instead of simply allowing Limon to finish his contract they decided to waste district funds with lawsuit and paying for a new sup. Meanwhile the students don’t have the basics. Need a judge to step in before they run this district to the ground.

      • Filli on May 25, 2013 at 2:37 pm
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      Students do not have the resources in the classrooms because of the decisions Limon has made… he was in charge of purchasing until recently. Remember in December, he said there was $16.9 million dollars in savings and qualified employees received $1.5 million dollar during that time as a bonus.” Yet students went without needed resources. OK, well our students could have had all the resources they needed if Limon would have put Students First!

        • Angry on May 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm
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        You keep referring to resources for students, but how is paying two superintendent salaries and possibly having to pay out a lawsuit once Limon files one putting resources in students hands.

          • Filli on May 28, 2013 at 1:41 pm
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          Do you really think he has grounds for a lawsuit? Seriously. After all he is done, I’m sure there are witnesses that will testify against him in court.

    • Filli on May 24, 2013 at 6:59 pm
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    @ 2Cents, as for counselors, I firmly believe that school counselors should provide academic counseling, i.e. testing, schedules, transfers, etc. for students and a licensed clinical counselor specifically for students to help students with coping skills and address their emotional and mental developmental needs. Of course, with parental permission when required. It would help address their needs, especially those that are struggling with everyday growing up issues or if they need a referral to the Special Education Department. This would allow a professional to make the recommendation and ensure the paperwork is completed so students’ needs are met. It is worth the monetary investment in hiring a professional to be available full-time for all students at a counseling center located at each secondary school. The school has the resources and can apply for grants to cover these much needed professionals. Streamlining the district’s departments instead of each one functioning as stand alone department is also needed to ensure smooth flowing operation of the district…. Students First!

    • Filli on May 24, 2013 at 5:49 pm
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    ahhh twocentsworth, yes, you put the ‘pro’ in ‘propaganda”…. unfortunately you fail to be a service to our community. You see, Limon was responsible for hiring and firing so he is the one responsible for keeping those administrators and teachers who contribute to the decline of the school district. And who you think might be bad might just be the ones trying to make it better. As for specificity, I have plenty knowledge of many instances and situations where he has failed to be a true leader. As for teachers who have students with low achievement rates, they are not completely at fault because it stems from the leadership that Limon has provided. After all, when is it okay to have teachers that are not certified in the area they are teaching to continue teaching that discipline or allow a consultant to be hired with no true knowledge of the subject matter they would be overseeing as a dean. And when actions affecting the students, i.e. drug use and failure to follow zero tolerance, were brought to his attention, he readily dismissed them without deeming the effect it would have on those students, fellow students, and the school environment. A true leader would do what was best for the students not his ‘compardes’ or his ‘compadres’ friends or favorites. I think you have over the years done more than your share of trying to fill our community with biased ideas of how our school district should be. And obviously by your “name” that’s all they are worth. P.S. You’re so funny, ‘talk to the hand’ like if you were ten years old.

    • Jose F. Rodriguez on May 24, 2013 at 5:37 pm
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    @Filli…If you read my comment correctly and lacking any bias on your part, you will see that I am not defending Mr. Limon. Mr. Limon can defend himself.
    I am critical of the board members who have made a mockery of the school board. It all began with the insurance debacle where action was taken without School Board approval via a board vote. Illegal unilateral action by one board member creates a mockery of the entire School Board.
    If the school board perceives that the superintendent lacks the leadership qualities required to catalyze or inspire an atmosphere conducive to learning and the advancement of the students, then, by all means, suspend and get rid of him or her for that reason.
    You may be correct stating that I am ignorant of the true school system Mr. Limon has created.
    However, my criticism is not with the “school system” but the “process or actions” taken by the four members of the School Board to remove Mr. Limon.
    I also have no ties to the school board. Your statement that it’s about time they (the school board) did something positive….. leads me to believe that you are not in agreement with prior actions by the school board. Your complaint is with Mr. Limon.
    IMHO, this suspension will lead to a lawsuit that will benefit nobody except the attorneys. The big losers will be the school children and the taxpayers.

    Good Luck to the Lady Hounds!!!!

    • TwoCentsWorth on May 24, 2013 at 4:48 pm
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    So what does “cleaning house” encompass . . . out with the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, remove the school instructional leaders (principals), replace all teachers whose students’ achievements are low . . . fire the counselors for not “counseling” underachieving students? While a superintendent is ultimately responsible for the level of student achievement, principals and teachers are the “rubber that hits the road.” I’m afraid your generalizations of the school system and Mr. Limon’s performance are simply that –generalizations. If we are to believe your claims, specificity is what is needed. Otherwise, “talk to my hand.”

    • Agreed on May 24, 2013 at 4:25 pm
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    This is how the cookie will crumble for Mr. Limon. This “ridiculous” investigation as he called it may just be the tip of the ice berg for the reasoning behind his suspension. Had Mr. Limon taken his head out of the clouds surrounding his daughter’s severely high pedestal he may have just seen this coming. Granted I know little of his daughter or personal life for that matter, but after seeing all the attention he has given her in the media coverage concerning HIS job the feeling I have toward him may have swayed toward the sympathy he was clearly begging for in his recent interviews. As an educator he has the duty to hand every graduating student from SBHS their diploma not only his daughter, aren’t they his “kids” too? His lack of leadership shined in putting the focus on his daughter, rather than the fact of maybe just maybe he has board members who can see right through him and have seen this district fall too far for too long. Investigations concerning employment don’t just spawn in mid air in all honesty Mr. Limon had one job, to lead, and obviously he didn’t live up to the standards of the majority of the board members. The voters gave positions to those board members who were willing to shed some light on situations that in the past may have just been swept under the rug and not looked at. You have to ask one question how did no one else see this coming you hear about this story one day and it’s gone the next? Yes situations pertaining to criminal mischief are left to the proper authorities, but if one has an obligation to proceed in a manner of a leader shouldn’t that said individual exhaust ALL actions before coming to the conclusion of completion? I mean come on, as students in what ever the case we are all taught to cross all our t’s and dot every last I, then double and triple check our work before saying we are done and not to assume that’s it. Ridiculous as it may sound, if Mr. Limon had indeed completed his part with this teacher’s investigation why on earth would he in turn be the butt of an investigation. “Personal vendetta”, blah blah blah. “those 4 board members have had it out for him”, crap. “Yliana Rodriguez is the orchestrator of her three puppets” dumb. I mean that last thing may be right in the sense of puppets but I don’t quite see Rodriguez as the orchestrator. Seriously the Huertas are clearly followers and easily influenced by their family members, just as Ms. Aguilera is constantly accused of being influenced by her father, DUH!!! Smart man he is to have his daughter on the board and have an easy in for business, but to say Rodriguez is the one calling the shots over them, no. She is the only one I could possibly give credit to, be it that she is an educator for another school district, what people fail to see is that she was once a teacher for SB under Mr. Limon. She understands what this district is capable of WITH the proper leadership. I’m sorry for Mr. Limon and what he will have to deal with in the coming days, weeks, and months but come on man, your school district is failing and burning to the ground and instead of being concerned about the students education and making the district better all your worry went to the fact of not being able to give your daughter her diploma. What a class act educator.

      • Filli on May 25, 2013 at 3:33 pm
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      agreed, Agreed.

      • Coincidence on May 29, 2013 at 8:55 am
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      @Agreed

      Ahhhh, so that’s it. Quote – “what people fail to see is that she was once a teacher for SB under Mr. Limon”. So she probably didn’t get her way under Limon so now that she is above him and she gets rid of him. Thanks for that insight Agreed or maybe A greed.

    • Filli on May 24, 2013 at 3:45 pm
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    @Rodriguez…obviously you are very biased and ignorant of the true school system Limon has created. His mockery of our children’s education for his self serving reasons is unacceptable but he always had the old school board oblivious to his true dealings.. He bolstered his ego at the expense of the academic progress of all students. I have no ties to the school board but it’s about time they did something positive to ensure the school district has a chance at changing what hasn’t worked under his leadership. Shame on Limon for his continued arrogance.

    • Filli on May 24, 2013 at 3:11 pm
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    What he should have been suspended for is his sorry excuse leadership that has contributed to the low academic status of our school district. Whether you all like the school board or not is neither here nor there. Cleaning house is what needs to be done to provide our children with stronger academic backgrounds to succeed in life. Shame on all of you who condone the way the past school board and Limon ignored our children and lack of building a strong foundation for our children’s lives and our community.

      • Coincidence on May 29, 2013 at 8:58 am
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      @Filli

      Yes, cleaning house is what needs to be done, but, there is a right way and a wrong way of doing it. This is the wrong way.

  2. Basically, these is a classic example of a “power grab” by the cabal of four board members!

    Regarding a “recall”, unfortunately school board members in the state of Texas cannot be recalled. According to the Texas Constitution, school board members can only be removed by a District Judge. I believe there is action pending for an amendment to the state constitution to allow voters to recall school board members.

    San Benito voters are stuck with this silliness until the next election and be prepared for a defamation lawsuit by Mr. Limon against the school board.

    San Benito is a good city with potential for growth if the voters vote for “qualified people” and not for friends, or friends of friends, or candidates with the most or largest political signs.

    Voter apathy is rampant in San Benito. Voters need to wake up and take their city back at the School Board and City Hall!

    If you are not registered to vote, go register!

    If you are registered, VOTE!!!

    “When you vote SILLY, you get SILLINESS”

      • one of "none of these people" on May 25, 2013 at 12:06 am
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      Agreed JFR. It is outrageous that our school district is lead by a group of members who are under-educated, inexperienced and politically motivated. I sense a few of them mean well, but it seems “the puppets” lack the analytic skills to identify the coup d’état that has occurred, I would hope they are not so easily corrupted, but simply inexperienced–I’ll try and refrain from the use of the word stupid–oh. sorry!. At least Ana Cruz, who initially seemed to be with the “queen and puppet crew” had the sense of see the manipulation and chose to follow good sense–THANK YOU Ana. I predict complete turnover in the next election–hopefully thoughtful humans will prevail over puppets.

        • Jason Garza on May 25, 2013 at 3:03 pm
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        You can petition to revoke/ suspend a teacher or adminstrator’s certificate to TEA or SBEC. Gonzales and Huerta are prime candidates for this.

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