HOT TOPICS: Trustees butt heads over attorney fees, tablets

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Anna Cruz

Anna Cruz

June Aguilera

June Aguilera

Things got a little heated between two members of the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees during a Finance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday evening.

The heated exchange occurred between Board Member Anna Cruz and Board Secretary June Aguilera during a review and discussion regarding the SBCISD Special Education attorney’s fees.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/07/05/hot-topics-trustees-butt-heads-over-attorney-fees-tablets/

26 comments

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    • huevos rancheros on July 11, 2013 at 8:16 pm
    • Reply

    jade robertson

    so you clearly dont support the minority 3 of the school board. no problem. but what about the wrong doings of the majority 4? do you just focus on those you don’t favor and ignore those you do favor? a wrong is a wrong no matter how heavy or how wrong. ???

    • SMART Cookie on July 11, 2013 at 4:06 pm
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    What in the world is the iterim supt trying to say at the school board meeting? There will be money put in FUND BALANCE (in August)? Who does he think he is kidding…. listen carefully to the show and you will hear him say that expenditures are inline from last August. No they are not!!! Paying him and Mr. Limon the same salary is beyond comprehension. Only in this town, would people think it is ok to pay two people $13,500 a month each. One staying home on Paid VAcation and one listening to the board president tell him what to do. What a shame! I read on another newspaper site that they want Mr. Limon to go to a mediation. And who do you think is going to pay the $1,000 bid or more???? We the taxpayers. MAY 2014 please get here quick… by the time August comes around none of the district employees are going to get a raise…. They money is going down the drain.

    By the way, the business manager is a CPA. If you listen to the video, the interim supt. sure wanted her to say more than she did. She is one smart lady!

  1. We need a no huddle offense and get coach Jim Helms to become offensive coordinator.

    • WeThePeople on July 10, 2013 at 4:44 pm
    • Reply

    Maybe the whole gang will now bid on the contract of the district’s health clinic administrator since they gave them the boot ?? Stranger than fiction…the more things change, the more they really remain the same.

    • Leo Rodriguez on July 10, 2013 at 3:35 pm
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    I would be willing to bet that Chuey Aguilera is not making much money on this bid. So why do it you ask? Well,with these folks it’s all about making statements and getting your name in the arena, whether it’s before the board, or in the media. They perceive this as a power game, and it’s all about “let’s show them”, and has nothing to do with saving the District some money.

    And Jade, I mean June, needed advise from attorney as to whether she should recuse herself from voting on the tablet bidding process? To anyone else this would have been a no brainier, you do what is morally correct. But wait, you need to have morals for this to enter into the equation, right?

      • WeThePeople on July 10, 2013 at 9:46 pm
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      They have the moral compass of a pit viper. Compadrismo is alive and well in San Burrito!

    • School Employee on July 10, 2013 at 10:23 am
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    Hi Veronica, if I am not mistaken the school should have informed you of the mode of dress before the end of the year. I would call central office and kindly ask if that school was going to participate or not. I hope that helps. If not I would email the school principal and I am sure he/she would be more than happy to reply. I hope that helps. Each elementary had the choice to ask parents if they supported it or not. Thanks!

    • veronica on July 9, 2013 at 11:41 pm
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    instead of being worried about tablets me as a parent am worried if the rumors being said about dress code. school is about to start and I want to start buying their clothes so can someone get on that topic and make a priority please

    • SBEducator on July 9, 2013 at 9:58 pm
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    I was recently informed that the positions of the instructional specialists at the elementary level were closed. Does anyone have any information on this?

  2. MyTab tablets are OK but you get what you pay for !!!!

    I believe they are from Australia and not used very much in the USA; try finding one on EBAY or AMAZON!

    They have no resale value and try getting warranty work on them in the states.

    In about 6 to 12 months they will become paper weights worth nada, zilch, etc. So basically, your $98,000 investment becomes a worthless investment.

    The worst part of them, they each take “four hours to fully recharge!”

    They also react to resistive touch, meaning they are frustratingly slow to respond.

    Don’t even try viewing videos on them unless they are slow-motion videos.

    If the school board wants to invest wisely, invest in tablets that will have good resale value that when the time comes to upgrade, the return-on-investment will be something instead of zero, zilch, nada.

    IMHO, not a good investment no matter who the seller is!

      • WeThePeople on July 10, 2013 at 9:57 pm
      • Reply

      Mr. Rodriguez:
      Surprise! Sorry to disappoint , but anyone can buy them online for $25.75, (+ free shipping from Hong Kong), all day long! OR $24.46 each (10 or more). See link below. They are really just more Chinese junk.

      http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Digitizer-Touch-Screen-Glass-FOR-ZTE-V9-V9E-T9-Optus-MyTab-Tablet-PC-FREE-tools/796122452.html

      Next thing you know, they will start a loan sharking operation!

        • Jose F. Rodriguez on July 11, 2013 at 12:24 am
        • Reply

        @WTP , Sorry to disappoint you too paisan. Visit the link again.

        $25.75 is just for the “Digitizer Touch Screen Glass”, not for a complete MyTab tablet..

        That is 1/4 of the cost of a complete MyTab tablet.

        I understand the school board means well by trying to save the school district money but in this case, they may have saved about $40,000 by going with the lowest bidder but IMHO, they will lose the district money in the long run!

        Again, that is just my opinion!

          • WeThePeople on July 11, 2013 at 9:09 am
          • Reply

          Sorry, JR. My bad, but it’s STILL Chinese junk! Chuy’s T-Shirt Emporium and Computer Company still managed to wrangle the bid, by hook or crook. I can’t wait to see what they bid on next! Floor wax? School supplies?

            • Jose F. Rodriguez on July 11, 2013 at 11:29 am
            • Reply

            I can’t argue with that.

            Having worked in procurement I know that the low bid does not necessarily equate to the best bid. It is low for a reason! It is a case of “Pay me Now or Pay me Later”!

    • Rachel Santana on July 9, 2013 at 2:08 pm
    • Reply

    Folks, enough is enough! I disagree with the decisions and actions school board members are making. Technology today keeps progressing constantly so it is important quality computers are purchased for ALL our students who deserve them regardless if they are special ED or not. Remember the saying ” you get what you paid for!”

    Another thing, Why are we spending money on 2 superintendents? I keep hearing we don’t have money? What’s wrong with this picture?

    Another thing….does the school board know the medical clinic helps the school employees? School Board members, remember the SBISD employees salary is not the best. It is more expensive to go to a secular physician. Do you know how much a doctor’s visit cost?

    As a school taxes paying citizen since 1970, I need to ask, ” with child like behavior displayed by our school board members, what kind of leadership ROLE models is being displayed to our future leaders?

    I have been observing Mr. Oscar Medrano and Ms Anna Cruz and they have been standing on my belief…. doing what’s right for our school district and students. I want to thank Mr. Medrano and Ms Cruz and encourage them to continue doing what they are doing! You have my support!

    Folks, be ready when Election time comes and as a responsible citizen, go VOTE!

    I know there will be some negative comments to this reply which will not change my thoughts and belief except, people are watching, listening and making decisions to be ready when election time is here!

    Thank you,
    Another Old-timer

    • Think About It on July 8, 2013 at 5:44 pm
    • Reply

    Call them, no, call them instead. What the heck is wrong with you? Attend the board meetings, make your voice heard.

    • richard on July 8, 2013 at 4:28 pm
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    June should recuse herself from any discussion or vote on this matter. Pappi Chuy also needs to stop visiting duistgrict employees during working hours as a sudo board member. Pappi has a need to feel important and smarter people play him like a fiddle. I such say most people play him….he does control the four ….ro the tune of 98K…..

    • Hilda R. on July 6, 2013 at 5:07 pm
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    jade, you came back….. yes meetings are taped recorded and the truth shall be free….

    • Raul P. on July 6, 2013 at 5:06 pm
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    So… the father of this board member is going to get approval to sell tablets to the special education department… Is he a member of a purchasing cooperative?

    • ART on July 6, 2013 at 4:55 pm
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    Oh, Jade, you silly gal!! hahaha!!
    How about I just contact the FBI and TEA so that they can come and take care of the mess in this district!
    Instead of arguing with you and attempting to educate you a little, I’ll just skip all that and have the Feds settle this!!

    YOU know very well who the corrupt, scumbags are in all of this, so, please Jade! Don’t try!

    As a law enforcement officer I can clearly see where this is all headed!!

    • Marcus Aurelius on July 6, 2013 at 11:34 am
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    “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”- Marcus Aurelius

      • Albert Einstein on July 7, 2013 at 11:11 pm
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      Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.

    • Reform San Benito on July 6, 2013 at 9:04 am
    • Reply

    “butt heads.” Yep, that about sums it up.

    • jade robertson on July 6, 2013 at 3:04 am
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    To Mr. Oldtimer, you also forgot to mention to the following FACTS to the viewers:
    1) During the Friday, June 21, 2013 Regular Board Meeting, Anna Lucio Cruz stated and admitted to the School Attorney, she had seek OTHER LEGAL COUNSEL for advise in regard to the Negotiation of the Sp Ed Attorney Contract (Agenda Item #1306A-6) . The fact that she admitted and Divulged any District Information to another attorney besides the School Attorney is a SERIOUS VIOLATION by the attorney in question, and is such a serious matter that is required to be reported to the Texas State Bar

    2) Anna Lucio Cruz and law attorney, Eddie Lucio are cousins (*Armando Villalobos former law partner)

    3) Last year, Anna Lucio Cruz and 2 other Board Members wanted to approve increasing Property Taxes
    while 4 Board Members were AGAINST IT
    (*All meetings are tape recorded, just request to listen to those tapes under open records for confirmation)

    4) Last year, Anna Lucio Cruz and 2 other Board Members wanted to approve the Resolution Incentives of $1,000 for Professionals and $750 for Hourly while 4 Board Members recommended $1,000 across the board
    (*All meetings are tape recorded, just request to listen to those tapes under open records)

    5) Anna Lucio Cruz has strongly opposed the new school insurance PLAN of $25.00 for school employees
    (*Again, All meetings are tape recorded, just request to listen to those tapes under the open records)

    In view of all this information, we must keep a sense of perspective about the standpoint of Anna Lucio Cruz

      • Reform San Benito on July 12, 2013 at 11:58 am
      • Reply

      1) Each and every trustee is entitled to their own attorney as individuals; nothing unethical or illegal about it. If the attorney advised her as an individual and not other board members, then there was nothing unethical in his/her conduct. Let us know how you make out with the state bar on this matter.

      2) So what if they’re cousins? Does SB City Commissioner Gonzales have to resign because his son was arrested? Does that make him less capable and trustworthy? If everyone would be excluded from public office because of a relative’s arrest, we’d have no public officials. Lame attempt at trying to smear Ms. Cruz.

      3) “Anna Lucio Cruz and 2 other Board Members” look pretty damn smart right now, wanting to generate additional revenue for the district to make up for all the money the Incompetent Four are wasting on a needless superintendent to carry out their vendetta and corrupt scheme.

      4) “Anna Lucio Cruz and 2 other Board Members” look pretty damn smart right now, wanting to generate additional revenue for the district to make up for the money the Incompetent Four gave across the board. Not that everyone wasn’t deserving, but someone needs to show fiscal restraint and responsible management — we know we can’t count on the Incompetent Four to provide it.

      5) Anna Lucio Cruz and 2 other Board Members, I believe it is safe to say, do not begrudge employees affordable health insurance. They were right in voting against the insurance providers who seemingly wiggled their way into the district under suspect circumstances. If ever there was grounds for an investigation, the insurance debacle should have been investigated. But, the corrupt Incompetent Four wouldn’t allow it, so they turned their venom on Mr. Limon.

      Yes, “In view of all this information, we must keep a sense of perspective about the standpoint of Anna Lucio Cruz!!!”

    • Oldtimer on July 5, 2013 at 9:21 pm
    • Reply

    So, have you heard the latest money-making scheme the board approved? Chuy Aguilera was awarded a $98,000 bid on android computers for the special Ed students! Question #1. When did Chuy Aguilera become a technology vendor? #2. What does Chuy Aguilera know about computers? #3. Yes he had the lowest bid, but was the board told that the computers Chuy sold were the most inferior ones produced therefore causing the bids to not be equal and that is why his cost so much less? #4 is it just me or does anyone else connect the fact that the husband of the special Ed director is the purchasing agent who sets the bids, receives the bids, recommends the vendors to the board? #5 Just recently, wasn’t Chuy Aguilar seen with the air cond man over at the old high school looking thru the facilities for a suitable location to relocate the special Ed dept? Who hired him to work in this district?

    By the way, while the purchasing agent husband of the special ed director may say that it makes sense to buy inferior computers for special Ed students, I bet the parents of those kids would be insulted. Shall we also sit them in dilapidated desks, give them left over books and have them stand at the end of the line for lunch? And do the other vendors know that they bid on first and second quality computers while Chuy bid on third or bottom of the barrel computers, thus assuring that he submitted the lowest bid? Unfair bidding or shall we call it what it is… Bid rigging!

    The district personnel were told that purchasing better quality computers would mean that they would last longer, but hey, that isn’t what they want. You see, if Chuys inferior computers get destroyed in one year, it’s better, because then he can sell another $98,000 again next year!!! What business will Chuy go into next? Maybe he’ll corner the market on senior rings and invitations? Or maybe he’ll start selling food to Food Services or gasoline for the Transportation dept?

    Will someone please call the FBI? The last time I went to see them, nothing was done, but of course, Armando was the DA at that time.

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