By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
At a special board meeting of the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District on Tuesday, July 8, two consulting firms were enlisted to make presentations to the board regarding how each firm will service the district in its quest to hire a new superintendent.
The Board was expected to select one firm to conduct the search. Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón said on Monday that cost was at least a small part in the Board’s selection of finalists. After a formal request for proposals was made by the district, five proposals were received. “The board selected two of the five, and both of these firms bid $12,000,” Limón said. “The others were (in the ballpark of) $25,000.”
One firm, Austin-based Waterford and Associates, has expressed that, if hired, they will find the new superintendent no later than December. The second firm, George McShan of Harlingen, would comparatively select the new superintendent by Oct. 1.
On the reason for enlisting (and paying for) a consulting firm to select a superintendent, rather than hiring directly, Limón said, “A consulting firm narrows down candidates and makes sure the person they recommend to the board is highest of quality.”
The firm hired by the SBCISD Board of Trustees will select top candidates for the job, but the final hiring selection will be the sole decision of the Board. “Once a finalist has been selected, that person waits 21 days for the contract to become valid,” said Limón.
The consulting firm will be seeking “a dynamic leader that will take the district to the next level,” said Limón. The superintendent expanded, “When you search for a superintendent, you search for someone who can take your district to the next level of achievement. Basically, you’re looking for a person to come in and motivate everybody to achieve at the highest level.”
Regarding the potential salary of the new superintendent, Limón said, “Everything is between the individual and Board—negotiations of terms and money.” Many superintendent contracts last three years, and salary is typically dependent upon experience and the candidate’s highest level of schooling attained.
13 comments
Skip to comment form
The school board drama amongst members will start here quickly because the honeymoon stage is almost over. There’s way to many obvious favors being done and corruption being covered up. If you don’t believe me just ask your friends or family members that work in the maintenance or transportation departments.. There’s two board members that have really close ties to those departments- Padilla and Medrano.. There’s a reason why they wanted reassigned chief of Police back Rola to cover up all the theft going on at the cost of the tax payers. Once again great job coalition ( biggest joke in the valley).. I agree more now than ever we must fight to bring in TEA or FBI to clean house..finally bloggers( community ) are opening their eyes to the biggest mistake by voting ignorant.. I respect people who stand for themselves and not puppets like the board members making the lousy decisions now…. Let’s bring awareness together people, show and blog your dissatisfaction …
That’s too funny!
@ piss poor
I totally agree with your blog and the word on the street is people are beginning to see what a joke these new board members are. Listen Joe D got run out of town here and Donna we can do it again. Why are these folks so eager for power? So, now since Joe D got the power back it’s payback time against tomberlinson people; example, hiring Lorenzo to do Emma McAlls job. Waiting to bring back his friend that he brought to San Benito ” Bob Trevino”. What’s next people, I’ll tell you get the FEDS involved and trust these people – Chon, Ronnie,Joe D, Anna Cruz,Arnold, Hector and Oscar will run and hide. The word is out folks Our school district is under watch by the FEDS, awesome.. So let’s seat back and see who actually are the crooks and you will see!!!! Good day
@Elizabeth
We wanted new board and we got new board plus a lot more crap. Enough with the Yliana girl, now you have a new board so what’s your excuse.. Let me guess blame Yiliana again!!! The bottom line is she fought for what she thought was right and we respect her for that. Now you have new board members hiring consultants after consultants so if that’s their agenda get reed of all the administrators and stick with consultants. Arnold and Mendez along with Anna and Oscar plus Leal are just a total joke.. These board members spoke against the other majority and these guys are much worse.. Total Hippocrates and everyone is starting to realize their crap.. All the other bloggers are correct our district stinks and no good progress with these idiots!!
Medrano sold his soul to the Devil. That being Joe D. and the rest of the compadres Chon, Ronnie, & Lorenzo. Now, the poor guy has to agree with and do exactly what these bullies say. First thing’s first. Let’s get Lorenzo back. Back in the days of their destruction he helped Joe D. create senseless jobs for his cronies, pay outside companies to do jobs that were not needed and make overpriced purchases on various projects. Next up! Another puppet……drum roll please…. Villarreal! Remember that name folks! They wanted Yliana’s people out so badly, they got what they wanted & We are back at square one.
BOTTOM LINE! Yliana hates the fact she’s not in control anymore. Too funny!!! I think people need to bite there tongues when it comes to giving raises to people. Wait!! wasn’t Mary dearest given a raise too. Isn’t she related to some of the board members!! What’s the point!!
Ok let me get this straight on the hiring of a financial consultant. His getting paid $750 per day. Let’s go back a few months ago when we paid an intrm super $750 per day and we were upset and now this guy comes in at the same rate! That’s a joke when we already have a business manager who the board realize on for critical information. So what the point of Lorenzo Sanchez getting hired, so he can get back the political contributions he gave this past election. He just got canned in Raymondville so the coalition feels they need to hire him on our dime. If the board needs additional financial education it should come out of their pockets. Our district is headed south and with vindictive people behind this whole mess were in trouble…
How many more consultants do we need to hire to educate our coalition. We tax payers and employees of the district are disgusted how easily these board are welling to spend tax dollars. I have to say, this coalition( Arnold, Medrano, Anna, Hector) is turning out to be the biggest joke ever. So much was said about the previous board but these new board takes the cake bad. The corruption and political favors are becoming the norm with this board. Example, Anna pushing for the $600k Univ. of Houston program that would require an additional 13 teachers( please, we haven’t gotten a raise in years but Anna wants to help out her friends on our dime) we don’t need. Hiring of Lorenzo Sanchez ( previous business manger) who was fired by Hector and Oscar years ago but is really close friend of Anna Cruz. It’s appears Anna Cruz loves to spend our money and she’s not done because ignorant Arnold aka puppet will follow her lead at all cost. Lorenzo will be a financial consultant but we already have a financial person in our district and now we have two.. Surprised hell no we’re the laughing stock of the valley.. Than you have Medrano who has giving his best friend a new position with a raise people. Seriously we’re the educators with an education and you have Medrano given his friends raises and protecting employees when caught stealing! Our district is in huge trouble and I hope TEA, FBI come rescue our school district from the invasion of crooks..
I attended the finance meeting on Tuesday where the Board was presented with a proposal to work with UT of Houston. Apparently, this would require the district to hire ‘Literacy Specialists’ to teach our teachers how to teach and would come at a cost of $600,00+. Haven’t teachers already been trained to be great teachers?!?! It should also be noted that Anna Cruz has close ties with UT (even in her current employment with BISD). I also noticed that a presentation of some sort was requested but shot down by Oscar (who in his brilliant mind thinks the Board doesn’t need more information) and Anna was very eager to get this item on the agenda…..could it be another political favor or hidden agenda? These two, along with Super Arnold, are going to drive our district to broke.
The coalition agenda a full force and going. First, reinstate Mr. Limon with a 2 year contact, than Anna Cruz hires her ex boss as a consultant to select a super and now they bring in Lorenzo Sanchez to explain the insurance situation. Really, Oscar and Hector canned this guy several years ago because no one like him and now he’ll try to educated the board on insurance recommendations.. Really, the board has a hired insurance consult they can utilize and a purchasing director for advice.. Let’s not forget Bob Trevino who had our business for 12 plus years, who you can ask to advice.. It’s very apparent these bunch of clowns are allowing their supporters an opportunity to make back the money they spend on their campaign. Just out rite, ridiculous! Waste of taxpayer dollars. Why wasn’t that reported to the media? Of course because the coalition is very sly with their moves so we won’t find out till it’s to late.. As a community we are waking up to all these political favors and agenda and ultimately we as a staff, our children and community suffer… Just another coalition move.. Good job Lorenzo you got your way and now you can shine light of the board!!!! Please a joke…
Why don’t you ask Ana Cruz who the consultant hired to search for a super.. Let me help you, it’s Anna’s previous boss. You might of asked her to recommend and select a super that’s exactly what’s going to happen in this situation. This board is getting worse instead of better. Arnold aka” puppet” voted with Anna and Medrano on this poor decision. If you ask anyone who Mcshan is telling respond with fair, knowledge and very creditable with all the experience his has, but yet not good enough for our wonderful coalition. I applaud Hector, Fatima and Yiliana for staring up to these self-centered wanna be politicians we elected. Biggest mistake ever!!!!! Time to go look for another job like the other intelligent teachers did. San Benito is done.
Who is the firm for the search?
And yet the reason why they are looking for a new superintendent is not here.