DECISION TIME: Board may name lone superintendent finalist Thursday

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

San Benito Logo_w:sky

The San Benito CISD Board of Trustees may select a lone finalist for the position of superintendent of schools as early as Thursday, Oct. 30.

Three special meetings have been scheduled for 4:45 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and for 5 p.m. on Thursday. At the Monday and Tuesday meetings, the Board will meet in closed session to interview superintendent candidates as well as discuss and consider filling the position. On Thursday, also in closed session, trustees will continue interviewing one or more applicants before continuing the aforementioned discussion and consideration.

However, items C and D on Thursday’s special meeting agenda, again to be held in closed session, states that trustees will also consider naming a lone finalist for superintendent before discussing the possible delegation of authority to negotiate a contract.

The board is then expected to take action upon reconvening in open session.

SBCISD’s superintendency attracted 49 applicants for the position.

“In all likelihood, once we get through that part of the process (interviews), the board needs to get together or wait a little longer to determine who the lone finalist will be,” said trustee Yliana González.

Board President Arnold Padilla said, “There isn’t a timing issue where we say, ‘It has to be this day or have to wait.’ It all depends on how comfortable everybody else on the process and where we’re at and with the interviews we’ve done. Clearly, if all the trustees feel very comfortable with the interviews and pleased with someone, then you may be surprised to see a lone finalist named on Thursday.”

However, Padilla said a selection may be prolonged if board members express uncertainty or doubt that may require additional interviews and deliberation.

“Timeline wise, we’re pretty close to where we said we’d be,” Padilla said, “which was having someone in place in November or early December, and that’s after a 21-day waiting period that begins once a lone finalist has been selected.”

Padilla added, “We may have someone strong that stands out and who we all agree on; if not, there’s no harm and we’ll all move forward. But whatever outcome prevails, it’ll be a simple case of everyone feeling equally about it. I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak their thoughts and concerns and that every board member reaches a consensus. I’m excited for this next week and we’re happy to have this many candidates.”

Once the new superintendent begins work, Antonio G. Limón, who currently serves as superintendent, will serve the district as assistant superintendent of human resources on a two-year contractual basis. However, the superintendent has also indicated that he may retire in the near future.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/10/25/decision-time-board-may-name-lone-superintendent-finalist-thursday/

23 comments

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  1. The word out on the street regarding the super search/ interviews is very interesting but yet not surprising with this board. What a coincidence that a few names on the interview list are personnel friends of certain individuals in town. For example, the super from Raymondville happens to be very close friends with Lorenzo Sanchez( connection Ana Cruz plus her puppets). Than you have Mrs. Guerra who happens to be the previous Hidalgo County DA wife. Where did Super Arnold get hired? Rumor has it McAllen TX/ Hidalgo County, that’s why he was so quiet about where he was gonna go work.. See the connection folks, these board members are all in it for themselves and nothing more.. We can’t say we are surprised because these board members are shameless..

    • Joe F. Rodriguez on October 30, 2014 at 3:03 pm
    • Reply

    I now see why the candidates list was not released……. TEX GV. CODE ANN. § 552.126 : Texas Statutes – Section 552.126: EXCEPTION: NAME OF APPLICANT FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT provides as follows:

    “The name of an applicant for the position of superintendent of a public school district is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except that the board of trustees must give public notice of the name or names of the finalists being considered for the position at least 21 days before the date of the meeting at which a final action or vote is to be taken on the employment of the person.”

    However, I still stand with my statement that the candidate interviews should have been in an open session.

    The School Board quoting on the public meeting agenda “§551.074:Texas Statutes-Section 551.074:PERSONNEL MATTERS” as the justification for a close session of “candidate interviews” is wrong because the statute ONLY applies to “employees or public officers” and “candidates are NOT EMPLOYEES“.

    JR

  2. @ Politica
    Yes you are correct, Lorenzo Sanchez is pushing for the super from Raymondville, who happens to be a very close friend of his. There’s no surprise that’s his in the final stages of the search. Once again, compardismo to the forefront and our children and staff get shafted!!! Vote smart people- Ana Cruz must GO!!!!

      • Triple P on October 31, 2014 at 8:05 am
      • Reply

      In reference to your point “Vote smart people” – how about voting out the leftover corruption from the Yliana group as well. Fair is fair…

    • Irma on October 30, 2014 at 1:18 pm
    • Reply

    Mr. Editor – please post name as soon as possible after announcement is made. THANKS!

    • Raymond on October 29, 2014 at 9:06 pm
    • Reply

    Lorenzo Sanchez? Since when does he have a certificate to be the district top greyhound? You are off base big time.

  3. @Maria C
    You are forgetting one very important person that is being pushed around and he happens to be from Raymondville.. Am I correct? Than who’s playing the game now? Let me help you with this physics problem, that apparently you can solve.. Lorenzo Sanchez worked in Raymondville and guess who’s pushing for him, Ana Cruz, Arnold Padilla, Oscar and ” Wonderful” Angel Mendez.. So, if this is what they wanted, why pay a firm to select this guy. What a joke! So Maria, tell the whole story and don’t leave out your incompetent compadres on the board!!! What a joke!!!!

    • May 2015 on October 29, 2014 at 12:23 pm
    • Reply

    Good luck getting those names. However, I bet if you call a certain person you will know.

    • Curious on October 29, 2014 at 10:53 am
    • Reply

    Have the names of finalists interviewed yet been released?

    • Maria C. on October 28, 2014 at 9:30 pm
    • Reply

    With people on the Board with Master Degree awarded to them, how in this day and age can that man be the president?
    What a shame that those with some sense of school knowledge not step up and be president… He believes he is running the show, but it is the lady with the supt. Certificate that is running the show. They are setting the district on a road of no return.
    How did anyone from out of state, like the board president said, even think of applying for this supt job?
    Makes no sense for someone to relocate to the poorest county in the country.
    Time will tell. Just look at who they interviewed tonight

      • Another Voter on October 29, 2014 at 9:34 am
      • Reply

      How in this day and age can that man be the president?
      Answer: The same way he got elected. The ‘deal’ that was cut in secret before the elections by the so-called community leaders to support this person. Compadrismo and crooked politics.

    • Juan on October 28, 2014 at 8:05 pm
    • Reply

    All of these monkey’s belong in the zoo in Brownsville,not teaching our children.Frankly I think most of the kids have better judgement and logic than those attempting to run the operation,worst school system and bunch of “professional” educators I have ever seen,and this is our future,think about it.

  4. @ wanting positive change

    I totally agree with your opinion on this matter, and you are correct, they should have our children’s and staff best interest at stake. Unfortunately, this board has been a disappointment since being elected back in May. They have created several high paying jobs for their friends; meanwhile we have not received a raise in years. So that being said, we are extremely doubtful that this board will put aside their personal agenda and do the right thing.

      • Another Voter on October 28, 2014 at 3:28 pm
      • Reply

      The SBCISD Board Chair doesn’t have a degree. What is wrong with that picture?? DUHHHH.

        • Triple P on October 29, 2014 at 7:57 am
        • Reply

        ask the yliana group supporters. this same argument was made last year. according to them, having a degree (or not having one) was irrelevant. ???

      • Como es Juan on October 29, 2014 at 9:04 am
      • Reply

      SBCISD Employees received a raise last year which was the first time in 3 years. So technically speaking it’s been one year without a raise.

    • Letty on October 27, 2014 at 10:05 pm
    • Reply

    They already showed their true colors…. Didn’t you hear.

    • Como es Juan on October 27, 2014 at 9:08 am
    • Reply

    Just hire Mary Alice Leal already!

    • Juan on October 27, 2014 at 8:22 am
    • Reply

    You’re asking and hoping for way too much from this board,they will,if not already show their true colors,watchale.

    • Rosalinda G. Garcia on October 27, 2014 at 2:21 am
    • Reply

    To Wanting positive change: Ditto! Your comments are right on target!

    • Wanting positive change on October 26, 2014 at 3:38 pm
    • Reply

    A plea to the seven member of the SBCISD Board of Trustees:

    Please keep in mind that you were elected to your position by the citizens of San Benito with the expectation that you will make decisions that will be in the very best interest of the school children of San Benito, those employed by the San Benito CISD, and thus impact the overall San Benito community. Selecting the person who will be serving as the leader for our school district will be the most important decision that this board will make. Our school district has the potential to be among the best in the valley, but we need a strong leader to take us there. It is time for a new chapter in our district, one that I think all involved are excited to begin. Please be wise in this decision you will soon be making and select that person best suited for the position – please give us someone with a positive and proven track record of accomplishments that will strongly and positively lead us in the direction deserved to all.

      • Liz on October 27, 2014 at 5:26 pm
      • Reply

      perfectly said…..

  5. OCT 27, 2014 AGENDA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE SAN BENITO CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    OCT 28, 2014 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE SAN BENITO CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    OCT 30, 2014 AGENDA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE SAN BENITO CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    II. Closed Meeting – Discussion under the Authority of the Texas Government Code:

    a. Interview Candidates(s) for the Superintendent of Schools Position.
    b. Discussion and Consideration of Candidates(s) for the Position of Superintendent.
    c. Discussion and Consideration of Candidates(s) for the Position of Superintendent and Possible Appointment/Naming of Lone Finalist for the Position of Superintendent.

    d. Discussion and Consideration of Possible Delegation of Authority to Negotiate Superintendent Contract.
    =============================================================================================

    After a quick perusal of the above School Board Agendas, I noticed that the “candidate interviews” are being conducted in Executive or Closed Session with “§551.074:Texas Statutes-Section 551.074:PERSONNEL MATTERS” as the justification..

    I am not an attorney but per the Texas Open Meetings Act
    TEX GV. CODE ANN. § 551.074:Texas Statutes-Section 551.074:PERSONNEL MATTERS; CLOSED MEETINGAUTHORIZES “closed meetings” ONLY with “officers and employees of a local entity (i.e. School Board of Trustees)”….

    IMHO, Agenda Item a. Interview Candidates(s) for the Superintendent of Schools Position should be conducted in “Open Session” BECAUSE “candidates for employment” are “not employees” and are NOT COVERED by the statute 551.074.

    Bottom line, the “actual candidate interviews” should be conducted in “Open Session”; the “Agenda Items b., c., and d., Discussion and Consideration of…. can be held in “Closed Session”

    In regards to the “Candidate List”, it should be available to the public per Sec.552.021. AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION.

    The only exception to Sec. 552.021 is Section 552.123: EXCEPTION: NAME OF APPLICANT FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

    Again, I am not an attorney and this is just my own personal opinion and in the spirit of “Transparency in Government” and to abide by the Texas Open Meetings Act (page 45), the candidate interviews for the Superintendent of Schools position should be open to the public.

    Joe F. Rodriguez
    RESACACITY

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