By PETE BANDA
STAFF WRITER
REPORTER@SBNEWSPAPER.COM
Almost one year to the day of the unanimous hiring of former Superintendent Dr. Marc A. Puig, and less than three full months since the appointment of Dr. Filomena Vela as Interim Superintendent of Schools, the San Benito school board has chosen its lone finalist for the full-time position of Superintendent of Schools.
In a 4-3 split decision at a special board meeting on Wednesday, the District named Dr. Adrian Vega for the position. Vega currently serves as Deputy Superintendent for teaching and learning with the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona.
Vega was chosen out of a pool of over 35 applicants, and then selected Wednesday after the District had narrowed it down to three candidates. However, as a lone finalist, Texas law states that Vega must wait a minimum of 21 days before he can officially sign his contract.
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(Photo from www.tusd1.org)
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Ok SB News, can you find out what the deal is with the 21 day waiting period and where the contract negotiations stand? The are A LOT of anxious employees who are desperately praying that it’s a no go, after all that has been circulated about Vegas lack of experience and the fact that he is currently at quite possibly the only school district in the nation that is in worse condition than San Benito’s. People of SB: please do your research on who our board, continuing their oh so wise decision making, has approved to lead this district! You will see yet another pattern of dysfunction and lack of history of successful leadership. Facts, not opinions.
News,
I have to agree with your comment. Anna Cruz will go down as the worst board president of all time. All the money she has spent on useless educational programs that only she gains from, creating and hiring her friends at the expense of tax payers, and the list goes on. Then we wounded why our fund balance is at an all time low! This was not suppose to happen with Anna Cruz at the helm.. I’m not surprised and she will run this district to the ground! Way to go wonderful board president, where’s your majority now? You couldn’t even hold that together… What a joke, at our school districts expense! Like several of you have said ” God help this district “
Ok, the vote was 4-3 for Vega, who apparently according to the wonderful supporters of the 3 who voted for Smetter. First of all, has anyone asked why Smetter was fired from Santa Maria? Now that’s a fact and interesting read. Would you want that in SB? It’s very obvious the 3 had struck a deal with Smetter if their so upset with the decision by the level head 4.. At the end of the day people, the joke is on the 3 who voted for Smetter. You 3 have with your wonderful board president have really derailed our school district. Great job board president, you’ll go done as the worst board president in history!
If you actually read what happened to Smetter at Santa Maria you would know. She was not fired. She was suspended and WON in court against the board majority in Santa Maria. She was beloved by the workers and the parents there. After they unjustly suspended her, those board members were all swept out of office. Dr Smetter never did anything wrong. She has been an asset to 4 school districts and a university. Don’t try to muddy the facts with fiction. Use factual comments before you go opening your mouth next time.
What’s pretty obvious is why the 4 wanted Vega so much. sixth street really helped sway one board member, one board member will do anything for continued business in Los fresnos, one board member sure does enjoy that Los fresnos principal’s company, and it will sure be interesting to see if Mendez’s buddy finally get hired under the new superintendent. Now tell us what type of deal Smetter made with the other three?? Pfft! It would be nice if you would use your real name. Then maybe Dr. Smetter would sue you for libel. Get your facts straight.
News,
Nice comment. Worst of all time? I don’t know about that. But I’d have to go with Yliana Gonzalez before I went with the person you are nominating. She might not be the worst, but the person you are nominating sure isn’t ahead of her on that list.
At least Donna gives SB some comp for more embarrassing school district headlines
WOW…!!!! ALL of these school board clowns are a major comedy show…as everyone states…SBCISD..THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE RGV…!!!
Feeling sorry for your school district. You’re getting a joke for your leader. If this is the best you can offer the students, and teachers God bless you. School board needs to examine their priorities.
Only time will tell is correct. In my opinion, it can’t get any worse than it is now. Any type of change might be positive, especially if the new super can stand firm on his two feet and not allow politicians to micro manage him. I applaud the four board members who stood their ground for the betterment of our district. On the other hand, I’m not a bit surprised with the backlash from the losing 3 board members that wanted Smetter. You see the pattern people, here we go again with the trash talking because they didn’t get their way. That’s a main reason why our town will not advance with politicians you elected and re-elected to ruin our district.. Smetter was not the answer so stop insulting us with your negative trash. The decision has been made so leave with it just like we have to leave with you guys ruining our children’s education. Now you guys eat crow and you don’t like it… Payback is harsh and you guys are leaving it…
Rumors are rampant! We have a board member that often misses important board meetings, a board member that allegedly sends his kids to another district, a board member who allegedly resigned from his job after allegedly being arrested for dwi, and a board member who doesn’t even live in San Benito. The people voted you in, and they can surely vote you out. God, please help this District! It is headed the wrong direction, and most people don’t even know it. TEA Monitor may be here soon!!
Naranjo,
Call me. I’m waiting to hear from you.
You asked God for help and His word says faith without works is dead.
So pick up the phone. Call me. Bring me to San Benito.
Let’s expedite action towards all your “allegedly”s.
Be the leader that takes initiative.
Not the commentator that only implies.
Sincerely yours,
TEA Monitor
The following is NOT a conspiracy theory…read on..
https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2015/11/06/tusds-vega-in-running-for-san-benito-superintendent-job/
@Marco, Go back and do some reading on this guy. He has no central administration experience. He was “given” his top position by the Superintendent who brought him over from being Principal in a “needs improvement” school. The guy has less than 2 years experience as an assistant superintendent let alone taking the reigns as superintendent of a 6A district. Over 30 candidates and this is what you come up with. Thank you MICHAEL VARGAS, ANGEL MENDEZ, HECTOR LEAL, and ARNOLD PADILLA. Wow! Here’s hoping the next 18 months come by fast! Thanks for your service one termers!
@Marco I am agreeing with you by the way. lol
PS, remember this was a 4-3 vote Mr Joe G Gonzalez, Mr Oscar Medrano, and Ms Anna Cruz did not vote for this guy.
all 7 stink. unless the board comes together and works united, the board will never work. pointing out names is something san benito politicos do all the time. it never ends. round and round. all point fingers to the other. neither side gets anything done. what a joke. grown adults. what a joke.
The following is a conspiracy theory based on fact and opinion. The state of Arizona is known for very liberal schools districts and political correctness to the level of absurdity. There are schools in this state that have BANNED patriotic red, white, and blue attire. This is a fact. Yes, you can’t wear a shirt with the American flag on it because you might “offend an illegal alien.” This is a sickness that has permeated the public schools via administrators… it is called liberalism. So for those conservatives out there in SBCISD, I believe (opinion) you have someone that may infect this district with an ideology that is contrary to the beliefs of this community. Only time will tell.