School Board curbs public comments

Denied
Rosalinda Garcia is seen addressing the Board of Trustees after being told she could not comment on items outside the meeting’s agenda.
(Photo from sbcisd.net)

By J. NOEL ESPINOZA
Special to the NEWS

Despite a new state law that allows public criticism of a governmental body, San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees President Michael Vargas denied the only two persons who signed up for public comments from speaking during Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

“To the FBI, if you are listening, we need your help,” said Jesus “Chuy” Aguilera, a resident of San Benito who frequently attends board meetings, during his public comment.

Vargas interrupted Aguilera, who wanted to continue with his three-minute public comment. Vargas then asked for the opinion of school lawyer David Flores, a substitute for Tony Torres.

Vargas said Aguilera could not continue if it was not related to an agenda item.

“It’s strictly to agenda items,” said Flores, agreeing with Vargas.

Before Rosalinda Garcia, the next public speaker, went to the podium, Vargas said he wanted to remind her that if it was not an agenda topic, she could not address the board.

“I’m not going to be intimidated,” said Garcia. “As a board policy, it’s anything that concerns the community.”

Lawyer Flores again said that it was only strictly concerning agenda items.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2019/10/14/school-board-curbs-public-comments/

2 comments

    • Ouch it Hurts on October 14, 2019 at 6:04 pm
    • Reply

    Superintendent “HITLER” Carman and his GESTAPO School Board are on OVERKILL.
    I’d like to remind The REGIME, every citizen that makes use of public comments ARE SAN BENITO TAXPAYERS. Their CONTRIBUTIONS pays for salaries students education and funds BUILDING PROJECTS. It seems that this PARTICULAR BOARD has caused MUCH CONTROVERSY IN OUR COMMUNITY. Hitler came to DIVIDE and CONQUER, same with this BUNCH

      • Concerned Citizen on October 14, 2019 at 9:20 pm
      • Reply

      And this is a major reason in part of why so many principals are getting away with ruining careers. All the BullS@##.. needs to be addressed. I await the day The person who rights all the wrongs in this district gets these people off the payroll and off the board!.
      I applaud Rosalinda Garcia and that guy Aguilera FOR BEING BLUNT AND SEEKING THE TRUTH! MS Garcia and Mr Aguilera
      ..DON’T GET INTIMIDATED BY THESE DAMN PEOPLE. You don’t work for them. They should be reminded who they and all SBCISD EMPLOYEES WORK FOR.. THE STUDENTS!….
      SMH.. million dollar man.. what a joke.. I wonder who is blackmailing who this time.

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