By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com
The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (SBCISD) Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Friday, July 19 where the trustees decided on and announced their lone finalist for Superintendent.
Trustee Rudy Corona, Acting Superintendent Alfredo Perez, and School District Attorney Tony Torres were absent from the meeting. There were no public comments made during this meeting.
The meeting turned to a closed session for items 2.1 and 2.2, discussion and consideration of the lone finalist for the superintendent of schools. Upon reconvening into open session, no action was made on item 3.1, interviewing and discussion of superintendent candidates. It was then announced that Alfredo Perez is the lone finalist for superintendent of schools. He was formerly the acting superintendent.
Crystal Hernandez, board trustee, says that the search for the right superintendent was done with the “community’s interest in mind.” She also says that the survey given to the public for the search was done to include them in the decision-making process and that each of the board members had a voice in the selection process. The meeting was adjourned shortly thereafter.
On Monday, July 22, the SBCISD held a regular board of trustees’ meeting. Trustees Dr. Ariel Cruz, and Frutoso M. Gomez and Torres were absent from the meeting.
Railyn Garcia presented the invocation. Garcia is a highly accomplished 12th-grader within the district, leading the cheer team and participating in a variety of other events. Similarly, Jordin Garza presented the pledge of allegiance. Garza is an 11th-grade student in the SBCISD. She serves as a Colonel of “The Pride of San Benito,” the San Benito High School Belles. Both young women participate in their community and schools through a variety of activities. Their parents were recognized.
Melissa Rodriguez, a representative for Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) presented a check for the TASB energy cooperative. The excess revenue used to better the school district was redistributed to the district in a one-time dispersed check. A commemorative photo was taken.
Prior to public comments, the rules were briefly restated. The first public speaker, Mike Travis, a longtime resident of San Benito and retired secondary school teacher, was active from the years 1988 to 2019. He read an excerpt from “Inside American Education” by Thomas Sowell. He stated that the words read in the book are not necessarily reflective of the SBCISD, but rather his overall experience as a teacher across his career.
“I failed our children and then lied about the failures with inflated grades and pretty words,” read the excerpt.
Travis said that the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) “Does not measure anything,” is a “waste of money” and that he is an “advocate that the Department of Education should be abolished.” He also brought attention to the importance of safety and consequences in school and says that
it is important that third graders be at appropriate reading levels.
Mary Maney relayed the possible confusion from the public regarding the decrease in the Dual Enrollment stipend. She also thanked the board for their hard work throughout the summer.
For item 4, SBCISD Board President Orlando Lopez gave a few remarks. He thanked the public and overall board for their time and effort in the search for the superintendent. New Superintendent of Schools Alfredo Perez thanked the district for their faith in him. He welcomed back the workforce to a new school year and said that the survey for the district’s “Five year strategic plan” would be out by July 22.
The academic health report was presented and included plans to notify parents who have students across grade levels what resources they have available to them. Core selections for the different programs of study available as well as an overview of the dual enrollment program for interested students. Military readiness and contacts were distributed within the report.
On the consent agenda, the partnership between SBCISD and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties was approved. The advocacy centers aim to teach students in grades k-12 how to be safe and interact with the modern world and its dangers. An agreement between the SBCISD, After School Centers on Education (ACE) program, and the Girl Scouts of America to allow for out of school programs was approved. Texas A & M Agrilife, SBCISD and the ACE program approved their agreement to offer courses. The University of Texas at the Rio Grande Valley, SBCISD and ACE approved an agreement for SBCISD to provide a site for the UTRGV students of social work to students completing field work.
The Cameron County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP), ACE and the SDCISD approved their understanding to allow students in juvenile detention to receive education. Serving Children and Adults in Need (SCAN) and SBCISD approved their agreement to allow eligible students in SCAN a full day of classes that would equal a full day on the district campus. The AmeriCorps Interlocal agreement between UTRGV and SBCISD was approved, which allows high school students to participate in academic engagement activities and receive assistance with postsecondary events and exams. The grading policy for elementary and secondary schools was approved alongside the student code of conduct.
On the consent agenda for finances, reports on various budget matters were approved. As well as requests for purchases and investments. On the consent agenda for administration, the student code of conduct was discussed in terms of its relevance. It was reassured that the code of conduct was up current with minimal adjustments. Multiple items regarding the general policies and plans were approved.
Item 9.2, the school’s compensation plan, was discussed in executive session. Item 10.1, was approved. This is the agreement between SBCISD and Neighbors in Need of Services (NINOS) that will serve eligible children three years of age to have access to educational, transportation and disability services. The meeting entered executive session. After the executive session, the board approved item 12.1, discussing Employment, Resignation(s), Retirement(s) and Termination(s). The meeting was adjourned shortly after.
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