(Photo by Claudia Felici)
Dr. Felipe Alanis of Waterford School Services Inc. is seen at a public forum held Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the San Benito CISD John F. Barron Administration Building.
By JACOB LOPEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito citizens, teachers and school district staff met Tuesday to discuss what they’d like to see in the future superintendent.
Not including speakers and a young child who said he didn’t attend a San Benito school, there were a total of 13 people at the community forum held by San Benito CISD – five were district officials. The forum served as a platform in which citizens could discuss what they want in the next person chosen to head San Benito schools.
Dr. Felipe Alanis of Waterford School Services Inc., the firm tasked with aiding SBCISD in the search, spoke and answered questions at the forum.
Alanis, himself a former SBCISD superintendent, is leading the effort to find the applicant that citizens, teachers and district officials feel is most qualified for the position. He explained to the audience that Waterford Inc. aims to have ideal candidates selected by October with the final selection made by December or January.
Teachers, district officials and citizens attending the meeting had their own questions and concerns.
Stan Leshner, a Career and Technology Education teacher at Riverside Middle School, said, “I asked some of the teachers at my school — and I’m surprised there actually aren’t more people here — but I asked them, ‘I am going to the meeting, and I want to know what’s important to you.’”
According to Leshner, many of the teachers he polled prefer a superintendent who hails from outside San Benito and doesn’t have relatives or connections to anyone within the district, “and also that they have an open-door policy,” he added.
However, Rosalinda G. Garcia, a regular attendee of SBCISD board meetings, said that while she’s not pushing for a local applicant, “how can we deny somebody the opportunity [based on their location]?”
Garcia also asked, “When you [Waterford Inc. consultants] have selected candidates, and they have not worked out, what are some of the reasons…?”
Alanis walked over to Garcia, sat next to her, put his arm on her shoulder and said with a smile, “We haven’t had one that hasn’t worked out.” The crowd laughed.
Leslie Whittemore, Fine Arts teacher at Ed Downs Elementary, presented a list of her own ideas, which included bilingual and being highly-visible at schools.
Arnold Padilla, president of the SBCISD Board of Trustees, also attended the meeting.
Speaking to the News, Padilla stressed that the search is still early in the selection process. The board is currently building its idea of the most qualified person for the job based on input from the community and from faculty and staff.
“There will be no names presented to the trustees until after the application period has ended,” said Padilla. “We have not been informed formally of how many may have applied. … We’ve only been told that there has been quite a bit of interest.”
When asked about the attendance, Padilla said, “It was the first forum,” adding that there will be more such gatherings in the future.
“We do expect that we will have sufficient input from everyone,” said Padilla.
“Would I have liked to see more than I saw yesterday? Of course,” he said. “But we are happy that those that did show up did voice a lot of what they were thinking.”
Waterford Inc. and the school district are currently conducting a survey (available at sbcisd.net) asking the public for their opinion.
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Way to go Anna! We support you all the way!!!! God will always be by your side.
If your supporting Ana Cruz, your in the minority of the tax payers who vote. Ana has proven that she stands for self gain and our childrens eduaction is last on her priorities. So go ahead and support her, but Im telling you, level headed people will vote against. I can’t wait till May 2015 and see Ana Cruz’s reaction when she loses..
Go Ana Cruz- we are behind you 100% percent. You will get re-elected again for board member 2015. We believe in you.
@ Teacher
It’s sad that these board members starting with Anna Cruz knew exactly how this was going to affect our children and did it anyway. These board members are selfish and ruthless. They will do whatever it takes to fulfill their political agenda and favors. In addition, if any of these Board Members are listening to Ronnie Garcia they got major issues. The word in the street is that his trying to push his weight to bring in his compadres on our dime. Anyway, I agree with the previous bloggers, Anna Cruz must go, 2015 and some of the trash will be eliminated!!!!!!! Vote smart
FYI_ The district has now created 12 more positions for specialists. The salary is coming out of campus monies and the jump in pay is substantial. For anyone that thinks things are on the up and up, several of the specialists have personal connections with administration and /or politicians.One in particular knew the position was a shoe in and the assigned campus since the summer. Hmmmmmmm!
Children are now having to adjust to new teachers or substitutes. Great decision? I wonder.
Mr. Limon is replicating exactly what he did before he got suspended the first time. He moved principles and gave pay raises to certain personnel before being suspended. So, with these pay raises is he trying to tell us something! Maybe, that his tired of the new majority and he want out? But before he goes he wants he wants to take care of all his friends to leave in good standings? Our district has turned out to be the laughing stock of the valley, and if this continues, don’t be surprised if more students leave to neighboring schools. Tax payers voting is crucial and the candidates you vote have long lasting effects on our children’s education. It’s sad but our school district has turned out be to a joke and the board members take care of their own. We need a change and Anna Cruz must go badly!!!! 2015 can’t come fast enough
@ Appalled
We all are appalled at Mr.Lom only giving a few employee raises, is part of the whole political favors they owe these people. Common, Arnold’s brother who works in Transportation just a raise last year and now a $6k plus a year raise this year! Really!!! That’s the power that you have as a board President.. Instead of sharing the little wealth with all the teachers and administrators who haven’t seen a raise in years, but no, you decide to take care of your click. Mr.Limon hasn’t changed and this board majority is much worse than the previous one and that will be proven time and time again.. Tax dollars out the window and in the hands of these corrupted, self centered politicians.. May can’t come fast enough!!! Anna Cruz must go!!!2015
Either those were the only two at the meeting or it’s super packed in the back standing room only section.
Why you crying?!
@Appalled.
I’d be very careful what you put on here! You are stating in writing untrue things about people that can go after you for libel!! Or keep these false statements coming so that the people that you are falsely accusing can file a lawsuit against YOU!!! LOL
Mr. Monsevalles does have a degree. He was a Principal before. Although I do not agree with giving out raises to certain individuals since the rest of us aren’t getting anything, how do you know for sure 100% that he doesn’t? These are the nonsensical comments that just make me laugh. He used to be a principal in the past which means he HAS a degree PLUS his mid-management certificate from TEA. Stop spreading rumors and get some hard core evidence. Stop listening to what Chuy, Chon, or anyone else’s cronies tell you. You are part of the problem, not part of any solution.
Mr.Limon is back to his old ways of giving raises to a selected few employees he feels are worth huge increases. What a coincidence that the Board pres. Brother got a $3.57 raise! That’s just wrong for the board pres to us his power for another personal gain. Meanwhile, everyone else is just left out because we are not in their click.. A $6k raise is a lot of money for someone that works in transportation with no degree.. But neither does the board pres, what does he know about education. Mr.Limon also gave Medrano’s friend Flex a raise as well, another one with no degree nor accountability. Mr.Limon loves to hand out raises to certain staff members in his little group like we have a lot of money to pass around. Arnold just said we were over staffed but he approved to spend $800k and gave his brother $6k raise as well, the hell with! What’s has this majority come too.. A bunch of incompetent puppets.. People please vote SMART, ANNA The HELL OUT!!! 2015 hurry…
In a small town far far away was a church with a very faithful and present congregation. Every now and then, a member of the congregation would visit the church office to address their concerns to the church priest. “Father, this church is beautiful but the yard outside does not do it justice. It looks horrible. It needs to be cut and trees and shrubs need to be trimmed.” “Father, I could barely hear you yesterday during church. Perhaps its time we update our sound system.” “Father, oh man is it hot outside. I know its expensive to run the AC units, but perhaps we should lower the temperature during church service.” And the questions and requests and complaining goes on and on week after week. To all these questions and concerns, no matter how big or small, the priest would answer: “Well let me ask you this: What are you going to do about it? What can you do about it?” As if a light switch was turned on, the priest would often get an “Awwww” or “Hmmm”, in response to his question – which is always followed quickly by the priest’s “You see.”
Whatever happened to letting the people we pay big bucks to actually make a decision. Every time something comes up, lets hire a consultant, lets hire a firm. THIS IS THE PROBLEM. We always pay our administrators lots of money and also pay non-district employees more money. And we can’t give our teachers and staff raises. This is beyond idiotic. But hey, lets keep voting our compadres in. They obviously know how to keep putting money in other people’s pockets.
Our Superintendent, should read resumes and make a recommendation to the board. Thats it! It’s that simple! This is what we pay him for. Why does it have to be such a long drawn out political process?
Ho hum. Just another charade to appease themselves. I can hear the rhetoric now: “Oh well, you know we asked for public input and no one showed up, and blah, blah, blah” …ad nauseum.
Transcend political correctness and strive for human righteousness. – Anthony J. D’Angelo
Asking for the consultation of the local community is a joke. It is apparent that this hiring firm/group has no clue of all the drama and bickering that exists in the city of San Benito as it pertains to the political BS within the SBCISD and the SBCISD school board.
I hope you were there. If you weren’t, please quit your whining.
@ Teacher
I totally agree with you and your not alone. This majority is the worst I’ve ever seen. I’m tired of this majority insulting our intelligence by pertained they care. They have proven it’s all about their personal political favors and unfortunately our children are not important. I don’t see our district getting any better with- Arnold Padilla, Anna Cruz, Mendez and Medrano leading the charge. Like the saying goes” vote stupid and this is exactly what you get”…. I agree May 2015 can’t come fast enough, Anna Cruz MUST GO!!!!’
The firm hired to find our new leader has direct ties to Anna Cruz. First the 800k program purchased from UT Health Science Center, which she works for and now Dr. Felipe Alanis, her good, old friend is narrowing the field of applicants aspiring to lead SBCISD.
The word on the street is that Mrs. Cruz wants to bring in an assistant superintendent from Brownsville. (Mrs. Cruz works in Brownsville under the UT organization.) I am certain BISD will be elated to lose this individual. So, we will hire a subpar superintendent and we are back to square one. Mendez and Medrano will follow Anna Cruz’ lead. The looming question is will Arnold Padilla? Will he be open-minded and truly weigh the pros and cons of each applicant? Will he be a catalyst for change? Change that will move our district forward and benefit our children? I guess the waiting is the hardest part.
Believing that any person might have real input into the selection of a superintendent for San Benito is a dream. If the agency hired is really intending to hire the best candidate, then we should be in good hands. However, when I see the wagons circling, it seems like the usual tactics are in place. The community forum is an all too familiar strategy to say that the community had input and a disclaimer of sorts for whatever happens.
The lack of attendance indicates that the community and staff knows that their voices will be heard , but to no avail.I find it interesting that 5 district officials were there, but they were not mentioned by name. People do care, but people have lost all trust in the goings on of SBCISD.
Dr. Felipe Alanis is not a stranger to SBCISD which explains now why Waterford was selected as the agency to select our next superintendent. Hold on people. Here we go again.
My suspicions are that they already know who they are going to select, and it will be dragged out as long as possible.
Thank you for your input.
“I find it interesting that 5 district officials were there, but they were not mentioned by name.” I’ve taken that into consideration and I’ll be more watchful of that sort of thing in the future. I’m gradually being introduced to everyone around San Benito.