What’s Next for Stonewall? SBCISD proposes plan for hotel

By JACOB LOPEZ school-plan

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San Benito CISD Superintendent Dr. Marc A. Puig spoke at a special workshop by the San Benito Public Housing Authority to propose a plan for the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.

The District sees the hotel as an opportunity to create the Stonewall Jackson Hospitality Instruction Hotel.  In a booklet provided by district officials, SBCISD described a plan to “offer students an opportunity to enroll in the Career Technical Education Program classes beginning in 2018.”

The proposed school would provide training in culinary arts, restaurant/hotel management and travel and tourism.

“We’re here tonight to … talk about (an) opportunity we have to partner with the community with,” said Puig. He added, “and I say ‘we’ meaning the school and the community coming together.”

San Benito High School Principal Henry Sanchez explained a survey the school conducted on its students to learn what their interests are. “We gave them a survey that asked how many are interested in culinary arts, interested in hotel management and interested in travel and tourism,” he said.

Of 947 responses, Sanchez said, “we found out that there’s a lot of interest – especially the culinary arts.”

According to Sanchez, SBHS students “need to be ready for whatever opportunity may fall into their lap.”

Dr. Puig explained that the number of hospitality, tourism and travel jobs continue to grow. “It’s an opportunity for all these kids to get some real-world experience,” said Puig. “Here’s the kicker: Nobody in the Valley has this – nobody.”

The school would be a “teaching hotel. … kids would run this hotel – under the direction of the instructors,” said the superintendent.

The idea was met with positive reception. Dr. Puig added “the one thing that you can’t think about is —.” He interrupted himself to draw a large dollar sign representing money on a presentation easel. In response to a question from SBPHA board member Jose F. Rodriguez, Puig said that being overly worried about money is, “just an excuse.”

Other community members shared their own ideas for the hotel.

San Benito Food Pantry Manager Claire Rowe’s plan involved turning the Stonewall Jackson into a facility that could house the Pantry, the START Center and provide supportive housing. She stressed the importance of a facility that will “teach people to budget their money.”

According to Rowe, the objective is to end the cycle. “They can’t get an education because they don’t have the money; they don’t have the money because they don’t have an education,” she said. “It’s not a handout – it’s a hand-up,” said Rowe, explaining how adults need to receive the life skills that will help them find opportunities that will get them out of this “hole.”

San Benito resident Bob Rashkin shared his own idea for the old hotel. His involved multiple entities. “The first floor could be the museums,” he said. He also explained that UTRGV “wants to sprinkle facilities. Maybe they’ll kick in …” Rashkin’s idea would mean making the third floor an area where startups and local businesses could set up shop.

Other options discussed during the meeting involved seeking to turn the building into a historical site.

Mayor Celeste Z. Sanchez said, “I like all the ideas.”

The Mayor pointed out grant writer Petra Reyna, who happened to be at the meeting, and is part of a project in Port Isabel to restore the Yacht Club Hotel and turn it into a school for culinary arts. It’s a plan that’s similar to the school district’s idea.

Mike Frazier, a member of the San Benito Rotary Club, said that he supports many of the ideas, but expressed his concerns about the burden on the taxpayers, “can taxpayers support it? Who knows?” he said.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2015/01/30/whats-next-for-stonewall-sbcisd-proposes-plan-for-hotel/

33 comments

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  1. I’m not surprised at all, but shocked it took so long for someone to notice this type of election manipulation. Trust me, all good comes to an end and than these folks involved can look back and ask themselves, if it was all worth it. We as a community should ask our city and school officials to allow the county to run out elections, they seem to be more credible. I have to agree with the previous post, Ana Cruz must go for sure!!!!

    • Juan Ocha on February 10, 2015 at 1:10 pm
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    RE: tax payer

    that’s news to me. how long have you (or others) known this? is it true? if so, why hasn’t anything been done about it?

    many question/complain but do not provide an answer/solution/plan of action.

    how do you propose SBCISD elections go about eliminating voter fraud/abuse?

    • And that is the truth ... on February 10, 2015 at 12:32 pm
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    Jobs in leisure and hospitality services generally offer low wages, shallow benefits and part-time work.
    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leisure and hospitality industry has the lowest wages of any major sector in the economy. The BLS indicates that the average sector job is 25.9 hours a week.
    In fact, low wages in the hospitality industry have forced many of its workers to rely on public subsidies just to get by. The truth is, workers are often on the losing end of poor labor practices in this job sector.
    But don’t take my word for it.
    U.S. Department of Labor contracted a study in 2014.
    “The Social and Economic Effects of Wage Violations: Estimates for California and New York.”
    Key Findings:
    The key findings from the analysis are that minimum wage violations are: 1) pervasive, and 2) result
    in significant impacts for workers experiencing these violations. Violations are most prevalent in the leisure and hospitality industry.

    Read on

    http://www.dol.gov/asp/evaluation/completed- studies/AbstractWageViolationsReportDecember2014.pdf

    http://www.epi.org/blog/leisure-hospitality-sector-largest-gap-ceo/

    http://www.mn2020.org/issues-that-matter/economic-development/we-all-pay-for-the-hospitality-industrys-low-wages

  2. Shortly after the 2014 May School Board Election, there was several concerns raised how the election process was handle. There was documented proof that the election process was altered by the head presiding judge at central office. This gave certain people like Emma McCall and Janie Roberts more than 6 hours unsupervised with the ballot boxes. These discrepancies had to be exposed so the voters and taxer payers of our town are aware of the issues that face our school board elections. In order for our voter rights not to be violated we must join together to eliminate these violations from happening again. The people that run for office should be given an equal opportunity at winning. Clean 2015 school board elections, eliminate voter fraud/ abuse!!!!

    • The Negotiator on February 6, 2015 at 5:18 pm
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    The fact still stands where is the money to purchase this hotel? According to the board and other individuals there is no money for raises or anything else,so the question again is where is the money for this building supposedly the school district wants to buy? Fact is the district is going to have to buy the hotel and still is going to dish more money for renovations,and so forth. Fact is there is a old building that is owned by the school district,why not be smart and renovate the old Berta Cabaza and spend less. There is plenty of intelligent maintenance personal to get the job done right and to code. I just don’t see why anyone would want to spend more when we don;t have to, If any of you reading this ever wonder how Harlingen district is prospering is because they use even old resources to the fullest and succeed.

      • Open your eyes on February 7, 2015 at 6:36 pm
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      @The Negotiator,
      Agreed!!!!!

  3. @ Seriously
    You must work in an organization that gives you raises yearly or one of few in our district that got a raise and allowed to accumulate over-time. The way I see it, if there is money to give the super a raise early than there should be money to give the staff some incentive. Remember people Ana Cruz voted against given our staff raises, but she brought in her friend from Brownsville( program administrator) at $105k a year job to oversee the program Ana voted for at 1million dollars. There you go staff, welcome to San Benito where certain board members are parasites for their personal gain..

    • private on February 6, 2015 at 9:04 am
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    Have any of you ever thought that maybe this could benefit the students? Let’s face it, not all students are cut out for college this “idea” gives them a gateway into a career for them just as the medical classes, T.V. classes, and all the other classes that the career and technology department offer. These students are the future of our town and I would feel better knowing they come out of high school with a plan for a career than the usual collect welfare plan that most of them have now. Education which is what they are trying to give them, is what could help improve our city.

      • Open your eyes on February 7, 2015 at 6:33 pm
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      @private
      These classes are already available.

        • private on February 9, 2015 at 2:16 pm
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        You’re right these classes that the Stonewall Jackson would host are available…to various other school districts but not to San Benito students.

  4. I totally disagree that Arnold Padilla has vision and ability, because his shown neither. Arnold has vision and ability to all the political favors he hands out and that’s about it. This guy has held two political seats and quit one of them. Arnold is all about cutting deals to propel his makeshift career. He has no education to prove his worth just political favors. That’s why out town has not moved forward with individuals like Arnold in positions they don’t belong.

    • Seriously..... on February 4, 2015 at 1:42 pm
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    To all school district employees (teachers, administrators, etc., etc.), Texas is a “RIGHT TO WORK STATE”.

    If you feel your are underpaid, “Feel free to apply somewhere else!” and stop your whining.

    Failing grades are the end result of SOME “bad teachers”, “bad administrators, and “bad parents”.

    Ultimately, we are all share the blame.

      • YAY on February 4, 2015 at 7:23 pm
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      To Seriously… I agree with you 100%. You’re not happy, leave! I feel so refreshed and excited to work with Dr. Puig. Everyone has an opinion yet no one is willing to do what they are paid to do… work! All you “taxpayers” complaining should volunteer at the Parent Centers and with the PTO to help remediate the district’s problems!

      • Triple P on February 5, 2015 at 8:48 am
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      Seriously…..

      “…“bad teachers”, “bad administrators, and “bad parents”…Ultimately, we are all share the blame.”

      Which category do you fall under?

      In closing… speak for yourself – SERIOUSLY!

    • Candidate on February 4, 2015 at 1:20 pm
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    Pay our staff more!

    • Rosalinda G. Garcia on February 3, 2015 at 11:32 pm
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    When I read the Stonewall Jackson article I though to myself the same sentiment that has been expressed already. Like where are buses, teachers, teacher assistants, custodians, students, visitors going to park? I also thought why did housing ever purchase this building before doing a complete analysis and planning. It seems like housing is stuck with a bldg. that should never have been purchased?

    I am also left to wonder if the maintenance dept. was able to do some updating for the special dept. to move into the former high school can it be done again? Remember, the maintenance dept. is capable of doing big jobs given the money. If I recall the maintenance dept. will be doing some energy saving re-construction at a cost of 3 million compare to 10 million plus that outside company, Entegral, was going to bill.

    I actually learn what is going in the school districtl from attending school board meetings and what I read in the paper. I am thinking that Dr. Puig has resources that at the end the district will come out ahead and not cost the taxpayers? Maybe if Dr. Puig would have elaborated with more details on why this versus that, etc, . I and a few others would not have the same sentiments?

    I campaigned against waste of taxpayers funds: I am confident that if this purchase is made it won’t be.

    Thanks for reading my BLOG!

    Rosalinda G. Garcia

      • Como es Juan on February 4, 2015 at 9:44 am
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      Typical Rosa. Oscar Medrano helps bring in Puig so she is defending them. LOL Stop worrying about making meaningless purchases/renovations on old decrepit buildings and focus on getting our teachers up to par financially. It’s a waste. Give the money back to the people that teach our children. Use the money projected on being spent for something else for our kids. STOP TRYING TO WASTE MONEY.

      • truthandjusticeforall on February 5, 2015 at 11:10 am
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      Your off on this one Rosalinda. By virtue of making just another ” I have a dream” speech to a board that has come to the realization that the building is a monster, the purchase of this building WILL have an impact on taxpayers. Most important of all. your taking a property off the tax roles. I say demolish the nightmare so that another drive thru convenience store can open in its’ place. We’ve all heard this speech before, problem is, it never becomes reality.
      Fix what exists now and forget the Stonewall nightmare. This mistake cannot be allowed to become Puig’s legacy in San Benito.

        • YOKO DOS on February 5, 2015 at 3:06 pm
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        Unless you have some information or facts not reported by the San Benito News, you seem to be scratching the horse before the race even begins.

        Regarding your statement, “Most important of all, your taking a property off the tax rolls.”, you are aware that the San Benito Public Housing Authority is probably EXEMPT from property taxes by virtue of the fact it is a federally sponsored and funded organization. So, if the board of the housing authority decides to use it, it will remain off the tax rolls.

        It is unfair to predict Dr. Puig’s success or failure of his educational goals by basing it on other superintendent’s past mistakes or performance.

        The path to success in anything in life is paved with mistakes; nobody is perfect. You can’t stop moving forward by focusing on the mistakes in personal life or business; it’s called “giving up and quitting” and maintaining the status quo hoping things will get better by themselves.

        Remember, and never forget, “Always in life behind you is The Past (with mistakes and all), which doesn’t matter anymore. In front of you is “The Future” offering endless possibilities, you just have to know how to exploit them.

        Giving up and quitting should not be an option.

        =>=>=>==>SEGUIR ADELANTE =>=>=>==>MOVING FORWARD=>=>=>==>

          • truthandjusticeforall on February 6, 2015 at 3:17 pm
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          Let me see, which is better? Find a private investor and place the building on the tax rolls? Allow the building to remain off the tax rolls? Mistakes is what cannot be allowed to happen any longer considering what is reported to be a tight budget. Careful thought should be taken, all possible problems must be taken into account, and then and only then can a wise decision be made. With age should come wisdom. “Giving up and quitting” is not the issue. The real issue is, does it make sense? Dr. Puig may be the person to turn the district around, he may not be. That has yet to be determined.
          It is not about looking back or what others have or have not done, it is about avoiding mistakes of the past and having learned from them.

    • Como es Juan on February 3, 2015 at 8:39 am
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    So let me get this straight. We are one of the LOWEST paying districts for our teachers. We have no money for raises, but we have money to purchase an 800k program tied to Mendez/Cruz AND buy the old Stonewall Jackson?

    By the way, lets just say the building is bought and our maintenance workers help restore this building to building code standards/classroom standards… Where will everyone park? If “our children” are our concern where is the room for buses to park? Where can students with cars park? Do they have to park at the John F. Barron building and walk? None of this is even taken into consideration.

    Great Job SBCISD. You never seem to amaze me or surprise me.

      • And that is the truth ... on February 3, 2015 at 11:26 am
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      The old high school sits there rotting away and the SBCISD wants to buy a broken down old hotel? The whole scheme is irresponsible. The whole idia reeks of political influence and compadrismo. Has this been brought before the school board yet?? STUPID.

        • Reform San Benito on February 4, 2015 at 11:14 am
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        “political influence and compadrismo.” That seems to be your buzz words, And that is the truth ….

        Tell me, do you mean “political influence and compadrismo” like former Mayor Hernandez used to oust the former city attorney, commissioners and their supporters from boards when he won reelection, replacing them with his compadres? Or, do you mean, the “political influence and compadrismo” used by our current mayor upon her election to oust the former mayor’s compadres and replace them with her own to oust Padilla and others? Both mayors removed people from boards when their terms had not expired. Tell us the truth, ‘And that is the truth…’, what is the difference according to you?

        I’ll tell you the truth, there is no difference. Both used “political influence and compadrismo”-ism to exact revenge on the other’s supporters. Morally and ethically speaking, neither side is right. All we have is two political factions who believe they own the higher moral purpose. Neither do. It is why this city can’t progress, because the two factions spend more time furthering their own agendas than what’s really important to the city long term. It’s why people of vision and ability, like Padilla, move on from this town. Like so many others who left, Padilla could and did because others outside this town appreciate and value what he has to offer.

        What we have here is a bunch of people who want to be the big fish in a small pond. They want full control with zero tolerance for anyone who disagrees or supports the other side. Their frail egos can’t handle it. And that is the truth.

          • Bambi on February 4, 2015 at 7:55 pm
          • Reply

          Amen!!! Reform SB

    • Curve ball on February 3, 2015 at 8:29 am
    • Reply

    On a more positive note…
    How ’bout them Patriots!?
    I sure did enjoy my day off yesterday.

    With sincerity and appreciation,
    A SBCISD employee

    • Carlos Canas on February 2, 2015 at 10:40 pm
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    I like all the ideas that were mentioned. I had suggested several years ago that first floor could be remodeled to house a restaurant, restore the outdoor courtyard and lobby for special events. Refurbish the remaining space for businesses. Second floor could be remodeled for housing for elderly . Third floor could have walls removed and replaced with arches. That would leave a large area for housing homeless families. Movable particians could be used to accommodate any size family. Restrooms and showers would be located at the end of the halls to save on cost of providing one per room. Homeless would have to agree to volunteer to help clean. Elderly would be asked to either pay small rent amount or volunteer to keep up their floor.

    • Senor Taxpayer on February 2, 2015 at 10:05 pm
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    Everybody take a deep breath and let Dr. Puig do what he was hired to do.

  5. @ Irma Ranch
    After reading the comment I agree with its content. The word is decrepit building that needs millions ( which our district doesn’t have) to renovate. That’s all Arnold Padilla trying to get the district to buy the building from the Housing Authority to save Arnold’s bad investment. Bottom line, Arnold has turned out to be the worst board president ever…

    • And that is the truth ... on February 2, 2015 at 1:11 pm
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    From what I know the SBCISD board has yet to make a decision to purchase the old hotel. While Puig made a presentation at the workshop it is not a done deal.
    Anything at this point is speculation and the ”remember, it’s for the children” mantra rings hollow.
    Unfortunately it’s really about political agendas and making jobs for friends. Congratulating Padilla (or anyone else) at this point is premature and part of the typical compadrismo back-slapping.

    • James on February 1, 2015 at 12:09 pm
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    Mr. Sanchez: Let’s make something perfectly clear…opportunities do not FALL into people’s laps; opportunities are created through something called hard work which doesn’t seem to be what is happening at the HS if you examine the scores. I’ll say it again; there is more time on cell phones by students at home and school than put into homework and reading. And that is a fact. So stop with the “smoke and mirror” narrative. TSTC is doing a GREAT job in the culinary arts and hospitality majors. What you need are students who will put more time into school work than their own pleasures. At this moment, that’s not many. Oh, and don’t forget San Benito residents, this WILL more than likely mean a bond issue and higher property taxes when people are barely paying their mortgages now. And remember, the school district will use an old and worn out narrative that is designed to stop any argument that you may have…”remember, it’s for the children.” This is the favorite canned response of most of the administrators today in order to fleece your wallet. It’s meant to shut you up.

    • Reform San Benito on January 31, 2015 at 1:10 pm
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    Wow! Did not see that coming! What an innovative and resourceful way to rehabilitate this once great structure while, at the same time, preparing our students for a life-long career in the restaurant and hospitality industry. If done properly, this curriculum could attract families and special attention to SB.

    Kudos to all of the SBCISD Trustees for their forward-thinking resourcefulness, utilizing one of our great community assets to open up an entirely new curriculum and industry for our students. I know Dr. Puig was the front man for this presentation, but I have to believe the trustees have been working on this long before Dr. Puig arrived. Have to believe Mr. Padilla was the driving force behind this, considering his recent involvement as SBPHA Driector, but that does not really matter. What matters most is the trustees coming together to open up progressive educational opportunities for our students.

    Congratulations Trustees!

  6. Ok, as a tax payer I don’t understand this proposal at all. What a coincidence board pres. Arnold Padilla bought the decrypted building when he was the director of the housing authority, and how the super wants to buy it.. Here we go again.. We already have Berta Cavasa school just seating there collecting dust. You want class rooms it has plenty of class rooms. Anyway, go ahead Dr.Puig show us your true colors and your intent… Quick reminder, our district is not financial standings according to you!!! 2015

      • Ima Roach on February 1, 2015 at 10:09 pm
      • Reply

      What is a decrypted building?

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