"Unacceptable" actions at La Joya ISD

The release of the 2006 accountability ratings has once again put La Joya ISD in the limelight due to the fact that one school has been rated unacceptable and is now effectively on the PEG list. TEA states another criteria to being on the PEG list includes campuses that "were rated Academically Unacceptable...under the statewide accountability system." As already stated by Rico Politico, in Rio Grande Politics, Nellie Schunior Middle School received the state's unacceptable rating. Those that have come to the defense of Mr. Uresti, principal of Nellie Schunior, claim the responsibility falls to the teachers and not the administrator. I agree with this to a certain extent. We are only human who are subject to make mistakes, and the best way to judge this principal, is to see how he copes with this mistake and makes adjustments as needed. It will due well to note that the last time a La Joya School was deemed unacceptable by TEA was in 1996 making this a 10 year record broken by Antonio Uresti. Unfortunately, as we all now know Mr. Uresti, husband of newly elected Board Member Rita Uresti, will not be held accountable for his ratings and will instead be given a promotion as Assistant Superintendent. This will increase his pay approximately $30,000 giving him a salary of apx. $90,000 per year. Where is the great investigative reporting of The Paper of South Texas that published their own similar views that occurred in McAllen ISD?

"A revolt over the firing of a popular McAllen High basketball coach has parents and teachers demanding that Chapa get rid of longtime McHi principal Delia Longoria. Parents and faculty are of the opinion that Longoria has demonstrated a lack of concern for the safety and well-being of students and faculty.
Close associates of the district tell The Paper that Longoria, a former Tippit and Chapa insider, is demanding that she be reassigned to a high-salary, assistant superintendent position that would need to be created for her."

While I do not know the complete facts on that situation, I do know that in this case when the person in question, Mr. Uresti, "demonstrated [his] own lack of concern" for his accountability, he was made an assistant superintendent.

Although I do not like to post anything based on "hearsay" it will be interesting to note that the "talk" before the ratings were released were: removal of several professional personnel to make room for their own people, including Mr. Uresti's promotion to Assistant Superintendent. It looks like the "talk" turned out to be the Truth as seven reassignments were made through out the district, including that of Mr. Uresti.

Others receiving promotion include Sandra Villareal to the position of GT coordinator for the district from the position of counselor. Comparing this to the newly assigned Assistant Superintendent, this too is a big leap. Sandra Villareal also happens to be the aunt of newly elected board member John Alaniz.

Jerry Perez is now the new transportation director for La Joya ISD. I guess he will be in charge of ensuring Team USA's bus plan runs smoothly since the proposed budget shows it will now cost the district an additional $4,382,267 to run the buses. Mr. Perez is also a city alderman for the city of Palmview who with another city alderman, Tony Uresti, will now be under Palmview City Manager-Board Member John Alaniz. I once argued with a student, on Rio Grande Valley Politics, on the incestuous relationships between Palmview and the district, and while I do not really see this as a major issue it is interesting to see how those before who cried foul at the relationship between the mayor of La Joya and the former superintendent react to this status quo.

The “talk” is that more promotions are on their way, and I will do my best to keep you all to date. The new superintendent for La Joya ISD will be named tonight. A busy work schedule doesn't allow me much time here, so I'll do my best.
**Update:** Dr. Alda Benavides was named the new La Joya ISD Superintendent last night.