|
Only have a minute? Listen instead
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
HARLINGEN — The school district here on Tuesday accepted the resignation of its superintendent and appointed Deputy Superintendent Veronica Kortan as interim.
The specially called board meeting was posted over the weekend.
The district hired former McAllen superintendent J.A. Gonzalez last year and he officially took over as the top administrator in September of that year.
Gonzalez did not attend the meeting and his seat on the dais was empty.
The meeting started at 5:30 p.m. and entered into executive session at around 5:50 p.m. following 20 minutes of public comment.
The board reconvened just before 6:40 p.m.
Former Harlingen City Commissioner Robert Leftwich said he demanded during public comment that the board approve an external financial audit of all raises, bonuses and stipends.
In April, the school board gave Gonzalez a $10,000 raise, increasing his salary to $310,000. That took effect on Sunday. That same month, the board also granted Gonzalez a one-year extension in his three-year contract after giving him high marks during an evaluation.
Leftwich also said that he told the board that a special election for all board seats should be called, while proposing propositions for term limits, easier recall procedures and a November election.
Lorraine Galarza, a grandparent of Harlingen school district students, read from an email she sent to the board early Tuesday afternoon during public comment.
Galarza said she has been asking for Gonzalez to be terminated since May, alleging “gross negligence.”
“Since you all failed your duties to protect the children in this school district, I had no choice but to pull out my grandson and place him in public school,” Galarza said in the email.
There were also groups of teachers in attendance.
On Sunday, school district spokeswoman Marcy Martinez issued a statement saying while the district cannot discuss specifics, “there are serious issues that have led to the need for the agenda item to be posted.”
The statement said no other information could immediately be shared due to privacy concerns and because it’s an employment matter.
“The Board endeavors to act as a fiduciary for our students, employees, parents and communities at all times, while having the privilege to represent Harlingen CISD. The Board appreciates our employees, parents and community’s support and patience while we consider our options with regard to this matter,” the statement said.
Here’s the latest update:
Harlingen CISD searching for next superintendent after J.A. Gonzalez resigns
