Turmoil seems to be plaguing several Rio GrandeValley school districts right now. Political infighting on school board have virtually paralyzed operations at some districts, while superintendents, administrators and other staff members at others are being replaced, resigning or facing investigations for various suspected misdeeds. One district is dealing with an alleged computer breach that apparently compromised sensitive personal information.
At La Joya, board member voted last week to request help from the Texas Education Agency in the wake of guilty pleas from two trustees and two administrators on charges related to alleged fraud, conflicts of interest and improper contracting. It was the right thing to do.
District attorney Eden Ramirez said the district is asking the agency to “be part of what we do to ensure that we are fully transparent with the community and that we are completely moving forward and doing the right thing … to ensure that La Joya ISD continues on the past to growth that it has been experiencing.”
It will become the third Valley school district to be under direct TEA supervision. Donna and Progreso currently have state staff helping them address their own alleged improprieties.
To be sure, the step to request a monitor or conservator could help the district stave off more severe state intervention such as the appointment of a complete TEA board of managers. The board’s willingness to cooperate also suggests that the trustees recognize that the most important priority is the proper functioning of the district and a focus on students’ education.
That doesn’t always seem to be the case at far too many Valley school districts, where board activities can devolve into political gang warfare, bid awards and contracts can be sullied by suspicions of preferential treatment or some hires seem to be based more on personal alliances than on best tending to students’ needs.
Unfortunately, far too often district officials try to cover up investigations or fight any suggested assistance or sanctions, perhaps thinking such acceptance is an admission of guilt.
However, the education of our children always should be the priority. Receiving state help or supervision normally brings in objective workers who have no personal or political stake in the outcome, and are more likely to be free from such influences. Moreover, such a move helps to better ensure transparency, which can raise parents’ confidence that their students’ needs are being addressed, and taxpayers’ confidence that their money is being better utilized.
All too often those priorities seem to be forgotten or ignored. It seems that too many people seek election to school boards not to serve the students and their families, but to serve their own political ambition. Too many administrators seem more interested in career advancement than they do in the actual focus of their positions.
Certainly, the criminal cases forced the case of La Joya trustees. Their decision to accept their need for intervention can help bring needed improvements to district operations more quickly.
