Q&A: UISD District 3 candidates

United Independent School District incumbent trustee Hector Rodriguez faces two challengers for the race for District 3 on May 3. Rodriguez, a retired State Trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety, squares off with Webb County Juvenile Case Management Director Patricia Campos and lifetime educator Ernesto Treviño.

Please give us some background information about yourself as to your education, family, and your employment.

Hector Rodriguez: I graduated from Martin High School in 1971, received an Associate of Arts at Laredo Community College, and a commission in law enforcement from Homer Garrison Law Enforcement Academy in Austin. I have been married for 24 years and am a father of two girls, each having attended United ISD schools.
Patricia Campos: I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Laredo State University. I am also a certified juvenile probation officer and hold a paralegal certification. I have been employed with the Webb County Juvenile Department for 22 years. I began my career as a juvenile detention officer and I am presently serving as case management director, overseeing the functions of 20 juvenile probation officers. I am a member of the Texas Gang Investigators Association, Texas Probation Association, Juvenile Justice Association of Texas, Texas Corrections Association, National Association of Female Executives, and the American Association of University Women. I am actively involved with two parishes in the Diocese of Laredo, serving in the capacity of youth minister for Holy Family Church and lector at San Martin de Porres Church. I am one of eight children born to Cirilo and Delia Campos, and I am very proud to say that all of us have a college education.
Ernesto Treviño: I received a bachelor's and master's degree from Texas A&I University. The bachelor's was with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Journalism. The master's was with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science.
I am married to Mary Vela, who is a longtime employee of Texas A&M International University and now serves as Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs. We have four children. Three graduated from United High School and one is currently attending Alexander High School. We attend San Martin de Porres Church, where I have been active as a CCD teacher, as an Altar Server co-sponsor, and in their Summer Program.
I devoted 32 years of my life to education. Twenty-six years were spent as a classroom teacher in mathematics and journalism, and six years as the Computer Center Director at TAMIU and Laredo Community College. Additionally, I have been an instructor of mathematics at TAMIU. Most of the courses that I taught were required math courses for students in elementary and secondary education. I retired two years ago after teaching in UISD for 19 years.
As a teacher at United High School, I was involved in numerous committees. Among them were chairman of Parental Involvement Committee for Campus Study Plan, chairman of Instructional and Curriculum Committee for Southern Association Visitation, member of UISD Curriculum and Instructional Improvement Committee, member of State Textbook Committee, Inservice Sessions presenter for UISD, member of UISD Curriculum Alignment Committee, United High School Mathematics Department Chair, member of Site Based Decision Making Committee, member and officer of UISD Liaison Committee, and member of Search Committee for UHS Principal.
At United High School, I was a UIL coach for Computer Programming and Journalism, a coach for the State Computer Programming Contest, and an advisor to the National Honor Society, Student Council, Junior Class, Senior Class, Newspaper, Yearbook, and Broadcasting.
I was a member of the following educational organizations: National Association of Student Activity Advisors, Calculator and Computer Pre-Calculus Project (Ohio State University), Texas Classroom Teacher Association, and Texas State Teacher Association.

What do you feel you have to offer the UISD board of trustees in terms of service, teamwork, and ability to look at figures and understand them?

Rodriguez: I offer United ISD and the board expertise in law enforcement, safety and knowledge as a taxpayer of 24 years, knowledge as a parent for 21 years, and the experience of having served on the UISD board for the past seven years. I have a good understanding of the manner in which the school district's budget is established and impacted by state and federal funding, which at this point in time is of the utmost importance. I have helped the State House of Representatives establish a law to certify all crossing guards as traffic guards, which has not only saved United ISD thousands of dollars, but all districts in Texas hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Campos: Unlike anyone else on the board or running for the board, I have dedicated my professional career to working with youth and troubled youth. This is critical at this time because of the rampant gang and drug problems within the district. Teamwork is an integral part of my job. We must build a team and work together to better serve the youth and parents we serve at the Webb County Juvenile Department. Our best results are achieved when we build coalitions. As a supervisor for the Juvenile Department one of my responsibilities is to work alongside other supervisors on both the county and state budgets.
Treviño: My background in education would be valuable when reviewing recommendations from the administration dealing with curriculum and instruction. Too many times in the past the district has adopted a new concept that was not completely thought out. Teachers should be included in the decision making process because they will be the ones that will make or break any programs. If teachers have not "bought into" a new concept through participation, then it will probably be doomed to failure.
Remember when the district tore down the walls in the schools because "the open concept" was the way to improve instruction? A few years later the walls went back up. How much did this cost the taxpayers? Teachers still remember "ODEM." This was another program that was going to improve instruction. It didn't work. It didn't last. Then the district spent so much time on "vertical alignment." Why? The state tells the schools what to cover at each grade level. What were we trying to align? It sounded good, though. Then there was the "block concept." It brought many problems with it, but it was better for administration so the district went through with it.
New concepts are great because that's how things are improved, but they need to be thoroughly planned and thought out.
The student/teacher ratio being planned for next year is 28 to 1. But how many teachers will have over 30 students because of special classes with restricted enrollment? A more important figure would be a maximum class size number.
Teamwork is very important in any organization. My background in education would complement the other trustees whose expertise is in other areas.
My background in mathematics gives me the ability to be able to look at figures. I know that as far as the budget is concerned, I could find areas other than the classroom to cut. I'm sure the question was referring to money, but I would also look at other figures such as the student/teacher ratio discussed above.

What would you value most about being able to serve as a school district trustee?

Rodriguez: I have had the privilege of serving the voters of District 3 because I believe they have trusted me to do what is right for all children, and I work hard at caring for each student, staff member, and taxpayer in the district.
Campos: Knowing that I as a member of the board could have a direct impact on preventing students from becoming my clients at the Juvenile Department is probably the most valuable reason for becoming a school district trustee.
Treviño: I would value the responsibility that the voters had given me to do the best for the children of the district. We can't afford to make mistakes with the future of our city, state, and nation. Unfortunately, mistakes have been made in the past.
I see the day when UISD is visited by school districts from across the state and even the nation because we have achieved an excellence that other districts would like to duplicate. With my experience and a lot of hard work, I know that we can achieve this excellence.
We have the teachers to get the job done. We just need to help them and stop holding them back.

What is your perception of the role of trustee?

Rodriguez: A trustee should be ethical, trustworthy, and respectful of the fact that a trustee is to work with administration in making the best decisions for the students. A trustee only has three jobs -- to set policy for the district, to accept a budget yearly, and to hire and fire the superintendent of the district. All other management jobs are in the hands of the superintendent.
Campos: The role of a trustee is clearly defined by law. This is something that many people find very hard to follow. The short version of what the board is authorized by law to do is, 1) hire a superintendent, 2) evaluate the superintendent, 3) develop and approve school district policies and procedures, and 4) approve a balanced budget.
Treviño: The role of a trustee is to set educational goals for the schools. These goals should be directed to what is occurring in the classroom. Once the goals are set then the trustees need to make sure that policies are in place to reach those goals. There are numerous items that trustees are called upon to decide on, but educational excellence for all children in the district should be the main focus. A trustee is entrusted by the voters to insure that the children receive the best education possible. Another and very important role that a trustee has is to evaluate the job performance of the superintendent.

Do you feel service as a trustee should have a limit as to years?

Rodriguez: I do not believe a school board member should have a limit to the number of years to serve on the board. Because a school board member is not a paid elected position, I feel that as long as a trustee is doing a good job and the voters want him or her to continue, board members should be permitted.
Campos: Yes, I believe all elected positions should have term limits.
Treviño: I don't see a problem because the voters decide who they want in office. UISD has had board members who served many terms because the voters were satisfied with their job performance. At the same time, there have been times when the voters have been dissatisfied with board members and they have not returned them to office. So at this time a limit is not needed.

What do you consider your most valuable asset in terms of teamwork?

Rodriguez: Among the most valuable assets I possess as a board member are the ability to listen to all persons with concerns, the ability to communicate those concerns on behalf of the voter, and the ability to dialogue with the superintendent and staff. I am also respectfulness of all board members' opinions, even if I disagree with them. I have integrity and high ethics which preclude me from having any type of relationship with other board members, the superintendent , or staff.
Campos: In my capacity as case management director overseeing 20 juvenile probation officers, one of my primary functions is to build a quality team, which we have done over the last nine years. I believe my experience with the department can most benefit the board and the district.
Treviño: My most valuable asset in terms of teamwork is my organizational skills. Whatever task I must deal with is organized to the point that I am thoroughly prepared. When I was teaching I was able to sponsor many organizations at the same time because everything that I had to do was planned, organized, and structured.

Evaluate the sitting board of trustees as to outspokenness, forward thinking, and vision for how to keep the district focused on the needs of students.

Rodriguez: The present board has been working hard on working together as a team. Each board member knows that not one single member can implement a policy or directive. As this board continues to develop, a continuation of high academic expectations and financial accountability will also begin to increase.
Campos: Having followed the actions of the board for the last several years, I have noticed a vast improvement in the working relationship among the majority of the members, especially since the addition of the latest members. I consider this new board to be progressive, cooperative, and truly having the best interests of the students at heart.
Treviño: The job of a trustee is not an easy one so I would not presume to second guess any decisions made by the current board. I strongly feel that my experience in education would be an asset to the board and would lead to better programs for the children.

What is your perception for how a board should work with the superintendent?

Rodriguez: A school board is an entity that should be a resource to the superintendent. That resource should communicate concerns, praise, expectations, and information from the community, but ultimately the school board should be watchful of the district's resources. It is the board's job to let the superintendent and administration do what they have been hired to do to meet the goals and expectations of the board and community.
Campos: The superintendent is the chief administrator for the district and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the district, utilizing board-approved policies and procedures and state law.
Treviño: The trustees should set goals and policy and then allow the superintendent to "run with the ball." The trustees should stay away from micromanaging. It is the superintendent's job to manage, not the trustees. UISD has gone through too many superintendent changes. A trustee's job is to work with and help the superintendent as much as possible.

What is your perception for how a board should work with administrators?

Rodriguez: The school board should have constant communication with the superintendent and have an open line with administration in order to gather information, facts, and statistics. The superintendent should want to always communicate concerns and thoughts about the direction of the district and the pertinent information that board members need to know as representatives of the community.
Campos: The board does not give directives to administrators, only to the superintendent. Board contact with administrators is typically limited to department heads giving reports at board meetings. Board members contacting individual department managers should be kept to a minimum in order to avoid micro-management.
Treviño: Trustees should work with administrators only with the superintendent's knowledge and only because they are working on district goals. There is nothing wrong with meeting and sharing ideas, but trustees should not get into a situation where they are trying to tell administrators how to do their jobs. Any serious concerns should be presented to the superintendent.

What would you do to improve curriculum and academic standards?

Rodriguez: I would like to continue to promote more community and parental involvement in decision-making committees within the district, establish a more varied after-school program, mentoring for all students at all levels, and maintain dialogue with students as to their view of their needs. As far as academics, I would like to continue developing the curriculum that best fits our district's needs in order to bring the best out of each of our students' abilities.
Campos: We need an independent review of the district's curriculum program to ensure the program design and implementation process in place effectively addresses our student's needs and the new state requirements.
Treviño: Student learning should be our top priority. Currently, the District's top priority is doing well on TAAS/TAKS tests, so most of the instructional time is spent on preparing for these tests, which are nothing but basic, minimal skills tests. I have done research on top performing schools nationwide and they have one thing in common -- they teach the curriculum and the tests take care of themselves. UISD needs to allow our teachers to get back to educating our children -- our future. We need higher ACT and SAT scores and we need to find a way to address the high dropout rate. Regardless of how the state or the district calculate the dropout rate, when we have incoming freshman classes of 1,000 students and three years later a senior class of 500 students, then we have a serious problem. We should not continue to doom that many students to a life without a basic high school diploma.
There are other factors that impact instruction. Budget cuts should not affect the classroom. Teachers need adequate supplies to get their job done. There are other areas in the budget to cut.
Also, an adequate discipline plan is needed. Teachers need help in the classroom with the difficulties that they have to confront every day. If we expect teachers to be effective and productive, then we need to support them. We need to address student behavior, tardies, absenteeism, and the use of illegal drugs on campus. Teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn if the students are not in the classroom, not behaving, or under the influence of drugs.

Q&A: LISD Districts 3, 5, & 6 candidates

Laredo Independent School District incumbent trustees for Districts 3, 5, and 6 -- John Peter Montalvo, Dennis Cantu, and Viola Moore -- face challengers Nathan Bratton, Sara Campos Carrasco, Ph.D., and Guillermina Montes, respectively, in the May 3 school board election.
Though LareDOS e-mailed the three LISD incumbent trustees for answers to these questions, as well as to the challengers in each district, none of the incumbents replied. All incumbents and challengers were sent questions via e-mail on April 2, 2003.

Please give us some background information about yourself as to your education, your family, and your employment.

Nathan Bratton: During the late 1890s my great grandfather, Samuel Bratton, was the Webb County District Clerk and my other great grandfather (on my father's mother's side) was a Webb County Commissioner. My father enlisted in the U.S. Army prior to World War II and retired in the early 1970s. He served during World War II and the Korean Conflict and served stateside during the Vietnam War. I came to Laredo, my father's hometown, with my younger sister, Shellee, and brother, Samuel, when I was about eight years old, after my mother passed away and while my father was finishing his enlistment at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
We were cared for by my grandmother and my uncle, until my father joined us here in Laredo. I attended Don Tomas Sanchez Elementary School and L. J. Christen Jr. High School, and I graduated from Raymond and Tirza Martin High School in 1976. I graduated from Laredo State University with a bachelor of science degree in Education, and began my teaching career at Nixon Annex (now known as Memorial Middle School). I taught there a couple of years and then transferred to Cigarroa High School the first year it opened. I was very involved in student activities and sponsored the first yearbook at Cigarroa and the school newspaper. I taught history and photojournalism and sponsored several University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities.
After that first year at Cigarroa, I applied and was accepted to the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. During my law school years I worked as a Class C Presidential Appointee with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. I graduated from law school in 1988 and returned to Laredo. While pursuing my law license, I returned to LISD and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at Cigarroa Middle School. I finished up the school year at Cigarroa Middle School and then worked for a short time with Laredo Legal Aid as a legal intern. Upon receiving my law license in late 1990, I worked with the City Attorney's Office as an assistant city attorney to Anthony McGettrick. I worked as legal counsel to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Airport Board. I also helped write many City ordinances and attended to other governmental legal matters. After two years with the City, I moved into private practice in the law firm of Freemen & Castillon, where I primarily practiced in the area of creditor bankruptcy.
In late 1993, I was hired by Webb County Attorney Anna Laura Cavazos Ramirez. I worked on real estate matters (right-of-way acquisition for water and sewer improvements to the colonias), prosecuted juveniles, represented the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services in child abuse and abandonment cases, and host of other projects. When the current County Attorney, Mr. Homero Ramirez, took office in January, 1997, he designated me First Assistant County Attorney, the position I currently occupy. Part of my duties now revolve around assisting the County Attorney in the overall management of the office, providing legal counsel to elected county officials and department heads, preparing and/or reviewing all contractual agreements the County enters into, real estate acquisitions, and the supervision of the fairly new Webb County Attorney's Office Environmental Division.
In 1994, while with the County Attorney's office, I married Trina Buckley and in August of 1997, on my birthday, was introduced to my first son, Samuel Jakob. In January of 2000, I was equally proud to meet my second son Sean Edward. My wife is currently a curriculum specialist at Buenos Aires Elementary School.
Additionally, I currently sit as a commissioner on the City of Laredo Planning and Zoning Commission, having been appointed to the post by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores.
Sara Carrasco: I have been employed by Laredo Community College for 34 years, where presently I am the chairperson and a professor of the Kinesiology Department. I coached tennis at LCC for 26 years. I have been an adjunct professor for 26 years in Methods of Health & Physical Education for Elementary Teachers, which I teach at Texas A&M International University. My 39 years as an educator include five years with the Laredo Independent School District.
I graduated from Martin High School and Laredo Junior College, completing my BSc. at Texas Woman's University in Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. I also completed a Master of Arts in Physical Education & Education and a Ph.D. in Health Education & Physical Education at Texas Woman's University. I also hold a MSc. in Education & School Administration from Texas A&M International University. I have also completed studies in Guidance Counseling at the University of Texas at Austin; Physical Education at East Texas State University at Commerce; Outdoor Education at Baylor University; and Cultural Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
My late parents were Margarita and José A. Campos, a housewife and a master aircraft and auto mechanic.
The importance of education was a central theme in our lives and my parents made sure that I along with my siblings José Campos, Eduardo Campos, María Elsa Pope, and Elvira A. Jackson were educated.
I am married to Adolfo Carrasco, Jr., and we have two sons, Carlos P. Carrasco, Ph.D., and Adolfo A. Carrasco.
Guillermina Montes: I am a retired teacher with 39 years of experience as an educator. I was born and reared in Zapata. I worked with the Laredo ISD for 24 years as a classroom teacher, visiting teacher, and finally as a home instruction teacher. I have a degree in Business Education with a minor in Economics and elementary and secondary certificates. I have completed courses in health, property, and life insurance, as well as workers' compensation. I have one daughter, Rosena García, who is also a teacher. My parents, Jorge and Josefa Montes, inspired me to be independent and caring and to be the best that I could be in this great country of ours. I have three brothers. All three honorably served in our U.S. Armed Forces. I have one sister and she is a retired rancher. I consider many of my good friends to be part of my family. At present, I am writing short stories as a hobby.

What do you feel you have to offer the LISD board of trustees in terms of service, teamwork, and the ability to look at figures and understand them?

Bratton: I believe that my experience as a teacher at LISD gives me relevant insight into the day to day concerns of teachers and a sensitivity to the needs of the school children of the district. I make a conscious effort to be objective and open-minded to all positions and points of view and make decisions based on fact and research, not on rumors and subjective criteria.
The only way to accomplish the goal of providing the best education and opportunities for our school children is to work as a team. There must be a consensus among the community, the board of trustees, and educators as to how best to accomplish this goal. There must be a clear and concise plan that reaches this goal.
As an attorney, I have a professional attitude and bring critical thinking skills to the table. Understanding the subtleties of the law and general governmental operation goes a long way in ensuring that the statutory framework set out for school districts is adhered to. Fiscal responsibility has to be closely monitored so that the district can provide a quality education throughout a student's public school life.
Finally, and most importantly, as a parent, I, too, want the best educational experience for my children. I want them to prosper and grow and have every opportunity available to them.
Carrasco: Educators are service oriented. It is a major key to being a good teacher, coach, and administrator. I have devoted many hours helping students and athletes achieve their potential. In my profession, these forms of teamwork constitute accomplishment. I feel that I am able and qualified to help schools focus on preparation for college and/or the work force. My areas of expertise encompass counseling, wellness, and fitness. Therefore, I would emphasize the value of physical activity and prevention of deadly hypokinetic diseases. I am also in charge of the Kinesiology Department at LCC. Departmental budgets and statistical surveys have allowed me to understand and develop appropriate figures for the department.
Montes: In terms of teamwork, I served as president for two teachers' organizations, the Laredo Education Association, an affiliate of Texas State Teachers Association, for two years, and the Association of Texas Professional Educators for three years. As spokesperson for the Laredo Education Association/TSTA for five years, we worked as a team to improve conditions for our teachers and thus help our students to achieve their educational goals.
My degree in business education, my in-depth ability to be able to answer questions and issues that have been posed by concerned citizens, taxpayers, students, parents and educators. I believe that no trustee should embarrass any employee, regardless of their position, because of their educational philosophy. In addition, I believe that trustees should support a plan of growth for our loyal and dedicated teachers and administrators. Finally, trustees should have all the training as required by the state of Texas or be asked to relinquish his/her position. Failure to do this may encourage or mislead trustees to micromanage unintentionally.

What would you value most about being able to serve as school district trustee?

Bratton: I consider the job of school trustee to be volunteerism in its truest sense. The job demands an enormous amount of time, dedication, and energy. I highly value the education of our children. Recently, I read LISD's mission statement on its Web site. I do agree in providing the best quality education to our children and I would like to see the community more involved in the district's schools, but to answer the question more directly, I would value the opportunity to make sure that LISD becomes the benchmark against which all other school districts in Texas are measured.
Carrasco: My focus is student performance, and as a board member I would value being able to share what I know to help all students in our district. I believe schools are about students. I want to know about all the good things that are happening to the students; and I also want to know how we are failing our students. I am a product of LISD and so are my sons. I believe we have a responsibility to do everything possible to prepare our students emotionally, socially, and academically for the future. I want to spend time learning about the many needs students have as well as help support programs that will help them overcome their weaknesses.
Montes: As a school board member, I will have the opportunity to help our educational administrators to improve our schools and to help our students to achieve their educational goals by supporting and developing policies that will provide opportunities for them to succeed. I will assure that we are fair with our hiring practices and look first within our wealth of talented employees before seeking outside candidates to fill positions that our loyal and dedicated teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals are very qualified and capable to handle successfully. I will support recommendations from our instructional leaders and their ideas on supplementing the state curriculum. I am confident that with instructional leaders and administrators working in unison that the implementation of the curriculum will yield positive academic results.

What is your perception of the role of trustee?

Bratton: Statutorily, the role of a trustee is to implement the educational mandates of the State. However, trustees have been historically perceived as educators trying to mold the educational needs of the children. It is this perception that has led some school boards to mistakenly try to micromanage the affairs of the district. I do not intend to micromanage the affairs of the school district but to place the burden on the district's administration and evaluate their performance accordingly.
Carrasco: The role of a trustee is to be a policy maker. The board of trustees sets policy for the administration to follow. It is through policy that the board members convey messages about what is important to the district. As a future broad member it is my role to hear about the good things that are happening with our students and about the things that are troubling the students. I want schools to improve their parental involvement efforts. I want to see schools reach out and partner with parents in the education of their children. This, I will do through policy and modifications by asking schools to report on their parental involvement efforts. I think there is a very strong correlation between schools that score high and the degree of parental involvement.
Montes: The elected trustee, in my view, is a person who has been entrusted to oversee that the best education is in place for all of our school children, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds and regardless of the location of their residence. Further, the trustee must be fair to everyone involved in carrying out the total aspects of various school programs. The trustee should have a responsibility to establish guidelines in the making of agenda items which must be fair, clear and informative to the public.

Do you feel service as a trustee should have a limit as to years?

Bratton: As long as there are community-minded individuals willing to step forward and work toward providing our school children with the best educational experience possible and there are individuals in the community willing to evaluate the school board's performance by voting for them or for other candidates, term limitations become a non-issue. Having made this statement, I firmly believe that a school board trustee should be able to serve on school boards as long as their constituents are satisfied with their work performance and they have demonstrated effective leadership and continuity in addressing the educational needs of our children.
Carrasco: Yes. I think two terms would be appropriate.
Montes: I strongly believe that the trustee should be limited to two two-year terms.

What do you consider your most valuable asset in terms of teamwork?

Bratton: I listen. I do not have a set agenda other than my commitment to provide for the educational needs of our children. I believe that our community should be kept up to date on the progress of the school district and have many more opportunities to voice its concerns and opinions regarding the direction the school district is taking and the services it is providing to our children. The district must adapt to the rising statewide standards in curriculum and accountability and be ever mindful that no child be left behind. The board, along with the community, needs to work together, as a team, to meet these increased mandates.
Carrasco: My willingness to work with people and my belief that everyone has something good to contribute is my most valuable asset. I have been an educator for 39 years. During this time, I have had to work with teams of students, teams of faculty members, and teams of community members. I want to work with all board members. I want to work with parents and students. All of these groups help make a successful district. All of these groups working together can bring benefit to the students.
Montes: My experience as president of two of the strongest local teachers' organizations has given me the opportunity to enhance my team-building skills. Further, my active involvement with parental groups in our community, without any doubt, has helped me gain an understanding of how parents and educators can work together to attain specific goals.

Evaluate the sitting board of trustees of as to outspokenness, forward thinking, and vision for how to keep the district focused on the needs of students.

Bratton: Arguably, every school board trustee seeks to address the educational needs of our children. However, the way each one goes about accomplishing this goal is what sets each and every one of them apart. In order to move forward, there has to be a consensus of the stakeholders, teachers, administrators, parents, community leaders, and a plan.
On April 29, 2002, the Texas Comptroller issued a "Performance Review" of the Laredo Independent School District. Within the pages of this document, the Comptroller details 101 recommendations that she estimates could save the school district $13 million over the next five years. With respect to the school board, the Comptroller found that some LISD board members are not meeting continuing education requirements; that the use of standing committees by the board creates duplicate information requests which lead to inefficiencies; there are no school board operating procedures; and materials taken to the board needed to be more comprehensive to allow board members to make informed decisions. Additionally, the report noted, among other things, board members "have become increasingly involved in the daily operations of the district, which could potentially violate their statutory authority as board members. Individual LISD board members interact directly with LISD staff, question administrative decisions and micromanage district affairs." As such, I can only echo the concerns expressed in the Comptroller's report and rely on its evaluation of the district.
Carrasco: The current board members, in my view, have low expectations for our students. I believe that more students should be exposed to a college preparation curriculum early on. Research indicates that rigor in the classroom is the key to high academic performance. The AP classes are an excellent starting point. These courses will lead to higher TASP, SAT, and ACT scores for all out students. The counselors need to advise students about careers and preparations necessary for college. This exposure should be happening at the elementary level. I am also aware that the board members do not want to focus on statistics. Academic performance of students is best understood through statistics. How else would we know the percentage of students that are not learning certain valuable skills, if it were not from statistical reports? The research on effective schools measure what is happening at their school. I want to know about our students' academic needs. It is important that statistics be presented. Statistic measure growth, and we can expect schools to report on their growth.
Montes: It seems to me that the indifference and complacency that the current board of trustees has displayed toward their poor ratings by the Comptroller's Office is one that our community should be strongly concerned with. In my view, few efforts have been made to bring our district to exemplary status even when the money has been available to start complying with the given recommendations. Implementing exemplary secondary libraries is one example that comes to mind.
I am well aware that no one can be an expert at everything, and the fact that some board members defend their reasons for not getting the effective free board members training is an indication to me that they are not interested in attaining valuable knowledge that will provide them with leadership skills and direction to guide the district in the right path.

What is your perception for how a board should work with the superintendent?

Bratton: The board should set a clear and concise policy and direct the superintendent to implement that policy. The superintendent should have latitude in implementing the school board's policy. However, he should also be held accountable for failing to get positive results. I am a strong proponent of the philosophy that any compensation packages for administration should be performance based. This places a great deal of responsibility on the superintendent and administration to work closely with teachers and parents to insure that our children have a productive experience.
Carrasco: The board and the superintendent should and need to work together. However, the board and the superintendent should act as the checks and balances for the system. It should not be "I do for you and you do for me." Together in open meetings, the board and the superintendent should dialogue about the needs of the students and the district.
Montes: First, it is imperative that the board member take the specified courses for an effective board member to learn how to deal with school issues and management styles. Secondly, the superintendent should provide written details on what his plans are on how to improve education of our students. The superintendent's goals are not clear and many times very vague. He does not state what strategies or what curriculum he will be using to improve our educational goals. The trustee should allow time to discuss an in-depth study on critical issues that may deem time outside the lengthy regular school board meetings. Finally, the trustee and the superintendent must work amicably because both should care about finding ways to improve the education for all of our children.

What is your perception for how a board should work with administrators?

Bratton: I believe the goal of the board is to devote resources to be able to recruit, compensate, and retain quality teachers and administrators and they should have available to them all the resources needed to implement the school board's policy. However, administrators answer to the superintendent. Once the board has set the course and direction for the district, consistent with state mandate, it is up to the superintendent and administrators to carry out that policy.
Carrasco: Administrators work under the superintendent. I think the board should be ready to receive reports and discuss the impact and the significance of these reports with administrators. The relationship should be one of mutual respect.
Montes: The board should treat all administrators with respect. Administrators are knowledgeable in their own specified fields. The trustee should ask them questions to obtain information on all issues so that they in turn can make informed and intelligent decisions that will be in the best interest of our students.

Have you read the Comptroller's assessment of the school district in general and specifically on the trustees and administration? If so, please comment on some of those finding and recommendations.

Bratton: I am continuing to review the Comptroller's assessment of the school district. As I have explained, it sets out 101 recommendations on how the school district can improve and be more efficient in the use of tax dollars. The recommendations cover 12 distinct areas of district operations, from organization and management, educational service delivery, community involvement, personnel management, facilities use and management, through safety and security. In addition to recommendations, the Comptroller's "Performance Review" of the Laredo Independent School District points out areas in which the district is adequate or excels. It is essentially a report card for the district but goes one step further by setting out a fairly detailed process and timeline for the implementation of these recommendations. Many of the recommendations can be implemented with little or no impact on the district's budget. Some of the recommendations, as I indicated earlier, even suggest ways in which the district can save money.
Overall the "Performance Review" of the Laredo Independent School District is a blueprint of how to make the district more successful in educating our children, a goal that is of the utmost importance to all of us.
Carrasco: Yes, I have read the review. The document specifies that LISD board members do not attend continuing education requirements mandated by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). I was quite disappointed in realizing that fact. These mandatory courses, I feel, are vital to being an effective board member. If board members resist attending they fail their obligations as elected officials in governance, management, policies, and procedures. Another concern, which I find disturbing, is that the document addresses micromanagement by board members at LISD. Here our educational comptroller is implicating LISD board members by making it known that they go into our schools to inform teachers how they should perform. This action is a direct violation of school governance. Therefore, my recommendation is simple. We need board members who will adhere to the required responsibilities set out by the TASB.
Montes: In my view, the school district should stop micromanaging practices as pointed out in Comptroller Rylander's April 2002 report. The board members should do their homework, take the training on how to be effective board members, and strongly consider recommendations made by their committees. School board meetings should provide agendas that help members remain focused on pertinent issues, while allotting sufficient time for the community to voice their concerns. School education should be taken seriously, and thus the board members should evaluate the assessment of their report card by the Comptroller's Office. Strong efforts must be made to correct the poor rating that they have received. How can the board of trustees establish high standards for our children, when the trustees do not want to do their homework to make informed decisions? Some of them do not want to spend the necessary time to obtain training and learn how to be effective board members. It is time for a change in the right direction.