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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
School Board responds to "pot shots" with press release
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, June 14, 2000 - Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board members cleared
the air on a personnel matter during a special meeting held Tuesday evening
in the board room.
Several teachers and interested community members were on hand to listen
to the press release given out by the board in response to "bad publicity"
recently in the Pecos Enterprise, regarding the non-renewal of contracts
for two teachers.
"It is the full intention of the board to be on the up-and-up," said
board president Louis Matta. "We've been accused of lying and bad management,"
he said.
Matta stated that he has served on a lot of boards and committees and
has yet to find a board as conscientious as this one. "I hate it when people
take pot shots at us," said Matta. "There are some new board members on
board that this has really upset," he said.
Board secretary Brent Shaw read the press release out loud for the audience.
The press release stated:
Due to the recent publicity that has been in the press concerning our
school district, our administrators, and this Board of trustees, this press
release is being made to help our public understand our responsibility
to our students and to their parents.
It is not the practice of this Board or our administration as a general
rule to comment on personnel matters. We believe our employees appreciate
our respect of their privacy interests. However, due to the inaccurate
and misleading statements that have been covered in the press by former
employees, this press release is intended to assure our students and parents
that the privacy rights of student records is of paramount importance to
this Board and to our administrators and we will continue to protect those
privacy interests.
There is an employment dispute between the district and former teachers,
Ms. Bauer and Mr. Bauer about a grade change. During the course of the
grievance, former teachers Ms. Bauer and Mr. Bauer presented evidence from
student discipline files that was not connected with the dispute over the
grade change. During the grievance filed by Ms. Bauer over the directive
to change the student's grade, Ms. Bauer offered no evidence to support
the grade given to the student. As such, Principal Danny Rodriguez exercised
his discretion to have the grade adjusted. No other parent brought forward
a complaint to have their student's grades reviewed therefore no other
grade adjustments were made. At the grievance before the Board, the trustees
upheld Principal Rodriguez's decision to adjust the grade. The following
factual information was provided to Mr. Briggs from the Pecos Enterprise
in documents produced by the school district in response to Mr. Briggs
request for production of records under the Public Information Act. However,
Mr. Briggs chose not to include this factual information in his series
of articles.
A complaint was filed by Bruce and Brenilda Bauer with the Texas Education
Agency regarding the Board's decision to deny Mrs. Bauer's grievance over
the grade change was dated on December 15, 1999 and was stamped as received
by the Texas Education Agency on December 22, 1999. No copy of the complaint
was sent to the school district or its attorney. The complaint included
copies of student discipline records collected by the Bauers without the
knowledge or consent of either the school district or the students' parents.
These student records were obtained by the Bauers during the 1998-99 school
year, well before any request was made by a student's parents for a review
of the student's final grade from the end of that school year. The Bauers
did not remove he names of the students whose records were sent with the
complaint. The students whose names were on those discipline records were
not the student involved in Mrs. Bauer's grievance before the Board. The
discipline records were not relevant to the grade change in any manner.
On December 17, 1999, before their complaint was even received by the
Texas Education Agency and long before the district was made aware of the
filing of their complaint, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer were instructed orally and
in writing by Mr. Love to return all copies of student records in their
personal possession, to identify all persons to whom they had revealed
the students' names or records referenced in the manucscript chapter which
they had given to Mr. Love in support of Mrs. Bauer's complaint about the
grade change, and to provide the rest of the references to student names
and records contained in the rest of the manuscript. The Bauers were given
until January 3, 2000 to return the student records and provide the information
requested. Mr. Bauer's response was, "What makes you think we will give
you any documents:" or words to that effect.
On January 3, 2000, the only response from Mr. and Mrs. Bauer was a
statement that they were not holding any documents in violation of federal
law _ the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). They did not
return any student records, did not provide any response to the request
for identification of any persons to whom they had revealed the student
names and records, and they did not provide any other portions of the manuscript.
On January 6, 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer were given a second opportunity
to respond to the previous directives given by Mr. Love during a second
conference. They were instructed orally and in writing to comply with the
previous directives. They were further given the opportunity to sign an
affidavit in the event they did not have any student records, and had not
revealed the students' names or records to other persons. They were informed
tat this was their final opportunity to comply with directives from Mr.
Love and that their further failure to comply would result in appropriate
employment action. They were given a deadline of January 14, 2000.
On January 14, 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer again failed to comply with
the directives, nor did they provide an affidavit. Instead, they again
provided a statement that said they were not holding any documents in violation
of FERPA.
By letters dated March 10, 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer were provided with
written notice of the proposed nonrenewal of their employment contracts
with the district. The letter received by each stated the reasons for the
proposed nonrenewal and informed them of their right to a hearing prior
to any action by the Board to nonrenew their contracts. In addition to
the reason citing a FERPA violation, they were both notified that the recommendation
for nonrenewal was due to "Insubordination or failure to comply with official
directives" directly related to their refusal to comply with the directives
given by Mr. Love. The policy provided with each letter, stated the deadline
for requesting the hearing and that the hearing could be in open session
if they requested an open hearing. In spite of the opportunity for a full
public due process hearing in which they would have had the opportunity
to present witnesses and evidence to support their position, neither Mr.
nor Mrs. Bauer ever requested a hearing before the Board of Trustees.
Having received no request for a hearing from either Mr. or Mrs. Bauer
by the deadline set out in Board policy, on April 4, 2000, the Board of
Trustees took action to nonrenew their employment contract for the 2000-2001
school year. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Bauer filed an appeal from that Board
action with the Texas Education Agency. Instead, both Mr. and Mrs. Bauer
continuously misrepresented to the Texas Education Agency in Mrs. Bauer's
grievance appeal that their contracts had been nonrenewed by the Board
on March 10, 2000.
PBT-ISD's attorney, Judy Brown, contacted Kevin Lungwitz, a source listed
by Mr. Briggs, on June 9, 2000 regarding statements quoted by Mr. Briggs
in his May 26, 2000 article entitled, "TSTA officials question charges
against Bauers." Mr. Lungwitz stated that neither he nor any other TSTA
representative represented the Bauers or had any contact with the Bauers.
Mr. Lungwitz verified that he had no knowledge of the facts related to
this case. Mr. Lungwitz stated that his office had been contacted by a
local reported for a contrary position on the issue of whether a teacher
who gives student records to an administrator or the Texas Education Agency
in the teacher's grievance violates FERPA. Mr. Lungwitz was not presented
with any facts related to the directives given to Mr. and Mrs. Bauer or
their refusal to comply with those directives regarding returning student
records in their personal possession nor did he give any opinion on that
issue.
It is the opinion of this Board that the Bauers have chosen to try their
case in the media rather than following the district's policies. By following
the school district's policies the district would have an equal opportunity
to present its evidence and the law that applies to the employment dispute.
The way in which the Bauers have chosen to bring their claims have allowed
a reporter to decide what is credible and what is legal rather than the
Board of Trustees and ultimately the Commissioners of Education. One should
question why they chose to pursue the route that prevents the public from
having all the information and prevents the Commissioner of Education from
deciding the legal issues. The Bauers have now filed a complaint with the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging national origin discrimination
and retaliation. The District has not discriminated against the Bauers
in any manner and has only asked that the Bauers not violate the privacy
rights of all students of our District. We think our students and parents
support us in our efforts to protect student records.
This Board and the administrators of this district will continue to
take all necessary steps to protect the privacy interests of our students
and to protect the district from potential liability for the unauthorized
release of student records. This statement is the only statement that will
be made by the Board of Trustees and we consider the matter closed at this
time.
Board members met behind closed doors to discuss personnel including
reassignment of principals, and/or assistant principals or hear complaints
against personnel, but no action was taken on these items in open session.
The board agreed to ratify/approve the settlement agreement from Cause
No. 99-06-16339-CVR.
"We have reached a settlement agreement with the insurance attorney,"
said superintendent Don Love. "This would allow the superintendent to sign
it and send it back to the insurance attorney," he said.
Personnel appointments, reassignments and resignations were approved.
Appointments included:
· Bertha Meierhoff, Bachelor of Arts/Sociology/University of
Texas of the Permian Basin, no experience, assignement: Bessie Haynes Elementary
School bilingual teacher;
· Sonia Mendez, Bachelor of Arts/Humanities/University of Texas
of the Permian Basin, no experience, assignment: Zavala Middle School sixth
grade teacher;
· Reubin "Bill" Riggs, Bachelor of Arts/Mass Communication/Southwest
Texas State Univesity, no experience, assignment: Pecos High School English/Journalism
teacher.
Reassignments were:
* Susann Flowers, from Pecos Elementary School third grade teacher to
Austin Elementary School first grade teacher.
Resignations came from Criselda Armenta, sixth grade teacher/Zavala
Middle School sixth grade and Judy Heronema, special education teacher/Pecos
Kindergarten.
Appointments, reassignments and resignations approved during the June
8 regular school board meeting included:
Appointments:
· Kelly Cooper, Bachelor of Business Administration/Business/Tarleton
State University, no experience, Crockett Middle School Special Education
self-contained classroom teacher/coach;
· Jose Gonzales, Jr., Bachelor of Science/Interdisciplinary Studies/West
Texas A&M University, 3 years experience, Zavala Middle School sixth
grade teacher/coach.
Reassignments:
· Crissy Dominguez, from Carver Alternative Education Program
teacher to Zavala Middle School sixth grade special education teacher;
· Karen Oglesby, from Zavala Middle School sixth grade special
education teacher to Pecos Elementary School third grade special education
teacher;
· Gaston Tarango, from Zavala Middle School sixth grade teacher
to Crockett Middle School science teacher.
Resignations came from:
· Amy Lechuga, fourth grade teacher at Bessie Haynes Elementary
School and;
· Carlton Taylor, history teacher/Pecos High School.
Local volunteers get locked up for MDA
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, June 14, 2000 - Community members got "locked up" this morning
for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
MDA Lock Up Behind Bars for Good is a national fundraiser benefiting
people affected by muscular dystrophy. This fundraiser took place at the
Pecos Community Center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., MDA District Director
Trudy Espinosa said
"We're locking up people from Pecos and asking them to raise $750 in
bail by calling family, friends and co-workers," she said.
Espinosa said local firefighters have done a fundraiser for MDA before
but this is the first year for this particular fundraiser.
"The money raised here stays in West Texas," Espinosa said. "We use
it for patient services, clinics, support groups and tangible items they
need, like wheelchairs."
A portion of the money raised will allow children with muscular dystrophy
to go to summer camp at Ceta Canyon in Canyon, Texas. Espinosa said about
50 kids from the ages of six to eighteen years old go to the camp each
year.
"It is a week without any boundaries," Espinosa said.
Espinosa said businesses in Pecos were contacted in May informing them
of the fundraiser. She said they could take pledges or bring cash and checks
on the fundraiser date.
There have been about 50 confirmed businesses and citizens participating.
Executive Director of the Christian Home of Pecos, Bruce Dury said he
was asked to participated and thought it would be fun.
"In my position, I know a lot of folks so I thought I could help out,"
Dury said.
Mark Zuniga, manager of Martinez Funeral Home, said he was also asked
to participate.
"I'm always ready to volunteer to try and help people out," Zuniga said.
"All these worthwhile causes help somebody."
Dury said he wishes he could help out more.
"I wish I knew more people to bum money off of," Dury said.
Espinosa wants to assure donors that the money raised will stay in West
Texas. She said donations would be accepted at any time.
To send donations write to Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., 3001
N. Big Spring #103, Midland, TX 79705.
Pecos Rodeo going live on the Web
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, June 14, 2000 - New technology will help put the West of the
Pecos Rodeo back on the map.
This information was provided by members of Pro Rodeo Broadcasting during
the regular meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors held Tuesday at noon
at the Pecos Senior Center.
"This is the third season we have done this," said Kelly Clark, with
Pro Rodeo Broadcasting. "It's pretty innovative," he said.
Clark stated that the West of the Pecos Rodeo will be seen via the internet
this year, the first year this has been done with the local event. "It's
like television on the internet," he said.
This is something we'll see more of in the future, according to Clark.
Clark told the group that the company that did the Drew Carey Show via
the internet and the Grammy's were the ones that would be doing the rodeo
events.
"We're real excited about this, we'll come in here and set up like a
television company," said Clark. "And then the rodeo will go out worldwide,
and be able to be seen any time of the day or night," he said.
"I talked to Starkey and he should be commended for putting this together,
because this will put Pecos on the map," said Clark.
"They gave us the top 100 rodeos and Pecos was one of the first ones
we chose," said Clark. "It has a long-standing history," he said.
Clark stated that what they're trying to do is bring something new and
combine it with what is already in place.
The event will be getting about 2 ½ million hits a week and will
be bringing more tourism to Pecos, according to Clark.
"We're trying to get sponsors and giving local businesses the opportunity
for worldwide exposure," said Clark.
Each night will be archived and can be viewed at any time, according
to Clark.
"There's a vast audience out there, it's going to be monumental for
Pecos," he said. "We hope we can live up to what we're trying to do," he
said.
Rodeo tickets are now on sale at the Pecos Chamber of Commerce office.
In other discussions, Richard Creasey announced that there would be
an Open House at the State Theater on June 30. "This will give everyone
the opportunity to see what it will look like and there will be free popcorn
and sodas," he said.
July 1-4, the Windmill Players will be performing at the theater and
it will open up for film on July 15.
New post office postponed
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, June 14, 2000 - If you've been waiting with bated breath for
the new Pecos Post Office to open, you may want to relax and take a breath.
Construction of the new post office has been "deferred," said Postmaster
Ramona Sterling. That means it will be at least a year before ground will
be broken in the 800 block of South Cedar Street.
Sterling said that a question of how many service windows will be needed
in the lobby put the project on hold.
"The initial plan was to put two windows in the lobby, but someone said
we needed three," Sterling said. "They sent the plans back to headquarters."
She stressed that the project is merely on hold, and it will be re-evaluated
next year.
"I hate it," she said. "We were looking forward to it. Everything was
done."
The new one-story building will replace the three-story post office
and former federal courthouse at 100 West Fourth Street _ if and when it
is built.
Police Report
EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report
is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County
Sheriff's Office, or other officers of those agencies.
The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines of either
traffic citations, animal control violations or other court costs are considered
arrests and will be printed as such unless indicated that the fines were
paid. In such instances we will indicate payment and release.
Arthur Natividad Tarrango, 30, was arrested at 6:05 p.m., on June 4 on
County Road 319 for making alcohol available to a minor.
Lori Genevera Jordan, 25, Stacey Allen Stone, 32, and Dori Simone, 26,
were arrested at 3:57 p.m., on June 5, two miles west of Pecos on BU-20,
all for possession of marijuana under 2 ounces-Class B and unauthorized
use of a motor vehicle-State Jail Felony.
Sarah Jean Barr, 24, was arrested at 8:05 p.m., on June 5 at the Pecos
Police Department for hindering apprehension-3rd degree felony.
Jon Boyd Wilson, 35, was arrested at 9:41 p.m., on June 5 at mile marker
52 for parole violation.
Miguel Garcia, 37, was arrested at 4:28 p.m., on June 6 in the 1300
block of South Cherry during a traffic stop for possession of a control
substance.
Jill Franco, 20, was arrested at 7:08 p.m., on June 6 in the 700 block
of West 3rd for driving with a suspended license.
Rodney Sanchez Lopez, 27, was arrested at 7 p.m., on June 10 at Balmorhea
State Park on a warrant out of Ector County for possession of a controlled
substance.
Kathleen Featherstone, 46, was arrested at 6:55 a.m., on June 10 at
Flying J for assault-Class C.
Jose Tovar, 19, was arrested at 2:33 p.m., on June 11 at Flying J for
theft under $50.
A male juvenile was arrested at 12:40 a.m., on June 11 on East B. and
Walnut Streets for curfew violation-3rd offense.
Ciro B. Ortiz, 51, was arrested at 1:46 a.m., on June 10 at La Oficina
for public intoxication.
Omar G. Soto, 23, and Ida O. Florez, 37, were arrested at 3:27 a.m.,
on June 10 in the 200 block of South Cherry Street. Soto was arrested for
disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Florez was arrested for public
intoxication, disorderly conducted (enhanced) and resisting arrest.
Nicholas Hernandez, 34, was arrested at 6:39 p.m., on June 9 in the
700 block of East 4th Street for terroristic threat.
Jesus H. Montanez, 61, was arrested at 11:10 p.m., on June 8 in the
1200 block of Pecan Street for public intoxication.
Elias Sanchez, 48, was arrested at 1:28 a.m., on June 9 at La Oficina
for public intoxication.
Adan Matta III, 18, was arrested at 11:38 p.m., on June 7 in the 700
block of South Almond Street on a warrant for criminal mischief-Class B.
Gustavo S. Montoya, 58, Faustino O. Ortiz, 65, and Rafael M. Martinez,
62, were arrested at 12:27 a.m., on June 8 in the 900 block of South Cedar
Street. All were arrested for public intoxication-Class C.
John R. Pineda, 54, and Ester Marquez, 40, were arrested at 2:13 a.m.,
on June 8 on a traffic stop on Highway 17 and FM 1934. Pineda was arrested
for driving while intoxicated-Class B and possession of marijuana under
two ounces-Class B. Marquez was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia-Class
C, possession of marijuana under two ounces-Class B and public intoxication-Class
C.
Elizabeth A. Medrano, 36, was arrested at 5 a.m., on June 8 in the 800
block of South Mesquite Street on a warrant for theft by check-Class B.
Sandra Rodriguez, 20, was arrested at 5:35 p.m., on June 7 in the 500
block of South Cherry on a warrant for theft by check.
Bernardo Munoz, 24, was arrested at 10:17 p.m., on June 12 in the 800
block of East 2nd at the Circle M Bar for public intoxication.
Lawanna Anne Mauldin, 36, was arrested at 10:18 p.m., on June 12 at
McDonalds for public intoxication, failure to ID to Peace Officer, possession
of prohibited substance in a facility and a felony possession of a firearm.
Rick O. Ortiz, 17, was arrested at 2:58 p.m., on June 12 in the 400
block of Pecan Street on a warrant for criminal trespass.
Matt Williamson, 41, was arrested at 7:08 p.m., on June 12 at the Reeves
County Jail on a warrant for assault causing bodily injury to a family
member-3rd degree felony.
Eric Garcia, 28, was arrested at 10:22 a.m., on June 12 at the police
department on a warrant for parole violation.
Obituaries
Daniel Martinez
Daniel Martinez, 44, died Saturday, June 10, 2000, from injuries sustained
in an automobile accident that also took the lives of his wife, Deborah
and son, Matthew.
A mass was held at 2 p.m., today at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
with Father Jerome Burnett officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.
He was born to Jose Martinez and Clara Lujan on March 15, 1956 in Fort
Stockton. He graduated from Fort Stockton High and later attended Sul Ross
State University in Alpine, St. Edwards in Austin and UTPB in Odessa. He
received a degree in Criminal Justice. He married Deborah Vanbuskirk in
1984, they later adopted their two sons, Zachary and Matthew, and moved
to Midland in 1988. He worked for MHMR since 1992, where he was a Rehabilitation
Technician. He enjoyed helping the disabled and was an active member of
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where he wsa a Cursillistas.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jose Olivas Martinez and a brother,
Billy Martinez.
Survivors include one son, Zachary D. Martinez of Midland; his mother,
Clara Acosta Lujan of San Angelo; three brothers, Gilbert Martinez of San
Angelo, Joel Martinez of Longview, and Antonio Jose "T.J." Gonzales of
Midland; four sisters, Priscilla Gomez of Odessa, Claudellia, Myra and
Ginny Martinez, all of Midland; five uncles, three aunts, and numerous
nieces and nephews.
Reyes-Garcia Funeral Home of Midland is in charge of arrangements.
Deborah Martinez
Deborah Martinez, 46, died Sunday, June 11, 2000, from injuries sustained
in an automobile accident that also claimed the lives of her husband, Daniel
and son, Matthew Martinez.
Mass was held at 2 p.m., today, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
with Father Jerome Burnett officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.
She was born to Chester and Oleita M. Vanbuskirk on Oct. 31, 1953, in
Lamar, Colo., where she was raised and educated. She later moved to Fort
Stockton, where she met and later married Daniel in 1984. The couple moved
to Midland in 1988. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and confined
to a wheelchair. She had worked as a legal secretary and was a member of
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny Martinez; one son, Matthew
Martinez; and her parents, Chester and Olieta Vanbuskirk.
Survivors include one son, Zachary Daniel Martinez of Midland; one brother,
Ronnie Vanbuskirk of Pampa, Tx.; three sisters, Twila Gric and Ester Rule
of Lamar, Colo., Jackie Floyd of Missouri and numerous nieces, aunts, nephews,
and nieces.
Reyes-Garcia Funeral Home of Midland is in charge of arrangements.
Matthew Martinez
Matthew Billy Martinez, 11, died Saturday, June 10, 2000, from injuries
sustained in an automobile accident that also took the lives of both his
parents.
A mass was held at 2 p.m., today, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic
Church with Father Jerome Burnett officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.
He was adopted by Daniel Martinez and Deborah Vanbuskirk on Nov. 5,
1988 in Fort Stockton. He attended DeZavala and Scharbauer Elementary schools
and enjoyed sports and played Little League Baseball.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jose Martinez and Oleita
and Chester Vanbuskirk and an uncle Billy Martinez.
Survivors include one brother, Zachary Daniel Martinez of Midland; his
grandmother, Clara Acosta Lujan of San Angelo; two uncles and six aunts.
Reyes-Garcia Funeral Home of Midland is in charge of arrangements.
Weather
PECOS, June 14, 2000 - Today partly cloudy and windy a 20 percent chance
of thunderstorms. High 80-85. South wind 10-20 mph shifting to the northeast
this morning and increasing to 20-30 mph and gusty. Tonight partly cloudy
low 60-65. East wind 5-15 mph. Thursday partly cloudy and breezy high 90-95.
South wind 15-25 mph.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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