In so far as the public is concerned, Veronica Garcia Garcia, who is in Iowa campaigning for Bill Richardson, has removed herself from the final decision on gradegate; the grade changing scandal that involved many of the most senior administrators and board members in the APS.
Her recusal comes as too little and too late for those interested in truth.
Before recusing herself, she personally exonerated Beth Everitt early in the breaking scandal. Later, she oversaw an "investigation" of gradegate that saw Beth Everitt, County Commissioner Teresa Cordova, and former school board member, Miguel Acosta excepted from investigation. None was required to answer questions or make any statement on the record, regarding their personal participation in the grade change.
Both Acosta and Cordova are threatening to to sue the APS, if APS violates their son's privacy rights. APS, Acosta, Cordova, et al, will use the privacy issue, and the threats of litigation, to prevent any hearing, investigation or revelation of their own complicity in the scandal.
The "state" will drop their prosecution of scapegoat Elsy Fierro. They will claim that without the student's records, they cannot prosecute their case. They will aver that they have no choice but to "give up" on Fierro. The hearing which will expose the incompetence and corruption that leads to the office of the superintendent and the school board, will not take place.
"I think the point is to protect the integrity of the Federal Educational Rights Privacy Act for the good of all students in New Mexico," Córdova said Monday.Right, and a pint of Haagen-Dazs serves four.
(link) to Journal article (sub req)
6 comments:
What a shame.
Years ago, when Veronica Garica was an educator and a principal, she enjoyed the reputation of protecting the "underdog" students and standing up for equality for everyone.
As the secretary of education, it seems that she slipped and slid from that reputation. Many educators (including myself and former friends of hers) have contacted her on many occasions, many different methods, to bring to her attention many serious educational issues, but no response in any form.
I think it's important to try to understand how a seemingly great educator ends up becoming a not-so-public-servant. Is the corruption and push so strong that it could crush anyone, or is it people trying to "work their way up" are the wrong people to have in power in NM Education? MAybe a combo of both.
At any rate, we have toooooo too many not-so-public-servants in NM Education... it's way beyond time to find a way to start taking them out of their jobs when they are no longer public servants serving the needs to educate children!
--An APS Educator
Socrates argued that power corrupts absolutely; perhaps he is right.
Accountability auditing is the answer to cleaning up incompetence and corruption. It begins with an audit of the leadership of the APS; I hope.
Back in the early 90's, Veronica was already Horshack's Hatchet Man. She and Andie Trybus were conducting an illegal closed door meeting with staff and parents when none other than the caped crusader Marty Esquivel, who was the attorney for the Journal back then, busted in. Trybus tried to escort him out but when the parents and staff demanded the press be allowed in, Trybus and Garcia ran and locked themselves in an office. She has personally caused more damage to this district than anyone I know. Now the board wants to reward her and make her the next superintendent? Typical. I just hope Marty remembers that night. Not that the board will really listen to “Mr. Deeds”, but one can always hope.
Not that the board will really listen to “Mr. Deeds”
I cannot help but believe that if even a hundred people would show up at a board meeting to stand up with Mr. Esquivel; the board would listen.
How do you get a hundred people to stand up for what they believe in for two minutes at a board meeting?
I wrote the earlier message about Vweronica enjoying a good reputation in times past. In open discussion with other APS educators, I have to stand corrected and come to the hypothesis that the good things she did at Rio Grande HS were perhaps to build a reputation and a career, and not out of duty, or student respect.
Only 1 friend has come to her defense, and I respect that...nevertheless,...I stand corrected.
--An APS educator
Free Food.
Crowds of underpaid school workers will appear, along with their city and county bretheren, if you give out enough food!
If city car lots can still sell cars with a few free hot dogs and some generic cola, why couldn't we sell an Ethical Vehicle at the Board Showroom in the same way?
And no, I am not cooking. I will burn it.
This can't be too different than when politicians get you liquored up and try to take your money in campaign contribitions,though, so perhaps we should tread carefully to avoid appearing like politicians. Dunno.
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