2/06/07  DISD Exec Violates Board Rules

DISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa's refusal to speak to reporters about Mr. Celso Martinez's outright political grandstand of openly declaring his intent to not adhere to DISD's policy on residency requirements speaks volumes about Mr. Martinez's integrity.  It also emphasizes Dr. Hinojosa's need to exert himself and exhibit the leadership this school system desperately needs. 

Mr. Martinez accepted his position with residency requirements.  He otherwise would not have been hired for the position he now holds. I can't imagine any DISD school board trustee seriously approving Mr. Martinez's request for a waiver from the district's residency requirements while claiming extenuating circumstances.  Not after his well versed public political speech on this subject.

I hope Dr. Hinojosa has already had a heart to heart talk with Mr. Martinez telling him he did not appreciate him using the local media to expound on his political position related to the district's residency requirements before Dr. Hinojosa had an opportunity to make his own public statement and position on this issue. 

I don't get it.  With this kind of lack of respect given to Dr. Hinojosa coming from the top ranks, one would not find it hard to believe why he is now faced with terminating or disciplining over 600 of his employees for committing credit card fraud of the district's credit card.  

Dr. Hinojosa would do himself a lot of good at this time by ordering an immediate audit on the residency status of his remaining executive level staff and issue an immediate directive  ordering all executive level staff (including Mr. Martinez) found to not be in accordance with residency requirements a maximum of 90 days to comply with the district's existing residency requirements or face immediate termination of employment or demotion.

Anything less than this show of measured leadership will compound the visible impression of a DISD locked in an atmosphere where  announcements of forced/voluntary resignations, terminations  and criminal referrals mirror the weekly movie announcements in our daily newspaper. 

If Mr. Martinez does get his waiver, the DISD should donate former DISD Superintendent Yvonne Gonzalez's redwood furniture as a house warming gift.  Right?

Gehrig Saldana