PSJA school district’s future in limbo

PHARR — The next step for the scandal-plagued Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district will be determined by what its indicted superintendent and three board members do.

Federal authorities unsealed an indictment Tuesday against Superintendent Arturo Guajardo and board members Evangelina “Vangie” Garcia-De Leon, Rogelio “Roy” Rodriguez and Raul “Roy” Navarro consisting of 22 counts of conspiracy and extortion.

The document alleges that trips to South Padre Island, Las Vegas and Phoenix, tickets to sporting events, a Cher concert, cash and prostitution services influenced board decisions on contracts for school repair work, construction of district sports facilities and insurance plans for district employees.

Wednesday, Contractors Arnulfo “Arnie” Olivarez and George Alonzo Hernandez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Dorina Ramos in connection with the indictment.

In separate hearings, Ramos set bail at $100,000 for each defendant but allowed them to post just 5 percent of their respective bonds. Each paid the $5,000 deposit and was released.

Olivarez, a former Harlingen city commissioner, operates Insurance Associates of the Valley, the business address of which is listed as 521 S. 77 Sunshine Strip in Harlingen.

Olivarez turned himself in Tuesday night after flying back from a business trip to California.

He was only charged with one count of conspiracy in connection with an alleged role in bribing PSJA officials to vote on contracts presented by his insurance agency.

School board president Ben Garza Jr. said Wednesday the district is trying to put its best foot forward and regain public trust following the indictment.

“The people remaining on the board had committed to give a good image to our district,” he said.

“We want to get rid of our black eyes. With any cut or sore that you have, it takes a long time to heal. With this that happened, it will take a long time before the people of PSJA believe in us again.”

Gustavo Acevedo, the district’s Pharr-based attorney, said Wednesday that the board would have a special meeting to accept any resignations the four officials might tender. But he said the board is not empowered to force them to leave their seats.

No meetings had been scheduled as of Wednesday afternoon, but the next regularly scheduled board meeting is set for June 25.

The superintendent and the three indicted board members were indefinitely barred by U.S. Magistrate Dorina Ramos from conducting school business.

Acevedo said any board members leaving would have their seats filled by appointees of any remaining board members not barred from conducting school business.

The newly appointed board members could then choose to run for permanent seats in May 2008, the next time the district is slated to have elections.

Garcia-De Leon and Rodriguez were elected in 2005 and are finishing three-year terms. Navarro was elected in May and would have two years remaining on his three-year term at the time of the May 2008 elections. Whoever runs for his seat next year would compete to finish the term.

Acevedo said he did not think the board would call for special elections since voting is already scheduled for May 2008.

The indicted district officials remained mum Wednesday.

Guajardo did not return messages left on his cell phone or at his San Juan home.

And a woman answering Garcia-De Leon’s cell phone hung up on a reporter seeking comments Wednesday morning. Navarro and Rodriguez could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Guajardo is set to retire June 30.

“He’s already out of the district,” said Garza, the school board president.

Hidalgo schools Superintendent Daniel P. King is set to take over PSJA’s leadership July 1, as planned prior to Tuesday’s events. His last work day in Hidalgo is June 19, although his contract officially ends June 30.

King said he could start at PSJA after June 19 and before June 30, if needed. But such a move depends on what Guajardo and the board does. He said he has not talked to Guajardo since the indictments were announced.

King has spent time at the PSJA administration offices the last few weeks, including Wednesday, learning how the district operates.

Wednesday was not a happy day for staff there, he said, although work continues with interviews for principal positions.

He said some district employees have consulted with him already about decisions that need to be made for the new school year, since he will be in charge.

“I’ve met with all the principals and administrators and let them know what the expectations are how the district is going to operate,” he said.

“Most of the people that are seen in key positions are quite competent.”

The district had sent letters June 1 to solicit donations for the Arturo Guajardo Scholarship Fund, which would benefit worthy graduating seniors. The district sought donations from the $2,500 “bronze” level to the $15,000 “diamond” level, with checks made payable to the “Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Arturo Guajardo Scholarship Fund” by June 15.

In light of the recent scandal, Estella Garza, secretary for the district’s office of board services, said the fund will not be created now.

She said donations were supposed to be mailed to her for deposit, but as of Wednesday afternoon she had not received any. Garza said any donations received in the future will be returned.

In addition Wednesday, the district canceled a retirement party for Guajardo scheduled for June 21 at the Pharr International Convention Center.