“Security for Board Members, But Not Yo Kids”

KISD blog by Liz Ramos

07/31/2019

“Security for Board Members, But Not Yo Kids”

I ain’t gonna lie. The second thing I noticed negatively about KISD was the first day of school when I went to Perez. The first day was absolute madness! I have a mouthful of things to say about how I thought it was handled as a parent. From the wee ones not being able to meet or greet their teacher(s), to not knowing exactly what the teacher needs in supplies, to not getting any paperwork the first day of class worth a damn, to finally, the crappy drop-off and pick-up situation. It continued into the next day, then the next, then the next and so on till the end of school. What a nightmare it was.

I am not going to blame this campus pick-up and drop-off entirely on KISD because parents need some serious education on how to use common sense. Parents are walking across the street not using a crosswalk with a child in tow. Parents walking in-between cars on campus in every which direction. Parents walking behind parked cars that are trying to back up. One day I laid on my horn like a madwoman, cursing to high hell every horrid word I learned at Fort Bragg because a parent thought it was a good idea to get behind me as I was backing out. Good thing my car windows were closed. I checked four times and it was clear and as I started backing out, she came out of no where with a small child in hand. I do understand how frustrating that can be for KISD being responsible for other’s non-common sense.

It isn’t just the parents. It is the drivers in that area as well. Mostly parents, but there are a few that go through there during those times in a manner which angers me. Speeding, blocking crosswalks, not using defensive driving skills, etc. The thing is, it is not just a campus issue, it is a city issue as well. Two entities need to work together here.

I used to think of every possible way that it would be easier and safer for kids to get to school and home. I would count cars in parking lots and wonder how many can fit with a cone and number system. Then I thought, teachers don’t want to do that. I thought about how making the road one way would help but that road has access to the highway. I thought about slowing the speed limit, but I know the city will be a PITA (Pain In The Ass) about it and the process would be slow and it would cost money. Then I thought maybe they can let kids go at different times, but teachers wouldn’t like that. I even went as far as common sense and thought maybe Principal Ramos could come up with a solution that costs nothing and didn’t take teachers time like EDUCATING parents on the proper way to pick up their child and drop them off. He was understaffed and he also rarely responded to emails. At that point there was really no one of value running to at the district, so my voice would have gone unheard. KISD is just so lucky they have a Constable that cares about the safety more than some board members do. I don’t even want to know what it would look like without him!

Here I go again bitching! I seriously tried to find a solution. Crossing guards was one of my thoughts. I figured if there was more enforcement and education by campus staff, they wouldn’t need one! Other parents in other campuses in other cities know how to follow directions, why can’t those in Kingsville? From the gestures I got from Garza Sr. and Coufal, no, they can’t. They believe so much in us parents!

I did find a solution. It will cost some money though. There is a plot of land next to Perez Elementary. It hasn’t been used in over a year as far as I know. I do not know if it is owned by KISD or the city. If it is owned by the city, maybe they can sell it to KISD for $1. If it is KISD then make them utilize it! I had looked at that plot of land for a year and thought, what a perfect place for extra space for drop-off and pick-up. It keeps cars and kids off the streets, and those pesky parents that cannot follow directions. It would probably need to be paved for safety in time. Problem solved at Perez. I am not down at Harrel enough to know their situation and how it could possibly be solved. I am sure Constable Hack has some sort of solution for both campuses?

Gosh, Liz, why are you so negative? Negative Nancy! I cannot divulge everything that I would like to, but I will say this, I have tried to be nice. Many times. On so many different levels. You think that has gotten me anywhere? Usually when I live in a new place, I like to introduce myself to those who work for us. Those that work for us for free or paid. I send emails to commissioners, business groups, non-profits, etc. I say something along the lines that I am new here and would like to be involved in my community. Please let me know if I can ever be of any assistance or, hey, I have some concerns and would love to talk. I have never had an issue getting ahold of an elected official in the past. NEVER. I have had a few block me on Facebook in Brownsville, but they are corrupt as usual. I have invited commissioners to join community groups to show up and talk to members and they have always been happy to when their schedule allows. They have always been 100% obtainable. You know why? Because they want my vote. They want your vote. And in all likeliness, they will get my vote! Especially if they talk and they show (as best as they can) and not just talk and no show.

I have sent emails to all KISD board members. I got only two responses. Out of 7 that was pretty low for a response in my experience. I also emailed the interim super, no response. I have tried to speak in public participation and have been throw off the mic. I have pretty much been black balled from KISD to a certain extent. Bera has always been obtainable. She at least listened to my concerns as a parent! Whether she can do something about some of those concerns given the climate she got dropped into is another story. I never expect Bera to jump. Also, she does jump sometimes and get this, she isn’t pandering for a vote! Board members vote for her employment.

I know two school board members that work for different schools in different states. If I have a need or a concern, I know that I can call or email them and they will respond within 24-48 business days with some sort of response. I may contact them 2-5 times a year. So, it is no sweat off their backs to listen to me for 5-30 minutes. If they are making voting decisions and you want to know why, they should tell you why! If they don’t, they will just pander your ignorant vote for next year in hopes that you will put all your trust in them again never knowing the reason for a decision or a vote on policy, etc. You need to know who you are voting for! You need to know why you are voting for whomever you vote for. Don’t vote blindly!

No, they are not required to call or email me back, but it would be in their best interest to do so! I have seen election races where a candidate wins by SEVEN votes! SEVEN! It happens! Every vote matters! Should board members be contacted for favors? No. Should they be contacted when going through the proper chain should be done first? If parents have legitimate issues, they need to climb up the ladder. If it isn’t getting attention down below, work your way up. I did this with KISD. That was a joke. Hopefully with a new Superintendent, Ms. Adams by her side and new hires, this school year will work smoothly when parents have problems or issues the way it should.

The reason why I am blogging about safety and security tonight is because some of the board members feelings are so hurt by my post the other week that they asked for police presence at future board meetings! I asked the community to come in and “boo” or “hooray” at votes, knowing no one would show up. Constable Hack was there on personal business. What a coincidence! I have several verifications that the board members want law enforcement to be at board meetings because they feel threatened by me! BY ME! ME! I can’t help but giggle a little bit about that. They fear the “boos” from the crowd but when a parent fears for the lives of small children going to and from school, they ignore them. They brush them off and sweep their concerns about the safety of their kids under a rug! They jump to get police for them but lay down when parents ask for safety and security at schools. I hate to put all board members names on this one, but I am just going to go ahead and point out the obvious, ya’ll know exactly which three board members I am talking about. If I have to spell it out for you, then you are blind.

I am trying to work with what little I got and even asked the city for help. I emailed the city (The Mayor and all the commissioners and even included the interim city manager) on the 24th of July, 5 working days ago this: “Good morning, I am following up with you concerning my statements and asking for help back in May 13th’s city commission meeting. I am wondering if you reached out to the superintendent of KISD about safety in and around elementary school campus zones? Has any thought gone into lowering speed limit, better signage, fresh painted crosswalks, crossing guards, etc? As of today, my understanding is Judge Madrid will provide a police officer for the school campus for a fee and one for free to keep the Austin building for Weavers of Hope. This does not solve the problem for outside campus or city roads and sidewalks. There is a city owned property sitting right next to Perez Elementary school. What would it take for KISD to utilize this property or sell it to KISD so we can keep children and parents off the road? Your response is greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Elizabeth Ramos” I even included my cell phone number.

Crickets. Crickets from the city and from KISD. I could swear I am deep into the forest of the mountains of NC with all these damn crickets again. I don’t even know why anyone in Kingsville even has an email! Kingsville hates paper trails of any kind! For those that don’t know I did go to the city commission meeting in May and explained how bad it is at that school. I asked them to reach out to KISD. I, as a parent, am trying my best to bring awareness to this issue and hold those accountable of helping to help. But, why don’t I do something about it? I have heard this one before. It is not my job. I have other things to do. This is what I am doing to help. This is how it should be done. I believe too many people have been blown off for so long in Kingsville people gave up. People rolled over and said to hell with it. And that is fine. I don’t have time to fight the system either. But know that you can make changes. You can not vote for them. You can try and hold people accountable for their campaign promises!

Speaking of security. For some people, they have job security at KISD. Norma Prado will most likely be Assistant Principal. Most likely at Harvey. Don’t quote me on that as the last board meeting through me through a loop! I am excited about the new staff and will be blogging about that soon! I don’t think the new hires have as much job security as Nick Prado’s wife though.

I will also be quickly blogging about some new bills that have been signed this summer by Gov. Abbott. Yay! Still waiting on my Open Records Request! Tick, tock, tick, tock.

This issue should not be taken lightly!

Google search, “Child hit by car” and hundreds of pages will pop up. Here are just a few:

Sept 24th, 2018 “Child Struck by DPS Trooper’s Vehicle in Front of Cy-Fair ISD Middle School”

Oct 25th, 2019 “Child Struck by Vehicle in Front of Lincoln Elementary School in Layton”

Mar 28th, 2019 “12-Year-Old Boy Pinned by Jeep in Front of Queens School”📷

April 27th, 2016 “Child Hit by Car in Front of Heritage Elementary”

Aug 15th, 2018 “Mother Killed, Children Injured After Being Hit in Front of El Paso School”

May 13th, 2016 “9 Children Hit by Car in Front of Del Mar Heights School”

Sept 12th, 2018 “TPD: Student Hit by Car in Front of Union High School”

Jan 16th, 2019 “Child Hit by Car in Front of Haynes Middle School in Nashville”

Jun 3rd, 2019 “Two Teens Hit by Car Outside Scarborough High School, One with Life-Threatening Injuries”