"The Golden Rule"

“The Golden Rule”

Blog by Elizabeth Ramos

02/20/2020

Disclosure at bottom.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you: do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” ~ Matthew 7:12

Yesterday evening, KISD and Kleberg Elementary put on a meeting for parents to talk about their campus improvement plan. Kleberg Elementary has been at ‘needs improvement’ for 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018 and received an F for 2018-2019. 2016-2017 they met because standards had been altered or lowered (I have yet to do full research on this.) I am a parent of a young child that attends KISD. I was interested in what they had to say. Bottom line is, I have special interests in this particular campus.

When I went in, I went in as a parent. I didn’t campaign. I didn’t wear a “Vote for Liz” button or anything along those lines. I saw Brandon Greenwood as I walked in and was greeted with a smile. I saw Ms. Adams next to him and I said my greetings and went inside. I sat down and waited for the parents to get food and sit down to hear this message. I witnessed Cory Garza Jr, Corando Garza Sr. and Nick Prado making their way through the crowd of parents by shaking hands and speaking with them. Greenwood came inside with Ms. Adams and other top admin stood in the front corner. (Boundaries)

I saw Garza Sr. and he said, “Hello.” I replied, “Hello, good to see you outside a board room.” We shook hands. Garza Jr. said hello and we exchanged pleasantries along with another handshake. I walked over to Ms. Adams and the new employee for Curriculum and Instruction and asked how long the presentation was going to be and went to sit down. Prado was taking a little longer to walk around and say hello to the crowd as he was making his way over to the Garza’s.

Jim Glusing showed up (Candidate running for Garza’s place) and so did Delma Salinas. Glusing was sitting by himself and Delma was hanging around the Garza’s. I reached out for Ms. Salinas and told her it was nice to meet her and wished her luck. Because I do. This is not easy for anyone to do. Much respect for those who run for any office. Prado walks over to the Garzas and starts talking to them.

I stood up and walked a few steps to him and held out my hand with a smile and said, “Hi, how are you.” I really didn’t have anything planned to say to him as this is the first time in a few months I have had a handshake with him. Last time I saw him he even opened the door for me and others walking through it like a gentleman. I looked at his face as I held out my hand and his face changed. The look of distain was painted all over his face and it was scary. I am not one to be scared easily, but it was clear he was pretty livid about something. I took back my hand and he stated, “I am not doing this. I don’t like you. I am not going to pretend that I like you!”

I was taken aback. I interrupted him and stated, “I will respect your space and will honor your boundaries, that is fine.” As I turned around, I stated, “I am still a parent of a KISD student and you may still end up in my blog, again.” I sat down. I texted my oldest to make sure she was ok and I looked above me only for this to catch my eyes.

In the same room Prado bullied me, a literal sign from above appeared before my very eyes. Life has that kind of timing, you know! I then started to feel uncomfortable. I don’t believe I would have felt this way if he did this to me at HEB, or out and about in town. He said those hurtful remarks at a school campus to an active parent. Again, a parent that has interest in Kleberg Elementary. If a parent cannot feel safe in a school, what makes me think that the community’s children feel comfortable?

I wish I allowed him to continue to talk to me like that. I would probably have more of a body of work in this blog. Like I have said in the past, I REFUSE to allow people to treat me like that! I mean it!

I sat there thinking more. Was this abuse of power? Was this just a campaign conflict? What role was his capacity at the school yesterday afternoon? Was he there as a parent or as a board member? These are the thoughts going through my head until his wife, Ms. Prado, started her presentation. She introduced all the board members and thanked them for their service. Everyone in the audience clapped. Yes, even I clapped for Prado when she said his name. It is called, respect! Therefore, he was in the capacity as a board member. Question then answered! This was not a campaign conflict. This was bullying.

Conflict – Equal power between those involved. Bullying – Person bullying has more power

I can take the hint. He doesn’t like me. I though on the other hand would NEVER act that way. If I didn’t like me, I would have still shaken my hand, smiled and said hello. I would have swallowed those feelings and kept them to myself. I know young kids that handle themselves better in public. Even Trump and Hillary had the decency to shake hands...

This isn’t the first time a board member has done such a thing. This was my experience. I hope you don’t ever have them for yourself. Bullying and hatred in our campuses need to stop!

All of my blogs are written in the form and intent of a parent and a member of the community, not as a candidate. I will not put a political disclaimer on my blogs. My name is Elizabeth Ramos and I am a parent of a student that attends a school at Kingsville ISD.