|
Today's Editorials
| News
| Sports | Business
| Opinions | Columns
| Entertainment |
| Science/Technology| Weather
| Archives | E-mail
Us |
Monday, March 13, 2000
The court of inquiry
The end of a long period of controversy perhaps grows closer.
Barely a year ago, the worst problem facing the Corpus Christi Independent School District board of trustees was the need to resolve a rapidly growing political divide on the board. Over the year, that split developed into full-fledged acrimony tinged with the color of race. The friction, however, was only the precursor to the controversy that followed. Today the district leadership faces a new level of trouble: a special court of inquiry begins its proceedings with District Attorney Carlos Valdez investigating a raft of allegations of abuse of power, Open Meetings Act violations, and theft.
Against the backdrop of board rancor, headlines about credit card charges at topless bars and expensive meals at posh New York restaurants, and now a criminal court proceeding, the district's steady progress in raising academic standards, in garnering high state ratings for campuses and having teachers win statewide recognition could be difficult for some to remember.
Yet despite the ignominy of having the district leadership take the stand in a criminal proceeding and the bitterness of the board's division, the point should not be forgotten: The level of performance in the district's classrooms is now at a high point. The evidence for that is clear: One of two finalists from the district was chosen as the state's teacher of the year; 30 schools have received one of the state's top two rankings; and student scores on the state's mandated test have climbed steadily.
But of course the district's academic performance won't be the focus of questioning over the next several days before Visiting District Judge Karl Prohl. The inquiry will focus on thousands of dollars charged to a district card at a local strip club, on the meals and other expenses charged on the credit card of Superinten-dent Abelardo Saavedra, and on travel expenses by trustees.
There will be no winners in this exercise. A district leadership riven with controversy now faces the possibility of criminal action. The court of inquiry is not a prosecutorial tool; still, the image of a superintendent and elected school leaders facing questions under oath will be difficult to dismiss.
Valdez and Judge Prohl should proceed with all dispatch, without letting what can only be a community embarrassment drag on. Let the evidence lead where it may. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, let the justice system work. If there is not, the participants have all the right to claim their names will have been cleared.
In a few short weeks the district's voters will have the opportunity to make their own judgments.
The controversy, the acrimony, the allegations have diverted far too much energy and attention from the district's true job: educating thousands of students. Support-ers of education can only hope this opening day of inquiry will be the beginning of the end of a far too turbulent period in the district's history.
| Next
editorial | Discuss
editorials | Letters to the Editor: Read
Send | Home |
© 2000,
a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.
|
 |
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
