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Harlingen CISD Releases 2022 Disciplinary Records After OAG Ruling
Initially, we requested records from the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) and were provided with a cost estimate of around $2,100 to perform the search of the records we requested. After communicating with Harlingen CISD we were able to obtain the records for far less than the $2,100 estimate. The new estimate was for $163.00.
The release consists of various paraprofessionals and some professionals (teachers) involved in misconduct on and off duty, as we will present.
Teacher Resigned Over Misconduct
Mario [Robert] Gonzales, [is a] former teacher with the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. Mr. Gonzales worked as a teacher at Harlingen High School from 08-12-2021 to 12-06-2022, at which time he resigned from his probationary contract effective 12-22-2022. the end of the semester. If Mr. Gonzales had not resigned, the district would have proceeded with the tennination of his probationary employment contract.
On November 18, 2022, there were two incidents in Mario Gonzales’s classroom, specifically that he allowed students to duct tape his mouth, and hands to a chair and to be placed in the artillery room. In addition, while in Mario Gonzales’s classroom, students duct taped a male students ankles, wrists, and mouth, without Mr. Gonzales’s knowledge, as he left the students unattended. On November 28, 2022, upon administration becoming aware of these incidents, and reviewing the videos of these incidents, Mario Gonzales was placed on Administrative Leave with pay on November 28, 2022. The parents of the student who was duct taped was notified by campus administration, a report was submitted to CPS, and an internal investigation was conducted. Although, Mario Gonzales believed these incidents were beyond his control on December 06, 2022, he resigned effective the end of the semester, December 22, 2022. Until then, he will remain on Administrative Leave. Mr. Gonzales failed to adhere to district protocol and policy, specifically Board Policy DH [omitted] when [he] failed to maintain a safe environment for students.
On December 08. 2022, a female 11th grade student at Harlingen High School notified a police officer on campus, that she had a video of Mario Gonzales, teacher, pinning her down on a bed and the floor, during a school trip in Florida in April 2022. The student proceeded to show the video to Nelda Alonzo, Principal. The video reveals Mario Gonzales, pinning himself on top of the female student on a bed, pulling her off of the bed, and then pinning himself on top of the female student on the floor of the hotel room. Mario Gonzales’s behavior in the video is alarming and of great concern. HCISD administration has reported this infonnation to the student’s parent, and CPS. Furthermore, Harlingen Police Department will be submitting the information to Florida Police Department. Based on this information had Mario Gonzales not resigned, the district would have proceeded with the termination of his probationary employment contracted effective immediately.
Letter submitted to the Texas Education Agency, Dated December 8, 2022, Signed by Debbie Scogin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Services
Paraprofessional Given Second Chance After Investigation
This memorandum is provided to [Milton Beadle] regarding a concern that was brought to the attention of the administration at Coakley Middle School on September 26, 2022, allegedly that [Beadle] made inappropriate remarks to an employee and a student. Although [Beadle] denied the allegations made against [Beadle], after conducting a thorough investigation, they have been substantiated. During the investigation, it was determined that [Beadle] made the following comments to a female employee: “I love the ponytails, you have no idea what they do to me,” Oh cheetah, call me,” “Mona,” and “Hey, let’s go to the back of the bus.” This is unacceptable. In addition, it was determined that [Beadle] made the following comment to a male student: “Is that your girl?” This too is unacceptable. The comments [Beadle] made to a female employee and a male student made them feel uncomfortable. Although [Beadle] stated that [Beadle] did not mean anything inappropriate, [Beadle’s] comments are deemed as sexual harassment.
….
Should any additional information become available, this investigation may be reopened. [Beadle is] reinstated to [Beadle’s] position of paraprofessional at Coakley Middle School effective November 03, 2022.
Directive’s Memorandum, Dated November 2, 2022, Signed by Debbie Scogin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Services
Paraprofessional Remains Employed During Criminal Proceedings
The district received notification from the Texas Department of Public Safety that on December 17, 2022, [Joshua Lopes was] arrested for a Class A Misdemeanor for Driving While Intoxicated, and a Clnss A Misdemeanor for Resisting Arrest. This is unacceptable. As an employee of Harlingen CISD and as per Board Policy DH [omitted], Standard 1.10. “The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.”
As [Lopez knows], as a paraprofessional of HCISD [Lopez is] held to a high regard. [Lopez is] a role model for the students [Lopes serves], and [Lopez is] expected to comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.
[Lopez] recent arrests may hinder [Lopez’s] employment at HCISD. It is of the utmost importance that [Lopez] keep [Human Services] informed as [Lopez has] an update to your pending criminal matter.
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In addition. should [Lopez’s] arrest become public, or should parents voice a concern regarding [Lopez’s] arrest become public, or should parents voice a concern regarding [Lopez’s] arrest, it could diminish [Lopez’s] effectiveness as a paraprofessional, and such determinations regarding [Lopez’s] employment will be made in the best of the district.
Directive’s Memorandum, Dated December 20, 2022, Signed by Debbie Scogin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Services
A pre-trial hearing appears to be set for August 8, 2023, for one count of DWI at a Class A Misdemeanor level. This generally indicates it is not the first offense for this type of violation.
Paraprofessional Resigns Over Misconduct
Maria Dahlia Perez was employed as a secretary at Harlingen CISD on October 02, 2000, until Februaiy 24, 2023 at which time she resigned from her position of secretary at Lamar Elementary. Had Ms. Perez not resigned. the district would have proceeded to tenninate her at-will employment.
On February 24, 2023, Ms. Perez inappropriately addressed a student who came into the office with a paraprofessional. Ms. Perez aggressively stroke the student and forcefully sat him down on a sofa. Ms. Perez used poor judgement and her actions were a clear violation of Policy DH [omitted], Educators’ Code of Ethics, specifically Standards 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws. Standard l.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district employees, school board members, students, or parents of students. Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state. Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor. Standard 3.5. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.
Ms. Perez had no regard for the student’s safety and well-being. She is not certified in CPI nor was it in the scope of her job responsibilities of secretary to address a student in need of intervention.
Letter submitted to the Texas Education Agency, Dated February 28, 2023, Signed by Debbie Scogin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Services
Custodian Separated Over Inappropriate Conduct
Please be advised that [Miguel Gonzales has] been terminated from [his] position of Custodian with Harlingen CISD effective October 14, 2022, in the best interest of the district. Pursuant to Board Policy DCD (LOCAL) -Employee Practices: At-Will Employment, at-will employees may be dismissed at any time for any reason not prohibited by law or for no reason, as determined by the needs or the district.
The decision to terminate [Miguel Gonzales’s] employment is based on [Gonzales’s] inappropriate conduct with a student.
Certified Mail Dated October 14, 2022, Signed by Dr. Alicia Noyola, Superintendent of Schools
Multiple Employees Placed on Administrative Leave
Multiple employees were placed on administrative leave. The release did not provide reasons for the placement on leave, nor did it provide for a job responsibility. The following names were provided as being placed on administrative leave:
- Rubisela Vasquez – Dated March 6, 2023
- Peter Galvan – Dated February 16, 2023
- Juan Antonio Gonzales – Dated December 19, 2022
- Alejandro Ysguierdo Jr – Dared December 8, 2022
- Israel Neely – Dated February 22, 2023
- Billy Munoz – Dated February 27, 2023
- Humberto Moreno – Dared February 3, 2023
- Oscar Marias – Dated February 2, 2023
A Couple of Our Other Reads
You may be interested in reading about two State Board of Pharmacy peace officers being separated from employment.
Or you may find our publishing on the City of Combes peace officer discipline for 2021 and 2022, of interest.
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