Since I have been on the board (and for longer than that), it has been the practice of members of the VISD board who have relatives working for the district to abstain from voting on salaries or benefits for the class of employees to which the board member’s relative belongs.  This practice has been observed faithfully during my time on the board by Dr. De Los Santos, whose husband is a district employee.

State law does not require abstention in those circumstances. However, a board member in this position must decide whether or not he or she is comfortable voting on public funds that will end up in their joint checking account.

Personally, I am proud that the VISD board has chosen to adhere to a higher ethical standard than the minimum requirements of state law, and I applaud Dr. De Los Santos and others who have seen the value of making sure that their actions are above any question of impropriety in this regard.  I think our practice is the correct and ethical path to take, and in my opinion it should continue to be observed.

Tami Keeling

Mrs. Keeling I am very curious is it legal for Dr. Jaynes to vote on teacher salary or is it not ethical for him to vote?

If it is not ethical have other board members who have had spouses that worked for VISD voted on salary issues?

1. Regarding searches – VISD has policies that comply with State and Federal law regarding searches of students.  VISD investigated the matter at the time and spoke with its attorney to review both this incident and the policy in general.  That investigation included a review of the policy with the administrators involved.  The Open Forum portion of a Board meeting is not how a person begins a specific complaint against either an employee of the district or policy implementation.  VISD has formal complaint procedures to deal with parent concerns or complaints.  To my knowledge, no formal complaint has been filed, but the VISD board is the final step in that process, and I take that responsibility seriously.  I consider the safety of the students in our care to be our highest priority.

2. VISD has no policy or practice of circumventing parent rights.  VISD does not dispense condoms, birth control, STD exams, or pregnancy tests.  All information held by VISD about a student is available to that student’s parent or legal guardian.
   

Sailor

With all due respect if you had read  my questions I was just asking if you went to the source directly to find out the truth.  Good for you asking question.  I was just curious if you have kids in the district, it does not matter at all most of us are tax payers and have a right to know what is going on with our tax dollars!   The questions were not to stop anyone from finding out information, just asking.

I do ask the hard questions as well, so keep asking, but seek out the truth for yourself.

Sorry you took them the wrong way, and by the way thank you for serving our country!

Rebecca: "This is a wonderful opportunity to dispel rumors."

So true, which is why I asked the questions.. seems there are some who don't want them answered however (AKA Flier)

Flier,

I have a few answers for you.

Q: First do you have kids in the district.

A: Irrelavent. Imay have kids in the future in the district, I may have relatives with kids in the district, or friends. Are you saying I have to have kids myself before I am allowed to speak?

Q: Do you know first hand that birth control is being handed out or discussed with students?  Have you actually talked to the staff?  It is important not to believe rumors/gossip.

A: The question was raised by someone I respect for their opinion. I think this lady is running for RE-election meaning she currently IS a board member, so I am asking. getting her say and opinion. So my question to you is this.. when I do as you suggest I do, why are you acting as if I am not doing it? why are you trying to silence or demean my questions?

Q: Have you heard both sides of the "illegal" search story?  I am guessing the district cannot comment on part of this issue.  Again it is important to go to adminstration and find out the facts we cannot rely on one persons story or just their part.

A: When this first broke I was on the schools side. after doing research and hearing both sides, it turns out Randy was right. and the school does not have a side to stand on. what happened was wrong. period. and by asking this question, I AM going to the school officials. as she is a board member running for re-election. AGAIN I ask you... why are you trying to belittle my questions when in asking, I am doing what you asked me to do... that is..get both sides, and talk with school officials.

Q: Lastly have you looked at what the Texas State government legislates the public schools do have guidelines around sex education, etc. 

A: Yes I have. and is one of the biggest reasons I switched sides on the search issue. School was wrong. Period. the sex question is more questionable. I want her answer on this topic.

Flier, You sound like an Obama supporter who believes their candidate of choice should be allowed a free pass with no hard questions asked. Flier. Stop running interferance, these are legit questions that she should be able to answer. I am not accusing her of anything, I want her answer and opinion on two topics concerning VISD that has recently been a subject of controversy.

So in closing Flier... you want to speak, then speak, but dont try to stop me from speaking. you want to attack me for asking questions... then you need to sit down and shut up.

Sailor

I have a couple of questions for you.

 First do you have kids in the district.

Do you know first hand that birth control is being handed out or discussed with students?  Have you actually talked to the staff?  It is important not to believe rumors/gossip.

Have you heard both sides of the "illegal" search story?  I am guessing the district cannot comment on part of this issue.  Again it is important to go to adminstration and find out the facts we cannot rely on one persons story or just their part. 

Lastly have you looked at what the Texas State government legislates the public schools do have guidelines around sex education, etc. 

Tami,

2 direct questions. I am hoping for 2 direct answers rather than the usual political non-answer most give.

1) What are you going to do about illegal searches at VISD. (reference here to Randy Duke's daughter's class being mass search in clear violation of law.

2) What are you going to do about current school policy of circumventing parental rights when it comes to underages students and sex. Right now, students as young as 10 so I'm told can go to a coach, administrator, school nurse, teacher, etc... and get condoms, birth control, STD exam and treatments,pregnancy tests,  all without telling the parents.

Your job is to TEACH students, not replace the parents raising the kids.

there are many here on advocate.com who have actively been seeking answers to these questions.

I think Victoria is tired of people who have an agenda that gets us in huge messes!  Tami is fair and honest she has no personal agenda, she cares about the students, teachers, district and community.  I know my neighborhood and find it interesting who has Dr. Jaynes signs up it is his friends, older folks and people with kids in private schools.  I wish they would really ask him the hard questions.  Hey and how can a doctor who is so busy delivering 4000 babies have time to get all those signs up, have all those back yard chats, and visit all those neighborhoods?  Does he have a paid campaign manager cause it sure looks like it to me.  I know Tami Keeling has a grassroots effort going on, folks who are committed to helping her get re-elected who know what it would mean if she is not elected for our district.  Hey just remember NO one knows how you vote in that booth, so go vote and do the right thing, vote for Tami!  

Ms Keeling is by far the most qualified candidate in this race.  Her experience and dedication over the past three years have been invaluable in forming a board that Victoria can once again be proud.  I'm not very familiar with any of the board members, since they don't represent my district, but I can say that Ms. Keeling has always made herself available to address questions or clarify her stance on an issue.  I was impressed with her responses to the questions raised at the most recent League of Women Voter's forum.  She was direct and factual with her answers.  I was glad that she was able to defend her record, even if some audience members tried to distort her views with things that "they may have heard".  Check your facts.....

I was told by someone that Ms Keeling doesn't even have kids in VISD.  Wrong, that's another board member that currently isn't up for re-election.  Ms Keeling actually has two children at MHS.  Her daughter will be graduating this year and her son is a sophmore.  Once again, don't go by what someone tells you, Check the facts....

There is just one week left in this race and it is an important one even if you don't have children in the public school system.  We need a board member who is concerned, educated and experienced in performing this job.  I respect Dr Jaynes and the service he provides to the community, however it is too hard to overlook the agenda that is currently being set in play.  We need to attract and retain quality teachers and administrators to this town.  The board made the first steps by hiring Mr. Moore.  Take this opportunity to ask Ms. Keeling questions.  Not many candidates leave their phone number, e-mail address and set up a blog, unless they are confident in their postion.  Take advantage of this opportunity.  

By the way, if any of you parents have drill team members that are up for officer next year, you better make sure they are at the old HEB parking lot this Friday waving their Charlie Jaynes signs, otherwise they don't stand a chance.  Common thread here... I think so.