DISD Executive's Wife Lands Top DISD IT Job
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 16:58.
Update July 21: Soft-Core Adult Advertisement Appeared on Viramontes Consulting Website!
Husband and wife's combined salaries exceed $320,000 a year
DISD has long been under fire for its lax approach in handling nepotism.
In DISD, getting to that top job could even involve who you are sleeping with--literally.
Arnold Viramontes served as the district's Chief of Information Technology during 2006 through early 2008. The post was formerly held by recently convicted fraudster Ruben Bohuchot.
When he was appointed to the position of Chief Transformation Officer for Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, Arnold may have had a novel idea on who should replace him.
His wife.
Patricia Viramontes, Arnold's wife, assumed the role of Executive Director of Information Technology earlier this summer. The District originally furnished information indicating that Patricia was the only candidate for the job. We're now waiting to see records pertaining to a job search.
Patricia's resume [view Patricia Viramontes' resume here] lists her most recent position as Chief Information Officer for The Viramontes Group, Inc--a 2-person company with $100,000 a year in sales, headquartered at the couple's Austin home.
Her resume shows she held the position from August, 2000 to "Present."
According to her resume, Patricia held several positions prior to 2000--with her tenure being about 2 years in each spot with a notable exception being a position of "Applications and Systems Programming Manager" for Region XIX Education Service Center in El Paso from 1981 through 1993.
Region XIX confirmed her employment but recorded a slightly different title: "Programming Manager in Data Processing."
Patricia's original resume, submitted when she applied for the job, did not list a section on "Education." An updated resume provided after this story was initially posted shows she has a Bachelor's from New Mexico State University in Business Systems Analysis.
District records indicate that Arnold Viramontes receives a salary of $182,811. Patricia Viramontes receives a salary of $137,500 giving the husband-and-wife team a total of $320,311 in taxpayer money (not including expenses).
The Viramontes' first surfaced on the nepotism radar late last year when Patricia effectively reported to her husband. The District decided, after the news broke, to move the IT department under a different executive.
DISD Spokesman Jon Dahlander just responded by saying that our information is in error. He noted the following:
The position was posted according to our normal process both internally and externally. Several dozen resumes were received. 4 candidates (1 internal, 3 external) were interviewed by a multi-ethnic panel, per normal procedures. The result of the process caused the selection of Ms. Viramontes.
As you can see by her updated resume, she received her BBA in Business Systems Analysis with Honors from New Mexico State University in May 1976.
The Viramontes Group is incorporated in the state of Texas.
She has been serving as interim executive director of IT since December 21.
Editor's Note:
When Dallas.Org made its request for public information on June 8, we asked for:
All resumes, employment applications, copies of job postings along with any and all other documents, memoranda, notes and any other document or documents related to the posting, evaluation and eventual selection for the position of "Executive Director of Information Technology Services."
Patricia's resume [here] was the only document we received in response to that request.
We'd love to have the rest of these!
We'd also like to know who was on the "multi-ethnic" committee that evaluated the resumes.
We found The Viramontes Group, Inc! It is, in fact, a Texas Corporation in temporary good standing.
UPDATE - July 21
A reader pointed out that The Viramontes Group's website contains pop-up advertising. One of these advertisers appeared to be soft-core adult content provider. "If one of [Patricia's] jobs was to execute an internet strategy for her company, she did it poorly" notes the reader.
Shortly after this was posted, all advertising pop-ups were removed from the Viramontes Group's website.
Click here to view a screen capture of the Viramontes Group website which contained the pop-up ad (safe for kids--the more revealing content is not being posted).
DEVELOPING
Viramontes
If you look at the history of the Dallas Independent School District, when the blacks and whites were in power, you did not comment at all about what was going on. Since Dr. Hinojosa and Mr. Viramontes have come in and have tried to clean up the mess that Moses and company left behind, the District is becoming more and more transparent. In reference to the nepotism issue, why is this couple being targeted, when they have complied with the nepotism rules and regulations and they have met all qualifications.
[Ed Note: Ahh the race card. Knew someone would have to play it.
With respect to your first comment, you obviously have not followed Dallas.Org to any extent.
The answer is simple: there are legitimate questions as to how Ms. Viramontes (who I believe happens to be white, by the way) got her job.
Let's turn the tables: do you believe a white, former District executive should get a lucrative contract with the District? I'm asking, because this situation is in the works.]
Viramontes
I went to one of the Public School People sessions held at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce last February. Viramontes was the guest speaker. He said he was signed on only until 2010, then he was going back into "retirement". He didn't say if his wife would continue to work. BTW, he impressed me.
[Ed Note: OK, let me set this straight. Arnold is an impressive guy. His track record in IT is even more impressive. I have no problem with either. I have a problem with *both* together at high levels in a public organization.]
Viramontes
Ummm...OK, lets get this straight. When Arnold first came into DISD as interim "something" in the Technology division back in 2004 he was only doing it as a favor to Hinajosa and was only going to be here for about 1 year. That interim position turned into the "real" position. Then he gets moved into the newly created department of Transformation Management as the "head" guy...again only temporarily. He stays in that position for a couple of years and now gets moved into the Chief of Staff position. Isn't it amazing how a favor to Hinajosa has turned into a nice 4 year stint with an amazing salary to go along with it. And then the icing on the cake is that his wife gets to follow him thru the positions he held and also makes amazingly good money.
[Ed Note: That's pretty much correct from what I've seen.]
Viramontes
It is surprising that you do not answer the arguments or the facts that I present that Mr. Viramontes is qualified for the position for which he was promoted. Mrs. Viramontes is very qualified for her position as well. You immediately accuse me of raising and playing the race card [...]
[Ed Note: I'm sorry you're apparently hung up on race and color of skin. As to the rest of it, we'll have to politely agree to disagree. "Qualified" is purely subjective as is the opinion as to whether or not nepotism in a public agency is right or wrong.
When you run your own private business, then hire whoever you want and put them in whatever position you want them to be in.
DISD is a public agency. When you allow nepotism (especially at these levels) you increase the chance that people are hired not for their skillset, but for their relationship to others. This is an unacceptable risk in my book--and I don't approve of it in a taxpayer-funded agency.
You are certainly free to disagree with this, and I respect your obvious disagreement.
You're welcome to email me and we can talk further about anything else that concerns you.]
Chief Transformer?
I'd love to hear exactly why Viramontes, who was in IT, is so well-qualified for the Chief Transformation role.
But first, I'd like for anyone to explain why a school district needs this ludicrous position to begin with, anymore than it needs a Chief anything else role. This is PUBLIC EDUCATION. What role has this man played in reform efforts in the past? All these Chief roles are Broad hog slop. Take the tax monies of people with real jobs, send it to DISD, and turn that money into slop for a bunch of hogs.
All the verbiage created by the hog-slop Broad folks is nothing but a boondoggle. Has anyone read this junk? H throws it up in slides at Board meetings, and no one is even paying attention, because it is all garbage.
Let's come down to earth. There isn't a school district on earth that needs a chief anything role.
True educators could be employed in two roles: either a teacher or principal. None of the rest of this junk is needed. If a person doesn't want to come into contact with children, they need to go into a different line of work.
The fiscal nightmare that is DISD also needs to stop being "transformed." Was the transformation put out to bid, so that taxpayers are even sure that it will take as long and be as expensive as quoted? Or was this more Broad hog slop?
The state of Texas needs to take over the finances of DISD. Teachers and principals would simply get their checks from Austin. No more district trips, no more bonus money going all over the place, no more anything. The grant monies that flow into DISD would simply stop. Teachers and principals would get their checks, and the rest of the folks could go find another line of work.
The public is fed up with this. This Broad scam is no different than the Moses scam that was no different than the James Huey (still on the consultant payroll) scam, than the Gonzales scam, than the Rojas scam, than the Woolery scam. All slop to the fattest hogs.
And there was not a single, anglo, former executive in this district that needs to return. What nightmare are you referring to, Allen? Go ahead and tell us so we can send the jerk packing before he/she unloads a suitcase. If they are still in Dallas, that points in even worse directions.
Want to hand out some initials from the previous corrupt regimes?
[Ed Note: Ahh, let's let it get a little closer to fruition. We'll post details (or the News will). Don't you just hate it when I do this!!]
Shocked, Viramontes
You know I had the pleasure the other day of meeting Mr. Viramontes. I was actually surprised that he seemed to have a grasp on what was going on, and had some type of input to what was going on. That's more than I can say about Flores, Anderson or Hinojosa.
[Ed Note: As I say, Arnold seems to be a decent sort of guy. I haven't had the opportunity to directly observe anything that Patricia has done. It is likely that she's a decent person too.
The issue is not with the Viramontes, personally.
The issue is: should the wife of a very senior executive be hired for a very senior role in a public agency?
That's the question that we need (and I hope the Board needs) to answer.]
Viramontes, Nepotism
What does the fact that they work for a public agency have to do with the price of tea in China? If she is qualified for a job, let her have it. She seems to have the support of her subordinates, and she allows them to do thier job while maintaining oversight.
So what does it matter if we pay her 125,000 or Joe Blow from Lansing Michigan 125,000?
I think that you might be looking for a conspiracy where there is none. Yes it might look fishy, heck she might have even gotten a bit of preferential treatment, but in the long run as long as she does the job what does it really matter?
[Ed Note: Very good question but where do you draw the line? Where is the oversight? Many public entities have policies/laws against nepotism. If you allow this, does this mean you're condoning similar nepotism in all cases?
Better question: do you think Patricia would have gotten the job if her last name was "Smith" and not "Viramontes?"
This quickly gets to be a sticky question.]
Nepotism
Another "Do as I say, not as I do". Why is it that married teachers can't be on the same campus, but the Viramontes work in the same area. Excuses, Excuses. How many more Friends and Family will be brought in. I guess otherwise, Coach couldn't get his fans do do as he wants. Downtown seems to get more and more out of control, and can you blame the veteran teachers who are leaving. What is the future of Dallas to be from the Workforce ready students in a few years? Oh, guess you won't be able to answer that, cause you will have moved on, Again. It's just a stopping ground, join in and get your Administrative Certificate so you can retire at a higher pay or get DISD on your resume before moving on. It's sad you continue to step on and push aside those teachers who are truely trying to make a difference and it is those who will lack the resources, while you and your friends get over paid. Can't say I blame them. Will Coach stay through 2011? Guess that's the 2010-2011 school year. Coach...... Evaluation time is COMING. Stop giving the taxpayers more to talk about and clean house. Quit acting like a bunch of kids that don't know any better. I could manage the money better than this. Demote the pay to those who have been demoted. Should be a few Million. Then you can give it to the deserving teachers and support staff that are really the Glue To This District. You wouldn't have a job if it wasn't for them. Stop Slapping The Hand That Feeds You.
Viramontes & Support
She does NOT have the support of her subordinates. They like others in DISD recognize the emperor's new clothes. They cannot say a thing without fear of losing their jobs. Any time someone voices a concern, a new round of "delayering" comes up. She is not qualified. She has a programmer background. No experience managing a network of DISD's size. No experience with managing a huge staff...she is a programmer...and probably not a very good one. If you have ever talked to her, she doesn't sound like she understands program logic! She got the job because of her husband..plain and simple. And, yes it does matter that this is a public entity. As Allen says, if its your company, it is also your money and you can hire who you want. When you are funded with tax payer money, you have to follow the rules. They haven't done that. They should be held accountable.
[Ed Note: Keep in mind that there are two issues here. First, there's "qualifications." This is very subjective, and obviously there are some who feel that she is very qualified.
The second issue is nepotism. This is philosophical. It raises the important question: would she have gotten the job if her last name wasn't "Viramontes?"
We'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has anything they want to go on record with.]
Excuses/Viramontes
This administration has been in place far too long to be blaming the previous one. Stop making excuses and take responsibility. The Viramontes issue is an arrogant display of power. Furthermore, it has nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with money and power. DISD has a billion (with a b) dollar budget. Viramontes is in the second highest position in the district. So he is in position to control a lot of money. Power corrupts. When the taxpayers start demanding accountability, maybe this will stop. Viramontes needs to be accountable. His wife has been hired into a high level position for which she is not qualified. She should be terminated for lying on her resume. He should be terminated for unethically tainting the hiring process. Enough is enough.
[Ed Note: There's no evidence that she lied on her resume. So far, everything that we've verified seems to check out including her degree from NMSU.]
Excuses/Viramontes
Patricia Viramontes is not qualified to run technology. Having worked under the woman, I speak from first hand knowledge. When I take a legitimate problem to a supervisor, I don't not expect that supervisor to accuse me of "whining" and then tell me I need to put a dollar in the "Whining Jar". How unprofessional is that??? She should be addressing the problems not demanded that employees put a dollar in her jar especially when most staff members at DISD are underpaid.
[Ed Note: Keep in mind that for the last 5+ years, her job history has been that of "CIO" of her husband's 2-person consulting firm. One could legitimately call that into question.]
Excuses
Try looking for Ms. Viramontes Birth Records: Birth Certificate. You may want to try their companies web-site, or the Vendor list at Dallas ISD. While you are on nepotism, what about the others like Torres?
[Ed Note: Hey Harry! Yeah, the birth record is tough. We're making headway though. Good to hear from you again!]
Oink
Blogman- you ask:
"do you believe a white, former District executive should get a lucrative contract with the District? I'm asking, because this situation is in the works.]"
In the works? The public trough is getting crowded with former DISD executives of all colors. The piglets have been rooting around the Big DISD cash sow for years. If you are looking for contracts to whites why not start with Jim Hughey (OHI) or Robbie Collins (Lobbyist) Many more can be added. There are also the double dippers: those who get paid from more than one taxpayer funded source.
Can't wait for the newest contract to be posted here for all to see. Let the sun shine in!
[Ed Note: When it progresses, you'll read all about it here!]
Transparent as Mud
Transparency due to the H regime? Where is the org chart so that it's possible to follow the flow of money? When was a budget presented in full detail even to the Board of Trustees?
The secrecy in the new regime looks just like the secrecy in the old. Forget the ethnicity and focus on the behavior.
Interview Panel
Does your request get us the names of who interviewed her? Who ultimately made the decision?
Allen, can you run for school board, please?
[Ed Note: Yes, I have it... just haven't had time to post it. No, I wouldn't do well in public office. The difference between me and some others is that I know this!]
Selection
P. Viramontes was not the interview panel's first choice for CIO. The job was originally offered to someone else.
[Ed Note: That is correct. The first choice turned the job down because of the residency requirements and the salary that was offered.]
Hinojosa Has Final Say
Every final hiring decision is made by Michael. He has said this himself many times. Do not be fooled.
[Ed Note: I can see this especially for his executive staff. At some point, the Board of Trustees is going to have to weigh some serious issues.]
Viramontes Lists Husband as Reference
Am I the only one who noticed that she listed her husband as one of her references on a PROFESSIONAL resume, does that bother anyone else or is it just me?
Viramontes Website, etc.
Miscellaneous comments:
1) "companies" should be "company's"-- that is the first of many typos and grammatical errors in her resume.
2) Navigating to the Viramontes Group website triggers the opening of two pop-up windows, one of which is their main page, the other is a soft-porn pop-up for something called "tooohott ." If one of her jobs was to execute an internet strategy for her company, she did it poorly.
3) The most recent "news" listed on the Company's website is a press release from August 2003 announcing the launching of a new website.
4) The "Clients" page of their website contains typos.
5) The resume posted on-line at the Viramontes Group website states that she graduated in 1974; the resume provided by DISD states 1976-- which is it?
6) The updated resume provided by DISD is the only one I have ever seen presented by a person over the age of 25 which notes "National Honor Society" as an achievement.
7) The bio posted at Viramontes Group website states that she was Manager of Information Services at the Region XIX Service Center. The resumes provided to DISD state that she was an Applications and Systems Programming Manager--which is it?
8) The Viramontes Group appears to be an ongoing enterprise based in Austin. How the Viramontes able to run this company while both are working full time for DISD in Dallas?
[Ed Note: Priceless! The website appears to have several advertisers--one of which is "moli.com" which looks to be a "swinger's" website. We posted some screen caps (above) as an update to the story.
"Applications and Systems Programming Manager" is one job function. You can be in charge of both. We did check out her job history. What we've been unable to verify is her NMSU tenure.]
Anti-Nepotism a Cross-Cultural Bias
A little cross-cultural intelligence may help shed further light on this story. The unstated presumption behind the article is that "nepotism," or the accusation of it, is inherently something to be challenged, questioned or avoided as implicitly unethical or at least dubious.
May I suggest that, that very presumption is in itself a US American cultural bias? In Latin America and in many other traditional societies around the world, the hiring of friends or family is considered the most honorable and more socially responsible thing to do. It is in fact, positive family values. If there is a job opening in my company, of course I would want someone I care about to get it.
Allen Gwinn draws some on the surface, apparently valid questions such as the real qualifications of Mrs. Viramontes, the lack of information about other candidates and who exactly was on this evaluating committee. All good questions to be sure. And which in this country must be answered, for accountability and transparency's sake.
In the USA, business is not as relational as it is in other countries. In Latin America in particular, it is preferred to hire people who are known and trusted. What better way to ensure trust, dependability and honesty than by hiring someone from one's personal network? Someone of mutual, personal investment. Of course, this can be and is abused.
My questions are: As the USA becomes more Hispanic, how will this change the way we do business? Will those changes improve the business climate or not? Will the global competitiveness of the USA be enhanced or diminished? What are the situations and circumstances when "nepotism" may be a good thing? Can this be possible?
I would like to know the answers to Allen Gwinn's questions, but I am suspending judgment for now, and awaiting even bigger challenges in our future.
ER
[Ed Note: First off, I hope this is a joke. But in case it isn't...
As we all know, there are rarely links between nepotism or "honorable" family members and crime or corruption. We know this doesn't ever happen in Latin America, Mexico or anywhere else cross-cultural. Right?
Let's quote from the NY Times story "Unending Graft Is Threatening Latin America" talking about, for example, President Alejandro Toledo in Peru:
When you run your own business, how you manage it or who you hire is up to you. When it's my money, and my public agency, it is up to me to make sure that my money is spent wisely. Nepotism in public agencies is an invitation for disaster.
So I'm sorry you feel that anti-nepotism is a cultural bias. It is not. Just because you feel that nepotism is OK in 3rd world countries doesn't mean it's OK here. I expect that, as Latinos become more involved in this country, their views will change too.]
Rolling in the Floor Laughing
This is hysterically funny!!!!
So Hinojosa's spineless behavior in letting his top dogs bring their wives along (I know you caught that) is just doing the relational Hispanic thing?
Well, that's strange, because DISD has a history of both white folks and black folks piling on all the relatives they could find on the payroll. Are we to believe this was a cultural practice of Latin America, or just plain old corruption and nepotism?
There is no reason for anyone in DISD to be related to anyone else unless they are classroom teachers. And that means both of them. And the only good reason for that is that there is a teacher shortage.
The current Hinojosa regime is not influenced as much by Latin American politics as good old American back room deals. Good old American greed, good old Dallas elitism, good old refusal to deal with the illegal practices and policy violations right in his face.
Don't confuse anything at the superintendent's level or the board level with the fact that the superintendent has an Hispanic last name. He is acting just like every other superintendent who sat in that seat before him. And that is the whole problem.
[Ed Note: I always feel like I should be waiting for the Federales to come haul me off to the DISD prison for allowing this stuff to be posted!]
Anti-nepotism
In the cultural language of my high school kids, "SNAP!"
Dear Ms. Viramontes
Please stop trying to defend yourself. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID WAS WRONG.
Viramontes Resume
Hmmmm...I'm confused...was she the internal candidate or one of the external candidates?...as I review her resume it does not show that she was already an employee of the Dallas ISD. If memory serves me, she was the Director of eNcore department, during the 06/07 school year, I'm not sure how long she had been in that position, but that was NOT on her resume as shown. Wonder if they will terminate her for lying on her resume.
[Ed Note: She had worked for the District as an employee for some time. She was Director of eNcore. There's more coming.]
Viramontes Resume
She also served as Director of MIS. I seriously doubt that she will be terminated for lying on her resume. She and her husband our personal friends with the Superintendent. So she is covered by the "good buddy" system.
[Ed Note: Yes, there are no repercussions for these sorts of things in DISD. There appear to be only a handful of board members willing to hold senior officials accountable for their actions.]
Lying on Resumes-Nothing New
Who isn't Hinojosa's friend!! Isn't it subject for termination if an administrator lies on their resume? If so why aren't Downtown accountable to the same rules as those in the schools. Oh, yeh....It's do as I say, NOT AS I DO !! Wake up Coach...It's time to go. (And don't forget your friends....With friends like yours, who needs enemies)
[Ed Note: Well, I don't seem to be on his "friends" list :) ]
Viramontes Tenure
Ms. Viramontes has been with DISD for LESS THAN 2 years. During this SHORT period of time, her salary has increased over $40,000. It is an outrage.
Yes, it is an outrage.
Yes, it is an outrage. Especially considering the number of teachers who lost their longevity pay. The people who are actually making a difference in children's lives lose money while someone who is not even qualified for her job gets huge increases. This is administration is by far more unethical than their predecessors. Why can't something be done about this?
What Can Be Done?
You ask why something can't be done? What would you suggest? I blog and blog that teachers need to get involved. They don't. I blog and blog that teachers need to speak up, but they expect the unions to do it for them alone. More people signed up to speak before the board about naming a building than they did for the BILLION dollar budget. What does that tell you?
Three board members come up for re-election next year: Price, Ellis and Flores. START NOW in finding challengers. Doesn't matter where YOU live. You want to change the game, too bad, you can't. You have to change the players. Three more come up in 2010. Get them lined up, too.
Last May, Lowe had no opponent, and Medrano's opponent didn't stand a shot. Only Granger's opponent had support from a standing board member, because she is the one who asks questions. You se, they really are scared of the telling the public who is behind the curtain.
Remember, the staff is hired by the Big Boss. His contract, agreed to by the Board, allows him to do pretty much what he wants. If you don't like that for him--or the next Big Boss, then get active.
Change the players if you can't change the game.
Diane Birdwell
NEA Dallas
[Ed Note: This is true. If you start replacing Board members, things will change. However, they may not change for the better. Keep in mind that a School Board position is unpaid. So you're going to get a variety of types who want the position for a variety of reasons.
So keep in mind that you may not be as satisfied with "what you get" as you are with "what you have."
The best thing to do is to look at what each Board member does--how they vote, what they say, etc. Can you talk to them? It seems to me, the three that are up are not the real problems.]
Reconstitute the Board
You are kidding, right, Allen?
One up there on the list blows more smoke up people's behinds--and claims to have spoken Spanish first--you don't even respect him.
The other guy, he doesn't respect the rules, the policies or the teachers. He is a shill for the North Dallas power brokers.
The lone female up there had promise, a new view, but she trusts the administration's word over the teachers' voices, time and time again.
Time to clear off and start over, a "reconstitution" you might say!
After all, that is what they do with teachers, right? Doesn't matter what YOU did or did not do, you ALL get the axe.
[Ed Note: I've heard that a certain former Board member is looking for a campaign manager to run again.]
Replacing Board Trustees
O.K. it is Sunday night and after saying to myself all week that I wasn't going to get on this blog again (because like others are and have expressed, I get the impression we all talk way too much and act upon things way too little), anyway, I still signed on tonight. Here's my imput on the Board Members. First; I've been doing some research on "How to RUN for ELECTION to become a Board Trustee. I was advised, through some more of my written complaints to Board of Education, this is a City Election. Contact the Elections Office (Local, ie. Dallas)to request or learn what the "Qualifications" for running for local school board would be. I also learned that near the time for elections there is a CLASS HELD (announced in the news paper) which would tell a person how to file to run. This information, to me, is news. Considering that I had to go all the way to the Board of Education(District 13, Thank you for your reply!) (214) 587-7783, just to learn this little bit. But hey, I'm just a parent trying to get involved and, yea, I guess I am involved now. I would love to see someone post that they too are willing to get involved beyond the blog and talking over the problems without action to back up the talk. P.S. Toilet Paper at Sam's Club is about 18.00 for 40 rolls, stay tuned for fun fantastic fund raising for this need. Diane, is there a hold back for you to run? Allen, if there is a former Board member looking can we (I) help? Of course I'd want to know a bit of history for the individual.
[Ed Note: I guess a better way to put what I've said previously: replacing trustees doesn't guarantee a better board--it just guarantees a new face.
The problem isn't the board. It is the historical approach to governance in DISD. Each board member sees problems. Most, however, prefer to defer to the Superintendent.
A board turnover won't guarantee a positive change in that spot--nor will it guarantee leadership that will pass the kind of change you want.
My position: give it a couple more years and see what happens. If the District trends down, you'll have quite a bit of support for making a change in the Superintendent's position (perhaps sooner).
Change happens slowly, but it does happen.
BTW, the former board member is someone you don't want back in that chair.]
Reconstitute the Board
Allen, I agree, now that you put it into a different perspective for me. When the newest trustee's came on-board I recall meetings with great grand ideas and everyone felt the need to jump on that band wagon. Truth it is. Right, a turn-over will not lend to better structure or leadership. However to wait a couple of years seems unfair to the children in the system right now. Risky too, since conditions are sloping at the present time. Perhaps, if through continued involvement, just spotlighting the issues at hand and forcing issues to be delt with under a watchful eye(s), we can bring this team around. I don't like passing the buck. I would have more confidence if the board members would discontinue this behavior. A single man can-not do it all, and should not. Perhaps it's a form of procrastination, that too has never worked for me in buisiness, home, family or life.
[Ed Note: Unfortunately there has been so much damage done to DISD over the years as a result of neglect, it is going to take a while to undo it.]
The Board
Some of the board members up for re-election may be your favorites, but after watching their behavior and votes, two of those three need to hit the road.
MOST of the board seems to be on disconnect from their communities. Maybe they are pandering to Dallas Achieves or the Citizens Council or the campaign donors who don't even live in their community and don't send their kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews to these schools.
This last budget, whose details were hidden from the public, probably contains some big bucks for some departments containing H's cronies. The fact the board allowed H to run an end game around them and the public on the bond issue and the details of the budget are indications all of them need to go.
Please don't lower the expectations we should have of these folks. They are not doing their jobs.
As for the fact that a board position is an unpaid position, you run this blog for free. It doesn't mean you can act like an idiot and still have a readership. Volunteer work doesn't mean a person can be a dolt or lazy or stupid or BOUGHT. It doesn't mean a board member can take his political ideology and use it as an excuse to deny a cost of living raise to those at the bottom. I don't call that brains; I call it callous and petty and smirky.
Most women spend as much time doing housework every week as it would take to run for these board positions. Some smart women with brains who are willing to do their homework could let the dust pile up for a while and be strong advocates for children and good conservators of the public's purse.
Don't lower our expectations of our fellow citizens or board members.
Bringing the Team
Each Superintendant brings with them their "Team"
Going back to the Moses Administration it was a bunch of folks that worked with him when he was in West Texas or TEA.
Rojas also brought with him a team, and a program that failed, the Edison Project.
It happens, it is not big deal, unless of course the wife hired for job does not work and just collects a check. If she is the best candidate at the time for the job, and is accountable, then resolve the conflict of interest issues with the chain of command and move on.
Dallas as a district is following the National Center for Educational Accountabilties plan for Urban Education, when you do a good job, you win a Million Bucks!!! It is called the Broad Prize, it is drop in the bucket for the billion dollar budget Dallas has.
Viramontes Best Candidate?
LOL...the best candidate? Isn't it obvious that she is NOT the best candidate? If she was, why is her resume full of type-o's? Why didn't the district send the other resumes? Why does she need to list her husband as a reference? Doesn't she know anyone else? Is there no one else she worked with who will serve as a professional reference? And, while we're at it, a two person company doesn't really have or need a Chief Information Office...please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Following the Husband
The only major problem I have with this case is that she is following IMMEDIATELY after her husband.
What if her staffers uncover misdeeds committed while her husband ran the department? Would she say anything, and even if so, imagine the position it puts her in.
There is no ONE "right person" for any job. DISD no longer allows teachers married to each other to teach at the same school, but you can do this. Yet again, they put cronyism above looks, and nepotism above common sense.
Hiring by Committee
The entire interview by committee procedure is a complete sham. Sure they post positions because they have to by board policy regulations but beyond that it's the "good ole' boy or girl" network. It doesn't matter who is on the interview committee or if they interview 4 or 100 people. They hire who they want to hire. They had Patty in mind for this position from the day they put her in as Interim. They had to follow policy though and at least interview some other candidates. And whether Patty reports to her husband indirectly or not, don't think that Mr. Viramontes isn't still the one pulling all the strings for the Technology Division.
[Ed Note: Yes, we're going to show you who they passed up for Patricia!]
Mrs. Viramontes
Patricia reports to Eric Anderson who's title is Chief Operating Officer. The question is does Eric Anderson report to Arny or not?
[Ed Note: I believe he reports direct to the Superintendent.]
Connect the Dots
And here is some more for the "connect the dots puzzle". One of the people reporting to Patricia is William (Bill) Richardson who came to DISD after leaving the Ft. Worth ISD under what is rumored to be less than stellar reasons. While at Ft. Worth it is also rumored that he brought in the Viramontes Group to do some consulting work. Now the tables have turned and while Arnold Viramontes was Chief of Technology (which was supposedly going to just be a "short term" position for him and he was merely doing a favor for Hinajosa. And look where Arny is now...) he hired Richardson as the Director of Security which at time was a new "made up" department. Then amazingly enough thru all the delayering last summer Richardson ends up as Director of WAN/LAN and there is no Security department. He didn't have to interview for the position at all, it was handed to him on a silver platter as were all the management positions during the delayering. Now all Richardson wants to do is bring in outside consultants to do the work. There are many highly qualified and very knowledgable DISD technology employee's who want to do the work and who can do most of what he's hiring outsiders to do
Delayering...
RE: "(Richardson) didn't have to interview for the position at all, it was handed to him on a silver platter as were all the management positions during the delayering."
Speaking of the delayering that went on last summer, the purpose was to eliminate management positions at DISD, thereby reducing the $$$ paid for salaries in Central Staff.
Here's the question: did it work?
Is the total $$$ paid for Central Staff salaries down or up? Enquiring minds want to know.
[Ed Note: When I have a moment...]
Cost of Central Staff
Well, at the June 26th Board meeting, the increase of over $10-11 million to central staff was explained to cover the consultants hired for that fiscal transformation and the OPR unit being fully operational. So the money they cut from last year vaporized.
They *say* that these consultants will put us on the path to better running of DISD, but I swear, I swear I heard that under Rojas and Moses. Didn't we all hear that one before?
Also, D.K. Bailey
Also, D.K. Bailey previously held the position of interim CIO, I think. That level position requires the employee to live in the district and he did not want to move into the district. So, the district said they "demoted" him to another position in Arnold's new TMO office. The funny part .... his salary was never lowered. Now that is my kind of demotion. No cost savings here.
Viramontes Group and Fort Worth ISD
Among the Viramontes Group's clients, according to its website, is Fort Worth ISD. Bill Richardson, formerly with Fort Worth ISD Technology Department, now works for Patty Viramontes at Dallas ISD. Bill Richardson was hired into a "security" position by Arnold Viramontes when Arnold held Patricia's job. Now, Richardson heads Patricia's Network Services department as the District continues to play musical jobs in its Technology Department.
So let me get this straight: Richardson bought things from Viramontes Group when he was at FWISD. Now, the Viramontes' bought Richardson??? Hummmmmm....what's wrong with this picture?
[Ed Note: I don't know. Let's find out.]
State Legislature and Nepotism
Why doesn't the State Legislature step in and stop some of this?
[Ed Note: Because there hasn't been a loud cry for this sort of thing to stop. Ironically, the Board of Trustees could put an end to it, too. But there are a few who have no interest in seeing this sort of thing stop because it would put some of their constituent's families out of business.
This is only the "Viramontes Connection." It just happens to be high profile because they're both very senior executives. There are a bunch of other "connections"--probably far too many for us to ever find out about. It's just gone on so long that it is tough to stop.]
No, John, You're Missing The Point
The point isn't where she went to school or whether she had honors or not. It is whether DISD needs to be hiring the wife of its top executives to be top executives. Sorry but all the rest of this is fluff.
Reporting Relationships
Unless I'm mistaken, Arnold Viramontes was recently promoted by Superintendent Hinojosa to the position of chief of staff. That means Mrs Viramontes is once again reporting to her spouse.
[Ed Note: I don't think this is correct. We'll ask someone though. They create and delete positions at DISD weekly.]
Where's the Org Chart
I can't commend a single member of this school board for the fact that no one (including them) even has an organizational chart for this boondoggle known as DISD. There is no way to know whether departments have grown, who is reporting to whom, who got promoted and therefore got a huge raise, and where the money is going.
This board is in the same shape as all the others over the last 35 years. They don't have a clue as to what was hidden in this budget in terms of personnel, because it was hidden from them the same way it has been hidden from every other board by every other superintendent.
This is partially a result of the "reforms" of 1995 which yanked board representatives away from "micromanaging" the district, but this practice of hiding promotions and pay from the board has been going on forever.
We need a citizen's academy of training for these board members, who apparently leave reality when they are elected. How can some of them brag about their business smarts when they don't have a clue what was hidden in this last budget? This administration is no different from the most corrupt in history in that everything is a big SECRET.
We could also take the board, step by step and line by line, through the Broad verbiage and let them in on the big scam. They've paid millions to translate some simple best practices into twisted phrases signifying nothing. It would make a great Monty Python movie to ACTUALLY READ this garbage and pull clips from the board meetings where even the "smartest" of these dolts are sitting there like bobble heads, nodding along with the coach, who can barely read the Broad garbage.
Even the board members sitting up there smirking and making snide remarks during meetings don't understand they have been had.