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Monday, February 8, 2010 | Serving Del Rio and Val Verde County: Since 1929
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Stipend returned to 2 in hearing
Published November 17, 2009
A $5,000 stipend was reinstated last night after two speech language pathologists filed a grievance with the public school board.
The stipend was initially granted to Monica Fernandez and Deborah Cantu, San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District's only speech language pathologists, last year under interim superintendent Tommy Hall.
The plight of the two pathologists was heard in open session after Fernandez requested a public discussion, which the board approved 4-3 with Pam Smith, Joe David Zuniga and Raymond Meza voting for a closed session discussion.
Hall surmised the case load of Fernandez and Cantu warranted the additional pay, and that the stipend would likely stay in place until additional personnel were hired to take some of that load, Fernandez explained to the board Monday night.
The board revoked that stipend in September, citing upped manpower in the department.
Fernandez and Cantu say that while there are more assistants in the department, they remain the only certified pathologists and therefore carry the sole responsibility for the more than 160 students receiving services.
“The supervising speech pathologist…is responsible,” said Cantu. “If an assistant under our direction fails to adequately provide services…it is our license that is in jeopardy ladies and gentlemen.”
Furthermore, Cantu charged that the district has nearly 100 identified students who are not receiving the services warranted them by law because of the staffing shortfall.
Though both women acknowledged receipt of a letter from the district in September 2008 citing the stipend as a one-time deal, Fernandez says its inclusion in the 2009-10 budget and conversations with administrators led her to believe it would remain.
Fernandez also charged that the board's decision to halt the stipend was illegal as it was done after the beginning of the school year without notice, depriving her the chance to seek alternate employment.
Suzanne Marchman, A representative with the Texas Education Agency, said this morning there is nothing illegal about a school board amending its budget after the beginning of the school year.
“In fact, it is recommended that boards review their budgets and change them as needed,” said Marchman.
The women added that they regretted having to take their grievance to the school board, but attempts to handle the issue with administration were unsuccessful.
Superintendent Kelt Cooper said the matter had to go before the school board because they are the ones who have to make the decision on whether to reinstate the stipend.
After hearing from Fernandez and Cantu, the board convened in closed session to consult with its attorney on the matter.
After about an hour, the board returned with its decision.
Pete Cardenas made a motion to approve reinstatement of the stipend for one year, and have administration review the issue for the 2010-11 budget, which was seconded by Stanley Blackstone and passed unanimously.
Blackstone cautioned other stipend employees that the decision of the board does not equate to open season for those who might also have lost the additional pay due to budget cuts.
“This is not a blanket invitation for all stipend employees to come ask for their stipend back,” said Blackstone. “This is not part of your salary…the district can stop it at any point.”
To Fernandez and Cantu, Blackstone reiterated that the decision is to extend the stipend for one year, and commended them on their hard work.
“I think you're working hard, and we certainly need your continued efforts. You are in a unique situation that requires certification outside the district, and the question is, is what we are doing to you fair or not?” said Blackstone.
Board President Raymond Meza said the board would work diligently on recruitment efforts to retain more speech language pathologists, and lighten the caseload.
Cantu and Fernandez said they were pleased with the board's decision and hopeful that the stipend will be included in job postings to entice more pathologists to relocate to Del Rio.
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