Progreso,Texas in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas has been slapped with an order from the Texas Education Association for the installation of “state managers” to run the Progreso School District, which has been the victim of bribery, theft and scandal at the hands of a powerful family and their allies.
The community is divided as to the benefits or liabilities of having “state managers” run the district. According to investigators, the “Vela ” family had been fully entrenched in the control of school expenditures, projects, etc., and gained a percentage from that, thereby violating many laws, and is facing years in prison. This is in addition to the cash bribes given to them under the table for “favors” in the conduct of public works.
However, Progreso, Texas, is not unique in the practice of “compadre” (corrupt) politics and the “mordida” or the “bite” (the bribe) that keeps the wheels rolling in many communities in South Texas. This quiet, mostly agricultural community established around the 1920’s as a military outpost for national guardsmen fighting the so-called “bandido” threat from northern Mexico, was also an important entry port for much needed immigrant labor and a source of support during the depression and World War II. It was an accepted custom in those days, due to the language barrier, that if you needed things done, you pay or “talk” to an official or an influential person and grease the wheels of progress. During election time, you would attend the “pachangas” or parties and return the favor by voting for the person and continue with the practice of “compadre” politics. This would keep the officials, some corrupt, in power for a very long time. This is done all over the valley and maybe all over Texas. In Progreso, it was blatant to the point of mockery. This all had a great effect on the lives of the community and the students.
The Texas Education Association has also lowered the academic status of the school district, fired and suspended all school board members, including the president, even though they were democratically elected. The school superintendent is gone, and the direction and program of the district is up in the air. What’s important is that the community is very much involved, either for or against.
Community elements and progressives are confident they can influence the decision making process of the “managers” since half will be from the community. They are concerned that the graduating seniors will not be able to attend desired colleges due to the low academic standing of the school. This has forced parents to unite and work together in support of the student population. This effort, and also the struggle against “state managers,” must be supported. In these times of less school funding, the government will find any way possible to deny the people their right to education and a decent way of life. With automation discarding so many unneeded workers, the system no longer needs educated students, just the cream of the crop, if at all.
