Taxpayers want to know who American schools are really educating
By
Ray Gomez
Story Created:
Nov 10, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 11, 2009
People in District Four are bringing attention to the public school system. Taxpayers there want to know who our schools are really educating.
The Councilman for the district, Juan Narvaez, says it isn't fair to local taxpayers that Mexican residents get to go to school here free of charge. Some of the people we caught up with feel their children have every right to attend school here because they work in Laredo.
School district officials say that's the big misconception.
Council Member Juan Narvaez has been receiving complaints from people in his district on who our public school system is really educating:
“I have nothing against education but we want to educate children of our residents that pay taxes for the City of Laredo."
He says complaints state there are too many people living in Mexico, but when school let out today, our cameras caught a number of cars with Mexico plates picking up their children:
Mexican nationals that have their kids attending public schools here in the U.S. say the opportunities are much greater and the public school system is much better over here.
"Estan mejor. Para mi estan mejor."
Her fourth grader attends elementary school on this side of the border because she feels the education is much better:
“Esta muy bien que vengan a estudiar los ninos de Mexico aqui en Laredo, Tejas esta muy bien."
He too thinks it’s okay for kids living in Mexico to come over here to study, as long as their parents are working in the U.S.
"Yo trabajo, vivo en Mexico y mis hijos estudio aqui, somos Americanos no veo lo malo porque no pago impuestos."
He says, “I work here, live in Mexico, and my child who was born in the United States goes to school here. I don’t see the problem with that because I pay federal taxes.”
But the Laredo Independent School District sees a big problem with that.
They say it doesn't matter if you or your child is American. Citizenship is not required for education. It’s residency. In other words, you have to live in Laredo to go to school here:
“Unless you live here we can't educate-- now maybe that one fell through the cracks."
"Many times they get upset with us because they tell us well we're American citizens and that doesn't qualify them to be educated with us."
Laredo taxpayers want the schools to do more in making sure people who don’t live here get a free American education.
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MH Gallego said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 3:55 AM
Charge them tuition.
31926461mona said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 9:36 AM
This topic is a waste of time and effort, NOTHING is or will ever be done about students coming from Mexico to attend our schools illegaly period. No one has the balls to stop it.
31935296max said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 10:01 AM
When you see a LISD bus parked and the driver on a walkie talkie talking to a driver of a car with Mexican plates on it I think that is a clue that they don't live here. SSHHHHHHHH, don't say anything they may not shop here.
31936569Mr. Me said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 10:30 AM
Why are you complaining to a City Council Member? It's an LISD issue.
31938329LISD and councilman said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 11:30 AM
Yes, that is right Mr. Narvaez does not have a clue that he does not have authority or anything to get involved with LISD , Now Mr. Narvaez do you want to wrestle with LULAC or MALDEF?? NO metas la nariz.
31942294Fedup 2/2 said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 11:33 AM
We who live in this country are not allowed to pick our schools or what school we want our kids to go to unless we want to pay more money besides our taxes for private schools. Yet these children do not live in this country or pay taxes and they are going to our schools and the American tax payers are once again flipping the bill. This is not right. Its like me saying can I attend college in Mexico for free since I pay for Mexican children to get an education?
31942661Educate the parents said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 11:39 AM
The Mexican parents dont have the knowledge that local educatuion is tied to local residence taxes, for them is a Federal free education just like Mexico. LISD and UISD need to educate the parents and the alternatives are private schools like san agustin or any other scool.
31943026Just me said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 12:20 PM
Now let me get this straight. Illegal Mexican parents come to the US to have their children. US citizens pay for the birth and our government gives the child citizenship. Now since the child is a US citizen, US citizerns also have to pay for his/her education. What a deal!
31945731tax payer said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 12:21 PM
nothing is going to happen here just the two persons that never called C.P.S. and our taxes keep going up to pay for these kids, we need to charge them out of the country tuition and lower our taxes!!!!!!!!!!!
31945749In-Charge said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 1:36 PM
Who are the persons in charge at LISD and UISD to check on residency status?
31950636Bolshevik=большевики=Laredo said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 2:02 PM
solution, Close the bridge to underage children between the hours of 5am through 10 am that the school districts, and the teachers can find out who is from this side vs the other side. I know that Mexican kids go to private school, they also have ID's from those schools so they can cross w/o an problems. Close the Bridges!!! put our ICE an MP's on all the bridges!
31952416JT said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 3:55 PM
Look to Del Rio and superintendent Kelt Cooper. He is expelling students from Mexico--not because of citizenship status, but because of residency requirements. These Mexican parents think that everything is for free here in the US. These students should either be charged something that is the equivalent of what residents pay in property taxes(not sales taxes) or KICK THEM OUT!! As it is, they whine for their manifiestos. Also, don't give citizenship to babies born here from Mexican ladies.
31959214Lalo said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 4:04 PM
How about it Pro 8 News folks? Maybe you all should send Annette or Noraida to interview this man in Del Rio and find out what he's doing about the illegal students he deals with from Ciudad Acuna. It would make a good story.
31959691Frustrated said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 5:27 PM
Until we rid ourselves of the "pobresito" mentality, we will never help people learn how to be independent. As long we continue to enable this behavior, it will only get worse. LISD administrators need to wake up and realize that it is not "one that fell through the cracks." There are hundreds (if not thousands) that are contributing to the ongoing increases in taxes. They're also affecting the lower scores that no one seems to be able to explain. Could it be that everything is in Spanish now?
31964156Mother of Two said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 7:06 PM
The districts do not care because more students means more money from the govt. Who cares about the fact that taxes are sky-high and our schools are not getting the necessary test scores--as long as students fill up the seats in the classrooms. Now teachers are being forced to resort to speaking Spanish in the classroom because they have to ensure that ALL students pass their state tests--especially those who don't speak English.
31968396Fed UP said on Wednesday, Nov 11 at 10:08 PM
Somebody better stop it soon, because our wonderful Teachers are so stressed and fed up they don't want to teach anymore!! I've seen young Teachers quit because they are expected to educate these Mexican kids who cannot read or write in english. Furthermore, these kids are expected to pass the TAKS test. Our Teachers are blamed for these kids not passing the test and is an injustice to them! LISD does not check if they really reside here. The kids tell Teachers all the time, they cross daily.
31975451loosers said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 12:11 AM
They quit because they dont have the caapabilities to handle the job, but they want the fat check of $50,000 plus benefits and 2 months vacation plus free health insurance. EDUCATION IS A CARREER, AND SPANISH HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE 1700's.
31979566Case in point.... said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 12:16 AM
"Loosers" appears to disagree with everyone on this blog. What "loosers" didn't even realize is that the spelling is wrong. Perhaps "loosers" needs to learn English.....
31979694IT'S ABOUT TIME said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 3:11 AM
NOBODY IS MAKING ABOUT LEGAL OR ILLEGAL STATUS!! IT'S ABOUT LIVING OUTSIDE THE DISTRICTS AND ATTENDING WITHOUT PAYING TAXES OR TUITION.IT'S LIKE LCC THEY CHARGE COUNTY TAXES AND OUR STUDENTS TUITION,MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL STOP PAYING OUR TAXES AND SEE IF LULAC PAYS FOR US.BESIDES IF ANY OF OUR KIDS ARE IN A SCHOOL OTHER THAN WHERE WE BELONG THEY ARE KICKED OUT!!! SO WHATS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS DEFENATLY GOOD FOR THE GANDER.REMEMBER WE PAY THEIR SALERIES WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
31982674concerned citizen said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 7:23 AM
Most of these parents get what you call a HOST letter. LISD allows the use of this to allow some children to register. this letter has them fill out a name of someone who will host them at the residence. Some of these are honest, but some do not even live on this side. The people signing these letters, need to know that they will be held liable if the school district finds out that the they falsified information. (this letter has to be notarized).
31986636a loophole said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 8:37 AM
That's the loophole the Scool Districts take advantage of, They enroll the maximum number of students to get the Federal and state Funds, then when the critical part arrives they want to wash their hands. (with the same students they enrolled. And claim they are illegaly enrolled in the same school. Councilman Narvaez..you representation is in the city government not in LISD.
31989381Anonymous said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 11:00 AM
Theses children do not fall into the cracks, the workers are simply either lazy, untrained, or dont want to get into any problems with the parents by confronting them. The school districts are not the only ones allowing issues to fall through the cracks. There is also CPS, the food stamp/medicaid/welfare office, the Laredo Housing Authority, SS and disability office. The workers are under paid nad over worked or just plain lazy and they dont do their jobs right.
31998181Anonymous said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 12:10 PM
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BLOG!! SOMEONE ERASED IT!
32002791Single mothers said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 12:29 PM
Is painful but some people knows that the preference to single mothers is the reason why all these programs are used and abused, as long as the workers and administrators want to justify their. job we are going to see the "cracks" By the way did you see Dr. Hector Gonzalez giving free money in the Mexican Consulate?? check the "El Manana webpage
32003994Fed Up said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 7:41 PM
This to the loser who wrote that Teachers earn too much, and have benefits and two month vacations. For your information, Teachers get no free benefits, they have to pay for their Medical Ins. They do not earn enough for all they do and the two months they are off in the summer are paid because their pay is divided into 12 months not 10. Yes, spanish has been here since the 1700's but that does'nt mean our Teachers have to be held accountable for these mex. children not passing the TAKS tests.
32027696substitute teacher said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 8:46 PM
You must be a substitute teacher if dont get benefits and the $50,000. And according to the "No child left behind Law" yes you are responsible for those kids. if you are not for this job...quit! we need professionals that really earn their check with out taxes.
32030039New to this comment blog said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 9:01 PM
The main issue that is being argued here is that all of these Mexican children live in Mexico and do not belong in our schools! Their parents do not reside here therefore do not pay school or property taxes. LISD needs to buckle down and stop letting these kids crowd up our schools. Our children suffer because of all these kids holding back our Teachers from teaching at a regular pace and not having to go back all day to explain everything again in Spanish. We want LISD to take action now!!
32030554Tax Paying Citizen said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 9:12 PM
WE the Taxpayers want Pro 8 News to interview an LISD official and demand answers for us, as to why all of these Mexican children cross the bridge every morning and are allowed to come to our schools. Go to the bridge and stop them just like the Del Rio District did. Interview the Del Rio District also, we want their ideas on this matter. Pro 8 News your the best, we'll be waiting for your hard work on these interviews for the Tax paying citizens whom are fed up in Laredo.
32030956LISD ACTION said on Thursday, Nov 12 at 9:22 PM
The issue is U.S. Citizens living abroad and going to school in the U.S. It does not matter if they are of Chinese or Mexican descent. If the issue was made out of any prejudice , then is does not have merit. LISD authority does not dictate Federal Requirements or State Requirements.
32031251Go home Tacos! said on Friday, Nov 13 at 2:23 PM
Close the border down,build a wall like Gernany did,arm it with machine guns,and let the Mexicans try coming then.We do not like Mexicans in the United States!Stay in your own country and keep the filth there!There is nothing good of even one Mexican in this country,he will try to get something for free.Now multiply that by millions and you can see why all of the problems.I know people from Central American countries that despise being called Mexicans,because they are a disgrace to them also.
32072616ALL Mexicans leave,problems solved said on Friday, Nov 13 at 2:32 PM
Any American that says Mexicans are our friends is either a liar or a Laredo politician running for office.How many school board members are illegal?What ever happened to that Rodrigues that lied about where he was living?Laredoans have an attention span of a goldfish,about 4-6 seconds and then they forget what they were even doing and you have to start all over with what you were telling them in the first place.
32073171Legal Citizen said on Friday, Nov 13 at 3:05 PM
I am legal U.S. Citizen. I think it is absurd that PEOPLE not living in the U.S. can come into our schools get educated and not pay a dime in taxes. My elderly mother, who no longer has school aged children is still PAYING SCHOOL TAXES. DO YOU THINK THIS IS FAIR. I don't think so. People at the bridge see the same people crossing on a daily basis, why cant they check or have someone from the district stationed there to check these things out. WE SHOULD STOP TAXING ELDERLY.
32075156???? All Mexicans leave.... said on Friday, Nov 13 at 4:14 PM
With 98% Mexicans with American Citizenship in Laredo Texas that means we all have to go across and live in Nuevo Laredo as illegal aliens in Mexico?? LISD teachers included??
32079629Lalo said on Friday, Nov 13 at 4:19 PM
What a stupid and ignorant comparison "??? all Mexicans leave" wrote
32079949ALL Mexicans leave said on Friday, Nov 13 at 6:00 PM
98% is a really good start.You can take the pathetic Border Patrol with you when the last one leaves.If all of the teachers leave also and 98% of the Mexicans leave,there may be hope for this town.The teachers would not be teaching everyone Spanish because they have no idea how to speak English.Spanish is not needed anywhere in the United States once you are north of San Antonio.If Laredoans could get past the checkpoint(legally)you would know that.Hiring Nelson is a start.
32084956Que Baboso, said on Friday, Nov 13 at 7:31 PM
My GOD... you should be honor with the Medal to Greatest stupid in the world.
32088719Mrs. M said on Saturday, Nov 14 at 3:11 PM
This issue is not about teachers, but about taxpayers paying to educate children who DO NOT live within school districts. Some of you are so caustic toward teachers. We are not overpaid or overcompensated by any means. Some of you should try to do what we do. Granted, there are always bad apples in every job (look no further than our own city leaders, PD, FD, etc.), but most of us work hard at what we do. All of us are taxpayers, too. No one should pay to educate nonresidents
32115501LISD Tax Payer said on Sunday, Nov 15 at 11:03 AM
I'm with the citizen who wants Pro 8 News to interview someone who will give us some answers. Ya Basta with the free education for children who's Parents do not pay Taxes and live in Mexico. We want some action taken now!!
32142166As If. said on Monday, Nov 16 at 12:43 AM
As if Mayor Raul Salinas and city councile are going to let anyone do anything to thier presious mexicans.It seems like Betty Flores all over again. How soon they forget on which side of the border they were elected on.
32168451Federal and State funds said on Monday, Nov 16 at 2:15 PM
Well Laredo..Return those funds and you will see your salary decrease. Those funds are suppose to be used to the U.S, Hispanic Children lacking the english skills regardless of where they live to improve their education. If you dont want to educate yur own race children just return the funds. Your salary will decrease from $50,000 to $25,000. and you pay your own benefits specially Health Insurance.
32193419cg said on Monday, Nov 16 at 2:57 PM
The only children lacking english skills are the children from Mexico not Laredo. This is not about who is a US citizen or not, this is about these children and their parents who do not reside in the United States, do not contribute taxes to pay for these types of services our fine country gives us.
32195784cg said on Monday, Nov 16 at 3:00 PM
Where do you think the money comes from to pay for school, welfare, foodstamps, medicaid, ss. It comes out of my pocket and the pockets of all USA tax payers.
32195924We will said on Tuesday, Nov 17 at 12:47 AM
We would return those federal and state funds, because there won't be a need for them. It is a lot cheaper to teach and print all instructional matereals in one language instead of two.Also the lessons will go quicker if done once istead of two or three times. That would cut down wasted time ,as it is classrooms are very overcrouded by as many as 28 to 30 students to 1 teacher. Who can learn with that ratio alone? on top of that add going back and forth. Also U.I.S.D. is just as bad!!!!!
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