By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
Photos by Robinson

  Uvalde CISD Board Member J.J. Suarez met with over a dozen of the some of the school districts most vocal critics composed of victim family members, and those dissatisfied and angry with Uvalde CISD school board in the wake of May 24th Robb School Tragedy. The meeting was held at a church located on West Main Street east of Walmart where Daniel Meyer is the pastor. The meeting was organized by the group K.A.R.M.A

   The meeting lasted for about an hour and a half and topics included the perceived politics at play with decisions made by Superintendents Hal Harrell and Gary Patterson and Uvalde CISD administration officials regarding Robb School before and after the May 24th tragedy. Additionally   the security measures being implemented were discussed.  Others brought up hiring processes of the district and how the district should do more to recognize the two teachers,  Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles who were among the 19 students who perished as well as provide more assistance to those who were injured on May 24th.

   “It’s been a very tough year,” Suarez said.    Suarez was accompanied by his wife Bethany as difficult topics were covered.

  “There is a perception there is a lot of corruption, whether these is or not; we never go clarification on who got that email,” Adam Martinez said referencing the email sent to Uvalde CISD notifying them that former Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo was appealing his discharge status.

  Emotions often ran high during the Q and A.  Pastor Daniel Meyers when addressing Suarez appeared to be shaking and close to tears as he voiced his frustrations with the school district. Ruben Torrez Jr.,  whose daughter survived the shooting was passionate when presenting his concerns about the importance of the district taking steps to make sure the schools are secure and the chain of command is clear in regards to Uvalde CISD police officer and the DPS officers who will be working with the Uvalde CISD police force.

   Suarez did mention the district plans to start the search process for a permanent Superintendent this fall. “We do have it on the next agenda,” he said.

  One person in attendance stated there needs to be an administration audit conducted within the District.

 “I want to be able to answer these questions, During the open forum we cannot answer questions,” Suarez said referring to the open forum portion of the school board meetings where community members can speak for three minutes,”

  In response to a question posed to Suarez by Jesse Rizo about his decision to give up his TICOLE license, Suarez responded by saying, “No, I am not a commissioned officer. It was hard. It was 27 years of my life,” Suarez said, referring to his decision to end his career as a law enforcement officer. 

  At the end, both sides agreed that additional meetings between school board members should be planned allowing for concerned parents and citizens to ask questions and express their concerns without having to abide by the strict school board meeting regulations only limiting public comments to 3 minutes each and not allowing school board members to respond to those comments.

 Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez spoke at a live press conference earlier this afternoon on the floor of the Texas Senate during a break. 

According to a press release issued earlier today,  Senator Gutierrez office issued this statement, “Due to Senate Media restrictions we are livestreaming this press conference on our Facebook: https://fb.com/rolandfortexas

   Standing behind Gutierrez were several of the Robb School victim’s families including Kimberly and Felix Rubio, Javier Cazares and Faith Mata spoke after Gutierrez spoke lambasting both Lt. Governor and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. 

  Gutierrez criticized Abbott and the Republican Party for the party’s legislation against “transgender population and drag shows” and less about “common sense gun safety legislation.”

   A mother of one of the victims of the Santa Fe shooting,  spoke where she excoriated  both Abbott and Patrick delivering a profanity laced statement.

   Gutierrez returned to the speaker’s podium referring to Texas State Senator Tracy King who he said would be introducing his own gun safety bill. 

 Senator Gutierrez’ office released the following statement about the press conference: 

“State Senator Roland Gutierrez to Provide Updates to Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation

Austin, Texas – On Tuesday, State Senator Roland Gutierrez will provide an update on the status of common sense gun safety legislation in the Texas Senate. Gutierrez continues to push for justice, truth, and accountability.

Throughout the 88th Legislative Session, Sen. Gutierrez has released legislation that focuses on justice and services for victims of mass shootings, increasing state and local accountability, school safety and mental health resources, comprehensive equipment and training for first responders, a memorial to mass shooting victims in the Texas State Cemetery, and common sense gun safety measures.

Who:  Uvalde families, State Senator Roland Gutierrez ; What: Press Conference on common sense gun safety legislation updates ; When: Tuesday, April 4, 2023; 3:30 pm or 30 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate ; Where: Texas Capitol Speakers Committee Room, 2W.6

Berlinda Arreola, the grandmother of Amarie Jo Garza who was one of the 19 who perished at the May 24th Robb School Massacre spoke to the Uvalde CISD Board at Monday night’s December 19th meeting,

Arreola then spoke about observing a police officer on the Flores Campus on his cell phone when they should be alert to security matters.

“Last week I went to pick up my granddaughter from Flores, and there was somebody ahead of me so I had to wait. While I was there waiting, there was this officer that was there and he sat on his phone and he’s on his phone looking down this whole entire time that I’m in line waiting. And then I get up, I go, and take the picture, and still, no look up, no nothing. ”

“There is also another picture that somebody else took that I was trying to get it was three officers that were sitting in the cafeteria doing the same thing on their phones the whole entire time, no looking up; not protecting,” she said.

She went on to say, “They are not paying attention to our students.”