The San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens
publicly criticized the Hollister School District Board of Trustees
Tuesday night for hiring Interim Superintendent Ron Crates, who
they claim has been unresponsive to Latin American teachers and
parents in his previous post in Redwood City.
Hollister – The San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens publicly criticized the Hollister School District Board of Trustees Tuesday night for hiring Interim Superintendent Ron Crates, who they claim has been unresponsive to Latin American teachers and parents in his previous post in Redwood City.
San Benito County LULAC President Mickie Luna addressed the board and superintendent about her organization’s concerns over the selection of Crates as the district’s interim superintendent. She asked board members to involve the community in future leadership hiring decisions.
“While state president of LULAC, I and other members of the San Benito council personally witnessed Mr. Crates’ arrogant treatment of Hispanic parents and teachers in Redwood City,” Luna said in press release last week. “Because of Mr. Crates’ inability to work constructively with these parents and teachers, a LULAC council was chartered in Redwood City.”
In her comments to the board, Luna also said she hopes Crates will work constructively with Latinos.
“It is my hope that Mr. Crates will work closely with Latino parents, teachers, students and community members,” Luna said.
Luna could not be reached for comment and did not release any details about LULAC’s allegations of “arrogant treatment.” LULAC’s press secretary also could not be reached for comment.
Crates was surprised by LULAC’s press release and the public comments during Tuesday’s board meeting, which he said probably stemmed from a personnel decision he made several years ago as superintendent of Redwood City School District.
Crates would not comment further on the personnel matter, but he denied LULAC’s allegation of “arrogant treatment.” Crates said he has and will continue to work constructively with all parents, students, teachers and community members.
“The majority of our students are from Latino families and we want to make sure all our students have the best opportunities,” Crates said. “I’m just going to do what I’ve always done, which is work with the community.”
Redwood City Teachers Association President Bret Baird, who has worked with Crates for the last 15 years, said he had never witnessed Crates treat anyone unprofessionally or arrogantly. In his role as union president, Baird often clashed with Crates.
“Personally, I didn’t have any problems with him,” Baird said. “We disagreed about many, many things, but it was always professional.”
Baird was surprised by Crates abrupt resignation from the Redwood City School District. He was also surprised Crates was hired by Hollister School District only 17 days after his resignation from Redwood City on July 29. Baird also praised HSD for hiring Crates.
“He’s a good man, he’s a workaholic,” he said. “By the hour, you’ll get your $139,000 worth. (Crates) will eat, sleep and drink that job.”
Board of Trustees members called dozens of Crates references and professional colleagues before hiring him, board member Dee Brown said. Board members never spoke with anyone who had reservations about Crates, she said.
“Everyone we talked to said we should hire Mr. Crates if we could,” Brown said. “He wants to do what needs to be done here.”
The board needed to act quickly to hire an interim superintendent because the district wanted to fill the position before the start of school year, Brown said. Although the community was not involved in the hiring of Crates, Brown said the community would be consulted before the district hires a permanent superintendent.
“The community be involved just as they were when Dr. Barranti was hired,” Brown said.
She also hopes board and community members can put the issue to rest and move on, but said she would strongly object if she ever witnessed unprofessional conduct by Crates.
“If I ever saw any evidence of racism or bigotry, I would be the first to object,” Brown said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected]
