Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jun 2013
Source: Odessa American (TX)
Copyright: 2013 Odessa American
Contact:  http://www.oaoa.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/708
Author: Lindsay Weaver

PARENTS RAMP UP PRESSURE AGAINST TRUSTEE

Board Members Say Luis Galvan's Beliefs on Pot Use Undermines Credibility

A petition is circulating online and among southside voters rallying 
support to remove Ector County Independent School District board 
member Luis Galvan, who admitted marijuana use to the Odessa American 
last month.

Two fathers of ECISD students and Place 1 residents which Galvan 
represents - Jeff Russell and Arlo Chavira - are heading up the 
effort. They are advocating that Galvan is violating his oath of 
office he took in 2010 when he was elected, which states that he will 
"preserve, protect and defend ... the laws of the United States and 
of this state," by admitting his personal marijuana use.

"It undermines his credibility and the credibility of the whole board 
when discussing discipline. It's showing there's one standard for 
students and holding ourselves to a much lower standard," Russell 
said. Chavira started a Facebook page "Ector Parents Empowered" as 
well, and it has received 25 "likes."

The fact that Galvan will decide on ECISD policy as an elected board 
member including the expulsion and discipline for students who are 
caught with marijuana or under the influence is undermining the rules 
students and teachers must follow.

"We need to expel Mr. Galvan for the same," reads an excerpt from the 
website: bootgalvan.com.

Russell mailed out about 1,000 postcards to Place 1 voters (based on 
lists from the Ector County Registrar of Voters) on Tuesday, and he 
says they're committed and are willing to spend the time and money to 
keep the effort afloat.

On Tuesday, during a board workshop, Galvan discussed making 
punishments more severe for students who commit felony offenses at 
school, which includes felony possession of marijuana.

In the interview with the OA, Galvan said, "I've experimented before. 
I know all the presidents have ... everyone, to a point," he said on 
May 7 after being approached with photos of Galvan with what appears 
to be three Ziploc baggies of marijuana laid across a desk. Later in 
that conversation, Galvan said, "sometimes I do use. If I'm at a 
party or maybe a concert." He also said he believed the federal 
government should "change its classification" because marijuana has 
great medicinal uses.

Galvan has not returned phone calls requesting comment. He also 
ignored an OA reporter Tuesday following the workshop meeting and 
walked away quickly to his vehicle.

On May 21, he handed the media a typed statement in which he 
apologized for "any inappropriate comments made during a distressed 
situation." It was addressed to his family, the community and the 
board, but Galvan did not read it at the meeting. He has said he 
believes the photos are Photoshopped and that his safety has been 
threatened recently.

Some have come to Galvan's defense, such as Una Voza Unida, a voter 
advocacy group. Una Voza Unida president Art Leal said they accepted 
an apology from Galvan and that because of his remorse, it's time to 
move forward, Leal has said.

On the OA Facebook page, several dozen users have also expressed 
support for Galvan with reasons varying from what he does behind 
closed doors should remain there to the opinions that marijuana 
should be legal, that Galvan can adequately serve on the school board 
and that the voters should decide whether he's fit for the job.

TIME TO GO, FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS SAY

Several ECISD board members are erring on the side that Galvan needs 
to "do the right thing" to not undermine the board's credibility. 
Stepping down would be the right decision with all things considered, 
four board members have agreed in separate conversations.

However, board president Ray Beaty said he doesn't believe it's his 
role to comment on whether Galvan should resign. He said he wasn't 
surprised the petition was going around because it's an option for 
citizens to express themselves, but that board members have no 
authority on the matter.

Trustee Doyle Woodall thinks the school board lacks credibility until 
Galvan resigns.

"We can't be taken seriously with the community until he resigns," 
Woodall said Wednesday. Trustee Nelson Minyard has also repeatedly 
said he believes Galvan should resign based on the comments printed in the OA.

Until Wednesday, only Woodall and Minyard had suggested his 
resignation, but now trustees Donna Smith and Teri Wheat Ervin have 
expressed their preference for Galvan to "do the right thing." 
Trustee Steve Brown did not return calls Wednesday.

What Galvan said in the OA interview bothered Ervin and she disagrees 
with what he said, but she was hesitant to answer "yes" or "no." Her 
opinion stems from the stance that the board must work as a team, and 
if Galvan considered what's good for the team, he would step down.

"We all make mistakes. Nobody is perfect, but when you're leadership 
and part of a leadership team, you really, really need to consider 
what's best," Ervin said. Galvan needs to "step back and look at 
himself," but she's willing to work with him if he stays and move on 
to best serve the ECISD community.

Smith is taking a slightly more direct approach.

"I was really uncomfortable hearing him talk about punishing children 
for drugs with those pictures in my head," Smith said about the board 
workshop on student discipline Tuesday. While the board does not have 
any power to demand a resignation; "we lose individual credibility if 
we don't say, 'This is wrong. You're not helping us. You need to go 
ahead and resign.'"

Galvan did text message Smith an apology "for bad publicity" before 
the May 21 meeting where he handed an apology letter to the media.

"Just man up. Don't hide. Don't blame shift. It's too late for that 
now," Smith said.

The petitioners are planning to speak at the next regular school 
board meeting June 18 where they will ask Galvan to resign once more 
as Chavira and Russell attempted at the May 21 meeting. For Smith, 
the petition by his constituents speaks volumes as each trustee 
attempts to honestly represent his or her district.

"Once Luis loses his constituency ... he's not doing us any good," Smith said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom