Outside firm to investigate Weslaco nepotism allegations

WESLACO - An outside firm will investigate allegations of nepotism within the school district, the school board decided at the end of a lengthy meeting Monday night.

The board's unanimous decision - which finally came in the early hours of Wednesday morning - followed a grievance hearing to discuss the allegations initially raised by a district business office employee.

The grievance accuses Memorial Elementary School principal Ana Oliveira of employing two daughters and a niece with the authorization of superintendent Richard Rivera.

The grievance also says that Oliveira did not require her daughters to clock in and out of work.

The school board did not terminate Rivera or Oliveira - as was requested in the grievance - nor did it suspend them.

School board member Raymond Givilancz said the district did not go far enough. "In my opinion, there was enough evidence to warrant a suspension along with the investigation," Givilancz said.

Rivera and Oliveira did not immediately return calls from The Monitor Tuesday morning.

Several Weslaco ISD teachers and administrators expressed their support for the superintendent and dismissed the allegations during the public comments portion of the meeting, which featured a standing-room-only crowd.

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Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.