IRVING — Irving school board candidate Steven Jones says he's running because schools need to change — especially the way they teach English to the 70 percent of students who come from Spanish-speaking homes.
"I want to offer an English language immersion to our bilingual mandate from the state," he said.
But Pascuala Sifre, who coordinates the Irving ISD bilingual program, is upset about the way Jones talked to her about the way she says her name.
"When I introduced myself as 'Pascuala Sifre,' he did ask why I say my name with an Hispanic accent," she said.
"That's not what I said at all," Jones replied.
Jones said he had to question Sifre because he couldn't understand what she was saying.
"I asked her, 'When you speak to Hispanic children, in English, do you use a heavy Hispanic accent?' She didn't answer. She didn't say anything. I said, 'I hope you don't, because I speak English fluently, and I couldn't understand a thing you said."
Sifre, a fifth-generation Texan, was not pleased.
"I think its appalling," she said. "When you ask me not to use my Hispanic accent, you are asking me to forget my cultural identity; my history; my background," she said.
Sifre filed a complaint with Irving ISD Superintendent Dana Bedden. He claims that Jones — who has peppered the staff with questions — is disruptive.
"We tried to be responsive and cordial. I received several concerns about Jones being rude and abrasive in his conversations," Bedden said.
But Jones — who is also questioning the six-year contract the board gave Bedden — says its the superintendent who's always rude. Their only meeting ended like this, Jones said:
"With his finger pointed at me like this very soft tone, 'You leave the premises now.'"
Jones said his only goal is to improve Irving education.
The superintendent says the same thing.
If Jones wins the election, they'll be forced to try to do it together.
E-mail greaves@wfaa.com
