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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2013
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PUBLIC EDUCATION
District names interim By MATTHEW NELSON THE ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata County Independent School District’s Board of Trustees on Monday approved the hiring of an interim superintendent as a private firm searches for a permanent replacement. The board approved the hiring of Alberto Gonzales to replace outgoing ZCISD superintendent Norma Garcia, who announced her Dec. 31 retirement at the end of a Nov. 18 board meeting. Gonzales will begin his interim role Jan. 1. “Because of my connections with Texas A&M UniversityKingsville, I met Dr. Don Jones,
GONZALES
who actually recruited me to teach as an adjunct professor, and
also Dr. Albert Ruiz, who is the dean for the education department, and they’re the ones who are doing the search,” Gonzales said. Gonzales has served as superintendent for more than a decade at Freer and Crystal City school districts. He has also been a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels. ZCISD hired Fountainhead Education Services for $6,700 to find within Texas both the interim and a permanent replacement for superintendent. Gonzales said some of the roles he will oversee include finalizing the budget for the next school year, completing teacher evalua-
tions as well as ensuring that curriculum and instruction continue. “My role would be to make sure that those things are on schedule,” he said. Gonzales added that he will begin by listening to the ZCISD staff and Zapata County residents to see what type of leadership they want during his time as superintendent. “I always have had an opendoor policy,” Gonzales said. “I like to go to games and just be around. (The people of Zapata) will see me around town and they’re welcome to approach me if they want to talk about school or what’s going on in school.” Gonzales believes strong
schools are the heart of a growing community, as they draw businesses and residents alike to move to the area. “That’s our goal: Make sure that Zapata County is a good choice because of their schools,” he said. “And I think right now everybody is working towards that, and I’m just there to support that effort.” Gonzales will serve as interim superintendent for approximately four months. ZCISD officials hope to hire a new superintendent by June 1, although Gonzales said he will stay on for as long as it takes. (Matthew Nelson may be reached at 728-2567 or mnelson@lmtonline.com)
MEXICO
CHRISTMAS
SECRET SANTA Students from Laredo and United independent school districts greet Santa Claus on Tuesday morning as local firefighters hosted their annual Secret Santa toy giveaway at the Firefighters Union Hall. Besides receiving a Christmas present from Santa, the children were treated to a meal and cake.
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Gunfire reported Recent bout of violence coincides with report released by Mexican officials THE ZAPATA TIMES
The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, published reports of gunfire between criminal groups in the Madero Subdivision on its Facebook page Sunday night. Residents in Nuevo Laredo also posted warnings on social media sites concerning gunfire in the Madero area at about 9 p.m. The gunfire was reportedly heard over a wide area of the city, and some residents identified the sounds as coming from AK-47 assault weapons, known as “goat horns.” A housewife in the Madero neighborhood, who requested anonymity, said she heard the shooting near Colosio Boulevard. “It was loud. The shooting was heard without interruption. The gunfire sounded like (AK-47s), but continuously. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard this sound,” the housewife said. She said she heard the gunfire for about 15 minutes before it faded, but only because she thought the gunmen were retreating toward neighborhoods closer to the river, such as the Vic-
toria Subdivision. “Later I heard the army’s helicopter,” she said. The events coincided with the recent “Mexico 2013: Crime and Safety Report: Nuevo Laredo.” It was issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council, which stated that “the threat to regional security comes mainly from the drug cartels and the war between the Gulf and Zetas (drug cartels).” The report addresses crime in general and the security situation, mainly in Nuevo Laredo, and was compiled by the U.S. Consul General in Nuevo Laredo. David M. Zimov, U.S. Consul General in Nuevo Laredo, said the report was designed to raise awareness of the significant challenges that remain in this part of Mexico. “My team collected data for the report. We back it fully. It is precise and measured,” Zimov said. Nuevo Laredo and Tamaulipas state authorities could not be reached for comment on Sunday’s reported gunfights. (Translated by Mark Webber of the Times staff.)
CHARITY
Giving can also be taking this holiday season SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Christmas is the time to give, but it can also be a great time to take – a big tax deduction. The Laredo Area Community Foundation is offering some suggestions on how to achieve that as 2013 comes to a close. According to LACF board member Ruben Soto, a certified public accountant, donations made to a community foundation have even greater tax advantages than those made directly to a charity. For example, cash donations to LACF are deductible up to 50 percent compared with only
30 percent for donations made to a private foundation or nonprofit. Gifts of private assets — real estate, private company stock — are deductible at their fair market value up to 30 percent of the donor’s adjusted gross income compared with 20 percent for the same gift to a private foundation. In addition to higher tax benefits, LACF donors are able to apply their deductions immediately for the year given. Because of its large investment pool, the foundation offers a greater rate of return than an individual investment, so more money is generated to benefit the selected charity.
LACF’s rate of return to date for 2013 is 9.5 percent based on a moderately conservative investment policy. Donors are also able to choose which charity or cause their money will benefit. LACF provides all the legal documents necessary to open a fund and remains competitive with management fees of 1 percent per year for endowments and .75 percent for donor advised funds. Finally, LACF takes care of bookkeeping, investing, check disbursements, quarterly and end-of-year statements and preparing annual 990 IRS forms for
the donor. With LACF, the charity still gets the benefit of the donation in the end, while the donor enjoys a higher tax deduction with a lot less work on his part, a news release states. “Giving through LACF is the best way I know to stretch your donation dollar,” Soto adds. A number of Soto’s clients from Laredo and Zapata have opened funds with LACF since he joined the board in 2012. The Homero Flores family opened two funds in 2012: one to benefit Casa de Misericordia and the other to benefit the Rio Grande In-
ternational Study Center. “They are very proud that their donations will not only carry on their legacy, but also directly benefit the community they love,” Soto said. Donations can in the form of any of the following: Outright gifts of cash to LACF (to establish a fund or add to an existing fund) Bequeaths (naming a charity or establishing a fund in one’s will). Gifts received through a donor’s estate are generally 100 percent deductible for estate tax pur-
See HOLIDAY PAGE 10A