(Source: BISD Public Information Requests)
(Ed.'s Note: If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the graphics above are worth millions – about $3,528,706 worth actually – of sports equipment sold through BSN Sports where he was until recently its "ambassador" (read vendor). The sales come easier when you're a BISD board member, as can readily be seen.
With a senior "ambassador's" commission between 15 to 20 percent, it means "Coach Joe" pocketed anywhere between 15 percent of sales ($529,305) or 20 percent ($705,741) from his sales of sports equipment to the BISD over the last 10 years, even when he was a board member. Hard to wean oneself when there's so much gravy, isn't it?
His defenders say everyone has a right to make a living, but tales abound of him showing up at campus when he was aboard member to pressure principals and coaches to buy his brands, and told purchasing departments in other school districts across Region 1 that they could also – like BISD – grant BSN (Nike, etc.) exclusive contracts to supply their sports teams with the best. The BISD has denied any company has an "exclusive" contract for its purchase of the equipment and has to go through the bid process.
The inclusion of the sports equipment on his campaign sign was a nice, though subtle, touch. You had to know to appreciate it.
Minerva Peña, who's been on the board for 12 years and is now board president, sat through all this and said nothing. She, like Joe, is running for reelection. Only Marisa F. Leal has no business or known past dealings with the BISD.
In her Facebook page Leal states: "I am NOT related to anyone on the school board, city commission or county commission. I am Marisa Franco Leal, the mother of a BISD student and the wife of a BISD teacher. I am running as a concerned citizen of Brownsville. I am you. I will advocate for you and your family as if I was a member of your family."
The BISD has been very very good to both Minnie and "Coach" Joe Rodriguez.
Heeee's Baaack!!!! Or wants to be. We'll see.)