Police chief files grievance against superintendent

Recently, approximately three weeks ago, McAllen ISD Police Chief Joey Silva, Jr., filed a grievance against Superintendent Dr. René Gutiérrez, EdD.

The reason for filing the grievance hasn’t been made public, which is always the case in personnel matters such as this.

Asked if he could comment about the grievance filed against him, Dr. Gutiérrez said that because it has to do with a personnel issue, and the fact that it is part of an ongoing process, he was not at liberty to discuss the matter, nor is the district legally obligated to disclose it.

Also, even though The Advance News Journal will file a public information request to gain access to the written grievance, including the back-and-forth emails reportedly sent between Silva and the superintendent, based on past similar personnel matters, the district will seek an opinion from the Texas AG, who will most likely rule in favor of McAllen ISD’s legal counsel.

Meaning, the grievance is not subject to public disclosure.

Even after the grievance process is finalized, because it involves in-house personnel, the public may never know what prompted Silva to file against Gutiérrez.

Joey Silva, Jr. was hired as the district’s police chief in March 2021 after longtime Chief Crisoforo Esquivel Jr. announced his retirement from the department he helped create 25 years prior.

At the time of Silva’s hire, the Nikki Rowe grad had been with McAllen ISD for 17 years, rising to the rank of captain before his selection as chief. He is a McAllen native and has a bachelor’s degree.

René Gutiérrez was hired as McAllen ISD superintendent in November 2023 after time spent leading both Edinburg and Brownsville ISDs.