Published: July 22, 2008 11:03 am         

Arlington school superintendent resigns

ARLINGTON — Hector Montenegro, the embattled superintendent of the Arlington school district, resigned Monday following the board's investigation into his acceptance of honoraria which led to him being placed on paid leave.

Arlington school trustees voted to accept his resignation during a special meeting late Monday. He was placed on paid leave in an unanimous board vote on July 17, while the board investigated whether his acceptance of honoraria from nonprofits that do business with the district may have violated state law. The investigation also included whether his travel-related expenses were excessive.

Montenegro will remain on paid leave until his resignation becomes effective on July 31, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Monday in its online edition. He has been ordered to reimburse the district for outstanding travel expenses.

Since the investigation started earlier this month, he was returned about $14,000 in honoraria.

His short tenure in the 63,000-student district, the second-largest in Tarrant County, began Feb. 1.

About 40 civil rights and church leaders from across North Texas rallied on Montenegro's behalf Thursday at the school district's administrative offices. Supporters said they want the Texas Education Agency to investigate superintendents of all Texas school districts to see if others have accepted honoraria.

Last week, Montenegro sent a letter to school board president Jim Ash in which he offered his "deepest apologies" to the board if he used poor judgment but said "in no way have I knowingly or intentionally violated policy or broken the law."