**Editor’s note: It was previously reported Dr. Sylvia Atkinson was the Assistant Superintendent for Rio Hondo ISD. The district tells CBS 4 Atkinson is not a current employee of Rio Hondo ISD and has not been with the District since June 13, 2018. **
The Brownsville Independent School District has released a statement after the arrest of School Board Vice President Sylvia P. Atkinson.
In a statement to CBS 4, Alfonso Gutierrez with Brownsville I.S.D. said,
The Brownsville Independent School District is aware of the allegations made against a current board member. The district will make itself available to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in any investigations. Brownsville ISD assures the community that our number one priority will continue to be our students and their academic excellence. The district will make no further comments on this matter.
Atkinson who is also the former Rio Hondo ISD Assistant Superintendent and the Executive Director of High School Programs and Community Outreach at Texas Southmost College, is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and six counts of travel act-state law bribery.
Court records show that Atkinson was released on bond last week of $50,000 with $5,000 of the bond being cash.
Court records also revealed last week that Judge Rolando Olvera recused himself from the case. It remains unclear as to why.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Feb. 10, 2020, according to court records.
