In Michigan, they're the Intermediate
Service Districts (ISD's, not to be
confused with the acronym for our
1,030 local school systems which are
organized, as, Independent School
Districts). In New York, they're the
Board of Cooperative Educational
Services (BOCES).
Here in Texas and in many other states
our middle layer is composed of our 20
Regional Education Service Centers, or
ESC's for short.
Whatever they're called, there are two
important things to remember about
these middle layers. One, almost all of
them started out four or five decades
ago as small distribution headquarters
for shared video equipment. Like any
other form of government, they've
grown and grown and grown. Two,
even though most have become
government-private partnership
hybrids, they still spend your tax dollars.
Here in Texas, with both a
pro-transparency governor and
commissioner of education, just this past
year our ESCs have all either begun
posting or are in the process of posting
their check registers online as regards the
state money they receive.
Hats off to the following for being among
the first Texas ESCs to post their check
registers online:
Service Districts (ISD's, not to be
confused with the acronym for our
1,030 local school systems which are
organized, as, Independent School
Districts). In New York, they're the
Board of Cooperative Educational
Services (BOCES).
Here in Texas and in many other states
our middle layer is composed of our 20
Regional Education Service Centers, or
ESC's for short.
Whatever they're called, there are two
important things to remember about
these middle layers. One, almost all of
them started out four or five decades
ago as small distribution headquarters
for shared video equipment. Like any
other form of government, they've
grown and grown and grown. Two,
even though most have become
government-private partnership
hybrids, they still spend your tax dollars.
Here in Texas, with both a
pro-transparency governor and
commissioner of education, just this past
year our ESCs have all either begun
posting or are in the process of posting
their check registers online as regards the
state money they receive.
Hats off to the following for being among
the first Texas ESCs to post their check
registers online:
meaning, from their checks that are already online -- then post whatever's leftover as a PDF, they need
not spend any money at all, plus this process only takes a few minutes each month.
As with Rep. Bill Zedler's failed check register bill, HB 2560 in 2007, with
language from the Texas Public Policy Foundation that included a search-
able Excel spreadsheet considered overreaching by Texas public schools,
the nation's conservative think tanks have been pushing searchable Excel
pushing searchable Excel spreadsheets and databases for the past three
years -- with almost 100% negative pushback by school districts; here's
why such requirements are a bad idea: One, the think tanks are asking
school districts to spend extra time and money producing something that
other than a few Spreadsheet Dads only the think tanks want for their
own research -- and why should taxpayers pay for this? If the think
tanks want searchable spreadsheets and databases, let them snag the raw
data from schools' check registers and transform it into the format they
desire -- on their own dime and time. For the average mom and dad and
taxpayer, it's enough to simply be able to look at the checks online and
figure them out for themselves.
not spend any money at all, plus this process only takes a few minutes each month.
As with Rep. Bill Zedler's failed check register bill, HB 2560 in 2007, with
language from the Texas Public Policy Foundation that included a search-
able Excel spreadsheet considered overreaching by Texas public schools,
the nation's conservative think tanks have been pushing searchable Excel
pushing searchable Excel spreadsheets and databases for the past three
years -- with almost 100% negative pushback by school districts; here's
why such requirements are a bad idea: One, the think tanks are asking
school districts to spend extra time and money producing something that
other than a few Spreadsheet Dads only the think tanks want for their
own research -- and why should taxpayers pay for this? If the think
tanks want searchable spreadsheets and databases, let them snag the raw
data from schools' check registers and transform it into the format they
desire -- on their own dime and time. For the average mom and dad and
taxpayer, it's enough to simply be able to look at the checks online and
figure them out for themselves.
As a nation we have a big bifurcation regarding the amount and quality of public education
spending.
Conservatives and Tea Party-ers rail about fraud, waste and corruption in our public schools --
ever more money spent to indoctrinate our schoolchildren in progressive/socialist principles, for
ever-increasing dollars -- while parents of schoolchildren generally side with their kids' schools
about the need for more money. Even someone like Fox News host Gretchen Carlson (below
right) fell into the mo' money mantra trap a while back when, without citing any sources, she
told viewers, "Everyone knows the schools need more money."
But how does "everyone" -- or anyone -- know that our schools need more money? That's easy,
because they keep telling us they do. Other than taking their word for it, the only way we can
know that our schools are being wise stewards of the tax dollars we've already entrusted to
them is to look at how they're spending our dollars, check by check by check.
spending.
Conservatives and Tea Party-ers rail about fraud, waste and corruption in our public schools --
ever more money spent to indoctrinate our schoolchildren in progressive/socialist principles, for
ever-increasing dollars -- while parents of schoolchildren generally side with their kids' schools
about the need for more money. Even someone like Fox News host Gretchen Carlson (below
right) fell into the mo' money mantra trap a while back when, without citing any sources, she
told viewers, "Everyone knows the schools need more money."
But how does "everyone" -- or anyone -- know that our schools need more money? That's easy,
because they keep telling us they do. Other than taking their word for it, the only way we can
know that our schools are being wise stewards of the tax dollars we've already entrusted to
them is to look at how they're spending our dollars, check by check by check.
| Thrilled as many conservatives are to have TV news from Fox without a liberal filter (NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC) sometimes even the folks at Fox have a hard time with public education reporting. While it may simply be that they're either childless or sending their children to private schools -- Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity -- even pleasant morning host Gretchen Carlson seems to sometimes have a challenge getting it right about public education -- and she's someone who faces criticism for an otherwise conservative point of view. There were the three days a few weeks ago during our State Board of Education meeting, and a few months before that she'd voiced a familiar plaint. "Everyone knows the schools need more money," Gretchen said. |
1. What's a check register and what should online ones include?
| Transparency history Llano ISD FOIA conviction Edgewood ISD PD re FOIA Progress by March 2007 1st year ann'y: Oct. 2007 Gov.Perry & Comm.Scott |
| WHO'S ATTENDING YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS? Follow the money in our vendor-driven schools: 15 vendors & special interests to look for at your next board meeting. |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
| FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of education issues vital to a republic. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C., Chapter 1, Section 107 which states: the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use" you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. |
| ATTENTION EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS: Every attempt possible has been made to verify all sources and information. In the event you feel an error has been made, please contact us immediately. Thank you. NOTICE: All individuals mentioned on this site are presumed innocent unless they have been found guilty in a court of law. |
| Copyright 1999-2010 Peyton Wolcott |
"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n ' s e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . |
| AZ CA KS MD MO OH OK KeyWest CreditCards SLAPP TX Senator John Cornyn Edgewood 1 2345 CleburneISD KatyISD BremondISD LlanoISD |
| Check Registers US TX Flyer Ask your district Set goals/organize Ask lots of questions School Board Ethics Pledges Watchdogs: AngryActivist Alert PR |
| PEYTON WOLCOTT'S 6 SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT S: How you can rebuild public trust and save at least $75 per student this next year. 1. End discretionary spending. Set an example for your staff; let them know you mean business about running a tighter ship: No trips, no conferences, no meals, no credit cards. If you want to learn more about something, use Google. Do a webinar. Read a newsletter. No golf games with vendors, ever. No chauffeurs, no rental cars. Stay home, do your work and keep your nose clean. 2. Reduce administrative costs. Go through your administrative staff roster and cut every other job, starting with getting rid of all PR and marketing. No advisors, no consultants. Learn how to really read a budget. Put your check register and all wire transfers online. 3. Ethics. No nepotism. Let your wife and kids earn a living in a field other than education. No board members' spouses working in the district. Conduct all discussions with vendors and potential vendors in the open; invite your public to watch and ask questions. Throw away your contract and work year by year. Move your chair off the dais at board meetings. You're not a team member with your elected trustees. You're not equal to them. They're your boss. 4. No construction. If you're the rare district truly experiencing sufficient growth to justify building new schools, splinter off that population and let them start their own new school district or charter school. They might be able to take over an abandoned church or office building for much less than the Taj Mahal you had in mind. 5. Back-to-basics curriculum. Math table (1st grade: add, 2nd grade: subtract, 3rd grade multiply, 4th grade divide) daily drill. You made sure your own kids learned the basics at home or with tutors; why shouldn't all children have that same opportunity? Ditto for phonics. Classical literature. History, not social studies. No more block scheduling. Daily P.E. for all. Emphasize individual effort and accomplishment. 6. Attitude. You're a public servant, not a Third World dictator. Practice humility and gratitude. Remember when your employees laugh at your jokes or tell you you're cool or vendors marvel at your every utterance that they're all sucking up to you. Remember why you got into education to begin with. Sell your house in the gated community and buy one in the middle of a real subdivision like your average parents and taxpayers can afford. Let yourself be driven not by the latest platitude you picked up at the latest education conference but by the same wonderful noble desire to educate kids that got you into this field. |
| Ethics pledges Corruption Team of 8 Nationalization NCLB/Pearson $1.4 B (TX) Transparency 2006 Lax oversight Lobbyists 1 2 3 PassTheTrash 1 2 |
| Edu-Monopoly EduInc Internal Controls Tech Audits ERDI Financial Exigency Laptops Credit cards Supes travel/meals Edu-Conferences TASA MidWinter GORGE-ous Supes/Golf/Vendors 1 |
| Terms & Conditions: Sorry to have to include this; some groups--God bless them--have copied my research and published it as their own. |
| Robin Hood & 22 'equity' failures: MALDEF's 22 Edgewood districts cost Texans billions in failed academics & extravagance. |
| How to persuade your district: Friendly works best-- take the Golden Rule with you when asking your schools to post checks. Testimonials: issues & concerns solved. |
| Welcome, America -- glad you're finding this no-ads website useful! #1 on Google & Yahoo of 256,000,000! |
| Texas Hill Country - Mesquite and Wildflowers Boerne |
| WELCOME, Washington state! Public school checks now online in 34 states, 600+ school districts, in 3 years! |
05.29.09
Questions reporters
& others ask most:
Q1: When did this grass-
roots check register
project start, and why?
A1: We compiled the first
national roster on October
1, 2009. There were
several precipitating
incidents, including this; it
was clear that
administrators, lobbyists
and vendors didn't like
public records requests.
Q2: How many school
districts are now online in
how many states?
A2: As of March 2010
there are over 800 in 36
states.
Q3: How quickly has this
grown?
A3: When we first started
asking districts to
voluntarily post, there
were only a handful in a
handful of states posting.
Q4: How can I find out if
my district is online? Are
any in my state online?
A4: You can look them up
on these rosters:
o Alabama
o Alaska-Louisiana
o Maine-Tennessee
o Texas
o Texas financials
o Utah-Wyoming
Q5: How do I make my
district put its checks
online?
A5: Unless we're
dictators we can't make
anybody do anything -- but
we can persuade. Here
are some easy to follow
directions based on
treating your schools as
you'd like them to treat
you. (The Golden Rule
really does work.) Just
like in baking or anything
else involving special
skills or plans, the steps
we've found that work are
successful 100% of the
time when followed as
scripted; as with making
pastry, shortcuts lead to
failure.
Q6: Why don't you just
pass a law?
Q6: Have you ever tried
getting a law passed? As
the Texas Public Policy
Foundation and similar
groups elsewhere have
learned, the folks who
stand to benefit the least
from public ed financial
transparency are a very
active lobbying force,
especially in larger states
where more money is
involved in public
education. (With just 17
school districts, only
Delaware has a state law
requiring schools to post
their checks online.)
& others ask most:
Q1: When did this grass-
roots check register
project start, and why?
A1: We compiled the first
national roster on October
1, 2009. There were
several precipitating
incidents, including this; it
was clear that
administrators, lobbyists
and vendors didn't like
public records requests.
Q2: How many school
districts are now online in
how many states?
A2: As of March 2010
there are over 800 in 36
states.
Q3: How quickly has this
grown?
A3: When we first started
asking districts to
voluntarily post, there
were only a handful in a
handful of states posting.
Q4: How can I find out if
my district is online? Are
any in my state online?
A4: You can look them up
on these rosters:
o Alabama
o Alaska-Louisiana
o Maine-Tennessee
o Texas
o Texas financials
o Utah-Wyoming
Q5: How do I make my
district put its checks
online?
A5: Unless we're
dictators we can't make
anybody do anything -- but
we can persuade. Here
are some easy to follow
directions based on
treating your schools as
you'd like them to treat
you. (The Golden Rule
really does work.) Just
like in baking or anything
else involving special
skills or plans, the steps
we've found that work are
successful 100% of the
time when followed as
scripted; as with making
pastry, shortcuts lead to
failure.
Q6: Why don't you just
pass a law?
Q6: Have you ever tried
getting a law passed? As
the Texas Public Policy
Foundation and similar
groups elsewhere have
learned, the folks who
stand to benefit the least
from public ed financial
transparency are a very
active lobbying force,
especially in larger states
where more money is
involved in public
education. (With just 17
school districts, only
Delaware has a state law
requiring schools to post
their checks online.)
| Fox News mention |
| What about your state's middle layer(s) between your local school district and your state department of education? |
Region 10 - Richardson
Choose your month here:
www.region10.org/administrators/CheckRegisterPo
sting.html
Choose your month here:
www.region10.org/administrators/CheckRegisterPo
sting.html
Region 1 - Edinburg
Pick a month here
www.esc1.net/129310814135137920/blank/browse.
asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55565&1
293Nav=|&NodeID=1450
Pick a month here
www.esc1.net/129310814135137920/blank/browse.
asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55565&1
293Nav=|&NodeID=1450
Region 9 - Wichita Falls
Pick a month here:
www.esc9.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/Public%20Inf
ormation%3E%3ECheck%20Register
Pick a month here:
www.esc9.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/Public%20Inf
ormation%3E%3ECheck%20Register
Region 8 - Mt. Pleasant
Choose a month here:
www.reg8.net/default.aspx?name=admin.checkregi
ster
Choose a month here:
www.reg8.net/default.aspx?name=admin.checkregi
ster
| CONSERVATIVE ABOUT EMAIL ARCHIVES FOLLOW THE MONEY NATIONALIZATION INTERNAL CONTROLS PR FOR THE ANGRY & THE POSITIVE STATES SCHOOL DISTRICTS |
Commentary: The ABZ's of school spending transparency
Here they are: the
updated US rosters!
updated US rosters!
- Beyond FOIA: Why it's
more effective to
persuade your local
school district than to
demand; why it's better
for schools to post on
their sites than for you
to FOIA check registers
then put them on your
private or 501c website.
- Is 'equity' equitable?
More about MALDEF &
Robin Hood
- Printable flyer to share
with your board; print at
100%. Testimonials
from school leaders
who have already
successfully posted
their districts' checks
online countering all
usual opposition points
(cost, technology, etc.).
- Special interests in your
district and at your
board meetings: Do
you know who they are
and what they have to
do with spending?
- If there was a major
precipitating incident
behind the check
registers, this was it.
| CHECK REGISTERS |
| Are your district's checks on their website? If not, why not? More than 900 are, including New York City, Miami, Houston and Dallas, in 37 states, in just over 5 years. Simple how-to.here works 100% of the time--if no shortcuts. |
| ED PHOTO OF THE WEEK: 2 PRESIDENTIAL TELEPROMPTERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM (VA) |
| President Barack Obama, accompanied by Education Secretary Arne Duncan, speaks to the media after a discussion with 6th grade students at Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church (VA), Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. (AP) |
| Only Texas -- thanks to Governor Rick Perry, Education Commissioner Robert Scott, and our State Board of Education -- all supported by those who cherish individual freedoms and local control of our school districts -- has had the courage among the 50 states to stand firm against the power grab by the United States Department of Education, the school equivalent of what Mr. Obama's crew is trying to do with healthcare. As with healthcare, Race to the Top's national curriculum standards have less to do with education and more to do with being a vehicle for increasing federal control. |
| Bringing you the information and tools you need in order to improve public education and lower taxes and spending; during the past two decades of the voucher debate an entire generation has grown up in the public school system. If you don't think this is important look at the Nov. 2008 election where folks voted based on emotions and hope rather than facts. Let's put a stop to the school-to-prison pipeline -- and keep our public schools locally run, strong and free.. |
Region 7 - Kilgore
Public Information
www.esc7.net/default.aspx?name=pub
_info
Public Information
www.esc7.net/default.aspx?name=pub
_info
Your 5 top questions, with answers & solutions
By Peyton Wolcott
Thursday / April 1, 2010 / 1:54 a.m.
By Peyton Wolcott
Thursday / April 1, 2010 / 1:54 a.m.
| Gretchen Carlson of Fox News |
A: Check registers are the things with lines in the leather or plastic case that
you have in your purse or suit pocket or desk drawer in which you write
down the number, date, payee and amount of your checks -- or the things
you used to have before you switched to online banking. (Believe it or not, as
recently as two to four years ago I was still explaining this to school
administrators and board members.) As regards what should go on it, the
payee's name, the date and the amount are enough, although better to include,
if only to minimize questions to the front office, check numbers and why it
was written and the account name.
you have in your purse or suit pocket or desk drawer in which you write
down the number, date, payee and amount of your checks -- or the things
you used to have before you switched to online banking. (Believe it or not, as
recently as two to four years ago I was still explaining this to school
administrators and board members.) As regards what should go on it, the
payee's name, the date and the amount are enough, although better to include,
if only to minimize questions to the front office, check numbers and why it
was written and the account name.
2. What will putting checks online cost in terms of technology and additional personnel? What software do you recommend? Are Excel
spreadsheets and searchable databases necessary?
A: The cost of putting schools' checks online should be zip. The secret is for districts to take the baby steps they feel most comfortable
with, with the bywords being easiest-cheapest-fastest. If districts will sort out payroll and HIPAA-related checks from their online banking --
spreadsheets and searchable databases necessary?
A: The cost of putting schools' checks online should be zip. The secret is for districts to take the baby steps they feel most comfortable
with, with the bywords being easiest-cheapest-fastest. If districts will sort out payroll and HIPAA-related checks from their online banking --
| Ye olde check register |
4. Why post the checks? What are the practical benefits? And suppose the community doesn't understand the checks?
3. Why do this at the local school district level? Why not just get the checks via a public records request
and post them on individuals' and think tanks' website? Or -- why not just pass a law?
and post them on individuals' and think tanks' website? Or -- why not just pass a law?
5. What's the best way to make our superintendent put our district's checks online? And why would a superintendent and a school
board think online checks might be a good idea?
board think online checks might be a good idea?
| Above, supporters of Rep. Bill Zedler's (below right) check register bill, HB 2560, gather after testifying on April 10, 2007 before the Texas House education committee; Rob Eissler, chair (below left). |
A: While all transparency efforts are worthwhile and to be welcomed, there are numerous advantages for
checks being posted on school districts' own websites rather than on private sites or those belonging to
501(c) think tanks. First, schools' posting of their own checks on their own sites creates an atmosphere of
checks being posted on school districts' own websites rather than on private sites or those belonging to
501(c) think tanks. First, schools' posting of their own checks on their own sites creates an atmosphere of
| Rhode Island's Transparency Train |
Because we do not yet live in a dictatorship in which you or anyone else can determine a course of action then wave a magic wand and have
it happen,passing a law is a difficult thing to do unless you have a Governor Markell (Delaware) or Governor Riley (Alabama) to push such a
bill through the Lege. Opposition by the school lobby -- vendors, administrators' and schools' lobbyists -- in every state has been fierce.
Representatives willing to carry such a bill may face drummed-up opposition come reelection time. And the think tanks' insistence on
searchable databases has not helped. Better to let the schools put their checks online however they want, and build from there.
it happen,passing a law is a difficult thing to do unless you have a Governor Markell (Delaware) or Governor Riley (Alabama) to push such a
bill through the Lege. Opposition by the school lobby -- vendors, administrators' and schools' lobbyists -- in every state has been fierce.
Representatives willing to carry such a bill may face drummed-up opposition come reelection time. And the think tanks' insistence on
searchable databases has not helped. Better to let the schools put their checks online however they want, and build from there.
A: Putting a district's checks online promotes transparency and accountability and can also serve to
tighten districts' internal controls, plus help prevent fraud. Had Ohio supe Bob Lee put Kenston's checks
online before long-time assistant treasurer Geraldine Kanieski started writing checks to herself, Bob's
taxpayers might have been out only a few hundred dollars rather than the $134,000 hit they're having to
absorb. There were similar Ohio thefts by high-level administrators in Cleveland ($160,000), Toledo
($660,000) and Clyde-Green Springs ($300,000) by high-level administrators
Regarding understanding the checks, folks who are able to own property, meet their mortgage payments
each month and pay their property tax bill will be able to find their way around a check register
belonging to their schools. For administrators unsure whether some checks might be misunderstood,
there are two easy options: One, provide a simple explanation with each check. Two, think twice about
dubious charges you might feel uncomfortable about defending later. Like your mom always said, "Just
because you can doesn't mean you should."
tighten districts' internal controls, plus help prevent fraud. Had Ohio supe Bob Lee put Kenston's checks
online before long-time assistant treasurer Geraldine Kanieski started writing checks to herself, Bob's
taxpayers might have been out only a few hundred dollars rather than the $134,000 hit they're having to
absorb. There were similar Ohio thefts by high-level administrators in Cleveland ($160,000), Toledo
($660,000) and Clyde-Green Springs ($300,000) by high-level administrators
Regarding understanding the checks, folks who are able to own property, meet their mortgage payments
each month and pay their property tax bill will be able to find their way around a check register
belonging to their schools. For administrators unsure whether some checks might be misunderstood,
there are two easy options: One, provide a simple explanation with each check. Two, think twice about
dubious charges you might feel uncomfortable about defending later. Like your mom always said, "Just
because you can doesn't mean you should."
| School board members enjoying lavish 'free' steak'n'booze dinner hosted by a district vendor -- whose contract they approve -- during TASB Summer Leadership Institute (July 2006, San Antonio) |
A: This isn't a make-somebody-do-something kind of deal. Our local schools are just that: ours. If we're not happy with them we only have
ourselves to blame; they got to be the way they are because we let them. We might as well complain about our marriage or our new car --
they're all as they are as the direct result of the choices we've made. What works best is to approach our schools with a friendly positive
attitude. This approach really does work when you follow it as scripted with no shortcuts.
The ABZ's of talking to your district: First put away your 9 iron. When you present the idea of online checks to your superintendent and
school board as a positive, friendly opportunity, a way for them to tell your community, "Look, we're being such good stewards of your
money that we're opening up our books to you -- come, see for yourself," you've made an offer they cannot refuse. With so many school
districts having come on line in such a short period of time -- we've grown from a handful of districts, districts as diverse as Agua Dulce and
Bandera and Zapata County ISD here in Texas, in a handful of states in October 2006 to at least 819 in 37 states as of this week -- what
school superintendent would want to risk going against the tide and being seen as an obstructionist to transparency? Besides, would a
thoughtful superintendent and school board want their community to think they're hiding something? Ironically, with Mr. Obama's push to
nationalize our schools into 70 districts (one per state plus another 20 for the major urbans) now having gone into overdrive, online checks
may just be a school superintendents' best friend, a great means of shoring up genuine community support at a time when he's going to need
it. Enormous changes are in the air for us all; fiscal transparency will help us be ready.
ourselves to blame; they got to be the way they are because we let them. We might as well complain about our marriage or our new car --
they're all as they are as the direct result of the choices we've made. What works best is to approach our schools with a friendly positive
attitude. This approach really does work when you follow it as scripted with no shortcuts.
The ABZ's of talking to your district: First put away your 9 iron. When you present the idea of online checks to your superintendent and
school board as a positive, friendly opportunity, a way for them to tell your community, "Look, we're being such good stewards of your
money that we're opening up our books to you -- come, see for yourself," you've made an offer they cannot refuse. With so many school
districts having come on line in such a short period of time -- we've grown from a handful of districts, districts as diverse as Agua Dulce and
Bandera and Zapata County ISD here in Texas, in a handful of states in October 2006 to at least 819 in 37 states as of this week -- what
school superintendent would want to risk going against the tide and being seen as an obstructionist to transparency? Besides, would a
thoughtful superintendent and school board want their community to think they're hiding something? Ironically, with Mr. Obama's push to
nationalize our schools into 70 districts (one per state plus another 20 for the major urbans) now having gone into overdrive, online checks
may just be a school superintendents' best friend, a great means of shoring up genuine community support at a time when he's going to need
it. Enormous changes are in the air for us all; fiscal transparency will help us be ready.
| Is this a good use of America's resources and tax dollars? For a salaried public school superintendent to play golf on a school day? At a resort hundreds of miles away? With his wife, a no-bid vendor in his district? And her business is a sponsor of the golf weekend? Does this look like "professional development" to you? Which part of this is professional and what's being developed in a setting like this other than a tan? Starting with this photograph, let's begin a meaningful conversation about spending in our public schools. Choose your 9 iron. |
| Other K-12 public school dollars: regional & state edu-centers |
friendliness in a situation that can often be otherwise. Schools are saying,
"Come, look! We've been such good stewards of your children and your
money that we've opened up our books!" Why rob them of this opportunity?
And generally when there's only one step between the district's online checks
and its posting of them, the checks are available sooner than when think tanks
or individuals file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and have to
wait to receive them; for example, as of March 31, 2010 the most recent
checks on the Rhode Island site featured at left are from October, and were
posted in December.
"Come, look! We've been such good stewards of your children and your
money that we've opened up our books!" Why rob them of this opportunity?
And generally when there's only one step between the district's online checks
and its posting of them, the checks are available sooner than when think tanks
or individuals file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and have to
wait to receive them; for example, as of March 31, 2010 the most recent
checks on the Rhode Island site featured at left are from October, and were
posted in December.
| ESC 20 - San Antonio, Texas |