| Learning that Al Gore's documentary on global warming received the Oscar this past week alarms but doesn't surprise me; after all I lived in California for many years. Michael Crichton's got a great novel out, "State of Fear," which I fear many people will dismiss out of hand because Everybody Knows Global Warming Is for Real. My own conversion to reality was a conversion with a meterologist relative several years ago. I've seen a near-dead river in Idaho that sickened me almost as much as the pollution in Bangalore and LA. Pollution's real, global warming isn't. Here's my question: Are your kids reading Charles Mackay's 1841 classic, "Extra- ordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" in their high school? Are they studying Tulipomania? Are they studying the idiocies of our past so they can learn to think--and smartly so--for themselves? |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
| 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 . Copyright 1999-2007 Peyton Wolcott |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
Friends, because there's now so much on this site--reports, commentaries, book excerpts, all designed to help you bring improvements to your local schools--I'm in the process of preparing a site map. Underlining indicates active links. Please check back. SITE MAP NEW COMMENTARIES: RANDOM ROUND-UPS ACCOUNTABILITY & OPEN RECORDS ISSUES: School District Checks/Check Registers Online Connecting the Dots Pass the Trash Reader Q & A's SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) Transparency Report ____ GOVERNANCE ISSUES: The American Superintendency Team of Eight ____ Arizona Nogales USD Pima County Ofc. of Ed. Santa Cruz County OE California Glenn County Ofc. of Ed. San Francisco USD Florida Citrus County PS Miami-Dade County PS Michigan Ann Arbor New York New York PS Roslyn Ohio Strongsville PS Texas Bremond ISD Cleburne ISD Dallas ISD Eanes ISD Edgewood ISD Everman ISD Houston ISD Katy ISD La Joya ISD Lake Travis ISD Llano ISD State Board of Education ____ Edu-Conferences ____ BOOK EXCERPTS: Education, Inc. How To File a Public Records Request How To Organize Lax Oversight ____ WHAT OTHER FOLKS ARE DOING: MODERN MINUTEMEN SUCCESS STORIES, KINDRED SPIRITS ____ COMMENTARY ARCHIVES ___ SPECIAL REPORTS: TEXAS LEGE: TEA POWER GRAB PAYING FOR TEXAS PUBLIC EDUCATION: A PRIMER ____ About/In the News 2006 - Year in Review |
AASA - American Association of School Administrators ASA - Association of School Administrators CSD - Consolidated School District DOE - Department of Education ES - Elementary School HS - High School ISD - Independent School District JHS - Junior High School MS - Middle School MSM - Mainstream media NSBA - National School Boards Association NSPRA - National School Public Relations Association PS - Public School(s) SBEC - State Board for Educator Certification SD - School District Sup't - Superintendent TAKS - Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills TASA - Texas Association of School Administrators TASB - Texas Association of School Boards TASBO - Texas Association of School Business Officials TEA - Texas Education Agency TEKS - Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills USD - UnifiedUnited School District |
| GUIDE |
| 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. |
| QUOTES |
Separatists in India's north-eastern state of Manipur have shot six male teachers in the leg for allegedly helping students cheat in exams. Two women teachers were beaten with sticks for the same offence, the rebels of the Kanglei Yana Kan Lup group said. The teachers were abducted from their homes after an exam on Thursday. The rebels said the teachers took up to 5,000 rupees ($110) for helping students cheat and warned of further punishment if the cheating continued. The Kanglei Yana Kan Lup (KYKL) is one of many separatist groups fighting Indian administration in Manipur. It said it abducted the eight teachers from their homes in and around the state capital, Imphal, because of reports they had taken bribes. --By Subir Bhaumik - BBC |
| 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. |
| Copyright 1999-2007 Peyton Wolcott |
My New Book PEYTON WOLCOTT |
| QUERY THE SUPE & THE PR GUY |
DATE FIRST
SENT: FEB. 14,
2006
RE-SENT 03/26/06
Dear
Strongsville
Superintendent
James Gray:
I'm hoping you can
clear something
up for me for my
book and website
regarding your
standards for
administrative
practices in
Strongsville as
there have been
not one but two
situations this past
year warranting
scrutiny....
Regarding
special ed
teacher
Christine
Scarlett's
offering a date
with herself as
a grades
incentive
1. What rules/
guidelines do
you now have in
place to assure
that nothing like
this happens
again? Would
these be
administrative
changes or has
your board set
specific policies in
place for you to
follow in future?
2. Rumors of
an affair between
Scarlett and
Bradigan
persisted for
several months.
You have stated
that you have no
idea such an
affair was going
on. Do you feel
the fact that you
are commuting
from your home
in Akron (if this
has changed,
please let me
know) has
adversely
impacted your
ability to monitor
what's going on
with your
employees in the
Strongsville
community in an
important and
sensitive area
such as this? Has
your board since
made a condition
of your
employment that
you move to
Strongsville and
become an
integral part of
their community?
Regarding the
sex education
booklet placed
last fall in young
children's
lockers
4. What
guidelines did
you follow from
your established
board's policies
for such?
5. There
appears to be a
growing number
of parents who
want to be
consulted before
such materials are
given to their
students. As one
mom put it,
"What's wrong
with so many
people in the
educational fields
that they don't
even think twice
about providing
children with
inappropriate
materials and not
even consider the
parents
wishes....Their
tactics mirror
those used in
Communist China
and Cuba where
children are
considered not
children of
parents, but
wards of the
State." While this
is clearly the
statement of an
upset parent, it
does raise an
interesting issue
regarding public
school
administrators in
the U.S. Do you
consider the
students in
your schools
yours to
educate as you
deem best or
the offspring of
parents to be
consulted
before
disseminating
such materials?
Regarding
trainings and
conferences
6. Of which
education-relate
d associations
are you and
Strongsville City
Schools a
member? What
are these
organizations'
guidelines for
disseminating
such materials?
7. In which
education-relate
d conferences
have your and
your staff
participated this
past year?
Where were
they and what
were the costs
for each? Have
you attended any
other seminars,
workshops or the
like offering
guidance in this
area, and what
were those costs?
It may well be that
there are perfectly
reasonable
explanations for
your approving
the placing
sex-education
pamphlets in
young students'
lockers without
notifying parents
first, and it may
also well be that
there is a
perfectly
reasonable
explanation for
your allowing a
teacher to offer a
date at the Dairy
Queen with
herself to a young
student; if so, I am
eager to learn
such reason or
reasons.
===============
She said the
booklet, which
also provides
information on the
need for parental
consent for
abortion and a
Web address for
the Lesbian/Gay
Community
Service Center of
Greater
Cleveland, is
inappropriate for
11-year-olds. I
believe some sex
education needs
to be given, but
when subjects are
discussed or
material is given
to kids of this
nature, a notice
should be sent
home to the
parent and they
should be allowed
to opt out of the
program if they
wish, Fleming
said. School
Superintendent
James Gray said
he gave an OK for
the pocket-sized
directories, which
were provided to
the district by
United Way
Services in
conjunction with
the county health
department and
county
commissioners,
to be given to
students at the
high school,
middle schools
and to sixth
graders. Gray
said he received
two calls from
parents who took
exception to the
booklet's content.
I understand that
and probably, in
retrospect, I
should have
considered
sending a letter
along with it as far
as an explanation,
he said, adding,
this is a
developing
situation. I don't
know what we are
going to do at this
point. Colleen
Grady, a city
resident and a
member of the
state school
board, said she
got calls from four
parents
concerned about
their children
getting the
directory. Grady,
who is also a
former city school
board member,
said she has not
personally seen
the publication,
but they (parents)
read me sections
over the
telephone. She
said the state
board of
education may
wish to make a
legislative
recommendation
to the Ohio
general
assembly, and the
board could also
consider
discussion about
adoption of a
model policy for
the distribution of
such materials.
Gray said there
will be continued
discussion, in the
district's
curriculum and
pupil services
departments on
whether to curtail
distribution of
materials which
are considered to
be sensitive,
particularly for the
younger kids.
SENT: FEB. 14,
2006
RE-SENT 03/26/06
Dear
Strongsville
Superintendent
James Gray:
I'm hoping you can
clear something
up for me for my
book and website
regarding your
standards for
administrative
practices in
Strongsville as
there have been
not one but two
situations this past
year warranting
scrutiny....
Regarding
special ed
teacher
Christine
Scarlett's
offering a date
with herself as
a grades
incentive
1. What rules/
guidelines do
you now have in
place to assure
that nothing like
this happens
again? Would
these be
administrative
changes or has
your board set
specific policies in
place for you to
follow in future?
2. Rumors of
an affair between
Scarlett and
Bradigan
persisted for
several months.
You have stated
that you have no
idea such an
affair was going
on. Do you feel
the fact that you
are commuting
from your home
in Akron (if this
has changed,
please let me
know) has
adversely
impacted your
ability to monitor
what's going on
with your
employees in the
Strongsville
community in an
important and
sensitive area
such as this? Has
your board since
made a condition
of your
employment that
you move to
Strongsville and
become an
integral part of
their community?
Regarding the
sex education
booklet placed
last fall in young
children's
lockers
4. What
guidelines did
you follow from
your established
board's policies
for such?
5. There
appears to be a
growing number
of parents who
want to be
consulted before
such materials are
given to their
students. As one
mom put it,
"What's wrong
with so many
people in the
educational fields
that they don't
even think twice
about providing
children with
inappropriate
materials and not
even consider the
parents
wishes....Their
tactics mirror
those used in
Communist China
and Cuba where
children are
considered not
children of
parents, but
wards of the
State." While this
is clearly the
statement of an
upset parent, it
does raise an
interesting issue
regarding public
school
administrators in
the U.S. Do you
consider the
students in
your schools
yours to
educate as you
deem best or
the offspring of
parents to be
consulted
before
disseminating
such materials?
Regarding
trainings and
conferences
6. Of which
education-relate
d associations
are you and
Strongsville City
Schools a
member? What
are these
organizations'
guidelines for
disseminating
such materials?
7. In which
education-relate
d conferences
have your and
your staff
participated this
past year?
Where were
they and what
were the costs
for each? Have
you attended any
other seminars,
workshops or the
like offering
guidance in this
area, and what
were those costs?
It may well be that
there are perfectly
reasonable
explanations for
your approving
the placing
sex-education
pamphlets in
young students'
lockers without
notifying parents
first, and it may
also well be that
there is a
perfectly
reasonable
explanation for
your allowing a
teacher to offer a
date at the Dairy
Queen with
herself to a young
student; if so, I am
eager to learn
such reason or
reasons.
===============
She said the
booklet, which
also provides
information on the
need for parental
consent for
abortion and a
Web address for
the Lesbian/Gay
Community
Service Center of
Greater
Cleveland, is
inappropriate for
11-year-olds. I
believe some sex
education needs
to be given, but
when subjects are
discussed or
material is given
to kids of this
nature, a notice
should be sent
home to the
parent and they
should be allowed
to opt out of the
program if they
wish, Fleming
said. School
Superintendent
James Gray said
he gave an OK for
the pocket-sized
directories, which
were provided to
the district by
United Way
Services in
conjunction with
the county health
department and
county
commissioners,
to be given to
students at the
high school,
middle schools
and to sixth
graders. Gray
said he received
two calls from
parents who took
exception to the
booklet's content.
I understand that
and probably, in
retrospect, I
should have
considered
sending a letter
along with it as far
as an explanation,
he said, adding,
this is a
developing
situation. I don't
know what we are
going to do at this
point. Colleen
Grady, a city
resident and a
member of the
state school
board, said she
got calls from four
parents
concerned about
their children
getting the
directory. Grady,
who is also a
former city school
board member,
said she has not
personally seen
the publication,
but they (parents)
read me sections
over the
telephone. She
said the state
board of
education may
wish to make a
legislative
recommendation
to the Ohio
general
assembly, and the
board could also
consider
discussion about
adoption of a
model policy for
the distribution of
such materials.
Gray said there
will be continued
discussion, in the
district's
curriculum and
pupil services
departments on
whether to curtail
distribution of
materials which
are considered to
be sensitive,
particularly for the
younger kids.
| STATUS: One year later, no response rec'd from Sup't Gray |
| QUERY THE SUPE (& CC THE BOARD) |
| CONTACT: Peyton Wolcott P.O. Box 9068 Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 peyton@peytonwolcott.com Want to subscribe to my newsletter? Send me an email marked "Subscribe." |
| F o c u s i n g o n accountability f i r s t |
| TEA's check register: |
Online School District Check Registers Here here here Modern Edu- Monopoly (mike moses) here Random Round-Ups Here 2006 - Year in Review here Nov.-Dec. 2006 commen- taries here Pass the Trash here SLAPP reports here and here Reader Q&As Edgewood ISD 95 Questions |
| Conservative Commentary |
| CONTACT |
| "Superintendents and school boards would have to be willing to be perceived as being anti-open government and anti-transparency to turn down your request that they post their check registers online." |
KEY POINT: "Superin- tendents and school boards would have to be willing to be perceived as being anti-open government and anti- transparency to turn down your request that they post their check registers online." --Peyton Wolcott |
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. --President Ronald Reagan |
| H E A D S U P |
| Local: $ 7.6 billion State: $16.6 billion* |
| http://www.ednews.org /articles/8244/1/An-Inte rview-with-Peyton-Wol cott-quotIs-the-Check-i n-the-Mail-or-On-Line- quot/Page1.html |
| Donna's Modern Minutemen page updated here |
| Education News Interview (Michael Shaughnessy) February 19, 2007 www.EdNews.org |
ONLY 9 EASY STEPS TO ACCESS DALLAS ISD'S CHECK REGISTER ONLINE: STEP 1 START HERE: www.dallasisd.org STEP 2 ON THE LEFT (GREY BOX 'QUICKLINKS') CHOOSE: Board of Trustees STEP 3 YOU'LL SEE 2 GREY LINES OF TYPE; FROM 2nd LINE CHOOSE: Meeting Agendas STEP 4 SCROLL DOWN; FOR THE MOST RECENT CHECK REGISTER CHOOSE THE MOST RECENT "BOARD BRIEFINGS" ------ STEP 5 CHOOSE: FEB. 8, 2007 STEP 6 FIND "Briefing Meeting - February 8, 2007 11:30AM STEP 7 CLICK ON: "AGENDA PACKET" STEP 8 SCROLL DOWN TO 4. FINANCIAL SERVICES (Business Services Division) b. Ratification of List of Bills, Claims and Accounts for Demember 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 ($74,044,519.08) STEP 9 CLICK ON "BillsClaims_ Attachment" VOILA! YOU'VE JUST ACCESSED DALLAS ISD'S CHECK REGISTER IN ONLY 9 --COUNT 'EM, 9-- EASY STEPS! |
| Fort Bend Now - Editorial Feb. 2, 2007 www.fortbendnow.co m/opinion |
| Dallas Blog Feb. 19, 2007 www.dallasblog.com |
| Houston Chronicle Feb. 13, 2007 http://blogs.chron. com/insidekaty |
| Looking for articles re online check registers? |
| Donna Garner |
| Education News www.EdNews.org Dallas ISD's check register online! Houston's soon! Feb. 16, 2007 |
| $583,000 of school's $2.1 mil budget: T-r-a-v-e-l By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 February 20, 2007/11:08 pm If Twin Buttes' check register had been posted online, likely folks would have noticed sooner that over a half-million had been spent on travel, $307,000 of it for trustees, between June 2003 and July 2004, with school board president Melissa Starr reportedly spending $106,000 herself. |
| "Twin Buttes' elementary school, with the highest per-pupil cost in the state, spent more than a quarter of its budget on travel, the majority of it for school board members.... "Some Twin Buttes residents say the children who go to school there could have a first-class education if more money was spent for education instead.... "School records show that in April 2004, Starr was compensated for travel to Minneapolis, Denver, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, N.M., and Aberdeen, S.D., and Rapid City, S.D., as well as New Town, Dickinson and Minot. In March last year, vouchers show she was compensated for travel to Minneapolis, Dickinson, New Town, Chicago, Denver and Aberdeen." Trial is set for May 1. |
| North Dakota's Twin Butte school board; president Melissa Starr at right rear |
| Fraud, indictments for 7 Last November, Associated Press reported: "Seven current and former Twin Buttes school board members and employees are accused of conspiring to defraud the school of more than $665,000 over the past three years. A grand jury indicted the seven after an 18-month federal investigation. The Twin Buttes elementary school is on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The seven are accused of defrauding the school through false travel vouchers, payroll advances and bonuses. "The indictment names school board president Melissa Starr, board vice president Darcy Lone Bear, and board member Hank Star, who is Melissa Starr's brother. "Also charged are former board member Tammy Grady-Jacobs, former principal Elaine Incognito, school finance officer Lillian Holen and school head custodian Paul Fredericks. "The grand jury indictment charges all seven with conspiracy, embezzlement and fraud. |
| Regarding CISD's investigation by the Texas Education Agency, Don Rice, managing editor of theCleburne Eagle News, said by telephone last week, "This has been a two-year process of asking questions and seeking answers and accountability. It appears..." More here |
| CLEBURNE ISD |
| Don Rice (R) with Teresa Blackwell |
| QUESTION O' THE DAY How has Twin Buttes supe/ principal Chad Dahlen (above) managed to be in the middle of this mess and still keep his name out of it? |
| "Two other board members, Hank Starr and Darcy Lone Bear, still are under investigation, and complaints are likely to be filed against them shortly, Stenehjem said. The Starrs are brother and sister, and Lone Bear is their brother-in-law." "The Twin Buttes school has 47 students in grades kindergarten through eight, and an instructional budget of about $1.2 million, said Chad Dahlen, its superintendent and principal. It is under both state and federal jurisdiction and receives aid from both sources, Dahlen said. A federal grand jury indicted the Starrs, Lone Bear and four others last October on charges of fraud and conspiracy to steal money from the school district. 'The defendants attempted unlawfully to disguise and conceal these funds through claims and proclamation of bonuses, loans, payroll advances, compensation to others, and as travel expenses,' the indictment says." (Ibid.) |
| More below, including details of $583,000 spent on travel |
| North Dakota's AG wants Twin Buttes board prez removed By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007/2:35 am All in the family "The president of the Twin Buttes school board should be thrown out of office for stealing $19,000 in school money, [North Dakota] Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says. Melissa Starr will be suspended from the board while she awaits a formal hearing." (SOURCE--Associated Press) |
| 5 months of forward movement: We're now asking in 6 states! 2 more states coming! Will your district be next? |
| ONLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT CHECKBOOKS (CHECK REGISTERS) |
| TRANSPARENCY TALLY |
| Tampa's "good guy" crack-buying* principal By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Monday, February 26, 2007-2:08 am |
| Anthony "Tony" Giancola |
| cocaine in his office Thursday while students were still on campus." (SOURCE--AP) Giancarlo's superintendent Mary Ellen Elia is reported to make $250,000 per year. |
| Giancarlo's middle school has a mission; it reads, "Van Buren faculty and staff will create opportunities that promote academic success, personal growth, and community responsibility." The mind wanders. Where do you put this mission within or without the greater context of the principal's alleged arrest for attempting to purchase crack at work, your mind gliding over "academic success," lingering at "personal growth" and "community responsibility"? In the event Van Buren's mission statement left any goal-stone unturned, there's also a vision statement; it reads, "The Van Buren faculty and staff are dedicated to creating a safe and caring environment where each person is successful." A safe and caring environment where each and every person is successful at what? The mind trips, really it does. There is no indication--no news notice--on Hillsborough County Public School's website that their "good guy" principal was arrested for attempting to purchase crack from an undercover officer. Neither is there any indication of how much Hillsborough taxpayers had to pay for either Van Buren's mission statement or its vision statement. And through it all there's been nary a sign of Hillsborough supe Mary Ellen Elia; but then, why should she have to deal with the press? She's got PR guy Steve Hegarty who, accord- ing to district commentator Lee Drury de Cesare, makes $91,000 annually. |
| New Reader Q & A's here |
| Art? Catering? Soft- ware sales? How did schools get so far away from their charge to educate our children? |
| Why did former Detroit PS supe Ken Burnley buy $1.6 million in art for his schools from this woman? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007-Monday, Feb. 26, 2007-1 am-Updated Tues., Feb.27,2007-9 am |
| Sherry Washington |
| Here's the real bottom line on art in Detroit, catering in Delaware, and software sales in Katy: When we write our tax checks, most of us do it with the intent and assumption that as many of our education dollars as possible will be going into the classroom with our students and teachers. Administrators who spend their parents' and taxpayers' hard-earned funds where they need not be spent, as with Burnley and Merrell, and as with the Brandywine supe who wasn't keeping close enough watch, open themselves up to justified criticism from their communities as to their fiduciary duty-of-care responsibilities. Sherry Washington's right, kids do need art--but teachers can do what they always have, put up prints and take students to museums. While private catering businesses using school dollars and facilities can be curtailed with stronger internal controls, it's hard to outmaneuver a wily superintendent bent on marketing custom curriculum software to other school districts, the morality of doing so doing be hanged. Whether or not it's because they're a government monopoly with little or no real regulation, some of our public schools appear to have flown far afield from their traditional charge to educate our children. It's time for our schools to get back on track, and here's hoping Detroit and Brandywine will follow Katy ISD's lead in posting their check registers online, too; Katy supe Denver Merrell just announced last night that his district's checks are now online. |
| KMAC, in development at Katy ISD for years, was presented to residents as "a gravy train, bring in a big return on our investment of tax dollars," as one summarized it. How many tax dollars? The last reported dollars to Xpediant for all services were in the neighbor- hood of $13,000,000. |
| Leonard Merrell (L) Bill McKinney |
| Let's look first at former Detroit Public Schools supe Kenneth Burnley and the Sherry Washington Gallery's sale of $1.6 million in art to his district at a time when student enrollment and dollars are dropping out of that district like flies. |
A second look at Katy ISD's software developer Xpediant Leonard Merrell's choice of technology consultants was Xpediant, LLC, which had to change its name after it was reported on this website on April 17, 2006 that "according to sources within the Texas Secretary of State's office this morning, Xpediant, LLC, 'in our world here doesn't have an active entity status' and has been in a state of forfeiture since February 13, 2003 because 'they didn't do their state franchise taxes,' with the result that Xpediant 'has no entity status and no liability shield.' Xpediant's 2003 return has not yet been received, making it almost three years overdue." Alas. When Xpediant's owners went to fix things in Austin, they discovered their no-longer- viable company's name had been taken by someone else, so they had to find a new name. |
| QUESTION: Why is Katy ISD spending money on developing something to sell around the state and nation? Isn't its legal mission to educate children living within the district's boundaries? ANOTHER QUESTION: Has Katy ISD gone into the software production and marketing business because it's a top-rated "Exemplary" district? No, KISD is a "Recognized" district, second-tier on Texas' ratings system, hardly a status carrying bragging rights. Would YOU buy a curriculum management system from a second-class district rather than an "Exemplary" district? Plus, the TEKS are being rewritten. |
| ESC 4's "Stilton at the Hilton" |
| According to its materials in its presentation to Katy ISD at last Wednesday's board workshop, ESC 4 has "sold one or more products in 47 of the 50 states." How many of these "products" were paid for by local districts' taxpayers like Katy ISD's KMAC? Further, ESC 4 "authored, published and disseminated over 950 instructional resource titles over the last 3 years." Will KMAC be #951? You remem- ber Bill McKinney and ESC 4. |
| The above photo is from ESC 4's January 2006 wine and cheese reception at the annual Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter conference in Austin. When I pointed out that It's illegal in Texas to use tax dollars to pay for alcohol, ESC 4 exec. director Bill McKinney produced a letter from his vendor, PBK Architects--the outfit remodeling his office digs--which stated they had underwritten the party's cost, estimated by insiders to have been in the $20,000 range. |
| Given all of the foregoing, one more question really does beg asking: Why is Merrell suddenly in such a hurry? Why is he making a binding deal with Bill McKinney with only one public meeting--last Wednesday's board workshop --before the vote at tonight's board meeting? What's the rush? Don't Katy ISD's taxpayers (and involuntary investors in this enterprise) deserve a bit more time and a lot more information about this deal--especially more details about precisely how their $13 million got spent? |
| Now, let's fly south and take a quick look at Katy ISD supe Leonard Merrell's deal with Region 4 Education Service Center's executive director Bill McKinney for KISD's Katy Management of Automated Curriculum (KMAC), curriculum management software. |
Mon., Feb. 26, 2007 9:46 am update: Here's the URL for DISD's most recent checks online--I've activated the link several times this past week, but it still doesn't work; apparently DISD wants its parents and taxpayers to follow all 9 of the above steps. After being contacted by media outlets in the DFW area, have this morning contacted DISD PR guy Celso Martinez for an update. www.boardbook. org/apps/bbv2/te mp/FEA97082-E7 FF-035D-147A76 7667FA7F25.pdf |
| Let them eat cake-- in Mexico? "The art was apparently placed in new schools built with bond money in the 1990s, said district spokesman Lekan Oguntoyinbo. Washington could not be reached Friday. Officials at her gallery said Washington was vacationing in Mexico and declined further comment."(SOURCE--Paul Egan -Jennifer Mrozowski/Detroit News) When I called the Sherry Washington Gallery this after- noon at 2:45 pm and later at 4:35 pm, their answering machine picked up the call; perhaps Ms. Washington's staff is with her in Mexico. Have a few questions for her, including what her commis- sion rate was on the $1.6 mil. |
| "Stealing from the kids" "While the spending is only a sliver of the $1.5 billion in bond money taxpayers approved, critics say the $1.6 million could have been used to patch leaky roofs or spruce up rickety gymnasiums.... Bobbi Avington-Johnson, mother of two children at Kosciusko Elementary, which is on a list of schools that might close, said: ' What are you looking at artwork for when kids need bathrooms, roofs and books, and computers in the school- room?...Really what they're doing is they're stealing from the kids.' " (SOURCE- Jennifer Dixon-Chastity Pratt/Detroit Free Press) "Washington defended the district's art spending, saying, 'I think kids need to see these symbols....You have to some- times bring the museum to them.' '' (Ibid.) |
| Food, glorious food When the American Associa- tion of School Administrators profiled then-Brandywine School District supe Joseph P. DeJohn for their trade magazine, they described him favorably as having a "hands- on" approach. AASA had no idea just how "hands-on" Joe DeJohn was prepared to be. A spokesman for the state auditor's office confirmed this afternoon that during his tenure as Brandywine's supe, DeJohn purchased a refriger- ator with district funds then gave it to himself as a "gift." According to a spokesman for the Delaware State Auditor's office, at one point there was so much to look into at Brandywine that an investigative team was stationed there for 2 1/2 years, "jumping from issue to issue." |
| Detroit Free Press blogger "deepthroat": This "art deal" is not evidence of poor use of funds, it is a crime. Only a few of the paintings sold to DPS were similar to the one pictured in the article. Most of the total sales were very poor quality "artwork", simple child-like abstract paintings and collages quickly made in bulk for this scam....The story/crime here is the relationship between the Sherry Washington Gallery and whoever was approving/ paying her with DPS funds, and exactly where all this money went. |
| "One of the Detroit district's commissioned pieces hangs at Cass Tech High School, whose new building opened in 2005." --Chastity Pratt/Detroit Free Press |
| Hats off to the Detroit Free Press for filing a public information request for this information. |
| Brandywine HS |
| Corruption: Betrayal of Children and the Public Trust" that a special audit of Brandywine schools "found that a former employee and current employ- ee were using school cafete- rias to prepare and store food for their personal catering business." The special audit from the Office of the Delaware Auditor was dated September 28, 2000. |
| Armand Fusco |
| Surely Delaware residents are not writing their tax checks with an eye to financing employees' catering busines- ses, any more than Detroit tax- payers are wanting to purchase oil paintings to grace the halls of their schools--before repairs are made to leaky roofs. |
| Retired Connecticut educator Armand Fusco* reports in his book, "School |
| Katy ISD supe Leonard Merrell's self-named "Leonard E. Merrell Center" (above) at Katy ISD with his name on it not once but twice, the only such edifice in the U.S. which a working supe has named for himself. |
Armand Fusco's '13 Guiding Principles' 1. Assume that fraud, theft, and embezzlement are occurring— look for it. 2. Assume that mismanagement exists— look for it. 3. Assume that there is waste in the system— look for it. 4. Assume that financial management controls are inadequate— constantly review and tighten the process. 5. Assume that staff has not been properly trained and educated in budget management— provide on-going training particularly for key personnel. 6. Assume that there are employees who know where there is fraud, waste, and mismanagement— encourage, reward, and resolutely protect “whistle-blowers.” 7. Assume that any report or information dealing with financial matters does not provide sufficient details— seek more details. 8. Assume that board policies are not being implemented properly— ask for progress reports. 9. Assume that audits do not uncover fraud— insist on forensic auditing. 10. Accept the fact that board members lack the skills and knowledge required to effectively monitor the budget— provide them with information and training. 11. Accept the fact that vigilance must be constant— good enough is never good enough. 12. Accept the fact that board members must have easy access to detailed information and data that are used to develop financial reports and monitor progress— seek to develop meaningful reporting systems. 13. Accept the fact that decisions made by the board will be scrutinized by the staff and the public to see if their financial rhetoric to protect school dollars from fraud, waste and mismanagement is matched against its actions— weigh every discretionary decision carefully for consistency and common-sense. --From "School Corruption: Betrayal of Children and the Public Trust" by Armand A. Fusco |
Map updated
03/1407/1 am
03/1407/1 am
| Friends, I'm going to be on the The Lynn Woolley Radio Show Wednesday, February 28th, 10:00 am CST Focus: Check registers online Special Guest: Texas Associate Commissioner of Education Robert Scott You can listen online www.belogical.com (streaming audio link's at left side) and you can call in questions 1-866-895-6442 |
| Random facts: Giancarlo* "made a deal to buy $20 worth of crack |
| 'School art scandal requires more than an investigation' By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007 - 10 pm |
| Art gallery owner Sherry Washington (R) with Bill Clinton's former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher |
| Former Detroit PS supe Ken Burnley's inability to recall the details surrounding his superinten- dency's purchase of the bulk of $1.6 million in art from the Sherry Washington Gallery was concerning enough that earlier today I called his office at the University of Michigan; he wasn't available, they said, as he was at an education conference. Where? In New Orleans. Ah. That would be the American Association of School Administrators conference. Oh. Please read the following editorial published today in the Detroit News; it hits all the right points: |
| School art scandal requires more than an investigation Detroit News (February 27, 2007) Caught spending at least $1.6 million on professional artwork, the Detroit Public Schools is providing fuel for the exodus of students from its schools. Parents, students and others must hold the district accountable for this disgrace. Deep in financial crisis, Detroit school administrators spent bond money originally approved by voters for building or repairing decaying schools. At the least, this move shows how inept the district's management and structure is. Without triggering an oversight mechanism or even a howl of concern, administrators spent $1.6 million from district coffers from 2002 through 2005. At the worst, this irresponsible spending is a sign of profound corruption. The district purchased the art from Sherry Washington Gallery of Detroit, the same gallery where the city's Cobo Center made a controversial purchase of more than $500,000 in art in 2004. Given the district's lack of math and science teachers and other basic needs, there art purchases were unconscionable. Most of the spending took place under former school chief Kenneth Burnley, who told reporters that he does not recall approving the contracts. Does not recall? Where else in the country could someone get away with this? It's still unclear whether the payments for art continued after William F. Coleman III's appointment as the district's chief executive officer in July 2005. Jimmy Womack, the Detroit school board president, told The Detroit News that the spending justifies an investigation. In fact, it demands much more. In other cities, parents, reform-minded organizations and the state would be demanding a thorough accountability process, as well as structural reforms and management change. It's a sad crime that Detroit lacks such oversight and grassroots and state leaders willing to take on the district and its culture, which does not value transparency. The state, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, the Detroit Federation of Teachers, parent activists and other groups all should demand accountability and reform in this instance. Detroit school leaders and educators often argue that urban education requires more money. This incident undermines their argument. Why should anyone give the system more money if its leaders cannot appropriately spend its existing funding? They shouldn't. Too little of Detroit's school money even reaches its students. Just 46.2 percent of the district's per pupil spending was dedicated to classroom instruction, according to Standard & Poor's 2004 analysis. That falls under the national average and standards. If the teachers' union wants more money for its members, it should become part of the reform process. Helping to make systemic changes will generate more confidence in the union and improve the district, helping it stem the outflow of students -- and saving teachers' jobs. It's in the union's best interest. The children of Detroit have been waiting for too long for leadership. From wherever it may come, reform-minded leaders need to step up and create an effective movement to take back the district from mismanagement and corruption. This art work scandal provides an opportune moment to do so. |
| What this editorial leaves out-- and what the local press never reported--is that Ken Burnley was an ERDI consultant. Wish they had. More here |
| PARENTS, TAX- PAYERS, TRUS- TEES ASKING IN: Cedar Rapids PS (IA) ChippewaVall.SD (MI) Cleburne ISD (TX) Comal ISD (TX) Eanes ISD (TX) El Paso ISD (TX) Lake Travis ISD (TX) Lancaster ISD (TX) Midway-Waco ISD (TX) New York CPS (NY) Omaha PS (NB) Santa Cruz CPS (AZ) ONLINE NOW TEXAS: Big Spring ISD Blackwell CISD Bremond ISD Dallas ISD Katy ISD Lovejoy ISD Malakoff ISD Marble Falls ISD Nederland ISD New Caney ISD San Angelo ISD Spring Branch ISD COMMITTED/ SOON: Arlington ISD (TX) Houston ISD (TX) Keller ISD (TX) McKinney ISD (TX) Richardson ISD (TX) Temple ISD (TX) Ysleta ISD (TX) STATE DOE ONLINE Texas Education Agency |
| Another drug-dealing* principal arrested--at school By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Thursday, March 1, 2007/1:45 am |
| John Acerra |
| "When police entered the office of Nitsch- mann Middle School Principal John Acerra to arrest him [on |
| Tuesday] for allegedly* selling crystal methamphetamine, they found the 50-year-old educator naked and watching gay pornography with sex toys nearby, sources say. Police also found a glass drug pipe and $200 in marked money on the desk." (SOURCE-- Pamela Lehman & Steve Esack/ Allentown Morning Call) |
| Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, site of NMS principal Acerra's arrest |
| "There was no indication that Acerra sold the drug to students, but an informant claimed Acerra sold meth from his school office after hours and on weekends, said Dennis Mihalopoulos, an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration." (SOURCE--Associated Press) |
| Joseph Lewis |
| Acerra's boss Bethlehem Area School District supe Joseph A. Lewis said he "never heard concerns about Acerra regarding drugs or pornog- |
| Acerra, who is single and "a 28-year educator and principal since 2000, is in Lehigh County Prison under $200,000 bail. He is charged with possession with intent to deliver, manufacture or create methamphetamine, two counts of delivery of a controlled or counterfeit substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia." (SOURCE-- Lehman & Esack/ Morning Call) |
| raphy. 'I've never received a complaint. I've been superintendent for five years, and I've never gotten an e-mail, phone call or note.' " (Ibid.) Later, outside, "parents expressed shock and sadness." (Ibid.) |
| Not to worry. Bethlehem Area School District has a "Mission Statement." |
| Question: What does a "safe" environment at Nitschmann Middle School mean, now? |
| The Bethlehem Area School District, in partnersh with the home and community, is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment in which each student will attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become a productive citizen and life-long learner in our technologically demanding and culturally diverse society. |
| TULIPOMANIA: A pop quiz for high school parents By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Thursday, March 1, 2007 - 4:33 am |
| "Tulips" (Susan Pronko) www. suprocreations.com |
| Do you remember the third-grader I mentioned a while back who brought home a social studies paper on Sheryl Crow? The kids were supposed toread about her for a quiz? |
| QUESTION: As a true picture of John Acerra emerges, why didn't Bethlehem supe John Lewis see it sooner? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Sunday, March 4, 2007/11:08 am |
| What does this sign mean now? (PHOTO--Harry Fisher/Morning Call) |
| 'Showing up to work late or not at all' As long ago as last year and as recently as the week before Acerra's arrest, the Nitschmann Middle School's teachers' union formally complained to the district's administration that their boss had a "growing habit of showing up to work late or not at all." (SOURCE--Michelle Pittman/The Express-Times) |
| * Based on new information provided by the Texas Education Agency. |
| Easiest way to find articles: Google "Peyton Wolcott" and "check register" Almost 100 online as of Mar. 8, 2007 |
| Not a PR pro? How to talk to your local district about putting its checks online By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Sunday, March 4, 2007 - 1:45 pm Updated Wednesday, March 7, 2007 - 1:00 am Friends, a light bulb went off recently when an astute friend remarked, "You know, most grassroots parents and taxpayers aren't good at PR." This comment took me off guard, but do you know what? He was right. Many of our best volunteers are rational people, engineers and accountants and the like, who are used to an environment in which facts reign. |
| It takes us a very long while to understand that our public schools are essentially socialist models and their engine and currency is the realm of emotions and people skills. Further, our superintendents attend conferences and meetings where they learn how to develop their PR skills, and they hire well-paid PR guys and gals who are skilled in the art of public relations. This is the arena into which we step. Also, by the time most of us get to the point that we are interested in seeing how our district spends its money, there have been precipitating incidents. As another friend put it, "I just wanted to slug someone at that board meeting." This man is a genuinely decent human being and the comment surprised me--but it's not the first time I've heard this from a parent. It wasn't always that way. Generally we start out assuming our dealings with our school districts will be a rational exercise. Most of us are volunteers and in addition to our taxes give generously to our children's schools. Then when we spend a lot of time there, we notice things. Years ago I myself felt sure that if I showed my local supe and board where money was being wasted in some areas and not adequately safeguarded in others that they would welcome this information with open arms and changes would be made on the spot. Hah! Imagine my surprise when they reacted as though to a personal attack when I was just trying to help. At this point we often start gathering hard data on our schools because we assume--also incorrectly, as it turns out--that "someone" higher up is watching out. But the "someone" turns out to be us. We learn that our local schools have next to no real oversight; as just one example witness the two dozen state, federal and local governmental bodies and elected officials two moms in Texas contacted in their effort to bring their local superintendent to justice. Besides, to focus on spread sheets and flow charts to take to "someone in charge" is to focus on the wake of the wave and not the boat and the pilot. This is why I have come to the conclusion after years in the grassroot trenches that the best and most effective single step we can take to help our districts reign in costs and improve our vendor-driven curriculums in order to better educate our kids is to persuade our schools to post their check registers online. When we approach our districts, we have found there are some things we can do which are more effective than others. Like I tell my kids, go and make new mistakes--don't replicate mine. To make it easier for you to successfully ask your local district to put its check register online, I've just posted two new pages; the first walks you through the process, and the second is a flyer you can print as is, or you can copy and paste* the report section in the grey box on the left. I've done this successfully, and wouldn't recommend that you undertake something I haven't already done myself. If I can do it, you can, too. |
| Our public schools are essentially socialist models and their engine and currency is the realm of emotions and people skills. |
| Why is the El Paso Times AWOL on the Philippino 'smuggling for profit' teacher trial? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Monday, March 5, 2007 - 3:25 am |
| You remember this case. Noel Tolentino and his mom and wife were charged with bringing Philippino schoolteach- ers to the United States to teach in Brownsville ISD, Ysleta ISD, Socorro ISD, El Paso ISD, Canutillo ISD, and South San Antonio ISD? |
| Noel Tolentino last week outside federal court in El Paso (PHOTO: peytonwolcott.com) |
| And the teachers were allegedly kept more or less locked up in squalid conditions by the Tolentino family including eventually a DC storefront? Any of this ring a bell? Where are the El Paso papers? The trial's happening right there, now. Are they tired of reporting so much bad news about EPISD they're sitting this one out? And where's the San Antonio Express-News? The Brownsville Herald? MIA all. Here above, for the record, is smiling defendant Noel Tolentino leaving the federal courthouse in El Paso last week. The Tolentino's (and their companies Omni Consortium and Multicultural Professionals who brought the teachers to El Paso) are currently standing trial in U.S. district court on charges ranging from conspira- cy/alien smuggling/ visa fraud to mail and wire fraud to money laundering. At one point the Tolentino's moved to Houston and bought a really nice house (below) out Memorial on Kuhlman which has since been taken away from them by ICE. |
| Interested? It's a 5-5-3 in Spring Branch ISD, lists for $1.75 million; bring a $25,000 cashier's check with your offer |
| Noel's mom Florita Tolentino |
| At stake in El Paso trial If convicted, the Tolentino's face up to 20 years in prison for each count of smuggling and harboring of immigrants. |
| Along the way former Socorro Independent School District interim superintendent Mario Aguilar and his wife, Magdalena Aguilar, an SISD elementary school principal, were charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transporta- tion in aid of racketeering. Former Ysleta ISD associate HR supe Raye Lokey received the same charge. |
| Last April Aguilar "pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of failing to report gifts to a public official, but avoided jail time and fines on criminal charges of bribery stemming from the hiring of several teachers from the Philippines. Officials...confirmed that Mario Aguilar reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office and was sentenced to one year of probation." (SOURCE--Gustavo Reveles Acosta/El Paso Times) |
Asking
Already Online
Already Online
| New York City PS |
Rio Rico Schools
| Cedar Rapids PS |
| Omaha PS |
| Chippewa Valley SD |
| Texas ISDs: Cleburne, Comal, Eanes, El Paso, Lake Travis, Lancaster, Midway |
| Another drug-related principal arrest but this one's different By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Tuesday, March 6, 2007-9:45 am |
| From 4 school districts to 31* --plus a state DOE --in 5 months! |
| About this online check registers project: Oct. 1, 2006 was the start date of the National School District Honor Roll with four small school districts in Texas who'd posted their check registers online. We now have 28* districts either online or committed-- or where parents and taxpayers have begun asking. Districts are almost all saying "yes" immediately. Why? Superintendents and board members understand it's better to be on the beginning of this wave than in its wake. |
| (L)Former Dallas ISD principal, author & motivational speaker Richard Hughes Davis; Florence Shapiro (PHOTO--Houston Chronicle), |
| Does accused smuggler -for-profit of Philippino schoolteachers Noel Tolento, on trial in El Paso, know something we don't? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Tuesday, March 6, 2007/10 am |
| When people brought this trial to my attention, they asked why no one was covering it; my subsequent Google and El Paso Times searches came up dry, thus the coverage below. EPT Executive VP/editor Don Flores tells me this morn- ing by phone they've been cov- ering it and he's looking into why no Googlies. And I'm attempting to contact Noel Tol- entino's attorney. More soon. |
| * Please attribute and include copyright. |
| THE COMPANY THEY KEEP DEP'T Asking questions: What was the working relationship between Richard Hughes' Davis' and Senator Florence Shapiro, chair-Texas Senate Education Committee, on SB 976? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Wed., March 7, 2007 - 3:16 pm |
| According to Richard Davis' post-Dallas ISD resume, he "served as advisor to Senator Florence Shapiro for Senate Bill 976 for the creation of Middle College High Schools throughout the state of Texas." This bill still impacts every student, parent and taxpayer in our state. Listed as references on this same resume are former Texas edu-missioner Mike Moses and former DISD deputy supe for operations Jim Scales. |
| Ad for Davis' book, business: Davis Academic Project www.davisac ademicprojec t.com |
| Scales, who has not returned follow up phone calls, has been featured on this site lately with questions regarding not only his ties to former DISD tech director Ruben Bohuchot who served under Scales and Moses, but also the fact now in his new position as Hamilton County BOE supe he won't release to trustee Rhonda Thurman a list of the recipients of $13 million in accrued sick and vacation pay. DEVELOPING -- |
| (L) Ruben Bohuchot(PHOTO- Dallas Morning News); (R)Jim Scales |
| Remember Citrus County Schools, 'Where Our Children Come First'? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Thursday, March 8, 2007 -12:07 am |
| Oh, no, Mr. Bill! Ironically, Couey's trial began in Miami last Thursday the day after Florida Auditor General Bill Monroe released his second audit within a year with the finding that Citrus needed to improve its fingerprinting and background procedures. Supe Himmel's res- ponse: The district's "current plan is adequate." (SOURCE-- Eddy Ramirez/St. Petersburg Times) My response: Tell that to the Lunsford family. |
| John Evander Couey (L); the late Jessica Lunsford |
| Jessica Lunsford October 6, 1995 – Born February 23, 2005 - Abducted February 27, 2005 - Died March 18, 2005 - Couey confessed March 19, 2005 - Body found in hole |
| Florida Auditor General Report Number: 2006-130 Report Title: Citrus County District School Board - Financial, Operational and Federal Single Audit Report Period: FYE 06/30/2005 Release Date: 03/06/2006 Finding No. 3 Fingerprinting Requirements The District should improve its procedures for timely obtaining fingerprints and background checks on personnel having direct contact with students. Absent timely background screening checks, there is an increased risk that personnel may have backgrounds that are not suitable for direct contact with students. |
| ILLUSTRATION: Douglas Schneider --Tree Ripe Orange Juice |
| You remember, this was the Florida district where regis- tered sex offender John Evander Couey worked as a mason's helper at Homosassa Elementary? Where his neigh- bor, nine-year old Jessica Lunsford was a student? And while Couey worked at Homo- sassa neither the supe nor the principal nor any other adminis- trators did a background ground on him? |
| Citrus board chair Bill Murray (L); Citrus supe Sandra Himmel |
| Florida Auditor General Report Number: 2007-127 Report Title: Citrus County District School Board - Financial, Operational, and Federal Single Audit Report Period: FYE 06/30/2006 Release Date: 02/28/2007 Finding No. 2: Fingerprinting Requirements The District should improve its procedures for timely obtaining fingerprints and background checks for staff that have direct contact with students. Absent timely background screening checks, there is an increased risk that personnel may have backgrounds that are not suitable for direct contact with students. |
...
| Looking for today's front page Dallas Morning News article regarding school districts posting their checks online? By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Thursday, March 8, 2007 - 3:02 pm Updated Thu.,Mar. 8, 2007-11:30pm |
| Hats off to DMN for taking this big step towards encouraging public school transparency by publicizing the online check register movement! There are some good quotes--plus excerpts from the list of schools at right--along with the 9 steps to finding Dallas ISD's checks published on Feb. 19, 2007 at www.peytonwolcott.com: |
| THE NATION'S FIRST & MOST COMPLETE LIST HERE! School districts' checks online: |
| Dallas Morning News March 8, 2007 |
| Because the districts voluntarily coming online early are well ahead of the 55-60-65 progression--even Houston ISD with its large administra- tive overhead is already at 63%, 8 points ahead of schedule--DMN's so-called loophole does not apply. Remember: Rather than adopting the recommended NCES formula, Texas Commis-sioner of Education Shirley Neeley instead invited Texas superintendents to help write their own formula, so it is to be expected that all districts will make the 65% mark on target and on schedule. |
| Follow Up Miami jury finds Couey guilty...TX Senator Flo Shapiro's 'resource,' cited on drug-related charges, resigns HS.... Moms react to PA Beth-meth principal By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Friday, March 9, 2007 - 1:45 am |
| Miami jury finds Couey guilty of murdering Jessica Lunsford "A jury found convicted sex offender John Evander Couey guilty Wednesday of kidnapping and raping [and murdering] 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, verdicts that brought to an end a case that led to a nationwide crackdown on people convicted of sex crimes. "The charges against Couey prompted Florida and a number of other states to pass new laws cracking down on sex offenders and improve tracking of them, including a new U.S. Justice Department database." (SOURCE--Fox News) Couey worked as a mason's helper at Cirtrus County Schools' Homosassa ES where Jessica Lunsford was a student. |
| Letter to the Editor/The Express-Times Saturday, March 03, 2007 I am not surprised by Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Joseph Lewis' usual "no comment" stance on the drug arrest of Nitschmann Middle School principal John Acerra. Lewis hides behind that comment on most issues. I am, however, stunned he is claiming "there was no indication that the top administrator was using or selling illegal drugs." Where are the mandatory drug test results? Why are the people spending the most time with our children not being regularly tested for drug use, including Lewis? Then there would have been an indication. They drug test the fry guy at McDonald's. Now we hear about Acerra's rights to a hearing in the district. He will continue to receive his salary and benefits until then. Who was protecting the children's rights when this man brought the dregs of society into their school, trafficking drugs in a drug-free school zone? What would have happened if one of Accera's dissatisfied customers had shown up during school hours? They should lock him up and throw away the key. In the last two years the Bethlehem district's claims to fame include Principal Meth-head, the East Hills Middle School convicted child endangerer and the deported illegal alien teacher at the Bethlehem Vo-Tech school. It is Lewis' duty to check the backgrounds of these people. The taxpayers of Bethlehem demand that he do so! Lori Rossetti, Bethlehem Township |
| Did anyone see through facade? Friday, March 02, 2007 The most offensive aspect of the whole Nitschmann principal arrest (front page, Thursday) is the Bethlehem Area School District's reaction in the letter sent home to parents. The instructions to not "impose speculations or opinions" are reflective of the Orwellian depths to which public education has sunk in its attempts to impose "non-judgementalism" on society. The whole incident offers parents the perfect opportunity to talk to their children about the existence of evil and how it can overtake and overwhelm the life of a person who, on the surface, seems to be such a fine example of caring and "success." One wonders if there was no one in John Acerra's life who saw through the facade and tried to reach him. Certainly not within the administration of the BASD, it seems. Sue Bergman, Bethlehem |
| Rest area on I-20 where Marshall HS principal Davis was cited for being in possession of drug paraphernalia. (PHOTO--S.Brunner/News Messenger) |
| March 6, 2007 Update Jessica's Law in Texas Hardcore child molesters could face the death penalty in Texas under a bill given preliminary approval today by the state House of Representatives. The bill is designed to crack down on sex offenders who repeatedly prey on children. The House voted to create a new category of crime, continual sexual abuse of a young child or children. It carries a minimum of 25 years to life in prison and possibly the death penalty for a second offense. The Texas version [of Jessica's Law] would make the Lone Star State the sixth to allow some child sex offenders to be sentenced to death....The bill also removes the statute of limitations for many sex crimes against children, including indecency with a child and aggravated sexual assault. The current limit to bring charges is 10 years after the victim's 18th birthday. |
| TX Senator Flo Shapiro's 'resource,' cited on drug- related charges, resigns Marshall HS Following his arrest for possession at a roadside rest stop, Richard Hughes Davis resigned last Thursday from his position as principal of Marshall HS. The former Dallas ISD "Principal of the Year," in a rambling 2925-word "Com-ments for Closure" published in the Marshall News Messenger, mentioned helpfully that his boss, Marshall ISD supe Kenn Franklin "cannot be perfect," referred to "humiliation to the wonderful foci of MHS – Operation: Excellence," pointed out that he has "not been convicted or arrested for any crime," and in addition to a number of Biblical references including Moses' and David's sins, the longtime educator expressed regret and gratitude, asking the community to "move on." The letter was signed on March 6, which he said was his birthday, as "Mr. Davis." |
| Unlike Richard Hughes Davis, Bethlehem, PA's John Acerra is still collecting a paycheck. |
| Acerra |
| Here are letters to the editor from two local moms--well worth reading as they appear to reflect the views of typical parents to circumstances surrounding Acerra's arrest: |
| National Sunshine Week starts today! By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Sunday, March 11, 2007 - 12:07 am |
| Whether you're celebrating by filing your first public records request this week, or standing before your school board |
| 'Amazing Grace' poster |
| asking them to require the districts' checks to be published online, or perhaps you're accompanying a friend to help review a pile of records, hats off to you for exercising your consti- tutional right to view accounts of taxpayer spending by one of our most important and least- monitored governmental bodies, our local public schools. |
| The poster above from the film "Amazing Grace" may seem an idiosyncratic choice for Sunshine Week art, but it's there because I recommend that you go see this movie. When we start out on this journey, our schools--once they realize we're there to ask real and serious questions--do not generally greet us with open arms, my detainment by three armed school district police officers last summer being a kind of litmus test for worst case scenarios. We all at some point, as rational sentient human beings, wonder if we're doing the right thing. We all ask ourselves an important question: |
| I'm just one person: Can I really make a difference? |
| William Wilberforce was just one person. His primary goal was to end slavery, and by joining with like-minded others and using a variety of strategies, they brought an end to slavery in all of the British Empire 200 years ago. It was interesting seeing the pro-slavery camp's familiar-sounding arguments and methods. Wilberforce and his supporters were accused by those profiting monetarily from the slave trade of being disloyal and against the British economy, etc. Seeing this movie will help you reaffirm within yourself the power of the individual, the stuff from which all important changes spring. If William Wilberforce could help end slavery in his lifetime, you and I can certainly help clean things up in our local schools. And here's how we do this: One person asking one question, one school at a time. Blessings to you all. |
$ 24.2 billion |
| The power of one |
| National Sunshine Week March 11-17, 2007 |
| The real deal about public records: Generally & specifically By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Monday, March 12, 2007 - 2:17 am Updated Tues., Mar. 13, 2007 - 1 am |
| To speak with any credibility about goings on in your local schools, you've got to have hard facts to back up what you say. |
| Tim Crews (PHOTO/AP) |
| The quickest and surest way to get hard facts is to file public records requests as we generally are not able to count on information from either our local schools or our local news- papers for reliable information beyond sports scores. |
| One notable exception Publisher Tim Crews at the award-winning Sacramento Valley Mirror has worked tirelessly and fearlessly this past year to expose goings-on in the Glenn County Office of Education, including GCOE credit card expenditures. $244,000 Via a series of increasingly con- tested public records searches, Crews found charges by then-GCOE supe Joni Samples and her staffers amounting to at least $244,000; items included Samples' travel such as trips to Texas which although financed by GCOE taxpayers appear to have been linked to promoting her book, "Taking the Guesswork Out of School Success." There was also the trip to Puerto Vallarta with the stream-of-unconsciousness email from Joni to Joni using her GCOE laptop and the GCOE email service. It's here in the pink boxes at the far right. While Crews faces the same economic pressures other small-town presses do to publish only the "good" news about local public education, he has stood strong against those pressures despite arson during the height of his investigation in the building next door. Fortunately, this time, the good guys have won: |
| Puerto Vallarta; Joni Samples |
| Judge Byrd dismisses GCBE actions v. Mirror By Tim Crews/Valley Mirror Willows—A decidedly grumpy Superior Court Judge Don Byrd yesterday dismissed the coun- ter actions against this news- paper. In the complex CONTINUED HERE |
| Taking the pledge, and we don't mean Carrie Nation's By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 1:18 am |
| With the advent of Daylight Savings Time, a young-at-heart taxpayer's fancy turns naturally enough to . . . . upcoming school board races! |
| Texas school board meeting (Llano ISD) |
| For supporters You've been down this road before. You found a good can- didate, someone committed to conservative accountability goals, helped them campaign-- then after they're elected, they catch that dread disease, "Everyone-Wants-To-Be-Loved -Itis." Or as we say in Texas, "They fergit to dance with them what brung 'em." When we successfully placed all five of our reform- platform candidates on the Llano ISD board during the May 2004 election, one of the secrets of our success was getting all five to sign a public pledge like these to not do business with the school district during their tenure. |
| For candidates Your edge against incumbents is simple: Generally at the very least they've accepted taxpayer- paid board trainings which most often include pricey hotel stays and expensive meals. How do you know this? You or your supporters have done public records searches to establish this. And, or, perhaps they are also doing biz with the district. You have also estab- lished this via public records Nobody deserves a $900 steak dinner on the taxpayers, or juicy insider contracts, and there are many free ways to get your required board training. Your strength? You're the Clean Jean candidate. Publi- cize your pledges. The voters will love you. Even if your opponents copycat, which happened to us, you were first. |
| What would you call a supe's refusal to tell his community his salary? By Peyton Wolcott-Copyright 2007 Wed., March 14, 2007 - 4:06 am |
| Comal ISD supe Marc Walker April 27, 2006 with trustee |
| The board voted 6-1 (trustee Rose Cervin opposed) to extend Walker's contract, still without disclosing his new salary to the public. After the meeting ended when I asked Walker how much he'd be making with the new contract, or for at least a peek at the contract, he refused on both points, and suggested that I file a public records request. Huh? Is this legal? |
| The writer Joan Didion and her late husband John Dunne were in the curious habit when they traveled of dropping in on courtrooms to get the tenor of an area. I do this, too, except instead of courtrooms I sit in on school board meetings, which is how I came to attend Comal ISD's board meeting last April in suburban San Antonio. |
| Redbuds blooming Texas Capitol Austin |
| Comal ISD's so-called 'Team of Eight' with supe in center |
| 8.B. Pursuant to 551.074 dis- cuss..superintendent's contract |
| After getting through the regular agenda, supe Marc Walker and his trustees went into closed session to discuss among other items: |
| Then when Walker and his trustees returned to the dais, they discussed various property purchases, approval of a contract for water service, and, by the way, "Action Item" 9.: |
| 10. Consider and Take Action to Extend Employment Contract of Superintendent |
| government," has 100% of Comal ISD in his district. According to our interview late yesterday, Wentworth, who modestly takes credit for "landmark freedom-of- information legislation that I authored and the Texas Legislature passed in 1999," responded to news of the Comal ISD situation that "they can't raise a salary" without telling the public the amount. When told that CISD had indeed done so anyway, Jeff helpfully suggested that parents and taxpayers take this issue to "the DA, or the county attorney in Comal County." Ah. (More on Wentworth's ideas as to what constitutes open government coming Thursday.) In the meantime, enter the Rose Cervin/Calvin Kempin family--and Walker's contract. While Rose was not able to tell me the amount of Walker's contract that night, as the dollar amount was only disclosed in executive session, following her departure from the CISD board she did file a public records search last month. Here are the terms of Comal ISD supe Marc Walker's contract with his district and the taxpayers funding his generous salary and benefits: |
| When a review of CISD's board policies online offered no clues, the best person at this point to check with seemed to be state senator Jeff Wentworth, who in addition to calling himself "a strong proponent of open |
| Went- worth's office |
| WHAT COMAL ISD SUPE MARC WALKER GETS: $161,800 annual salary Guaranteed employment by Comal ISD through June 30, 2009. A free car. Reimbursement for all travel both inside and outside Comal ISD. Free major medical and dental insurance. $2,000 moving reimbursement (Walker's start date at CISD: Aug. 31, 2005). $1,500 "professional growth" expenses. $1,000 "civic activities." No reassignment of Walker's duties by the CISD board. (Used to be, a supe which a board was unhappy with could be greeted with a mop and a broom.) Outside consulting okay if board says yes (but they need not tell taxpayers). |
| Hard to imagine why Walker didn't want to share the above information the night his contract was renewed last April. Call me old-fashioned, but am I wrong in thinking a simple and heartfelt "thank you" to those present might have been in order from Walker? Along with divulging at the very least the amount of his pay to those taxpayers and visitors with the stamina to sit through a lengthy closed session? In lieu of suggesting anyone interested file a public records request? Does Walker's stone- walling sound friendly to you? |
| Ysleta ISD commits to posting its check register online! By Peyton Wolcott - Copyright 2007 Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 3:02 am Hector Montenegro, Ysleta ISD's superintendent, contacted me last night by email to confirm YISD is the first school district in far West Texas to be preparing to post its checks online. "We want to follow proper proce- dures and establish a link on our web site," said Hector. Located in El Paso County, YISD has 46,278 students; its total receipts all funds was $436,804,801 and general fund amount $281,890,828 for 2004-05, the last reported actuals per TEA. |
| Ysleta ISD, 2005 W.Texas UIL champs |
| Calvin Kempin |
| Meanwhile, Calvin Kempin and his wife Rose Cervin, longtime CISD volunteers and supporters, continue to address Comal ISD on various |
| fronts. Above left, Calvin at last month's regular board meeting, asking the board a second time to begin posting its check register online. |
| CISD trustees Rose Cervin and Frank Baker, April 27, 2006 |
| Do you have questions about Marc Walker's contract and/or his lack of forthcomingness regarding the dollar amount? Please contact him directly with your questions and concerns because I can't; apparently he didn't like my questions as immediately afterward CISD began blocking my emails. Come to think of it, that doesn't sound very friendly, either, does it. Here, you try, maybe you'll have better luck: |