Almost a decade ago Yonkers
Board of Education superintendent
Andre Hornsby resisted oversight
by the Yonkers inspector general.
Andre left. Yonkers BOE's current
superintendent, Bernard
Pierorazio, is also resisting
oversight by the Yonkers inspector
general; scroll down for earlier
report. Yonkers City Council
member Liam McLaughlin has
stepped in, called a meeting which
Bernard declined to attend.
Liam's wife's employment as a
Yonkers City Hall executive
assistant with a base salary of
$87,092 per year has drawn the
attention of the communty and
away from Liam's attempting to
hold the schools accountable. For
perspective on this dollar amount,
Yonkers per capita income
average is $25,796. As regards
City of Yonkers employees,
Stephen Radziminsky, Yonkers'
principal buyer, only makes
$69,695 per year, and Yonkers
associate counsel Lawrence
Porcari also earns less than Mrs.
McLaughlin, with an annual salary
of $80,000.
Board of Education superintendent
Andre Hornsby resisted oversight
by the Yonkers inspector general.
Andre left. Yonkers BOE's current
superintendent, Bernard
Pierorazio, is also resisting
oversight by the Yonkers inspector
general; scroll down for earlier
report. Yonkers City Council
member Liam McLaughlin has
stepped in, called a meeting which
Bernard declined to attend.
Liam's wife's employment as a
Yonkers City Hall executive
assistant with a base salary of
$87,092 per year has drawn the
attention of the communty and
away from Liam's attempting to
hold the schools accountable. For
perspective on this dollar amount,
Yonkers per capita income
average is $25,796. As regards
City of Yonkers employees,
Stephen Radziminsky, Yonkers'
principal buyer, only makes
$69,695 per year, and Yonkers
associate counsel Lawrence
Porcari also earns less than Mrs.
McLaughlin, with an annual salary
of $80,000.
| Here's a suggestion from veteran educator Donna Garner which not only would better teach young children but also would save Texas taxpayers close to a billion dollars over the next two years: "Any parent who knows English and can follow simple directions can teach his child to read by using Phono-Graphix by Carmen McGuinness (amazon.com -- $12.21 new; $4.75 used). This book is complete in itself, and a parent needs no staff development to implement it. The book teaches a child to go from sound to letter (not letter to sound); therefore, the child not only learns how to sound out words and read |
YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (NY)
Accountability in Yonkers
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., May 7, 2009 / 1:09 am
Accountability in Yonkers
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., May 7, 2009 / 1:09 am
QUESTIONS?
NY Republican State Committee:
315 State Street
Albany, NY 12210 518-462-2601
info@nygop.org - email
Liam McLaughlin
City of Yonkers - City Hall
40 South Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 377-6000
NY Republican State Committee:
315 State Street
Albany, NY 12210 518-462-2601
info@nygop.org - email
Liam McLaughlin
City of Yonkers - City Hall
40 South Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 377-6000
While the above headline is
from St. Paul, here's today's
from the Austin American-
Statesman regarding Meria's
Carstarphen's new employer,
Austin ISD:
from St. Paul, here's today's
from the Austin American-
Statesman regarding Meria's
Carstarphen's new employer,
Austin ISD:
| Although Meria Carstarphen is still St. Paul Schools superintendent – and on the payroll – she has already been paid $16,000 for 16 days of work in Austin, plus another $1,500 for travel, reports Minnesota Public Radio. She’s getting $1,000 a day as a consulting fee for days worked in Austin, but will continue on St. Paul’s payroll until the end of this school year. |
Wire transfers have
been included in St.
Cloud ISD 742's check
register under two
superintendents; first,
Bruce Watkins, and now
Steve Jordahl. Kevin
Januszewski has served
as the district's executive
director of business
services through both
administrations.
The wire transfers are
easy to find; not only are
they are clearly labeled
"WIRE" but also from the
months I've reviewed are
either at the beginning or
the ending of the register.
Another hats off: the
district's April checks are
already online.
Here's the link:
been included in St.
Cloud ISD 742's check
register under two
superintendents; first,
Bruce Watkins, and now
Steve Jordahl. Kevin
Januszewski has served
as the district's executive
director of business
services through both
administrations.
The wire transfers are
easy to find; not only are
they are clearly labeled
"WIRE" but also from the
months I've reviewed are
either at the beginning or
the ending of the register.
Another hats off: the
district's April checks are
already online.
Here's the link:
| CALIFORNIA: |
| SOLUTION: Voluntary publicly signed ethics pledges for trustees; more at Human Events and Education News. |
The PR tide's turning against "anything goes" spending, even in California. What's
encouraging is that just this past month there have been multiple references to public
school extravagance along the lines of "It's time to cut back" such as the Capistrano USD
superintendent who treated himself to taxpayer-funded "wellness retreats" at a spa
(that's Woody Carter depicted in the mud-tub cartoon above right) who was not only let
go, but also fired.
encouraging is that just this past month there have been multiple references to public
school extravagance along the lines of "It's time to cut back" such as the Capistrano USD
superintendent who treated himself to taxpayer-funded "wellness retreats" at a spa
(that's Woody Carter depicted in the mud-tub cartoon above right) who was not only let
go, but also fired.
Call it prescience, friends. I was railing about
extravagant high-life living by our public school
leadership at education conferences during boom
times, such as this scene below from a 2006
edu-conference; you half-expect the Miller guy to
charge in and reclaim his beer. Now, with our
troubled economy and so many folks having lost
their jobs, others their life savings, for government
officials to still be living it up seems wildly
inappropriate.
extravagant high-life living by our public school
leadership at education conferences during boom
times, such as this scene below from a 2006
edu-conference; you half-expect the Miller guy to
charge in and reclaim his beer. Now, with our
troubled economy and so many folks having lost
their jobs, others their life savings, for government
officials to still be living it up seems wildly
inappropriate.
SUPE SEARCHES
Why homegrown is
better than using
outside search firms
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Apr. 18, 2009 /7:30 am
Why homegrown is
better than using
outside search firms
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Apr. 18, 2009 /7:30 am
-- for pressing
Antioch USD supe
Deborah Sims &
att'y Marleen Sacks
for public records
re AUSD elementary
teacher arrest
(child porn).
Antioch USD supe
Deborah Sims &
att'y Marleen Sacks
for public records
re AUSD elementary
teacher arrest
(child porn).
| Following the money in our vendor-driven schools 15 vendors & other special money interest groups at school meetings--know 'em? |
| The nation's 1st & only daily conservative public education commentary - Solutions, not Fear |
| 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 1999-2009 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. |
| Check Registers US TX Flyer Ask your district Set goals/organize Ask questions Board Ethids Pledges Watchdog? AngryActivist Alert PR |
n e w c o m m e n t a r i e s
| ERDI supe Alton Frailey (Katy ISD / Texas) versus public freedoms |
| First They Came First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak out for me. -- Pastor Martin Niemoeller |
| "Gloria from Luling" on sidewalk outside Walsh Anderson party at Austin's Iron Cactus with unnamed man who was shy about revealing his name (TASA Mid Winter, 2007 ) |
| Soghra Najafpour (L) was sentenced to death at age 13 for the first time in Iran; she's now 31 -- more here. Did principal Robin E. Lowe (L) mention Soghra during her 'Islam 101' day May 22 at Friendswood JH? Will she mention Soghra at her new gig running Houston ISD's Pershing MS? Wouldn't that be a step towards "raising [her students'] awareness of the culture" -- of the true culture -- in Iran? That perhaps Robin's invited speakers from CAIR might have forgotten to mention? Oops? UPDATE: As of today no response yet from Robin to telephone and email queries. |
IRAN: Execution
Danger Alert
Danger Alert
| The American Superintendent (Leonard Merrell) as Allan Ramsay's King George III (Mixed-media collage by Peyton Wolcott, Copyright 2008) |
Wolcott
Peyton
| Apr. 2009 commentaries here |
| 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. |
b e s t
p r a c t i c e s
p r a c t i c e s
s c h o o l n e w s
q u i c k l i n k s
q u i c k l i n k s
| More "Best Practices" here. |
| U.S. FEDERAL TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DISD 2000-2007 2000-2001 $ 121,951,145 2001-2002 $ 137,745,786 2002-2003 $ 169,103,740 2003-2004 $ 188,618,903 2004-2005 $ 188,838,330 2005-2006 $ 215,068,567 2006-2007 $ 217,970,686 TOTAL $1,239,297,157 |
| TEXAS TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DISD 2000-2007 2000-2001 $ 204,116,731 2001-2002 $ 180,097,229 2002-2003 $ 254,465,426 2003-2004 $ 199,905,502 2004-2005 $ 199,940,243 2005-2006 $ 198,907,113 2006-2007 $ 305,839,277 TOTAL $1,543,271,521 |
Texas and U.S. taxpayers have sent
almost $3 billion
to Dallas ISD since 2000
almost $3 billion
to Dallas ISD since 2000
| Best Practices Ethics pledges Transparency Lax oversight San Antonio Triple Crown Team of 8 Pass the trash |
| FAQ + ARCHIVES + FOLLOW THE MONEY + CHECK REGISTER INFO + STATE & LOCAL + GOVERNANCE + VENDORS/LOBBYISTS + |
| When I first saw the headline yesterday morning that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich had just been arrested along with his chief of staff, John F. Harris, on charges of among other things trying to sell Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, my first reaction was probably not that different from yours, "Oh. Illinois." You know, as in the 3 R's: prior governor George Ryan, former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, and long-time Obama supporter Tony Rezko. As in, to quote Matt Drudge, "Crook County." As in, "Chicago, |
| Arne Duncan (L) and Rod "Even My Hair's For Sale" Blagojevich (R) (GRAPHIC IMAGE--Peyton Wolcott) |
| What's Arne Duncan's track record on financial transparency? Given that getting rid of corruption in public education must be job one for the next US DOE secretary, and given that Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan has deep ties to Chi-Land (he's from there), and given also that he's a front runner for the post, a good question to ask is, "How transparent has Arne been during his tenure as supe of Chicago schools?" Meaning, how much has he opened up specific-dollar CPS actual financials to the public in the cheapest, easiest and fastest way possible, by putting checks online? No pie charts, no percentages, no aggregates, but real checks-to? When I went looking on Chicago Schools' website and couldn't find their checks, I called the CPS PR department and asked whether Arne had made any plans to put their check register online. After explaining to the fellow with whom I spoke what a check register was, he said he'd look into it and get back to me. Shouldn't be that hard; even though Florida's Miami-Dade County Public Schools has fewer students, if we can believe Chicago Public Schools accounting over Miami's M-DCPS spent a lot more money last year, $6.7 billion for all expenditures, all funds as opposed to the $4.6 bilion CPS will admit to. I sent the PR guy a helpful link to Miami's check register so Arne could see for himself. Oh, wait! Miami-Dade's check register is online because Marta Perez, an elected trustee, pushed for it last year -- but all seven Chicago Public Schools trustees are appointed by Mayor Daley. D'ya think they'd risk losing their appointments by pushing for financial transparency with a Chicago mayor who controls all of Chicago public ed? No response yet from CPS Perhaps that was the famous "I'll get back to you when Hell freezes over" time frame. Or, maybe what the CPS PR guy really meant was, "It's a long way to Tipperary which is where we hid the check register |
| Corruption Capital" and the "Chicago Machine." As in, apparently anything goes in Chi-Land and surrounds that's not nailed down. Graft, graft everywhere and not a drop to drink Chicago's suburbs have not been immune from graft and corruption. It was just over three years ago -- a year after Gov. Blagojevich appointed Thomas Ryan, then-supe of Community Consolidated School District 168 in Sauk Village (a half-hour south of Chicago) to a task force of school administrators to help shape Blagojevich's new Department of Education -- that investigators raided Ryan's home and hauled off a |
| Left: Thomas Ryan (center) in his garage. Right: Investigator carrying laundry basket filled with cash. (PHOTOS--Southtown Star) |
| laundry basket filled with cash, ten years of financial records, computers and a collapsible metal billy club. Ryan was eventually indicted, tried and sent to a minimal-security prison where, presumably without the asp, he served only a few years of his eight-year sentence. |
| SAUK VILLAGE SCHOOLS: Role played by investigative journalists A shout out to the Daily Southtown: The Illinois State Attorney only began looking into Sauk Village schools' finances after The Daily Southtown published stories by reporters Linda Lutton and Kati Phillip regarding questionable payments made to Thomas Ryan, his family and school district vendors. _________________________________________ |
| And earlier this year it was reported that "former Hoover-Schrum Elementary District 157 administrator Rosemary Hendricks was paid as superintendent for the Calumet City school system and another suburban Cook County school district." Two months ago, the suburban Cook County district, Bellwood SD 88, accepted Hendricks' resignation and appointed an interim supe. (SOURCES--Joan Carreon/ Northwestern Indiana Times; David Pollard/Proviso Herald; and Proviso Insider Blogspot) |
| While a former Chicago Public School manager remained jailed on felony theft charges Tuesday, the high school that entrusted her with its finances is struggling to recover from a loss of nearly half a million dollars. Marilyn Jenkins-Evans, 47, was ordered held on $200,000 bail by Criminal Court Judge Thomas Hennelly, a day after |
| Closer to home, Tracy Dell'Angela and Jeff Coen of the Chicago Tribune reported on something that occurred on Arne Duncan's watch as CEO at Chicago Public Schools: |
| Marilyn Jenkins-Evans 2006 mug shot |
| she was arrested on allegations that she stole $457,000 from Simeon Career Academy High School, where she once worked as business manager. Investigators alleged that she wrote herself 319 checks, forged the former principal's signature and deposited them in her personal accounts over more than five years at the school. "How is this school going to recoup that money?" asked the interim principal of the South Side school, Leonard Kenebrew. "That's $90,000 a year for five years. That could have been novels. Or microscopes. Or training for the teachers. Or field trips for the students. It's so depressing." |
| and when we get it cleaned up I'll get back to you." In any event, at press time there was still no response from Chi-Land Schools about Arne's intention (or not) to put their check register online. Here's hoping Mayor Daley will let Arne put CPS checks online whether or not Arne makes US DOE secretary; specific-dollar transparency in the form of online check registers is a terrific way for honest Illinois administrators and politicians to separate themselves from the Blagojevich / 3R's crowd. |
| 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: The friendly approach--take the Golden Rule with you when asking your schools to post their check registers. Testimo- nials (issues & concerns). |
| Are there enough degrees of separation between Arne and Blagojevich for Arne to be the next US DOE secretary? By Peyton Wolcott Wednesday, December 10, 2008 / 12:02 a.m. - Updated Wednesday, December 10, 2008 / 9:59 a.m. |
| 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 |
| CHECK REGISTERS |
| Raise Your Hand Texas 816 Congress Ave Suite 990 Austin, TX 78701 Ratliff, William R. (00020737) P.O. Box 1218 Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456 $25,000 - $49.999.99 Raise Your Hand 327 Congress Suite 450 Austin, TX 78701 Erben, Randall H. (00013689) 807 Brazos Suite 402 Austin, TX 78701 50,000 - $99,999.99 Wakefield, Kakhi H. (00062269) 807 Brazos Street Suite 402 Austin, TX 78701 Less Than $10,000.00 Yarbrough, Brian G. (00037475) 807 Brazos Suite 402 Austin, TX 78701 Less Than $10,000.00 |
| Ratliff II, Shannon H. (00050870) (512)494-3656 - Bracewell & Giuliani LLP 111 Congress Avenue Suite 2300 Austin, TX 78701 Long-time school law attorneys: Bracewell & Giuliani LLP 111 Congress Avenue Suite 2300 Austin, TX 78701-4304 Less Than $10,000.00 Active school tech vendors: Cisco Systems Inc. 12515 Research Blvd. Building 2 Austin, TX 78759 $50,000 - $99,999.99 City of Carrollton 1945 E. Jackson Road Carrollton, TX 75006 $50,000 - $99,999.99 Invenergy Wind Development LLC 1400 S. Congress Avenue Suite B-330 Austin, TX 78704 $50,000 - $99,999.99 Not in good standing as of Jan. 28, 2009 with Texas Comptroller: The Corporation for Texas Regionalism 1305 San Antonio Street Austin, TX 78701 $50,000 - $99,999.99 Heaven forbid that the Ratliff's wouldn't get some of the taxpayer bank bailout money: Wachovia Corporation 150 Fayetteville Street Mall Suite 600 Raleigh, NC 27601 $50,000 - $99,999.99 |
| RATLIFF LOBBYISTS |
| Raise Your Hand for Public Schools/Raise Your Hand Texas 816 Congress Suite 990 Austin, TX 78701 Anderson, David D. (00053708) 823 Congress Suite 900 Austin, TX 78701 $25,000 - $49.999.99 Jones, Neal T. Jr. (00013745) 823 Congress Suite 900 Austin, TX 78701 Less Than $10,000.00 Raise Your Hand for Public Schools PO Box 302183 Austin, TX 78730 All "less than $10,000": Eschberger, Brenda (00029854) 919 Congress Avenue Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 Girard, Charles H. (00058717) 504 West 14th Street Austin, TX 78701 Johnson, Michael J. (00055885) 919 Congress Avenue Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 Kelley, Russell T. (00013737) 919 Congress Avenue Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 Kemptner, Sara (00057952) 919 Congress Avenue Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 McGarah, Carol (00051437) 919 Congress Avenue Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 McGarry, Mignon (00012905) 504 West 14th Street Austin, TX 78701 Sabo, Jason T. (00052402) 1122 Colorado Street Suite 102 Austin, TX 78701 Waldon, Barbara (00057030) 919 Congress Avenue Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 |
| Ratliff, William R. (00020737) (903)572-1846 P.O. Box 1218 Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456 Such a sweet deal! Found "Raise Your Hand Texas" then make more than the average Texan's salary from this alone: Raise Your Hand Texas 816 Congress Ave Suite 990 Austin, TX 78701 $25,000 - $49.999.99 |
| RAISE YOUR HAND ENTITIES/LOBBYISTS |
| [Raise Your Hand director] Bull, Blaine H. (00012158) (512)744-0044 327 Congress Ave. Suite 450 Austin, TX 78701 CHRISTUS Health 4109 Carmel Mountain McKinney, TX 75070 $25,000 - $49.999.99 Texas Border Coalition 901 Business Park Dr. Suite 200 Mission, TX 78572 $10,000 - $24,999.99 Texas Employers for Immigration 1209 Nueces Street Austin, TX 78701 $10,000 - $24,999.99 |
| Yolanda Larkin of Brownsboro ISD (left, standing) facilitated this table's group consensus statement regarding their Harvard experience at the "Raise Your Hand" January 28, 2009 conference at the Austin Hilton. |
| A teacher among teachers: Rafe Esquith of The Hobart Shakespeareans (LAUSD / CA) |
| Rafe Esquith (L) with |
Recently when I
attended a Charles
Butt-hosted "Raise Your
Hand" event in Austin
several principals voiced
concerns about the
issues and problems
many students bring to
school with them; they
asked about additional
funding available for
dealing with such
students.
Why do educators
automatically seek more
dollars for dealing with
challenged students
when the richness they
seek lies within their
own hearts?
Rafe Esquith, a
5th-grade teacher in Los
Angeles USD, is daily
confronted with all of these same
issues then some.
Hobart Elementary's Room 56,
home to Rafe's "Hobart
Shakespeareans," is situated in
one of the poorest parts of LA.;
all of his students qualify for free
breakfast and lunches, and few
speak English as a first
language. Many are from poor
or troubled families. The school
is on frequent lockdown
because of drug traffickers.
attended a Charles
Butt-hosted "Raise Your
Hand" event in Austin
several principals voiced
concerns about the
issues and problems
many students bring to
school with them; they
asked about additional
funding available for
dealing with such
students.
Why do educators
automatically seek more
dollars for dealing with
challenged students
when the richness they
seek lies within their
own hearts?
Rafe Esquith, a
5th-grade teacher in Los
Angeles USD, is daily
confronted with all of these same
issues then some.
Hobart Elementary's Room 56,
home to Rafe's "Hobart
Shakespeareans," is situated in
one of the poorest parts of LA.;
all of his students qualify for free
breakfast and lunches, and few
speak English as a first
language. Many are from poor
or troubled families. The school
is on frequent lockdown
because of drug traffickers.
| The Hobart Shakes- peareans believe "There Are No Shortcuts." These 5th grade children begin to arrive in class at 6:30 a.m. and by 7:00 a.m. are solving complex math problems a full hour before traditional school begins. They stay until 5:00 p.m. or even later, and voluntarily come to school during their vacation periods. They read high school level literature and devour United States History, learning how to be good Americans. Most important of all, these children are recog- nized around the world for their outstanding character. In addition to scoring extra-ordinarily high on standardized tests, these students feed the homeless, raise money for the Red Cross, and give performances to support AIDS research. These students receive over $1 million each year in scholarships to attend first-rate schools. Oustanding prep schools know these students are a sure thing. |
| The Hobart Shakespearans performing in Texas (Summer 2008) |
Because Rafe succeeds
where others fail --
rather than producing
high school dropouts as
do many of his peers at
urban schools, his
students attend an
impressive array of
colleges -- let's listen to
Rafe:
where others fail --
rather than producing
high school dropouts as
do many of his peers at
urban schools, his
students attend an
impressive array of
colleges -- let's listen to
Rafe:
I'm hoping that this
August rather than hiring
outside convocation
speakers at $5,000 a
pop our administrators
will save $4,970 and
instead show their staff
Mel Stuart's video about
Rafe and his kids. It will
inspire and encourage
even the most tired and
jaded of our wonderful
educators.
August rather than hiring
outside convocation
speakers at $5,000 a
pop our administrators
will save $4,970 and
instead show their staff
Mel Stuart's video about
Rafe and his kids. It will
inspire and encourage
even the most tired and
jaded of our wonderful
educators.
Specific immediate steps
educators and trustees
can take to lower costs:
educators and trustees
can take to lower costs:
| Edu-Monopoly Education,Inc Technology Audits ERDI Financial Exigency Credit cards TX supes travel/meals Edu-Conferences TASA MidWinter Supes/Golf/Vendors 1 2 3 |
| Leonard Merrell Center Katy ISD, Texas (PHOTO--Peyton Wolcott) |
| S-t-r-a-t-e-g-e-r-y Tom Harmon "Running the Rapids" |
We are entering
serious and dangerous
times in America in
which we can, must and
will prevail. As with
other similar periods
throughout history it will
help to be agile of mind
and fleet of foot.
This account of
University of Michigan
football great Tom
Harmon first describes
his use of his old UM
"Shoot the Rapids"
strategy on the gridiron
which he handily
adapted first while in the
air as a World War II
fighter pilot then as a
downed and seriously
injured soldier escaping
to safety from behind
enemy lines.
serious and dangerous
times in America in
which we can, must and
will prevail. As with
other similar periods
throughout history it will
help to be agile of mind
and fleet of foot.
This account of
University of Michigan
football great Tom
Harmon first describes
his use of his old UM
"Shoot the Rapids"
strategy on the gridiron
which he handily
adapted first while in the
air as a World War II
fighter pilot then as a
downed and seriously
injured soldier escaping
to safety from behind
enemy lines.
Tom's ingenuity and
heart are good to keep in
mind whether you're
helping school board
candidates, or
persuading your district
to post its check register
online, or anything else
in our schools or your life.
(Posted 03.10.09)
heart are good to keep in
mind whether you're
helping school board
candidates, or
persuading your district
to post its check register
online, or anything else
in our schools or your life.
(Posted 03.10.09)
| Tom Harmon (Photo courtesy U-M Bentley Historical Library) |
One of the challenges
faced by OneBraveNewWorld
Baccalaureate ("OBNWB")
has been the charge by many
parents that they were teach-
ing students "fuzzy" or "Rain-
forest" math, with too few
pertinent examples from real
life problems everyday people
face in their ordinary lives.
faced by OneBraveNewWorld
Baccalaureate ("OBNWB")
has been the charge by many
parents that they were teach-
ing students "fuzzy" or "Rain-
forest" math, with too few
pertinent examples from real
life problems everyday people
face in their ordinary lives.
SPECIAL TO MY READERS
Sneak peek: sample math
problems from 'Real World
Math' by OneBraveNewWorld
Baccalaureate
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 26, 2009/6:31 pm
Sneak peek: sample math
problems from 'Real World
Math' by OneBraveNewWorld
Baccalaureate
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 26, 2009/6:31 pm
| Real life people, real-life problems for real-life students to help solve: President Barack Obama (L); White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (R). |
| REAL WORLD MATH PROBLEM #44: President Obama's brother Malik in Kenya has come down with cholera. |
| PHOTO CREDITS: Problem 44, Boniface Mwangi/Bloomberg |
| Orange County Weekly: Capistrano USD supe Woody Carter at edu-conference spa |
| America, so glad you're finding this website useful! #1 on both Google & Yahoo of 256,000,000 results ! Keywords: online check registers public school district |
Link: 2009 Texas Ethics
Commission Edu-Lobbyists
Texas supe DanaMarable
Commission Edu-Lobbyists
Texas supe DanaMarable
Spring is in the air and superintendent resignation season has officially begun.
Nowhere else in the land does hope spring more eternal than in the collective bosom of school boards across America whose
superintendents have just quit. Trustees think to themselves privately or together with all the positive affirmation of the old
Soviet five-year plan, "This next one, we'll get a winner this time!" -- and promptly call a superintendent search firm, thereby
dashing any real possibility that they will get anything different let alone better than what they've just gotten rid of.
Nowhere else in the land does hope spring more eternal than in the collective bosom of school boards across America whose
superintendents have just quit. Trustees think to themselves privately or together with all the positive affirmation of the old
Soviet five-year plan, "This next one, we'll get a winner this time!" -- and promptly call a superintendent search firm, thereby
dashing any real possibility that they will get anything different let alone better than what they've just gotten rid of.
Developing . . . Thank you for your patience. . . |
CONTRA COSTA TIMES (CA)
Congratulations to
Craig Lazzeretti --
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Apr. 27, 2009/1:00 am
Congratulations to
Craig Lazzeretti --
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Apr. 27, 2009/1:00 am
| Antioch supe & 2005 Broad Inst. grad Deborah Sims (L), attorney Marleen Sacks (R) |
The timeline below
reflects the Contra Costa
Times' coverage of events
since the February 10
arrest of Carmen Dragon
Elementary music
teacher, James Carlile.
reflects the Contra Costa
Times' coverage of events
since the February 10
arrest of Carmen Dragon
Elementary music
teacher, James Carlile.
| TIMELINE Apr 25, 2009: Antioch school district hides information on child porn case Mar 16: Law firm to look into district's handling of child porn case. Live coverage: Antioch school board approves independent inquiry into child porn case Mar 13: Live coverage Monday: Antioch school board meeting on child porn case Mar 12: Antioch school board considers inquiry into child porn case Mar 11: Dr. Deborah Sims: AUSD answers questions regarding porn case Feb 25: Antioch school trustees ask for timeline on pornography incident Antioch police unsure whether child pornography was viewed during school hours Feb 23: Antioch police, school officials hold second parent meeting about teacher's child porn arrest. Antioch district, police to talk with parents tonight about music teacher's arrest. Editorial: Antioch community deserves complete explanation of teacher's arrest Feb 20: Document: Carmen Dragon Elementary letter to parents. Contradictions arise in accounts of Antioch child pornography investigation Feb 19: Press release: Antioch teacher arrested on child porn charges. Music teacher arrested in Antioch child porn investigation |
| James Carlile (APD mug shot) |
More here regarding
James Carlile's arrest
from The Times:
James Carlile's arrest
from The Times:
| ANTIOCH — An elementary school music teacher has been arrested after an investigation found he downloaded "significant amounts" of child pornography onto his work computer, police said. James Carlile, 52, a teacher at Carmen Dragon Elementary School, was arrested Feb. 10, a week after the pictures depicting naked children were first brought to the attention of Antioch police, said Investigations Lt. Leonard Orman. Inappropriate materials were discovered Jan. 15 by school computer technicians servicing Carlile's work terminal, said Deidra Powell-Williams, spokeswoman for the Antioch Unified School District. Police and Powell-Williams said Carlile had told technicians he was having trouble accessing specific Web sites. Carlile has been on paid administrative leave from the school since the discovery, Powell-Williams said. A forensic computer specialist determined that Carlile was the only person who had access to the terminal when the illegal photos were downloaded, according to police. Orman said there is no indication so far that any of the photos depicted students at the school. Carlile was arrested at a boat in Antioch where he resides during the school week, Orman said. On Feb. 11, Antioch police and sheriff's deputies from Calaveras County searched his Valley Springs home — where he keeps a permanent residence — and seized at least one computer, which is currently being examined. Carlile posted $10,000 bail. |
| (L to R) U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway (Midland, Texas); Midland ISD employees: superintendent Sylvester Perez, Midland High School teacher Kenzi Friday, assistant superintendent Ed Zachary. |
| The rest of the math problem preview is here. |
MIDLAND ISD (TX)
Asking questions at Midland ISD:
(1) Trainings: appropriate teacher/student relations
(2) Earmarked pork: fuzzy math
By Peyton Wolcott
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / 8:47 a.m. - Updated Friday, May 1, 2009/12:05 a.m.
Asking questions at Midland ISD:
(1) Trainings: appropriate teacher/student relations
(2) Earmarked pork: fuzzy math
By Peyton Wolcott
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / 8:47 a.m. - Updated Friday, May 1, 2009/12:05 a.m.
More than the teacher/student/sex cases, there's also the fuzzy
math earmark by a conservative U.S. Congressman to his home
school district.
No, it wasn't just 23-year old geography teacher/cheerleading coach Kenzi Friday's
Friday arrest -- you can't make this stuff up, folks -- unfortunately for something
preventable, improper relations with a 17-year old student, preventable because it
apparently started with Kenzi's having lunch in her classroom with students including the
17-year old.
math earmark by a conservative U.S. Congressman to his home
school district.
No, it wasn't just 23-year old geography teacher/cheerleading coach Kenzi Friday's
Friday arrest -- you can't make this stuff up, folks -- unfortunately for something
preventable, improper relations with a 17-year old student, preventable because it
apparently started with Kenzi's having lunch in her classroom with students including the
17-year old.
Why this is a good time to ask questions of our friends at Midland ISD in West Texas --
why now:
why now:
Before Kenzi, it was Midland ISD police officer Angel Ramirez who was
charged in February "with two second-degree felonies — one of sexual
assault of a child and one of improper student/teacher relationship."
charged in February "with two second-degree felonies — one of sexual
assault of a child and one of improper student/teacher relationship."
| Angel Ramirez; David Van Houten |
And before Angel, it was teacher David Van Houten
who was arrested in 2007 for having sex with a
young girl in a classroom.
Although Midland ISD's Lee High's head football
coach Randy Quisenberry's abrupt departure earlier
this month cannot be called another teacher/sex
case, we do know that "abuse of students" --
whatever territory that might cover -- was a factor.
who was arrested in 2007 for having sex with a
young girl in a classroom.
Although Midland ISD's Lee High's head football
coach Randy Quisenberry's abrupt departure earlier
this month cannot be called another teacher/sex
case, we do know that "abuse of students" --
whatever territory that might cover -- was a factor.
| Randy Quisenberry |
(1) What trainings have teachers and employees at Midland ISD
received regarding appropriate relations with students? Also, MISD
executives have attended a large number of professional
development events including education conferences since 2007;
what might be some examples of trainings mentioning or
emphasizing appropriate teacher/student relations?
Our second question has to do with some earmarked pork my own U.S. Congressman,
Mike Conaway of Midland, has asked all federal taxpayers to pay for. Hard to imagine why
received regarding appropriate relations with students? Also, MISD
executives have attended a large number of professional
development events including education conferences since 2007;
what might be some examples of trainings mentioning or
emphasizing appropriate teacher/student relations?
Our second question has to do with some earmarked pork my own U.S. Congressman,
Mike Conaway of Midland, has asked all federal taxpayers to pay for. Hard to imagine why
| Craig Lazzeretti |
| Syl and Ed, I'm hoping you can help me with some questions regarding your $95,000 gift from federal taxpayers for a fuzzy math teacher training iniative from vendor Texas MathWorks, arranged for Midland ISD by U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway: 1) Did you receive a copy of the curriculum that will be taught to these teachers in their morning camps? Was the curriculum reviewed by college mathematicians to see if that material is going to help students learn mathematics in the internationally based tradition? That is, what algorithms are going to be stressed with the students-- the traditional methods used throughout the globe as the primary lessons, with some "inventive" ones allowed for "creative thinking," or the other way around? How much will these students be allowed to use calculators and at what grade levels? Along these lines, are you aware that New Jersey is passing new math standards to prevent the use of calculators in elementary grades? 2) Will teachers learn about math content, for example, or simply about pedagogy? Many of our non-high school trained teachers are weak in knowledge of mathematics concepts and principles, with limited understanding of the linear progression of topics that is required specifically in mathematics. They also have limited knowledge of vertical alignment of math topics from grade level to grade level. That is because school districts generally do not maintain a detailed scope and sequence of materials within each grade level and then across the grades. 3) What is the quantitative success rate of students who have been taught with this program as shown on a variety of assessments? How many have gone on to take more advanced math and science classes, which could even be called a qualitative assessment? 4) This particular sentence appears to be is reform/progressive rhetoric: "especially targeting women and students from underserved backgrounds who traditionally have not had as many opportunities in math and science." What proof has the vendor provided to you regarding this statement? Are you saying that someone in the district deliberately planned for girls and minorities NOT to have equal treatment? Or that because "traditional" mathematics has been accused of being "white boys' math," that this is why girls and minorities have been denied "opportunities"? The "white boys' math" did not deny anyone any opportunity. Math is math. It's the same as saying that no one should have to learn the principles of music--reading notes, practicing scales, etc.--and that everyone should learn to play instruments by ear. Teachers may present the math material in a more interesting way, but you do not change its internal structure, which is what reform math has done. 5) Have the parents of these students been fully informed of this pilot program, with its success data clearly specified? (See No. 3 above.) Have the parents signed a statement to that effect? Thank you for your assistance. This is not a request under the Texas Public Information Act; as my superintendent friends have told me that they prefer friendly questions rather than the more formal TPIA request, please consider these friendly questions. That said, the money you're receiving for FY 2009 alone, $95,000, is a great deal of money. |
this is necessary, so last week I asked Mike to share with us how he could justify $95,000
during FY 2009, quadruple that amount for next year. Something costing federal taxpayers
almost a half-million dollars in just two years surely has some pretty strong quantitative
data behind it. I have also sent the following to Midland ISD's top executives,
superintendent Syl Perez and assistant superintendent for administration and operations
Ed Zachary:
(2) Regarding the fuzzy math earmarked pork Congressman Mike
Conaway & Midland ISD asked all American federal taxpayers to fund:
during FY 2009, quadruple that amount for next year. Something costing federal taxpayers
almost a half-million dollars in just two years surely has some pretty strong quantitative
data behind it. I have also sent the following to Midland ISD's top executives,
superintendent Syl Perez and assistant superintendent for administration and operations
Ed Zachary:
(2) Regarding the fuzzy math earmarked pork Congressman Mike
Conaway & Midland ISD asked all American federal taxpayers to fund:
Dear readers, please check back for updates as they are received from MISD and Rep.
Conaway. Meanwhile, here are two items indicating that clearly, Midland ISD appears to
be fortunate to have an administrator of Syl Perez's recognized expertise at the helm:
Conaway. Meanwhile, here are two items indicating that clearly, Midland ISD appears to
be fortunate to have an administrator of Syl Perez's recognized expertise at the helm:
| FROM THE TEXAS ASS'N OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRA- TORS: "Thanks To Our 2005–06 Mentor Superinten- dents who have completed TASA mentor training .... Sylvester Perez |
| TASB/TASA Convention (Sept, 29, 2007) Friday Night Lights: Dealing with UIL Complaints and Investigations D171; Sylvester Perez, Superintendent, Midland ISD; Toni Thompson, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, San Antonio ISD; and Juan J. Cruz, Attorney, Escamilla & Poneck, Inc. Often rumors arise regarding violation of UIL rules when the football or baseball teams have a winning season. In this session, board members and administrators receive information regarding UIL violations; conducting proper investigations; dealing with the district and state executive UIL committees; filling out UIL forms, such as the Previous Athletic Participation Form; and being proactive to avoid UIL sanctions. In addition, the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 21 termination procedures, and SBEC complaints as they relate to UIL complaints are discussed. (SBEC #4) |
| PHOTO CREDIT: MikeConaway - HoustonChronicle |
4 PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPE ARRESTS (CA, FL, MO, SC) .
Weekly Roundup
Weekly Roundup
By Peyton Wolcott
Sunrday, May 3, 2009 / 12:07 a.m - Updated Sunday, May 3, 2009 / 10:45 a.m.
Sunrday, May 3, 2009 / 12:07 a.m - Updated Sunday, May 3, 2009 / 10:45 a.m.
Friends, there's been so much happening this past week we've rounded up some
highlights -- four superintendent arrests -- and put them in this condensed format to help
keep you current. In fact, from when I started preparing this commentary there have been
two new major events worth your scrutiny.
highlights -- four superintendent arrests -- and put them in this condensed format to help
keep you current. In fact, from when I started preparing this commentary there have been
two new major events worth your scrutiny.
Supe's wife/employee arrested (FL)
Take for example this photo above showing school executive Monique Acevedo being
arrested near her home in Key West; that's her husband Randy at far right, who as Monroe
County Schools' elected superintendent is also her boss.
Take for example this photo above showing school executive Monique Acevedo being
arrested near her home in Key West; that's her husband Randy at far right, who as Monroe
County Schools' elected superintendent is also her boss.
| At far right Florida's Monroe County Schools superintendent Randy Acevedo watches at far right as his wife and employee Monique Acevedo (L) is placed under arrest. (PHOTO--Sean Kinney/KeysNet) |
Monique, Monroe Schools' former adult education coordinator, was arrested Thursday on
charges of "performing an organized scheme to defraud in excess of $50,000 and grand
theft in excess of $100,000. Each charge could bring her 30 years in jail if she's
convicted." (SOURCE--KeysNews.com)
Fortunately, Monique's situation, involving as it does use of her school district's
credit/procurement card, is the easiest of these following four superintendent-related
arrests to cure. More here
charges of "performing an organized scheme to defraud in excess of $50,000 and grand
theft in excess of $100,000. Each charge could bring her 30 years in jail if she's
convicted." (SOURCE--KeysNews.com)
Fortunately, Monique's situation, involving as it does use of her school district's
credit/procurement card, is the easiest of these following four superintendent-related
arrests to cure. More here
Developing . . . |
All four of the situations described above -- in just two years -- lead us to
ask the following questions of Midland ISD:
ask the following questions of Midland ISD:
The low-down on supe's arrest
in a lakefront park (SC)
Unfortunately, Gary Burgess's arrest near the
waterfront in Darwin Wright Park this past week for
allegedly soliciting sex -- although a too-familiar
problem -- is not one that comes attached to an
easy solution.
"Police arrested Gary Burgess yesterday in
Darwin Wright Park in Anderson County—where
Burgess had previously worked—after they say he
in a lakefront park (SC)
Unfortunately, Gary Burgess's arrest near the
waterfront in Darwin Wright Park this past week for
allegedly soliciting sex -- although a too-familiar
problem -- is not one that comes attached to an
easy solution.
"Police arrested Gary Burgess yesterday in
Darwin Wright Park in Anderson County—where
Burgess had previously worked—after they say he
| (Inset) Gary Burgess; Darwin Wright Park |
approached an undercover officer and solicited an immoral act. Burgess was just named
the superintendent in District 2 of Hampton County last week. Hampton County school
officials say they cannot comment on Burgess’ future with the school district."
the superintendent in District 2 of Hampton County last week. Hampton County school
officials say they cannot comment on Burgess’ future with the school district."
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS (IL)
For those of you who think concentrating more power and money
(President Obama's $368+ million to Chicago Public Schools) at the
top and that nationalizing our public schools are good ideas . . . .
By Peyton Wolcott
Sunday, May 3, 2009 / 3:34 p.m.
For those of you who think concentrating more power and money
(President Obama's $368+ million to Chicago Public Schools) at the
top and that nationalizing our public schools are good ideas . . . .
By Peyton Wolcott
Sunday, May 3, 2009 / 3:34 p.m.
The good news about so much public education news is that there's even some good
news about so much bad news; the fact that attention is being paid to what as recently as
five or ten years ago would have been swept under the rug is encouraging.
news about so much bad news; the fact that attention is being paid to what as recently as
five or ten years ago would have been swept under the rug is encouraging.
Last week Andres Durbak, for almost a decade the top cop at Chicago
Public Schools, resigned quietly, paving the way for the appointment of
First Lady Michelle Obama's cousin, Michael Shields. Anyone else
wonder how Andres came to resign so suddenly? Did Mr. Obama's
$368 million-plus stimulus check to CPS have any influence? Was
there a conversation, did it go something like the one above?
Public Schools, resigned quietly, paving the way for the appointment of
First Lady Michelle Obama's cousin, Michael Shields. Anyone else
wonder how Andres came to resign so suddenly? Did Mr. Obama's
$368 million-plus stimulus check to CPS have any influence? Was
there a conversation, did it go something like the one above?
| Michael Shields |
| "Michelle & Andres have a talk" by Peyton Wolcott |
PUBLIC EDUCATION HIGH LIFE IN THE NEW ECONOMY: CA- IN-TX-WI
Ysleta ISD audit notes ex-supe Hector Montenegro's 221
education conferences in 4 years: Wisconsin & Indiana talk about
cutting back, California USD fires their supe
By Peyton Wolcott
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 / 1:45 am - Updated Wednesday, May 6, 2009 /12:02 am
Ysleta ISD audit notes ex-supe Hector Montenegro's 221
education conferences in 4 years: Wisconsin & Indiana talk about
cutting back, California USD fires their supe
By Peyton Wolcott
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 / 1:45 am - Updated Wednesday, May 6, 2009 /12:02 am
And from Kelly McBride of the Greenbay Press-Gazette yesterday
comes a report focusing on attendance by area school leadership
at education conferences along with area superintendents'
contracts. Here's what she had to say about Green Bay schools:
comes a report focusing on attendance by area school leadership
at education conferences along with area superintendents'
contracts. Here's what she had to say about Green Bay schools:
| Linebarger Goggan, one of the nation's pre-eminent school property tax collection law firms, hosted a full-course steak-with-booze dinner for school executives, trustees & spouses at Ruth's Chris, one of the finest dining establishments in San Antonio, during a 2006 edu-conference. |
| Greg Maass |
| "The Green Bay School District is keeping an eye on the expenses of attending conferences and belonging to associations as officials work to balance the costs and benefits of membership. The district has reduced the number of board members and administrators who attend the annual state school board conference in recent years, and continues to look at who goes to what. Six people, including board members and administrators, attended January's Wisconsin Association of School Boards conference, according to district records. That's half the number of people who attended the same conference in 2008. Conference attendance and association memberships for new superintendent Greg Maass have totaled a little more than $6,200." (SOURCE--Kelly McBride /Greenbay Press/Gazette) |
Although I'm 100% in favor
of individuals' rights to
achieve success and its
markers in this life, call
me idealistic but
government service is not
the place we should
expect to find displays of
luxury. It's where you go
not to get but to give back.
Just because trustees are
elected to a school board,
for example, doesn't entitle
them to anything, including
free travel and meals,
whether they're funded by
taxpayers -- in which case
trustees
of individuals' rights to
achieve success and its
markers in this life, call
me idealistic but
government service is not
the place we should
expect to find displays of
luxury. It's where you go
not to get but to give back.
Just because trustees are
elected to a school board,
for example, doesn't entitle
them to anything, including
free travel and meals,
whether they're funded by
taxpayers -- in which case
trustees
lose the moral high ground and are thereafter unable to question their
supe about his travel and meals -- or by vendors. And supes shouldn't
accept anything from anybody, period, not even the $25 Thanksgiving
turkey from the school cafeteria vendor. In either case the "free" travel
and meals carry strings and encumbrances folks can't begin to
imagine the extent of when first they sip the Kool-Aid. Better to stay
home and arrange your own free trainings online, friends. Better to
bring your own big greasy Whataburger to board meetings.
Although this fine dining event above was technically "free" to the
guests, it's hard to imagine that the hosts would have taken over all 3
floors of this top-tier restaurant at a cost of what, $40,000?, without
expecting a return on their investment -- for which all taxpayers and
schoolchildren will ultimately pay.
supe about his travel and meals -- or by vendors. And supes shouldn't
accept anything from anybody, period, not even the $25 Thanksgiving
turkey from the school cafeteria vendor. In either case the "free" travel
and meals carry strings and encumbrances folks can't begin to
imagine the extent of when first they sip the Kool-Aid. Better to stay
home and arrange your own free trainings online, friends. Better to
bring your own big greasy Whataburger to board meetings.
Although this fine dining event above was technically "free" to the
guests, it's hard to imagine that the hosts would have taken over all 3
floors of this top-tier restaurant at a cost of what, $40,000?, without
expecting a return on their investment -- for which all taxpayers and
schoolchildren will ultimately pay.
Just yesterday an Austin, Texas TV station aired a report on local
superintendents' salaries; unlike earlier such reports, this one broke
new ground by showing shocked responses from parents and
taxpayers when they learned from reporter Terri Gruca that all seven
local supes were earning higher pay than Texas Governor Rick Perry.
superintendents' salaries; unlike earlier such reports, this one broke
new ground by showing shocked responses from parents and
taxpayers when they learned from reporter Terri Gruca that all seven
local supes were earning higher pay than Texas Governor Rick Perry.
| INDIANA: |
Last week Portage Schools trustee Cheryl Oprisko single-handedly jumpstarted a mean-
ingful and timely community dialogue regarding appropriate taxpayer-funded spending at
education conferences by drawing attention to a receipt for $78.25 meal from a San
Diego National Ass'n of School Boards convention submitted by Tom Taylor, a relatively
junior staffer, only 6th ranked, not the district's superintendent but its personnel director.
When Taylor defended his meal as not being the most expensive on the menu, Cheryl
pointed out that she was thinking about her neighbors who'd been laid off.
ingful and timely community dialogue regarding appropriate taxpayer-funded spending at
education conferences by drawing attention to a receipt for $78.25 meal from a San
Diego National Ass'n of School Boards convention submitted by Tom Taylor, a relatively
junior staffer, only 6th ranked, not the district's superintendent but its personnel director.
When Taylor defended his meal as not being the most expensive on the menu, Cheryl
pointed out that she was thinking about her neighbors who'd been laid off.
| Portage Township School Board member Cheryl Oprisko sided against her colleagues Monday night on a pair of votes to spend money after getting answers she didn't like. Oprisko was the only "no" vote on the board's routine approval of claims and the hiring of an independent energy consultant on an open-ended contract that paid $90 an hour. She questioned a dinner bill for $78.25 submitted by Director of Personnel Tom Taylor from a National School Boards Ass'n meeting in San Diego earlier this month. "I believe that's too much," Oprisko said, citing a newspaper report of remarks by Director of Finance Sharon Qualkenbush, who was not present, that a previous meal bill for a lesser amount from another conference "would never make it through." Taylor explained that he had gone to the restaurant at the invitation of an acquaintance and would not withdraw the claim. "I didn't order the most expensive item on the menu, and I didn't order the least expensive one. I will not pay that back," he said. "I thought about my neighbors who had been laid off," she replied. (SOURCE-- Charles Barthomolew/Post-Tribune) |
Phil Wieland weighed in over the weekend at NWI.com.
"My wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary recently at
Red Lobster," he writes. "The total for the two of us, with
tip and a drink, was around $60. It will be another 40
years before we can afford to do that again." He adds,
"Apparently, if we were administrators or school board
members for the Portage Township Schools, we could
have meals like that all the time by putting it on our
expense account and letting the taxpayers pick up the
tab, like...Tom Taylor did."
"My wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary recently at
Red Lobster," he writes. "The total for the two of us, with
tip and a drink, was around $60. It will be another 40
years before we can afford to do that again." He adds,
"Apparently, if we were administrators or school board
members for the Portage Township Schools, we could
have meals like that all the time by putting it on our
expense account and letting the taxpayers pick up the
tab, like...Tom Taylor did."
Wieland continues with a comment by the
Portage board president, " When you go to
places that the National Association of
School Boards recommends, the meals
are not like dining in Portage, " then points
out , "If you went to Islamorada Fish Co....
and ordered the most expensive appetizer,
entree, salad, dessert and drink on the
menu, you could match Taylor's tab. With
Portage board president, " When you go to
places that the National Association of
School Boards recommends, the meals
are not like dining in Portage, " then points
out , "If you went to Islamorada Fish Co....
and ordered the most expensive appetizer,
entree, salad, dessert and drink on the
menu, you could match Taylor's tab. With
| Portage supe Michael Berta |
the tip, it could even be $100. That's why my wife and I
prefer Portage's King Buffet. All we can eat for $20."
This is the average person's comfort zone,
$20 for two people, and a dollar amount school
board members and administrators would be wise to
keep in mind. NWI followed up with an editorial
yesterday reinforcing the idea of more self-accountability:
"Conferences have value, but school officials must keep
their travel expenses down."
FOLLOW UP: Because Portage superintendent Michael
Berta has been mostly silent, I contacted both him and
Tom Taylor last week for more information; still no
response from either. Fortunately Mrs. Oprisko has
prefer Portage's King Buffet. All we can eat for $20."
This is the average person's comfort zone,
$20 for two people, and a dollar amount school
board members and administrators would be wise to
keep in mind. NWI followed up with an editorial
yesterday reinforcing the idea of more self-accountability:
"Conferences have value, but school officials must keep
their travel expenses down."
FOLLOW UP: Because Portage superintendent Michael
Berta has been mostly silent, I contacted both him and
Tom Taylor last week for more information; still no
response from either. Fortunately Mrs. Oprisko has
| Could you please send me a 300-word report, along the lines of a book report your junior high students might prepare, detailing why it was necessary for Portage taxpayers to fund such a luxurious trip and meal for you, given the current economic climate. What did you learn there -- other than a chance to network for another job -- that you couldn't have learned from reading NSBA, AASA and other organizations' publications? |
| TEXAS: |
Ysleta ISD in far West Texas near El Paso, Hector
Montenegro's employer two jobs back, has just
release an internal audit stunning for both its
scope and findings. It is an audit that
superintendents around the United States surely
are taking substantial notice of.
Main points:
Montenegro's employer two jobs back, has just
release an internal audit stunning for both its
scope and findings. It is an audit that
superintendents around the United States surely
are taking substantial notice of.
Main points:
| Hector Montenegro (R) at American Association of School Administrators (AASA) convention in Tampa, Florida 2008 |
| SMALL NOTE: One could only have wished that such an audit had been conducted while Hector was still YISD superintendent although given the makeup of the board at that time perhaps that would have been impossible. One could also have wished that the El Paso Times had asked a few more questions while Hector was still working there. Still, EPT's report and follow-up editorial are to be commended. |
| Hector Montenegro violated state law by accepting thousands of dollars in honorariums from companies that work with the district and that he allegedly double-billed for meals with community members and trustees. The audit, which will be used in an ongoing investigation by the Texas Education Agency, pointed to two direct violations of either state law or of Montenegro's contract. |
| The audit found that Montenegro accepted $19,154 in honorariums from companies that included district vendors after the law was changed in May 2007 making such honorariums illegal. In addition, the audit found he charged the district $2,688 for meals and other expenses that should have been covered by his monthly discretionary expense allowance for meals and entertainment. |
Specifics:
It's not like Hector was working for free, or even paying for his own housing
-- imagine being able to take as many long hot baths as you want! Imagine being able
to run the air conditioning as cool as you want! Imagine being able to grow roses or
anything else you fancy in an arid climate because someone else is footing the bill:
-- imagine being able to take as many long hot baths as you want! Imagine being able
to run the air conditioning as cool as you want! Imagine being able to grow roses or
anything else you fancy in an arid climate because someone else is footing the bill:
| Hector Montenegro's Ysleta ISD income per year: $ 230,367 Salary $ 8,400 Discretionary expense allowance $ 6,000 Cell phone stipend $ 14,400 In-district travel Hector Montenegro's housing expenses: $ 0 Rent (Ysleta ISD owned the house) $ 0 Utilities (YISD paid all utilities) $ 0 Landscaping (YISD paid for yard maintenance) $ 0 Repairs (YISD paid for repairs) $ 0 Insurance (YISD paid for the insurance) $ 0 Taxes (YISD paid the taxes) |
| From January 2004 to January 2008, Montenegro took 221 trips mostly to conferences or speaking engagements that were funded by the district or organizations. The audit analyzed the 90 trips he took between Jan. 1, 2007, and Jan. 31, 2008. The audit said that the district paid $577 for Montenegro's travel to speaking engagements and that organizations, which included the Hope Foundation, paid a total of $7,517 for his travel and expenses. The audit shows that Montenegro accepted at least $6,000 in honorariums from the HOPE Foundation after the law changed in 2007. The company developed two programs -- Failure is Not an Option and Engaging Every Learner -- that he introduced to the district. Books and other materials for the HOPE Foundation programs at Ysleta have cost the district $197,915, said the audit. Ysleta district officials said they have not examined the remaining honorarium payments thoroughly enough to identify which organizations or groups may have business with the district or solicited work. The other honorariums included $4,500 from the Arizona School Administration, $900 from the DuPage Regional Office of Education and $2,500 from Lewisville High School. |
More about those 221 trips Hector took during four years of his
employment as Ysleta ISD's superintendent -- 90 of them in one year:
employment as Ysleta ISD's superintendent -- 90 of them in one year:
received better results. She writes, "I have been communicating with employees
throughout the district with no problems via e mail. In view of that, I do not think there is a
problem with the district's computers. Consequently, I can not answer to why you have
not heard from either Mr. Berta and/or Mr. Taylor."
Given the uproar over Tom's $78.25 meal, this seems a reasonable request of Tom:
throughout the district with no problems via e mail. In view of that, I do not think there is a
problem with the district's computers. Consequently, I can not answer to why you have
not heard from either Mr. Berta and/or Mr. Taylor."
Given the uproar over Tom's $78.25 meal, this seems a reasonable request of Tom:
The following school districts in Wisconsin have already posted
their check registers online; hopefully Green Bay and the other
districts studied by the Press Gazette will follow their lead:
Germantown SD, Novi CSD, and Sun Prairie SD.
their check registers online; hopefully Green Bay and the other
districts studied by the Press Gazette will follow their lead:
Germantown SD, Novi CSD, and Sun Prairie SD.
In closing
For many years there was no publicity or reporting or even
discussion of administrators' and trustees' spending. So all of the
above are definitely encouraging, and signs of good.
There are too many Louis Gerstner's out there who have bought the
ears of liberal politicians. In order for our public schools to remain
strong and free and locally run, they must learn to rein in their
spending and do a better job of educating our kids; a 50% dropout
rate in urban schools is just as unacceptable a marker as the half
of our students fortunate enough to make it to college needing
remedial work in core subjects.
The snake oil that snake oil salesmen and other vendors and
politicians have been pawning off on us and our students has not
worked. Time to say, "Adios" and "Hasta la vista, baby" -- and
hand them their marching orders. Time to bring back the traditional
curriculums that private and charter schools and home schoolers
are proving still work.
For many years there was no publicity or reporting or even
discussion of administrators' and trustees' spending. So all of the
above are definitely encouraging, and signs of good.
There are too many Louis Gerstner's out there who have bought the
ears of liberal politicians. In order for our public schools to remain
strong and free and locally run, they must learn to rein in their
spending and do a better job of educating our kids; a 50% dropout
rate in urban schools is just as unacceptable a marker as the half
of our students fortunate enough to make it to college needing
remedial work in core subjects.
The snake oil that snake oil salesmen and other vendors and
politicians have been pawning off on us and our students has not
worked. Time to say, "Adios" and "Hasta la vista, baby" -- and
hand them their marching orders. Time to bring back the traditional
curriculums that private and charter schools and home schoolers
are proving still work.
| Years in GBSD, less than one. Students in district: 20,000 Moving expenses allowed by his district contract: $5,800.00 Moving expenses paid by district: $6,170.44 Membership expenses for 2008-09: $1,455 (Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators; American Ass'n of School District Administrators; Wisconsin Ass'n for Supervision and Curriculum Developmt) Conferences and seminars attended in 2008-09 (through April 27): $4,790 Mileage: $6,390 to date (including 12 months of monthly automobile allowance at $400 per month; $550 in routine auto maintenance such as oil changes; and $1,040 in out-of-district mileage) |
| 'Let them eat my wellness spa mud' |
| "Let them eat my $78.25 cake" |
| "Let them eat my dust" |
| WISCONSIN: |
| "Let them eat my extra $370.44 moving expenses" |
MERIA CARSTARPHEN (MN) (TX)
St. Paul headline:
"Superintendent
double-dipping?"
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 6, 2009/12:16 pm
St. Paul headline:
"Superintendent
double-dipping?"
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 6, 2009/12:16 pm
| Austin ISD has already paid $16,000 for consulting to Meria Carstarphen (PHOTO--MSP Magazine) |
| "School chief not on job yet, but getting paid" |
So where is Meria today?
According to Soila Holloway, a
secretary in the Austin ISD
superintendent's office, Meria is
not at Austin ISD today and will
not report for work until July 1.
A call to St. Paul Public Schools
confirms that she is on the job
there today.
According to the Twin Cities Daily
Planet:
According to Soila Holloway, a
secretary in the Austin ISD
superintendent's office, Meria is
not at Austin ISD today and will
not report for work until July 1.
A call to St. Paul Public Schools
confirms that she is on the job
there today.
According to the Twin Cities Daily
Planet:
According to a spokesman for
St. Paul Public Schools, the 16
days Meria has been paid for
working for Austin ISD were
personal and vacation days at
SPPS, not work days, so by law,
there is legally no double-dipping.
Legal vs. moral?
This is where for many of us
Meria's AISD consulting while still
employed as St. Paul's full-time
supe enters a grey area. How
can a public school
superintendent be paying
attention to two large urban
districts at the same time? While
Meria appears to be gifted with a
great deal of energy, suppose
she had used those 16 days as
a volunteer in St. Paul to improve
things there? To quote President
Lincoln, "A house divided against
itself cannot stand."
St. Paul Public Schools, the 16
days Meria has been paid for
working for Austin ISD were
personal and vacation days at
SPPS, not work days, so by law,
there is legally no double-dipping.
Legal vs. moral?
This is where for many of us
Meria's AISD consulting while still
employed as St. Paul's full-time
supe enters a grey area. How
can a public school
superintendent be paying
attention to two large urban
districts at the same time? While
Meria appears to be gifted with a
great deal of energy, suppose
she had used those 16 days as
a volunteer in St. Paul to improve
things there? To quote President
Lincoln, "A house divided against
itself cannot stand."
| Meria's empty board room seat in St. Paul from earlier this week |
FOLLOWING UP: I am today ask-
ing St. Paul Schools to send me a
copy of Meria's calendar including
travel for 2008-09. Hopefully this
will provide some answers.
ing St. Paul Schools to send me a
copy of Meria's calendar including
travel for 2008-09. Hopefully this
will provide some answers.
| Hats off, St. Cloud ISD (MN) Wire transfers included in online check registers |
| (L) Andre Hornsby; Bernard Pierorazio |
Although Yonkers City Council
member Liam McLaughlin
called for the audit meeting,
detractors point out his wife's
$87,092 annual salary as a City
Hall executive assistant, and that
elections are near. Decide for
yourself. Bottom line: Somebody
needed to persist on this, and
Liam McLaughlin did.
member Liam McLaughlin
called for the audit meeting,
detractors point out his wife's
$87,092 annual salary as a City
Hall executive assistant, and that
elections are near. Decide for
yourself. Bottom line: Somebody
needed to persist on this, and
Liam McLaughlin did.
| May 7, 2009 |
Although Andre Hornsby is
long gone from Yonkers Public
Schools -- he currently calls the
federal correctional facility in
Oklahoma City home, and will do
long gone from Yonkers Public
Schools -- he currently calls the
federal correctional facility in
Oklahoma City home, and will do
so until 2014 or his parole,
whichever comes first -- new
Yonkers supe, Bernard
Pierorazio appears to be fol-
lowing Andre's leadership by
avoiding an audit of his
administration's insurance
payments, starting with attending
an educational leadership dinner
last night rather than a City Hall
meeting called to discuss the audit.
whichever comes first -- new
Yonkers supe, Bernard
Pierorazio appears to be fol-
lowing Andre's leadership by
avoiding an audit of his
administration's insurance
payments, starting with attending
an educational leadership dinner
last night rather than a City Hall
meeting called to discuss the audit.
| Oklahoma City FTC |
| Liam McLaughlin |
| (L) Bruce Watkins, Steve Jordahl |
| St. Cloud's Apollo HS (above); Lincoln ES (below) |
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (FL)
What a great opportunity this situation represents for Miami
trustee Renier Diaz de la Portilla to pave the way for
improved ethics among board members
By Peyton Wolcott Friday, May 8, 2009 / 1:04 a.m.
What a great opportunity this situation represents for Miami
trustee Renier Diaz de la Portilla to pave the way for
improved ethics among board members
By Peyton Wolcott Friday, May 8, 2009 / 1:04 a.m.
| THE PROCESS • The Miami-Dade School Board asked for appllcatlons to fill Its general counsel position. About 50 candidates applied. • The board formed a screening committee composed of either board members or their proxies to narrow the candidate pool. • Seven candidates were interviewed, and four finalists were chosen. A board vote is set May 20 on selection. |
PROFESSIONAL
CONNECTION
AN ISSUE FOR LOCAL FINALIST
CONNECTION
AN ISSUE FOR LOCAL FINALIST
A close working relationship between a
member of the Miami Dade School Board and a
finalist for school district general counsel is taking
center stage in the wake of a scandal involving the
district's previous top in-house lawyer. Gray
Robinson shareholder Walter J. Harvey of Miami is
one of four finalists for the GC position, and sources
say he is the leading candidate. He works at the
same law firm as school board member Renier
Diaz de la Portilla, who is of counsel in Gray
Robinson's Miami office . . . . Diaz de la Portilla said
Tuesday that he has not determined yet whether be
has a conflict.
member of the Miami Dade School Board and a
finalist for school district general counsel is taking
center stage in the wake of a scandal involving the
district's previous top in-house lawyer. Gray
Robinson shareholder Walter J. Harvey of Miami is
one of four finalists for the GC position, and sources
say he is the leading candidate. He works at the
same law firm as school board member Renier
Diaz de la Portilla, who is of counsel in Gray
Robinson's Miami office . . . . Diaz de la Portilla said
Tuesday that he has not determined yet whether be
has a conflict.
| Gray Robinson shareholder and school district general counsel applicant Walter J. Harvey, left, works at the same firm as Miami - Dade school board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla, right. Harvey and Diaz de la Portilla did not disclose their professional connections during the selection process for the school district's top legal job. |
Here's a reproduction of a clipping sent to me late last night describing Miami trustee
Renier Diaz de la Portilla who did not disclose his business relationship with a would-be
Miami schools employee during the interview process:
Renier Diaz de la Portilla who did not disclose his business relationship with a would-be
Miami schools employee during the interview process:
| 05.08.09/3:02 pm: I am still working to fully attribute and link this article. |
As challenges go, the cure for this one is relatively simple: Renier Diaz
de la Portilla can come forward, tell the public including his voters, "Folks, I realize this
doesn't look great. As a show of good faith, I'm voluntarily signing these ethics
pledges." Siss-boom-bah.
de la Portilla can come forward, tell the public including his voters, "Folks, I realize this
doesn't look great. As a show of good faith, I'm voluntarily signing these ethics
pledges." Siss-boom-bah.
YONKERS SCHOOLS (NY)
Accountability in Yonkers
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., May 9, 2009 / 1:36 am
Accountability in Yonkers
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., May 9, 2009 / 1:36 am
Heads up: Follow the
money re why Republican
state legislators are
promoting government-
run pre-K
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, May 11, 2009 - 12:04 a.m.
money re why Republican
state legislators are
promoting government-
run pre-K
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, May 11, 2009 - 12:04 a.m.
| City Hall - Yonkers, New York |
Is this nepotism?
For most conservatives, couples
need to make a choice. One
works for government, the other in
the private sector. One or the
other, not both working at City Hall
at the same time. Not in this
political and economic climate.
Hard to hold Yonkers Schools
accountable when members of the
community are asking questions
about accountability seekers.
For most conservatives, couples
need to make a choice. One
works for government, the other in
the private sector. One or the
other, not both working at City Hall
at the same time. Not in this
political and economic climate.
Hard to hold Yonkers Schools
accountable when members of the
community are asking questions
about accountability seekers.
DELAWARE VALLEY RHS (PA)
$90,000 = 1 year in
prison: Where were
the internal controls?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., May 9, 2009/4:06 pm
$90,000 = 1 year in
prison: Where were
the internal controls?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., May 9, 2009/4:06 pm
| Robert P. Walsh, former superintendent - Delaware Valley Regional HS, Pennsylvania |
| Robert P. Walsh, former superintendent of Delaware Valley Regional High School, will spend one year in federal prison for stealing more than $90,000 from the school, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Walsh, 43, of Forks Township, was sentenced by Judge Renee Bumb [Friday, May 8, 2009] in Camden. The judge has also ordered Walsh to pay $117,951 in restitution to the school district. The amount includes the money stolen from the district along with legal and investigation fees. Walsh pleaded guilty in January to embezzlement and official misconduct for the money he stole between September 2005 and September 2007. (SOURCE--Sarah Wojcik/Lehigh Valley Express-Times) |
Where were Robert Walsh's
school board members
during 2005, 2006 and 2007?
What were they doing in
those board meetings?
school board members
during 2005, 2006 and 2007?
What were they doing in
those board meetings?
More questions
for and about
Robert Walsh's board:
Did they sit through board
meetings passively? Did they
study the financials presented to
them by their superintendent,
Robert Walsh? Did they ask any
questions about money? Were
any of them doing business with
the school district during those
years and therefore afraid to
jeopardize their business
positions? Were the board
members taught during
Pennsylvania school board
association trainings not to ask
questions? Could any of those
good souls read a spreadsheet
knowledgeably? Did any of them
receive any school boards
association trainings in examining
school district financials?
Bottom line for parents,
students, taxpayers and
teachers: Why didn't their
school board notice the loss of so
much money?
for and about
Robert Walsh's board:
Did they sit through board
meetings passively? Did they
study the financials presented to
them by their superintendent,
Robert Walsh? Did they ask any
questions about money? Were
any of them doing business with
the school district during those
years and therefore afraid to
jeopardize their business
positions? Were the board
members taught during
Pennsylvania school board
association trainings not to ask
questions? Could any of those
good souls read a spreadsheet
knowledgeably? Did any of them
receive any school boards
association trainings in examining
school district financials?
Bottom line for parents,
students, taxpayers and
teachers: Why didn't their
school board notice the loss of so
much money?
| Wed., May 13, 2009 |
Before looking ahead, best
first take a quick look back at
prior government-run pre-K
programs. Remember LBJ's
Great Society and "Head
Start," anyone? As one
indication of just how big and
expensive a failure his Head
Start was, if you Google
"Head Start" and a failure
you get 5,720,000 hits.
first take a quick look back at
prior government-run pre-K
programs. Remember LBJ's
Great Society and "Head
Start," anyone? As one
indication of just how big and
expensive a failure his Head
Start was, if you Google
"Head Start" and a failure
you get 5,720,000 hits.
Then why have Republican
Texas legislators such as
Diane Patrick of Arlington
(remember Arlington ISD's
hiring of Hector Montenegro
as their supe when you view
the invitation below)
and Rob Eissler of Conroe
(above) teamed up with
vendors and liberal social
propagan- dists to choose
the most expensive and
least-proven government-
run method of educating
young kids possible?
Follow the money,
connect the dots
The best answers are
generally the simplest, and
unfortunately in today's
political climate when
politicians are involved the
answers come quickest and
surest when we follow the
money then connect the dots.
Check out the picture frame
at left.
Texas legislators such as
Diane Patrick of Arlington
(remember Arlington ISD's
hiring of Hector Montenegro
as their supe when you view
the invitation below)
and Rob Eissler of Conroe
(above) teamed up with
vendors and liberal social
propagan- dists to choose
the most expensive and
least-proven government-
run method of educating
young kids possible?
Follow the money,
connect the dots
The best answers are
generally the simplest, and
unfortunately in today's
political climate when
politicians are involved the
answers come quickest and
surest when we follow the
money then connect the dots.
Check out the picture frame
at left.
| "Raise Your Hand" lobbyists (Hillco Parters) hosted this sparsely attended fund raiser for Arlington representative Diane Patrick at Texas Ass'n of School Administrators MidWinter convention in January 2008; see invitation below for more names (PHOTO--Peyton Wolcott) |
< >
< >
< >
( )
Texas pre-K's $1 billion price tag
The $390,000,000 cost of the new pre-K program is only for FY
2010-2011. The amount skyrockets to over half a billion the next
year. The Texas Lege wants to spend a billion dollars spread over
two years--for what? For vendors and legislators, via lobbyists.
We've followed the money. Next, let 's connect the dots, some
of which may be as simple as a quick review of this metal-framed
very tasteful and innocuous-appearing reception host/honoree list
above; the frame was on a table outside a Hilton Hotel reception
room for an "appreciation fundraiser" for Republican legislator
Diane Patrick January 2008. As you can see, hosts included Mike
Moses, promoter of Democratic grocer Charles Butts' "Raise Your
Hand" campaign in which one of the primary planks is universal
pre-K. See the first sponsor listed? Hillco Partners? Their
employees are registered lobbyists for Mr. Butt's "Raise Your
Hand" campaign.
The $390,000,000 cost of the new pre-K program is only for FY
2010-2011. The amount skyrockets to over half a billion the next
year. The Texas Lege wants to spend a billion dollars spread over
two years--for what? For vendors and legislators, via lobbyists.
We've followed the money. Next, let 's connect the dots, some
of which may be as simple as a quick review of this metal-framed
very tasteful and innocuous-appearing reception host/honoree list
above; the frame was on a table outside a Hilton Hotel reception
room for an "appreciation fundraiser" for Republican legislator
Diane Patrick January 2008. As you can see, hosts included Mike
Moses, promoter of Democratic grocer Charles Butts' "Raise Your
Hand" campaign in which one of the primary planks is universal
pre-K. See the first sponsor listed? Hillco Partners? Their
employees are registered lobbyists for Mr. Butt's "Raise Your
Hand" campaign.
| As a sidebar, when I took the Diane Patrick reception photographs above at TASA MidWinter last year the sponsor name that puzzled me the most was Hector Montenegro (above far left) then Ysleta ISD superintendent in the El Paso suburbs in far West Texas. "Why on Earth would Hector be paying to sponsor an event for a Dallas-Fort Worth area politician," I wondered to myself. Shortly afterwards Hector became superintendent at Arlington ISD, and Diane Patrick lives in and represents Arlington, Texas, which includes Arlington ISD. |
| Host/sponsor list for Texas Republican state representative Diane Patrick fund raiser at Hilton Hotel in Austin during 2008 TASA MidWinter convention (PHOTO--Peyton Wolcott) |
| Austin American-Statesman Investigative Journalism May 10, 2009 |
| Fred Zipp |
As the newspaper
business declines,
editors are having to
make increasingly tough
decisions about what
they can and cannot
cover. Hats off to Austin
American-Statesman
editor Fred Zipp, whose
reporter Laua Heinauer
is following up on the
kind of story best
covered by big-city
dailies, including an
AAS' follow-up editorial
this morning.
business declines,
editors are having to
make increasingly tough
decisions about what
they can and cannot
cover. Hats off to Austin
American-Statesman
editor Fred Zipp, whose
reporter Laua Heinauer
is following up on the
kind of story best
covered by big-city
dailies, including an
AAS' follow-up editorial
this morning.
| New Austin ISD supe Meria Carstarphe |
At issue is $16,000 in
consulting payments to
Austin ISD's new
superintendent Meria
Carstarphen, who is still
a full-time employee of
St. Paul Public Schools
until June 30.
Further, as today's
editorial pointed out, part
of Austin ISD's
"moonlight madness" is
that the behind-closed-
doors AISD board
discussion about the
consulting fees -- which
AAS estimates may
reach $50,000 by June 1
-- involves money which
the district is very short
of these days. As
today's AAS editorial
points out, "To balance
the 2008-09 budget, the
district has had to use
its reserves, and raise
taxes on local property
taxpayers." Further AISD
still has not produced
their side contract about
the consulting.
Good job.
consulting payments to
Austin ISD's new
superintendent Meria
Carstarphen, who is still
a full-time employee of
St. Paul Public Schools
until June 30.
Further, as today's
editorial pointed out, part
of Austin ISD's
"moonlight madness" is
that the behind-closed-
doors AISD board
discussion about the
consulting fees -- which
AAS estimates may
reach $50,000 by June 1
-- involves money which
the district is very short
of these days. As
today's AAS editorial
points out, "To balance
the 2008-09 budget, the
district has had to use
its reserves, and raise
taxes on local property
taxpayers." Further AISD
still has not produced
their side contract about
the consulting.
Good job.
Follow
the
money
. . . . . .
$390
million
reasons
behind
Republican
Lege
support
for
government-run pre-K
the
money
. . . . . .
$390
million
reasons
behind
Republican
Lege
support
for
government-run pre-K
MONEY TALKS/WATCH THEIR HIGH KICK
How the promise of $390,000,000
for vendors & legislators -- negotiated
by lobbyists -- is pulling the strings of
Republican lawmakers & pre-K
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Tuesday, May 12, 2009 / 7:03 a.m.
How the promise of $390,000,000
for vendors & legislators -- negotiated
by lobbyists -- is pulling the strings of
Republican lawmakers & pre-K
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Tuesday, May 12, 2009 / 7:03 a.m.
If government-run pre-K passes in the Texas Lege this
session, conservatives and Democrats alike have liberal
inherited-wealth grocer Charles Butt's funding of his pet social
program -- via donations to Republican lawmakers -- to thank.
session, conservatives and Democrats alike have liberal
inherited-wealth grocer Charles Butt's funding of his pet social
program -- via donations to Republican lawmakers -- to thank.
| That's Charles Butt pulling the strings above Texas speaker Joe Strauss (at far right, going left), House Education chair Rob Eissler, Senate Education chair Florence Shapiro, Senate Education vice chair Dan Patrick. Without the active support and acquiescence of senior Republican leadership, Charles Butt could not hope to achieve his liberal social goals. |
Exactly how generous has Mr. Butt been?
I am today asking the above depicted lawmakers to disclose --
fully -- any and all contributions and considerations of any and all
kind above and beyond anything they are required by law to state
including meals, tickets, travel, received from Charles Butt and/or
any entity or entities associated with him including but not limited
to "Raise Your Hand," plus all other vendors who may benefit
from the passage of any and all pre-K legislation.
I am today asking the above depicted lawmakers to disclose --
fully -- any and all contributions and considerations of any and all
kind above and beyond anything they are required by law to state
including meals, tickets, travel, received from Charles Butt and/or
any entity or entities associated with him including but not limited
to "Raise Your Hand," plus all other vendors who may benefit
from the passage of any and all pre-K legislation.
| Charles Butt, pre-K puppeteer |
No justification for government-run pre-K
except to line vendors' and politicians' pockets
Why warehouse our youngest children in government-run
pre-kindergarten of no proven value? How many young lives
must the Lege waste on variations of Head Start --- when there
are superior low-cost methods available which would allow
these children to remain with their current primary caregivers?
except to line vendors' and politicians' pockets
Why warehouse our youngest children in government-run
pre-kindergarten of no proven value? How many young lives
must the Lege waste on variations of Head Start --- when there
are superior low-cost methods available which would allow
these children to remain with their current primary caregivers?
them but how to write words also. Another excellent tool to teach
a child to hear the sounds of the English language is a Texas
Education Agency booklet, Beginning Reading Instruction: A
Practical Guide for Parents. This little book was very inexpensive
and was translated into Spanish; it tells a parent what simple
household items can be used to help a child learn the phonemes
and the rhythm of the English language."
a child to hear the sounds of the English language is a Texas
Education Agency booklet, Beginning Reading Instruction: A
Practical Guide for Parents. This little book was very inexpensive
and was translated into Spanish; it tells a parent what simple
household items can be used to help a child learn the phonemes
and the rhythm of the English language."
| Diane Patrick (R) with Rob Eissler, both Republican legislators promoting pre-K (PHOTO--Dallas News) |
| 05.12.09 - Sign in Manhattan shop window |
ALASKA
Fred/Frederick
Deussing: "Baby
porn" educator out
of prison early
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 13, 2009/1:08 am
Fred/Frederick
Deussing: "Baby
porn" educator out
of prison early
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 13, 2009/1:08 am
| Frederick Charles Deussing |
| Former principal accused of possession of child porn Anchorage, Alaska http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.a sp?S=5987195 by Sean Doogan Thursday, Jan. 24, 2007 Police say the images of child pornography discovered on 64-year-old Frederick Deussing's computer depict children as young as 1-year-old being raped by adult men. Heritage Christian School principal Pat Hadley said the school was shocked by the allegations and that staff is praying for Deussing. Police say they will be dealing with the aftermath of this crime and trying to contact thousands of as-yet unidentified children who, police say, appear on Deussing's computer being forced to do unimaginable things. Detectives say both the sheer number -- thousands of images -- and the nature of Deussing's alleged collection were hard to imagine, even for the most seasoned officers. |
Friends, I just learned today
that Fred Deussing is already
out of prison, released in
January on discretionary
parole after serving only two
years; his original release
date was October 2009.
According to the Alaska
Department of Public Safety
Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper
Registration central registry,
he is living in an Anchorage
hotel.
Here's more about what
landed him in prison:
that Fred Deussing is already
out of prison, released in
January on discretionary
parole after serving only two
years; his original release
date was October 2009.
According to the Alaska
Department of Public Safety
Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper
Registration central registry,
he is living in an Anchorage
hotel.
Here's more about what
landed him in prison: