Be sure to read KeysNews'
colorful reader comments
here -- hoo-boy, do these
folks have opinions. As you
read them, it's good to
remember it's the citizens'
kids, schools, and tax dollars.
colorful reader comments
here -- hoo-boy, do these
folks have opinions. As you
read them, it's good to
remember it's the citizens'
kids, schools, and tax dollars.
| 06.11.09 FL SUPE RANDY ACEVEDO INDICTED & ARRESTED, SUSPENDED BY GOV. CRIST |
| Monique's $280,000 Monroe County's schools superintendent and several top administrators could face civil lawsuits, criminal charges and loss of their jobs for allowing an employee to allegedly steal hundreds of thousands of dollars and other employees to simply ignore the rules. On Tuesday, School District forensic investigator Richard Fechter presented to the School Board a draft report he produced that he said shows a "permissive culture of repeated violations of policies and procedures." The board agreed to spend $130,000 -- added to a previous $66,000 -- to finish the report and quantify exactly what former Adult Education Coordinator Monique Acevedo might have stolen from the School District. The State Attorney's Office is prosecuting Acevedo, wife of Superintendent Randy Acevedo, for allegedly stealing $180,000 in district cash; the charges are grand theft and fraud. Additional charges for apparently misappro- priating nearly $100,000 more through her district credit card and store purchase orders are likely coming. Fechter said his report would be used by the State Attorney's Office to determine restitution or other penalties they hope to collect if Acevedo is convicted. |
| O Joseph Lewis |
| Former Nitschmann Middle School principal John Acerra has been released from state prison.... Acerra was released May 26 from the state correctional facility in Albion, Pa....Acerra was scheduled to be released from prison in February, but he had to stay longer to complete a drug rehabilitation program, officials said.....Acerra is now under the supervision of the Pennsylvania Board of Parole and Probation. ...Acerra is under parole conditions until February 2011, officials said. He has developed an approved home program, but officials have declined to discuss the details of that plan. Acerra was granted parole in November after his first appearance before the parole board....Acerra was jailed in 2007 for selling drugs from his middle school office. He was busted in February 2007 after he sold drugs to a police informant. Authorities found him with three bags of methampheta- mine and drug paraphernalia. In August 2007, Acerra pleaded guilty to two counts of delivery of crystal methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. The arrest was the result of an investigation in which Acerra sold drugs as authorities watched. After his arrest, Acerra quickly resigned as Nitschmann principal, ending a 28-year career with the Bethlehem Area School District that began as a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. (SOURCE--LehighValleyLive.com) |
To Clovis MSD board chair & New Mexico School Boards Ass'n immediate past
president Lora Harlan: Do you look at CMSD's monthly checks? What taxpayer-funded
NMSBA trainings have you had? Are you able to read a spreadsheet with confidence
and authority? Do you consider 18 years on the Clovis school board sufficient time for
you to have learned to become conversant with details of the district's financials?
president Lora Harlan: Do you look at CMSD's monthly checks? What taxpayer-funded
NMSBA trainings have you had? Are you able to read a spreadsheet with confidence
and authority? Do you consider 18 years on the Clovis school board sufficient time for
you to have learned to become conversant with details of the district's financials?
Michelle Cordova's arrest
Fast forward to this week: Michelle was arrested for "creating purchase orders for more
than a year from Highland Elementary School, which she then used to buy gift
cards....Police said she used her position to purchase [the] cards for her own use."
Here's the crux: Where a half century ago school secretaries seldom handled much
money, now, with public school expenditures skyrocketing and schools spending tax
dollars on non-instructional items like meals, travel and gift cards, there are more
opportunities for fraud. School administrators survive in an arena of community good
will and trust where the notion of accountability seems downright mean if not anathemic.
Although the district's finance supervisor deserves kudos for reporting this to authorities,
you have to wonder why it took a year for Clovis schools to discover the loss.
Fast forward to this week: Michelle was arrested for "creating purchase orders for more
than a year from Highland Elementary School, which she then used to buy gift
cards....Police said she used her position to purchase [the] cards for her own use."
Here's the crux: Where a half century ago school secretaries seldom handled much
money, now, with public school expenditures skyrocketing and schools spending tax
dollars on non-instructional items like meals, travel and gift cards, there are more
opportunities for fraud. School administrators survive in an arena of community good
will and trust where the notion of accountability seems downright mean if not anathemic.
Although the district's finance supervisor deserves kudos for reporting this to authorities,
you have to wonder why it took a year for Clovis schools to discover the loss.
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)
NEW YORK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(NY)
Students: 1.1 million
Budget: $ 20 billion
Procurement credit cards:
2,023
LOS ANGELES USD
(CA)
Students: 700,000
Budget: $20 billion
Procurement credit cards:
1,806
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(IL)
Students: 400,000
Budget $ 5.8 billion*
Procurement credit cards:
1,765
(NY)
Students: 1.1 million
Budget: $ 20 billion
Procurement credit cards:
2,023
LOS ANGELES USD
(CA)
Students: 700,000
Budget: $20 billion
Procurement credit cards:
1,806
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(IL)
Students: 400,000
Budget $ 5.8 billion*
Procurement credit cards:
1,765
AIPC is proving that
kids welcome
challenges and hard
work, and respect those
who expect a lot of them.
What's needed is less
money and laptops and
fun and more solid
ideas and adults willing
to act like adults. Liberal
social engineering
experiments have failed.
Time to go back to what
we know works.
kids welcome
challenges and hard
work, and respect those
who expect a lot of them.
What's needed is less
money and laptops and
fun and more solid
ideas and adults willing
to act like adults. Liberal
social engineering
experiments have failed.
Time to go back to what
we know works.
Meanwhile, Donna has
announced that Bob Legacy, who
sat with her on the district’s eight-
member leadership team, has
“breached a trust.”
Yea, team.
announced that Bob Legacy, who
sat with her on the district’s eight-
member leadership team, has
“breached a trust.”
Yea, team.
| 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. |
The real shocker
However, if there's anything
shocking about this scenario it's
that such trainings and controls
weren't already in place. Our
administrators tell us they're
competent professionals. How is
it then that most have been able to
climb and claw and politic their
way up the public school ladder to
the top job where they spend
millions of dollars annually without
adequate understanding of human
nature and money and the need
for vigilance and internal controls?
As one proof, look at the many
cases of school embezzlement
each week.
Here are two examples, from
opposite coasts.
However, if there's anything
shocking about this scenario it's
that such trainings and controls
weren't already in place. Our
administrators tell us they're
competent professionals. How is
it then that most have been able to
climb and claw and politic their
way up the public school ladder to
the top job where they spend
millions of dollars annually without
adequate understanding of human
nature and money and the need
for vigilance and internal controls?
As one proof, look at the many
cases of school embezzlement
each week.
Here are two examples, from
opposite coasts.
If nothing else, you can benefit from my learning curve and that of friends. No other
parents and taxpayers ever again need be detained by three armed ISD police officers
for taking photos of misleading signage on the front door of the admin. building or have
books of matches put in their mailboxes or receive threatening anonymous emails and
letters or have county officials flash guns at them in warning.
Godspeed, friends. This is the future of our great republic. Please contact me if you get
stuck or have questions and I'll help you to the best of my ability.
parents and taxpayers ever again need be detained by three armed ISD police officers
for taking photos of misleading signage on the front door of the admin. building or have
books of matches put in their mailboxes or receive threatening anonymous emails and
letters or have county officials flash guns at them in warning.
Godspeed, friends. This is the future of our great republic. Please contact me if you get
stuck or have questions and I'll help you to the best of my ability.
| 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 |
Link: 2009 Texas Ethics Commission
Edu-Lobbyists
Texas supe DanaMarable
Edu-Lobbyists
Texas supe DanaMarable
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:
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. |
| AZ CA KS MD MO OH OK Key West CreditCards SLAPP Edgewood 1 2 3 4 5 Cleburne ISD Katy ISD Bremond ISD Llano ISD |
| Check Registers US TX Flyer Ask your district Set goals/organize Ask lots of questions School Board Ethics 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
| May 2009 commentaries |
| 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
| 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 Nationalization Pass the trash 1 2 |
| Edu-Monopoly Education,Inc Tech Audits ERDI Financial Exigency Credit cards TX supes travel/meals Edu-Conferences TASA MidWinter Supes/Golf/Vendors 1 2 3 |
| 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 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. |
| 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 |
| (L) Thomas Ryan (center) in his garage. (R) 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." |
| 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 works best--take the Golden Rule with you when asking your schools to post their checks. Testimonials (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. |
| 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 |
| 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 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.
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 [as of May 2009] |
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.
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. |
| The rest of the math problem preview is here. |
| Craig Lazzeretti |
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.
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?
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?
| "Michelle & Andres have a talk" by Peyton Wolcott |
| Michael Shields |
| Hats off, St. Cloud ISD (MN) Wire transfers included in online check registers |
| May 7, 2009 |
| (L) Bruce Watkins, Steve Jordahl |
| St. Cloud's Apollo HS (above); Lincoln ES (below) |
| 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.
| Looking for older commentaries? Try here, see if you can find what you're looking for; if not, try Googling whatever it is in quotes along with my name in quotes, like this: "embezzlement" "school" "peyton wolcott" As of June 1, 2009, there were 290 reports to choose from. Thank you for reading, and thank you for your interest in our schools and our schoolchildren. |
| Texas Hill Country - Mesquite and Wildflowers Boerne |
| re m o r e q u i c k l i n k s |
05.29.09
| Dallas Morning News & Dallas.org ++++ Live blogging Dallas ISD school board meetings (May 30, 2009) |
Dallas residents are
blessed to have not one
but two reliable news
sources offering live
blogging at school board
meetings. The Dallas
Morning News is the city's
newspaper of record, and
Dallas.org is the brainchild
of tech executive Allen
Gwinn (above right).
Here's Allen's blog from last
night's DISD board meeting.
And here's the blogging
from DMN's Tawnell Hobbs
(above left) and Holly
Hacker.
blessed to have not one
but two reliable news
sources offering live
blogging at school board
meetings. The Dallas
Morning News is the city's
newspaper of record, and
Dallas.org is the brainchild
of tech executive Allen
Gwinn (above right).
Here's Allen's blog from last
night's DISD board meeting.
And here's the blogging
from DMN's Tawnell Hobbs
(above left) and Holly
Hacker.
| Portable building-Dallas ISD (PHOTO--Dallas.org) |
Friends, are you seeking transparency in your
local public schools?
By Peyton Wolcott Updated Friday, May 29, 2009 / 11:25 a.m.
local public schools?
By Peyton Wolcott Updated Friday, May 29, 2009 / 11:25 a.m.
Good for you! America's vendor-driven public schools need your time,
attention and energy.
Let's use that energy as productively as possible with an approach that generates
genuine long-term change. This includes taking a smile and the Golden Rule with us
when we go to our schools. Proven successful field-tested strategies here and here.
attention and energy.
Let's use that energy as productively as possible with an approach that generates
genuine long-term change. This includes taking a smile and the Golden Rule with us
when we go to our schools. Proven successful field-tested strategies here and here.
Why the friendly approach?
Why not just storm down to the administration building or ring up school board
members and hold them accountable, you might logically ask? Three things to keep in
mind.
One, you're dealing not with spreadsheets but with people. School employees are
flesh-and-blood human beings who are doing their jobs, taking orders from someone
else. With relatively few exceptions, school board members are unpaid volunteers.
Yes, they might be enriching their families' coffers directly or indirectly from their
positions, but these are still volunteers. As one trustee friend put it so eloquently,
criticize them and their actions and "You're calling their baby ugly."
Why not just storm down to the administration building or ring up school board
members and hold them accountable, you might logically ask? Three things to keep in
mind.
One, you're dealing not with spreadsheets but with people. School employees are
flesh-and-blood human beings who are doing their jobs, taking orders from someone
else. With relatively few exceptions, school board members are unpaid volunteers.
Yes, they might be enriching their families' coffers directly or indirectly from their
positions, but these are still volunteers. As one trustee friend put it so eloquently,
criticize them and their actions and "You're calling their baby ugly."
| Llano ISD (TX) school board circa 2003; we replaced all but 2 of the 7 members in May 2004 in a single election. More here. |
Two, there are a lot of money interests at play and
behind-the-scenes deals and confabs and relationships
of which you may not be aware. More here vendors and
their friends and here.
behind-the-scenes deals and confabs and relationships
of which you may not be aware. More here vendors and
their friends and here.
Three, because money and power and politics and jobs
and feelings and freebies and retirements are involved,
as you become more effective, be prepared for
opposition to ramp up accordingly. Keep in mind that
our schools have access to tax dollars under their
control and can afford police departments and the best
legal minds and PR money can buy.
and feelings and freebies and retirements are involved,
as you become more effective, be prepared for
opposition to ramp up accordingly. Keep in mind that
our schools have access to tax dollars under their
control and can afford police departments and the best
legal minds and PR money can buy.
| The turning point in my quest for transparency; more here. |
Rhode Island
Our other recent example is
Cumberland Public Schools where
taxpayers learned last month that
the computers they funded were
allegedly stolen by technology
director Bob Legacy's son Kevin
who worked for a district vendor;
according to indictments Bob then
sold at least 18 of them to district
employees for prices that turned
out to be too good to be true.
Calculating how high the number
may actually be is difficult; police
chief John Desmarais cites the
district's "poor record keeping."
Our other recent example is
Cumberland Public Schools where
taxpayers learned last month that
the computers they funded were
allegedly stolen by technology
director Bob Legacy's son Kevin
who worked for a district vendor;
according to indictments Bob then
sold at least 18 of them to district
employees for prices that turned
out to be too good to be true.
Calculating how high the number
may actually be is difficult; police
chief John Desmarais cites the
district's "poor record keeping."
| FACTS OF THE WEEK: General George Patton was home schooled as were Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie and Ansel Adams; mythologist and George Lucas's Star Wars inspiration Joseph Campbell's most significant course of study was as an auto-didact. |
FAQ + ARCHIVES + FOLLOW THE MONEY + CHECK REGISTER INFO + STATE & LOCAL + GOVERNANCE + VENDORS/LOBBYISTS
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 30, 2009 /9:59 am
Sun., May 30, 2009 /9:59 am
| (L to R) Donna A. Morelle, Kevin Legacy & Bob Legacy Cumberland PS (Rhode Island) |
When employee, booster or
PTA/PTO thefts occur in our
public schools, generally
superintendents step forward
and tell the world that they are
surprised and disappointed
that their trust has been
violated.
PTA/PTO thefts occur in our
public schools, generally
superintendents step forward
and tell the world that they are
surprised and disappointed
that their trust has been
violated.
Did Donna's position as vice
chair of the Northern Rhode
Island Collaborative take too
much time away from her CPS
responsibilities? What about her
ownership of a family-owned
business, the Magic Dragon?
While we're asking, didn't Boston
College include training in such
administrative duties as keeping
accurate track of taxpayer-funded
inventories when Donna got her
Ed.D. there?
If the following sampling of
comments at the Providence
Journal citizen blog is any
indication, folks are upset:
chair of the Northern Rhode
Island Collaborative take too
much time away from her CPS
responsibilities? What about her
ownership of a family-owned
business, the Magic Dragon?
While we're asking, didn't Boston
College include training in such
administrative duties as keeping
accurate track of taxpayer-funded
inventories when Donna got her
Ed.D. there?
If the following sampling of
comments at the Providence
Journal citizen blog is any
indication, folks are upset:
| Robert "Bob" Legacy after supe Donna A. Morelle hired him in 2007 (PHOTO--Valley Breeze) |
| Donna Morelle (R) with police chief John Desmarais (PHOTO--Valley Breeze) |
| This guy blew an annual salary of $86,5000. What a dope!....This family is the ultimate.. they "work" for the taxpayer and then steal so they can sell it back to the tax- payer....We the tax payer are bail- ing out these crimes across the state. We can all attribute part of the shortfall in the schools budget to the stealing of computers, LCD projectors, digital cameras, print- ers, etc. The same thing happened in Providence and went under water. I am tired of paying more taxes. Please, please investigate PROJO |
| "Raise Your Hand" from Charles (HEB) Butt - Texas |
| (L) Mary Sieu, Gary Smuts ABC USD (California) |
California
Last Wednesday former
Stowers Elementary PTA
treasurer Alicia Phillips was
arrested on suspicion of
embezzling $119,727 during her
three-year leadership.
Last Wednesday former
Stowers Elementary PTA
treasurer Alicia Phillips was
arrested on suspicion of
embezzling $119,727 during her
three-year leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the district--
ABC USD is large enough that
supe Gary Smuts has the luxury
of avoiding cameras except on
pleasant occasions--deputy supe
"Mary Sieu says that the district
worked with PTA and its
insurance company to recover
about $15,000. ABC also helped
PTAs district-wide to provide
training and install financial
controls to guard against future
theft. 'Once we discovered this
unfortunate issue at Stowers,'
says Mary, 'the district worked in
collaboration with our district PTA
council as well as the local
Stowers PTA board in coming to
steps in how to avoid this in the
future,' Sieu said, calling the
alleged theft a learning
experience. 'I am glad Stowers is
coming to some closure on this
because it was something
very unfortunate for the school
community.'
Uh-HUH. Training. Closure.
Unfortunate Issue. Learning
Experience (With Other People's
Money). How do you spell
"Entirely Preventable"?
ABC USD is large enough that
supe Gary Smuts has the luxury
of avoiding cameras except on
pleasant occasions--deputy supe
"Mary Sieu says that the district
worked with PTA and its
insurance company to recover
about $15,000. ABC also helped
PTAs district-wide to provide
training and install financial
controls to guard against future
theft. 'Once we discovered this
unfortunate issue at Stowers,'
says Mary, 'the district worked in
collaboration with our district PTA
council as well as the local
Stowers PTA board in coming to
steps in how to avoid this in the
future,' Sieu said, calling the
alleged theft a learning
experience. 'I am glad Stowers is
coming to some closure on this
because it was something
very unfortunate for the school
community.'
Uh-HUH. Training. Closure.
Unfortunate Issue. Learning
Experience (With Other People's
Money). How do you spell
"Entirely Preventable"?
And whose fault is the
"poor record keeping"? Same
person who gets the biggest
bucks at Cumberland Public
Schools?
"poor record keeping"? Same
person who gets the biggest
bucks at Cumberland Public
Schools?
Shocked, they tell us, they are
shocked! And they're going to
put Trainings and Controls in
place Immediately so that This
Never Happens Again!
shocked! And they're going to
put Trainings and Controls in
place Immediately so that This
Never Happens Again!
| Ben Chavis +++++++ American Indian Charters Oakland (CA) May 31, 2009 |
How is Ben Chavis'
school succeeding
where others, including
charters, with the same
98% free-and-reduced
lunch markers, fail?
Michael Landsberg
takes a closer look in
today's LA Times.
As veteran educational
leader Donna Garner
points out, the secrets
to AIPC's success
are the same ones
traditional classroom
teachers have known to
succeed for decades:
school succeeding
where others, including
charters, with the same
98% free-and-reduced
lunch markers, fail?
Michael Landsberg
takes a closer look in
today's LA Times.
As veteran educational
leader Donna Garner
points out, the secrets
to AIPC's success
are the same ones
traditional classroom
teachers have known to
succeed for decades:
| o Strict discipline o No excuses for missing ooschool o No technology o Lots of oral recitation o Direct instruction o Homework o 90 minutes each for ooEnglish and math o Class time management o Strict teachers o No multicultural oocelebrations o A well-educated faculty ooteaching core curriculum o No social promotion o No class interruptions |
| Ben Chavis (C) with students |
| Where are the boys? Stowers Elementary School of International Studies |
Cumberland (RI) ABC USD (CA)
PTA & tech
embezzlements:
PTA & tech
embezzlements:
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., June 1, 2009 / 3:52 a.m.
Mon., June 1, 2009 / 3:52 a.m.
2. Landscaping. A
surprising number of school
districts -- urban, suburban and
rural alike -- hire professional
landscapers to take care of this
chore, or often it's a way for a
coach to pick up some extra
money, mowing the lawns.
Judging from visits to schools,
standards aren't very high. If
your school district is currently
paying for a landscaper, or a
coach-mower, suggest that the
high school start a landscap-
ing class like Florida's Lemon Bay
High School's to take care of this
chore; surely a coach could add
one such class to his schedule. I
don't know about your town, but
folks in our area can earn in the
$100,000 range as landscapers.
To augment this, kids sitting in
detention could instead weed and
pick up trash on school grounds.
American Indian Public Charter-
style discipline might be a good
deterrent, and at the very least it
would be good exercise.
surprising number of school
districts -- urban, suburban and
rural alike -- hire professional
landscapers to take care of this
chore, or often it's a way for a
coach to pick up some extra
money, mowing the lawns.
Judging from visits to schools,
standards aren't very high. If
your school district is currently
paying for a landscaper, or a
coach-mower, suggest that the
high school start a landscap-
ing class like Florida's Lemon Bay
High School's to take care of this
chore; surely a coach could add
one such class to his schedule. I
don't know about your town, but
folks in our area can earn in the
$100,000 range as landscapers.
To augment this, kids sitting in
detention could instead weed and
pick up trash on school grounds.
American Indian Public Charter-
style discipline might be a good
deterrent, and at the very least it
would be good exercise.
Here are 3 common
sense ideas for
improving our public
schools. All are simple
and share a cost-saving
theme, apropos in our
nation's new economic reality:
1. Discretionary
spending. Next time your
sense ideas for
improving our public
schools. All are simple
and share a cost-saving
theme, apropos in our
nation's new economic reality:
1. Discretionary
spending. Next time your
superintendent says, "We're
broke, we're broke" and starts
talking about raising taxes, ask to
see his or her most recent credit
card receipts. Bet you could
come up with a helpful
suggestion or two. Better yet,
suggest they follow Dave
Ramsey's advice and cut up their
district-paid credit cards.
broke, we're broke" and starts
talking about raising taxes, ask to
see his or her most recent credit
card receipts. Bet you could
come up with a helpful
suggestion or two. Better yet,
suggest they follow Dave
Ramsey's advice and cut up their
district-paid credit cards.
| Texas supes wining & dining with tax dollars at Jan. 2008 TASA MidWinter conference in Austin. |
3. Math volunteers. The
fuzzy math experiment of the past
two decades has been a failure.
That half of our kids entering
college -- the half that didn't drop
out in high school -- need remedial
can be directly attributed to our
students not receiving daily drill in
core basics such as the math
tables: addition in first,
subtraction in second,
multiplication in third and division in
fourth. Approached properly,
area baby boomers and early
retirees would love to come to
school during the day and help
with drills. Wealthier kids are
drilled at home and by tutors; don't
poor kids deserve the same
opportunity? Flash cards are
cheap.
fuzzy math experiment of the past
two decades has been a failure.
That half of our kids entering
college -- the half that didn't drop
out in high school -- need remedial
can be directly attributed to our
students not receiving daily drill in
core basics such as the math
tables: addition in first,
subtraction in second,
multiplication in third and division in
fourth. Approached properly,
area baby boomers and early
retirees would love to come to
school during the day and help
with drills. Wealthier kids are
drilled at home and by tutors; don't
poor kids deserve the same
opportunity? Flash cards are
cheap.
| This headquarter building for one of Austin's wealthiest suburban school districts, Lake Travis ISD, is typically minimal and a likely candidate for sprucing up by a high school landscaping class. |
| 2 + 2 = common sense/cents |
CREDIT CARDS
Top 5 candidates for school districts to cut up
their credit cards on Dave Ramsey's radio show
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., June 3, 2009 / 8:47 a.m.
Top 5 candidates for school districts to cut up
their credit cards on Dave Ramsey's radio show
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., June 3, 2009 / 8:47 a.m.
| Dave Ramsey cutting up credit cards |
In case you're not familiar with Dave
Ramsey, he's the fellow who wants to make America's
families financially stronger by teaching them how to put
themselves on surer financial footing.
Ramsey, he's the fellow who wants to make America's
families financially stronger by teaching them how to put
themselves on surer financial footing.
| Supe Randy Acevedo (R) and his wife & former employee Monique |
| 4. Monroe County Public Schools (Florida Keys) |
The following school districts are prime candidates for
cutting up their credit cards on the Dave Ramsey Show:
cutting up their credit cards on the Dave Ramsey Show:
Despite her lack of training, education and experience,
elected Monroe county schools superintendent Randy
Acevedo promoted his wife Monique Acevedo to the
position of adult education coordinator where she
controlled $250,000 in Even Start grant funds in addition
district-issued credit card and adult ed fees paid in cash
plus a 9th grade activity fund. As allegations began
arising in March about Monique's purchases, estimated
to be as to a high as $180,000 including $300 for a pair
elected Monroe county schools superintendent Randy
Acevedo promoted his wife Monique Acevedo to the
position of adult education coordinator where she
controlled $250,000 in Even Start grant funds in addition
district-issued credit card and adult ed fees paid in cash
plus a 9th grade activity fund. As allegations began
arising in March about Monique's purchases, estimated
to be as to a high as $180,000 including $300 for a pair
of sunglasses, Monroe County Schools board member John Dick
announced that the high school "sent an e-mail to all the teachers
that they're on their last box of staples for the year."
announced that the high school "sent an e-mail to all the teachers
that they're on their last box of staples for the year."
Time to call Mr. Ramsey, Key West. Snip, snip.
Time to put an end to the "Bubba line of credit."
Time to put an end to the "Bubba line of credit."
| 5. Philadelphia Public Schools (Pennsylvania) |
In no real order: Supe Arlene Ackerman spent $45,000 on a single
Diners Club credit card during the last year of her prior gig at San
Diners Club credit card during the last year of her prior gig at San
| Arlene Ackerman (IMAGE--Peyton Wolcott) |
funded credit card for meals alone before leaving his
mayor-appointed post in 2007. Meanwhile, city
controller Alan Butkovitz continues to report massive
lack of oversight of funds at the Philadelphia district,
most recently in his audit of student activity funds.
mayor-appointed post in 2007. Meanwhile, city
controller Alan Butkovitz continues to report massive
lack of oversight of funds at the Philadelphia district,
most recently in his audit of student activity funds.
| 1., 2. & 3. New York City Schools, Los Angeles ooooooooUSD & Chicago Public Schools. |
Francisco USD then when trustees
began to ask questions she
threatened to sue. Also Arlene
worked hard earlier this spring to
have the Philly Schools' inspector
general report directly to her,
another transparency warning sign.
Prior Philadelphia School Reform
Commission chair James Nevels
spent $15,000 on a taxpayer-
began to ask questions she
threatened to sue. Also Arlene
worked hard earlier this spring to
have the Philly Schools' inspector
general report directly to her,
another transparency warning sign.
Prior Philadelphia School Reform
Commission chair James Nevels
spent $15,000 on a taxpayer-
| San Francisco Bay Guardian cover story by Bob Woodward's daughter Tali chronicled Arlene's SFUSD exit |
FACT OF THE WEEK SOURCE: The Washington Post.
| L to R: Joel Klein (NY), Ray Cortines (LA), former Chicago PS supe (& running buddy/pickup basketball friend of Mr. Obama) Arne Duncan, now U.S. Dep't of Education secretary. (GRAPHIC--Peyton Wolcott) |
Plus there's Arlene's pricey Eli Broad tie -- local
taxpayers are asked to fund travel for her and board
members to Broad events, which are never held at
Motel 6 or Supe 8. As one recent example, last
summer's Philly training was at a Park City, Utah
resort. Tempting to wonder if Arlene's employment
interview last year by the mayor-appointed board
didn't go something like this: "Of course, I'm
already committed to a board training this summer.
[Pause] It's at a resort in Park City, Utah. Would
you be able to attend? Philadelphia's so hot in
summer. [Pause] And by chance do you play golf?"
taxpayers are asked to fund travel for her and board
members to Broad events, which are never held at
Motel 6 or Supe 8. As one recent example, last
summer's Philly training was at a Park City, Utah
resort. Tempting to wonder if Arlene's employment
interview last year by the mayor-appointed board
didn't go something like this: "Of course, I'm
already committed to a board training this summer.
[Pause] It's at a resort in Park City, Utah. Would
you be able to attend? Philadelphia's so hot in
summer. [Pause] And by chance do you play golf?"
* This is low but it's the highest number they'd admit to.
| Golfing at Park City, Utah |
| Big men in Illinois education share a laugh circa 2008, possibly at the idea of requiring Chicago Public Schools to cut up their credit cards: then-governor Rod Blagojevich, then-U.S. senator Mr. Obama, then-and-now Chicago mayor Richard Daley |
| Paul D'Ambrosio Online Gov't Records DataUniverse.com Asbury Park Press (NJ) Posted June 5, 2009 |
One of his most familiar themes, right up there with paying
off all debt, is cutting up the family credit cards. Folks call
in to his radio show and Dave makes quite an event of it;
he also features success stories from those who have
fought their personal Spend-O-Rama demons and come
out on the other side in the Land of Solvency.
Dave's idea is simplicity itself: Learn to live within our
means.
off all debt, is cutting up the family credit cards. Folks call
in to his radio show and Dave makes quite an event of it;
he also features success stories from those who have
fought their personal Spend-O-Rama demons and come
out on the other side in the Land of Solvency.
Dave's idea is simplicity itself: Learn to live within our
means.
CLOVIS MSD (NM)
This photo goes to the heart of public school embezzlement
By Peyton Wolcott
Friday, June 5, 2009 / Updated 9:46 a.m.
This photo goes to the heart of public school embezzlement
By Peyton Wolcott
Friday, June 5, 2009 / Updated 9:46 a.m.
| CAPTION PUBLISHED WITH AUG. 2008 PHOTO: "Michelle Cordova, administrative assistant at Highland Elementary School, continued answering phones while those in and around the front office paused for the Pledge of Allegiance." (PHOTO: CNJ STAFF/Liliana Castillo) |
Questions we'd love to see asked
by the News Journal:
To Clovis MSD supe Rhonda Seidenwurm:
What financial training have you received?
What was the subject /title of your doctoral
dissertation?
by the News Journal:
To Clovis MSD supe Rhonda Seidenwurm:
What financial training have you received?
What was the subject /title of your doctoral
dissertation?
| (L) Rhonda Seidenwurm, Joel Shirley, Lora Harlan |
To Clovis MSD deputy supe of operations Joel Shirley:
What cash-handling procedures do you have in place in Clovis MSD campuses and
organizations? What are your internal controls? Have you thought about suggesting to
Rhonda and Lora that the district post its checks online?
What cash-handling procedures do you have in place in Clovis MSD campuses and
organizations? What are your internal controls? Have you thought about suggesting to
Rhonda and Lora that the district post its checks online?
| Paul D'Ambrosio |
While "New Jersey"
doesn't spring to mind
for most of us when
we're discussing state
and local transparency,
perhaps it should.
Award-winning investiga-
tive editor/reporter Paul
D'Ambrosio of Asbury
Park Press has
developed and posted a
virtual treasure trove of
governmental records at
DataUniverse.com that
I'm hoping other
newspapers will
emulate. One, greater
online transparency for
governmental records is
a good thing, and two,
user clicks help
generate ad revenue for
newspapers at a time
when all new revenue
streams are important to
their survival.
A genuine public service,
DataUniverse.com is
used by government
employees, which is
how I found out about it;
I'd contacted a New
Jersey county office for
information regarding
property records in
connection with
something I'm
investigating and the
clerk referred me to
DataUniverse; "We use it
ourselves to look stuff
up," she said.
Here's a peek at some
of the public records
online at DataUniverse:
doesn't spring to mind
for most of us when
we're discussing state
and local transparency,
perhaps it should.
Award-winning investiga-
tive editor/reporter Paul
D'Ambrosio of Asbury
Park Press has
developed and posted a
virtual treasure trove of
governmental records at
DataUniverse.com that
I'm hoping other
newspapers will
emulate. One, greater
online transparency for
governmental records is
a good thing, and two,
user clicks help
generate ad revenue for
newspapers at a time
when all new revenue
streams are important to
their survival.
A genuine public service,
DataUniverse.com is
used by government
employees, which is
how I found out about it;
I'd contacted a New
Jersey county office for
information regarding
property records in
connection with
something I'm
investigating and the
clerk referred me to
DataUniverse; "We use it
ourselves to look stuff
up," she said.
Here's a peek at some
of the public records
online at DataUniverse:
_______
* Selden Ring Award for
Investigative Reporting,
the Farfel Prize for
Excellence in
Investigative Reporting,
the National Headliner
Award for Public Service,
the Associated Press
Managing Editors'
Award for Public Service,
the Clark Mollenhoff
Memorial Award for
Investigative Reporting,
three National Press
Club awards for
consumer journalism,
and nearly two dozen
other national writing
awards.
* Selden Ring Award for
Investigative Reporting,
the Farfel Prize for
Excellence in
Investigative Reporting,
the National Headliner
Award for Public Service,
the Associated Press
Managing Editors'
Award for Public Service,
the Clark Mollenhoff
Memorial Award for
Investigative Reporting,
three National Press
Club awards for
consumer journalism,
and nearly two dozen
other national writing
awards.
| EDUCATION New Jersey & Pennsylvania New Jersey Public School Teachers New Jersey Public School Administrators' Benefits and Pay for 2007/08 School Report Cards SAT Results District Per Pupil Spending Pennsylvania Public School Teachers School Bus Inspection Reports & Statistics Public School Teachers New Jersey Government Retirees Public Sector Contracts |
Other Gannett newspa-
pers papers developing
similar local resources:
Rochester, Cincinnati,
Des Moines and Phoenix.
pers papers developing
similar local resources:
Rochester, Cincinnati,
Des Moines and Phoenix.
CAPISTRANO USD (CA)
Former supe James Fleming's trial delayed -- a 7th time;
is this justice?
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, June 8, 2009 / 7:30 a.m.
Former supe James Fleming's trial delayed -- a 7th time;
is this justice?
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, June 8, 2009 / 7:30 a.m.
Just last fall Highland
Elementary school
secretary Michelle
Cordova (above) was
featured in the Clovis
News Journal as the
picture of duty, busily
fielding phone calls and
preparing materials while
others stood at attention
reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance. So often such
clerical employees are
the heart and soul of our
local schools, remaining
in place while administra-
tors come and go;
because of their constant
presence we often trust
them with the day-to-day
minutiae of running our
schools.
Elementary school
secretary Michelle
Cordova (above) was
featured in the Clovis
News Journal as the
picture of duty, busily
fielding phone calls and
preparing materials while
others stood at attention
reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance. So often such
clerical employees are
the heart and soul of our
local schools, remaining
in place while administra-
tors come and go;
because of their constant
presence we often trust
them with the day-to-day
minutiae of running our
schools.
Well, yes, it is justice -- it's American justice.
Fortunately, because we don't live in Mexico
under the Napoleonic Code where you're guilty
until you prove yourself innocent, here in the
good old U.S. of A. everyone's entitled to their day
in court, even former Capistrano USD
superintendent James Fleming.
Fortunately, because we don't live in Mexico
under the Napoleonic Code where you're guilty
until you prove yourself innocent, here in the
good old U.S. of A. everyone's entitled to their day
in court, even former Capistrano USD
superintendent James Fleming.
| James Fleming |
Hats of to the local press for faithfully tracking the slow progress of this trial: Here was
Scott Martindale's coverage in the Orange County Register of the fifth delay, and Spencer
Kornhaber's of the fourth delay in the Orange County Weekly. Capistrano USD Recall's
website covered Fleming's first request for continuance, the one in December 2007.
Scott Martindale's coverage in the Orange County Register of the fifth delay, and Spencer
Kornhaber's of the fourth delay in the Orange County Weekly. Capistrano USD Recall's
website covered Fleming's first request for continuance, the one in December 2007.
| The court trial for indicted ex-Capistrano Unified superintendent James Fleming and a former assistant superintendent will be delayed by at least two more weeks, pushing the trial date to Aug. 31 or later. Orange County Superior Court Judge William Froeberg said the trial cannot start Aug. 17 because of a scheduling conflict. "I have another matter that I promised all parties would start on Aug. 10," Froeberg said, adding that his other trial would take about two weeks. Fleming and his former assistant superintendent, Susan McGill, both 66, are scheduled to face a jury over charges they created "enemies" lists of the Capistrano Unified School District's political opponents in 2005. The trial already has been delayed six times since its October 2007 start date. |
Here's from Scott Martindale's coverage in The
Orange County Register detailing Fleming's
seventh continuation:
Orange County Register detailing Fleming's
seventh continuation:
Capistrano USD has seen so many
events -- two trustee recall petitions,
the messy departure of their second
post-Fleming interim (see the cartoon
at right of Woody Carter who has sued
CUSD), the takeover of the board over
a five-year period by a recall activist
committee (a recent documentary
details their efforts) -- that it's good to
step back and remember first cause,
the fact that James Fleming was
content to let his district's
schoolchildren continue to be taught
in old substandard portables while
building a luxury $52 million
administration building complete with
his own bath and shower:
events -- two trustee recall petitions,
the messy departure of their second
post-Fleming interim (see the cartoon
at right of Woody Carter who has sued
CUSD), the takeover of the board over
a five-year period by a recall activist
committee (a recent documentary
details their efforts) -- that it's good to
step back and remember first cause,
the fact that James Fleming was
content to let his district's
schoolchildren continue to be taught
in old substandard portables while
building a luxury $52 million
administration building complete with
his own bath and shower:
From reader Keisha
Jackson, a mother in the
Bronx, comes this letter she
wrote 142 days ago,
published here because the
White House has thus far
declined to respond.
Keisha makes some valid
points:
Jackson, a mother in the
Bronx, comes this letter she
wrote 142 days ago,
published here because the
White House has thus far
declined to respond.
Keisha makes some valid
points:
| Mr. President, I understand you were the product of a private high school and that you, Mrs. Obama, were able to attend an elite public magnet school before you both went off to private universities and graduate schools. I have also read that you chose to send your children to a $35,000 per year private school in DC instead of one of the Democratic-run public schools for a number of reasons, including security concerns (which apparently Pres. Carter did not have?). My question is this: For those of us who cannot afford private school or who are unable to get our children into a good public school, what do you propose? Why do you oppose the voucher program which has already been shown to be highly effective? Why do you continue to insist that more taxpayer dollars will be the answer, when in fact, NAEP test scores have declined as funding increased? Why are you voting against something that offers many children, who are not as privileged as your own, a way out? Surely you understand that a working mother in a bad school district cares just as much for the quality of her children's education as you do for the education of your own children? Sincerely, Mrs. Keisha Jackson Bronx, New York |
| The Bronx High School of Science |
Okay, Keisha. Let's hope
Mr. Obama responds to you
now. Please let us know.
Mr. Obama responds to you
now. Please let us know.
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., June 9, 2009 / 7:12 am
Tue., June 9, 2009 / 7:12 am
NOTE: Keisha's name has been
changed to protect her identity and that
of her children and family.
changed to protect her identity and that
of her children and family.
BETHLEHEM AREA SD (PA)
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
UPDATE: John Acerra
& Joseph Lewis
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., June 10, 2009 / 3:52 am
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
UPDATE: John Acerra
& Joseph Lewis
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., June 10, 2009 / 3:52 am
Joseph retired recently from
Bethlehem schools and has
already landed a new gig as
"Director of Graduate Educa-
tion Certification Programs"
at Bethlehem's Moravian
College. While last month's
press release does not
mention whether or not
Joseph will be recommend-
ing that educators be tested
for drugs, it does mention his
Ed.D. from Florida's Nova
Southeastern University, the
ERDI sponsor which awards
long-distance doctorates
based on work experience
practicums rather than writing
lengthy dissertations.
Bethlehem schools and has
already landed a new gig as
"Director of Graduate Educa-
tion Certification Programs"
at Bethlehem's Moravian
College. While last month's
press release does not
mention whether or not
Joseph will be recommend-
ing that educators be tested
for drugs, it does mention his
Ed.D. from Florida's Nova
Southeastern University, the
ERDI sponsor which awards
long-distance doctorates
based on work experience
practicums rather than writing
lengthy dissertations.
| John Acerra (L) in 2007. (PHOTO--Ken White/Express Times) |
| "Middle School Principal* Arrested On Drug Charges -- Found Naked Watching Porno In His School Office" |
Remember the headlines
that shocked the nation when
John Acerra was arrested two
years ago during Joseph
Lewis's tenure as Bethlehem
supe?
that shocked the nation when
John Acerra was arrested two
years ago during Joseph
Lewis's tenure as Bethlehem
supe?
| John Acerra (L) and Joseph Lewis |
Meanwhile, John, who was
arrested for dealing meth from
his school office, has already
been released from prison
and is at a halfway house.
arrested for dealing meth from
his school office, has already
been released from prison
and is at a halfway house.
| OJohn Acerra |
| REMEMBER THIS? |
* From The Morning Call
SOUTH ORANGETOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (NY)
With all due respect to AASA,
Ken Mitchell gets my vote as not
only "Superintendent of the Year"
but also "School Hero of the Year"
By Peyton Wolcott
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 / 4:33 pm
With all due respect to AASA,
Ken Mitchell gets my vote as not
only "Superintendent of the Year"
but also "School Hero of the Year"
By Peyton Wolcott
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 / 4:33 pm
| Ken Mitchell |
| Peter Cocker |
| South Orangetown MS (NY) |
It's been so easy to call folks
"heroes" who simply have
done their job. South Orange-
town CSD superintendent Ken
Mitchell is the real thing.
Former NYPD officer Peter
Cocker took a gun to South
"heroes" who simply have
done their job. South Orange-
town CSD superintendent Ken
Mitchell is the real thing.
Former NYPD officer Peter
Cocker took a gun to South
| Cocker, 37, was charged with kidnapping, coercion and burglary Tuesday after Superintendent Ken Mitchell wrestled him to the floor and took away his revolver, officials said . . . . The letter said absenteeism was |
Orangetown
Middle School
yesterday
apparently in
reaction to a
letter Ken had
sent home
Middle School
yesterday
apparently in
reaction to a
letter Ken had
sent home
Monday detailing the district's swine flu policy; Cocker
reportedly has a sick child.
reportedly has a sick child.
| was rising but the district was following Rock- land County Health Depart- ment advice not to close schools . . . . Cocker has |
| a child at the middle school who is out sick but has not been tested for swine flu and won't be, under county guidelines. [A district spokes-woman] said she did not know Cocker's specific complaint about the letter. Chief Kevin Nulty of the Orangetown police force, whose jurisdiction includes Blauvelt, said Crocker stormed past a security guard Tuesday morning at the single unlocked door to the school. The security guard saw his gun and called police. |
| When officers arrived, they found the office locked and heard sounds of struggle, Nulty said. They tried to negotiate but when the noise seemed to become more violent, they shot the door handle and seized Cocker, who had been pinned to the floor by Mitchell, the chief said. Meanwhile, the school was locked down. "At first, I just thought it was a drill," sixth grader Caroline Klepper said Wednesday. The 11-year-old said pupils huddled in a corner of the class- room, away from the door and windows, scared but calm. School officials tried to reassure them by loudspeaker, she said. Mitchell "did an outstanding job," Nulty said. Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner called Mitchell's actions "an incredible bit of bravery and heroism." At his arraignment Tuesday night, Cocker said his gun had not been loaded. Police did not immediately return a call for comment on that claim Wednesday, but prosecutor Dominic Crispino said Cocker threatened to shoot Mitchell in the heart. Cocker was ordered jailed. He did not have a lawyer and no plea was entered. (SOURCE--Deepti Hajela) |
| Peter Cocker (above) worked for the New York Police Department from 1993 to 2004, when he retired on disability. |
MONROE COUNTY PS (FL)
$280,000 = Monique
Acevedo's tab so far on the
taxpayer-funded credit card her
husband Randy-the-supe was
supposed to supervise
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., June 10, 2009 / 12:24 am
$280,000 = Monique
Acevedo's tab so far on the
taxpayer-funded credit card her
husband Randy-the-supe was
supposed to supervise
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., June 10, 2009 / 12:24 am
Remember Monique & Randy
Acevedo, the fun couple of Key
West public education?
Forensic auditor Richard Fechter
has come calling to the district and
this past Tuesday night he
presented his findings to the
school board; among other things
Fechter characterizes Key West
schools as having a "permissive
culture of repeated violations of
policies and procedures."
Acevedo, the fun couple of Key
West public education?
Forensic auditor Richard Fechter
has come calling to the district and
this past Tuesday night he
presented his findings to the
school board; among other things
Fechter characterizes Key West
schools as having a "permissive
culture of repeated violations of
policies and procedures."
| The report showed actual fraud was isolated to Monique Acevedo based on a sampling of more than 500 district credit card transac- tions, purchase orders and travel expenses. However, finance staff and supervisors rarely followed policy to check what employees were purchasing and obtaining required documents -- which Fechter attributed to a culture enforced by Randy Acevedo and other administrators. For one administrator, Career Education Coordinator Mark Hooper, three expense reports were sampled and all three were returned an average of 300 days late. Ten percent of all monthly expense reports sampled were not properly reviewed by the employee's supervisor. Fechter even said that when he asked a finance staffer, whose job is to review credit card purchases, what she was actually reviewing them for, she replied, "I don't know." (Ibid.) |
| Monique (L) and Randy Acevedo |
More here from David Ball at
KeysNet:
KeysNet:
| Troubled public schools exist even in paradise -- Key West, Florida (PHOTO--Dutchnatasja) |
| Above, Monroe County's elected public school superintendent Randy Acevedo arrested today (KeysNet); just last month he watched his wife and employee Monique's arrest. (inset--Sean Kinney/KeysNet) |
| Sign on ranch fence, Comfort, Texas (Spring 2009). |
KEY WEST/ MONROE C'NTY PS (FL)
Shoe's now on the
supe's other foot
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., June 11, 2009/8:10 pm
Shoe's now on the
supe's other foot
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., June 11, 2009/8:10 pm
More about the arrest:
| Monroe County School District Superintendent Randy Acevedo was arrested Thursday morning on a charge of official misconduct and suspended indefinitely without pay by Gov. Charlie Crist later in the day. He could serve five years in prison if convicted. State Attorney Dennis Ward said the decision to arrest Acevedo was based on testimony given to a grand jury, which indicted Acevedo Wednes- day night. (More from KeysNet here.) |
| Mon., June 15, 2009 |
