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"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
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| s c h o o l n e w s q u i c k l i n k s a r c h i v e s - October/November 2008 |
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| OCTOBER 1-15, 2008 |
| Friends, some of these links may no longer work; hopefully there's enough information here that you can search & call up at least the cached version. |
| NOVEMBER 1-15, 2008 |
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs." --Thomas Jefferson |
updates to the article but left two
references like this unchanged:
"Crossing borders comes naturally to
Edwin Flores. A citizen of both Mexico
and the United States, Flores..." When
asked when he ended his Mexican
citizenship, Edwin says, "Best guess, my
passport expired somewhere between
1980-1984, when I left Mexico." Also, the
DISD school board's still not holding
themselves to the same ethics they
require of district employees. Bottom line:
Whether it's dual citizenship or recusal
issues, clear lines are necessary.
Recusal from board votes involving your
revenue stream from the school district
Is not enough, and neither is careless or
ambiguous citizenship.
references like this unchanged:
"Crossing borders comes naturally to
Edwin Flores. A citizen of both Mexico
and the United States, Flores..." When
asked when he ended his Mexican
citizenship, Edwin says, "Best guess, my
passport expired somewhere between
1980-1984, when I left Mexico." Also, the
DISD school board's still not holding
themselves to the same ethics they
require of district employees. Bottom line:
Whether it's dual citizenship or recusal
issues, clear lines are necessary.
Recusal from board votes involving your
revenue stream from the school district
Is not enough, and neither is careless or
ambiguous citizenship.
TX: When did Dallas ISD
trustee Edwin Flores (L) end
his Mexican citizenship? This
is confusing. Two years ago
when Mrs. Flores posted an
article re her husband on her
website she made at least 7
trustee Edwin Flores (L) end
his Mexican citizenship? This
is confusing. Two years ago
when Mrs. Flores posted an
article re her husband on her
website she made at least 7
| Houston ISD supe Abe Saavedra at the podium celebrating what the Mexican American School Boards Association called their "Triple Crown": Abe in Houston, Rubén Olivárez in San Antonio, and Mike Hinojosa in Dallas. (Photo taken by Peyton Wolcott at TASB/TASA convention - Dallas, October 2005) |
THE END OF AN ERA? Can
NCLB be far behind? Has anybody
figured out what's going on with Sandy
Kress (below) and Akin Gump's Austin
office?
NCLB be far behind? Has anybody
figured out what's going on with Sandy
Kress (below) and Akin Gump's Austin
office?
QUICK LINKS TO 09.30.08
Is it true that Sandy's the last standing
governmental affairs lobbyist/lawyer in
Akin's Austin office? According to the
Austin Business Journal (09.26.08),
"Longtime lobbyist and lawyer Jody
Richardson, who was on vacation when
her colleagues in the government affairs
practice at Akin Gump... jumped ship to
start Greenberg Traurig’s Austin office,
has joined Brown McCarroll LLP. Last
month’s departure of Demetrius
McDaniel, Barry Senterfitt, Thomas Bond
and Patricia Fuller McCandless signaled
the dissolution of nearly the entire
government and regulatory practice at
Akin Gump — minus Richardson and
education policy expert Sandy Kress."
governmental affairs lobbyist/lawyer in
Akin's Austin office? According to the
Austin Business Journal (09.26.08),
"Longtime lobbyist and lawyer Jody
Richardson, who was on vacation when
her colleagues in the government affairs
practice at Akin Gump... jumped ship to
start Greenberg Traurig’s Austin office,
has joined Brown McCarroll LLP. Last
month’s departure of Demetrius
McDaniel, Barry Senterfitt, Thomas Bond
and Patricia Fuller McCandless signaled
the dissolution of nearly the entire
government and regulatory practice at
Akin Gump — minus Richardson and
education policy expert Sandy Kress."
In August, again per the Austin Business
Journal, "Akin Gump lawyers jump to
Greenberg":
Journal, "Akin Gump lawyers jump to
Greenberg":
The dissolution of nearly the
entire government and
regulatory practice at Akin
Gump's Austin office--two partners
in the practice remain, Sandy Kress and
Jody Richardson -- is consistent with the
firm's growing focus on its national and
international practice, says Joel
Jankowsky, chairman of Akin Gump's
policy department in the Washington,
D.C., office. Austin was the firm's only
office that had a local and state
government practice, he says. All the
firm's other offices engage consultants to
provide those services. At one time, the
firm's strategy included having offices in
state capitals, particularly New York,
Florida, Texas and California. "But we
really haven't executed on it. ... We
thought we would be consistent [in
Austin] and do it on a consulting basis
rather than inhouse," Jankowsky says.
"We thought we were going to have
offices in lots of state capitals, and that
was then and now is now. It's just a
further adjustment to the marketplace."
"It's a blow [for Akin Gump]
from a local reputation
standpoint," says Stacy Humphries, a
principal at Texas-based MS Legal
Search Team. "The firm is well-
regarded in the Austin market, and I think
this causes people to ask [questions
such as] how long can the firm survive in
Austin without having a government
practice?" . . . .Having "autonomy was
very attractive," says Senterfitt, who with
Bond and McDaniel brought their clients
from Akin Gump. They include Citigroup,
Liberty Mutual, AFLAC, Blue Cross of
Texas and the American Physicians
Service Group. Senterfitt expects to add
quickly to the practice group.
entire government and
regulatory practice at Akin
Gump's Austin office--two partners
in the practice remain, Sandy Kress and
Jody Richardson -- is consistent with the
firm's growing focus on its national and
international practice, says Joel
Jankowsky, chairman of Akin Gump's
policy department in the Washington,
D.C., office. Austin was the firm's only
office that had a local and state
government practice, he says. All the
firm's other offices engage consultants to
provide those services. At one time, the
firm's strategy included having offices in
state capitals, particularly New York,
Florida, Texas and California. "But we
really haven't executed on it. ... We
thought we would be consistent [in
Austin] and do it on a consulting basis
rather than inhouse," Jankowsky says.
"We thought we were going to have
offices in lots of state capitals, and that
was then and now is now. It's just a
further adjustment to the marketplace."
"It's a blow [for Akin Gump]
from a local reputation
standpoint," says Stacy Humphries, a
principal at Texas-based MS Legal
Search Team. "The firm is well-
regarded in the Austin market, and I think
this causes people to ask [questions
such as] how long can the firm survive in
Austin without having a government
practice?" . . . .Having "autonomy was
very attractive," says Senterfitt, who with
Bond and McDaniel brought their clients
from Akin Gump. They include Citigroup,
Liberty Mutual, AFLAC, Blue Cross of
Texas and the American Physicians
Service Group. Senterfitt expects to add
quickly to the practice group.
For a glimpse of what the edu-marriage
between business and government
looks like, link here to a transcript of
Pearson's 2003 No Child Left Behind
report; Sandy Kress, credited with being
NCLB's architect, is a 2008 registered
lobbyist for Pearson, Early Care &
Education Consortium, Edvance
Research, Inc., and the Governor's
Business Council. (Ibid.)
between business and government
looks like, link here to a transcript of
Pearson's 2003 No Child Left Behind
report; Sandy Kress, credited with being
NCLB's architect, is a 2008 registered
lobbyist for Pearson, Early Care &
Education Consortium, Edvance
Research, Inc., and the Governor's
Business Council. (Ibid.)
Friends, here's what the new
media looks like.
10.3.08/Brief history of Dallas ISD
reporting: Some months ago a blogger
started blogging live from Dallas ISD
school board meetings then
D Magazine followed suit and included a
photograph of the board meeting on
Sept. 19, then last week and yesterday
The Dallas Morning News ran a
sophisticated self-refreshing live blog,
complete with viewer comments and
photographs of the board room and the
teachers picketing outside. Bravo to all!
--------
This is the future of the media: More and
direct coverage including photographs
which allow people to sort things out for
themselves including backfence chatter.
The best service the media can provide
now is to present facts, accurately
disclose their point of view and get out of
the way. I felt I had a clearer grasp of
who Sarah Pallin was after getting to
observe her directly myself for 90
minutes at the VP debate last night than
after Katie Couric and CBS's heavily
edited highly slanted version of what they
wanted me to see of Palin. After years of
reading words about them, when DMN
presented a few brief video clips last
week of Dallas ISD superintendent Mike
Hinojosa and DISD board president Jack
Lowe I could see for myself the two
men's mettle.
-----------
10.2.08/Dallas ISD special board
meeting covered by two live blogs:
Dallas Morning News
Dallas.org
media looks like.
10.3.08/Brief history of Dallas ISD
reporting: Some months ago a blogger
started blogging live from Dallas ISD
school board meetings then
D Magazine followed suit and included a
photograph of the board meeting on
Sept. 19, then last week and yesterday
The Dallas Morning News ran a
sophisticated self-refreshing live blog,
complete with viewer comments and
photographs of the board room and the
teachers picketing outside. Bravo to all!
--------
This is the future of the media: More and
direct coverage including photographs
which allow people to sort things out for
themselves including backfence chatter.
The best service the media can provide
now is to present facts, accurately
disclose their point of view and get out of
the way. I felt I had a clearer grasp of
who Sarah Pallin was after getting to
observe her directly myself for 90
minutes at the VP debate last night than
after Katie Couric and CBS's heavily
edited highly slanted version of what they
wanted me to see of Palin. After years of
reading words about them, when DMN
presented a few brief video clips last
week of Dallas ISD superintendent Mike
Hinojosa and DISD board president Jack
Lowe I could see for myself the two
men's mettle.
-----------
10.2.08/Dallas ISD special board
meeting covered by two live blogs:
Dallas Morning News
Dallas.org
N E W S F L A S H 09.30.08/3:02 pm
Dallas ISD (TX)
can cut consultants
before they cut teachers.
While it is true that in the Texas Education
Code the only RIF's mentioned as
regards a declared state of financial
exigency are for those educators holding
SBEC certificates and nurses, DISD can
examine their consulting contracts and
exercise the contracts' 30-day opt-out
clauses to send notice-of-intent letters.
Dallas ISD (TX)
can cut consultants
before they cut teachers.
While it is true that in the Texas Education
Code the only RIF's mentioned as
regards a declared state of financial
exigency are for those educators holding
SBEC certificates and nurses, DISD can
examine their consulting contracts and
exercise the contracts' 30-day opt-out
clauses to send notice-of-intent letters.
| QUESTION FOR DALLAS ISD TRUSTEES -- AND DALLAS RESIDENTS: If Dallas ISD schools are not good enough for DISD trustees' kids, why aren't the trustees working to make DISD schools better if not excellent for all kids? |
GA: Hmm.
State supe Kathy Cox
can answer questions
on a game show -- but
not about Georgia
DOE tech vendor
Computer Consulting
Services Corp.
Hmmm.
State supe Kathy Cox
can answer questions
on a game show -- but
not about Georgia
DOE tech vendor
Computer Consulting
Services Corp.
Hmmm.
IA: State Auditor recommends
stronger internal controls for
Sigourney CSD! Supe Todd
Abrahamson (top) presented
fictitious bank reports to board;
last March wanted 500-seat
fine arts auditorium; gym not
good enough. Board prez is
Rick Danowsky.
stronger internal controls for
Sigourney CSD! Supe Todd
Abrahamson (top) presented
fictitious bank reports to board;
last March wanted 500-seat
fine arts auditorium; gym not
good enough. Board prez is
Rick Danowsky.
FL: What is it about new Miami supe
Alberto Carvalho (L) & women? Al
seems downright unlucky. Last week it
was former Miami Herald edu-
reporterTania deLuzuriaga(C) and their
intimateappearing emails. Now
it's the speed with which M-DCPS
board prez Perla Hantman(R) pushed
through Al's nomination & hiring. The
Herald's looking at this issue closely
-- item SP-1 to ratify Al's contract was
yanked from agenda.
Alberto Carvalho (L) & women? Al
seems downright unlucky. Last week it
was former Miami Herald edu-
reporterTania deLuzuriaga(C) and their
intimateappearing emails. Now
it's the speed with which M-DCPS
board prez Perla Hantman(R) pushed
through Al's nomination & hiring. The
Herald's looking at this issue closely
-- item SP-1 to ratify Al's contract was
yanked from agenda.
CA: The San Diego USD school board's
public displays have encouraged new
supe Terry Grier (L) to call for stricter
"governance" rules. Folks, in a free
nation politics--including school
boards--are supposed to be loud and
noisy, and in public. What Grier's calling
for is totalitarianism, with him in charge.
But what can you expect from a school
board where 4 of the 5 are educators,
including prez Katherine Nakamura (M)
& VP John deBeck (R). Wake up, San
Diego.
public displays have encouraged new
supe Terry Grier (L) to call for stricter
"governance" rules. Folks, in a free
nation politics--including school
boards--are supposed to be loud and
noisy, and in public. What Grier's calling
for is totalitarianism, with him in charge.
But what can you expect from a school
board where 4 of the 5 are educators,
including prez Katherine Nakamura (M)
& VP John deBeck (R). Wake up, San
Diego.
MI: Questions abuzzing: Will Detroil
Public Schools file for bankruptcy? Can
they? Would it solve anything in a district
where supe Connie Calloway (L) is still
reportedly chauffeured around in a Town
Car? Where Connie still hasn't found the
$1.6 million in art purchased from Sherry
Washington by predecessors Ken
Burnley and William Coleman? Did DPS
make their crucial 100,000 student head
count yesterday? Did the gimmicks --
free digital cameras, ice cream, who
knows what else -- work?
Public Schools file for bankruptcy? Can
they? Would it solve anything in a district
where supe Connie Calloway (L) is still
reportedly chauffeured around in a Town
Car? Where Connie still hasn't found the
$1.6 million in art purchased from Sherry
Washington by predecessors Ken
Burnley and William Coleman? Did DPS
make their crucial 100,000 student head
count yesterday? Did the gimmicks --
free digital cameras, ice cream, who
knows what else -- work?
09.27.08 / Because this week's
official Detroit Schools head count
(88,000 students) fell far short of the
100,000 target, the minimum to maintain
"1st class"status, "two community
colleges and suburban districts will be
able to open charter schools within the
city and the number of DPS board
members could change
and their powers diminish. (More)
official Detroit Schools head count
(88,000 students) fell far short of the
100,000 target, the minimum to maintain
"1st class"status, "two community
colleges and suburban districts will be
able to open charter schools within the
city and the number of DPS board
members could change
and their powers diminish. (More)
KS: Former Great Bend principal Don
Atkinson (R) "who admitted to stealing
from his school did not appear in court
Thursday as scheduled [at his]
pre-sentencing hearing [which] has been
postponed until October 10th. He
pleaded guilty last month to six counts of
theft by deception for stealing more than
$40,000 from the PTA and Student
Council at Jefferson Elementary. He
could be sentenced to a maximum of five
years in prison." (SOURCE--KSNC.com)
Don and his wife Patti (L), a long-time
reading specialist at another GB school,
sold their Great Bend home this past
spring at the end of the school year and
moved away, apparently to Colorado,
where their daughter Kaci Guthrie works
as a librarian at Cheyenne Mountain
Middle School.
Atkinson (R) "who admitted to stealing
from his school did not appear in court
Thursday as scheduled [at his]
pre-sentencing hearing [which] has been
postponed until October 10th. He
pleaded guilty last month to six counts of
theft by deception for stealing more than
$40,000 from the PTA and Student
Council at Jefferson Elementary. He
could be sentenced to a maximum of five
years in prison." (SOURCE--KSNC.com)
Don and his wife Patti (L), a long-time
reading specialist at another GB school,
sold their Great Bend home this past
spring at the end of the school year and
moved away, apparently to Colorado,
where their daughter Kaci Guthrie works
as a librarian at Cheyenne Mountain
Middle School.
Do you know where Don and
Patti Atkinson are?
Patti Atkinson are?
| DETROIT FALLS BELOW 100K STUDENTS |
MT: Capital HS one-year teacher Chris
Parrett, 33, (above, from his HS website)
has been arrested in Helena for alleged
inappropriate sexual misconduct that
occurred while he was teaching in
Arizona. Police in Yuma, Arizona
received a report alleging misconduct
between Parrett and a 16-year old male
student; the alleged incidents began in
2006 when Parrett was a teacher at Kofa
HS in Yuma. Parrett was arrested in
Helena on Thursday.
(SOURCES--Montana's News Station
and ABC15/Phoenix)
Parrett, 33, (above, from his HS website)
has been arrested in Helena for alleged
inappropriate sexual misconduct that
occurred while he was teaching in
Arizona. Police in Yuma, Arizona
received a report alleging misconduct
between Parrett and a 16-year old male
student; the alleged incidents began in
2006 when Parrett was a teacher at Kofa
HS in Yuma. Parrett was arrested in
Helena on Thursday.
(SOURCES--Montana's News Station
and ABC15/Phoenix)
| ERRATA: The photo previously here was the photo on Christopher Parrett's Capital HS page, but the photo was not of him; the software randomly freezes other teachers' images. This has been brought to the schools' attention. |
Re the big annual TASB/TASA
convention last month in Dallas, given
Dallas ISD's current state of financial
exigency -- they're as much as $148
million in the hole and may have to fire
750 teachers -- will DISD administrators
party on as usual -- or can we expect
more circumspect behaviors?
convention last month in Dallas, given
Dallas ISD's current state of financial
exigency -- they're as much as $148
million in the hole and may have to fire
750 teachers -- will DISD administrators
party on as usual -- or can we expect
more circumspect behaviors?
10.03.08 / NEWSFLASH:
Texas public schools are driven by
vendors and TASA*, in that order. This
was the lesson of last night's Dallas ISD
board meeting in which a majority of
trustees voted to RIF teachers and
low-level workers rather than take
advantage of the opportunity to rid the
district of its bloated admin. layers and
too-many consultants. These 5 DISD
trustees voted to fire its bottom rung
rather than the district's six-figure kings
and queens: Leigh Ann Ellis, Edwin
Flores, Jerome Garza, Jack Lowe and
Adam Medrano. Only Ron Price said "he
wanted to discuss further the possibility
of reducing district spending on
consultants." Dallas ISD's union
leadership has proven itself to be
ineffective. Where they had an
opportunity this past week to drive a
dialogue in favor of their teachers and
against DISD administrators, instead
they did nothing. In fact, one even took a
day off to move house. Can someone
explain to me why Dallas teachers' union
leaders have been so quick to sell their
members down the river? I've yet to hear
a peep from the unions insisting that
DISD first get rid of its pricey
administrators/consultants. We're not
talking architects here -- although in a
time of a shrinking student population
that's not a bad idea -- but about the
multi-million dollars spent on education
consultants, leadership consultants,
image consultants, TAKS helpers, etc.
All the teachers' unions have done for
their membership is show up on TV and
raise a ruckus, with no tangible results
for rank and file. If I were a DISD teacher,
I'd ask for my dues back.
*Texas Ass'n of School Administrators
Texas public schools are driven by
vendors and TASA*, in that order. This
was the lesson of last night's Dallas ISD
board meeting in which a majority of
trustees voted to RIF teachers and
low-level workers rather than take
advantage of the opportunity to rid the
district of its bloated admin. layers and
too-many consultants. These 5 DISD
trustees voted to fire its bottom rung
rather than the district's six-figure kings
and queens: Leigh Ann Ellis, Edwin
Flores, Jerome Garza, Jack Lowe and
Adam Medrano. Only Ron Price said "he
wanted to discuss further the possibility
of reducing district spending on
consultants." Dallas ISD's union
leadership has proven itself to be
ineffective. Where they had an
opportunity this past week to drive a
dialogue in favor of their teachers and
against DISD administrators, instead
they did nothing. In fact, one even took a
day off to move house. Can someone
explain to me why Dallas teachers' union
leaders have been so quick to sell their
members down the river? I've yet to hear
a peep from the unions insisting that
DISD first get rid of its pricey
administrators/consultants. We're not
talking architects here -- although in a
time of a shrinking student population
that's not a bad idea -- but about the
multi-million dollars spent on education
consultants, leadership consultants,
image consultants, TAKS helpers, etc.
All the teachers' unions have done for
their membership is show up on TV and
raise a ruckus, with no tangible results
for rank and file. If I were a DISD teacher,
I'd ask for my dues back.
*Texas Ass'n of School Administrators
James Earl Street,
(L)46, an assistant
principal at
Sharpstown High
School, has been
reassigned after
being charged with
felony possession of
marijuana, accused of
(L)46, an assistant
principal at
Sharpstown High
School, has been
reassigned after
being charged with
felony possession of
marijuana, accused of
growing the plant at his west Houston
home; he is now working away from
students in a central office job, according
to Houston ISD.
(SOURCE--Houston Chronicle/10.03.08)
home; he is now working away from
students in a central office job, according
to Houston ISD.
(SOURCE--Houston Chronicle/10.03.08)
| File this under Dep't: "Golly" Although Dallas ISD has lost 2,734 students since 2000, DISD's spending is up by a half-billion dollars 2000-2001 / 161,548 students $ 1,152,435,870 total expenditures all funds 2006-2007 / 158,814 students $ 1,708,816,170 total expenditures/all funds (SOURCE--TEA/Dallas ISD PEIMS actual financials) |
| Dallas Morning News reporter Tawnell Hobbs' 09.15.08 request for "all e-mails, electronic communication, memos and any correspondence sent to or from superintendent Michael Hinojosa concerning a shortfall or cost overruns in the 2007-08 budget and/or the 2008-09 budget." And I made the same request for Eric Anderson, the chief operating officer who was pushed out in the midst of the shortfall crisis. I also asked for "all reports concerning a shortfall in the 2007-08 budget and/or the 2008-09 budget." |
Dallas ISD: So often the results we get
from our record requests to schools
depend on the words we use.
Example: the supe who started sending
his board a 2nd monthly board packet
but called the 2nd one a "board info
packet." Folks asking only for a "board
packet" were not given the board info
packet. Wondering if there might be
some magic words which if used would
yield more satisfactory results than the
slim pickings The Dallas Morning News'
Tawnell Hobbs' has received.
from our record requests to schools
depend on the words we use.
Example: the supe who started sending
his board a 2nd monthly board packet
but called the 2nd one a "board info
packet." Folks asking only for a "board
packet" were not given the board info
packet. Wondering if there might be
some magic words which if used would
yield more satisfactory results than the
slim pickings The Dallas Morning News'
Tawnell Hobbs' has received.
While it is true that when Dallas ISD first
posted its check register online in
November 2006 (the first urban district to
do so in the nation) there were nine steps
involved, when I brought this to the
district's attention they began taking
corrective measures and now there are
only four steps, which is about average
for the 270-plus U.S. districts now
posting, plus unlike before now with new
software the PDF with the checks is
directly linkable. For those interested in
viewing DISD’s checks, they are right
where they have been for two years now:
on the board agenda page, under
"Consent Agenda Items." Dallas public
schools have had their share of
problems lately, but they also deserve to
have the truth told about their
commendable pioneering step towards
transparency.
Peyton Wolcott
Horseshoe Bay, Texas
www.peytonwolcott.com
==THE 4 LINKS==
1. On Dallas ISD's home page www.
dallasisd.org click on "Board of Trustees"
at left.
2. Click on "Meeting Agendas" (second
line in middle of page) http://dallasisd.
granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?
view_id=2
3. Choose a meeting agenda from the
list and click. This morning I chose the
first one, Sept. 25, 2008; under "Consent
Agenda Items" choose Ratification of List
of Bills, Claims and Accounts for July 1,
2008 to July 31, 2008 ($52,648,881.48
/Various Funds)
4. Click on the second choice on the
drop-down at right Ratification of List of
Bills, Claims and Accounts -
FIN_BillsClaims_July_ATTACHMENT_1.
pdf
posted its check register online in
November 2006 (the first urban district to
do so in the nation) there were nine steps
involved, when I brought this to the
district's attention they began taking
corrective measures and now there are
only four steps, which is about average
for the 270-plus U.S. districts now
posting, plus unlike before now with new
software the PDF with the checks is
directly linkable. For those interested in
viewing DISD’s checks, they are right
where they have been for two years now:
on the board agenda page, under
"Consent Agenda Items." Dallas public
schools have had their share of
problems lately, but they also deserve to
have the truth told about their
commendable pioneering step towards
transparency.
Peyton Wolcott
Horseshoe Bay, Texas
www.peytonwolcott.com
==THE 4 LINKS==
1. On Dallas ISD's home page www.
dallasisd.org click on "Board of Trustees"
at left.
2. Click on "Meeting Agendas" (second
line in middle of page) http://dallasisd.
granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?
view_id=2
3. Choose a meeting agenda from the
list and click. This morning I chose the
first one, Sept. 25, 2008; under "Consent
Agenda Items" choose Ratification of List
of Bills, Claims and Accounts for July 1,
2008 to July 31, 2008 ($52,648,881.48
/Various Funds)
4. Click on the second choice on the
drop-down at right Ratification of List of
Bills, Claims and Accounts -
FIN_BillsClaims_July_ATTACHMENT_1.
| ERRATA NOTICE: ERRORS IN TPPF'S TALMADGE HEFLIN'S COMMENTARY PUBLISHED IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS |
Todd Helms (above), superintendent at
Clyde-Green Springs also in Ohio, has
resigned following his school board's
discovery that he allegedly "created a
fictitious firm, GTR Enterprises, and
since 2005 had been 'ordering' repair
parts, supplies and services from the
company, signing his own purchase
orders indicating he'd received the parts,
and sending checks from the school
district to pay for the parts to GTR's
undisclosed bank account." Total loss to
Todd's schoolchildren: $26,000.
Clyde-Green Springs also in Ohio, has
resigned following his school board's
discovery that he allegedly "created a
fictitious firm, GTR Enterprises, and
since 2005 had been 'ordering' repair
parts, supplies and services from the
company, signing his own purchase
orders indicating he'd received the parts,
and sending checks from the school
district to pay for the parts to GTR's
undisclosed bank account." Total loss to
Todd's schoolchildren: $26,000.
| (SOURCES--WTOL.com and The Toledo Blade) |
Patrick Calvin (R), the Perrysburg, Ohio
junior high principal being fired for alleg-
edly violating the school district's
money-handling policy, was arrested
yesterday
and charged with one count of theft in
office; he is accused of stealing
$2,197.86 from multiple accounts at his
school. Possible penalty: 6-18 months
in prison and a $5,000 fine. The
district's termination process froze when
Calvin filed an appeal with the Ohio DOE;
he has been suspended (no pay or
benefits) from his $101,500 job. School
officials emphasized that they were not
accusing him of theft but of violating
policy by not depositing funds within 24
hours of receiving them, as the district
required, and of sloppy practices that
left what was believed to be thousands
of dollars unaccounted for.
It's bad enough that the Perrysburg
losses were discovered by the state
auditor rather than Perrysburg supe Tom
Hosler (above left) -- but what happens
when the supe's doing the stealing?
junior high principal being fired for alleg-
edly violating the school district's
money-handling policy, was arrested
yesterday
and charged with one count of theft in
office; he is accused of stealing
$2,197.86 from multiple accounts at his
school. Possible penalty: 6-18 months
in prison and a $5,000 fine. The
district's termination process froze when
Calvin filed an appeal with the Ohio DOE;
he has been suspended (no pay or
benefits) from his $101,500 job. School
officials emphasized that they were not
accusing him of theft but of violating
policy by not depositing funds within 24
hours of receiving them, as the district
required, and of sloppy practices that
left what was believed to be thousands
of dollars unaccounted for.
It's bad enough that the Perrysburg
losses were discovered by the state
auditor rather than Perrysburg supe Tom
Hosler (above left) -- but what happens
when the supe's doing the stealing?
10.11.08/Another Midwestern
principal arrested for stealing
cash
principal arrested for stealing
cash
From the Miami Herald's Myriam
Marquez: Any teacher will tell you that
students don't learn only academics.
They are taught to take responsibility for
their actions. If you misbehave, be
prepared to be accountable.
Caught cheating on a test? Face a
five-day suspension. Skip class and get
caught lying about it? Detention and
possible suspension. Sexual offenses?
Suspension or even expulsion. The
Miami-
Dade Code of Student Conduct spells
out the expectations for citizenship,
cooperation, fairness, honesty, integrity,
kindness, pursuit of excellence, respect
and responsibility.
But by tapping district veteran Alberto
Carvalho as the new superintendent --
while he's still under a cloud about the
nature of his relationship with a former
Miami Herald reporter and the way he
was selected -- the School Board
members who gave him the nod are
sending students a contradictory
message:
Hey kiddies, do as we say -- not as the
superintendent may have done.
Remember, follow the rules, children --
except when it's convenient not to.
A MANIPULATED PROCESS
I don't mean to turn into Church Lady.
Let's set aside the affair allegations for a
moment. Look at the selection process.
There was none. The board's own ethics
panel . . . . (more here)
_______________________
Marquez: Any teacher will tell you that
students don't learn only academics.
They are taught to take responsibility for
their actions. If you misbehave, be
prepared to be accountable.
Caught cheating on a test? Face a
five-day suspension. Skip class and get
caught lying about it? Detention and
possible suspension. Sexual offenses?
Suspension or even expulsion. The
Miami-
Dade Code of Student Conduct spells
out the expectations for citizenship,
cooperation, fairness, honesty, integrity,
kindness, pursuit of excellence, respect
and responsibility.
But by tapping district veteran Alberto
Carvalho as the new superintendent --
while he's still under a cloud about the
nature of his relationship with a former
Miami Herald reporter and the way he
was selected -- the School Board
members who gave him the nod are
sending students a contradictory
message:
Hey kiddies, do as we say -- not as the
superintendent may have done.
Remember, follow the rules, children --
except when it's convenient not to.
A MANIPULATED PROCESS
I don't mean to turn into Church Lady.
Let's set aside the affair allegations for a
moment. Look at the selection process.
There was none. The board's own ethics
panel . . . . (more here)
_______________________
10.13.08 / The Miami Herald says
Alberto Carvalho (R) is
starting the Miami top job
'with a bad example'-- but has
anyone asked why Gus
Alberto Carvalho (R) is
starting the Miami top job
'with a bad example'-- but has
anyone asked why Gus
Barrera and Perla Hantman were in such a
hurry to force Al on Miami?
hurry to force Al on Miami?
While it is true that when Dallas ISD
first posted its check register online in
November 2006
(continued above)
first posted its check register online in
November 2006
(continued above)
Here's the correct information I've sent to The
Dallas Morning News:
Dallas Morning News:
| 10.10.08 / 9:10 a.m. ERRATA NOTICE Talmadge Heflin, now at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, published incorrect information regarding Dallas ISD in this morning's Dallas Morning News. Much as I respect Talmadge's record regarding fiscal responsibility for Texas, and while I've been pointing out DISD's shortcomings for some time now, the district also deserves to have the truth told about its online check register efforts. |
| Payroll shortfall In addition to the money Brixey embezzled, the district blamed Brixey for a $250,000 shortfall in the fall of 2007 because she had not budgeted the July payroll payments, among other bookkeeping problems. Brixey was arrested in May of 2007 after the district forwarded the results of its investigation to law enforcement....The audit the school district did as result of Brixey’s case suggested several changes in how the district’s money is handled to prevent similar problems. The former business manager for the Clatskanie School District must spend two months in jail and pay nearly $82,000 in restitution for money she embezzled and the penalties the district incurred because of her actions. Brixey has pleaded guilty to two counts of first- degree theft, one count of first-degree forgery and one count of official misconduct....She also paid a little more than half of the money she owes the district, bringing $42,011 to her sentencing hearing. She’ll pay the rest of the $39,889 in monthly payments, which currently are set at $50 because she’s unemployed, [Columbia County assistant DA Dale] Anderson said. After Brixey’s termination from the Clatskanie School District in April 2007, auditors were brought in, and financial consultants from the Northwest Regional Education Service District assisted the district in bookkeeping operations and the preparaation of the current year’s budget, with the school district incurring the cost for those services. |
Lancaster school
superintendent put on
administrative leave
01:10 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By KATHY A. GOOLSBY/The Dallas Morning News
Lancaster school trustees placed
Superintendent Larry Lewis on paid
administrative leave at the end of
Tuesday’s board meeting. They also told
him not to speak with staff, students or
parents unless directed by the board.
The four-to-three vote followed a two-hour
closed session to discuss the
superintendent’s performance. Trustees
Ed Kirkland, Marie Elliott and Marjorie
King voted against the motion.
The move followed the superintendent’s
explanation to the board of a projected
$1.5 million shortfall on this year’s $40.5
million budget, which was approved in
August. Dr. Lewis blamed the deficit on
enrollment figures that fell short of the
district’s projections.
In July, the Texas Education Agency
assigned a financial conservator to the
district following a nine-month
investigation into Lancaster’s finances.
State auditors found numerous
problems, including an improperly
recorded $6 million debt, questionable
credit card charges and an unbalanced
checkbook.
After the motion passed, Board President
Carolyn Morris directed Dr. Lewis to turn
in his school keys, credit cards and any
district-issued communication devices.
She also asked Lancaster school district
police to escort Dr. Lewis to his office to
collect his personal belongings, then
escort him off school property.
Dr. Lewis declined to comment on the
board’s action.
Assistant Superintendent Eugene Young
will lead the district until trustees appoint
an interim superintendent.
superintendent put on
administrative leave
01:10 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By KATHY A. GOOLSBY/The Dallas Morning News
Lancaster school trustees placed
Superintendent Larry Lewis on paid
administrative leave at the end of
Tuesday’s board meeting. They also told
him not to speak with staff, students or
parents unless directed by the board.
The four-to-three vote followed a two-hour
closed session to discuss the
superintendent’s performance. Trustees
Ed Kirkland, Marie Elliott and Marjorie
King voted against the motion.
The move followed the superintendent’s
explanation to the board of a projected
$1.5 million shortfall on this year’s $40.5
million budget, which was approved in
August. Dr. Lewis blamed the deficit on
enrollment figures that fell short of the
district’s projections.
In July, the Texas Education Agency
assigned a financial conservator to the
district following a nine-month
investigation into Lancaster’s finances.
State auditors found numerous
problems, including an improperly
recorded $6 million debt, questionable
credit card charges and an unbalanced
checkbook.
After the motion passed, Board President
Carolyn Morris directed Dr. Lewis to turn
in his school keys, credit cards and any
district-issued communication devices.
She also asked Lancaster school district
police to escort Dr. Lewis to his office to
collect his personal belongings, then
escort him off school property.
Dr. Lewis declined to comment on the
board’s action.
Assistant Superintendent Eugene Young
will lead the district until trustees appoint
an interim superintendent.
| BOTTOM LINE: Why should federal taxpayers be forced to bear the cost of the late fees and expenses? For a situation that was avoidable, had Clatskanie's leadership been paying attention and doing their jobs? (Posted10.19.08) ________________________________ |
From The Clatskanie Chief:
| The purpose of the Pine Eagle School District is to develop and graduate students who demonstrate literacy, integrity, creativity and efficacy. We will accomplish this in a professional, collaborative atmosphere in which the student community is consistently engaged in meaningful work under the guidance of a dynamic, caring and highly skilled staff. |
"stomping its feet and saying, ‘We
want $300,000 and we want it now.’”
Brixey was placed on leave then fired in
April 2007. In May, John Salisbury's
wife--and fellow Clatskanie Foundation
board member--Janine was hired as
Tory's replacement; among Janine's
duties: persuade the IRS to waive
$300,000 or more in fees and costs on
what was essentially a $30,000 loss on
the IRS portion.
Lax internal controls
Clatskanie is having to deal with very
serious money issues mostly resulting
from it appears Mike Corley's failure to
do adequate due diligence during his
tenure as Clatskanie supe. Has Mike
learned anything? This following state-
ment on his Pine-Eagle site is the same
touchy-feely qualitative vision/mission
mush we find on many of America's
15,000 school district websites--with no
mention of words like fiscal
responsibility or careful stewardship of
your tax dollars
want $300,000 and we want it now.’”
Brixey was placed on leave then fired in
April 2007. In May, John Salisbury's
wife--and fellow Clatskanie Foundation
board member--Janine was hired as
Tory's replacement; among Janine's
duties: persuade the IRS to waive
$300,000 or more in fees and costs on
what was essentially a $30,000 loss on
the IRS portion.
Lax internal controls
Clatskanie is having to deal with very
serious money issues mostly resulting
from it appears Mike Corley's failure to
do adequate due diligence during his
tenure as Clatskanie supe. Has Mike
learned anything? This following state-
ment on his Pine-Eagle site is the same
touchy-feely qualitative vision/mission
mush we find on many of America's
15,000 school district websites--with no
mention of words like fiscal
responsibility or careful stewardship of
your tax dollars
2006--and somehow he
also missed noticing
anything askance. Similarly,
Ed Serra, Mike's successor
at Clatskanie, also did not
notice anything either-- until
the IRS came knocking at
the district's doors
also missed noticing
anything askance. Similarly,
Ed Serra, Mike's successor
at Clatskanie, also did not
notice anything either-- until
the IRS came knocking at
the district's doors
| Ed Serra |
| Mike Corley |
including the 2002-2007
period when as it turns out
long-time trusted school
district bookkeeper Tory
Brixey was embezzling from
them. Mike Corley, now supe/
principal at Pine-Eagle,
served as Clatskanie supe
until his resignation was
effective on June 30,
period when as it turns out
long-time trusted school
district bookkeeper Tory
Brixey was embezzling from
them. Mike Corley, now supe/
principal at Pine-Eagle,
served as Clatskanie supe
until his resignation was
effective on June 30,
wears a couple of hats; for
example, John Salisbury,
a local lawyer, has been city
attorney and also served
on the Clatskanie
Foundation board along
with the local school board,
this last for many years,
example, John Salisbury,
a local lawyer, has been city
attorney and also served
on the Clatskanie
Foundation board along
with the local school board,
this last for many years,
| Tory Brixey |
Clatskanie is a likeable town in
northwest Oregon fallen on hard
times because of the declining lumber
industry, the kind of place where folks
from the local zen monastery form a
marimba band entry in the 4th of July
parade (below).
northwest Oregon fallen on hard
times because of the declining lumber
industry, the kind of place where folks
from the local zen monastery form a
marimba band entry in the 4th of July
parade (below).
| OREGON SCHOOL BOOKKEEPER / $82,000 |
Clatskanie is also the kind of small town
(population: 1500) where everyone
(population: 1500) where everyone
Folks like me only went online to read
and report when print was no longer
friendly to us and we were able to find
what was true elsewhere rather than
continue to settle for news filtered for us
through an increasingly liberal lens.
Something I never thought I'd
see
Standard & Poor's has just rated New
York Times' bonds at BB (junk) status.
When I speak to reporters around the
nation, they tell me their newsrooms
continue to shrink every few months and
admit to worries about getting pink slips
-- and these are veteran writers. But
even as Associated Press is lowering its
rates again their online stories on Yahoo
and radio continue a clear liberal bias.
And Editor & Publisher's news story
today about a New York Times editorial
(NYT Endorses Obama--Palin 'Unfit' )
should itself have been published as an
E&P op-ed as E&P not only manages to
repeat the Times' editorial bias but also
to agree with and support it.
Gannett's papers becoming
shoppers?
Shoppers are those throwaways
somebody tosses into your driveway and
you throw them away unread because
they're mostly ads with uninteresting
features. While E&P reports that
"Gannett Q3 earnings slip on 14%
decline In newspaper revenue," rather
than looking at its liberal editorial bias
which permeates not only its choice of
words but also its choice of stories,
Gannett blames the economy:
and report when print was no longer
friendly to us and we were able to find
what was true elsewhere rather than
continue to settle for news filtered for us
through an increasingly liberal lens.
Something I never thought I'd
see
Standard & Poor's has just rated New
York Times' bonds at BB (junk) status.
When I speak to reporters around the
nation, they tell me their newsrooms
continue to shrink every few months and
admit to worries about getting pink slips
-- and these are veteran writers. But
even as Associated Press is lowering its
rates again their online stories on Yahoo
and radio continue a clear liberal bias.
And Editor & Publisher's news story
today about a New York Times editorial
(NYT Endorses Obama--Palin 'Unfit' )
should itself have been published as an
E&P op-ed as E&P not only manages to
repeat the Times' editorial bias but also
to agree with and support it.
Gannett's papers becoming
shoppers?
Shoppers are those throwaways
somebody tosses into your driveway and
you throw them away unread because
they're mostly ads with uninteresting
features. While E&P reports that
"Gannett Q3 earnings slip on 14%
decline In newspaper revenue," rather
than looking at its liberal editorial bias
which permeates not only its choice of
words but also its choice of stories,
Gannett blames the economy:
| The decline was due to softer publishing advertising demand resultting primarily from weak economic conditions..offset partially by Olympic and political ad spending in broadcasting and revenues from the consolidation of CareerBuilder and ShopLocal, Gannett said. (SOURCE-Editor&Publisher) |
Gannett's edu-reporting
Gannett has thus far not done any
systemic investigation of the rampant
vendor-driven corruption in public
education. For example, the Detroit Free
Press which, while it has done some fine
work, will not go after red meat stories
about Detroit Public Schools with
anything near the persistence with which
they investigated say, VP Cheney and
Halliburton. Where FreeP published
multiple images of Abu Graib, they have
thus far not printed any photographs of
DPS supe Connie Calloway being
chauffeured around in a taxpayer-funded
Town Car even though such an image
would make a very clear statement about
DPS spending priorities in Detroit's
desperate economic times. Similarly,
FreeP has not followed Calloway to
in-the-high-life education conferences.
So often the reason given is that if
reporters get too close to the bone
districts won't talk to them any more.
While I can confirm that this may indeed
occur, why would reporters settle for
school districts as their sole sources
under those circumstances?
Friends, I'm publishing this because I
love newspapers and want to see them
both survive and thrive. For them to do so,
they must change their approach.
All things are possible and it's never to
late to save America's great print industry.
In these serious times we need all
hands on deck and all possible eyes.
________________________________
Gannett has thus far not done any
systemic investigation of the rampant
vendor-driven corruption in public
education. For example, the Detroit Free
Press which, while it has done some fine
work, will not go after red meat stories
about Detroit Public Schools with
anything near the persistence with which
they investigated say, VP Cheney and
Halliburton. Where FreeP published
multiple images of Abu Graib, they have
thus far not printed any photographs of
DPS supe Connie Calloway being
chauffeured around in a taxpayer-funded
Town Car even though such an image
would make a very clear statement about
DPS spending priorities in Detroit's
desperate economic times. Similarly,
FreeP has not followed Calloway to
in-the-high-life education conferences.
So often the reason given is that if
reporters get too close to the bone
districts won't talk to them any more.
While I can confirm that this may indeed
occur, why would reporters settle for
school districts as their sole sources
under those circumstances?
Friends, I'm publishing this because I
love newspapers and want to see them
both survive and thrive. For them to do so,
they must change their approach.
All things are possible and it's never to
late to save America's great print industry.
In these serious times we need all
hands on deck and all possible eyes.
________________________________
10.15.08 / Lancaster ISD supe Larry
Lewis (above) was escorted out of last
night's LISD board meeting after being
forced to turn over his school keys and
credit cards, although you have to
wonder why on Earth district taxpayers
would allow any executives at such a
financially troubled district to enjoy the
privilege of taxpayer-funded credit cards;
looks like another district's
lofty-sounding vision statement has
failed to deliver:
Lewis (above) was escorted out of last
night's LISD board meeting after being
forced to turn over his school keys and
credit cards, although you have to
wonder why on Earth district taxpayers
would allow any executives at such a
financially troubled district to enjoy the
privilege of taxpayer-funded credit cards;
looks like another district's
lofty-sounding vision statement has
failed to deliver:
| The vision of LISD is to institute world-class schools that adapt to the changing societal needs of every student in order to be successful in 21st Century communities and workplaces. |
Be sure to read reader comments
posted by the Dallas Morning News
here, especially the ones comparing
Lewis to Dallas ISD supe Mike Hinojosa.
________________________________
posted by the Dallas Morning News
here, especially the ones comparing
Lewis to Dallas ISD supe Mike Hinojosa.
________________________________
DISD: ROUND UP THE
USUAL SUSPECTS
10.23.08 / 9 am
Let me make sure I get this straight.
Dallas ISD supe Mike Hinojosa's first
self-investigation of the South Oak Cliff
HS grading scandal didn't find anything,
so now he's hired outside attorneys who,
because he's signing their paychecks,
will essentially conduct a second DISD
self-investigation? And how many
teachers' jobs will be sacrificed to pay
these legal fees?
________________________________
USUAL SUSPECTS
10.23.08 / 9 am
Let me make sure I get this straight.
Dallas ISD supe Mike Hinojosa's first
self-investigation of the South Oak Cliff
HS grading scandal didn't find anything,
so now he's hired outside attorneys who,
because he's signing their paychecks,
will essentially conduct a second DISD
self-investigation? And how many
teachers' jobs will be sacrificed to pay
these legal fees?
________________________________
10.22.08
Folks, meet my
new best friend,
James Ragland
of the Dallas
News
Folks, meet my
new best friend,
James Ragland
of the Dallas
News
Jimmy and my two other new best friends
-- UT prof Constantine Konstans and
Dallas Achieve's Pettis Norman -- and I
all agree: Dallas ISD's new board ethics
policy -- in sum -- stinks. Read on:.
-- UT prof Constantine Konstans and
Dallas Achieve's Pettis Norman -- and I
all agree: Dallas ISD's new board ethics
policy -- in sum -- stinks. Read on:.
| New ethics proposal for Dallas schools trustees isn't enough By James Ragland Dallas Morning News Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Edwin Flores doesn’t know what to expect next week, with his colleagues poised to vote on a new ethics policy for Dallas Independent School District trustees. I do, which is why I’m already pinching my nose. Mr. Flores thinks — or hopes, anyway — that he has enough votes to push through a “tough” (his word, not mine) new ethics policy that would require board members to be more open and accountable. But some critics, including at least two of his colleagues and yours truly, don’t think the policy goes far enough. (Continued here) |
_______________________________
"FIRE MIKE" 10.23.08/7am
How is Dallas ISD supe Mike
Hinojosa still employed in the face
of such widespread public
antipathy as this?
"FIRE MIKE" 10.23.08/7am
How is Dallas ISD supe Mike
Hinojosa still employed in the face
of such widespread public
antipathy as this?
When you see minivans at the mall with
"FIRE MIKE" painted in the back window
-- rather than football slogans or HS
cheerleader electioneering -- it's clear
that public opinion has irrevocably turned
against Coach Mike. Time for him to find
a new team to play on. Hopefully, since
DISD board president Jack Lowe has
spoken so highly of Mike's leadership
abilities, he'll be able to squeeze him in
over at TD Industries. Hats off to Tawnell
Hobbs at the Dallas Morning News for
this find.
________________________________
"FIRE MIKE" painted in the back window
-- rather than football slogans or HS
cheerleader electioneering -- it's clear
that public opinion has irrevocably turned
against Coach Mike. Time for him to find
a new team to play on. Hopefully, since
DISD board president Jack Lowe has
spoken so highly of Mike's leadership
abilities, he'll be able to squeeze him in
over at TD Industries. Hats off to Tawnell
Hobbs at the Dallas Morning News for
this find.
________________________________
Q1: Who's paying for Rudy
Crew's trip to San Francisco next
month (the PEN conference)? And
what's he going to say when he gets
there? "Do as I say but not as I do?"
Might he expand on his comments along
these lines: "Even if you are named
AASA supe of the year you still need to
balance your district's books and be nice
to your trustees and employees?"
Crew's trip to San Francisco next
month (the PEN conference)? And
what's he going to say when he gets
there? "Do as I say but not as I do?"
Might he expand on his comments along
these lines: "Even if you are named
AASA supe of the year you still need to
balance your district's books and be nice
to your trustees and employees?"
10.24.08
2 questions:
2 questions:
Q2: When will our valued
leadership in the press get it that
they're losing readers and revenues not
because of the Internet or a softening
economy but because of their unrelenting
liberal bias?
leadership in the press get it that
they're losing readers and revenues not
because of the Internet or a softening
economy but because of their unrelenting
liberal bias?
rates
bonds
'Junk'
| The President of the Board previously said he would stay out of it. Instead, he voted. He voted for a revised policy that will keep the checks going to his company. The Board President acted unethically in voting for a policy that allows his personal arrangement to continue. He should have abstained. Five Trustees cannot bring themselves to end unethical profiting of Trustees at the public horseshoe because their political agenda is more important than true ethics reform. ... Another very clear indication that the wrong people are in charge. 5 Voting to Keep Trustee Contracts Jack Lowe Edwin Flores Nancy Bingham Jerome Garza Leigh Ann Ellis 4 Voting Against Trustee Contracts Adam Medrano Lew Blackburn Ron Price Carla Ranger |
QUESTION: Who among the 5 will flip or
resign?
resign?
10.31.08 / Dallas ISD
3 TRUSTEES CALL
FOR SUPERINTENDENT
CONFIDENCE VOTE
Although CBS reported last night that a
special board meeting is tentatively
scheduled for Monday (Nov. 3), as of
today Jack Lowe, DISD board president,
had not agreed to set up such a meeting.
The trustees calling for the meeting are
Lew Blackburn, Ron Price and Carla
Ranger, who spells out clearly in her
blog why she is dissatisfied with last
night's vote approving trustee Edwin
Flores' new ethics policy.
3 TRUSTEES CALL
FOR SUPERINTENDENT
CONFIDENCE VOTE
Although CBS reported last night that a
special board meeting is tentatively
scheduled for Monday (Nov. 3), as of
today Jack Lowe, DISD board president,
had not agreed to set up such a meeting.
The trustees calling for the meeting are
Lew Blackburn, Ron Price and Carla
Ranger, who spells out clearly in her
blog why she is dissatisfied with last
night's vote approving trustee Edwin
Flores' new ethics policy.
| The Superintendent cannot have contracts with Dallas ISD. Employees cannot have contracts with Dallas ISD. But Trustees still can. |
More from Carla's blog:
11.02.08
New Yorkers restless at spectre
of educators working the
system for their own gain,
leaving everyone else fleeced
New Yorkers restless at spectre
of educators working the
system for their own gain,
leaving everyone else fleeced
John George (above) may well be
grinning like a Cheshire cat about his a
fat cat pension; at $205,809 a year it's
more than any salary he earned as a
New York public school superintendent.
Plus he doesn't have to pay any state or
federal taxes on it -- unlike the taxpayers
funding his pension. And he feels he
deserves every penny.
grinning like a Cheshire cat about his a
fat cat pension; at $205,809 a year it's
more than any salary he earned as a
New York public school superintendent.
Plus he doesn't have to pay any state or
federal taxes on it -- unlike the taxpayers
funding his pension. And he feels he
deserves every penny.
| “It is this elephant in the room that’s been growing more obese this decade that everyone refuses to recognize. The issue is, somebody’s paying. All this stuff has a cost.” -- Edmund J. McMahon, director-Empire Center for NY State Policy |
While a few people such as Donald
Ogilvie (below) still believe the
sick-and-vacation day buyback scam is
uncommon, I'm not sure on what he
bases his statement, as it is counter to
so much anecdotal evidence otherwise:
Ogilvie (below) still believe the
sick-and-vacation day buyback scam is
uncommon, I'm not sure on what he
bases his statement, as it is counter to
so much anecdotal evidence otherwise:
| Regarding the common practice of not declaring sick and vacation days as George did in order to inflate their retirement salaries, “Although not in any way a typical practice [among superintendents], I am nevertheless embarrassed when these reports surface,” said Donald A. Ogilvie, superintendent of the Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services. “The public pension system is already a substantial benefit that shouldn’t require additional tweaking to squeeze out a few more dollars.” |
More here at The Buffalo News.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AWARD (CA)
Tim Crews, the kind of newspaper-
man the U.S. needs more of
Valley Mirror honored for
investigative journalism
By Peyton Wolcott
Friday, October 31, 2008 /6:31 a.m.
Tim Crews, the kind of newspaper-
man the U.S. needs more of
Valley Mirror honored for
investigative journalism
By Peyton Wolcott
Friday, October 31, 2008 /6:31 a.m.
You know going in that running a small
rural newspaper is not going to be a
money-making proposition. The big
hope mostly is to be able to pay bills.
In this unlikely situation Sacramento
Valley-Mirror publisher Tim Crews not
only provides internships for promising
Stanford University journalism students
but also wins prestigious awards for his
work regarding the goings-on in the local
office of education. More about Tim and
his most recent recognition
here.
rural newspaper is not going to be a
money-making proposition. The big
hope mostly is to be able to pay bills.
In this unlikely situation Sacramento
Valley-Mirror publisher Tim Crews not
only provides internships for promising
Stanford University journalism students
but also wins prestigious awards for his
work regarding the goings-on in the local
office of education. More about Tim and
his most recent recognition
here.
| Tim Crews (L) with Willie Olivarez |
Today we again turn up the heat on
this glorious melting pot. We do this in
America every four years, to the day,
voluntarily. The resulting transition of
power is peaceful. It has been so for
more than two centuries; of no other
civilization in recorded history can this
be said. God bless America, land of
the brave, home of the free.
--Peyton Wolcott Nov. 4, 2008
this glorious melting pot. We do this in
America every four years, to the day,
voluntarily. The resulting transition of
power is peaceful. It has been so for
more than two centuries; of no other
civilization in recorded history can this
be said. God bless America, land of
the brave, home of the free.
--Peyton Wolcott Nov. 4, 2008
Why our schoolchildren need to
study history rather than social
studies
study history rather than social
studies
11.05.08/During a recent visit to my
grandchildren I routinely looked at the
then-3rd grader's homework. In addition
to a fuzzy math page published rife with
errors, there was also a social studies
take-home featuring not George (or even
Martha) Washington but Sheryl Crow.
Given the rise of Holocaust deniers,
wouldn't our kids be better served study-
ing, say, the facts and events of the Nazi
ascent to power rather than singers?
Hitler's BrownShirted national police
force rather than Ms. Crow (above)?
This shining nation on a hill must learn
the lessons of history. This is the
change we can hope for, that we learn
from the mistakes of those who came
before us rather than repeat their errors.
grandchildren I routinely looked at the
then-3rd grader's homework. In addition
to a fuzzy math page published rife with
errors, there was also a social studies
take-home featuring not George (or even
Martha) Washington but Sheryl Crow.
Given the rise of Holocaust deniers,
wouldn't our kids be better served study-
ing, say, the facts and events of the Nazi
ascent to power rather than singers?
Hitler's BrownShirted national police
force rather than Ms. Crow (above)?
This shining nation on a hill must learn
the lessons of history. This is the
change we can hope for, that we learn
from the mistakes of those who came
before us rather than repeat their errors.
11.04.08 / Uniformed Black Panthers
(one with nightstick) outside Philadelphia,
PA voting place. More here.
(one with nightstick) outside Philadelphia,
PA voting place. More here.
11.03.08/ Dallas & Lancaster ISDs: why the
"Team of Eight" (or "Team of Ten" in
Dallas) is a failed concept--and what do
we know of Mike Hinojosa's & Larry
Lewis' financial acumen?Anything?
"Team of Eight" (or "Team of Ten" in
Dallas) is a failed concept--and what do
we know of Mike Hinojosa's & Larry
Lewis' financial acumen?Anything?
When then-state senator Bill Ratliff
pushed through his historic 1995 rewrite
of the Texas Education Code, among
his changes were the stripping of
elected trustees' powers which were
given to their employee, the superinten-
dent. Trustees were to view their
employee as a fellow team member.
pushed through his historic 1995 rewrite
of the Texas Education Code, among
his changes were the stripping of
elected trustees' powers which were
given to their employee, the superinten-
dent. Trustees were to view their
employee as a fellow team member.
Two things happened:
(1) Bill Ratliff * (L)
(Photo--Austin
American-Statesman) went to
work for TASB which sells
"Team of Eight" trainings
(other clients: AIG, recipient
of a recent huge
taxpayer-funded bailout)
(1) Bill Ratliff * (L)
(Photo--Austin
American-Statesman) went to
work for TASB which sells
"Team of Eight" trainings
(other clients: AIG, recipient
of a recent huge
taxpayer-funded bailout)
and (2) any trustees asking meaningful
questions have run the risk of being
investigated by Ron Rowell's group at
TEA for"micromanaging."
questions have run the risk of being
investigated by Ron Rowell's group at
TEA for"micromanaging."
As Ed Flathouse (R), then-
associate commissioner
for school finance &
compliance, told me years
ago, trustees are not
supposed to even look at
associate commissioner
for school finance &
compliance, told me years
ago, trustees are not
supposed to even look at
their district's checks; as an
administrative detail checks are the
supe's job. I laughed out loud when Ed
made this statement, thinking he was
joking.
Turns out he was serious--serious as
Dallas ISD's recent surprise $148
million deficit..
administrative detail checks are the
supe's job. I laughed out loud when Ed
made this statement, thinking he was
joking.
Turns out he was serious--serious as
Dallas ISD's recent surprise $148
million deficit..
Think about this wrong-headed Team
of Eight philosophy being sold by TASB
to naive trustees at trainings and
conferences.
Trustees are not to look at financial
details like checks, and to approve a
cursory annual audit, trusting that the
supe they hired is financially savvy.
Carried to its logical conclusion, isn't
this what DISD and LISD trustees have
been dutifully doing all these years,
standing back and trusting? Isn't this
what's happened in Dallas and
Lancaster with their employees the
superintendents' recent announcement
of surprise deficits?
_______________________________
of Eight philosophy being sold by TASB
to naive trustees at trainings and
conferences.
Trustees are not to look at financial
details like checks, and to approve a
cursory annual audit, trusting that the
supe they hired is financially savvy.
Carried to its logical conclusion, isn't
this what DISD and LISD trustees have
been dutifully doing all these years,
standing back and trusting? Isn't this
what's happened in Dallas and
Lancaster with their employees the
superintendents' recent announcement
of surprise deficits?
_______________________________
11.25.08 UPDATE: Apparently not. The new
first daughters have been enrolled in a private
school in D.C., the same one vetted by/used
by the Clintons.
11.12.08 / Are Washington, DC's public
schools good enough for all children? Are
they safe enough -- for all children?
first daughters have been enrolled in a private
school in D.C., the same one vetted by/used
by the Clintons.
11.12.08 / Are Washington, DC's public
schools good enough for all children? Are
they safe enough -- for all children?
| Washington, DC public schools logo |
What a great opportunity president-elect
Obama has before him, a chance to prove to
the nation that he truly supports public schools
by sending his own children to DC public
schools.
Obama has before him, a chance to prove to
the nation that he truly supports public schools
by sending his own children to DC public
schools.
To encourage this, DC board of education
members Mary Lord (L) and Robert Bobb (R)
this morning published a thoughtful letter in
USA Today asking president-elect Obama to
enroll his kids in their schools:
members Mary Lord (L) and Robert Bobb (R)
this morning published a thoughtful letter in
USA Today asking president-elect Obama to
enroll his kids in their schools:
| Barack Obama made history as America's first African-American president. He now has a chance to shatter another historic White House convention — as the first chief executive in three decades to send his children to a local public school. Such a decision would have more than mere symbolic importance. The District of Columbia's troubled system has come a long way since little Amy Carter attended Thaddeus Stevens Elementary, and even a scouting visit by the first family to some of our city's outstanding public and public-charter schools would validate education-reform efforts here and across the nation. ...Like any Washington couple, Barack and Michelle Obama naturally want the best learning environment for their children. Politics aside, they could not have landed in a better town for "education consumers." We are the country's petri dish for school choice. Scores of tradiitional public school students crisscross the city each day for classrooms far beyond their neighborhood boundaries.... [No] private option offers President-elect Obama a personal reality check on the No Child Left Behind mandates he campaigned to reform.... As the law's reauthorization looms, what better crash course on its impact than to have kids in the trenches? Now that would be a change any family can believe in. |
Equality & justice -- for all or some?
Also, if Barack Obama does not believe DC
schools are safe enough for his daugh-
ters, would that mean his kids are better than
other children in Washington, DC? That the
Obama children were deserving of
preferential treatment, and that he was
opposed to safety, security, excellence and
equity for all schoolchildren?
Also, if Barack Obama does not believe DC
schools are safe enough for his daugh-
ters, would that mean his kids are better than
other children in Washington, DC? That the
Obama children were deserving of
preferential treatment, and that he was
opposed to safety, security, excellence and
equity for all schoolchildren?
BACKGROUND:
o President Bush sent his daughters to
public schools in Austin while he was
governor; they were college-age by the time
he reached the White House.
o President Clinton sent his school-aged
daughter to a private school.
o President Reagan's children were already
out of school by the time he was elected
president.
o President Carter sent his daughter to a DC
public school.
______________
o President Bush sent his daughters to
public schools in Austin while he was
governor; they were college-age by the time
he reached the White House.
o President Clinton sent his school-aged
daughter to a private school.
o President Reagan's children were already
out of school by the time he was elected
president.
o President Carter sent his daughter to a DC
public school.
______________
11.12.08 / WHERE TO START? (1)
DISD Yachtgate Ruben
Bohuchot sentencing today.
(2) House Public Ed chair Rob
Eissler fined by Texas Ethics
Commission. (3) Results of
Dallas ISD secret biz advisors
meeting yesterday
are--well,secret.
DISD Yachtgate Ruben
Bohuchot sentencing today.
(2) House Public Ed chair Rob
Eissler fined by Texas Ethics
Commission. (3) Results of
Dallas ISD secret biz advisors
meeting yesterday
are--well,secret.
Given that U.S. District Judge Sam
Lindsay (L) is the one doing the
sentencing today, and given that Judge
Lindsay is the same fellow who let
another defendant in the same case(
William Coleman-R), off the hook with a
slap on the wrist in September ($5,000
fine, 40 hours community service, $10
court fees, and a year's probation), and
given that Lindsay was a Clinton
appointee, hard to imagine that my hope
that state and federal taxpayers will
receive any justice today has any
grounding in realistic expectation. You
remember Lindsay. He was the "I'm an
agent of social change" judge who
decided DISD's Preston Hollow
Elementary "Bike to School Day" was
racist last year, and who last year also
defied the will of Farmers Branch voters
who attempted to do what they could to
stem the tide of illegal immigrants in
their community.
_______________________________
Lindsay (L) is the one doing the
sentencing today, and given that Judge
Lindsay is the same fellow who let
another defendant in the same case(
William Coleman-R), off the hook with a
slap on the wrist in September ($5,000
fine, 40 hours community service, $10
court fees, and a year's probation), and
given that Lindsay was a Clinton
appointee, hard to imagine that my hope
that state and federal taxpayers will
receive any justice today has any
grounding in realistic expectation. You
remember Lindsay. He was the "I'm an
agent of social change" judge who
decided DISD's Preston Hollow
Elementary "Bike to School Day" was
racist last year, and who last year also
defied the will of Farmers Branch voters
who attempted to do what they could to
stem the tide of illegal immigrants in
their community.
_______________________________
When will AASA, TASA & the other 49 state administrator associations start promoting pre-embezzlement internal trainings to school superintendents? When will our school superintendents and school board members start paying closer attention to their fiduciary duty-of-care responsibilities? They must -- and now -- if our great public schools are to remain strong and locally governed. |
11.18.08--DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Does Queen Connie really need
someone to carry her purse?
Does Queen Connie really need
someone to carry her purse?
| Connie Calloway (Collage by Peyton Wolcott) INSET: Former Katy ISD (TX) supe Leonard Merrell was my first historical collage, here as King George III. Thanks to readers for their suggestions; who knows who'll be next? |
Detroit Schools CEO Connie Calloway's
private security detail, "the most extensive in
the country," has been marked by conflicts with
the monarch including requests to be
transferred out of the Queen's Court.
"The transfers were due to personality conflicts
and because the cops refused to carry
Calloway's handbag," writes Chastity Pratt
Dawsey in today's Detroit Free Press.
"As hundreds of teachers, social workers and
support staff are getting layoff notices from the
Detroit Public Schools district, some board
members are requesting that the
superintendent cut her office's budget, starting
with the armed police who escort her around
Detroit and throughout the state....The district
said Calloway has received no threats since
taking the job last year. The National School
Safety Center...maintains that the level of
security to protect staff and students should
correspond with the threat level.
'My advice to schools is follow the least
restrictive environment. ... If you don't need a
security entourage, don't use it,' said Ronald
Stephens, executive director of the group."
More here
private security detail, "the most extensive in
the country," has been marked by conflicts with
the monarch including requests to be
transferred out of the Queen's Court.
"The transfers were due to personality conflicts
and because the cops refused to carry
Calloway's handbag," writes Chastity Pratt
Dawsey in today's Detroit Free Press.
"As hundreds of teachers, social workers and
support staff are getting layoff notices from the
Detroit Public Schools district, some board
members are requesting that the
superintendent cut her office's budget, starting
with the armed police who escort her around
Detroit and throughout the state....The district
said Calloway has received no threats since
taking the job last year. The National School
Safety Center...maintains that the level of
security to protect staff and students should
correspond with the threat level.
'My advice to schools is follow the least
restrictive environment. ... If you don't need a
security entourage, don't use it,' said Ronald
Stephens, executive director of the group."
More here
"The CEO's of the United States are the Louis XIV's of the 21st century." --Gerald Celente |
ANDRE HORNSBY--THAT'S 'DR.'
TO YOU & THE JUDGE--TODAY
By Peyton Wolcott
Tues., Nov. 25, 2008 / 6:58 am
TO YOU & THE JUDGE--TODAY
By Peyton Wolcott
Tues., Nov. 25, 2008 / 6:58 am
Will today's sentencing of former
Prince George's County schools CEO Andre
Hornsby, who is also former president of the
National Alliance of Black School
Educators, serve as a wake up call to
administrators who cross that invisible line
between honesty and corruption?
Prince George's County schools CEO Andre
Hornsby, who is also former president of the
National Alliance of Black School
Educators, serve as a wake up call to
administrators who cross that invisible line
between honesty and corruption?
At the very least, we can hope that Hornsby's
prosecution having gotten this far will
encourage administrators to stop meeting
with vendors in hotel rooms and suites.
Folks, what part of this FBI photo below are
you comfortable with? This cozy scene
between a working public school
superintendent and a vendor in an
out-of-the-way hotel suite discussing the
supe's kickback for a contract simply does
not pass the smell test, does it?
prosecution having gotten this far will
encourage administrators to stop meeting
with vendors in hotel rooms and suites.
Folks, what part of this FBI photo below are
you comfortable with? This cozy scene
between a working public school
superintendent and a vendor in an
out-of-the-way hotel suite discussing the
supe's kickback for a contract simply does
not pass the smell test, does it?
We really can't blame vendors for trying to sell
to public schools. At least they're out there in
the marketplace rather than feeding at the
public trough. No, it's up to our administrators
and trustees to take the high road. We cannot
expect our legislators to do enforce this for us
-- after all, they have sufficient vendor and
lobbyist issues of their own.
____________________________________
to public schools. At least they're out there in
the marketplace rather than feeding at the
public trough. No, it's up to our administrators
and trustees to take the high road. We cannot
expect our legislators to do enforce this for us
-- after all, they have sufficient vendor and
lobbyist issues of their own.
____________________________________
| Hornsby (R) & Cynthia Joffrion (L) (FBI) |
| There are no other photos of Cynthia Joffrion online |
SENTENCING (FBI / eRATE/ BRIBES)
Hornsby: 6 years
By Peyton Wolcott
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 - 12:02 am
Hornsby: 6 years
By Peyton Wolcott
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 - 12:02 am
Despite the FBI tape, despite the trial,
despite the public humiliation and loss of a
lucrative career,Andre Hornsby never did
admit guilt yesterday at his sentencing. In
addition to six years in federal prison,
Hornsby will also have three years of
supervision post-prison, plus pay a $20,000
fine and $70,000 in restitution to the Prince
George's schools, plus alcohol treatment,
plus cooperate with the IRS in a probe of his
tax returns. Hornsby is to report to federal
prison on Jan. 2 in El Reno, Oklahoma; his
attorney says they plan an appeal. More from
Nick Matigan at the Baltimore Sun here
NOTE: According to Ruben Castaneda in
the Washington Post, federal prisoners serve
85% of their sentences.
___________________________________
despite the public humiliation and loss of a
lucrative career,Andre Hornsby never did
admit guilt yesterday at his sentencing. In
addition to six years in federal prison,
Hornsby will also have three years of
supervision post-prison, plus pay a $20,000
fine and $70,000 in restitution to the Prince
George's schools, plus alcohol treatment,
plus cooperate with the IRS in a probe of his
tax returns. Hornsby is to report to federal
prison on Jan. 2 in El Reno, Oklahoma; his
attorney says they plan an appeal. More from
Nick Matigan at the Baltimore Sun here
NOTE: According to Ruben Castaneda in
the Washington Post, federal prisoners serve
85% of their sentences.
___________________________________
| Andre Hornsby with daughters en route to court (PHOTO-Marvin Joseph/Wash.Post) |
Update: Birmingham Mayor
Larry Langford, arrested, jailed
on federal charges / Feds
unseal 101-count indictment
By Val Walton -- Birmingham News December 01, 2008
9:22 AM
Larry Langford, arrested, jailed
on federal charges / Feds
unseal 101-count indictment
By Val Walton -- Birmingham News December 01, 2008
9:22 AM
NOTE: For
more info,
scroll down to
my Nov. 1
commentary
more info,
scroll down to
my Nov. 1
commentary
___________________________________
DALLAS ISD
Trustees vote to extend their term
limits to 4 years: Why? Why now?
Who benefits?
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Nov. 21, 2008 / 6:49 a.m.
DALLAS ISD
Trustees vote to extend their term
limits to 4 years: Why? Why now?
Who benefits?
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Nov. 21, 2008 / 6:49 a.m.
If business and civic leaders are really
running the show in DISD -- as they are in
most of America's 15,000 school districts --
who in Dallas benefits the most from
extending the status quo an extra year as
occurred at last night's DISD board meeting?
Which lucrative vendor contracts -- including
technology and construction -- are thereby
shored up an extra year? Which relationships
already developed remain safely in play and
place for one more budget cycle?
In a school district where supe Mike Hinojosa
got to personally touch as many as 1.7 billion
actual dollars during the most recently
reported PEIMS accounting period (2006-07),
who has the most to gain from the decisions
he and his board make?
Many years ago I learned that any time
something mystifying occurs in public
education and the pat answer offered by the
schools sounds hollow, one rule always
applies:
running the show in DISD -- as they are in
most of America's 15,000 school districts --
who in Dallas benefits the most from
extending the status quo an extra year as
occurred at last night's DISD board meeting?
Which lucrative vendor contracts -- including
technology and construction -- are thereby
shored up an extra year? Which relationships
already developed remain safely in play and
place for one more budget cycle?
In a school district where supe Mike Hinojosa
got to personally touch as many as 1.7 billion
actual dollars during the most recently
reported PEIMS accounting period (2006-07),
who has the most to gain from the decisions
he and his board make?
Many years ago I learned that any time
something mystifying occurs in public
education and the pat answer offered by the
schools sounds hollow, one rule always
applies:
| FOLLOW THE MONEY |
DALLAS ISD SHOCKER
DMN: DISD account-
ing system 'fatally flawed' 'for
years' (but starting when? and
under whom?)
QUESTION #1: Is the "lid really off" now? Q #2:
Who's benefited financially from DISD's
accounting system having no accountability?
Q #3: What specific steps did former DISD
supe Mike Moses take to fix things--no, let me
restate and clarify that --to rectify the situation?
--Updated 11.24.08/8:04a.m.
DMN: DISD account-
ing system 'fatally flawed' 'for
years' (but starting when? and
under whom?)
QUESTION #1: Is the "lid really off" now? Q #2:
Who's benefited financially from DISD's
accounting system having no accountability?
Q #3: What specific steps did former DISD
supe Mike Moses take to fix things--no, let me
restate and clarify that --to rectify the situation?
--Updated 11.24.08/8:04a.m.