| About the Forum: The Missouri Superintendents Forum brings together school district leaders from across the state to bolster their leadership and share strategies for managing school districts in the context of an increasing array of educational, financial and public challenges. Forum members include new and experienced superintendents representing urban, rural, and suburban communities. They include men, women and minorities, and they bring a diversity of professional experience, accomplishments and interests. The Forum is under the direction of an advisory board co-chaired by Lynn Beckwith Jr., Superintendent of the School District of University City, and Pat Henley, Director of the Missouri Center for Safe Schools. The Forum meets twice a year, and sessions are organized to provide for thoughtful, structured discussion around significant challenges defined by superintendents and other community leaders. Membership is limited to about 50 participants. The Forum is supported by The Danforth Foundation in St. Louis and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, MO. The idea for the Forum came our of a national initiative established by The Danforth Foundation in 1993, the Forum for the American School Superintendent. |
| MISSOURI SUPERINTENDENTS FORUM* [UNDATED] MEMBERS: W. Scott Taveau, Ed.D. Superintendent Hannibal #60 School District 4650 McMasters Avenue Hannibal, MO 63401 573/221-1258, Fax 573/221-2994 PRE-LIBERTY CAREER Superintendent of Schools, Hannibal, MO (1989-present) Superintendent of Schools, Marceline, MO (3 years) High School Principal, Knob Noster, MO (3 years) High School Principal, Putnam County, Unionville, MO (3 years) Dr. Taveau received the Missouri Superintendent of the Year award for 1996-97. Dr. Taveau's district is working on a comprehensive school facilities improvement plan, which includes a $13 million school bond issue for a new school and facility renovations. Dr. Taveau is working as a consultant with MSBA in the VOLTS program of School Board Governance. |
| 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. |
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| ATTENTION EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS: Every attempt possible has been made to verify all sources and information. In the event you feel an error has been made, please contact us immediately. Thank you. |
| Copyright 1999-2008 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 |
| MMM 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 - A p r i l - M a y 2 0 0 9 |
| Want to do something to clean up your schools? It's simple: Persuade your trustees and trustee candidates to sign these voluntary ethics pledges : Education News (long version mentioning potholes to look out for) & Human Events (short version by Lynn Woolley) |
HOME
| MAY 16-31, 2009 |
| APRIL 16-30, 2009 |
| APRIL 1-15, 2009 |
| Friends, some of these links may no longer work; hopefully there's enough information here that you can Google & call up at least the cached version. |
| MAY 1-15, 2009 |
| 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) |
QUICK LINKS TO 09.30.08
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. |
| 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? |
"The CEO's of the United States are the Louis XIV's of the 21st century." --Gerald Celente |
| Frankie Wong (R) of Dallas ISD's Yachtgate tech scandal (PHOTO--J. Mahoney/Dallas News) |
| Wong's "Sir Veza" used by DISD exec Ruben Bohuchot, renamed the "Rehab" |
| "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 |
| The nation's 1st & only daily conservative public education commentary |
| 1773 Boston Tea Party |
_____________________________
| ______________________________ |
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
Former TEA science director
Chris Comer's lawsuit dismissed
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Apr. 1, 2009/1:09 am
Former TEA science director
Chris Comer's lawsuit dismissed
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Apr. 1, 2009/1:09 am
| Chris Comer at 2005 "Leadership Symposium" edu-conference |
Gee, sure wish fellow journalists at The
New York Times and newspapers here in
Texas had looked at Comer's TEA
personnel file containing stepped
warning letters from her supervisors over
a period of time before assuming
Comer's lawsuit asserting that she had
been fired because of her belief in
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was
an accurate depiction of events.
Comer was allowed to resign from TEA
(in lieu of being fired) for misconduct and
insubordination. Veteran educator
Donna Garner writes that federal judge
Lee Yeakel's ruling "indicates that if the
TEA asks its employees not to take a
position on a particularly controversial
curriculum issue, then it behooves the
employee to follow the directive."
This ruling represents a wonderful
opportunity for Chris to start her own
business where she can say what, when
and how she wants. Please take a few
minutes to read the court transcript
posted at the Austin
American-Statesman's blogged report
published yesterday.
________________________________
New York Times and newspapers here in
Texas had looked at Comer's TEA
personnel file containing stepped
warning letters from her supervisors over
a period of time before assuming
Comer's lawsuit asserting that she had
been fired because of her belief in
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was
an accurate depiction of events.
Comer was allowed to resign from TEA
(in lieu of being fired) for misconduct and
insubordination. Veteran educator
Donna Garner writes that federal judge
Lee Yeakel's ruling "indicates that if the
TEA asks its employees not to take a
position on a particularly controversial
curriculum issue, then it behooves the
employee to follow the directive."
This ruling represents a wonderful
opportunity for Chris to start her own
business where she can say what, when
and how she wants. Please take a few
minutes to read the court transcript
posted at the Austin
American-Statesman's blogged report
published yesterday.
________________________________
| 04.03.09 UPDATE: Tucson USD's Disney-trained CFO Beatriz Rendon quit 2 weeks ago; no response from Disney. Despite sending execs to Disney Inst., TUSD is losing students, firing teachers, mishandling cash. |
| Michael Eisner (L); Elizabeth Celania-Fagen |
TUCSON USD (AZ)
Memo to Tucson USD supe:
Eisner kept his hands on
Disney's till
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Apr. 2, 2009/12:15 am
Memo to Tucson USD supe:
Eisner kept his hands on
Disney's till
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Apr. 2, 2009/12:15 am
This happens so often: a public school
superintendent will hear about a new
idea at an edu-conference, etc. and bring
it home to the troops. In Tucson, new
supe Elizabeth Celania-Fagen from Des
Moines decided to introduce the Disney
management model to her staff.
Trouble is, they apparently only got
Disney-lite. Former Disney CEO Mike
Eisner is a tough boss, one who earned
his Screamer nickname during his stay at
Paramount as a guy who never would
have put up for a moment with a $30,000
"oops" cash disappearance as at TUSD,
let alone audit reports finding lax internal
controls including cash that stayed at
schools for weeks in violation of district
daily deposit policies. It's clear that
TUSD citizens see through this charade;
look at local blog entries:
superintendent will hear about a new
idea at an edu-conference, etc. and bring
it home to the troops. In Tucson, new
supe Elizabeth Celania-Fagen from Des
Moines decided to introduce the Disney
management model to her staff.
Trouble is, they apparently only got
Disney-lite. Former Disney CEO Mike
Eisner is a tough boss, one who earned
his Screamer nickname during his stay at
Paramount as a guy who never would
have put up for a moment with a $30,000
"oops" cash disappearance as at TUSD,
let alone audit reports finding lax internal
controls including cash that stayed at
schools for weeks in violation of district
daily deposit policies. It's clear that
TUSD citizens see through this charade;
look at local blog entries:
| How hard is it to go to the bank! There is simply no excuse for this; it demon- strates a callous disregard for the public's money. . . . People, especially in government run entities, tend to get sloppy and reckless with the handling of other people's money when they know they won't be held personally accountable for its waste, loss or misuse. . . . Who had access to that money? Or did they simply leave it laying around all day so a friend could take it? Why is TPD not investigating? |
HILLSBOROUGH CPS (FL)
$23 million savings to FL
residents by decentralizing
county schools
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Apr. 4, 2009/9:10 am
Updated Sun.,Apr.5, 2009/1 am
$23 million savings to FL
residents by decentralizing
county schools
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Apr. 4, 2009/9:10 am
Updated Sun.,Apr.5, 2009/1 am
People like
former IBM
CEO/corporate
plunder-
er Louis
Gerstner keep
trying to tell us
that we can gain
economies of
scale by central-
izing public ed.
Balderdash.
former IBM
CEO/corporate
plunder-
er Louis
Gerstner keep
trying to tell us
that we can gain
economies of
scale by central-
izing public ed.
Balderdash.
| Hillsborough County Public Schools' Susan Valdes |
Look at Florida where public ed is
centralized at the county level; 65 counties
pay at least 5 elected officials $40,000
each.
How to cure this painlessly--except
perhaps for Hillsborough trustee Susan
Valdes: decentralize Florida's county
public schools,allow money to flow
directly to a set of two or three K-12
schools where it could be easily overseen
by elected volunteer trustees. Savings to
Floridians: $14 mil in trustee salaries,
plus $9 for staffs and offices.
Look at Tampa:
centralized at the county level; 65 counties
pay at least 5 elected officials $40,000
each.
How to cure this painlessly--except
perhaps for Hillsborough trustee Susan
Valdes: decentralize Florida's county
public schools,allow money to flow
directly to a set of two or three K-12
schools where it could be easily overseen
by elected volunteer trustees. Savings to
Floridians: $14 mil in trustee salaries,
plus $9 for staffs and offices.
Look at Tampa:
| At a recent budget workshop, county commissioner Kevin Beckner called for a minimum 10% pay cut for all commissioners. He said he wants everyone in county government to “feel the pain” of the current budget crisis.... I’m wondering if his buddy and political ally, April Griffin, will follow suit on the Hillsborough school board. A school board member’s salary is about $40,000, so a 10% cut sounds less severe. I doubt, though, that Griffin would ever propose such a thing. Same thinking for her echo, Susan Valdes. Their current salaries are more than each ever made in the private sector. Plus, Valdes is still paying off the little red Mercedes she bought immediately after her first election, and Griffin just bought a new home in Temple Terrace. I doubt either can afford to cut a nickel from the best job they ever had. (SOURCE--Hillsboard.com) |
HERNANDO SCHOOLS (FL)
Paid-Florida-trustee-golfs-with-
supe-who-promotes-trustee's-
wife-to-principal
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Apr. 7, 2009/1:18 am
Paid-Florida-trustee-golfs-with-
supe-who-promotes-trustee's-
wife-to-principal
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Apr. 7, 2009/1:18 am
Furthering the case against Florida's
system of centralized county districts with
paid elected trustees comes the recent
promotion in Hernando County Schools
by supe Wayne Alexander (above right) of
trustee John Sweeney's (above left) wife
Vivian from AP to principal. From reporter
Tony Marrero at Hernando Today:
system of centralized county districts with
paid elected trustees comes the recent
promotion in Hernando County Schools
by supe Wayne Alexander (above right) of
trustee John Sweeney's (above left) wife
Vivian from AP to principal. From reporter
Tony Marrero at Hernando Today:
| As soon as the news hit that two out of three assistant principals at Explorer K-8 would not be coming back next year, the rumbling began. The gist of the disquiet, according to stunned teachers: It's more than a coincidence the lone assistant principal to keep her job there is Vivian Sweeney, the wife of school board member John Sweeney....[She] was "aloof" and distant and "dropped the ball" on a few occasions. But she's the wife of the school board member known to be friendly with Superintendent Wayne Alexander, and so nepotism won out over merit and what was best for the school, teachers contend....[Sweeney] said he has "a working friendship" with Alexander and acknowledged the two play golf together occasionally. "It's not nefarious like people like to make it," he said. |
SUMMARY & SOLUTION: Florida
really does need to decentralize this
system.
really does need to decentralize this
system.
BELOW: Scenes from Hernando school
board trustee John & wife (Hernando
school executive) Vivian Sweeney's
"Wine Toad" bar: "Hoppy New Year
2009." More pix here.
board trustee John & wife (Hernando
school executive) Vivian Sweeney's
"Wine Toad" bar: "Hoppy New Year
2009." More pix here.
| 04.08.09 UPDATE: From a reader: "Thank you for bringing attention to this. A mother in our local high school was driving a carful of girls home from an event in Corpus some years ago; she was going 90 and lost control of the car. Everyone died, the mother, her daughter, the other girls. It's left a permanent scar in our community." 04.07.09 UPDATE: When I spoke with the business manager of the district which owns the SUV pictured below, I empha- sized that although I am most definitely not trying to cause trouble to any employee it would be good to know who was driving this vehicle--and why they were speeding. |
ROAD RAGE
Public school OPiuM:
Unmonitored access to and
spending of Other People's
Money
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, April 6, 2009 / 12:07 a.m.
Public school OPiuM:
Unmonitored access to and
spending of Other People's
Money
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, April 6, 2009 / 12:07 a.m.
| Saturday evening about 7:30 p.m., driving north on Highway 281 going into Johnson City, Texas. (PHOTO--Peyton Wolcott) |
It happened again, late Saturday while I
was driving home to Horseshoe Bay from
a day in San Antonio. If you haven't
guessed already, we're conservative in
our family. One of our favorite ways to
save money is to drive slower, usually
around 60 miles an hour. We pull over
for faster traffic,
although surprisingly in today's economy
lots of other folks seem to be driving
slower also.
Except for one unique class of vehicles --
public school district SUV's. For
whatever reason, I see a lot of them on
the road, and they always seem to be
speeding. It's bad enough when it's just
the superintendent and his spouse on
their way to or from an education
conference. Two years ago while driving
to Fort Worth early one morning a
district's SUV whizzed past me going 85;
it was driven by a coach and carrying
three teenaged students; apparently they
were coming home from an athletic event
the night before. This white SUV above
captured in my camera phone Saturday
evening was going 80-90 driving north of
San Antonio towards Johnson City.
Fortunately, there did not appear to be
any students in the vehicle, but still, why
go so fast?
Could the answer be as simple as the
fact that whoever was driving wasn't
having to pay for his own gasoline -- or
wear and tear on the tires and other
automotive parts?
Put another way, was the driver high on
the OPiuM of Other People's Money?
Someone else -- his taxpayers -- was
footing the bill rather than the expenses
coming out of his own pocket?
was driving home to Horseshoe Bay from
a day in San Antonio. If you haven't
guessed already, we're conservative in
our family. One of our favorite ways to
save money is to drive slower, usually
around 60 miles an hour. We pull over
for faster traffic,
although surprisingly in today's economy
lots of other folks seem to be driving
slower also.
Except for one unique class of vehicles --
public school district SUV's. For
whatever reason, I see a lot of them on
the road, and they always seem to be
speeding. It's bad enough when it's just
the superintendent and his spouse on
their way to or from an education
conference. Two years ago while driving
to Fort Worth early one morning a
district's SUV whizzed past me going 85;
it was driven by a coach and carrying
three teenaged students; apparently they
were coming home from an athletic event
the night before. This white SUV above
captured in my camera phone Saturday
evening was going 80-90 driving north of
San Antonio towards Johnson City.
Fortunately, there did not appear to be
any students in the vehicle, but still, why
go so fast?
Could the answer be as simple as the
fact that whoever was driving wasn't
having to pay for his own gasoline -- or
wear and tear on the tires and other
automotive parts?
Put another way, was the driver high on
the OPiuM of Other People's Money?
Someone else -- his taxpayers -- was
footing the bill rather than the expenses
coming out of his own pocket?
KENMORE-TOWN OF TONAWANDA UFSD (NY)
School principal arrested for
stealing from her school
--but where was her supe?
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., Apr. 9, 2009/1:27 am
School principal arrested for
stealing from her school
--but where was her supe?
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., Apr. 9, 2009/1:27 am
| LuAnn Ostanski (L) , KenMore supe Mark P. Mondanaro |
I've read a half dozen stories on this and
not one uses the phrase "internal
controls." Paul Lane of the Tonawanda
News:
not one uses the phrase "internal
controls." Paul Lane of the Tonawanda
News:
| The principal of Kenmore East High School resigned Wednesday and faces larceny charges after allegedly stealing cash from the Town of Tonawanda school. LuAnn Ostanski was charted Wednesday with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, according to Lt. Nicholas Bado of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. He said the charges stem from an investigation into Ostanski, who allegedly stole cash from the school in March. While being formally charged Wednesday, the Ken-Ton School Board also accepted her resignation, Superintendent Mark Mondanaro said. Citing “personal and family reasons,” Mondanaro said the district is fully cooperating with police in their investigation. He declined further comment until more information was available. Ostanski is due in court to answer the charges on a date to be determined, Bado said. ______________________________________ |
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
Last night: Texas Senate
confirms Robert Scott as
Commissioner of Education
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Apr. 17, 2009/12:16 am
Last night: Texas Senate
confirms Robert Scott as
Commissioner of Education
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Apr. 17, 2009/12:16 am
| Governor Perry (L) swearing in Robert Scott (R) with family. (PHOTO--Peyton Wolcott) |
Although long-time deputy
commissioner Robert Scott was
appointed commis-
sioner by Governor Rick Perry on
October 16, 2007, and sworn in by the
governor on December 2, 2007, it was
only last night that the Texas Senate
voted to confirm Scott. The nomi-
nation passed out of the Senate
nominating committee, headed by Mike
Jackson, with a 7-0 vote.
According to Texas law, our state's
education commis-
sioners must be confirmed by the
Senate, and our Lege only meets every
two years.
As veteran educator Donna Garner says,
"I know Robert Scott will continue to be a
voice of reason and of integrity."
Congratulations to Robert. It's been a
long road.
commissioner Robert Scott was
appointed commis-
sioner by Governor Rick Perry on
October 16, 2007, and sworn in by the
governor on December 2, 2007, it was
only last night that the Texas Senate
voted to confirm Scott. The nomi-
nation passed out of the Senate
nominating committee, headed by Mike
Jackson, with a 7-0 vote.
According to Texas law, our state's
education commis-
sioners must be confirmed by the
Senate, and our Lege only meets every
two years.
As veteran educator Donna Garner says,
"I know Robert Scott will continue to be a
voice of reason and of integrity."
Congratulations to Robert. It's been a
long road.
Q: With so many school execs
getting into trouble over credit
card excesses--why do they still
have them?
A: Because so many get away
with it
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Apr.13, 2009 / 7:12 am
getting into trouble over credit
card excesses--why do they still
have them?
A: Because so many get away
with it
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Apr.13, 2009 / 7:12 am
Are school district
credit cards a
license to steal?
No, that's too
strong a word.
What about this: A
license to borrow
then pay back when
you're found out?
credit cards a
license to steal?
No, that's too
strong a word.
What about this: A
license to borrow
then pay back when
you're found out?
The Arizona Office of the Auditor General
found in February 2008 that Tolleson
Union High School Superintendent Kino
Flores (above right) had "inadequate
control over credit card and charge
accounts." More from the AG:
found in February 2008 that Tolleson
Union High School Superintendent Kino
Flores (above right) had "inadequate
control over credit card and charge
accounts." More from the AG:
| A state audit has revealed loose controls on spending in Tolleson Union High School District's top administrative office . . . . One of the issues identified by the Arizona Office of the Auditor General was misuse of a credit card by Superintendent Kino Flores. During fiscal 2006, he charged nearly $26,000 on his district credit card for meals, flowers, employee gifts, travel, medical bills, and fuel and repairs on his personal vehicle, the audit showed. ________________________________ |
WASHOE CPS (NV)
2 supe finalists are from Texas;
does Dallas ISD know HR exec
Kim Olson is job hunting?
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Apr. 13, 2009/6:40 am
2 supe finalists are from Texas;
does Dallas ISD know HR exec
Kim Olson is job hunting?
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Apr. 13, 2009/6:40 am
No surprise to see Hector Montengro
still looking for work after his departure
from Arlington ISD last year, but Kim
Olson? Both have applied for the
Washoe, Nevada supe job, and both are
among the six finalists. As an indicator of
how much things have changed with the
advent of the Internet, where 5-10 years
ago administrators were able to skip
about the country with few questions
asked as to why they were moving so far
from home, folks now appear to have
discovered the world of Internet
searches; as one example, questions
have arisen around Hector's departure
from AISD, with news reports mentioning
the flap resulting from his speaking fees
from a district vendor resulting in his
resignation only six months into the
Arlington job.
In response, Hector told a local reporter,
“Everybody will be Googling and looking
into it, and if I can get through that, I’ll
have a lot to offer the school district.”
(SOURCE--Steve Timko/Reno Gazette-Journal)
still looking for work after his departure
from Arlington ISD last year, but Kim
Olson? Both have applied for the
Washoe, Nevada supe job, and both are
among the six finalists. As an indicator of
how much things have changed with the
advent of the Internet, where 5-10 years
ago administrators were able to skip
about the country with few questions
asked as to why they were moving so far
from home, folks now appear to have
discovered the world of Internet
searches; as one example, questions
have arisen around Hector's departure
from AISD, with news reports mentioning
the flap resulting from his speaking fees
from a district vendor resulting in his
resignation only six months into the
Arlington job.
In response, Hector told a local reporter,
“Everybody will be Googling and looking
into it, and if I can get through that, I’ll
have a lot to offer the school district.”
(SOURCE--Steve Timko/Reno Gazette-Journal)
OAKLAND SCHOOLS (CA)
Woody 'Spa Guy' Carter
back in the news
By Peyton Wolcott
Tues., April 21, 2009/1:09 am
Woody 'Spa Guy' Carter
back in the news
By Peyton Wolcott
Tues., April 21, 2009/1:09 am
| Woody Carter in Orange County Weekly cartoon; inset, what he might look like after a taxpayer-funded spa weekend at resort. |
Eli Broad grad Woody Carter's jumped
around the U.S. in a remarkably brief
period of time. Let's take a quick tour of
his tours of duty:
around the U.S. in a remarkably brief
period of time. Let's take a quick tour of
his tours of duty:
2002 - Supe / Bourbon County
Schools (KY)
Three months after a state investigation left
Bourbon County Schools limping from
findings of irregularities in postingjobs and
hiring, a fledgling coalition of parents says it
still isn't satisfied with the district's efforts to
open doors and startanew. The parents are
organizing in part to address what one father
calls the "closed-shop" attitude of the
superintendent and school board....Some
parents are taking to court their fight
against the Bourbon County school
superintendent for his refusal to provide
receipts and other documents from a
summer trip he took at the expense of the
school system. (SOURCE--Lexington
Herald-Leader)
Schools (KY)
Three months after a state investigation left
Bourbon County Schools limping from
findings of irregularities in postingjobs and
hiring, a fledgling coalition of parents says it
still isn't satisfied with the district's efforts to
open doors and startanew. The parents are
organizing in part to address what one father
calls the "closed-shop" attitude of the
superintendent and school board....Some
parents are taking to court their fight
against the Bourbon County school
superintendent for his refusal to provide
receipts and other documents from a
summer trip he took at the expense of the
school system. (SOURCE--Lexington
Herald-Leader)
2003 - Chief of Staff / Oakland
Schools (CA)
April 2009/After months of digging, a
private auditing firm has concluded that the
cash-strapped, state-indebted Oakland school
district has even less money than anyone
thought — nearly $15 million less. For
years, state auditors have been unable to give
an opinion on the condiition of the state-run
school district's finances, saying too many
records were lost or incomplete to be sure of
the bottom line. Last May, the school board
hired the firm Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. to
uncover the truth by sorting through records
dating to the beginning of the tumultuous
2002-03 fiscal year, which ended with a
state takeover. (SOURCE--Oakland Tribune)
Schools (CA)
April 2009/After months of digging, a
private auditing firm has concluded that the
cash-strapped, state-indebted Oakland school
district has even less money than anyone
thought — nearly $15 million less. For
years, state auditors have been unable to give
an opinion on the condiition of the state-run
school district's finances, saying too many
records were lost or incomplete to be sure of
the bottom line. Last May, the school board
hired the firm Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. to
uncover the truth by sorting through records
dating to the beginning of the tumultuous
2002-03 fiscal year, which ended with a
state takeover. (SOURCE--Oakland Tribune)
2007-08 - Supe / Capistrano USD
(CA)
After the school district fired Woody for
cause over an under-reported
taxpayer-funded spa trip (see cartoon above
left), he has now sued CUSD, seeking
$487,000 in pay and benefits. (SOURCE--Orange
County Register)
___________________________________________
(CA)
After the school district fired Woody for
cause over an under-reported
taxpayer-funded spa trip (see cartoon above
left), he has now sued CUSD, seeking
$487,000 in pay and benefits. (SOURCE--Orange
County Register)
___________________________________________
| Former school superintendent in Ohio pleads not guilty By Associated Press POSTED: 11:54 a.m. EDT, Apr 03, 2009 FREMONT, OHIO: The former superintendent of a northwest Ohio school district has pleaded not guilty to charges he stole almost $300,000 in school funds. Forty-four-year-old Todd Helms was released on his own recognizance following his appearance Thursday in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court in Fremont. Helms was indicted Wednesday on 19 counts, including theft in office, money laundering and tampering with records. He's accused of setting up a bogus company and sending it payments from Clyde-Green Springs district accounts. Helms resigned as superintendent in September. The district's lawyer says the school system plans to sue him to recover the lost taxpayer money. Helms is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 20. FREMONT, OHIO: The former superintendent of a northwest Ohio school district has pleaded not guilty to charges he stole almost $300,000 in school funds. Forty-four-year-old Todd Helms was released on his own recognizance following his appearance Thursday in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court in Fremont. Helms was indicted Wednesday on 19 counts, including theft in office, money laundering and tampering with records. He's accused of setting up a bogus company and sending it payments from Clyde-Green Springs district accounts. Helms resigned as superintendent in September. The district's lawyer says the school system plans to sue him to recover the lost taxpayer money. Helms is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 20. |
WASHOE SCHOOLS (NV)
Dallas ISD HR exec and
admitted war profiteer Kim
Olson withdraws name from
Nevada supe search
By Peyton Wolcott
AP - Updated Apr.27, 2009 / 6 pm
Dallas ISD HR exec and
admitted war profiteer Kim
Olson withdraws name from
Nevada supe search
By Peyton Wolcott
AP - Updated Apr.27, 2009 / 6 pm
California, Nevada and, thanks to
MSNBC, the rest of the U.S., all now
know that Dallas ISD's chief HR exec
pleaded guilty to war profiteering
charges in Iraq:
MSNBC, the rest of the U.S., all now
know that Dallas ISD's chief HR exec
pleaded guilty to war profiteering
charges in Iraq:
MSNBC . . . . San Francisco . . . . Reno
Santa Cruz . . . . . Dallas Morning News
Santa Cruz . . . . . Dallas Morning News
Kim's decision to withdraw her name
from consideration as new Washoe
(Nevada) supe, coming as it did after
news surfaced there regarding the 2003
war profiteering charges against her
which led to her departure from the U.S.
Army, raises questions about her
employment at Dallas ISD.
from consideration as new Washoe
(Nevada) supe, coming as it did after
news surfaced there regarding the 2003
war profiteering charges against her
which led to her departure from the U.S.
Army, raises questions about her
employment at Dallas ISD.
| RENO, Nev. -- A finalist for Washoe County school superintendent has withdrawn from consideration after a newspaper reported that she pleaded guilty to military charges while in Iraq. Kim Olson, a former Air Force colonel and current chief human development officer for the Dallas Independent School District, cited family reasons for her decision. While a high-ranking officer in Iraq, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Wednesday, Olson pleaded guilty to lesser charges in a war profiteering case in order to avoid a court martial. She was accused in 2003 of establishing a U.S. branch of a South African security firm and helping it obtain more than $3 million in contracts. She resigned with an honorable discharge. School officials say they were aware of the incident, and disappointed by her decision to withdraw. |
04.27.09/11 am Washoe (NV) UPDATE:
Former Ysleta / Arlington ISD supe &
AVID speaker Hector Montenegro's not
Washoe County schools' (Reno,
Nevada) top pick; instead, trustees will
visit Chino, CA supe/Broad grad
Edmond Heatley's home turf.
Former Ysleta / Arlington ISD supe &
AVID speaker Hector Montenegro's not
Washoe County schools' (Reno,
Nevada) top pick; instead, trustees will
visit Chino, CA supe/Broad grad
Edmond Heatley's home turf.
| Kim Olson (L); Hector Montenegro |
DALLAS ISD (TX)
DISD Kim Olson Watch:
Day #1
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Apr. 28, 2009 / 12:07 am
DISD Kim Olson Watch:
Day #1
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Apr. 28, 2009 / 12:07 am
Now that the word is out that Dallas
ISD's chief HR exec wants to leave, how
much longer will Kim Olson be
employed at Dallas ISD?
Which raises another question: Based
on what Frank Mullen published
Saturday in the Reno Gazette-Journal --
that Kim pleaded guilty to war
profiteering charges before leaving the
Army, then withdrew her name from
consideration for the supe job in
Washoe, Nevada schools last week
when this got out in Reno -- how closely
is Kim being watched these days? While
she might really and truly be doing an
A-plus bang-up job, on the other hand,
could this be another situation where
certain members of the Dallas business
community are happy with the status quo
for reasons of their own?
ISD's chief HR exec wants to leave, how
much longer will Kim Olson be
employed at Dallas ISD?
Which raises another question: Based
on what Frank Mullen published
Saturday in the Reno Gazette-Journal --
that Kim pleaded guilty to war
profiteering charges before leaving the
Army, then withdrew her name from
consideration for the supe job in
Washoe, Nevada schools last week
when this got out in Reno -- how closely
is Kim being watched these days? While
she might really and truly be doing an
A-plus bang-up job, on the other hand,
could this be another situation where
certain members of the Dallas business
community are happy with the status quo
for reasons of their own?
Why bring this up now? Remember
this phrase I've been using lately, "our
vendor-driven public schools"?
Consider this: When the RIFs were
announced last year during Dallas ISD's
declared financial exigency, who lost
their jobs? Not vendors, not consultants,
although substantial numbers of both
groups could have been dismissed
easily and legally. No, the folks who lost
their jobs at DISD were teachers.
Questions: Why was Kim as chief HR
exec looking out for vendors and
consultants over teachers? Doesn't this
show us where the real power and
money connect in Dallas? Does Lucy
got some 'splainin' to do? Is anyone in
Dallas asking?
________________________________
this phrase I've been using lately, "our
vendor-driven public schools"?
Consider this: When the RIFs were
announced last year during Dallas ISD's
declared financial exigency, who lost
their jobs? Not vendors, not consultants,
although substantial numbers of both
groups could have been dismissed
easily and legally. No, the folks who lost
their jobs at DISD were teachers.
Questions: Why was Kim as chief HR
exec looking out for vendors and
consultants over teachers? Doesn't this
show us where the real power and
money connect in Dallas? Does Lucy
got some 'splainin' to do? Is anyone in
Dallas asking?
________________________________
YSLETA ISD (TX)
WASHOE SCHLS (RENO, NV)
Ysleta ISD audit finds former
supe Hector Montenegro
violated state law
(spending & honorariums)
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., Apr. 30, 2009 / 4:06 pm
WASHOE SCHLS (RENO, NV)
Ysleta ISD audit finds former
supe Hector Montenegro
violated state law
(spending & honorariums)
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., Apr. 30, 2009 / 4:06 pm
| Last 2 Washoe Schools supe candidates standing: Hector Montengro (L), Lawrence Fryer |
Awkward timing for Hector Montenegro --
as one of two remaining Washoe finalists
-- is yesterday's release of Ysleta ISD's
internal audit investigating Hector, their
former supe. Among the findings:
as one of two remaining Washoe finalists
-- is yesterday's release of Ysleta ISD's
internal audit investigating Hector, their
former supe. Among the findings:
| The audit, which will be used in an ongoing investigation by the Texas Education Agency, pointed to two direct violations of either state law or of Montenegro's contract. The audit found that Montenegro accepted $19,154 in honorariiums from companies that included district vendors after the law was changed in May 2007 making such honorariums illegal. In addition, the audit found he charged the district $2,688 for meals and other expenses that should have been covered by his monthly discretionary expense allowance for meals and entertainment. [Hector earned $230K] annually, received a discretionary expense allowance of $700 a month, a $500-a-month cell-phone stipend and an allowance of $1,200 monthly for in-district travel. He also lived in a district home and did not pay rent, insurance, taxes, utilities, landscaping maintenance or repairs. |
What we've seen unfold in Reno,
Nevada's Washoe County schools this
past week makes a strong case for two
things:
Nevada's Washoe County schools this
past week makes a strong case for two
things:
o advancing from within
o making public the names of all school
district finalists
o making public the names of all school
district finalists
Had departing Washoe supe Paul
Dugan trained a strong in-house
replacement, taxpayers would not be out
the $29,000 they've just paid head hunter
John Huge. Second, public scrutiny
(Google) by Washoe citizens, taxpayers
and the press has raised issues about
some finalists the citizenry considered
huge which Huge apparently didn't.
Dugan trained a strong in-house
replacement, taxpayers would not be out
the $29,000 they've just paid head hunter
John Huge. Second, public scrutiny
(Google) by Washoe citizens, taxpayers
and the press has raised issues about
some finalists the citizenry considered
huge which Huge apparently didn't.
Meanwhile, although it's been published
that former finalist Edmond Heatley's
leaving Chino not for Reno but for
Georgia, although as of today no one
knows where in Georgia.
_______________________________
that former finalist Edmond Heatley's
leaving Chino not for Reno but for
Georgia, although as of today no one
knows where in Georgia.
_______________________________
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS (IN)
Your kind of trustee and mine,
someone willing to ask out loud about
a school exec's $78 NSBA convention
meal for himself--at a board meeting
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Apr. 29, 2009/12:24 am
Your kind of trustee and mine,
someone willing to ask out loud about
a school exec's $78 NSBA convention
meal for himself--at a board meeting
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Apr. 29, 2009/12:24 am
| Portage Township Schools trustees; Cheryl Oprisko is seated at far right |
It's hard when you're sitting on a podium
as an elected school board member to
ask questions as you go through the
agenda packet, especially when it
appears you're going against your
fellows and asking the tough questions
they won't.
In fact, at the "team" types of trainings
many U.S. board members receive they
are taught to not ask questions and
instead to leave administrative decisions
including those involving the spending of
millions of dollars to their employee the
superintendent. Many times trustees
are trained to ask questions in private
beforehand with an emphasis on
avoiding anything resembling "Gotchas."
Unfortunately this trend tends to flatten
board meetings into rubber stamp
sessions where whatever the
superintendent requests gets approved.
I've actually sat through board meetings
where vendors and paid consultants
gave trustees scripts to read in order to
get their agenda items passed; the
painful ones were where we watched
school board members trip over the
words, unable to pronounce them
properly.
as an elected school board member to
ask questions as you go through the
agenda packet, especially when it
appears you're going against your
fellows and asking the tough questions
they won't.
In fact, at the "team" types of trainings
many U.S. board members receive they
are taught to not ask questions and
instead to leave administrative decisions
including those involving the spending of
millions of dollars to their employee the
superintendent. Many times trustees
are trained to ask questions in private
beforehand with an emphasis on
avoiding anything resembling "Gotchas."
Unfortunately this trend tends to flatten
board meetings into rubber stamp
sessions where whatever the
superintendent requests gets approved.
I've actually sat through board meetings
where vendors and paid consultants
gave trustees scripts to read in order to
get their agenda items passed; the
painful ones were where we watched
school board members trip over the
words, unable to pronounce them
properly.
| Mike Berta |
| Portage Township School Board member Cheryl Oprisko sided against her colleagues Monday night on a pair of votes to spend money after getting answers she didn't like. Oprisko was the only "no" vote on the board's routine approval of claims and the hiring of an independent energy consultant on an open-ended contract that paid $90 an hour. She questioned a dinner bill for $78.25 submitted by Director of Personnel Tom Taylor from a National School Boards Ass'n meeting in San Diego earlier this month. "I believe that's too much," Oprisko said, citing a newspaper report of remarks by Director of Finance Sharon Qualkenbush, who was not present, that a previous meal bill for a lesser amount from another conference "would never make it through." Taylor explained that he had gone to the restaurant at the invitation of an acquaintance and would not withdraw the claim. "I didn't order the most expensive item on the menu, and I didn't order the least expensive one. I will not pay that back," he said. "I thought about my neighbors who had been laid off," she replied. |
I've contacted both Mike Berta and Tom
Taylor for their insights regarding not just
the NSBA meal but also the propriety of
the trip itself for a junior exec, plus
district guidelines re professional
development.
050809 FOLLOW UP: STILL NO
RESPONSE FROM EITHER TOM OR MIKE.
________________________________
Taylor for their insights regarding not just
the NSBA meal but also the propriety of
the trip itself for a junior exec, plus
district guidelines re professional
development.
050809 FOLLOW UP: STILL NO
RESPONSE FROM EITHER TOM OR MIKE.
________________________________
Central Texas
(Austin-area)
superintendent
salaries
TV report
Austin ISD (TX)
May 4, 2009
Watch this timely KVUE-TV video re
supes' salaries.
________________________________
(Austin-area)
superintendent
salaries
TV report
Austin ISD (TX)
May 4, 2009
Watch this timely KVUE-TV video re
supes' salaries.
________________________________
| Spa-retreat attendee Woody Carter, former Capistrano USD superintendent |
05.07.09: Jackson (MS) school district
police officers: Making the case against
school district police departments.
police officers: Making the case against
school district police departments.
SUPE EDMOND HEATLEY
Nevada's Washoe finalist leaving Chino
(CA) for GA's Clayton County Schools
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Sat., May 9, 2009 / 12:16 pm
Nevada's Washoe finalist leaving Chino
(CA) for GA's Clayton County Schools
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Sat., May 9, 2009 / 12:16 pm
Zigzagging
across the country
used to be a
familiar career
path for public
school
superintendents
with a taste for
national publicity;
names Rudy
across the country
used to be a
familiar career
path for public
school
superintendents
with a taste for
national publicity;
names Rudy
Crew and Arlene Ackerman come to
mind. Since widespread use of the
Internet in the past 5-10 years,
administrators who leave home,
especially to seek a clean slate far away,
now attract attention -- and questions.
Although for example Edmond Heatley
has promised to make Clayton schools
"the best in Georgia" within 3-5 years, his
current district, in Chino, California, while
improving, is not California's best, and
he's been there since late 2005.
Have today asked Edmond for the basis
for his making this promise -- the name
of the district he's led which became best
in the state within 3-5 years, and will
publish his response upon receipt.
HEADS UP, GEORGIA: Because Edmond
is a 2008 Broad Academy graduate, I
have also asked him for a copy of his
calendars for the 2007-08 and 2008-09
school years, along with this query:
mind. Since widespread use of the
Internet in the past 5-10 years,
administrators who leave home,
especially to seek a clean slate far away,
now attract attention -- and questions.
Although for example Edmond Heatley
has promised to make Clayton schools
"the best in Georgia" within 3-5 years, his
current district, in Chino, California, while
improving, is not California's best, and
he's been there since late 2005.
Have today asked Edmond for the basis
for his making this promise -- the name
of the district he's led which became best
in the state within 3-5 years, and will
publish his response upon receipt.
HEADS UP, GEORGIA: Because Edmond
is a 2008 Broad Academy graduate, I
have also asked him for a copy of his
calendars for the 2007-08 and 2008-09
school years, along with this query:
| Edmond Heatley |
| Edmond, given that you already have an Ed.D., why did you feel it was necessary for you to also attend the Broad Academy? What did you feel was missing from your doctoral study at USC that needed augmenting or supplementation by your Broad experience? From your Broad bio it appears you have done a great deal of advanced study in education; as often times occurs, did your school districts pay for any or part of those advanced studies? What was the title of your dissertation? Could you please email me a copy for my records? |
| Arrested in Florida |
LIBERTY SCHOOLS (MO)
Missouri gets tough on
double-dipper supes--and how
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated May 4, 2009 / 1202 am
Missouri gets tough on
double-dipper supes--and how
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated May 4, 2009 / 1202 am
| Scott Taveau |
| Former Liberty school superintendent Scott Taveau was arrested by Pasco County deputies at his [2nd] home in Hudson, Fla., late Wednesday night, April 29, after he was indicted by a Clay County grand jury on stealing charges....Taveau had been under investigation by the Liberty Police Department, the grand jury and the Public School Retirement System of Missouri for allegedly receiving tens of thousands of dollars in retirement payments that he was not entitled to receive. Taveau retired as superintendent in 2006. |
| According to the unsealed grand jury indictment, Taveau was charged with one count of stealing by deceit and one count of attempted stealing by deceit. The felony indictments were a result of an investigation by Liberty law enforcement officials, said Police Chief Craig Knouse. Knouse said the school board requested that the police look into questionable transactions raised last year by Westbrook & Co., a private auditing firm hired by the school board. After the school board refused to call for a state audit, a citizens group led a successful petition drive requesting that the state auditor investigate widespread allegations of financial mismanagement and credit card abuse among top school district administrators, including Taveau. A preliminary report of the state auditor’s findings is now in the hands of the school board and police, and it is expected to be released to the public some time in May. Jim Roberts, a spokesman for Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Dan White, said he was uncertain when Taveau would be returned to Clay County for arraignment. “That will depend if he waives extradition or fights it,” Roberts said. He said Taveau’s bond was set at $25,000. |
| Scott Taveau's primary residence in Liberty, Missouri |
Here are William Carlin Walker and
James Moores of Liberty, Missouri -- the
folks who got this grassroots movement
started, plus their family members at an
award ceremony for Carlin last month:
James Moores of Liberty, Missouri -- the
folks who got this grassroots movement
started, plus their family members at an
award ceremony for Carlin last month:
| William Carlin Walker (center); James Moores (far right at rear) |
More coming regarding their efforts in
"Best Practices."
________________________________
"Best Practices."
________________________________
o TX: Video: Harlandale ISD trustee
Josh Cerna's $500 meal from a district
vendor/lobbyist. Oops: DA says no (old
receipts).
________________________________
Josh Cerna's $500 meal from a district
vendor/lobbyist. Oops: DA says no (old
receipts).
________________________________
o CA: Carmel USD supe Marvin Biasotti
issued letter of reprimand for DUI -- with
warning that next time, he's fired.
_______________________________
issued letter of reprimand for DUI -- with
warning that next time, he's fired.
_______________________________
| Fabiola at the Nat'l Gallery in London |
o WA: When trying isn't enough: Selah
supe Debra K. Howard--never a
classroom teacher or
principal--finally exits schools.
supe Debra K. Howard--never a
classroom teacher or
principal--finally exits schools.
LIBERTY SCHOOLS (MO)
Former Liberty supe Taveau
(1996-97 Missouri "Superintendent
of the Year") extradited back home
By Peyton Wolcott
Sunday, May 17, 2009 / 10:00 a.m.
Former Liberty supe Taveau
(1996-97 Missouri "Superintendent
of the Year") extradited back home
By Peyton Wolcott
Sunday, May 17, 2009 / 10:00 a.m.
| Scott Taveau |
Too many superintendents are playing fast
and lose with comp time; this is important
because of the end-of-career payout plus the
amount of their pension.
What this means in most states: Unless there
are unusually vigilant trustees or office
personnel, the same superintendent who may
or may not have been, shall we say, casual
about which days he/she actually worked is
generally the only person who determines the
number of days worked which translates to the
dollars amount of pension to which he's
entitled.
and lose with comp time; this is important
because of the end-of-career payout plus the
amount of their pension.
What this means in most states: Unless there
are unusually vigilant trustees or office
personnel, the same superintendent who may
or may not have been, shall we say, casual
about which days he/she actually worked is
generally the only person who determines the
number of days worked which translates to the
dollars amount of pension to which he's
entitled.
| James Kenneth "Kenny" Johnson |
This happened with Bremond ISD supe Kenny
Johnson who after serving two years in prison
is now collecting his TRS retirement for the
remainder of his days. By the way, for those of
you with good memories, the folks in Bremond
still haven't found the paper business records
and BISD computers that disappeared the
week he left the district.
Johnson who after serving two years in prison
is now collecting his TRS retirement for the
remainder of his days. By the way, for those of
you with good memories, the folks in Bremond
still haven't found the paper business records
and BISD computers that disappeared the
week he left the district.
And now here's former Liberty,
Missouri supe William Scott Taveau brought
back from his second home near the golf
course in Florida to face felony stealing
charges related to his retirement dollars:
Missouri supe William Scott Taveau brought
back from his second home near the golf
course in Florida to face felony stealing
charges related to his retirement dollars:
| Late last month, a Clay County grand jury indicted Taveau, 60, of Hudson, Fla., on one count of stealing by deceit and one count of attempted stealing by deceit. Authorities allege that Taveau collected retirement money he was not eligible to receive while he served as superintendent. Taveau was arrested April 29 and booked into the Land O’ Lakes, Fla., detention center. He was held there without bond until just after 8 this morning. Clay County Sheriff Bob Boydston and a deputy flew to Florida to take Taveau to the Clay County jail. The first charge – a Class C felony carrying a maximum sentence of seven years in prison – alleges that Taveau inappropriately received benefit payments from the Missouri Public School Retirement System. The second charge involves an allegation that Taveau falsely claimed he was entitled to compensation for 20 days of vacation from the Liberty School District. That is a Class D felony with a maximum prison sentence of four years. An attorney representing Taveau in the civil case could not be reached for comment today. (SOURCE--KansasCity.com) |
JUST WONDERING:
Is Kenny Johnson still a member in good
standing of the Texas Association of School
Administrators ("TASA") as in 2001?
What about Scott Taveau in Missouri? Here's
more about Scott's earlier career:
Is Kenny Johnson still a member in good
standing of the Texas Association of School
Administrators ("TASA") as in 2001?
What about Scott Taveau in Missouri? Here's
more about Scott's earlier career:
DELAWARE VALLEY RHS (PA)
$90,000 = 1 year in prison:
Where were the internal
controls?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., May 9, 2009/4:06 pm
$90,000 = 1 year in prison:
Where were the internal
controls?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., May 9, 2009/4:06 pm
| Robert P. Walsh, former superintendent - Delaware Valley Regional HS, Pennsylvania |
Where were Robert Walsh's school
board members during 2005, 2006 and
2007? What were they doing in those
board meetings?
________________________________
board members during 2005, 2006 and
2007? What were they doing in those
board meetings?
________________________________
o NY: Interesting way to put it: Taxpayers
overbilled for school administrator
expenditures.
overbilled for school administrator
expenditures.
o TX: Former supe Hector Montenegro still
plays role in Ysleta ISD as trustee finalists vie
over who said & authorized what.
plays role in Ysleta ISD as trustee finalists vie
over who said & authorized what.
ALASKA
Fred/Frederick Deussing:
"Baby porn" educator out
of prison early
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 13, 2009/1:08 am
Fred/Frederick Deussing:
"Baby porn" educator out
of prison early
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 13, 2009/1:08 am
| Frederick Charles Deussing |
Friends, I just learned today that Fred
Deussing is already out of prison,
released in January on discretionary
parole after serving only two years; his
original release date was October 2009.
According to the Alaska Department of
Public Safety Sex Offender/Child
Kidnapper Registration central registry,
he is living in an Anchorage hotel.
Here's more about what landed him in
prison.
Deussing is already out of prison,
released in January on discretionary
parole after serving only two years; his
original release date was October 2009.
According to the Alaska Department of
Public Safety Sex Offender/Child
Kidnapper Registration central registry,
he is living in an Anchorage hotel.
Here's more about what landed him in
prison.
| Educator sentenced on child porn charges Juneau Empire - Oct. 21, 2007 ANCHORAGE - A longtime educator in Alaska was sentenced to three years in prison on child pornography charges after thousands of images and videos were discovered on his computers. Frederick Deussing, 64, pleaded no contest and was sentenced Friday. He will be on probation for five years when he is released and will have to register as a sex offender. Deussing had worked in village schools in several parts of rural Alaska and most recently was an assistant principal at Heritage Christian School in Anchorage. He was employed by the Kenai Peninsula School District from 1995 until 2000. Investigators found no indication that Deussing had molested children, assistant district attorney Trina Sears said Friday. The images appeared to have been downloaded from the Internet, police said at the time of Deussing's arrest. The investigation began after a computer technician found child porn on a laptop Deussing had taken in for repair last November. |
05.13.09: See what politics are
all about! The Texas Lege . . . . Up
close and very personal.
all about! The Texas Lege . . . . Up
close and very personal.
Woman:
"You know my Daddy. . . . "
____________________________
"You know my Daddy. . . . "
____________________________
LOS ANGELES USD (CA)
Interesting take on LA teachers
strike offered by Socialist Worker
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., May 19, 2009/2:03 am
Interesting take on LA teachers
strike offered by Socialist Worker
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., May 19, 2009/2:03 am
What's the dividing line between fair
treatment of school employees and rabid
Soviet-style revolutionary tactics? Where is it?
Somebody needs to find it, and soon. Listen
to Socialist Worker's rhetoric: "AFTER AN
anti-union judge issued a temporary
restraining order banning our planned
one-day strike set for May 15, thou-
sands of members of United Teachers Los
Angeles (UTLA) and hundreds of LA students
pushed back with a series of actions on that
day. Morning picket lines before school,
student walkouts and sit-ins, a civil
disobedience action by teachers, and an
afternoon union rally....The pickets, civil
disobedience and rally were important in
keeping teachers active."
In case anybody doesn't get it, above right is
an ad featured on Socialist Worker's website.
____________________________________
treatment of school employees and rabid
Soviet-style revolutionary tactics? Where is it?
Somebody needs to find it, and soon. Listen
to Socialist Worker's rhetoric: "AFTER AN
anti-union judge issued a temporary
restraining order banning our planned
one-day strike set for May 15, thou-
sands of members of United Teachers Los
Angeles (UTLA) and hundreds of LA students
pushed back with a series of actions on that
day. Morning picket lines before school,
student walkouts and sit-ins, a civil
disobedience action by teachers, and an
afternoon union rally....The pickets, civil
disobedience and rally were important in
keeping teachers active."
In case anybody doesn't get it, above right is
an ad featured on Socialist Worker's website.
____________________________________
o PA: Joe Valenti's blog proves demand
exists for tell-it-like-it-is local political news --
including school news.
exists for tell-it-like-it-is local political news --
including school news.
o FL: School cop charged (theft).
o KY: Mr. & Mrs. PTO to stand trial for
stealing $19,000
stealing $19,000
SAN JUAN SCHOOL DIST. (UT)
What were they thinking in Utah?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 17, 2009/1:00 a.m.
What were they thinking in Utah?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 17, 2009/1:00 a.m.
After serving four terms as a Utah
legislator, Keele Johnson (above) was
removed from the 2000 ballot for failure to file
a campaign financial disclosure statement.
So he was appointed to assist the San Juan
School District with a college prep program
for Navajo children and now an audit has
found as much as $800,000 may be missing.
legislator, Keele Johnson (above) was
removed from the 2000 ballot for failure to file
a campaign financial disclosure statement.
So he was appointed to assist the San Juan
School District with a college prep program
for Navajo children and now an audit has
found as much as $800,000 may be missing.
What did the money go for? "Travel costs,
canoes and a canoe trailer, other outdoor
gear and a river guide license, an Apple
laptop that was never used, as well as
several cameras and camera equipment."
canoes and a canoe trailer, other outdoor
gear and a river guide license, an Apple
laptop that was never used, as well as
several cameras and camera equipment."
| Reservoir belonging to San Juan School District (1997) |
WHO'S THE
DISGRACE?
NY Mayor Mike
Bloomberg to
reporter: "You're a
disgrace." When
politicians become
arrogant about
answering reporters'
questions: NYC
mayor Michael
Bloomberg makes the
case for term limits.
NYDaily News Video.
DISGRACE?
NY Mayor Mike
Bloomberg to
reporter: "You're a
disgrace." When
politicians become
arrogant about
answering reporters'
questions: NYC
mayor Michael
Bloomberg makes the
case for term limits.
NYDaily News Video.
TRANSPARENCY
Stonewalling on FOIAs, lawmakers'
self-indulgent discretionary
expenses bring down 1st UK
Speaker to resign in 300 years
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 20, 2009/12:24 am
Stonewalling on FOIAs, lawmakers'
self-indulgent discretionary
expenses bring down 1st UK
Speaker to resign in 300 years
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., May 20, 2009/12:24 am
When U.S. born and trained journalist
Heather Brooke brought the public records skills
she honed here to Great Britain, who could have
imagined she could have brought accountability to
the wasterful spending of tax dollars for
politicians' personal expenses at the House
of Commons -- with such accountability resulting
in the sudden resignation yesterday of its speaker.
But the unimaginable has occurred after the MPs
the speaker tried to protect from public exposure
turned on him in order to try to save their own
careers. From George Parker at the Financial
Times:
Heather Brooke brought the public records skills
she honed here to Great Britain, who could have
imagined she could have brought accountability to
the wasterful spending of tax dollars for
politicians' personal expenses at the House
of Commons -- with such accountability resulting
in the sudden resignation yesterday of its speaker.
But the unimaginable has occurred after the MPs
the speaker tried to protect from public exposure
turned on him in order to try to save their own
careers. From George Parker at the Financial
Times:
| (L) Heather Brooke, Michael Martin |
| Mr Martin stood for the old ways. The former sheet metal worker may have risen from the housing projects of Glasgow to become the highest commoner in the land, but he presided over an institution that had grown dangerously remote from the people it served. The Speaker defended the lifestyles, privileges and allowances of the UK’s 646 MPs, fighting an ultimately futile court battle to stop details emerging of how they spent taxpayers’ money on allowances intended to cover the cost of living in London and their constituencies. As Gordon Brown observed, this most humble of Speakers presided over a system “more reminiscent of the gentlemen’s clubs of the 19th century”. When the story over expenses broke the same MPs who once urged the Speaker to protect them, turned against him, desperate for somebody to blame. The MPs, whose predecessors once determined the fate of an empire, were shown to be filling in chits for chocolate bars and sanitary products. Those on country estates billed taxpayers for everything from fighting moles to clearing a moat. The story hit home because it illustrated a wider truth. The standing of parliament has diminished as power in the UK has shifted to the executive, or away from Westminster altogether to Brussels or to devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. On top of that, the ideological passion that once drew people into politics has been diluted. In its absence, the public has started to ask: what are they really in it for? |
Heather has written a how-to guide for Brits,
"Your Right to Know." Her newspaper stints in
the U.S. included the Spokane Spokesman-Review
and the Spartanburg Herald-
Journal.
"Your Right to Know." Her newspaper stints in
the U.S. included the Spokane Spokesman-Review
and the Spartanburg Herald-
Journal.
PHOTO CREDIT: AP/Matt Dunham
NY: New
allegations:
Schenectady
supe, board
prez knew about
Steve Raucci's
(L) alleged
violence;
Steve's still in
jail.
allegations:
Schenectady
supe, board
prez knew about
Steve Raucci's
(L) alleged
violence;
Steve's still in
jail.
PITTSTON AREA SD (PA)
Supe's $115,000 annual base salary wasn't
enough?
Scarantino pleads guilty for taking $5,000
bribe from contractor
By Peyton Wolcott - May 22, 2009
Supe's $115,000 annual base salary wasn't
enough?
Scarantino pleads guilty for taking $5,000
bribe from contractor
By Peyton Wolcott - May 22, 2009
Dave Janoski at the Scranton Times
writes:
writes:
| Ross Scarantino (Scranton Times) |
| Former Pittston Area School District Superintendent Ross Scarantino agreed Wednes- day to plead guilty to accepting a $5,000 bribe and to cooperate with a federal investigation into local school districts. Mr. Scarantino would likely face 18 to 24 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, according to his plea agreement. But the sentence could be reduced depen- ding on his cooperation and acceptance of responsibility in the case. Federal prosecutors main- tain the right to seek the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine under the agree- ment. He is free on bail pending a plea hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Court documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Scranton allege Mr. Scarantino accepted $5,000 in cash in Feb. 2008 from an unnamed person in connection with school district contracts. Efforts to reach Mr. Scarantino were unsuccessful Wednesday. His attorneys, Frank W. Nocito and Philip Gelso, declined to comment. Mr. Scaran- tino is one of three public school officials charged in an ongoing federal probe into alleged bribery connected to contracting and hiring. The individuals who paid the alleged bribes have not been identified by federal prosecutors, who have secured court orders sealing some documents to protect witnesses' identities. U.S. Attor- ney Martin C. Carlson said it was "impossible to speculate" when or if the names of those individuals will be made public. "We aren't making those names public at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation," he said. Scarantino, who worked for Pittston Area for 42 years, took a leave of absence from his $115,000-per-year job April 16, the day the charges against him were announced. He continues to collect his pay by using up accumulated vacation time. Scarantino, 63, submitted a letter of resignation to the district May 5, announcing his retirement effective Aug. 3. He is the 2nd Luzerne County school official to agree to plead guilty to federal bribery charges this week. Former Wilkes-Barre Area School Board President James Height, 53, will plead guilty to accepting $2,000 from a district contractor, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Mr. Height, who resigned from the school board last week, is free on bail. Another member of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board, Brian F. Dunn, also faces charges of accepting bribes in connection with contract and employment decisions. Mr. Dunn, 45, is also free on bail. |
Pittston Area School District supe Ross
Scarantino was charged last month with
accepting bribes. unlawful "kickbacks dating
back to a contract which was awarded in
2008. According to the criminal complaint, the
FBI claims Scarantino “in his capacity as
superintendent for the Pittston Area School
District, did knowingly, intentionally and
unlawfully corruptly accept and agree to
accept, thousands of dollars in cash from
another person, for the benefit of the
defendant, intended to be rewarded in
connection with the awarding of contracts by
the Pittston Area School District.” (SOURCE--Joe
Valenti/ Pittston Politics.com)
Scarantino was charged last month with
accepting bribes. unlawful "kickbacks dating
back to a contract which was awarded in
2008. According to the criminal complaint, the
FBI claims Scarantino “in his capacity as
superintendent for the Pittston Area School
District, did knowingly, intentionally and
unlawfully corruptly accept and agree to
accept, thousands of dollars in cash from
another person, for the benefit of the
defendant, intended to be rewarded in
connection with the awarding of contracts by
the Pittston Area School District.” (SOURCE--Joe
Valenti/ Pittston Politics.com)
| Ross Scarantino at board meeting (PHOTO--PittstonPolitics.com) |
More about the charges from Joe Valenti at
PittstonPolitics.com:
____________________________________
PittstonPolitics.com:
____________________________________
LIVONIA PS (MI)
Retired supe
arrested
in Florida
By Peyton Wolcott
May 22, 2009 /2 am
From the Boca Beacon
comes this account:
Retired supe
arrested
in Florida
By Peyton Wolcott
May 22, 2009 /2 am
From the Boca Beacon
comes this account:
| Kenneth C. Watson, Jr. FL mug shot |
| A Michigan man was arrested at one of the Gasparilla Inn and Club cottages on Sunday, May 3 after he allegedly struck a sheriff’s deputy and was drunk in public. According to Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports, Kenneth C. Watson Jr., 66, of Livonia, Mich., was intoxicated and being escorted to his cottage by a local firefighter when he began to resist. Police said that when deputies arrived at the location, the suspect was told he could either go to the cottage or be arrested. He told the deputy he would rather go to jail. Police said he then punched one of the sheriff’s deputies in the chest. He got his wish. Watson was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication/ public disturbance. He was taken to the Lee County Jail and released on bond. __________________________________________ |
GOOD QUESTION:
How can we improve school board trainings?
Peyton Wolcott / Sat., May 23, 2009
So that elected and appointed trustees can
independently and credibly review the
financial reports they're handed for their
approval each month at board meetings?
Although the seven-member elected Liberty
Public School District Board of Education in
Missouri has responsibility for the "proper
management of tax dollars" look at the mess
Liberty PSD taxpayers are in -- on the board's
watch.
___________________________________
How can we improve school board trainings?
Peyton Wolcott / Sat., May 23, 2009
So that elected and appointed trustees can
independently and credibly review the
financial reports they're handed for their
approval each month at board meetings?
Although the seven-member elected Liberty
Public School District Board of Education in
Missouri has responsibility for the "proper
management of tax dollars" look at the mess
Liberty PSD taxpayers are in -- on the board's
watch.
___________________________________
PASS THE TRASH
Preferential pedophile update:
Edgar Friedrichs
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., May 28, 2009/1:04 a.m.
Preferential pedophile update:
Edgar Friedrichs
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., May 28, 2009/1:04 a.m.
Pedophile & former PA & WV
principal Edgar Friedrichs still in
prison 'without mercy' for
murdering young student Jeremy
Bell; more here.
______________________________
principal Edgar Friedrichs still in
prison 'without mercy' for
murdering young student Jeremy
Bell; more here.
______________________________
PLYMOUTH-CANTON CS (MI)
2nd "Mr. & Mrs. PTO" in 1 week; as economy
tanks, look for more--until our administrators
finally tighten internal controls
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 24, 2009/2:03 pm
2nd "Mr. & Mrs. PTO" in 1 week; as economy
tanks, look for more--until our administrators
finally tighten internal controls
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 24, 2009/2:03 pm
Mr. and Mrs. (Robert and Kimberly) Smith
were arraigned this past week on charges
they embezzled at least $13,000 from the
Fiegel Elementary School PTO.
Here's the 2004 PTO's "heartfelt thank you" to
Mr. and Mrs. Smith for helping with the
Halloween Party.
___________________________________
were arraigned this past week on charges
they embezzled at least $13,000 from the
Fiegel Elementary School PTO.
Here's the 2004 PTO's "heartfelt thank you" to
Mr. and Mrs. Smith for helping with the
Halloween Party.
___________________________________
05.28.09 UPDATE: Other school systems with
student electronics bans, chiefly cell phones: Edmonds
Woodway HS (WA). . .Garland ISD (TX). . . Under
discussion at Santa Barbara HS (CA). . .James Lick HS
(San Jose, CA). . .Satellite Academy HS/Forsyth
Campus (NYC) has a total student electronics ban in
place. . .Bloomfield HS (MI) during school day. . .
student electronics bans, chiefly cell phones: Edmonds
Woodway HS (WA). . .Garland ISD (TX). . . Under
discussion at Santa Barbara HS (CA). . .James Lick HS
(San Jose, CA). . .Satellite Academy HS/Forsyth
Campus (NYC) has a total student electronics ban in
place. . .Bloomfield HS (MI) during school day. . .
HAWAII: Common sense about kids
and electronics
By Peyton Wolcott May 26, 2009
and electronics
By Peyton Wolcott May 26, 2009
| (L to R) Pahoa HS principal Dean Cevallos; Pahoah IS vice principal Sandy Haiku; Pahoa HS vice principal Darlene Bee |
Following in the footsteps of Hilo High
School in 2006, a leadership decision has
been reached--based on meetings between
and parents --at Pahoa High School and
Intermediate School to ban student
electronics from campus beginning with the
2009-2010 school year.
School in 2006, a leadership decision has
been reached--based on meetings between
and parents --at Pahoa High School and
Intermediate School to ban student
electronics from campus beginning with the
2009-2010 school year.
There have been high incidences of theft and even
arrests as students swipe each other's cell
phones, iPods, CD players and other electronics,
Principal Dean Cevallos said. "There's been too
much theft, too much of 'You have better than me,'
" Cevallos said....The school resource officer also
urged the ban. Officials say that along with the
irritation of phones ringing during class, students
have used electronic devices to record low-angle
shots of girls in skirts walking up stairs, or fights,
then posted the videos on YouTube. Students are
also texting and sending inflammatory pictures to
each other. "A lot was going on that we felt was
taking away from safety and security on campus,"
Cevallos said. (SOURCE: BretYager/Hawai'i
Tribune-Herald)
arrests as students swipe each other's cell
phones, iPods, CD players and other electronics,
Principal Dean Cevallos said. "There's been too
much theft, too much of 'You have better than me,'
" Cevallos said....The school resource officer also
urged the ban. Officials say that along with the
irritation of phones ringing during class, students
have used electronic devices to record low-angle
shots of girls in skirts walking up stairs, or fights,
then posted the videos on YouTube. Students are
also texting and sending inflammatory pictures to
each other. "A lot was going on that we felt was
taking away from safety and security on campus,"
Cevallos said. (SOURCE: BretYager/Hawai'i
Tribune-Herald)
Hilo HS, also located on the big island, reports that
the number of citations issued to student has
dropped from 1240 the first year to 530 during
2008-2009. (Ibid.)
the number of citations issued to student has
dropped from 1240 the first year to 530 during
2008-2009. (Ibid.)
Hawaii: 10th-largest US school district -
Hawaii's Department of Education administers a
single school district which encompas-
ses the entire state and is run by superintendent
Patricia Hamamot who is appointed by the state's
14-member elected State Board of Education.
Hawaii's DOE is a "unified statewide school
system of more than 172,000 students and 259
schools with an annual operating budget of more
than $2.4 billion." (SOURCE--Hawaii DOE)
________________________________________________
Hawaii's Department of Education administers a
single school district which encompas-
ses the entire state and is run by superintendent
Patricia Hamamot who is appointed by the state's
14-member elected State Board of Education.
Hawaii's DOE is a "unified statewide school
system of more than 172,000 students and 259
schools with an annual operating budget of more
than $2.4 billion." (SOURCE--Hawaii DOE)
________________________________________________
SCOTUS
Mr. Obama, Ms. Sotomayor, sex
& the Magna Carta
By Peyton Wolcott
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Mr. Obama, Ms. Sotomayor, sex
& the Magna Carta
By Peyton Wolcott
Thursday, May 28, 2009
| (L-R) Mr. Obama, Ms. Sotomayor, Mr. Teleprompter (PHOTO--Fox News) |
For Mr. Obama's nominee for United States
Supreme Court's feelings and personal
experience and sex and
race to be cited as criteria
is troubling. It means we
are losing ground gained
8 centuries ago with the
signing of the
Magna Carta (right).
Supreme Court's feelings and personal
experience and sex and
race to be cited as criteria
is troubling. It means we
are losing ground gained
8 centuries ago with the
signing of the
Magna Carta (right).
Prior to the Magna Carta
he-who-was-king could do
what he wanted, and when,
and with and to whom.
The Magna Carta was the first time a king
willingly gave up any of his rights in favor of
the rule of law. This is why the U.S.
Constitution is so important: It moves us
above whim and mere feelings and despotic
rule and into the protection of the certainty of
the law. Rush Limbaugh gets it right about
the politics:
he-who-was-king could do
what he wanted, and when,
and with and to whom.
The Magna Carta was the first time a king
willingly gave up any of his rights in favor of
the rule of law. This is why the U.S.
Constitution is so important: It moves us
above whim and mere feelings and despotic
rule and into the protection of the certainty of
the law. Rush Limbaugh gets it right about
the politics:
| When Clarence Thomas was nominated to be an associate justice of the US Supreme Court, did the Democrats worry about angering the black vote when they opposed him? Why not? Do you recall that when Miguel Estrada and Alberto Gonzales were nominated for posiitions in the Bush administration, they were opposed by Democrats specifically because they were Latino, did that hurt Democrats with the Hispanic vote when Democrats went after Clarence Thomas or Alberto Gonzales or Miguel Estrada? No. So my question is, who evolved this idiotic theory that opposing a judge on the basis of her incompetence, her lack of qualifications, and her judicial philosophy, is gonna harm the Republican Party because she's female and Hispanic? Who evolved that theory? I'll tell you who evolved the theory. The media and the Democrats and the wimp RINO moderates [who] buy into it. |
Question: Are U.S. school-
teachers using this as a teach-
able moment in their history and social
studies classes?
___________________________________
teachers using this as a teach-
able moment in their history and social
studies classes?
___________________________________
| EZ Social Studies Lesson Plan 4 teachers By Peyton Wolcott |
| Read what's true about laptops & Texas students & politicians & lobbyists & HB 4294 & the cost. |
TOTUS= The Teleprompter of
the United States.
Our extensive research staff is looking
into when TOTUS was elected; we were
unable to locate the date in our local
schools' history books.
the United States.
Our extensive research staff is looking
into when TOTUS was elected; we were
unable to locate the date in our local
schools' history books.
Cumberland (RI) ABC USD (CA)
PTA & tech embezzlements
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 30, 2009 /9:59 am
PTA & tech embezzlements
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., May 30, 2009 /9:59 am
| (L) Mary Sieu, Gary Smuts ABC USD (California) |
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.
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!
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.
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!
| (L to R) Donna A. Morelle, Kevin Legacy & Bob Legacy - Cumberland PS (Rhode Island) |
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.
| Where are the boys? Or don't they have cute enough costumes? Photo from homepage of Stowers Elementary School of International Studies |
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"?
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"?
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."
| Robert "Bob" Legacy after supe Donna A. Morelle hired him in 2007 (PHOTO--Valley Breeze) |
And whose fault is the "poor record
keeping"? Same person who gets the biggest
bucks at Cumberland Public Schools?
The $64 question
Why didn't supe Donna Morelle
better supervise Bob and the
district's computers?
keeping"? Same person who gets the biggest
bucks at Cumberland Public Schools?
The $64 question
Why didn't supe Donna Morelle
better supervise Bob and the
district's computers?
| Donna Morelle (R) with police chief John Desmarais (PHOTO--Valley Breeze) |
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:
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:
| 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 taxpayer....We the tax payer are bailing 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, printers, etc. The same thing happenedin Providence and went under water. I am tired of paying more taxes. Please, please investigate PROJO |
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.
________________________________
Legacy, who sat with her on the district’s eight-
member leadership team, has “breached a
trust.”
Yea, team.
________________________________