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| 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 |
| 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 - Feb. - Mar. 2009 |
HOME
| MARCH 16-31, 2009 |
| FEBRUARY 16-28, 2009 |
| FEBRUARY 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. |
| MARCH 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 |
Q: When's the last time you
heard the phrase, That's a
Republican newspaper?
(George M. Cohan to FDR in Yankee Doodle
Dandy,1942)
heard the phrase, That's a
Republican newspaper?
(George M. Cohan to FDR in Yankee Doodle
Dandy,1942)
| The nation's 1st & only daily conservative public education commentary |
Was this 'saunter' the first chink
in Mike Moses' armor?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., Feb. 1, 2009 /1:18 am
in Mike Moses' armor?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., Feb. 1, 2009 /1:18 am
For those of us who are close observers,
the following last Friday from Kent Fischer
in The Dallas Morning News' education
blog appears to have been the first time
any major media has used a
disrespectful tone to report former DISD
supe Mike Moses' commercial activities:
the following last Friday from Kent Fischer
in The Dallas Morning News' education
blog appears to have been the first time
any major media has used a
disrespectful tone to report former DISD
supe Mike Moses' commercial activities:
| Mike Moses in Dallas - 2006 |
| [DMN reporter] Katherine Unmuth relays a revealing exchange from last night's C-FB ISD meeting that, I think, shows why these searches could benefit from some public scrutiny: |
| Former DISD superintendent Mike Moses sauntered into the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school board meeting last night to make a pitch on why the board should hire his group, School Executive Consulting, to find the district's new superintendent. |
"Sauntered"? The use of this word
is landmark reporting.
Not only did Mike and his colleague Dave
Thompson (see more at left) lose the job
to their competitors at the Texas Ass'n of
School Boards, but also Unmuth listed
five phrases used by Mike and TASB
supporting SB 503 which will bring more
daylight to the supe search process:
is landmark reporting.
Not only did Mike and his colleague Dave
Thompson (see more at left) lose the job
to their competitors at the Texas Ass'n of
School Boards, but also Unmuth listed
five phrases used by Mike and TASB
supporting SB 503 which will bring more
daylight to the supe search process:
| "steal a superintendent"...."the community would cry"...."a pool of buddies"...."we control the keys to the kingdom"...."confidentiality oath" |
Kent asks, "That sure sounds like a
process that could use some sunshine,
no?" To which we add, "Amen, brother!"
process that could use some sunshine,
no?" To which we add, "Amen, brother!"
WAVERLY (IL)
School board member a
convicted felon
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Feb. 4, 2009/10:36 a.m.
School board member a
convicted felon
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Feb. 4, 2009/10:36 a.m.
| Waverly HS |
The kicker is, Kevin Beer was already a
convicted felon when he ran for
office--both times. Given the $72,000
involved, it's not only pretty amazing that
this apparently is legal in Illinois, but also
that the news didn't surface sooner.
Here's more:
convicted felon when he ran for
office--both times. Given the $72,000
involved, it's not only pretty amazing that
this apparently is legal in Illinois, but also
that the news didn't surface sooner.
Here's more:
| Waverly School Board Vice President Kevin Beer believes that a dark spot in his past has not and will not affect his work for the district. It has recently surfaced locally that, in May 2000, the two-term board member pleaded guilty to Class 2 felony theft in Marion County Circuit Court. According to court documents, Mr. Beer was ordered to pay more than $72,000 restitution to a seed company. “The people that elected me (to the Waverly School Board), they elected the person that they know now,” Mr. Beer said. “That (crime) is a distant memory.” Mr. Beer said he did not make his past known during his campaigns for school board in 2003 or 2007 because, he did not think it was an issue. No Waverly School Board policy or state rule would prevent Mr. Beer from holding a seat on the board. (SOURCE--KATIE ANDERSON /Journal - Courier) |
THEIR HANDS IN OUR POCKETS:
EDUCATION LOBBYISTS REGIS-
TERED WITH THE TEXAS ETHICS
COMMISSION FOR THE 2009 LEGE
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Feb. 6, 2009 / 1:09 a.m.
EDUCATION LOBBYISTS REGIS-
TERED WITH THE TEXAS ETHICS
COMMISSION FOR THE 2009 LEGE
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Feb. 6, 2009 / 1:09 a.m.
There are 626 Texans looking to
make a buck from Texas
schoolkids via legislation.
The list this year includes many familiar
names: Sandy Kress, David Thompson
and Bill Ratliff (scroll down to my Jan. 28
commentary below for more information
about this trio). There's Ellen Williams
(at right here) and Johnny Veselka of the
superintendents' lobbying arm, TASA.
make a buck from Texas
schoolkids via legislation.
The list this year includes many familiar
names: Sandy Kress, David Thompson
and Bill Ratliff (scroll down to my Jan. 28
commentary below for more information
about this trio). There's Ellen Williams
(at right here) and Johnny Veselka of the
superintendents' lobbying arm, TASA.
Here's a partial list; the full roster
of all 626 names is here.
of all 626 names is here.
Aanstoos, Alice L.
Abel, Douglas Deane
Aguirre, Lionel
Aguirre, Valeria
Ahart, Rodney Eugene
Akard, Jessica
Akers, Patty L.
Allaway, William
Allday, Martin L. III
Allen, George B.
Allen, Robert R.
Allison, James P.
Alvarez, Sandra
Anderson, David D.
Anderson, Edra C.
Anderson, Luke
Apodaca, Michelle
Arbuckle, David S.
Arnold, Ellen
Arnold, Jay
Arnold, Jim
Aschmann, Adam
Bailey, Charles W.
Bailey, Dennis
Banda, Jennifer
Chapman
Bashur, Reginald G.
Baxter, Todd A.
Baylor, Don
Beaird, Nanette K.
Bean, Joe Patrick
Beasley, J. Barry
Beinke, Allen Penn Jr.
Bell, Henry M. III
Bellsnyder, Luke
Beneski, Amy T.
Bennett, Joey
Bennett, Jon Paul
Bennett, Smithie Leon
Berger, William E.
Berlanga, Hugo
Abel, Douglas Deane
Aguirre, Lionel
Aguirre, Valeria
Ahart, Rodney Eugene
Akard, Jessica
Akers, Patty L.
Allaway, William
Allday, Martin L. III
Allen, George B.
Allen, Robert R.
Allison, James P.
Alvarez, Sandra
Anderson, David D.
Anderson, Edra C.
Anderson, Luke
Apodaca, Michelle
Arbuckle, David S.
Arnold, Ellen
Arnold, Jay
Arnold, Jim
Aschmann, Adam
Bailey, Charles W.
Bailey, Dennis
Banda, Jennifer
Chapman
Bashur, Reginald G.
Baxter, Todd A.
Baylor, Don
Beaird, Nanette K.
Bean, Joe Patrick
Beasley, J. Barry
Beinke, Allen Penn Jr.
Bell, Henry M. III
Bellsnyder, Luke
Beneski, Amy T.
Bennett, Joey
Bennett, Jon Paul
Bennett, Smithie Leon
Berger, William E.
Berlanga, Hugo
Rest of list here.
____________________________
____________________________
Rudy Crew leaves K-12
superintendency for higher ed
in California
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Feb. 7, 2009 / 7:30 p.m.
superintendency for higher ed
in California
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Feb. 7, 2009 / 7:30 p.m.
Although Rudy's
hiring by the
University of
Southern California
to be a prof (of
clinical education)
at USC's Rossier
School of
Education came
with a January 26
start date, the
reigning AASA supe
of the year's entry
hiring by the
University of
Southern California
to be a prof (of
clinical education)
at USC's Rossier
School of
Education came
with a January 26
start date, the
reigning AASA supe
of the year's entry
| Rudy Crew (PHOTO--John Van Beekum Miami Herald) |
into Los Angeles higher education
circles drew the equivalent of a big
media yawn in California; the only notice
I've been able to find was a USC press
release already only available in a
cached version.
By contrast, news of Rudy's California
hiring has been big news in Florida this
week -- print and TV both, with the
reporting having something of an air of
the "Is he really gone for good" about it,
the sentiment echoed by reader
comments on the Miami Herald's online
blog.
circles drew the equivalent of a big
media yawn in California; the only notice
I've been able to find was a USC press
release already only available in a
cached version.
By contrast, news of Rudy's California
hiring has been big news in Florida this
week -- print and TV both, with the
reporting having something of an air of
the "Is he really gone for good" about it,
the sentiment echoed by reader
comments on the Miami Herald's online
blog.
| I HOPE HE TEACHES SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACCOUNTING!!!!! Bye Rudy, hope you spend somebody else's rainy day fund well!!! Ironic though, a clown teaching doctorate candidates??? My sources tell me that he teaches 101 and 102 this semester. Next semester he teaches how to s*****w teachers right before he leaves. Rudy Crew teaching in a university? What a joke !!! What is he going to teach? Food consumption . . . 101? Or sc**wing up a school system 102? He made deals with school vendors, and was giving our stolen money under the watch of the current lazy, corrupted, school board. It's also his attitude while he was in office.. It reminded me of the way that oj acted all long until finally he got caught with another situation. |
Rudy worked in Miami from 2005 until
last September; his reviews there were
mixed. Notes the Miami Herald:
last September; his reviews there were
mixed. Notes the Miami Herald:
| Crew and his deputies struggled to balance the district's massive budget. Twice, the district had to dip into its rainy-day fund to balance the budget. Additionally, the School Improvement Zone, Crew's signature intensive-care program for failing schools, failed to post the gains he had promised. |
Wondering if Rudy will be able to find
jobs for his kids and friends at USC, and
how soon. And good luck to Rudy's new
students.
________________________________
jobs for his kids and friends at USC, and
how soon. And good luck to Rudy's new
students.
________________________________
SYLACAUGA/TALLADEGA C'NTY (AL)
Does Ricky Bobby know
about Jane Cobia's exit?
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, February 9, 2009/12:16 am
Does Ricky Bobby know
about Jane Cobia's exit?
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, February 9, 2009/12:16 am
In December, Jane's school board voted
to non-renew her contract; then, last
Monday, she "finally threw in the towel at
a special called meeting." While most
Talladega County supes were caught by
surprise by the 9% budget cuts they were
presented with by Governor Bob Riley --
rather than the 5% they were expecting --
some others appear to have perhaps
had stronger contingency plans in place.
Board member Skip Smithwick, who
brought the motion to non-renew Jane's
contract, only said last week:
to non-renew her contract; then, last
Monday, she "finally threw in the towel at
a special called meeting." While most
Talladega County supes were caught by
surprise by the 9% budget cuts they were
presented with by Governor Bob Riley --
rather than the 5% they were expecting --
some others appear to have perhaps
had stronger contingency plans in place.
Board member Skip Smithwick, who
brought the motion to non-renew Jane's
contract, only said last week:
| The board has seen an increasing number of trouble spots, indicating the system was heading in the wrong direction, including declining enrollment, increased transfers to private schools, declining test scores, increased employee turnover and low morale. He added that his first priority for a new superintendent would be to develop a five-year plan to address these issues. “While her service to our system has been appreciated, my belief is that we need different leadership to move Sylacauga city schools forward,” Smithwick said. “Our community expects excellence, and I am committed to ensuring that our schools move forward and do not regress.” Marlowe said the board needed to make the change to the system back where it belongs. (SOURCE--Kendra Carter/Daily Home) |
| Jane Cobia |
The bigger the school district the
greater the corruption and the less the
accountability. Yet former IBM CEO Louis
Gerstner wants to remove local control
and nationalize the U.S. into 50 districts,
one per state, with another 20 for the
largest cities -- which are already battling
corruption. Consolidation doesn't save
any money but in fact winds up costing
more because it's harder for citizens to
oversee. In case you missed it, here's
his WSJ piece from December. Rep.
Bernie Sanders of Vermont points out:
greater the corruption and the less the
accountability. Yet former IBM CEO Louis
Gerstner wants to remove local control
and nationalize the U.S. into 50 districts,
one per state, with another 20 for the
largest cities -- which are already battling
corruption. Consolidation doesn't save
any money but in fact winds up costing
more because it's harder for citizens to
oversee. In case you missed it, here's
his WSJ piece from December. Rep.
Bernie Sanders of Vermont points out:
| "The CEO of IBM, Louis Gerstner, raked in $176 million in total compensation and stock options over the past 2 years. In addition, he has accumulated over $260 million in unexercised stock options from IBM during his tenure. While slashing the pension plans of IBM employees, he negotiated a retirement plan over $1.1 million a year for himself." |
Is former IBM CEO Louis
Gerstner just another
greedy corporate
raider/profiteer or is
he actually anti-USA?
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Feb. 9, 2009/1:27 pm
Gerstner just another
greedy corporate
raider/profiteer or is
he actually anti-USA?
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Feb. 9, 2009/1:27 pm
| Louis Gerstner |
Scroll down for more regarding Gerstner
and IBM:
www.ibmemployee.com/PDFs/RMS_IBM
_greedy_Gerstner.pdf
and IBM:
www.ibmemployee.com/PDFs/RMS_IBM
_greedy_Gerstner.pdf
| Opinion: IBM's greedy former CEO escapes scrutiny By John R. Kotson Special to the Rocky Mountain News October 25, 2002 Countless articles have been published in the Denver newspapers detailing the misdeeds of Joe Nacchio and the resulting near destruction of Qwest. But no attention has been given to Louis V. Gerstner, former chief executive and current chairman of the board of IBM, one of the largest employers in northern Colorado. The Denver news media and the U.S. government have looked the other way while Gerstner and friends have engaged in some of the largest insider stock manipulations in corporate history. Here are a few of the sordid details. In the last five years, Gerstner has reaped a profit of $345 million in the sale of awarded stock options. These stock options were awarded while he held the joint positions of IBM CEO and chairman. During that period, IBM spent $44 billion buying back its own stock to drive the price up so that executives could cash out at handsome profits. This is money that could have been spent on developing new products, attracting new talent and honoring promises made to employees and retirees. Where did all that money come from? Not from profit growth, which remained flat at about 2 percent per year when you strip out the retirees' pension fund surplus "vapor profits." It came from selling off large chunks of the company and its assets, laying off tens of thousands of employees and slashing pension and health care benefits for employees and retirees. In 2002 alone, IBM has quietly cut 15,000 jobs. Health benefits, which were promised "free for life," now cost retirees a substantial amount of their pensions. Only one minuscule cost-of-living increase has been awarded pension recipients in the past 11 years. The greed doesn't stop there. Now, Lou has not only been retained as chairman of the board, he has been awarded a 10-year consulting contract, with fully paid expenses at his previous salary of $2 million a year. These expenses have been conservatively estimated to be $100,000 annually. Since Lou's last big stock cash-out in January of this year, IBM stock has declined from $126 per share to less than $70. While the percentage drop does not rival the decline in Qwest stock, the loss in real dollars does. Individual stockholders have suffered huge losses. For people in the news media who think Lou has done a great job, talk to people in Endicott, N.Y.; Burlington, Vt.; San Jose, Calif.; Raleigh, N.C. and many other locations whose jobs have been eliminated. Get their opinions on Lou's performance. IBM is now under investigation by the attorney general's office in Vermont for age discrimination, since the layoffs there and elsewhere appear to be strongly oriented towards older employees. Lou's hand-picked successor as CEO, Sam Palmisano, appears to be headed down the same path. The conversion of the once-great data processing giant to a service organization is nearly complete with the sale of the Data Storage Division and its 17,000 employees to Hitachi Corp. IBM no longer produces the revolutionary new products that once made it America's most admired corporation. "Respect for the Individual," "Service to its Customers" and "The Pursuit of Excellence" have been replaced by "Reward the Greedy Few". But IBM has not escaped unscathed. The Alliance@IBM , the U S West and Johns Manville Retiree Associations and the National Retirees Legislative Network are actively pursuing an agenda with Congressional representatives to put an end to these abuses of employees' and retirees' rights by IBM, Qwest and other large corporations. The agenda includes reforms in retiree health care and pension benefits, independence of corporate boards and accounting reforms. In the end, we will prevail. John Kotson is a retired IBM manager living in Fort Collins. He can be reached by e-mail at jrkotson@yahoo.com |
Time for
another
Random
Round Up
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Feb. 11, 2009/8::47 am
another
Random
Round Up
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Feb. 11, 2009/8::47 am
| Arne Duncan (IMAGE--Peyton Wolcott) |
Q: Was US DOE ed head Arne Duncan
all hat and no cattle at Chicago schools?
A: Thanks to investigative reporting by
Dave Savini at CBS, you can judge for
yourself.
all hat and no cattle at Chicago schools?
A: Thanks to investigative reporting by
Dave Savini at CBS, you can judge for
yourself.
Q. How much longer can deposed
California supe James Fleming and his
buddies continue to drag out their trial
for misuse and more of Capistrano USD
funds?
A: Apparently at least until April 7, 2009;
after all, it's only been 2 1/2 years since
Fleming was forced out. That Judge
Thomas Goethels appeared unfamiliar
with the case yesterday morning--per OC
Weekly--can't be helping Capo parents
seeking and waiting for justice.
California supe James Fleming and his
buddies continue to drag out their trial
for misuse and more of Capistrano USD
funds?
A: Apparently at least until April 7, 2009;
after all, it's only been 2 1/2 years since
Fleming was forced out. That Judge
Thomas Goethels appeared unfamiliar
with the case yesterday morning--per OC
Weekly--can't be helping Capo parents
seeking and waiting for justice.
Q. What job did former Detroit mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick travel to Dallas on a
chartered jet to interview for? Tell us
please it was not at Dallas ISD.
A: Have emailed DISD to confirm or deny.
UPDATE: DISD says no job interview
there for Kwame.
Kwame Kilpatrick travel to Dallas on a
chartered jet to interview for? Tell us
please it was not at Dallas ISD.
A: Have emailed DISD to confirm or deny.
UPDATE: DISD says no job interview
there for Kwame.
DALLAS ISD (TX)
YACHTGATE: Will Frankie Wong
(finally) surrender today in
Bastrop to start his Dallas ISD
Yachtgate prison sentence?
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 10, 2009/ 12:34 am
YACHTGATE: Will Frankie Wong
(finally) surrender today in
Bastrop to start his Dallas ISD
Yachtgate prison sentence?
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 10, 2009/ 12:34 am
The digs at the Bastrop Federal
Correctional Institution (above) are a bit
sparser than Frankie's used to, but he'll
have good company. Among the inmates
at this low- and minimum-security prison
SE of Austin: Enron execs -- but not his
DISD partner in crime, Ruben Bohuchot,
who's in prison in Fort Worth.
________________________________
Correctional Institution (above) are a bit
sparser than Frankie's used to, but he'll
have good company. Among the inmates
at this low- and minimum-security prison
SE of Austin: Enron execs -- but not his
DISD partner in crime, Ruben Bohuchot,
who's in prison in Fort Worth.
________________________________
DALLAS ISD
Frankie Wong in custody in
Bastrop, Texas
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 10, 2009/4:45 pm
Frankie Wong in custody in
Bastrop, Texas
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 10, 2009/4:45 pm
According to government sources,
former Dallas ISD tech vendor Frankie
Wong turned himself in today to the
Federal Correctional Institution in
Bastrop, Texas just southeast of Austin.
Wong had been called a "flight risk" by
Dallas prosecutors, based on his family
and money ties to Asia. Somehow this
says something good and reassuring
about America, that Frankie would stay
and serve his sentence rather than
disappearing. Good for Frankie Wong.
Has Dallas ISD learned its lessons
about employees and board members
and vendors-- especially when it comes
to spending $120 million in taxpayer
dollars? My next questions after that are
for Carly Fiorina re deals before she left
H-P with our public schools involving fed
funds and vendors such as Sun
MicroSystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA). Or,
put another way:
former Dallas ISD tech vendor Frankie
Wong turned himself in today to the
Federal Correctional Institution in
Bastrop, Texas just southeast of Austin.
Wong had been called a "flight risk" by
Dallas prosecutors, based on his family
and money ties to Asia. Somehow this
says something good and reassuring
about America, that Frankie would stay
and serve his sentence rather than
disappearing. Good for Frankie Wong.
Has Dallas ISD learned its lessons
about employees and board members
and vendors-- especially when it comes
to spending $120 million in taxpayer
dollars? My next questions after that are
for Carly Fiorina re deals before she left
H-P with our public schools involving fed
funds and vendors such as Sun
MicroSystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA). Or,
put another way:
WHAT DID CARLY FIORINA KNOW
AND WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT?
AND WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT?
| Carly Fiorina (PHOTO--AP/SF Gate) |
HOUSTON ISD
Will HISD principal Robin Lowe --
who brought CAIR officials to talk
to schoolchildren at her prior place of
employment -- tell her new charges about
the alleged beheading of Aasiya Zubair
(L) by her husband Mo Hussan (R) at their
New York TV station promoting good
news about Muslims?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Feb. 14, 2009/2:30 am
Will HISD principal Robin Lowe --
who brought CAIR officials to talk
to schoolchildren at her prior place of
employment -- tell her new charges about
the alleged beheading of Aasiya Zubair
(L) by her husband Mo Hussan (R) at their
New York TV station promoting good
news about Muslims?
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Feb. 14, 2009/2:30 am
More here,
including Aasiya's
role in estabishing
the station, whose
goal is “connec-
ting people
through under-
standing” -- it was
her idea. (Scroll
down to "Iran
Execution Alert" at
far right on my home
page for more about
Robin Lowe.)
including Aasiya's
role in estabishing
the station, whose
goal is “connec-
ting people
through under-
standing” -- it was
her idea. (Scroll
down to "Iran
Execution Alert" at
far right on my home
page for more about
Robin Lowe.)
DALLAS ISD
News reports of the demise of
DISD's online check register
are greatly exaggerated
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 17, 2009/12:07 am
News reports of the demise of
DISD's online check register
are greatly exaggerated
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 17, 2009/12:07 am
Friends, as unhappy as I've been with
most of Dallas ISD's leadership, the one
thing I have consistently praised DISD
for has been the fact that the district has
voluntarily posted its check register
online. In fact, DISD was the first major
urban school district in the nation to do
so, and despite whatever else might
happen, no one can ever take this away
from them.
And, despite a recent news report to the
contrary, DISD's check register is still
right where it's been since November
2006, on the board's Consent Agenda.
For folks who have a hard time finding
check registers on school districts' web
sites, here's a handy list, "How to find
your district's checks" in the blue box at
far right here.
________________________________
most of Dallas ISD's leadership, the one
thing I have consistently praised DISD
for has been the fact that the district has
voluntarily posted its check register
online. In fact, DISD was the first major
urban school district in the nation to do
so, and despite whatever else might
happen, no one can ever take this away
from them.
And, despite a recent news report to the
contrary, DISD's check register is still
right where it's been since November
2006, on the board's Consent Agenda.
For folks who have a hard time finding
check registers on school districts' web
sites, here's a handy list, "How to find
your district's checks" in the blue box at
far right here.
________________________________
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOLS (NV)
Block scheduling costs Las Vegas
$11 million/year
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., Feb. 19, 2009/12:07 am
Block scheduling costs Las Vegas
$11 million/year
By Peyton Wolcott
Thur., Feb. 19, 2009/12:07 am
Congratulations to Las
Vegas supe Walt Ruffles
(Clark County School
District) for figuring out
what parents have known
all along: Block schedules
are expensive.
Vegas supe Walt Ruffles
(Clark County School
District) for figuring out
what parents have known
all along: Block schedules
are expensive.
| Walt Ruffles |
| In an effort to save $11 million annually, Clark County is dropping the block schedule program at all but a few Valley high schools. Starting with the 2009-2010 school year, students will have the same set of classes every day. Block schedules allow students to take more credits by holding longer classes on alternating days. In typical cases, the schedule lets kids take eight classes instead of six. The school board and Clark County School District Superintendent Walt Rulffes decided to cut the block scheduling to help the district comply with state-ordered budget cuts of $120 million per year. (SOURCE--Fox News5Vegas) |
Money isn't the only problem with block.
Jeff Lindsay, a dad in Appleton,
Wisconsin with a Ph.D. in chemical
engineering who is also a registered
patent agent and therefore on both
counts knows a thing or two about
scientific evidence, has been beating
the anti-block scheduling drum for
years:
Jeff Lindsay, a dad in Appleton,
Wisconsin with a Ph.D. in chemical
engineering who is also a registered
patent agent and therefore on both
counts knows a thing or two about
scientific evidence, has been beating
the anti-block scheduling drum for
years:
| The block scheduling bandwagon continues to roll, sometimes in spite of the children playing in the road. On these pages, I provide evidence that block scheduling does not provide an academic benefit and can even seriously harm academic achievement in school. I didn't begin with that assumption. Rather, it is the conclusion that arises from looking at serious research on the block and academic achievement. Parents and students are not being told about the risks when the block is proposed for their schools. Sadly, many administrators don't feel a responsibility to find real data before the decision is made, and often refuse to seriously consider the evidence once it is laid before them. Informed parents find this utterly irresponsible and bewildering. And when parents and teachers experience the problems with the block -- problems that were often denied as real risks by well-paid consultants who are brought in to usher in the block -- the result is even more frustration at an educational system that doesn't really put the students first. |
Congratulations to Walt, by the way, for
putting his district's check register
online; that makes two so far in Nevada.
_______________________________
putting his district's check register
online; that makes two so far in Nevada.
_______________________________
PTA/ PORTLAND PS (OR)
Making the case--sadly and
again--for schools to include PTA,
booster & activity accounts in their
online check registers
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., Feb. 22, 2009/10:36 am
Making the case--sadly and
again--for schools to include PTA,
booster & activity accounts in their
online check registers
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., Feb. 22, 2009/10:36 am
You're right, PTA
funds are not
technically part of a
school district's
tax-based finances.
However, in most
parents' minds,
money to their kids'
PTA or band or
choir or football
boosters or any
other such organi-
za organization is
still money to the
school.
funds are not
technically part of a
school district's
tax-based finances.
However, in most
parents' minds,
money to their kids'
PTA or band or
choir or football
boosters or any
other such organi-
za organization is
still money to the
school.
As quite often these funds fall under the
schools' general money-spending
umbrella as dollars are commingled, it
makes sense for districts to find a way
to make these expenditures public.
Had this occurred in Portland Public
Schools with their Bridger Elementary
PTA funds, perhaps 11 1/2-year
treasurer Jackalin Lillie might not be in
prison today rather than staying home
and caring for her autistic son.
Perhaps if such a school had paid
closer attention to accountability and
less to being "a positive and caring
learning environment" someone would
have thought to look at Jackalin's
receipts sooner. Perhaps at a school
where "teachers encourage students to
be independent thinks, learners and
problem solvers" Jackalin might have
taken this too literally in solving her
day-to-day wants and rather than
leaving PTA funds where they belonged
instead splurged on "$4.20 coffee
breaks, trips to first-run movies and a
$329 shopping spree at Ikea...[along
with more than $100 on cable and
another $100 on her cell phone service
per month." (SOURCE--Aimee Gree/The
Oregonian)
schools' general money-spending
umbrella as dollars are commingled, it
makes sense for districts to find a way
to make these expenditures public.
Had this occurred in Portland Public
Schools with their Bridger Elementary
PTA funds, perhaps 11 1/2-year
treasurer Jackalin Lillie might not be in
prison today rather than staying home
and caring for her autistic son.
Perhaps if such a school had paid
closer attention to accountability and
less to being "a positive and caring
learning environment" someone would
have thought to look at Jackalin's
receipts sooner. Perhaps at a school
where "teachers encourage students to
be independent thinks, learners and
problem solvers" Jackalin might have
taken this too literally in solving her
day-to-day wants and rather than
leaving PTA funds where they belonged
instead splurged on "$4.20 coffee
breaks, trips to first-run movies and a
$329 shopping spree at Ikea...[along
with more than $100 on cable and
another $100 on her cell phone service
per month." (SOURCE--Aimee Gree/The
Oregonian)
| Jackalin Lillie |
| Bridger Elementary - Portland, Oregon |
But then perhaps Bridger parents have
asked and were rebuffed as PTO
officers were at our local high school
here in Texas by then-principal David
Solomon and then-Marble Falls ISD
supe Dana Marable; both school
executives blocked ongoing efforts to
view detailed financials from our
then-fundraiser chair, Lucretia
Lehrmann. Even though it's been
several years, MFISD still is not able to
produce detailed PTO fundraiser
financials from that period. All three
individuals
are now living and working in other
communities: Dana is interim supe in
Lancaster ISD, David is principal at
Pleasanton High School, and Lucretia
is a math teacher at Round Rock High
School. Although all three have
declined to discuss the lack of
financials, it's encouraging to note that
at least two of the districts have online
check registers: Lancaster and Round
Rock. Also, after Marable's departure
from Marble Falls ISD that district
posted its check register online.
Transparency: A good idea we can all
get behind.
_______________________________
asked and were rebuffed as PTO
officers were at our local high school
here in Texas by then-principal David
Solomon and then-Marble Falls ISD
supe Dana Marable; both school
executives blocked ongoing efforts to
view detailed financials from our
then-fundraiser chair, Lucretia
Lehrmann. Even though it's been
several years, MFISD still is not able to
produce detailed PTO fundraiser
financials from that period. All three
individuals
are now living and working in other
communities: Dana is interim supe in
Lancaster ISD, David is principal at
Pleasanton High School, and Lucretia
is a math teacher at Round Rock High
School. Although all three have
declined to discuss the lack of
financials, it's encouraging to note that
at least two of the districts have online
check registers: Lancaster and Round
Rock. Also, after Marable's departure
from Marble Falls ISD that district
posted its check register online.
Transparency: A good idea we can all
get behind.
_______________________________
LOUISIANA
Why Bossier Parrish
Schools are a great
candidate to become the
state's first district posting
its check register online
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 24, 2009/12:25 am
Why Bossier Parrish
Schools are a great
candidate to become the
state's first district posting
its check register online
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb. 24, 2009/12:25 am
As districts go, Bossier Parrish
Schools seem to have suffered one
image setback after another when it
comes to their handling of money.
There was Albert "Bud" Dean, Bossier
High School principal, a reservist called
to duty in 2003 who returned home then
was arrested in 2006 for stealing
$30,000 from his school's activity fund.
There was a $50,000 athletic
overspend at Airline High. There have
been audits since 2002 calling for
tighter internal controls. And now,
Bossier Parrish superintendent Ken
Kruithof "has been under fire amid a
federal corruption investigation that has
ensnared three school system employ-
ees. Several members of the school
board have been unhappy with his job
perform-
ance, particularly communica-
tion with the board." (SOURCE--KTBS)
What a terrific farewell gift to his
community Ken's posting Bossier's
check register would be before his
June retirement.
_______________________________
Schools seem to have suffered one
image setback after another when it
comes to their handling of money.
There was Albert "Bud" Dean, Bossier
High School principal, a reservist called
to duty in 2003 who returned home then
was arrested in 2006 for stealing
$30,000 from his school's activity fund.
There was a $50,000 athletic
overspend at Airline High. There have
been audits since 2002 calling for
tighter internal controls. And now,
Bossier Parrish superintendent Ken
Kruithof "has been under fire amid a
federal corruption investigation that has
ensnared three school system employ-
ees. Several members of the school
board have been unhappy with his job
perform-
ance, particularly communica-
tion with the board." (SOURCE--KTBS)
What a terrific farewell gift to his
community Ken's posting Bossier's
check register would be before his
June retirement.
_______________________________
Modern Tea Party-ers: 2
simple things you can do
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Tue.., Mar. 3, 2009 / 2:31 am
simple things you can do
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Tue.., Mar. 3, 2009 / 2:31 am
God bless you for your passion, for your
earnest wanting to do something.
The original tea party-ers didn't settle for
signs and shouts in 1773, and neither
should you. Luckily for us they
understood "start small, start simple and
start local."
earnest wanting to do something.
The original tea party-ers didn't settle for
signs and shouts in 1773, and neither
should you. Luckily for us they
understood "start small, start simple and
start local."
| Feb. 2009 Tea Party protesters (SOURCE--Michelle Malkin) |
Instead of focusing on the many taxes
being levied on them by their British
overlords, our earliest patriots instead
focused on only one, the single thing that
impacted everyone in all classes -- tea --
and they didn't leave it at the level of
philosophical discourse or letters to the
editor or standing around grousing on
street corners.
being levied on them by their British
overlords, our earliest patriots instead
focused on only one, the single thing that
impacted everyone in all classes -- tea --
and they didn't leave it at the level of
philosophical discourse or letters to the
editor or standing around grousing on
street corners.
Our 1773 patriots went to the ship where
the tea whose tax they were protesting
was being held, then dumped the tea
overboard. People got it. We still get it
today; that's why we still invoke what they
did.
Q: What's 2009's equal to tea?
A: Our local public schools
Because most American industry has
fled offshore, in most counties the
largest budget and employer is now no
longer the local steel mill (it's in China)
or the local linen mill (also in China) but
the local school district, with the result
that rather than local businesses paying
for our public schools, they are
increasingly supported by property taxes
on our homes.
The next step is not to go throw our local
school into Boston Harbor -- the harbor's
too small to hold the natatorium -- or to
form a non-profit out of your house in
order to avoid paying property taxes
unless you're White House Chief of Staff
Rahm Emanuel.
the tea whose tax they were protesting
was being held, then dumped the tea
overboard. People got it. We still get it
today; that's why we still invoke what they
did.
Q: What's 2009's equal to tea?
A: Our local public schools
Because most American industry has
fled offshore, in most counties the
largest budget and employer is now no
longer the local steel mill (it's in China)
or the local linen mill (also in China) but
the local school district, with the result
that rather than local businesses paying
for our public schools, they are
increasingly supported by property taxes
on our homes.
The next step is not to go throw our local
school into Boston Harbor -- the harbor's
too small to hold the natatorium -- or to
form a non-profit out of your house in
order to avoid paying property taxes
unless you're White House Chief of Staff
Rahm Emanuel.
| 1773 Boston Tea Party |
| President Barack Obama (L); Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel |
Forget the public schools, you say?
They're a lost cause? You point out how
little our president and his chief of staff
think of them that they send their own
children to private schools?
The problem with vouchers
You say we should forget public schools
as they're hopeless and work instead to
get vouchers legislation passed?
Friends, it's time to wake up and smell
the coffee -- or tea.
Conservatives and their think tanks have
tried to pass voucher legislation for how
many decades now and gotten almost
nowhere; the few places where
meaningful laws were passed such as
Utah have seen an almost immediate
undermining by powerful education
lobbyists led by administrators'
associations. Meanwhile, we've had an
entire generation grow up in our failing
public schools. If you don't think this was
an important loss for our society,
consider the 2008 elections. Young
voters based their decisions on charm
and hope rather than ideas.
They're a lost cause? You point out how
little our president and his chief of staff
think of them that they send their own
children to private schools?
The problem with vouchers
You say we should forget public schools
as they're hopeless and work instead to
get vouchers legislation passed?
Friends, it's time to wake up and smell
the coffee -- or tea.
Conservatives and their think tanks have
tried to pass voucher legislation for how
many decades now and gotten almost
nowhere; the few places where
meaningful laws were passed such as
Utah have seen an almost immediate
undermining by powerful education
lobbyists led by administrators'
associations. Meanwhile, we've had an
entire generation grow up in our failing
public schools. If you don't think this was
an important loss for our society,
consider the 2008 elections. Young
voters based their decisions on charm
and hope rather than ideas.
It's 2009; we live in a republic, not a
monarchy.
Our public schols' cure must be political
because they are political entities, our
most local form of government. This may
trouble those folks who like to think of
them as being above politics.
What more pure definition of politics can
there be? Our local public schools are the
place where taxes, power and votes
intersect.
Unlike 1773 Boston when King George III
ruled us because he was born to the
throne, except for a relatively small
number of districts whose trustees are
appointed (Chicago, New York, Alabama,
etc.) we ourselves voted in our trustees
who allowed the mess in our public
schools to happen.
So it's a mess entirely of our own
allowing.
Which leads us to the next
mess/conundrum.
While we may naturally want some
outside authority figure in charge of our
schools to step in and fix/save them for
us, it's our job -- yours and mine -- to
resolve problems ourselves.
Why? Unless we're in favor of Hitler/
Chavez-style dictatorships, nationalized
schools can't be anything we want.
Bottom line: No matter how upset we are
or convinced we have the one sure fix, we
still have to work with our schools'
leaders in order to bring about the
changes we want, via the political
process. We can stand afar and decree a
thing. We have to learn to play with
others.
Pickets and protest marches only
marginalize our efforts. We must learn to
reframe our arguments into something
positive.
monarchy.
Our public schols' cure must be political
because they are political entities, our
most local form of government. This may
trouble those folks who like to think of
them as being above politics.
What more pure definition of politics can
there be? Our local public schools are the
place where taxes, power and votes
intersect.
Unlike 1773 Boston when King George III
ruled us because he was born to the
throne, except for a relatively small
number of districts whose trustees are
appointed (Chicago, New York, Alabama,
etc.) we ourselves voted in our trustees
who allowed the mess in our public
schools to happen.
So it's a mess entirely of our own
allowing.
Which leads us to the next
mess/conundrum.
While we may naturally want some
outside authority figure in charge of our
schools to step in and fix/save them for
us, it's our job -- yours and mine -- to
resolve problems ourselves.
Why? Unless we're in favor of Hitler/
Chavez-style dictatorships, nationalized
schools can't be anything we want.
Bottom line: No matter how upset we are
or convinced we have the one sure fix, we
still have to work with our schools'
leaders in order to bring about the
changes we want, via the political
process. We can stand afar and decree a
thing. We have to learn to play with
others.
Pickets and protest marches only
marginalize our efforts. We must learn to
reframe our arguments into something
positive.
2 simple and effective things
you can do
Because we can't make any real
improvements in our schools until we
can track individual specific dollars -- you
can't make changes to a pie chart or a
bar graph -- the first step is to persuade
our school district to voluntarily post its
check register online. Once it's online,
then and only then can our public
schools engage with us in a meaning-ful
dialogue about where our dollars can
best be spent.
Because we've done this successfully by
now in so many school districts in so
many states we now know the approach
that works. We also know where the
potholes and the land mines are. And
we know which shortcuts -- they have all
been tried -- fail.
The next step after check registers is to
remove vendors' influence from our
schools, and here's where to start:
Ethics pledges for trustees. This is
do-able, friends.
________________________________
you can do
Because we can't make any real
improvements in our schools until we
can track individual specific dollars -- you
can't make changes to a pie chart or a
bar graph -- the first step is to persuade
our school district to voluntarily post its
check register online. Once it's online,
then and only then can our public
schools engage with us in a meaning-ful
dialogue about where our dollars can
best be spent.
Because we've done this successfully by
now in so many school districts in so
many states we now know the approach
that works. We also know where the
potholes and the land mines are. And
we know which shortcuts -- they have all
been tried -- fail.
The next step after check registers is to
remove vendors' influence from our
schools, and here's where to start:
Ethics pledges for trustees. This is
do-able, friends.
________________________________
MEXICO: 10-year-old Angela
Barraza Lopez loses left arm to
machine while cleaning NAFTA
green beans
Barraza Lopez loses left arm to
machine while cleaning NAFTA
green beans
Questions about that NAFTA
grown-in-Mexico produce you purchase
from your local grocery store have been
raised and published by Newspaper
Tree in El Paso. In addition to little
Angela losing her arm, in another
incident a toddler was crushed to death
by truck tires in a field in Sinaloa; he
was with his teenaged parents working
in the fields because there was no one
to care for him.
______________________________
grown-in-Mexico produce you purchase
from your local grocery store have been
raised and published by Newspaper
Tree in El Paso. In addition to little
Angela losing her arm, in another
incident a toddler was crushed to death
by truck tires in a field in Sinaloa; he
was with his teenaged parents working
in the fields because there was no one
to care for him.
______________________________
DALLAS ISD
Was shoring up supe Mike
Hinojosa part of Mayor Tom
Leppert's grand DISD takeover
plan?
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb.24, 2009/2:17 am
Was shoring up supe Mike
Hinojosa part of Mayor Tom
Leppert's grand DISD takeover
plan?
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Feb.24, 2009/2:17 am
| Leppert (L), Hinojosa |
Does this ever happen to you, that while
you're trying to solve a problem some
seemingly unrelated thought tries to
intrude and you shush it away until you
have an Aha moment and realize, "Oh,
there's a connecting thread here"? I've
been as mystified as anyone why Dallas
business leaders chose Mike Hinojosa
as Dallas ISD supe to begin with then
continued to stand behind him despite
some of the biggest bloopers possible --
the $120 million procurement card
debacle, the $60-80-120 mil surprise
deficits resulting in a state of financial
exigency because Mike didn't insist on
getting detailed financials he could
understand, then the teacher RIFs last
summer even though Mike could have
fired consultants instead.
Here's the recurring thought. Some
years ago when a supe in a distant
galaxy far far away had to leave his post
because of a credit card scandal I
assumed the man's career was over.
Then when he was named as the new
supe at a different district soon
afterwards, I expressed my astonish-
ment to a friend. "He's compromised," I
pointed out, to which my friend replied
gently, "That's why they hired him. The
city's business leaders can control him."
So here's my question for you: Did the
Dallas business community hire
someone likely to fail so completely in
order to put into place sufficient
justification for mayoral takeover of the
school district? Will Dallas ISD
leadership become another oligarchy of
the rich and powerful replacing trustees
elected by ordinary citizens? Urban
mayors elsewhere have cast greedy
eyes on their school districts'
billion-dollar budgets. Good luck to
parents trying to effect any changes in
New York or LA or Chicago let alone
achieve any accountability or
transparency.
Bottom line: Dallas ISD needs a better
superintendent--but it's not the mayor
and his big biz cronies.
________________________________
you're trying to solve a problem some
seemingly unrelated thought tries to
intrude and you shush it away until you
have an Aha moment and realize, "Oh,
there's a connecting thread here"? I've
been as mystified as anyone why Dallas
business leaders chose Mike Hinojosa
as Dallas ISD supe to begin with then
continued to stand behind him despite
some of the biggest bloopers possible --
the $120 million procurement card
debacle, the $60-80-120 mil surprise
deficits resulting in a state of financial
exigency because Mike didn't insist on
getting detailed financials he could
understand, then the teacher RIFs last
summer even though Mike could have
fired consultants instead.
Here's the recurring thought. Some
years ago when a supe in a distant
galaxy far far away had to leave his post
because of a credit card scandal I
assumed the man's career was over.
Then when he was named as the new
supe at a different district soon
afterwards, I expressed my astonish-
ment to a friend. "He's compromised," I
pointed out, to which my friend replied
gently, "That's why they hired him. The
city's business leaders can control him."
So here's my question for you: Did the
Dallas business community hire
someone likely to fail so completely in
order to put into place sufficient
justification for mayoral takeover of the
school district? Will Dallas ISD
leadership become another oligarchy of
the rich and powerful replacing trustees
elected by ordinary citizens? Urban
mayors elsewhere have cast greedy
eyes on their school districts'
billion-dollar budgets. Good luck to
parents trying to effect any changes in
New York or LA or Chicago let alone
achieve any accountability or
transparency.
Bottom line: Dallas ISD needs a better
superintendent--but it's not the mayor
and his big biz cronies.
________________________________
AUSTIN ISD
Meria "Hop-Around Kid"
Carstarphen is Austin's new
supe
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Feb. 27, 2009/10:27 am
Meria "Hop-Around Kid"
Carstarphen is Austin's new
supe
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Feb. 27, 2009/10:27 am
| Meria Carstarphen |
With Austin ISD's hiring yesterday of
Meria Carstarphen for their top job, the
big question is not so much "Stand &
deliver" but will she "Stay & deliver"?
Meria's work history:
Meria Carstarphen for their top job, the
big question is not so much "Stand &
deliver" but will she "Stay & deliver"?
Meria's work history:
| 1997-1999 National Geo. Photographer 1999 - Boston (MA) Intern (principal) 1999-2001 Columbus (OH) Ass't to superintendent 2001-2003 [unknown] Education consultant 2003-2004 Kingsport (TN) Admin./accountability Oct. 2004-April 2006 DC Admin./accountability July 31, 2006-Feb. 2009 Supe / St. Paul PS (MN) |
Will a big warm smile, smarts,
now-familiar high-energy interview
techniques, occasional cleavage, plus a
track record which includes leaving
behind a $25 million deficit and
unfulfilled promises (although Meria had
told St. Paul she had 5-7 years of work
there, she's bailing after only 2 1/2)
coupled with new Austin ISD's supe
Meria Carstarphen's job history of not
sticking around anywhere else long
enough to see if she actually delivers --
will any of this save Austin ISD? We're
about to find out.
My prediction: Based only on her
history, Meria will be gone from Austin no
later than Summer 2012; until then she'll
be away most Fridays at self-
promoting education conferences.
She will continue her secretive ways in
Austin including not posting AISD's
check register online (St. Paul's isn't,
West St. Paul's is.).
My hope: Meria proves me wrong and
matches Pat Forgione's 10 years at the
helm of Austin ISD, eschews
edu-conferences in favor of working in
the district, and posts AISD's checks.
_______________________________
now-familiar high-energy interview
techniques, occasional cleavage, plus a
track record which includes leaving
behind a $25 million deficit and
unfulfilled promises (although Meria had
told St. Paul she had 5-7 years of work
there, she's bailing after only 2 1/2)
coupled with new Austin ISD's supe
Meria Carstarphen's job history of not
sticking around anywhere else long
enough to see if she actually delivers --
will any of this save Austin ISD? We're
about to find out.
My prediction: Based only on her
history, Meria will be gone from Austin no
later than Summer 2012; until then she'll
be away most Fridays at self-
promoting education conferences.
She will continue her secretive ways in
Austin including not posting AISD's
check register online (St. Paul's isn't,
West St. Paul's is.).
My hope: Meria proves me wrong and
matches Pat Forgione's 10 years at the
helm of Austin ISD, eschews
edu-conferences in favor of working in
the district, and posts AISD's checks.
_______________________________
ELKHART SCHOOLS (IN)
Elkhart teacher's 2nd meth
arrest
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 5, 2009/8:29 am
Elkhart teacher's 2nd meth
arrest
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 5, 2009/8:29 am
| Maria Stancati mug shot |
According to WSBT TV,
Stancati, "a former
Elkhart teacher awaiting
trial on charges of
dealing in methampheta-
mine, was arrested
again in Elkhart County
Wednesday on suspicion
of dealing meth, police
said." Story with lively
and abundant community
reactions here.
Stancati, "a former
Elkhart teacher awaiting
trial on charges of
dealing in methampheta-
mine, was arrested
again in Elkhart County
Wednesday on suspicion
of dealing meth, police
said." Story with lively
and abundant community
reactions here.
ELKHART UPDATE/MARCH 17, 2009: An
Elkart high school basketball coach
(Mark Barnhizer) with seven active
suspensions on his driver's license was
arrested last Friday after failing a field
sobriety test. More from WSBT.
________________________________
Elkart high school basketball coach
(Mark Barnhizer) with seven active
suspensions on his driver's license was
arrested last Friday after failing a field
sobriety test. More from WSBT.
________________________________
BENNINGTON SD (VT)
Congratulations, we guess, to George
Sleeman on being elected to the
school board. (Bennington, watch
your wallets.)
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Mar. 6, 2009 / 6:31 am
Congratulations, we guess, to George
Sleeman on being elected to the
school board. (Bennington, watch
your wallets.)
By Peyton Wolcott
Fri., Mar. 6, 2009 / 6:31 am
| Bennington, Vermont (PHOTO--David Guay) |
A curious newspaper story crossed my
desk last night; a reporter in picturesque
Bennington, Vermont, home of covered
bridges and fall foliage, had taken the
time and newsprint yesterday to detail
events there 25 years ago when the local
school superintendent made some
"errors in judgment."
By today's standards, the amounts,
a $2 million budget shortfall and the "two
dozen counts that he embezzled roughly
$20,000" seem small potatoes, although
the 13 months former Bennington supe
George Sleeman spent in prison still
desk last night; a reporter in picturesque
Bennington, Vermont, home of covered
bridges and fall foliage, had taken the
time and newsprint yesterday to detail
events there 25 years ago when the local
school superintendent made some
"errors in judgment."
By today's standards, the amounts,
a $2 million budget shortfall and the "two
dozen counts that he embezzled roughly
$20,000" seem small potatoes, although
the 13 months former Bennington supe
George Sleeman spent in prison still
three votes (45 to the second place
candidate's 42).
Not often you can see the headline,
"Bennington elects convicted embezzler by
write-in."
Michael points out that George is a fine
fellow and besides, everyone deserves a
second chance, especially after they have
served hard time. Forget Michael's battles
re WalMart; his greater edu-issues have to
do with a school closure and his
proposed dissolution of the Southwest
Vermont Supervisory Union. What an
interesting way to make a point, nominate
a convicted felon for a school board post
without telling him. That's how they do
things in Vermont?
candidate's 42).
Not often you can see the headline,
"Bennington elects convicted embezzler by
write-in."
Michael points out that George is a fine
fellow and besides, everyone deserves a
second chance, especially after they have
served hard time. Forget Michael's battles
re WalMart; his greater edu-issues have to
do with a school closure and his
proposed dissolution of the Southwest
Vermont Supervisory Union. What an
interesting way to make a point, nominate
a convicted felon for a school board post
without telling him. That's how they do
things in Vermont?
sound serious. As it turns
out, local resident and
political activist Michael
Bethel, who calls himself a
friend, initiated a write-in
campaign a week ago
proposing George for an
empty board seat which
George has now won by
out, local resident and
political activist Michael
Bethel, who calls himself a
friend, initiated a write-in
campaign a week ago
proposing George for an
empty board seat which
George has now won by
| Michael Bethel |
| Fall foliage in Bennington, Vermont |
CAPISTRANO USD (CA)
'Woodrow Carter, in your facial':
Texas-style edu-reporting
catches on in California
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Mar. 10, 2009/1:36 am
'Woodrow Carter, in your facial':
Texas-style edu-reporting
catches on in California
By Peyton Wolcott
Tue., Mar. 10, 2009/1:36 am
| Woodrow Carter |
We don't really know what Capistrano
USD supe Woody Carter looked like after
his reported facials at not one but two
taxpayer-funded retreats because
Woodrow was less than fully forthcoming
with his community. So there's nothing
left to do but conjecture among ourselves
(above). As a parent pointed out, "You've
got this guy with a huge salary going to
Napa Valley on wine tastings while at the
same time he's telling you he doesn't
know how he's going to fund
classrooms."
USD supe Woody Carter looked like after
his reported facials at not one but two
taxpayer-funded retreats because
Woodrow was less than fully forthcoming
with his community. So there's nothing
left to do but conjecture among ourselves
(above). As a parent pointed out, "You've
got this guy with a huge salary going to
Napa Valley on wine tastings while at the
same time he's telling you he doesn't
know how he's going to fund
classrooms."
| Temucula Creek Inn |
Orange County Weekly laid out the gory
details last week, including Woody's
hiring of an architectural vendor for Capo
USD whom he allegedly met at the spa
weekends, in a piece entitled
"WOODROW CARTER, IN YOUR FACIAL."
details last week, including Woody's
hiring of an architectural vendor for Capo
USD whom he allegedly met at the spa
weekends, in a piece entitled
"WOODROW CARTER, IN YOUR FACIAL."
| Dinner at Temecula Inn; Scott Parks |
Hats off as always to Scott Parks and
the Dallas Morning News for daring to
go boldly first into a world most of us
had never dreamed of, the world of
public school supes at edu-play in the
luxuriious spas and resorts their
taxpayers can't afford, now or before the
current crisis, with his July 2004 expose
of the Education Research & Develop-
ment Institute's (ERDI) conference at
Rancho Mirage resort in California.
_______________________________ .
the Dallas Morning News for daring to
go boldly first into a world most of us
had never dreamed of, the world of
public school supes at edu-play in the
luxuriious spas and resorts their
taxpayers can't afford, now or before the
current crisis, with his July 2004 expose
of the Education Research & Develop-
ment Institute's (ERDI) conference at
Rancho Mirage resort in California.
_______________________________ .
HOUSTON ISD (TX)
Is HISD's Inspector
General too cozy with
inspectees?
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 12, 2009/9:10 am
Is HISD's Inspector
General too cozy with
inspectees?
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 12, 2009/9:10 am
| L to R: HISD Insp. General Robert Moore; HISD regional supe Warner Ervin; HISD board member Paula Harris, daughter (SOURCE--HISD) |
Houston supe Abe Saavedra says HISD
inspector general Robert Moore (above
left) assured him "there is nothing illegal
or unethical" about HISD administrators
spending $100,000 for Houston Rodeo
tickets from their Coke machine slush
funds in return for $1 million in scholar-
ships. "It’s a relatively small investment
when you consider that the return on that
is very substantial.” (SOURCE--Bill Murphy/
Houston Chronicle)
Aside from whether kids' quarters for
Cokes should have been used for this
purpose, was Moore in a position to be
objective? In the photo above he's
standing shoulder to shoulder with
Warren Ervin, focus of TEA's
investigation, and an HISD trustee.
inspector general Robert Moore (above
left) assured him "there is nothing illegal
or unethical" about HISD administrators
spending $100,000 for Houston Rodeo
tickets from their Coke machine slush
funds in return for $1 million in scholar-
ships. "It’s a relatively small investment
when you consider that the return on that
is very substantial.” (SOURCE--Bill Murphy/
Houston Chronicle)
Aside from whether kids' quarters for
Cokes should have been used for this
purpose, was Moore in a position to be
objective? In the photo above he's
standing shoulder to shoulder with
Warren Ervin, focus of TEA's
investigation, and an HISD trustee.
| "The Texas Education Agency is investigating whether some HISD principals and admini- strators wrongly tapped discretionary funds to spend as much as $100,000 on rodeo gala tickets since 2003, [HISD] principals bought the tickets with profits from school vending machines that go into funds controlled by the school leaders, said George Garver, manager of campus audits in the Houston school district’ s inspector general’s office. Tickets for the annual Black Heritage Western Gala were then given to teachers and administrators. (Ibid.) |
Among the almost 200 comments is one
from former HISD executive/
whistleblower Jay Spuck:
from former HISD executive/
whistleblower Jay Spuck:
| Perhaps TEA should investigate this money trail: Rodeo Institute of Teacher Excellence.... www.ritemail.com/ http://prodnet.houstonisd.org/CROSE/checkRe gister.aspx Cambridge Knowledge Systems / Mike Wells, Jr., former HLSR President (Ibid.) |
MONROE COUNTY SD (FL)
Isn't the real question not
Monique's use of her MCSD credit
card--but why MCSD supe Randy
Acevedo was allowed to employ his
wife?
By Peyton Wolcott - Mon., Mar. 16, 2009 /Update 7:30 am
Isn't the real question not
Monique's use of her MCSD credit
card--but why MCSD supe Randy
Acevedo was allowed to employ his
wife?
By Peyton Wolcott - Mon., Mar. 16, 2009 /Update 7:30 am
| Randy & Monique Acevedo |
Monique Acevedo's credit card charges--
including airline tickets to North Carolina and
sunglasses--came to light last week when
MCSD finance director Kathy Reitzel told
superintendent Randy Acevedo and the MCSD
school board chair she could not sign off on
the district's annual audit. The MCSD school
board has since refused to accept Monique's
resignation.
Hats off to Kathy for her courage in being
willing to stand up to her boss; Randy Acevedo
is Monique's husband.
Hats off also to MCSD board member Steve
Pribramsky who said, "For too long the culture
deep within our school district is intimidation
from the top down ... and a sense of
entitlement. I'm having a very difficult time
envisioning how we move on from here."
Remember the NC airline tickets? On
Monique's FaceBook page are endorsements
for Barack & Michelle Obama, Florida for
Obama, politician Randy Acevedo--and the
Western Carolina University Catamounts,
located in Cullowhee, NC.
Having some fun now with other people' s
money, are we? Until somebody notices?
_____________________________________
including airline tickets to North Carolina and
sunglasses--came to light last week when
MCSD finance director Kathy Reitzel told
superintendent Randy Acevedo and the MCSD
school board chair she could not sign off on
the district's annual audit. The MCSD school
board has since refused to accept Monique's
resignation.
Hats off to Kathy for her courage in being
willing to stand up to her boss; Randy Acevedo
is Monique's husband.
Hats off also to MCSD board member Steve
Pribramsky who said, "For too long the culture
deep within our school district is intimidation
from the top down ... and a sense of
entitlement. I'm having a very difficult time
envisioning how we move on from here."
Remember the NC airline tickets? On
Monique's FaceBook page are endorsements
for Barack & Michelle Obama, Florida for
Obama, politician Randy Acevedo--and the
Western Carolina University Catamounts,
located in Cullowhee, NC.
Having some fun now with other people' s
money, are we? Until somebody notices?
_____________________________________
DALLAS ISD (TX)
Who's more powerful, state rep Yvonne
Davis or Dallas mayor Tom Leppert &
the vendors running Dallas ISD?
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Mar. 18, 2009 / 7:30 pm
Who's more powerful, state rep Yvonne
Davis or Dallas mayor Tom Leppert &
the vendors running Dallas ISD?
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Mar. 18, 2009 / 7:30 pm
Is Yvonne serious about
breaking up Dallas ISD into at
least two districts? Or has she
half-heartedly filed her bill so
she can tell disgruntled
constituents, "Well, I tried"?
We'll soon learn what kind of
legislator Yvonne is, whether
her hardest and most dedicated
efforts will be in response to
vendors and lobbyists or on
behalf of her voters.
breaking up Dallas ISD into at
least two districts? Or has she
half-heartedly filed her bill so
she can tell disgruntled
constituents, "Well, I tried"?
We'll soon learn what kind of
legislator Yvonne is, whether
her hardest and most dedicated
efforts will be in response to
vendors and lobbyists or on
behalf of her voters.
My hope and prayer? That Yvonne will prevail
and DISD will become no fewer than five
districts, districts small enough for parents and
taxpayers to have meaningful input, districts
small enough to get rid of excess consultants
and administrators.
_____________________________________
and DISD will become no fewer than five
districts, districts small enough for parents and
taxpayers to have meaningful input, districts
small enough to get rid of excess consultants
and administrators.
_____________________________________
| Yvonne Davis (PHOTO--Houston Chronicle) |
FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHLS (VA)
'Apart from the alleged stealing,
Dawson was good at his job.'
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Mar. 18, 2009/12:25 am
'Apart from the alleged stealing,
Dawson was good at his job.'
By Peyton Wolcott
Wed., Mar. 18, 2009/12:25 am
Allison Klein reports in
The Washington Post:
The Washington Post:
| Antonio Dawson |
| The items disappearing from Kilmer Middle School in Fairfax County were increasingly strange and also valuable: a carpet cleaner, a Wii, a video camera and even a viola. Police got a break in the case earlier this month when the items turned up at a |
| pawnshop in Prince William County. A crime analyst reviewing pawnshop records called the Vienna school to ask whether anybody knew someone named Antonio Dawson. They knew him well. He was the school's safety and security assistant. "He duped everybody," said Mike Allen, the police officer assigned to the school. Dawson, 39, had been using his own name to fence the goods, police said. Dawson, of the 5900 block of Pratt Street in Alexandria, was charged Thursday with larceny with intent to distribute, money laundering and six counts of embezzlement. Many of the items had been pilfered from the school's lost and found over the past three years, Allen said. Other stolen goods included an iPod, cameras and computer monitors. Police said the investigation is continuing. Dawson, who has worked at the school since 2004, is now on leave without pay, according to Fairfax schools spokesman Paul Regnier, [who said] Dawson's duties included working with students to make sure they do not smoke, drink alcohol or park illegally at the school. The job also includes "walking the halls and keeping in touch with students," Regnier said. Apart from the alleged stealing, Allen said, Dawson was good at his job. "He had a great relationship with the kids," Allen said. |
We have to wonder where Antonio's boss has
been, why so little oversight of his employees.
been, why so little oversight of his employees.
THINGS COULD BE WORSE
Every one of America's 15,000
school districts could have a
facilities director like NY's Steve
Raucci
By Peyton Wolcott - Fri., Mar. 20, 2009/12:15 am
Every one of America's 15,000
school districts could have a
facilities director like NY's Steve
Raucci
By Peyton Wolcott - Fri., Mar. 20, 2009/12:15 am
| Steven Raucci (PHOTO--Mark Schultz--Schenectady Gazette) |
| The Schenectady City School Board plans to hire an independent investigator to look into claims of workplace misconduct by [facilities supervisor] Steven Raucci [who] was arrested on terrorism and arson related charges....There are new allegations that some school district employees knew what Raucci was alleged to be up to but didn't say anything. 'The bomb in this school' Because of union restric- tions, school district leaders said they can't just fire Raucci, which is exactly what some parents would like to see happen. "I agree with the investigation," said parent Kristen Kwiatkowski. "I think that needed to happen a long time ago, but I think it is ridiculous that they have not brought up the issue of the bomb in this school. He is being held without bail on charges of terrorism. Why does he still have a job?" "Although we may have strong opinions in our minds and in our hearts, we need to be dispassion- ate, objective and circum- spect and follow the law and respective bargaining agreements that govern employees so that is why we can't just terminate somebody," said Schenectady School Board President Jeff Janiszewski. No bail, unpaid leave Authorities are holding Raucci in Schenectady County until his trial. The judge did not set bail. Board members placed Raucci on unpaid leave following his arrest. (SOURCE--Capital News 9) |
More here re Raucci's retirement; here re the
Saratoga bombs and here re a local
newspaper's FOIA issues with the school
district.
____________________________________
Saratoga bombs and here re a local
newspaper's FOIA issues with the school
district.
____________________________________
CAPISTRANO USD (CA)
A word to the wise (supes):
Save yourselves, don't go
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Mar. 15, 2009/12:07 am
A word to the wise (supes):
Save yourselves, don't go
By Peyton Wolcott
Sat., Mar. 15, 2009/12:07 am
Friends, turn down the innocent-appearing
invites to luxury weekends sponsored mostly
by vendors, especially if your taxpayers have to
fund any part of them. Just look at the fix Broad
Superintendents Academy grad Woody Carter
finds himself in this week: Monday night he
was fired from his job as Capistrano USD
supe--and look at the cartoon of him (above) in
Orange County Weekly, plus the long OCW
story.
Stay home, guys. Times have changed.
____________________________________
invites to luxury weekends sponsored mostly
by vendors, especially if your taxpayers have to
fund any part of them. Just look at the fix Broad
Superintendents Academy grad Woody Carter
finds himself in this week: Monday night he
was fired from his job as Capistrano USD
supe--and look at the cartoon of him (above) in
Orange County Weekly, plus the long OCW
story.
Stay home, guys. Times have changed.
____________________________________
| Woody Carter |
MONROE COUNTY PS (FL)
When it comes to the supe's wife's
alleged MCPS credit card abuse,
the only true investigation possible
is a forensic audit
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 26, 2009/2:30 am
When it comes to the supe's wife's
alleged MCPS credit card abuse,
the only true investigation possible
is a forensic audit
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 26, 2009/2:30 am
Hats off to the Monroe County school board
for being willing to order a forensic audit as
the charges against Monique Acevedo
continue to mount:
for being willing to order a forensic audit as
the charges against Monique Acevedo
continue to mount:
| Financial records examined by the Keynoter show tens of thousands of dollars in purchases of DVDs, clothing, furniture and other seemingly personal items bought with Acevedo's credit card as well as with purchase orders. Those items were reported to the district as "textbooks" and "supplies" for programs she oversaw. Adult Education programs include literacy classes, GED preparation, English for speakers of other languages, cosmetology and others courses. Among the stores where she charged goods were Bed and Bath, Pier 1 Imports, Publix, Winn- Dixie and a furniture store. She also was active on Amazon.com....Tens of thousands more could be missing from a Key West High School fundraising account and from tuition fees paid by cosmetology students -- funds managed by Monique Acevedo. (More from KeysNet.com) |
| Randy Acevedo (L) with board (PHOTO--Randy Ball/KeysNet) |
_____________________________________
SELF-FUNDED TRAVEL
Looking for, finding, signs of good
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 19, 2009/1:45 am
Looking for, finding, signs of good
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 19, 2009/1:45 am
| Angela Hunt (PHOTO--Louis DeLuca/Dallas Morning News) |
Dallas City Council member Angela Hunt has
decided to not charge taxpayers for her travel. I
mention this because it's a very positive and
encouraging step. As one reader wrote, "A
shift is indeed occurring." Along these lines,
some superintendents and other school
executives have reported to me privately that
they have begun paying for their own travel.
Dave Levinthal reports in the Dallas Morning
News:
decided to not charge taxpayers for her travel. I
mention this because it's a very positive and
encouraging step. As one reader wrote, "A
shift is indeed occurring." Along these lines,
some superintendents and other school
executives have reported to me privately that
they have begun paying for their own travel.
Dave Levinthal reports in the Dallas Morning
News:
| She'll still travel on government business, but District 14 Dallas City Council member Angela Hunt says she will no longer do so with taxpayer money, citing ominous city financial forecasts. It's a move that's perhaps more symbolic than anything, given Hunt's limited travel expenses and an estimated 2009-10 Dallas city budget deficit of $100 million. But the two-term council member says every nickel saved counts. For example, on Feb. 25, Hunt used her campaign fund to reimburse Dallas City Hall for a $1,300 trip to San Francisco to study public transportation systems there, according to city records. She says she'll continue her office policy indefinitely – at least until the city's budget situation stabilizes. "When we're talking about cutting jobs and city services, you can't do that and then jump on a plane and take a trip on the taxpayer dime even if it benefits the city," said Hunt...."It just sends the wrong message in this economy. Not spending tax money – it just seems like the right thing to do." |
Hunt's decision is more than a gesture or a
symbol; she has clearly tapped into her voters'
pulse as she's running unopposed for a third
two-year term.
____________________________________
symbol; she has clearly tapped into her voters'
pulse as she's running unopposed for a third
two-year term.
____________________________________
EDUCATOR MISCONDUCT
President Obama and I agree on
one thing: Not everyone in the
education field should be
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., Mar. 29, 2009/12:15 am
President Obama and I agree on
one thing: Not everyone in the
education field should be
By Peyton Wolcott
Sun., Mar. 29, 2009/12:15 am
From Ron Matus in The St. Petersburg Times
comes four case histories of Florida educators
parents of prospective students might
appreciate; hopefully next time Ron will include
similar research on former Pinellas supe
Clayton Wilcox's ERDI background.
comes four case histories of Florida educators
parents of prospective students might
appreciate; hopefully next time Ron will include
similar research on former Pinellas supe
Clayton Wilcox's ERDI background.
"In 22 years in
Pinellas schools, Roy
Sachse has been in
hot water at least 20
times. At two schools.
Under several
principals. Again and
again, the PE teacher
has been written up
for the same issues:
Poor judgment.
Unprofessional
behavior. Failure to
follow rules." More
about Ron here.
Pinellas schools, Roy
Sachse has been in
hot water at least 20
times. At two schools.
Under several
principals. Again and
again, the PE teacher
has been written up
for the same issues:
Poor judgment.
Unprofessional
behavior. Failure to
follow rules." More
about Ron here.
| Roy Sachse (PHOTO--Masters Athlete) |
Another teacher in the report, Sharion
Reeves-Thurman ("Sharon R. Thurman" on
her settlement with the Florida DOE--more
below--but "Sharion Thurman-Reeves" at her
church where she is a ministry leader) teaches
English at Gibbs High School in Pinellas
County; her latest infraction (there's a list):
stuffing ballot boxes at her high school in order
for her niece to win homecoming queen. The
settlement agreement signed October 1, 2008
specifies that Sharion must pay a $500 fine,
plus $150 per year for her probation monitoring
costs, and her taking an ethics course on
which she must make a "B" or higher.
Reeves-Thurman ("Sharon R. Thurman" on
her settlement with the Florida DOE--more
below--but "Sharion Thurman-Reeves" at her
church where she is a ministry leader) teaches
English at Gibbs High School in Pinellas
County; her latest infraction (there's a list):
stuffing ballot boxes at her high school in order
for her niece to win homecoming queen. The
settlement agreement signed October 1, 2008
specifies that Sharion must pay a $500 fine,
plus $150 per year for her probation monitoring
costs, and her taking an ethics course on
which she must make a "B" or higher.
___________________________________
ACCOUNTABILITY / ETHICS
KY supe Doug Adams arrested for
racketeering (vote buying)
By Peyton Wolcott - Updated Mon., Mar. 23, 2009/12:34 a.m.
KY supe Doug Adams arrested for
racketeering (vote buying)
By Peyton Wolcott - Updated Mon., Mar. 23, 2009/12:34 a.m.
| Douglas C. Adams; left as Clay County Public Schools supe; at right in mug shot |
The FBI's been busy in Clay County,
Kentucky in recent years.
"Several once-prominent local officials have
[already] gone to prison on charges of
extortion, protecting a drug dealer, arson and
money laundering."
Last Thursday "FBI agents, state police and
other officers swept through" Clay County to
arrest local school superintendent Doug
Adams along with a judge and three others.
"Top public officials in Clay County schemed
to buy votes in several elections so they
could hold on to power and enrich
themselves and others, a federal grand jury
has charged....School superintendents often
head the largest employer in rural counties,
giving them considerable influence."
More from the Lexington Herald-Leader
here.
___________________________________
Kentucky in recent years.
"Several once-prominent local officials have
[already] gone to prison on charges of
extortion, protecting a drug dealer, arson and
money laundering."
Last Thursday "FBI agents, state police and
other officers swept through" Clay County to
arrest local school superintendent Doug
Adams along with a judge and three others.
"Top public officials in Clay County schemed
to buy votes in several elections so they
could hold on to power and enrich
themselves and others, a federal grand jury
has charged....School superintendents often
head the largest employer in rural counties,
giving them considerable influence."
More from the Lexington Herald-Leader
here.
___________________________________
SAN FRANCISCO USD (CA)
'Teachers urged to
emulate Jimi Hendrix'
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Mar. 30, 2009/11.35 am
'Teachers urged to
emulate Jimi Hendrix'
By Peyton Wolcott
Mon., Mar. 30, 2009/11.35 am
| It's apparently not enough that public school superintendents want to act like rock stars. Remember Birdville ISD supe Steve Waddell who had himself lowered from the ceiling to the floor of the local coliseum (above) last fall then with his band played the blues--for his employees. (Who among them would have been foolish enough to boo the boss?) But Steve's not the only educator with a band and a captive audience; in our local high school two teachers who fancied themselves cool MC'd the talent show for years, spotlighting themselves rather than students. |
Now comes ERDI consultant and former
McGraw-Hill exec Carlos Garcia, now San
Francisco USD supe, who wants his SFUSD
teachers to emulate acid-using drug-
overdose-fatality rocker Jimi Hendrix. More
here.
McGraw-Hill exec Carlos Garcia, now San
Francisco USD supe, who wants his SFUSD
teachers to emulate acid-using drug-
overdose-fatality rocker Jimi Hendrix. More
here.
| Steve Waddell (center) (IMAGE--Fort Worth Star-Telegram) |
O
| Carlos Garcia on AASA party boat in San Antonio during convention (PHOTO--Peyton Wolcott) |
SPECIAL TO MY READERS
Sneak peek: sample math
problems from 'Real World Math'
by OneBraveNewWorld
Baccalaureate
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 26, 2009/6:31 pm
Sneak peek: sample math
problems from 'Real World Math'
by OneBraveNewWorld
Baccalaureate
By Peyton Wolcott
Thu., Mar. 26, 2009/6:31 pm
| Real life people, real-life problems for real-life students to help solve: President Barack Obama (L); White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (R). |
One of the challenges faced by
OneBraveNewWorld Baccalaureate
("OBNWB") has been the charge by many
parents that they were teaching students
"fuzzy" or "Rainforest" math, with too few
pertinent examples from real life problems
everyday people face in their ordinary lives.
OneBraveNewWorld Baccalaureate
("OBNWB") has been the charge by many
parents that they were teaching students
"fuzzy" or "Rainforest" math, with too few
pertinent examples from real life problems
everyday people face in their ordinary lives.
After years of research OBNWB appears to
have achieved a breakthrough; although
unfortunately its research has not yet been
peer reviewed, "Real World Math (for Everyday
Dumbies)" is already on its way to schools.
Here are two sample problems:
have achieved a breakthrough; although
unfortunately its research has not yet been
peer reviewed, "Real World Math (for Everyday
Dumbies)" is already on its way to schools.
Here are two sample problems:
| REAL WORLD MATH PROBLEM #44: President Obama's brother Malik in Kenya has come down with cholera. |
At the cost of one penny ($0.01 USD) for a
family of five per day, per the Center for
Disease Control in Atlanta, how many
Kenyans can the president protect from
cholera for one year? Real-world funding
source for solving this problem: the $500,000
Mr. Obama was paid for his new book by
Crown/Random House.
INSTRUCTIONS: These are real-world villagers
and real-world dollars. Count carefully. Work
together with students at your table to
determine how best to pitch your idea to the
White House. Your poster should include
how your team arrived at its answer along with
art of any kind illustrating the sodium
hypochlorite containers (1).
FOR BONUS POINTS: "Get Well" card for Malik
signed by all team members.
EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS TO YOU: Ride on Air
Force One with the President when he goes to
Africa to present his $500,000 check.
family of five per day, per the Center for
Disease Control in Atlanta, how many
Kenyans can the president protect from
cholera for one year? Real-world funding
source for solving this problem: the $500,000
Mr. Obama was paid for his new book by
Crown/Random House.
INSTRUCTIONS: These are real-world villagers
and real-world dollars. Count carefully. Work
together with students at your table to
determine how best to pitch your idea to the
White House. Your poster should include
how your team arrived at its answer along with
art of any kind illustrating the sodium
hypochlorite containers (1).
FOR BONUS POINTS: "Get Well" card for Malik
signed by all team members.
EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS TO YOU: Ride on Air
Force One with the President when he goes to
Africa to present his $500,000 check.
| REAL WORLD MATH PROBLEM #320: You are press secretary to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; news is out that your boss earned $320,000 during a 14-month stay at Freddie Mac. |
Does your boss get to keep his $320,000 or
does he in a belated but welcome fit of
conscience give it away to charity and if so to
which one?
INSTRUCTIONS: Weigh current news reports
against the mood of the nation. Write and
perform a likelihood ratio test incorporating
the following: Taxpayer unrest vs. voter
apathy, obfuscation factors such as
Treasury's latest corporate power grab and
your boss' boss' new BrownShirt Youth Army
directive. Graph these using colored pens.
FOR BONUS POINTS: Determine how many
Kenyan villagers could be protected from
cholera for $320,000 for one year.
MONKEY WRENCH: According to The Chicago
Tribune, during your boss's time as
a"passive" director, Freddie Mac "was the
focus of a major accounting scandal that led
to a management shake-up, huge fines and
scalding condemnation of passive directors
by a top federal regulator. The LA Times says,
"the Freddie Mac money was a small piece of
the $16 million [Emanuel] made in a
three-year interlude as an investment banker
a decade ago. Emanuel's Freddie Mac
involvement has been a prominent point on
his political résumé, and his healthy payday
from the firm has been no secret either. What
is less known, however, is how little he
apparently did for his money and how he
benefited from the kind of cozy ties between
Washington and Wall Street that have fueled
the nation's current economic mess."
EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS TO YOU: Ride on Air
Force One with your boss when he goes to
Africa to present his $320,000 check.
PHOTO CREDITS: Problem 44, Boniface
Mwangi/Bloomberg
___________________________________
does he in a belated but welcome fit of
conscience give it away to charity and if so to
which one?
INSTRUCTIONS: Weigh current news reports
against the mood of the nation. Write and
perform a likelihood ratio test incorporating
the following: Taxpayer unrest vs. voter
apathy, obfuscation factors such as
Treasury's latest corporate power grab and
your boss' boss' new BrownShirt Youth Army
directive. Graph these using colored pens.
FOR BONUS POINTS: Determine how many
Kenyan villagers could be protected from
cholera for $320,000 for one year.
MONKEY WRENCH: According to The Chicago
Tribune, during your boss's time as
a"passive" director, Freddie Mac "was the
focus of a major accounting scandal that led
to a management shake-up, huge fines and
scalding condemnation of passive directors
by a top federal regulator. The LA Times says,
"the Freddie Mac money was a small piece of
the $16 million [Emanuel] made in a
three-year interlude as an investment banker
a decade ago. Emanuel's Freddie Mac
involvement has been a prominent point on
his political résumé, and his healthy payday
from the firm has been no secret either. What
is less known, however, is how little he
apparently did for his money and how he
benefited from the kind of cozy ties between
Washington and Wall Street that have fueled
the nation's current economic mess."
EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS TO YOU: Ride on Air
Force One with your boss when he goes to
Africa to present his $320,000 check.
PHOTO CREDITS: Problem 44, Boniface
Mwangi/Bloomberg
___________________________________