P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
| Success Stories, Kindred Spirits |
PEAK$: Novice parents and taxpayers
organize, find clout
organize, find clout
PEAK$ is the name of not one but two successful groups
we formed here in the Texas Hill Country, one each in two
separate school districts. We organized first at our local
high school where we succeeded in getting a dress code
and drug testing; after that we lobbied for a state audit;
within ten days of the state comptroller's announcing the
audit, both the supe and an ass't supe had announced
their departures; the other supe left a year later. Also,
three board members many felt had stayed too long at
the ball all saw fit to retire from the board, en masse. In
the second district to which we brought PEAK$, we
succeeded in getting all five of our PEAK$ candidates
elected to a seven-member school board during a single
election in May 2004; all of the candidates signed a
pledge to not do business with the district during their
tenure. For more, go to "Practical How-To's" then "How to
Organize."
What we accomplished you can do and more.
PLEASE NOTE: I have not trademarked either the
acronym or what it stands for; you're welcome to use
the name for your group if you think it will work for
you--please send updates. We discussed calling
ourselves "$PEAK" but chose PEAK$ as it sounds more
positive.
we formed here in the Texas Hill Country, one each in two
separate school districts. We organized first at our local
high school where we succeeded in getting a dress code
and drug testing; after that we lobbied for a state audit;
within ten days of the state comptroller's announcing the
audit, both the supe and an ass't supe had announced
their departures; the other supe left a year later. Also,
three board members many felt had stayed too long at
the ball all saw fit to retire from the board, en masse. In
the second district to which we brought PEAK$, we
succeeded in getting all five of our PEAK$ candidates
elected to a seven-member school board during a single
election in May 2004; all of the candidates signed a
pledge to not do business with the district during their
tenure. For more, go to "Practical How-To's" then "How to
Organize."
What we accomplished you can do and more.
PLEASE NOTE: I have not trademarked either the
acronym or what it stands for; you're welcome to use
the name for your group if you think it will work for
you--please send updates. We discussed calling
ourselves "$PEAK" but chose PEAK$ as it sounds more
positive.
How a handful of Texas moms armed
only with a stack of flyers--and the
truth--defeated major anti-sunshine bill
only with a stack of flyers--and the
truth--defeated major anti-sunshine bill
Eanes ISD's response to two
frequent requestor's open
records requests (more
below) was to approach their
state representative, Todd
Baxter, who agreed to try to
help curtail the women's
efforts with HB 2264 which
would have enabled school
districts and other
governmental bodies to
dramatically increase their
charges for open records
searches.
frequent requestor's open
records requests (more
below) was to approach their
state representative, Todd
Baxter, who agreed to try to
help curtail the women's
efforts with HB 2264 which
would have enabled school
districts and other
governmental bodies to
dramatically increase their
charges for open records
searches.
| AT HB 2264 HEARING: The bill's author, then- Rep. Todd Baxter (middle) sits with Nola Wellman, the Eanes ISD supe listed as the source of the bill; professional lobbyist Brad Shields stands to their left |
| Pat Yezak (left) with Nancy Gadbois (PHOTO/Waco Tribune) |
Quicker than you can say, "Design a stack of flyers" four of
the Texas moms most involved in public records
searches--Nancy Gadbois (see Bremond ISD moms at
left), Susan Bushart, Dianna Pharr and I--were off to
the Texas moms most involved in public records
searches--Nancy Gadbois (see Bremond ISD moms at
left), Susan Bushart, Dianna Pharr and I--were off to
Bremond ISD moms find fraud when
newspapers and state edu-agencies
won't--supe arrested, awaiting trial
newspapers and state edu-agencies
won't--supe arrested, awaiting trial
We traveled to Austin to lobby in favor
of open government; among us we
personally visited every representative
and most senators in the state capitol,
and additionally one of the moms and
I testified against the bill when it was
in committee; our testimonies are
preserved in the Texas Legislature's
permanent online video archives here:
(Search: HB 2264, 79th Regular)
of open government; among us we
personally visited every representative
and most senators in the state capitol,
and additionally one of the moms and
I testified against the bill when it was
in committee; our testimonies are
preserved in the Texas Legislature's
permanent online video archives here:
(Search: HB 2264, 79th Regular)
| Two TEA's in Texas Texas Education Agency (the official one) Texans for Education Accountability (our group) |
A couple of years ago Nancy Gadbois and Pat Yezak
were two moms in a small Texas town (Bremond, pop.
867) with a big problem: Something was wrong in
their school district and they couldn't put their finger on
it. Thanks to a power plant in the district, Bremond ISD
was considered property rich--but there always
seemed to be a shortage of money. And there were
rumors about how it was being spent. So they started
asking to see public records. After supe Kenneth
Johnson resigned October 2003, auditors found he
and the district's bookkeeper had taken almost
$200,000. Despite a certain amount of community
opposition both Pat Yezak and Nancy Gadbois'
husband Robert were elected to the BISD school
board May 2004 where Robert served as president his
first year. Fast forward to the present and Johnson has
been indicted and arrested and is awaiting
trial--tentatively set for July--along with others. How
much money did they really take? The official figure is
$182,000 although the real number, rumored to be
near $1 million, will be hard to prove until the district's
missing books are unearthed--literally. More about that
later. For now, Nancy writes:
were two moms in a small Texas town (Bremond, pop.
867) with a big problem: Something was wrong in
their school district and they couldn't put their finger on
it. Thanks to a power plant in the district, Bremond ISD
was considered property rich--but there always
seemed to be a shortage of money. And there were
rumors about how it was being spent. So they started
asking to see public records. After supe Kenneth
Johnson resigned October 2003, auditors found he
and the district's bookkeeper had taken almost
$200,000. Despite a certain amount of community
opposition both Pat Yezak and Nancy Gadbois'
husband Robert were elected to the BISD school
board May 2004 where Robert served as president his
first year. Fast forward to the present and Johnson has
been indicted and arrested and is awaiting
trial--tentatively set for July--along with others. How
much money did they really take? The official figure is
$182,000 although the real number, rumored to be
near $1 million, will be hard to prove until the district's
missing books are unearthed--literally. More about that
later. For now, Nancy writes:
We called ourselves "Texans for Education Accountability"
--this is how we signed our names to the letter to the
editor published in the Austin American-Statesman--and
on our flyer we listed all of the school districts* in Texas
with parents and taxpayers who opposed HB 2264. The
upshot was that HB 2264 never found a Senate sponsor
(thank you, Jeff Wentworth, for changing your mind) and
thus never made it to the floor. At the end of the day, the
four of us had taken on Education, Inc. including its
powerful paid lobbyists--and won. If we did it, so can
you. Our ability to see our government's public records is
at the heartbeat of our great republic. Here's hoping you'll
do what can you right where you are to protect these vital
freedoms, freedoms that Education, Inc. would like to do
away with entirely. By the way, short months later Rep.
Baxter saw fit to resign from the Texas House and is now
also himself a paid lobbyist for multiple
industries--including "education."
--this is how we signed our names to the letter to the
editor published in the Austin American-Statesman--and
on our flyer we listed all of the school districts* in Texas
with parents and taxpayers who opposed HB 2264. The
upshot was that HB 2264 never found a Senate sponsor
(thank you, Jeff Wentworth, for changing your mind) and
thus never made it to the floor. At the end of the day, the
four of us had taken on Education, Inc. including its
powerful paid lobbyists--and won. If we did it, so can
you. Our ability to see our government's public records is
at the heartbeat of our great republic. Here's hoping you'll
do what can you right where you are to protect these vital
freedoms, freedoms that Education, Inc. would like to do
away with entirely. By the way, short months later Rep.
Baxter saw fit to resign from the Texas House and is now
also himself a paid lobbyist for multiple
industries--including "education."
| NOTE: Professional lobbyist Thomas Ratliff, the other officially listed source of HB 2264, listed his expected remuneration for 2005 as $225,000 to $520,000+ according to public records at the Texas Ethics Commission; among his clients is JR3, a Waco outfit specializing in placing "rehired retireds," which states on its website, "JR3 always has been and still is the best way to rehire retired personnel." JR3's other paid lobbyist for 2005 is Ron Hinkle, who according to TEC records expected to receive $10,000 - $24,999.99 from JR3 during 2005. |
| I know from our own experiences that when we tried to contact the authorities put in place by the state of Texas such as the Texas Education Agency to report the possible wrongdoings in our school district, we were met with opposition and no support. Our school district has been cited in their audits for the past eight to ten years for unsecured funds in the bank yet to my knowledge not one agency has ever followed up to see if anything had ever been corrected. Fortunately, there are parents willing to take the heat and get the job done and I have been lucky enough to meet some of them. I can only hope that others will follow our lead and be strong enough to do what is right by the kids and continue to make sure our tax dollars are being spent on the children’s education and not trips to Cancun. What I have found is a growing number of parents who are willing to step forward and ask questions. They are willing to put their names on open records requests and make the administration show exactly where our tax dollars are going. If everyone is doing their job properly, there shouldn’t be anything to hide. That is the whole idea of open government and we all have a right to know. (SOURCE--nancysblog.com) |
| Rene Amy (below) John Whitaker Betances, inset |
memos released by the district in response to a state
Public Records Act request by schools watchdog Rene
Amy, it is clear that Whitaker not only had nearly everyone
he met bamboozled, but he also had direct access to the
superintendent's office, as well as PUSD office
equipment, computers and district letterhead stationery
....While living in Pasadena....Whitaker posed as retired
Army Col. John Whitaker Betances, a supposed Vietnam
hero, and headed up the DADS, or Dads Are Doing
Something, program as a volunteer. Whitaker was so
comfortable in this completely fabricated identity, one in
which he regularly wore military fatigues and a black or a
green beret, that he assumed the district directorship of
the Michigan-based DADS organization and even ran for a
seat on the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees."
"Documents show PUSD gave tens of thousands to DADS
program and allowed accused [Betances] to use district
equipment and organize on-campus activities, all without a
background check." (SOURCE--Pasadena Weekly) Twice
named "Editor's Pick Citizen of the Year" by Pasadena
Weekly, Rene has used his expertise in public records and
open meeting laws to uncover numerous other illegal
activities and has repeatedly taken successful legal action
to compel the release of previously withheld documents.
As a volunteer, he can frequently be found at local schools,
and was appointed to an Instructional Materials Advisory
Panel by the State Board of Education. Rene is now
attending law school and remains active in keeping the
community and the media informed via the listserve he
runs. He can be reached at sat9forum@earthlink.net.
Public Records Act request by schools watchdog Rene
Amy, it is clear that Whitaker not only had nearly everyone
he met bamboozled, but he also had direct access to the
superintendent's office, as well as PUSD office
equipment, computers and district letterhead stationery
....While living in Pasadena....Whitaker posed as retired
Army Col. John Whitaker Betances, a supposed Vietnam
hero, and headed up the DADS, or Dads Are Doing
Something, program as a volunteer. Whitaker was so
comfortable in this completely fabricated identity, one in
which he regularly wore military fatigues and a black or a
green beret, that he assumed the district directorship of
the Michigan-based DADS organization and even ran for a
seat on the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees."
"Documents show PUSD gave tens of thousands to DADS
program and allowed accused [Betances] to use district
equipment and organize on-campus activities, all without a
background check." (SOURCE--Pasadena Weekly) Twice
named "Editor's Pick Citizen of the Year" by Pasadena
Weekly, Rene has used his expertise in public records and
open meeting laws to uncover numerous other illegal
activities and has repeatedly taken successful legal action
to compel the release of previously withheld documents.
As a volunteer, he can frequently be found at local schools,
and was appointed to an Instructional Materials Advisory
Panel by the State Board of Education. Rene is now
attending law school and remains active in keeping the
community and the media informed via the listserve he
runs. He can be reached at sat9forum@earthlink.net.
| For more from Nancy Gadbois on the Freedom of Information Act: www.nancysblog.com/archives/freedo m_of_information/index.html |
| Then-Llano ISD board president Mark Chapman (cap in hand) with then-trustee Mark Stephenson declining to answer reporter's questions after board's settlement to convicted former supe; Pat Donahy at right |
Llano taxpayers file open records
requests leading to Llano ISD supe's
open records conviction--Texas' first
requests leading to Llano ISD supe's
open records conviction--Texas' first
Like the Bremond moms, Llano residents Pat and Jim
Donahy and Bill and Rebecca Jennings also smelled a
rat in their school district, Llano ISD, property-rich also
although for different reasons.. The Donahy's and the
Jennings began filing open records requests and
Rebecca found a receipt for a pricey steak dinner
then-supe Jack Patton had treated himself and some
board members and spouses to at a state school
boards convention. Rebecca also found hotel
receipts for telephone sex and/or call-girl services
from a hotel stay billed to the district at the same
convention although to whom the room belonged is a
matter of some dispute. When the two couples took
their findings to a local newspaper, the publisher
wanted his own copy of the steak dinner receipt so he
filed a separate public records request and
Patton--apparently not realizing that he'd already
produced it--denied having such a receipt. On the
stand at the resulting trial there was a Clintonesque
moment involving what possession of receipts really
means--you had to have been there to appreciate it.
This is how Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's
office came to prosecute what he called our state's
first open records conviction.
As with the Bremond moms, the Jennings and the
Donahy's took their findings to other state agencies,
all of whom proved to be disappointments in their lack
of follow-through regarding accountability. One
noticeable example was the Texas Education Agency
which broke no new ground in its audit beyond the
information the Donahy's and the Jennings submitted
save to make a single telephone call. Bill Jennings
was a PEAK$- sponsored candidate and upon his
election to the Llano ISD school board in May 2004
was voted president of the board for the year he
served. A retired paralegal, Pat Donahy's records are
among the I've seen, and she thoroughly and
consistently held the LISD administration and board
accountable.
Donahy and Bill and Rebecca Jennings also smelled a
rat in their school district, Llano ISD, property-rich also
although for different reasons.. The Donahy's and the
Jennings began filing open records requests and
Rebecca found a receipt for a pricey steak dinner
then-supe Jack Patton had treated himself and some
board members and spouses to at a state school
boards convention. Rebecca also found hotel
receipts for telephone sex and/or call-girl services
from a hotel stay billed to the district at the same
convention although to whom the room belonged is a
matter of some dispute. When the two couples took
their findings to a local newspaper, the publisher
wanted his own copy of the steak dinner receipt so he
filed a separate public records request and
Patton--apparently not realizing that he'd already
produced it--denied having such a receipt. On the
stand at the resulting trial there was a Clintonesque
moment involving what possession of receipts really
means--you had to have been there to appreciate it.
This is how Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's
office came to prosecute what he called our state's
first open records conviction.
As with the Bremond moms, the Jennings and the
Donahy's took their findings to other state agencies,
all of whom proved to be disappointments in their lack
of follow-through regarding accountability. One
noticeable example was the Texas Education Agency
which broke no new ground in its audit beyond the
information the Donahy's and the Jennings submitted
save to make a single telephone call. Bill Jennings
was a PEAK$- sponsored candidate and upon his
election to the Llano ISD school board in May 2004
was voted president of the board for the year he
served. A retired paralegal, Pat Donahy's records are
among the I've seen, and she thoroughly and
consistently held the LISD administration and board
accountable.
Donna Garner (left) is a veteran
(30+ years) secondary English teacher
who is also writing grammar and
English/language arts/reading modules
and actively engaged in advocating for
quality instruction for all children. Donna
was the lead writer of the Texas
Alternative Document (TAD), an
(30+ years) secondary English teacher
who is also writing grammar and
English/language arts/reading modules
and actively engaged in advocating for
quality instruction for all children. Donna
was the lead writer of the Texas
Alternative Document (TAD), an
alternative many of us feel was superior to either the
Texas Essential Elements or the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills, as both of the latter were written so
generically that most districts felt compelled to bring in
outside consultants to interpret the non-specific wording;
portions of the TAD have been adopted by other states
outside Texas. You can find many of her articles on
EducationNews.org and belogical.com. Donna is a
careful and caring--not to mention remarkable--Texas and
national education resource. (PHOTO/Doug Fitzjarrell
Texas Essential Elements or the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills, as both of the latter were written so
generically that most districts felt compelled to bring in
outside consultants to interpret the non-specific wording;
portions of the TAD have been adopted by other states
outside Texas. You can find many of her articles on
EducationNews.org and belogical.com. Donna is a
careful and caring--not to mention remarkable--Texas and
national education resource. (PHOTO/Doug Fitzjarrell
| Jim Olsen & Mary Dombroski with children on their front porch |
Patriotic Washington State couple in
curr. struggle with kids' school district
curr. struggle with kids' school district
Whistleblowing teacher uncovers
credentials fraud involving
Miami-Dade
brass, 1000+ teachers
Former American High School coach Bennett
Packman's refusal to follow AHS principal Louis
Algaze's (see "Administrators on the Move, Educators
in the News") directive in August 2003 to obtain phony
credentials for teaching drivers' ed has led to the
uncovering of one of the largest such schemes in
credentials fraud involving
Miami-Dade
brass, 1000+ teachers
Former American High School coach Bennett
Packman's refusal to follow AHS principal Louis
Algaze's (see "Administrators on the Move, Educators
in the News") directive in August 2003 to obtain phony
credentials for teaching drivers' ed has led to the
uncovering of one of the largest such schemes in
Together with her husband Captain James Olsen, a
32-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran, historian Mary
Dombrowski of Bainbridge Island, Washington is
working to keep local schools--abetted by
Japanese-American special interest groups--from
rewriting WWII history in favor of the Japanese, with no
consideration given to active Japanese espionage
occurring in the Unites States before and after the
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and President
Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 establishing the
internment camps. Bainbridge Island school board
president Bruce Weiland has announced that the district
would not "ask the Sakai staff to change the basic tenor
of the curriculum, which is based on the belief and the
message that the internment was a mistake, and it was
illegal, and it was a historical tragedy." However,
opponents of the Sakai curriculum such as the Olsens
see it as an excuse by the schools to criticize the
current Patriot Act and other Bush policies in the war
on terror. The result, says Jim Olsen, is that 'students
will believe the school administration nonsense that
American presidents fighting for liberty and freedom
should be derided as racist idiots.'" (WorldNetDaily.com)
For speaking up, last year Jim was barred by Bainbridge
Island SD supe Ken Crawford from setting foot in their
daughter's school (Sakai MS) to attend anti-internment
indoctrinations by the school district. The district's
unproven grounds: Jim's "conduct, behavior, and rhetoric"
created a "real likelihood" of "disruption." Go, Jim, Go,
Mary. Let's see the proof, Mr. Crawford. To contact Mary:
www.livingwatertheater.com
32-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran, historian Mary
Dombrowski of Bainbridge Island, Washington is
working to keep local schools--abetted by
Japanese-American special interest groups--from
rewriting WWII history in favor of the Japanese, with no
consideration given to active Japanese espionage
occurring in the Unites States before and after the
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and President
Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 establishing the
internment camps. Bainbridge Island school board
president Bruce Weiland has announced that the district
would not "ask the Sakai staff to change the basic tenor
of the curriculum, which is based on the belief and the
message that the internment was a mistake, and it was
illegal, and it was a historical tragedy." However,
opponents of the Sakai curriculum such as the Olsens
see it as an excuse by the schools to criticize the
current Patriot Act and other Bush policies in the war
on terror. The result, says Jim Olsen, is that 'students
will believe the school administration nonsense that
American presidents fighting for liberty and freedom
should be derided as racist idiots.'" (WorldNetDaily.com)
For speaking up, last year Jim was barred by Bainbridge
Island SD supe Ken Crawford from setting foot in their
daughter's school (Sakai MS) to attend anti-internment
indoctrinations by the school district. The district's
unproven grounds: Jim's "conduct, behavior, and rhetoric"
created a "real likelihood" of "disruption." Go, Jim, Go,
Mary. Let's see the proof, Mr. Crawford. To contact Mary:
www.livingwatertheater.com
America, one involving at least
5-6 colleges and universities,
at least two Miami-area cor-
respondence high schools,
and as many as 1,000
teachers. MOTET, the
scheme's umbrella, was
founded by Miami coach
William McCoggle, currently
out of jail so that he can assist
prosecutors in investigating
others involved. For his
trouble, Packman has yet to be
paid for the year of school he
missed teaching after refusing
5-6 colleges and universities,
at least two Miami-area cor-
respondence high schools,
and as many as 1,000
teachers. MOTET, the
scheme's umbrella, was
founded by Miami coach
William McCoggle, currently
out of jail so that he can assist
prosecutors in investigating
others involved. For his
trouble, Packman has yet to be
paid for the year of school he
missed teaching after refusing
| Bennett Packman testifying before Miami Dade County Public Schools board |
to follow Algaze's bidding. "They were asking me to do
something criminal, they wanted me to be part of the
criminal club by signing those waivers," Packmans
says. "I've made the roads safer, and they have
reassigned 14 driver ed teachers who took the phony
courses. There are still many students who passed
through driver training taught by MOTET-certified
teachers that we still can hopefully in the future identify
so that retraining of these students can be provided,
because, as Inspector General John Davis of the
Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles has
said, these teachers need to be 'retroactively
decertified,' which means that MDCPS is guilty of
contributory negligence by allowing possibly
thousands of poorly prepared drivers to be on the
road."
something criminal, they wanted me to be part of the
criminal club by signing those waivers," Packmans
says. "I've made the roads safer, and they have
reassigned 14 driver ed teachers who took the phony
courses. There are still many students who passed
through driver training taught by MOTET-certified
teachers that we still can hopefully in the future identify
so that retraining of these students can be provided,
because, as Inspector General John Davis of the
Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles has
said, these teachers need to be 'retroactively
decertified,' which means that MDCPS is guilty of
contributory negligence by allowing possibly
thousands of poorly prepared drivers to be on the
road."
Two dads form Keller ISD parent group
Jim Maine's kids were coming home from Keller ISD
schools in the afternoons and snacking as though they'd
not eaten since breakfast. Turns out, they hadn't. There
was hair in the food at school because the kitchen
workers weren't required to wear hair nets or coverings.
Frustrated that his lunch checks were wasted, Jim went
to see then-supe Charles Bradberry, who responded,
"There's no requirement for me to do anything." About
the same time, there was a roofing fiasco, plus
Bradberry had requested a $200 mil bond election. As
Jim says, "Pretty soon I found myself questioning
everything. I'm not that kind of person. I've always given
my employees the benefit of the doubt--most times I trust
too much. But I started questioning the school district on
everything" via a series of open records requests which
yielded among other things the fact that KISD had spent
$280,000 for undelivered blueprints for a new
administration building. Bradberry, who was 1988
TASB/TASA Sup't of the Year, is also an ERDI consultant.
"Under Bradberry's leadership, Keller school district
hired companies that participated in ERDI
conferences, including ones that provide school
buses, maintenance, soft drinks and pension
consulting. That fueled further curiosity about
Bradberry's consulting." (SOURCE--Dave Lieber/Fort Worth
Star-Telegram) About this time, Jim met another Keller
dad, Randy Pugh, who was similarly involved, and
together they established www.ourkeller.com. Shortly
thereafter Bradberry left the district (See "Where Are
They Now?") and Randy was elected to the KISD board;
Jim now chairs the newly formed Keller ISD Education
Foundation. MAY 2007 UPDATE: Randy Pugh's KISD
term has ended.
Jim Maine's kids were coming home from Keller ISD
schools in the afternoons and snacking as though they'd
not eaten since breakfast. Turns out, they hadn't. There
was hair in the food at school because the kitchen
workers weren't required to wear hair nets or coverings.
Frustrated that his lunch checks were wasted, Jim went
to see then-supe Charles Bradberry, who responded,
"There's no requirement for me to do anything." About
the same time, there was a roofing fiasco, plus
Bradberry had requested a $200 mil bond election. As
Jim says, "Pretty soon I found myself questioning
everything. I'm not that kind of person. I've always given
my employees the benefit of the doubt--most times I trust
too much. But I started questioning the school district on
everything" via a series of open records requests which
yielded among other things the fact that KISD had spent
$280,000 for undelivered blueprints for a new
administration building. Bradberry, who was 1988
TASB/TASA Sup't of the Year, is also an ERDI consultant.
"Under Bradberry's leadership, Keller school district
hired companies that participated in ERDI
conferences, including ones that provide school
buses, maintenance, soft drinks and pension
consulting. That fueled further curiosity about
Bradberry's consulting." (SOURCE--Dave Lieber/Fort Worth
Star-Telegram) About this time, Jim met another Keller
dad, Randy Pugh, who was similarly involved, and
together they established www.ourkeller.com. Shortly
thereafter Bradberry left the district (See "Where Are
They Now?") and Randy was elected to the KISD board;
Jim now chairs the newly formed Keller ISD Education
Foundation. MAY 2007 UPDATE: Randy Pugh's KISD
term has ended.
| At left, 1992 voltmeter diagrams with wrong answers that launched Dick Innes' testing involvement |
Richard Innes is one of America's parent experts
on educational testing. Trained as an engineer, he is
a retired Air Force pilot instructor and now education
analyst for the Bluegrass Institute whose involvement
in examining testing issues began in 1992 when he
noticed on his daughter's 12th-grade Kentucky
science assessment that a multiple-choice question
offered only four wrong choices. Then in March, 1999,
Innes discovered a major problem with NAEP, billed
as the 'Nation's Report Card,' related to the uneven
exclusion standards for students from state to
state, which continues to be a serious problem.
www.eddatafrominnes.com www.bipps.org.
on educational testing. Trained as an engineer, he is
a retired Air Force pilot instructor and now education
analyst for the Bluegrass Institute whose involvement
in examining testing issues began in 1992 when he
noticed on his daughter's 12th-grade Kentucky
science assessment that a multiple-choice question
offered only four wrong choices. Then in March, 1999,
Innes discovered a major problem with NAEP, billed
as the 'Nation's Report Card,' related to the uneven
exclusion standards for students from state to
state, which continues to be a serious problem.
www.eddatafrominnes.com www.bipps.org.
Jimmy Kilpatrick (left) is
founder and editor of
EducationNews.org, the premier
online source of news about
education. Many of us value
Jimmy's perspective in the form of
comments accompanying news
founder and editor of
EducationNews.org, the premier
online source of news about
education. Many of us value
Jimmy's perspective in the form of
comments accompanying news
Jeff Lindsay, at left
with his family, is a
chemical engineer who
happens to have the best
website on block ("b.s.")
scheduling on the Internet,
"The Problem with Block
Scheduling." As Jeff says,
with his family, is a
chemical engineer who
happens to have the best
website on block ("b.s.")
scheduling on the Internet,
"The Problem with Block
Scheduling." As Jeff says,
stories along the lines of this one for a Fort Worth
Weekly piece regarding Voyager Learning::
"Education dollars are scarce—except for private
companies with lots of pull." In addition to synopses
and links to published news articles every morning of
the year (except Christmas), Jimmy also features
original numerous education writers including Dave
Kirkpatrick, Nancy Salvato and Tom Shuford.
Based in the Houston area, Jimmy's special interest
is reading difficulties and he is a Senior Fellow of the
Alexis de Tocqueville Institution.
Weekly piece regarding Voyager Learning::
"Education dollars are scarce—except for private
companies with lots of pull." In addition to synopses
and links to published news articles every morning of
the year (except Christmas), Jimmy also features
original numerous education writers including Dave
Kirkpatrick, Nancy Salvato and Tom Shuford.
Based in the Houston area, Jimmy's special interest
is reading difficulties and he is a Senior Fellow of the
Alexis de Tocqueville Institution.
"Many educators and parents see it as a recycled form
of the Modular Scheduling concept which was tried and
abandoned in the 70s and 80s. 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." Jeff's pages on public schols and Direct
Instruction are also well worth reading. Oh, and he has a
really good sense of humor. http://www.jefflindsay.com
of the Modular Scheduling concept which was tried and
abandoned in the 70s and 80s. 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." Jeff's pages on public schols and Direct
Instruction are also well worth reading. Oh, and he has a
really good sense of humor. http://www.jefflindsay.com
New Yorker Betsy
Combier (left on NY1) of
ParentAdvocates.org is a
writer and mother of four who
has campaigned to bring
Combier (left on NY1) of
ParentAdvocates.org is a
writer and mother of four who
has campaigned to bring
accountability to New York Public Schools.. As Betsy
says, "We celebrate the alliance of the Internet with the
awareness that for too many years people elected to
publicly funded positions have promoted policies that
do not serve the public interest. We challenge those
who believe they can continue to violate the public
trust to stop and listen to the buzz of millions of
people visiting websites, emailing each other,
blogging and chatting online about what is going on
behind closed doors. We promise to hold you
responsible for your actions. We call this process
"e-accountability." Betsy also uses public records
searches and the legal process in general to hold
New York Public Schools accountable.
says, "We celebrate the alliance of the Internet with the
awareness that for too many years people elected to
publicly funded positions have promoted policies that
do not serve the public interest. We challenge those
who believe they can continue to violate the public
trust to stop and listen to the buzz of millions of
people visiting websites, emailing each other,
blogging and chatting online about what is going on
behind closed doors. We promise to hold you
responsible for your actions. We call this process
"e-accountability." Betsy also uses public records
searches and the legal process in general to hold
New York Public Schools accountable.
Leslie Dutton
(asking questions at
the Belmont gate,
right) has fulfilled
the promise of cable
access journalism.
With her Full
Disclosure Network
crew, based in
(asking questions at
the Belmont gate,
right) has fulfilled
the promise of cable
access journalism.
With her Full
Disclosure Network
crew, based in
K. C. McAlpin (right),
executive director of ProEnglish, is
among those at the forefront of the
movement to make English our
republic's official language. Among
the group's goals for public schools
is ending bilingual education
programs in favor of English-
executive director of ProEnglish, is
among those at the forefront of the
movement to make English our
republic's official language. Among
the group's goals for public schools
is ending bilingual education
programs in favor of English-
Marina Del Rey, California, Leslie has drawn more
attention to vital LAUSD financial issues--including the
$300-$500 million money pit that is the Belmont Learning
Center (see Richard Alonzo in Administrators on the
Move, Educators in the News)--than all of the local press
put together, and she has done so by presenting facts
and by interviewing those involved, doing good
investigative journalism, field work of the who, what, when,
where, why and how variety, as journalists used to work.
Leslie received the 2001 Emmy for producing public
affairs programming from the Academy of Television of
Arts & Sciences. www.fulldisclosure.net
attention to vital LAUSD financial issues--including the
$300-$500 million money pit that is the Belmont Learning
Center (see Richard Alonzo in Administrators on the
Move, Educators in the News)--than all of the local press
put together, and she has done so by presenting facts
and by interviewing those involved, doing good
investigative journalism, field work of the who, what, when,
where, why and how variety, as journalists used to work.
Leslie received the 2001 Emmy for producing public
affairs programming from the Academy of Television of
Arts & Sciences. www.fulldisclosure.net
immersion programs because immersing students in
the English language works. Says KC, "After 30 years
of experimentation and billions of dollars spent on
bilingual education these programs have failed to do
an acceptable job of teaching English. Far too few
students meet the goal of transitioning out of the
programs. Moreover, students in bilingual education
programs consistently score lower on standard
achievement tests. Many of the students remain
socially isolated and frequently drop out. Millions
more graduate without learning fundamental English
skills. This deprives them of opportunity in an
English-speaking country." Why then do bilingual
programs persist? "A large, well-funded and
politically powerful bureaucracy has grown up with a
vested interest in the continuation of bilingual
education programs," KC says. "Federal funds for
programs to help English-language learners are
directed exclusively at bilingual education. If a
school replaces bilingual education, it may lose much
of its federal funding. Also, many educators promote
bilingual education as a way of 'maintaining cultural
heritage.' But bilingual education fails to provide
students with the basic education they need to explore
culture. The result is often students culturally illiterate
of both of their cultures. Unfortunately, politicians often
are afraid their votes against bilingual education would
be perceived as hostile to minorities."
www.proenglish.org
the English language works. Says KC, "After 30 years
of experimentation and billions of dollars spent on
bilingual education these programs have failed to do
an acceptable job of teaching English. Far too few
students meet the goal of transitioning out of the
programs. Moreover, students in bilingual education
programs consistently score lower on standard
achievement tests. Many of the students remain
socially isolated and frequently drop out. Millions
more graduate without learning fundamental English
skills. This deprives them of opportunity in an
English-speaking country." Why then do bilingual
programs persist? "A large, well-funded and
politically powerful bureaucracy has grown up with a
vested interest in the continuation of bilingual
education programs," KC says. "Federal funds for
programs to help English-language learners are
directed exclusively at bilingual education. If a
school replaces bilingual education, it may lose much
of its federal funding. Also, many educators promote
bilingual education as a way of 'maintaining cultural
heritage.' But bilingual education fails to provide
students with the basic education they need to explore
culture. The result is often students culturally illiterate
of both of their cultures. Unfortunately, politicians often
are afraid their votes against bilingual education would
be perceived as hostile to minorities."
www.proenglish.org
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
| F o c u s i n g o n a c c o u n t a b i l i t y f i r s t : T h i s i s 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 . |
AASA - American Association of School Administrators ASA - Association of School Administrators CSD - Consolidated School District DOE - Department of Education ES - Elementary School HS - High School ISD - Independent School District JHS - Junior High School MS - Middle School MSM - Mainstream media NSBA - National School Boards Association NSPRA - National School Public Relations Association PS - Public School(s) SBEC - State Board for Educator Certification SD - School District Sup't - Superintendent TAKS - Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills TASA - Texas Association of School Administrators TASB - Texas Association of School Boards TASBO - Texas Association of School Business Officials TEA - Texas Education Agency TEKS - Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills USD - UnifiedUnited School District |
| GUIDE |
| FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of education issues vital to a republic. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C., Chapter 1, Section 107 which states: the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use" you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. |
| QUOTES |
In many elementary and secondary schools, education seems more focused on fostering attitudes ("affective education") than on teaching. Self-esteem is sometimes treated as the ultimate goal, while many parents are clamoring for a return to academics. With 4 children attending public schools, I want real education to occur. Sadly, many schools focus on popular "reforms" and new programs that detract from academics. Goals 2000, workforce education, block scheduling, affective education, whole language, and the emphasis on "developmentally appropriate" education often deters from what parents really want and from what I believe kids really need: mastery of academic skills and acquisition of basic knowledge in core areas. The "whole language" fad, for example, is simply a fraud, unsupported by scientific evidence.... While whole language is a proven failure, study after study confirms that training in phonics is effective if not vital for reading education, yet many teachers have never been taught how to teach phonics and some don't even understand what it is. It's not their fault--it's the educational colleges and the highly political NEA that have brought us to this state. The NEA continues to oppose phonics and to say that phonics is rote memorization and drudgery without exposure to real literature. Wrong! Teaching phonics to my kids made a world of difference - and stimulated extremely rapid progress in their reading and reading enjoyment.... Parents need to resist the whole language fad in their schools and demand that phonics be taught. And parents need to supplement their children's education with phonics instruction at an early age, before kids are conditioned to read and write through guesswork. I'm impressed with the dedication and concern of our teachers, but something is amiss. The dilution of true education and the introduction of "whole language" and "affective" curricula is not the result of grass roots efforts. Parents are not asking for values clarification and self-esteem therapy. They are not asking for kids to slowly learn on their own through osmotic "developmentally appropriate" programs. Parents and scientists are appalled with the failed New Math programs invading our schools. The problems seem to be coming from the top - from places like the NEA, the Dept. of Education, and the money-laden textbook publishers.... But how I wish that more public schools would recognize that children can learn and gain true self-esteem in the process if only they are taught, challenged and motivated. --Jeff Lindsay |
| Helping parents & taxpayers implode Education, Inc. |
| I n p r o g r e s s |
| 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 1999-2006 Peyton Wolcott |
| POP QUIZ: How safe is your supe keeping the children and resources in your district? Is he requiring background checks on all employees and volunteers? Schools can be magnets for those with evil in their hearts. More on "Pass the Trash" here |
David v. Goliath: How America's Moms & Dads are taking on Education, Inc. PEYTON WOLCOTT |
Get this: There's a new principle in American education-- namely, that public schools are to be "uniformly" bad. Such is the rock-bottom meaning of that 5-2 Florida Supreme Court decision last week scuttling a public school voucher program . . . . Under the program, 730 such students are being educated in private schools. The idea is that we'll drag 'em back to the dungeons next fall. --Bill Murchison TownHall |
Rene Amy (right) has been
involved in Pasadena USD
(California) since 1996 as a
volunteer and activist who uses
open records requests to hold the
district accountable. One of his most
notable finds was that a prominent
PUSD volunteer was actually a
convicted rapist and sex offender on
the lam for not one but two murders;
John Whitaker Betances now sits in
the Orange County jail awaiting trial.
"After poring through a stack of
involved in Pasadena USD
(California) since 1996 as a
volunteer and activist who uses
open records requests to hold the
district accountable. One of his most
notable finds was that a prominent
PUSD volunteer was actually a
convicted rapist and sex offender on
the lam for not one but two murders;
John Whitaker Betances now sits in
the Orange County jail awaiting trial.
"After poring through a stack of
All that is essential for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke |
If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war. -- Pres. George Washington |
| PEAK$: Does every decision at our schools promote: P - Parent & community involvement ? E - Excellence and Equality ? A - Accountability ? Also, K - Is it for our Kids ? $ - With an eye to finance$ ? |
| THE P E A K $ IDEA |
| MY BOOK |
| Sunshine Update! HB 2264's defeat here |
| This page first posted 2005 Updated Sunday, January 7, 2007 |
| UPDATE By Peyton Wolcott Sunday, January 7, 2007 Friends, I believe that our instinct to join together with like-minded and like-principaled fellows is one of our noblest impulses. While many of us who do what we do have been relatively alone--not many folks have both sufficient luxury and leisure to file public records requests, plus fewer among us can afford the wrath of our supes and trustees-- in our struggles in our local school districts, what's so very exciting and encouraging is that our numbers are growing, and fast, across our great republic. If you're enjoying these accounts, you'll also enjoy reading about "The Modern Minutemen," named July 4, 2006, here. It's comforting to know we're not alone, and it's encouraging to know that by banding together and working smart we can succeed. Some proven tips for pulling together with others in your district in order to accomplish some good, here. |
| SEVERAL UPDATES! HERE HERE HERE |
| UPDATE: Leslie's work on the historic San Juan Capistrano USD trustee recall (including the DA's raid) here; look for her work on LA mayor Villagraiso's attempted coup over LA Unified here. |
| How the Donahy's and Jennings' work in Llano ISD became part of the background for Education, Inc.'s anti-sunshine HB 2264, here |
| NOTE: The following information may be verified via (1) filing public records requests at the Texas Lege, including individual legislators such as Senator Jeff Wentworth including email and phone records for all legislators and their staff members, and (2) The Austin American-Statesman archives, etc. FURTHER NOTE: For information regarding the identities of all Eanes ISD's public records requestors, we suggest Eanes' own roster, here. OCT. 23, 2006 UPDATE: On this date Eanes ISD trustees voted to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in Lake Travis ISD's SLAPP suit against two parents in that district. |
NOV. 2007 UPDATE While it's encouraging from the perspective of the passage of time that so many of the districts whose parents and taxpayers indicated their support for our Texans for Education Accountability 2 1/2 years ago have by now posted their check registers online, it must be reported that HB 2264 morphed into SB 889 in the next Lege (80th Regular) which again we defeated. Sadly, it morphed again into HB 2564, a particularly sorry piece of anti-sunshine legislation designed according to its authors' public testimony to curtail perceived abuses of The Texas Public Information Act by those individuals filing hundreds and thousands of public records requests. HB 2564 is now state law and imposes onerous restrictions on those who file even a few public record requests in the course of a year. |
Developing . . . |