JOSEPH WISE: Edu-
hopskotch up and down the East
Cost, from Disney to Christina in
Delaware to Duval in Florida to
edu-vendor Edison Schools in
Feb. 2008.
hopskotch up and down the East
Cost, from Disney to Christina in
Delaware to Duval in Florida to
edu-vendor Edison Schools in
Feb. 2008.
| (Top left) Former Leapfrog saleswoman Sienna Owens and former Prince George's CEO Andre Hornsby; the Rehab (previously the "Sir Veza") once owned by Frankie Wong's company now named "The Rehab"; (bottom left) fomer Dallas ISD tech head Ruben Bohuchot, vendor Frankie Wong, Hector Monteneg |
| The nation's 1st & only daily conservative public education commentary - Thursday, July 31, 2008 |
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| How to ask your local school district Flyer History 1st Anniversary San Antonio Triple Crown The Four-Legged Stool COPYRIGHT NOTICE: When borrowing/copying/ citing from this roster please remember to attribute the source: www.PeytonWolcott.com |
| CALIFORNIA Capistrano USD - here Clovis USD - here FLORIDA Miami-Dade CPS*here ILLINOIS (11) Carpentersville SD 300* Elgin U-46* Elmhurst SD 205 ^ Herscher CUSD 2 ^ Huntley CUSD 158* Mundelein CHS D120 ^ Naperville CUSD [ / ] Oak Park ESD 97 ^ Oak Park & River Forest 200^ Sherrard CUSD 200^ W.Chicago CHSD 94 ^ KANSAS USD 507 (Satanta) (Chk Jrnl) MICHIGAN Clawson-here (BusinessOfc.) Montrose CS - here MINNESOTA Milaca SD - ISD 192 St. Cloud ISD MISSISSIPPI Ocean Springs SD* here MISSOURI Liberty PS - BoardDocs NEVADA Clark County SD**** OKLAHOMA Oklahoma City PS***** S. DAKOTA Mitchell School District* TEXAS** (227) Allen ISD Alvarado ISD Anderson-Shiro CISD - here Anthony ISD Anton ISD - here Aquilla ISD - Baard Packet Arlington ISD Arp ISD - Athens ISD Aubrey ISD Avery ISD Beeville ISD-Agenda Packet Bellville ISD Big Spring ISD Blackwell CISD Blue Ridge ISD Blum ISD - here Bonham ISD - here Borden County ISD - Admin. Borger ISD Bremond ISD Bridgeport ISD - here Brookesmith ISD - here Bryan ISD* Caddo Mills ISD Cameron ISD Canton ISD Cedar Hill ISD Center ISD - here Center Point ISD Chester ISD China Spring ISD here Clarksville ISD-Ch.kRegister* Cleburne ISD* - here Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Colmesneil ISD Comal ISD Conroe ISD* Corpus Christi ISD* Cotton Center ISD Crockett ISD-Check Registry Cross Roads ISD Cypress-Fairbanks ISD* Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD Dallas ISD Damon ISD - here Deer Park ISD* Denison ISD Diboll ISD - Check Registers Dickinson ISD - here Douglass ISD Dublin ISD - here (About us) East Bernard ISD Ector Co. ISD Electra ISD Era ISD - here Eustace ISD - here Evant ISD - BoardBook Fairfield ISD - here Farwell ISD-Check Registers Forsan ISD - here Fort Stockton ISD - here Fort Worth ISD-Depts/Acctg Franklin ISD Frankston ISD-Agenda Packt Friendswood ISD Galena Park ISD Galveston ISD Goodrich ISD - here Gorman ISD - Financial Rpts Graford ISD - here Grandfalls-Royalty ISD Greenville ISD Groesbeck ISD - here Groveton ISD - here Gunter ISD Hale Center ISD - here Harlandale ISD - here Harmony ISD Hart ISD* - here Haskell CISD Hawley ISD - here Hearne ISD - Financial Info Hempstead ISD Highland ISD Hitchcock ISD - here Holliday ISD Houston ISD* Howe ISD Hudson ISD - here Hull-Daisetta ISD-Bus. Docs Hunt ISD Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Iola ISD Iraan-Sheffield ISD Jayton-Girard ISD - here Joaquin ISD - here Judson ISD (quarterly) Katy ISD Kaufman ISD Keller ISD* Kenedy ISD - here Kerrvile ISD Lackland ISD Lago Vista ISD* LaPoynor ISD - here La Vernia ISD - here Leander ISD Leonard ISD Leveland ISD - Agenda Pckt Lexington ISD Livingston ISD Little Cypress-Maur. CISD Little Elm ISD Llano ISD - here Lockney ISD Lone Oak ISD - Board PacketLorena ISD Loraine ISD - here Louise ISD - here Lovejoy ISD Lufkin ISD Luling ISD - here Mabank ISD Madisonville CISD Magnolia ISD-AgendaPacket Malakoff ISD Manor ISD - here Mansfield ISD - Consent Marble Falls ISD - here Marfa ISD - Marion ISD Marshall ISD - here Meadow ISD McKinney ISD McMullen Co. ISD - here Medina ISD Medina Valley ISD* Merkel ISD - Check Ledger Mesquite ISD - here Miami ISD MidlandISD-AgendaPacket Midway ISD - Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD Mount Vernon ISD Murchison ISD - here Nacogdoches ISD - here Natalia ISD Navarro ISD - Finance Nazareth ISD Nederland ISD New Caney ISD Newcastle ISD - here Nordheim ISD North East ISD North Forest ISD Northside ISD No. Zulch ISD* O'Donnell ISD - here Olfen ISD - here Ore City ISD Palestine ISD Panther Creek ISD - here Paradise ISD- Agenda Packt Pasadena ISD Pearland ISD Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Pilot Point ISD - here Pine Tree ISD - Disbursemts Pittsburg ISD - here Port Neches-Groves ISD Pflugerville ISD Quinlan ISD Reagan County ISD Richardson ISD Rio Hondo ISD - here Robert Lee ISD Roby CISD Roscoe ISD - here Rosebud-Lott ISD Round Rock ISD * Royse City ISD San Angelo ISD San Antonio ISD Salado ISD Santa Rosa ISD - here San Vicente ISD - here Schertz-Cibolo-U.City ISD* Seminole ISD Shallowater ISD - here Skidmore-Tynan ISD Smyer ISD - Expenses Somerset ISD* South Texas ISD Southwest ISD* Splendora ISD - Agenda Pkt Spring Branch ISD * Stafford ISD - Agenda Packet Stanton ISD Stephenville ISD - here Sundown ISD - here Sweeny ISD - here Teague ISD Terrell ISD - here Texas City ISD Timpson ISD Tomball ISD Trent ISD Trenton ISD - here United ISD* - here Uvalde CISD - here Valentine ISD Valley Mills ISD - here Van Alstyne ISD Waller ISD - here Waskom ISD - here West ISD Westbrook ISD - here Wharton ISD Whitharral ISD - here Wildorado ISD - here Wilson ISD Wimberley ISD Windthorst ISD - here Winona ISD Ysleta ISD Zapata County ISD - here UTAH Davis School District* WISCONSIN Sun Prairie SD |
| COMMITTED Argyle ISD (TX) - here Clear Creek ISD (TX) Dew ISD (TX) - here El Paso ISD (TX) Hondo ISD (TX) - here Ingram ISD (TX) - here La Marque ISD (TX) Martins Mill ISD (TX) Plainview ISD (TX) - here Pottsboro ISD (TX) - here Snyder ISD (TX) - here Southside ISD (TX) Temple ISD (TX) STATE DOE ONLINE Texas Education Agency MIDDLE EDU-LAYER St. Clair County RESA (MI) HONORABLE MENTION ALASKA DOE - Checks over $1,000 MICHIGAN *** Intermediate School Districts TEXAS Brackett ISD (checks over $500) WHERE PARENTS, TAXPAYERS, TRUSTEES ARE ASKING: Cedar Rapids PS (IA) Chippewa Valley SD (MI) Eanes ISD (TX) Lake Travis ISD (TX) Lancaster ISD (TX) LA USD (CA) New York CPS (NY) Omaha PS (NB) Rochester CS (MI) Santa Cruz CPS (AZ) Water Valley ISD (TX) ___________________________ * No check numbers. ** Source for all Texas numbers: TEA PEIMS (most recently reported actuals, 2005-06) *** For online numbers including budgets, salaries, lobbying, PR, legal, autos, more **** Purchase orders ***** Encumbrances ^ IIllinois Honor Roll NOTE: Some districts such as Beeville ISD (TX) call their check registers "disbursement registers" (Source for names of Texas districts: Houston Chronicle (6), San Antonio Express-News (6) ) |
| Heads up to grassroots school reform activists: Be smart, be effective By Peyton Wolcott Updated 12.02.07 |
| Rattlesnake (L), Teddy bear (PHOTO--Steiff) |
"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
| Robert Rivard, editor San Antonio Express-News |
| More here |
| HATS OFF: Bob Rivard, The San Antonio Express-News By Peyton Wolcott Tue., Nov. 27, 2007-10 a |
| San Antonio's Triple Crown here |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
| Check registers online in 251 districts ! 14 states! with $47 billion-plus in annual transparency! ----------------------- 1ST & ONLY ROSTER OF ONLINE SCHOOL CHECK REGISTERS As of 04.11.08, 15% of all Texas school districts have voluntarily posted their check registers online; over 2/3 of all state/local TX school district dollars are website-posted. |
| NOTE: We are not asking school districts to post salary or HIPAA-related dollars. |
| Welcome to the home of the National Grassroots School District Online Check Register Movement Est. Oct. 1, 2006 |
| How to find your district's checks: If there's no link on the home page, try the business or finance page, or it may be listed under links or technology or community news. If the district is paying for TASB's BoardBook software, online check registers are a free feature, and can usually be found in the board packet for the most recent regular board meeting. |
| A model for the nation: More about the San Antonio Triple Crown here How 3 major school districts put their checks online . . . in 1 week! |
| Quick Facts |
| Links |
| The National School District Honor Roll |
| ONLINE CHECK REGISTERS |
| U. S. Roster |
| 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. |
| FAQ's ARCHIVES FOLLOW THE MONEY YOU CAN DO THIS STATE & LOCAL GOVERNANCE VENDOR LOBBYING |
| KANSAS FOLLOW UP El. principal in Colorado After being charged with $41,000 KS PTA theft By Peyton Wolcott Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 12:06 a.m. Updated Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 6:05 a.m. |
| HAPPIER TIMES IN KANSAS Then-Jefferson Elementary principal Don Atkin- son with Jefferson PTA president Pamela Kurtz |
| Until I telephoned officials at Colorado Springs School District #11 last Tuesday, Donald Ned Atkinson was still employed by the district -- despite the fact that school administrators had the week previous received a negative FBI report based on his fingerprints. Atkinson was arrested March 22, 2008 in Great Bend, Kansas and charged with 63 counts of theft by deception. (SOURCE--KSN-TV) Prosecutors say Atkinson stole the money between 2002 and 2007; he resigned last November after PTA leaders, following a training course in accountability and responsibility, took their con- cerns to school administrators, who called authorities. Atkinson had worked at the district for 28 years, 12 of them at the elemen- tary school. (SOURCE--Kansas News-Leader) Yesterday I requested a copy of Mr. Atkinson's employment application at Colorado Springs School District #11. The comments I have received from around the nation over the past two weeks focus on concerns that while all individuals have a right and duty to obtain employment in order to support their families, anyone charged with 63 counts of theft by deception in a public school setting should not be allowed to continue working in public schools anywhere until after the judicial process has been completed. |
| Colorado Springs (Inset: Donald Ned Atkinson) |
| NEW READER SURVEY! What are your thoughts on Don Atkinson? Great Bend superintendent Tom Vernon? Colorado Springs #11 supe Terry Bishop? Don's the former trusted Kansas elementary principal (below and left) who recently sought employment at a Colorado school district before his trial on 63 counts of theft by deception (PTA and other school funds) begins in Kansas. Should Great Bend supe Tom Vernon have exercised tighter internal controls? Should Terry Bishop have hired Don Atkinson? Do you have any solutions for challenges like this which we face in varying degrees in all of our public schools? Please email me by Sunday night. Be sure to mention whether you are speaking on or off the record. I'll post at least a few of the most representative responses Monday. |
| GREAT BEND, KANSAS Great Bend USD 428 employees named by former GBUSD principal Don Atkinson on his employment application to Colorado Springs School District #11 By Peyton Wolcott Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 5:05 p.m. |
| o David Meter o Janis Link o Carla Maneth o Alvena Spangenberg |
| David Meter |
| Developing . . . |
| KANSAS Steps taken by Great Bend, Kansas USD 428 to tighten their internal controls By Peyton Wolcott Friday, May 9, 2008 - 12:07 a.m. |
| Tom Vernon , Great Bend USD428 superintendent, said by telephone yesterday, "We've tightened our internal controls in two ways. First, all cash and other gifts from groups such as PTA's now come through the district's business office and are posted publicly on the school board's agenda for approval of each item by the board. Second, we now have two meetings annually for all groups such as the PTA who give to our schools or are associated with the schools to outline our procedures to them and answer any questions they might have. We've already had one such meeting (February 4) and the next is on June 10, 2008." Tom confirmed that the district no longer allows district employees to accept cash donations from groups; instead, those monies are deposited directly with the business office and receipts are issued on the spot. |
| The Club at StoneRidge -- site of USD 428's recent education foundation fund raiser, a golf tournament. |
| SEX IN OUR SCHOOLS Is Hillsborough, FL supe Mary Ellen Elia unlucky -- or should she be fired? Hats off to Bill O'Reilly, with a question By Peyton Wolcott Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 5:00 a.m. Updated Friday, May 16, 2008 - 12:07 a.m. |
| Bill O'Reilly |
| Mary Ellen Elia with (clockwise from top left) Jaymee Wallace, Stephanie Ragusa, Mary Jo Spack, Christina Butler and Debra Lafave |
| What are the odds that a single Florida school district with 192,000 students would have five of its female teachers arrested for having sex with underage students within the past few years? |
| Fox News host Bill O'Reilly said on air earlier this week that Ms. Elia should be fired. Strong words coming from a TV host with Zencore for a sponsor. |
| HILLSBOROUGH 5 ARREST TIME LINE March 20, 2008 - Mary Jo Spack, a 45-year-old honors English teacher, accused of having sex with a 17-year-old boy after buying liquor and bringing him to a motel. March 13, 2008 - Stephanie Ragusa, a 28-year-old math teacher, arrested and accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Oct. 23, 2007 - Christina Butler, a 33-year-old special education teacher at Middleton High School in Tampa, arrested, accused of having sex up to a dozen times with a 16-year-old boy. Oct. 8, 2007 - Former Wharton High School teacher and coach Jaymee Wallace pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a student who played on her girls basketball team. Wallace is scheduled to be sentenced today in Hillsborough Circuit Court. She previously rejected prosecutors' plea offer of three years in prison. November 2005 - Former Greco Middle School teacher Debra Lafave was sentenced to three years of house arrest and seven years of probation after pleading guilty in 2005 to having sex with a 14-year-old boy. (SOURCE--Rebecca Catalanello, St. Petersburg Times) |
| And what was Ms. Elia's reaction to news of one of the recent arrests? Mario Diaz of Tampa Bay 10 reported recently that "Superinten- dent Mary Ellen Elia was shocked when we first showed her the arrest report." Question for Bill: If you're going to decry the moral climate in America's schools, can't you get better sponsors than one selling sex aids? |
| Duncan's decision to put SBISD's check register online came at a pivotal time at the beginnings of the online check register movement, in November 2006. Spring Branch ISD was the first large suburban district to publicly announce that it was coming online. _____________________ (Posted 05.21.08) |
| PIONEERS |
| Robert Scott Commissioner of Education - Texas |
| When Robert Scott put the Texas Education Agency's check register online in February 2007, TEA became the first state DOE to do so in the U.S.; to the best of my knowledge it is still the only state DOE in the country to list all checks. Pointing out that increased transparency was Governor Rick Perry's initiative, Robert adds, "We at TEA wholeheartedly agree." |
| Terry Bradley Superintendent, Clovis USD (CA) |
| Duncan Klussmann Superintendent, Spring Branch ISD (TX) |
| Clovis USD, just north of Fresno in California's fertile San Joaquin Valley farming region, may have been the first school district in the nation to put its entire check register online -- a natural next step, according to a district spokesman, as part of its move to a paperless board packet. |
| IOWA Supe's 2 DUI's What do you tell his students? By Peyton Wolcott Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 12:07 a.m. |
| Marty Lucas |
| Top (L to R): Chaplains Clark V. Poling, John P. Washington; Bottom (L to R) George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode |
| Did our nation's IB schoolchildren study these four WWII heroes this week? By Peyton Wolcott Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 6: 40 p.m. |
| The Four Chaplains |
| These four brave warrior chaplains gave their lives aboard their troop ship the USAT Dorchester which was transporting American soldiers to Europe on February 3, 1943 off the coast of Newfoundland after their troop ship was torpedoed by the Nazis. Their courageous stories including giving away their life jackets here and here. |
| It is not likely that any of our American schoolchildren in the 890 International Baccalaureate schools here in the U.S. studied the Four Chaplains in any of their IB classes this past week. Instead, as Allen Quist points out, the IB kids more likely learned that the United States is an imperialist country and that its actions were "compared to Japan during World War II." |
| Read this article here. |
| Scroll down for only national roster |
| The ONLY national roster ! |
| s c h o o l n e w s q u i c k l i n k s |
| Bettendorf school super- intendent still on the job WQAD Updated: May 20, 2008 |
| Bettendorf, IOWA-- Nearly three months after a second drunk driving charge, Bettendorf School Board superintendent Marty Lucas is still on the job. Deputies arrested Lucas in February after a crash in Benton County. At the time of his arrest, records show a blood alcohol level well over the legal limit. Lucas pleaded not guilty but until a jury agrees, it leaves the school board with a dilemma. The school board reviewed police records from the arresting officer on Monday evening and completed its investigation. The board will review its findings with Lucas this week. The district's attorney, Cameron Davidson, says the board will make a public statement before the superintendent's pre-trial conference. If the board decides to take any disciplinary action against superintendent Lucas, it will be revealed publicly at a school board meeting. "The school board met in closed session this evening to review the incident regarding Mr. Lucas. The board has completed its investigation. We expect to have a public comment sometime in the near future after reviewing the matter with Mr. Lucas," Davidson said. Davidson says the board will make their decision before the superintendent's pre-trial conference which is May 29th. Court records show that Lucas received a year's probation for an earlier drunk driving arrest in 1999. |
| How many DUI do-overs should our top administrators get? By Peyton Wolcott - Tues. May 27, 2008 Updated Sun., June 15, 2008/5:00 p.m. |
| We live in a generous nation; as a people we are quick to grant second and third--and more--fresh starts to folks who want them. After all, many of our |
| forebearers came to America seeking a new life. |
| Should our public school superinten- dents be in a different category? |
Developing. . . |
y o u r q u e s t i o n s
| School News Links Commentaries Year-in-Review: 2007 2006 TX Ed Comm |
| Edu-Monopoly (Bohuchot..Coleman) Education, Inc. ERDI Technology TX supe travel/meals Credit cards Edu-Conferences TASA MidWinter Supes'n'vendors golf 1 2 3 |
| Arizona California Ohio Oklahoma Fllorida Illinois Kansas History: The Four-Legged Stool Texas ISDs: Edgewood 1 2 3 4 5 Cleburne Llano Bremond |
| How Texas leads U.S. in public edu-transparency Team of 8 LTISD SLAPP suit Pass the trash Lax oversight |
| How to organize (proven!) How to ask your district to post its check register Activist Alert Board & candidate pledges |
| Joseph M. Vigil |
| Wayne Gerke |
| Rebecca Perry, Marty Lucas |
| Adrain Johnson |
n e w c o m m e n t a r i e s
| Hats off ! |
| Retired PA superintendent's salary: $0.00 |
| At a time when increasing numbers of public school administrators retire, then begin collecting generous taxpayer-funded pensions, then immediately double-dip, earning top- dollar second salaries while still collecting the pension -- at such a time as this M. Joseph Brady in Minersville, Pennsylvania's lowest-paid superinten- dent (salary $0.00), offers by example a ray of hope: |
| Minersville Area superin- tendent M. Joseph Brady doesn’t get a paycheck anymore. The lowest-paid superintendent in Pennsylvania is among a shrinking number of administrators who don’t jump to other districts seeking higher compensation. “We had plans for a business manager,” Brady said while passing an empty office near his desk. “Down the road.” He also serves as the business manager for the Schuylkill County district. Brady, 79, works for no salary. He officially retired in 2002 and started taking his state pension. He mostly works for the cost of his health insurance. Without a business manager, Brady is on his own when recommending that his school board raise taxes. “Since I have to raise the taxes, I figured that I would help lessen the burden that’s passed on,” Brady said. “I wanted to give something back before I go.” (SOURCE--Jay M. Young/Altoona Mirror) |
| M. Joseph Brady (PHOTO--Jason Sipes/Altoona Mirror) |
| For selfless service to his community, hats off to Joseph Brady. God bless you, sir. |
| CHINA: Kudos! Principal 'Angel' Ye's diligence--he strengthened his school--saved 2,323 students in 8.0. |
| Chris Morrow |
CA: LA realtor
Jimmy Marzullo
arrested: $65K
PTSA/booster
theft
Jimmy Marzullo
arrested: $65K
PTSA/booster
theft
FL: Long-time Rudy Crew
supporter Miami Herald's
17% staff cuts; board
members seek Rudy's
dismissal; trustee Marta
Perez CBS4
supporter Miami Herald's
17% staff cuts; board
members seek Rudy's
dismissal; trustee Marta
Perez CBS4
| Texas school districts to have voluntarily posted its check register online (you'll see them listed at far left on the U.S. roster) but also they have no credit cards for administrators, plus BISD takes exceptional care of the two merchant cards the district owns. But that's not the whole story. In a recent interview BISD superinten- dent John Hardwick quoted educator John Dewey, "'What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must the community want for all of its children.' That's what we do here in Beeville," he says. "In celebrating our students and their day-to- day learning in the classroom with the same passion as the best and wisest of parents, we work on a daily basis to build trust with our parents and families. A component of building that trust is our financial transparency." |
| Beeville ISD (TX) Internal Controls |
| John Hardwick |
| Beeville ISD appears to have a firm grip on trans- parency. Not only is BISD among the first 20% of |
| Further addressing both trust and trans- parency, long-time community leader Gwen DeWitt, who helped the district pass its recent $12 million bond election, said, "Our hard-earned tax dollars fund the public school system and the only way for the public to accurately hold the schools accountable is to be aware of how funds are used. It is our desire to provide a quality education for our youth. It is appreciated when a school system makes every effort to provide financial transpar- ency and subsequent accountability to the taxpay- rs and parents. Beeville ISD provides this transpar- ency and accountability on a continuous basis." Hats off, Beeville ISD! (Posted June 24, 2008) |
| Regarding the two merchant cards, access is carefully monitored and the cards are kept in BISD's business office. "Anybody wanting to use one has to submit a purchase order first and it must be approved for that specific purchase and amount, then the card is returned immediately with the receipt," says CFO Linda O'Connell . "The few times anyone forgets, we go ask them for it by the end of the day." She adds, "It's the taxpayers' money." |
| Linda O'Connell |
| Beeville ISD administration building |
OR: Bridger
ES PTA's
Jackalin Lillie
arrested,
$13,000
embezzlement
charge
ES PTA's
Jackalin Lillie
arrested,
$13,000
embezzlement
charge
ERDI supe Alton Frailey
v. public freedoms
v. public freedoms
| What was Alton Frailey thinking? By Peyton Wolcott Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 3:52 p.m. |
| What could have been going through this veteran respected Katy ISD superinten- dent's mind when he included limiting his community's access |
| Alton Frailey |
| to information regarding how he's spending their tax dollars and educating their schoolchildren on the agenda for last night's board meeting? Surprising that he'd consider this, given that they made such strides last year by voluntarily posting the district's check register online, but here's the agenda item: |
| AGENDA - REGULAR BOARD MEETING KATY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT / BOARD OF TRUSTEES EDUCATION SUPPORT COMPLEX BOARD ROOM/6301 SOUTH STADIUM LANE KATY, TEXAS MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008 IX. Action 2. Consider Board approval of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Advocacy Resolutions. |
| Oh, you don't see the reported 18 TASB resolutions on Katy ISD's board agenda above? Oops! Neither could I. Somehow they weren't included in the agenda supplied to the public. Look for yourself here (scroll down to "Regular Meeting" on the right, then "June 23, 2008"). Well, we can all be thankful that Helen Eriksen and Jennifer Ratcliffe were on hand to tell us about it in this morning's Houston Chronicle: |
| The Katy school board on Monday backed off a plan to propose a law requiring those who want access to public records to first explain why the information's release would benefit the community. Katy officials say they're trying to stymie a flood of what they consider frivolous requests for open records. To that end, the school board intended to ask the Texas Association of School Boards to push for a new law to make information requestors justify themselves. But they canceled the vote just a few hours before the meeting because administra- tors said they don't want school board members to be criticized as being anti-open government. "I don't want our board to be conflicted and misconstrued and misrepresented as trying to thwart public information," superintendent Alton Frailey said. "I don't want this on the backs of the Katy board alone. I'm not wanting to carry the water, but I have put the bucket in the well." A draft of Katy's proposed resolution reads: "There is a growing trend where private citizens use provisions of this act to retaliate, harass and hold hostage the public school district when there clearly is no public interest being served." In May, Frailey told the school board that Katy was being terrorized by [493] public information requests. |
| Owning up to it here Friends, at least one of those 493 requests may have been consider- ed by Alton to have been from me. Let's back up. Even though I don't live in Katy ISD, according to TEA's most recent PEIMS actual financials for KISD, the district received $17.4 million in federal funds for the most recently reported period, and as a federal taxpayer this gives me a lively interest in where Alton was on Friday afternoon, April 18 -- the first day of the TAS/MUS spring confer- ence at Horseshoe Bay Resort. |
| First They Came First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak out for me. -- Pastor Martin Niemoeller |
| Given that Alton is a TAS/MUS director, it seemed likely that he might have been golfing with the other administrators and vendors on some of Texas' finest links. But was he doing so -- if he was doing so -- at taxpayer expense? Sorry, Alton and his PR staff have not yet answered phone and email queries so you'll have to file a public records request to find out. Here's a friendly idea. Make it easier for them: Mark your request "Public Information Request #494." In the meantime, our friends in print didn't speak out very loudly last year when TASA/TASB made newspapers exempt from the onerous fees HB 2564 imposed on parents and taxpayers for public records. Here's hoping this new move by TASA/TASB will encourage the press association to speak up during this next Lege. |
| Texas superintendents golfing with vendors at Horseshoe Bay Resort on Friday, April 18, 2008 |
NOLA: Paul Vallas'
post-Philly sweet deal:
$250,00 no-bid contracts
A-okay
post-Philly sweet deal:
$250,00 no-bid contracts
A-okay
CO: HS principal
Mark Rangel
resigns: '"off the
premises / on the
job" affair with
SpEd coworker;
taxpayers angry
Mark Rangel
resigns: '"off the
premises / on the
job" affair with
SpEd coworker;
taxpayers angry
TX: Sandy Kress /
NCLB report:
"maybe ought to
strengthen the
system." Does this
mean "buy more
Pearson products?"
And:
NCLB report:
"maybe ought to
strengthen the
system." Does this
mean "buy more
Pearson products?"
And:
WI: 50+% increase in
NCLB "failing" schools
this year: from 95 to 156
NCLB "failing" schools
this year: from 95 to 156
MD: Fur coats? If this is
going on in city gov't, what's
happening in their
schools? Andre
Hornsby..John Q.Porter
going on in city gov't, what's
happening in their
schools? Andre
Hornsby..John Q.Porter
Why didn't the
Statesman
call Dave
Thompson a "paid
TASA lobbyist"? Or
"(failed)
SLAPP-suit lead
attorney"?
Statesman
call Dave
Thompson a "paid
TASA lobbyist"? Or
"(failed)
SLAPP-suit lead
attorney"?
| TX: Mesquite ISD board's self-investigation re coach Steve Halpin = nothing amiss! |
CA: 1-yr. $12K-search
supe resigns
supe resigns
CT: What's the story
behind these ?
behind these ?
IL: Payroll assistant charged
with embezzling $115,000; "said
she had worked many extra
hours for 3 years and deserved
more money."
with embezzling $115,000; "said
she had worked many extra
hours for 3 years and deserved
more money."
CT: Elementary teacher
called in sick to be on
Howard Stern; out, she
sues
called in sick to be on
Howard Stern; out, she
sues
TX: Dallas ISD (1) KPMG
audit (bye-bye Broad?) (2)
Police! Camera! Action! DISD
board meeting blog
audit (bye-bye Broad?) (2)
Police! Camera! Action! DISD
board meeting blog
WHO'S ADVISING YOUR
DISTRICT? Are they viable? UBS
arrests, First Southwest subpoenas
, Bear Stearns arrests
DISTRICT? Are they viable? UBS
arrests, First Southwest subpoenas
, Bear Stearns arrests
TX: Former Overton
ISD supe/A&M
Commerce prof
MarkStrecher(R)
pleads guilty to theft;
$16,877 credit card
charges, no receipts,
surrendered SBEC
certificate; wife Terri
(R) OISD guidance
counselor and (rah,
rah) varsity
cheerleader coach.
ISD supe/A&M
Commerce prof
MarkStrecher(R)
pleads guilty to theft;
$16,877 credit card
charges, no receipts,
surrendered SBEC
certificate; wife Terri
(R) OISD guidance
counselor and (rah,
rah) varsity
cheerleader coach.
ID: HS teacher
Steven G. Best
accused of embezzling
$9,000+ from local
yearbook student
adviser's program
Steven G. Best
accused of embezzling
$9,000+ from local
yearbook student
adviser's program
AP POLL: Half of
Americans say grads
ill-prepared for college--or
life.
Americans say grads
ill-prepared for college--or
life.
LA: 3rd Baker supe in
year+ resigns
year+ resigns
| How big an "oops" by school officials should parents and taxpayers be expected to absorb and/or forgive? By Peyton Wolcott Saturday, July 5, 2008 - 1:09 a.m. |
| A special audit by the State of New Jersey has found that Stanhope Borough School District misspent $900,000 which must now be repaid. |
| Nicholas Brown's current New Milford Schools employment contract here |
| The audit, prepared by the department's Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance, said the district spent $538,610 in voter-approved bond funds and another $359,074 in state matching funds on the renovation of the Linden Avenue School. The audit report said this spending was improper because once the renovations of the school building were completed, it not used by district students but was instead leased to Celebrate the Children, a private school.... The report said borough voters approved a bond issue for the project on Dec. 10, 2002, with the understanding that the Linden Avenue School would continue to be used by district students. The fact that the school building was subsequently turned over to a private school and no longer was used by district students means that the bond funds were used for an unauthorized purpose, according to the report. (SOURCE--Michael Scholl/The Daily Record) |
| Nicholas Brown |
| According to published reports, the superintendent in charge while these events were occurring was Nicholas Brown, now employed by New Milford Schools. More about former Stanhope supe Nicholas Brown: |
| The report chides the school district for hiring former schools Superintendent Nicholas Brown in May 2005, even though Brown did not have the proper certifications to be superintendent. It also says there was no record that the most recent contract on file for Brown -- which was supposed to run from May 4, 2007 through May 3, 2011 -- was ever approved by the borough board of education, as is required by law. Brown resigned as superintendent in January. The school district subsequently paid him $65,124.78 for accumulated unused vacation and sick days, which Brown said he had been entitled to under his contract. However, the audit report said this payment was improper because there was no evidence that Brown's contract was ever approved by the borough school board. In addition, the district never informed the state Commissioner of Education of the payment, as was required to by law, and could not provide documentation to support the claim that Brown actually was owed that much money. (Ibid.) |
| Oops. For frank if colorful insights by Stanhope and other New Jersey residents regarding Mr. Brown and the situation in Stanhope, check out the blog entries at The Star Ledger, here. I'd like to point out that one commenter wants New Jersey to solve the local corruption problem by consolidating independent school districts into a single county-wide district. No, no, no, no, no. Such a proposed consolidation, rather than bringing about "economies of scale," would in fact increase opportunities for corruption because the ever-enticing "big pot of money" (thank you, Scott Parks of The Dallas Morning News) becomes bigger. Also, the more concentrated the form of government, the more difficult it becomes for the average citizen to look into things and make a difference. I'm now a grandmother and entitled to dispense the occasional wise saying: |
| Keep it small, keep it local, keep it simple. |
| Ruben Bohuchot's & William Coleman's cautionary tale -- by example -- for fellow administrators: When in doubt, don't! By Peyton Wolcott Sunday, July 13, 2008/12:43 a.m. - Updated Monday, Juily 14, 2008/7:52 a.m |
| Top right: William F. Coleman III; beow, his criminal attorney David Finn; above, Sir Veza II (PHOTO-Dallas Morning News). Bottom, the Sir Veza II today, renamed "Rehab." |
| Comprehensive commentary linking Dallas ISD's federal technology trial to former DISD executives Ruben Bohuchot's and William Coleman's activities in Detroit PS and San Francisco USD -- plus exclusive yacht photographs -- HERE along with questions regarding Dallas ISD's two top executives during the period in question: then-DISD superinten- dent Mike Moses (below left) and then-DISD deputy supe for business services Larry Groppel (below right). |
| Frankie Wong (R), Ruben Bohuchot (below) (PHOTOS- Dallas Morning News) |
| QUESTIONS: Who was in the pilot's seat at Dallas ISD when Dallas ISD executives Ruben Bohuchot and William Coleman were cruising with outside technology vendor Frankie Wong? According to published reports, Dallas ISD's top two executives during that period were Mike Moses and Larry Groppel. |
| DISD administrator, vendor found guilty in corruption trial 11:41 PM CDT on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 By Richard Abshire / The Dallas Morning News >>>Mr. Bohuchot . . . . acknowledged accepting Mr. Wong's generosity on numerous occasions. "In hindsight, it probably wasn't a good thing to do," he admitted in court, while denying any wrongdoing. |
| The Sir Veza II, renamed "Rehab," is currently in federal custody. |
| U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Richard B. Roper - Northern District of Texas FORMER DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT (DISD) EXECUTIVE AND HOUSTON BUSINESSMAN CONVICTED IN FEDERALCORRUPTION TRIAL DALLAS — Following more than three weeks of trial, a jury deliberated one day and found Ruben Bohuchot and Frankie Wong guilty on all counts of a federal indictment involving offenses related to their operation of a bribery and money laundering scheme involving Dallas Independent School District (DISD) technology contracts, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Sentencing is set for October 20, 2008. |
| july 10, 2008 press release from united states dep't of justice |
| U.S. Attorney Roper said, “This is a great victory for the citizens of Dallas. The unanimous verdict speaks loudly that we will not tolerate corruption in our school districts.” Roper continued, “This conviction culminates an outstanding investigation by the FBI, the Department of Education, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Anti-Trust Division of the Department of Justice.” Ruben B. Bohuchot, 59, of Dallas, was the Chief Technology Officer at the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) from September 1999 through February 2006. Frankie Logyang Wong, 46, of Houston, Texas, co-owned and was the president of Micro Systems Engineering, Inc., (MSE), a computer reseller that provided computer products and services to large corporations and school districts. MSE was headquartered in Houston, with an office in Dallas. Specifically, the jury found Bohuchot and Wong each guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. In addition, both Bohuchot and Wong were convicted of eight counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and aiding and abetting. The jury also found Bohuchot guilty of one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements on tax returns. In addition, Bohuchot and Wong will have to forfeit $1,192,263.90, which represents the proceeds of the conspiracy to commit bribery and money laundering. The charge of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a program that receives federal funds carries a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The money laundering conspiracy count carries a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Each of the bribery counts carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The obstruction of justice count carries a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each tax charge carries a maximum statutory sentence of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In his position as Chief Technology Officer at DISD, Bohuchot was in charge of procuring technology contracts for DISD. Bohuchot provided Wong and his company, MSE, with inside information thus enabling MSE to obtain two lucrative contracts with DISD. The two contracts involved a “Seat Management” and an “E-Rate 6" program; these two contracts were worth approximately $120 million. William Frederick Coleman, III, a friend of Bohuchot’s, was hired by Wong as a consultant to assist MSE, who partnered with Hewlett Packard (HP), in obtaining the seat management computer contract at DISD. The “Seat Management” contract was an agreement in which the school district leased desktop computers, while the vendor continued to own and be responsible for the computers’ upkeep. At the end of three years, the school district would have the option of purchasing the computers. By DISD policies, Coleman was not eligible to assist MSE as a consultant because he had worked for DISD within the previous five years and because he was paid on a contingency fee basis. Coleman, 52, formerly of Dallas, but currently residing in Detroit, Michigan, was Deputy Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer at DISD from August 30, 1999 through September 15, 2000. While at DISD, Coleman’s responsibilities included managing the purchasing department. DISD’ s Purchasing Department worked with all other departments in procuring items, including computers. According to news articles in the Detroit Free Press, Mr. Coleman also recently served as the Detroit Public Schools Superintendent. Coleman pled guilty in May to one count of attempting to influence a grand jury and testified for the government at this trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced in September 2008 by Judge Lindsay and faces up to six months in prison. The government presented evidence at trial that in May 2002, Bohuchot, Wong, and Coleman, along with their wives, traveled to Key West, Florida at MSE’s expense. During that trip, Bohuchot brought a copy of the specifications for the upcoming “Seat Management” contract at DISD, even before DISD had issued a public Request for Proposal (RFP). Providing information relating to the upcoming contract, before the information was provided to other vendors, assisted MSE and HP in submitting a winning bid proposal to DISD. From January 27, 2003, through July 11, 2005, MSE received at least $4.4 million as a result of its participation in the DISD “Seat Management” contract. |
| The government also presented evidence at trial related to the “E-Rate 6" contract. The “E- Rate program was administered by the Federal Communications Commission to provide affordable telecommunications and internet services to eligible schools and libraries. “E-Rate” is funded through taxes charged to all telephone consumers. DISD was eligible to apply for “E-Rate” funds in the sixth year of this program. Ultimately, the contract that DISD obtained for “E-Rate 6,” under Bohuchot’s direction, was worth $120 million. Beginning in November 2002, MSE and other companies formed a consortium for the purpose of submitting a bid proposal relating to the “E-Rate 6” program at DISD. On December 17, 2002, DISD published the “E-Rate 6" RFP, giving public notice to all vendors. On January 20, 2003, the Consortium submitted a bid proposal which DISD ultimately approved. Funds paid to the Consortium under the “E-Rate 6” contract were received by MSE and then forwarded to Acclaim Professional Services, Inc. Wong and others formed Acclaim in late November 2002, prior to the “E-Rate 6" RFP being made public, to distribute “E-Rate 6" contract funds to other Consortium members. As a result of the “E-Rate 6" contract awarded to the Consortium, Wong personally received millions of dollars. He was an owner of MSE and Acclaim, as well as having interests in at least two other companies that were part of the Consortium. The government presented evidence that bribes to Bohuchot by Wong and MSE included access to a sport-fishing vessel, named “Sir Veza.” “Sir Veza” was a 46' Post motor sport fishing yacht that was purchased for approximately $305,000. This expensive yacht was named and controlled by Bohuchot. To conceal Bohuchot’s use of this yacht, Wong created and became president of Statewide Marketing, LLC in October 2002. Testimony revealed that Wong told the full-time “Sir Veza” boat captain to keep Bohuchot happy and that if Bohuchot did not use the boat, then Wong had no use for it. After the second contract (“E-Rate 6") was obtained, MSE, through Statewide Marketing, purchased a second, larger yacht. The evidence showed that Bohuchot named this yacht “Sir Veza II.” “Sir Veza II” was a 58' Viking and purchased for almost $800,000. Evidence was presented that Bohuchot used “Sir Veza” I 90% of the time the boat was in use and that Bohuchot used “Sir Veza II” 80% of the time the boat was in use. All of the expenses and operating costs of these two yachts, including the boat captain’s salary, were paid by Statewide Marketing and MSE at Wong’s direction. In addition, Wong used MSE’s credit card to pay for Bohuchot’s excessive entertainment expenses. The evidence showed that from May 2002 to July 2005, Wong paid for trips to Key West, Florida, on at least five occasions for Bohuchot, Bohuchot’s family, and Bohuchot’s friends. These expenses included airline tickets, hotels, meals, boating, and other entertainment. Wong also gave cash to Bohuchot, disguising the true nature of these cash payments. Bohuchot arranged for Wong to hire Bohuchot’s son-in-law at MSE. Bohuchot then told his son-in-law that he would be receiving a second paycheck from Acclaim (for no additional work) and that some of this money would be given to Bohuchot in cash. Bohuchot’s son-in-law agreed to this arrangement, saved 40% of the money for taxes as directed by Bohuchot, and acted as a conduit to conceal regular cash payments from Wong to Bohuchot. In addition, the government presented evidence that Bohuchot failed to report the income he received from this bribery scheme on his 2004 and 2005 federal income tax returns. Bohuchot also attempted to persuade his son-in-law to testify falsely in front of the grand jury during the federal investigation of this case. Bohuchot told his son-in-law to testify that the cash payments were repayments for living expenses. Bohuchot’s son-in-law testified in the trial that he did not testify as Bohuchot requested and that the true nature of the cash payments Bohuchot received were from Wong, not any repayment by the son-in-law. In addition to concealing payments to Bohuchot, Wong also used his administrative assistant as a conduit to conceal cash to himself. Wong’s assistant testified that Wong directed approximately $1 million to her over three years. She testified that she saved 40% for taxes, at Wong’s direction, and then split the remainder of the money with Wong, which she gave to Wong in cash. Both defendants concealed payments to themselves by diverting payments through others. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson, Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Groves, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Bray. |
| Where was then Dallas ISD-supe Mike Moses while the above-described events were occurring? In September 2004 Mike was in Austin (left, center) attending the Robin Hood so-called "equity" trial |
| Hector Montenegro's Arlington ISD superintendency (Feb. 1, 2008 - July 17, 2008) - More regarding steps on the path to Hector's being placed on leave: 165 blog comments to Fort Worth Star Telegram re Hector "mostly negative"; small turnout at yesterday's rally - Letter offering to go on paid leave - Honorariums questioned in Ysleta ISD - Arlington ISD trustees discussed Hector Montenegro's future; AISD's budget/tax woes AISD 2006-07 disbursements: $516.5 mil |
OTHER SCHOOL NEWS QUICK LINKS ARCHIVED HERE |
| other hand, there is a recognition by our districts that money is limited and times are becoming increasingly tight, and so we see our administrators going about with begging bowls in the name of our schoolchildren, approaching any and all comers like Oliver in the workhouse, pleading, "Please, sir, I want more!" God bless us all. Given these forces, and our current belt-tightening climate, coupled with the sheer numbers and sizes of credit card abuse coming to light in our schools, it's hard to imagine why any public ed administrators anywhere would still cling to their credit cards. At this point, one would think the cards would be viewed as a game of "Hot Potato" and possess all the appeal of eating blowfish. Problems with credits cards range from simply using them so much that folks including board members take notice to outright fraud which lands the abusers in prison. Here are some examples of the broad spectrum of credit card use by public school officials: |
| Allowing school district credit card abuse to continue accrues to no one's credit By Peyton Wolcott Friday, July 18, 2008/1:45 a.m. - Updated July 18, 2008 - 9:45 a.m. |
| New Arlington ISD supe Hector Montenegro surrenders district credit card on way out the door By Peyton Wolcott Updated Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 8:37 a.m. |
| Pop quiz: Do you know whether your local school superintendent has a personal credit card paid by your district? If not, next time you bump into him or her in line at the pizza parlor or at church on Sunday morning, maybe you can think about asking them -- if you feel comfortable asking. "People are more comfortable talking about the death of a loved one than discussing their credit card debt," says Ben Woolsey* of CreditCards.com. "Talking about credit card debt is an overwhelming social taboo. There is a social paradox happening -- people who are faced with credit card debt are unwilling to face their financial issues and therefore may be leaving it unresolved." Although Ben's comments were directed to the general population, they can also easily be applied to parents' and taxpayers' familiarity with their own local school districts' credit card usage. Two similar but not identical forces are at work constantly in our schools. On the one hand, because our schools are socialist models, there is a constant prowl for every available dollar in every possible nook and cranny. More is never enough for the school money wolf. On the |
| Arlington trustees voted to take Hector Montenegro up on his offer to resign -- er, go on paid leave -- Thursday |
| Texas Association of Latin American Superintendents reception during TASA MidWinter Jan. 28, 2008 honoring Hector Montenegro - Austin, Texas |
| issues including $2,000 from ERDI resulted in a special called trustee meeting last night at 9 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following action item: "Consider placing Superintendent on paid administrative leave during continuing review of Superintendent’s compliance with state laws and District requirements concerning honorariums, travel expenses and other expenses, and, if necessary, the appointment of an Interim Superintendent to be responsible for the Superintendent’s duties while the Superintendent is on paid administrative leave." o Superintendent Joseph Wise spent $75,722.97 on 565 transactions during the 28 months he was employed by Delaware's Christina district, about $2700 per month. o Superintendent Frank Tassone and assistant superintendent for business Pamela Gluckin are in prison because of their credit card and other financial abuses in Roslyn, New York; total loss all sources: $11.2 million. o Under the leadership of superintendents Mike Moses, (interim) Larry Groppel and Mike Hinojosa, Dallas ISD allowed its employees relatively unsupervised use of district "procurement cards" to the tune of as much as $20 million per year. o California's former Glenn County superintendent Joni Samples' and staff's credit card spending ($244,000 according to public records produced to publisher Tim Crews/Sacramento Valley Mirror) included a trip for Joni to Puerto Vallarta. o Montana's St. Regis School District clerk Julie Downing embezzled $514,000 from her district primarily through credit cards and cash advances. o Secretary Denise Aughney embezzled $1.25 million from the Weber School District Foundation in Utah, forged foundation checks to her credit cards and personal accounts, then used credit card checks for personal expenses. |
| o Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's Diners Club bill just before she left San Francisco USD was $45,000. (Her departure buyout also cost the district another $375,000.) |
| will for their existence and well being. Every one of the above districts has had to scramble to recover; at the very least, $45,000 spent on credit cards for a superintendent's meals and travel is $45,000 not spent in classrooms with our schoolchildren and teachers. Wouldn't it be kinder and smarter in the long run for our districts to simply cut up their credit cards? Rev up your chain saws, friends; maybe we could get several administrators together and they could rip theirs up all at once one night with Dave Ramsey on his radio show. Getting rid of school district credit cards is something well worth thinking and doing -- and talking -- about. For more information: www.peytonwolcott.com/CreditCards.html and ERDI * Ben Woolsey, director of marketing and consumer research for CreditCards.com, was interviewed by Business Wire regarding the study his company commissioned from GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media. Copyright 2008 Peyton Wolcott |
| o Former Bremond ISD superintendent Kenneth Johnson (right) has served two years in the Texas prison system for credit card and other financial issues. o Citizens in Liberty School District in Missouri are examining school credit card use and abuse including purchases of pitchers of beer and a $180 spa treatment. School credit card abuse, when it comes to light, shakes our communities' faith in our schools, which rely on good |
| Exclusive photos 2008 TALAS reception / TASA MidWinter honoring Hector Montenegro |
