Dallas school district's corruption investigators keeping busy
Rumour mills grind out the stories as consistently as ever flowing water keeps a mill turning.
The article says this operation is saving the school system lots of money.
One should read the article closely to ascertain who has the final decision to move forward on findings by the investigative group.
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Thursday, August 23, 2007
As soon as they retire, they are hired back.
Click here: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/boardagenda/pdfs/BD20070821_264/Attch_20070821_264_E8.01D.pdf
Mr. Hamilton I thought just recently retired. He now is associated with the HBEC group in Pensacola.
They are being paid $65,000 to assist the District.
Who say's the District does not know how to hire outside help when they can't do it themselves.
Mr. Hamilton I thought just recently retired. He now is associated with the HBEC group in Pensacola.
They are being paid $65,000 to assist the District.
Who say's the District does not know how to hire outside help when they can't do it themselves.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The Law of Large Numbers vs. Isolated Incidents
mClick here: Opinion: Today's Letters: Vouchers can be a tool to aid struggling parents
I assume that since Bill Maxwell is a black man, there is less hue and cry over his opinions.
Click here: Opinion: Vouchers can't help if black parents won't
How did the concept of vouchers ever start?
Was it because parents wanted another alternative because the educational system was not working for them? Was their perception based on personal opinion through personal experience?
Was it because capitalists saw a way to make money? These capitalists proceeded with a propagandized marketing scheme to falsely claim that the public education system was failing so that education money, through the voucher scheme, would end up in their pockets?
What is the truth? Is the public education system doing what it was designed to do? Yes or No?
One thing we do know is that the public education system is a huge bureaucracy. One thing we do know is that the first goal of a bureaucracy is to maintain it's existence. One thing we do know is that bureaucracies deal with large numbers of kids and base decisions on statistics of these large numbers. Bureaucracies could care less about isolated incidents because of the negligible effect it has on what they focus on.
Parents deal with a statistically very small set of kids. They base their decisions on these 'isolated incidents" because that is their job. Their primary responsibility for their children is to "maintain their existence". Parents could care less about the large numbers because they have little meaning for what their child is experiencing right now.
What we are witnessing is the struggle between each of these entities to maintain their existence. They are each fighting for what is most important to them. Since there is a forced relationship between parent and Public School, the business adage that the customer is always right does not play out. Indeed, it has been the mantra of many school personnel that, in regards to who knows best about education be it school or parent, the school personnel are "the experts" and the parent is too ignorant to know what is best for them. This is the same concept that fuels increasing government responsibilities - the ignorant masses do not know what is best for them.
What is not honestly dealt with is that the bureaucracy is fighting for money using education as the article of trade - the parent's are fighting for education using money (vouchers) as the article of trade.
I assume that since Bill Maxwell is a black man, there is less hue and cry over his opinions.
Click here: Opinion: Vouchers can't help if black parents won't
How did the concept of vouchers ever start?
Was it because parents wanted another alternative because the educational system was not working for them? Was their perception based on personal opinion through personal experience?
Was it because capitalists saw a way to make money? These capitalists proceeded with a propagandized marketing scheme to falsely claim that the public education system was failing so that education money, through the voucher scheme, would end up in their pockets?
What is the truth? Is the public education system doing what it was designed to do? Yes or No?
One thing we do know is that the public education system is a huge bureaucracy. One thing we do know is that the first goal of a bureaucracy is to maintain it's existence. One thing we do know is that bureaucracies deal with large numbers of kids and base decisions on statistics of these large numbers. Bureaucracies could care less about isolated incidents because of the negligible effect it has on what they focus on.
Parents deal with a statistically very small set of kids. They base their decisions on these 'isolated incidents" because that is their job. Their primary responsibility for their children is to "maintain their existence". Parents could care less about the large numbers because they have little meaning for what their child is experiencing right now.
What we are witnessing is the struggle between each of these entities to maintain their existence. They are each fighting for what is most important to them. Since there is a forced relationship between parent and Public School, the business adage that the customer is always right does not play out. Indeed, it has been the mantra of many school personnel that, in regards to who knows best about education be it school or parent, the school personnel are "the experts" and the parent is too ignorant to know what is best for them. This is the same concept that fuels increasing government responsibilities - the ignorant masses do not know what is best for them.
What is not honestly dealt with is that the bureaucracy is fighting for money using education as the article of trade - the parent's are fighting for education using money (vouchers) as the article of trade.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The Training of Coded Language-Another Brush, Another Incident, but keeping out of legal jeopardy
I spoke of the coded language that is taught in IDEA training meetings. I have spoken about obfuscation of the law by those who should know. The following is straight from a publication that is developed by the District for the District.
______________________________________________
http://www1.sdhc.k12.fl.us/~ese.dept/communicators/ESEComm1104.pdf
From : THE EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNICATOR November-December, 2004 Vol. 4 No. 4
WHAT NOT TO SAY AT IEP MEETINGS !
When parents make requests at IEP meetings there are some things that you shouldn’t say in
response; using these phrases could place the district in legal jeopardy if the parent files for
due process later on:
We can’t do… - We don’t believe…
No student gets more than… It would cost too much to…
It would take too much... We don’t do…
We never do… We only do…
Instead, show you’re listening by asking:
Where did you hear about that ?
Which IEP goals do you see that addressing ?
Do you have data on that ? Can you get us information?
Have we described what we’re doing in the program we’re using ?
________________________________________________________
This speaks volumes to one who understands the game. I don't care who wrote it. But it is pretty clear that the focus is on protecting the system -gate keeping if you will.It also clearly says to "show you are listening by asking...." as to "show you are listening by answering the question or addressing the issue".If one honestly looks at these feigned "listening strategies" it is no wonder that the special education realm is frustrating for all. I continually hear about teacher retention and the teacher shortage in special ed. Dealing with students and parents is a hell of task. But dealing with a system that "shows you are listening" does not work.
______________________________________________
http://www1.sdhc.k12.fl.us/~ese.dept/communicators/ESEComm1104.pdf
From : THE EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNICATOR November-December, 2004 Vol. 4 No. 4
WHAT NOT TO SAY AT IEP MEETINGS !
When parents make requests at IEP meetings there are some things that you shouldn’t say in
response; using these phrases could place the district in legal jeopardy if the parent files for
due process later on:
We can’t do… - We don’t believe…
No student gets more than… It would cost too much to…
It would take too much... We don’t do…
We never do… We only do…
Instead, show you’re listening by asking:
Where did you hear about that ?
Which IEP goals do you see that addressing ?
Do you have data on that ? Can you get us information?
Have we described what we’re doing in the program we’re using ?
________________________________________________________
This speaks volumes to one who understands the game. I don't care who wrote it. But it is pretty clear that the focus is on protecting the system -gate keeping if you will.It also clearly says to "show you are listening by asking...." as to "show you are listening by answering the question or addressing the issue".If one honestly looks at these feigned "listening strategies" it is no wonder that the special education realm is frustrating for all. I continually hear about teacher retention and the teacher shortage in special ed. Dealing with students and parents is a hell of task. But dealing with a system that "shows you are listening" does not work.
How do we know this does not happen here? Oh me of little faith.
Click here: Broward school district ties with tech consultant questioned -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
A long-standing relationship between the Broward school district and its top technology consultant underscores weaknesses in the school system's ethical safeguards, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has found
"Board members are now asking about the relationships between the school system and vendors. Should former school district employees be allowed to work for vendors they dealt with as government officials? Should high-ranking district officials, including volunteers who sit on advisory boards, be banned from accepting free trips from vendors?"
I guess it is our faith in God -oops - leaders that this kind of stuff doesn't happen in a deep rooted system such as ours. Does the Tribune have investigative reporters similar to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Is there a watchdog group of any kind around here. Not that anyone should be policing the District, but just making sure there weren't any isolated incidents like this.
A long-standing relationship between the Broward school district and its top technology consultant underscores weaknesses in the school system's ethical safeguards, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has found
"Board members are now asking about the relationships between the school system and vendors. Should former school district employees be allowed to work for vendors they dealt with as government officials? Should high-ranking district officials, including volunteers who sit on advisory boards, be banned from accepting free trips from vendors?"
I guess it is our faith in God -oops - leaders that this kind of stuff doesn't happen in a deep rooted system such as ours. Does the Tribune have investigative reporters similar to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Is there a watchdog group of any kind around here. Not that anyone should be policing the District, but just making sure there weren't any isolated incidents like this.
Wrong for 35 years
Click here: Hillsborough: Your kid's teacher? Connect the dots
"We've been doing it wrong for 30 years," said Debi Veranth, the director of administration tasked with fixing this most unlikely back-to-school bungle.
Several weeks ago, Veranth learned that postal regulations prevented the district from sending such personalized information with its bulk mailing rates.
The policy is nothing new. In fact, she said someone in the school district's mail room recently discovered a notice to this effect. It's dated 1972."
It is 2007 today - my math tells me it is closer to 35 years -but who is counting. Perhaps there is a chink in the cavalier attitude of "that's the way we have always done it so it must be right".
Perhaps there will be more professional standards being kept. I wonder what would have happened if a discontented parent would have pointed it out to them. Or a new teacher. Do you think the system would have taken an honest look at the law and took an honest look at their policies and procedures?
Where are the compliance officers and how much are they being paid?
Meanwhile, parents will be blamed for being too dumb to follow the instructions, as if they have been told the same thing for 35 years and still don't get it.
"We've been doing it wrong for 30 years," said Debi Veranth, the director of administration tasked with fixing this most unlikely back-to-school bungle.
Several weeks ago, Veranth learned that postal regulations prevented the district from sending such personalized information with its bulk mailing rates.
The policy is nothing new. In fact, she said someone in the school district's mail room recently discovered a notice to this effect. It's dated 1972."
It is 2007 today - my math tells me it is closer to 35 years -but who is counting. Perhaps there is a chink in the cavalier attitude of "that's the way we have always done it so it must be right".
Perhaps there will be more professional standards being kept. I wonder what would have happened if a discontented parent would have pointed it out to them. Or a new teacher. Do you think the system would have taken an honest look at the law and took an honest look at their policies and procedures?
Where are the compliance officers and how much are they being paid?
Meanwhile, parents will be blamed for being too dumb to follow the instructions, as if they have been told the same thing for 35 years and still don't get it.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Get Your Fat Ass Off The Bus -But Buy a Pepsi When You Get To School
There have been comments made that walking to school would be a solution to the obesity condition of elementary children. Can we assume that is for their parent's benefit also?
The HCDS is attempting to cut costs. One method they have chosen to accomplish this is to change the current situation in Wimauma Elementary. If you have never been to Wimauma in the last few years, use your best stereotype image of an area that looks predominately like what a migrant worker community would look like. If one wants to do a comparison, drive to Immokalee or Belle Glade. I would be interested to see how many operative vehicles there are for the children and their caregivers. I assume we have heard the pathetic stereotypical stories about how many migrant workers live in a trailer. When I drive through there I see a lot of trucks and vans - but not many family sedans. If I made a prejudiced decision without fact finding, I would assume that the women and children have less access to vehicles, making the assumption again that it would be women walking the children to school.
In the 50's and 60's, the south side and the first two or three blocks to the north of CR 674 was inhabited by white people. Past the third block north was inhabited by black people. The present elementary school was then a 1-12th grade school. When East Bay (what is now Eisenhower)opened somewhere in 1956-57?, then Wimauma became a 1-8th grade school. Somewhere around 1966 or 1967, Wimamua was integrated. Just for history sakes, EBHS played their Varsity Basketball games at Wimauma until the current EB High School was built.
Over the years, the Hispanic population now is predominate where the whites were, including the main corridor. The significance of the corridor is that is where the businesses are located. In a migrant community, where the businesses are is where groups of people congregate. If one looks, these businesses are related to food or work opportunities - either with the on site business or to be picked up to "go to the field".
History lesson over. Back to today. What interests me is that HCDS recently hired a new person to oversee the "transportation problems" that apparently are undisputed. However, the new person, as far as I can tell, is not involved in this issue with Wimauma. So, we basically have the same decision makers that we have had all along. One must earn one's money, and to cut cost for the company is certainly one way to do that.
It has been stated (by the way, I will be glad to provide links for anyone who wants to verify or dispute my references, and please send me the info if I get it wrong) that the state's guidelines recommend no busing within a two mile radius. My understanding is that means the State will not pay the District for any busing the District provides within the two miles. Fair enough. If that is truly the issue, then why don't our school leaders lead with that premise, and stick with it? Sounds good to me - "I don't make the rules - I just enforce them.".
The problem is, as I see it, is that it is not a rule. The District has chosen in the past to provide what is now termed "courtesy busing". I assume this term is to let everyone know they have been getting a free ride out of the kindness of the now not so kind hearts. Once again fair enough. Business is business.
To the fat comments that are not related to the issue. First of all, how far does one look around at their colleagues when discussing how fat some one is? Secondly, how does one take the moral stand on health under one issue, but eschews it under another issue:("We have an obligation to provide healthy food and we have an obligation to teach about healthy diets, but I don't think the schools have the responsibility of being the food police." http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/31/Perspective/Pepsi_high.shtml
The answer has to be money. "...... And I don't think schools should be expected to turn up their noses at ($4 million a year)." http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/31/Perspective/Pepsi_high.shtml
I can not locate a number for how much the County would have saved in cutting the bus service in Wimauma. I wonder if anyone knows.
The HCDS is attempting to cut costs. One method they have chosen to accomplish this is to change the current situation in Wimauma Elementary. If you have never been to Wimauma in the last few years, use your best stereotype image of an area that looks predominately like what a migrant worker community would look like. If one wants to do a comparison, drive to Immokalee or Belle Glade. I would be interested to see how many operative vehicles there are for the children and their caregivers. I assume we have heard the pathetic stereotypical stories about how many migrant workers live in a trailer. When I drive through there I see a lot of trucks and vans - but not many family sedans. If I made a prejudiced decision without fact finding, I would assume that the women and children have less access to vehicles, making the assumption again that it would be women walking the children to school.
In the 50's and 60's, the south side and the first two or three blocks to the north of CR 674 was inhabited by white people. Past the third block north was inhabited by black people. The present elementary school was then a 1-12th grade school. When East Bay (what is now Eisenhower)opened somewhere in 1956-57?, then Wimauma became a 1-8th grade school. Somewhere around 1966 or 1967, Wimamua was integrated. Just for history sakes, EBHS played their Varsity Basketball games at Wimauma until the current EB High School was built.
Over the years, the Hispanic population now is predominate where the whites were, including the main corridor. The significance of the corridor is that is where the businesses are located. In a migrant community, where the businesses are is where groups of people congregate. If one looks, these businesses are related to food or work opportunities - either with the on site business or to be picked up to "go to the field".
History lesson over. Back to today. What interests me is that HCDS recently hired a new person to oversee the "transportation problems" that apparently are undisputed. However, the new person, as far as I can tell, is not involved in this issue with Wimauma. So, we basically have the same decision makers that we have had all along. One must earn one's money, and to cut cost for the company is certainly one way to do that.
It has been stated (by the way, I will be glad to provide links for anyone who wants to verify or dispute my references, and please send me the info if I get it wrong) that the state's guidelines recommend no busing within a two mile radius. My understanding is that means the State will not pay the District for any busing the District provides within the two miles. Fair enough. If that is truly the issue, then why don't our school leaders lead with that premise, and stick with it? Sounds good to me - "I don't make the rules - I just enforce them.".
The problem is, as I see it, is that it is not a rule. The District has chosen in the past to provide what is now termed "courtesy busing". I assume this term is to let everyone know they have been getting a free ride out of the kindness of the now not so kind hearts. Once again fair enough. Business is business.
To the fat comments that are not related to the issue. First of all, how far does one look around at their colleagues when discussing how fat some one is? Secondly, how does one take the moral stand on health under one issue, but eschews it under another issue:("We have an obligation to provide healthy food and we have an obligation to teach about healthy diets, but I don't think the schools have the responsibility of being the food police." http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/31/Perspective/Pepsi_high.shtml
The answer has to be money. "...... And I don't think schools should be expected to turn up their noses at ($4 million a year)." http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/31/Perspective/Pepsi_high.shtml
I can not locate a number for how much the County would have saved in cutting the bus service in Wimauma. I wonder if anyone knows.
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