Another Misleading Report Released on TEA Investigation |
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October 8, 2007 Background Cleburne ISD has put forth yet another misleading report about the Texas
See CISD's spin in the Sunday October 7 front page Times Review Story
here See an objective report in Monday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram here AND read the rest of the story and opinion here. Another Misleading Report Released on TEA
Investigation by Alden Nellis The Cleburne Times Review report of October 7 that the Texas Education Agency has closed part of its investigation without finding any wrongdoing is misleading. The report says that “Superintendent Robert Damron claims the case closed status of the state investigation indicates the district (CISD) was not guilty of any wrongdoing.” Superintendent Damron’s jubilation over the so-called “case closed” status is premature. The case is far from closed. Still to come is the main meat of the matter – the TEA report on its investigation of misuse of state and federal funds. TEA told Harold Gentry, the complainant, early on that they had no control over local funds. Their investigation centered on how CISD has used state and federal funds. TEA has not yet released even a preliminary report on their investigation of state and federal misspending. Local funds are derived mainly from taxes and mineral royalties. They can be spent any way the district wants as long as it meets school board policy. Not so with funds from the state and federal government. They have to be spent according to state and federal guidelines. You heard last week that Dallas ISD spent $265,000 sending teachers and administrators to Canada for a reading conference. Many spent lavishly on meals, belly dance shows, extravagant lodging, and purchased $1400 airfare tickets when they could have spent only $400 if bought in a timely manner. You will recall that DISD spokesmen said that the school board guidelines on spending did not cover international travel, and that the board needed to change the policy. Cleburne ISD is in the same position. The school board is responsible for how local funds are spent. The TEA cannot rein in spending of local funds. Only the school board can. The board is elected by the voters. Thus the voters have oversight over the school board and the school board has oversight over how local funds are spent. The state guidelines for one night in a hotel are no more than $85. If you, the voters and taxpayers think it is okay for the CISD board and administrators to routinely spend $265 to $495 per night of local taxpayer dollars on a hotel, do nothing and they will continue. If you are incensed by such fiscal irresponsibility, then speak out. The state guideline for meals for one day on a trip is $35. If you have
no problem with the CISD board spending $908 on one dinner for seven board
members and spouses at a fancy San Antonio steak house, do nothing and
they will continue. If this doesn't seem right to you, speak out. If it is okay with you that the CISD board and administration can lie about their needs and get a $36 million bond passed (that really costs about $69 million) primarily for building three new schools that were not needed, do nothing. They'll soon have another bond for unneeded facilities for you to approve. If you don't agree with this, speak out. The oversight of CISD's expenditure of state and federal funds is the responsibility of the TEA. That's what their investigation and the pending reports are all about. The oversight of CISD expenditure of local funds is your responsibility. If you are happy with the way they are spending your money, do nothing. If you think your taxes could be reduced or at least not increased, get involved. A handful of taxpayers have been doing your oversight job for you, but it is time for you to step forward and help. CleburnePolitics.com has published CISD's vendor payment files, check register, and chart of accounts at http://www.cleburnepolitics.com/School/CISDCheckbookVendorFilesChartofAccounts.html. This page has an explanation of the account codes as well as links to the financial files. You can easily tell whether the expenditures came from local funds (accounts beginning with 199) or federal or state funds. TEA says "199 General Fund - This classification must be used to account for funds in which the local governing board designates. The local governing board has wide discretion in their use as provided by law. This fund usually includes transactions as a result of revenues from local maintenance taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, foundation entitlements, State and County available and other Foundation School Program sources which are not identified on warrants for foundation entitlements. This fund classification is also used to record transactions involving the instructional facilities allotment for lease-purchase related purposes… " The Times Review report contained other inaccuracies. The investigation of CISD spending did not begin Feb. 12, 2007, but in July of 2005 after the bond election. The local group, with Harold Gentry as the lead investigator, began looking at CISD spending at that time. The TEA joined the investigation after Harold filed a complaint with them on August 26, 2006. After looking at Harold's complaint and doing some preliminary investigation, TEA determined that there were enough questions to warrant its first onsite investigation which began February 12, 2007. So to repeat, the TEA preliminary report of misuse of state and federal funds has not been released. The oversight of CISD expenditure of local funds is your responsibility. If you are happy with the way they are spending your money, do nothing. If you think your taxes could be reduced or at least not increased, get involved. A handful of taxpayers have been doing your oversight job for you. CISD has responded not by trying to correct their errant ways, but by labeling the watchdogs as "CAVE men," "terrorists," "evil," and "mean spirited." If you're still wondering what all the fuss is about, take a look at
these actual receipts of CISD spending. Spending
Examples Here. |