Monopoly® Money?

The DeKalb County School System Board of Education must think they are spending Monopoly® money.

Last night’s BOE meeting, which started after 6 PM -- almost 10 minutes late -- and adjourned before 7 PM, spent more than $4 million of your money – taxpayers’ dollars – in less time than they spent on recognitions and photo ops at the beginning of the session. In less than a minute, the BOE quickly and unanimously signed off on the “Consent Agenda.” No discussion. That accounted for approximately $3.7 million ($3,791,429). Earlier, in less than five minutes, the BOE did the same thing with a $262,000 annual fee for more PR assistance from Cohn & Wolfe.

Whatever happened to Jeff Dickerson and the contract DCSS had with him? I must have missed something.

Jim Redovian was the only BOE member to openly admit that he had not seen the BOE packet of information sent out on Friday, October 8 (for a Monday October 11 meeting). I am betting he was not the only one who had not seen it, though. Most boards of large corporations are given the courtesy of receiving a packet of board agenda-related information – especially budget information -- at least a week prior to the actual meeting. Why is that not happening in DCSS with a $1.2 BILLION budget and an announced $50 million shortfall for 2011-2012?

Regarding the Consent Agenda, both the BOE and Tony Hunter, executive director of MIS/IT were informed via e-mail (sent out Sunday and waiting on them Monday morning) that there was a $$$ error in the Excel spreadsheets supplied with Consent Agenda Item #18. Could that be because MIS/IT personnel do not know how to use Excel formulas to do the calculations? The agenda item was approved anyhow – with the error uncorrected. Sorry, SWD.

Wouldn’t you really like to know why MIS/IT is paying $600 each for 75 Dell Netbooks with undisclosed specs when you can walk into any office supply store and get a single netbook for less than $300? Actually, Dell’s most expensive netbook is available online directly from Dell – single netbook purchase; no discounts – for less than $600.

A similar e-mail was sent to Felicia Mayfield and the BOE at the same time concerning the need to spend $100,000 more on contract occupational and physical therapists (Consent Agenda Items #22 and #23) when DCSS already has the following on staff (according to 2009 salaries shown on Open.Georgia.gov):

• 8 physical therapists at a cost exceeding $600,000 -- not including benefits.
• 28 occupational therapists at a cost exceeding $1.7 million -- not including benefits.

How can DCSS propose to provide more in student services when DCSS cannot even confirm that the students in our schools are enrolled legally? Ron Ramsey, I am talking to you.

For a copy of the e-mails sent to Felicia Mayfield and Tony Hunter, as well as Mayfield’s answer – Hunter did not bother to answer – please e-mail me at shspruill@gmail.com. BTW – the BOE members were all copied on these e-mails, as well. To date, no response.

Money is tight and the BOE members should be openly evaluating and weighing each expense very carefully. They need to know, “Is it necessary?” “Why?” “Is there an alternative?” What is it?” or “Why not?” The staff answers to those questions must be backed up with clear and compelling documentation.

And in the case of additional personnel expense (including “contract” personnel), the BOE must also ask, “Can this be done by current staff?” “If not, why not?”

The BOE had no problem increasing class sizes for teachers and dumping more useless paperwork on them, thereby lengthening their workdays and increasing the demands on their time – putting positive educational outcomes at risk.

Education is DCSS’s only business. But, the way they protect central office personnel and other non-classroom personnel makes it very clear that, as far as DCSS and the BOE are concerned, education is simply an afterthought.

If eduKALB endorses even one (1) incumbent, eduKALB’s credibility is shot and their agenda is suspect.

Monopoly®, anyone? Pick your playing piece and throw the dice!