tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post158787832174208031..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: So, it looks like Pat Pope is (allegedly) a rat after allCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49155300011502087042010-02-24T15:11:09.206-05:002010-02-24T15:11:09.206-05:00"Did the Mountain Industrial project always i..."Did the Mountain Industrial project always involve moving the A/B offices? I was under the impression it was for Open Campus and DECA."<br /><br />Yes, this is what I was referring to as a 'less than open + transparent' part of the CIP. $30 million was allocated for the schools and the build out for the Central office. The Print shop was scheduled to be there also however that was cut in June 2009.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29765767334506060712010-02-24T14:20:08.855-05:002010-02-24T14:20:08.855-05:00Did the Mountain Industrial project always involve...Did the Mountain Industrial project always involve moving the A/B offices? I was under the impression it was for Open Campus and DECA.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-19537072544304995742010-02-24T14:06:54.233-05:002010-02-24T14:06:54.233-05:00My apologies as I did not mean to imply that. As ...My apologies as I did not mean to imply that. As mentioned earlier on this blog, the Mountain Industrial project is #11 on the CIP so it was not 'new'. It was not as transparent as it should have been but it was there. Citizens can reasonably have an issue about this.<br /><br />Can't speak any more on Cross Keys other than what has already been said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68839064576006316202010-02-24T11:49:01.419-05:002010-02-24T11:49:01.419-05:00Well, I may be thick sometimes, but I'm not du...Well, I may be thick sometimes, but I'm not dumb. I realize that you don't STOP other projects. But you don't make up and insert new ones either.<br /><br />There were never reasonable reasons given for stopping Cross Keys. There are only so many contractors to go around and only so many projects that can be managed at once. When you insert something totally new in the line up it really hurts the rest of the projects that had originally been cued. No doubt.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-39403143092635687882010-02-24T11:29:32.062-05:002010-02-24T11:29:32.062-05:00Cerebration, the projects are not done sequentiall...Cerebration, the projects are not done sequentially, they are done in parallel. Each project has separate completion dates. If something happens to impacts an early project, that does not mean you slow down on the other projects until you resolve the issue with the early project. <br /><br />I recall reading on this blog that events beyond Pat Pope's control caused a delay with the Cross Keys project. They continued to work on Tucker, the schools that needed roof or HVAC work, and yes the Mountain Industrial project. It is number 11 on the list.<br /><br />When you think about it, it is like the race cars where one uses water guns at the carnival. If something happens to slow one car down, that does not prevent the other cars from moving forward. Unfortunately the Cross Keys project was delayed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63889690202966863092010-02-24T10:41:39.598-05:002010-02-24T10:41:39.598-05:00So, Anon, how did the board go about approving mov...So, Anon, how did the board go about approving moving their own offices and Dr Lewis, etc offices - from the A/B buildings - and building them out nicely for them - all before Cross Keys got their construction? Cross Keys was 2nd on the list of priorities - just after completion of SPLOST 2 projects. And don't say - it was due to community disagreement - this is what Pat Pope has said and there absolutely was no disagreement - or indecision from that community.<br /><br />Leap frog - that's the game here.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29285384022532597282010-02-24T09:39:42.424-05:002010-02-24T09:39:42.424-05:00"And I actually agree with you Anon, 7:54 AM...."And I actually agree with you Anon, 7:54 AM. However, there's one weird piece that doesn't connect - it was Dr. Lewis who asked the DA to investigate Pat Pope. Obviously he doesn't feel that everything is hunky dorey."<br /><br />That is the piece that should answer many question for the citizens of DeKalb. Going to the DA also suggests he may not have had confidence with the statement from Stan Hawkins. Dr. Lewis still must answer why he approved a project and forwarded it to the Board that he had concerns about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73409208797264809792010-02-24T09:35:47.997-05:002010-02-24T09:35:47.997-05:00To Cerebration @ 8:34, remember SPLOST dollars are...To Cerebration @ 8:34, remember SPLOST dollars are for needs OVER AND ABOVE what can be done with the general budget. For example let's assume you have set aside dollars for your childrens higher education endeavors. You unexpectedly need money for car repairs. If you did not have the money in your general budget/savings, you might 'borrow' from your childrens set aside with the promise to pay it back at a later time.<br /><br />For the scenario Don mentioned, you would first look at the maintenance and operations budget. One should be able to fund the project at this point. If not, they may look at unallocated SPLOST dollars and change priorities accordingly. The Board would have to approve taking dollars from another project and allocating it to another, even it it were an emergency situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-81326921853647114552010-02-24T09:23:10.589-05:002010-02-24T09:23:10.589-05:00School maintenance in DeKalb is a bit like the agi...School maintenance in DeKalb is a bit like the aging sewer system in the city of Atlanta. No one paid attention to it until it was collapsing. They were too busy adding personnel and building power centers. <br /><br />I remember teaching in DeKalb the 80s, and my principal would say we're due for a new roof this summer. We were on a maintenance schedule. We didn't have SPLOST. We just did it. Of course, we didn't have the top heavy administration, incredible number of support personnel, or expensive learning programs we have now either.<br /><br />We lost our focus in the mid 90s when Dr. Hallford established 16 "teams". There was a regional superintendent (don't remember the exact title) and a phalanx of coordinators for each team. Close to 100 administrators were added in a year.<br /><br />The regional "team" concept didn't last very long - a few years at most and the players and regions kept changing so no one was really responsible for anything. As the teams were disbanded, the newly hired administrators stayed in the Central Office, and they created other positions for them. We still have their legacy today. <br /><br />As the song goes, "How You Gonna' Keep 'Em Down On The Farm After They've Seen Paree?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33848595447149325022010-02-24T08:47:39.054-05:002010-02-24T08:47:39.054-05:00@ Cerebration 8:34 am
Sometimes the best defense ...@ Cerebration 8:34 am<br /><br />Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65551092008990464302010-02-24T08:34:54.382-05:002010-02-24T08:34:54.382-05:00And I actually agree with you Anon, 7:54 AM. Howev...And I actually agree with you Anon, 7:54 AM. However, there's one weird piece that doesn't connect - it was Dr. Lewis who asked the DA to investigate Pat Pope. Obviously he doesn't feel that everything is hunky dorey.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6571461509695088042010-02-24T08:34:22.296-05:002010-02-24T08:34:22.296-05:00This is why I quoted Don McChesney above -
What d...This is why I quoted Don McChesney above -<br /><br /><i>What do we do if your roof wears out before your school's SPLOST money becomes available? You have to get it from someone else in line that is in front of you on the repair list. Now everyone is pushed back on the list. </i><br /><br />He's right!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82645737978853971682010-02-24T08:28:30.636-05:002010-02-24T08:28:30.636-05:00I agree, that is the over-arching point. We have ...I agree, that is the over-arching point. We have far too greedy, self-absorbed leadership making decisions that benefit themselves first and foremost. There are still thousands of children who have not had their SPLOST needs met - and Dr. Lewis continually makes the point that there is not enough money to meet all the needs - $2 billion in identified needs and only $1 billion in revenue. So - why did they spend and continue to spend so much on themselves?<br /><br />And Anon 6:50 AM - I'm not sure what you mean by "when do we get to read other testimony"? There are literally about 60 large boxes of papers on this case at the courthouse. Anyone who wants to leaf through them can. But, since this is a lawsuit that involves Dr Lewis and Pat Pope, and they are top school system employees, we are interested in their recorded depositions. There will be an enormous court case starting up soon - and I predict this is going to get pretty complicated. We'll do our best to follow - but unless you attend the trial and report on it yourself, you'll have to go with what news reporters who do - tell you.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9964319512131320352010-02-24T08:13:33.528-05:002010-02-24T08:13:33.528-05:00Frankly, I could not care less about what Tim Eber...Frankly, I could not care less about what Tim Eberly knows.<br />The project to house the Central Office has ballooned out of contol to house a bloated staff, the Superintendent has stated his Chief Operations Officer was not honest with him, funds that should have gone to eliminate deferred maintenance in the schools went to the project, the Board recently added $300,000 to improve their TV lighting.<br />If this were a business the stockholders would be demanding the entire leadershiop go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10384004826341586712010-02-24T07:54:25.085-05:002010-02-24T07:54:25.085-05:00If Pat Pope is guilty (or performed unethical beha...If Pat Pope is guilty (or performed unethical behavior) of recommending a project that her husband is a sub on then<br /><br />-Is the panel that selects the winning bidder guilty?<br /><br />-Is the board attorney that approves the recommendation from the panel guilty?<br /><br />-Is Dr. Lewis who approves the recommendation from the Board guilty?<br /><br />-Is the Board that approves the recommendation from Dr. Lewis guilty?<br /><br />-Is the state that approves all projects guilty?<br /><br />Tim Eberly knows the answers to these questions.<br /><br />Think about it.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80543832405616406522010-02-24T07:35:23.649-05:002010-02-24T07:35:23.649-05:00To follow up on Anonymous 0714 point, the reports ...To follow up on Anonymous 0714 point, the reports of all the committees, bids being approved, etc., are all attached to the BOE meeting agendas. They are full of information and worth the while to review.Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36512046226367509172010-02-24T07:14:50.189-05:002010-02-24T07:14:50.189-05:00Yes. The superintendent brings forth the recommen...Yes. The superintendent brings forth the recommendation in the HR report (you can see this attached in the work session meeting agenda) for the Board to ultimately approve. Does the Board review each sub name? Probably not. They have charged the superintendent with running the day to day operations and they approve decisions which require an expenditure of funds.<br /><br />If the sub/employee is a family member of a cabinet member, it is voted on separately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-44264770335032956982010-02-24T06:58:20.569-05:002010-02-24T06:58:20.569-05:00Does the board approve subs?Does the board approve subs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83227899773256379352010-02-24T06:56:45.287-05:002010-02-24T06:56:45.287-05:00"Having her husband as a sub goes against the..."Having her husband as a sub goes against the intention of both the contract she signed and what she said.<br /><br />Yes, it was implicitly stated that he couldn't be a direct payee of DCSS funds. But Ms. Pope is very smart. She heard the many questions raised at the time of her hiring from board members and citizens alike, that wondered about Vincent Pope. She assured all that his relationship with DCSS would end.<br /><br />It didn't. Illegal, maybe not? Unethical... I think so."<br /><br />Why is everyone missing this key point? If you were a Board member and this recommendation was brought to you with Pat Pope's husband as the sub, with the statement from Stan Hawkins (no conflict of interest and legal) and approval by Dr. Lewis, how would you vote? If you believed this was unethical, you might vote no. If you did and your fellow Board members did the same, would there be an issue?<br /><br />Who ultimately approves all projects and did so unanimously in this case? Should that group have the ultimate responsibility?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83214480064360036002010-02-24T06:50:08.484-05:002010-02-24T06:50:08.484-05:00So, when do we get to read the depositions of the ...So, when do we get to read the depositions of the Heery officials? Why is it that only the depositions of Pope and Lewis are being reported upon? Tim Eberly? Anyone?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89133363395094787632010-02-24T06:35:06.153-05:002010-02-24T06:35:06.153-05:00Anon 11:15
Having her husband as a sub goes agai...Anon 11:15<br /><br />Having her husband as a sub goes against the intention of both the contract she signed and what she said.<br /><br />Yes, it was implicitly stated that he couldn't be a direct payee of DCSS funds. But Ms. Pope is very smart. She heard the many questions raised at the time of her hiring from board members and citizens alike, that wondered about Vincent Pope. She assured all that his relationship with DCSS would end.<br /><br />It didn't. Illegal, maybe not? Unethical... I think so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24787155121493550072010-02-23T23:57:18.166-05:002010-02-23T23:57:18.166-05:00Ok we will have to wait and see what happens. I j...Ok we will have to wait and see what happens. I just hope that the truth comes out and the kids get what they need, that is what this is all about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41490886025850467782010-02-23T23:15:55.651-05:002010-02-23T23:15:55.651-05:00Anonymous @ 10:45 PM, I'll correct you. You a...Anonymous @ 10:45 PM, I'll correct you. You are wrong. How did you miss this statement from the Sunday article.<br /><br />“I told Pat that so long as there was no actual conflict of interest — and I did not see one here — the situation did not present any legal problem at all,” Hawkins wrote. “To the extent that any issue is presented, it is one of perception.”<br /><br />Pat Pope may be able to sue the AJC and Tim Eberly for knowingly excluding key information from a story. Their job is to report the news not create the news with inaccuracies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30434581496724332502010-02-23T22:45:35.435-05:002010-02-23T22:45:35.435-05:00With all this information that i just read, correc...With all this information that i just read, correct me if i am wrong but everything that pope has done was not legal as she lied about what she had done and who she was? If this is true i feel a law suit coming from several people that she did things too. Lewis should be gone as he let her do all these things and he and her both told people that he didn't want to hear any complaints against pope, he said in one meeting that he was d-- tried of people talking against pope.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42310956423685611222010-02-23T20:17:32.059-05:002010-02-23T20:17:32.059-05:00Anon 12:31 PM, I have hard copies of these documen...Anon 12:31 PM, I have hard copies of these documents. That's why there are typos - I'm having to retype them.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.com