Comments on: Questions surrounding MDUSD’s special education transportation plans remain unanswered

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:03:27 +0000

Is the Times taking any action to get the refused documents supplied to FCMAT ?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:05:55 +0000

I thought that was Angie Goakey who said it included summer money. But, yes, there was definitely confusion about the extra $100,000.
In general, the level of detail in staff reports is lacking. Trustee Linda Mayo did her own research and referred back to previous reports the board had received regarding Pawar contracts. But, board members and the public should not have to hunt for this information. It should be presented in the staff report, so that everyone can refer to the previously presented information and read through it before the meeting.
Trustee Gary Eberhart said he is able to meet with the general counsel and to privately ask staff questions and he was very happy with the level of information he is able to receive from staff. What he doesn’t seem to realize is that the public deserves the same level of information that he is getting privately.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:52:33 +0000

Correction to my post #37 after I watched Theresa’s video. The explanation from Carolyn Patton, and never disputed or reconciled, was that the extra $100,000 was additional money from the summer that was overspent. Remember back to June when they asked the Board to approve additional Parwar money that had been spent, but not Board appropriated ? I would bet that the expenses were even higher than had been approved that night. Lawrence jumps in quite quickly [unusual for him] to suggest to them it was just a “typo” and after he prompted them a couple of times, they “got it” and joined in on the “typo”. Eberhart locked them in by amendeding his motion to reflect the correct mathmatics [not exactly done according to Roberts Rules but everyone seem to agree]. So I would expect we would see another Parwar request down the road for about $100,000.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:37:59 +0000

Several board members last night, including Hansen, Eberhart and Dennler made similar points: we have wonderful board policies, but they aren’t being implemented at the child, school and classroom levels. The Board questions were just given fluff and bull, smoke and mirrors, and no specific answers. Implementation: the responsibility of the Supt and his team. He and his team should be held accountable.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:23:49 +0000

A typo eh . . . Lawrence claims to have a degree in math and he approved it. Was it a typo for Lawrence to hire a middle school principal without board approval ?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 04:01:03 +0000

g: Mayo pointed out the discrepancy and Angie Goakey said it was a typo.

By: g

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:06:33 +0000

How many months ago was it that the board “instructed” Lawrence to look into having meetings televised or video broadcast — and report back?

Has it been almost a year since Rolen promised a transportation fleet inventory?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:05:18 +0000

Here’s my new FCMAT blog post, which includes findings and recommendations related to special ed, along with emails: http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/2012/08/20/mdusd-may-overhaul-transportation-and-special-education-programs/

By: g

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 01:58:53 +0000

A bit “picky” maybe, but it’s the strangest thing. Over and over, I add items and I get a different total than our ED-ucators arrived at.

Pawar: $ 723,023.00
859,050.00
============
$1,582,073.00

I’ve brought this up on a few other contract totals, and even on a Lawrence item or two.

Simple mistake? Poor oversight? Don’t care about accuracy? Making a couple hundred Grand a year????

I’m embarrassed for the bunch of them!

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 01:55:57 +0000

Yes, I’ll also be videotaping and uploading video to http://qik.com/tharrington and later to http://www.youtube.com/tunedtotheresa.
I’m also almost done with a new FCMAT blog post.