How close is CMS to this?
Folks, we have heard it all regarding Bonds over the years. The CMS cheerleaders tell us; “It’s for the children”, “It’s for better schools”, “It’s to remain competitive in education.” The list of reasons they give for bonds today are essentially the same as in years past.
Let’s slow down for one moment and look at this rationally. Are we getting what was promised in the past, promised by the same people who are pushing for more money now? If the answer is “No” then they are in breach of their fiduciary duty to use the public money prudently.
Let me give you some insight~ from 1994 to 1998 I worked for the Scottsdale School District and during that time, they mismanaged money given to them through bonds. It was such a scandal! I would hear things through the grape vine (all districts have one) that things were not “kosher”, but we could not get our hands on the “proof” because the District had a closed door. It took a clamor that finally reached the ears of the Attorney General.
The Office of the Attorney General requested that the Office of the Auditor General investigate certain allegations of financial improprieties on the part of administrators and employees of Scottsdale Unified School District.
The term used was Misfeasance by Officials: the performance of a lawful action in an illegal or improper manner.
“Certain” administrators and school employees personally profited and accepted favors from vendors, which violated Arizona Revised Statutes, school district procurement rules, and district policies. Instead of criminal charges against the people who took these actions, contracts were paid off, and people were allowed to retire with benefits, etc. The District and Tax payers took another hit on top of learning the truth. The District was hit with a lawsuit by the Attorney General’s office.
b Civil penalties of $150,000 for each of the six anti-trust violations were handed down, but that wasn’t all that was charged for these improprieties.
The following penalties cost the taxpayers again, in money that could have gone for the children’s benefit, which is the true crime.
b Penalties in the amount of the entire dollar value of each contract, plus 20%, totaling $ 14,070,510.00.
b Further the Court was requested to issue a ten year injunction restraining the District from the following:
1. Engaging in unlawful procurement conduct and conspiracies in restraint of trade.
2. Failing to maintain, refusing to produce, or tampering with documents. They too, did not have an open door policy, which enabled them to conspire, to tamper and to screw the tax payer.
A huge campaign was drummed up to “clean” up the mess. The beat still went on for more money, (the same tune that we hear today.)
This is the reason we need to stop and say “Where is this money going?” and demand accountability. Money went into affluent schools that did not need more items, while other schools languished in squalor and over crowding.
When people began to inquire where the money was going and began asking for records; (because the School District and Board regularly asked for bonds), the District turned around and stonewalled the public. Sound Familiar? It should, because it is the same type of attitude.
In Scottsdale, District top management established a business climate which encouraged a disregard for responsibilities associated with administering public monies. It is the same climate here; and I pose the question are we heading down the same path?
The Report of Misfeasance:
http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/Reports/School_Districts/Districts/Scottsdale%20USD/SIU/IR10-98.pdf
Think carefully and vote.
Regards,
Shanna Palmer