From the Sunday August 30, 2009 "Behind Closed Doors" column in the Indanapolis Star:
The Indianapolis Public School Board adopted the district's $448 million budget this week, but don't ask board members for too much detail -- they never saw the actual budget before voting on it.Member Kelly E. Bentley voted against the budget, saying the administration had not answered her questions about how money was allocated in it.
Another board member and the superintendent told her the summaries provided by the administration should have been more than enough. Bentley countered that the board's job was fiscal oversight.
"I think as a school board we have that obligation," Bentley said in the meeting, "and I'm not sure how resources get allocated to schools."
The district's practice has been to give board members the fund-by-fund budget numbers along with a breakdown of any changes or decreases by area. But the actual line- item amounts are in a separate budget that Bentley said board members did not receive.
Board member Marianna R. Zaphiriou told Bentley that she felt her request -- and the suggestion that other board members weren't asking enough questions -- was wrongheaded.
"Part of that implication is that some of us should feel uncomfortable, and we don't," she said. "I have no reason to want that level of information. I don't feel the need to request that information."
Superintendent Eugene White told Bentley she was welcome to make an appointment and go line-by-line through the budget with district finance officials. But he said he wouldn't waste the board's time by giving it the entire budget to review.
"We have not, and we don't intend to, give you the specificity of each of those items," White said. "It would be too prohibitive for you to go through that. . . . We're not going to bring that to you. We're asking you to approve the budget, and to go any deeper than that would take a lot of your time and be ridiculous."
The budget passed 6-1.
What's changed? Now IPS is spending $509,000,000.
Board Members (at least those really interested in the job) should speak with an attorney who specializes in school law.
ReplyDeleteAlso Eugene White is a year older and an a year more arrogant and more of a bully. Meanwhile, Mary Busch continues to say yes to anything Eugene wants.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the two new board members who were going to hold Dr.White accountable?
ReplyDeleteIf you're a Facebook member, go to Facebook and search for:
ReplyDeleteWhat's IPS Hiding?
There's a group on Facebook. Has around 40 members.
Two can't do it, we'll have to wait another election cycle. And the one that ran unopposed certainly did the cause of cleaning up IPS no good.
ReplyDeleteI could never figure out why IPS hired so many disgraced administrators, including it's own who they rehire, then a friend explained it to me, these people are so happy to have jobs that if Dr. White asked them to eat dirt they would do it, he has surrounded himself with yes people who are unfailingly loyal to him, but not to the students, parents and teachers of IPS. It is so very sad.
Adair-White and Roof have been riding Gene White's fat ass since they were elected. They can't do it alone. His ass is too fat and he has the majority of the votes.
ReplyDeleteThe new members can make things public even if they do not have the votes to make a change. There must be a point where the old puppet with the big hair, Mary Busch, will be embarrassed that she has allowed herself to be used like an old dish rag.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Bobble heads
ReplyDeleteGoogle Detroit public schools per finances (net positive to hundreds of millions annual deficit withing the past few years), to look at how these practices might play themselves out. The consequences of such irresponsible behavior can have district crushing consequences.
ReplyDeleteThis just in ... Annie Dearth-Roof has finished reading the entire 1000-page budget she wrestled out of Eugene White's hands this week. Transparency and open government fights back!
ReplyDeleteGood for Annie! You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteThen she voted YES before reading it all. Is that right.
ReplyDeleteDoes she regret her VOTE or still agree with it after reading?
Does she agree that an activities director should be paid that of two classroom teachers? Just one line I would veto of the top of my head.
Does she agree that all the top level administrators hired (usually at the cost of two teachers) this year are useful while classroom teachers are not replaced.
Does she agree that schools with 700 students need four or five administrators to run them. i.e. Arlington, Northwest, and Manual from my understanding? (BTW IMO: A school with 700 just needs a principal and vice principal. No more if the administrators are truly leaders who should be running a school.)
These are the types of questions that I think would come up (just to start with) if they board were reading the entire document. Instead of blindly just saying "YES, DR. WHITE, MAY I PROVIDE YOU WITH ANYTHING ELSE!" as they seem to be doing.
BTW: School board members should be given the full budget always. They should NOT have to ask, submit forms, or go through any hoops to get them. Then it is up to them if they read and understand it fully or not.
Looking forward to the next election when more of these yes men/women are up for re-election. They need to go!!!!!!!!
"Then she voted YES before reading it all. Is that right.
ReplyDeleteDoes she regret her VOTE or still agree with it after reading?"
ummm. the vote is Tuesday.
IMPEACH MARY BUSCH
ReplyDeleteGene White decreased the number of Assistant Principal by making them Vice Principals. BUSTED!!!
ReplyDeleteIf IPS has more money this year what's with all the budget cuts?
ReplyDeleteSounds like they "had" to hire more coaches, athletic directors, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf that old woman on the board, Mary Bush, would leave, the others might start thinking for herself. She controls the other puppets on the board and gives into to Eugene on everything. Perhaps it is because he funnels millions of grant and federal monies through the University of Indianapolis who is Mary's employer.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me anything factual about IPS's policy of capping the number of children in an elementary classroom? Does the Fire Marshall get involved when chairs, desks, and students block exits? "Yes, they all died in the fire, but damn, every single student was complying with the dress code! Great job, Gene!" Can my fellow staff members come to my funeral, or will you require them to take personal days like you did for the poor guy from Tech?
ReplyDeleteWill it be insubordination when I call for a safety inspection? I can do it with a throwaway phone, right after I call the local news crews.
It doesn't matter what the policy is. Fatass Eugene and his hired goons do what they wish anyway. They don't care about students, parents or employees just as long as they get their overinflated checks and outrageous benefits.
ReplyDeleteWe aren't the only community getting the shaft. Pasco County public schools, northwest of Tampa, Florida, just decided to eliminate transportation for any student living two miles or less from their home schools. This includes all grades, and every SPED students except for severely PHYSICALLY challenged (if a kid can walk, it's time for a hike).Yes, all their buildings are air conditioned, but most communities have no sidewalks, and many schools are situated on two- and three-lane highways.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah-all public schools are required to post their letter grade (FCAT results=ISTEP results) on their front signs, and teachers are paid according to their schools' grade. Guess which schools employ the top educators?
Tony Bennett has spent much time and money studying the current Florida public school system, originated under Jeb Bush. That's where the school letter grade idea originated.
ReplyDeleteHow would you like to pull up to your school, only to see a big D+ on your building? That's our future if Bennett gets his way. Of course, Big Gene would blame the educators for under-performing schools, but take credit for the A and B buildings.
Fat Ass Eugene needs to walk two miles to school every day. Of course, in his pimp clothes, he might get arrested for pandering.
ReplyDeleteLook at budget and see how much Dr
ReplyDeleteWhite's son is making at Tech. Disgusting!!!!
...and his son does NOTHING at Tech!!!!!
ReplyDeletePerhaps he's patrolling the square.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an obscure reference. Only a Titan from the 60's would get that one.
ReplyDelete@"Look at budget and see how much Dr
ReplyDeleteWhite's son is making at Tech. Disgusting!!!!"
Where did you find a copy of the budget? Is it posted Online?
When the six step disciplene issues get to White's son, he blames the teacher and does nothing. If he were actually doing his job, he would be worth his weight in gold. And yes....that would be a lot of gold.
ReplyDeleteOops...meant discipline!!!
ReplyDeleteI went to IPS Central office and reviewed the budget. We need to show up at the next IPS Board meeting to voice our concerns.
ReplyDeletePsalm 32:9
ReplyDeleteDon't be stubborn like a jackass or mule. They need a bit and bridle in their mouths to restrain them.
The IPS School Board and Dr. White have become stubborn like a contemporary jackass. Really, it's time for them to eat a bit of crow while it's still warm and post the entire budget on the IPS Homepage.
The public perception is that Dr. White is leading this childish pissin' contest. Perceptions, at this point, are far more important than any purported facts.
Hey.....Just shake it off and step up!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Gene
Fools, there is no detailed budget
ReplyDeleteDr. White has lost the support of parents, teachers and students. In addition, the community and the business sector recognize that he is a fool and want him gone.
ReplyDeleteThere is a detailed budget for 2010. I've seen it (4 or 5 inches thick) but wasn't allowed to read it. White has explicitly said they're not going to make it available unless someone wants to come into his office to read it.
ReplyDeleteIs it at the bottom of a well? I'll bet Big Bad Gene and all his followers will stand around and shovel dirt on you while you try to open it. If you manage to shake it off and climb to the top, you can then read it.
ReplyDeleteIs this action legal? I worked for (NOT WITH) a principal who spent our entire capital projects funds before school started, then wouldn't permit the staff to view her choices. My favorite purchase was a cold laminator. We had a stand-up meeting, listening to the sales representative give instructions for its use. That was followed by a stern warning to limit its use, since the rolls of laminate film was expensive and there were no more funds. I wonder if that machine made it to the new building?
BTW, this administrator later caught heat for sending her ESL staff to her home on school time so they could translate with the Hispanic workers remodeling her home.
I've lost track of her. Last I heard, she was at the Reception Center. That's a great place for all of her clown collection.
Perhaps she went back to Boston.
ReplyDeleteYou will see a lot of what is happening in Florida come to pass in Indiana since Jeb Bush is Daniel's unofficial education advisor.
ReplyDeleteWHERE IPS MONEY GOES:
ReplyDeleteFROM BOARD MINUTES LAST DECEMBER, 2009
__________________________________________
MiddWall Consulting is one person, TONY WALLACE, a close friend of Jackie Greenwood.
(http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anthony-wallace-i/8/412/b65)
TONY WALLACE and Jackie began the Security Dad's Program at Arlington years ago.
Tony is being 'paid back' to the tune of $35K for being a crony of the right people who manage the Title 1 funds.
Title 1 funds are easily used to reward long-time friends as long as the dollar amounts are kept relatively small.
December 17, 2009
________________________________________________
NOW JUMP FORWARD TO THE LAST BOARD ACTION MEETING WHERE MIDDWALL CONSULTING IS REHIRED FOR YET MORE MONEY!
TOPIC: Request approval to contract with MiddWall Consulting Services Inc. to provide on-site training and support to parent liaisons at the (62) Title I schools at a cost not to exceed $50,000.00
Background Information:
On site professional development, implemented at the building level, will be provided to all parent liaisons at the (62) Title I schools. Professional development activities will include: orientation for new liaisons through out the school year, planning and conducting a workshop, conducting home visits, how to use I.S.T.E.P. results in parent engagement ,recruiting parents for school meetings and activities, networking with community partners and presentation skills.
Administration Consideration:
MiddWall Consulting Services Inc. will work with the (62) Title I schools to provide on-site training and support to the parent liaisons.
***Superintendent’s Recommendation:
I recommend that the Board of School Commissioners authorize the Business Manager to enter int contract with Mid Wall Consulting Services, to provide on-site professional development to parent liaisons in the (62) Title I Schools at a cost not to exceed $50,000 for the 2010-2011 school year to be paid from Title I Funds.
______________________________________________
The 'untold background' information is that Jackie Greenwood continues to sway Dr. White and the School Board to reward her old cronies with higher and better contracts for iffy, but increasingly expensive 'consulting' contracts. Tony Wallace and Jackie Greenwood are still close, close friends. Tony gets another raise from $35K to $50K. Consulting is good, isn't it? Score another one for cronyism in IPS.
Will IPS ever be rid of Jackie Greenwood and her family? That woman has screwed up more things than one would think possible. She has no people skills. I wish her financial dealings while at Arlington would be closely examined.
ReplyDeleteAll this IPS cronyism in awarding contracts to friends reminds me of 'insider trading' using Title 1 funds.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster above, you are wrong about one thing -- Jackie Greenwood does have people skills, but that's about all. She definitely takes care of 'her people', and I expect if she left IPS there'd be a lot of 'her people' without jobs.
Being known as a go-to person in her community gives Jackie the power that keeps her thriving.
Jackie is an expert at playing the race card, I found I had a student using a fake address, and he was expelled for a year from LC, when I brought it to her attention (if you are expelled from one school in the state of Indiana you are expelled from all public schools) she got really angry...at me. She had used her political people skills to work that kids mom, "oh no one understands young black men, we'll work with him, I'll watch over him" The woman knows how to work people and build a political power base.
ReplyDelete@The woman knows how to work people and build a political power base.
ReplyDeleteI've frequently thought that Jackie Greenwood is the force that keeps Eugene White in his position as Superintendent. She has a broader power base than he does, plus he knows if he fires her or harms her professionally, that her power base will step up and make sure he's no longer Superintendent.
Jackie Greenwood is the Julia Carson of IPS
ReplyDeleteDon't insult Julia Carson like that.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that she is a fake and tells parents what they want to hear, I had a student I knew from grade school, and he showed up at Arlington (he really belonged at Tech), I asked his mom about this and she said that she knew Jackie from church, and she had promised to watch over the kid. Well sure enough the kid got into major trouble, and I went to see Jackie, and she didn't even know the kid existed, and denied having told the mother she would watch over him.
ReplyDeleteShe is the queen of the black mafia in IPS, and they look after their members before they look after the kids. Her loyalties are badly distorted and misplaced.
@She is the queen of the black mafia in IPS, and they look after their members before they look after the kids. Her loyalties are badly distorted and misplaced.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that statement! The firm entrenchment of older administrators such as Jackie Greenwood holds IPS back, way back from undergoing true reformation. When an Arlington teacher took pictures of a herd of students tipping over a huge cold drink vending machine in the hallway, Jackie did NOT want to see it. She actually got mad at the teacher, rather than seeing the problem for what it was -- students out of control and running the school. Jackie would like all folks to believe she's a missionary for the inner city students, whereas she's more like an educational mercenary who's allowed work in IPS and to be rewarded by taxpayers' money.
Jackie lies!!
ReplyDelete"MiddWall Consulting is one person, TONY WALLACE, a close friend of Jackie"
ReplyDeleteNot true. Middwall Consulting is Lena Middleton and Linda Wallace (daughter and wife of Tony). They happen to be a very credible team of consultants in the area of Parent Education/Empowerment. Linda was the asst. director of The Indiana Partnership Center (our state PIRC) for years-and Lena has a strong background in parent involvement. They are truly legit and well worth the 50,000. Have no fear. They are not wasted dollars.
There are others who have been around as long as Jackie Greenwood, and who are just as bad as she is. Joan Harrell is every bit as bad as Jackie is...one does secondary, and one does elementary. Both lie through their teeth, are vicious and vindictive, and each protects her own little group, and its particular interests.
ReplyDeleteYvonne Rambo looks like the Penguin from Batman!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhatever she looks like she's one of the best!
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that when administrators want something. They say.
ReplyDelete"Its board policy." When they know good and well it is NOT. Administrators use this as a tool to freighten the gullible. They also know when a grievance is filed it takes most the school year to get it thrown out.
This tactic is nothing more than bullying people.
If the board will not fully read and want to understand something they are responsible for (the budget). They sure as heck dont' care if a teacher does not have a word wall up, or the AP teacher has topics instead of state standards, they don't care if each teacher does exit tickets, etc. These are all being thrown around as board policy.
Since when? Show me the part of the policy that says all this.
When was it negotiated with the union (a change of working condition).
We already do enough. Micro-managing rooms, lessons, and everything else is making us nothing more than common factory workers.
I think this is really coming from all those administrators running around the district trying to justify their employment and not being in the classroom. What works for one teacher does not always work for another. Each has their own styles.
Sorry for spelling and gram errrors above. Tired late and this phone is not typing right. See I can come up with excuses too.
ReplyDeleteJust like our administration and Dr. White. Holding us to standards they cannot keep themselves.
Curriculum Mapping is a strange concept. On the one hand, we are told to map our own curriculum; however, on the other hand, we teachers are told directly and indirectly that we're not good, not effective, not whatever. In short, IPS has charged what they perceive to be 'not so good teachers' to map 'outstanding' curriculum standards. Go figure!
ReplyDelete"Board policy" is clearly stated on the IPS web site for all to see. If it's not there, it's not a policy.
ReplyDelete(Oh, and one of the policies is that every member must critically analyze the entire budget and all available information. It says so in their own policies. But they don't.)
So what happens when board members don't follow policy?
@So what happens when board members don't follow policy?
ReplyDelete_______________________________________
They're given a waiver by the Superintendent.
IPS has been out of compliance with state law, board policy and many other legal requirements for years. I kid you not, years ago, when I provided IPS personnel with a copy of applicable state law their response was "there is state law, and there is IPS policy, and we follow IPS policy". The problem with this statement is they had followed two entirely different policies in two school years, and of course state law supersedes any board policy. When you deal with a corrupt system is it any wonder the rules change at their whim?
ReplyDeleteNo she is not!!! She is a duplicitous egomaniac who wants to be in the Ed Center but doesn't dress well enough for the positions there.
ReplyDelete