Oh, this is just TOO GOOD! Sara - was it my birthday and no one told me?

Is this *really* what Gittings is upset about? Of course since it has nothing to do with improving student achievement and everything to do with covering the butts of those who are taking things away from kids. And no, I don't just (notice just) mean principals, but all of those in the system who are spending money as if it's theirs and not for the good of the kids. Let's see:

1) Go in to most schools and ask to be let into book rooms and other closed off areas. If anyone lets you in, or even admits to having keys, you would be SHOCKED to see what things are in there - books, TV's, VCR's and so on

2) Ask to see the invoices for equipment purchased over the past few years and then ask where that stuff is. Again, laptops, DVD players, LCD projectors, even school supplies. Either reserved in back rooms for just the selected few, or gone. And this isn't only (again, notice ONLY) about principals, but about everyone who works for the system who believes that the stuff purchased is for them and not for the kids.

3) Once I was trying to get road salt so that the school I was at could, you know, salt the sidewalks so that you know, kids, wouldn't slip on the ice. I was told by someone in maintenance that, after I did a lot of begging and butt kissing, I was going to be given some of "their" salt. Theirs? Hmmm, strange, I thought it was, you know, the systems and since I was asking for a school in that system, well, you can do the rest.

4) Since there is now electronic purchasing (k12buy) there should be some way to track what things are in each building. When people go in and aren't able to "find" those materials there's something wrong.

5) How about investigating buildings where work was scheduled, paid for and never done? Like HVAC work, plumbing work... The lists go on and on.

As Sara and AAA notes, in the past these issues were all done by area office - clearly not the best way to do things. I believe we are one of the last systems in Md. to have a system like this.

And while I agree (wait for it) with Gittings that there will be some (maybe even a lot) of complaints by people that are either unfounded or who have an ax to grind, that's the price we pay. And maybe, just maybe, some of these complaints (notice the sarcasm here) will result in people being held accountable for the mismanagement of funds and resources that are supposed to be targeted for students. Then again, maybe I'll loose 50 pounds and get a pony...

Jimmy Gittings : Wrong :: Grass : Green

Does there really need to be a process for creating the "structure" around investigating complaints? AAA shifted the responsibility to a more independent party, and they know the nature of such complaints can be bogus. That's why they investigate rather than assume the complaint's validity!

Does Jimmy Gittings ever offer constructive alternatives or does he just twist AAAs policies and then complain about his false made up version?

If you have been in BCPSS for longer than a day, you know that there is all kinds of money spent on things that never get where they are really needed. However, to be fair, the purchase of computers, VCRs, DVD players and the like require a certain amount of support monies for things like--wiring, cables, consummables, etc.--and sometimes those were promised by North Avenue and never showed up. One of the best ones was the video discs that came with the last major purchase of English anthologies. When was the last time you ever saw one of those video disc players purchased?

I agree that there is quite a bit of the "it's mine don't touch" philosophy in BCPSS but those of us who do share and there are many of us are frequently told "Oh, we will replace it for you." and guess what, never happens! Then we end up without the supplies needed for our own schools.

Also, there has been a tendency on the part of North Avenue not to prosecute people when they were found to be "mishandling" funds or supplies. There have been several examples that I am aware of where people were just dismissed instead of being arrested because no one wanted the bad publicity that comes from arresting an employee. When no real consequences happen to those who "mishandle" funds and/or supplies, why would anyone care if they take care of things properly or not?

I think that these "new" investigators will help bring some legitimacy to this new budget structure.

I was very frustrated by the "it's mine" mentality that ran rampant in the schools but after having had to provide toilet paper, hand soap and paper towels for my students and many other supplies that when the city finally gave to the schools/teachers the basic minimum that you hoarded it and rationed it out because you never knew when you and your students would get anymore. On one level it is pure simple survival and other it is pure simple a power and control issue. Administrators have so few ways to reward and punish that equipment and supplies are used to reward (access to computers etc.) or are withheld or withdrawn if a teacher does not support the principal. Sad but true.

The investigator positions were advertised on the BCPSS HR page months ago. The information was there for anyone to see.

Investigating fraud, misuse of funds, theft of materials, etc. could keep 5 people busy for a very long time.