By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, June 27 at 7:14 AM
In the three week since St. Louis Public School's treasurer abruptly resigned, Superintendent Creg Williams still has not asked the school board to approve a new one. In the meantime, without a vote of the board, the district's interim chief financial officer, Cedric Lewis, has also been serving as the acting treasurer.
Nearly three weeks ago, Enos Moss suddenly resigned as treasurer of the St. Louis Public Schools. Although the district has repeatedly declined to comment, some people believe that his quick departure was related to a $4.2 million bill from the district's Pension Board.
That bill was delivered to the district in December 2005, but did not come to the attention of the Williams or Lewis until six months later. And since it was not included in this year's budget drafts, next year's projected budget deficit literally doubled overnight.
That Williams has not asked for board approval of Moss' replacement is a source of controversy in the district and on the school board. Board President Veronica O'Brien told PUB DEF that Williams was asked to present a resolution to the board for approval, which he has not done yet.
Board approval for personnel reassignments is something that is clearly spelled out in Williams' contract, which was obtained by PUB DEF last week after a Sunshine Law request.
"It was my understanding that the board should approve this change," said O'Brien. She said that is especially needed for a position as sensitive as treasurer, whose name appears on all of the district's checks.
District spokesperson Tony Sanders could not tell us whose name is currently on district checks.
Bill Purdy, vice-president of the school board, said he was "disappointed that the superintendent has chosen to challenge the board's authority." He said Williams could have called a special meeting to at least inform the board of his selection.
"The superintendent would be wise to recognize that board members are elected by the vote of citizens," said Purdy. "It is that same board that hires and evaluates the performance of the superintendent."
"Superintendents are directly accountable to the board of education and not the other way around," he said.
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20 Comments:
Cedric Lewis has been interviewed for the position. So, it must be assumed that they are looking for a replacement.
Brian, your statements are a little drastic. The district is in dire straits, but can be fixed. We are on the right track. Just look at the recent Board elections. We just need to keep up the momentum with the coming elections.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:58:00 PM
Travis, I think people are looking to the superintendent on just how it can be fixed. To date, he hasn't offered much.
The "strategic plan" that is so often touted by Williams and his cheerleaders is really more of a strategic wish list. He has not told the public or the board how he plans to pay for many of his suggestions.
But much more importantly, he has not presented any suggestions at all on how to deal with what he has repeatedly described as a looming "financial crisis."
Williams has said that the district will have no way of paying its bills in less than 18 months, but then presented a budget that not only does not help the situation, but adds nearly $4 million to the debt.
For those of us that pay attention to the actions and not just the rhetoric, serious doubts are emerging about Williams' preparedness to lead this district out of financial and academic crisis.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 10:46:00 PM
antonio said it best...how are we going to pay for all these ideas???
no matter what it is in life that you want, somebody somewhere somehow has to pay. Wish all you want, you can only get what you can pay for.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 5:31:00 AM
Antonio:
I agree, it was irresponsible of the administration to submit a budget with a $2 million budget deficit. Keep in mind that $2 million of that $4 million was sprung on the Superintendent at the last minute. He should have known about that outstanding bill, but didn't have that oversight in place.
I applaud the Board of Education for not accepting it, but they should have gone a step further by compelling the Superintendent and his staff to return to the next regularly scheduled Board meeting with a new, balanced budget. The system is messed-up enough to spread the blame around.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 8:08:00 AM
Travis, whether or not the superintendent knew the amount of the Pension Fund bill, it is his responsibility to expect that bill. It wasn't even included in the budget drafts.
And I think the message was conveyed to Williams that the board expects a balanced budget to be submitted as soon as possible. The board even passed a resolution directing the superintendent to look at administrative costs as a source for cuts.
Without characterizing the actions of individual board members, I can say that what I'm doing is not placing blame, but rather holding one of the highest paid public employees in the state to a high level of accountability for his actions.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 8:21:00 AM
Brian, when you say "the idiot in financings fault," are speaking of Cedric Lewis, the district's interim chief financial officer?
I would hardly call Mr. Lewis an idiot. We seems to me a very intelligent and competent man. But if you are dissatified with his performance, you should keep in mind that Dr. Williams has kept him on as CFO and has even added to his list of responsibilities by making him acting treasurer as well.
I find it hard to believe that you can call one person an idiot and then let the person that hired them completely off the hook.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:16:00 AM
Antonio:
I am agreeing with you. The administration needs to be held accountable for its actions and decisions, as does the School Board. I think the Board could have been a bit more directive to the Superintendent regarding the budget, beyond an analysis of the central administration budget.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:24:00 AM
To Antonio, Travis, and Brian,
If you haven’t figured out by now this district doesn’t get rid of people for not doing their jobs. Many are hired because they are a relative, spouse, friend, and even an affair gone bad (they are hired to keep their mouths shut). It is hard to fire these people or even tell them they need to step up to get the job done. Some people are put into positions because they know of a skeleton or two about the person doing the hiring. Others simply want the job for the title. They have no intention of doing anything but they have a title (I know an Athletic Director who fits this). Then there is the Union which I will leave for some other time. I will let you guys figure out who should be replaced and who should be transferred to a different job (which they may be better qualified for), or asked to seek other employment.
As far as the finances go it is not uncommon in this district taking six or more months to pay a bill. It was no surprise to me that this $2 million dollar bill for retirement showed up six months after the fact. To add more salt to the wound many vendors in the area and some national suppliers are on a cash only basis with the St. Louis Public Schools. It makes it very hard for me to get supplies until the vendor gets their money. Even when I get supplies it takes up to six months to get reimburse if I reimburse at all. I even had students presented with letters to receive savings bonds but didn’t receive them until six months after the presentation. In your home and/or business it doesn’t take this long to pay your bills. Otherwise what happens?
As I have said in other blogs under anonymous until the district start holding its employees accountable for their jobs these problems will continue to arise. A job is more than title. And all jobs are temporary. It is up to the employee as to how well he/she works at their job will determine the length of the job. This is for most jobs there are always exceptions.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 11:40:00 AM
So, Mr. Harris your assignment if you choose to accept it is to come up with ten recommendations on how to make the finance department better. Be sure to include speed up the bill paying process. Next come up with ten new suggestions to balance the budget while maintaining the level of education that is required by the state and No Child Left Behind. Also do not forget about money for maintaining old and new buildings and maintenance of grounds (i.e. mowing grass). This will be due tomorrow.
Being a good leader also means making tough decisions. When someone messes up yes people will come to you for answers. At the same time you will get the credit when people under you do a good job. What you do with these people and how you handle mistakes and successes determines what kind of leader you are. Being a volunteer for a wide variety of civic events I have had to make these kinds of decisions and tell volunteers to seek a different committee or I do not ask them to help again. And there has been one time I had to have the police escort a volunteer away from an event. That one was tough. Yes people do make mistakes but how will you correct the situation from hopefully not happening again? Will you work with the person or just tell them to seek new employment.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 1:39:00 PM
This was originally posted on the Pub Def Weekly web site.
Anonymous said...
Veronica O'Brien is the Mobb Boss of the Saint Louis Public Schools. Whoever is trying to do anything in the Saint Louis Public Schools had better kiss her ring. She has shown that she runs the School Board and the day to day functions of the Saint Louis Public Schools. We needed a Mobb Boss for the Saint Louis Public Schools, but I didn't think it would end up being a lady. Some say it is better to be feared than loved, and Veronica O'Brien is definitely feared.
Maybe the Saint Louis teachers union should join forces with her, most unions connect with a Mobb Boss!
6/27/2006 8:58 PM
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 7:56:00 PM
Wow! What an exchange of words. Mr. Harris your last response sounds like you much rather have the buildings instead of the school. Are you commenting for the students or the closure of the schools so you can sell them? Whose side are you really on?
Thursday, June 29, 2006 8:47:00 AM
Brian Harris is right. If you screw up enough and the heat is on they will take you out of human resources and make you a teacher. Then the children suffer because their thought process is guided by an inadequate fool who has strong opinions who directed the hiring of "friends and relatives" and couldn't hold a real job without outside help. I guess nepotism wouldn't be so bad if they had some SMART friends or relatives who were employable somewhere other than SLPS. No I wasn't fired.....I quit!
Thursday, June 29, 2006 6:43:00 PM
I do not know who is writing the checks. Consider known of the teachers in St. Louis Public Schools got paid today. What's up with that?
Friday, June 30, 2006 7:21:00 AM
none...sorry
Friday, June 30, 2006 7:22:00 AM
Speaking of neoptism and cronyism, Mike McMillan's mom got a plush job through such connections. Wonder what Slay thinks of that? Instead of running for license collector, maybe he would be a shoo in for treasurer for the school district.
Friday, June 30, 2006 5:37:00 PM
Cedric Lewis, interim CFO for the District, has called for as much as what Brian is. Mr. Lewis calls it right-sizing to adjust from the roughly 90 schools in the District that serve the roughly 60,000 students. He models two other school districts where he has worked for his justification of closing these schools. He cited that the Atlanta School District has about the same number of schools we do, but with about one and a half times as many students. Are more school closings in the future for our district?
Saturday, July 01, 2006 4:33:00 PM
Hell yes and my kids are two of them i signed up my kids for schools and have no $%#@ idea where they are going, i try to call the district and get the RUN AROUND! I'm fed up and my kids are going to county schools, I just know your not blaming anyone for this, parents should know in advance where their kids are going to attend. I know you won't miss us but good luck!
Sunday, July 02, 2006 9:00:00 PM
Are these actual bodies or ghosts? I had ten students who showed up for maybe for a week (or a total of five days) this past school year.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 8:37:00 AM
Travis (I mean Peter Downs)
Cedric Lewis is the CFO; how do you have so much information? How do you know he interviewed. I haerd he had the job.
Please share with us!!!
Thursday, July 06, 2006 3:03:00 PM
Anony.... ASSHOLE, leave travis alone, he is not mr downs. also I believe your jonny little!
Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:34:00 PM
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