By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, July 4 at 7:16 PM
Starting Wednesday, the St. Louis Board of Education will begin its own analysis of the district's finances.
On May 2, the school board agreed to hire its own auditor. The firm which they have selected is Education Options Ltd. and its president, Dr. Diana Bourisaw.
Bourisaw is a former superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District and has served on the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. She has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Iowa State University and holds certifications as teacher, principal and superintendent.
Click here to read more about Bourisaw.
35 Comments:
This is fantastic news. Maybe now, the Board and the residents of the City can get an accurate view of the finances within our district. This is not a statement against the honest or ability of Cedric Lewis or his boss, but neither has been around long enough to know where our true faults lie. I personally want to know where the $100 million went between 2000-2003, as do others with whom I've spoken.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006 11:03:00 PM
The gang that couldn't shoot straight strikes again. Who did they hire and who does she work for? Her bio reads " Diana Bourisaw serves as Executive Vice President in the firm’s St. Louis office. She is also a member of DHR’s Education Practice group. Dr. Bourisaw has been an educator since 1974. Prior to joining DHR, she was President of Education Options, LTD., ERSware, and The Bourisaw Group." So did she quit her job to join DHR and has now reactivated her old company or what? The working link to her bio is http://www.dhrintl.net/solutions/viewcontact.aspx?id=101. (They can't even get the link right. Or was that on purpose?) The link to the other company is http://www.edopts.com. Take a look at the services they offer and make your own decision as to if this is what the district needs.
Oh yes, about DHR. They are an executive recruiting firm. "DHR International, Inc. was founded in January 1989 with the leadership of David H. Hoffmann, a world-renowned executive recruiter. The company was established with the acquisition of Boyden International’s Chicago and Upper Montclair, New Jersey offices. DHR corporate headquarters was formed, and still remains, in Chicago." And yes, you did read it right. They are located in Chicago, the source of all wisdom, second only to Philidelphia and source of numerouus friends and cronies of the almighty Creg.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 6:38:00 AM
This is great news. Getting the books in line and open to the public is EXACTLY what this district needs as a firm starting point.
Anon: Give the lady a fair shot. Corporate headhunters are a dime a dozen, that place being located in Chicago is meaningless.
It's time for full accountability in the school district's finances.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 8:35:00 AM
So, this isn't fiscal audit of the SLPS books, but rather a performance audit of the superintendent and the district administration?
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 3:24:00 PM
Their performance needs to be audited. How often do they go to Harrah's to dine and gamble using Board personnel and vehicles?
The superintendent spends a lot of money but never has receipts.
Ask any other school district if their superintendent is behind closed doors with a combination lock that even the Fire Department couldn't get into if they were needed?
When you have a dicey life going on, you have to keep anyone from walking in on you at the wrong time.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 5:36:00 PM
After reading the contract and now seeing this, the writing is on the wall that Dr. Williams is trying to get fired. If the Board fires Williams then the Board has to full fill the financial obligations of the contract. This is also right in line with the rumors during the school year of him leaving in July for Chicago. Take a good look at his actions lately, not seeking proper board approvals, being seen in various venues with other school personnel, spending school money and not having receipts to account for money spent, and so on. It is good to have these audits but I want to know what the board intends to do with the results. What are the criteria for “performance?” When the public cries loud enough these audits suddenly appear. The board spends lots of money, the audit is conducted, then amazingly the audit finds nothing wrong, and the public is satisfied with the spin the board puts on and is quite. Meanwhile life continues on as it did before the audit until the next time people start crying loud enough again. If history should repeat it self yet again the audit will amazingly show nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary and life will proceed. I have never seen the validity in “performance” audits except to justify to the public how administrations do day-to-day tasks. If I were to bet money (especially school money) I will say the audit will find nothing is wrong and life in SLPS will continue to go further downhill.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 8:24:00 AM
Clarification: With other school personnel I mean using security guards or using other school services for personal use.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 8:28:00 AM
What I don't understand is, how does a school district that claims financial hardship, and a board that ran on the idea of cutting administrative costs, hire another administrator? Where is the money? What power does she have? What is going on?
Thursday, July 06, 2006 8:50:00 AM
This doesn't sound like another administrator, but rather a one-time audit of the finances of the district to be reported to the Board. I'm curious to know what the scope will be. Will this merely be limited to the current balance sheet, or will this be a forensic investigation of the use of funds prior to the last school year? We need a strategic plan on how the district is going to resolve it's indebted situation and become solvent. Hopefully this will be a first step in assessing where we are at, and how we got here. Then, we need to do the heavy-lifting of developing a plan to get out of debt while continuing to deliver services.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 9:07:00 AM
The SLPS is full of "plans" it is time for action. If this current board can't do any more than the previous board to progress this district, I say they deserve the same treatment as the last board. So far I haven't seen progress, I need to see progress.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 9:30:00 AM
"Will this merely be limited to the current balance sheet, or will this be a forensic investigation of the use of funds prior to the last school year?"
Neither. It will be an audit of practices and policies -- commissioned by the district's law firm.
The new auditor is a former school superintedent from a Jeff Co district.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 12:45:00 PM
Now I hear that Williams is headed for Chicago! This is the second time I've heard about a Chicago connection in 2 days. I hope it is rumors but I was told that he recently brought in dozens of "administrators" from Chicago for the "no child left behind" each making between $100k and $200k. Could some one confirm if this is true? I hope it isn't.
Thursday, July 06, 2006 1:25:00 PM
This whole website is bogus and most of this information is hear say. The board is trying to fire Dr. Creg to find a manager they can control. I think it is wrong for a school board member to act as founder of this site and to dis-credit one if its employees, Dr. Creg!
Thursday, July 06, 2006 2:50:00 PM
Travis you spend a lot of time on this website. Maybe we should investigate you. Are you Peter Downs?
Thursday, July 06, 2006 2:52:00 PM
Unlike Batman and Bruce Wayne or Superman and Clark Kent, Peter Downs and I have been seen at the same place at the same time. He is the superhero leading the charge on bringing the district to accountability and responsibility. I am just a guy with time to spare.
As, to the comment about Peter Downs running this site, as best I know, he started this site long before he joined the board, it is mostly run by Antonio French these days, and I've never seen Mr. Downs post comments blasting the Superintendent.
Game, set, match. Thank you for playing, we have some lovely parting gifts for you. Tell him what he's won, Don Pardo!
Thursday, July 06, 2006 9:13:00 PM
Past Emply... Yeah criag brought in some cats from chi-town, One is an asshole whos now the principle at sumner high, they think they got power or something,
and Mr. Anonymous... Dont trip with travis, he's cool, you new around here so watch yourself! Grow some nutts and use your name, beeeeeeeooooootch
Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:25:00 PM
How can you guys talk about accountability and then let them pass on spending money they don't have. All this board has done is stop projects. They still don't know what to do with Cleveland, they didn't like the budget, they hire someone the district can't afford, and won't hire a new CFO, and the checks were late, though there was talk people wouldn't get paid at all because of not having a budget. How is any of this good. Where is the outrage. I voted for them and have seen nothing that I voted for even begun to happen. We still have Sedexho for christ's sake.
Friday, July 07, 2006 10:25:00 AM
Anon:
Thank the two members up for election next cycle for being blockades to reform.
Friday, July 07, 2006 2:44:00 PM
Correction: The "a__hole" principal at Sumner H.S. is from New Orleans, not Chicago. He really is one too.!
Anonymous Sumner Teacher
P.S. What's this we keep hearing that Creg Williams has a board employed security guard to take him around to all of his errands, etc in the district. In other words, he has his own private driver. So, there's some detective work for all you "talking heads" on this blog.
Saturday, July 08, 2006 7:18:00 PM
Anonymous Sumner Teacher:
Page 4 of Dr. Williams' contract gives him usage of a district-owned car. However, it does not allow him a driver paid for by the district.
See Williams' contract here: http://pubdef.net/downloads/super_contract.pdf
Saturday, July 08, 2006 7:42:00 PM
A former district employee sent out an email saying that a Harrah's regular allegedly saw Williams and Irons eating and gambling at Harrah's with a district employee as driver.
No idea if the alleged incident is true. Whatever critics of Williams feel about him, they know the man is not stupid. If the email is true, this was stupid. As I cannot claim perfection in my actions, I am not about to throw a stone...
I think the bigger issue is fixing the broken education system in this country, including getting money for the district and getting ineffective teachers moved to a position where they can be more effective. Downs is too tight with 420 to acknowlege that students are suffering from teachers that are not in the 'right' position for them. Look at the teacher at Pruitt that was having students go out to his vehicle to get his liquor. Look at 420's attempts to keep Beine.
Sunday, July 09, 2006 10:56:00 AM
Brian Harris is flat out wrong. Williams does use a regular district paid and employed security officer who drives him (24/7) in a board owned security car. The officer he uses most is one of the regular district employees. He uses other district security officers when that employee is not available. Williams has done this since coming to St. Louis. There are no private security guards working for the school district. Williams uses a valuable district paid security officer who could be on duty in a school protecting our children to act as his private chaffer. Check it out Brian. Ask Williams. Ask Colonial Charles McCrary. Ask anyone who works at 801.
Monday, July 10, 2006 7:05:00 AM
Travis, I don't think that "the two members up this election next cycle" can be blamed for holding up the "reform movement" since it only takes a simple majority to pass any agenda item. That leaves five other people that could pass legislation even if the "mayor's slate" was against it. I want to see action. Peter and Donna and Bill and Veronica offered changes in the system. Where are the changes. Where is the help for our children. Why am I the only one asking for them to do something, anything. Please help. I was posts number 9 and 11 I think they were. I am still figuring out this computer stuff, sorry.
Monday, July 10, 2006 10:49:00 AM
The incident relating to a trip to Harrah's for dining and gambling with a board security officer was originally communicated by a board member who had received tons of calls and was determined to talk to the superintendent about it. The sighting was caught by several people.
No St. Louis school superintendent has ever had a security officer drive him around from home to the office and back, as well as elsewhere. The man lives only blocks from the Central office.
Sometimes lifestyles and relationships cause individuals to feel in danger, not job responsibilities. If he was driven around by the now-Building Commissioner who was reportedly his driver in Chicago, what is with this type of entitlement? Has he lost his right to drive?
An audit of performance for both the superintendent and top administrators is not out of bounds. Too much money has slipped through too many fingers. The children and teachers continue to be at a disadvantage.
Monday, July 10, 2006 12:54:00 PM
the building commisioner is a military man who drives and is not from Chicago as far as I know. Did you mean the "now DEPUTY-commisioner"?
Monday, July 10, 2006 1:06:00 PM
How come nobody is talking about this, even the "St. Louis Schools Watch", what are you watching if not for things like this.
Monday, July 10, 2006 1:22:00 PM
Forgot the link from the above post. Still working on the computer stuff. Sorry.
http://blog.thecommonspace.org/archives/000545.php
Monday, July 10, 2006 1:25:00 PM
Anonymous said: "How come nobody is talking about this, even the "St. Louis Schools Watch", what are you watching if not for things like this."
The superintendent just fired 1,000 teachers without authorization. He just gutted the Title 1 office. He's giving raises to his allies in the administration (again, without authorization). And principals and some administrators are whispering that the 1st day of school is going to be complete chaos.
And you want me to drop everything to investigate a rumor that Williams got a lift to a casino?
Monday, July 10, 2006 2:44:00 PM
Maybe we should also give him a helicopter, a jet, yacht, and a team of bodyguards. Give me a break. The man brought of lot of this upon himself. The first day of the school he was driving around town in a limousine. This did not make a good impression among the students and teachers. I know some of the principals were also a little embarrassed. I will agree to the car but not to the driver or guard. I know other executives who can multi-task (safely) while driving I am sure Williams can too. Not to mention these excutives can do this without bodyguards or layers of assistants.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 10:41:00 AM
After reading the original post and blogs here are the following questions/concerns that I have:
1. When are the people who run this district going to start thinking about the students first?
2. What difference does it make if the security guard/driver is contracted or a direct employee of the district? Isn't it still SLPS funds that pay this person?
3. Why would anyone not feel that this website is at least useful for informational purposes but simply "bogus" and full of heresay?
4. Why does Dr Williams make decisions w/o fully investigating & verifying situations first, then proceed with his decision w/o fully developing a plan to proceed with his recommendations?
5. Why wouldn't an audit not only investigate monies used in this district and for what, but also recommend some sort of contingency plan for the future to correctly spend or better spend their funds?
6. Do we know who paid for the Limo?
7. Why wouldn't the first day of school be anything but chaotic? Half of the children in this district don't even get picked up by the transportation set up for them.
8. Have plans been put into place and published by Dr Williams and his team for the first day of school that incorporate all his new recommendations, whereby everyone concerned is aware of the new procedures to follow?
9. Why is someone blasting Travis Reems when he appears to be the most knowledgable and well-spoken (written)individual posting a blog regarding this original post?
10. Who is the individual or individuals that should be holding Dr Williams accountable for using district employees for his own benefit/convenience and not having any type of receipts to back up his expenditures?
I am a parent from the county with 3 children in this district. I took my children out of the Lindbergh School district because I felt that the magnet schools in the SLPS district were the best and I wanted to give them not only an intellectual education, but a social one also. I wanted my children to be socially aware and educated that there are people in this world that are different from them, have different cultures, customs, & feelings to help them to better understand the people that exist on this earth with them.
I feel that is just as important an education.
I believe that the people who are running this district have lost sight about the most important thing they should be concerned with:THE STUDENTS.
I am appalled at all the infighting being done by the people in this district. Why in God's name can't we all get along and work together to get this district back on its feet for our children? Now I hear that the mayor wants to get rid of the Board? Mr Mayor-weren't these people elected by the people? What right does he have to dismiss what the people have voted for? And why would he want to do that, other than to perpetuate his own agenda?
Let's get it together people, because I am truly reconsidering leaving my children in this district any longer.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 3:31:00 PM
Maybe I can address some of your concerns and answer a few of your questions. First let me state that I am a teacher in this district and I have been enlightened myself for my time spent thus far in this district.
1. As far as who is actually running this district the administrators are worried about perception instead of actual teaching or quality of teaching. If the cover of the book looks good then it must be a good book. I am not sure who is running the district or who is holding whom accountable. I do know the State is worried about MAP scores as well as some other things (student programs, dropouts, graduation, discipline, safety, etc…).
2. Education and business have similar but different rules. In this situation where every penny counts we have to watch our costs. Think of the salary for this driver using the money that teachers could use for supplies (i.e. books, music or art supplies, computer(s), library resources, industrial technology supplies for Family and Consumer Sciences classes - industrial technology classes and computer software).
3. Much of what is on the website is hearsay but there is a lot of research that many of the responders do before making a statement. It is sad to say that there are many truthful statements here as well. You really need to do your own investigations as to see what is actually true or hearsay. Talk with children they are on the front lines. If they come home saying something happened at school it most likely did. Go to the Board meetings and if you are able to ask questions and hopefully get an answer. Open a line of communication with teachers through phone or e-mails (for some they cannot do this because they do not have a computer). For me I can answer several e-mails in the time it takes to make one phone call. Plus you and the teacher have written documentation of what is said. I prefer this because it protects both the student and teacher.
4. All I can really say to this is tradition. Another reason is to make it look like he is solving a problem when in actuality he is creating a bigger one.
5. Let us take a look at Enron. How can an accountant doctor the books to make them look ok? Let me count the ways.
6. I do not know who paid for the limo but I can say when it pulled up in front of the school I asked another teacher are you ready for the dog and pony show? Again it is about perception.
7. Poor planning. You said that your children were in the Lindbergh School District let me ask you this “How many times when your children were at the bus stop on time did they not get picked up?” I have children in another school district and they have yet to miss a pick up since they have been in school.
8. If plans are in place the teachers will not see them (at the earliest) until Aug 16. Now if history repeats itself we may not see anything new until January. When the spring semester starts there is a mad rush to incorporate new programs to try to boost MAP scores. Other districts start this the first day of school. I even had a student complain to me about why do they have to go through programming when their classes will change ten weeks into school. I told the student to direct her question to Dr. Creg Williams, Superintendent of …
9. Everyone is entitled to post on this blog. I feel as you do that Travis takes time to research before making a post. Unlike, as you said, other bloggers who use street language and poor grammar (for me thank God for spell check and grammar check but I still proofread to catch most of my mistakes). But I have also corrected Travis about some educational programs that Universities offer to get teachers certified and to become teachers. I respect his opinion and hopes he stay involved. Personally I think Travis would be a good teacher because it appears he cares about future generations. On the other hand maybe he will be a future Board member (heaven forbid, no offense Travis but you are to good for that nonsense).
10. First it would be the School Board. The School Board hires the Superintendent and he is to report to the Board about the status of the district. Another person would be the Financial Officer and/or Treasurer. However refer back to question 5 as to expenditures being covered up or overlooked. In my opinion (how much weight this carries) the Financial Officer should be independent of both the Board and the Superintendent. As we have seen this is not the case. Again businesses and education have similar but different rules. In business there is annual audit conducted to keep the Chief Financial Officer honest, in education an audit is conducted when enough or the right people complain about it (again this is not the case in many other school districts).
Time to dispel some myths about magnet schools. The only true magnet school in the district is Metro High School. When these schools were set up though the Desegregation Lawsuit it appeared that these to provide better educational opportunities for the student in the St. Louis Area. Many of the students within St. Louis City took advantage of going out to one of the county districts to get their education. However, not many of the county students came into the City. The magnet schools appeared to offer rigorous program to prepare them for college. If the student did not maintain a certain grade point average or failed to many classes they were reassigned to a neighborhood school or sent back to their old school. Not to mention if the student had a discipline problem. Sounds great doesn’t it. I was even sold on the idea when it first came out. But remember it is about perception. Only Metro High School at this writing is allowed to do this, no other school can without a mountain of discipline paper work. If it looks good it must be good. International Studies, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, and the Military are the other magnet schools which have their requirements for classes students are suppose to take in order to graduate, however only the state requirements apply. International Studies has a requirement to take four years of Foreign Language but they do not have to pass it just take it. In Technology special needs students are put into gross anatomy classes and told by the counselors if they pass this class they have a good chance of becoming a doctor. Let us be realistic about a student who has a hard time learning basic math or english is going to become a doctor (anything is possible but is it probable). The Visual and Performing Art students are to have an entrance auditions or a portfolio to be accepted. Seniors are to have and exit performance or exhibit. I do know that there is a art exhibit show at UMSL but I do not know of any performances with the exception to music (band and choir). The Military Academy I am not familiar with but I am sure there are similar classes the students are suppose to take but do not have to pass in order to graduate. The state sets the minimum requirements graduation. School Districts and even schools can add additional requirements to graduate from a particular school, take a look at North and South County Technical Schools. These schools offer many different programs but in order for the student to graduate they have to meet the state requirements and the requirements for the program they enrolled in. This is also what our Career Academy is supposed to do as well. But as long as your students meet the number of credits the state requires you children will graduate from a SLPS school. Again the only exception is Metro (at this point and time).
As far as the infighting between the teachers (actually the teacher’s union) and administration this may continue for another few years until the next MSIP inspection. In every district administrators and teachers think the other side make more than they should. The big difference between this district and others is attitude. The state requires us to have so many contact hours for Professional Development. Many of the Union members feel they do not have to do this because they are “experienced” or tenured. Administrators feel they are the one in charge and do not need any additional training. So when you have this how can anything get done? If you look at all of the changes that have happened in every part of your life how can a teacher teach a subject the same way they were taught to teach it in 1980. As some one told me at a conference that I attend on a regular basis you can teach one lesson for thirty years or you can teach thirty lessons for one year. Meaning good teachers rarely use the same lesson more than once. Actually what this means is good teachers will go back and revise lessons (even their best ones) to make the lesson better to enhance student learning. There are many teachers who do care for the students and feel they have failed when the student fails. But when teacher has done everything humanly possible for the student there are students who flat out refuse to what the teachers assigns. This is about 1%-5% percent of the teacher’s students (this is more for the middle and high school teachers – elementary students for the most part are still trying to please adults for their actions).
I know this is very long but I hope it provides some insight.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 10:39:00 PM
Thank you anon for addressing my concerns. I really appreciate it. It helps me to better understand this situation. I don't understand why education is not held accountable financially, as is business. You were correct to do the comparison, because that is exactly where I was coming from. My background is mostly in business and I guess this is why I just can't fathom this financial situation we are in.
It is helpful, the more people that blog and the more info I read, so that I can get a better perspective and make up my own mind about things, after processing it all. About the in-fighting, I meant everyone, not just the teachers and the administration. I feel like if we all put as much effort and passion into changing the situation as we do in these blogs, we could maybe make a difference. I'm trying!
Thursday, July 13, 2006 3:50:00 PM
I agree. I am trying to change things in my classroom and most of the time it is one student at a time. But when the student sees the rewards for their work (meaning better grades) I got them working harder when they do not even realize it. But we do not have a lot of time stay involved and informed.
Thursday, July 13, 2006 6:41:00 PM
Can someone please look at Title I and the NCLB process? Last year was an absolute mess! There is no way SLPS should be able to do tutoring when most of the schools don't even make the progress standard. I think they just want to keep money in house but if I have a choice between Sylvan and SLPs I'm chossing Sylvan. The state hasn't been much help on this so can someone else riase this issue?
Monday, July 17, 2006 12:37:00 PM
The asshole, jerk they hired as principal at Sumner has no people skills what so ever. Not very pleaseant person to talk to. Wants to loud talk everyone. He already has complaints against him and he has not be formally introduced to the staff. Wish we could get George Edwards back.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 5:02:00 PM
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