BOE/Central Office Conference Travel

[Everett McGill]

What cutbacks?  Last night four members of the Board of Education refused to make any changes in its spending patterns of out of county travel to conferences and other meetings with the flippant comment that the funds are in the budget already.  Thus far Russell, McManus and Logan are headed to a conference in California at an estimated cost of $2,000 each. More may be added to that junket. 

How much paint and cleaning supplies would $6,000 buy?  That would reimburse Moncure's PTA for the security fence it paid for around their playground but we have to go all the way to San Diego rather than get  information from the Internet or The Institute of Government in Chapel Hill. 

Guess they have yet to modify their own home budgets to recognize the crunch we all are in tight now.  Besides, the BOEd budgeted money is just taxpayers' money!

Gerald Totten

If someone ( Kathie, your posts here have clarified several issues, most recently the “team travel” changes) could let us know the details about this, it would be most appreciated.

Perhaps there is more to the story?  Perhaps the real value to the team traveling to the conference can be measured and justified?  Perhaps the money budgeted was only to be used for staff development?   Perhaps there is a miscommunnication?

Inquiring minds want to know.   Thanks so much.   Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

[Kathie]

You are correct, the money is budgeted for staff development.  In fact, much of the money is restricted and we are ONLY allowed to spend it for development (money that comes from state or federal sources and is earmarked).  This was clearly explained at the meeting last night. 

In fact, last year Mr. Totten was the only board member to attend the national school board conference in Orlando.  He even stayed a few days extra and took his grandkids to Disney World (of course that portion was at his expense).  His comment in the public meeting after he returned from the meeting was that it was a very valuable and fantastic experience and that he firmly believed that at least one BOE member should attend the national meeting every single year.  There is such a wealth of information that is available there, it is unbelievable and so worthwhile.

I have attended one meeting, two years ago in San Francisco.  I did not go last year because it conflicted with my kids spring break and I wanted to spend it with them.   I came home very enthused and excited and full of wonderful resources and ideas, which I have shared with many others.  These meetings are valuable and critical to attend.  I have always maintained this ever since I was campaigning.  I don't think we can be expected to keep our schools in pace with others nationwide if we don't take advantage of these opportunities to share information with other boards of education.  I think making minor cuts like this in times of economic stress is simply shortsighted.   We can't pull in our tents and huddle up and pretend like we exist in a vacuum.  We don't!  Now more than ever we need to share resources with other districts and find new ways to better educate our kids.  I refuse to believe that saving a few dollars will make any significant difference which is more important than BOE members and others becoming better informed.  As to Gerald's suggestion that we could do that just as well locally, that is utter nonsense.  This is the national meeting, held once a year, of the professional organization for our board.  We need to be active participants.  Otherwise we become a backward, isolated system and that simply does not allow us to prepare students for what is becoming an ever increasingly global economy.  We owe it to our students to be active citizens of the world and to attain the best and most recent knowledge our professional boards have to offer.

As a side note, if anyone thinks these trips are a vacation that is completely untrue.  If I wanted to go to San Fransicso for pleasure, I would have a)  taken my family;  b) stayed in a MUCH nicer hotel (one with a pool, to be sure);  c) stayed in a MUCH nicer location; and d)  not hung around downtown at the conference center for 3 days.  During my stay there I managed to have one nice dinner out (I paid for it) one evening.  Every day all day was spent in meetings.  They were extremely informative, but they were NOT fun - in any way whatsoever.  The other evenings I went to bed early because I was exhausted.  (OK, I'm not a party animal).  In fact the days were grueling.  This was work - work for which I did not get paid!  I took off of my job, which directly affected my income, I went to this meeting and worked for the children of Chatham County.  My travel and accommodations were paid for but my work was not.  (I may have received a board stipend, I don't remember, but if so that would be about $90).  Since my billing rate at work is $200 per hour you can see that this "junket" was of no personal benefit to me.  Sorry for the ramble but it makes me mad when I go somewhere to work for the greater good and then hear it called a "junket" by someone who actually knows better.  To call this a "junket" is just blatantly wrong and conceived purposely to incite the public.  Nothing is further from the truth.  It is work, it is good work, it is important work.  It is necessary work.  It is for the future of our students.  I really don't think the folks at Moncure, whom I love dearly, would choose to trade their new fence for something that is specifically to better their children's education in the future.  They, at least, are not that shortsighted.  They understand that in order to have a future, we have to invest in the future.  I wish everyone got it.

[Everett McGill]

Thanks for the input Kathie.    I don't have an axe to grind with anyone.  There is usually more than one side to a story and to hear yours, on this subject, is good for everyone.   

[Turtle]

I have to say that my first BOE meeting of the year was interesting/exhausting/unsettling. I left at 11 p.m., and was just told that it went on until 1:30. Not verified. It convinced me that I'd never run for Board member!

Kathie's response is right on. With all due respect to Mr. Totten, his suggestion to also have out of county meetings for teachers pre-approved by the Board is just not practical or necessary (as one way of being financially responsible and tightening the belt). Teachers (and, subsequently, students) benefit from meetings in, say, Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, from content and for morale. I'm thinking Mr. Totten may have been having a bad night since he had the misconception that they were approving the budget (which had already been approved) instead of voting on 2 amendments to the budget. Ms. Little, financial person, did a good job of explaining the amendments. I know this because even I understood it!

I can see now that it will be an interesting year. (Just read the most recent post. I don't have an ax to grand either. Just looking out for the students. I agree, it's good to hear more than one side and not just in this instance.)

[Kathie]

Thank you, thank you, thank you both.....it is so heartening to hear that someone understands what is going on.  I cannot tell you how much I needed to hear that.  Our finance officer does a great job and sometimes it is so frustrating to see the simple misunderstandings that occur.  I am no financial genius by any stretch of the imagination, but I understand what is going on enough to get what has been done.  But when a board spends 40 minutes on what should be a simple budget amendment, that is beyond frustrating.  By the way, our meeting lasted until 12:40, I got home at 1:15.

[Patty52]

Thank-you, Everett, for starting this thread and thank-you to the other posters for your most informative, factual postings. I appreciate the time and thought that goes into writing these reports which really help me understand what is was being decided at this meeting.

[Turtle]

Patty52 and others, I plan to attend every meeting. Not to be grinding an ax but to "get the facts, m'am, just the facts." That way, I can make comments based on facts, not on rumors. Back in the 70s (whenever) there was a saying/a popular poster: "Think globally, act locally." That's my goal.

Kathie, you and Mr. Logan did a good job of facilitating a challenging meeting!

[Everett McGill]

I applaud your attitude.   Rarely is there a downside to being more involved and more informed.       

[gertot]

What is left out of Ms. Russell's post is the fact millions of dollars were shuffled around in those amendments.  The one I questioned was of local funds (read Chatham County taxpayers' taxes paid and entrusted to the schools by the County Commissioners).  Recall for those of you who were there the constant carping about the money had already been approved in the $26 million budget.  The amendments I questioned moved amounts from different accounts around without exceeding the total of the $26 million total budget except for some added money that was available sfter the budget was adopted.  Recall Ms. McManus' questions about the deletion of some $450,000 from technology allocations and placed elsewhere by the amendments?  She also said she understood that when you add money to one area, it has to come from someplace.  My comments did not in any way demand that we exercise any more than due diligence over the shuffling of money and responsible attendance at meetings using normal business management and oversight in this time of financial distress to those same Chatham County taxpayers.

Once again, Ms. Russell gets her exercise jumping to conclusions.  I did not take anyone to tour Disney except my wife.  She correctly stated that portion of the trip was at my expense anyhow. What she also leaves unsaid is that I used my own business contacts and so-called earned rewards to stay in a Comfort Inn at $50 per night as opposed to a convention hotel at at least twice that cost. 

Yes, the sessions I attended were worthwhile however much if any of the information I brought back and brochures from vendors have never been followed up on such as modern construction ideas, more effective uses of national sources for job searches and training opportunities available on-line. 

Ms. Little was not and is not demeaned in any way.  It is her job to inform everyone, board members and laymen alike of how and why budgets are developed and why changes are from one account to another in such a way that the public can understand what happens to their money.  For you who were there, you recall her statement about providing account descriptions for clarity?  That certainly was not done in those amendments or in the new budget totals.

Teachers were not singled out for approval attendance at any meeting.  What was intended is the facts of who is going, what is the purpose and how much will it cost for every out of county trip just like Internal Revenue regulations state.  I am aware of trips which are needed but Teacher's Assistants are not reimbursed for their expenses.  I believe if it is a worthwhile event, we should pick up the cost but to send people all the way to the west coast is a whole lot different than receiving information in different and more local venues.  When we have local citizens who cannot buy food, medicine or house payments while they watch "stewards" of their money junket to far away places.  The definition of "junket" is apropos as it means a trip by a public official at public expense.  It isn't criminal, just wasteful in some instances. 

While everyone else is tightening their belts to adjust to troubled economic times, I think it responsible that the Board of Education and the school system do the same.

Gerald Totten

[joebloefromkokomo]

here we go again.....

[Turtle]

It's a matter of semantics, connotation, and the difference between hearing something "from the horse's mouth" and reading it elsewhere. I probably should leave well enough alone, but...I'll just make a few comments. This is not intended as a rebuttal to Mr. Totten but instead is intended to make online readers understand a bit more. I've quoted his posting and put my responses in bold. I'll try to learn how to cut and paste a previous post.

"What is left out of Ms. Russell's post is the fact millions of dollars were shuffled around in those amendments." Shuffled suggests a careless moving. It was a simple movement of line items to protect local monies by using federal, then state money (for salaries, I think) and using local money   "(read Chatham County taxpayers' taxes paid and entrusted to the schools by the County Commissioners)" only after the other funds have been exhausted or, towards the end of the school year, cut back by the feds or state.

 "Recall for those of you who were there the constant carping about the money had already been approved in the $26 million budget." Mr. Totten, I won't use the word "carping" but you were the only one with a concern. The other members (all, I believe) mentioned that Ms. Little had been sending email updates on the budget since Feb.08 and they had a good grasp of the budget.  

  "Recall Ms. McManus' questions about the deletion of some $450,000 from technology allocations and placed elsewhere by the amendments?"  Yes, I was there and she understood the explanation that the tech money was not deleted. It was moved from one place in the budget to another. "She also said she understood that when you add money to one area, it has to come from someplace."  Yes, she said that and she, in my opinion, understood when her issue was addressed. (Ms. McManus, please correct me if I make an assumption about your understanding. My assumption is that you did understand, judging from your comments and body language. BTW, I appreciated your efforts to diffuse the situation. Along with others in the audience, I was uncomfortable at times, embarrassed for Mr. Totten.)

"My comments did not in any way demand that we exercise any more than due diligence over the shuffling..." Again, it was not shuffling; it was an amendment to move line items in the budget. The amount of money or the recipients of the money did not change."of money and responsible attendance at meetings." I don't recall a discussion of responsible or irresponsible attendance at meetings, but maybe someone was talking at the same time or it was after I left using normal business management and oversight in this time of financial distress to those same Chatham County taxpayers."  My impression is that the other Board members, Mr. Logan, and Ms. Little are just as cognizant of financial distress as Chatham County taxpayers.

"Once again, Ms. Russell gets her exercise jumping to conclusions." Just hafta to say, she's in good shape. Maybe I should start jumping to conclusions.  I did not take anyone to tour Disney except my wife.  She correctly stated that portion of the trip was at my expense anyhow. What she also leaves unsaid is that I used my own business contacts and so-called earned rewards to stay in a Comfort Inn at $50 per night as opposed to a convention hotel at at least twice that cost."  You had the wherewithal to be frugal. That's good. I imagine the others didn't have business contacts in Orlando. You're fortunate that you did.

"Yes, the sessions I attended were worthwhile however much if any of the information I brought back and brochures from vendors have never been followed up on such as modern construction ideas, more effective uses of national sources for job searches and training opportunities available on-line."  It's something we all face. Coming back so motivated and then not being able to implement all we want to b/c of other constraints. But, go back to the word "motivated." It improves attitude and helps one keep on trying.

"Ms. Little was not and is not demeaned in any way.  It is her job to inform everyone, board members and laymen alike of how and why budgets are developed and why changes are from one account to another in such a way that the public can understand what happens to their money.  For you who were there, you recall her statement about providing account descriptions for clarity?  That certainly was not done in those amendments or in the new budget totals." Ms. Little did a great job. I commend her for not being unnecessarily defensive. I'll cut this short and just say, there was not a new budget total.

"Teachers were not singled out for approval attendance at any meeting." You referred to travel. Teachers do most of the traveling, I would imagine. "What was intended is the facts of who is going, what is the purpose and how much will it cost for every out of county trip just like Internal Revenue regulations state.  I am aware of trips which are needed but Teacher's Assistants are not reimbursed for their expenses." Sometimes they are. I don't remember Teacher Assistants being discussed.

"I believe if it is a worthwhile event, we should pick up the cost but to send people all the way to the west coast (West coast vs Deep South? Depending, sometimes it's just as expensive to go to FL as to CA.)is a whole lot different than receiving information in different and more local venues.  When we have local citizens who cannot buy food, medicine or house payments while they watch "stewards" of their money junket to far away places."  Again, the money is designated for specific use. Not using it will not buy food, medicine or make house payments for those in need. The definition of "junket" is apropos as it means a trip by a public official at public expense.  It isn't criminal, just wasteful in some instances."  Junket carries the connotation of "frivolous."

"While everyone else is tightening their belts to adjust to troubled economic times, I think it responsible that the Board of Education and the school system do the same." Of course, it is. My impression is that the BOE is striving to be responsible and know from experience that many, if not most, of the schools try to get the best bang for the buck; i.e., the best bang for the students.
That's it. Man, I can see how people in the community can get confused, be misled, and/or not understand the facts. Facts are dull when compared to rumors. No, I'm not saying you or any Board member is spreading rumors. But when you, or anyone, state things as facts when they aren't, it contributes to rumor mongering.  Keep in mind, readers, I'm just responding to things I heard and saw in the meeting last night and the posts here by Ms. Russell and Mr. Totten. If I've been incorrect in anything I've written (except for my opinions or impressions), please tell me and I'll address it.

I have to say that my impression over the past 2 years has been that Mr. Totten has been a hard worker for Chatham County teachers, students, and families. Last night was an unpleasant jolt. He did not understand that the Board was considering 2 amendments to the budget instead of approving the budget. He made no visible attempts at team work. His adamant statements about travel (esp the upcoming trip to their national convention) seemed to be an attempt to look more accountable to the public than his cohorts. Sorry, Mr. Totten, but that's how it seemed to me.  

This has worn me out. I probably should never have started! I hope this is my one and only diatribe!

[Turtle]

Sorry, joebloe.

[joebloefromkokomo]

[quote

I have to say that my impression over the past 2 years has been that Mr. Totten has been a hard worker for Chatham County teachers, students, and families. Last night was an unpleasant jolt. He did not understand that the Board was considering 2 amendments to the budget instead of approving the budget. He made no visible attempts at team work. His adamant statements about travel (esp the upcoming trip to their national convention) seemed to be an attempt to look more accountable to the public than his cohorts. Sorry, Mr. Totten, but that's how it seemed to me. 


[/quote]

turtle...

how it seems is how it is, unfortunately. 

joe

[whoopdedo1]

I was at the meeting too and what I saw was a man making every effort to be responsible to the public who elected him and who carries the freight of spending in the county. 

He is accountable to the public which includes the school kids.  I am glad he is there and can carry the barbs for us.  Keep it up, Col. Totten.  Maybe yet there will be some accountability in the way my m,oney is thrown around.

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

Col. Hope you still have a combat vest. You certainly catch enough flak from the powers that protect each other from accountability.  Keep on representing the people of the county as you always have.Very few citizens can make all of these meetings, but I rest easier knowing there is a watchdog like you on guard duty.

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