2009 FBISD Tax Hearing (On YouTube)

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2009 FBISD CONTROVERSIAL TAX HEARING (YES THEY ARE RAISING THEM AGAIN--see petition of over 500 district taxpayers asking for board accountability) --In case anyone missed it they raised the property tax rate again (4th time) in 2010 and more than likely will do so again in 2011 facing another projected 15-20 million dollar budget deficit, according to some media reports. ***NEW*** ..Petition TO STOP THE GSTC (Global Science Museum being planned at the district central office--near $30 million dollar project that superintendent Jenney is pushing): http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthegcst/ (see update below on this apparently ending this project after 2 years)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

FBN: DA Looks Into Possible Open Records/Open Meetings Violations of FBISD!

Inquiry Launched Into Possible Open Records Violations By FBISD
December 15th, 2009 | by Jamie Mock, Fortbendnow

Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey has asked the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office to launch an “inquiry” into possible violations of the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act by the Fort Bend Independent School District.

The request was made after Healey met with a group of Fort Bend County residents, led by New Territory resident Nancy Hentschel who says the school district has “stalled” in providing information about the proposed Global Science and Technology Center.

An opponent of the district’s proposed $26.4 million science center, Hentschel said the information she is seeking could have been essential to the public before the FBISD Board of Trustees gave its approval for the project to proceed in a limited fashion...

Source (full story): http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/12/15/42769

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Local comments coming in on this from area blogs:

patriot missive says:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:47 am (#)

Healey’s words at the end of this story are interesting. Some of the “goodoleboy” network that allows vendors to run rough shod over taxpayers are past contributors to Healy’s campaign. This may put Healey in a bind, but he is either a law abiding DA or we need another one ASAP. Lets see if Healy investigates the white-collar criminals or “refocuses” the issue on the taxpayers who reported the abuse…

FtBendConservative says:
December 15th, 2009 at 8:13 am (#)

XXXXX

jaghund says:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:08 am (#)

Sounds like Jenney and the school district should have come clean months ago.

Anonymous said...

b_tabor says:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am (#)

This should prove to be interesting over the coming months.

‘Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey has asked the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office to launch an “inquiry” into possible violations of the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act by the Fort Bend Independent School District.’

Let’s wait and see what develops.

b_tabor says:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am (#)

Excellent observation patriot!

cult_of_one says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:04 am (#)

Maybe if you all just asked for the documents real nice like they would give them to you.

= - )

FtBendConservative says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am (#)

XXXXX (vendor feeding defending troll removed from site).

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

FtBendConservative says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:53 am (#)

XXXXX (banned poster--vendor feeder)

concerned.citizen says:
December 15th, 2009 at 1:23 pm (#)

This sounds pretty serious. What sanctions are possible when our officials engage in such acts?

b_tabor says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:00 pm (#)

Look who is back defending law violations. I wonder if this means he thinks it is ok to violate the order by the Attorney General of the state of Texas?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

b_tabor says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:01 pm (#)

It never changes. Always defend the cronies (vendor defending is a way of life for some).

Anonymous said...

I remember a case like this a few years ago. Wasn't this one
Submitted by taxpayer_beware on December 15, 2009 1:35 pm
I remember a case like this a few years ago. Wasn't this one also handled under the same district law firm?

It is good to see the chronicle covering the hard news in this
Submitted by drccalvin on December 15, 2009 11:01 am
It is good to see the chronicle covering the hard news in this county. I especially appreciate the free press for keeping the public informed. Often something our local tax supported entities do not do.

Very good point patriot missive on the need for these laws. The
Submitted by anonymous on December 15, 2009 8:06 am
Very good point patriot missive on the need for these laws. The spirit as well as the intent was deliberately violated by senior leadership. That is obvious. What is hard to believe though is that they can flaunt these apparent violations of law in front of the AGs office and have no sanctions enforced.

Anonymous said...

Why isn't any of this a surprise. They rushed this thing through
Submitted by taxpayer_beware on December 15, 2009 7:59 am
Why isn't any of this a surprise. They rushed this thing through to avoid public scrutiny. That was obvious and now they can face the music. Far to often we see our local politicians involved in such behavior. It is a disappointment when it is your school system though.

Open records laws were made to keep government honest. This
Submitted by patriot missive on December 15, 2009 7:08 am
Open records laws were made to keep government honest. This Global Center type of project would not be possible, if taxpayers had access to the records that open records allow. The DA needs to move on this swiftly.

I wonder if the district has destroyed official government
Submitted by anonymous on December 15, 2009 6:30 am
I wonder if the district has destroyed official government documents (communications) in all this? Isn't that illegal too?

Anonymous said...

More of the same-
Submitted by anonymous on December 15, 2009 6:29 am
"after a 10-month effort to seek information related to the district’s Global Center for Science and Technology project,"---This is completely unacceptable. Didn't the TX Attorney General order this information released?

Anonymous said...

Mary McGarr says:
December 15th, 2009 at 1:40 pm (#)

It is important for District Attorney Healey to stay on this matter and see it through. He should not just pass the buck, and so far that’s not what he appears to be doing.

Making an example of whoever is responsible for withholding the emails of administrators would go a long way toward stopping the arrogance of public school districts concerning open records.

Whatever happens with this matter in Ft. Bend will affect all school districts, including mine–Katy ISD which is notorious for withholding emails of administrators.

A federal judge ruled against such withholdings a couple of years ago and said all governmental bodies have to maintain their electronic communications and that they are subject to the open records laws.

Funny how no one seems to remember that.

Go look at what is going on in the Judson ISD in San Antonio if you wish to see what school boards and superintendent do behind closed doors: http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story/Report-Judson-I-S-D-Breaks-State-Law/eV6z7npV8UGijnYr6KXA-A.cspx

Anonymous said...

santhony says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm (#)

Thank you Ms. McGarr, as a former elected member of the school board you would have the access to such information. I appreciate you sharing it here.

“A federal judge ruled against such withholdings a couple of years ago and said all governmental bodies have to maintain their electronic communications and that they are subject to the open records laws.”

Only if voters/taxpayers demand accountability, will we then begin to see it. If Healey can’t do the job then there are two challengers running who can. Let’s cross our fingers and hope the system can work for once.

Anonymous said...

That link Mary shared is very enlightening.

Anonymous said...

More:

santhony says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm (#)

Thank you Ms. McGarr, as a former elected member of the school board you would have the access to such information. I appreciate you sharing it here.

“A federal judge ruled against such withholdings a couple of years ago and said all governmental bodies have to maintain their electronic communications and that they are subject to the open records laws.”

Only if voters/taxpayers demand accountability, will we then begin to see it. If Healey can’t do the job then there are two challengers running who can. Let’s cross our fingers and hope the system can work for once.

patriot missive says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:57 pm (#)

Thank you Mary McGarr.

Taxpayers, teachers and public citizens cannot take needed action in support of FBISD sustainability and accountability without having access to records in a timely fashion.

Hmmm…Perhaps that is what the “holdup” is?

MoCity says:
December 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm (#)

‘Those problems include Judson I.S.D. misleading voters in 2006 by claiming work on the football stadium was just renovation work when it was really a complete rebuild.’

This is a great line from that WOAI report.

santhony says:
December 15th, 2009 at 3:32 pm (#)

That is a very interesting piece MCTY. I remember reading earlier in the year that superintendent Jenney was very supportive of the company involved in that FBI investigation and assured the public that they were a “reputable” firm. This is the same firm involved in many of our building projects here in FBISD and it is the same company that flew JISD board members to a golfing junket in Calif courtesy of them.

I wonder why superintendent Jenney never turned over his financial disclosures when they were ordered released by the Attorney Generals office? 10 months would seem like more than enough time, especially when state law limits such with-holding to 10 business days only. I wonder how much a fine would be if it was imposed for each day they delay it? I guess turning over records to the taxpayers and public that pay for them is just too much to ask.

Oh well. Let’s hope appropriate action will be taken on all this. Thank you Ms McGarr for posting that all important link:

http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story/Report-Judson-I-S-D-Breaks-State-Law/eV6z7npV8UGijnYr6KXA-A.cspx

Anonymous said...

FtBendConservative says:
December 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pm (#)

XXXX (banned from site for vendor feeding)

jaghund says:
December 15th, 2009 at 8:20 pm (#)

Thank you for posting that link to the WOAI investigation. It’s an excellent report.

The Judson school board met this morning in an emergency meeting because they found out News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Brian Collister got a hold of that report which proves the district has violated state laws.

Investigative reports like these should all be archived in one location so they are easier to find, so we can all stay informed.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I just read a report about how Sugar Land city officials are joining a lawsuit to remove sanctions for violations of the open records and open meetings laws. Is this correct? Can elected officials do this?

Anonymous said...

FtBendConservative says:
December 16th, 2009 at 7:50 am (#)

XXXX (banned for vendor feeding)

b_tabor says:
December 16th, 2009 at 8:21 am (#)

I think good advice is to post on topic and specifically on the news item. Anything else is just a side show.

patriot missive says:
December 16th, 2009 at 8:34 am (#)

The free press is vital for a democracy to survive. When special interests are allowed to shut down unflattering information, then fascism rules.

We are in a critical economic period, and taxpayers must have the information on this thread and others. Thank you FBN for allowing this patriot’s missive to have a voice on your website.

santhony says:
December 16th, 2009 at 8:44 am (#)

I agree patriot. I think the pattern we are seeing with regard to many local media outlets is a deliberate attempt to silence community involvement that exposes the “laundry”. For example in this FBN link you will find multiple attempts to misinform the public by the school district over the last couple of years. I think this is consistent with the investigation being announced in this article:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/?s=FBISD%2C+police%2C+Sugar+Land

I would also like to add that TPIA/TOMA laws being challenged by elected officials as they are in another local taxing entity smacks of hypocrisy and anti-Americanism. Keep shining the light into these backrooms and dark closests. Often it causes the emergence of some pretty interesting special interest.

Anonymous said...

I thought the star article did a good job reporting on this. Don't expect much from the local crowd though. They like their public fat and quiet.

Anonymous said...

conservative1 says:
December 16th, 2009 at 9:35 am (#)

So…does Hentchel have a point? Or is she just mad that the district got bored building schools and teaching kids that they had to build something else. I don’t have a problem with Wallace building something and getting 50% of the funding for it, more power to him but all I know is my school tax bill is the largest and keeps going up, it has to stop. Where do you draw the line? Is the museum an integral part of education in FBISD or should they concentrate on removing portable buildings and paying teachers on time?

b_tabor says:
December 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am (#)

What’s funny cons1 is that they won’t even release the information to the public to confirm that the required targets for moving forward on this buildings construction were even met. Remember it was the board (a public body) that demanded these conditions be met before ground breaking, but they won’t release this information so that it can be confirmed.

Just more deception by a government body that we pay taxes to support. How do you feel about that?

conservative1 says:
December 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am (#)

Remember, its the biggest tax you have as a homeowner and “its all about the children”. I would caution anyone to approve projects from a district that can’t get the paycheck software to work and has an abundance of portable buildings instead of permanent structures and…decides to take on a project like the science center, but that is just me, ol political conservative saying no to everything.

jaghund says:
December 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am (#)

I know it’s about 2/3rds of my entire tax bill.

b_tabor says:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pm (#)

But some like paying ever rising taxes to cover multi-year double digit budget growth while abatements are given as special favors for the well connected. Keep paying homeowners!

cult_of_one says:
December 17th, 2009 at 7:40 am (#)

I wonder how much more the HISD superintendent makes?

Anonymous said...

b_tabor says:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pm (#)

But some like paying ever rising taxes to cover multi-year double digit budget growth while abatements are given as special favors for the well connected. Keep paying homeowners!

cult_of_one says:
December 17th, 2009 at 7:40 am (#)

I wonder how much more the HISD superintendent makes?

b_tabor says:
December 17th, 2009 at 12:43 pm (#)

I wouldn’t know but our supt is making more than the current governor of the state and so is the KISD supt.

patriot missive says:
December 17th, 2009 at 2:11 pm (#)

It amazes me that everyone in Fort Bend is not demanding that FBISD release these documents. Their survey alone demonstrated conclusively that the board and “feasibility study” are run by bold faced fabricators of reality.

santhony says:
December 17th, 2009 at 4:48 pm (#)

I think this $30 million dollar duplicate project and waste of taxpayer money is an stellar example of why we need stronger teeth in the transparency laws governing our politicians. If the district and leadership can boldly flaunt non-compliance like this then any vendor controlled government entity can do the same.

The facts-

The district under Jenney has run two consecutive record budget deficits. First, a near $10 million dollar train wreck last year and a projected $20 million one for this year. They also approved over $15 million in no-bid vendor contracts and raised our taxes for the 3rd straight year after lunging us forward into the top 10 bond debtor school districts out of 1030+ other districts in the state. On top of this the board voted to increase the superintendents salary by more than 60k over the last supts and without the district improving from its previous academic ranking of only “acceptable” (even when the state gave a grade inflation gift of the Texas “Projection” Measure–TPM– this year).

Yes pay should be tied to performance.

It is time for the elected board to remember from whence they came and begin to answer to the voters/taxpayers and not just pretend too. This project is a spending program that does not save the academies that were cut this year or save the campus level band programs that also were cut. It continues an untenable pathway and is the perfect example of why we need MORE transparency. Ask yourself just where is the over a billion in district debt gone? Where is the $100 million in “contingency” funds exposed last year by Mr. Cain and Mr. Albright? Fund the programs that improve student performance, but cut vendor feeding programs like the GSTC.

See the links above to the on-going investigations surrounding this project and those involved. There are also spring elections coming this May, so consider electing members that represent the real interest of the public and aren’t selected by the vendors, but from you and I.

http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story/Report-Judson-I-S-D-Breaks-State-Law/eV6z7npV8UGijnYr6KXA-A.cspx

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