FORTBENDNOW.com UPDATES FBISD INVESTIGATION!

"The only response given by the school district is that the district does not discuss “personnel matters.” MaryAnn Simpson, Communications Office

School Watchdog Group Calls For Investigation Of FBISD Police Chief
January 2nd, 2009 | by John Pape

In the wake of allegations against Fort Bend ISD Police Chief J.L. Campbell that surfaced in a series of recent FortBendNow news stories, the FBISD WatchDogs organization is calling for an investigation by the school district and the Texas Ethics Commission.

The WatchDogs sent a letter dated Jan. 1 to all members of the school board and FBISD Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jenney formally requesting the investigation. The letter was also posted on the organization’s website, http://fbisdwatch.blogspot.com.

The allegations against Campbell include his conducting his two campaigns for Galveston County Sheriff from his FBISD police department office, as well as using district time and resources to run for office.

Campbell ran unsuccessful campaigns for Galveston Sheriff in 2008 and 2004. He was serving as FBISD police chief during both campaigns.

Campbell has also been accused of bringing pressure on school police personnel following the publication of the stories in an attempt to identify which employees were providing information to FortBendNow.

Campbell has not responded to requests for comment.

The only response given by the school district is that the district does not discuss “personnel matters.”

Get the full FBN story at:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/school-watchdog-group-calls-for-investigation-of-fbisd-police-chief/

FBISDWatch ISSUES CALL FOR INVESTIGATION!

Sonal Bhuchar, FBISD BOT President
Steve Smelley, FBISD BOT Vice President
Dr. Tim Jenney, FBISD Superintendent
Laurie Caldwell, FBISD BOT member
Bob Broxson, FBISD BOT member
David Reitz, FBISD BOT member
Susan Hohnbum, FBISD BOT member
Dan Menendez, FBISD BOT member

January, 2009

Dear FBISD Trustees & Dr. Jenney,

We just wanted to let you know how much FBISDWatch appreciates the hard work and dedication you all have displayed for much of this past year, realizing how little compensation you do receive for your efforts. Further, we are confident, that during this current budgetary crisis, that you all will continue to honor and represent your constituents in your fiduciary obligations as our elected officials regarding educational over-site and restraint.

This being said, it has come to our attention that during much of 2008 the FBISD police chief, J.L. Campbell, was reportedly absent from his job and may have been using district resources in an out of county political race. This quote was obtained from a local media source and has been verified.

“Following the election, several Fort Bend ISD police officers contacted FortBendNow and accused Campbell of using his school district office to run his campaign and district administrators of turning a blind eye to the use of district resources and time for a political race.” FortBendNow

Additionally, several internal sources reportedly have undergone unwarranted pressure from police administration after these stories began, this according to the same sources.

It is our sincere hope, that as our elected representatives and district administration, that these allegations will be thoroughly reviewed by the board and later the Texas Ethics Commission. This is our formal request that the school board review and report to the public on this situation upon its earliest opportunity.

We sincerely appreciate your attention to this very serious matter.


FBISDWatchDogs


***********
FBISDWatch
fbisdwatch@yahoo.com
http://fbisdwatch.blogspot.com/
FB County-FBISD

Sister Watchdogs Successful Exposing Ethics Violations On Neighboring School Board!

Get the full story here:

http://www.katycitizens.org/index_files/Page4905.htm

Upcoming Dates!

Important Dates Coming Up!

Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 - Winter Holidays

January - School Board Recognition Month

Jan. 5 - Students and Staff Return for classes

Jan. 12 - Regular School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM

Jan. 13-16 - Semester Exams

Jan. 15 & 16 - Early dismissal High School (11:45 am); Middle School (12:45 pm)

Jan. 19 - Holiday/Martin L. King Day

January 26 - Regular School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM

January 29 - Upcoming Board Meetings

Chron: Teacher lunch time being reduced?

Teachers bombarded with meetings, their lunchtime stolen

During a Fort Bend school board meeting Monday night, Karrie Washenfelder, president of Fort Bend Employee Federation, which is a teacher union, urged school officials to stop bugging teachers with "excessive" meetings. . .

...said the half-hour duty-free lunch also is protected by the state law. She added:

"How sad that our teachers teaching bell-to-bell, overburdened with meetings before and after school, stuck with bus duty, hall duty, and lunch duty, can't have a 30-minute duty-free lunch?"

Get the full piece at: http://blogs.chron.com/fortbend/archives/2008/12/union_teachers.html

FBN: Reported Truancy Up In FBISD!

"In 2006-'07, 665 students were charged with truancy for having 10 or more unexcused absences. Another 162 were charged with the same thing but also were fined.

But those numbers soared the next year. In 2007-'08, 1,362 FBISD students were charged with truancy for 10 or more unexcused absences. Another 1,379 were not only charged for 10 or more unexcused absences, but also were fined." FBN

Get the full story at: http://fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=748328&widget=push&article-Serious-On-campus-Crime-Down-At-FBISD-But-Truancy-Is-Up-Sharply%20=&instance=home_news_bullets&open=&

Important Dates-Take NOTE!

Important Dates Coming Up!

Dec. 8 - Regular School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM

Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 - Winter Holidays

Have a safe, warm and wonderful holiday season from all the volunteers here at FBISDwatch!