Here are the numbers:
It takes $26 million a month to run BISD.
There is currently between $78 to $80 million in fund reserves.
There are some five months left in the budget year to go.
Is there a problem here?
BISD has already put off the planned opening of Breeden Ele
mentary off Dana Road scheduled for this Fall.It has engaged in a buyout of longtime employees and is cutting non-critical programs.
At the same time, the school board members have instructed the administration not to go after teachers. If they must cut, Superintendent Brett Sprinsgston has been told, start cutting at the top levels. There are plenty of administrators making more than $100,000 a year. Go after them before you start going after the little people.
In 2008, Springston and the former board were looking at a $178 million reserve fund. After a binge of construction and padding local architects' and contractors' pockets, that fund dwindled to around $80 million two short years later.
Yet, CFO Tony Fuller and Springston could look the board members in the eye and tell them that "There's have plenty of money there. Don't worry."
And former BISD counsel Mike Saldaña was overheard telling the denizens at the Palm Lounge that the district was "in fine fiscal shape" as he bought them a round of frothing mugs.
There's a joke that makes the rounds in local watering holes. It goes something like this:
A local guy is sitting with his compadre at a cantina and they both run out of money. One compadre says to the other, "Compadre, all I have is the rent money and I don't think I should touch it."
The other compadre answers: "Compadre, what are you worrying about? I'm your compadre. You think I'm here for nothing, or what? Don't worry about it."
With that assurance, the other compadre begins to buy round after round until they're plastered and they leave.
The next day, the compadre who spent the rent money looks for the other one and when he finds him tells him: "Compadre, my rent is due and we spent all the money yesterday. You told me then not to worry about it, that you were my compadre."
The other lowlife turns to him and says: "Now you can worry about it, compadre. (Ahora si mortifiquese, compadre."
For BISD, the time to worry about it is here. The splurge was nice while it lasted, wasn't it?
10 comments:
BISD has been staggering for years; staggering under terrible mismanagment and a bloated payroll. BISD could save a lot of money by letting principals be principals and get rid of the "mafia" area managers that suck the budget dry. Let teachers teach and students learn. The area managers don't help, they just insure no one is teaching and no one is learning.
Excuse me! Tell me how many times the funds have been at 80 million. Only 2 years ago there was 178. Why are you making this year's fund a big deal? Oh I know why, because that is how you get readers by sensationalize things. OH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you aware of Legislation SB 1922 and HB 3860 introduced by Sen. Lucio and Rep. Oliveira on Friday 29 April. They are trying to BACKDOOR and currently succeeding in the creation of a Property Improvement District to benefit the undeveloped West Side of Modern Venice subdivision (The Fingers). Those in the developed East Side of Modern Venice are to be included in the district and will eventually be assessed taxes in the newly created district. Many citizens from the Modern Venice subdivision are against it and have been voicing their concerns to the legislators only to be ignored. Raybec has hired Vinson & Elkins as lobbyist to get this legislation through in order to have public tax money make improvements on the West Side of the Fingers where they have a significant ownership and conflict of interest. Mayor Joe Vega states he is against the legislation, but abstains on all votes. Please investigate on behalf of the citizens of the Modern Venice Subdivision. It reeks of dirty politics as usual... Link to hearing:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/commit/c545/c545.htm
The danger is that Mr. Springston and the ex-board members spent $100 million in 2 1/2 years. Where did the money go and how much budget did the board members give themselves. The problems lies with the Superintendent, the CFO, and the board. The Area Superintendents cannot spend the money. Only the board.
SO, YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THE PRVIOUS BOARD SPENT ABOUT 100 MILLIONS, BUT WHERE DID THE OLD BOARD SPEND THE MONEY?
JUST CHECK SLICKY RICK AND CAVEMAN'S BANK ACCOUNT.
You're right! AA's do not spend the money! They limit each campus to the minimum so that there is enough money to pay off their enormous, unearned 6 figure salaries. Get rid of the assistant to the assistant of the assistant.
We told you so.
BISD is doing better the all the district around and yet everyone here put BISD down. How depressing!!!!!!!!!!!
You need to look behind close doors at BISD. Only those close to the source can really tell you how it is. Try going to work each day with fear of what will happen today. It used to be fun to go to class each day and teach with joy and caring for the kids. Now, you can't even pat a child on his shoulder because you will be charged with child abuse. HOw said!
So what has Mrs. Presas-Garcia been talking about??? Keep on digging into things Catalina. Now who is supporting Springstien, Fuller, oh yea, Patrick is at the bottom of the sea with The Caveman and the Slickly Ricky the slug.
Post a Comment