(Ed.'s Note: At one time, Tom Torkelson used to claim that the school boards of South Texas were extravagant and abusive of the public funds they got to teach children. Now it turns out that he isn't a above reaching into the cookie jar himself and giving himself and his administrators a few perks. How things change and stay the same.)
By Jacob Carpenter
Houston Chronicle
Several weeks after IDEA Public Schools nixed plans to spend millions of dollars on a charter jet lease, the charter network’s leader announced the end of additional “hard to defend” spending practices Thursday, including the purchase of tickets and a luxury box for events at San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
In a letter sent to IDEA’s 7,000-plus employees, CEO Tom Torkelson apologized for spending patterns that have brought unflattering attention to the state’s largest charter school organization. The network’s since-reversed decision to ink an eight-year aircraft lease and its spending on San Antonio Spurs games have drawn criticism from the Texas AFT, an umbrella organization for teachers unions throughout the state.
“Some of IDEA’s biggest fans have been telling me lately that a number of decisions I’ve made as CEO were really dumb and unhelpful,” Torkelson wrote in his letter. “It’s been hard to hear, but they’re right.”
IDEA officials said they will not renew an agreement with Spurs Sports and Entertainment for the tickets and luxury box once the basketball team’s season ends in the spring. More than 1,000 employees have received tickets each season, with the “lion’s share” going to campus-level staff and students. The accommodations cost about $400,000 this year, paid for with private funds, IDEA officials said.
In addition, IDEA no longer will allow business deals between the network and high-level leaders and their relatives — which have occurred on at least eight occasions in the past four years.
In a letter sent to IDEA’s 7,000-plus employees, CEO Tom Torkelson apologized for spending patterns that have brought unflattering attention to the state’s largest charter school organization. The network’s since-reversed decision to ink an eight-year aircraft lease and its spending on San Antonio Spurs games have drawn criticism from the Texas AFT, an umbrella organization for teachers unions throughout the state.
“Some of IDEA’s biggest fans have been telling me lately that a number of decisions I’ve made as CEO were really dumb and unhelpful,” Torkelson wrote in his letter. “It’s been hard to hear, but they’re right.”
IDEA officials said they will not renew an agreement with Spurs Sports and Entertainment for the tickets and luxury box once the basketball team’s season ends in the spring. More than 1,000 employees have received tickets each season, with the “lion’s share” going to campus-level staff and students. The accommodations cost about $400,000 this year, paid for with private funds, IDEA officials said.
In addition, IDEA no longer will allow business deals between the network and high-level leaders and their relatives — which have occurred on at least eight occasions in the past four years.
Most notably, IDEA’s recommended uniform vendor in the Rio Grande Valley since 2012 has been RGV Pro Direct, a company partially owned by IDEA Chief Operations Officer Irma Muñoz’s husband. Muñoz said earlier this month that her husband sold his 50 percent stake in the company at the end of 2019.
Patty Quinzi, legislative counsel for the Texas AFT, said some of IDEA’s spending practices illustrate the need for additional state oversight. Unlike traditional independent school districts, charter schools are governed by private nonprofits.
“It’s really puzzling that there are no questions from state leadership as to why this is OK,” Quinzi said. “With (traditional) public schools, at least there’s elected governance that has to be in the same city.”
Torkelson and other IDEA leaders have defended their spending practices in recent weeks, calling them part of the charter’s more business-like ethos.
Patty Quinzi, legislative counsel for the Texas AFT, said some of IDEA’s spending practices illustrate the need for additional state oversight. Unlike traditional independent school districts, charter schools are governed by private nonprofits.
“It’s really puzzling that there are no questions from state leadership as to why this is OK,” Quinzi said. “With (traditional) public schools, at least there’s elected governance that has to be in the same city.”
Torkelson and other IDEA leaders have defended their spending practices in recent weeks, calling them part of the charter’s more business-like ethos.
To read rest of article, click on link:
12 comments:
At least IDEA does it out in the open and not only higher ups patricipate in the activities. . BISD spends the citizen.s hard earned $$$ on themselves. Who are the co-defendants. ???? Are they going to continue on the Board???Carlos Elizondo paid for The current Board president's recount when she ran for judge out of the union funds he stole. Cesar made plenty off the sale of Buy Board sales. Joe Rodriguez made millions while on the board through paragon sports. The current BISD Board president is going around saying that IDEA bought the Friday night parade but that's OK cuz the City has poor lighting and the kid's faces can't be seen. BISD is so greedy that they're scrambling to get teachers and counselors to make floats to fill in the gaps that were left after they kicked Jubilee kids out. Shame on BISD. Why haven't we heard about the iPads they supposedly bought from a company in Tenessee. Wheres the wifi ? Most districts in the valley provide wifi for students on the buses. Books are on the internet and the majority of students don't have internet services home. Get to work Juan. You know clearly where the skeletons are buried and who buried them.
They pay the rest of the employees only 7.25 an hour and these idiots are spending like its going out of style and don't forget about tax funeded agencies like BISD, BND, PUB, COB, CC, MUDS, Boards and other hidden agencies LIKE: ???
VOTE FOR A TRUE POWERHOUSE.
ERIN GÁMEZ
Democratic candidate for Texas State Representative District 38
"AND JUSTICE FOR ALL"
Texas District 27 Senate
VOTE SARA STAPLETON BARRERA OR RUBÉN CORTEZ
Torkelson “the lily white rat”
pura pinche tranza
y los zonzoz
a si idea es mejor
At least IDEA gives their employees incentives and rewards high achievers. BISD treats hard workers like shit. The Glass Palace is very unprofessional and full of lazy employees waiting for retirement. BISD rewards those that are slackers. The Sups and Deputys office has lots of secretaries and none equal one. Puro chisme!!!!
HEY, THESE PUTOS ARE OUT OF PINCHE TOUCH JUAN!!!! QUE CHINGONES LOS DE IDEA.... A PRIVATE JET AND BOX SEATS PA LOS PINCHE SPURS.... LIFE IS PINCHE GOOD!!! BOLA DE OJETES!!!!! OF THE PUTOS OF BISD WOULD TALK ABOUT DOING ANYTHING SIMILAR WE WOULD HANG THEM BY THE HUEVOS FROM A MESQUITE, CULEROS!!!!! THEY SHOULD BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS THE ISD’s!!!! THEY ARE TAX FUNDED CON UNA CHINGADA!!!! AND FOR THE PENDEJOS THAT TRY AND JUSTIFY THESE MAMADAS.... TAN BIEN PENDEJOS!!!! CHINGA TU MADRE PELOSI!!!! VIEJIA ARRUGADA!!! QUE VIVA TRUMP!!!!! UUUUYYYYYY!!!!!!! WHATS NEXT FOR PINCHE IDEA?!!! PICKING UP KIDS IN FERRARI BUSES?!!!ME CAGO POR DONDE MISMO PUTOS!!!!!
Lic. MACLOVIO O’MALLEY
Thats what they get for hiring a gringo!!
BISD teachers and administrators all have their resumes submitted at the Charter Schools ! BISD is a corrupt sinking ship.
I'm gonna have my kicks before this shit house goes up in flames- da doors...
“With (traditional) public schools, at least there’s elected governance that has to be in the same city.”
Elected governance fired or out on bail.
Hire a gringo and you'll get busted sooner then if you hire a meskin
Post a Comment