The other day I was going through financial documents published about the District on the State Department of Education website (click here if you like to peruse these things yourself, MSD Decatur Township is district 5300), when I came across a line item for payment of a building lease out of the pension debt service fund. That seemed odd, so I did an open records request for what building lease was involved. I got the following email message back from Gary Pellico, the spokesman for the District.
Pat, FYI
They have coded it incorrectly on the website. We cannot and do not pay for any lease out of that fund. The correct account number is 51000 Principle of debt – bonds.
So, I called the DOE to find out what they had to say. I got a call back today from "Peggy" (I forgot to ask her last name) from the DOE, who said that it was the MSD Decatur Township who had been miscoding the entry since 2004. Peggy said she spoke with Debbie Blessing, Deputy Treasurer for the District, who told her that the person who coded it is no longer with the District and the correct code will be used in the District reports for 2010.
So, why not merely say "oops, we made a data entry error back in 2004"? This level of CYA information dissemination just causes mistrust.
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It is interesting how Gary's response lays the blame on the state.
In general Pat, how long does it take the district to respond to your open records requests? Legally, is there a time frame in which they must comply?
I know you've mentioned before they have been fairly quick, and that is at least a good thing.
State law gives them 24 hours to acknowledge your request if you make the request in person, and one week if by mail or email. Then the law only says they get a 'reasonable' period of time to get you the information / document you requested or cite the State law exception that keeps that information private. My requests have been acknowledged and responded to quite quickly. So, I personally have no complaints in that arena.
I am hearing, though, that others are not getting information back that soon.
Most teachers and superintendent's office staff know that Jeff Baer had a very well paid retired administrator assisting Jeff Baer and Debbie Blessing for more than seven years. He was paid as a consultant and the teachers association questioned the need for this spending when they saw that Baer had time on his hands for other things. The consultant has been gone since Baer retired and they hired Harris from Perry Township. The state department gave accurate information and as more and more things are uncovered they will probably blame the consultant who is not around to defend himself but a lot of people just won't defend themselves because Stinson and Baer are really slick. Not blaming anyone but the horses are out to pasture and there are still skunks in the barn.
HEI 1:28 said...My requests have been acknowledged and responded to quite quickly. So, I personally have no complaints in that arena.
I am hearing, though, that others are not getting information back that soon.
Maybe they should get a blog. :-)
anon 2:50 - fine by me - the more the merrier. Visit www.blogger.com to get started...
In these reports, would it be a problem if a school employee sold their school items that their personal business marketed? Without a competitive bid process, or even "shopping" around?
"HEI 1:28 said...My requests have been acknowledged and responded to quite quickly. So, I personally have no complaints in that arena.
I am hearing, though, that others are not getting information back that soon.
Maybe they should get a blog. :-)"
Again, Don, why don't you just agree to a town hall meeting and answer questions? Contrary to you and your buddy's beliefs, not a tiny percentage of Decatur township residents are illiterate and unable to question what has happened to our schools and the money we have pumped into them? I guess it would be tough to finally realize that the people you thought were so stupid are finally standing up to you and your thugs.
Please just agree to a meeting instead of posting your BS rebuttals anonymously on the blog you so blatantly "hate."
anon 8:42 -- I'm not entirely sure I understand your question, so if this reply isn't what you were looking for, let me know. I believe that what expense any governmental unit puts out to bid is at their discretion. Common sense says that when you are looking to spend tens of thousands of dollars, or more, you could do best by asking for bids.
But, once you do put something out to bid, there are laws to follow. Like opening or reporting bids in public and having the Board approve and sign contracts.
anon 9:18 - I took anon 2:50 to be putting a little chuckle into our day when they suggested blogging.
Gary Pellico knows all to well about the corruption and costs that Don Stinson, Jeff Baer and Susan Adams has done to our schools. The Attorney General should look into the illegal funds in their big contracts with other companies. He should subpoena Don Stinson, Jeff Baer, Susan Adams, Gary Pellico and the employees in Central Office to ask them in front of the Grand Jury about their involvement in illegal activities. Follow the Money. :)
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