Where The Missing School Money Went?
While there are still many questions about where the "missing" money from the school budget went a clue can be found in the audit finding 12.11
In this finding it is revealed that purchases were made without going through the County Purchasing Agent or the Financial management Office. This is an action in direct violation of Section 49-2-110 of the Tennessee Code Annotated.
In simple terms the school system issued credit cards to at least one employee, the Special Education Director seems to be the only one identified so far, and that person simply went on a shopping trip without getting prior approval, submitting purchase requests or any regard for state law.
How much money was spent on those purchases, what type purchases were made, were they work related or for personal use? At this time no one has been willing to even address this issue, in fact some have even denied that it happened but the facts are there in black and white and so far as I have been able to determine there hasn't even been a reprimand issued and certainly no money has been paid back. These violations are worthy of a minimum written reprimand and possibly termination from the school system.
I believe, the County Commission through the School Committee, the Ethics Committee and the School Board has an obligation to investigate this issue and inform the people who pay the taxes what the situation is. Silence is not an option anymore than ignorance is a defense.
In this finding it is revealed that purchases were made without going through the County Purchasing Agent or the Financial management Office. This is an action in direct violation of Section 49-2-110 of the Tennessee Code Annotated.
In simple terms the school system issued credit cards to at least one employee, the Special Education Director seems to be the only one identified so far, and that person simply went on a shopping trip without getting prior approval, submitting purchase requests or any regard for state law.
How much money was spent on those purchases, what type purchases were made, were they work related or for personal use? At this time no one has been willing to even address this issue, in fact some have even denied that it happened but the facts are there in black and white and so far as I have been able to determine there hasn't even been a reprimand issued and certainly no money has been paid back. These violations are worthy of a minimum written reprimand and possibly termination from the school system.
I believe, the County Commission through the School Committee, the Ethics Committee and the School Board has an obligation to investigate this issue and inform the people who pay the taxes what the situation is. Silence is not an option anymore than ignorance is a defense.
posted by Allen Barrett | 1:42 PM
49 Comments:
who is on the ethics committee?
Did the director really have a credit card with no controls? Is this the real reason the money went missing and Jackson resigned? Why can't the county get its money back?
Something will have to change.
The Special Education Director should pony-up and donate her excesses to this year's Special Olympics for her students. This year's Olympics are in serious jeopardy due to lack of funding. It's the absolute least she could do considering these are the student's that supposely need her the most.
I agree 7:12 right before they fire her butt.
IF they were gonna fire her...don't ya think it would have happened by now?? The powers that be have known for some time the special Ed director's role in this whole financial mess and yet they have not asked for her resignation. She obviously has it made and probably won't resign voluntarily.
You are absolutely right 6:56 and that's the sorry fact of the matter do all that and much more and nothing is done by anyone just smile and pretend it never happened.
shoot far ... whatcha all gittin' yer shorts all inna wad fer? Money's made to be spent. They's just spreading the love around a bit. Relax, there's plenty more from where it came from.
Maybe it went to cover up the pervert at Richland. Way to go administration for covering that up!
I hear administration is covering ALOT up at that school. Just when we had high hopes of that school finally turning around for the better!
Remember that a person is not guilty until proven guilty. I understand they are not at school and that the problem has been turned over to authorities. I think that is all that can be done for now.
If you think a person isn't guilty until proven guilty then please explain why people are in jail waiting to be tried or being held to force them to become informants.
Look at the number of people who have had their life destroyed just because they were accused of something. There is the idea of innocent until proven guilty but the reality is unless rich enough you are guilty until proven innocent.
As long as there is an interim the school system can't make any changes of hiring and firing. There will have to be a permanent director in place to do anything, unless it gets so bad the board would have to step in and maybe not then.
Sorry, 6:34 but that just ain't true,if it was there could be no one disciplined for any reason in the school system. The truth is there could be disciplinary action if there was some initiative by those who are in charge but the problem is they are more involved with protecting each other than with doing the right thing.
It is my understanding that the person in question has resigned and there are charges pending. There is no other action to be taken by the school system.
The school system failed by not acting more decisively sooner. The problems continue at Richland and other schools only the names are changing.
If something like this is happening then the parents need to press charges. If they don't then it is only allegations. Rumors, whether true or false, don't get anywhere. You don't fire someone on basis of gossip. There are probably several over the last 40 years that we know about by way of gossip but none of the parties did anything about it. It has to be caught in the act or turned in by one of the parties not hearsay.
I have said it before and I'll say it again, the School Board and the Director needs to stop hiring young boys or girls to be coaches. And when I say young, I mean around 20 - 24 years of age. Most are not mature enough at this age to make moral and sound decision when tempted. Now this doesn't mean that an older coach wouldn't do the same, it is just that the young students seem to be more attracted to the younger coaches. And coaches have more freedom to run around the school with nothing to do.
Age discrimination.
The board does not hire. That is not their job. When the state went to a director rather than a superintendent the board does not have anything to do with hiring. They use to have to approve hiring but now they just hear the personell report hiring, firing and retirement when they go to the board meeting. Their job is board policy.
The Grand Jury has handed down an indictment on the coach in question, and he has been suspended without pay pending the outcome. In the case of statutory rape, the parents do not have to press charges, the state handles that. How many of you folks actually have children at Richland? Do you honestly think the things going on up there are any worse than what is happening at GCHS? At least drugs and weapons aren't rampant in the hallways. Problems are evident at all schools, and something definitely needs to be done county-wide.
Ray Lanier
Right on Ray! I would much rather send my kids to Richland than have to attend GCHS. Thanks to the "one way zoning" I get stuck having my kids go to GCHS. It is a nasty school that pushes athletics instead of education. By the way, Go Bobcats! Ha! How about, Go higher SAT scores!
There is talk that the zoning will be opened up for Richland next year.
It needs to be opened. The zoning rule is very outdated. It was implemented during the first 5 or 6 yrs. that Richland was built, due to overcrowding. That is no longer an issue, with the construction of the elementary school. There is plenty of room now and Richland would welcome GCHS students, if the restrictions were lifted.
Ray Lanier
What do you think will happen with the revolving door of students moving from one to the other at their whim or each time one gets mad at a teacher?What happens when a student avoids a teacher one seMeister just to go back to that school when the class is finished? There are many more questions posed by this open zones than you imagine. You may think you know what will happen, but you have no idea of all the headaches that will result. The real reason for the open shift comes from the need for Richland to have more athletes, thus athletics is an issue there too.
Ummm...bullshit, 9:24. Parents want their children to go to Richland because there doesn't have to be a SRO patrolling the halls constantly. We have our athletes. Check out our softball record. A school doesn't have to excel at every sport to be successful. I guess you go to Richland or have kids there, huh? There may actually be students who want to get an education without all the crap that goes along with it.
Ray Lanier
Ray Lanier said....
“ How many of you folks actually have children at Richland? Do you honestly think the things going on up there are any worse than what is happening at GCHS? At least drugs and weapons aren't rampant in the hallways. Problems are evident at all schools, and something definitely needs to be done county-wide.”
“Ummm...bullshit, 9:24. Parents want their children to go to Richland because there doesn't have to be a SRO patrolling the halls constantly. We have our athletes. Check out our softball record. A school doesn't have to excel at every sport to be successful. I guess you go to Richland or have kids there, huh? There may actually be students who want to get an education without all the crap that goes along with it.”
You made excellent points concerning the similarities regarding the two high schools Mr. Lanier. However your statements targeting rampant drug and weapons rest considerably off mark. Two lock-down searches conducted at GCHS validates my objections to your offering. Research the conclusion of said searches and you will find officials and law enforcement were pleased with the lack of contraband and weapons. The problem rests with the parents not the students. Both schools have their daily dose of students whom the blame should be forwarded to the parents.
Mr. Lanier. You and I both know that “colour” has and will be the determent for open zoning. It is of my opinion that open zoning is the best choice for Giles County.
Klugscheißer
What is happening at Richland is nothing compared to the abuse and neglect happening at Elkton. This little hitler principal thinks he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He regularly abuses teachers and violated federal laws everyday. The school board said that Tee Jackson was protecting him. Well, Tee is gone and Gonzo is still there, breaking the law everyday and making up the rules as he goes. Every school board member needs to resign in disgrace.
Mr Lanier, Richland does have an SRO, Brandon Beard. Your information is lacking.
I agree with much of what you say, smart aleck, but they must have missed the knife the student used to assault his classmate for staining his shirt. Parents indeed bear the majority of responsibility for their children's actions, but by the time a child is of high school age, he must own up to many of his actions himself.
Ray Lanier
9:00, check your own info. Brandon's main responsibility is sitting in his car talking on his cell phone while the kids are arriving to school. I'm there every day, are you?
Ray Lanier
If Gonzoles is breaking federal law then you need proof of that and file a grievance against him. Teachers at Elkton need to unite and do something. One person coming forward does not prove anything. The next time he does something turn on the cell phone recorder and you will have proof. You can hide a phone in your pocket and record his tirades and bring that in as proof. Otherwise it is his word against yours. Jackson could not get rid of him without admitting he made a mistake and that was not going to happen. If there is proof then you can sue him.
In regards to the knife incident that Mr. Lanier makes reference to:
First, it occurred at GCHS, not Richland and the incident took 2 days to escalate to the level that it did.
Secondly, it involved one student placing blueberries in a chair that another student who was wearing a pair of white short pants to sit down on and stain his pants.
Thirdly, students are not searched, nor do they pass through metal detectors in order to enter a school. The county can't even afford a full compliment of teachers much less a TSA-style security system for the students to enter their school each day.
Finally, I have met the SRO's at both GCHS and Richland Schools and have found these officers to be very conscientious and dedicated men who are doing what is being asked of them in the best manner that they can with their experience and training. If their priorities or duties were redefined I'm sure they would adjust and adapt as necessary with the students safety in mind.
I don't believe anyone said the incident occurred at Richland. You're splitting hairs concerning the article of clothing that was stained, I'm pretty sure it didn't matter if it was a shirt or pants. As a rule, things of that nature don't happen at Richland. Must be a reason for that.
I know SRO Beard well; I knew his punk-ass when he was trying to be an undercover officer, and I stick by my assessment of his activities while on the job. Do you have children at Richland?
Ray Lanier
9:49
I guess it's all about you Ray.
No wait, maybe it's all about the way YOU perceive things to be - maybe that's it isn't it, Ray? Isn't that more like it? Do you just make crap up as you go along and then ignore what or how you said what you did?
Maybe that splinter in someone else's eye is not as important as that hole in your head. Ray, that's a mixed metaphore just in case you are not familiar with such a literary device.
But, to further rub your naughty little nose in the dirt I bring you the following modified excerpt from a tune by THE FIXX - ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER LYRICS
You see dimensions in two
State your case with black or white
But when one little cross leads to shots, grit your teeth
You run for cover so discreet
Why don't [you] do what you say?
Say what you mean oh, babe
One thing leads to another
You told me something wrong
I know I listen too long but then
One thing leads to another
Ray, you're like a mad (i.e. crazy) Dr. Seuss:
“I mean what I say, and I say what I mean, when I mean to say something, and most of what I say is meaningless unless I say it means something when its meaningless to say what I mean."
You know what I mean, Ray?
You ARE a hoot, my dear sir. I think your village is calling you.
Missing money? There is no missing money?
1:58, I'm pretty sure you need to adjust to dosage of your message. Clearly, you don't have any original thoughts, or you wouldn't be quoting outdated song lyrics.
As far as "mixed metaphors" are concerned,the haphazard juxtaposition of images is likely to be more comical or perplexing than revealing. So stick these examples in your pipe and chew them over, dumbass.
Ray Lanier
Oh my, I must have exceeded the recommended dosage myself. That should have been adjust the dosage of your medicine. Now jump all over that, quick, before that thought leaves your head.
Ray
As a graduate of G.C.H.S and one who enjoyed the experience I remember hearing Richland being touted as a supreme wholesome school and G.C.H.S as a pit. Most of the statements came from people who did not attend G.C.H.S. But my question is, since Richland is so great and G.C.H.S. so bad, when comparing the two how many murders have been committed at each.
hey Ray - they've adjusted my dosage - what's what's your excuse? BTW - Tunes never wear out.
oops - one too many "what's" in the last post - at least I'm not exaggerating or making stuff up like Ray does; and I willing to note my mistake(s)and apologize to the blogging community here.
Have you ever eaten any "Humble Pie", Ray?
I love you Ray - like the brother I never had.
Pie? I love pie and would gladly consume a big 'ol slab if you would only show me where I've made anything up. Also, my excuse is I adjust my own dosage; I kinda get a feeling when it's right.
You at least got one thing right by calling me "sir" in a previous post. You should always address your elders--which I may or may not be--and your betters--which I most assuredly am--as such. You're learning, although at a somewhat slower pace than the average moron, but you're learning.
Ray
Dec 9,3:27, I've spent several days trying to figure out the best way to respond to your asinine comment about the school shootings. Surely you realize that zoning was the only reason the atrocity happened at Richland and not at GCHS. It was the twisted individual responsible for the murders and not the location. Rouse himself admitted that it was the poor grades he received and the bullying he suffered that set him off. This could and has happened at schools all over the country, so blaming it on a particular place is nothing short of ignorant. I can't help but wonder what table you would have hidden under when the shit hit the fan. Be thankful it did happen at Richland as your attitude on here would probably have made you a prime target. I knew the victims and the fact that you would even bring the subject up speaks volumes about your character, dumbass.
Ray Lanier
Ray,
The only point that was made is when so many, you seem to be one as well, bash GCHS and act as though Richland is some great school comparably. I have had experiences at both and am glad I am a graduate of GCHS as opposed to Richland.
Was the Rousse kid bullied by students at Richland? Why did no one help this kid?
Zoning has nothing to do with what happens within a schools walls. But the point is when GCHS is put down in ignorance by those who attend Richland while Richland has had much darker than GCHS that is true stupidity and lacking of character. In addition it seems Richland has its fair share of teacher scandals as well.
1:08, I'm also glad you graduated from GCHS as well. Zoning had everything to do with where the atrocity occurred. If Rouse had been zoned to attend Giles County, that's where the shooting would have happened. It had nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with his twisted DNA.
As far as scandals go, every school has them, they just don't always hit the light of day. That is also because of a character flaw, not a location.
BTW, what experiences have you had at Richland? Did you get shown up in a grammar exercise or something? Please tell me you didn't have anything to do with teaching.
Ray
Ray quit being stupid. You can not possibly know if the shooting would have taken place at GCHS. A statement that zoning is responsible for the bullying and killing at Richland is asinine.
I know you think you are highly intelligent but you can not be taken seriously. If you want to try to tout Richland's greatness, feel free to live out your fantasy. But if your past posts indicate what Richland is turning out then thank you GCHS!.
And if you think that a different location would have made a difference in that psychopath's thought process, you are wasting air a normal person could breathe.
Rouse said he did it because of some bad grades he received. Does your dumbass think he would have excelled academically at GCHS? You can't have it both ways, fool.
You are obviously too stupid to understand that I didn't mean zoning in itself was the cause. I meant that it happened at Richland because that is where he happened to go. If he had been a student at GC, the violence would have occurred there.
Ray
BTW, I don't THINK I'm highly intelligent, some things are simply facts, you poor, pitiful sap, you.
Ray, only a dumbass like you could read so much nonsense into my statements. Make excuses all you want and ignore the facts that it happened at Richland, there were many factors involved and it did not nor has anything like that happened at GCHS. But blaming it on zoning is just showing your stupidity.
I await your next excuse for the atrocity.
Can you not think up anything original to say instead of using my format?
I'm not making any excuses. You seem to think it happened because it was Richland. That is beyond ignorant, as are most things you post. It happened because there was something inherently wrong with the kid's dna, not because of what school he attended. I guess Columbine wouldn't have happened if it was in another state. Did your parents have any children that lived or were they afraid they would be like you and just pulled the plug on them?
If you are so firm in your convictions, sign your post. That way we can put a face to all the stupid that seems to be your trademark, dumbass.
BTW, kindly name some of the many factors involved, as you stated in your previous post. I would be interested to see if you think there were more than one.
Ray
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