On July 12, 2011, Iain Murray of the National Review wrote:

“One of the most depressing things I write about in Stealing You Blind is what is happening to public education, which has become just another source of plunder for the public-sector elite. My nieces have been affected by the Atlanta scandal, so I take this personally. Then Lynn Woolley in Texas told me this morning about this story, which is all too typical.

Lake Travis ISD’s Rocky Kirk, who was paid $351-thousand dollars to oversee a district of under seven thousand students, has resigned.  He walks away with a small fortune. But it get worse.

Lake Travis has hired Mike Moses to find a replacement. Moses is the retired superintendent of the Dallas District, where he made $340-thousand dollars — highest in the nation. Under Moses’ watch, the Dallas ISD was embroiled in scandal that included fishy vendor contracts and misspent bilingual education dollars. Three of Moses assistants were indicted and two were sentenced to federal prison.

Moses somehow escaped from the investigation unscathed. He now receives $224-thousand per year, directly from taxpayers. Local taxpayers should be in open revolt.

Local school boards appear to have ridiculously cozy arrangements with the class of people they hire to run them. It’s about time people started paying attention to what’s going on with them at their local level. If you have a tale like this, let me know.”

-Iain Murray, National Review, July 12, 2011

“Not only has the Lake Travis ISD school board been foolish enough to have paid Superintendent Rocky Kirk $351,222 (enrollment 6,974 students), but they have turned right around and chosen Mike Moses of School Executive Consulting, Inc. to find the next superintendent for the district:

Austin American-Statesman, 7.11.11: Lake Travis school board names interim superintendent

Why should the citizens and taxpayers of Lake Travis ISD have any confidence that Mike Moses could find them an ethical and fiscally responsible candidate to be superintendent when Moses himself has such a troubled past.

For people who are new to Texas or for people who have forgotten the details, let me recap the serious problems Moses had while he was the Dallas ISD supe (2000 – 2004).

All of the following were uncovered by The Dallas Morning News during Moses’ years as the leader of the district.”

-Donna Garner, Voices Empower, July 2011

Donna Garner of Voices Empower, recently wrote:

“Lake Travis ISD superintendent’s salary:  $253,222 annual salary; $77,000 settlement separation; $20,000 extra contractual benefits = $351,222 –  Americans for Prosperity created the Rotten Apple Award for just such occasions as this.

Yet the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and Texas Association of Administrators (TASA),  whose members pay dues using taxpayers’ dollars which are then used to pay lobbyists to lobby the legislature, still managed to convince the legislators to pass a bill that gives administrators more power to dump veteran classroom teachers at will, to cut teachers’ salaries, and to call for “furloughs” (days without pay) whenever there is a budget shortfall.

It certainly is not the classroom teachers who are skimming the money off the top of local school district budgets; it is the administrators.  –”

-Donna Garner, Voices Empower, July 2011

Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting highlights of the “agreement” and just how the Board still stands behind Rocky Kirk even under the mysterious circumstances of Rocky’s sudden and unexplained departure:

“In consideration of Kirk voluntarily resigning his position as Superintendent of the District, the District shall pay Kirk, on or before July 31, 2011, the total sum of SEVENTY SEVEN THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($77,000.00) (“Settlement Payment”). The Settlement Payment shall be made payable jointly to Kirk and Adams, Lynch, & Loftin, P.C., and shall be delivered to the law offices of Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C, 3950 Highway 360, Grapevine, Texas, 76051.”

 

“The District agrees that Kirk shall be entitled to retain the following items provided to Kirk by the District as set forth in section 5(c)(2) of the Contract as Kirk’s sole property: the home office desktop computer, monitor, printer, and the older laptop that he is authorized to use for business and personal use.”

 

“The District and Kirk do hereby agree to be responsible for and pay for each of their respective attorneys’ fees incurred by the District and Kirk in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement.”

Reading the rest of the “agreement” only gives you the sense that the Board handed Rocky Kirk a departing “gift” and made the tax payers and parents of the district pay for it all. The “agreement” even includes the press release the district made regarding Rocky’s “resignation.”

Rocky and the Board forgot: You can’t polish a turd!

[See post to watch Flash video]

Well, Rocky’s departure is only the beginning. Perhaps the tax payers and parents will wake up and start to sweep the rest of the trash out the door.

The Lake Travis view has more information regarding Rocky’s resignation, including news that:

“Kirk will receive $77,000 through a settlement payment and continue to receive full salary and benefits through July 31, according to the voluntary separation agreement.”

- Lake Travis View, “Breaking news: Kirk resigns from LTISD,”  Thursday, July 7, 2011 by Devin Monk

Interestingly, it would appear that the Board knew about Rocky’s resignation at least by July 2. The document properties of the agenda posted by the district for their “July 7, 2011 – Special Called Meeting of the Board” would indicate this:

Isn’t this the same Allison Cobb, Assistant Principal of the Van Alstyne Elementary School, fired from the Van Alstyne ISD?

“Ms. Cobb, who was employed under a one-year temporary contract as are all district employees, was given notice at the April 5 school board meeting that she would be fired at the end of the school year, according to the meeting minutes. Officials would not release the reason for Ms. Cobb’s firing, saying it was a personnel issue.”

Allison Cobb must regard “friends and colleagues” differently than her staff. According to the LTISD press release, Allison Cobb said:

“I am truly humbled to be selected as District 13 TEPSAN of the Year,” said Ms. Cobb. “I share this honor with the distinguished and accomplished cadre of educators I am fortunate to call my friends and colleagues.”

Isn’t this the same Allison Cobb, who spoke during a mandatory staff meeting who after being fired referred to some staff members as “adulterers” and “abortionists?”

“The assistant principal, Allison Cobb, also spoke at that meeting, referring to some staff members as “adulterers” and “abortionists.””

Makes you wonder how the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association selects their TEPSANs of the Year?

According to a March 2011 article, the “Texas School Business,” who refer to themselves as “The independent voice for public education in Texas,” overpaid superintendents such as Rocky Kirk deserve their outrageous salaries. Imagine that!

“THE PRICE OF LEADERSHIP Criticism of superintendent salaries falls short upon closer examination” published by the “Texas School Business,” quotes Rocky Kirk himself as saying:

“The scrutiny that you’re under, the criticisms that you sometimes get and the decisions that impact the families [of employees] are sometimes painful. There are people behind those numbers,” says Kirk, referring to budget cuts.

Although his contract calls for an annual pay raise, Kirk has declined raises for the past two years.

“Just given the economic times, it seemed inappropriate to ask the board to pass along an increase to me when other people were feeling the real negative effects of the downturn,” he says.

The article directly contradicts data provided by the his own school district to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Even in 2009, the Austin American Statesman said Rocky Kirk took a pay raise.

According to the TEA, Rocky Kirk has enjoyed a 76% pay raise since his tenure began at the LTISD in 2002. Based on data from the TEA, we can track his pay and see the truth: Rocky Kirk’s salary has increased $24,587 (9.9%) over the last two years!

Rocky Kirk is quoted in the article saying:

“Adds Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Rocky Kirk, “If the superintendent’s job is done right, then it’s going to take it out of you physically and intellectually, and sometimes emotionally.”

Kirk says the job is hard work physically because of the time demands, while the intellectual aspects of the job require competency in multiple areas of business and the ability to visualize and design processes for the organization as a whole.

The emotional piece of the superintendent’s job, however, can hit the hardest, Kirk says.”

Doesn’t Rocky Kirk’s contract give him even more time off to handle his additional stress? Rocky Kirk’s 2007 contract specifically states:

(9) Additional Leave – Personal/Professional Balance. The Superintendent is expected to take time away from his normal work routine to maintain balance and focus in his personal and professional life. Accordingly, in addition to the leave set forth above, the Superintendent is expected to take, at the Superintendent’s choice, an additional fifteen (15) days of leave per year (“Additional Leave”). This Additional Leave may be used at the discretion of the Superintendent, in whole or part days, for any reason. Any unused Additional Leave will not carry over from year to year.

The superintendent continues to receive pay raises and benefits heaped upon him while those who directly teach our children every day face an uncertain financial future.

Rocky Kirk even says:

“Public schools have been asked to “fill in the blanks” in areas that were once relegated to families, Kirk says, adding that the work that teachers and administrators must shoulder results from absent structures in many students’ homes, he says.”

Who is really providing the emotional support and structure for the students day in and day out?  It is our teachers, not Rocky Kirk. Where are the teachers  additional paid vacation days to help them “maintain balance and focus in their personal life”? Where is the additional financial compensation for all the money our teachers spend out of their own pockets for supplies in the classroom?

Don’t we, as taxpayers, want the most experienced teachers teaching our kids? Why then does the teacher pay scale not continue to compensate experienced teachers?

In a time when we the taxpayers are still recovering from job lay offs and salary cutbacks, Kirk goes out and buys a new $500,000 house. IT doesn’t sound like Rocky Kirk is worried about his future employment or financial future.  I wonder if the dedicated teachers and staff in our schools feel the same way?

The article goes on to say:

“Texas superintendent salaries run about $120,689 on average, according to the annual salaries and wages survey conducted by TASA and the Texas Association of School Boards. Superintendents in districts with more than 50,000 students earn about $276,545, while those in districts between 25,000 and 50,000 students make about $234,841.”

Wow, contrast that to Rocky Kirk’s average increase of 9.5% a year and his $272,427 annual salary. Any yet his only manages of district of only 6,978 students for $272,427! Not a very good deal for the LTISD parents and tax payers.

Let’s see now, the article  mentions the Wylie ISD Superintendent H. John Fuller, saying:

“Wylie ISD Superintendent H. John Fuller is a rarity; he’s survived for more than three decades. He has enjoyed a career that has taken him from a 400-student district to now managing 12,000 students, more than 1,700 employees and a $100 million budget.”

According to the latest TEA Superintendent salary data, H. John Fuller’s management of 12,526 students, 1,700 employees and a $100 million budget costs the tax payers of the Wylie ISD $169,214 per year! Certainly a bargain compared to Rocky Kirk’s “management” of only 6,978 students, 846 employees and a $75 million budget, all for a mere $272,427 per year.

Look at the numbers that the LTISD reported to the TEA and determine the truth for yourselves.

It is time to put the money and pay increases where it count, in the hands of our hard working teachers, not the already over paid superintendent.

Superintendents enjoy super benefits
High pay and perks attract talent, districts say

You can also download the contracts of 41 local school district superintendents from the KXAN web site including Rocky Kirk’s 2010 contract.

“If the Texas public education system were a private company, it would be the fifth largest employer in the world. We have a 1:1 teacher to non-teacher ratio in our state, and when it comes to pay, teachers are getting the shaft. Administrators and other non-teachers earn between $9,000-$38,000 more than teachers every year on average.

How does your school measure up? If you don’t see your school district snapshot displayed, please email us at texas@afphq.org. There are 1,035 school districts in the state of Texas and we are diligently working every day to upload each one.”

-The Red Apple Project

“Everything’s bigger in Texas – so the saying goes. It especially rings true for super-sized public school superintendent salaries in the Lone Star State.

This week, hundreds of school board members and superintendents will rally in Austin opposing any cuts to education funding in Texas. The Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas Association of School Administrators are sponsoring the rally on March 30 at the Capitol. TASB has said that as many as 100,000 teaching jobs must be cut in order to make up for the $9 billion in proposed state education funding cuts.

We disagree. School districts have ample room to make cuts on spending outside of the classroom, without eliminating teaching positions or short-changing students.

In Texas, 214 superintendents take home an annual salary more than the Governor of Texas, whose salary is set at $150,000 a year. If superintendents in Texas were paid no more than the Governor, schools would save $20 million each biennium.”

- “Superintendents don’t deserve higher pay than the Governor,” Eliza Vielma, The Red Apple Project, March 30, 2011

Finally, the article closes with:

“The residents of Texas have a median household income of $50,000 and should not be required to pay exuberant salaries for school superintendents and spend precious education dollars on so many non-teaching staff. Taxpayers already provide school districts with the resources to succeed; now it is up to policy makers to ensure those resources are spent on educating our students.”

Even the Center for Public Policy Resources publication “Who Pays Texas Taxes” says:

“Texas has the fifth most regressive state and local tax system of the 50 states.”

- “Who Pays Texas Taxes,” Center for Public Policy Priorities, March 24, 2011

In this article, Rocky paints a doom and gloom picture of the future of the LTISD.

Rocky goes on to say:

“It is undeniable that those of us who have been blessed with work that has allowed us to have our needs met and raise our families, contribute to the good of our communities and satisfy our desire to make a difference in this world have been able to do so because of a quality education.”

Rocky sure has been blessed at $272,427/year and did you know he recently purchased a new house listed at $584,000, yet he will be tossing out teachers to maintain his “blessings?”

By the way, I guess Rocky will be keeping the likes of the Marco Alvarado, the LTISD Director of Communications, Media & Community Relations, certainly a non-essential education related expense, especially at $96,611 a year (not including the salary of Marco’s assistant who is paid $35,301)? How many teachers could be saved just by eliminating these non-education related expenses?

What about Susan Bohn, our dance and social studies certified “Deputy Superintendent” (Susan Bohn’s current contract is for a “non-certified” employee). The LTISD has an attorney, not a certified or qualified administrator as the second highest paid employee in the district. Makes you wonder just how Susan Bohn does it?

But I am not the only one asking these questions. A citizen going by the pseudonym “M. T. Pockets” wrote the following comment to Rocky’s article :

The formula for school funding reform is clear. We must eliminate overpaid administrative positions such as that of Donald Kirk and his cohorts. In 8 years Donald’s salary ballooned from $154,600/year to $272,427/year. LTISD could save over $1.3 million per year simply by eliminating the top 10 administrative positions.

Rather than the sky is falling article above, imagine: No teacher cuts. No program cuts. No more tax hikes (bonds), and then imagine the savings implemented at the over 2000 school districts in Texas. Here’s why:

85% of every school budget is mandated by the state. Superintendents only influences 15% of the operational budget. Therefore, the position is superfluous and outdated. We can start by capping the salaries of these bureaucrats, then rolling back the number of available positions.

Remember when every principal also taught a class? Instead of guaranteeing themselves raises, giving contracts to their friends, and eliminating teachers jobs, these “educators” as they call themselves, ought to be teaching!

It is time we recognize the superintendent for what it is. It is time to stop calling these people “Doctor,” as though a phd in public school bureaucracy is some laudable or respectable thing.

Now is the time for us to move to a sustainable education budget that eliminates the superintendent position permanently.

-M.T. Pockets, Comment to “Public schools’ future hangs in balance as budget debate drags on,” Lake Travis View, March 22, 2011

¹Let’s take a look at the details of the latest TEA Superintendent data:

1. There are 1001 “Independent” and “Consolidated” School Districts in Texas
2. The 14 Texas public school superintendents, who are paid more than Rocky Kirk, work for school districts with enrollments SIGNIFICANTLY larger than that of the LTISD (see chart below). These numbers highlight the extent Rocky’s disproportionately higher salary. What makes Rocky’s performance so much more spectacular? Note that it took Rocky eight years and the exercising of some “loop holes”  to finally obtain an “exemplary” rating which has eluded Rocky during his tenure here at the LTISD.

Rotten Apple Award Week 2 Winner – Lake Travis ISD

This week’s Rotten Apple Award Winner is Lake Travis ISD.

Lake Travis ISD’s superintendent makes $252,799 per year (base salary) and the three asst. super’s make $131,750, $127,500 and $126,000. There are several (14) either Directors, Exec. Dir. or Senior Dir. making $101,000 down to $75,000.

One elementary school principal makes $81,097 per year, while one third grade teacher who has been teaching 30+ years earns just $63,086 per year, and one kindergarten teacher who has been teaching for 20+ years earns just $52,706 per year. Enrollment is just over 6,000 with one high school, two middle schools and five elementary schools.

The High school football coach makes $117,550 per year, and one of the elementary school librarians makes $66,234 per year. The Dir. of Food & Nutrition makes $77,539… if they outsourced this service to ARAMARK or Sodexho the directors would make about $50,000 per year.

- Eliza Vielma, The Red Apple Project, March 25, 2011

The Red Apple Project is sponsored by the American’s for Prosperity, Texas, an organization composed of concerned tax payers, who like many of us are tired of run away government spending and excess.

I might also suggest reading the American’s for Prosperity, Texas web site: The Red Apple Project: Highlights of Education Spending in Texas to learn more about how your tax dollars are spent.

A recent article from the Dallas Morning news says:

“Texas lawmakers, more than ever, are looking for a way to get the most bang for the buck in education.

And they may have found it.

Complex ratings have been developed by the state comptroller’s office and at least one private company that provide a look at how much money is really needed to provide Texas students with a good education.

Faced with a record budget shortfall, the state will most likely have to consider cuts to education spending. School superintendents say any reduction in funding will lead to teacher layoffs and cuts to instructional programs. They argue they need more money, not less.

That’s why looking at the data may become important in the debate. The systems show not only where students have the best academic performance but which districts spend the least to achieve those results.

For example, the Hurst-Euless-Bedford district is rated best in the state by a statistical model developed by Education Resources Group, a Houston-area company. “You know how much we could save if we funded all the schools at the same level as HEB? $12 billion,” said state Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, chairman of the House education committee.

The district receives about $5,100 from the state for each student and spends about $6,000 per student on instruction, HEB Superintendent Gene Buinger said.

“So I can look at our taxpayers and say you’re getting the bang for the buck,” Buinger said.

Could all Texas districts get the same results for the same money? “Yes, absolutely,” he replies without hesitation.

However, experts in the field say it is not that easy. They are wary of making major funding decisions on statistical models.

The analysis

It would be difficult to see from only raw data how HEB could be first in the state. The district is not rated exemplary by the Texas Education Agency, though it just missed the designation.

It’s first because its students do better than expected on several academic measures, and the district spends the least to get those results, said Paul Haeberlin, a partner with Education Resource Group. The company has testified before several legislative committees, and more than 30 Texas school districts are clients.”

- “Statistical models may help school districts stretch their education dollars,” Karel Holloway, Dallas Morning News, November 21, 2010.

I suppose that the TEPSA never asked any questions about Allison Cobb and her background before naming her District 13 President?

Perhaps TEPSA should have asked:

Is this the same Allison Cobb who was an assistant principal at the Val Alstyne Elementary School (Van Alsytne Independent School District) in Van Alstyne, Texas?

Is this the same Allison Cobb, who after learning that her contract at the Van Alsytne Independent School District would not be renewed referred to some staff members as “adulterers” and “abortionists?” (I guess that Allison doesn’t work around any “adulterers” and “abortionists” anymore?)

Is this the same Allison Cobb who wrapped herself in a cloak of religious persecution and filed a discrimination complaint against the Van Alsytne Independent School District?

Is this the same Allison Cobb who said none of the staff members had room to judge her, because some of them were “adulterers” and “abortionists” and had remarried. And she said she had chosen the high road over others in that room, according to multiple e-mails to district officials.

Makes you wonder what Allison Cobb thinks about Rocky Kirk and his recent divorce?

What are Allison Cobb’s thoughts about Rocky Kirk’s plans to remarry if any? I am quite sure Allison has an opinion.

Hey, for what it’s worth, Allison Cobb gets the Susan Bohn nod of approval. What else can you ask for?

“We are proud to have one of our principals in a prominent leadership role in TEPSA,” said Susan Bohn, LTISD Deputy Superintendent and General Counsel.  “Allison’s commitment to the organization has helped bring added focus and support to the profession of principalship, both locally and throughout the district she represents.”

Does Susan Bohn understand what “principalship” involves? Remember, Susan Bohn only has certifications in Secondary Dance and Secondary Social Studies.

Not quite knowing what the term “principalship” meant, I searched and found an excellent resource: Leadership for Student Learning: Reinventing the Principalship (I guess that Susan Bohn is acquainted with this document?).

Leadership for Student Learning: Reinventing the Principalship says:

“Everything principals do — establishing a vision, setting goals, managing staff, rallying the community, creating effective learning environments, building support systems for students, guiding instruction and so on — must be in service of student learning.”

Just how does referring to some staff members as “adulterers” and “abortionists” serve student learning?

In the meantime the district only grew from 4,652 students to 6,552 students, an increase of only 41%!

Who else has seen the incredible salary windfall like the one Rocky Kirk has seen in just 8 years?

Perhaps Susan Bohn? Susan Bohn started working for the district in 2006 at $96,124/year and now she is being paid $168,090/year, a 75% increase in only 4 years! Makes you wonder just what it is Susan does for all that money?

Update, September 6, 2010: The house is now listed as “Active Contingent” which means:

“When sellers and buyers get into a written contract with an agreed price and terms and escrow has been opened, the status of the active listing will be changed into contingent.  At this point, there are still at least one condition that allow the buyer or seller to cancel the contract without paying any penalty.”

Looks like Rocky on can cross this “to do” off his list and finalize the petition for divorce that he filed for in June 2010. Then what?

Update, August 21, 2010: The listing price has gone down by $10,500 since the first post! When the story was initially posted, August 10, the listing price of the house was $449,500, now the listing price is $439,000. According to one of the real estate web sites, the property was first listed on July 26th. Interestingly, the Travis Central Appraisal District (TDAD) valued the property at $422,553 in 2009 but the “preliminary” 2010 valuation is only $381,119?!

According to the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD):

Recently I discovered that this property located in The Hills has been listed on the market (MLS #4729797):

4 Windwood Court, The Hills, Texas 78738

4 Bed, 3 Baths Single Family in The Hills, TX 78738

What does this mean?

Unfortunately it looks like the LTISD Superintendent, Rocky Kirk is not selling his house as a precursor to his departure from the district, rather it appears to be the result of a Petition for Divorce that Rocky filed in Travis County on June 10, 2010 (Case: D-1-FM-10-003126)?

Does anyone know who Katerine is?

Well, it’s been officially announced by the district. Rocky is even quoted as saying:

“While Holly has been with Lake Travis ISD only a short time, she has excelled in her work, and her talents, work ethic, and commitment have impressed those who have had the opportunity to work with her”

Hopefully Holly will remember what happens to those who don’t strictly adhere to the party line.

Susanna Russell, the LTISD Executive Director of Administrative & Human Resource Services in Lake Travis ISD since July 2007 has left the district for a position as the new Area II Associate Superintendent for the Ysleta Independent School District (El Paso).

Interesting that the district did not issue a press release as they have then other high level administrators have escaped from the LTISD.

Good luck Susanna!

Does this mean that since the district is exemplary they don’t need to go out and shake down the tax payers for more money?

But then again, how will they be able to pay our overpaid superintendent Rocky Kirk, and his deputy, Susan Bohn, the LTISD’s “second in command” with only a teaching certificate in “Secondary Dance” and “Secondary Social Studies” as her qualifications.

According to Charles McClure of the Lake Travis View, this is the first time in the district’s history to be rated “exemplary.”

Wait a minute, there is more to this …

[See post to watch Flash video]

Did you know that the LTISD used the controversial Texas Projection Measure (TPM) to obtain the district’s recent “exemplary” rating rather than  meeting the “absolute standards” to earn their “exemplary” rating?

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has a whole section of their web site dedicated to the TPM and how it relates to the recent ratings. Seems that the TPM has generated some controversy.

Bottom line, the TPM allows a school district to “boost” their ratings:

“When a student fails a test but shows enough gain to make it statistically likely that he or she is on track to pass during the next high-stakes testing period, TPM counts that student as having passed for school accountability purposes.”

- “TEA’s projection measures aren’t measuring up,” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 12, 2010

Here is an excerpt of the TEA’s state ratings table showing that the district utilized the TPM to boost their rating:

LAKE TRAVIS ISD                          EXEMPLARY                             TPM ONLY
 LAKE TRAVIS H S                         EXEMPLARY                             TPM ONLY
 LAKE TRAVIS MIDDLE                      EXEMPLARY                             MET ABSOLUTE STDS
 HUDSON BEND MIDDLE                      RECOGNIZED                            TPM ONLY
 LAKE TRAVIS EL                          RECOGNIZED                            MET ABSOLUTE STDS
 LAKEWAY EL                              EXEMPLARY                             MET ABSOLUTE STDS
 BEE CAVE ELEMENTARY                     EXEMPLARY                             MET ABSOLUTE STDS
 LAKE POINTE ELEMENTARY                  EXEMPLARY                             MET ABSOLUTE STDS
 SERENE HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL          EXEMPLARY                             MET ABSOLUTE STDS

Funny how the district failed to mention this fact. A fact that significantly weakens Rocky’s claim: “The Exemplary rating is indicative of the superior instruction delivered in our classrooms each day.”

Let’s read more about just how  the districts used the TPM to artificially boost their lackluster performance:

Rep. Scott Hochberg and his Appropriations Subcommittee on Education got Criss Cloudt (the Texas Education Agency’s associate commissioner in charge of the “accountability system” that administers the TAKS test and ranks schools and school districts): “… to admit that 73 of the 74 additional ‘exemplary districts’ that took us from 43 in 2008 to 117 in 2009 received that distinction only because the new Texas Projection Measure miraculously allowed nearly half the 1 million TAKS tests that had been failed to count as passing for the purpose of rating schools and districts.”

- “Hochberg unmasks TEA’s controversial rule,” Rick Casey, Houston Chronicle, July 8, 2010

This year the TEA announced that:

“The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced that 239 school districts and 2,624 schools received Texas’ highest accountability rating of Exemplary.”

This is an increase of 122 districts since the 2009 ratings.

Rocky and the Board shouldn’t revel in their new artificial elevation, the TPM has been a lightning rod of criticism and might not be used next year:

“Education Commissioner Robert Scott issued a letter to school administrators last week saying he was considering changing the way TPM is used — or even suspending it entirely — next year. The 2010 TAKS scores and the accountability ratings based on them scheduled to be released on July 30 will include the boosts afforded under TPM.”

- “TEA’s school ratings next week will have a footnote,” Ericka Mellon, Houston Chronicle, July 19, 2010

Have you noticed how quickly the district moved to place this moniker on their documents:

Why doesn’t the district let us know that is was only through slight of hand that they obtained their “exemplary” rating.

You can get the facts from the TEA:

The TEA will continue to post the detailed data charts online this year, but it will add a simplified page showing whether a school benefited from the projection measure or the other two looser rules, according to the agency.

“We’ll have more information out this year as to how a campus came to meet their accountability rating,” TEA spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson said Monday.

But superintendents and principals still will be able to tout their schools’ ratings on marquees and in press releases without an asterisk.

“I don’t know of anything that requires them to do that,” Culbertson said. “(But) it’s something certainly they should be honest about.”

- “TEA’s school ratings next week will have a footnote,” Ericka Mellon, Houston Chronicle, July 19, 2010

[See post to watch Flash video]

You can read more about the TPM and the 2010 TEA ratings from these additional sources, just to name a few:

“State may eliminate use of student testing projection measurement,” Austin American-Statesman

“Texas schools’ accountability ratings jump dramatically in TEA report,” The Dallas Morning News

“TEA to Dump TPM?,” Half Empty Blog Spot

“Loophole in law let some schools raise TEA accountability ratings,” The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram

“TEA School Accountability Ratings,” The Winkler Post

“Texas Education Agency releases statewide rankings,” The Austin American-Statesman (the comments are the best read here)

Susan Bohn, who handles all of my TPIA request with the district, neglected to redact the social security number of a former district employee.

I suppose that Susan Bohn’s “expertise” in the Texas Public Information Act come at the expense of knowing about confidentiality matters?

Unfortunately this was the first time that Susan Bohn or the district (remember Susan Tolles violation?) did something so careless.

Makes you wonder how someone so incompetent can continue to receive such lavish pay raises and promotions. Promotions to positions in which they are so unqualified. Just what was Rocky Kirk thinking?

Both Susan Bohn and Rocky Kirk will keep dancing their way to the bank at our expense.

Surprisingly, you would expect a Deputy Superintendent to require some sort of education and certainly education administration certification? I don’t think that a teaching certification in dance would be considered adequate, but this is the LTISD and Rocky Kirk decided it so, bizarre as it might be.

I am sure that the Board will rubber stamp any of Rocky Kirk’s decisions regarding changes to Susan Bohn’s contract. Stay tuned for further developments …

This is yet another law firm that the district is going to “engage” even though the district has it’s own General Counsel. Remember how the Board said that they were going to use Susan Bohn to save money on their self inflicted legal costs? So much for that.

Well, come to find out, Ron Eudy, husband of ex-board member Kim Eudy is an attorney who works at Sneed, Vine & Perry, P.C.

Coincidence?

Have you ever wondered if Ron and Kim Eudy’s political campaign contributions to Board members campaigns and public political endorsements  have had any influence on this decision? Doesn’t this smack of an ethical issue? Makes you wonder …

Ron and Kim Eudy

Next thing you know, the district will be hiring Mayo Davidson as another legal counsel. You laugh, but as we can see from Susan Bohn’s recent promotion, anything is possible!

Mayo Davidson has some experience with the Texas Bar regarding ethics. Perhaps Mayo Davidson could advise Ron Eudy on ethics? Experience is the best teacher, right Mayo?

Where is Marco Alvarado’s press release?

Interestingly the LTISD improved over their ranking last year coming in as 862 among 1622 of the nations highest ranked high schools in the 2010 rankings.

This year 126 Texas schools were included in Newsweek’s ranking.

Let’s compare several Austin area ranked schools with the salary of their superintendent for some further insight:

¹: Data from TEA 2009-2010 Superintendent Salary Reports

Look, our overpaid superintendent, Rocky Kirk has no bearing on the performance of the district. In fact, you could easily say that other school districts are getting much better value for their money!

A recent comment on the subject published in the Bee Cave Bee says:

“Westwood at 90, L.C. Anderson at 321, and Bowie at 820.McNeil at 525. Seems that other not so wealthy districts are doing better than Lake Travis. But then, we do great in sports.”

-“Barry  - Lets dont forget the others,” Bee Cave Bee, “LTHS among top in country”

I know, Rocky can send out Deputy Superintendent Susan Bohn to “dance around the subject” for him. Dance is one of Susan Bohn’s only education related certifications, other than “Social Studies.”

Talk about crazy! Just what are Susan Bohn’s qualifications and experience to be the Deputy Superintendent? Something isn’t right here and eventually we’ll find out.

It was an act of Rocky Kirk, so I guess that would explain it? Good management and personnel decisions always elude Rocky.

Did Rocky Kirk do this out of desperation or necessity?

You can read the rest of the press release in Lake Travis View’s article announcing this wacky promotion. It is pretty much a carbon copy of the district’s press release. Surprisingly the district’s press release seems to have disappeared from their web site. Never fear, I have archived a copy.

With the departure of Diane Frost, attorney Susan Bohn has been promoted to deputy superintendent of the Lake Travis Independent School District.

That’s the word from Dr. Rocky Kirk, who said the decision was part of a restructuring at LTISD. Last week, Frost designated by the Corsicana ISD Board of Trustees as their lone superintendent finalist.

“The deputy superintendent position and all of the responsibilities it holds is critically important to the successful operation of the District,” said Kirk. “Fortunately, we are able to re-direct these duties internally among staff already in place, rather than searching District for this position. In doing so, we get the dual benefit of lowering administrative costs while taking advantage of the skills, abilities and competencies of talented staff within our own ranks.”

Susan Bohn, currently LTISD General Counsel, will assume the title of Deputy Superintendent and General Counsel. In this role, Bohn will provide leadership to campus principals as well as to numerous administrative functions of the District including communications, community programs, extracurricular programs, and human resources.

-Lake Travis View, May 8, 2010

I like the comments that were made in response to the Lake Travis View article, it seems I am not the only one who ponders this imponderable act:

May 9, 2010 at 9:33 am
What qualifies a social studies teacher who becomes a lawyer and then accepts a job at an ISD to basically handle David Lovelace (and even botches that up requiring 3rd party outside legal counsel) to become the second in command? Those that keep up with the ISD know this is true. Those of you that don’t, take a closer look.

May 13, 2010 at 8:47 am

Oh yeah, lets get some more lawyers in the school district. I am sure they will play an important role in improving education. Why not hire someone to promote better teacher websites, maybe a better math and science program, and better communication. Looks like we are in for more years of poor performance.

May 15, 2010 at 12:02 pm

It is an exciting time for the district? Seriously? It terrifies me. I would love to see the actual financial numbers that show they are saving administrative costs. It looks to me like they are merely adding administrative costs with every administrator they add to the ivory tower. It’s ridiculous. ConcernedParent is right about outside legal counsel. Those bills are already way high and now they will be even worse. Is the board of trustees paying any attention at all to what is happening? Why would a superintendent ever think that a lawyer who taught briefly was qualified to lead principals. What administrative experience does she have? It’s not unconventional it’s laughable. Someone should take a look at how dramatically her salary has increased since she started in Lake Travis. Is ANYONE wondering about this expense?

May 30, 2010 at 8:04 am

They were able to save so much on administrate cost, after the restructuring they gave pay raises to the already over paid administrative staff. Tell me how that is saving the tax payers of LTISD money?

June 1, 2010 at 10:59 am

Disgusted Taxpayer is on the right path. They aren’t saving us a dime of OUR money but rather “redistributing it” and the problem is that the Top 10% of the food chain (admin) gets it all. Whats needed is a taxpayer revolt at the polls the next time they try to paint a bleak and gloomy picture of their financial shape and force them to make do with what the rest of us have to live with. Please don’t let them sing that “Its for the Kids” jargon either….Its for overpaid and under worked Administrators, period! Go check their salaries out

-Lake Travis View, 6/6/2010

Let’s look at some of Susan Bohn’s qualifications for the job as Deputy Superintendent. According to State Board for Educator Certification records, Susan K. Bohn¹ holds the following educator certifications:

¹Verification of Susan’s name required more research. Susan K. Bohn’s (DOB: 5/2/1973) maiden name was Susan Melanie Kolar until her marriage in 2002 (File Number: 164161, 11/23/2002, Harris County). She goes by the name of Susan Kolar Bohn.

Note that Susan Bohn does not hold any administrative certifications. But I am more than certain that Susan’s certification in “Secondary Dance” will more than make up for her lack of administrative experience. Why didn’t the district’s press release mention that?

We are informed all about Susan Bohn’s educational background related to her law degree, but we don’t know anything about her background related to teaching?

Just what educational management experience does Susan Bohn have?

How long did Susan Bohn teach Secondary Dance and/or Secondary Social Studies before embarking on her legal career?

So many questions, so few answers.

I wonder how all of the principals and staff feel about being subordinate to an unqualified and inexperienced Deputy Superintendent?

Let’s look at Susan Bohn’s history with the district. The following pictorial view will aid us.

It would appear on the surface that Susan Bohn has done VERY well with a pay raise of $43,873 (+46%) between November 2006 through at least April 2010 (less than 4 years), but it looks like the job is getting to her.

I have obtained another 654 pages of public documents^TPIA giving more details as to just what happened at the Van Alstyne Elementary School, accessible from the links below.

Allison’s grievance to the Van Alstyne ISD Board and their response, Part 1^TPIA

Allison’s grievance to the Van Alstyne ISD Board and their response, Part 2^TPIA

Allison’s discrimination complaint filed with the Texas Workforce Commission and the settlement that ensued, Part 1^TPIA

Allison’s discrimination complaint filed with the Texas Workforce Commission and the settlement that ensued, Part 3^TPIA

Allison’s discrimination complaint filed with the Texas Workforce Commission and the settlement that ensued, Part 4^TPIA

Allison’s notice of Intent to Terminate her Probationary Contract, emails, supporting documents etc. (This is the most interesting section of documents), Part 1^TPIA

Allison’s notice of Intent to Terminate her Probationary Contract, emails, supporting documents etc. (This is the most interesting section of documents), Part 2^TPIA

Copy of the investigation into the issues surrounding the incident, written by the attorney hired to investigate the matter for the Van Alstyne ISD^TPIA

Here is the bottom line as I read it:

The incident involving Allison Cobb and her contract non-renewal at the Van Alstyne ISD was quite a three ring circus.

Allison Cobb’s contract was not being renewed by the Van Alystyne ISD. Instead of owning up to her failures, Allison wrapped herself in the cloak of religious persecution. It is hard to see just what persecution took place other than Allison referring to some staff members as “adulterers” and “abortionists.”

Later I asked Alan Williams where he obtained my private number and he told me that Alex Alexander gave it to him. Why would Alan Williams use my private number since my home phone number is public? This bodes an even more interesting question, why would Alex do this?

Alex was given my private number when he collaborated with Rocky Kirk in Rocky’s latest prank feigning remorse for his mis-deeds.

I gave private information to Alex in confidence and yet he felt free to give it out. Just what else does Alex feel free to discuss?

I guess if you are giving out private information to board members and/or who are also members of your church, it’s OK?

Is it true that Alex is now using emails obtained as a Lake Hills minister for his political campaign? At least one of the 51 recipients of Alex’s latest political email believes this was the case and wrote this response to Alex:

“I don’t think it is appropriate for you to use an email address in a political campaign that you obtained in your position as a Lake Hills pastor.”

Talk about your conflict of interest: Alex even sends out his political emails from his Lake Hill Church email address!

From: Alex Alexander <aalexander@lhc.org>
Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 13:49:16
Subject: Alex Alexander Campaign

Dear Friend,

You may, or may not, be aware that I am running for LTISD School Board Place 3.  I am really excited about the opportunity to serve our community in this capacity, but can’t do it without you. I would love to have your vote.

I have attached a flier that includes information about me and my campaign. You can also find more info at my website – www.AlexForLTISD.com <http://www.alexforltisd.com/>

Early voting begins this Monday, April 26th at the Randall’s located on 620 and continues through May 4th. Election Day is May 8th.

Thanks for your consideration,

Alex

–
Alex Alexander
Pastor of Family Life
www.lhc.org <http://www.lhc.org>
twitter.com/pastoralex <http://twitter.com/pastoralex>
alexalexander.wordpress.com <http://alexalexander.wordpress.com>

This leads us to an interesting question:

Where is the line between political ambition and Alex’s responsibilities as a minister?

Just how many current and/or former members of the LTISD Board are members of the Lake Hills church?

Just what is Alex’s political agenda or is it Rocky’s?

Who will Rocky get to go out and do his dirty work now?

Diane said as far back as August 2006:

“Our goal is to be exemplary. We realize that until we have recognized and then exemplary status, we have not met our goal as a district,” said Diane Frost, Lake Travis’ assistant superintendent for administrative services.”

I guess Diane figured out Rocky was never going to deliver on his exaggerated promise  “to be the most exemplary school district in Texas!”

The Corsicana Daily Sun reports that Dr. Diane Frost, LTISD Deputy Superintendent is leaving the district?

April 22, 2010
Frost named lone finalist

From Staff Reports Corsicana Daily Sun

Corsicana — Dr. Diane Frost, deputy superintendent of the Lake Travis Independent School District, was named the lone finalist Thursday for the superintendent’s post at the Corsicana Independent School District.

Frost has been in education for over 25 years, serving previously in her career as a special education teacher, coach, and administrator.

Frost earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Athens State College in Alabama and a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. She obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Texas. Prior to beginning her tenure in Lake Travis ISD in 2006, Dr. Frost served as interim superintendent for Carroll ISD in Southlake, Texas.

Read more on Dr. Frost and the board’s decision later tonight on our online newspaper, and in the Friday print edition of the Daily Sun.

- Corsicana Daily Sun, April 22, 2010

It looks like Diane is hitting the eject button and letting the rest of them endure the fiery heat of reentry!

“Austin teachers are better compensated than other Central Texas teachers, according to an Austin ISD report to be presented to trustees tonight.

A beginning Austin teacher receives $3,276 more than the average beginning teacher salary in other Central Texas school districts, taking Austin ISD’s 6.2% FICA contribution into account. An Austin teacher with ten years of experience makes $1,404 more than the average ten-year teacher salary in other Central Texas school districts, again, taking the district’s FICA contribution into account.

In fact, Austin teachers at all levels of experience are better compensated than teachers in nearly every other Central Texas school district, when the district’s FICA contribution is taken into account, according to the report. The only teachers who make more are those with 20+ years of experience in Eanes ISD and 15-25 years of experience in Lake Travis ISD.”

Sadly they did not mention the outrageous compensation of the LTISD’s highly overpaid superintendent Rocky Kirk.

Why does the Lake Travis ISD have such a disconnect between those who make the “rubber meet the road,” the district’s teachers, and those who just talk? I seem to  remember Rocky boasting about making the LTISD “the most exemplary school district in Texas!” Yet Rocky “leads” the school district to another year of “Academically Acceptable.”

When was the last time that Rocky Kirk visited one of the district’s campuses?

Speaking of overpaid fools, how about the $10,000 pay raise doled out to the LTISD’s General Counsel, Susan Bohn? Just what has she done for such an unwarranted pay raise, especially in today’s economy? I doubt that merit has anything to do with it. Why does the district keep paying out for all those outside lawyers, doesn’t the district have their own in house  “General Counsel?” Just what does Susan Bohn do?

Do you see a pattern here?

Why aren’t these administrators taking pay cuts? Obviously the LTISD Board of Trustees doesn’t understand the concept of performance based compensation.

Don’t you see lots of opportunity to make significant budget cuts and not impact the quality of education in the district? In fact, the quality of education in the district would most likely improve!

We keep paying more and more in taxes and yet there are some who are laughing all the way to the bank with our money.

Just how did this happen if the school district had been enforcing their own rules? The 2009-2010 LTHS Student/Parent Handbook & Code of Conduct says:

ELECTRONIC DEVICES CELL PHONES, PAGERS, PDA’S
For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess telecommunications devices, including mobile cell phones; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional class time, including during all testing. The use of cell phones in locker rooms or restroom areas at any time while at school is strictly prohibited. A student who uses a telecommunications device during instructional class time shall have the device confiscated. The [student/parent] may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device from the assistant principal’s office for a fee of $15. Confiscated telecommunications devices that are not retrieved by the student or student’s parents will be disposed of after the notice required by law.

According to the news articles about the incident:

“According to a search warrant affidavit, an assistant principal found more than 150 pictures on a cell phone …”

150 pictures?! Now that is a lot of photography. We should also note that the photographs “were of clothed girls.”

A recent comment by someone posted on the Lake Travis View web site makes a very interesting observation:
“This is the dumbest and scariest thing I have ever read! A teenage boy arrested for taking pictures of fully clothed girls. I did not even realize taking photos of people without thier consent was against the law!
Since this is evidently true, I suggest no more photos be taken at football games (like the ones on the right). And for heavens sakes don’t take pictures at a basketball game where you might get an unsuspecting students fully clothed body in the photo! You will get arrested and charged with a felony!”

But to take 150 photographs would mean that the student was obviously using his cell phone a lot, even during “instructional class time?”

In fact the student was caught by another student during “instructional class time” according to the sheriff’s deputies:

“…he photographed a girl from behind during class, according to deputies”

Why does the district even allow students to have phones? They claim its “for safety purposes.” But who’s safety? If you need to communicate with your child, couldn’t you just call the school office? Does this mean that the district doesn’t know where your child is located?

Doesn’t this place another burden on the teachers to simultaneously “police” the use of electronic devices and deliver educational instruction?

Let’s face it, the district is hopelessly inept, the LTISD issued a computer to my son that included photographs of Heidi Gudelman’s (Principal of the Lake Pointe Elementary School) Las Vegas vacation.

Reality tells us that a recent “QuickNews” email from the district about the “inappropriate photography” incident can’t be true.

“The LTHS administration will continue to take all appropriate and necessary measures to safeguard our students and communicate with our parent community.”

If this were true, the district would have enforced their own rules and then this incident would never have happened.

Now if all this isn’t enough, the school district is allowing middle schoolers to use “music playing devices” at school.

My son recently brought home this permission form allowing him to use a music device at school.

Note that the 2009-2010 Middle School Student/Parent Handbook & Code of Conduct says:

Cell Phones, Cameras, and Other Electronic Devices
Students are not permitted to possess such items as, I-pods, CD players, tape recorders, other digital musical players, camcorders, DVD players, cameras, electronic devices or games at school, unless prior permission has been obtained from the principal.  Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office.  The principal will determine whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items.

What brought about this change?

We need to ask the school district some questions:

Why do students need these additional distractions at school?

How does allowing these “music devices” enhance the educational benefit of the students? Does this help to elevate the LTISD above “academically acceptable?” How does this help Rocky Kirk make the LTISD “the most exemplary school district in Texas?”

How does the district think they can control the use of these devices? The district has already demonstrated that they can’t  or won’t enforce their own rules, so what changed? Can the district ensure that these “music devices” which are often “multi-use” devices will not be used to take “improper photos?”

How does this impact the teachers who are already spending time preparing, teaching and disciplining their classrooms?