Enterprise says Thomas needs a reality check

In their editorial today, the Enterprise chastised Thomas for blaming the media for spreading misinformation and being sensational. They go on to say that the recent uproar from voters shouldn't be ignored and isn't made up.

Wake up Thomas!!!

First of all, you need to stop hearing only what you want to hear. There are angry voters who have a voice that you need to listen to.

Secondly, it's not the media's fault that you have a major problem with this bond issue and it centers around communication. If Thomas is telling people to go to BISD to get information and NOT the media then he is delusional. BISD is not making the CORRECT and most UPDATED information available to the public.

I personally put in a Freedom of Information Act request for information well over a month ago. By law, they are required to give me the information in 10 days or file with the Attorney General. Have I heard a word since? No.

Why should we go to BISD for information? Why should we trust them? Because Thomas says so?

Sorry. The time to trust has come and is long gone. You can pretend to have open communication, but you haven't shown it. I trust the media because at least they are objective. BISD has an agenda and is trying to give us THEIR propaganda -- which may be either a stretch of the truth or not at all.

I say THANK YOU TO THE MEDIA. It's your jobs to keep people honest and hold them accountable and I strongly believe they are doing that -- regardless of what Thomas wants to believe.

Read more here

Coverage of meeting

To read the Enterprise's live coverage of the meeting to change the BISD board, click here.

KBMT-12's coverage includes video on their website.



KBTV web story only interviews the school district's attorney who said the district is bound by federal court order to keep board make-up as is.

I couldn't find a story online at KFDM-6. Please post the link in the comments if you see it.

Read more here

BISD meeting scheduled to change board makeup

For those of you wanting more information about the petition to change the makeup of the BISD board, there will be a meeting you can attend to learn more.

Date: October 21
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Jefferson County Courthouse Jury Impaneling Room.
Here is a story that ran on KBMT-12.

It's important that you comeout and learn more. For this petition to reach the 12,000 signatures it needs (and they have to be registered voters), it takes more than one person to participate. If we all go and get one sheet filled with signatures, we can reach that number very quickly. Ask people at church. Ask your neighbors. Ask your sports teams.

We can do this and make a change!

Read more here

Enterprise editorial addresses cost overruns on BISD bond

This editorial criticizes BISD about the athletic complex going 48 percent over budget.

An excerpt: "There is no way the district can handle overruns like that on every other job. The same factors that have affected the athletic complex will affect every other project on the bond issue.

Taxpayers are expecting everything to be built in this bond issue, including projects in the final phases. BISD officials need to make sure that cost overruns at the start of the work don't wreck that goal."

In my opinion, if the complex is nearly 50 percent overbudget because of what administrators are calling inflation, then what will happen with all the other projects? If inflation is THAT BAD they will all go 50 percent over budget, what will be left when it comes time to build Sallie Curtis?

And if you know inflation will surge the complex that much money, why spend $1 million on a scoreboard? Why not make some cuts on the complex?

The answer: It's easier to make the cuts at the schools. Let's make Curtis wait. And in the end, when we run out of money we'll ask taxpayers for more or just don't build it. This isn't an all-giving money tree. The cash will run out and where will that leave us?

Read more here

A walk down memory lane

As long as Dr. Thomas is saying that the voters just don't understand how construction works, let's take a look at the articles that ran two years ago regarding the bond and what promises were made then. He is now saying that it has ALWAYS been a price tag of $43 million, not $29 million as the media is saying he originally told taxpayers.

Here is a document that was archived on the Beaumont Enterprise website that came from BISD. Guess what it has budgeted for the athletic facility? $29.8 million.

--------------------------------

This is one of my favorite articles I found. It's by Beth Gallaspy (an excellent long-time reporter veteran) on November 9, 2007. In it, Dr. Thomas says the complex shouldn't be more than $30 million otherwise they would have to "review what they are doing." He went on to say that there will be enough funding IFthey meet the time.

REMINDER: HOW MUCH IS SALLIE CURTIS DELAYED??? Will it meet the time?

An excerpt says:
Board member Martha Hicks said people want to know why the complex is in Phase One and asked Thomas to explain.

"The sooner we can get projects built, we beat inflation costs," Thomas said. "... You can't build more than four elementary schools at a time because there's only so many places to put students."

Board member Woodrow Reece asked for an answer to rumors that the district will not build everything that is promised.

"I think we have adequate funding if we meet the time," Thomas said. Taking more time would mean more money for inflation, he said.

After the meeting, Thomas responded to a question about what would happen if bids on the athletic complex came in well above the $30 million budgeted. "I hope it should not happen," Thomas said. "I feel like we're going to be reasonable in the ballpark."

If they were significantly higher, "I think we're going to have to go back and review what we're doing, but I don't think that's going to happen. That's the whole idea behind this study," Thomas said.

-----------------------------

When the bond passed, this article ran in the Enterprise on November 27, 2007 by Ryan Myers (who is no longer at the paper, but was a thorough reporter). Among the highlights:

- "We hope any changes to the construction phases will be minimal, but they may come to us and say something just isn't feasible," Thomas said.

- The first phase also includes purchasing land for a districtwide multi-purpose center, a $29.9 million project that will include a stadium and swimming complex.

---------------------------

In this article which ran November 25, 2008, it presents a project-by-project analysis of the $388.6 million BISD bond proposal. Some of the items include:

Curtis Elementary
Year Built: 1956
Proposed: New school for 550 students
Cost: $14,701,937
Supporters: Aging school; too expensive to renovate
Opponents: No organized opposition

Multi-purpose facility
Year Built: 2008
Proposed: New athletic complex, including stadium and natatorium
Cost: $29,857,983
Supporters: Economically feasible to build anew rather than renovate existing stadiums; could host regional games and competitions
Opponents: Not enough money for the project and if done first, will prevent completing other projects

----------------------------------------

Yet another article is here that ran November 23, 2007 that talks about pros and cons of the athletic facility. An excerpt:

"The current bond proposes the building of a new stadium, field house and natatorium for $29.8 million. Those in favor of the bond said a new stadium makes more economic sense than spending money to bring the existing facilities up to current standards and continuing to rent the stadium at Lamar University. They also said a new facility would attract outside playoff games, band competitions and other events, bringing revenue to the district. Those opposed to the bond believe there is no way a complex like the one being proposed will cost $29.8 million based on other projects they have seen around the state. Another issue with the stadium is that it is the first scheduled project and the opposition believes the athletic complex will go over budget and take away from the project - particularly money for the elementary schools. Those for the bond said the athletic complex is scheduled first to save money on inflation."

I found this gem in a link from BISD in 2007 that was on the previous article. It says: "Accountability milestones will be established in the schedule & monitoring of the building cost progress will be communicated regularly to the public."

-------------------------------------------

This September 21, 2007 article outlines how much is budgeted for the various projects. And it says that it'll be $29.9 million for the complex.

---------------------------------

As you look at ALL OF THESE ARTICLES, ask yourself: Is the media really lying? There are more articles out there and I can certainly post them all.

If I were Dr. Thomas, I would have been angry at the media two years ago for not telling the public that the figure for the complex was actually $43 million. Oh, wait - maybe that would have hurt the chance for the bond to pass. Let's just let the public believe it's $29 million and we'll blame it on the public later for not understanding the construction process.

Shouldn't the leader of our school district be setting a better example? I would have more respect for someone who admits they are wrong than trying to place the blame on others for missteps and mistakes. It's easy to point the finger at the media, but I think we've shown, it's not the media who has screwed up here.

If the media was WRONG, why didn't the district accuse the media of spreading lies two years ago like they are now? Maybe, just maybe, it's because the media is right. Gosh, it must hurt to know that the reporters are going back and looking at that and holding BISD accountable. Bravo to them!! Keep it up.

Read more here

Examiner exposes that athletic complex 50 percent over budget

The article says that Dr. Thomas said the price was always $44 million and that people just don't understand how the construction process works. However, documents show that the original price that was presented to voters was $29.8 million.

This excerpt is partifularly interesting from the story: "The internal financial documents obtained by The Examiner show that Thomas approved a $14.2 million change order and cost increase on April 21, 2009. The notation was made electronically in a computer file that is not accessible by the public, despite promises made by Thomas that BISD would provide full disclosure to the public regarding how the district was spending bond money.


It also shows that Regina's temporary campus cost more than $4 million - NOT the $2.5 million number being thrown out. No wonder they want Sallie Curtis to go to Regina's portables! They went overbudget on that too.

The Examiner
BISD sports complex nearly 50 percent more than proposed

Financial documents outlining costs for the Beaumont Independent School District's multi-purpose athletic complex appear to indicate that the project is nearly 48 percent over the $29.8 million budget that was sold to taxpayers, who voted for the district's $389 million bond initiative in November 2007.

The cost of the project is now listed in excess of $44 million.

But BISD Superintendent Carrol Thomas says the complex was always planned to cost $44 million and the increase is due to architectural fees and other costs that were not itemized by Parsons, the project management company overseeing construction, when the plans were presented to the board in 2007.

"When you include all the inflation figures and all those things in there - that would be $43 read entire story here.

Read more here

Newspapers critical of recent BISD moves, support petition drive

It seems there is a momentum and support to get this on a ballot to have two at-large seats on the board and the Enterprise is critical of the $1 million scoreboard change. The Examiner's editorial supports a change to the board as well and calls for the board to be more open about how the bond money is being spent and stop hiding it.

Unlike what Dr. Thomas likes to think, not everyone thinks things are rosy at BISD.

Beaumont Enterprise Editorial
2 more at-large seats would help improve BISD board - Anything that makes the Beaumont school board more responsive and accountable to taxpayers is welcome. In that regard, voters should support a move to add two at-large seats. Currently, all seven members represent single districts.

But the proposal faces a stiff petition requirement, and it won't be the magic bullet that some taxpayers may be hoping for. The board and administration seem to suffer from deeper problems, from wrong priorities on the bond issue (athletics before academics) to a read the rest of editorial.

Beaumont Enterprise Editorial
Big scoreboard, small problems - If everything works out, the Beaumont school board won't be spending more for a scoreboard at the athletic complex than it budgeted. It set aside $100,000 for the scoreboard and plans to cover the actual cost of $994,625 with advertising revenue that it will generate.

But that's not what voters were told when they were considering the bond issue. Last week's decision continues the drip, drip, drip of confusion and mistrust following the bond issue. The South Park issue remains snarled in the courts, and parents at other campuses are saying they aren't getting what was advertised.

The drive for one of the biggest and best stadium scoreboards also reinforces the impression - a wrong one read the rest of the editorial.

Beaumont Enterprise Column
By Christopher Clausen

BISD needs to show more numbers on bond sooner - Wednesday's meeting in the Jefferson County Jury Impaneling Room should draw a crowd.

The goal of that 3:30 p.m. assembly is a reconfigured Beaumont school board that is more responsive to taxpayers.

The group needs 12,000 signatures on a petition to get an election they must win, and a school board attorney advises, the U.S. Justice Department's approval.

The spark for the petitioners is the delay in the construction of eight elementary schools, as promised in the successful campaign for a $388.6 million school bond.

Thursday's school board read the rest of the column here.

Examiner Editorial
Time for change - A grassroots movement to change the way taxpayers are represented on the Beaumont Independent School Board is the right move for the citizens of the district and should be supported by everyone.

The move comes after years of concern about how the district is being run and how taxpayers' money is being spent. By switching to a system that allows for two at-large positions and five single-member districts rather than seven single-member districts, it will give taxpayers, i.e. voters, a greater say in how their children are educated.

Since taxpayers voted to approve a $389 million bond initiative to improve schools on the heels read the rest of the editorial here (on righthand side).

But again, this must go back to Dr. Thomas saying that the media is perpetuating lies in the community. Right?

What do you think? Is the scoreboard worth spending $1 million on? I suppose it's okay to spend $900,000 extra on a scoreboard, but not "extra" money to get Sallie Curtis built as scheduled as promised to voters. Since neither were in the original proposal to voters, I guess it's only a sign of what is to come.

Read more here

When you make bad decisions, blame everyone else

When you are a public official or run, let's say, a school district, you are going to be open to criticism. But in yesterday's board meeting, Dr. Thomas seemed to think the media is to blame and that people are happy with what he's doing, it's just the media who is spreading lies. See story and video here.

It's the media's JOB to make sure that government and educational agencies are held accountable for what they have said and are saying. If Woodward and Bernstein only reported "positive" news. Nixon would have remained in office and a president may have easily been involved in a break-in scandal with no accountability or repercussions for his actions.

The same applies here. They have people ON TAPE or on the record saying one thing months ago and saying something else later.

If you make decisions that people think or in poor or ill judgement, people are going to talk.

If you ignore the taxpayers, they are going to talk.

If you keep changing your mind and give out random facts that don't add up, guess what? People are going to talk.

And eventually as bad choices are continuously made, they will get angry and take action.

So let's say we spend $900,000 more for a SCOREBOARD. Last night, the board approved a $1 million scoreboard for the stadium that will be one of the largest in the state. Only $100,000 was budgeted, but they expect that ad revenue will pay for it. In the latest figures on an Enterprise poll, 78 percent said it was not necessary.

What do you think? That is $1 million coming out of the BOND money not from advertisers. When the advertising money does come in, where will it go? To buy books and computers? To build playgrounds at the schools? When the money goes toward something that we don't approve of and the media reports it, how much you want to bet instead of taking a look at what BISD is doing wrong, the leaders will blame the public and the media?

Read more here

Thomas says parents happy with bond

Read this story to see what Dr. Carrol Thomas had to say about his perception of what BISD parents think about the bond proposal. In his mind, we are a pretty content bunch. What do YOU think?

KBMT-12

B.I.S.D. Superintendent Says Parents Support Bond Program - Despite on-going criticism about the way the Beaumont Independent School District is handling the construction of new schools, the superintendent says a majority of the parents are happy with the bond program.

Dr. Carrol Thomas made this comment during an interview with 12 News Saturday, October 10 at the district's read the rest of the story here.

After you read the whole story at KBMT, comment below and let us know if you agree or disagree with what he had to say!



Read more here

Sign the petition to change the board!

As some of you may know, Andre Cokinos has been working on the petition proposing to change the way our school board members are elected. In short, the board would be set up much like our city council. Instead of seven board members, there would be five board members and two "at-large" board members.

Please email lizcokinos@gt.rr.com to find out how to sign this petition or if you would like to take petition sheets out to get signatures.

We have to take charge and make a change!

We need 12,000 signatures total and anyone who signs must be a registered voter within the Beaumont Independent School District.

This is NOT just a Sallie Curtis deal. This should be a concern to every taxpayer within our school district, whether or not their children attend public schools. If we want Beaumont to fluorish and attract new residents, then our school district must be well represented. Feel free to pass this along to anyone you think would be interested!

Let's show our children that WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

See two stories about the petition:

KBMT-12
Some BISD Parents Petitioning School Board - A group of Beaumont parents have started a petition. A petition that they say could change the way Beaumont Independent School District board members are elected. Andre Cokinos, who is leading the petition, says he wants the board to be set up like Beaumont City Council. Instead read the rest of the story here.


Beaumont Enterprise
Parents group to meet about remake of BISD board - A group of Beaumont ISD taxpayers hopes to change the way its members are represented on the school board.

Andre Cokinos, a Beaumont resident and father to one Sallie Curtis Elementary student, is spearheading click here to read story.

Are you going to sign the petition? If so, why? If not, why not? Comment below to let us know what you think!

Read more here

Want to make a change to the BISD school board?

It can start by changing the makeup of how we elect members.

We can petition the BISD board to have an election to change the positions that our school board members are elected to.

The law allows us to require the school board to call an election to change from 7 single member districts to 5 single member districts and two at large positions (just like Beaumont City Council).

The school board would be in charge of re-zoning the boundaries. Under the Education Code, the lines should be drawn so that they contain roughly the same number of voters in each district and each district should be "compact and contiguous."

However, the current boundaries do not comply with this mandate and if someone were to challenge the current boundaries in Federal Court under the Voting Rights Act, they would probably win.

If this is something you are interested in, you can contact Mike Getz at MDGetz@aol.com or call 832-3381. Stay tuned to our blog for more information on how to sign the petition or get more involved!

Read more here

More criticism of BISD

There are two opinions below that were in the media as well as a recent article talking about how the stadium is on schedule, but the schools are behind.


The Bayou Blog
BISD's Thomas gets squirrly - It is a most magnificent Friday. A cold front in moving through, banishing the 600 degree temperatures we've been blessed with AND we explore yet another 'metaphor meltdown,' otherwise known as "Doc" Thomas's weekly "Nuggets of Wisdom" (the title, it slays us!) column. Read more here.


Here's what was written as an editorial in The Examiner:
When the Beaumont Independent School District sought support in 2007 for a $389 million bond initiative to rebuild schools in the district, the first issue raised was the matter of trust.

The Examiner met with Superintendent Carrol Thomas in a private, one-on-one meeting and explained that the only way the newspaper would support the plan was if BISD pledged to be honest, open and fiscally responsible.

Thomas promised that he would open the books and place everything on the table for review. He promised to provide data on costs and expenses in detail to show BISD was being a good steward of taxpayer money and that work was being completed on time and on budget. To gain the support of voters - and this newspaper - he gave his word the district would live up to the promises they made.

Since that time, very few of those promises have been realized. Yes, there is a Web site where documents are posted related to the bond but it is so cumbersome and tedious that many people simply give up looking. Those using a Mac instead of a PC cannot even log onto the site.

With regards to promises of fiscal responsibility, we now know some projects are already over budget and their scope has changed since being presented to voters. A prime example is the Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex, with an original price tag of $29 million. Just this past Wednesday, a BISD press release said the sports complex would cost $38 million - a full $9 million over budget.

As for meeting deadlines, the district is months behind on construction work. And while some of that can be blamed on Hurricane Ike, not all of the delays can be linked to a natural disaster.

Then there is the final promise, where Thomas said that every project would get done. BISD has already strong-armed school principals into agreeing that some projects aren't needed at all and others in an altered form from that presented to voters. For example, the auditorium at West Brook High School was supposed to be built for 2,600 people. The new plan is for a theater of less than half that size.

Evidence presented in recent courtroom testimony makes clear the promise was made that South Park would not be demolished. But the district doesn't want to live up to that promise, either.

Was Carrol Thomas authorized to make these promises? Or was he just paying lip service while harboring a secret plan to pursue another agenda?

The community came together to pass the $389 million bond issue because it needed to be done - for the children and the future of our city. It is past time for BISD to honor their commitments and get on with the task at hand, because what is currently being demolished is not some building but the public trust.


The Beaumont Enterprise

BISD athletic site takes shape; schools to see progress in weeks - A large crane hoisted pieces of the Beaumont ISD stadium into place Thursday as district administrators and project managers watched. If other projects in the district's $389 million bond package have seen some delays, the district's athletic complex is not one of them. Read more here.

Read more here