Comments on: EISD buys $662,037 in broadcast technology http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/ Westlake Picayune is a publication of Austin Community Newspapers Mon, 21 May 2012 15:20:49 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mark Burr, M.D. http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-2246 Mark Burr, M.D. Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:17:25 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-2246 It is definitely time for a new board to be elected. This board is out of date and out of touch. Down with the aging out of touch board, long live the new board. The new board that cares about students and teachers and ideas and caring for others less fortunate than ourselves. Down with the Football obsessed board. Jezz, is that all we are, South Lake Carrol South?? It is time for new blood on the board - are you with me? Mark It is definitely time for a new board to be elected. This board is out of date and out of touch. Down with the aging out of touch board, long live the new board. The new board that cares about students and teachers and ideas and caring for others less fortunate than ourselves. Down with the Football obsessed board. Jezz, is that all we are, South Lake Carrol South??

It is time for new blood on the board – are you with me?
Mark

]]> By: Lynne Hook http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1118 Lynne Hook Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:07:10 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1118 My family has lived in Eanes for over 18 years, sent two children through all grade levels (2005 and 2008 graduates) and have one remaining in middle school. We are so tired of the board NEVER changing its priorities from advancing athletics (particularly football) at the expense of all other programs. When my son was in the high school debate program, I had to purchase used sofas and chairs for the students to sit on and conduct practice debates. There were no existing pieces of furniture in the practice room when he joined debate. Just one example of where these facility funds could be responsibly spent...instead of FOOTBALL! Get over your fascination with Westlake high school football and finally grow up, school board!!! Lynne & Wes Hook My family has lived in Eanes for over 18 years, sent two children through all grade levels (2005 and 2008 graduates) and have one remaining in middle school. We are so tired of the board NEVER changing its priorities from advancing athletics (particularly football) at the expense of all other programs. When my son was in the high school debate program, I had to purchase used sofas and chairs for the students to sit on and conduct practice debates. There were no existing pieces of furniture in the practice room when he joined debate. Just one example of where these facility funds could be responsibly spent…instead of FOOTBALL! Get over your fascination with Westlake high school football and finally grow up, school board!!! Lynne & Wes Hook

]]> By: Julia Webber http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1087 Julia Webber Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:12:12 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1087 Say it with your vote, parents. Say it with your pen. Say it with your attendance at board meetings. Let this passion be heard in the only language that matters these days....your vote and your pocket book. Come to the next Board Meeting March 25th. Write your Board Members and your state representatives. Rally the troops. Email me if you'd like more info on this movement to refocus EISD spending back where it belongs....maintaining the quality of our teachers and reducing class sizes. Julia@rarejules.com Say it with your vote, parents. Say it with your pen. Say it with your attendance at board meetings. Let this passion be heard in the only language that matters these days….your vote and your pocket book. Come to the next Board Meeting March 25th. Write your Board Members and your state representatives. Rally the troops. Email me if you’d like more info on this movement to refocus EISD spending back where it belongs….maintaining the quality of our teachers and reducing class sizes.

Julia@rarejules.com

]]> By: Funding the Eanes ISD WISHLIST http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 Funding the Eanes ISD WISHLIST Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:05:02 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1076 Don't forget the MILLIONS of our bond money spent last year for three fields of artificial turf, $317,000 for a batting cage for two ... and the many years that this site has documented the problem. www.keepeanesinformed.com/new_jumbotron_2009.htm Check it out here: www.keepeanesinformed.com Don’t forget the MILLIONS of our bond money spent last year for three fields of artificial turf, $317,000 for a batting cage for two … and the many years that this site has documented the problem.

http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/new_jumbotron_2009.htm

Check it out here: http://www.keepeanesinformed.com

]]> By: Jim Babineau http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1054 Jim Babineau Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:07:54 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1054 If nothing is done to correct this flagrant breach of fiduciary duty, then for every one of the people speaking up now there will likely be 200 others, like me, who will simply speak with their vote at the next Board election. I am usually one to give broad deference to decisions of elected officials, but this is beyond explanation and perhaps even worthy of an investigation into whether there are any connections between the vendors and those in positions within EISD. If nothing is done to correct this flagrant breach of fiduciary duty, then for every one of the people speaking up now there will likely be 200 others, like me, who will simply speak with their vote at the next Board election. I am usually one to give broad deference to decisions of elected officials, but this is beyond explanation and perhaps even worthy of an investigation into whether there are any connections between the vendors and those in positions within EISD.

]]> By: Sue Meldon http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1041 Sue Meldon Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:49:40 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1041 Come on people, PRIORITIES!! These kids are our future, how will they ever learn what's important for learning if the adults are running amok with the funds. As far as the sidewalk issue-shame on you for ignoring this problem. Spend a day on crutches, walker or wheelchair and a sidewalk becomes the gateway to so many things that the rest of us take for granted. Come on people, PRIORITIES!! These kids are our future, how will they ever learn what’s important for learning if the adults are running amok with the funds. As far as the sidewalk issue-shame on you for ignoring this problem. Spend a day on crutches, walker or wheelchair and a sidewalk becomes the gateway to so many things that the rest of us take for granted.

]]> By: we are the Jones' http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 we are the Jones' Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:54:40 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1038 Not too long ago a member of the Chaps Club responded to a remark made about 'keeping up with the Jones'. He said, "We ARE the Jones!" Nice. As the Chaps Club already collects the funds generated by advertisements sold on the Jumbotron (signs on stadium, public parking spaces etc.), why aren't they underwriting the costs associated with the purchase of this high end equipment? Who will benefit from the money generated by this new state of the art upgrade? To my knowledge, there has been very little if any, discussion in open session board meetings relating to the many other district wide needs that should have been considered when determining how to spend this enormous sum of money. Failure to include members of the community in the process prior to posting the action item on the most recent agenda, seems a bit suspect. It's unfortunate the seven elected members of the Eanes Board of Trustees voted to honor our superintendent's recommendation to spend these public funds on items so outrageous. Their vote does nothing more than drive home what appears to be their continuing intentional indifference to the academic and ADA deficiencies still present and growing in Eanes ISD. Thank you Mr. Fries for your efforts to investigate and shed light on this issue for our taxpaying community. Not too long ago a member of the Chaps Club responded to a remark made about ‘keeping up with the Jones’. He said, “We ARE the Jones!”
Nice. As the Chaps Club already collects the funds generated by advertisements sold on the Jumbotron (signs on stadium, public parking spaces etc.), why aren’t they underwriting the costs associated with the purchase of this high end equipment? Who will benefit from the money generated by this new state of the art upgrade?
To my knowledge, there has been very little if any, discussion in open session board meetings relating to the many other district wide needs that should have been considered when determining how to spend this enormous sum of money. Failure to include members of the community in the process prior to posting the action item on the most recent agenda, seems a bit suspect. It’s unfortunate the seven elected members of the Eanes Board of Trustees voted to honor our superintendent’s recommendation to spend these public funds on items so outrageous. Their vote does nothing more than drive home what appears to be their continuing intentional indifference to the academic and ADA deficiencies still present and growing in Eanes ISD. Thank you Mr. Fries for your efforts to investigate and shed light on this issue for our taxpaying community.

]]> By: elementary parent http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1036 elementary parent Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:26:18 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1036 Can the board explain how $600,000 in technology for the Jumbotron and auditorium improves the reading, writing, math and science skills of my kids and prepares them for college? It may be hard to believe, but some of us aren't in Eanes for football. Can the board explain how $600,000 in technology for the Jumbotron and auditorium improves the reading, writing, math and science skills of my kids and prepares them for college? It may be hard to believe, but some of us aren’t in Eanes for football.

]]> By: Dieter Kaupp http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1034 Dieter Kaupp Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:40:26 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1034 Must be a Democrate majority board flowing in the tail wind of the Obama 'Pork' spending agenda. Obviously not much 'oversight' has been put into the purchase of this equipment. Had there been, they would realize that there is high quality equipment at a much lower cost. An example for cameras: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/productComparisonChart.do?URL=/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcam/cat-broadcastcameras/&models=PDW700,PDWF335L Even if you were to add a $20,000 lens to the camera, it would still be half the price of what EISD is buying! And this is just ONE example! Omega Broadcast Group isn't going to talk them into anything other than the high end equipment.......can you blame them......more money for them. In a tight financial market as we are in now, not to mention much more important spending items needing attention and the district not even being ADA compliant, what are they doing?? Come on guys......get real! Must be a Democrate majority board flowing in the tail wind of the Obama ‘Pork’ spending agenda.

Obviously not much ‘oversight’ has been put into the purchase of this equipment. Had there been, they would realize that there is high quality equipment at a much lower cost. An example for cameras:

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/productComparisonChart.do?URL=/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcam/cat-broadcastcameras/&models=PDW700,PDWF335L

Even if you were to add a $20,000 lens to the camera, it would still be half the price of what EISD is buying! And this is just ONE example!

Omega Broadcast Group isn’t going to talk them into anything other than the high end
equipment…….can you blame them……more money for them.

In a tight financial market as we are in now, not to mention much more important spending items needing attention and the district not even being ADA compliant, what are they doing??

Come on guys……get real!

]]> By: Pushpa Srinivasa http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/03/04/eisd-buys-662037-in-broadcast-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-1032 Pushpa Srinivasa Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:12:17 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=1171#comment-1032 To the distinguished members of the EISD Board, $700K on video equipment, yikes! And I hear rumblings of yet another Bond proposal in the works after the $53million from the current is all spent!!! Is that right? With all due respect - "What is your justification?" Yet again, I am disappointed in the Board. The price we are paying to be able to walk away with a tape at the end of a performance is too high for the current times. What is the process? So, the Board can approve such items without the Bond committee's yeah or nay? To which body do we appeal to enforce accountability? If we are really big on bringing the district's technology up, get more laptops into classrooms. My kid most often says that she has to wait her turn w/ only two laptops in the classroom. The latest email on School Bus survey left a lot to be desired - there is a guardian per Family that's chosen somehow and only one parent can complete this survey online! None could answer how this choice was made. Perhaps the technology used here is outdated?! Regards, Pushpa To the distinguished members of the EISD Board,

$700K on video equipment, yikes! And I hear rumblings of yet another Bond proposal in the works after the $53million from the current is all spent!!! Is that right?

With all due respect – “What is your justification?” Yet again, I am disappointed in the Board. The price we are paying to be able to walk away with a tape at the end of a performance is too high for the current times.

What is the process? So, the Board can approve such items without the Bond committee’s yeah or nay? To which body do we appeal to enforce accountability?

If we are really big on bringing the district’s technology up, get more laptops into classrooms. My kid most often says that she has to wait her turn w/ only two laptops in the classroom.

The latest email on School Bus survey left a lot to be desired – there is a guardian per Family that’s chosen somehow and only one parent can complete this survey online! None could answer how this choice was made. Perhaps the technology used here is outdated?!

Regards,
Pushpa

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