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26 By Dane Anderson, Staff Writer
Three Eanes school district administrators recently returned from a trip to China, part of a weeklong educational tour to learn about the Chinese culture and language as a first step to expanding Chinese language programs in U.S. schools.
Superintendent Nola Wellman, Westlake High School Principal Linda Rawlings and Coordinator of math and science Jerri LaMirand joined 400 U.S. educators on a June 22-July 1 trip to China sponsored by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters and the U.S. College Board.
“The value of cultural experiences can’t be underestimated in an era of globalism,” Wellman said. “If our graduates get a job where they interact with people in other countries, it will be critical that they respect and understand different cultures. We would like to find ways to incorporate that knowledge into our curriculum.”
Chinese is the most widely spoken first language in the world, said Sheila Jamison at the College Board. According to a 2008 field study sited by Jamison, the number of Chinese programs in the U.S. has grown by almost 200 percent since 2004. Westlake High School added Chinese as a foreign language two years ago.
“We appreciate the support of Hanban, which has enabled more American students to learn the Chinese language, discover the vibrant culture of China and participate more fully in the cultural exchange between our two countries,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton.
During the recent trip, education delegates met with Chinese education leaders, network with other U.S. school leaders who are bringing Chinese language programs into their districts and visit with local education commissions in Beijing and Harbin.
“It is one thing to study cultural differences academically, but another to experience those differences first hand, which will help us as leaders to create a more relevant experience for our students,” Wellman said.
Eanes administrators seems to spend a lot of time away from school attending conferences. Were all the costs of this trip underwritten by the College Board and Hanban or did Eanes taxpayers foot a portion of the bill?
What a fun girls’ trip! I wonder if I paid for it.
Here’s an idea – each and every time Eanes ISD administrators leave the state and/or country for one of these “learning experiences” to “broaden their global understanding” or “enhance their 21st century skills,” the itinerary and specific travel expenses should be posted on the Eanes ISD website. Let review the amount of time time Nola Wellman spends away from her highly-paid post as Eanes ISD superintendent and the associated expenses. And while we’re at it, how does Bill Bechtol’s travel to Korea help our children? Who is doing well under Wellman? Eanes ISD Central Administration salaries have risen an astounding 50% since Nola began as superintendent! Here’s the link: http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/eanes_isd_administrative_salaries_increase_-_nola_wellman.htm
Scroll down this page to read about it:
http://www.peytonwolcott.com/Educonferences.html
School administrators head to resorts at taxpayers’ expense, link here: http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou090615_tnt_spring-isd-retreats.835b6fe1.html
Suggestions: Maybe you girls should 1. Move to another district where they don’t do things like this, say like Pflugerville 2. Run for school board and if you get elected do something about it or 3. Enjoy the fruits of the Eanes leadership and all that it produces
Rex, maybe you should move to a country where people don’t have a First Amendment right to free speech like…uh, China!
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions.
I think that Rex’s statements accurately reflect the position of the EISD administration and its school board, and I thank him for expressing them.
Eanes ISD wants to operate as a private school. The leadership is working hard to change the “mentality” of parents. http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/paul_stone.htm
Apparently, Rex the Dog is fully converted. And I agree, it’s good to have the details of the district’s arrogant position. Thank you Rex.
Rex seems to have all the answers, so hoping he can provide an answer to this: How much did Eanes taxpayers spend on this trip to China?
China must be Nola’s idea of a “diversity conference” … On the other hand, Pflugerville ISD is keeping the tax dollars at home and working with the University of Texas to address the problems that we have right here in Texas. It is offensive that Rex the Dog is so quick to demean both women and our neighbors in Pflugerville.
I am wondering if Eanes administrators are award of and have taken the opportunity to access this incredible resource for Asian studies down the street at UT Austin. It appears the University has included an outreach program for K-12 students. Check it out:
http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/southasia/about/
Wow…this is a ruff, ruff crowd. You missed the point…discourse is good…whining is destructive. You may want to audit a history class at WHS and learn more about the true cost of your right to discourse and yes even to whine, but that doesn’t mean it’s not destructive. If taxpayer funds paid for the trip and it should be disclosed in the right to information act, then I’m sure it will be. If taxpayer funds weren’t used then not sure there is an act that covers that one. Regardless, you “well informed dissenters” may want to actually ascertain whether or not TP funds were indeed used…and even you “well informed dissenters” would have to agree that without the facts your discourse is destructive…ohhhhh, but that’s the point right?
Rex,
Please keep talking.
Thanks!
Quit whining at the backdoor Rex the Dog. And the “ruff ruff crowd” – not really all that clever and overused when you post. Stop demeaning women and our neighbors in Pflugerville ISD. Your “discourse” is destructive and you are anything but well-informed. Dig a little deeper, Rex the Dog. Do you think Nola Wellman used her vacation days to go to China? I think not. Just how many days has she spent at edu-conferences while (well) paid to superintend Eanes ISD? Your intention is to crush free speech and it is clear who pulls your leash.
I agree. This is “ruff” but not ruffer than Rollingwood politics. The small but potent mobs there get really mean but their ignorance eventually gets the best of them. It is a good idea to ascertain the total costs to the Eanes taxpayer before passing too much judgement on this issue. It seems interesting though that this expense is raising more concerns than the huge sums of money going to certain athletic programs when others need facilities (i.e. swimming, etc.), as well as the fact that teaching positions have been eliminated in the school district. Just something else to “chew” on.
I see the uninformed, vocal minority struck again. I’m telling you it’s a dogs world…can’t even take a nap without y’all marking your territory again. So here’s where it stands…no facts—no argument…just whining…whiney, whiney, whiney…bitter, pitiful and sad whining. Oh yeah and ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff…
Nola Wellman wines and dines on a Eanes ISD credit card all over the U.S. and beyond. Review her credit card statements including late fees and finance charges here:
http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/pdf/wellman%20visa%201-5.pdf
Longhorn I agree. Nola’s excessive travel is just one symptom of the greater problem. It’s all about the spending priorities of Eanes ISD leadership:
http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/athletics.htm
http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/eanes_isd_administrative_salaries_increase_-_nola_wellman.htm
Rex the Dog, the good things going on in Eanes, and there are a lot, are due to the hard work and dedication of teachers and coaches who are working with our children. They’re taking up the slack in overcrowded classes and under-resourced programs. The board doesn’t know this though because WEllman’s main agenda has been to insulate them from the real EISD community.
The issue is not should we or shouldn’t we promote Chinese and foreign studies. The issue right now simply has to do with funds. At the June Board meeting the Finance Director said if we keep on the path that the District is on we will be 2million in the whole and “programs will need to be cut”. The problem with this statement is that it was the first one . Cutting programs should be the last thing we mention or think of doing.
EISD should look at how they can cut expenses by setting limits on travel, monitoring discretionary spending, urging teachers to attend summer workshops instead of ones that require subs, M&O costs, admin costs, and most importantly legal expenses. All are areas we could trim that could add up all together to be a large number.
At the June meeting the EISD attorney displayed a breakdown of the May legal expenses that were over 300,000. The costs reflected retainer fees for several lawfirms, ADA lawsuits, High School related lawsuits, etc.. At the end she stated that the board should expect the costs to rise. Legal fees can be reduced if the district worked towards mediation versus fights.
I do not claim to know the reasons behind all lawsuits nor do I want to, but I would hope our Superintendent and School Board would look at the rise and ask themselves “How can we reduce these costs? and What role are we playing in these lawsuits being filed?” If they could reduce legal fees in half would that save a program?
Even if the District wins the ADA legal fight haven’t they still lost. Under ADA law the improvements will have to be made at some point which will cost money. The money the District spends fighting the lawsuit could be put to better use because when all is said and done what would have cost 4million will now have cost 5 million. Does this make sense to prove you are right or that you will win??
The ultimate losers are the students of EISD and the only winners are the lawyers who send us the bill.
If you look at what the ADA lawsuits are asking for you would be stunned- a plan and a timeline for ADA improvements- no damages.
As for the other lawsuits and legal expenses- under Dr. Wellman we have gone from 2 to 6 lawfirms(I think). Why is this necessary??
What other lawsuits could be worked out with mediation. What are we teaching our children.
Support our kids- not lawyers.
Maybe Annonymous can tell you…they seem to know EVERYTHING…except of course whether or not the trip to China actually utilized tax payer funds. It’s nice that they’re so confident in their ability to discern what must be true from what may not be true and that they’re willing to put themselves out there, Annonymously of course, and rake our administrators over the coals without knowing what is and what may not be. Annonymous I applaud you for being a total…oh well, you know.
Eanes ISD spends FIVE times the state average on private attorneys. Link here:
http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/private_lawfirms.htm
Catherine – You’ve got it exactly right. Legal fees have skyrocketed in EISD as Admin. takes a very adversarial approach with parents. The district resists open records requests, it’s resisting ADA compliance, it’s cutting staff and services and increasing class size, and the Superintendant is traveling to China. I don’t care who’s paying for it, it’s just one more indication that the Admin. is out of touch with the needs of students, and would rather litigate than save the legal fees and do what’s right.
Rex, do you know who paid for this trip?
Interesting how Rex the Dog is so quiet when the question of where school dollars are going is on the table. Having trouble taking up for your owners, Rex the Dog?