Comments on: Officials visit China to broaden global learning curriculum

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:30:59 +0000

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?

By: DS

DS — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:08:07 +0000

Rex, do you know who paid for this trip?

By: eanesmom

eanesmom — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:08:18 +0000

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.

By: FIVE times the state average

FIVE times the state average — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:31:12 +0000

Eanes ISD spends FIVE times the state average on private attorneys. Link here:

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

By: Rex the Dog

Rex the Dog — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:13:33 +0000

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.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:07:10 +0000

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.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:41:52 +0000

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.

By: Fact check

Fact check — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:14:50 +0000

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

By: About Nola's travel ...

About Nola's travel ... — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:11:14 +0000

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

By: Rex the Dog

Rex the Dog — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:16:52 +0000

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…