Category — It’s About Who You Know

It’s that time of year when the deck is shuffled and district administrators end up in new places.  Why is it that it’s never for the better?

A reader tipped me off that:

Sarah Carlin Ames (formerly with PPS bloated communications department) is now working with the Governor’s Education Investment Project through March.

AND Sara Allan is working for the Gates Foundation with Hurricane Vicki.

Years ago when I worked in PPS HR department Doug Capps (a former school board member) told me that the district hired him “to help with a little PERS problem.”  Doug floated from one position to another for what seemed like a few years.

A few years later PPS hired Lolenzo Poe another former school board member.  His title has changed several times in the 2 or 3 years that he’s been with PPS.  Other than the district’s racial equity that is still being refined, I haven’t figured out what Lolenzo does.

Now, PPS has hired former school board member David Wynde.  I don’t think his board seat even had time to cool before he was hired.  This is from today’s press release:

Chief Financial Officer Neil Sullivan realigned his department to better manage PPS’ resources and budget development. Recently, Zhai Logan joined PPS as the school district’s new budget director after five years with the Hillsboro School District.

In addition, Former School Board Member David Wynde will serve as deputy chief financial officer. David will provide strategic direction to maximize the
district’s assets and revenue and manage costs, including PERS liabilities and health care expenses. He will also help coordinate and strengthen the district’s
priorities-based budgeting process.

Deputy Chief Financial Officer?  Voters approve a local option for teachers and we get more central office administrators?

Does it seem to anyone else that it might be a conflict of interest to hire former school board members?

A couple of friends have forwarded this link to an excellent letter from a Laurelhurst parent who has resigned from her position as chapter leader of Stand for Children, and from being a member of Stand.  It was published in the Washington Post and it’s a must read for anyone concerned about public education.

Do you remember when PPS saved millions by outsourcing the custodial work?  No?  Well Heidi Franklin, PPS former Chief Academic Officer, must remember it because now she’s trying to outsource the print shop at Mt. Hood Community College.  She called in an impartial consultant (Office Max) to help.  Here’s a recent memo from Heidi:

MEMORANDUM

To: Members of the Board

Dr. Ski

Dr. Hay

From: Heidi Franklin

Date: June 6, 2011

Re:      Print Shop

Print Shop Situation: Recently, several factors have contributed to the current state of confusion regarding the savings included in the budget for the operations of the print shop.  Unfortunately, many unintended consequences of our decision to outsource our print shop were realized over the past week.  I believe what follows is the only substantive change to the budget we need for you to make (and hopefully approve) at this time.  I sincerely apologize for this late notification of the situation and the need to amend our budget.

Contributing Factors:

Communication: When the budget detail was recently published on the web, print shop staff among others saw that there was no budget for personnel in the print shop.  This is the main impetus for the rash of e-mails and phone calls that has ensued this last week.  Clearly my attempts to inform staff of what was happening proved inadequate, and understandably much upset resulted.  I have personally and publicly apologized to those most directly wronged.  While that helped some, further steps are required.

New Information: I learned last week that there is a clause in the Classified Employee Association agreement that requires formal notification to the union whenever the College is planning on outsourcing work performed by classified members.  Therefore, time needs to be built into the process to allow for this notification, for the union to respond, and for the union’s response to be considered.

The Proposed Solutions: While we can’t unring this bell, we can conduct a process going forward that is responsive to the number of concerns that have now come to light.

Process: A thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing the print shop requires gathering data on the types of services and volumes of work that the College needs, as well as getting an understanding of the breadth and depth of services provided by vendors.  As the recent e-mails have demonstrated, there is controversy around the steps for gathering this data.  If the results of this data gathering and analysis phase lead to the conclusion that outsourcing would save significant dollars while maintaining or improving service levels, then the College has two ways to proceed:  (1) issue an RFP and solicit proposals from all interested vendors, conduct a selection process, and negotiate a contract with the chosen vendor; or (2) do a cooperative procurement by piggybacking on a contract that is already in place with the state or another government.  Office Max has such a cooperative purchase contract with the City of Vancouver and with Western States Contracting Agency (WSCA).  Other vendors may also have such agreements.  These are worth exploring, since the pricing tends to be more favorable due to economies of scale with larger volumes than a single, stand-alone contract.

Budget Impact: It seems reasonable to assume that the data gathering and analysis phase, which typically would take two to three months, will take longer given the summer timing.  In the meantime, the print shop needs to continue its usual operations.

Therefore, I am requesting that the two full-time positions (manager and assistant) and some part-time/student positions be restored to the adopted budget for now.  This will add a total of about $229,000 to expenditures and reduce contingency by the same amount.  Contingency reserves for the 2011-12 adopted budget would then be $3.57 million, or 5.6 percent rather than $4 million, or 6.5 percent.

Not surprisingly, businesses that stand to gain from the PPS construction bond continue to donate  to the bond campaign.  I wonder how many of these same donors would contribute to a business tax increase campaign.  After all, schools need the money.

Stand For Children is going to make an appearance.

What does a Marshall parent have to do to get a meeting with the mayor?

Mayor Sam Adams: Please check your messages and return calls to your constituents.

April 20, 2009 PPS Big Ideas Q & A offers some insight into the future.  Pull your wallets out because it will require BIG BUDGETS.

Q9: Is high school redesign leading to a facilities bond for PPS?

YES. However, to make any decisions about high school buildings, we must make decisions about the programs within those buildings.  How many high school buildings do we need?  What size, and where?  Should they include special spaces such as labs, workshops and performance space?  This high school design conversation will answer those questions and allow us to finalize a long-range facilities plan for PPS that includes high schools. [Read more →]