DISD Withdraws Brokaw Termination
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Tue, 09/04/2007 - 07:33.
Update: Read Sharon Boyd's Commentary
The Dallas Independent School District has decided not to terminated former District employee Sherri Brokaw. Brokaw was the administrator of the failed procurement card or "P-Card" program.
The District's senior administration blamed Brokaw for the failures in the P-Card program.
However, during several days of hearings, District officials were unable to convince a judiciary panel that Brokaw, alone, could have been expected to scrutinize approximately $20 million dollars in transactions a year--and the 1,200 to 1,700 who used the cards.
The District spent almost $1 million dollars, and 9 months, auditing a mere 200 employees.
Still pending is a federal lawsuit against the District over comments made by former district spokesman Celso Martinez.
Brokaw's attorney, James Murphy, released the following statement:
The Dallas Independent School District has withdrawn its proposed termination action against Sherri Brokaw, the Administrator of the Pcard program that has received much attention by the media in the past year. After a $1 million “investigation” and five days of hearings, the Judicial Council appointed by Michael Hinojosa, has yet to render a decision on the DISD request to terminate Ms. Brokaw’s contract with DISD. Ms. Brokaw’s contract with DISD expired on August 31, 2007.
The District withdrew its proposed termination of Ms. Brokaw’s contract on the last day of its existence. Still pending before the DISD Judicial Council is Ms. Brokaw’s request that her good name be cleared amid false allegations made by DISD spokesman Celso Martinez in the Dallas Morning News that Ms. Brokaw was incompetent in her job.
Also still pending is Ms. Brokaw’s federal civil rights lawsuit against DISD, Dr. Hinojosa, Martinez, and others, relating to charges that Ms. Brokaw was made the scapegoat for the failed Pcard program, which was suspended by Hinojosa when it came to light that several DISD employees fraudulently abused the use of credit cards issued by the District.
Ms. Brokaw intends to vigorously pursue her yearlong efforts to clear her name and to recover damages against Hinojosa and DISD for smearing her name and reputation in the public eye, all in an effort to cover up high level administration officials’ failures in relation to the Pcard program. A DISD official has admitted that Ms. Brokaw was not incompetent in the performance of her duties as Director of Financial Control at DISD.
What's sad
I am in my 30s. My wife and I want to start a family and we live in Dallas. I don't see anything about DISD that will inspire my confidence enough to entrust my future sons/daughters to this school system. I don't. I don't want to have to pay for private school, but what choice do you have?
What's sad
Please take it from an existing taxpayer and DISD parent .... just keep your family and kids away from this district. Not sure how old your kiddos are but believe me, it will take years for the district to repair what they need to repair. Quite frankly, I am continuing to make plans to move my sons out of this district and into a more promising, legitimate one as soon as my resources become a bit more stronger.
I've been with them for 9 + years .... they do not move at blinding speeds and STILL do not recognize the individuals who ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!
[Ed Note: I feel your frustration, but keep in mind that there are many parents who are legitimately putting pressure on DISD to change--and DISD is changing. I know that it will take awhile to change philosophies and clean up the problems.]
Education Begins at Home
You do have a choice. I have 3 children in the DISD and education begins at home.
When you read the comments by those who have sent their "2 cents" in, you will see that part of the piece of the puzzle to education is parental involvement.
My children used to attend parochial schools.
I will give you a heads up. The teachers at the parochial level DO NOT have to be certified by the state.
I found that out the hard way.
That being said, teachers in the public school are very good (for the most part) and care about the children with all their hearts (they have to since the pay is not what it should be).
I would encourage you to take a tour of your neighborhood school and see if it is a fit for your family.
I can only tell you from my experience that the DISD has served my children well. BTW, I am an involved parent in my children's education and school.
Harry Stone Montesorri
I can vouch for Harry Stone Montessori School (Pre K through 8). It's a great campus with motivated teachers and a diverse student body.
Score one for the good guys!!!!
What's Sad
Please don't take this "broad brush" view of all DISD schools. It is not fair to the really good teachers and administrators that are in the district working hard to educate children.
There are really a few good campuses in the district.
Visit your campus several times and at different times during the day to observe.
After doing this I entrusted my children to DISD campuses but I stay alert to what is happening on their campus and in their classes. What can we expect to happen to DISD if we give up on the school system?
Good for Sherri
Good for Sherri. Too bad she got "delayered." Bit of a hollow win. And, what great leadership at DISD to render the decision on the last day of the contract.
[Ed Note: Perhaps it's not as much "delayering" as it is "scapegoating." The District (and ultimately the taxpayers) are now going to have to answer and make good (pay out) for the sloppy way they handled Brokaw and her department.]
What Did Brokaw Do All Day?
Ok, you are the Director of Financial Controls, but you had nothing to do with a program you were supposed to supervise.
So what did she do all day?
Did she sample receipts at the end of each year to determine what was being purchased?
If that was not her job, what was her salary, and what did she do for the money?
[Ed Note: Brokaw's department was responsible for administration, training, and management of every aspect of P-Card operations. Most of their time was devoted to training and reporting. One of the biggest challenges she faced was non-compliance by immediate supervisors.
Policy required each P-Card holder's supervisor to audit, sign and return his or her subordinates' statements. In the hearings, it came out that there was about 50% compliance. This means that 1-out-of-2 supervisors did not adhere to district policy.
Had the supervisors done their job, the scope of the ordeal would have been a fraction of what it ended up being.
There were many things broken about the P-Card system. One biggie was that three (3) audit reports (2 external and 1 internal) identified the P-Card system as badly broken. These audit reports were directed at all the senior administrators--including superintendents.
Nothing was done.
Brokaw was the one the District chose to blame when everything came full circle.]
Credit Card Database
I was once again looking at the credit card charges by the DISD employees on the DISD website: $1,000s charged to Wal-Mart cards, $1,000s charged on Steinmart, Dillards, Foleys, etc.
How in the world can these charges be justified?
I recognized the names of several "big shots" - area superintendents, principals, etc.
Why are these people held accountable to any lesser degree than an employee of any other company or firm?
And why isn't someone demanding that these people be reprimanded, fired or even made to pay back what they took???
Yes, I know DISD paid the lawyers to investigate. But has anyone been disciplined, fired, held accountable for the funds they squandered?
I just don't get it.
My department received NO TEACHING SUPPLIES last year at my DISD school and no one could ever explain why.
When school funds were supposedly unaccounted for, auditors came and went.
Our office manager did not return this year and our principal was re-assigned and demoted. Is that it? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ALLOCATED MONEY FOR SUPPLIES?????
A new meaning for the phrase "Don't ask, don't tell!"
[Ed Note: Actually, there was $1,000,000 spent to examine charges made by 200 of the 1,200 or so employees who had procurement cards. Two have been indicted, some fired or non-renewed. Some have resigned. No telling whether the rest will ever be looked at or not. I'm leaning toward "not".
Here's a link where you can read about all you've missed out on!]
Good For Brokaw!
Before the P-card program was expanded to absurd access, we ran a 21st century afterschool program that was heavily scrutinized by Brokaw's department.
Since our budget was different and we often purchased supplies on a need at that moment basis, the P-card was very useful.
Every receipt was expected and any irregularities were quickly challenged.
I am glad the district has not been able to place the blame fully on Brokaw's department. I think they were set up for failure as soon as the P-card access expanded.