Piecing together the picture of school board Chairman Ericka Ellis-Stewart's attempted London trip has been a lot like the old story of the blind men trying to describe an elephant. You get a bit here and a bit there, but the full thing isn't clear.
Christine Mast, a Huntersville accountant, added an important piece when she got a response from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools that reconciles why Ellis-Stewart could say CMS cut a check for the $4,800 trip while CMS officials said no check was sent to the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the trip. As you may recall, Ellis-Stewart signed up for the five-day trip, which was supposed to depart May 19. Flight delays led to the trip's cancellation, but questions arose immediately afterward about how Ellis-Stewart, who had less than $300 left in her travel budget, had planned to pay.
E-mails released almost a month after I requested them show the chamber staff repeatedly asking Ellis-Stewart where her payment was. On May 15, after another chamber query, Ellis-Stewart emailed that "The check has been cut and (CMS Chief Financial Officer) Sheila Shirley will be sending it over." When I asked spokeswoman Tahira Stalberte to get Shirley or interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh to confirm whether a check had been cut and/or sent, Stalberte replied that no check was delivered to the chamber. Ellis-Stewart, meanwhile, insisted it was her understanding that the check had been cut.
Mast made a formal request for a copy of the check. She got it on Friday afternoon, with this explanation from Shirley:
A check payable to the Charlotte Chamber was cut on April 2, 2012 as requested
by the Superintendent. Funds were available in the board's total travel budget
line item.
The check was held by the Superintendent pending board authorization which would
have occurred in one of two ways:
1)Individual board members transferring their available travel funds to cover
the remaining amount needed, or
2)Full board approval of the expenditure in an open meeting
Neither of these occurred, thus the check was not released and has been voided.
There you go: Simple and clear. Seems like Ellis-Stewart and/or CMS officials might have offered that explanation earlier -- though, of course, questions remain about how things got to this point and what Ellis-Stewart would have done had the plane taken off.
I can't know anyone else's motives, but I can offer a couple of observations. First, this is a tremendously awkward situation for CMS staff. The nine-member elected board is the ultimate boss, and it's clear that there were tensions among members about this trip and the way it was handled. Employees who are probably already on edge with the pending arrival of a new superintendent couldn't have been eager to step into that fray. But Hattabaugh, who will leave CMS after handing off to Heath Morrison at the end of the month, would have been in the best position to step up with a clear, factual account.
Second, stalling is a tactic that sometimes pays off. I hate to admit that, but it's true. We've all seen the local press corps shrink in recent years. Those of us who remain are juggling a lot of stories and can be distracted by breaking news. That's why citizen inquiries like Mast's can be so helpful. They show the public is interested in -- and has a right to -- public information. And they increase the odds that being stingy with that information will only prolong an uncomfortable story.
Some of you have asked who paid for Ellis-Stewart's plane ticket if CMS did not. Like some of you who have posted comments, I believe it was the chamber, which collected $5,000 per participant (public officials got a $200 discount) to cover airfare, hotels, meals and other costs. I also believe, based on the repeated requests for payment, that the chamber had no intention of covering Ellis-Stewart's tab.
Since getting the CMS emails, I've twice asked Natalie English, the chamber's senior vice president for public policy, for more details about the CMS payment. So far, no response.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
London check: Cut but not sent
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72 comments:
blah, blah, blah... at the end of the day, why does a BOE member need to go? London's ed system is certainly not blazing any trails, etc. So...of what use would it be for a BOE member to go on an official trip such as this? None. Whatsoever. She thought it would be fun to go to London... and she's right...but not on the County dime!
This is just what it is...a fleecing of the taxpayer.
This is criminal and should be treated as such.
CMS is one of the worst school systems in the nation and I agree with the prior post that BOE folks have no business in London or anywhere else on our dime.
This is another indication that we are done in this country unless nothing short of a peaceful revolution occurs. Teachers, politicians, our police, everyone seems corrupt in this cash grab nation.
This entire school system. board and administration, behaves more like Detroit everyday. A corrupt and opaque county government, a spoiled brat of a mayor and an out-of-touch city manager, plus the Mess that Is CMS. Detroit on the Catawba, ok.
There are still issues with this fiasco.
Was it Hattabaugh who made the decision to allow funds to be used from the "board's total travel budget" pemding approval from the rest of the BOE?
Does this "total travel budget" include the unused funds of other board members, some of whom would not give EE-S any of their allotment?
Are there additional funds in this line items above the total indivisual BOE travel allotments and if so how much and why?
These are the same people who manage over one BILLION DOLLARS in tax dollars.
Ericka E hyphen S must go. She had to know all this or she would not have been on the plane. She could have explained it at any time. How are we to believe or trust her on anything.
I thought I read in an earlier article that former board member Eric Davis encouraged Heath and the chair Erica Stewart to attend this event. Then later Davis refused to release his leftover travel expences. Is this true? If so this seems very political and is an attempt to make Stuart look bad.
The debate over Ellis-Stewart's check for the trip is bad enough, but there's a bigger question: Are these annual trips truly meaningful and do they really result in changes here in Charlotte? Ericka isn't the only one; no one that goes on these trips pays for it out of their own pocket. Companies that are Chamber members pay for their execs that go just like taxpayer funds pay for the elected officials that go. So what ideas/changes have been implemented here as a result of these trips? If there is no clear answer to that question, than these annual trips are little more than free vacations for corporate execs and politicians. This is a problem in a time where those same corporate execs and politicians are telling the rank and file that there is no money to give them raises.
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'...
Eric does not need too help Stewart look bad she is fully cpable of that all on her own. Look at what she has done since she took office. Clear to me NAACP would have covered that ticket if needed. The Chamber should have al members who want to go on these vacations just book their own trips. I would never pay for anothers trip.
I have to agree with 8:49. Ericka seems to have no integrity what so ever and apparently doesn't care if the public sees that. Surely her actions dismay some successful African American leaders in this community (although probably not our mayor), as she is feeding right into stereotypes. Too bad they aren't willing to speak to her and give her a little coaching on proper public service.
8:56, I believe she is geting the coaching, just not the kind of being a responsible public servant.
So Chamber gave her a ticket that she may or may not have paid for. Hugh should have made her pay for it with her own funds. (if the trip ever happened) Natalie English wont comment , because it makes Chamber look bad again with dirty hands in a mess. CMS looks bad again , because they have poor unethical money managment system. (they cut the check not knowing were it was coming from) This is why the County leaders wont give you more money Ericka ! Wake up and start acting like a leader if that is possible. Keep your hands out of the cookie jar. Your in a part-time roll keep your day job and CMS is a side bar. Its never intended to be a high paying job. Keith W. Hurley
I use to work for Erika when she was the Executive Director of the Johnston YMCA. The first thing she did when she was there was cut all the program budgets then scheduled leadership trainings for herself and the other African American employees.
9:13- Must not have been very exciting leadership program? She is becoming the second Vilma right before our eyes. Just a negative person with a vendetta. NAACP got what they wanted as payback for closing the schools. Ericka/LIFT/DNC it all has fallen in place for them.
The ethics of Ellis- Stewart comes into question. Did she use the "lie of omission" tactic when saying the check had been cut knowing full well that it hadn't been approved by the board?
Not being transparent is one thing but blatently lying is another!
Perhaps we should all recall that Ellis-Stewart and Mary McCray were largely elected because of uproar over school closings and testing. What organization really pushed hard on these issues--rallying suburban parents over testing and joining NAACP over school closings and "equity"? None other than Meck ACTS (with how many active members?), with some major help from the press. While testing issues were important to discuss they were raised to the point of hysteria and led to extremely rude confrontations with the school board. Wonder where Meck ACTS will go from here? And how do they feel about current board leadership?
9:37- Its all just a game and we the parents cant do anything about it. Stewart has not a ounce of eithics in her blood. When you shut the minority schools like CMS did your going to get alot of voters out fo that. I am dissapointed in Mary Mccray a little for not helping Stewart I think Mary is a better leader. Seems she is just cahsing a check as a supplement to her retirement income.
Good for Christine Mast for holding CMS accountable. Some of this would have never come out if not for her persistance. She will make a great leaders in District 1 when it opens next year for her. Rhonda Lemon (Lennon) has a very questionable background and ties to the Chamber. In this case the group that caused the whole issue.
9:49
Elected suburban school board reps. were more interested in ramming through an ill-conceived pay-for-performance testing plan than taking their time to listen to teachers, principals and the public. If you recall, CMS went to the expense and effort of trying to design more than 50 standardize tests for every subject including musical theater, marching band and yearbook. On top of this, suburban District 6 has rotated through 5 board members in 8 years undermining effective leadership here.
Anon 10:17
Present us your evidence of Rhonda's close association with the Charlotte Chamber.
Turnover of district 6 board reps is not the fault of the citizens of the district. Perhaps frustration with previous leadership, going back to Arthur Griffin and then Dr. Rembert, led to some of the turnover. There were very ugly discussions during the late 90's early 2000's. And then remember also that we spent the early to mid 2000s being fed the song and dance that suburban schools were flush with money and supplies while inner city schools were neglected. Lots of negativity against the suburbs during that time period.
That being said, I do wish we had a strong stable school board rep., someone willing to stay with it for a while.
9:49
I don't recall any "extremely rude confrontations" between ACTS and the school board unless you consider an online petition and a peaceful dance protest that included a former school board member, teachers, PTA parents, several grandmothers, small children, a high school student leadership group, a published author and a retired public school superintendent rude and confrontational. Do help clarify the "hysterical" and "rude" behavior of ACTS. Did I miss something?
Wiley , Everytime she gets near trouble and Tim is not around she is qouted " well I am waiting for Natalie English to call me back". It dont get no closer to that nasty no good place. Chamber will try to get her re-elected , but it ownt be enough this time certainly. If Larry G. did not leave we would not even know who Lemmon is. We still dont and she sits on the board.
10:48
Turnover of District 6 school board reps. has become the fault of District 6 citizens. You know and I know the latest appointment won't be elected in 2 years. District 6 will then be up to 6 board reps. within a 10 year period. The citizens of District 6 can't keep blaming Arthur Griffin and Vilma Leak for this. If District 6 elected school board members can't handle "ugly discussions" and provide some stability for their constituents, then maybe they shouldn't run for the position.
Anon 11:16...
That's a personal opinion but sadly, no evidence.
She's Republican and so is Tim.
So again, where's the evidence Rhonda is in the pocket of the Chamber?
The Chamber is made of of many businesses and Rhonda was in real estate, so it stands to reason that she would have some contact with the Charlotte Chamber.
She's a member of the Lake Norman Chamber but try again on the Charlotte Chamber.
Wiley , Natalie English just google the name. I could care less about a failed relator now a nurse. Her husband left as well so I feel bad for her as a single mom. She is a terrible rep for district 1 and its close to the end. Tim is not a Republican either very far from that. Ask him where his income comes from. Lake Norman Chamber takes all its direction from the big brother of the South the Charlotte Chamber. I am a little surprised you have not made that connection long ago.
Before Ellis- Stewart left the Johnston YMCA she replaced 6 of the White program directors making between $28k to $40k with 10 under quallified African Americans program Directors making $30k each. I what she called budget cuts. So not only is she racist but she has no basic math skills
11:58- Spot on she has never had a real corporate job with any responsibilites in the community. NAACP got her the BOE job to their credit. How a KNUCKLEHEAD can get on the board no less lead CMS is incredible. Just think we have 3.5 more years of her left.
If I had to wager a bet, the school "closure model" in urban Charlotte will prove as successful as the school "busing model" in suburban Charlotte. And round and round we go....
Funny how testy and urban and suburban parents get when the CMS school board forcefully tries to dictate where someone else's child should go to school.
11:52
I'm delighted you have a perfect marriage with probably perfect kids and perfect in-laws. Your dog is probably above reproach too. Lucky you. I'm sure if you were on the school board everyone would get along just swimmingly.
Anon 12:37- Parents just need too say no when CMS offers a "busing model". State requires them to educate not "transport them around the city". Opt out of the school and tell central office were to go. This 9:15 middle school start stuff is terrible as well. How much money is CMS spending to have the buses sit in traffic at 5:30? Nothing and the Morgan's know it. I would love for CMS to tell me were my kids are going to go to school. The Judge in Winston Salem loves to come down on them for being stupid.
Anon 11:52....
Thanks for proving my point.
No data.
Maybe Erika was headed to London to explore school closure and busing models there?
Wiley , She was qouted in the CO a month or so ago " I cannot comment until I talk to Natalie I have called her and have not heard back yet". Your starting to sound like Bolyn maybe the koolaid got you in the summer heat?
Anon 12:51 - That school board could not handle me. If someone "stole" money to go on a vacation to London I would call publicly for their job. My wifes dog of 15 years died this year. Life for our dog is not perfect. My kids are perfect since both my wife and I invest in positive time with them. We also spend alot of time with their education needs and teachers. We support CMS to the fullest. Now if I could get my hands on some Project LIFT cash I could send them to another camp ! OPPS I live on the wrong side of the tracks to get that. I will call KOJO I mean Ericka and see whats I kould get. (no typo)
Anon 1:36...
And what was that in reference to?
Post the article.
1:36, I'm with Wylie -- I find that reference confusing. I'm not sure who "she" is, but I haven't quoted anyone as saying that, and don't find it in our archives. Seems like someone may have attributed something like that to Rhonda Lennon in an online comment, but that's not the same as being quoted in the O.
In reading Ann's articles, what I see is that Ms. Ellis-Stewart sought and received funds from other BOE members and that she thought that a check had been cut when, in fact, a check was cut. She probably thought that it was settled when she got the conformation from the Chamber. If she is guilty of anything it is believing that people had done what they said they would do.
Ultimately, the trip did not happen and the funds were not spent.
What bugs me is that Ann also reported that Mr. Davis attended last year's Chamber trip at a time when CMS thought that they were $100 million in the hole, had 10 schools slated to be closed and were threatening massive teacher layoffs. Actual money spent but no probes into funding, no questions about integrity or irresponsibility, no disrespectful blogger outrage.
Where were all of you travel budget hawks then? You can't say that the economy or the budget was better last year. I guess last year was just business as usual.
9:13am, Really? A disgruntled ex-employee making unverifiable accusations about a former employer. Classic. Several of the people that she hired and sent for training are still there. As a former, Johnston YMCA member, it seems to me that she left that place a lot better than she found it.
11:58am, Really? I believe that she hired the current Executive Director and he is not African American. How does that make her a racist?
You guys are just getting silly now. I'd laugh it off it it wasn't so tragic.
Anon 2:15..
I believe these Chamber trips where everyone and his brother goes is a waste of money, taxpayer dollars or otherwise.
Only a select few should be going to these places to represent Charlotte and even then, they should bring back verifiable results/accomplishments.
The difference between last year and this year is EE-S did not have the funds to go, so the shenannigans to get the funds took place; borrowing from Peter to pay Paul and then ultimately "finding other funds in the travel budget line-item".
Hattabaugh did the correct thing by following the rules set forth stating he would not release the check until it was approved per the rules, which never happened.
The question becomes why did EE-S get into taxiing position - that close to taking off and yet funds were never officially approved for her TO GO?
Couple that arrogance with her failure to follow open meeting laws you get the Obama Syndrome of I can do what I want, when I want, regardless of rules or law.
Just found this funny, based on Wiley asking for "proof" about Rhonda's ties to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce...
Look at the Chamber's Facebook page:
[facebook.com/CharlotteChamber]
Rhonda's front and center in their cover photo... just an observation...
Context Christine, context.
..along with Mitchell, Cogdell, Roberts, etc, etc.
hmmmmmmm so she is in a picture with other city, county and CMS elected official, Govt employees, UNCC officials and business leaders at some sort of public function. That must mean the Chamber owns her! LOL! Come on Ms Mast-- surely you can do better than that since you are so good at finding the answers.
2:15, Eric was within his budgeted allotment/expense account. A big difference than CMS's financial picture. Because Ericka knew she did not have money in her expense account to cover this. Ericka had been told by Hugh that a BOE vote was required for the check to be "sent" to the Chamber. Which would have come from other BOE members forcibly.
And from history, we all know CMS is always moaning about not having enough money. We just roll our eyes and get back to draining the swamp.
We are talking about the face of CMS, an inegrity issue.
Bill , What you wrote is the cover story ! If people dont get that they just dont have a clue. Keith W. Hurley
Keith, it is well known many Mecklenburg County voters are without a clue.
Ann , Look at Rhonda's campaign financials. Wiley , Dont stop believing ohhh what a feeling. (Journey qoute)
Anon 3:40 Is that where the quote you referenced a few times is? In her campaign records??? What ever you personal vendetta is against Lennon, take it up with her. its quite clear you have a beef and it seems likely its personal based on your bringing her personal life into this blog post about Ms E-S and her travel budget.
Nope the campaign records are 3 years old. The qoute with her and Natalie was last month printed in the big CO. No beef just the facts man. What brought the lemmon into it was the link with EES and Chamber. Stay connected to it moving ever so fast.
Wow. Y'all need to give me a break. What part of "funny" and "just an observation" got missed? I was joking about that picture being "proof" of a connection... I KNOW a lot of people in that picture are elected officials.
Just tried to inject some humor into this gorgeous day...
On a different note, who's got Natalie English's email address for me? I want to ask her why the Chamber fronted the bill for Ericka's trip... Thanks.
PS Yes, I know you can get to her email from the Chamber website, but my computer is giving me fits about it...that's why I need help, please.
Anon,
YOUR facts are showing....
...still waiting on the quote and why the quote was made....if it exists.
4:00 - As a parent I have spoken with Rhonda about her lack of leadership. As a community leader I have also been told and shown (emails) of her acting very unprofessionally in public. I have addressed her on this basis in person as a poor BOE member. She knows that. She has dont 0 for D-1 for years and now all of a sudden is speaking out for fear of losing her seat/check. I just state the fact that she cannot win the seat.
nenglish@charlottechamber.com
Christine, has Ericka answered your email?
By the way, be sure to ask for emails to/from Mr. Battle about all of this hulabulu (?) about Ericka's travel budget and the London trip. See if he has ben advising her any.
Anon 4:40...
That's why we have elections, for people to exercise their opinion through voting.
nenglish@charlottechamber.com
Thanks for the email address... I knew I could find out quicker here :-)
Bill, to date, NO, Ericka has not answered my email. I'll be sitting front and center at the Board meeting tonight, though, so maybe she'll remember that I'm anxiously awaiting an answer.
And thanks for reminding me about Mr. Battle. I've been wanting to send him some questions, too.
Emails to Natalie English and George Battle have been sent.
As always, if and when I hear back from either of them, I'll post it here.
Bill, 2:55pm
So, you and Wiley are not against, the Chamber trips. You are all for the trips as long as they are within the budget.
It occurs, to me, that if this was such a departure from normal operations; Why, then, does the BOE have a policy for it in the first place? Policies aren't really meant for the one-offs.
Also, there were at least two options: 1.)asking other members to move unspent money or 2.)a vote. Read Ann's articles. It looks like she asked others so no vote was needed. Besides doesn't it make more since for her to ask fellow members to transfer funds and stay within the Board's total budget instead of seeking to have the Total Board budget increased for this trip? Even I would have been upset about that.
Christine: Go get them!
Anon 3:15...
I stated in a previous post that I am against sending 80 to 150 people on these trips, many of whom don't need to go.
From a CMS standpoint, I feel the Superintendent to should go IF there is a valis reason and that there is a direct benefit to the school system as a result of these trips being made.
To simply state we're going to "partner with or look at partnering with whomever" isn't a good enough reason.
If the superintendent can't go nor any other top CMS personnel, then send the BOE Chair, pending approval by the rest of the BOE.
I believe there are valid reasons for the Chamber to go to other cities and countries, but not with a gazillion people in tow on the taxpayer's dime. If businesses who are members of the Chamber want to pay for it, fine.
Anon 3:15, I am with Wiley on this one. The purpose all along sold to Ericka and by Ericka and others was that she would have a "captive" audience to work her Jesse Jackson on. There was no purpose for going to London for a CMS face. I believe it is right for CMS BOE members to have a travel budget. If I were like Larry Bumgardner and on the board, I would have funded my own travels if it meant I could put that money directly into a classroom/school. However with the way CMS operates, it would have just been sucked up in to the void.
Bottom line with organizations like this with common problems across the country, it is good to go for training and knowledge sharing. So as you see, who goes must be able to contribute. However, many of these meetings end up as only how to suck more up out of the taxpayer instead of how to make K-12 education more effective, more efficient, and more flexible for families.
For example, at a BOE meeting, the chair talked about what a super teacher this Mr. Khan (of Khan Academy) must be. Well, she missed the entire point of the presentation. It was not about him being a teacher, it was about how to turn a classroom upside down and accelerate learning and have it on a more personal level.
So bottom line, that was a wasted trip for CMS taxpayers.
Christine , Natalie will say oh we paid it , BUT billed BOE/CMS for the ticket. If it was not made public the ticket would have gone unnoticed by BOE/CMS. Point being Ericka should have never booked the trip without means to pay. Even it if it came from her own personal funds. Keith W. Hurley
I wonder what Ms. Bentley and Mr. James think of all of this. Just more 3 ring circus I guess. Hopefully, at the BOE meeting tonight and at the next BOCC meeting, someone can sort through all of this and figure out if any or none of the restricted funding BOCC designated for teacher pay raises is needed. If not, maybe a fullout audit of CMS can be kicked off.
Reply from Mr. Battle tonight:
Christine,
I hope you are well. The Board was not in any legal jeopardy and, although I prefer not to speculate, (especially given that no trip occurred)I am confident that the situation would have been resolved appropriately.
George
Good grief.
A trip DID occur, short lived as it was.
They were taxiing to the runway until a maintenance issue forced them back to the gate.
Only then was the trip scratched.
Mr. Battle, you'll have to do better than that.
The "situation" has not been resolved.
Ah classic, gotta cover my sista's statement non-statement.
And of course the board is not in legal jeopardy, that was never the question.
The question is now not so much the bad decision made by Ericka against board and CMS policy but the ensuing deception and dodging of questions and inquiries.
And even more troubling is the involvement of another "family" with so much connection to the past.
I believe the web is getting wider.
I wonder if this is on the summer reading program:
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, Falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
Take a key and lock her up,
Lock her up, Lock her up.
Take a key and lock her up,
My fair lady.
How will we build it up,
Build it up, Build it up?
How will we build it up,
My fair lady?
Build it up with silver and gold,
Silver and gold, Silver and gold.
Build it up with silver and gold,
My fair lady.
Gold and silver I have none,
I have none, I have none.
Gold and silver I have none,
My fair lady.
Anon 4:40 et all. Please give me a call, because the comments you have made don't ring true,unless you are one of 2 people who has sent emails similar to what you post here. And in that case we have never actually spoken, I have just received emails from you periodically and when offered to meet in person you back away. I am also waiting to see the quote you continue to mention. It doesn't exist!
I won't provide my cell phone here, but its readily available and I have sent it to you numerous times.
Please feel free to attack my voting record or anything factual relating to my public service, but there is no purpose in your foray into my personal life. You are way off base. I am a public servant, but first and foremost, I am a mother, daughter and sister of members of this community.
Debate me on issues, be respectful that people have different opinions and tell the truth. I may not agree with you but I will listen to your thoughts, ask Ms Mast as she I speak regularly.....
Rhonda Lennon
CMS Board of Education D1
Let's get back on track here:
Break into 3 school districts. Meck Cty will continue electing idiots like Ericka E-S. If certain parts of the county can continue to run roughshod over the south and north, then things have got to change. Last I looked distr 1 & 6 have less representation per capita. If this occurred in some other districts there would be lawsuits.
I wonder what Ms. Bentley and Mr. James think of all of this. Just more 3 ring circus I guess. Hopefully, at the BOE meeting tonight and at the next BOCC meeting, someone can sort through all of this and figure out if any or none of the restricted funding BOCC designated for teacher pay raises is needed. If not, maybe a fullout audit of CMS can be kicked off.
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