Arkansas Blog

So, who is typing the questions into the computer screen that Dr. Mitchell is reading when she is asking questions. It looks like she is reading. So who is pulling the strings and writing her questions.

Dr. Mitchell clearly is about to remove Mulholland(sp???). So, can she slander an employee during a public meeting?

Clearly she is intoxicated by power.

FOI the e-mails in this conversation with Milholland. Let's see who is telling the truth.

MAX: Why won't someone ask why Milholland, or whoever, couldn't get an audit completed in a year, as the state requires.

The law requires 18 mths.\

ARK. BLOG: That's not what the letter says.

Any audit by Milholland would not be acceptable. The burden is on the state. The state does the audit. Not the district. The state is required to perfom an audit w/i 18 months.

Stump, you ask,

"It looks like she is reading. So who is pulling the strings and writing her questions."

And I answer, "I'm pretty sure Dr. Mitchell can both read and write, and even read what she has writen. If you learn otherwise, please do let me know."

The vote on hiring the recommended audit firm was 3 to 3, with Ms. Curry abstaining.

John A.,

I apologize for my cryptic message. I was typing as I was watching the school board meeting.

What I meant to say was I am interested that Dr. Mitchell often refers to her laptop during the meeting and appears to be reading statements from the laptop.

Those of us who are suspicious of technology and the ability to send instant messages makes me wonder if she has is receiving real time messages either on e-mail or instant messaging technology.

So I am asking if Dr. Mitchell is simply asking questions or making statements that are being sent to her rather than voicing her own opinions. I remember during the 2004 presidential debates that Bush was accused of having answers fed to him during the debates through a wired ear speaker.

So, did I miss the election for king of the LRSB? Charles Armstrong has taken it upon himself to recruit an audit firm without going through the RFP process. And, he can't find but one suitable vendor. One that just so happens shares office space with lawyer John Walker. That is laughable.

The blanket directive to settle all pending litigation (deseg excluded) against the LRSD does not pass the smell test. Talk about encouraging additional lawsuits. At this rate there will be no money left to put in the classrooms.

Stump, maybe she's just organized and well-prepared.

And a further suspicion.

If Walker or his cronies are having a larger hand in district affairs, it would be very easy for them to orchestrate the meetings from behind the scenes by sending e-mail or instant messages to members during meetings to make sure that the debate and conversation is framed in a particular way.

John A.,

That's what they said about Bush during the debates

Well, Stump, what would it look like if she +were+ organized and well-prepared?

The independent audit is probably a wise investment. Watching the board meeting tonight, one would surmise there is much to hide by the district. The impression is conspicious Mr. Millohen is endeavoring to conceal some dirty hands. I recall a source sharing with me a distrubing rant by Mr. Millohen when he was not given a promotion that has been promised to him. His alleged comments, " I have played the game; I have done what has been asked of me". The source indicated it took minutes for him to regain his composure. Since he did not get the promotion, what did the district do to appease him? So much goes on in this district, like most of them, and it should all be revealed, no exceptions.

As a reader who leans to the left of the political spectrum, I usually agree with the Times, but you're wrong on this one Mr. Brantley- Milhollen has devoted almost 30 years to the LR school district and he's an honest guy. It was also my understanding the law required 18 months. I have a real problem with Dr. Mitchell attacking good people to serve her agenda. This smells worse than Whitewater. Mitchell is more concerned with aiding John Walker's profiteering than the welfare of the children of Little Rock.

Dr. Mitchell, has spended most of her life serving to better educate childen.

I have attended several board meeting and usually watch the meetings when televised, and I have yet to see Dr. Mitchell attack anyone, including Mark Millohen. Why would it take him 100 hours to catalog the information needed for the report. This information should be readily accessible for anyone who requested it. Larry Berkley made a futile attempt to convey Mitchell was attacking Mr. Millohen. I guess if Bush watched the board meetings, he would find his 'axis of evil'.

Honestone, who are your "sources"? let me guess- they have 40,000 posts on Hogville, and also told you that Gus Malzahn has already landed the #1 recruiting class for 2008.

John A,

Not saying that Mitchell isn't prepared etc. Only saying that based on watching her actions during the meeting and the use of the laptops it would be easy to have a "wizard behind the curtain." Not that it is unique to Mitchell by any means, I notice they all have laptops out and active during the meeting.

What do you think that people would say if citizens were running note cards up to each board member during the meeting to provide new and updated message points?

What if Hussman was walking up and passing notes to Berkley during the meeting? And who is to say that Hussman or one of his folks isn't using a blackberry or some other wireless device to send notes to Berkley's computer during the meeting. They could be sending points of law etc. Maybe you think that is a good use of resources. All I know is that if Hussman or Walker were physically walking notes up in plain public view to hand to a board member who promptly asked a question from the note card then I'm sure people would be unhappy.

Who is to say that isn't happening with all board members. All I'm saying is that it strikes me as odd that I noticed that Dr. Mitchell appeared to be reading a question directly from her laptop in the middle of a heated conversation with the irate finance guy. I have a hard time believing that she is really that prepared. But I will grant you that she could be.

Or, maybe all the board members are using similar technology and they are just better at appearing to ask their own questions after they read the prompts from their laptop screen.

Stump,

You're raising an interesting question, and one I bet will interest Max:

What should be the FOIA status of laptops, PDAs, cellphones, and other communications devices used by public officials during public meetings?

I'm going to think this one over.

Judging by certain of her remarks and actions in recent days, I suspect that Dr. Mitchell believes that -- whatever his motives (and they may indeed be mixed) -- Mr. Walker has been relentless and often courageous over the years in pursuit of objectives that have benefited the District's most disadvantaged children.

I suspect that Dr. Mitchell believes that, to *that* extent, the District is and should be aligned with Mr. Walker in philosophy and intent, despite the fact that they are nominal adversaries in the deseg litigation.

If my suspicions are correct, I trust that Dr. Mitchell *also* bears in mind that such an alignment (1) is fraught with the danger of the appearance of impropriety, and this could damage the Board's ability to engage community support, and (2) requires constant and candid evaluation as to when and how those legitimately shared interests diverge.

I believe settlement of the appeal of the deseg case is such an instance. I don't see how the District or its disadvantaged children gain anything from enshrining obligations in a court order.

(But what puzzles me is why some can well understand that a heart surgeon or a DOJ conservative lawyer might do their work out of principle and get paid for it, but they claim Mr. Walker is all greed and no principle. What leads some to that conclusion?)

Brasky,
It's time for you to trade in your crystal ball; it has begun to fail you, man. I think open mic night is still held at the Loonie Bin and the Funny Bone---let me know when you plan to display your talents.

So Hone, are you saying that the LRSB should award an auditing contract on a sole source basis? They should skip the RFP process on a $50,000 plus contract?

The audit should not be conducted by Becker, Milhollen or anyone associated with the district. Engage the proper procedure, complete the audit, and let the chips fall where they may. I would guess, it is my opinion, Mark can not prepare the required reports because he is retracing his track to pad the records. Again, every facet of this district should be transparent---and all employees, staff, ect..should be held accountable.

While I would disagree with Dr. Katherine Mitchell on 95% of what she does, I do not believe that she is anyone's puppet. On the contrary, she is a very opinionated and strong willed woman. I don't think she could be controlled.
Although I believe that she is misguided, she does seem to have some core principals.

Don't kid yourselves. The whole purpose of the proposed outside audit by John Walker's man is to identify possible reasons to sue the LRSD and create a new revenue stream for John Walker. John Walker is a huge parasite on the back of the LRSD. It's not just the money extorted over the years. There are many additional costs attributable to all of his endless lawsuits and the resulting monitoring and new administrative positions in the LRSD. The monitoring requirements also increase teacher reporting burdens.

Just out of curiosity, has John Walker used any of his vast resources to create scholarships for needy black students or hired tutors to help poor black students?

Don't know the answer to your scholarship question Severus, but it won't surprise you that I disagree with your characterization of Mr. Walker as parasite. I think he is more gadfly, and proud of it.

But I do agree with you about the burdens and expense of remaining under court supervision, and for that reason I also oppose settlement of the desegregation case.

Ask Ms. Fox how much is paid to Alltel on all phone contracts in LRSD, oh her husband is a big wig at Alltel. When an Audit goes forward, how many will be up for crimes and other violations, why do you think the gang don't want an audit. That would be a tip of the ice burg.

Hey May, your insinuation about Fox is totally off base. Do you really think she has been involved in a phone procurement contract with Alltel? Laughable. Fox has been on the board for less than 2 years. My strong suspicion is that the phone contract has not magically shifted to Alltel in that time period. Your character assination of Fox is unfounded. If you don't like Fox because she votes differently than you would like her to.....just say so. No need to make false allegations.

Weather it been two years or six months it would be a confict of interestAn audit would clear up all things, wouls it.

May, to my knowledge no one on the LRSB is opposed to an audit. An internal audit is being conducted by district personnel. Should be filed by COB on Monday. Hopefully an RFP will be issued by LRSB to hire an external firm to review procurement procedures. The contract does not need to be awarded on a sole source basis. But for you to throw out an allegation about Fox and LRSD phone contract is just down right irresponsible. Make your point about the need for an audit but don't do it by slandering an LRSB member.

Dr. Michell is the only fair game to be slended, I get it. I was at the meeting last night and they don't want an audit, no matter what you say, (the gang).

May, you should re-read Max's original post above, specifically point #3.

Just for the record, what's on those laptops are the agenda and all the documents related to agenda items, which this time around I think amounted to over 100 pages. Whether the computers are hooked up to the internet during meetings, I don't know -- and I'm certainly not claiming board members haven't been prepped with questions and comments by other methods. But it's definitely reasonable that board members would frequently look at their screens simply to refer to agenda documents.

I've read #3 of Max's above posting and.......

Clearly, *some* of Dr. Mitchell's "enemies" (I dont' think that's too strong a word for a person who seeks to have you investigated for a criminal charge) have lowered the standard for what is acceptable in a dispute among a school district's patrons concerning what is best for the children they love.

I fear we will see much more of the type of implication may has noted. Some of it will be warranted; some of it will not. All of it is likely to be painful for the district's patrons as well as the targets.

Maybe it is necessary to clear the air. I hope not.

May - who is slandering Dr. Mitchell? And if someone had, is that justification to slander someone else? When does the madness stop? Your just absolutely off base about the external audit. The LRSB deserves praise for saying no to until an RFP process is in place. That doesn't mean they oppose one just means that they're not going to enter into a "brother-in-law" deal. Thank you Diane Curry.

May, While I was not in attendance at the board meeting (I had to transport kids following dance practice at school) I watched most of the meeting on LRSD-TV. My summation of the meeting was as posted in #3 above. The sticking point being policy & procedure. Let's even say LRSB has not EVER followed ANY P & P....isn't NOW an excellent time to start? THAT would be an awesome accomplishment of the first majority African-American board in the LRSD (or ANY board) to be able to say they were the FIRST and ONLY LRSB to follow each and every policy and procedure to a T. THAT would benefit our students incredibly!

I don't believe in brother-in-law deals, but if the trust be told how many has there been? There hasn't been an external procurement audit in nine years.
A business having a $304 million dollars budget a year and asset of $380 million dollars and hasn't had a external procurement audit within the pass nine years is totally preposterous. Leadership is also changing and it be should done before Dr, Brooks exit.
It only has been a minority board for seven months, but if something comes up wrong the Arkansas DG will have a field day with its tabliod journalism.

Making a statement with LRSD, Ms. Fox, Alltel and her husband isn't slender.

Brasky
Indeed, you must be Mark's son, the one that he got a job with the District without him going to the normal application process. If that is the case, it is easy to understand your saying that Mark is an honest guy. Mark is no more honest than Al Capone was as he went down in history as one the country's most notorious crime lords. Another case in point, only a fool would believe that it would take 100 hours--especially in the age of computers--to compile the data that Dr. Mitchell requested. No one will be snowed by the stonewalling tactics of Mark and Uncle Roy. Both of these con artists need to leave LR and allow credible Dr. Mitcell alone so that she can move the District forward.

Well AT it's not so nebulous now is it? A connection between mismangement (an insider audit co.) and a defacto recision of unitary staus and a return to perpetual breach. Huh?

ARK. BLOG: 1) I criticized both moves and neither occurred last night. 2) Brooks still must go.3) You have kind of mischaracterized the audit issue. It would have been a choice heavily influenced by John Walker, whose opinion carries great weight with the current school board majority, but it wouldn't be an "inside" audit. I think, rather, it would be an attempt to flyspeck actions of the current administration. Sort of an insider/outsider audit, maybe.

Either inside or outside, the audit deal proposed last night stunk. Thank goodness for Diane Curry. LRSB should first decide if an external audit is warranted, and if so, issue an RFP. They should avoid the appearance of the brother-in-law deal.

ARK. BLOG: Yes.

Let the audit begin. Many allude to the money Walker makes from the district, however, very few condemn Chris Heller for making the big bucks. And, the minority board members are contesting the audit because they realize what it will possibly reveal. If there's nothing to hide, bring it on.

Hone - there you go again....throwing out more unfounded accusations. The "minority" board and Diane Curry understand that a process should be followed when selecting an external audit firm. That does not mean they have something to hide or oppose the audit it just means they are being good stewards of our tax money. Your energy would be better spent encouraging reconciliation between majority and minority board members as well as the administration.....remember, we are all in this together. It is time to start the healing, time to put aside the "gotcha" and "get even", it is time to focus on the future.

That reminds me...

Tip of the hat to Ms. Curry. Much respect.

(On a different subject, that P & P thing. I remember what mama used to say about "two wrongs...."

Of course it feels bad when the other team has been holding and clipping all day and the ref throws the flag if you even *look* like you are *thinking* about grabbing a jersey (I'm dropping the war metaphors for a while). The majority has a right to be disappointed and upset.

But at the end of the day, if the P & P are purposeful and good, why would you ignore them? If they are onerous and unnecessary, they need to be revamped. But goodness; don't do wrong just because someone else did.)

Mouth/freely---the healing process can not begin until all parties are willing to negotiate in good-faith. In order to reconcile the chasm, to bridge the gulf that exists between the members, all involved must do that which is right for all students in the district. From where I sit, the minority members of the board are more interested in upstaging Dr. Mitchell. And, too, there seems to be a tinge of racism from the minority members: they do not appreciate a majority black board being in the driver's seat. Should not all the members work for the same goals? At this juncture, it looks like a group of children on the playground, jockeying for position. Let me pose this query: why should black people always be expected to make concessions when serving in position of service/authority?

Hone - when did you become a mind reader? Have you interviewed the "minority" board members? How do you know board members are not willing to negotiate in good faith? What do you base your assumption on? Your clairvoyant powers are amazing. I do agree that all the board members should be working for the same end result. I didn't just fall off the pumpkin truck, so, I realize that often there is more than one path to achieving a goal. There will be disagreement along the way but to say one side or the other is racist because they disagree is ludicrous. I don't think race has one thing to do with asking for an RFP process for a $60,000 external audit. It seems the notion of racism is thrown around too often without basis. I'll say it again, it is time for all parties to stop the "get even" and "gotcha" tactics.

Mouth/freely----according to Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Milhollen authorized a payment in excess of $100,000 to Thompson/Thompson to complete the audit that was recently submitted to ADE. Do you know whether the RFP procedure was followed? That , if it is valid, is more than the amount projected for the independent audit. Mr. Berkley repesents my zone and I have communicated with him; and I will certainly work to get him removed from the board when his seat becomes available. Racism is at the root of much of what we see in America----and to deny it, as you say, is ridiculous. Stevie Wonder can see the minority members are not trying to work with the majority, contrary to the lip service. If you have any influence with the minority, you need to use it. Just because they are white doesn't mean they are right. And, by the way, that is not from the heart of a racist. I will always evaluate behavior (of all parties) and will not make any apologies.

Hone- I'll wait for the evidence that a $100,000 contract was given on a sole source basis to assit in the completion of an internal audit. Shouldn't be hard to substaniate that claim if true. We as taxpayers should not condone any violation of the procurement policies and procedures. But funny how this $100,000 contract has not been raised at a LRSB meeting. I agree 100 percent that racism exists in our community. Stamping out racism should be a focal point of our government and schools. But to scream racism every time that LRSB members disagree is ridiculous. I don't think either the "majority" or "minority" board members hold a patent on good judgment so we will continue to see them disagree. These folkis are human, they will make bad calls but that doesn't mean they are racists. Racism is an issue in this community but I caution folks not to make it root of all our evils. And one last note, statements like "just because they are white doesn't mean they're right" only exacerbates racial tension it doesn't do one thing to solve the problem. I don't think any regular poster on this blog believes either "majority" or "minority" board members are right or wrong because of skin pigmentation.

mouthinfreely, you and I agreed, and have agreed to disagree, on a number of things. But reading today's editorial in the DemGaz leads to me to say, again,

"No one should be surprised that supporters of the Board majority do not plan to bring *knives* to a gun fight."

These people seem to be *awash* in arrogance, and determined to make sure that the Board majority pay such a high price for disagreeing with them that they will never again have the temerity to do so.

mouthinfreely, if you look out at the grass in your back yard before going to bed one night this fall, and wake up to find the yard covered with snow, the reasonable inference will be that it snowed overnight.

To my mind, the *only* reasonable inference to be drawn from the continued assault on the board and on a perfectly legitimate majority decision is this:

"You negroes can't tell us what to do."

Can you offer any other?

No one is more in favor of healing than I, but I cannot ask the majority to lay down its weapons while it is under full-scale attack.

Mouth/freely----contact Mr. Armstrong and request a copy of the document he presented to Mr. Milhollen during last Thursday's meeting. I, too, am curious to inspect it. Many are quick to disparage the 'gang of four' --the epitome of racism---and are unwilling to believe in their vision to lead the district. How would you characterize this behavior? Policies and procedures and compliance did not become an issue until the majority gained power---that is the point Dr. Mitchell stipulated---not that it is ok to violate them. Not an eloquently as TAP would phrase it, but my encouragement to the majority: you can't come to the conflict with a pocket full of rocks when your adversaries are brandishing assault rifles. I look forward to your outrage when the DG refers to the majority as "The Board of Monkeys; "The Fantastic Four N-Word"; "Two Thugs and Two Nappy-Headed H***".

TAP - who are "these people"? Is that the same as "you people"? I think you are jumping to conclusions. I don't think it is fair to paint the "minority" board members with Walter Hussman's paint brush. I am confident that Fox and Kurrus are not pleased with todays editorial. I think Hussman has lost his marbles I betcha the "minority" board members wish he would shut up. Let's direct the criticism at the source. Drop your ADG subscription or encourage folks to pull advertising in the ADG.

Hone - I don't disagree that the ADG editorialists are out of control. I believe they are agitators and divisive. I suggest we all direct our displeasure toward the paper. Drop your subscription and encourage advertisers to pull their ads.

Mouth/freely-----you have a good point. Today's editorial should incense all citizens of the city. Those comments should be repudiated and challenged by all of us, in particular those of us in the black community. Many masquerade as brokers of peace and as ambassadors of reconciliation, but when the mask is peeled away, you find the likes of Hussman and his cabal.

The entire school board is corrupt.....including Baker Kurrus and Larry Berkely. They ALL need to be investigated because all of them have improprieties and abuses of power to hide. The talk of "reconiliation" and "peace" and "moving on" avoids the real issues: accountability and truth. Sounds like a lot of folks dont' really want to know the truth of how LRSD does business, abuses power,and miseducates kids. Trust me...most LRSD school board members, officials, and administrators are guilty of some sort of abuse of power and corruption. They have a lot to hide. I say kudos to The DG for making this an issue. Truth and accountabiltiy are always "divisive." And for those who want to paint John Walker as a parasite (which he is), need to examine the biggest parasite of all......Chris Heller with the Friday Firm. I'm sure he's bilked more from the district coffers than Walker ever dreamed of. He actually encourages and participates in misconduct on the part of LRSD......and makes money on it. Another question for those enquiring minds: WHY does the board want to settle all these employment lawsuits against the district? Are they afraid of some ugly truth being exposed? Are they afraid of airing the districts dirty laundry at public trials. Those in darkness always hate the light......because it exposes their own misdeeds. What are they trying to hide by settling cases and avoiding audits. Dig deeper down the rabbit hole folks.......it's uglier than you can ever dream.

Good points, Justice. I see Mr. Powers has chosen to go after Linda Watson, too; I guess Babbs and Sadie Mitchell has better watch out, huh?

I am hoping that Mr. Powers does not stop with Linda Watson. Yes, I certainly hopes he goes after Sadie Mitchell.........but I hope he doesn't stop with her. I hope he does some digging on Bakur Kurrus, Chris Heller, and also goes on to look into other District administrators. Sadie Mitchell is very dirty, very corrupt.......I would love to see her go......but I would like her to have alot of company. The sad thing is, I am afraid that there is so much corruption, abuses of power on behalf of LRSD officials, that Mr. Powers could easily spend every moment of the next 5 years doing what he is doing now. We need a completely new school board, and we need new administrators in the district. There is much nepotism.......almost an oligarchy. Yes, I am sure Millhollan has "played the game". Few people who work "downtown" in the district office got there because they are honest, responsible, and dedicated educators. They got there by kissing ass, playing dirty games, and covering for each other. Basically, if LRSD praises a school employee....then you knowt that something is not right about that person. Some of the best educators that LRSD has or has had are the ones they have destroyed through lies, character assisnation, and false accusations. And as for LRSB.......trust me.....you really DON"T want these people "working together." You shoud see all the damage they cause when they work together.

Justice---you have almost quoted me verbatim when I communicate with those who work for the LRSD or have work for the LRSD. Most are not people of integrity or character; they will do anything to get ahead---and I do mean anything.

Honestone,

It is a relief to know that there are folks out there like you who really see all this for what it is. You seem to speak from experience....as do I. Right now, race is almost a smokescreen, that detracts from the real, deeper issues. If they can keep everyone distracted arguing about so called "Racial divide" on the board, then people won't look deeper into the corruption of them ALL.

Yes, you are right.....they WILL do ANYTHING.

The board was corrupt long before the current "majority" seemed to "take over." Both the whites and blacks on the board stand to benefit by focusing all the energy on race. Right now the white "minority" appear to be doing the "right" thing. Trust me...this is a new development. Whites have been the majority on the board until recently......and the board has been corrupt for awhile. Katherine Mitchell was telling the truth when she said, "This board hasn't followed district policy for 17 years." That IS TRUE. But the majority for 17 years has been white. That's why I call race a smokescreen. Now that there is much public and media scrutiny on the school board and its actions, the minority is trying to get their dirty act together and look proper, and decent, and rational......and in doing so, make themselvses look responsible and the majority look irresponsible (although the majority is doing a damn good job of that on their own).