Huff told the Joplin Globe (yes, that newspaper will write about Joplin R-8 School District problems if C. J. Huff asks) he asked for the audit to save the district money.
That comment is believed to be the first time that Huff has mentioned saving district money since the big crackdown of several years ago when he asked teachers to submit ideas on cuts that could be made.
After surveying the teachers, many of whom made studied recommendations on Huff programs that could be cut, or suggested getting rid of the $50,000 annual expense for Acuity practice standardized tests, Huff announced with a straight face that the teachers had recommended stopping themselves from bringing their own lamps, microwaves, fans, and other electrical appliances to put in their classrooms.
Witnesses claimed the the length of the superintendent's nose increased during that statement, but no measurements were ever taken to substantiate that claim.
An official from the Missouri State Auditor's office told the Globe the petition audit will cost $70,000 to $100,000, or the salary of one overpaid administrator from the fortress at 32nd and Duquesne.
11 comments:
We all know where liars go, don't we?
Now, how does that even make sense? I have wasted millions upon millions of your dollars on silly programs, German furniture, trips, speakers, and unessential personnel, but I need to pay the state 70 grand to tell me how to stop doing those things? Huff, if you are truly that stupid, then please just step down. You're obviously not smart enough to do the job that you have so horribly botched.
Didn't Mark Twain say something about it's better to remain quiet and appear a fool than to speak and remove all doubt? Words to live by, CJ, words to live by.
Oh yeah. We remember. The year of the tornado we were threatened if we were caught with anything that used electricity in our rooms, and 13 teachers were laid off. The TLCs were kept, of course, but Huff and Bess laid off teachers. That tornado must truly have been lined with silver, though, because ever since then, there has been not one mention of cutting back on anything electronic. Just resource officers, secretaries, reading teachers, bus drivers, etc. We do have our priorities in Joplin. They're not good ones, but we do have them.
Is this the best you could come up with CJ? I'll be ashamed for you since you have no shame.
Having read the Globe story there is something interesting concerning the request Huff apparently made of the State Auditor Office. It is unknown from the Globe article whether Huff wants a cheap audit "which he said is an attempt to try to save the district from footing the bill for a petition audit," or a fast audit.
The explanation below (also from the Globe story) seems to indicate someone might have wanted a fast audit.
Spence Jackson, communications director for State Auditor Tom Schweich, acknowledged Huff’s invitation but said Humphreys’ effort already has started and the office will allow the petition drive move forward.
He said the office already has the authority, on its own, to audit the district. But he said a petition drive would be the quickest say to get the audit done, adding, “If they secure the required amount of signatures, by law we would have to come in and do the audit.”
It doesn't take a genius to see that eliminating the TLC position would save a fortune, have absolutely no negative impact on student learning, and improve district morale. The district could also end its fascination with standardized testing, then they would no longer need to spend absurd amounts of money on Pearson products that do nothing but make Pearson rich and bore students to tears.
looks like a pathetic and desperate move for sure.
I mean... come on. That doesn't look good to ask for an alternative audit in order to "save taxpayer money".
Well, guess I gotta go to that fitness club or whatever it is. Let's all go sign and try to get this started as soon as possible! Let's see what happens.
You are right that it is ridiculous that they didn't cover this story until Huff had something to say about it. There isn't even a prior story to refer to about the TAMKO boss initiating a petition for an audit. Only Huff's response by asking for an audit.
Tell me again how Globe's coverage is naive idealism rather than political agenda? I need a bedtime story, and fairy tales are the best.
"Something's wrong when public becomes opponent." - Carol Stark article on April 5.
"...they need to rip the cover off the festering wound and apply some much needed sunshine. Listen to the public." - April 2 Globe "Our View" editorial.
The Globe's "bio tidbits" at the end of today's article about the audit drive seems a little biased against the people calling for the audit. Seems like a different editorial staff from the one that wrote the headline and editorial above. Did they include the selected "tidbits" to imply that the audit may be politically or personally motivated? Would the reader perception be the same if they included the tidbits about the donation the Humphreys family made to the Joplin School district after the tornado? I thought I remembered incorrectly, but there it is, right on the Globe's website. The donation was $500,000, and Mr. Humphreys said he made the donation because the school district is vital to the community. He also encouraged others to give, and said his grandfather was a superintendent at a Kansas public school district for a long time. http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1697308414/Humphreys-family-makes-large-donation-to-rebuild-Joplin-schools-also-offer-challenge-grant
Did we, as a community, already forget about that? Looks like the newspaper editors did. Or maybe it just doesn't fit the intent of the "bio tidbits" addition?
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