At the 7 p.m. Tuesday Joplin R-8 Board of Education meeting, the board will vote on resolutions to cover at least $13 million in spending, including $8 million that CFO Paul Barr described at the May board meeting as "might-as-well" spending.
The vote will take place during the same meeting at which the board is introduced to members of the state auditing team that will be in Joplin for the next several months poring over the school district's books.
The C. J. Huff Administration is seeking short-term financing to cover $5.4 million in debt that was incurred during construction of the new high school because of problems with the old mines on the site.
Long-term financing is being sought to cover the "might as well" list, $8 million in spending that C. J. Huff approved because it "might as well" be done to keep from having to do it later. The items were not included in the $62 million bond issue approved by voters in April 2012.The items that Barr mentioned that fell into this category included the following:
-Lights at multiple athletic fields
-Artificial turf at multiple athletic fields
-Expanded tennis courts from four "before the storm" to eight
-A track at the high school, so the athletes would not have to go to Junge Stadium and practice with middle school students
Barr said that was just "a sampling" of the "might as well" items.
To pay for the spending spree and to get around constitutional requirements that voters get to make the decision on whether a school district goes into long-term debt, the R-8 Board of Education will be asked to pass a resolution authorizing "a sale of series of lease certificates of participation to finance school facilities for Joplin Schools to be accomplished pursuant to annually renewable lease purchase agreement."
Certificates of participation have become a popular financing instrument in recent years enabling municipal government and school districts to incur debt long term by changing it to a year-to-year lease. The instrument was first created in California in the late '80s after the passage of Proposition 13 designed to cut the cost of government made it difficult for California governmental entities to finance construction projects.
While the $8 million in "might as well" spending has been the reason cited for the need for the long-term financing, cost overruns are reportedly astronomical in the construction of Joplin High School/Franklin Technical Center and could also be covered by this financing instrument.
District officials have said that much of the money will be recovered when payments are received from FEMA and SEMA.
At what point do we cease to blame Huff alone for this mess and turn the blame toward his governing body? Every dollar he has spent has been spent with the approval of the Board of Education. If they do not demand his resignation in the face of the destruction of the district, then the next step has to be a recall election. There is nothing going well in the district in which my children are receiving their education. It is the Board's responsibility to protect and promote the education of children, to protect and spend wisely the tax dollars of patrons, and to protect and attract good employees. They have failed on all fronts, and it is past time for them to take responsibility and control of this district. If they cannot, we will help them out. I hope that others who feel as I do will let the Board know, either here or via phone calls and emails. Stand up and make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Huff and his minions must go. The district is at rock bottom.
ReplyDeleteThe following was included verbatim, without attribution, something that would get a journalist fired and a student an F:
ReplyDelete"Certificates of participation have become a popular financing instrument in recent years enabling municipal government and school districts to incur debt long term by changing it to a year-to-year lease. The instrument was first created in California in the late '80s after the passage of Proposition 13 designed to cut the cost of government made it difficult for California governmental entities to finance construction projects."
Can a recall petition be started to ask for a recall election to remove the elected Board of Education members?
ReplyDeleteCare to supply the attribution 10:09?
ReplyDeleteSeems like if you make the accusation you should at least provide proof that the quote referenced appeared elsewhere. It doesn't appear it in some recent internet searches.
Not that anyone would think an anonymous critic could be wrong.
I'm not a parent but have been following the Turner Report on these issues recently. I PAY TAXES and I will be paying a lot of taxes to the Joplin School district because I am fortunate to have a job. I'm tired of seeing CJ acting like his poop doesn't stink. Are these school board meetings open to the public Randy? This is one I would like to attend if possible. And forgive me for not knowing all the rules after moving here from out of state. Be nice to me since I'm in the dark!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Koch Brothers need to comment
The meetings are open to the public.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Joplin, 4:00pm. Glad to have another citizen that is concerned how their taxes are being used (or mis-used). Koch Brothers? Would love to hear their views on this mess.
ReplyDeleteWell between Wally Bygollie and The Huff and Puff show. I need to move where my tax dollar is not funding this den of crooks.
ReplyDelete11:41--It's from a California law firm website. Have your eight year old help you navigate the interwebs; it's not my job to do it for you.
ReplyDelete