To the editor:

Last May 6, 2003, the Laredo Morning Times published a letter from me stating that we should give the LISD administration a chance to make their new administrative alignment work. I stated that should things not seem appropriate in later months, then perhaps things needed to be looked into by the citizenry.

Well, I've heard some disturbing stories of late about the operations at LISD. Do we need some inquiries to be made by the tax payers and the media? I think so.

I hear: 1.) several board members doing extensive micromanaging to the extent that new positions are being filled according to the board member's personal preferences, with qualifications being “adjusted” to accommodate these preferences.

2.) I hear that some board members boast of having “spy systems” throughout the district from whom information is obtained to intimidate campus leaders as well as main office personnel.

3.) I hear that, once again, an administrative “bumper layer” is being enlarged which makes the downtown group further removed from the frontlines and which adds more dollars to the budget.

4.) I hear that more and more support personnel are being hired for those necessary to do the work, this being part of building a “voting bloc” for some board members.

Several years ago a management survey showed LISD had nearly twice the number of maintenance workers and teachers aides needed. These good people are being used as political foils by prior administrations. Adhering to new guidelines adopted by the board saved several million dollars a year in this one category alone. There were other cost cutters installed.

We hear that new buildings mean new staff needed. I question that. The board needs to go back and re-check the guidelines and review all positions. I hope we don't hear some administrators and/or board members are ignoring these guides for political reasons. I fear we may go back to old habits.

I think I remember the board putting a $1.50 cap on the tax rate last year or so. Now there is talk of raising this to $1.54 or so. ¿Pero como ?

My thought has always been that the best and most efficient way to raise capital is to cut expenses.

I ask that the LISD Board and staff look into these questions now. That's what we pay big bucks for, folks!

 

Regards,

Frank Staggs