On January 7, 2009, Superintendent Jerry Weast told the MCPS Board of Education:
"All of our technology partners know they are not permitted to use MCPS testimonials in advertising." Superintendent Jerry Weast, January 7, 2009 answer to Question #9.
That quote sounds great, but doesn't reflect reality.
Below is an example of a MCPS technology "partner" using not only MCPS testimonials, but also the MCPS logo. The September 9, 2008, two page document below is not a MCPS document, but a testimonial put out by the company IQinVision. Don't be fooled by the prominent MCPS logo!
Board of Education minutes do not reflect this procurement and so it is unknown how much this technology "partnership" cost Montgomery County taxpayers, but rumors have this procurement in the $9 million range. An April 2008 press release from the company puts this procurement as occurring when the Board of Education President was Nancy Navarro.
UPDATE 2/17/09 IQinVision Removes MCPS Logo from Advertisement.
Mcps Case Study
Seems as if the problem is that no one told Bob Hellmuth he isn't allowed to do this.
ReplyDeleteLook at MCPS Policy BBB section (b)(5):
Except as otherwise permitted in this policy, Board of Education members,school officials, and employees may not:
Intentionally use the prestige of their office for their own economic benefit or that of another.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/bbb.pdf
Will MCPS take any action regarding Mr. Hellmuth or the contractor? Probably not.