The Montgomery County Council put up quite a show earlier this spring for the cameras. In the middle of budget deliberations, the Council asked Joshua Starr, Superintendent of Schools, what specific parts of the budget were dedicated to closing MCPS's persistent achievement gap between white and asian students, and students of color.
Joshua Starr replied that every dollar included in his $2.23 billion request will go to “ensuring that every child performs at the highest level.”
That was then. Now, we know where some of those dollars have been going:
Leather tote bags from an upscale luggage shop in Chicago
Room service meals at a local hotel
Dinners at Il Pizzico, Matchbox, Jaleo, and Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge
Use of the AmEx card for personal items, car rentals, and travel arrangements.
Of course there is more, and fortunately the State Prosecutor is beginning to look in to all these abuses, but next time Joshua Starr urges "fully funding" the budget because "every dollar" goes to the achievement gap, perhaps the County Council needs to take a closer look.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity," said Abraham Lincoln, "but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”
ReplyDeleteGiven power, Joshua Starr spouts obvious falsehoods. He is an embarrassment to our County. He is not a leader; he is a liar.
Maybe what he meant was almost "every dollar" Falls into the Gap.
ReplyDelete