Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
...given fully rational fund managers reasons to jump off the proverbial cliff...
City AM: Don’t scare away signs of life in City flotations market
...When it comes to the experiences of UK investors in new issues, though, foreign-owned companies aren’t the only ones to have given fully rational fund managers reasons to jump off the proverbial cliff.
Those who bought shares at the time of the flotations of Ocado, the internet grocer, Promethean World, the whiteboard maker, and Betfair, the internet gaming group, for example, all have reason to rue the new issues market without having gone anywhere near a company owned or controlled by a foreign tycoon...
Breaking News: Promethean Not Included in State Master Contract! MCPS Fail!
Update November 30, 2012: Someone at the State of Maryland has now added in the name "Promethean" on the drop down menu for the Master Hardware Contract. Promethean didn't exist on the list as of the date of this posting, and the Master Contract didn't even exist as of the date of the Board of Education vote. Is someone at the State of Maryland now attempting to cover up that the Board of Education voted on an expired contract?
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Yesterday, Councilmember Hans Riemer enthusiastically tweeted "End of story" to the purchase by MCPS of 2,000 Promethean Boards.
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Yesterday, Councilmember Hans Riemer enthusiastically tweeted "End of story" to the purchase by MCPS of 2,000 Promethean Boards.
Councilmember Riemer had hung his hat on the MCPS "story" that they were going to use a State of Maryland Contract (see minute 43 of video) to purchase 2,000 Promethean Boards. But, the Maryland State contract wasn't signed until the day after the Montgomery County Council hearing and vote!
And guess what? When the Maryland Master Hardware Contract was approved by the Board of Public Works on November 14th, the approved Contract DID NOT INCLUDE PROMETHEAN as an approved contractor. See for yourself. Click here and click on the Select Manufacturer list. Do you see Promethean listed?
Yet, Promethean's competitor SMART Technologies is listed.
It is now clear that the Maryland State Master Hardware Contract that had been cited by Superintendent Joshua Starr in his resolution to the Board of Education on September 11th does not include Promethean as a contractor. Does Superintendent Starr have an explanation for his use of a contract that was not only expired, but even the renewal doesn't cover the purchase cited in his Resolution to the Board of Education?
We look forward to Councilmember Riemer's next Tweet of the next version of MCPS' cover up/story regarding the purchase of 2,000 Promethean brand Interactive White Boards with taxpayer dollars.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Gazette: Design options for proposed addition to B-CC High School not likely to be built
Local residents are being asked to help choose a design option for a proposed addition at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School that will increase capacity to 2,400 students.
SEI Architects, a consultant for Montgomery County Public Schools, has presented four designs to the community, but none is likely to be built.
MCPS must present at least three designs to the county Board of Education, said Jim Tokar, a project manager for MCPS, at a meeting Thursday. The designs will be used to create a budget for the addition, after which he said the design process will start from scratch.
“It is very possible that we will come up with a whole new design,” he said...
Gazette: Germantown middle school teacher stands trial for child abuse charges
A child sexual abuse case against a Montgomery County middle school teacher began Tuesday with prosecutors and defense attorneys sparring over the victim’s reliability as a witness.
“I’m not here to defend child abuse. … I’m here to defend a very fine man and a dedicated teacher who has been with Montgomery County Public Schools for over 20 years,” said defense attorney Reginald W. Bours III in defense of his client, Neelsville Middle School English teacher Cuyler J. Cornell, in county circuit court Tuesday.
Bours went on to question the reliability of the victim, a 15-year-old boy who first met Cornell when he took his class during the 2010-2011 school year. In his opening statements Tuesday, Bours asked jurors to compare his client’s otherwise clean criminal record with the victim, who Bours described as “a very troubled young man,” and “a frequent flier,” when it comes to school discipline and counseling.
Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy Hagan, on the other hand, condemned Cornell for taking advantage of the victim, who Hagan described as confused and vulnerable. Hagan told the jury that Cornell recognized the victim’s troubled home life and cultivated a “special” relationship with him early on...
Fact Check: The London Trip to a Technology Symposium
When members of the Parents' Coalition discovered that the MCPS Chief Technology Officer attended a Technology Symposium in London, England in October of 2008, they asked questions and asked for documentation.
The brochure for the Interactive Technology in Education Symposium listed Promethean as one of the sponsors.
What the Parents' Coalition investigation revealed was that while MCPS' Public Information Office first stated the London trip was 2 nights, the actual invoices showed that it was 4 nights. And, while MCPS' stated that the trip was paid for by MCPS, the documents show that the trip was arranged and first paid for by symposium sponsor Promethean.
After the trip, Promethean sent MCPS an invoice. The trip wasn't set up by MCPS, arrangements for travel and hotel accommodations were made by Promethean. MCPS didn't shop around for an affordable hotel, didn't book the airfare, and didn't set the length of the trip. The taxpayers of Montgomery County paid for what conference sponsor Promethean set up.
The Parents' Coalition was never able to determine who paid for meals and expenses.
Collette Promethean Conference Expenses
The brochure for the Interactive Technology in Education Symposium listed Promethean as one of the sponsors.
What the Parents' Coalition investigation revealed was that while MCPS' Public Information Office first stated the London trip was 2 nights, the actual invoices showed that it was 4 nights. And, while MCPS' stated that the trip was paid for by MCPS, the documents show that the trip was arranged and first paid for by symposium sponsor Promethean.
After the trip, Promethean sent MCPS an invoice. The trip wasn't set up by MCPS, arrangements for travel and hotel accommodations were made by Promethean. MCPS didn't shop around for an affordable hotel, didn't book the airfare, and didn't set the length of the trip. The taxpayers of Montgomery County paid for what conference sponsor Promethean set up.
The Parents' Coalition was never able to determine who paid for meals and expenses.
Collette Promethean Conference Expenses
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wootton's Patriots Go French
Thomas Sprigg Wootton must be rolling over in his grave. Dr. Wootton was a famous for the role he played in the Revolutionary War, and is credited for founding Montgomery County. You can read about his background here, from the website of the high school in Rockville that bears his name. From the article in Wootton's Common Sense:
Wootton was an ardent Revolutionary during the war against the British Crown. When George III of the British Empire tightened his control over Boston after the Boston Tea Party, Wootton was one of the ten men to present a resolution to Annapolis to cut off all commercial ties with Britain.The school is so proud of its historical connection. Wootton students pride themselves on being called "Patriots," and proudly wear the school colors of red, white, and blue.
Throughout the Revolutionary War, he collaborated with Colonel Zadok Magruder in organizing neighborhoods for the war effort. Magruder High School in Rockville is named after the Revolutionary Magruder.
Beyond his contributions to the fight for independence, Wootton continued to play an active role in the development of the new country, helping to draft Maryland’s Constitution and the state’s Bill of Rights.
So - what would Dr. Wootton think of his Patriots pending installation of a Field Turf Tarkett athletic field?
He would be very sad, and not simply because his school did a no bid contract and thus likely spent more money than necessary for the plastic grass. Field Turf Tarkett is a member of the Tarkett group, a French company. From their website:
Headquartered in Nanterre, France, Tarkett is owned by two shareholders – the Deconinck family (heirs of the Allibert family) and active in the Group for many generations and private equity funds affiliated with KKR (50%) since January 2007.
So, not only is the company privately owned, its not even American.
How ironic that a school in the heart of the Nations Capital, named for a revolutionary war hero, doesn't buy American.C'est dommage. What's next? Will the Wootton Marching Band play La Marseillaise at football games too?
Elrich to Collette, "You didn't bid it."
Here is the video of the entire November 13, 2012 Montgomery County Council hearing and vote on the Appropriation request from MCPS to buy 2,000 Promethean brand Interactive White Boards on a 5 year lease, along with Promethean's partner Cisco's wireless access.
At Minute 28:00 Councilmember Marc Elrich makes the following statement to the MCPS Chief Technology Officer Sherwin Collette during the Council's hearing:
At Minute 28:00 Councilmember Marc Elrich makes the following statement to the MCPS Chief Technology Officer Sherwin Collette during the Council's hearing:
"Now, Mr. Collette and I had a conversation yesterday. And, what you described to me...[sigh]...you didn't say you competively bid. You wouldn't know whether there were any other bidders, cause you told me, correct me if I am wrong, that you negotiated a price directly with Promethean World. And Promethean instructed Dell to sell the product to us at the negotiated price. So you wouldn't 've know if there were any other bidders, because you didn't bid it. You simply went to Promethean and negotiated what you felt was a really good price.
It may be a really good price. I have no ability to judge whether it is a good price or a bad price. But, it is not a bidding process. And, it doesn't give other people the opportunity at the local level to compete with the bid. And, it wouldn't give anybody the opportunity to look at this, and say next time this comes up for bid I know what my competition is and I am going to have to do better..."
Teen Accuser Testifies Against Germantown Teacher in Sex Abuse Trial
Nov 14, 2012
Trial continues Wednesday for Neelsville Middle School teacher indicted on charges of sexually abusing a minor.
A teenage male accuser told jurors on Tuesday that his teacher touched him inappropriately on several occasions at Neelsville Middle School and in the teacher’s car.
The 15-year-old was the first witness called in the trial of Cuyler Cornell, 51, of Germantown. The seventh grade English teacher was indicted on two counts of third-degree sex offense and one count of sexually abusing a minor.
The prosecution claimed Cornell developed a sexual relationship with the teen between Jan. 1, 2011, and Oct. 10, 2011. The alleged incidents began when the teen was 13, during his seventh grade year, according to court testimony.
Cornell's attorney portrayed the teen accuser as troubled and unreliable. Patch is withholding the name of the juvenile victim because he is a minor.
During his testimony Tuesday, the teenager claimed Cornell began giving him shoulder and back rubs in his classroom during lunch detentions as a way to alleviate stress. But the contact escalated to rubbing the student’s buttocks and genitals, with one of the alleged incidents occurring during a car ride from school.
Prosecutors said they would attempt to show that Cornell tried to use the teen’s troubled background as a way to harbor trust.
Timothy Hagan, a prosecutor with the state’s attorney’s office, said the accused presented a scenario in which the teen “might lose the one person who took an interest in the day-to-day interactions of his life” if he told authorities what was happening.
Cornell’s attorney, Reginald W. Bours III, countered that the teen accuser was “a troubled young man who cannot be relied on.”
During his opening statements, Bours said he would show that the teen’s accusations were fabricated, skewed by police investigators, and were “maybe something he imagined.”
“I’m not here to defend child abuse,” Bours said to the jurors. “I’m here to defend a very good man and a dedicated teacher.”
Bours pointed to Cornell’s past and his nearly 20 years as an educator. He said Cornell had never problems in his career dealing mainly with middle school students.
Testimony from the teenager is expected to continue Wednesday.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Leventhal Questions MCPS Chief Tech Officer About Trip to Promethean Convention in London
At the November 13, 2012, Montgomery County Council meeting to vote on MCPS' proposal to buy 2,000 Promethean Boards, Councilmember George Leventhal questioned the MCPS Chief Technology Officer, Sherwin Collette, about his trip to London to attend a Promethean Convention.
Mr. Collette responded, "I would not have been there as anyone's pitch man. I've never done that, I never will."
Here is video of Mr. Collette at a 2008 Convention in Sarasota, Florida presenting in front of a Promethean display where he begins the presentation by stating, "...talk about where we're going, and how Promethean and our relationship is helping facilitate that..."
Mr. Collette responded, "I would not have been there as anyone's pitch man. I've never done that, I never will."
Here is video of Mr. Collette at a 2008 Convention in Sarasota, Florida presenting in front of a Promethean display where he begins the presentation by stating, "...talk about where we're going, and how Promethean and our relationship is helping facilitate that..."
Community Conversations
Lots of happenings here in MoCo this week - and right before the holidays too.
So - how is Josh Starr's vision of schools working for you?
Do you agree with his plan?
How do you feel about the choices coming your way?
Math, special ed, classroom size, building conditions, athletic fields?
Hey - how about those fancy whiteboards coming your way?
Do you want more technology, artificial turf, or something else?
Come out to Dr. Starr's community conversation tomorrow night at Richard Montgomery HS and let your voice be heard.
Remember, Dr. Starr may have a PhD, but he isn't a mindreader. He will only know your priorities if you let him know.
Have fun, and see you at Richard Montgomery.
Community Conversations
So - how is Josh Starr's vision of schools working for you?
Do you agree with his plan?
How do you feel about the choices coming your way?
Math, special ed, classroom size, building conditions, athletic fields?
Hey - how about those fancy whiteboards coming your way?
Do you want more technology, artificial turf, or something else?
Come out to Dr. Starr's community conversation tomorrow night at Richard Montgomery HS and let your voice be heard.
Remember, Dr. Starr may have a PhD, but he isn't a mindreader. He will only know your priorities if you let him know.
Have fun, and see you at Richard Montgomery.
Community Conversations
Breaking News! FieldTurf Selected for Wootton High School Football Field
No sense comparing prices or products! MCPS' Director of Construction James Song just announced to the Board of Education (meeting is in progress) that FieldTurf will be the vendor used for the artificial turf field at Wootton High School. The Board of Education hasn't even voted to approve the project, but we already know the type of plastic grass will be used! No competitive bids needed here in MCPS!
Wednesday, November 14th: Talk to State Delegates at Rockville Public Hearing
| Wednesday, November 14, 2012 | Joint House and Senate Priorities Hearing - 7:00 p.m. - 3rd Floor Hearing Room, Stella Werner Council Office Bldg., 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850 - This hearing is an opportunity for the public to respond to the Road Show and to bring other issues of importance for the 2013 Session to the attention of the legislators. The Priorities Hearing will be carried live over County Cable Montgomery (Channel 6 on Comcast and Channel 30 on Verizon). Click here to sign up to testify |
Council Saves Promethean World!
Breaking News! The Montgomery County Council just unanimously approved the Board of Education request to buy 2,000 Promethean brand (gotta be this one brand) Interactive White Boards:
- without putting out a Request for Proposal (RFP)
- without taking competitive bids
- without allowing local Montgomery County Interactive White Board vendors to bid
- without a written contract of the purchase
Council members asked a few questions, but spent most of their time discussing a contract that MCPS is not using for this purchase. It was a great way to fill the time and "look" interested in the $14.5 million expenditure. Discussing a contract that MCPS is not using is a great way to confuse the public and side step the real issues. Kudos to the Council. It worked.
However, MCPS Chief Technology Officer made it very clear at the hearing that he had gone directly to Promethean World, LLC to set up this deal. That fact was openly discussed at the hearing. We will post the video soon, along with a few "fact checks" of what went on today.
Libraries closing early? Ride-On bus service cut? Police and Fire services cut? Now you know why. No documents were ever produced to verify the MCPS claims. Everyone in the County loses when MCPS fails to follow Maryland Education Act procurement law. It's your dollars that just left the County without oversight by the Council.
Starr Forgot to Mention Students with Disabilities in "State of the Schools"
An open letter to Superintendent Starr:
Dear Dr. Starr:
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the State of The Schools speech this morning; however, I did read it online this evening.
I just can't understand why you, as a former special educator, did not once mention students with disabilities or special education in your 30 minute, 9 page speech.
I saw that you talked about everyone else, though: minority students, immigrants, gifted students, AP students, Intel Science Scholars, the gap between White and Asian and Black and Hispanic students....and your employees.
But you forgot to mention the 12% of the students in MCPS who have a disability.
I was surprised, so I "searched" your speech for the words "disability" "disabilities" and "special." They were not there.
Did you omit mentioning these students because they don't fit with the image that Montgomery County Public Schools is trying to project? Or because they are so low on your list of priorities that you didn't even remember to mention them in your "state of the schools?" Or because your "leadership team" has a disdain for these children?
Not everyone is going to college. Youngsters with autism and intellectual disabilities deserve the same kind of commitment to a high quality education that you espouse for everyone else. And talk about "educational debt"...it is only in my lifetime that kids like mine were even given the right to GO to school.
One out of every 9 students in MCPS has an educational disability. You are the superintendent of all students. You should have told us your vision for the kids who aren't going to college, or the kids whose challenge to just walk out the front door every morning takes more strength and courage than you would ever know.
I know you are coming to the Advisory Committee in two weeks. It's easy to "preach to the choir." You should have told everyone else about the importance of educating our children with disabilities.
Lyda Astrove
Rockville, MD
Dear Dr. Starr:
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the State of The Schools speech this morning; however, I did read it online this evening.
I just can't understand why you, as a former special educator, did not once mention students with disabilities or special education in your 30 minute, 9 page speech.
I saw that you talked about everyone else, though: minority students, immigrants, gifted students, AP students, Intel Science Scholars, the gap between White and Asian and Black and Hispanic students....and your employees.
But you forgot to mention the 12% of the students in MCPS who have a disability.
I was surprised, so I "searched" your speech for the words "disability" "disabilities" and "special." They were not there.
Did you omit mentioning these students because they don't fit with the image that Montgomery County Public Schools is trying to project? Or because they are so low on your list of priorities that you didn't even remember to mention them in your "state of the schools?" Or because your "leadership team" has a disdain for these children?
Not everyone is going to college. Youngsters with autism and intellectual disabilities deserve the same kind of commitment to a high quality education that you espouse for everyone else. And talk about "educational debt"...it is only in my lifetime that kids like mine were even given the right to GO to school.
One out of every 9 students in MCPS has an educational disability. You are the superintendent of all students. You should have told us your vision for the kids who aren't going to college, or the kids whose challenge to just walk out the front door every morning takes more strength and courage than you would ever know.
I know you are coming to the Advisory Committee in two weeks. It's easy to "preach to the choir." You should have told everyone else about the importance of educating our children with disabilities.
Lyda Astrove
Rockville, MD
Another Gov. Martin O'Malley Plastic Football Field Coming to Montgomery County
http://www.towncourier.com/2012/03/12/lakelands-park-to-receive-artificial-turf-field/
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