Keep Eanes Informed                                                                                               

* Please download Adobe Reader 8.0 for best results in using this website.

 A Song for Mother's Day ... turn up the volume!  ;)   William Tell Overture for Moms

"The truth is like the sun.  You can block it out for a time but it ain't goin' away."  - Elvis

If You Aren't Completely Appalled You Haven't Been Paying Attention

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure. - Mark Twain

Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced.

- Albert Einstein

No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.
 - Abraham Lincoln

From: S Bushart
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 8:25 AM
Subject: EISD Community Update #9

March 10, 2006

Dear Eanes Friends,

Former Eanes Athletic Director Ebbie Neptune requested donations from the Westlake Chaps Club in the same exact amount of $12,619.00 for 'professional growth' on two separate occasions; March 29, 2001 and then again April 14, 2003. (see attached  requests).  I thought it was interesting that this exact amount was requested two years apart, so asked to view documents illustrating how this money was expended by our district.  These requests were identified by Eanes ISD as ORR #957 and ORR #958.

In the documents provided by our district were a series of checks that didn't have supporting invoices, purchase orders or receipts reflecting the purpose of these expenditures. Those check numbers are:

    - 00041405

    - 00041464

    - 00041481

    - 00041580

    - 00041883

    - 00041895

    - 00041899

    - 00041901

    - 00041902

    - 00041903

    - 00041905

    - 00041910

    - 00041922

    - 00041923

    - 00041933

    - 00042422

    - 00041384

    - 00041232

    - 00042470

    - 00042481

    - 00042523

    - 00039974

    - 00040330

    - 00040364

    - 00040679

    - 00040680

    - 00040796

    - 00040799

    - 00040827

    - 00040860

    - 00040911

    - 00040956

    - 00040969

Although, I asked again to view the invoices/purchase orders or receipts that would show or reflect the charges paid by these checks, Eanes ISD was unable to produce the documents. I contacted Dr. Wellman more than once with my concern that these documents were missing, but she failed to respond (see attached communications).

Records Management Coordinator Elizabeth Anderson suggested that I file an additional and separate request for the documents relating to the above referenced checks.  I did just that on July 18, 2005; the district identified this follow-up request as ORR #1144 and responded that they only had documents related to check #00039974. In addition, I received a letter from Eanes legal counsel Ellen Hutchital informing me that the district was seeking an  opinion from the Office of the Attorney General allowing them to exempt responsive documents from disclosure.

In my continuing attempts to understand the accounting practices for these funds, I contacted Susan Pulis, Assistant Superintendent Business Services  twice asking for her assistance (see attached). Unfortunately, she has failed to respond to either communication.

I also noted in documents provided by the district indicate that one coach appears to have been reimbursed twice for the same expenditure. I brought this to the attention of Ms. Pulis as well. (see attached documents)

Questions for Consideration

     - Where are the documents that support the expenditures relating to the above referenced checks?

    - Why haven't district administrators responded to my communications regarding the absence of this documentation?

    - Why did we expend district funds on legal fees associated with a request for an opinion from the Office of the Attorney   General attempting to keep these records from public review?

    - Why was an employee reimbursed twice for the same expense?

Again, I encourage our district to provide easy access to information illustrating how our tax dollars are being spent, so that informed decisions relating to future expenditures can be made.

Wishing all the best for our students, our parents, our teachers, and our taxpayers,

Susan Bushart

Questions relating to the disbursements of the above described funds should be directed to:

Susan Pulis, Assistant Superintendent Business Affairs   spulis@eanes.k12.tx.us

Nola Wellman Superintendent  nwellman@eanes.k12.tx.us

EISD Board of Trustees   trustees@eanes.k12.tx.us

[ Home ] [ Up ]