Sports Gone Wild

SPORTS GONE WILD

As long as YOU fund the teachers through donations to EEF, Eanes ISD can continue to fund the sports wish-list!

$318,000 for a SOFTBALL BATTING CAGE (two player maximum)

Bond money is funded by taxpayers and voters did not approve this $318,000 batting FOR TWO. While Eanes ISD cries poor, begging for EEF donations to fund teachers, the district leadership approves a softball batting cage (for two) that costs as much a a house. As long as you fund the teachers, Eanes ISD can continue to fund the sports wish-list!

This batting cage and the millions in artificial turf were not approved by the Eanes ISD taxpayers and voters. They are instead the result of "change orders" recently recommended and approved by the Eanes ISD superintendent Nola Wellman and the Eanes ISD board of trustees.

Bond money should be spent on NECESSITIES such as security needs and remediation of existing facility deficiencies.

The Eanes ISD superintendent and board are planning a new bond proposal:

Link: Will they try again?

In 2006, our community voted down the bond proposal by the Eanes ISD leadership to construct a $5.5. million dollar indoor football practice field (also referred to as a MAC and a natatorium.) When the bond failed, the board continued to discuss the project. While many aspects of our schools are suffering (both facilities and programs) is this costly dream still alive and well among those who lead our district?

HAVE YOU BEEN CONVERTED?

January 2008 - It's that time of year again. Signs on school property, the constant flow of newsletters and glossy mail-outs.

In addition to your already high property taxes, Eanes ISD leadership expects you to open your wallets and hand over

ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

Eanes ISD is actively seeking to CONVERT YOU. It's true.

In an email to a district parent, Eanes ISD Board Member Paul Stone states:

<<< "In addition EEF (Eanes Educational Foundation) is doing a commendable job of converting the mindset of our parents from a "free" public school education to more of a private school mentality whereby parents expect to supplement the tax dollars with donations ... " >>>

At the same time ...

Eanes ISD refuses to post its check register or financial information online. Eanes ISD continues to retain private attorneys with our tax dollars in an effort to withhold our public information.

The Eanes "message" is that EEF donations fund teachers. However, EEF donations actually allow Eanes ISD leadership to continue to fund their "wish list" instead of prioritizing our teachers.

Before Eanes ISD attempts to "convert the mindset" of district parents, before Eanes ISD "passes the hat" claiming financial need, the district should tighten its belt, fund teachers instead of wish lists, post the check register, comply with state and federal laws, and stop using our tax dollars to retain aggressive private attorneys to battle our children's rights and withhold our public information. We know our students and our teachers are held accountable, but where is the accountability for the district administrators?

A continuing stream of money, provided through EEF, simply facilitates the district's priority on wish-lists and its intentional refusal to be transparent and accountable to taxpayers, teachers, parents and children.