BRIBERY CONSULTING UPDATE
The Dallas News has a great example of why Superintendents should not be permitted to consult for companies doing business with their districts; it’s just way too easy to fall into a conflict of interest.
Yvonne Katz earns $250,000 a year as superintendent of suburban Spring Branch ISD in Houston. She also moonlights for an energy conservation company that began contracting with the district after she got there.
On Nov. 25, 2002, four months after she assumed administrative control of Spring Branch, school trustees approved her recommendation to hire Energy Education Inc. The Wichita Falls company helps school districts save money on electricity, natural gas and water bills.
Spring Branch trustees didn’t know of Yvonne Katz’s EEI ties. EEI uses retired superintendents and sitting superintendents, including Dr. Katz, as paid marketing consultants to generate new business. Company officials would not answer questions about how consultant fees are calculated.
She claims that she didn’t receive any money for steering business to her employer. Who knows? She may even be telling the truth. Still, it looks pretty bad. I imagine that the folks paying the taxes in her district will think twice before approving the next bond bill. Hey, come to think of it, maybe we should encourage all Supers to moonlight.
2 Responses to “BRIBERY CONSULTING UPDATE”
 Comment by Deviant July 26th, 2004 at 4:33 pm |
She makes $250,000 and its not enough for her? I wonder why most of the EEI marketing consultants are retired superintendents and sitting superintendents? (Sarcasm) EEI doesn’t sell any conservation equipment. It bills itself as a unique “people-oriented” program that works by modifying the behavior of school employees. A real world business does not hire a company like this or pay its employees more money for ordinary procedures to save energy. I’m taking this article to say that some school districts’ personnel don’t have enough common sense to turn off a computer when they’re through for the day. Once again, the schools are scamming taxpayers. |
 Comment by Appalled in Texas December 15th, 2004 at 10:44 am |
Update on Bribery/consulting Update TEA commissioner Proclaims December 6, 2004 The saga continues in Texas. |