A letter from Trustee Edwin Flores

The Dallas Morning News ran a story that, to be frank, is intent on slandering volunteers involved with our schools.  It is interesting that the Dallas Business Journal  (and not the DMN) ran a story that the DMN and WFAA recently fired a number of reporters and employees to cut costs.  The DMN also reduced the column space of their newspaper by 14% to eliminate staff and reduce costs.  The DMN may also be retaliating because the 2008 Bond Committee made a decision to not advertise in the DMN.  This is yet another effort by the DMN to cast doubt on the 2008 Bond program to sell more newspapers.

It is, as you can see, all about the subscriptions, readership and advertising revenue, which are decreasing steadily at the DMN and WFAA.  Who watches the media or to whom are they accountable?  Shareholders of Belo who see dropping revenues.

If we thought the hatchet-job on our fellow Woodrow Wilson parents last Sunday was an isolated event, guess again.

I find it particularly interesting that the reporter did not bother contacting me about this story. It is interesting for three reason: (1) I am the only lawyer on the board (i.e., I deal with conflict issues all the time); (2) I proposed a comprehensive District Transparency Policy that would put much of this information on the internet (which was NOT supported by Trustees Ranger, Price and Blackburn); and (3) no one has recused themselves from more votes than me although any conflict between my firm, its clients and the District is beyond tenuous. Unfortunately, the cost of my District Transparency Policy was estimated at 250K, which I would much rather use to hire 5 teachers for an entire year!

On the other hand, we have been trying to get the DMN to write about the 4.5 million in scholarship offers at Thomas Jefferson HS (and about 2M+ each at Carter, Hillcrest and Bryan Adams) and nothing! Award-winning reported Vanesa Salinas with Al Dia is working on a story about this program which may run this week in Al Dia. 

The FACTS:
Every contract let in the 2002 bond had been vetted by a thorough and impartial state mandated procurement process. An appeals process exists for contractors that felt their bids were not evaluated fairly. In the cited cases, the company associated with the project was merely a subcontractor. The District hires a General Contractor to handle the project and pays the General Contract, which then pays its subcontractors. Therefore, the district has no direct relationship or say in the selection (or dismissal) of any particular subcontractor.

At many board meeting at least one trustee recuses themselves from voting on an agenda item. For example, I have disclosed and recused myself from any contract between Dallas ISD and any of my firm’s business clients, including, every major university in Texas. Each of my fellow trustee provides a list of potential conflicts based on their employment, for example: Medrano (City of Dallas), Blackburn (Texas Can!), Ranger (DCCCD), Flores (clients UT Southwestern, UNT, UTA), Lowe (TD Industries). I also serve on the Boards of the Museum of Nature & Science, the Tate Lecture Series, the Dallas Historical Society and the Boy Scouts (Circle 10), each of which are vendors or have a relationship with Dallas ISD.

The expertise and knowledge brought by our volunteer committee members are essential to having a 2002 bond that is on-time and on-budget. These volunteers have also spent countless hours working on behalf of the children of Dallas away from their businesses and families.

I am proud to serve with Trustee Lowe, a man of unquestionable honor and commitment to the children of Dallas ISD. I am also grateful and honored to have Bond Committee volunteers, such as Craig Reynolds, who bring a level of expertise and commitment to our community that is second to none.

Best regards,
Edwin Flores

Comments

[Gehrig Saldaña]

Must be something in the water at DISD HQ - Water-Boy affliction has now affected 2 of the 3 Latino DISD board members. Somebody better tell Adam "Don't Drink the Water At DISD" ASAP!!!

[Wildcat Parent]

Bravo, Mr. Flores, Bravo!!!!