"Let’s stop defending failure and implement a solution".

Newly elected Board member Ida Wright says:

"I pledge to represent our District 2 Community with a high degree of integrity. Each decision made will be thoughtful and backed by extensive research".

We are watching and waiting optimistically.. show us what you are made of, ladies. Don't be intimidated, don't be brainwashed, and please don't let us down.

I worked for a privately held multi-billion dollar corporation that began with one man, a dream, and a whole lot of blood sweat and tears.

The owner of this company was given much respect for many reasons, and of course his accomplishments demanded respect, but primarily it was because he gave respect.

A man at the height of success who (if you happened to walk by) would corral you into his office and engage you to great lengths without ever checking his watch. It was sincere, and it was without prejudice.

Fiscally the man would spend millions if he was convinced it was the right thing to do. He would not spend a penny it he was not. In order to spend money, you had to answer one of the questions.. "How does this add value to our company, how does this add value for our employees, OR how does this add value for our customers?"

In stark contrast..

We see the underlings at this Volusia County School Board treating a Superintendent as a queen (embarrassingly so) in search of favor and it actually works for them. That's the culture.

Results based on facts do not matter in that expensive and expanding inner circle, obviously.

So much bureaucracy and with the special layer created by the Cronyism/Nepotism Department that they don't even know where the money is going, or they do not care.

I'm surprised there isn't a Deputy Superintendent in charge of Cronyism/Nepotism.. that's a busy place.

Too many people with the authority to spend money with no accountability.

After cleaning out the resistance, I'd personally start with a procurement specialist from the outside that isn't afraid to play hardball and start going over the obscene amount of vendor contracts and renegotiating them.. while looking for skeletons.

Paul Hale @ http://OURvolusiaschools.org