DISD Audit - Good News or Bad Sunday?   7/05/08
David Tuthill

In my absence from Dallas, the long awaited Dallas Independent School Audit made its post bond approval release to the tax-paying public.

It's strange that the trustees are all relieved that it paints them not as crooks, but, unfortunately, as incompetents!   It is further troubling that many of the issues were raised in past audits (for over two decades and in some instances, repeatedly.  But, as far as DISD management is concerned, the audit results went in one ear and out the other without stirring any thoughts or concerns.

You could hit them over the head with a 2 x 4 and not get any reaction from them.  Several trustees were wringing their hands with befuddled wonderment.  Former Trustee Hollister Brashear says : ?I don?t know how the district can be audited every year and these things now come to light?.   Well, Mr. Brashear, if you are in a state of perpetual denial that you have problems and your only concern is squandering taxpayers? dollars with abandon ---

The DISD has committed more than $5 million for outside accountants to come in and clean up the mess with another $6 million over three years to complete the job.  Is the prospect good?  Looking at the past record of DISD in the news I am skeptical.

When expressing this concern to other elected officials they urge more public involvement.  It is sad to reflect that grown adult public officials are so inept at the post to which they have been elected they must be constantly under scrutiny.

David Dycus, Director of Municipal Audits for the Office of Comptroller of the Treasury in Tennessee, said large government agencies, especially school districts, often have little incentive to shore up their financial short comings because they constantly pull in vast amounts of money from taxpayers.  ?If you have a leak at the bottom of my swimming pool, as long as I?ve got new water coming in, the pool stays full.?  The passed bond proposal is more water for the pool.

Finally, in Wednesday?s letters to the editor one writer bemoans the passage of the bond proposal and the subsequent bamboozle of the taxpayers by the school board.  While the trustees may be relieved that there was no criminal offense committed, I feel that their dealings with the taxpayers were less than above board or ethical.  

I agree with the writer who says the passing of the bond proposal should be rescinded, but the foxes have decimated the hen house again. I do not know if the DISD is more inept in handling it?s affairs or the public is in rubber-stamping the trustees actions by passing the bond proposal.

One thing is for sure we will be treated to more items in the news about the DISD.

There are none so blind as he who will not see.

David W. Tuthill