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| Abandoned Detroit school |
Oh, public education is increasingly looking like a huge racket. That money for the kids is ending up in the pockets of greedy administrators and corrupt businesses. And it's not just cities. There are allegations of improprieties in the high school district where I pay taxes.
From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Contracts awarded in Detroit by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the former Chicago Public Schools CEO who pleaded guilty this week in a kickback scheme, are now under federal investigation, officials confirmed Thursday.
Before she came to CPS, Byrd-Bennett was an $18,000-a month chief academic and accountability auditor in Detroit under emergency manager Robert Bobb.
During her 2009-2011 tenure, DPS awarded some $3.4 million in contracts to Synesi Associates, one of the north suburban companies now under indictment along with co-owners Gary Solomon and Thomas Vranas. DPS also awarded more work to PROACT Search, another of Solomon’s and Vranas' education service companies, to fill five top positions once Byrd-Bennett left that district and became a coach for Synesi and SUPES, the Sun-Times reported in September.
According to Detroit Public Schools board member Annie Carter, DPS and Byrd-Bennett were also criticized for a $40 million contract the district of about awarded to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishers, for whom she had previously worked before Bobb hired her.
The classic Revolving Door scam--from academia to contractors to public school admin, to contractors to academia, etc.
ReplyDeleteSo much money thrown in the direction of public education, because after all who wishes to be seen not supporting public education?
I've had a little exposure to that world, and am amazed at the nonchalance with which they spend other people's money.