Surely I am not alone in my concern over the mishandling of the public school textbook purchases. To suggest the actions of the school board, the superintendent of schools and all those who played a part in the debacle are guilty of malfeasance and gross negligence is not unreasonable. Yet, were it not for The Dispatch’s coverage of this scandal, we would probably not even know about it.
When it was first reported on Nov. 10, 2014, that the school board had bought over a million dollars’ worth of school books to fill a half million dollar need, Board President Angela Verdell told Board members that “board attorney David Dunn was looking into the matter.” That was two months ago.
Apparently there was no written contract to purchase the first order of textbooks from School Book Supply Company. Who or what is School Book Supply Company? Who received commissions or other benefits or profits from the sale? What has Mr. Dunn found out? Are we entitled to know? And from whom did Superintendent Hickman order the second half million dollars’ worth of books? Who benefited from that sale? Are we entitled to know?
On Nov 18, 2014, it was reported that Hickman was confused as to whether he could sell the books ordered under Ms. McGill, his predecessor, or could return backordered books in the absence of a contract.
On Dec. 9, 2014, The Dispatch reported Hickman told the school board that “School Book Supply guaranteed a 100 percent refund” for the returned textbooks. Hickman further told the Board, “Their promise to us is that we’re going to get full credit for these items.” However, the general manager of School Book Supply Company was quoted as saying that “it’s not likely.”
Does Hickman understand that “credit” is not “a refund”?
In a Dispatch editorial on Dec. 10, 2014, Hickman’s responses were described as “evasive, incomplete and thoroughly unsatisfying.” The newspaper declared that “The taxpayers who support the district have every right to have some clarity on these issues … The public has a right to clear answers.”
One month later, on Jan. 9, 2015, The Dispatch reports that “CMSD receives credit for returned books.” Not a refund, but credit.
Credit of $159,610 “for the $506,000 worth of textbooks ordered in May.” So now the superintendent and the school board have credit for $159,610 and presumably $346,390 worth of unreturned books. As a practical matter, the taxpayers who pay for public education are out $506,000. Hey, no problem. The school board is flush. It has agreed to spend up to $2 million to install artificial turf on the Columbus High football field, to resurface the track that surrounds the field, and to construct an indoor batting facility for the school’s baseball teams. School Board President Angela Verdell told The Dispatch that she is pleased to be receiving the credit for some of the textbooks. She’s ready “to start moving forward from the textbook issue.” Well, I’m not. Are you?
Ben C. Toledano
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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