tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3134763422640945114..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Department for Seattle Public SchoolsMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26907460474110191052014-07-18T06:27:28.922-07:002014-07-18T06:27:28.922-07:00Thank you for reminding me about Nderu. He was wo...Thank you for reminding me about Nderu. He was worthless. He accomplished nothing. We have no control over who is hired where. The City or at the district. If the board wants to be raked over coals in the press again over the next Potter, they will hire another Nderu.<br /><br />I appreciate that you agree that Medina is great at his job. He has great access and authority in his position. More than the City's Thomas.<br /><br />Half of the equation is Ron English. There's the real obstacle to transparency and ethical behavior.<br /><br />The Internal Auditor's office will get the budget formerly provided the City. Medina will hire outside investigators that will report to him, not HR or the GC.<br /><br />I'm sorry about the Madonna reference. Me as Madonna - that ain't a pretty picture *shudder* I am a commenter and district observer like everyone else on this thread - not a "blogger" that ignores the point.<br /><br />mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45872869073226067622014-07-17T22:56:27.571-07:002014-07-17T22:56:27.571-07:00Mirmac,
Or you could be a little less dramatic wh...Mirmac,<br /><br />Or you could be a little less dramatic when you dress down others for not knowing information when it turns out that you were wrong in the claims you were making. Mr. Medina is exceedingly good at his job. And as such, will likely move on to bigger things. And what happens if his replacement is more like his predecessor? Shocking thought, it is okay for other people have opinions different from yours or to know more about a particular issue then you. SWWSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83009842862239567192014-07-17T20:48:43.527-07:002014-07-17T20:48:43.527-07:00Well, I guess they all suck then. And I'm a m...Well, I guess they all suck then. And I'm a mom just like Madonna but without the cone bustier, ropy muscles and everything else.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63625885218783683572014-07-17T20:07:17.041-07:002014-07-17T20:07:17.041-07:00Mirmac,
He was a CPA, just like Mr. Medina. He al...Mirmac,<br /><br />He was a CPA, just like Mr. Medina. He also reported to the Board, not Gary Ikeda.<br /><br />-SWWS Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73484226188932410832014-07-17T17:41:55.443-07:002014-07-17T17:41:55.443-07:00Nderu was an auditor in name only. Dude was as in...Nderu was an auditor in name only. Dude was as ineffectual as many supposed watchdogs. Since his washout the office and reporting structure was changed. The Potter affair finally brought the culture of fear and intimidation into the limelight. Board directors from that era could no longer hide behind their bobble-head caricatures.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/49545687/SutorReport001" rel="nofollow">doctored analysis</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/49445019/No-Heartburn-Review-2009001" rel="nofollow">no hearthburn review</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/49445055/NderuInvoice001" rel="nofollow">Let's make money off this bad boy!</a><br /><br />I hadn't even heard his name until I saw these emails four years ago. Don't know what his qualifications were or who he reported to (lay bets it was on the weasel GC).<br /><br />There are ineffectual overseers, both internal and external, to any organization. I have read the internal audits over the last few years, and seen top administrators appear before the A&L committee to explain WTH is going on and how they have or will fix it. Refreshing.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50292115676156660352014-07-17T14:49:01.247-07:002014-07-17T14:49:01.247-07:00During the Silas Potter years...there were folks w...During the Silas Potter years...there were folks within the John Stanford building that knew Potter was on the take.Just Sayingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78055035473373053472014-07-17T14:45:30.801-07:002014-07-17T14:45:30.801-07:00I don't want to inadvertently cast a shadow on...I don't want to inadvertently cast a shadow on anyone, but I believe SWWS is correct. Just Sayingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41267164837476869422014-07-17T14:42:23.951-07:002014-07-17T14:42:23.951-07:00Thanks to Melissa and Charlie for keeping a histor...Thanks to Melissa and Charlie for keeping a historical timeline.<br /><br />SPS had an internal auditor around the time of Silas Potter. The guy's name was Nderu. If I recall correctly, Nderu resigned. I suspect a google search would bring -up a Seattle Times article.<br /><br /><br />http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2010/12/internal-auditor-resigns.htmlJust Sayingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39181828744400446822014-07-17T13:52:24.668-07:002014-07-17T13:52:24.668-07:00"We questioned employees as to why they did n..."We questioned employees as to why they did not make their concerns known to others within management," the report stated. "We were told that they believed that it would not do any good to complain and that the district had tacitly sanctioned Potter's work as evidenced by the fact that no one stopped him. Some employees expressed their belief that the board had reviewed and approved of this program."<br /><br />When investigators asked those employees why they hadn't taken concerns higher in the chain -- to the superintendent, the school board or the CFOO -- they all responded that taking complaints to direct supervisors seemed like the appropriate thing to do.<br /><br />Most weren't familiar with the school's whistle-blowing program, and said the district's general counsel and ethics compliance officer had a "closed door policy."<br /><br />-SWWS<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91828456687890397302014-07-17T13:46:48.515-07:002014-07-17T13:46:48.515-07:00What the district didn't have was a separate e...What the district didn't have was a separate ethics officer. The General Counsel at the time, Gary Ikeda, was he ethics officer and there were concerns that he dissuaded others from reporting concerns (ironically, including now GC Ron English) to anyone above him. <br /><br />-SWWSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92206273303517373402014-07-17T13:43:49.443-07:002014-07-17T13:43:49.443-07:00Mirmac,
Oh yes there was an internal auditor at t...Mirmac,<br /><br />Oh yes there was an internal auditor at that time. His name was Kariuki Nderu. He quit before he could be fired because there was evidence that he knew of or participated in Silas Potters schemes. The SOA identified that. <br /><br />-SWWSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63024315931036503702014-07-17T13:29:52.746-07:002014-07-17T13:29:52.746-07:00I don't know much about the Silas Potter era, ...I don't know much about the Silas Potter era, but the top of page 13 of this report mentions an internal auditor who resigned - maybe this is what Just Saying is referring to?<br /><br />http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2011/02/25/2014330024.pdf<br /><br />ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2663994830801580492014-07-17T13:15:02.596-07:002014-07-17T13:15:02.596-07:00There was no internal auditor during the Silas Pot...There was no internal auditor during the Silas Potter era. In fact, that was the impetus to bring one onboard, along with a short-lived ethics hotline.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24361100989727940492014-07-17T12:29:49.025-07:002014-07-17T12:29:49.025-07:00Thanks, Melissa and I look forward to your report....Thanks, Melissa and I look forward to your report.<br /><br />If I recall correctly, there was an issue with the internal auditor around the Silas Potter era.<br /><br />Very interesting discussion regarding internal vs. external ethics/ audit departments.<br />Just Sayingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9965174885480130902014-07-17T09:54:03.728-07:002014-07-17T09:54:03.728-07:00Just Sayin, I had a talk with city officials about...Just Sayin, I had a talk with city officials about the preschool discussion. I'll have something up soon.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15049954462216809842014-07-17T09:05:08.625-07:002014-07-17T09:05:08.625-07:00It is interesting that the district has decided to...It is interesting that the district has decided to withdraw city support.<br /><br />It should be noted that SPS paid about $160K per year for the city to help with ethic complains. Shall we expect the city to provide SPS funding to support Preschool for All? Or, does the city have different standards for themselves?Just Sayingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56727345264916084442014-07-16T19:41:25.689-07:002014-07-16T19:41:25.689-07:00I understand the point you are trying to make. I ...I understand the point you are trying to make. I studied organizational management theory in university. I'm trying to recall a public agency that has an outside ethics watchdog - and I don't mean a toothless one like the Seattle Police Dept.'s OPA. The Port? No. The State? No. The City? No. Congress. No. <br /><br />It is harder to blow off or stiff arm someone who works in your building and will sit outside your office or bump into you in the hallway. Thomas had NO access but what English would give her. The SPS Internal Auditor and staff have, for the last three years, gained the credibility of the board (among directors that I do not particularly support).<br /><br />So don't impugn my reasoning. I have much insight upon which I base my opinion.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57361836280600327012014-07-16T15:36:20.481-07:002014-07-16T15:36:20.481-07:00@Mirmac. You are ignoring the point.
It does not...@Mirmac. You are ignoring the point. <br /><br />It does not matter that Medina may or may not be good. He is one guy and could leave or be fired at any point. This is a poor organizational idea. <br /><br />The city should not give up the oversight and I'm darn disappointed if the board wants to get rid of a layer of independent audit. It's not responsible and sorry, the district has not earned it.<br /><br />It is the set up of the office and the culture change of the full organization that matter.<br /><br />Who cares that Medina reports to a board that you support. Next election cycle you may not be so keen on the board and you will have lost an extra organizational set of eyes. An organization that runs a lot better on ethics than SPS.<br /><br />I hope KUOW or somewhere else covers this proposed change. It's not good. Especially when a new superintendent and subsequent new staff is looming.<br /><br />North of 85th<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16249664087246380632014-07-16T14:05:15.048-07:002014-07-16T14:05:15.048-07:00North of 85th, I suppose you could take an informe...North of 85th, I suppose you could take an informed opinion or follow your instincts. I would ascribe most of the district's improvement on audits to Medina's deep dives into internal controls. Not because of nonexistent findings by the City. Don't get me wrong, I have a great deal of respect for Burnett and Thomas.<br /><br />Westside, I sure you could ask.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42492305813434112202014-07-16T13:43:47.063-07:002014-07-16T13:43:47.063-07:00Can the board put this on hold?
WestsideCan the board put this on hold? <br /><br />WestsideAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36134199208980559552014-07-16T12:22:30.149-07:002014-07-16T12:22:30.149-07:00My complaint to the city also demonstrated that SP...My complaint to the city also demonstrated that SPS legal merely responds with "talk to the hand."<br /><br />How is that effective?mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10025706585960170592014-07-16T12:04:46.262-07:002014-07-16T12:04:46.262-07:00I hope Medina will help stop the district's le...I hope Medina will help stop the district's legal dept from jacking families around when SPS knows they are in the wrong. <br /><br />In our case we filed a complaint and the district denied the accusation.<br /><br />We filed with the city and provided irrefutable evidence supporting our accusation. The city responded that the district lawyer English denies the accusation and lawyers don't lie.<br /><br />Really one lawyer telling us lawyers don't lie! <br /><br />Finally the district employee provided a written admission substantiating the event.<br /><br />They also provided information showing SPS legal knew the truth but decided to ignore the truth until the employee caved under pressure 8 months later.<br /><br />More wasted money at SPS Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80220722154551078122014-07-16T12:01:25.494-07:002014-07-16T12:01:25.494-07:00And, this late move smacks of Banda wanting to pro...And, this late move smacks of Banda wanting to proclaim 'I brought trust back to SPS. Look, the ethics function came back in house.'<br /><br />I don't appreciate reorganizations that appear to primarily benefit an exec's bio.<br /><br />North of 85thAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49261196239006400532014-07-16T11:59:28.678-07:002014-07-16T11:59:28.678-07:00DistrictWatcher is right. You don't depend on ...DistrictWatcher is right. You don't depend on a person nor on a person's relationship with the board for this audit function. People change all the time.<br /><br />Nor do I want one blogger's opinion that "I trust the guy" as proof this is a good move.<br /><br />Give me the City Ethics Department over an internal SPS Auditor any day. There's a reason the district did better in the last audit. Part of that is the threat of the city looking over the shoulder of SPS.<br /><br />North of 85thAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10980623373978586762014-07-16T11:34:43.093-07:002014-07-16T11:34:43.093-07:00The city investigator is often stymied by SPS Lega...The city investigator is often stymied by SPS Legal. Medina has the confidence of the Board. I don't think he will get blown off so easily...mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.com