How we got where we are Part II (Aug 2006 - October 2006)

On another post, Anonymous wrote:

"How we got where we are, 2nd installment (August to October, 2006-07 school year):

The 2006-07 school year was an exciting time to be in Pittsburgh. The material is so rich that we are presenting a review of the first semester today:

1. August 15, 2006: Right-Sizing contract change orders are in full swing, as the Board approves $723,839 of additional cost for projects that were not allowed to be properly designed and publicly bid with any semblance of reasonable lead time.

Frank Chester is hired as Chief Human Resources Officer (no K-12 experience).

The RAND Corporation receives yet another no bid contract for $40,000 for additional analysis, included PSSA test scores. No one seems to notice or care that the principal researcher has a connection to a fellow Broad Superintendent's Academy “graduate.”

The Communications department, fresh off of its 2005-06 expansion (it would grow even more later in Roosevelt's tenure) tests the waters of adding consultant support, this time a $33,276 for the High School Reform Task Force.

2. September 27, 2006: The Board agrees to use the $159,000 Project 720 grant to “audit” the District's CTE programs, including an exciting journey for staff members to travel to Charlotte to see their programs, notwithstanding the fact that award winning career and technical programs can be found elsewhere in Allegheny County.

Chartwell Education Group is hired for the study at a cost of $67,000. For five straight years Roosevelt would respond to the decline of Pittsburgh's vocational offerings by conducting further studies and repackaging the very same PowerPoint slides over and over.

Heinz Endowments gives the Communications department $200,000 for parent engagement, kicking off a steady stream of glossy postcards thanking the Superintendent for his leadership.

Surprise – a $191,741 contract with the RAND Corporation to evaluate key elements of the Excellence for All reform agenda. Once again, no one seems to notice or care that the principal researcher has a connection to a fellow Broad Superintendent's Academy “graduate.”

$3.4 million in facilities' change orders driven by the Right-Sizing project for work that was not allowed to be properly designed and publicly bid with any semblance of reasonable lead time.

The school district's Solicitor retires, opening the door for the district to fund the same services at several fold the cost through an external provider.

A Chief Information Officer (technology) position is approved.

The Communications staff, apparently overwhelmed by the amount of PR Mr. Roosevelt's ego required, hires a Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff.

Added to the personnel agenda are the buyout of a senior curriculum officer (Briars) and a resolution authorizing discussions with Mr. Roosevelt about his contract.

MORE INSTALLMENTS TO FOLLOW."