Lynn Walsh

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

HISD forwarded Key Middle School investigation to DA
Fri Sep 10 16:56:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

The Houston Independent School District forwarded an investigation of a Houston middle school to the Harris County District Attorney’s office in the spring, a district spokesman said Friday, but so far has not heard whether the DA will pursue any case.

The report details allegations of testing improprieties and missing assets from Key Middle School.

“We informed (the) DA,” HISD spokesman Norm Uhl said via e-mail. “(We) turned our report over to them when it was complete on April 19.”

In early April, Grier said the DA had not requested a copy of the report when asked whether he planned to forward it to them. But the DA’s office said complaints and cases the office investigates begin with someone bringing the issue to them, not the other way around.
Key Middle School surveillance video

Texas Watchdog learned of the Key Middle School investigation being submitted to the DA’s office while reporting on the recent sentencing of former HISD accounting coordinator Lydia M. Kinchen, who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from the Houston district and taxpayers.

In January HISD Superintendent Terry Grier held a press conference to announce HISD was going to investigate Key Middle School. An anonymous tip led district officials to examine surveillance video from both Key and Kashmere High School, according to HISD. The surveillance video showed people moving computers and other equipment in and out of the buildings and at times into vehicles.

HISD hired the law firm Martin Disiere Jefferson & Wisdom to conduct a private investigation at Key, which found multiple examples of price gouging students on snacks, unauthorized fundraisers aimed at students and thousands of dollars of missing equipment. HISD fired six of the employees accused of wrongdoing, including former Key Principle Mable Caleb, at an April board meeting.

Contact Lynn Walsh at 713-228-2850 or lynn@texaswatchdog.org. On Twitter: @lwalsh.

A story written for the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA):

Vacation? You’re Never Really Off As a Journalist
Sep 02 2010
By Lynn Walsh, Texas Watchdog

Whether you work in a television station, a radio station or you are a freelancer, the number of hours worked vary and can be very demanding. So when it comes time to use some of that very precious vacation time you are ready for a break!

If you are anything like me though the vacation can sometime turn into more writing, more blogging and even more tweeting–not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to.

I recently met my family for a week long vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama. At first when my mom told me where the family was vacationing this year I was not that interested. Then the biggest oil spill this country has ever witnessed happened and I took the whole week off. (To be with my family of course.)

The thought of being able to see firsthand what the beaches in Alabama looked like was too much of a temptation for me personally and professionally. I wanted to see the oil on the beaches firsthand, I wanted to see how the local tourism industry was being effected and I could not wait to tweet all about my experience.

I believe that journalism never stops and being a journalist is more than a career choice–it is a lifestyle choice. Whether it is leaving a family dinner to take a call from a sought-after source or making vacation plans based on what is going on in the news; journalists can find themselves constantly working and sometimes forget to stop and just enjoy the little free time we have.

Ever-changing new technologies and the need for up-to-the-second news updates makes it even more difficult to disconnect from our jobs. Social Media sites like Facebook and Twitter create a need to always get involved and share new information about the big stories of the day.

The thought of not tweeting for a day and possibly loosing followers or becoming less relevant to the public you report to every day can drive you wild. Or is it just me?

For those not in the “business” this post may seem completely ridiculous and exaggerated; they may even say it is not healthy to be that connected to your job. To that I say welcome to my world and the world of any serious journalist who loves what they do day in and day out.

I will also argue that is not unhealthy. If journalists did not feel the need to take pictures, tweet, or blog about their experiences day in and day out, the public would not see news that is dedicated to helping communities and uncovering corruption.

While it is great to want to interview the shop keeper at the boardwalk at Gulf Shores about the decrease in tourism because of the oil spill or take video and pictures of “tar balls” washing up on the beach; it is important to also take a breath and enjoy family, friends and vacation.

Here are some tips I have for remaining connected and being a journalist while still enjoying some time off:

1. Use technology to your advantage. Sites like Twitter and Facebook make it easy to upload photos and even video instantly to the world. Put the blog on hold and take advantage of micro-blogging–the information still gets out there but without the hassle of full-blown stories or blog posts.

2. Take advantage of LIVE broadcasting. From my iPhone I can broadcast video live through services like Ustream. While walking up and down the beach I can record what I am seeing, describe it and share it with the world instantly. This cuts down on editing and posting time later. It does not have to be perfect–remember you are on vacation not in the newsroom.

3. Leave your computer at home. I have to admit this is hard for me to do, but it works. Any e-mail, phone call or tweeting you want to do, do it–but from your phone. Anything that involves more work than that should probably be left for when you return to work. If all else fails you can always find a local library or Internet cafe!

4. Let people know you will be out of town. This is probably the most important thing I have learned. Create a vacation responder for your e-mail addresses, work phone number, etc. I make it clear that I am on vacation BUT if it is something urgent I should be contacted on my cell. It gives me piece of mind to know that I do not have to check my e-mail if no one is calling then that must mean nothing is urgent. Also, let sources and others you work with daily know you will be out of town–send them an e-mail, make a quick phone call, etc.; that will give them a heads up and help you enjoy some time off!

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

Owner of company implicated in HISD E-Rate ethics probe denies giving gifts to employees
Fri Aug 13 14:22:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

Cell phones, playoff sporting tickets, trinkets and thousands of dollars in personal checks — all allegedly given to Houston Independent School District employees by federal technology program vendors that had a multi-million dollar contract with the Houston district — but the owner of one company says he had nothing to do with it.

Frank Trifilio, head of the now-defunct Analytical Computer Services, said he and his company never gave gifts to HISD employees, beyond an occasional fast-food lunch, and sought to distance himself from one-time business partners in an interview with Texas Watchdog. Trifilio, of Houston, said HISD confused Analytical with his subcontractors in the federal E-Rate program and that his company was the scapegoat in an investigation that resulted in his being banned from doing business with the district.

From 2005 to 2008, Trifilio and his business partners allegedly showered gifts including cash, meals and fishing trips on employees managing E-Rate, an HISD memo detailed by Texas Watchdog last month. Analytical provided $45 million in technology services between July 2005 and June 2009, a district contracts database shows. A federal lawsuit stemming from the improper gifts was settled by the district this year, and HISD has strengthened its ethics policy for E-Rate employees and board members.

Trifilio said he’s also suffered consequences.

“I lost everything, including my family,” Trifilio said. “I went through all of my savings just to get lawyers in Washington to defend me. I had to lay off 200 employees because the company went bankrupt.”
present

Trifilio said ACS, which was the umbrella organization for other technology vendors also implicated in the ethics probe, stopped operating in January 2007.

Analytical Computer Services “gave cellphones to approximately 26 district employees at one time or another from approximately August 2002 to February 2007,” according to the district memo penned by an outside law firm for HISD.

“I never provided phones for anyone at HISD,” Trifilio said. When asked if it is possible that one of his 200 employees could have, he expressed disbelief: “No, I sign off on all of the bills. I would have seen something like that.”

Trifilio said HISD confused his company with subcontractors Acclaim Professional Services, owned by Larry Lehmann, and Micro Systems Enterprises, where Frankie Wong was president. Wong is in prison for his role in a bribery scandal involving the Dallas Independent School District.

“We were the scapegoat” in the controversy because of confusion over vendor identification numbers, Trifilio said. Micro Systems and Acclaim took on some of the contracted work because the district believed the volume was too much for one company to handle, Trifilio said.

“In the E-Rate program, you cannot split up vendor numbers for projects, so HISD put in my SPIN number and my name,” he said. “Our number was being used, but we were not doing the business.”

E-Rate obtain the numbers from the Universal Service Administrative Company, which under the direction of the FCC administers the E-Rate program, said Richard Patton, HISD’s E-Rate compliance official. Patton said he was not aware of any limitations on the vendor ID numbers like what Trifilio described.

“I became the umbrella organization because ACS was the only company with a SPIN number,” Trifilio said. “We (Micro Systems) were archenemies. The relationship was nothing but a title.”

Professional basketball suite tickets appear to be the most valuable of the gifts that HISD lawyers found came from Trifilio’s company. Then-Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra “and a guest attended three Houston Rockets playoff games in the Analytical Computer Services Inc. (‘ACS’) suite in 2005,” apparently NBA playoff games 3, 4 and 6 against the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs’ first round.

In an earlier interview with Texas Watchdog, Saavedra said he was invited to the games by HISD trustees, took his wife, but didn’t realize it was a vendor’s suite. He said he subsequently sent Trifilio a check for $300 to cover the costs.

Trifilio said he cashed the check, which was accompanied by “a very nice letter.”

Trifilio said the suite at the Toyota Center belonged to him and ACS but downplayed the appearance of a cozy relationship between his company and the district.

“The suites were mine,” Trifilio said. “Trustees were probably invited by a general manager. There were as many ACS employees there as there were board members.”

Other allegations outlined in the memorandum include gifts from ACS of fanny packs and koozies, or foamlike beverage containers, to HISD. Trifilio denies that ACS ever provided such items unless HISD employees picked them up at a convention.

Why would HISD employees and trustees attend a basketball game at an E-rate vendor’s suite?

Trifilio said the fact that board members were there is irrelevant because “the board members have zero influence in us getting any E-Rate contracts. The procurement is done on a lower level.” Board members vote on contracts or sign off on them after they are approved by district staff, depending on their value.

Trifilio said Analytical and district staff had a “camaraderie” with each other, which led to some district employees also attending games in the company suite.

“We had people (at HISD) all the time, at least eight people there, 40 hours a week,” Trifilio said. “They became friends with people over there. They had their own badges. They felt as if they were employees at HISD.”

Trifilio said when his company took HISD employees out to lunch, which he said happened a handful of times, the conversation was focused on current work.

“We didn’t talk about upcoming bids,” he said.

Former district technology employees William L. Edwards, Steve K. Kim and Laura M. Palmer were the primary recipients of the gifts and meals, the memo from HISD firm Bracewell & Guiliani said. Their names were closely guarded by the school district for years and were only released after a Texas Watchdog public information request that the district challenged to the attorney general’s office.

According to the memo, Edwards and Palmer accepted a ride on Wong’s fishing boat, the “Sir Veza” — the same name of a $305,000, 46-foot yacht connected to the E-Rate scandal in Dallas. Dallas ISD’s technology chief, Ruben B. Bohuchot, is in a federal prison in Fort Worth after being found guilty in the bribery and money laundering scheme.

Wong created a company to maintain the “Sir Veza,” according to the Justice Department.

“We worked together, but we hated each other with a passion,” Trifilio said, even though he mentioned he had taken his sons fishing on the boat. “We did north side, they did south side and that is that.”

Trifilio cooperated with the grand jury in the Dallas investigation, even though there was no information he could contribute, he said.

Trifilio said he had not talked to Lehmann. Texas Watchdog has attempted to contact Lehmann multiple times but has been unable to reach him.

Trifilio said he owns a rehab and renovation company.

“I am 65 years old, and I am cleaning toilets,” he said, adding that he works alone.

“No more subcontractors.”

Contact Lynn Walsh at at 713-228-2850 or lynn@texaswatchdog.org. Follow news about the Houston Independent School District on Twitter, #HISD.

A story produced for Texas Watchdog:

An ethical quandary and our attempt to solve it
Thu Jul 1 20:01:00 2010 CST
By Trent Seibert

Texas Watchdog regularly posts clips to YouTube from Houston Independent School District meetings, which video journalist Lynn Walsh covers.

Last month, we got a request from HISD. Because of a technical difficulty, the district’s staff were unable to produce their usual in-house video of a June meeting of school district trustees, which the school system would normally save for archival purposes and make available to citizens who requested copies. Our reporter was at that meeting, doing some recording for our news website — could HISD have a copy of our footage, the school system asked?

That created a dilemma for us – one that we’re going to try to solve with this blog post.

On one hand, Texas Watchdog fully supports government transparency. We want citizens to be able to access recordings of what HISD trustees do. And certainly, as reporters, we can sympathize with HISD’s situation — we’ve all had tape recorders die, or their batteries die, in the middle of some important interview.

But here’s the tricky part: The idea of a news organization freely turning over unpublished material – whether it’s a recording or handwritten reporter’s notes – at the request of a government agency could set a terrible legal precedent, not only for us, but other news organizations.

We’d like to help HISD make its actions transparent to the public – and helping the school system might seem totally innocent and laudable to many of our readers. But imagine it’s not HISD making the request – imagine the next request comes from the police department, or FBI agents. And the tape isn’t a recording of a school board meeting. It’s video of a crime scene.

Journalists have gone to jail in this country to prevent being forced to turn over unpublished material in such situations. And Texas’ new first-ever reporter shield law, the Free Flow of Information Act, was created in the last session of the legislature to stop just such things. We don’t want to turn over our recording to HISD and set a bad example that is later used in court by some other government entity to argue that journalists somehow don’t mind giving out their source material – and that reporters at Texas Watchdog, or The Houston Chronicle, or KPRC-Channel 2 shouldn’t mind turning over their notes, too.

(Just to be clear, HISD asked us for the footage, and asked nicely. The school system at no time ever threatened us or threatened to force us to give up our video. And this note is not intended to suggest that HISD had any ulterior motive in asking us for the recording. We don’t have anything personally against HISD. We’re just trying to explain our thought process.)

In other words, we don’t feel like we can give HISD our meeting footage. But we are willing to try an alternative.

We’re not giving our meeting footage to HISD – we’re giving it to all of you, the reading public. We are posting on our YouTube page more footage than usual of the June meeting, where anyone with an Internet connection may access it, including HISD.

The clips are linked below:

An audio track from the meeting

Video Clip 1 of 10

Video Clip 2 of 10

Video Clip 3 of 10

Video Clip 4 of 10

Video Clip 5 of 10

Video Clip 6 of 10

Video Clip 7 of 10

Video Clip 8 of 10

Video Clip 9 of 10

Video Clip 10 of 10

Contact Trent Seibert at trent@texaswatchdog.org or 713-980-9776.

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

Employees involved in HISD E-Rate scandal that cost district $105 million plus will remain secret
Wed Jun 2 12:42:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

Three Houston Independent School District employees cost the district millions of dollars after violating the ethics rules governing a federal technology program in 2006.

Who are they? Houston Independent School District says that information is confidential, and the Texas Attorney General has agreed with them.

A public records request asking for the names of the three HISD employees accused by the Federal Communications Commission of accepting meals and other gifts from E-Rate vendors was submitted to HISD by Texas Watchdog on March 29.

HISD responded and asked the Texas Attorney General to allow the district to withhold the names of employees because the information is “confidential under the privacy protections” of certain Freedom of Information Act exemptions. The district says the FCC has requested the names be kept secret, saying naming them would invade the fired employees’ personal privacy.

In a letter the AG’s office agreed with HISD and said:

“The fact that HISD is in possession of information that is confidential under (federal law) does not in and of itself protect the information from disclosure under (state law), as those federal statutes pertain to disclosure of information held by a federal agency. However, if an agency of the federal government shares its information with a Texas governmental entity, the Texas entity must withhold the information that the federal agency determines to be confidential under federal law. …

“In addition, HISD has demonstrated a compelling reason to withhold the Requested Information by showing the same is made confidential by another source of law, thereby permitting HISD to withhold the Requested Information.”

At Texas Watchdog, we believe the names of the three HISD employees involved should be released.

The actions of these three HISD employees have resulted in unnecessary cost for the Houston Independent School District, so much so that the district fired them. Funding under the E-Rate technology program was frozen, causing the district to lose $105 million in federal funding.

E-Rate is a federally funded program that brings cut-rate telecommunications services to public schools, nonprofit private schools and libraries.

The Federal Communications Commission filed a lawsuit against the district in 2006. More than three years later, the district paid $850,000 to settle the suit with the FCC.

A subsequent compliance agreement required HISD to hire an E-Rate compliance officer, who makes $150,000. HISD hired Richard Patton in February using a headhunting firm that reportedly charged $67,200.
Patton has spent hours training employees and board members on stricter ethics rules to avoid a repeat of the earlier problems. He recommends HISD spend an additional $10,000 a year on monitoring software.

The fallout has been somewhat dizzying. But after the almost million-dollar settlement, costly staff additions and the need to purchase additional resources, the law is apparently not on the side of knowing whose actions may have triggered all this.
Contact Lynn Walsh at lynn@texaswatchdog.org or 713-228-2850.

Photo of Keep Out by flickr user Leo Reynolds, used via a Creative Commons license.

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

Split votes divisive, meeting in private OK: Former HISD Trustee Don McAdams
Wed May 26 20:24:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

A former HISD board president who recently told Plano ISD trustees to vote in chorus and meet in private is bringing his consulting firm’s training to Houston Thursday.

The former board member, Don McAdams, reportedly told Plano trustees to avoid split votes and to meet at a private home to get to know each other, and hope no citizens showed up.

McAdams defended his comments, saying his philosophy is like that of founding father Thomas Jefferson. McAdams recalled a favorite Jefferson quote: “Great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities.”

“It is worth your while to make compromises to get a supermajority vote,” said McAdams, a Houston Independent School Board member for more than 10 years and founder of the Center for Reform of School Systems.

His center describes itself as a nonprofit teaching school boards and superintendents nationwide how to create a management model that delivers high student achievement.

Earlier this month McAdams made news when he spoke to Plano ISD trustees. According to an article in the Dallas Morning News:

“McAdams said he recommends that board members unanimously approve important or controversial proposals because doing so sends a ‘message to the workforce and public that it’s a done deal.’

‘There’s nothing bad about a 7-0 vote,’ he said. ‘It shows that you’re doing your homework. It doesn’t necessarily prove that you’re a rubber stamp.’ …

‘Come together one evening, sit around a table and buy a few bottles of wine or whatever suits you,’ he told them. ‘Just use your own money.’”

As a journalist who works for an organization that fights for government transparency, the article was alarming. The fact that HISD has paid more than $60,000 to the center since 2008 and McAdams’ role as a past board member was just the cherry on top.

The program for Thursday’s session is different than the workshop the center led for Plano ISD, McAdams said. And he won’t personally be leading the Thursday class. A contract trainer from Duval County, Florida, Betty Burney, will, he said.

McAdams seemed surprised Texas Watchdog was asking him about his comments with the Plano board members, and elaborated on them in an interview Tuesday.

“I don’t know why anyone would be upset with me saying a unanimous vote is the best outcome,” McAdams said. “To me it shows hard work — controversial issues should be thoroughly discussed, and the board can reach consensus. That is good voting. …

“Votes 4-3 or 3-4 tend to stay alive and divide the community. It is better for the board to find a compromise if they can.”

According to McAdams, he had avoided doing work with HISD for years after he served on the board. He stepped down in 2001.

“I wanted to be clear that I was not trying to meddle with HISD. I was no longer a board member and did not want to muddy the water or have people think I was trying to work behind the scenes,” McAdams said.

It was not until the board voted unanimously to hire his company under past HISD superintendent, Abelardo Saavedra, that McAdams’ company began training the HISD trustees, McAdams said.

HISD spokesman Norm Uhl said trustees are required by the Texas Education Agency to have a certain amount of annual training like that provided by McAdams’ center. McAdams said Houston ISD trustees have received “more than 25 days of training over approximately two years” from the center. The training has included trips to institutes across the country, including a trip earlier this year to Georgia, outside of Atlanta.

Contact Lynn Walsh at 713-228-2850 or lynn@texaswatchdog.org.

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

HISD Breakfast in the Classroom: A parent’s perspective
Tue May 25 14:19:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh
HISD’s Breakfast in the Classroom program has its share of commentary. Now, a parent is voicing her concerns through a new blog: First Class Breakfast? And she’s quickly gotten attention elsewhere.
school breakfast

The blogger identifies herself as Lisa, a mother of a Herod Elementary School kindergartner.

The blog discusses the beginning of the Houston Independent School District First Class Breakfast program at Herod, which according to Lisa, began last week. Posts range from information and history about the program to issues about the nutritional value of the food being served.

The blog contains pictures of the food being served and encourages other parents to share their experience with the First Class Breakfast program.

Who is Lisa? In “Questions Answered,” Lisa said:

“Why am I doing this anonymously? Am I a teacher or afraid I will get in trouble?

Many people have asked this . . . some very respectfully and some not so nicely. I never intended this to be anonymous, I just also never thought it was that important to publicize who the author is. I want this to be a dialog for parents, teachers, administrators and anyone else who has information to contribute. I am not a teacher, administrator or student. When I decided to start this, I made no secret of it to my friends, teachers, or fellow parents. I set up a separate email so I could easily keep track of “blog conversations” vs personal ones.

My name is Lisa and I am the parent of a Kindergartner at Herod Elementary. My son is in one of the programs requiring application, but this is also our neighborhood school. I am very involved in my son’s school as a volunteer and room parent to his class. I am also a member of the newly formed Food Services Parent Advisory Committee because I care about the food that is served to all of our children.”

Lisa’s son does eat the breakfast everyday; “he is one of the kids who eats two breakfasts as many people predicted would happen,” Lisa said.

Also Reporting: Houston Press and The Houston Chronicle

Contact Lynn Walsh at lynn@texaswatchdog.org or 713-228-2850. On Twitter @lwalsh.

Photo of school breakfast by flickr user Runs With Scissors, used via a Creative Commons license.

A story produced by Texas Watchdog:

Travel By Public Officials / TrentTV At 11:30 a.m. CST Tuesday
By Lee Ann O’Neal

Please join us at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday for TrentTV. We’ll be talking about travel by public officials: what documents to look for, types of travel and funding sources, as well as showcasing a few story examples highlighting public officials’ travel on the taxpayer dime. Please tune in at newmediatv.org.

Trent TV is a free monthly webinar for bloggers, citizen-journalists, and the public — anyone who is interested in investigating government.

A story written for Texas Watchdog:

Renovation contract, employee titles up for vote at HISD board workshop Thursday
Wed May 19 21:21:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

HISD trustees are expected to vote on a renovation contract for three area elementary schools during their board workshop Thursday.

The schools are John Durkee, Walter W. Scarborough and John G. Osborne.

Houston ISD trustees are also set to consider new titles for certain existing and new positions.

The May workshop is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the Hattie Mae building. For immediate updates follow @texaswatchdog on Twitter or search for #HISD.

A story produced for Texas Watchdog:

Blog Chat links: Social studies textbooks, inmate purchases, and blogging breaks
Mon May 17 14:47:00 2010 CST
By Lynn Walsh

It’s Monday, and that means it’s time for Blog Chat, when Texas Watchdog takes a look at what the blogosphere is buzzing about. We looked at a new campaign ad in the race between Perry and White, and we heard from some Texas bloggers they are taking a breather. Watch Blog Chat below.

Grits for Breakfast: Commissary Economics: Who Profits?

Texas Tribune: What Texas Inmates Buy

Texas Transparency: Check Register Search Tools

Houston Chronicle: Metro’s acting CEO earning $20K a month

The Texas Tribune: Data App: More University Pay

Big Jolly Politics: The New Social Studies Textbooks: Do you care enough to be heard?

Texas Education Agency: May 2010 Committee of the Full Board

Rick vs. Kay: I enjoy it when non politics people write politics headlines

Wonkette: Rick Perry’s campaign has “OZZY” tattooed on its knuckles

YouTube: Bill White’s Houston Metro-gate

YouTube: “Five Year” channel

Slampo’s Place: On Hiatus

blogHouston: The BLOG is going on a little hiatus

And pondering whether Unca Darrell took his planned hiatus

Blog Chat airs on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. via www.texaswatchdog.org. Like what you see on Blog Chat? See something we may be missing? Send it our way, @TexasWatchdog or @Lwalsh on Twitter.