Keep Doell and Kinder off the Rockwood School Board - go vote!

Time For Change – New Blood Needed on Rockwood School Board

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur War

Two incumbents are running for re-election to the Rockwood School District Board of Education on the April 8th ballot – Matt Doell and Keith Kinder.  Two incumbents who served during one of the most tumultuous times for Rockwood in many decades, a time when there seemed to be one controversy after another, a time when the district received a low rating of “Fair” by the state, a time when our community’s confidence and trust in the Board was badly shaken and dropped to an all-time low.

The following happened during Doell and Kinder’s time on the Board:

• Consultant contract deals with two former Minnesota coworkers of former Superintendent Borchers, involving $30,600 each for 17 days of work while they kept their day jobs.  Both subsequently received six-figure full-time positions with the district.  Both are now gone.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJAwKhBgKhU)

• The above consultant situation was so poorly received that it resulted in an open apology letter to the community by former Superintendent Borchers.  (http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/201106247068/rockwood-superintendent-issues-apology/)

• The Glenn Construction debacle and subsequent no-bid construction contracts revelation.  (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/rockwood-schools-have-cozy-ties-with-construction-firm/...; http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/rockwood-district-takes-steps-to-alter-bid-process/arti...)

• Payout of accumulated unused sick days to teachers at retirement (one teacher received $100,600).  (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/lottery-jackpots-nope-sick-day-payouts-for-teachers/art...)

• Failure of the Proposition R bond issue in April 2012.

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of a bond issue, the Board approved a 2% pay raise for former Superintendent Borchers in April 2012 – making him one of the highest paid superintendents in the state.  (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/rockwood-to-give-teachers-superintendent-raises/article...; http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2012051518966/rockwood-report-card/)

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of a bond issue, the Board approved a pay raise for school custodians in April 2012.  (http://eureka-wildwood.patch.com/groups/schools/p/custodial-education-association-agrees-to-rockwood...)

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of a bond issue, the Board approved a pay raise for “staff who coach or sponsor extracurricular activities” in April 2012.  (http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2012051518966/rockwood-report-card/)

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of a bond issue, the Board approved a pay raise for school nurses in May 2012.  (http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2012051518966/rockwood-report-card/)

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of a bond issue, the Board approved more than $45,000 for a PR consultant.  (http://fox2now.com/2012/07/25/you-paid-for-it-rockwood-consultant/)

• Voted to extend former Superintendent Borchers’ contract prior to the release of state audit results.  (In fact, the Board had the results a good two weeks before the general public was made aware of its scathing results.  Instead of holding Superintendent Borchers responsible, they rewarded him with a contract extension.)  (http://eureka-wildwood.patch.com/groups/schools/p/rockwood-s-superintendent-contract-extended-just-a...)

• Missouri State Auditor findings and resultant “Fair” rating (nothing about Rockwood should ever be “Fair”).  (http://www.auditor.mo.gov/Press/2013-018.pdf)

• The lack of a competitive bidding process for multiple services.
• A Board member’s conflict of interest.
• Noted $1.2 million overpayment for construction change orders.
• Bond financing conflict of interest.
• The lack of adequate inventory control for thousands of items of school property.
• The lack of adequate oversight of millions of dollars of expenses using district credit cards.
• The lack of adequate receipting procedures.
• The lack of adequate oversight of district vehicle use.
• The lack of adequate oversight of student attendance records.
• The lack of adequate computer security measures.

• Failure of the Proposition S bond issue in April 2013.

• Resignation of former Board president, Steve Smith, over conflict of interest issues.  (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/rockwood-school-board-member-resigns-days-after-state-a...)

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of two bond issues, the Board approved a pay raise for administrators and teachers in May 2013.  (http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2013051735078/rockwood-bumps-pay-for-administrators-and-teachers-...)

• Missouri Ethics Commission investigation and violation of state law by former Board president, Steve Smith, resulting in a $10,000 fine.  (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/missouri-ethics-commission-fines-former-rockwood-school...)

• Despite fiscal hardships and the failure of two bond issues, the Board approved a $250,000 one-year salary for interim superintendent Adams -- $16,000 MORE than the previous superintendent, who was already one of the highest paid education administrators in the state.  (http://eureka-wildwood.patch.com/groups/schools/p/how-much-is-rockwoods-interim-superintendent-being...)

• Missouri Ethics Commission investigation and violation of state law by Rockwood School District and former Superintendent Borchers.  (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/nick-pistor/rockwood-school-district-reprimande...)

All of this happened on their watch – despite a master’s degree in business administration and a doctorate in education.  Furthermore, as the Board vice president, Doell held a leadership role in the development and implementation of many of these failed policies.

Do we want more of the same or is it time for a change?  Join me in voting them off the Board.  It’s time for new blood – because the same old ways are just not working.

-- David A. Miller, Rockwood resident and father.