Just to be sure I understood what JISD Board of Trustees SHOULD do, I went to www.judsonisd.org & found this information:
- What We Do - Your Board is responsible for approving personnel actions, expenditures, property acquisitions and sales, school elections, and legal transactions. The Board's sphere of authority encompasses construction and maintenance authorizations, budget approval, bond elections and sales, tax rates, and the taking of bids on materials, equipment, property, insurance and other items.
- By the People and Of the People - Your Board of Trustees has complete and final authority over the Judson Independent School District. Its only limitations are those imposed by the State of Texas, the federal government, and the will of the citizens of the school district. This will of the people is exercised at the polls and Election Day each year.
The Board is responsible for “expenditures, property acquisitions…construction and maintenance authorizations, budget approval, bond elections…bids on…”
Can anyone disagree the board has failed the voters of JISD? Probably no one except those deep inside the controlling faction will ever know what happened behind closed doors, but we got a clue last night at the “Meet the Candidates” meeting held at Converse City Hall. Sitting board president Rick Maas made it clear that he feared media scrutiny of board activities. He said the board functioned behind the scenes. Obviously, he is saying that decisions about the contracting & overspending of bond funds happened behind closed doors; that those of us protesting should “just butt out”. So much for "the will of the people".
As board president, Mr. Maas was seemingly able, with the willing collusion of three other board members in his faction, and at least one JISD administrator, to overspend bond monies, and shut down discussion or investigation, despite his obligation to the voters of the district. Surely there is something illegal here. If not, then Mr. Maas has only blatantly & arrogantly forced his own will on board activities, showing him unfit to serve as Trustee in Judson Independent School District.
Incumbent Johnny Harris spoke to these same issues. He pointed out contracts were rushed through without time to study them. He pointed out that our board of trustees received wrong information from JISD administration. He pointed to specific instances of misuse of funds & property. Mr. Harris has been outspoken in his distrust of JISD administration. He has repeatedly called for investigation, but been blocked by Mr. Maas & his willing cohort. We need to keep Mr. Harris’ voice on JISD Board of Trustees. He should be re-elected.
Mr. Wayne Harper spoke eloquently about JISD matters. He seems to know how to bring accountability to the board of trustees.
I will be voting for Mr. Harper & Mr. Harris early next Monday, April 28, the first day of early voting in our district.