Audio By Carbonatix
You hear a lot about the Broward School Board “machine” on the Pulp, but you probably wonder what it really is. Well, below I’ve compiled an incomplete list of the parts of the machine.
It is all the contributors who gave to Stephanie Kraft’s campaign on May 18, 2006, during her last election. Most of the companies and individuals are tied to lobbyist Neil Sterling, who held a fundraiser for Kraft that day. The $450 from his wife, Cyd, was an in-kind contribution to pay for the food for the event. Not all those contributions are necessarily tied to Sterling or his fundraiser, but the great majority of them surely are.
Understand that Sterling threw fundraisers like this for just about every School Board member, filling up their coffers with cash to help win elections. The board in turn has voted to give his clients hundreds of millions in projects. It’s said that Sterling’s fee is 1 percent of the total contract cost, which would equal a hefty sum, good for many more political contributions than he would ever need to make.
The list comes after the jump (with a few notes added in parentheses). After that, I’ve also added a memo from School Board Member Ann Murray to Superintendent James Notter calling for a moratorium on all Qualification Selection Committee business — which is essentially the vehicle that gets pumps the money through the machine. Murray calls the QSEC process “broken.” Ain’t it the truth (see the Gallagher criminal complaint for backup). Kick up the soundtrack below and take a gander.
October 11, 2009
James F. Notter
Superintendent of Schools
600 SE 3rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Dear Mr. Notter:
In light of recent events which have put the practices of the district’s QSEC (Quality Selection Committee) process into question, I strongly recommend an immediate moratorium be placed on all QSEC business. The moratorium would include all contracts in the process of being awarded.
The process is broken. We are under investigation of the FBI for wrongdoing. It is important this Board and administration make a decision now. In doing so, we will begin to restore the Broward County taxpayer’s faith in our ability to govern and our ability to manage their interests. Our Audit Committee and Facilities Task Force Committee have shared their concerns with the Board about the QSEC process and our methods for awarding contracts to various building contractors. These committees are the voice of Broward County taxpayers.
As a board and administration, we are constantly advocating a transparent school system. If so, this moratorium is the right thing to do. The suspension of activity will give us time to seek input from all stakeholders and review our process.
We should give the public opportunity to express their concerns and ideas for change in a public forum set up at a time that is convenient for the general public. By allowing public forum, we will reinforce our position of transparency and provide our taxpayers with a value in the process.. The forum should be set up after our workshop and should be scheduled before the board makes any decisions on the process of contract awards by QSEC.
During our workshop on October 27, 2009 internl departments including facilities and auditors should provide a report about our practices in awarding building contracts to include changes that could be made to insure adherence to the law or fair business practices. We must also look at limiting change orders to construction projects and renovations especially if the changes are requested due to errors in project management. The districat cannot absorb the cost of errors made by contractors and/or architects causing construction projects to spiral out of control and costing the district far more than the board originally approved.
In addition we should examine the possibility of monopoly of the district’s construction projects and seek ways to open business to many companies to help build economic recovery in our county and re-establish fair business practices.
Sincerely,
/s/
Ann Murray
School Board Member District 1
