DVUSD Parent Mitchell G. Neeley: Open Letter To The Governing Board

Mitchell G. Neeley

2222 West Mohawk Lane

Phoenix, Arizona 85027

February 3, 2010

To:

Bill Maas; President, Deer Valley Unified Schools Governing Board

Ann Ordway; Vice President, Deer Valley Unified Schools Governing Board

Tom Boone; Member, Deer Valley Unified Schools Governing Board

Christy Agosta ; Member, Deer Valley Unified Schools Governing Board

Ron Bayer; Member, Deer Valley Unified Schools Governing Board

Deer Valley Unified School District #97

20402 North 15^th Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85027

CC: Dr. Virginia McElyea; Superintendent, Deer Valley Unified Schools

Re: March 9, 2010 Special Election for Operational Budget Override.

Ladies and Gentleman of the Governing Board,

Thirty years ago, The Clio Area School District in Clio, Michigan was in a financial crisis. The district was not able to meet its financial obligations after its twelfth millage election defeat in a period of six years. Staff was being drastically reduced, all athletics was converted to “pay to play” system, one of the district’s four elementary schools was closed, and there were plans made to severely cut district busing plans. At one point, plans were in development by the Genesee Intermediate School District, led by Dr. George Spathelff, to take over day-to-day operations of the district.

The reasons for the repeated defeats was well known to the 5000+ families who lived in the district: Each time a millage passed, the first order of business taken up by the Board of Education was to grant significant salary increases to all senior district administrators.

The public knew this. They had seen it play out several times. And beginning in 1978, the voters made it clear: No new taxes until the district could prove that ALL additional funds would go to the classrooms of the district.

It was not until 1984; when after then district superintendent Hal Souser retired, and was replaced by Dr. Albert Butler, did the district finally pass a millage increase. Dr. Butler had committed to use any millage increase to fix the district’s finances, and refused any increases in administrative salaries until the district was on solid footing again. This is a promise he kept until leaving the district at the conclusion of the 1988-89 school year.

The restoral of Clio Area Schools had begun.

Now in 2010, I find myself in a not too dissimilar situation as my parents so many years ago.

Deer Valley Unified Schools has called for a special election to be held on March 9, 2010 to ask the voters to approve a millage override to exceed statutory operational levels by 15% per year for a period of seven years.  And I find myself in the same situation as my parents where I must decide whether or not to vote to increase my taxes to fund my children’s education.  And like my parents, I know feel that I must make the same decision that they had on several occasions and vote no.

Here are the reasons why at this time I must say no to the millage override:

Legislative Action and Votes by Member Tom Boone

As a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Mr. Boone has repeatedly voted to cut funding to Arizona secondary schools, colleges, and universities during the current legislative session. These votes have taken place even after Mr. Boone ensured the community that he would advocate on behalf of the district in the legislature.

Mr. Boone had also sponsored legislation that would exempt him from laws that prohibit a direct family member of a district employee from being seated as a member of a district’s governing board.

Unethical Behavior/Conflict of Interest for/by members of the Governing Board

Valley Schools Management Group:

As I have brought to the attention of the Governing Board previously during the public comment section of board meeting, the conduct of at least two members of the governing board has the outward appearance of a conflict of interest as it pertains to district contacts with Valley Schools Management Group.

Mr. Boone and Mr. Maas both serve as executive officers and board members for this intergovernmental agency. Both receive a substantial compensation package from VSMG that is in part funded by contracts entered into with Deer Valley Unified Schools.  Both also receive a pension as retired administrators from the Deer Valley Unified School District. This in essence amounts to “double dipping” in the coffers of the district.

As many media reports have surfaced about this arrangement, it prompted a request for information from the offices of Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard into the possible existence of a conflict of interest at least on the part of Mr. Boone.

Ms. Agosta may be in conflict of interest based on publicity photos release by VSMG, pertaining to the installation of solar panels to be installed on the roof of Deer Valley High School on July 29, 2009. Her comments made in the press release could lead one to believe she was complicit in the possible improper scheme to steer “no-bid” contracts to VSMG:

“They analyzed our energy use and figured out ways to better use resources…”

-          DVUSD Governing Board member Christy Agosta

This contract was awarded to VSMG and had a cash value of over $6 million, paid to VSMG by Deer Valley Unified Schools.

Outsource Contract for Teaching/Administrative Staff:

For the past several years, Deer Valley Unified Schools have been entered into contracts with a Tempe-based outsourcing firm to provide instructional staff for the district. This firm also had in it employment Mrs. Vicki Boone, the spouse of Mr. Boone. This firm also is responsible for the initial placement of DVUSD Superintendent Dr. Virginia McElyea.

In 2009, the governing Board had decided to issue Reduction of Force (RIF) notices to many certified and non-certified staff alike, while voting to retain contracted employees through this firm.

The staff kept by DVUSD, most of which were voluntary retired teachers collecting a pension from DVUSD, was kept on and collected a second check indirectly from Deer Valley Unified Schools. Again, this situation amounts to a “double dip” situation that has cost the tax payers of the district two salaries for the same employee.

*****

So as a very concerned parent of two district students and tax payer, I must take a stand and vote no on this millage override as I feel that the leadership of the Deer Valley Unified School district has not acted in the best interest of the students, parents, and community that the district serves. As there are many outstanding questions as to the current accounting of tax dollars spent by the district, and the perceived improprieties of expenditures by the district, I cannot justify voting to increase my taxes at this time.

Furthermore, I would not vote for any future override measure while the current governing board and administration is still in place.

I will also be urging all my neighbors and other parents within the district to vote no on the March 9^th override.

I look forward to addressing the board on this matter at the February 9, 2010 meeting to address this matter further.

Sincerely,

Mitchell G. Neeley

Deer Valley Unified School District parent