RPS Continues War on Patrick Henry
Until yesterday most of the political machinations of the Richmond Public School Board have been relatively behind the scenes. A volley was fired in public every now and then but the stakes have been raised on the final days before Christmas break. School Board Chair Kimberly Bridges sent out a letter stating, “As we approach the end of the calendar year, the Richmond School Board believes that we have an obligation to keep the PHSSA community apprised of the challenges and issues that still confront PHSSA,” she then continues by pointing out a variety of supposed issues including funding and curriculum.
Bridges was not content with simply getting this letter to RTD and the state school board, no she wanted to make a bigger impact on the parents and fan the flames. School Board Members have all taken a hands off approach to PHSSA but last night school board members Maurice Henderson and Adrian Scott Graham decided to show up unannounced to the PHSSA Winter PTA meeting to distribute the letter in person. I’ve not seen any school board member at any of the volunteer days, award ceremonies, or in the classrooms meeting students so it is a bit concerning that the one time they show up it is to disrupt a meeting to present a critical and misleading letter. As a parent and volunteer at Patrick Henry what is most concerning to me is the complete lack of honesty from the school board. On one hand they state they want to work with the school yet at the same time they are constantly throwing up roadblocks, pointing out in a public forum the shortcomings and glossing over or ignoring the success.
Another issue that Bridges raises is the fiscal state of the school and points to problems with reporting. Chris Dovi has a balanced article on Richmond Magazine.com that takes a closer look at the letter and the issue of reporting is discussed.
“It is a basic expectation for any organization — especially one that draws upon limited taxpayer funds — to provide sound and consistent reporting and revenue outcomes that meet commitments,” Bridges writes. “PHSSA’s Board of Directors has not met this expectation.”
On the issue of reporting, Larson notes that the PHSSA board voted on Nov. 15 to change accounting firms for the audit of its second year, after the original firm had difficulty getting RPS to supply information on the school’s per-pupil funding. “In early October, PHSSA brought up in an RPS School Board meeting that our previous accounting firm was having a challenging time [providing] us with a thorough audit without the information about our per pupil funding [PPF]. More than 80 percent of our funding comes from PPF. … After months of trying to reach a compromise, the PHSSA board made a decision to move forward with another accounting firm who could complete the audit without input from RPS.”
Bridges’ letter continues by outlining the School Board’s concern that the school has failed to raise the approximately $300,000 to which it committed, intended to cover a portion of the $500,000 cost of the first phase of renovations at the old Patrick Henry building.
But Larson says the school’s financial health is not in question at all and that the school has raised nearly $1 million in grants and donations.
The letter from Chair Bridges can be found here and we are expecting a written response from PHSSA later today.
Why I’m there RT @HillsHeights RPS Continues War on Patrick Henry: http://t.co/o4Y4AU8U When I move to the county, RPS will be reason
I find it very interesting that Bridges seems to focus her efforts on finding fault with PHCS. While there may be some issues of concern with PHCS, Bridges would do well by focusing her efforts on cleaning up the hot mess that is the rest of RPS.
[...] today I posted about School Board Chair, Kim Bridges’ letter to Patrick Henry School parents. This afternoon Sharon Burton PHSSA president has taken the time to [...]
“It is a basic expectation for any organization — especially one that draws upon limited taxpayer funds — to provide sound and consistent reporting and revenue outcomes that meet commitments,” Bridges writes. “PHSSA’s Board of Directors has not met this expectation.”
Since when has RPS ever been sound or consistent in their reporting. These clowns piss me off so much and I have no connection to PH. It’s a clear case of trying to bring down the competition in order to maintain as much of a monopoly on the education system as they can. They need this monopoly so folks don’t start to realize that the bloated and unproductive way that RPS operates is not the only way.
Mr. Henderson would like personal emails to address your concerns, such an outstanding fella’. mhenders3@richmond.k12.va.us
[...] a few weeks removed from a scathing letter (PHSSA response to the letter can be found here) sent to parents that was critical of finances, [...]