Arlington trustees vacation instead of facing $15 million deficit
From Sunshine Review
17 July 2008
In Arlington, Texas, the city trustees are facing a $20 million deficit and corruption charges against the superintendent.[1]
[edit] Deficit
The 2008-9 budget for the city of Arlington was released showing approximately a $425 budget with $20 million arranged on a deficit.[2] The board received critical phrase when it was learned that they went on a vacation shortly after learning this, leaving a volunteer committee composed of residents to handle the problem.
The first time that this committee was appointed, they had additional spending recommendations, and no spending cuts. This time the board demanded budget cuts.
[edit] Tax
Voters may be asked to approve a $3 tax for every $1000 of assessed property value to cover the deficit.[3]
[edit] Superintendent scandal
Concerns are raised about Arlington Independent School District Superintendent Hector Montenegro’s, whom the Trustee board hired 5 months ago, relationship with the HOPE Foundation. The nonprofit promotes strategies from the book Failure Is Not an Option. The school district has spent at least $240,000 on the book and related materials this year.
It's discovered Montenegro has taken $8,678 from several similar educational non profits and that he has charged $5000 on the school credit card for travel between February and March.
Montenegro is instructed to pay off the $8,678 while the trustee consider putting on paid administrative leave.
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