BISD withholding public records
From Sunshine Review
24 August 2008
When voters approved a $389 million bond initiative last November, Beaumont Independent School District Superintendent Carrol Thomas promised more openness regarding operations. Unfortunately, that has not come to pass. The District has received the negative reputation of keeping secrets after routinely delaying, or simply withholding, documents and records requested under the Texas Public Information Act. Now it appears that they are even keeping information from school board trustees.
School Board Secrets
It has come out that, as recently as July 31, information was seemingly intentionally withheld from school board trustees. At the meeting that evening, "Item S" dealt with awarding a contract for construction manager at Amelia Elementary, Blanchette Elementary, and Martin Elementary. Allco Construction Inc. was at the top of a list of recommendations, and received the contract. It was later revealed that Allco was not the lowest bidder - information that was never passed on to the trustees.
Trustee Janice Brassard said they were not shown copies of the bids, only given a recommendation that it be approved. Brassard also said they had no idea that one of the companies working will Allco was created by Wallace Batiste Sr, who was convicted on federal mail fraud charges relating to a bid-rigging scheme.[1]
Info routinely withheld
For years the district has been slow in releasing information. There are several requests pending at the moment, including one from local businessman Tom Neild. He requested copies of the bids involving Allco and, three weeks later, he is still waiting for a reply.
On August 17, Superintendent Thomas declared he had no idea information was being withheld, stating, "I want to make sure you get whatever it is that you are asking for. We are going to be open and we will provide what is being asked about." Despite this reassurance, those being denied information have not ruled out bring criminal charges. As Neild said "They have $389 million, and I know I am not the only one in this city that wants to know how they are spending that money. If they won't release the information, then I will call the district attorney and see if they can help me get the information."
