FC Board and Administration - Let's Eat! - at Taxpayers' Expense

T

rick the taxpayers

and

T

reat themselves

October 17, 2011

Fort Cherry School Board meeting:

The night of the meeting, near the sign-in sheet, there was a small pile of Sarris chocolate footballs and this sign:

_________________________________________________________

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“Keep it positive, our kids are worth it”

??????

How about making a positive move by eliminating the fiscally irresponsible spending that is STILL occurring at Fort Cherry? 

Fiscally irresponsible spending that WILL continue if board and administrative spending, and approval of that spending, does not change drastically.

Let’s take a look at one of Sharpnack’s expense reimbursement sheets for a trip that he took AFTER the District was made aware of the impending budget cuts.

(Note:  This blog is only responsible for the red and green underlining on the documents – all handwritten notations were on the original documents.)

April 8 – 11, 2011

National School Board Association Conference

San Francisco, California

Conference homepage: (http://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/nsba/ac2011/public/enter.aspx)

Benefit to students and staff: ????

Conference Schedule link: http://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/nsba/ac2011/public/Content.aspx?ID=1239&sortMenu=104000

First, let’s look at Sharpnack’s plane fare.

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $440.55

 

It appears Sharpnack tacked on a personal business or pleasure trip to Seattle.

He left Pittsburgh on April 1, went to Seattle for a week, and then arrived in San Francisco on April 8 to attend the conference.

Page 2, which shows the fee information was not included in the RTK response, but should have been.

According to Sharpnack’s notations, the total fare was $509.50.

Sharpnack deducted the $93.95 from his reimbursement to cover the Seattle leg.

Let’s think about this . . .

Sharpnack had personal business in Seattle.

Instead of buying a ticket to Seattle and charging Fort Cherry taxpayers for the additional fare to San Francisco, Sharpnack had Fort Cherry taxpayers pay for the entire fare to San Francisco.

For his personal trip to Seattle, Sharpnack paid only $93.95 for round trip airfare.

No wonder he’s so positive.

That’s positively wonderful for him – not so much for Fort Cherry taxpayers.

Let’s look at Sharpnack’s reimbursements for the conference itself:



April 1:  meal, Nature’s Kitchen

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $13.73

April 1???

Sharpnack was on his way to Seattle for personal business, yet public funds paid for his breakfast.

April 9:  lunch, Starbucks

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $15.10

Wait a minute . . . if you look at the agenda for the conference, it appears that the conference included daily lunch at the Marriot.

Saturday, April 9

8:30 – 9:45 AM          Sessions

10:00 – 11:30 AM       General Session – Condoleeza Rice

11:30 AM – 4:00 PM   Exhibit Hall & Architectural Display (11:30 – 1:30 Exclusive hours)

12:30 – 2:00 PM           Luncheons (Marriott Marquis)

1:30 – 2:45 PM             Sessions

2:45 – 3:45 PM             Exclusive exhibit hours

3:45 – 5:00 PM            Sessions

From the NSBA 71^st Annual Conference webpage

http://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/nsba/ac2011/public/Content.aspx?ID=1239&sortMenu=104000

Why are taxpayers reimbursing for lunch, when lunch was included?

April 11:   meal, Bistro Boudin

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $37.96

If you add the unredacted numbers on the receipt, the total is $27.15.  Even adding 9.5% tax, the total should only be $29.73.

How did he come up with $37.96?

(“$37.96 eligible" was written on the receipt by Sharpnack.)

April 12:  Sharpnack submitted 6 meal receipts.  Let’s look at a few.

April 12:  dinner, Annabelle’s Bar & Bistro

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $50

Once again, do the math.  The entrée was $29.00, adding the tax brings it to $31.76.

How did he get $50.00?

Are Fort Cherry taxpayers reimbursing for 63% tips???

Moving on . . .

April 12:  meal?, Ghiradelli Kiosk

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $12.37

$12.37 for Chocolate?

Are Fort Cherry taxpayers reimbursing for chocolate????

Oh, that’s right, chocolate, for positivity!!!

Here’s another . . .

April 12, meal?, San Francisco News Connection

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $5.98

Not one, but two “Planters Big Bags”.

Was Sharpnack seriously craving peanuts, or did Fort Cherry taxpayers reimburse for a guest?

April 12, meal?, Firewood Cafe

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $6.01

Not one, but two bottles of water.

Was Sharpnack seriously thirsty, or did Fort Cherry taxpayers reimburse for a guest?

With airport security that water had to be consumed before going through the gate.  Wouldn’t two bottles be excessive for one person?

And speaking of Fort Cherry reimbursing for a guest, take a look at this:

It appears that Fort Cherry taxpayers paid to have Sharpnack’s trip insured.

(Keep in mind, Sharpnack was going to Seattle on personal business, and therefore had a personal financial stake in this trip).

But, it appears that not only did Fort Cherry taxpayers pay for Sharpnack’s insurance, Fort Cherry taxpayers paid for his guest's.

There appears to be a redacted name after “BRUCE SHARPNACK”.

Going back to the mileage/expense reimbursement form, you’ll notice there are two line item expenses for an airport shuttle.

Let’s take a look at those receipts submitted for those.

April 8:  Airport Shuttle

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $20.00

No receipt was given for this reimbursement.  Either Sharpnack did not submit one, or Sroka did not provide it in the RTK request response.

April 12:  Airport Shuttle

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $20.00

Are these receipts for two trips to the airport in one day for Sharpnack?

There’s an amount written in for “Tip”, but written by whom?

What did the shuttle fare cost?  There’s no amount listed for “Fare”.

And Phoenix??? 

Sharpnack was in San Francisco.

?????

Again, looking at the reimbursement form, Sharpnack originally asked for $2056.86 in reimbursements.

There’s an entry for an $860 Conference Fee reimbursement that Sharpnack didn’t even pay for.

??????

On April 12, the day he submitted 6 meal receipts, he actually went over his daily meal allowance by $5.72.  However, he was reimbursed for the full amount.

??????

Remember, this trip occurred AFTER the District was made aware of the forthcoming budget cuts.

Teachers and programs were cut.

Administrative and Board travel and conferences remain.

What may seem like a small amount of money here and there snowballed into $155,563.33 in a very short period of time (January 2008 through August 2011).

“Keep it positive, our kids are worth it”

????????

Keep it positive, when Sharpnack and the rest of the Board cut teachers and programs, yet allow this type of fiscal irresponsibility?

There’s not enough chocolate in the world to make that happen.

 

More FC Administrative Expense Reimbursements (Please Pass the Tums)

From January 2008 through August 2011, the FC administrators and board members have been reimbursed $155,563.33 for expenses and mileage.

$155,563.33

$3700 of taxpayers’ dollars per month

$44,400 of taxpayers’ dollars per year

Over 1 mill of tax money per year

This blog promised to show you more examples of the fiscally irresponsible expenses that this board approves; and by giving approval, encourages.

Here’s another example of that fiscal irresponsibility.

. . . . . .

Let’s take another look Dinnen’s mileage and expense reimbursement for July and August of 2011.

Keep in mind that these expenses were submitted immediately after the furlough of teachers and the elimination of programs for the students.

First, the cover sheet:

Note:  The July 11th lunch with Larry Spahr, was discussed in the October 18th post about reapportionment.

(http://fortcherryinfo.blogspot.com/2011/10/reapportionment-rest-of-story.html)

. . . . . .

August 9, 2011:  Army Advisory Luncheon, Jerome Bettis Grille

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $20.40 for mileage

Purpose:  (taken from the invitation)

“On behalf of the U.S. Army, we would like to invite you to a lunch to learn more about the Army’s presence in the Pittsburgh area and how you may be able to support our efforts to connect with the community as part of the Advisory Board.”

Benefit to the Students and Staff:  According to the U.S. Army Recruiting Office in Harrisburg, Fort Cherry is a poor market for the military.  Dinnen did not provide a report to the Board about the Army Advisory Committee, nor did he publicly offer any plans to increase FC’s recruitment numbers.

Receipt Submitted for Reimbursement:

·        Does an invitation provide proof of attendance?

·        Would your boss accept it as proof?

. . . . . .

August 9, 2011:  Administrative Workshop, Spoon

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $9.18 for mileage, $372.98 for dinner

Purpose:  ?????

Benefit to the Students and Staff:  No report was provided to the Board by Dinnen, or any of the others in attendance.  Not a peep - nothing from Craig, Smith, Jacoby, or Frioni.

Receipt Submitted for Reimbursement:

Let’s break this receipt down:

·        Appetizers:   $ 76.00

·        Salads:           $ 44.00

·        Entrees:         $129.00

·        Desserts:       $ 31.00

·        Tip:                 $  60.00

The average meal, including tip, was $74.60.

Just weeks before this dinner, the District, under Dinnen and Sroka’s direction, furloughed teachers and cut programs.

·   What happened to “watching every penny”? (See May 6th post, http://fortcherryinfo.blogspot.com/2011/05/fc-board-and-administrators-are.html)

·   Why not hold the administrative workshop at Fort Cherry, with a meal provided by Chef Jeff (or no meal).

Why not stay put and save money?

. . . . . .

August 25, 2011:  Meeting in Burgettstown – Vo-Tech Student Issue

Cost to FC Taxpayers:  $8.16 for mileage, $34.55 for lunch

Purpose:  Student Issue (confidential)

Benefit to the Students and Staff:  Student Issue (confidential)

Receipt Submitted for Reimbursement:

·        Was it necessary for three people to go to discuss the “student issue”?

·        Why Dinnen, Sroka, and Craig?  Why not one of the principals?

·        Why did Sroka go?  Sroka is the Business Manager; he should have nothing to do with “student issues”.

·        Why lunch?  Burgettstown is certainly close enough that lunch was unnecessary.

. . . . . .

Dinnen was reimbursed $579.61 for the months of July and August 2011.

That’s in addition to his $130,794 salary, $10,000 bonus for two PhDs, and who knows what else????

*(More about Dinnen’s compensation at the end of this post.)

2 months

$470.47 in meals

$109.14 in mileage

. . . . . .

Dinnen and these administrators have satisfied their appetites, over and over again - at taxpayers’ expense and with board approval.

Was anything of value brought to the District’s table in exchange for those full stomachs?

*The District will not release the W-2s, so the public has no way of knowing Dinnen’s true compensation.  Although Dinnen is paid with public funds, the public is kept in the dark. 

(See Oct. 15th post, http://fortcherryinfo.blogspot.com/2011/10/whats-up-with-w-2s.html)

The Fort Cherry Act 93 (administrative compensation) agreement entitles the administrators to an annual stipend of $5000 for each doctorate degree and five percent of any grants they obtain for the district.  Entire agreement available at http://www.observer-reporter.com/www/PDF/ftcherryact93.pdf.

E.  EDUCATIONAL COMPENSATION

Any administrator that earns a doctorate degree from an accredited university will receive an annual stipend of $5,000.

Q.  MISCELLANEOUS

2.  Administrators will be awarded five (5) percent of any grants they obtain for the district, with the maximum amount not to exceed $5,000, except for someone hired into the School district with the express purpose of grant solicitation.

Once Upon a Time . . .

Sadly, this is not a Fractured Fairy Tale*, nor a joke.

This post is about the use of public tax money, and the fact that there’s absolutely no accountability.

Dedicated teachers and vital programs are gone, yet this type of fiscal irresponsibility continues.

Please don’t let the flippant tone of this post excuse the flippant behavior of this administration and school board.

*Fractured Fairy Tales presented familiar fairy tales and children's stories, but with storylines altered and modernized for humorous effect.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_and_Bullwinkle_Show)

 . . . . . .

Once upon a time, she was on her way to the ASCD Conference, yet another one of the many conferences she attends in service to her kingdom. (http://www.ascd.org/Default.aspx)

Upon arrival at the Chicago airport, she realizes she is just parched!  Whatever shall she do??

Oh!  There!

The perfect spot for one of her stature to partake of some refreshment; after all, it’s true, is it not?  “Let them eat cake!” . . .

"Let them eat cake" is the traditional translation to English of the French phrase "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche", supposedly spoken by "a great princess" upon learning that the peasants had no bread. Since brioche was enriched, as opposed to normal bread, the quote supposedly would reflect the princess's obliviousness to the condition of the people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_them_eat_cake

Ahhhh . . .that should do it . . . water, coffee, and a frosty beverage, just enough to quench her thirst.

Three drinks, you ask?

Oh, maybe she should not put her guest’s drink on the tab . . .

Oh posh! . . . no worries . . . $9.19 is a mere pittance, and the serfs back home will never know.

Later that day. . . she arrives at her destination. . .

The Omni La Mansion del Rio, San Antonio, the perfect place for one of her stature to stay. . .

. . . . . .

Luxury San Antonio River Walk Hotel

The Omni La Mansión del Rio is ideally nestled along the historic River Walk among the banks of the Paseo del Rio in downtown San Antonio, where it is perfectly situated for any visitor seeking to explore all of San Antonio’s extensive range of tourist attractions. It is within easy walking distance of the fabled Alamo, El Mercado, La Villita District, Spanish Governors Palace, San Antonio Convention Center and other well-known landmarks.

Blending Spanish colonial architecture and European style, the four-diamond Omni La Mansión del Rio surrounds guests with the romance, grace and charm of a grand hacienda.  Our San Antonio River Walk accommodations provide a haven for guests with graceful service and tranquil surroundings. Built on three levels that descend to San Antonio's festive River Walk, the Las Canarias Restaurant offers a romantic atmosphere of graceful palms, flowing waters and scenic views.  This luxury San Antonio hotel located on the San Antonio River Walk, was recognized in the Celebrated Living's Magazine as one of the top hotels in the Nation.

Each of the hotel’s 338 luxury guest rooms and suites celebrate the romance and history of the River Walk in picturesque downtown San Antonio, the nation’s second oldest city.  The Spanish colonial style offers a distinct sense of place with beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls, marble baths and modern conveniences such as flat screen LCD televisions, Internet access and games. 

Room Features

·         Marble bathrooms with custom bath products

·         Cotton robes

·         Irons with ironing boards

·         Fully-stocked refreshment center

·         Coffee maker

·         Hair dryer

·         Alarm clock

·         All guestrooms are non-smoking

http://www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/sanantoniolamansiondelrio.aspx

. . . . . .

Ahhh . . . just lovely . . .

But oh!. . . what she would do for a nice cup of coffee . . . coffee would be wonderful, but oh my! . . so many steps to the elevator! . . and that walk through the lobby!

Well, look there! . . . right in the room, there’s a charming little coffee maker!  How convenient!  Maybe she could just brew her own?. . .

Oh posh! . . . It’s soooo much easier to walk past the coffee maker to the telephone . . . and the serfs back home will be none the wiser . .



One Small Coffee . . . . . . . . $ 6.00

Delivery Charge . . .  . . . . . . $ 4.00

21% Service Charge  . . . . . . $ 1.26

Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 0.81

Gratuity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 2.50

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $14.57

Privilege of being a Princess on FC Taxpayers’ Dime - Priceless!

. . . . . .

This is just one example of blatant disregard for taxpayer dollars.

For the price of that $14.57 small coffee, Jacoby could have walked downstairs and bought two; or better yet, $14.57 could have paid for an FC student’s lunch for seven days.

And the board permits this type fiscal irresponsibility, over and over again.

All receipts shown in this post were obtained through a citizen’s right-to-know request.

Below is the cover sheet itemizing the receipts shown in this blog, along with the bill from the Omni.

Note the numerous redactions. 

By law, all manner of financial information is public, including receipts submitted for reimbursement.  Redactions should be limited to public school employee home addresses and credit card numbers.