BISD faces real challenges, not media conspiracy
By ENTERPRISE OPINIONS
October, 21, 2009

If the first step toward solving a problem is acknowledging it, Beaumont ISD Superintendent Carrol Thomas has some work to do. In his latest newsletter, Thomas put forth a strong defense of the BISD, calling it "one of the best school districts in America to attend, work in and support."

Even ardent supporters of the district might not go that far, but then Thomas went even further:

"These are the facts. Anything else is hype. ... If you want the facts about BISD, ask BISD, not the media. Don't believe the media hype."

Wow. Who does he think he is working for?

If Thomas thinks that "misinformation" and "sensationalism" from the news media are the source of recent problems in the district, he is sadly mistaken.

Nobody invented the dispute over the South Park school.

Nobody lied about the district lagging behind schedule on the construction of elementary schools while the stadium work zipped along.

Nobody had to prompt taxpayers to wonder if the district should be spending nearly $1 million on two scoreboards and a marquee for the athletic complex.

Problems like these and others are why many taxpayers are dissatisfied. It's why some parents are backing a move to change two of the seven single-member board positions to at-large to get better representation.

Thomas and any other administrator or board member who thinks the district is being unfairly attacked need to come back to reality. They need to understand that many taxpayers have legitimate gripes or questions. Then they need to stop making excuses and address those problems in a straightforward manner.

If they do that, they won't have to worry about bad press.


http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/opinion/editorials/bisd_faces_real_challenges__not_media_conspiracy.html