BISD newsletter could violate ethics and/or election law

By SARAH MOORE
November 4, 2009
Posted: November 3, 2009, 8:34 PM CST

Last updated: November 4, 2009, 1:22 AM CST



A staff newsletter distributed last week by the Beaumont Independent School District contains statements that could violate ethics and/or election laws.

In "One Vision," a weekly publication printed by the district and also sent to staff members' e-mail address, Superintendent Carrol Thomas criticizes an attempt by BISD parents to expand the size of the school board.

The passage in question reads:

"This, of course, reminds me of a recent effort by a small group of people who want to change how my bosses are elected. Currently, the trustees are elected one per district. The petition proposes to add two at large positions to the board and to redraw the trustee districts to five instead of its current seven districts. Even if the Department of Justice would approve such (and I doubt that it would), this in my opinion, would dilute the true representation of each community."

According to state election code 255.0031, officers or employees of state agencies or political subdivisions must not knowingly use or authorize use of internal mail systems to distribute political advertising.

This includes the support or opposition of "measures," which includes "the circulation and submission of a petition to determine whether a question or proposal is required to be submitted in an election."

BISD spokeswoman Jessie Haynes said Thomas did nothing wrong in his column in the newsletter.

"Our interpretation is there is not an election now, and not a petition submitted, so there is no violation," she said in a telephone interview. "The superintendant strives to do things within what is right, fair, just and legal. He was just expressing an opinion."


Comments

Cardinal wrote:
fredsaid- You axe too many kwerstchuns.
11/10/2009 04:14 PM CST

fredsaid wrote:
I wonder if DR Tomas is a secret Muslim.? Maybe he is on drugs? He sure doesn't act right.
11/08/2009 08:05 AM CST

A.H. wrote:
If you'd like to sign the petition, please send an email to: bisdmom33@yahoo.com
11/06/2009 11:31 PM CST

Cardinal wrote:
I wonder if we can use BISD resources to circulate the petition since Lord Thomas uses BISD resources to express his political opinions?
11/06/2009 09:31 PM CST

Cardinal wrote:
All of the trustees except for Tom Neild need to be replaced. The only way to effect real change is to sign the petition so we can elect some ethical trustees who will replace Thomas and look out for the students and the taxpayers.
11/06/2009 09:29 PM CST

Nightcrawler wrote:
Thank you GREENIE 1969 and A.H. for your guidance on how to go about getting this board straightened out. I think a lot of people agree with you but are not involved enough to know who the good and bad are and the right way to fix it. Keep getting the word out by posting who is good or bad in your opinion and let the rest decide if they agree or not. It is easy to bash the school board and Thomas but it's another thing to follow what is going on and know who is responsible for the lack or common sense. Thanks
11/06/2009 09:55 AM CST

Lab Rat wrote:
Doesn't everyone wish they could buy Thomas for what he's worth and sell him for what he THINKS he's worth?
11/06/2009 12:02 AM CST

A.H. wrote:
You all need to sign the petition to restructure the board of trustees. Unless BISD has some at-large trustees, the same 4 or 5 trustees from the same districts will continue to control the board, and Carrol Thomas will remain.
11/06/2009 12:01 AM CST

GREENIE 1969 wrote:
We need to get rid of all BISD Trustess except Tom Neild.
11/05/2009 12:45 PM CST

GREENIE 1969 wrote:
I will tell you who should go Nantz, Reese, Williams, the Bishop, Ms.Brassard, andHoward Trahan. Tom Neild is trying to get the school board to do what is right for the taxpayers and he needs help
11/05/2009 12:18 PM CST

Nightcrawler wrote:
So will ALL board members be voted off? Who should return and who should go?
11/05/2009 10:12 AM CST

timwopel wrote:
i thought they got the photos switched with the drug dealing teacher story...
11/04/2009 09:20 PM CST

fredsaid wrote:
I can not get over the picture with this story. I know that it is a posed file photo and he is trying to look his best, however, it has that dunce look of a horse when it poops, hey who is messing with my butt???
11/04/2009 07:58 PM CST

fredsaid wrote:
I can not get over the dumbass look on his face. I know this is a posed file photo and he is trying to look his best. In years gone by it was common to she him with a shit eating grin at Pappadeaux glad handing the people buying him lunch. Now he just has a dunce look like he just farted, kind of like a horse looks when they poop, hey what is happening?
11/04/2009 07:32 PM CST

tracegallagher wrote:
bET Dr Carol Barak Hussein Thomas is excited about the forthcoming FBI investigation.......
11/04/2009 06:29 PM CST

bigmomma wrote:
This is one of many "messages" King Thomas has sent to BISD employee's. Intimidation has been a long standing tactic with this man. I have a friend that is a high schoolteacher at Central. She said all the great teachers left the district in droves since his reign begin. It's my way or the highway didn't set well with the quality teachers. rat chaser wouldn't it be nice for someone on the inside that has seen this man's underhanded dealings come forward? He's stepped on a lot of toes in his time here. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop!
11/04/2009 06:25 PM CST

the rat chaser wrote:
FRED!!! FRED!!! FRED!!! Only you could figure out that they were missing the second part of the police mugshot. I know it was just wishful thinking on your part....but hey, people can dream, can't they? A word to the wise, keep an eye on the BISD Business Office in the coming months. Their long term Financial Officer, Mrs. Kingsley, is retiring next week. Dr. Thomas failed to get her replacement approved at the last month's board meeting. Rumor around town is that the purchasing dept, under the fine care of Mrs. Naomi Lawrence Lee, is a ROYAL DAMN DISASTER. Only Dr. Thomas would think that hiring a "criminal mind" to manage a purchasing department was a wonderful idea. He's actually said that he "dreamed' of having her work for him. Just one of those things that makes you go "hmmmmmm?"
11/04/2009 05:54 PM CST

fredsaid wrote:
Did anyone else notice they only put half a mug shot with this story? We need a side profile.
11/04/2009 05:39 PM CST

fredsaid wrote:
I wonder with this BISD drug dealer getting arrested, it DR Thomas is going to start jonesing? I for one will be keeping an eye out for freaky behavior by DR Thomas.
11/04/2009 05:37 PM CST

fredsaid wrote:
Very nice investigative reporting By SARAH MOORE. Apparently Thomas and his BISD buddies decided to call the attorneys to press The Beaumont Enterprise to drop this story. Notice not one response from their point of view??? This should be right up there with the most read, most emailed, most commented, however it is fading fast.
11/04/2009 05:33 PM CST

tracegallagher wrote:
Could someone explain exactly how Carrol Thomas is one of the highest paid school superintendets in the entire country ? And how much is it ? Public servant = public information.
11/04/2009 04:43 PM CST

GREENIE 1969 wrote:
He calls the school board his boses that is a joke.Most of them are run behind his butt. BISD parents know this. So many are tired of him and his games.I am so glad my children are grown and my grandchilden are not old enought to attend BISD schools. Maybe by the time they are old enought to attend Doc Thomas is gone.
11/04/2009 03:29 PM CST

GALATIONS 4:16 wrote:
Of course Jessie Haynes would say it's legal. He edited the infamous "Nuggets of Wisdom". Probably another Texas Southern Alum.
11/04/2009 01:34 PM CST

GALATIONS 4:16 wrote:
I agree Daymon. Plus his Doctorate was from the top tier Texas Southern(I am laughing). A LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND.
11/04/2009 01:31 PM CST

HillebrandtHoney wrote:
So is anyone surprised by this?
11/04/2009 11:36 AM CST

timwopel wrote:
not a good day to be finding a drug dealer in the henhouse!
11/04/2009 11:36 AM CST

timwopel wrote:
zero comments endorsing these fine educators... HA!
11/04/2009 11:34 AM CST

timwopel wrote:
time to get that resume out before you have to put an election loss on it.
11/04/2009 11:33 AM CST

timwopel wrote:
wow, from a random sample of readers (those that chose to comment) i would say that BISD is in for some BIG changes...
11/04/2009 11:32 AM CST

tracegallagher wrote:
We are living in a time where the Barak Obama's and Carol Thomas's of the world have ingrained themself well enough into "the sytem" that they are able to get away with more mischief then us ordinary people will ever be able to catch . Prudent vigilance of public money should never ere on the side of casualness .
11/04/2009 10:42 AM CST

GREENIE 1969 wrote:
Fred you are right Doc Thomas is full of Shit and more and more people are finding it out. Watch out School board membbers your days could be numbered.
11/04/2009 10:35 AM CST

SETMEDIAMONITOR wrote:
I am amazed, The Beaumont Enterprise grew a set and ran a story calling out BISD for a potential ethics violation. Pardon me while I catch my breath and take a moment to ensure the defibrillator is charged and on stand-by in case I have a heart attack.
11/04/2009 09:54 AM CST

BISD Disaster wrote:
Well said fredsaid! Accurate and to the point.
11/04/2009 09:16 AM CST

the rat chaser wrote:
OH FRED!!! You are on a roll this morning. No one ever described Dr. Thomas so accurately before. You crack me up. I like the way you think. You definitely call 'em like you see 'em. I would imagine if you and I ever met in person, we would become fast friends. Keep up the good work.
11/04/2009 09:12 AM CST

fredsaid wrote:
"Our interpretation is there is not an election now, and not a petition submitted, so there is no violation," "The superintendant strives to do things within what is right, fair, just and legal. He was just expressing an opinion." /// My interpretation is they just proved that they know better and decided to use some more of that voodoo logic to do what they please anyway. My opinion is that Dr. Thomas is lying sack of shit!
11/04/2009 07:26 AM CST