Mrs. Monk and the Alphabet Soup

If you've ever seen the show "Monk", you know its about a super-sleuth who suffers from OCD, and the hilarity that ensues as he solves the case.  And if you’ve ever seen the PBS kids program “Martha Speaks”, you know it’s about a dog that begins to speak after eating alphabet soup. This leads to assorted comedy and misadventure; for while people understand what she’s saying, she still thinks like a dog; often, meanings are misconstrued, such as when the “wondrous aroma” Martha describes turns out to be a smelly can of garbage.

I find opportunity to compare these two quirky television programs with myself and D#11 policy;  a compulsively-obsessed puzzler, trying to make sense of a jumble of letters swimming in a bowl of alphabet soup.

The District has each policy, procedure and guideline contained in its own, separate .PDF file or HTML webpage - which makes it necessary to individually download them.  Further, the peculiar naming convention in use can quickly lead to confusion.  I don’t want to say it is purposeful and by design…but the painstaking and time-consuming steps one must take in order to be able to conduct an effective search and cross-reference of D#11 policy are, verily, daunting; unless it was your job to do so, I imagine only the most doggedly determined and/or obsessively-compulsive would ever hope of slogging through.

It's a blessing...and a curse.

Sometimes, people will look you in the eye and insist that all is well, and protest that there’s really nothing wrong: “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain,” comes the caution; but, how can you not pay attention, unless you’re purposely turning away?

And I cannot turn from it, much though I have tried.

It is one thing to rearrange a mishmash of letters and words to tell a story; another to turn fiction into fact; and still another to turn fact into fiction. Are we being asked to adjust our community understanding of the definition of “ethics” and what constitutes a “conflict of interest?”

I have been doing the backstroke in a miasma of District #11 alphabet soup ever since they announced the closure of eight neighborhood schools eight months ago; I thought it would be helpful to supplement what we think we know with what was contained in the pertinent District policies that were in effect when Jan Tanner was appointed treasurer to the Board of Educators in 2004.

I apologize in advance for the length and unwieldiness of this post - I worked on it so long and hard, and it still wouldn't format the way I'd hoped. 

But whatever:  wordsmiths, parsers, and those inclined to diagram sentences: Soup’s On.

BC
BCA
BCA/BCB
BDA
BDB
BDC
BIA
BID/BIE
DAB
DG
DGA-DGB
DI
DIC
DJ

POLICY BC

SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER CONDUCT

Public office is a trust created by the confidence, which the public places in the integrity of its public officers. To preserve this confidence, it is the desire of the Board of Education to operate under the highest ethical standards.

In carrying out his/her fiduciary duties, a Board of Education member shall not:

1. Disclose or use confidential information acquired in the course of his/her official duties to further substantially his/her personal and/or financial interests.

2. Accept a gift of substantial value or substantial economic benefit tantamount to a gift of substantial value which would tend to improperly influence a reasonable person in his/her position or which he/she knows or should know is primarily for the purpose of rewarding him/her for official action taken.

3. Engage in a substantial financial transaction for his/her private business purposes with a person whom he/she supervises in the course of his/her official duties.

The phrase "economic benefit tantamount to a gift of substantial value" includes a loan at a rate of interest substantially lower than the prevailing commercial rate and compensation received for private services rendered at a rate substantially exceeding the fair market value.

It is permissible for a Board of Education member to receive:

1. Campaign contributions and contributions in kind which are reported in accordance with state law.

2. An occasional non-pecuniary gift, which is insignificant in value.

3. A non-pecuniary award publicly presented by a nonprofit organization in recognition of public service.

4. Payment or reimbursement for actual and necessary expenditures for travel and subsistence for attendance at a convention or other meeting at which he/she is scheduled to participate.

5. Reimbursement for or acceptance of an opportunity to participate in a social function meeting, which is not extraordinary when, viewed in light of his/her position.

6. Items of perishable or nonpermanent value including but not limited to meals, lodging, travel expenses or tickets to sporting, recreational, educational or cultural events. Tickets to these events may have to be reported in accordance with the public official disclosure law.

7. Payment for speeches, appearances or publications reported in accordance with the public official disclosure law.

Adopted November 1992
Revised October 2003

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 1-45-108 (Campaign Reform Act; requires report of campaign contributions and expenditures)
C.R.S. 24-6-203 (Public Official Disclosure Act)
C.R.S. 24-18-104
C.R.S. 24-18-109

POLICY BCA
BOARD MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS

According to the Colorado Revised Statutes 24-18-105, the following ethical principles for school board members "are intended as guides to conduct and do not constitute violations as such of the public trust of office..."

1. A board member "should not acquire or hold an interest in any business or undertaking which he/she has reason to believe may be directly and substantially affected to its economic benefit by official action to be taken by an agency over which he/she has substantive authority."

2. A board member "should not, within six months following the termination of his/her office, obtain employment in which he/she will take direct advantage, unavailable to others, of matters with which he/she was directly involved during his/her term of [office]. These matters include rules, other than rules of general application, which he/she actively helped to formulate and applications, claims or contested cases in the consideration of which he/she was an active participant."

3. A board member "should not perform an official act directly and substantially affecting a business or other undertaking to its economic detriment when he/she has a substantial financial interest in a competing firm or undertaking."

Adopted May 1995
Revised October 2003
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 24-18-105

Policy BCA/BCB

BOARD OF EDUCATION BYLAWS

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The purpose of this policy is to avoid conflicts of interest and inspire the public trust. In general, a conflict of interest shall exist if so defined by Board of Education policy or applicable law, or if in the reasonable judgment of a Board of Education member an immediate, definite and demonstrable personal or private interest exists which may unduly influence the Board of Education member in conflict with the public interest.

1. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, a Board of Education member shall not engage in a substantial financial transaction for the Board of Education member's private business purposes with the Superintendent.

2. A Board of Education member shall not perform an official act directly and substantially benefiting economically an undertaking in which the Board of Education member has a substantial financial interest or is engaged as counsel, consultant, representative, or agent. Further, A board member shall not perform an official act directly and substantially affecting a business or other undertaking to its economic detriment when he/she has a substantial financial interest in a competing firm or undertaking.

3. Except as otherwise permitted herein, a Board of Education member shall not be a purchaser at any sale or a vendor for any purchase made by the district.

4. A Board of Education member shall not have a personal or private interest in any contract made by the Board of Education unless the cost to the Board of Education to contract with someone else would exceed 10 percent of the cost to contract with the Board of Education member, the contract must be performed within a limited time period and no other contractor can provide the services within the time period, or the Board of Education member has made adequate disclosure to the Board of Education of his/her personal or private interest. This prohibition shall not extend to contracts awarded to the lowest responsible bidder based on competitive bidding procedures, merchandise sold to the highest bidder at public auctions, and investments or deposits in financial institutions which are in the business of loaning or receiving moneys.

5. A board member should not acquire or hold an interest in any business or undertaking which he/she has reason to believe may be directly and substantially affected to its economic benefit by official action to be taken by an agency over which he/she has substantive authority.

6. A board member should not, within six months following the termination of his/her office, obtain employment in which he/she will take direct advantage, unavailable to others, of matters with which he/she was directly involved during his/her term of [office]. These matters include rules, other than rules of general application, which he/she actively helped to formulate and applications, claims or contested cases in the consideration of which he/she was an active participant.

A member of the Board of Education may request an advisory opinion from the Secretary of State concerning issues relating to his/her conduct and potential conflict of interest.

If a Board of Education member has a conflict of interest in a matter proposed or pending before the Board of Education, he/she shall refrain from voting on the matter and from influencing the decisions of other Board of Education members. The Board of Education member may vote under such circumstances only if the member's vote is necessary to enable the Board of Education to act and if the member voluntarily discloses in writing to the Secretary of State the nature of his/her interest in accordance with applicable law. In the case of a conflict of interest, the Board of Education shall excuse the Board of Education member from voting for good cause unless the Board of Education reasonably determines that no conflict of interest exists.

Current practice codified 1980
Revised May 1989
Revised November, 1992
Revised April 14, 1993
Revised February, 1995
Revised September 2003
LEGAL REFS.: Colorado Constitution, Article X, Section 13
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1) (y)
C.R.S. 24-18-109 through 24-18-111
C.R.S. 24-18-201
C.R.S. 24-18-202
CROSS REFS.: BCD, School Board Member Conduct
BEDF, Voting Method
DJE, Bidding Procedures

Policy BDA

BOARD OF EDUCATION BYLAWS

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Within 15 days after the regular biennial election, the Board of Education shall meet in an organizational session at a regular or special meeting for the purpose of selecting officers. The incumbent President of the Board of Education shall preside until a successor is elected, whereupon the successor will assume the chair.

Following the swearing in of the newly-elected Board of Education member or members, the following officers, in order, shall be elected: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Nominations for President and Vice President shall be made from the floor and voting shall be by secret ballot. Should no nominee receive a majority vote of Board of Education members, the election shall be declared null and void, further nominations may be made and the secret ballot vote shall be retaken.

The President and Vice President shall serve two-year terms and shall hold office until their successors are elected. However, the term of the President or Vice-President shall be terminated at such earlier time as either: (I) the Board of Education member holding such office is terminated as a Board of Education member, (ii) the officer resigns the position as officer by delivering written notice of resignation to all Board of Education members, or (iii) the officer is removed from office by the Board of Education. In consideration of the philosophy that the President and Vice-President positions should have stability, but that the President and Vice-President should have the confidence of the rest of the Board of Education, such officers may be removed by the Board of Education prior to the end of the normal term only as follows. A petition signed by at least three of the Board of Education members shall be delivered to all Board of Education members asking that the removal of such officer be considered by the Board of Education at a specified regular meeting of the Board of Education no earlier than 21 days thereafter. At any time prior to the specified regular Board of Education meeting, any Board of Education member signing the petition may withdraw support for the petition by giving written notice to all Board of Education members. If the petition continues to be supported by at least three signers of the petition at the time of the specified regular meeting, the Board of Education shall consider the matter in the action part of its agenda and shall vote on the removal of the officer. Notwithstanding any other Board of Education policy or bylaw, to be effective the motion to remove the officer must be supported by at least three-quarters of all Board of Education members. If the motion to remove the officer is passed, the officer shall submit a written resignation from the office confirming the removal.

The Board of Education shall then elect a Secretary and Treasurer who may or may not be members of the Board of Education. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Should no nominee receive a majority vote of the Board of Education, the elections shall be declared null and void, further nominations may be made and vote shall be retaken.

Following election of the other officers, the Board of Education may appoint staff members to serve as appointed Assistant Board Secretary and appointed Assistant Treasurer.

The Secretary, Treasurer and their appointed Assistants shall hold their offices for a term of two years and until their successors are elected or until a vacancy occurs in this position. The Secretary, Treasurer and their appointed Assistants serve at the pleasure of the Board of Education, and may be removed at any time.

Then such other items of business shall be considered by the Board of Education as are scheduled on the agenda.

Officer Resignation

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Education. An officer's resignation shall take effect at the time specified in the notice. Acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless specified in the notice.

All Board of Education offices shall become vacant if the position of the director holding the office becomes vacant, or if the officer is removed from office.

Should one or more officers of the Board of Education resign or leave office, the Board of Education shall select another member or members to fill the vacant office or offices as provided by law, using the procedures described above.

A newly-selected officer shall assume his/her duties immediately upon selection.

Adopted September, 1972
Revised May 22, 1979
Revised to conform with practice: date of manual adoption
Revised November, 1991
Revised November, 1993
Revised February, 1995
Revised October 2003
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 1-1-202
C.R.S. 1-1-203
C.R.S. 1-10-201 et seq.
C.R.S. 22-32-104 (1), (2), (3), (4)

Policy BDB

BOARD OF EDUCATION BYLAWS

BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICERS

Each officer of the Board of Education who also is a director shall continue to have all usual powers of a director including without limitation the right of discussion and voting.

President and Vice President

The President of the Board of Education shall:

1. Be charged with the ordinary duties pertaining to the office under applicable law and any duties which may be conferred upon him/her by the Board of Education.

2. Preside at all meetings of the Board of Education unless delegated in the line of succession.

3. Be responsible for orderly conduct of Board of Education meetings.

4. Call special meetings of the Board of Education.

5. Sign all written contracts to which the School District may be party that have been authorized by the Board of Education, except as otherwise delegated by the Board of Education or the President and permitted by applicable law.

6. Sign all official reports of the District except as otherwise delegated by the Board of Education or the President and permitted by applicable law.

7. Appoint special committees subject to the approval of the Board of Education.

In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall have the power of the President and perform his/her duties.

Secretary

The Secretary of the Board of Education shall perform the following duties:

1. Insure that a record is kept of all business transacted by the Board of Education at either regular or special meetings.

2. Cause a copy of the minutes of the previous regular or special meetings to be distributed.

3. Cause notice to be given to each Board of Education member, of all special meetings of the Board of Education in accordance with applicable law and policy.

4. Be custodian of the seal of the district.

5. Cause all notices of school elections to be published and posted in accordance with statute. Perform such other duties in the conduct of school elections as required by law.

6. As requested by the President or the Board of Education, attest any written contract to which the district may be a party and affix the district seal thereto.

7. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Education.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall perform or cause to be performed the following duties:

1. Account for all moneys belonging to the district.

2. Report to the Board of Education as required for all moneys of the District.

3. Sign either by written signature or facsimile all warrants or orders drawn on the County Treasurer or checks drawn on a district depository. The Board of Education may require the countersignature of another person.

4. Cause the deposit and credit of the District moneys withdrawn from the custody of the County Treasurer and all other moneys belonging to the District in one or more depositories designated by the Board of Education.

5. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Education.

Adopted May 22, 1979
Revised November 1991
Revised November 1993
Revised February 1995
Revised October 2003

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-104 (3) 22-32-105 (President and Vice President)
C.R.S. 22-32-104 (4); 22-32-106 (Secretary)
C.R.S. 11-10.5-111; 22-32-104 (4); 22-32-107 (Treasurer)
CROSS REFS.: BDC, Appointed Board of Education Officials
DG, Depository of Funds
DA, Banking Services (and Deposit of Funds)
DH, Bonded Employees and Officers
BE/BEA/BEB, School Board of Education Meetings/Regular Meetings/Special Meetings
BEDA, Notification of Board of Education Meetings
Robert’s Rules of Order Adopted May 22, 1979

Policy BDC

BOARD OF EDUCATION BYLAWS

APPOINTED BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICIALS

If the Secretary appointed by the Board of Education is a member of the Board of Education, the Board of Education may, at its own discretion, appoint a member of the staff as Assistant Board Secretary. A second member of the staff also may be appointed as an Assistant Board Secretary. The Secretary may delegate the Secretary's duties and/or responsibilities to the Assistant Board Secretary, but the Secretary shall be accountable to the Board of Education. The Assistant Board Secretary shall carry out the functions of the position including the power to sign all documents as delegated by the Secretary. The Superintendent (or his/her designee) shall act as supervisor of the Board of Education duties of the Assistant Board Secretary.

If the Treasurer appointed by the Board of Education is a member of the Board of Education, the Board of Education may, at its own discretion, appoint a member of the staff as Assistant Treasurer. The Deputy Superintendent/CFO or designee will serve as the Appointed Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer may delegate his/her duties and/or responsibilities to the Deputy Superintendent/CFO or designee, but the Treasurer shall be accountable to the Board of Education. The Deputy Superintendent/CFO or designee shall carry out the functions of the position including the power to sign all documents as delegated by the Treasurer. The Superintendent (or his/her designee) shall act as supervisor of the Board of Education duties of the appointed Assistant Treasurer.

The purpose of designating separate Board of Education and staff positions is primarily to have a Board of Education member as signatory for any legal documents or contracts.

Adopted September, 1972
Revised May 22, 1979
Revised May 1989
Revised November 1993
Revised February 1995
Revised September 2003
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-104
C.R.S. 22-32-106

Policy BIA

BOARD BYLAWS

NEW BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION

The President of the Board is responsible for the following to occur:

I. When a candidate for the Board picks up either a petition to be on the ballot or an application to be appointed to the Board, he or she should also receive information which includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Board bylaws

2. Board meeting brochure

3. Board future meeting dates already set

4. Estimate of time commitment

5. Date of Board “retreat” to be held shortly after (within 1 month of election/appointment).

II. Retreat should include but not be limited to presentation of:

1. Guidelines for Board of Education Efficiency & Effectiveness (File: BE/BEA/BEB/BF-E)

2. How to handle complaints and concerns from constituents and staff.

3. How to attempt to make changes

4. How to deal with the reading

5. Plans for orientation from the Administration for business of the district

6. Procedures for Board meetings and review of the B Section in the policy manual.

III. At least one other board member should meet with the new board member within two weeks after election/appointment.

IV. Materials every new board member should receive:

Accountability Committee and School Profiles reports for the previous school, year

Advisory Committee list

Board’s vision and mission statement

Budget for current year plus any proposed budget

CASB’s latest manuals for Board members, e.g. Leadership Essentials and School Boards Can!

Current District Capital Plan

Colorado School Laws (latest version of CDE publication)

“Communications” publications e.g. Communicator

Deputy Superintendent’s Contracts

District Calendar, public relations brochures,

District Staff Directory

Guidelines for BOE Efficiency & Effectiveness

Information on individual Board Budget

Master Agreement CSEA

Meet and Confer Agreement ESP

Meet and Confer Agreement CSASE/CSPA

Technology Plan

Strategic Plan

Student Conduct and Discipline Code Handbook

Superintendent’s Contract

List of additional materials in Board Office, including but not limited to:

District Standards

Policy Manual

Robert’s Rules of Order

Minutes and related meeting materials from regular and special Board meetings for current school year plus the previous year.

Adopted May 24, 1995
Revised October 2003

Policy BID/BIE

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES/INSURANCE/LIABILITY

Board of Education members shall receive no compensation for their services. However, upon submitting expense forms and supporting documentation for expenses incurred in carrying out specific services, Board of Education members may be reimbursed from district funds for costs related to Board of Education business.

A Board of Education member may be reimbursed for local expenses as follows:

• Automobile mileage - except for Board of Education meetings. Reimbursement is approved at the rate per mile allowed for district employees.

• Parking fees.

• Meals - Expenses for meals at banquets or other events in accordance with the United States General Services Administration Rates .

• Telephone - long distance call related directly to Board of Education business and other direct phone expenses as necessary. (includes second phone line if used only for Board business or prorated).

• Child care necessary for attendance at Board of Education-related functions/visits where the Board of Education member is representing the Board of Education. Child care may also be reimbursed for attendance at Board of Education meetings.

• Miscellaneous - Magazines, journals, and similar reference materials directly related to Board of Education business; administrative supplies and postage.

Reimbursable expenses may include the cost of attendance at conferences of school Board of Education associations and other professional meetings/visitations, both in state and out-of-state which are not included in the categories established for local expenses.

Equipment provided to support board Members (unless Board member prefers to provide equivalent capability):

• Computer (normally laptop) and software compatible with district requirements

• Printer/fax machine capability

• Access to Internet and email

The district shall provide operating supplies for all equipment provided to Board members. Continuing, repetitive communications costs shall be charged to Board member budget accounts and budgeted accordingly.

An overall, general purpose expense limit per Board of Education member will be identified in the adopted annual budget. Board of Education members may allocate this amount between local costs and out-of-district events., e.g., conferences/professional meetings, as deemed most effective for performing Board of Education member duties. In general, spouses will pay their own expenses at Board of Education related functions.

Officers of the Board of Education will be reimbursed over and above the general purpose expense limit for additional expenses for officer duties as approved by the Treasurer or appealed to the Board of Education.

District expense reporting and reimbursement guidelines will be followed as outlined in File: DKC. The Treasurer of the Board of Education of education shall approve or disapprove, within the limits of the adopted budget and other policies and procedures, all requests for reimbursement of expenses incurred by members of the Board of Education. Any request for expense reimbursement disapproved by the Treasurer may be appealed to the Board of Education for final decision. The expenses of the Treasurer shall be approved by the President of the Board of Education.

The Board of Education shall purchase liability insurance and errors-and-omissions insurance to protect its members individually and collectively for claims made against them as a result of their membership on the Board of Education.

Revised June 1988
Revised March 1995
Revised April 1999
Revised October 2003

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-104(5)
C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(n),(u),(4)
C.R.S. 24-10-102 et seq.
C.R.S. 24-18-104 (3)(d),(e)

CROSS REF.: BIBA, School Board of Education Conferences, Conventions and Workshops
DKC, Expense Authorization/Reimbursement
EI, Insurance Management
DAR, District Acquisition Regulations
KCA, School Community Relations

POLICY DAB

FISCAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The superintendent shall have the responsibility to create a planned business management program which shall include all major phases of school business activities. The planned program shall be coordinated and managed by the school district business administrator. This administrator shall have the title of assistant superintendent for business services and shall be directly responsible for providing the necessary business services to support the educational objectives of the school system.

The deputy superintendent for business services and chief financial officer shall be responsible to the board of education through the superintendent.

Adopted 1972
Revised January 1985

POLICY DG

BANKING SERVICES

(And Deposit of Funds)

All revenue received by the school district shall be deposited in an official bank or banks or savings and loan institutions as designated by the board. Such financial institution must qualify as an eligible public depository in accordance with state law.

When moneys are withdrawn from the custody of the county treasurer, such withdrawn moneys and all other moneys belonging to the district including moneys derived from food services and school activities shall be deposited by the treasurer of the board or official custodian to the credit of the district in a depository designated by the board.

The treasurer or official custodian shall comply with all requirements of state law regarding the deposit of district funds.

Safety Deposit Box

The board shall maintain a safety deposit box at a designated depository and shall name the superintendent, the deputy superintendent for business services, the treasurer and the assistant treasurer of the district as official custodians of the safety deposit box.

Adopted September 1972
Revised January 1985
Revised June 1988

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 11-10.5-101 et seq. (relates to deposits of public funds in banks)
C.R.S. 11-47-101 et seq. (relates to deposits of public funds in savings and loan institutions)
C.R.S. 22-32-104 (4)(c)
C.R.S. 22-32-107 (3),(4),(6)
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(g)
C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(x)
C.R.S. 22-40-104 (relates to county treasurer)
C.R.S. 22-40-105
C.R.S. 22-45-104 (relates to collection and deposit of fees and fines)

POLICY DGA-DGB

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES/CHECK-WRITING SERVICES

All checks drawn on the general fund or any special fund shall require the signature of the assistant treasurer of the board. The assistant treasurer shall manually sign all checks for more than $5,000.

All checks for $5,000 or less drawn on district funds may be signed by a machine provided by the board. The business staff under the immediate direction of the assistant treasurer shall be authorized to operate the check-signing machine.

Current practice codified 1980
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 11-55-101 et seq.
C.R.S. 22-32-107
C.R.S. 22-32-12

POLICY DI

FISCAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

The board of education assigns responsibility for the establishment of an accounting system to the assistant superintendent for business services through the superintendent. Responsibility for the creation and operation of the school district's accounting system shall be assigned to an administrative assistance within the business services department.

All funds received and/or disbursed by any agency of the school system including any and all district transactions shall be accounted for carefully and accurately; shall conform with generally accepted principles of governmental accounting providing for the appropriate separation of accounts, funds and special moneys, and shall be done in a manner that is easily reviewed and lends itself to auditing.

The board reserves the right to review all accounts as a matter of public record.

Adopted September 1972
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 22-45-102

Note: The "Financial Policies and Procedures Handbook" adopted by the State Board of Education is to be used by every school district in the keeping of financial records and in the periodic presentation of financial information to the Board. [C.R.S. 22-44-204 (3)]

POLICY DIC

FINANCIAL REPORTS AND STATEMENTS

The district deputy treasurer shall submit to the board and to the superintendent a monthly report of receipts, disbursements and budget balances at the regular monthly meeting of the board and shall prepare an annual report at the end of each fiscal year.

In addition to these regular monthly reports, the deputy treasurer upon request by the board, the superintendent or designee shall prepare and present special financial reports on any or all financial matters.

Adopted September 1972
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(k)
C.R.S. 22-44-111
C.R.S. 29-1-603
1 CCR 301-1, Rules 2202-R-3.09 (2)
CROSS REFS.: AEC, Accomplishment Reporting to the Public
DBG, Budget Adoption
DIE, Audits/Financial Monitoring

POLICY DJ

PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING

The Board of Education has the authority and the responsibility for the District's centralized acquisition system which includes the authority (C.R.S. '22-32-109 (1)(b)) to adopt policies and prescribe rules and regulations for the administration of the contracting and purchasing needs of the District. The Board expects that the District's centralized acquisition system will facilitate the efficient acquisition of supplies, equipment, services of a professional and non-professional nature, construction, and real property, as well as the disposition of surplus property. To that end, the Board of Education directs the Superintendent or designee, to develop and oversee an acquisition system which includes the following components and/or characteristics:

• A professional procurement and contracting department, staffed with highly trained procurement and contracting professionals, to maintain the District=s acquisition system at a highly professional level.

• Acquisition procedures that promote competition, meet any applicable state law, are consistent with professional standards, and encourage fair and equitable procurement opportunities in the best interest of the District.

• Standard terms and conditions to be used by all organizations involved in District purchasing and contracting.

• Acquisition procedures that provide for best value contracting.

• Procedures for making purchases using an automated system.

• A procurement card program, and procedures for making purchases under the procurement card program.

• Procedures for warranting contract officers, consistent with the rules set forth at C.R.S. '24-102-202, including without limitation a system of checks and balances for the delegation and re delegation of procurement commitment authority to qualified staff, who are expected to act in a prudent manner in the exercise of their authority, and for the revocation of such authority at the discretion of the District. This policy prohibits any employee of the District, who has not been given an appropriate warrant, or has not otherwise been given appropriate written authority, from making any commitment or procurement that financially obligates the District. This policy also prohibits any employee of the District from exceeding the limits of an otherwise appropriate warrant or other similar written authorization. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the employee being required to reimburse the District for, or otherwise pay, any amounts for which he or she obligates or attempts to obligate the District outside of his or her authority, and may also result in disciplinary action, such as suspension without pay and/or termination of employment.

• Ensure that procurement staff is regularly trained and kept current in the energy efficiency aspects of product selection.

• Ethical management, fiscal accountability and integrity in the acquisition system.

• Procedures for handling protests, disputes, appeals, and claims; and, approaches and responses to vendors who bring their complaints directly to the Board of Education or make public their complaints at Board meetings.

• Procurement and contracting procedures for cooperative purchasing and similar purchasing methods, where appropriate, that are in the best interest of the District.

• Management controls for unauthorized and/or inappropriate purchases that are consistent with C.R.S. '24-109-404 and which provide liability for public employees and public officials who make unauthorized or inappropriate purchases.

• Procedures which address potential and real conflict of interest issues in accordance with the ethical conduct rules, C.R.S. '24-18-101, et seq., and Board of Education policy.

• Procedures for the purchase of energy efficient and environmentally responsible products or services.

• Procedures to limit use of check requests for purchases.

• Procedures for use of advance payments.

• A District wide travel procedure.

• Guidelines and procedures to determine independent contractor status on proposed contracts in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service guidelines.

The Board recognizes that the schools of the District receive substantial support from tax monies paid by individuals and businesses of the local community. Therefore, the Board encourages and supports the use of local operating businesses, as that term is defined by the District, without allowing higher prices to be paid for the same quality. The Board directs the Superintendent or designee, the responsibility and authority to establish regulations and practices for local competitive procurement procedures that encourage participation of local vendors and are in the best interest of the District and are consistent with applicable state law, which promote prudent procurement practices, and fiscal accountability, and which take into consideration the important role that local businesses play in the on going success of the District. Such regulations and practices shall minimally take into account the provisions that follow.

Simplified procurements. Transactions identified by the District as "simplified procurements" typically lend themselves, by their nature, to be transacted through local community businesses. Therefore, it will be the customary, but not exclusive, practice of the District to utilize local community vendors for simplified procurements as long as such transactions can be technically satisfied at a fair and reasonable price.

Formal acquisitions. Transactions identified by the District as "formal acquisitions" will be advertised on the District's homepage unless exempted due to sole source or emergency requirements as outlined in C.R.S. '24-103-205 & '24-103-206, or as otherwise provided by law or the Board. If the District determines that adequate qualified competition is available within the local community, local vendors selected by the District in its discretion, will be sent a letter or E-mail notifying them that an Invitation for Bids (IFB) or Request for Proposals (RFP) is on the homepage. The notification contemplated in this provision may be accomplished through other reasonable means, as determined by the District. However, other vendors both local and non-local may obtain a copy of the solicitation as advertised on the homepage and may submit a bid/proposal. Local vendors to whom reminder letters or E-mail are sent, will be identified through the District's source list. If such source list does not, in the judgment of the Contracting Officer, provide an adequate number of qualified competitors, alternative means of identifying potential sources will be used. No local vendor should depend on receiving a letter or E-mail providing notice of acquisition. Except as identified herein, notice of formal acquisitions will appear on the District's homepage and all vendors, local and non-local, should keep themselves apprized of opportunities through the homepage. Bids/proposals received on a timely basis and in accordance with other District procedures will be evaluated in accordance with the District's evaluation criteria. No preference will be given to local vendors or businesses except in the case of a tie bid/proposal evaluation as in accordance with C.R.S. '24-103-202.5.

The District may establish a method of prequalification of contractors in accordance with C.R.S. 24-92-107.

While designated staff is delegated, through the Superintendent of schools, the approval and authority to obligate the District in providing needed equipment, supplies, and services for the day to day operation of the District (within the scope specified in the Board of Education approved operating budget); the following types of transactions/agreements shall be approved by the Board of Education prior to execution of the obligating document:

• All charter school agreements and amendments.

• All land acquisitions and sales.

• All agreements to purchase an asset (land, building and equipment) costing more than $35,000 unless specifically approved in the current operating budget approved by the Board of Education.

• All agreements for long term leases in excess of one year or agreement to sell or dispose of a District asset with a current fair market value of more than $25,000.

• Annual leases of more than $100,000.

• All service agreements, other than temporary (less than 12 months) replacement of staff due to vacancies, leaves or budgetary constraints, resulting in the privatization of a job function currently covered by a District staffing allocation and which reduces such allocation.

• All agreements to provide critical or highly sensitive services including but not necessarily limited to the following:

• Food service management.

• The Board of Education's primary legal service and legal service for all multiple year financing instruments (Excludes single year cash flow financing, i.e. tax anticipation notes).

• Auditors - financial as well as performance with annual fees over $25,000.

• Investment advisors, financial advisor, and underwriter services exceeding $25,000. in any one fiscal year.

• Insurance carriers and service providers with over $50,000 premiums annually.

• Architects and general construction contractors for new construction, building additions and major repair projects over $1 million in scope per project.

• Service and commodity contracts over $1 million in scope.

• All construction related professional services including design, engineering, and project management over $100,000 in scope per project.

• Intergovernmental agreements for non construction purposes over $100,000.

• Installment purchase, shared savings or performance contracts pursuant to the provisions of C.R.S. '22-32-110 (hh) and C.R.S. '29-12.5 102 and 103 with a per project cost over $100,000.

• Personal property tax credit/agreements whether or not the agreement involves financial obligation or that commit the District=s resources in excess of those provisions of C.R.S. '22-32-110(ff)(gg).

• Legislative Consulting Services

The Board will be notified of any professional services acquisitions, requiring Board approval, that are acquired through other than competition at the point of acquisition strategy development, but in no case less than four months prior to the performance need date.

Exigencies

Pursuant to the general powers of the Superintendent, including the power to address emergency circumstances, the required prior approval of the Board of Education with respect to an action described above may be waived by the Superintendent if all of the following apply: (1) in the reasonable judgment of the Superintendent the best interests of the District will be substantially adversely affected by delaying the action until the next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting, (2) in the reasonable judgment of the Superintendent, it is impractical or unwarranted to call an expedited special meeting of the Board of Education to consider approval of the action (e.g., if a quorum of the Board of Education will not be available in time; or if a special meeting would be an unwarranted intrusion on periods constituting extended holidays from Board of Education business,) and (3) the Superintendent takes reasonable steps under the circumstances to promptly notify Board of Education members of the waiver or proposed waiver of the approval policy.

Adopted: September, 1972
Revised: January, 1985
Revised: June, 1988
Revised: August, 1996
Revised: December, 1996
Revised: August, 1997
Revised: May, 2000
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. '22-32-109 (1)(b)
C.R.S. '22-32-109 (1)(b), '24-91-101 et seq., '24-109-403
C.R.S.'22-32-110(G)(ff)(gg)
CROSS REF.: KCA, Public Gifts/Donation to Schools
GCQF, Discipline, Suspension and Dismissal of Professional Staff
GDQD, Discipline, Suspension and Dismissal of Support Staff

Getting over

My quarrel with District #11 pertains to the school closures that were hastily forced upon the citizens of Colorado Springs in February 2009. The manner in which those schools were closed was simply wrong; and despite protests and prayers and pleadings, the Board refused to wait or reconsider its decision.

If you were not directly impacted by that move, then you're fortunate. I was not so lucky; nor were my children, who were poised to start kindergarten at one of the shuttered schools this fall.

Those affected were simply expected to get over it; and perhaps I could have, were I not reminded of it each time I look out my front door. We don't have a car, and there is no longer a bus route close by; nor is there a half-day kindergarten program near-by, and our child wasn't quite ready for a whole day so far away. For my family, choices are scant.

I fill the time with homeschooling - using the perfectly good text books and materials that were tossed in the trash when the school closed. But my outrage lingered, and the tepid media reports on the school closures left me thirsting to know more - to know why - and compelled me to look deeper.

I stumbled across the word "Cheezer's" quite by accident in April, and it was June when I stumbled over it again to make a connection.

The information in this blog was first presented to the Gazette's Sue McMillin in May - she sniffed with disinterest and turned away.

It was then presented to the District Attorney's Office, who acted as though they'd had their fill of pizza with Charles Wingate's $26 pie, and sloshin'-through-the-mud campaigns with John Newsome's two pitchers of beer (and a $600 business trip during which he dared to detour for a Norte Dame football game - money that he repaid to avoid the appearance of impropriety).

It was then presented to the School District, where it was pooh-poohed away by the Administration as the unwarranted ramblings of a bitter busy-body who just needed to get over it.

This is not a personal attack on Jan Tanner.

It simply is what it is.

And this is my way of getting over it.

Flurries

Ha ha to you, quirky computer genie...and touché; having stayed up late struggling with your computer ghosts, I was allowed to sleep in...and so as not to disturb my slumber, the ringer on the phone was turned off. 

So, 'twas not until Wednesday Date Night that I first had an opportunity to page through the Gazette.

What was it they said about the early bird again...?

Anyway, agree or disagree...for me, the Board of Education meeting is waaay better than...chocolate even.

I have several things to say - and will - in a flurry of posts soon to come.  All, with only the best of intentions...and maybe - just maybe - even the benefit of a doubt. 

Thank you for paying attention, and for all of your hard work. 

My vote

Good morning readers. 

Somewhere, someone has been dancing around a maypole and bringing burnt offerings before the Electronic Computer Genie...for truly, there has been a ghost in my machine.  Working around this imp has led to considerable delay in my postings, but I do hope you'll forgive my tardiness.

With Election Day looming, perhaps some of you remain undecided in how you'll cast your ballot.  To answer the most pressing question of the many who are wondering:  yes, you will receive an "I voted sticker" when dropping off your ballot at Centennial Hall. 

For what they're worth, what follows are my endorsements.

District #11 Board of Educators - Loma, Busby and Mann
If you count yourself a conservative (and I do), these three represent the only hope for our kids to be offered real, solid, and traditional educational opportunities.

(In a future posting, I'll discuss some of the radical Progressive educational theories and concepts that threaten to destroy our schools, our communities, our nation and our world; you'll want to hold onto your wigs, lest they flip.) 

Issue 300 - Yes
I don't always agree with him, but I definitely admire Doug Bruce and his frugal fearlessness; without TABOR, our city would have no reserves at all.  But talk about "green" money grubbing hypocrisy: it is an outrage that the poeple of Colorado Springs are being fined, taxed, and otherwise dissuaded from collecting rainwater.  Fret not, enterprising grubbies, for the pain you'll notice is sure to be slight, since the revenue loss of each raindrop will be phased in over time - unlike D#11's eight wham-bam-thankee-ma'am public elementary school closures earlier in the year.

(...and yes, I am still grousing about that - and will continue to do so; that huge and hasty decision has adversely affected so many people, and stands to destroy whole neighborhoods...all, for what?  We've yet to be shown the purported cost savings of that move - and I wouldn't recommend that we all hold our breath until we do.) 

Issue 2C - Yes
"A City Worth Fighting For?" I'd venture to say it's even a city worth dying for, but that's not on the ballot (though there's always next year...)

Do I buy any of this "painful budget cut" hooey?  Nah.  Why?  Because we apparently had the means to quickly and effortlessly produce $53 million dollars to bribe - er, I mean, convince - the U.S. Olympic Committee into staying put.  I could go on...but really, my own personal reason for believing it's folly not to vote "Yes" on 2C can be summed up in two words:  Glenn Gustafson.

As some of you are already aware, Mr. Gustafson is the Chief Financial Officer for Colorado Springs School District 11, and is largely responsible for those public school closures mentioned above...as well as the closure of Irving Middle School - which he himself attended.

Mr. Gustafson happens to be an esteemed member of the City of Colorado Springs Sustainable Funding Committee - you know, those big-hearted folks who decided this summer to stop watering neighborhood parks, lock up public restrooms, turn off the watering hose that leads to the Uncle Wilbur and Julie Penrose fountains, and cancel the Fourth of July fireworks in Memorial Park.

"Park, schmark!  Those peons can go pee up a tree, for all we care.  Hey!  Hold on just a minute here...perhaps there's a sustainable and untapped revenue stream we hadn't even considered..."

Listen, folks:  Everybody has a pet project; everybody is loyal to something.  Senators don't shut down the orphanage where their mom was raised, philanthropists are sure to remember the charity they first helped out, writers are prone to pen winsome prose about their hometown...so what kind of person pushes to close his alma mater middle school?

I'll tell you what kind:  the kind that'll shake down your grandmother, and take candy away from your baby; the kind that will say "I promise" while his fingers are crossed behind his back.  The kind that will squeeze blood from a turnip, just because he hankers for a warm glass.

When the citizens of Colorado Springs failed to pass the last mill levy override, Glenn "The Punisher" Gustafson saw to it that all of those schools closed - for no good reason - and made sure that those least able to absorb the shock would take it all.  In so doing, he revealed his true turncoat nature.  And, if 2C doesn't pass, the rest of you had better prepare to be disciplined.

*Bottoms up*

The law of kindness

She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Last night after the Board meeting, I found a quiet moment to sit back and reflect and listen for the voice of God - a foreign concept for so many...but comforting and familiar for me.

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

So, I find myself guided this time to say something nice, and nothing not-so-nice, in order to provide balance to some of the biting criticisms I’ve offered up thus far. I know more about some than others…so if it sounds superficial, it’s not meant to be.

(in alphabetical order by last name)

Charlie Bobbitt – when the schools were being closed, he took it upon himself to actually walk the proposed routes, putting himself in the shoes of the kids – and I thought that was totally awesome; unafraid to be a party of one.

Nick Gledich - such a steady and impressive leader; so approachable by and gracious to the everyday man - the Board worked well together in selecting him, and the District is fortunate to have him.

John Gudvangen – mellifluous: his manner of speaking is so smooth and soothing, I’m sure I could have a cavity filled without need of anesthetic if he were talking to me while it was happening.

Glenn Gustafson – wizard of numbers, architect of words, confident public speaker, seemingly flame-resistant and bullet-proof – I’ve often wondered what his D#11 teachers and classmates thought of him.

Tami Hasling – I love to swim: she swims, and coaches swimming. I bet she’s a great coach, and she makes being blonde look like a lot of fun.

Sandra Mann – I grew up watching her report the news, and she lives on the same street where I was raised. Strikes me as open-minded, curious, candid and genuine.

Bob Null – Old-school, old fashioned, disciplined, conservative, courageous, congenial, straightforward and sincere; in some ways, he reminds me of the late, great Bob Isaac.

Mike Poore – such an energetic, convincing and well-dressed speaker; makes a good first and lasting impression.

Tom Strand - growing up, I always wanted to be an attorney (though I’m glad I’m not one now)…so he gets what-I-wanted-to-be-when-I-grew-up points; understands the complicated written word, and has a perfect voice for radio.

Jan Tanner – when I think about the homespun manner in which she speaks, she reminds me of Sarah Palin. Youthful…and I admire that she’s raced to the top of Pikes Peak many times.

Mary Thurman – driven, determined, prepared and brainy - she knows her stuff.

School District #11 - To wax numerological, it is half of my lucky number 22; my direct family members have attended 5 of its elementary schools, 2 of its middle schools, and one of its high schools – 8, like the legs of a spider. The place where Mrs. Sutton granted me my poetic license; the place where I first made friends and enemies and fell in love. To me, it is synonymous with “Colorado Springs,” and I am easily brought to tears simply by looking at old photos of its schools. I am more than an acquaintance, more than just a friend – it is a part of me, and I of it. I am its grateful offspring, and will always love and revere it with a child’s wonder.

DeManding Answers

Who can miss the Gazette’s classified section and its pages and pages of home foreclosure notices. Particularly in these bleak economic climes, it’s remarkable that Tony “King of Pizza” Mand has managed to pull himself from the clutches of bankruptcy - once, twice, thrice - indeed, it is extraordinary…as in “out of the ordinary” and unusual. I’m not sure it’s something I would be bragging about in the paper.

If I were Queen of Pizza, this is where I would start bragging about the lucrative contracts that my company had bid on and won. “Well, ya know…when District #11 awarded us the contract to provide pizza for all of their schools, it was a real reversal of fortune…” I mean, I would be proud about it, and out loud about it – and though I don’t know the man, Mand does not strike me as the type that’s shy to hype.

Instead, Mand claims that he managed to avoid bankruptcy and improve his business standing – indeed, doing better than ever before - all, thanks to the addition of specialty sandwiches, and lower cheese prices and sheer will and determination. What a curious detail to leave out. Why?

Glenn Gustafson, D#11 CFO admits that a pizza arrangement with Jan dates back to 1999. Cheese prices began to rise in 2007, and reached a high in 2008. The accounts payable register reveals that at times, Jan received in excess of $2,000 weekly; and notice how the amounts spiked right before Christmas and immediately thereafter.

Here is what is truly alarming: the other morning, my two teenagers told me that sometime after the start of the ’08-09 school year, the 2% milk that came with their lunches was changed to skim milk; it has since been upped to 1%. I don't know about you, but I buy 2% milk only when whole milk is sold out; and if 1% or skim is the only thing available, I go to a different store. What's going on here?

What is the meaning of this, especially in light of the $700,000 paid to Sinton’s Dairy last year? Is it possible that astronomical figure was inflated due to cheese purchases? I know I said previously that I wasn’t really questioning the Sinton’s contract – but I am now.

If it was all above board, why didn’t Russell and Sabin get pizza, too? Why the absolutely-out-of-the-norm weekly payments? Again, why did Mand and the Tanners dissolve their pizza partnership just days after I first brought this matter to light?

My next post will detail Board policy on Officers and their functions - including accounting, check signing, cash handling, contract awards, etc. – all of which directly involve the Board President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer…and when I have finished, what will remain is certainly the biggest question of all:

What did Tami Hasling, Tom Strand, and John Gudvangen – the very same group who stayed mum when Charlie Bobbitt sought to place the subject of Board Member Conflicts of Interest on the agenda - know about this matter; indeed, what was the level of their participation in this matter?

I will focus more directly on each of these players within the week.

Two for me, one for you...

check# date payee amount invoice #
0000057183 9/23/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,778.08 59000824-DOHERTY
0000057183 9/23/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 75.31 59000824-CORONADO
0000057183 Total 1,853.39
0000057447 9/30/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,389.12 59000831-DOHERTY
0000057447 9/30/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 62.88 59000831-CORONADO
0000057447 Total 1,452.00
0000057648 10/7/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,441.76 59000907-DOHERTY
0000057648 10/7/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 68.73 59000907-CORONADO
0000057648 Total 1,510.49
0000057891 10/15/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,927.22 59000914-DOHERTY
0000057891 10/15/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 87.74 59000914-CORONADO
0000057891 Total 2,014.96
0000058058 10/21/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,487.82 59000921-DOHERTY
0000058058 10/21/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 68.73 59000921-CORONADO
0000058058 Total 1,556.55
0000058334 10/28/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,914.06 59000928-Doherty
0000058334 10/28/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 81.16 59000928-Coronado
0000058334 10/28/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 753.05 59000930-Doherty 08
0000058334 10/28/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 30.71 59000930-Coronado 08
0000058334 Total 2,778.98
0000058661 11/4/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,125.19 59001005-Doherty
0000058661 11/4/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 56.30 59001005-Coronado
0000058661 Total 1,181.49
0000058987 11/11/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,877.51 59001012-DOHERTY
0000058987 11/11/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 74.58 59001012-CORONADO
0000058987 Total 1,952.09
0000059199 11/18/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,419.10 590001019-DOHERTY
0000059199 11/18/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 75.31 590001019-CORONADO
0000059199 Total 1,494.41
0000059496 11/25/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,732.75 59001026-Doherty
0000059496 11/25/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 87.01 59001026-Coronado
0000059496 Total 1,819.76
0000059598 12/2/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,039.65 59001031-Doherty 08
0000059598 12/2/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 43.14 59001031-Coronado 08
0000059598 Total 1,082.79
0000059985 12/9/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,704.24 59001109-Doherty
0000059985 12/9/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 68.73 59001109-Coronado
0000059985 Total 1,772.97
0000060241 12/16/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,378.89 59001116-Doherty
0000060241 12/16/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 68.73 59001116-Coronado
0000060241 Total 1,447.62
0000060530 12/24/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,680.11 59001123-Doherty
0000060530 12/24/08 INFLATED DOUGH INC 87.01 59001123-Coronado
0000060530 Total 1,767.12
0000060726 1/6/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 666.78 59001130-Doherty 08
0000060726 1/6/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 24.13 59001130-Coronado 08
0000060726 1/6/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,680.84 59001207-Doherty 08
0000060726 1/6/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 87.74 59001207-Coronado 08
0000060726 Total 2,459.49
0000061064 1/13/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,699.85 59001214-Doherty 08
0000061064 1/13/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 92.86 59001214-Coronado 08
0000061064 Total 1,792.71
0000061313 1/21/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,392.78 59001221-Doherty
0000061313 1/21/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 93.59 59001221-Coronado
0000061313 Total 1,486.37
0000062027 2/10/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,007.48 59000111-Doherty
0000062027 2/10/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 57.03 59000111-Coronado
0000062027 Total 1,064.51
0000062258 2/18/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,789.05 59000118-Doherty
0000062258 2/18/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 81.16 59000118-Coronado
0000062258 Total 1,870.21
0000062427 2/24/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,399.36 59000125-Doherty
0000062427 2/24/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 56.30 59000125-Coronado
0000062427 Total 1,455.66
0000062600 2/28/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,745.91 59000131-Doherty Jan 09
0000062600 2/28/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 74.58 59000131-Coronado Jan 09
0000062600 Total 1,820.49
0000063193 3/14/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,783.20 59000208-Doherty
0000063193 3/14/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 68.73 59000208-Coronado
0000063193 Total 1,851.93
0000063266 3/17/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,782.47 59000215-Doherty
0000063266 3/17/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 93.59 59000215-Coronado
0000063266 Total 1,876.06
0000063515 3/24/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,435.92 59000222-Doherty
0000063515 3/24/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 62.15 59000222-Coronado
0000063515 Total 1,498.07
0000063679 3/31/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,775.89 59000228-Doherty
0000063679 3/31/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 81.16 59000228-Coronado
0000063679 Total 1,857.05
0000063833 4/7/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,691.81 59000308-Doherty
0000063833 4/7/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 75.31 59000308-Coronado
0000063833 Total 1,767.12
0000064141 4/14/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,182.22 59000315-Doherty
0000064141 4/14/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 68.73 59000315-Coronado
0000064141 Total 1,250.95
0000064342 4/22/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 1,449.81 59000322-Doherty
0000064342 4/22/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 81.16 59000322-Coronado
0000064342 Total 1,530.97
0000064496 4/28/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 679.94 59000331-Doherty 09
0000064496 4/28/09 INFLATED DOUGH INC 24.86 59000331-Coronado 09
0000064496 Total 704.80
0000056943 9/16/08 CHEEZER'S INC 351.00 52000817-ROOSEVELT
0000056943 Total 351.00
0000057179 9/23/08 CHEEZER'S INC 193.02 52000824-MANN
0000057179 9/23/08 CHEEZER'S INC 467.92 52000824-MITCHELL
0000057179 9/23/08 CHEEZER'S INC 415.28 52000824-WASSON
0000057179 9/23/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,548.51 61000824-CORONADO
0000057179 Total 2,624.73
0000057443 9/30/08 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52000831-MANN 08
0000057443 9/30/08 CHEEZER'S INC 365.56 52000831-MITCHELL 08
0000057443 9/30/08 CHEEZER'S INC 388.96 52000831-Wasson 08
0000057443 9/30/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,103.26 61000831-CORONADO 08
0000057443 Total 2,009.86
0000057640 10/7/08 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52000907-MANN
0000057640 10/7/08 CHEEZER'S INC 365.56 52000907-MITCHELL
0000057640 10/7/08 CHEEZER'S INC 362.64 52000907-WASSON
0000057640 10/7/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,182.22 61000907-CORONADO
0000057640 Total 2,062.50
0000057885 10/15/08 CHEEZER'S INC 171.09 52000914-MANN
0000057885 10/15/08 CHEEZER'S INC 456.95 52000914-MITCHELL
0000057885 10/15/08 CHEEZER'S INC 356.79 52000914-WASSON
0000057885 10/15/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,390.59 61000914-CORONADO
0000057885 Total 2,375.42
0000058048 10/21/08 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52000921-MANN
0000058048 10/21/08 CHEEZER'S INC 365.56 52000921-MITCHELL
0000058048 10/21/08 CHEEZER'S INC 233.96 52000921-WASSON
0000058048 10/21/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,149.32 61000921-CORONADO
0000058048 Total 1,900.92
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000928-MANN
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 377.99 52000928-Mitchell
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 292.45 52000928-Wasson
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 76.04 52000930-Mann 08
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 143.30 52000930-Mitchell 08
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 116.98 52000930-Wasson 08
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,437.38 61000928-Coronado
0000058322 10/28/08 CHEEZER'S INC 568.81 61000930-Coronado 08
0000058322 Total 3,203.05
0000058645 11/4/08 CHEEZER'S INC 114.06 52001005-Mann
0000058645 11/4/08 CHEEZER'S INC 214.95 520001005-Mitchell
0000058645 11/4/08 CHEEZER'S INC 175.47 52001005-Wasson
0000058645 11/4/08 CHEEZER'S INC 862.72 61001005-Coronado
0000058645 Total 1,367.20
0000058976 11/11/08 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52001012-MANN
0000058976 11/11/08 CHEEZER'S INC 364.83 52001012-MITCHELL
0000058976 11/11/08 CHEEZER'S INC 292.45 52001012-WASSON
0000058976 11/11/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,388.39 610001012-CORONADO
0000058976 Total 2,235.77
0000059185 11/18/08 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52001019-MANN
0000059185 11/18/08 CHEEZER'S INC 286.60 52001019-MITCHELL
0000059185 11/18/08 CHEEZER'S INC 233.96 52001019-WASSON
0000059185 11/18/08 CHEEZER'S INC 210.00 52001019-TESLA
0000059185 11/18/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,139.08 61001019-CORONADO
0000059185 Total 2,021.72
0000059484 11/25/08 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52001026-Mann
0000059484 11/25/08 CHEEZER'S INC 358.25 52001026-Mitchell
0000059484 11/25/08 CHEEZER'S INC 292.45 52001026-Wasson
0000059484 11/25/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,407.40 61001026-Coronado
0000059484 Total 2,248.20
0000059577 12/2/08 CHEEZER'S INC 114.06 52001031-Mann 08
0000059577 12/2/08 CHEEZER'S INC 214.95 52001031-Mitchell 08
0000059577 12/2/08 CHEEZER'S INC 175.47 52001031-Wasson 08
0000059577 12/2/08 CHEEZER'S INC 844.44 61001031-Coronado 08
0000059577 Total 1,348.92
0000059982 12/9/08 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52001109-Mann
0000059982 12/9/08 CHEEZER'S INC 345.09 52001109-Mitchell
0000059982 12/9/08 CHEEZER'S INC 292.45 52001109-Wasson
0000059982 12/9/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,413.98 61001109-Coronado
0000059982 Total 2,241.62
0000060233 12/16/08 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52001116-Mann
0000060233 12/16/08 CHEEZER'S INC 286.60 52001116-Mitchell
0000060233 12/16/08 CHEEZER'S INC 329.96 52001116-Wasson
0000060233 12/16/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,073.28 61001116-Coronado
0000060233 Total 1,841.92
0000060515 12/24/08 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52001123-Mann
0000060515 12/24/08 CHEEZER'S INC 352.40 52001123-Mitchell
0000060515 12/24/08 CHEEZER'S INC 292.45 52001123-Wasson
0000060515 12/24/08 CHEEZER'S INC 1,295.54 61001123-Coronado
0000060515 Total 2,130.49
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 76.04 52001130-Mann 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 143.30 52001130-Mitchell 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 116.98 52001130-Wasson 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 549.80 61001130-Coronado 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52001207-Mann 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 358.25 52001207-Mitchell 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 252.97 52001207-Wasson 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 99.45 52001207-GLOBE 08
0000060687 1/6/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,413.98 61001207-Coronado 08
0000060687 Total 3,200.87
0000061054 1/13/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52001214-Mann 08
0000061054 1/13/09 CHEEZER'S INC 358.25 52001214-Mitchell 08
0000061054 1/13/09 CHEEZER'S INC 226.65 52001214-Wasson 08
0000061054 1/13/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,348.91 61001214-Coronado 08
0000061054 Total 2,123.91
0000061308 1/21/09 CHEEZER'S INC 171.09 52001221-Mann
0000061308 1/21/09 CHEEZER'S INC 280.75 52001221-Mitchell
0000061308 1/21/09 CHEEZER'S INC 135.99 52001221-Wasson
0000061308 1/21/09 CHEEZER'S INC 99.45 52001221-Mitchell Globe
0000061308 1/21/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,098.14 61001221-Coronado
0000061308 Total 1,785.42
0000061635 1/30/09 CHEEZER'S INC 863.45 61000111-Coronado
0000061635 Total 863.45
0000062017 2/10/09 CHEEZER'S INC 114.06 52000111-Mann
0000062017 2/10/09 CHEEZER'S INC 214.95 52000111-Mitchell
0000062017 2/10/09 CHEEZER'S INC 135.99 52000111-Wasson
0000062017 2/10/09 CHEEZER'S INC 40.95 52000111-GLOBE
0000062017 Total 505.95
0000062248 2/18/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000118-Mann
0000062248 2/18/09 CHEEZER'S INC 410.89 52000118-Mitchell
0000062248 2/18/09 CHEEZER'S INC 226.65 52000118-Wasson
0000062248 2/18/09 CHEEZER'S INC 105.30 52000118-GLOBE
0000062248 2/18/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,432.99 61000118-Coronado
0000062248 Total 2,365.93
0000062425 2/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52000125-Mann
0000062425 2/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 339.24 52000125-Mitchell
0000062425 2/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 181.32 52000125-Wasson
0000062425 2/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,152.24 61000125-Coronado
0000062425 Total 1,824.88
0000062592 2/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000131-Mann Jan 09
0000062592 2/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 424.05 52000131-Mitchell Jan 09
0000062592 2/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 226.65 52000131-Wasson Jan 09
0000062592 2/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 122.85 52000131-GLOBE Jan 09
0000062592 2/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,407.40 61000131-Coronado Jan 09
0000062592 Total 2,371.05
0000063181 3/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000208-Mann
0000063181 3/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 384.57 52000208-Mitchell
0000063181 3/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 226.65 52000208-Wasson
0000063181 3/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 302.68 52000208-Tesla
0000063181 3/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,427.14 61000208-Coronado
0000063181 Total 2,531.14
0000063258 3/17/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000215-Mann
0000063258 3/17/09 CHEEZER'S INC 331.93 52000215-Mitchell
0000063258 3/17/09 CHEEZER'S INC 187.17 52000215-Wasson
0000063258 3/17/09 CHEEZER'S INC 128.70 52000215-GLOBE
0000063258 3/17/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,446.15 61000215-Coronado
0000063258 Total 2,284.05
0000063503 3/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52000222-Mann
0000063503 3/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 260.28 52000222-Mitchell
0000063503 3/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 181.32 52000222-Wasson
0000063503 3/24/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,112.76 61000222-Coronado
0000063503 Total 1,706.44
0000063672 3/31/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000228-Mann
0000063672 3/31/09 CHEEZER'S INC 325.35 52000228-Mitchell
0000063672 3/31/09 CHEEZER'S INC 226.65 52000228-Wasson
0000063672 3/31/09 CHEEZER'S INC 122.85 52000228-GLOBE
0000063672 3/31/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,459.31 61000228-Coronado
0000063672 Total 2,324.26
0000063829 4/7/09 CHEEZER'S INC 114.06 52000308-Mann
0000063829 4/7/09 CHEEZER'S INC 325.35 52000308-Mitchell
0000063829 4/7/09 CHEEZER'S INC 226.65 52000308-Wasson
0000063829 4/7/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,268.49 61000308-Coronado
0000063829 Total 1,934.55
0000064131 4/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 152.08 52000315-Mann
0000064131 4/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 195.94 52000315-Mitchell
0000064131 4/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 90.66 52000315-Wasson
0000064131 4/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 122.85 52000315-GLOBE
0000064131 4/14/09 CHEEZER'S INC 763.29 61000315-Coronado
0000064131 Total 1,324.82
0000064333 4/22/09 CHEEZER'S INC 190.10 52000322-Mann
0000064333 4/22/09 CHEEZER'S INC 247.85 52000322-Mitchell
0000064333 4/22/09 CHEEZER'S INC 123.56 52000322-Wasson
0000064333 4/22/09 CHEEZER'S INC 1,012.60 61000322-Coronado
0000064333 Total 1,574.11
0000064487 4/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 76.04 52000331-Mann 09
0000064487 4/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 130.14 52000331-Mitchell 09
0000064487 4/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 90.66 52000331-Wasson 09
0000064487 4/28/09 CHEEZER'S INC 510.32 61000331-Coronado 09
0000064487 Total 807.16
0000057536 10/2/08 MAND MADE PIZZA 314.11 083108-PALMER
0000057536 10/2/08 MAND MADE PIZZA 684.78 083108-NORTH
0000057536 Total 998.89
0000060535 12/24/08 MAND MADE PIZZA 551.80 093008-Palmer
0000060535 12/24/08 MAND MADE PIZZA 1,286.20 093008-North
0000060535 12/24/08 MAND MADE PIZZA 549.80 103108-Palmer
0000060535 12/24/08 MAND MADE PIZZA 1,356.00 103108-North
0000060535 Total 3,743.80
0000060750 1/6/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 439.44 113008-Palmer
0000060750 1/6/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 1,017.00 113008-North
0000060750 Total 1,456.44
0000063803 4/4/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 358.67 123108-Palmer
0000063803 4/4/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 1,017.00 123108-North
0000063803 4/4/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 467.03 013109-Palmer
0000063803 4/4/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 1,093.38 013109-North
0000063803 4/4/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 524.21 022809-Palmer
0000063803 4/4/09 MAND MADE PIZZA 1,064.48 022809-North
0000063803 Total 4,524.77
Grand Total 118,186.22

Add a Mand

The following two items are reprinted from the Gazette in their entirety, and with links to the original stories. I'll save my commentary for the following post.

------------------

Coronado grad chases that pie in the sky
BILL RADFORD
2009-08-25 21:31:13

Two years ago, Tony Mand was struggling to keep what he had as rising cheese prices and a falling economy threatened to wipe out his Mand Made Pizza Inc., which operates four Domino’s stores in Colorado Springs.

Now, as he prepares to celebrate 30 years as a Domino’s franchise owner, he’s dreaming big again.

Mand began in the business as a delivery boy. In 1979, at age 21, he opened his first Domino’s on Peterson Road in Colorado Springs. The Coronado graduate doesn’t have a college degree but relies, he says, on “common sense and business intuitiveness.”

In spring 2007, he seemed on solid footing. He had just opened a Domino’s in Breckenridge and planned on expanding to all the ski towns. Then, cheese prices started to soar, nearly doubling from their low point in 2007 to their peak in 2008 — a difference of $20,000 a month, Mand said.

Other commodity prices, including the price of flour, also rose. Then the economy began to sour and sales sagged, Mand said.

The tough times forced him to close the Breckenridge store, and he had to get a loan to keep the other stores in operation, he said.
Several factors put his business on the road to recovery.

“Domino’s started giving us new products — the sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and the pastas,” Mand said. “They all had a punch.”

Then the price of ingredients fell to what Mand calls reasonable levels, allowing him to offer a $3.99 carryout medium pizza this summer.

“I’m going to the moon now.” Mand said. “I have stores up 100 percent over this time last year.”

“Now I can see the 100 happening again,” he said.

ANNIVERSARY PARTY_Tony Mand, in celebration of his 30 years as a Domino’s Pizza franchisee, is having a prize drawing, 4 p.m. Saturday,, at his store at 6870 Galley Road, Galley and Peterson roads. $15,000 in prizes; top prize includes $2,000 in cash, a Kymco scooter from Fremont Motorsports, season passes to Monarch ski resort and other items. Contributions of food to Care & Share are suggested.

-------------------------------------------------

April 22, 2007 2:19 AM
By BILL RADFORD THE GAZETTE
Tony Mand wants to be the king of pizza.

His goal is to own 100 Domino’s franchises within seven years. He currently owns 12 Domino’s stores — five in Colorado Springs, four in Pueblo, one each in Cañon City and Florence and one that just opened in Breckenridge.

“I plan on trying to expand to all the ski towns,” he said. He also owns 49 percent interest in nine Domino’s stores in Oklahoma.

Mand, a graduate of Coronado High School, was 21 when he opened his first Domino’s on Peterson Road. Now 49, he has seen plenty of peaks and valleys in his career. In an ambitious expansion effort in the mid-1980s, he opened 11 Domino’s stores in one year in the Chicago area. Nine lost money and he sold them in 1990.

“Now I want to expand again,” he said, “but I’m going to pick the cities and the situations and the people and the potential partners so much better.”

QUESTION: How did you get into the pizza business?
ANSWER: I started delivering pizzas. I didn’t really even know what the word “franchise” meant. They explained it to me at age 19 and told me I could have my own someday. I just put my nose to the grindstone, and by age 20 I was already building the store.

Q: How did you make that leap that quickly? It had to take more than just hard work.
A: It really doesn’t, not if you put your nose to the grindstone well enough. You have to be very driven, very tenacious. I don’t know how smart I am, but I’m very tenacious.

Q: If you reach that magic number of 100, will that make you the top Domino’s franchisee, or are there others with that many stores?
A: There might be people that are going to have more stores than that. But I plan on maybe making more money than the people with more stores. I want to get my volume to a mark that is very high. I want to take most of the records from Domino’s. I know that sounds like a lot of talk, but I think I’m actually going to back it up.

Q: What’s the key to expanding and keeping tabs on all those stores? Good managers?
A: The biggest thing is going to be people. It’s not going to be anything but that. We now have lots of ways that we’re going to be training people, making people better and picking better people.

Q: People looking to start their own business often consider a franchise. What advice do you have?
A: It’s kind of tough. There are probably some franchises you can get involved in and it’s the best thing in the world, based on timing. What does timing mean? When they’re hot, when they’re new.

Q: What’s your greatest strength as a businessman?
A: That tenacity. And risktaking, which is also the reason I’ve almost gone bankrupt three times. My greatest strength is my greatest weakness. And now that I understand that better, I hope to limit my weakness and increase my strength based on some experience at what the risk-taking should be, where I should stretch out, the buffers that I should have.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0272 or bill.radford@gazette.com. Answers are edited for space and clarity. Send suggestions for a Q&A subject to joanna.bean@gazette.com.

Friendly faces

It's been interesting and fun to see how elections really go; until recently, I was both aloof and oblivious to what goes on behind the scenes.

The forgotten promises and contradictory endorsements are enough to make you rage or weep. It's appropriate that much of the passionate stumping occurs in October...the month for tricks and treats, masks and muckrakers. But there's certainly nothing hallowed about any of it. I never really knew how vicious and phony and awful so much of it really is.

No amount of money could convince me to ever run for any office - unlike some people...

I heard from a little bird that people are beginning to distance themselves from Mrs. Tanner. One candidate's Facebook page had included photographs of her and Jan together in happier times...that is, until recently, when every picture of Jan was taken down.

It's kind of like standing beside someone with intense body odor; eventually, you move away because the stink is too strong.

Two thumbs up

Those of us who can remember way back to the 1970’s will recall a PBS program called Sneak Previews, hosted by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, film reviewers for the rival Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. When their opinions diverged, their disagreements were sure to entertain; and when they were in agreement, their assessment was generally a pretty safe bet. Sharp wit and terse critiques aside, many people paid attention because of the simple manner in which they summed up a film: by show of thumbs – either up, or down.

Now, I’ll admit, I enjoy watching a small-screen spectacle as much as the next guy; but unless you subscribe to cable, you miss a lot of the good stuff. I don’t; but a good friend of mine does, and so we’ve established Wednesdays as our weekly “date night,” when we drink coffee and nosh and cackle while watching the D#11 Board meeting on Channel 16.

(aside: The Board should really begin a streaming broadcast of the meeting: 1st, because not everyone gets cable, 2nd, because not everyone has schedule flexibility that permits them to attend five-hour long night-time meetings across town, and 3rd, because with all of their bought-and-paid-for fiber optic infrastructure, it’s well within their ability to do so. Progressive is as progressive does; not all of us enjoy a six-figure income, so stop disenfranchising those of lesser means.)

I was hoping for some real fireworks at Wednesday night’s Board meeting – my anticipation aroused all the more by the executive session that lasted until 7:00 p.m. – but instead, it was the standard drone about this item and that. Some time after 10:00 p.m., Mike Poore introduced a speaker who spent the next 45 minutes talking about math: and trouper though I am, this had upon me an effect identical to chloroform. Mumbling that “they’ll probably save the best for last,” I begged off and lumbered home around 11:30 p.m.

And though I accurately predicted the show’s ending, I was not disappointed when my friend messaged me with a synopsis of what happened next:

When it came time for each of the Directors to address the Board, Bob Null expressed a desire to look closer at possible Board member conflicts of interest. A quiet pause; then came President Hasling’s request for a show of thumbs in favor.

Two thumbs up, from Directors Null and Bobbitt.

Perhaps the others were sitting on theirs?

Clear

Sometimes it's not so nice to get the personal treatment: like when you're a Very Important Person being tailed by journalists snapping your picture and writing unflattering stories about you.

Most times, though, the personal treatment sounds like it might be quite nice. Like when you're trying on clothes at an expensive store, and the saleslady knows you have the cash to afford them. Or, when you're trying to get a job with an employer who belongs to the same philanthropic group as your father; your resume makes it to the top of the stack and you score an interview...in large part because Pop is a personal pal. On the convenience scale, I imagine a good personal shopper would rank just a notch or two below the household washer and drier; indeed, I am in a long-term, loving and committed relationship with each of my Kenmores. And for your personal honey-do's, a handyman is always a good thing - er, I mean person - to have around.

I suppose that, depending on the circumstances, one could have a personal back-scratcher, a personal accountant, a personal assistant; every service can be sold or bought and paid for. Indeed, they teach you in telemarketing training that so long as you smile, people will buy what you're selling. "Make it personal; let them hear the smile in your voice."

I haven't ever known the Gazette's education writer, Sue McMillin, to be much of a grinner...but frowning or otherwise, it's gotta be nice to have your own personal public apologist.

I sometimes wonder how word of my writing came to reach them; actually, I have to stop myself from thinking about it because it causes to make my head swell uncomfortably. So, never mind how the news traveled - what matters is that it arrived; and when it did, it was enough to illicit a joint response from Glenn Gustafson and Jan Tanner by way of their loyal mouthpiece, Ms. McMillin, who ran the story tucked away in a quiet corner of the Gazette's blogosphere.

I've researched this matter for eight months, and consider myself better informed than most of us on the outside looking in; so, let's parse out their statement, shall we?

McMillin states that the pizza contract originated in 1999 under Sodexo, and had been in place until July 2009 when it was finally sent out for bid. According to the Gazette, Dr. Norm Ridder's contract was year to year; Sharon Thomas' contract was for three years; heck, even members of the Board are elected for a four-year term. So, I gotta wonder - why was there a ten-year, no-competition arrangement with Jan's pizza company? Is their pizza so delicious, nutritious and inexpensive that there simply is no competition?

McMillin states that food service agreements typically are not matters for the Board to take under consideration; rather, they are usually an internal matter handled by the director of procurement (formerly John Elliott); does anyone else get a chance to give them the once over? Who has a regular familiarity with the details in this matter - the Board treasurer? Select members of the Board? Glenn?

McMillin mentions that the District has a similar arrangement with Sinton's Dairy; according to the accounts payable ledger, Sinton's received $700,000 from the District over a nine-month period last year. Now, please, do not misunderstand; I am not questioning the Sinton's contract per se...but think about it: we're talking about the milk that comes in those little personal-sized cartons: that is a whole lotta milk! Again, I am left to wonder: with food service contracts in such high amounts, why doesn't the Board review them every so often? Certainly, these food service contracts are of enough value to warrant at least occasional Board review and oversight.

Part of the reason I haven't looked at the Sinton's account is that, in contrast to Jan's pizza, (a) the milk deliveries went to all the schools in the District; and, (b) checks were cut on a once-monthly basis. , Jan's pizza was delivered to only a handful of schools: Doherty, Coronado, Mitchell, Mann, and Wasson. It is my understanding that at D#11, teachers, contractors, vendors - all are paid once monthly; in stark contrast, however, Jan received payment for her pizza much more frequently; at times, weekly. Why?

On several occasions, the Gazette has done features on one Anthony Mand (Coronado, class of '77; more on him in an upcoming post); most recently, marveling at his ability to recover from a financial situation that threatened to bankrupt him just one year ago. His company, "Mand Made Pizza," provided pizza to Palmer and North, and was paid once monthly; but a closer look reveals that in 2003, Mand formed a pizza partnership with Carl and Mark Tanner. On October 1, 2009, that partnership, DPMD, LLC, was suddenly dissolved - within days of my first post on this matter. How will Jan explain the circumstances surrounding this?

McMillin quibbles about when Tanner actually began to act in an official capacity for the Board. Tanner's official capacity with the Colorado Springs School District #11 Board of Educators commenced in November 2004, when Director Eric Christen was stripped of his duties as Board treasurer (more on this in a later post). The board treasurer accounts for all money in the district, reports to the board on expenditures and budget transactions and signs checks for the district. In a move described by the Gazette as "rare, but perfectly legal," Jan was specially appointed to assume these duties as treasurer.

According to the Gazette at the time, "Board President Sandy Shakes said Tanner tries to educate the board about policies and make sure policies are followed. 'She's going to check out the facts,' Shakes said...Tanner said an outside volunteer such as herself has more time to serve as treasurer than a board member. She estimated she puts five to six hours into the job in an average week." Tanner additionally gave reports to the public, as she did in the fall of 2006 at a public meeting to encourage voters to approve lifting a cap to allow the district to spend money from a $131.7 million bond. So plainly, she held considerable sway, despite the fact that she was a non-voting member of the Board.

Unlike Glenn Gustafson - who testified at length in Denver in opposition to legislation calling for greater financial transparency for school districts (more on this in a future post) - Tanner has repeatedly claimed to be a proponent of transparency and improved accountability. "Transparency is a good thing and people are going to ask questions...and they should. I hope people don't get all up in arms before they get their questions answered."

Well, actually, so much doesn't add up that I have a slew of questions. If indeed this purported conflict of interest document exists, then Glenn Gustafson personally drafted it; and if indeed Jan signed it, then it is proof positive that they were both fully aware that a conflict of interest existed long before Jan's election to the Board. That they didn't bring it to the Board's attention can only mean that Glenn and Jan, both separately and in concert, arranged to conceal the details in this matter from the rest of us. Why was this handled contrary to established Board policy? Why was Jan's public disclosure made in private? Jan's term on the Board doesn't end until 2011...and her husband's pizza enterprise has been a current event for more than a decade: so why was this document filed away somewhere? Why do they need time to produce it? Why was it never submitted to the Secretary of State? Now that questions about it have been raised, why hasn't either of them been forthright about it? Could this be the reason why Jan was specially appointed treasurer to begin with??

Through McMillin, Jan explained "that she didn't make a public announcement about the conflict of interest document because she didn't feel it was necessary because 'everyone' in the district knew that her husband owned the franchise. She still thinks that was the right call, but ensuring that the public knew might have staved off the blogger's attack (emphasis added)."

People: this most certainly is not about might; this is about right...as in the opposite of wrong. In documents then, as in documents now, Ms. Tanner is listed as a District #11 parent, citizen volunteer, and bookkeeper for "the family business"; but nowhere is there any mention of Jan in connection with pizza - and certainly none that would indicate the family business had anything to do with pizza...or even food, for that matter. Verily, I assure you that stumbling across the word Cheezer's, in all the volumes and volumes of documents I've perused over the past eight months, was the literal equivalent of a finding a needle stashed deeply inside of a haystack. It is insufficient for Jan, as an officer in her family's business, as a public official, and especially as a candidate for election, to now feign insouciance and make believe it was all simply common knowledge:

"Why, whatever do you mean? What pizza? Oh...do you mean this pizza, here? Ha ha, silly me - it's been there so long, I'd forgotten all about it! Besides...don't you know who I am? Don't you know who my husband is? Really, this is ancient history to everybody who's anybody."

Well, call me nobody. This arrangement was not above-board. I know it. You know it. Jan knows it. Glenn knows it. Tony knows it. Everyone with first-hand knowledge of it knows it. Anyone who happens to read this blog knows it. All of us who know about this knows it.

Really, it is just all so clear.