Dear Editor,

Priscilla Seals has done excellent reporting on the School Board meetings and Mr. Gardner had an excellent opinion. However, something has happened over the last few months that I do not understand. Supt. Gardner proposed a Facilities Study. I understand that there are some issues involving BISD facilities. Mr. Gardner also proposed using the architectural firm out of Austin that the ISD used in the past. Mr. Fromberg from Austin came. He said the firm would work on a contingency basis under a standard contract like the firm had with the ISD in the previous association with his firm. Contingency means no money is to be paid to the architectural firm unless the ISD decides to move forward after the study, i.e.: a no strings, free study; unless the Board implements the study. Mr. Herden stated he wanted lawyers to look at this standard contract. Instead of faxing the contract to the law firm, Walsh and Anderson, that most all school districts use, the Board hired a lawyer from Dallas. The Board had to have paid for his trip down, his rent-a-car and his hotel. All this to look over a standard contract. The lawyer came and reported to the Board on his workings with the architectural firm. Then, the last meeting, Mr. Fromberg returned. I’m sure he was expecting approval of the contract. But, the irony is that after paying the lawyer to look over a standard contract about a basically free study, the Board voted four to three to not proceed with the study - the stated main reason being concerned about money!

Come to meeting of the Board - the second Monday of the month. The more people, hopefully, the more answers and the more accountability we will get.

Amy Perkins

Blanco, TX