Initially branded a fake by the Fort Bend ISD, a work order purportedly showing maintenance work done on a Fort Bend ISD administrator’s personal pickup truck is now being called a training tool.
The issue of the work order first came to light after FortBendNow obtained a photograph of FBISD Facilities Director Michael Johnson’s truck parked inside a district maintenance facility with its hood raised. Statements obtained from district maintenance personnel who witnessed the event said Johnson was having the truck serviced on district time, with district resources and by district mechanics.
FBISD insiders even provided a work order from the district’s “School Dude” software system.
“The work order was created by Mr. Johnson (on Jan. 6) and under the items requested are log odometer, change oil and filter, check pressure in tires, check/replace wiper blades, grease chassis, check/replace oil filter and check fluid levels,” one district insider told FortBendNow.
Fort Bend ISD Chief Communications Officer said the photo was actually taken in December after Johnson was involved in a minor traffic accident.
“The district acknowledges that on Dec. 19, Michael Johnson was involved in an accident that occurred when he was driving back to the FBISD Police, Facilities and Construction Complex from a district meeting and lunch. Mr. Johnson’s truck was rear-ended and although the accident was minor, his truck would not start,” Simpson said in an e-mail message. “A staff member from facilities was driving by at that time, stopped and gave Mr. Johnson’s car battery a jump. He then drove to the Facilities Complex and had two employees check under the hood of his vehicle. Again, his battery was charged. Approximately 20 minutes were spent by two employees who worked to charge the battery.”
Simpson said Johnson was counseled about using district resources for personal reasons.
In a follow-up telephone message, Simpson said any work order showing maintenance work on Johnson’s truck was a fake.
“We have looked into that and it’s totally false; totally fabricated,” Simpson said. “All those work orders are listed or entered electronically. There is no truth to that Jan. 6 invoice.”
Simpson also asked FortBendNow to provide her with a copy of the work order in questions, saying that Dr. Timothy Jenney, FBISD Superintendent, wanted to investigate and see who was circulating false stories.
In order to protect confidentiality of sources in the story, FortBendNow declined to provide an actual copy, but provided the district with the work order number, date and other information necessary to check it against the district’s database.
Over a subsequent two-week period, FortBendNow made several attempts to obtain a follow-up statement about the work order from Simpson. None of those messages were answered until Wednesday afternoon, when Simpson sent an e-mail saying she had been too busy to look into the matter.
“I have had several important work deadlines I have been dealing with. I am not always able to get back with you as quickly as you would like—but I will be able to respond to you tomorrow afternoon,” Simpson told FortBendNow in an e-mail received at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday. “I have e-mails out trying to get answers to your questions—so should be able to respond tomorrow.”
Despite her message to FortBendNow about being too busy, Simpson apparently made time to speak to other media outlets about the issue. She told the Houston Chronicle the district had concluded the work order was a sample to be used in training district maintenance personnel.
“We have thoroughly investigated the circumstances regarding the work order and believe what Mr. Johnson was telling us is the truth,” Simpson told the Houston Chronicle. “The sample work order was created to train users on how to enter a work order into the School Dude program for training.”
Several sources inside Fort Bend ISD contacted FortBendNow Thursday morning to offer an explanation.
“She’s pi**ed-off at you; so’s Jenney. You’ve been asking too many embarrassing questions and stirring up too many people,” one source said. “That’s why the Chronicle got the information and you didn’t.”
Another source, who also works in the Fort Bend ISD administration building, gave a similar story.
“There’s been a ton of buzz about FortBendNow making the district look bad. Jenney and Simpson want to control everything that comes out of this place, and you’ve gotten to be a thorn in their side because you’re getting stuff out that they don’t want made public,” the second source said.
The individual added that tensions are running particularly high among the district’s maintenance managers, with one calling those providing information to the media “a cancer.”
“One of (the administrators) said whoever was releasing information to that (expletive) at FortBendNow was a ‘(expletive) cancer’ and openly told a bunch of maintenance staff that they were gong to ‘cut the cancer out,’” the source said. “People are so scared they’re afraid to even be seen talking with each other.”
11. February 2009 at 6:11 pm
Good question Kampf. Where is the board on this matter? Do we have a board in place? I am sure there are employees within FBISD who have been investigated and fired for much less than what has been admitted to by FBSD. One has to ask the question on why FBISD admninistration has gone to such great lengths to protect Mr. Johnson and his actions? Why?
5. February 2009 at 11:19 pm
FS are you so correct. The leadership of FBISD is something to be ashamed of. To think that FBISD has admitted that one of their top administrators has used district resources for personal gain, i.e. theft, and no one seems to think even this admission of a crime is worthy of being grounds for termination, or at the very least, a matter for the Fort Bend DA to investigate.
Ask yourself, how could Ms. Simpson, the district’s spokesperson, deny with such certainty, that the alleged work order existed. Ms. Simpson made the statements that the work order did not exist and that it was a fake. Ms. Simpson made these statements with such certainty that it made everyone wonder how could you question FBISD since they obviously know what they are talking about. Two weeks later, with the great repaorting by FBN, Ms. Simpson admits that the work order, which she denied with such fevor, does exist, but it is a “training tool”. Now, if one of your top administrators was just busted for stealing services in December, would you believe that he would enter a work order into the system for work on his own personal truck? Even if this work order was a “training tool” would you use a personal vehicle for the example? Would it not make sense to use a district owned vehicle? This story does not hold water and I think that we, as citizens of FBISD, need to make our voices heard to the DA’s office and have this matter investigated. There is an admission of guilt on FBISD’s side, therefore the DA should have no option but to investigate this matter for the taxpayers.
5. February 2009 at 10:49 pm
It is so sad; such poor leadership in a district which serves the children of citizenry who are sophisticated and well educated. I am not sure which is sadder; the poor, specimen of leaders who lead so shabbily or the poor sophisticated, well educated citizenry who continue to be lead and lied to by the likes of those who are leading so ineptly and badly.
I think the sophisticated, well educated citizenry are the one who are to be pitied the most because what good does being sophisticated and well educated, if it does not serve well to defend against those who serve you in an ill and illegitimate manner.
Simply put, in the final analysis, some get paid while the rest of us get played.
5. February 2009 at 9:05 pm
Wait a minute! I thought this work order did not exist? This ‘fake” work order went from a figment of someone’s imagination to existing, but as a “training tool”. Now do I really have to comment on how absurd this story on FBISD’s part is. This cover story is not even one which is remotely believable. Keep the pressure up and this “training tool” will morph into something else. The district will next say that the Real Michale Johnson was kidnapped by aliens and that his clone is the one making these work orders. How ridiculous this whole situation is. Our beloved FBISD is being run by shady elements who will stop at nothing to cover up their corruption. Where is the Fort Bend DA on this matter? Why is there no investigation on the already admitted theft of service on the part of Mr. Johnson?
5. February 2009 at 5:05 pm
Should anyone expect any less from the district? You would think that they would want to answer any questions and calm any controversy with the truth…
When you see Board members winking at the Reporters and saying “Partners!” we have to begin to wonder if the District is looking to tell the truth or if they’re looking for collaborators-
Don’t Give in Fort Bend Now- Someone needs to tell the truth!
5. February 2009 at 4:52 pm
Next time they want to get some free work on their trucks, close the bay door at least. 8^P
5. February 2009 at 3:41 pm
They should quit lying and admit they did wrong.
5. February 2009 at 3:19 pm
PERSONAL TRAINING TOOLS puts FBISD students at risk or danger! Only school tools are avaliable tobe used. No staff personal tools should be avaliable for usage.