Despite the fact that Fort Bend ISD officials continue to insist no repair work was being done on private vehicle at district maintenance facilities, more employees are coming forward to counter those claims.
To back up their position, those same employees have provided FortBendNow with what they called a “secret” memo they say backs up their claims.
VEHICLE SERVICE MEMO – FBISD Chief Auxiliary Services Officer Tom Carter sent this memo to Facilities Director Michael Johnson and Transportation Director Richard Torres warning them against having any work done on private vehicles at school maintenance facilities.
The memo is the second document uncovered that suggests some school district employees, including at least one high-level administrator, have used district personnel and resources to do work on privately-owned vehicles.
Earlier, a photo surfaced that purportedly showed FBISD Facilities Director Michael Johnson’s pickup receiving routine maintenance.
The memorandum came from Tom Carter, the district’s chief auxiliary services officer, titled “Work on Personal Vehicles.” Dated Jan. 21, the memo is addressed to Johnson and Transportation Director Richard Torres.
“We have had some issues arise recently pertaining to the use of district personnel and facilities to perform work on personal vehicles. Since your departments are the only ones that have vehicle service personnel, I am providing guidance and direction regarding the use of district personnel and facilities for other than district needs,” Carter’s memo read. “You will immediately notify your staff and appropriate personnel within your department that district facilities and personnel will not be used to perform work on any personal vehicles.”
The memo concludes with Carter directing Johnson and Torres to contact him if there are any questions.
Employees referred to the document as “a secret memo.”
“People were told that if they talked about this or let a copy of this memo out, they’d be fired. We were told there was too much ‘inside stuff’ getting out,” one insider said.
Another maintenance employee said Johnson and Torres were particularly sensitive over stories about transportation and maintenance irregularities appearing in FortBendNow.
“We were told that (the memo) better not end up in the hands of that (expletive) with FortBendNow or somebody would get their (butt) fired,” the employee said.
Concerns about irregularities in the district’s maintenance facility first arose in January after the photo first surfaced of Johnson’s pickup truck being worked on. District spokesperson Mary Ann Simpson admitted the district was aware of an occasion when Johnson had work performed on his pickup.
“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 the photo was taken when Johnson had the vehicle’s battery checked following the collision. She added Johnson was counseled about using district resources for personal reasons.
FortBendNow subsequently obtained a copy of a Jan. 6 work order prepared by Johnson requesting a number of preventive maintenance services be performed. That, coupled with the fact the photo of Johnson’s truck showed no apparent damage, led FortBendNow to inquire further.
When asked about the work order, Simpson initially called it 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.”
Several weeks later, Simpson gave a statement to the Houston Chronicle telling a different story.
“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 (software) program for training.”
Requests by FortBendNow for additional comment from Simpson brought only an e-mail response that 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 said in an e-mail Wednesday afternoon.
As of Friday morning, no further response from Simpson was received.
11. February 2009 at 6:06 pm
I really appreciate the words FS. You are one of the few individuals who calls things as they are. You are very correct when you say that it is every man for himself. Is it any wonder why our country is in the situation it is in? Is it any wonder that the many Enrons and Worldcoms have collapsed due to the internal corruption that existed within? It is our acceptance of this sort of behavior which FBISD administration displays that will lead to the decay of our beloved FBISD. Those in power can cheat and steal all day long without worry since a community without solidarity and unity is a community that can’t do anything about anything. We must therefore accept this corruption as the norm and say thank you to the administration. Next time please have your engine rebuilt on us, the taxpayers.
10. February 2009 at 9:36 pm
Willie, I’m on your side— I’m rooting for you. I know it is unbelievable, but I’m just trying to give you a head’s up about the facts as they are. Civil Rights is “not in style” and neither is Democracy. Incomprehensible, I know. I’m thinking it may be due to this every man for himself just as long as I get mine, and I don’t care about you attitude that is rampant in our society. Although Civil Rights and Democracy are” not in style,” lack of character, integrity, and ethics are very much the “in” style.
10. February 2009 at 8:16 pm
Thanks for the words FS. I will continue to keep the attention focused to the corruption that exists within FBISD. It is amazing to me that we live in a county in which school district officials can tell the public that they have stolen and the general public could care less. I don’t blame FBISD administration for their corrupt ways, I think the blame can be laid on the public who allows this sort of behavior from their officials. FBISD administration knows that a story is hot for a few days, and if they throw out a cover story and hold tight for a few days, then the interest of the public will wain. I am sorry to say that it seems that the pros at FBISD know us better than we know ourselves.
10. February 2009 at 7:00 am
Willie,
Although I feel your pain and understand quite well the depth of your pain, frustration, and disappointment; however, I forewarned you that you and those you speak on behalf of are on your own. You are the you that you have been waiting for, not anyone else but you. We do not live in a Pro-Civil Rights Era. Lawyers don’t really practice Civil Rights any more and the Courts and very anti-Civil Rights and Pro-Employer, hence the arrogance of those you challenge. It’s rough Willie. Don’t give up the fight. Please know, though, that you are on your own and no one is going to come to your assistance, but you.
9. February 2009 at 5:51 pm
The goal of the FBISD administration is to silence the community and keep the corruption alive. Incredibly, there is not even a remote call by anyone in FBISD to investigate this matter. It seems that after the initial storm, FBISD’s administration figures that the community will get bored of the story and move on to something else. Unfortunately, their plan may just work, and the ways of corruption within FBISD will continue.
8. February 2009 at 9:25 am
Well, y’all, I concur that although this is not good; but, indeed, it is really only the tip of the iceberg as Willie mentioned, in the piece above. Comparatively to other actions not yet known to the public, these actions are mild, actually.
7. February 2009 at 7:56 pm
Keep in mind that FBISD has already admitted that Mr. Johnson had used FBISD labor and materials for his personal use on December 19th. Initially, the work order in question was denied, but only after being confronted by a copy of the work order, did they admit to the existence of the work order.
This is a classic case of a cover up and should be investigated. Can you imagine if the public discovered this tip of the iceberg act, can you imagine what goes on that the public does not know?
6. February 2009 at 11:35 pm
The board wants FBISD run like a business.
Guess they’ve chosen GM.
6. February 2009 at 6:35 pm
We need to ask Ms. Simpson if this is a real memo, or is it a “fake”. I am sure this is a “fake” memo. Why isn’t the Fort Bend Da investigating these potentially criminal actions. How can Fort Bend county authorities allow such behavior? We, as a community need to get the proper authorities to hear our calls for an investigation into these acts. We cannot allow our beloved district to have leaders such as this, leaders who allow shady behavior like this to occur. Dr. Jenney is more interested in locating the person who is releasing the truth to the public more than he is in dealing with the theft of his administrators. Wow, do we live in Fort Bend county, or some corrupt third world government? I do not know anymore.
6. February 2009 at 6:29 pm
More and more evidence surfaces. This memo indicates that Tom Carter is aware that theft has occured and only due to this information being uncovered by FBN, he issues a memo in which he states that no one should service their personal vehicles. Why is no one outraged that Mr. Johnson has not been terminated for stealing? Using district resources for personal gain is theft. Why wasn’t Tom Carter reprimanded for the acts of theft occuring under his command?
6. February 2009 at 3:46 pm
Maybe FBISD’s new motto should be: Ask us no questions, we’ll tell you no lies…