Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
poor people starving and dying in town: will not get a raise in min. wage nor any aid - but will be stalked by militant police. jobs will go to illegals
i don't need to see an audit. an idiot would realize refurbishing an already built school does not equate to a brand new offshore oil rig for mexicans
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 20, 2015 09:10PM
There have been a lot of comments about travel for FCPS employees. Here is a listing for about 15 months of non-local travel as reported by FCPS. There might be other money pots that don't show up here. I saw that some travel was paid from ECA's. I don't know if all the travel is captured or not.
They were requested to do a printout of name, where they went, what the dates were, and the total amount of the claim.
If you are interested in more details, shoot an e-mail to Brandynn Reaves at bareaves@fcps.edu and you can get copies of the full travel claim showing all receipts, hotel, per diem, etc. Any citizen of Virginia can do this as long as they aren't in jail, so have at it.
Looks like there WAS a group that went to Orlando in June 2014 as per another thread.
Attachments:
They were requested to do a printout of name, where they went, what the dates were, and the total amount of the claim.
If you are interested in more details, shoot an e-mail to Brandynn Reaves at bareaves@fcps.edu and you can get copies of the full travel claim showing all receipts, hotel, per diem, etc. Any citizen of Virginia can do this as long as they aren't in jail, so have at it.
Looks like there WAS a group that went to Orlando in June 2014 as per another thread.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Boondogle extradinaire
()
Date: January 20, 2015 09:21PM
Looks like half the school system went to Orlando
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
causeican
()
Date: January 20, 2015 09:26PM
No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the group went to Orlando.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 21, 2015 06:24AM
causeican Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the
> group went to Orlando.
Well, the money went to Orlando. For like 100 people. One person claimed over $4000 for the trip.
-------------------------------------------------------
> No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the
> group went to Orlando.
Well, the money went to Orlando. For like 100 people. One person claimed over $4000 for the trip.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Clicker
()
Date: January 21, 2015 12:17PM
causeican Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the
> group went to Orlando.
Open the attachment,,,,,,,
-------------------------------------------------------
> No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the
> group went to Orlando.
Open the attachment,,,,,,,
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Teacher
()
Date: January 21, 2015 09:16PM
That is disgusting. What a ridiculous amount of money to be spending on people who have little to nothing to do with students. No wonder FCPS is going downhill at light speed.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Teacher also
()
Date: January 21, 2015 11:44PM
That is disgusting. I would love to see a total. I am sure those numbers do not include the fees for "conferences" either; just travel expenses.
If you click on the short table that was posted it will open a 25 page long list of names and expenses.
If you click on the short table that was posted it will open a 25 page long list of names and expenses.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 22, 2015 08:24AM
Depending on what equipment you are using, you either see something to open, or a page of material that if you click on it to open it, shows the other 24 pages. The details of each claim are readily available. I have pulled these before and they did include conference fees, however, you would have to pull each individual claim in order to evaluate that, and I am not doing that. I might pull a few, but I am not doing all of these.
The Florida admin trip thread seemed to be a very hot topic, so I pulled this list. You are on your own to look any further. If you don't want your name on the FOIA request, ask a friend or family member who lives in Virginia to do it. I can see if you work for the school system that you would not want your name on these requests. That would be awkward, even though you have a right as a citizen to do that. People use other people to pull records all the time, such as people who live outside of Virginia and want some Virginia records. So, ask a friend to do the request. This is public information. Nothing clandestine or abusive at all about asking to see it. The public paid for this travel. These are public records and you can do whatever you want with these, including passing them on to whovever you want to and expressing your opinion freely.
I think people need to become more comfortable asking to see reports on the things they have paid for. I also think the school system needs to quit defensively circling the wagons and avoiding issues when people ask questions about records they receive and stand behind their work. They are spending OUR money. I paid my taxes. I presume most of the rest of you did, also. If you are on defense, then maybe you need to look at your spending practices. I stand behind every dollar I spend in my managing of a household. They can stand behind their work.
I counted up over 90 people who went to Orlando for the June 2014 conference, at a typical cost of between $1500 and $2000. Some claimed more, some less. So, that thread poster was NOT a troll. I just got very curious after reading the numerous heated responses on that thread and wanted to see if it was true. It was.
I also saw other travel reimbursements on ECA reports from the individual schools. They used non-appropriated public funds for it (parking pass fees, retained tuition, monopole income, etc.). I don't know if these are captured here or not.
Travel claims are very easy to obtain. Every dollar has to have support. Per diem, tickets, hotel, mileage, etc. are all there.
Bareaves@fcps.edu is your contact. You can ask for an estimate before they proceed. This printout was free. It is not redacted because nothing meets the requirements for exemption.
The Florida admin trip thread seemed to be a very hot topic, so I pulled this list. You are on your own to look any further. If you don't want your name on the FOIA request, ask a friend or family member who lives in Virginia to do it. I can see if you work for the school system that you would not want your name on these requests. That would be awkward, even though you have a right as a citizen to do that. People use other people to pull records all the time, such as people who live outside of Virginia and want some Virginia records. So, ask a friend to do the request. This is public information. Nothing clandestine or abusive at all about asking to see it. The public paid for this travel. These are public records and you can do whatever you want with these, including passing them on to whovever you want to and expressing your opinion freely.
I think people need to become more comfortable asking to see reports on the things they have paid for. I also think the school system needs to quit defensively circling the wagons and avoiding issues when people ask questions about records they receive and stand behind their work. They are spending OUR money. I paid my taxes. I presume most of the rest of you did, also. If you are on defense, then maybe you need to look at your spending practices. I stand behind every dollar I spend in my managing of a household. They can stand behind their work.
I counted up over 90 people who went to Orlando for the June 2014 conference, at a typical cost of between $1500 and $2000. Some claimed more, some less. So, that thread poster was NOT a troll. I just got very curious after reading the numerous heated responses on that thread and wanted to see if it was true. It was.
I also saw other travel reimbursements on ECA reports from the individual schools. They used non-appropriated public funds for it (parking pass fees, retained tuition, monopole income, etc.). I don't know if these are captured here or not.
Travel claims are very easy to obtain. Every dollar has to have support. Per diem, tickets, hotel, mileage, etc. are all there.
Bareaves@fcps.edu is your contact. You can ask for an estimate before they proceed. This printout was free. It is not redacted because nothing meets the requirements for exemption.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 22, 2015 09:10AM
FYI you don't have to give a reason for asking to see any records, either. You just tell them what you want, put your name and address on there, maybe specify how you want the information (on paper, e-mail, disc, etc.), submit it, and you should have your information within 12 working days. I asked for this before Christmas. The holidays and the snow days slowed it way down.
Verbal requests for information also count, but written is better because you have a clear record. You also have the right to walk in, hold out your hand, and ask to see the records on the spot. This can be very disruptive as they need to be researched, checked for redaction, etc. But, depending on the situation, you can indeed exercise your rights with verbal and walk-in.
You then have 30 days to pay any bill. The clock starts on the date of the bill.
Verbal requests for information also count, but written is better because you have a clear record. You also have the right to walk in, hold out your hand, and ask to see the records on the spot. This can be very disruptive as they need to be researched, checked for redaction, etc. But, depending on the situation, you can indeed exercise your rights with verbal and walk-in.
You then have 30 days to pay any bill. The clock starts on the date of the bill.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
here we go again
()
Date: January 22, 2015 11:13AM
Oh Barb.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Counting beans
()
Date: January 22, 2015 11:56AM
The total is about 1.2 million dollars over 15 months.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Counting beans
()
Date: January 22, 2015 12:56PM
The one Orlando trip alone (June 2014) tallied up at around $160,000.
$80,000 per month was the average.
$80,000 per month was the average.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
brrrrrrrrrrrrrr
()
Date: January 23, 2015 08:04PM
Rain, sleet, ice, snow. Let's all go to San Di-e-go!!!!!
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
it was expensive
()
Date: January 29, 2015 04:21PM
Here are some charges for the Model Schools conference. This was a hot topic last summer.
Yes it was Model Schools, yes it was expensive.
$475 per person registration fee. This claim had payments for several people with it, explaining the high numbers.
The Swan ran $258 a night. GSA hotel only for Orlando in June was $115 a night, with approval of a Superintendent required to go over 150%, which would be about $173 a night.
Attachments:
Yes it was Model Schools, yes it was expensive.
$475 per person registration fee. This claim had payments for several people with it, explaining the high numbers.
The Swan ran $258 a night. GSA hotel only for Orlando in June was $115 a night, with approval of a Superintendent required to go over 150%, which would be about $173 a night.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
it was expensive
()
Date: January 29, 2015 04:54PM
The conference special room rate at The Swan was $229 plus taxes and fees. Comparable.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
gsa correction
()
Date: January 29, 2015 05:00PM
Correction-hotel GSA in June 2014 was $101 for Orlando. 150% would be $151.50.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
zerrobenefit
()
Date: January 29, 2015 05:01PM
Does any parent or teacher think any Fairfax County student will learn any more or be any better off because FCPS teachers and staff made all these trips?
The answer is no. Of course not. These are boondoggles and professional masturbation. It is an insult to everyone who pays taxes in Fairfax County or who has children in the schools.
Thank you for hunting up this info.
The answer is no. Of course not. These are boondoggles and professional masturbation. It is an insult to everyone who pays taxes in Fairfax County or who has children in the schools.
Thank you for hunting up this info.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 29, 2015 05:49PM
Any specific requests? You can do your own but if you are too chicken or if it is too awkward I will do a few.
I wonder what was so exciting in Grand Rapids. Not your typical hot spot.
The public bought these. Don't be shy.
I wonder what was so exciting in Grand Rapids. Not your typical hot spot.
The public bought these. Don't be shy.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Junec23
()
Date: January 29, 2015 07:02PM
Pull the travel for June 22, 2014 to the 25 th.
So many people went to the Model Conference. Amy Beck went; bragged about it in her social media account
So many people went to the Model Conference. Amy Beck went; bragged about it in her social media account
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 30, 2015 06:35AM
Junec23 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pull the travel for June 22, 2014 to the 25 th.
>
> So many people went to the Model Conference. Amy
> Beck went; bragged about it in her social media
> account
The list received for June 22-25, 2014 did not have Amy Beck on it.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pull the travel for June 22, 2014 to the 25 th.
>
> So many people went to the Model Conference. Amy
> Beck went; bragged about it in her social media
> account
The list received for June 22-25, 2014 did not have Amy Beck on it.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
its for the children.....
()
Date: January 30, 2015 08:12AM
If Fairfax is supposedly the premier system in the country it claims to be, why don't educators come here to learn rather than sending FCPS personnel to classes in Las Vegas , Orlando etc.?? I think we all know the real reason why. Please don't plead poverty at budget time when you are sending people on vacations.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Come on-----
()
Date: January 30, 2015 09:54AM
The Swan and Dove looks like something out of a Middle Eastern fantasy movie. They have a water taxi, a whole store, tacky enormous sculpture, marble this and that, a dock, a sandy beach, a huge pool, a waterfall, you name it. You can easily arrange for a limo.
When we went to Disney we stayed at the Country Inn and suites. Didn't look anything like this. Oh yeh-we paid for it ourselves.
When we went to Disney we stayed at the Country Inn and suites. Didn't look anything like this. Oh yeh-we paid for it ourselves.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
come on----------
()
Date: January 30, 2015 10:51AM
Swan and Dolphin. My bad. Same glitzy atmosphere.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
KndjiuyJH
()
Date: January 30, 2015 04:24PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Be jetty
()
Date: January 30, 2015 04:45PM
Did that list have Mary Mcnamee?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Come on-----------
()
Date: January 30, 2015 06:09PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
hey look at this
()
Date: January 30, 2015 06:28PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
hey look at this
()
Date: January 30, 2015 06:28PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
MexVD
()
Date: January 30, 2015 08:13PM
The Democrats run the local school system.
They're all a bunch of crooks.
They're all a bunch of crooks.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: January 30, 2015 10:25PM
Be jetty Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did that list have Mary Mcnamee?
Her name doesn't seem to be on the printout. Open the attachment and go back to June 2014. I don't know if there are other records that don't show up here or not.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did that list have Mary Mcnamee?
Her name doesn't seem to be on the printout. Open the attachment and go back to June 2014. I don't know if there are other records that don't show up here or not.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
priorities backass
()
Date: January 31, 2015 09:22AM
This is from another thread and pretty much sums up the situation from the viewpoint of many teachers:
"FCPS should be in the practice of attracting effective teachers and staying out of their way in the classroom.
I came to FCPS because the salary/benefits were attractive and I had the opportunity to work with bright students. Getting in was competitive. I'm not certain that those coming after me are experiencing the same."
"FCPS should be in the practice of attracting effective teachers and staying out of their way in the classroom.
I came to FCPS because the salary/benefits were attractive and I had the opportunity to work with bright students. Getting in was competitive. I'm not certain that those coming after me are experiencing the same."
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tenorita
()
Date: January 31, 2015 10:30AM
What year did you join F
C
P
S?
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is from another thread and pretty much sums
> up the situation from the viewpoint of many
> teachers:
>
> "FCPS should be in the practice of attracting
> effective teachers and staying out of their way in
> the classroom.
>
> I came to FCPS because the salary/benefits were
> attractive and I had the opportunity to work with
> bright students. Getting in was competitive. I'm
> not certain that those coming after me are
> experiencing the same."
C
P
S?
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is from another thread and pretty much sums
> up the situation from the viewpoint of many
> teachers:
>
> "FCPS should be in the practice of attracting
> effective teachers and staying out of their way in
> the classroom.
>
> I came to FCPS because the salary/benefits were
> attractive and I had the opportunity to work with
> bright students. Getting in was competitive. I'm
> not certain that those coming after me are
> experiencing the same."
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Event planner
()
Date: January 31, 2015 11:55AM
It looks like Fcps could have saved a bit by
1. Keeping everybody home, or-
2. Have everybody stay at a place that was $100 plus cheaper a night, and running shuttles. 100 people times 100+ is $10,000+ a day. That buys a lot of shuttles. The early morning would probably be the Big Crunch. Run more then, then cut back frequency later on.
Life is rough when you have a supposed budget crisis.
1. Keeping everybody home, or-
2. Have everybody stay at a place that was $100 plus cheaper a night, and running shuttles. 100 people times 100+ is $10,000+ a day. That buys a lot of shuttles. The early morning would probably be the Big Crunch. Run more then, then cut back frequency later on.
Life is rough when you have a supposed budget crisis.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the reality
()
Date: January 31, 2015 12:06PM
Event planner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It looks like Fcps could have saved a bit by
> 1. Keeping everybody home, or-
> 2. Have everybody stay at a place that was $100
> plus cheaper a night, and running shuttles. 100
> people times 100+ is $10,000+ a day. That buys a
> lot of shuttles. The early morning would probably
> be the Big Crunch. Run more then, then cut back
> frequency later on.
>
> Life is rough when you have a supposed budget
> crisis.
Budget crisis only occurs at Budget time. There is never really a crisis because FCPS never gets told "No"
-------------------------------------------------------
> It looks like Fcps could have saved a bit by
> 1. Keeping everybody home, or-
> 2. Have everybody stay at a place that was $100
> plus cheaper a night, and running shuttles. 100
> people times 100+ is $10,000+ a day. That buys a
> lot of shuttles. The early morning would probably
> be the Big Crunch. Run more then, then cut back
> frequency later on.
>
> Life is rough when you have a supposed budget
> crisis.
Budget crisis only occurs at Budget time. There is never really a crisis because FCPS never gets told "No"
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
how the crisis works
()
Date: January 31, 2015 04:53PM
^ The crisis is only for teachers who cannot get the supplies they need because there is not enough money.
^The crisis also hits the parents when they are asked to pony up for tissues for the classroom and money for materials that the school cannot afford (not to mention all the school supplies at the beginning of the school year).
The crisis never hits those in central office who "need" to go to conferences (especially conferences in Orlando, New Orleans, etc.).
^The crisis also hits the parents when they are asked to pony up for tissues for the classroom and money for materials that the school cannot afford (not to mention all the school supplies at the beginning of the school year).
The crisis never hits those in central office who "need" to go to conferences (especially conferences in Orlando, New Orleans, etc.).
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
()
Date: January 31, 2015 07:32PM
Thanks for explaining the fake crisis to all of us.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Napololy
()
Date: February 01, 2015 08:30PM
Many teachers will leave the county this year.
This guy sums it up.,
http://www.schoolleadership20.com/m/blogpost?id=1990010%3ABlogPost%3A205389
This guy sums it up.,
http://www.schoolleadership20.com/m/blogpost?id=1990010%3ABlogPost%3A205389
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
School De-segreg-ation
()
Date: February 01, 2015 08:41PM
Where is Waynesboro? Is that in Fairfax County? Cause this thread is all about Fairfax County.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
mapkwest
()
Date: February 01, 2015 08:56PM
Waynesboro is near Staunton. I think the problems in teaching are universal. Maybe some people need to go to a conference on how to best retain teachers.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
interesting
()
Date: February 03, 2015 05:29AM
Well over 90% of the names on this list are principals or high ranking staff who work at Gatehouse or the Ridge. It appears unseemly that the high ticket trips to New Orleans and Orlando would be taken by so very many - and during the summer or break times when off the radar of lower ranking employees. It probably would have been cheaper to host the Orlando conference here in the DC area than to ship so many to Disney World. Would love to know what they learned in NAPA? Perhaps nuances of wine tasting? Do think that the cost of these trips should be closely looked at as class size grows and employee compensation is relatively stagnant.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 03, 2015 07:12AM
Hosting the Orlando conference in DC was not an FCPS decision. This conference was run by a private firm. I don't know who any of the people on this list are. The Florida admin trip struck a real nerve in a lot of people, there was talk of it being a fake thread, so I thought it might be interesting to take a look.
It wasn't a fake thread, was it?
It wasn't a fake thread, was it?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
?!?#@4
()
Date: February 03, 2015 08:03AM
For field trips, I now usually the students pay their way. It makes sense for some of these that the teachers would get reimbursed for their travel though, just like with any job.
Does this also include travel for sports coaches going to tournaments out of the area?
Does this also include travel for sports coaches going to tournaments out of the area?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 03, 2015 08:44AM
I don't know about the tournaments. Most of these don't look like tournament places. They look like conference places. I would bet the tournament travel is paid out of other funds. I saw references to reimbursement for that type of travel in individual school activity funds. I also saw conference expenses paid out of individual school activity funds, so there might be travel that doesn't show up on this report.
Students generally pay their own way on field trips. Major and minor.
I think the issue that is striking a nerve with some is that there are some people who are upset at spending $80,000+ a month on travel (probably mostly for conferences, and it sounds like it is for Admins) when people haven't been getting raises, class sizes keep getting bigger, they say they are broke, they are trimming classroom supplies and forcing electronic textbooks that a lot of people hate (try having four kids do their homework in the evening when you only have one computer) to save money, and teachers have to pick up their own mandatory continuing ed. Apparently they are offered some free or discounted continuing ed options (locally). This is what I have gleaned from some of the other threads and talking with a few staff members.
I know I have to pay for my own mandatory continuing ed at my non-government job, however, I can do it for free online. My employer pays for an online service. If I want to go to a conference, I have to pay for it myself. But, I am very low on the totem pole. So, this is nothing exclusive to the school system.
There are about a dozen trip reports coming in the next two weeks. Stay tuned and speak up here!
Students generally pay their own way on field trips. Major and minor.
I think the issue that is striking a nerve with some is that there are some people who are upset at spending $80,000+ a month on travel (probably mostly for conferences, and it sounds like it is for Admins) when people haven't been getting raises, class sizes keep getting bigger, they say they are broke, they are trimming classroom supplies and forcing electronic textbooks that a lot of people hate (try having four kids do their homework in the evening when you only have one computer) to save money, and teachers have to pick up their own mandatory continuing ed. Apparently they are offered some free or discounted continuing ed options (locally). This is what I have gleaned from some of the other threads and talking with a few staff members.
I know I have to pay for my own mandatory continuing ed at my non-government job, however, I can do it for free online. My employer pays for an online service. If I want to go to a conference, I have to pay for it myself. But, I am very low on the totem pole. So, this is nothing exclusive to the school system.
There are about a dozen trip reports coming in the next two weeks. Stay tuned and speak up here!
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 04, 2015 05:13PM
Another Model Schools trip. This hotel was about $190 per night for two nights. I am still looking for the $70 "reimbursement". It looks like this Superintendent was able to get to and from this hotel to the conference without incurring any charges for the school system. No rental car, no cab. Just airport transfers. Per diem was paid for the M and I.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Jk
()
Date: February 04, 2015 06:49PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Another Model Schools trip. This hotel was about
> $190 per night for two nights. I am still looking
> for the $70 "reimbursement". It looks like this
> Superintendent was able to get to and from this
> hotel to the conference without incurring any
> charges for the school system. No rental car, no
> cab. Just airport transfers. Per diem was paid for
> the M and I.
Why did the plane ticket cost $400 more than the other guy's? $657 for a round trip ticket to Orlando? We got ripped off. There is lots of competition with airfare to Orlando.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Another Model Schools trip. This hotel was about
> $190 per night for two nights. I am still looking
> for the $70 "reimbursement". It looks like this
> Superintendent was able to get to and from this
> hotel to the conference without incurring any
> charges for the school system. No rental car, no
> cab. Just airport transfers. Per diem was paid for
> the M and I.
Why did the plane ticket cost $400 more than the other guy's? $657 for a round trip ticket to Orlando? We got ripped off. There is lots of competition with airfare to Orlando.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 04, 2015 07:17PM
The transfer was actually between the Dolphin and the hotel the Superintendent was staying at, NOT an airport transfer. I don't see any airport transfers.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 09, 2015 12:41PM
Remember that I asked about the $70 JetBlue charge "reimbursed to FCPS" plus the $16 transfer fee? We have an $86 deposit. Better late than never.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 09, 2015 12:57PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Remember that I asked about the $70 JetBlue charge
> "reimbursed to FCPS" plus the $16 transfer fee?
> We have an $86 deposit. Better late than never.
Sequence of events-
The check and deposit slip were dated the day BEFORE my FOIA request to see clarification on those two amounts, but AFTER the request to see the actual trip claim material.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Remember that I asked about the $70 JetBlue charge
> "reimbursed to FCPS" plus the $16 transfer fee?
> We have an $86 deposit. Better late than never.
Sequence of events-
The check and deposit slip were dated the day BEFORE my FOIA request to see clarification on those two amounts, but AFTER the request to see the actual trip claim material.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
LhjRd
()
Date: February 09, 2015 01:40PM
Oh------My--------God.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: February 10, 2015 10:09AM
Here is the travel regulation that was in place at the time all the trips were taken so you can refer to it while the trips are being posted. A revised one came out in December, 2014.
Lowest available coach fare has to be purchased.
If necessary staff can be reimbursed for a taxi or shuttle without a receipt if there is proof of the cost like a printed fare schedule.
Per diem for meals and hotel, etc. is explained here.
Attachments:
![R5310[1].pdf](http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/file.php?2,file=174489,filename=R5310_1_.pdf "R5310[1].pdf")
Lowest available coach fare has to be purchased.
If necessary staff can be reimbursed for a taxi or shuttle without a receipt if there is proof of the cost like a printed fare schedule.
Per diem for meals and hotel, etc. is explained here.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
It'sOnlyYourMoney
()
Date: February 10, 2015 01:20PM
Government at all levels is expert at one thing: Finding more ways to spend tax-dollars (YOUR MONEY). It's only your money, and the source seems unlimited to them, all they have to do is raise your taxes, so "why not spend away and live large?"
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
b umpo
()
Date: March 01, 2015 11:30PM
Uj9W3
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 09:05AM
Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
Registration fee $2750.
Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
There was something noted about renting a Suburban at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this travel claim.
Attachments:
This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
Registration fee $2750.
Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
There was something noted about renting a Suburban at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this travel claim.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 09:15AM
A trip to San Diego. Looks like it was about a Title 1 award presentation in 2/2014
Can anybody help me figure out the plane ticket? It looks like it was $719, we paid $964 on the claim, there was some conflicting change fee/credit information. This is quite a confusing set of receipts.
Two nights of hotel at $262 per night. Per diem rate was $142.
We paid $100 for transfers, etc. There is some information that looks like it was printed up in 2/2015. copyright is 2015. This trip was in 2014. They are allowed to pay for transfers, etc. off of a printed schedule in the absence of a receipt. The only amount pointed out is the $19 to Petco.
Looks like this maybe came out of Title 1 funds.
Congratulations on the award!
Attachments:
Can anybody help me figure out the plane ticket? It looks like it was $719, we paid $964 on the claim, there was some conflicting change fee/credit information. This is quite a confusing set of receipts.
Two nights of hotel at $262 per night. Per diem rate was $142.
We paid $100 for transfers, etc. There is some information that looks like it was printed up in 2/2015. copyright is 2015. This trip was in 2014. They are allowed to pay for transfers, etc. off of a printed schedule in the absence of a receipt. The only amount pointed out is the $19 to Petco.
Looks like this maybe came out of Title 1 funds.
Congratulations on the award!
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 11:50AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
>
> This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
>
> Registration fee $2750.
>
> Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
>
> There was something noted about renting a Suburban
> at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> travel claim.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note-The traveler was apparently given $90 for breakfast per diem when a full breakfast was included in the room rate.
http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-napa-california-CAD37
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
>
> This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
>
> Registration fee $2750.
>
> Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
>
> There was something noted about renting a Suburban
> at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> travel claim.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note-The traveler was apparently given $90 for breakfast per diem when a full breakfast was included in the room rate.
http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-napa-california-CAD37
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 12:14PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
> >
> > This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
> >
> > Registration fee $2750.
> >
> > Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
> >
> > There was something noted about renting a
> Suburban
> > at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> > travel claim.
> --------------------------------------------------
> --------------
>
> Note-The traveler was apparently given $90 for
> breakfast per diem when a full breakfast was
> included in the room rate.
> http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-napa-califor
> nia-CAD37
More problems. The traveler checked out of the hotel on the 22nd, her flight was on the 22nd, but she was paid for per diem on the 23rd. It looks like the 22nd should have been at 75% per diem as per school system policy, with nothing on the 23rd.
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
> >
> > This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
> >
> > Registration fee $2750.
> >
> > Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
> >
> > There was something noted about renting a
> Suburban
> > at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> > travel claim.
> --------------------------------------------------
> --------------
>
> Note-The traveler was apparently given $90 for
> breakfast per diem when a full breakfast was
> included in the room rate.
> http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-napa-califor
> nia-CAD37
More problems. The traveler checked out of the hotel on the 22nd, her flight was on the 22nd, but she was paid for per diem on the 23rd. It looks like the 22nd should have been at 75% per diem as per school system policy, with nothing on the 23rd.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Well?
()
Date: March 16, 2015 01:16PM
Aside from the FFU, where do you intend to share this information and with whom?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 03:59PM
Anybody who reads this can do whatever they want with the information. If there is anything goofy I turn it back in to the school system.
It looks like they actually used the San Francisco GSA rates for Kannapell even though the hotel was in Napa. So, hotel GSA was $155, M and IE $71. I don't think anybody pays any attention to the hotel GSA rate anyway. They should.
It looks like they actually used the San Francisco GSA rates for Kannapell even though the hotel was in Napa. So, hotel GSA was $155, M and IE $71. I don't think anybody pays any attention to the hotel GSA rate anyway. They should.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 16, 2015 04:37PM
more infomation on the Philly Trip
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 04:43PM
Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I have not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12 or so.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Ryan McElveenB
()
Date: March 16, 2015 04:50PM
McElveen, Ryan L 11/20/2013 11/22/2013 Williamsburg / York, VA $692.29
WHERE DID HE GO???
WHERE DID HE GO???
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
QUESTIONN
()
Date: March 16, 2015 04:55PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I have
> not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12 or
> so.
How do I asked them for inffo?? I am going to see where Mr.Ryan and Ms.king went and where did the math team in FHS go
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I have
> not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12 or
> so.
How do I asked them for inffo?? I am going to see where Mr.Ryan and Ms.king went and where did the math team in FHS go
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 16, 2015 04:56PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I have
> not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12 or
> so.
Thanks, as soon as I know what to say or how to say it I will ask them for the Seattle Washington trip, and the trip Ryan M took and the trip to Detroit the principal of mount vernon took
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I have
> not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12 or
> so.
Thanks, as soon as I know what to say or how to say it I will ask them for the Seattle Washington trip, and the trip Ryan M took and the trip to Detroit the principal of mount vernon took
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspdia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 04:58PM
QUESTIONN Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I
> have
> > not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12
> or
> > so.
>
>
> How do I asked them for inffo?? I am going to see
> where Mr.Ryan and Ms.king went and where did the
> math team in FHS go
You send an email to Brandynn.Reaves@fcps.edu. You ask for the travel claim and all supporting documents for the trips you are interested in. It helps to have some idea of who and when and where. You can try just asking in general terms but you will never know if "we don't have any records" is the full story or not. If you don't get enough information you ask for more.
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here are two Philly trips for Tax Payer 1. I
> have
> > not analyzed them yet. I only pulled about 12
> or
> > so.
>
>
> How do I asked them for inffo?? I am going to see
> where Mr.Ryan and Ms.king went and where did the
> math team in FHS go
You send an email to Brandynn.Reaves@fcps.edu. You ask for the travel claim and all supporting documents for the trips you are interested in. It helps to have some idea of who and when and where. You can try just asking in general terms but you will never know if "we don't have any records" is the full story or not. If you don't get enough information you ask for more.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 05:02PM
Here is a Seattle trip. I have not analyzed it yet.
One thing to remember about the School Board is that they are required to get state and national level training annually and we are required to pay for it. I don't know what the deal is with the Administrators.
Attachments:
One thing to remember about the School Board is that they are required to get state and national level training annually and we are required to pay for it. I don't know what the deal is with the Administrators.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 16, 2015 05:11PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is a Seattle trip. I have not analyzed it
> yet.
>
> One thing to remember about the School Board is
> that they are required to get state and national
> level training annually and we are required to pay
> for it. I don't know what the deal is with the
> Administrators.
Which one do you want me to ask that you couldn't ask for yet"?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is a Seattle trip. I have not analyzed it
> yet.
>
> One thing to remember about the School Board is
> that they are required to get state and national
> level training annually and we are required to pay
> for it. I don't know what the deal is with the
> Administrators.
Which one do you want me to ask that you couldn't ask for yet"?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 16, 2015 05:46PM
I asked for 3 reports. How much did you have to pay for the reports in detail ?
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There have been a lot of comments about travel for
> FCPS employees. Here is a listing for about 15
> months of non-local travel as reported by FCPS.
> There might be other money pots that don't show up
> here. I saw that some travel was paid from ECA's.
> I don't know if all the travel is captured or
> not.
>
> They were requested to do a printout of name,
> where they went, what the dates were, and the
> total amount of the claim.
>
> If you are interested in more details, shoot an
> e-mail to Brandynn Reaves at bareaves@fcps.edu and
> you can get copies of the full travel claim
> showing all receipts, hotel, per diem, etc. Any
> citizen of Virginia can do this as long as they
> aren't in jail, so have at it.
>
> Looks like there WAS a group that went to Orlando
> in June 2014 as per another thread.
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There have been a lot of comments about travel for
> FCPS employees. Here is a listing for about 15
> months of non-local travel as reported by FCPS.
> There might be other money pots that don't show up
> here. I saw that some travel was paid from ECA's.
> I don't know if all the travel is captured or
> not.
>
> They were requested to do a printout of name,
> where they went, what the dates were, and the
> total amount of the claim.
>
> If you are interested in more details, shoot an
> e-mail to Brandynn Reaves at bareaves@fcps.edu and
> you can get copies of the full travel claim
> showing all receipts, hotel, per diem, etc. Any
> citizen of Virginia can do this as long as they
> aren't in jail, so have at it.
>
> Looks like there WAS a group that went to Orlando
> in June 2014 as per another thread.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 05:59PM
TaxPayer1-
The costs will vary widely. You can ask for an estimate up front before agreeing to the purchase.
I pulled about a dozen and as of now do not have a plan for future requests. That could change at any time. I have been busy and just haven't gotten around to these yet. Feel free to jump on in. I just wanted a sampling.
The costs will vary widely. You can ask for an estimate up front before agreeing to the purchase.
I pulled about a dozen and as of now do not have a plan for future requests. That could change at any time. I have been busy and just haven't gotten around to these yet. Feel free to jump on in. I just wanted a sampling.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 06:15PM
Ryan McElveenB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> McElveen, Ryan L 11/20/2013 11/22/2013
> Williamsburg / York, VA $692.29
>
>
> WHERE DID HE GO???
It looks like he went to Williamsburg......
-------------------------------------------------------
> McElveen, Ryan L 11/20/2013 11/22/2013
> Williamsburg / York, VA $692.29
>
>
> WHERE DID HE GO???
It looks like he went to Williamsburg......
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 06:31PM
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877
Here is the link to the GSA rates. The archived rates are in the left hand column. You have to make sure you have the right year.
Here is the link to the GSA rates. The archived rates are in the left hand column. You have to make sure you have the right year.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 16, 2015 06:34PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877
>
> Here is the link to the GSA rates. The archived
> rates are in the left hand column. You have to
> make sure you have the right year.
You can also pull up archived rates in the search by state section by entering in the year. Have at it!
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877
>
> Here is the link to the GSA rates. The archived
> rates are in the left hand column. You have to
> make sure you have the right year.
You can also pull up archived rates in the search by state section by entering in the year. Have at it!
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
a dilemma---
()
Date: March 16, 2015 08:13PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
>
> This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
>
> Registration fee $2750.
>
> Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
>
> There was something noted about renting a Suburban
> at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> travel claim.
If the room charge was $1634, why and how did the school system only pay $1085 of that?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
>
> This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
>
> Registration fee $2750.
>
> Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
>
> There was something noted about renting a Suburban
> at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> travel claim.
If the room charge was $1634, why and how did the school system only pay $1085 of that?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 17, 2015 08:38AM
School Board member trip to New Orleans.
We looked at this trip on another thread. This trip to New Orleans was a National School Boards Association annual conference. Please remember that the School Board members are required to have state and national level training, and we are required to provide it. I am just focusing on trip details.
On another thread it was discovered that the chairman of the School Board used their county card and took about 15 people to a nice restaurant in NO and spent over $60 a person on dinner on this trip. Multiple courses. Three spouses had their meals paid for and the county was reimbursed immediately. The other School Board members do not carry county cards. I don't know what the rationalization was for taking everybody off per diem and using appropriated funds to go out for a fancy multi-course dinner. This traveler was not the Chairman and did not have a spouse that received a dinner that night. I picked this claim as it was one of the claims for this trip with the smallest payout. Thank you for that, Mrs. Reed.
Per diem for hotel in NO was $151, we paid $218 a night. Just within the 150% limit set by the school system. No breakfast per diem was paid. This hotel has free breakfast. The flight leaving NOVA allowed the traveler to have breakfast on their own expense. There are some other meals missing, including the one night they all went to Court of Two Sisters for the big soiree. If any meals are included in the conference staff are not to get per diem.
The hotel bill was paid directly by the county, as it should be. I did not see any reimbursement for getting to and from the local airport, but did see airport transfers in NO.
Attachments:
We looked at this trip on another thread. This trip to New Orleans was a National School Boards Association annual conference. Please remember that the School Board members are required to have state and national level training, and we are required to provide it. I am just focusing on trip details.
On another thread it was discovered that the chairman of the School Board used their county card and took about 15 people to a nice restaurant in NO and spent over $60 a person on dinner on this trip. Multiple courses. Three spouses had their meals paid for and the county was reimbursed immediately. The other School Board members do not carry county cards. I don't know what the rationalization was for taking everybody off per diem and using appropriated funds to go out for a fancy multi-course dinner. This traveler was not the Chairman and did not have a spouse that received a dinner that night. I picked this claim as it was one of the claims for this trip with the smallest payout. Thank you for that, Mrs. Reed.
Per diem for hotel in NO was $151, we paid $218 a night. Just within the 150% limit set by the school system. No breakfast per diem was paid. This hotel has free breakfast. The flight leaving NOVA allowed the traveler to have breakfast on their own expense. There are some other meals missing, including the one night they all went to Court of Two Sisters for the big soiree. If any meals are included in the conference staff are not to get per diem.
The hotel bill was paid directly by the county, as it should be. I did not see any reimbursement for getting to and from the local airport, but did see airport transfers in NO.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 17, 2015 09:08AM
Here are the pages in the Governance manual for the School Board describing their continuing education requirements. The entire document can be found on the School Board website. I have no idea if there are any similar requirements for administrators. Anybody else know?
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 17, 2015 10:17AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> School Board member trip to New Orleans.
>
> We looked at this trip on another thread. This
> trip to New Orleans was a National School Boards
> Association annual conference. Please remember
> that the School Board members are required to have
> state and national level training, and we are
> required to provide it. I am just focusing on trip
> details.
>
> I picked this claim as it was one of the claims for this trip with the
> smallest payout. Thank you for that, Mrs. Reed.
****Actually, the reason this had such a low final number was because they did not include the $700+ registration fee in the claim report. The receipt is in the records.
-------------------------------------------------------
> School Board member trip to New Orleans.
>
> We looked at this trip on another thread. This
> trip to New Orleans was a National School Boards
> Association annual conference. Please remember
> that the School Board members are required to have
> state and national level training, and we are
> required to provide it. I am just focusing on trip
> details.
>
> I picked this claim as it was one of the claims for this trip with the
> smallest payout. Thank you for that, Mrs. Reed.
****Actually, the reason this had such a low final number was because they did not include the $700+ registration fee in the claim report. The receipt is in the records.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 08:01AM
Took a look at the Klenow claim.
The AVID registration fee was handwritten in at $795, but the invoice calculates it out at $669 per person, and the $795 is not included in the grand total.
There were two 55-57 passenger buses ordered for what looks to be 40 people. There was a calculation of $3800 for the two buses divided by 40=$95. Why you would need two 55-57 passenger buses for only 40 people is not clear. It is a two+ hour drive. I would think 40 people could travel on a 55 passenger bus without a problem. If there were others, why would they have this calculated out at $3800 divided by 40?
It looks like we paid $212.50 a night for the Philly hotel. GSA per diem was hotel $155, M and IE $66. We did not pay for some breakfasts. We are within the 150% GSA stipulation for the hotel costs.
Attachments:
The AVID registration fee was handwritten in at $795, but the invoice calculates it out at $669 per person, and the $795 is not included in the grand total.
There were two 55-57 passenger buses ordered for what looks to be 40 people. There was a calculation of $3800 for the two buses divided by 40=$95. Why you would need two 55-57 passenger buses for only 40 people is not clear. It is a two+ hour drive. I would think 40 people could travel on a 55 passenger bus without a problem. If there were others, why would they have this calculated out at $3800 divided by 40?
It looks like we paid $212.50 a night for the Philly hotel. GSA per diem was hotel $155, M and IE $66. We did not pay for some breakfasts. We are within the 150% GSA stipulation for the hotel costs.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
correction.
()
Date: March 19, 2015 08:12AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Took a look at the Klenow claim.
>
> The AVID registration fee was handwritten in at
> $795, but the invoice calculates it out at $669
> per person, and the $795 is not included in the
> grand total.
>
> There were two 55-57 passenger buses ordered for
> what looks to be 40 people. There was a
> calculation of $3800 for the two buses divided by
> 40=$95. Why you would need two 55-57 passenger
> buses for only 40 people is not clear. It is a
> two+ hour drive. I would think 40 people could
> travel on a 55 passenger bus without a problem. If
> there were others, why would they have this
> calculated out at $3800 divided by 40?
>
> It looks like we paid $212.50 a night for the
> Philly hotel. GSA per diem was hotel $155, M and
> IE $66. We did not pay for some breakfasts. We are
> within the 150% GSA stipulation for the hotel
> costs.
Whoops. The BUS FEE was written on the claim at $95. It is not included in the total claim. The arrow looked like a 7. The registration fee IS on there and included in the total claim. Nobody's perfect. Moving on.....
-------------------------------------------------------
> Took a look at the Klenow claim.
>
> The AVID registration fee was handwritten in at
> $795, but the invoice calculates it out at $669
> per person, and the $795 is not included in the
> grand total.
>
> There were two 55-57 passenger buses ordered for
> what looks to be 40 people. There was a
> calculation of $3800 for the two buses divided by
> 40=$95. Why you would need two 55-57 passenger
> buses for only 40 people is not clear. It is a
> two+ hour drive. I would think 40 people could
> travel on a 55 passenger bus without a problem. If
> there were others, why would they have this
> calculated out at $3800 divided by 40?
>
> It looks like we paid $212.50 a night for the
> Philly hotel. GSA per diem was hotel $155, M and
> IE $66. We did not pay for some breakfasts. We are
> within the 150% GSA stipulation for the hotel
> costs.
Whoops. The BUS FEE was written on the claim at $95. It is not included in the total claim. The arrow looked like a 7. The registration fee IS on there and included in the total claim. Nobody's perfect. Moving on.....
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 08:18AM
Another Philly trip. Different year.
We paid POV for transportation. $100.
Hotel was about $218, which is within 150% of the $155 per diem.
Attachments:
We paid POV for transportation. $100.
Hotel was about $218, which is within 150% of the $155 per diem.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 08:36AM
Goldfarb trip to Seattle.
There were 14 tickets bought, but there are references to 18 invoices.
Hotel bill was $682.36, $227.42 per night. GSA rate is $137. This is over the 150%. Meal per diem rate was $71. Some breakfasts not paid. The amount on the claim for the hotel room is $585, which looks like the hotel room rate without taxes, etc. Looks like the hotel was paid directly by the school system.
Attachments:
There were 14 tickets bought, but there are references to 18 invoices.
Hotel bill was $682.36, $227.42 per night. GSA rate is $137. This is over the 150%. Meal per diem rate was $71. Some breakfasts not paid. The amount on the claim for the hotel room is $585, which looks like the hotel room rate without taxes, etc. Looks like the hotel was paid directly by the school system.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
per diem---
()
Date: March 19, 2015 08:42AM
The GSA per diem rate does not include lodging taxes.
10.Are lodging taxes included in the CONUS per diem rate?
Lodging taxes are not included in the CONUS per diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulation §301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas, lodging taxes have not been removed from the foreign per diem rates established by the Department of State. Separate claims for lodging taxes incurred in foreign areas not allowed. Some states and local governments may exempt federal travelers from the payment of taxes. For more information regarding tax exempt status, travelers should visit the State Tax Forms page.
11.Are taxes and gratuity (tips) included in the Meals and Incidental (M&IE) expense rate?
Yes, the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate does include taxes and tips in the rate, so travelers will not be reimbursed separately for those items.
10.Are lodging taxes included in the CONUS per diem rate?
Lodging taxes are not included in the CONUS per diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulation §301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas, lodging taxes have not been removed from the foreign per diem rates established by the Department of State. Separate claims for lodging taxes incurred in foreign areas not allowed. Some states and local governments may exempt federal travelers from the payment of taxes. For more information regarding tax exempt status, travelers should visit the State Tax Forms page.
11.Are taxes and gratuity (tips) included in the Meals and Incidental (M&IE) expense rate?
Yes, the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate does include taxes and tips in the rate, so travelers will not be reimbursed separately for those items.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
per diem/eckspedia
()
Date: March 19, 2015 08:58AM
per diem--- Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The GSA per diem rate does not include lodging
> taxes.
>
>
>
> 10.Are lodging taxes included in the CONUS per
> diem rate?
>
> Lodging taxes are not included in the CONUS per
> diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulation
> §301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes
> paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a
> miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes
> on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas,
> lodging taxes have not been removed from the
> foreign per diem rates established by the
> Department of State. Separate claims for lodging
> taxes incurred in foreign areas not allowed. Some
> states and local governments may exempt federal
> travelers from the payment of taxes. For more
> information regarding tax exempt status, travelers
> should visit the State Tax Forms page.
>
>
> 11.Are taxes and gratuity (tips) included in the
> Meals and Incidental (M&IE) expense rate?
>
> Yes, the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate
> does include taxes and tips in the rate, so
> travelers will not be reimbursed separately for
> those items.
________________________________________________________________________
Non-local Travel regulation says-
4. Requests for preapproval of nonlocal travel must be approved by the approving
authority, with the following exceptions:
a. Lodging (excluding taxes) exceeding 150 percent of the prevailing GSA rate must
be approved by the department assistant superintendent, or the school’s region
assistant superintendent.
The amount on the claim report should include the taxes. The amount that you calculate out the 150% on is without taxes. Probably close enough for the above claims.
-------------------------------------------------------
> The GSA per diem rate does not include lodging
> taxes.
>
>
>
> 10.Are lodging taxes included in the CONUS per
> diem rate?
>
> Lodging taxes are not included in the CONUS per
> diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulation
> §301-11.27 states that in CONUS, lodging taxes
> paid by the federal traveler are reimbursable as a
> miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes
> on reimbursable lodging costs. For foreign areas,
> lodging taxes have not been removed from the
> foreign per diem rates established by the
> Department of State. Separate claims for lodging
> taxes incurred in foreign areas not allowed. Some
> states and local governments may exempt federal
> travelers from the payment of taxes. For more
> information regarding tax exempt status, travelers
> should visit the State Tax Forms page.
>
>
> 11.Are taxes and gratuity (tips) included in the
> Meals and Incidental (M&IE) expense rate?
>
> Yes, the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) rate
> does include taxes and tips in the rate, so
> travelers will not be reimbursed separately for
> those items.
________________________________________________________________________
Non-local Travel regulation says-
4. Requests for preapproval of nonlocal travel must be approved by the approving
authority, with the following exceptions:
a. Lodging (excluding taxes) exceeding 150 percent of the prevailing GSA rate must
be approved by the department assistant superintendent, or the school’s region
assistant superintendent.
The amount on the claim report should include the taxes. The amount that you calculate out the 150% on is without taxes. Probably close enough for the above claims.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 09:19AM
Here is a trip to Grand Rapids. Hotel per diem is $88, meals $51. Life's easy in Grand Rapids.
Hotel was within 150%. Not a lot of meals paid out. Handwritten amounts on claim to correct some entries. Looks like somebody put in the room rate without the taxes and fees. The registration fee also had to be corrected. I don't know who does this.
Looks like the school system is due a refund on the hotel bill. I will check into that.
Attachments:
Hotel was within 150%. Not a lot of meals paid out. Handwritten amounts on claim to correct some entries. Looks like somebody put in the room rate without the taxes and fees. The registration fee also had to be corrected. I don't know who does this.
Looks like the school system is due a refund on the hotel bill. I will check into that.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 11:25AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Goldfarb trip to Seattle.
>
>
Room is technically within the 150% if you calculate it out without taxes.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Goldfarb trip to Seattle.
>
>
Room is technically within the 150% if you calculate it out without taxes.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 11:28AM
a dilemma--- Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
> >
> > This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
> >
> > Registration fee $2750.
> >
> > Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
> >
> > There was something noted about renting a
> Suburban
> > at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> > travel claim.
>
>
> If the room charge was $1634, why and how did the
> school system only pay $1085 of that?**
____________________________________________________
**If we use the $1085 this is within the 150%.
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Let's look at a couple more trips to CA.
> >
> > This one is to Napa. June of 2013.
> >
> > Registration fee $2750.
> >
> > Hotel GSA rate was $147. We paid $261.
> >
> > There was something noted about renting a
> Suburban
> > at a cost of over $1000, but it was not on this
> > travel claim.
>
>
> If the room charge was $1634, why and how did the
> school system only pay $1085 of that?**
____________________________________________________
**If we use the $1085 this is within the 150%.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 19, 2015 12:44PM
Here are the rest of the ones that I have. I won't get to these until next week.
Remember, I am a volunteer. We PAY people to do this. I am just doing the best I can. I take a look, and then later on I find other stuff after looking at other claims and doing more research. Feel free to point out stuff I miss. This is a learning experience.
If you want any more records check with the school system.
Attachments:
Remember, I am a volunteer. We PAY people to do this. I am just doing the best I can. I take a look, and then later on I find other stuff after looking at other claims and doing more research. Feel free to point out stuff I miss. This is a learning experience.
If you want any more records check with the school system.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
online travel guidelines
()
Date: March 20, 2015 03:53PM
Brand new Online Travel Guidelines. February, 2015.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 20, 2015 04:30PM
online travel guidelines Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brand new Online Travel Guidelines. February,
> 2015.
I liked the parts about no hourly or valet parking at the airport and no room service. My regards and compliments to the Superintendent and her crew.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brand new Online Travel Guidelines. February,
> 2015.
I liked the parts about no hourly or valet parking at the airport and no room service. My regards and compliments to the Superintendent and her crew.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 20, 2015 04:51PM
I order mine on Monday night still no word
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here are the rest of the ones that I have. I won't
> get to these until next week.
>
> Remember, I am a volunteer. We PAY people to do
> this. I am just doing the best I can. I take a
> look, and then later on I find other stuff after
> looking at other claims and doing more research.
> Feel free to point out stuff I miss. This is a
> learning experience.
>
> If you want any more records check with the
> school system.
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here are the rest of the ones that I have. I won't
> get to these until next week.
>
> Remember, I am a volunteer. We PAY people to do
> this. I am just doing the best I can. I take a
> look, and then later on I find other stuff after
> looking at other claims and doing more research.
> Feel free to point out stuff I miss. This is a
> learning experience.
>
> If you want any more records check with the
> school system.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 20, 2015 04:57PM
Tax Payer1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I order mine on Monday night still no word
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
They have to respond to you within 5 working days (not counting the day you submit) and they can declare an extension for another 7 working days. We have worked out longer extensions. Post them when you get them.
I will take a look at the others next week.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I order mine on Monday night still no word
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
They have to respond to you within 5 working days (not counting the day you submit) and they can declare an extension for another 7 working days. We have worked out longer extensions. Post them when you get them.
I will take a look at the others next week.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 21, 2015 03:27PM
IF payment is due do I have to pay them first?
Do They email me it or mail it us mail?
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tax Payer1 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I order mine on Monday night still no word
> > eckspedia.com Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>
> They have to respond to you within 5 working days
> (not counting the day you submit) and they can
> declare an extension for another 7 working days.
> We have worked out longer extensions. Post them
> when you get them.
>
> I will take a look at the others next week.
Do They email me it or mail it us mail?
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tax Payer1 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I order mine on Monday night still no word
> > eckspedia.com Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>
> They have to respond to you within 5 working days
> (not counting the day you submit) and they can
> declare an extension for another 7 working days.
> We have worked out longer extensions. Post them
> when you get them.
>
> I will take a look at the others next week.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Fun with FOIA
()
Date: March 21, 2015 03:46PM
Tax Payer1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IF payment is due do I have to pay them first?
> Do They email me it or mail it us mail?
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>
They can send you the material however you agree on. You can specify how you prefer it. Email, disc, paper. The bill will come with the material. If the estimated cost is greater than $200 they can get approval first and can possibly require some advance payment. Yours will not be even close to that if you are just looking at a couple of trips. You have 30 days from the date on the letter or email they send you with the amount due on it to pay it. If you submitted Monday evening, Day 1 is Wednesday. This is supposed to be at actual cost. This is not supposed to be a fundraiser for the school system.
-------------------------------------------------------
> IF payment is due do I have to pay them first?
> Do They email me it or mail it us mail?
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>
They can send you the material however you agree on. You can specify how you prefer it. Email, disc, paper. The bill will come with the material. If the estimated cost is greater than $200 they can get approval first and can possibly require some advance payment. Yours will not be even close to that if you are just looking at a couple of trips. You have 30 days from the date on the letter or email they send you with the amount due on it to pay it. If you submitted Monday evening, Day 1 is Wednesday. This is supposed to be at actual cost. This is not supposed to be a fundraiser for the school system.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Fun with FOIA
()
Date: March 21, 2015 04:00PM
"If you submitted Monday evening, Day 1 is Wednesday."
Meaning, that is when the 5+7=12 days clock starts, NOT the 30 day clock. So, by Tuesday evening you should hear back from them, probably reporting an extension.
How is the campaign for School Board going, Tax Payer1?
Meaning, that is when the 5+7=12 days clock starts, NOT the 30 day clock. So, by Tuesday evening you should hear back from them, probably reporting an extension.
How is the campaign for School Board going, Tax Payer1?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 22, 2015 01:26PM
Took a look at this trip to Boston. 11/2013.
Per diem was 170/71. The hotel was within 150% at $209 without taxes. The school system sometimes takes a look at the flight/travel times and not pay for meals that can be eaten on your own prior to or after travel, and only pays 75% of the ones that are covered (which really doesn't make sense to me). The traveler was paid for breakfast and lunch with a 4:30pm flight on Day 1. They were paid for dinner on the final day when they landed at 5:30 pm. I see a lot of inconsistency on this. I am used to seeing full per diem with a 75% rate on the total amount for first and last day, which is what is on this claim (which sometimes doesn't make sense to me either, but hey). I have seen all kinds of different deals worked with the school system. I haven't figured out their system.
This shows that 21 people signed up. There was one no-show that we were charged for one night on. This receipt captures the group costs and is subdivided.
On the first page $1895 was recorded for the conference fee. It actually calculated out at $1705.48 based on 21, if the total cost is divided by 20 due to the no-show, it is $1790.75 per person. Don't know where they got 1895.
The lodging information was $836, which didn't include taxes, which it was supposed to include. So, somebody made a notation about the additional $120.80.
The airline receipt was for 21 travelers, and was nonrefundable/fee for change.
The hotel receipt shows we had to pay for one night of no-show that has Holly McGiugon written by it.
The payment to the hotel looks appropriate with 20 people X four nights plus one no-show penalty.
The group shuttled to and from the hotel on pre-paid shuttle at $30 per person roundtrip based on 21 travelers.
The conference registration shows the full price total was $39,795 for 21 seats. There is a hand-written notation about 39,795-3980 (they gave a 10% discount)=31,815. It actually equals 35,815. They calculated out 31,815 divided by 21=1705.47. 1705.47 is 35,815 divided by 21. You've got me on this one. The cancellation terms are at the bottom of the page. Within 13 days prior was no refunds, 14-29 days was a 10% penalty. The conference registration was dated 8/13. The airline reservation was dated 9/13. It looks like the hotel reservation was dated 7/13. It looks like there are several cancellation options with the hotel, including full refund, losing one night, or all of the booked stay. I don't know what the terms were.
I have no idea what the cancellation/no-show was about. I know emergencies happen. It looks like this cost us at least $2000 if this was a last-minute thing. I am sure all the staff know that they can't cancel all the time. This cost us a fortune unless they were able to get some type of a refund on the conference.
Attachments:
Per diem was 170/71. The hotel was within 150% at $209 without taxes. The school system sometimes takes a look at the flight/travel times and not pay for meals that can be eaten on your own prior to or after travel, and only pays 75% of the ones that are covered (which really doesn't make sense to me). The traveler was paid for breakfast and lunch with a 4:30pm flight on Day 1. They were paid for dinner on the final day when they landed at 5:30 pm. I see a lot of inconsistency on this. I am used to seeing full per diem with a 75% rate on the total amount for first and last day, which is what is on this claim (which sometimes doesn't make sense to me either, but hey). I have seen all kinds of different deals worked with the school system. I haven't figured out their system.
This shows that 21 people signed up. There was one no-show that we were charged for one night on. This receipt captures the group costs and is subdivided.
On the first page $1895 was recorded for the conference fee. It actually calculated out at $1705.48 based on 21, if the total cost is divided by 20 due to the no-show, it is $1790.75 per person. Don't know where they got 1895.
The lodging information was $836, which didn't include taxes, which it was supposed to include. So, somebody made a notation about the additional $120.80.
The airline receipt was for 21 travelers, and was nonrefundable/fee for change.
The hotel receipt shows we had to pay for one night of no-show that has Holly McGiugon written by it.
The payment to the hotel looks appropriate with 20 people X four nights plus one no-show penalty.
The group shuttled to and from the hotel on pre-paid shuttle at $30 per person roundtrip based on 21 travelers.
The conference registration shows the full price total was $39,795 for 21 seats. There is a hand-written notation about 39,795-3980 (they gave a 10% discount)=31,815. It actually equals 35,815. They calculated out 31,815 divided by 21=1705.47. 1705.47 is 35,815 divided by 21. You've got me on this one. The cancellation terms are at the bottom of the page. Within 13 days prior was no refunds, 14-29 days was a 10% penalty. The conference registration was dated 8/13. The airline reservation was dated 9/13. It looks like the hotel reservation was dated 7/13. It looks like there are several cancellation options with the hotel, including full refund, losing one night, or all of the booked stay. I don't know what the terms were.
I have no idea what the cancellation/no-show was about. I know emergencies happen. It looks like this cost us at least $2000 if this was a last-minute thing. I am sure all the staff know that they can't cancel all the time. This cost us a fortune unless they were able to get some type of a refund on the conference.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 24, 2015 03:36PM
This e-mail serves as the response to your request for travel claims and supporting documentation of Fairfax County Public Schools employees, received March 17, 2015, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
It is not possible as a practical matter to provide the requested information within the initial five-work-day period provided for by the Act. School system staff members are processing the request, which you have made. The system expects to provide a response to your request within the supplemental period of seven work days as provided for in Va. Code § 2.2-3704(B)(4). The cost estimate of staff time to search for the requested records is $72.52 (2 ¼ hours @ $32.23 per hour Finance Technician III/IV/V). Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F) allows Fairfax County Public Schools to charge for such expenditures.
Sincerely,
Brandynn Reaves
Public Information Specialist / FOIA Officer
Office of Communications & Community Relations
Fairfax County Public Schools
T +1 571-423-1200 | F +1 571-423-1217
Do I have to pay the before they send the info?
It is not possible as a practical matter to provide the requested information within the initial five-work-day period provided for by the Act. School system staff members are processing the request, which you have made. The system expects to provide a response to your request within the supplemental period of seven work days as provided for in Va. Code § 2.2-3704(B)(4). The cost estimate of staff time to search for the requested records is $72.52 (2 ¼ hours @ $32.23 per hour Finance Technician III/IV/V). Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F) allows Fairfax County Public Schools to charge for such expenditures.
Sincerely,
Brandynn Reaves
Public Information Specialist / FOIA Officer
Office of Communications & Community Relations
Fairfax County Public Schools
T +1 571-423-1200 | F +1 571-423-1217
Do I have to pay the before they send the info?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 24, 2015 04:16PM
You should not have to pre-pay with this amount. They would tell you if they wanted pre-payment. You can email back and confirm that you will pay that amount if you want. I think 2 1/4 hours to pull records on 2 trips is a little high, but I don't know what all you asked for. I would think more like half a hour to 45 minutes per trip would be more like it. Unfortunately they call the shots on determining fees.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: March 24, 2015 04:44PM
Dear Ms. Perez:
This e-mail serves as the response to your request for travel claims and supporting documentation of Fairfax County Public Schools employees, received March 17, 2015, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
It is not possible as a practical matter to provide the requested information within the initial five-work-day period provided for by the Act. School system staff members are processing the request, which you have made. The system expects to provide a response to your request within the supplemental period of seven work days as provided for in Va. Code § 2.2-3704(B)(4). The cost estimate of staff time to search for the requested records is $72.52 (2 ¼ hours @ $32.23 per hour Finance Technician III/IV/V). Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F) allows Fairfax County Public Schools to charge for such expenditures.
Sincerely,
Brandynn Reaves
Public Information Specialist / FOIA Officer
Office of Communications & Community Relations
Fairfax County Public Schools
T +1 571-423-1200 | F +1 571-423-1217
From: *******8 [mailto:pe ***@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2015 5:30 PM
To: Reaves, Brandynn
Subject: Information about a trip
I am asking for travel claims and all supporting documents for the following trips
King, Nardos E 11/11/2013 11/17/2013 Detroit, MI $1,722.24
Faiver, Christa E. 6/22/2013 7/7/2013 Las Vegas, NV $1,489.25
Vaerst, Ulrike 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $861.74
Ricci, Gary T. 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $822.54
Keck, Maureen E 8/12/2014 8/15/2014 Grand Rapids, MI $1,476.05
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You should not have to pre-pay with this amount.
> They would tell you if they wanted pre-payment.
> You can email back and confirm that you will pay
> that amount if you want. I think 2 1/4 hours to
> pull records on 2 trips is a little high, but I
> don't know what all you asked for. I would think
> more like half a hour to 45 minutes per trip would
> be more like it. Unfortunately they call the shots
> on determining fees.
This e-mail serves as the response to your request for travel claims and supporting documentation of Fairfax County Public Schools employees, received March 17, 2015, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
It is not possible as a practical matter to provide the requested information within the initial five-work-day period provided for by the Act. School system staff members are processing the request, which you have made. The system expects to provide a response to your request within the supplemental period of seven work days as provided for in Va. Code § 2.2-3704(B)(4). The cost estimate of staff time to search for the requested records is $72.52 (2 ¼ hours @ $32.23 per hour Finance Technician III/IV/V). Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F) allows Fairfax County Public Schools to charge for such expenditures.
Sincerely,
Brandynn Reaves
Public Information Specialist / FOIA Officer
Office of Communications & Community Relations
Fairfax County Public Schools
T +1 571-423-1200 | F +1 571-423-1217
From: *******8 [mailto:pe ***@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2015 5:30 PM
To: Reaves, Brandynn
Subject: Information about a trip
I am asking for travel claims and all supporting documents for the following trips
King, Nardos E 11/11/2013 11/17/2013 Detroit, MI $1,722.24
Faiver, Christa E. 6/22/2013 7/7/2013 Las Vegas, NV $1,489.25
Vaerst, Ulrike 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $861.74
Ricci, Gary T. 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $822.54
Keck, Maureen E 8/12/2014 8/15/2014 Grand Rapids, MI $1,476.05
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You should not have to pre-pay with this amount.
> They would tell you if they wanted pre-payment.
> You can email back and confirm that you will pay
> that amount if you want. I think 2 1/4 hours to
> pull records on 2 trips is a little high, but I
> don't know what all you asked for. I would think
> more like half a hour to 45 minutes per trip would
> be more like it. Unfortunately they call the shots
> on determining fees.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 24, 2015 07:23PM
"I am asking for travel claims and all supporting documents for the following trips
King, Nardos E 11/11/2013 11/17/2013 Detroit, MI $1,722.24
Faiver, Christa E. 6/22/2013 7/7/2013 Las Vegas, NV $1,489.25
Vaerst, Ulrike 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $861.74
Ricci, Gary T. 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $822.54
Keck, Maureen E 8/12/2014 8/15/2014 Grand Rapids, MI $1,476.05"
#########
Five trips=about $15 a trip which is about half an hour. That is about right. Post them when you get them. You have 30 days to pay from the date of the letter or email accompanying the information.
King, Nardos E 11/11/2013 11/17/2013 Detroit, MI $1,722.24
Faiver, Christa E. 6/22/2013 7/7/2013 Las Vegas, NV $1,489.25
Vaerst, Ulrike 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $861.74
Ricci, Gary T. 3/17/2014 3/18/2014 Allentown / Easton / Bethlehem, PA $822.54
Keck, Maureen E 8/12/2014 8/15/2014 Grand Rapids, MI $1,476.05"
#########
Five trips=about $15 a trip which is about half an hour. That is about right. Post them when you get them. You have 30 days to pay from the date of the letter or email accompanying the information.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
DanKnows
()
Date: March 24, 2015 07:35PM
Ok, so it's a requirement that administrators have some sort of annual training or something, but is there any reason they couldn't being a trainer to Fairfax County and conduct an in service, like they do for teachers? I'm sure that it would more cost effective than sending a whole bunch of them to New Orleans or someplace.
Since this system is so caught up in metrics and accountability, I'd love to see a cost/benefit analysis of these trips. Seriously, how much educational benefit is derived from sending all those people to conventions, etc?
Since this system is so caught up in metrics and accountability, I'd love to see a cost/benefit analysis of these trips. Seriously, how much educational benefit is derived from sending all those people to conventions, etc?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 24, 2015 07:42PM
I have no idea about the training agreement/requirements for administrators. I am just posting trips and letting somebody else figure that issue out. The School Board members have to have annual training and things and we have to pay for it. I did find that.
My impression is that there are a lot of different options with conferences and training. I don't know how you would do a cost/benefit analysis on these. Bringing someone to the county to do a special training for just FCPS might not be cost-effective. I would think a lot of these conferences have hundreds of attendees.
My impression is that there are a lot of different options with conferences and training. I don't know how you would do a cost/benefit analysis on these. Bringing someone to the county to do a special training for just FCPS might not be cost-effective. I would think a lot of these conferences have hundreds of attendees.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
question b
()
Date: March 24, 2015 11:29PM
Doesn't $1,489.25 FOr Vegas seems a lot? Wonder if she making us pay for her gambling habits
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have no idea about the training
> agreement/requirements for administrators. I am
> just posting trips and letting somebody else
> figure that issue out. The School Board members
> have to have annual training and things and we
> have to pay for it. I did find that.
> My impression is that there are a lot of different
> options with conferences and training. I don't
> know how you would do a cost/benefit analysis on
> these. Bringing someone to the county to do a
> special training for just FCPS might not be
> cost-effective. I would think a lot of these
> conferences have hundreds of attendees.
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have no idea about the training
> agreement/requirements for administrators. I am
> just posting trips and letting somebody else
> figure that issue out. The School Board members
> have to have annual training and things and we
> have to pay for it. I did find that.
> My impression is that there are a lot of different
> options with conferences and training. I don't
> know how you would do a cost/benefit analysis on
> these. Bringing someone to the county to do a
> special training for just FCPS might not be
> cost-effective. I would think a lot of these
> conferences have hundreds of attendees.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
this is cute
()
Date: March 25, 2015 06:59AM
Here is an excerpt from an audit that was on the FCPS website. No names on here, but there was a table showing that Madison High School had eight travel discrepancies. Nobody else had any. This kind of stuff probably won't show up on the travel claims. Since when do you take cash out of public funds and not bring back any receipts to justify what you did with the cash, knowing full well that you are going to be audited? They actually had to be told to provide some supporting documents? How much more of this is there is what I want to know.
Office of Internal Audit School Activity Funds Audit
October 2012
2i – Travel
One school provided inappropriate cash advances, totaling $2,114.00, for eight nonlocal trips. Six advances were provided without preapproval from the principal and two were provided to the principal without preapproval from the cluster assistant superintendent. All eight cash advances lacked the proper travel request forms and conference information which would indicate where the conferences were being held and if they provided any meals. Upon returning from the conferences, no receipts or proof of purchases were given to the finance technician to reconcile the cash advances. For the eight cash advances it could not be determined where three of the conferences were held; therefore, it is unknown if a cash advance was appropriate or not. For the five stating a location, only one qualified for a cash advance, but the wrong amount was given. Regulation 5310, Travel-Local and Nonlocal, states, “The traveler must obtain prior approval…(and the) approving authorities and delegates must be at a higher grade level than the traveler seeking approval…Requests for prior approval of nonlocal travel must be submitted and approved through Online Travel prior to departure…Travel advances may be made for 75 percent of meals and incidental expenses per diem. Travel advances for less than $200 will not be issued.” Regulation 5810, School Activity Funds Management, states, “Advances are settled by returning cash and/or expenditure documentation equal to the amount of the advance. Completed cash advance records shall be filed with expenditure records of the accounts from which the
advances were made.” Nonlocal travel and cash advance procedures are in place to ensure funds are spent properly. When funds are used inappropriately, account integrity is lost and funds are not properly spent on students.
Recommendations:
We recommend all travel be preapproved, correct documentation collected and retained on file, and advances be made in compliance with FCPS guidelines.
Principals’ Response:
The principal(s) concur(s) with the recommendation(s). (!)
Office of Internal Audit School Activity Funds Audit
October 2012
2i – Travel
One school provided inappropriate cash advances, totaling $2,114.00, for eight nonlocal trips. Six advances were provided without preapproval from the principal and two were provided to the principal without preapproval from the cluster assistant superintendent. All eight cash advances lacked the proper travel request forms and conference information which would indicate where the conferences were being held and if they provided any meals. Upon returning from the conferences, no receipts or proof of purchases were given to the finance technician to reconcile the cash advances. For the eight cash advances it could not be determined where three of the conferences were held; therefore, it is unknown if a cash advance was appropriate or not. For the five stating a location, only one qualified for a cash advance, but the wrong amount was given. Regulation 5310, Travel-Local and Nonlocal, states, “The traveler must obtain prior approval…(and the) approving authorities and delegates must be at a higher grade level than the traveler seeking approval…Requests for prior approval of nonlocal travel must be submitted and approved through Online Travel prior to departure…Travel advances may be made for 75 percent of meals and incidental expenses per diem. Travel advances for less than $200 will not be issued.” Regulation 5810, School Activity Funds Management, states, “Advances are settled by returning cash and/or expenditure documentation equal to the amount of the advance. Completed cash advance records shall be filed with expenditure records of the accounts from which the
advances were made.” Nonlocal travel and cash advance procedures are in place to ensure funds are spent properly. When funds are used inappropriately, account integrity is lost and funds are not properly spent on students.
Recommendations:
We recommend all travel be preapproved, correct documentation collected and retained on file, and advances be made in compliance with FCPS guidelines.
Principals’ Response:
The principal(s) concur(s) with the recommendation(s). (!)
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
this is cute
()
Date: March 25, 2015 07:24AM
There aren't any notations in the travel column on the middle and elementary school tables, either.
This is actually sad, not cute.
Ex-CUSE me?!
Attachments:
This is actually sad, not cute.
Ex-CUSE me?!
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
this is cute
()
Date: March 25, 2015 07:43AM
Obviously you don't need receipts for meals, but it should be very obvious what the cash advances were for. Conference brochure, parking/taxi receipts, etc. And since when do people hand out/take cash without the approval of their superior as clearly stated? How do they track cash advances on the travel claim so that people aren't double paid when that money comes out of individual school accounts, while the other money might be coming out of Central funds?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Actually......
()
Date: March 25, 2015 12:14PM
"Ok, so it's a requirement that administrators have some sort of annual training or something, but is there any reason they couldn't being a trainer to Fairfax County and conduct an in service, like they do for teachers? I'm sure that it would more cost effective than sending a whole bunch of them to New Orleans or someplace." >>>>
It seems they are unable to have a local meeting without checking into Lansdowne, a Hilton, or a Westin for a night or two, maybe getting a luxury suite, signing everybody up for $30 breakfasts and $40 lunches, going to Morton's for dinner at $100 a head, etc. because they consider it too disruptive to take a meal break and have people make their own arrangements like a lot of the government and a lot of private industry does. You would have to factor that in along with the costs of paying the trainers, presenters, etc. to travel here, stay here, bring all their stuff, etc. You would also lose the benefit of discussing things and trading ideas among people from all over the country.
It seems they are unable to have a local meeting without checking into Lansdowne, a Hilton, or a Westin for a night or two, maybe getting a luxury suite, signing everybody up for $30 breakfasts and $40 lunches, going to Morton's for dinner at $100 a head, etc. because they consider it too disruptive to take a meal break and have people make their own arrangements like a lot of the government and a lot of private industry does. You would have to factor that in along with the costs of paying the trainers, presenters, etc. to travel here, stay here, bring all their stuff, etc. You would also lose the benefit of discussing things and trading ideas among people from all over the country.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the flip side
()
Date: March 30, 2015 08:20PM
http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/894856.html
This is what happens when you bring the consultants to Fairfax.
This is what happens when you bring the consultants to Fairfax.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 31, 2015 07:43PM
Let's do a few more trips. Chicago, October 2013.
Hotel per diem was $209, so the rate of $239 was within 150%.
We paid for internet, but since the traveler was Assistant Superintendent, this could be supported as needed for work.
There is a mysterious receipt for Travel Traders that really doesn't make any sense. What exactly are these charges and why are we paying for them? Can anybody decipher this? They aren't supposed to charge meals. They can charge transportation. This doesn't look like transportation. What is this?
There is not any meal per diem paid on the travel claim.
The hotel receipt shows a redacted membership number. Was this hotel put on a personal charge card, or on a county pcard as required?
I have no idea whose charge card the airline ticket was put on.
Attachments:
Hotel per diem was $209, so the rate of $239 was within 150%.
We paid for internet, but since the traveler was Assistant Superintendent, this could be supported as needed for work.
There is a mysterious receipt for Travel Traders that really doesn't make any sense. What exactly are these charges and why are we paying for them? Can anybody decipher this? They aren't supposed to charge meals. They can charge transportation. This doesn't look like transportation. What is this?
There is not any meal per diem paid on the travel claim.
The hotel receipt shows a redacted membership number. Was this hotel put on a personal charge card, or on a county pcard as required?
I have no idea whose charge card the airline ticket was put on.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 31, 2015 08:00PM
^^^^^^^And the plane ticket doesn't look like a very reasonable price on Parris/Chicago.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 31, 2015 08:03PM
Chicago, 9-2013.
Hotel per diem was $190, so $265 per night is within 150%.
Don't think he used satellite parking, but nobody else did either. This has been updated in the new travel guidelines.
Missing a receipt for the taxi.
The baggage fee is rolled in with the airfare on the travel claim instead of broken out separately.
Attachments:
Hotel per diem was $190, so $265 per night is within 150%.
Don't think he used satellite parking, but nobody else did either. This has been updated in the new travel guidelines.
Missing a receipt for the taxi.
The baggage fee is rolled in with the airfare on the travel claim instead of broken out separately.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 31, 2015 08:14PM
New Orleans, 7-2013.
Hotel per diem was $101, the room rate was $155, there is a notation "only claimed $480" and it looks like this was put on a personal charge card instead of a county card as required as it was paid to the traveler.
Partial meal per diem.
Attachments:
Hotel per diem was $101, the room rate was $155, there is a notation "only claimed $480" and it looks like this was put on a personal charge card instead of a county card as required as it was paid to the traveler.
Partial meal per diem.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 31, 2015 08:26PM
Phoenix, 6-2013.
We paid $718 for a plane ticket. I just looked up tickets to Phoenix for similar dates this summer and found a plethora of tickets for about $420 or so.
Hotel per diem was $80, we paid $125. We also paid for internet services.
Would anybody like help purchasing plane tickets? I am really good at that.
Attachments:
We paid $718 for a plane ticket. I just looked up tickets to Phoenix for similar dates this summer and found a plethora of tickets for about $420 or so.
Hotel per diem was $80, we paid $125. We also paid for internet services.
Would anybody like help purchasing plane tickets? I am really good at that.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
pYKFh
()
Date: April 01, 2015 06:54PM
stop peddling fake news
FCPS has made an edict they are doubling they pay
WTOP also advertised for FCPS that Herdon hispanics require 1/2 Billion Dollars to refurbish a SINGLE SCHOOL - if WTOP has not published an apology of error i didn't see (when i read the article, it was already days or weeks old)
your ads concerning $2,000 are a mere red herring , an obstruction to those who have "faith there is a system" to mislead them like lemmings over a cliff
poor people starving and dying in town: will not get a raise in min. wage nor any aid - but will be stalked by militant police. jobs will go to illegals
i don't need to see an audit. an idiot would realize refurbishing an already built school does not equate to a brand new offshore oil rig for mexicans
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
tcJtE
()
Date: April 01, 2015 06:54PM
republicans are suffering from $8T of democrats printing their way into power. which used to come with a death penalty mind you. (8 10^12)/((256 10^6)/4
($125,000) per citizen owed by "our dear gov family yr 2000's"
Owed. is it any wonder law suits are demanding it ? not a single. (per citizen that isn't a gov worker or is in a family of abusive non-sharing gov workers or profiting largely off insider gov) (legal citizens). a conservative est. of disparity yet appauling before a real count.
busch and clinton began with debt and spent allot too: yes. to the tune of $8 trillion more, 8x more, than than their predecessor ? NO
i highly doubt ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD isn't composed of rich political families / mobs who's first priority isn't controlling the printing of fake money: inflationary debt (in all economic cycles), criminal
facist central, the UN, is based NY,NY i hear. they help to legitimize each other's authority of debt. and it's been any country EXCEPT the usa which has had quick growth during it, ssince it is USA taking a backstabbing dive that (first) drove it. UN attacks countries: ie, 15-20 militaries attacking one.
($125,000) per citizen owed by "our dear gov family yr 2000's"
Owed. is it any wonder law suits are demanding it ? not a single. (per citizen that isn't a gov worker or is in a family of abusive non-sharing gov workers or profiting largely off insider gov) (legal citizens). a conservative est. of disparity yet appauling before a real count.
busch and clinton began with debt and spent allot too: yes. to the tune of $8 trillion more, 8x more, than than their predecessor ? NO
i highly doubt ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD isn't composed of rich political families / mobs who's first priority isn't controlling the printing of fake money: inflationary debt (in all economic cycles), criminal
facist central, the UN, is based NY,NY i hear. they help to legitimize each other's authority of debt. and it's been any country EXCEPT the usa which has had quick growth during it, ssince it is USA taking a backstabbing dive that (first) drove it. UN attacks countries: ie, 15-20 militaries attacking one.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: April 02, 2015 03:12PM
got my report
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There have been a lot of comments about travel for
> FCPS employees. Here is a listing for about 15
> months of non-local travel as reported by FCPS.
> There might be other money pots that don't show up
> here. I saw that some travel was paid from ECA's.
> I don't know if all the travel is captured or
> not.
>
> They were requested to do a printout of name,
> where they went, what the dates were, and the
> total amount of the claim.
>
> If you are interested in more details, shoot an
> e-mail to Brandynn Reaves at bareaves@fcps.edu and
> you can get copies of the full travel claim
> showing all receipts, hotel, per diem, etc. Any
> citizen of Virginia can do this as long as they
> aren't in jail, so have at it.
>
> Looks like there WAS a group that went to Orlando
> in June 2014 as per another thread.
Attachments:
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There have been a lot of comments about travel for
> FCPS employees. Here is a listing for about 15
> months of non-local travel as reported by FCPS.
> There might be other money pots that don't show up
> here. I saw that some travel was paid from ECA's.
> I don't know if all the travel is captured or
> not.
>
> They were requested to do a printout of name,
> where they went, what the dates were, and the
> total amount of the claim.
>
> If you are interested in more details, shoot an
> e-mail to Brandynn Reaves at bareaves@fcps.edu and
> you can get copies of the full travel claim
> showing all receipts, hotel, per diem, etc. Any
> citizen of Virginia can do this as long as they
> aren't in jail, so have at it.
>
> Looks like there WAS a group that went to Orlando
> in June 2014 as per another thread.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: April 02, 2015 03:28PM
Dear Ms. Perez:
This e-mail serves as the response to your request for travel claims and supporting documentation of Fairfax County Public Schools employees, received March 17, 2015, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Two separate e-mails with the attached responsive documents will be sent due to the size of each file. Attached is part one of the responsive documents which covers travel information for King, Ricci and Vaerst.
Please note there are redactions because the records contain personal and financial information, which are exempt from disclosure obligations pursuant to Va. Code §§2.2-3705.1(10), 2.2-3705.1(13). The cost estimate of staff time to search for the requested records is $72.52 (2 ¼ hours @ $32.23 per hour Finance Technician III/IV/V). Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F) allows Fairfax County Public Schools to charge for such expenditures. Please remit a check made out to Fairfax County Public Schools, in care of this office.
Sincerely,
I hope someone can help me and send them a check
This e-mail serves as the response to your request for travel claims and supporting documentation of Fairfax County Public Schools employees, received March 17, 2015, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Two separate e-mails with the attached responsive documents will be sent due to the size of each file. Attached is part one of the responsive documents which covers travel information for King, Ricci and Vaerst.
Please note there are redactions because the records contain personal and financial information, which are exempt from disclosure obligations pursuant to Va. Code §§2.2-3705.1(10), 2.2-3705.1(13). The cost estimate of staff time to search for the requested records is $72.52 (2 ¼ hours @ $32.23 per hour Finance Technician III/IV/V). Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F) allows Fairfax County Public Schools to charge for such expenditures. Please remit a check made out to Fairfax County Public Schools, in care of this office.
Sincerely,
I hope someone can help me and send them a check
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 02, 2015 04:35PM
"I hope someone can help me and send them a check"
May I suggest a GoFund Me account?
May I suggest a GoFund Me account?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
equal opportunity
()
Date: April 02, 2015 05:10PM
There was a payment for a conference for the National Alliance of Black School Educators. What percentage black do you have to be to qualify? How can the school system support paying for travel to meetings of an organization that discriminates? Would they pay for travel to the National Alliance of White School Educators? How about the National Alliance of Female or Male or LGBT School Educators?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Tax Payer1
()
Date: April 02, 2015 05:44PM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I hope someone can help me and send them a
> check"
>
> May I suggest a GoFund Me account?
Why did Nardos spend over $25.00 on dinner on her self? Where did she go eat? DID we pay for that?. It doesn't show me what she ate
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I hope someone can help me and send them a
> check"
>
> May I suggest a GoFund Me account?
Why did Nardos spend over $25.00 on dinner on her self? Where did she go eat? DID we pay for that?. It doesn't show me what she ate
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 02, 2015 06:19PM
Tax Payer1 wrote
>
>
> Why did Nardos spend over $25.00 on dinner on her
> self? Where did she go eat? DID we pay for that?.
> It doesn't show me what she ate
She doesn't have to have an itemized receipt for meals because she is on per diem. They are paid a flat rate. I will take a look at this later on. I see that we paid for two checked bags. The new regulation says one bag only unless you are transporting FCPS materials. This was processed under the old regulation which did not specify that. It was a six night stay. The airplane ticket was supposed to be on a county charge card. It was put on a personal charge card.
>
>
> Why did Nardos spend over $25.00 on dinner on her
> self? Where did she go eat? DID we pay for that?.
> It doesn't show me what she ate
She doesn't have to have an itemized receipt for meals because she is on per diem. They are paid a flat rate. I will take a look at this later on. I see that we paid for two checked bags. The new regulation says one bag only unless you are transporting FCPS materials. This was processed under the old regulation which did not specify that. It was a six night stay. The airplane ticket was supposed to be on a county charge card. It was put on a personal charge card.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Mariola
()
Date: April 04, 2015 01:18AM
Older Mexican-Americans Often Disabled, Study Says
THURSDAY, April 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Mexican-American seniors have high rates of physical disabilities, a new study says.
Researchers analyzed data from Mexican-Americans older than 65 who were followed for 18 years. They concluded that, on average, this group of people spends more than half of their remaining years with serious physical disabilities that limit their ability to do everyday tasks.
The risk of physical disabilities was higher among women born in Mexico and among those with less education and money, the study found.
The findings show the growing need for community assistance and long-term care, according to the study published recently in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences.
"The fact that Mexican Americans have an average life expectancy of 81.4 years indicates significant progress against the chronic diseases of aging, although longer life is not an unmixed blessing," study author Jacqueline Angel, of the University of Texas at Austin, said in a journal news release.
"Unfortunately we have not compressed morbidity as much as we would have liked and many older Mexican Americans need extensive care, either from their families or others. Such a burden has serious implications for Mexican-American families and for long-term care policy," she added.
These findings indicate that poverty and lifelong disadvantages seriously undermine the health of many older Mexican Americans, Angel said.
Angel noted that the family tends to step in to provide care to even seriously impaired older parents. Still, "we must develop policies and programs that complement the family in their ability to provide care to older infirm parents in order to improve the quality of life of both the older parents and their caregivers," she concluded.
More Information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about Hispanic-American health.
SOURCE: Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences, news release, March 26, 2015
-------------------------------------------------------
> causeican Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the
> > group went to Orlando.
>
>
> Well, the money went to Orlando. For like 100
> people. One person claimed over $4000 for the
> trip.
THURSDAY, April 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Mexican-American seniors have high rates of physical disabilities, a new study says.
Researchers analyzed data from Mexican-Americans older than 65 who were followed for 18 years. They concluded that, on average, this group of people spends more than half of their remaining years with serious physical disabilities that limit their ability to do everyday tasks.
The risk of physical disabilities was higher among women born in Mexico and among those with less education and money, the study found.
The findings show the growing need for community assistance and long-term care, according to the study published recently in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences.
"The fact that Mexican Americans have an average life expectancy of 81.4 years indicates significant progress against the chronic diseases of aging, although longer life is not an unmixed blessing," study author Jacqueline Angel, of the University of Texas at Austin, said in a journal news release.
"Unfortunately we have not compressed morbidity as much as we would have liked and many older Mexican Americans need extensive care, either from their families or others. Such a burden has serious implications for Mexican-American families and for long-term care policy," she added.
These findings indicate that poverty and lifelong disadvantages seriously undermine the health of many older Mexican Americans, Angel said.
Angel noted that the family tends to step in to provide care to even seriously impaired older parents. Still, "we must develop policies and programs that complement the family in their ability to provide care to older infirm parents in order to improve the quality of life of both the older parents and their caregivers," she concluded.
More Information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about Hispanic-American health.
SOURCE: Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences, news release, March 26, 2015
-------------------------------------------------------
> causeican Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > No it doesn’t It looks like one out of the
> > group went to Orlando.
>
>
> Well, the money went to Orlando. For like 100
> people. One person claimed over $4000 for the
> trip.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
a thank you card would be nice
()
Date: April 04, 2015 07:31AM
The next time you open your real estate tax bill, think about the adult beverages you bought FCPS employees on some of their boondoggles.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 04, 2015 08:12AM
a thank you card would be nice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The next time you open your real estate tax bill,
> think about the adult beverages you bought FCPS
> employees on some of their boondoggles.
I did not say this so don't attribute it to me. They get per diem, they can spend it on anything they want, and if they prefer a liquid diet, they can do it. I don't like per diem. I prefer receipts to substantiate the use of the funds, but it is the law of the land, and that is one battle I am not fighting. I am just matching up trips to the regulations. We expect hotel receipts when they are on hotel per diem, why not restaurant receipts?
Right now the major problems seem to be- a basic room is never good enough, I think the airline ticket prices need to be evaluated more thoroughly, and some of the details like paying for airplane seat upgrades, dates of travel not matching up to issued per diem, inconsistent calculation methods being used for per diem, using personal charge cards for government expenses when they are supposed to use pcards, using government cards for personal expenses and then "paying us back"-eventually/hopefully- (forbidden in the regulations), inflated parking charges, and inconsistent centralized recording of actual travel costs seem to be the problems. At one school they had big problems with unsubstantiated cash advances for travel. That needs to stop immediately. The travelers also need to understand that they need to bring being correct, legible receipts, and check their claims to make sure they are correct. If they don't like doing or correcting these things then I think people can just stay home. I will say that.
I am also not commenting on the actual or perceived benefit gained from the travel because I do not have all the details on the contractual obligations we have with the travelers and other issues. The School Board, for example, has it written in their operating manual that they have to have training of this type and we have to pay for it. Some of the training could be mandatory for the school system to provide for various reasons, particularly in order for them to keep various certifications. They have a huge assortment of employees, all with different professional obligations, both at the personal and school system level.
-------------------------------------------------------
> The next time you open your real estate tax bill,
> think about the adult beverages you bought FCPS
> employees on some of their boondoggles.
I did not say this so don't attribute it to me. They get per diem, they can spend it on anything they want, and if they prefer a liquid diet, they can do it. I don't like per diem. I prefer receipts to substantiate the use of the funds, but it is the law of the land, and that is one battle I am not fighting. I am just matching up trips to the regulations. We expect hotel receipts when they are on hotel per diem, why not restaurant receipts?
Right now the major problems seem to be- a basic room is never good enough, I think the airline ticket prices need to be evaluated more thoroughly, and some of the details like paying for airplane seat upgrades, dates of travel not matching up to issued per diem, inconsistent calculation methods being used for per diem, using personal charge cards for government expenses when they are supposed to use pcards, using government cards for personal expenses and then "paying us back"-eventually/hopefully- (forbidden in the regulations), inflated parking charges, and inconsistent centralized recording of actual travel costs seem to be the problems. At one school they had big problems with unsubstantiated cash advances for travel. That needs to stop immediately. The travelers also need to understand that they need to bring being correct, legible receipts, and check their claims to make sure they are correct. If they don't like doing or correcting these things then I think people can just stay home. I will say that.
I am also not commenting on the actual or perceived benefit gained from the travel because I do not have all the details on the contractual obligations we have with the travelers and other issues. The School Board, for example, has it written in their operating manual that they have to have training of this type and we have to pay for it. Some of the training could be mandatory for the school system to provide for various reasons, particularly in order for them to keep various certifications. They have a huge assortment of employees, all with different professional obligations, both at the personal and school system level.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
No Accountability
()
Date: April 04, 2015 10:53PM
I would like to know why Jay Pearson went to Denmark last September? What could FCPS gain from sending a region principal to Denmark for more than a week?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Just ask!
()
Date: April 05, 2015 06:09PM
No Accountability Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would like to know why Jay Pearson went to
> Denmark last September? What could FCPS gain from
> sending a region principal to Denmark for more
> than a week?
Ask for the travel claim and see what they went to for a start.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would like to know why Jay Pearson went to
> Denmark last September? What could FCPS gain from
> sending a region principal to Denmark for more
> than a week?
Ask for the travel claim and see what they went to for a start.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
...
()
Date: April 25, 2015 11:15AM
...
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
current events
()
Date: April 25, 2015 11:32AM
Since FCPS is crying about a budget shortage, they should ban all of this travel.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 25, 2015 02:51PM
current events Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since FCPS is crying about a budget shortage, they
> should ban all of this travel.
You are entitled to your opinion and free to express it here. OP is only commenting on whether the travel claims are processed according to school regulations.
Tips-
The first thing you do when you are authorized travel is to find out what your hotel per diem rate is for the area you are going. You need to aim for that. Don't automatically take the 150%. Aim for per diem. You are spending money people had to pay instead of providing their family's needs, and don't ever forget that.
You only get a basic room. If you are traveling with your family, for example, and want a larger room, we don't pay for that.
You can only be paid meal per diem for the days you actually travel. I have not formally heard how it works when breakfast is included with your hotel rate, but I have see several claims where people stayed at hotels that did that and per diem was not paid.
If any meals are included in your conference fee, you are not authorized per diem for those meals. That includes breakfasts and dinners.
You are not authorized to put meals on the pcards. You are not authorized to put personal expenses on the pcards. No room service. No extras. Check the travel regulation.
If you think the meal per diem is not enough, then you need to scale back your restaurant choices or pay the extra out of your own funds. There aren't any other options. This is not a paid vacation for you. I know of plenty of people who go to McDonald's and eat off the Value menu and bank the per diem. You can do that. If you are all as broke as you say you are, this makes a lot of sense. It is legal, unfortunately.
You park in satellite lots, NOT $45 per day/hourly parking. If you don't like that, take a cab. I don't even have a problem with a reasonable parking garage, but the regulation reads satellite lots.
You don't get seat upgrades on the plane.
When you buy your plane ticket, it needs to be something reasonable and appropriate. I don't consider $600+ to fly to Orlando and back reasonable and appropriate, but more research would have to be done as to what was available at the time of booking. It is very easy to research flights. I do this all the time. You go to any of the major ticket sites (Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, etc.), and check other airlines that book themselves (like Southwest). There are two major airports in this area and there are lots of options. You don't have to get to BWI any more for a decent fare.
I would be happy to help. Let me know where you need to go and I can run some numbers for you. We can do this anonymously right here. I will volunteer my time. Half of my property taxes go to pay for the school system. I have every right to have a real interest in what is going on.
If you don't like any of this, STAY HOME.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since FCPS is crying about a budget shortage, they
> should ban all of this travel.
You are entitled to your opinion and free to express it here. OP is only commenting on whether the travel claims are processed according to school regulations.
Tips-
The first thing you do when you are authorized travel is to find out what your hotel per diem rate is for the area you are going. You need to aim for that. Don't automatically take the 150%. Aim for per diem. You are spending money people had to pay instead of providing their family's needs, and don't ever forget that.
You only get a basic room. If you are traveling with your family, for example, and want a larger room, we don't pay for that.
You can only be paid meal per diem for the days you actually travel. I have not formally heard how it works when breakfast is included with your hotel rate, but I have see several claims where people stayed at hotels that did that and per diem was not paid.
If any meals are included in your conference fee, you are not authorized per diem for those meals. That includes breakfasts and dinners.
You are not authorized to put meals on the pcards. You are not authorized to put personal expenses on the pcards. No room service. No extras. Check the travel regulation.
If you think the meal per diem is not enough, then you need to scale back your restaurant choices or pay the extra out of your own funds. There aren't any other options. This is not a paid vacation for you. I know of plenty of people who go to McDonald's and eat off the Value menu and bank the per diem. You can do that. If you are all as broke as you say you are, this makes a lot of sense. It is legal, unfortunately.
You park in satellite lots, NOT $45 per day/hourly parking. If you don't like that, take a cab. I don't even have a problem with a reasonable parking garage, but the regulation reads satellite lots.
You don't get seat upgrades on the plane.
When you buy your plane ticket, it needs to be something reasonable and appropriate. I don't consider $600+ to fly to Orlando and back reasonable and appropriate, but more research would have to be done as to what was available at the time of booking. It is very easy to research flights. I do this all the time. You go to any of the major ticket sites (Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, etc.), and check other airlines that book themselves (like Southwest). There are two major airports in this area and there are lots of options. You don't have to get to BWI any more for a decent fare.
I would be happy to help. Let me know where you need to go and I can run some numbers for you. We can do this anonymously right here. I will volunteer my time. Half of my property taxes go to pay for the school system. I have every right to have a real interest in what is going on.
If you don't like any of this, STAY HOME.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
just keep it up
()
Date: April 25, 2015 03:29PM
Above post says it all. Unfortunately there is little oversite, perhaps the least of any County agency, Their arrogance will be their downfall
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
join in!
()
Date: April 25, 2015 03:56PM
just keep it up Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Above post says it all. Unfortunately there is
> little oversite, perhaps the least of any County
> agency, Their arrogance will be their downfall
Jump on in. Pull some claims.
Eddy, Rodeheaver, Blankenship, Murphy, McCulla, Thomas, and Poole----June, 2013 to Napa/San Francisco are next. Give it two weeks.
Yet another traveler is paying back the county some money. You can't collect per diem on a day you didn't travel, plus some other stuff. Congratulations. Thank you, School Board auditor. No sympathy any more. Your plane lands on Saturday, don't go collecting per diem for Sunday. This is public record. If you don't like being in the spotlight, stay home or make sure your travel claims are correct.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Above post says it all. Unfortunately there is
> little oversite, perhaps the least of any County
> agency, Their arrogance will be their downfall
Jump on in. Pull some claims.
Eddy, Rodeheaver, Blankenship, Murphy, McCulla, Thomas, and Poole----June, 2013 to Napa/San Francisco are next. Give it two weeks.
Yet another traveler is paying back the county some money. You can't collect per diem on a day you didn't travel, plus some other stuff. Congratulations. Thank you, School Board auditor. No sympathy any more. Your plane lands on Saturday, don't go collecting per diem for Sunday. This is public record. If you don't like being in the spotlight, stay home or make sure your travel claims are correct.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Vote them Out
()
Date: April 25, 2015 03:57PM
I've asked questions about contracts and travel to Patti Reed, who has referred them to various people at Gatehouse. I get vague, incomplete answers.
FCPS is out of control. Let them go to Orlando when schools are not losing accreditation left and right. Let them live within their means.
I plan to vote against my local school board person, all at large incumbents, Sharon Bulova and my local board supervisor. I'd love to be able to vote Karen Garza out as well, hopefully the new board will take care of that.
FCPS is out of control. Let them go to Orlando when schools are not losing accreditation left and right. Let them live within their means.
I plan to vote against my local school board person, all at large incumbents, Sharon Bulova and my local board supervisor. I'd love to be able to vote Karen Garza out as well, hopefully the new board will take care of that.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Time to fight back-elections
()
Date: April 25, 2015 04:33PM
Vote them Out Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've asked questions about contracts and travel to
> Patti Reed, who has referred them to various
> people at Gatehouse. I get vague, incomplete
> answers.
>
> FCPS is out of control. Let them go to Orlando
> when schools are not losing accreditation left and
> right. Let them live within their means.
>
> I plan to vote against my local school board
> person, all at large incumbents, Sharon Bulova and
> my local board supervisor. I'd love to be able to
> vote Karen Garza out as well, hopefully the new
> board will take care of that.
amen to that, only when tax assessments get out of hand will people sit up and take notice. The County has no intention of losing their AAA bond rating. If they continue to rubber stamp these outrageous budget School board increases every year, they will be hitting the homeowners to anty up. There is no external auditing, they is even less accountability. Make them justify these expenditures as other County entities do. The system likes to believe that more money means a better school system. Looking at current score and reading levels they are just plain stupid or believe the parents and residents are.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've asked questions about contracts and travel to
> Patti Reed, who has referred them to various
> people at Gatehouse. I get vague, incomplete
> answers.
>
> FCPS is out of control. Let them go to Orlando
> when schools are not losing accreditation left and
> right. Let them live within their means.
>
> I plan to vote against my local school board
> person, all at large incumbents, Sharon Bulova and
> my local board supervisor. I'd love to be able to
> vote Karen Garza out as well, hopefully the new
> board will take care of that.
amen to that, only when tax assessments get out of hand will people sit up and take notice. The County has no intention of losing their AAA bond rating. If they continue to rubber stamp these outrageous budget School board increases every year, they will be hitting the homeowners to anty up. There is no external auditing, they is even less accountability. Make them justify these expenditures as other County entities do. The system likes to believe that more money means a better school system. Looking at current score and reading levels they are just plain stupid or believe the parents and residents are.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Dan Stork
()
Date: April 25, 2015 04:52PM
How about Barb try and run the system or maybe run for school board. Maybe she is better than everyone else and she represent FCPS since she clearly thinks she can do a better job. Get a life and quit worrying so much about the county. Focus on your own screwed up kid.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Party City
()
Date: April 25, 2015 09:00PM
Maybe if the school staff weren't so busy with massages and parties they could get their work done. Cry me a river......
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
()
Date: April 25, 2015 09:31PM
join in! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> just keep it up Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Above post says it all. Unfortunately there is
> > little oversite, perhaps the least of any
> County
> > agency, Their arrogance will be their downfall
>
> Jump on in. Pull some claims.
>
> Eddy, Rodeheaver, Blankenship, Murphy, McCulla,
> Thomas, and Poole----June, 2013 to Napa/San
> Francisco are next. Give it two weeks.
>
> Yet another traveler is paying back the county
> some money. You can't collect per diem on a day
> you didn't travel, plus some other stuff.
> Congratulations. Thank you, School Board auditor.
> No sympathy any more. Your plane lands on
> Saturday, don't go collecting per diem for Sunday.
> This is public record. If you don't like being in
> the spotlight, stay home or make sure your travel
> claims are correct.
Kannapell?
-------------------------------------------------------
> just keep it up Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Above post says it all. Unfortunately there is
> > little oversite, perhaps the least of any
> County
> > agency, Their arrogance will be their downfall
>
> Jump on in. Pull some claims.
>
> Eddy, Rodeheaver, Blankenship, Murphy, McCulla,
> Thomas, and Poole----June, 2013 to Napa/San
> Francisco are next. Give it two weeks.
>
> Yet another traveler is paying back the county
> some money. You can't collect per diem on a day
> you didn't travel, plus some other stuff.
> Congratulations. Thank you, School Board auditor.
> No sympathy any more. Your plane lands on
> Saturday, don't go collecting per diem for Sunday.
> This is public record. If you don't like being in
> the spotlight, stay home or make sure your travel
> claims are correct.
Kannapell?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 26, 2015 07:38AM
I am going to say it again. When you travel on county money, people have been mandated to give up money that they could have used on their family in order to provide you with a trip. I realize that taxes are the price of a civilized society, but don't go signing or clicking "yes" on "is this travel claim correct and appropriate" when you don't have correct receipts, you don't have any receipts, per diem limits are ignored, incorrect amounts are requested, you are double-dipping, expense limits are not followed, etc. I am not commenting on whether the conferences and training are necessary.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
FCPS Looking the Other Way
()
Date: April 26, 2015 10:24AM
FCPS employees caught abusing travel funds should be fired and prosecuted for theft, no two ways about it.
FCPS eats up half the County budget, a lot of it is waste and fraud.
The conferences and training, even if deemed necessary, are clearly not working given the increases in lack of accreditation and poor test scores. It is obvious that these trips are boondoggles, or routing money to favored conference and training suppliers.
If the current school board members think they will be re-elected, they need to think again. If certain school board members think they will be elected to the Board of Supervisors, they need to think again.
FCPS eats up half the County budget, a lot of it is waste and fraud.
The conferences and training, even if deemed necessary, are clearly not working given the increases in lack of accreditation and poor test scores. It is obvious that these trips are boondoggles, or routing money to favored conference and training suppliers.
If the current school board members think they will be re-elected, they need to think again. If certain school board members think they will be elected to the Board of Supervisors, they need to think again.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the dark side
()
Date: April 26, 2015 12:15PM
I am going to tell you an ugly story from an audit I saw of a trip to Chicago that two FCPS teachers went on that was paid for by a parent group.
This was a three day conference. They were given a $200 cash advance from the parent group, told to provide receipts, and had nothing to show for it besides a handwritten note saying they spent over $200 on cabs and tips. The conference was at an enormous downtown luxury hotel. All events were held right at the hotel, and the conference ran over 12 hours a day. All the restaurant receipts showed they ate within 2 miles of the hotel and the tips were on the receipts. Cab fare in downtown Chicago was $2 a mile at the time. There are lots of restaurants within easy walking distance of this hotel. There was also a continuous free shuttle running to yet another enormous luxury hotel that also had lots of restaurants adjacent to it. The parents also had to pay for concierge level hotel rooms at a significant cost. They were "necessary". The restaurant receipts (they did not do GSA) were sad. Some swanky Brazilian steakhouse was one of them.
How much time can you spend at a conference when you are racking up $70 a day on cabs?
The two airport transfers ran over $200 total (instead of $60-$80 total as indicated on the hotel website) because they were traveling with the family of one of the teachers, one member who was also an FCPS teacher attending the conference. The "two teachers" could have shared a cab. The three teachers could have shared a cab.
And the parent group fell for this hook, line, and sinker. I am not naming any names. Focus on the issues.
These trips need to be very, very closely monitored.
This was a three day conference. They were given a $200 cash advance from the parent group, told to provide receipts, and had nothing to show for it besides a handwritten note saying they spent over $200 on cabs and tips. The conference was at an enormous downtown luxury hotel. All events were held right at the hotel, and the conference ran over 12 hours a day. All the restaurant receipts showed they ate within 2 miles of the hotel and the tips were on the receipts. Cab fare in downtown Chicago was $2 a mile at the time. There are lots of restaurants within easy walking distance of this hotel. There was also a continuous free shuttle running to yet another enormous luxury hotel that also had lots of restaurants adjacent to it. The parents also had to pay for concierge level hotel rooms at a significant cost. They were "necessary". The restaurant receipts (they did not do GSA) were sad. Some swanky Brazilian steakhouse was one of them.
How much time can you spend at a conference when you are racking up $70 a day on cabs?
The two airport transfers ran over $200 total (instead of $60-$80 total as indicated on the hotel website) because they were traveling with the family of one of the teachers, one member who was also an FCPS teacher attending the conference. The "two teachers" could have shared a cab. The three teachers could have shared a cab.
And the parent group fell for this hook, line, and sinker. I am not naming any names. Focus on the issues.
These trips need to be very, very closely monitored.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the dark side
()
Date: April 26, 2015 12:47PM
And these two teachers were also given parent group charge cards to use whenever they felt it was indicated. 24X7X365. They could have used those for the cabs. But, no.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
/////////////////////
()
Date: April 26, 2015 08:22PM
the dark side Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am going to tell you an ugly story from an audit
> I saw of a trip to Chicago that two FCPS teachers
> went on that was paid for by a parent group.
>
> This was a three day conference. They were given a
> $200 cash advance from the parent group, told to
> provide receipts, and had nothing to show for it
> besides a handwritten note saying they spent over
> $200 on cabs and tips. The conference was at an
> enormous downtown luxury hotel. All events were
> held right at the hotel, and the conference ran
> over 12 hours a day. All the restaurant receipts
> showed they ate within 2 miles of the hotel and
> the tips were on the receipts. Cab fare in
> downtown Chicago was $2 a mile at the time. There
> are lots of restaurants within easy walking
> distance of this hotel. There was also a
> continuous free shuttle running to yet another
> enormous luxury hotel that also had lots of
> restaurants adjacent to it. The parents also had
> to pay for concierge level hotel rooms at a
> significant cost. They were "necessary". The
> restaurant receipts (they did not do GSA) were
> sad. Some swanky Brazilian steakhouse was one of
> them.
>
> How much time can you spend at a conference when
> you are racking up $70 a day on cabs?
>
> The two airport transfers ran over $200 total
> (instead of $60-$80 total as indicated on the
> hotel website) because they were traveling with
> the family of one of the teachers, one member who
> was also an FCPS teacher attending the conference.
> The "two teachers" could have shared a cab. The
> three teachers could have shared a cab.
>
> And the parent group fell for this hook, line, and
> sinker. I am not naming any names. Focus on the
> issues.
>
> These trips need to be very, very closely
> monitored.
Nice.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am going to tell you an ugly story from an audit
> I saw of a trip to Chicago that two FCPS teachers
> went on that was paid for by a parent group.
>
> This was a three day conference. They were given a
> $200 cash advance from the parent group, told to
> provide receipts, and had nothing to show for it
> besides a handwritten note saying they spent over
> $200 on cabs and tips. The conference was at an
> enormous downtown luxury hotel. All events were
> held right at the hotel, and the conference ran
> over 12 hours a day. All the restaurant receipts
> showed they ate within 2 miles of the hotel and
> the tips were on the receipts. Cab fare in
> downtown Chicago was $2 a mile at the time. There
> are lots of restaurants within easy walking
> distance of this hotel. There was also a
> continuous free shuttle running to yet another
> enormous luxury hotel that also had lots of
> restaurants adjacent to it. The parents also had
> to pay for concierge level hotel rooms at a
> significant cost. They were "necessary". The
> restaurant receipts (they did not do GSA) were
> sad. Some swanky Brazilian steakhouse was one of
> them.
>
> How much time can you spend at a conference when
> you are racking up $70 a day on cabs?
>
> The two airport transfers ran over $200 total
> (instead of $60-$80 total as indicated on the
> hotel website) because they were traveling with
> the family of one of the teachers, one member who
> was also an FCPS teacher attending the conference.
> The "two teachers" could have shared a cab. The
> three teachers could have shared a cab.
>
> And the parent group fell for this hook, line, and
> sinker. I am not naming any names. Focus on the
> issues.
>
> These trips need to be very, very closely
> monitored.
Nice.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
why
()
Date: April 26, 2015 10:56PM
why is fcps traveling to conferences when all other agencies have suspended travel? why not use the travel budget to close the budget gap? this is why no one listens to fcps budget whining.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 27, 2015 09:54AM
why Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> why is fcps traveling to conferences when all
> other agencies have suspended travel? why not use
> the travel budget to close the budget gap? this
> is why no one listens to fcps budget whining.
Some things might be required in order to maintain their accreditations, etc. I am not getting mixed up in that. I am just looking at the reports. You can ask any questions you want regarding that topic. Go right ahead.
-------------------------------------------------------
> why is fcps traveling to conferences when all
> other agencies have suspended travel? why not use
> the travel budget to close the budget gap? this
> is why no one listens to fcps budget whining.
Some things might be required in order to maintain their accreditations, etc. I am not getting mixed up in that. I am just looking at the reports. You can ask any questions you want regarding that topic. Go right ahead.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
FairfaxTaxPayer22
()
Date: April 27, 2015 10:41PM
How do you ask for the cost of defending a principal who was sued by 3 or 4 employees and a student? It must be tens of thousands of taxpayer money and now they seem to be arranging settlements. WTH? Why spend this much money and then settle. I guess they don't want to say the principal made a costly mistake!
Any idea on how to get this information from them? Would a FOIA work for this type of spending? Thanks!
Any idea on how to get this information from them? Would a FOIA work for this type of spending? Thanks!
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
try
()
Date: April 27, 2015 10:56PM
FairfaxTaxPayer22 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How do you ask for the cost of defending a
> principal who was sued by 3 or 4 employees and a
> student? It must be tens of thousands of taxpayer
> money and now they seem to be arranging
> settlements. WTH? Why spend this much money and
> then settle. I guess they don't want to say the
> principal made a costly mistake!
>
> Any idea on how to get this information from them?
> Would a FOIA work for this type of spending?
> Thanks!
Ir doesn't hurt to try...... try it and post it if u found out anything
-------------------------------------------------------
> How do you ask for the cost of defending a
> principal who was sued by 3 or 4 employees and a
> student? It must be tens of thousands of taxpayer
> money and now they seem to be arranging
> settlements. WTH? Why spend this much money and
> then settle. I guess they don't want to say the
> principal made a costly mistake!
>
> Any idea on how to get this information from them?
> Would a FOIA work for this type of spending?
> Thanks!
Ir doesn't hurt to try...... try it and post it if u found out anything
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: April 28, 2015 07:14AM
We are just looking at travel claims here. Good luck.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
travelocitee
()
Date: April 28, 2015 08:47AM
All right, this is nasty, but I just have no tolerance for this kind of stuff.
I first noticed on this claim that the traveler came home on the 22nd, was paid food per diem on the 23rd. That was a very bad idea. I then noticed that the hotel deposit indicated on the credit card statement did not match the deposit on the hotel receipt, the total charge also being really expensive ($1634.76) and did not match the amount noted on the travel claim ($1085). Another bad idea. I requested unredacted credit card statements. I also requested a copy of the car rental contract. I looked up hotel rates on the internet. Called the hotel immediately. This was an upgraded room, ran about an extra $40-50 per night. The base rate was way over per diem of $147 ($229-$289 the last night). A basic room would have been over per diem but within the 150%. Breakfast was included in the room rate. I looked up the conference. The exact same conference this summer has breakfast and lunch included. All five days. The conference this summer ends at noon on Friday. There are red eye flights out of San Fran, an hour away. Obviously somebody needed to check what the conference details were. I got the unredacted credit card statements and.....
I demanded an explanation, in a major way.
1. Explain/prove how/why this room only cost the county $1085 when the county charge card shows $1600+. We paid about $1300 for the other travelers' rooms. I am entirely open to an explanation. I also noted the traveler went out a day early. We did not pay for that night. It looks like it was a weekly rate on the car we paid for and extra costs were probably not incurred.
2. Prove why this traveler rated food per diem on the 23rd when the plane landed on the 22nd. I am all eyes and ears. ($71 a day)
3. Why did we pay for a whole bunch of $9-$12 breakfasts when we had already paid for breakfast in the hotel room rate and it was possibly/probably included in the conference? County policy is any meals included with conferences warrant meals removed from per diem.
4. Why did we pay for lunch on Friday when the traveler stayed over, and lunch was very likely included with the conference?
5. Why did we have to pay $289 ( total of about $329) for Friday night if the conference ended at noon and there are late afternoon, early evening flights back to DC? That also added another day of food per diem.
6. I looked up room rates and there were lots of hotels very close to per diem. They are not dives. Holiday Inn Express, etc. The traveler had use of a great big Suburban (there were multiple travelers staying at the hotel). Why did these people all have to stay here, particularly since this upgraded room on Friday night rang up at $289+?
The other traveler blacked out on the travel agency receipt was another staff member.
I checked on procedure and travelers are supposed to click on "yes, this trip claim is accurate and the expenses are appropriate".
I helped pay for this trip and I will put this out here if I want. It's public record. I can see a minor goof here and there but this was ridiculous. If the traveler or FCPS is upset I really don't care. If you don't like paying attention to your travel claims and working within the limits set by the county, and having your travel claim displayed for the world, then don't travel. Or pay for it yourself.
I am awaiting a copy of the reimbursement to the county. I hope it is significant. Somehow, I doubt it.
Attachments:
I first noticed on this claim that the traveler came home on the 22nd, was paid food per diem on the 23rd. That was a very bad idea. I then noticed that the hotel deposit indicated on the credit card statement did not match the deposit on the hotel receipt, the total charge also being really expensive ($1634.76) and did not match the amount noted on the travel claim ($1085). Another bad idea. I requested unredacted credit card statements. I also requested a copy of the car rental contract. I looked up hotel rates on the internet. Called the hotel immediately. This was an upgraded room, ran about an extra $40-50 per night. The base rate was way over per diem of $147 ($229-$289 the last night). A basic room would have been over per diem but within the 150%. Breakfast was included in the room rate. I looked up the conference. The exact same conference this summer has breakfast and lunch included. All five days. The conference this summer ends at noon on Friday. There are red eye flights out of San Fran, an hour away. Obviously somebody needed to check what the conference details were. I got the unredacted credit card statements and.....
I demanded an explanation, in a major way.
1. Explain/prove how/why this room only cost the county $1085 when the county charge card shows $1600+. We paid about $1300 for the other travelers' rooms. I am entirely open to an explanation. I also noted the traveler went out a day early. We did not pay for that night. It looks like it was a weekly rate on the car we paid for and extra costs were probably not incurred.
2. Prove why this traveler rated food per diem on the 23rd when the plane landed on the 22nd. I am all eyes and ears. ($71 a day)
3. Why did we pay for a whole bunch of $9-$12 breakfasts when we had already paid for breakfast in the hotel room rate and it was possibly/probably included in the conference? County policy is any meals included with conferences warrant meals removed from per diem.
4. Why did we pay for lunch on Friday when the traveler stayed over, and lunch was very likely included with the conference?
5. Why did we have to pay $289 ( total of about $329) for Friday night if the conference ended at noon and there are late afternoon, early evening flights back to DC? That also added another day of food per diem.
6. I looked up room rates and there were lots of hotels very close to per diem. They are not dives. Holiday Inn Express, etc. The traveler had use of a great big Suburban (there were multiple travelers staying at the hotel). Why did these people all have to stay here, particularly since this upgraded room on Friday night rang up at $289+?
The other traveler blacked out on the travel agency receipt was another staff member.
I checked on procedure and travelers are supposed to click on "yes, this trip claim is accurate and the expenses are appropriate".
I helped pay for this trip and I will put this out here if I want. It's public record. I can see a minor goof here and there but this was ridiculous. If the traveler or FCPS is upset I really don't care. If you don't like paying attention to your travel claims and working within the limits set by the county, and having your travel claim displayed for the world, then don't travel. Or pay for it yourself.
I am awaiting a copy of the reimbursement to the county. I hope it is significant. Somehow, I doubt it.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Staff Development Office
()
Date: April 28, 2015 05:02PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Per diem
()
Date: April 28, 2015 05:06PM
Will FCPS up the per diem for trips to Baltimore to cover personal vehicles damaged by orange cones?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
7$&85:8$
()
Date: April 28, 2015 05:08PM
Hazardous duty pay bonus is authorized effective immediately.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Staff Development Office
()
Date: April 28, 2015 05:13PM
Staff Development Office Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://pblworld.org/info
Can I check in the day my workshop or academy begins?
Yes, but it will be more efficient and enjoyable (wine and refreshments) if you attend the check-in reception Sunday night (June 21) from 3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott.
-------------------------------------------
Wouldn't want to miss this, for sure.
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://pblworld.org/info
Can I check in the day my workshop or academy begins?
Yes, but it will be more efficient and enjoyable (wine and refreshments) if you attend the check-in reception Sunday night (June 21) from 3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott.
-------------------------------------------
Wouldn't want to miss this, for sure.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Staff Development Office
()
Date: April 28, 2015 05:17PM
Staff Development Office Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://pblworld.org/info
Will all the sessions be taught in English?
Yes.
_________________
It is a shame that you have to ask any more.
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://pblworld.org/info
Will all the sessions be taught in English?
Yes.
_________________
It is a shame that you have to ask any more.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Staff Development Office
()
Date: April 28, 2015 05:21PM
Staff Development Office Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://pblworld.org/info
If I bring my family with me will there be things for them to do?
The city Napa has a wonderful system of public parks. The Napa Premium Outlets is a prime destination for those who like to shop. Napa is within 30 minutes of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and with 60-75 minutes of San Francisco. Napa Valley.Com offers a wide variety of options to keep your family busy and entertained.
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://pblworld.org/info
If I bring my family with me will there be things for them to do?
The city Napa has a wonderful system of public parks. The Napa Premium Outlets is a prime destination for those who like to shop. Napa is within 30 minutes of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and with 60-75 minutes of San Francisco. Napa Valley.Com offers a wide variety of options to keep your family busy and entertained.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
hotwyre.com
()
Date: April 30, 2015 09:36AM
The county was reimbursed only $89 for the above per diem issue. This is weak but not surprising. What about the fancy hotel room, included meals, etc.? Since when do we pay for a suite (maybe with a Jacuzzi) when a plain room will do just fine and that is what everybody else stayed in? Since when do we pay way over per diem when we are providing a great big vehicle for staff members to get to and from a conference and there are plenty of less expensive hotels a few miles down the road at most?
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
zagatte
()
Date: May 01, 2015 08:49PM
Here's another great trip story.
The School Board went to New Orleans for a National School Boards Convention. The Chairman of the Board took them off per diem one night, plunked down the county credit card, and they blew $63 a person on dinner. The receipt is incredible. Looks marvelous. The Chairman put the meals for three spouses on the county card. We were reimbursed.
I guess this was a "special function". Special function my eye. They were at a conference and wanted a fancy dinner and wanted us to pay for it.
Does anybody else have a problem with this?
Attachments:
The School Board went to New Orleans for a National School Boards Convention. The Chairman of the Board took them off per diem one night, plunked down the county credit card, and they blew $63 a person on dinner. The receipt is incredible. Looks marvelous. The Chairman put the meals for three spouses on the county card. We were reimbursed.
I guess this was a "special function". Special function my eye. They were at a conference and wanted a fancy dinner and wanted us to pay for it.
Does anybody else have a problem with this?
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
965tfd
()
Date: May 02, 2015 06:54AM
FCPS employees caught abusing travel funds should be fired and prosecuted for theft, no two ways about it.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
zagatte
()
Date: May 02, 2015 07:46AM
zagatte Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's another great trip story.
> The School Board went to New Orleans for a
> National School Boards Convention. The Chairman of
> the Board took them off per diem one night,
> plunked down the county credit card, and they blew
> $63 a person on dinner. The receipt is incredible.
> Looks marvelous. The Chairman put the meals for
> three spouses on the county card. We were
> reimbursed.
>
> I guess this was a "special function". Special
> function my eye. They were at a conference and
> wanted a fancy dinner and wanted us to pay for
> it.
>
> Does anybody else have a problem with this?
Actually it was $61 a person. We got a deal.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's another great trip story.
> The School Board went to New Orleans for a
> National School Boards Convention. The Chairman of
> the Board took them off per diem one night,
> plunked down the county credit card, and they blew
> $63 a person on dinner. The receipt is incredible.
> Looks marvelous. The Chairman put the meals for
> three spouses on the county card. We were
> reimbursed.
>
> I guess this was a "special function". Special
> function my eye. They were at a conference and
> wanted a fancy dinner and wanted us to pay for
> it.
>
> Does anybody else have a problem with this?
Actually it was $61 a person. We got a deal.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: May 20, 2015 08:54AM
More fun with per diem out in Napa. June, 2013. PBL World. 13 more travelers' claims were pulled after looking at Kannapell's claim.
Employee was paid for breakfast and lunch per diem for five days when it was included with the conference. There is a conference brochure included clearly stating this. 5 X $27=$135. Travel regulations prohibit being paid for meals that are included in a conference. Don't know what to do about the 6/22 per diem. The flight landed at 12:40 am that day. Maybe a stop at Denny's on the way home from the airport?
The lodging entry shows $614.20 but the actual bill was for about $1020. Just within the 150% per diem limit. Five nights. Traveler flew out early and incurred an additional two nights stay at their own expense.
This traveler managed to catch the 4:25pm flight back Friday evening and we did not have to pay for the hotel for 6/21, unlike Kannapell's trip, where we got socked for over $300 for that extra night, plus an extra day of food per diem. Thank goodness for that, at least.
Ms. Kannapell owes us for more per diem since two meals a day were included with the conference. We only got reimbursed for one day of per diem plus one meal.
I would not want to be working in the travel section right now because there are several more claims like these that will be posted later on. You can't be paid for per diem for days you don't travel. You can't be paid per diem when you travel out early or stay on for personal reasons. You can't be paid per diem for meals included with a conference. Come on, people. When you turn in your claims you acknowledge that they are correct.
Attachments:
Employee was paid for breakfast and lunch per diem for five days when it was included with the conference. There is a conference brochure included clearly stating this. 5 X $27=$135. Travel regulations prohibit being paid for meals that are included in a conference. Don't know what to do about the 6/22 per diem. The flight landed at 12:40 am that day. Maybe a stop at Denny's on the way home from the airport?
The lodging entry shows $614.20 but the actual bill was for about $1020. Just within the 150% per diem limit. Five nights. Traveler flew out early and incurred an additional two nights stay at their own expense.
This traveler managed to catch the 4:25pm flight back Friday evening and we did not have to pay for the hotel for 6/21, unlike Kannapell's trip, where we got socked for over $300 for that extra night, plus an extra day of food per diem. Thank goodness for that, at least.
Ms. Kannapell owes us for more per diem since two meals a day were included with the conference. We only got reimbursed for one day of per diem plus one meal.
I would not want to be working in the travel section right now because there are several more claims like these that will be posted later on. You can't be paid for per diem for days you don't travel. You can't be paid per diem when you travel out early or stay on for personal reasons. You can't be paid per diem for meals included with a conference. Come on, people. When you turn in your claims you acknowledge that they are correct.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
hotwyre.com
()
Date: May 20, 2015 10:51AM
Here is another fun one. Napa. June, 2013.
The conference started on 6/17. The traveler went out early and claimed per diem for 6/15. Traveler claimed per diem for breakfast X 5 M-F, plus lunch on Friday. These were all included in the conference. So, we are owed at least $149 back.
There are more.................
Attachments:
The conference started on 6/17. The traveler went out early and claimed per diem for 6/15. Traveler claimed per diem for breakfast X 5 M-F, plus lunch on Friday. These were all included in the conference. So, we are owed at least $149 back.
There are more.................
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: May 20, 2015 12:35PM
Here is the regulation that was in effect at the time of these trips. Page 5.
If meals are included in the event, no per diem is paid. This regulation has been long-standing. Nothing new here. The date on it is 2007. No excuses.
Attachments:
![R5310[1].pdf](http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/file.php?2,file=187218,filename=R5310_1_.pdf "R5310[1].pdf")
If meals are included in the event, no per diem is paid. This regulation has been long-standing. Nothing new here. The date on it is 2007. No excuses.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: May 20, 2015 01:01PM
Another wonderful week in Napa. June, 2013.
Ms. Thomas owes us for breakfast and lunch X 5=$135. Was also paid for breakfast 6/22 when the plane was due in at 12:40am. This traveler flew out two days early also.
The claim show a hotel amount of $614, which is half of the PO on file, which is not matching the amount on the hotel receipt, which has Poole's name on it. If they shared a room it would have been $510 each. The PO amount would have covered six nights. The travel arrangements only required five nights. Your guess is as good as mine.
Attachments:
Ms. Thomas owes us for breakfast and lunch X 5=$135. Was also paid for breakfast 6/22 when the plane was due in at 12:40am. This traveler flew out two days early also.
The claim show a hotel amount of $614, which is half of the PO on file, which is not matching the amount on the hotel receipt, which has Poole's name on it. If they shared a room it would have been $510 each. The PO amount would have covered six nights. The travel arrangements only required five nights. Your guess is as good as mine.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the bottomless money pit
()
Date: May 20, 2015 01:09PM
We pay Flippen, Jensen, and the rest of the consultants. We pay for travel to all sorts of places. We pay for meals, cabs, room upgrades, and who knows what else.
Oh yes, we pay for Karen Garza's housing allowance.
But the truth of the matter is this, the kids aren't learning. Flippen claims to capture their hearts, Jensen claims to show us how to teach in poverty, but it just isn't working.
Oh yes, we pay for Karen Garza's housing allowance.
But the truth of the matter is this, the kids aren't learning. Flippen claims to capture their hearts, Jensen claims to show us how to teach in poverty, but it just isn't working.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: May 20, 2015 01:18PM
More mysteries. The credit card receipt shows Blankenship flew out on 6/15 (Saturday) for a conference that started on 6/17. She charged us for per diem on 6/15, but only dinner, and at the reduced rate. No lunch or breakfast on 6/16 was charged out (how they do first and last day of travel is all over the map). This traveler also had to stay Friday night when the conference ended at noon and we got soaked for another night of hotel, etc.
We did NOT get charged for breakfast and lunch, which was refreshing to see. Remember, this hotel also had breakfast included in the room rate. There were TWO options for breakfast that were already paid for.
There are some names on the PO for the conference fees that didn't show up on the 25 page printout. I don't have the slightest idea where their claims are.
Attachments:
We did NOT get charged for breakfast and lunch, which was refreshing to see. Remember, this hotel also had breakfast included in the room rate. There were TWO options for breakfast that were already paid for.
There are some names on the PO for the conference fees that didn't show up on the 25 page printout. I don't have the slightest idea where their claims are.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
hotwyre.com
()
Date: May 20, 2015 02:31PM
This one is a mess. The 25 page printout showed the travel was 6/21-28/2013. To the infamous Napa location. That was a tipoff.
The payment voucher is different than the others. The trips were supposed to be reconciled within 30-45 days via online travel. Beyond that, the approval of an Assistant Super was required. The voucher is dated 8/28/23 for a trip that finished 6/22 (NOT 6/28). Dr. Banbury's (principal) signature is not dated. Dr. Zuluaga's (Super) signature is dated 12/17/2013. SIX MONTHS after the trip. The trip estimate shows the travel dates as 6/21-28/2013 (?).
The standard brochure shows the conference dates as 6/17-21/2013.
The credit card statement shows the traveler left 6/15. The travel agent receipt was on another traveler's travel claim and supports this date. The hotel receipt shows 6/16 arrival and 6/22 checkout. Again, this traveler could not make arrangements for a Friday evening flight home so we had to pay for another hotel night and more food per diem. And the rates went up Friday night. Way over the 150%. Great.
At least we didn't get soaked for breakfast and lunch per diem M-F.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Fege, Herring, Klimenko, Moore, Nocco, and Thayer are in the mail. I can't wait.
Attachments:
The payment voucher is different than the others. The trips were supposed to be reconciled within 30-45 days via online travel. Beyond that, the approval of an Assistant Super was required. The voucher is dated 8/28/23 for a trip that finished 6/22 (NOT 6/28). Dr. Banbury's (principal) signature is not dated. Dr. Zuluaga's (Super) signature is dated 12/17/2013. SIX MONTHS after the trip. The trip estimate shows the travel dates as 6/21-28/2013 (?).
The standard brochure shows the conference dates as 6/17-21/2013.
The credit card statement shows the traveler left 6/15. The travel agent receipt was on another traveler's travel claim and supports this date. The hotel receipt shows 6/16 arrival and 6/22 checkout. Again, this traveler could not make arrangements for a Friday evening flight home so we had to pay for another hotel night and more food per diem. And the rates went up Friday night. Way over the 150%. Great.
At least we didn't get soaked for breakfast and lunch per diem M-F.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Fege, Herring, Klimenko, Moore, Nocco, and Thayer are in the mail. I can't wait.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
895433)#465t
()
Date: May 20, 2015 03:15PM
965tfd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS employees caught abusing travel funds should
> be fired and prosecuted for theft, no two ways
> about it.
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS employees caught abusing travel funds should
> be fired and prosecuted for theft, no two ways
> about it.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
hotwyre.com
()
Date: May 20, 2015 03:42PM
hotwyre.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is another fun one. Napa. June, 2013.
>
> The conference started on 6/17. The traveler went
> out early and claimed per diem for 6/15. Traveler
> claimed per diem for breakfast X 5 M-F, plus lunch
> on Friday. These were all included in the
> conference. So, we are owed at least $149 back.
>
> There are more.................
Rodeheaver owes us even more. She used San Francisco as the destination when the destination was actually Napa. Food per diem was $5 less per day in Napa. Blankenship did the same thing. Eddy started to and then somebody caught it and decreased the rate to Napa.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is another fun one. Napa. June, 2013.
>
> The conference started on 6/17. The traveler went
> out early and claimed per diem for 6/15. Traveler
> claimed per diem for breakfast X 5 M-F, plus lunch
> on Friday. These were all included in the
> conference. So, we are owed at least $149 back.
>
> There are more.................
Rodeheaver owes us even more. She used San Francisco as the destination when the destination was actually Napa. Food per diem was $5 less per day in Napa. Blankenship did the same thing. Eddy started to and then somebody caught it and decreased the rate to Napa.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
travelahcitee
()
Date: May 21, 2015 08:25AM
Here's another one who thinks they are entitled to per diem on Sunday when the plane brings them home on Saturday. This employee was also paid San Francisco per diem instead of Napa per diem.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
travelahcitee
()
Date: May 21, 2015 08:32AM
Another one paid for San Francisco instead of Napa and also claimed a full day of per diem on the final day of travel instead 75%.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
P7lkD
()
Date: May 21, 2015 05:11PM
I would be fired for submitting travel claims like this. Will there be any recoupment of these funds?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Timothy M.
()
Date: May 23, 2015 11:58AM
This is so blatant. Sad.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Project Based Learning?
()
Date: May 23, 2015 12:14PM
When these people go to Novato, they're going to the Buck Institute for Education.
It teaches something called "project based learning" (whatever that is). But hey, the county also spends money on Eric Jensen's "brain based learning" and "teaching with poverty in mind" (whatever these are) as well as Flip Flippen's "capturing kids' hearts" (whatever that is).
How much of this do we really need? How much of it can we really afford? If the school board thinks this is going to keep happening, sure there's a billion dollar shortfall or whatever the number is.
There's probably "retraining" as well. A teacher at school x where they do "brain based learning" is going to be all at sea after a transfer to school y, which just happens to be a "project based learning" school.
It teaches something called "project based learning" (whatever that is). But hey, the county also spends money on Eric Jensen's "brain based learning" and "teaching with poverty in mind" (whatever these are) as well as Flip Flippen's "capturing kids' hearts" (whatever that is).
How much of this do we really need? How much of it can we really afford? If the school board thinks this is going to keep happening, sure there's a billion dollar shortfall or whatever the number is.
There's probably "retraining" as well. A teacher at school x where they do "brain based learning" is going to be all at sea after a transfer to school y, which just happens to be a "project based learning" school.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
56%^78#$
()
Date: May 23, 2015 03:22PM
Project Based Learning? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When these people go to Novato, they're going to
> the Buck Institute for Education.
>
> It teaches something called "project based
> learning" (whatever that is). But hey, the county
> also spends money on Eric Jensen's "brain based
> learning" and "teaching with poverty in mind"
> (whatever these are) as well as Flip Flippen's
> "capturing kids' hearts" (whatever that is).
>
> How much of this do we really need? How much of it
> can we really afford? If the school board thinks
> this is going to keep happening, sure there's a
> billion dollar shortfall or whatever the number
> is.
>
> There's probably "retraining" as well. A teacher
> at school x where they do "brain based learning"
> is going to be all at sea after a transfer to
> school y, which just happens to be a "project
> based learning" school.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project-based_learning
Some people criticize it as promoting "social loafing". In other words, the kids form groups, and some kids very quickly figure out who is going to do all of the work, and then they slack. And the teacher can't factor this in to the grades, because the group outcome is what is judged, and it is very difficult to see what is going on behind the scenes. And the outcome is due to a select few whose parents don't allow them to slack. Any parent of a smart, responsible child can tell you this story. They get sick of being used. Some request to do all the work for themselves and be left out of the group project because it is easier than working like a dog, having unreliable kids not do their part, enduring last-minute crises (all-nighters) due to kids who don't do their part because they know the good kids will eventually do it, etc. The kids end up fighting about the work because what these slackers don't do affects the final grade and impacts the others who do all the work.
We paid how much for this?
Maybe they did some project based learning on how to do up their travel claims, since their methods were similar.
-------------------------------------------------------
> When these people go to Novato, they're going to
> the Buck Institute for Education.
>
> It teaches something called "project based
> learning" (whatever that is). But hey, the county
> also spends money on Eric Jensen's "brain based
> learning" and "teaching with poverty in mind"
> (whatever these are) as well as Flip Flippen's
> "capturing kids' hearts" (whatever that is).
>
> How much of this do we really need? How much of it
> can we really afford? If the school board thinks
> this is going to keep happening, sure there's a
> billion dollar shortfall or whatever the number
> is.
>
> There's probably "retraining" as well. A teacher
> at school x where they do "brain based learning"
> is going to be all at sea after a transfer to
> school y, which just happens to be a "project
> based learning" school.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project-based_learning
Some people criticize it as promoting "social loafing". In other words, the kids form groups, and some kids very quickly figure out who is going to do all of the work, and then they slack. And the teacher can't factor this in to the grades, because the group outcome is what is judged, and it is very difficult to see what is going on behind the scenes. And the outcome is due to a select few whose parents don't allow them to slack. Any parent of a smart, responsible child can tell you this story. They get sick of being used. Some request to do all the work for themselves and be left out of the group project because it is easier than working like a dog, having unreliable kids not do their part, enduring last-minute crises (all-nighters) due to kids who don't do their part because they know the good kids will eventually do it, etc. The kids end up fighting about the work because what these slackers don't do affects the final grade and impacts the others who do all the work.
We paid how much for this?
Maybe they did some project based learning on how to do up their travel claims, since their methods were similar.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
rewarding lazy kids
()
Date: May 23, 2015 04:04PM
The lazy kids coast until the SOLs and SATs come along. Then they fail.
Then when they can't even get into NVCC, the parents piss and moan. But then it is too late.
All along the way, these consultants make fortunes and the school board, led by the stupid Tammy Kaufax and the degenerate Ryan McElveen, cry for more and more money.
Then when they can't even get into NVCC, the parents piss and moan. But then it is too late.
All along the way, these consultants make fortunes and the school board, led by the stupid Tammy Kaufax and the degenerate Ryan McElveen, cry for more and more money.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
7865
()
Date: May 24, 2015 05:05PM
rewarding lazy kids Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The lazy kids coast until the SOLs and SATs come
> along. Then they fail.
>
> Then when they can't even get into NVCC, the
> parents piss and moan. But then it is too late.
>
> All along the way, these consultants make fortunes
> and the school board, led by the stupid Tammy
> Kaufax and the degenerate Ryan McElveen, cry for
> more and more money.
How did the topic get changed? I thought this thread was about school employees submitting what look to be fraudulent travel claims..........
-------------------------------------------------------
> The lazy kids coast until the SOLs and SATs come
> along. Then they fail.
>
> Then when they can't even get into NVCC, the
> parents piss and moan. But then it is too late.
>
> All along the way, these consultants make fortunes
> and the school board, led by the stupid Tammy
> Kaufax and the degenerate Ryan McElveen, cry for
> more and more money.
How did the topic get changed? I thought this thread was about school employees submitting what look to be fraudulent travel claims..........
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
yes a change
()
Date: May 24, 2015 07:02PM
Yes, employees do file false claims.
But it is all part of a bigger picture. The travel to Novato is to the Buck Institute. Just another "source" of some "method" to make FCPS better. The only "better" is Buck's bank account.
In addition to Buck, we have Flippen, Jensen, Scamsen, who knows who else?
As long as the money flows so freely it is not surprising that FCPS employees dip in for some after all, we are paying self described "psychotherapists" and "poverty experts" huge amounts of money. The teachers don't get raises, so the temptation and in their mind, justification is there.
Pretty soon, FCPS just won't have any money. The new board of supervisors and school board we're getting in November will see to that.
In the meantime, keep posting the fraudulent travel. The extent of the waste needs to be known and it is HIGH TIME the filers of these reports are fired or even prosecuted to the extent of the law!
But it is all part of a bigger picture. The travel to Novato is to the Buck Institute. Just another "source" of some "method" to make FCPS better. The only "better" is Buck's bank account.
In addition to Buck, we have Flippen, Jensen, Scamsen, who knows who else?
As long as the money flows so freely it is not surprising that FCPS employees dip in for some after all, we are paying self described "psychotherapists" and "poverty experts" huge amounts of money. The teachers don't get raises, so the temptation and in their mind, justification is there.
Pretty soon, FCPS just won't have any money. The new board of supervisors and school board we're getting in November will see to that.
In the meantime, keep posting the fraudulent travel. The extent of the waste needs to be known and it is HIGH TIME the filers of these reports are fired or even prosecuted to the extent of the law!
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
land of fruits & nuts
()
Date: May 25, 2015 09:15AM
yes a change Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, employees do file false claims.
>
> But it is all part of a bigger picture. The travel
> to Novato is to the Buck Institute. Just another
> "source" of some "method" to make FCPS better. The
> only "better" is Buck's bank account.
>
> In addition to Buck, we have Flippen, Jensen,
> Scamsen, who knows who else?
>
> As long as the money flows so freely it is not
> surprising that FCPS employees dip in for some
> after all, we are paying self described
> "psychotherapists" and "poverty experts" huge
> amounts of money. The teachers don't get raises,
> so the temptation and in their mind, justification
> is there.
>
> Pretty soon, FCPS just won't have any money. The
> new board of supervisors and school board we're
> getting in November will see to that.
>
> In the meantime, keep posting the fraudulent
> travel. The extent of the waste needs to be known
> and it is HIGH TIME the filers of these reports
> are fired or even prosecuted to the extent of the
> law!
Was there travel to Novato? This group went to Napa. Not the same thing.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, employees do file false claims.
>
> But it is all part of a bigger picture. The travel
> to Novato is to the Buck Institute. Just another
> "source" of some "method" to make FCPS better. The
> only "better" is Buck's bank account.
>
> In addition to Buck, we have Flippen, Jensen,
> Scamsen, who knows who else?
>
> As long as the money flows so freely it is not
> surprising that FCPS employees dip in for some
> after all, we are paying self described
> "psychotherapists" and "poverty experts" huge
> amounts of money. The teachers don't get raises,
> so the temptation and in their mind, justification
> is there.
>
> Pretty soon, FCPS just won't have any money. The
> new board of supervisors and school board we're
> getting in November will see to that.
>
> In the meantime, keep posting the fraudulent
> travel. The extent of the waste needs to be known
> and it is HIGH TIME the filers of these reports
> are fired or even prosecuted to the extent of the
> law!
Was there travel to Novato? This group went to Napa. Not the same thing.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
waste, waste, waste
()
Date: May 25, 2015 11:44AM
The simple fact of the matter is that this travel is a waste of money. The teachers go for all this training and the schools still suck.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
mnshutfstfs
()
Date: June 03, 2015 08:33AM
http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Town-s-Free-Spending-Good-Ol-Boys-Exposed-by-2923769.php
Read and heed.
Read and heed.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: June 03, 2015 09:11AM
mnshutfstfs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Town-s-Free
> -Spending-Good-Ol-Boys-Exposed-by-2923769.php
>
> Read and heed.
This is why I prefer that restaurant receipts be submitted even if per diem is the policy. They help to prove where they have been and when. Of course, you can just say you didn't eat and still collect per diem, while you are basking at the pool and frolicking about instead of attending the conference.
So, I say people should only be reimbursed if receipts are provided, and then only up to the per diem limits. With additional restrictions to prevent taking a while family to dinner on per diem. It is worth the money paid to process them.
You can also mandate that the attendees provide proof that they were actually at the conference, like having a conference official stamp in and out on their record. I have seen that used.
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Town-s-Free
> -Spending-Good-Ol-Boys-Exposed-by-2923769.php
>
> Read and heed.
This is why I prefer that restaurant receipts be submitted even if per diem is the policy. They help to prove where they have been and when. Of course, you can just say you didn't eat and still collect per diem, while you are basking at the pool and frolicking about instead of attending the conference.
So, I say people should only be reimbursed if receipts are provided, and then only up to the per diem limits. With additional restrictions to prevent taking a while family to dinner on per diem. It is worth the money paid to process them.
You can also mandate that the attendees provide proof that they were actually at the conference, like having a conference official stamp in and out on their record. I have seen that used.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Last Line Is The Best
()
Date: June 03, 2015 09:48AM
"The well's run dry."
Karen Garza, Ryan McElveen, Tammy Kaufax and the rest need to understand this.
The idea doesn't just apply to travel, but also to unjustified sole source contracts (Eric Jensen), consultants with unverified credentials (Menville "Flip" Flippen), and "initiatives" based on dubious claims (Tara Brach/"mindfulness").
Karen Garza, Ryan McElveen, Tammy Kaufax and the rest need to understand this.
The idea doesn't just apply to travel, but also to unjustified sole source contracts (Eric Jensen), consultants with unverified credentials (Menville "Flip" Flippen), and "initiatives" based on dubious claims (Tara Brach/"mindfulness").
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: June 03, 2015 02:01PM
I like the part about handing some people a credit card is like handing a grenade to a monkey. There are a lot of monkeys in FCPS and a lot of credit cards. It is like Monopoly money to them.
I think a lot of people should have their pcards taken away from them immediately. Have them pay for everything out of their own pocket, then beg to be reimbursed.
We would save a fortune. The effect of this would be seen immediately.
I think a lot of people should have their pcards taken away from them immediately. Have them pay for everything out of their own pocket, then beg to be reimbursed.
We would save a fortune. The effect of this would be seen immediately.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
The Gatehouse Zoo
()
Date: June 03, 2015 02:20PM
Karen Garza is a Texas cow, Ryan McElveen is a baboon and I'm not sure what species Tammy Kaufax is.
But they all have hand grenades that's for sure.
But they all have hand grenades that's for sure.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
disney world.....lol
()
Date: June 03, 2015 04:01PM
I would like to see more Orlando trips.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
09875237645
()
Date: June 03, 2015 07:39PM
mnshutfstfs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Town-s-Free
> -Spending-Good-Ol-Boys-Exposed-by-2923769.php
>
> Read and heed.
This is a classic. Sad.
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Town-s-Free
> -Spending-Good-Ol-Boys-Exposed-by-2923769.php
>
> Read and heed.
This is a classic. Sad.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
tripadvizer.com
()
Date: June 08, 2015 04:42PM
We have some per diem reimbursement for Napa. Thank you. You can't claim meals when they are included in a conference. When you acknowledge that your trip claim is correct, you need to mean it.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
How to Handle It
()
Date: June 08, 2015 08:16PM
When an FCPS employee misrepresents something on a travel claim:
1st time: verbal reprimand, no travel for 3 months
2nd time: written reprimand, no travel for 6 months
3rd time: termination, FCPS takes legal action for fraud
1st time: verbal reprimand, no travel for 3 months
2nd time: written reprimand, no travel for 6 months
3rd time: termination, FCPS takes legal action for fraud
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
even better
()
Date: June 08, 2015 08:31PM
How to Handle It Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When an FCPS employee misrepresents something on a
> travel claim:
>
> 1st time: verbal reprimand, no travel for 3
> months
>
> 2nd time: written reprimand, no travel for 6
> months
>
> 3rd time: termination, FCPS takes legal action for
> fraud
1. Verbal and written reprimand. Recoup all money. No travel for a good long time.
2. Verbal and written reprimand. Recoup all money. No travel for an even longer time.
3. Termination after money is recouped.
You can claim per diem if you have some special dietary issues even if meals are included with the conference. I seriously doubt this was the issue looking at the number of people who claimed meal per diem on this conference, plus the ones who claimed per diem on days they don't qualify for travel per diem have no excuse. This is just pathetic.
-------------------------------------------------------
> When an FCPS employee misrepresents something on a
> travel claim:
>
> 1st time: verbal reprimand, no travel for 3
> months
>
> 2nd time: written reprimand, no travel for 6
> months
>
> 3rd time: termination, FCPS takes legal action for
> fraud
1. Verbal and written reprimand. Recoup all money. No travel for a good long time.
2. Verbal and written reprimand. Recoup all money. No travel for an even longer time.
3. Termination after money is recouped.
You can claim per diem if you have some special dietary issues even if meals are included with the conference. I seriously doubt this was the issue looking at the number of people who claimed meal per diem on this conference, plus the ones who claimed per diem on days they don't qualify for travel per diem have no excuse. This is just pathetic.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the irony
()
Date: June 09, 2015 06:18AM
Filing a false or inflated travel claim is a crime. They are getting a wave of a finger and a wink instead of having their butts whacked. They submitted for county funds that they weren't entitled to, and The Almighty Powers are letting them get away w/ it. Our taxes at work...........
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Draconian Dunstan
()
Date: June 09, 2015 09:56AM
Something should also be done about the people who approve these travel claims.
It is one thing if a teacher or low level administrator tries to pull a fast one. It is quite something else when the people who approve these don't check them or just look the other way because they do the same thing.
It would be damned funny to see some pompous bitch like Angela "case closed" Atwater out of a job because of something like this.
It is one thing if a teacher or low level administrator tries to pull a fast one. It is quite something else when the people who approve these don't check them or just look the other way because they do the same thing.
It would be damned funny to see some pompous bitch like Angela "case closed" Atwater out of a job because of something like this.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
€€€€€
()
Date: June 10, 2015 01:03PM
€€€€€
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
More Waste
()
Date: June 12, 2015 03:44PM
FCPS created an auditor position in 2014. It remains unfilled. I wonder why? Could it be that contractor kickbacks and Boosterthon "focus group" trips to Atlanta might be scrutinized?
The Board of Supervisors needs to cut the FCPS budget, and substantially, until Karen Garza (or her successor) develop, and demonstrate, some form of fiscal discipline.
The Board of Supervisors needs to cut the FCPS budget, and substantially, until Karen Garza (or her successor) develop, and demonstrate, some form of fiscal discipline.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
<-------->
()
Date: June 22, 2015 09:22AM
Any travel plans this summer?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
good idea
()
Date: June 22, 2015 10:49AM
"I like the part about handing some people a credit card is like handing a grenade to a monkey. There are a lot of monkeys in FCPS and a lot of credit cards. It is like Monopoly money to them.
I think a lot of people should have their pcards taken away from them immediately. Have them pay for everything out of their own pocket, then beg to be reimbursed.
We would save a fortune. The effect of this would be seen immediately."
This is a good idea.
Most of the people going to these conferences are not teachers. They are central office staff or administrators in schools. They are paid above a teacher salary and can afford to use their own funds and then be reimbursed later (after a very careful review of the expenses).
Many of these conferences count for credential recertification as well. The average teacher has to pay for college courses, etc. to recertify. They don't get the advantage of going to conferences that are paid for.
Teacher morale is low as it is.
I think a lot of people should have their pcards taken away from them immediately. Have them pay for everything out of their own pocket, then beg to be reimbursed.
We would save a fortune. The effect of this would be seen immediately."
This is a good idea.
Most of the people going to these conferences are not teachers. They are central office staff or administrators in schools. They are paid above a teacher salary and can afford to use their own funds and then be reimbursed later (after a very careful review of the expenses).
Many of these conferences count for credential recertification as well. The average teacher has to pay for college courses, etc. to recertify. They don't get the advantage of going to conferences that are paid for.
Teacher morale is low as it is.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
monkey cage
()
Date: June 23, 2015 07:44AM
http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/ex-abingdon-official-pleads-guilty/article_4d866a90-195e-11e5-8507-0fbd667512ba.html
Handing some people a credit card is like handing a grenade to a monkey.
Handing some people a credit card is like handing a grenade to a monkey.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Want to go?
()
Date: July 18, 2015 07:06PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
gfdg
()
Date: July 18, 2015 07:15PM
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
boo
()
Date: July 23, 2015 02:56PM
Why do they want to cut spending?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
boo HOO
()
Date: July 23, 2015 03:09PM
boo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do they want to cut spending?
Cut spending on what?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do they want to cut spending?
Cut spending on what?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
M.hall
()
Date: July 27, 2015 02:10PM
Any new report? I just asked for South Korea
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
vcxcv
()
Date: July 27, 2015 07:26PM
M.hall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any new report? I just asked for South Korea
They have a month or so to turn in their travel claims. Depending on when they went, it might not be ready.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any new report? I just asked for South Korea
They have a month or so to turn in their travel claims. Depending on when they went, it might not be ready.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
ecksedia.com
()
Date: August 26, 2015 11:41AM
Model Schools conference June 2014, Orlando.
Remember, about 100 people went.
The hotel per diem rate was $101. We paid a whopping $219. A LOT of people stayed there. There is a shuttle between all Disney hotels supposedly.
Breakfast (coffee and pastry) was included with the conference. No per diem was claimed.
Good price on the roundtrip ticket.
We paid for two suitcases each way for a three day trip. $120 total. That is a lot of clothing for one person for a 3 day trip in warm weather.
We paid $76 for a cab ride to the hotel. It was at about 1am, so pickings are probably slim at that hour. We also paid for a $22 shuttle. It looks like the traveler did use the economy lot at Dulles ($10 per day) rather than pulling into hourly parking (at $40+ per day) like another person did.
Attachments:
Remember, about 100 people went.
The hotel per diem rate was $101. We paid a whopping $219. A LOT of people stayed there. There is a shuttle between all Disney hotels supposedly.
Breakfast (coffee and pastry) was included with the conference. No per diem was claimed.
Good price on the roundtrip ticket.
We paid for two suitcases each way for a three day trip. $120 total. That is a lot of clothing for one person for a 3 day trip in warm weather.
We paid $76 for a cab ride to the hotel. It was at about 1am, so pickings are probably slim at that hour. We also paid for a $22 shuttle. It looks like the traveler did use the economy lot at Dulles ($10 per day) rather than pulling into hourly parking (at $40+ per day) like another person did.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
McLeanSoccerDad
()
Date: September 26, 2015 02:46PM
Some things NEVER change - editorial from 2012:
At the Fairfax School Board's May 15th budget hearing, citizens testified about the lack of competitive bidding and conflicts of interest as FCPS awarded contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to private education consultants. In some cases, contracts to the same vendor were split in order to remain under the $50,000 threshold required for School Board review.
In one egregious example, confirmed by emails released under the Freedom of Information Act, the president of Arcasun LLC was paid $11,000 by the campaign of then-School Board Chairwoman Jane Strauss last November. She was then awarded a $35,000 contract the following January, even though she did not have a county business license. The businesswoman, Shaista Keating, also wrote the same Request For Proposals that she successfully bid on and failed to disclose that she was in contract negotiations with FCPS while acting as a "parent representative" during the school system's FY13 budget hearings.
"When vendors start writing their own statements of work, sitting in on FCPS budget discussions when they are negotiating contracts with FCPS, and when over 50 staff are doing their best to circumvent the rules, we have a problem," a concerned citizen noted in a recent letter to Fairfax supervisors.
FCPS indeed has a problem, and it's not a lack of money.
At the Fairfax School Board's May 15th budget hearing, citizens testified about the lack of competitive bidding and conflicts of interest as FCPS awarded contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to private education consultants. In some cases, contracts to the same vendor were split in order to remain under the $50,000 threshold required for School Board review.
In one egregious example, confirmed by emails released under the Freedom of Information Act, the president of Arcasun LLC was paid $11,000 by the campaign of then-School Board Chairwoman Jane Strauss last November. She was then awarded a $35,000 contract the following January, even though she did not have a county business license. The businesswoman, Shaista Keating, also wrote the same Request For Proposals that she successfully bid on and failed to disclose that she was in contract negotiations with FCPS while acting as a "parent representative" during the school system's FY13 budget hearings.
"When vendors start writing their own statements of work, sitting in on FCPS budget discussions when they are negotiating contracts with FCPS, and when over 50 staff are doing their best to circumvent the rules, we have a problem," a concerned citizen noted in a recent letter to Fairfax supervisors.
FCPS indeed has a problem, and it's not a lack of money.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
quid pro quo?
()
Date: September 26, 2015 03:53PM
McLeanSoccerDad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some things NEVER change - editorial from 2012:
>
> At the Fairfax School Board's May 15th budget
> hearing, citizens testified about the lack of
> competitive bidding and conflicts of interest as
> FCPS awarded contracts worth hundreds of thousands
> of dollars to private education consultants. In
> some cases, contracts to the same vendor were
> split in order to remain under the $50,000
> threshold required for School Board review.
>
> In one egregious example, confirmed by emails
> released under the Freedom of Information Act, the
> president of Arcasun LLC was paid $11,000 by the
> campaign of then-School Board Chairwoman Jane
> Strauss last November. She was then awarded a
> $35,000 contract the following January, even
> though she did not have a county business license.
> The businesswoman, Shaista Keating, also wrote the
> same Request For Proposals that she successfully
> bid on and failed to disclose that she was in
> contract negotiations with FCPS while acting as a
> "parent representative" during the school system's
> FY13 budget hearings.
>
> "When vendors start writing their own statements
> of work, sitting in on FCPS budget discussions
> when they are negotiating contracts with FCPS, and
> when over 50 staff are doing their best to
> circumvent the rules, we have a problem," a
> concerned citizen noted in a recent letter to
> Fairfax supervisors.
>
> FCPS indeed has a problem, and it's not a lack of
> money.
For those who live in Dranesville district, please note that Ms. Keating led the full day K push. It appears that there may have been a "quid pro quo" as Ms Keating and her group became quite vocal supporters of Ms Strauss as the election drew near. Prior to this, Strauss had never done anything much to push for full day K for her constituents. Ms Keating's company was paid $11,000 by Janie's campaign. I'm not sure what they did, but, one thing for sure, Ms Keating used her "bully pulpit" for full day K to promote Strauss. Did she do anything other than endorse her for the $11,000?
I was aware of this action. I did not realize that she also wrote the requirements for a contract bid with FCPS.
This seems more clear than the McDonnell offenses.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some things NEVER change - editorial from 2012:
>
> At the Fairfax School Board's May 15th budget
> hearing, citizens testified about the lack of
> competitive bidding and conflicts of interest as
> FCPS awarded contracts worth hundreds of thousands
> of dollars to private education consultants. In
> some cases, contracts to the same vendor were
> split in order to remain under the $50,000
> threshold required for School Board review.
>
> In one egregious example, confirmed by emails
> released under the Freedom of Information Act, the
> president of Arcasun LLC was paid $11,000 by the
> campaign of then-School Board Chairwoman Jane
> Strauss last November. She was then awarded a
> $35,000 contract the following January, even
> though she did not have a county business license.
> The businesswoman, Shaista Keating, also wrote the
> same Request For Proposals that she successfully
> bid on and failed to disclose that she was in
> contract negotiations with FCPS while acting as a
> "parent representative" during the school system's
> FY13 budget hearings.
>
> "When vendors start writing their own statements
> of work, sitting in on FCPS budget discussions
> when they are negotiating contracts with FCPS, and
> when over 50 staff are doing their best to
> circumvent the rules, we have a problem," a
> concerned citizen noted in a recent letter to
> Fairfax supervisors.
>
> FCPS indeed has a problem, and it's not a lack of
> money.
For those who live in Dranesville district, please note that Ms. Keating led the full day K push. It appears that there may have been a "quid pro quo" as Ms Keating and her group became quite vocal supporters of Ms Strauss as the election drew near. Prior to this, Strauss had never done anything much to push for full day K for her constituents. Ms Keating's company was paid $11,000 by Janie's campaign. I'm not sure what they did, but, one thing for sure, Ms Keating used her "bully pulpit" for full day K to promote Strauss. Did she do anything other than endorse her for the $11,000?
I was aware of this action. I did not realize that she also wrote the requirements for a contract bid with FCPS.
This seems more clear than the McDonnell offenses.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
St. Valentine
()
Date: September 26, 2015 07:25PM
KeatingGate, for sure. This was a sweetheart deal. Rancid.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
lkjMNBuyt
()
Date: September 27, 2015 08:01AM
This thread is about non-local travel, not backroom deals that don't have anything to do with non-local travel. But, tell us about them anyway.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: October 06, 2015 08:41AM
Recent travel.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
VOTE OUT THE SCHOOL BOARD
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:15AM
Germany? What for?
School board travel-what for?
etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
If the current board is re-elected, taxes will double.
School board travel-what for?
etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
If the current board is re-elected, taxes will double.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:24AM
We are required to provide School Board members with local, state, and national level training. The Nashville trip was the National School Boards Association annual conference. They are going to Boston next year. They went to New Orleans last year (remember the Court of Two Sisters bill for a $900 dinner?).
Don't know about Germany.
Don't know about Germany.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Time for Change
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:45AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are required to provide School Board members
> with local, state, and national level training.
> The Nashville trip was the National School Boards
> Association annual conference. They are going to
> Boston next year. They went to New Orleans last
> year (remember the Court of Two Sisters bill for a
> $900 dinner?).
>
> Don't know about Germany.
I hope the comment about the requirement for providing the school board with training is a joke. If it is not a joke, then the requirement needs to be removed. Most of the school board members are clearly idiots-whatever training they are getting is not worth anything.
In a time of budget shortages, travel has to stop. We are probably paying people like Brach, Flippen and Jensen thousands of dollars a day at the same time.
In the meantime, trailers without bathrooms are used as classrooms and the test scores are falling.
We need a new school board, and one of the first things they need to do is get rid of Karen Garza. Let her go back to Texas where they actually give a crap about football.
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are required to provide School Board members
> with local, state, and national level training.
> The Nashville trip was the National School Boards
> Association annual conference. They are going to
> Boston next year. They went to New Orleans last
> year (remember the Court of Two Sisters bill for a
> $900 dinner?).
>
> Don't know about Germany.
I hope the comment about the requirement for providing the school board with training is a joke. If it is not a joke, then the requirement needs to be removed. Most of the school board members are clearly idiots-whatever training they are getting is not worth anything.
In a time of budget shortages, travel has to stop. We are probably paying people like Brach, Flippen and Jensen thousands of dollars a day at the same time.
In the meantime, trailers without bathrooms are used as classrooms and the test scores are falling.
We need a new school board, and one of the first things they need to do is get rid of Karen Garza. Let her go back to Texas where they actually give a crap about football.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
couple of observations and quest
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:59AM
from the report:
Derenak Kaufax, Tamara
Richmond
VA
1/26/2015
1/27/2015
522.23
Velkoff, Theodore J
Richmond
VA
1/26/2015
1/27/2015
473.64
McElveen, Ryan L
Richmond
VA
1/26/2015
1/27/2015
715.37
This is a drop in the bucket compared to some of the reports on travel. However, this is obviously the same trip for three of our Board members. Velkoff spent 473. Kaufax 522. and McElveen 715.
Can anyone explain why the expense was so much greater for McElveen than Velkoff for an overnight trip?
Interesting that the release is in a PDF rather than a file. Does anyone have the total of all the travel? Looks like we could have hired quite a few teachers for the money spent.
Lots of trips that are obviously conferences--since so many people went on the same dates to the same places. Is there a code anywhere that tells what was the purpose of the travel?
Derenak Kaufax, Tamara
Richmond
VA
1/26/2015
1/27/2015
522.23
Velkoff, Theodore J
Richmond
VA
1/26/2015
1/27/2015
473.64
McElveen, Ryan L
Richmond
VA
1/26/2015
1/27/2015
715.37
This is a drop in the bucket compared to some of the reports on travel. However, this is obviously the same trip for three of our Board members. Velkoff spent 473. Kaufax 522. and McElveen 715.
Can anyone explain why the expense was so much greater for McElveen than Velkoff for an overnight trip?
Interesting that the release is in a PDF rather than a file. Does anyone have the total of all the travel? Looks like we could have hired quite a few teachers for the money spent.
Lots of trips that are obviously conferences--since so many people went on the same dates to the same places. Is there a code anywhere that tells what was the purpose of the travel?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
the mighty ocean
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:04AM
These drops add up. Look at all of this travel-come on, we're in Washington DC, a major city, why do they have to travel?
It is not like they are going to crappy places, a lot of this just cries out BOONDOGGLE or JUNKET.
And if it keeps up, your taxes will go up. There's no other way. The school board is utterly opposed to funding cuts of any kind. Travel, transgender bathrooms, consultants, the cost just keeps going up.
I did notice that Nardos King had some travel as well. She has left FCPS now, but she ought to have been docked for the money she routed to Flip Flippen. He got no results for MVHS and the way he portrays his credentials is at best confusing.
It is not like they are going to crappy places, a lot of this just cries out BOONDOGGLE or JUNKET.
And if it keeps up, your taxes will go up. There's no other way. The school board is utterly opposed to funding cuts of any kind. Travel, transgender bathrooms, consultants, the cost just keeps going up.
I did notice that Nardos King had some travel as well. She has left FCPS now, but she ought to have been docked for the money she routed to Flip Flippen. He got no results for MVHS and the way he portrays his credentials is at best confusing.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:04AM
http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to provide training for School Board members.
Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to provide training for School Board members.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:06AM
"This is a drop in the bucket compared to some of the reports on travel. However, this is obviously the same trip for three of our Board members. Velkoff spent 473. Kaufax 522. and McElveen 715.
Can anyone explain why the expense was so much greater for McElveen than Velkoff for an overnight trip?"
-----------You can pull the claims and compare. This is very easily done. Send an email to bareaves@fcps.edu. You will have the report in about 10 working days.
Can anyone explain why the expense was so much greater for McElveen than Velkoff for an overnight trip?"
-----------You can pull the claims and compare. This is very easily done. Send an email to bareaves@fcps.edu. You will have the report in about 10 working days.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eureka
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:09AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
>
> Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to
> provide training for School Board members.
1) Remove this requirement.
2) Make them pay for it-they voted themselves a raise.
3) Who determines if the training is authorized?
4) Who determines how much of this so called training is needed?
More money wasted.
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
>
> Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to
> provide training for School Board members.
1) Remove this requirement.
2) Make them pay for it-they voted themselves a raise.
3) Who determines if the training is authorized?
4) Who determines how much of this so called training is needed?
More money wasted.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:12AM
"Lots of trips that are obviously conferences--since so many people went on the same dates to the same places. Is there a code anywhere that tells what was the purpose of the travel?"
------The request was for name of traveler, location, dates, and total amount of claim. If you pull the claim it will say what it is for. If you want to request a printout of what the claims were for, you can try doing this through bareaves@fcps.edu.
------The request was for name of traveler, location, dates, and total amount of claim. If you pull the claim it will say what it is for. If you want to request a printout of what the claims were for, you can try doing this through bareaves@fcps.edu.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:19AM
eureka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
> >
> > Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to
> > provide training for School Board members.
>
> 1) Remove this requirement.
>
> 2) Make them pay for it-they voted themselves a
> raise.
>
> 3) Who determines if the training is authorized?
>
> 4) Who determines how much of this so called
> training is needed?
>
> More money wasted.
The Code of Virginia requires them to obtain ongoing training. That would have to be addressed with the legislature. Good luck with that.
You can sign up to speak at a School Board meeting and tell them that you think they should pay for their own mandatory training and that the manual needs to be changed. They approve the manual. Good luck with that. It is a closed deal. Sweet.
I would presume the Chairman of the School Board has the final say on what is appropriate travel. They control "b" as indicated on page 55.
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
> >
> > Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to
> > provide training for School Board members.
>
> 1) Remove this requirement.
>
> 2) Make them pay for it-they voted themselves a
> raise.
>
> 3) Who determines if the training is authorized?
>
> 4) Who determines how much of this so called
> training is needed?
>
> More money wasted.
The Code of Virginia requires them to obtain ongoing training. That would have to be addressed with the legislature. Good luck with that.
You can sign up to speak at a School Board meeting and tell them that you think they should pay for their own mandatory training and that the manual needs to be changed. They approve the manual. Good luck with that. It is a closed deal. Sweet.
I would presume the Chairman of the School Board has the final say on what is appropriate travel. They control "b" as indicated on page 55.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:21AM
"It is not like they are going to crappy places, a lot of this just cries out BOONDOGGLE or JUNKET."
Yeh, we found some of those for sure. It was a veritable den of iniquity out in Napa. The majority of the claims were fraudulent. There was some paltry payback of the ridiculous claims. They got a little tap on the wrist. They needed a major kick in the ass.
Yeh, we found some of those for sure. It was a veritable den of iniquity out in Napa. The majority of the claims were fraudulent. There was some paltry payback of the ridiculous claims. They got a little tap on the wrist. They needed a major kick in the ass.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
I have a question
()
Date: October 06, 2015 11:55AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eureka Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > eckspedia.com Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
> > >
> > > Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to
> > > provide training for School Board members.
> >
> > 1) Remove this requirement.
> >
> > 2) Make them pay for it-they voted themselves a
> > raise.
> >
> > 3) Who determines if the training is
> authorized?
> >
> > 4) Who determines how much of this so called
> > training is needed?
> >
> > More money wasted.
>
> The Code of Virginia requires them to obtain
> ongoing training. That would have to be addressed
> with the legislature. Good luck with that.
>
> You can sign up to speak at a School Board meeting
> and tell them that you think they should pay for
> their own mandatory training and that the manual
> needs to be changed. They approve the manual. Good
> luck with that. It is a closed deal. Sweet.
>
> I would presume the Chairman of the School Board
> has the final say on what is appropriate travel.
> They control "b" as indicated on page 55.
There's a lot more than SB training on here--although they are certainly here as well.
Once upon a time, I can understand the need to go elsewhere for training. However, don't we have lots of "consultants" coming here to "train". And, what about video conferencing? Couldn't they use that.
I don't begrudge one conference per year for SB members--but what is with all this travel for school employees? Are these teachers or staff?
-------------------------------------------------------
> eureka Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > eckspedia.com Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/docs/manual.pdf
> > >
> > > Pages 54 (bottom) and 55. We are required to
> > > provide training for School Board members.
> >
> > 1) Remove this requirement.
> >
> > 2) Make them pay for it-they voted themselves a
> > raise.
> >
> > 3) Who determines if the training is
> authorized?
> >
> > 4) Who determines how much of this so called
> > training is needed?
> >
> > More money wasted.
>
> The Code of Virginia requires them to obtain
> ongoing training. That would have to be addressed
> with the legislature. Good luck with that.
>
> You can sign up to speak at a School Board meeting
> and tell them that you think they should pay for
> their own mandatory training and that the manual
> needs to be changed. They approve the manual. Good
> luck with that. It is a closed deal. Sweet.
>
> I would presume the Chairman of the School Board
> has the final say on what is appropriate travel.
> They control "b" as indicated on page 55.
There's a lot more than SB training on here--although they are certainly here as well.
Once upon a time, I can understand the need to go elsewhere for training. However, don't we have lots of "consultants" coming here to "train". And, what about video conferencing? Couldn't they use that.
I don't begrudge one conference per year for SB members--but what is with all this travel for school employees? Are these teachers or staff?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
The Begrudger
()
Date: October 06, 2015 12:16PM
I begrudge them the conference as the voted themselves a raise.
Let them pay for their own damned conference.
What are they learning, anyway? How to locate overpriced, unqualified consultants and award them sole source contracts? That's what it seems like to me.
VOTE OUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD.
Let them pay for their own damned conference.
What are they learning, anyway? How to locate overpriced, unqualified consultants and award them sole source contracts? That's what it seems like to me.
VOTE OUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: October 06, 2015 02:23PM
"I don't begrudge one conference per year for SB members--but what is with all this travel for school employees? Are these teachers or staff?"
>>>>>>>>>>>Don't know. I see some Gatehouse administrators, for sure. Anybody know who these people are?
>>>>>>>>>>>Don't know. I see some Gatehouse administrators, for sure. Anybody know who these people are?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
teachers get no junkets
()
Date: October 06, 2015 05:29PM
""I don't begrudge one conference per year for SB members--but what is with all this travel for school employees? Are these teachers or staff?"
>>>>>>>>>>>Don't know. I see some Gatehouse administrators, for sure. Anybody know who these people are?"
These are all staff. Teachers don't get to go on these junkets. It's all central office and administrators.
>>>>>>>>>>>Don't know. I see some Gatehouse administrators, for sure. Anybody know who these people are?"
These are all staff. Teachers don't get to go on these junkets. It's all central office and administrators.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: October 06, 2015 05:44PM
Very roughly calculated out at $80,000 per month. There also travel funds coming from other money pots that don't show up here.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
teachers
()
Date: October 06, 2015 06:30PM
I did find some teachers on there, too.
So, in addition to their travel expenses, you must add the cost of substitutes for them while they attend conferences or meetings.
The drops in this bucket definitely add up.
So, in addition to their travel expenses, you must add the cost of substitutes for them while they attend conferences or meetings.
The drops in this bucket definitely add up.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Full of Dollar Signs
()
Date: October 06, 2015 07:31PM
Wow, if that figure holds constant (and we'd have to FOIA some more to get it), that's $960,000-a chunk of change by anyone's estimation.
This needs to stop.
Good bye, incumbent school board members.
This needs to stop.
Good bye, incumbent school board members.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:10PM
Full of Dollar Signs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow, if that figure holds constant (and we'd have
> to FOIA some more to get it), that's $960,000-a
> chunk of change by anyone's estimation.
>
> This needs to stop.
>
> Good bye, incumbent school board members.
The $80,000 figure has been fairly stable the last two years or so. There are more reports earlier in the thread that support that.
All I look at and comment on are whether the claims are submitted properly. There are some very confused staff who think they can just do whatever and stick us with the bill. Cut it out.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow, if that figure holds constant (and we'd have
> to FOIA some more to get it), that's $960,000-a
> chunk of change by anyone's estimation.
>
> This needs to stop.
>
> Good bye, incumbent school board members.
The $80,000 figure has been fairly stable the last two years or so. There are more reports earlier in the thread that support that.
All I look at and comment on are whether the claims are submitted properly. There are some very confused staff who think they can just do whatever and stick us with the bill. Cut it out.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
yes, good bye school board
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:17PM
Who approves these things, probably losers like Zuluaga and Atwater. But for diversity and the need for a bloated bureaucracy they'd be unemployable.
This is not austerity this is waste. Nashville, Orlando, Germany, New York, Johnson Space Center. What a life. Of course since the people taking the trips are administrators they don't do anything anyway.
Off the school board goes to a conference, moderated by Dan Rather in Boston. Oh, that's so useful to FCPS. I feel every dollar of my taxes is well spent. I may have the water turned off so I can just send extra money. Maybe Karen Garza needs a facial, or Ryan McElveen could use a new suit. Nothing is too good for FCPS. I could buy my kids clothes at Goodwill, then maybe I could send in even more money. I would not have enough for a trip to Germany but maybe enough for a fancy meal for some instructional coach.
OR I could just vote as many members of the school board as I can out of office in November. I'll sleep on it.
This is not austerity this is waste. Nashville, Orlando, Germany, New York, Johnson Space Center. What a life. Of course since the people taking the trips are administrators they don't do anything anyway.
Off the school board goes to a conference, moderated by Dan Rather in Boston. Oh, that's so useful to FCPS. I feel every dollar of my taxes is well spent. I may have the water turned off so I can just send extra money. Maybe Karen Garza needs a facial, or Ryan McElveen could use a new suit. Nothing is too good for FCPS. I could buy my kids clothes at Goodwill, then maybe I could send in even more money. I would not have enough for a trip to Germany but maybe enough for a fancy meal for some instructional coach.
OR I could just vote as many members of the school board as I can out of office in November. I'll sleep on it.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
"""""""
()
Date: October 07, 2015 07:06AM
They have been using public funds to provide massages for the staff, pay for parking tickets for support staff who blatantly parked illegally on school property, golf outings, fine restaurants all over the country, Nats games for admins, presents for staff, etc. Don't know about facials. They torpedoed spa services and sporting events, but since everybody ignores what they are told to not do and there aren't any consequences.........
They are broke. "We need more money."
No wonder they are broke.
They are broke. "We need more money."
No wonder they are broke.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
()
Date: December 07, 2015 03:41PM
Sag mir, was passiert ist.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Liar, liar, pants on fire
()
Date: December 07, 2015 08:24PM
At least one outgoing school board member had promised to take this trip to Germany up with karen Garza. Now that they have been voted out of office, this promise would appear to be null and void. Too bad the same can't be said of this person's continuing paycheck until the new school board takes office.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
(--)
()
Date: December 07, 2015 08:47PM
What was the trip to Germany for? Anybody ever find out?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Nothing new
()
Date: December 08, 2015 07:31AM
Liar, liar, pants on fire Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> At least one outgoing school board member had
> promised to take this trip to Germany up with
> karen Garza. Now that they have been voted out of
> office, this promise would appear to be null and
> void. Too bad the same can't be said of this
> person's continuing paycheck until the new school
> board takes office.
A lot of promises were null and void.
-------------------------------------------------------
> At least one outgoing school board member had
> promised to take this trip to Germany up with
> karen Garza. Now that they have been voted out of
> office, this promise would appear to be null and
> void. Too bad the same can't be said of this
> person's continuing paycheck until the new school
> board takes office.
A lot of promises were null and void.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Stephen
()
Date: December 10, 2015 07:23PM
There will soon be lots of money to go around once GOV. McAuliffe's 2.4 billion Dollar Bond issue gets passed. Of course Your taxes will go up to pay for it. And so what if most of it is wasteful spending.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Wanderlust
()
Date: December 10, 2015 07:44PM
Ich liebe es, Geld auszugeben.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Wanderlust
()
Date: December 10, 2015 07:49PM
Wanderlust Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ich liebe es, Geld auszugeben.
Insbesondere dann, wenn es Geld von jemand anderem ist.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ich liebe es, Geld auszugeben.
Insbesondere dann, wenn es Geld von jemand anderem ist.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Aufmerksamkeit!!!!!!!!!
()
Date: December 11, 2015 10:56PM
Volkswagen paid for the Germany trip with a grant. Don't know what it was about, but the money was covered by a private company.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Wunderschoen
()
Date: December 12, 2015 12:47AM
Aufmerksamkeit!!!!!!!!! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Volkswagen paid for the Germany trip with a grant.
> Don't know what it was about, but the money was
> covered by a private company.
Emissions testing fieldwork. Whose bright idea was this? Dr. Lockard, who doesn't think he needs to listen to taxpayers? Dr. Zuluaga, who got a free trip to Korea, or Dr. Atwater, writer of snotty letters?
Maybe even Dr. Karen "$2,000/month in housing allowance" Garza?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Volkswagen paid for the Germany trip with a grant.
> Don't know what it was about, but the money was
> covered by a private company.
Emissions testing fieldwork. Whose bright idea was this? Dr. Lockard, who doesn't think he needs to listen to taxpayers? Dr. Zuluaga, who got a free trip to Korea, or Dr. Atwater, writer of snotty letters?
Maybe even Dr. Karen "$2,000/month in housing allowance" Garza?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: December 12, 2015 01:30PM
Here is another one funded by a grant.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
grants are fine, but…
()
Date: December 12, 2015 01:57PM
What about the time of the FCPS employees? Don't they have jobs to do? Must be nice to get to run off to Germany and all of these placces. This is just more proof of how wasteful FCPS is. The Board of Supervisors needs to cut their funding, not even think about the meals tax, and tell the schools to focus on education and forget about travel, conferences, and fancy meals.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: December 21, 2015 07:30AM
This is what went on at the Johnson Space Center. IB teacher.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
or-bits
()
Date: December 21, 2015 07:34AM
Ryan McElveen's reimbursement was more than others due to payment for POV. Somebody pointed this one out.
School Board members are required to have training (state law) and we are required to pay for it.
Attachments:
School Board members are required to have training (state law) and we are required to pay for it.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
1957
()
Date: December 21, 2015 08:29AM
or-bits Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is what went on at the Johnson Space Center.
> IB teacher.
I thought teachers weren't being sent on out of town training trips?
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is what went on at the Johnson Space Center.
> IB teacher.
I thought teachers weren't being sent on out of town training trips?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: December 22, 2015 10:03AM
Informationen zu gewähren.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: December 22, 2015 10:06AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Informationen zu gewähren.
Stipendium is more appropriate.
Google translate will only go so far.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Informationen zu gewähren.
Stipendium is more appropriate.
Google translate will only go so far.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Oh Tannenbaum
()
Date: December 22, 2015 11:23AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Informationen zu gewähren.
>
>
> Stipendium is more appropriate.
> Google translate will only go so far.
Pick one---->
noun
der
Zuschuss
grant, subsidy, contribution, grant-in-aid
das
Stipendium
scholarship, grant, stipend, bursary, exhibition
die
Förderung
promotion, support, fostering, production, advancement, grant
die
Beihilfe
allowance, subsidy, grant, contribution, aiding and abetting, financial assistance
die
Subvention
subsidy, grant, subvention, price support
die
Unterstützung
support, assistance, aid, backing, benefit, grant
die
Studienbeihilfe
grant
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Informationen zu gewähren.
>
>
> Stipendium is more appropriate.
> Google translate will only go so far.
Pick one---->
noun
der
Zuschuss
grant, subsidy, contribution, grant-in-aid
das
Stipendium
scholarship, grant, stipend, bursary, exhibition
die
Förderung
promotion, support, fostering, production, advancement, grant
die
Beihilfe
allowance, subsidy, grant, contribution, aiding and abetting, financial assistance
die
Subvention
subsidy, grant, subvention, price support
die
Unterstützung
support, assistance, aid, backing, benefit, grant
die
Studienbeihilfe
grant
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Emissions Fiddling 101
()
Date: December 22, 2015 11:48AM
I wonder what bureaucrat or bureaucrats signed off on this? What about "buy American" and all that?
FCPS' lack of transparency is really disturbing.
FCPS' lack of transparency is really disturbing.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
The answer is.......
()
Date: December 22, 2015 12:13PM
Emissions Fiddling 101 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wonder what bureaucrat or bureaucrats signed off
> on this? What about "buy American" and all that?
>
> FCPS' lack of transparency is really disturbing.
Dr. Dale signed the grant agreement.
Global economy.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wonder what bureaucrat or bureaucrats signed off
> on this? What about "buy American" and all that?
>
> FCPS' lack of transparency is really disturbing.
Dr. Dale signed the grant agreement.
Global economy.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: December 22, 2015 12:19PM
Emissions Fiddling 101 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wonder what bureaucrat or bureaucrats signed off
> on this? What about "buy American" and all that?
>
> FCPS' lack of transparency is really disturbing.
What more do you want to know? They cranked this right out. No arguments for a change.
Hey, it's money. It's advertising for Volkswagen. Win-win.
Did Ford offer to do this?
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wonder what bureaucrat or bureaucrats signed off
> on this? What about "buy American" and all that?
>
> FCPS' lack of transparency is really disturbing.
What more do you want to know? They cranked this right out. No arguments for a change.
Hey, it's money. It's advertising for Volkswagen. Win-win.
Did Ford offer to do this?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
tri-vah-go
()
Date: January 05, 2016 05:12PM
Here is what was going on in Germany.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
flyingaround
()
Date: January 05, 2016 07:49PM
I'm all for professional development, but there is one line item that is very alarming and that's the cost of air in a majority of these reports.
In one example, an individual traveled from the Washington D.C area to Chicago, IL. The cost was $687.80. Furthermore, the travel dates were Wednesday to Friday. The return leg would be little more expensive as a lot of business travelers are in the air on Friday. However, Wednesday to a major hub should be dirt cheap.
Are these individuals stuck using a travel portal that is gouging them on price or are they waiting until the last minute to book air, thus driving up the cost?
In one example, an individual traveled from the Washington D.C area to Chicago, IL. The cost was $687.80. Furthermore, the travel dates were Wednesday to Friday. The return leg would be little more expensive as a lot of business travelers are in the air on Friday. However, Wednesday to a major hub should be dirt cheap.
Are these individuals stuck using a travel portal that is gouging them on price or are they waiting until the last minute to book air, thus driving up the cost?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
THhifffdH
()
Date: January 05, 2016 09:34PM
flyingaround Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm all for professional development, but there is
> one line item that is very alarming and that's the
> cost of air in a majority of these reports.
>
> In one example, an individual traveled from the
> Washington D.C area to Chicago, IL. The cost was
> $687.80. Furthermore, the travel dates were
> Wednesday to Friday. The return leg would be
> little more expensive as a lot of business
> travelers are in the air on Friday. However,
> Wednesday to a major hub should be dirt cheap.
>
> Are these individuals stuck using a travel portal
> that is gouging them on price or are they waiting
> until the last minute to book air, thus driving up
> the cost?
The jacked up airfare prices were pointed out to Gatehouse, for what it's worth.
It is always easy to spend money when it is not coming out of your personal bank account. The king room suite with Jacuzzi(an upgrade), the padding of the per diem by multiple staff members, etc. were also problematic and pointed out. Recovery of the money was weak. There is probably a lot of that going on, considering how many were caught on that one trip to Napa alone.
Some other people can try pulling claims and posting them for analysis.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm all for professional development, but there is
> one line item that is very alarming and that's the
> cost of air in a majority of these reports.
>
> In one example, an individual traveled from the
> Washington D.C area to Chicago, IL. The cost was
> $687.80. Furthermore, the travel dates were
> Wednesday to Friday. The return leg would be
> little more expensive as a lot of business
> travelers are in the air on Friday. However,
> Wednesday to a major hub should be dirt cheap.
>
> Are these individuals stuck using a travel portal
> that is gouging them on price or are they waiting
> until the last minute to book air, thus driving up
> the cost?
The jacked up airfare prices were pointed out to Gatehouse, for what it's worth.
It is always easy to spend money when it is not coming out of your personal bank account. The king room suite with Jacuzzi(an upgrade), the padding of the per diem by multiple staff members, etc. were also problematic and pointed out. Recovery of the money was weak. There is probably a lot of that going on, considering how many were caught on that one trip to Napa alone.
Some other people can try pulling claims and posting them for analysis.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
tri-vah-go
()
Date: January 10, 2016 10:15AM
Follow-up on the Texas trip. There was a notation about room service on the room charge, never a good sign.
The traveler put the room on his personal credit card, and when it was switched to the county card, the room service went on the county card. He didn't notice it until he went to file his claim, and subtracted a request for meal per diem to balance it out.
Not a good way to do it, but an A for effort. The notations are clear and present. The hotel could probably have fixed the bill retroactively with a phone call, which would have been better for record keeping.
He shared a room with another staff member, so that trip was pulled for comparison and a crosscheck and is presented here.
Attachments:
The traveler put the room on his personal credit card, and when it was switched to the county card, the room service went on the county card. He didn't notice it until he went to file his claim, and subtracted a request for meal per diem to balance it out.
Not a good way to do it, but an A for effort. The notations are clear and present. The hotel could probably have fixed the bill retroactively with a phone call, which would have been better for record keeping.
He shared a room with another staff member, so that trip was pulled for comparison and a crosscheck and is presented here.
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
free travel agent
()
Date: January 10, 2016 07:50PM
Anybody needing help lining up a reasonably priced plane ticket can post right here and we will all help you. No charge. All anonymously. No problem.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
vacation
()
Date: January 28, 2016 11:02PM
we need more
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 13, 2017 07:04PM
Here we go again. They are listed alphabetically by destination this time.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
OaktonInsider
()
Date: March 13, 2017 07:39PM
Wow - that is quite a list. And it only goes through early February of this year. Travel continues, despite non-local travel being on the chopping block by later this quarter; FCPS is sending 6 Oakton HS teachers and several others to a conference in San Diego, to see a specialized charter school in action - even though FCPS does not have charter schools.
THIS is why taxpayers said "no more" to things like the food tax.
THIS is why taxpayers said "no more" to things like the food tax.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
eckspedia.com
()
Date: March 13, 2017 07:49PM
The period covered was dates of travel 4-1-2016 to present, which was early March. They have 30 days to turn in their claims.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Thinking>>>>>
()
Date: March 14, 2017 09:23AM
So how many staff are working on their travel claims or planning their next trip to Orlando?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Makesmesick
()
Date: March 14, 2017 11:54AM
As a teacher for FCPS, this makes me sick.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Pick a few-
()
Date: March 14, 2017 12:41PM
Any trips look particularly interesting?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
($$)
()
Date: March 15, 2017 08:32AM
Makesmesick Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a teacher for FCPS, this makes me sick.
Agree.
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a teacher for FCPS, this makes me sick.
Agree.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Numbersguy
()
Date: March 15, 2017 10:05AM
eckspedia.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here we go again. They are listed alphabetically
> by destination this time.
This is only page 1. Where may we access the subsequent pages? Is there a link? I feel like doing some math this morning.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here we go again. They are listed alphabetically
> by destination this time.
This is only page 1. Where may we access the subsequent pages? Is there a link? I feel like doing some math this morning.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
open it
()
Date: March 15, 2017 11:37AM
Numbersguy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here we go again. They are listed
> alphabetically
> > by destination this time.
>
>
> This is only page 1. Where may we access the
> subsequent pages? Is there a link? I feel like
> doing some math this morning.
open the attachment. 22 pages.
-------------------------------------------------------
> eckspedia.com Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here we go again. They are listed
> alphabetically
> > by destination this time.
>
>
> This is only page 1. Where may we access the
> subsequent pages? Is there a link? I feel like
> doing some math this morning.
open the attachment. 22 pages.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
open it
()
Date: March 15, 2017 03:06PM
Depending on the equipment that you are using, you will either see a line to click on or one page, which you have to click on to open the document, which is 22 pages of adventures all around the world.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
ask and you shall receive
()
Date: March 15, 2017 04:43PM
https://www.fcps.edu/freedom-information-act
If you want to see specifics, submit a FOIA request to the above link. They can send you all the receipts, etc. for each claim. It is very simple to do. Post them here and we can all see them.
If you want to see specifics, submit a FOIA request to the above link. They can send you all the receipts, etc. for each claim. It is very simple to do. Post them here and we can all see them.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
QuestioningTravelSpending
()
Date: March 15, 2017 10:35PM
Yubo Zhang, a 'Test Analysis Specialist' at Willow Oaks HQ2 who earns around $80,000, spent $3894 on a six day trip to Austin, TX last November.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
just ask....
()
Date: March 16, 2017 08:21AM
QuestioningTravelSpending Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yubo Zhang, a 'Test Analysis Specialist' at Willow
> Oaks HQ2 who earns around $80,000, spent $3894 on
> a six day trip to Austin, TX last November.
Send in a FOIA request for the receipts and claim material. It will cost about $15.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yubo Zhang, a 'Test Analysis Specialist' at Willow
> Oaks HQ2 who earns around $80,000, spent $3894 on
> a six day trip to Austin, TX last November.
Send in a FOIA request for the receipts and claim material. It will cost about $15.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
traveeellll
()
Date: July 17, 2020 01:03AM
Cool that organize various trips. But it’s not at all cool that they spend so much money on them. I am sure that not all expenses are described here. It is possible that the amount is twice as much ... Although I am really interested in some of the nuances. For example, which hotels / motels did they most often use or how they got from the airport / bus stop to the hotel. Perhaps with this information, I could save on my future trips. Now I use a transfer company that provides Denver to Breckenridge Shuttle Service . It is very convenient, but not always cheap.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Hmmmmmm........
()
Date: July 19, 2020 08:39PM
It would be interesting to pull a report for the last 4 months. When nobody else could travel.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
quatrinto
()
Date: July 31, 2020 03:00PM
traveeellll Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cool that organize various trips. But it’s not at all cool that they spend so much money on them. I am sure that not all expenses are described here. It is possible that the amount is twice as much ... Although I am really interested in some of the nuances. For example, which hotels / motels did they most often use or how they got from the airport / bus stop to the hotel. Perhaps with this information, I could save on my future trips. Now I use a transfer company that provides Denver to Breckenridge Shuttle Service . It is very convenient, but not always cheap.
Do these guys provide discounts?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cool that organize various trips. But it’s not at all cool that they spend so much money on them. I am sure that not all expenses are described here. It is possible that the amount is twice as much ... Although I am really interested in some of the nuances. For example, which hotels / motels did they most often use or how they got from the airport / bus stop to the hotel. Perhaps with this information, I could save on my future trips. Now I use a transfer company that provides Denver to Breckenridge Shuttle Service . It is very convenient, but not always cheap.
Do these guys provide discounts?
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Bastony
()
Date: July 03, 2021 07:02AM
Traveling now is difficult, and in many places it is impossible. But the borders have begun to slowly open - and this year's vacation already sounds like a plan, not just a dream. Many who bought tours before the pandemic were forced to contact the viator cancellation policy to cancel their booking.
Re: FCPS non-local travel report
Posted by:
Xlxllxl
()
Date: July 03, 2021 09:56AM
Hmmmmmm........ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would be interesting to pull a report for the
> last 4 months. When nobody else could travel.
File a FOIA report
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would be interesting to pull a report for the
> last 4 months. When nobody else could travel.
File a FOIA report