DC Auditor Report on Duke Ellington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Have you been involved in a DCPS school renovation project?

The school community leadership and members are part of the SIT -- they give opinions, ask questions but at the end of the day they have no power. In this sense the DE Ellington is no more or no less responsible than the SIT members at Murch, lafayette, Janney, Wilson, Ballou or Dunbar.

But the SIT doesn't make decisions. They point out problems with the design - e.g. the first one for Ellington forgot rooms for costume changes and a arts-related things taht DGS forgot to include despite the fact that it existed in the old building.

The "Taj Mahal' features of the design came from DGS. This all happened back when the director was 're-envisioning' school spaces for the city and hoping to change academic culture through architecture and design. The roof feature, underground parking and other luxurious stuff came from DGS, not the school.

There is a significant difference in the way that the DE renovation has been handled compared to other schools. At other schools, when cost over-runs were discovered, the school was forced to accept less within the same budget. At DE, the budget keeps increasing -- and word on the street is that it's soon going to $210 million.

It's circumstantial evidence, but it's highly suggestive that DE plays by a different set of rules than the rest of DCPS. Also, while just about every renovation has had overruns, the scale at DE is unlike anything seen anywhere in DCPS. The scale prompts suspicion that the initial estimates were low-balled because the people doing them knew that once construction started there would be no stopping.

+1.

It's pretty obvious that funny, very funny business has been taking place. To determine the who and what and why and how we need a serious investigation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Have you been involved in a DCPS school renovation project?

The school community leadership and members are part of the SIT -- they give opinions, ask questions but at the end of the day they have no power. In this sense the DE Ellington is no more or no less responsible than the SIT members at Murch, lafayette, Janney, Wilson, Ballou or Dunbar.

But the SIT doesn't make decisions. They point out problems with the design - e.g. the first one for Ellington forgot rooms for costume changes and a arts-related things taht DGS forgot to include despite the fact that it existed in the old building.

The "Taj Mahal' features of the design came from DGS. This all happened back when the director was 're-envisioning' school spaces for the city and hoping to change academic culture through architecture and design. The roof feature, underground parking and other luxurious stuff came from DGS, not the school.

There is a significant difference in the way that the DE renovation has been handled compared to other schools. At other schools, when cost over-runs were discovered, the school was forced to accept less within the same budget. At DE, the budget keeps increasing -- and word on the street is that it's soon going to $210 million.

It's circumstantial evidence, but it's highly suggestive that DE plays by a different set of rules than the rest of DCPS. Also, while just about every renovation has had overruns, the scale at DE is unlike anything seen anywhere in DCPS. The scale prompts suspicion that the initial estimates were low-balled because the people doing them knew that once construction started there would be no stopping.

Whether initially low-balled or not, there's something fundamentally screwy, if not corrupt, about spending $210 million for a school renovation to serve 500 students. This is way more than is spent on school construction with much larger student populations and, as a PP pointed out, in the ballpark of what one of the world's most conspicuous luxury hotels has spent for a total renovation in the heart of historic Paris!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Have you been involved in a DCPS school renovation project?

The school community leadership and members are part of the SIT -- they give opinions, ask questions but at the end of the day they have no power. In this sense the DE Ellington is no more or no less responsible than the SIT members at Murch, lafayette, Janney, Wilson, Ballou or Dunbar.

But the SIT doesn't make decisions. They point out problems with the design - e.g. the first one for Ellington forgot rooms for costume changes and a arts-related things taht DGS forgot to include despite the fact that it existed in the old building.

The "Taj Mahal' features of the design came from DGS. This all happened back when the director was 're-envisioning' school spaces for the city and hoping to change academic culture through architecture and design. The roof feature, underground parking and other luxurious stuff came from DGS, not the school.

There is a significant difference in the way that the DE renovation has been handled compared to other schools. At other schools, when cost over-runs were discovered, the school was forced to accept less within the same budget. At DE, the budget keeps increasing -- and word on the street is that it's soon going to $210 million.

It's circumstantial evidence, but it's highly suggestive that DE plays by a different set of rules than the rest of DCPS. Also, while just about every renovation has had overruns, the scale at DE is unlike anything seen anywhere in DCPS. The scale prompts suspicion that the initial estimates were low-balled because the people doing them knew that once construction started there would be no stopping.

Whether initially low-balled or not, there's something fundamentally screwy, if not corrupt, about spending $210 million for a school renovation to serve 500 students. This is way more than is spent on school construction with much larger student populations and, as a PP pointed out, in the ballpark of what one of the world's most conspicuous luxury hotels has spent for a total renovation in the heart of historic Paris!

$210 million? Where does that number come from?

[Anonymous]

Have you seen the privileged crew
just off Wisconsin Avenue
busting budgets near and far
with their hands in the cookie jar?

Spiraling costs and no spending collars
While Ellington sucks up all your tax dollars
Spending every dime
For a wonderful time
Now, if you're feelin' down and blue
cause your school gets nothin' 'till 2032.
Why don't you go where Ellington sits
As costly as the Ritz

Those who know how to fleece DC
Spending bucks with no accountability
Perfect fits
As costly as the Ritz

Dressed up like a million dollar trooper
Trying hard to look like Peggy Cooper
Super duper

Come, let's mix where DC’s “elite”
feathers their nest and likes to meet
Have they completely lost their wits?
As costly as the Ritz!

[Anonymous]

Spendin’ cash like a sheik in gay Paree
While livin’ large in old DC,
Who will stop the cost over-run blitz?
As expensive as the Ritz

DC’s taxpayers foot the bill
For the Taj Mahal on Georgetown’s hill
Ellington gives the auditor fits...
As expensive as the Ritz.

Ellington’s arrogant, runaway Board
Emptied DC’s coffers to spend and hoard,
Leaving other schools with scraps and bits,
So Duke could be like the Ritz

[Anonymous]

The Mayor and Council look away
While Ellington seems to rule the day
They’re all afraid of Ms. Cafritz
As expensive as the Ritz

Fixers and cronies grab every dime,
It’s feeling once more like “Barry time”,
While feckless Mayor Bowser sits,
As expensive as the Ritz.

[Anonymous]

Just stop.

[Anonymous]

The Ellington saga would be comical, if it weren't so painful, pathetic and possibly criminal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Ellington saga would be comical, if it weren't so painful, pathetic and possibly criminal.

PPPC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just stop.

The song parodies will continue until the cost overruns end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just stop.

The song parodies will continue until the cost overruns end.

This is open source songwriting. If you're feeling inspired (or just angry and depressed by the whole sad spending scandal), that add a verse (or two)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just stop.

The song parodies will continue until the cost overruns end.

Duke Ellington in his tomb
Asking to please rename it
Barry School of the Grafts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just stop.

The song parodies will continue until the cost overruns end.

Duke Ellington in his tomb
Asking to please rename it
Barry School of the Grafts

Or perhaps the Barry School of the Arts and Grafts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just stop.

The song parodies will continue until the cost overruns end.

Duke Ellington in his tomb
Asking to please rename it
Barry School of the Grafts

Or perhaps the Barry School of the Arts and Grafts?

Well crafted

[Anonymous]

Jesus made bread into fish
DE made $78 million into 178, and counting
Miracles everywhere