DCPS modernizations poorly managed

[Anonymous]

Not a shock at all for those who know how the District government works. The padding of budgets and approval of unnecessary cost increases is endemic.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/2015/07/01/audit-school-modernization-agencies-broke-rules-didnt-keep-track-of-money/

[Anonymous]

Yet again, DGS for the win.

[Anonymous]

Maddening. Our school's modernization will not even include everything originally planned, yet it is millions and millions of dollars over budget. We're new to DC and DCPS and this was just shocking--it's as if we're in Chicago, Detroit or some other city notorious for corruption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maddening. Our school's modernization will not even include everything originally planned, yet it is millions and millions of dollars over budget. We're new to DC and DCPS and this was just shocking--it's as if we're in Chicago, Detroit or some other city notorious for corruption.

You really ARE new to the District, that is clear. The District gov't has a long, storied history of corruption and mismanagement. Especially in the area of self-dealing. It's better now than the 80s and early 90s. But, some of the legacy DC employees from the Barry years are still either in place, or they are hiring their friends and relatives before they retire. So the culture persists.

So as not to take this thread off track, I will stop now.

[calexander]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maddening. Our school's modernization will not even include everything originally planned, yet it is millions and millions of dollars over budget. We're new to DC and DCPS and this was just shocking--it's as if we're in Chicago, Detroit or some other city notorious for corruption.

You really ARE new to the District, that is clear. The District gov't has a long, storied history of corruption and mismanagement. Especially in the area of self-dealing. It's better now than the 80s and early 90s. But, some of the legacy DC employees from the Barry years are still either in place, or they are hiring their friends and relatives before they retire. So the culture persists.

So as not to take this thread off track, I will stop now.

It's a big problem.

[Anonymous]

I really wish more people were more angry about this. They cannot track where millions of dollars went on some of these projects...and the report clearly states the law has not been followed (so broken).

[Anonymous]

Shouldn't the attorney general investigate?

[Anonymous]

And the charters - what they wouldn't GIVE for that kind of money - evenly divided, sure - for their own schools. instead they have to take out loans and fundraise all.the.damn.time. But DGS just takes the checks and runs. Nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And the charters - what they wouldn't GIVE for that kind of money - evenly divided, sure - for their own schools. instead they have to take out loans and fundraise all.the.damn.time. But DGS just takes the checks and runs. Nice.

Let's not get into a debate over this issue.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the charters - what they wouldn't GIVE for that kind of money - evenly divided, sure - for their own schools. instead they have to take out loans and fundraise all.the.damn.time. But DGS just takes the checks and runs. Nice.

Let's not get into a debate over this issue.....

It's not like DCPS schools get that $$ evenly divided. Developers in tight with DGS are the big winners. Some schools get nice facilities while others get nothing.

[Anonymous]

We could have an infinite number of links titled:

DCPS ___________ poorly managed.

What does DCPS manage well?

[Anonymous]

DCPS isn't actually at fault in this instance. DGS is responsible for contracting and overseeing construction. It's one of the most poorly managed, incompetent and least responsive bureaucracies in the City. Kick-backs, slush funds and all the other corrupt escapades one would expect with virtually no Council or Mayoral oversight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maddening. Our school's modernization will not even include everything originally planned, yet it is millions and millions of dollars over budget. We're new to DC and DCPS and this was just shocking--it's as if we're in Chicago, Detroit or some other city notorious for corruption.

You really ARE new to the District, that is clear. The District gov't has a long, storied history of corruption and mismanagement. Especially in the area of self-dealing. It's better now than the 80s and early 90s. But, some of the legacy DC employees from the Barry years are still either in place, or they are hiring their friends and relatives before they retire. So the culture persists.

So as not to take this thread off track, I will stop now.

Prior to his work at DGS, Jonathan Kayne held several senior executive real estate positions with Stellar Management, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Charles E. Smith Residential Realty and LaSalle Advisors. (DGS website) Yeah, he's obviously carry over from the corrupt Barry administration.

[Anonymous]

Do you think he is reviewing and signing off on every invoice and change order?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS isn't actually at fault in this instance. DGS is responsible for contracting and overseeing construction. It's one of the most poorly managed, incompetent and least responsive bureaucracies in the City. Kick-backs, slush funds and all the other corrupt escapades one would expect with virtually no Council or Mayoral oversight.

DGS keeps losing our payments and double billing, and threatening not to pay the staff.

I keep sending them copies of checks that they cashed and they go away until the next payment.