When Glenda Ritz took over outgoing Superintendent Tony Bennett’s office, she was surprised to find some very expensive teleconferencing equipment. But it didn’t work, because it was only partially installed.
Turns out that Bennett was so sure of his re-election that he installed a system costing $1.7 million from Cisco. Unfortunately it is incompatible with the current technology.
So all Ritz has is three very elegant blinds.
For $1.7 million.
Wonder how many teachers that might have paid.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
A little here, a little there and soon you have real money. Who was the salesman and how did they get talked into something from a tech company like Cisco and no one knew the system was incompatable? Stinks to me. Someone got a free payday, or maybe, many?
I am never surprised by the egotistical nature of politicians. This.is a blatant misuse of public funds. OMG.
wha, uh, um, hu, again speechless.
According to the article, Bennett said the TelePresence technology is “very interactive ” and called it a “very powerful tool” that could save money by reducing travel expenses. HOW DOES he know it’s very interactive if he never used it? (The reporter could have called him on that…but that’s another conversation.) Also Bennett criticized Ritz for not retaining workers from his administration that he said could have had the new equipment up and running. WHY DIDN’T he have it hooked up while he was in office? Thanks, Diane, for all your postings.
The salesperson of the $1.7 million in equipment was none other than his former Cheif of Staff, Todd Huston. Who is now an Indiana State Representative.
The answer to Dr. Ravitch’s question is the $1.7 million might have paid one teacher over a forty year career or two teachers for a little over 15 years, assuming a 2% real return on investment and a constant real compensation of $60,000 a year.
TE, either would have been better spent than useless technology.
Useful spending is always better than useless spending.
I was thinking more in terms of two extra social workers, or a social worker and a psychologist, personnel severely lacking in the schools, and an aberration, considering all the talk POTUS, et. al. were doing about mental health services needed–in tandem with gun control–after Sandy Hook. (T.E., I have taught at no less than four different middle schools–3 with populations of approximately 450 {each building}, but one with a population of 750–and STILL only ONE social worker.)