The Louisiana state board of education approved contracts for 45 private vendors, many of them for-profit online companies that had made campaign contributions to some state board members.
The board acted despite the court decision last week declaring that it was unconstitutional to take money dedicated specifically for public elementary and secondary schools and spend it on vouchers or other providers.
Two board members asked for a delay–Lottie Beebe and Carolyn Hill–but the board approved the vendors without funding. Both Beebe and Hill are on our honor roll as heroes of public education.
The state board is controlled by allies of Governor Jindal, who is committed to privatization.
Beebe said that five members of the board should have recused themselves because they received campaign contributions from some of the providers. Here is her Facebook comment on the board meeting:
“Lottie Polozola Beebe (Facebook)
BESE adjourned its meeting at 9:00 P. M. last night with a record time-wise—the longest meeting of my tenure on BESE. BESE approved 45 Course Providers despite my objections and Ms. Hill’s. Our objection was due to Judge Kelley’s ruling that public dollars should support public schools. Recognizing some have vowed to appeal this ruling, I pointed out BESE’s approval of Course Choice Providers would be irresponsible. Nevertheless, Mr. White was successful in communicating we are merely putting a process in place. I pointed out that I would be remiss if I did not point out that at least 5 BESE members should consider recusing themselves from the vote, particularly, if they received political contributions from any. Well, that recommendation yielded “fireworks”! I received an earful from Chas Roemer and Ms. Boffy defending their campaign contributions and the perceived conflict of interest. I wonder why this would be such a sensitive issue. Despite my attempt to encourage them to do the honorable thing, they voted favorably regarding the choice providers. For the record, one approved entity’s PAC contributed approximately $50,000 to five BESE members. (And to think, public school employees are mandated by law to participate in one hour of Ethics training annually.”
A spokesperson for the state ethics board saw no conflict if a board member votes to award a contract to a campaign contributor:
“State ethics laws mandate that political candidates publish a list of contributors to their campaigns; both Boffy and Garvey did so:
The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc., one of the groups the state board approved as a course provider, gave $5,000 to board member Holly Boffy’s campaign in 2011.
Boffy got $1,000 from K12 Inc. and $1,000 from Acadian Companies, two other approved providers.
James Garvey, who represents parts of New Orleans, also got $5,000 from the Pelican Chapter.
Boffy, who represents District 7 (which includes Calcasieu, Vermilion and six other parishes), responded to Hill’s accusations, saying that she makes decisions in the best interest of students. Garvey was not at the meeting.
“Anyone can contribute to my campaign if I decide to run,” she said. “I just want you to know, that I act with integrity, and when someone on the board questions that, I find that very troubling.”
Louisiana Board of Ethics spokeswoman Alainna Giacone said that it’s not improper for Boffy and Garvey to vote on the issue. “It’s not an issue because it’s a campaign contribution,” she said. It would become a legal issue, however, if Boffy or Garvey were employed by one of the course providers, and then voted on the contract with the course provider, Giacone advised.”
