Education

Concerns Raised at OUSD Over Jackson’s $30,000 Per Month, Conflict of Interest

Published

9 years ago

April 10, 2015

Oakland Unified School District officials are struggling to explain why there is no conflict of interest in hiring Lance Jackson as the interim chief of the district’s bond-funded construction projects and that Jackson’s $30,000 a month salary is not excessive.

Jackson is Chief Operating Officer of Seville Group Inc. (SGI), which has a nearly $11 million, three-year contract to provide project management oversight of OUSD’s construction projects. He was hired by the school district as the interim replacement for Tim White, who was forced out of his position as head of Facilities Management in February after 14 years in the district.

Jackson is being paid out of school bond funds for what the district estimates is 75 percent of the work for which Tim White was responsible and is earning more than double what White earned.

“There’s been quite a lot of press about the selection of the individual who is from the main project management company (that works for OUSD) to be in that position on an interim basis. There are some concerns that I have, and I think some others have, that (this) poses a conflict of interest and also some concerns for the amount of money that’s being paid to that individual,” said Patricia Williams, vice chair of the district’s Measures A, B, and J Independent Citizens’ School Facilities Bond Oversight Committee, speaking at the committee’s April 1 meeting.

Lance Jackson, COO of Seville Group Inc.

According to local attorney Dan Siegel, formerly a Oakland Board of Education member and also formerly general counsel for the school district, Jackson “clearly has a classical conflict of interest” in holding a position in OUSD where he oversees a company for which he is an executive.

“(For example), if a consultant who works for his company does something wrong or that is inappropriate, he is going to feel reluctant to take any action because he’s going to have his company’s interests as well as OUSD’s (in mind). He is supposed to be loyal to the school district,” said Siegel, explaining that potential conflict issues are not limited to billing and the signing of invoices.

Dan Siegel

Defending the district’s position at the April 1 meeting of the bond oversight committee, District General Counsel Jacqueline Minor described how she decided that Jackson should earn $30,000 per month. She said his pay rate is $200 an hour, he receives no benefits, and he is expected to be working for the district at least 12 hours a day.

She said that Jackson is being paid out of the district’s bond funds. Seventy-five percent of Tim (White’s) salary was paid out of the bond, she said, and the other 25 percent from the general fund to cover his responsibilities for day-to-day operations, custodial services and buildings and grounds.

“(However), all the work we’ve asked Lance to do is bond-related work,” said Minor.

“He’s been the principle lead for SGI in our district for some time,” she said. “He knows the district, he knows the team, he knows the work, he knows the projects.”

As for potential conflicts of interest, Minor said, Seville Group is subject to the district’s general conflict of interest policies. “The superintendent and I talked, and we decided…the way we would handle (it),” she said.

None of the invoices and other financial decisions related to SGI will come across Jackson’s desk, Minor said. Instead, Senior Business Officer Vernon Hal will have overall responsibility for all of the finances related to SGI.

“Lance is not approving invoices, purchase orders, contract extensions,” Minor said.

Minor said the district originally planned to send a contract for Jackson to the board but rescinded it when she decided it was not necessary.

“The work that Lance is doing is already covered by the SGI contract,” Minor said. “And I decided – it was my decision –(that) it didn’t make sense for the board to approve an amendment when there was already a contract that had sufficient funds in it to cover this additional work.”

“It’s my opinion that that the work Lance and SGI (are doing) is permissible under the (conflict of interest) law,” she said.

Another member of the bond oversight committee, Ariel Bierbaum, said she was concerned of how Jackson’s position would affect staff in the Facilities Department, “now that Mr. Jackson is serving as both consultant and client.”

Renee Swayne

Renee Swayne, chair of the bond oversight committee, told Minor that she was concerned that when the district hired Jackson, it released a statement saying that he was the only person in the “whole department who has the knowledge, skills or the ability” to do the job.

“I personally think the superintendent owes the employees in that department an apology,” said Swayne, adding that what Wilson said was “demeaning” to the OUSD staff.

In response to questions from the Post, district spokesman Troy Flint clarified how Jackson is being paid.

“OUSD is not paying any additional monies to SGI or to Lance beyond the contract with SGI , which predates Lance’s appointment as interim head of the facilities department,” said Flint. “Any money Lance receives would come out of the existing $10.89 million contract with SGI, and it would be up to SGI to determine how to distribute that money.”

Jackson has not taken a leave of absence from his company to work for the district, Flint said.

“Lance is still employed by SGI. His current work for OUSD is a function of his long-term employment at SGI, so there’s no reason he would take a leave of absence.”

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California Black Media

New California Laws Require High School Classes on Drug Education, Financial Literacy and Ethnic Studies

Last week, California became the 26th state to require high school seniors to pass courses focused on finance literacy, coming behind recently added ethnic studies prerequisite and a health class requirement focused on the dangers of fentanyl use. The senior class of 2031 will be the first group of students to take the mandatory financial literacy course. California school districts are required to implement Assembly Bill 2927, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), at the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock photo.

By Bo Tefu

California Black Media

The senior class of 2031 will be the first group of students to take the mandatory financial literacy course. California school districts are required to implement Assembly Bill 2927, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), at the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.

The bill works hand-in-hand with newly approved Assembly Bill 2429, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego). That law requires students to take health classes that discuss the dangers of fentanyl use and illegal drugs commencing in the 2026-2027 school year.

Both bills require high school seniors to complete the designated coursework during any semester between the ninth and 12th grades. High school students in charter schools are also required to complete the state-mandated coursework. Under this law, local educational agencies will impose the required courses using state-mandated local programs.

McCarty said that the financial literacy classes will prepare students for the future and empower them to make smart money decisions throughout life.

“It’s such an important life skill,” he said. “The stressors that young people face today — especially student loans, renting, buying a house, credit cards all those things are so critically important. And if you fall behind, the consequences have a serious impact later in life.”

Unlike the bill on financial literacy that imposes classes as a graduation requirement, the bill on health education allows school districts to choose if health classes are a graduation prerequisite.

Alvarez said that health education can help address the state’s fentanyl epidemic, specifically among the youth.

“I think it’s important… that we share facts with young people, especially these days as they rely more and more on social media with misinformation,” said Alvarez.

“There’s still no better-trusted source than our schools for students and for families to receive the information that they need in order to make better decisions and better choices,” he continued.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state needs to help prepare young people in a statement backing the bills.

“Saving for the future, making investments, and spending wisely are lifelong skills that young adults need to learn before they start their careers, not after,” the Governor said in statement backing the education bills.

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the state will also require high school seniors to take an additional one-semester course on ethnic studies.

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California Black Media

November Election: Calif. Voters to Decide on $10 Billion Bond for Public Education Upgrades

Last week, the California State Legislature approved a $10 billion bond proposal to modernize and repair K-12 schools and community colleges statewide. The education bond measure, Assembly (AB) Bill 247, will appear on this year’s November ballot. AB 247 aims to upgrade school buildings, allocating $8.5 billion to public schools and $1.5 million to community colleges across California.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock photo.

By Bo Tefu

California Black Media

Last week, the California State Legislature approved a $10 billion bond proposal to modernize and repair K-12 schools and community colleges statewide.

The education bond measure, Assembly (AB) Bill 247, will appear on this year’s November ballot.

AB 247 aims to upgrade school buildings, allocating $8.5 billion to public schools and $1.5 million to community colleges across California.

Authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), the measure was authored in collaboration with Assemblymembers Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), and Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), and Senators Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa) and Josh Newman (D-Fullerton).

Supporters of the proposition point out that schools in California are over 50 years old, raising safety concerns among community and school leaders. The education bond will provide matching dollars to K-12 school districts based on local priorities and it calls for monitoring spending for local taxpayer accountability.

“California urgently needs a statewide school bond to repair dilapidated and unsafe school facilities and to invest in our children to meet 21^st-century educational and workforce needs,” said Muratsuchi, an author of the education bond proposal.

Since 1998, the state has been providing $54 billion in education bonds for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. Voters approved the last successful bond, Proposition 51, during the 2016 November election. That proposition has provided K-12 schools with $7 billion and community colleges with $2 billion for repairs and construction to improve safety.

However, some school district officials are concerned that funds from state and local bonds mostly benefited affluent districts, leaving rural districts disadvantaged.

A report by the Public Policy Institute of California stated that it is easier for the state to match funds from the district in wealthier areas. The report stated that voters in affluent areas are more likely to approve bonds making it easier to raise funds since their property values are higher.

Public Advocates, a nonprofit law firm, threatened to sue the State claiming that the bond system is unconstitutional.

“The Legislature is shooting itself in the foot. What they’ve proposed will only undermine support from voters,” said John Affeldt, an attorney who supports the bill. “But technically they still have time to fix this.”

State officials, on the other hand, remain optimistic about the outcome of the education bond during this year’s November election.

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Black History

Betty Harris: Inventor of Spot Test That Revolutionized Chemical Detection

Our accomplishments never cease to amaze me. Imagine being a scientist who can detect hidden chemicals with just a simple test. Here’s another hidden gem. Dr. Betty Harris is a brilliant scientist and inventor known for her work in chemistry. She was born on July 29, 1940, in Louisiana. From a young age, Betty was fascinated by science. She loved to learn how things worked and always asked lots of questions. Her passion for science led her to become a chemist.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Dr. Betty Harris

By Tamara Shiloh

Our accomplishments never cease to amaze me. Imagine being a scientist who can detect hidden chemicals with just a simple test. Here’s another hidden gem.

Dr. Betty Harris is a brilliant scientist and inventor known for her work in chemistry. She was born on July 29, 1940, in Louisiana. From a young age, Betty was fascinated by science. She loved to learn how things worked and always asked lots of questions. Her passion for science led her to become a chemist.

By 1961, aged just 19, she had graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge with a chemistry degree.

She did her research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, where she worked in the areas of hazardous waste treatment and environmental remediation as well as explosives chemistry. Areas of focus included explosives detection, synthesis and characterization of insensitive high explosives and sensitivity of weathered high explosives.

Her invention, a spot test for TATB, represents a significant advancement in the detection of this crucial but stable explosive compound.

TATB stands for 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene. It’s a type of explosive that is very stable and safe to handle, making it important for various safety applications. TATB is used in explosives because it doesn’t explode easily under heat or shock, which means it’s safer to store and use.

Harris invented a special test called a “spot test” to detect TATB. Before her invention, finding TATB in materials was difficult and time-consuming. Her spot test made it quick and easy to detect this important chemical.

The spot test developed by Harris is a simple yet powerful method that involves a few straightforward steps. A small sample of the material in question is obtained. The sample is treated with a special chemical solution formulated by Harris. If TATB is present in the sample, the solution undergoes a color change, providing a clear and immediate indication of its presence.

Harris’s spot test is important for several reasons. The test helps ensure that explosives are safe to handle and store. By detecting TATB quickly, accidents can be prevented. It is easy to use and provides fast results, saving time and resources.

Inventions like Harris’s help science to progress by making it easier to work with important chemicals.

Her contributions extend beyond her scientific achievements. She is a passionate advocate for education and has been a mentor to countless young scientists, particularly encouraging girls and African American students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.

Her dedication to fostering the next generation of scientists has earned her numerous accolades and respect in the academic community.

Harris still lives in New Mexico.