California's Kern High School District's Fired Whistleblowers Given a "Retirement" Party

Kern High School District, reported on previously, held a Retirement Party for 19 employees - and ironically  included the three men forced into early retirement for whistleblowing about Garland products being illegally sole-sourced, bought by the Business Administrators at the rate of $200,000 in materials for many years, and installed by only one installer.

Both KGET Television and the local paper, The Californian, carried the story.

The reporter told a person who was in attendance that when the Superintendent first started talking to her he was smiling and friendly, but when she then asked the question about the irony of honoring those they fired for supposed incompetence such as John Fox, his hands started to immediately shake, and he stared at her with an angry look, and then made the statement on the video about honoring all of those who have retired.  She asked if he had any other comments he would like to make about the lawsuit and he just continued to stare at her with that angry look on his face.  She then extended her hand to thank him, and he reluctantly reached out, shook her hand, and then threw her hand back at her, turned and walked away in disgust.

The reporters "get" what is going on.

Here is the link to the TV Story at KGET in Bakersfield, California, with Garland featured as the culprit:
http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Retirees-suing-KHSD-are-honored-by-trustees/PX4rHjOe502Ffc533Nwp3w.cspx

And here is the print story at The Californian regarding the same:
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x1337479310/Education-roundup-Kern-High-recognizes-retirees-including-lawsuit-filers?utm_source=widget_56&utm_medium=photo_entries_teaser_widget&utm_campaign=synapse

The Californian notes their previous stories on their firing for whistleblowing, noting:

"The three former veteran maintenance and operations workers filed lawsuits against the district alleging they were wrongfully terminated for whistleblowing on corrupt practices, breach of contract, and age and race discrimination, among other reasons, court documents show."

They also state "John Fox and Clem Williams argue in court documents that they spoke out against "needless wasteful" spending in their department, as well as "kickbacks, bribes and improper gifts" being given to KHSD employees from construction companies."

No one really minds someone profiting from their labors, but not scamming schools to get it!

I get news clippings from all over the US and beyond, and like reading what is happening.

This one was a bit disturbing.

I have seen the commissions reports for the reps and managers for some of the scammers, some approaching or over $1 million or more a year.

That alone is reprehensible, given who's suffering as a result - tax dollars stolen from the use of school kids for their programs and lack of supplies, teachers buying them out of their tiny salaries, and teachers laid off.

Psychopathic behavior, one and all, involved, is it not?  Greed at the very least.

But this takes the cake.

I used to like RPM products - until they bought Tremco in the 1990's.  It was confounding as to why a company with such great products would buy a company that involved themselves in such notorious business practices - unless the ends (profits) justified the means (scamming).

So I received a copy of this article, and thought I would pass it along to you all.
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/09/rpm_international_chairman_and.html


RPM's International Chairman of the Board and CEO, who looks like a decent guy in the article's picture,  is making a great deal off the school scams.  You know Tremco has to have helped the bottom line with its' monopolistic practices, to put it nicely.

So Mr. Sullivan, this question is for you:  How much longer are you going to either allow these practices to continue, or rid yourself of the growing scandal?

Teachers being driven out of jobs, teachers with not enough to pay basic bills paying for supplies, and programs cut across the board in schools while school bond funds, etc. are raised for unnecessary roofing.

Kids' futures hurt, with unnecessary construction and non-competitive bidding monopolies.

Just how much money do you "need"?

Do you even care about the future of this country, and that of your children?

You are a smart man.  You had to have had chemistry in school....and you must remember the basics.

To every action there is an opposite and equal reaction, for the universe to stay in balance.

You can be a leader, or not.

You can take the bull by the horns and admit the practices, stop them, and be a good citizen - or do like Warren Buffet, who has repeatedly ignored such cries re:  Johns-Manville openly going along to get along - private labeling for Tremco.

Everything about this scam stinks, top to bottom.

You can change it.

On ABC Radio in San Francisco....the Short Story Re: the Scam

For those who would like to see more done to stop the bleeding of taxpayer dollars into the coffers of politicians who are benefiting, and not the schoolkids, you can hear this blogger speaking with Brian Sussman at KSFO Radio in San Francisco, California, this past Wednesday morning, on "Whistleblower Wednesdays".

KSFO is part of  the major ABC Television/Radio Stations conglomerate in the City of San Francisco, and features Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, for whom Brian Sussman subbed Thanksgiving week this year.  Brian and I have known each other for about 8 years now.

It is located here:
http://www.ksfo560.com/Article.asp?id=534876
Hit "Wednesday" at the top and then the hour "8-9am"

It can only be heard through Tuesday evening, Dec. 6th. 

When the little window comes up - scroll the bar to 6:15 minutes, and I start talking at 6:35 minutes and it goes to 15:02.

You can hear me explaining how the scam works, Brian's questions and he gets to the major point of asking me what is helping it stay in place out here - and some of what happened.

One of the reasons we hear nothing is being done is that too many School Board Members, City Council Members and more are involved - and there is fear of what will happen when known - but more so, they are afraid of being caught.

If you speak up - it has to stop.  You can bet there will be action if the pressure is kept up - and they hate exposure out here in California more than anything.....please call in and help!

As you know, what happens here travels across the US, and with good anchors in various states doing good work, it won't be long...
.

For those of you in the industry, please call in and "pile on" next Wednesday morning at (415) 808-5600 to get on air....that's his weekly whistleblowing program, from 5-9 am West Coast time.  Get all your buddies to help - please!  

They will ask if you want to use another name and have your voice disguised, and they do a great job!

And don't hesitate to call from Canada or the UK or anywhere else - yes, I know you are using the blogs and so glad to see it! 

Remember, billions across the country have been lost in this one scam in schools - since the 1930's....

You can also write Brian at:  briansussman2@yahoo.com

If only I could say "West Contra Costa County!"