Notter: "I Have No Plans to Resign"

Very Nice website. I recently built mine and i was looking for some ideas and you gave me a few. Did you develop the web site alone?

The politics and influence over construction and facilities started to go "bad" years ago when the school board went from county wide elections (even though members represented a specific area, they were elected by voters in the whole county) to the district elections now. There is an unwritten rule among members not to speak "out of turn" about facility projects in other member's districts...this is taboo....you stay silent on my projects and I'll stay silent on yours...also J. Notter is only interested in one thing--that is being superintendent in Broward County. He is not like other sups before him (Drs L, P, and T) who were not afraid to stand up to the board members even if it meant getting fired...they just went to other jobs in other places...not so J.N. who is "home grown" and has no interest in other districts...he also never finished his EdD and would not be a good candidate in other large districts. Board members see themselves as demigods who can make demands on staff members (and everyone jumps)...previous sups tried to put up barriers to this kind of "licking of the boots" behavior by staff members, but it is standard practice at the KCW and Area Offices where the district board members can, again, bring big time pressure on area sups, principals, and staff members. This is the "culture" that critics say must change. By law a board member is just another citizen except when meeting as a Board and have no say in staff or administrative details going on in the District...try telling that to the current board members...you will get a good laugh on that one.

It is still incomprehensible that the Statewide Grand Jury felt that it had no power to seek justice for those in the State of Florida, by issuing indictments against a whole slew of characters. While the Statewide Grand Jury’s investigation is limited to that involving 2 or more counties, it is clear that there was enough information to show that Broward County was not alone in the corrupt construction practices practiced in Broward County.

In the February 6, 2011 Sun-Sentinel article (written by Megan O’Matz, titled “Whistleblower Sues Broward Schools, Contractors”), linked by Christy (above), it was reported that “Marchetti declined to discuss the suit, which was filed in Tallahassee as required by law, saying: “I’m just seeking justice for the children and taxpayers of Broward County.”” Sooooo -- If a whistleblower had filed a lawsuit (10-months ago, in April, 2010, in Leon County, as required by Florida LAW) against persons & entities for certain corrupt practices pertaining to the construction of public schools in Broward County, and he was forced to file in another county, does that not clearly show that there is more than 1 county involved in the process? What happened? Did the State Attorney, who is supposed to be able to indict a ham sandwich, lose the ability to indict the pig providing the ham for the sandwich?

How did the members of the Statewide Grand Jury not understand that they had the power to indict for the crimes committed in Broward County? It is plain to see, from reading the report of the Statewide Grand Jury, that the jurors believed the corruption to be so bad as to make them draw a conclusion that the Broward County School Board should have just been dissolved, if the Constitution would have allowed them the request. What busy little bees must have been the State Attorney & any other lawyer from his office or the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor to be able to put the blinders on the eyes of every participant!!!!! This was able to be accomplished, even though the State Attorney has been told (and therefore has the knowledge) that BOND FRAUD was involved in that construction of those Broward County schools -- which BOND FRAUD is a crime that could have been proven had the involvement of more than 1 county. Is Michael Satz more devious than to be thought of as just sitting on his hands? Does he really get off his hands on occasion to help his associates & any person that commits BOND FRAUD, rips off the State treasury, and steals from the county coffers? Is there nothing decent about this guy?

A leech or parasite need to be forcefully removed, they will not go by themselves unless host is dry to dead.

Let's mimic the PB County parents in removing their superintended. The only superintendent job Notter should be doing is one taking care of a NY building garbage and plumbing problems.

Since Notter will not resign then the Public has a right to appeal EACH and EVERY decision the school board makes from the Grand Jury Report moment on. The public has the right to refuse to accept decisions made by school board. Appeal, Appeal Appeal each and every school board decision made. Appeal based on Grand Jury findings of Corruption. There is a meeting tonight 2nd Public hearing at 5:30pm Plantation high School Auditorium on School Boundaries.

Now that the corruption is documented we the people can not accept corrupt school board decisions. Appeal. The public has a right to appeal each and every school board decision.Even Notter's decision to not resign.

Go Tohttp://www.browardschools.com/...Click on Board E-agenda right hand column.

When page opens with all the board members in TINY little letters top left hand side above pictures click MEETINGS.

Here you will see all meetings/purpose, etc.

Pursuant To Florida Statute: 286.0105 Right to appeal any decision made by the school board.

Maybe Notter doesn't feel as if he stole enough, while on the job, to tide him over in his retirement. This way he can negotiate his golden parachute by buying time. The problem with scumbags is that they are thorough scumbags and can never do the right thing. Where is Rick Scott who holds the power to suspend/remove him from his position?

I remember about 3 years ago trying to find out how to remove a school board member from office. I actually got to speak with the Chair of the State Board of Ed - he told me there is no way. The only way to remove them is vote them out. The only way to remove them once in office is for the board member to be arrested. So there ya go.

They know on election night - they're in. Talk about job security.

Try to ask any board member about why teachers are not pre-employment drug tested. Go ahead, try it. You'll never get an answer. And if you're lucky enough to find a "talkative one" they'll just tell you its the Union that wants it that way. Yea right. We have to be one of the very last districts in this country that isn't drug testing teachers upon employment.

I've looked into this and I do believe they are in violation of a drug-free workplace. That is a federal program and comes with federal money. It doesn't specifically state that to be a drug free workplace you must pre-employment test - but, instead, you must have something in place to "rehab" those employees that do get caught. Doesn't make any sense - but it ruffles my feathers every time I see "This is a drug-free workplace" on their propaganda.

The amount of teachers and principals that have been caught drunk or with drugs on school campus is staggering. AFTER a teacher is caught then the union steps in. They get to keep their jobs as long as they submit to random testing. I have spoken with Union reps (who don't like me very well) and they whine about how many drug tests they have to do EVERYDAY for teachers that have been caught.

As a parent, I would tell any other parent - keep your kids out of Broward schools. They are nothing but cesspools and daycare for the hood rats that have no where else to go.

Jim Notter And The Order Of The Grand Jury......Remove your inept School Board along with fat ass Murray........From the cute little boy with the toy gun ......You showed him the door when he was just havin fun....To the airhead Jen Jen who built her Boondoggle Montessori....Now she lives in paradise and all its glory....Well now its time to resign Mr James Notter...If you cant see the signs the kids will send in Harry Potter!!!

Did anyone else notice that Dave Thomas appears to have money bags on his tie?

My initial unprofessional Diagnose would be "Megalomania".

"Megalomania is an unrealistic belief in one's superiority, grandiose abilities, and even omnipotence. It is characterized by a need for total power and control over others, and is marked by a lack of empathy for anything that is perceived as not feeding the self".

"The principles or characteristics of NPD and megalomania can also be expressed in lesser degrees or in a different fashion by those we might consider more mainstream than genocidal maniacs and serial killers. Among dictators, fundamentalists, and politicians we find those who view themselves as morally superior with the willingness to sacrifice, kill, or risk the safety of others considered inferior in order to assert their own agendas. Though there are legitimate circumstances in which leaders must exercise civil or military force, or religious zealots can profess solemn beliefs, the line between religiosity and fanaticism, between duty and megalomania, can be a gray one. This is how the term has become part of our culture's vernacular."

After watching the news conference I seriously think we have a superintendent with psychological problems. Send Notter to the school Psychologist. Baker act him.

News conference on school website.http://www.browardschools.com/

The final report is out and Jimmy and the board members are as arrogant as ever. But do not faulter Pulpsters. I have it on good authority that the grand jury report is being reviewed by at least 3 local investigative bodies and that the job is not done yet. There are good people working hard to bring convictions within the county and it is more important now than ever that you flood the new board members and even the old guard with email to their school board email addresses. Contact the governor and elected reps and senators. They have to feel constant pressure or it will simply go south. The board is the group that needs to make a move. So they are the first to inundate with requests to remove this oaf. Then the attention needs to go to those who support Notter in the call for his ouster. He and the board are the problem, but Notter can be gone soon, the board will not be gone until the law or Rick Scott say so. One of those two will happen. Law Enforcement have finally seen just how arrogant and inept Notter is. BTW, thanks to the grand jury members who did their civic duty and identified what we all had a right to know about how our money is being spent to do anything except educate our children. Please act!!! Call FDLE, State Attorney's Office, BSO's special investigative panel and write clear and concise email to our reps and senators and even more, Rick Scott. Now "Let's get to work!!!"

First question to cinder.....what is your avatar? I see a preg belly with public hair, is that it? Really nasty.Second....Sun S did a report on home owners insurance and after lots of negative comments just took it down. Way to go Sun-S.....the only reason I have anything to do with you is to get my Sunday T.V Guide

School Board Members Speak Out About Grand Jury Investigationhttp://www.wsvn.com/news/artic...

Maybe Murray has joined the ranks. After all the scandal in the Transportation Department 2 years ago is still not resolved and no one has been fired. As to Ms. Murray's remarks about cut and paste, she just doesn't get it. THE SAME THING HAS BEEN GOING ON AT LEAST SINCE 1994 OR 1995 WHEN THERE WAS A GRAND JURY REPORT LISTED THE SAME ISSUES - IT'S NOT CUT AND PASTE. IT'S JUST AS NOTTER SAID, I ARE GOING TO KEEP DOING WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR 35 YEARS. THE VO-TECH GROUP WAS MENTIONED IN THE 1995 GRAND JURY AND THEIR GROUP TRIPS THEY TOOK TO THE KEYS. NOTTER WAS THE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN BROWARD PRIOR TO BECOMING SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. AGAIN, SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO HOW INDIVIDUALS WITH NO DEGREES CAN MAKE OVER $100,000 A YEAR TEACHING VO-TECH CLASSES.

where is Rothstein aairing tomorrow? not msnbc i checked!

Really is Difficult to Comprehend. A Grand Jury basically says to us and our 250,000 children "Your school board is corrupt but we can't help you with that". "Abolish the school board" but we can't help you with that. Waiting for Clark Kent (Jim Notter) to turn Superman (Christopher Reeves)? Is that what we should do Grand Jury? Our children are our future and there is nothing you can do?

Your just as guilty as them.

Charlie Crist there's your report. What are you going to do about it? Nothing your no longerthe governor. Rick Scott is he our man?

Ok - the reporter on channel 7 just said he specifically asked Murray if she read the report and she said that she HAD NOT sat down and read it but more or less "skimmed" it. So, how could she have made those remarks earlier about "not understanding where they were going with that"? She's a buffoon. Wasn't she a big part of the transportation department that is so corrupt that FDLE had to step in to investigate all the nepotism?

Notter - that little troll. He isn't qualified to cut the grass. He came from the vocational sector. I don't believe he actually ever taught an actual child reading, math or social studies. He has no clue as to what needs to be done in a classroom.

This county is screwed. It has been for years - hell for decades. All the good teachers are running out of here. Better conditions, better money (in some cases), better students (district that enforce their discipline policy), etc.

Its just not worth it here anymore. Someone should make sure the tourism and economic boards know that Broward county certainly isn't the place to bring families with children and expect to get an education.

Does Notter usually have as much trouble with spoken English?

CORRECTION: School Board Member Laurie Rich-Levinson refused to sit behind and support Superintendent Jim Notter. This is verified by watching the WSVN Channel 7 video linked in the post. According to those at the press conference, School Board member Robin Bartlemen did so only after Notter embarrassed her in front of all the media by forcing her to sit with him.

Beverly Gallagher is writing from her jail cell. She is thinking they will be tacking more jail time on to her. Jim, leave before they put you in prison.

"From her prison cell in Greenville, Ill., Gallagher wrote to the court saying she "did not receive money and/or any type of payment to prequalify, select and award kitchen/cafeteria contracts to anyone."

http://articles.sun-sentinel.c...

I believe the grand jury should look into if they can remove Notter. The corruption did cross into another county. Dr. Mathis gave a bogus report costing the tax payers 50,000 overseveral years. The corruption clearly crossed not only a county but another State.

First it was Mubarak - "I have no plans to resign"

Then it was Gaddafi - "I have no plans to resign"

Now it s Notter - "I have no plans to resign"

Lets get a protest movement outside the Crystal Palace and force the dictator out.

Pulp and PulpNation, I haven't been coming out here as much as I used to because the topic hasn't always been my area of expertise or because the PulpNation has become so vocal and educated on the school board issues that I didn't feel so inclined to come out. But there needs to be a bit of direction and re-direction on this grand jury aftermath.

First and foremost, Notter was given a job minus the education requirements listed in the job description and at the recommendation of Dr. Mathis (consultant from CA) and Wayne Blanton (executive director of the Florida school board association). Both guys get paid by the school board. One as a consultant and the other as a professional association fees collector. Mathis said to the prior board that they had Prince Charming right under their noses...and that was Notter. Blanton said some strategic things that gave the board the fuel to "save" the district money on an expensive national search. Dr. Mathis then convinced the district that educational requirements are just guidelines to attract the right guy and after all Broward already had him...and that was Notter. Cut to his $300k plus salary and a pretty strong argument could be made for quid pro quo...Latin for: you have no qualifications, but look the other way on the construction program and we'll pay you handsomely.

Then Dr. Mathis, according to the grand jury report, received box seats for the Dolphins games from Notter and then convinced the board that he (Mathis) should provide Notter's evaluations. Now, remember that the board only gives direction. In this case, they gave Mathis direction to develop Notter's evaluation matrix and to let them all say nice things about Notter and a few "needs improvement" comments for good measure. Then the board directed Mathis (and paid him) to give a workshop to discuss Notter's strong leadership qualities and plans to "fix" the "needs improvement" comments. The board then pretended to be impressed by Mathis when, in fact, he was just doing what the quid pro quo arrangement intended. Then the board always had a clear conscience about hiring a hack as their savior. Let's look at a list of some of Notter's real skill-sets.

He avoided providing the five year plant survey to allow the runaway construction program to go light speed because the state would have stopped him (...meaning the board).

He allowed for simple projects to be described as complex to justify using a far more costly construction methods in order to keep the contractors and lobbyists well fed (...meaning the board members' coffers full).

He ruled with an iron fist over his upper level staff while pretending to have assembled Team Broward...(bought a little credibility for a very short period).

He moved a political hack from maintenance to construction to wield a large and heavy sword to chop the jobs of many that...wait for it...he allowed the prior deputy of construction to create (to justify the amount of construction dollars being spent). You know, it takes alot of "quality" oversight to produce that many projects, wink...wink.

He created and nurtured a culture where board members provided daily management of staff to ensure that contractors, lobbyists and vendors were priority number one. Now they want to say that was created by history. History shows many methods used to achieve the same end.

Now he says that he takes responsibility for everything in that grand jury report and I say it is time he accept the accountability like a man. Now he just needs to accept that nobody in this entire county (accept the boot-lickers he surrounds himself with) believe he can solve a Wheel of Fortune puzzle muchless the woes paralyzing the district that he helped to bankrupt.

He sat over the board during the most trying economic times and did everything in the playbook to make it even worse. He hired and re-hired cronies. His own daughter is a principal of a Broward school (no comment on whether she is qualified; I don't know), he has used the SIU group like his own personal SS.

The new board members and the community have read about the grand jury report. The actions and inactions describe in the report have been going on even when Notter was just completing his on-the-job-training. Now it is time to read the 51 page report, free of the spin usually owned and controlled by the board and Notter, and get a sense of what has been hidden from you for way too long. It is like having a terrible disease and seeing all of the devastating symptoms and only after it is too late to cure, you are informed that it was treatable if you had been notified in the beginning.

The straggling board members and Notter are cancerous. Remove the tumors before it is terminal. Those are concepts anybody can get their heads around. Pressure and knowledge are the only way to combat this form of tyranny. THESE PEOPLE ARE STEALING FROM OUR CHILDREN AND MUST BE STOPPED. A group of reasonable and prudent jurors reviewed and analyzed the documents for a year and provided a snapshot of the hidden truth. Don't miss the opportunity to save your county's education system.

Ann Murray says she doesn't even understand the report. She knew how to rip off the children but doesn't know how to read a report. The report is not high-brow or loaded with legaleze...it is written by people just like us. Jennifer Gottlieb wants to focus on how fabulous the new (unnecessary) Montesorri school is while conveniently forgetting that she single-handedly caused it to be built by strong arming staff while...wait for it...Notter looked the other way. That is what corrupted officials offer and $300k + perks is what Notter got in return. What did we, the taxpayers get??? We got dry humped by some very unattractive electeds and an inept leadership team.

THEY STOLE FROM OUR CHILDREN!!!!!!!!

Jim Notter,

No one wants to play with you in the sandbox. Pick up your shovel and pail go home.The Builders, Lobbyists and Contractors have to much light on them now. Sterling, Pirtleare done with you and your board members. Go home.

I will tell you another little anecdote. I used to be quite involved in politics here, as an activist, an agent of change. Not so much lately, unless there is an issue that beacons or a particular candidate that catches my eye.

Anyway, a man I did not recognize appeared to know me and eventually approached. His question was "are you here to look out for Jennifer's back?". I replied, "I am here to protect my wallet". "Didn't I see you at Barbara Miller's house?"

So there you have it. A room full of young moms - clearly not from the community, lots of make-pretend blondes with designer stuff, we are a beach and historic home community, mostly full of educated professionals and activitists. Lots of little kids playing cards on the floor. And a few adults like this man - a BM operative, there to report back to her. BM obviously had a session for Jen to prime her and waste all of our time.

No contrition. Maybe that should be OUR new mantra. "Why NO contrition? Not even a little bit?"

And I told that gentleman that I was not at Barbara's house and he must have had me confused with someone else.

Did anyone expect anything different? The fix is in. Notter and the board (hopefully not the whole board) are in solidarity. Shocking? The Grand Jury report says they both need to be replaced. This is where WE can do something. Has anyone paid attention to what is going on in Palm Beach County? Their superintendent is gone. The parents rallied against him.

If that occurs here in Broward, we can win. Rally against the Super, and incumbent board members.

National Attention.

This morning I was watching CNN with Robin Meade and she was doing a segment on theDetroit schools, how it was closing 50% of the schools. After the segment she announcedto the viewers to contact CNN if any other districts were having troubles with the school boards she'd like to hear about it. She announced this this morning. So if anyone out there is a good writer and wants to put something together for CNN they may pick it up and air it.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Program...

I'm ticked off.

Just came back from the Hollywood Democratic Club. Ann Murray and Jennifer Gottlieb were speakers. The room had the usual community people, a few wannabe judges gladhanding .... and a bunch of moms and kids from obviously out-of-area (they looked very Emerald Hills-ish) there to shill for Jennifer.

Reason I am ticked off is, in between the rhetoric, the "heads on, take the bull by the horns approach" was to a) talk about how riddled with errors the Grand Jury report was, b) toot the horn time and again at what a good job is being done, how well attended the Beachside Montessori school is, how much community input was taken into account, etc. In short, I am ticked off at the TOTAL ABSENCE of any contrition, the TOTAL LACK of acknowledgement that maybe - just *maybe* - someone, somewhere did not listen, may have approved big bucks when a bid could have been approved at a lower cost, perhaps there were neighborhood kids skipped over for a place at the school in lieu of others from out of neighborhood who had the $ for VPK .... something. ANYTHING.

But not a word of contrition. No admission of anything remotely improper.

Angels all, they are.

Must be us, Pulpsters. We must be the bad guys. Guess we set our expectations too high. Better just to fund them and look the other way, since they are angels.

By the way: channel 7 was there. I fed my very best question to the reporter (can't remember his name, but he is cute as a button). Hopefully, it will make it onto camera. He was grilling with my best question as I left.

Bob,

Was at the press conference today at 4 pm with Notter. Notter could hardly talk fast enough and only allowed each reporter to ask 1 question. He controlled the whole event. He brought up all of the changes he has made SINCE NOVEMBER in response to the first of the Grand Jury reports. What happened with his response to the Ethics Panel? He mentioned stopping lobbyists from visiting board members with a 2 year penalty of not doing business with the District if they were caught. He talked about removing Board members from the health insurance and QSEC committees, again in November. Lindner seems to be the "fair-haired boy" working with Tucker to clear up the TCO's. Thought that was the responsibility of the Building Department. He also mentioned directing Linder to work with School Board Auditor Pat Reilly to audit the Facilities Department and then what - probably same as the Grand Jury. Then Notter went into a long speech about how he had been doing this for 35 years and he was going to continue to do his job in the same manner. Great, they had to have these issues pointed out by the Grand Jury before they would correct the same violations noted in the Grand Jury Report of 2002, 1997 and oh! by the way, they forgot 1995 when they laid off all the employees in the Faciltiies Department and made them reapply and interview for their jobs. The 1995 Grand Jury focused on the Bond Construction of 1985. You could probably change the dates on all the previous grand jury reports and it would duplicate the one issued Friday. Notter was right - they are going to keep doing it the same way.

Then he brought up how the School Board solved the mold and mildew problem. I think that was after a school board inspector stood in the middle of the street at Riverside Elementary and spoke with a news reporter there that the parents came out in full force to let the public know the true conditions at this school. That was Stephanie Kraft's district. Threats were made to more than one inspector and their supervisor. The Superintendent of Schools wanted it sweeped under the carpet so inexperienced and unknowledgeable inspectors were assigned to replace he inspector who had construction forensic background and 13 state licenses to cover up the mold and mildew instead of fully removing it. Until EPA got involved and laid out the criteria to prevent mold and mildew, nothing changed. This as done with the Chief Auditor's staff. In 1999, there were 152 schools with mold and mildew with a budget of $40 million to correct this.In the first 3 years, less than 10 schools were completed and the $40 million was exceeded. Can anyone find out what the final costs were for the mold and mildew remediation? That has been kept in the closet for years.

Lastly, I WANT TO THANK EVERY PERSON WHO WAS OUTSIDE THE KC WRIGHT BUILDING TODAY PICKETING. IF YOU ARE MY FELLOW BLOGGERS, I SALUTE YOU.WE NEED TO GET THE UNION MEMBERS OUT THERE WITH THEM.

Dear Mr. Norman:

Thank you for writing this informative article focusing on the Grand Jury report, the School Board, and regarding George Bograkos. There is far more to this story, and I think you should devote more time to him. You are doing a public service for focusing on this corruption. There's a real story here. Don't stop.

Sincerely,Barry Harris