The old saying, “How much does it take to run Hays CISD?”, is answered: “Everything it can get – and then some.” Last year, the district feigned austerity only to hire back everyone they gave notice to and, according to our district, they plan on ending up $3 million in the black this year! In fact, we’ve been putting millions into savings every year even while wasting millions more annually.
Ten years ago our superintendent was an $86,000-a-year principal. He is the result of a “nationwide search.” We gave his wife a sole source contract for $66,000 annually and she was the only applicant and, curiously, she was hired and on the payroll before her husband began employment. In addition to his $200,000 salary, we bought back from Texas his three years of service credits while he was out of state. You see, he worked in Leander ISD prior to leaving Texas. In effect, we gave him a six figure bonus before he worked a day for us. And, we guaranteed him a five-year contract with an annual 4% minimum pay raise!
We let him double up on his retirement, letting him keep what his out-of-state districts paid into separate retirement systems and let him keep his contributions as well. It has become lucrative to be a superintendent in Texas. And, you don’t have to know much. All you have to do is be personable, blame the prior leadership for a few years and cite antidotal evidence your solution is taking effect. The gig is up after about five years and you can get by a whole career of ineffectiveness by moving around.
Sadly, Hays CISD is not unique in this game. Leaders can feel pretty good about themselves by this window dressing. We’re “just one more program” away from success, they say.
Unfortunately, naive school boards continue to perpetuate ineffective schools while blaming the state for lack of funding. Hays is suing you, the taxpayer for even more money! Don’t buy into this diversion.
Bryce Bales
Manchaca
