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Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
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We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money. |
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Watchdog$ Wave A Hearty “Goodbye” To Xpediant |
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PRESS RELEASE
The Katy Citizen Watchdog$ August 25, 2008
WATCHDOG$ WAVE A HEARTY “GOODBYE” TO XPEDIANT
On Friday, August 22, 2008, the Houston Chronicle reported on an on-line story that Katy ISD has ended its long-term relationship with Xpediant because of what was described as “contractual disputes with management.” Chris Cottrell, Co-Founder of the Katy Citizen Watchdog$ (www.katycitizens.org), was quick to comment on the reported news. “The Watchdog$ want to commend the district for its decision to terminate the employment of Xpediant. This is a decision that has been long overdue in our opinion and we are very glad that the taxpayers of this community will no longer have to fund their costly contracts. We believed that this group’s contract should have been cancelled in 2005 after it was discovered that Xpediant had not paid its state franchise taxes.”
Cottrell went on to say, “This is a perfect example of what the Watchdog$ have been saying for years about our district’s habit of not bidding out major expenditures. As we have said in the past, the Watchdog$ do not care if the district is not required by law to bid out certain contracts. We firmly believe that all major expenditures should be bid out. It is the only way to ensure that our children, our teachers and the taxpayers are getting the most out of every tax dollar.”
Cottrell further said, “Whether real or imagined the fact is no-bid contracts are often perceived as nothing more than “brother-in-law” deals. The Watchdog$ see Xpediant as yet another part of Merrell’s failed legacy in this district. We hope that with their expulsion our Superintendent, with support from our Board, will call for a full and complete overhaul of KISD’s Technology Department. The taxpayers of this community desperately need a complete audit of exactly where each and every technology dollar has been spent since Xpediant came onto the scene. Was Xpediant paid with bond funds as is rumored? What exactly did we, as taxpayers, get for the millions we paid to Xpediant? Who will be minding the “technology store” now? Technology spending in schools has skyrocketed in recent years. KISD needs to make sure that we are getting our money’s worth.”
Cottrell concluded, “While the Watchdog$ have no idea who’s decision it was at the end of the day to cut Xpediant loose, we do want to offer our sincere congratulations to our Superintendent, the district and our Board for finally stepping up and showing these folks the door. The Watchdog$ believe that Xpediant did indeed assist initially in bringing KISD’s antiquated IT system up to speed, but we have never been convinced that Xpediant’s services were worth what was spent.”
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Katy Citizen Watchdog$ - A Press Release |
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Date: 08/25/2008 |
