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Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
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We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money. |
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Katy ISD Halts Contract With Technology Firm Citing “Contractual Disputes” |
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The Katy school district says that because of "contractual disputes with management," it has ended its relationship with Xpediant, a company to which the district has paid millions of dollars for technology services. A school watchdog group, among others, often criticized the controversial six-year deal with Xpediant, which was inked under a no-bid contract. Katy ISD spokesman Steve Stanford said Friday that district officials told all Xpediant employees Thursday not to return to work at any site in the district. As of this blog posting, Xpediant had not returned calls for comment. The district also issued a stern warning to campus principals Thursday saying "immediate action (was) required" to maintain security on campus sites. Marcy Canady, the district's assistant superintendent for school and community engagement, urged principals to alert their staff "from the front office to night crews" to inspect badges of any Katy ISD employee who shows up at their schools. Canady said: It is of utmost importance at this time of year with the increase in work crews in our buildings that all workers be checked for identification and task assignment. Of particular focus are those entering to complete technology department projects. Canady further instructed principals to refer any Xpediant employees who show up after 4 p.m. Thursday to contact their employer for direction "but do not allow them to be or work in your building." In 2006, Katy ISD came under fire from the Katy Citizen Watchdogs after the group learned that the district had paid $13.4 million in four years to the firm, which fell behind on state franchise taxes owed in 2001. The company subsequently resolved the unpaid tax bill. Records show that on Oct. 1, 2002, Katy ISD signed a no-bid contract with the Sugar Land-based firm and that addendums were made to the original contract when additional services were needed. The contract was authorized by former Katy Superintendent Leonard Merrell and signed by Xpediant principal Wayne Caskey. Services Xpediant provided under the contract to support this fast-growing district included setting up the e-mail and phone systems and designing the framework for the district's curriculum-management system.
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Helen Eriksen, Houston Chronicle |
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Date: 08/22/2008 |
