By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 2A Looking for ways to improve its image with voters before next week’s bond election, Wilmer-Hutchins ISD hired consultants to manage its finances and construction Tuesday night. District officials pledged the outsiders would ensure there would be no financial shenanigans in the district’s future. “We want to earn the […]
Category: DMN | Education
W-H accused of shredding files; Superintendent denies data related to ex-worker destroyed
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A An administrative assistant to Wilmer-Hutchins’ maintenance director said Tuesday that she watched her boss destroy a stack of purchase orders that he asked her to assemble. She said the maintenance director, Wallace Faggett, said he was acting on direct orders from Superintendent Charles Matthews. The district’s police chief […]
W-H bond issue sparks fierce debate; Backers cite new-school needs; foes say district would squander funds
By Herb Booth and Joshua Benton Staff Writers Page 1B A booming bass reverberated through the warm breeze: “Young man, vote for the Wilmer-Hutchins school district bond election.” The voice emanated from a speaker attached to the top of a 1989 Ford Escort. Elijah McGrew, a parent in the beleaguered school district, is taking matters […]
Lawyer’s ID called mistake
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 19B A lawyer who works with Wilmer-Hutchins attorney James Belt said she is to blame for a legal filing in which Mr. Belt’s name is attached to the state lawyer identification number of a dead man. “It was a completely honest mistake,” said Thelma Clardy, a DeSoto City Council […]
W-H used suspended attorney; Exclusive: District’s counsel used identification number of dead lawyer at least once during suspension
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A The Wilmer-Hutchins school district’s chief attorney was suspended by the State Bar of Texas last year, and at least once during the suspension he used the state bar identification number of a lawyer who has been dead for 20 years. Attorney James Belt has had his law license […]
Police chief at W-H advised to end inquiry; Security takes priority over finances, DISD trustee Blackburn says
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1B The police chief of the Wilmer-Hutchins school district has been told to lay off his investigations into the district’s financial problems unless he informs top administrators first. “I am advising you to refrain from conducting investigations of this nature without your supervisors’ prior knowledge,” Lew Blackburn wrote in […]
State getting ready to run W-H schools; Takeover would need federal OK; education officials arrive for audit
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1B The Texas Education Agency is laying the groundwork for a possible state takeover of Wilmer-Hutchins schools. Ed Flathouse, the state’s associate commissioner for finance and compliance, said he expects the agency to begin talks with federal officials to clear the way. The U.S. Justice Department must approve a […]
Red ink not new to chief; W-H isn’t first district to go broke under superintendent’s watch
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A The financial mess at Wilmer-Hutchins ISD isn’t the first such crisis presided over by Superintendent Charles Matthews. In tiny Karnack ISD, amid the cypress trees of Caddo Lake on the furthest edge of East Texas, a healthy fund balance quickly went away when Dr. Matthews became superintendent in […]
In W-H, still no paychecks; Superintendent blames TEA, which says districts knew of change
By Joshua Benton and Herb Booth Staff Writers Page 1B Friday came and went, and still there were no paychecks for nearly three-quarters of Wilmer-Hutchins school district employees. Teachers and other workers were led to believe they could expect payment Friday – two days late. Instead, they were told there would be no pay until […]
Payroll not met in W-H; Agency says district wrong on timing of state aid, is using revenue illegally
By Joshua Benton Staff Writer Page 1A It became clear Wednesday what a Wilmer-Hutchins official meant this week when he said the school district was “pretty much broke.” The district failed to meet payroll, leaving teachers, other employees and parents wondering if the district has a future. “It just doesn’t make any sense,” said Sharon […]