The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
The School Board on Wednesday canceled a scheduled presentation and broke off talks with a company that City Councilwoman Daun S. Hester worked for, citing a desire to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest.
Hours later, Hester announced her resignation from Community Education Partners.
"I apologize to the children of Norfolk that need some kind of alternative education," she said. "I apologize to my colleagues and the citizens for this unwanted story."
Hester had worked for several months as a community liaison for CEP, a company based in Nashville, Tenn., that runs schools in several cities for disruptive and low-performing students.
Statistics from CEP showed drops in the number of expulsions and incidents involving fighting in the Orange County, Fla., school division after a CEP school opened. In other cities, however, the company has drawn criticism for school violence. CEO Randle Richardson said CEP works in about 10 school divisions. Contracts in two others have been canceled, he said.
CEP wanted to handle alternative-education services for the Norfolk school division, which is looking into ways to revamp a program that currently costs more than $3.5 million a year.
Several school officials and Hester traveled to different CEP schools in Richmond, Atlanta and Orlando, Fla., over the past year. Although Superintendent Stephen C. Jones expressed doubts about the program, Hester encouraged him to explore it further.
Her involvement with the company posed a potential violation of Virginia's conflict-of-interest law because council members appoint the School Board in Norfolk. If CEP paid Hester more than $10,000 in one year, a contract between CEP and the school division would likely be illegal.
Both Hester and Richardson said Wednesday that they were unaware of the possible conflict until Tuesday.
Richardson said it was his idea to pay Hester, although he wasn't sure how much she had earned from CEP. His company also had hired someone else to lobby in Norfolk.
"She spent a lot of volunteer time on this," Richardson said. "She made it clear she wasn't going to lobby."
Hester wouldn't disclose how much she was paid, but said that even giving the appearance of a possible conflict was inappropriate.
"I would not jeopardize my reputation, the school division's or the citizens'," she said.
School Board Chairman Barry Bishop said the board planned to tap administrators for recommendations and other options for Norfolk students with the most serious discipline problems and special needs.
"Alternative education is just too important an issue to allow the waters to get muddy with even the perception of a conflict of interest," Bishop said. "We need to move forward with helping all of our students to reach their fullest potential."
Amy Jeter, (757) 446-2730, amy.jeter@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Daun Hester - Norfolk City Councilwoman
Well, here "we" go, again. This is a pure case of incompetence, bad judgment, corruption, greed, criminal activity, and all the other recent "negatives" that have plagued this City Council, City Manager, etc. Now "they" were attempting to "corrupt, abuse, and misue" the Norfolk School Board and our children's best interest. How dare they? They must think that "we the people" are asleep at the switch. This is deeply ingrained in this group of "leaders." This is the worse side of the "good old boys/girls club" gone awry. They support each other in these "hidden, discrete,secretive" decisions and actions. I cannot believe that "they" don't know any better. "They" are playing "us" for "fools." Yes, they are. This situation is just an extention of the Alphonso Albert, Huntersville misappropriation of funds, downtown blockbuster projects, and all that jazz...that just continues to flow from this "elite leadership group" that "we continue to reelect...to keep sticking it to us. Shame on them@ Shaem on us! "We" only have ourselves to blame. "We" need to vote "them" all out of office...and start all over again. We can do it! Anything that we do can beat what we have now. Wake up people! Let
Councilwoman Duan Hester
Come On! "Your comment "you didn't think about it," is quite difficult to believe. You expect people to re-elect you to be a good steward of city funds, our funds. Please wake up and do the right thing." If you can not serve the citizens with integrity, please do not offer yourself for re-election.
Oh, come on now....
This situation needs to be investigated by the district attorney's office. This councilwoman was obviously involved in blatant conflict of interest, misappropriation of funds, using public office for personal gain, undue influence on public office, fraud and accepting bribes. She egotistically thinks that she can do whatever she wants at the public's expense for her pocket. On top of that she refuses to divulge the amount of money already paid to her for obvious reasons. Richmond city council members were indicted for basically the same reasons, got convicted and are probably still in the pokey.
Here we go again...
Has lack of common sense become a prerequisite for Norfolk City Council? Ignorance of the "law" is no excuse. Does anyone on this council know anything regarding their responsibilities to this city? Whatever this "condition" is that causes Norfolk's city council members to "not know" is spreading like a virus...let's get the others innoculated before it's too late.
How embarrasing for someone as knowledgeable and educated as Ms. Hester to claim ignorance of the "conflict of interest". I guess money does make everything look better.
Norfolk City Council...just stop it already. You're slowly becoming a laughingstock!
ldy
Surprised? I'm Not
This is yet another example of our fine city council in action. Sorry to say, given the absolute corruption in Norfolk city government,this isnt even newsworthy these days...
why re-invent the wheel??
Norfolk already conducts alternative programs for the troubled student. My son is a successful result of the alternative program, long story but we prevailed. why spend more of my tax dollar on another program?? unless it 'benefits' $$$ someone involved with the new program??$$ I truly believe that we, parents, and tax payers of norfolk are being so mislead by this new 'approach' that we don't need and certainly can't afford. What we need is a professional dress code for all educators, i'm tired of confusing staff with students cause of the casual wear worn by both, we need more rigorous physical outlets daily in all grades, and more opportunities for the working parent to get involved with the schools, more evening activities, not just the PTSA meetings, but weekly activities in the school. This would go along way to reduce 'disruptive' students and activities. Just stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Oh, and instead of going to Nashviille or parts there of - we have two = two , incredible resources for educational reform and support right here in river city, NSU and ODU, just knock on their doors and ask. Ms. Hester I am so glad you saw the light, but in May of '08, you can''t e
Conflict of Interest
I think the Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Norfolk should investigate this obvious conflict between this council member and CEP.Her lame excuse of not realizing the obvious,should be decided by a jury of her peers.
"Unwanted story"
Am I the only one that wonders what Ms. Hester is trying to say when she states "I apologize for...this unwanted story." Is she saying "I'm sorry I was so ignorant about ethical conduct that I should have checked first...", "I'm sorry I did this..." OR "I'm sorry this (second rate) newspaper found out about this and exposed me."
I'm sure Mr. Riddick will clarify with his slight of tongue commentary...
Well said JPJones (read JP's comment and you'll see)
We continue to re-elect the same clowns that got us to where we are now. Everyone gripes about the HRTA and abusive driver fees and all the waste of our tax money. But come election time we vote the idiots right back in. A prime example of that is the Idiot Chris Jones this past election. He sponsored nearly every increase in fees and taxes there was plus created the new layer of government in VA that we do not have any control of. Yet he goes un-challenged and is right back in to do more damage. The Idiot Chris Jones suppose to be a republican (you know, "less government") if the democrats wanted the state house, they should put anyone up against idiots like Jones.
Shades of Sgt. Schultz...once again
"I know nothing"