Booster club finances questioned

A man that raised questions about funding assistant athletic directors at two area high schools told the Jackson County Board of Education about additional concerns for money tied to a wrestling booster club.

Redd Howe, a former president of the Jackson County Comprehensive High School Touchdown Club, addressed the board about funds for the school’s wrestling booster club and its coach.

The JCCHS wrestling team’s head coach is Jason Powers, who is also an assistant athletic director at the school.

Last month, Howe addressed the board of education about its decision to spend money funding assistant athletic director positions at the district’s two high schools when other schools in the 8-AA region don’t have such an expense.

On Monday, the BOE didn’t allow Howe to mention Powers by name saying the issue was a personnel matter. Howe read from portions of a prepared statement during the specified time he was given to address the board.

For the full story, see the Oct. 12 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Comments

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#1 Steve Crawford on 10/14/11 at 12:47 PM [Reply]

As a former Booster Club president at WJMS, I recall that system-wide policy dictates that school-related organizations, like Booster Clubs, are required to file bank statements and expense records with each school's Principal in the spirit of transparency and fiduciary responsibility.

As JCCHS recently has had a management change, I suspect that either the former administrator did not require this policy be observed, or the records have yet to be discovered by the new Principal.

I think we should reserve suspicion of impropriety until the new administrators get their hands around the situation. I applaud Redd's activism and continued involvement in our school system. I also have confidence in the professionalism and integrity of Coach Powers. Go Panthers!

#2 Concerned parent and member of the community on 10/14/11 at 07:31 PM [Reply]

I believe that Howe has addressed the previous and new administration about this ongoing matter for over two years. This should be ample time to retrieve the needed bank records. It should not be difficult to pull together the last few years bank statements. It should only take a few minutes. These statements should be filed for easy access anyway.

I don't believe that this is a personal attack on the coach but a reasonable request to make sure school booster club funds are being handled properly. This should be something all booster clubs should be able to do upon request.

Administration should be able to resolve the issues Howe is concerned with in a matter of minutes.

Also, this is not a matter of hurting school pride but one of accountability on the part of the ones responsible (administration included) for handling the funds.

For example , If I am a parent working to raise money for the needs of the football program, I don't want to see the money go to the golf program (not that I have any problems with either sport).

As parents and members of the community, you need to be attending these board meetings and holding the administration accountable. I am appalled at how the administration has handled the situation and its attitudes toward Howe.

That is one of the many things wrong with our society, people aren't held accountable.

#2.1 irony on 10/14/11 at 09:40 PM [Reply]

..."people aren't held accountable"...you mean people like me and you, who do not attach our names to online postings...so we cannot be held accountable for things we write.

I guess we are part of the problem.

#3 Parent on 10/15/11 at 08:04 PM [Reply]

There is no one else that I would rather have as my son's wrestling coach than the Powers. I have the utmost confidence and respect for them. They teach self control and integrity and along with that they also teach wrestling.

#3.1 Redd Howe on 10/16/11 at 12:14 PM [Reply]

Parent: If your son is presently being coached by the Powers, then I'm sure you know me. I've been involved with that program for eight (8) years now. I respect your opinion and I agree with you they teach control, integrity and wrestling to their wrestlers.

I have to say though, this story is not about what they teach their wrestlers. It's specifically about Jason Powers not wanting to turn over the wrestling booster club financials for the last four years. It's also about hiring an attorney to write a threatenting and intimidating letter to me to try and get me to stop. It's about Jason Powers paying at least $700 to have his attorney, and a court transcriptionist present, at the school board meeting on Oct. 10. All in a total effort to threaten and intimidate me, and still not divulge the booster club finances.

That's the type of integrity this story is about. It's not about what he teaches your son. It's about his actions "off the mat" in relation to this story.

That is what the story is about. I would like to hear your opinion on the substance of the story.

Do you think he should reveal the wrestling booster club finances for the last for years or not? Do you think he has the right to refuse to?

#3.1.1 Pam on 10/19/11 at 06:10 AM [Reply]

We need more people like Mr. Howe to question the school system and demand answers.The whole school system is corrupt and unwilling to do the right thing. As a former employee I have reported things to the board office, and adminstrators, only to have them swept under the rug.I personally saw a cafeteria manager feed a fellow employee out of a trash can, this was witnessed by others. Like I said, this was reported to the board office and the cafeteria mngr. is still working and servin your kids. We need people like Mr. Howe to keep the school system honest.

#4 Adam on 10/18/11 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

Says u r former president. Let it go man does this have something to do with ur kid losing something?

#4.1 Product of Jackson County education on 10/19/11 at 08:11 AM [Reply]

So "r" "u" educated her in Jackson County? Or, maybe "ur" an educator?

Good for Redd. Way too many booster clubs and other organizations without oversight mismanage funds (or worse). What would anyone have to hide if funds are properly accounted for and wisely spent?

#4.1.1 Adam on 10/19/11 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

What a jackass, proof reading entries on the web.

#5 Adam on 10/19/11 at 07:33 PM [Reply]

Product of jc education whats "ur" name jackass

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