Report by Paula Antolini, December 19, 2018, 2:56PM EDT
A public sale was held yesterday by Bethel Public Schools at Bethel High School, advertised on a poster (view poster below) to begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m., on Tuesday, December 18th, in NJROTC Room 101 … yet when buyers arrived to purchase items very few were left, if any, witnesses on social media are saying.
People were seen carrying numerous iMacs and Chromebooks under their arms, as many as 10-15 at a time, sold to one person, statements on social media said, thus giving “insiders” who arrived early an unfair advantage (possibly teachers/students/school employees etc.) IF the sale began before the announced time, as witnesses are saying it did.
The Town of Bethel, CT, Fairfield County, Chapter 8, Bethel Code of Ethics, § 8-3Prohibited acts, A. (6), states, “No Town officer or employee shall grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond that which is available to every other citizen.” https://ecode360.com/8462535
The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) policy “3260P-P&P3-04 / Business / Discarding of Textbooks, Instructional Materials & Equipment” states:
“When it becomes necessary to dispose of any used equipment including computers, the Bethel Public Schools will use the following protocol.
“1. Equipment will first be offered to Town of Bethel at no cost.
“2. Any remaining equipment will be assessed to determine current market value and offered for sale to the following groups on a first come first serve basis: staff and students, the general public, vendors.
“3. Equipment that does not sell will be offered to non-profit organizations at no cost.
“4. The Director of Fiscal Services will determine an appropriate method of disposal of all remaining equipment.”
So who was responsible for the poorly run sale and lack of limits on purchases? This was done via the Bethel NJROTC (or the sale was in their room) according to the advertisement, but who was in charge and who authorized this sale?
We have contacted Bethel Public Schools Superintendent Christine Carver, the Bethel High School Principal Mr. Christopher Troetti, and Bethel JROTC Lt. Commander Mark Dwinells, and are waiting for their reply.
Regarding where the funds will go, the ad also states that, “Proceeds will be returned to the Town of Bethel general fund for further use by the taxpayers. (Thank You Taxpayers.)”
We will update this story as we get more information.
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UPDATE / December 19, 2018, 3:51P EDT:
This letter was just issued from Dr. Carver and Mr. Troetti:
***Editor note: Personal comments from Dr. Carver and Mr. Troetti have JUST been received and we will publish shortly. Check back.
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