Sources: Broward School Superintendent Robert Runcie Raising Money To Defeat Board Opponent
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Broward School Board member Nora Rupert is hoping to pack a Coconut Creek fund raiser with supporters tomorrow.
But she is not expecting Broward’s leading education pooh-bah: Superintendent Robert Runcie.
Runcie is actively working against Rupert’s reelection. He’s raising money for her opponent Mike Olbel.
Nora Rupert
That word comes several sources.
Runcie had a role in donations to Olbel from various downtown Fort Lauderdale business executives and political committees, the sources say.
Rupert and Runcie have a rocky relationship.
The heart of the dispute:
“Rupert is one of the few board members who challenges Runcie,” the Sun-Sentinel wrote this week in its effusive endorsement of Rupert.
The thin-skinned Runcie apparently doesn’t like to be challenged.
There is no doubt that the Runcie-led $800 million bond program that voters approved four years ago has been plagued with lengthy delays.
Rupert called him out, criticizing “the administration’s poor performance with the 2014 construction bond…I haven’t been to anything but a weight room opening. It’s been one mistake after another.’”
There has been so many delays that “School Board members acknowledge they may not have enough money to cover skyrocketing costs, putting projects in jeopardy,” the Sun-Sentinel wrote in July.
So rightfully Rupert believes that there is a lot to criticize with the way Runcie has run schools.
That criticism is what prompted the superintendent to dial for dollars to defeat Rupert, say Browardbeat.com’s sources.
Candidate For Judge Wrote Book On How To Sue Lawyers
John “Jack” Phillips graduated from law school in 1981 and decided he has waited long enough.
He wants to be a judge and the time to run is now. After all at 62, Phillips is already creeping up on the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges.
Phillips is largely using his own money — $45,000 out of the $48,000 in the campaign — to pay for his race. The usual contributors have ignored him.
Maybe that is because most money for judicial races come from lawyers and Phillips coauthored a book several years ago titled How & When To Sue Your Lawyer. It is available on Amazon.
It details a lawyer’s ethical responsibilities and the guidelines for building a malpractice case.
Not exactly the way to win the hearts of fellow lawyers.
Phillips, who also owned the landmark tavern Brownie’s on South Andrews Avenue for a decade, is running against Allison Gilman and Jackie Powell for the Broward County Court Group 19 seat.
Local Lawyer: Please Arrest Me!
Plantation lawyer Sam Fields, who is a Browardbeat.com contributor, was pawing through his Sun-Sentinel one day last month when he stumbled upon a story that peeved him.
Broward County Mayor Beam Furr, Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy and state Rep. Kristin Jacobs of Coconut Creek all posted their absentee ballots on Facebook.
Then they eliminated the post when told they were breaking Florida law:
104.20 — Any elector who, except as provided by law, allows his or her ballot to be seen by any person; takes or removes, or attempts to take or remove, any ballot from the polling place before the close of the polls; places any mark on his or her ballot by which it may be identified; endeavors to induce any elector to show how he or she voted; aids or attempts to aid any elector unlawfully; or prints or procures to be printed, or has in his or her possession, any copies of any ballot prepared to be voted is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
There is “no doubt” that the First Amendment allows a person to post what they want on Facebook if it is not libelous regardless of the state law, Fields’ opined.
Furr, Levy and Jacobs are “big wimps. It is a shame that three public officials wimped out on standing up for the First Amendment,” Fields said. “It is amazing they can stand upright without spines.”
Fields went one step further. He asked that his ballot be posted on Browardbeat.com.
Sam Fields and his ballot. (Fields apparently stole one of television host Frank Loconto’s vests.)
“Come and arrest me. I won’t dispute the facts,” Fields said. “Where I live is no secret…I look forward to the First Amendment challenge to the law.”
Sam Fields’ ballot (He hasn’t made a decision on all races yet.)
August 8th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
or JNAC aka Dan Lewis his campaign guy
Just an FYI, under Florida elections law, a candidate must disclose their filing fees as a campaign expense. As well, your last campaign finance report is almost a week late. These are violations of Florida Elections laws.
Can one sue themselves for malpractice?
August 8th, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Buddy, whenever I hear journalists talking about the need to save local papers, I am reminded that you, as a local news blogger provide so much more quality reporting than the sensationalism at SS. Don’t get me wrong, some of your posts are opinionated, but you have that right and this is your blog… With that being said, Runcie is a thin-skinned spineless clown. I would be more respectful toward our public officials for the sake of decency, but he doesn’t allocate that kind of behavior toward board members or the public…so he doesn’t deserve it.
August 8th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Fields left a lot of fields blank on that ballot. Don’t be a wimp Sam. Tell us all of the candidates you are voting for.
August 8th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
What the school bd should do even though Runcie will say nice try Buddy but i have support from the majority.
However, after the board atty with her ploy with petitioning the courts with contempt against local reporters Brittany Wallman and Paula McMahon is not sitting well with the majority.
So i would recommend the bd.put Runcie on probation.Everything from the 8oo mill Runcie got to fix the schools etc when basically he did pittons.To the horrible wsy he handled the Parkland massacre, to not having the metal detectors for start of school.Had enough people vote no on the monies on election day.
Runcie wants even more monies,even though he can’ t even tell us what he did with the 8oomill we just gave him, what not even 5 yrs ago.
Then this stunt going after Brittany and Paula with the BS charge of contempt( they are only the messengers reporting etc).Probation is what should occur.Whats really alarming if Brittany etc were Black u bet him and the county atty.would have never pulled this stunt( oh if this goes to court and u get Naugle wife presiding you are all done).So shocked at this action.School bd atty should be fired for not getting consent from bd.Raise all the money u want with Ruperts challenger.Raise millions they will not beat Nora…
August 8th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Nothing changes.When you pass me the ball(Frank) you can bet your ass i will get the ball rolling( consider yourself warned Mr.Runcie, Osgood and that ball brazen school bd. atty)..
August 8th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Fields is absolutely correct! Just as Fane Lozman has done (twice!), Sam Fields could easily ride this one all the way to the US Supreme Court to ultimately score a historic (and well-deserved) victory.
August 8th, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Sam love your ballot. I don’t think anyone will arrest your but, it’s technically illegal to take a photo of your ballot. I would encourage you to check this story. http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20161024/posting-ballot-selfie-dont-do-it-in-florida But since our state attorney doesn’t even prosecute those are not legally entitled to voted, I think your safe!
August 8th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Just a few questions: Who are the downtown executives that are funneling money to Rupert’s opponent? Are the campaign treasury reports public knowledge? Why would downtown executives want the public schools continue to deteriorate under Runcie’s incompetent management? What do they have to gain? Is the property that Stranahan High School sits on valuable to developers and financiers? What is the bottom line of Runcie’s desire to oust a School Board member who speaks her mind?
FROM BUDDY:
The documents are public. Look at the addresses and the businesses. Interestingly, Rupert herself cited Runcie’s connections with the downtown business community in a recent interview with the Sun-Sentinel:
“Rupert, 54, praised Runcie for his ability to build relationships, including with powerful business groups, but said his performance is inconsistent.”
You would have to ask the business types why they continue to back Runcie, who has a questionable record of achievement.
August 9th, 2018 at 5:14 am
Sam, the 1st Amend has many exceptions for public good. You can’t yell fire in a crowded room and you can’t jeopardize the integrity of an election and pressure voters by making your ballot public. This law was probably drawn to prevent anyone from using their voted ballot to pressure the naive into voting a certain way.
August 9th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
Hang in there, Nora. Of course runcie is fearful of your school board performance & would love to see you go. After all, you are the only board member with the guts to “stand your ground” for the benefit of our students, our teachers, & our schools. You are appreciated more than you know & this will be apparent come voting day. It’s in the bag – NORA RUPERT will stay on the board!
August 9th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
@9 – There is no First Amendment exception which denies First Amendment protection to those who communicate their political preferences. Moreover, “Core political speech consists of conduct and words that are intended to directly rally public support for a particular issue, position, or candidate. In one prominent case, the U.S. Supreme Court suggested that core political speech involves any “interactive communication concerning political change.” Meyer v. Grant, 486 U.S. 414, 108 S. Ct. 1886, 100 L. Ed. 2d 425 (1988). … The First Amendment elevates core political speech above all other forms of individual expression by prohibiting laws that regulate it unless the laws are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest. Known as “strict scrutiny” analysis, the application of this analysis by a court usually sounds the death knell for the law that is being challenged.”
August 10th, 2018 at 11:42 am
It is easy for Runcie to raise money to keep his job. He directs our billions of tax dollars, he can pick up the phone and shake down vendors for millions if he needs to. Or have the lobbyist do it. What have the vedors given the incumbents or PACs? Back when we had real newspapers we would hear about these things.
August 10th, 2018 at 9:36 pm
Ooops! Sam voted for Mike Gottlieb.
The other skool bored members should be outraged about Runcie trying to oust one of them. But they won’t be.
August 12th, 2018 at 9:08 am
Now that the un-redacted report is out and we know Runcie lied to cover his butt, can Rick Scott remove him?
August 12th, 2018 at 10:29 am
@14 Vote No On School Tax
agreed. No vote for any increase.
And if Scott does NOT remove both Runcie and Israel in the next 60 days he will not be elected senator.
August 13th, 2018 at 9:04 am
#5.Happy to see front page news in the Sun- Sentinel sticking up for and defending Wallman and Mcmahon.I say to the S.S attorneys call their bluff and take this to court.This school bd.atty thinks she’s got game.Oh not sooo fast.
August 14th, 2018 at 7:08 am
Obviously Runcie is not a member of the ICMA (International City Manager’s Association) or the City Clerk’s Association. Because in each of these organizations it is unethical to become involved in or particularly fund raise for a campaign for one of his members.
They look at their jobs as serving their board as a neutral, not as an interested party. The Superintendent is a type of City Manager for a School Board and would be wise to stay out of the politics. It won’t serve him well in any future job.
Based upon his involvement, I wouldn’t continue to support him in his position. If he wants to be political then let him run for a School Board position.
August 19th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
As it is with everything in Broward, the district is a cesspool of corruption and incompetence.
August 20th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
@Tell the Truth, we should vote against the school tax, which basically saying that our teachers are not worth getting a raise? The state has continued to reduce funding every year and give more control to charter schools that do not have to play by the same rules as the public system. Teachers are not screened the same, vendors not vetted the same. Give me a break, teachers deserve a raise.
August 21st, 2018 at 1:59 pm
@19
Broward schools is spending 4 billion a year and has 271,000 students, that is over $14,000 per student.
You could send them to Saint Thomas for less than that.
Now they will say the only spend $7,000 per student. What are they doing with the rest of the money?
Vote no. Thy lied to us about the shooting and are not worthy of our trust
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:50 am
Teachers are way underpaid and have lousy benefits. They deserve better. However, I am voting a big fat ‘NO” They should have organized and refused to teach this year until safety measures were in place. Had they done that, parents would have backed them. Who cares what their contract says about going on strike. BCPS has a teacher shortage. I really liked Fusco’s style. However, she put the cart before the horse backing these school board incumbents. Their failure to organize and take a united stand on multiple issues has been what has kept them down.
August 22nd, 2018 at 11:25 am
Florida is a right to work state. We are legally not allowed to strike or we would have. Thanks for your support.
– Broward Teacher
August 22nd, 2018 at 5:06 pm
according to the mailer sent to voters teacher pay/raises only get 72% of the revenue. How will we know if true? Runcie and company cannot be trusted. It is not that the teachers do not deserve it, but a lack of trust and competency by all in charge. Ex – $800 million dollar bond 4 years ago. Incompetence of the facilities and contruction depts goes back over 25 years.Get rid of all electeds on SBBC and Runcie and company.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
@20 Here is a sort list of the things they do that STA doesn’t:
They provide food for students that qualify for free or reduced lunches. They educate every child, not just the ones easy to educate. This includes students are medically fragile, severely handicapped, have severe autism and many other students than require a full time nurse or aide dedicated to just them. They educate students that are in the hospital or homebound due to medical conditions. The educate students who are LGBTQ. (Yes, In FL it is legal for STA to kick those kids out.) They educate students who don’t yet speak English. They educate adults in getting their GED’s, high demand technical certifications as well as adult enrichment art classes and parent education. They provide transportation for students to and from school, many going to countywide magnet programs. Their building all double as hurricane shelters for the community and are built to shelter standards. They provide public audits of every penny spent. Here is a recent link to show you why that is important. https://wsvn.com/news/local/2-south-florida-priests-resign-amid-money-theft-boundary-violation-reports/
Those are just a couple of the things that Broward School does that STA doesn’t do. They are some pretty expensive things too but all necessary for our community.
August 27th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
@ 24
You lost me. Was the intention of your post… one of those.. comparing vomit to diarrhea analogies? The question being, which one is worse?
Or, was your point that Catholics are nasty white and hispanic people? Or, did I miss your point altogether?