Databases Anyone?
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 17:39.
Well, I'm finally getting some time to work on databases. We have several. First, we'll update the DISD salary database.
Next up: employee mileage reimbursement data
Did you know that DISD paid out over $1.5 million dollars in mileage reimbursements since July, 2007? And that's only for the employees who filed electronically!
Who had the largest reimbursement? That would be Michael Brown, $2599.82 for July, 2008.
5,979 checks were issued to employees reimbursing $100 or more.
Then: employee biometric data.
What is employee biometric data? Every time the time clock is punched, the system records an entry. There are millions of records. Though this one may be challenging, we're determined to load it up and get it online!
Stay tuned!
Cty of Dallas database
I'm REALLY missing the City of Dallas data baseS- employee pay; councilmember pay; city manager pay; mayor pay - ESPECIALLY with the furlough days without pay for the civillian employees. I'm wondering how much furlough $ the executives are missing.
[Ed Note: Not sure you'd be able to tell that directly, but maybe... That will be a project for the new year.]
Somebody's using the databases
The page counter this morning said "16919 reads" since November 17, so somebody's putting the database to good use.
Mileage database?
Allen,
I know you have better things to do, but do you know when we might have a mileage database up? Thanks for everything you do.
Mileage
Mr Brown is head of the maintenance dept. As such, he is required to travel to nearly every campus at least once (if not more) during a school year to resolve issues not to mention trips from his office to Ross Ave. Since this district runs from Addison to Wilmer/Hutchins north to south and Mesquite to Grand Prairie east to west, you do the math on mileage.
Purpose of this Data
This data will be of great value. Why? It will demonstrate the variablity in clock-in times at each campus. For instance, if I wish to check on why one of the fellow employees shows up at 9AM and is never written-up, then I can access this database. This will clear up conceptions and miss conceptions and begin dialogs with principals at campuses regarding fairness. The data will demonstrate these issues.
Keep up the good work
While many of the above criticisms are correct in pointing out the limited usefulness of this information, I feel that publicizing it can only be a good thing. The work-related activities of public employees should be fair game for public scrutiny.
Which reminds me... I should probably be teaching rather than reading dallas.org.
biometric data?
Mr. Gwinn,
I am curious as to what is the point of delving into employee biometric data. Just thinking about how huge DISD is, and that employees are required to clock in (and some out) on a daily basis, that is crazy. I say that because, although I am not sure how it works for Central staff, at the campus level, the principal decides what time employees need to clock in by, therefore there is no universal clock in time for the entire district. In addition, when people take off for certain amount of times, that's deducted from PTO. And because we are dealing with mostly salaried employees here, there are times that we might clock out just to show that we worked late - I mean there are teachers who work until 5,6,7, and even 8:00 PM, but on the bio it stops at 8hrs. Therefore, there is no overtime. I am just saying that with all those variables, it seems it would be an unnecessary, daunting tasks.
[Ed Note: What I'm picturing is a bunch of links below the employee salary information for monthly "punch" data. So when you're viewing "John Q. Disdee," for instance, you can click on any month for which clock-in/out data is available and see it.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't know what I expect to accomplish here. But having the data online and publicly accessible is probably interesting to some. Plus, you never know what you have, sometimes, until you publish it!
The tone of your note sounds like you're concerned. Am I missing something?]
Bio data
Please, please, please consider the following...showing what time we punch in subjects us to the following: there are a LOT of stalkers out there...angry parents who have NO PROBLEMS with physically harming a teacher, jilted, vindictive ex-lovers, students-mostly high school-who have "other" agendas, people- male or female who have less than honorable motives and heaven forbid, women who are victims of domestic abuse and are trying to escape their former abusers and are still employed by Dallas ISD.
It makes me extremely nervous to know that my biometric log is now public. It shows anyone who takes the energy to look at this database, my patterns. They can see exactly what time I log in and then can determine my patterns..about what time I am at school...which is something I don't want known.
Allen, I admire everything you do but frankly, this makes me very uneasy. I have been the victim of a stalker/domestic abuse. This kind of information feeds right into hands of people such as stalkers, domestic abusers, etc.
Unfortunately my former stalker/abuser still lives in the city limits. I've had to change schools twice because of this person. I'm not the only teacher in the district with this sort of situation. Many female teachers are either current s or former victims of domestic violence. Because we now live in a society in which information is available with one click of the mouse, anyone with malicious intent can use this information to show up at our schools and do only God knows what.
I am not sure if my former abuser knows about this database. I am hoping he does not, but if by chance they do, he now knows my current place of employment and furthermore about what time I get to school.
I now feel that I will have to be extra vigilant and watch who is in the parking lot or around the corner of my building.
Even though your site tracks IP addresses...people can still falsify their names, they can use other people's computers, or go to public places that offer free wi-fi to bypass the IP address tracing...do you kinda see where I am going with this?
The public does NOT need to know our every move and I believe I outlined a few valid reasons above. Aren't teachers entitled to safety as well?
Something to think about....
[Ed Note: I hear you with respect to stalkers. But this data is likely useless to stalkers or other miscreants. Here's why: (1) it shows the times that you did punch in (not the times that you're going to punch in), (2) where you work is fairly easy information to acquire (just call 972-925-3700) and (3) there are many better data sources for a stalker/miscreant to use to track you (check out http://www.beenverified.com or http://www.dallascad.org, if you own a house, for instance). My point is that in the grand scheme of tracking information, this probably ranks rather low (if not useless) on the usability scale.
I've always thought of someone who would stalk you as someone who is somewhat obsessed (some of you who have been stalked might have other adjectives) with you--and somewhat weak in character. I would think that a school building, or other busy place with lots of people, would be one of the best places to be--with respect to deterring a stalker.
Again, I know there are bound to be exceptions, but I don't see an angry parent (or anyone else) arriving at the school around the time you clock in-or-out just to clean your clock.
So I just don't concur with the "safety risk" argument. But I will agree that we, as humans (suspicious by nature), just don't like to be tracked.
But keep giving me examples. If you can convince me that this information is a threat, I'll remove it.]
Allen, I am sad to say that
Allen, I am sad to say that there ARE parents who will not hesitate to use violence against a teacher or school employee and will meet you at your door to do this. I see them every day. It has been a long time since a parent has physically attacked me but there are loads of them out there...ask any DISD teacher.
Yes, I do know about the other sources and that I can be tracked that way as well. My home is different...I can control who comes to my house. At my home, I have a security alarm, and I am able to carry a gun and protect myself. I can call the police and remain safe in my home with my 9mm in my hands until the police arrive.
At school I don't have access to these resources. I am not able to carry a gun in order to protect myself. You would be surprised how many of our colleagues will not run to your defense. I can only depend on myself...that is the ONLY sure thing I have.
Those who have never been stalked or the victim of domestic violence, simply just don't understand.
I have had to learn to think like my abuser in order to stay one step ahead of him. Because he happens to be computer literate and very educated and you are a very public person (i.e. been seen on the evening news with commentary, my guess is that he too knows about your site and database.)
Although you state it shows that you DID clock in and not what time one actually gets to work consider the following:
A stalker (or at least mine) will look at the data and say[to self], HMMMM looks as if Jane Doe clocks in around 8:15, so I need to be at ABC school about 8:00 to catch her and then I can......" trust me...I have been down this road...he got me in the church parking lot once and not one person ran to my defense.
There are people who are just this crazy and I have had the unfortunate experience of being associated with one. Yes there is a restraining order against him, but as he told me once..."NO restraining order is of concern to me...you are worth jail time to me!" Sick isn't it.
While my situation is unique, my only relief is that the data is not current. It does not show my current data - the last 30 days. This pubic data is enough information for me to now change my patterns...change when I clock in. I will now have to share with my supervisor my situation and why I will now have to clock in at very odd times, something that I had hoped to avoid. I kinda liked being able to live somewhat a normal life.
[Ed Note: But see, here is where I am losing you. I already know when you are going to be arrive at your school. For instance I know (based on experience) that most teachers get to school between 7 and 8. I know exactly when you have to be there because school convenes at the same time each day.
On the other side, I know about what time you're going to leave each day too. If I know what kind of car you drive, I can tell exactly when you leave! Come to think of it, I can tell exactly when you arrive too!
There's even a fail-safe way to skew it: don't immediately punch in when you get to work. Wait 5-15 minutes.
I guess what I'm saying is that the time you actually punch a clock is immaterial to a safety discussion. The data, itself, is virtually useless to a stalker. The only possible information it provides is where you punched in--something that can easily be found out by making a phone call.
Again, I think we're grasping at straws here.]
Gonna Get Stalked Because of Timeclock...
[Ed Note: But see, here is where I am losing you. I already know when you are going to be arrive at your school. For instance I know (based on experience) that most teachers get to school between 7 and 8. I know exactly when you have to be there because school convenes at the same time each day.
On the other side, I know about what time you're going to leave each day too. If I know what kind of car you drive, I can tell exactly when you leave! Come to think of it, I can tell exactly when you arrive too!
This is true and I have not ruled out your theory. The person does not know what kind of car I drive [that I know of]. I'm sure there is a database that they can access for that information as well.
There's even a fail-safe way to skew it: don't immediately punch in when you get to work. Wait 5-15 minutes.
I guess what I'm saying is that the time you actually punch a clock is immaterial to a safety discussion. The data, itself, is virtually useless to a stalker. The only possible information it provides is where you punched in--something that can easily be found out by making a phone call.
Again, I think we're grasping at straws here.]
Just out of curiousity, I shared the site with the security personnel at my campus. I asked his opinion. He felt it compromised safety of teachers and district employees.
Just another opinion.
*sigh* Bottom line, it is your site and you can post anything you choose. I am not comfortable and I don't think it is paranoia as one of your writers suggested. I have been here before. I know how the lengths this person went to, to get to me.
I have a few security guards that are now willing to escort me if needed.
We all have a time to clock in...
I know that this may sound harsh, but this information doesn't help anyone. If you work at a campus, then you a time you have to be there. It doesn't take a database to let someone know what time you get there. The only answer would be to get there very very early. I just don't think that by having your clock-in time, there is any substantial increase in risk. Did your church publish what time you usually get there? If not, then your argument only points to the fact that someone is going to find you no matter what, and this information doesn't help them anymore than they can call downtown and find out anyway.
says you...but then you have
says you...but then you have not been the victim of a stalker or domestic abuser then have you??? When you have walked across the street in my shoes( you won't need a mile) then we can talk. Furthermore, you don't know the mind of my victimizer either do you? I rest my case.
The unfortunate thing is there are more people like him out there; more than you know. Some of them you hear about on the news; most you don't. When it is publicized it is usually a report about the death of woman and/or children.
All you have to do is sit on a support group of domestic abuse survivors to listen to the survivors share how creative their abusers were in tracking them down.
I stated earlier if you read closely, that I am aware of the other ways I can be found. At HOME and AWAY from school, I can protect myself. I carry a handgun (that alone should tell you how serious this is if I now own a handgun). At school, I am not able to carry that same weapon to protect myself so I am more vulnerable.
try a wig and carpool
there are ways if you are wise and not caught up in your own delusion.
I thought the reason to carry a handgun to school was to shoot yourself in the leg.
You may also consider not posting your email as your account name. That is a sure give away..
[Ed Note: Our teacher friend does have a point. If you've ever been stalked, it isn't a pleasant experience and neither is domestic abuse. Even if you have been through that experience, you don't know how the other person feels.
Some people feel that folks will use every tool at their disposal to further an obsession. But we're debating the value of this data for that purpose.
As I said: this data is easily skewed. Just clock in 5-15 minutes after you get there. Or, if you have access to an Omega 13 device you can clock in early :)
Sorry... it's Silly Sunday. But for 72 extra Brownie points, name that movie (no cheating and Googling it).]
With Tim Allen.... I did not google... oh Galaxie something.
oh save the brownies, my waistline needs attention.
why are the parents so mad?
Have you ever asked what makes the parents so angry? I know that I got a bit upset at the school that falsified the progress report and refused to honor the IDEA laws and educate my children. I never caused any harm other than complain and seek compensation, but the staff were emailing about how I "attack" them and "slander" them and all sorts of things that "justify" their violence against my child's right to education.
If you teach you have a schedule that is dictated by the administration. If you are so threatened by a parent you have more options than the options a child who is abused by the DISD system has. I know there are parents out there who are less self-controlled than I am, but I know there are many more teachers that are mean and vicious like the ones that perpetrated felony crimes such as lie and change documents just to not educate my child. If you are inciting a parent to be that way you may consider what you do to cause that, and change that action, rather than worry about the fact that a person with any sense at all can stalk and figure out when the teachers arrive at school.
I understand you need to be in fear, but don't blame the information. Blame the fact that you are causing people to be mad at you and that you need to change your manner and be a better teacher, or go to another profession.
Parents get angry for many
Parents get angry for many reasons, some valid, some not. I have seen parents come up yelling and screaming because their child got a cheese sandwich or peanut butter when they did not turn in their lunch application but try to get that same parent for a parent conference and they cannot be reached.
I have seen parents get angry because their child got a failing grade because they believe their children when they say they have no homework when homework is assigned. When shown what their child has not turned in during class time, they want to yell about why they didn't get a call.
When the called log is pulled out and shared with the parent and they are shown all the numbers that you have called that the PARENT supplied and are either now disconnected or fake, then they want to become more irate.
"I understand you need to be in fear, but don't blame the information. Blame the fact that you are causing people to be mad at you and that you need to change your manner and be a better teacher, or go to another profession."
Apparently, you missed the comment I made when I said it has been MANY years since I was attacked by a parent.
I would address your attack and judgmental statements you made, but there are two things that are evident:
1. Your anger and attacks at me and what kind of teacher I am are misdirected.
2. You just proved why your child's teachers felt "attacked" and "slandered" and complained about your behavior.
I will be in prayer for you.
you are paranoid
You have no logic and in fact I am not angry but disgusted that such crazy problems in the DISD are allowed to exist. Why did the teacher not call the parent? Why did you not send home a administrative request in the mail for a new number? Are you suggesting parents should be happy that the DISD perpetrates felony in ARD just to deny education to children?
You did miss my point because....
1.I did not attack you
2. You just proved how you provoke and cause you own problem and
You need to pray that you are safe and get a life that you are not afraid to live!
Crazy Parents and Time Clock Data
To mom of 2,
You really need to take a chill pill and stop taking out whatever personal issues you have with DISD against this teacher that you don't know and has a legitimate concern for his/her safety.
You obviously don't value any teachers otherwise you would not have this attitude. If you are so unhappy with DISD - HOME SCHOOL YOUR KIDS!!!! THAT IS ALWAYS AN OPTION OPEN TO YOU. GO TO ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT.
To the teacher posting the concern about safety...ignore mom of 2 first of all...she is a frustrated parent who needs to take out her anger on someone..you just happen to be her target.
I do see your point.
Allen, some of the data we need, some we don't.
I guess my question is, why do we need to know when they employees of DISD are clocking in? How is this information relevant to the public?
Just a question.
[Ed Note: I thought, like much of the data we post here, it would be an interesting cluster of data to have online. One of the issues I heard raised was that some District employees have been leaving their house, driving 1/2 block to the elementary school near their home, clocking in, and driving to the office--effectively billing taxpayers for their drive into work.
I thought by putting this data online, we'd have more people looking at issues like this and pointing out discrepancies.
But I'm happy to report that we've received nothing along these lines. So I'm inclined to say that the time clock data, perhaps, confirms that there is good time management in the District.
I did a little research into the safety issue that femmenoire has raised. I am unable to find anywhere that time clock data has been used to stalk an individual. If I can document that it poses a legitimate safety concern, we'll pull it down. But to date, we don't have anything empirical to base this on.]
to a non person
I DID GO TO ANOTHER DISTRICT after DISD continuously breaks the laws to do everything they can to not correctly educate children. We need to have as much data to understand how our tax dollars are not being used correctly. I do continue to pay tax to DISD, and there is not a bit of evidence to prove anything I rant about is about being valued as a teacher. The teachers that my children have who are legitimate never think I am a crazy person. Only the ones I caught lying and changing documents and telling lies under oath think I am a nut.
If you are being stalked you do not post things including your name that is used in journals on other sites that tell about your marriage and other physical issues.
I think you need to understand that the kids deserve great teachers in the DISD and we need to have information public for the public employees.
LOL
I'm so flattered that you looked me up mom of 2!!!! That is just hysterical...
You really must not have very much to do if you googled lil' ol' me and learned all of that info.
Just an FYI...Stalkers...already know their intended person's name and many other details...so what is your point????
Perhaps you should spend time googling that???
Why am I even addressing you?
I really came on here to find out why Patricia Viramontes got fired. That is certainly more interesting that this conversation with you...ta ta!!!
Point in case..delusional Drama Queen
http://cjb.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/31/1/55
All I could google is that the studies show that 11% of stalking cases are not genuine and the person suffers from delusion.
I am not of the class as say, John Wiley Price, but more like Jimmy the hero!
What level of class is it that posts on the internet about their crotch? It is not my choice to have been one point and copy and 2 clicks away from knowing TMI.
I am a mirror and all who know that I am a honorable and decent woman, child of well educated and good character law abiding American Citizens. You are seeing yourself in these posts, and you attack the truthful and law abiding good citizen that pays taxes for you to teach the children in accordance of federal law. You are wasting taxpayer funds to escort you, and you are posting too much information about yourself and that encourages the issues you rant about.
I think you could have quietly asked Allen, since you are on such good terms with him, sir,please, due to personal issues I have a restraining order on someone that may use this info about me. Please may "my" info be deleted, due to personal issues, and given that your info is not in anyway questionable, as that you often clock in late or at a location other than your assigned placement, we could all empathize with the feeling a person who is stalked often has.
But this is just provoking and the fact that you post that your [come on folks, stop this] is not consistent with the measures a person who is really worried about stalkers does to be safe.
I heard she was escorted out by the security.
jealous?
ah!
I can just guess who this is.
Not jealous at all.
so it is LOL indeed
you posted that your crotch itches.. LOL indeed!
No wonder you are stalked with that attitude.
you are a cruel and unhappy
you are a cruel and unhappy person...what next?
Hmmm ..seems as though it is time to report you for inappropriate content...
[Ed Note: Be nice now you guys...]
I will be nice..
but it crosses the line when a another person posting begins to say tacky stuff and make personal attacks such as this person did. I think her comment about posting about an "itchy crotch" was tacky, classless, and inappropriate.
This kinda sounds like the argument, "women deserve to be sexually assaulted because they wear skirts that show too much leg".
Allen, I don't think that anyone who posts on here with what they feel is a valid concern should be subjected to these sorts of inappropriate remarks and told that they deserved what they got. That is beyond mean-spirited and I would think not why you have this site up .
Allen, let me know if I am wrong?
Thanks.
Accountability
I personally work with some folks who may not be completely honest about their time. There are some central staff positions that spend their days at campuses but aren't held accountable to where they clock in and out. These people can clock in at the campus closest to there home and then show up on campus whenever they please. They can also leave whenever they please and clock out anywhere in the district. This data will include the times they clock in and out and the location. I am very interested in seeing this information on a few folks since I already know they aren't honest in several other areas.
[Ed Note: But the only way we're going to find out is to publish the data and see who can cry foul, right?]
What's wrong with that?
Your concept of time is uni-dimensional. There is real time and then there is Chronos time.
Some positions cater to multiple campuses. Sometimes they need to be at 2 places at once. Where would they clock in? And if they are paid a monthly salary regardless of the time?
Please, you are still operating on the industrial age notions of time and work. Why sweep the floor again when you already swept it? That's not efficient use of your time. These people aren't slaves.. factory workers... so don't treat them like that.
The boss that values face time over efficiency is a control freak who feels powerless so they get their kicks by watching adults dance to his/her orders. This behavior is a waste of valuable resources.
You don't want to turn DISD into a factory ... or do you?
I'm assuming sarcasm...
Yes, there are people who have to work at different locations throughout the week. But some of those positions (namely instructional coaches) are supposed to spend an entire day in one location.
If we were going to base it on efficiency, then most of these folks wouldn't have jobs because a lot of them are some of the most inefficient people I have ever worked with. And just because these people aren't nailed down to one classroom on campus, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be held accountable for their time. If I clocked in at the DISD facility down the street from my house, then drove to my campus (30 minutes away) that would be considered time card fraud. The same rules apply to these people. Heck, I even think Michael should have a set clock-in location just to make sure his lazy butt gets to work on time. Wouldn't it be great to get rid of him through time card fraud? To think, we have been thinking that being a lousy superintendent would be enough to get rid of him. I vote we dig up his biometric data and see if he's really fulfilling that expensive contract of his.
since the technology is there we should have it available
Allen is doing the society a favor, but the issue still remains that we are being watched and broadcasted live online. I wonder how they can identify the effort and effectiveness of each multicampus staff person? It is interesting how all the data and reportcards the district spends $$$ on rather than not just servicing the NEEDS as the laws require.
What ever happened to honesty and purpose? It is all about getting away without educating the kids. Just say you do it and it is done. Then district will depose you like ol' Lois and the unpopular people make fun of you years later. It is easy to confuse but let's talk about lies.... hmmmmmm...
using technology to further an agenda
Your concept of time is still uni-dimensional. So is your idea of efficiency.
Instructional coaches are just one example of people who have to work at different locations. There are others that are square pegs that do not fit in the round hole.
What you really want are Radio Frequency Identification Tags. You injected the RFID under the skin of your slave. Then you post sensors in every nook and cranny of every DISD facility. Tie it to a computer that tracks staff and students and you will not have to worry about time card fraud or attendance problems. Not only that, you can use the the system to locate exactly where that employee is at all times!!! Let's set up a bond program that will help us bring that system to fruition!! There is a system in place in Coppell.
Hey!!! How come highland park folks don't pay as much property tax as the Dallas folks? The whole system isn't right. Education should be free at the university level. Medical care should be free. But since they aren't and we're capitalist Corporate fascists we are left to running the educational system as if it's a business. Y'all should have voted for the bond programs then your taxes won't be so high.
It is a racket,
I would think this is Hogan Hero's 3D with surround smell.
Drama, action and lots of Teen Age sexual energy all put into election dogma to create more friction.
The price friendship tolls for some. Bonds are the vehicle of the legal means to steal. That is why Lois was concerned about Edison... And we should be just as concerned about how the taxpayer money either services the needs of the kids, or is used to hire deadweight and ignorant problems.
The scam has been uncovered, but now THEY need to admit THEY waste taxpayer funds ALL THE TIME.
It is getting worse. The small gains were seen and now it is going to emplode, unless someone is willing to be honest and quit cheating and doing nothing but coverup and malice to others.
??
You're flirting with me aren't you. Look, it's never gonna work out. It would be a doomed relationship from the git go.
The future will tell
the DISD BOT elections, not your great person Ron.
Doomed relationships are always the most fun, don't you think?
But since Allen hooked up with Leigh Ann, there are fewer fish in the sea, so I am not that picky, I guess. So ok, Hiney let me know he would not care about my kids, so he is out. Hmm slim pickin's so RoninMD you are not all that out of the range, even though as you say....
[Ed Note: Yeah but I'm a free spirit... there's still time for you. Besides, I'm local. Ron's in Yankee-land :) ]
enterprise mortgage assistance program
I am currently renting a home, and I am trying to go through the Enterprise Mortgage Assistance Program. In order to buy a home. I have the information on paper, but when I call the City of Dallas, I am told to come to this web site, but I am in able to pull it up. If anyone have any solutions to this problem please e-mail me at haltonronnie@ymail.com Thank you
They are probably telling
They are probably telling you to go to dallascad.org for Dallas Central Appraisal District.
Databases
Cant wait to find out how much those Admit mafia characters make!
2008 IRS standard mileage
2008 IRS standard mileage rate is 50.5 cents. Michael Brown drove over 5,100 miles in July 2008?
[Ed Note: Jon Dahlander just wrote me saying the reimbursement was for several months of driving--but I've received no details. I'm going to pull up the data and sort it to find out how much various individuals have received.]
Sounds Great...
This is fantastic! I can't wait for the biometric data, I have a few questions that I would love to see answered. The salary database always makes me laugh too. Thanks Allen for your continued work!
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