Departing Superintendent Peter Gorman spent half of his $250,000 "personal development" grant to quietly bankroll a publicity campaign on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools budget. Still pending is what happens to almost $81,000 that remains as Gorman prepares to leave. When the C.D. Spangler Foundation awarded the grant, an official with the group said Gorman could not take it with him if he left. But it's unclear if that was a formal agreement. "I just spoke with Dr. Gorman and no decision has been made yet on the remaining Spangler funds," CMS spokeswoman Lauren Bell said today. Gorman received the money in December 2009, for "personal growth and development." It was part of a $3.7 million Spangler package to local education. The Gorman money had no strings. Foundation member Anna Spangler Nelson described it as a way to support a successful public leader. A tally released at the Observer's request shows Gorman gave $125,000 to MeckEd, a nonprofit advocacy group, on Jan. 21. Smaller sums have gone for such things as executive staff training ($20,102), taking people to New York City for the November announcement of the Broad Prize ($8,212) and buying an iPad ($1,080). The money given to MeckEd paid for a PR firm to help spread the word about dire CMS budget cuts expected in 2011-12. Children's advocates and parents who mobilized in response to that call say the Gorman/Spangler money did not create their groups. "We don't get a dime from any of those people," said Brett Loftis of the Council for Children's Rights, who organized a coalition to push for $55 million in extra money for CMS. Doug Swaim, a Myers Park High parent who founded MeckFUTURE to push for more CMS money, said he didn't know Gorman was paying for the information sessions that led him to rally other parents. "It seems awfully generous of him," he said. Spreading the word Bill Anderson, a former CMS administrator who took the helm of MeckEd in December, said Gorman approached him about leading a campaign to inform the public about the bleak budget. He said Gorman cited cutbacks to his public-information staff and indicated it would be "difficult for him to get his message out." On Jan. 10, MeckEd and the Charlotte Chamber announced plans to help CMS explain its budget dilemma. Leaders were vague when asked about the cost. Board Chair Eric Davis, who was part of the announcement, said it wouldn't involve public money, and said CMS staff would continue with their own efforts. Davis said today he didn't know about Gorman's donation then, but was told soon after. The next day, Gorman unveiled a preliminary budget plan that called for eliminating about 1,500 jobs, including 600 teachers, to brace for an estimated $100 million in cuts. MeckEd hired Carolina Public Relations to run the campaign, which included public forums, a speakers bureau and polling on what residents knew about the budget. Anderson said he never publicly mentioned Gorman was footing the bill because "I was never asked that question." MeckEd has a budget of "under $600,000," Anderson said. Donors named on the web site include several local businesses and foundations, including Spangler. Gorman is not listed. Anderson said Gorman's gift was not a true donation because it did not go toward MeckEd's normal business and staff. "It's very important that MeckEd be an independent and nonpartisan group," he said. "But I won't shy away from the fact that we'll do everything in our power to help public education." Questions swirl Questions about the Spangler grant arose in the wake of Gorman's abrupt announcement last week that he is leaving. He plans to take a top post with the new education division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. on Aug. 15. Just before he announced his resignation, Gorman said that county commissioners' decision to give CMS $26 million more next year had saved hundreds of teacher jobs. After making brief statements to the school board and reporters, Gorman left and told his staff he would do no interviews in his remaining time. Nelson also was not available for comment today, and foundation staff said no one else could clarify whether there are any guidelines for what happens to Gorman's grant when he leaves. When the grant was awarded, Nelson called it "part of the incentive to keep him here." Board chair Davis said "a conversation with (philanthropist C.D.) Spangler would be in order. If he wants that money back, we'll write him a check. If he thinks it should be used for a certain purpose in CMS, we'll do that." Reactions to donation Some schools activists said they were surprised to hear Gorman had used Spangler money for the budget-information campaign, while others said they'd gotten wind. During budget talks, some teachers complained that Gorman was too quick to plan layoffs and not vocal enough pushing the state and county for more money. Kevin Strawn, an East Meck teacher who led a group concerned about the budget, performance pay and testing, said Gorman's donation was a surprise. "I'm glad. So there was some support," Strawn said. "At the same time, I'm still curious about this whole style." Carol Sawyer of MeckACTS, another parent group active in budget and testing issues, questioned what Gorman got for his money: "I didn't know there was a $100,000 worth of PR campaign for the budget. It's not like there were billboards." School board member Trent Merchant said he knew about Gorman's donation at the time and "thought that it made financial sense." But colleague Kaye McGarry said she had asked repeatedly about the grant and was told of the MeckEd donation, But she said she didn't know until a reporter told her today that it had been for a PR company. "It makes you think we're being disingenuous with the public," McGarry said. "We're always saying we're transparent." County Commissioner Bill James, who has repeatedly complained that Gorman manipulated public opinion with threats of teacher layoffs, said neither MeckEd nor Gorman has been candid about the arrangement. "I think that the public should be clued in on whether a specific amount of money from one rich person was being used to alter public perception," he said.
Gorman Grant Paid For PR Campaign For CMS Budget
