MDE has been very good to a deputy superintendent
It appears Deputy State Superintendent Dr. John Q. Porter has fed quite well at the public trough over the last few years. The State Board of Education hired Dr. Porter at a salary of $195,000 in May, 2015. State Auditor Stacey Pickering told Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright the salary was illegal since it exceeded 150% of the Governor’s salary. However, Dr. Porter made a nice sum of money through no-bid contracts awarded behind closed doors before he was hired.
The State Board of Education hired Dr. Carey Wright in September, 2013. Dr. Porter followed her to Mississippi six months later. However, he was not hired as a Deputy Superintendent until May 21, 2015. Dr. Porter made his money the Mississippi way. The Board awarded several consulting contracts worth $293,404 to Dr. Porter and his company, Blue Sky Innovative Solutions, LLC. The Board approved every contract in executive session. The Board finally voted in executive session to hire Dr. Porter as the Deputy Superintendent at a salary of $195,000 – after Dr. Porter wrote the job notice and screened all applicants himself.
Kingfish
5/2516
