Hawes admits MCPS cooks the facts

The MCPS official in charge of the controversial Kendale project confirms an Inspector General finding that the school system chose not to provide key information to the County Council, and admits that it picks and chooses the facts to support its agenda when asking the council for money.

The Almanac's Ken Millstone has the story:

"MCPS did acknowledge at least one finding of the report: that it had construction options that it chose not to provide to the County Council.

"Council President George Leventhal (D-At Large), spoke calmly but firmly, reading to MCPS Facilities Director Richard Hawes his own statements from earlier in the meeting.

"'The school system decides what it believes is best and it provides the information that backs up its policy judgment. Am I wrong?' Leventhal asked.

"Hawes said that he was correct.

"Leventhal asked again, 'The school system decides what it believes is best and then it provides the Council with the information that backs up its position.'

"'Absolutely correct,' Hawes said."