Monday, December 7, 2009

District may pay millions for consulting firm to stay


District may pay millions for consulting firm to stay:

"The consulting firm hired for a four-month review of Maricopa Community Colleges could be in line for a multimillion-dollar contract to stay on with the college system, overseeing implementation of its own recommendations.

An Arizona Republic examination of e-mails between MCCCD Chancellor Rufus Glasper and Colleen Clark, the president of the Maricopa County Community College District governing board, reveal that Clark has asked Glasper for input on the value of keeping Alvarez & Marsal consultants in the Valley as part of an 'extended relationship.'

At least one board member is openly critical of the idea, suggesting the district can put the recommended changes into effect. It also has raised questions, e-mails suggest, about whether such a contract would need to be competitively bid."