The School Board Has the Power to Avoid a Strike.
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There is no reason for the district to lose any instructional time, a strike can easily be avoided. The board can take take the unions offer to go to binding arbitration. With binding arbitration the teachers lose the ability to strike. If the teachers strike, it's because the board has the money but doesn't want to spend it on the education of this communities children. They have too many patronage accounts to pay off. Even now there are plans for the new administrative palace. How many millions are planned for that? The district shouldn't be looking at housing the overpaid administrators in the lap of luxury when the teachers are underpaid and teaching in overcrowded classrooms, assuming they aren't teaching in a closet or hallway.
The administration is very good at rhetoric and trying to make it sound like the teachers are just greedy but don't be fooled. There are teachers in East Aurora who would need to receive a 50% raise to give them the equivalent salary they would make on the West Side of the river. It really is a wonder that we have any quality teachers in East Aurora and is a testament to the dedication the teachers and staff have for the children.
As expected, there really was no "corruption" "scandal" "fraud". Just plain old "here is how we have always done things" syndrome. Did not expect anything more than this. Hopefully now we are not seeing thousands of charges at Menards each month, etc. and health insurance premiums for retirees are at the "real rates" instead of the deeply "discounted" fake rates retirees were paying. (Wonder how many of the retirees knew they were paying way too little for their insurance and how long did they know it. That could be the scandal we've been looking for) Well, good that this is behind the district. Congratulations.
I'm sorry. You have to pay teachers in the trenches. They do their best with the kids and even though the kids OBVIOUSLY don't want to be there, the teachers still do their job. They do it the best they can.
Now when you start disrespecting and overminding their authority as teachers, you get this problem.
East Aurora, listen....its simple. Stop spending the money you get from the state that, according to Popp that you rely on the most, on yourself and your cronies and invest it in your teachers and competent staff.
Mr. Leonard- Pay for your own internet bro. Last I check volunteers typically get paid in thanks and gratitude instead of $1000 in high speed internet.
Ms. Strand- You are delusional if you think cutting the tech department at its head is going to save money. As technology challenged as this district is not replacing the departments leader with someone competent will leave it technically in the stone age. Good luck asking taxpayers to fix that future mess.
Popp- You cannot sit there as state you care for this district and its teachers. Corruption was brought to light and you did nothing but make it worse. Hanley's raise- slap in the face Bad insurance- armed roberry Lousy contract- stiff arm to teachers
If you want to put this job on your resume, you better listen to your teachers. Because the teachers will let their voice be heard regardless if your buddy Sara/Joan have a heart or not. And nothing good will come from this district during your reign while you let this mess continue.
As a parent, what's best for the teachers is best for the students I send to school.
The rest is up to you now board.
P.S: You should probably clean house. The current administration is clearly out of touch.
We received Dr. Popps letter and his phone call telling us to look for the letter. Our house is very pleased the teachers have reached this decision. Though the letter makes it sound as if it is all about the money, some of us have children who truly love school and we love our children's teachers and the extra mile they go to keep the classrooms functioning. We know it is more than just dollars involved in the strike decision. I hope they not only get a healthy raise, but I hope they get the language in the contract that will help them manage their classes better and do the job they were hired to do.
Attempting to make our teachers look like they don't care about the affects of a strike was a foolish move by Popp or PR. It says at the bottom of the letter- "we appreciate your understanding during these difficult times." We, the community, have been understanding thru all the fiascos created by the admin and the Board in the past few years, why wouldn't we be understanding about the difficult times they are creating, yet again, by disrespecting our districts teachers request for a fair contract.
I agree with the previous poster. It is up to the Board. Cleaning house is long overdue!
Thank you, "Our teachers deserve better" !!! Please get the word out to other parents in the community that share your viewpoint and please consider speaking up at the next board meeting. We truly care about the students and want the best for them!!
"Avoid a Strike" is exactly right. This all could have been resolved if the district simply agreed to arbitration. They did not want an unbiased third party to give the teachers the wage they deserve. Popp's letter that was sent home with students today contained lies. He stated that the contract offered was competitive with surrounding districts. This is a complete lie. Popp's salary is the one that needs to be discussed here or possibly Hanley's $40,000 raise as well. It is easy for Popp to bash the teachers trying to get their fair share when he makes nearly a quarter-million in total salary.
Great comment both anonymous 2 and Our teachers deserve better.
Our previous superintendent nor any before him would have put out this poorly written and thinly veiled attack on District 131 teachers. Interesting that the grammar and formats are so bad that this is representative of our district? Why was it necessary to throw teachers under the bus-- Jerome Roberts, whatever his flaws would never have done this. Neither would any previous super I have known. The letter meanders in an okay fashion until the third paragraph when Matthew Hanley's plan for Popp's response becomes clear. First, Hanley outlines The Board's goal for the negotiations. "The Board's goal has been to narrow any (and this is important)disparity that may have existed between what our employees earn and salaries paid by our neighboring districts". Now here is where Hanley presents the reason the Board could not possibly do this: "the District (why the capital D? - hello North Korea) is more heavily dependent on state aid, as opposed to real estate taxes, than most of our neighboring districts. In the past four years the legislature has scaled back....,38.5 million.." So what ? there have been many more grants that have more than made up for this. What about the $200,000,000 surplus Annette Johnson boasted about during Red and Black assemblies for 3 years in a row? "Despite the scale back, the District has offered a salary package that exceeds not only cost of living changes, but exceeds the contract settlements for many of our neighboring districts." Dear Matt, we really don't know since unlike many districts ( lowercase d- you are not a monolith), who send their memberships weekly missives with point by point updates of negotiations, we get nothing. Our president, tells us nothing. Finally, in the fourth paragraph, Matt drives home his real agenda: to rile up the parents of district 131 that the evil, greedy teachers are bloodsucking vampires thirsty for money and will totally screw up you son/daughter's education, summer plans, etc.. This is going to cost you money -the school year might extend out to 2020, or later. The final paragraph assures the parents that while the teachers are such greedy bastards, not giving a fig about the students' education, the top admins do, we want your childcare to continue unabated! WHAT ARE WE A CHILDCARE SYSTEM?????
This was a grand mistake Mike Popp- Hanley has misadvised you on this one and repercussions will be long-running- Enjoy Elgin!!
December 18, 2015 To: Board of Education From: Ralph Padron Subject: Taking Ownership of your Mistakes or Cover Them Up Pt 1
Mike Popp: Did you admit to Bernie Weiler that the Matt Hanley promotion & pay increase was a mistake? Bernie shared this with me as did someone else. Do you realize if you would have rectified this mistake, the Teachers wouldn’t feel insulted and outraged especially with their Contract unresolved. Hanley is a HUGE issue!!! Why didn’t you correct this?
• Rudy Keller’s Veterans Event • Rudy never served a day in the Armed Forces • He submitted invoices totaling $ 32,000.00 to West Aurora Dist 129 for his coordinating the Viet Nam Travel Wall in 2013. • EA Dist 131 paid him $10,000.00 thru Nov 6 as Interim AD • It is very obvious Keller was hired for the Veterans Event Program not as an Interim AD. • He is a former Dist 204 employee as is Mike Popp & Mark Truckenbrod o Why did Truckenbrod & Anthony Crespo approve everything Keller wanted
• Rudy’s stated the event cost for 3,800 students was o $ 1.50 per student = $ 5,700.00 Totally False
o $ 8.00 per student = $ 30,000.00 + Is more accurate
• Keller’s pension is listed in 2012 as $ 107,000.00 via TRS o Taxpayers are paying this very generous pension o If he is so patriotic and appreciative of Veteran’s o WHY DIDN’T HE DONATE HIS TIME & SERVICES ?
• Christi Tyler: Can you explain why @ Purchasing Violations again resurfaced . @ Title I money spent for speakers @What is more disturbing, these expenses were NEVER Budgeted or Approved by the Board of Education.
Superintendent Mike Popp again has his excuses to justify these shameful practices. 1 East Aurora does have a wealth of EXCUSES & COVERING UP SKILLS 2 The 12K Attorney’s report evidently failed to protect the Taxpayers again. 3 Dist 131 NEEDS MONEY FOR EDUCATION NOT IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING
As a taxpayer and parent this paragraph below upsets me. While it is nice that they have summer programs that are free there are others programs from the City of Aurora and other groups. As far as I am concerned this district has already messed up many child's education. My child has some wonderful teachers in the district it is The Board of Ed, Superintendent and Administration that is the problem. You have to have the will to learn. I was giving this Matt Hanley a break for awhile but he needs to go after writing that letter.
Finally, in the fourth paragraph, Matt drives home his real agenda: to rile up the parents of district 131 that the evil, greedy teachers are bloodsucking vampires thirsty for money and will totally screw up you son/daughter's education, summer plans, etc.. This is going to cost you money -the school year might extend out to 2020, or later. The final paragraph assures the parents that while the teachers are such greedy bastards, not giving a fig about the students' education, the top admins do, we want your childcare to continue unabated! WHAT ARE WE A CHILDCARE SYSTEM?????
All these board members become board members because they want something. Some are easy to figure out, others take time to figure out. Annette has a complete hatred of these low income minority children. She does everything she can to screw everyone over to save herself a few tax dollars. The Big Dick Leonard wants anything and everything he can for himself and his friends. Strand is just a YES woman for Dr. Popp and since Popp is a YES man for Annette, you see what this accomplishes. The one that more people should be looking into is probably why we are all getting screwed on insurance. Somehow our insurance has gone up by more than 250% in the past 12 months. For those that don't know Kimberly Hatchett just happens to be a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield. It amazing how insurance premiums have skyrocketed as soon as she became s board member. Alex is difficult as he says what you want to hear and then always seems to vote with Annette. I can only guess that he is also just another Annette YES man. A little surprising considering that he is a union member himself. It's amazing that there is not one person on the board that really represents the students that go to District 131. It's time for a clean sweep of the entire school board.
Dear School board has to go. Don't whine about the board, it's the board the voters wanted. Hatchets job has absolutely nothing to do with the insurance. Be patient, my sources say she has had enough already and will not run again.
Guess no one really gets it at East do they? Within a month of the new board being in place the accusations started coming and obviously they have not stopped as seen here. Has anyone stopped and maybe thought "Hmm, new board members come in and after actually seeing the real financial situation and finally understanding what the numbers really mean they may have come to the conclusion that things at East are not as great that they had believed - and teachers really believe there is all kinds of money laying around - before they came on bard." Just a thought, mind you. Actually understanding that the reserves are high so we as a district don't get stuck with 12% interest rates on bonds that are outstanding. Also keeping reserves high as it is a fact that the district receives a big chunk from the state and the state cutting back on its contribution may lead to dipping into the reserves in the future. Keeping reserves for major upgrades in facilities without having to ask for bonds to perform the upgrades. Maybe, just maybe the light bulb went on and the board members came to the conclusion that most normal people have come to and that this system is not sustainable. You have poor Ralph all riled up because he cannot make the veterans event - a one time expenditure-turn into a major corruption charge and here are the teachers wanting an increase that is anything but one time. This increase will continue year after year after year. The only thing that Ralph was kind enough to point out was that Rudy Keller will receive a minimum of 107,000 for the rest of his life. Keller will receive a 3% raise every year for the rest of his life and every other retiree will receive that 3% raise. This whole system is not sustainable, people. All this money comes from taxes and the sources for the taxes are drying up. Maybe, just maybe the members of the board have finally seen all the above. And they maybe, just maybe have seen the actions of some teachers up close and personal. Please give them some credit. The board will try to do right even if you don't want to yourselves. And it doesn't seem you want the board or the administration to do right either. You just keep picking one straw man after another over the years to blame everything on and not really solve the issues at hand. Look at your comments....Shame on you.
This is the board the community elected. I'm sure you probably do not live in it. Hatchet will not run again. Popp won't get a new contract so relax. Laesch is a mole working with the union while wreaking havoc on the board. The teachers will eventually have your cake and believe me you will eat it. The district can start over again every 3 years because no one outside of a new superintendent candidate will take the position. A new superintendent will try new things, new faces and make mis steps and have his or her head lopped off. A candidate with experience would be foolish to make EA home. Money and benefits are temporary motivation until this agreement expires and then the cycle starts all over again. Let's be clear about something else , teachers should stick to what they know I.e. Teaching. School finance ,levies, cash reserves etc is beyond this blogs scope. I base my thoughts on the statements being tossed about. Let's be clear about something else. Someone attacked the students about not wanting to be in school. It would be terribly naive to believe that all the teachers care and or want to be there . Most have too much invested to start over. What a toxic mess starting with the board. There is only one common thread on the last three boards. It's no wonder why there is confusion, lack of cohesion and misunderstood communication, hello.
The issue is partly that the district and board are not transparent. Even the union president refuses to share what the teacher demands are. That's all we see is why they do.
Last contract, they claimed broke and said there was no money for a raise. The day after all the administrator raises were given. Then all the projects. Preschool Center, Kindergarten Center, Magnet Academy, High School Expansion, etc. etc. etc Then all the other expenditures of money. An additional $1.7 million dollars for Durham Bus to do the same job Illinois Central was (but with terrible service). Big Sodexho contract. Outsourcing most of the maintenance work for a hundred times the cost. It used to cost a trip to Menards and an hour or two salary, now it's a minimum $1,000 for the same job.
Again now we are told there is no money for the teachers but everyone already knows about the plans to expand East High and the plans for the New Administrative Palace.
The problem is not s lack of funds, it's the corruption of the school board and administration. Was Dr. Popp's first concern the teachers and students? No. His first order of business was a financial advisory council where all the local businesses could find out how much district money they could count on.
The teachers and staff are well aware of the corruption and are justified in their anger and determination for a fair wage. Their salaries have been flat for the past four years while the cost everything keeps going up. It's time for the the people who do all the work in District 131 to be paid.
88% of the faculty in district 131 voted for intent to strike. All faculty hope to avoid a strike because of the disruption of the students education. This all can be avoided if the board "would get real" correct the obscene 40, 000 salary (plus TRS benefits paid in full) increase for Matt Hanley. In the meant time, this board of education has forbidden that the 200 stipend allowed to teacher not be used for pencils. paper and notebooks for our kids. In other words, sorry EA teachers, the all the students supplies come out of your pocket! In the mean time teachers keep providing EA kids with notebook paper, pencils, notebooks, coats, shoes field trip money, eye glasses etc. Supplies for students easily run into thousands for teacher expenses. This board is immoral. This administration thinks of news ways to hurt the teachers who love and care for the students in East Aurora. Just a note: Not including individual school. EA has 27 Asst. Superintendents. West Aura has 3. Gee wonder where the money is going! How do you live with yourselves?
The teachers have been given a 7% raise for masters and a 3.5% for BA degrees. The last contract averaged 5%. Even at that many teachers fall short that is a given. Someone can not make up a salary schedule that was screwed up 20 years ago. Maybe the teachers of Cowherd should stop honoring Henry Cowherd for every little thing he does and ask him why he screwed them 20 years ago.
I am a proud supporter of Johnson and she has put up with a lot. She stepped and helped our district. Kim Hatchett strikes me as the same type of person. Kim comes prepared and takes her job seriously. She has made it clear she will not run again and we will sorely miss Johnson.
Leonard and Strand will be no loss. Let's not forget they hired Popp and defend his every action. Strand voted in Hanleys raise.
I will also remind union members who bash Johnson that the prior board only offered the teachers .8%. I have faith that Johnson will find more money. I also suggest that teachers reach out and talk with her she really cares.
I am sorry Annette and Kimberly it needs to be said although everyone will bash you now.
One way to pay for the teachers wages is through outsourcing of the maintenance employees. The district could give all teachers! support personnel and secretaries a 1.5% raise. Something to consider.
I agree with that. I have worked in 7 buildings in the district and have come across 2 custodians who were worth anything. A majority of them are lazy and do the bare minimum. The guys in my current building never clean the classrooms more than a quick sweep and emptying garbage. The desks, counter tops and hallways are disgusting with dirt and garbage. The bathrooms are usually filthy and never have paper towels or toilet paper. There are cock roaches everywhere! These guys leave the building and take a couple hour break at night or watch TV. I also work summer school and see them sitting around or hiding in unused parts of the building the entire day. Or they have 5 guys standing around watching 1 guy build a shelf. Its ridiculous and some of them make more than the teachers do!
"Anonymous Stand up for what's right", I think you make a good point and I appreciate you making it. Any hope of a fair and equitable contract has come from Ms. Johnson. She had indicated at the Black and Red ceremony in August that the district had 92 million dollars in savings and more and additional 18 million on the way. She added that "it was time to close the gap between EA teachers and surrounding districts." (Her words not mine) I always felt that she tried to do the right thing and really cared about the students.The fact is (and let us not forget) she did not support Hanley's 40,000 raise.
Its unfortunate that she didn't say she wanted to close the achievement gap between EA and surrounding districts. We have lost sight of the students in this bullshit.
Do you really think such gap will ever be closed? As mighty as teachers try, the kids we serve come to us already at a disadvantage. According to research, a predictor of future achievement has to do with vocabulary acquired and used. There is a huge gap starting at birth between low and high ses children. If we, teachers, would be allowed to concentrate on teaching instead of writing curriculum and attending senseless meetings/plc's we could really see some progress.
If Johnson is in the teachers corner explain why the two sides have not resolved this yet. Johnsons allegence is first to the tax payers; the seniors and Stonegate seniors to be exact. The teachers are at the least 3rd behind those two groups and self preservation. As a tax payer I want to thank her for holding her position. Granted she does not manipulate this board as easily as the previous boards but don't believe for one minute that she is not calling all the shots. The superintendent works for the board and if the board gives the okay to move the offer it will be done. She is very clear in her understanding that the offers made to the teachers may not be the absolute best but it is absolutely fiscally sound for the district. Once again are you really that gullible to take the rhetoric and hyperbole from Red and Black for anything more than that. Politicians do it all the time and Johnson is a politician. Looks can be deceiving. You always cut the cards no matter how dumb the dealer looks.
Johnson is for the Johnson But Popp and Johnson are on opposite ends. She has stated she sent Popp an email the weekend before the Hanley vote. She also said she asked Leonard, Gonzalez and Trusa to not vote for Hanley. Popp went around her and asked Gonzalez and Trusa to vote for Hanley claiming he saved money by cutting other needed position. Popp knows Johnson never voted for him and he still carries a grudge. Johnson has been quite up until lately but she made it very clear at the last meeting she does not support his spending. I do respect she held her own last year and exposed Feltes.
It is about time she finds the money to pay teachers. She knows better than anybody how much the district can pay. She needs to give the new board members some direction. Stop the talk and take action.
Hanley is worthless it looks like the district changed the board meeting to East High. Why has he not put an announcement out that the meeting was changed.
The meeting was changed and should get posted on the district website as an announcement. On Thursday a call went on out to let parents know what was going on after Dr Popps insulting letter. Many of us wanted to enjoy Christmas but will not let Popp abuse us. We have been encouraged to reach out to parents on our time. After all Glotzbach is watching and is looking to write us up. Our union and staff s well prepared to fight for rights. Please come to the meeting a East High NOT THE SERVICE CENTER.
Hanley wants us to show up late so we do not speak. He is worthless. He sends us stupid announcements but will not write up one about changing the place. Ms Johnson if parents come to the wrong location will you let them speak?
Why not post on Twitter and Facebook. Dr Popp wants us to witness is lame PR attempts. It shows and attempt the silence us. We will not get detoured, make to mistake about it.
The policy's written to give our jobs away in maintenance has to stop. Medina is stupid and being played as a fool. The board is looking to outsource that is why we have not started negoicating. They are trying to use the trades that Laesch is a member of to be on a on call list to come and make repairs. That means are jobs will get taken away. They are also putting us on time clocks and attempting to track our hours and show we are not doing our jobs. We have done our jobs and building are clean and heated every winter.
There is items in personnel right now. That means no more painting jobs and summer work. Soon we will not need and electrician and they have not hired anyone to replace the three maintenance men we are down. Watch out and they are using the teachers against us.
We won't close the gap with educators that make excuses like that. Writing curriculum and PLC's are what will drive instructional excellence. Seems like you want to make excuses for your lack of achievement too. Be gone with you!!!!! Our kids deserve better!
By law they have to post a correction to say that the meeting has moved. If not it is a violation of the Open Meetings Act and the Board should be turned in.
Annette Johnson is NOT working for the teachers. She is the greatest force standing in the way of teachers getting a fair and equitable salary. She has already spent every dollar on several plans that she has for the district, not even the board members are getting this information. If you think that Annette is working for the teachers, ask her to vote on binding arbitration, she controlls at least 4 votes on the board. If she really wanted a solution that was fair for all, she would be spearheading the move for arbitration. It is also the only solution that is guaranteed not to lead to a disruptive teachers strike. If the teachers are smart, they will schedule their strike for one of the high stakes testing weeks. It would put a lot of pressure on the district if they knew that they would lose millions of dollars in State and Federal aid if the teachers strike. It's time to start playing hardball.
What dollars did Annette spend at the last meeting she made it very clear she did not supports Popps wild spending. She was also instrumental in stopping Popps spending last year and did not vote on Hanleys raise. I trust she will do right by the teachers. As for arbitration that goes for both sides we could go backward also.
To: Get Real Interesting: "We could go backward also". Sounds like a board member or administrator is posting on here.
If you read my post a little more carefully, you would have seen that the spending has not been made public yet. My point was that Annette will not give the teachers any more money because she already has plans to spend it elsewhere.
There should be no arbitration. Teachers, accept the deal on the table and quit whining. It is obvious that you are going to receive a fair deal. The district should be willing to lose the state and federal aid if the teachers strike as there is more to running the district than teachers wanting more and more compensation. The increases just add to every year's budget in the future. That is "corruption" "fraud" "scandal" "disrespect". Why should a strike scare anyone? If the students are out for 1 or 2 months and then come back after the teachers accept what they were originally offered no one is affected. There will just be more school in June and July. Very few students show up for the tests at East anyway, so that will not be a change from last year. So, teachers, stand united with the real facts and accept the deal. Quit hiding behind the lie you spread about it all being for the kids as they are the farthest thing from your minds. Get a life.
The reason the administration on 5th Street did not vote for arbitration is because an arbitrator would quickly see how "out of line" the salaries/lack of TRS benefits package is with surrounding districts and would would move immediately to fix the discrepancy. This clearly demonstrates that this BOE does not care about a strike impacting the progress/education of the students of the district. They are scared of arbitration! Lack of transparency, cronyism, trips to Spain to recruit teachers, Box lunches for admin on 5th Street, administrative palace plans in the works, financial mismanagement for decades, 40,000 raises PLUS paid in full teacher retirement to an individual who isn't even a teacher. And Stonegate residents are pissed at the teachers?
Everyone says that Matt quit sending out your poisonous missives to the teachers- the only ones that actually work for a living. Unlike you Matt whose entire workday consists of emailing lies to the blog and photo ops for Popp. Your scare tactics and thinly veiled threats are ineffectual; everyone knows the real reason we are in financial trouble --27 asst. superintendents in d131 vs., 3 in West Aurora, over paid losers from Wabaunsee and failed hacks from the Beacon News sucking the teachers and the students dry. Can't wait to see the administrative palace!
Could it be that we have 27 "assistant supervisors" and West has the same number of people doing similar work but with a different title?? Some common sense, people. Do a little research before tossing things out.
Anonymous 1, Annette your poor spelling and your favorite calling card "loser" gives you away.. Settle the contract , get it done. You dislike Matt because he won't write flattering articles about you in the enlightner like you forced Clayton to do. Attend the business of the district, get it done.
Annette nor her fellow board members were sending out emails at 6:48pm they were at the board meeting with teachers, parents and students united against the Popp administration. At least 200 plus attended the meeting four days before Christmas during their vacations. We spoke out again and so did parents YES parents and students.
EA has only 3 Asst Superintendents, someone probably Matt is writing wild rumors on the blog to show the blog is a inaccurate . Administration is very angry teachers are writing, talking and organized. If the board wants to settle the contract they need to stop the constant harassment of staff. We will not sign a contract until then. Thruckenbrod was hired as enforcer, he is worthless. Glotzbach is one card short of a full deck. She is an angry women who hates children and takes her frustrations out on staff. Reyes-Childress has been stripped of all power. Tyler is also caught in the middle of trying to do what is right and pleasing Glotzbach. Hanley is Popps personnel gopher and PR machine. He walks around very quietly an listens in on staff discussions for Popp.
To Newshound: That article is nothing more than district propaganda. Every time we are negotiating a teachers contract, the administrators salaries are frozen. Five minutes after the contract is signed, the administrators get their raise with back pay. My only question is what they will receive for bonuses this year? The administrators aren't the highest paid in the county by accident.
The Glinch that sold Christmas award goes to Dr Popp, Second Place Matt Hanley and coming in third Joan Glotzbach who of painted green would become a strong resemblance.
Popp has taken our money and our salary increases and given them to his administration pals. He have worked fifteen months without an contract. The shame is Matt Hanley who sends out useless dribble and is paid $40,000 so his family can enjoy Christmas. Matt steals money from poor children how can he justify this.
Glotzbach the look a like Grinch has told everyone are inventory and should be replaced by younger teachers. Another words cheaper less experienced college grads. The children are also inventory and Glotzbach believes they do not deserve an education.
WHO: We would like ALL rank-and-file members of the union to attend [wearing blue!].
We would like parents and students to join us!
We are also contacting numerous media outlets.
WHEN, WHAT TIME, WHERE: 01/04 at 5:45 PM. East High School, in front by the flagpole.
WHY: To come together in unity, speak out, network, and show the district we are organized.
WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE?: People will speak-out via megaphone. Any and all comers encouraged to speak.
We will have translators for the community.
Hand out copies of our letters to the community members in attendance.
People should bring drums, signs, anything festive. Let’s get fired up! Let’s make some noise!
SUBJECTS YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT: • Why does East Aurora deserve better? • An inspirational story about a student or teacher/staff impact. • Why we need a fair contract and what needs to be in it.
AFTERWARD: Everyone goes inside for the board meeting. We will be a unity swarm.
As many people as possible should You must sign up to speak between 6:45 PM and 7:00 PM. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM in the East High cafeteria.
We want to parents to speak at the meeting! We want students to speak at the meeting! We want rank-and-file to speak at the meeting! We want community members to speak at the meeting!
WHAT TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND THEN: Decide what your contribution will be! Will you speak at the rally? Will you speak at the board meeting? Will you bring a drum? Will you hand out copies of our letters? Will you personally email parents asking them to attend? Will you host a sign making party? Will you make your own sign? Will you make sure to encourage the people in your department or social circle to attend?
Do something – whether big or small -- to make the BIG SOLIDARITY RALLY a success!
speak inside, as well. If you are ever going to speak, make it that night!
You encourage the students to come to this rally? Really? After you were so upset about Popp putting the kids "in the middle" now you are asking them to come to a rally where there will be chaos and noise in a residential neighborhood? We feel for some of the teachers, truly we do, but this shows a willingness to place children in a potentially dangerous situation! What does that say? Bring a drum? How does that portray your plight? This is to draw attention to you I am assuming, but what kind of attention is the question? These students really respect and love many of you and I am sure would gladly attend this rally for that reason alone but please, encourage them to stay away from this for safety's sake!
This is an adult fight and the teachers are not looking very professional. I supported fair and honest working conditions but really. Let's ask would the teachers want their neighborhood disrupted at supper time. This is really disrespectful, would you want students to come to class and just make noise. Any teacher who follows Alan Scott should have their head examined. Let's hope the news outlets do not cover EA is will make our students and teachers look like a bunch gang bangers.
Learn the Difference Between Voluntary and Compulsory
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To: Please don't put kids in the middle
Dr. Popp (I'm sure with the boards full knowledge and approval) didn't invite parents to come and bring their children to a safe school building to rally in the community, Dr. Popp sent a distorted, one sided letter meant to demonize the teachers, home with every child from preschool to high school. Further, the staff was ordered not to discuss this letter with the students (or parents) they were sending letters home with. Many of these children had no idea what this note was about or how it involved them. Many were frightened by the note and no explaination or comfort could be given. I am sure that many of the parents were very unhappy that the superintendent would do this without first getting their approval. Unlike the superintendent, the staff is simply asking for those who support the them to come out, nobody is being forced to do anything.
I'm not sure why you feel that parents, teachers and students gathering at a public school is a "potentially dangerous situation"? Frankly, I can think of no place that children would be any safer. The administration is always stating that they wish there was more parent and community support, apparently that is only when it is convenient for them.
Let's be clear, the only reason to keep the community away is to keep them ignorant. The community should know how the district has a budget of over $200 million dollars a year but claims there's no money to pay the staff a fair and competitive salary. The parents should know how high the staff turnover rate is because they refuse to pay the staff a fair wage. They should know how the district pays the teachers up to $37,000 less than they would make on the West Side of the river. The board should hear from the parents about how much they support their childrens teachers. It's amazing the depths that some will go to for power and greed. The purpose of schools is to provide the very best education possible for children, not to create patronage jobs for childhood friends or getting kickbacks for corrupt contractors. It's way past time that the community gets organized and starts to advocate for their children.
I can't imagine why anybody would write what you did unless they had no concern for the education of our children.
There are two options (really the same thing) that would avoid all this unrest in our community. 1) Pay the staff a fair and competitive wage or 2) Bring in binding arbitration. Everyone knows the money is there and that certain board members and administrators refuse to use it to pay teachers. It really makes a person wonder if an outside agency should be brought in to find out how certain people are profiting personally. I personally hope this drags out for a while. Community members are starting to see what's been happening at the board and administrative level and are finally becoming politically active. Hispanic parents may be very slow to stand up against authority but when they do, watch out. They are a very united, close knit community and nothing will get them more motivated than to find out that there are those that are not providing the very best possible for their children.
Maybe the teachers should tell the parents they turned down a 7% raise. Maybe the administration should only fix the salary schedule for those who are underpaid. The 1400 members should tell the truth and stop hanging onto the 345 teachers that are underpaid. The secretaries, support staff, maintenance staff and the majority of teachers need to give back their overpaid salary to the ones who are less fortunate that would include those who have made their careers d131.
Dr Popp had every right to write the parents to bad our teachers have resorted to breaking the law with a unlawful protest.
Tell the truth=Matt you know that if we were offered 7% raise then somewhere else in the contract we were getting shafted, say, as in health insurance premiums so there was no real increase. This is a senseless waste of time but unfortunately we teachers are having to come together, because we have been lied to, ill-treated and underpaid for years. Teachers have been kept in the dark for a single reason- so a crappy contract would be dumped on our lap at zero hour, and then to be demonized by our very own superintendent Mr. Michael Popp who sent home an unprofessional poorly written letter throwing the teachers under the bus. This goes for the conniving Board as well who not only knew bout the letter but gave the nod to send it out. Never in my 27 years of teaching have I heard of a superintendent attacking his teachers in such a manner. Our students uniformly support us and smell a rat as only young people can do. If it weren't enough that with the Danielson/SLO's sapping our energy and preventing us thinking about the ART of teaching, if it weren't these careerists getting in their digs while building their resumes, we could really impact our kids. Unfortunately, the force is not with us.
You are full of it. Document where your numbers are coming from. There are 212 cells on the teachers salary schedule and in 198 of them the teachers are paid less than on the West Side (up to $37,090). Only 14 cells on the East Side pay more and 12 of those 14 cells are in the Bachelors column with 17 or more years experience (which is why the district wanted to get rid of those cells). Almost nobody has only a bachelors after 17 years of service. In District 131 only about a half dozen fit into these cells. Support staff is paid as little as $8 an hour and you call them overpaid? The maintenance staff is not even part of this contract but you were too ignorant to do your research.
Apparently you also never had to take the constitution test or you would know that people do have a right to peacefully protest. There is nothing illegal about it. You need to document where you are getting your facts from or explain why you are spouting the lies that you are.
What unlawful protest? The teachers have the right to do so. When other Districts in the State went on Strike they had Protest and no one said they where illegal. So do you mean that just in District 131 it is and where is your proof. After all this time of The Board of District 131, Administration and now it seems The Superintendent Dr. Popp treating teachers poorly they are standing their ground.
A Superintendent should never attack the Teachers if they decide too. Again when other Districts in this State struck no other Superintendent did that. Maybe he should send letters home stating why are classrooms are so overcrowded.
As far as disrupting people at suppertime it is up to them if they want to go. No the students shouldn't do anything in the classrooms but if they feel they want to support the teachers then that is their decision.
There are two options (really the same thing) that would avoid all this unrest in our community. 1) Pay the staff a fair and competitive wage or 2) Bring in binding arbitration. Everyone knows the money is there ($202 Million budget this year, up $17.5 million from last year) and that certain board members and administrators refuse to use it to pay teachers.
It really makes a person wonder if an outside agency should be brought in to find out how certain people are profiting. I personally hope this drags out for a while. Community members are starting to see what's been happening at the board and administrative level and are finally becoming politically active. Hispanic parents may be slow to stand up against authority but when they do, watch out. They are a very united, close knit community and nothing will get them more motivated than to find out that those charged with taking care of their children are not doing their job.
Wow. Let's just get the kids out there and what was it "bang on drums" ?? Teachers, you are way off base once again. If you look thru the blog over time you see the complaints of the school not being safe, now you are saying the school is safe. Well, which is it?? Or are you really saying that you just concoct issues that are not true, just so you can garner attention. That is childish and very disrespectful of the children. Quit telling our students lies. You do not care for them, all they are to you are pawns in your scheme to extract undeserved money from the district. And unfortunately you are teaching our kids. Who knows what personal interjections you bring into the classroom. I have seen eight year olds act more professional that this. This whole education needs to change immediately. Vouchers need to be issued to the students so they can actually get a real education somewhere else. You are not as underpaid as you state you are. It is the other school districts that are overpaid. You just don't get it do you!! We will not support you from age 21 until your death anymore. Go on strike, no one will notice that you are gone. The students might actually learn something for a change.
Hints for a successful protest. The comments Monday need to be directed at Annette Johnson. Although one board member everyone knows she is the person most capable of paying teachers. I remember last time when the teachers pushed back she found the money and the board listens to her. Johnson also does not care for the current administration and has been bending over backward to fix climate and culture. Hatchet is also on the negoicating committee and seems fair. Since they are appointed by the board they need to fix this and tell their fellow members to stop wasting everyone's time. Johnson did vote against Hanley that is a start and she knows the finances.
I have not been a fan of hers until recently but she has stood up to the administration.
I am not a fan of arbitration and we need to STOP encouraging this. I have heard the board is looking at this. They will show the building needs, low income neighborhoods with no taxes and the heavy dependence on the State that is broke. Please stop it is to big of a gamble. Have asked around and it is not safe. We may get less.
Way past fed up is someone easily entertained by stirring the pot on a blog. But needs to find some new instigating punching lines. "Will not support you from age 21......" Has been debated and clarified. And you repeat it WAY too often. Not gonna stir the pot today. Get a clue, get involved. Look at how many other teachers contracts are being resolved around then area. This is not unique to our teachers. What is unique is the way our board and supt. responds. Our students WILL actually learn something when the teachers manage to get a little support and respect from the managers of our district and get what they need in the classrooms.
The board is scared to death of arbitration. They are so afraid they won't even speak the word publicly and refuse to take a vote on it. There is no way that a fair and impartial outsider would look at the districts finances and the salaries of the surrounding school districts and come up with any other solution than a significant salary raise for the staff. The board knows this, it's time the teachers and staff figure it out.
It's also time that everyone figures out that the board represents the Stonegate Residents, not District 131. The children of District 131 are their second to last priority, the teachers and staff are the last. The only way to enact the changes needed to improve the education in District 131 is to get rid of the Stonegate Board Members and replace them with real representatives from District 131.
The entire board except Mr Laesch voted for the tax levy raising the taxes. It looks like the board does the best for everyone and Laesch just plays for votes for a future office. Hatchett lives in Stonegate and always talks about children. Strand in the disappointment she said she was for teachers but what has she done but give Hanley a raise.
So what you are saying is that the district is paying you a fair wage based on it's budget? Can't have it both ways. Just take your generous 7% raise and run. Many districts did not get half of that. You will be overshadowed by the greed in CPS as well.
The board should vote for arbitration it end this. They will not have to pay any more than they offered. The unions accountant already proved the district can not pay more than 4%. Remember arbitration is binding and when they look they will not force the district to come up with more. We will go backwards.
The teachers should tell parents why they choose not to educate their children in 131. They know the other teachers including themselves and administration are not qualified. Therefore teachers by skill in this district should not be paid as much as the districts in Naperville.
Knock the crap off. When NCLB was enacted in 2000, all teachers were required to be highly qualified and in the few cases that they are not, the district would have to make it public including a letter home to every student who was not being taught by a highly qualified teacher. It is absolutely disgraceful how the Stonegate crowd will stop at nothing to smear this district for their own profit. They don't give a damn about the kids of District 131.
To: No Arbitration
The Union did not bring in their accountant, Carla Hettinger from Local 604 brought in a teacher from Joliet who has taken a few business courses. It was very clear that he nitpicked a few facts that made the district look poor. When asked any questions, he had no answers. He definately did not use current numbers and claimed to have no knowledge of the $17.5 million new dollars that the district received this year. It was once again Local 604 reeling off the the boards arguments.
Local 604 has exposed themselves this year to everyone that they do not represent the hardworking union members. They are dues collectors who don't want to expend any services that would cost them money. They did make sure that union dues went up this year even as they have worked against us. It may be time to get rid of the AFT. Local 604 leaders don't want anything that would cut into their 6 figure salaries. Dick Manley alone makes about $300,000. Yes that's more than our District 131 Superintendent makes. Something to think about
The union accountant does have a CSBO certification in school finance. He also does the books for 604 because he is a CSBO. He wants to teach and not administrate. Teachers will be a risk because the district can show their financial picture. Don't forget the district can show the State has not paid 38 million since 2012. The will also show lower home values. We are taking a big risk.
The Fact is District 131 Teachers are Way Underpaid
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To: We need to get our facts straight
What risk? We're already the lowest paid teachers in the six county area and we're losing hundreds of teachers every year because of it. They can't even fill all the positions. If I remember correctly, there were 152 I filled positions the first day of school. How much lower do you think they can go? At this point, pay us or fire us, enough with paying us way below market value. That's all we're doing is hiring new teachers and keeping those who can't get a job anywhere else. These kids need the best teachers not everyone else's scraps.
The teachers supported Arroyo, Laesch , Hatchett, and Johnson and you can't even get a contract. West central admin is moving into a fancy new facility , building a new school, remodeling others while on the state watch list, The teachers must be thrilled since most of you live over there. You should ask Chapa Lavia to come and support your rally. She will take any support for mayor. she supported Arroyo and all the new and sitting board members and you bought it hook line and sinker. Surely she supports education even though you wouldn't know it after all the years over education in Springfield . The arrangers of the rally will be silent while all the pawns take the mic. A rally without the leadership is useless so get a politician . Richard Irvin, another alumni is in the mayors race also maybe he will come and support your efforts; surely he supports education and will do anything for your votes. Come on guys and ladies these are no brainers and it's free
First of all no Mayor gets involved in School Districts and since our City has four districts I believe it would do no good.
I believe teachers deserve a raise but am tired of hearing you are the lowest paid around and I don't believe it. Just this summer a district in IL struck and they stated they where one of the lowest. If you are unhappy with the working conditions do want many do and look somewhere else. I know it is hard working in crowed classrooms and poor Administration and sometimes even when you like working with the students it is time too move on. We can't compare our selves to Naperville since their taxpayers and parents don't mind paying high taxes and they care about their students education. We do have parents that care about thier children's education but not as many as Naperville.
Maybe in arbitration the arbitrator will see the misuse of money like spending $30,000 for a veterans program. If this district doesn't have money why would they use Federal Money for it. How about the IPhones that where bought and are sitting on the shelf? Usually when money is tight you don't have working lunches.
Must be one of the old board members. The reason the teachers can't get a contract is POPP. Finally the union asked to negotiate directly with the board and issues are getting resolved. The old board allowed big raises of all of Popps cronies from 204 not to mention Hanley. I have attended many meetings since they took over and I seem to remember the offer from the old board which was only .8%. Although we have a little ways to go the offer are much higher 3% to 7.5%. The old board also misspent over 10 million dollars . Mr Jergans our accountant proved that. The cash reserves fell dramatically under Popp.
Strand is the biggest disappointment she promised a good contract and the understanding of teachers rights. We lost our rights, and admistration got big raises. Here is hoping Johnson cleans house. Here is hoping the new board continues to ask questions about the curriculum and money Popp is wasting.
Look and listen more to come on Popp deals
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The City does have plenty to do with the failure of EA Schools. They have taken taxpayers land away to themselves. Just recently they took all the land away for Rivers Edge park. Stonegate also got a new park. The City refused to allow Waubonsee to sell the building to EA. It could have been used for an career learning center. The City was ready to stick Popp with paying for the demolition of Copley. Popp had plans to build his administrative center on the Copley property. Popp also would have paid for a Community Center. Mr Padron should FOIA these underhanded deals.
Mr Laesch has uncovered countless Cordigan & Clark/ Weisner scams and is exploring a run for Mayor. Hopefully in 2016 Aurora will get a Mayor that looks out for the EA schools. We are lucky that a new board was elected.
I think we should give the a Hooverboard to Popp. It is clear he has run the district into the Emergency Room. The teachers are all on life support as they try to make due without a Curriculum, no class supplies, a run away discipline program and no wage increase.
Gloztbach recently accused a teacher of trying to charge a personal item off on her $200 class supply budget. The item used for a classroom experiment was $2.49. Thruckenbrod recently demanded teachers write a detailed explanation of how our $200 would get used in the classroom. Do you see a pattern. They can pay 204 cronies big $$$, spend $30,000 on veterans day when teachers at Simmons put the same assembly for $250. Crespo then tells students we are nitpicking. Let not even mention the $40,000 raise to Hanley. Waddle who in 204 was only a AP continues to belittle teachers in her middle school voice (her words not ours) Yes we are children because we do not teach in 204.
Again, BOE do you see a pattern until we are respected we will not vote for a contract. Annette though she could buy us off by giving enough of us a wage that most could say we are paid like other districts. She counted her votes and lost. Word is she is confused as to why 1100 employees who with the new contract are now paid according to other districts. She asks why would 1100 not vote yes. Many agree the salary schedule can not get fixed in one contract. Yes Annette you did not create the salary schedule issues, WE AGREE. Annette look and listen the working conditions are horrible WE DESERVE A COMBAT bonus.
I suggest you find out why we are mistreated and then talk money. Freezing the administrator wages is a start but you had no problem getting out the broom. Maybe your New Years gift should be a broom. Here is a idea we will give you one if you come to the RALLY
So Superintendent Michael Popp wanted to buy the old Copley building for an Administration building and expected The City to pay for demolition. There where others that wanted to buy the old Copley building and the city didn't give them a ride to demolish it. It would be in the millions to do that. Why would District 131 need so much land for an Administration building. Remember Superintendent Michael Popp would need the approval of The Board Of Education of 131 to do that. We have hundred year old schools that need improvement and this board and superintendent wants a brand new building I think not. Don't believe Annette Johnson cares for the teachers if you do you are a fool.
Maybe someone should look into Gloztbach spending over the years and see how she took her husband on trips.
The district would have demolished the building and there are blue prints on this project. They would have used the excuse they needed a pre school center just like 204. The land would have been dionated with the district footing the bill. It was political pay to play. That is why the stakes had been so large with the last election. Money was spent to keep Laesch off the board he would have exposed them. Popp was promised a long term contract. Remember Hull and Garza owed their jobs to the City.
The current new board members would never have allowed the district to be taken advantage of. The residents and teachers should thank them.
So how exactly is a state certified teacher with a bachelor/masters/doctoral degree in education not qualified? Don't worry, I'll wait for a response. And I think the staff has already explained MANY times why they turned down the contract and voted to strike.
I have never seen such a joke coming from the NEA to AFT. What a waste of dues. When I worked for a neighboring district through NEA, the very first institute day had the union's district president speak, offer to contact him at any time (and he typically replied the same day), and collected personal emails of members immediately to discuss union matters. This was when the district wasn't even in a bargaining year. The EA union is still dispersing vote tallies and some news via district email addresses. Not to mention I had no idea who our EA president was until my second year on the job. I still have not seen her in person, or received a reply to my many emails. Our district president and local union president are unorganized and out of touch (in more ways than one).
We hope to see everyone at the rally and board meeting Monday 01/04 at 5:45 PM at the high school [by the flagpole].
The negotiations involve not just teachers by also office staff [secretaries and clerical] and support staff [everyone from those who do sign language for deaf students to deans' assistants]. This includes those with twelve months contracts and those who get laid off over the summer. The contract is about WAY more than money [though EA teachers and staff are vastly undercompensated compared to surrounding districts {like West Aurora} or Chicago Public Schools], but also involves years of negative past practices, poor or ill-defined language, lack of curriculum, lack of consistency when it comes to discipline, class start times and end times, club stipends not being paid for months, assessment processes, students being taught in hallways/class sizes, etc. Nine out of ten students receive free lunch and breakfast [due to poverty]. 90% of our students are Hispanic, and 5% African American. Because of the ethnic and class democraphics of our population, they have been wholly underserved by the federal and state goverments, as well as the district. The teachers and staff LOVE their kids and work under incredibly difficult conditions to serve both their community and the children entrusted to their care. The staff/teachers of EA are the hearts and souls of District 131 who do everything in their power to help their children fulfill their fullest potential, despite the fact there are those who want to write them off. We ask for the support of the community because our working conditions are the students' learning conditions. If we don't fight for them, who will? If you want to join together with us to struggle for East Aurora students, you can hear staff/teacher/community member/student stories at the rally and board meeting. We need to have higher standards for how the district serves our student population, and how it creates the conditions for working professionals who care for the students. We love EA!
In the last two years since Popp has become Sup the schools have become dangerous to work in. He recently granted a rare meeting with staff although he still had his bodyguard Mark Thruckenbrod present. They basically told teachers we have no idea how to manage our classrooms. They called us liars and bad teachers. This behavior would have never been tolerated by Dr Roberts. Teachers get hit daily, cursed at, sexually harassed and told f**k yourself daily. Drugs are sold in the hallways and gangs have taken over all the Middle Schools an HS. Weapons are turned in several times a month and nothing happens. Fights happen daily and Thruckenbrod just tells us you need to break them up. I dare the BOE to spend one day in our schools. Popp has not. Glotzbach is never seen only Thruckenbrod. He mocks us. We would like the Stonegate residents also to join us.
Many of the problems happen as a result of the Dreams program or Alternative Ed program something Popp changed with the board from hell two years ago. The new board is slowly becoming that. It is time the board looks at pay and working conditions. A beginning teacher may be paid equal to other districts but they leave now for fear of their lives, working conditions and knowing that when you work here five years your salary decreases rapidly.
Dr Popp we understand you recently married and she is a teachers in 204. Would she work at EA?
If that happens to you as a teacher, then you suck as an instructor. 30 years in the District and I have not experienced that. Go to Chicago if you really want to see those types of activities. Better yet, go door to door and sell insurance. You obviously can't teach.
I was just at the board meeting and the turnout was amazing. Great to see so many staff, teachers and community members united! I must say I was very disappointed in the actions of some of the administrators in the front row who I was seated near. Richard Schroeder the director of assessment and accountability was on his phone texting, browsing twitter and showing pictures to the other admins for more than half of the meeting. I can only assume this was on his district issued iPhone. Who would he be texting for work purposes if all the other administrators were present? The board members paid little attention to the speakers except to nod their head or look up from their phones or computer every few minutes. We have to keep up the fight because we are being heard but its still not enough!
.Its a shame that a boe member is posting info on this blog but then again its EA. If the teachers get 20 percent will that make the buildings safer.?Safety was a subject at the candidate forums and the new members all stated how we have to make the schools safer for teachers; sounds like another hollow promise. The post from Work conditions is so far fetched and totally unbelievable;board member with a filthy mouth.The four former BOE members are the ones that did not support Johnson All references to the old board is once again a current member. Laesch could not get elected dog catcher let alone Mayor. He rode Hatchetts coat tail financed by
Not sure what the heck "calling card " is talking about. Anyway, I have been a member of the voting community nearly all my adult life ( over 20 years) and I remember when Laesch ran against Denny Hastert. For a young guy coming out of nowhere, he gave him a good run! Not sure how he was riding Hatchetts coat tail when she was totally unknown to the school community. Unless you mean all those voters over in Stonegate who voted for her because she is one of them, running on the " don't raise my taxes" ticket. Working conditions at the school are not so far fetched. all I can say is.....until you have walked a mile in someone's shoes. The bashing of board members usually starts happening when Madam President does not get her way. I am guessing John Laesch must be causing her some problems, so now he is not worthy of dog catcher. Come on Annette and company, if you spent as much time actually working on communicatiing progress on our district issues as you do trying to manipulate public opinion, you may have a better chance at gaining some respect.
Not sure who is calling John Laesch a Dog Catcher. All of the board members were present at the meeting last night until 1130pm. Sound like it may be a few former board members who lost. Maybe they are jealous of John because he takes on hard issues like not allowing the Mayor of Aurora to dump on EA. Maybe its because John would have not been stupid enough to put a hack PR person in a $140,000 job.
It truly is time to solve this. I am thinking that we must do what was done on the west side a couple decades ago. the people who lived a little west of Orchard wanted to be in West Aurora District 129 instead of Kaneland of which they were part of. They were able to accomplish this. (Now with district 129 approaching 65% on the free breakfast and lunch program, I think some are questioning that decision). Maybe the east side from lets say north from Sheffer Rd and east of High St.( or Mitchell)petition to become part of District 204 or Batavia. That will solve district 131 problems and they won't have to worry about raises as there will be fewer students in the district. fewer students equals fewer problems with safety and all the other bs that is tossed around. Also, the people on this blog will have to pick another straw man to whine about. But this is something to look into as it has been done and it is allowed in the rules to change the physical area of the district.
To the person with a thought. Along with thinking, do a little research. There are many students who live in Aurora, far northeast, that go to Batavia schools. It is very possible they like living in Aurora, but enjoy being part of Batavia, also. So they may not want to be annexed into another district. Is it possible you may be causing those on those boundaries you have drawn, to whine louder if they get put into a higher taxing area. Less students? Do you see the people at the Board meetings from the neighborhood you have cut off for reassigning. Retired old people, and Ms. Hatchett and Ms. Johnson. There are not that many students coming from those areas. That is what they are complaining about. They feel they pay too much into the district and don't even have children in the schools. What they fail to explain is they made that choice to buy into that area, in the not so distant past, and now that the good deal they thought they got, has turned out to be a bad choice, they want a bailout on the backs of our students and their education. They could do like some people tell the teachers, if you don't like it leave!. #EADeservesBetter
Johnson if pressured will fix things and the board who just likes to be in the limelight will let her because they want the teachers to just give them a hug. Central Office news is Johnson wants people to stop coming to meeting and speaking. Johnson will move on money and will push administration to stop harassing us. Johnson does not like anyone but herself and you could tell we are getting to her. Let's organize more speakers and keep the pressure up the board is bending.
On another note Ralph, you may want to find out why Platt Electric was paid $600 to take down a flag from the Popp PR campaign.
To: Centeal News Annette Johnson is getting worried because she's seeing the REAL East Aurora community getting organized. Stonegate is NOT East Aurora. They vote regularly and have barely been able to keep Annette on the board but she knows that it could easily change at the next election. The community is beginning to see what this board has been doing. They are starting to get informed. There were teachers passing information to the community on how to run for the school board. If this keeps up, the REAL East Aurora will replace every person on the board. They will do what it takes to care for their children. This community is slow to stir but they are a force when they get organized. It's a very close knit community. I'm sure Annette will be coming out with a better offer soon. It better bring the teachers up to West Aurora or she will be done.
Date: January 7, 2016 To: Board of Education East Aurora Dist 131 Subject: EHS Driver Ed Simulators $165,865.00 Purchase - Doron Precisions Systems
Timeline 2015
8-24 Purchase Order Created for Doron
8-17 Requisition for PO awarding Doron $ 165K Note: Requisition has Dennis Renner’s name printed Was Dennis already on Sick Leave Who approved the Requisition Req created when quote received from ECA Group
8-17 Received Price Quote from ECA Group 8-07 Received Price Quote from Doron Precision
Questions/Comments
WHY DID THIS NOT GO OUT FOR PUBLIC BID THE BOARD OF ED NEVER APPROVED THIS PURCHASE
1 Where is the Purchase Approval Log (It doesn’t exist) 2 Are there emails identifying who handled this purchase 3 Did Principal Anthony Crespo approve the Requisition 4 What was Crespo’s role in this purchase 5 Where is Christi Tyler in all of this 6 Wasn’t Mark Truckenbrod overseeing the High School Activities
Again Purchasing Violations have surfaced on a larger scale
How long will this Board of Ed tolerate those individuals whom are responsible for insuring that Taxpayer Dollars are being spent responsibly
The community has woke, I hope they now see
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Annette likes having the power. She believes she can manipulate anyone to do her bidding. She has done so....often. Her manipulation has required her to lie. Lies about her abilities, lies about other people. She wants to look like everyone's hero in hopes of being re-elected to the Board and as the Board president. The most current lie is her attempt to look like she is the main one trying to give the teachers a fair contract. She sees the support the teachers have from the community. If she can take credit for giving the teachers a better offer, she thinks that will ace her re-election. I hope people have wised up to her manipulation and no longer give her credit for accomplishments in this district. Hopefully, people now realize how far back and how often SHE was in the middle of all the problems with insurance, maintenance, and many of the embarrassments our district has had to deal with. Thank you, Ms. Johnson.....I will give you total credit for being one of the main players causing the many failures in 131. As much as I support the teachers, I will support a campaign to not allow you to be re- elected to the Board.
The main player in ruining the EA school district is not one person it has been many. Annette has had many accomplishments and I support her. Look to the failures of the schools from community leaders like Mayor Weisner who took all the land and built the police station ans Rivers Edge park taking millions off the tax roles. Let us not forget the Bigalow/Shodean fiasco. Look to Linda Chapa Lavia who's husband benefited from the insurance scam and Linda herself who cheated the schools out of 40 million in State dollars.
Annette should continue to support her Stonegate residents the people who teachers have speaking can't vote. She should remember us the REAL TAXPAYERS of 131
I am a proud Annette supporter and my PE class received funds from 165. We also have free camps throughout the summer for kids from all ages. Recently Thruckenbrod and Garcia stated the district would discontinue the programs or children would have to pay. Some of us questioned if the had known about this. There was a long pause and we have not heard anything else. My guess is they are afraid of the board namely Johnson. If it makes sense for kids Johnson has been for it.
taxpayer I is correct, you must be a citizen to vote in any election- including local elections. One has to wonder how much of the overcrowding is due to non citizens enrolled in the school district. One has to wonder why the city does not enforce the zoning and occupancy requirements in the school district, also. One has to wonder why some residences have not been classified 'condemned". If the above issues were addressed, we probably could eliminate a substantial amount of teaching positions and possibly close some of the older school buildings. These would be helpful for the budget and we could finally get rid of the really bad and uneducated teachers who make life truly unbearable for the students and their parents. Yes, the true EA community is really tight and this community has been here quite a long time.
Ralph, could you look into why the city has not enforced the zoning and occupancy requirements. This would go a long way to addressing the real underlying issues of the district. Also Ralph, could you see how many retired teachers knew they were not paying what they should have for the health insurance and how long they knew it before all that came out in the open. Thanks in advance, Ralph.
Didn't the district sell the land to a developer first at a low price and when they couldn't build on it sold it to the City for more than they paid? The Mayor did not take that land he bought it. Although they did take one business for Rivers Edge I don't believe it generated a lot of taxes. There are a lot of free programs for children around the city and really it is only free for the students not the district they have to pay teachers for run it. Also it is not Annette Johnson it is the whole board that approves these things. Did Annette Johnson make the Administrator's pay back the mis use of money on credit cards? No she didn't and from what I hear there was many charges for personal use and some charges without receipts which is against the law. All she did after the article in the Beacon was take them away.
it is interesting Strand claims she is for the teachers. She smiles and tells the teachers how concerned she is then she has private meeting at the SSC with Popp. The other six board members have no idea what she is up too. Is she not the one who voted for Hanley? Something big will come out about her soon and everyone will realize who she is. Everyone who is a teacher needs to unfriend her. . She has provided Popp with teachers names and complaints about administration. Be very careful on Facebook with posts.
Sour grapes, if you listen to John Laesch you would know he is a tax and spend flaming liberal; he and Johnson cannot be more opposite. I've been at every meeting since Johnson was put back in office as president and she has not voted no on any bills. Asking questions and. Voting no like she didf are two different things. All the grandstanding came to an abrupt end once she was pres again. Ralph continues to point out new purchasing issues that have remain consistently for years. Johnson did not create the purchasing mess but she has not fixed it either. This has been going on long before her time but was exposed in the last 5 years. Whoever is thinking about Johnson feeling the pressure obviously is making a misinformed statement . She has persevered through mostly bad times and keeps standing. That real community you refer to will not be voting in 17 . Last election she had Chapa Lavia endorsement and she will have it again especially since the mayors election will coincide ; politicians make strange bedfellows and the two of them love to bloviate about whatever.
Date: January 8, 2016 To: Board of Education East Aurora Dist 131 Subject: Motivational Speaker Costs
Dear Board of Education
Attached are invoices for “Motivational Speaker” at East High Sept Red & Black Assembly. Credit card used by Principal Anthony Crespo for payment
Gabe Salazar $ 4,675.19 Misc Per List of Bills $ 240.00
Total $ 4,915.19
Questions/Comments
I am NOT opposed to Motivational Speakers HOWEVER I am questioning the following
1 In previous years were there speakers brought in and paid this amount for Red & Black 2 I find it very difficult to believe that someone is not available locally to speak as a courtesy or substantially lesser amount 3 There is a teacher contract unresolved at this time & someone decides to pay $ 5k for this 4 Does anyone understand the importance of using local resources and individuals to assist in putting together a quality program without “WASTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS”
Board of Ed: Please inform Anthony Crespo there is a FINANCIAL CRISIS
Here is a recap of Mr Crespo’s 2016 compensation package
Wow. I cannot believe that someone is complaining about bringing in a top notch nationally known speaker for the students at 131. This is what our students need. They need to experience the best, just like the veterans day event. Just because the kids may not come from big money families doesn't mean that they should not be exposed to someone that just might make that difference in their lives. The kids should be exposed to this melting pot called America and realize that it can be for them also if the assimilate and work hard. Look at the number of students enrolled in NJROTC. What is it, 1/3 of the school?? They are looking for leaders. We all know that the teachers are not leaders and these events are way to far and few between. The teachers not having a contract is NOT a financial crisis. Ralph, don't you dare say these kids are not worth it because these kids may not come from families with money. How dare you imply they are worthless. No wonder why the administrators get paid the money they do as they have to put up with people complaining about events like this.
The only thing that should be condemned is East High. The ceilings are sagging with water leaking there are garbage cans to collect it in the middle of the hallway. There is visible black mold all over the Freshman Center and the roof by the freshman center has visible structural damage letting in moisture. This is over a year old, probably longer. The Little Theater was so overtaken by mold that it remained sealed for a year; there are two special ed classrooms directly across from the Little Theater kids and teachers report feeling sick and unable to breathe on a daily basis. Our kids and teachers suffer from respiratory and flu- like symptoms all year long. These issues have been present for years, they are not a secret but District 131 does not value the teachers and students as long as they can spend 40,00 for raises and 30,000 for a flag ceremony, while we are being poisoned.
I am very careful what I post on Facebook; basically I will only post if I'm okay with the whole world reading/seeing it. And I'm not about to unfriend someone who is a fellow D131 parent, even if I disagree with some of her views.
The old Italian saying applies in this case: Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.
It's about the money, not whether our kids deserve to hear a motivational speaker
said...
Unreal, can't you read??
Ralph says "I am NOT opposed to motivational speakers".
His objection is to the considerable EXPENSE of hiring a speaker. His concern is that our (taxpayers) money is spent responsibly. When a district is in financial crisis it is prudent to challenge every questionable and/or unnecessary expense.
5 thousand dollars here, 10 thousand there...that's REAL MONEY for most of us taxpayers. I commend Ralph for continuing to investigate how our money is spent.
BYRD IS DEMANDED BACK! The EA high school teachers are rallying together and putting a petition to bring back Spencer Byrd as the next superintendent. The educational improvements he accomplished working TOGETHER with his staff in two years is exactly what D131 needs as a vision for the entire district.
East Aurora School District 131 Special Monday, January 11, 2016 6:30 PM School Service Center - 417 Fifth Street, Aurora, IL I. Roll Call II. Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing the Appointment, Employment and Dismissal of a Specific Employee and Negotiations III. Public Comments/Questions IV. Adjournment
I heard the Board did not like Bryds approach to some things. I think they could have overlooked a few things considering all the positive change that came under his term as principal. Maybe the Board forgot to look at the whole picture. :( As a parent, I would love to see him return. Not so sure he would consider it.
The BOE needs to be aware. Thruckenbrod under the orders of Popp has decided to address issues in the PE department he is blaming Renner and telling everyone certain PE teachers need to be remediated. This is the same issue that cost Jessica Brummel her job. Stand up to Popp, try to make this a better place to work and you will get fired.
The BOE needs to take action or teachers and the community will walk. The community has your backs and if Arroyo, or Laesch think they have future plans they will not get elected dog catcher.
I heard the old board put Crespo in and Popp put Crespos family in front of them. The old board had the votes and stopped the new board from having a chance to review his qualifications. There was a letter sent to the new board by teachers asking by qualification who would you hire. All of them but Strand supported Byrd. I also heard there are emails from Johnson to Popp asking him to not give Hanley a raise or hire Crespo. I also heard Laesch, Darby and Arroyo asked Popp to allow them the chance vote on new Principal. Popp refused and now everything has backfired. We need to petition that Strand resign she has supported Popp's poor choices. Many of us helped her and held coffees for her. She said she would be our and now we are bullied and administration got the money that should have gone to teachers.
Just because you heard there were letters to Popp does not mean it's accurate. A prudent individual would not spread unsubstantiated hearsay; produce the letters. Ralph please FOIA Popps email or better yet Johnson should produce the letters. Please reference your information; preferably peer reviewed documents not Wikipedia.
Johnson did not vote for Hanley along with Leonard that was public. As for Laesch, and Darby I know that they supported Byrd. I will take your word for Arroyo that he did as well. Why did the old board hire Crespo they were not going to be around. Strand is a disappointment for teachers and should resign.
If the administration is harrassing members of the negotiating team (and I KNOW that they have), then Sara and the union should be filing an unfair labor practices charge against the district. It's ILLEGAL to harrass an employee for excercising their union rights. If Sara refuses to protect the negotiating team who are representing us, the membership, then she (and Local 604) are deliberately aiding the district. It is so clear that Sara, Carla and Dick Manley are the issue. We need to make a clean sweep from all three of them.
It is also inexcusable that Sara refuses to share with the membership any information about negotiations. She has even refused to inform the membership of what our demands were going into the negotiations with the district. It has been established that Sara signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU's) was illegal. After getting caught, she acknowledged that she would not do it again. She then made the agreement, a written or verbal MOU, with the district that she would keep negotiations private. This can only serve to give the district an unfair advantage over the employees. The board and administration are fully informed of the negotiation proceedings but the membership is kept in the dark. Why would our union president deliberately choose to put the membership at a disadvantage unless she has made a backroom deal for her own benefit? It has been the same thing going on for years in District 131.
Adam Harding - As soon as the bad contract was signed switched to the administrative team with a big raise. Worse, after turning on the membership, Local 604 hired him with a six figure salary. If that doesn't tell you that the union is in bed with the district, nothing will.
Mary Dudzienski - Was receiving a salary from the district of $145,000 a year when she was union president. The top of the salary schedule at that time was $75,000. What was the district paying her the extra money for? Yet again, another terrible contract for teachers.
Carla Hettinger - Another one who went to Local 604 with a six figure salary after making sure that we were screwed on a contract.
Local 604 is nothing but dues collectors. We are told that our union dues (nearly a million dollars a year) goes for representation in Springfield but the truth is, it goes for the high salaries of Local 604 reps. Did you know that $300,000 of your union dues goes to Dick Manley's salary? Yet we are then told that there is no money to bring in a lawyer to protect our legal rights. If you really want to pissed off, ask Sara how much money in union dues she spent to bring that financial expert (really just a teacher from Joliet) in to tell us we shouldn't ask for a pay increase. It will make you sick when you find out how much. If they had thousands of dollars to pay him to tell us not to ask for a fair wage they should have spent it on an attorney to represent us.
Annette Johnson and several other board members keep saying that they can not fix a contract that took so many years to mess up? What they don't say is that it has been the district and corrupt union leaders that have created this situation. It appears obvious that if the district has underpaid it's teachers and staff for decades they should have a huge reserve of cash from their savings. And as we all know they are sitting on over $80 million in reserves and received $17.5 million dollars more this year than they did last year (The budget last year $184 million, this year $202 million) It would only take about ten million to pay us all a fair and competitive wage. If they are not paying teachers a fair salary, it is by their choice, NOT because of the financial condition of the district. That is why the board and district are so against arbitration. If a fair and impartial arbitor were brought in, they would mandate that the district pay us a fair wage. They know that Sara is in their back pocket and they will be able to screw the teachers once again. It is way past time to stand up and demand what's fair.
It is a good thing you are not teaching accounting or anything related to running, managing or even just being an employee in any organization in the real world. You truly have no clue what you are talking about when it comes to budgets, financials, reserves, unions or operations of any organization. Unfortunately, you don't really know what even an employee should be doing. Sad, but I don't think anyone could teach you as your mind is filled with so much hate for the truth. The truth of the matter is that district 131 is trying to correct the corruption, scandals, and illegal acts of the teachers. Students that cannot read, cannot string together coherent sentences and cannot apply basic math are the scandals to focus on. Please accept as fact that you are being paid a fair wage for your results. Please go stand united in the corner of the room and take a time out. Such children......
There is a petition Anette Johnson asked for help on. We will give the board that help however I think the presentation of EA was overkill.
We do not need a 40 million dollar renovation. We do need more classrooms, and a larger band room. We also need new locker rooms and the heating system fixed. Some of us feel like breaking out the swim suits while others can see their breath. Many of us have to trip over the buckets. Yes the hallways are crowded but we have told everyone for years dating back to administrative crony Joe Harmond that freshman can follow a different bell schedule. We understand the cash reserves issue and if they are planning on spending 40 million that would take away from students.
The petition will now get circulated asking for zero interest QSAB bonds. So Anette we will help you make EA a better place but we will hold the entire board accountable about properly spending money. Shame on us that we did not pay attendtion when Mary Dubzienski screwed us over years ago. Both Radocvich and Roberts kept her in a job for years on top of her bloated pension. We also want a voice is fixing overcrowding at EA. I am a old timer and I remember the back room deals with Larry Mel-liqueur and his entertainment at the "cave". Popp reminds me of the same in his treatment of teachers. Remember what do they have in common. They are both named Mike. We will watch because YES I agree we are all part of making EA better.
You are obviously the one without a clue. We don't teach widgets that are all purchased with the same dimensions and simply assembled. These are children, living beings with all different needs and strengths. They come from English as a second language families. Many come from gang backgrounds or drug addiction. We have schools that have populations that are over 50% special education and you call the teachers who serve these children failures and claim that they are corrupt because these challenged students don't fair as well on a standardized test as those that come from affluent communities with highly educated parents?
I also have to tell you that no other occupation has to deal with these outrageous one size fits all standards. All businesses aren't held to the same standard. If they were, any business that didn't have the trillion dollars that Apple is worth would be rated as failing. If a doctor that treated cancer patients was considered a failure if his patients didn't have a survival rate as high as a pediatrician, nobody would go into that field. It is quite the opposite, doctors who deal with the most challenging patients are the ones who make the most money.
You are certainly one warped and demented individual. As far as I'm concerned, these teachers are heroes and should be making top dollar, not being bashed by cheap, ignorant bastards like you.
Frankly, with your attitude, it's fairly obvious that you are one of those warped, frustrated old men who live in Stonegate. All I can say is I pray that you meet Jesus soon.
To lean forward: now bend over and grab your ankles. You deserve a swift kick. The teachers work can only be done as well as possible with the tools they are given to do their job. You wouldn't give a carpenter a rock and expect him to build a quality shed pounding nails with it. If teachers are given no curriculum or support and expected to work in overcrowded rooms or in hallways, you can't expect the best quality education. As a parent, I think they are doing a great job given they are working against the negative current of the administration and a non productive school board.
The district and the union are obviously world's apart on what they deem fair. Popp wrote a letter about fairness and keeping the students in school. The board claimed they want to work with the teachers, their hands are tied, but it's all about the students. The solution is obvious. They need to prove they want the kids in school and go to arbitration. There can be no strike. The union may not get the wages they hope for, but we know an impartial person will not give more than the district can sustain. The union will agree to this because they want to know what a fair contract truly is, and they want to keep the students in school. Annette Johnson, Mike Popp, and the rest of the district negotiating team need to back up their hollow words and ask for arbitration. If they will not make this offer, then you have all the proof you need: They are liars who don't give a darn about their employees or their students.
There is The Illinois School Code that the district should of been following for years that they don't. The Board of D131 had their own policies that the Administration should be following what is so hard about that that D131 and The Superintendent make it happen? Where I work we have to take an Ethics Class every year and sign a paper saying we will follow the rules about spending. The Board of 131 and the Superintendent need to make the Administration of D131 accountable and it shouldn't be hard. Who is watching the spending before any thing is bought? That is part of the IL School Code and you would think that since they got caught by the Department of Education the Board of 131 would know they need to watch things.
The school board has been productive all but one( Strand). I have been attending meetings since the district change in leadership. The level of presentations are poor and without direction. It seems the leadership under Popp doesnot want to share information with the board or they do not know how to run the district therefore they do not know how to put basic presentations together.
The old board made poor decisions and put everyone in a bad position. Hiring Crespo, giving Hanley a big raise, spending money on the extension campus (that is not used), no Curiculum, allowing secretive plans of an administrative center was to name a few. The board must understand they offered teachers less than 1% and then gave Hanley a $40,000 raise. My take is different the new board inherited a mess.
Crespo is a bad choice he does not hold a Illinois teaching certification and has no experience. Why would someone who was not having his contract renewed at his former district be given a job in EA. He in front of staff has called students well stacked. It was reported to Thuckenbrod who in usual fashion called the teacher a liar and took Crespo's word for it. She needed to leave and find another job. She also reported payroll violations against Popps 204 connection in the AD job. This is to name a few. Board members need to ask for Brummels exit interview. It is my understanding Popp and Thuckenbrod never shared this calling teachers liars.
It was also reported Popp told union members they will be evaluated and let go if they do not teach the curriculum given to them or if the proper number of evaluations are not preformed. Does anyone see a pattern. This reportly happened with Johnson and Hatcher present. Does the board not see a pattern. What if the are not in the room. The board needs to be aware of the bully behavior that is present.
Ea should derserve better than Popp and his cronies. Let's hope the rumors are true and the board will not consider keeping him for the duration of his contract. Let's hope he is now feeling the way teachers feel never ours and anxious about their jobs.
I have a heavy heart for EA today. I have worked for EA for fifteen plus years and am paid $12,000 less than my friends working in other districts. I have helped shape both of Ms Strands son's education and yes they are good students but they have taken advantage of all this district has to offer. It shows it is not the teachers but the environment at home. I have also shaped many other children with not such good home environments. Their futures no matter how hard are better because we have given up so much.
Ms Strand professed she would work to make EA a better place for teachers. Many of us believed as a Christian she would not lie. She claimed a new superintendent would fix all and we believed her. Ms Strand made us believe Dr Popp was all that and a bag of chips. Three years later retaliation, job loss, no Curiculum, no classroom supplies and the Matt Hanley raise kicked us in the gut. Yes, some of these problems existed with Dr Roberts in terms of no Curiculum and supplies but not to this extent. He would have never put his image over teachers and he had an open door. Dr Popp has shut the door pushing us off to Glotzbach or Thuckenbrod. Then only to face more retribution.
Ms Strand however will graduate her son's with Ivy League degrees and they will never "want". The other children that Ms Strand has forgotten will still be taken care of by the unappreciated EA teachers. While Ms Strand worries about Dr Popp and Matt Hanleys six figure salaries we go without a wage increase. It was recently disclosed when confronted by what she though are community members she told them "teachers in EA are paid well" and she goes on to state "they don't know what we are paying them". The community members turned out to be support staff. No Ms Strand we know what we are being paid and as long as you continue to treat us badly and not allow arbitration we will feel like we are being cheated. We do not trust anymore you have made us lose trust. We believed you!
It also turns out that while the other board members are working to improve the district she votes no for more money and continues to worry about Popp. I wonder how you sleep.
Just a reminder: any comments not identified are automatically directed into the spam file. If you have written a comment that does not appear on the blog, please make sure you have identified yourself. You can call yourself "EA", "Me", or even "Anonymous1" if you want, but you must click on "Name/URL". Otherwise you've wasted your time because your comment will be considered spam.
Um.... I work at the Extension Campus, along with other staff. Class is held with teachers and students. It exists and it is being used.... just so you are aware. Come by and visit some time.
Complaining on EA Rank and File is at your own risk. The blog allows for a secure place to share information and stories without posting our names. Let us remember some union members are being targeted by crony principals of Glotzbach and Thruckenvrod. The board as well as many teachers and community members can publically see what is happening. Administrations names can be called out publically and maybe they will think twice about retaliation. Many of us have also accidently believed Strand was our friend therefore we friended her.on Facebook. Some of us are not careful about keeping our posts confidential and know Strand is sharing. Please let's start sharing as a safe and secure place on the blog.
Click on name/URL and then name Put in a title its that simple
The Extension campus has less than 40 students attend on a daily basis. Try teaching at any real school in the district when it is impossible to find subs and we get students from other grades. PE classes become holding areas with 50 plus students in attendance daily. Try controlling students that should be at the Extension campus and have been mainstreamed into our buildings that are already overcrowded. Try getting by with NO social workers because the population is so large that services are needed.
Sorry,I am sure the students are very challenging but visit EA middle schools one day and experience a real school experience.
Too bad that it is against the law to show the files of teachers who have "issues" and have been reprimanded for their offensive conduct while teaching. One cannot count the times on this site that someone posts some "truth" and has to be corrected for the actual lie that was posted about some administrator or board member. Maybe under the anonymity of this blog the real truth about teacher behavior will come out, so the public will see that it is not the supposed booger man - the administration - but the teachers that are destroying the schools. maybe this can be a "safe" site to "share" what the teachers are really doing during the day instead of teaching. After reading this blog over the years, I can conclude that the teachers themselves have not left high school mentally as their behavior as seen thru their writing on this blog is just plain childish and full of high school games.
Must be Hanley earning his $140,000 salary defending the honor of Dr Popp. Tooooooooo bad they will both face the same uncertain future their reign of terror has infllected on teachers and administration. Hope to see Glotzbach, and Crespo join them.
Matt your prose (if I can call it that) is so transparent. My colleagues and I work our asses off while I see division chairs and admins flit about, conversing all day. Must be nice to have so much free time. All of the teachers I know bust their asses, trying to give great lessons while in the midst of stultifying Danielson paperwork, and having people like you conducting McCarthy like tactics with their lives and their careers. That you are spending 1% of your overpaid day spying on co-workers should earn you a rail right out of Illinois. And don't be a hog, share some space on that log for Trukenbrod, Crespo, Glotzbach and of course Popp!!!
"To Games are Over": You have revealed yourself by your ACTIONS and your tacky, untrue comments. The truth is this administration and BOE cares more about lining their own pockets and that of their friends. Their ride on the EA gravy train is about over. We trusted some of you and bought your lies. No more ! You are wolves in sheeps' clothing.
We, who truly care about the students continue to buy supplies and materials out of our own pockets. (Those of you on the BOE who are telling the community members otherwise are misinformed or lying.) You are intoxicated by power. You choose to create your own reality so you can sleep at night.
I will continue to pour all I have into the children because this is my career, my passion, my mission, my purpose.
Don't count the BOE out they are listening we need to keep telling them what is really going on. The lies come from administration when I have talked with BOE members it was clear they did not know.
Do not speak with Strand or Leonard they are anti teacher but we need to keep sharing. We are starting to see positive movement but we need to stay united!
The blog and Facebook pages have been filled with many stories of the teachers and their hard work. The individuals posting have been able to include their names and that is the way it should be. However there is a story lost in the writings. The story of a 131 administrator.
We have been portrayed as greedy, overpaid and retaliatory. Many of us are not overpaid, in fact we average 12 hour days and a fair comparison of salary reveals a salary disparity in neighboring districts of $20,000. Mr Brouch , a principal who has worked tireless hours with his family serving the needy families of 131 and will retire only making $105,000. We have also had our wages frozen, and receive only 2% last year. It is true the central office staff is vastly overpaid. This year alone we are taking the full blame for Matt Hanley. Matt's entire raise was in many cases 50% of our salary. We pay insurance and have now been working for less because of increases. We also have 12 month contracts.
In regards to retiliation nobody is feared more than Joan Glotzbach. The wrath of constant evaluations, and yes we have three evaluators which include Waddle (a AP herself last year), Thruckenbrod and Glotzbach. We have been told by the as for memtioned to turn the heat up on teachers. Many our paralyzed with fear following a board meeting because of teacher speakers. We are told to stop information coming to the board. The sad truth is many have received displine because of your comments. D131 is no longer a collbertive environment that era iretired with Dr Roberts.
We can hope rumors are true and the board follows through. A couple other thoughts for Mat Hanley, Joan Glotzbach, Mark Thruckenbrod, Sarah Waddle and Dr Popp. Please resign soon so the district can pick up the pieces. Please remember serving low income children is the first charge we have been entrusted with. Your tenure has ruined the sprit of education this year. To the teachers continue to speak at less however disfunctional you do have a contract protecting your rights. We do not!
If I were a Martian and had no knowledge of School District 131 other than this blog here is what I would think about the district. The teachers are crybullies. The teachers don't give anyone a chance to set their sea legs under them. - Within 2 weeks of the new board being elected they were jumped on. The new EA High Principal only on the job since August apparently sucks also. The teachers don't want to teach, all they want to do is complain and intimidate the people trying to improve the district. The teachers don't believe that education is the great equalizer for impoverished peoples. This blog gives the impression that the teachers want to hold the students back and don't want the students to improve past their current status of being downtrodden. The teachers are clueless as to why new administrators coming in are demanding hefty salaries to deal with them. Here is a clue...Look in the mirror. As a Martian I would also need to know about the booger man.
To the Martian. I am afraid upon your entry into this atmosphere you contracted a number of malfunctions. You seem to have tunnel vision, selective reading abilities and the inability to retain information that has been given to you in detail. May I suggest, you remain on your planet, as I do not think you would survive long in the real world of education. Maybe you could try writing......fiction would probably be a good choice.
Spaceman sounds like a Space Cadet. It is obvious that they have an agenda and are only nitpicking the few comments they choose to see. It's no wonder we have issues in this district.
Been teaching in district 13 years. Love it here. Wish I made more. Think I deserve to make more. Knew what I was getting into, but a lot of outsiders don’t understand challenges of being a teacher. Wanted to be at last rally but couldn’t make it. Hope to make next one so I can ask-- Why is Mrs. Johnson BRAGGING about giving away two million dollars? Don’t think its been asked of board. Haven’t heard about it. Why would they give away two million dollars? Mrs Johnson wrote a check for two million dollars to lower tax bills of people who call us failures. Mrs Johnson said their tax bills were too high. A two million dollar buy off? Let’s say there are two thousand EA employees. Could have been one thousand dollars for every employee. Instead a hundred dollars for people living in three hundred thousand dollar homes who probably pay about the same in taxes as me and have no students. One thousand extra dollars won’t make me even with WA but a good start. Or give it to kids! Want us to ask state for money and Mrs Johnson brags about giving it away. Why. Wasn’t this money from referendum community approved and I knocked on doors for? Did two million $$ help EA students or staff? Nope. Didn’t even help our buildings! Helped a bunch of people board needed to impress to get elected. Needs of people with no students put AHEAD of EA kids. Mrs Johnson should be ashamed bragging about that. Raises for all of us were FLUSHED for a political game. And then she’s saying there could be more millions given away. I say no way. Two million dollar buy off. Not right. Need to tell Mrs Johnson she should be ashamed.
Maybe the 13 year teacher should move here and pay the taxes. However the 13 year teacher would never educate her children here. So SHUT UP. Look at your test scores you should pay us back.
Yes Matt, going through the approved channels for remediation with our union makes us crybullies. How about you stop blappin' about something you know nothing about, which is teaching in an over-crowded gang-infiltrated mess. You sit in your bully pulpit; we know you are "brains" behind Popp's letter, he must be so happy with you about that fiasco. I know, I know, Matt we are the absolute scourge of teacherdom. Instead of showing solidarity with the staff, and at least presenting the face of professionalism; our administrators have been on attack mode against their over-worked talented staff since they came on board. Never in my 27 plus days have I seen such blatant hostility, and just plain bad manners. And Annette, if your support can be bought off for 2 million, your writing checks to the wrong people.
Johnson was not the only board member to vote for the tax rebate they all did. It proves we go to the meetings and complain and action happens. The people from Stonegate got the board elected and they responded. The teachers brought the community out and the board responded.
We need to keep the pressure until certain district administrators are gone. It is a start with Popp.
Hey Matt we know you wrote the letter from hell are you now working on Popp's formal resignation or your own resume.
Popp was heard telling Thruckenbrod and Hanley he can't to get out of 131. Good news Dr Popp we can't wait either. Everyone worked together and Dr Roberts said hello daily to us grunts. Many of us have never talked with Popp other than to get out of his way when he visits the real superintendents office Glotzbach.
Popp was heard saying only one BOE member knows her place. Central Office knows who that is. Ms Strand do us a favor and leave with Popp. Knows her place, Really?
A teacher(who will remain nameless) said to another teacher (who will remain nameless)that he/she was tired and did not want to teach anymore today. A third teacher (who will remain nameless) chimed in and said that there are days that he/she does not like teaching at district 131 as the students are unruly. Then a fourth teacher(who will remain nameless) said that he/she does not really know the third teacher as they don't usually talk with each other. Then a fifth teacher(who will remain nameless) said the he/she likes spaghetti.
This is news, my friends, This is news.......You heard it here first...... what a pile of......Central news go do something meaningful.......This blog and its trivial slobber..........
What you are describing is called "shop talk". Teachers come in at a certain energy level, give their all, get called whores and bitches, still care, buy their kids clothes and school supplies, especially those that walk in these temperatures, have kids tell us they hate us hate school "I'm hungry, give me food," kids are throwing up, coughing up a lung, get sent back to class, there's nothing wrong with this kid, etc... We get 24 minutes to eat lunch, most of us tell funny stories about our students, whom we love, but yes, occasionally Matt, on those days when we are slammed with all of the above we may say... I AM TIRED... shoot me Matt. And Annette how about 2 million in the kitty to pay for student busing? just a thought. I know you both care for the students and the teachers so deeply...
To step right up. Whats your point. My point is we are being worn down morally from this whole fiasco. I just want this to come to an agreement that we can all luvw with. If you are going to give me a raise, I just want to see the advancement on my take home. Right now what we are offered won't even civer the jacked up insurance rates that have been issued. Also where is our lane step. The district expects us to continue as if all is well. It's not. All is not well, we're being screwed and asked to bend over and tke more how much moe do you think we the staff will take before we totally fight back. This is getting crazy. Lets settle this board and rank and file, one way or another.
Annette does care and so do her fellow board members. Let's all remember none of them hired Popp or gave Hanley his raise EXPECT Strand. Let's remember all of them voted for the tax reduction. DO YOU KNOW WHY! If you complain enought they respond stop complaining and they stop listening.
There are rumors galore circulating that the Superintendent has been informed that his employment as Superintendent is over. Rumors such as this, are very distracting and causes much harm at EA. Is it true or not? A reminder that Popp works for the Board NOT VICE VERSA.
It is in the best interest of District 131 to have the Superintendent issue a statement concerning his employment status as soon as possible. Nothing in detail just an acknowledgment. Why is it an option for him make an announcement. For the sake of TRUE TRANSPARENCY PLEASE DO IT
Lets review 2015
One of his major controversial acts was the promotion and substantial raise to Matt Hanley resulting in a very offensive slap in the face to the teachers who still don’t have a signed contract. You pushed this appointment through knowing 4 new Board were being sworn in that same evening. I am sure the vote would have been 6 – 1 against this appointment.
I have requested numerous times for a copy of Matt Hanley’s and High School Principal Anthony Crespo to no avail. I am guessing that they do not exist.
Mike Popp: Did you admit to Dist 131 attorney Bernie Weiler that this appointment was a mistake? YES OR NO. This decision is one of the major issues to this day. We teach our children to own up to their mistakes, and adults are no exception. Do you ever plan to own up to this. Why do you allow Matt Hanley to continue creating bad Public Relations for the District and its teachers.
And then there is the 204 connection. You hired Sara Waddell a former Asst Principal to Mark Truckenbrod to the position of Asst Superintendent Teaching & Learning. Quite a jump from AP to Asst Superintendent 100K – 145K Another nice pay increase
Last but not least how about the former Asst Superintendent Human Resources Joan Glotzbach’s Teacher Evaluation Certification?
Isn’t it true she was finally certified in 2015. Does this void out all evaluations she did all these years.
TO Board President Annette Johnson:
The last time I was here, Mark Truckenbrod and Matt Hanley escorted me out of the High School as I was considered a SECURITY RISK. If I promise to be a good boy can I leave on my own
You're a "security risk"? That's a good one. Why does Truckenbrod have this security guard/bouncer reputation? Doesn't he have a real job to do? What a turd burglar. Let's not forget that finding a new superintendent (if that is what needs to occur this year) is no easy, quick task. The board needs to make a committee and possibly hire a consulting firm (although I consider such firms to be a joke) ASAP. If this process has already been started, then we also need to know that NOW.
Yes Ralph was a security risk that night. Mark and Matt actually assisted him and prevented Ralph from certain death and stopped the stampeding of the mob that was at the meeting. As you know, Ralph is a rather short person.(Remember the song Short People by Randy Newman. " They got little hands and little eyes and they walk around tellin great big lies...") As there was such a large crowd that night, it was thought that Ralph was going to be trampled to death by the crowd so he created the security risk that people would fall and hurt themselves tripping over Ralph's body.. Remember, there were so many people that they had to change the venue to the auditorium. Also, I do remember Ralph saying he was scared to death that night and soiled himself or something. So that was the story........"Don't want no short people round here"....
it sounds like Matt has been been up overtime writing public relations articles for Mike Popp in the Beacon and responding to Ralph. Why did you not tell the readers of the Beacon Matt that Popp and yourself have taken much needed dollars away from educating children and lined your pockets. I you really care about the students then donate your overpaid wages to teachers who care about them. Your a fraud as you leave the service center everyday before at 430 and drive to Naperville not thinking twice about the students of EA.
Mr Padron had every right to attend a meeting in a public building and I hope he keeps all of the work he has done and forwards to future schools districts that you may try to work for someday. We would hate to have other school districts go through what EA has gone through under your community relations and your leadership Dr Popp
Everyone knows Popp values his image more than the children or teachers of EA. That is why he put the high price tag on Hanley. Hanley's position in Popps egocentric mind is worth more than education.
Here is a suggestion Dr Popp and Matt Hanley spend time on your resumes and not photo ops in the newspaper.
You still don't get it do you. We are going to have to pay even more than what the administrators are being paid right now as they are replaced. Anyone with even one tenth of a brain who reads this blog and sees the severely warped and perverted attitude of the teachers and staff will demand twice what Popp is being paid and probably three times what Handley is being paid to put up with the zombies while trying to bring East Aurora out of the shackles of real backwater thinking. These kids deserve the type of education that is being given in 204 and other districts. Not the sorry excuse of education that is being served up at East. the teachers in 131 just want to give the kids enough to make the literate. You should probably go to the JNROTC department and ask how they teach, as that is the only area in 131 that seems to know how to actually get across to the kids. The article in the paper was a great article but you cannot even give credit to people that are actually trying to accomplish something. What arrogant arseholes you are.
We know its you Matt many of us at the SSC have heard Popp, Thruckenbrod, and Glotzbach during the past year make those types of comments about the hard working staff of EA.
And, Glotzbach please keep your designer dog pictures to yourself WE DON'T care for many its the cost of two months salary. We are counting the days until you are gone.
Disappointed but not shocked...... Matt I am so tired of your assaults on teachers of D131. You are clueless. We need to give the kids the same great education they receive from 204? Then first let's hire all of the failed and about to be fired hacks that were being tossed out for our district. Next, let's get rid of the gangs, poverty and social and economic issues that d2014 never has had to deal with. Let's also get rid of the illiteracy among our parents, which prevents them from reading to their children at a young age, the largest factor in literacy among young people. Let's give the teachers a viable curriculum, not make them piece together something after hours and during Institute Days which are supposed to be used for professional enhancement. Let's actually let teachers use that 200 dollars for classroom supplies because you know as well as I the office of each building gives teachers squat. Let's support the most creative and hardworking staff I have ever seen who toil ten plus hours a day in decaying mold and asbestos filled buildings for the love of anything that would lead to the betterment of their students. And finally, pay these hardworking beleaguered teachers a living wage instead of hiding behind your bully pulpit and sending out vile letters of hatred to our community that simply show what jackasses you are.
What the teacher said.....I understand and see, hear and feel the same disappointment in our district, not with our teachers, but our PR, our supt., our Board. In the last few years they have taken us so far down, we have to look up to see the bottom.
Date: January 25 2016 To: Christi Tyler – Matthew Hanley - Kirsten Strand CC: Board of Education East Aurora Dist 131 Subject: Veterans Event Nov 2 2015 Timeline Correspondence
I must start first with “I am a US ARMY Veteran & Welcome Veteran Events”
Aug 20 Rudy Keller & Michael Rogowski sign agreement as Interim Athletic Directors Note: Job Description I received via FOIA
Sept 1 - Keller informs Jim Cornelison he has Veterans Event at EA 131 Veterans Event Planner is NOT part of Job Description
Sept 7 - Mark Truckenbrod informs Keller & EHS Principal Anthony Crespo “ Let's continue our conversation on cost and keeping the board abreast of our efforts and budget ” (Tentative Budget is listed)
BOARD OF ED NEVER APPROVED THESE COSTS All they knew was that Rudy Keller was 1 of 2 Interim Athletic Directors Hired Whose responsibility was it to inform the Board of ED
Keller, Rogowski, Truckenbrod & Popp are from Dist 204. Is this a coincidence
Did anyone foresee the $ 4,585.00 paid to Platt Electric for the Flag set up & Removal
Violations were numerous & approved by Anthony Crespo & Mark Truckenbrod
Why was this allowed & not stopped by Christi Tyler’s Office
There are 150 + documents to support my research (available upon request)
Please explain the Title Money authorized by Anthony Crespo for speakers/participants. Should this money have been utilized for Curriculum expenses.
Christi/Matt: Can I expect a response to all of the above information stated or will this be conveniently ignored and swept under as other inquiries have.
Was Rudy Keller hired as an Interim Athletic Director or to organize the Veterans Event ? Judge for yourself
I think you are finally starting to get to the root of the issues in the district. Poverty, illiteracy, gangs, no assimilation into American values from our immigrant population - even from families that have been here for 50 years. The issues are not Matt or Popp - those are the straw man props because until now no one has put forth the real issues. It is not politically correct to actually discuss and find ways to have immigrants assimilate into American values. It is not politically correct to challenge Common Core and its dumbing down curriculum and testing. East Aurora has had immigrants from its humble beginnings and these past 30 years are the first time that immigrants have not assimilated. We have to change that. There have been immigrants before who could not speak English but they required their children to learn it. Not so any more. We have to change this. There have been immigrants before who did not have any money but they worked and were "assisted" by the community. Now some of the immigrants just expect a hand out. Not their fault. That is how things work south of our border. Ask any organization that helps the poor down there. Outside of the really large cities, there are no meaningful ways to earn a living to speak of so hand outs are the order of the day. Communities don't put together there, they rely on the churches and other non profits for their daily existence. That mentality was a big reason St. Nick's school was closed. There is no comprehension of the fact that one must contribute - pay - for services here is the United States. Down there, the churches pay for it all as there is no money. It is just learned behavior. We have to change this thought process. And we have our own citizens who need a refresher in the hand out area also. The people who have assimilated are great examples of what can be accomplished here. And yes, the gang problem still exists. And yes we have gangs. That is a hard one to deal with but Aurora has done a good job in dealing with it and yes there is a lot of work to be done in this area. Yes, these are the real issues. Stop with the everybody sucks attitude with the administration and focus on solving the "real" issues. My great grandparents, grandparents, parents all lived on the east side and I do to this day. It is time to stop asking for more money from the taxpayers, it is time to stop the underpaying of health insurance premiums by retired teachers, it is time to stop credit card spending like the maintenance department was doing, it is time to stop ordering items without an approval. The above is what a teacher should be involved in, as teaching is not having a student regurgitate something form a book. it is getting the kids to actually think on their own. it is time to ask the administration to set realist discipline guidelines for the kids. No more disrespect from them. (You really might want to ask the NJROTC instructors what their secret is). Unfortunately, this will take time as the above have been allowed to exist in 131 for over 30 years. This did not happen overnight and yes everyone who has been around that long has a hand in it.
We who work in the buildings all day are well aware of the situation. Please define what Dr Popp has brought to the table. He brought his friends in who are building their resumes. He paid Hanley more than teachers or building principals are making. What does he value? The answer is his image. Matt Hanley will never do one thing to change any students life.
When the school board looks for a new superintendent teachers, community leaders, student leaders and building administration needs to be a part of the process. The staff and community would have never hired Dr Popp. The new board members promised input and we will demand it.
What does not make sense is that Popp needs Hanley to promote his image. He has made some misstep that has caused him to lose this job but no one come to east Aurora to improve their image. He like many others with good initial intention believe they can make a difference in the lives of students. I'm sure he regrets leaving his comfort zone in one of the best public districts in the country to only himself embroiled in an adult mess. Bring on the next victim for 2 years and start the process over. He or she will last at least until this agreement expires. The majority of the board is sold out to the teachers not the students and or tax payers therefore they will never support a superintendent . the number of teachers who soak up union " socialist" benefits and then vote for right wing politicians is staggering. Enjoy , you have the best of both worlds
Make sense-- Matt keep your conspiracy theories to yourself. You know as well as I do the Board and Pop do not support the teachers and have fought tooth and nail to keep us from making a living wage. You and Pop have no one to blame but yourselves for the mess you find yourself in. Next time back up the teachers; that is all we have ever wanted.
Popp had to leave his old district. He was having an affair with his secretary and one of the teachers. Hence why he got a divorce and just recently re-married. He was on his way out! We took that trash in EA after our first candidate couldnt pass the Illinois basic skills test! Then Popp brings all his cronies who make me sick to my stomach every time I see them
Popp was not given a good reference by 204 but the board took no community input and hired him anyway. He was demoted and took a salary cut at 204 when he was involved in a scandal at Neuqua Valley. Principal at a HS in 204 pays more than the position he had. He was interviewed in several districts in Illinois for Asst Sup and Superintendent and not one hired him. EA picked up all the scraps from 204.
Dear administrator, Wow, you are a joke! I hear violins playing to the rhythm of your "ode to an administrators hardship". We, as teachers work 12 plus hours and this is while juggling student education and extreme behavior issues with NO SUPPORT! Poor administrator...will retire making only 105 k after tireless hours of work with children. Guess what? We as teachers, who work tirelessly will retire with much less than that. In addition, you have to pay health insurance... This is fairly recent, perhaps 6 yrs now? Teachers have always paid for their health insurance. Now let's discuss administrators fear of teachers finally speaking up at the school board meetings regarding the unprofessional conduct of some administrators. You claim, these administrators have been dealt with and have received disciplinary action? I would hope so, as the teachers have disclosed some horrible wrong doings on the part of the administrators. There is only one portion of your comment that I can agree with, POPP, Truckenbrough, Hanly, and Glotzbot have to go! In closing, I do have one request, please no more "Ode to an administrator's hardship" songs, as this was definitely a melody that left one after the show wanting to vomit.
The community better get ready. It doesn't appear that a strike will be avoided. Yesterday's meeting was terrible. The board has presented their last, best offer but it sounds as though it's crap. No specifics were shared yet but it was clear that the negotiating team doesn't believe that the staff will consider it acceptable (many on the negotiating team wanted to declare the impasse now). A vote on the boards latest proposal is scheduled for February 26th. The impasse will declared immediately following the NO vote and the 28 day process will begin. The Union is already gearing up for a strike. Union reps will be speaking in each building and gathering names of staff members for strike committees. There are a lot of preparations that will need to be accomplished before the strike even begins. I would estimate the strike to begin around April 1st, just in time for PARCC Testing. Everyone needs to begin preparing now.
A Long History of Poor Decision Making in D131
said...
How many millions will the school district lose if the PARCC tests aren't administered? You really can't blame the teachers. They offered to go to arbitration, Annette Johnson refused. The board never voted. The millions lost will be her fault if it gets to that point. I can't imagine the pressure the school board will have if there is a strike. Every gang banger on the East Side of Aurora walking the streets with no programs to keep the kids occupied. It's a recipe for disaster.
I have had the pleasure of working with Annette and she has defended the teachers and the new board took our increases up from .8% to 12%. the smallest increase is 3.5% for teachers. She was not the board member who voted for Hanley that was Strand. Strand also supports not giving us additional money.
Johnson is also helping us get our voice back. Thank God she is back in charge.
The East Aurora School Board shouldn't be too surprised if a strike occurs. THE BOARD has made lousy, insulting offers in negotiations and negative, costly changes to employees' benefits. THE BOARD voted to spend $2 million in reserves to pay off bond debt, rather than offer fair wages. THE BOARD approved exorbitant raises for the upper echelon of management/positions. THE BOARD has ignored wasteful spending (see all of Ralph Padron's posts). THE BOARD did not agree to have fair arbitration and has been dragging their feet to meet with the union negotiation team. THE BOARD has decided to end contract talks. The only positive that I see is that they are finally looking at repairing some buildings (yet ignoring others in need). I'm sure the school board will make the union and their own employees out to be the bullies, when in fact they have no one but themselves to blame. The Aurora PD and city officials sure won't be happy with the board when they need to spend extra taxpayer dollars on overtime staffing. And EA thinks they can get day care to help out if a strike occurs? Some of the kids won't listen to regular staff members, let alone some strangers brought in to babysit. Wake up, Annette, and offer a fair, comparable wage like you had *claimed* was your mission at Red and Black Day.
When the community sees the increases the board gave the teachers they will be very angry. The arbitration will never give the teachers more money they already received it. Maybe the teachers need to learn simple math.
This is what everyone has been waiting for in 131. Please go on strike. The weather will be warm by April, so we can drive by and honk at you on the picket lines and call out "crybullies!!!! crybullies!!!! Doesn't matter if the kids take the tests anyhow as last year only what 15% did?? All we ever see are remarks cutting down everyone else in order to make yourselves feel better. Wow! If it is true that Popp had an affair at least it was with a human being as there are rumors around that quite a few teachers at 131 are in some cult involving goats and sheep. That doesn't sound good does it? What if his ex wife were a real nag, or was always bitchy or was constantly complaining about a toilet seat not being down? You would sympathize with the guy. So get all your facts straight. Always someone else's fault. The strike really could not be yours now could it?? A little greedy are we??? We all know the tactic that will be used during a strike and that will be the teachers will shield themselves with the "children". Poor souls caught up in a tussle with the "mean administrators" who supposedly don't care about the kids. But 99% of the district knows it is the greed of the teachers and the union and has nothing at all to do with the kids. (there is that 1% who just don't get anything.) So, go on strike and by all means just keep demeaning anyone who has a different view than you. You appear to have had your chances to solve this and now you must suffer the consequences of your actions.
Goats and sheep? You're a looney. And sorry that your wife gets on you about the toilet seat. Sounds like you have some issues that you need sorted out.
I am surprised to hear that everyone is talking strike now. I spoke to someone on the negotiations team yesterday who was very positive about the latest offer. This person said that they believe this offer is the best the district can do.
We have to realize that 10 years of contracts cannot be undone in 1 contract. I have supported these efforts from the start, but April would be an absolutely horrible time for our best students to be out of school--AP testing, the ACT, college plans finalizing.
We need to think long and hard if our grievances are truly contractual. The Hanley raise was unpopular, yes, but has nothing to do with our contract. Hanley is also lobbying the state to have senate bill 1 passed to increase funding to EA.
I, for one, am ready to move on. We have shown that we are not easily placated, that we need real movement on these contracts. We now have 1.5 years to form committees to address real issues and to make our next contract stronger before we even get to the table. I am not supporting a strike and I will lobby hard for my colleagues to vote against it. It's time to move on.
I support the current contract and I feel we have made efforts to close the salary gap. My colleagues in the BA column are now paid what neighboring schools districts have been making and the MA column was a good faith effort. I am very happy that my raise equals 11.8%. I will be voting yes and asking everyone at Krug to do so also. I will not walk the picket lines and volunteer to help in the Day care center for students. I realize if that happens I can not get paid.
Thank you Ms Johnson for all that you have done you have been bullied through the years unfairly and I feel you will and have always held administration in check.
Are you in the MA column? How much of that percentage is an actual salary increase, and has the district offered to pay a share of TRS instead of taking all of it from our own checks?
We need to be informed when making statements. I am a new teacher that graduated last year with the latest teaching skills. I have been quite for fear of being bullied not by my building admin but by teachers. I had a offer at West and East and with TRS included at West I would have still been making $1,000 less than at East. I did take the job at East not for the extra $1,000 but for teaching students with high needs.
I understand teachers who have given the careers to EA fighting for better pay. I voted no because I want to teach here forever. I have seen the commitment from the board to listen and get a better curriculum. I was one of 37 teachers that went to explore the new curriculum. It was great! I was disappointed that only 37 came to the presentation. I have also watched the many ways they worked to find more dollars for teachers. I will now be voting yes.
I am attempting to make informed choices and that is the way I teach.
Get that " new teacher" out of here! Drop the E and add i-n-g.....to make make making. You ARE ( you're) the fool! Wow! Where did you learn spelling and grammar? ( question mark)
I am the comment police and I am seeing an MO here among several posts that leads me to believe, one suspect is responsible for several comments attacking the teachers, at various levels.
Word is .... the last policy&personel board committee meeting was canceled because none of the 3 committee members bothered to show up....Teachers were there...but no board members...What a great group of public servants! Thank you mr lash mr leonard and mr arroyyo. i guess I'd be fired if I didn't show up to my classroom one day without warning...What a joke!
EACBPD: you are most correct about the last comment with regard to spelling/ grammar, however the sentiment is indeed correct. I find it comical that one would want to equate our contract with that of WA. Given what we know to be accurate about the TRS and pay scale of WA and then to state we at EA are paid above WA is a gross misstatement. Even if it is only being made with regard to a new teachers salary. Remarks that they are making informed decisions is simply not accurate and this spreads false information to others. Now getting back to spelling/ grammar, many comment using various electronic devices, this can automatically change spelling or it's a simple misspelling due to typing quickly. You may want to discredit someone based on misspelling and grammar and that's fine, but it will not change the facts. WA is well above EA in the pay scale due to TRS. I will stick with the "MO" whatever that it. I also agree with the person who made the typos... That teacher is a fool.
I teach with a Masters degree and more than 10 years experience. If the rumor of a 11.8% raise were true, I would still be making a couple thousand dollars less than someone in the same step at West-and that is AFTER they have money paid into their TRS!!!
It is true that EA pays better than WA for a new teachers that does not have tenure. The district values new teachers because they do not have to get paid well and will not question administration. That contract was thanks to Adam Harding who is now making big $$$ from our union local. Remember Adam took a job in admin and then jumped shipped. It was now discovered Adams wife is getting trained to be a principal in 131 a position Glotzbach selected her for. She sided with Crespo last week in ruining a veteran teachers career. That is why we are screwed.
The children of EA are forced to have subs because they can not find enough that want to stay and teach at 131. Who would only the Harding family 131 has taken care of him and still is. Please ask ROTC they lost many benefits because of him.
I can do basic math. I am a professional with two masters and 23 years in education. In East Aurora I am earning $74,248, on the West Side I would be making $108,287 (that includes the $2000 longevity stipend). That means I am earning $34,039 less than I would for the same position on the West Side. In addition, on the West Side they cover 80% of employee insurance premiums, on the East Side, with the cost shift that Annette Johnson just rammed through without any formal approval process, we are receiving as little as 67% coverage. As I have the HMO family plan, I am losing an additional $2084.40 as compared to the West Side. That brings me to $36,123.40 less not including deductibles, copays and out of pocket maximums.
Assuming that West Aurora teachers will be receiving a 3% salary increase (a low estimate) next year, my West Aurora counterpart will receive $219,823 over the this two year period. As a teacher of East Aurora, assuming a total of 12%, 7% first year and 5% the second year (the highest estimate of rumors so far given) I will be receiving $162,863 for the same job. Now include the additional loss in insurance of $4,169 I will be receiving $61,129 less compensation than the same teaching position on the West Side. None of this includes the additional loss we receive with stipends and and other compensation.
You can distort information about raises in terms of percentages all you want but if the two positions aren’t starting with a relatively equal salary, it is a waste of time. When our salary is currently up to 50% behind our West Aurora counterparts, a 12% raise is nothing.
None of the teachers on the East Side are trying get rich, they simply want to be fairly compensated for the work that they do. What you should be doing instead of using your time to bash teachers is, since the tax dollars that the district receives isn't being spent on teachers, students or buildings (considering they are all very old and overcrowded) you should be investigating where is the money going? Here is a start The district budget is $202 million, the teachers only receive about 25% of that figure, Where is the other 75% going?
EA does NOT pay better than WA. This includes first year or tenured teachers. WA pays TRS and EA does NOT. Take your EA salary and deduct 9.40% from that salary. Anyone that states that EA pays the same as WA is either stupid or a liar.
Water Everywhere and NOT a Safe Drop to Drink
said...
Well now that we know how bad LEAD is for people especially children (just look at Flint Michigan), will somebody please test our school buildings water now? I know the teachers at Simmons and other buildings have been complaining about the water quality for years. On the East end of Simmons (in the lunch room and art room) the water comes out a reddish brown. A sure sign that the water is coming out of rusty lead pipes that are leaching all sorts of crap. I'm sure there is lead in the water. Somebody (Ralph Padron) needs to FOIA any and all testing that has ever been done on all district buildings water supplies. I am guessing that there is a history there. Just go to the Service Center for a meeting. They always have bottled water for the administrators to drink.
Not Ward 1. A willing supporter of supporting D131
said...
I would like to tell "math is easy" that you have very clearly stated with all the facts what has been going on in the district for far too many years. When only a few parents or one determined fella from Naperville, are the only ones complaining, it is hard to validate the community concern for.......where is all the money going? I am so pleased the teachers have finally unified and vocalized their frustration with how teachers are treated and how the budget is managed. This has all affected the children's quailty of education. NOT because of anything the teachers have done or not done, but due to the inefficient manner in which the people at Fifth Street have implemented policy and spent money. The worse part is those who were elected by the EA community to be good stewards for all these resources, are failing miserably at getting things under control. Repeatedly some commentor gives kudos to the Board President. Well, she has the most board seniority, she claims to be an accounting wiz and has been privy to how business has been done in this district longer than the other six members. I hold her most responsible, and the biggest failure, but all Board members are to blame for not being more honest and vocal about the problems in the district. Admit what is wrong and how you are hoping to fix it. The Board is not some secret society. We the people, want transparency and accountability. How hard can being honest be?!?
I give kudos to Johnson, she has provided a balance of opening three new schools, implementing programs the students lost years ago with prior boards and addressing the salary schedule for teachers.
D131 has always paid non certified better than neighboring districts while not paying teachers. Johnson to her credit has worked on the teachers pay. She has taken on issues that have not been popular. D131 and its problems have existed for thirty years. Please blame the boards back then who would not bus students and made poor land choices.I believe Johnson had a public run-in with the Mayor over 131 while other board members said nothing.
239 comments:
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Corruption 10 years ago...corruption now.
Money wasted then...money wasted now.
Community ignored and disrespected then...community ignored and disrespected now.
http://openline.blogspot.com/2006/11/east-aurora-school-district-131.html
Anybody have the balls the throw the Popp letter in the trash?? I do, I sure hope others do too!!!
There is no reason for the district to lose any instructional time, a strike can easily be avoided. The board can take take the unions offer to go to binding arbitration. With binding arbitration the teachers lose the ability to strike. If the teachers strike, it's because the board has the money but doesn't want to spend it on the education of this communities children. They have too many patronage accounts to pay off. Even now there are plans for the new administrative palace. How many millions are planned for that? The district shouldn't be looking at housing the overpaid administrators in the lap of luxury when the teachers are underpaid and teaching in overcrowded classrooms, assuming they aren't teaching in a closet or hallway.
The administration is very good at rhetoric and trying to make it sound like the teachers are just greedy but don't be fooled. There are teachers in East Aurora who would need to receive a 50% raise to give them the equivalent salary they would make on the West Side of the river. It really is a wonder that we have any quality teachers in East Aurora and is a testament to the dedication the teachers and staff have for the children.
As expected, there really was no "corruption" "scandal" "fraud". Just plain old "here is how we have always done things" syndrome. Did not expect anything more than this. Hopefully now we are not seeing thousands of charges at Menards each month, etc. and health insurance premiums for retirees are at the "real rates" instead of the deeply "discounted" fake rates retirees were paying. (Wonder how many of the retirees knew they were paying way too little for their insurance and how long did they know it. That could be the scandal we've been looking for) Well, good that this is behind the district. Congratulations.
I'm sorry. You have to pay teachers in the trenches. They do their best with the kids and even though the kids OBVIOUSLY don't want to be there, the teachers still do their job. They do it the best they can.
Now when you start disrespecting and overminding their authority as teachers, you get this problem.
East Aurora, listen....its simple. Stop spending the money you get from the state that, according to Popp that you rely on the most, on yourself and your cronies and invest it in your teachers and competent staff.
Mr. Leonard- Pay for your own internet bro. Last I check volunteers typically get paid in thanks and gratitude instead of $1000 in high speed internet.
Ms. Strand- You are delusional if you think cutting the tech department at its head is going to save money. As technology challenged as this district is not replacing the departments leader with someone competent will leave it technically in the stone age. Good luck asking taxpayers to fix that future mess.
Popp- You cannot sit there as state you care for this district and its teachers. Corruption was brought to light and you did nothing but make it worse.
Hanley's raise- slap in the face
Bad insurance- armed roberry
Lousy contract- stiff arm to teachers
If you want to put this job on your resume, you better listen to your teachers. Because the teachers will let their voice be heard regardless if your buddy Sara/Joan have a heart or not. And nothing good will come from this district during your reign while you let this mess continue.
As a parent, what's best for the teachers is best for the students I send to school.
The rest is up to you now board.
P.S: You should probably clean house. The current administration is clearly out of touch.
We received Dr. Popps letter and his phone call telling us to look for the letter. Our house is very pleased the teachers have reached this decision. Though the letter makes it sound as if it is all about the money, some of us have children who truly love school and we love our children's teachers and the extra mile they go to keep the classrooms functioning. We know it is more than just dollars involved in the strike decision. I hope they not only get a healthy raise, but I hope they get the language in the contract that will help them manage their classes better and do the job they were hired to do.
Attempting to make our teachers look like they don't care about the affects of a strike was a foolish move by Popp or PR. It says at the bottom of the letter- "we appreciate your understanding during these difficult times." We, the community, have been understanding thru all the fiascos created by the admin and the Board in the past few years, why wouldn't we be understanding about the difficult times they are creating, yet again, by disrespecting our districts teachers request for a fair contract.
I agree with the previous poster. It is up to the Board. Cleaning house is long overdue!
Thank you, "Our teachers deserve better" !!! Please get the word out to other parents in the community that share your viewpoint and please consider speaking up at the next board meeting. We truly care about the students and want the best for them!!
"Avoid a Strike" is exactly right. This all could have been resolved if the district simply agreed to arbitration. They did not want an unbiased third party to give the teachers the wage they deserve. Popp's letter that was sent home with students today contained lies. He stated that the contract offered was competitive with surrounding districts. This is a complete lie. Popp's salary is the one that needs to be discussed here or possibly Hanley's $40,000 raise as well. It is easy for Popp to bash the teachers trying to get their fair share when he makes nearly a quarter-million in total salary.
Great comment both anonymous 2 and Our teachers deserve better.
Our previous superintendent nor any before him would have put out this poorly written and thinly veiled attack on District 131 teachers.
Interesting that the grammar and formats are so bad that this is representative of our district?
Why was it necessary to throw teachers under the bus-- Jerome Roberts, whatever his flaws would never have done this. Neither would any previous super I have known.
The letter meanders in an okay fashion until the third paragraph when Matthew Hanley's plan for Popp's response becomes clear.
First, Hanley outlines The Board's goal for the negotiations. "The Board's goal has been to narrow any (and this is important)disparity that may have existed between what our employees earn and salaries paid by our neighboring districts".
Now here is where Hanley presents the reason the Board could not possibly do this: "the District (why the capital D? - hello North Korea) is more heavily dependent on state aid, as opposed to real estate taxes, than most of our neighboring districts. In the past four years the legislature has scaled back....,38.5 million.." So what ? there have been many more grants that have more than made up for this. What about the $200,000,000 surplus Annette Johnson boasted about during Red and Black assemblies for 3 years in a row? "Despite the scale back, the District has offered a salary package that exceeds not only cost of living changes, but exceeds the contract settlements for many of our neighboring districts."
Dear Matt, we really don't know since unlike many districts ( lowercase d- you are not a monolith), who send their memberships weekly missives with point by point updates of negotiations, we get nothing. Our president, tells us nothing.
Finally, in the fourth paragraph, Matt drives home his real agenda: to rile up the parents of district 131 that the evil, greedy teachers are bloodsucking vampires thirsty for money and will totally screw up you son/daughter's education, summer plans, etc.. This is going to cost you money -the school year might extend out to 2020, or later.
The final paragraph assures the parents that while the teachers are such greedy bastards, not giving a fig about the students' education, the top admins do, we want your childcare to continue unabated! WHAT ARE WE A CHILDCARE SYSTEM?????
This was a grand mistake Mike Popp- Hanley has misadvised you on this one and repercussions will be long-running- Enjoy Elgin!!
Here's a link to 19 pages of recent articles about our district:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=38046849
December 18, 2015
To: Board of Education
From: Ralph Padron
Subject: Taking Ownership of your Mistakes or Cover Them Up Pt 1
Mike Popp:
Did you admit to Bernie Weiler that the Matt Hanley promotion & pay increase was a mistake? Bernie shared this with me as did someone else. Do you realize if you would have rectified this mistake, the Teachers wouldn’t feel insulted and outraged especially with their Contract unresolved. Hanley is a HUGE issue!!! Why didn’t you correct this?
• Rudy Keller’s Veterans Event
• Rudy never served a day in the Armed Forces
• He submitted invoices totaling $ 32,000.00 to West Aurora Dist 129 for his coordinating the Viet Nam Travel Wall in 2013.
• EA Dist 131 paid him $10,000.00 thru Nov 6 as Interim AD
• It is very obvious Keller was hired for the Veterans Event Program not as an Interim AD.
• He is a former Dist 204 employee as is Mike Popp & Mark Truckenbrod
o Why did Truckenbrod & Anthony Crespo approve everything Keller wanted
• Rudy’s stated the event cost for 3,800 students was
o $ 1.50 per student = $ 5,700.00 Totally False
o $ 8.00 per student = $ 30,000.00 +
Is more accurate
• Keller’s pension is listed in 2012 as $ 107,000.00 via TRS
o Taxpayers are paying this very generous pension
o If he is so patriotic and appreciative of Veteran’s
o WHY DIDN’T HE DONATE HIS TIME & SERVICES ?
• Christi Tyler: Can you explain why
@ Purchasing Violations again resurfaced .
@ Title I money spent for speakers
@What is more disturbing, these expenses were NEVER Budgeted or Approved by the Board of Education.
Superintendent Mike Popp again has his excuses to justify these shameful practices.
1 East Aurora does have a wealth of EXCUSES & COVERING UP SKILLS
2 The 12K Attorney’s report evidently failed to protect the Taxpayers again.
3 Dist 131 NEEDS MONEY FOR EDUCATION
NOT IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING
As a taxpayer and parent this paragraph below upsets me. While it is nice that they have summer programs that are free there are others programs from the City of Aurora and other groups. As far as I am concerned this district has already messed up many child's education. My child has some wonderful teachers in the district it is The Board of Ed, Superintendent and Administration that is the problem. You have to have the will to learn. I was giving this Matt Hanley a break for awhile but he needs to go after writing that letter.
Finally, in the fourth paragraph, Matt drives home his real agenda: to rile up the parents of district 131 that the evil, greedy teachers are bloodsucking vampires thirsty for money and will totally screw up you son/daughter's education, summer plans, etc.. This is going to cost you money -the school year might extend out to 2020, or later.
The final paragraph assures the parents that while the teachers are such greedy bastards, not giving a fig about the students' education, the top admins do, we want your childcare to continue unabated! WHAT ARE WE A CHILDCARE SYSTEM?????
All these board members become board members because they want something. Some are easy to figure out, others take time to figure out. Annette has a complete hatred of these low income minority children. She does everything she can to screw everyone over to save herself a few tax dollars. The Big Dick Leonard wants anything and everything he can for himself and his friends. Strand is just a YES woman for Dr. Popp and since Popp is a YES man for Annette, you see what this accomplishes. The one that more people should be looking into is probably why we are all getting screwed on insurance. Somehow our insurance has gone up by more than 250% in the past 12 months. For those that don't know Kimberly Hatchett just happens to be a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield. It amazing how insurance premiums have skyrocketed as soon as she became s board member. Alex is difficult as he says what you want to hear and then always seems to vote with Annette. I can only guess that he is also just another Annette YES man. A little surprising considering that he is a union member himself. It's amazing that there is not one person on the board that really represents the students that go to District 131. It's time for a clean sweep of the entire school board.
Dear School board has to go. Don't whine about the board, it's the board the voters wanted. Hatchets job has absolutely nothing to do with the insurance. Be patient, my sources say she has had enough already and will not run again.
Guess no one really gets it at East do they? Within a month of the new board being in place the accusations started coming and obviously they have not stopped as seen here. Has anyone stopped and maybe thought "Hmm, new board members come in and after actually seeing the real financial situation and finally understanding what the numbers really mean they may have come to the conclusion that things at East are not as great that they had believed - and teachers really believe there is all kinds of money laying around - before they came on bard." Just a thought, mind you. Actually understanding that the reserves are high so we as a district don't get stuck with 12% interest rates on bonds that are outstanding. Also keeping reserves high as it is a fact that the district receives a big chunk from the state and the state cutting back on its contribution may lead to dipping into the reserves in the future. Keeping reserves for major upgrades in facilities without having to ask for bonds to perform the upgrades. Maybe, just maybe the light bulb went on and the board members came to the conclusion that most normal people have come to and that this system is not sustainable. You have poor Ralph all riled up because he cannot make the veterans event - a one time expenditure-turn into a major corruption charge and here are the teachers wanting an increase that is anything but one time. This increase will continue year after year after year. The only thing that Ralph was kind enough to point out was that Rudy Keller will receive a minimum of 107,000 for the rest of his life. Keller will receive a 3% raise every year for the rest of his life and every other retiree will receive that 3% raise. This whole system is not sustainable, people. All this money comes from taxes and the sources for the taxes are drying up. Maybe, just maybe the members of the board have finally seen all the above. And they maybe, just maybe have seen the actions of some teachers up close and personal. Please give them some credit. The board will try to do right even if you don't want to yourselves. And it doesn't seem you want the board or the administration to do right either. You just keep picking one straw man after another over the years to blame everything on and not really solve the issues at hand. Look at your comments....Shame on you.
This is the board the community elected. I'm sure you probably do not live in it. Hatchet will not run again. Popp won't get a new contract so relax. Laesch is a mole working with the union while wreaking havoc on the board. The teachers will eventually have your cake and believe me you will eat it. The district can start over again every 3 years because no one outside of a new superintendent candidate will take the position. A new superintendent will try new things, new faces and make mis steps and have his or her head lopped off. A candidate with experience would be foolish to make EA home. Money and benefits are temporary motivation until this agreement expires and then the cycle starts all over again. Let's be clear about something else , teachers should stick to what they know I.e. Teaching. School finance ,levies, cash reserves etc is beyond this blogs scope. I base my thoughts on the statements being tossed about. Let's be clear about something else. Someone attacked the students about not wanting to be in school. It would be terribly naive to believe that all the teachers care and or want to be there . Most have too much invested to start over. What a toxic mess starting with the board. There is only one common thread on the last three boards. It's no wonder why there is confusion, lack of cohesion and misunderstood communication, hello.
The issue is partly that the district and board are not transparent. Even the union president refuses to share what the teacher demands are. That's all we see is why they do.
Last contract, they claimed broke and said there was no money for a raise. The day after all the administrator raises were given. Then all the projects. Preschool Center, Kindergarten Center, Magnet Academy, High School Expansion, etc. etc. etc Then all the other expenditures of money. An additional $1.7 million dollars for Durham Bus to do the same job Illinois Central was (but with terrible service). Big Sodexho contract. Outsourcing most of the maintenance work for a hundred times the cost. It used to cost a trip to Menards and an hour or two salary, now it's a minimum $1,000 for the same job.
Again now we are told there is no money for the teachers but everyone already knows about the plans to expand East High and the plans for the New Administrative Palace.
The problem is not s lack of funds, it's the corruption of the school board and administration. Was Dr. Popp's first concern the teachers and students? No. His first order of business was a financial advisory council where all the local businesses could find out how much district money they could count on.
The teachers and staff are well aware of the corruption and are justified in their anger and determination for a fair wage. Their salaries have been flat for the past four years while the cost everything keeps going up. It's time for the the people who do all the work in District 131 to be paid.
88% of the faculty in district 131 voted for intent to strike. All faculty hope to avoid a strike because of the disruption of the students education. This all can be avoided if the board "would get real" correct the obscene 40, 000 salary (plus TRS benefits paid in full) increase for Matt Hanley. In the meant time, this board of education has forbidden that the 200 stipend allowed to teacher not be used for pencils. paper and notebooks for our kids. In other words, sorry EA teachers, the all the students supplies come out of your pocket! In the mean time teachers keep providing EA kids with notebook paper, pencils, notebooks, coats, shoes field trip money, eye glasses etc. Supplies for students easily run into thousands for teacher expenses. This board is immoral. This administration thinks of news ways to hurt the teachers who love and care for the students in East Aurora. Just a note: Not including individual school. EA has 27 Asst. Superintendents. West Aura has 3. Gee wonder where the money is going! How do you live with yourselves?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-strike-vote-st-1220-20151218-story.html
The teachers have been given a 7% raise for masters and a 3.5% for BA degrees. The last contract averaged 5%. Even at that many teachers fall short that is a given. Someone can not make up a salary schedule that was screwed up 20 years ago. Maybe the teachers of Cowherd should stop honoring Henry Cowherd for every little thing he does and ask him why he screwed them 20 years ago.
I am a proud supporter of Johnson and she has put up with a lot. She stepped and helped our district. Kim Hatchett strikes me as the same type of person. Kim comes prepared and takes her job seriously. She has made it clear she will not run again and we will sorely miss Johnson.
Leonard and Strand will be no loss. Let's not forget they hired Popp and defend his every action. Strand voted in Hanleys raise.
I will also remind union members who bash Johnson that the prior board only offered the teachers .8%. I have faith that Johnson will find more money. I also suggest that teachers reach out and talk with her she really cares.
I am sorry Annette and Kimberly it needs to be said although everyone will bash you now.
One way to pay for the teachers wages is through outsourcing of the maintenance employees. The district could give all teachers! support personnel and secretaries a 1.5% raise. Something to consider.
Outsource maintenance
I agree with that. I have worked in 7 buildings in the district and have come across 2 custodians who were worth anything. A majority of them are lazy and do the bare minimum. The guys in my current building never clean the classrooms more than a quick sweep and emptying garbage. The desks, counter tops and hallways are disgusting with dirt and garbage. The bathrooms are usually filthy and never have paper towels or toilet paper. There are cock roaches everywhere! These guys leave the building and take a couple hour break at night or watch TV. I also work summer school and see them sitting around or hiding in unused parts of the building the entire day. Or they have 5 guys standing around watching 1 guy build a shelf. Its ridiculous and some of them make more than the teachers do!
"Anonymous
Stand up for what's right", I think you make a good point and I appreciate you making it. Any hope of a fair and equitable contract has come from Ms. Johnson. She had indicated at the Black and Red ceremony in August that the district had 92 million dollars in savings and more and additional 18 million on the way. She added that "it was time to close the gap between EA teachers and surrounding districts." (Her words not mine) I always felt that she tried to do the right thing and really cared about the students.The fact is (and let us not forget) she did not support Hanley's 40,000 raise.
Its unfortunate that she didn't say she wanted to close the achievement gap between EA and surrounding districts. We have lost sight of the students in this bullshit.
The gap matters..
To Words said
Do you really think such gap will ever be closed? As mighty as teachers try, the kids we serve come to us already at a disadvantage. According to research, a predictor of future achievement has to do with vocabulary acquired and used. There is a huge gap starting at birth between low and high ses children. If we, teachers, would be allowed to concentrate on teaching instead of writing curriculum and attending senseless meetings/plc's we could really see some progress.
If Johnson is in the teachers corner explain why the two sides have not resolved this yet. Johnsons allegence is first to the tax payers; the seniors and Stonegate seniors to be exact. The teachers are at the least 3rd behind those two groups and self preservation. As a tax payer I want to thank her for holding her position. Granted she does not manipulate this board as easily as the previous boards but don't believe for one minute that she is not calling all the shots. The superintendent works for the board and if the board gives the okay to move the offer it will be done. She is very clear in her understanding that the offers made to the teachers may not be the absolute best but it is absolutely fiscally sound for the district. Once again are you really that gullible to take the rhetoric and hyperbole from Red and Black for anything more than that. Politicians do it all the time and Johnson is a politician. Looks can be deceiving. You always cut the cards no matter how dumb the dealer looks.
Johnson is for the Johnson But Popp and Johnson are on opposite ends. She has stated she sent Popp an email the weekend before the Hanley vote. She also said she asked Leonard, Gonzalez and Trusa to not vote for Hanley. Popp went around her and asked Gonzalez and Trusa to vote for Hanley claiming he saved money by cutting other needed position. Popp knows Johnson never voted for him and he still carries a grudge. Johnson has been quite up until lately but she made it very clear at the last meeting she does not support his spending.
I do respect she held her own last year and exposed Feltes.
It is about time she finds the money to pay teachers. She knows better than anybody how much the district can pay. She needs to give the new board members some direction. Stop the talk and take action.
Hanley is worthless it looks like the district changed the board meeting to East High. Why has he not put an announcement out that the meeting was changed.
The meeting was changed and should get posted on the district website as an announcement. On Thursday a call went on out to let parents know what was going on after Dr Popps insulting letter. Many of us wanted to enjoy Christmas but will not let Popp abuse us. We have been encouraged to reach out to parents on our time. After all Glotzbach is watching and is looking to write us up. Our union and staff s well prepared to fight for rights. Please come to the meeting a East High NOT THE SERVICE CENTER.
Hanley wants us to show up late so we do not speak. He is worthless. He sends us stupid announcements but will not write up one about changing the place. Ms Johnson if parents come to the wrong location will you let them speak?
Why not post on Twitter and Facebook. Dr Popp wants us to witness is lame PR attempts. It shows and attempt the silence us. We will not get detoured, make to mistake about it.
The policy's written to give our jobs away in maintenance has to stop. Medina is stupid and being played as a fool. The board is looking to outsource that is why we have not started negoicating. They are trying to use the trades that Laesch is a member of to be on a on call list to come and make repairs. That means are jobs will get taken away. They are also putting us on time clocks and attempting to track our hours and show we are not doing our jobs. We have done our jobs and building are clean and heated every winter.
There is items in personnel right now. That means no more painting jobs and summer work. Soon we will not need and electrician and they have not hired anyone to replace the three maintenance men we are down. Watch out and they are using the teachers against us.
Marty is back just in another way.
We won't close the gap with educators that make excuses like that. Writing curriculum and PLC's are what will drive instructional excellence. Seems like you want to make excuses for your lack of achievement too. Be gone with you!!!!! Our kids deserve better!
By law they have to post a correction to say that the meeting has moved. If not it is a violation of the Open Meetings Act and the Board should be turned in.
Annette Johnson is NOT working for the teachers. She is the greatest force standing in the way of teachers getting a fair and equitable salary. She has already spent every dollar on several plans that she has for the district, not even the board members are getting this information. If you think that Annette is working for the teachers, ask her to vote on binding arbitration, she controlls at least 4 votes on the board. If she really wanted a solution that was fair for all, she would be spearheading the move for arbitration. It is also the only solution that is guaranteed not to lead to a disruptive teachers strike. If the teachers are smart, they will schedule their strike for one of the high stakes testing weeks. It would put a lot of pressure on the district if they knew that they would lose millions of dollars in State and Federal aid if the teachers strike. It's time to start playing hardball.
What dollars did Annette spend at the last meeting she made it very clear she did not supports Popps wild spending. She was also instrumental in stopping Popps spending last year and did not vote on Hanleys raise. I trust she will do right by the teachers. As for arbitration that goes for both sides we could go backward also.
To: Get Real
Interesting: "We could go backward also". Sounds like a board member or administrator is posting on here.
If you read my post a little more carefully, you would have seen that the spending has not been made public yet. My point was that Annette will not give the teachers any more money because she already has plans to spend it elsewhere.
There should be no arbitration. Teachers, accept the deal on the table and quit whining. It is obvious that you are going to receive a fair deal. The district should be willing to lose the state and federal aid if the teachers strike as there is more to running the district than teachers wanting more and more compensation. The increases just add to every year's budget in the future. That is "corruption" "fraud" "scandal" "disrespect". Why should a strike scare anyone? If the students are out for 1 or 2 months and then come back after the teachers accept what they were originally offered no one is affected. There will just be more school in June and July. Very few students show up for the tests at East anyway, so that will not be a change from last year. So, teachers, stand united with the real facts and accept the deal. Quit hiding behind the lie you spread about it all being for the kids as they are the farthest thing from your minds. Get a life.
The reason the administration on 5th Street did not vote for arbitration is because an arbitrator would quickly see how "out of line" the salaries/lack of TRS benefits package is with surrounding districts and would would move immediately to fix the discrepancy. This clearly demonstrates that this BOE does not care about a strike impacting the progress/education of the students of the district. They are scared of arbitration! Lack of transparency, cronyism, trips to Spain to recruit teachers, Box lunches for admin on 5th Street, administrative palace plans in the works, financial mismanagement for decades, 40,000 raises PLUS paid in full teacher retirement to an individual who isn't even a teacher. And Stonegate residents are pissed at the teachers?
Everyone says that Matt quit sending out your poisonous missives to the teachers- the only ones that actually work for a living. Unlike you Matt whose entire workday consists of emailing lies to the blog and photo ops for Popp. Your scare tactics and thinly veiled threats are ineffectual; everyone knows the real reason we are in financial trouble --27 asst. superintendents in d131 vs., 3 in West Aurora, over paid losers from Wabaunsee and failed hacks from the Beacon News sucking the teachers and the students dry. Can't wait to see the administrative palace!
Could it be that we have 27 "assistant supervisors" and West has the same number of people doing similar work but with a different title?? Some common sense, people. Do a little research before tossing things out.
Anonymous 1, Annette your poor spelling and your favorite calling card "loser" gives you away.. Settle the contract , get it done. You dislike Matt because he won't write flattering articles about you in the enlightner like you forced Clayton to do. Attend the business of the district, get it done.
Annette nor her fellow board members were sending out emails at 6:48pm they were at the board meeting with teachers, parents and students united against the Popp administration. At least 200 plus attended the meeting four days before Christmas during their vacations. We spoke out again and so did parents YES parents and students.
EA has only 3 Asst Superintendents, someone probably Matt is writing wild rumors on the blog to show the blog is a inaccurate . Administration is very angry teachers are writing, talking and organized. If the board wants to settle the contract they need to stop the constant harassment of staff. We will not sign a contract until then. Thruckenbrod was hired as enforcer, he is worthless. Glotzbach is one card short of a full deck. She is an angry women who hates children and takes her frustrations out on staff. Reyes-Childress has been stripped of all power. Tyler is also caught in the middle of trying to do what is right and pleasing Glotzbach. Hanley is Popps personnel gopher and PR machine. He walks around very quietly an listens in on staff discussions for Popp.
I forgot the Internet quits working 10 minutes before a board meeting. No phones are allowed to be used 10 minutes before meetings .
Calling Card the board meeting started at 5:30 pm for board members and I respect them at wish they have peace over the holidays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epmPr7_SMxQ&feature=youtu.be
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-administrator-contracts-20151223-story.html
To Newshound:
That article is nothing more than district propaganda. Every time we are negotiating a teachers contract, the administrators salaries are frozen. Five minutes after the contract is signed, the administrators get their raise with back pay. My only question is what they will receive for bonuses this year? The administrators aren't the highest paid in the county by accident.
The Glinch that sold Christmas award goes to Dr Popp, Second Place Matt Hanley and coming in third Joan Glotzbach who of painted green would become a strong resemblance.
Popp has taken our money and our salary increases and given them to his administration pals. He have worked fifteen months without an contract. The shame is Matt Hanley who sends out useless dribble and is paid $40,000 so his family can enjoy Christmas. Matt steals money from poor children how can he justify this.
Glotzbach the look a like Grinch has told everyone are inventory and should be replaced by younger teachers. Another words cheaper less experienced college grads. The children are also inventory and Glotzbach believes they do not deserve an education.
Happy Holidays
BIG SOLIDARITY RALLY 01/04
WHO:
We would like ALL rank-and-file members of the union to attend [wearing blue!].
We would like parents and students to join us!
We are also contacting numerous media outlets.
WHEN, WHAT TIME, WHERE:
01/04 at 5:45 PM. East High School, in front by the flagpole.
WHY:
To come together in unity, speak out, network, and show the district we are organized.
WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE?:
People will speak-out via megaphone. Any and all comers encouraged to speak.
We will have translators for the community.
Hand out copies of our letters to the community members in attendance.
People should bring drums, signs, anything festive. Let’s get fired up! Let’s make some noise!
SUBJECTS YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT:
• Why does East Aurora deserve better?
• An inspirational story about a student or teacher/staff impact.
• Why we need a fair contract and what needs to be in it.
AFTERWARD:
Everyone goes inside for the board meeting. We will be a unity swarm.
As many people as possible should
You must sign up to speak between 6:45 PM and 7:00 PM. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM in the East High cafeteria.
We want to parents to speak at the meeting! We want students to speak at the meeting! We want rank-and-file to speak at the meeting! We want community members to speak at the meeting!
WHAT TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND THEN:
Decide what your contribution will be! Will you speak at the rally? Will you speak at the board meeting? Will you bring a drum? Will you hand out copies of our letters? Will you personally email parents asking them to attend? Will you host a sign making party? Will you make your own sign? Will you make sure to encourage the people in your department or social circle to attend?
Do something – whether big or small -- to make the BIG
SOLIDARITY RALLY a success!
speak inside, as well. If you are ever going to speak, make it that night!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-teacher-rally-st-1229-20160103-story.html
You encourage the students to come to this rally? Really? After you were so upset about Popp putting the kids "in the middle" now you are asking them to come to a rally where there will be chaos and noise in a residential neighborhood? We feel for some of the teachers, truly we do, but this shows a willingness to place children in a potentially dangerous situation! What does that say? Bring a drum? How does that portray your plight? This is to draw attention to you I am assuming, but what kind of attention is the question? These students really respect and love many of you and I am sure would gladly attend this rally for that reason alone but please, encourage them to stay away from this for safety's sake!
This is an adult fight and the teachers are not looking very professional. I supported fair and honest working conditions but really. Let's ask would the teachers want their neighborhood disrupted at supper time. This is really disrespectful, would you want students to come to class and just make noise. Any teacher who follows Alan Scott should have their head examined. Let's hope the news outlets do not cover EA is will make our students and teachers look like a bunch gang bangers.
To: Please don't put kids in the middle
Dr. Popp (I'm sure with the boards full knowledge and approval) didn't invite parents to come and bring their children to a safe school building to rally in the community, Dr. Popp sent a distorted, one sided letter meant to demonize the teachers, home with every child from preschool to high school. Further, the staff was ordered not to discuss this letter with the students (or parents) they were sending letters home with. Many of these children had no idea what this note was about or how it involved them. Many were frightened by the note and no explaination or comfort could be given. I am sure that many of the parents were very unhappy that the superintendent would do this without first getting their approval. Unlike the superintendent, the staff is simply asking for those who support the them to come out, nobody is being forced to do anything.
I'm not sure why you feel that parents, teachers and students gathering at a public school is a "potentially dangerous situation"? Frankly, I can think of no place that children would be any safer. The administration is always stating that they wish there was more parent and community support, apparently that is only when it is convenient for them.
Let's be clear, the only reason to keep the community away is to keep them ignorant. The community should know how the district has a budget of over $200 million dollars a year but claims there's no money to pay the staff a fair and competitive salary. The parents should know how high the staff turnover rate is because they refuse to pay the staff a fair wage. They should know how the district pays the teachers up to $37,000 less than they would make on the West Side of the river. The board should hear from the parents about how much they support their childrens teachers. It's amazing the depths that some will go to for power and greed. The purpose of schools is to provide the very best education possible for children, not to create patronage jobs for childhood friends or getting kickbacks for corrupt contractors. It's way past time that the community gets organized and starts to advocate for their children.
I can't imagine why anybody would write what you did unless they had no concern for the education of our children.
There are two options (really the same thing) that would avoid all this unrest in our community. 1) Pay the staff a fair and competitive wage or 2) Bring in binding arbitration. Everyone knows the money is there and that certain board members and administrators refuse to use it to pay teachers. It really makes a person wonder if an outside agency should be brought in to find out how certain people are profiting personally. I personally hope this drags out for a while. Community members are starting to see what's been happening at the board and administrative level and are finally becoming politically active. Hispanic parents may be very slow to stand up against authority but when they do, watch out. They are a very united, close knit community and nothing will get them more motivated than to find out that there are those that are not providing the very best possible for their children.
Maybe the teachers should tell the parents they turned down a 7% raise. Maybe the administration should only fix the salary schedule for those who are underpaid. The 1400 members should tell the truth and stop hanging onto the 345 teachers that are underpaid. The secretaries, support staff, maintenance staff and the majority of teachers need to give back their overpaid salary to the ones who are less fortunate that would include those who have made their careers d131.
Dr Popp had every right to write the parents to bad our teachers have resorted to breaking the law with a unlawful protest.
Tell the truth=Matt you know that if we were offered 7% raise then somewhere else in the contract we were getting shafted, say, as in health insurance premiums so there was no real increase. This is a senseless waste of time but unfortunately we teachers are having to come together, because we have been lied to, ill-treated and underpaid for years. Teachers have been kept in the dark for a single reason- so a crappy contract would be dumped on our lap at zero hour, and then to be demonized by our very own superintendent Mr. Michael Popp who sent home an unprofessional poorly written letter throwing the teachers under the bus. This goes for the conniving Board as well who not only knew bout the letter but gave the nod to send it out. Never in my 27 years of teaching have I heard of a superintendent attacking his teachers in such a manner. Our students uniformly support us and smell a rat as only young people can do. If it weren't enough that with the Danielson/SLO's sapping our energy and preventing us thinking about the ART of teaching, if it weren't these careerists getting in their digs while building their resumes, we could really impact our kids. Unfortunately, the force is not with us.
To: tell the truth
You are full of it. Document where your numbers are coming from. There are 212 cells on the teachers salary schedule and in 198 of them the teachers are paid less than on the West Side (up to $37,090). Only 14 cells on the East Side pay more and 12 of those 14 cells are in the Bachelors column with 17 or more years experience (which is why the district wanted to get rid of those cells). Almost nobody has only a bachelors after 17 years of service. In District 131 only about a half dozen fit into these cells. Support staff is paid as little as $8 an hour and you call them overpaid? The maintenance staff is not even part of this contract but you were too ignorant to do your research.
Apparently you also never had to take the constitution test or you would know that people do have a right to peacefully protest. There is nothing illegal about it. You need to document where you are getting your facts from or explain why you are spouting the lies that you are.
What unlawful protest? The teachers have the right to do so. When other Districts in the State went on Strike they had Protest and no one said they where illegal. So do you mean that just in District 131 it is and where is your proof. After all this time of The Board of District 131, Administration and now it seems The Superintendent Dr. Popp treating teachers poorly they are standing their ground.
A Superintendent should never attack the Teachers if they decide too. Again when other Districts in this State struck no other Superintendent did that. Maybe he should send letters home stating why are classrooms are so overcrowded.
As far as disrupting people at suppertime it is up to them if they want to go. No the students shouldn't do anything in the classrooms but if they feel they want to support the teachers then that is their decision.
There are two options (really the same thing) that would avoid all this unrest in our community. 1) Pay the staff a fair and competitive wage or 2) Bring in binding arbitration. Everyone knows the money is there ($202 Million budget this year, up $17.5 million from last year) and that certain board members and administrators refuse to use it to pay teachers.
It really makes a person wonder if an outside agency should be brought in to find out how certain people are profiting. I personally hope this drags out for a while. Community members are starting to see what's been happening at the board and administrative level and are finally becoming politically active. Hispanic parents may be slow to stand up against authority but when they do, watch out. They are a very united, close knit community and nothing will get them more motivated than to find out that those charged with taking care of their children are not doing their job.
Wow. Let's just get the kids out there and what was it "bang on drums" ?? Teachers, you are way off base once again. If you look thru the blog over time you see the complaints of the school not being safe, now you are saying the school is safe. Well, which is it?? Or are you really saying that you just concoct issues that are not true, just so you can garner attention. That is childish and very disrespectful of the children. Quit telling our students lies. You do not care for them, all they are to you are pawns in your scheme to extract undeserved money from the district. And unfortunately you are teaching our kids. Who knows what personal interjections you bring into the classroom. I have seen eight year olds act more professional that this. This whole education needs to change immediately. Vouchers need to be issued to the students so they can actually get a real education somewhere else. You are not as underpaid as you state you are. It is the other school districts that are overpaid. You just don't get it do you!! We will not support you from age 21 until your death anymore. Go on strike, no one will notice that you are gone. The students might actually learn something for a change.
Hints for a successful protest. The comments Monday need to be directed at Annette Johnson. Although one board member everyone knows she is the person most capable of paying teachers. I remember last time when the teachers pushed back she found the money and the board listens to her. Johnson also does not care for the current administration and has been bending over backward to fix climate and culture. Hatchet is also on the negoicating committee and seems fair. Since they are appointed by the board they need to fix this and tell their fellow members to stop wasting everyone's time. Johnson did vote against Hanley that is a start and she knows the finances.
I have not been a fan of hers until recently but she has stood up to the administration.
I am not a fan of arbitration and we need to STOP encouraging this. I have heard the board is looking at this. They will show the building needs, low income neighborhoods with no taxes and the heavy dependence on the State that is broke. Please stop it is to big of a gamble. Have asked around and it is not safe. We may get less.
Way past fed up is someone easily entertained by stirring the pot on a blog. But needs to find some new instigating punching lines. "Will not support you from age 21......" Has been debated and clarified. And you repeat it WAY too often. Not gonna stir the pot today. Get a clue, get involved. Look at how many other teachers contracts are being resolved around then area. This is not unique to our teachers. What is unique is the way our board and supt. responds. Our students WILL actually learn something when the teachers manage to get a little support and respect from the managers of our district and get what they need in the classrooms.
The board is scared to death of arbitration. They are so afraid they won't even speak the word publicly and refuse to take a vote on it. There is no way that a fair and impartial outsider would look at the districts finances and the salaries of the surrounding school districts and come up with any other solution than a significant salary raise for the staff. The board knows this, it's time the teachers and staff figure it out.
It's also time that everyone figures out that the board represents the Stonegate Residents, not District 131. The children of District 131 are their second to last priority, the teachers and staff are the last. The only way to enact the changes needed to improve the education in District 131 is to get rid of the Stonegate Board Members and replace them with real representatives from District 131.
The entire board except Mr Laesch voted for the tax levy raising the taxes. It looks like the board does the best for everyone and Laesch just plays for votes for a future office. Hatchett lives in Stonegate and always talks about children. Strand in the disappointment she said she was for teachers but what has she done but give Hanley a raise.
So what you are saying is that the district is paying you a fair wage based on it's budget? Can't have it both ways. Just take your generous 7% raise and run. Many districts did not get half of that. You will be overshadowed by the greed in CPS as well.
The board should vote for arbitration it end this. They will not have to pay any more than they offered. The unions accountant already proved the district can not pay more than 4%. Remember arbitration is binding and when they look they will not force the district to come up with more. We will go backwards.
The teachers should tell parents why they choose not to educate their children in 131. They know the other teachers including themselves and administration are not qualified. Therefore teachers by skill in this district should not be paid as much as the districts in Naperville.
To: Taxpayer 1
Knock the crap off. When NCLB was enacted in 2000, all teachers were required to be highly qualified and in the few cases that they are not, the district would have to make it public including a letter home to every student who was not being taught by a highly qualified teacher. It is absolutely disgraceful how the Stonegate crowd will stop at nothing to smear this district for their own profit. They don't give a damn about the kids of District 131.
To: No Arbitration
The Union did not bring in their accountant, Carla Hettinger from Local 604 brought in a teacher from Joliet who has taken a few business courses. It was very clear that he nitpicked a few facts that made the district look poor. When asked any questions, he had no answers. He definately did not use current numbers and claimed to have no knowledge of the $17.5 million new dollars that the district received this year. It was once again Local 604 reeling off the the boards arguments.
Local 604 has exposed themselves this year to everyone that they do not represent the hardworking union members. They are dues collectors who don't want to expend any services that would cost them money. They did make sure that union dues went up this year even as they have worked against us. It may be time to get rid of the AFT. Local 604 leaders don't want anything that would cut into their 6 figure salaries. Dick Manley alone makes about $300,000. Yes that's more than our District 131 Superintendent makes. Something to think about
The union accountant does have a CSBO certification in school finance. He also does the books for 604 because he is a CSBO. He wants to teach and not administrate. Teachers will be a risk because the district can show their financial picture. Don't forget the district can show the State has not paid 38 million since 2012. The will also show lower home values. We are taking a big risk.
To: We need to get our facts straight
What risk? We're already the lowest paid teachers in the six county area and we're losing hundreds of teachers every year because of it. They can't even fill all the positions. If I remember correctly, there were 152 I filled positions the first day of school. How much lower do you think they can go? At this point, pay us or fire us, enough with paying us way below market value. That's all we're doing is hiring new teachers and keeping those who can't get a job anywhere else. These kids need the best teachers not everyone else's scraps.
The teachers supported Arroyo, Laesch , Hatchett, and Johnson and you can't even get a contract. West central admin is moving into a fancy new facility , building a new school, remodeling others while on the state watch list, The teachers must be thrilled since most of you live over there. You should ask Chapa Lavia to come and support your rally. She will take any support for mayor. she supported Arroyo and all the new and sitting board members and you bought it hook line and sinker. Surely she supports education even though you wouldn't know it after all the years over education in Springfield . The arrangers of the rally will be silent while all the pawns take the mic. A rally without the leadership is useless so get a politician . Richard Irvin, another alumni is in the mayors race also maybe he will come and support your efforts; surely he supports education and will do anything for your votes. Come on guys and ladies these are no brainers and it's free
What a pointless post with no substance.
First of all no Mayor gets involved in School Districts and since our City has four districts I believe it would do no good.
I believe teachers deserve a raise but am tired of hearing you are the lowest paid around and I don't believe it. Just this summer a district in IL struck and they stated they where one of the lowest. If you are unhappy with the working conditions do want many do and look somewhere else. I know it is hard working in crowed classrooms and poor Administration and sometimes even when you like working with the students it is time too move on. We can't compare our selves to Naperville since their taxpayers and parents don't mind paying high taxes and they care about their students education. We do have parents that care about thier children's education but not as many as Naperville.
Maybe in arbitration the arbitrator will see the misuse of money like spending $30,000 for a veterans program. If this district doesn't have money why would they use Federal Money for it. How about the IPhones that where bought and are sitting on the shelf? Usually when money is tight you don't have working lunches.
Must be one of the old board members. The reason the teachers can't get a contract is POPP. Finally the union asked to negotiate directly with the board and issues are getting resolved. The old board allowed big raises of all of Popps cronies from 204 not to mention Hanley. I have attended many meetings since they took over and I seem to remember the offer from the old board which was only .8%. Although we have a little ways to go the offer are much higher 3% to 7.5%. The old board also misspent over 10 million dollars . Mr Jergans our accountant proved that. The cash reserves fell dramatically under Popp.
Strand is the biggest disappointment she promised a good contract and the understanding of teachers rights. We lost our rights, and admistration got big raises. Here is hoping Johnson cleans house. Here is hoping the new board continues to ask questions about the curriculum and money Popp is wasting.
The City does have plenty to do with the failure of EA Schools. They have taken taxpayers land away to themselves. Just recently they took all the land away for Rivers Edge park. Stonegate also got a new park. The City refused to allow Waubonsee to sell the building to EA. It could have been used for an career learning center. The City was ready to stick Popp with paying for the demolition of Copley. Popp had plans to build his administrative center on the Copley property. Popp also would have paid for a Community Center. Mr Padron should FOIA these underhanded deals.
Mr Laesch has uncovered countless Cordigan & Clark/ Weisner scams and is exploring a run for Mayor. Hopefully in 2016 Aurora will get a Mayor that looks out for the EA schools. We are lucky that a new board was elected.
I think we should give the a Hooverboard to Popp. It is clear he has run the district into the Emergency Room. The teachers are all on life support as they try to make due without a Curriculum, no class supplies, a run away discipline program and no wage increase.
Gloztbach recently accused a teacher of trying to charge a personal item off on her $200 class supply budget. The item used for a classroom experiment was $2.49. Thruckenbrod recently demanded teachers write a detailed explanation of how our $200 would get used in the classroom. Do you see a pattern. They can pay 204 cronies big $$$, spend $30,000 on veterans day when teachers at Simmons put the same assembly for $250. Crespo then tells students we are nitpicking. Let not even mention the $40,000 raise to Hanley. Waddle who in 204 was only a AP continues to belittle teachers in her middle school voice (her words not ours) Yes we are children because we do not teach in 204.
Again, BOE do you see a pattern until we are respected we will not vote for a contract. Annette though she could buy us off by giving enough of us a wage that most could say we are paid like other districts. She counted her votes and lost. Word is she is confused as to why 1100 employees who with the new contract are now paid according to other districts. She asks why would 1100 not vote yes. Many agree the salary schedule can not get fixed in one contract. Yes Annette you did not create the salary schedule issues, WE AGREE. Annette look and listen the working conditions are horrible WE DESERVE A COMBAT bonus.
I suggest you find out why we are mistreated and then talk money. Freezing the administrator wages is a start but you had no problem getting out the broom. Maybe your New Years gift should be a broom. Here is a idea we will give you one if you come to the RALLY
So Superintendent Michael Popp wanted to buy the old Copley building for an Administration building and expected The City to pay for demolition. There where others that wanted to buy the old Copley building and the city didn't give them a ride to demolish it. It would be in the millions to do that. Why would District 131 need so much land for an Administration building. Remember Superintendent Michael Popp would need the approval of The Board Of Education of 131 to do that. We have hundred year old schools that need improvement and this board and superintendent wants a brand new building I think not. Don't believe Annette Johnson cares for the teachers if you do you are a fool.
Maybe someone should look into Gloztbach spending over the years and see how she took her husband on trips.
The district would have demolished the building and there are blue prints on this project. They would have used the excuse they needed a pre school center just like 204. The land would have been dionated with the district footing the bill. It was political pay to play. That is why the stakes had been so large with the last election. Money was spent to keep Laesch off the board he would have exposed them. Popp was promised a long term contract. Remember Hull and Garza owed their jobs to the City.
The current new board members would never have allowed the district to be taken advantage of. The residents and teachers should thank them.
So how exactly is a state certified teacher with a bachelor/masters/doctoral degree in education not qualified? Don't worry, I'll wait for a response.
And I think the staff has already explained MANY times why they turned down the contract and voted to strike.
I have never seen such a joke coming from the NEA to AFT. What a waste of dues. When I worked for a neighboring district through NEA, the very first institute day had the union's district president speak, offer to contact him at any time (and he typically replied the same day), and collected personal emails of members immediately to discuss union matters. This was when the district wasn't even in a bargaining year.
The EA union is still dispersing vote tallies and some news via district email addresses. Not to mention I had no idea who our EA president was until my second year on the job. I still have not seen her in person, or received a reply to my many emails. Our district president and local union president are unorganized and out of touch (in more ways than one).
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-purchasing-st-0103-20160102-story.html
We hope to see everyone at the rally and board meeting Monday 01/04 at 5:45 PM at the high school [by the flagpole].
The negotiations involve not just teachers by also office staff [secretaries and clerical] and support staff [everyone from those who do sign language for deaf students to deans' assistants]. This includes those with twelve months contracts and those who get laid off over the summer. The contract is about WAY more than money [though EA teachers and staff are vastly undercompensated compared to surrounding districts {like West Aurora} or Chicago Public Schools], but also involves years of negative past practices, poor or ill-defined language, lack of curriculum, lack of consistency when it comes to discipline, class start times and end times, club stipends not being paid for months, assessment processes, students being taught in hallways/class sizes, etc. Nine out of ten students receive free lunch and breakfast [due to poverty]. 90% of our students are Hispanic, and 5% African American. Because of the ethnic and class democraphics of our population, they have been wholly underserved by the federal and state goverments, as well as the district. The teachers and staff LOVE their kids and work under incredibly difficult conditions to serve both their community and the children entrusted to their care. The staff/teachers of EA are the hearts and souls of District 131 who do everything in their power to help their children fulfill their fullest potential, despite the fact there are those who want to write them off. We ask for the support of the community because our working conditions are the students' learning conditions. If we don't fight for them, who will? If you want to join together with us to struggle for East Aurora students, you can hear staff/teacher/community member/student stories at the rally and board meeting. We need to have higher standards for how the district serves our student population, and how it creates the conditions for working professionals who care for the students. We love EA!
The board can fix this if they want
In the last two years since Popp has become Sup the schools have become dangerous to work in. He recently granted a rare meeting with staff although he still had his bodyguard Mark Thruckenbrod present. They basically told teachers we have no idea how to manage our classrooms. They called us liars and bad teachers. This behavior would have never been tolerated by Dr Roberts. Teachers get hit daily, cursed at, sexually harassed and told f**k yourself daily. Drugs are sold in the hallways and gangs have taken over all the Middle Schools an HS. Weapons are turned in several times a month and nothing happens. Fights happen daily and Thruckenbrod just tells us you need to break them up. I dare the BOE to spend one day in our schools. Popp has not. Glotzbach is never seen only Thruckenbrod. He mocks us. We would like the Stonegate residents also to join us.
Many of the problems happen as a result of the Dreams program or Alternative Ed program something Popp changed with the board from hell two years ago. The new board is slowly becoming that. It is time the board looks at pay and working conditions. A beginning teacher may be paid equal to other districts but they leave now for fear of their lives, working conditions and knowing that when you work here five years your salary decreases rapidly.
Dr Popp we understand you recently married and she is a teachers in 204. Would she work at EA?
If that happens to you as a teacher, then you suck as an instructor. 30 years in the District and I have not experienced that. Go to Chicago if you really want to see those types of activities. Better yet, go door to door and sell insurance. You obviously can't teach.
I was just at the board meeting and the turnout was amazing. Great to see so many staff, teachers and community members united! I must say I was very disappointed in the actions of some of the administrators in the front row who I was seated near. Richard Schroeder the director of assessment and accountability was on his phone texting, browsing twitter and showing pictures to the other admins for more than half of the meeting. I can only assume this was on his district issued iPhone. Who would he be texting for work purposes if all the other administrators were present? The board members paid little attention to the speakers except to nod their head or look up from their phones or computer every few minutes. We have to keep up the fight because we are being heard but its still not enough!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-teacher-rally-st-0105-20160104-story.html
Here's a link to several recent articles about our district:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=38064740
.Its a shame that a boe member is posting info on this blog but then again its EA. If the teachers get 20 percent will that make the buildings safer.?Safety was a subject at the candidate forums and the new members all stated how we have to make the schools safer for teachers; sounds like another hollow promise. The post from Work conditions is so far fetched and totally unbelievable;board member with a filthy mouth.The four former BOE members are the ones that did not support Johnson All references to the old board is once again a current member. Laesch could not get elected dog catcher let alone Mayor. He rode Hatchetts coat tail financed by
Not sure what the heck "calling card " is talking about. Anyway, I have been a member of the voting community nearly all my adult life ( over 20 years) and I remember when Laesch ran against Denny Hastert. For a young guy coming out of nowhere, he gave him a good run! Not sure how he was riding Hatchetts coat tail when she was totally unknown to the school community. Unless you mean all those voters over in Stonegate who voted for her because she is one of them, running on the " don't raise my taxes" ticket.
Working conditions at the school are not so far fetched. all I can say is.....until you have walked a mile in someone's shoes.
The bashing of board members usually starts happening when Madam President does not get her way. I am guessing John Laesch must be causing her some problems, so now he is not worthy of dog catcher. Come on Annette and company, if you spent as much time actually working on communicatiing progress on our district issues as you do trying to manipulate public opinion, you may have a better chance at gaining some respect.
Not sure who is calling John Laesch a Dog Catcher. All of the board members were present at the meeting last night until 1130pm. Sound like it may be a few former board members who lost. Maybe they are jealous of John because he takes on hard issues like not allowing the Mayor of Aurora to dump on EA. Maybe its because John would have not been stupid enough to put a hack PR person in a $140,000 job.
It truly is time to solve this. I am thinking that we must do what was done on the west side a couple decades ago. the people who lived a little west of Orchard wanted to be in West Aurora District 129 instead of Kaneland of which they were part of. They were able to accomplish this. (Now with district 129 approaching 65% on the free breakfast and lunch program, I think some are questioning that decision). Maybe the east side from lets say north from Sheffer Rd and east of High St.( or Mitchell)petition to become part of District 204 or Batavia. That will solve district 131 problems and they won't have to worry about raises as there will be fewer students in the district. fewer students equals fewer problems with safety and all the other bs that is tossed around. Also, the people on this blog will have to pick another straw man to whine about. But this is something to look into as it has been done and it is allowed in the rules to change the physical area of the district.
To the person with a thought. Along with thinking, do a little research. There are many students who live in Aurora, far northeast, that go to Batavia schools. It is very possible they like living in Aurora, but enjoy being part of Batavia, also. So they may not want to be annexed into another district. Is it possible you may be causing those on those boundaries you have drawn, to whine louder if they get put into a higher taxing area. Less students? Do you see the people at the Board meetings from the neighborhood you have cut off for reassigning. Retired old people, and Ms. Hatchett and Ms. Johnson. There are not that many students coming from those areas. That is what they are complaining about. They feel they pay too much into the district and don't even have children in the schools. What they fail to explain is they made that choice to buy into that area, in the not so distant past, and now that the good deal they thought they got, has turned out to be a bad choice, they want a bailout on the backs of our students and their education. They could do like some people tell the teachers, if you don't like it leave!. #EADeservesBetter
Johnson if pressured will fix things and the board who just likes to be in the limelight will let her because they want the teachers to just give them a hug. Central Office news is Johnson wants people to stop coming to meeting and speaking. Johnson will move on money and will push administration to stop harassing us. Johnson does not like anyone but herself and you could tell we are getting to her. Let's organize more speakers and keep the pressure up the board is bending.
On another note Ralph, you may want to find out why Platt Electric was paid $600 to take down a flag from the Popp PR campaign.
To: Centeal News
Annette Johnson is getting worried because she's seeing the REAL East Aurora community getting organized. Stonegate is NOT East Aurora. They vote regularly and have barely been able to keep Annette on the board but she knows that it could easily change at the next election. The community is beginning to see what this board has been doing. They are starting to get informed. There were teachers passing information to the community on how to run for the school board. If this keeps up, the REAL East Aurora will replace every person on the board. They will do what it takes to care for their children. This community is slow to stir but they are a force when they get organized. It's a very close knit community. I'm sure Annette will be coming out with a better offer soon. It better bring the teachers up to West Aurora or she will be done.
Date: January 7, 2016
To: Board of Education East Aurora Dist 131
Subject: EHS Driver Ed Simulators
$165,865.00 Purchase - Doron Precisions Systems
Timeline 2015
8-24 Purchase Order Created for Doron
8-17 Requisition for PO awarding Doron $ 165K
Note: Requisition has Dennis Renner’s name printed
Was Dennis already on Sick Leave
Who approved the Requisition
Req created when quote received from ECA Group
8-17 Received Price Quote from ECA Group
8-07 Received Price Quote from Doron Precision
Questions/Comments
WHY DID THIS NOT GO OUT FOR PUBLIC BID
THE BOARD OF ED NEVER APPROVED THIS PURCHASE
1 Where is the Purchase Approval Log (It doesn’t exist)
2 Are there emails identifying who handled this purchase
3 Did Principal Anthony Crespo approve the Requisition
4 What was Crespo’s role in this purchase
5 Where is Christi Tyler in all of this
6 Wasn’t Mark Truckenbrod overseeing the High School Activities
Again Purchasing Violations have surfaced on a larger scale
How long will this Board of Ed tolerate those individuals whom are responsible for
insuring that Taxpayer Dollars are being spent responsibly
Respectfully
Ralph Padron
Annette likes having the power. She believes she can manipulate anyone to do her bidding. She has done so....often. Her manipulation has required her to lie. Lies about her abilities, lies about other people. She wants to look like everyone's hero in hopes of being re-elected to the Board and as the Board president. The most current lie is her attempt to look like she is the main one trying to give the teachers a fair contract. She sees the support the teachers have from the community. If she can take credit for giving the teachers a better offer, she thinks that will ace her re-election. I hope people have wised up to her manipulation and no longer give her credit for accomplishments in this district. Hopefully, people now realize how far back and how often SHE was in the middle of all the problems with insurance, maintenance, and many of the embarrassments our district has had to deal with. Thank you, Ms. Johnson.....I will give you total credit for being one of the main players causing the many failures in 131. As much as I support the teachers, I will support a campaign to not allow you to be re- elected to the Board.
I hear Popp has been voted out. Are they giving him a buyout, I think he still has a year left on his contract?
The main player in ruining the EA school district is not one person it has been many. Annette has had many accomplishments and I support her. Look to the failures of the schools from community leaders like Mayor Weisner who took all the land and built the police station ans Rivers Edge park taking millions off the tax roles. Let us not forget the Bigalow/Shodean fiasco. Look to Linda Chapa Lavia who's husband benefited from the insurance scam and Linda herself who cheated the schools out of 40 million in State dollars.
Annette should continue to support her Stonegate residents the people who teachers have speaking can't vote. She should remember us the REAL TAXPAYERS of 131
Hope 165. Remember that slogan. Whatever happened to that Annette?
I am a proud Annette supporter and my PE class received funds from 165. We also have free camps throughout the summer for kids from all ages. Recently Thruckenbrod and Garcia stated the district would discontinue the programs or children would have to pay. Some of us questioned if the had known about this. There was a long pause and we have not heard anything else. My guess is they are afraid of the board namely Johnson. If it makes sense for kids Johnson has been for it.
taxpayer I is correct, you must be a citizen to vote in any election- including local elections. One has to wonder how much of the overcrowding is due to non citizens enrolled in the school district. One has to wonder why the city does not enforce the zoning and occupancy requirements in the school district, also. One has to wonder why some residences have not been classified 'condemned". If the above issues were addressed, we probably could eliminate a substantial amount of teaching positions and possibly close some of the older school buildings. These would be helpful for the budget and we could finally get rid of the really bad and uneducated teachers who make life truly unbearable for the students and their parents. Yes, the true EA community is really tight and this community has been here quite a long time.
Ralph, could you look into why the city has not enforced the zoning and occupancy requirements. This would go a long way to addressing the real underlying issues of the district. Also Ralph, could you see how many retired teachers knew they were not paying what they should have for the health insurance and how long they knew it before all that came out in the open. Thanks in advance, Ralph.
Didn't the district sell the land to a developer first at a low price and when they couldn't build on it sold it to the City for more than they paid? The Mayor did not take that land he bought it. Although they did take one business for Rivers Edge I don't believe it generated a lot of taxes. There are a lot of free programs for children around the city and really it is only free for the students not the district they have to pay teachers for run it. Also it is not Annette Johnson it is the whole board that approves these things. Did Annette Johnson make the Administrator's pay back the mis use of money on credit cards? No she didn't and from what I hear there was many charges for personal use and some charges without receipts which is against the law. All she did after the article in the Beacon was take them away.
it is interesting Strand claims she is for the teachers. She smiles and tells the teachers how concerned she is then she has private meeting at the SSC with Popp. The other six board members have no idea what she is up too. Is she not the one who voted for Hanley? Something big will come out about her soon and everyone will realize who she is. Everyone who is a teacher needs to unfriend her. . She has provided Popp with teachers names and complaints about administration. Be very careful on Facebook with posts.
Sour grapes, if you listen to John Laesch you would know he is a tax and spend flaming liberal; he and Johnson cannot be more opposite. I've been at every meeting since Johnson was put back in office as president and she has not voted no on any bills. Asking questions and. Voting no like she didf are two different things. All the grandstanding came to an abrupt end once she was pres again. Ralph continues to point out new purchasing issues that have remain consistently for years. Johnson did not create the purchasing mess but she has not fixed it either. This has been going on long before her time but was exposed in the last 5 years. Whoever is thinking about Johnson feeling the pressure obviously is making a misinformed statement . She has persevered through mostly bad times and keeps standing. That real community you refer to will not be voting in 17 . Last election she had Chapa Lavia endorsement and she will have it again especially since the mayors election will coincide ; politicians make strange bedfellows and the two of them love to bloviate about whatever.
Date: January 8, 2016
To: Board of Education East Aurora Dist 131
Subject: Motivational Speaker Costs
Dear Board of Education
Attached are invoices for “Motivational Speaker” at East High Sept Red & Black Assembly.
Credit card used by Principal Anthony Crespo for payment
Gabe Salazar $ 4,675.19
Misc Per List of Bills $ 240.00
Total $ 4,915.19
Questions/Comments
I am NOT opposed to Motivational Speakers HOWEVER I am questioning the following
1 In previous years were there speakers brought in and paid this amount for Red & Black
2 I find it very difficult to believe that someone is not available locally to speak as a courtesy or substantially lesser amount
3 There is a teacher contract unresolved at this time & someone decides to pay $ 5k for this
4 Does anyone understand the importance of using local resources and individuals to assist in putting together a quality program without “WASTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS”
Board of Ed: Please inform Anthony Crespo there is a FINANCIAL CRISIS
Here is a recap of Mr Crespo’s 2016 compensation package
Salary 133,000.00
Pension 13,925.00
Insurance 17,820.24
TOTAL $ 164,745.34
Respectfully
Ralph Padron
Wow. I cannot believe that someone is complaining about bringing in a top notch nationally known speaker for the students at 131. This is what our students need. They need to experience the best, just like the veterans day event. Just because the kids may not come from big money families doesn't mean that they should not be exposed to someone that just might make that difference in their lives. The kids should be exposed to this melting pot called America and realize that it can be for them also if the assimilate and work hard. Look at the number of students enrolled in NJROTC. What is it, 1/3 of the school?? They are looking for leaders. We all know that the teachers are not leaders and these events are way to far and few between. The teachers not having a contract is NOT a financial crisis. Ralph, don't you dare say these kids are not worth it because these kids may not come from families with money. How dare you imply they are worthless. No wonder why the administrators get paid the money they do as they have to put up with people complaining about events like this.
Taxpayer 1
The only thing that should be condemned is East High. The ceilings are sagging with water leaking there are garbage cans to collect it in the middle of the hallway. There is visible black mold all over the Freshman Center and the roof by the freshman center has visible structural damage letting in moisture. This is over a year old, probably longer. The Little Theater was so overtaken by mold that it remained sealed for a year; there are two special ed classrooms directly across from the Little Theater kids and teachers report feeling sick and unable to breathe on a daily basis. Our kids and teachers suffer from respiratory and flu- like symptoms all year long. These issues have been present for years, they are not a secret but District 131 does not value the teachers and students as long as they can spend 40,00 for raises and 30,000 for a flag ceremony, while we are being poisoned.
I am very careful what I post on Facebook; basically I will only post if I'm okay with the whole world reading/seeing it. And I'm not about to unfriend someone who is a fellow D131 parent, even if I disagree with some of her views.
The old Italian saying applies in this case: Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.
;)
Unreal, can't you read??
Ralph says "I am NOT opposed to motivational speakers".
His objection is to the considerable EXPENSE of hiring a speaker. His concern is that our (taxpayers) money is spent responsibly. When a district is in financial crisis it is prudent to challenge every questionable and/or unnecessary expense.
5 thousand dollars here, 10 thousand there...that's REAL MONEY for most of us taxpayers. I commend Ralph for continuing to investigate how our money is spent.
BYRD IS DEMANDED BACK! The EA high school teachers are rallying together and putting a petition to bring back Spencer Byrd as the next superintendent. The educational improvements he accomplished working TOGETHER with his staff in two years is exactly what D131 needs as a vision for the entire district.
East Aurora School District 131
Special
Monday, January 11, 2016 6:30 PM
School Service Center - 417 Fifth Street, Aurora, IL
I. Roll Call
II. Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing the Appointment, Employment and Dismissal of a Specific Employee and Negotiations
III. Public Comments/Questions
IV. Adjournment
I heard the Board did not like Bryds approach to some things. I think they could have overlooked a few things considering all the positive change that came under his term as principal. Maybe the Board forgot to look at the whole picture. :(
As a parent, I would love to see him return. Not so sure he would consider it.
The BOE needs to be aware. Thruckenbrod under the orders of Popp has decided to address issues in the PE department he is blaming Renner and telling everyone certain PE teachers need to be remediated. This is the same issue that cost Jessica Brummel her job. Stand up to Popp, try to make this a better place to work and you will get fired.
The BOE needs to take action or teachers and the community will walk. The community has your backs and if Arroyo, or Laesch think they have future plans they will not get elected dog catcher.
Popp has put the word out to harass members of our team. WE MUST STAND BEHIND THEM.
The board must take action. Lets stand in unity.
I heard the old board put Crespo in and Popp put Crespos family in front of them. The old board had the votes and stopped the new board from having a chance to review his qualifications. There was a letter sent to the new board by teachers asking by qualification who would you hire. All of them but Strand supported Byrd. I also heard there are emails from Johnson to Popp asking him to not give Hanley a raise or hire Crespo. I also heard Laesch, Darby and Arroyo asked Popp to allow them the chance vote on new Principal. Popp refused and now everything has backfired. We need to petition that Strand resign she has supported Popp's poor choices. Many of us helped her and held coffees for her. She said she would be our and now we are bullied and administration got the money that should have gone to teachers.
Just because you heard there were letters to Popp does not mean it's accurate. A prudent individual would not spread unsubstantiated hearsay; produce the letters. Ralph please FOIA Popps email or better yet Johnson should produce the letters. Please reference your information; preferably peer reviewed documents not Wikipedia.
Johnson did not vote for Hanley along with Leonard that was public. As for Laesch, and Darby I know that they supported Byrd. I will take your word for Arroyo that he did as well. Why did the old board hire Crespo they were not going to be around. Strand is a disappointment for teachers and should resign.
To Unity:
If the administration is harrassing members of the negotiating team (and I KNOW that they have), then Sara and the union should be filing an unfair labor practices charge against the district. It's ILLEGAL to harrass an employee for excercising their union rights. If Sara refuses to protect the negotiating team who are representing us, the membership, then she (and Local 604) are deliberately aiding the district. It is so clear that Sara, Carla and Dick Manley are the issue. We need to make a clean sweep from all three of them.
It is also inexcusable that Sara refuses to share with the membership any information about negotiations. She has even refused to inform the membership of what our demands were going into the negotiations with the district. It has been established that Sara signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU's) was illegal. After getting caught, she acknowledged that she would not do it again. She then made the agreement, a written or verbal MOU, with the district that she would keep negotiations private. This can only serve to give the district an unfair advantage over the employees. The board and administration are fully informed of the negotiation proceedings but the membership is kept in the dark. Why would our union president deliberately choose to put the membership at a disadvantage unless she has made a backroom deal for her own benefit? It has been the same thing going on for years in District 131.
Adam Harding - As soon as the bad contract was signed switched to the administrative team with a big raise. Worse, after turning on the membership, Local 604 hired him with a six figure salary. If that doesn't tell you that the union is in bed with the district, nothing will.
Mary Dudzienski - Was receiving a salary from the district of $145,000 a year when she was union president. The top of the salary schedule at that time was $75,000. What was the district paying her the extra money for? Yet again, another terrible contract for teachers.
Carla Hettinger - Another one who went to Local 604 with a six figure salary after making sure that we were screwed on a contract.
Local 604 is nothing but dues collectors. We are told that our union dues (nearly a million dollars a year) goes for representation in Springfield but the truth is, it goes for the high salaries of Local 604 reps. Did you know that $300,000 of your union dues goes to Dick Manley's salary? Yet we are then told that there is no money to bring in a lawyer to protect our legal rights. If you really want to pissed off, ask Sara how much money in union dues she spent to bring that financial expert (really just a teacher from Joliet) in to tell us we shouldn't ask for a pay increase. It will make you sick when you find out how much. If they had thousands of dollars to pay him to tell us not to ask for a fair wage they should have spent it on an attorney to represent us.
Annette Johnson and several other board members keep saying that they can not fix a contract that took so many years to mess up? What they don't say is that it has been the district and corrupt union leaders that have created this situation. It appears obvious that if the district has underpaid it's teachers and staff for decades they should have a huge reserve of cash from their savings. And as we all know they are sitting on over $80 million in reserves and received $17.5 million dollars more this year than they did last year (The budget last year $184 million, this year $202 million) It would only take about ten million to pay us all a fair and competitive wage. If they are not paying teachers a fair salary, it is by their choice, NOT because of the financial condition of the district. That is why the board and district are so against arbitration. If a fair and impartial arbitor were brought in, they would mandate that the district pay us a fair wage. They know that Sara is in their back pocket and they will be able to screw the teachers once again. It is way past time to stand up and demand what's fair.
!!!!!STAND UNITED!!!!!
To: United we stand
It is a good thing you are not teaching accounting or anything related to running, managing or even just being an employee in any organization in the real world. You truly have no clue what you are talking about when it comes to budgets, financials, reserves, unions or operations of any organization. Unfortunately, you don't really know what even an employee should be doing. Sad, but I don't think anyone could teach you as your mind is filled with so much hate for the truth. The truth of the matter is that district 131 is trying to correct the corruption, scandals, and illegal acts of the teachers. Students that cannot read, cannot string together coherent sentences and cannot apply basic math are the scandals to focus on. Please accept as fact that you are being paid a fair wage for your results. Please go stand united in the corner of the room and take a time out. Such children......
There is a petition Anette Johnson asked for help on. We will give the board that help however I think the presentation of EA was overkill.
We do not need a 40 million dollar renovation. We do need more classrooms, and a larger band room. We also need new locker rooms and the heating system fixed. Some of us feel like breaking out the swim suits while others can see their breath. Many of us have to trip over the buckets. Yes the hallways are crowded but we have told everyone for years dating back to administrative crony Joe Harmond that freshman can follow a different bell schedule. We understand the cash reserves issue and if they are planning on spending 40 million that would take away from students.
The petition will now get circulated asking for zero interest QSAB bonds. So Anette we will help you make EA a better place but we will hold the entire board accountable about properly spending money. Shame on us that we did not pay attendtion when Mary Dubzienski screwed us over years ago. Both Radocvich and Roberts kept her in a job for years on top of her bloated pension. We also want a voice is fixing overcrowding at EA. I am a old timer and I remember the back room deals with Larry Mel-liqueur and his entertainment at the "cave". Popp reminds me of the same in his treatment of teachers. Remember what do they have in common. They are both named Mike. We will watch because YES I agree we are all part of making EA better.
To: Lean forward
You are obviously the one without a clue. We don't teach widgets that are all purchased with the same dimensions and simply assembled. These are children, living beings with all different needs and strengths. They come from English as a second language families. Many come from gang backgrounds or drug addiction. We have schools that have populations that are over 50% special education and you call the teachers who serve these children failures and claim that they are corrupt because these challenged students don't fair as well on a standardized test as those that come from affluent communities with highly educated parents?
I also have to tell you that no other occupation has to deal with these outrageous one size fits all standards. All businesses aren't held to the same standard. If they were, any business that didn't have the trillion dollars that Apple is worth would be rated as failing. If a doctor that treated cancer patients was considered a failure if his patients didn't have a survival rate as high as a pediatrician, nobody would go into that field. It is quite the opposite, doctors who deal with the most challenging patients are the ones who make the most money.
You are certainly one warped and demented individual. As far as I'm concerned, these teachers are heroes and should be making top dollar, not being bashed by cheap, ignorant bastards like you.
Frankly, with your attitude, it's fairly obvious that you are one of those warped, frustrated old men who live in Stonegate. All I can say is I pray that you meet Jesus soon.
To lean forward: now bend over and grab your ankles. You deserve a swift kick. The teachers work can only be done as well as possible with the tools they are given to do their job. You wouldn't give a carpenter a rock and expect him to build a quality shed pounding nails with it. If teachers are given no curriculum or support and expected to work in overcrowded rooms or in hallways, you can't expect the best quality education. As a parent, I think they are doing a great job given they are working against the negative current of the administration and a non productive school board.
The district and the union are obviously world's apart on what they deem fair. Popp wrote a letter about fairness and keeping the students in school. The board claimed they want to work with the teachers, their hands are tied, but it's all about the students. The solution is obvious. They need to prove they want the kids in school and go to arbitration. There can be no strike. The union may not get the wages they hope for, but we know an impartial person will not give more than the district can sustain. The union will agree to this because they want to know what a fair contract truly is, and they want to keep the students in school. Annette Johnson, Mike Popp, and the rest of the district negotiating team need to back up their hollow words and ask for arbitration. If they will not make this offer, then you have all the proof you need: They are liars who don't give a darn about their employees or their students.
There is The Illinois School Code that the district should of been following for years that they don't. The Board of D131 had their own policies that the Administration should be following what is so hard about that that D131 and The Superintendent make it happen? Where I work we have to take an Ethics Class every year and sign a paper saying we will follow the rules about spending. The Board of 131 and the Superintendent need to make the Administration of D131 accountable and it shouldn't be hard. Who is watching the spending before any thing is bought? That is part of the IL School Code and you would think that since they got caught by the Department of Education the Board of 131 would know they need to watch things.
Good point Speaking to a pot stirrer said.
The school board has been productive all but one( Strand). I have been attending meetings since the district change in leadership. The level of presentations are poor and without direction. It seems the leadership under Popp doesnot want to share information with the board or they do not know how to run the district therefore they do not know how to put basic presentations together.
The old board made poor decisions and put everyone in a bad position. Hiring Crespo, giving Hanley a big raise, spending money on the extension campus (that is not used), no Curiculum, allowing secretive plans of an administrative center was to name a few. The board must understand they offered teachers less than 1% and then gave Hanley a $40,000 raise. My take is different the new board inherited a mess.
If it is true Popp is gone that will be a start.
Crespo is a bad choice he does not hold a Illinois teaching certification and has no experience. Why would someone who was not having his contract renewed at his former district be given a job in EA. He in front of staff has called students well stacked. It was reported to Thuckenbrod who in usual fashion called the teacher a liar and took Crespo's word for it. She needed to leave and find another job. She also reported payroll violations against Popps 204 connection in the AD job. This is to name a few. Board members need to ask for Brummels exit interview. It is my understanding Popp and Thuckenbrod never shared this calling teachers liars.
It was also reported Popp told union members they will be evaluated and let go if they do not teach the curriculum given to them or if the proper number of evaluations are not preformed. Does anyone see a pattern. This reportly happened with Johnson and Hatcher present. Does the board not see a pattern. What if the are not in the room. The board needs to be aware of the bully behavior that is present.
Ea should derserve better than Popp and his cronies. Let's hope the rumors are true and the board will not consider keeping him for the duration of his contract. Let's hope he is now feeling the way teachers feel never ours and anxious about their jobs.
I have a heavy heart for EA today. I have worked for EA for fifteen plus years and am paid $12,000 less than my friends working in other districts. I have helped shape both of Ms Strands son's education and yes they are good students but they have taken advantage of all this district has to offer. It shows it is not the teachers but the environment at home. I have also shaped many other children with not such good home environments. Their futures no matter how hard are better because we have given up so much.
Ms Strand professed she would work to make EA a better place for teachers. Many of us believed as a Christian she would not lie. She claimed a new superintendent would fix all and we believed her. Ms Strand made us believe Dr Popp was all that and a bag of chips. Three years later retaliation, job loss, no Curiculum, no classroom supplies and the Matt Hanley raise kicked us in the gut. Yes, some of these problems existed with Dr Roberts in terms of no Curiculum and supplies but not to this extent. He would have never put his image over teachers and he had an open door. Dr Popp has shut the door pushing us off to Glotzbach or Thuckenbrod. Then only to face more retribution.
Ms Strand however will graduate her son's with Ivy League degrees and they will never "want". The other children that Ms Strand has forgotten will still be taken care of by the unappreciated EA teachers. While Ms Strand worries about Dr Popp and Matt Hanleys six figure salaries we go without a wage increase. It was recently disclosed when confronted by what she though are community members she told them "teachers in EA are paid well" and she goes on to state "they don't know what we are paying them". The community members turned out to be support staff. No Ms Strand we know what we are being paid and as long as you continue to treat us badly and not allow arbitration we will feel like we are being cheated. We do not trust anymore you have made us lose trust. We believed you!
It also turns out that while the other board members are working to improve the district she votes no for more money and continues to worry about Popp. I wonder how you sleep.
Here's a link to 23 pages of recent news articles about our district:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=38134734
Just a reminder: any comments not identified are automatically directed into the spam file. If you have written a comment that does not appear on the blog, please make sure you have identified yourself. You can call yourself "EA", "Me", or even "Anonymous1" if you want, but you must click on "Name/URL". Otherwise you've wasted your time because your comment will be considered spam.
Thank you!
Um.... I work at the Extension Campus, along with other staff. Class is held with teachers and students. It exists and it is being used.... just so you are aware. Come by and visit some time.
Complaining on EA Rank and File is at your own risk. The blog allows for a secure place to share information and stories without posting our names. Let us remember some union members are being targeted by crony principals of Glotzbach and Thruckenvrod. The board as well as many teachers and community members can publically see what is happening. Administrations names can be called out publically and maybe they will think twice about retaliation. Many of us have also accidently believed Strand was our friend therefore we friended her.on Facebook. Some of us are not careful about keeping our posts confidential and know Strand is sharing. Please let's start sharing as a safe and secure place on the blog.
Click on name/URL and then name
Put in a title its that simple
The Extension campus has less than 40 students attend on a daily basis. Try teaching at any real school in the district when it is impossible to find subs and we get students from other grades. PE classes become holding areas with 50 plus students in attendance daily. Try controlling students that should be at the Extension campus and have been mainstreamed into our buildings that are already overcrowded. Try getting by with NO social workers because the population is so large that services are needed.
Sorry,I am sure the students are very challenging but visit EA middle schools one day and experience a real school experience.
Too bad that it is against the law to show the files of teachers who have "issues" and have been reprimanded for their offensive conduct while teaching. One cannot count the times on this site that someone posts some "truth" and has to be corrected for the actual lie that was posted about some administrator or board member. Maybe under the anonymity of this blog the real truth about teacher behavior will come out, so the public will see that it is not the supposed booger man - the administration - but the teachers that are destroying the schools. maybe this can be a "safe" site to "share" what the teachers are really doing during the day instead of teaching. After reading this blog over the years, I can conclude that the teachers themselves have not left high school mentally as their behavior as seen thru their writing on this blog is just plain childish and full of high school games.
I will crap my pants if I come across the booger man
PREACH!
Must be Hanley earning his $140,000 salary defending the honor of Dr Popp. Tooooooooo bad they will both face the same uncertain future their reign of terror has infllected on teachers and administration. Hope to see Glotzbach, and Crespo join them.
Games are Over:
Matt your prose (if I can call it that) is so transparent. My colleagues and I work our asses off while I see division chairs and admins flit about, conversing all day. Must be nice to have so much free time. All of the teachers I know bust their asses, trying to give great lessons while in the midst of stultifying Danielson paperwork, and having people like you conducting McCarthy like tactics with their lives and their careers. That you are spending 1% of your overpaid day spying on co-workers should earn you a rail right out of Illinois. And don't be a hog, share some space on that log for Trukenbrod, Crespo, Glotzbach and of course Popp!!!
"To Games are Over": You have revealed yourself by your ACTIONS and your tacky, untrue comments. The truth is this administration and BOE cares more about lining their own pockets and that of their friends. Their ride on the EA gravy train is about over. We trusted some of you and bought your lies. No more ! You are wolves in sheeps' clothing.
We, who truly care about the students continue to buy supplies and materials out of our own pockets. (Those of you on the BOE who are telling the community members otherwise are misinformed or lying.) You are intoxicated by power. You choose to create your own reality so you can sleep at night.
I will continue to pour all I have into the children because this is my career, my passion, my mission, my purpose.
10:53Am
Don't count the BOE out they are listening we need to keep telling them what is really going on. The lies come from administration when I have talked with BOE members it was clear they did not know.
Do not speak with Strand or Leonard they are anti teacher but we need to keep sharing. We are starting to see positive movement but we need to stay united!
Please sign our petition and help the students of EA
https://www.change.org/p/illinois-state-board-of-education-il-state-board-of-ed-approve-50m-school-construction-bonds-to-east-aurora-district-131
The blog and Facebook pages have been filled with many stories of the teachers and their hard work. The individuals posting have been able to include their names and that is the way it should be. However there is a story lost in the writings. The story of a 131 administrator.
We have been portrayed as greedy, overpaid and retaliatory. Many of us are not overpaid, in fact we average 12 hour days and a fair comparison of salary reveals a salary disparity in neighboring districts of $20,000. Mr Brouch , a principal who has worked tireless hours with his family serving the needy families of 131 and will retire only making $105,000. We have also had our wages frozen, and receive only 2% last year. It is true the central office staff is vastly overpaid. This year alone we are taking the full blame for Matt Hanley. Matt's entire raise was in many cases 50% of our salary. We pay insurance and have now been working for less because of increases. We also have 12 month contracts.
In regards to retiliation nobody is feared more than Joan Glotzbach. The wrath of constant evaluations, and yes we have three evaluators which include Waddle (a AP herself last year), Thruckenbrod and Glotzbach. We have been told by the as for memtioned to turn the heat up on teachers. Many our paralyzed with fear following a board meeting because of teacher speakers. We are told to stop information coming to the board. The sad truth is many have received displine because of your comments. D131 is no longer a collbertive environment that era iretired with Dr Roberts.
We can hope rumors are true and the board follows through. A couple other thoughts for Mat Hanley, Joan Glotzbach, Mark Thruckenbrod, Sarah Waddle and Dr Popp. Please resign soon so the district can pick up the pieces. Please remember serving low income children is the first charge we have been entrusted with. Your tenure has ruined the sprit of education this year. To the teachers continue to speak at less however disfunctional you do have a contract protecting your rights. We do not!
If I were a Martian and had no knowledge of School District 131 other than this blog here is what I would think about the district.
The teachers are crybullies.
The teachers don't give anyone a chance to set their sea legs under them. - Within 2 weeks of the new board being elected they were jumped on. The new EA High Principal only on the job since August apparently sucks also.
The teachers don't want to teach, all they want to do is complain and intimidate the people trying to improve the district.
The teachers don't believe that education is the great equalizer for impoverished peoples. This blog gives the impression that the teachers want to hold the students back and don't want the students to improve past their current status of being downtrodden.
The teachers are clueless as to why new administrators coming in are demanding hefty salaries to deal with them. Here is a clue...Look in the mirror.
As a Martian I would also need to know about the booger man.
To the Martian. I am afraid upon your entry into this atmosphere you contracted a number of malfunctions. You seem to have tunnel vision, selective reading abilities and the inability to retain information that has been given to you in detail.
May I suggest, you remain on your planet, as I do not think you would survive long in the real world of education.
Maybe you could try writing......fiction would probably be a good choice.
Spaceman sounds like a Space Cadet. It is obvious that they have an agenda and are only nitpicking the few comments they choose to see. It's no wonder we have issues in this district.
Been teaching in district 13 years. Love it here. Wish I made more. Think I deserve to make more. Knew what I was getting into, but a lot of outsiders don’t understand challenges of being a teacher. Wanted to be at last rally but couldn’t make it. Hope to make next one so I can ask--
Why is Mrs. Johnson BRAGGING about giving away two million dollars? Don’t think its been asked of board. Haven’t heard about it. Why would they give away two million dollars? Mrs Johnson wrote a check for two million dollars to lower tax bills of people who call us failures. Mrs Johnson said their tax bills were too high. A two million dollar buy off?
Let’s say there are two thousand EA employees. Could have been one thousand dollars for every employee. Instead a hundred dollars for people living in three hundred thousand dollar homes who probably pay about the same in taxes as me and have no students. One thousand extra dollars won’t make me even with WA but a good start. Or give it to kids! Want us to ask state for money and Mrs Johnson brags about giving it away. Why.
Wasn’t this money from referendum community approved and I knocked on doors for?
Did two million $$ help EA students or staff? Nope. Didn’t even help our buildings! Helped a bunch of people board needed to impress to get elected. Needs of people with no students put AHEAD of EA kids. Mrs Johnson should be ashamed bragging about that. Raises for all of us were FLUSHED for a political game. And then she’s saying there could be more millions given away. I say no way. Two million dollar buy off. Not right. Need to tell Mrs Johnson she should be ashamed.
Maybe the 13 year teacher should move here and pay the taxes. However the 13 year teacher would never educate her children here. So SHUT UP. Look at your test scores you should pay us back.
Martian/Matt:
Yes Matt, going through the approved channels for remediation with our union makes us crybullies. How about you stop blappin' about something you know nothing about, which is teaching in an over-crowded gang-infiltrated mess. You sit in your bully pulpit; we know you are "brains" behind Popp's letter, he must be so happy with you about that fiasco. I know, I know, Matt we are the absolute scourge of teacherdom. Instead of showing solidarity with the staff, and at least presenting the face of professionalism; our administrators have been on attack mode against their over-worked talented staff since they came on board. Never in my 27 plus days have I seen such blatant hostility, and just plain bad manners. And Annette, if your support can be bought off for 2 million, your writing checks to the wrong people.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-magnet-academy-st-0120-20160119-story.html
Johnson was not the only board member to vote for the tax rebate they all did. It proves we go to the meetings and complain and action happens. The people from Stonegate got the board elected and they responded. The teachers brought the community out and the board responded.
We need to keep the pressure until certain district administrators are gone. It is a start with Popp.
Hey Matt we know you wrote the letter from hell are you now working on Popp's formal resignation or your own resume.
FYI to BOE members
Popp was heard telling Thruckenbrod and Hanley he can't to get out of 131. Good news Dr Popp we can't wait either. Everyone worked together and Dr Roberts said hello daily to us grunts. Many of us have never talked with Popp other than to get out of his way when he visits the real superintendents office Glotzbach.
Popp was heard saying only one BOE member knows her place. Central Office knows who that is. Ms Strand do us a favor and leave with Popp. Knows her place, Really?
FYI to Teachers about what Central news said.....
A teacher(who will remain nameless) said to another teacher (who will remain nameless)that he/she was tired and did not want to teach anymore today. A third teacher (who will remain nameless) chimed in and said that there are days that he/she does not like teaching at district 131 as the students are unruly. Then a fourth teacher(who will remain nameless) said that he/she does not really know the third teacher as they don't usually talk with each other. Then a fifth teacher(who will remain nameless) said the he/she likes spaghetti.
This is news, my friends, This is news.......You heard it here first......
what a pile of......Central news go do something meaningful.......This blog and its trivial slobber..........
Dear FYI/Matt
What you are describing is called "shop talk". Teachers come in at a certain energy level, give their all, get called whores and bitches, still care, buy their kids clothes and school supplies, especially those that walk in these temperatures, have kids tell us they hate us hate school "I'm hungry, give me food," kids are throwing up, coughing up a lung, get sent back to class, there's nothing wrong with this kid, etc... We get 24 minutes to eat lunch, most of us tell funny stories about our students, whom we love, but yes, occasionally Matt, on those days when we are slammed with all of the above we may say... I AM TIRED... shoot me Matt. And Annette how about 2 million in the kitty to pay for student busing? just a thought. I know you both care for the students and the teachers so deeply...
To step right up. Whats your point. My point is we are being worn down morally from this whole fiasco. I just want this to come to an agreement that we can all luvw with. If you are going to give me a raise, I just want to see the advancement on my take home. Right now what we are offered won't even civer the jacked up insurance rates that have been issued. Also where is our lane step. The district expects us to continue as if all is well. It's not. All is not well, we're being screwed and asked to bend over and tke more how much moe do you think we the staff will take before we totally fight back. This is getting crazy. Lets settle this board and rank and file, one way or another.
Annette does care and so do her fellow board members. Let's all remember none of them hired Popp or gave Hanley his raise EXPECT Strand. Let's remember all of them voted for the tax reduction. DO YOU KNOW WHY! If you complain enought they respond stop complaining and they stop listening.
Tuesday Jan 19th 2016 Board Meeting
This is directed to Superintendent Mike Popp
There are rumors galore circulating that the Superintendent has been informed that his employment as Superintendent is over. Rumors such as this, are very distracting and causes much harm at EA. Is it true or not? A reminder that Popp works for the Board NOT VICE VERSA.
It is in the best interest of District 131 to have the Superintendent issue a statement concerning his employment status as soon as possible. Nothing in detail just an acknowledgment. Why is it an option for him make an announcement. For the sake of TRUE TRANSPARENCY PLEASE DO IT
Lets review 2015
One of his major controversial acts was the promotion and substantial raise to Matt Hanley resulting in a very offensive slap in the face to the teachers who still don’t have a signed contract. You pushed this appointment through knowing 4 new Board were being sworn in that same evening. I am sure the vote would have been 6 – 1 against this appointment.
I have requested numerous times for a copy of Matt Hanley’s and High School Principal Anthony Crespo to no avail. I am guessing that they do not exist.
Mike Popp: Did you admit to Dist 131 attorney Bernie Weiler that this appointment was a mistake? YES OR NO. This decision is one of the major issues to this day. We teach our children to own up to their mistakes, and adults are no exception. Do you ever plan to own up to this. Why do you allow Matt Hanley to continue creating bad Public Relations for the District and its teachers.
And then there is the 204 connection. You hired Sara Waddell a former Asst Principal to Mark Truckenbrod to the position of Asst Superintendent Teaching & Learning. Quite a jump from AP to Asst Superintendent 100K – 145K Another nice pay increase
Last but not least how about the former Asst Superintendent Human Resources Joan Glotzbach’s Teacher Evaluation Certification?
Isn’t it true she was finally certified in 2015. Does this void out all evaluations she did all these years.
TO Board President Annette Johnson:
The last time I was here, Mark Truckenbrod and Matt Hanley escorted me out of the High School as I was considered a SECURITY RISK. If I promise to be a good boy can I leave on my own
Ms Johnson said yes
You're a "security risk"? That's a good one. Why does Truckenbrod have this security guard/bouncer reputation? Doesn't he have a real job to do? What a turd burglar.
Let's not forget that finding a new superintendent (if that is what needs to occur this year) is no easy, quick task. The board needs to make a committee and possibly hire a consulting firm (although I consider such firms to be a joke) ASAP. If this process has already been started, then we also need to know that NOW.
blogmaster lease Check for posts. I entered a name and processed but it was not posted today.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-parents-st-0124-20160122-story.html
Jan 21 2016
Matthew Hanley, FOIA Officer
East Aurora School District 131
417 5th Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Dear Mr. Hanley
Re: FOIA Request for Documents for:
Please provide consolidated report listing all details for
All expenditures by Anthony Crespo from Title I funds between July 1, 2015 and January 21, 2016
All expenditures by Anthony Crespo from Title II funds between July 1, 2015, and January 21, 2016
All expenditures by Anthony Crespo from Title III funds between July 1, 2015, and January 21, 2016
All emails between (to or from) Gian Paul Gonzalez and Anthony Crespo from July 1, 2015 to January 21, 2016
All emails between (to or from) Gabe Salazar and Anthony Crespo from July 1, 2015 to January 21, 2016
Respectfully,
Ralph Padron
Good Grief Charlie Brown
Yes Ralph was a security risk that night. Mark and Matt actually assisted him and prevented Ralph from certain death and stopped the stampeding of the mob that was at the meeting. As you know, Ralph is a rather short person.(Remember the song Short People by Randy Newman. " They got little hands and little eyes and they walk around tellin great big lies...") As there was such a large crowd that night, it was thought that Ralph was going to be trampled to death by the crowd so he created the security risk that people would fall and hurt themselves tripping over Ralph's body.. Remember, there were so many people that they had to change the venue to the auditorium. Also, I do remember Ralph saying he was scared to death that night and soiled himself or something. So that was the story........"Don't want no short people round here"....
it sounds like Matt has been been up overtime writing public relations articles for Mike Popp in the Beacon and responding to Ralph. Why did you not tell the readers of the Beacon Matt that Popp and yourself have taken much needed dollars away from educating children and lined your pockets. I you really care about the students then donate your overpaid wages to teachers who care about them. Your a fraud as you leave the service center everyday before at 430 and drive to Naperville not thinking twice about the students of EA.
Mr Padron had every right to attend a meeting in a public building and I hope he keeps all of the work he has done and forwards to future schools districts that you may try to work for someday. We would hate to have other school districts go through what EA has gone through under your community relations and your leadership Dr Popp
Everyone knows Popp values his image more than the children or teachers of EA. That is why he put the high price tag on Hanley. Hanley's position in Popps egocentric mind is worth more than education.
Here is a suggestion Dr Popp and Matt Hanley spend time on your resumes and not photo ops in the newspaper.
You still don't get it do you. We are going to have to pay even more than what the administrators are being paid right now as they are replaced. Anyone with even one tenth of a brain who reads this blog and sees the severely warped and perverted attitude of the teachers and staff will demand twice what Popp is being paid and probably three times what Handley is being paid to put up with the zombies while trying to bring East Aurora out of the shackles of real backwater thinking. These kids deserve the type of education that is being given in 204 and other districts. Not the sorry excuse of education that is being served up at East. the teachers in 131 just want to give the kids enough to make the literate. You should probably go to the JNROTC department and ask how they teach, as that is the only area in 131 that seems to know how to actually get across to the kids. The article in the paper was a great article but you cannot even give credit to people that are actually trying to accomplish something. What arrogant arseholes you are.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-guest-commentary-st-0124-20160122-story.html
To disappointed
We know its you Matt many of us at the SSC have heard Popp, Thruckenbrod, and Glotzbach during the past year make those types of comments about the hard working staff of EA.
And, Glotzbach please keep your designer dog pictures to yourself WE DON'T care for many its the cost of two months salary. We are counting the days until you are gone.
Disappointed but not shocked...... Matt I am so tired of your assaults on teachers of D131. You are clueless. We need to give the kids the same great education they receive from 204? Then first let's hire all of the failed and about to be fired hacks that were being tossed out for our district. Next, let's get rid of the gangs, poverty and social and economic issues that d2014 never has had to deal with. Let's also get rid of the illiteracy among our parents, which prevents them from reading to their children at a young age, the largest factor in literacy among young people. Let's give the teachers a viable curriculum, not make them piece together something after hours and during Institute Days which are supposed to be used for professional enhancement. Let's actually let teachers use that 200 dollars for classroom supplies because you know as well as I the office of each building gives teachers squat. Let's support the most creative and hardworking staff I have ever seen who toil ten plus hours a day in decaying mold and asbestos filled buildings for the love of anything that would lead to the betterment of their students. And finally, pay these hardworking beleaguered teachers a living wage instead of hiding behind your bully pulpit and sending out vile letters of hatred to our community that simply show what jackasses you are.
What the teacher said.....I understand and see, hear and feel the same disappointment in our district, not with our teachers, but our PR, our supt., our Board. In the last few years they have taken us so far down, we have to look up to see the bottom.
Date: January 25 2016
To: Christi Tyler – Matthew Hanley - Kirsten Strand
CC: Board of Education East Aurora Dist 131
Subject: Veterans Event Nov 2 2015 Timeline Correspondence
I must start first with “I am a US ARMY Veteran & Welcome Veteran Events”
Aug 20 Rudy Keller & Michael Rogowski sign agreement as Interim Athletic Directors
Note: Job Description I received via FOIA
Sept 1 - Keller informs Jim Cornelison he has Veterans Event at EA 131
Veterans Event Planner is NOT part of Job Description
Sept 7 - Mark Truckenbrod informs Keller & EHS Principal Anthony Crespo
“ Let's continue our conversation on cost and keeping the board abreast of our efforts and budget ”
(Tentative Budget is listed)
BOARD OF ED NEVER APPROVED THESE COSTS
All they knew was that Rudy Keller was 1 of 2 Interim Athletic Directors Hired
Whose responsibility was it to inform the Board of ED
Material/Services Costs $ 22,000.00 +
Rudy Keller payment 13,000.00 +
TOTAL $ 35,000.00 + TAXPAYER DOLLARS
Questions/Comments
Keller, Rogowski, Truckenbrod & Popp are from Dist 204. Is this a coincidence
Did anyone foresee the $ 4,585.00 paid to Platt Electric for the Flag set up & Removal
Violations were numerous & approved by Anthony Crespo & Mark Truckenbrod
Why was this allowed & not stopped by Christi Tyler’s Office
There are 150 + documents to support my research (available upon request)
Please explain the Title Money authorized by Anthony Crespo for speakers/participants.
Should this money have been utilized for Curriculum expenses.
Christi/Matt: Can I expect a response to all of the above information stated or will this be conveniently ignored and swept under as other inquiries have.
Was Rudy Keller hired as an Interim Athletic Director or to organize the Veterans Event ?
Judge for yourself
Respectfully
Ralph Padron
To EA teacher
I think you are finally starting to get to the root of the issues in the district. Poverty, illiteracy, gangs, no assimilation into American values from our immigrant population - even from families that have been here for 50 years. The issues are not Matt or Popp - those are the straw man props because until now no one has put forth the real issues. It is not politically correct to actually discuss and find ways to have immigrants assimilate into American values. It is not politically correct to challenge Common Core and its dumbing down curriculum and testing. East Aurora has had immigrants from its humble beginnings and these past 30 years are the first time that immigrants have not assimilated. We have to change that. There have been immigrants before who could not speak English but they required their children to learn it. Not so any more. We have to change this. There have been immigrants before who did not have any money but they worked and were "assisted" by the community. Now some of the immigrants just expect a hand out. Not their fault. That is how things work south of our border. Ask any organization that helps the poor down there. Outside of the really large cities, there are no meaningful ways to earn a living to speak of so hand outs are the order of the day. Communities don't put together there, they rely on the churches and other non profits for their daily existence. That mentality was a big reason St. Nick's school was closed. There is no comprehension of the fact that one must contribute - pay - for services here is the United States. Down there, the churches pay for it all as there is no money. It is just learned behavior. We have to change this thought process. And we have our own citizens who need a refresher in the hand out area also. The people who have assimilated are great examples of what can be accomplished here. And yes, the gang problem still exists. And yes we have gangs. That is a hard one to deal with but Aurora has done a good job in dealing with it and yes there is a lot of work to be done in this area. Yes, these are the real issues. Stop with the everybody sucks attitude with the administration and focus on solving the "real" issues. My great grandparents, grandparents, parents all lived on the east side and I do to this day. It is time to stop asking for more money from the taxpayers, it is time to stop the underpaying of health insurance premiums by retired teachers, it is time to stop credit card spending like the maintenance department was doing, it is time to stop ordering items without an approval. The above is what a teacher should be involved in, as teaching is not having a student regurgitate something form a book. it is getting the kids to actually think on their own. it is time to ask the administration to set realist discipline guidelines for the kids. No more disrespect from them. (You really might want to ask the NJROTC instructors what their secret is). Unfortunately, this will take time as the above have been allowed to exist in 131 for over 30 years. This did not happen overnight and yes everyone who has been around that long has a hand in it.
To the Community person its about time:
We who work in the buildings all day are well aware of the situation. Please define what Dr Popp has brought to the table. He brought his friends in who are building their resumes. He paid Hanley more than teachers or building principals are making. What does he value? The answer is his image. Matt Hanley will never do one thing to change any students life.
When the school board looks for a new superintendent teachers, community leaders, student leaders and building administration needs to be a part of the process. The staff and community would have never hired Dr Popp. The new board members promised input and we will demand it.
What does not make sense is that Popp needs Hanley to promote his image. He has made some misstep that has caused him to lose this job but no one come to east Aurora to improve their image. He like many others with good initial intention believe they can make a difference in the lives of students. I'm sure he regrets leaving his comfort zone in one of the best public districts in the country to only himself embroiled in an adult mess. Bring on the next victim for 2 years and start the process over. He or she will last at least until this agreement expires. The majority of the board is sold out to the teachers not the students and or tax payers therefore they will never support a superintendent . the number of teachers who soak up union " socialist" benefits and then vote for right wing politicians is staggering. Enjoy , you have the best of both worlds
Make sense-- Matt keep your conspiracy theories to yourself. You know as well as I do the Board and Pop do not support the teachers and have fought tooth and nail to keep us from making a living wage. You and Pop have no one to blame but yourselves for the mess you find yourself in. Next time back up the teachers; that is all we have ever wanted.
To Make Sense....
Popp had to leave his old district. He was having an affair with his secretary and one of the teachers. Hence why he got a divorce and just recently re-married. He was on his way out! We took that trash in EA after our first candidate couldnt pass the Illinois basic skills test! Then Popp brings all his cronies who make me sick to my stomach every time I see them
Popp was not given a good reference by 204 but the board took no community input and hired him anyway. He was demoted and took a salary cut at 204 when he was involved in a scandal at Neuqua Valley. Principal at a HS in 204 pays more than the position he had. He was interviewed in several districts in Illinois for Asst Sup and Superintendent and not one hired him. EA picked up all the scraps from 204.
Dear administrator,
Wow, you are a joke! I hear violins playing to the rhythm of your "ode to an administrators hardship". We, as teachers work 12 plus hours and this is while juggling student education and extreme behavior issues with NO SUPPORT! Poor administrator...will retire making only 105 k after tireless hours of work with children. Guess what? We as teachers, who work tirelessly will retire with much less than that. In addition, you have to pay health insurance... This is fairly recent, perhaps 6 yrs now? Teachers have always paid for their health insurance. Now let's discuss administrators fear of teachers finally speaking up at the school board meetings regarding the unprofessional conduct of some administrators. You claim, these administrators have been dealt with and have received disciplinary action? I would hope so, as the teachers have disclosed some horrible wrong doings on the part of the administrators. There is only one portion of your comment that I can agree with, POPP, Truckenbrough, Hanly, and Glotzbot have to go! In closing, I do have one request, please no more "Ode to an administrator's hardship" songs, as this was definitely a melody that left one after the show wanting to vomit.
Here's a link to 15 pages of recent articles about our district:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=38200561
The community better get ready. It doesn't appear that a strike will be avoided. Yesterday's meeting was terrible. The board has presented their last, best offer but it sounds as though it's crap. No specifics were shared yet but it was clear that the negotiating team doesn't believe that the staff will consider it acceptable (many on the negotiating team wanted to declare the impasse now). A vote on the boards latest proposal is scheduled for February 26th. The impasse will declared immediately following the NO vote and the 28 day process will begin. The Union is already gearing up for a strike. Union reps will be speaking in each building and gathering names of staff members for strike committees. There are a lot of preparations that will need to be accomplished before the strike even begins. I would estimate the strike to begin around April 1st, just in time for PARCC Testing. Everyone needs to begin preparing now.
How many millions will the school district lose if the PARCC tests aren't administered? You really can't blame the teachers. They offered to go to arbitration, Annette Johnson refused. The board never voted. The millions lost will be her fault if it gets to that point. I can't imagine the pressure the school board will have if there is a strike. Every gang banger on the East Side of Aurora walking the streets with no programs to keep the kids occupied. It's a recipe for disaster.
I have had the pleasure of working with Annette and she has defended the teachers and the new board took our increases up from .8% to 12%. the smallest increase is 3.5% for teachers. She was not the board member who voted for Hanley that was Strand. Strand also supports not giving us additional money.
Johnson is also helping us get our voice back. Thank God she is back in charge.
The East Aurora School Board shouldn't be too surprised if a strike occurs. THE BOARD has made lousy, insulting offers in negotiations and negative, costly changes to employees' benefits. THE BOARD voted to spend $2 million in reserves to pay off bond debt, rather than offer fair wages. THE BOARD approved exorbitant raises for the upper echelon of management/positions. THE BOARD has ignored wasteful spending (see all of Ralph Padron's posts). THE BOARD did not agree to have fair arbitration and has been dragging their feet to meet with the union negotiation team. THE BOARD has decided to end contract talks. The only positive that I see is that they are finally looking at repairing some buildings (yet ignoring others in need). I'm sure the school board will make the union and their own employees out to be the bullies, when in fact they have no one but themselves to blame. The Aurora PD and city officials sure won't be happy with the board when they need to spend extra taxpayer dollars on overtime staffing. And EA thinks they can get day care to help out if a strike occurs? Some of the kids won't listen to regular staff members, let alone some strangers brought in to babysit. Wake up, Annette, and offer a fair, comparable wage like you had *claimed* was your mission at Red and Black Day.
When the community sees the increases the board gave the teachers they will be very angry. The arbitration will never give the teachers more money they already received it. Maybe the teachers need to learn simple math.
To the crybullies aka teachers
This is what everyone has been waiting for in 131. Please go on strike. The weather will be warm by April, so we can drive by and honk at you on the picket lines and call out "crybullies!!!! crybullies!!!! Doesn't matter if the kids take the tests anyhow as last year only what 15% did?? All we ever see are remarks cutting down everyone else in order to make yourselves feel better. Wow! If it is true that Popp had an affair at least it was with a human being as there are rumors around that quite a few teachers at 131 are in some cult involving goats and sheep. That doesn't sound good does it? What if his ex wife were a real nag, or was always bitchy or was constantly complaining about a toilet seat not being down? You would sympathize with the guy. So get all your facts straight. Always someone else's fault. The strike really could not be yours now could it?? A little greedy are we??? We all know the tactic that will be used during a strike and that will be the teachers will shield themselves with the "children". Poor souls caught up in a tussle with the "mean administrators" who supposedly don't care about the kids. But 99% of the district knows it is the greed of the teachers and the union and has nothing at all to do with the kids. (there is that 1% who just don't get anything.)
So, go on strike and by all means just keep demeaning anyone who has a different view than you. You appear to have had your chances to solve this and now you must suffer the consequences of your actions.
Goats and sheep? You're a looney.
And sorry that your wife gets on you about the toilet seat. Sounds like you have some issues that you need sorted out.
I am surprised to hear that everyone is talking strike now. I spoke to someone on the negotiations team yesterday who was very positive about the latest offer. This person said that they believe this offer is the best the district can do.
We have to realize that 10 years of contracts cannot be undone in 1 contract. I have supported these efforts from the start, but April would be an absolutely horrible time for our best students to be out of school--AP testing, the ACT, college plans finalizing.
We need to think long and hard if our grievances are truly contractual. The Hanley raise was unpopular, yes, but has nothing to do with our contract. Hanley is also lobbying the state to have senate bill 1 passed to increase funding to EA.
I, for one, am ready to move on. We have shown that we are not easily placated, that we need real movement on these contracts. We now have 1.5 years to form committees to address real issues and to make our next contract stronger before we even get to the table. I am not supporting a strike and I will lobby hard for my colleagues to vote against it. It's time to move on.
I support the current contract and I feel we have made efforts to close the salary gap. My colleagues in the BA column are now paid what neighboring schools districts have been making and the MA column was a good faith effort. I am very happy that my raise equals 11.8%. I will be voting yes and asking everyone at Krug to do so also. I will not walk the picket lines and volunteer to help in the Day care center for students. I realize if that happens I can not get paid.
Thank you Ms Johnson for all that you have done you have been bullied through the years unfairly and I feel you will and have always held administration in check.
Are you in the MA column? How much of that percentage is an actual salary increase, and has the district offered to pay a share of TRS instead of taking all of it from our own checks?
We need to be informed when making statements. I am a new teacher that graduated last year with the latest teaching skills. I have been quite for fear of being bullied not by my building admin but by teachers. I had a offer at West and East and with TRS included at West I would have still been making $1,000 less than at East. I did take the job at East not for the extra $1,000 but for teaching students with high needs.
I understand teachers who have given the careers to EA fighting for better pay. I voted no because I want to teach here forever. I have seen the commitment from the board to listen and get a better curriculum. I was one of 37 teachers that went to explore the new curriculum. It was great! I was disappointed that only 37 came to the presentation. I have also watched the many ways they worked to find more dollars for teachers. I will now be voting yes.
I am attempting to make informed choices and that is the way I teach.
With no TRS you claim you are makeimg 1K more than west aurora. Wow, where did you learn math. This is really embarrassing. Your a fool
Get that " new teacher" out of here! Drop the E and add i-n-g.....to make make making.
You ARE ( you're) the fool! Wow! Where did you learn spelling and grammar? ( question mark)
I am the comment police and I am seeing an MO here among several posts that leads me to believe, one suspect is responsible for several comments attacking the teachers, at various levels.
Word is .... the last policy&personel board committee meeting was canceled because none of the 3 committee members bothered to show up....Teachers were there...but no board members...What a great group of public servants! Thank you mr lash mr leonard and mr arroyyo. i guess I'd be fired if I didn't show up to my classroom one day without warning...What a joke!
EACBPD: you are most correct about the last comment with regard to spelling/ grammar, however the sentiment is indeed correct. I find it comical that one would want to equate our contract with that of WA. Given what we know to be accurate about the TRS and pay scale of WA and then to state we at EA are paid above WA is a gross misstatement. Even if it is only being made with regard to a new teachers salary. Remarks that they are making informed decisions is simply not accurate and this spreads false information to others. Now getting back to spelling/ grammar, many comment using various electronic devices, this can automatically change spelling or it's a simple misspelling due to typing quickly. You may want to discredit someone based on misspelling and grammar and that's fine, but it will not change the facts. WA is well above EA in the pay scale due to TRS. I will stick with the "MO" whatever that it. I also agree with the person who made the typos... That teacher is a fool.
I teach with a Masters degree and more than 10 years experience. If the rumor of a 11.8% raise were true, I would still be making a couple thousand dollars less than someone in the same step at West-and that is AFTER they have money paid into their TRS!!!
It is true that EA pays better than WA for a new teachers that does not have tenure. The district values new teachers because they do not have to get paid well and will not question administration. That contract was thanks to Adam Harding who is now making big $$$ from our union local. Remember Adam took a job in admin and then jumped shipped.
It was now discovered Adams wife is getting trained to be a principal in 131 a position Glotzbach selected her for. She sided with Crespo last week in ruining a veteran teachers career. That is why we are screwed.
The children of EA are forced to have subs because they can not find enough that want to stay and teach at 131. Who would only the Harding family 131 has taken care of him and still is. Please ask ROTC they lost many benefits because of him.
To: Know Your Math
I can do basic math. I am a professional with two masters and 23 years in education. In East Aurora I am earning $74,248, on the West Side I would be making $108,287 (that includes the $2000 longevity stipend). That means I am earning $34,039 less than I would for the same position on the West Side. In addition, on the West Side they cover 80% of employee insurance premiums, on the East Side, with the cost shift that Annette Johnson just rammed through without any formal approval process, we are receiving as little as 67% coverage. As I have the HMO family plan, I am losing an additional $2084.40 as compared to the West Side. That brings me to $36,123.40 less not including deductibles, copays and out of pocket maximums.
Assuming that West Aurora teachers will be receiving a 3% salary increase (a low estimate) next year, my West Aurora counterpart will receive $219,823 over the this two year period. As a teacher of East Aurora, assuming a total of 12%, 7% first year and 5% the second year (the highest estimate of rumors so far given) I will be receiving $162,863 for the same job. Now include the additional loss in insurance of $4,169 I will be receiving $61,129 less compensation than the same teaching position on the West Side. None of this includes the additional loss we receive with stipends and and other compensation.
You can distort information about raises in terms of percentages all you want but if the two positions aren’t starting with a relatively equal salary, it is a waste of time. When our salary is currently up to 50% behind our West Aurora counterparts, a 12% raise is nothing.
None of the teachers on the East Side are trying get rich, they simply want to be fairly compensated for the work that they do. What you should be doing instead of using your time to bash teachers is, since the tax dollars that the district receives isn't being spent on teachers, students or buildings (considering they are all very old and overcrowded) you should be investigating where is the money going? Here is a start The district budget is $202 million, the teachers only receive about 25% of that figure, Where is the other 75% going?
EA does NOT pay better than WA. This includes first year or tenured teachers. WA pays TRS and EA does NOT. Take your EA salary and deduct 9.40% from that salary. Anyone that states that EA pays the same as WA is either stupid or a liar.
Well now that we know how bad LEAD is for people especially children (just look at Flint Michigan), will somebody please test our school buildings water now? I know the teachers at Simmons and other buildings have been complaining about the water quality for years. On the East end of Simmons (in the lunch room and art room) the water comes out a reddish brown. A sure sign that the water is coming out of rusty lead pipes that are leaching all sorts of crap. I'm sure there is lead in the water. Somebody (Ralph Padron) needs to FOIA any and all testing that has ever been done on all district buildings water supplies. I am guessing that there is a history there. Just go to the Service Center for a meeting. They always have bottled water for the administrators to drink.
I would like to tell "math is easy" that you have very clearly stated with all the facts what has been going on in the district for far too many years. When only a few parents or one determined fella from Naperville, are the only ones complaining, it is hard to validate the community concern for.......where is all the money going?
I am so pleased the teachers have finally unified and vocalized their frustration with how teachers are treated and how the budget is managed. This has all affected the children's quailty of education. NOT because of anything the teachers have done or not done, but due to the inefficient manner in which the people at Fifth Street have implemented policy and spent money. The worse part is those who were elected by the EA community to be good stewards for all these resources, are failing miserably at getting things under control. Repeatedly some commentor gives kudos to the Board President. Well, she has the most board seniority, she claims to be an accounting wiz and has been privy to how business has been done in this district longer than the other six members. I hold her most responsible, and the biggest failure, but all Board members are to blame for not being more honest and vocal about the problems in the district. Admit what is wrong and how you are hoping to fix it.
The Board is not some secret society. We the people, want transparency and accountability. How hard can being honest be?!?
I give kudos to Johnson, she has provided a balance of opening three new schools, implementing programs the students lost years ago with prior boards and addressing the salary schedule for teachers.
D131 has always paid non certified better than neighboring districts while not paying teachers. Johnson to her credit has worked on the teachers pay. She has taken on issues that have not been popular. D131 and its problems have existed for thirty years. Please blame the boards back then who would not bus students and made poor land choices.I believe Johnson had a public run-in with the Mayor over 131 while other board members said nothing.
If anyone can fix 131 she can.
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