Friday, June 2, 2017

Have a wonderful summer!





192 comments:

Speaking of summer, from the D131 website: said...

Summer enrichment camp available to students entering grades 1 through 5

In partnership with the City of Aurora and Community In Schools, East Aurora School District 131 will offer a Summer Enrichment Camp for students entering grades 1 through 5.

The Summer Enrichment Camp will take place from June 19 through July 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy. Camp will meet each Monday through Thursday, with no camp held on Fridays. Camp will not be held the week of July 3.

The camp is designed for students not attending academic summer school but who are still looking for enrichment this summer. Students must be entering grades 1 through 5.

The fun-filled enrichment camp is open to any District 131 student, and will include educational enrichment activities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); sports activities and field trips; fun hands-on science activities, and more. Breakfast and lunch is included.

Enrollment is free and open to a maximum of 100 students. Students can register by using the enrollment form in English and Spanish, found on the district website.

For more information contact Mr. Alfred Morales at (630) 299-7266 or (630) 345-2027.

Sorry goes along way said...

Unbelievable is unbelievable

When a child is bullied it is our responsibility to write up the case. We also have a responsiblity to the parent to tell them it is the hands of administration and direct them to the proper authority. The apologies could have been handled in a manner that made the parent feel good. The teacher should have said I am sorry this happened and if your child needs additional help I will assist but for now please direct questions to the administration.

I am not aware of anybody being written up and if Gerry is telling the teacher different he is making us all look bad.

taxpayer1 said...

I came across and interesting article that shows the teachers and administration in 131 compared to the community are way overpaid. I am not saying they should only make $20,000 but really teachers average $65,000 and administration $115,000. Really folks and you have produce these types of results. They should hire the lowest salaries they can get by with because that is the results produced.

Here's the published piece:
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/in-east-aurora-battle-over-busing-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/

Fake News said...

Really Taxpayer 1?

You are listening to a bunch of billionaires who are saying everyone else is overpaid and underworked. That's who is behind the Illinois Policy Institute. It is a bunch of Chicago and Springfield based hedge fund managers who are trying to get richer off of the teachers pensions and you. If they can break teachers unions, they know they can slash everyone's salaries and pensions to nothing. You really want a community where nobody makes more than $20,000 a year? And finds their pensions or social security are not there after paying into the system their whole lives? The IPI is not a real news source. Their stories are completely biased. It is the purest form of what is now called Fake News. Just because it fits your distorted view of the world, doesn't make it legitimate.

A thought said...

To: Fake news

You have to be a union numb nut, as everyone knows that the facts presented from the IPI are common knowledge from the state of Illinois websites. Your lack of intelligence really shows thru but that is to be expected form someone who cannot form an opinion without it being approved by the union. Quit being a crybully and start performing your job. Guess that would be too much to ask.

This is exactly why we need vouchers. Our kids deserve better than your biased hatred of the facts.

Fake News said...

To No Thought:

Site the official state websites you claim to be getting your information from. By the way, Bruce Rauner commercials don't count.

EA staffer said...

The students that spoke up for Coach J tonight are known gandbangers that ran with Clarence King last year when Clarence was murdered in Chicago. They left Clarence when the action got to hot and he was picked up in Aurora by a rival gang. The board should not reverse their decision to get rid of him. He is not an example for our youth.

Or it could be said...

You have to be a pot stirring numb skull, as everyone knows that if facts were presented from the IPI are actually common knowledge from the state of Illinois websites, you could have linked them to prove your point. Your lack of intelligent rebuttal really shows thru but that is to be expected from someone who cannot form an opinion without it being fake news you try to validate. Quit being a crybully and stop trying to appear to being an informed critic of job performance. Sour grapes doesn't look well on you. That shouldn't be too much to ask.

Our kids deserve better than your biased hatred of the facts.

Still Waiting for a Shred of Proof to Back Your Insanity said...

So you have NO official state websites that you can give us to back your opinion. That's all you are capable of doing is name calling. And you wonder why people like this attack good people on anonymous blogs?

LMAO said...

To:Fake news and A Thought
Don't know anything about this Illinois Policy Institute, but if it is as you say "political" I would not give it any more credence than I would the union "political" message. Poop is poop, no matter who is slinging it. I laugh at the poop both of you toss around.


All I know is that you can go to websites that show each individual teacher's salaries all over the state. I just typed in east aurora teacher contract and guess what popped up!!!! The contract. What a pile of poop. Can't believe the district agreed with that. Retirement information on teachers is there on the web. This information has been available for years. (My daughter who is a teacher finds it an invasion of privacy with the publishing of salaries, but I tell her that the public has a right to know how bad they are being screwed with the results that certain districts have with their students.) You can find all kinds of info on other public employee salaries and union contracts......

So, there is information all over this intraweb thingy with factual information. You should look at some of the city of Aurora financial information and see just how large the annual contribution is going to be in the future for the pensions of the city employees. It should scare the hell out of you. I don't think you know just how severe this problem is. Do your homework without a biased view.

Still Waiting said...

To LMAO:

You still have not sited one official state web site. Yes, I am waiting for your list. You indicated the teacher salaries on the district web site. You also mentioned teacher pensions but the district pays nothing into teacher pensions. They do pay the administrators portion of pension contributions and give them huge increases in their salaries before retirement ( to boost their retirement benefits and it costs the districts hundreds of thousands in penalties) but that has nothing to do with unions. Apparently some folks do better without a union than most of us do with one.

As for comparing teacher salaries with the East Aurora community salaries, that's a joke. You are comparing professionals, the majority with masters and above to a community that is primarily menial laborers. No offense to those workers, I have great respect for immigrants, legal or otherwise. They work harder than anybody and for little to no money. They deserve much better.

To equate the two together just because of locale is ludicrous. Do doctors or lawyers make only $20,000 a year if they work in Aurora? Of course not. That would be absurd. Why are teachers the only ones attacked in these ridiculous ways?

Good news said...

Finally, Wendall Jefferies was terminated as basketball coach. That is good news. Afer all the years of swearing at kids, coming to practice under the influence, playing ineliable players, allowing gang bangers on the team and 14 losing seasons it happened.

I was a skeptic but EA is turning around.

anonymous1 said...

Dear buck stops,
What do you expect when you have a multi-million dollar operation (District 131), being run by two part time employees (superintendents) who have no idea what going on. The school district is being run from the living room of Annette Johnson to the living room of Dr. Mc Donald, who just does what he is told. Where is the rest of the school board?
Teachers getting blamed for busing schedule confusion because the interims weren’t there to talk to the union in a respectful manner. Construction projects having millions of dollars in cost overruns with no district supervision, and the costs just keep rising. The interim superintendent will have their contracts extended again because Beatrice can’t get the certifications she needs in time for the 18-19 school year (they were already extended for the 2017-18 school year.) Curriculum was over purchased to the tune of 2 million dollars which was cover up by Dr. Hojda (its in the warehouse and storage areas of the building all you have to do is look. $60,000 of cameras purchased and approved by Dr. McDonald with no public bid (even though the money was sitting in the safety budget for two year untouched. We are now leasing space for the Pre-K center instead of purchasing it (another Payoff) approved by Mc Donald. You watch they we delay teacher contract negotiations until next year to try to put pressure on the teachers.

Crybullies please said...

Gerry and Tony

The construction is 2 million under budget just read the attachments in the board packets. What would we expect from a union that makes up stories and sends administration on goose chases all the time.

Everyone knows that Gerry, Tony and Lorretta attempted to stop busing because the are so greedy they are afraid the district will spend their raises on buses. Try explaining that to parents

On the topic of negotiations Gerry and the braintrust are looking to drag it out so they can get days away from teaching. Gerry is afraid of the two interiums because they actually know school code and they are upset that professionals with 20 plus years of experience are handling it and they our outmatched.

Corruption Reigns Supreme in EA said...

To Good News:

12 years ago, it was a corrupt administration and board from hell that bullied Mr. Kaisershot out of his long standing position. Now it's a new corrupt administration and board from hell doing it to Coach Jeffries.

Coach Jeffries has the two best coaching records over the past five and ten years at East High, badminton and basketball. No other East High team has a better five or ten year record. If we fired people for bad sports records, we would start with Kurt Becker who has only won three games in the past five years but no matter how bad the football team is, Kurt Becker is protected by Annette Johnson. Just like Phil Torres is.

Just like with Mister Kaisershot, there were anonymous posters on here claiming all sorts of unsubstantiated crap. This district has not changed at all. It's still just as corrupt and political as ever.

Good for our School said...

The former basketball coach a good person really. He was released for offering a former student money to come to his home and dance. At 19 she was under age and was offered beer to losen up. Many female coaches know this but because the former coach hangs with gangs they are afraid to file a police report. Ask why the badminton players hang in his office? Add that to his foul language and purchases of illegal substances they made a good choice.

Tomcat 1 said...

I am glad EA took action.

This is not the same as Mr K who treated his students and career with class. The stories about Jefferies have been around for years and have nothing to do with wins and loses. Mr K on the other hand was not treated fairly.

Longtime community member said...

People still bring up the Kaisershot situation twelve years after it happened, even though he was not the only target of the "school board from hell", probably because the community was so involved in supporting K and it was such a high-profile story. But the biggest lesson we can learn is that teachers unions and the tenure system are GOOD things that protect our best teachers from being railroaded out of their jobs on the whim of administrators' vendettas! Because he had tenure, Mr. K was guaranteed a job in our district and for 10 years our Simmons band students flourished under his leadership. Unions and tenure are in our students' best interests!

retired said...

Tenure is good, but the unions need to not protect teachers who are bad or bad for kids. It makes us look bad as a group. Jefferies was bad at both.

Corruption and Phil and Annette, Oh My said...

To Good News:

You are full of it. If the board and administration had any evidence of the BS that you are claiming on here, they would be obligated to not just remove him from a coaching position but to terminate him from the district and report him to the police and DCFS. Anything less and the board and administration would be breaking the law.

This was nothing more than Phil Torres using his temporary position as AD (and he was temporary because he had no qualifications to do the job) getting Jeffries out of the way of the coaching job he wants. Phil was the Freshman coach and has wanted the varsity job for years. The reason Phil gets away with this crap is because he is protected by Annette Johnson. Johnson loves Phil because he helped her screw the teachers and staff during the last negotiations.

As always in District 131, when you work your way to the center of any scandal, you find Annette Johnson pulling the strings.

Another view said...

Many teachers received a 12 to 15% raise package. It is unfornute Phil did not become our union president. Name one thing that Gerry has done this year other than listen to Tony Garcia and Loretta Holt. Talk about mental wack jobs.

Get your facts straight. said...

Phil Torres did not apply for basketball coach.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-crosby-mens-group-st-0611-20170609-column.html

Central office news said...

The real scandle is Sports Boosters who have not given the district money in years. I heard Melaker was back with in attendance with Barrierro to save their status. They are fighting other clubs having the opportunity to run consessions. The boosters have controlled merchandise and food sales for years. How has this been allowed that money was not turned it. Ken Darby has turned into their advocate while Johnson advocates for clubs to run it. I have seen this group bully the district for years. I may not agree with Annette on the saleries our teachers get paid but she is always fighting for our finances.

The Neglected Band said...

The real shame is that people go to the football games to see the band, not the football team. The place is packed until halftime and then it's deserted. If it's the band that's drawing the crowds, why do they receive no money from the concessions?

Taxpayers Beware said...

Barrierro and Malacker haven't had control of anything in years. If the sports boosters have not been turning in any of the raised monies for the past several years, that falls squarely on Annette Johnson and the school board. Everytime there's a scandal brewing, Annette Johnson is on here desperately trying to point the finger at somebody else. Just like with the Hometown debacle. You may be able to share a little of the blame with the previous board but Annette has been board president for years and did nothing to recoup these costs until it blew up recently. The city started asking questions and the board had to respond. Annette tells the Stonegate crew what they want to hear but she's as irresponsible as all the rest with the taxpayers dollars.

Sports boosters said...

The boosters did not show up for spring sports awards and there were no refreshments for the awards night. They also spoke at a b and g meeting and basically blamed everyone but themselves for their current state. They claim nobody tells them the sports schedule but the schedules are available online. It appears they can't even turn on a computer and be bothered to show any initiative in looking up schedules for games. They refuse to work soccer games. They hold onto every penny. It's time for a change in leadership in boosters. The old crew won't relinquish any power and it's impossible to recruit new members with them in power

Taxpayer said...

Wow, I have heard a pile of crap before but to blame Annette for the Hometown shows Dan must be posting. Dan wofked for the City when Hometown started and along with his pal Larry dud not collect the money. The Hometown folks attempted to start building again and were stopped by the board for non payment. I do find it interesting that as soon as Dan joins the board Larry is back.

I am a proud supporter of Annette she finds issues and transparent she never sweeps anything under the rug. The HS should have collected the money and the sports boosters if they are hinest should have turned it in. If Annette is demanding payment good for her, but someone should show integrity and turn in the money.

Ward 3 said...

Hometown had an agreement to give land to district but they never completed the transaction because enough houses did not get sold. The school district has not been able to do anything because there was nothing to do.

Hometown now wants to start building crapy houses again and has to deal with the school district again. I read at the meeting Johnson asked the lawyer to get involved and asked for the money. It looks like the lawyer discovered they had no money agreement only a land agreement which is a cheap way for Bigelow to not pay.

I know the school district had impact fees in the early 90s because I paid them. So we need to ask how the impact agreement was lost at the City and why Barreiro did not make sure it was in place. If they follow the paper trail I am sure you will find Barreiro right in the middle.

Melakor and Barreiro are good friends look at how Malakor doubled the price on his home and moved from the east side. That was another back room deal. Lets also not forget the police property fiasco with Dan and Larry.

I can only say if the two are back that means trouble. I as a taxpayer am happy to have Johnson watching the two. I can sleep better at night knowing that.

Here is what done and said...

Johnsons good buddy Roberts, was the one who approved the no cash land deal, contingent on sales. He claimed they already had a buyer for the land and would be making a million dollars on the deal. Well, any one with common sense could have seen what could happen there. No sales ...no deal. Roberts had no interest in Aurora and how that would affect the schools once he was retired. Now Bigelow is back with new "green" people in elected positions, plus a couple of his good old boys in there making his sales pitch. Round two of "lets snake a deal."
Hopefully, the current Hometown home owners will make sure their alderman doesn't allow more Bigelow homes to be built. They have been complaining since Bigelow went missing, not fulfilling many of the property promises he made.

oldtimer said...

The board was made up of Barriero and Malaker when this was past. I remember Hometown being a done deal by the the time Roberts started. I know this because I went to the open house announcing Roberts, and Roberts talked about his first day on the job having a new housing development.

Like Malaker getting paid off by the serial bully the serial bully helped Dan out.

If Malaker is back that can mean no good. Ken Darby is another guy with his hand out. He can not stop talking about why he was not hired in B n G. Sounds like they want to steal the concessions money. I know Johnson will not let that happen because the board from hell has no use for her and her for them.

Old timer too said...

You dumb buck. Gang members aren't articulate enough to come before a formal setting to advocate for much of anything . Shame on The district if there is a cent of truth to the rumors and lies spewed about Coach J. Employees have been fire for much less. The performance is what the focus should be not needlessly destroying his name and reputation . With that said it par for the course for 3x winning Becker , drunk McDonald and a narcissist

Please resign said...

Union member alert

After Local 604 found cause with a panel of educators some with coaching and PE backgrounds Gerry still wants to spend our hard earned union dues to defend Jefferies. The local 604 upheld the districts right to fire him. Gerry who is moron will not listen to other leadership and wants us to pay out of our district fund. Gerry needs to stop picking stupid fights.

Does Gerry think it ok to play ineliable students or practice out of IHSA timelines or have known gang members play. No ethics, no morals thats Gerry.

Unbelievable said...

Gerry Tony and Loretta better take this to a union vote. Why would teachers want their dues to defend a tyrant like Jeffries. No custodial person wants to work in the athletic area because he goes off on them on a moments notice. He doesn't abide by the time scheduled and leaves the kids unsupervised while he hangs in his office watching cable tv. Does Gerry know he shows up late to work almost daily for his teaching job? Looking at the ihsa website Jeffries is 40-123 the last 6 years and can't graduate his players, there were at least 2 5th year seniors still enrolled in school this year. Not to mention he constantly argues against rulings and bombards teachers if they fail and make any of his players ineligible. It's time to have a vote of no confidence in Gerry if he pursues this. Funny how the worst educators in 131 seem to stick together. The local aft made their ruling now follow it Gerry. Stop wasting the teachers money.

Pathetic Leadership said...

Somebody (guess who) is on here again trying to start trouble with Gerry and the union. First off, union leadership can not legally decide to not represent a union member. Coach Jeffries has paid into the union for 30 years and right or wrong, deserves representation. If Dick Manly at Local 604 is refusing to represent Coach Jeffries, he just opened up the union to another lawsuit as he did with Bob Green. The Green decision cost the union six figures in legal fees and settlement costs. Coach Jeffries if this is true, here is the contact info for Bob Green's lawyer. He handles all types of lawsuits against school districts and unions.

Steven E. Glink, Attorney at Law
3338 Commercial Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: 847-480-7749

You deserve a real hearing to review the facts of the situation, not the railroad job people get on this blog everytime Annette doesn't like you.

Pathetically misinformed said...

Gerry went to the extent he had to. Now he is trying to use teacher union dues to get an arbitration hearing for a stipend position. Stipend positions are reviewed annually. You are not guaranteed a stipend position. Those in the high school know Jeffries is a living terror to work with. Maybe Gerry should fight for cable tv in all of our offices and allow us to show up 10-20 minutes late daily. The basketball program is in dire straights and we routinely lose kids to transfer because they refuse to play for the incompetent Jeffries. It's probably not a good idea to force a coach on kids that the kids don't even want. Jeffries had his nephew and one other player show up to a board meeting to speak on his behalf. He's been the head coach for 16 years.......that's all he could muster?!? The silent majority speaks volumes. Word is Jeffries reached out to Irvin's campaign for support and fell upon crickets because they know he's bad for the kids. The only reason he's been coaching this long is because ray hull saved him from firings.

To: Parhetically Misinformed said...

Sounds like somebody is afraid to have an outside, fair and unbiased arbiter evaluate the districts decision to fire Jeffries from his coaching position. Perhaps nothing stated on this anonymous blog is actually provable. Of course, the district has a very poor record with outside arbitration.

I don't know why you're spouting this crap about Gerry. The union president doesn't have the power to spend that kind of money. The entire executive board would need to vote on it. The real responsibility lies at Local 604. Jeffries just needs to have a lawyer explain to Dick Manley that he can take care of his obligations and provide for an arbiter or he can deal with yet another lawsuit. Jeffries needs to sue for discrimination and non representation. Seems like everytime a black teacher needs representation, Dick Manly refuses to provide the funds. There are certainly enough such decisions to make a reasonable argument in court.

The truth will set the district free said...

Ask Alexis does that name ring a bell Wendall about soliction of a minor. The district has full intent to depose her so Gerry watch out because you know the story and the truth will come out. Other teachers will then know what you spent money on.

Ah yes the race card said...

When it doubt pull the race card. Jeffries isn't a good coach when he doesn't have a Boatright to play for him. How bout what's best for kids? The kids don't want him anymore. And you want to force feed the kids to continue to have a terrible coach who berates them and swears at them constantly. Notice how people defending Jeffries on here can't say anything good about him?!? You know what, I hope he's dumb enough to pursue it. The people lined up to testify against him would be unheard of and I don't think Jeffries understands that all of his dirty laundry would be aired during arbitration. Him and his two friends are trying to play the victim game and race card on here. Don't believe he hype. Jeffries is far from a victim and he had a hand in his own demise.

newshound said...

Here's a link to 15 pages of recent articles about our district:

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=40763711

Another point of view said...

No Tony, the entire staff should vote on what you are spending money or at least our building reps. Maybe the teachers that dont work at East would not want their money spent on Jefferies. Tony at one time you adovated for us all to have a voice and that is why we elected a different executive committee.

I have worked with Mr Jefferies and he is difficult to work with and should be replaced. He does not come to class on time and lets students take attendance. The word entitlement best describes him. I have been shaken down about changing grades and his players are the most disruptive of all. They pick up his additude of entitlement. Make no mistake the district on this made the right move.

Lets talk about the Torres. Torres attempted to become AD and the district did not allow him. That was another good move. Torres used his position to sell out other union members. He felt entitled also.

Becker is another story. His relationship with Dr McDonald puts the district in bad shape. He has told everyone he got Jefferies fired because he knows the Sup and goes to dinner with him. Really, he needs to go and stop bullying staff. I keep hearing he got a donor for the stadium. That is another lie. Another story is the Bears are donating. Again have we gotten a donation. He is out everyday directing construction personnel and I am assuming he is creating cost overruns.

Becker is a losing coach and should have never been allowed to pick basketball coach. He has told everyone it will be a person Las Vegas. If that is true why did anyone take part in the interviews. We had good candidates from Aurora. If Becker does not win this year then he needs to go also.

Just sayin said...

Irvin will not get involved with the basketball position because of Becker and his more than personnal relationship with Crosby. Read the Beacon this week, Crosby writes about the food pantry and praises Becker girlfiend for coming up with the idea.
and calls her the brainchild. Then the same type of article appears about Irvin today from Crosby. Becker worked for the Irvin campaign.

Unions Rock said...

Somebody needs to get their facts together before they start accusing on here. The Executive Board is ALL the building representatives. The Executive Board has the authority to decide where union monies go, NOT the leadership team. This is not the school board where Annette makes all the decisions and then forces her decisions on everybody. In a union everyone has a voice. Come to the meetings and see. We don't always agree but everyone is heard.

Gerry and Tony tell the truth said...

Liars I am a building rep and was never consulted about Jefferies. I understand after poor advice the union dropped him. They should have defended him or told him he did not have a case. It is not right to lead somebody on. They will never get anything done.

To:Tell the Truth said...

If you are a building rep, you should know better than to get any information from an anonymous blog. You should also read your constitution and know how things must work. Call Gerry and ask him directly. Quit wasting your time on here with nonsense allegations.

Simmons Sucks said...

Building reps are not getting information unless you work at Cowherd or Simmons. When they get information they do nothing our building rep is a good friend of Gerrys and accomplishs nothing. Waldo who avoids Gerry and works with the SSC directly gets their problems solved and a new leader. We sent a letter to the SSC/board and finally got action. Its shows our building rep is worthless after six months of complaining. We learned our lesson and BTW no retilation likes Gerry and Tony like to preach.

Be fair said...

Most blacks folks are ok with removing Jefferies but what most folks are not ok with is Kurt Becker. Y'all dont get it. We want a coach from here not a friend of Becker. Aurora has many coaches that work with our youth. Let them work with us and help mentor these boys. Forget Kurt Beckers friend from Vegas and please school board do not let him run show.

He should also get fired for his morals like cheating on his wife all the kids know it. She helps at games and he is always with her not coaching.

Fire Becker said...

Went to last nights meeting. If Wendall Jefferies get fired so should Kurt Becker with only three wins he needs to go as well.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-hires-0621-20170620-story.html

Tomcat forever said...

I cant believe I was at the same meeting. The Aurora Beacon gives Kurt Becker a pass. The crowd very clearly asked that Becker get treated the same way Jefferies does. She did not report that he only won 3 games in five years. She also did not report that students and coaches would not play for him.

Wake up Beacon he is having an affair with his volunteer Wendy. How is that teaching the kids a good morals.

When in doubt said...

Pull the race card. Imagine if all district employees brought the circus to town when they didn't get their way. Jeffries didn't have the juevos to speak himself or control his animals in the circus he brought to town Monday. If the board rewards this type of behavior it's time for the state to take over the district. Jeffries was informed he was out of options legally so he created a circus. Gotta love the fact that people are slamming another person and saying well if you fire Jeffries fire Becker or fire everyone too. The lack of reasoned thought on this blog and at Monday's meeting shows Jeffries is unfit. If he really taught kids all those things why couldn't ppl on his behalf act the way they claimed Jeffries teaches them? Oh that's right, because their whole premise is a lie. Last I checked some of the greatest basketball coaches we've had on the east side were not black. Whatever happened to the best person getting the job, not just the best black person?? Let's focus on Jeffries not sharia law and tit for tat. The principal has every right to dismiss a coach. Deal with it. As most staff at the HS knows, 2 of the boys pictured on the bench in the beacon article didn't graduate and we're back this year as 5th year seniors and showed up high quite often to school. That goes against the Jeffries is wonderful narrative though......let's stick to facts, not rumor and hearsay. For those with an axe to grind against Becker, stick with facts, stop throwing poop at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Becker.... said...

Becker is essentially fired every year, as his job is posted every spring because he is a non union member and nobody in the building has applied......go figure. The pro Jeffries crowd here is best described as this......you get pulled over for speeding on I88 and you tell the cop well Becker was speeding too so if I get a ticket so should he......that's not how it works idiots!

Look in the mirror Kurt said...

Why is Becker running the school he leads the Cordigan by the nose. He should not be in the construction trailer making decisions on construction. He is a hack football coach who takes over everything and accomplishs nothing.

Tomcat youth tackle is an example he does nothing and bosses everyone around. He claimed he would get money for the stadium and everyone has not seen a penny. He yelled at the grant writerfor calling the Bears but refused to help. If he is a team player why not ask the Bears for money for the field. I will tell you why he has zero connections and has forced himself on EA.

What the freshman team and others will have a winning record until they get to him a quit.

New coach both sports said...

Jefferies as a young man was a standout football player. He should take Beckers job. It is time for a change in both programs. At least the kids will play for Jefferies. Wendall was never a good basketball player and years ago got pushed into the program by the serial bully who ruined East Aurora sports.

Becker is the only non district employee that is head coaching and we all know he is never at practice or if he is he is on the phone.

Check the records said...

Jeffries was the football coach back in the 90's. Check his records. He didn't post a winning record there either. In fact no one outside of Al Tamberelli had a record above .500 and his was at 5-4 I believe. One season out of probably over 30 years that was above .500!! Don't know that you can necessarily blame Jeffries for his part in that as every football coach in the last 30 years or more has produced the same. That's okay,..the new football palace will offer up a nice venue for the visitors to continue to do what they have for those same 30 years. Thankfully that space will get used by other teams, groups as well.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-crosby-east-construction-st-0623-20170622-column.html

Another Becker screw up said...

Thanks to Becker Treavon Brown the best basketball player East had left and went to West. He needs replaced as well for a losing record and ruining the basketball program. Treavon would not play for his friend from Vegas.

Also why is Becker in the paper tonight discussing construction. He is not an employee. Did the district ever question him on a flame large flame burning. His running of the football program does not allow him to make financial choices. They claim this is donated I have not seen the board approve any donations. What is going on?

Please answer is this not a danger with children present? I will email the board and post their feedback.

D131 Parent said...

So you're saying Becker is the football coach as a volunteer? He's not getting paid? The school district is not EMPLOYING him to be the football coach? He may not be the right EMPLOYEE to be discussing construction, but he IS an employee.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-waldo-construction-st-0626-20170623-story.html

EA sports supporter said...

Dear look in the mirror, Kurt Becker stepped up when the B&G Director left with no notice and that left no one in the district with construction experience to supervise the construction work on behalf of the district. Nester was the acting B&G Director and refused to do anything for fear of getting fired. Thank god Becker stepped up and filled the void because no one in the district was watching what Cordogan Clark were doing. Thank you Kurt.

Tomcat forever said...

Kurt Becker as construction manger please. What is true is that Kurt took over the stadium project and never included anyone. On Friday he pulled everyone away from training just to talk about himself. The turf company could not keep anyone in the training. Nestor can not stand Kurt and everyone knows he is not a team player.

High School Grades said...

Someone should really look into a major grading issue discovered at the high school. Apparently it was brought to admin's attention but everyone was told to keep it hush hush. Hundreds of kids received D's and F's in p.e. because of an error in how the grading system was setup. Think of all the kids whose GPA's must be messed up because of this, especially those that that got a B or a C because of the error. Same thing happened last year and it happens again this year. Kosak told staff to keep this quiet and not send any emails because of F.O.I.A. Here goes Marina again, messing everything up and sweeping it under the rug. There needs to be accountability for our student's sake, every grade in every department needs to be looked at! Can we get a principal with real qualifications and not just Annette's pet?

Promises not kept said...

Annette Johnson totally uses Kurt Becker and he lets it happen. She was supposed to hire him for a district football position when he first started for the district and that didn't happen. Now he's overseeing the stadium construction project and more than likely not getting paid for that either. When is he going to wake up and realize this? Maybe Denise Crosby can write another article about poor Kurt Becker or his brain child girlfriend.

False News said...

Maybe you should send an anonymous email to Stovall or is she incompetent too. Stop writing false news . If Marina is incompetent report it you can always do it without signing your name. Why is it the PE department has had a problem with the last 4 principals. Maybe its the PE department.

Tomcat forever said...

Stoval has no idea whats happening at the high school b/c marina and the admins do their best to hide everything from central office . Kurt (unqualified) becker is running the building project and athletics and unqualified Marina is steering the titanic into an iceberg .

WHAT? said...

Let's go back to this alleged 15% pay rate for teachers. Um.....NO. If there was such a pay raise "package" then I must have missed it.

On my way out said...

If anyone is being used it's Annette Johnson especially in a relationship with Becker. Becker friend Denise Crosby has written maybe 6 or 7 negative articles about Johnson over the years. Johnson better not go after Becker. Johnson did agree not promise to give Becker the position formerly held by Tony Martinez but the position was totally eliminated by the BOE. It was a soft landing for the golden child. He would have supposedly been a fundraiser. He boasted of his business connections and how he was going to bring so much to the district. I'll be retired before that happens. Some donated weight room equipment and cleats is the extent so far.
To say Nestor is not a team player is simply not true. He chooses to not be used any longer with the threat of being the scapegoat for all that's wrong in B/G. He is an alumni as well but he doesn't have the covering that Becker does. Nestor took a 35,000 pay cut and humiliated when he was removed as B/G director by Roberts. He was removed and replaced by Leonard's buddy Marty Feltes. Nestor is a team player . He has sucked it up , kept quiet, took a huge payout and has done what he is paid to do ; he owes 131 nothing else. Maybe Becker should stay in his lane because we will get what we pay for. Anything that goes wrong with the construction will be laid in Cordigan lap as it should. However in construction management 101 Becker has to have been designated as a district representative by McDonald; he cannot act on his own. Cordigan does not have to take any directives from him. Lastly, McDonald can walk away with no repercussions , he interim.

newshound said...

Here's a link to 21 pages of recent articles about our district:

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=40834834

Band parent said...

Don't miss tomorrow's parade, starting at 10:00 a.m.!

For more than THREE DECADES our district's band students have participated in Band Camp at the end of June, and then marched in Aurora's 4th of July parade. Hundreds of students participate, under the direction of Ms. Amy Huggins (assisted by parents and graduated band members). They always do an AWESOME job and represent our district proudly!!

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-brady-mural-st-0703-20170703-story.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-cuba-st-0704-20170703-story.html

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-wendell-jeffries-st-0707-20170706-story.html

History Repeats said...

What a disgrace. It's Kaisershot all over again. An administration who is vindictively going after a well loved teacher for not kissing their A$$. A community who is coming out in strong defense of that employee and another Board from HELL flipping off the entire community and allowing this obvious abuse of power.

The only difference this time is the unqualified and uncertified interim AD who abused his position to kiss Annette's rear and try to climb the ladder. Phil was too ignorant to even use the correct evaluation form to sabotage Coach Jeffries.

Annette Johnson, Alex Arroyo and Kimberly Hatchett refused to even speak during the board comments and acknowledge the many coaches, players and former students who came out to support Coach Jeffries. After the meeting most of the board members snuck out the back way refusing to speak to or even look at the dozens of community members who stayed while the board hid in the back for two hours in closed session.

Why is this district unsuccessful? You're witnessing ia big part of why right now.

Another view said...

The district unsuccessful because of the union defending cry bully teachers. Wendall has been let go because of his a student incident. It is unfortunate that he was allowed to stay as badminton coach. If the union is to gain respect they need eliminate bad teachers like Jefferies. Not one current staff member of EAHS came and talked in his defense nor did any current players with the exception of his nephew.

Gerry, Lorretta and Tony represent bad teachers because they are bad teachers.

Kudos another view said...

Everyone focused on who came......who didn't come is more intriguing. How come Wendell didn't have the balls to speak for himself?!? Instead he played puppet master and let his goons speak out against board protocol and beyond their 3 min. Cliff pensyl is a tool. Him and the retired goons are still mad that they don't get to rip off the district and get free insurance so any chance to make the board look bad they take advantage. Again, where were the players?!? The assistant coaches?!? The Boatrights?!? The only reason people even spoke was because Jeffries sent mass texts, emails and whatever means he could to persuade people to help him out. If he doesn't reach out, does anybody come?!? So what 15 people spoke.....Aurora is a town of 200k......the silent majority speaks volumes. The lady who spoke last night was the only one worth while as she said where are you to speak out against academics?!? You'll come for a stupid basketball coach but not for graduation rates, academics, or even to hold a basketball coach accountable for having gang bangers, drop outs, and players who can't get in to any college because he tells them 5 Ds and an F is good enough to play basketball for him. This was the right decision. Jeffries doesn't care about the kids he cares about his pension. Please find me another worthwhile educator who only holds a bachelors degree! Jeffries doesn't care about the kids, education, or growing professionally. Bachelors with no masters credits and 30 years in......that's all anyone needs to know about him. Gerry and his crybullies over reached on this one. Like our president he's desperate for a win, and thought his would be his first one all year. He was wrong. People who spoke don't know Jeffries and how he treats kids, colleagues and custodians, they only know game days. They don't know Jeffries curses out kids, staff and faculty to get his way. They don't know Jeffries shows up late to work nearly everyday. They don't know Jeffries took a driver ed car to scout and took him home overnight. They don't know he bullies teachers into fixing grades so he can lose by 15 pts instead of 30. This blog and those who defend him are so out of tune it's ridiculous.

Tomcat 1 said...

The community is speaking out on Facebook and noboby is defending Jefferies. Becker is another topic. When will they get rid of him.

EA is okay said...

Gerry you have lost the respect of the union members at EAHS. Gerry you have NO clue what we feel or want and next year WE will take over the union not the nasties of Cowherd. We have been harassed by Wendall and he has been allowed to run the hallways with teachers told "can't touch the basketball team" meanwhile the amount of disrespect has proven itself over and over again. We have been pleased with Marina's leadership and feel it is a good day in EA.

Ralph Padron said...

Date: July 7 2017
Subject: Emails to/from
Time Line: May 1 2017 - July 7 2017

All emails to/from
johnlaesch@live.com
Sent to or received with the above email address
Recipients or senders with a D131.org email address

Thank you
Ralph

Ralph Padron said...

From: R Padron
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2017 8:52 AM
To: Steve Megazzini
Subject: FOIA Request

Date: July 10 2017
Subject: Telephone Log re: John Laesch
Time Line: April 1 2017 - July 10 2017

1 All telephone calls to/from (xxx) xxx xxxx to D131 phones

2 Please send response via email

thank you
Ralph

Ralph Padron said...

Date: July 11 2017
Subject: John Laesch Attendance at BOE Meetings
Time Line: Current Term as BOE Member

Please provide the following

1 Total number of BOE meetings (regular and special) Mr Laesch was scheduled to attend
2 Total and dates of meetings he did not attend
3 Dates of meeting he used telephone conference
4 Reasons for non attendance

Thank you
Ralph

Way to go EA said...

I work in EA and live in West Aurora. I read both school boards agendas and I have never thanked Annette Johnson. In WA we have 25 days of cash and have to borrow 15 million to pay bills and open school. EA can survive 142 days. I remember the days we had been in the same position. Her leadership has put us in a good position and I thank her.

The presentation says it all and EA is also in a better position than Oswego, Batavia Kaneland and Indian Prairie.

What's your point? said...

Ralph, I used to be one of your cheerleaders. But I don't understand this latest FOIA target. First, read the minutes, you can get an idea of how many meetings John L. has attended. For the time you are wasting writing your FOIA you could have had your info. Does this request have a worthy reason? What are you hoping to accomplish? Your requests have seemed to have lost merit. I no longer sing your praises. I now agree with your past critics....what a waste of time and money.

In Grief said...

Mr. Cowherd passed away today. It is a great loss to our community. Condolences to his wife and family. He was 93.

newshound said...

From the district's Facebook page:

With heavy hearts District 131 mourns the passing of Mr. Henry Cowherd. Mr. Cowherd was a life-long resident of Aurora who attended East Aurora schools. Mr. Cowherd was a 1945 graduate of East High School and went on to achieve a great deal of success in the business world.

Mr. Cowherd served as a member of the Board of Education and cared deeply about our school community. As you may know, Cowherd Middle School is named after Mr. Cowherd. Arrangements are unknown at this time, but we will pass them along should we learn more. District 131 extends its sympathies to the entire Cowherd Family.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-henry-cowherd-obit-st-0712-20170712-story.html

News you can USE!! said...

Plenty of opportunities to find out about the new busing program:

July 18, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
10:00AM
Waldo MS
Meeting takes place in the Waldo MS library.

July 19, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
10:00AM
Cowherd MS
Meeting takes place in the CMS library.

July 20, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
10:00AM
Simmons MS
Meeting takes place in the SMS multipurpose room.

July 21, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
10:00AM
Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy
Meeting takes place in the FRMA gymnasium

July 25, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
10:00AM
Hermes Elementary
Meeting takes place in the Hermes White Center (cafe/gym)

July 26, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
10:00AM
O'Donnell Elementary
Meeting takes place in the O'Donnell gymnasium

July 27, 2017
Bus Info Meeting
7:00PM
East Aurora High School
Meeting takes place in the EAHS little theater

Oldtimer said...

New busing and everyone calling Henry Cowherd a hero. How ironic Henry and many others contributed to the distruction of East Aurora.

Where is the rest of our paycheck?? said...

What the hell is going on with our paychecks? My automatic monthly bill payments are going to bounce. I got 1/5th of what my normal pay is!

Proper Compensation said...

To Paycheck:
My paycheck was correct. Sounds like an error. You need to contact Steve Megazzini in Human Resources. If you have difficulty with the district, contact your union rep. That's just one of the many things they can help you with.

Good Luck said...

I'm sure paycheck will get some sort of response from district administration by posting their concerns on a blog.

This blog is after all the main source of communication within the district.

Hahaha said...

So true. The idiot who posted that probably doesn't realize that all stipends stop with the June 30th check. So they got just their teacher salary check with no trs taken out. Checks are always less in July in august if you have stipends or other things on top of your teacher salary. They also probably forgot we pay higher taxes for the state now too.

Becker needs to go said...

Congradulations for hiring Rick Robinson he is a great roll model for your students. He will be a good addition to the staff.

However when are we removing Becker. Dating his friend while coaching the team on the sidelines while he is still married is not a good example. Then there is the stadium fiasco. A million dollar grant donation was put in his lap and he blew it by dictating what he wanted. He also has used his position at East to claim he is working with the youth. Irving is giving him a position soon. The Kenyons are long serving youth advisors and formed Tomcat Youth Tackle when the group got big enought he took credit. Just like the stadium that he tells the community he started. He never raised a penny anf truth be told he added costbthe district money. Finally someone had common sense and stopped the madness.

Becker is shady said...

Agreed on Becker we is a racist maybe someone should have recorded him and played the recording to Irving when Becker told the old guys that come to the meeting that the (n) are lazy and have no displine. Is that a way to treat Arfo American boys. He uses tge kids as a paycheck because nobody will hire him.

There also need to be an investigation of the money raised at his golf outing. The old-timers and boosters have always paid. What happens with the golf outing money Kurt.

Also received a check from the City of Aurora to pay for his golf next week. Why? Is the City paying Sara please FOIA the City. He does not live in Aurora so why pay for him.

Ralph Padron said...

Becker is shady said..

Why don't you FOIA the city yourself
Get the documents to support your allegation then bring it out publicly

Lots of charges made on the blog which may or may not be true
Commentaries are a dime a dozen without credible evidence

To all those trying to manipulate others, put your name out there
and show some class whenever you target someone.
Credability is gained when you come out who you are.

Just waiting said...

Someone does have the documents Kurt... We took one of EA rejects Mr Muhammad and now you just waiting for you to play. Sara F will get the documents on Friday.

How do you know said...

Nothing's been formally announced how do you know it's rick? And yes what a beacon of hope rick will be maybe the east side kids can be a TA or sub and assistant coach at a juco with a bachelors degree......shoot for the stars east side kids!!! The real question is did he finish his degree?!? Aurora will never get better if they continue racist, political ways and believe only black aurorans can reach black Aurora students. Great forced hire after Jeffries played the race card to rile up the black community for himself. Now they should all disappear again and not hold their black parents and students accountable on the east side! Real change comes from hiring the best person possible, not the best black Auroran possible.....what a sad day in EA. East Aurora will never get better if they can't get out of their own way and hire the best possible people. The politics of the east side will never allow the east side to catch up in education. Other than Chicago we have the worst school board for real change there is. It's all a game of political posturing. It's always a good idea to have a head varsity coach without a teaching degree and who is not in the building.......

Laughable said...

It's hilarious. You know but need and beg a reporter to find out for you. Step up to the plate and say who you are and attach your name to a FOIA if you know and want someone out so bad. If you want to look into Becker about his golf outing you might as well look into Wendell and Tyrone for all the basketball tournaments they host on the district dime and nobody polices or knows where the money goes......can't bitch about one without bitching about the same thing in other sports. Hold them all accountable! What happens with the basketball summer tournaments and shootouts?!? Maybe the unpoliced money is why Jeffries wanted so desperately to remain coach, who knows?!?

Another view said...

Becker and his girlfiend need to stop posting. When they hired Becker they did not hire the most qualified they hired a broken down alumni with no coaching experience other than Marmion were he seldom showed up and got a free education for his kid.

If it is Ricky he has worked and mentored our students at Simmons and he also has a winning record at Waubonsee. He is a fine choice. The board finally stopped the masness with Becker and did not let him hire a guy from Vegas that does not know our students. White or black he was a bad choice.

Becker should get forced out like Jefferies so we can finally get someone who identifies with our students.

You know it said...

How do you know, knows what they are talking about and stated it very nicely. Political posturing and over compensating attempting to be politically correct. The idea about teachers needing to be the same race/ nationality to be effective teacher or inspiration is such a joke. Our society as a whole needs to start saying NO. We try to please and satisfy so many demands of what is "politically correct" we are falling behind on getting things done effectively.

Oh yea said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Becker v Becker said...

16-D-000537 | BECKER, GLORIA v. BECKER, KURT filed on 4/22/2016
It's public record that Becker’s wife filed for divorce last year in Kane County. More than likely because of his affair with his assistant Wendy Michalski who is also married. Her LinkedIn profile states she has been volunteering for Tomcat Football for 4+ years and creating a platform for Vamos Bears, does she even speak Spanish? Parents, student athletes and assistant coaches all know he is having an affair with her. Becker preaches about family and commitment to the football team all the time. Where is commitment to his own family?
If anything is uncovered regarding his fundraising or if Irvin is going to give him a job, I am sure Mrs. Becker’s divorce attorney would like this information.

So..... said...

Assistant coaches now get credit for winning records?!? The head coach there is why they're successful he's had many an Asst coach and still won. But he's white so he wouldn't know our kids in Aurora......

:) said...

So............right! LOL

Fire Becker said...

Vamos Bears is a joke they did nothing for the stadium.

Becker should be fired before the start of the season like Ledbetter was because he purchased a $40,000 plus Tomcat without authorization only to find out it looked like Batman. The BOE minutes state he would reimburse the district after funds got raised. To date no funds have been raised and now Tom Jackson is left to pick up the pieces because Becker did nothing with the brick sale him and gal pal Wendy said they would run. The BOE also stopped him from bring in his favorite restaurant and pushing out boosters. Sounds like Becker thought he owned the Stadium.

Band Alum and Parent said...

2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the East Aurora High School band program (2016 was the 100th anniversary of our district's band program).

Will this be the year our district finally joins the 21st century and makes marching band optional at the high school? EVERY ONE of our neighboring districts has seen the wisdom of having volunteer marching bands, which rehearse OUTSIDE the school day and allow students the choice of participating in either marching band, indoor/concert band, or both.

Why are OUR band students forced to march when West High, Batavia, Oswego, and Naperville students aren't? How is this in students' best interests??

Get more parents and be vocal.... said...

I know athletic coaches are tired of getting bullied by Liska and company scaring and intimidating kids to miss their volleyball, tennis, basketball, etc games and practices because band is so important. An English teacher can't mandate a kid shows up at 7pm for a grade, nor can any other subject, but band is allowed to do it. This should be an easy fix but not in 131.....maybe pe teachers should mandate all their students perform in athletics after school for a grade lol

Culture not race said...

Black staff members culturally connect better with students. Even the black teachers don't relate to the square y'all want us to fit in. It's personal for me to reach Jaquan . You think our names are funny, stupid or whatever. I wouldn't name my son Jaquan or Collen either but I get Jaquan a little better. You may not get saggy britches but I don't get jeans sold with holes in them. However I live in the white mans world and I adjust to all situations and culture. You on the other hand make no adjustment cause you make the rules. In predominantly white schools and districts like 203 blacks are assumed to be intellectually inferior like the Jim Crow south. I know because I attended a school like that right here in Aurora. I saw how we were slighted with additional criticism in speech class. How words of encouragement were few and far between for us but y'all think we see or feel the difference. Our biological children know when we treat their sibling different. Don't be offended , recognize your short comings, be introspective . I recognize that some students are very difficult to deal with but I'm willing to do it , are you.?
If the Robinson bashing has already begun don't tell me you can teach my son . Ricky represents why there are less blacks in education than years past. They get very little support before they even begin. Then every flaw no matter how small is pointed out then they don't get tenured. One thing for sure if Ricky is successful it going to expose Becker even more. Graduation from Michigan and playing professionally hasn't translated into wins for him. Lastly, every level prior to varsity football has been relatively successful Cowherd, freshmen, etc...

Join the 21st century! said...

My son went to Dieterich for grade school and started band in fifth grade with Mr. Tripp. Then we moved into D204 and my son went to WVHS, where he played in band through high school. Marching band was a voluntary activity, and my son chose to participate his junior year. He enjoyed it because of the camaraderie and teamwork with his friends . Because everyone was there by choice, the kids had a positive attitude and showed up for practice willingly. My son wanted to march his senior year but had planned to attend an out-of-state convention in August the same week as band camp, so couldn't be in the marching band. Some of his friends had part-time jobs their senior year so they dropped out too and just played in a curricular band during the school day. We parents really appreciated the school's understanding and flexibility in making marching OPTIONAL for our band students!

Having trouble deciphering the point of the message. said...

Dear culture not race. WTH are you talking about? Your comments and points are all over the place. Personally reaching Jaquan, funny names like Colleen, baggy and torn pants, Jim Crow, biological children treated differently, be introspective........please proofread before you post.

Right...... said...

They're so misinformed. Saying the Frosh football team has had success is a lie. They went 7-2 last year and that was the first winning season in at least 10 years on that level. I also love how the idiots in Aurora think a 7th grade all Aurora tourney championship means the hs coach should be winning. It's like they don't even know we only compete against one Aurora high school in the conference. We play geneva, larkin, and schools not in the area. I'm also tired of the Jeffries apologists comparing basketball to football. Look at basketball records historically vs football historically.....in the last what 25 years football had one winning season. Now look at the last 25 years of basketball. You want to talk about culture?!? How about accountability?!? Stop the deflection and the you think I'm bad we'll look at this other guy. One thing doesn't have to do with the other. Kivisto and martens brought accountability to the basketball program and discipline and won! But they were white.....

I guess they're saying rick will let the kids wear baggy pants and show their underwear because he gets their "culture." I love how people on here are like rick is Jesus because he tutored kids......well his job title is teacher assistant so they want special consideration for him because he simply did his job. At least Jeffries had a teaching degree, rick doesn't have that even.

Mandatory marching is bogus said...

My granddaughter has played in the band since 5th grade and is a junior this year. She and her cousin both got summer jobs and want to keep working after school and on Saturdays during the school year. Her cousin is in the band at West but not in marching band because of her job. Now my granddaughter is being told that she has to quit band if she can't do after school rehearsals. The worst part is, her cousin can keep her part time job AND be in band, because marching is voluntary at West. If every other district in our area has optional marching then my granddaughter is being penalized for going to East and wanting to work after school . How is this a good thing for our students?

Just What We Need, More Amateur Advice said...

If you want a successful marching program that is all volunteer, the community would have to step up.

You want to compare East to 204? Waubonsee has 2500 students in the school and nearly 1000 of them are in music. East has 4000 students and only 250 are in band. And that's the most they have ever had. Historically, East has had no more than half those numbers.

In most schools, marching band is considered intermediate band. Students learn there, preparing them for the more advanced concert groups. East does not have the numbers to support your ideas.

It's clear that you've never run a band program. Following your anonymous blog advice, the program would be ruined within a year. It sounds great on the surface but has no basis in reality.

At Waubonsee, if 10% of band students volunteer for marching band, you will have a hundred piece marching band. If 10% of East students volunteered for marching band, there would be 25 kids out there.

Leave the decisions to the professionals and quit comparing apples to oranges.

Tomcat said...

Becker is the one writing about Robinson. Unlike Becker, Robinson has ethics. Becker needs to go by the end of the season only 20% of the team is left. He claims the black kids dont stick to it. He hates our students. Get rid of him.

Which side of the river shouldn't matter said...

I understand that comparing East to a D204 school may be apples-to-oranges, but the fact remains that EVERY neighboring district has voluntary marching band. Every single one! And that grandparent was comparing our marching band policy to West, not D204. That IS an appropriate comparison, since our demographics are very similar. One cousin has to choose between band and her job, while the other is able to do both. That's just plain unfair and wrong!

Get Over It said...

Anytime students want to participate in two activities, at some point they will have to choose. Until we learn to clone ourselves that is the reality. I don't get your issues with the band. Every club, sport and activity has the same issues. Get over it.

Clueless much? said...

So it's a good thing that students have to give up their jobs if they want to play in the band? You talk about choosing between two activities like sports or clubs, when in our district most 16 and 17-year-olds have part-time jobs to help their families make ends meet (you probably can't relate because you're from Naperville). I'm glad I moved my kids out of the district to a place where they could have the option to march or not (which is ANY district in our area except D131!)

Get Over It said...

Why would they have to give up a part time job? The band schedule is shared with the students months in advance. The students should work with their employer and set schedules that work with their school responsibilities. Again, in life everybody makes choices about how to effectively use their time. Choices must be made. I don't understand why if as you stated you moved your child out of District 131, why are you on here bashing our district?

Ex band booster said...

The whole point is, it should be an option. Not a requirement to assure the band has a large turnout for marching. After school activities should all be options, and not have pass or fail attached to it.
So, we have a small marching band or none at all. It would be up to the teacher to make it an atttactive option, or acknowledge it is not something students in our district care to participate in. East used to have a very large orchestra. There comes a time you have to concede, it is not an option our students want. Unless it was required course for graduation, I don't see why it should be a requirement attached to the students band grade.

Culture not race said...

Hey having trouble, It was meant to go over your head. That was my point you don't get it or the kids. So what if my sentence structure is poor it does not mean I'm not intelligent and again you missed it. Just because you have a degree in education it does not mean you're a good teacher and relate well with students or staff but you missed that too. Have you ever heard of an educated fool?

You're the one who needs to get over it said...

No, YOU get over it!

Get over your ivory tower outdated attitude that just because we've required band students to march for several decades we should ignore the FACT that every neighboring district has agreed that a volunteer marching band is a better fit for today's students and families.

Get over your entitled Naperville assumptions that part-time jobs are similar to clubs or other school activities for our financially strapped students. Even if an employer is able/willing to excuse a student from work for the many days of marching camp and after school rehearsals, that student will be without the income for those missed days. That can make a huge difference for a financially struggling student!

And it's hardly "bashing the district" to want D131 to join EVERY other district in this area in making marching band voluntary. As that grandparent said, it shouldn't matter which side of the river a student lives on!

Poor Decisions Create a Bottomless Pit for our Tax Dollars said...

No, here's the point. Those in leadership positions in this district have come out, guns blazing against band. You'll have to determine why. It could be certain board members who are looking at the cost of the new fine arts wing, uniforms, instruments, etc and don't want to support it. It could be those that never want to see East Aurora students succeed at anything, and there are more than a few who unfortunately believe that way. No successes in East Aurora. Especially from a past West Side superintendent.

To correct Ex Band Booster. Orchestra didn't end in District 131 because of a lack of interest. It ended with poor decisions by the board and administration back in the 80's. They closed down everything due to money. The string instruments were incorrectly stored at Hill Ave. The instruments were subjected to extreme heat and cold and were all destroyed. That's why the program ended.

It seems pretty clear that a decision has been made to destroy Band in this district. This past spring, the administration decided to get rid of the elementary band directors. Without an excellent feeder program, the whole district program will be destroyed within a few years anyway, so the high school issues really don't matter.

The only real question is: Why is the school board spending $15 million dollars on a new fine arts wing at the high school if they have decided to destroy the program at the elementary schools? That's a complete waste of our tax dollars.

Having trouble has returned said...

Hey Culture, this is trouble. I want to thank you for your assumption that I am a teacher with a degree. I feel honored.
Like all your assumptions about Black teachers and perceptions about what goes on in Aurora and at the schools, you are way off the mark. I HAVE heard of an educated fool. I would prefer being that, than just a rambling fool, as is reflected in your comments. You say "y'all," but you don't know me. Don't clump and stereotype me into your narrow view of the world around you.
I would not buy pants with holes in them and I live in a neighborhood where I am the minority. My child is the minority in their school.
I am educated, but not with a degree.
I am not a teacher, but I have been a mentor.
I HAVE worked with difficult students, as a volunteer. What about you?
The Robinsons have been a friend of mine for nearly 50 years.
Recognize YOUR shortcomings. Be introspective and eat a little crow.
Open your eyes, your mind and your heart. Don't judge a whole community on a few blog posts or something that happened years ago.
Be a part of change, not a pot stirrer.

Get your facts straight said...

Who are you getting your information from? We have elementary band and just got more instruments. They also had free camps this summer for band, fine arts, drama and choir.
They added Steam to the kinder program. Prehaps you are talking about another district?
They added a new wing because the programs are growing. My children have had a great summer attending all the different camps.

Tomcat hall of famer said...

Becker has a degree and acts like a fool. He is no mentor and in fact his coaches all quick on him along with the majority of his players. I know Steve Kenyon could not stand him and he and his wife built the Youth Tackle program. When Becker wanted to show off he took the program over. So he has a degree name one student he has mentored. Do you ever even see him talking to our kids?

Culture not race said...

Hey trouble you're right , I'm wrong. I didn't realize we had so much in common. All of my teachers were black in elementary and jr high so forgive me for making assumptions without significance firsthand experience. I'm not sure if 30 plus years of volunteering is in your league but forgive me again for assuming to know anything about the youth of this community. If your child is or was a minority in school I guess it makes you the expert . Since you've known the Robinson family for 50 years what is the significance of that?

Band Booster said...

To :Get Your Facts Straight

I did not say that the district got rid of band. I stated that the district got rid of elementary band directors. The plan is to now have the general music teachers run the band programs in each elementary building. So we have gone from two band directors who had many years of band experience conducting the band program to about 10 general music teachers, most with NO band experience trying to conduct band. The majority of the elementary general music teachers are choir directors. In college, music teachers specialize in one area, Band, Choir or Orchestra. It's about the equivalent of having your foot doctor perform brain surgery on you. They are both doctors but would you really go to a podiatrist for brain surgery?

Unfortunately the elementary general music teachers are now in panic mode. As always in District 131, there is no plan. Many are looking for other jobs. Others are asking if there is going to be any direction from the district . Where will instruments come from? How are ten different directors going to get help from vendors? What vendors are going to want to deal with this chaos? How are district level concerts going to be organized. How effective are choir teachers going to be running band programs? And as always, the students will be the ones left behind.

District 131 SNAFU

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-crosby-east-coach-st-0723-20170721-column.html

Trouble said...

Culture, sorry for my tardiness at responding. I am not a know all, do all. Just letting you know I am not at all what you ASSumed me to be.
I only mentioned knowing the Robinsons, since you brought them up in your comments and I didn't want you to jump to any more conclusions about everyone's thoughts about Ricky or bashing anyone.

Darby needs to pay the district back said...

Ken Darby will you pay back all the damage to Phillips Park and Gates School. As a board member who critical of others maybe you should spend time with your son. Will the City of Aurora and East Aurora look the other way


Aurora Police say they took three men into custody and are investigating others after an ongoing issue has arisen where golf carts are being stolen and damaged at the Phillips Park Golf Course on the city's East Side.

Police say around 3:10 a.m. on Monday, a resident in the area of the golf course called 911 upon seeing subjects riding golf carts in the area of the park.
Upon investigation it was found that a total of eight carts were removed from the golf cart area and that five of them had ignition damage that translated into the thousands of dollars worth of damage.
18 year-old's Jose Velasquez of S. Kendall in Aurora, Nash Darby of Bevier in Aurora and Devin Deitrick of Raymond Dr. in Montgomery were all arrested.

They are each charged with felony Criminal Damage to Property. Police say additional charges could be forthcoming, as well.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-summer-graduaton-st-0728-20170727-story.html

Ken said...

Ken , shake it off and move on.You are not responsible for an 18 year old action. Let him deal with the consequences of having a little extracurricular activity. Boys will be boys and haters will hate as you can see. Remember this as you apply zero tolerance to the students of the district who are expelled for less

Third ward said...

Ken it is parenting like yours that has led to the distruction at Phillips Park. I live by the Park at have seen this distruction happen for over a year now. This also included the zoo being vandalized. Boys will be boys leads to bigger crimes and you are never to stop parenting. If that is your feelings please resign off the school board we dont need people with such low character as yours.

Not Darby said...

I agree, shake it off and move on. That is a family problem not a district/community problem. Anyone with children knows, anyone's child can make an error in judgement. Bad choices. Some small, small big. How we handle it may make the difference in their future choices.
Zero tolerance, to me, has never been a good policy.
Darby and his child have their problems to contend with, and that will be done thru the courts. No one is looking the other way. They were charged and it has been made public. Unlike some communities where money can keep things quiet.

Do you feel better July 26- 1:37pm? You have given your opinion and tried to finger point a board member, making comment about his parenting. Hope you have it off your chest. What's your real problem? No children? Too much time on your hands? Darby doesn't agree with your line of thinking? Such is life.

Oldtime booster said...

Blame the article in the Aurora Beacon on Kurt Becker. Ken decided to us out after he had cooked up a deal to outsource concessions to his favorite water hole. Ken is being punished for putting a stop to his wild spending on the stadium and concessions. Yes it is sad that Ken son made a mistake and listened others but as the article stated Nash did stop and took responsibility like a man.

Becker cheated on his family and no doubt would have received free meals or something from his water hole. If anybody cant see a pattern with recent bad news articles about the district call me Ray Charles. He did not get his friend hired as basketball coach so an article calling the district a racist. Then front page online for days about Nash. Last month the self promotion of the stadium article. Here is hoping the district takes into account his zero win record as it will happen again this year and fires him as coach. We need to remember folks its all about him and not about the district. Well at least now that Annette Johnson board of one was burned for a second time action will happen.

In real news Becker asked the district for a loan on a $40,000 Tomcat and did not raise a nickle now the district is stuck with a Tomcat that looks like a cartoon character and at least a $11,000 down payment. I wonder how Kurt will cast blame on this one but they fired Cam for less.

Third ward said...

To not Darby not only do I know Ken from year of living in the Third Ward but as they say the apple does not fall far from the tree. Ken should clean up his own act. There are many stories about him also.

Just sayin said...

I have attended many BOE meeting and I find board comments a waste of time. Darby, Barrerio and Shuebert drone on about what they have done. Johnson and Hachett are always praising the Sups and Laesch plays to the audience. Arroyo is interesting because you never no what he will say. That all said Darby looks like he never spends enough time with his family. Kids usually act out when their parents dont give them enough attention.

Also glad to hear the most vindictive incompetent principal has left. Rowley had the opportunity of cherry picking the best students. Magnet will now florish without her reign of terror.

newshound said...

Here's a link to 16 pages of recent articles about our district:

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=40992168

Old-timer said...

Tomcat Football Alert

Kurt Becker is using the children for his new job job at the City of Aurora. Kurt will become the new Director of Youth and Senior Services. Kurts claim is that he created the program and brought youth and families back to EA. Liar it was Jan Kenyon. I already called my alderman and protested. My alderman who does not represent the District 131 but told me Kurt claimed he raised the money for the stadium and brought youth back to EA single handed. Last time I checked not one dollar was raised by Mr Becker. Ask Tomcat wrestling, Old-timers, coaches sports and band boosters what they think of him.

Ripleys said...

Believe it or not. Mayor Irvin hiring Becker brings into question his judgement and leadership . Becker is all hype and he knows as much about Youth and Senior service as he knows about coaching the new EA students.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/sports/ct-abn-football-east-aurora-ziare-williams-st-0807-20170806-story.html

Tomcat forever said...

Kurt Becker had the newpaper out again taking credit for building the stadium. When is the community going to sent this bum packing. The fact he would use the children as a way to tell others lies is horrible. We are sure the community will pay for the stadium for many years to come. The stadium will not change anything Becker will still loss every game. At least the soccer team and track team have a winning record.

It is also sad that the city would waste money on him, not only does he not identify our students but he knows nothing about seniors.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-stadium-st-0808-20170807-story.html

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-busing-st-0809-20170809-story.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-stadium-naming-st-0809-20170808-story.html

Choo Choo said...

What was the story behind Kaisershot's resignation/retirement? I worked with him toward the end of his career and I had never heard about the accusations. Seemed like a decent guy.

No 15% here said...

Same here. And considering that we pay 100% into our pensions, we're really losing out. As much as I love working for East, I may have to look at going to West soon. At least they pay 100% into TRS. When I figure that about 10% of my salary goes to TRS and I pay $5K in property taxes for my modest starter home thanks to Illinois' screw ups, my $55K salary isn't getting me far in raising a family. That is why I work 2 other jobs. I'm sure the district will argue for a salary freeze in the next negotiation and we'll cave in to it.

I saw it as scapegoat for admin/ board problems. said...

As a community member/ band parent of the Kaisershot era, I can only tell you what I observed as a person not privy to all that went on behind the doors of the board and admin of EAHS. K kept parents involved thru boosters and informed us the district or principal wanted more band presence at school events. Many of the students alraedy had a lot on their plates with other clubs, youth groups, sports, scouts, jobs and family. So we were vocal to him......no more! Around the same time their was gossip about a couple band students who were caught doing things they shouldn't be, in an area, designated for band, that they shouldn't have been.

Not long after the announcement came K was going to be replaced. It has been over 10 years so my recall may not be totally accurate, but the reason was to better the band program. I never understood that, as band has never been that important to admin in the past. From a parents point of view, we had good parent involvement and the band played at games and took the kids on trips to D.C. and WDW. It seemed to be doing well compared to other programs in EA, especially when it came to parent involvement. Which was a big deal to admin and the board. In fact, with the announcement came a big outpouring from not only current band families, but past students and their parents. There was a protest march to the school service center, asking for an explanation.There were large signs displayed in yards throughout EA. The building principal met with some band students and tried to use them as a PR ploy, denying adults request to be involved. The service center used personnel privacy as a reason for not responding to requests for meetings and answers. In the end, K. was moved to a middle school. After a newsworthy search a young man, anxious for a job, fresh out of college was the only taker they could find to replace K. was how I read it, according to all the news at the time.

Gossip and speculation continued due to veiled responses from board and admin. 1.The HS principal and the superintendents buddy, who worked at the high school, did not like that K. refused to require more band student performances. 2. K. was blamed for students who were found to be acting improper. (Both students who were "supposedly" involved moved shortly after, leading to gossip validating previous rumors.)
No answers or reasons for his move were made public from the district. The program did not change in the way the principal had given for the reason K. was being moved. She has retired and so has K. And the band plays on.........

moving on said...

That is good that the band played on. Maybe it is time to end this silly blog and stop your vendetta's Ms K and Rayanne. The district has turned the page and busing will be rolling in the fall. We as why continue?

Move on said...

Still talking about Kaisershot? Move on. This is old news. Marching band played at Montgomery Fest today and sounded great. Nice work. Fyi I am not a band parent.

Here We Go Again said...

I'd like to move on but when you see what just happened to Coach Jeffries, it shows the district isn't as reformed as we keep hearing in papers recently. There is still an atmosphere of bullying and intimidation. People like Phil Torres get ahead by kissing Annette's A$$ yet a long term, dedicated teacher like Jeffries gets screwed. When the district reforms, I'll move on.

Support tenure and unions said...

Anyone who wants to know what happened 12 years ago can simply Google: kaisershot aurora band. It doesn't need to be hashed out here again.

The real takeaway here is the importance of teachers unions and the tenure system. Without them, good teachers who are supported by the community can lose their income just because they don't kiss a$$. Yes, the administration was able to remove Mr. K from the high school BUT he was guaranteed a job in our district and spent 10 years doing an outstanding job teaching at Simmons. And now he is enjoying retirement, thanks to his pension.

When a teacher is jerked around by administrators despite students' and parents' objections it is not easily forgotten. I wouldn't want to see any other teacher treated like that, because it's the students who really pay the price!

No guarantee said...

Coach Jeffries thanks for the years of service but nothing is for life. Coach J wasn't supportive of Coach Kivisto and what goes around comes around.. I'm thrilled that Be lets guy didn't get the job.. Mr K refuse to comply with directives from the superintendent and he was moved; once again no guarantees and lifetime appointments even if you are the absolute best. In any other occupation he is fired.
There is no cloaking going on , it is a matter of privacy. The district cannot openly discuss issues directly related to performance of personnel without the real threat of litigation . Tenure also protects teachers and for teachers in admin who should be fired like Christi. She caused the district much embarrassment because she used her position to promote a personal cause. Her cause is hers not the districts and we have not been sued because of the position the board took and she' kept her job , nothing is guaranteed accept tenure. That's why many new staff are removed if there is any doubt about their abilities . If tenure didn't guarantee a job for life some of the young staffers could get the support they need to become good teachers but instead it's see you later.

We NEED tenure for our good teachers! said...

Superintendents, principals, and school board presidents work for US taxpayers; they are not dictators and should not be allowed to fire a teacher over the protests of the community! The tenure system is part of the necessary checks and balances which protect not only teachers, but also students from being the victims of corrupt administrators. I've seen many cases where a bad teacher with tenure is fired (Steve Orland at WAHS is a recent example), so don't tell me that tenure protects them. Tenure is an incentive for our best and brightest teachers to stay in our district and know that they have a measure of protection for themselves and their families.

Wow said...

There is a HUGE difference between being a bad teacher and being a sexual preditor. Steve Orland was fired because he broke the law.

What a stupid example.

Bad teachers said...

There is no real difference between being a bad teacher and being a teacher who is a sexual predator; they are just different types and degrees of bad. Teachers have also been fired for stealing. Break the law and you're gone, tenure or not.

Observation said said...

Gerry and company are useless.

We had our first meeting as building reps and it was a waste of time. Gerry and the braintrust announced they need to raise dues. The question should be asked what are they doing for us? Gerry still does not have a time when negotiations will start.

Gerry then tells us education is changing , and we should attend the professional development the district has provided for years. My question is how can he and Bluto even consider themselves teachers if this is the first year attending the events. To someone observing the meeting it showed Gerry and crew are still to worried about administrations jobs and not foused on teachers. Word of advice Gerry drop the busing and concern yourself with the classroom. You will soon be a teacher again and we need to work for qualified candidate's to run for our union leadership.

Reality said...

To Observation said:

You are a poor observer. Gerry did not raise your dues, the AFT, IFT and Local 604 did. Gerry has no control over those groups. If you don't like the increases, place the blame where it belongs and speak up publicly. Quit this cowardly blog posting.

As for professional development, any teacher who is not aware of the changes coming down from the Feds, State and district are going to fall behind. It is the responsibility of every educator to know the changes in education. If you can't do that, you are in the wrong profession.

If you really are a building rep, you should resign. A union is people working together. If your only contribution is to write anonymously on a blog and try to tear down the Union, you are betraying everyone you are supposed to be representing.

EA Pride said...

The reason that negotiations haven't started yet is because the interim superintendents have blocked it. I guess there may be some merit to the rumors that they will be replaced soon. They don't want to start a negotiation that they won't be around to complete.

It was clear at the last board meeting that the superintendents report on how to move the district forward focused mainly on the school board. Specifically, they mentioned Annette Johnson's bullying and unilateral decision making. Everyone knows that she's the main stumbling block to the district moving forward.

Another eastsider said...

The superintendents truly, "Specifically, they mentioned Annette Johnson's bullying and unilateral decision making"? They did that in front of AJ? I would have loved to have seen that. It is hard to believe. Usually, when she feels threatened you start seeing a bunch of blog posts praising what a wonderful board president she is.
4 superintendents can't ALL be wrong, saying she is the main problem of D131.

Keep dreaming said...

I went to the meeting and there was no memtion of the board. They would never say that about AJ they love AJ she and Marion Hoyda are twins. Hoyda is paid to insult staff all day long and thw two are cut from the same cloth. As for negotiations they will be around until they are finished and I have heard Hoyda is a big friend of people at 604 and she intends to punish our group for a hiring outside law firm.

Foolish behavior said...

keep dreaming you are correct the two interiums said nothing it was John Laesch who took his shots at one board member. The sups rolled their eyes as did the audience and board about John who just appears to be a angry young man. I reviewed read the FOIA report on the agenda and I see he appears to harass Stovall and McDonald with emails regarding Carspo. The dark days are over with Carspo and Laesch should not waste district resources and time.

The Real Truth said...

To Foolish Behavior:
You are correct that the superintendents said nothing during the meeting. However, John was referring to the superintendents report when he made the comments about Annette. And if you stayed after the board went in back for executive session, you could actually hear Annette screaming at John. Apparently, the superintendents report was spot on. Piss off Annette and watch out. She has no clue how a school board is supposed to work.

The real truth said...

Serveral of us were out in the lobby when John approach there was no screaming at the end of the meeting he remarked he must be doing something wrong. John seemed very angry.

More Real Truth said...

The screaming was in the back offices, not as they were leaving. Im sure John was angry after dealing with Annette's Tyranny. I wonder if he recorded it? Maybe he could get a $150,000 settlement just Christie Aird did after another of Annette's tirades. How many people have to endure her BS before something is done about her? There's recording of her screaming at Ray Hull and Christie Aird and Joan Glotzbach. There's the police report that Jerome outlines her threatening to get a gun and kill him and the entire school board. He goes on to say that she is mentally unstable. That is why the Aurora Police had to attend school board meetings for the next few months. They mentioned that there were threats against the school board, they just omitted that the threats were coming from Annette. We are not going to have s functioning school board until she is gone.

What is done in the dark, will come to the light. said...

Our school board is like the US government.
The board president is a female 45.
A bully, a bigot, and power hungry.
So many people have seen the bad and the ugly of both presidents,
and there are those who defend them and nothing is done to stop them.
NO one tells the king he is naked.

Known him for years said...

It seems like John is on the blog again telling lies and talking about excutive session. He has told me Annette is like Trump so I know it is him. I doubt that there was any yelling Hatchett and Arroyo have both made comments John needs to go. By comments made after the BOE meeting that message is clear.

John is angry he joined the board for more of a political future. Annette actually helped him at one time but now his best pals that supported him will not speak with him. John has no future in Aurora and he always needs someone to blame for his failures. I was talking with the Stonegate folks one night at the meeting and they told me the lies and promises John made. You would have thought he was a Republican. John has never been who he appears to be and his time on the board shows.

Put the Blame Where it Belongs said...

Annette is Annette, I don't blame her. I blame the other board members who know exactly who she is and still support her. The have the facts about the threats she's made. They have heard her rants against people. They know about the lawsuits and the hundreds of thousands she had cost the district because of her tantrums. I will say it. I blame Kimberly Hatchet, Alex Arroyo and just recently Bruce Schubert. They are the ones who are enabling Annette. They are the ones who see the wrongdoing but keep supporting her and allowing her to keep the district in disfunction. The are truly the most corrupt individuals.

newshound said...

Here's a link to 14 pages of recent articles about our district:

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=41078207

Did you hear what was said...

"Put the blame" called it out for what it is -an enabling board creating a dysfunctional district. I think Annette acts like Trump and she was doing it long before we saw what it could do to our country. When someone saw her for what she was, people would not believe it. She is just like Trump and has lots of people believing her schmoozing lies. John is only the newest victim. So now he is going to be blamed for blog posts, district and board problems. Who do you think keeps stirring that pot, posting negative John comments, creating new scapegoats. That is why the others agree with her, they don't want to be the next one in her crosshairs.

Another view said...

Annette has saved our children from a crazy administrator who attemted gender identify students. Aird used her position and the vunerable students/parents to promote her cause. I am disappointed the insurance company settled with her and they allowed her to work with children. I am glad she retired and we at Magnet had the unfortunate experience of watching her for two years telling students to explore their gender and we watched serveral students act out in her classroom. Aird was a predator and her classroom had the distinction of producing serveral cutters.

When Laesch produced the Aird tape he lost the respect of many.

John is not to be trusted said...

John told members of the union he is using the blog against Annette as his propaganda machine. Look who stated the posts about yelling which there was no yelling at the meeting. John has told many he must be doing sonething wrong. Well here it is folks.

Many of us dont trust John because he used a email from one of our members against us. The email was given to John by Popp. The email in question stated Annette was going to help us get more money. The truth was we rejected their proposal and told Hatchett and Johnson we needed more money. We ended up getting more money by negotiating with the board not Dr Popp. Hatchett and Johnson avoided a possible strike and they are both reasonable people. Our new leaders should not listen to John and after distributing the email it showed he did not want us to have more money. John also took the email to her taxpayer group and wanted them to work against the teachers. Many saw this for what it was. John wants Annettes power and he always loses to her. The other poster is correct John has lost his support in Aurora and he blames Annette.

Corruption Reigns Supreme said...

Christie Aird did help write the transgender policy along with other committee members that were led by Joan Glotsbach. Joan approved it to go before the board. The board, under Annette Johnson approved the policy. Only after the community came out against the policy did Annette and Joan throw Christie Aird under the bus to cover their own culpability. Apparently Annette is still doing it.

To: More Real Truth
Have you forgotten the business director (I think his name was Ernest Clark) who filed charges and a lawsuit because Annette was interfering with the functioning of the business office. That was a huge mess that cost the district 35 thousand dollars.

Then there was Denean Adams who was using the district credit card in Atlantic City when she was supposed to be in Philadelphia at a convention. Of course the part of the story that most people didn't hear about was that Jerome Roberts was there with her. That part was kept conveniently quiet. There were other Denean Adams scandals that were kept even more quiet.

Let's not forget all the crime and corruption in the building and grounds department. How many contracts have been funneled to friends of the influential at double the cost to the tax payers of this community.

Then there was the insurance debacle. 10 million dollars lost in an unprecedented amount of corruption. This was a very slow motion scandal happening over many years. Jay Augustine was in charge of the business department at that time. What happened to him? Oh yes, he was allowed to ride off into his retirement with his six figure pension while the district went after Penny Halifax, the secretary who was following orders. She was thrown under the bus.

These are just a few of the major issues that have been going on for many years as Annette Johnson has been the board president. Again, this has only happened because of the other school board members who enable her. They are all equally at fault.

Taxpayer 3 said...

It is funny the truth brings that up. All of the these people have been fired while Annette has been on the board. The 10 million insurance did not start under Annette it started with Augustine and Penny Halvax who had been paid by the district to administrate over the insurance. Why did Augustine not know Penny was not deducting premiums for herself? It was not the boards duty or Annettes to look into this. The fact Annette did it was good but again not her duty. Annette has acted correctly in her outrage that money was mismanaged and the teachers, programs, building are better off for it. I am a proud supporter of hers and agree Laesch is attempting to cover for employees that have been the problem for years. The best taxpayers should hope for is more people like Annette run for boards and show passion. A political word to John take a page out of her book.

EA all the way said...

The 10 million in insurance is laughable to blame on Annette and you may not agree with tone but you must agree with results. Ask yourself the following questions.

Why did Cowherd, McCue and Wells give Ponquinette free insurance for life? Maybe because a school would be named after Henry and contracts awarded to Mccue.

Why did Barriero who claims to have a finance degree not stop the 10 million insurance issue?

Why did Carlson the author of the blog that destroys admin careers not stop the insurance?

The list goes on, but one thing for sure Annette Johnson did stop the 10 million insurance debacle, and while we will now get a group who will say she acted alone, the fact is that it is fixed, and since she has been on the board my insurance has not been doubling each year, and my wages have greatly increased. I will start this school year not concerned that our district has to shut down because of lack of funds.

John Laesch should spend his time more productively than filing FOIA reports about Crespo and not attempt to extort a position out of someone who in today's world of crooked political figures breath of fresh air. We need more elected officials like Annette.

Once Again said...

The insurance debacle was going on for years under Annette's watch and she didn't do anything about it until it started blowing up in her face. The same way most everything is handled by Annette.

Normally a school board member is able to ask and receive any information necessary to do their job. Have you stopped to wonder why John had to FOIA District information? Could it be that Annette or others have been blocking John from receiving the necessary tools to be a board member? It's a good thing that Annette can't block FOIA's or none of these scandals would be known.

It's just another of the many examples of how dysfunctional the board has been under Annette's tyrannical reign.

Union member said...


Another insider is correct that Beatrice is playing both sides against the middle. The problem is that anything Beatrice hears, even rumors, she reports to Annette. Annette takes those rumors and barks out orders to her lap dog McDonald. McDonald then blindly carries out those orders, destroying anyone that Annette sees as her enemy while he protects her allies.

Hoyda is a bully and no one steps correct her conduct. Who is watching the cost over runs on the construction projects? Why has Becker not reimbursed the district for the fireworks display at the closing ceremony ($4,000)? Why did we save our Tomcat statue (which sat in front of the high school for years) only to buy another one made to the tune of $30,000? The board members say it looks like the Picasso, but they still voted to have it built. That's what you get when you have part-time employees running a school district. The rumor is true the Annette is trying to use all the district's funds so the union has no negation strength at contract time. The word is that Ms. Bully (Hoyda) and her girlfriend Beatrice are scared to be on the negotiation committee for the district.

Keeping the light on said...

Once again, has nailed it. Certain folks on this blog, either were not paying attention or have not been around long enough to remember just how many screw ups have been under Annette's watch or the dirt that has been on her hands. Those loyal supporters (retired northeasters) are a one issue group. As long as their taxes don't go up, they think she is the cats meow.
When the fingers get pointed at her, it seems blog posts either start talking about Laesch or some current thorn in Annette's side, or they start going back in time and talking about Wells, Barriero, Carlson, and others, who at some point in time, disagreed with Annette. She is the only person who seemed to have issue with all those same individuals.
Now is seems her strategy is to do like her old pal Jerome. Spend down the reserves before contract negotiations. Hopefully, the union is keeping proof of the books before the spend down, to show how frivolously money has been spent for non essential educational projects. Rather than the one thing that is necessary......our teachers!!

Supporter said...

Keeping it Light

Many people have a issue with Barriero, Wells, Mccue, and Carlson. We need to remember these are all people who reigned over the District not respecting people like Mr K and making backroom deals. The district was corrupt and ruined salaries for many teachers because we took low salaries and feel in love with the kids. The new teachers and staff that have worked here for 10 years now have it great. I don't care when Annette Johnson fixed the insurance but the fact is she did. All the naysayers can talk but the silent majority and many negotiating teams have found her to be reasonable and do what is best for everyone.


the wolf in sheeps clothing said...

John Laesch FOIA's emails questioning Stovall about Crespo. Did he not realize the reign of terror he inflected on teachers and janitors.

John Laesch circulates emails about our past negotiating team asking for more money. Does he not realize teachers are underpaid.

John Laesch claims he is for the poor but he is against the food pantry. Does he realize this is just a bigger footprint than the food closet our social workers have.

There is a pattern here folks John Laesch tells you one thing to your face but does another behind your back.

Supporter said...

In society those who work with vigor and efficiency are always criticized.

East Aurora staffer said...

Dr Hoyda and Mcdonald brought busing to the community only this blog could discredit them. It shows the current union who is bashing the interiums never cared for the kids.
Who did Mcdonald fire Crespo,Jefferies and Renner? They should have been gone years ago. Crespo did not have a teachibg degree and was a dictator, Renner was caught stealing and
Jefferies never comes to class on time and violated the rights of students daily. I think Marina is doing a fantastic job. Our working conditions have never been better

Happy camper said...

I second that emotion, Staffer!

District Observer said...

There goes Annette again. Everytime Annette gets criticized on here, she attacks others. Her favorite targets are John Laesch, former boards and Union leadership.

The union has never spoken against our new superintendents. They did ask for a plan to take to the members before agreeing to changing the contract. They were told that there was no plan in place but they would have to stagger start times for elementary and secondary conflicts. It was publicly stated that the district would save money if we bused elementary students at one time and secondary students later.

It turns out that they had not done any preparation. When the numbers came in, there are a total of 7 elementary students district wide eligible for busing (6 at one school and 1 at another). After all the union bashing, it turned out that it was a non-issue. Typical functioning of this school board, speak out before you have the information to make competent decisions.

Staffer said...

Annette is not talking about busing, I am. We have 23 buses coming in EAHS and they are working on the busy roads. The union took up most of our meeting talking about something that is an administration function. Gerry and crew are haters who represent the bottom of the barrel. Hoyda and Mcdonald have done great work. Annette has done great work along with others. Lets try to be positive.

A bad apple said...

Glad to see Angie Rowley gone she was sptiful and get even. Not one childs schedule was prepared and she trashed computers so it would takd the district forever to recoop. She was hurting childrens education maybe a report should get forwarded to IMSA.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-marie-wilkinson-pantry-st-0823-20170823-story.html

anonymous1 said...

Wow! Magnet just got screwed. Teacher's schedules were changed today and most of the STEM electives were taken away. Teacher have to change grade level, classrooms, and in some cases subjects. Students will be forced to take an extra math lab class. All because they could solve the scheduling issues. Magnet will not longer offer the classes that made it so unique. Nice job D131 as a parent of a Magnet student I can't believe that you would allow for your only success story to go down like this.

RESIST the Privatization of ALL Public Institutions said...

To: Anonymous 1

This is more of the same from our new administrative team including our part time superintendents, Beatrice Reyes-Childress, Yolanda Stovall, Araceli Ordaz and Heather Kincaid. Their only plan is to take away every reason that children have for wanting to come to school. They have systematically been destroying fine arts, they have removed field trips. They approved the policy that passes every student whether they do any work or not (5F's and 3 D-'s doesn't even require summer school) and have created discipline policies that don't hold kids accountable for anything. The only thing they give a damn about is test scores, They don't give a damn about the kids.

Since 2000 our nation has spent billions of tax payer dollars to increase test scores to no avail. After almost 20 years of political and corporate interference, they have only accomplished teacher shortages nationwide and the highest drop out rate than our nation has ever experienced.

The Magnet is just the latest victim in a 20 year deliberate destroying of public education in this country.

Happy camper said...

Anonymous1- your attitude about the Magnet school is one of the major problems of D131. "Only success story!??" You are either living in a bubble or blinded by the arrogance you seem to have by your child attending Magnet.
D131 has NJROTC which has a very long history of major success, nationwide. There are success stories in every classroom, in every school throughout this district. Just because you child is not one of those, doesn't mean they do not exist.
Magnet students are not even considered gifted or honors level students. They are students with a minimum of a C average, who had someone in their homeschool willing to recommend them, and whose parents were willing to drive them. That is the criteria, which doesn't put them in a "success story" category.
The main reason most parents want their children at Magnet is to segregate them from the main stream classrooms. Where ALL children are welcome, no matter how many per class, or what behavioral issues or learning disabilities they may have....etc. Kind of like the real world, where all people should be able to live, learn and work together and not measure their value to be superior by one fact of their life. Such as where they live, go to school or who they know.
I am grateful my children were/ are able to attend school, and that it is basically free. D131 has so many amazing, talented, devoted teachers. Even when they are not given the tools and resources needed to give our students the best our district should be able to provide, they are creative and willing to do whatever it takes.
Be a part of the fix. Get involved, involve others and work to fix things you find to be a problem.

Bad apples said...

Resist is a movement some our union leadership have joined. If they loved children why not agree for teachers to have meet and greet at night. The administration asked them to simply move the teachers start time up a few hours. The teachers would have still worked the same contractual hours. The braintrusted resisted forcing parents to leave work early. No folks it clearly the braintrust giving teachers in our district a bad name.

Laying Blame Where it Belongs said...

To: Bad Apples
The admin presented nothing to the union about changing hours. In reality the administration just forces everything down everyone's throats and tells people to suck it up. When it blows was up in their faces, then they try to deflect blame.

Here's the reality. Central office administration is calling all the shots and they really don't give a damn what any body thinks. Not the building level admin, the tearchers, staff, parents, community, nobody. If you want to lay blame, go to those who are making all the decisions.

SMH said...

To Resist Privatization, do you realize how utterly ridiculous you sound. Your comments about the administrators makes me question your stability . I hope you're not a teacher.
If every thing you said were true how could they not care and dismantle any program without board approval, wow.

The Magnet School is Dead said...

To SMH
The administration is dismantling the Magnet School right now and the board didn't approve any of it. In fact they weren't even notified that administration was doing it until it was already being done. It's a complete mess. Teachers are pissed, parents are pissed, kids are pissed. If they are going to turn it into a neighborhood school like all the other schools in the district , what's the motivation to go there? Why are parents going to drive past their neighborhood school to take their kid to Magnet school if they are not offering anything different? In fact if they are taking away all the stem and encore opportunities that made it a Magnet school, they are going to have to rebrand the school, Fred Rodgers Middle School. So much for Annette's crowning jewel. The Magnet is dead.

teacher2 said...

Your darn right Hoyda (the bully) and Beatrice (the snitch) want no part of union negotiations. They are not liked by the rank and file of the district. Both know whomever serves on the negotiations team gets fired by Annette. The real plan is to have McDonald negotiate the contract and then when things don't go well Annette will blame it on McDonald and she will fire him. (that is if he makes it to negotiation time). Annette will then cut her own back room deal with the union at a cost of another 2 million dollars to the district (like she did with Torres on the last contract). As far as McDonald not saying anything at the board or committee meetings just watch him , he falls asleep half the time.