I have received some information and wanted to share it. I believe the source of this info to be honest and reliable.
It has been relayed to me that the district had all of the offices at the service center repainted by outside contractors. Each individual had the opportunity to pick any color they would like for their office.
The maintenance people were told the job needed to be completed during the break. Since the district maintenance people would be too busy, outsiders would be hired to do the job.
Was it necessary to get the job done immediately?
Was it more cost effective to have it done during the holidays by an outside company, rather than by maintenance people already on the payroll during spring or summer break?
Wouldn't it be much more cost effective for everything to be the same neutral color?
I know this may seem nit picky, but when our district is under the microscope to be penny-wise, I would like to think visual appeal and personal preference should not be considered. Necessity and value of services, should be priority.
Is this something for which we should ask the district to be accountable ?
Bloggers let me hear from you.
17 comments:
Is there any way to find out how much these outside contractors were paid, versus how much the job would have cost if done by district employees?
Seems to me it's not "nit picking" to be concerned about the cost of painting these offices. The folks at the service center should be held accountable for using taxpayers' funds wisely along with everyone else who works for the district!
And if the district REALLY wants to be creative & save money at the same time, why not have students in the building trades and home ec. departments do some of the painting? Choosing, buying, and applying paint are valuable skills which could be learned "hands-on" by high school students.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS OF THE EASTSIDE!
:o)
There are alot of things about this that needs to be looked into. Is this the end of the fiscal year for them and they had some money they needed to get off the books. If that is what happened they need to look at next years and maybe put that money where is would be needed more like sports or the things they need to cut. If anyone has the budget they could look that up. Also, did they take bids for it or just picked one. I know in some forms of government they don't have to bid it out if it is under a certain amount but with this districts low money flow they should of got the lowest bid. Also, should this have been talked about at a school board meeting or committee to have it done.
Here is a new law that applies to the Open Meeting Acts that took effect this year. I hope our school board read about this.
Government officials also will have to more closely watch how, when and where they're discussing public business.
An amendment to the state's Open Meetings Act expands the definition of a meeting to include video and audio conferences, e-mails, Internet chat rooms and other forms of communication. So officials now can't talk public business electronically, face-to-face or over the telephone outside of announced public meetings.
Media groups supporting the change say it's important to ensure small factions of officials don't meet privately and then try to drive legislative proposals through the larger body without public discussion.
But some officials say the wording of the change is vague and the restrictions go too far.
"You're inhibiting communications that are just natural. ... That can't be good for any democracy," said Tari Renner, a political science professor at Illinois Wesleyan University and member of the McLean County Board in central Illinois
This is from the beacon
I have a copy of the budget and believe me there is no money left unspent. Actually in most area's we spend more than is allocated. Hence the impending deficit. As stated at the last meeting with Dr. Roberts, the board knew they were spending more than they were taking in for the last 8 years. They did not want to let the community know until it was necesary or in this case when the state mandated they did.
As far as being discussed, it would be easier to verify that if we could see the minutes of the past building and grounds committe meetings. I know of certain it was not discussed at the one I attended in November and there was no meeting held in December. The November meeting note state the next meeting is January 11, 2007 but the web site states Jan. 6. Go figure.
Just another fine example of the way this district manipulates information to confuse everyone. There is no open and honest communication happening here.
Don't take my word for it, check for yourselves at www.d131.kane.k12.il.us. There is a list of links on the left hand side, click on Board of Education. Both sites take awhile to load, even with dsl so be patient.
The end of the fiscal year for schools is June 30th of every year.
The district wants our help. Well sorry 131. The people have figured you out. Roberts, you are going to have to earn that nice fat pay check as are you Augustine. You better be up working late nights because there is not chance that a referendum will ever pass of the east side. Good Luck.
It's like some flake getting a pedicure and avoiding the visa bill. They need to hire an outsider: A FINANCIAL PLANNER-- one with cajones and power to stop them.
As long as the ISBE and the state look the other way it will never happen.
The bank is closed.......
Don't forget!
131 website schedule shows..Board meeting Wednesday @ 7 pm.
Hope to see many there.
I hope that everyone who is posting here can make it to the meeting tomorrow. If nothing else, please be there to hear what is said. Everyone might find it interesting. Think there might be some White Castle hamburgers this time for us? Still wonder if D131 monies paid for that or Dr. Roberts?
Are you SURE there's a school board meeting tonight? The reason I'm confused is because:
--There is no agenda posted for tonight's meeting on the D131 website
--This morning the Beacon published its list of public meetings for today, and no school board meeting was listed
If, indeed, there IS a School Board meeting tonight, then the district has been remiss (as usual!) in its duty of keeping the public informed.
As the original post said, "Just another example...."
As posted on the 131 website
(condensed by Vet.Tomcat for most recent dates only-showing)
Aurora East Public Schools, District 131
630/299-5550
CALENDAR OF REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
2006-2007
*January 3, 2007
*January 16, 2007
February 5, 2007
*February 20, 2007
Note: All regular meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in the Board Room at the School Service Center, 417 Fifth Street, Aurora, Illinois. *Should the first or third Monday fall on a holiday the meeting is held on Tuesday or Wednesday, i.e., September 5th, January 3, January 16th and February 20th.
Yes, I saw tonight's meeting listed on the D131 website calendar.
But according to the Board of Education link, "agendas will be posted 1-2 days before" school board meetings. And there is NO agenda posted for any upcoming meetings.
Also, only 6 of the last 11 meetings have had "Board Bits" posted. Is the School Board purposely withholding this information from the public? I know that if I completed only 6 out of 11 assignments on my job, I'd be out of work pretty quickly!
How are the folks in the central office earning their paychecks? And more importantly, how are they earning our RESPECT??
A good reason to look at cutting those who are not getting the job done.
A good point to bring up at the meeting tonight!
Too many people delegating and nothing getting done. Other than spending.
We need to get them to address and acknowledge the ABC's
A is for accountability
B is for Board Bits and minutes being posted
C is for community
I was at the last meeting when it was voted that there would be no meeting tonite, but since it was not in the Beacon that there was not going to be one and I was told by soneone there was, I was one who went for the meeting. Also there was a schedule on the service center door and it did not mention that there would be no school board meeting. I also thought that the school board had changed their mind about no meeting tonite.
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