Prior to the regular school board meeting, Monday December 17, there will be a workshop being presented by PMA Securities Inc. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the Financial Planning Program and the financial outlook for our school district. This workshop begins at 5:30 and will be held at the school service center at 417 Fifth Ave.
PMA Securities Inc has offered a workshop previously on August 20 at which time they presented the possibility of issuing working cash bonds
The full agenda can be accessed at the website www.d131.org. I hope you will share this information.
The last workshop suggested a referendum would pay for these bonds.
I think our community needs to be informed and hear for themselves how our administrators would like to put money in the bank with borrowed money.
Please try to attend.
121 comments:
I think that the Board should be aware that PMA Securities has recently been successfully sued in a class-action lawsuit for mismanagement of funds:
http://securities.stanford.edu/1029/PMACA03-01/index.html
That link again:
http://securities.stanford.edu/
1029/PMACA03-01/index.html
To the best of my knowledge, I will be there. This community needs to get involved and the school board made accountable. Whomever posted about the lawsuit, will you be there and can you bring this information, please? If not, could you post it here? I do not have success when I try getting this type of information. If things are like usual, it will be myself and maybe 2 or 3 more attending. This is a busy time of the season, I know, but this workshop if very important. Hope to see many of you there.
I tried to find out more on the lawsuit and I am not sure that it is the same "PMA." But do not fear, tho there may be no lawsuit, there may very well be many districts that used and dismissed PMA's services. Saying -" They’re all part of the
Illinois thefterendum machine."
I like that term-thefterendum ! :o)
Watch the blog for more info as it becomes available.
If attendees of the workshop do not like what they hear. Speak up! If not at the workshop, stay and sign up to be heard during the community comment time at the board meeting after the workshop.
I believe a few honest voices can make a change.
I was at the workshop and did not like what I heard. There was a whole three of us. Why speak up, although many of us have. What good does it do when the rest of this community does just not care.
Those are my thoughts many times, too, anon 8:22.
It gets so frustrating to hear the critism and complaints, and very few show up to back up any efforts for change.
There is a push for change ( to make things better) and it may only take one more person to make it successful. Please continue to be supportive.
~Rayanne
How can we have more than 50 administrators in the district and not one of them know that high school fraternities were illegal? Of course the other possibility is that they knew full well that Boys II Men was illegal and they did nothing about it for 5 years.
I can't believe that Clayton Muhamed has been going to the press and writing stories about staff members that are incompetent and then he makes a play as bone headed as this.
Did the board know about this and if so for how long have they done nothing about it? Who knew what and when did they know it?
Yeah how stupid for Clayton to start a club that keeps Black and Hispanic men off the streets and out of gangs. Why would we want that?
While I think that Boys II Men is a positive organization, discrimination is wrong. Maybe Mr. Muhammad needs to make his club more inclusive, and stop calling it a "fraternity".
Well let's see. The Illinois Legislature and the Illinois Supreme Court have both decided that fraternities are not in the best public interest. They decided that they have a long history of being exclusionary (another word for discriminitory) and that they have absolutely no place in public schools but we are supposed to ignore the law because Clayton says his groups are "good".
Let me make a comparison so that it may become more clear. If a teacher separated their class and said that blacks and hispanics sit on this side of the room and all other cultures sit on that side of the room. The teacher will teach only the blacks and hispanics from now on.
Now the teacher says look at all the good things I am doing for these children. Class size is down, scores are up, I'm giving them the attention that they deserve. I am doing such wonderful things for these children. Are we now to ignore the fact that the teacher has excluded students,that students have been discriminated against.
This law does not limit the rule only to those groups that call themselves "fraternities" but to any group that conducts things in an exclusionary manner. Call it a fraternity or club or anything else, it is still illegal if you run it as Clayton has been doing for five years.
It's amazing that Clayton just wrote a long op/ed article (Competence before Color)in the Beacon stating over and over that he and the district never discriminate based upon race. Apparently someone needs to explain the word "discrimination" to Clayton.
I have no problem with Boys || Men. It is not a club at East High and Clayton should be doing this on his own time. I am sure that what he is doing in this is not in his job description that this district is paying him to do. Of course the school board and Dr.Roberts is aware of what he is doing as the email address he uses is also the one that is stated on this district website where you get your agendas,etc. D131.org, and this is the address to get in contact about school business and Clayton is not even using his own email address he has for the school. The telephone # is also his for the school. How much of our tax dollars is being used to pay this man for something that is not related to his job. Would Boys||Men be discontinued as was threatened with other clubs when they tried to pass the referendum? Other students outside our districr is in this and how is their part being paid for? Many unaswered questions and just try to get an answer from the school board. If you email them Clayton gets the message and how do you know if the school board has gotten the message if you don't go to the meetings and ask and take the email with you to prove your point? I was at a school board meeting one time when someone spoke before the board about an email they sent to the board. The board had not got it as Clayton never gave it to them. She had a copy with her to give to the school board and I forget how long ago she had said she sent it. He decides what he give them. So much for emailing your concerns to the board. Anything out there to improve or help someone is great, but do it in the right way.
What's hard to understand? Clayton has been teaching impressionable children how to discriminate. He has been breaking the law for five years and the district administration has enabled him to do it.
They have been either immoral and unethical or they have been incompetent. Either way heads should role.
Clayton is a pompous a$$ who wouldn't even have his position if his godfather weren't Dr. Ponquinette. Can you say patronage job? Now we find he's been corrupting childrens minds and breaking the law for years. How much are we paying him for his incompetence? He needs to go.
Let us all go to the school board meeting and say something to the board.
I heard that the board members knew about this fraternity situation at the last meeting but didn't discuss it publicly. Do they not understand the gravity of the situation or are they so much in bed with Clayton and the administration that they will never do what's right? If the board can't do what's right when it's so clear that the law is being broken I fear the system is broken beyond repair.
ARTICLE 31. FRATERNITIES‑‑SORORITIES
(105 ILCS 5/31‑1)
Sec. 31‑1. Definition.
A public school fraternity, sorority or secret society, in this Article means any organization, composed wholly or in part of public school pupils, which seeks to perpetuate itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in such school on the basis of the decision of its membership rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the school who is qualified by the rules of the school to fill the special aims of the organization.
(105 ILCS 5/31‑2)
Sec. 31‑2. Inimical to public good.
Any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society is inimical to the public good.
(105 ILCS 5/31‑3)
Sec. 31‑3. Suspension or expulsion of members, pledges and solicitors.
The governing body of any public school shall suspend or expel any pupil who is a member of or joins or promises to join, or who becomes pledged to become a member of, or who solicits any other person to join, promise to join or be pledged to become a member of any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society.
(105 ILCS 5/31‑4)
Sec. 31‑4. Solicitation unlawful‑Penalty.
It is unlawful for any person not enrolled in any public school of this State to solicit any pupil enrolled therein to join or pledge himself or herself to become a member of any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society or to solicit any such pupil to attend a meeting thereof or any meeting where the joining of any such fraternity, sorority or secret society is encouraged. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined not less than $25 nor more than $100.
(105 ILCS 5/31‑5)
Sec. 31‑5. Not applicable to universities.
The provisions of this Article do not apply to fraternities, sororities or secret societies in any State University nor to students thereof in their relations to such organizations in these institutions.
TI think Clayton was trying to do a good thing with the kids but he should of kept that seperate from the school. This just shows how the administration does what ever they want and the school board just looks away. I believe there are a few on the board that wants to get the school board to do there job and start making the administration do their will and not the administrations agenda. The old members of the board have been letting the superintendent run the school district the way he wants and not by what the school board has but in place but then again I don't think the school board has put to much in place. Hopefully when they pick the next board member they will do it the right way and vote in open session for the member. They can go into closed session the pick one but they need to vote in open session. They break to many of the closed session rules and need to talk to a lawyer about this.
If you go to the school board meetings, you would observe that the school board president always looks to the superintent for the answers. It is a shame that she does not know the answers or the school board(for the most)do not do their job. At the meetings, I hear is what is not being said more than what is being said. This speaks more clearly than anything else. This is how I get most of my answers, and especially by watching the board, superintent and even the one taking the minutes.
The biggest complaint that the community has is that the district and board don't communicate with and involve the community. They made a big mistake voting privately for the last board member. It alienated even more of the community if that was possible. I suppose they will do the same now that they will have to replace Bud. I know that there is no legal restriction in them voting behind closed doors but it's yet one more public debacle.
Does anyone know the procedure to replace Bud? I'm hoping that there will be some way to involve the community, instead of just appointing a replacement.
The school board feels the community does not care because nobody but a few go to the meetings. I go and know that for a fact. I know that they did not vote on minutes of the closed session for the new board member, so it makes me wonder if there was any minutes taken. How can anyone know what goes on if they do not go the meetings?There was a vote taken, but I have not figured what it was for yet at the meeting where the new board member was instated and that folks, if I am correct, is a violation. The biggest turnout at meetings is when the students are given a award, the parents come then. When this part is over, the school board president then says, if anyone wants to leave they can as the rest of the meeting is boring. But at least some parents and community care enough to come to see the students get their awards, to bad they do not care enough to know what is going on that reallly impact these students all of the time.
I'd say the best way to find out the procedure for replacement, email the super -jroberts@d131.org and ask him to forward the inquiry to Carol Farnum. Would seem after all the years Carol, Juanita and Bob and have been board members, they would have a procedure in place or policy to address this issue.
Better yet, maybe the Beacon could do a story on how sadly 131 will have to replace another board member, so soon after the other guy left. They could ask Carol how does she feel this impacts the board and what the board may have in process. And how do they go about replacing a member-step by step process and how is a majority found with a 6 person board deciding?
I think we should let the public vote. Have the city organize an East Side wide election to replace ONE board member. That way 12 people will show up and get who they want elected. You guys barely get 5000 people to show out to the polls when it is a fairly big election, what makes you think the majority of Aurora cares who gets put in the place of "Bud".
And this is the 2ND LARGEST CITY IN ILLINOIS. It may be the second largest but it sucks the most.
If you use the D131.org address, that will go to Clayton unless they have changed this. Good luck on getting it where you want it to go. The school board takes care of this business, not Dr.Roberts. Go to the school board meeting and address the school board and ask that your questions are put in the minutes, then it is public record. Another choice one has is to write a letter to every school board member and keep a copy for yourself, better yet, hand carry it to the service center and no one can say they never go it and be sure to to address it to each and every school board member. If you do it to just the president, you may be unhappy with the results. Decisions are made by each school board member. The Beacon is not a good idea and is also not there place to handle this. Their job is to report the news, and they have a way of being onesided and reporting only what they want and leaves out important information. Best thing to do is to contact the Regional office to find out your answers.
If I read that school code correctly the board needs to report Clayton to the District Attorneys Office as recruiting students into a fraternity is illegal and every student (all 150 or them)that is a part of the fraternity must be suspended or expelled. Clayton sure has created a big mess for the district. Wow, and to think his job is to create a positive image for the district. He needs to go and now.
I think that Mr. Muhammad has done a very positive thing for this community with his group Boys II Men. Young men need strong male role models if they are to grow into responsible adult members of society, and unfortunately many adults in these kids' lives have "dropped the ball". Boys II Men steps in to the gap, inspiring young men to aspire to more than they might otherwise. For that we can thank Clayton Muhammad: he has poured his heart & soul into this district, and with only a couple of exceptions (such as his support of "serial bully" Superintendent Radakovich, and his misguided defense of the EHS band disaster), Mr. Muhammad has proven himself a sincere advocate for young people.
The only problem I can see is one of semantics--some people seem to think that the term "fraternity" is discriminatory or exclusive. Why can't Mr. Muhammad call his group a "service organization" instead? It would be a real shame if a beneficial organization like Boys II Men were to be disbanded just because its leaders didn't think to check some 40-year-old statute banning "fraternities". C'mon, let's use common sense and help this group keep doing what it's been doing over the past 5 years: encouraging young men to become responsible adults!
Clayton may be doing a good thing, but it should not be on the district to fund it and certainly not on the time he is being paid for by the district. Do it the right way. Fraternities have the right to pick and choose who they want in it, if this is to stay the way it is now, then every STUDENT in D131 who wants to be in it should be able to and should stay in this district. Other districts could then do it if they wanted to. What Clayton is doing is a good thing, but should be done on HIS time not the district, nor should he use the D131.org to receive his messages. If he is out to set an example, then he needs to do it the right way. Also, if any clubs get cut in the future, what do you think will happen when this "fraternity" gets to stay, when it is not a club?
Yes, I think Clayton is trying to do good for these children but it is the responsibily of the administrators to know the Illinios School Code just like they make the children of the district know the district school rules and follow them. Where are the lawyers in this district? The school board breaks the open meeting act many times at there meetings. If they feel this is a old statue doesn't mean it shouldn't be inforced and I believe someone in the administration or on the school board should know what the school code says. The posting from 12/22/07 @ 9:24pm had no problem finding what it said about fraternities. Are we suppose to ignore school codes we don't think is right which seems to me this district does.
Discrimination has no place in public schools. I am sure the KKK and Nazis had wonderful programs to help their children to become men also but we learned what happens when we teach our children to discriminate. Discrimination is illegal for a reason, it creates hatred which leads to suffering. It must be fought wherever it rears its ugly face.
If you listen to Clayton, gang members are all black or hispanic. This is a ridiculous assumption and is a poor excuse for discrimination.
Matthew Quigley is a perfect example. Here is a white kid who grew up in East Aurora Schools and was a gang member. He is now serving a life term for murdering two other east side teens Erbel Valdez and David Morales. It makes me wonder, if Clayton hadn't been running his Illegal Fraternity in a racist manner would Matthew, Erbel and David all have been saved?
Matthew Quigley was a kid that could have used interventions for his gang activities but wasn't eligible or welcome in Boys II Men for one reason and one reason only, he is white.
If the board can't see how fraternities especially ones that blatantly express their racist views and policies publicly are not only illegal but also unethical and immoral, then they shouldn't be in the position that they are in.
Fortunately the board is not the final authority in this matter. The Kane County Regional Office of Education is reviewing the situation as well. It can further be investigated by The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois States Attorney if local authorities are unwilling to deal with the situation.
Sounds like someone has the bull by the horns. That is the best way to get action, take it to a higher authority when the local one turns a blind eye.
I agree with others on this one. Clayton has a good program, but there is no black & white in discrimination. He is discriminating or he is not.. And he admittedly is!
Yee ha! Ride this one thru to an answer by the region or higher if necessary, cowboy!
Does anyone know for a fact that Caucasians are not welcome to join Boys II Men (or their "sister" organization, Diamonds)? Have any young white men (or women) applied for membership and been turned down?
Maybe it's just coincidence that the groups' membership right now is entirely Black and Hispanic. Maybe they have had White members in the past who have graduated or moved.
I think that we need to be VERY cautious about calling an organization "discriminatory" unless there are specific cases where discrimination has occurred.
Agree that we need to be very cautious about the discrimination part. I want to know if how Clayton is doing this is the right way i.e. doing this on school time and using the D131 email address at the service center. All calls and email should go to his home computer and his personal cell phone or home phone and nothing to do with this district, also on his own time. In a way, it seems like a conflict of interest between his job and Boys 2 Men. Hope to see the ones posting on here about this at the school board meeting. The few of us who do go would like some company and fellow community members there with us to support our district.
You need to read the statements of Clayton Muhamed. They have been clearly stated publicly.
Beacon News
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/lifestyles/686607,2_5_AU09_STORYTELLER_S1.article
Clayton repeatedly has stated that the organization is for young black and latino boys. The organization was started with 12 black and latino boys that Clayton himself selected. The meetings are all geared for black and latino boys. New members must be brought to meetings by existing members and selected for membership by senior fraternity members. There is no process for an individual to gain access to Clayton's exclusive fraternity except by the processes stated.
There is no question that the Clayton illegal fraternity has discriminated against anyone not black or latino. Worse yet, the administration and school board have been well aware of Clayton's discrimination and have done nothing about it for the past five years.
The school board and administration are as guilty as Clayton himself. They not only have allowed Clayton to recruit in the school but have granted him access to East High to hold fraternity meetings.
It makes you wonder what percentage of Clayton's secret salary goes toward compensating him for running this illegal fraternity. Since his salary is just one more thing decided behind closed doors, I guess we'll never know.
There is a conflict of interest in this. Job verus Boys 2 Men. Will anyone putting info on this blog go to the meeting and speak up? My guess is no. As far as the board goes, remember there are 3 that were not on it when Boys 2 Men started. People who went to Weed and Seed meetings 5 yrs. ago got the definite idea that he was prejudiced. The only members of Boys 2 Men were not white or lighter skinned. No matter what Clayton thinks, all nationalities, people of different color, creed, their chilren are involved in gangs and all deserve the same consideration. We are all Gods Children.
New members must be brought to meetings by existing members and selected for membership by senior fraternity members.
The statement above tells it all. If this was just a club then noone would be selected they would be able to just join.
I have read a couple of articiles in the paper that gave Claytons web address as D131 and his phone number was a district phone number. Does anyone know if his cell phone is paid by the district? We know the website is. Where I work they like us to be involved in community activites but not on company time and not using a company cell phone.
You can get Clayton's salary if you FOIA it. They have to give it to you in seven days or you can contact the states attorney.
Was doing a web search on fraterities and found this. It looks like Oswego is going to start one up too.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=89067399
Clayton cann't say anymore that this isn't a fraterity. The Mayor of Aurora seems to think it is a good thing but again he doesn't know too much about the law so he would know this was illegal.
I went to that website and all I have to say if Clayton is there to teach kids about relationships and how to be good men then why is there a letter from one of the frat. brothers talking about pills to enhance their penis. I would think that would be something they would not be thnking of.
Much of the sentiment on this blog symbolizes the problems that seem to be endemic to the east side. Here you have someone that is doing something positive in the community that appears to working yet a number of people are concerned out the “legality” of it. It would seem to me that it would be more productive to find a constructive solution to the problem. The question is, is it better to teach kids right from wrong and to help them stay out of trouble or is it more important for people in this community to try to tear down one of the few things that appears to be working. It is somewhat mind-boggling trying to understand the mindset here. Is disbanding the “fraternity” going to help solve some sort of problem? It would appear that if they just met on their own time (which they may be doing) and not on school property or paid the appropriate rental fee than this would likely be a non-issue.
With all the issues that face the east side it is amazing that this is something that has some people up in arms. Let’s recap Clayton is helping kids to stay out of trouble and learn how to make good choices. How many of you anonymous posters can say that you are doing that? If more parents on the east side were already teaching these lessons than perhaps this “fraternity” wouldn’t be needed, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water instead we should be offering solutions to help keep a good thing going
So you would suggest that they should be able to break the law. What is that teaching them. Did you go to that website that is on here? It clearly states that this is a fraternity. Why isn't this available to all kigh school students? Yes, this is a positive thing for them but it does not mean they should break the law. This school board breaks many laws of the open meeting acts and now you think it is okay to break a school code. Here is another website that explains that part of the school code.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0036-6773(192305)31%3A5%3C332%3ATDOTSC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-3
Which one of the school board members posted above this. You are lucky who ever contacted the Regional Superintendent didn't go to the states attonery.
To 12:25 a.m.--
I seriously doubt whether one of the fraternity brothers posted that ad about genital enlargement. That was probably spam, or "phishing"--someone using another person's identity to run an ad without the original person's knowledge or consent.
That kind of thing happens all the time on MySpace. It's one reason why a lot of people have moved to Facebook.
Did you go to the website and look? If it was as you say why hasn't it been taken off. My questions now are why is the districts website and a phone number of 630-299-5534 which I believe is a district number being given for new pledge information. That means Clayton is doing this on school time and I don't believe may tax paying dollars should be going for this. The school board needs to stop this right now.
I think some of you are going to be disappointed. It appears that the only thing that Clayton maybe guilty of is using the district cell phone and email for personnel use. Even if that is the case it is doubtful that anything more than being asked to use his own phone and email in the future for personnel use would occur. The fraternity doesn’t meet at a school nor does it receive school funds. The law, likely does not apply here as this is not something that the district was doing. Instead what you have is an employee using district resources for a non-work related activity at worst. There are levels of crime in this country and this barely qualifies as a misdemeanor. Last time I checked there are serious crimes happening on the East side, can we at least try to keep things in perspective.
Yes, we have many other crimes going on at the east side but I think the police take care of that. I do not believe that everyone wants to see Clayton get in trouble but him and the school board broke a school code and some open meeting acts violations and the states attorney does have an office that takes care of that. Where I work they have rules about using company emails and phones for personal use and they take that seriously and you can be terminated for that as they think that is stealing from the company. We have a strong ethics act and that is in there and they do enforce it. I do think that since he started this and is still involved there might be some conflict of interest here but only the state attorneys can figure that out.
First time I heard "lets not throw the baby out with the bath water" was at a school board meeting not to long ago from the table of people in front. Boys 2 Men may be a goood thing, but this positive is only for the blacks and Latinos. Do not other boys of other nationalities deserve something positive? Clayton needs to do this right, on his own time and not using anything of the districts. This IS NOT setting a good example and teaching these children right. When they get out there in the real world and get a job and do what Clayton is doing on their employers time, they will soon be out of a job and not understand why. What is their mentor going to tell them then? I believe no one wants to take away from the kids, just do things right. Petty theft often leads to armed robbery. This was really something for the States Attorney, and everyone involved in this is lucky it was done the way it was. This also falls into all of the other issues on the east side. Right is right and wrong is wrong, be it major or minor. This is why we are in the mess we are in. It comes to mind about how gangs recruit young men and women. They could called "fraternities" also. Does this make them right? Of course not, so let's do this right. Yes, I do talk to and try to help the young people of all ethinic groups, and when asked about this I will explain why this is being done wrong, but will also let them know that Clayton's idea has the right idea, just that some of the business ethics ways were done wrong.
After going to the myspace website and looking at it it does seem to be a positive thing for these kids. The problem is you need to be pledge in to join and that makes it a faternity. If he would of made it a club this wouldn't be going on. Does this district not have any lawyers or administrators that know the school code or did they just choose to ingore that part of it.
What gives the school board, superintendent or any administrator the right to let Clayton use district money for the fraternity to contact him about things? So for those that say the district didn't give any money to them or let the use the school is worng. Clayton was in his office sometimes when he was answering calls or emails so that means he did use school rescorese because I bet he didn't pay for the the phone bill or the use of the computer and internet the school did.
Who else are they letting do these kind of things? Usually when things like that are going on it's only the choosen few. Did the district let any other club use there resourses? This school board, superintendent and all administrator need to be looked into and also the books to make sure our money is going to the right place which is the childrens education.
Claytons Community Relations job # is 630-299-5565 and listed on the districts website and message is accordingly. The # for myspace is 630-299-5534, not listed on the districts website and message is this is Clayton, leave a message. Yes, this is on the districts time and our dime. Check it out and call yourself. This is how someone found out. Does the man have 2 offices also? Did he do the myspace account on our dime? You can bet he did. Yes, many of the school board members and Dr.Roberts have to be aware of this(we are paying that phone bill). This really infurates me when I think how they wanted to get rid of the clubs if the referendum did not pass. This fraternity would still be there and the rightful clubs would not have been able to continue. Shame on the school board and administrators that had the students going out trying to get that last referendum to pass, so the clubs could be saved, when this has been going on secrectly. Sports and Band Boosters should go to the board meeting and demand an explanation as you do it right with your own #'s and pay the bill out of your pockets. Finance committe how do you justify paying for this. This school board(new ones probably did not know about this) and administrators ought to be hung out to dry on this one. What will it take to make this community do to make them accountable? I think we all should go to the referdum committe meeting on the 8th at Scared Heart to see what tackics they have to get the next referendum to pass. Gee, it make me wonder about this also, as the motion has not been made and voted on yet.
I love how everybody has to now qualify their comments about the school board in relation to the new members. "The new ones did not know. They are still perfect." Guess what, maybe they did know.
No one is saying the new ones are perfect. It just stands to reason that they probably did not know, especially the one that just started. Anyone that goes to a school board meeting can see by the looks on certain board members faces and sometimes certain board members comments that they are not informed about certain things. Or can say that people are expecting, and have stated so on this site in other places, that they are supposed to straighten things out and nothing is mentioned about the old board members doing it. Oh, well, which ever way we go about this, it all goes back to the community and our lack of involvment in seeing that things get done right, other that posting here and on other blogs.
What if any policy does the district have about employees using district equipment or resources for no school activities? Do the employees get training on the Code of Conduct of the district and do they enforce the rules? Do other employees that might have outside groups or clubs able to use school resources also? This district needs to have there budgets looked into to see who else might be missusing district funds.
It is very common that people in management positions (such as school adminstrators), who are expected to work outside of core business hours on a regular basis or who is frequently out of the office be allowed to use company issued phones and computers for personnel use so long as they don't abuse it or do anything illegal (download porn for example). I would be surprised if Clayton or anyone else in the central office admin. was not allowed to do this. It is unlikely that there have been any violations here despite what all the armchair lawyers (myself included) think.
Some have suggested that the school district violated the open meetings act, but no such violation has even be issued. Oswego and the Saint Charles school districts have been cited but not East.
10:05-
Do you mean "personal use" or "personnel use"? There's a big difference, you know.
One instance where they were in violation of the open meeting act is when they went into closed session before accepting the land donation. Since this had already been brought out before, they should not have gone into closed session and what was said there should have been told when they came out. Nothing can be done about it if no one takes it to the States Attorney, and employees of the district cannot do this and certain others cannot. I believe only a community member can and everyone just wants to be an armchair lawyer(liked that one). Again, it takes community involvement. Congratulations to whomever brought this out and to the few others that are trying.
My company issued us laptops awhile back so we could work at home sometimes. That still did not allow us to recieve emails on the company's computer. There is a very fine line with that. I would say have the district email address for new pledges for B2M would be in the not allowed. I would think that Clayton had his own computer to handle that just to make sure there was no conflict of interest. Also the was a district phone number on there to contact him which again he should be using his own. It also would be hard to prove he answered any of them on district time but if they really looked into it they could.
As far as the school board not being charged with violattions of the open meeting act is that noone has gone to the states attorney. When they voted in the last school board meeting they should of voted for him in an open meeting. Also, they are very bad about going into closed session when it is acceptable then not comming out to vote in the open.
District 158 school board flap erupts
12/6/2007
By Jameel Naqvi
Daily Herald
The controversy over a Nov. 13 meeting of the Huntley Unit District 158 school board was taken to another level Wednesday with a series of revelations and accusations.
Two days after the meeting, one board member filed a police report accusing another board member of threatening her and another board colleague during closed session on Nov. 13.
In that same closed session, it came to light that a board member had filed a complaint with the McHenry County state's attorney's office about fellow board members.
And on Wednesday, the board president referred to two board members as "terrorists" and likened their actions to terrorist attacks.
Allegations stemming from the closed session cannot be completely verified because the audio device in the meeting stopped recording after just a few minutes.
The failure of the digital audio recorder came at the same meeting where two DVD recorders and a VCR backup failed to record most of the board's open session.
At the controversial meeting, the board interviewed candidates to fill the vacancy left when Jim Carlin resigned his seat after only six months.
After deliberating in closed session, the board returned to open session and voted to appoint former board President Mike Skala to the board.
Immediately, accusations started to fly over the closed session, in which a majority of the board decided on Skala.
Board members Aileen Seedorf and Larry Snow accused three of their colleagues of announcing their intent to appoint Skala at the outset of the closed session -- without giving the other three candidates a fair shot.
The rest of the board denied the accusation, firing back that Snow and Seedorf stated in closed session that they could vote only for Linda Moore or Dave Larkin.
Board members on both sides of the dispute characterized the closed session as particularly acrimonious, with rude and hostile comments being exchanged.
Seedorf said in a police report filed Nov. 15 that during one of these exchanges, board Vice President Tony Quagliano threatened Seedorf and Snow with violence.
Quagliano on Wednesday admitted making inappropriate remarks but said they were more along the lines of saying Seedorf deserved a spanking.
Seedorf declined to comment on the report beyond confirming that she filed it and felt threatened.
Algonquin police said they would not investigate Seedorf's allegations because she did not want to pursue charges and that Seedorf's account, if accurate, didn't rise to the level of a crime.
Board members said that during the same closed session, it was revealed that Snow had filed a criminal complaint with the McHenry County state's attorney against Skala and other current or former board members.
On Wednesday, Snow did not deny filing the complaint but declined to comment on its content or say when it was filed.
The state's attorney's office could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.
In response to Seedorf's filing the police report and Snow's lodging the complaint, board President Shawn Green on Wednesday said Snow and Seedorf were "terrorists running roughshod over the rest of us."
Green also compared the actions of Snow and Seedorf to terrorist attacks.
Snow and Seedorf said Green's remarks were upsetting but not surprising.
"It's irresponsible language and it's typical of Mr. Green," Snow said. "This is how he talks privately. He can't help himself."
Seedorf echoed her frequent board ally.
"Mr. Green is going over the top," Seedorf said. "(That's an) understatement.
"This isn't a comment I'd expect from a person who thinks he can run a school board."
Did you read the part about them comming out in public to vote that's what our board should of done.
All of this makes me wonder if this is not an issue for Lisa Madigan. Where is the fairness to the students that went out and tried to get that referendum to pass and when it didn't were so upset that they cried. Where was the fairness to the students when they were not told to listen to both sides, and when talking to them the information they had been given to give out was not quite right. If these clubs and sports had been cut, you can bet that B2M would still be functioning on district time and dime. How can this be justified and certainly no fairness in this. This is still a conflict of interest and especially when members are not just in this district. How could anyone threaten to discontinue clubs and sports in our district if there is lack of funds, but allow B2M continue on our districts time and dime(which is the communities money)?
Unfortunately, the D131 School Board and administration has a history of being secretive. There are still many supposedly public "Board Bits" (not closed session) from 2004-2005 that have never been posted on the website. Why? What could certain administrators or board members be trying to hide, three years later?
If they're counting on the public to forget, they've got another "think" coming.
Yes, the school board is very secretive about many things and is quite apparent when one goes to the meetings. They do not worry about it because, we the community, don't do anything about it. Voting no is one way to do something, but it is not solving the problem. They just come back at us with a different approach on how to get a referndum through. They know no one in this community will follow through and take matters to someone or place that can do something abut it. This is why I give the person who started something my heartfelt thanks. This is why all of us should stand up now and do something about things. It is time for the school board and superintentent to pay that piper and,we,the community is the ones who have to do it and the only way it can be done. And it can be done.
As far as the board bits and meeting minutes for 2005-2005 by law they only have to keep the minutes on the website if they have a full time person running it for 45 days. If you want to see them you can FOIA them. No one but a judge can hear clossed sessins meeting tapes or when the board review thems which I hope this board does at least twice before they can destory then and make them open to the public.
(b) The minutes of meetings open to the public shall be available for public inspection within 7 days of the approval of such minutes by the public body. Beginning July 1, 2006, at the time it complies with the other requirements of this subsection, a public body that has a website that the full‑time staff of the public body maintains shall post the minutes of a regular meeting of its governing body open to the public on the public body's website within 7 days of the approval of the minutes by the public body. Beginning July 1, 2006, any minutes of meetings open to the public posted on the public body's website shall remain posted on the website for at least 60 days after their initial posting.
(c) The verbatim record may be destroyed without notification to or the approval of a records commission or the State Archivist under the Local Records Act or the State Records Act no less than 18 months after the completion of the meeting recorded but only after:
To many people on this blog are concerned about the wrong things. I wish you were as concerned about students learning and test scores as you are about alleged violations of the Open Meetings act.
It would be nice to see a discussion where people put forth ideas on how to improve student learning.
Saying it is time for the school board and sup. to pay the piper makes no sense. What does this even mean. School board members are elected. If the community didn't like what they are doing they were free to elect someone else. Obviously they liked some of the "old guard" but not all.
I have yet to come across anything even remotely factual that suggest they have broken any laws. Mostly what I have read here suggest that people either don't know the law or are misinterpreting it.
In my opinion the B2M Frat is not much different than the boy or girl scouts. None of them are using district money. All of them have district employees involved in them who may or may not of used "company" time/resources to benefit kids in these organizations and all of them have some exculsionary policies for better or worse.
You might think this is like the boys or girls club and maybe it is but in those groups you don't have to be pledged in. Most comments made said they thought it was a good thing but the Illinois School Code says no Fraternities not us. Someone should of saw that since if you looks up the school codes it it right there in plain sight. You say none of them are using district money but that is not true when they uses the districts email and a district phone it is because they pay the bills.
Ok then suggesitons about kids learning is made not let them skate in Ell program so much. Also, why are all those administrators jobs that are suppose to be doing that. Also, the parents have to be more involved and there is nothing we can do about that.
You can't invite your neighbor to a East High Sporting event to get them to the school? You can't bring them to a fine arts production that you are attending? You can't remind them that the Open House is next week. You can't say that students do better when parents take a little time to show and interest in school work? These are all little things that you as a parent of an D131 student could tell your neighbor of a D131 student. You choose not to.
Also B2M is just like the boys and girls scouts. B2M is NOT based out of a School district and involves students from East, West and 204. I can't say for the girl scouts but the Boy Scouts sure as hell discriminate. They don't allow gay people to join.
The boy scouts are not an ILLEGAL high school fraternity recruiting students from our local high schools, they are a LEGAL private organization who are facing multiple lawsuits over their discrimination practices concerning atheism and homosexuality. The Boy Scouts arguments rest upon their belief that atheism and homosexuality are personal choices. Not even the boy scouts have the gall to try and say that they only accept children of certain races and not others. In short you can not even begin to compare Boy II Men and the Boy Scouts.
Maybe that's what we need to do with Boys II Men, file a few million dollar lawsuits. We can list the district as an additional defendent since they have allowed a district employee to conduct his illegal activities on district time, using district resources, on district property, and with district students. Since high school fraternities are illegal to begin with, it should be very easy to win such a lawsuit. How could they possibly defend allowing clearly illegal activities within the district.
It's no wonder this district is screwed up, even when the district is clearly breaking the law there seems to be a discussion about whether or not they are doing something wrong and whether or not the law must be followed.
There should be zero debate, the law must be followed. If you disagree with a law, there are ways to go about changing it but in the meantime the law must be adhered to.
Can you imagine the response the administration would give a student that said "the rules were written a long time ago and I don't agree with them so I'm not going to follow the school rules, I am going to do whatever I want"? The administrator would give the student the maximum penalty for simply being a beligerant a$$.
What is unclear people, this group is illegal. Agree with a law or not, you must follow it. Wake up!!!
How is the DISTRICT breaking the law? B2M is NOT affiliated with District 131. You people can't see that. You said the Boy Scouts are a private organization. What makes B2M not a private organization?
"Not even the boy scouts have the gall to try and say that they only accept children of certain races and not others." So racisim based on how people have sex is ok but not based on the color of their skin. Thanks for clearing that up homophobe.
Once again ignorant people. B2M - Not a District 131 club and not affiliated with one school district. It just so happens that the students who are members of B2M happen to go to school, and those schools happen to be WEST AURORA, DISTRICT 204 Schools and East Aurora. Three DIFFERENT school districts.
Anybody out there have a brain and can look past their haterid for D131?
All meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public unless closed for specific reasons set forth under the law. They include:
The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body.
The selection of a person to fill a public office, including a vacancy in a public office.
The purchase or lease of real property.
Setting the price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
Student disciplinary cases.
Probable or imminent litigation.
No final action may be taken at a closed meeting. Final action must be taken in open session. (5 ILCS 120/2) Only topics specified in the vote to close under this Section may be considered during the closed meeting. (5 ILCS 120/2a)
To 1/3/08 @ 6:03 am
Here is what the School Code states:
(105 ILCS 5/31‑1)
Sec. 31‑1. Definition.
A public school fraternity, sorority or secret society, in this Article means any organization, composed wholly or in part of public school pupils, which seeks to perpetuate itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in such school on the basis of the decision of its membership rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the school who is qualified by the rules of the school to fill the special aims of the organization.
(105 ILCS 5/31‑2)
Sec. 31‑2. Inimical to public good.
Any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society is inimical to the public good.
What draws it to the district is that B2M use of the dristrict website and phone number for contact information.
The Boys Scouts are a national club known throught the country and they are being sued for there beliefs but you do not have to have a member of the club pledge you in.
The sad part is is when it is done the kids in B2M will proably be the only ones that will pay the price since it is manditory that they get expelled or supsended.
It was post on here that someone thought that all the board members knew about this at the last school board meeting but I don't think so. Maybe someone contacted the superintendent or president of the school board president and got no response so they took the complaint to the state. Now it is in there hands.
THIS CLUB IS NOT RELATED TO THE SCHOOL. Clayton did the wrong thing using his school phone and email but if I give an insurance company my work phone to contact me during the day that is not illegal. The phone number and email should be changed, then guess what, there is no more connection to East Aurora.
Any school district that allows Clayton and his illegal fraternity to recruit their students is responsible to end their affiliation with Boy II Men, report the lawbreaking to the proper legal agencies and discipline their students according to the law. The fact that a district employee and district resources are being used only amplify the districts culpability.
You know, that comment sounds offical and sums up everything but in the real world that is horse s***. You expect the "school" (whatever that is, school board, principal whatever) to know what organization every studnet is in outside of the school day including organizations not sponsored by the school district. THAT IS CRAZY.
Wasn't his first group from East High? Which means that they are in the district and that reflects back to the district. Yes, my company lets us get messages from insurance companys and such but they do not let me use my work phone number or email address if I run a club or group after hours. As strange as this might seem even to you state and district employes their are still companys that don't let their employees recieve phone call usless it is an emergency.
Come on Clayton talked about this group at school board meetings and his name was in the papers may of time. Heck, even Linda Chapa LaVia was at one of there meetings at it was in the papers so tell me how wouldn't they know.
IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THEY KNEW BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SCHOOL RUN CLUB!!!!!!!
105 ILCS 5/31‑3)
Sec. 31‑3. Suspension or expulsion of members, pledges and solicitors.
The governing body of any public school shall suspend or expel any pupil who is a member of or joins or promises to join, or who becomes pledged to become a member of, or who solicits any other person to join, promise to join or be pledged to become a member of any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society.
Read the law. Nowhere does it limit the definition of a high school fraternity to those organizations officially sanctioned by a school district. A high school fraternity is any organization that recruits members from public high school and limits its membership by the vote of its own members. If any person in the school can't go and join on an equal basis, IT'S ILLEGAL.
I guess it is time to start suspending Boy and Girl Scouts for not letting gay people in.
You need to read what you wrote. B2M is not a public school fraternity but a private fraternity. The school district is not directly involved thus the school code is not applicable in this instance. If Clayton wasn't involved this would be a non-issue. There is nothing illegal about B2M so get over it already.
Get off the boy scouts they are not a fraternity. I think the government is handling that situation.
The district might not have anything to do with this but I think they should since it is being looked into talk to these kids and let them know and maybe if they stopped they might not have to expell them. I think that someone did know this but thought noone would say anything and just looked away.
Clayton must be posting here. He is the only person who, out of a need for self preservation, could possibly try and defend these illegal activities.
I've been checking out the Boys II Men website. I was quite amazed considering Clayton claims that this is such a possitive influence for young at risk boys.
The was an article "DRIVING WHILE BLACK OR BROWN" It starts with good advice for anyone who has been pulled over for a traffic violation but then spends an inordinate amount of time detailing how to handle yourself when you are guilty of criminal activity.
There was an article "NIGGER OR NIGGA: IT'S ALL THE SAME" Clayton was apparently offended by students who use these terms in a casual manner while speaking to each other. He emphasizes that to him and older generations that these terms are offensive and hatefull and he wants these children to feel the same hate that he feels when these terms are used.
These was an ad for BOKIG.COM it is a website for male enhancement drugs. The website itself says that they can not sell these drugs to anyone under 18 years of age.
I researched the ingredients in the enhancement drug and found some shocking facts. One of the ingredients is a known PSYCHADELIC, another ingedient actually causes IMPOTENCE, Yet another increases the potency of any NARCOTICS taken while using it.
I guess these are some of the positive influences that Clayton is talking about. If this is what they do publicly, I really have to wonder the things that are being done privately.
11:51--
Your lack of knowledge about MySpace is evident. That ad that you saw promoting male enhancement was probably NOT placed there by anyone connected to Boys II Men, but rather by a company using one of the members' identities to post spam.
Just about anyone with a MySpace page has had to deal with this. It's bogus, and there's very little we can do about it other than move to Facebook.
Well then that's just goes to show you how many of us adults don't have time for myspace. It is a shame if that is what is happening and maybe they should move to the other one.
Actually you should check before you speak because the ad was on the site place by a member of Boys II Men (member name was DaShipp). It's interesting that the ad for BOKIG.COM has been there all week and was pulled imediately after I made a comment about it here. Apparently Clayton is monitoring this blog.
I also noticed that there were an abundant number of pictures of Boys II Men members that were half dressed and showing what appeared to be gang hand signs that have been removed and replaced by a lot of bible verses and prayers.
Apparently even Clayton realized that his site was very inappropriate for high school kids and knowing that the sight is now being scrutinized decided to try and cover his tracks.
I don't mean anything by this but don't you think that since they put the new board member in the meet the school board on the website they would of took Bud off?
Clayton did not work for D131 when B2M started. He started back to work for this district in 2004 in administration. Found on D131 website. Claytons salary should be able to be found as he is in administration and that is public record. If his job status has changed he should not be on that website, taking and dealing with messages on D131.org. If they can put on the website the new admininstrators, they certainly can take off ones who are no longer in administration if their job status has changed. Reading the new agenda, noticed that there is nothing about replacing Bud and he is listed still as chair for his committee. Will the board say anything about what is going on with this B2M issue? To much secrecy as usual and it is time to come forward and be transparent with the community.
Also found this interesting.
• Discussion on November Election (refer to enclosed discussion points) – Mrs. Carol Farnum.
Does this mean that we will be able to see this since it is on the agenda. It's about time we get to see the school board packets.
I would like to know how they are going to handle Claytons using district property for the B2M to contact him?
Clayton has been around more than three years. He came in either 2001 or 2002. Radakovich came in the 2001 - 2002 school year and Clayton showed up within about the first year that radakovich did. Of course it would be a lot easier to keep track of such things if the district posted his salary publicly as they must do by law with every other employee.
Clayton worked for D131 then quit and came back in June 2004. This is on the D131 website. States he worked for the district for 3 yrs., decided to continue his dream, then came back in 2004.
This is what his bio says on the district website.
In June of 2004, Muhammad returned to East Aurora School District 131 to head the Office of Community Relations. His current duties include serving as a spokesman for the district, managing media and news releases, developing and maintaining a community relations plan, producing and publishing the district’s internal and external newsletters, establishing partnerships with area businesses, social service agencies, and government entities; and assessing and improving the community’s perception of East Aurora Schools.
If you know that he came before this please show proof. If you want to know what he makes you need to do a FOIA about his salary and they have to give it to you. If they don't contact the states attorney and they will make them. If you do not what them to know who you are see if someone else will do it for you. I would suggest also if you think he is using district money for the B2M to call him make them see the bills for that phone number. Talk is cheap so if you really what to know something go to the right people to see if you can make this district speak up. Maybe we should form a group to see how we can get this school board to answer up. They still lie and desive and they need to be stopped. They are trying to get that bond referendum started I think some people are having a meeting at Scared Heart next Tuesday to talk about it so lets see if the superintendent will be there to talk about how it will only cost us a couple of White Castle hambugers if we vote for it.
Someone has taken a step on the B2M issue, it was in the paper, this is what started all this discussion. There is a meeting at Sacred Heart next Tues. and find this interesting as the vote has not been taken to put this on the ballot yet for Nov. This board conceals many things and when it is discovered, ignores and/or evades the questions when asked. Find it interesting that it is not on the agenda for the board meeting Mon. about getting a new board member. Would think this would be of the upmost importance. Hope when the board members make their comments that this B2M issue is addressed by one of them.
If the board does nothing about this Boys II Men issue Monday night, I for one will be contacting the Illinois States Attorney Tuesday morning. Just because the board is in bed with Clayton doesn't mean he will get away with commiting illegal acts. I will also be contacting the Illinois State Board od Education and make sure that they are aware that they have a school board that has no regard for the school code. A lack of action by this board on a case that is clearly illegal will speak volumes to this community.
If they can expell a nine year old for a year or two over a school rules violation. I am sure they can deal with an adult who has been breaking school law for five years appropriately. If not there are agencies that will.
As usual in this district I will hope for the best but plan for the worst.
You better just count on contacting the States Attorney, this board and administration won't do anything about this situation especially because it's illegal. They won't want to do anything that might give the district bad press, even if that means having a criminal speak for the district.
Rayanne normally has alot to say here. Why have you been so quiet on this Clayton Issue?
I see someone from the board is posting here again. If Clayton was so concerned about this district and his B2M he would step up to the plate and take responsibility for his actions. I bet that's what he tells the kids if you do something wrong then you need to make it right. It is still bothersome for me that he used district email and a phione of the district for the B2M to contact him I would maybe accept that he said something about it. When I think about how the district was going to take the clubs away from the high school I cann't stop to think if noone noticed this of him using these resourses would that have continued after the district stopped those things. If the school board looks away I wonder what else is getting by them that could go to the children of this district. Maybe they should start looking at the petty cash funds. If they are going for a referendum they better look at this because most people that vote in this district looks at these thing. Maybe they don't go to school board meetings but remember people talk and they hear things that they don't think are right and will not vote for a referendum. Money is getting tight now and people are losing there homes or are just getting by so they need to let citizens know that they are doing the best with the money they get.
I find it very interesting that the usually eloquent Mr. Muhammad has said very little about this situation. Maybe he's hoping that people will just overlook his failure to follow the rules--would he be so quick to forgive and forget? I doubt it!
I agree. I don't see Clayton writing any articles to the Beacon about Competence and Color now.
He should step up and take responsibility but I am sure he'll take the same path he directs the students in Boys II Men to take. Say nothing, make other people prove you're wrong and let your lawyer do all your speaking. This is what he considers a positive influence on these impressionable at risk children.
Someone needs to step up and show how responsible people behave.
There has been a lot of speculation on this blog that rules and laws have been broken. I have yet to hear anyone that is in any type of official capacity say this. None of us know all the details but if conclusion jumping was an Olympic sport there would be a lot of contenders for the gold who post on this blog. Innocent until proven guilty doesn't seem to exist for a number of people on this blog and I would suggest that if it turns out that in fact there actually weren't any violations that a number of posters here will still not be satisfied and will switch into either conspiracy mode or rumor mongering, how sad.
How plain does it have to be for you? High school fraternities are illegal and Clayton has been running a high school fraternity for the last five years.
The fact that the district administration and board (the official people that you speak about) haven't done anything about this illegal activity just shows their collusion, not his innocence.
This is why outside agencies have to be contacted. It's just like when a cop is accused of wrongdoing, his buddies don't get to do the investigation. If his buddies do the the investigation and they find him innocent, nobody will believe it. That's not conspiracy theory, it's just common sense. There needs to be a fair and impartial judge of the situation. Nobody will buy it if the district administration and board decide that he is innocent.
FYI Clayton can be involved with any frat he wants to. The law applies to a school district sanctioned fraternity. Last time I checked Clayton is not a school district. Using a district cell phone or email does not make something district sanctioned. Before stating that something is illegal understand just what that means. You may not like what he did, you may not like to he uses a district phone and email for personal use (not an uncommon practice in many jobs, not all, but more than many people realize) but that does not equate to having done an illegal act. At worst he may have broken the school district’s rules regarding the use of a phone and email for personal use, but that is not something that is against the law.
Here is what the School Code states:
(105 ILCS 5/31‑1)
Sec. 31‑1. Definition.
A public school fraternity, sorority or secret society, in this Article means any organization, composed wholly or in part of public school pupils, which seeks to perpetuate itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in such school on the basis of the decision of its membership rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the school who is qualified by the rules of the school to fill the special aims of the organization.
Aren't the kids in this group pupils in schools?
Back in the day when money was flowing for companys they did let some people use emails and company phones to an extent but times have changed and many companys don't have the money they used to and are not letting employees use the company emails and phones for private use. Does any other group or group that has d131 kids in it get to use the district website? Even if the his bills for these things not that much with a district that is going for another referendum allow this. Don't forget his use of district time.
I agree. The law in no way limits the definition of a high school fraternity to those organizations sanctioned by a school district.
A high school fraternity is any organization composed wholly or in part of public school pupils...
The Illinois State Legislature purposely worded the law in a way that does not allow a person to circumvent the law simply by not sanctioning it officially through a district. It's amazing that someone out there can't see what is so clear and apparent to everyone else. This is a high school fraternity and it is illegal.
Yes, not only is this a high school fraternity and therefore illegal. It further breaks the law by discriminating against anyone who is not black or latino.
Clayton has repeatedly stated that this "Fraternity" is for black and latino children. He even has different groups depending on age, pre-high school, high school and after high school. How clear do you have to make it. Clayton knows that it is a fraternity for high schoolers. He just had no idea that high school fraternities are illegal.
This man is what the district has described as an excellent educator. If any teacher had screwed up this badly and/or broken the law, they would be gone, tenure or not. Only at the administrative level are there questions about right or wrong regarding something that is clearly illegal.
The district website has Clayton listed as a district administrator. Yet, nowhere in Clayton's Bio does it mention anything about him having a Degree in Administration or Illinois State Certification in Administration. Every teacher and administrator has to not only be certified but also highly qualified in the area they work. Yet here is Clayton without qualifications or certification posing as an administrator and breaking the law. A law that he would have known about if he had gone through the same certification process every other district employee is required to do.
This guy must be politically connected because no ordinary educator or citizen would get away with any of this. They would be forced to resign immediately.
Correction, they never would have been hired in the first place without the correct certification. That's part of what they do in a background check. A background check that is supposed to standard operating procedure for every employee of the district. How could this imposter been allowed to defraud the community for this many years. It's unforgivable.
To be fair I looked at some of the other bios and none of them but that in about a Degree in Administration or Illinois State Certification in Administration. Some have alot of stuff we don't need to know but that don't have the degree of certification in there bios. I would think they would like people to know that since its a state rerquirement.
I believe we as a community deserve to know that each and every administrator in this district has been through a masters and/or doctoral degree program and passed the Illinois State Certification Test if they are going to be a leader in this district. If they are not both qualified and certified, they should not be employed by this community.
I believe that too and if they are going to do a bio on theirself they should but that on there. Otherwise we are just giving favors for people and not letting the people that really work for those degrees suceed. So while these administrators give their bios on the website they should show that. Isn't it funny that they can do that and not have a decient website for the rest of the district.
Where are the minutes from the 11/19 school board meeting? They where approved at the 12/3 meeting so they should be on the website.
I take it nothing happened in regards to Clayton and Boys II Men at last nights board meeting?
It is out of the board hands now that the Regional Superentindent is looking into it. The least this school board could do is saying something about it.
Date set today.
A board workshop Is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 10th at 6:00 p.m.
The topic of discussion will be “Referendum Discussion”.
It would be nice to have community input so when a consensus of the board is taken, we know how to vote on behalf of those we represent.
Please spread the word and try to attend. I will attempt to get more info to you before Thursday.
Sincerely,
Rayanne
Who called this workshop meeting and where is it being held? The district administrators are all scrambling to find out who organized this. Has it been sanctioned by the district or is an outside source sponsoring it?
The workshop was suggested at the Monday board meeting.
Plans were coordinated through the service center and board president to set a date agreeable to all board members.
Thursday was the date agreed upon.
It was to have been posted yesterday afternoon.
Please check the district website and you should now find the Board Bits for November 19th and December 17th.
January 6, 2008 3:54 PM asked:
Rayanne normally has alot to say here. Why have you been so quiet on this Clayton Issue?
I have not been quiet, I have been asking questions elsewhere. Those posting here seemed to be taking care of matters. I do not fully understand how to prove a violation of this law, and how to enforce it when it may be broken. A poster commented this concern has been reported, so there is not much else to do at this point. I know Clayton and his boss are aware of the concern. What more can I say?
I have been working hard, also trying to find common ground with others in admin and the board so we may find solutions for 131's financial woes, other than borrowing more $$ or cutting students programs or taechers. If you have paid attention to what goes on in district, you should be well aware, there is discussion going on about another referendum being put on the ballot, and the plans for cuts.
I personally feel we have looked for ways around that and many folks have prayed for answers. We have received additional tax revenue for one year (2 million)and additional $$ from the state have been allocated to the schools.
We should count those blessings.
I feel there are other answers to our financial problems, we just have to be open to new and different ideas other than those currently under construction.
It would truly help to have community input, whether you blog it, attend a meeting or contact me personally. I am speaking for 131 community when I cast a vote from the board table, let me know your thoughts on any & all issues, please.
If I remember correctly, when the district wanted to pass the refendum originally they claimed that they needed to cut 2 million dollars for each of the next three years to balance the budget. That totals 6 million dollars.
The district received over 2 million dollars "more than expected" in local property taxes. I understand that I and everybody I know pays property taxes each and every year so I don't understand how the district can claim that they get this "extra money" in property taxes for only one year. Further, the state has allocated $400 per pupil per year in extra funding. This means in a district of 13,000 students, the district will receive an extra 5.2 million dollars per year. This totals somewhere between 7.5 and 8 million dollars per year in extra funding.
Unless the district has given Dr. Roberts a several million dollar raise when becoming superintendent or they have been hiding more severe financial problems from the community, the numbers just don't add up.
They needed to cut 2 million dollars a year to balance the budget and they are receiving nearly 8 miilion dollars a year more than they were expecting. I know I studied real math (instead of the new math our students now receive) growing up but that should add up to a 6 million dollar surplus.
The only other possibility was that they needed to cut 2 million plus 2 million plus 2 million so that over time they were cutting 6 million a year, in which case we should still have a couple of million dollars in surplus funds every year.
I don't understand how they can still be talking referendum and cutting programs and teachers.
I see in the 12/17 minutes that is says Juanita Well as secertary which isn't true cause Bub was still it on that date so when did she get picked to be secertary?
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