It has been pretty quiet here. So I thought this would be a good time to share a bit of good news.
The charges filed by the teachers union president against the district, have been dropped by the union.
If you recall the Beacon reported on February 8, 2008 "Teachers union complains about East board member"
State education officials are reviewing allegations that an East Aurora School Board member encouraged borderline "civil disobedience" at a teachers union meeting.
The charge, filed by the union asked that board member Rayanne Carlson "refrain from ... busting into our meetings, encouraging our members to engage in unlawful activities and suggesting that union members assist (board members) in their personal agendas."
The Education Labor Relations Board will investigate the charge and decide whether to hold a hearing, said general counsel Helen Higgins.
So many have given me much encouragement since the initial report. Those at the meeting and those who know me, knew I had no intentions of malice, as reported.
I am pleased the way this turned out. I wish the teachers stories may have happy endings, also.
I hope the community continues to attempt to stay informed of what happens in 131.
Demand accountability. Support the teachers. Pray for the children.
111 comments:
Too bad, I was hoping you were going to get kicked off the school board.
So where was the big article in the beacon this time saying it was dropped???? Of course they won't report something like that!
The union was wrong in filing it anyway, none of us teachers there were upset about you being there, we wanted you there! I'm glad it was dropped, and that you got through it. They only did this hoping you would resign and to scare you off, they're such idiots. Unfortunately our union works with admin, not for us but for themselves.
Thanks for the update. I was wondering when the community would be informed about the outcome of this case.
Sometimes, even in this district, the "right" does prevail. I'm hoping the Beacon sees fit to mention this update, as well.
As for the teachers union president, hopefully she will learn that intimidation tactics just make the union look bad. (As though we need any more negative publicity in this district!)
Sorry 4;51, I am here for 3 more years. It is an elected position- I cannot be "kicked off."
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate ALL who share their thoughts.
For clarification I'd like to say it was not our district union president that filed the charge but the president over their local. He did so at the request of someone, whose name(s) were never shared with me.
This is very good news. This was a waste of the districts time and for the one that started it shame on you for taking valuable time the district could of used to get it in shape. Maybe the Beacon didn't do an article is because the same person who told them about it wasn't happy it didn't go the other way.
I just want to encourage everyone to come to the Aurora 4th of July parade on Friday morning. Our band students throughout the district (all ages, from incoming 6th graders to high school students) are at band camp this week and will be marching in the parade.
This band camp is an annual tradition going back 30 years or more. Both of my kids participated, and it's a great, positive program that is (to my knowledge) unique in this area.
And special thanks to Ms. Amy Huggins, an elementary band director in D131, for her leadership of this camp the past few years.
Does anyone know if there's an agenda for tonight's School Board meeting? I can't find it on the district webpage. I know that sometimes Rayanne has put the agendas on this blog, so I'm hoping.....
Doesn't look like there are any one there. What's happening?
Sorry to hear about the agenda. Soon as I read your comment, I called the service center to see if there was a problem.
I was able to get in touch with Lisa and it appears she posted the agenda soon after she was made aware there was a problem.
Why all of the bits and agendas are not there, I am not sure.
Please continue to keep me informed when you see a problem or call the admin office.
The website is 100% better, in my opinion, but it still needs a little fine tuning.
Hope to see some community members in attendance through the summer months.
:o)
If they are going to have the website with the board on it and as before post the agenda and board bits they should continue or take it off. to me it is lack of respect for the board.
Does the website look better yes it does except for the board part. I see no reason that for awhile they had the agendas and board bits and now nothing and then some of the older bits weren't there but newer ones where. If it is Lisa job than she should get this straigtend out or take it off the website.
Once again, Rayanne & this blog have come through for our community, to help us get access to information we need and deserve. Thanks, Rayanne!
And 5:51 a.m., I don't think that any previously-published Board Bits or agendas have been removed from the website. It's just that now we are in the '08-'09 school year, and the agenda for last night's meeting was the only info posted under the "current year". The older ones are still available by clicking on "Archive". Hope this helps!
:)
Thanks for the info I didn't see the archive but there are still board bits missing.
Just an update. Kate Keilty still has not heard anything from the district.
Rayanne, you said more than two weeks ago that you informed Jerome and Carol of the lack of recognition for Kate reaching the thirty year milestone in her career with the district.
Apparently, it was not a mistake, this district doesn't give a damn about it's teachers.
I've also heard that Carla Hettinger (the teachers union president)resigned from the district and took a position with another district. Apparently, she has felt underpaid and underappreciated as well. If the teachers union president leaves the district because they can not effect a positive change with this districts administration and board, it's no wonder so many teachers leave it as well.
Correction: Carla left to go to the regional teachers union leadership team. She retired and moved on to secure a stronger voice in the union AND she will be the rep for D131!
Let's stop the foolish rumormill. Carla loves D131 and like any true believer, she saw an opportunity to influence more and help more!
On behalf of all of us in the Union, she will be missed and we are excited about her new leadership role to help guide us into the future!
If Kate reads this blog, I'd like to say "thanks" to her for her many years of outstanding work and dedication to our kids.
My spouse teaches at Simmons, and says that Kate is indeed one of the best in the district. So even if administrators have more important things to spend their time on than express appreciation for Kate's 30 years of hard work, her fellow teachers and her students (the people who REALLY count!)say, "Thanks Kate--we appreciate you"!
Is there anyway for us to get an address to send cards or write to Kate to thank her for all the grest work she has done? Here is a good idea, we can send them to the service center in care of Dr.Roberts or Carol Farum and they will have to give them to her. This will let Kate know how much she is appreciated and should send a message to Roberts and Farum. Since when does there have to be a policy to let someone know they are appreciated for their years of good service and caring? Shame on anyone that thinks that there has to be a policy for this. Shame on all of us for not stepping up to the plate and doing something for this wonderful person!!! Parents, former students, fellow teachers, etc. we all can let her know how much she is appreciated. It really means more coming from the ones who care. I never had children, but I appreciate what she has done. Get something going and post here and I bet their will be many volunteers for this. Who said it had to be Roberts and Farum? Have a openhouse with pictures etc. This is just one idea.
I noticed a NO sign go up in my neighborhood. With 587 Foreclosures alone in zip code 60505 d131 should expect a greater defeat.
Hey Rayanne, I saw your son Jacob's picture on page 4 of today's Beacon,with the jazz group he started a few years ago. We can all be proud of this bunch of "East Side" musicians!
A nice positive "note" on a hot July day!
:)
Wow! Thanks for the heads up about the photo in the Beacon. I haven't read my paper in about 2 weeks (busy summer). So I might have missed it.
I'll give the group a plug since they have made the paper. The "Community Jazz Ensemble" meets and rehearses throughout the summer. As a community service they perform at senior living facilities and church gatherings and such. This year they thought it would be great to do the Disney trip as many of them had done when in K.'s class at EAHS.
I chaperoned on 2 trips when my twins were at East, and again this time. The difference....most of the "kids" are now over 18 and some over 21. I was not really a "chaperone" but rather a fan of the band, along for the trip.
The group has seen members come and go as their life schedules change. Most of them are or have been going to college while in the group, a few are still in high school.
These EA students & teachers are a GREAT civic minded, musically talented group!!
I'd say that even if my son wasn't a part of the group :oD
The Community Jazz Band performed yesterday at Plum Landing, here in Aurora. The residents loved K and the band and made it a point to let the activity director know that they wanted them back.
Also, they were the "entertainment" at First Presbyterian Church's picnic on Saturday evening at North Island Park. Lots of East Side folks are getting an opportunity to witness first-hand the positive impact of music in our schools.
And they'll be playing at Centennial House (west side, near Galena & Edgelawn) on Sunday, August 3rd (I think at 3 p.m.--maybe a bit earlier)--if you haven't heard this wonderful group, come and enjoy a FREE performance!
It would also be a great way to introduce those about to go into HS or already in HS to do something during their summers. Seeing kids such as these, bred no the East Side and STILL doing good in the community is quite an inspiration to those kids still playing music at the HS level. I think it'd be great if more parents and grandparents noticed the community jazz ensemble, and encouraged their kids to really practice and see if they can join the group. They might not know who K is, but they should be honored to play with such a distinguished man.
We are back to the same old games of not posting the Board Bits on the web site again. The past two meetings have not been posted.
There Clayton goes again, setting up programs FOR BLACKS ONLY (See todays Beacon). He just doesn't learn. When is this district going to get rid of this racist #$^&*
Maybe the district can just give Clayton the Jim Crow award for segregationists and let everyone see him and the district for what they are. I am certain that if the superintendent were not black, this crap would have been ended long ago.
Is it really that hard to set up programs that benefit all students. Maybe Clayton just doesn't believe blacks can compete with other races and wants to give them the only opportunity possible for them to achieve.
Whatever his reasoning, discriminatory practices have no business being associated with a public school.
I have mixed feelings about Muhammad's new "A5" group. On the one hand, it looks like a way for young men and women to get inspiration from successful adult community members,and also to empower them to "give back" to their community through service projects. That's a very positive goal!
What concerns me, however, is that this organization appears to be open only to African-American youth. If so, this could have a polarizing effect on the community as many deserving Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic students might also benefit but would be denied because of race.
Has anyone approached Mr. Muhammad and asked him whether non-African-American students are eligible to join? I understand that the students are already selected for this year's event, but surely Mr. M can see the wisdom of including a diverse representation of our youth as potential "achievers" in the future!
...the African-American Achievers' Academy of Aurora -- nicknamed A5 -- a weekend series of talks and workshops designed to broaden young black students' perspectives...
This was a direct quote from the article. Why do you need to ask if other races are invited? It's quite clear that they are not.
This is just another example of Clayton's discriminatory practices with our children. How many times does he have to prove it before they finally call a spade a spade. I guarantee you if any teacher ran a program for children of only one race, they would be terminated immediately.
I have not read the article mentioned about Mr. Muhammad.
But, I'd like to play the devils advocate and say, this could be a good thing for our district.
My understanding is, the Black student population is the reason many of our testing scores are so low. Not the Hispanic or Caucasian.
Any program designed to help any of our districts children should be applauded. For those who think it wouldn't be allowed if it were for any other race, step up and try it. I do not believe, now that Mr. Muhammad has set a precedent there is much the district or anyone could say or do.
I look forward to the Caucasian Children's Cultural Community Center (C5)
After reading the articles in the paper it seems that a lot of Black Community leaders where involved with this and not just Clayton. It didn't just focus on the kids of D131 but all around Aurora. No matter what you think of Clayton and I have my own on him what ethnic group who had someone who could get citizen involved would no want him to go out and talk for their cause. I remember years ago where I worked that people would complain when black members would go around and promote the Black College Fund when they raised money and someone asked why they where going it just for them and the answer was "You can do it for ethnic group also if you get volunteers for your group". If you feel others need this then get together with your churches or community leaders and but one together.
I'm not really a fan of Claytons and I do believe that he does show favoritism to Blacks they way he seems to single them our sometimes at board meetings and the way he goes on about B2M. I feel he needs to be more diverse in his excellence awards at meeting cause it does seem he does more Black students then any other but with this it is outside of the school district and really if he wants to get kids more involved in learning more power to him.
It does seem that they are letting the board bits slide a little. Why haven't some of the older ones been put on. It looks like they hadn't vote to accept some what is up with that. The did vote on 7/7 ones so they should be on there.
I do think Clayton is doing good for the black children and in b2m also the latino children. But I also think that since so much of his time is done for this and also on the districts time(not in this case)that he needs to make up his mind where his priorities lay. He should either be the P.R. for all of district 131 children or resign from his job for the district and do what he is doing full time. If anyone remembers at the one school board meeting where the B2M were at and Gonzales talked she did say it was against policy. Clayton has done alot of good, but it is time he made up his mind what he really wants to do and Dr.Roberts and the school board need to address this.
I'm hoping that the folks responsible for keeping the Board Bits up-to-date are just on vacation at the moment, and will soon return and update the site. Many of us take a few weeks off during July & August, so maybe if we're patient we'll see those Board Bits posted soon!
Do you really think that they are off on vacation? If they are going to have a website with this on there they should keep it up to date. Isn't Juanita the secretary with Lisa doing the work for her which I'm sure she gets paid for. They need to make sure even if one person only looks at the board bits they are posted. Lets take some pride in our jobs and in the district if you are going to do this it is done when they should be posted. After all you are getting paid from our tax paying dollars to do this and with a referendum coming up I think they would want some of us to think we are getting the most bang for our bucks.
I see where the Dupage County Regional Office of Ed has a new department of programs for Black and Latino youth. As a teacher, my biggest concerns (and our lowest test scores) come from this population. I am glad there is some focus going on here and that we can have someone involved with it. From what I read, this is a program of Mayor Weisner and the City of Aurora Black Heritage Board. The City also has a Hispanic Heritage Board and they do a lot of programs for Latino youth too, which is just as great. I just think that we always want to make a big deal about nothing on here. When I read the first article on Friday about this event, I called Mr. Muhammad to talk to him about it. He invited me and my family out to see the students and speak to them about education and working together. I took my teen daughter and enjoyed a few sessions. We are white girls from the suburbs and walked away with so much knowledge and joy! On Sunday we were able to go the Puerto Rican Parade, which was organized and led by another D131 employee, Nestor Garcia, Director of Operations! Marin Gonzalez and Clayton were there too walking in the parade! My point is that we should be proud to have district leaders who are doing great things in the community for our kids. Clayton is proud of who he is. Nestor and Marin are proud to be Puerto Rican. I also saw the West Superintendent there too. I know all of them personally and they are open and always willing to work with everyone regardless of race.
So what do we about the gangs in Aurora and at the high school that are minority? I encourage everyone to come out to my school and just sit and watch in my class and see which students are failing the most. Let's be realistic and honest here people. We all need to work together and make this world better for our kids. What are we all going to do for our part?
6:05 says "we all need to work together and make this world better". Who could disagree with that? "Work together"--let's see, wouldn't that involve Black, Hispanic, and White kids all being invited to participate in opportunities such as the A5 program? Or maybe it's just coincidence that the hand-picked participants were all of African descent?
Excluding some students because of race is discriminatory. Discrimination is wrong.
I know from my experience tutoring teenage students that poverty and at-risk behavior has more to do with family background and peer influence than ethnicity. Targeting those students who can benefit from opportunities such as A5 and BoysIIMen/Diamonds is a good, positive step, but only if ALL students are included. Mr. Muhammad has some constructive ideas, but if he is really concerned about the kids in our community he will open up these organizations to any deserving student.
Until that happens, some of us will continue to remind Mr. M. that we don't appreciate discrimination against ANYONE here in Aurora!
6:05 AM many of us would like to come to your school and go to your class and witness, but it is hard to do since we do not where your school is and what class you teach. I agree with 6:33AM that the problem lies more with the family background and peer influence. These children need to be taught and shown that they do not have to live their lifes as they have witnessed. These children should never be told that since they came from a certain background that they will never be nothing and do like their parents. They should be shown that there is a better way of life from the start. It takes a kind word and showing them they can do whatever they want to do and be whatever they want to be. This is not only in the blacks and latinos, but in all ethnic groups. Shame of everyone who seems to think it is just in these groups. What about all of the people in these 2 groups that have done well for theirselves in spite of their backgrounds? They could see that there was hope and they were worth it. In other words, they did not use excuses and say poor me. They made the choice to do something with their lives and they have every right to be proud of it.
To: July 27, 2008 1:32 PM
I don't have a problem with private citizens establishing groups that are singular in race. I wholeheartedly disagree with it but respect their right to do it.
The problem here is that Clayton is a representative of a school district which is responsible to all children. Clayton crosses the line by establishing his "private" group and then using his position in the district to recruit public school students. There is no place in public schools for his discriminatory practices or his religious promoting.
Legally, all educators are agents of the state. The state has no business promoting one particular race or religion.
Clayton needs to make a decision. If he wants to continue with his discrimination and religious practices, he needs to step down from any public school position. There can be no other choice.
You are so right 7/28 @10:42.
But remember the administration and board enables him to do this. It is time for a change in this district where the administrators and board follow state and district policies.
Saw a clip on openline.blog about Joan Solms and her thinking on education and I think she has a good idea for this area to give vouchers or create more Charter not Magnit schools.
1:32, I understand your point about Mr. Muhammad’s “discriminatory” practices. I do not agree that is what he is doing...but I understand where you are coming from. What I do not, however, understand is your claim about Mr. Muhammad’s “religious promoting.” I have seen at least one post saying we must “pray for the children” and no response to that. Is that because we assume that is going to be some sort of Christian prayer (preferably Protestant)? Just because you assume that someone is involved in a non-majority religion does not mean that that person is trying to indoctrinate the children.
Clayton has religious leaders participating in most everything he does (a very public example was who Clayton used to promote the Yes campaign for the school referendum). This past weekend was no different. Here is a quote from the Aurora Beacon.
"The keynote speaker will be Pastor Katrina Smith, of Family and Faith Christian Church in Aurora. Smith's speech is titled "It's Bigger than Me.""
It says the religious leader is the keynote speaker. This is a public school employee who has used his public school position to recruit public school students to an event that discriminates against students that are not African American and the main speaker/role model offered to these public school students is a religious leader.
This is a high ranking employee (the school district has him listed as a central office school administrator on their website) paid by the taxpayers of the City of Aurora, the State of Illinois and the U.S. Government who is using his position to promote discrimination and religion with public school students.
It is outrageous that the district board and administrators have not forced Clayton to resign his position. It is quite clear that Clayton's "Private" activities are in direct violation of the law.
I was looking at the districts website in the news section and I noticed they had something about this conference there. I looked at D129's news on their districts website and didn't see anything there's was all about the district. I believe Aurora is having other things that students can participate in and those aren't posted on d131 website so why is it always things Clayton is involved in that ends up on this districts website. It does seem they are just putting things about what Clayton is doing for students and not other group which I'm sure there are other things going on this summer for all students. The administration and board should watch out for this kind of on sided position.
To Kate Kielty I want to thank you for your 30 years of service in our district it takes a strong person to stay.
Now to Yvonne Hollingsworth, Mechelle Patterson, Mr. Roberts, Clayton and the school board members let me show the board policy under General Personnel section Employee recognition # 500.00 and I quote.
EMPLOYEES WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR 5,10,15,20,25 and 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO d131 AND IT'S PREDECESSOR SCHOOL SYSTEM IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.
Do the administrators have a different policy than the boards or this again this administration not following board policy and laughing in their faces. Come on baord don't you even know your own policies and I know Rayanne said something about this to you. You are a laughing stock and Mr. Roberts you enable them to be this way.
Maybe Ms. Keilty didn't kiss the appropriate administration behinds to get in their good graces enough to deserve recognition. Certain bigwigs in D131 have a reputation for seeking retribution if they're not treated like the royalty they think they are.
But I don't think Dr. Roberts is one of the "bad guys" here. He's impressed me as being reasonable, hard-working, and a tremendous improvement over his "serial bully" predecessor.
Yeah, lets keep using the same words as "serial bully" openline and all the "bigwigs" that run that site.
If that is how you talk in real life I feel sorry for you. SHUT UP.
Roberts does NOT follow board policy and the board president kisses his $$$ so he us just as bad as the serial bully. If he would of know policy has would of stepped up to the plate and corrected this over look of someone with 30 yrs service. As long as he can get that big salary for nothing and live in Joliet what does he care. He is just like Clayton and tells people what they want to hear.
8:18, go ahead and feel sorry for me.
I feel sorry for anyone who has to be around someone like you who yells "SHUT UP" at every opportunity.
Have a nice day!
:)
Kate has received a message from the Human Resources administrator, Yvonne Hollingsworth, restating what Mechelle Patterson said in her e-mail. According to Yvonne, Kate should not have expected anything from this district. There is no district policy celebrating the 30 year milestone.
So is that policy they have on the website new? You would think the
Human Resources administrator would look to see what it was because really I don't know any place that doesn't reconize up to at least 40 yrs on a job. I think they should start looking for someone new in the Human Resources departmentbecause someone who doesn't know the policy should not expect to keep their job.
Ask and you shall receive-
"I think they should start looking for someone new in the Human Resources department"
poof!
Cowherds principal is now the HR person.
Yvonne is out! (retired)
Thanks for the update but she should of been fired instead of retiring. You guys have it made you can mess up and still get to stay until you retire. Remember we all don't live in your world of the public school system so we don't always know who is coming or going. Lets hope this one reads the policies.
Service recognition should not need a policy. Its simply common courtesy and decency to recognize a person who has devoted so many years to the district. Those who blame a lack of a written policy for not recognizing years of service are just are just insensitive and, for lack of a better word, stupid. It kinda makes one wonder about all that they do.....or don't do.
And to think they might be willing to keep Roberts as superintendant.
Those of you who want to dump Dr. Roberts must not have been around during "Serial Bully" Radakovich's tenure. Roberts is a saint compared to Radakovich and his "Minooka Mafia".
Get over the serial bully roberts is no better unless you are one of his chosen few. This district is in the same place they where before he came. The trouble with the people here is they live in the past with serial bully and k and can't see what is happening now. The board is also to blame. Remember the past mistakes but also come into the future to see what is happening roberts is no saint with how he allows this administration to break policy and to continue to let Clayton promote himself on the districts dime. What has he done for the kids of this district. I bet with his contract coming up like someone said he will take us to the cleaners and laugh all the way to the bank and then in a couple of years he will retire and leave us in the same place we where before if we don't go bankrupt by then. So is this referendum for the kids or for his contract?
If she is out then why is she still on the d131 website in Human Resource. Like Clayton was leaving for the Tollway System and when the principle one time was being moved to the service center. Maybe it's your belief that a referendum will pass.
Roberts is telling the school board what to do except for 2 board members it appears and always has just like the superintendant before him. The president of this board lets him run the show. Shame on her and the others that do not have a backbone, or are they on the board so they appear important? With so many people losing jobs, having no medical anymore, more and more foreclosures, no jobs being available and if they are they are going to the illegals, where does Roberts and the school board think the money is going to come from for a superintendant than has none nothing at all but try to get referendums thru and a magnet school that this district cannot afford, for heavens sake his letter at the end of the school year was a personal one and did not even try to state any accomplisments he had made, course he couldn't state them as he made none. He does not live in this district and his tax dollars do not go to the district he will expect a raise from. Come into the present and quit living in the past.
I think some people are giving way too much credit (or blame) to the superintendent. Whether we're talking about Dr. Roberts or the serial bully, he's only one person. Yes, he has a lot of influence, but it's the school board & administration that REALLY run things in a district.
We need to shift the balance and vote some new folks onto the board next spring. Then maybe we'll see things change for the better!
YES!
New Board memebers are what can make the changes needed in this district. More accountability, transparency and true concern for the 13,000 kids, rather than setting up resources to line the pockets of the present chief administrator.
Roberts contract is up next year. New board candidates on the ballot.
131 could see some refreshing changes.
We can't do nothing about Roberts contract and I think it's up this year but you might be right too. Yes, we do need new board members to make sure that the administration follows board policies and not make up there own. You don't want them getting into to much of the day to day business because that's why the hire the superintendent (who is their only employee)but they need to make sure he follows there plans. Too many policies have not been followed this year and look at the trouble that has been caused by this. Has anyone seen roberts vision statement like so many our districts superintendents have and their boards make sure he follows.
I really hope we have some candidates that come out this time that will act on the best interest of the district instead of running the district the same way. We need people that will have the administration follow policy and maybe bring new ideas into the district that will help.
That is just the problem. Farum lets Roberts run the show. Yes, we have aright to know about his contract. He is the school boards one employee and guess who the board answers to, us, their employeer as they are voted in by us and answer to us. His contract should NOT be renewed before the terms are brought forth before the public and the terms stated about what is in it, such as moving to this district, also it should state a definite goal for him to acheive and it the contract should certainly not be for more than a year and he does not deserve a raise as he has done nothing. Also, in an area where there is more and more foreclosures and people losing their jobs and not being able to get another, how can we justify giving him a raise when many no longer have medical, etc. That man make more than he deserves now. How do we know how his contract is being done, as Farum lets him run the show? HIs letter at the end of the school year is still a big joke and he ought tobe ashamed of himself for even putting that on the website.
To: August 1, 2008 7:35 AM
The policy is actually 500.99, You can follow this link to see it. http://www.d131.org/boardofed/Board%20Policies/500-99.131.pdf
EMPLOYEES WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR 5,10,15,20,25 and 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO d131 AND IT'S PREDECESSOR SCHOOL SYSTEM IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.
It's just one more example of how the rules don't seem to apply to this districts administrators. The policy is very clear and yet Mechelle Patterson had no problem lying to her entire teaching staff and claiming that the policy only covered 15, 20 and 25 years of service. Then to make it worse Marin Gonzalez and Yvonne Hollingsworth either backed or directed Mechelle to lie.
Here is a direct quote from the EMail that Mechelle sent to the staff at Simmons trying to cover her's and the district's oversight.
"Just as a point of clarification. I checked into the district criteria for those who are to receive certificates of recognition. The district honors 15, 20, and 25 years of service. A plaque is then sent over for those who fall into those categories." (Mechelle Patterson)
Mechelle flat out lied to her staff either at the direction of Marin and Yvonne or at her own direction. It doesn't surprise me. Mechelle and her assistant Stephanie Mitchelle have absolutely no credibility with the staff at Simmons.
Stephanie in particular has acted very unprofessionally. She has made inappropriate comments to staff members on many occasions. To give you some examples: Stephaie wrote an e-mail to the staff regarding student dress at the science fair. The teachers were directed to instruct the students to dress appropriately, she did not want them to dress like Senora Fluzie. This type of comment is very racially insensitive. Another example was during a football pool that many of the staff members participated in. Instead of using her own name she used the name Jenna Jamison, the porno actress. She also touched another teacher inappropriately and made very inappropriate comments to him. Mechelle and Stephanie then had him transferred to another building to cover up Stephanie's inappropriate actions.
Mechelle also harassed the building union rep. until he resigned his position. If she does this to the building's union rep. you can imagine how she treats the rest of her staff. Staff meetings have Mechelle telling the staff all the time to put in for a transfer. One inservice day, Mechelle spoke to the staff and stated that she had been informed that staff moralle was at an all time low. She then said that she would allow five minutes if anyone wanted to address the reasons why there was low moralle in the building. Any comment made by a staff member was then followed by Mechelle blaming the entire teaching staff for the problem. She accepted no responsibility for any of the problems that were obviously due to poor administrative decisions. Moralle after the meeting was worse than before.
It's one thing if test scores were improving from their actions but the truth is that test scores at Simmons have been declining since Mechelle became principal. I guess she does know how to kiss the right behinds at the central office and so she keeps her job.
As you can see, the treatment Kate Keilty received is not unusual from the Simmons Administrators. The problem though is when the district administrators and board back such inappropriate actions by a building administrator.
It really is no wonder that the district is in the mess that it is in.
roberts and the board allows this to happen. I think it's the baord mainly though because they enable their only employee not to follow the policies. I bet roberts hasn't even done anything about this or even looked it up himself to see the policy and yet the board wants to renew his contract and proably give him a raise but that is because most of them are too lazy to make him inforce the rules.
This Mechelle needs to take some classes on how to treat people. You guys don't have a ethnics committee that you can turn too. We do at our work and someone would of drop a dime on this person in a minute. How she handled that meeting and the way she talked to the group was way out of line and where I come from would be repermanded.
Yeah, Roberts is doing a great job. How many times is it now that one of his administrators have gone against policy?
Say what you want about Dr. Roberts, at least he doesn't play favorites among board members & administrators. I remember seeing "Serial Bully" Radakovich's car parked in (former School Board president) Larry Malaker's driveway on an almost daily basis. Maybe living outside the district is partly a good thing, because it provides Dr. R. with a certain amount of professional detachment.
He doesn't have to play favorties when the board president falls all over him and some of the others just go a long with all his mistakes. You can plainly see that he has his favorites in the administration exspeciall with Clayton.
The serial bully is gone get over it now you have someone who makes up his own rules and the board lets him get away with it.
Roberts doesn't play favorites when it comes to board members? Obviously you do not go to the school board meetings. There 2 that I am surprised are still willing to be on it. What about Gonzales when it comes to admin. favorites, or C. Ahaird or however one spells her name. Just why do you think that Salinas made it back on the board? Professional detachment I can agree with as the man is not professional at all. This boards president is a joke and makes one wonder why and how she was again president when the only thing she has accomplished is letting the superintendants run the show and by passing the other school board members.
Did anyone read the welcome back letter from Roberts? I found it poorly written and insulting. "Another one bites the dust"???? That is the best he could come up with. It is embarrassing.
Did everyone read the article in the Beacon about Ricky Dominguez. He received 3 years prison for drug possesion. The Beacon mentioned that he was once a basketball player for East Aurora. The Beacon did not mention that he was also coaching the high school basketball team and also didn't mention that he has had a prior conviction. This is the type of person that the district has supervising your children. Non-qualified, non-certified criminals.
Ricky Dominguez is not the only one. There was an article a few years ago about Gabriel Robinson, his criminal history and how he was coaching children for an Aurora East Middle School. Gabriel Robinson was at Cowherd at the time. What did the district administrators do about this criminal working with your children. They transferred him to the high school. He is coaching basketball there.
I guess Clayton's illegal activities pale in comparison. Maybe that's why he hasn't been fired yet or maybe they are all just thick as thieves at the central office.
How can we expect excellence for our children when we, as a community, do not demand it of those who are leading them.
I guess some of us define "excellence" differently than others.
I did read the article and I'm glad that you brought this to light. So are you saying as of last year he was coaching? I thought the state made it so the coaches had to be certified. I for one will look into this and if they are suppose to be contact them and see why our district doesn't have to follow the rules. It is time for this to stop.
As time goes by and more comes to light I see that some of this administration needs to be looked at or gotten rid of. So many makes mistakes after mistakes and that is a reflection of the superintendent and the school board. I know some one the board are trying to make a change but with the others it is hard to do.
I could not find the letter the superintendant wrote, am I looking in the wrong place?
It is time for everyone to realize that right is right and wrong is wrong. If we do not give students that make mistakes conseqences, how do we expect them to function correctly when in the real world? The superintendant, school board, administration, teachers need to be made to face consequences also when wrong is done, and more wrong is done in this district than right by many of the above i.e. superintendayt, most school board members and admins and asst. admins.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has rules about coaching. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)rules mirror the IHSA's. In other words, national standards have been adopted for coaches. They must be a certified teacher and or complete certain certification courses for coaches.
Either way, any person working with children, certified or not, should have a criminal background check and anyone found to have a criminal past should not be allowed anywhere near children.
This is nothing new. Half the reason Bob Green filed a Federal lawsuit against the district is for this very reason. He is a certified teacher with a physical education background and was himself an award winning basketball player who couldn't get a coaching job in the district while at the same time the district had non-certified criminals coaching our children. If I were him, I'd be angry also. I also wouldn't be surprised if he won the lawsuit. How can the district go to court and justify hiring people like Ricky Dominguez and Gabriel Robinson over a certified teacher.
The other issue is how does the district justify hiring outside people and paying them according to the teachers contract agreement. The coaching jobs are in the teachers contract. This is a contractual agreement between the teachers and district. The district ignores this fact and hires outside people of questionable backgrounds. The only way they get away with it is because the union is in league with the them.
It is no wonder that this administraton has alienated so many teachers and community members.
I am a volunteer teacher at my (Catholic) church, and I had to pass a criminal background check. It looks to me like certain administrators in D131 are so arrogant and/or clueless that they think they can disregard basic security measures like checking an employee's criminal record.
Now that "Serial Bully" Radakovich's Minooka buddy Rick Johnson is finally gone, I'm hoping that things will improve at East High. Cam Leadbetter has the potential to bring some much-needed integrity to that school!
This administration and school board can't even follow there own policies why would we think a state one would be any different. Look what happened with the teacher when it did clearly state in the policy about employee recognition how they lied. They will surely over look 105ILCS5/10-21.9 of the state policy.
Where is the letter from Roberts is it on the district website?
To: August 7, 2008 7:31 AM
I've read the statute 105 ILCS 5/10-21.9 and it is very clear. No district can hire or employ a person who has a criminal past nor can they hire or employ a person until they have gone through a criminal records check which includes checking against the sexual offender database.
The statute is very clear. This administration is once again showing their arrogance. The Gabriel Robinson incident shows it is not a mistake. This is a person who the local paper had identified publicly as a person with a criminal past and the district knowing this transferred him to another district building. They were aware of his criminal past and still allowed him continuing contact with children.
If this were any other district both the criminal and the administrators who had allowed him to continue employment would both be fired.
We'll see what this board does but I am sure that they were already aware of what has been going on and will do nothing, except maybe authorize higher raises or those responsible.
It says that they can hire them if they have started a crimminal check but if found to have anything in the record they have to let them go. So then why ahsn't anyone reported this to the state?
Not only was Dr. Roberts letter poorly written, it was full of lies. On top of that the copy I received looked as though it had gotten jemmed in the copier. It mentions that human resources have staffed all positions and that all the administrative positions have not only been filled but have been filled with exceptional candidates.
I went to the district website and looked at the employment page. There are more than 30 positions still posted and at least three are administrative positions. I also know that the principal position at Allen was filled by another of the Minooka Cronies. Apparently, things are not changing on the East Side.
I don't recall lying being one of the prerequisites for the superintendent position but it appears that Jerome is under the impression that it was. He should at least lie with facts that aren't so easily challenged.
It is obvious to me that over the past several years certain administrators in D131 have had a policy of blowing up any small successes into Olympic-medal-style achievements, while ignoring or denying shortcomings (remember the famous "no comment, the issue is over" a few years ago?)
Unfortunately many of us choose to remember both the positive & negative, and will be reluctant to reward a deceitful administration with more tax dollars.
How sad, since it's the kids in the district who have to bear the brunt of this mess.
Was this guy still coaching last school year? Also you said that the other one was moved to the high school is he still coaching?
So the letters where sent out to staff and is not on the website. Can anyone scan theres and let us all have a laugh.
This superintendent and administrators will keep doing what they are doing until they get rid of at least the board president. Until she really does her job nothing will get done but she does like doing those fun things at the school board meetings and is sure to tell people when they come to get awards that afterwards they can leave because that's when the boring stuff starts.
Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds.-
Albert Einstein
Yeah, the great spirits of teachers and admin in district 131 are forced to deal with you people (mediocre minds).
Don't lump the teachers & administrators together. I know many teachers who could be considered "great spirits" (Kate Keilty comes to mind), but very few administrators in this district fit that description.
Ok lets talk about this administration and board. They let them not follow policy. They lie and have a human resource person say something that isn't true. The administration overlooks school code and let the district have a fraternity. We let people with a criminal history coach our kids. We let students into a school and destroy school property that the tax payers have to pay for. The administration starts up a magnet school without getting approval from the board which most districts have to and say it won't cost us anything which we know is a lie. I believe the mediocre minds are that of you. We do have many teachers that are good in the district that get overlooked every day if they aren't kissing up to the administration. We have a do nothing board of education that looks the other way when this superintendent doesn't follow policy. Yeah, we are in great shape. When are they going to learn we still don't trust them with our money and they aren't going to get anymore.
It's to bad the administration does not follow policy and make there own or think that the policies are to be broken as we have had so many cases of them this year. It is also to bad that except for a few on the board they don't make them follow them. Let's keep administration, superintendent and school board separate from the teachers with what I've heard they have enough to deal with they should have to shoulder the blame of the others.
I can't believe anyone could use the words great spirits and East Aurora Administrators in the same sentence and keep a straight face. It absolutely has to be someone from the central office who wrote that comment.
It's nice to know they are aware of the community, now they simply need to hear what those in the community are saying.
We are saying that we are tired of administrative decisions that cost the community millions of dollars as has been the case with corrupt land deals. We are tired of administrators who can't follow Federal, State or local laws or even district policies. We are offended by the discriminatory actions of Clayton Muhammed. We've had enough with the blatant lyingfrom administrators. We want to see improved scores on ISAT's. We want accountability on district finances. We want administrators who have personal ethics and integrity.
It's pretty obvious that if the administrators can't take care of outstanding educators like Kaisershot and Keilty, they can't possibly have the support of the district teachers.
There needs to be significant change and it needs to happen now.
You are right 5pm. It's just a shame that the community doesn't stand up to them. We have people on the far east side that complain the most about taxes but don't come and stand up to the board. I know there has been a few that have but no one else whats to stand behind them. We can complain all we want but we really need to get together and stand up to them. It would be hard for all to get together but they did it for the drive in. I know all wasn't from the east side but in a way it did effect us. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone running for some kind of office to help us.
Can you find coaches salaries on the websites you can look up salaries?
Yes, this district is in a big mess, but as much as no one wants to hear it, it is our fault, the community. No one wants to take a stand. Some of us have and I do not mean by just posting here. Some have gone to the States Attorney and inquired into things, and the States Attorney did look into it. But this is just a very few. When Farum was voted back in, that just gave more leeway to Roberts to do what he wants, or does not want to do. By voting some of the other school board members back in, again, let Roberts do what he wants. Maurice will go along with the old guard most of the time and everyone knows about Salinas. The 2 are doing their best to do something is getting no help from the community, and I disagree that you learn more about what is going on at the school, one does does not hear the budget and many other pertenant issues at school functions, but learn about them at the school board meetings. There is someone at the service center that reads here and reports back to Roberts(tsk, tsk, she should be doing the job she is paid for). Until we, as a community, take a stand and do something about it, this will continune. How it starts is for just one person to take that step. I have, how about you?
I went to a school board meeting this summer and it was near empty. How can so many people have so much to say on here but not go and voice your opinion publicly? I know some of you will say that it is because the school board won't listen, but when is that ever an excuse for not standing up and letting your voice be heard.
I read this blog and assumed that District 131 school board meetings were going to be like District 204 where the parents lined up and voiced their concerns at the podium and in the hallways. Not at all. The meeting was boring and quiet.
I would venture to say that this blog is full of repeat posters who come back over and over to say the same thing. You know that posting here is not going to solve your problems in D131. Your bitching and complaining is not going to solve a thing on here. Go stand up and do it in person! Let your voice be heard.
You keep talking about getting new board members, but that is not until April. Yet you continue to say how much you care about the kids. Well, if this was such a concern and you were that worried about the future of the kids, you wouldn't wait another whole school year to make change. You would stand up and do it now.
Our parents in St. Charles or Naperville would never just sit back and bitch on a website. They would stand up and bitch in the public where their voices can be heard and they can attract more supporters.
Schools don't make good communities. Communities make good schools. That is the way it will always be! The schools that you guys have in District 131 are a reflection of the sad, apathetic, and closed mindset that you see with the posts on here.
I see so many posts about a teacher not getting a plaque. If its that important, buy her damn plaque and go to the school board meeting and present it to the school board to give to her! Now that is a point of action and sets the tone for what the School board should do! Wasted energy.
I see so many posts about the PR guy working with minority kids. You would think that your district is predominantly white. Quit bitching. Your district IS MINORITY! You are not in Naperville. You are not in St. Charles. You have gang problems in Aurora with minority grown ass men! You need to stop them while they are young and break the cycle. Quit bitching about it. Wasted energy.
I see all these posts about a letter from the Superintendent and then four more posts who keep asking what the letter is about yet they bitch about it too without even seeing it! Did anyone call the Superintendent or email him to ask about it. I bet my ass that you didn't because that would defeat your purpose of just whining and complaining on this site. Why don't you write a letter to him correcting his 'poorly written' letter like the teachers used to do to use and present it at a school board meeting. Would that take too much work? Of course it would for lazy asses who just complaining.
I see other posts about the guy who went to jail for selling drugs. Was he a coach at the time? NO. How do I know? Because I picked up the phone and called today to ask? You can do the same thing and check the records if you don't believe them. But that would be too much work and would defeat your purpose of bitching and complaining. You say there is another coach who was moved to the high school. Who is going to call and check on it? who is going to go to the school board meeting to call attention to it? ANyone on here? Probably not because it wouldn't feed your sad little lives to do something productive.
Blogs are meant to cause action. I mean come one. The title of this blog is about a board member and her being cleared of charges. Did anyone go to the Board meeting about that and congratulate her? I don't think so. Not at the Board meeting I was at? How about we change the topic and make the posts relevant to that topic. Or are we too lazy to do that too?
From the outside looking in, the Aurora community is as sad as you claim the schools to be. Do any of you get out much? Do any of you visit other towns like yours? Same problems. But the difference between those of us in District 204 or District 203 or District 303 is that we act on our concerns and you bitch about yours.
My challenge to you is quit bitching and start acting. Challenge your school board to do better! Make them do better with your actions not your complaining on a website.
I teach a class about social norms and how poverty begins in the mind before it hits the wallet. We talk about how negativity likes negativity and is afraid of change and stepping out of the box.
I no longer need a textbook to teach about apathy and sadness. You know what I use now?
This blog.
To 7:22 and 7:24 p.m. (did you really have to post the same thing twice??)--
Yes, I agree that the tone of this blog at times is critical and negative (although there were several positive comments about a community jazz band on this post that you chose not to acknowledge). Rayanne does a great job of trying to steer this blog in a positive direction, often specifically asking us to mention good things going on in D131.
But dwelling on the negative is sometimes necessary. I remember a few years ago when hundreds of us were trying to question the almighty administration about the necessity of replacing a much-loved band director. One of the many letters to the Beacon-News referred to District 131 as a "sick" district. Well, when I go to the doctor because I have laryngitis, do I waste the doctor's time talking about the positive things? Maybe my feet work great, my sense of smell is excellent, my digestion has never been better--no, I'm going to tell the doctor what's WRONG with me. And if he tells me "no comment", "get over it", and tries to raise his fees you can bet I'll want to change doctors!
I agree that people need to get involved more than just complaining. But sometimes reading other folks' gripes provides that extra little "nudge" towards action. And a lot of people read blogs like this one, and go to the polls and vote based partly on the knowledge gained here.
As long as what's posted here is factual, I say "bring it on"--positive or negative!
You are clearly someone that knows the superintendent or someone on the board. Nor many but some have confronted this group and get no response. There have been some that even contacted them or addressed this board and they don't respond they believe they are above the law. Yes, people complain it is their way to just get the things off their chest. Maybe some are teachers that if they would say something to this group you better believe there would be retaliation for that. If you are a parent with kids in school your kids would feel the impact of you going.
By the way it wasn't because the teacher didn't get a plague it was because the principle and human resource person lied about policy for her. A board member did contact the superintendent and president and didn't get no response so what makes you think if someone said something at the board meeting it would make a difference.
Yes, this district is mostly Hispanic and doesn't realize or want to address the board and the board makes no attempt to let them know to come to them with their complaints.
Their have been some that used to go almost all the time to the board meetings that didn't even have kids and the turned them against them. In fact I believe there was someone who was so opposed for the last referendum and they talked him into speaking for it and he did which it failed but right after it after he was convinced they where right he was at a meeting say you guys are at it again lying to the public.
So you went to one board meeting this summer and you think you know this district. Are you even from here. Lets not compare us to Naperville and St. Charles because they have parents that care.
But the problem is that you all have a distorted view of what is going on, because all of you get your information from this stupid blog. You have no idea what is going on with anything inside the school because you don't go to meetings, open house, concerts, plays, sporting events (uless it is the East-West Game) etc.
And I hate to break it to you "August 8, 2008 6:28 AM" but this blog ISN'T YOUR DOCTOR. This blog is like calling your doctors office and bitching to the person who answers the phone.
So you think that things going out are going to be said at open houses or the board meetings you need to go to more meetings. Some things come out from people talking to others about what is going on. I bet some of these people know what is going on at board meetings from just some of the things that are said. I have lived in this district for many years and I will say the last ten have been the worst. I did not pay much attention when the serial bully was around but have heard much about him. I've also heard about how some parents have gone to the board to speak out and still nothing is done. There is enough out there about the good and there is alot of good things out there but the things that are wrong need to be addressed also and if the board won't listen sometimes you have to go a different route. I've heard that people have gone to the regional superintendents office, contacted the state board and the district attorney on some things and the board skated by but sometime with people still contacting the agencies maybe someone will really come down at look at this district.
No, I think supporting the school will make a difference.
I think letting the kids know that the community cares about the school is a good thing. NOT WITH MONEY, but with faces in the audience.
I think that the moral of the school will change with a community that comes to events.
GOT IT.
6:48, the comparison to a doctor's visit was because someone had said D131 was a "sick" district. And no, it's not like "bitching to the person who answers the phone". The person who answers the phone at my doctor's office is a nurse/receptionist, and if I just chatted about the weather I'd never get treated. No, I have to tell her what's WRONG with me so she can schedule an appointment. This is not "bitching"--this is stating the facts.
And you seem to be obsessed with the concept of "bitching". I counted NINE mentions of the word bitch or bitching in your original post. That's 18 times, if we count the (unnecessary) double post!
Yes, community support is important but also parent support is much needed they are one of the most important part of this.
The point of the one posting that everyone thinks in negative, is to point out that one has to keep going to the meetings to get something accomplished and to take a step to do something about it! Just because a parent goes before the board about an issue, does not resolve the issue. These parents DO NOT continue to keep coming back to keep up on the issue. Showing up once or twice and then never showing up again, lets this board, superintendant and admins know they can still keep doing what they have been doing! What has happened in the past is done and over, so it is time we got over it and concentrate on the future! That poster is absolutely right and we should take heed in of what that person is saying. No we are not St.Charles, Naperville or other cities, we are the community of East Aurora and have every right these other places do. The difference is they do do something about what is going on. As far as getting info at other functions, it is usely to late and what good is it if the board in not confronted with it? Did this get Farum voted out and Bud? NO! Yet the biggest problem and obstical on this board is Farum! That woman just passes everything to the superintendant now and the previous one to do whatever they want. She has no backbone and never should have been in this postition in the first place. For first hand knowledge one does have to go to the meetings to see and hear what all those members have to say. For that double posting, when I read it last night there was only one then. The way I am taking it that posting is just saying do something about the situation. It is fine to post here but that is not going to solve the issues. Rayanne and Dee can only do so much, they cannot take it on for every issue that comes up. We have to do our part and take a stand for ourselves, be it the parents or teachers.
Very well put 7:24 p.m. and 9:31 a.m.
I am ready to be more positive and get some things done!
Let's go for it!
just a note about all those working with childrne needing background checks...i have worked in the district about 10 years and never had one. the district now checks on people but has not always done this. they have not gone back to check emplyess that have been around for a while either. and i doubt they check all the time now. last year waldo hired an assistant principal, he went to a meeting and met the staff and even helped out and worked at the start of summer school...then they found out there was something in his background check and he no longer had the job! this should have been checked before he was allowed access to the building staff and students!
i hear there was an article in the beacon this week about clayton...what was it about?
No, not this week, but there was the article about the alum who was sentenced for drugs. And the Beacon had to make sure to put in the title that he was a former East Aurora player. Some things don't change.
If you want to know go online and look up the Beacon and you might be able to find it.
God within, Infinite Good, Source and Substance of Life -
We pause in this moment to acknowledge your presence.
We remind ourselves in this moment that our thoughts and attitude shape much of our experiences of life, and when we choose positive thoughts and feelings, we are releasing your power into our lives and into our world.
The divine, creative power that flows through our thoughts, words, feelings, and mental images is able to heal, prosper, enlighten, harmonize, and assure success.
And so it is that we are grateful for your power within us to create the abundant life we deserve and desire.
We now claim our achievements in our school district and our city and our world. We visualize it. We feel it. We consider it already accomplished. We call it forth. We expect it. And we allow it to be.
We boldly declare that all will be well in District 131. We courageously claim victory over the negative spirits here and elswhere. We pray for your guidance of our children, educators, and parents.
We ask that you give Blessings to those who are productive and do good. We ask that you show your power to those who attempt to unravel your promise of success through their mischievous talk and negative spirits.
We claim it to be that all on this site and in our city and world who are positive will recieve your blessings plentiful and those who are negative will witness the ceasing of your blessings until they choose to submit to your will and lift up your name and those who are your servants.
This we ask in the name of your son Jesus Christ!
Thank you, inner-most and everlasting God.
Amen.
That was an example of why religion is illegal in public schools. Fairy tale thinking doesn't improve anything in reality. It only helps a dillusional mind find peace.
Aug 9, 10:20am
Christ is not a fairy tale. WE who are Christians live by the written word in the Bible. Religions are Catholics, Baptist, Seventh Day Advents, Buddisum, etc., and live by what their church rules are. One can take religion out of the schools, but not Christanity.
Forgot to state that Christianty cannot be taken out of our souls and hearts in or out of the schools!!
Typical religious nonsense. If you repeat crap enough times fools actually start to believe it.
We were just informed by our principal that student test scores again fell last year. These scores have not yet been made public. Try praying about that. Again, dillusional thinking does not improve anything in reality. It just makes fools feel good.
We need leaders to make real choices based on established research proven to improve education. Religion is a personal choice not a public policy. It has no place in public schools.
Posting the same (long!) comment THREE TIMES is ridiculous, and negates any credibility the post might have originally had.
Rayanne, could you please delete duplicate posts??
8/9 @ 2:50
Let's not start talking about religious stuff like that. The person that posted three times would like to believe that they believe in the Lord but really doesn't. Someone just doesn't like what is being said here. Everyone has there choice of what they want to believe in but people that go on like that is just using it to provoke people.
I do believe that we need to pray for the kids in this district that the administrators and school board put aside there own agendas and do what is right to the children. I could not of said this better.
We need leaders to make real choices based on established research proven to improve education. Religion is a personal choice not a public policy. It has no place in public schools.
I believe a prayer before somethings are good but when you put religion in like that it is wrong because now we have many that have different beliefs.
There is someone out there that doesn't like the truth to be told.
We need strong leaders which we don't have. We need administrators to think beyond them selfs and their greed and so the right thing.
The only true religion is Christianity.
The Serenity Prayer
Path
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Post a Comment