You may now access board members contact information by going to the Board of Education section of the District 131 website. Click on "meet the board." By clicking on each picture you get the personal contact info of each board member.
If you click on the part of the Board of Ed. page that says:
"To Email the Board of Education
Click here", you will get a generic info email address. Which personally, I have never been forwarded nor informed of any email being sent to the board through that address.
The doors are opening folks. The meeting dates and times are posted. You now have access to contact the board members, read the budget, read policies. It is now easier to be an educated community member. Use the info you have at your finger tips and help be a part of the solutions to the many problems and concerns I have heard in the community.
I believe a board member should be a liaison for the community & administration of 131. We need to hear the community voice. Not only when things are wrong, but when advice from the EA members is needed in making plans for our children's education.
6 comments:
Kate Kielty is a teacher that just reached the milestone of having taught in District 131 for 30 years. She was very offended when teachers in our building were recognized for reaching 15 or 20 years. They received a certificate (just a piece of paper) acknowledging their dedication and devotion to this distrct. She recieved nothing, no certificate, no thank you, nothing.
Kate is a courageous person who stood up at the last meeting of the year and anounced the accomplishment herself. The administrators were obviously surprised by the announcement and were unprepared to respond. How can you possibly justify forgetting celebrating a persons 30th anniversary teaching in the same building.
Within an hour, there was an e-mail sent to the entire staff by the principal Mechelle Patterson showing a district policy that stated that the district only acknowledges the 15, 20 and 25 year milestones of teaching. In short, there was no regard for this teacher of 30 years but only for her own reputation. She was attempting to cover her a$$ on neglecting this person.
Worse yet, Kate has received a message from the Human Resources administrator, Yvonne Hollingsworth, restating what Mechelle Patterson said in her e-mail. According to Yvonne, Kate should not have expected anything from this district. There is no district policy celebrating the 30 year milestone.
Apparently all the administrators in this district have once again gone into cover your a$$ mode. This is ridiculous, is it that hard to say the district policy needs reviewing and of course teachers that have taught for 30 or 35 years deserve to be ackowledged. After all we are only talking about a piece of paper and kind word. Total cost to the district 10 cents. Instead, we disgruntle a loyal and dedicated teacher of 30 years.
Not only has the district administrators offended Kate to the point where there is nothing that they can say to reconcile the situation but every teacher at Simmons saw how the district treats its teachers. Incidents like this are what alienate the staff.
Rayanne, perhaps you and the board could do something for Kate since the administrators in this district are incapable of being caring and compationate leaders.
My spouse teaches at Simmons, and says that Kate has poured her heart and soul into those kids and that school.
Kate's dedication has not gone unnoticed by her fellow teachers, despite the (unsurprisingly) callous attitude of administrators in this district.
I'm wondering--if Kate were Black or Hispanic, would this milestone have passed unrecognized?
I was truly upset to see this story about Ms Kietly.
Though most of the board members do not appreciate this blog, I feel it has helped to bring things to light that have been kept in the dark. I have emailed a copy of both comments to Mrs. Farnum and Dr. Roberts asking how would they respond.
I would acknowledge her acheivement in a minute. If this is true, I am at a loss for any kind of explanation as to why this does not happen in 131.
At my place of employment, they acknowledge milestones 10 years plus, every 5 years as long as you work there, with a cake and coffee to share with coworkers. At 25 + every milestone of 5 years, the plant manager and other "administrative" type folks get toether and enjoy a buffet breakfast with the honorees.
Anyone who dedicates themselves to one employer for any length of time in this day and age, I feel, deserves to be thanked for their loyalty and contribution to the "business."
I hope to soon hear a thank is on it's way for Ms. Kielty.
I think the district should update their policy. Like Rayanne where I work they keep going with the milestones for 25, 30, 35 and so forth. For this teacher to even stay in this district so long she deserves a good job at least from the principle. I would think that even though it was the policy someone that has 30 yrs. should have been reconized by the superintendent.
Any teacher that reaches thirty years should by recognized but especially Kate. She has been a loyal dedicated teacher to this district.
I used to be amazed at how many parents came to see her at parent teacher conferences until I realized many came to see her because they had also had her for class themselves and loved her. She had taught both parent and child.
Kate has been the team leader for her department for more years than any of the other teachers in her department had been at the school. She is part of the fine arts fair for the district every year. Many times, I've seen her painting the backdrops for the plays. She has held art club after school every year that I have been at Simmons. She has been a mentor for the many other young art teachers that have come and gone from the building.
In short, Kate is a classy, hard working, dedicated lady who deserves to be treated far better than this districts administrators have treated her.
I am glad to see that you (Rayanne) are trying to do something positive for Kate. She deserves all that and more.
This kind of disrespect has been shown towards support staff as well a 20 plus year secretary just retired her supervisors didn't even say goodby. This attitude is common in this district. It all depends on whos but gets kissed.
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