I asked questions and made comments concerning contract negotiations at the open school board meeting on Monday.
In all fairness, I will not attempt to speak for others and what their comments were that evening.
I sent my comments to our secretary but they did not make it into the minutes. You may read a condensed version of them below.
As of July 11, 2008, Illinois' chief executive officer, Gov. Blagojevich will take home $13,118 more, raising his salary to $184,035.
As a Jr. Senator for the state of Illinois-Barack Obama made $158,100 a year salary
As of January 1, 2008, the annual salary of Linda Chapa LaVia and each of 118 State Representative is $169,300.
These people represent and make decisions for 879 public school districts in IL consisting of over 3 million children under the age of 18.
Our school district has over 13,000 students. One superintendent.
Certain members of this board want our approval of a contract that pays our superintendent more than any of those state officials I have mentioned.
Dee & I have expressed concern, disapproval, disappointment and I personally am disgusted with the way this contract has been moved forward without any concern or consideration of input or discussion of ALL board members. Discussion and decisions seemed to have been made through emails and conversations with a few board members and the districts attorney.
The 100 highest-paid school administrators in Illinois in 2006 had salaries ranging from $205 to $380,000. There were 17 who made more than a quarter million dollars for that year: Guess what school district decide to pay their short term superintendent enough to make it # 14 on this list?
YEP! the same district who is cutting our children’s programs and wanting to increase pay and benefits to our present short term supt. How do we justify this, is the question I asked of this board from the podium a few years ago. I ask you again, how do you justify this attempt to approve a contract with all the added cash benefits, w/o having the last contract fulfilled and without significant indicators of marked improvements in our student scores or our budget?
I am opposed to the way this item was slid in on the Personnel report.
We have had no group decisions regarding salary, goal indicators or the changing of the terms of the last contract by implementing a new one-what the hell kind of "team" is this?
An article in the Christian Science Monitor in March of this year states:
An overly politicized school board, critics say, is often the problem where children's educational needs don't appear to be a priority.
The vote was 5-2 in favor of the contract.
202 comments:
1 – 200 of 202 Newer› Newest»Although I believe that Dr. Roberts has done a generally good job as superintendent, doesn't he (and the School Board members who approved this raise) realize that we're in an economic downturn right now? How can they expect us to approve an increase in our taxes "FOR OUR CHILDREN" when so many thousands of dollars are skimmed right off the top?
I work hard for my salary, and I try to get good value for the money I spend. How many school books, football helmets, or band instruments COULD have been bought for that $12,000?
Maybe the "old-guard" School Board members really don't want the referendum to pass--they seem to be "out of touch" with the people they were elected to serve.
I agree the old school baord members and some new are still ignoring the tax payers. I have not really seen anything that Roberts has done. I don't work for the district so maybe I don't see any changes but when you look at other districts and what is happening there you often hear the superintendents talking and never do you hear anything from Roberts.
What really bothers me is all the secrecy. No input from community members, just "sneaking" the raise in. Is it any wonder that taxpayers in this district are cynical?
A lot of us still remember "no comment--the issue is over" from a few years ago.
Let's plan to elect some more School Board members who will actually represent us and bring some much-needed openness, as Rayanne & Dee have done.
Here is a few School Board Goals of district 204 for 2008-2009. Does this district have anything like this?
1. Improve student achievement for each and every student in 204.
2 Develop three year targets and benchmarks for district-wide strategic plans.
3. Implement School Improvement plans for each School.
Did the superintendent ever say what his strategic plan was.
Let's see if this will finally get community members to finally go to the school board meetings once in awhile and I do not mean the few that do attend. Thank you Rayanne and Dee for hanging in there for us even when we(the community)do not show up once in awhile to help support you 2 in what you are doing for this whole district!
Being the Board members are so loose with our money they do not need a tax increase all the more reason why we should vote NO. By the way does he have to move in the district.
Now that Dr. Roberts' stepchild has graduated from high school, this would be a great time for him to consider moving into District 131.
I commend Dr. R. for putting his family's interests first, but he should realize that many of us are hoping that he will choose to truly be a part of the district by living here and paying property taxes.
I do not give credit to Roberts for putting his family first. If he wanted the job he should have moved here just like all others would have had to do. What makes him different than anyone else? How can he even think of getting more benefits when so many who live IN this district are losing their jobs and have NO benefits. What about the ones who have to pay for their own benefits and really work and do something for the money they are paid. Why does Roberts deserve paid benefits when he makes so much money and can afford to pay for them himself and does not live in this district and pay taxes here? For heaven's sake, they are wanting a referendum for the students and then most of the board hands the keys to the kingdom to the one they are letting rule and we the peasants have nothing except the toll to pay for the rulers wants and demands.
I will say this, Roberts is just like the govenor and Obama-they are all getting paid to do nothing, another way of putting it is they just are not doing their job.
Did anyone attend the Red and Black Pride event where Clayton mentioned the democratic party and Obama?? That was outrageous..he is pushing his political agenda on company time.
But isn't he a Republican like Richard Irvin and Scheketa Hart-Burns?
What did other teachers think about Robert's speech? It was the talk of my building when we got back!
Rayanne -
My suggestion is that you take your comments from this posting and turn them into a Letter to the Editor or column in the Beacon News. Since the Beacon didn't report the entire story fairly in yesterday's paper, maybe you can get your voice to the city by going other routes.
181,000 is a lot of money and the Board of Education should have a better say in the contract. not just five members but all 7 members.
Will this come up for public comments at the next Board meeting? When is the Board Meeting and what is the public able to do at the meeting?
If nothing is done or said at the meetings then what is the point of getting upset. How many of us will stand up to say that we going?
So Rayanne and Dee, hopefully we can get this into the paper before the meeting.
The next Board Meeting is on Tuesday, September 2 because Monday, September 1 is Labor Day.
I sure hope that we can make a good showing and express our opinions as a community!
Even if the deal is done it is NEVER to late to stand before the board and comment. Be aware that the board might impose the 5 minute rule. Also, be aware that the public has every right to talk to the reporter and say what the think and feel when they are at the meeting. Even if alot of the community does go and all may not get the chance to speak, but it in writing and hand give it to them and be sure to keep a copy for yourself, and what the heck, have one for the reporter. IT IS NEVER TO LATE TO DO SOMETHING! Remember, what was stated in the paper about Roberts salary is base pay, so does this mean he might get stipends and other things to make his salary even higher. This was not stated in the paper. Also, remember that going to just one meeting is also not the answer. This is what most of the board expects and this is why they never pay attention to us. THIS ISSUE IS NOT OVER!
You need to realize that the $181,000 is his base salary not the whole thing. It is probably well over 200,000. His salary is listed as 191,000 last year so if he got a 7% raise he is making way more that it is stated in the Beacon.
you are right. i would safely wager that his salary is abouut 215K when you include all of the benefits, travel stipends, and all. That is why it was important for the paper to note that it was his BASE salary.
That doesn't include the annuity he's getting.
I agree with the previous commenter that there need to be much more specific and attainable goals set by the Board of Education. I don't claim to know a whole lot about the inner workings of the district but does anyone know anything specifically that Roberts has done while in office to help improve the district? (besides not be Ridachovich? is that how you spell it?)
I think that having stated, COMMUNITY FORMED goals would help keep the Board on track, and would help gage actual progress.
To some extent we have to realize that East Aurora is a unique place, with unique challenges, but we also have to be willing to look around and compare notes with the area around us. They may have more money, but there's more to it that money, right?
My understanding is that his total raise is 9 percent.
He is getting this from a low income district that more and more are losing their jobs and can't find new ones. This from a district that more and more homes are going into foreclosure. This from a district that he has not moved to and contribute to the taxes.
Also Thursday he mentioned about building a new middle school(will probably be that Magnet school he wants). The only way this could be done would be from yet another referendum above and beyond this one they are asking for and who knows if the monies from the referendum they want now WILL REALLY GO FOR THE STUDENTS? Some how we have to come up for this ridiculous contract that Roberts has gotten for doing absolutely NOTHING!
You are wrong. He has gotten something. LOTS of money from a bascially dirt poor district and the right to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, not to follow policies and override poiclies whenever he gets the inkling and serves his purposes and the school board president who lets him since she knows not what she is doing!
Earnesty, you are right but the thing is to get this community involved. Some of us has tried and if you have any idea on how please let us know. The only time this community comes through is when something happens they do not agree with, but they NEVER REALLY FOLLOW THROUGH and keep going to meetings to see what else might be done, then all they will do is keep on harping about what happened in the past and not try for do something for here and now@!
Here is the problem I find with this district it tends to try to start new things without improving on some of the old things that need to be worked on. Would you think that they would build a new Waldo I mean that school was East High at one time it is run down and not fit for children attended school at. How about that instead of a Magnet Middle School or wait and see how this magnet school turns out. I wish we had enough people to think about a charter school because they seem to be the ones that are doing good.
How about getting these ELL to be able to pass the test like they need to do now not only for the good of the testing but it shows they can read in English. It seems that many other states are being able to do this.
$191,000
Each time Jerome takes home his paycheck, it's for $7,958.33. and that's without bonuses.
We have families on the east Side that don't take home that much all year.
It's such a comfort to know that Jerome is doing so well when I teach my class with barely enough equipment for half the class.
When will the board wake up.
You are right it is a shame that class rooms have to do without. It would be different if this district was in good shape but it isn't and there are five board members that think it is ok to give a do nothing superintendent a high raise. The only way it will be stopped if new board members are elected at the next election that feel the way most of the community does.
The only way new members can get elected is if they run.
If memory serves there were many that stepped up when a position opened up. I hope the boards choice did not discourage those that tried. Election time will be the community's choice, and we will have to show them again who we do NOT want on our school board.
Just remember that Farum is not up for re-election this time, but the rest are except Dee and Rayanne. If all the rest that will be running are voted out, then hopefully a new board president can be elected and then the superintendant will be the DISTRICTS ONE AND ONLY EMPLOYEE as he should be now and will no longer be running the show as Farum lets him do now! We would also be able to get rid of that worthless attorney we have!
You need to get rid of Jay Augustine, the business manager also. He made $137,500 last year. The district has run in the red every year that he has managed the money.
We need to vote in four new board members at the next election.
The new board members need to make replacing Carol Farnum as the board president their first vote.
Yes for the ones that stepped up and put in for when there was a vacancy need to come back. Remember that the board had to pick that one and they knew who they wanted to get back in and the old members made sure of that. At election time you have the right to vote in who you want. It will take all of us to get out there and make sure the voters just don't vote for the first ones on the list and if it is true they vote for the ones they think have white names don't get in just because of that or with any name whatever it is. If we want a strong district we need to see what each candidate has to offer and pick the ones that we think will do the best for the district. So for all that are thinking of running try to get the word out there of what you think that will help this district. You don't need to spend a lot of money word of mouth helps and get to community functions that will let you speak about how you fell.
We are a poor district but that doesn't mean we have to have low test scores. We don't need a superintendent that makes five times the average income of the people that live here. We don't need people in the service center that really makes more than the average workers out there in the real world. We need to take care of the children in this district and make sure they are getting the best they can get and that doesn't mean that the superintendent and administrators and no teachers are making so much money that we can't fund our classrooms.
Liza Morales is not in the union and my guess is she makes probably about $25.00 per hour. How would one go about finding out her salary? She gets this and to go to workshops like the one in Florida to make sure travel arrangements went and are going right. She also got to take her family and this was on the districts dime. This is someone who does not keep the board bits up to date. She also does not live in this district and her and her husband do not contribute to D131. Just how many of our very highly overpaid administrators, asst. superintendants,etc. do live in this district and contribute to the taxes here. Does anyone know of any of these that do, but are reaping the rewards?
But Lisa was very HOT dancing for the Razzle Dazzle Variety Show.
I have attempted to fix the time on this blog a few times. Let's see if it stays fixed this time.
Sorry, for any confusion this may cause.
I was shocked to see that Dr. Roberts got a new contract and huge raise. I thought his contract was not up till next year?
The company I work for is giving a MAX of 3.6% raises basesd on performance goals and we think that is pretty good with the current economic conditions.
It makes my heart ache when I hear about the teachers putting in their own money for supplies and when I know our students are going without.
A new school year is starting today. Make sure to be involved in your children's (or grandchilden's) school. There are still alot of good teachers and administrators in our district and our kids can still get a great education if we stay involved.
When (not if) the referendum fails again, it will be because the "old-guard" School Board members have shown that they believe three things:
--The administration deserves top dollar
--The students deserve to go without
--The taxpayers deserve to be disregarded and disrespected (as in, "no comment, the issue is over").
And speaking of being "disrespected", today is the first day of school and I tried to get some basic information about upcoming events at East High. The "coming soon" page still pops up, even though school has started! So I went to the district website and clicked on "High Schools"--the new East High page has no news or upcoming events to display to the public.
Really? NOTHING?
No upcoming football games, pep rallies, fund raisers, PTA meetings, etc. at East High??
Seems to me the district had three whole months to put SOMETHING up for parents and community members to keep them informed. But I almost forgot--the administration is giving us what they think we deserve.
And of course, they think THEY deserve top dollar.
Sorry--this cash cow's dried up.
And speaking of being "disrespected", I was surprised to see the joke the West Side Administrators were making of Clayton. I've heard them speak privately about the nignog in the clown suit (or was it the clown in the nignog suit, either way it wasn't complimentary) but I never thought they would take the disrespect public. The guy is a joke, when will this district wake up?
Hi-Lite 30 drive-in to get send-off
Former bidder for the Hi-Lite 30 throwing a remembrance party at Sterling drive-in
BY ANDRE SALLES asalles@scn1.com
AURORA -- If you followed the saga of the Hi-Lite 30 drive-in two years ago, you may remember Mike Kerz.
Well, Mike Kerz definitely remembers the Hi-Lite, and on Aug. 31, he's hosting a memorial tribute at his new drive-in theater, about an hour away from Aurora.
In May of 2006, at the height of the controversy over the possible closing of the Hi-Lite, Kerz and his associate, Wayne Kurzeja, offered up a plan to save it. They presented themselves as interested developers, hoping to turn the 60-year-old theater at Montgomery Road and Hill Avenue into the centerpiece of an entertainment district.
However, when Mayor Tom Weisner's office shared the details of the deal with the media, Kerz and Kurzeja pulled out.
Two months later, the Hi-Lite 30 was demolished.
But now, two years later and about 70 miles west, Kerz has accomplished his dream. Last year, he and his wife, Mia, purchased the 58-year-old Midway Drive-In between Dixon and Sterling and spent about $100,000 sprucing it up.
"The condition of the Midway was about the same as the condition of the Hi-Lite when we took it over," Kerz said.
The Midway is now a booming business, he said, a tourist attraction that draws people from all over the state. As one of only 12 surviving drive-ins in Illinois, Kerz said, the Midway has become a destination spot for lovers of the outdoor movie-watching experience.
Kerz is one of them. As the man behind Flashback Weekend, a company that produces movie- and television-themed events across the Chicago area, Kerz arranged several horror movie conventions and events at the Hi-Lite. To him, there's nothing like the experience of seeing a film outdoors on a massive screen, munching popcorn with your family.
Despite his success, Kerz is still bitter over the demise of the Hi-Lite. He said every week he sees a couple dozen people from Aurora making the trip to Dixon to enjoy a drive-in movie, and they tell him how much they miss the Hi-Lite 30.
So Kerz has decided to hold a tribute bash, commemorating the second anniversary of the Hi-Lite's demolition.
For the Hi-Lite remembrance night, the Midway will host a dusk-to-dawn movie bash -- similar, Kerz said, to Labor Day events that used to be held at the Aurora drive-in. The lineup will include classic films American Graffiti and Jaws, as well as 1984 zombie movie Night of the Comet, and a fourth film to be decided by the audience. (E-mail your choice to info@themidwaydrivein.net.)
Kerz hopes this event gives people a chance to reminisce about the long history of the Hi-Lite 30 and share memories. He hopes people see the work he has done at the Midway as a sign that drive-ins are not dead and are an essential part of American film history.
"I'm still deeply disappointed that I wasn't able to realize this vision in Aurora," Kerz said. "But I'm grateful to help the American drive-in tradition continue."
The Hi-Lite 30 Drive-In Remembrance begins at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31.
I see another African-American person was hired as principal at Gates too!
That makes Jerome, Clayton, the Curriculum lady, Dieterich principal, Simmons Principal, Waldo Principal, and Wilson at the high school. Interesting.
Anita,
You are correct, Roberts contract was not up until next year. Five members of the current school board was not willing to try to get someone else and reinstated Roberts without community input(he is our employee)or making him(it appears)do nothing to earn what he has been given on a silver platter!
9:29, this is a multi-cultural district. It shouldn't matter at all whether a principal or administrator is Black, White, Hispanic, male, female, older, younger--we need quality people in charge in District 131.
And remember, "Serial Bully" Radakovich (whom many still blame for a lot of the district's problems) was Caucasian.
I agree 9:29. This blog has sunk to new lows. Shame on you!
I should have said, I agree with your comment to 9:29. This blog has sunk to new lows. Shame on you!
You are right 8/25 @ 10:40.
As long as they do things for all the children at Gates and not pull Clayton things it should be fine. Since we all don't know who put in for the job I don't see how we can pass judgment.
Actually the board would be our employees if that what you would like to call them. We voted them in and they should speak for the voters. The superintendent is the boards employee and should do his will if they took the time to do that.
As for the blog it is for people to speak their minds even if we all don't agree with what some say.
Good Luck Mike Kerz and his drive-in. Why would this city or the board want anything that would bring in money to this district. So now we have a developer that will probably not be able to sell his homes with the way things are and vacant land that is not bringing anything in.
I heard the mayors speech was a little of the wall also.
If everyone wants to get rid of the 4 board members that are up for re-election, just remember who they are when you go to vote. Know about the others that are running against them and which one of the NEW ONES that are running that you want to vote for. This is how to to get new board members. The only one that is not for re-election at this point is Carol Farum, but that does not mean that with 4 new board members that she would be board president again, as board members vote for who they want to be president. Please, just remember not to vote for the ones that are currently on the board, unless, of course, you want someone to remain that is on it already!
I am still praying for you angry bloggers.
To 7:54 - please continue to pray. the people who post on this blog look for the negativ only. what they dont understand is that prices and costs of everything are going up and they expect the district to do more with less money. anyone with a checkbook and electric bills, rent, and gas understands that when prices go up you have to pay more for what used to costs less. do people really think that not supporting the district financially will result in positive change? NO - it will mean less teachers, less books, less-less-less for the students.
To 8/25 @ 7:54.
You pray for us and we will pray for you. Some might be angry but they are angry for the way some things are done. If you think giving a superintendent 5 times more than the average person makes in this district and who doesn't even live here than I pray for you. You must remember that the service center and maintenance workers also have there contract coming up and they will probably get a good raise and from what I've heard they make good money.
I pray that the kids get newer books that are not 15 years old.I pray for the kids at Waldo to have a good facility to go to where kids are not sitting out in the halls. I pray that parents get more involved in their children's life at school.
There are things going on in this district that maybe people don't know about like them wanting to build another school but not for the kids at Waldo but for a magnet school. They say they don't have money but they say they can do this without a referendum. We in the school community hear these things and yet they don't fix the things that we need fixing now.
So are we angry? Yes, we want to fix the things that need to be fixed right now and pray that it be so. Are we happy about some things yes but if we keep our heads in the sand nothing will ever be fixed. I also pray for you to understand that we want what is good for all.
Yes, the students get "less-less-less" while administrators help themselves to more-more-more.
Maybe someone can start a fund specifically designed to pay "FOR OUR CHILDREN"--books, after-school programs, music, sports equipment, or whatever the teachers need--without the School Board & administration getting their greedy hands on it. I'll be one of the first to contribute!
I was on the ISBE website this evening. They have a new public service which allows the public to view educator and administrator certifications. I searched out those listed as administrators for East Aurora 131 and was surprised by the results that I received.
Marin Gozalez and Jay Augustine were the only superintendents that are listed as having the proper certification endorsement for their positions. Marin has a superintendents endorsement and Jay has a business managers endorsement.
Jerome Roberts and Christie Aird are listed as having administrator certifications but no superintendents endorsements. According to the State of Illinois, they do not have the proper certification endorsements for their positions.
Beatrice Reyes Childress, the Director of Bilingual Education for the district, her administrative certification has expired. She has no current administrative certification.
According to the ISBE website, Clayton Muhammad (I also checked under his real name, Clayton Kinnard) has no certifications at all, administrator or teacher. He is officially qualified for nothing.
Nicholas Pinchok who is the districts Assessments Coordinator (which means he is the districts lead person for assessments / testing. He is responsible for leading the district with the ISAT tests) has no certifications whatsoever.
This is an amazing revelation. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, HALF of our districts administrators are NOT QUALIFIED for their positions.
I would hope that the Board would check out the employees that they hire but short of that, I would hope that now it is being made public and hopefully they are being made aware, they will correct these issues.
The students of this district deserve teachers and administrators that are highly qualified for the positions they are being paid to perform.
For those interested in viewing the administrator credentials for yourself may use this link:
https://sec1.isbe.net/ecs/aspapps/TeacherSearch.asp
If voting no means less teachers, less books, less for students, then something is definitly wrong!
The cut should come in the superintendany salary, administrators and asst. administrators, which none live in this district I believe. Cuts should come in maintenance area and that means getting no outside help, but let the ones who are paid alot to do hardly nothing do their jobs. Maintenace should not get extra for gas, we have vehicles they can drive and should not be using their own. Our service center and maintenace should have a ceiling put on their salaries and benefits. How can they even think of asking for more when our tax paying commiunity are losing their jobs, not being able to find another and have NO benefits? How about the the superintendant follow policy and make the ones who did all the damage at East pay to fix it(per policy)and not the poor district? I am not mad myself, just facing the fact that a referendum will not go for the students, but for what the administration wants. It is already around the grapevine that the new referendum is already earmarked for something else other that what the community is being told. In other words NOT FOR THE STUDENTS! The one thing I am sure about is the the superintendant and 5 members of the school board are not trustworthy, transparent and honest with this community.
"Twenty-three (23) Indian Prairie School District 204 residents applied to fill the board seat vacated earlier this month by Bruce Glawe."
This is right out of the Beacon. What was East Aurora. 9 People for an empty seat. East Aurora is a joke because the community does not care.
Well, those 9 people are enough to take the 4 board postitions that we will be voting on, now won't they? Also, more might run.
Why is there no mention of approving the superintendent's contract in the minutes of the board meeting when it happened?
They buried it in the personnel committee minutes. Remember, when the vote to accept committee minutes there is no discusion on them(transparent as Hades, is not certain school boards members-Farum?). I do believe that Rayanne and Dee found them and voted no to accepting the minutes.
Why are we paying a superintendent $191,000 who does not have the proper state credentials? and an assisstant superintendent? and a director of bilingual? and an assessments coordinator?
Why does every teacher need to be highly qualified but our administrators do not? Then we wonder why we have the decisions coming from central office that we do.
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.
Have you noticed how every time the central office administration is criticized or questioned, the prayers start being read. Whoever it is at the central office who is feeling threatened by legitimate questions about your qualifications, you need to find a new way of trying to distract attention away from your shortcomings.
You can not sidestep this one. You must be qualified for the position for which you have been hired. No proper certification, no job.
How can the board hire people for administrative positions and not check their credentials? It was not hard. It took five minutes to check all the administrators credentials. Let's go board, wake up.
Is it true that a student went into labor at one of the middle schools on the first day of school? If so, this speaks a lot about our community.
9:03, I worship the Jesus who drove the money-changers out of the temple. The Jesus who said, "I come not to bring peace but a sword". The same God who said "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free".
Your name-it-and-claim-it theology does not conform to my Bible-based Christian beliefs. You can "declare" all you want that "all will be well in District 131", but God helps those that help themselves.
I pray that the TRUTH may be heard and known; and I believe that God honors those who speak truth, as on this blog.
I went to the website and the average person can not access it so we really can't tell if that is the truth. If someone really believes this is true and has the proof then they should address the board or maybe the daily herald would do a story on it.
If you cut and paste this link you can go to any teacher/administrator in the state.
https://sec1.isbe.net/ecs/aspapps/TeacherSearch.asp
I did go back to the webite and looked up some of the names. Your are right about Marin and Jay.
I looked at some of the other superintendents around the area and they did have the endoresment for superintendent while roberts did not. I did find a SCGE one where he passed a test back in 1989but under this one it says Self Contained General Education, Kindergarten - Grade 9 for I don't think that one is the one he should have. I couldn't find Clayton at all but I will go back and look.
I really don't know the difference in the certs and the endoresements but it seems that the other superintendents I look had the endoresement but not roberts. I'm sure though the board would give some excuse till he gets on just like they let him live out of the district. This board sucks.
If he doesn't have this endorsement that superintendents have and I did check quite a few on the website that did have it why are we paying him what other superintendents are getting when he doesn't even have the superintendent endorsement that the others have?
This secret crap the board pulls needs to stop. I guess they didn't think that we would even catch on the how they stuck in the vote of the raise. That should of been out and open for all to hear.
It does look like Jay and Marin are the only ones that do have the right endorsement for what they do. I don't know if this will come out right but this is for the State Board. These are the endorsements they are suppose to have.
Administrative
Chief School Business
Official Chief School Business Official
Here is one website you can look at to see.
http://www.teachillinois.org/
certified/
administration/index.jsp
Director of Special Education Director of Special Education
General Administrative General Administrative
Superintendent Superintendent
Here is another one.
http://www.teachillinois.org/
certified/
administration/index.jsp
So why if roberts doesn't have this is he making the kind of money others that took the time to get this is?
Shame on you board you didn't even make sure your superintendent had the right endorsements.
Good for you Marin and Jay for taking the time to do the right thing to get your job.
My question is do you need to have this endorsement from the state to become a superintendent?
Yes you are required to have the proper certifications and endorsements to perform teaching and administrative positions. Teachers not only have to be certified but also highly qualified. If a teacher is only certified but not highly qualified, the district is required by NCLB to inform the parents and allow them, if they chose, to transfer their child to a teacher who is highly qualified. Even teachers aides and assistants must meet requirements.
It is amazing to think that this group of "administrators" has been performing positions for which they are not properly certified or endorsed. It is also amazing to think that this board has either not known about this or has known and allowed it to happen with their tacet approval.
Someone has to be responsible for this debacle. Our children deserve much better. Unfortunately, seeing how this district handled Clayton and his illegal fraternity (swept it under the rug) I have no faith that they will do any different with this situation. If they have no issue when the law is so clearly being broken, why would they have an issue with something as trivial as being properly certified for an administrative position.
Oh, I'm sure this board or some of them that oversees all of this know like the president. She controls everything and when people questions she fights back. When you think that they have three on the board that have went to so many classes on the schools dime they would know this. Do they yes but they chose to ignore it and do their will. I believe they choose Maurice because he was on another board and thought he would be good. Then they picked salanis because he was on the board before and knew he would be like a sheep and do what they wanted. Jauntia has been on the board for a long time and should know the rules also but they keep on letting these committees with the administrators from the district rule.
Now it is where can we go with this information. I know some have contacted the Regional Office about some things and have not gotten anywhere. If anyone has some ideas and we will have to be careful lets see what we can do. It is time that some of these board members do the right thing and get this district back in shape. They will not address anything that is brought up on this blog so we must go to someone else. It is just a matter of finding the right way to do this. I pray that we will find the courage to stop this and make sure our children get the best they can get.
If the board knew or not about Roberts is not the question here. The question is why did the board president do her job and check Roberts out? I would think this is her job. Why did not the rest of the board do it. Remember that Dee and Rayann was not on the board at the time, but Salinas was. The next question would be if they did check it out and just ignored it as they think no one will find out and if by chance they did, no one would do anything. Yes, they read this blog to find out what is going on-but why would they address anything they read here?
Email them, contact the States Attorney, check into other sources. Go to the meetings and address them about this. They really think no one will do anything, and if, by chance someone asks them about this at a meeting that if they choose not to answer, eventually, as usual this community will give up. It really is time for this very poor tax paying community who is paying all THOSE EXSORBENTANT salaries to all that is getting THOSE EXSORBENTANT salaries and DO NOT LIVE IN THIS DISTRICT takes a stand AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Today on the third day of school I tried to go to the new East High website to get some information, and when I clicked on "go to new website" all I saw was the same Microsoft error page I saw last night.
It's one thing for the district to expect us to be patient when school is out, but now that school is in session why the heck is there no current East High website??
Oh, I know--it's because we're getting what the administration thinks we deserve as usual.
Our tax dollars at work??
I have a news flash for all those such as a previous poster who suggested that East Aurora taxpayers are ”…. paying all those exorbitant salaries…” your not! Maybe if you paid your fair share you might have more say over expenditures or be taken more seriously by the school board or administration. The facts are that over 70% of the money in East Aurora comes from outside East Aurora. That reality means that those who provide the funding for our school district call the shots. All of this money comes with various stings attached. You want more say in how things are run, you want more respect, then show that you are a willing partner and provide the resources that are necessary to do the job. This is the lowest taxed district in the area by far. You get what you pay for and when this community wakes up to the fact that it has abdicated the responsibility to pay for education to others than maybe you’ll start to be taken more seriously.
That's what the federal lawsuit over school funding is all about. Illinois relies greatly on local funding for schools which means poorer districts like Aurora East are screwed.
Of course, according to your logic, if Illinois steps up and becomes the primary funding source for all schools, then local communities are going to have little voice in their childrens education.
Again for all of you that say we don't pay our share you can't get more than people have. By no means if someone does not have the right certificates or endoresement should they be getting the salaries that some here are getting.
Also as you state 70% of funding comes from outside Aurora which is the state and federal funding which all of us pay taxes to also. Yes, they have some say but that is the NCLB and all the grants and things.
The point you neglect is that whether the money comes from the local community funds or state funds, all the money started in the local communities. It's like arguing about which pocket I'm going to take my money out of, the left or the right. It all starts out as our money and we should have a say in how that money is used.
How much of that 70% do you really think comes from residents in the this school district. You can't cry poverty on the one hand and then say that all of that money originated locally without saying that by locally you mean outside of East Aurora. Once again if you don't want to help yourself then don't complain when no one takes you seriously.
To another point the more money that comes from outside the district the less local control there will be which will mean even less discreation on how to spend money. As an example for those of you that don't like ESL that is a state mandated and funded program. You couldn't do away with it unless the state changed its policies for the whole state.
Are you honestly saying that if you don't make enough money that you can have no say in your childs education and future? That is ridiculous. The state acts "in loco parentis" in other words acts as a parent when the parent is not physically there. They are not the parent and have no real parental rights. The parents hold the responsibility for their children and that can not be taken away no matter how much money you make.
Who said anything about parents or their rights. What was being discussed is the relationship between taxpayers and school board or adminstration and how the district spends money. Read the post twice next time prior to commenting. How the district spends money on education is becoming increasingly regulated by those that provide the funds. If you want more control provide more funds. If you think individual parents have a say in how the district spends money you obviously haven't been paying attention. Voters might, the state and federal govenment does, and so does the school board and administration. Outside of lawsuits parents have little to no say in how the district spends money.
Oh, yes they do. Remember the parents also pay income and state taxes so the money that comes from them came from us the taxpayers. Yes, we the public no matter where the money comes from has a say how some of that is spent and that is at voting time. While the state and federal has say to NCLB funds and the state grants we all as taxpayers have a right to how we feel that money by this district at least is spending it.
For the person who gave the website for the certs and endoresments I tried Clayton, Beatrice and Nichols names but nothing came up do they use a different name? I was able to look up some and if these are up to date we have some that need to get the right certs and endoresement for there jobs.
I looked up all three by their last name. On the website, you highlight the button "Educator Name" and then type in the last name of the educator you are searching for. You will then recieve a list of every teacher/administrator in the state with that last name. Simply match first name and district.
I searched for all three that you are looking for. Clayton (Kinnard) Muhammad and Nicholas Pinchok have no certifications according to the state. Beatriz's last name is officially Reyes (according to the state). Her administrative certification has expired.
Ok thanks I didn't do it that way.
If the superintendant and the high paid asst. superintdants and administrators had to move into this district that would help out as their tax dollars would be going to where they work and get paid from and their taxes would also increase due to this referendum. After all, with their salaries(remember some are married with working spouses)they are the ones that can really afford the tax increase!
Did anyone else notice that M.Gall's column in the paper now has what appears to be her e-mail address instead of her d131 e-mail address. This is the right way to do it. Thank you to whomever made the decision to do this be it M.Gall or her supervisor. I do want to give credit where credit is due, and it is due on this as it has been addressed on this blog before. This is from one who some on this blog have considered one of the naysayers.
Again, Thank you!!
Morales' salary is over $56,000 per year pre-contract settlement. Whatever the contract settles at she gets the same raise as the unionized secretaries, as does any non-union secretary.
Isn't that nice about Morales? She doesn't have to pay union dues, yet gets the same raise and I bet benefits and probably makes more than all the other secretaries. She should not be in the closed meetings when the contract for secretaries is being discussed. We do have a secretary for the board(Wells)and she should be taking the minutes on the secretaries contract. What is wrong with Wells taking the minutes in closed session all the time? Just what is her job as secretary, or is it just a title?
Has anyone thought about getting organized,then lobbying the Illinois Congress to pass legislation to permit school vouchers? If you want to have control over where your kid(s) get their education and where your tax dollars will do the most good, than school vouchers are what needs to be done. The teacher's unions, administrators and superintendents don't want this to happen (and prevent it through lobbyists). If school vouchers were allowed in Illinois, you, as parents, would be able to take your tax dollars and give them to the school(s) where you want your children to go to. Public schools, their administrators, and the teacher's unions DO NOT want this to happen because they will lose your tax dollars to private schools and the like. A lot of the discussion on this blog seems to be over tax dollars and how they are spent and the helplessness that we all feel. It would take a lot to organize but it could be done. There is strength in numbers and once the grass roots take hold the demand for school vouchers will spread from one school district to another. This being an election year it is something we as constituants can take to our representatives and demand that it get passed.
Are you all aware that the Superintendent, every Assistant Superintendent, every director and all administrators down to the level of DEAN gets a FREE RIDE on the cost of their insurance? Yes that's right! They don't pay for their insurance not one red cent! I just found this out and am horrified!! Here they are again putting another burden on the taxpayer. When will enough be enough?
Let's organized and get those vouchers going. Is anybody in the state doing anything already about this?
This is crap what Lisa makes and the other secretaries make. I better not see Lisa's face in the paper again when the referendum falls since she or her family doesn't live in this district. She is just worried about her salary. People that work for corporations don't make that much. When you figure in the health insurance and sick time and vacation it is way more than that. This needs to stop and just like other state agencies a freeze should be but on and for the unions there pay raises should not be that much. These administrators are not special people and should have to pay for their health insurance just like the state is doing for all there non union members. It is time for this board to start thinking of the children and not these administrators that don't even have the proper certificates and endorsements. I really don't know how they can look at these children in this district and not be ashamed as they take there money to other districts and live the high life when some here don't even have insurance.
It is time to stop this maddness and we can start by the next school board election.
Aw, that's right a free ride for the ones who are paid the most and they are paid for by the ones who make the least. Let's get going folks and do something about it. Now, what happens as we all loose our jobs and cannot find others, and even if there were jobs the illegals would get them because they do not get insurance or have to pay for it(we the taxpayers pay theirs too). Seems the admins and etc. in the school district and the illegals have alot in common.
I received a heads up about the postings here and finally had a chance to catch up.
I also voted no and voiced my opinion about the new superintendents contract. I searced the agenda only to find the issue buried in the personnel report. I am disappointed on how this was handled but unfortunately I am but one vote which rarely appears on the "bits". I have pushed for more transparency and to date have not been successful. I apologize for my inexperience and lack of success. As I have done before though, I will keep fighting the good fight.
Interesting information regarding certification. I "assumed" the personnel department took care of verifying any and all certifications needed. After all, my responsibility as a board member is to oversee, not micromanage.
Lastly, however you feel comfortable voicing your opinion, do it. Anyone who knows me understands how strongly I feel about this and for those who do not I hope to have the opportunity to share face to fact some day. Be prepared, I can be very passionate regarding things I feel strongly about but I can also listen. It is through listening, I believe, that we grow as people. I may not agree with all you say, but I firmly agree you have the right to say them AND be heard. Together WE may just have the perfect answer. I know first hand what can happen when you express your opinion but don't let that stop you. Road blocks may slow you down or sometimes even hurt a little but tomorrow is always a new day and we are given a new opportunity. It is thru the road blocks and pain that I have learned my most important lessons. I hope soon those of you who post here will come forward, in person or written word to us directly and let everyone know how you feel. Look for those opportunities and use them to your advantage.
Dee - I know it is not under your control, but regarding your recent post: I understand (don't agree, but understand) that the voting of the supers contract was buried in the agenda. What about the minutes, AFTER the meeting where it was discussed (and there was discussion) Should that have not been broken out as a separate item? Aren't minutes supposed to be a summary of all that happens at a meeting. I should loosly follow the agenda, but if issues are skipped or new ones talked about, that's what minutes should include. If one were to backtrack via meeting minutes, you would not even know his contract approval occurred.
In todays Beacon there is an article about Batavia Superintendent contract and it seems that they are transparent when it comes to letting people know the superintendents contract.
Board President Ron Link said that some details of Barshinger's compensation package had not been finalized as of Tuesday night's vote.
"We will make that information public as soon as the contract is signed," he promised.
I bet they didn't hide that they where going to vote on it in the committee minutes either.
When reading what Dee wrote, I understood that this was discussed when it came to vote on the personnel committee minutes. When the board voted to accept the minutes of this committee (5for-2against) this is how his contract was accepted. In reading what Dee and Rayann have written here it is my understanding they did speak, but feel it will not make it in the board bits(nothing unusal for what they say not being put in the board bits). I have attended school board meetings in the past and know that normally any committee minutes are just voted on and accepted without any or very little discussion. The budget is a VERY good example. This is how MANY things get past the community without us knowing what is going on. Also, my understanding is that in the personnel committe meeting that they were voting on, Roberts contract DID NOT get mentioned in that meeting at all, so even if the board members did get a copy of the personnel committe meeting, the board members who voted for Roberts contract DID NOT KNOW THE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY WERE VOTING ON!!! The only exception may have been Farum and we all know about her.
Shouldn't the board members read the minutes before they vote on them?
This is from the champion.org.
Students should not be the property of what amounts to public school district "plantations." Public school students deserve emancipation. The greatest resistance to that liberation comes from those with a financial interest in the current system. Kids are "chattel" to the public school establishment, that is, they mean money.
The real solution is to empower parents with the right to send their children to the school of their choice. We're never going to know what the real cost of public education should be, or how good the schools can be academically, until the monopoly is ended and children are free.
School choice will introduce competition and competition will introduce something called "incentives." It's not pro-education to constantly work to avoid any penalty for inferior academic performance or financial inefficiency. And it's not anti-education to demand liberation from the current failed public education monopoly. Only with school choice will we see substantial improvements brought to publicly funded education.
Until then, we'll be subjected to never ending complaints about mean taxpayers not doing their part. We'll also be stuck with Perestroika-like efforts to improve a corrupt, bloated, inefficient, and ineffective system. (If you don't like the use of the word "corrupt," by the way, consider buying and reading this book.)
To learn more about the future of public education (school choice) and the ever-growing national school reform movement, follow the many links available on this website.
I was referring to the committee minutes. Yes, if you are referring to the minutes of the whole school board meeting, in which the committee meetings are voted on, they get a board packet with the whole school board meeting minutes in it so they can read them before they come up for vote at the next school board meeting. I think this is how it works or at least the way I understand it from when I have been to school board meetings.
I would say they might of had an overview of the contract but not the whole thing. Yes, from what I understand also the board gets in their packet the minutes of the committe meetings but if they are anything like the ones we see you know they don't say much. If you look at the agenda they give to people for the meeting like someone said it wasn't bulleted on there they where voting on the contract and it should ofbeen if this board wants to be transparent like other boards.
Take a look at West Board Meeting Minutes they are very good and they even heve the accounts payable on their website.
What is not being understood is that is was put under the Personnel and Policy committee and it was not even discussed in that committee meeting is what is being understood. So if it was never discussed, how would they even be able to read about it in their packet?
I recently was told about this blog from a co-worker at the school in this district where I have worked for over eight years. I could not help myself I felt I had to voice my opinion. Much of what I read is incorrect and seems to fuel anger from people who are determined to take gossip and misinformation and post it publicly. It seems that people only want to broadcast negative information. What about all of the dedicated teachers who do their best everyday? What about all of the kids who excel despite living in a community that just wants to bash them? What kind of a community is this? Now that I know what kind of support this community gives to the schools I am going to update my resume and send it out!!!!!!
To 7:58. I agree. I am not a teacher but I have worked in this district for many years too. I can honestly say that this district is a much better place since Roberts took over. I have seen changes that have been for the better and are meant to make my school a better place for students. It's really hard to work at a school and know that there are people out there who just want to spread rumors. Why don't we change the name of this blog to the National Enquirer.
I am still praying for all of the angry bloggers.
If there's something being said that you know to be untrue, then by all means correct it and provide evidence to the contrary.
I think that most of us who read this blog are skeptical by nature, and have pretty accurate BS detectors. We can handle hearing the truth, even if it's negative--bring it on!
Don't you think that those who post the wrong information should be asked to provide evidence too? Newspapers and news shows have to verify their information before posting. Otherwise they would be no better than this blog.
I pray for you also to see the light. If you keep your head in the sand you will also sink. I was also told of this blog recently and I embrace the the views of the people. Not true I've watched this blog for a while and find that some good things come out of here. How about the teacher that had 30 years and what they said about policy that in the policy it clearly says something different. Nothing has changed in this district but change can come.
We need change in this district. Just like so many other districts that have made them selfs transparent so should we.Lets put all our cards on the table and see where we can go from here. If you believe that roberts is so good then why does he not have an endorsement for superintendent like Marin is. Why does this board hide things. Go out and look at other districts and see how they should really talk to the people..
Yes--the superintendent and administration got really great raises--Lisa Morales got 8%-- you will not find the average secretary in an elementary school who does it all getting this kind of raise.
The board has issued a slap in the face to those who daily work with the parents and children, doing work that the administrators "delegate" to them.
In addition,several of the secretaries are treated cruelly by administration, and when they complain, it is usually made to look as if the administrator is right.
If you want a good school system, you must start cleaning house- starting from the top and removing all administrators and board members who are incompetent.
Then, systems that have been newly created need to be investigated as to the worthiness.
One that could go would be the trips taken--Teachers were sent to LasVegas this past summer--the board of education goes on regular junkets on your dollar.
Those at the top will make sure that they are well taken care of-- Jerome Roberts, Jay Augustine, Christie Aird,Marin Gonzalez to name a few. It pays to brown nose the incompetent board of education.
If someone makes a statement and can't back it up with factual details, I dismiss it as opinion.
And if I have evidence to the contrary, I never hesitate to contradict someone's "facts".
We all need to question and doubt what we hear and read. Whether in print or on the airwaves, there's a lot of misinformation out there. I just appreciate being able to filter it for myself instead of having information withheld or censored.
For this district to be giving these kinds of raises is unacceptaqble when you see how other government agencies are cutting back or giving no rasies at all because of their budget. If the district has found some money then that should go to the children.
How much of a rsise did the teachers get?
The teachers deserve their raises, but the superintendant, asst. superintendants, administrators, deans and certain others do not. Again, they, don't know about the deans, do not live in this district. Also, there should be a hold on the secretaries and maintenance raises. For the maintenance-they should not be reimbursed for gas they use when they use their own vehicles. Why are they using their own when the district has vehicles available for them to use?
Please remember the teachers buy things for the class room out of their own pockets because this district says they do not have the money to get what they need.
Here's another example of D131 administration giving us what they think we deserve. I wanted to ask my son's PE teacher a question and find out about waiver policies, so I went to the East High website. Nothing available there (for at least the third week in a row)--not even the courtesy of a link I could click on.
So I went to the district website and clicked on "High Schools", then on "New Website". Up came a completely useless page with a list of links such as, "Faculty and Staff', "Teacher Webpages", and "School News". Clicking on these resulted in absolutely nothing (either a blank page or "pardon our dust").
I can understand the district asking us to be patient as the website is being "improved", but they've had over three months to work on it. Now school has started and parents deserve to have access to this information instead of relying on their 15-year-old or trying to guess school policies.
Just one more reason to vote "no".
I was asking about the teachers because I wanted to know if they could the same amount for their raises not to say they don't desevere them.
Try looking on the districts website at their policies. I would not know which policy to look under but you might find what you want to know there. Can't hurt to try. Then email the board members and keep a copy for yourself. Do not just email Farum as she does not share with the othe board members if she does not want to. You have to keep pursing, as she will just ignore you if you do not.
TO:August 29, 2008 11:31
I agree the website is still lacking. I was so excited ONE year ago when they decided to update. It should be the first place to go for information. I am very disappointed.
Anyway, if you need to contact a teacher at East they all have email which is their first initial and their last name at D131.org, IE- jsmith@d131.org. I have always had good luck with them answering the same day because most of them check their email during their lunch or break times.
Just FYI, I have added a new link for school info.
On the right hand side of the blog page see:
National Center for Educational Achievement (NCEA)
From the Beacon today.
School funding inequity? Take a close look
September 2, 2008Recommend (4)
Talk of attempting to enroll Chicago Public School students in New Trier High School due to some perceived racial and funding injustice is infuriating.
School districts that take in enough property taxes to support themselves receive the bulk of their funding from local real estate taxes. Districts that are property poor or have low school tax rates get a large percentage of their funding from state and federal tax sources.
Districts have some local control by holding referendums, allowing the residents to decide whether to increase their property tax rates to support additional buildings, staff salaries and, occasionally, other services like school buses.
For a variety of reasons, residents make choices to build or not build new schools, to provide buses or not, and whether or not to pay more taxes for additional staff and raises. These decisions should not be made at the state level. The taxpayers in the New Trier district have, within their rights, made the choice to spend a tremendous amount of money per student on their children's education.
My children and thousands of others are receiving an excellent education in the Indian Prairie School District. Our district spends about $8,600 per student, about half of what New Trier spends. This is not an apples-to-apples comparison because the New Trier district includes only high school students, who are more expensive to educate than elementary students. But even if it were, it turns out that kids can be provided a top-notch education for $8,600 per year.
There is no injustice being done to our children. We don't need or deserve a $17,000-per-student education just because residents of another district fund at that level.
Then there is Chicago. People complain bitterly their schools are funded at only $10,400 per student. I don't understand the problem. CPS has more money per student than the average for the state of Illinois ($9,488), and if they can't manage to properly educate their students with that level of funding, then they should look into what the real problems are rather than looking at some perceived financial injustice. Is someone looking into whether those dollars are being spent wisely? Is CPS distributing funds equitably? What accounts for variance in student performance from one of their own schools to another?
Even worse, a large amount of the funding for CPS doesn't come from local property taxes. This means that Indian Prairie residents who pay high property taxes for our local schools also get to pay (via income and sales taxes) for Chicago and other districts that can't support themselves through their own property taxes.
I highly doubt it is money spent by the schools that accounts for the difference in success of students between one school district and another. More likely it has to do with the home life of the students, including the support that parents and community members put forth toward their education.
Most parents of successful students make sure their children go to school every day and have the necessary resources and supplies. They know what's going on at the school and in their children's classes. They have met the teachers. They show up at school activities. Why are test scores for Chicago students low while the schools are funded at levels higher than higher-performing districts? This is what should be examined.
I hope a district as large as Chicago's is using some of its vast resources to fund an excellent curriculum tailored to the needs of its students, many of whom live in poverty and might not arrive at kindergarten as prepared to learn as children who have been exposed to colors, number, letters, books and rich language from an early age.
Much more than I can write here can be learned about schools and districts in Illinois from reading the school report cards. The latest numbers show property value per student in the CPS and Indian Prairie is almost the same! Yet at that time our tax rate per $100 of equalized assessed value was 5.00 while Chicago's was only 3.28. Indian Prairie's schools are more than 80 percent funded by local property taxes. New Trier is almost 90 percent funded by local property taxes, while the Chicago schools receive just 44 percent of their funding from local taxes! What right do they have to complain while they keep their school taxes lower and drain money from other sources?
Every proposition for school-funding reform I have seen shows it will cost more money for residents of districts that are self-sufficient now, while sending more of that money out of the district. A tax swap of slightly lower property taxes for greatly increased income taxes leaves many of us paying a lot more money without our districts receiving any benefit for it. I don't know what the answer is, but I pray this is not what eventually happens.
There are many factors that contribute to whether a child will reach their potential in school. All children deserve a quality education and the level of funding does not seem to be what makes the difference in a student's success. I wish that those who are complaining about the inequity of it all would put their energy into volunteering at their neighborhood schools and ensuring that their own children take advantage of the free public education that is available to them.
he won't move into the district. wifey wanted a pool so he had an in-ground pool installed with landscaping and outdoor kitchen, not to shabby for a guy running a poor school district
I agree, money is not the answer to all problems but it certainly helps with many. The current funding system has definately created great disparities in the funding from one district to another as well as a great disparity in the amount of taxes each of us pays.
Education is the greatest expense that a state has, yet Illinois is ranked 49th in education spending. Our taxes are as high or higher than any state in the union and yet the money doesn't get to the children. The real question should be, where is all our money going?
Although IL is lacking in school funding from the state I think we have moved up from 49th that was the number for 2004 I believe. We can throw money at the schools all we want but until the parents in some of these districts let there children know how important it is to go to school you can throw all the money you want at them and it will make no difference. When parents can get these kids some of the clothes they get there kids and the expensive shoes and video games and cell phones for there kids and not spend the money on education and make sure they know it is important than we will never get anywhere. I don't mean that they need to pass a referendum either they need to make sure there kids get to school do there homework and be respectful of the teachers.
1:10 p.m. asks where all the money is going.
It's obvious to me, hundreds of thousands of dollars are being skimmed right off the top and given to administrators (not only Dr. Roberts, but for serial bully Radakovich's pension).
Too bad the people paying all those $ are wising up and realizing that it's not going for the children, because in the end it's the kids who have to do without.
I wonder how certain overpaid administrators can look themselves in the mirror each morning, knowing they are partly responsible for the messes here in District 131?
Does Roberts drive his Porsche to school with rose colored glasses on?
I find it interesting that people believe that the lowest paid employees in this district do not deserve even a modest cost of living increase. Secretaries and custodians are the heart and soul of this district, they for the most part are residents of the district so in a sense they pay their own salaries. Without secretaries and custodians our schools would not be ready for our students to use. As for the maintenance people using their own vehicles, the district does not own enough vehicles for them to use, and it is more cost effective for them to be paid for their mileage. They bare the costs of vehicle upkeep, vehicle license plates and they pay their own insurance. Why the administration has felt it necessary to give themselves excessive pay raises while expecting the lowest paid to bare the cost of high insurance rates that do not affect them I do not know. The board should stop business as usual and actually look into why this district will not be voting for a tax increase anytime soon. Their example of transparency is the way that Dr. Roberts contract increase was passed. When the community feels that their money is being spent properly then maybe that referendum will pass.
Lisa Morales and one of Jay Augustines secretaries were given 8% and 6% raises which was not given to any other secretary in the district covered by the contract or not. They were both given the total benefit of the contract which included $160.00 a year as well as the additional raise.
The board had to approve these raises, why are these two secretaries deserving but the rest are all overpaid? The board should be ashamed of its self.
Well first we need to know what they are being paid before anyone can comment on that. I have heard that some custodians make pretty good money so until we can see what they make no comment can be made. While I believe a secretary at a school probably isn't paid as much as the over paid service center people again we would have to see and this district unlike others are not so transparent about that. As for people that have to use their own cars why are they any different than some others that have to use them for their jobs and take it off on their income taxes which they can if it is for business use. I wonder how many get money from the district and still take off that as an deduction on their taxes.
So first before anyone can make a decision on what you say we need to know how much they make. I bet if we knew all about who makes what we would see that some teachers make less than some of these because they have been with the district longer and when you get down to it the teachers make the district by teaching our children. I will say that some teachers make more than they should.
So lets see what the district pays these employees and then we can make the decision.
Whether you have to use you own car for business or for your own use you need license plates so that is not an issue. From what I hear most of the stuff that is done at the school is contracted out anyway so maybe they should look at getting rid of the custodians.
The article in the Beacon this week showed that the East Side receives more per pupil than the West Side. The East Side pays their teachers significantly less than the West Side. The classrooms are not supplied as well as the West Side as is evidenced by aging textbooks and lack of materials. The question remains, where is the money going? Can it all be going to the uncertified administrators at Central Office?
Yes, that does make one wonder and if you read the report cards most districts administration costs run around 3% while the east side runs around 10%. Now some say our districts groups differently in that area I think again they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Also if they do list differently than they need to do it the way other districts do and be more transparent.
No matter how this district lists it, it still will not explain why we get more and are in the mess we are in. It doesn't explain why our students have such outdated text books, why out teachers do not have the materials they need to teach, but most of all it does not explain why our superintendant, asst. superintendants, admins., asst. admins., certain secretaries, maintenance, make the money they do. No matter what they say, we should not be in the position we are in.
If you mean that they receive more from the state than the west side that is because the west side pays gets more from property taxes so the state doesn't give them as much. If you look at the whole picture the west side has more money in their budget that we do so that is why they can pay their teachers more.
Does this district misuse the money yes but we have less money than most of the districts around us.
Has anyone else read the districts website? Looks like it is up and running. There is a post about the referendum and why it should pass. It states what will have to be cut if the referendum does not pass and none of it includes superintendant salary and annuity, asst. superintendants, administrators or asst. administrators. Nor does it state that any of the above might have to go. BUT it does state about the students, some teachers might have to be let go, etc. Until I see that this school board(except for 2 of them)does their job and quits letting Roberts and certain others run the show they will not get a yes from me. Until this school board(except for 2)starts being transparent, getting the correct information out and quits twisting the truth out to the community they will not get a yes from me. Until Roberts moves to D131 where he get his exorbant salary form, they will not get a yes from me. I believe why the referendum should not pass should be given equal time on the website also. If the school district uses the students like they did last year to go around and talk to people to pass the referendum, they will not get a yes from me.
Yeah, they are going to put no information on their website. Just like Obama should put why you should vote for McCain on his website right.
If you want a no website, go out on the internet and find a free service where you can make one, there are only about 1,000. You probably won't do that though because you are too busy with this blog
Speaking of the website, it is now the THIRD week of school at East High and there is very little information available to the taxpaying public on the "new, improved" website.
I clicked on "School News" and saw a blank page. I clicked on "Calendar" and saw a September calendar that listed the Open House on Sept. 25 and nothing else (really?? there are no sports events, meetings, or fund-raisers in this entire month at East High?) I clicked on "About Our School" and saw no information. I clicked on "Teacher Web Pages" and it said "no teachers found".
Oh, but we CAN get all the information/propaganda we want about why the district thinks we should support the referendum.
Again, this is the THIRD week of school. Long past time for basic information to be available to the public.
But, of course, this must be what the administration & old-guard School Board thinks we deserve!
There was an article in the Becaon yesturday that talked about the new website and how great it was what a hoot. Again it is the PR person trying to make it look like they've done a great job but only for their advantage.
The district website should give equal time to the other information that is out there about this referendum. It is our money that pays for this blog. If not given or offered, it only goes to show that Roberts and certain school board members still are not doing the right thing. Heck with only info about the referendum and not all the other things that should be on there, well, again it shows were roberts and certain school board members stand. BTW I believe that what you have read on the referendum will be past out at the schools this week. Be ready for this.
The only reason that it was in the paper was to get everyone to go to the website so they could read about the referendum. If this is not the case, then why isn't everything on it that should be, especially about the school functions since parents have been asking about it? Tsk, tsk, this will not sit well with the community. Gotta give Roberts, Farum and Clayton E for effort, though!
For a district that needs money I think it is a little irresponsable to give administration and the service center and cusdions the kind of raises they got.
Anyone else notice on the districts website under In The News that the one on the referendum is in bigger type than the rest of what is on there?
You obviously don't get it. So Listen:
THEY ARE TRYING TO PASS A REFERENDUM!!
Yes, I did get it. That is why I posted that so see if anyone else did.
In the paper today it tells about how well the Magnet School is doing. I looked on the districts website and could find nothing on this. If Farum is so glad about how well this is going, then why is nothing on the website? JUST WHERE HAS THE MONEY COME FOR THIS MAGNET SCHOOL? Out text books for regular classes are outdated, where did the books come from for these classes? How many teachers have been taken away from regular classes for this? If they are stating they might have to cut teachers if this referendum does not pass, how can they have the audacity to start this magnet school? Will that be the first thing to go when the referendum does not pass? I think not. That would mean the regular classroom teachers would be cut for this, sports, clubs, etc. How many of this community know that roberts contract was not up till next spring? Why the rush? NO-NONE-TRANSPARACY WHAT SO EVER! It is time for this superintendant, Farum and certain school board members to quit sweeping things under the rug. We, the community, know who is sweeping the dirt where!
When I drove by East High this morning, there were 2 fire trucks, 4 fire department vehicles, and at least 4 Aurora police cars there.
Anybody know what was going on?
Who was at the football game agaist Yorkville on Friday? Apparently there was a great melee at the end of the game. The running back fumbled the ball and some of the East players began fighting amongst themselves. The next thing you know, parents and others came out of the stands on the field and joined in the riot. The Yorkville police had arrest a bunch of people. The Yorkville fans sat in the stands and simply cheered each time they put someone from the East Side into the paddy wagon. There were adults and children arrested.
And we wonder why the East Side of Aurora has the reputation that it has?
All of the police and fire were at east because today there was a Secure the Building Drill. They were there to do a check of the school to make sure that the building was secured properly during the drill.
Today's article in the Beacon is now on the districts website. Be aware that the school board does get these press releases in advance and they should have posted this when they got it. How nice about the fact that they might ask approval to include more grades in Nov. To bad Roberts did not do this the first time around. He did this on his own with no approval from the school board. As stated in another post, WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM FOR THIS? Another question comes to mind-Why did not teachers get together and try to get a curriculum together to get the attention of the regular students?
Where are these classes being held Does this take away class rooms for regular students-are they doubling up on classes for regular students and are teachers for regular classes having to do double the work for this Magnet school to be taught? How can they use the information for regular classes to get a referendum(teachers will have to be cut,etc.)when this magnet school is being done. Notice nothing is mentioned about the ablishment of the magnet school in the referendum information. Does this mean only the magnet school students will get the education they need without any cuts?
Aug. 25 9:02 - Sorry, I have to comment. This person was looking up administration on the isbe site as was shocked the Clayton and Nick Pinchok were not certified.... WAHT a shocker! Hello..... they do not and never have had TEACHER jobs. Clayton is PR (public relations) like any other business.... no you do not have to have certification as a teacher to do this job... anywhere at any time. Nick Pinchok... as you stated yourself handles assessment data. he is a data guy.... not an educator and his previous employer was SCANTRON (HUGE data company just so you know) which makes him qualified to keep our data. You do not have to be a teacher to have a job working in a school district. Your ignorance is really showing.
Ok for this statement you never saw Claytons bio because it stated that he was a teacher at Waldo I do believe and that all the kids wanted to be in his class. It is now off the website. I don't know about the other guy.
You have to be careful of the website of the state. It is only for the current year. I did contact ISBE about some of this and it can be misleading so if you have questions contact them and they can give you answers I did.
So when people post on here take the time to investigate yourself to see if it is right or wrong. But it is the truth that Clayton was a teacher it is just a shame that they took that off the old website. More lies from this group.
Raised by a single mother in the Southwind Housing Complex on the south side of Aurora, Clayton Muhammad grew up in East Aurora School District 131. After attending Dieterich Elementary School and Waldo Middle School, Clayton graduated from East Aurora High School in 1993 with a 3.9GPA and a class rank of 7/364. While attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Clayton changed his major from Veterinary Medicine to Elementary Education and began his career path in education.
Each year while he was a teacher at Waldo Middle School, Clayton received numerous requests from parents who sought to place their children in his class. He was quickly recognized as a highly effective and influential teacher and was awarded the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award during his first year. After only three years, Clayton decided to continue his career dream and accepted the position as Director of the Aurora Middle School Academy, owned and operated by the Quad County Urban League. Thanks to a dedicated staff, within his first year, the Aurora Middle School Academy grew in quantity and quality. Recognizing his worth, the Quad County Urban League Board of Directors appointed him as the first Vice-President in the Urban League’s nearly 30-year history.
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 look you will find on the old website.
Even if these people are not teachers we need to be very careful of who is around our children. Even if they where never a teacher the ones that take jobs in our district should be looked into and make sure they should be around our children. If you have any concerns contact ISBE they have some people that answer that have an attitude but keep trying you will get someone that will help you.
Nick Pinchok... as you stated yourself handles assessment data. he is a data guy.... not an educator and his previous employer was SCANTRON (HUGE data company just so you know) which makes him qualified to keep our data. You do not have to be a teacher to have
I don't know this guy but does he have the right to be around our children? Don't give this statement unless you know. He might be the best guy in town and be a really good guy but if we don't know the whole facts don't say this. I don't mean anything by this for him but think before you speak because as you can see Clayton was a teacher and maybe this guy doesn't need to be grouped with him.
While attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Clayton changed his major from Veterinary Medicine to Elementary Education and began his career path in education.
Clayton has a plan for himself and he will use any means to get to where he wants to go and that means stepping over the children in this district to make a name for himself. When he wants to be for all the children in this district I will listen to him. When he wants to make sure all the children in this district have a good education I will listen. When this board of education makes sure all the children in this district get a good education I will listen until then I won't. This includes roberts too. Which children do they really want to help?
All this is interesting. What other lies will they tell the people working for the referendum. When will this district really be transparent like the state requires? Lets see all the salaries of everyone that works in this district. How many custodians does this district really need. Take a look at how many they have. Why do we not like other districts contract these out. Even the cleaning people. Why in the summer time do we have so many contractors coming in to fix the schools? Before they tell us they have to lay off teachers don't you think they need to cut the fat before they do that? Teachers should come first. Magent schools second. These magnet schools are just a way to make us think that they are doing something good in the district but shouldn't we make sure our Ell students are learning before we start anything else. Shouldn't we teach all our children first. I do believe that kids that excel should have their time but shouldn't we make sure first that all the children in the district have the right to learn.
They can cut back in many ways. Why all the maintanace when they outsource alot? Why was Roberts contract pushed through so fast? There was no need for this, and just when does his contract go into effect? If it does before it was due, we are being hit with putting out more money and annumity way to soon! That is double dipping in my book. If this contract goes in effect next year, as it should the school board has enought time to look for someone who will be for the students and not his pocketbook. It is quite apparent that the school board(except two)did nothing to even try to find someone else. They do read this blog, notice that Ms.Gall is now using her own email address as should be. This referendum will only go, as usual, to overpay the superintendant and administration. Wonder if they have another 20 million hidden from us like everyone found out the last time they tried to get a referendum to pass. This school board had better know this, some of us in this community are like elephants and we do not forget. I look forward to the election in the spring when the old school board members and the newly instated ones(one being someone who was not voted back in last election) is voted out and Roberts and Farum are left with new ones who will make them tow the line.
People have a problem when uncertified, unqualified individuals like Clayton and Nick are presented as administrators and provide direction to administrtors and teachers. Their actions do affect the children of this district. Any individual who has an influence on this districts children should have the proper qualifications. Kissing the superintendent's behind is not a qualification.
The above statement could also be said about Farum. This is not a qualification being school board president.
Forgot to put in the word for between qualification and being in statement above.
If Clayton is a PR person what is he doing given directions to administrators and teachers. If this is so then he needs to have another title because no way should a PR person be doing this and then yes he should have the certificates to do it. I've often wondered why he was doing some of the things he was at the school. This is a reflection of the school board not knowing what is going on or just not knowing what a PR person job is.
I can't comment about the other one because I haven't noticed him out there like Clayton.
Nick Pinchok... as you stated yourself handles assessment data. he is a data guy.... not an educator and his previous employer was SCANTRON (HUGE data company just so you know) which makes him qualified to keep our data.
So this person that was employed by a huge data company comes to a district that doesn't have much money to pay teachers gets a job here. I wonder how much this district said they would pay him because if it was such a HUGE company they must of payed him pretty good so why would he leave that job to come to a district with less money to pay people than most. You need to be careful what you say on here because some will look into things to see why someone would leave a good job like that. If he is really such a good person why do you put this burden on him.
Ok maybe he did come from a Huge company. Is this the company?
Overview
Scantron provides assessment and survey solutions for the rapid, accurate and reliable capture of student performance data at the classroom, school, and district level.
The K-12 software assessment solution helps educators meet NCLB requirements and raise the level of student achievement through a unique combination of computer-adaptive diagnostic testing and standards-based formative assessment using one online platform. Scantron's solution combines a research-based, content-rich computer adaptive test known as Performance Series and a content-neutral, highly flexible assessment product known as Achievement Series that educators use to develop and administer online and paper-based tests and receive immediate results.
Achievement Series can also be combined with Scantron's ES and Clarity line of scanners, world-class forms, printing and scoring services, and custom content development for a complete end-to-end solution.
For a non-software based alternative, Scantron's Test Scoring Machine, combined with Scantron Genuine Forms, offers an easy-to-use classroom or school-based testing solution. Test Scoring Machines are available at no charge through the Scantron Loan Program.
From further reading they help with NCLB. So maybe this will help or not. My question is will it help with the ELL because until we solve this problem we will still be where we were at before.
There was an article about the new student representative to the school board in the Beacon today. They mentioned several organizations that he is a part of and Clayton himself was quoted saying he is a leader in the student community.
Clayton and the Beacon neglected to mention that Roberto Saenz is the vice president in the Illegal Boys II Men Fraternity. That means we continue with every student member to the East Aurora School Board having been a Boys II Men Fraternity Officer. But we are supposed to believe that Clayton is just a PR person with no influence on the decision making policies of the district and therefore needs no certifications or qualifications for his position.
These administrators are only fooling themselves if they think we in the community don't see the corruption at the central office and board level and are just going to open our wallets for their greed. Clean up the central office or no deal on any referendum.
You guys are ridiculous and seem to have absolutely nothing better to do than to bash students, student leadership, and the opportunity for our young students to strive to better themsleves and their community. Shame on you!
11:12, shame on YOU for bashing those who dare to speak the truth, positive or negative.
If young Mr. Saenz is proud of his leadership in Boys II Men, why wasn't it mentioned in the glowing Beacon-News article?
Could it be that the district is so desperate for positive publicity that they gloss over any hint of controversial facts?
Like the article about the district's new website--what a joke! Just try to get basic information about what's going on at East High with your kid's PE class policies, upcoming meetings, or handouts that USED to be available to parents with the click of a mouse. Sure, the website provides teacher e-mails--but with 5 or 6 different teachers to deal with, that's unacceptable. Yet the Beacon article raves about the "new improved" website.
Just another example of certain administrators & School Board members giving us what they think we deserve.
Have to give whomever credit for taking off the referendum info. Guess they figured out it was hurting them having it posted on the website. They do pay attention to what is posted here. Now the question is, was this letter passed out at the schools to send home to parents?
As for the student school board member, all this community wants is honesty, not the students fault, it is whomever gave the info to the Beacon.
this is a slap in the face to other students who might have been qualified. This boys 2 men thing is getting out of hand. Clayton does need to step back and what is wrong with this board. You are right about the illegal part of it. Just because this board decided to say boys 2 men where ok doesn't mean the rest of us are not smart enough to know it is illegal.
Marin Gonzlaes stated at the school board meeting that had the boys2men there that is was not legal. It was against policy. If there are any doubts about this, remember these meetings are recorded. Again Roberts, Farum, certain members of the board and Clayton not being transparent, adhering to policy and just plain doing what they want. It is definitly not fair to this young man either, putting him in this position and to anyone else who might have been eligable to do this be they male or female.
All high school fraternities are against the law and just because the administration in this district wants to whitewash it doesn't change that fact.
This is just one more example of why high school fraternities are illegal. Secret societies have always been a nusiance and often times dangerous.
The fact that this one is run by Clayton just makes the possibility for corruption that much greater.
The board coming out supporting an illegal group such as this one is, shows just how controlled they are by this administration. They are supposed to be there to monitor and curb such activities.
Yes and since Clayton has publicly stated that this illegal group is only for black and hispanic students, I guess other racial groups will never have a student voice on this school board. I guess it's just too bad if you are of another ethnic race like white or asian, etc.
This is just another example of how Clayton's dicrimination has tainted this district and town.
It makes you wonder if someone else started something like this they would react the same way. I bet not.
This is a form a prejudice and needs to be stopped.
Remember next April when we vote for school board members who is on the board now that you do not want back on. This is how we get a hand on the situtations we do not like.
Good ploy on the districts part for their new posting on In The New on the website. Ya gotta give them cudo's on how they are trying to get this referendum to pass. Notice the date when this article was in the Beacon and it was posted on the website today?
I just noticed that it was posted yesterday, but did not see it when I read the website yesterday.
I just looked and I don't see it under the In The News.
I am new to this Blog and have found it quite interesting. I am also one of the 9 Maintenance Mechanics that are required by Contract to provide my own Tools, and Properly Insured Vehicle for In-District Travel. I know that the comments made in reference to the Gas Reimbursements were made because all information is not known about our Maintenance Department. There are only 9 Skilled Trades people currently employed, All of which hold Certification and Licensing in a Trade such as Electrician, Carpenter, Plumber/Pipefitter, HVAC (Heating/Cooling). We all would love to park our own vehicles and use District Vehicles to haul District Owned Equipment and Tools around and would gladly surrender our stipends if that were the case. However, the administration is not willing to provide properly stocked Service Vehicles for our daily use. I understand that the cost is much less if we are required to supply the Vehicles, Tools, and Equipment and then seek reimbursement for a fraction of the actual cost. If we simply traveled around the District changing a few light bulbs as our counterparts in other Districts, this might be feasible. We are paid below trade scale by more than $10.00 hr. and are required to furnish tools. Contractors in the Private Sector are paid much more, and are supplied with a properly outfitted vehicle that they take home at night. They, like us are on call 24/7. The real fact is that we are providing the same level of service as that contractor, same Certifications and Licensing, and subsidizing the cost of Fuel, Insurance and Maintenance of a Vehicle. The District is actually doing a very wise and cost effective thing by employing their own Tradesmen rather than hiring outside contractors for most of the Mechanical/Electrical work needed to maintain the Infrastructure of an aging District. Commercial labor is billed out in the range of $105.00 - $180.00 per hour for the work that we are providing for $27.00 per hour. In addition a contractor increases by approximately 30 to 40% the cost of material to the customer. We can purchase that material for the same or in some cases less than what a Contractor pays from his source. There are reports of various Contractors that once did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of business with D131 calling and asking our Department Leaders why they have not seen the business that they once did. They are told that “We have our own Electricians, HVAC Techs, etc, and don’t have the need of outside service that we once did.” From time to time outside contracting is still needed, but those occasions are becoming less frequent as over time the Maintenance Mechanic portion of the Building & Grounds Department has evolved into a group of Dedicated, Skilled Tradesmen, equipped to provide an atmosphere for our Students to achieve their Academic Goals.
Most the the people who pay taxes in this district would to be glad to make half of what you say you make. I am sure many of them would love to have your job at what you are being paid with no complaints. I a sure this district pays for your medical and other things, which would make your per hour even higher. Many in this district do not have medical insurance or have to pay for it theirselves. NO raise and contracting out sounds good to me as we know this district does contract out for many things so we the taxpayers are double paying. Hopefully at least all of the maintenance people live in this district so your tax dollars go to the district where you work and want more from.
The posting is Local Schools Feel Lack of Funding Fairness.
I am not sure that I follow exactly what you meant by "NO raise and contracting out sounds good to me" the point I was attempting to make is that it costs more to contract out the work that we do ourselves. While this may not hold true in other areas, it certainly has been proven as far as Mechanical work that must be done by Licensed, Certified individuals. Most of our Mechanics do live within the District. The type of work that I am talking about requires Specialized Training, and Licensing required by the State of Illinois. I assure you that our benefit package is not paid for in full by D131. I believe your frustrations are genuine, yet miss-directed. The issues that have brought the District to their current financial state are not due to 9 Mechanics being paid a fair wage for their Trade. In fact, I would say that by doing the work for the wage we are paid, including benefits, is helping to make more money availible for Education. In its simplest; We are Cheaper than the alternative.
It sounds to me like some people are just upset that they do not work for the district. The non-administrative people in the district do pay for their insurance. They do not make even close to what they could be making in other districts. And many remain due to the children. I do not think it matters where they live, the fact remains that they work here. I am sure many East Aurora residents are not employed in east Aurora so I do not understand the constant questioning and remarks about district employee benefits and where they reside. There are many districts with better benefits than here. Matter of fact.... I can't think of any district worse than here.
Teacher salaries need to be increased if we want to retain quality teachers. This district is falling way behind the neighboring districts in teacher salaries and soon only those unable to get jobs elsewhere will be left. Our children deserve a quality education with the best possible teachers. If the school board is horrible don't re-elect them, but do not sacrifice our children's education to make a point. Our children will not be able to get a quality education if only the drudges of the teaching profession are left to teach them. The differences between our district and others is getting to the point that it is almost impossible for the quality teachers to ignore. Many are very dedicated and stay here for our children, but for how long do you think they will make that sacrifice? Would you change jobs if it meant roughly a $5,000 - $10,000 raise for you? I'm sure most of you would. That is what our teachers are looking at. They know they are getting shorted on pay and there is only so long you can expect someone to hold out on principle and enjoying our kids. I have read some of this blog site and realize some of you do not want to pass the referendum because of the administration, but some of the money does go to increase teacher pay. I think our teachers work hard and deserve to be paid for their hard work.
In this changing world some make more than others. In the business world there are times when things are going good and the pay is high. But now a days I have seen where many trades people are out of jobs. Yes, some make above average wages but they work for a large company that has a lot of business. The when times get rough like it is now they get a cut in wages or even laid of which is the case these days.
Again we are not like other districts they have higher priced homes than use and make much more per year that us. Also, so many around us have a lot of commercial property, business and entertainment areas that bring them more money. Why don't people that want the referendum go to the city and asked to bring in more development to bring in more revenue. You can't expect the home owners to carry this burden all by them selfs. With all the foreclosures and things things how much more do you think people can give. This is a changing world and this district needs to change too.
Should teachers be paid more in the district yes they should be paid for performance not because they have tenure. If you look around you will see a movement that is trying to get teachers salaries in control even in the higher paying districts. It is a slow movement but it is growing.
If school districts are not going to group them selfs in with business which they say they aren't them they shouldn't group employees with business employees in how much they are paid because when business start losing money one of the first things they do is lay off people then cut back on cost because they don't have the tax payers to go to for a referendum. Now the district is threating these things and even teachers but I don't see anything about our non support staff of the district.
The type of work that I am talking about requires Specialized Training, and Licensing required by the State of Illinois. Most employers require this and probably the state started this because at one time this wasn't the case. Where I work they require this too and I don't work for a school district and yes they did bring contractors in to save money. We supply the materials for them to use they are just contracted to work for the business and do the work which indeed saves them money. One such firm is JCI in this area.
With all this in the news about CPS and them wanting more money if you listen they pay more per child than we do and still have problems. There children don't even pay school fees. Plus they have charter schools and acadmeys and not magnet schools. So really as so many say it is not always about the money you through we need a little more parent involvement.
For the maintenance staff our company brought in a company called JMAC to do that work which they are certified and JMAC did hire the people that where all ready doing the job but they worked for them instead of our company and it was a savings for the company. So don't say it can't be done it's just that this district really doesn't want to try to stream line the things. We are still doing the same things it did 20 years ago and it's time to change things like others have done.
I believe the teachers should be the first to see raises, if this district can afford to offer pay increases. Then I feel our maintenance staff should be given what they need. We have many who for years have taken care of our schools and the families and staff when needed, as if they were taking care of family.
The school board seems to take care of all those at the SSC first.
I say we should clean house on the Eastside starting from the top.
Hire people who have the ability to make a difference.
Then do away with all secretaries jobs at the SCC. Manpower has been in business in the area for years, along with many other contract agencies. I am sure they have bilingual candidates to fill the bill as administrative secretaries.
Those small unions have no power and no place in our district.
When their contract comes up, again, I say cut benefits or no contract. It is not going to hurt the education of our students. Keeping our teachers should be top priority.
You have some good points 9/13/08 but still no one has said what the maintenance people are making so it is really hard to say if they are given a fair deal. I believe many people that work for the district has done good there but it is their choice to stay.
As far as the SSC Manpower is a good idea but you still need some employed by the district and I mean ones that are for the good of the district to lead contract workers.
I still say it is irresponsible to give the superintendent the raise he got and probably the most of the administration. Yes, we do need to put most of that towards teachers but there has to be a limit because you can't give more than you take in. I read that Washington State paid all their teachers on a scale from the state and they probably have a different system then that but this sounds like a good idea then all children can have the right to a good education.
OMG, I have got to stop reading this rag of a blog. You all deserve each other and the low achieving district you all live in. I'll tell you all one thing, the apple doesn't fall fare from the tree.
I'm surprised I haven't heard someone suggest blowing up the whole district and starting over. That's how ignorant and totally useless this blog is. I thought it wasn't that long ago that I read some things that had some relevance and a hint intelligence about them. If I had, those people must be gone because what I've read the past couple weeks has been hateful, hurtful and racist. It's amazing what people will say about others when they know there identity will never be revealed.
Not only are you all hurtful, hateful and racist, you all think it's all about YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
News flash "ITS NOT ABOUT YOU"
or the money you think you pay for your students education. There are some very good things happening in your district but you all are so filled with hate in your heart that you couldn't see it if it hit you in the head.
If you truly believe that if you take over the board it would make things better, then you are delusional. This is where it would really get scary for the children of the district. You have some very dedicated administrators, teachers, support staff, secretaries, and maintenance in this district. These very dedicated personnel would start an exodus like you have never seen if the people in this blog got there way. Please let me tell you to be careful what you wish for. Dist.131 is already a training ground for every other district in the area.
The District hires a lot of new employees every year and they are lucky if they can keep a third of them. This includes all levels throughout the district. If the people in this blog get their way then It would cause irreparable harm very similar to the exodus of the middle class in the middle 80's when Junior High sports were cut. Those families read the writing on the wall and the district never recovered from that mess.
So if you all really care about this district like you say; then you need to support and assist the district in its efforts to improve student achievement. Get behind your administrators and staff and ask what you can do to help. Service to your community and country is something I would hope each and every one of you would be willing to do. It's a lot more productive than anything I've read in this blog.
To 9/14 @ 1:50AM
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and now we know yours. Still will not get my vote for the referendum. Also noticed you posted under the same name as everyone does.
So I take it you don't live in this district and you can have your own opinion. I have lived in this district a long time and seen things in better days and the bad days. I for one see things improving a little so if you are not from this district keep to yourself. If you think the middle class moved because there children wouldn't be able to play sports you don't have a clue. The movement started back in the 80's where the middle class did move from the district because they started making more money and could afford to move up to a expensive home because our property values went up and they made a lot more selling their home than they paid. I say a lot of my neighbors move and that is what they said the reason was. Some at that time didn't like the direction Aurora was going. Then we watched as many of the factories that where in the district leave which took quite a bite out of the money we received and we still haven't recovered from that.
As far as these administrator, teachers or others that would leave because of new school board members then so be it they where in it for them selfs instead of the children. I look forward to some new members so our district can be run by members who run the district by the school code and not make up there own rules. I don't know what you mean about the district being a training ground for other district unless if you mean for what not to do.
Most of us are working citizens that maybe can't help out at schools. But you sure see a lot of parents dropping off and picking up their children who probably don't work and they are not helping out even for their own children. Again unless we can get some more support from other areas I don't know if we can pay teachers anymore but really I think most of us has stated we wish they could. But if that is the way it has to be for awhile that they come and stay only a few years then that is the way it has to be.
If you drive around the district you will see every day the homes up for sale and it isn't because people are leaving it is because their homes are in foreclosures. There are many websites you can look at to see this. You can't get revenue from empty homes. We are in for a rough time and we need leadership to make adjustments as needed.
There have been a lot of "productive" comments and suggestions on this and other blogs, and at district meetings.
Some people are determined to do things their way, even when the results do not change.
The reason many teachers leave the district, has nothing to do with being a training ground, it has to do with inept administation, not all, but enough, who make our district unappealing for long term employment.
Community volunteers have the same attitude. They WANT to be there for the students, yet they are up against trying to be productive when they are available, with no backing or support of the district administrators.
Same treatment as the teachers have to deal with daily!
The above comment is why when it comes to voting for the next school board members, we need to weed out the current ones on the board. The reason the administration gets away with what it does, especially the superintendant, is that the incumbent allows them to. Next April is our chance to do something about what is going on. Also by attending school board meetings or emailing the board so we can keep on top of things. Roberts sure would not like it if all the ones who are up for re-election next April did not get back on the board. That would leave only Farum and a new school board president can be elected by the board members. She is not doing her job now, so I am sure that the new board members and the new that are not up of re-election at this time would not vote for her. Rumor has it if Juanita Wells is re-elected that she wants to be the next school board president.
Wrong, THIS NOVEMBER is your chance to do something good. VOTE YES.
This November is to vote for the referendum as for me and mine we will be voting no. April is voting for the school board members. Again, me and mine will not be voting for any of the incumbents/.
And if the referendum is passed, how do we know whether the money will really be spent on our children? Who will be deciding how it's divvied up?
Will it be the same folks who decided to give whopping raises to administrators? The same bozos responsible for the band mess at the high school? The same people who've taken expensive, unnecessary trips on the taxpayer's dime?
Or is there another group (maybe parents & teachers, not administrators) who will be overseeing how this money is spent?
YOU will if you ever show up to a board meeting. VOTE YES and PARTICIPATE.
I have been to some board meetings and its more like the Carol and Roberts show. You never ever learn anything from them because they hardly discuss anything. I have heard them say you need to go to the committee meetings learn things. If they would do a good board meeting minutes people who can't make it could see what was happening or even do an audio where people could listen to the board meeting that can't make it to the meetings.
I predict the referendum will fail 80% to 20%. The community just has no faith in these central office administrators.
The 20% represents the people to ignorant to know what goes on in this district and of course the one or two central office personnel that actually live in this district. I didn't say administrators, none of them live in this district.
Those of us who have been to the meetings do know how the monies are spent and it is not on the children! I have heard the budget and know that what is spent on those workshops do not really come out and when it does, it is to late to do anything about it as it already have been accepted. That one in Chicago still stays in my crawl, since Roberts overrode the policy on this. He overrides many policies to suit his own agenda and purpose. Farum allows this to happen all the time. That referendum WILL NOT go for the children. Rumor has it that Roberts already has it earmarked for something else. That bond referendum is really a loan and this district is in no position to take out a loan. Check into the details of this and see what you think about it community.
This administration is already working in debt. We're supposed to approve a bond referendum? That's like giving an irresponsible teenager a credit card. NEVER
This administration is already working in debt. We're supposed to approve a bond referendum? That's like giving an irresponsible teenager a credit card. NEVER
On tonights school board agenda there are 2 items to make note of:
1.Restructuring of the TBE
Secretary Job Descriptions
2.Cabinet Reorganization
Restructuring & Reorganization defined:
the thorough physical or financial restructuring of a business or organization.
What's the probability that these items of financial "restructing" are a reduction in salaries?
What is the Cabinet Reorganization? As far as Restructuring of the TBE
Secretary Job Descriptions I'm sure it's not for the best of the district because if it was they would look and see that maybe it would be a good idea to use Manpower for some of this.
As this district wants to move forward and make magnet schools and look better I can't believe that they wouldn't want to do something for Waldo and redo it. Wasn't Waldo the first East High and it is probably at least 95 years old. Shouldn't we do something for the kids that go there and the teachers to let them have a better enviorment to teach and learn in to tear this old school down and build another one maybe even on the land that is there for all to have something to be proud of? Let's take care of the problems we have now before we start anything else.
In the Beacon today there is an article titled:
"Program encourages East teachers to pursue honor"
Buried at the end of the story is the news that only one of the districts schools is passing the state standards. 15 of the districts 16 schools are now failing.
The board just a couple of weeks ago gave this superintendent an extended contract and a large raise. They stated at the time the great improvements in test scores in the Beacon article about the raise. They also did this before his prior contract was complete.
The administration and board had knowledge of these test scores before they made their decision to give Roberts a truckload more money.
Let's see now, Roberts was assistant superintendent of secondary education, all the middle schools and high schools were failing. Now he is in charge of the entire district and almost every school is now failing and we are in huge debt.
For this type of leadership, the board feels we need to extend his contract and give him a large raise? This is just one more example of why this community will not support this board or administration. The State does need to come in and replace both the administration and board.
The only school that supposedly passed was KRUG. That is where the the staff was caught cheating on the test and the principal was fired. I am guessing that not one of the districts schools passed legitimately.
I agree, it's time to clear house.
Vote Yes
Vote YES!!!
Roberts wants a bigger raise
Vote NO!
Vote NO!
Vote NO!
If they can give those kind of raises to the super, administrators and service center staff then we must not need more money.
If this referendum was to get rid of the superintendant, certain school board members, they might just get a yes from me.
My vote will still be NO!
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