I thought the EA bloggers were on summer break, also.
I was away for 2 days. I return and find discussion has erupted.
In my estimation there has been some very healthy blogging going on. A little religion (if you don’t count the duplicate postings). A little politics, and various points of view. I LOVE IT!
One person and one opinion will not create change. Many people speaking up and out make it clear there is discontent in EA with our school district. Whether we choose to go to meetings, stand and protest, pray, blog , bitch, any or all of the above. Our common ground is our EA community. We all want what is best for our children, our schools and our neighborhoods. Change can and will happen. I assure you there are folks who read this blog that have the authority to help implement change. They may not acknowledge the communities concerns whether we express them at our city meetings, neighbor groups or at the board meetings. That does not mean we should sit down and feel that our opinion is less than valid.
That is why this blog was created to allow you to speak your mind. Tell us your thoughts. To borrow a line from an oldies tune, join the blog and “Express yourself!”
109 comments:
I'd just like to say "thanks" to Rayanne for maintaining this blog. Even though some of the posts make me angry, they always make me think! And it's great to have the information that folks present here, and to live in a time & place where not-so-pleasant facts can't be easily "swept under the rug".
I'm going to pray for all of the angry bloggers.
I'm praying for the students and teachers in this district, as the school year starts soon. May there be a spirit of peace, cooperation, and optimism throughout Aurora!
I'm praying for the taxpayers who have to fund this district.
Don't you mean, taxpayers who REFUSE to fund this district
We don't refuse to fund it we just want to see them really try to cut the fat out of the budget and not with the teachers and students. They could start by not paying the superintendent so much and not letting those slackers at the service center make what they are making.
REFUSE
You can say what you want but there are some that know the district needs money but dosen't like the lies and how they handle some things and don't want to give money to these greedy administrators or superintendents that make too much. So if the parents that don't like it or others that are involved in the schools go to an area that likes to throw there money away.
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.
First let's get some fresh new faces & ideas on the School Board, then we'll talk about a referendum having a chance of passing.
I am positive that if certain things change in this district all will be well. We need a new administration and superintendent and board members to do the best for our children. We need yes to acknowledge the good that goes on in the district and Clayton does a good job at that but we also need to acknowledge the bad and correct it for it will only get worse.
Let the children that start out being ELL be able to speak and read English pass our test by the sixth grade if they start out in kindergarten. Let those parents get involved in the schools and volunteer at the schools.
As for those spirits that someone thinks is out there in our schools be gone for they do no good. For those who think that everything is alright all the time live in a dream world and that is why the things that happen in the district get overlooked. God gives us hurdles in our lives to make us better and to learn to rely on him and he does not use spirits to do this.
May we learn from the mistakes that happened last year and move forward and not make the same ones this year.
Wow 3:10 p.m.!
Everything you said was true and 100% on point!
I think this needs to be shared with everyone!
"I am positive that if certain things change in this district all will be well."
Yes, but also WRONG.
Wrong because you did not mention that this community also is lazy and uninvolved. Changing the admin. and school board will do NOTHING if you lazy parents don't get off your butts.
One way to effect change is at the ballot box. Let's all get our "lazy butts" to the polls next spring and replace those "old-guard, business as usual" School Board members with people who will be accountable to us, the public.
Here's a golden opportunity to change things for the better in D131!
The parents do need to start getting involved. If they can't take the time to make sure their kids get to school on time and make them do homework and act right at school it will be a slow change.
Did everyone see how the Illinios Legislators voted down their pay raise after so many sent letters to them against it. Isn't it time for this board to slow down the raises for the superintendent, administrators and non teachers to help with our budgets. When a superintendent makes more than a governer or president there is something wrong.
Thursday’s report on consumer inflation helps to confirm what many American households have suspected for months — that rising prices are forcing consumers to lower their standard of living to make ends meet.
U.S. consumer prices shot up faster than expected in July, fueling the biggest year-over-year jump in more than 17 years, according to the latest government data. Prices were 5.6 percent higher in July than they were a year earlier. Energy prices were up 29.3 percent for the year and food costs were 6 percent higher.
Excluding volatile food and energy items, the so-called core CPI rose 0.3 percent in each of June and July, slightly above forecasts for a 0.2 percent gain in July. On a year-over-year basis, core prices rose 2.5 percent in July, slightly more than the 2.4 percent rise that was forecast.
A separate set of data showed just how hard those prices rising are hitting household budgets. After adjusting for inflation, the average weekly paycheck dropped by 0.8 percent in July from June, extending an ongoing slide in real income. That left real earnings 3.1 percent lower in July than they were a year ago.
As the rising price of energy, food and other raw materials cuts into businesses' profits, the companies that make, ship and sell the things consumers buy are beginning to pass those costs along. With households already squeezed, something has to give. But paychecks aren’t keeping up with price increases. Tax rebates helped, but they're largely spent.
That means that as the higher costs of food and energy are passed along in higher prices for services and finished goods, consumers will just have to tighten their belts another notch.
“There’s no doubt that inflation numbers are squeezing standard of living,” said John Ryding, an economist with RDQ Economics. “And that’s even more true abroad in the developed world where food becomes a much higher part of people’s consumption basket.”
How true this is and in this district it proably hits even harder so how can a superintendent make 5 times more than the median income of 40,000 in this district.
The superintendant in this district is just like the govenor of this state, he does nothing for the money that he gets, used his stepchild for reasons why he did or did not do something and expects to keep on keeping on. I bet he even expects a hefty raise if he is still superintendant with benefits that we who pay for them cannot afford. Heck, why not ask for a referendum, it will take care of the problem-no help for the children and Roberts can smile all the way to the bank. Probably will not move to this district to so his tax monies go to a different one. The way the president of this school board runs things(or should be stated-does not run things-Roberts does)and certain others on that board, they probably are letting him do his own contract.
It's definately time to find a different district.
I already knew that if I taught on the West Side I would increase my salary over the East Side by roughly $20,000 but I just heard that the West Side's new contract increases teacher salaries by an average of $8,000 more. That means that I would increase my salary by almost $30,000 by simply teaching on the other side of the river. If I go to a Glenbard or Downers Grove, I can increase my salary by $45,000.
The West Side Administrators were tired of losing excellent teachers to neighboring districts that paid more. Apparently the East Side Administrators and community have no interest in paying for excellent teachers for this communities children.
Why not be dedicated to children and double my salary.
Good luck in your future endeavors.
The colleges are giving us "excellent" fresh-for-the-future, teachers everyday. We have MANY excellent teachers that are happy with their salary & benefits.
You have the salary your union negotiated for you and you had the opportunity to speak up and vote no if you felt slighted.
Be cautious of greener pastures.
The test scores in this district show how excellent your "teachers of the Future" are and being the district with the highest teacher migration rate in the six county area shows just how happy the teachers are with their salaries and teaching conditions.
The fact is that the union has never negotiated a thing for the teachers. Negotiations have always consisted of the district saying take it or leave it and the union going right along with them.
As far as how the teachers voted, we will never know. This is a group of people who have had to rerun entire elections because of their corrupt voting practices. Not one vote has ever been counted in front of the teachers doing the voting. Most of us don't believe for a minute that official vote counts actually reflect teacher desires.
I've known many teachers who have moved on to "greener pastures", only one ever regretted it. He, after having an excellent carreer in 131, was fired in two other districts and decertified for his incompetent and illegal actions in the other districts. He wishes he never left the district that accepted his indiscretions.
I like many, many other teachers will have no problem 'Moving On".
Yes, I've heard about the union elections before and most unions do not count in front of the members but they have members watching as the vote is counted.
What do teachers think they are going to get as a salary in this district? You can not get more than people have and when you look at all the kids that get free lunches in the schools how do you think they can compete with others. I think as time goes by you will see other districts winding down on what they pay teachers I know where I work there are people that live in 204 that are really complaining about the schools and with alot of them getting laid off it is just a matter of time before things will change.
So for those of you that want to make the big bucks move on but other district do except more from teachers and I think some of you will not make it.
2:21 a.m., sometimes teachers you call "fresh for the future", right out of college, are less than ideal for our district.
I can think of one major example three years ago where the School Board & administration were frantically searching for a replacement for a teacher "reassigned" from East High. Supposedly they wanted to "make the program better"--instead, the fresh-out-of-college rookie they hired proved to be an arrogant, immature disappointment.
I'm not mentioning specifics here, but I'm sure most people know who/what I'm referring to.
Until overcrowding and the illegal issues are addressed at East your referendum is DOA!
7:39 is a MORON
To 8:57am - A cut & paste from the Illinois State Board of Education web site "Blagojevich called on the Illinois State Board of Education to prohibit preschools from requiring a child's Social Security number for registration. The state already has a rule prohibiting K-12 schools from denying students based on immigration status."
Illegal immigration is a definite problem. Unfortunately as stated above a school can not deny an illegal student an education.
Teaching is a trade just like most other trades. Nobody is "excellent" their first year. In fact it usually takes many years for a person to become a master at their trade.
So to the person who thinks it's OK to hire lots of first year teachers and have them move off to other districts within a couple of years, I say you are a moron and thinking like that is partly why the district is in the shape that it is.
Education funding does need to be reformed. The teachers are all basically paid by the same state and federal govenments. By all accounts are state actors and responsible to the state, however, are not paid equally. Why should a teacher by crossing a river get paid $30,000 more or less. They teach the same number of days and hours. If anything the lower paid teachers have more students in class and deal with more troubled children (and idiot administrators). Something certainly needs to change.
9:03, I guess it's easier to call someone a "moron" than to address the truth of what they say.
Actually I called you a moron AND addressed what you said. If you weren't a moron, you would know that.
Maybe I'd rather be a moron than an arrogant, immature disappointment.
Hey 9:03--looks to me like 7:39 just mentioned a general situation, no names or details. But if you're so eager to call them a "moron", maybe you're recognizing yourself in their comment?
"If the shoe fits..."
Apparently there are two moron comments recently. Actually I was calling 2:21 a moron, not 7:39. Sorry for the confusion.
I'm 11:03 and 5:59
These last 5 posts all prove my point of the education level of those who post here. Nobody would take anything said here seriously.
There is no truth in what they said, only opinion stated as fact. That is why they are a moron.
We all have different ideas and what we think isn't going right in this district. But lets stop calling names. This district has a long way to go. We have many good things happening and some bad and we need to look at all of them. Yes the district has hired people fresh out of college and some where hand picked by those who can do it and had an agenda that they thought for what ever reason it would work. Maybe it was a favor to an alumi that did something for the district that wanted a favor back. We need to get over our selfs and really do what is right for our district and not our own agendas and what it will do for us and our own self worth.
We will not always get along and think the same but we should have one thing in common and that is the good of our students. Mistakes have been made and we need to correct them but when we but our greed for a good salary or pension or a step up to a position that is better than what we have instead of these children than you have no place in the school system. As we complain about all government positions remember the school system is just that and when you think that you can just get that good salary because you can raise taxes doing your best is wrong. I bet even the employees of the district complain about taxes so remember you are part of that.
So have your own views and respect others because we all have a stake in this and things aren't gong to get any better money wise in this district.
With all this talk about morons you can see what kind of administration or some teachers and the service center and maybe some school board members think of the people of this district. You wouldn't think they would think this way with a referendum coming up because I vote and I really don't like this. If they thin we are uneducated then how can we make a decision about a referendum. Come on there are some who do know what is going on and we will not take a school district telling us we are uneducated and a moron. What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.
6:48 says "the good of our students" should be our main concern. Amen!
All the more reason to speak out and question how certain decisions made by administrators (like, say, the EHS band situation) have resulted in any improvement in "the good of our students".
The band situation was a very public debacle but there have been incompetent decisions made that are far worse but less public.
For example, for the past couple of years the middle schools have been "looping". For those who don't know what looping is, looping is where the same students stay with the same teacher from one year to the next. All the research out there states that looping is effective at the elementary level under specific conditions. The research further reveals that looping is not effective at the middle school level, nor is it effective (even at the elementary level) in schools with high migration rates for students or teachers. This district certainly has high migration rates in both teachers and students. The main focus at the middle school level should be experiential. Students should be exposed to as people, styles and experiences as possible.
The policy of looping at the middle schools shows the complete incompetence of Marin Gonzales and the middle school administrators in this district. They either don't research policies or ignore the research and make it up as they go. Either way, the students are the ones who pay the price.
let's not forget those other debacles likes:
THE SENIOR PRANK - Conrad and her team are incompetent and foolish. Fortunately, the Police Officer got transferred from East. The Three Stooges are already up to their foolishness this year again.
THE FRESHMAN CENTER - It serves no purpose in this district because of the imcompetence of "Dr." Wilson. She's a joke. Ask any of us who teach there.
We have lost some great teachers, a great counselor to another district, and a great dean and assistant athletic director to West High because of the imcompetence of the high school administration.
12:25, who are the "Three Stooges" who are "already up to their foolishness this year again"? I count only 2 "stooges" left--Rick Johnson is GONE.
And I have high hopes for Cam Leadbetter, the new assistant principal. He has the potential to bring some much-needed integrity to East High School.
Johnson was not one of the three stooges. He was one of the serial bully friends.
Conrad, Harmon, Wilson were the three stooges.
I agree about the administration. Marin seems to be in the middle of most of this. From what I have seen her and the others think they know best and I agree I don't think they do much research as in the Magnet School thing.
As long as the school board lets this go one it will continue. They are to lazy to do research them selfs and just follow what the committees say. But even if some of the board did do research and think some things weren't right the board president would just go along with it. In fact they think some of the things the administration does doesn't have to go before them because it is just a formality. I don't think this would happen in other districts.
You're right I refuse to keep letting this administration keep making the same mistakes and bad decisions. I bet the ones that say we refuse don't even live in the district and are only worried about their salary. Even the superintendent wouldn't put his child in school here. Don't give me the excuse it was his kids last couple of years at school if that was the case he shouldn't have taken the job. I bet many superintendents have had to move their kids to other districts even if the kids only had two years to go.
Can we please turn these discussions into something positive?
Imagine if each parent in the district became involved in ONE activity in the schools. Just one - even it is a one-time event rather than a committee.
Imagine if each parent and interested taxpayers who are not parents attendended just ONE school board or school board committee meeting. Just one time.
The involvement that could be built from such an initially easy committment - Just one time for each - could be tremendous and changing for the district.
People say that administration does not listen - or the School Board does not listen. As a parent I have attended nearly empty school board meetings, and meetings for several booster clubs at the high school with 4 and 5 parents in attendance. How sad. And at these booster meetings I have ALWAYS been asked for my input or opinion. I have never walked away thinking I was not heard or that my concerns would not be addressed.
When I don't understand something, I call and ask. And I call and ask until I get an answer. I am one of those people who will call those in charge and ask rather than speculate. Sometimes I have not agreed with the answer I received. I let the person know, made sure I spoke feelings on the matter. I have learned time and time again that there are two sides to every story. How often I formed a final opinion after only hearing one side. Wrong.
In a week, my three children will begin school in three different buildings. I will do my best to attend school functions. I know some parents cannot but wish to.
But again - let's make something positive out of all these discussions. Forget the name calling - we have differences of opinion and this must be respected. Don't get personal.
Each parent just once - Imagine the impact on our district.
At Simmons the administrators are known as the &itch, the Bimbo and Little Napoleon.
Michelle Patterson is a backstabber who gets rid of excellent teachers because of personal vendettas (she refuses to do her dirtywork herself, she always has others do it for her), Stephanie Mitchell is the most incompetent administrator we've ever known and acts in the most unprofessional ways ever seen, even for this district and Wilson Morales stands hardly over 5 feet tall and is a control freak. He is incapable of allowing employees to go through their paces. He micro-manages everything, driving his staff crazy.
The &itch, the Bimbo and Little Napoleon have lost all faith from their staff. Morale has been lower the past couple of years than it ever has been. Having Marin in charge of secondary ed. is the only reason they are still there. Prior central office administrators would have dumped the three of them years ago.
Apparently, with the same sentiment being felt by all the secondary school staffs, shows that Marin hasn't been doing a very good job in her position as assistant superintendent of secondary ed.
Again, the change needs to start at the central office. All changes begin fron there, good or bad.
5:11, you've got great ideas. Have you considered running for the School Board??
And 5:41, my spouse works at Simmons and I've heard some of the same things about Ms. Patterson and Ms. Mitchell. But Mr. Morales seems to be one of the "good guys" (yes, we do have some good administrators in the district)--reasonable, accessible, and fair. So what if he's short?
Is it that hard to figure out? Wilson is short, Napoleon was short. that and his desire to control everything is how the nickname came about.
He definately is better than the other two. He just needs to relax and let people do what they know how to do. You need to lead adults differently than you lead children.
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon when you come from elementary school. At that level, you need to provide lots of dirrection to children. You have to learn not to treat adults the same way you've led elementary children.
Carlson has been a voice for change, However I am very disappointed in Dee Weaver for joining the old guard. That is not how to get things changed.
How has Dee gone over to the old guard? She is still fighting for the same things she did before she got on the board. I've talked her about somethings and she still trying to make change like she did before but I'll tell you nothing is going to change the superintendent or board presidents mind on what they want to do and remember they make the final call.
Weaver ran and was elected by saying she would vote against the referendum until the district was more financially responsible.
Has that happened, NO, instead they have added more administrators.
They have done nothing to save or make cuts it is just spend spend spend.
She voted in June along with the rest of the board to put the referendum on. It has been defeated many time in a better economy. Does she and the board realize the working poor of this district can not afford higher taxes. People are losing there homes, utilities this winter will be at a all time high, gas to go to work is at $4.00, food is high, medical and insurance are at all time highs.
Yet they ask for a tax increase. Shame on you Weaver and the other board members for continuing along the same path.
Shame, shame, shaaaaaaammmmmmmeeeeee
The tax increase would have meant about $200 per household per year. That comes to about $3.85 a week. That's less than the cost of one gallon of gas per week for the future of your children.
Shame on those that can't sacrifice such a small cost for their children. In Oswego, I've watched my taxes go up $4,000 in the past two years t fund schools. The referendum passed with 80% voting YES. When I hear that the East side can't pass $200 per household, that tells me that you just don't value education and don't care about your children.
If you had been at the meeting when the referendum was voted on you would know that Weaver voted no. The meeting you are refering to was not about the referendum, even tho it might appear that way. Dee and Rayanne both voted no for the refendum.
I cannot speak for all "no voters" on the referendum, but I can tell you when the "yes voters" propoganda keeps saying things like-
"that tells me that you just don't value education and don't care about your children."
I want to scream-WAKE UP! This isn't about the amount of cash I am willing to give for the children in my community. This is about responsibilty by those who will be making the decisions on what to do with that money.
The money is needed to help cover the budget that is going to be increased, not for education needs, but rather the districts portion of the retirement perks administration will be getting in the future, that was approved by the "old guard." These extra retirement "bonuses" have been approved by a board that keeps crying poor, yet rewards administrators who are not making improvements in our district.
Dee & Rayanne both voted against that! Dee has been ag ainst the referendum all along.I believe what she voted for was putting the question on the ballot. She did not vote in support of the question, but voted to allow the community to speak through their vote.
Go to the meetings, the superintendents contract should be coming up for discussion. That will be interesting to see what the board has to say about that.
Has anybody that lives in this district took a look at all the foreclosures here. Not only that you have the pre foreclosure's and the bankruptcies that are going on. The take in account the taxes that are not going to be paid and we are going to be in a mess so when you say you can't even afford the price of gas you are right. Then not to mention the raising cost of food and utilities no some can't.
Has anyone been watching the news and reading the paper about how government agencies are cutting back. Now school districts are a little different but they can take some of the steps these groups have. For one they can stop giving raises to non union people. The unions raises are negotiated and have to be given but others are not so that would mean in the district the superintendent and administrator and I don't know if the service center people are union. Really start looking into where you could use contractors. Last year the superintendent said he saved 6,000 a month on office supplies by using the states website where go can get things cheaper. They have more than office supplies too. What have you heard this superintendent say about saving any kind of money. The first thing in layoff teachers, stop sports and no clubs well I say no raises to non union people and like the state is doing have them pay more for their health insurance. Things are only going to get rougher for awhile so we need a leader that is willing to maybe make some people mad for the good of our students.
That should of said the Plainfield Superintendent. You know this one never says anything.
Really you should go to meetings because Weaver did not vote for the referendum. She also didn't vote to have any more administrators hired too. The board doesn't have any say so in that anyway it is up to the superintendent and as long as this board president and some members of the board think he is wonderful you will not see any change.
I am only voting for the referendum when the world is perfect, administrator costs are zero, test scores are 100%. I will say yes when I am rich and they figure out how to have someone else actually pay the increase. There must be no corruption in any public government and I want world peace. Only when all in the world is perfect will I consider voting YES.
GET REAL!!
THE CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER!!
There are 1000 per-foreclosures and foreclosures alone in this district. A house in my neighborhood recently was auctioned for $80,000. Two years ago the person paid $190,000 for it. Wait until the properties get re appraised. This district is in big trouble and we all know the referendum will never pass. Yet this board including Weaver and Carlson at the meeting only talk about how good the events are, or how good the kids do. You go to the meeting and hear nothing about the problems or solutions. Get ready D131 you are in for a bumpy ride. As for the meeting to the public they are a waste of time. I feel like I am attending a gossip session.
Yes, indeed--"the children deserve better". Better than an administration that is secretive and self-serving.
If a referendum is passed, who will decide how the money is spent? Will it be some of the same School Board members who squandered $ on a trip to California a few years back? Will it be any of the spendthrift administrators who decided the Service Center needed expensive landscaping? And when taxpayers dare to ask for accountability, will we hear the same old same old, "no comment; the issue is over"?
First things first--replace the bozos who wasted our money and acted as though we had no right to question their decisions. Vote in some School Board members that we might actually trust to act in our childrens' best interests.
I have been to a few meetings and I have heard both question things and got shot down. I also know both have contacted different agencies about what is going on and not getting any help. There is only two of them and yes at times they do say what is good which they should but if they try to bring anything that needs to change they get shut down. Remember they have rules to go by and the board president has the last say on anything. I believe a lot of citizens has gone even to the state board of education and have not got any help from them. I have not gone to a lot of meetings but some and I've seen some question the board only to get no where so if you have any ideas on how to get things done let us know.
I would be happy if the test scores where 75%. As for Oswego you must be someone who works for the district and are getting a pretty good salary from us to be able to live there. Lisa really your husband makes what 75,000 and how much do you make? Again the average income for the citizens in this district is 40,000 and with what 60% of the kids getting free or reduced lunches what do you think people can give.
Lets see Oswego has a median income of 70,000 East Aurora 40,000. Free or reduced lunches at Oswego 15% ours 60%. I did see in the paper though that the rise in the Hispanics are growing in your district so lets see what happens there in the next few years.
Didn't Oswego have a referendum to build some new schools because there number of kids where going up and them it didn't happen and there not going to open the schools?
Another waste of money is that teacher who has the article in the Beacon that uses the the 131 district website but states that she lives in Oswego. Was she working at the school all summer long to be able to keep using the districts website and is she doing the column on our dime?
Lisa job is a union job and she was in the meetings when the negotations were being done, so she knew what was going on, being offered, etc., as was Salinas whose wife is a secretary for this district.
To: August 17, 2008 7:02 PM
Yes, the number of hispanics has been rising there but so has the median home price. Just because the east side is full of low income hispanics (not mentioning the low income blacks and whites)doesn't make all hispanics low income. Only an ignorant racist would make a comment like that.
I live in Oswego in an area where the homes are $500,000 to over $1,000,000. There are 4 different hispanic families on my block alone. There were two foreclosure in the subdivision, both were white families.
The problem isn't racial, it's economic.
Without education, you don't get an excellent career. Without an excellent career you can't buy nice things. By not providing an excellent education for your children, you are condemning them to the same fate that you are in. Education is the way out of the cycle of poverty. Those who care about their children make opportunities for them, not excuses.
To Aug 17-8:05pm,
I am not Aug 17-7:02pm and I do agree with you. The problem with D131 is that none of the monies when a referendum is passed seems to go to the students, but to the administrator, asst. administrators and superintendant. This administration and school board(most)are not willing to make cuts that are necessary, insist on going on these trips that this district is not supposed to pay for according to our policies, taking their families, and so many useless things that are not benefiting the students. We have a school board president that has no backbone and when the superintendant tells her to jump she asks how high. If we knew that a referendum would go for the students, then there would not be a problem, but it does not. It is so easy for anyone else who lives is another district to say things, but you need to walk a couple of steps in our shoes and see what is going on before you condemn or make judgements on us.
The problem isn't racial and it isn't all about economics either.
Studies and case histories have proven, more money does not a better education make. There are poorer, high minority schools, larger than ours providing better education and results.
"Those who care about their children make opportunities for them, not excuses."
That starts at home. When the home needs a child there to care for siblings, go with the parent to appointments to traslate or leave town for a month to travel to their "home country" what is the student to do or the teachers trying to give that student "opportunities?" That is a racial/nationality issue.
Other communities have worked to make the grade inspite of these obstacles. EA admin uses the excuses and our numbers ( free & reduced & minority) as a crutch for their own short comings.
Getting Dr. in front of your name does not make you an effective administrator.
We need to start putting more focus on the students who come to school and want to learn and clean out the disruption and distraction. Not only of delinquent/truant students but of ineffective administrators.
To Aug.18-2:41AM
AMEN!
I agree with Aug. 18 @2:41am also. Now if we could just get this administration to realize it also.
I am not saying that Hispanics are bad and some surely got taken but the sub prime loans they bought into and believe it or not the East side does have some expensive homes and some are in forecloser with owners of many races. So you are the racist not I. I wonder why you are so concerned about our district you should really get involved in yours.
To 8/17 @ 7:32
Yes, this is another example of the district not following board policy #500.85. Just like awhile ago when someone was bringing something like that out and it was stated how everyone uses company email and phones for private business. You would be amazed how much that cost a company and how many companies are starting to enforce it but not a school district they can have the taxpayers pay for it.
That should be policy# 500.106 and then under that one is says to look at 500.85.
found this on ISBA website. Lets see if the district puts it on the website or if Roberts sends it into letters to the editors.
August 2008
To the Editor:
The 2008 school report cards soon will be distributed. Under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), all students must be tested each year in reading, mathematics and science in the appropriate grades. Most students take one of the general assessments – the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) in grades 3-8 or the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) in grade 11. Up until last year, our students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) would have taken an alternate test, the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English (IMAGE), which was administered in English.
Last year, the federal government informed the Illinois State Board of Education that IMAGE did not meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind and, therefore, ELL students took either the ISAT or PSAE, with accommodations if needed. As community members, it is important that you understand that Illinois was required to make this change in tests mid-school year in order to meet all the statutory and regulatory requirements of NCLB. Had this change not occurred, the state and our local schools were at risk of federal sanctions.
The timing of this change left little opportunity for our teachers and students to prepare for a new ELL assessment. Because ELL students were required to take a test that was unfamiliar, it would be difficult for us to compare this year’s performance with past years. We may see a difference in performance when compared with previous years. Any such drop in the performance of ELL students should not be viewed as a reflection on these students or their teachers.
In looking to the future, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is working to develop appropriate tests that will allow all of our students to demonstrate what they know and can do. We look forward to working together with you, our community members, and ISBE as they continue efforts to modify the ISAT and PSAE and to provide accommodations that will best serve our ELL students in 2009 and beyond.
Sincerely,
Superintendent XXX XXXX
XXXX School District
Actually the ISBE has been warned for the past 5 years that the alternate tests did not meet the standards of NCLB. They ignored the warnings and last year it finally caught up with them. This should have been no surprise to anyone. The whole system is a joke and designed for one purpose, to make the public feel that their politicians are doing something.
What is the difference between what they were doing and what they were supposed to do? Are not the questions and answers the same on both tests? Are not the directions on how to do the tests the same on both? If so, then the students would either know the answers or not know them, right? And yes, the district knew about this before now, just like always, did not do anything about it.
What's up with the East High "non-website"? The district website is much-improved and includes plenty of current news & information. So why is there absolutely no information available on the high school site for a couple of weeks now? Not even the courtesy of a "ballpark estimate" as to when a real website might be forthcoming? C'mon, administration, school starts in just a few days. Students and parents deserve more than just "direct all inquiries to..." and then WAIT for a reply!
Well, our school counselor who was the website manager quit for another district and now the district has to catch up on the site. We are losing good people!
But i do think you are stretching the truth quit a bit. the high school site was just taken down last week so that the information could be updated under a new server. obviously the last poster doesn't know much about technology!
let's not stretch the truth here people. If you don't work at the high school, you may actually believe some of these things.
We work hard at the high school! Give us credit!
I imagine the with the one who was working on it leaving didn't help and he probably didn't have a back up so that will take time. It does take time when changing a server and if people want to know just call and ask.
I just went to the website for the first time and I am very impressed!
The other school district sites are very boring compared to East Aurora's!
Great job Tomcats! Way to represent my alma mater!
Lotta good news and info and connections too. www.d131.org
With all of the negative things being said on here, I suggest we throw in some positives as well!
I wish you all the best for the new school year!
All things good or bad usually filter down from the top, or in this case positive or negative.
Dr. Roberts addressed the new incoming teachers recently. He began the lecture with "you better not get on my bad side" and then read them a laundry list of things that they "better not do" or they would be on his bad side. The tone of the lecture was very negative and left a very poor impression on the new employees.
At least the district aadministrators are being a little more honest. Teachers are going to treated like crap from their first day of employment til their last.
Welcome to reality of District 131.
Just getting ready for tonights board meeting and thought I'd catch up on todays blog comments.
Clayton told us at the July board meeting, there will be a "cyber ribbon cutting" on the new site. This "complete unveiling" will take place at the Red & Black Ceremony on the 21st. (Thurs).
I think I can safely say, all the board members have looked forward to this and are very happy with the progress that has taken place.
The developers of our new 131 website has been working to get all things in place as we guide them through what our district users have requested. (i.e. schools, board, alumni, etc...)
Please be considerate of the hard work and the giant strides we have made from that antiquated place we were at less than a year ago.
Gotta run.
If what you say is true then shame of roberts. When they where interviewed he should of stated what would get him on there bad side which as I see it for all the ones that have overlooked policy all this time is not one of them. When you start it should be uplifting and they should say where to go if you run into trouble not what gets people on their bad side but with a superintendent like this I guess that would be the norm. He is a failure at best.
To the new teachers in the district my best go out to you and if you get experience and the want to go to a new district we will miss you but I don't see why you wouldn't. It takes good leaders to have people under you do good and I don't see it in this district with all the mistakes the superintendent and administrators have made but be have a board that enables it.
I noticed on the Districts web-site all the YES contributors were given free links like Alarm Detection. Spending tax-payers money to support private businesses shows how unethical this district is. Remember everyone can praise the web-site but was it a good spend of $65,000 you be the judge
Look further...there are links to other school districts, government bodies, non-profits, and media. They are not allowed to contribute to any campaigns. Plus there are tons of businesses who have done business with the district for years and will continue to do so I'm sure.
Again, this is a sad attempt to drum up things that are not even there. I believe the district has had ADS Alarm Services long before any referendums these past years. If you would ever visit the buildings, you would know that.
We need MORE business supporters to help the district.
With the start of a new school year, let's focus on real problems and solutions and 'assume' things or intentionally try to start controversy. We are all adults here people. Let's grow up.
whatever Clayton. I know your church was given a big break from Alarm Deception
Todays Beacon has the story about the Assistant AD who went to West. What's the deal behind that?
Who is our new assistant AD?
You people refuse to pay for one.
What it is is an Asssistant Athletic Director which is really not a need but a want. If the district gets rid of sports then why will we need one. Just another high paying job that the money could be used for a teacher.
She left because her buddy rick johnson is gone
i am praying for all of the hate-filled bloggers.
I'm not hate filled I just want this district to do what is right for everyone and not just for their own agendas. There is alot of good in this district but we can't ignore the wrong and that is what needs to be fixed.
I can not believe that the board extended Robert's contract for three years and they gave him a raise, his starting salary is $181,000 a year. That is a seven percent increase, almost double the percentage given to the teachers. He is taking credit for the elementary schools making AYP. What part did he play in that? He wasn't in charge of the elementary schools as an assistant. He has been superintendent for two years. His first year doesn't count. Anything from his first year is just a carry over from the previous administration. This years test scores will tell more. The administration (The board should know it too) has the scores from his second year. The schools are falling farther behind. The elementary schools are no longer making AYP. I am sure that is why they wanted to push through an extended contract before the scores were made public.
The superintendent of 204 was quoted in the Beacon today ...a district is "only as successful as it's lowest performing school". Is he taking credit for the middle and high school scores. After all he was in charge of secondary education as an assistant superintendent.
It's absolutely no wonder the community has no faith in this district. It's just one bad decision, after another, after another, after another...
I suggest that everyone who got a 7% (or more) raise this year should vote "YES" on the referendum.
The rest of us can vote "NO" with clear consciences.
If you look on the champion.org website for the year 2007 it's says that roberts salary for that year was 191,417 so he took at cut for this year. I think the district is pulling the wool over our eyes at what he really is getting. You notice to the Beacon didn't say how the board voted on this I would like to know how they did. How can a district that is having a law suit against them as stated in the paper today and a district that is asking for money give such a raise to a do nothing superintendent. They might have gave goals but he hasn't so far what makes them think he will do these.
I looked at the Beacon article too and it said that was his base salary so you can bet he is making more money than what they say.
I wonder if this board has setup goals for 08-09 school year like D204 did. Now this is when I would like to see the two districts alike.
1. What is with Roberts taking credit for the Freshman Center?
2. Are we paying for his medical benefits?
3. Does he have to move to this district so his tax dollars go to this district?
4. Who negotiated his contract?
5. Why was his contract not discussed in public?(He is OUR employee!)
6. What is the exact terms of his contract?
7. Who voted to accept this contract and why did the Beacon not state this? Where did the Beacon get the info for this story? Could it be the same person that "leaked" something to the Beacon about a board member that was not true and then did not follow up on this when things were settled?
8. Where is the money going to come from for Roberts raise since we need a referendum to educate our students?
9. Will this referendum really be for Roberts raise?
10. This referendum even though it is "bonds" is a loan to be paid back at a set date in the future.
Where will the money come from when people in this district keep losing their jobs and do not get the benefits and salary that has been given Roberts?
Read the above and thought would add these questions.
Very good questions and I bet we never find out. Either way if they tell or don't talk about it some will be mad and some happy so why not get it all out in the open.
I have taught in this district for 8 years and I can honestly say that Roberts has been a good thing. Moralle among the teachers was very low under the former superintendent who only cared about appearances. Roberts is a much different leader, he cares about the quallity of education that the students of district 131 receive. Since he took over, things are starting to change. He has made it clear that he expects us to have the same high expectations and not accept second best. Raising the bar to from mediocrity is not easy and takes time. Change does not come overnight.
I am still praying for all of the negative bloggers whose only focus is to post faults and criticze.
These people can't understand that when you raise the bar, people don't automatically jump over it. They don't understand that it takes time to train and practice to get up to that bar. If they don't see change right away, the assume nothing is being done or that somebody has failed.
How much time does it take? East Aurora was the first district in the State of Illinois. That means East Aurora has been doing it longer than any other district in the state. So how much time and outrageous superintendent salaries does it take before the administration get it correct?
Well change does need to come a little faster. You still hear that things aren't really like everyone says. As for morale I think you are wrong while some of the teachers that left might have done so for more money I think some didn't feel that they had the support they should have. While having everyone feeling warm and cozy our test scores have not come up and that is a problem. We still have kids not learning English even though they started in kindergarten. If it is true what someone posted how the new teachers could get on the superintendent bad side is wrong. The kids need a leader not a friend.
I praise everything that is good in this district and I pray that everything that needs to be changed be changed. If we ignore the problems they will only get worse and they have. So lets praise the good and fix the problems.
For the teacher that has taught in the district for 8 years I believe you have tenure and I'm sure you will say anything that makes sure you stay and get the best salary you can get. As for me and my children I will have to make adjustment to my way of life and send my children to private school because I can't wait for them to get the best education that they deserve will you are adjusting to raising the bar and for you to jump over it.
Why not present your questions regarding the super's contract in writing at the new website? It is rumored that is goes directly to the board members. Is that true?
It's easy to raise the bar, it's helping people over it that is the challenge.
Can anyone tell us what Jerome has done to earn $180,000+ a year?
every Board members email address is on the website too. better yet, just go to the board meetings and speak.
The gist that particular section of Roberts speech to the new teachers was "Don't mess with our kids." It wasn't 'don't get on my bad side', as taken out of context.
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