There have been 8 workshops planned for this school year!
Each event will be at a different 131 school, and each will have a different topic.
The first event will be presented by DeNean Adams @ 6:30-7:30 pm
on Sept. 25, 2008 at Johnson Elementary 1934 Liberty Street
The subjects will be Helping your child develop good study habits and to do well in school. Also, learn more about the Illinois Learning Standards.
I hope many parents/guardians and community members take advantage of this time to come out and meet other 131 neighborhood families.
147 comments:
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 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.
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 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 state does not need to replace the board. We, the voters and taxpayers, have that power & responsibility.
Let's plan now to replace the old-guard board members with new folks who will be accountable to us, the people they supposedly represent.
Whose idea was the parent workshops? It's a good way to encourage parents to be more involved in the district--thanks to whoever had the idea!
Yeah, it is a great idea, until this first workshop has an attendance of about 10 people.
Let's just hope the parent's come.
If only 10 parents show up, it is a start. Wonder if grandparents, aunts, uncles or just a conserned person who is interested in a student could also show up at the workshop?
In the spring, I had asked Dr. Roberts about doing some workshops during the summer.
Dr. Roberts replied-we were on the same page and it was a great idea but not in the summer when many families are on vacation.
I do not recall who put this schedule of workshops together, but I agree with 9/16 7:57.
But....I'd rather see the district offer the opportunity and a few benefit, than do nothing.
Maybe one of the blog readers at the SCC can comment on who put this plan in motion and answer if other than parents may attend.
The entire district is failing and all the district is doing is organizing a parent night and hoping for ten parents to show up? That's about the same as a doctor telling you that you have terminal cancer and then offering you a band-aid. And for this type of progressive leadership we will be paying the man in charge over $200,000 with bonuses this year? This district is screwed and until major changes are made at the top there will be no improvement.
Well the major change that needs to happen is that parents actually need to get up and do something. And tell their kids that education is important. It all starts at home.
The students and parents don't have control of the budget. Students and parents don't have control of the curriculum. Students and parents don't control discipline. Students and parents don't buy books.
Quit blaming those with no control over the situation for the problems that the board and administration have created.
But parents do have some control over who is elected to the school board.
And I'm hoping that lots of us turn out to vote for some new people who will bring some much-needed accountability to the board.
Electing Dee & Rayanne was a good start--let's keep the momentum going and replace the "old guard" in the spring!
Students and parents don't set teacher salaries that encourage jumping ship. Students and parents can't remove problem students so that the rest have a classroom enviroment condusive to learning. Students and parents don't set Roberts outrageous salary. Students and parents don't have a say in illegal land deals. Students and parents don't enforce policies and laws on illegal fraternities. Students and parents don't hire uncertified, unqualified personnel. Students and parents didn't fire a beloved band director. Students and parents didn't reinstate a board member that they voted out of office.
Quit putting blame where it doesn't belong. It all starts and ends at the top. The buck stops with the board and central administration.
2:33, I agree with you that so much of the problem is with the administration. But we do have the ability to make small changes, including voting for new school board members.
For example, you mentioned the band director. It is very true that the administration ignored the parents & taxpayers' marches, signs, letters, etc. But it was that issue that got a lot of people concerned and involved in the district (including Dee and Rayanne running for school board).
It is better to do the little, gradual things that we can do (such as vote) than to throw our hands up and do nothing.
Parents do have control over wheather or not their kid is on time to school (A HUGE PROBELM), parents do have contorl over their kids LACK OF RESPECT for education, parents do have control over their kids LACK OF RESPECT for adults, parents do have control over their kids attitudes and ignorance.
You parents are lazy, start taking responsiblity.
The Krug teachers did not cheat on any tests. The principal cheated when she gave a section of the math test when one of the teachers was absent. The teachers turned her in because they have integrity and honor. The good results in reading prove they have no need to cheat.
Students and parents do not have control over many things that are going on, but parents and community members do not show up at the meetings. How many out there other than me have read the policies now posted and pointed out to the school board where they went against their own policy or let Roberts over-rule them without consulting the board and even said it at a meeting? How many out there read that the disciplin that was given to the graduating students last year in that fiasco was not the policy? How many know that the students and parents were required to pay for the damage, and not us the taxpayers? Does anyone really know the whole total cost of that? E-mailing the board about these things, or going to the meetings and addressing them little by little does get things done. Remember to keep your e-mails and copies of what you addressed the board with. Offer them to the reporter. The Parent workshop not might sound much to some, but it is a step in the right direction. It will at least show how many parents are interested. If the time is wrong contact who you have to to see if it can be changed. Parents and this community HAS to become invovled other than voting a referendum down for replacing the other school board members other than Rayanne or Dee.
We need to replace Rayanne and Dee also. They have no financial or managerial background and have no purpose on the board at all. Just imagine a school board with nobody who knows how to work a $100,000 budget, oror backround in education.
"no purpose on the board at all"
Huh?
The purpose of a School Board member is to represent the taxpayers. To listen to them, to be accountable, to be accessible. To make decisions in the best interests of the students, parents, and community.
Dee and Rayanne have definitely done all the above during their tenure so far on the Board. I look forward to electing several more like them at the earliest opportunity.
I just ignore statements like 9/17 @ 8:22Pm makes. Whomever is just trying to stir up trouble and get people off track and it always works. That posters problem is that they know little by little Dee and Rayanne ARE making headway and standing up for the taxpayers. Please everyone just ignore someone like 8:22PM/
Who on that board does know how to manage that money. Not the ones that sold that land, or the ones to refuse to look into ways to save on things.
As far as education they have had experience in that field. They both have had children that went to this district and have gone off to college which seems like they knew the way for their children to succeed.
I do think these workshops are a start. If not many show up at least someone tried it's better than doing nothing.
It's now the FIFTH week of school, and there is still almost no information available to parents on the East High website. I guess there must not be anyone in that entire administration with enough computer expertise to put basic facts online!
I click on "About Our School", and see a blank page. "School News"--nada.
"Teacher Webpages" tells me there are "no teachers found".
And "Calendar" shows September with 2 events listed: no school on Labor Day, and open house on Sept. 25th.
How difficult can it be for someone, ANYONE at that school to post basic information? Oh, I forgot--this must be the way the administration thinks the public should be treated. They must think we don't deserve the courtesy and respect of being informed.
With the old EHS website there was a monthly principal's newsletter, full of important news, achievements, & events in each department. I understand that the district is still looking for a website manager, but aren't any of the principals capable of putting this information on the site? Don't they understand that high school students aren't always the most reliable sources of info (or don't tell parents everything that's happening)?
Lack of information, lack of respect, lack of consideration. It all adds up to a lot of us voting "no" for the third time. And it's a pity, because it looks like the kids will be the real losers, thanks to our administrators.
I agree with you that it has been long enough and I've heard the excuse at first why nothing was posted. You would think if they could think of making a magnet school and giving raises to some they could take the time to find someone who could do this. I would think also that they have people that knows how to do this or maybe they should see who would like to and get them some training. If the board members and certain administrators can go to different places to get training that it looks like they don't use then they should be happy to give someone a chance to learn how to do these postings. But for all the parents or whoever that whats these things done you should contact the board or who ever handles it and let them know. Rayanne or Dee could say something but from what I hear they will not listen to things brought up on the blog so contact them and let them know how unhappy you are with this. Maybe if you remind them about the article they but in the Beacon about how this great new website was up and running they would be glad to make it right since they told people it was.
This is just another example of this districts failures in administration. There are over 1.5 billion websites on the internet. It's not that hard to get it right.
They spent at least $65,000 on the new website which is exactly the same as nearby district websites. In short they gave this company a large sum of money for a template they already had made and no support at all.
Every poor decision like this which costs the district taxpayers money just makes it that much harder to pass a referendum. Who in their right mind would give these irresponsible administrators more money.
You are right. Didn't the West side use the same vendor for the website and theirs looks really good and everything is there. Maybe it's all the pictures this district put on theirs because I don't see all that on others and the other one seem to have all the information that parents need. Maybe we should get away from all the frill and just put what is needed on the website like the other districts. Go out and look at some of the others and see what you think.
As of this evening, there is still no update of the East High website. It's basically useless as a source of any current information.
Oh, but there HAS been an update to the district site--six (count 'em--six!) new PDF files front & center. About what, you might ask?
Why, about the referendum, of course!
--The only information the administration thinks we deserve to have.
--The only information they choose to make available to us, the people they supposedly work for.
Why am I not surprised??
Checked out the districts website. Only 0.32 cents per day. Is that what Roberts said about the White Castles the last time when he brought them to the meeting to make a point? Only 0.32 cents per day for all of those houses in foreclosure! Everyday more and more in the paper on the East side! Anyone else notice the empty and abandoned houses on the East side? How about that 0.32 cents that everyone is needing to feed their families as they are losing their jobs and Roberts and admins get the big raises and bucks and do not live here to help out? I need that change to pay my electric bill, gas bill, put food on the table, pay for my home, get medicine, gas for car and hopefully help others in my family who needs help. Still no from me for the referendum until and only until this district straightens its self out! I cannot take a loan out at this time because I do not know how I would pay it back. Just how is this district going to pay it back when no one has any money?
A bit of subject here. If you go the the Band website (eastauroraband.tripod.com ) you will see that they have a new fall marching band show that they are promoting. It's called "the nightmare before halftime" and they are selling a tshirt with a tomcat made over to look like the Nightmare before Christmas character Jack. It is in very poor taste and not the image that we wish our band and fans to portray.
The band still has not learned to march together or play the national anthem.
If anyone out there is tired of us being the laughing stock of the area please comment to the School Board and Principal Shiela Conrad about it. I contacted them and was told they were not aware but would look into it. Now is the time to finally speak up. We have given the program three whole years and it has gone downhill every year.
yes, it is kind of sad they are actually bragging what a "nightmare" the band has become.
As a 131 proud supporter of our district, I am upset to see how our Tomcat has been defaced.
Not to mention the band site has many typing and spelling errors.
Maybe focus should be on "playing music" well, instead of playing with a website and mocking a mascot of a school the director disrespects.
I thought the concept of "Nightmare Before Halftime" was interesting, and the idea of superimposing Disney's Jack Skellington character on the Tomcat head was a unique idea.
I hope, though, that someone in the EHS administration (department chair? principal?) checked with Disney that there was no copyright violation involved. I've heard that Mickey can turn into a mean old mouse when copyrights are involved, fining violators hundreds of thousands of $$.
And someone should definitely be checking spelling on the band website, too. "WENDSDAY" in all caps caught my eye before anything else did--not blaming the band director (his degree is in music, not English), but administration as usual is not doing their job.
4:34 says the band program has "gone downhill every year".
Must be what the administration thinks we deserve.
It does make you wonder why they can get all that referendum stuff on and not get the other stuff. Why can't the person doing that also do the other? Poor planning.
Meet the Band booster Board. Secretary position VACENT ?!
New director came with new privileges not afforded tenured directors. #1-money not given to other band programs. Spent frivolously. #2- Per the band webpage, his wife sings with the jazz band once a year. Yet when Mrs. K played with the jazz band when they had no keyboard player, K.’s job was threatened and he had his hand slapped for that error in judgment. How could he possibly think his wife should be allowed to accompany the jazz band for free. No outsiders, relatives or otherwise, welcome in our schools.
( commenter’s note: Rules changed (drastically) Fall of 2005.)
Would someone please respond as to how the lines and boundaries are drawn for what is acceptable and not. Also, who it is that draws up these rules?
District 131 is very inconsistent with the way it awards and reprimands not only it’s teachers but it’s students.
Maybe someone from the “inside circle” could clarify the policy & procedures for these types of decisions.
Maybe the board should make some policy about this so the rules can't change not that they don't break their policy when they want. I heard a rumor that some band directors or who lead the band gets a nice stipped and doesn't have that much time in while others don't what is up with that. Yes, they make the rules as they go and just like in businesses if you are a good ole boy and suck up to them you get the rewards while the ones that really do the good work gets left behind. The sad thing is there is no where you can go to get help with this even the state passes the buck. It really does take community members to stand up to the powers that be. Don't you wish that some of the churches or community groups would help with these things and not just with referendums?
You know who has the right to change these thinks and make sure the district sticks to the rules? That is the superintendent and he is suppose to make sure that the policies and rules are stuck too. Wasn't he the one that told new teachers no to make him look bad? Well he does a fine job of that himself by letting these administrators under him change them at will and to think they just gave him a big raise.
Sorry for all the bad spelling I didn't check before I posted but this makes me very angry.
4:36, I know Mrs. K., and she remains very bitter about that situation. Especially the way the school board at the time took her willingness to help the band, and twisted it around against her husband.
Mrs. K. works for several large churches, and teaches a lot of piano & voice students in Aurora. You can bet that she has told many, many people about that situation over the past 4 years. It will probably be a cold day in hell before she would volunteer to help East Side schools again--who can blame her??
You know we all have a bad taste in our mouth with this school district and I bet she is upset about this and that is why I say I wish we could get a group together to stop this. There are many in this district that have had enough and I wish we could get together to make it clear to this district what we don't like. But many are afraid to say anything because of what might happen to our children or the people that work in the district. But this is why we have to group together some way and make a change. I wish I had the answers but I don't but if we had some backing from community leaders or church groups like they do with the referendums we might have a voice. This district isn't the soviet union of old we are the United States of America and we should be heard. We need to find a way to stand united and let this district know how we feel and they are not going to threaten our children or the people that work for this district any more. There are people out there that want to help in this district but because of the administration and what they have done to some are not willing to help anymore hurts the whole district and we need to find a way to stop this.
The administrators are not the ones that really change and override the policies. It is Roberts himself who does it and the school board president Carol Farum allows him to do this and it is done without the rest of the school board knowledge.
That is what needs to be stopped and come the next election we as a community can do that. So if you want change you have have the power to do this. Lets hope that we have some citizens in this district that are willing to do this. I believe that some on the board wants to do a workshop for new school board members and let make sure that happens and some come up to make a change.
I have attended many games in the years since I graduated from East. I have not seen the decline in the band that several bloggers have said. I have not been to a game this year due to my wifes declining health, but I did go to several last year and the year before. I really enjoyed the year that they had a drum line, and the other people in the stands on the home side did to.
I read this blog off and on to keep up with what is going on and it seems that those who post just keep harping on the same issues. The band is one. It seems that only the people who post on this blog think the band is bad.
I heard many positive comments from neighbors and friends about there playing in the parade this summer.
I no loner live in the district. It is sad that my former community can only criticize its school disctrict about the same few issues over and over.
The saying goes: Let he among you who is without sin cast the first stone. You must all be perfect and have never made a mistake. Otherwise, maybe you should spend your time trying to be a part of the solution.
Looks like former band director Mr. K has been posting again!!!!!
No, it must be Mrs. K- she's the one thats bitter.
You people need to get lives and move on.
I see that the district budget is linked to the new websight. I think that the district is trying to provide more information that the public has been asking for. The new web sight is still under construction, but what is done really looks great!
Too bad those at the 131 district office could not use their creative writing skills to write a better budget or get more grants. Instead they obsess with this blog, writing dribble about how wonderful everything and everyone is.
If it were so wonderful, people would gladly contribute through their taxes to keep it that way. If the administrators were so great, our students learning skills would have improved long ago. And those administrators would not have to be blogging their own praise.
9:21 says he heard many positive comments about the band playing in the parade this summer.
The band that so proudly represented the East Side in the Aurora 4th of July parade was from throughout the whole district, not just East High. It was the kids who participated in the week-long district band camp, directed by Amy Huggins (an elementary band director in D131). The group was made up of 6th through 12th graders, and was mostly middle-school kids as I recall.
Yes, they looked and sounded great. They represented our district well. But the band at the high school is a different matter. While some may not notice the decline much if at all, others are aware that the "new, improved" East High band received a third division rating last year. And that was from impartial judges with no bitterness or axes to grind.
It should not take this long to get the website up and running. The west side did theres at the same time and there's is done. A comment was made at a board meeting awhile ago by Clayton that getting the right pictures on the website was taking time.
Public school economics: Productivity and oversight matters
Posted: September 23, 2008
By John Biver
Former Delaware Governor Pete Du Pont wrote the following about America's public schools in the Wall Street Journal:
"It isn't a money problem, for a great deal more money is being spent on education. It isn't an urban problem, for charter and private schools successfully educate urban children... It is an institutional problem; a problem created and sustained by layers of immovable bureaucracy in public school administrations, state departments of education, legislatures and teachers unions."
7:56, thanks for mentioning Amy Huggins. My daughter went to band camp last year and loved it! Ms. Huggins is truly one of our district's finest teachers.
We have SO many wonderful, dedicated teachers in D131.
So Mr. Muhammad said that getting the right pictures on the website was taking time. I don't care about pictures--where are the basic facts & information we should have posted?
Being this far into the school year with so little public information its starting to look like they're hiding something or don't want to tell us what's really going on.
They are hiding things and if people think this money that they won't get was going to the kids needs to listen closer to what the board and administration is saying or not saying to the public. It will mostly be for the super pet projects and the magnet school.
The budget should be and always should have been open to the public. Even if it is, try and figure it out. Good luck. Will or do you see a break down of anything?
There is information on the districts website, it is about the referendum. Now, really what else would we want to know about in their opinion?
It's not about what we want, it's about what they (old-guard board members & administration) think we DESERVE.
Did anybody go the the parent workshop on Thursday? I would have, but the open house was Thursday evening, too.
Did all the districts have there open houses on Thursday? It would be nice to know how many went.
It was a packed house at East High. Never saw so many parents before!!
Simmons had their open house on Thursday, too. Good turnout there, too, compared to some in the past.
At Cowherd, the eighth grade open house saw about 15 parents. There are almost 300 eighth graders, two parents each, totals 600 parents. That comes out to about 2% of parents showing to meet their childs teacher.
I guess they're right in 131 when they say, it the 98% that are making the other 2% look bad.
When did Cowherd have their open house? East High & Simmons were both on Thursday night. Thursday seems to be a good night for a lot of parents, because people have other meetings to go to on Mondays (the School Board, for example), and a lot of churches have midweek services on Wednesdays.
So I take it nobody went to the Parent Workshop. Good job 131.
You can't blame the district for this at least they are trying to get parents more involved with the students. I as a no voter for the referendum think it is a good thing they try these things so those of us that vote no can show others that the parents do not care so why should we especially when the administration and super wants most of that money to go to their pet projects and their salary for doing almost nothing.
I don't blame the district. I should have said, "Way to go parents of D131.
Parent involvement in this district is a HUGE problem. The low test scores can not be solely blamed on the teachers or administration. Parents need to step up and show the importance of education. Showing up to sporting events, plays, award ceremonies, meetings, etc. is part of the showing support. Also making sure your child does their homework, studies, attends field trips, becomes involved in school activities (sports, clubs, etc)is supporting education. I hear complaints about the web site ... have any parents offered to assist? In other districts parents assist with many facets/ functions that the parents here seem to expect school personnel to do alone. I know in other districts parents attend PTA meetings, help with registration, help with yearbooks, monthly newsletters, chaperone field trips, chaperone dances, run fundraisers, run book fairs, help with promotions and graduation .... how many parents in our district do that? I know for a fact what the answer is for some of the schools...NONE. Not a single person.
People complain about our test scores here? Blame it ALL on administration and teachers? I think the teachers and administration in our district go way beyond what is done in other districts.... to make up for the lack of support from parents. They can not do it ALL.
We the parents need to step up and take responsibility for the role WE play in education. Our children are not learning all they can if WE are not making sure homework is done and supporting what is happening at school.
6:31: Amen! I am so tired of parents expecting the schools to take care of everything for free: breakfast, lunch, school supplies, free social services, free health services, free sports physicals, free glasses etc. Yet, when we ask them to attend a parent meeting or open house, they can't show up and that is free. We have students who are having severe behavior problems and academic problems and we are trying to reach out to the parents to get them involved and they can't even be bothered to show up to a parent conference. It's very overwhelming at times for teachers to know their students are in need of things at home and not be able to provide these things for them. It is unrealistic of a lot of our parents to expect the schools to handle everything their child needs inside and out of school. I think as a district we do try to support our students and famililes as much as possible with free counseling provided by CIS, the VNA at the high school, after school tutoring and other after school programs and yet still some parents act like it is not enough. They expect us to raise their children when they are out of control and that is just not possible. I have witnessed school secretaries being screamed at by irate parents who are demanding unreasonable things. We call parents of students who miss many days of school and they don't show up until they find out their child has failed for the year because they have missed so much school. They demanded to know why their child failed and claim they were never notified despite 4 progress reports and 4 report cards, countless phone calls and letters. There are some very responsible parents out there but unfortunately they feel like they are the only ones doing trying to do anything at the schools. We have some wonderful children in this district and we need the support of ALL the parents to make it work. Please don't expect us to take care of every aspect of your child's life with no involvement from you.
Waldo's open house was on Thursday and was well attended. I believe Cowherd had three separate open houses- one per grade level. The 8th grade one probably had fewer attendees because the parents have been there before and the school and the teachers are familiar to them.
Amen on the Amen!
I have such respect for our teachers! To you naysayers, sure there may be a few bad apples, but the majority truly care about our children.
I am a parent and feel our district spends too much time being a social service agency. Our teachers from early on are expected to teach our children not only the 3 R's but good manners, and a number of other social skills, all children have not learned these things at home. The teacher then has to check our children for head lice and try to teach all the children, and keep them up with the rest of the class, when they have not had a decent breakfast nor gotten to school on time.
I have been active in my child's school and have seen how sad it is to have children excelling and no parent attend their concerts, ball games or meet with their teacher to hear what a delight the child is in the classroom.
Some of these same children have stayed overnight at my home. No one has called or come to meet me, they have been dropped off at my door for the weekend.
I still believe our administrators and school board have the authority to implement some policy to try to fix these problems without letting it all trickle down on the shoulders of our teachers.
If the parents will not voluntarily be involved other agencies or policies can nudge their interest. I realize that it is a fine line that needs to be walked to intervene, but we can try to work it out at the lower grades or be dealing with teh disipline issues at the mid to high school level.
Our children's education is a five-way partnership: students, teachers, parents, administration, and community.
Unfortunately, that ridiculous "No Child Left Behind" unfunded mandate puts all the blame on the schools if a child fails. Maybe with different leadership in Washington this policy will change.
And I think the district motto should be "All Children Can and Will Learn--With Parents and Community Support".
I'm tired of the way the Beacon reports positive and negative events in Aurora.
If there is something positive that happens on the West Side or Indian Prarie district. The Beacon states that it was the West Side or Indian Prarie district.
When something negative happens on the West Side, They omit that it is the West Side and just give an address and when something negative happens in Indian Prarie they call it the "FAR" East Side.
In short the Beacon implies that everything negative in this town happens on the East Side and it just isn't true.
Oct.1 @ 4:58am
I agree.
Oct.1 @ 7:44am
I love your motto and definitely agree it should be used!
I notice there's a special School Board meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday,in addition to the regular one that evening. The agenda mentions "Negotiations".
Any idea what's going on? Why the extra meeting??
My guess would be about the maintenance and secretaries contracts.
This is in late response to some of the posts on here but contrary to popular belief, I don't believe the kaisershots bother to post on this wall. if you've ever known either one of them or both they keep to themselves and dont' stand around harbinging their troubles to the world. if you want to talk about carrying the world on their shoulders, they are it. they deserve more praise than they are allotted and frankly it's shameful to suggest they sit on this blog and puff up their own image.
I couldn't care less who does or doesn't post on this blog. What I care about is getting up-to-date, truthful information about what's going on in this district, without all the spin & secrecy other so-called "sources" (the Beacon, the district's sorry excuse for a website) provide.
A lot of people read this blog, and I'm grateful to Rayanne for giving us the info we deserve to have about our district. If we had to rely on the D131 website or the local paper, a lot of us would be clueless about things like the parent workshops.
As long as what's said here is truthful (and if it isn't, someone can jump in and correct it!) I say, keep up the good blogging!!
What do you think "spin" is. Spin is somebodys Opinion Mixed in with fact. This whole blog is "spin." The only difference is you agree with the spin presented here.
Having the Harlem Wizards basketball team at Simmons, I am sure was fun and exciting. There are two questions that should be asked. What did it cost the district to bring them into the school? And what educational purpose did it serve? What did the students learn and did the district get value for it's money?
I see no educational value to bouncing a basketball and feel that sports are already overvalued in our culture. I also dont think we need to bring in strong man competitors or boxers. All of which have visited Simmons in the last year. The district does not need to promote bouncing a ball or beating up another individual. Also the children are taken out of their academic classes to watch these feats of strength.
How about bringing in scientists and writers and others that may stimulate the children academically. Now that's a concept that may actually have some academic advantages.
I think that there is value in students learning good sportsmanship and teamwork, as modeled by adults they admire & respect. I would hope that the Harlem Wizards also talked to the kids about staying in school and getting good grades--if they did that, then the district probably got good value for the $ spent.
That's my "spin" on it.
Hope to see a lot of my fellow alums tonight at the homecoming game.
GO TOMCATS!
If this district had money for such things as bringing in the Harlem Wizards, then why are they asking for a referendum? If we-as they want us to believe-do not have enough revenue to teach our children, then how do they justify this? Could not this money have gone for books and things the students need and the teachers to teach? This district does not have their priorities straight. Let us see if the cost of this comes out in the monthly budget when the report is read. It is called transparcy and informing the community that they are asking for more money. Just another reason why I will not vote for this referendum. Voters, please remember to look at both sides of your ballots if you do not do use the electronic machines. This is how the referendum got passed for the park district, by people not looking at the back of the ballot. Once the ballot is cast, it cannot be taken out and redone!
Great football game last night. Coach Bryant & our team should be very proud.
Way to go, Tomcats!!
Any other alums go to the game last night?
It's my understanding that the district did not have to pay anything for the Harlem Wizards to come to Simmons--in fact, they probably made a couple hundred $.
This was a fund-raiser. The Wizards were paid their fee from the money earned from ticket sales. Lots of tickets were sold (the place was packed!), and although there were some seats given away free, I'm sure there were enough tickets actually sold to pay the Wizards, with some money left over.
No, everybody was way too busy NOT going to Open Houses, School Board meetings, and concerts to go to the football game.
5:11 you don't make any sense. How can people be busy not doing something, and what does that have to do with a football game??
Lots of people showed up for the Wizards at Simmons!
10/4 @ 4:23pm
Thank you for letting us know that about the Harlem Wizards.
All right 7:17. Let me explain it to you.
I was making a joke. Everybody on the blog talks about going to events but they always say they are "too busy" or have some other excuse to actually follow through with doing anything.
Get it?
7:48, who is this "everybody", and what's the "anything" you think they never do?
I can tell you that a LOT of people showed up for several recent events: the open house at East High, the Wizards game at Simmons, and the homecoming football game.
To me, the glass is half full. I choose to see the positive.
Good for you.
Vote Yes.
I'll vote yes when the administration cares enough to post basic, timely information on the EHS website.
Disrespected taxpayers=lots of "no" votes.
And it's a shame, because our kids deserve so much better!
I'm a East Aurora teacher and I'm very frustrated that I can set up my own website. I was told that there will be no training as to how to do this, and I don't know how and don't really have the time to figure it out or learn on my own. I am pursuing my second Master's degree as well as doing other after school activities. We don't even have a computer teacher at our school. Any suggestions?
obviously I meant to say "can't" in my last comment. Does anyone want to volunteer to mentor some teachers?
2:20, I would ask Mr. Muhammad for his suggestions. He's the one who was telling everyone how wonderful the "new, improved" website would be--I'm sure he can help you with yours. After all, he set up & maintains his "Boys II Men" website.
If Mr. M. is too busy, then maybe one of the EHS administrators who seemed to be able to post monthly newsletters online until this year can help you. Maybe they can use the time that they used to use keeping the community updated to help you with your site.
And there are always other teachers at the high school who have managed to set up websites--Mr. Wheeler (drama) and Mr. Liska (band) come to mind, although Mr. Liska's band site has been shut down for some strange reason. Maybe they can share their expertise.
When ever the Wizards play they draw a crowd so that one doesn't count.
For the teacher that needs help with the website maybe when someone applies for the WebMaster job that is posted they can help them.
To:October 5, 2008 1:38 PM
I don't care if you look at this district as half full or half empty. The fact is that the children deserve more than half an education. A full half or empty half is still only half of what they need.
As the presidential election comes up and reading about the candidates one thing I like about Obama is his views on schools. He feels there should be more charter schools,academies and magnet schools and that school districts should be more transparent which I think is good especially in this school district since they still sneak in things that the district doesn't want people to know until after it happens. Will Obama stick to that when he and if he is elected because that would be a change I would like to see.
I also wonder why this district can do those news releases about the referendum but they can't get someone to help the others get their websites up and running for parents. You can tell what they really care about is the referendum and how it is going to put money in the administrators pockets and not the children.
So for me the answer to that referendum is No, No, NO until it is really for the kids and not the administrators pockets and their pet projects that don't help the whole district.
Hope to see all of you at the school board meeting tomorrow night.
You won't. They will all be sitting at home.
7:41 I am also supporting Obama, partly because the Republicans have made such a mess of our public school systems. That ridiculous "No Child Left Behind" needs to be replaced with a policy that acknowledges parents' responsibilities for their child's success or failure, instead of placing all the blame on schools when kids don't learn.
If you truly love your kids, move to a different school district. Many of the teachers and administrators don't live in 131 and probably wouldn't even if the referendum passes. So why should you and your children?
School Board meeting TODAY, 7:00pm
I would love to go to School Board meetings, but for the last 20+ years I have had to work on Monday nights. So I rely on the local papers, the district website, and this blog to keep me informed.
As of this morning, the district site has several new articles about recent events (the Homecoming game, an award at Cowherd, a "mommy school"). It's great to be able to read about these things.
But where the heck are the "Board Bits"? There are 11 agendas posted, but only 5 sets of minutes ("bits"). I realize that two of the meetings were just yesterday, so it would take a few days for those--but how about the July 22nd meeting or the two in September? Why should that information be withheld from the public, unless the administration is trying to hide something??
There seems to be no difficulty posting agendas in a timely manner. How much more difficult can it be to post the "Board Bits"?
8:06, the administration and old-guard school board members are just giving us what they think we deserve.
They must not think we deserve to have current information about what was discussed at board meetings.
They must think we deserve to see our Tomcat mascot disrespected at halftime and on T-shirts at the high school.
Do we, the taxpayers, think THEY deserve more of our money to mismanage?
I don't think so!!
I teach in the district and remember from the last referendum the strict instructions we received about promoting the referendum.
We were told that it is illegal for us, as public school employees, to promote an opinion about the referendum (we are not allowed to tell community members to vote YES or NO). We were also told that it is illegal to use any school resources or money to promote the referendum. We were told that we could not even use district copiers to print anything regarding the referendum.
Jerome Roberts activated the schools emergency phone system last night to tell community members to register to vote so that their voice can be heard in the upcoming election regarding the referendum.
I believe Roberts activation of the emergency system and the use of district money for the cost of thousands of phone calls is a clear violation of election laws. And that's not to mention the clear abuse of a system designed so that the public can receive information in the event of an emergency.
The board and/or Illinois States Attorney need to investigate these violations.
10:51, I got one of those automated calls yesterday from Dr. Roberts, and I don't remember any mention of the referendum--just a reminder that today is the last day to register, and telling everybody where they can go to register. And then the entire thing translated into Spanish.
But I didn't hear the "r" word in the call, unless it was part of the Spanish portion. Maybe some of us got a different call?
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say "thanks" to Dr. Roberts for reminding people to register to vote. Voting is an opportunity & responsibility we have in this country, and many of us take it for granted. Yes, America has its challenges--but it's still the best country on earth!
I do think that is a misuse of the districts funds. You can make a complaint yourself and your name will not be given if you go to the states attorney.
I recorded the message and he not only mentioned the word referendum but also told the community that they can go to the district website and recieve more information about the referendum. The website ia another district resource being used to promote the referendum. The website costs the district money and the district is using this resource to promote a yes vote on the referendum.
He can mention the referendum as long as he doesn't say how to vote. As far as him using that system is a gray area but since you recorded it why don't you send it to the States Attorney and see what they say. If you don't want them to know who it is ask someone else to do it.
Does anyone happen to know why the EAHS band website is suddenly down?? It was certainly active last year and this summer. Why the big change??
The only reason why roberts wanted people to register to vote is so they can vote for the referendum and not for any other reason. He is walking a fine line in the ethics department but since when does this administration or school board care about that. They walk a very fine line and know just where to stop before they will get in trouble just like the do with the education in this district.
From the referendum page of d131website.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REFERENDUM DOES NOT PASS?
If the Community Referendum does not pass on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, East Aurora Schools will have to continue to make budget cuts that will dramatically and negatively impact the future of our children, families, district, and city.
Since 2005, Distict 131 has already made nearly $7 million in budget cuts:
* 2005-2006
* 2006-2007
* 2007-2008
* 2008_2009
* $3.0 million in cuts!
* $800 thousand in cuts!
* 2.1 million in cuts!
* $1.0 million in cuts!
THESE CUTS TOTAL 87 FULL-TIME POSITIONS!
If the referendum does not pass, we will need to make an additional $500,000 in cuts during the 2009-2010 school year to balance the budget by the state deadline of 2010!
Now if these cuts need to be made lets make sure it isn't teachers. How about a lower salary for a superintendent that really hasn't done anything to raise test scores but to make sure his buddies in administration get promotions and pay raises. Make sure he doesn't build a Magnet School and he really starts being serious about finding ways to cut spending. Before letting any teacher go look into non teachers in this district and see if they can contract those jobs out. If it really is about the kids then lets make sure it is for the kids. I haven't got a 3% raise in a long time and yes roberts you can tell the service center workers and administration they can't get one either and if they don't like it go find somewhere else to work.
I do not think it is for the kids. There is some rumors flying around!
This is just like the bail out for the banks. Remember if this referendum fails the only people that will make out good is the superintendent and administrators not the children. Those special few will be able to go back to there homes in another district that is better than ours and live there life as before just like the CEO's of this bailout. As they complain about this district which has a 40+ poverty level they will be able to go back to there comfortable homes and complain about how this district will not pay administrators and service center and maintenance people the going wage and live comfortably while some of our children and older citizens don't even have food on their tables to eat. So lets get real and do this for the right thing. For the children and not for pet projects and to give administration and the other to fatten up there retirement.
If you want to give more money to the kids, make a donation.
This referendum will not even touch the kids. It will pay for the new admin added with back pay.
They are asking to BORROW 32 MILLION DOLLARS to USE.
Have ANYONE actually seen what they will use it on? Have they put it in writing so you can reference back to it if needed? They certainly keep putting it out there that it will only be .32 cents a day! Nothing, not one word anywhere WHAT THEY WILL ACTUALLY DO WITH THE MONEY!
Oh one last bit of ACTUAL information. THIS INCREASE TO YOUR TAXES WILL NEVER GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They keep saying the debit will be paid off in 5 years (really!!!!) but the .32 cents a day will remain. Once on the books it never comes off!!!! What then? Has anyone seen that?
What new admins with back pay? HOw much is this costing the district? So much for the referendum going for the children if this is true. Please enlighten us. For sure that referendum is done for if their is new admins with this and what are their positions and were they posted? Could it be they were made up like that Deanne's and Val's was awhile back?
4:38 wants to know why the EHS band site is suddenly down. I wonder if it might have something to do with copyright violation, since an image of Disney's Jack Skellington was shown inside an outline of the Tomcat head (the band's halftime show this fall is called "The Nightmare Before Halftime").
complaining about the 3 % raise ? you obviously have no idea what the service center workers actually do on a daily basis ! the people who need the raise are not getting it and the administration are the people who need to have a huge salary cut ! after all you think that the administrators actually work ? the service center workers are the ones who do it all for them ! so 3 % at the very least !
I can understand the frustration of those doing the work while others receive not only the accolades but above average salary.
Teahers are the first to get blamed for all that is wrong in the schools. They can only work with what they are given. Students whose parents put little importance on arriving on time and prepared. Administrators who expect teachers to perform without the necessary tools for their classrooms, for each and every student.
What do those at the service center do everyday? 3% of how much?
You need to check the last couple of personnel minutes if they would let you see them. Rumor has it that a couple got new job titles and a rasie but you will have to look at the minutes and since this district is not transparent you will not see them on the website. I really see why some in the district does not trust this superintendent and school board.
Didn't the old-guard School Board vote to give Dr. Roberts a 7% raise? That's TWICE AS MUCH as the service center folks' 3%.
And we're supposed to trust those bozos to spend even more of our money responsibly, "for our children"?
Also, more than half of the board bits for this year are still missing. Also missing are trust, openness, and accountability.
Roberts not only got a raise, but an annuity. His contract was no up until this coming spring. Now that he has this new contract he is getting paid more with more benefits BEFORE his contract should have been renewed. He is getting more now and that is COSTING the taxpayers. The man has done NOTHING and does not even live here to contribute to the taxes, as most of the administrators. Rumor has it that the new director postitions that were created were slipped in a committee meeting minutes as was Roberts contract. My guess is that there were probably only 2 votes against it as usual. Roberts and the school board are suppose to answer to us, the taxpayers, but yet our students are being held hostage by them in the stunts that they pull. Let us see if Lisa Morales puts in any of the school board members comments about this in the board bits. OH, that is right the board bits are not being posted. She is also selective in what she puts in them, as, heaven forbid, we might finally get to know what is really going on. As for the service center workers, if you do not like what is going on, go elsewhere and get a job. The rest of the tax paying community in d131 are losing their jobs, or willing to take a(in some cases)a cut in pay or less benefits(if they even get them)to keep their job, hopefully keep their homes and food on the tables. There is such a thing as temporary services to do the service centers job. If this type of thing keep on happening THERE WILL BE NO POSSIBLITY OF ANY REFERENDUM EVER PASSING!
About the board bits the agendas for the work shops will not have minutes for them and if you look on other districts they don't have them either. The minutes for the 9/2 minutes should be on there since they voted on them at the 9/15 meeting unless they weren't approved.
For the service center workers many of the people in this district haven't gotten a raise for a couple of years so stop complaining because they do just as much as you do. Some of us have to work 60 hrs a week and they tell us if we don't like it them find another job and we don't get overtime because we aren't in a union. So if you are unhappy with the money you make find another job that will pay you more.
Yes, the minutes for 9/2 should be posted--UNLESS they have something to hide.
I notice the band website is up again. Hopefully some parents will go to the booster meetings and volunteer, because all the officer positions except President are "VACENT".
I thought if anyone worked over 40 hrs. that by law they had to be paid overtime. This is something that can be checked into. If one is not paid it then they should not be required to work it, unless of course, they are on salary, in which no one is then paid overtime. Times are tough all over right now and if someone is not happy with their job or pay, they can go elsewhere. Many that have lost their jobs would just be glad to have one at this point.
10:44, in this tough economy it is often not possible to "go elsewhere". Lots of jobs are being eliminated, and people with families are reluctant to pull up roots and take a gamble on a job in a new community where they know no one.
A lot of us choose to stay where we are, where we have family & friends to support us, and work to make our community & situation better.
I did not mean that a whole family should pull up roots and go elsewhere. Just wanted to point out the fact that the service center employees are not alone in what is going on. Many have taken a cut in pay, not had raises in along time, hours cut back, benefits cut or none at all, many, many things and also losing their homes. These people also choose the same things that you have stated. It is a hard situation all around.
Especially when they see their bosses get huge raises.
To 10/9 @ 9:25am
You bet ya! Especially when we all see the sneaky way the raises are done way before at least one was due and for doing nothing at all for what Roberts got! Then there is the issue of creating 2 new postions with a raise for who got them, retroactive also back to a certain date and the sneaky way this was done.
The law on elections is clear. Monies that go to schools are from all members of a community, both those in favor of a referendum and those against it. No public employee can use public money to promote an opinion on whether or not to pass a referendum. They can not represent some members of a community while ignoring others.
This superintendent has used public emergency resources to direct the community to his website propoganda that does everything possible to promote a YES vote on the referendum.
The law does provide the ability to diseminate factual information but the website does not do this. This superintendent uses a laundry list of "possible" areas to cut to elicit fear and promote a YES vote from constituants.
They used this same tactic in the previous attempts at passing the referendum and none of the "possible" cuts were enacted. Again they are not diseminating factual information, they are promoting fear to encourage the community to vote YES.
It is highly illegal.
I think I've figured out one big reason why the district's websites are still not updated. This is from the description for website manager, from D131 job openings:
RESPONSIBLITIES: The Website Coordinator must be able to:
1. Work with all levels of administration to develop comprehensive strategies for web sites to meet short term and long term objectives
2. Monitor sites to measure usage and effectiveness and provide regular reports to administration
3. Implement continuous site updates
4. Write, edit, and format copy to present a unified message effectively
5. Capture district/school events via still and video camera to implement into web site
6. Coordinate web site development and troubleshooting training for staff
7. Implement and monitor effective web site security policies, processes, and procedures
8. Work with Business Partners, Media, and Key Communicators to distribute news throughout the community via the website
9. Meet regularly with website development team to strategize
10. Other Office of Community Relations duties as assigned
REPORTS TO: Community Relations Coordinator
Holy cow! ONE PERSON to do all that?? They would have to be at every athletic event, concert, play, etc. at every school (#5 above). And still have time to "work with business partners, media, and key communicators" (#8).
And the deal-breaker for some applicants might be #10: "other Office of Community Relations duties as assigned". In THIS district, that's a catch-all that means "you better kiss administrators' behinds or you'll be outta here".
I think certain administrators feel it's in their best interests to withhold information from the public, and claiming to still be "updating the website" is one way to do that. Pretending to search for "just the right person" to manage the sites (when the job duties as listed would discourage almost anybody from applying) is another tactic that seems, so far, to be working in administration's favor.
The problem is that the job listing says that the person would have to report to the community relations director. I wouldn't take any position, no matter how much it paid, if I had to report to a racist criminal. Even if Clayton does have administrators and board members who cover up his illegal activities.
And how long have they been looking for this one wonderful person? More than a year, it seems.
Meanwhile, the district has the perfect excuse not to keep us informed. They think we are dumb enough to believe they're sincerely trying to update the websites, while they're sabotaging the search by setting qualifications for a job that only Superman could satisfy.
Meanwhile, someone does manage to update the district site about every meeting in support of the referendum.
Transparency, D131 style??
8:29, a criminal is someone who has been convicted of a felony. Unless Mr. Muhammad has, indeed, been convicted in a court of law he is not a criminal. I think you owe him an apology for insulting his character like this.
Mr. Muhammad has worked tirelessly to improve this district as well as his community. I believe he has made some blunders (his defense of "Serial Bully" Radakovich, and his declaration that "the issue is over" in the band situation were just plain wrong!), but he deserves credit for pouring his heart & soul into District 131.
So Mr. M., if you're reading this, please know that a lot of us appreciate your efforts and do not consider you a "racist criminal"!
A criminal is someone who breaks the law. A convicted felon is someone who has been found guilty in a court of law.
I will not retract my statement.
Clayton is a criminal because he has broken the law. The administrators and board are criminals because they covered it up. It's called being an accessory after the fact.
Clayton is a racist criminal who has discrimianated against students who are not black or hispanic while running an illegal public school fraternity.
And it's because of crap like this that the community has no faith in this administration and board and why until there is a major change, no referendum has a chance of passing.
Wow some strong words in the last couple of post. I believe that the board does enable him to run that fraternity even though the school codes says it's illegal and the board did over ride that policy but remember the county and the state let them do it so why even have this law when they look the other way when a board over rides them. I do not believe it is right but until they get rid of some of these board members that let the superintendent run this district instead of the boards policy this will happen.
I have only met Clayton a few times and yes I do think he is racist. It is a same that this group he has that teaches young men to do the right things is not open to all students of any race or that you have to have someone speak in your behave to join. That's why most don't think much of him and he does seem only interested in helping his race and when it suits him the Hispanics. So as a community member when I see him treat everyone the same I will think different.
Yes, these kind of things and the way this superintendent and board covers things up will only make me vote no for the referendum. Yes, there isn't a lot of parents that don't get involved with the schools but this administration and board still needs to do the best for the whole district and not for there own pet projects and their greed.
Did everyone else see the sample ballot in the paper yesterday? The referendum is on the back of the ballot, but look closely for it as it does not say referendum. It says something like working cash. You will not see the word referendum.
I saw this on the EHS band site this morning:
Football Senior Night - October 24
Come celebrate the Senior Band Members and enjoy the fully finished "Nightmare Before Halftime" halftime show.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excuse me? "Fully finished"??
So the students, parents, alums, and taxpayers who attended the homecoming game didn't deserve to see a "fully finished" halftime show?
I guess not, because the administration thinks that's all we deserve.
Excuse you, you deserve a kick in the butt.
Actually, the administrators have been kicking us in the butt for several years now. The half-baked Homecoming halftime show is just one example.
IGNORANT!!! Because you choose to be.
8:48, I'm sure it's much easier to call someone "IGNORANT" than to defend or explain a half-baked halftime show.
After all, namecalling is what people do to distract from the truth.
And the truth is, the halftime show at Homecoming was less than it should have been, if it wasn't "fully finished".
Hey, whaddaya know--the words "fully finished" have suddenly been removed from the East band site.
Does that mean that the show ISN'T fully finished? Or maybe that someone (like, maybe, a certain EHS band director) was upset by something that was said on this blog?
I saw the sample ballot in the paper and glad I did, but thanks for pointing this out.
Make sure you vote yes!
I will make sure I vote NO!
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