October calendar notes numerous opportunities for attending a meeting in District 131. Become an informed & involved community member by attending.
14th- Board Personnel committee 3pm, Board Curriculum Committee 5:15pm, Alumni committee 5:30 pm, Referendum Open House 6:30pm
15th-Board Finance Committee 6pm
17th-Referendum Open House 12pm
20th-Board meeting 7pm, come early for Referendum Open House 5:30pm
21st, 24th, 28th, 31st- Referendum Open Houses @ varied times.
See District calendar for accurate dates and times @ http://www.d131.org
135 comments:
Get informed, VOTE YES, and finally support District 131 students. You don't do it with your attendance at events so you should at least do it with money.
Many of us are informed! That is why we do not attend meetings where the same information is regurgitated and referred to as the new improved plan. Educated community members make for informed voters who know better than to put more money in the hands of those robbing our children's education funds to fill their retirement pockets.
Whatever excuse you want to make. You all complain that nobody listens and you are going to pass on 7 Open house opportunities to shove your opinion in their faces. Sounds dumb to me. How did the protestors of Vietnam make their point known? They got in the face of the important people. How did the civil rights movement happen? They got in the face of the important people.
How do you all get your point across. You post on a blog...anonymously. Guess what....NOBODY IS LISTENING!
Actually nobody in power was listening then. They used firehoses and dogs against protesters and put many of them in jail. Some protesters mistakenly went to violent extremes and even they were ignored.
The only real change came when people used their voting power to replace those in power who turned a deaf ear for so long.
I believe that the only real change in this district will come the same way. Two board members were replaced at the last election and four more will be replaced in the spring.
Got your attention, 6:30!
The "important people" in this district turn a blind eye and deaf ear to those who get "in their face."
Not an excuse, just the facts ma'am ('er sir).
Voices will be heard when they place their votes. No money and a new board.
For everyone, again be aware that this is on the back of the ballot and the word referendum does not appear on it, but Working Cash Fund does. It will also say Working Cash Fund if you vote electronically. If you accidentally mark YES on the ballot when you proof read how you voted, and wanted to vote NO, take your ballot back to the election judges and they will be glad to give you a new one.
Vote YES in the spring to replacing 4 old-guard board members!
Right, doing nothing is always better than doing something. Good job everybody. Keep up the good "work."
Vote YES if you got a 7% raise, like Dr. Roberts.
Vote YES if you want to give administrators and old guard board members even more of your money to waste on things other than "for our children".
Vote YES to give those administrators a vote of confidence and a pat on the back when what they really deserve is a kick in the backside.
I can't help but feel that if the board and administration had been making good decisions, they wouldn't now need to ask for more money from the public.
We should have made more than a million dollars from the bigelow/drive-in land deal. They lost 3.5 million dollars with the Wal-Mart/Police Station fiasco. They were paying our administrators nearly a million dollars more here than on the west side.
That is almost 6 million dollars that can't be replaced. Imagine the amount of teachers and programs that the district could have implemented.
If the leaders in this district pay no attention to even million dollar deals, how can we possibly believe that they are properly supervising normal day to day events.
The board and administration need to get their own house in order before they come into mine to pick my pockets.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
NOMINATING PETITIONS FOR SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 28
(Aurora)- The next election for the East Aurora Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. The terms of four (4) current members of the Board of Education will expire.
Nominating Petitions for interested parties will be available beginning Tuesday, October 28, 2008 and can be obtained at the School Service Center on Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Nominating Petitions of School Board Candidates must be filed at the School Service Center no earlier than Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. and no later than Monday, January 26, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
The names of the candidates will appear on the April 7 Election Ballot in the order in which the Nominating Petitions are received by the School Board Election Official at the School Service Center.
The East Aurora School Service Center is located at 417 Fifth Street.
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Morales
School Board Election Official
630.299.5554
lmorales@d131.org
I noticed a nice article about the referendum open house & brochure on the front page of today's Beacon-News. The brochures are easy to understand, colorful, and highlight the many good things going on in our district. Thanks for whoever had this idea!
But the Beacon reporter seems to have the idea that the band camp is funded/supported by the district--this is incorrect. The camp is a wonderful, decades-long tradition of students from all over the district (incoming 6th through outgoing 12th graders). They proudly represent D131 in the 4th of July parade, after rehearsing throughout the previous week at LaSalle Manor (the kids also enjoy swimming and other fun activities in between rehearsals). This camp has always been organized and funded by Band Boosters and parents, with little if any involvement by D131 administration.
Let's give credit where credit is due--parents and boosters "take a bow" for this, not district bigwigs!
I don't care how nice that brochure is, I am still voting no for the referendum. Does anyone have any signs left from the last go round? Would like to have one if there is.
Yes, there are signs let over.
According to the brochure, the district now has a user-friendly website. I just tried to get my son's English teacher's e-mail address from the East High site, and when I click on faculty & staff it says that an error has occurred.
How user-friendly is that?
The Openline blog posted this today:
East Aurora School District 131 Pushes $32 Million Tax Increase During Economic Uncertainty
As the East Aurora School District (131) pushes a third attempt at a tax increase with a referendum, aside from the many numerous reasons why the tax increase failed twice before and would likely fail again, now the district is asking for the tax increase at the same time there is economic uncertainty and a financial crisis at the local, state, national and perhaps global level.
While West Aurora School District (129) has been taking positive steps toward improving its academic future and Indian Prairie School District (204) already has been moving forward, do you believe East Aurora has taken any steps to transform itself to justify asking for more funds?
Shared by Openline on 10/15/2008
Yes, I read that on the other blog and the comments are very interesting. The superintendant, Clayton and the school board are not winning any brownie points for their endevors!
What is intresting about any of the comments on Openline? It is the same crap that is posted on a weekly cycle. There is nothing new or interesting there.
11:47, not only does it say there's an error, but that the web administrator has been notified. I thought the district didn't have a web administrator?
I agree, they have no business bragging about a user-friendly website!
Vote yes. Thanks for your support of D131.
Thanks for your support of D131's corrupt, overpaid, secretive administration.
Oooooooooooooooooo, Snap, you got me. Oh no you dinet.
"Dinet"?
4:17 must be a D131 administrator.
Or Elmer Fudd.
If this superintendant and certain school board members put as much effort into finding solutions to where cuts can be made where there is excess spending and other things, making necessary changes where they can be made, instead of putting all their efforts into a referendum everytime we go to vote we would have what they say we are missing for the students. This is not done, and where, just where, did they get the monies to pay for the 2 new directors salaries? Again, they snuck this through, made postitions, and upped salaries, from a district that they say needs money. Again, they come up with monies for administration, just like the sneaky way they did Roberts contract. Roberts is a waste of district 131's money just like the new directors, after all if we got by fine without them before, why do we need them now? Just what is their job discriptions? This goes right along with those 2 new administration jobs that Roberts created and one of the jobs went to someone he knows. Two more added postitions that takes away from the students-so altogether since he has been superintendant he has crated 4 new postions, yet we do not have money for the students and already threatening to stop certain things and maybe getting rid of some full time help. He can start by getting rid of those 4 new postitons he created, those salaries plus benefits equals quite a bit of monies I am sure that can go to the students! Still a vote NO from this arena.
There has been a lot of support for this district for many years way before now. When this district is more transparent about how they do things and how they spend money maybe some of us will be more willing to vote yes. The board just voted for the superintendents new contract that really wasn't up till next year and hide it in the personal minutes and from what I hear he got a sweet deal. Then they change two new job titles again in the personal minutes with back pay to June I believe. Why don't they just come out and say these things instead of hiding them.
There is a board member that the board just hand picket after a vacancy who has missed from what I hear nine meetings because of his job. Now if they knew his job might make him not get to come to board meetings why with the other candidates did they pick him. There where others that could have been there for all those meetings.
Then there is that magnet school that they started before they even asked the board if they could start and they said no other money would be needed and then guess what they are asking for some for it. The West side is thinking of doing a Magnet School and guess what they asked the board first if they could.
So really what do you not get that the people in this district does not trust the superintendent and school board.
Many government agencies in the state are cutting back expenses to keep things running but this district gives raises to a superintendent and administrators with no regard to what we are in the business of doing and that is giving the children of this district a good education and not lining there pockets.
Vote yes, thanks for supporting the students finally. Thanks for thinking about the betterment of the community.
"Thanks for thinking about the betterment of the community."
What a cliche' and a pat line for people who follow blindy to propaganda intended to guilt people into believing they are doing something noble.
Bow to the "yes" voter who gives till it hurts, and knows not where his money goeth.
They put Salinas back on the board because he is a yes man and knew he would be for the referendum.
Maybe someone could set up a fund at Old Second (or another community bank) for people to contribute to, that would be controlled by concerned parents and spent FOR OUR CHILDREN. The parents would ask teachers (NOT administrators) for specific suggestions about what is most needed to benefit students.
I would definitely trust my fellow parents and the teachers in this district, that the money would be spent wisely. The problem that's keeping me from voting for a referendum is that I DON'T trust administration, based upon the past several years.
Is there a way we could give money to our kids & teachers without so much of it being skimmed off the top by certain folks at the central office??
Very good idea! Places are always giving donations specified for certain things. We could ask for a receipt to make sure it went where it was suppose to. Also, when donation is given, the person giving it can do it before the board so that it goes in the board bits(if they ever get done)so there is a record of it. When presenting it before the board state that we want it in the board bits.
There is an old saying: " Beware of stupid people in large numbers". I believe that the school board and administrators are trying to turn it around to be: " Thank God for stupid people in large numbers" That's why they hide information, keep doing things in secret and generally ignore the wishes of us who pay their salary.
If memory serves, donations are all suppose to go through the offices of each school.
Personally, on a number of occasions I have given directly to a specific group or teacher. Or you can ask the teacher what they want or need and if you are able and the needed/wanted item is attainable outside the school process-buy the item(s) for the class/ teacher.
Example: the teacher would love to have stickers, an actual globe or an educational game for her classroom. Give the teacher a gift certificate or buy and donate the item to that classroom.
Clubs and booster organizations have fund raisers to help buy things that their groups need or want. Give directly to Band, Sports or the NJROTC Boosters or PTA.
I have bought lunches for my childs team when they had an all day fundraiser. I gave money to the club my children were active in at their high school. I buy from every child that comes to my door selling for their school, or I have made it a point to go to the school and give a cash donation.
Volunteering is the least expensive, yet most valuable way to give to your children's school and education. Those opportunities are plentiful and you can give as much or as little as you wish.
Here's a direct quote from the message I saw when I went to the new East High website today and clicked on "About Our School":
"There has been an error on this page. The website administrator has been notified".
When I clicked on School News, it said the following:
"There has been an error on this page. The website administrator has been notified".
When I clicked on Faculty and Staff, I saw:
"There has been an error on this page. The website administrator has been notified".
When I clicked on Teacher Webpages, I was informed that:
"There has been an error on this page. The website administrator has been notified".
And, surprise surprise, when I clicked on "Contact Us" on the EHS site toolbar, it said:
"There has been an error on this page. The website administrator has been notified".
BUT, when I read the referendum brochure I am told that:
"Our new website is user-friendly and community focused".
Does anyone see the slightest bit of inconsistency here??
Once again, the administration is giving us what they think we deserve--disrespect and deception.
And once again, I will vote NO.
I went and looked at some of the other schools too like the middle schools and the same thing except for the pictures of the principles. Maybe they should spend more time with keeping the parents of the district up to date on these things instead of all the pictures on the website and just putting the information that people want. Get rid of all the fluff and put on the things that are informational like the other districts. How much will this cost the district? You are right about the information about the referendum that is there. When the administration and board start treating us right then maybe we could vote for a referendum. Also when the superintendent starts following the policies of this district and the school board making sure he does. Until the board makes sure that this superintendent follows what they say like other districts I will not vote yes. They need to quit giving this superintendent that doesn't live in this district so much power.
I will vote Yes when these conditions are met and not before:
1)The community needs to replace the current board members who are up for election this spring and a new board president is put in place.
2)The new board needs to clean house at central office. All key administrators need to be replaced.
3)The new board and administration need to show transparency and accountabiity.
AMEN 10/16 6:55!
But it will take this community to get rid of those school board members so lets do it. If not all lets get rid of the one that uses his work not to make it to meetings. Don't sit on a board if your work keeps you from coming to board meetings. These are serious times and we need people that will work for the district and not just letting a superintendent that doesn't live in this district run it. Remember he can go home to Joliet and his nice house at the end of the day and live his good life for his children that he wouldn't even let go to this district to get and education while making a very good salary from us.
Two hispanic teenagers got out of a car and stold a reform not referendum sign out of a yard on Spencer and Seventh Ave. This was witnessed by a neighbor and the person tried to get the license plate # but could not. Am waiting for a description of the car. This is a criminal action and if the young men are found a report will be filed. There will be another one put in that yard. Many of us kept the signs from last time incase they needed to be used again.
No matter what side you are on in any election or referendum stealing signs is a sad state of affairs. Remember when Richard Irvin was running for Mayor someone got caught and arrested for that. We won't have anyone from the state attorney looking into like Richards case was but now that we know lets be watching out there and if you see someone doing that try to get information on them. I'm sure some adult is behind this and it looks like they are willing to let these kids get in trouble.
October 14, 2008 10:20 AM
That says it all!!
I think the administration is purposely withholding certain board minutes ("Board Bits") from the website, so they can try to hide unfavorable information from the public.
Here's a specific example--someone on this blog mentioned that a board member (I think it's Mr. Salinas) had missed several board meetings. The "Board Bits" always says which members were present and who was absent. Most of the D131 School Board members have a reputation for deception & secrecy over the past several years, so hiding the fact that their hand-picked new/former crony doesn't show up to meetings would be typical of the way they do things.
And claiming to still be looking for a website manager isn't a very good excuse for withholding information. After all, the district manages to post plenty of pro-referendum propaganda on the website. I guess that's what the administration considers "community-focused".
Giving us what they think we deserve, as usual.
I only see one board bits that is missing and that is the 9/2 which was approved at the 9/15 meeting and the one for 10/6 the minutes should be approved tonite. The workshops don't have minutes but the agenda will be posted as all districts do without any minutes showing.
I did see this in the 9/15 minutes that I found strange. This is in the open meeting part of the bits.
Karen Jensen Rodriguez addressed the board. Mrs. Jensen is a 5th grader at Allen School. Mrs. Jensen spoke to the board regarding national board certification which is a very rigorous intense process where a teacher mentors themselves against the teaching standards set up by the national board of professional teaching standards.
Mrs. Jensen is a 5th grader at Allen Schools and is a teacher also. They are really getting these teachers young. Or should someone do some proof reading first and not be in such a hurry.
I do believe that Lisa Morales does the board bits.
Does anyone know when the Band Boosters pancake breakfast will be? Last year my neighbor's son was selling tickets at the end of September, but he says he doesn't know when it is this year.
That breakfast raised a lot of $ for the summer band camp, which is one of the finest programs our district offers. My kids both participated in the camp several years ago--Ms. Huggins does a great job, and the kids represent the East side proudly in the 4th of July parade.
There isn't any info about a band fundraiser on the East High site, and the band website has been shut down for more than a week!?
Anybody know anything??
October 21, 2008 8:29 AM
No!?!
5 of 12 meetings have board bits posted on their web site. this includes the meeting last night, so even without that recent one, less than half of the board meetings this year have bits posted.
How can the board bits be posted for last night as the minutes from last night has not been voted on and accepted? The minutes of last nights meeting will be voted on at the next board meeting.
The minutes for last nights meeting are not posted. For the meetings on 7/22,9/2,9/9 9/23 and one for 10/6 and those where workshops and an agenda has to be posted but there will be no minutes because of those meetings where workshops. The second agenda for 9/2 was a board meeting and the minutes where approved at the 9/15 meeting so those should be on there so what is up Lisa?
8:29 & 1:47, you seem to like punctuation marks. Why don't you work for the D131 referendum committee--I counted TWELVE exclamation points on one page of their brochure.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
It looks like no one knows what's going on with the Band Boosters pancake breakfast, that has been a successful fund-raising tradition for over 20 years in this district. This event has helped to fund the district's band camp, when kids in all grade levels proudly march in the 4th of July parade. My own kids participated, and it would be a real shame to see it discontinued.
I've heard that there are problems getting parents to participate in the Band Boosters (the EHS website mentioned that most officer positions are "VACENT"). H'mmm--I don't remember any similar problems when my kids were in the program--could it be that parents have issues with the current EHS band director?
Or maybe it's just coincidence, since after all "the issue is
over".
What is up with Carol Farum going to be gone for 3 months? It was brought out at the meeting. Also, the secretaries contract was on the agenda, but nothing has been in the paper. Anyone know anything about this?
If Carol Farnum is going to be gone for an extended period of time, she needs to step down as a board member.
Here, I "found" this on the "other" blog. I just want everybody to stay informed.
Anonymous said...
Don't forget to vote yes for our students in district 131. They need your support. Thanks for finally paying for your kids education rather than letting the goverment do everything for you.
Don't we all pay into state taxes and federal taxes also? This property tax for the schools need to be changed. Other states do it differntly and it seems to work for them but wait since Ill. is one of the most corrupt states why would they do something that doesn't line their pocket books.
2:22 p.m., that's why the "Vote NO" signs say "Reform not Referendum".
Too bad we can't vote yes for the students and no to the corrupt administration.
Please spread the word, don't be misled.
131 is not issuing $32 million for cash in the coffers, it is BORROWING $32 million against your children's & grandchildren's future education on the Aurora's eastside.
Did anyone else read the new brochure carefully? The wording has changed for how they are going to do this bond referendum. Before they were only going to use the interest on the 32 million they are borrowing. Now it states something like they are going to use some 23 million that they are borrowing and not just the interest. It does not really state what it will be used for, so that would mean they can use it for whatever they feel like. Up to their old tricks!
Sorry, the 23 million should state 32 million.
Wrong. From DAY 1 they stated they will use all of the interest and a portion of the principle every year and that should last 20 to 25 years. You just were not listening at the beginning.
I havent read this blog in months.Mostly because I got so depressed reading all the negative comments expressed and didnt hesr many logical or constructive solutions,just complaints.
I will admit ther are problems at 131,although most of my experiences are at EAHS.I have attended 1 board meeting recently,and left frustrated before it ended,at the first opportunity without being disruptive!
It was directly after the vandalism spree by some of EAHS's "trusted" students and thier pals.My main reason for going was to see how the board would deal with the whole incident.Well,fortunately I got to see them "NOT" deal with most of it,at least not in front of the public attending that night.
In retrospect I dont think I would have said much that night if I was on the board,for lots of reasons.That doesnt mean I agree with the way it was handled.
I feel the most regret for the students now attending EAHS because they are bright enough to know this blog exists and Im sure they frequent it to see what is being talked about if not contribute to it.
Here is the million dollar question!!!!!How much encouragement would YOU find,as a student of 131 if you frequented this blog and read the constant criticisms on this blog?How much would all the negativism affect your daily efforts at an education if you read all the adults berating the Superintendant,Teachers,Staff and Board members?
It has got to be hard to go to school in this day and age,when things are so uncertain and there are so many pressures as a teenager to go to school and be proud and motivated to excel and achieve your dreams!
I know ther are good,qualified and dedicated staff and teachers at EAHS and I thank GOD for those people,they are what keeps the place from caving in to all the negativity that is generated by SO MANY people here in AURORA about EAST HIGH SCHOOL.
I cant help but think that all the negative press and the unjustified criticisms will help to build some very strong and determined adults out of those teenagers that dont allow the bitter attitudes of a few to rob them of the hope they need to motivate them to succeed at getting all they can from the opportinities we can provide them.
Please dont get me wrong,I think there is plenty of work to be done to change what is wrong with those steering the ship,lets not sink it in the process of changing crews,or cause the passengers to jump ship for fear of it going down in the storm.
Not to minimize your concerns 7:53 pm.
Those steering the ship are the cause for all the concern in the district. Our teachers and students do not get their just rewards. Till we get the crew from the Titanic out, many will have that sinking feeling no matter how hard they try to bail.
Your concern for our students is admirable, but in their world, I am sure, youtube, myspace, facebook and friends don't leave much time for blogging on sites such as this.
I was at the first presentation about the bond issue and it was stated that the interest would only be used. Also at the meetings I attended in the past and the way it was presented, it was the understanding that the interest would only be used. As for the students and the persons concern about the negativity here, talk to the students and see what they have to say. They are wiser than what you think and aware of things going on.
Right, and whatever is said at the first meeting is set in stone. The plan can never change because you people will never go to more than one meeting. I will say from at least August on, the plan has been to use part of the 32 mil every year. So if you are just paying attention now that is your fault.
Wrong, do go to meetings and this is not what was said. Since you said you people, it makes me wonder is you are not one of the school board members or maybe a person who works at the service center. Of, course, we can trust some school board members and the superintendant to be transparent and tell us everything right? Like the way the superintendantd contract was done, new directors postitions and the magnet school. Shall I go on?
From the other blog:
Anonymous said...
I voted no for the referendum (I'm a student at college in another state so I had an absentee ballot). I will not support D131 getting another penny until they start cleaning up their act. They are almost as bad as the Aurora City Council!
10/22/08 9:39 PM
Well I don't work at the service center and I am not a school board member. Your stupid. How come I knew they were going to use some of the principle? Did it come to me in a dream. Everybody who disagrees with you does not always have a hidden agenda. They might just think that you have no clue what is going on. Because you don't
I do know what is going on and is there really a need to call a person names? I will not sink to your level and do this. You think you know what is going on and I think I know what is going on, time will prove who is right. It is to bad you feel you have to be on the offensive as you are doing and stating things in such a negative way. You will get nowhere with the community the way you post, and people do read this blog and the other one.
Thank you, your words have moved me. I will change my ways. You are right and I am wrong.
If the administrators and the superintendent are so concerned about the finances of the district,then they should not have accepted thier pay increases. Oh poor me I need 6% more added to my 6 digit salary,oh poor me I need 4% added to my last couple years before I retire. Oh poor me Ihave an idea we'll just ask for a referendum and sucker the people into a yes vote and make the feel sorry for us. yes I attended one of the ref. open houses it was more of a threat speech then anything. Oh another idea they should let the public vote on admin and super raises I wonder how much they would get then.
The way I understand Bond Referendums, The district issues bonds to those who chose to buy them. They then have to pay interest on those bonds. It's like savings bonds. The person who buys those bonds expects to receive interest on that money.
The district doesn't receive interest on the bonds it issues. It must PAY the buyers of those bonds the interest.
When you borrow money, you must PAY it back with interest. People don't pay you interest to lend you money.
I don't understand the posts here that the district is only going to spend the interest because they will not receive any interest.
We are voting whether or not to give the administrators in this district a credit card, to spend money that the district does not have. It is the most irresponsible request the administrators in this district have ever made.
It's will be financial disaster in the future when we have to pay the money back that we don't have.
I was wondering how that really worked and I can see this isn't a good idea for this district. So the information that they are giving about the referendum is not correct if what you say is true.
I notice on the front page of the Beacon today that Linda Chapa-LaVia opposes the referendum, although she personally voted yes (probably because she herself can afford to, but realizes that many in the community are financially stressed).
I like her idea of devoting a legislative session to finding alternatives to property tax increases.
This was the clincher for me for Chappa LaVia. I was not going to vote for her anyway and this shows that she will go with the flow and not stand up to her convictions and what is best for the people she represents. If she thinks this will make me vote for that referendum, she is wrong. She may have the money for this not very clear at all referendum, but the rest of us do not. I can do a good job of throwing away money I don't have if I want to. I did not see this article in my paper I got today, someone told me about it and I had to go the Beacon online to find it.
Openline blog is taking a poll of who is for and against the referendum. It was just posted under the info about Chappa LaVia. So far 100% against. Now let's just hope everyone votes this way and not the way Chappa LaVia did.
Vote yes
Get informed, VOTE YES, and finally support District 131 students. You don't do it with your attendance at events so you should at least do it with money.
What money? You got some to give me?
So tell me why is our General Administration cost 12,857.970 while the west sides is 2,325,917. With instruction ours 50,515,908 west is 57,499,505 which is higher than ours but Education for us is 83,956,405 west is 79,451,564. Support Services is 33,081,092 west is 31,611,410. These are core issues and we do spend more money in other areas. It looks like this district could cut back on the General Administration and there Support Services before they cut teachers and sports.
The West side and us are the closet a like districts that is why I gave these numbers. So as far as being informed I have looked at different areas and not just what this administrations says and so should you.
Many of us are informed! That is why we do not attend meetings where the same information is regurgitated and referred to as the new improved plan. Educated community members make for informed voters who know better than to put more money in the hands of those robbing our children's education funds to fill their retirement pockets.
This is on openline.blog under Linda Chappa that I thought would be good to bring over here.
East and West Aurora both serve about the same number of students. While East serves more economically poor neighborhoods than West, the differences aren't that great at all.
Look at all the other school districts in the area: West, Oswego, Batavia, Indian Prairie, Geneva, Plainfield, Naperville, Kaneland, and Yorkville. All of those districts are up to standards, yet East Aurora, having a total budget larger than some of those districts (not all, but some) is on the watch list. The ONLY reason I can think of that this could be is poor administration, which leads to poor teachers and poor students.
I would rather spend time cleaning out the entire district and starting from scratch (as in everyone - including the school board - gets fired and has to prove why they should get their jobs back) than spend 1 more penny on a failing district that has administrators and board members who don't care.
Amen to this. It is time to clean house and make sure all the children in this district gets a good education and not the superintendent and administration lining there pockets.
Makes me wonder if things did change at the school board if the ones who make excuses now why they do not go will go if things change? I attend when I can and see that only 2 members are there trying to make changes on their own with no help from the community. Believe this or not, they really have made some ground, but the rest who do not attend would not know this as what they have done or said will never make it in the board bits or will the Beacon print it. There was some interesting things brought out at the last meeting, but no one will know due to nonattendance but for the few from the community.
Nothing is ever going to change because then what would you have to complain about.
Vote yes and support the students.
Even in change there will be something to complain about.
The only way to improve any situation is to identify things that are not working or can be improved upon and then take action.
That is not complaining, it's the natural process of improvement.
It only becomes complaining when nothing is done to change the situation. Unfortunately we have a large obstruction to improvement in this district, The board and administration.
Beginning with the spring election, the community can take the action necessary to remove this obstruction.
Well put 11:10!
I agree!
No, it's always complaining when it is done on a blog. Nice try though.
If you have such a dim view of blogs, what are you doing in one?
I believe blogs are a great way for community members to communicate, stay informed and make a difference.
Welfare voters=Obama=Yes.
People coming here to read and discuss different topics is great. But there will not be a change until there is a change at home for most of the students in the district. There are students cussing out teachers in the school. There are kids who have over 30 absences since the beginning of school at the high school and nothing is happening. The district is trying to make a difference but when parents do not step up there is nothing the teachers or administration can do. All these changes can't be done at school.
If a student has been absent 30 times without a parents authorization there should be something the school can do. If the parents have been notified about the students absence and they do nothing about it, is this not when the traunt officer is notified so something can be done. Also, if a student has been absent this many times without parents approval, can't they be suspended from school until a parent brings them back? If the students are cussing the teachers out, why are they not sent to the principals office and the parents notified about this behavior and informed that the student will not be let back into classes until something is done about this type of behavior.
Things aren't like they used to be.
I tried to find out answers to the question about truancy. The police don't enforce that like they used to when I went to school, over 30 yrs. ago.
The schools are the man in the middle. It is their responsibility to teach the students, they get a finger pointed at them when the child fails. If they put the disruptive ones out, they lose tax money.
I say "schools" but it is the "teachers" in the middle. They do not get support from admin. I was a parent helper at the schools and I saw what the teacers had to put up with. They send a child to the office and the child comes back, nothing changed except now the kid has a you-can't-touch-me attitude.
I agree with many of these bloggers. House cleaning needs to be done at the service center.
There are not enough truancy officers in Kane county to actually do their jobs right. We have students who have had attendance/truancy issues since elementary school and nothing has been done to them or their parents. In some cases, our administrators are making home visits on our worst offenders and it still does not make a difference. We also have parents cussing out adminstrators and teachers so what do you think their kids do- the same thing!
I say "deport the deportable". Perhaps the district wouldn't need more money if it got rid of the students, and parents, that are here only for a free ride.
This was sent out to the schools by Clayton Muhammad. It's illegal for public school employees to tell commnity members to vote YES but apparently Clayton believes that these same public employees are allowed to tell the public all the reasons they should vote YES. It's outrageous and definately illegal. Of course when has the law ever stopped Clayton. Please notice that the only way to have input into this forum is to submit your opinion to the district and Clayton.
Good Afternoon Faculty & Staff:
With a week left until Election Day, the Aurora Beacon News is working on a package for the East Aurora School District Referendum. This package will allow faculty & staff members of D131 the opportunity to speak on the topic, “If the referendum passes, how would it impact my day-to-day activities”
In the past, the Aurora Beacon News has told the story from the opposite perspective and focused on the impact of the referendum not passing. This new focus will offer the perspective on the other end of the spectrum.
The Aurora Beacon News is attempting to collaborate with our Information Campaign and get out the facts from all perspectives.
This ‘in their own words’ type of informational story must be 400 words or less and focus on how day-to-day activities at school (in your area specifically) would be impacted if the referendum does pass next Tuesday.
The Aurora Beacon News is seeking a cross-section of views: elementary teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers in general and primary classroom teachers, fine arts elementary and secondary teachers, athletic coaches, math & science teachers, and club sponsors specifically.
If you would like to participate, please forward your 400 words or less essay to:info@d131.org or cmuhammad@d131.org and it will be forward it to the appropriate editors. Please include your full name, school, grade & subject level.
Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 (or before if possible) at NOON.
Remember: This is not an endorsement of the Referendum but rather an opportunity to give information from your personal perspective. Any endorsements cannot and will not be forwarded to the Aurora Beacon News for this series.
The Aurora Beacon News provides opportunities via its Letters to the Editor and Openline sections for all community members to express any views that they so desire.
Please respond to this email with any questions.
Thank You,
Clayton A. Muhammad
Director of Community Relations
You have crossed the line Clayton. If I was going to vote yes for the referendum I would not now. I have many problems with the Beacon but you are not going to blame this on them. Shame on you and you need to go.
First order of work in the position created for him with his big pay raise that was retroactive back to July. Think he needs this referendum to pass so he can get paid and wait for the bigger increases in salary that he is expecting in the future?
Meanwhile he claims to be searching for a website manager, with a job description that sounds like they're looking for someone who has at least 80 hours/week to videotape each & every district event, not to mention having to be at Clayton's beck & call.
Of course, as long as the website position remains unfilled the corrupt administration has the perfect excuse for failing to provide us with current information.
And we have one more reason for voting NO.
Susan Salinas (a junior at EHS, daughter of board member Fernando Salinas) was interviewed in the Beacon today. She came across as an intelligent, well-spoken young lady. But what's up with the T-shirt she's wearing, with the distorted Tomcat face? Seems disrespectful of our mascot to me.
So Susan Salinas thinks the "no" voters are racist? What an ignorant assumption--but no surprise coming from someone whose dad was sneaked back on the School Board by his corrupt, old-guard cronies.
I have voted "no" the past two times, and plan to vote "no" again (because I cannot trust the administration's use of our money, and because a close friend was unjustly deprived of his job in the district a few years ago). I tell everyone I know precisely why I feel that NO is the best choice until we have new school board members and administrators who are accountable and who respond to citizens' concerns with more than "no comment--the issue is over".
It angers me when I am assumed to be racist, when I am anything but. Specifically, I send monthly support checks to help feed & educate a child in Haiti and a child in Indonesia, and I volunteer as a tutor at the Dominican Literacy Center helping immigrant women to learn English. Believe me, I know people who really are racist--and the last thing they would do with their time or money would be to help a Black, Asian, or Hispanic person!
Susan Salinas seems like a bright, capable young woman. Let's hope she learns to check the facts before making assumptions about people's motivations to vote yes or no.
The district is really going over the line. You know very well that this article is the work of Clayton Muhammad. He has been organizing this campaign to push a YES vote. By law, public employees can not take a position on the referendum. Organizing a YES campaign and using his influence as the district Public Relations Spokesman to push a YES campaign breaks the law.
Does it surprise anyone to see that his first choice is a black or hispanic student pushing the race card?
7 How have you personally seen the effects of the past year's failed referendum measures?
I've seen a lot of kids leave, kids with a lot of talent. Ever since freshman year kids have said they'll leave (if the referendums measure fail), and they have. There's a girl who is going to be valedictorian for our class who plays tennis who might leave if it's cut. It sucks, and from what I've seen there are a lot of kids really down right now. If this doesn't pass, it will be a lot different at school. You won't see the cheerleaders and the marching band cheering at the game. People won't be excited. It will be much different than it is now.
If kids can leave then why wait for a referendum to fail they should go now. We only have one high school so does that mean the parents are moving out of the district?
It is time that the children learn that things don't always go there way and you have to learn to live with it.
I teach the children to take control of their realities and change for the better the things that are in their control. I refuse to tell students to act as victims of their circumstances.
I emphasize that the realities of their young lives and their parents life does not need to be their reality in their adult life. Not only can and should their lives be better than their parents but that it's every parents wish that their children do better than themselves.
Eliminating defeatest thinking is the greatest challenge, we as teachers, have in working with these children.
They can be successes even if their parents and other community members are not.
Vote yes for Susan.
Why is Susan the only important student at East or because her dad is a school board member that misses a lot of board meetings.
What great people we have in our district. Those who give of time and money to others and those who try and teach children to rise above "challenges." I bet these folks are teachers! :o)
Parents not getting they students to school and not making them accountable and do not support their children and their education.This is a 131 problem.
Even worse are those parents who lie and distort the truth to their children, to the point the children cannot function in the "real" world.
Telling your children the bad "no voters" are prejudice people who will cause you and your family to be less than perfect in all they do and telling your children they will have less than a perfect education due to people who think differently, this seems like abuse to me.
VOTE YES to the Salinas' moving to another district. Problems solved. He's off the board and his children can have a wonderful life at a wonderful school, maybe in a wonderful Hispanic community where diversity is not used as an excuse for failure.
All you people who say that you are going to vote no: Quit talking about it and go do it. I did. Early voting is great and not crowded.
It's a shame how this district's administration treats it's teachers. Tony Iniguez has been exploited by this district for months since the district administration found out that Tony was competing in the paralympic games in Bejing. There are still several articles on the district website about Tony's competitions and successes.
Tony's wife recently completed her training as a medical doctor. She was able to obtain a position at a hospital in Champaign. Tony resigned from the district after 14years to be with his wife and two children in Champaign.
The district administration did not thank him for 14 years of dedicated service to our children. They did not wish him well in the future. What they did do was to demand to inspect the boxes of personal posessions to make sure that he was not stealing anything.
This is just one more reason why the district has so much trouble retaining teachers. Nobody wants to be treated the way this districts administrators treat their teachers.
While we are talking about poor treatment of teachers. Neither the board or administration has yet to recognize Kate Keilty for her thirty years of dedicated service to the districts students.
Board policy states that teachers should be recognized at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service. However this administration flat out lied to Kate and told her that district policy did not require any recognition at 30 years of service and that she should expect nothing for her years.
Instead of acknowledging a mistake and dealing with the situation in a moral and ethical manner, they cover up, hide and take the low road.
This district's administration is a shameful and disgraceful group of individuals that need to be removed. Not given extended contracts and excessive raises.
Everyone lets not forget that after the last referendum failed Mr. Salinas swore he would move from this district. He didn't care what his children wanted, he wasn't going to live in a district like this one.
Once again, he proved he was full of it.
The article is "10 things to know". Looks like Ms. Salinas knows nothing about the district except retoric and brain washing. What time is that class?
To Oct 28 8:50 am "But what's up with the T-shirt she's wearing, with the distorted Tomcat face? Seems disrespectful of our mascot to me.
This T-shirt is promoting the Marching Band halftime show "Nightmare before Halftime". I complained to the Board and the Principal that I thought it was grotesque and disrespectful but was told it was promoting school spirit.
They claim everyone loves it and I was the only one who complained.
I was wondering about if they ever reconized her. This is a shame.
Anita you are right about the shirt it is desprectful. Plus if it is in the image of the nightmare thing like you said there could be some copyright problems.
I doubt that Anita was the only one complaining about the Tomcat being disrespected. The administration has gone out of their way the past 4 years to circle the wagons and pretend that they got rid of Mr. K. at East High to make the band program better.
Anytime there's been a complaint they just brush it off. When someone asks HOW the band program has improved there's a big silence from administration.
This decision was made almost 4 years ago, and they've had 3 years to do what they said they were going to do! There's been no improvement but a decline in the way the band sounds & looks. Some of us suspected back then that this was really about a personal vendetta, but we were waiting to let administration prove that they really were acting in students' best interests.
So Dr. Gonzalez, Mr. Harmon, Ms. Farnum, Mr. Muhammad, and others who were involved at the time--I have a question for you:
It's been almost 4 years. Where's our "better" East High band program?
8:19, don't forget about Salinas--he was gung-ho to get rid of Mr. K too. Maybe that's one reason the old-guard board members snuck him back.
And I notice on the D131 website that the nominating petitions are available for the upcoming School Board elections this spring.
Hint, hint.....
Susan has a financial interest her mother is paid by our taxes. Her father is the racist. He is linked to several racist statements that whites in the District will not fund Spanish.
She also is working on a free ride to college. Salinas said he was leaving the District if the last referendum did not pass. However it is more financially beneficial to him to get his daughter a free ride. She is no role model. She is a liar and cheat like her parents.
a bunch of xenophobes
That child is only saying what she has heard at home, just like anyother child. She is still young and impressionable. Treat her kindly and she will know that there are good people in this world.
To Oct 24 8:47
All the other districts aren't East Aurora. The district is on the watch list because its students are not like students in Naperville or Yorkville. Many are illegal aliens, or the children of Burger King employees and convicted felons who can't afford to move anywhere else. Thats the hard truth. Naperville, and Plainfield have professionals living there and they are educating their kids. Thats why those districts are doing OK, not because of the administration, though I will admit they suck.
I taught there for two years. So many of my students had dads or brothers in prison, or both, and they were headed there next. I don't think, in a district like this, that it can ever be fixed. Either move away or support vouchers, don't spend money on this district! This is a public school teacher saying this.
East Aurora is where the rest of the Fox Valley area dumps its trash. Every region in Chicagoland has this, because we need Taco Bells staffed and lawn service people and so on. Waukeegan is up in Lake County. McHenry had Carpentersville, Kane/Kendall has E.A., and Will has Joliet. Of course Dupage has Aurora to the west and the close Chicago burbs like Cicero to the east.
If you care about your kids education, then move away from the EA district any way you can. Live in a 1 bedroom apartment in 204 or 129's district if need be. If you don't care about your kids education, then stay right where you are in 131 because thats where you belong.
Passing this referendum is a waste of money. Its like putting a Band-aid on a shotgun blast to the gut. It just ain't gonna cut it. Save your money, quit dilluting yourselves, and bail like I did. I don't work there anymore, and any good teacher gets out when they can. If you're old school and remember EA the way it was in the 70s or something, then enjoy your memories, but this is the Barrio now, and your EA is long dead!!!
This is from the Beacon letters to the editors on 10/29. Do you hear us school board.
Vote no on referendums
With the approaching election on Nov. 4, the taxpayers in Illinois and the residents of the East Aurora School District will be asked to vote on two items which, if passed, will place further tax burdens on individuals and/or families that are already struggling in these difficult economic times. It is no wonder that these items for the most part have been kept silent.
The first is the constitutional convention referendum which, if passed, could potentially give more power to our inept elected officials, including the authority to institute further taxes on items such as pensions, retirement plans and who knows what else. Some individuals who are naive enough to believe the taxpayer will have more of a voice in running the state government with the passage of this referendum need to wake up. The constitution is not broken; rather it is our elected officials who blatantly abuse it. We need to vote these lifelong, corruption-minded, incumbent politicians out of office and replace them with individuals who will be responsive to the taxpayers.
The other item is the East Aurora school referendum, an attempt to further raise taxes on legal, not illegal, district taxpayers. Needed instead is viable tax reform and a more competent school board to address these issues. Recently, upon the passing of board member Bud Herbig, our illustrious board took it upon itself to reappoint a former member who was previously voted off of the board by the voters. Alas, the good old boy system at work. We need to learn from the recently passed West Aurora school referendum and realize that what you vote for is not necessarily what you get.
Jerry Stevens
Aurora
Here, I "found" this on the beacon web site. I did not know if you guys had seen it yet. Remember to vote yes.
With just a week until the Nov. 4 election, voters are turning on their tubes, attending forums and seeking information from every source they can get their hands on, but when it comes to the East Aurora School District's $32 million cash bond referendum proposal to be voted on by residents, there's one source that continually goes untapped.
Forget meetings and pamphlets and equalized assessed value for a moment, and meet Susan Salinas. A junior at East Aurora High School, the dark-haired, braces-wearing teen keeps her days full.
With marching band, and dance team, softball and class council, Salinas has taken advantage of dozens of school-sponsored activities during her days in the district. Brother Fernando, 15, does even more, big sister professed. Basketball, baseball, golf and band are items on his after-school agenda. And little brother Fabian, only 4, is "already into it," Salinas said with a smile. "He's always wearing Tomcat shirts and loves going to the games and cheering."
But, if the referendum measure fails, Salinas said she can already picture Fabian without a thing to do.
"It's a shame," Salinas said shaking her head. "Kids will stop acting like kids."
And while Salinas can't picture Fernando's, Fabian's, or even her own life without her extracurriculars, she just might have to.
"Student are just more worried now (than in past years)," she said. "Now there is the actual risk of the district taking away everything."
So, what's it like being a Tomcat in 2008, and what will Fabian face in the future if the bond proposal fails? Salinas weighs in and reflects on the possibility of a grim future.
1 What's the best part about being a Tomcat?
Well, it's just a part of my life now. I started school (in the East Aurora School District) in preschool. It's made me who I am. I think a lot of students here are die-hard. Other kids love their school, but it's so different here.
2 What's the biggest misconception that people have about East High?
They say the kids are bad, and that there are fights every day. It's not like that. I walk the halls every day and there are a lot of bright kids in school who do great things. People who say we're bad should come see how it is, because it's a lot different than they think it is.
3 What programs would you like to see come to the district?
I would like to take French, but we're only offered German and Spanish. And, I think it would be cool to have a lacrosse team. I know a lot of other schools have them. If they had flag football for girls, I would play that, too. But we do have a lot of things to do here.
4 What does a passing referendum measure mean to you?
Basically, if it weren't to pass, I wouldn't have anything to do. Colleges also look at extra-curriculars when they determine who they let in, and if we can't join them, it looks bad. Extra-curriculars are a big part of a lot of people's life. I enjoy doing what I do and representing East High in everything I do.
5 In your opinion, what are people's reasons for voting "no" on Nov. 4?
I guess some people are racist. There are a lot of Hispanics in our district and people don't care for them to get an education. Other people don't want to give money because their kids already went to school. Everyone already paid for them, and now they don't care about other people's educations. It's wrong. These kids are the future.
6 How have you gotten involved in campaigning for the bond proposal?
Last year we put up signs, but this year we're knocking on doors, giving out information, and telling people to vote. I'm also a leader for the school's (campaign committee). We meet on Wednesday mornings and help out where we can.
7 How have you personally seen the effects of the past year's failed referendum measures?
I've seen a lot of kids leave, kids with a lot of talent. Ever since freshman year kids have said they'll leave (if the referendums measure fail), and they have. There's a girl who is going to be valedictorian for our class who plays tennis who might leave if it's cut. It sucks, and from what I've seen there are a lot of kids really down right now. If this doesn't pass, it will be a lot different at school. You won't see the cheerleaders and the marching band cheering at the game. People won't be excited. It will be much different than it is now.
8 How would you like to see other students getting involved?
People could just come to the (weekly) meetings, but they say it's too early. The first day, we had like 50 students, now there are like 20. I know students care, they say it; but they need to show they care by changing peoples minds about voting.
9 What is the importance of extra-curricular activities for kids, especially in the East Aurora School District?
They keep kids off the streets by giving them something to do. Sports bring out leaders and show teamwork; all key values you need when you get into the real world. If they don't have these programs how would it be? Well, people complain about gangs, but what do they think will happen when 13,000 students can't do anything after school. I'm not saying kids will join gangs, but it will be way easier to fall into bad habits.
10 What do you want voters to keep in mind when they cast their votes next month?
They should think about all of the kids and teens they are going to let down if they don't vote "yes." The referendum is not about the grown-ups, it's about the kids. It's like letting down your grandchildren. We may not be them, but we're the same age. People need to look at it in a different perspective. They think, "Oh, they're Hispanic, they don't need an education." People look at race, but they need to look at us as human beings with the right to succeed who deserve to be given a chance.
This was in the paper also. Read it and still did not change my mind. Voted no. Until this school board does its job and makes Roberts be their employee and quit running the show, when they are transparent with the community and becomes open and honest with us, I will continue to vote no. I want the students to have a good education, but the monies always end up in administration. I do not trust the current school board, except for 2 of them to do what is right as they have shown they do not do.
Well trusting those two show how stupid you really are.
8:45, that article you said you "found" was in the Beacon last Tuesday--and we have been discussing it since then! Specifically, several people mentioned that they were offended by Susan Salinas calling "no" voters racist.
I was glad you reprinted it though, because I wanted to double-check something: sure enough, the Beacon never bothered to mention that Susan's father is Fernando Salinas, who was snuck back on the School Board by his old-guard, corrupt cronies.
We need School Board members and administrators we can trust to spend our money wisely and make decisions in the best interests of our students. Until that's the case I intend to vote NO.
2:11, thanks so much for re-posting my comment. I can certainly agree that what I originally said bears repeating!
After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
--2:05 p.m.
Here, I found this on this blog.
Get informed, VOTE YES, and finally support District 131 students. You don't do it with your attendance at events so you should at least do it with money.
Here, I found this on Yahoo.com.
Find out why the time change started, and why some states refuse to follow the practice
Here, I found this at www.d131.org.
to
And we're "finding" something too, 7:06 & 7:07--
How the simpleminded and ignorant amuse themselves.
This is exactly how I amuse myself. I put stupid comments on a stupid blog.
So, are you ignorant, simple-minded,or both?
I'm both.
By the way, I "found" this on this blog.
So, are you ignorant, simple-minded,or both?
November 2, 2008 12:59 PM
That's strange, 12:59--I don't remember anything being "lost" on this blog.
Reform, not referendum.
Post a Comment