Come enjoy a tailgate party before the East/West football game Friday August 28th 2009 from 4-7 pm to get us pumped up and ready for the big cross-town rivalry.
Together with EA students we will be having a gathering of alumni in the NE corner of the stadium area.
The purchase price of the ticket, $10.00, will include admission to the game, food, a beverage and an alumni gift. Games, music and lots of Tomcat spirit will be available to enjoy.
Alumni T-shirts will be available for purchase. Presale tickets may be purchased by contacting any of the event coordinators through Facebook.
Anita Lewis alewis4244@msn.com
Rayanne Carlson 1-630-851-8569 or JCarl419@aol.com
Shiane Gonzalez
Tickets will be sold at EA staff Red and Black pride day, too!
A limited number of tickets will be available the night of the game.
143 comments:
What a great idea--thanks to whoever organized this!
Yes, this is a good idea and lets hope we can have more in the future that looks pretty grim with the budget cuts the state has made to funding for education. It doesn't look good for many districts and they will have to make cuts to many programs so have fun while you can and make sure there are no more than three board members together at this event.
Rayanne said...
One persons negativity is another persons constructive criticism.
I AM GLAD I DIDN'T GROW UP IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD!!!
To 8:57
Oh p-shaw!
I am not sure what is meant by that, but if it is because I attempt to try and "always look on the bright side of life" (Spamalot) then I am glad you were not in my house either.
6:30- The EA Alumni Association is organizing the alumni part of the event with the help of many others.
A student group held a tailgate event last year and is allowing us to join them. I believe the students will be having a tailgate party at all home games.
7:45- Board members are allowed to congregate and "socialize" in public. It is discouraged due to the possibility of claims that we were conducting business while eating, volunteering.....etc.
There are 4 alumni on the board, I suspect chances are good we will all be at the game, and possibly a couple more.
So why if you care so much for this district would you give someone the chance to make something out of four or more board members being together. Yes I hope that alumni will be at the game and you have a good time just be careful. Let the good times roll for as long as it can change is coming.
8:57, I wish I had grown up in a household like Rayanne's, where the truth could be spoken openly as constructive criticism.
Instead I grew up in a foster home where speaking any kind of negative truth was punished.
I grew up to become a stickler for demanding information and truth, to the point that I am enraged when I am told things like "no comment" and "the issue is over".
So I really appreciate both this blog and our new School Board for being a refreshing change from the deception and secrecy of the past!
Although the new members are making steps to make this district more transparent and keep people informed The Superintendent and administration is still keeping things from the board members or think they don't have to give the board information in a timely manner. Just look at the information they gave for the Magnet School which was not correct.
I hear that Jay A. says we as a district is in good shape money wise but if you look at Tuesday Agenda it states they are going to talk about budget reductions. I read under the last thread under this one from the State Superintendents letter and then went to the website and read the whole thing and it clearly states that the districts are getting less money and there will be drastic cut state wide. Other districts have been talking about this for quite awhile and even had things in the Beacon about the money loss from the state. So don't be shocked when our Superintendent goes to the board and says that he will have to cut teachers and other things like they always do. My hope and I think they will do this is look at all the other areas they can cut from or bring contract workers in to do those jobs because we need all our teachers and not so much some of the others and that includes administration.
I see the district got some Federal money for the improvement of 2 of our schools cafe's. The money comes from Americas Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The amount will be $95,438.89 and let's hope the district uses it for what is meant for.
Jay Augustine can say what he wants about the districts finances but the fact is, the district has run in the red every year since he took control of the districts finances. At what point does the board say enough is enough and reign in these out of control administrators?
I am impressed to see that the board voted to continue the discussion about the Magnet Academy, rather than to prematurely cut it to satisfy personal agendas. Thank you.
No one is opposed to mature, two-way discourse about the success of this program. It is actually stimulating and challenging! Please, continue listening to one another openly about the success of this critically important program. And remember that at the end of the day, it is the needs of the CHILDREN that is the primary mission of board members, administrators, teachers, parents and community members. Listen to the children and the ways this program has impacted their educational lives for the better.
Does the Magnet School really benifit the whole district. Only the children that can get to have that chance. If we had busing that would be differenct and if we had a entire school like most district that have Magnet Schools it would be different. In other districts it is a elemtary, middle or high school that is a Magnet School not just certain grades and they have busing to get the children to the schools not the case here.
Some people seem to be forgetting that this district has had a gifted program for years, that serves kids in their school of origin. Both of my kids participated in this program at Dieterich School, and definitely benefited from it.
As the previous poster mentioned, transportation is an issue that may prevent some qualified students from attending a magnet academy. And if attendance suffers because of transportation issues, how is the magnet academy more beneficial than in-school gifted programs?
It's great that test scores of magnet academy students are higher--but is this correlation or causation? (in other words, wouldn't kids who qualify for the magnet academy test higher because they're smarter, not necessarily because they attended the academy?)
And I found it interesting that Juanita Wells spoke about setting aside "personal agendas", when she was so eager to support administrators' personal agendas 4 years ago (in the case of the EHS band director).
And I found it interesting that Juanita Wells spoke about setting aside "personal agendas", when she was so eager to support administrators' personal agendas 4 years ago (in the case of the EHS band director).
It all comes back around to the Band Director and this boards agenda!!!
That Band Director could have been fired for insubordination at the time.
There is quite a decussion going on at The Beacon Online under the article about the Magnet School.
What 10:55 calls "insubordination" was really this:
The band director refused to kiss administration's behinds. Specifically, he made decisions in students' best interests (after consulting with parents): for example refusing to require students' participation in last-minute-scheduled sports events (pep bands). Hundreds of parents, students, and community members supported him (wrote letters, called the Beacon, put signs in yards). Just about everybody EXCEPT administration was on the band director's side, making it obvious that this was about a personal vendetta instead of improving the band program.
And now (4 years later) we have several new School Board members who have pledged to make decisions in students' best interests, and to be transparent & accountable to the people they were elected to represent. That's a good thing that came about partly because of the band situation!
I was at the board meeting last night to support a community school graduate (I didn't know they didn't introduce them, but that's another matter). What a crowd!
Let me make the following observation - as a community member for 25 years and memories of the "band situation" that always seems to make it into these threads:
It is my hope that this board is making this "hard decision" based upon facts or needs of the district, and NOT what appears to be their vendetta as anti-administration board members. If it is indeed to make a point to administration, then shame on them for doing exactly what several of the board members ran for election to so-call correct. They would be no better than "board of the band situation". This has happened over the past 25 years with "one issue" board candidates who are elected. And eventually that truth comes out in one way or another. Last night was a clear example.
What I saw last night, unfortunately, indicates that this is an attempt by some members of the board to make a statement to administration. If their beef is with them, take it up with them, but when you involve our children without cause, you see what happens - parents will indeed show up and voice their opinions (albeit in a poorly run meeting). Parents care about their child's education.
Based on all that was said last night, it is clear this program needs more time before determinations can be made. I gathered that from just the information I heard last night.
I'm not a regular attendee at board meetings. I don't have all the answers. I think before I vote for any candidate. I support my school district. And these are just my observations.
While it was clear that a few board members wanted nothing to do with the magnet school, others were putting thoughtful consideration into what was being presented. I respect that. And I'm glad I voted for them.
Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion in this forum. I may not always agree, but I respect others viewpoints.
I wasn't at the board meeting last night but to say this is a Magnet School or a Academy is a miss statement. It is three classes from elementary, middle school and high school. It does not benefit all the students that could go there since some have no transportation to get there. Yes, many might have come and made statements and cried but many have come before the board before and done this. I don't believe this is a agenda from some of the members against the administration of something that happened before or what will happen in the future.
In the coming months as the board sees the budget and how some things have gone over budget and really sees the impact from the states reduced monies to the schools they will have to make some decisions some parents won't like. There is so much decision about this one program but do parents really see the whole picture and as the money isn't there the cut this board will have to make.
I can bet you that the first thing the Superintendent will say is we have to cut teachers. Why they are the backbone of this district. Why not the administration what do they really do. There are many things they can cut in the administration and they really need to look into what they can contract out. Why do we having cleaning people still on the district budget. Don't tell me you have tried it and it didn't work. Where I work they did it and our facility is cleaner than it was before. Why you ask it is because if they don't do a good job they can get someone else who will. This district needs to look at all the other things besides the teachers to cut because they are the backbone of the district without them the kids don't learn.
This district is years behind others in moving ahead on ways to cut spending but I guess if you have so many that don't live in the district they don't care. Do you really believe that the Super intent, administration and some from central office would put up with this in their district. If you didn't know most of them who have children do not send their children to this district. Maybe if they did it would be better.
Maybe the administration should work with the board instead of against them that things would work out. I have been to a few meetings and you can tell that the administration has no respect for some board members and they don't even live in the district.
The board before had the thought that the administration knew more that them and that what they voted on was just a formality but that is not true. If all we have is board members that don't question things than we might as well not have one.
If this administration had all the answers then why do we have do many schools on the watch list? By now the state should of stepped in but this is Illinois and we make laws but don't follow them. I'm very disappointed in State Superintendent Koch that he hasn't had someone come and look at this district since we have been on the watch list so long.
I would suggest all the parents that are so upset about this program to run for the school board next time and see how it is in the hot seat. I have no children now in the district and I wouldn't do it. I am an alumni and my children went to this district back in the 80's and early 90's and they got a good education but I wouldn't send any child to this district now. They are not in the business of educating they are in the business of making Superintendents that don't do anything and doesn't have a stake in the district because he doesn't live here and the administration that doesn't live here also rich. If they really believed in the district they would send their children here.
"Why not the administration. what do they really do?"
8:51, this is a comment that comes frequently on here (and I'm not saying always from you).
What are some ideas that you can think that administrators do that we can live without? Are you speaking district office or school level administrators?
I do know of administrators (and teachers for that matter) who do live in the community. If that is a concern then we must not lump everyone together.
I'm not pointing fingers, but seeking more indepth input - what things that administrators do can be cut and still have teachers supported in education?
What do I mean? Some ideas of things I know administrators do (I'm a teacher in the district). Discipline, textbooks, running registration, summer school, overseeing building security, etc. If we agree these are SOME of the roles of an administrator, what can we cut? Or who else can we have to do these things? I list things that support me as a teacher so I can concentrate my activities in the classroom.
I'm not necessarily an overzealous supporter of administrators - as we've had our share of poor ones. But many work hard and truly wish to support education through supporting teachers and the day to day things needed to make that happen.
Any other thoughts?
I was at the meeting. As was pointed out by some of the board members, whatever decision is made it will be for ALL students, as each deserves a good education. If people had been going to the meetings off and on since Feb. they would know that certain board members have been asking the superintendant and administrators for reports and data on the Magnet School which never was given. When some was finally given by Aird some was wrong and she then went on vacation or whatever without giving the true info before she left as she was asked. It was up to the superitendant to make sure she did this. It was not done. No one was giving this board info. The administrators want $360,000.00 right now for the Magnet school without really justifying it even tho they have been asked. The superintent and administrators went behind the boards back last year and did this Magnet school. They sent out letters about it to parents and picked the students without a truly valid plan. Why did not the parents whose children were chosen look into this better? This was a done deal when they finally took this before the board. If, by any chance, any board member knew anything they certiainly did not tell the other members about this. One only has to go to the meetings once-in- awhile to know this. Where were the community members last night when one of the parents of a child in the Magnet school shouted out to cut out sports for this school? There was the mother who said she did not mind if the taxes were raised for the Magnet school and she lives in Section 8 housing. How do I know this fact? I read the paper and she has a child who is excelling and is in sports. There would go his scholarship. All this for a few. How many of you know that, from what I am understanding, that the gifted program has been cancelled for this Magnet school? There was 500 students in the gifted program compared to the few that were picked for the Magnet school. The board could have gone into closed session and voted on this, but chose to have an open forum. Maybe their choice was wrong as it appears that it has come to bite them in the part of their body that they sit on. How many of you know that the state will no longer help us get textbooks for our students and that means the district now has to pay for them? How many of you know that there is one school that has a bearing wall that could go at anytime that they just found out about and the ones that oversee this did not tell the board? What about the special Ed and mainstream sudents? The state is making more and more cuts. Parents then will come and bombard the school board and you know they will then be really against the Magnet school. How do I know this, I go to meetings and read the paper. Why don't the parents who want this school to go on look into ways so this can happen. Why does the Beacon show up after not coming to the meetings for quite awhile? Because the are like a Cyclops. BTW not everyone stood up as Ms. Wurst stated in the paper. There were many of us who did not. Where were the community members who are not in favor of a Magnet school at this time? This Magnet school was just thrown together without any forethought or good planning on this, contrary to what that one teacher for whatever position she holds said. She said she was in on the planning for the Magnet school. Does not say much about her as far as I am concerned. Will give her E for effort for the drama spectacule she did last night. Good one. Yes, I know that the ones that were there last night were passionate about this, but should we not be passionate for all the students, not just a select few? But, again, people in this community need to attend meetings and not just when something like this comes up so they can know what really goes on.
10:49 said:
"certain board members have been asking the superintendant and administrators for reports and data on the Magnet School which never was given"
BINGO!
Numbers don't lie. For example, why have we (and the board) not been shown attendance records, so we can tell whether or not transportation is an issue? Instead we're expected just to trust the administration that they're making decisions in our childrens' best interests, WITHOUT data to back that up?
Um, I don't think so. Not with the track record of this administration, over the past 4 years or so.
What is wrong with this I heard for the first time the district does not support a gifted program but we have a Magnet school in one school O'Donnell. It sounds like a move that the old guard would make look like you support education just so you have something but you really do not
Dee and Rayanne...when are you going to start doing what is best for students and stop making decisions just to spite central office employees? When you were elected your job was to serve the students and the community in a positive way. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence in education would know that one year is not enough to make a decision about the success of a magnet program. Furthermore, if you understood statistics, which clearly you don't, you would see the student success after one year. If you are that bitter and vindictive then step down and let someone with passion for children step in.
1:08, quit picking on Dee and Rayanne. There are 7 voting members on the School Board, and no decision can be made with only 2 members voting in favor.
And in order to understand the statistics, the statistics need to be made available! It's my understanding that the board repeatedly requested statistics and facts but their requests were ignored.
I would have to say would they see some success like that if they cleaned up some of the schools? If there where classes where children didn't have to be in a class where so much attention was on ELL.
The Beacon has an article again today about the Magnet School and a student that decided to come to East Aurora after looking at surronding districts when moving from Las Vegas. With all the good standing districts around to pick Aurora East because of an Acadmeny wasn't the best choice. Also, something was stated that a student didn't want to go to the middle school because it was so bad. How long has that been going on.
I believe they do have the best interest interest for all the children of the district not just a chosen few. You can make statistics look anyway you want.
If these students where in a regular classroom like most the districts would the excell just as well. If they cleaned up this district wouldn't all our children have a chance for a good education.
First and foremost the parents that are concerned about where their child will go to school if the Magnet School does not continue or no decision has been made before school opens, register them in the school they were in before or where they should be at this time when school starts if there never had been a Magnet School. This is an easy one. Then if by some chance the Magnet School opens again they would then just be put back in it. Why are you making it so hard on your child and yourself? To these same parents, do you have other children in the mainstream or Special Ed? Were you not listening to what was said about that? You all going to come out of the rafters again when Special Ed is cut if that happens? What about the fact that the mainstream has books that are near on 20 yrs. old and the state will no longer help out? You happy with the fact that Magnet School students will have new and your mainstream child does not? The district now has to pay for the textbooks. You will say no one said anything, but it has been stated. But it has. Please remember that not only are minutes taken at the meetings, but they are recorded. This was also stated at the meeting. In watching the board during this meeting, I noticed that Dr. Roberts looked rather startled at something Gonzales said and that makes me wonder if she and other administrators have done things that even Roberts is not aware of. This is just my thought in my observations. This board again is being transparent, otherwise they could have gone into closed sessiion and made their decision on this matter, then brought it to the public. I just hope that due to the efforts that they are making that it does not make them go back to the old ways because of the selective hearing of the community that does decide to attend when something hits home for them. How you like to handle the pressure and heat that is coming upon them due to being open and transparent to this community? And really, cancel sports for the Magnet School as the one father who has only one child and that child goes to the Magnet School blurted out? What is it going to take for this community to become involved and not just is a time of what they consider a crisis? And aministration, if you were doing your job correctly and giving the data and information in a timely manner as asked, there would not be this issue, now would there? Yep, this is 10:49.
10:49, your statement:
"How many of you know that, from what I am understanding, that the gifted program has been cancelled for this Magnet school? There was 500 students in the gifted program compared to the few that were picked for the Magnet school"
I respect the fact that you said "from what I am understanding" because that is not the case. The gifted program was cut two years before the magnet school was even a discussion - and it was under the previous superintendent. And it was widely publicized as part of the East Aurora cuts. I had a child in the gifted program at the time, and it was a "pull out" model - with my child receiving some time outside the regular classroom. It was mediocre at best.
The magnet program (of which I have no children enrolled) is a better model to say the least - but I won't pretend to know the particulars of what is happening here.
As a taxpayer, I have viewed the budgeting of this school district in a little better light than some. I see a district that made cuts over a three year period through attrition or retirements, as best they could, rather than the huge issue faced on the westside this previous year. That and a successful referrendum are reasons there were no cuts to speak of this year. Let's be happy for that much.
Tackle things one by one and it starts to come together. It would be great to see all the people who attended show up regularly to see all the work the board members and others do.
No you are wrong they still have the gifted program until now. The administration is willing to give that up for the Magnet Academy.
You are wrong about budget cuts too and it looks like some band programs, maybe special education and yes some Ell funding.
What are the parents of this district willing to give up for this Magnet School to stay alive. Are you willing to give up band programs, gifted programs. sports or clubs for this program? You better be ready for that because it will happen. The Superintendent and administration are willing to do this to make themselves look good for the few.
They will have to make many other cuts too. This is only the beginning. When you hear that D204 is cutting teachers and they are classrooms bigger you have to think that our district has much less money than them.
Money from the state is cutting back. Grants and other monies that districts where getting is being cut do you really think that the state is not doing that in this district?
We need to make a safe place for all our children. Yes, we have many problems but with all the extra education and seminars the administration and superintendent go to you would think that they would reach out to the districts that have had these same problems and see how they fixed them.
As we make our comments about all of this it is our responsibility as community members and parents of the district to see the truth and not the fiction that some tell us.
How is D204 cutting tachers when they are opening up a new High School this year? Just type whatever you want wheather or not you have a clue.
I think that it is funny that no board bits have been posted for a month now. Good job new board. Soooooo much has changed.
A little misleading. They only just approved the minutes for the 20th on August 3rd.
The secretary was out for bereavment.
Lighten up!
Yes, our new transparent board. None of us with hopes saw the word vindictive after the word transparent.
Now all we need is for one of them to pronounce "the issue is over" and we'll know that's what they waited for!
My hopes lie in Anita Lewis - you can tell she does her homework and listens.
special education a federally regulated and required. the district receives monies for each student in special education. special education can never be dropped because it regulated by the FEDERAL GOVERMENT....so to all of you who keep saying get rid of special education.....it will never happen!
Yes, the new board is transparent. If they were not they just would have gone into closed session and put a stop to the Magnet School and then let the public know. They wouldn't even have to say the issue is over then. Is anyone willing to give up the gifted program for this Magnet school? That is what is in the plans. What about Special ED? There was something mentioned about this also. Then there is the fact that an elementary school has a bearing wall that is ready to fall, some need boiler repairs, we now have to pay to replace those 20yr. old text books ourselves(which the old board did not seem to think necessary)and many other issues. There are others on this new board that are thinking the same way as the two you are referring to. Are they vindictive also? How do you know if Ms. Lewis was not thinking the same way the others were until she heard the passionate plea of parents that could not keep up with what was going on, if they had been keeping up on this they would have known about the issues that were going on before right now, and therefore became torn? If this is the case then maybe Ms. Lewis was a wrong choice in some of our cases. The decision has to be for the good of ALL the students and not just a select and chosen few. BTW all or most students should excell if given the almost individual attention and teaching that the Magnet school students are being given. Also, students in the mainstream would do definitely well if they were taught as they should be instead of always getting them ready for that test. Let's get the mainstream taken care of(there still at this point is the gifted program)and then when this is done get a good and viable plan for a Magnet school done, goals established, everything that goes into something working right and then start it. Let us do it the right way. This district at this point does look like fools due to the fact that none of the above was done. This has proven by what has been stated and shown so far. All that has been done so far in planning for this Magnet school is jumping into a pool with no water in it. Just look at the headaches this mess is causing everyone. And it cannot be blamed on this present school board. They were left with an empty pool to cleam up and fill.
federally regulated and funded PROGRAM i meant to say. There have been many laws passed over the years to ensure that students with disabilities get the same quality education as their peers
My hope is that Johnson change her mind. They are debating only the original 38 kids. If that is the case forget it you are only backing part of the program. I wonder why Johnson changed her mind when she said at the forum she was for the Magnet school. She said she found out things that changed her mind I would like to know what they are. I talked with her at one of the schools after she was elected at that time she was still for the Magnet school. I had heard Johnson recently had Canna & Canna fired. Johnson never says much but I have heard she can be very difficult and she is the only board member who can read a budget. I also know a lot of the staff does not trust her.
You may have hopes for Lewis but she does carry the band chip on her shoulder along with Carlson and Weaver. She wants to please everyone and she knows not to cross Carlson or Weaver. That being said she did not support the Magnet school but she wants to feel good about herself and she knows it wrong to cut the program so late so she wants to support the first 38
this is on the web..we are all going to feel some pain.. Not just magnet parents.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Associated Press reported the following story that echoes the impossible decisions being made all over the country when it comes to educational funding in light of difficult economic times. In this case, the elimination of after-school and gifted and talented programs as well as cuts in many other educational services. Decisions are being made all over the country between what is needed, what is wanted and what is mandated by law. -Dr. Petrosino
The Illinois Board of Education on Tuesday approved a budget that eliminates funding for after-school and gifted programs and cuts money for early childhood, reading and foreign language instruction by as much as half.
Speaking at an emergency meeting, chairman Jesse Ruiz said Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers had given the board no choice. They approved an overall education budget of nearly $7.3 billion for fiscal 2010, a 2 percent decrease from the $7.4 billion allocated the year before.
And while this year appears to be rough, Ruiz said, next year could be "catastrophic." He urged people to demand answers from politicians soon headed to the campaign trail.
"We need to become very, very, very discriminating in our public officials," Ruiz said. "Keep your dollars in your pocket. Give it to a school before you give it to a candidate."
Education board members also voted Tuesday to severely reduce funding for arts, agricultural education, advanced placement classes, bilingual studies and teacher certification programs. Money for the rehabilitation of truant students and the visually impaired also was slashed.
Advocates who testified at the meeting warned of consequences as dire as more children on the streets. Officials agreed that, at the least, the cuts could hurt the quality and competitiveness of education in the state.
Of the overall education budget, the Legislature set general state aid -- money allocated to school districts -- at more than $4.7 billion for fiscal 2010, up 2.5 percent, or nearly $117 million, from the previous year. That amounts to about $160 more per pupil for the year.
While they passed the budget unanimously, board members said they felt broken-hearten and dejected.
"I do not envy you," Gerald Brookhart, Peoria regional education superintendent, told them while testifying. He said the board was faced with the question of "which child are you going to throw away?"
I think Dr. Marin Gonzalez wants to be the next superintendent, and she is counting on the Magnet Academy's success to overshadow the negative reputation she has in this district. Too bad the voters elected a new School Board that won't let her get away with that plan!
I was at the meeting and I must say it is interesting to see how adults will act when they don't get their way. Some of these parents made fools of themselfs in front of the children. They act like good law abiding citizens then treaten the school board if they don't get their way. I wonder if these same adults will be at the meetings when the board has to start cutting things. This will be happening in the next few months so be prepaired and next year doesn't look any better for money.
Yes, D204 is cutting teachers in some schools and making classrooms larger and yes a new school is opening that will bring in new teachers but that is the trade off for the new school.
If Marin is in charge of the Magnet program why did Aird do the presentation.
There have been several posting on the blog about the money issues that are coming up for all districts this one included. It seems the parents and administrators are just worried about this one program and not all the others that will be cut.
Ms. Aird is in charge of elementary programs; Dr. Gonzalez is assistant superintendent for secondary level (middle & high school).
Both have been involved with the magnet academy; and probably both are to blame for ignoring the board's repeated requests for statistics and information until very recently.
It's time for everyone to grow up. The reason board members don,t think they get answers is because they don't want to hear the truth. When they don't like an answer they ignore it and then claim they didn't get one. A pox on both sides. If they don't start respecting each other the District will fail and the children will suffer. Thier is so much misinformation being tossed around that I doubt that anyone knows the truth. There are some things I do know. Magnet Schools do work, they are not new, I graduated from one in in 1951 and even then 95% of the students went to college. There isn't any reason question the results the facts are available to anyone who wants to look them up. Some of the board members get all thier "FACTS" from the internet.Why havn't they looked this up on thier own, they don't believe anything aministrators tell them anyway Why do they ask questions from people they don't believe tell the truth. Over the course of 20 years I have asked the district many questions and have always gotten honest answers,I didn't always liked the answers but I was never lied too.The board has to fess up that this argument has nothing to do with the Magnet School. Thier just playing gotcha, personaly I find the whole thing childless, it would be funny if it were't so sad. Your playing this game with the futures of chidren. I hope and pray that you will remember Jesus said Bring the children unto me for they are the reason.
This isn't a Magnet School it is a small part of something and they call it an Acadmey not a School. Also if it was a Magnet School they would have to let the ISBE know that it was. Yes, maybe they should give it more time but to cancel another program for it is wrong. Both sides are wrong in this Bob. You, say you went to a Magnet School and in looking up information about them it seems they are rather new.
Bob,
I was at that meeting too. I also know you used to go to many meetings in the past. You know the protocal of meetings. People can ask questions of the board when they speak. You also know that the board will not answer them then sometimes they need to get the answers, get it to the right person who can answer it,etc. If the board could answer every question that is asked at a meeting, the meeting would never end. They will reply either at the next meeting, send a letter to the person or e-mail them. I know due to the fact I have asked questions of them in the past and how it was done. In fact, they sent me a letter and also e-mailed me about a question I asked. I also remember when you stood before that old board and told them how disappointed you were in them about one of those referendums and how you would never help them again. Shame on you for sitting at that last meeting and blurting things out like you did when the board was talking and people were talking. You know better than that. Fine example you were setting for the students and children that were at that meeting. The board does not get all its' facts from the internet. The internet is a reference point for many. This also incluedes our administrators and superintendant. Is it wrong for them to reference the internet also? They should be getting their facts from the administrators that are responsible for the Magnet Academy and in a timely fashion when the administrators are asked. This has not been done as was pointed out and some of the facts and data that was given was incorrect and Ms. Aird did not get the correct information to the board before leaving on her 2 week vacation or whatever it was she did. Of course if you had still been going to the meetings as you used to you would have been aware of this fact and others. I would like to know just what answers you are referring to when you say the board members don't want to hear the truth. Just what truth are you referring to? You also know you can e-mail the board members or superintendant about any questions and concerns you have and get answers as anyone should do before posting something they really do not appear to have concrete information about. I graduated in 1967 from East High and I know there was no Magnet school here then. Just mentioning this as it is not clear where you graduated from.
I went out and did my own research on Magnet Schools/Academies. They are a good thing for some and do benefit some of the children but they also can be a tool to get students out of bad schools and into a school the children can feel safe and learn without interruptions. In looking at the districts that have them I don't see any that have just a grade or two participating in them they are full grade schools.
I do believe that this would be a good thing in the district to get children out of our classrooms that are disrupting where they can learn. I took my children out of this district because of this problem in the schools. While many parents that are waiting to see what will happen do they realize that this district has no plans or maybe if they did does not have the money to expand it. So what happens when they get out of that one grade they go right back to the situation they where in before. I'm not sure how this is working but are the children that where in last years program going back to a regular school? If that is the case it must be a disappointment to them.
I think a Magnet School would be good in this district if they do elementary, middle and High School which is the way most districts do it. To me this is a band aid for now and what they need to do is fix some on the problems in the schools. Yes, this will be hard but many districts have done it. The West side last year really looked into the children that registered in their district and found I believe quite a few that didn't live in the district. They where able to close a school. Maybe if we did that we could close a school and use it at least for an elementary Magnet School.
It was stated that the middle school children where using someplace on Root that the city only charged them a $1 to use. Why didn't the do a couple of grades for that Magnet School?
I see on the district website that there is a special meeting called for Monday Aug. 10th for the magnet academy.
I was at the meeting on Monday and it was tabled until the regular meeting of the 17th.
While I can understand trying to meet the timeframe for registration, parents left on Monday thinking it was the 17th. I sure hope the word gets out, or what be a genuine attempt to address parents needs will be perceived as deceptive.
And what is the second item - Possible reductions? Is this connected?
Does the board follow Roberts Rules of Order in the conduct of business?
If I was a parent of the students that go to the Magnet whatever, I would at this point register my child at whatever school they would be in if there had never been this Magnet A/S if registration is going on at this time. To make sure if registration was going on I would check the school the child would be in. Since the Beacon is so on top of this, they will more than likely print the information about the meeting in the paper. Also, every and anyone can tell people they know so they are aware of it.
It isn't posible reductions there will be cuts to programs. If you watch the news you should have heard that the State cut funding to the schoools. They did put some money back in for some things but not a lot. So get ready for the cuts.
Yes, I do believe the board follows Roberts Rules of Order or at least uses them for a guide line.
So are we to assume the board is going to decide or not the agenda said they are talking about it.
I graduated from Lane Tech H.S. in Chicago. It was and is a college prep school. College Prep is what magnet schools were previously called. Lane became a college prep school in 1934, today it is the largest magnet school in Chiago. It has been the model for magnet schools throughout the country. More of its students go on to college than any other High School in Chicago, public or private. It has produced more PH.Ds then any school in the country. What I find alarming is that this school is 50 miles away and has been magnet school for 75 years and our board thinks magnet schools are a new idea. It is extremely difficult to answer the questions of board members who lack even the basic knowledge about the subject at hand Like our congressmen they havn,t had time to read the bill. If as the board says they havn't enough information! Why are they voting. Are they voting against the children because thier mad at the adminstrators? It's time that everyone step back and take a hard look at themselves, and realize that the board and the staff have to be a team. Adults don!t have to like each other to work together. By this time anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that this is a good begining. That it must be given a fair chance to succeed. Also stop saying that we can't afford it, $350,000 is less then 1/2 of 1% of the budget. If we can afford toiletpaper we can afford this. Lets all hug and educate the children.
The board members do know what a Magnet School is and what the administration is trying to say what they are doing is a Magnet School this is not true. These are only a couple of grades they are dealing with. Why if they can send 4th graders to a school why couldn't they take one school have the Magnet Classes in one classroom for each elementary grade? From my understanding the students that where in the Magnet Program last year will go to their regular classes this year how is that helping?
When this program was started before the board even voted on it and really didn't know how the administration was going to run it did the board when the did vote on it say they wanted to be kept up to date on its progress? If not why not they should be made aware of the process. Now that this board is asking question that should of been asked before they are being accused of having a grudge against the administration. Most of us that have had children in the district know who this latest administration lies to parents.
Again would a Magnet School be good for the district yes if done properly.
Maybe if the administration really got down to cut wasteful spending we would have money to do this but it should be for all elementary, middle or high school not just certain grades.
Bob
Your education at a Magnet school did not work so why push it on others. Your wife still works and I must say makes her wages off the district your house is a piece of junk and a eye sore so I am not sure I would go brag about that education. You just love to hear yourself talk. So when you can support your wife and you can afford a better house than come tell everyone else about education
5:21, shame on you.
Mr. Koppenhoefer's wife probably works for the same reason I work--she has skills and interests suited for a particular job; her kids are grown; and nowadays just about everybody needs to help their family earn a living.
It's just plain tacky of you to criticize Mr. Koppenhoefer because his wife works (for the district, or anywhere else). This isn't the 1950's. Most women who are capable of doing so are making good use of their time and skills by contributing to society and earning a paycheck.
I think you owe Mr. Koppenhoefer an apology, but I doubt that you have enough class to do so.
8/8 @ 3:12pm
Sorry, but I did not understand your posting. Were you trying to say this this board is lieing or the old board? It is your second paragraph that is not quite clear to me.
I have to agree that August 8, 2009 5:21 PM is way out of line. Bob has the right to make his statements. I don't think he really understands this program the administration is trying to make parents think they are doing something for him. They have used him for a pawn before and shame on them for doing that. He does have the best interest of the children at heart. Whether his is still working for the district has nothing to do with it and neither does his house. I've seem worse in this district.
Hopefully that comment will be taken off because no matter how we all think it is uncalled for.
I agree 5:21 is way out of line. You want to attack ideas, that's one thing but to attack a guys wife and home, it simply shows what a low life you are.
About Lane Tech, I recall a quote from old man Daley many years ago. A reporter showed data about failing schools in Chicago and asked Daley if he was worried about where the city and nations future leaders would come from. Daley without skipping a beat said, Not as long as Lane Tech is still there. That building sitting at Addison and Western has produced our areas leaders in every field for decades. And to Bob "Go Lane Go".
I may not agree with everything Bob Koppenhoefer believes, but I do agree he has the best interests of this district's students at heart.
I remember back when administration was replacing the band director (using the excuse that they were building a more unified band program--how did THAT work out for the good of our kids?--but that's another story). The Koppenhoefers put 2 "Keep Kaisershot" signs on their property: one on their front lawn, and one in their back yard so close to the service center that Radakovich had to practically bump into it every time he parked his car.
It's one thing to disagree with someone, but to insult their home and family is just plain wrong. Mr. Koppenhoefer, if you're reading this, I just want you to know that I appreciate your willingness to speak out on our children's behalf.
Bob needs to apologize to the board shouting from the back of the room and acting like a moron in front of children is not proper behavior. The fact is his wife works for the school along with many other people who got kids into the Magnet school. That is also not right. Bob called the board a lot of names that night and I am all for giving it back. What is the old saying if you live in a glass house don't throw stones.
On another note the board made a good choice not expanding the Urban League program. Clayton at one time or still is was a director of the Urban League. He is making money for his organization that is a conflict of interest. They gave a high cost for educating the kids. Also the Urban league does not pay taxes and took a prime piece of land off the tax roles on Farnsworth. They should donate their services to D131 instead of asking for them to pay for their new building. That is another thing Bob seems to have a problem with. Sounds like that Magnet school education works well.
One last note Carol Farnum should resign she has missed more meeting than she attended. I guess she can't stand to she the old board uncover her mess.
This district is in such a mess I wonder how we will ever get out of it. I don't know anything about the Urban League but I'm sure it is one thing that will really keep the board from doing what is right for all the children of this district. I would say if Clayton is involved in the Urban League he needs to either step back and be the PR person of the district or be the director of that league there is to much conflict in this and the district needs to address this. I see so much conflict in this district of other programs that the people that work for this district are in they need to really see who they need to be working for. We need to have the employees working for this district to work for it and not against it and making threats to it. Clayton seems to have his hands in many things but with him being an employee of this district he must remember where his best interest are to the district that employees him. I wish the state would follow their laws and come down to this district and enforce them.
You know no one comes out in this district until some parent doesn't think there child is being treated right in this district. A so called Magnet School or if the Urban League has something to say that one of there children are not being treated right but where are all these people in the day to day dealings with the district?
Where are the parents when they don't even know if there child is safe in a school when a boiler or a bearing wall might fall. Do the parents contact there representatives to say don't cut spending so our children will have a good education? No they think about me and what you will do for me.
We have very few parents that will even run for the board. Times are getting hard and money is getting tight and we have and administration that will not look into cutting cost for the sake of our children. So when this board has to make the hard decisions of what to cut and I believe a lot of parents won't like it they really need to see what we will do for the sake of all children.
I do believe that the district will also be surprised about the Biegelow donation when the truth comes about about that donation.
When has conflict of interest or even conflict of law ever been a concern for Clayton. Maybe we should just have Juanita stand up and again declare, we in district 131 consider it legal so it doesn't matter what the law states.
The only reason a child is expelled from school is because they are a serious threat to the safety and well being of all the other students and adults in this community. I do not see why it is such a priority for Clayton and other District 131 administrators to place these dangerous individuals back with our children. Unless they are somehow personally benefitting from this happening.
You folks that want to make this. personal should have the guts to identify yourselves. Not that it is any of your business, my wife works because she wants too. As for me I am retired military and an 80% disabled veteran and I have always suported my family. I don't know whos home your looking at but its not mine. It appears that this has become a battle of wits and I refuse to fight unarmed people.
Bob K, I am Anonymous from yesterday at 6:05 a.m.
I'd like to say "thank you" to you for your military service. As the saying goes, if you love your freedom thank a veteran!
And I'm doing what I can to speak out in your behalf on this blog. But please understand that I choose to remain anonymous because my spouse works for D131, and we're aware that some of the "old-guard" are still in power, and capable of retribution as they have done in the past.
Thank for your support,I understand your reluctance to speak out. But bear in mind that its not only the old guard you have to fear. As you can see by the referances to my wife's employment with the district,the new guard is just as likely to be vindictive. I regret that in America today we still don't have freedom of speech. I still believe that in order to keep our rights we must speak up! Keep in mind that they have the right to speak as well! I just don,t think it should get personal. I have never personaly attacked any member of the board. I respect thier right to thier opinons,in this instance I disagree! I thank them for the long hours they put in on behalf of the children.
If this district is so concerned about how its money should be spent, and the looming budget cuts, then answer me how they can justify having a WELCOME BACK luncheon for all of the ADMINISTRATORS today at the Service Center? They can't just have a meeting to say welcome back? On another point, why do several of the administrators and directors deem it necessary to go to Spain to recruit teachers to teach in this district? How many thousands of dollars does it cost the district to do this? What is the retention percentage on the teachers that are brought in from Spain? Is this not just really a paid for vacation for the 'recruiters' that go over there? How do they justify not recruiting here in the good ole USA? These are questions this wonderful new board should be asking the directors and administrators.
I don't know about the luncheon and you ask a good question. I don't see where they have really done anything to improve the district. It will be interesting what budget they took it out of and see how it shows up in the check receipts. Remember that this was probably approved by the Superintendent not the board.
As far as the trip to Spain that was a grant that the State gives out to districts to go and get teachers. In fact when I asked about it the board didn't even know this because the did question it and the administration then told them. Elgin and some other districts also went to Spain so it is the State we should have a problem with since they approved the grants. This is where the board could be transparent and let citizens know or at least the administration should but time and time again the board has to force them to tell them things. People wonder why the board questions the administration and some criticize them for it say they are vindictive of the administration but this is why.
I'd like to say "thanks" to our School Board for deciding to give the Magnet Academy another year, after hearing input from parents, teachers, and community members. It was evident to me during the discussion last night that the board really does want to do what's best for our students.
It was also obvious that the administration had been dropping the ball, by not providing information as the board had repeatedly requested. Many of us in the community have been aware of administrators' history of making decisions against students' best interests (as they did with the band 4 years ago)--now we will all be watching to make sure they are more forthcoming about the Magnet Academy.
Administrators, the days of "no comment" and "the issue is over" are behind us.
To the person who commented if the board knew about Roberts Rules or followed them. I was at a board meeting and I know the new president made a comment on them. Let's be clear that no government agency has to follow them it is just suggest they do so. In fact when doing a search I found where school districts had a policy that their board would follow them. Here is some information about them if people don't know and a website that talks about them.
www.robertsrules.org
Robert's Rules of Order - Summary Version
For Fair and Orderly Meetings & Conventions
Provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language. The conduct of ALL business is controlled by the general will of the whole membership - the right of the deliberate majority to decide. Complementary is the right of at least a strong minority to require the majority to be deliberate - to act according to its considered judgment AFTER a full and fair "working through" of the issues involved. Robert's Rules provides for constructive and democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business of the assembly. Under no circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or limit full participation.
The fundamental right of deliberative assemblies require all questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action!
The assembly rules - they have the final say on everything!
Silence means consent!
* Obtain the floor (the right to speak) by being the first to stand when the person speaking has finished; state Mr./Madam Chairman. Raising your hand means nothing, and standing while another has the floor is out of order! Must be recognized by the Chair before speaking!
* Debate can not begin until the Chair has stated the motion or resolution and asked "are you ready for the question?" If no one rises, the chair calls for the vote!
* Before the motion is stated by the Chair (the question) members may suggest modification of the motion; the mover can modify as he pleases, or even withdraw the motion without consent of the seconder; if mover modifies, the seconder can withdraw the second.
* The "immediately pending question" is the last question stated by the Chair! Motion/Resolution - Amendment - Motion to Postpone
* The member moving the "immediately pending question" is entitled to preference to the floor!
* No member can speak twice to the same issue until everyone else wishing to speak has spoken to it once!
* All remarks must be directed to the Chair. Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment - avoid all personalities, never allude to others by name or to motives!
* The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations! When presented to the assembly and the question is stated, debate begins and changes occur!
I like the last statement until recently the committee reports where just mention with no comment and no matter what was voted on.
Was looking up some things on the web about boards and found this policy on the President of the Board policy 245.
#9: Serve as the Boards Primary spokesperson to the Media.
So why do we have Clayton?
Should of said that was under the East Aurora School District 131 policies.
The superintendant is the one and only employee of the board, therefore Clayton is Dr.Roberts employee. E-mail and/or call the superintendant with your question. Ask for a timely response. If you do not get the response in a timely manner you may then direct your question to the board. Clayton postition that he now holds was made up and/or implented by Dr.Roberts with a substancial raise I believe and was Deanna Adams postion. Also, their raise was raise was retroactive back to a date set by the administration. Where is the outrage about this? Mayabe now with all that has transpired peoople will really try to come to meetings when they can so they can be on top of things and not just when it hits them personally, or so they think.
In reading the article in the Beacon it said Dan Hites talked before the board. Isn't he a West side resident he used to live on West Downer. I thought this program was only for the districts children. What is going to keep other parents in other districts from try for what reason I don't know to get their child in the program.
I would like to thank everyone that participated in the debate over the Magnet School. The public for thier interest in saving this program, the board for thier willingness to permit an open and fair debate. This board promised to listen and they kept thier word. The staff should also be thanked for the effort they made to make things easy for all of us to understand. We should start working on next year now! The public should be able to participate in any and all work shops. Say the word and I will be there!
I read the Beacon article also and saw what Dan Hites and when he talked before the board and signed in he didn't put his address and Mrs. Weaver asked him when he was done what his address was. What I heard him say and I could be wrong was 20 W Downer which no such address exists. There is a Dan Hites at 14 W. Downer that is a business not a family residence. I also did a search to see if there was any other information of where he might live in Aurora and there was nothing. So did the district use the 14 W. Downer address for enrollment of his child? Can residents use business address instead of home address. I wonder how many other parents stood up before the board and lied where they live. There where some we know live in the district but with this how can you be sure of the others.
Yes, it is good to improve the school so we can get families back in the district that want their children to learn. But the idea of the more children you bring in is good is not true. Sure the state gives some money to the district for the children but that isn't hardly enough for each child's tuition. You need a balance of non parents and parents with children to really balance things out.
Oh yes, we have a terible problem with students from other districts trying to sneak into 131. It must be those great test scores they are flocking to.
It was nice that the board allowed the community time to speak. It would have been better if they had actually listened. I was amazed that after many in the community spoke, Rayanne then read from a prepared speach. She had obviously already made up her mind about the magnet school and didn't give a damn about what the community thought. For someone who claims to represent the members of the community, it was very obvious to me that her ears and mind were closed long before that meeting ever started.
In other words "the subject was closed" before it was even started. I thought it was a slap in the face to everone who took the time out of their schedules to attend. It really is no wonder to me that more people don't bother to attend.
The other thing about Rayanne was in the paper.
Carlson agreed to continue the program for the upcoming school year, allowing the accepted 146 students continue, but said she could not support the program afterwards.
So what if the program is a huge success and there is a lot of data to support the program continuing, will she still not support the program?
Perhaps Rayanne can see the future and she already knows that the program will fail.
Other board members spoke off the cuff what about the 3.1 million the district gave to Walmart and the fact Bigalow never paid us. Maybe we could have a gifted program and a Magnet program if we had that money.
Johnson hit it on the head the old board was irresponsible and the new board is cleaning up the mess. No longer will the old board rubber stamp programs in a back room. This board listens. Rayanne spoke up for all the children that were left behind. Thank-you Dee, Rayanne and Annett for standing up you three show passion.
PS Where is Carol Farnum licking her wounds.
Dan Hites did state 20 W. Downer. I wonder if he is the person the Beacon did an article on about restoring older buildings? I think he might be. If so, he stated in that article that the one they showed was his primary resisdance and that was on the West side. Annette was right about what she stated. The old guard did create the problem with those land deals. Hope everyone realizes that the administration now feels they got away with another one. At this point it has nothing to do with the Magnet Academy at all! It has to do with the administration controlling and still getting away with it! I hope this board realizes that the administration is trying to cause distention between the board members and for some it appears it might be working. The one that concerns me at this point is Anita Lewis. Carlson at times concerns me, but not near as much as Lewis. Mrs. Weaver also pointed out the fact that administration has not been forthright with them. Prime example is how Gonzales and Aird spoke up about how the students were picked for this years enrollment in the Academy. This is a prime example of how they will try to manipulate everything and take control. Why was not the information given to the board way before this last meeting as should be done? Why hasn't the Personell and Policy committe been doing their job? Due to the lack of this, what happens now is their fault when administration does things and gets away with it. Doing those policies IS in the best interest of the students! Good suggestion on Johnsons part that the Grant Writer make a report everymonth, also on the part of Weaver that the administration has to make reports on the Magnet School once a month!
You know there are people that do send their children to the East side that don't live here and one reason is we really don't challenge ELL to learn English. In fact there was one family that lived in another city that sent their children to D131. So if you think that there are not children that live in the district that goes to our schools you are wrong. I remember a sign one of the grades schools had in it at registration that you go to the school that your family lives in not where your babysitter lives.
I do believe if it is proven that this will succeed Rayanne will be for it but really you can't judge it by just three grades. Where do these children go after they have been in this program for just those three right back into the regular classrooms. I would like to see that they do this program for all elementary, middle and high school that is the way it should be and that is the way other districts do it.
I think Annette made a good comment about the Charter Schools. If the parents are so concerned about their child's education then this is the way to go. With a Charter School it is separate from regular schools and not governed by the district. That means that parents ,and parents need to get involved, help pick what the students learn. It is almost like a private school and since we have so many parents taking their children out of them for money reasons that would be a good reason for them to get together and start one. It isn't easy but it could be done.
There is no 20 W. Downer Pl. The last address downtown before you get to the river is 18 W. Downer Pl. The lower numbers on Downer Pl. is by City Hall and that is all businesses.
Why does the parents always take the glass half full here. Do you really think that any other district would even make a program they say is a Magnet Academy for just three grades I think not. If we really want to get some of our children the chance to learn in a higher pace why not take one school and make classrooms for each grade since some think transportation is not an issue in the district? Why take less when you can get more. In fact the district could probably get money for this kind of program since it was a whole school and you can have two different schools in one school. The parents of this district needs to go out and look at the Illinois State Board of Education website there is a lot of information out there. Just like the one parent that commented about the grants they could get, and we do have a grant writer that gets a good salary, if we made a whole school we could get funding. Why are these parents willing to accept that this glass is half full and not all the way. It is because this administration tells you it is this way. Since so many of you went to the board about these three grades why don't you go ask why they can't make it for all grades? This reminds me of the movie Chicago where the lawyer has the women that has been charged on his lap with puppet strings on her telling her what to say. This administration has the parents on puppet strings them accept the least at not the whole they should be giving them.
What these parents neglected to do in the beginning last school year was to ask questions. Sending a child for one year does not make sense to me. What did they not ask about the whole plan of this Magnet Academy. If it had been me, I would of. Look at the uproar this has created. At this point and in the beginning of this Magnet School, it was not in the best interest of the students. Quite the contrary! AW, but certain administrators wanted it, and the superintendant wanted to look good.
Mr. Hites was not quite speaking the truth, now was he?
This turn of events should be interesting. So what if he is developing anything on the East Side. He probably is getting TIF, which this City is SO good at giving out, so therefore we will be getting no tax revenue from that. I hope someone called the Beacon to let them know about hin saying where he lived since he made a point of making a statement to the Beacon. It really would have been different if Weaver hadn't asked for his address at the meeting. This would not have come out. Good for Weaver!
What a tangled weave we weave when we practice to deceive.
Dan Hites and Clayton are friends they belong to the Rotary Club together. I believe the district picks up the tab for Clayton. Dan Hites in just 2008 got $129000 from the city to rehab mostly building on W Downer and River St. He uses the City and now the schools. Dan has hit hard times lately because the buildings he fixed up are not rented out. So when I heard he was involved in the mess at D131 I was amazed because to my knowledge he has always lived on the West side.
It is sad but that is the way it is with all building in down town Aurora. The city pours all that Casino money in when the schools could benefit.
You can bet were Clayton is involved forged addresses and hidden paper-work is the norm. Clayton always bends the rules but the new board like the old one is totally fooled by him. Everyone says Clayton works for the kids but the staff never could get by with what he gets by with. Illegal Boys to Men and the Magnet school that pays a private education while getting it free from the public school system.
If the district is so broke than why the Rotary Club. Johnson you said line by line while there you go. Cut Clayton's expense account because all he does is travels around from lunch to lunch stirring the pot. Why the big salary for Clayton? Can't the district speak for themselves? Johnson you say eliminate waste while Clayton costs the district at least $200,000 per year. What are you going to do about Dan Hites Weaver if you look at all those Magnet school addresses I am sure you will be down to your 125. Just call the Magnet school the new Clayton Kinard School (because he uses a false name also) just like Dan uses false addresses.
Daniel G. Hites does NOT live anywhere in Aurora! He lives on 12th Street in Naperville.
But that doesn't necessarily mean his child doesn't live in D131. Plenty of kids have divorced parents who share custody in two different towns. I don't know about Mr. Hites' situation, but it's possible the child is actually eligible to attend the magnet academy IF she lives within our borders during the school year.
I do agree with previous posters that we should definitely question the residency of potential students!
Dan Hites and his wife Oksana live in Aurora, at 20 W. Downer Place. The Tribune did a feature on their historic building about a year ago.
He and his wife probably moved there from Naperville a couple of years ago--at that time their daughter was going to Montessori school.
There is no 20 W. Downer Pl. and if there was is would be a business. As someone else stated that is right in the middle of downtown an up from City Hall. Take a drive downtown you will see. You can also go the Aurora Townships web page and do a property search and see there is no such address.
Yes, parents divorce and live in separate towns but that is not the case here.
Someone under the article in the Beacon said the district had a 6 million surplus is that right?
The posting on Clayton being friends with Dan Hites is interesting. If they are friends then Clayton knows that he doesn't live in the district and the address he gave is wrong. There is a building in back of 18 W. Downer that could be 20 W. Downer but that is not a family dwelling. So an employee of the district knowingly let someone lie to the board. People wonder why some citizens don't trust this district and this is one of the reasons why. Clayton has made many questionable acts in this district how many chances does he get?
I do believe the board will look into this but it is Dr. Roberts responsibility to check on this since Clayton is his employee. I wonder what is in policy of the employees contract about someone lying. The board will have to talk to our new lawyers before they could do anything to make sure what their options are.
Oksana Hites, center, talks about her family's home at 20 W. Downer Place that was once the Stolp Woolen Mill Dye House in Aurora. The building, built around 1843, was dismantled and the limestone is being used to reskin the exterior. (Tribune photo by Chuck Berman / June 14, 2009)
So it is that easy to find. Clayton knows this because they are friends of his he Dan and Oksana always go to Rotary Club together. So now what is the board going to do. Roberts can lie Clayton can lie or his name Kinard. Why change your name is he guilty of a crime maybe the board needs to see who ran the background check on him in personnel. I just bet there is missing papers in file as well. I glad he does not work with my children. Fine spokesman you have. See everyone knows the Magnet school has some token Mexican's in it to look good and the rest are Clayton's pals. Just like the Urban League. This board or the past never fired him because they are afraid to. Guess why because he black.
District 131's may have a new board but its the same story sweep illegal behavior under the rug. If the new board has guts they will look at every application and review who these people are to Clayton they will find that it was not based on Cristy Airheads scores but on who high you score on the Clayton score. I hope Johnson steps up many people in the administration are afraid of her just look what happened to Canna & Canna.
3:26, I strongly disagree with Mr. Clayton "The issue is over" Muhammad about important decisions he has defended over the past few years in this district.
But to imply that he changed his name because he was guilty of a crime is absolutely ridiculous--you should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting that! It's my understanding that Mr. Clayton Kinard added "Muhammad" to his name after the Million Man March, to honor Black leaders such as Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Louis Farrakhan.
You and I would probably agree that Mr. Muhammad has entirely too much control over the media's access to information in our district. It's a real shame that one individual can decide what the public will be told about what happens at the service center. But to suggest that criminal activity has taken place is a huge mistaken assumption!
Heck, they all would have to fired starting with Roberts, just about all administrators, starting with Gonzales and Aird, all the way down. Actually, Clayton would be have to be fired for ommission, which is actually not telling the truth. One thing for sure, Gonzales and Aird prove they do this at the last meeting.
First of all this issue about Clayton is being discussed here. Before anyone goes jumping on the bandwagon and stating things, has anyone contacted Dr. Roberts about this issue? Why is everyone getting in such an uproar if no one is willing to do anything? How do any of us know if Clayton has said anything to Dr.Roberts about this? Everyone, as usual, starts pointing fingers, but does nothing. I am neither for or against Clayton, but will say this, has anyone considered that Clayton does things the way he does because he is told by the administration to do it this way? Get real folks, you know this is how the administration works, or lack there of. Do not attack Clayton because of his name. If one wants to know why he did this, why not ask him? How would you like it if this same type of thing happened to you? Bet ya wouldn't! As usual people post and vent here but do not do anything, unless it is something they think is happening to them personally like this Magnet Academy mess. Go before the board, ask your questions, but remember you will not get them on the night you ask them.
I read the article about Oksana Hites and it does look like they live downtown on the West side of Aurora.
As far as Clayton he knows Dan Hites and should know where he lives if he read that article so yes he should of stood up and said something. Get real yourself he plays the administration.
After running an illegal fraternity and sorority for several years, I am wondering why anyone might be appalled that a person would think of Clayton as a criminal.
The fraternity was in the newspapers regularly until it was made public that it was illegal. He also closed the website to the public so that the community could not see what he is doing with the districts children. Clayton, himself, claimed that he modeled Boys II Men after gangs.
Clayton is a criminal and this districts administration and board are also criminals (accessory after the fact)as long as they allow Clayton to continue what he has been doing.
Wonder how many posting here will be at the meeting Monday to inquire about the concerns here?
Just a thought here, didn't registration start this week? If so, then would not this be when the residency for Hite come up as his child has never been to school here before, or as I understand any regular school?
The Boys II Men website is accessible to the public:
www.boys2menonline.org/
I can definitely see good results from this organization, although it's too bad it's presented as a "fraternity" instead of a "service organization" or club. Fraternities (in high schools) are against the law. Service organizations and clubs are not.
Many young people in our community view Mr. Muhammad as a role model, and deservedly so. But he would be setting a better example if he chose to abide by Illinois statutes and stopped referring to Boys II Men as a "fraternity".
My oldest child is starting East High. We recently lost our health insurance and couldn't afford to see our regular doctor for the required physical. I knew they were giving them at the high school through the VNA.
Due to other family obligations, we arrived 30 minutes before the end of registration. We were told there were several ahead of us for physicals.
Two administrators - not sure of their names - came into the area at the closing time to take our names. They waited 30 minutes past closing time when we were finished and had our other stuff to finish registration. It's been such a stressful time for our family - that just really made an impression on me as we started high school. Everyone was so friendly and helpful.
I'm not sure if the board has anything to do with the VNA in the district but what a Godsend! Thank you! And I appreciate people waiting for us to finish and help us complete registration. That went above and beyond.
10:22 - at the board meeting on Monday it was discussed that there will be a budget surplus. Jay Augustine explained that since the district made cuts over a 3-4 year period, there has been a cumulative savings.
We can knock people like him and also the board but let's think positive for a minute and credit it to some people - board and/or administration using their skills to actually plan for things like this.
If the new board is going to be transparent and financially wise, then this will give them a great foundation to build upon. Let's be hopeful!
So now that the Magnet Program is in place has the teachers contacted the students to talk to them like my children have done in another district. Where I live the teachers contact the students and talk to them before they start school. I mean no disrespect to the teachers but do the teachers here really have the support of the administration and Superintendent like mine do. I'm and East Aurora graduate and try to keep up with what is going on and someone told me of this blog and what was going on. I think it is very important if you start this that you know the students you have in these classes and the administration should be supportive of teachers contacting them even if it means you have to give a stipped it is worth it.
What do you mean by teachers contacting the students. You mean calling them and welcoming them back to school?
They call there students to talk to them before the start of the new school year.
No we don't we are running Clayton Kinard's Million Dollar March for fathers to bring children to school. That may sound like a good program but other programs work better like the teacher or principle contacting students. Clayton is always promoting his Nation of Islam agenda will the board who is Roberts boss sits back and allows illegal programs like Boys to Men another programs that pushes Nation of Islam.
You would think D131 is 80% black because that who the programs are for. NOT THE LATINO'S What a group of racists make up our school board and administration.
It is my understanding the board will not question Dan Hites. Why because of Clayton because you know this is a special program designed for white feel good parents. Hites prints his address in the paper is this not enough proof. Hites and Clayton go way back. Hites sponsors Boys to Men kids to come to the Rotary club to get training on the way business functions a few have even been placed in jobs. Funny thing it was done on the districts dime and only for Black Boys to Men. Hites sponsors Clayton just look lets see if you are the school board you say you are.
By the way do not write and ask me to come forward that's the boards job. Until discrimination stops at D131 no employee will come forward. The board is elected and can not be fired however Clayton and the Beacon are making fools of you to the public and to the employees.
I see the board is finally posting the board packets for the community to see. This is a step forward.
Since it was stated the district will have a 6 million dollar surplus could part of that money be used to get rid of the superintendent? He has no respect for the board or the members of the community. He doesn't have his staff follow policies, I will say they need to go over most of them and fix them so there are not so many loop wholes, his staff has no respect for the communtiy either. I would say that would be good money spent. Then go get a Superintendent like Elgin got who will get rid of the dead weight around here.
While I see Carol Fartmun was back at the service center saying hello to all her administrator friends. I am sure they were all happy to see her I am sure they miss her rubber stamp. To bad I was hoping see was gone for good. Funny how she shows up after the Magnet school vote. I also know may of those parents in the room petitioned her directly. Maybe she was afraid they would let on.
I wonder what she was up to. I noticed she missed her last committee meeting also but she can show up at the service center. She's up to no good. She should resign from the board.
This is from the IL School Code about Residency.
(e) Except for a pupil referred to in subsection (b) of Section 10‑22.5a, a pupil referred to in Section 10‑20.12a, or a pupil referred to in subsection (b) of this Section, a person who knowingly enrolls or attempts to enroll in the schools of a school district on a tuition free basis a pupil known by that person to be a nonresident of the district shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
(f) A person who knowingly or wilfully presents to any school district any false information regarding the residency of a pupil for the purpose of enabling that pupil to attend any school in that district without the payment of a nonresident tuition charge shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
If you are an employee how do you know what the board will do about Dan Hite? It is anyone's responsiblilty that lives in the district or works for the district to give information if they have it. EVERYONE that works in this district or lives in this district wants the board to do things for them! This board is trying to, but is getting no support. There has just been a big mess left from the last board with only two on the last board willing to do something and even then this community would not support them. It is easy to post here, but it takes REALLY doing something to get things done. Ommission, excuses, all things in this catagory are LIES! This community and many of the teachers are the ones that are making fools of themselves and in this they make the board look like fools. Get over this Clayton thing with Boys 2 Men. Marin Gonzales stood last year before the board and admitted it was illegal, but most of the board voted to allow to let it go on or whatever happened at that meeting. Now it will be up to Joe Public to do something about it, but Joe Public only wants to point the finger and have everyone else do it for them. Carol F. has also not been at many of the last board meetings, but one would have to go know this, of course. How can anyone want anyone else to question anything if they did not see it themselves? If many people petitioned Carol themselves and she did not let the rest of the board know then she may be in violation of something, but how would the board know about this if they are not informed? Contact them and let them know if you can validated your statement. Carol is a board member and you would not have to go to any administrator or the superintendant with this one. Everyone who looks up information on the internet and puts that information here, what good is it if you do not send it to the proper people? What good is it if you do not go before the board with what you have found out? To me it is just a waste of time and energy as no one else who reads here will take it before the board and it then just opens up other avenues that will take no one anywhere.
How can you say the whole school board and adminstration is racist?
This district is not just for black, Latinos, but also for Asians, Germans and every nationality in this district. To me your comment is racist. As I recall, we are One Nation Under GOD!
If it is true that many parents contact Carol then what a shame. What the parents needs to know that she is only one person and really can't sway the board. If she was a really good board members she would of suggested that they also contact the other board members. I don't think in another district Carol would get away with not showing up to as many meetings that she missed. She has no respect for the community that voted for her. Maybe that's where the administration learn how not to have respect for board members.
Hopefully as time goes on the board can get a Superintendent in that really wants to get this district in shape. In the packets they talk about the schools that didn't make AYP and for some it is seven years. By now the State should have been down here but they don't even do their job. It's time to do some house cleaning you can tell by some of the administration and service center employees faces they don't have respect for the board and I don't really think they have respect for the community. What they need to remember is that they are employees and can be gotten rid of and maybe with a new Superintendent that will happen. Hopefully the district does what Elgin did when they got their new Superintendent and pick someone who wants employees that will follow policy and make AYP.
I am an employee and I am SO saddened by what I am reading here - Clayton helps the students that others write off and WONT help. It is NOT his responsibility to tell anyone where anyone else lives... everyone has the responsibility to tell the truth - we are all adults. And his name change is no ones business but his own. All of the anonymous blogers should publish their addresses, names, marital status, etc. so we all can discuss it here. Dr Roberts, Aird, Gonzales, Clayton, and the board members have all done a lot for the students of the district. We need to work together not pull apart. This blog is very devisive and the people keeping this garbage going are stirring up trouble and nothing else. In this day and time there are other things we need to be focused on - keeping fathers involved with their children (that event is an awesome thing that many districts are taking part in), jobs, keeping parents and kids in homes, keeping great teachers, etc. Can't we turn this blog into a positive????????
Maybe Clayton is doing good things for the students but you must remember this is a public school system and they need to give balance to everyone. He might do good but why do it by breaking the law? He did start an illegal fraternity that's a fact. Just because the board said it was ok doesn't make it right. He does questionable things in the district like the thing at Cowherd. It's it true that only certified teachers should be in a classroom? He needs to center his work outside of the classrooms. There are many good programs out there trying to help fatherless children and they are willing to help also.
From what I understand Clayton and Dan Hites are friends and he probably knows where he lives so when Dan went up before the board he should of said something at least to Dan since this program is for East Aurora students only. If Clayton really cared about this district he would of pulled him aside and reminded Dan that he lived on the West side. So be saddened I'm a resident of the East side and I'm saddened of what is going on in this district.
As far as his name change that is his business.
A blog is what it is and is a place for some to vent. I for one an saddened that this district has some schools 7 years not making AYP. Yes, we have a much different district than some but we should see improvement.
If I remember right there was an article in the paper about Dan's wife and where they lived. In fact it was back in June. Then he stands before this board and talks about the Magnet Program, which if it goes right will be good for this district maybe, how he would like his child to go there and the Beacon quotes him in the paper. The program is only for East Side students so why make him a spokesman for this and have him talking a lot in the Beacon when he doesn't even live on the East side. I don't know about you but I think it was VERY DISRESPECTFUL to the board and the community. Did Dan not know that someone on that board probably saw that article?
In the Beacons article when he talked it sounded like his child would be going to the Magnet Program which means if he thought that he filled out an application and the child was accepted. So that means someone who looks at residency dropped the ball on that. If he did bring in some kind of proof about living on the East Side that was false and that could be a Class C charge against him for lying if the district wanted to do it. How many of the other students that where picked are being put in that program not for their grades but because they know someone and they let them in. You see on the news lately about Chicago and how they are being looked at for some children being put in there Magnet Schools because of favors to someone and they have been around for a long time and we have only been doing this for two years now.
This could be a good program for the district but they already are messing things up.
Clayton is a certified teacher, and volunteers from every profession visit the schools every day...thats what we want in education.
Here is part of the article from the Beacon and states that Dans child was accepted in the Magnet School. His address is 20 W. Downer how could this be.
Dan Hites, a local developer and landowner whose daughter Vanessa enrolled in the Magnet Academy, showed up to plead his case. After the economy took a financial toll on the Hites family, they decided to take Vanessa out of the Fox Valley Montessori School and have her apply for East Magnet Academy.
"She really blossomed (at Montessori)," he said, and he felt confident she'd do the same on the East Side. The academy also offered the developer a selling point when trying to bring families to East Aurora.
"The magnet school serves as a means to ... attract families that would never consider living in the School District," he said.
Hites also pointed out the financial burden the academy's closure would have on the district, with dozens of students leaving the district to attend private or out-of-district schools.
The last time I looked at ISBE certification website it didn't show that Clayton was a certified teacher but I will check again. What name should I look under?
Adding some positive vibes--
There's a great article on the front page of the Beacon about the returning troops. Nice picture of the East High field with family members & friends, and flag decorations. Our National Guard fieldhouse and NJROTC program in our district are huge assets, and it's nice when the community rallies to support our military veterans!
And about Dan Hites' residency: Some addresses on Downer Place west of the river are technically on the East side (pay taxes to D131). I know this because I used to work at 26 W. Downer, and we were considered "East Siders" by the city of Aurora (why, I don't know--but that's what our tax bill said).
A community spokesman should not be in the news in a negative or positive way he should just report on the districts business. It is clear he ignites many debates. Think about if you are writing for him or against him does the district really need to spend 100k plus on him. Put the money in this district were it is needed education and let Roberts do the press releases and lunches.
First off, Clayton is not a certified teacher. Not according to the State Board web site. Neither of his names are on the state board web site as a certified teacher or administrator. You can also look up certifications by school district and again, his names are no where to be found. In short, Clayton is not a certified anything.
Secondly, I went over to Downer and there is no 20 West Downer, unless it is under the river.
This information is readily available to any who choose to look for it. We know the administration and board read this blog. Why don't they do even the slightest bit of investigation and end these sorts of corruption?
I couldn't find anything on Clayton either on that website.
There is a 20 W. Downer it is behind 18 W. Downer. You have to get out and walk by to see it. Also in the article in the Tribue stated it was 20 W. Downer and showed a picture. I remember that building from when I was younger you could walk on the side of the buildings before, they have a gate up now it is right by the river, so now it is hard to see. I do believe that is a TIF project. If you look up property searches on the Aurora Township website most of the buildings down there are not available to see who owns them.
Dan Hites is the owner that is available on the township website. He also did not pay his property taxes in June 09 guess he doesn't support the schools like he claims to. For the teacher who keeps defending Clayton Kinard while you are in your classroom trying to teach 35 kids and only earning 50,000 per year Clayton will be out having lunch on the districts dime stirring up trouble at $100,000 per year. What a sucker you are.
I couldn't bring up his name for that property but I will try again.
I think all you racist idiots should goe suck eggs. I am proud to tell anyone that Clayton is my friend. Is thier anyone that you people like. You have something nasty to say about almost everyone! In my extended family there are Germans,Irish,Scots, blacks,mexicans,jews,italians,norwegins,swedes,dutch,rednecks heck I even have a black foster son. I think this is what makes us Americans. But I guess you folks are just made of hate. Rayanne I think its time to shut this blog down. Or call it what it is a blog for hate speech. And for you bigots my name is german so I guess that makes me a NAZI.
You will notice Bob, in many blogs when comments are made that are unacceptable, most people will not reply to them. To respond is to validate their worth. You can tell it seems to be the same person that returns with the same complaint-repeatedly-about Clayton.
Bob you are wrong about people on this blog being a racist. Many things stated about Clayton are true and did happen. If he is going to put himself out there he will have to take the heat. If you don't like what is on the blog then don't come and read it.
Bob if this blog was to shut down someone would start another so there is no sense in shutting it down. Are you going to tell openline.blog to shut down because Clayton is also mentioned on that one.
By the way I don't think anyone stated they where against Clayton because he is black it's just the way he does things so who is really the racist Bob I think it's you. Are you sure that all the comments are made by white you don't think that other races think the same of Clayton?
Bob
It was Clayton who stated repeatedly and publicly that his fraternity (illegal at that) was only for blacks and Hispanics. It is not racist to oppose discriminatory practices but it is racist to start a group for only certain races. If you can't tell the difference, then you are the one who needs the help.
Personally, the fact that you state a racist is your friend says a lot more about your values than the country of origin of your name.
To the person that wrote that Hites did not pay his taxes in 09-did it state what district his taxes went to?
Looks as though i didn't express myself clearly I wasn't talking just about CLAYTON, I should have said bigoted instead of racist. I think you must admit there have been a lot of bigoted and mean remarks made in this blog. About all kinds of people to include me my family even members of the board. Don't respond because if your a bigot so am I because I don't like bigots.
Thank you Bob - you speak for many of us that insist this blog is shut down. Clayton is a hard worker, there are white kids in Boys To Men, and he IS certified to teach. The certificate may not be stamped in the county because he is not currently teaching - but he is a teacher, and has teaching experience. This site is out of line, and I for one will stop reading it - I wont give energy to hateful people.
There will always be hateful people posting on any blog. But at least the administrator of this one deletes obscenities, unlike Openline (and many others).
So don't read it if you choose not to. But I appreciate this blog for repeatedly enlightening me about this district, and helping to bring about much-needed change (like our new, improved School Board, and increased transparency in this district).
I checked the Illinois State Board of Education web site for Clayton's certification. Clayton is not certified in the State of Illinois to teach or administrate anything. Why is he the only person hired by this district who has no qualifications to do any job?
I'll tell you why. It is because his godfather was Ponquinette. Even years later the corrupt patronage dealings by our administrators and board cost this district. How much money has he been paid over the years and how much liability has he opened this district up to?
Frankly, I don't care if the board bits are posted if the board does not correct situations like Clayton, then they are no better than our previous board.
Good news - Hateful blogs where people can spread "anonymous" lies will soon be illegal!!!!!! Watch the news today folks :)
Maybe now we can get back to the American Dream, Education, and doing whats best for children instead of tearing people apart!
I searched the internet about your claim and all I found was a story from 2007 in the UK that says blogs that give anonymous fake claims about products by people paid or working for the company is going to be illegal.
3:07 mentions doing what's best for children.
Partly because of this blog, we have a new, improved School Board. We have more openness and accountability.
That is definitely "doing what's best for children"!
The problem is that in this district almost all of it is the truth. There will never be a law that restricts the the truth even if it is embarassing to the wrong doer. In America, we call it free speach. And it's the only thing that keeps our leaders from becoming totally corupt.
Property Information
Parcel
15-22-314-001
Owner
HITES, DANIEL G
Township
AURORA TOWNSHIP
UseCode
0060
TaxCode
AU908
Permanent Address
8-18 DOWNER PL
AURORA, IL 60506
Districts
Municipality
AURORA CITY
Fire
AURORA CITY FIRE PENSION
College
WAUBONSEE COLLEGE 516
School
EAST AURORA SCH DIST 131
Library
AURORA CITY LIBRARY
Park
FOX VALLEY PARK DISTRICT
County Board
01 / Sylvia Leonberger
There you go, Dan is in the East Aurora School District...not that hard to figure out people. Do some research before making accusations against everyone.
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