A Tale of Three School Districts
Once upon a time there were three school districts, two of the districts were right next to each other and one was a few miles away and they were all informed that they could get new federal funding to help them retain teachers.
But once the school districts got to see the numbers they got three very different stories. The three districts were the Aurora East, Oswego and Yorkville school districts, all were consolidated districts so they taught K-12. The federal funding numbers come from the Beacon News.
But lets look at some of the numbers. First the amount that the new funding will provide to each district.
Oswego 308 $2,900,000
East Aurora $6,500,000
Yorkville $211,222
Ok, you may think that seems logical the Aurora East district has to be bigger than the Oswego and Yorkville districts... Well not really.
(Financial numbers and student numbers come from the Interactive Illinois School Report Card at NIU)
Well how many students does each district have?
Oswego 15,002
Aurora E 12,767
Yorkville 5,054
So new federal money per student
Oswego $193
Aurora E $509
Yorkville $41
New federal money as a % of instructional expenditure per student the amount in () is the instructional expenditure per student
Oswego ($4,763) about 4%
Aurora E ($4,827) about 11%
Yorkville ($4,477) so about 1%
That's right Aurora East will get about 11% of what they spend on each student in instructional expenses and Yorkville gets about 1%.
Another way to think about it, about 2 netbooks (inexpensive laptops) per student in Aurora East vs. a textbook for each student in the Yorkville district.
Well this is supposed to pay to rehire teachers, so using the average teacher salary and multiplying by 1.5 (to include benefits) how many teachers will each district be able to re-hire/add.
Number of teachers the money would pay for...
Oswego 32
Aurora 81
Yorkville 3
The Oswego district has 20 schools ( so a bit less than 1.5 teachers per school) the Aurora district has 16 schools (so over 4 teachers per school), Yorkville has 9 schools so about a 1/3rd of a teacher for each school.
So it seems that Aurora East is getting a much better deal out of this than Oswego and Yorkville is really getting the short end of the stick.
In some ways it is even worse because of Quinn's transportation cuts will impact Oswego and Yorkville more the Aurora East district. The Aurora East district does not bus so it has a much lower transportation cost per student than the other two and it appears you can not use the federal money for transportation.
— OneMan
279 comments:
1 – 200 of 279 Newer› Newest»Another big difference: the superintendents.
I've never met the Yorkville super, but Dr. O'Donnell from D308 is a friend of mine. He's a former band director (very supportive of the arts), and most importantly he SPEAKS OUT in the media frequently instead of having a "spokesman" do it for him.
Dr. O'Donnell has a "buck stops here" attitude. He doesn't seem to feel a need to hide (literally or figuratively) when a difficult decision is made or defended.
Nice article about the new teacher at Oak Park.
Expect a media blast from the Community Relations office over the next couple of weeks. Certain people in the central office are, as always, desperate to promote a positive image for themselves.
And yes, our teachers (including the new one at Oak Park featured in today's Beacon article) are among the best in the state! They're there because of the kids, in spite of bully administrators.
Your story doesn't include the much higher taxes each household pays in Oswego and Yorkville than in Aurora.
So are you saying that because they pay higher taxes they should get less and because we pay less taxes we should get more?
Why would you not want our District to get this money? You act like we are not entitled to it. This money in the Obama administration was not only earmarked to save obs but the formula used was based on the # of kids at risk. Until you are ready to pay more property taxes like Oswego, Yorkville and West Aurora then I would count my blessing. The rational on this blog never manages to out do itself.
The problem is that we will really never know if it was spent on the kids and as it was stated that money was for hiring teachers. When you have a district that boost about having no money problems and 6 million surplus while all our neighboring districts are having to cut back you have to wonder why we would get that much money while ours are having trouble. What about their students?
Only this blog can make getting 6 million a bad thing.
You ask the others should get more money will here is some reasons. Look at the webpage for Yorkville's FOIA. They list the names of the officers, forms and some documents online so you don't have to send in request makes it easier for the FOIA Officer.
http://www.yorkville.k12.il.us/content/freedom-information-act-requests
Here is Oswego's webpage for FOIA.
http://www.oswego308.org/community_resources/FOIA.aspx
They also comply with this.
Public Act 096-0434 requires school districts to post administrative compensation on their web sites and to submit those reports to the Illinois School Board of Education and to their respective Regional Offices The act also requires that the report be included in a school district’s Board of Education meeting.
Public Act 096-0434 can be accessed by clicking the link here.
These districts are transparent and respect the community by following the law. This district is trying to improve their image why don't they start by respecting the community and following the law even if a few look for these things.
__
IPSD Content
Administrator Salary Compensation Report
Please be advised that P.A. 96-0434 became law August 13, 2009. This law requires school districts to publicly disclose compensation information for all school administrators by October 1 each year. The Act also requires that the report be presented at a regular board meeting and that we submit the report to the Regional Superintendent’s office. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Valenta at 630/375-3012 or nancy_valenta@ipsd.org.
•Administrator Salary Compensation Report (PDF)
Read your Board Book the board had a updated report at the last meeting. Do you really think Augustine would not comply with the law. It seems the finance people in Oswego & Yorkville should spend less time on the Web page and more time on the money problems of their Districts.
By the way show me the law that a District needs a website. They simply need to have it available to the public.
The law doesn't require a district have a web site (although nearly if not all district do). It requires that if a district has a public web site, they must post certain information on it. Information which is required by law to be available to the community.
In other words, a district can't claim they are transparent and making information available to the public but then make it difficult for the public to obtain said information.
Aug. 24 6:18 - I think you said it all with your use of the word "entitled". I find it interesting how the lower socio-economic group fell entitled to things. They're entitled to free lunches, school supplies, materials, gifts, programs, etc. I find it very interesting. It must feel good to be "entitled".
Why are you people so surprised that East Aurora gets more money from the government than richer school districts? You can't tell me that you didn't know that the community of East Aurora refuses to support it's schools.
10:01, I share your frustration with some people's sense of entitlement. Specifically, it angers me when adults who are perfectly capable of earning their own way think that they're "entitled" to help themselves to my hard-earned tax dollars.
But it's different with children! All children are dependent upon parents (and if parents drop the ball, upon society/government/charity) for their needs. Needy children are indeed entitled to whatever help is available. As the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child".
The law states if a distirct has a website is must be posted. We have a website and it is not posted. The salary compensation is suppose to be given to the board in October which means it would be in the board packet which is available to the communtiy to see. We seem to have spent a lot of money on pictures for our website.
Here is another Public Act that came into effect Jan.10,2010.
Public Act 096-0542
SB0189 Enrolled LRB096 07744 JAM 17845 b
AN ACT concerning government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Open Meetings Act is amended by changing
Section 3 and adding Sections 1.05, 3.5, and 7.5 as follows:
(5 ILCS 120/1.05 new)
Sec. 1.05. Training. Every public body shall designate
employees, officers, or members to receive training on
compliance with this Act. Each public body shall submit a list
of designated employees, officers, or members to the Public
Access Counselor. Within 6 months after the effective date of
this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the
designated employees, officers, and members must successfully
complete an electronic training curriculum, developed and
administered by the Public Access Counselor, and thereafter
must successfully complete an annual training program.
Thereafter, whenever a public body designates an additional
employee, officer, or member to receive this training, that
person must successfully complete the electronic training
curriculum within 30 days after that designation.
So who are are Open Meetings Act Officers and did they take the class? If they do have one why didn't they speak out when the board started talking about an employee in the open meeting?
As much as I enjoy to bash the administration and board when they are doing things wrong, I must correct when they are receiving incorrect bashing.
The administrator salaries ARE posted on the website. You have to look for them as they are buried in the employment section of the website.
You are right all the information is under Employment who would of thought it would be there most have it under financial.
Looks like a lot of our administrators base salaries are more than D129 so are administrators are not the lowest paid in the district. Dr. Roberts and Rydland salaries are very close to each other also.
The word is "our" moron.
And 4:09, there should be a comma after "our".
Moron.
Well 4:42, the period should be inside the quotation marks, ass hole.
Blogging follows the same rules as texting. U r all wrong.
Wow no comments from our couch potato d131 haters. Imagine that Kaneland having test score problems with Hispanic students. I guess it is just not d131. Could it be.
For the first time ever, the Kaneland School District as a whole did not make the federal standards for Adequate Yearly Progress.
Erika Schlichter and Sarah Mumm, directors of educational services, told the School Board this week that factored into last school year's test results were three federally identified student subgroups district-wide that did not make AYP. The Hispanic and economically disadvantaged subgroups made AYP in math, but students with disabilities did not. These same subgroups district-wide failed to make AYP in reading.
The comma should be after 129.
What I was specifically referring to was 4:09's comment. He or she said:
The word is "our" moron.
They should have said:
The word is "our", moron.
~~~~~~~~
Unless they really meant that the word itself is moronic, and belongs to us. In that case the quotation marks would be superfluous.
5:23, that's an example of why "No Child Left Behind" is so screwed up!
All it takes for an entire school to be labeled "failing" is for one tiny subset of kids to test poorly on one particular day. It is extremely demoralizing and frustrating for teachers and administrators to get NO credit for the vast majority of students who did well on the tests--the "powers that be" declare the entire school to be FAILING.
No wonder most parents don't take NCLB seriously. We can tell whether or not our kids are learning, if we're doing our job as parents. And if they're not achieving, it's our job to do something about it. Pointing at schools (and teachers) and labeling them "failing" is anything but a solution.
Here is the whole article about Kaneland and if you notice the Administration let the board know and will be presenting them with plans to improve.
Kaneland struggling with federal test standards
Comments
August 25, 2010
By LINDA GIRARDI For Sun-Times Media
For the first time ever, the Kaneland School District as a whole did not make the federal standards for Adequate Yearly Progress.
Erika Schlichter and Sarah Mumm, directors of educational services, told the School Board this week that factored into last school year's test results were three federally identified student subgroups district-wide that did not make AYP. The Hispanic and economically disadvantaged subgroups made AYP in math, but students with disabilities did not. These same subgroups district-wide failed to make AYP in reading.
Since grade levels 3-8 did make Adequate Yearly Progress, the district will not be required to enter a failing status, they said. At the middle school level, all subgroups at Harter Middle School made AYP or met the "safe harbor" target.
At Kaneland High School, the 11th grade missed the AYP target in math and reading. Kaneland High School enters the academic early warning list for a second consecutive year.
"The high school administration and staff have already begun discussing it -- it was a score they were not happy with," Schlichter said.
AYP is a measurement tool under the federal government's No Child Left Behind Act which determines how each public school and school districts as a whole perform on standardized tests.
AYP targets reading and math, and each year the benchmark has been steadily increasing, with the goal that all students be proficient in those academic areas by 2014.
District officials said in September they plan to present detailed data on student achievement, including ISAT/PSAE results, along with each school's School Improvement Plans.
Board members Ken Carter and Diane Piazza suggested the presentation begin with the high school since it had the data raising the most concern.
Most district respect thier boards wishes and show them the data.
It was nice to see the Kaneland's Board have that discussion.
Unlike East Aurora who is out running article's about new teacher's happy to have a job at Oak Park or Jessie White keeping the kids out of class for a tumbling demo. The best article of all was East running a garage sale.
It is nice Clayton needs another helper to run more garage sales for Board Members children's to win competitions and sidetrack residents from the horrible test scores. Yes the blogger was correct that is all we will hear so they can brush aside the fact all of our schools are failing.
Saw this on a business management website:
~~~~~~~~~~
Beware of charismatic leaders - they're much more susceptible to disastrous ethical lapses.
That's the warning from Marianne Jennings, professor of legal and ethical studies in the Department of Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business. The problem, she says, is that charismatic leaders surround themselves with sycophantic people so there's no reality check. Once that's in place, it's all downhill.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Does this describe anyone at our central office? Hmmmm....
I think it describes a certain Superintendent & the Board President.
While the two are off spinning their web of lies. The test scores are being swept under the carpet. We do have money for a helper for Clayton so he can organize more garage sales for Ms Lewis, win more competitions for Board members kids Ms Lewis again, help with carrying another Board members books to school Mr Hull or set the alarm clock for those close votes when Hull needs to come to a meeting, maybe find a handicap parking spot for the overhill Ms Trusa and speak a the English for Ms Gonzalez. Lets not forget the retirement party for the longest Board member from hell Ms Wells.
So you may ask what duty does he preform for Roberts & Johnson. He tells the lies they come us with.
The youth pastor at my church is applying for the position as Clayton's helper. Poor guy probably doesn't know what he's in for if they hire him.
Clayton, from hte sounds of it, needs a helper so he can promote B2M on the districts time and dime. And a mighty fine dime with benefits he is getting. Is his office door kept closed most or all of the time now? What other district has a PR that works in the way that Clayton does? None that I am aware of. How many other districts have a helper for their PR person? Again, none that I am aware of. Notice how Clayton's name is in many of the Beacon News articles on so many things, and some really have nothing to do with the school district, but his own personal agenda?
syc·o·phant -n
fawning flatterer: somebody who servilely or obsequiously flatters a powerful person for personal gain
Ex. The Board president is a sycophant.
ob·se·qui·ous -adj
too eager to please or obey: excessively eager to please or to obey all instructions.
Ex. The obsequious Board president made sure to compliment the Superintendent and agree with him on every issue.
Yes it does sound like people from central office!
Clayton is out of control ever since B2men aired on TV he is in the paper every day building his image. Someone inquired with Joanie about the position and was told that this is a true PR job. She mentioned you would go to meetings like Rotary and represent the District. Nothing about the new mentoring program. What a job get paid to go to lunch. Maybe Tursa or Gonzalez should apply.
It is interesting Lewis's grandchildren are featured in the mentor campaign & given a speaking spot at a major event. I am sure this child is preforming a fine activity but no other children are given such a push unless you kiss up on the Board to Roberts. Lewis has become the new Fernando Salinas.
I also heard a special tutoring program was set-up by the central office for Hull's daughter. That is why Hull took his daughter out of Private. It sure was not that EA had a better education. The red carpet was rolled out. Roberts himself was involved.
See Doc we little worker bees that come to work everyday do the work of your lazy inept administrators know how you keep the Board happy.
One thing for certain if you go against Doc and are a Board member not such fun times for your kids at EA.
Why in the world would someone be going to Rotary meetings,etc. on the districts dime? It should be on ones own time. Also, the mentoring that is being talked about should be done on one's own time and not be handled by the PR person of the district. No other district pays and employee for this type of thing. All this money being spent on these types of positions could get this district more teachers for the overcrowding problem we have. I hope people are not believing we have the monies for this. I am sure they are pulling the monies for all these postions from another catagory, i.e., like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Only time will tell.
I believe the schools are overcrowded as it is. Where would these new teachers go??
The service center is crowded too. The big discussion here is there is no space for Clayton's new helper.
Great Article in the Beacon about the game tonight!!!
This rivalry is a dud
JIM OWCZARSKI
Today is the celebration of an odd kind of anniversary -- the last time East Aurora beat West Aurora in football.
It was Week 1, 10 years ago when Al Tamborelli's Tomcats beat Mike Runge's Blackhawks 26-23 to set up the last winning season East has had in that same span.
I was a sophomore at North Central College then, and many of the players in this year's game were in grade school. The year might have had a "2-0" in front of it, but it was a long time ago.
We're entering the second decade of the new millennium and East has to be hoping that it can catch lightning in a bottle yet again because nothing in recent history points to what would be a monumental upset of the Blackhawks.
Since that win in 2000, West has won this game by an average of 33 points, has pitched four shutouts and has put up four 40-point efforts.
Last season was the first time since that win the Tomcats scored more than six points.
Since joining The Beacon-News four football seasons ago, I've been regaled with stories about how great this rivalry once was and what it meant to the city.
I believe it was then, but it's no longer the case. The "rivalry" has become legend more than fact -- like Notre Dame being nationally relevant in football.
Sure, fans, boosters and old heads will come out tonight to cheer and reminisce, but everyone is pretty sure West is going to lay the beat down again.
Now, they have to play the game -- so everyone has to allow some part of their brain to think East can win tonight -- but let's be real: this game is kind of a waste of time.
At the very least, the schools can try to work out something with their respective conferences and the IHSA to bring back some luster.
Even if the teams still have to battle to get numbers, they can at least make some cosmetic changes to polish up what historically has been a great rivalry.
Move it to Aurora University.
Create alternate jerseys.
Talk with the DuPage Valley and Upstate Eight conferences to move to the game to Week 9, where coaches can use it as a carrot to keep kids interested and eligible.
The football might be better then as well, as both teams will be more seasoned and prepared.
Or, to make it a real special event, talk with the IHSA and make it a "bowl" type game and move it to end of the year, like way back in the day when this rivalry shared the spotlight with no one in late November. (Teams are allowed just nine games, but if they agreed to play one of those games later in the year, they would be able to.)
Of course, you can't just do these things. There are logistical issues and some pride to swallow. But something like this has to happen to revitalize this game.
East has had seven winning seasons in 29 years. West has had four. The Blackhawks last made the postseason in 1994. The Tomcats last made the playoffs in 1982.
And in these two conferences, the odds that they make the playoffs again -- and consistently -- in the near future are slim.
These programs, this city, deserve more than that. One way to do that is to put the rivalry back in the spotlight. Prep Football
East should get rid of the entire sports program. Like everything else at East all of the teams are horrible.
8:11 a.m., your attitude is horrible.
I hope you don't have kids, because you'd be a failure as a parent.
Not just a failure as a parent, a failure as a human being
I just wonder when you people are going to wake up and realize that the school district is a reflection of the community.
Wasn't last year West had the game played down at the college in DeKalb have more seats and do something different and the people from East just complained about that.
So true about the school district and thier board and how it is transparent and takes care of all the students in the district and not just cater to some.
That was the basketball game.
Only a Board member sister could be that negative
So what is wrong with doing that for a basketball game?
As a proud graduate of East Aurora High in the 60's I do have concerns of how this district is ran. It doesn't mean I hate the district just like with how our government is ran we all don't like certain things and we complain that is our right. Maybe sometimes you need to step back and look and see if somethings are not right.
I'm not the sister they are talking about I just thought I would say something because there are people out there that are wondering if this district is going in the right direction.
1:18, no the School Board is not always a reflection of the community!
Remember that just a few years ago the community clearly spoke out against the bullying of a teacher, and the School Board From Hell just circled the wagons and hid behind "no comment, the issue is over".
Some of the bullies are still in power in this district. We will NOT be silent until they are all gone!
Did I say "school board?"
Nope!!!!
I said "SCHOOL DISTRICT."
There is a difference. The attitudes of the students about education are directly related to the community. The lack of funding from the community is reflective in the buildings and materials. The lack of support of the community is evident in the attendance of concerts, sporting events, open houses, and conferences.
Nice try bringing up stupid dead issues. Nice job bringing up the ONE THING ANYBODY HAS EVER CARED ABOUT TO TRY AND PROVE A POINT THAT DOES NOT EXIST.
Yeah, nice try.
There sure is a difference between "school board" and "school district". Especially when a school board has proven itself out-of-touch with the will of the people, as was the case five years ago.
But there's no need to hash that out again. Anyone who is new to the district and wants to find out exactly what happened and who the bad guys/gals were (and are) need only go to Google and type in the following words:
kaisershot east aurora band
A bit of contradictions here.The community does nothing & the community F's things up. Nothing or F-ing which is it
The school Board does things in the name of the students, but not what is BEST for the students.
You can only get so much out of a district that has an average income now of $50,000 are year. How many homes do we have in foreclosures? You can have all the money in the world and if you don't have the right people using it for the right reason no money is enough.
Anyone who has children know that some of us give our children the best we can. We give them money so they can fit in, we give them money if we have it so they have the tools to learn but there are always some that no matter how much you give it doesn't help them in their lives. It's the same way with a school district you can give them all the money they need put if they don't use it right then it does no good.
Our district is boosting how we are much better off than our surrounding districts with our money situation so lets see how our test scores come out since we have the money now to give our students a good education.
6:58 said:
"Yup, the school board does what is best for the students, and the community fucks everything up"
Yeah, right. Supporting a personal vendetta and rubber-stamping Radakovich was what was best for students--NOT.
But that was several years ago. Fortunately, most of those School Board members are gone now. Juanita Wells (who accused parents of sabotaging the National Anthem) is the last of that group left, and she'll probably be out in the spring.
Now if we can only get rid of the administrators who were involved in that nastiness, so they don't have a chance to do it again.
"Serial Bully" Radakovich is gone.
Rick Johnson is gone.
Gordon Postlewaite is gone.
Malaker, Salinas, and Farnum are gone.
But some bullies remain...
Rayanne Carlson GONE - THANK GOD
East lost
Stop blaming the schools and administrators it is the parents. When a kid gets about 5 hours of classroom training a day and the parent does not push education in the home how do you think the scores are going to come out. These kids come to class not even knowing their colors. Many do not speak the language. Many because a lack of social development end up in special ed. There is a reason why most people are poor they are a reflection of poor education.
9:23 p.m., Radakovich may no longer be employed by D131 but he's not totally gone.
He is still around, coaching soccer at Aurora University (a great reason not to consider sending your kids there, especially if they play sports).
And he is teaching graduate-level courses in education, mentoring his fellow bullies like Dr. Marin Gonzalez (who got her doctorate at Aurora University on our dime).
My short term on the Board was only a tiny piece of my presence in the district. Like Dee & Anita, I have been here, with and on behalf of the students, long before being an elected representative.
And I am here! On the blog. For you to use as your sounding board.
I hear your comments & your complaints. I tolerate your digs, your lies and your insults. I share your frustrations and your joys with D131. I laugh at the humor, some intended, some not.
If your post has given you some type of satisfaction, whatever it's intention, the purpose is each individuals to own, not mine nor "the blog's"
I am on my way to enjoying 2 days off work. Hope you all have an enjoyable weekend, also.
I'm no fan of Radakovich but he did the boards wishes so you have to hold them responsible as well. If they didn't want him to do what he was doing the board could of stopped him. In fact I heard they brought him in to do the dirty work and that happens a lot when a board whats a head hunter around to get rid of people. Most business uses these people and since we a a board president that wants to run the district this way you can bet when they have to downsize heads will roll. We have a board that is no different now only this one has the superintendent and board president teaming together to do his will and friends only.
So here we are in the second week of school. When can we expect current information to be posted on the EHS website?
I'm not asking for much--just an updated listing of who my son's teachers are, and their contact information. For example, the new choir director (Mr. Stellmacher) isn't listed anywhere that I can find. But a picture of the fine arts faculty shows Mrs. Nadel (who retired last spring), and HER e-mail address is there.
Don't parents and students deserve current information? It seems to me that should be a high priority, especially in a district that prides itself on its image. A website is the first place many go to for information, and as the saying goes, "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression".
Oh, but there's an announcement dated yesterday (Sunday?!), August 29.
Zumba classes are available for D131 staff.
~~~~~~
Evidently that's important enough to post, but current information about our kids' teachers is not.
If it isn't about promoting certain district members pet projects then they don't think it needs to be updated on the website. There are a lot of things half done on the website and they preach they want to make the district look better than why not get that information about teachers out there.
WOW it pays to work for this district. In reading the contracts on the website all but the Aministration one because I did not see it but it could be hiding somewhere employess get a 20% increase in their salaries two years before they retire. I sure hope the state has the money. All of the workers in this district get good money and excellent benifits how about you do you get that at your job?
The problem is that there is one person who does the district websites, all 18 of them. As a teacher, if I want something posted on my schools web site, I must send the information to him and hope it gets taken care of. The last time I tried, I wrote 12 e-mails trying to get the information posted. I even had to write to Clayton who apparently oversees this person. After all that only some of the information was posted and most of it was already out of date.
Needless to say, I gave up even trying. The district definately needs a better system.
1:20 p.m., I find it interesting that some things do get posted very quickly: mostly, anything that contributes to a positive image for those in the central office. At the Red & Black rally a couple of weeks ago it was all about IMAGE. Dr. Roberts told us that we can't afford to have a bad day. Mr. Muhammad got everyone chanting "E-A". Image, image, image.
That's all well and good, but what do parents REALLY care about? They care about what's happening at their child's school. They care about being able to contact teachers. Especially at the high school level, when kids don't always share everything with their parents, parents count on finding basic information online (certainly by the second week of school)--and they DESERVE to be "in the loop".
Maybe that new EHS choir director can teach his kids a new song to sing to the administration:
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T"
You hit it on the nose and it is for a certain few they want the image.
If they really wanted a good image they would have the teachers stuff posted on the website for the parents that want to check up on things. I believe they make it harder for the parents that care about thier childs education unless you are in with thier crowd.
I have visted quite a few school districts websites lately and they all have information on the first page for the parents and community members. They have some pictures of students but not like ours does.
Yeah and you are the same parents who pack the Board room on Monday nites. In other Districts parents actually care about their kids education. So you have no room to complain. The admin's and Board no this so not much will ever done. Some Board members actually complain but nobody backed them up.
8/30 @ 10:47am
This district pays their retirement. Better hope we have it. Something can be done about this, but this community needs to step up to the plate and take some kind of action. Although, we are reminded, that this district is not in any monies problem. Maybe we are not, where the board president lives and some of those subdivisions may not mind when their taxes go up to keep us in the red. I wonder if there is foreclosures out in that area and the more affluent areas like there is here on the near East side. More and more I see peoples belongings out in the yards ddue to forclosers.
Most of the time the Board President does not live in the District she sure does not send her adoptive kids to d131 schools. She will make a point of telling you she does we all know that because of her dumb dog stories. But why should she care about her taxes it only benefits her friend Roberts.
PS I guess its ok for the dog it does not have to get educated here. It is funny Roberts adoptive kids never got educated here also. See what money buys off the backs of the poor.
The district pays into the retirement of the state they are the ones that pay it out. A couple of years ago our representatives voted to use some of that money for other things. Yes, the district pays it but that goes to the state for their retirement fund.
The point in this is that the district does pay it, not where it goes and who doles it out. Linda Cahppa La-Via is one of the representitives that voted to use this money for other purposes, with no plan of how to pay it back. Reminds me of what the Federal government has done with Social Security and Medicare for so many years.
Fingers going to fast, should have been Chappa.
Yes, the district does pay it just like any business that still pays into a pension for the employees. After they retire the money comes out from the TRF that the state holds. While they are working the district pays into it but not after.
3:48, so because I have to work on Monday nights and can't go to a meeting I don't deserve current information on the website?
Or my neighbor, who can't go to evening meetings because she stays home at night to take care of her mom who has Alzheimer's--she has no right to complain about not getting information online?
Yes, it would be nice if more people came to meetings. But in the REAL WORLD, many people have obligations which prevent them from attending.
All the more reason why the information should be available online.
Waaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaa
Image, image, image.
Or as they say in Texas--
All hat, no cattle; all sizzle, no steak.
Looks like there's been plenty of time & money available to print up and distribute yard signs that say We (Heart) EA.
But there's been no time to put current information online so parents can contact teachers directly. Unless, of course, that teacher is Facebook friends with their child--then the child can contact the teacher.
Anybody see anything messed up here, like priorities??
I looked under the schools on the website and they have news clips from 2009 when you enter the schools website. There is not much information at all about the school or teachers on the indiviual schools.
Look up your own phone # if you have time to complain to the Board.
9/1 @ 3:09pm
And your statement means?
September 1, 2010 12:20 PM
Is a liar.
Complaining to the board will not do you any good. Why should a parent have to complain to the board to get a phone number for a teacher? Most districts have the teachers phone numbers and emails on the website under there schools. In fact most districts have all the information parents need to contact and what is going on in the schools. We have a sorry website that only gives information for some board members and administrations projects. What is this district afraid of that parents will get involved?
The parents never go to the meetings and make excuses they have to work. If that is the case they can always write the Board. It is true people who complain the loudest get action. Remember the Magnet School parents. I bet all their contacts are updated.
It's not just meetings they don't go to, it's EVERYTHING they don't go to.
Actually, there are plenty of people at events like football/basketball games and graduations. And when my kids were in school a few years ago, the parents came out for things like the DARE program and PTA family night. I remember that when my children were small, I went mostly to things where kids were welcome and that didn't last too late at night (past their bedtime). Maybe some parents don't go to meetings because it's a hassle and/or expense to bring their children with them or find a sitter.
Here's an idea that might help parents of small children. High school students could volunteer to watch the kids while parents attend meetings, concerts, and other events. Many churches have nursery/play areas staffed by volunteers--why not a school district? The high school students would get service hours; the parents would be able to pay attention to the meeting or performance; and concert audiences could hear students sing or play without distraction from whining preschoolers (as has often been a problem, at least at the choir concerts I've attended).
The agenda for next Tuesday's board meeting is on the district website.
Evidently there will be a "State of the School" presentation where carefully selected students, administrators, and staff from East High will highlight various recent achievements.
Listed to be mentioned under "New and Notable" is the fact that the EHS band performed at Disney World this summer. This is indeed a positive accomplishment--thanks to hard work by Mr. Liska, parents, students, and boosters--but hardly "new" or "notable" considering that the EHS band PREVIOUSLY had a proud tradition of performing at Disney every other year from the early '90s until 2005, when bully administrators "improved" the program.
Those of us who spoke out against the mistreatment of Mr. K are very aware who was responsible back then, and we also know which of the bullies are still around and capable of retribution against other staff members. We will not allow those administrators to PRETEND that this summer's Disney trip was "new and notable". A positive accomplishment, yes. Something to be proud of, yes. But NOT "new and notable"!
Speaking of East High, it looks like Ms. Nadel is still teaching choir there. She is the only choir director listed in the faculty/staff directory, and her picture is on the Fine Arts page along with other fine arts faculty.
Welcome back, Ms. Nadel!
Time to take your meds, 12:00 p.m.
And while you're at it, wash your mouth out with soap.
I've just looked at our surrounding districts agenda and none of them have the CRD report on things. There is a lot of districts that have the Superintendents Report though. Most have information about the schools and not just press releases.
District 204 has their Board Meetings online. Very professional not like ours.
Then move to another District.
I see Pat Lorance is wasting the Boards time again looking for info on Boys2men. Has that horse not been beaten. Does she have anything better to do with her time than pick on a sucessful program that helps kids.
they dont update the website but now have a 131 facebok site which also is the reason facebook can be gotten into from all district computers. facebook isnt blocked anymore so anyone can use it during work or the kids can when their at school and the reason they say they dont have it blocked anymore is because the district has a facebbok page
4:17 says: "lies, bullshit and half-truths".
Then enlighten us with your wisdom, 4:17. Correct whatever is untrue and provide evidence for your side of the story.
IF you can, that is.
Or is it easier to just spew meaningless obscenities??
We seem to get the pottymouth comments when certain words are mentioned. Words like "band" and "bullies", for example.
Hmmm...must be painful for certain people to confront reality....
Oh great--kids & teachers can access Facebook during the school day. That means that kids could chat with their teacherpals when they SHOULD be doing their schoolwork.
Minor children chatting with adults, no parental supervision, possibly about personal topics. Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
No bullshit and lies are what this blog is always about, I just don't feel the need to mention it every other post.
Some people have one ignorant thing on their mind and can get over it.
"Well the reason we can't get over it is....blah blah blah, same old same old.
Get a life, that's your homework, GET A LIFE. When you do, kill yourself. Then the district would be better off.
Oh, did some of those, "hit a little to close to home."
Interesting that the hateful pottymouth comments all seem to come from one side of the issue in question.
Probably the same adults who have EHS students for Facebook friends.
Let's see, who would I prefer as role models for my kids? Not that "team"!
Oh, ok
Yup, you're right.
Good job, you cracked the code.
I'm sure you KNOW who I am also.
You've got it all figured out.
Oh, wait, you're just stupid.
I am soooo concerned about Facebook. It is all I worry about. I MUST have the most friends, so I am willing to do anything. Friends on facebook means that you are friends in real life. It means that you have discussions about inappropriate things in the middle of the night and are a pedophile.
7:23, I have a life. I have a job.
And I have a hobby: writing on blogs. It sure is fun seeing how upset people get when they can't make a reasonable, coherent argument; so all they can do is spew obscenities.
I'm enjoying my Friday evening--how about you?
:)
Let's keep harassing people who do good things for students. There are very few people who want to work in East Aurora, and it is because of YOU. So let's harass the people who are hear constantly.
You're hobby is writing on blogs? WOW, that's something to brag about.
Hear, here: there's a difference. Learn correct grammar, moron.
You're, your: there's a difference.
Learn correct grammar, moron.
Really? Good job, now go back to your hobby.
"people who do good things for students"--oh, you mean like bully administrators? Yeah, they really did great things for students when they deprived a teacher of his job, ignoring HUNDREDS of protesting parents, students, alums & community members.
Again there comes that ONE example that people can't get over. Name something else. And he deserved to go. He was a lazy band director.
Hmmm....one ignorant person says he was a lazy band director. Hundreds spoke out against his "reassignment".
Wonder who's right??
I'm right, of course.
And ignorant, too.
According to "anonymous"
He was so lazy that he spent hours composing & arranging pieces specifically for small groups of students, so they could participate successfully in the IHSA solo & ensemble contests.
He was so lazy that if you Google his name you'll see over 20,000 examples of his work and accomplishments.
But yeah, he was definitely lazy about ONE thing--his reluctance to kiss the butts of administration.
Ok
Hey, remember when this blog discussed important issues and solved real problems.
No?
Neither do I.
Does anyone else ever notice if you aren't in with the in crowd here you are lazy or ignorant? I for one am tired of hearing things about Mr. K but he is a good man and has done many good things for the students of this district. But now they only have one person they think that can do anything for some students in the district. There is just a one way street here. I believe there are many teachers and others that are helping children to succeed here but you hear nothing about that it is always the same ole thing. There is not just one that helps our students there are many that should be acknowledged in the district.
Blasphemy
Does anyone ever notice that everybody notices something about somebody else but never about themselves?
The agenda for Tuesday's meeting says "regular with public hearing"--what's that all about?
And I do think that our district should have a policy against minor students being Facebook "friends" with teachers, especially if students are able to access Facebook during the school day (without parental supervision). Like a previous poster pointed out, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
September 3, 2010 7:23 PM -you were making a valid point until you ended with such a "moronic" comment-
"kill yourself. Then the district would be better off."
There has been other comments of "kill yourself" in previous postings. Sounds like someone is heading over the deep end over blog postings.
Get a grip!
The real upset should be with our Union. I read a message the Union had Clayton put out. They are waiting until the elections. What good is that we all no Brady is going to beat Quinn. Brady is a voucher person who has a very negative opinion of the public school system. He is also on record as lowering taxes. So does our Union really think he will continue to fund schools at the same rate. The District has money now, but they are going use this a a excuse to not give us the raise we deserve. It does not seem the fault lies with administration or the Board but with our Union.
The union had Clayton put out a message? Why isn't the union communicating directly with it's members?
That would be like the strike in Chicago...would the union ask Hyatt to relay info to the employees. NO!
The real upset SHOULD be with your Union, and the members are part of the problem if they are not asking the union to start being accountable.
I have to agree the union had Clayton put a message out no Good Union would allow this to happen. This just shows how this district is letting Clayton run it.
Why is the Union waiting until November's elections? Do they really think anything is going to get better with the Illinois. Until that message I thought the District was delaying. I stand corrected the Union is the problem. Now they tell us we have to wait for your raise and they will pay it after a agreement. Rhoads and the team can afford it we can't.
That's because we don't have a good union. We have a union who is in bed with the administration. They do not represent the membership. In over twenty years, they have never filed a grievence against the district on behalf of the membership.
When Bob Green was being terminated they refused to represent him. He requested legal assistance through the union when he was being terminated. The union leadership told him that they could not hire a lawyer until the district had actually terminated him and then after he was terminated he was told, since he was terminated, he was no longer a union member and therefor not entitled to representation by the union. They refused to represent before, during or after the district terminated him.
In a discussion I had with an attorney that used to represent the district, he told me that there have never once been any negotiations between the district and our union. Every time negotiations come up, the district goes to the union and says "here's the deal, take it or leave it" and our union always says "OK" immediately. There are no negotiations.
It really is time to replace this union with a real one.
It would be worth looking into replacing the union.
Our contract has almost nothing in it that isn't already part of the Illinois School Code. In other words, there are no protections in the contract that aren't already guaranteed us by Illinois Law.
I researched it a few years back and from what I understand, to replace the union, you must first vote to remove our current union.
A petition must be signed by 1/3 of the teachers (this includes both union members and fair share employees) Since fair share employees constitute about a third of our teachers, this should be easy to obtain.
Once the petition has been obtained, an election must be held and supervised by state officials from outside the district/union. If more than 50% of the teachers vote to remove the union, the union is history.
After one year, we can vote in a new union who would actually represent us instead of the administration. The NEA does much better for it's members than the AFT does. That's all the AFT is concerned about is their own cash.
I don't know much about the Green case except I heard there where complaints about him but he was never tried or convicted in a court of law just D131. Just this last week on HLN they ran a story about a teacher that was convicted of touching students and he was found guilty in a court of law and spent a minimal amount of time in jail and the UNION got his job back. I'm not saying and there are cases where teachers where convicted of abuse to students and where given their jobs back is right the average person can't even come 1000 feet by a school but what I'm saying is the district handled this wrong and unless they can prove he was found guilty of any crime then they are in the wrong. You have to have a background check when you start working in a school I wonder how many times they check after someone gets hired and you would have to ask does Green have anything on his now to get him fired. If not and it was complaints against him not founded the district is wrong and I think they need to show some proof.
I meant to say that a person convicted of a sexual abuse charge can not come 1000 feet from a school.
The only thing Green is guilty of is pissing off administrators by requiring them to follow the law.
Because of Green, the administration actually has to post coaching and activities jobs before just giving the jobs to their pets.
Because of Green, PE teachers actually have to be certified in health class before teaching the course.
Green refused to just take the administrators harrassment when standing up for teachers. He went to court and won.
Because of these things, Green pissed off the administration enough for them to flagrantly break the law and terminate Green for no just reason. And, when he is reinstated, I am sure he will be filing another huge lawsuit against the district and winning it.
The administration in this district is incompetent and unprofessional in many ways. Each one of their blunders end up costing the children of this district in lost revenues that should be spent on educating them.
I remember when the Union helped administration out by trying to silence a board member who was trying to improve the safety teachers. This member was anti administration pro teacher. Talk about a great relationship.
Green needed to be fired.
The teachers do deserve their raise now not in November when the District says Brady got elected now we are out of money. Lets also not forget Foster if he loses and he probably will Holdgren will not be pro East Aurora.
Lets also not forget Patterson telling the teachers go to the Union not this blog if you have a problem.
Green may have needed to be fired but he deserved due process as everyone does. If the administration had done their job, they easily could have documented the man and terminated him for just reasons. Instead, they took a couple of instances that, for any other teacher, were minor incidents and blew them completely out of proportion. There is no way that when they go before a fair and impartial judge, their actions could possibly stand.
This latest incident, a BD student who was supposed to be in a different part of the building wanted to go to gym instead. He refused Green's repeated instructions to leave and tried to physically push Green aside so that he could play in the gym. Green stood his ground and refused to allow the child to pass.
The child was not hurt in any way, yet the administration claimed Green abused the child. Further the administration did not report the incident to the police or to child protective services as mandated by law in all abuse cases.
It's a huge conflict that any lawyer would have a field day with. How can the administration claim that Green abused a child so badly that he deserves to be terminated but it didn't rise to the level that they needed to report him to proper authorities.
Again, the administration shows their incompetence with every action they take.
I am not a teacher and would like to know what the difference between NEA and AFT is. Also what are the abreviations short for? From reading on this blog and earlier postings it certinly does sound like your current union does not do you justice nor the superintendant.
Greens attorney was talking to the districts attorney a few weeks back. He pointed out to the district attorney that most of the eye witness statements about the incident corroborate Green's version of the event. He did not hurt the child.
The district attorney told Green's attorney that he was aware of this and had made the administration aware of this but the administration stated that they wanted to continue the case against Green.
The administration is fully aware that they have no real case against the man. They are simply trying to drag this out and make his life miserable because they don't like him.
I am sure if it was their own money they were throwing away, they would be handling it very differently.
AFT- American Federation of Teachers
NEA- National Educators Association
The difference is that the NEA represents their memberships. Teachers in the NEA make on average far more money and have many more protections. These protections are not just for the teachers but also help the students. Regulating class size is just one example.
The AFT is only interested in their own money and political power.
What other district would promote, create jobs for non teaching positions and then say they don't have money to give teachers raises? This district boost about having money that the other districts don't and yet they get the teachers union to delay raises for teachers. what they are really worried about is that AAA rating for the bonds they sold. If they don't keep it they will get less money for them when the mature.
I think you teachers have many protections right now. In what job can you get tenure and not teach and still get paid? You can not judge what someone makes just because they are a teacher you have to take into account where they work. What makes you think that a district that has community members that make over one million a year and a district that has an income of an average of fifty thousand a year pay the teachers the same? It seems it is all about the money not the teaching.
All teachers in Illinois are certified by the same state. We must pass the same certification tests. We work the same number of days and the same number of hours. Our students must meet the same standards. We follow the same school code and are subject to the same penalties.
Why are our salaries determined by the income of parents of the students in one small geographical area? It really is about time for the state to step up and take their responsibilities to education seriously.
Yes, but what have you been prepared for?
Well, if they are going to LEAVE East Aurora, obviously MORE THAN YOU. Because you still live here.
Not everyone who posts on this blog lives in East Aurora. In fact the vast majority of employees in this district, don't live anywhere near the East Side. Starting with the superintendent and working it's all the way down the line.
9:59, good riddance.
And don't let the door hit your pottymouth butt on the way out.
Most of us who work in D131 are here because of the great KIDS in this district! We love making a positive difference in their lives.
So when administration makes decisions against students' best interests, you can bet we'll speak out--even years later.
The Superintendent is the only one who does live here and not by his choice. Our Union is bad Hettinger & Rhodes have been paid for years of do nothing kiss up to the administration. Did you ever think they made a deal already with the admin's. I know for a fact Roberts goes to lunch once a month with them. The only reason they will not tell us is it is a public relations stunt. Wait until after the election then when we get screwed blame it on the republicans. T
The stunt started the other day by using the District public relations person. Notice OH by the way no insurance increases this year. Give to the United Way. but no raises for you.
The community should be happy with Roberts. He is very good at manipulating the Rhodes & Hettinger.
To 9/410 @ 7:56pm
Thank you for answering my question and explaining the difference between the two.
6:00,
What are you, twelve?
Maybe--who knows, or cares?
Kids do access this site, and some adults prefer to make their point and/or express themselves without resorting to obscenities.
Wrong.
Obscenities are NEVER "necessary".
They can, however, be effective when used sparingly. If someone who usually expresses themselves politely drops an F-bomb, it stands out as genuine and appropriate.
But someone who routinely uses foul language identifies themselves as a person with limited vocabulary, and a poor example for our children. They also lose credibility for any point they're trying to make, because many readers just notice and remember the obscenity.
So who are you?
Obviously someone with limited vocabulary--and possibly also some anger-management issues.
Anger Management is totally crap.
It's interesting that every time that information embarrassing to the administration is posted on here (i.e. the superintendents residence, the Green situation, the district/union relationship etc.) there is a long stream of completely unrelated nonsense that gets posted to try and distract from the subject at hand.
It would be nice if those in charge could resort to something other than profanity to distract us.
Simmons update: Nothing has changed.
Scheduling is again all screwed up. Nobody knows whats going on. Some classes are ridiculously small while others are so large that no education can happen. Some periods in the gym have only one class in them while others have more than 200 kids in it. 50+ kids per teacher. Schedule changes happen daily, kids are constantly being added and removed from classes. It's impossible to teach.
Two teachers filed grievances against the administration on the very first day of school (more since).
One of the counselors in the building was ordered not to speak to the administrators or any other office staff directly. All communications must be done by e-mail. He was also given an unsatisfactory performance rating for the first time in his many years in the district. The only reason given by Patterson was that before school started, during registration, a parent asked him a question that he was unable to answer. Apparently one "I'll find out for you" was a good enough reason for Patterson to give this man an unsatisfactory rating for the entire year. This is the sort of leadership they have at Simmons. Cross her in any way and she'll screw with you in every way possible.
And some people wonder why teachers need tenure?
How many years and thousands of students are the Central Office Administrators going to sacrifice over their own politics. I know Lisa Morales is "SPECIAL" to Jerome and Wilson is her husband but something has to be done for the kids at Simmons.
Don't believe you.
What do you mean by no insurance this year? Do you know that many that live in this district have no insurance or pay for all of it? Why should you be special and not have to pay for it? Many who work in this district don't even live here and I don't believe the superintendent does and if he does he is living off someone who works for the urban league. Don't think we will feel sorry for you if you have to pay for insurance most of us in this district has to or they get it from the state on all our dimes.
Remember if the counselor does it right and only does it by email he has a paper trail to prove his point if he has to it will be better for that person if they get rid of them and maybe another law suit for the district that they might win. It is always better if you have a complaint to do it by email that way someone has proof that they are doing their job and they have the response from the district.
What pisses the teachers off is that the administrators and entire central office staff have their insurance covered completely, while the teachers who do the real work of the district are treated like second class citizens.
This is just one example of the double standard between administration and teachers. It creates a hostile enviroment where people do not feel as though they are all in it together. In this district, we have a priveledged few at the top (ripping off the system) and then the rest of us grunts, doing the work and being paid a bare bones salary. I alone would be paid $25,000 more a year if I simply taught on the other side of the river. It's a scandal.
Wow, you missed the point. Good job.
The counselor has to do everything by e-mail (so the district can document him) the district doesn't have to respond back in e-mail form. It's just another way they are trying to screw him over while covering their own A$$es.
You wouldn't believe how many times at Simmons the administration verbalizes crap that they know they would be fired for if they wrote it down. Trust me, they cover their A$$es every time they are doing illegal shit.
The district does have to respond someway and at least the ones that do email what they ask will have a edge to say how did the district respond.
I think you are wrong about the central office not paying for some of their insurance. The contract is one the website and it states that they do pay for some of it so if you can prove they don't then you have a case to go to court. Most of the contracts are on the website for you to see and if you can prove that the district is not following them you may be able to take it to the states attorney but I don't know if they can do anything.
That is what the teacher's union is for is to get and keep the teachers' benefits. Superintendant, admins, secretaries and maintence insurance is paid for the district.
As for people who play sports, well, they are not in the teachers union nor do they have anything to do with teaching so there is no comparison. It is true that many working people do not have insurance and they cannot afford to pay for it out of their own pockets. Some insurance is better than none at all. If whomever emaile like this counselor was told to and that counselor gets not answer via email, that person can always say they did not get a reply. So whomever emails still has a trail or lack of and works in this person benefit if further action needs to be taken by this counselor or whomever.
If I were this counselor, I would be filing a harrassment lawsuit. I'm sure he will if they keep pushing him.
Also, in the sports and business world highly paid players (and executives) can be fired at will, often on the whim of bosses' personal vendettas.
At least teachers have some protection against this, when they get tenure. Yes, the administration can have them "reassigned" (as in the Kaisershot case), but good teachers are assured of continued employment.
If you look up Roberts address it shows him living in Joliet so if you know otherwise than you must be close to him because he doesn't make that public knowledge more hiding things from public.
If a gym class has more than 200 students the administration should ask for another teacher. I believe that is called an overload or the teacher should let the parents know so they can complain.
I think what you are saying about Simmons is made up. If it is true there are ways to prove it. How come no one has taken video of the things. Camera's are so small now you can wear one and no one will know. Pool money together of teachers so they can have the proof to send to the board and if that doesn't work make sure you do copy's and sent to the state.
It's all a funny version of the truth. Yes schedules are a little messed up at the beginning of the year.
1. Because some students do have a mistake or two on their schedule that slipped through the system
2. Because STUDENTS change their minds about what classes they want. I want art and not chorus
Scheduling again is a mess but not one visit from the Central office other than Marin. Marin made the office work without pay at Simmons to put the schedules back in because Wilson screwed up. I attended a dinner with Lisa present and she was getting up and down feeding the Superintendent. The only thing she did not do was cut his meat. I guess someone will do any thing to keep her loser husbands job.
One English class has 16 kids in it another 49. A math class has 14 kids in it another 53. If I name teachers names they will be subject to a bad review.
I bet the Board never heard about gang signs sprayed in & out of the school. The police are on high alert bullying is a major problem. If you complain Wilson just puts them back in your class the next day. The kid thinks "I got you".
I can honestly say I have never seen Roberts or a Board Member come to Simmons other than for graduation. So come visit around 10am stay till 12pm and see the kids that don't have a place to sit for lunch.
Part 1: Wish our principals would all make this speech:
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships. The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American. This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans. If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- e pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America's values. This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness. Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interesting in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America 's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English -- but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.
And you would be fired the very same day. First for being a culturally insensitive prick and secondly because you would have just cost the district tens of millions of dollars in funding that we receive for the bilingual program and other after school programs.
It is very apparent that you have no idea what it takes to run a school and your racist streak is showing.
"Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties"--good luck having a music or art club (class, group, activity, etc.) that does NOT involve ethnic or racial elements! The arts have always been intimately involved with culture, heritage, and language. And that is a GOOD thing!
I'm a vocal music teacher. My students learn to perform and appreciate pieces from cultures around the world. They sing in languages other than English. They sing music associated with religious holidays other than their own. They are encouraged to bring in and share music related to their own ethnic identity. AND they also learn to sing our national anthem and patriotic songs. They learn that music is indeed a universal language, capable of uniting rather than dividing humankind.
What a sad, sad place a school would be with someone like 11:48 as a principal!
Now you see why the powers that be are requiring that we teach cultural sensitivity. We are required to teach cultural awareness. Lessons are made with a world perspective whenever possible.
The world would definately be a better place without all the racists we now have to deal with on an almost daily basis.
11:48, you get nothing. YOU LOSE. GOOD DAY SIR.
*yawn*
Is that really true about what is going on at Simmons? Ican't believe that the administration would not allow a counselor to talk to them directly, he would not be able to perform his job. Why doesn't he get help then?
No, it's not true. Nothing is true on this blog.
I don't think we should not respect other cultures but what about ours? Little by little we give away a piece of ourselves for people that cone here and learn to respect them but what about our own heritage. They do not respect us. Are we to just throw away what our founding fathers brought here to not only respect our beliefs but ours. When do they respect ours.
When you go to other countries and your children go to their schools you are expected to learn their language to succeed unless you are able to but them in a private school. Should we help students from other countries? Yes, we should but they are now living in our country and should respect our country too.
Where I work I have met many people from different lands and most say they are told to keep their heritage but respect ours.
So the children of our district should not have to say the pledge of allegiance. They should not learn our language and keep theirs. Should they not respect the soldiers that we send over to their countries to help their families while they live here to have a better life?
So the statement above from a principle means that you should keep your heritage but respect ours. You chose to come over here and our country believes that you should keep that part of your lives but respect ours.
I agree with 9/6 @ 11:48am. This person is saying respect being an American. This person is not being racist and explains theirself well. Whomever is pointing out that the United States is an melting pot. This posting was well thought out and done well if anyone takes the time to really read it and understand it.
It IS true about the counselor at Simmons. And yes, it does make it nearly impossible for the counselor to do his job effectively under these conditions.
Here is another thought for you. As a counselor, this man knows countless ways of diffusing conflicts. He is a professional at mediating differences and yet the administration can't even hold a professional relationship with him.
How bad a leader do you have to be to have unreconcillable differences with a counselor?
Does anyone really believe the administrators at Simmons deserve to remain employed and take a quarter million of our tax dollars?
Generalizations. Generalizations everywhere.
There are only two counselors at Simmons. How much specificity do you need?
I'm not talking about you.
Why so greedy for attention?
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