The previous 131 School Board president was the scapegoat for many controversial discussions. She dared to question- why?
Nearly all new faces are on the 131 School Board since the Bigelow & Indian Trail discussions. It seems it is back to business as usual. The few small steps forward for transparency have gone to the wayside.
I recall the Magnet Academy parents packing the Board room when there was a possibility of their children being denied that ”special place” for learning. I wonder if those parents will attend the Board meeting on Monday to offer the district their monetary contributions should there be a rent increase on the space that houses the Magnet Academy?
According to Dan Barriero, the city has asked the district to respond to the rent increase by Oct 1st, prior to the Board meeting on Oct. 4th. Should this 131 decision have warranted a vote by the School Board in open session?
The Board president was quoted in the news. She thinks a dollar a year rent would be fine. I am sure she does, as she has stated on several occasions her contacts with the Mayor left her confident there would be no additional costs to the district for this school. Seems like that song has been sung before. Arguments in favor of opening the Academy included the fact "no additional costs to the district for this school."
The new face at the gavel has reverted to singing the songs of yesteryear.
294 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 294 of 294Saw they did do some work on the districts website. The pictures are now current and a few other changes.
You can bet Boys2men will not be mentioned but the fact is he is with Boys2men. Well he runs around covering private press conferences several districts events went uncovered. He is never seen at any of our elementary schools. You may ask why its because he can not run Boys2men membership meetings. The rumor around the District is his new helper will be a Boys2men you heard it here first.
Football team lost last night.
Some call it arguing, some call it discussion.
Welcome to the wonderful world of blogs--the good, the bad, and the ugly!
:)
There once was an ugly barnacle.
He was so ugly that everyone died.
The end.
Kaneland school chief will have voice in budget
By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News Oct 17, 2010 05:28PM
Kaneland will be represented at one in a series of Illinois State Board of Education budget hearings.
Superintendent Jeff Schuler reported to the School Board last week that the ISBE is seeking input as it begins to develop the 2012 fiscal year budget. The state board specifically is asking school districts to “identify their education funding priorities and suggest any solutions to the state debt and backlog of payments owed to schools.”
“If they do in fact have to make cuts in education, they are asking if the cuts should come from general state aid or in categorical areas,” Schuler said.
Schuler said the state did not reduce funding in general state aid, but the area that did take a huge hit was in transportation.
“Transportation reimbursements got reduced by about 50 percent,” he said. “For Kaneland, that is a big line item.
“From an administrative perspective, our position always has been if you are going to cut money from anywhere, don’t do it from general state aid because we have the most flexibility in terms of where those dollars get out,” Schuler said.
The ISBE will hold six budget hearings from Oct. 18 through Nov. 30. Schuler said he plans to attend the hearing that will be held at the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education at 4 p.m. Nov. 15.
As other districts fight for money to make their districts better the only thing this district can do is promote Boys 2 Men. So many other Superintendents are going to the State Board to talk about money and we don't I guess our district thinks it will be there even if we don't give a voice. Our district should be out there supporting all the other districts that are running into trouble and speaking out like the other districts.
It does make a person wonder why this district supports this muslim youth leader and what exactly he is endoctrinating our children with. Why any "Good Christian" allows these things to happen is beyond me.
No Rudy, it's an adult decision as to what a parent wants their children being exposed to and learning. That's a major reason why we have school boards in the first place. Communities don't want a superintendent who can make decisions unilaterally that will have profound effect on their children. Parents should be informed if their children have a district employee who is using their district position to push his own outside agenda. They have a right to know his background and what their children are being exposed to.
It is true that Clayton Kinnard changed his name to Clayton Muhammad when he became a Muslim. It is also true that Clayton has a lot of influence over our districts children outside the supervision of any school authority. Parents should demand to know what is happening at Boys II Men meetings especially considering that high school fraternities are illegal in Illinois and the group is being run by someone whose religious beliefs are far different than their own.
Parents also have the right to know (and control) who their minor children are "friends" with online. It's perfectly fine for minors to be on group sites that are accessible to all (like the East High drama site, for example); but if a child has access to their teacher's personal page and parents do NOT, that's totally inappropriate!
I would think that sooner or later Clayton needs to make up his mind just what he really wants to do. Continue doing Boys2Men or his job for the district due to the nature of these postings and what people are reading in the paper and hearing. Parents due have a right to know what is going on in their children's lives and be able to access websites their children are reading and not be exempt from the websites. Everyone also know that children will access websites they are not supposed to when their parents are not around if they are not blocked from that website. Parents also need to let the superintendant and board know how they feel about this. If people keep having concerns, e-mail the board(all of them). Hull does seem to be someone who checks things. Clayton truly needs to decide what he truly wants to do and just do it.
Is this the part where I point out your typo and disregard everything else you said?
"Parents due have a right to know what is going on in their children's lives and..."
"Parents DO have a right..."
Someone informed me that this blog worked that way.
I'm sorry Rudy but you are very young and naive.
A persons beliefs are shared with every action they take. They don't need to say "let's pray to Allah" for their beliefs to be indoctrinated.
We have seen Clayton's character over and over again. He is running an illegal fraternity, he discriminated against anyone who is not black or hispanic for years, he disregarded the community with comments like "the issue is over" and he has been using his position as district spokeman to push his own interests and outside organizations.
Parents do have a right to determine their childrens influences and so we are clear, I am not trying to hide a thing. I believe a person has the right to believe in whatever religion they choose but I don't want a Muslim influencing our communities children.
I don't want Clayton or a Muslim teaching/influencing children. I think they are both poor examples.
The very fact that we all know he is Muslim tells us that his beliefs have been shared, whether openly or tacetly. By law, there must be a seperation between religion and education.
Clayton is a member of Main Street Baptist. Last time I checked that is not a Muslim Religion. In fact he joined the Million Man March and changed his name. He is often seen at many Baptist Churches on Sunday. B2M has many members of all ethnic groups which only proves this blog is filled with lies.
About 12 years ago, my son was at Dieterich School in 4th or 5th grade. Mr. Muhammad came in and brought a group of grade-school boys he had organized into a drill team; they were called "My Brother's Keeper" or MBK. They performed an impressive choreographed routine which involved marching, dancing, and chanting. One of the lines in the chant said that the boys aspired to be heroes "like Martin Luther King and Farrakhan". I told the principal, Mrs. Gwen Miller (who is African-American), that I found the reference to Farrakhan offensive to Caucasians. She agreed.
Racism and bigotry goes both ways. It is just as wrong to teach kids to idolize Farrakhan (who calls Caucasians "blue-eyed devils") as it would be to characterize all Muslims as terrorists unfit to teach our children.
There's plenty of blame to go around here!
Does anybody realize that Muslims are an extension of the Judeo-Christian Faith?
I'm not saying that I think it is the right or wrong religion but the three are joined together in history.
To lump all Muslims together with terrorism is ludicrous.
Sure the EXTREME Muslims do some crazy things that I would not want to be associated with, but guess what, I don't want to be associated with the EXTREME Christians either. There are some messed up people on that end as well.
Killing others in the "Name of God" is wrong.
Let's talk about separation of Church and State, because you obviously don't have a clue about our government. You can't be denied a position based on your gender, color, sexual preference, or RELIGION.
If these are the beliefs of main stream Aurora then Aurora truly is the shit hole I thought it was. I have never heard such cowardly, unrestrained hatred and accusations made about teachers and community members in all my life.
This is from the Anti-Defamation League's website:
"For nearly 30 years, Louis Farrakhan has marked himself a notable figure on the extremist scene by making hateful statements targeting Jews, whites and homosexuals.
Farrakhan's bigoted and anti-Semitic rhetoric has included statements calling whites "blue eyed devils" and Jews "bloodsuckers" that controlled the slave trade, the government, the media, Hollywood and various Black individuals and organizations. He frequently denies that Jews have a legitimate claim to their religion and to the land of Israel.
On October 3, 2010, Farrakhan delivered the latest installment of a highly anti-Semitic lecture series. In three addresses since June, Farrakhan has downplayed historical Jewish suffering, accused Jews of world domination and promoted anti-Semitic charges of Jewish deicide. He has also repeated many of his past accusations about Jewish involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, Jewish exploitation of Black labor in the cotton trade, and Jewish control over government, finance and entertainment."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS is the man that Clayton Muhammad admires. THIS is the man he teaches students is a hero.
8:11, what were you saying about unrestrained hatred??
I'm saying you are an ass hole
...because there's nothing intelligent my pea-sized, bigoted brain can come up with to say...
...to respond to such obvious truth!
There is a big difference coming on a blog and letting people know my disagreement with a Muslim having influence over our children (and that was before I knew about the Louis Farrakhan admiration assembly) and having Clayton Muhammad actually spouting his hate with our children.
This district should not be condoning (and many times sponsoring)this guy's crap. He really does need to step up and move along or the board should demand his resignation.
Of course it won't happen. Infact, he'll probably get a raise and another assistant to deal with his "image problem".
The Oswego Community Unit School District 308 board last week narrowly backed plans to build a third high school to help ease projected crowding.
The board voted 4-3 to proceed with plans to open the school by fall 2014.
It was interesting reading the Beacon today. There was the story about Ryan Boatright choosing West Virginia for his college.
The part I found most interesting in the Beacon was the large picture of Clayton in the article. This was supposed to be Boatright's big moment and the publicity whore was front and center as always.
As usual, Clayton doesn't give a damn about the kids unless there is some angle for his own advancement. Why was Clayton in the picture at all. This was supposed to be Boatrights moment.
If you are not here for the children first, last and everything in between, you shouldn't be here at all.
Never happy always bitching.
The Oswego area is booming! There are lots of new houses being built, as well as all those businesses along Route 34. They can well afford to build & staff a third high school.
I'm happy for Boatright. I just think it's ridiculous to see the publicity whore front and center for Boatrights moment.
Could you have imagined the response if Michael Jordan had to sit against the wall while the Bulls PR person spoke for him?
It's possible that the Boatright family asked Mr. Muhammad to speak on their behalf. He certainly does pour his heart & soul into our district, going above and beyond what his job description requires.
However, many of us are VERY uncomfortable with the Farrakhan connection! Holding up Minister Farrakhan as a hero and role-model for our young men is encouraging RACISM, pure and simple.
Running a fraternity for only black and hispanic students was also racist.
"going above and beyond what his job description requires."
That's a nice way of saying that he does everything except what he is being paid for.
who cares where boatright said he's going. didn't he already say it once before and not honor it? whose to say he won't break his word again.
Boatright? From the photo in the paper, I thought Clayton was announcing that he was leaving.
You are all just so bitter about anybody who has more going on in their life then you. It is so sad to see adults picking on kids who said something when they were 14 years old. Let's hold you to anything you said when you were 14.
You CANNOT make a contract with a minor. If you do that contract is VOID at any time. Watch Judge Judy and learn something
When you have children you should teach them from an early age that when they give their word they should respect it. You should also teach them at a young age you should be careful of what they say because you could change your mind later. In these days now we teach our children that if they give their word they can give out of it because they where to young when they gave it and that we as parents don't teach them to honor their words. Some of our children have so many adults in their lives that tell them what to do especially when they get in sports or some other activity that others can benefit from. In most of those cases those that give them advice are only thinking of their advancement and not of the child.
As far as all the children that are getting scholarships in sports are they also getting a good education and degrees so when they mess up because they can't play anymore can they make a living after the glory of being a superstar. If you watch the news you can see how many can't.
Well-liked, respected Rollins teacher loses battle with cancer
Lora Tracy
AURORA — Veteran Rollins Elementary School teacher Lora Tracy has died after a long battle with cancer, the East Aurora School District announced.
Tracy, 58, passed away peacefully on Saturday at the University of Chicago Medical Center surrounded by friends and family, including husband Michael and daughters, Megan and Alyson.
“She was a great teacher and a great person,” said Rollins Principal Karen Hart.
Tracy was a kindergarten teacher at Rollins for 12 years and previously taught at Beaupre Elementary School and St. Rita of Cascia Catholic School in Aurora. Tracy also served as a teachers union representative at Rollins.
“Once you were one of Mrs. Tracy’s students, you were always her student,” said Hart. “She helped, encouraged and kept track of her students long after their time here.”
Hart said Tracy’s students always showed great progress over the school year.
“I called it my ‘spring miracle’ — every spring, she would send me a beautiful bouquet of readers,” Hart said of Tracy’s class of beginning readers. “It was such a blessing.”
Tracy was born in Aurora and raised in Montgomery. She graduated from West Aurora High School in 1970 and received her bachelor’s degree from Aurora University and master’s degree from Northern Illinois University.
Tracy provided some Rollins families with Christmas gifts even after she was going through chemotherapy, Hart said.
If a teacher needed to complete extra coursework, Tracy would offer to take the course with them, too.
“It didn’t matter if you were a staff member or a student, she would try her best to fill a need,” Hart said.
The funeral was Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church in Aurora. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Rollins Elementary School.
I am surprised that Clayton did not mention about Lora Tracy at the meeting. He always has mentioned when we lost someone in the past and when arrangements were not final he would mention about that also.
D204 cracking down on nonresidents
By Kathy Cichon kcichon@stmedianetwork.com Oct 21, 2010 07:36AM
In the past year Indian Prairie District 204 has stepped up its efforts to verify residency by implementing several changes and planning for more.
“We’re taking it more seriously than we ever have before and continue to keep doing that,” board President Curt Bradshaw said. “I think people will appreciate it and not feel like they’re burdened.”
Earlier this week administrators presented the board of education with a progress report on the district’s efforts to verify that all enrolled students live within the district boundaries. Those who attend a District 204 school but don’t live in the boundaries are committing a Class C misdemeanor. In addition, the district is spending money educating a pupil it is not required to — approximately $9,000 per student.
“Our ultimate question is ‘Did they establish that residence simply to access our educational program?’” said Mike Popp, director of school improvement and planning.
Among the improvements in the verification process is the designation of a residency expert in each secondary building, site visits and more personal contact with those suspected of attending class illegally.
“Just by tightening up the practice, there were many that we just talked to and never saw again,” Superintendent Kathy Birkett said.
The secondary schools reported greater compliance this year with the new requirement that proof of residency be shown before a student receives his or her class schedule, said Linda Rakestraw, assistant superintendent for secondary leadership services.
“It was a definite attention getter. You don’t get to go to class until you proved your residency,” Rakestraw said. “By the time school started it was right down to three or four kids who waited in study hall until their parents brought in their (proof of) residency.”
The district is also increasing its use of private investigators to determine if a student is legally in the district. Investigators are hired by scenario and paid by the hour, Popp said.
Last year the district hired a P.I. 12 times, and four were found not to be in compliance, Rakestraw said.
“We’ve already used our private investigator 10 times and we found seven not in compliance to date this year,” she said. “So we feel like that’s a 70 percent savings or return rate on that.”
There are several cases that are simply dealt with at the building level, Popp said.
At Neuqua Valley High School, officials dealt with six suspected students and found five were not in compliance. At Waubonsie Valley five of 10 cases handled solely by administrators were not in compliance, he said.
Rayanne, please remove the duplicate posts.
Rudy (and others who were fortunate enough to have known Ms. Lora Tracy), please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.
Rumor around the District is Clayton got his as B2M brother Martinez a job n new community outreach person.
That means Clayton can now work on enrolling the Black students and Martinez can work on the Hispanic students for B2M on the Districts dime. They are also going to use the new mentor program as a place to push kids to join. He is building his future at the Districts expense. To what ends will Clayton go when it comes to self promotion of his group.
My kid was telling me that all the students at East High went to the assembly to hear Boatrights announcement of which college he would be attending. Students lost out on an hour of education to be a backdrop for Clayton's PR crap. For those who say it's just one hour, that's one hour times more than 3000 students or over 3000 lost hours of education.
I understand that there are educational purposes for assemblies at times but what educatonal purpose did hearing this announcement serve? What state standards were being met? How was it going to improve test scores? East High has been on the state watch list for 8 years and crap like this is allowed to go on?
I am furious to hear that my kid was pulled out of class for this sort of BS. Whoever gave approval for this should be terminated.
Um, I'm a teacher at East, I did not take any students to an Assembly, nor did I hear any talk of an assembly. I believe the announcement took place at 3:30 or 4:30 which is after school go out. Either your kid is a liar, or you are one.
Or you are.
BOATRIGHT TO ANNOUNCE COLLEGE CHOICE
(Aurora)- Nationally-ranked East Aurora High School basketball standout, Ryan Boatright, will
announce his college selection after returning from college visits this weekend.
One of the top prospects in the nation, ESPN describes him as “a lead guard that can score
although he has the ability to get others involved. He is super quick and his handle is flawless.
Boatright is terrific at making plays at end of clock situations for himself or teammates.”
On Monday, October 18 at 4:30 p.m., Boatright will make his announcement at East
Aurora High School in the main auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
This was on the D131 website -- the announcement was at 4:30 - no one was pulled out of class.
The announcement was at 4:30 per the Beacon. Classes do not take place at 4:30 which proves everything on this blog is a lie
i do not know if students were pulled from class or not, but just because it was in the beacon, does not mean it's true & accurate anymore than something on this blog is true and accurate without verification.
They did not take us out of class to see some student pick a college.
Maurico congratulations on your achievement to advancing to IMEA district nine of the band. You are a shinning star for this district. May all your dreams come true.
Ryan Boatright has decommitted.
So that assembly on Monday at 4:30 at East High was for...what?
It wasn't an assembly, it was a press conference for Ryan Boatright. Enough people give a shit about where he is going to college so there was a press conference for the stupid announcement.
Story is Showboat was always a team of one and could not take it when the coach brought in another point guard. He could not be #1 so he throws a fit. How will Clayton spin this. Loser.
Looks like just another example of certain people in this district (*cough-Clayton-cough*) being so desperate for positive publicity that they'll blow up a POTENTIAL success (like a kid announcing where he'll attend college) instead of waiting for ACTUAL success.
And Rudy, some of us are concerned about the reputation of our district. How is that "hypocrisy"?
Committing means nothing image . It is the signing that makes the difference. Clayton should know better now this kid looks like at jerk. Clayton will jump on to anything that gives B2M a good image. This time the egg is on his face.
I see Clayton hired Tony Martinez one of the B2M founders for the Clayton assistant position. Is the Board crazy in approving this. Another person one the District payroll to promote B2M. Basically the District is paying for a full time B2M department that works with other school Districts. He is always at West, Batavia, Oswego and all three of the 204 schools during the day. Now he has another person to help. I just can't believe he is so brash about it.
It shows Clayton's negative influence on the kids. Just look at Boatright. We all know Clayton put the video production and press conference together for him.
7:22, Sorry to burst your bubble, but Martinez was never a member of B2M.
Yes he is he just got a B2M of the year. He is all over his printed material. So if not then why does he write him up so often. Could it be the fair Clayton organization is all based on a lie. Google Tony Martinez and Boys2men and see what you get.
Martinez received the award "Phenomenal Man of the Year". This award was given to young men in the chicagoland area who exemplify excellence through professional pursuits, academic achievement, and community service. This award was not given to members of B2M. Also I am uncertain that B2M has branched out to private schools in the area. In the midst of your extensive research on Martinez you will discover he did not attend any of the area public schools.
If Martinez got the award it shows he works with this group and is friends with Clayton. He was hired for friendship but not that he was the most qualified. There are many applicants for this job why him. I am not sure how selling insurance makes you qualified. It just shows Clayton will stop at nothing. The Board President stated this job was about mentoring and working with the community to find more opportunities. I would think the most qualified would have a background of working for a non profit or a social worker who mentored kids. Again what does insurance have to do with it. Oh yes the job qualifications must have said Boys2men.
I say get rid of Clayton maybe Johnson will donate her time she certainly is better at spin than Clayton.
Well this stupid blog is dead.
The Boys Varsity Soccer Team just won the REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP game
and boatright has said he won't go to Virginia.
Uh oh, must have struck a nerve with the pottymouth crowd--the obscenities are back.
But go ahead and spout your stupidity; it's obvious that the only adjective you know how to spell & use starts with "f" and rhymes with "truck".
You are sure taught manners at Boys2men. But anything Clayton does is built on a lie.
Has to be B2M this type of language is common in the Afro American community. I guess someone struck a nerve with your little bang of gang members or are you illegal frat brothers.
The East Aurora Football team finished with a perfect season!
Rayanne, please get rid of the filth on this blog. Thank you.
That would mean deleting the entire blog. This whole blog is nothing but filth.
Then why hang around here, 8:01?
And to the pottymouth(s): bipolar's really a bitch, isn't it? Or is it hormones, or both? Whatever--I thank God there's no one like you in my family!
:)
This blog is just so full of hate and lies and disrespect. It is saddening to me the level of hatred that gets tossed around so carelessly and anonymously. Nobody ever takes a moment to see the good. Everything good that ever happens in the district is immediately torn to shreds. Great accomplishments made by individuals are ignored or credit is given to others.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that students get attacked on a regular basis.
It always amazes me how anytime anyone criticizes Clayton, Boys II Men or the administration, the slew of obsenities and nonsense gets dumped on this blog.
I guess when the truth hurts and there is no intelligent response that you can give, the only thing you can do is try to discredit the entire blog with a flood of BS.
How many Boys II Men members are going to be placed in official positions in this district before the entire community learns the word "nepotism"?
Maybe the Illinois Legislature knew what they were doing when they made all High School Fraternities illegal. I believe the words used in the school code were "enimical to the public good".
Apparently the administrators and board members in District 131 feel that they are above the law.
How many have there been. Zero. I guess more than zero.
MR. KRABS!
MR. KRABS!
MR. KRABS!
WHAT?
WHAT?
WHAT?
PATRICK!
PATRICK!
PATRICK!
YES?!
YES?!
YES?!
HE SAID!
HE SAID!
HE SAID!
OUT WITH IT BOY!
Me and Patrick were playing Eels and Escalators and he was going UP,UP,UP and I had to ride the eel and then we ran, and Patrick, he said SOME THINGS..
What kinds of things?..
Well he said...
Yes..
Well, let's just say he said a certain word that you said he shouldn't say and this particular word happens to be word #11 on the list of thirteen words you said shouldn't be said.
Ok um.. what with the who now?
The soccer team became regional champs today but no coverage from Clayton. He is to busy speaking for Boatright who never lead East to a championship. It amazes a District that is 80% plus Hispanic gets ignored for the 5% of Afro American students. Why because Clayton is a bigot and a racist. He only uses the Hispanic kids in B2M to make himself not look like a racist. The same will go for Martinez just image. But when push comes to shove the Hispanic's can can win a Regional but Clayton gives no coverage. Just look at the last two weeks the loser football kid Robinson and Boatright.
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