While researching I found a Teacher & Administrator Salary Database. Of the top 200 salaries for 2009 in IL listed was District 131 superintendent Jerome Roberts.
The 100 highest-paid school administrators in Illinois in 2006 had salaries ranging from $205,590 to $380,227. Seventeen made more than a quarter million dollars. One of those individuals was none other than Michael Radakovich.
While employed by 131 School Board he was one of 17 superintendents in the Quarter Million dollar Club for 2006
What should determine a superintendents salary?
Should it be linked to teachers salary increase? District improvement? Achievement?
An update of salaries and break down of D131 administrative salaries can be viewed at: http://d131.org/Employment/Admin%20List%20for%20Posting%202009-2010.pdf
More info may be found at:
http://www.illinoisloop.org/salary.html
http://www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php
250 comments:
1 – 200 of 250 Newer› Newest»SIMMONS SUCKS !!!!!
Strikes again
I do remember "Serial Bully" Radakovich saying that his time in our district was very rewarding.
No kidding! The guy was raking the money in hand over fist.
Radakovich was definitely "rewarded" for the time he spent here screwing our district and bullying our teachers!
In addition to his salary, he gets a six-figure pension paid from OUR tax dollars.
And he is a full-time employee of Aurora University, teaching and mentoring educators (including some from D131--again, on OUR dime). He teaches courses like "School and Community Relations". What a joke! That's like bringing in Rod Blagojevich to teach courses in ethics!
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG.
Superintendents salaries should be based on performance. Why should a superintendent get a huge salary when the district is not making the grade and he doesn't even take the time to see what is going on in the schools?
In looking at the other districts administration compensation reports it shows those district pay something into the pensions but our doesn't do we not pay anything towards the administrations pensions and if we do why isn't it on the report like all the other districts?
Administrative Pension are not paid in d131 not only are the teachers underpaid but so are the admin's,. It is also why we don't get the best. Many on this blog complain about test scores. Why don't you try taking a test in a language not your own.
Since some of our students started at EA with pre-school and then through the third grade when the first test is given they should be able to do ok with it. Then as these same students get up to fifth grade they should be able to handle it in English. There are children that come a go but with our steady student counts they aren't as big as some would lead you to think. How long do you think it should take when a student even starts in kindergarten to learn out language.
There is no question the language is a issue. However, central office needs to provide supplies, computers, and books along with the correct programs. How long has it taken to implement Read 180 that the fine Dr Gonzalez pats herself on the back for. If you think we are given those tools much less the large classrooms that do change weekly then come spend a day in our shoes. It all leads to low test scores.
Do you mean computers for the teachers or students. I heard the students have labs with computers in them.
For both my building Krug has computers in the lab that do not run some are 5 to 7 years old. Teachers have the hand me downs from the lab so you figure it out for yourself.
Why does not the students learn the language like many had to to get their scores? It is time for those students to learn the language.
Gee, instead of getting I-Pods they could have gotten computers. The superintendant and admins sure get alot of things that are truly not needed. Really, the superintendant and many of the admins are not necessary.
There have to be grants out there to help the students with learning and maybe a grant to help with a new scheduling system instead of all the perks the admins can get. Call you local representatives in congress and the senate and ask why the federal grants only go for administration.
By the way we know that the district pays into the administrations pensions but they don't put it on the spread sheet lets see if our state board of education sees that and ask them why they don't since this is the law.
I see all the administrators dumped their i phones for the 4 generation i phones the only difference is they download faster the central office does not work faster so why do they need a phone that downloads faster.
These phones are at least $299 dollars.
Let us not forget this is Veterans Day and remember without those that served in the military we would not be able to voice our opinions on how things work the the US.
Only those of us who have to work hard for our paychecks, and want our money to be spent in students' best interests.
They can spend your money on 4th generation iphones & ipads so Roberts and his staff can download faster and Clayton can tweet.
Do you have one?
Hey Clayton will be having another press conference at the East. Boatright going to Uconn this week. He will see where he goes next week.
It does seem that the superintendent and board president cares more for making administrations life easier than educating our students or at least some of the students. How many districts do you think that if one of the employees led a group would that employee be able to pull those students out of classes or be able to take over a classroom to talk to students to join his group on school time?
Clayton was out running a press conference again for Boatright and Roberts was no where do be had
Did anyone enjoy Hairspray the musical?
Still have a chance to see it!
HAIRSPRAY! Bring the family to watch this classic musical! Showtimes are: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 at 7:00 p.m. and SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14 at 3:00 p.m. at East Aurora High School! Tickets are only $3.00 for Students/Senior Citizens and $5.00 for adults!
Please tell any veterans you know that the Golden Corral is giving them free dinners from 5 to 9pm this Monday.
Last Chance to actually support the students of East High and see Hairspray at 3:00 pm TODAY!
Did anyone see Hairspray?
I saw Hairspray! I took my 3 year old granddaughter and we both enjoyed it.
Mr. Wheeler did a fantatsic job. We have some very talented young people at EAHS.
To November 13 6:49 p.m.--
Thanks for posting this. My neighbor is a Vietnam veteran who is retired & on a limited income. He is trying to sell his house and move someplace smaller (and cheaper), but no one wants to pay him anywhere near what he's asking--and he can't afford to take a loss. So every little bit (like a free dinner) helps!
Gee it's been almost 4 days and no story on NJROTC on Veterans Day. Five young ladies sang the National Anthem, One young lady sang God Bless America all members of the NJROTC great job girls. Master Chief Allen was the guest speaker and gave an excellent speach. You go Master Chief and all the NJROTC cadets. Oh I'M sorry this had nothing to do with BTM or DIAMONDs so Clayton were you out teaching pretty boy the ropes or at a Muslim meeting. Sorry, not, Clayton and prettyboy what a waste of tax dollars.
The Racist Strikes Again:
Clayton can't stop himself from pushing everything Black related. It would probably be alright if he pushed other races causes also but it is so apparent that he only supports Black ones. It is completely inappropriate for someone in a public position.
Subject: TIME SENSITIVE: MLK PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
Good Morning Principals and Assistant Principals:
Please find attached information regarding the City of Aurora’ MLK Celebration in January. They are recruiting students from all elementary and middle schools (2nd -8th grade) in Aurora to send students to participate in the big performance!
The first practice dates are later this week...
The MLK Planning Committee tells me that they have already emailed music teachers throughout all of the district.
Clayton A. Muhammad
Director of Community Relations
I am sure no mention because the students are Hispanic in ROTC that are featured so yes no mention from Clayton.
No mention of any Hispanic activities. Is that why we have no teachers aids and a Hispanic Boys2Men pretty boy on the payroll Clayton is a Racist and its time the Board does something about it.
11:40 a.m., it is NOT racist to honor the legacy of Dr. King! Dr. King was all about unity and equality. I am a Caucasian who definitely appreciates what Dr. King stood for--and it's a good thing for our district to participate in events like the MLK Day celebration.
Minister Louis Farrakhan, however, is a very different type of leader. He (not Dr. King) can truly be referred to as "racist", as well as those who emulate him.
It's not racist to honor Dr. King. People of every race appreciate what he did for our country.
It's racist if you are ONLY promoting black leaders, students, etc.
It is also illegal if you are doing this using your public role and public dollars.
The only racists are the ones on this blog. Just read what some of you people write. Wow. We truly have ignorant people in our community. Thats YOU!!!! The people that only see the negative and don't do anything about it you just sit in front of your computer and post on this blog.
Clayton is a Racist he only cares for the black kids. The Hispanics that are in Boys2Men are just there as tokens asked to join by Clayton so he can look like he is not a racist. Nunez, and Roberto Saenz both have mothers who work for d131 do fool yourself boys you are only there for Clayton's image just like pretty boy Martinez. The District is now paying for 2 Claytons while students sit in over-crowded classrooms. All I see out of Clayton is more tweets.
Central office gossip is Madam President is not happy. So let me know how the meeting goes tonight.
Did you see on one of the tweets someone said he should run for Mayor?
@stephanie_alva thank you thank you, you'll get to meet them all when you and @Montsterr come to speak in Aurora!
1:26 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to Stephanie_Alva
@ryanjford yeah and he was quite serious! lol
1:25 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to ryanjford
One of the best things about having a day off from work is being able to be at the office with no disruptions! lol #inspirationalirony!
1:25 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite
@gyrl619 lol uh oh crank that Souljah Boy!
12:45 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to Gyrl619
@barfield05 lol that's our Rev! lol
12:43 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to Barfield05
One of the Vietnam Vets told me "Muhammad, u should run for Mayor. You'd win because of ur style alone" LOL Maybe substance is next? lol
12:37 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite
@slulay2 FYI ... we are honoring our Conference and Regional Champion Soccer Team at the Board Meeting Monday! HOY is coming! :) lol
12:35 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to slulay2
@slulay2 Thanks for sending Donnell yesterday! and thanks for the story on Gillespie. We have gotten some great feedback!
12:35 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to slulay2
RT @deelo88: When I have kids I'm not getting a minivan .. No swagger wagon for me. < LOL nahhh, I couldn't see you in a mini-van at all!...
12:30 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite
So my nephew @Jmendoza29 will go to Colombia next summer & my bro @gchaidez will go to Spain in the Spring! The B2M Scholars are GLOBAL
12:29 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite
RT @leadingladytee: I said "shat" and Isaiah told me "no, mom. You are not Mr @ClaytonMuhammad" lol!! <<HAHA NOW THAT JUST MADE MY DAY! LOL
12:25 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite
RT @stephanie_alva: @ClaytonMuhammad You betta stop teasin me like that Mr. Muhammad < lol I'm simply affirming your affirmations!
12:04 PM Nov 11th via HootSuite
RT @stephanie_alva: Everything I need always comes to me & it arrives right on time #MyLifeKeys <so stay tuned for the doorbell to RING! :)
11:59 AM Nov 11th via HootSuite
RT @gyrl619: @ClaytonMuhammad wide awake Clayton < LOL THAT'S GOOD! GOOOOOOOD MORNING!
11:45 AM Nov 11th via HootSuite
RT @thereallesbrown: Don’t worry about what they will say, they’re already saying it. So what do you care? << Say it again, Les!
11:42 AM Nov 11th via HootSuite
RT @perezreports: Soledad O'Brien: Jesse Jackson Told Me I 'Didn't Count' As Black http://huff.to/9n2Ji6 < WOWZERS
11:41 AM Nov 11th via HootSuite
@peculiardavid lol go for it. It's all yours.
11:27 AM Nov 11th via HootSuite in reply to PeculiarDavid
From the Tweeter page on the districts website.
Do you notice how clayton says his students and not the districts students? So who is he really promoting his group or the whole students of the district. Shouldn't all our students get the same from a PR person of the district?
Oh and also Oswego School District 308 - WOW
# Oswego Dance Team Hosts Regional Competition - The Oswego High School Pom and Dance Team is hosting a day of music, ... http://ow.ly/19YUMD about 13 hours ago via HootSuite
# Free Presentation on Autism - On November 9, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Kendall County Special Education Parent and Profes... http://ow.ly/19Rrwg 7:28 AM Nov 8th via HootSuite
# Weather Concerns - All Oswego District 308 schools are under the normal school schedule today. However, buses may be... http://ow.ly/19DT0L 7:28 AM Oct 26th via HootSuite
# Snow removal bids now being accepted - Bids for snow removal for the 2010-11 school year will be accepted by Distric... http://ow.ly/19Ai1K 10:33 AM Oct 22nd via HootSuite
# Board approves a Flex-8 HS schedule to begin in 2012-13 by a 6-1 roll call vote 8:45 PM Oct 12th via HootSuite
# Board approves building a 3rd H.S. to open in 2014-15 by 4-3 roll call vote
What the hell is wrong with ANY of Claytons Tweets. Post ONE that is inappropriate. Don't post a long list of bull shit. It so difficult to read. Post the ONE that you are "offended" by. Go on, I dare you.
You can get to clayton's personal tweets from the website and I don't think you should. He runs this district. Why should we be able to access his tweets when you can't even get teachers information on the website?
Don't even see some of the other tweets on the districts website it would be good if you could. If you go the The State Board of Education you can get information about many things that deal with education and not of one persons.
So how was the meeting?
The Board meeting was very interesting tonight. The entire Board was very negative about the entire administrative team. Not sure what was up. The Board President said she was tried of the Board doing all the thinking for administration. They also told Roberts he needs to get information to them faster when it came to class sizes. It sounded like they would not get that information until March. The admin's did not look very happy.
"I dare you?"
Well then I double dog dare them, to figure out how twitter & the www works, then they'll understand how easy it is to access many things off any website, not just 131.
Clayton does not have a direct connection. Naming the electronic network a "web" means it is all a woven connection. i.e. www.
Educate thyself and please quit posting posts.
So therefore EVERYTHING is connected on the "www" because it is on the "www" so then why the hell are you mad. If you link and search enough then you can pretty much get to anything from anywhere.
And I asked you to post ONE post that was inappropriate. You have not done that yet. It still amazes me how you all just ignore the truth. Post a post from Clayton's twitter that was inappropriate. Not one that you just didn't like, but one that was "offensive" that kids should not read.
My guess is you won't, because there isn't one.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't like him all that much either, but my dislike is based in reality not a fantasy of racism.
It has nothing to do with being inappropriate it has to do that you shouldn't be able to see Clayton's personal tweet page from the districts website it has nothing to do with the education of all the children of the district. Neither do some of the others that say they are following 131 since most they talk about is Boys 2 Men or other stuff that has nothing to do with the district.
It's not off the DISTRICT WEB SITE. It is off the District TWITTER. It's amazing to me that you don't see a difference. And it's not like the district on the TWITTER page has a big link saying "Check out Clayton's Twitter."
You clicked on his picture under the headding "FOLLOWING." As a person who is FOLLOWING the district.
Do you even have a clue what Twittet was Created for? SOCIAL NETWORKING. Getting as many people as possible to "Follow" you so that you can be heard.
Do you not have to go to the districts website to see the districts tweeter and then yes you can see all kinds of different people and groups on there that most districts don't have and it's been a long time since anyone tweeter on the districts tweet.
Chalk one up for the Racist Clayton again. I recently reviewed his Community Report he gives the Board. The last two months he has attended planning for MLK day. How many meeting does it take that he tells the board about I sure there are others. Does the Board not question this. Why do the tax payers pay him and pretty boy well building don't have supplies and teachers. Are we not here to educate kids Board of Education.
12:11 p.m., it is NOT racist to celebrate (or attend meetings to plan celebrations for) MLK Day! Dr. King was an American HERO who advocated equality & justice for all. Our nation and world are a better place because of Dr. King, and I would stand proudly alongside of Mr. Muhammad to celebrate MLK Day.
By the way, I'm Caucasian. And I'm no supporter of Clayton Muhammad (partly because I was there when he brought his drill team to Dieterich School, and I definitely heard them mention Farrakhan as a role model). But if you're calling someone "racist" because they're involved in planning a celebration for MLK Day, then maybe YOU'RE a bit racist yourself.
I am not a racist but the District has other activities. He should not devote so much time to one group without honoring the culture of other groups. I have worked in the District until retiring and worked in one of the Districts small elementary schools. In the entire time he was community spokesperson he never attended a event.
I also feel it is important to have building employees that directly effect the education of the children. Dr Roberts has told many of us he was a English major. Then why not handle your own pr. Instead he goes off insults teachers aides and hires a helper for his own person. Does Clayton need a department of three?
From today's Beacon-News:
At Monday’s School Board meeting, East Aurora Superintendent Jerome Roberts updated the board on how district is progressing on goals established earlier this year.
Not everyone seemed satisfied. Board President Annette Johnson said board members are concerned goals are not being addressed quickly.
“The Board of Education has been directly involved in achieving these goals, but ... at the last goals and indicators meeting, we were supposed to have a plan for getting test scores up,” Johnson said. “I have not necessarily seen that.”
Roberts said he would present staff recommendations to address large class sizes and lagging test scores at the board meeting Dec. 20. Johnson asked Roberts to expedite recommendations and asked to hold a special meeting to address these issues.
“It will be February before we approve any new positions and March before we’re hiring any of these positions,” she said.
Board members Ray Hull and Stella Gonzalez asked that the administration survey teacher opinions about class sizes.
“The teachers in the building are the ones that know what’s going on,” Gonzalez said, “not us in a board room.”
Johnson said the $6.5 million in stimulus funding the district was given this year should be used for a pilot program that would address these district problems.
“That money was to hire new teachers,” she said.
Hull said the district has been dealing with these problems for years, and that it is important the district begins to address them.
“If we don’t solve it this year, I think we need to be moving in that direction for years to come,” he said.
So what up with Madam President and her boy Roberts. Many people in the Central Office had rumblings something was also said about the computers. Did anyone go to the meeting.
No Stupid, nobody goes to the meetings.
At the meeting Johnson told the administrators that it is not the Boards responsibility to discover what is wrong with the District. They had given Lewis a report that they never worked on the technology education of students since 2007. This is truly amazing since the administrators all have the latest i phones.
Johnson said kids start working on computer lessons in K, & 1st grade.
One thing for Johnson she is all for herself and will distance herself from the administrators if things are not going well.
As far as planning MLK Day shouldn't all the other groups get as much press. I thing Martin Luther King was a good man and he would like to have all ethnic groups have the same attention. It just looks like Clayton puts more energy into this.
After reading the article in the paper this district looks like they don't have a clue how to run one. The board let's the superintendent just do what he wants and not what the board wants or excepts him to do. We are still running in circles and no one knows what to do but keep on supporting a superintendent that doesn't know how to run a district. Maybe some of them let this go on because they owe him favors for what he has done for their children in the district to further his career and not all the children of the district.
So how many years is it going to take Mr. Roberts? The writing has been on the walls for years it is just that you have your own agenda to make yourself look good and you don't give a hoot about our students education. As long as we have board members that owe the superintendent favors for things he has done for them our students will suffer.
Hull is up for re election and after reading the article I would never vote for him. He seems to think it is ok to wait until next year. Then Gonzalez jumps in and says ask the teachers. Does she not understand English. Teacher's are risking their careers to speak up for the kids at Board meetings. Perhaps Mr Hull should concern himself less about his daughter and her college scholarship and more about all of the kids of d131. Gonzalez also has a daughter that works part time and paid full time wages for the District.
I can't say I have ever heard Johnson get any favors but it does appear she is fed up with Roberts. Finally, Johnson can be very difficult. Where was Weaver I can't help but think she is telling Johnson I told you.
You're not voting for Hull because he is black. When did he ever say it was "ok to wait till next year." He said, we need to continue to work on this in the years to come.
You people read what you want to read, you never understand the truth.
If you think test scores are going up over night, you're a moron.
Ok Clayton
Ok Rayanne
Is Superintendent Roberts clueless or what? Here's what he said at the November 1st board meeting:
"In order for the academic performance of students to be enhanced, a teacher assistant would need to be as qualified as the teacher"
~~~~~~~~~
WRONG. In mainstream classes, most teacher assistants help with classroom management (passing out supplies, handling bathroom breaks, discipline, etc.) so the teacher can concentrate on actually TEACHING our kids. Students receive more actual instructional time when their teacher is freed from having to deal with non-academic issues.
Dr. Roberts' comment proves that he is disconnected from what actually goes on in real classrooms in this district. Just one more example of the ivory-tower mentality of administrators in D131!
Dr Roberts and his boy Clayton need to go. They find it acceptable to hire a community outreach Boystwomen
but not help the children. Hopefully the Board will put their foot down. It appears from the article in the Beacon they finally did.
The board or most of them will not do anything. Let's see what really happens with the crowding of classrooms at the next meeting. The Board Presidents is in awe of both Roberts and Clayton and thinks they are the only ones that can save the district.
The classrooms have been crowded for awhile but the board would rather change the terms of a president of the board and hire a outreach person than the to take or the whole district.
The Board President did not sound like she was in awe of Roberts in the Beacon.
Are you kidding. The board hasn't even figured out yet that they have a foot, let alone that they have the power to put it down.
Hey, did you guys read this in the Beacon?
At Monday’s School Board meeting, East Aurora Superintendent Jerome Roberts updated the board on how district is progressing on goals established earlier this year.
Not everyone seemed satisfied. Board President Annette Johnson said board members are concerned goals are not being addressed quickly.
“The Board of Education has been directly involved in achieving these goals, but ... at the last goals and indicators meeting, we were supposed to have a plan for getting test scores up,” Johnson said. “I have not necessarily seen that.”
Roberts said he would present staff recommendations to address large class sizes and lagging test scores at the board meeting Dec. 20. Johnson asked Roberts to expedite recommendations and asked to hold a special meeting to address these issues.
“It will be February before we approve any new positions and March before we’re hiring any of these positions,” she said.
Board members Ray Hull and Stella Gonzalez asked that the administration survey teacher opinions about class sizes.
“The teachers in the building are the ones that know what’s going on,” Gonzalez said, “not us in a board room.”
Johnson said the $6.5 million in stimulus funding the district was given this year should be used for a pilot program that would address these district problems.
“That money was to hire new teachers,” she said.
Hull said the district has been dealing with these problems for years, and that it is important the district begins to address them.
“If we don’t solve it this year, I think we need to be moving in that direction for years to come,” he said.
Um, yes, several days ago.
About the teacher assistants--why not survey the parents to find out how THEY feel about whether an aide improves their child's educational experience?
But it makes too much sense for administration to get parents' input. They'd much rather put our tax money towards their own pet projects (like fancy i-phones or another PR person) while our students and their teachers go without.
Making choices for arrogance, AGAIN.
IMEA District 9 Concert today at Hampshire High School. This is the first year East Aurora has participated in a long time. Congratulations Mauricio Palma.
Come out and support him. Concert begins at 3:00 pm and it costs $3 to get in. It is about an hour drive from Aurora so plan accordingly.
The Beacon only put part of it in. One of the administrators gave a presentation on a new program they wanted to try that would include giving students laptops to use at home. It was brought up that many students don't have the internet or WIFI and the administrator said they could go to Starbucks they have free WIFI. If a student can't get to school how are they going to get to Starbucks and do you think Starbucks would want a bunch of students hanging around?
What do you do when hundreds of kids claim the laptops were lost, broken or stolen?
That's not to mention the 50% of our students that drop out and simply wouldn't return it.
Why don't the parents go to the mmetings and voice about this survery and/or state how they feel about the aides? If one cannaot go to the meetings, then they can e-mail the administrators and school board. If there is a survey, how many will complete it and send it back?
Kids don't need to go to Starbucks to get free Wi-Fi. There are three Aurora Public Library branches, all of which have computer facilities open to the public free of charge.
You are right about the Library and isn't it funny that the administrator did not use that example instead of Starbucks. That is how disconnected they are but then they don't live in this district so what do they know about it.
6:14, nice attempt to change the subject--sounds like an administrator.
Smells like one, too.
:)
Rayanne please remove the smut from here. Thank you.
Parents go to a meeting are you joking. This debate on aides was been going on for the last two meetings and not one parent got up and spoke or went to a meeting. The majority of parents can't read any better than their child if at all. I may not always agree with the Board/administrators/teachers but they are doing the work of parent. Plain and simply teachers-parents of this District could care less if the children are taught in classes of 50 plus children. All parents care about is the free shoes, coats, gloves and food that the District provides its child.
Again, how many would fill out a survery on this issue? Probally the ones who go to the meetings? Right?
Also love when it is time to vote for new school board members. They go to the meetings before they run so they have an idea what is going on. Yeah right.
I know some parents of D131 kids who do go out of their way to help their kids do their best! There are programs available throughout our community to enrich kids' educational experience. Specifically:
--after-school tutoring and homework help at several grade schools, some of which are assisted by parent volunteers
--activities at the public library (all 3 branches) for students in preschool through teen years
--Park District classes (art, dance, drama) at relatively low cost
--some churches offer arts & sports programs (for example, First Presbyterian's "Neighborhood Arts Centre" provides music lesson scholarships for underprivileged kids)
Many of our district's families ARE taking advantage of programs like these! My own kids participated in the library reading program and the Park District's drama classes, when our family lived in D131.
There will always be some parents who don't step up to the plate to help their child succeed (for whatever reasons--language barrier, laziness, finances, etc.) But to stereotype ALL parents as uncaring or lazy just because they don't show up at School Board meetings is just plain absurd!
Just because the village peasants don't frequently visit the Ivory Towers doesn't mean that they don't care about their childrens education. It also doesn't mean that they are unaware of the conditions within the district.
Most are willing to give those in charge a chance to do their job but don't think for a moment that they won't join the rebellion and overthrow their leaders when the time is right. This is evidenced by the large turnover of board members in recent years.
We are watching and will use our voting power if those in charge are not doing what's best for our children.
The sad thing is that the ones on the board that are trying feel alone because of no community involvement. The one or two that are trying find it hard as they feel they have no support and go against the other board members on their own. As for voting in new ones, some of the new ones that were voted in last election are a problem. The problem with not going to meetings once in a while is that the community truly does not get the see the whole board true colors. Word of mouth and the Beacon are not necessarily the best of sources.
A School Board meeting is the place to start. Not to have anyone show up is what is absurd. To except the fact that only the Board is worrying about your child's education is what is really absurd. I also think the entire Board is doing a great job.
There are many ways for parents to support their child's education. Attending a school board meeting is a good thing, BUT some parents do have to deal with a language barrier (since the meetings are held entirely in English). And not everyone works a 9-to-5 schedule that allows for evening meetings. Also, some may worry about being labeled a troublemaker if they speak out publicly so they prefer to stay anonymous.
The most important thing is whether parents are taking positive steps to help their kids succeed. Whether someone attends a particular meeting (or not) is of little concern in the "big picture".
I read in today's online Beacon Clayton is hosting the all Black Lion King cast at Oswego East. Is he not working at the service center today. The students have off the all the other staff members had to work. Not Clayton he is off working at Oswego. Just who pays his salary.
Wow!!!!!
Clayton is hosting an ALL BLACK event. What a suprise.
The teacher's contract is supposedly ready and things haven't changed.
Only in District 131 are contract language and salaries not negotiated at the same time. This time, only salaries were negotiated. Our union is a joke. they are completely inept and in bed with the administration.
Voting is going to be handled the same way as last time. The teachers are not allowed to see the contract ahead of the meeting. We will be given a speach from Craig Rhodes, handed the new contract, allowed a few questions and then are expected to vote. Only those teachers who can attend the meeting will be allowed to vote.
Next, the cardboard box with the ballots will be taken away by a select few (unknown by the teachers). It will "secured" for several hours (at an undisclosed location)and then opened by the administration and board, again behind closed doors.
The teachers will then be told what the results supposedly were. Now there's an election system we can believe in.
I've been at elections where I couldn't find one person verbalizing their support for the vote and the administration and union came back and told everyone that the vote was 90% in favor.
It's all a joke. It's no wonder the teachers on the West Side make on average $20,000 more than their counterparts on the East Side.
Does anyone remember several years back when there was actually a challenge to the union leadership.
There were two people who ran against the union president and vice president. They were Robert French and Mike Simons. The two of them were strongly supported by Bob Green. Since that election French and Green have been terminated and Simons has had many problems with the administration including suspensions and attempts to terminate him.
There were all sorts of irregularities during that election. Irregularities so egregious that the teachers actually had to vote a second time.
The union leaders were allowed to use district mail to contact teachers but the challengers were forbidden. This was dictated by the administration.
The way the vote was counted was the real reason for needing a second election. The vote was counted as follows:
The building union representatives counted each buildings votes (union reps are appointed by the incumbent president). Those vote totals are then communicated to the union president who tallied the votes and declared "I WON".
Being from the Chicago area, I am very familiar with the phrases like "vote early and vote often" and have heard of elections with as many as 10% of the dead people voting and I had never heard of an election being handled so poorly.
Until the teachers stand up to their union, things are not going to change in District 131.
Clayton works on Lion King for Oswego East and Mike Chapin West Aurora spokesperson comes up with a reading list for students at West. Nice to have a pr person that does his job for the students of West Aurora.
Wow, just look at all the lies.
Where?
Enlighten us, 6:51 p.m.!
Today, B2M hosted the cast of THE LION KING at Oswego East High School! WOWOWOW is all we can say! Wait until you see these photos! Shout out to the B2M OEHS Phenoms for recruiting hndreds of their peers and for being AMAZING hosts! Pics Coming soon! #WEKNOW.un
Taken off the B2M Facebook Page
Found it interesting that as I had to do teacher/parent conferences Clayton was out hosting a event at Oswego East with B2M this is proof he works on District time since this event was help Monday afternoon
Did not say b2m hosted, it said Clayton did(or was going to)at Oswego High. There is a difference.
This is on our D131 website, on the EHS band page. It has been there for several days, but I didn't mention it right away, because (silly me!) I thought it might be corrected:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are trying to get 500 PEOPLE TO ATTENTED! Anything you can do to help us achieve our goal would be appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~
Doesn't anyone at that high school proofread what is posted on our official website? That website represents our district! We DESERVE better from the EHS fine arts chair, EHS administration, and D131 webmaster. Notice I'm not blaming Mr. Liska for this, as we all make occasional spelling mistakes. But what does it say about our district if blatant errors (in ALL CAPS, in large bold type) are allowed to remain without being scrutinized & corrected by those people WE PAY to oversee our website?
Let's see how soon it's corrected, by administrators who CLAIM that this blog doesn't matter, and they don't read it....
:)
Since school is closed until Monday, it might take a while
Ryan Ford takes care of the Web-site not Liska. Ford like Tony Martinez are not active members of B2M but anything goes with Clayton's boys that how they got their jobs. They are mentor with B2M. I am sure they all attended Lion King in the middle of the Day.
10:52, didn't you read 7:49 a.m.'s comment? Or do you just see a reference to the band and assume it's time to spew your ignorant profanities?
7:49 very clearly stated that they were NOT criticizing Mr. Liska, but the administrators who are supposed to be proofreading what is posted on official district websites. Our district website is the main contact we have with the larger community, and our students deserve better than to have blatant errors allowed to remain when they SHOULD be corrected by those who are being PAID from our TAX DOLLARS to do so.
And for the record, my f-ing mouth IS shut. My fingers, however, are moving.
:)
7:49's comment worked like a charm--it's been corrected.
Thanks to THIS BLOG.
:)
Did you read 8:49am that is who is responsible for the Web-site not Brian its Clayton's pack of idiots. Clayton is to busy working for Oswego East. I understand his whole group was out there
I don't know how to read, I'm a product of the East Aurora school system
So you didn't see the wish list then? You just choose to ignore the positive and glorify the negative.
How is insisting on correct spelling on our district's website "glorifying the negative"?
Shouldn't those who are PAID to oversee what is published on the website be held accountable?
Don't the students and taxpayers in D131 deserve a quality website?
And to return to Rayanne's original post, "are we getting what we are paying for"?
Yes, you are getting what you paid for, because MOST of this districts money does not come from you, it comes from the state.
Posting here is "glorifying the negative."
Here is an idea, EMAIL the person in PRIVATE instead of posting on a blog.
Hmmmmm, there is an interesting idea, talk to the person with whom you have a question or problem with.
Nope, that requires thought, lets just post on a stupid blog.
You Idiot.
We are the state. We are the city and the country also.
It's our tax dollars that create and empower all government agencies.
And where does the state's money come from?
Hmmm...
Could it be....
...from TAXPAYERS (like me)?
Posting on a blog GETS RESULTS--that's why some of us do it.
:)
I knew you people would be so stupid to compare most school districts to east aurora
So you think that there is no difference that the entire state funds East Aurora when the entire state does not fund 204 or 129 or 203?
Yes your piddly tax money does go to the government, but that means that my tax dollars go to the government and instead of funding other programs it has to come back to East Aurora because you can't support your own schools. All the way from Chicago to Rockford to Peoria all go to fund YOU and YOUR KIDS.
See the difference - EVERYBODY in Illinois has to pay for your kid and in Naperville they pay for their own. In Oswego, they pay for their own. In Batavia, they pay for their own.
PAY FOR YOUR OWN.
Oh yeah, look at the results. Same Superintendent, same spokesman (plus two additional), same school board. Nice results, I'm impressed.
Oh, you got your spelling error fixed. Nice victory.
"same school board"--huh??
Except for Ms. Wells (who will be leaving in a few months), the entire school board has been replaced since this blog was started.
And you still hate them.
I don't know what reality you live in but in the real world, every one of the school districts you named receive millions of dollars from the State of Illinois. Those are dollars everyone contributes to with tax dollars including us in District 131.
I love how you all love to deny that other people have to pay for your kids education.
Yes, Yes, All school districts receive fund from the state but East Aurora receives a much higher percentage of their total budget from the state.
Now, please deny this too. You are just like elementary school students who have to point out every little exception or every little problem and disagree until the exact perfect details are mentioned.
9:44, on the contrary--I actually admire and respect our current School Board members. They usually make decisions in students' best interests.
What I DO hate is bullying. Whether it happens at school or in the workplace, bullying is WRONG. And in the words of Maya Angelou, "when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time". Certain administrators have shown this community that they are, in fact, bullies--and we will not allow them to pretend otherwise!
Thanksgiving is here a helper for Clayton so he can run around and increase membership for B2M well the education of children at d131 suffers sad but true.
This blog critcizes the website for a typo - did you read the remarks right before mine? It doesn't make any sense at all. I guess you only criticize what you want to -
Clayton has a big event this weekend at Prisco Center he is kicking off his B2M juniors program. That is why nothing gets done at the Central Office they are all off running their private agenda's. Many teachers have been teaching large class sizes for years at 131 but the blatant actions of Clayton have pushed the staff over the top. He is a cancer that is allowed to exist and then the Board hires a helper to grow B2M. Many do teach in this District because of the kids. Many have Masters and Doctors Degrees in education yet they go unnoticed. That is why the Board has been put on notice.
I do believe Roberts was behind the helper. Roberts needed to help his mouth piece grow B2M so he sold it as lets mentor the kids. I have not heard of one child being mentored. In fact my building did turn in several names at the beginning of the school year. Yet I have not seen one Board member or Central Office staff member assigned. Since then other to run a recruit meeting I have not seen Clayton or his helper. More Central Office lies.
I am so sad that you teach in this district. You are the problem with tenure.
Did I say that I teach in the District, Clayton. No maybe I am one of what your Superintendent considers a step & fetch. But at least I never excepted welfare or a link card like your step & fetch parents. Basically that is what you are also doing Clayton a ghost employee of d131 taking money for a job you never do all $100,000 plus 48,000 for pretty boy Martinez
I'm not Clayton, BITCH. But it is sad that you have any interaction with kids on any level.
11:26, what does tenure have to do with it?
I for one am extremely grateful for the tenure system. Without it, bully administrators with personal vendettas would be able to get rid of teachers instead of having them reassigned.
Some teachers need to be gotten rid of. Ones that are lazy and don't teach well.
You people have no clue how the tenure system works.
A teacher who has tenure can still be fired but the administrators have to do their job and document the teacher. They have to give the teacher a remediation plan. In the plan, the administrator documents the teachers weak areas and the teacher is given a predetermined amount of time to fix their issues. If they are not corrected, the administrator brings the teacher before the board, documents the reasons for the teachers dismissal and the board confirms or denies the teachers termination.
The problem is not tenured teachers but inept administrators. Any idiot can fire a non-tenured teacher. You simply say you're fired. It doesn't matter if they are the best teacher in the world, if they don't have tenure, they have no recourse. They're fired.
It takes competent administrators to fire a tenured teacher. It happens all the time in other school districts. Unfortunately, we have incompetent administrators in District 131.
They couldn't even properly terminate an employee such as Bob Green. They didn't do their job and document the man properly and that's why they have dragged out his review hearing with the state board. They know once he has a fair and impartial hearing, they are going to have to deal with the man once again.
If our administrators can't effectively handle a teacher who has spent the last ten years sitting on his A$$ and not teaching at all, why should the community have any faith in our administrators to lead us in any way whatsoever.
Tenure is definitely a double-edged sword: while it protects good teachers from losing their employment at the whim of corrupt administrators, it can also make it extremely difficult to get rid of burnt-out teachers.
The movie "Waiting for Superman" talks about the Lemon Dance--where principals in some districts trade their ineffective teachers with each other. I wonder whether school districts could assign the "lemons" some duties they COULD do well (proctoring tests, grading papers, online research) while rewarding the more effective classroom teachers with bonuses.
One thing is clear, though--tenure can be a GOOD thing when it protects teachers who are competent and supported by the community from being victimized by bullies. It was bad enough that someone like Mr. K was pushed out of his high-school teaching job; at least our district still has the benefit of his expertise.
I hear the contract was settled anyone hear the settlement?
The details have not been made public, especially to the teachers. Instead, the teachers are going to be forced to make a decision without all the facts.
As with the past contract votes, the teachers are told by the union leadership (who are in bed with the administration) to vote YES for the contract. Without having a real chance to study the new contract, the teachers will be expected to vote.
And don't forget that the teachers will never see the ballots or vote tally. The union leadership, with the administration and board will, in private "count" the ballots and tell the teachers that the vote passed. It really is scandalous.
I used an attorney for some personal business a few years ago. The lawyer had represented the board and district for years.
In private conversations, he confided that, there have never been any negotiations in District 131. It has always been, the board tells the union "here's the deal, take it or leave it" and the union always says OK.
He also had tales from other districts that were far worse.
Considering that the teachers collectively pay the union hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. We should expect a lot better from them.
It's no wonder that we are amongst the lowest paid teachers in the six county Chicago area.
Then get a new union rep or don't vote for the contract. Remember this was the same union that was so in bed with Roberts that they lied about a former board members visit to a a middle school when that board member was working in the best interest of the teachers. I really don't think the board has much to do with the settlement of the contract Roberts union works a deal in the back room and the says yes.
This is one of the few districts that does not have a class size requirement as well.
Your full of crap November 28, 2010 4:03 PM.
To: November 28, 2010 8:01 PM
What do you think November 28, 2010 4:03 PM is full of crap about?
Are they full of crap that they used the same lawyer the district used?
That the lawyer told them about how board/union negotiations have been handled?
That the board and union are in bed together?
That the teachers are overpaying for the representation they are receiving?
Or that the teachers in this district are way underpaid compared to other teachers in the 6 County Chicagoland Area?
Do you have a real argument or do you just like to accuse people of being full of crap when you couldn't possibly know the real events. After all, were you in the room when the teacher and lawyer were speaking together.
Considering the fact that the teacher contract contains nothing that isn't already in Illinois Law and the teachers are very underpaid, I'd say they make some very valid points.
8:01 p.m.--
"your" and "you're"--learn the difference.
Or keep displaying your ignorance!
:)
y r u all so stupd. Nuthin on dis blog maters.
...to those of us who are ignorant.
If it was really a good lawyer they would not talk to someone about another client the lawyer could get in trouble with that if they found out. Would you go to a lawyer if you knew they where discussing or commenting on something you went to them about. The district as far as contracts used the same one for years and I don't believe that they would comment about that in a private conversation because if they where a good law firm they know that someone might say something to someone about it and then they wouldn't get people to come to them if they talked about other clients in private to some one else. If it is true this board needs to check out the lawyers they are using to see who has loose lips and get rid of them.
Is the board and the union buddies about the teachers contract maybe some. It would be the board president and superintendent if it was.
If the teachers are overpaying for their representation then they should do something about it. I see other district teachers made sure they had a clause in their If t contract about the overcrowding of classes rooms not ours Why? Are they underpaid maybe some but this is a poverty district and you can't expect to be paid the same a some other districts that get more money. If the teachers want more pay then they should go to the other district to get more money just like other workers do when they think they are underpaid and move on to another job that pays more money. If the teachers think they are underpaid then they need to stand up and make a noise about it.
The administration and superintendant need to quit giving themselves such good raises and pay for their own medical. They make enough. Have you seen the cars the admins have and superintendant? Bet the teachers do not have ones like them.
The School Board president told me the district can afford to give the teachers a 4% raise.
The teachers can vote no on the contract,it is THEIR contract and should be well informed of all the details of the contract prior to voting on it.
Thanks, I'll vote no.
From what I heard the board president and superintendent don't want to give the teachers squat but they are willing to give administration and all other workers a 4% raise since some haven't got a raise for awhile and everyone else is just more important to the district and give more value to the education of our children than teachers.
The teachers are also responsible for the poor education the children are receiving. Most at the High-School don't even teach a full period since they let students do homework in class.
These same teachers have been given 3% every year. The administrators have been given zero for two years. The administrators are also the lowest paid in the area by much more than the lousy teachers. The administrators also work the summer whereas the lazy teachers work on their tans.
No if you look at the new whole salary of our administrators you will see that they are not that far of from the other ones. Isn't is the administrators that are suppose to be watching what the teachers are doing in the classrooms. Yes, the teachers should have say over somethings and they probably know more about their students then the administrators but the buck stops at the top and they are not doing their jobs. Where have you ever heard of an administrator giving a presentation to the board about a new program in a low income district and say that the students could go to Starbucks and use their free WiFi? Those administrators sure do drive some nice cars and they have no clue how this district lives since none of them live in the district and wouldn't send their children here. The same goes with the administrators as the teachers if they think they aren't getting paid the same as other districts then they need to go to those districts to get the pay they think they deserve.
Actually the building administrators did not receive a raise last year until the negotiations with the teachers broke down. They cried all year that they were not receiving a raise and then after negotiations broke down they quietly received their raises with retroactive pay.
Now, this year, they are again crying that they are not receiving a raise. I am sure that as soon as the teachers receive their little 3% raise, you are going to see huge increases in the administrators salaries.
Just look at Roberts and Glotsbach's recent raises. Roberts received an 11.5% increase (and a contrct extension to the year 2014) and Glotsbach received a 22% increase.
There is a reason the administrators in District 131 are the second highest paid administrators in Kane County while the teachers in this district are the lowest paid.
The reason is corrupt administrators and incompetent board members.
Raises aren't always in the form of increased salary; it's not so much what they EARN as what they KEEP. Look at the benefits package for administrators compared with teachers & other staff--specifically health insurance premiums. You will see that administrators did, indeed, get what amounts to a significant increase over teachers in what they get to KEEP, because of their sweet benefit package.
If the teachers, administrators or superintendent could get a higher paying job in another district they would. The fact is they are just all second rate. Don't give me the crap about they like working with the poor and disadvantaged. Money is money and unless you are independently wealthy and want to work for the fun of it we all have bills to pay. The fact is d131 gets a bunch of teachers right out of college and they move on. The ones that stay are bad teachers.
As for the administrators the same is true the good building admin's leave the bad ones stay. The central office is a prefect example I have not seen one leave under Roberts and that includes Roberts.
To: December 1, 2010 9:02 AM
You forgot about the community. All the good community members have left for other districts and the only ones who have stayed are the dregs of society and A$$holes like you who do nothing but bitch and complain on blogs.
Yes, until the State made all districts show the complete compensation that employees got our district didn't. That is why they got away with crying about not making as much as other district because most of the others did show all compensation.
Many people now have not gotten raises from their jobs even when they have been giving their best to the jobs because of money problems. Only in the public sector jobs do you see where workers get raises just because. Most workers also get raises because of good performance and I don't see that this administration has done that in fact they get paid way too much for what they do.
9:02 a.m. says:
"The fact is d131 gets a bunch of teachers right out of college and they move on. The ones that stay are bad teachers"
~~~~~~~~~
No, the fact is that people like 9:02 a.m. are CLUELESS! Many of the finest teachers in our district have been here for more than 20 years. Liz Hardy at Dieterich, Kate Keilty at Simmons, Wally Koch at Waldo are just a few shining examples of GOOD teachers who have been in our district for many years.
And 9:02 thinks that no one likes working with the poor and disadvantaged--on the contrary, those kids can be the most rewarding to work with, because they often work harder & are more appreciative than more privileged kids. Some of us work for more than financial reasons, 9:02. Some of us actually care about trying to make our community a better place!
East Aurora High School Band
Holiday Band Concert (500 People PLEASE!) - Please consider joining us for this fantastic concert. You won't be disappointed. The band students of East High deserve a fantastic audience for all their hard work. Please invite your friends and family to attend. Thank you for supporting band at East High.
And next week, there are more opportunities to hear and support our district's band students:
On Thursday, December 9th at 4:30 p.m. at Simmons Middle School a concert is scheduled that will feature not only Simmons band students (performing a varied program that includes compositions by their director, Kevin Kaisershot), but also 5th graders from Brady, Hermes, O'Donnell, and Rollins grade schools. Come and support these young musicians, many of whom have only been playing their instruments for a couple of months!
Also, Thursday December 9th at 7:00 p.m. is the choir concert at East High.
'Tis the season for lots of grEAt music throughout our district!
:)
The East Aurora Band plays tonight at Hawks Auditorium! Our concert begins at 7 and it's only a dollar. We worked hard on these great songs and I hope you can come out and hear us!
Help East Aurora High School win $25,000 -- Log onto the website and click the "VOTE" button on the page to vote for East High: www.henkelhelps.com
You can only vote one time per day per email address.
Voting ends Dec 12, 2010!
Although it says ‘St. Charles’, it really means AURORA! ☺Vote for the Tomcats to win $25,000!!
Henkel Helps Get Kids Fit will reward one deserving school with $25,000 to be used towards providing enhanced health and fitness education, equipment, technology, resources and services for their students and community. Henkel Helps Get Kids Fit will also launch a sweepstakes to win $5,000 in fitnes..
Thank-you to the best Board yet for passing the largest increase teachers have ever had in this District.
They have also taken on the debate of class size and buildings will soon get help. We are one of a few District's hiring and not laying off. Let's give credit were credit is due. Change does not happen over night. But it is happening here. All the classrooms are also seeing upgrades.
Two grEAt concerts today:
Simmons Band (including performances by Brady, Hermes, O'Donnell, and Rollins 5th-grade band students) at 4:30 p.m.
And East High choral groups perform at 7:00 p.m.
Come and hear some wonderful performances by our hard-working young musicians!
:)
Don't forget about the Cowherd Band and Choir Winter Concert tonight at 6:30 PM.
The concert at Simmons yesterday was wonderful! Our kids played well, and it was nice to see such a big audience to support them--the room was full! Even Mayor Weisner was there.
'Tis the season to hear & enjoy good music performed by our students throughout the district!
I agree, the concert at Simmons was excellent! It was so full I had to stand, but it was well worth it.
Yes. It's a shame we don't have a director as good as the Simmons director over at the high school.
Yes it's a shame that people always have to turn positives into negatives and take anonymous, unfounded, and inaccurate shots at people that don't deserve it and aren't true.
The real shame is that people blame the wrong people when something is negative!
Mr. Liska is trying the best that he can. It is NOT his fault that the previous EHS band director was railroaded out of his high-school teaching position despite overwhelming public support. It is NOT Mr. Liska's fault that Mr. K was the victim of a school board and administration determined to give the middle finger to parents, students, and this community.
The people who should be blamed are those administrators who were responsible for this disastrous decision, and who are still in D131 working for US:
--Marin Gonzalez
--Joe Harmon
--Clayton "the issue is over" Muhammad
By all means, we should support the current band program at East High (and their current director)--our kids need and deserve the support! But never forget exactly WHAT happened and WHO was responsible, and continue to hold them accountable!
By all hopes Wells will be off the Board that will be one less, you forgot to mention her. She accused the parents of telling children to play the Star Spangled Banner wrong to prove a point
Jerome Roberts was also part of this he was Marin's boss at the time.
The current band is better.
"The best is can" is already better than Kaisershot.
Jerome was the assistant superintendent in charge of secondary education (which includes the high school and middle schools) and only a couple months away from becoming the superintendent.
Jerome was previously the principal at the high school and didn't really get along well with Kaisershot.
Rumor had it that Jerome was behind the Kaisershot transfer and used the situation between Kaisershot and Johnson to get Radakovich to take the heat as he was out the door anyway.
Jerome has had years to correct that situation if he had wanted to.
Roberts is Napoleon he uses everyone to do his dirty work. Recently he insulted the teachers aides. Rumor at Central Office is many of his Principals stood up for the aides and now they are being treated much in the same way Kaisershot was treated. Rumor is a few resignations are coming and one will be Carrillo. Remember administrators do not have a Union. She told the Board at a recent meeting that aides do have professional degrees some even had Masters or held teaching certifications. The Board needs to be aware of this and ask questions.
Many do not realize Roberts was behind many of the Serial Bullies moves. Roberts never wants to look like he is behind anything. He also uses his Asst Superintendents and Clayton to talk for him. Glozabach & Green, Marin & Kaisershot, Augustine and the maintenance workers, Clayton at all the events and now Aird who is becoming the new hatchet woman. Some directors are looking, while other incompetence is rewarded like Clayton who is allowed to grow BoysIIMen on District time. Roberts is so blatant he recently sent district i phones to his loser step son and girl friend because the administrators all got new ones. The District even paid shipping while many in our District can not afford a phone let alone a iphone.
The only saving grace in all of this is Naploeon is no longer buddies with the Board President. She definitely has a agenda clearly her own and is cracking whip. Look for Clayton to try to unseat Truza and get three of his cronies on the Board so Roberts can go back to sleep. Watch Monday when Lisa helps those cronies out by giving them choice spots on the ballot. Some are taking a wait and see if Roberts gets his power back. As d131 turns.
7:55, how do you define "better"?
"Better" to me means an improved SOUND, which is definitely not the case! The current EHS band director prides himself on pushing the kids to perform literature they have no business playing, just so he can say "my groups played advanced music".
Can't wait to hear them mangle the 1812 Overture!
BEWARE!
Wells may be leaving but
Barriero may try to return.
The students never sabotaged their own playing. They were given a new arrangement and it didn't work. Twice!
Hull needs to go too. Rumor has it his child did get special treatment at the High School and she works in the Office which is a nice payoff for the principles since he would vote for them to have a raise. Also for that special treatment he will vote for anything Roberts or Clayton wants because he has to pay them back for that special treatment of his child. Are these really people we want on a board that will get special treatment for their children and not help all the children?
The music is in the ear of the listener and it seems that some think the band is getting better and two of the band members say so on here. Let go people you are making some us think that it was time for Mr. K to go and a new era to start. Give support to the band and stop it with your comments. You really need to get some help on letting things go and moving on with your life.
9:17 a.m. says:
Jerome was previously the principal at the high school and didn't really get along well with Kaisershot.
~~~~~~~~~~
Actually, those two men got along very well. The EHS principal that didn't get along with Kaisershot was Gordon Postlewaite. It was his personal vendetta that started the whole mess, because Kaisershot had stood up to him about scheduling the jazz band during the school day (our current EHS jazz band can thank Kaisershot for this) instead of before school. Postlewaite had an affair with an EHS English teacher (both left their spouses)--he & new wifey took jobs in the Oswego district for a few years, then "Serial Bully" Radakovich brought him back to help get rid of Kaisershot. Dr. Roberts had very little, if anything, to do with it.
Hull already returned and he is one of the Board members responsible for hiring the serial bully. He is also on record as saying the serial bully did a good job.
Hull has also received favors from Roberts. His daughter who did not make honor role, but has been given a free ride in the honors program and Dr Wilson is her adviser.
I don't dispute that the band is getting better; after five years it should be.
But comparing recordings of some of the SAME pieces as performed by the pre-2005 EHS band with the more recent performances will clearly show that there's a way to go before it catches up.
Actually Hull's daughter did make Honor Roll. But her teachers and classes got picked by Adams from the Central Office. A teacher who had his daughter also got pulled in by Willis and talked with about the way she was being taught. Did she deserve Honor Roll probably not but that is his pay-off for voting along with Roberts. College is expensive- a free education is a good payoff. Don't forget he was appointed.
Wilson now checks up on her and everyone at East knows not to cross her. Some major problems are brewing at East. Watch for Rhodes to give up his post soon.
Can the lies keep coming please. Nobody has recording of the current band because recordings have never been released.
And you all are very ignorant to how music works.
Kaisershots program had ZERO differentiation with regards to ability level. He had TWO bands that played the same ability level music. All the kids were mixed up, they were put in whatever band fit into their schedule.
Liska has THREE bands based on ABILITY level. The concert band is freshmen, the symphonic band is the middle level and the wind ensemble is made up of the top musicians.
So think about this for a minute. Kaisershot had some very good musicians playing with some not so go ones, therefore top musicians playing easy music should sound good.
Now, when the symphonic band plays the same piece (not the wind ensemble) they may not sound as good (to you) because the piece they are playing is slightly above their ability level. The same thing happens with the wind ensemble. They are give music ABOVE their ability level and are asked to rise to the occasion.
Only in this district to expect perfection from the band but mediocrity from every other subject. Why do you expect perfection from the band and not from the math department? Why is it not ok for students to play challenging music? The students seem excited about band, and they enjoy the fact that they have to work to make it sound good.
When you say something is "too hard" for the East Aurora students I say, "why do you think less of them?"
Let us not forget the favors for Gonzales.
Gonzales daughter works for the District but is off more than she works. She is paid at a full time rate but is classified part time. Even part time she does not come to work.
7:55-
Are you sure the East High Wind Ensemble can't handle the "1812 Overture?"
And how do you know they're playing it anyways?
Sorry, question about 1812 wasn't for 7:55.
It was for 1:21
Recordings of recent EHS band performances USED to be on the website, but not any more.
Wonder why?
Here we go with the lies again. Morons make stuff up.
Please tell me which "Recent EHS Band performances" were on what website.
You are a liar. There has never be a formal concert or a jazz concert posted on ANY WEBSITE.
Now, the marching band show from this year was posted on Facebook and if you are too stupid to find it than that is your problem.
I also find it difficult to respect the opinion that the band is terrible when these same people think the choir is good. They were constantly off key, sang with bad tone, and made huge mistakes like missing enterances that were obvious.
I am NOT lying: recordings of the "new improved" EHS band performing several pieces were indeed posted on the band section of the district website a year or two ago, including at least one that had been previously performed by the EHS band in 2002 (In the Bleak Midwinter).
But the recordings have since disappeared.
I wonder why?
4:56 p.m., kids talk. Parents talk.
Good luck keeping anything secret in this district anymore!
No they weren't. Recording were never posted of the band concerts.
You all bore me. I'm glad most of Aurora does not read or agree with this blog. Rayanne you are a piece of shit for allowing this to continue. You are allowing these people to destroy the reputation of Mr. Liska. You allowed it before you were a board member, during your time as a board member and now after.
You allow people to lie and defame peoples character. I am sure that not one person have ever contacted Mr. Liska to ask him why he does some of the things he does.
Not one person have ever been to a concert. You wait for somebody to post something online and then you jump on the bandwagon. You're ignorance tires me.
And nobody has responded to the fact that the choirs sucked under Mrs. Nadel.
Rename this blog the band blog. People here are so stupid they could care less about the education of the kids only the stupid band. The band will never put food in the month of d131 students. So yes you Rayanne are a piece of shit for allowing this to continue. One suggestion if the blogger does not comment on the subject matter delete the comment.
Remember the topic was are we getting what we pay for.
If band were a sport, there would be no discussion. As the band lost to every school around us, everyone would know how bad they are.
SIMMONS SUCKS !!!!!
I can't wait until you all die a slow painful death.
The sports suffered under the bully as much as the band.
The sports programs are still suffering. Have you looked at some of the district fields. They are pathetic. The only one that is taken care of is at Simmons and that's because it belongs to the park district not the school district.
Waldo only has half a field, they have to play every game at other fields. It's a sorry situation.
The district administration and board brag about all the money they have in the bank. Why don't they take care of our district facilities.
I guess they would rather be able to brag about their great money management rather than how well they take care of our kids.
It's time they get their priorities straight.
If you can do better then tomorrow you have your chance go file to run for the Board. There are four openings
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