Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Looking forward
Our unusually warm weather has many of us looking forward to summer. The hiring of former Chicago Bear Kurt Becker as our new coach has many of us looking forward to football season. Our hard-working students and staff are looking forward to spring break. What other good things are we looking forward to in District 131?
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211 comments:
1 – 200 of 211 Newer› Newest»From this morning's Beacon:
In addition to the approval of the anti-bullying program, the board also approved the addition of an athletic and student activities director at a salary of $100,000. The new position will help steamline sports and extracurricular activities from the middle school to high school level, Board President Annette Johnson said.
“We want to make sure activities at the middle school translate to success at the high school level,” Johnson said.
The East High band is looking forward to going to Disney World in June!
Don't miss "Wonderland" this weekend--the EHS drama department does a grEAt job!
Our grade school students can look forward to the district Fun Fair this Saturday at the high school, starting at 11:00. Games, prizes, old-fashioned FUN!
re: March 20, 7:28 AM
How on earth can we have an anti-bullying program in this district with this blog CONSTANTLY bullying the people who work here? Seems awfully hypocritical to me...
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen
Wow, 8:49 a.m.--you're giving one little blog a lot of credit/power! Looking back over the last couple of threads, it looks like there's a pattern: someone posts factual information that somebody doesn't like on a sensitive subject, then the other side denies and challenges that information. Maybe that fits your definition of "bullying"--but to see the really nasty stuff (obscenities, etc.) you should go here:
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8854980&postID=8322988780362222053&page=1&token=1331559923377
So MANY good things happening in D131 this week. We have so many good teachers working hard to make these wonderful experiences for our kids & community.
8:49am- a blog is all just words from unknowns. No F2F confrontation, no physical force. Pull up your big drawers and repeat after me "sticks and stones...."
East High students for the 2012-2013 school year can look forward to cheerleading tryouts! Come try out for a team that was just 2 places away from qualifying for State this year!
Interested Tomcats must attend a required info meeting, either today (3/21) or tomorrow (3/22). Both meetings begin at 3:30pm and will take place in Room 237 at East High.
While all D131 middle & high school students have already been notified, please pass this information on to any home schooler or parochial student that may be interested in cheer.
Questions can be directed to HHawkinson@d131.org.
Go Tomcats! *\o/*
~Coach Hilary Hawkinson
To 8:59 AM
A Definition:
"Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability. The "imbalance of power" may be social power and/or physical power. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a "target".
I don't think bullying has anything to do with the "factual information" you claim is being presented. Kids in elementary school may bully a classmate who wears glasses by calling him "four-eyes". Yes, it is a fact that the child wears glasses, but that doesn't negate the fact that calling him names is bullying, especially when it is repeated over and over (and over and over) and allowed to continue by teachers (or blog authors).
My point is simply that the name calling and belittling is, in fact, a very real and very serious form of bullying. I offer the following as examples:
Marin "ruined many teachers careers with her lies" and "caused the death of a teacher" and is a "wicked witch"
Raquel "harrassed teachers" and "would scream" and "was hostile"
Clayton - "when the going gets hard he is not even around for a statement"
Annette "always wears pants that are too small for her"
Roberts "wife left him over (cheating)" and "chased around with (teachers)"
Rolf "is continually subordinate" and "a nut"(I don't even know who that is!)
Mechelle (too much is said about her to even post here!)
and of course,
Liska is an "arrogant blowhard" or "paranoid with an axe to grind"
or "ignorant and arrogant"
and
Kaissershot is a "piece of s#$% a-hole" (from the other site you provided - interesting that there isn't anything specific about Kaissershot on this site - slanted views?)
If that is not bullying, I'm not sure what is! Shame on all of you.
It's funny, because those of you who say you "post facts" that "some people don't like" are not actually posting facts. That's the funny part, just because you call them facts, you never present ALL of the facts. You only present what proves your point.
It is like Romney saying, "I'm not concerned about the poor." END QUOTE
Well that is not exactly where the quote ended, it is just where the media wanted it to end. The quote goes on to say that there are lots of programs in place for them already. Which does not make his initial quote seem so bad.
So when people get annoyed at your FACTS - it is because we know, you are only posting half of the truth.
You then call the presentation of the rest of the facts as "distraction and and avoidence" when really it is just presenting the rest of the story.
10:03 a.m., who is "Kaissershot"? Spell the name right.
Coach Hawkinson, thanks for posting this. We're "looking forward" to seeing those grEAt Tomcat cheerleaders next season!
Just wanted to let the people who read this blog know about the "Big Brother" atmosphere at the high school: Teachers are now getting letters put in their personnel files for letting students go across the hall to the bathroom without an escort. The principals have the security feed on their computers and they are monitoring the halls because, since there are far too few PPA's to service the whole school, many teachers have been allowing students a few feet outside of the classroom to get their materials, or go to the bathroom in emergencies. Apparently the solution to students roaming the halls is to punish teachers for making judgement calls in instances where female students are crying because they're about to bleed through their mentrual pads and stain their pants - but there is no PPA available to escort the student, so she can't go to the bathroom that's right across the hall.
Crazy, right? As a teacher who loves these students and is passionate about helping them, even I am planning on applying to other districts - it's not about the kids anymore.
8:49am- a blog is all just words from unknowns. No F2F confrontation, no physical force. Pull up your big drawers and repeat after me "sticks and stones...."
March 21, 2012 9:00 AM
Bullying does not have to involve F2F confrontation or physical force. There have been way too many cases of kids being bullied over the internet, facebook, etc. by classmates and others for anybody to not understand that some of the comments on a blog constitute bullying. No, I'm not 8:49, just someone who has seen over the years that bullies often don't even recognize that they are bullying somebody else.
And bullying can also involve adults joining together to support a crony's personal vendetta, depriving a teacher of his job despite outcry from the community. Folks in this district don't call Dr. Radakovich "Serial Bully" for nothing.
I agree bullying can be in the cyberworld. Most of those blogging are adult, over 21, and have the capability to avoid or 'X' out of a blog or any network or website they do not like what they read.
If I were being bullied I would try and avoid a confrontation. Not keep visiting the site of the attack.
10:53 a.m., if I were the parent of a girl who had been denied access to the bathroom because of administrative bureaucracy issues, and my daughter had stained her clothing & been humiliated--I would be looking for a LAWYER. At the very least, I would make it clear to the principal that a teacher who bends the rules to let a student use the bathroom in an emergency is NOT to be penalized; if anything, the principal/administration is at fault for failing to provide adequate escorts or supervision. If there aren't enough PPA's, why can't the deans assistants (and maybe even the principals) fill in when needed?
That is too much money($100,000)for a position that is not needed(again). We need someone to help the students learn and improve their grades. What happens when this district no longer has the money for the unnecessary postions that did not exsist before? Good for Hull voting against this. Wish more on the board would get some backbone and stand up for the students.
Just the thought that a high school student cannot use the restroom alone without an escort is interesting. Things must be really bad at East.
They are (bad at East High)...it's ironic because most of our high rate of teacher-turnover can be traced back to the negative climate created by administration - it's actually not so much about the kids/community anymore. We are about to lose a WHOLE bunch of good teachers to other districts, just because working here at the high school is like working in a communist state where your decisions are made for you and if you so much as hint at disagreeing, you risk your career.
Hull only voted no because he is upset that Marin and Raquel are being let go. Up until the last BOE meeting he helped create this position. I was at the last meeting it was stated and Hull did not dispute the hiring only the reporting structure. If you listened he only disputed why the person would have so many people report to them.
As far as the negative climate getting rid of Marin was a great start. She was responsible for all the problems with K and many fine coaches. Wilson was long known for targeting teachers of a certain race. I think the climate will improve over time.
And where does the kids bad behavior stem from that they can't use the bathroom? Why don't these kids know how to act at school? Why don't these kids know how to be respectful to staff and other students?
Because you parents don't demand it at home.
The vast majority of students do know how to act. The problem is administrators who don't have the cajones to stand up to the few problem children and their problem parents. The issues then compound because students think it's acceptable since that kid got away with it.
This is a perfect example. Instead of just dealing with the problem child or two, the administration just makes a rule for everyone. In this case, nobody is allowed to use a rest room without supervision. It's no wonder students drop out or move to other districts when they reach high school age in District 131.
Unfortunately, teachers see this sort of ridiculous decision made by administrators every day. Would you want somebody like this having total control over your evaluation and therefor your financial future?
There was a reason for teacher tenure (and it never guaranteed a teacher their job, just a process before termination). I fear where this new system is headed. I am guessing that certain administrators with an axe to grind are going to be vindictive toward those that don't kiss their rears. The next step is going to be one expensive lawsuit after another (at the taxpayers expense) because of wrongful termination.
Just look at what the Bob Green debacle has cost the taxpayers of this community. Imagine dozens of these lawsuits. We could see a point where the district spends more on lawsuits than they do on education.
10:53 AM-That is not true. The security feed at the High School is outdated to say the least and can only be viewed in the camera room.
I see Ms Johnson and Hull all the time and you could tell there was some tension on Monday. You could see it on Mr. Hulls face. Knowing Mr. Hull there is nothing unusual about him voting no on an issue if he had questions that were not answered; and he shouldn't. But now for the juice, I heard that Annette Johnson went on one of her screaming tangent towards him. If its true no one would be surprised thats how she did a couple of secretaries and Dr. Roberts last year. She really does need help for her anger. I hope she reads this blog and read this article below.
Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by dramatic, emotional behavior, which is in the same category as antisocial and borderline personality disorders.
Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms may include:
Believing that you're better than others
Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
Exaggerating your achievements or talents
Expecting constant praise and admiration
Believing that you're special and acting accordingly
Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings
Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans
Taking advantage of others
Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
Being jealous of others
Believing that others are jealous of you
Trouble keeping healthy relationships
Setting unrealistic goals
Being easily hurt and rejected
Having a fragile self-esteem
Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional
Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence or strong self-esteem, it's not the same. Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence and self-esteem into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal. In contrast, people who have healthy confidence and self-esteem don't value themselves more than they value others.
When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may have a sense of entitlement. And when you don't receive the special treatment to which you feel entitled, you may become very impatient or angry. You may insist on having "the best" of everything — the best car, athletic club, medical care or social circles, for instance.
But underneath all this behavior often lies a fragile self-esteem. You have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have a sense of secret shame and humiliation. And in order to make yourself feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and efforts to belittle the other person to make yourself appear better.
Sounds like Marin and Raquel are describing themselves. They finally got theirs
March 22, 2012 5:36 PM -BINGO! That is Ms. Johnson.
Does anyone know where to find the district check register. I've been all over the district web site. They certainly aren't making it easy to find.
The district is now (beginning second semester) using something called Infinite Campus for student records. I was wondering what this new system is costing the taxpayers of this district.
The Infinite Campus web site requires special permission to see the cost of their services. The public does not have access to see the costs.
I did find several other school districts who are using this same student records software and the cost to their school districts is between 2 and 3 million dollars for the first year or two.
When I saw this, I couldn't help but remember how the district paid a million dollars for the worthless data system that Ponquinette brought to the school district back around 2000. Everyone was forced to learn how to use it. It broke down regularly and we were all shaking out heads wondering why we were being put through the entire ordeal.
After Ponquinette was no longer our superintendent, it bacame clear. He became a high priced consultant for the company our tax payers paid for.
An expense this large should have been clearly made public before the district purchased it. Hearings should have been held and the community should have been allowed to voice their opinions.
A deal done in the dark with an expense this large is inexcusable.
Am I missing something and is this just another example of something slipping through the cracks and allowed to happen? The newly created $100K position is being filled by the same guy who was canned for incometence as District Operations Mgr. And furthermore, is he not the same guy who was dating a 16 year old student at East? This was the student who was spotted by teachers in the pool with him before school and constantly in the way of PE teachers in the PE office. A guy hired to help 8th graders transition to high school sports for 100K. It is entirely possible that, and this saying alot, this is the biggest blunder in the history of 131. Kurt Becker, run-don't walk before you're dragged into this complete and utter travesty of an organization. "Looking forward" to what- more idiocy from people paid high salaries. Completely embarrassing is an understatement.
The real story with Marin is she got caught doing parent classes at d129 using someone's copy righted book that she did not pay for in her teaching materials because the classes are free to d129 residents. After getting caught she tried to start the same classes in d131 but it would have cost our district . The board said no and now all the negative comments on the blog. Marin's husband is on the board and Marin is trying to build his political future as a Hispanic leader in town . She is defines a sociopath.
Why wasn't the newly created job posted for all to apply for? The pay rate would attract highly qualified candidates from all over with proven skills and results from successful programs. This is what the job, albeit stupid, is supposed to accomplish. Instead, we place a guy who all janitors could not stomach and reward him with a role that really does not have any criteria to judge. Show up at a Middle School and tell the kids sports in high school is berry berry good. Come on!
Here are some links to articles/reviews of Infinite Campus:
http://www.onefootinreality.com/2011/02/infinite-campus-review-february-2011.html
trombonechamp.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/beware-of-infinite-campus/
archive.feedblitz.com/680065/~3875370
I don't remember hearing a discussion about implementing this (or any mention of the cost) at board meetings--and I follow them pretty closely. Where can we find out how this is working, and most importantly how much of our tax money we're paying?
I heard the new $100,000 sports activities director will be making significantly more. $100,000 is just the base salary the board made public. With bonuses etc. the real salary will be around $130,000.
This large sum of money is just given to Nestor without even so much as the pretense of posting the job to get the best qualified candidate.
The corruption in this district is just rampant.
By the way, Kurt Becker made it very clear that he was not taking the high school coaching job for the $10,000 stipend that the job normally pays. He wanted an additional position paying at least six figures if he was going to come back to East Aurora. Has Kurt Becker's total compensation been made public?
March 23, 2012 7:54 AM -does this mean Marin is not leaving. :(
The list of bills is under Fiance Committee in the board agenda for the second meeting of the month but good luck finding anything that you can understand. The one for Feb 21st has not put the bills on there even though the minutes where approved. When the board first started using this board book they did have the list of bills you could look at but now they wait until the minutes are approved and sometimes then the don't list them. In the petty cash for Central Office I see they spent over $100 for snacks for meetings why are we paying for that they can get there own and is that what petty cash is intended for? Here is the link to see where you can find the list of bills.
trombonechamp.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/beware-of-infinite-campus/
10:19 a.m., you posted the wrong link.
Here is the right one.
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicAgenda.aspx?ak=1000306&mk=50045661
Here's a link to a story about how Nestor Garcia has helped our district save hundreds of thousands of dollars:
http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/Channel/School-Safety/Articles/Print/Story/2010/09/East-Aurora-131-s-Smart-Savings-Strategies.aspx
I do not know Mr. Garcia--but wanted to mention positive things about our finances & employees, to try to balance all the negative. I don't mind reading about what we've done wrong in D131, but there are also good things going on here!
The position is posted and the BOE has said sports, art and music are important in keeping kids in school. That is why it is a Director level position. BTW the position is posted but Central Office news is Nestor is going to get it. Wilson started making noise last week that she was laid off and should get the position. This position would be responsible for bring in numerous grants that will pay for the sports programs. Given her track record she is not capable of writing a grant in fact Marin wrote the TAOPE grant last year and now the district is paying a consultant because Wilson is not capable. Nestor writes his own grants and got many for the district. He was a successful coach and volunteered at the beginning of the year to put a sports program together. Wilson just visits in the office and has not accomplished a thing. I know I work there I am the silent majority.
There is a posting for a fundraising facilitator. It is a $52,000 - $62,000 a year position. My guess is that is going to be Kurt Becker's new position in the district.
Kurt Becker's new position in the district will be the varsity football coach. I seriously doubt that he would have time to also be the fundraising facilitator.
I believe this is the position Martinez held revamped. As a alumni I had met him with a community committee although very polite he never followed up. My feelings was that it was not a focus of his boss Clayton's.
I attended pass and review this year and the district did not have one member of community relations attend. When I asked I was told they had a Christmas party. I was never sure what his role was other than to build Clayton's department.
Two months ago the board president and secretary made a big splash that community relations would take over alumni fundraising. Not one thing happened and calls and calls from reunion groups went unanswered. So I bet this person will the new shake down person to the alumni.
There's no way Kurt Becker is going to work 12 months of the year for $10,000. Nobody should. He will definately be getting paid more.
The stipends for all of our coaches is pathetic and it gets worse the lower you go. Middle school is terrible and elementary is so bad, half the time they can't get a coach to work. If the board wants to build our sports programs, they should have started there (from the bottom up). They could have taken that $100,000 they are gifting to Nestor and paid the coaches a salary that would bring in quality coaches.
If we want to be competitive with the West Side of Aurora, we should at least start there and see what they are paying their coaches. If we are paying our coaches $2000 and they are paying their coaches $5,000, which district would you want to coach for?
It's simple, the West Side pays their coaches significantly more money, their teams have better equipment, uniforms, and facilities. And, the kids are less of a challenge behaviorally. If you are a coach, where would you want to be?
Funny we should compare the coaches to d129 Anie Thompson should enlighten the board about spending on asst superintendents and directors d129 has 21 in those types of position d131 only has 11. To worry about Nestor getting a activities director or not seems foolish. If Becker becomes the fundraiser congratulations to him in fact they should make him a director just like Karrie Menis who is in charge of the A plus foundation. Btw they all make more than the administrators at East do. So do the teachers at West.
Read the boys baseball outlook not good looks like the coach needs to focus on just teaching basics of the game. One improvement the team finally has a field of its own to play on. Comments according to Beacon reporter not mine.
On a positive note the District finally will run a variety of camps for several sports not just soccer.
Some of our surrounding districts because on money problems they are having are stopping stipends or lowering them. Our district seems to just spend and spend while others are cutting budgets.
I looked into d129 they have a Activity Director and Sports Director plus Assistant director all assigned only to West High and three Assistant Principals plus two Building Principals the enrollment is under East Aurora perhaps that is the problem not enough administrators.
Cam does double duty and his assistant who receives a small stipend and has been sick all year. Cam also has responsibility for the deans and building. I think he is doing a great job. Also I understand Nestor will have district wide duties. Instead of being critical lets thank these people. Nestor has been doing both jobs all year.
Let us not forget West also spent over a million on turf.
Maybe Anie Thompson needs to start her own blog for d129 residents sounds like their board is spending like drunken sailors.
FYI: EA coaches have had camps for teams in the past. 3 I know of are football and dance/ cheer teams. Some people are trying to make it look as if this is a NEW idea for EA ?!? While the Board and district admin are trying to figure how to improve their image, the teachers and coaches have continued as normal, putting students first.
To: March 24, 2012 6:18 AM
Did you actually think about what you wrote.
"Kurt Becker's new position in the district will be the varsity football coach. I seriously doubt that he would have time to also be the fundraising facilitator."
What you are really saying is that the district is expecting Kurt to perform a job that will take up so much of his time that he will not have time to do anything else. And the district expects to gets this type of commitment from an individual for the bargain basement price of $10,000.
Then you think that the high school football coach is the highest paying coaching position in the district. Other coaching positions are making less than a thousand dollars.
Is it any wonder that most of our district sports teams are pathetic and the district is having difficulty hiring quality coaches? Lack of quality coaches is the number one reason why our teams do not succeed.
The district has signaled it's commitment to the sports program with the hiring of a sports coordinator for a six figure salary and the hiring of a high profile head football coach. The board needs to prove this is not just a symbolic act by showing support with coaches salaries, sports equipment and athlete recognition.
The board destroyed the sports programs in the 1980's (simply cut all sports programs), they reinstated the programs but never did anything to rebuild what they had destroyed.
The board has the real opportunity to rebuild the sports programs. We'll see how committed they really are. Are they blowing smoke or will they really make the necessary changes?
District 131 used to have many of the positions 129 has. The commander in chief cut many of those on his way to the ultimatum of cutting the extra curricular. Many of the negatives of this district have come under the last 2 leaders, yet the Board has hung on to the latest.......why?!?
Underacheivement in academics and athletics can only be blamed on the person delegating what programs, processes are to be implemented and how the finances are distributed. If Trump were monitoring this manager, the super should be hearing "you're fired!"
Talking about pay difference between the two districts here is some interesting facts about revenue of the districts. This information can be found at IL Interactive Report Cards.
District 129
Poverty rate 57%
Revenue for school year 2010-2011 which includes all funding from State Federal and other sources.
$126,713,625
District 131
Poverty rate 75%
Revenue for school year 2010-2011 which includes all funding from State Federal and other sources.
$131,914,459
District 129 is still owed $18,171.74 from the State. I don't see anything about District 131 on our website about being owed money from the State.
So both districts have about the same money but it looks like D129 spends there better than ours since they pay teachers more and pay more for stipends.
I suffered through the 80's and have decided to donate some time to helping our kids get more involved. I had the pleasure of attending my second sports meeting with Nestor. The Boards President was also there and between both they gave updates. I do not believe this is lip service nor do I feel it is right to attack Nestor. He has a big job ahead but his passion shows. There are already several things the District started.
Reviewing and changing outdated policies. For one they not only paid the lowest but in the past asked coaches to pay for becoming certified. They now are going to conduct professional development classes as a group that will count along with coaches classes.
Stipends are going to get updated sounds like they have not done this in 12 years.
Jobs will get posted district wide instead of waiting for all the jobs to get posted in May.
They will make it mandatory coaches have 25 days of practice before a season
They are conducting coaches surveys.
The district built 8 sports to teach fundementals in all grade schools during summer.
Middle school and high school are getting together for coaches meetings.
Kurt Becker already started a weight training program for all sports.
Grades had gotten run on all students at the high school for fall already and a tutor program is getting set up.
For all the complaining and name calling that goes on in regards to Johnson and Garcia I have never met to people more committed to rebuilding the program. I just wanted to set the record straight
Here is something else interesting from that website about property taxes.
Local property taxes means the receipt of taxes that apply to the prior year’s levies, as well as those available from the current levy. Also included are payments in lieu of taxes as monies from the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax.
Here are the % of property taxes each districts gets.
D129 58.4% from property taxes.
D131 58.9% from property taxes.
The football coach from 8-9 years ago had homework time for his players after school prior to practice plus weight training & camp.
Nestor does have a big job and has been passionate about every job he undertakes!
Ever since Johnson came on board she made it her goal to nit pick everything but academics. Wasting the time of those whose job it is to see our children are succeeding and our facilities & finances are in good shape.
I thought the district started paying for certification a few years ago.
I am not sure about sports but other stipends have been revised in less than 12 years, maybe 6.
March 25, 2012 12:02 PM may be a PR person anonymously helping to build the image here, but some of the statements do not hold water with me.
Why do we employ a Superintendent when we have a board president that acts like she is the one running the district? No one board member should be standing out in front of the others we have a very poor BOE.
D131 loses a great deal of money on special ed they have about 2000'students in special ed. About 300 students are outplaced this is costing about $40,000 per student many years ago d129 saw this coming a opened Hope Wall now they sell slots to d131 paying for there entire special Ed at the backs of the d131 residents. The State pays only about $9000 per student. This started with Ponquient and it has not got any better.
D129 has Hope D. Wall but they also have to send some students to other districts that are Special Ed. I know two parents that have blind children that go to other districts for their education.
Also remember that D129 has busing and that cost also and we only bus special ed and our district and 129 went together with busing for special ed to get a break in that.
This blog always focuses on the negative since the BOE took over we have the gifted classes back, virtual highschool, summer school doubled, all kids have after school, more kids have preschool, test scores have been up three years in a row and many many other things. Everyone knows if the kids have more sports programs they may stay in school
Johnson just needs to take care of her own pasta business and quit running this district. That is what they have a superintendant for. Now, my opinion is the superintendant is useless, but never-the-less, that is what he was hired for. Hull many of us are behind you and is about time someone stood up to Johnson. Many out there remembers when Johnson just sat by her mother, holding her hand, saying nothing and letting her mother do everything. This is before manipulated herself becoming president with the help of the secretary who is very good at manipulationg herself(alumni committee).
My son just told me that the building a house class is cancelled for next year. He said the prinsel did not like the teacher. They do a lot of good thing and he really likes the class. I know lots of people who had that class. Why cancel it?
I dont put my name down cause my son will get into trouble.
Hull is just in it for his daughters scholarship. He admitted he is moving when she graduates.
Suffering through the eighties...
You're missing the point about Nestor and the big job he has and your pleasure of attending meetings with him. He was "dating" a student at East. He should have been immediately gone. This behavior, if another district would have got a sniff of it, would have been dealt with severely so do not tell me about how he is going to help sports blah blah blah. He broke the code and there is no going back and anyone who has control of his employment advocates this awful behavior-thats the point.
I don't believe it is focusing on the negative it is bringing out the fact that the BOE is breaking the IL School Code it isn't there job to be doing those things that is why they hire a Superintendent to do and his administration. Why don't the starting looking into how they misuse taxpayers money. When they stop letting administrators take family on trip with them, having Christmas parties and having family come then they have done something. It is against the law to do those things.
A job opening for an "Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Programs" position is posted today in the Employment section of the D131 website.
Reply to: March 22, 2012 3:41 PM
You are mistaken because I have seen it with my own eyes pulled up on an administrator's computer! Get your facts straight!
Reply to: March 25, 2012 9:03 PM
I'm not sure why your son perceives it's about an issue with the teacher. In order to rehab or build a house, it costs $ and I don't think the school can cover that expense. It is a great program which teaches excellent, employable skills to students. Maybe this new fundraising person can send some money that way!
Get a life
Here's a link to an article in today's Beacon, about a proposed technology center and expanded Magnet Academy facilities downtown Aurora:
beaconnews.suntimes.com/11602321-417/weisner-announces-new-aurora-tech-training-center.html
Has the Board went into closed session about the buying of The Fred Rogers Building and voted on it and told the taxpayers of the district or is this something the board president talked with the mayor about before a decision about this was voted on.
It certainly wasn't done openly, nor was the tax paying public allowed any input before the school board and administrators spent huge loads of tax payer cash.
What exactly are we getting for our money? A building for the Magnet Academy which wasn't supposed to cost the tax payers any additional money and a new building to house our overpaid administrators.
How does either of these huge expenditures benefit our children
So will anyone talk at the board meeting Monday or just keep complaining here?
Why not do both?
Nope, nobody will ever talk at a board meeting - they are all too scared of "retribution."
In other words, lazy and stupid.
So anyone who is concerned about retribution is lazy and stupid, 9:48 p.m.? Interesting definition of "lazy & stupid"
And those whose work schedule prevents them from attending evening meetings, or who cannot drive at night, or who have small children to care for are probably also "lazy and stupid", according to your standards.
Actually, it's the administration that's "lazy and stupid", for refusing to join the 21st century and broadcast the board meetings. Our neighboring districts do this--why not D131? It's not that we don't have the technology; our sports events have been broadcast online for at least a couple of years.
Clayton sent out a blast to the district staff including pictures of the new buildings that the district is purchasing.
I found it interesting that while the Magnet Building looks to be at least a hundred years old (It looks a lot like Waldo), the building that will be the New Administration Building is new and state of the art.
It again shows the people of this community who and what our school board and administrators value. Wouldn't it be awesome if, just once, our leadership put the children first?
The Carson's building downtown is on the historic register and for us old folks was called the Block and Kol building. It's probably 100 years old as well. Madonna is a beautiful building and I love the fact it is going to become a school again. Whatever they are paying you could never re build it for that. I know the Pierce administration remodel it and put air conditioning thru out. I also know Waubonsee did the same sounds like the district did well.
Yeah, I wish all of the building could be state of the art - Hell, I wish all the buildings could be asbestos free and not falling down. Wouldn't that be nice.
Here's a link to a discussion on another blog about this:
openline.blogspot.com/2012/03/mayor-tom-weisner-wants-taxpayers-to.html
There are EIGHT High School teaching positions listed as open on the D131 website, including English teacher, French teacher, and Choral teacher.
Also math, P.E., and Special Ed teacher are listed.
Yesterday there were no H.S. positions listed--what a difference a day makes!
Isn't the old Waubonsee building in West Aurora?
I don't think the dividing line is the river; I think it might be Stolp (I remember the owner of Aurora Finance telling me that he paid taxes to the East side, although he is on the west side of the river).
The minutes for the March 19th board meeting are online, and I am impressed with the way Raymond Hull has spoken up & asked questions about the proposed district activities/sports coordinator position. Good for him for having the gumption to be his own man instead of the rubber-stamping cronies some of the other board members seem to be.
There was yet another big fight at Simmons yesterday but this one will go down in the records book (police records that is).
Apparently, Wilson Morales heard there was going to be a fight between a Simmons student and a Waldo student so Wilson went to “break it up”. This was happening about 4 blocks away from Simmons (not on any District 131 property).
Wilson went to the location but only the Waldo kid was there, not the Simmons kid. That didn’t stop Morales though. Wilson confronted the Waldo kid and the next thing you know Wilson and the Waldo kid were in a physical fight. They were beating each other up. Students who were there said both left with the Aurora Police.
Wilson came to Simmons this morning with a huge black eye. The kids were talking about how Wilson had got beaten up by a middle school kid. He wasn’t at Simmons for very long before leaving the building though. Rumor was that he was ordered to go to the School Service Center. He did not return to the building today.
The Waldo kid and his parent are pressing charges, as they should. Wilson had no business confronting this child (not to mention beating him up) off of school grounds. He should have called the Aurora Police Department from the start.
Wilson has no business being in education and if the Central Office Administration and School Board have any morals or ethics, they will terminate him immediately. Of course in District 131, Wilson will probably be offered the superintendents position.
Good for asking questions, but he didn't have an answer to them and still voted yes.
The School District had better fire Wilson Morales. The man is a disgrace. Simmons staff members have known about this man for years and have been trying to tell people but because his wife is Dr. Roberts personal secretary, he has been protected.
Just to give it a little perspective. Bob Green was terminated because he stood in his classroom doorway with his arms stretched out in what has been repeatedly called the angel position (Think of a snow angel) and telling a student (who did not belong in the gymnasium at that time) that he could not enter. The child then tried pushing past him. Joan Glotsbach was in the building within 20 minutes escorting Bob Green out of the building.
Wilson Morales purposely travelled 4 blocks away from the building and initiated a drag down, no holds barred fight with a child from another school. This is an administrator who should be held to a higher standard than even a teacher. The man should be locked up in prison. It should be interesting to see how the district tries to spin this one.
7:11 p.m., Mr. Hull did indeed vote "nay" on the sports coordinator/supervisor position. His was the only nay vote.
OMG Wilson morales is an idiot. Good luck getting charges pressed against you, and having to register as an offender for assaulting a minor. Stupid
Wilson has lost his mind. He was just written up a week or two ago for going ballistic on a couple of teachers in front of a bunch of students over a lousy fire drill. He has lost all self control. Someone needs to step in before he injures or kills himself or someone else. He's obviously in a self destructive mode right now and can't be around children.
Did anyone go to the EHS Talent Show last night? I wanted to see it, but went to my church's Holy Thursday service instead.
If Mr. Morales did indeed "beat up" a student, then the parents of that student should bring it to the attention of police, school officials, or both. If it did in fact happen, Mr. Morales should "lawyer-up" (at his own expense) and the offended family should speak about it to the School Board, where it would catch the attention of local media.
Purposely scheduling an event on a night when every church in Aurora (Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.) scheduled a worship service must be D131 administrators' way of screening performers and eliminating competition for the EHS talent show. Even my Jehovah's Witness neighbor was at her church last night for their once-a-year sacred service.
And it's not that they didn't know it was Holy/Maundy Thursday; they did the exact same thing last year, and ignored when people brought it to their attention after the fact.
It is funny all the positive comments about the District and Simmons seen to be getting filtered out
9:06 a.m., co-administrator here--
I have published all comments I've received for moderation on this thread, except for two or three which contained obscenities and one which was an exact duplicate of a previous post.
Funny how Mr Hulls comments against the activity director got posted but the fact that Mr Becker has over 200 students joining the football team or the fact that he has already raised enough to get all the equipment for elementary football, or the fact he has already started a tutoring program seems to be missing this blog.
See Mr Hull is angry that is choice was not picked to run the football program.
What people brought it to who's attention 7:05
After working at Simmons these many years I am not suprised at anything the principals do at the school. Lets start with the Patterson and the Vega family bulling incident, I hear that a lawsuit is finally on it's way, come on Green where is your lawsuit for wrongful termination? You can also throw one against Joan Glotsbach for withholding all the statements that vindicated you. I know Rohlfs was lied on by Patterson and suspended without pay, get a lawyer! I hope the district has saved up the hardworking taxpayer money for all thats coming their way, thanks Patterson and Glotsbach for costing the district more money. Now it's Morales turn to embarrass the district, I hope the parents of the Waldo student bring another lawsuit, it only to get this district to wake up! Does it really take lawsuit after lawsuit to get this board to open their eyes. Teachers at Simmons are scared to death do anything for fear of backlash and harassment from Patterson, Morales and Young. This could be the most hostial work environment ever given to a teacher to work in. We are lied on about anything we do, even our observations, thanks Jerome Roberts for a wonderful place to work and why are you protecting Patterson and Morales? This district needs to be cleaned from the top down, except for Mr. Hull.
Why us he raising money for the football team when this district has the money to buy the equipment?
Nothing but lies I work at Simmons and this never happened I saw Mr Morales late Thursday and he did not have a black eye
Sorry Anie T why don't you get your Board to hire a couple of admin's and you can start by the one your other board member is related to
April 5, 2012 8:45 PM
"7:11 p.m., Mr. Hull did indeed vote "nay" on the sports coordinator/supervisor position. His was the only nay vote."
I was not at the meeting, but per the approved minutes posted online, everyone present approved passing the personnel report, without any no votes.
9:08, here's a direct quote from the minutes for the March 19th meeting:
"Mrs. Mary Anne Turza made a Motion to Approve the Athletic & Student Activities Director Position. There being no questions or discussion, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Stella Gonzalez and upon the roll call, the following voted aye:
Annette Johnson Anita Lewis Ignacio Cervantes
Stella Gonzalez Richard Leonard Mary Anne Turza
The following voted nay: Raymond Hull The President declared the motion passed"
More lies and exaggerations from this blog - It's amazing that you stupid people still believe anything posted here. It is ALL lies and exaggerations about everything this district does.
Again, Rayanne, if you have a soul, you would stop this stupid blog and stop the smearing of this district in a grossly negligent way.
The courts are in the process of deciding the rules of slander related to these blogs and I really hope they hold the "blog administrator" or "co-administrators" responsible for the lies and exaggerations that get posted.
"It is ALL lies"...
How is a direct quote from published board meeting minutes a lie, 10:03 p.m.?
And the EHS talent show on Holy/Maundy Thursday (in both 2011 and 2012)--that was no lie.
Also, there were indeed eight high-school teaching openings advertised on the D131 website April 3rd. No lie there, either.
When my kids were growing up I told them to be VERY careful about using absolute words like "all", "never", "nobody", etc.--because if only one example can be given of an exception, it makes you a.......
......LIAR.
;)
Thanks blog administrator - I hope you are saving up a bunch of money to defend yourself in court.
I don't care what you taught your kids. I never will. Because what you allow on here gives me a huge insight on what kind of person you really are. So you told your kids not to use the word ALL and ALWAYS - did you teach them not to LIE about people, insult their character, exaggerate the truth, make up stories? Probably not, because that is what you allow all over your blog.
Screw you, and your kids.
every church in Aurora (Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.) scheduled a worship service
EVERY???? You personally checked EVERY church, including jewish, muslim, presbyterian, episcopol, etc.?
I suspect not.
To: April 6, 2012 1:04 PM
You are full of it. Everyone at Simmons knew what had happened with Wilson. This must be the district spin already beginning. Deny, distract and attack the messenger. 1:04 must be Clayton or Wilson. It's alright though. I hear the kid and his parents will be filing charges and probably filing a lawsuit. It will all be a matter of public record soon.
The person who said all lies was not referring to the BOE meeting. Read they are referring to Simmons. I work at Simmons too. I am tried of this blog making up lies about our school. Mr Morales did get hit by a student three doors down from Simmons not four blocks away. A AMSA student from Quad CoUnty was treating Simmons students. Mr Young went one way, Ms Patterson went another and Mr Moales the other way. This student had been shaking down smaller kids all week. He was twice the size of our kids. Police do not come all the time only if they are not on another call. So our concerned administrators had been protecting students,
Mr Wilson saw the students and told him to move on with many student witnesses present the student spit at him. Mr Wilson called for police on his walkie talkie. Then the student became angry and punched him in the face. Police arrived the student ran off and Mr Wilson decided not to press charges and let the school and Urban League deal with it. He did not want the student going to jail. To date the student has not returned to the Urban League.
Let's see if the blog prints the truth. I remain anonymous because I can not imagine the attacks these people get for no reason. The BOE and administrators should not have to endure this. Freedom of speech is not about distorting a person reputation. If you truly want what is best for this district than comment on programs not individuals MS Carlson.
April 6, 9:05 a.m. probably should have said "almost every church" or "every church I'm aware of" had services on Thursday evening. Here's another example of someone misusing an absolute word, when there might be one exception that would prove it untrue.
10:26 p.m., your ignorance is showing!
Jews and Muslims do NOT worship in a church. Jews worship in a synagogue; Muslims worship in a mosque.
:)
6:26 you missed the point. Yes, "church" is typically used to represent a Christian house of worship, BUT there are other houses of worship as well, deserving of equal respect under our constitution. The difference of course being that there are many religious bigots who misinterpret the constitution to mean freedom of THEIR religion but not others, which in fact it deliberately did NOT name any specific religion (such as Christianity) because they meant all religions. And I notice you carefully kept your remarks to just 2 of the 4 examples I used. 6:19 got my point (9:05 a.m. probably should have said "almost every church" or "every church I'm aware of" had services on Thursday evening. Here's another example of someone misusing an absolute word, when there might be one exception that would prove it untrue.), BUT still has to twist it. Yes, when you use an absolute word like "every", it only takes one example to disprove your statement. But we don't know if there's only one example. If you don't check EVERY church, you can't even say "almost every". The problem we have is so many people speaking in absolutes, when the truth is they really don't know how widespread (or narrowly) a practice is, because they've very carefully avoiding doing the research that would give the true answer. I haven't done the research, so I don't know how many churches in Aurora did or did not hold services that night. I know MY church did NOT -- but then it's not in Aurora, so doesn't count for this discussion.
As far as school scheduling, it's almost impossible for them to avoid all possible events that could come up, especially events that may move from year to year. Good Friday, Easter, etc. may usually come during a certain week each year, but it does jump around. Sometimes it's as early as late March, sometimes late April. Then of course, if you're going to adjust your schedule for some Christian dates, then you need to adjust for all the Christian dates (remember, there are a LOT of different Christian denominations), holy Jewish dates, Muslim dates, etc. as well.
10:23 and all the previous posters slamming the blog administrator, what you say about the nature of the the crap that shows up on this blog is true, BUT I've seen MUCH worse on other blogs (such as Openlineblog -- it allows much worse obscenities and really hateful personal attacks, and doesn't remove them; the only posts I've seen them remove are ones that make valid points he doesn't like, and contain NO obscenities at all). Personally, I've never yet found a blog that has only respectful, reasoned discourse. If you think THIS blog should be shut down, then maybe ALL blogs should be shut down as well. Just think, we might actually have to talk face-to-face, and be responsible for what we say. What a concept.
To: April 7, 2012 1:20 AM
Let's assume your version of events is correct even though every version I have heard differs.
You still have an administrator who went off school grounds (1 block or three makes no difference) confronted a child who is not a Simmons student and was not an immediate physical threat to the children around and initiated a confrontation that ended in physical violence. Even under the best spin, this was very poor judgement.
You stated "This student had been shaking down smaller kids all week." So according to your version Wilson Morales had an entire week to work with the Aurora Police Department and deal with this situation in the appropriate manner but did not do his job. Instead he decided to confront this child that was not a Simmons student and inflammed the situation to the point of violence.
Again, let's assume that what you said is true. The fact that these "other" versions are floating around show the lack of communication that is ever present at Simmons. Communication to staff is the responsibility of the administration. Just another example of poor administrator decisions at Simmons.
How many examples of poor decisions by Simmons Administrators are going to be allowed to happen before this board steps in and takes control of the situation? It's way past time to clean house.
Central office news is Dr Roberts who was available by phone and everyone knows you do not call Dr Roberts on vacation. Joan G, Clayton and Lisa got together in Lisa Morales office close door and discussed what to do. Marin G and Raquel W who take care of middle school and alternative school did not get invited. The student and parent was given the choice that the District would expel or not if this went away. Quad County had records of fighting that no one knew about. Funny how Clayton worked that with his good friends at Quad County
The student who is 16 must remain in school for his mother to collect benefits so she will not press charges. Clayton personally met with the parent.
As far as the BOE debate do not respect for any of the members Hull only speaks up when he wants something. Watch his daughter is failing but will receive a scholarship. Hull made promises to the maintenance workers that he would have their back and now they had been told by the BOE either take large cuts or we will outsource. They wanted their jobs so they took the cuts.
You guys keep arguing about semantics - what a waste of time.
April 6, 2012 9:50 PM
My apologies and thank you for the clarification. I read Mr. Hull's questions regarding the activity director position followed by that he voted in favor of the personnel report. I didn't realize the report he voted on did not include the activity director position.
BOE prez too busy @ an elementary school giving one class free cookies so PR can take dozens of pictures of this to post on their FB page.......really? And the point of this is?
8:29 a.m., it is understandable that last year's talent show was scheduled on an evening when most Christian churches are holding solemn services (Holy/Maundy Thursday). As you mentioned, it is difficult to plan ahead when a religious observance changes to a different week year after year.
But this was the SECOND year in a row that the EHS talent show was scheduled to conflict with Holy/Maundy Thursday! This time the administration is less excusable; they should have known better. Unless, of course, it was supposed to teach students that the administration thinks they should have to choose between participating in their talent show, or attending church on one of the holiest evenings in the Christian calendar.
WHO, did you express your concern to last year, to let the administration know that you were upset?
WHO, did you tell that you thought this was inappropriate?
By the way, it is NOT that big of a deal. It is only Thursday, and if church is that important to you, then go to church, nobody was stopping you.
You will say, "But what if a student wanted to do both."
My answer, "They can't, too bad."
Sometimes we have to make choices. That is what adults do. Sometimes things conflict with each other, and when you grow up you will see that sometimes there is no easy choice to make but as an adult you will have to.
Saw the BOE on facebook with the students and the cookies. It said that they where homemade but you could tell they where made at a shop and the boxes looks like they have a logo on them. Didn't she bring in cookies to the board meeting one time and say she was thinking of starting a cookie business. This is unethical and it is too bad none of our lawmakers will do anything about it. Why only that school and not all the students in the building?
Ever look at the board minutes at west Anie Thompson should try to be as transparent as east is. No job descriptions no committee discussions very few board comments. They vote on major contracts in special session so maybe Anie. Needs a blog being she is so critical of Simmons.
6:39 a.m., it may been only a Thursday to you but to many of us it was the beginning of the Triduum (the most holy 3 days of the Christian calendar).
You are right, though, when you say that sometimes we have to make choices. It's just too bad that some of those choices could have been avoided by an administration that shows little concern for the families they supposedly work for.
Who is this Anie Thompson, that has been mentioned a few times ???
THEN GO TO CHURCH - The school should have to give a crap about your religious beliefs. They don't even have to give the students "Good Friday" off - It ISN'T a national holiday.
So if Good Friday isn't even a holiday the school really should not care about Holy Thursday.
Now this blog has lost it these are the same cookies that students got at Gates. They are cut out cookies and she took time to hand decorate them. This blog never finds anything positive about anyone. Mr Morales defends students and he is made to be a thug. Ms Johnson brings cookies to the children and it is illegal. I hope the supreme court passes a law that blog administrators get sued. Will see who has the guts to print slander then.
From Facebook:
Congratulations to the East Aurora NJROTC Rifle Team on their stunning 2nd place victory in the Navy Category of the All-Service Air Rifle National Championship held in Anniston, Alabama! …ONE OF THE TOP TWO RIFLE TEAMS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA …. We are proud of our Tomcat Cadets! #EastsidePride
I don't know who Annie is but if you look at the surrounding districts most of them do it the way D129 does. In fact many have their board meetings online to watch.
Most of them that post their list of bills are more transparent and you can really see what they are paying. You will find no pizza under school supplies. They also post the administration and superintendents pro cards and what they send. Our administrators and superintendent have them and it used to be under the BOE in the list of bills but now they have moved them under something else.
The East Aurora Distinguished Alumni will hold the 8th annual awards program on Thursday, April 26.
2012 Honorees are: Amos. E. Nicholson, Class of 1936-Community Service Award; LTC Vincent E. Thompson, Class of 1944; A. George Fuller, Class of 1955; William F. Settles, Class of 1955; Ronald L. Ream, Class of 1959; Robert J. O’Connor, Class of 1962; Richard Schindel, Class of 1966.
The event will be held at the Gaslite Manor beginning at 5:30 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres and buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available from John Roesch 630-892-6418. Event pricing is $35.00 each and tables of 10 are available.
How do we initiate an investigation of the Quad County Urban League? Central Office news is that there is a ton of secrets in regards to this organization and the fact that they are not providing the services that they are under contractual obligation to provide to our students (i.e. counseling, etc). Also, student who were failing at EHS are getting B's and their attendance records indicate they're missing 3 or 4 days of school per week. Also, news is that Dr. Roberts rents a house from Theodia Gillespie (their President and CEO).
WE NEED ANSWERS. HOW DO WE GET THEM?
Here is how D129 keeps there community members informed. This is an article about the joint Technical School the Mayor talked about.
http://www.sd129.org/pr/news.asp?id=district&newsid=1953
Also someone talked about how the board would have special meetings to discuss things here is an agenda from one and as you can see visitors can talk to the board.
1.01 Meeting Call to Order
1.02 Roll Call
1.03 Recognition of Visitors Wishing to Address the Board
1.04 Adjourn to Executive Session
1.06 Action as a Result of Executive Session
It's Amie Thompson. Your welcome for the correction Amie!
The person posting things about D129 isn't Amie Thompson it is someone who is comparing how the two districts boards works because they are similar to each other in students and area.
So what is the point the d131 Board gives people a chance to address the board twice. West only gives one opportunity. Annie Thompson is a teacher at Simmons who is on the West Aurora Board with Bob Gonzalez. She also wanted John Young's job and became angry with the District when she did not get it. She is very critical about the way Simmons is run. Funny how her Board at west is not very transparent.
Central office news Is Wilson was placed on administrative leave. Roberts, Glozbach, Clayton and both Morales had locked themselves away all morning yesterday. He must have really did something bad for Roberts to yank him out of the building. Lisa spent most of the day very upset.
Today's Beacon is running the article about Wilson finally justice. Michelle will be the next one
Isn't this the second time that a student that went to the Urban League wasn't in school and got into trouble? Maybe there is some truth about trouble with the Urban League.
Here's a link to the Beacon article:
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/11805091-418/administrator-placed-on-leave-after-incident-involving-student.html
Is anyone investigating the report on here that Joan Glotzsbach, Clayton Muhammad and Lisa Morales conspired to threaten and intimidate the child and his mother not to file a report against Wilson Morales?
If it is true, they should all be charged. Who's looking into that crime?
We need someone to initiate an investigation of the Urban League. EVERYONE knows that less than ethical stuff happens in that building. Someone should do an investigation...but how?
Jerome is basically in bed with Theodia.
Nothing is going to happen to Wilson Morales. His wife is basically second in command of the district. She's a secretary and gets introduced like she's an administrator. Something's up here...
The Central Office Big Wigs are all at Simmons conducting the investigation into Wilson Morales fighting this kid.
The story seems very consistent from the witnesses. Wilson went to break up a fight he heard was going to happen a few blocks away from Simmons between an alternative school kid and a Simmons kid. When Wilson got there the Simmons kid was not there but the alternative school kid was.
Wilson went to confront the kid and words became very heated between the two. At some point the kid felt he had been spit on by Morales (I am guessing unintentionally because of the heated words) and so the kid spit back on Morales. This set Wilson off.
Wilson took the kid down to the ground in a wrestling move and put the kid into a headlock. Many punches were thrown by both Wilson and the kid. At some point another student became involved when he attempted to pull Wilson off the kid. As the kid and Wilson were getting to their feet, the kid punched him hard in the face giving Wilson the black eye.
People should be asking why it took almost a week before the district has begun officially investigating this incident and what exactly they have been doing during this time period. Mechelle Patterson and the Central Office was made aware of the situation the very first day. Why has it taken so long to look into this?
People have been on this blog and at board meetings etc. warning everyone about the administrators at Simmons for years. It is just one poor decision after another from them. This latest Wilson Morales incident is just the latest and most extreme example in a long line of them.
People have been complaining about the vindictive way these Simmons Administrators treat everybody. About how they treated the special ed boy Vega. About the poor job they do with scheduling and discipline. And about the way mistreat and harrass their staff.
Maybe now, finally, the board has the excuse they need to finally clean the administrative house at Simmons. It is long overdue.
How can Dr. Roberts look into the Wilson Morales incident when Lisa Morales is his secretary and driver? How can he report to the board without bias? There is a great conflict of interest here. Wake up Board of Education!
It will be interesting to see what the results from this "investigation" of Wilson Morales yield.
It's mindblowing that the board would allow Dr.Roberts to run the investigation. How can they not see a conflict of interest here. Wilson Morales' wife is Dr. Roberts personal secretary. Lisa is at his side constantly and some contend she frequently runs the district.
If this isn't a conflict of interest, I don't know what is. It's your right hand investigating your left hand. This whole incident should have an independent outside investigator.
Is there no end to the corruption in this school district?
First time reading blog. this is a hot mess! I just would like more than pink slime to eat for lunch. Sounds contractual to me. How about charging a little more for teachers lunches so that we can have a step above garbage for lunch!!! Poor children. they have to eat those same slime lunches daily. (and please don't go into that's all they have to eat bs. they eat good all week, look at them, I don't see any skinny children. if they have caring parents.) At least we can bring ours from home.
From what I understand this didn't happen on School property so shouldn't this be handled by APD? the district does have some accountability in this since a administrator went out there but if a crime was committed and it wasn't on school property then it is up to APD to investigate.
Central office news is that both lawyers visited today. Lisa was made to sit with the general secretaries that she looks down on. Roberts had Joanie running back and forth and the board president was in. Lisa did not look happy.
You don't have to be at a school to eat pink slim it is in all hamburger even the ones at the store. So we all eat it.
Screw due process, let's just convict the man right now. He's guilty!
It was rumored Marin was not allowed at the Urban League to interview the student by Gillespe. Roberts has now assigned Adams to the investigation I smell a cover up coming. Watch for the student to change his story and Clayton to find witnesses saying it never happened. Everyone knows Marin hates Roberts for firing her and she for the first time in her life would tell the truth. Both district legal beagles came to Central today first time that happened all year. Rumor is the board is investigating but Clayton, Joan and Roberts are covering.
Does the Kane County States Attorney's ever read this blog? He needs to, what a corrupt district! How can these people ever step in a church in their lives. Can Robert's, Glotzsbach, or any Principal at Simmons look at themselves in the mirror, they will answer to the ultimate judge.
He is guilty of leaving school property and confronting a person on the street. When he left the school grounds he wasn't under school protection and didn't someone say the police where involved so they can't cover up the whole thing.
Why are so many of the kids going to the Urban League Alternative School not there during the day?
As for how can they step in a church. Just like most of the politicians do they believe what they are doing is right and as long as the voters keep voting them in these kind of things will happen.
There is an old saying that "a picture says a thousand words". that said, let's all take a step back from accusing Mr. Morales or the student of wrongdoing. There is a video out there that many have seen- yes, these poor students all have iphones. In fact, there are teachers who have seen the video and want copies. Maybe they need a little something to save for a rainy day.
Mr. Morales was wrong in leaving school property while he was working to confront someone.
Does the Kane County States Attorney's ever read this blog?
Why would they? They really can't use anything they heard on this blog. The states attorney has to act on EVIDENCE. Anonymous gossip on a blog not only won't stand up in court, no judge would even let it into court. And if the states' attorney initiated an investigation of someone based on anonymous gossip, he'd get his rear end sued off. How would YOU feel if someone posted something here about you, and all of a sudden you've got cops and states attorneys getting into YOUR life, and you wouldn't be able to face your accuser (as guaranteed in the Constitution)?
9:55 is a perfect example of the morons who read everything on this stupid blog - all of you people who say that the readers of this blog are smart enough to figure out what is true and what is false - YEAH RIGHT.
Why bother they are going to do what they want anybody but Wilson would get fired. The Board President and Dr Roberts took care of it yesterday. The lawyers both needed to come in everyone knows they work for Madam President she picked them. Watch for the kid to be expelled and Wilson to get his job back.
As for the Urban League west tried to change the program and get more Social Workers but they would have cost the Urban League more money so they did not do it. I guess that means Jerome looked out for his landlord.
Central Office news is the Football Coach is making $40,000 for football and he will get the fundraiser position that the Board is approving Monday.
This did not happen on school property so if they do expel him I hope his parents sue. Also the student must of been already suspended since they are at the alternative school. This happened on public property and should be handled by the police not the school. As far as Morales the district could do something to him since he left school grounds to talk to the students.
The least the Urban League could do is let the district know when the students are missing so they can be on the look out for trouble from them.
If Morales gets off after this it would open the district up to several lawsuits. Several teachers in the district have been suspended for things like putting a hand on a child's shoulder. There was even a situation at Johnson Elementary where the principal's secretary was present when a teacher was accused of wrong doing. She told the principal she never saw what the student was accusing the teacher of and he still got suspended. With Wilson they have a police as proof. he he gets off I think every teacher in the district that has been accused of this crap should sue the district. There have been 3 or 4 teachers and staff members at Johnson alone that have been suspended. I think all of them have been accused by the same two boys that are best friends. The principal doesn't seem to see the pattern. Either does the central office
Our district Fine Arts Festival is tomorrow, at East High.
Come and enjoy!
:)
Wilson has the wrong temperment for education. He wants to micro-manage everything and blows his top whenever any adult (or child) has an independent thought. These last two incidents are just extreme examples of what the Simmons staff deals with on a constant basis from the man.
A couple of weeks ago he lost his temper during a firedrill and was screaming at two teachers, in front of many children (Wilson was written up for that one but no suspension). Now this. Fighting an 8th grade student? Off of school grounds?
This man should have a felony on his record after this. If it is dealt with appropriately, Wilson Morales would never teach again in any school district.
If Wilson Morales were a teacher or janitor or most anybody else in this district, he would have been terminated already. The only reason it has taken this long or there is any doubt about him being terminated is because his wife is Jerome Roberts secretary. It is clearly showing the two tiered justice we have in this district.
I'm sure of one thing. If they do not terminate Wilson, the video of him beating up the child will be released to the Chicago area television stations. I'm sure they would all love to run video of an administrator fighting a child. There would be quite a story if the district takes no real action against the man.
Just imagine what they could dig up if the I-Team started to investigate all the wrongdoing in District 131.
Not having seen the video, my question is whether it shows Wilson beating up the kid, or the kid beating up Wilson.
A teacher at Allen and Johnson got disciplined for the same thing this week because of Wilson they are not losing their jobs either. Ordinarily they would but Jerome needs to defend Wilson.
Watch for the kids to be expelled and Wilson to return to work.
Remember Lisa lies all the time for Jerome
Correction not Allen Oak Park
So you are claiming that teachers at Oak Park and Johnson went three blocks off school grounds and got into knock down, drag out fights with students from other buildings?
Wow, what a coincidence!
Did the fight happen after school and off school grounds. How do you know there is a video was a group of kids there? Someone posted the police came did both get taken to the police palace?
This is a police matter since it happened off of school grounds and depending who did the first punch will be how it plays out. If Wilson took the first one the student or his parents if they want can file a complaint. Wilson made a bad judgement call here and does the district really want that? Wonder if that student had a gun what the outcome might have been.
But before any punishment they need all the facts and see if anyone is charged with a crime. Remember if Wilson does not get charged by the police the only crime he has commented is poor judgement which he should be on leave for awhile.
It looks like the board has already made their decision (or the administrators are hoping to blow it by the board).
Looking at the Board Agenda for Monday, they have listed "Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Student Discipline" but nothing listed to discuss any action against an employee.
My guess is they are expelling the kid that Wilson Morales attacked and are going to try and cover it up. By the time it goes through all the legal battles, Wilson will have collected several more years salary and of course Dr. Roberts will be long gone and won't have to answer any questions.
People here ask all the time why education in District 131 is so poor. Here is another shining example of the decision making by the District 131 Central Office and School Board.
It looks like this blog has already found Wilson Morales guilty beyond a reasonable doubt - When was the trial, I must have missed.
7:27 says he's only guilty of poor judgement, which isn't a crime last I heard.
And if there is indeed a video (or even some still pictures, from someone's phone) then that will be irrefutable evidence. It will be interesting to see what actual proof is presented.
Poor judgement from an Administrator can cost this district money if someone wants to prove it. Should the district have someone who keeps making poor judgments on their staff. As someone said some teachers have made poor judgments and been fired or suspended so the same should be with administrators.
The student from what is said has already been suspended and is in the alternative school how can they suspend him again when he isn't in the district. The student from Simmons wasn't there so that student has nothing to do with this. The crime wasn't done on school property so it is up to APD to handle this.
Kaitlyn Sprosty at Cowherd is the soon to be daughter in law of Marin Gonzalez she is the worst teacher ever but Marin's good friend England looked the other way on a review. We can talk about Simmons but Cowherd is just as bad.
To: April 14, 2012 8:09 PM
Don't kid yourself. The district hasn't conducted a trial regarding Wilson Morales either. If indeed there was a trial, those currently investigating the incident would all have to recuse themselves since they all know the accused personally. Many are close friends of Wilson and his wife Lisa.
To be clear, administrators who are friends of Wilson Morales are taking statements from kids.
These same kids have been all over Simmons talking to both teachers and students about how they saw Wilson take this kid to the ground and how both Wilson and the kid were throwing punches at each other. All this happened a few blocks away from Simmons. No administrator asked if there were any pictures or video of the fight.
Anybody who was fair and impartial would have no hesitation in finding Wilson Morales guilty of many offenses. This has been a cover up from beginning to end. The fact that it took the district 5 days to place Wilson on leave and only did so after the Aurora Beacon started asking questions is a clear indication what the administrators have been up to.
The corruption in District 131 is neverending.
I know the Beacon Reporter tried to do her job. Then why has anyone not come forth and given her the pictures. She would respect confidentiality but others need to speak up.
The lawyers where at Central Office Wednesday I assume to investigate. Wilson was in Friday. I know they only gave him a slap on the wrists. Marin also tried to investigate and was taken off the case by Roberts. Gillespe would not let her at the Urban League to interview the kids. The District is paying for those kids and they are still going to the District so Marin and Raquel Wilson need to have access.
I am sure that was arranged by Clayton who worked for the Urban League. He knew if Adams did the interview she would look the other way.
Pictures do not lie so if anyone has them they need to come forth. Otherwise nobody can get to the bottom of this.
The lawyers are not going to look the other way they have their reputations. People need to stop complaining and do something.
What time of day did this happen? It may have been after school, but was it after Wilson's work day ended? Did he leave Simmons during his work day and pick a fight with a kid that was not a Simmons student? If he was supposed to be at Simmons it is very much a district as well as police matter. This is so over the top I don't see how he can be saved. District employees should NEVER ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION WITH A CHILD. If he skates then I say that opens the door for all district employees to use physical force whenever they feel they need to. A precedence will be set. They can use the Wilson Morales defense.
Yes, yes, light the torches. Guilty until proven innocent.
I just want to say thank you to the blog administrator for enabling comment moderation. That way, the lawyers know exactly who to sue.
To: April 14, 2012 8:55 PM
I disagree with you about how good Kaitlyn Sprosty is as a teacher. I have seen many teachers who are far worse than Kaitlyn. She is a good young teacher.
However, if you look at the approved board minutes from March 19th, you will see under the personnel report that Kaitlyn Sprosty is one of the employees who's contract is not being renewed for next year. Her connection to Marin Gonzales got her no favors at Cowherd.
There is no real comparison from Simmons to Cowherd. Cowherd is run much better. Cowherd does not have children who are being beaten up daily. They don't have kids being sexually assaulted. They don't have administrators fighting children. They have been winning many awards both in academics and sports. The administrators at Cowherd are head and shoulders above the ones at Simmons.
I don't know what you are trying to prove by dragging Cowherd down into the mud that Simmons is in but you need to do better that Kaitlyn Sprosty to prove your point.
Simmons Sucks on all levels.
Now that the blog is monitored that means te blog administrator approves of the content. When people are slandered that means Rayanne and her ultra ego approve makes it easy for a lawyer to sue. In fact there is one looking into it. It seems Rayanne after all these years finally will get hers.
Katlyn was a good teacher but knowing Marin these Amy's gets you fired Jerome and her had a falling out. Spang at Waldo missed the entire year but she kept her job
5:58 p.m., I don't see it that way. Yes, Simmons has its problems, but it's interesting that many (if not most) of the highest-achieving students at East High right now were Simmons students. There must be something positive going on besides just coincidence.
I would LOVE to see the stats to back up what you just claimed.
There are no stats to back up what April 15, 2012 7:22 PM stated. He will try to point to a couple of students like the Gerhards but the fact is, the Gerhards succeed in spite of Simmons, not because of it.
This was in todays Beacon:
AURORA — After years of contracting with Richlee Vans for their special education transportation services, East Aurora School District administrators are considering severing that tie.
On Monday, board members of both the East and West Aurora School Districts will hear why administrators made the decision to leave Richlee and accept a higher bid for busing from Durham School Services.
The districts, which contract together for special education transportation, will spend an additional $1.7 million over a two-year period as a result of the proposed switch.
“There is no state law that says we have to take the lowest bid for special education busing,” said East Aurora School District spokesman Clayton Muhammad. “Our decision was based on our experience in the past, and we have to make the decision to go with the company that will be best for students.”
Muhammad described the decision as “putting students first.”
There have been no real problems with Richlee. Why is the district going to spend the extra 1.7 million for the same service?
If the district was really putting students first, they would be using the 1.7 Million dollars on our childrens education.
Somebody connected to the administration or board is going to be profitting from this shady deal.
The Beacon has an article about how we will be changing our special education bus service from RichLee to Durham. For the same service, it will cost an additional 1.7 million dollars over the next two years.
Clayton says in the article that this is "putting students first". Wouldn't it be putting students first if we kept the 1.7 million dollars in the students education?
You know somebody politically connected to the administration or board will be making out in this shady deal.
"There have been no real problems with Richlee."
HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW.
Here we go again, the all powerful blog knows all.
The Beacon article has been updated--evidently there have been a couple of incidents of misconduct by Richlee drivers in the recent past. Durham boasts a 98% retention rate with its customers. Both the West and East school districts are considering making the change to Durham for transporting special ed students.
I know a bus diver from Richlee that drives special ed and it will be a big change for some of the students. He as talked about how it is hard for some students when the regular bus driver isn't there.
I think that all of the bus lines have problems and it is hard getting bus drivers that are good. But as districts complain about money and not having it is this the right time to do this.
Maybe they're switching to the more expensive service because they think it will cost less in the long run, not having to pay legal expenses when the districts get sued by parents.
Lawsuits are expensive. Just ask D131 how much it cost to defend itself against Mr. Green.
This will be a WONDERFUL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY for our special ed students: they'll have the adventure of getting to know a new bus driver!
Just like our talented EHS students had the WONDERFUL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY of having to choose between attending Holy Week church services or participating in the talent show!
Once again, everything the district does is wrong according to this blog. Every choice is a bad choice.
Oh now they have to learn a new bus driver. They will have to make due.
It's no wonder why our state legislators want to cut funding to education. I am in education and this story makes me want to cut 1.7 million from East Aurora. If they can throw money away this way, they are communicating that they certainly don't need it.
I can't believe that in one breath they are begging the community for money for sports and in the next breath, they are just throwing the money away.
West Aurora drives the bus contract and had a student almost raped by another student as well as many fights because they do not provide enough aids with problem students. I have been living this nightmare with my child. They will take student and drop them off at Hope Wall but will also have student from Fox Tech on the same bus these students are very violent. I have complained to East Aurora and they always have to contact West for problems on the bus. I was told West handles the administrative piece. When I called West they would not help. Finally, the guy at West said they are getting rid of Rich Lee. I am happy to see a end to this
It looks like the Beacon is the Beacon confused again I did the math it looks like about $500,000 more over two years not 1.7 million. If that is the price for a warm ride to school then great. I also know they are working on bring more of the kids back to Aurora which should end long trips on the bus.
Oh nooooooooooo, kids had to choose between church and a talent show.
Isn't that one of the signs of the end of the world?
Since most the time it is unruly students causing the problems I think it is the parents that should be made to take responsibility for their children. I don't think any bus driver is going to stop a bus to break up a fight. Then if they did I'm sure someone would complain about it and get them fired or sue. Does this company let the drivers get involved in these things trying to stop fights and stuff.
Hey backseat drivers - IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DO IT BETTER. RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD.
IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING - DO IT YOURSELF.
School board members are COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
That's YOU - Go for it. Make all the "right" decisions.
As long as Johnson is on the board no one running will make a difference its her way or no way. Look at that Lenord they picked he is just a token board member and he attends when he wants too. I wonder if he even knows what a board member is suppose to do.
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