Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Ingredients for success
Wouldn't it be nice if there were an easy fix for all the challenges we face in life (or for that matter, in a school district)--like a magic spice that would make everything in a soup or salad taste delicious, even if some important ingredients were missing or stale? Unfortunately, even the best chef can only create a quality product from quality ingredients. What are some of the necessary "ingredients" for a successful school district and community?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
234 comments:
1 – 200 of 234 Newer› Newest»Putting the blame on teachers when kids do poorly on tests is a lot like blaming a chef for bad food, when he/she is working with rotten vegetables.
Teaching is a profession like many others, in that the results depend on a lot of contributing factors. For example, is it a doctor's fault if a diabetic patient gets worse when the patient keeps overeating or doesn't check their blood sugar as instructed? How about a defense lawyer--are they considered incompetent if they defend a criminal who is found guilty?
Why do some people want to hold teachers responsible when students fail, instead of looking at the whole picture and seeing the many ways that parents, administrators, and the kids themselves are dropping the ball?
Ok lets say our chefs are super criminals, Michelle Patterson is Two Face, Wilson Morales is The Penguin and John Young is Blockhead. How is it possible for teachers to make a soup with chefs such as these? When the soup is bad you don't fire the waitress you fire the chef. Doesn't Donald Trump do it that way? He fires the project managers, the board should take a lesson from him, it would go a long way in regaining the teachers trust.
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/12990434-418/private-alternative-school-eyes-shuttered-dupage-youth-home.html
Interesting
Interesting June 6, 2012. It did say in the article that the State Broad of Education had to sign off on it do they also have to do that on the one our district is doing?
Found this on The State Board of Education website about ALOP's and I believe this is what the district is doing with the Urban League and the students so have they got approval for this. Here is the url about the guidelines.
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/pdfs/ALOPapplication.pdf
As usual, every real estate deal involving School District 131 is controversial and ends up costing the residents of East Aurora millions more than it should cost. Here is an article from todays Beacon.
Charging a tax exempt entity money for a city building is unprecedented. In fact, the city usually subsidizes (gives money to the tax free entity) to help them develop the property.
This deal not only, doesn't follow past practice but also overcharges for the property. The City of Aurora purchased the property several years ago for only $400,000 but is charging the District 131 $3 million dollars in a real estate market that nothing is selling for full value.
Maybe, if the board wasn't spending money irresponsibly, they could afford to pay their employees a fair wage.
It's strange that it takes an alderman for the Indian Prairie side of town to question this corrupt deal.
Aurora alderman questions community center sale
By Stephanie Lulay
AURORA — An Aurora alderman has questioned the sale of city-owned property to the East Aurora School District. The matter was discussed at Committee of the Whole Tuesday night.
The School District plans to buy the Fred Rodgers Community Center from the city for $3 million. The building would be used to house an expansion of the district’s magnet school, which rents space in the facility at 501 College Ave.
Alderman Rick Lawrence, 4th Ward, asked why the city is not donating the property or subsidizing the School District purchase as it has with non-profits. He said he didn’t understand why the city was asking the district to pay for a building that “has no use to us.”
“It seems like a lot of money for that building,” Lawrence said.
But Annette Johnson, East Aurora School Board president, said that is a fair price for the building, calling the deal a “win-win” for School District taxpayers.
“We researched many different options to address overcrowding,” she said. “We’d never be able to build a school for that price.”
In 2010, the city sold a 1.1-acre parking lot next to the Fred Rodgers Center to Chicago-based non-profit One Hope United for $10 for the purpose of building an early childhood learning center. The city also pledged $600,000 in federal block grant funds toward the project.
Lawrence asked how the East Aurora sale was different. He said schools have the largest impact on property values in the city.
“Why wouldn’t $3 million be better spent in the education system?” he asked.
Mayor Tom Weisner said school districts are separate taxing bodies.
“The city isn’t on call to subsidize education,” he said. “One Hope United addressed a community priority long established.”
City Chief of Staff Carie Anne Ergo said the city has to be responsible to all taxpayers who live in the city. She said that the city is served by six school districts.
The sale price was reached through negotiation. The city purchased the 60,000-square-foot building in 1995 for $400,000. Ergo said the city put millions of dollars of upgrades into the facility, but some of the upgrades don’t translate for school use.
East Aurora officials said last week they plan to spend another $7 million to convert the property back to a school from office use. The building is the former Aurora Central Catholic High School.
Jay Augustine, East Aurora schools finance director, said about $900,000 of the purchase price will come from the district’s construction fund. The rest will come from the district’s general education fund.
Under the proposed purchase, the School District would expand the magnet program to 500 third- through eighth-grade students for the 2013-2014 school year. About 150 students are now served by the program.
In addition to the School District, social service agencies also rent offices in the building. Ergo said the district is responsible on making new arrangements for the agencies if needed.
Annette, if it is possible to get this building free why on earth would you pay $3,ooo,ooo,ooo for it? Especially in this devalued real estate market? It sounds like you are all too willing to throw money away-- the only time the board is fastidious with funding is when they are figuring out what to pay teachers. Then the calculators come out. Then the chiseling begins...
Since everyone was not at the meeting it was stated that the city spent over 7 million between rehab of the property and a in kind gift to Aurora Central thus the $400,000 orginal purchase price. The District also had the building appraised. Everyone knows Rick Lawerence.
Also would the tax payers want to build a new school for 18 to 24 million. I think not.
Yes, I remember when the last board president stated the Walmart fiasco was a grEAt deal for the tax payers of East Aurora. Is corruption just that ingrained in Aurora Politics?
I'd like to give some credit to the Blog Administrator for TRYING to start up a positive discussion, and trying to get people to talk about solutions rather than problems. She asked a very specific question, "What are some of the necessary "ingredients" for a successful school district and community?", and so far no one has really addressed the question. It must get frustrating. If I was her, by now I wouldn't even bother writing an actual post since no one really pays attention to it, I'd just say post "Comments starting June 5, 2012".
I remember that deal Aurora Central gained free infrastructure repairs because Mayor Pierce was on the Holy Angles School board. Prehaps the city should have given the building to the school but they did not. The school is overcrowded and our alderman along with the Mayor alums O Connor who was just honored by East Aurora and Irvin who was honored the year before did not stick up for the District. Many studies have been done and this is the cheapest way out
The district plans to use a application it is pReparing for with Race to the top they could receive as much as 8 million. Why not let he facts before you run someone down.
How about when they put something in the paper state all the facts like the one that was in the paper about the other district?
The district was renting the building for $1 a year because the city had no real use for it. Now, despite past practice of giving such a building to a non-profit for free, the board decides it if fair to pay the city $3 million dollars for a building that the city only paid $400,000 for (of course at the same time, the board and administrators will be getting a state of the art new service center for their pleasure.
Why aren't these people sharing a cell with Ryan and Blagojevich?
And the teachers and students are told all the time, there are no funds for you. Does anybody really think that teachers are the reason students don't succeed in District 131 ???
I found it interesting that only the East Aurora School District has jumped into the Race to the Top. Every other school district wants to evaluate how it will be feasible to incorporate into their existing district structure.
East Aurora Leaders apparently don't care. Just show them the money. Of course, none of that money will be available for teacher salaries or any programs for the children. If we need money for them, we will ask to community to donate money again.
Do you believe the teachers have no part in the failures? The rhetoric from teachers , administrators and the board president on this ridiculous blog explains it all. Everybody has been found guilty in participation in this cluster.
Race to the top is for promoting Stem programs for all students not just gifted. Currently the Magnet School is under a Curriculum revamp and will have a Stem Curriculum. Since the District is had the right demographics for this and financially gets the majority of money from the State they are prime candidates.
Why should the District not have a great program for average kids who through this program are becoming excellent . The High School Magnet has six students going to study as Foreign Exchange students this year alone. Our District has for too long had a history of only worrying about the non achieving students. I say finally D131 and good luck with Race to the Top .
The District pays rent at the Magnet about $60,000 per year not $1.00
What I think is ridiculous is that you don't teach in our schools or know our kids or the challenges we face teaching them. The main problem is the language barrier. Most of our kids are in sheltered programs for so long that by the time they are in English only classes there is really not enough time to amass the level of vocabulary that the test demands. This is an institutional structural, curricular change that must be made from the bottom up. Common sense tells us to learn a language, one must be immersed in that language, reading it, speaking it 24/7. We don't do this yet we expect our students to tackle a test that really is miles ahead of their current level of English language proficiency. And then when the same test scores come out year after year everyone acts shocked. And one must also ask why is a single test the measure of how well we are doing with our students,? Why don't we rely on a variety of assessment tools that would give us a broader spectrum and gauge of student achievement. So while it's easy to bash teachers, do a little homework yourself about what, how and with what materials we are given to work with.
Whaat is the magnet school anyways? Is it for the bright kids? or just a sham. does east aurora really have 500!!!! kids that need to be in a magnet program. This must just be another scam and the smart kids get left hanging.
11:18 The point isn't that the teachers have no part, it's that there are other people and factors that have as big or bigger a part -- but it's only the teachers that are being held accountable. That's why we need a completely new paradigm in evaluating the teachers, one that objectively judges them on THEIR performance and eliminates things they can't control. Standardized tests don't do that. Subjective evaluations by administrators who may have an axe to grind w/ that teacher don't do that. I admit I don't have the answer to this question, or any great ideas of how to fairly evaluate the teachers (outside "inspectors" maybe?), but until we have a better way, we need to recognize the flaws in the current methods and decrease our reliance on them. "Test scores are down, so let's fire the teachers" isn't fair and isn't going to fix the problem.
As teachers we are faced with a difficult population. Many of us are doing what we can with what we have. A doctor can dismiss a patient for not following orders. When we have sudents who don't study, don't do homework, and parents who can't spend a few minutes a day discussing these matters, that makes our jobs tough. I understand parents working odd hours. As a kid I often came home to an empty house and was responsible for getting dinner started. But at 4:00 PM every day my mother called from work to ask me about school and my homework. When she came home (no matter the time) she checked to see if my work was completed. It only took 1 time of me not completing my work and having to wake up at 4:00 AM (care of my father) to do it for me to realize they were serious.
Don't bother to post on this blog the blog master edits he comments
9:09 a.m., how right you are! I work at Simmons, and 90% of the students walking in the building in the morning are carrying NOTHING--no books, no homework, no supplies. I doubt that their assignments are turned in online the way many high school classes do, so it's obvious that the kids aren't doing much of anything outside of the classroom/school day. No wonder so many of them are failing--don't their parents check this or care??
Our kids are at the top 1 per-cent of their class and yes they went to simmons and hermes I can't under-stand how kid's walk out of school with no back-pack no work just an I-Phone stuck to their hand it is too bad that the teachers take the brunt of the test scores because it is the PARENTS fault. Yes there are teachers that need to retire but their are far more teachers that really care about the wellfare of the student. I understand that it not about the money but rather how you are treated but your students, parents, and your administrators. I understand that you teachers are not in it for the money rather the passion. If it was for the money you would have ran a long time ago to some-where else for more money.
All the best
9:37 I love your Dad! I'm just so glad we were able to allow my wife to be a stay-at-home mother. (Well, sort of, she was very active w/ PTA, Band Boosters, scouts, and other volunteer work). BUT we made sure the kids did their homework and participated as much as we could. All 3 of our kids were top 10%ers (one was Salutatorian at East, another finished #15). The funny thing we ran into was during the middle school years. What with the physical and emotional changes, etc., our son would do his homework -- then forget to turn it in! When we'd go look in his locker at school, there was a stack of it! The key is the attitude in our house was you're going to work and do your best, and you're all going to college. That's the same attitude my parents had -- and my brother and I were the first in our family to go to college.
There are many Charter Schools at service the same population and have better results. There are also many other School Districts that service the same population and get better results. Yes I do believe it is not the teacher but administrators in this District. I have never worked with such a bunch of self serving people. the teachers need to keep rejecting the contract until the list of working conditions is fixed. Remember the money they are giving will be back paid anyway.
I am a supporter however of the Magnet School it does take the average kids out of classes of kids who are not serious about education. We need to start teaching the kids that want to learn and doing something for them.
Chicago uses this model and it is successful.
Working in he schools I see teachers spending their entire day testing and testing kids who could care less about education. This takes away for real classroom instruction. Ask yourself why is the Magnet School successful it's average kids and parents who care about education. I say whatever it takes to get the school running at least then we can work on the failing kids without feeling guilty that we are leaving the average kids behind.
To: June 8, 2012 4:39 AM
You state "There are also many other School Districts that service the same population and get better results." Please name the school districts that have the same demographics and are getting better results than District 131. I'm sure we could learn how they do it, if they exist.
You also state that you support the Magnet School Model and that Chicago Public uses it successfully. There are differences the way Chicago public uses the model and the way District 131 does. In Chicago, students must show academic excellence to enter the Magnet programs. In District 131, you only need a parent who complains.
As for Chicago Public using the program successfully, even there it is a matter of perspective. If you just look at the Magnet Schools, yes they do better on State Tests. They should. They just put all the students who are achieving academically and concentrated them in one location. Their test scores should look excellent.
The problem is that they left all the neighborhood schools without their academic leaders. Those schools test scores are lower because you removed the students who were testing well. It leaves a big void in all the rest of the schools.
It has been a debate in Chicago for decades.
There's also great debate about charter schools. Research is showing that students in charter schools that are in the same demographic as 131 don't fair any better or worse than public schools. When are we going to realize it's not just the teachers? We have to look at outside factors as well.
10:45
sounds good keep up the good work
From today's Beacon:
Community center sale to East schools ignites Weisner-Lawrence debate
By Stephanie Lulay
AURORA — Mayor Tom Weisner and Alderman Rick Lawrence have engaged in a war of memos over the city’s proposed sale of the Fred Rodgers Community Center to the East Aurora School District.
Aldermen will vote on the proposed sale at City Council Tuesday at City Hall.
The School District plans to buy the center from the city for $3 million. The building would be used to house an expansion of the district’s magnet school, which rents space in the facility at 501 College Ave.
In an e-mail to fellow aldermen Friday morning, Lawrence, 4th Ward, said the council should reject the $3 million sale and instead donate the building to the School District.
Weisner followed with a memo late Friday that said Lawrence is spreading “misinformation and flawed assumptions” about the proposed sale.
Lawrence wrote that the city has no use for the building that “costs (the city) more every year to maintain than it is worth.”
Weisner said the building does have value. East Aurora School Board President Annette Johnson said Monday that an independent appraisal of the building commissioned by the district valued the building at or exceeding $3 million. She said building a new school in the land-locked district would cost $20 million and force the district to tear down houses that are on the city’s tax rolls.
The school district also plans to put $7 million in improvements into the building after the purchase, Johnson said.
Weisner said the former Aurora Central Catholic High School underwent $7 million in upgrades after the city bought the building.
“Those improvements, including an elevator, will benefit District 131,” Weisner wrote.
Lawrence said the city has made deals with other non-profits to acquire city-owned land. In 2010, the city sold a 1.1-acre parking lot next to the Fred Rodgers Center to Chicago-based non-profit One Hope United for $10 for the purpose of building an early childhood learning center. The city also pledged $600,000 in federal block grant funds toward the project.
Weisner said the vacant land donated to One Hope United had relatively little value. He said the city’s donation in that case leveraged $2.3 million in state grants and $3 million in private funding resulting in the new early learning center.
“It is, in fact, open to children from all parts of Aurora,” he said of the One Hope United’s Aurora Early Learning Center.
Weisner said the city is a taxing body separate from the School District and therefore responsible to all residents.
The city includes parts of six school districts.
If the city did make the donation to East Aurora, “would the city then be expected to donate property or city tax dollars to the five other Aurora area school districts?” Weisner asked.
While Johnson said it would be nice to receive the school as a gift, it would be unfair to other school districts who are also facing building woes.
Other city donations “benefitted the entire city of Aurora,” Johnson said. “I do get that the city needs to sell it to us.”
The city plans to sell the building to fund the purchase of the old Waubonsee Community College building on Galena Boulevard in downtown Aurora to create a technical training center, according to city spokesman Kevin Stahr.
Waubonsee Community College spokesman Jeff Noblitt said the college is working closely with the city, but no purchase price has been finalized. Noblitt said there is not an “asking price” for the property. He said the old WCC campus has been shown to other interested parties.
This story is amazing. I don't know what is worse, a mayor that is breaking the city's own past practices to deliberately screw one of it's own school districts or a school board president who sounds as though she is representing the mayor's office in covering up wrongdoing.
Annette Johnson is supposed to be protecting the interests of School District 131. If there is a question, and it appears there is a serious question here about this sale, she should be heading up an investigation to find out why the mayor has conducted this sale in the manner that he has.
I can see it now. The district will pay this inordinate amount of money for a building the city has absolutely no use for when past practice has been to donate such a building and then offer grant help to make the needed upgrades.
Then in the fall, the teachers will be on strike and Annette Johnson will be making public statements about how the school district is broke and has no money to give the teachers the raises they really deserve.
I can only guess Annette Johnson is trying to use her position on the board as a stepping stone to bigger things in Aurora Politics.
Then the school district in Oswego needs a free building too. They been trying to solve their overcrowding. Also I heard West needs a preschool maybe the city can build that as well. Batavia just build a field house lets pay for that as well. Indiam P. also needs a freshman center let's buy them one. Your theory is nutty.
Annette Johnson is up for re-election next year-- Remember this when you go to the polls and vote her out!
Annette Johnson is a great leader
It's not just this building. The city agencies have conducted a deliberate withholding of services to the East Side of Aurora for decades. Have you ever wondered why there are no libraries or park district centers like the Vaughn Center or Prisco Center on the East Side of Aurora. How about business development? The city leaders do all they can for the West Side and Indian Prairie areas but the East Side is treated like the unwanted step child.
Your city leaders tax the East Side residents at the same rate that they tax the other areas of the city but refuse to deliver the same level of services that they do to the other areas of town.
Now, the mayor is deliberatly changing the city's own past practices to screw over the East Side. When will it ever end? When will the East Side simply receive the same level of services that the other areas of town have received forever?
When will our administrators and board members speak up and demand equal treatment for the children and residents of the East Side?
To give the bldg to EA would probably open a can of worms. But in reality, sell it to them for what they could actually get from the real estate market. I have seen numerous bldgs and many homes sitting empty for a long time in Aurora. EA is doing the city a favor offering to take that bldg and use it for it's original intent, a school. But 3 mil!! What happen to the "partnership" between district and city?
Funny how it's not mentioned that t his so called magnet school was never suppose to cost district any additional money nor has it been approved as such. They are spending tax payers money on a non mandated program that has not been approved by the voters. Yes they do reek of dishonesty. Mr Lawrence thank you but if this community dosen't pull together and put it's foot down, then once again the district that cries poor will be wasting not only our tax dollars but also the counties. This is federal tax dollars. The same federal government that is TRILLIONS in debt. And people wonder how it happened. Really?
Here's a link to an article about one of our district's finest, a teacher at Brady Elementary School:
beaconnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/12867681-423/teacher-feature-jennifer-lipscomb-brady-elementary-school-aurora.html
Yes I do agree, the mayor has it in for the EA side. Tore down the drive in so his buddy would give him a CAMPAIN DONATION, oh wait where's the houses where's million dollars we were suppose to get? North Ave and Braodway big empty lot where's the tax revenue? Was a gas station a little taco joint and Builders supply Gone yes they did bring in tax revenue.As for Mayor Weiner ALL FOR ME NONE FOR YOU. I'm closing down a section 8 in my back yard and giving them vouchers for East Aurora. Gotta Love It
The school district is getting a free service center out of this along with a tech center. I believe the District will be turning the old service center into a special ed center. The kids outsourced cost the district over 1.7 million per year. So lets stick to the facts. They also pay about $300,000 in rent which will go away also.
The Magnet School will help with over crowding in all elementary and middle schools. So what is bad about that. BTW---I am not the Board President. Lets talk about the real issues getting teachers better working conditions
'Annette Johnson is a great leader'....BWAHAHAHAHA!
If you really want to show what a great leader you can be, Annette, give the teachers a fair contract with attention to their working conditions.
I believe the article in The Beacon said that they would be paying rent for the Service Center and Tech Center.
I could never get what the assessor states my home is worth in this economy but d131 is willing to pay top dollar for a building no one else is interested in. How about somewhere between free and 3 million. Every time there is a deal involving the City and d131 the district looks incompetent (APD). The old board was blasted by everyone for not getting an appraisal before selling to Walmart and now this board gets one and pays full price. How in the world can the East side alderman who are taxpayers in 131 agree with this sell, just because they probably don't like Lawrence. Schuler, Kifowitt ,Garza, HartBurns. I can hear them now " sorry Alderman Lawrence for attempting to save the district money but we can't accept anything free; our parents are too conservative. If the council did that get the camera ready for el pie in the face.
In any other district this board would get voted out with a couple of exceptions, but most boards would have dealt with administrators who have created a hostile work environment at certain schools. How can this district over look Wilson Morales fighting a student off school grounds and still the board is asleep at the wheel. Do something instead of moving administrators around,or creating new positions for those who are inept (Nester Garcia). How can Aurora tax payers put up with this?
How many more administrative $100,000 + positions has this board created since they took over? and when will this town wake up.
From another blog:
trash_dude
9:27 AM on June 12, 2012
The school district ranks at the bottom for graduation rates and test scores and they want to buy a 3 million dollar 100 year old building and put in 7 million more, is there any wonder that this school district is failing.
onemanblog
11:46 AM on June 12, 2012
Ummm, when you do something for WCC (Waubonsee Community College)it isn't benefiting all the residents of the city either since part of the city is in COD's district.
Wish I knew why the city doesn't seem to like the East district very much.
There are really two main issues with the teachers contract. First is money. The teachers in East Aurora are currently making at least $10,000 to $20,000 less than neighboring districts and now the district is offering only a cost of living increase but are demanding up to 15% more work for it. It shows their complete lack of respect for the value of their teachers.
The other major issue is class size. So many of our classes are well over 30 students. Research has repeatedly shown that class size is the most important factor in education. The smaller the class, the more time teachers have to provide individualized attention to students. Simply put, the smaller the class, the better the education.
Unfortunately, the board and administrators only see dollars and cents. The more kids they shove into a class, the more money they have to throw away on hundred year old buildings and expanding Claytons department.
The Magnet School is for the few and not the many students. As one blogger stated it was not supposed to cost this district any monies. The students have to have someone take them to the Magnet School for whatever class they are in then they go back to the mainstream classes. This is not fair to the students who want to be serious, but parents have to work and therefore they have no ride. The solution to all of this is to use that building for a regular school be it elementary, middle or high school. Also, why cannot the public put their opinion in? Send out a survey and get some answers from the public. The board could make up a panel of community members, board members and teachers. Johnson should not be on this committee or be able to pick any one on this committee. This is the fair and right way to do this.
June 12, 2012 1:23 PM
I am not disputing your information, but have not heard some of it before. Can you clarify your sources?
1. I never heard that the district will get free rent at Waubonsee.
2. Where are they paying $300,000 in rent?
3. What is the cost to rehab the service center to make it into useable classrooms; and where will the money come for remodel and to staff & furnish them?
Did anybody really believe the district when they said they could run a magnet school and it would cost absolutely no money.
If the board and administrators had actually figured out a way to educate children for no cost, they would be in Washington making huge amounts of money and leading the Republicans in screwing teachers all over the country.
****BREAKING NEWS PEOPLE ******
-AURORA APPROVES SALE OF FRED ROGERS CENTER TO EAST AURORA D131-fresh article in the beacon news. Teachers sorry but you can kiss your raise good bye. The city, the school board, and Dr. Roberts have spoken and are now showing what is more important. Remember this day people.
What is the new building going to be called? Let's hope not the Fred Rogers Center. Will it be the East Aurora Magnet Academy?
Why cant you idiots on the blog see that this district needs something for the average students who want a challenge and the gifted students. They need a new school they are certainly overcrowded and I am not supporting another building bond referendum. I think it is a good use of our dollars. Go EAAAAAA
The one thing that isn't being said is this school will only be available to the students that can get there D131 has no bussing. Also a Magnet School is suppose to be for students the excell in subjects. I'm not say that the students that want to learn should be able to without disturbance in the classroom.
As far as being landlocked there is some property on Hill Ave and Montgomery road that maybe the developer might sell since he is not selling any homes and there are rumors he is bankrupt and the land donation D131 was suppose to get didnt' happen.
The Magnet School and teachers raises are figured into the budget don't be spreading lies just to cause trouble
I would not argue about whether the district needs more classroom space/ building. The big WTF question, is why $3 million dollars for a building no one else it trying to obtain. Tho' the city can surely make use of it, why not give it to the district at HUD rates, say maybe one million?
What is the tax value of this property, I would think it has gone down like the other property in the area. Johnson claims to have had this plan in process for years, it does not seem to be well thought out. Just saying.
The city had a value of 7million on it. They also had no attendition of selling it. They sold it because the District asked them and they had a appraisal so I say hats off long over due
The district would not need a Magnet school if the teachers would do their job. The kids that spoke last evening all said they did not get challenged until they went to the Magnet school and all of them stated they would be forced to tutor other low preferring kids in the classroom. They also said the teachers they had at Magnet are great and it is like a family.
The administration and Board sat in the front row and you should have seen the looks on their faces.
From the mouths of babes. I hope that the administrators, board and teachers decide to wipe the slate clean and work on a better system this summer.
Just reporting the facts these are people that have no reason to lie.
Really stupid,
The reason the teachers are great is because they have kids who come to class prepared, excited to be there, and interested in learning. Those kids don't need to be motivated as much from the teacher.
On the contrast - When more than half of the kids don't do anything, show up late, and have parents that don't care, they require a lot of motivation, sometimes so much that no teacher could do it.
You are drawing conclusion from statements that on the surface seem related but if you actually thought about it (which you won't) you would see the many factors that lead to the poor test scores.
It is YOUR Fault the kids fail, you are a part of the community that ignores everything, you let your neighbors neglect their kids, you sit and do nothing except blame everybody else.
I do not think it is a matter of how the teachers are doing their job, but rather how the district supports & encourages the Magnet school as opposed to the others schools. They have been hell bent on proving it has value. If they (Board & Supt.) put as much into the other schools, they would see much better results. Students should not need to be moved to other buildings in order to do their work to their ability.
131 should feel embarrassed that students would recognize and point the finger at how the schools are run as being such a big problem they cannot function and excell in the normal daily atmosphere.
We can thank NCLB for why these students feel that way. They are correct in saying that, but the teachers are only doing what they have been told to do. Gone are the days of autonomy and creativity. Instruction is now prescriptive and formulaic. Differentiation is preached, but the minute we go "off script" and think outside the box, we are subversive and insubordinate.
It seems the teachers on this blog never feel they are at fault. What has the district done for the Magnet school. They don't have their own band or sports team. The middle school has no recess area or computer lab. They are moved in with kids with behavior problems called the AMAP and BAMP program. These kids are 2to 4grades behind and yes bullying does go on at middle school Magnet. Until Ms Rowley was made Principal we did not even have a advanced classes like Fusion or the IMSA partnership.
I choose to drive my child for the Odonnell area to Root everyday. My daughter was forced to do her teachers job until Magnet came along. Yes the classes are chaos at Odonnell to many parents that use the schools as a babysitting service.
Thank You Superintendent Roberts and the Board of Education for finally giving this program some attendition.
BTW we don't have a Library or I PADS either
I am not a teacher in this district or any other.
The teachers at EA have long been unpaid compared to not only other districts but also the administration here in D131. They have always thought about this community and the students and put their needs before their own. D131 has not been as good to them. No supplies, no support, no leadership, no backbone. Bullies running the show, from superintendents, asst superintendents, personnel directors, school board presidents, to name a few.
That said, TEACHERS OF DISTRICT 131 STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE, AND STRIKE HARD.
June 13 9:42
Did you voice your concerns to the principle? To the board? Did you get other parents to voice their opinions? Did you do anything to try and improve the school?
Or did you only concern yourself with your child? What ALL the tax payers of this state and even the country can do for you?
There lives the problem.
That building would not be worth 7 million with the mayor, council,board president and superintendent in it.. The money used to purchase the old Waubonsee building will house a training center for East and West students but This must be socialism for 129 because they are not contributing a dime. Congratulations to east for financing a facility for the west side. Alderman Lawrence was dead on . Seven millio in renovations was not enough for a poverty stricken district. No one questioned where the additional 7mil the city put in the building was for. However, i get it that the district couldnt retract their offer it would be embarrassing.
June 13, 2012 9:22 PM - I have heard similar complaints in other parts of the country about NCLB. As a parent I have seen how restricted teachers are for opportunities to be creative. I am not sure if that is caused by micro managing or the Supt. & Board just not having a clue of what goes on daily in the classroom.
June 13, 2012 9:44 - if you were more informed you may have been told when they initiated the Magnet School the community was told it was not going to cost the district any additional monies. So you cannot have all those things you mention without additional expenses. The school was not intended for 'gifted children' but turned out to be more of a school for those families who did not want their children in public school but could not afford other options.....sort of a tax funded means for segregating.
I am not a teacher but I am a fan of the teachers we have in EA. If your daughter was doing her teachers job-then shame on you!! Our teachers not only have to put up with ill prepared students, but also whiny parents who rather blame the teacher for their childs problems. You admit there are issues at the Magnet with bullying and such, what have you done to remedy that problem. The teachers complain and get no results, there are far more parents in the distict than teachers. Why haven't you joined together and demanded your children get a safe learning environment? Thank your Board and Supt for allowing those problems to continue for as long as the EA schools have been failing.....YEARS!
How about stopping the flow of taxpayer dollars to fund the Urban League and give it to the teachers at East. The UL is a sham organization and no other school district remains there except East.
I totally agree 8:36am. That organization has no measurable results (that are verifiable)showing its performance. It is a total failure and other school districts realize this and have pulled all funding. Why does East always think it knows better than everyone else. If there is any issue that takes out Annette Johnson and some of the other Board members I can say that this will be the one if they apporove funding of this "sham" outfit. It is curious to me that so many people that I speak with are talking about the Urban League and the need for East to get out. Give the money to the teacheers.
The teachers better hope the current board runs again. In the last three years they have given you double what other schools districts are getting in raises. It is the boards of the past that made you the lowest paid. But the Cowherd teachers will all run up to Henry and kiss up everytime they see him. Look at the past the Board can not fix twenty years. When you see Carol Farnums daughter in law or grand daughter in the district ask them why grandma did not want to pay them more. Ask Gloria Salinas why she makes $60,000 per year. Maybe hubby should have worried a little more about teachers.
The teachers at Cowherd kiss up to Mr. Cowherd for two reasons.
First, because he is an old man who has one foot in the grave and the other on a bannana peal.
Second, because he still has connections at Central Office and if you don't kiss his rear, he runs over there and complains. The next thing you know, somebody is getting written up over nothing.
As with everything else in this district, teachers don't make the rules, they just try to do whatever they can to be effective within them.
Theodia is the Mayor's girl friend, Annette Johnson will not go against Weisner and question the performance of the Urban League programs.
Doesn't Jerome live in one of Theodia's homes?
To: June 14, 2012 1:44 PM
WOW, WE'RE GETTING DOUBLE.
Of course, double nothing is still nothing.
Maybe that's why we're getting double the raises as the West Side but still making $20,000 less money than they take home.
Ok, it's not as exciting as you first made it sound.
June 14, 2012 3:28 PM Excellent reply to a ludicrous comment.
There is a lot of back scratcing and stabbing going on and it seems to go every which way.
Ms. Johnson was one of the first people going around the center telling people Dr. Roberts was renting from Theodia. Who cares? She did! She wanted him living in the district, then didn't like who chose as his landlord.
Then she wanted 131 out and away from the Urban League. She bragged about what she could get the Mayor to do for the district. Now they are all one big happy district-money-spending-family!
WOW I always try to look at the silver lining. I have a friend who teaches in Oswego and they had a bunch of gives backs. Teachers at East will actually make more. Now I read they hired a crooked Superintendent who was double dipping
This Monday's School Board meeting should be very interesting. There's a LOT on the agenda:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicAgenda.aspx?ak=1000306&mk=50055123
All staff- teachers, support & office remember to show up to the board meeting Monday night wearing red and black as per Adam's request! We need to keep the pressure on the board that we expect fair wages and working conditions!
The agenda for the board meeting on Monday says they want to approve the position for Assisstant Superintendent for Educational Services. I wonder who they have in mind for that position?
I saw that it looks like Marin's position went away and they are replacing it with something else. What is up with Brooke Young looks like more of the same. I heard Joan K a secretary has been after her. I also heard Beatrices name floating around.
To: June 14, 2012 11:17 PM
When did Adam send out the notice you are referring to? I have only received the notice asking us to attend the June 4th meeting.
It was sent on June 5th should have got it from your building rep. Here it is:
Dear Members,
Yesterday was a GREAT day! We did have a very productive session at negotiations. I took all of your feedback (I heard from over 200 members) and completed a Contract Failure Analysis that was presented to Administration including Doctor Roberts and Annette Johnson. I made it clear to them that we will not be asking membership to vote on another proposed contract during the summer- which will allow us time to continue the dialogue moving forward. Some of the concerns that were brought to me from membership included items that are not subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, however Doc & I formed a sub-committee to begin to address these issues. I have to say that they are listening I see a new beginning ahead for EA.
The turnout at the Board meeting was great and a few times throughout the short meeting our presence was acknowledged. For those that were not able to attend we had a standing room only crowd and I think that the Board was not expecting us. To continue to show our solidarity I am again asking that all members show up again at the next Board meeting on Monday, June 18th at 7:00pm. Please dress in Red & Black to show our commitment to the district that we have dedicated our services to.
If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Enjoy your summer!
Onward,
Adam
We urge the resignation of Annette Johnson, who has made outrageous statements and knowingly chose to stand up for the mayor instead of the children and taxpayers of East Aurora.
Jerome Roberts is consistently wrong on these critical issues and has fallen in line with all of Weisner's schemes, fiascos and debacles.
But, at what point are we going to say "enough is enough" and really hit these issues head-on?
We at OpenlineBlog have been pleading with the community for years to speak up, ask questions, demand accountability, raise expectations and take ACTION instead of watching or waiting for the next fiasco or scheme.
For the community of East Aurora, this CAN be solved, but we ALL need to admit the usual Aurora Way has failed and it's time to CHANGE.
So, how does this actually happen?
Start by getting rid of the leadership that acts irresponsibly or selfishly.
That leadership includes the 10 city council members that voted to EXPLOIT the children and taxpayers of East Aurora.
Stephanie Kifowit, backed by the political mafia of Illinois who ran a sleazy campaign trashing others and is scheme a state rep seat for a district she doesn't even live in so she can make even worse decisions at a state level.
Bob O'Connor...the wild spending, taxpayer exploiting chairman of the finance committee, who has been part of EVERY scheme and every FAILURE by the city that has cost taxpayers millions.
Richard Irvin, so-called east side graduate...when it came time to stand up for education, he sided with the mayor and against our children's future.
The list goes on...why isn't this community and school district successful today? It's because we collectively have allowed it by putting the wrong ingredients in the mix.
Now, let's fix it. Otherwise, we will continue to see the next scheme, fiasco or debacle and this conversation will repeat for years to come.
How about being involved and going to the meetings other than when you need something?
Our presence at the meeting means nothing to the board. We need presence at committee meetings all year long. Decisions are made and issues discussed at committee level. Once an issue reaches the full board for a vote its a done deal. Showing up now is obviously self serving. Instead of assuming where programs and initiatives come from someone should be at curriculum every first Monday. Mr president don't get too cozy that's what Craig's problem was. Please remember the board president does not have our best interest in mind. She has been in deep from the beginning. She is cooperative now because of the no vote. You represent all of us therefore we should stop communicating on this blog.
If the Urban League contract is voted through you can bet Annette Johnson may not be on the Board any longer. Get those kids the services they need and out of the UL. Give that money to the teachers in East Aurora school district not the mayors girlfriend.
Oh, geez. Openline's now coming over here to post his calls for resignations. I guess he figures maybe something will happen over here, since to my knowledge none of his calls for resignations on his own blog (and there have been a lot) have ever been heeded.
Hey Openline--if you're so sure you have the solutions for our district, why don't YOU run for School Board?
It's a whole lot easier to call for other people's defeat or resignation than to actually do something POSITIVE.
But what can we expect from the sleazy folks who REPEATEDLY ran that "Female Narcissist" video, then disabled and/or removed comments? Whenever someone on this blog wants to give an example of how nasty and damaging a blog can be, it's usually Openline that's mentioned--and for good reason!
So the District should not save over a million on the outsourced kids that are placed at the Urban League. I believe that money is going to teachers.
So I guess this blog can do Latz job. Since she took over she brought in a 2.2 million dollar grant and has saved the District over 3 million per year by realigning Special Ed.
She also has the first to provide preschool services to the deaf and blind and other preschoolers in the district with challenging needs. Now they are not stuck on a bus. The same can be said for the Urban League Special needs kids. Now they get sports, music and art.
She will also be doing this when the service center moves. Again more outsourced kids served. I heard that number was 1.5 per year. I suppose that money will go back to the teachers.
I know the negative comments are not by our teachers they get it and the Magnet School and New Special Ed center will bring additional teaching jobs.
Just reporting the facts.
Please read the article in the Beacon entitled-Lets try to be positive
Partnerships save East Aurora more than $1.5 million
What is going on at East High that is backing up traffic?
If the Urban League is such a grEAt dEAl, then why is every other school district pulling out of the program? They all claim they were getting lousy service for their students. East Aurora is the only school district still using the Urban Leagues services.
Here is a fact that can't be disputed; while the other East Aurora Schools attendance rate is up in the 90%s, the Urban League Programs attendance rate is in the 60%s. They can't get the students to even come to school. If it was such a grEAt program, you would think the students using it would want to be there.
I'm sure the program is grEAt for Theodia and Dr. Roberts. As for the students, they're being arrested and shot in the streets. It doesn't sound like it's working to me.
Gave East to Sacred Heart Church for free. Church and State do not mix we have to much to do with Community Christian Church as well. Sure they do some good but they also shake down our families to join. Same with Sacred Heart they have over 5000 people there today who is cleaning up that mess. Only at East Aurora. Main Street Baptist uses East every Sunday as well. Who opens the doors must have to pay maintenance big$$$$ for that.
Clayton and his Community Partners cost big $$$$
West pulled out of the Urban League because Marin's husband is on the Board and they made it a focus. They also expelled over 137 minority students this year at West. One was involved in a shooting on Monomoy recently. Thinks are not so wonderful with our neighbors to the West of us either
How about you all just keep coming up with conclusions without knowing anything.
A number of students expelled means nothing when it stands alone. How many minority students attend West; how many non-minority students were expelled in comparision to the miniorty ones?
And over on the West Side:
beaconnews.suntimes.com/13273186-417/west-extends-rydland-contract-until-2017.html
What a lie the Beacon listed him as the highest paid Superintendent just two weeks ago. Rydland may have a base of $212,000 but his perks are another $100,000. Roberts is no better his base is $197,000 with about $50,000 in perks. Way toooo much give the money to people who work with kids
This is exactly what I was talking about. If this isn't clear favoritism, what the hell is?
It was just last week that the City of Aurora was screwing the East Side of Aurora. They were charging us $3 million for property they weren't using and only paid $360,000 for. They stated at the time that they were a seperate taxing body and couldn't show favoritism for one school district over another.
Look at this article in the Beacon today;
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/13268092-418/city-may-help-west-with-school-parking-lot-costs.html
This week the City of Aurora wants to provide grant money from the city's coffers to the West Side of Aurora to help them with the purchase of private property.
I'm sure they're feeling rich after last weeks $3 million dollar windfall. In essence, the East Side of Aurora is helping the West Side purchase property for the West Side's use.
And don't forget that part of the $3 million dollar purchase of the Fred Rogers deal was that the district would also get another building that will house our fancy new Service Center and a New Tech Center that will be used by all the area districts. Apparently, the East Side School District is going to be expected to supplement funding for all the area school districts.
When will the residents of the East Side wake up and demand better for our children and community?
As much as I was against the price of $3 million being paid for by 131., I have to point out the story link sent about D129 getting money, it states 'ward funds" are being spent. That is a bit different.
The story also points out that the decision is going to the City Council. That's because ward funds still come from the city coffers. It is from the tax money collected from the City of Aurora.
It is still City of Aurora money that is being donated (through a City of Aurora Grant) to the West Aurora School District.
It is an absolute bias being shown by the City Council.
Ward funds come from ALL the taxpayers of Aurora. After we pay our taxes, they divide up part of what we paid among all the wards to create a slush fund the alderman can use essentially however he/she sees fit. Usually it gets used in a way that benefits the alderman's future political prospects. So there's really no difference. Or, if you prefer, then Weisner could ask the east side aldermen to use THEIR ward funds to help D 131.
Each alderman or women get $50,000 to spend in their own ward Juany, Sheketta and Stefanie spend a lot on themselves but they have put it into sidewalks also. The Beacon again continues with yellow journalism because they did not explain this
Well folks there you go. You all need to be talking with your neighbors about Annette Johnson and how she is the one who screwed over her own neighbors. She needs to be voted out. She is a total suck up to a lame mayor who is taking her for a ride. Really, time to get her out!
looks like D129 is heading in the right direction.
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/13283093-417/west-aurora-part-of-pilot-program-focusing-on-career-advancement.html
And another example here:
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/sherman/12967178-418/west-aurora-signs-on-new-leader-of-the-band.html
I love it when Dr. Schueller says, "this is a band community". On the west side, maybe; in this district, not so much.
Don't think he won't Google and read about how our high school band director was treated by administration several years ago.
And how one of the current D129 School Board members' wife was largely responsible.
Welcome to Aurora, Dr. Schueller!
Rayanne Carlson is bitter and angry ever since she resigned the Board she is the only one who thinks Johnson is doing a bad job. The district was flooded with requests on how they can get their kids into Magnet. Rick Lawerance is also upset because East Aurora has better program than West Aurora and it was Annette Johnson who started the Tech Center idea with Weisner not Rydland who does not have a clue about work force development since he does not know what Illinois Manufacture are looking for. There have been many meeting at the City regarding this and Rydland is only trying to steal everyone ideas. What he has talking about is old news.
Annette please quit posting about yourself. You ought to have someone sitting out in the school board meetings to hear what is being said about you. You should also hear what many, many of the people in d131 says about you and am sure you really would not like it. What program is being referred to that Lawerence is upset about?
Why is it poster bring up Rayanne all the time do you think she is the only one that doesn't like how things are here. It isn't Johnsons job to talk about these things with the Mayor it is the superintendents job that is why Rydland talks to him. Johnson seems to want to do Roberts job.
It is not Annette posting about herself I am a taxpayer and resident and part of a large group of people that signed a petition for the Magnet School. I know Annette Johnson I have read posts that Ms Carlson has written on Facebook and am sending my child to another school well paying big dollars for East Aurora. I also voted for Carlson and found her like all the Board members of the past to be a bunch of do nothing. I like Johnson leadership that is why I posted and if people in the audience say something about her they are upset because are held accountable. Also they are mostly administrators or teachers who dont life in the District and could care a less about their opinions. Great things are happening at East and it is because of Annette Johnson
June 21, 2012 10:10 AM Things are not always as they appear. I am not sure what you could be referring to when you say you have read what I posted on Facebook?
Also, I am far from bitter and angry.
Email me sometime, we can chat.
Rayanne Carlson-JCarl419@aol.com
danhites@hotmail.com said...
Sorry Rick, but I will have to side with the Mayor's stated policy concerning helping the East side school district; the city should not subsidize other taxing bodies. It diminishes transparency, creates too many oportunities for backroom deals,takes citizens out of the discussion, and can lead to lesser well-off tax payers subsidizing the more well-off.
This is especially true of Waubonsee Community College. Here we have a taxing authority whose average family income is higher than Auroran's, whose tax base is broader, and whose territory is many times larger than Aurora's being subsidized by Aurorans.
And these "subsidies" can take many forms. The "sale" of WCC's old campus to the city might turn into a major one. My understanding from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement(s)I have FOIA-ed (pls review them and correct any misunderstandings I might have)is that the City of Aurora basically bought the buildings for the old campus and paid for their renovation. And now they want to pay for them a second time?
In the ICA dated 1/22/85, para 2 it states;The city agrees to purchase the Carson Building... (for)$170,000 and further agrees to convey the Carson Building to the Kane County Public Building Commission (PBC)...
Further, para 4 states; The city agrees to purchase the bonds to be sold by the PBC to finance the renovation, rehabilitation, and equipping ... for use as a downtown extension center for the College....
So it seems that the Auroran taxpayers bought and totally outfitted the old WCC Campus. I leave it to readers to further research several questions; 1. if WCC now owns the property what reimbursement did the city get? 2. If city bonds were used to outfit the campus- how much $, who was paying the interest and principle on them (WCC or were they getting free use of the money), are these bonds still oustanding and are they a "lien" on the properties? 3. Will proceeds from the "sale" go to paying off these Bonds?
6/21/12 3:48 PM
Anonymous said...
Good point Dan and research too that is stating the facts . I agree East Aurora should have paid a fair market value for the Building but Waubonsee should donate the Building back it would appear they are purchasing it twice.
I also don't get the attack on Weisner for granting 27,000 to West. Sidewalks traffic safety and streets are for the common good of all residents. But you would have to have your child enrolled in East Aurora schools to receive a benefit of the Magnet School.
Central office news is Dr Warren got the Director job for secondary. She was a shining star in the District until Marin discouraged her and tried to promote her gal pal Wilson. Rumor. She left went on to greater things and is now Marin's boss since Marin will just be a teacher. Certainly a good choice. Funny loads of interviews did not work the last three months and not even a job at Proviso. Too bad for the students who have her but at least Kaisershot and Warren get the last laugh
Dr. Warren a shining star, what world are you living in? Having her leave the district was a blessing. I truly hope that it is not true that she will be the Director of Secondary Programs. All she cares about is her ego and her paycheck, doesn't even like our students. When will D131 learn that in order for our district to improve we need to hire people who care about our students. Over 80% of our students are Latino, we need administrators that understand that and believe in our students. Not administrators who are interested in moving up the ranks!!
Ok Marin
Dr. Warren failed at rolling out the math series. Buildings didn't have enough books until weeks into the school year. Typical admin decision- reward those who have failed with a new title and more money. Prime example of why East Aurora is in trouble.
Ego and money describe Christine. Central office news is the District is in negotications with her but Madam President was toooo busy doing the Superintenents job with the teachers union to deal with it Friday. I am sure she is the next one since secretaries got reassigned Friday to CSC.
As the world turns at d131, I wonder how Madam President will handle Docs insurance being the taxpayers many of whom can't afford insurance themselves are stuck paying for his ex wife's insurance and his step son. According to reports someone questioned the step son and got told Jay is handling it. The Step son s paper work never produced paper work showing Jeromey as legal Guadian and the district paid BIG BUCKS for his short lived football career. BTW teachers who get unhitched always pay Cobra but not Jeromey and Melody. Must be nice. While teachers pick up crumbs and senior citizens without Medicine Jeroomey ex family is taken care of
Today is the first day of our awesome District Band Camp!
For more than 30 years, our instrumental musicians from all over the district (incoming 6th graders through EHS alums) have spent the last week of June sharpening their marching & playing skills while enjoying fellowship and fun at a beautiful retreat center. Then they march in the Aurora 4th of July parade. All of our district's band directors (elementary through high school) participate in helping make this event a success for our students.
Truly a POSITIVE for our kids and district!
On your comment about the Band camp....I second that emotion! :)
June 24, 1:16 pm
What do you mean "I am sure she is the next one since secretaries got reassigned Friday to CSC."
Just saw this on the district website, posted this morning by Clayton Muhammad:
"Board Bits is a new informational initiative designed to keep everyone informed as to what is happening with the Board of Education and throughout the district. The Board of Education has meetings on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month. We understand that everyone cannot always attend the meetings, so we will issue Board Bits to provide a brief synopsis of each meeting"
This is not a "new informational initiative", but rather a return to the policy of years ago when instead of putting the entire approved minutes online only a summary (called "Board Bits" was provided. Supposedly our School Board was moving toward greater transparency by doing away with "Board Bits" and making the ENTIRE agenda and approved minutes packets available to the public online--is the administration now taking a step backwards? Or are the "Board Bits" in ADDITION to publishing the entire approved minutes? (If so, that would seem to make the Board Bits redundant and/or unnecessary!)
Also, the June 18th "Board Bits" make reference several times to "See Boardbook on d131.org". I went to the Boardbook section of the website, and found no additional information. Looks like someone's dropping the ball here--NOT what our tax dollars are paying for!
If they really wanted to keep the community members informed they would video tape the meetings so they can see the whole meeting instead of what they want you too read. The Board is suppose to approve the minutes before posting them so why do it this way before they post the approved minutes.
Maybe you can't use a computer because I went to he Board Book and pulled all the information up. They always have a two week lag on the minutes. I thing they are being very transparent let it to this blog to be negative.
No board minutes are posted on the district site from the last meeting. If the previous meeting's notes are approved that night, why wouldn't they be up the next day?
I think the Board Bits are fine who would ever read the minutes. Did anyone receive a Enlighter what a bunch of BS no real information on the school or scores. I would have liked to see the new test scores
Actually, a lot of us do read the minutes. More information is preferable to less information, especially when it comes to how our money is spent or how people are treated by administration. And public comments are printed pretty much verbatim in the approved minutes, but only summarized (if mentioned at all) in the Board Bits.
Unless the approved minutes will continue to be published online in full as well as the "Board Bits" (both, instead of either/or), this is a BIG step backwards for transparency and accountability in our district--especially considering that most of our neighboring districts have joined the 21st century in videotaping their School Board meetings.
If you read the Beacon today, you would have seen that the City Council voted to approve giving the West Aurora School District a grant for $29,300. This is the same City Council that last month stated that giving anything to East Aurora couldn't be done because then all the school districts would want the same for their school districts.
Not only did they give West Aurora a grant but it appears that there may have been a conflict of interest as Richard Irvin (The same one running for mayor in the last election) represented one of the sellers of the properties sold to West Aurora.
Only in Aurora Illinois. If this was happening in Chicago, the Feds would have our elected officials locked up by now.
When exactly was the East Aurora School District voted deprived step child while West Aurora is the city's favorite one? It really is time for East Aurora Residents to demand equal treatment from our city leadership.
I read that they are providing more information nobody said they are not providing minutes anyways it against the law. IIf your so concerned email the Board
Are they really transparent? Have you ever looked at the CardMember statements and seen how the administration spends money on those cards you might be surprised.
The minutes should provide all the information you need the district needs to make the community know about the BoardBook so they can see the same information. Again if they want to get the information out there sooner video tape the meetings then the community can see how a board works.
Who is the new Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services? I saw that it was posted for internal candidates only.
Central Office news is that Roberts Step Son who is still on the District policy after his Divorce will remain on. At least Roberts is consistent with poor education since the kid is 22 with no job and no College Degree. See Jerome only needs to show the insurance that he is responsible for his educational, health and well being descisions. Read it and weep all of you families in d131 without insurance and staff who suffers with paying for lousy insurance Brandon Geiss cost over $100,000 last year with his short lived career. We paid for him in higher premiums staff members because the District is self insured. Not only do we pay him over $250,000 a year but we pay for his step children also. Don't let the District fool you insurance costs big money because the Board hired the loser Roberts.
Everyone moved last week to CSC. I heard Warren is starting tomorrow and Childres got the job. Warren had many run ins the Rumor is she is there fire Conrad and Patterson. Her relationship is not good at Central Office. Rumor is it was a shock to many at Central Office Roberts did not tell anyone. He also put Augustine in charge and Aird was in tears. All the key players have moved out of Central Office.
Its Beatrice Reyes she made some positive changes to Bilingual and got rewarded. She actually is the only one to should be promoted. Warren will be a big mistake but she was picked by Adams who seems to be in charge of the District.
Dependent children are allowed to remain on company paid insurance until the age of 26. New law a couple years ago. Roberts is just taking advantage of what many of us have, who have children who are out of college without gainful employment & insurance. This is not unique to Roberts, as much credit as you may like to give him for "getting over" on the district. This is for all children on their parents insurance, up until they turn 26. Natural born or step, if they qualify as dependents.
Jeromes Step Son has a father but it was all to easy for them to put it on the back of the District since Jerome had a better job. Just another example of his pulling a fast one. But he has been doing that for years.
He is not his child, he is his former step child. No blood or familial relationship. Most businesses would not allow an ex to remain on an insurance policy, much less said ex's child.
True my sister is getting a divorce and has two children. She is getting Cobra for 18 months and her children who are her biological children with her husband must be covered by her husband because he is their biological father
I remember back when Roberts went to the residents and told them we need to pass a referendum because of health insurance costs. He stated we had a older work force and the District was paying for it. Now comes to find out we are paying for his step son. Yes it is allowed but you would think he would be scamming
us
It's shows his character but everyone knows as long as Johnson is there Roberts will get away with murder and he other Board members will say nothing. If the Board would not pay 100% of the administrators insurance maybe it would be different
Anyone who gets a divorce, there are agreements thru a court/lawyer that are made as to who will pay what bills and what assets each gets. If Roberts agreed to pay-ins. child support, alimony, then he would have a court document showing he is responsible for those things. These things are agreed by the parties involved.
Unlike his contract where he says "I want" the Board says "no problem" and then both join forces and tell teachers "you don't need and we can't afford"
Dr. Roberts' ex-wife is a yoga instructor, so odds are her benefits weren't nearly as good as his. No surprise if they negotiated Brandon's coverage to be through D131. Brandon graduated from Joliet Catholic Academy in 2008, so he'd be about 22 now. Under current law, he can be under parent/stepparent's coverage until age 26. I don't fault Dr. Roberts for doing the best he could for his stepson; those who object should blame the law, not those who take advantage of it.
This board did nothing when Wilson Morales beat a child three blocks away from Simmons while on duty. Because of his wife's connection to Roberts, he is part of the "Priveledged Crowd" in District 131. Does anybody really think the board is going to do anything regarding Roberts Ex-Stepson?
If you are part of the "Priveledged Crowd" you get everything in District 131, everyone else, watch out.
Brandon had a father you are missing the point Jerome is not his Biological father, yes the law is at fault but if he had any ethics he would not be footing the bill his father would. Shows Roberts could not educate him just like he cant educate the children of d131.
This is the same Jerome Roberts who rents from Theodia Gillespe who allowed a child to get shot and killed. The district did no investigation as they did not investigation as to why the Urban League allowed another student to assault kids. Do you really think he pays rent.
Ever FOIA his credit card the District pays his lunch and dinner bill as well.
He is stealing the District blind but no deed goes unpunished maybe that is why he is going blind
Let us not forget Roberts hired Lauren Spang as a Literacy Coach at Waldo with no experience. For those of you not aware of this position they never work with kids. They get paid multiple stipends and her Salary is running the District about $66,000. These positions are usually given to someone who has worked in the District or had a Secondary Degree. Lauren has none while a regular teacher with her experience makes about $43,000. She also has a unemployed husband and took every sick day she could.
Lauren is the Sister in Law to the other step son. Scamming runs in the family.
So what is everyone going to do to fix all of these problems?
I know the Board President reads this along with the Secretary and the teachers should know about this as well.
Speaking as an employee of another school district, I think there should be a law that requires ALL employees of the district (or even private companies for that matter!) get the same insurance coverage. If the employees have to pay a premium for their insurance coverage, so should the administrators. Everyone - teachers, secretaries, custodians, groundskeepers, and administrators should be paying the same percentage of the insurance premiums.
I heard the administrators are paying insurance this year but the Superintendent is now the only person in the District because of his contract that does not. I also know the Central Office admins have turned against Roberts because he let Marin take the blame and they can see there own futures in that. Let's face it he guy is a loser and a scam artist. Marin office was cleaned out today along with Raquel's. Many of us low level worker bees just sit back and watch the world turn but Central Office is so empty you can hear the mice play.
I know someone who has FOIA the credit card statements and no they don't pay for his lunch and dinners. Lattz although likes to eat out alot and has retreats at Country Clubs saying they are retreats. One administrator paid her personal phone bill with the district credit card and one went to a day spa. There are some that take a spouse with them on trips and according to The States Attorney even if they have a single room the spouse has to pay part of the bill. The administration likes to have them pay for a working lunch even when it is only one person. It is the law the board is suppose to have a policy about how to use credit cards and they are suppose to have someone look over the their charges and see if they follow the law and I don't see anything in the polices about that.
I think people are forgetting that the US is a capitalistic country. Didn't we fight the British to stop taxation remember the Tea Party. It is not the government's job to tell a company if or how they pay employees insurance and with Obama Care you will get fair share.
Here is the URL of the Administration Code that talks about using credit cards.
http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/100ARK.pdf
It's under section 100.7
From D131 Facebook this morning:
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Fourth of July Parade! East Aurora was well-represented with students, parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, alumni, volunteers, and EA supporters! .... We were the only school district with a band and a float in the parade! #EastsidePride
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMEN! I was SO proud when our Band Camp kids marched by--they looked & sounded grEAt!!
Isn't it amazing how the band always sounds grEAt when it's just the people on this blog listening. Yet whenever there are professional educated listeners like at solo and ensemble contest, we never get a grEAt review.
It always reminds me of the movie, "The Music Man". The parents in the movie thought their kids sounded grEAt also.
District 300 has the policy about credit cards which from the way it reads was supposed to be posted on website by 2011.
http://policy.microscribepub.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=402196850&depth=2&infobase=carpentersville_300.nfo&record={3A3}&softpage=PL_frame
9:40 a.m., there's a big difference between the band camp kids marching & playing, and a solo/ensemble contest!
I'm a professionally trained musician, and I was definitely impressed with the way more than 150 of our district's band students looked and sounded at yesterday's parade. In just one week's time they were able to rehearse together and prepare music to perform for a concert and parade. Our district is the only one in this area that has this wonderful experience for young musicians. And it is especially nice to see all ages work together, as well as all our band directors cooperate to make it a success for our kids.
As far as the solo/ensemble contest is concerned, that was only a handful of kids involved. You can say that they should have been coached better, or should have practiced more--but the bottom line is, they weren't representing the whole district the way the band camp kids were. So it's not a fair apples-to-apples comparison.
D131 = Bottom 5% (test scores) in the entire State of Illinois What is the district doing to change this?
Word has it the Board is doing a audit of all the bills starting with the maintenance department. It seems some supervisors are really worried.
The new rule is you have to have a supervisor sign off when you are going for supplies outside the building. When asked why Scott Swaggert replied "that bitch found out we went over 1000 times to Menards and other spots.
HA HA Scott we lost are overtime and had to give back but some Maintenance supervisors may end up going to jail once the bills are audited. Sad thing is this has gone on for years is the board going to fire Auguston and Nestor.
Does everybody now see why these guys have big houses, cars, boats and kids going to Notra Dame.
BTW we also complained when they tryed to hire Jesse for Nestors job. Way to go board. Sounds like you should check on the credit
If there is any illegal activity with the bills, it's at the top not the bottom. The "Supervisors" in the maintenance department, like Scott and Nestor, question every penny that the building maintenance guys spend. I mean to the point of "Why did you need those screws" and "Next time get permission before you buy a screw".
Going to the hardware store a thousand times in a year sounds like a lot on the surface but when you really think about it, it's not that much. There are about 250 days a year that the maintenance department works a year. So we take that thousand and devide by 250. that means they are going about 4 times a day. Now you divide 4 by the number of buildings we have. I count at least 20.
4 divided by 20 leaves us with 0.2 or looking at it another way (Each buildings maintenance department visits the hardware store, on average, 1 time a week).
That's not too bad. I, as a home owner visit hardware stores much more often than that. There's always something breaking down in a building.
If the board wants to save a lot of time, they could easily narrow their search. You are not looking for items bought by the building maintenance guys and approved by the supervisors. You are looking for items purchased by the supervisors, themselves. You know, the guys who don't do any of the work themselves and have no call to purchase any items directly.
Also look at each invoice and search the delivery address. Start with investigating any shipment delivered to one of these supervisors or administrators houses.
There are many more that have misused district money and that is with the credit cards also so to pick on one area is wrong. With that being said you need to go back when Wells was on the Board in her last term when the district let her go to the conference in Chicago in November when she wasn't running for reelection. Wells got a two night stay at a nice Hotel and they did give her a farewell dinner for her and some of the administration that cost the district 1,200.00. Just in case they forget buying adult drinks is against the IL School Code.
They all deserve to be fired Scott Swaggert and Nestor first. As far as the screws and supplies the buy and inventory items from Fastenal and many other suppliers. As a Maintenance Person who just took a 20% paycut while Nestor got a raise I hope the Board fries them.
As far as the credit cards someone should check out Michelle Patterson's and find out where all those I Phones and I Pads go.
Good for the Board I bet Madam Presz does not run her business that way.
The Board is is just as tainted as the others. They need to look at all the money that is being spent and they misuse the money also. If they where paying attention of how all their employees where using the money this won't happen.
Why are the maintenance workers going to the stores they should summit a order to there lead person for that stuff that is why money gets misused and by the way Nestor paid for a mised toll with his credit card.
Don't tell me Scott watches very screw the reason his favorites are allowed to go to Menards, Hoe Depot, Grainger, Graybar, Meyers,Cresent is that they combine it with lunch and never work. Then they get the high salaries and overtime. Now we have to give back so we don't lose our jobs. When the Board gets done they will save big $$$$.
As far s the board tainted I don't see that this has been going on for years and we have told many board members. These are the first people that listened. You can fire someone for misuse of money lets see hw long Scott, Nestor, Jesse,and Roger last.
Meanwhile, in our neighboring district (Oswego):
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120617/OPINION01/306170027
Wow--looks like Oswego's getting a real "prize". Makes our superintendent look like a prince in comparison!
A prince indeed, he is getting a paycheck and perks while he works which will pay him similarly, when he no longer works for 131. Thank the educated school board accountant for guaranteeing those contractual $$. Isn't she the smart one....NOT!
I live in d129 and teach in d131 and I have to say all of the Superintendents are a prize.
Bavavia highest paid in Illinois at $320,000 per year based on the students.
D129 just got a big raise putting him over $300,000 because they are to dishonest to release his entire package. Every year they have a unbalanced budget and take money from reserves they have eaten up all the referendum money and it is not going to the children.
D131 you never see him and I have to say it is very bad when he finds a loop hole and puts his former family on the policy. Then he allows his administrators to abuse the credit cards and we don't have copy paper at the end of the year.
Yes I was surprised at my childs school supply list. Though we would never begrudge the teachers anything they need to keep the classroom well supplied.
A ream of copy paper is on the list. Maybe we should go back to the old purple mimeo copies that were sent home frequently years ago, which supposedly were too expensive and outdated.
Also on the list- cleaning wipes, baby wipes, composition books, index cards, highlighters, plastic bags. To bad our classrooms cannot get even the most basic of needed materials.
Dr Roberts is the lowest paid Superintenent not sure why he will get benefits when he retires all Superintentents get the same. Plus the District saw another Big jump in test scores again for the last three years under he current board.
If the test scores are up why are we in the bottom 5% graduating?
To July 2, 2012 8:33 PM
Literacy coaches I know of here work with kids every day, at least part of the day. They have stipends because they have to work 100 extra hours during the year and 10 days before/after school is out.
Most of the supplies you mentioned are on every schools list it's just that d131 the parents all want a hand out
Here is a link to the 2012-13 school supply lists for District 204 schools:
ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/SchoolSupplyLists
I see no mention of copy paper on any of these lists.
Again you must be here to provide negative false information the real story is this
D204 requires elementary to have tissue, construction paper, wipes, ziploc bags and many many other things including rental of computers, headphones etc. The Student activity fees are well over $700 dollars. There are sport camp fees, big driver ed fees and no donations get real.
Brandon Geiss has insurance
Roberts isn't the lowest paid Superintendent here is a url where you can see that he isn't.
http://www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php
I checked your link,and indeed Roberts is in the top 100 in the state! For leading the district into the bottom 5%? Well, actually that would be the board heading up that fiasco. Great job madam prez.
Scores are up over 10% across the district no more bottom 5% for East Aurora looks like Roberts is worth every penny and way to go madam prez back at you 3:27pm
Ryland has 12,000 students Batavia 7000 and they are making over $300,000 Roberts may be in the top 100 but school population wise only 11 districts are bigger than East Aurora money and student population go together
If money and number of students go together, then East Aurora Teachers should be making more money than West Aurora Teachers. We have many more students in our classes.
In fact, on the West Side, they have a 28 student limit on class size. If the administration puts more than 28 students in a class, the district must pay the teacher an additional stipend for the teachers extra time and effort.
It's time the East Aurora community wakes and pays their teachers top salary also. Not just the superintendent.
This years graduating class was in the bottom 5% of the State for graduates.
You know the president of the board is only part of the board and the whole board must vote on everything to it is just not the president that solves the problem. The Superintendent has control of what is taught. IT looks like this district has a control freak that steps outside her role and needs alot of attention.
Funny how the scores have gone up 3 years in a row under the current board but the blog master and her cronies. Saw zero growth.
Scores may have gone up a tiny bit, but graduation rate is down considerably. You can twist statistics any way you want as long as you only mention the ones that support YOUR opinion, 6:14 a.m.!
You really think it is because the board has anything to do with the test scores going up? What have they done for that?
Before we go making accusations, Anonymous that posted comments about the B&G department supervisors, maybe you should check your facts first! I have known Scott Sweigart for a lot of years and never has he been unfair to the D131 maintenance employees or has he ever done anything unethical. Ask around, I’m sure you’ll be told the same thing. Accusations that those supervisors are having things delivered to their houses, you better have proof of things like that before you start spreading those kinds of rumors. I know that none of the supervisors in that building are guilty of that. Maybe the people that get over-time, get it for the reason that they do their job and do it well. How many Smart Boards were installed last year that had to be done after school hours….I’d say that is a reason for over-time. Calculate how much it would cost to pay a plumber or an electritian to come in and fix a fountain or one of the things that the maintenance guys does. Your bill would be three times the amount those guys get paid. Your comment “This is why they have big houses, nice cars, boats and kids going to Notre Dame…” That really doesn’t seem like anything that is any of your business. First of all, who do you refer to when you say this? I do believe that Nestor’s kids are too young for college, Roger doesn’t have kids, Jesse’s go to Aurora U, Rich’s are all grown and Scott’s kids went to Waubonsee….Not only that, but where anyone’s kids go to college, has nothing to do with their work ethic or income. Mind your own! Nice cars….I think that Scott drives an old pick-up truck and Nestor drives a mini-van. Seems like you don’t really know what you’re talking about. That department has done the best that they can and some of those supervisors work their butt off for the district!! I would like to see you try to do one of their jobs and how well you do it! Next time you have something to say about someone, make sure that you know what you’re talking about!!!!
Test scores going up have 3 reasons behind them: 1. Students 2. Teachers and 3. Parents. In that equation the board can use this success to justify a sensible and equitable raise for the teachers. They deserve it now is the time to prove to them that the board realizes their contributions and commitment to student success and make their compensation comparable to other districts just like the administrators.
I agree 10:26am. Teachers should be saluted for their work. They are the reason for the test scores to be higher and they are one of the most important ingreediants to a successful school dist! Great job teachers!!
Right on with providing credit to the teachers for test scores. Their hard work needs to be recognied and rewarded. This board says over and over they respect teachers now give them what they deserve. From a concerned parent.
July 11, 2012 10:26 AM - I agree, also.
It seems some folks are quick to take credit when there is something to brag about yet point the finger all around when something goes wrong.
Grades are up- the school board did a great job.
Poor performance in school-blame the teachers and parents.
I am all for teachers getting a fair wage increase!
I hear through the grapevine that they killed off the adult ed program that was funded from state and federal grants. Whats anyone know about this?
Bottom 5% in the entire State of Illinois. WOW!!!!! and employees of the district have the nerve to ask for raises. WOW!!!!
The teachers, admin's, superintendent and Board deserve credit. Stop running them all down the district is moving forward. I do not like the name calling that goes on with this crazy blog. If you worked here or was on the Board four years ago then you did not deserve credit. Now you do. Hats off to the entire team.
Here's a not so random prediction... The new B&G Director (Nestor Garcias replacement) will be Marty Feltes, a local Plumming contractor who does work for D131, and is said to "have influence" with the Board... Let's all watch and see what happens... take note that at the time of this post, no interveiws have occured for this position.
Raquel Wilson screwed up a grant that is why Adult Ed is gone. Waubonsee has a grant and will be taking the students. They had the grant since 1978 and it took Raquel only 1 year to screw everything up. Also, with Raquel out of the High School the score went up.
It seems someone in the maintenance department is upset that the Board is looking into things. Scott, Roger,Jesse got big raises and protected their boys. Some of us gunts who really work instead of sleeping behind closed doors reported stealing. Now everyone is running for cover. Clothes, tools, lawn furniture, a grill, snacks and cleaning supplies are just some of the things on the Menards bill. Prediction you will all be fired. BTW Jessie that promotion you thought you had for business as usual we stopped you by talking with Cervantes.
Post a Comment