East Aurora High School will be hosting commencement for the graduating Class of 2013 on Friday May 24. Weather permitting the ceremony will be held on the football field at 7:00pm. In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be held inside the gymnasium. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on District 131’s website (http://www.d131.org) and archived for future viewing opportunities.
Congratulations, Class of 2013--and best wishes for the future!
Recordings of recent performances by the EAHS bands are also online, on the band's website (under "Concert Recordings"). Listen to the mp3 of The Klaxon, as supposedly performed/recorded May 4th by the East High Wind Ensemble and Alumni Band:
I listened to the recordings too. They sound as if they both played the same notes and dynamics. There is no way that the EAHS band could have played it the same way unless someone wrote all that stuff down, and what is the likely hood of that happening? *sarcasm*
1) The beginning tempos are different.
2) The "splat" you refer to... I believe that is an entrance of additional horns. French horn perhaps? Have you heard high school students play the French horn. A little splat is likely.
3) There is no possible way of pulling a sound file (of lesser quality mind you) off of YouTube, and making it into a cleaner sound file.
4) Did you ever, in your pea-sized brain of yours, consider asking someone about something before you start blabbering? I'm sure that there are things you could find wrong with the program. There always are - with every program. But when you go looking for small stuff, which is obviously wrong, you make your position look weak and your mind, feeble.
If you had gone to the concert - and supported the band program which you obviously care so much about, then you would know how they sounded, and wouldn't have to waste so much time scouring YouTube for similar recordings.
Sounds to me like 2 bands playing the same song and arrangement. To say it was the same recording, and to make a potentially slanderous claim of fraud, I'd have to be able to compare the sound file properties, check the digital signatures, and do a heck of a lot more thorough analysis than I can -- or than you can, 9:12. I'm not denying, distracting, or yada yada yadaing. I'm asking for proof of your claim that it's the same recording -- otherwise the fraud here is YOU.
Another indication that it's a bogus recording is the fact that the acoustics sound TOTALLY different on "The Klaxon" than on the rest of the concert recordings posted. The bass drum and the echo sound like a different concert hall.
8:33 p.m., yes I have heard high school students play the French horn. I do realize that they miss ("splat") notes occasionally. I'm not complaining about that. But listening to both recordings, I hear the SAME missed notes on BOTH recordings. Specifically, at the following times:
1:01 1:28 2:40
Also, there's a split trumpet note at :27 and a skipped woodwind note at :51--on BOTH recordings.
The recordings do sound very similar, however what is more striking to me than the similarities in the two recordings, are the differences between that recording and all the other East High Band recordings.
When you listen to the other East High Band recordings, There are always the same immature mistakes being made. Poor tone production and horrible intonation (most of which is caused by poor posture and terible embouchures). They also have poor tempo control and very little musicality.
When you listen to the recording of the Klaxon March, it's a night and day difference. All those issues that the band normally has just seemed to have disappeared. It is obvious to me that the recording of the Klaxon March is not being played by the East High Band.
Those little imperfections 10:14 mentioned are as unique as a fingerprint--convincing evidence that the two recordings are indeed the same.
This is especially troubling to me because I've been speaking out against the new bell schedule, partly because I wanted my daughter to be able to continue in band at East High. But I'm not so sure I want her to be part of a group where image is more important than honesty.
I just listened to the one that is posted by the band website and there is no applause at the end and it goes 3.11 minutes -- the one on u tube only goes 3.00 -- wonder where you got the one that you posted. http://www.d131music.org/uploads/1/5/6/3/15638230/wind_ensemble_-_the_klaxon.mp3 - note "wind ensemble" in the website - not on your website. Now who is the liar???
8:28, that's because somebody just posted that on the band website this morning, and replaced the one that was identical to the Newport, Oregon YouTube recording.
Evidently they gave up on trying to defend posting someone else's performance, realized they were busted, and decided to put up the real recording. Yes, it is VERY different from the YouTube of the Newport band, including two spots where there are three fermatas not written in the score.
Probably will improve because of the new bell schedule, with kids spending more time in class on core subjects.
I'm one who defended the old schedule, partly because my kids were in band and I thought they learned a lot about things not taught in math or science class, things like teamwork and getting along with others and working toward a larger goal. But now it looks like the band kids are learning that it's OK to misrepresent a performance as having been yours when it was someone else's work.
Maybe you should all have your brain cells contacted- what little all of you have left of them-- it is a very sad state of affairs that grownups would spend this amount of time on minutae--did you once play in a band 30 years ago in high school? Did you try out and never make it? Sounds suspiciously like the rantings of a screwed-up. bitter wannabe- get a life-- puleeze.
Wow someone has no life and obviously is trying to stir up an issue where there isnt one about this whole band thing. If you will notice the file was in the upload folder where there a number of files for the the students to listen to for reference. Notice this wasnt on the facebook page or listed on the front page for the fine arts. This would be like an english teacher making students read a book and then someone saying. Well it was in the library so the librarian must be claiming they wrote it. I am truly ashamed at people who ignore the real issues that face our children and instead try to make a huge stink about nothing. Get a life or at least think before you spout out a load of crap!
7:47 a.m., it was in the "Concert Recordings" section along with all the other (legitimate) recordings.
And 6:47 a.m., I dare you to give one specific example of anything that Mr. Kaisershot "stold" (I presume you mean "stole", although I can tell you he has indeed "SOLD" quite a few of his published pieces!)
Uh... someone let me know when the band talk is over...boring...the blog always has lulls where there is nothing but band talk...here, let me help, Johnson! Roberts! Garcia!
11:53 a.m., just look up "Kevin Kaisershot" in your favorite search engine to generate +20,000 hits from sites like Kendor Music and Eighth Note Press. Far from being "garage sales", these are publishing companies well known in the instrumental music (band and orchestra) world.
That video you posted is LYING. It CLAIMS that that is Simmons Middle School Band playing when in fact is ALL THREE MIDDLE SCHOOLS plus kids from the Magnet academy playing.
I bet Mr. Koch and Mr. Holhut would not appreciate their hard work going unnoticed.
Mr. Liska NEVER Posted somebody else's recording and claimed it was his own either. NEVER HAPPENED It NEVER HAPPENED YOU ARE A LIAR AND FULL OF CRAP.
A band director who writes music for his band is no different than a teacher who writes lesson plans for their class. The only difference is that writing music takes specific skills and creativity. Kaisershot must know everything about his students playing abilities to even begin this task. You should be thanking Kaisershot if he is writing music for the district bands.
And, if you are asserting that the Simmons band is the worst in the district, it only shows that you don't have a clue what you are talking about.
8:37 p.m., the video was posted by a family who has students at Simmons. "Simmons School Band playing at the East Aurora High School Fine Arts Festival 2013" is indeed correct; it is true that Simmons school band is playing. Waldo & Cowherd bands are also participating but not mentioned.
It's like saying you have a 10 dollar bill in your wallet when you also have two fives, a credit card, and a picture of your mom in your wallet too. You're telling the truth, but not mentioning everything.
Posting the audioclip of Newport High band's performance of "The Klaxon" on the D131 Band website under "Concert Recordings", however, is totally different and morally wrong.
That video is extremely offensive to me. How could anybody post that and say it is only Simmons when clearly Waldo and Cowherd both played at the Fine Arts Festival.
It is NOT RIGHT. That video makes it seem that only Simmons is playing. THAT IS WRONG. It is obvious that Simmons is getting all of the credit for work that Mr. Holhut and Mr. Koch put in with their students.
"That video makes it seem that only Simmons is playing"
So 8:49 p.m., is it your eyes or ears that aren't working? As previously mentioned, the kids with white shirts are from Simmons. The blue shirts are Cowherd, the red shirts Waldo. And they're all playing.
"Young" is a relative term. The 6th, 7th, AND 8th graders in that video gave an excellent performance of a piece that was just the right level and appropriate for the occasion.
The families of those students (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) are proud of their performance of that music. Call it easy if you want...it was appropriate for the occasion and performers.
From what I see in that video Simmons had an excellent showing of students, Waldo had a good showing and Cowherd was hardly represented at all. Apparently, Kaisershot's students believe in him.
Why should Mr. Liska be contacted? The evidence speaks for itself; the links to both (identical) recordings were made public, much to certain people's embarrassment. Typical that they are trying to blame the whistleblower instead of admitting a moral lapse.
9:11 p.m., I think it's more complicated than that. I know Mr. Holhut and Mr. Koch; they are good band directors, but their feeder schools don't generate as many band students as the grade schools that feed into Simmons (for many reasons).
As I recall, it's not just the Simmons students that have supported Mr. Kaisershot. I recall hundreds of students, teachers, parents and community members who marched to the service center to support Mr. Kaisershot when the administration ran him out of the high school.
Mr. Kaisershot could have become bitter and fought the school district as many other have. Instead, he has found a way to remain classy and do what he can to support the children of District 131. Composing music for the bands is just one way he goes over and above for our kids.
Oh, and he has always accomplished this ethically. He never had to misrepresent the accomplishments of his bands. Just a thought.
How is it jumping to conclusions to compare two recordings and find that they are identical, and that neither one was performed by the EAHS bands (as represented)?
If Kaisershot didn't like what happened to him or his wife he could of went to another district and got a job but wait teachers don't do that they have tenure and they don't want to give up that money. This talk about the band is off the wall you need to get a life. These attacks on Liska shows how Kaisershots people attack someone who didn't come looking for a job here a board hired him. You should be ashamed ii is time to move on.
West Aurora is more dysfunctional interesting article in today's Beacon Denise Crosby is calling for Dr Rydland resignation. Talk about a band problem they had one. But the crazy people how continue to bash Liska should thank their lucky stars a group of parents stepped in and said NO to Steve Orland. Remember he was the choice of Marin Gonzalez.
Yes Cathy Lattz is leaving to a school in Oaklawn,now can anybody tell us what happened to these d131employees:Sylvia from the tech dept.& Denean Adams they don't seem to show on the board reports as FMLA??
7:25, how does posting two identical sound recordings (one of which claimed to be of the EAHS band and the other was a band in Newport, Oregon) equal "attacking" anyone?
First of all, if you don't think what has been posted here is an attack you are stupid.
Secondly, the attack is not bringing up the fact that an incorrect mp3 was posted. The ATTACK is automatically assuming that the incorrect mp3 was posted maliciously with the intent to deceive the community.
The proper response when whoever discover the mp3 would have been an email to Mr. Liska. Something like this.
"Hey, I was listening to the recordings on the website and I think The Klaxon is not the East High Band, you might want to check into that."
That would have been the adult, normal response. Nope, not here. Here we jump to the conclusion that Mr. Liska is a liar and out to deceive the community and that he is trying to take credit for something that is not his.
May 23rd at 11:00 a.m. said basically only that the two recordings were identical. No accusations, no insults.
Then later that day 8:33 p.m. DENIED that the recordings were identical (throwing in some insults to the original poster's intelligence), and 9:29 (more DENIAL) asked for proof. Specific examples of comparisons between the two recordings were then given, by 10:06 p.m., 10:14 p.m., and 10:27 p.m. Then the DISTRACTION (blaming everyone except the person responsible for posting the fraudulent recording) began.
You seem to have forgotten 5:11 saying it was a "real Class D move" - Somehow you skipped that post.
Also the original poster ended their comment with "Hmmmm...Wonder how THAT happened??"
Both of those are planting the seeds that it was done to mislead the community.
But you can misrepresent the facts and ignore the posts any way you want to. THE TRUTH IS that somebody should have sent an email like an ADULT before jumping to any conclusions.
IS THIS THE BICKERING BAND BLOG! ENOUGH!!! YOU SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF NERDS! YOU PROBABLY ARE NERDS! STOP!!! I THINK THE BAND IS DIVISION 1, I THINK DIVISION 3, I GIVE THE BAND A D+, I GIVE THEM AN A-,...WHO GIVES A CRAP!!! I THINK THEY'RE STILL YOUNG, NO LESS THAN TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE IS YOUNG...SHUT UP!!! THE ONLY BAND MEMBERS THAT WERE TOO YOUNG WERE THE ONES IN THAT WEST SIDE SUPPLY CLOSET WITH THE BAND DIRECTOR! NOW QUIT YOUR BELLY ACHING AN LETS GET BACK TO IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE RIPPING THE ADMINISTRATION! I'm done yelling now.
4:06 although you ended your first sentence with an exclamation point rather than a question mark, I'm going to answer it as if it was a question. The answer is a resounding YES. It always has been. That was one of the primary motivations for starting it. And that's what keeps it going. There's a group of people (I started to call them names but decided not to sink to that level) who would rather continually rehash decisions made by "bully administrators" almost 10 years ago (almost all of whom have been gone for years) than to move on like adults. No matter what the administration, board, band director, kids, or anyone does, they'll keep bashing because it wasn't their beloved K who did it. They don't care how much it hurts the kids -- it wasn't K so it has to be bad. The band could win the National Championship, and they'd still claim the band (i.e. the kids) are no good and the contest must have been rigged. And of course they'll now be coming after me because I dared to speak the truth. For the record, my two oldest played for K, he did an awesome job for them, they really liked him and enjoyed playing for him (but they both liked Bill Tripp even better). And my third felt exactly the same in all respects about Liska.
Sorry, you're wrong 4:02 - You can't always be right. There was no denial or distraction, just discussion, which you want no part of. You want to make your statement, have everybody believe your ignorant BS and then have it end there, but the "other side" as you like to put it asks questions and sees that maybe everything isn't as black and white as you want it to be.
That is what a blog is supposed to be, an open discussion about topics. This blog is a bunch of insults and accusations and rehashing the same GARBAGE over and over again. Let it go, move. You obviously hate this school district and all of the people (except 1) who work in it. You hate every decision they make, and you blow every mistake made into World War 3. You really need to take some time and focus on what makes you such a self-righteous, angry know-it-all.
5:10 p.m., if your initials are C.D. you're the parent who claimed that Mr. Liska started the Wind Ensemble, but your daughter's name is listed on an EAHS concert program as a Wind Ensemble member in 1997 or so (oboe player, first initial is S). So your credibility isn't so grEAt.
But I do agree with you that Bill Tripp was an outstanding band director :)
There are honest mistakes, and there are ethical lapses. An honest mistake is when a director doesn't double-check the numbers on an adjudication sheet, and announces a Division I rating before every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed. That's understandable...and easily forgivable.
An ethical lapse is when someone posts a recording of a performance and represents it as their group, when in fact it is not. Then when the truth comes out that it's someone else's performance, they continue the lapse by insisting that it was indeed their recorded performance. Not so easily overlooked or forgiven.
So you are now making the leap of judgment that Mr. Liska was posting that it was the correct performance?
Let's get that straight - In a ocean of Anonymous you are assuming that Mr. Liska was posting (anonymously) that the recording on the website was the East High Band?
I would love to know how you make that assumption.
And 7:38 when Mr. Liska addressed the "honest mistake" as you put it and asked that people contact him with questions about his program he was still later bashed in that thread (probably by you).
But no, this blog continually HIDES and would rather remain ignorant of the facts instead of going directly to the people involved.
The truth is, most people don't hate Mr. Liska as much as you do, they just don't post here because they know it is pointless.
I just feel that somebody has to try and shut up the stupidity.
"Then when the truth comes out that it's someone else's performance, they continue the lapse by insisting that it was indeed their recorded performance. Not so easily overlooked or forgiven."
No that whole sentance is saying that it was "Someone else's" performance but "they" (the person who posted the recording) insisted that it is indeed "their" (meaning the person who posted the recroding) performance.
We all know that Mr. Liska posted the recording. That sentence is clearly stating that that poster thinks Mr. Liska was defending himself on this blog, insisting that it was indeed the East High Band.
I'm sorry if you can't understand that, but that is what that sentence says.
Looking back over the previous thread on this blog, I see NO negative or critical comments about our district's band directors (past or present) in the 228 comments on that thread. And the thread before that one had no negative comments after April 18th. In fact, there have been many comments supportive of our EAHS fine arts teachers (including, specifically, Mr. Liska) while discussing the new 6-period bell schedule.
For a while there it looked like many in our community (or at least those who read this blog) were able to find agreement and put aside past differences for the good of our kids. What a shame that this latest event has been a step backwards in the healing of our district!
Don't you think that if Mr. Kaisershot (or Ms. Gawlik, or Mr. Holhut, or Mr. Koch) had posted another group's recording as their group's performance they would be called out for it too. Wrong is wrong, no matter who is responsible.
Apparently, not even Liska will stand behind his Wind Ensemble performance recordings. All the Wind Ensemble recordings have been pulled off the web site.
If the recordings were indeed of the East Aurora Wind Ensemble, you would think that Liska would have stood up for his band.
How many errors or lapses in judgement (depending on your point of view) does the community accept from the man. If the leader is not responsible, how can we expect him to teach responsibility to those children that have been entrusted to him?
We had the band receive a Division III and that was reported as winning a bronze. Liska had a trophy made showing a Division I when the band never earned any such award. Liska reported this year that the band received a Division I when, in fact, they received a Division II. Now we have a recording of another band being represented as the East High Wind Ensemble.
Since the administration and board continue to support the man, apparently this must be what they consider the new and improved East Aurora Band Program.
I didn't make a "claim", I stated what I believed at the time to be a fact. I discovered I was wrong, there WAS a Wind Ensemble back under K, but it had been discontinued then brought back by Liska. I would have come back here to admit to that, but at the time some tragedy occurred (maybe Newtown?) that made me realize just how insignificant the entire discussion was and I let it go. Which you apparently can't. Guess that means I have no credibility, because I made a mistake. But although you have identified my daughter, you've got the year wrong (she didn't enter EAHS until '98) AND you have my initials wrong. If 1 mistake means I have no credibility, I guess your 2 mistakes means you have less than none.
9:56 p.m., this blog is an equal-opportunity criticizer. A public mistake (deception, misrepresentation, or whatever you want to call it) is fodder for discussion on this blog, Openline blog, or thousands of others.
8:54 - I thought the reporting a Division was an "Honest Mistake"
The band NEVER received a division one. INDIVIDUAL Students at the SOLO and ENSEMBLE Contest received Division III (reported BY CLAYTON) as bronze (this has been brought up before but YOU still like to LIE that the BAND received a Division III)
The Division I plaque thing is correct - 6 years ago. Move on.
And the recordings are down, because Mr. Liska always takes them down. He leaves them up so the students can listen to them and then always takes them down. The Concert Band and Symphonic Band recordings are down too.
Again you make assumptions that are STUPID and WRONG. Mr. Liska is a GREAT band director and just because you don't like him does not give you the right to make IGNORANT statements about him anonymously on a stupid blog.
Everything in my post is TRUE. You are the liar and you bend the facts to fit your point. Please shut your stupid mouth and if you have a question about the band program, you should ask the person in charge of it. Not a stupid blog that has NEVER had THE WHOLE TRUTH about the band program.
7:10 - This blog is not equal opportunity at all. The band program get RIPPED APART for any TINY mistake and and 100's of posts questioning Mr. Liska's ethics and talent.
This blog has NEVER been equal in anything it does because the "blog administrator" wants it that way.
9:55 p.m., I apologize for getting your first initial wrong. Your first initial is A (you have another daughter whose name starts with C; my mistake).
And I did NOT say that you had "no credibility". What I said was, your credibility was "not so grEAt". Big difference! Something that's not so great can be good, fair, mediocre, or EA-OK. I'd appreciate it if you would quote me correctly...thanks :)
Actually 7:10, all blogs are equal opportunity in another way -- the public mistake doesn't even have to be real. Even if it's only perceived (or perhaps made up), it still becomes fodder for people with an agenda to push, who are more than willing to twist any comments, facts, or situations to fit into whatever narrative they want it to. But there IS selectivity. For example, on Openline there has never been a post critical of Rick Lawrence, and comments that are will eventually be deleted although truly nasty, obscene posts will stay. Here, at least things don't get deleted, but any anti-K or pro-Liska posts (even if they're also pro-K) will be attacked. It's really a shame; K had many years of outstanding service at East (he was excellent for my kids), and has continued by all accounts to do an excellent job for the kids at Simmons. It's such a shame that his legacy ends up tarnished by those who continue to attack Liska and the current band kids in their attempts to canonize K. Probably doesn't really matter; I think the new bell schedule is going to seriously damage all our fine arts programs, perhaps irreparably.
"We had the band receive a Division III and that was reported as winning a bronze"
I think you're confused about organization contest and Solo & Ensemble. The band did get Division III several years ago, but it wasn't reported as "winning a bronze" (as I recall, it wasn't reported by D131 at all; someone posted a link to the IHSA website where scores were officially posted). The "bronze" you refer to was Clayton Muhammad's spin in the Beacon after Solo & Ensemble contest in 2006 or 2007. EAHS singers & instrumentalists were mentioned as having "won Gold" if they got Division I, "won Silver" for Division II, and "won Bronze" for Division III. This was a shining (pun intended) example of the way Clayton Muhammad inflated and exaggerated every tiny bit of good news in our district, to the point that our kids were a laughingstock in the larger community. I miss him like I'd miss a bad cold.
It is no longer about whether or not it was the same recording. It is about was the recording:
Posted to deceive the community
Posted by mistake
All of you assumed it was posted to deceive but the flip side is, it might have been posted by mistake. That is what is so frustrating. You present one side is ignore everything else. You get one idea in your pea brain and run with it.
Hey May 26, 7:51...I'm still waiting for a response as to how you feel about d131's sexual predator. I too, am very happy we never hired Orland, he's in prison where he belongs. However, why do we allow a "do nothing", scumbag administrator to continue being employed at well over $100,000/year?
The file name did not say d131klaxon.mp3 or was it posted to a facebook or d131 home page. Just think for one second. You.are stuck working with the crappy equipent the district gives the teacher. You.have a student save the files from the decade old recorder. They save it as klaxon.MP3 and accidentally move it to the wrong folder. It gets posted to the student support page by accident.
What the hell is the issue?
We go after good teachers because people on here are still mad about a district decision a decade ago?
We have huge issues that this distracts us from having a real and postive discussion about.
If you want to complain about serious issues dealing with aurora high school band. Move to west aurora. You will really enjoy it there. So will your daughters.
You've got the right family, but you've gotten my first initial wrong multiple times now. It's J -- A is smarter than I am, and seldom even reads this blog, and I doubt A's EVER posted on it. I actually didn't quote you, I put my understanding of what you said -- no quotation marks. If I misinterpreted your remark, I apologize. So now we've both apologized. How about we agree that in both cases we made mistakes, maybe for both of us our credibility "is not so grEAt", and be adults and move on. Personally I think there's a lot more significant issues facing our district than nit-picking each other's posts and assuming every simple well-intentioned mistake is some kind of deep plot to deceive the world. I didn't lie, I just remembered wrong and when I found out I would have corrected myself but then Newtown happened and it just made pretty much everything discussed on this blog seem so insignificant I just went away for a couple of months.
As for band, let's face it, the band program is on the way out because so many kids are going to have to drop it because of the new schedule. The blasting of the program by some on this blog isn't going to help that situation, and is only going to hurt the few kids that are left. And THAT'S the real tragedy here.
Ten years ago or not, it's not over! If Orland were to be still employed @ d129 ten years from now would your attitude be "get over it"? If your daughter's youth was stolen by some teacher who felt there was nothing wrong with dating a teenager would you say "get over it"? This guy is still making decisions for our students. Does he really know what's in the best interest for our kid's? If, as an administrator, he discovers a teacher having inappropriate relations with a minor, will he report it? These are reasons why you don't "get over it"!
11:38 a.m., there's a time & place for dealing with inappropriate relationships between adults and minors. That window has closed, because (if indeed something happened) many years have passed and witnesses, evidence, etc. would be extremely hard to find. It should have been addressed AT THE TIME.
Now as the saying goes, it's water under the bridge.
So according to you, I guess it will be acceptable if in ten years (when Orland) is out of prison that West Aurora makes him an assistant superintendent. After all, more than ten years will have passed.
None of our administrators have been convicted of a crime. YOU may not like it, but that's the way our justice system works...evidence must be presented and a trial held before someone is declared guilty of a felony. Hearsay 10 years after a supposed crime occurred is not evidence.
It's more than hearsay, many current employees know the truth. We also remember an assistant principal who was caught red handed, engaged in a sexual act with a student. A secretary caught him. This man was allowed to resign with no legal recourse. Like I asked before, if these scenarios involved your daughter would it all just be water under the bridge? None of our administrators have been convicted of a crime because the district covered these cases up. You talk to any employee of d131 that has been in the district for 10+ years and ask who is know as "the molester", you'll see that everyone will know exactly to whom you are referring. This is not due to ugly rumors, this is due to ugly truths.
We saw what the State's Attorney did on the West Side. The State's Attorney publicly stated that crimes were committed but refused to press charges. What the State's Attorney did should also be a crime. It's just one more level of a coverup.
And it's the exact same thing the State's Attorney did with Boys II Men. He acknowledged crimes were committed but refused to press charges.
Maybe it's time the State's Attorney's Office was investigated.
Actually the states' attorney saved the taxpayers lots of money and accomplished the same thing that a prosecution would have. The crime was failure to report the incident that the janitor finally went public about. Who would have been prosecuted? Every school employee who knew about the incident but didn't report it to DCFS, including the janitor himself, his union rep, his immediate supervisor, and so on up to the superintendent. The final result -- who knows? The jury might have sympathized w/ the janitor and found him not guilty, thus reinforcing to the employees that if they just tell their boss they're covered -- even though that's not what the law says. Even the ones found guilty would probably have gotten probation at the worst. The way the states' attorney did it, ALL employees will be getting training so they ALL know what they're supposed to do -- call DCFS, not your union rep.
And the 131 situation is the same. All district employees are mandatory reporters -- no matter what position they hold/held. If we ask them about the situation you allege, and they tell us what you say they will, then if THEY didn't report it to DCFS they're in violation of the law themselves.
12:36 you don't have to worry about that. As a convicted sex offender, Orland's lost his teaching certificate and, if he had one, his administrative certificate. He'll also be registered as a sex offender, and won't even be able to step foot on school grounds, let alone ever work in a school again in ANY position.
That scumbag as you refer to him is a standup father and husband,like it or not. His wife loves him and his two children adore him. Your comments tell a greater story about you.
Molested children frequently love the father figure who abused them, that's not the point.
The point is the community and staff have no faith in a board and administration who have been aware of inapproprite behavior by any staff member and have done nothing to protect the children.
This is just one of the many open wounds this community has not healed because the board and administration continue to do nothing.
Just like the case that Marin washed at the Highschool for her favorite Social Worker. She even gt the Social Workers husband to run for the Board but god was looking out and Marin will never be Superintendent.
DCFS should have been called on her Shelia, knew about it but Jackie still works there.
Maybe his kid's do adore him. If there is no proof of these allegations how do you know exactly who we're taking about? I just hope if one of his kids is a girl some teacher doesn't abuse his authority and snatch her teen years away from her. Are you really to blind to see what a creep this guy is? Are you saying as long as you marry the minor you were involved with that all is forgiven? Give me a break! If you want to crown him father of the year that's your prerogative. What he did years ago was criminal. For him to thrive in this community and be looked upon as a role model is a joke.
No, this blog is the joke. Posting lies and half truths, never contacting a human to find out real answers, coming up with false conclusions based on false assumptions and insulting people.
If you think anybody takes this crap seriously you are completely stupid. Nobody cares about this stupid blog or any of the small-minded people who post ridiculous lies.
60 new teachers next year, entirely new administration, Morale lowest in the 25 years at East, no one wants to go to Work everyday, teachers aren't respected on a professional level, behavior by students is out of control. The only teachers and administrators you will get at EA will be there for a resume builder. Byrd will have 1-2 years.
9:36- if no one takes it seriously, Why are you resorting to posting with name calling? 6:08- is serious! I believe this to be fact. Too bad this district is stuck with a school board with a majority of people looking to build their social life and feeling power in a position they do not respect. It should be all about the students and teachers. Not power and money.
If so, it might have turned out to be an example of a victimless crime. He's happily married for +10 years now to his supposed victim, and he's (from all accounts) a good husband and father.
Let's suppose that he was indeed "brought to justice" and convicted for that single long-ago mistake. What kind of heartless person are you that you would rip him away from his young children?
And blog administrators, thank you for not publishing a name in this situation.
Apparently it is official. Jerome Roberts has put in for retirement. It was in the approved minutes from 5-6-2013. Unfortunately, it's not effective until 6-30-2014.
Who is ripping anyone away from any kid's? My whole point is, if Orland was never brought to trial and ended up marrying this girl, would everything be fine? These two scenarios are exactly the same except for one of the predators married the girl.
Thanks for the article. It shows the mindset of many school districts. We teach students they have rights but then violate those rights every chance we get. And now, the entire staff is being taught what happens if you stand for the students against an illegal breach by the administration and board.
Now the Batavia Community is standing against the district. The only thing left to be determined is whether the Batavia School Board will listen to the community or disregard them as District 131 does.
9:20 p.m., I just read that article too. As a parent, I would stand behind that teacher 100%. How is reminding students of their constitutional rights a bad thing? I'd like to think that I'm raising children, not sheep!
And I LOVE that 31,164 people have "recommended" the article. School Board, the community is speaking. Listen up!!
3:02 p.m. is asking who will be teaching at the magnet school. My suggestion would be to look at the minutes for recent School Board meetings. Names of recently hired teachers are posted, along with their degrees, universities, and salaries.
For the record, I think that those surveys are bulls**t and a waste of time.
However, I don’t think this is a Fifth Amendment issue because it was not a legal proceeding (not an arrest or a courtroom). Most school districts (like 131) need to get parents’ permission before administering surveys like that. As long as they got parents’ permission I don't think there's anything illegal going on
Now Batavia School District did send an email out to parents informing them of the survey. In said message, they told parents that their students could opt out if requested by the parental units. So the parents need to tell the school that they don't want their kid taking the survey. If the parents do nothing, the kid is supposed to take it.
Overall it sounds like the teacher made a big deal of nothing, and then the Bativia BOE made a bigger deal of nothing by disciplining him.
In District 131, if the administration sent it directly to students homes, half of the parents would never have received the notice. And that is assuming the notice clearly explained what was going to be asked. If the parents were notified by sending notes home with the children, few if any would have received the notice.
A survey with the consequences this one had must be with parents permission only.
The most disturbing fact of this situation to me was that the administration refused the newspapers request to see the survey. If this survey was a proper act by a public agency, there should be no issue with the public seeing the survey. As a teacher, every test I give to students can be seen by anybody who is interested.
The fact that the school district refuses to make the survey public shows that they know there were improper questions being asked.
At the high school they have forms they give to students and it states if you give permission you don't have to do anything (do not return it). If you want to opt-out then sign and return the form. Never know if those forms ever make it home or not.
Why should a teacher be penalized for reminding or informing students of their constitutional rights? Students are citizens, after all...and they don't leave their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door.
Actually they do leave many of their constitutional rights at the door. Freedom of speech is probably the biggest ones. Students have to follow a dress code avoiding certain colors and clothes cannot promote sex, drugs or violence.
They also give up their right to illegal searches. If the school feels like it they can search anything on school grounds including backpacks, lockers and cars.
Students and teachers also don't have the right have guns on school grounds. Even if the new concealed carry law goes through, you would still not be allowed to have one in a school.
If all this teacher did was remind students of their Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate themselves, why is that such a bad thing for a teacher to do?
You are incorrect. Students do not lose their constitutional rights when they enter the schoolhouse doors. However, many school districts violate the students constitutional rights when they enter the schoolhouse doors.
In fact, there are many administrators that spend many hours figuring out how to violate students rights. If the community doesn't stand up for their rights, the administrators will continue.
Students do not lose their first amendment rights in school. The courts have supported this in many instances. When it has been brought to court, the school district has the burden to prove that the students free speech created a major,ongoing disturbance in the school that interfers with education.
Students do not lose their 4th amendment rights to protection from illegal searches when entering a schoolhouse. Administrators can not legally search a child or their possesions without reasonable cause. There is a grey area with regards to lockers because they are the property of the community, not the child.
As for dress codes, some Federal Courts have determined that they are illegal and in areas of the country, they are not allowed. The Federal Courts in the Midwest have found that in some instances, they are legal (usually in low income, poorly educated areas). The Supreme Court has never made a determination. I think George Carlin said it best. "I saw some old films that showed the government promoting school uniforms but it was very hard to understand. It was in German".
As for guns, you are correct, student are not allowed to carry weapons on school property. As for teachers carrying, that depends on the state that you live in.
As for Illinois not allowing concealed carry, that's why the Federal Courts have stepped in and ordered our Illinois Lawmakers to crate a concealed carry law that must still be approved by the Federal Court. This has to be done by next month. In fact, Illinois is one of the worst states for violating your constitutional rights.
Batavia is a perfect example of why school administrators and school boards get away with violating teachers and students rights.
If this teacher were to take the district to court, he would certainly win. However, it would cost him thousands of dollars to recoup the few hundred he is losing in this suspension. In addition, he would create enemies in the board and administration. The next time anything happened (even the most innocent) the powers that be would use it to harrass and/or terminate the man.
Just look at the Bob Green case. That whole situation started because Bob Green dared to stand up to administrators who were violating many laws.
The question 10:01 is if that is all the teacher told the kids. That's what he says, but I wasn't there, and of course the district can't tell their side of it because of privacy laws. If he added anything to what he told the kids, like accusing other school personnel of intending to use the survey for disciplinary purposes or purposes other than what was stated, THOSE statements could be a problem. But just telling them "hey, you guys are taking a survey today, and I wanted to remind you that you have a constitutional right to not incriminate yourself. You don't have to answer any questions that you think might do that" should be fine. As for not giving the survey to the press, that's just stupid. They're going to get it eventually via FOIA, so they should have just given them a blank one as soon as they were asked.
There is an old quote... "When laws become immoral, the only place for moral men is in prison".
The administration in Batavia are the immoral entity in this crisis. The teacher is the moral man being persecuted.
The administration is claiming that since they do not intend to use the information taken from the children to discipline them, they are not violating the law. A thin technicality at best.
The fact is, they are creating a paper trail, a counseling and social work trail. That child may find themselves in front of a judge someday and the judge's sententence may be influenced by the childs history of illegal activity and drug use. In other words, this survey may be used to prosecute the child.
Only a nieve person would assume that the paper trail disappears at a critical moment.
Has anybody else noticed that the actual reason for the teachers suspension has not been shared. What law or policy did the man violate?
7:49 most of your post may be well reasoned, valid points, but your last question is unfair. Because of personnel and privacy laws, the district can't give the information you ask for.
You are incorrect. Personnel laws don't forbid a school district from speaking about personnel matters. That's just usually district policy because they're afraid of the lawsuit that will follow if they can't prove what they claim.
Here are a couple of comments from the Beacon website, about the Batavia teacher:
"From the day you were born, you are taught the fundamentals of life by your parents. When you go to school, those fundamentals of life are polished by teachers who prepare you for the outside world. The fifth amendment wasn't written and made into law just for adults (21 yrs old), the amendment was written for all age groups. Teachers are looked up to for guidance, and that's exactly what Mr. Dryden did. He advised them of their constitutional rights as any good caring teacher would do"
"In my opinion this teacher did nothing wrong in advising the students of their rights. School districts all to often over step boundaries. If they truly want to help students in jeopardy then one on one intervention is what is needed, you don't have them take a survey! We as parents teach our children to obey, respect and do as they are told in the school environment, but our children have the right to say no to this type survey"
May 29th 5:15 p.m. what the heck are yopu talking about you are posting anonymously!!
Back in the day informing kids of their constitutional rights was called civics. How to be a good citizen. Be well-informed. Now, we just collect really personal info on kids and use it against them later. Good for teacher and good for kids by rejecting this blatent big brother b.s. Real life lesson on participating in a "democracy".
Sounds like the teacher went a bit farther than just telling the kids their rights. I read another story and apparently he was questioning the motives of the faculty and staff responsible for the survey, and essentially wasn't just telling the kids they had the right to not answer, he was trying to talk them into not answering. Telling the kids their rights in a non-judgemental manner and letting them decide for themselves is appropriate. Slandering your colleagues and undercutting them to promote your own agenda isn't.
Here is another POV about how to improve our students educational opportunities. I'd love to hear others perspective. Are vouchers a way to fix the educational system in Illinois?
Actually, 4:11 p.m., what happens in Batavia is relevant for some of us. I happen to live in Batavia & work in D131. My kids go to Batavia schools (although not the high school yet). Our property taxes are through the roof, and a school board member lives at the end of our court.
Well then maybe you shouldn't be living in Batavia cry baby. Move to D131 which pays your mortgage. Another example of people living outside their means, and that's why we are in a recession.
I found it interesting that in Batavia, a teacher can tell students "Put those coins away or I'll shove them up your a$$", without receiving a Board Notice to Remedy. A teacher can also say to a student "What, did you mix your drugs this morning" and "I am surprised that your father hasn't drowned you yet" without the board taking any action but tell students that they have a fifth amendment right not to incriminate yourself and the board drops the hammerand literally threatens termination.
I also found it incredible that the school district can administer a survey to thousands of students but then claim that they do not have to provide a public copy of the survey even when there is a FOIA request.
Finally, I found it beyond belief that the school district stated that they paid a company $8,000.00 for survey questions (I believe I read in another article that there were all of 14 questions on the survey). I am definately in the wrong business. As a teacher, we create tests regularly as part of our job but don't make anywhere near that type of money. It makes a person wonder how many districts are paying this company thousands of tax payer dollars for this same survey?
10:44, you do not know my situation, and are ASSUMING I am living beyond my means. The fact is, I grew up in Batavia and now live in the house I inherited from my parents. I do not have a mortgage, but do pay property taxes (which I can afford because I don't have to pay rent or mortgage).
One of my fellow D131 teachers lives in Batavia also, with her mother. She is also definitely living within her means, and cares a great deal what happens in both Batavia and East Aurora.
10:52 I read the documents posted on the KC Chronicle. The company that created the survey maintains copyright of the survey and objects to the survey being copied and made public. If the district had created their own survey (which would have saved them a bunch of money), clearly they'd have to provide it. As it is now, they're in a damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don't position. If they provide the survey the company can take action for copyright violation, which will cost the district money whether they win or lose. If they don't, they get grief from the public.
I have to support those who come from nearby communities to work here. Both sides of this argument have valid points over the years, but personally, I think it is kinda like inbreeding, if we don't go outside our community for teachers and welcome newcomers we never get new perspectives from people who have experienced different ways of doing things and points of view. Yet, I believe we also need people from the community who are familiar with our families and our history of how we have progressed and the mistakes that have already been made.
So according to you corporate interest should trump public interest?
Copyright laws should protect a company from having another company take their product and selling it, thus losing profits.
Copyright laws were never intended to be used like this. The Batavia Admnistrators are just attempting to cover their wrongdoing. The Kane County Cronicle should be challenging this.
7:06 you need to work on your reading comprehension skills. At no point did I address whether this copyright issue is the way it should be or not. I just stated what the situation is. So your initial question starts from a false premise by putting words in my mouth that I never said -- or even implied. In fact, my position (as clearly implied in my comment) is the survey should have been developed in house by the district. Surely their guidance counselors and social workers would be more than capable of doing that. Maybe KC Chronicle WILL fight it, and we'll end up seeing the survey -- or the court will side w/ the survey company and the Chronicle will have wasted their money on lawyers.
East Aurora camps are free lets give the board credit often we are too quick to call names I know this direction of theirs not our administration. Nestor also put many hours into making this happen.
jose vega who was bullied a few years ago and was said by mrs A. Johnson from the school board she didn't care about his situation. on his promotion day she had the nerve to deny jose vega hand shake mother and auntie were upset by what she seen on stage and took action. Mrs. vega and caudillo confronted mrs Johnson. she swears she did but the video tape says different. When auntie asked her for her name she was silent nobody gave her name in till mrs caudillo screamed at her. shows to her not to mess with just anyone. LOL Annette Johnson is such a bitch.
Well I was at Simmons on promotion day and heard that lady yelling afterwards too. I didn't know who it was but did know she was yelling at Ms. Johnson and it was something about "why didn't you shake his hand". I have trouble believing that a professional like Annette Johnson would refuse to shake a student's hand, but if there is evidence on video that it did happen she might want to lawyer up.
Here's wishing congratulations to our graduates...and a safe, healthy summer to all!
217 comments:
1 – 200 of 217 Newer› Newest»From the D131 website:
East Aurora High School will be hosting commencement for the graduating Class of 2013 on Friday May 24. Weather permitting the ceremony will be held on the football field at 7:00pm. In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be held inside the gymnasium. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on District 131’s website (http://www.d131.org) and archived for future viewing opportunities.
Congratulations, Class of 2013--and best wishes for the future!
It's grEAt that the graduation ceremony will be broadcast on our district website and archived.
Now why can't the School Board meetings be broadcast, too?
Recordings of recent performances by the EAHS bands are also online, on the band's website (under "Concert Recordings"). Listen to the mp3 of The Klaxon, as supposedly performed/recorded May 4th by the East High Wind Ensemble and Alumni Band:
http://www.d131music.org/uploads/1/5/6/3/15638230/the_klaxon.mp3
Now watch/listen to this YouTube of the Newport, Oregon high school band's performance of The Klaxon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhFQED4TZN8
The two recordings are IDENTICAL. Same horn "splat" at 1:28, same clarinet speed-ups, same muffled intercom noise during the applause.
Hmmmm...Wonder how THAT happened??
Why is Cathy Latz leaving?
1:26 pm How do you know for sure she is leaving? Source of info please
From the minutes of the May 6th School Board meeting, under Resignations:
Catherine Lattz
CSC
-
Director of Student Services
Personal
Eff. 6/30/13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'd call that a pretty reliable source, 1:47 p.m.!
11:00 a.m., I just listened to those two recordings and agree that they do in fact sound exactly the same.
I'm sure there's a good explanation.
Well, if I was from Newport Oregon I would be pretty upset about a band in Illinois posting a recording of our performance and claiming it was them.
A real Class D move.
I listened to the recordings too. They sound as if they both played the same notes and dynamics. There is no way that the EAHS band could have played it the same way unless someone wrote all that stuff down, and what is the likely hood of that happening? *sarcasm*
1) The beginning tempos are different.
2) The "splat" you refer to... I believe that is an entrance of additional horns. French horn perhaps? Have you heard high school students play the French horn. A little splat is likely.
3) There is no possible way of pulling a sound file (of lesser quality mind you) off of YouTube, and making it into a cleaner sound file.
4) Did you ever, in your pea-sized brain of yours, consider asking someone about something before you start blabbering? I'm sure that there are things you could find wrong with the program. There always are - with every program. But when you go looking for small stuff, which is obviously wrong, you make your position look weak and your mind, feeble.
If you had gone to the concert - and supported the band program which you obviously care so much about, then you would know how they sounded, and wouldn't have to waste so much time scouring YouTube for similar recordings.
Denial, distraction, yada yada yada.
Let's just see what others think when they compare the two recordings.
And I don't think anybody's complaining about the program. Just about posting a fraudulent recording.
Sounds to me like 2 bands playing the same song and arrangement. To say it was the same recording, and to make a potentially slanderous claim of fraud, I'd have to be able to compare the sound file properties, check the digital signatures, and do a heck of a lot more thorough analysis than I can -- or than you can, 9:12. I'm not denying, distracting, or yada yada yadaing. I'm asking for proof of your claim that it's the same recording -- otherwise the fraud here is YOU.
Another indication that it's a bogus recording is the fact that the acoustics sound TOTALLY different on "The Klaxon" than on the rest of the concert recordings posted. The bass drum and the echo sound like a different concert hall.
8:33 p.m., yes I have heard high school students play the French horn. I do realize that they miss ("splat") notes occasionally. I'm not complaining about that. But listening to both recordings, I hear the SAME missed notes on BOTH recordings. Specifically, at the following times:
1:01
1:28
2:40
Also, there's a split trumpet note at :27 and a skipped woodwind note at :51--on BOTH recordings.
8:33 p.m. says "the beginning tempos are different"--
I just compared them with a digital metronome. BOTH recordings start at about 144 bpm, then settle into an IDENTICAL 140 bpm at :12.
So much for "the beginning tempos are different"!
The recordings do sound very similar, however what is more striking to me than the similarities in the two recordings, are the differences between that recording and all the other East High Band recordings.
When you listen to the other East High Band recordings, There are always the same immature mistakes being made. Poor tone production and horrible intonation (most of which is caused by poor posture and terible embouchures). They also have poor tempo control and very little musicality.
When you listen to the recording of the Klaxon March, it's a night and day difference. All those issues that the band normally has just seemed to have disappeared. It is obvious to me that the recording of the Klaxon March is not being played by the East High Band.
How those test score coming?
Wow that is fascionating--you guys are better than a sleeping pill....someone need a life?t
Those little imperfections 10:14 mentioned are as unique as a fingerprint--convincing evidence that the two recordings are indeed the same.
This is especially troubling to me because I've been speaking out against the new bell schedule, partly because I wanted my daughter to be able to continue in band at East High. But I'm not so sure I want her to be part of a group where image is more important than honesty.
I just listened to the one that is posted by the band website and there is no applause at the end and it goes 3.11 minutes -- the one on u tube only goes 3.00 -- wonder where you got the one that you posted.
http://www.d131music.org/uploads/1/5/6/3/15638230/wind_ensemble_-_the_klaxon.mp3 - note "wind ensemble" in the website - not on your website. Now who is the liar???
Who has contacted Mr. Liska about this to find out the TRUTH?
Oh, that's right, NOBODY on this blog is ever interested in the TRUTH just slander and accusations.
8:28, that's because somebody just posted that on the band website this morning, and replaced the one that was identical to the Newport, Oregon YouTube recording.
Evidently they gave up on trying to defend posting someone else's performance, realized they were busted, and decided to put up the real recording. Yes, it is VERY different from the YouTube of the Newport band, including two spots where there are three fermatas not written in the score.
8:28 a.m. says, "wonder where you got the one that you posted"...
From the official band website yesterday, the same place you got the "new improved" revised one you posted today!
Looks like the words "wind ensemble" have been added VERY recently to the URL for the W.E. recordings. But the original link was:
http://www.d131music.org/uploads/1/5/6/3/15638230/the_klaxon.mp3
And here's the link to the Jazz Band's performance of "Vehicle":
http://www.d131music.org/uploads/1/5/6/3/15638230/vehicle.mp3
Notice the URLs are IDENTICAL except for the title of the song.
So who's the liar, 8:28 a.m.??
6:11 asks how the test scores are coming.
Probably will improve because of the new bell schedule, with kids spending more time in class on core subjects.
I'm one who defended the old schedule, partly because my kids were in band and I thought they learned a lot about things not taught in math or science class, things like teamwork and getting along with others and working toward a larger goal. But now it looks like the band kids are learning that it's OK to misrepresent a performance as having been yours when it was someone else's work.
Image trumps integrity here in District 131.
So who has contacted Mr. Liska?
Who has contacted the Newport, Oregon band director to tell them that their performance has been fraudulently misrepresented??
So, what did Mr. Liska say when you contacted him.
What did the Newport, Oregon band director say?
Maybe a lawyer is who should be contacted.
Maybe, I guess somebody better grow a pair and contact a human instead of a stupid blog.
By the way, what did Mr. Liska say when you spoke to him?
Maybe you should all have your brain cells contacted- what little all of you have left of them-- it is a very sad state of affairs that grownups would spend this amount of time on minutae--did you once play in a band 30 years ago in high school? Did you try out and never make it? Sounds suspiciously like the rantings of a screwed-up. bitter wannabe- get a life-- puleeze.
Congratulations to the Class of 2013 may all your dreams come true.
Here's the link to watch the EAHS graduation online:
tv.d131.org/2013Graduation.asp
4:19 p.m., some of us don't consider integrity and honesty "minutiae".
Oh, and some of us can actually spell the word "minutiae" correctly.
:)
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/20307991-418/new-principal-says-hes-up-to-east-high-challenge.html
He said he smokes Newports while listening to the song.
Mr. Holland and the F.B.I.
Through Fed Ex.
Isn't it morally wrong to represent someone else's work as your own?
And what are we teaching the students in our district when this is allowed to happen?
Kaisershot stold music as well
Wow someone has no life and obviously is trying to stir up an issue where there isnt one about this whole band thing. If you will notice the file was in the upload folder where there a number of files for the the students to listen to for reference.
Notice this wasnt on the facebook page or listed on the front page for the fine arts. This would be like an english teacher making students read a book and then someone saying. Well it was in the library so the librarian must be claiming they wrote it. I am truly ashamed at people who ignore the real issues that face our children and instead try to make a huge stink about nothing. Get a life or at least think before you spout out a load of crap!
7:47 a.m., it was in the "Concert Recordings" section along with all the other (legitimate) recordings.
And 6:47 a.m., I dare you to give one specific example of anything that Mr. Kaisershot "stold" (I presume you mean "stole", although I can tell you he has indeed "SOLD" quite a few of his published pieces!)
I dare you to double dare me..
Kaisershot couldn't sell a published piece at a garage sale. Liska in fact is well known around the nation and Sweden for his music.
Uh... someone let me know when the band talk is over...boring...the blog always has lulls where there is nothing but band talk...here, let me help, Johnson! Roberts! Garcia!
11:53 a.m., just look up "Kevin Kaisershot" in your favorite search engine to generate +20,000 hits from sites like Kendor Music and Eighth Note Press. Far from being "garage sales", these are publishing companies well known in the instrumental music (band and orchestra) world.
12:47 p.m., what a grEAt idea! You have the floor...
Why is Kaisershot writing music on district time and working with students the Simmons band is the worst.
Why do we have to resort to insulting people? Why can't we just respect each other.
Why are people anonymously insulting teachers who work hard for students in a field that is continuously unappreciated.
This is the epitome of backstabbing and childish behavior.
"writing music on district time"...
I don't think so! For an example of the high-quality work Mr. Kaisershot does for our district, go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-3KmZ8BAmI
The kids in the white shirts are Simmons students, many of whom go on to EAHS and excel in the band program under Mr. Liska.
Oh, and Mr. Kaisershot hasn't ever posted someone else's recording and claimed it was his.
Bring on the new bell schedule!
:)
Why can't we just ignore an ethical lapse, when someone presents another person's (or group's) work as their own?
Why do people have to discuss it like it's WRONG or something??
That video you posted is LYING. It CLAIMS that that is Simmons Middle School Band playing when in fact is ALL THREE MIDDLE SCHOOLS plus kids from the Magnet academy playing.
I bet Mr. Koch and Mr. Holhut would not appreciate their hard work going unnoticed.
Mr. Liska NEVER Posted somebody else's recording and claimed it was his own either. NEVER HAPPENED It NEVER HAPPENED YOU ARE A LIAR AND FULL OF CRAP.
What did he say when you spoke to him?
NO YOU ARE NOT DISCUSSING ANYTHING. A discussion would include ALL OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED.
What did MR. LISKA SAY WHEN YOU CONTACTED HIM?
To: May 25, 2013 at 8:16 PM
A band director who writes music for his band is no different than a teacher who writes lesson plans for their class. The only difference is that writing music takes specific skills and creativity. Kaisershot must know everything about his students playing abilities to even begin this task. You should be thanking Kaisershot if he is writing music for the district bands.
And, if you are asserting that the Simmons band is the worst in the district, it only shows that you don't have a clue what you are talking about.
8:37 p.m., the video was posted by a family who has students at Simmons. "Simmons School Band playing at the East Aurora High School Fine Arts Festival 2013" is indeed correct; it is true that Simmons school band is playing. Waldo & Cowherd bands are also participating but not mentioned.
It's like saying you have a 10 dollar bill in your wallet when you also have two fives, a credit card, and a picture of your mom in your wallet too. You're telling the truth, but not mentioning everything.
Posting the audioclip of Newport High band's performance of "The Klaxon" on the D131 Band website under "Concert Recordings", however, is totally different and morally wrong.
That video is extremely offensive to me. How could anybody post that and say it is only Simmons when clearly Waldo and Cowherd both played at the Fine Arts Festival.
That never happened.
It is NOT RIGHT. That video makes it seem that only Simmons is playing. THAT IS WRONG. It is obvious that Simmons is getting all of the credit for work that Mr. Holhut and Mr. Koch put in with their students.
It is not "indeed correct" it is INDEED WRONG.
8:48 p.m., it does not say that it is "only Simmons".
I ONLY says Simmons and makes no mention of anybody else. IT IS WRONG. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
"That video makes it seem that only Simmons is playing"
So 8:49 p.m., is it your eyes or ears that aren't working? As previously mentioned, the kids with white shirts are from Simmons. The blue shirts are Cowherd, the red shirts Waldo. And they're all playing.
;)
That's not what the DESCRIPTION of the video says. Are you stupid or something.
Here is the description of the video ON THE YOU TUBE WEBSITE
Published on Apr 27, 2013
Simmons School Band playing at the East Aurora High School Fine Arts Festival 2013
And by the way. It is the District 131 Fine Arts Festival. Not the East Aurora High School Fine Arts Festival.
8:58 p.m., contact the Campos family if you have an issue with the caption on the video.
At least it's District 131 kids performing, as represented.
That piece that is in that video is Graded as "E" for Easy. The last line of the description is "An exciting suite for young bands."
Young bands are 5th and 6th grade bands - not 8th grade bands, like in that video.
So are all of Mr. Liska's postings.
"Young" is a relative term. The 6th, 7th, AND 8th graders in that video gave an excellent performance of a piece that was just the right level and appropriate for the occasion.
Young is not a relative term in band. Young is 1st and 2nd year bands, not 4th year (like 8th graders).
When is Mr. Liska going to be contacted?
Maybe Mr. Liska should be contacted since it is impolite and immoral to talk about somebody behind their back.
The families of those students (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) are proud of their performance of that music. Call it easy if you want...it was appropriate for the occasion and performers.
From what I see in that video Simmons had an excellent showing of students, Waldo had a good showing and Cowherd was hardly represented at all. Apparently, Kaisershot's students believe in him.
Why should Mr. Liska be contacted? The evidence speaks for itself; the links to both (identical) recordings were made public, much to certain people's embarrassment. Typical that they are trying to blame the whistleblower instead of admitting a moral lapse.
Typical you are jumping to conclusions instead of talking to all parties involved because you are AFRAID of loosing your anonymity.
9:11 p.m., I think it's more complicated than that. I know Mr. Holhut and Mr. Koch; they are good band directors, but their feeder schools don't generate as many band students as the grade schools that feed into Simmons (for many reasons).
As I recall, it's not just the Simmons students that have supported Mr. Kaisershot. I recall hundreds of students, teachers, parents and community members who marched to the service center to support Mr. Kaisershot when the administration ran him out of the high school.
Mr. Kaisershot could have become bitter and fought the school district as many other have. Instead, he has found a way to remain classy and do what he can to support the children of District 131. Composing music for the bands is just one way he goes over and above for our kids.
Oh, and he has always accomplished this ethically. He never had to misrepresent the accomplishments of his bands. Just a thought.
How is it jumping to conclusions to compare two recordings and find that they are identical, and that neither one was performed by the EAHS bands (as represented)?
Afraid. That is the answer. That is why you HIDE here. You are hiding because you are afraid.
Congratulations Class of 2013
This is why the band program does not get any respect...u people are nuts
9:22 p.m., "be afraid...be very afraid"
:)
Sure hope the new EAHS principal is reading this...
Welcome to our (dysfunctional) district, Mr. Byrd!
If Kaisershot didn't like what happened to him or his wife he could of went to another district and got a job but wait teachers don't do that they have tenure and they don't want to give up that money. This talk about the band is off the wall you need to get a life. These attacks on Liska shows how Kaisershots people attack someone who didn't come looking for a job here a board hired him. You should be ashamed ii is time to move on.
West Aurora is more dysfunctional interesting article in today's Beacon Denise Crosby is calling for Dr Rydland resignation. Talk about a band problem they had one. But the crazy people how continue to bash Liska should thank their lucky stars a group of parents stepped in and said NO to Steve Orland. Remember he was the choice of Marin Gonzalez.
The band doesn't get respect because they are a D+ band.
Yes Cathy Lattz is leaving to a school in Oaklawn,now can anybody tell us what happened to these d131employees:Sylvia from the tech dept.& Denean Adams they don't seem to show on the board reports as FMLA??
7:25, how does posting two identical sound recordings (one of which claimed to be of the EAHS band and the other was a band in Newport, Oregon) equal "attacking" anyone?
First of all, if you don't think what has been posted here is an attack you are stupid.
Secondly, the attack is not bringing up the fact that an incorrect mp3 was posted. The ATTACK is automatically assuming that the incorrect mp3 was posted maliciously with the intent to deceive the community.
The proper response when whoever discover the mp3 would have been an email to Mr. Liska. Something like this.
"Hey, I was listening to the recordings on the website and I think The Klaxon is not the East High Band, you might want to check into that."
That would have been the adult, normal response. Nope, not here. Here we jump to the conclusion that Mr. Liska is a liar and out to deceive the community and that he is trying to take credit for something that is not his.
And now I wait for the childish response.
May 23rd at 11:00 a.m. said basically only that the two recordings were identical. No accusations, no insults.
Then later that day 8:33 p.m. DENIED that the recordings were identical (throwing in some insults to the original poster's intelligence), and 9:29 (more DENIAL) asked for proof. Specific examples of comparisons between the two recordings were then given, by 10:06 p.m., 10:14 p.m., and 10:27 p.m. Then the DISTRACTION (blaming everyone except the person responsible for posting the fraudulent recording) began.
Denial & distraction...
...some things haven't changed.
You seem to have forgotten 5:11 saying it was a "real Class D move" - Somehow you skipped that post.
Also the original poster ended their comment with "Hmmmm...Wonder how THAT happened??"
Both of those are planting the seeds that it was done to mislead the community.
But you can misrepresent the facts and ignore the posts any way you want to. THE TRUTH IS that somebody should have sent an email like an ADULT before jumping to any conclusions.
Hey 7:51, I think a district that promotes a sex abuser to assistant superintendent ( like d131 did) is much more dysfunctional than West Aurora.
"A real class D move"
"Wonder how THAT happened"
Neither of these comments accuses, insults, or attacks any specific individual.
At first, the two recordings were simply posted and comparisons made. Then people (on BOTH sides) jumped in with their insults, accusations, etc.
And of course denial & distraction from ONE side, as usual.
IS THIS THE BICKERING BAND BLOG! ENOUGH!!! YOU SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF NERDS! YOU PROBABLY ARE NERDS! STOP!!! I THINK THE BAND IS DIVISION 1, I THINK DIVISION 3, I GIVE THE BAND A D+, I GIVE THEM AN A-,...WHO GIVES A CRAP!!! I THINK THEY'RE STILL YOUNG, NO LESS THAN TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE IS YOUNG...SHUT UP!!! THE ONLY BAND MEMBERS THAT WERE TOO YOUNG WERE THE ONES IN THAT WEST SIDE SUPPLY CLOSET WITH THE BAND DIRECTOR! NOW QUIT YOUR BELLY ACHING AN LETS GET BACK TO IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE RIPPING THE ADMINISTRATION! I'm done yelling now.
You all are bunch of stupid, lying morons who couldn't find the truth if it was in your pocket.
4:06 although you ended your first sentence with an exclamation point rather than a question mark, I'm going to answer it as if it was a question. The answer is a resounding YES. It always has been. That was one of the primary motivations for starting it. And that's what keeps it going. There's a group of people (I started to call them names but decided not to sink to that level) who would rather continually rehash decisions made by "bully administrators" almost 10 years ago (almost all of whom have been gone for years) than to move on like adults. No matter what the administration, board, band director, kids, or anyone does, they'll keep bashing because it wasn't their beloved K who did it. They don't care how much it hurts the kids -- it wasn't K so it has to be bad. The band could win the National Championship, and they'd still claim the band (i.e. the kids) are no good and the contest must have been rigged. And of course they'll now be coming after me because I dared to speak the truth. For the record, my two oldest played for K, he did an awesome job for them, they really liked him and enjoyed playing for him (but they both liked Bill Tripp even better). And my third felt exactly the same in all respects about Liska.
Sorry, you're wrong 4:02 - You can't always be right. There was no denial or distraction, just discussion, which you want no part of. You want to make your statement, have everybody believe your ignorant BS and then have it end there, but the "other side" as you like to put it asks questions and sees that maybe everything isn't as black and white as you want it to be.
That is what a blog is supposed to be, an open discussion about topics. This blog is a bunch of insults and accusations and rehashing the same GARBAGE over and over again. Let it go, move. You obviously hate this school district and all of the people (except 1) who work in it. You hate every decision they make, and you blow every mistake made into World War 3. You really need to take some time and focus on what makes you such a self-righteous, angry know-it-all.
5:10 p.m., if your initials are C.D. you're the parent who claimed that Mr. Liska started the Wind Ensemble, but your daughter's name is listed on an EAHS concert program as a Wind Ensemble member in 1997 or so (oboe player, first initial is S). So your credibility isn't so grEAt.
But I do agree with you that Bill Tripp was an outstanding band director :)
There are honest mistakes, and there are ethical lapses. An honest mistake is when a director doesn't double-check the numbers on an adjudication sheet, and announces a Division I rating before every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed. That's understandable...and easily forgivable.
An ethical lapse is when someone posts a recording of a performance and represents it as their group, when in fact it is not. Then when the truth comes out that it's someone else's performance, they continue the lapse by insisting that it was indeed their recorded performance. Not so easily overlooked or forgiven.
So you are now making the leap of judgment that Mr. Liska was posting that it was the correct performance?
Let's get that straight - In a ocean of Anonymous you are assuming that Mr. Liska was posting (anonymously) that the recording on the website was the East High Band?
I would love to know how you make that assumption.
And 7:38 when Mr. Liska addressed the "honest mistake" as you put it and asked that people contact him with questions about his program he was still later bashed in that thread (probably by you).
But no, this blog continually HIDES and would rather remain ignorant of the facts instead of going directly to the people involved.
The truth is, most people don't hate Mr. Liska as much as you do, they just don't post here because they know it is pointless.
I just feel that somebody has to try and shut up the stupidity.
7:38 p.m. said "someone". No names were mentioned.
7:41, you're the one making assumptions.
;)
No SORRY 7:50 YOU ARE WRONG
"Then when the truth comes out that it's someone else's performance, they continue the lapse by insisting that it was indeed their recorded performance. Not so easily overlooked or forgiven."
No that whole sentance is saying that it was "Someone else's" performance but "they" (the person who posted the recording) insisted that it is indeed "their" (meaning the person who posted the recroding) performance.
We all know that Mr. Liska posted the recording. That sentence is clearly stating that that poster thinks Mr. Liska was defending himself on this blog, insisting that it was indeed the East High Band.
I'm sorry if you can't understand that, but that is what that sentence says.
Looking back over the previous thread on this blog, I see NO negative or critical comments about our district's band directors (past or present) in the 228 comments on that thread. And the thread before that one had no negative comments after April 18th. In fact, there have been many comments supportive of our EAHS fine arts teachers (including, specifically, Mr. Liska) while discussing the new 6-period bell schedule.
For a while there it looked like many in our community (or at least those who read this blog) were able to find agreement and put aside past differences for the good of our kids. What a shame that this latest event has been a step backwards in the healing of our district!
"We all know that Mr. Liska posted the recording"...
No, "we" don't.
You don't know Mr. Liska is in control of the East High Band Website?
Really?
You think only one person has the capability to post on a website? Especially a website that is connected to/controlled by our district?
"Really"??
Don't you think that if Mr. Kaisershot (or Ms. Gawlik, or Mr. Holhut, or Mr. Koch) had posted another group's recording as their group's performance they would be called out for it too. Wrong is wrong, no matter who is responsible.
Apparently, not even Liska will stand behind his Wind Ensemble performance recordings. All the Wind Ensemble recordings have been pulled off the web site.
If the recordings were indeed of the East Aurora Wind Ensemble, you would think that Liska would have stood up for his band.
How many errors or lapses in judgement (depending on your point of view) does the community accept from the man. If the leader is not responsible, how can we expect him to teach responsibility to those children that have been entrusted to him?
We had the band receive a Division III and that was reported as winning a bronze. Liska had a trophy made showing a Division I when the band never earned any such award. Liska reported this year that the band received a Division I when, in fact, they received a Division II. Now we have a recording of another band being represented as the East High Wind Ensemble.
Since the administration and board continue to support the man, apparently this must be what they consider the new and improved East Aurora Band Program.
May 26, 2013 at 7:30 PM
I didn't make a "claim", I stated what I believed at the time to be a fact. I discovered I was wrong, there WAS a Wind Ensemble back under K, but it had been discontinued then brought back by Liska. I would have come back here to admit to that, but at the time some tragedy occurred (maybe Newtown?) that made me realize just how insignificant the entire discussion was and I let it go. Which you apparently can't. Guess that means I have no credibility, because I made a mistake. But although you have identified my daughter, you've got the year wrong (she didn't enter EAHS until '98) AND you have my initials wrong. If 1 mistake means I have no credibility, I guess your 2 mistakes means you have less than none.
8:24 If K had done it, it would NOT have been called out on THIS blog.
When the Cubs win the World Series.
Give me your name and I will give you mine.
Which pocket? Front of back?
9:56 p.m., this blog is an equal-opportunity criticizer. A public mistake (deception, misrepresentation, or whatever you want to call it) is fodder for discussion on this blog, Openline blog, or thousands of others.
Get over it.
8:54 - I thought the reporting a Division was an "Honest Mistake"
The band NEVER received a division one. INDIVIDUAL Students at the SOLO and ENSEMBLE Contest received Division III (reported BY CLAYTON) as bronze (this has been brought up before but YOU still like to LIE that the BAND received a Division III)
The Division I plaque thing is correct - 6 years ago. Move on.
And the recordings are down, because Mr. Liska always takes them down. He leaves them up so the students can listen to them and then always takes them down. The Concert Band and Symphonic Band recordings are down too.
Again you make assumptions that are STUPID and WRONG. Mr. Liska is a GREAT band director and just because you don't like him does not give you the right to make IGNORANT statements about him anonymously on a stupid blog.
Everything in my post is TRUE. You are the liar and you bend the facts to fit your point. Please shut your stupid mouth and if you have a question about the band program, you should ask the person in charge of it. Not a stupid blog that has NEVER had THE WHOLE TRUTH about the
band program.
7:10 - This blog is not equal opportunity at all. The band program get RIPPED APART for any TINY mistake and and 100's of posts questioning Mr. Liska's ethics and talent.
This blog has NEVER been equal in anything it does because the "blog administrator" wants it that way.
9:55 p.m., I apologize for getting your first initial wrong. Your first initial is A (you have another daughter whose name starts with C; my mistake).
And I did NOT say that you had "no credibility". What I said was, your credibility was "not so grEAt". Big difference! Something that's not so great can be good, fair, mediocre, or EA-OK. I'd appreciate it if you would quote me correctly...thanks :)
Actually 7:10, all blogs are equal opportunity in another way -- the public mistake doesn't even have to be real. Even if it's only perceived (or perhaps made up), it still becomes fodder for people with an agenda to push, who are more than willing to twist any comments, facts, or situations to fit into whatever narrative they want it to. But there IS selectivity. For example, on Openline there has never been a post critical of Rick Lawrence, and comments that are will eventually be deleted although truly nasty, obscene posts will stay. Here, at least things don't get deleted, but any anti-K or pro-Liska posts (even if they're also pro-K) will be attacked. It's really a shame; K had many years of outstanding service at East (he was excellent for my kids), and has continued by all accounts to do an excellent job for the kids at Simmons. It's such a shame that his legacy ends up tarnished by those who continue to attack Liska and the current band kids in their attempts to canonize K. Probably doesn't really matter; I think the new bell schedule is going to seriously damage all our fine arts programs, perhaps irreparably.
8:54 p.m., one correction. You said:
"We had the band receive a Division III and that was reported as winning a bronze"
I think you're confused about organization contest and Solo & Ensemble. The band did get Division III several years ago, but it wasn't reported as "winning a bronze" (as I recall, it wasn't reported by D131 at all; someone posted a link to the IHSA website where scores were officially posted). The "bronze" you refer to was Clayton Muhammad's spin in the Beacon after Solo & Ensemble contest in 2006 or 2007. EAHS singers & instrumentalists were mentioned as having "won Gold" if they got Division I, "won Silver" for Division II, and "won Bronze" for Division III. This was a shining (pun intended) example of the way Clayton Muhammad inflated and exaggerated every tiny bit of good news in our district, to the point that our kids were a laughingstock in the larger community. I miss him like I'd miss a bad cold.
Listen for yourself; compare for yourself:
http://www.d131music.org/uploads/1/5/6/3/15638230/the_klaxon.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhFQED4TZN8
You are so stupid 7:45
It is no longer about whether or not it was the same recording. It is about was the recording:
Posted to deceive the community
Posted by mistake
All of you assumed it was posted to deceive but the flip side is, it might have been posted by mistake. That is what is so frustrating. You present one side is ignore everything else. You get one idea in your pea brain and run with it.
7:19 a.m.:
"TINY mistake"
Yeah, right.
Shut up 8:01 - You're an idiot.
"Shut up, you're an idiot"
What else can you say when you're busted??
Hey May 26, 7:51...I'm still waiting for a response as to how you feel about d131's sexual predator. I too, am very happy we never hired Orland, he's in prison where he belongs. However, why do we allow a "do nothing", scumbag administrator to continue being employed at well over $100,000/year?
The file name did not say d131klaxon.mp3 or was it posted to a facebook or d131 home page.
Just think for one second.
You.are stuck working with the crappy equipent the district gives the teacher.
You.have a student save the files from the decade old recorder.
They save it as klaxon.MP3 and accidentally move it to the wrong folder.
It gets posted to the student support page by accident.
What the hell is the issue?
We go after good teachers because people on here are still mad about a district decision a decade ago?
We have huge issues that this distracts us from having a real and postive discussion about.
If you want to complain about serious issues dealing with aurora high school band. Move to west aurora. You will really enjoy it there. So will your daughters.
8:21 a.m., didn't that administrator's supposed misconduct happen more than 10 years ago?
Get over it.
Or as Clayton Muhammad famously said,
"for us the whole issue is over".
;)
May 27, 2013 at 7:23 AM
You've got the right family, but you've gotten my first initial wrong multiple times now. It's J -- A is smarter than I am, and seldom even reads this blog, and I doubt A's EVER posted on it. I actually didn't quote you, I put my understanding of what you said -- no quotation marks. If I misinterpreted your remark, I apologize. So now we've both apologized. How about we agree that in both cases we made mistakes, maybe for both of us our credibility "is not so grEAt", and be adults and move on. Personally I think there's a lot more significant issues facing our district than nit-picking each other's posts and assuming every simple well-intentioned mistake is some kind of deep plot to deceive the world. I didn't lie, I just remembered wrong and when I found out I would have corrected myself but then Newtown happened and it just made pretty much everything discussed on this blog seem so insignificant I just went away for a couple of months.
As for band, let's face it, the band program is on the way out because so many kids are going to have to drop it because of the new schedule. The blasting of the program by some on this blog isn't going to help that situation, and is only going to hurt the few kids that are left. And THAT'S the real tragedy here.
Ten years ago or not, it's not over! If Orland were to be still employed @ d129 ten years from now would your attitude be "get over it"? If your daughter's youth was stolen by some teacher who felt there was nothing wrong with dating a teenager would you say "get over it"? This guy is still making decisions for our students. Does he really know what's in the best interest for our kid's? If, as an administrator, he discovers a teacher having inappropriate relations with a minor, will he report it? These are reasons why you don't "get over it"!
11:38 a.m., there's a time & place for dealing with inappropriate relationships between adults and minors. That window has closed, because (if indeed something happened) many years have passed and witnesses, evidence, etc. would be extremely hard to find. It should have been addressed AT THE TIME.
Now as the saying goes, it's water under the bridge.
To: May 27, 2013 at 10:03 AM
So according to you, I guess it will be acceptable if in ten years (when Orland) is out of prison that West Aurora makes him an assistant superintendent. After all, more than ten years will have passed.
Steve Orland has been convicted of a crime.
None of our administrators have been convicted of a crime. YOU may not like it, but that's the way our justice system works...evidence must be presented and a trial held before someone is declared guilty of a felony. Hearsay 10 years after a supposed crime occurred is not evidence.
It's more than hearsay, many current employees know the truth. We also remember an assistant principal who was caught red handed, engaged in a sexual act with a student. A secretary caught him. This man was allowed to resign with no legal recourse. Like I asked before, if these scenarios involved your daughter would it all just be water under the bridge? None of our administrators have been convicted of a crime because the district covered these cases up. You talk to any employee of d131 that has been in the district for 10+ years and ask who is know as "the molester", you'll see that everyone will know exactly to whom you are referring. This is not due to ugly rumors, this is due to ugly truths.
1:12 p.m., what did the state's attorney say when you contacted him about your concerns and/or evidence?
We saw what the State's Attorney did on the West Side. The State's Attorney publicly stated that crimes were committed but refused to press charges. What the State's Attorney did should also be a crime. It's just one more level of a coverup.
And it's the exact same thing the State's Attorney did with Boys II Men. He acknowledged crimes were committed but refused to press charges.
Maybe it's time the State's Attorney's Office was investigated.
Actually the states' attorney saved the taxpayers lots of money and accomplished the same thing that a prosecution would have. The crime was failure to report the incident that the janitor finally went public about. Who would have been prosecuted? Every school employee who knew about the incident but didn't report it to DCFS, including the janitor himself, his union rep, his immediate supervisor, and so on up to the superintendent. The final result -- who knows? The jury might have sympathized w/ the janitor and found him not guilty, thus reinforcing to the employees that if they just tell their boss they're covered -- even though that's not what the law says. Even the ones found guilty would probably have gotten probation at the worst. The way the states' attorney did it, ALL employees will be getting training so they ALL know what they're supposed to do -- call DCFS, not your union rep.
And the 131 situation is the same. All district employees are mandatory reporters -- no matter what position they hold/held. If we ask them about the situation you allege, and they tell us what you say they will, then if THEY didn't report it to DCFS they're in violation of the law themselves.
12:36 you don't have to worry about that. As a convicted sex offender, Orland's lost his teaching certificate and, if he had one, his administrative certificate. He'll also be registered as a sex offender, and won't even be able to step foot on school grounds, let alone ever work in a school again in ANY position.
That scumbag as you refer to him is a standup father and husband,like it or not. His wife loves him and his two children adore him. Your comments tell a greater story about you.
To:May 27, 2013 at 4:38 PM
Molested children frequently love the father figure who abused them, that's not the point.
The point is the community and staff have no faith in a board and administration who have been aware of inapproprite behavior by any staff member and have done nothing to protect the children.
This is just one of the many open wounds this community has not healed because the board and administration continue to do nothing.
Just like the case that Marin washed at the Highschool for her favorite Social Worker. She even gt the Social Workers husband to run for the Board but god was looking out and Marin will never be Superintendent.
DCFS should have been called on her Shelia, knew about it but Jackie still works there.
Keep talking but when point a finger there are three pointing at you. Is it illegal to get married and raise a family
Maybe his kid's do adore him. If there is no proof of these allegations how do you know exactly who we're taking about? I just hope if one of his kids is a girl some teacher doesn't abuse his authority and snatch her teen years away from her. Are you really to blind to see what a creep this guy is? Are you saying as long as you marry the minor you were involved with that all is forgiven? Give me a break! If you want to crown him father of the year that's your prerogative. What he did years ago was criminal. For him to thrive in this community and be looked upon as a role model is a joke.
No, this blog is the joke. Posting lies and half truths, never contacting a human to find out real answers, coming up with false conclusions based on false assumptions and insulting people.
If you think anybody takes this crap seriously you are completely stupid. Nobody cares about this stupid blog or any of the small-minded people who post ridiculous lies.
Who was the Principal when all this happened?.
60 new teachers next year, entirely new administration, Morale lowest in the 25 years at East, no one wants to go to Work everyday, teachers aren't respected on a professional level, behavior by students is out of control. The only teachers and administrators you will get at EA will be there for a resume builder. Byrd will have 1-2 years.
9:36- if no one takes it seriously,
Why are you resorting to posting with name calling?
6:08- is serious! I believe this to be fact. Too bad this district is stuck with a school board with a majority of people looking to build their social life and feeling power in a position they do not respect. It should be all about the students and teachers. Not power and money.
9:23 p.m. says:
"What he did years ago was criminal"
If so, it might have turned out to be an example of a victimless crime. He's happily married for +10 years now to his supposed victim, and he's (from all accounts) a good husband and father.
Let's suppose that he was indeed "brought to justice" and convicted for that single long-ago mistake. What kind of heartless person are you that you would rip him away from his young children?
And blog administrators, thank you for not publishing a name in this situation.
Apparently it is official. Jerome Roberts has put in for retirement. It was in the approved minutes from 5-6-2013. Unfortunately, it's not effective until 6-30-2014.
Jerome Roberts. Must be a coincidence.
Yet you still post on it. Idiot.
And so do YOU.
;)
True. But I didn't call people idiots just you.
My son is headed to the magnet school next year as is many of his friends. Who are the teachers that are going to teach there.
Who is ripping anyone away from any kid's? My whole point is, if Orland was never brought to trial and ended up marrying this girl, would everything be fine? These two scenarios are exactly the same except for one of the predators married the girl.
Resume building is ok the district is getting better talent then the people who resigned.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130525/news/705259921/
To: May 28, 2013 at 7:43 PM
Thanks for the article. It shows the mindset of many school districts. We teach students they have rights but then violate those rights every chance we get. And now, the entire staff is being taught what happens if you stand for the students against an illegal breach by the administration and board.
Now the Batavia Community is standing against the district. The only thing left to be determined is whether the Batavia School Board will listen to the community or disregard them as District 131 does.
9:20 p.m., I just read that article too. As a parent, I would stand behind that teacher 100%. How is reminding students of their constitutional rights a bad thing? I'd like to think that I'm raising children, not sheep!
And I LOVE that 31,164 people have "recommended" the article. School Board, the community is speaking. Listen up!!
3:02 p.m. is asking who will be teaching at the magnet school. My suggestion would be to look at the minutes for recent School Board meetings. Names of recently hired teachers are posted, along with their degrees, universities, and salaries.
Looks like Batavia's got their very own bully superintendent:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/22442320/batavia-community-defends-teacher-who-spoke-for-student-rights
For the record, I think that those surveys are bulls**t and a waste of time.
However, I don’t think this is a Fifth Amendment issue because it was not a legal proceeding (not an arrest or a courtroom).
Most school districts (like 131) need to get parents’ permission before administering surveys like that.
As long as they got parents’ permission I don't think there's anything illegal going on
Now Batavia School District did send an email out to parents informing them of the survey. In said message, they told parents that their students could opt out if requested by the parental units.
So the parents need to tell the school that they don't want their kid taking the survey.
If the parents do nothing, the kid is supposed to take it.
Overall it sounds like the teacher made a big deal of nothing, and then the Bativia BOE made a bigger deal of nothing by disciplining him.
This kind of survey should have been opt-in, not opt-out.
If my son had been given a survey like this (very personal questions, with his name on it) I would have told him to turn it in blank.
Hmmmmm, making a big deal out of nothing. Sounds like another group of people I know (well not really know, because they all post as anonymous).
In District 131, if the administration sent it directly to students homes, half of the parents would never have received the notice. And that is assuming the notice clearly explained what was going to be asked. If the parents were notified by sending notes home with the children, few if any would have received the notice.
A survey with the consequences this one had must be with parents permission only.
The most disturbing fact of this situation to me was that the administration refused the newspapers request to see the survey. If this survey was a proper act by a public agency, there should be no issue with the public seeing the survey. As a teacher, every test I give to students can be seen by anybody who is interested.
The fact that the school district refuses to make the survey public shows that they know there were improper questions being asked.
At the high school they have forms they give to students and it states if you give permission you don't have to do anything (do not return it). If you want to opt-out then sign and return the form. Never know if those forms ever make it home or not.
Why should a teacher be penalized for reminding or informing students of their constitutional rights? Students are citizens, after all...and they don't leave their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door.
Actually they do leave many of their constitutional rights at the door. Freedom of speech is probably the biggest ones. Students have to follow a dress code avoiding certain colors and clothes cannot promote sex, drugs or violence.
They also give up their right to illegal searches. If the school feels like it they can search anything on school grounds including backpacks, lockers and cars.
Students and teachers also don't have the right have guns on school grounds. Even if the new concealed carry law goes through, you would still not be allowed to have one in a school.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/20415133-417/batavia-teacher-disciplined-in-survey-controversy.html
If all this teacher did was remind students of their Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate themselves, why is that such a bad thing for a teacher to do?
To: May 29, 2013 at 9:18 PM
You are incorrect. Students do not lose their constitutional rights when they enter the schoolhouse doors. However, many school districts violate the students constitutional rights when they enter the schoolhouse doors.
In fact, there are many administrators that spend many hours figuring out how to violate students rights. If the community doesn't stand up for their rights, the administrators will continue.
Students do not lose their first amendment rights in school. The courts have supported this in many instances. When it has been brought to court, the school district has the burden to prove that the students free speech created a major,ongoing disturbance in the school that interfers with education.
Students do not lose their 4th amendment rights to protection from illegal searches when entering a schoolhouse. Administrators can not legally search a child or their possesions without reasonable cause. There is a grey area with regards to lockers because they are the property of the community, not the child.
As for dress codes, some Federal Courts have determined that they are illegal and in areas of the country, they are not allowed. The Federal Courts in the Midwest have found that in some instances, they are legal (usually in low income, poorly educated areas). The Supreme Court has never made a determination. I think George Carlin said it best. "I saw some old films that showed the government promoting school uniforms but it was very hard to understand. It was in German".
As for guns, you are correct, student are not allowed to carry weapons on school property. As for teachers carrying, that depends on the state that you live in.
As for Illinois not allowing concealed carry, that's why the Federal Courts have stepped in and ordered our Illinois Lawmakers to crate a concealed carry law that must still be approved by the Federal Court. This has to be done by next month. In fact, Illinois is one of the worst states for violating your constitutional rights.
Batavia is a perfect example of why school administrators and school boards get away with violating teachers and students rights.
If this teacher were to take the district to court, he would certainly win. However, it would cost him thousands of dollars to recoup the few hundred he is losing in this suspension. In addition, he would create enemies in the board and administration. The next time anything happened (even the most innocent) the powers that be would use it to harrass and/or terminate the man.
Just look at the Bob Green case. That whole situation started because Bob Green dared to stand up to administrators who were violating many laws.
The question 10:01 is if that is all the teacher told the kids. That's what he says, but I wasn't there, and of course the district can't tell their side of it because of privacy laws. If he added anything to what he told the kids, like accusing other school personnel of intending to use the survey for disciplinary purposes or purposes other than what was stated, THOSE statements could be a problem. But just telling them "hey, you guys are taking a survey today, and I wanted to remind you that you have a constitutional right to not incriminate yourself. You don't have to answer any questions that you think might do that" should be fine. As for not giving the survey to the press, that's just stupid. They're going to get it eventually via FOIA, so they should have just given them a blank one as soon as they were asked.
There is an old quote... "When laws become immoral, the only place for moral men is in prison".
The administration in Batavia are the immoral entity in this crisis. The teacher is the moral man being persecuted.
The administration is claiming that since they do not intend to use the information taken from the children to discipline them, they are not violating the law. A thin technicality at best.
The fact is, they are creating a paper trail, a counseling and social work trail. That child may find themselves in front of a judge someday and the judge's sententence may be influenced by the childs history of illegal activity and drug use. In other words, this survey may be used to prosecute the child.
Only a nieve person would assume that the paper trail disappears at a critical moment.
Has anybody else noticed that the actual reason for the teachers suspension has not been shared. What law or policy did the man violate?
7:49 most of your post may be well reasoned, valid points, but your last question is unfair. Because of personnel and privacy laws, the district can't give the information you ask for.
How come the list of bills isn't showing up on the April 15 approved minutes?
The March 18 list of bills aren't showing either under the approved minutes.
May 30, 2013 at 8:30 AM
You are incorrect. Personnel laws don't forbid a school district from speaking about personnel matters. That's just usually district policy because they're afraid of the lawsuit that will follow if they can't prove what they claim.
Here are a couple of comments from the Beacon website, about the Batavia teacher:
"From the day you were born, you are taught the fundamentals of life by your parents. When you go to school, those fundamentals of life are polished by teachers who prepare you for the outside world. The fifth amendment wasn't written and made into law just for adults (21 yrs old), the amendment was written for all age groups. Teachers are looked up to for guidance, and that's exactly what Mr. Dryden did. He advised them of their constitutional rights as any good caring teacher would do"
"In my opinion this teacher did nothing wrong in advising the students of their rights. School districts all to often over step boundaries. If they truly want to help students in jeopardy then one on one intervention is what is needed, you don't have them take a survey! We as parents teach our children to obey, respect and do as they are told in the school environment, but our children have the right to say no to this type survey"
I am sure if the administrators had to take personal responsibility for the decisions they made, their decisions would be very different.
If the lawsuit was against the administrator who made the decision instead of the school district as a whole, the decision making would improve.
Why should the taxpayers flip the bill when an administrator abuses their power?
May 29th 5:15 p.m. what the heck are yopu talking about you are posting anonymously!!
Back in the day informing kids of their constitutional rights was called civics. How to be a good citizen. Be well-informed. Now, we just collect really personal info on kids and use it against them later. Good for teacher and good for kids by rejecting this blatent big brother b.s. Real life lesson on participating in a "democracy".
Sounds like the teacher went a bit farther than just telling the kids their rights. I read another story and apparently he was questioning the motives of the faculty and staff responsible for the survey, and essentially wasn't just telling the kids they had the right to not answer, he was trying to talk them into not answering. Telling the kids their rights in a non-judgemental manner and letting them decide for themselves is appropriate. Slandering your colleagues and undercutting them to promote your own agenda isn't.
http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/30/documents-related-to-batavia-high-school-survey-flap-obtained-through-foia/aub9e41/
Interesting read, 12:05. Sounds like this guy is a bit of a loose cannon, and isn't the saint some of the article have made him out to be.
Focus on East Aurora. Batavia doesn't need any help unless they are in need of EA Bloopers courtesy of Annette Bigfoot Johnson.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=JiaQ-B127L8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJiaQ-B127L8
Here is another POV about how to improve our students educational opportunities. I'd love to hear others perspective. Are vouchers a way to fix the educational system in Illinois?
~Rayanne
Actually, 4:11 p.m., what happens in Batavia is relevant for some of us. I happen to live in Batavia & work in D131. My kids go to Batavia schools (although not the high school yet). Our property taxes are through the roof, and a school board member lives at the end of our court.
Well then maybe you shouldn't be living in Batavia cry baby. Move to D131 which pays your mortgage. Another example of people living outside their means, and that's why we are in a recession.
I found it interesting that in Batavia, a teacher can tell students "Put those coins away or I'll shove them up your a$$", without receiving a Board Notice to Remedy. A teacher can also say to a student "What, did you mix your drugs this morning" and "I am surprised that your father hasn't drowned you yet" without the board taking any action but tell students that they have a fifth amendment right not to incriminate yourself and the board drops the hammerand literally threatens termination.
I also found it incredible that the school district can administer a survey to thousands of students but then claim that they do not have to provide a public copy of the survey even when there is a FOIA request.
Finally, I found it beyond belief that the school district stated that they paid a company $8,000.00 for survey questions (I believe I read in another article that there were all of 14 questions on the survey). I am definately in the wrong business. As a teacher, we create tests regularly as part of our job but don't make anywhere near that type of money. It makes a person wonder how many districts are paying this company thousands of tax payer dollars for this same survey?
10:44, you do not know my situation, and are ASSUMING I am living beyond my means. The fact is, I grew up in Batavia and now live in the house I inherited from my parents. I do not have a mortgage, but do pay property taxes (which I can afford because I don't have to pay rent or mortgage).
One of my fellow D131 teachers lives in Batavia also, with her mother. She is also definitely living within her means, and cares a great deal what happens in both Batavia and East Aurora.
10:52 I read the documents posted on the KC Chronicle. The company that created the survey maintains copyright of the survey and objects to the survey being copied and made public. If the district had created their own survey (which would have saved them a bunch of money), clearly they'd have to provide it. As it is now, they're in a damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don't position. If they provide the survey the company can take action for copyright violation, which will cost the district money whether they win or lose. If they don't, they get grief from the public.
I have to support those who come from nearby communities to work here. Both sides of this argument have valid points over the years, but personally, I think it is kinda like inbreeding, if we don't go outside our community for teachers and welcome newcomers we never get new perspectives from people who have experienced different ways of doing things and points of view. Yet, I believe we also need people from the community who are familiar with our families and our history of how we have progressed and the mistakes that have already been made.
Good for you. Do you want a plaque or certificate?
2:54 p.m., I'll take a plaque...as long as the information on it is factual ;)
Agreed.
To: June 1, 2013 at 7:24 AM
So according to you corporate interest should trump public interest?
Copyright laws should protect a company from having another company take their product and selling it, thus losing profits.
Copyright laws were never intended to be used like this. The Batavia Admnistrators are just attempting to cover their wrongdoing. The Kane County Cronicle should be challenging this.
7:06 you need to work on your reading comprehension skills. At no point did I address whether this copyright issue is the way it should be or not. I just stated what the situation is. So your initial question starts from a false premise by putting words in my mouth that I never said -- or even implied. In fact, my position (as clearly implied in my comment) is the survey should have been developed in house by the district. Surely their guidance counselors and social workers would be more than capable of doing that. Maybe KC Chronicle WILL fight it, and we'll end up seeing the survey -- or the court will side w/ the survey company and the Chronicle will have wasted their money on lawyers.
7:24
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/20454350-418/east-aurora-holds-athletic-camps.html
A grEAt way to keep our kids busy and active this summer!
And here's a link to some more summer activities, through the Fox Valley Park District:
beaconnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/20395739-423/fox-valley-parks-so-ready-to-kick-off-summer.html
East Aurora camps are free lets give the board credit often we are too quick to call names I know this direction of theirs not our administration. Nestor also put many hours into making this happen.
Post the total number of kids who attend these camps.
It's about time Nestor did something!
jose vega who was bullied a few years ago and was said by mrs A. Johnson from the school board she didn't care about his situation. on his promotion day she had the nerve to deny jose vega hand shake mother and auntie were upset by what she seen on stage and took action. Mrs. vega and caudillo confronted mrs Johnson. she swears she did but the video tape says different. When auntie asked her for her name she was silent nobody gave her name in till mrs caudillo screamed at her. shows to her not to mess with just anyone. LOL Annette Johnson is such a bitch.
Well I was at Simmons on promotion day and heard that lady yelling afterwards too. I didn't know who it was but did know she was yelling at Ms. Johnson and it was something about "why didn't you shake his hand".
I have trouble believing that a professional like Annette Johnson would refuse to shake a student's hand, but if there is evidence on video that it did happen she might want to lawyer up.
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