Our new superintendent will be Mr. Jesse J. Rodriguez. He was born in Puerto Rico and has been working as an administrator in the Milwaukee Public Schools for the past several years.
Quoting from a comment on the previous thread: "We are diverse in culture and background but unified in our desire to make our district the best it can be"
Welcome, Mr. Rodriguez!
206 comments:
1 – 200 of 206 Newer› Newest»Love that he's fluent in Spanish...looking forward to having a superintendent who can communicate with both our English & Spanish-speaking families without a translator!
It is a sad day in EA is that the best we can find? It is beyond belief that someone who is only 39 years old with limited language skills and no Doctorate is running out District SHAME on to the entire board. The board had a obligation to erase arch the scores in Milwaukee and find a high performer. You all need to resign.
Allum (what's an "allum", anyway?)--
No matter who our district chose, there are sure to be people like you who hate him without giving him a chance. I've never met him but from what I read & hear about Mr. Rodriguez he looks like a good (maybe even grEAt) choice. To answer your concerns:
--He's 39 years old. That's old enough to have years of experience, but young enough to be energetic and bring new ideas. We need a leader who will be "hands on", willing and able to get out in the schools and see what's happening instead of staying in the central office all day. Also, older superintendents are more expensive because a district has to "bump up" their salaries as they get closer to retirement.
--"Limited language skills" Mr. Rodriguez' first language is Spanish but he is also fluent in English. Yes, he may speak with a noticeable accent but he can definitely communicate in both languages.
--"no doctorate"...True, but not for long! He's completing his doctorate at Cardinal Stritch University. And look at the positive here: we may have had to pay a higher salary for someone who already had "Dr." in front of his name.
--test scores...A superintendent is not a magician. Test scores are more about parent support and involvement than administrators. Milwaukee is similar to Chicago in that a majority of public schools are filled with kids who come to school hungry and tired, unable to learn. Mr. Rodriguez is more likely to understand our families' challenges than a previous ivory-tower superintendent like "Serial Bully" Radakovich.
Also, Mr. Rodriguez is a product of public schools himself AND has children who currently attend public schools. His wife is a teacher, too.
All in all, I think Mr. Rodriguez is a positive choice for our district!
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25365249-417/east-aurora-hires-bilingual-educator-jesse-rodriguez-as-new-superintendent.html
By law, the minutes from the December 16th School Board meeting should have been posted at least a week ago.
If they are not posted by the end of today, I will be calling the central office and asking about it. No, I shouldn't have to...but they need to know that some of us expect minutes to be posted in a timely manner.
Your right. You should not have to call but sometimes posting on a stupid blog just doesn't cut it.
Hey employees, aren't you glad we can't file our taxes yet due to a clerical error by HR?!?!?
In the 21st century there are many ways to distribute and/or access information: face to face conversation, a phone call, print media such as newspapers, social media sites and blogs, email, etc. Those of us who are intelligent enough to use the English language correctly know that sometimes posting on a blog gets the results we want, and sometimes a phone call or e-mail is more effective...there is no one way (or "stupid" way) to get information!
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/25384408-418/east-aurora-full-day-kindergarten-students-to-be-selected-by-lottery.html
Well thank you Mr. Perfect or Mrs. Perfect or Ms. Perfect.
You're absolutely correct that I used the incorrect word. But you're wrong, this blog is stupid.
You're welcome!
And what are these "lies and bs" you're referring to?
Enlighten us, Oh Illiterate One!
:)
Let me get this straight. In 2012, the district terminated Marin Gonzalez (basically stating that she was incompetent) because the test scores went down a couple of points at the high school. The overall ISAT scores for the district in 2012 was 64% of district students meeting or exceeding state standards.
Now we are introduced to our new superintendent. A man of only 39with no certification in Illinois, no doctorate, poor english speaking skills and coming from a district where only 15% of students met state standards and Annette Johnson was quoted in the Beacon as stating that she was “convinced by his results.”
What results is Annette Johnson referring to?
I can't believe when offering a base salary and benefits package of $300,000 and having at least 70 applicants for the superintendents position, Jesse Rodriguez was the very best candidate that the district could hire. He sounds to me like a puppet that the board knows that they can completely control.
Here's another concern for the teachers and community of District 131. In Milwaukee they have an extensive program for vouchers and charter schools. It seems as though they can not find enough ways to take public tax dollars and funnel them into private, politically connected hands. How long will it be before we are giving millions of tax dollars to corporations to take over the education systems in Aurora?
I'm SO excited about the tax form SCREW UP. ESPECIALLY since I filed my taxes on Friday, when we got our W2s. Now, I get to file an amended at my own expense! What BS.
The real test for the new Superintendents is if he RUNS the district and not Johnson.
Who you should call if the board minutes aren't post if they where approved is The States Attorney because that is a violation of The Open Meetings act and you can see it on The States Attorney's Web Site and make a complaint against the district also on there. I do believe you can call anomalously also.
Those of you who are upset about the tax glitch...
You need to e-mail the district's financial officer.
You need to e-mail HR.
You need to e-mail the central office.
;)
What did the people in the central office say when you contacted them?
So who has contacted the central office about the tax glitch?
Nobody had to contact central office. They notified us via email that there was a glitch.
You see you "making fun" of email somebody only works when you are trying to get "answers" to your questions from a blog.
But it doesn't work in this case because the district DID communicate and let us know of the tax glitch.
So, who is going to the band booster meeting tomorrow?
:)
Actually, I did email HR. Would you like to know what I heard back?
CRICKETS.
Crickets is all you get whenever you contact HR.
Yes, what did you hear. I'm interested. Anything new that wasn't in their email?
If you're referring to the pancake breakfast, we actually DID get answers on this blog, directly from Mr. Mills. So asking questions on a blog got grEAt results in that instance.
But I have a hunch the "contact a human" team wasn't really concerned with why the breakfast was cancelled. They wanted to know specifically WHO was asking, instead of answering the actual questions being asked. It really bothers certain people that embarrassing or negative information can come out anonymously...so instead of an apology or explanation, they avoid the real issue with distraction.
It's been going on for years...too bad some of us can see it for what it is!
Reference this blog, there is lots of truth on it HOWEVER all info needs to come from the Administration not someone on this blog (even if its true) . No excuse for this issue not being handled from the board etc. I am not questioning the validity of Mr Mills statements.
Wrong - But it does not matter what I post here because you will go on believing whatever you feel like. That has also been going on for years. People post lies, anonymously and then no matter what else is posted after, the lie becomes the truth.
The only reason you got the answers on the blog was because SOMEBODY CONTACTED THE HUMAN (Mr. Mills) and told him about the blog. You can see it in his post. He did not even know about the blog until SOMEBODY CONTACTED HIM.
You see how the "contact a human" people WON!
:)
Why are you so offended by relieving your identity for a non-controversial matter.
Your email could have been as simple as,
Mr. Mills,
I noticed that the Pancake Breakfast was canceled. Can you tell me why?
But the REASON you could not do that is because this blog (stupid blog) blew it up into a giant issue that included conspiracy theories and cover ups. Once it got to that point, it is embarrassing to reveal your identity.
Not everything is a conspiracy or a cover up. This isn't NCIS or the West Wing
The important victory was for people requesting information. Ultimately the blog won too, because those of us who wanted to know why the breakfast was cancelled received an answer directly from the source.
And Mr. Mills also won, because he was able to explain to many people at once instead of dealing with individual e-mails or phone calls.
I saw Jesse Rodriguez introduce his kids they are all products of Charter Schools his bio his stated he also worked at a Charter School.
Is this the best they can find or did Johnson hire someone weak to run the district and Strand go along be she can build more churches.
They claim they all wanted him but Leonard did not show up
He did not strike me as very bright
We need to insist the BOE hold Jesse Rodriquez accountable with regards to getting certified as a Illinois teacher. Some administrators coming from out of State are allowed to wave this and be given a provisional certification for hours served. If we must hold our credituals, then our top leader should as well.
The BOE should make public what he needs to become Superintendent in Illinois and teacher. They already waved the Doctoral provision. Ask yourselves how many Superintendents from other districts have this?
Look at the scores BOE and the fact he supports Bilingual Ed looks like we have taken ten steps backwards. His theories are old school and not fact based.
Really BOE a $300,000 package it's time for teachers to not settle with the BOE on their next contract and demand more.
Poease BOE insist he is at the same educational level as Dr Roberts.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25407886-417/new-superintendent-up-for-east-aurora-challenge.html
EAteacher, I was concerned also about Mr. Rodriguez' lack of credentials to be a superintendent in Illinois. But I was reassured when I read the following:
"His appointment is contingent upon his obtaining the proper license and endorsement to be a superintendent in Illinois. He plans to work with the district during the transition period before he officially takes the reins this summer"
So our School Board WILL require him to hold proper credentials before he officially becomes our superintendent.
And I love his "dual language" approach to teaching our Hispanic immigrant students! Knowing two languages helps develop a child's brain like few other skills can. And having pride in their heritage is also a good thing!
When are ALL students going to be offered an opportunity for a 2nd language at the elementary level in Aurora?
Equal Opportunity: ALL children in our district will be offered the opportunity to learn a second language when your beloved Bilingual Director, Diane Argueta and the holy Beatrice Reyes Childress realize the benefit of all students knowing two languages. However, I doubt that will ever happen since neither of them are truly bilingual individuals and are busy pushing an English only agenda with this ridiculous new early exit program.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25430771-417/east-aurora-room-for-magnet-and-partnership-school.html
where did you find out the new supt is in favor of dual language. i read that he came through a dual language program, but all i've heard for d131 is bilingual. dual language and bilingual are two different things.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/25446653-423/east-high-grad-teachers-helped-her-become-neuroscientist.html
From the Beacon News
East Aurora business director on paid leave more than month
February 1, 2014 East Aurora School District’s director of business was put on paid administrative leave in mid-December, according to a source familiar with the situation.
It’s the latest issue in the district’s business department, which has seen several staff turnovers and record-keeping discrepancies in the last year and a half.
Ernest Clark, who was hired in June to serve as the district’s director of business, was put on paid administrative leave on Dec. 19, the source said. Clark indicated his intent to file a complaint with U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, before he was put on leave, the source said. That body is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against employees.
Clark’s eventual EEOC complaint contained several charges that stemmed from “interference with the ethical running of the business office,” and interferences from School Board President Annette Johnson with Clark’s ability to do his job, the source said.
Johnson also declined to comment on whether Clark was put on leave, citing the district’s policy. But she said she had “not interfered with anybody’s ability to do their job.”
Prior to becoming East Aurora’s business director, Clark worked for 17 years in East St. Louis School District as the executive director of finance.
When Clark was hired this summer, the district said he would be instrumental in helping to clean up the business department’s record-keeping as it transitioned to new software.
The business office has seen repeated turnover since the former assistant superintendent of finance, Jay Augustine, retired unexpectedly from his position in September 2012 after a series of financial discrepancies surfaced.
The next month, Augustine’s secretary was fired for insurance record-keeping issues.
In November 2012, the assistant director of business, Diana McCluskey, resigned from her position after a little over two months on the job.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25469629-417/east-board-approves-agreement-with-financial-consultant.html
I am more than willing to give the new superintendant a chance. I certainly hope that he will do his job and run this district and not Annette. She needs to be exactly what she was voted in to be, a member of the board with not mnore rights than the other board members. I do think the new superintendant's salary is way to high.
A financial consultant?? I thought one of the board members was the expert financial person heading up the finance committee. Possibly, she just does not understand the new technology and needs one on one support. Beware Mr. Rodriguez. You can go to old media articles to see the bad PR the Board president has perpetuated. Here is hoping you can help those who truly care, clean up our district and its reputation.
Central office news is many of the highly qualified new administration started looking for new jobs this week. They most certainly had the greatest chance of re shaping EA. The board thumbed their noses at them and said they would not consider a inside candidate. DR Negron was a great choice but did not even get interviewed. Young and energetic teachers loved him. Then they hired someone who does not hold crediituals for teaching or superintentent and now have to pay to get that done. At $300,000 the board should be ashamed of themselves.
Time for Strand to resign she ran on I am going to hire a great superintendent. She failed us.
Insiders in the maintenance department are filing grievances left and right against Feltes he is taking away all our rights. Many people got thrown under the bus last year but it's business as Usual.
Feltes makes his own schedule tours Leonard around every day and never shows up at the office. Look into trips with Menards and other providers. The real accounting situation is with him. We don't have any money to fix buildings and it's the middle of the year.
We are told if you open your mouth we are turning your job next year over to non union workers.
Why is Annette Johnson not saying anything about his record keeping. Also Cortigan and Clark are being too do his job pull the bills and compare to what we paid last year and for what. You will find Cortgan calling the shots on more than the new preschool center.
He also is being given another Supervisor more after getting a $120,000 raise. Look at what he is getting they also paid his pension.
Our department never had 5 supervisors. Why did Ray go along?
Where is the beacon News
Parents, Students & Alumni,
The EA Band Booster Assoc. Meeting held on Thursday February 6th did have a better turn out then most meetings and for those of you that showed up I thank you very much. We did reach a possible date of April 5th 2014 to hold the 46th Annual Pancake Breakfast. I say possible for this reason, we are in the process of electing new officers for the 2014-2015 school year and with the decline in my health I am unable to continue being President I have served two years now and still would like to be involved with the Band Boosters but I just feel in my current health state it would be better for a new President to take over at this time.
The positions open to nomination include President, Vice President (which we have not had all year), Treasurer, and Secretary. The current Treasurer and Secretary have signed up for re-election, and are the only ones that have signed up for any of the positions open.
We will hold our normal monthly meeting on Thursday February 27th and 7:00pm In the High School Band Room in order to try to get the issue of new officers resolved. We have come a long way in the past two years now and I would hate to see the momentum stop now, but without the remaining positions being filled the Band Booster Assoc. will not be able to continue.
This is my final plea to any parents that will have a student in the band program next year to please attend this meeting and consider taking one of these positions. For anyone that is willing to become President I promise I will be there to help you in any way I can to make the process easier. If we cannot get these positions filled we will have no choice but to let the Butter Braid fundraiser be our last, which means there will be no Pancake Breakfast and begin the process to dissolve the Band Booster Assoc.
With this said if you have never been to a Booster Meeting now is the time, if you care about the future of the band program now is the time, if you care about the joy and fun your child has from being in band now is the time to react. Please come to the EA Band Booster Assoc. Meeting on Thursday February 27th at 7:00pm in the Band Room at the High School and keep the Band Boosters alive and going. Together we can make something grEAt, without you it will be gone.
Sincerely,
Bradley Mills
President
EA Band Booster Assoc.
Would love to know more details on the Maintenance Department under Marty Feltes. Please provide more info so we really know what is going on. I heard he is a tyrant and also has become a political puppet for Annette. Very interested in his spending of the money in the Department. Has he gone overboard with his spending? Please write on this blog so it can pursued. Need someone to contact the media and report this.
Sad to hear about Mr Mills it seems like he wanted to make a difference for the children and everyone ragged at him until he quit. That is why nobody wants to help out in EA.
I am not a fan of Anneete Johnson but many good things happened while she been the president and cleaned up many problems
We that anyone who is good and kill them sad
"everyone ragged at him until he quit"...Not so! Read Mr. Mills' comment. He is not quitting; he has a health condition that requires him to step down from being president of Band Boosters. He intends to remain involved in the group.
Ea1, why don't YOU step up and help the boosters? Your concern can be channeled in a positive direction. Buy ButterBraids, go to meetings, do something GOOD for our kids instead of complaining.
It looks like Jerome Roberts is out by Spring Break:
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/25512045-417/east-aurora-superintendent-moves-up-retirement-date.html
The story also states that the new superintendent isn't planning to start until May. I guess Annette Johnson will have to run the district in the interim. It's a good thing she has so much experience doing just that.
I certainly hope that after spending over $100,000 to replace the band uniforms that they will now be stored properly.
Talk about a waste of money. The reason that the uniforms were moldy and falling apart is because they were being stored improperly in the high school basement. The area was constantly damp and moldy. It was only a matter of time before the uniforms were ruined.
When Kaisershot was the director, the uniforms were taken very good care of and stored in a store room off the band room. Unfortunately Liska in his inexperience only saw that he needed more room and decided to store the uniforms in the basement.
If we don't want to be spending another $100,000 and replacing the new uniforms in a few years, I hope that somebody finds a better place to store the new uniforms.
I hope so to anonymous2. Maybe you should contact Mr. Liska and give him some suggestions.
It wasn't that the uniforms were 24 years old and are only designed to last 10 to 20 years as the reason that they were falling apart.
He only needed more space upstairs because the band room is extremely too small for the number of students that he has grown the program to include.
You keep telling part of the truth. I'm sure that music is stored downstairs along with costumes and props. Maybe you need to just get over it.
:)
Ever meet the new Sup he cant speak English. Annette Johnson picked him and others feel under her spell so she can keep running the district. I will be looking forward to Red and Black this year when Annette interrupts everything he says.
Also the board has not hired him yet he has two tests to take what if he fails what's the plan. Why would they move Roberts out?
"number of students that he has grown the program to include"...
This year the number of students in band is a smaller percentage of the total student population than in 2005. To be fair to Mr. Liska, some students might be unable to be in band now because of the new scheduling. But to take credit for growing the number of students in band is ridiculous and untrue.
What I remember about the moldy uniform situation was that the middle schoolers were specially invited & given tickets to the game (my daughter & I were there). The band didn't play anything except for standing in the end zone playing the National Anthem in street clothes. Absolutely nothing was said about the reason there was no half time show. The former district spokesman, Clayton Muhammad, said nothing. The Beacon said nothing. The district and band websites said nothing. Finally the drum major (a STUDENT) posted on this blog that some of the uniforms were moldy and that was the reason the band didn't perform.
If it weren't for the student drum major, the community would not have had any explanation at all. Just one more example of certain people in our district making decisions for anything BUT excellence!
Actually Mr. Hoyne, announcer, at the game announced that the band was not playing due to a problem with the uniforms.
Please show your work "Knows 131" because you are a liar and are just making things up.
Pleas show NUMBERS not just words.
Oh, you are all so ignorant. You don't remember anything correctly and twist all of the facts to prove your point. Get over it, get over it, get over it.
:)
If Mr. Hoyne announced anything at the game, the other parents, students, & I didn't hear it. None of us knew about the moldy uniforms until an older sister of one of the middle school kids told her (this was on Monday after the game).
I'm pretty sure I remember correctly because my daughter says the same thing. And I'm not blaming the band director for the moldy uniforms that was an honest mistake or coincidence. I was upset at not getting an explanation.
9:49 p.m., YOU show numbers that prove the current director "has grown the program to include" more students than before 2005. YOU are the one who made the original claim.
So you don't have numbers.
I made the claim that the band program is bigger. I made no claim of percentages. The band program is bigger.
It was around 80 to 100 in 2005 and now it is somewhere around 150 to 160ish.
That's bigger.
Now, where are your numbers.
:)
No, you said "he has grown the program". As in, taking sole credit for a bigger PROGRAM. That involves percentages, not just counting noses.
And about Mr. Hoyne or anybody else making an announcement at the game, explaining about the moldy uniforms...here's what really happened:
ea131.blogspot.com/2011/08/consequences.html
There wasn't any announcement at the game. Just Mauricio DePalma stepping up to explain about the moldy uniforms, and certain people (probably administrators) trying to brush it under the rug.
Yes, Mr. Hoyne did make an announcement.
Where are your numbers?
If Mr. Hoyne made an announcement, why did nobody who was at the game and/or discussing it on the blog hear that announcement? Why didn't the drum major, Mauricio, refer to the announcement? Did Mr. Hoyne whisper it? I guess that would count as "making an announcement", at least in the minds of certain people.
Where are your numbers blog administrator?
Where are your percentages? Those are the numbers that really count, not just how many bodies have to be fitted for uniforms.
I don't doubt that there are a few more actual students in band. But that's not the same as growing the program, and certainly not something one person should take credit for.
What PERCENTAGE of East High students are currently in the band program? Back in 2005 there were 120. I don't know exactly how many total students were enrolled but I have heard that enrollment has increased by at least 40% since then. Our high school building is bursting at the seams with students. If the program has truly grown there should be more than 200.
Wrong, but nice try.
2005 enrollment - 2534;
2013 enrollment - 3093
a difference of 559 -- 18% increase means 141 students in band - how many students are actually in band? 150-160 - i guess the program has grown.
If the program has really grown, why is the boosters organization falling apart?
The band program on average has been growing by 15 to 20 students per year so next year we are looking at 175 to 185 students which means by the next two years close to 200 band students. As of right now we have 170 students. Could be more but this year they had to choose between Band and ROTC. These are the facts.
Just the facts? Isn't it a fact the directors of the past not only directed the high school band alone, but they also made rounds to the grade school and the middle school band programs. The older directors (K and pre-Kaisershot) managed the fund raisers and were hands on with the Boosters along with performing outside the school at nursing homes and other events. In addition to the games and pep rallies, parades and musicals? Please o' wise ONE (who is Liar, get out, sorry you're wrong and all the other negative headings) Maybe if you "got out" the negativity would stop and Boosters would thrive again, band administrator ;)
http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolid=310451310220001
This website actually says EAHS student population is 3510.
Now what are the straight facts? I failed math :(
Get over it, 9:01 a.m. said now there are 150 to 160 band members. Mr. Mills claims 170. Assuming a middle ground of 165, I crunched the numbers:
The percentage of EAHS students in the band in 2005 was 4.73 percent (120 out of 2534).
The percentage of EAHS students in the band in 2014 is 4.70 percent (165 out of 3510).
That's a DECLINE in percentage, not growth.
The hate here is overwhelming. What an absurd conversation. The venom you spew is is such evil that to respond is pointless. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I would love for somebody criticize every decision you make from the safety of anonymity. You are children throwing a hissy fit and you are disgusting and rude and cowardly.
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Guess what "Let's do the math"
If the number happened to be, say 119 back in your beloved 2005 (you know because nobody knows what the number is, you just pulled that out of your butt) the percentage becomes 4.69 - So how about you shut the hell up because the number probably wasn't 120.
Sounds like a wash to me you hateful moron.
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/illinois/districts/aurora-east-usd-131/east-high-school-6481
this is the website that lists 3093 as the current enrollment. I guess it depends on which website you go to that gives you the information.
Pottymouth 7:59, that 120 was NOT pulled from my butt. It was actually pulled from a Beacon-News article written by Justina Wang in the fall of 2005, titled "Some harmony returns". Here's the direct quote from the article:
"District numbers show that there are 119 band students this year, which is just one less than last year"
So according to an impartial journalist, the district (which would have been VERY unlikely to inflate the number of band students under Kaisershot) says there were 120 in 2004-2005.
So lets get ready for Annette Johnson to go power crazy as Dr Roberts now exits. Mr Rodriguez will be here part time thus it is the opportunity for Johnson to re-establish her "Power Trip" to the max as she attempts to make 131 her private company. this woman is dangerous !!!
Set the facts straight--
That site is from 2012-2013. But I agree that it depends what site you go to for your numbers.
I say let's call it a draw. The post-2005 band is neither better nor worse than before, it is just different. Time marches on (pun intended), and our students need and deserve our support.
Too bad that certain people continue to pick a fight. In this case both sides were responsible for acting childishly.
Time to call it a draw and MOVE ON.
It's amazing to me that people here are arguing about the exact percentage that the band currently makes up of the school and not that the district has been putting uniforms covered in mold on our band children. It doesn't matter which camp you are a part of, you should want our children safe.
The sheet music is stored in moldy areas of the high school. The band uniforms are being stored in moldy areas of the high school. All these items are being touched, handled and worn by the children of this community. The mold is bad enough to ruin band uniforms but safe enough for the kids to wear???
Any other school district would shut down the entire building until the mold issue was removed using professional contractors. Only in District 131 do we spend over $100,000 to replace moldy items and never deal with the mold issue that caused the problem in the first place.
How many other areas of our buildings are contaminated by mold? How many of children are getting sick, never knowing that the cause is the sick, moldy buildings that they are being exposed to?
When are the parents of this community going to stand up and demand a safe enviroment for their children?
It's my understanding that the moldy uniforms was a one-time thing, and the uniforms were thoroughly cleaned and no students actually wore moldy uniforms. They are no longer stored in the basement area, and I'm sure the new uniforms will be stored properly and cared for just as they had been for many, many years. It was an honest mistake that is VERY unlikely to happen again.
Unfortunately, the wounds of this community are never going to be healed until both East High Band Directors have moved on and somebody new comes in.
I do have hope though. Mr. Kaisershot will be retiring within the next few years and Mr. Liska has had his eyes open for another position for a while now. When the right position opens up, he will be moving on.
Only then will the whole East High Band mess that's gone on for far too many years begin to improve. These are the changes that have been needed for a long time. It's way past time for the community to begin to heal.
Yawn.
I agree anonymous 1. My 2 cents- there would have been a whole different attitude in the community had the new guy been gratefully humble about the position he was able to get due to K. being moved and another very qualified directors change of heart about taking the job. Instead he came in very arrogant and bad mouthed K. to a few students. K. did nothing to him and he has since blamed K and all of his supporters for the negative opinions expressed about him, rather than owning up to his bad behavior.
there is mold throughout the building--in the social studies wing there is black mold on the heat /air outlets. In the math wing, there is mild so bad that a teacher came back fro break one year to find mushrooms growing and black mold on her desk and behind her whiteboard. There are routine pipe breaks and no machines are used to clear out water only mops, so that the water sits on the tiles and under them. There is on e social studies room that had a foot of water over xmas break. In the band room there was a flood and they had maintenance cleaning up the tiles that had come loose with no masks- these tiles had asbestos on them-- so yes there is a problem...
If there is "Mold" any other problems in the Buildings, just take pictures and report it to the Principal. Make sure they follow up, if not call the Aurora Board of Health to close the school down. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT because as you know the Bldgs and Grounds Department Director Marty Feltes is more concerned about appeasing the Board President and Dick Leonard. Unfortunately this is reality with B & G incompetence.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25528596-417/oswego-school-board-votes-down-stem-school.html
So Oswego turned down the new Aurora University STEM school...I understand their concerns. Should our district be jumping on board with this untried, expensive venture?
Parents and people outside the school are not aware of mold issues, we are not privy to seeing this stuff. So if you work inside a building and are aware of issues that are hazardous or if you think your job or the environment you work in is unsafe and you want to ask for an inspection, contact OSHA. It is confidential. https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html
Enough with the Band thing it is over and done with and as a Community Member I can heal and move on and so should you. In school districts and businesses declensions are made that you might not like but change needs to happen every once in awhile. Does the new band directors need to praise the old one I don't think so he is not God. There was a lot of bad mouthing him before he took the position. There are a few people that can't let go and you really need to get medical help.
As for the mold if you know this tell OSHA you are part of the problem.
What this community needs to worry about is who will be Superintendent when Roberts leave until the new one starts.
So who is going to play new superintendant until the new one can start? There is a gap until he can. Annette will be in her glory now. This in going to be very interesting with the new superintendant especially since he does not have all his credentials yet.
Is it true Annette Johnson is being reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by Ernest Clark. FINALLY someone has come forward to put her in place. Also rumor has it here that she is being investigated for many business dealings within 131. Actually not a rumor.
Don't toy with us, insider. Charges and proof of her business "deals" are the only way to get her off that board before her 4 years is up. A new super AND Ms. Johnson gone. One can only hope! A true miracle for D131 students....please?!
optimistic I know for a fact it is happening and in due time it will hit the fan big time. People need to speak up and report her and her clonies for the wrongdoings. Stay tuned
Maybe this blog should be the superintendent for the month of April. It always seems to have the correct answers.
The investigation is a illegal vote Peryea took.
As for Clark he did not get fingerprints and it is rumored he had a out of state criminal background . How is it we all got fingerprints but the leader of the business office did not
I am smiling ear to ear in anticipation! (we should be hearing some praise on her behalf shortly from her gallery)
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25556419-417/east-aurora-delays-energy-contract-recommendation.html
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25546585-417/downtown-board-concerned-about-possible-waubonsee-building-sale.html
OSHA is being contacted to investigate the MOLD problem within the schools. More to announce at it happens
Employee got exposed to asbestos at Krug and Simmons also Feltes is not a engineer and does not have a clue.
Follow the money trail nothing is being bid out same good old boys getting the work Nestor and Scott got fired for. at least Nestor got three bids Marty just picks up the phone and no PO are issued.
Ernest Clark was a scapegoat
Oneill got completed a $24,999 job with one bid.
Youngers has multi jobs with no bids
Here's a link to more than 20 articles about our district from local papers, over the past few weeks:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=34932660
According to this link:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=34932648
there were 3,544 students enrolled at East High in November 2013.
As of January 2014 there were 3,458.
What illegal vote did Peryea take and where?
Over 400 bills in B&G do not have proper authorization and bid procedures did not get followed. Why is Felts not held to the same standards as others before him? Why are employees allowed to goto Menards?
Oh Gee he is friends with tricky Dick Leonard and Annette Johnson. Where is the Beacon on that.
Board members Strand and Hull know this is going on where are they?
Voting Yeah with Johnson
beyond belief Mrs. K shut up get over it
Get over what, proud parent? Get over the fact that our district's band boosters (the oldest band boosters in the state) are just a shell of what they were 10 years ago? Get over the fact that the percentage of EAHS student body in the band program has NOT increased since administration insisted a new director was necessary?
Call it a draw, and move on. Support the kids, help them succeed. But don't PRETEND things are better when the numbers don't lie.
To the person who was asking a couple of weeks ago about what happened with the 165 Hope campaign, this is from the agenda for Tuesday's upcoming School Board meeting:
"Matt Hanley shared with all committee members that Aurora East Educational Foundation is donating the amount of $43,000. Monies are going to be used for students in the area of fine arts, athletics and student enrichment opportunities"
Also, the agenda mentions that the 165 Hope campaign will be "re-launched", whatever that means.
I noticed this under the 165 Hope discussion, in the agenda for Tuesday's board meeting:
"Re-launch 165 Hope Campaign promoting teacher/community giving and establish guidelines and procedures and calendar for awarding grants to teachers and/or district students"
Does this mean that TEACHERS will be expected to donate to this? Most of the teachers I know personally are already paying for things they need out of their own pockets (classroom supplies,etc.)
Have you turned in your classroom receipts, I have and got reimbursed.
165 Hope is something madam president took credit for heading up, to raise money for sports camps and such. There should be old stories from the Beacon somewhere. I guess the government grants, scholarships, donations of time, services, computers, books, programs, field trips, Free lunches,Free breakfast, waivers and all is not enough. The district wants to give more. It wants our teachers and community to dig a little deeper. I say enough! If we can't afford it, don't offer it, don't buy it or let the parents and students find a way to finance it. I see our teachers working past their quit time, bringing things to class they pay for from their pockets. Our students are asked to bring supplies each year to class to help furnish for everyone....kleenex, crayons, markers, printer paper. We need some re-evaluating of what things need to be prioritized. What things are actually mandated and what is our district offering that we are stretching our resources to cover?
Yes you can donate to it and then apply to get your money back.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25573127-417/east-aurora-students-to-walk-to-chicago-to-bring-awareness-of-plight-of-child-soldiers.html
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25659481-417/aurora-family-hopes-petition-will-prevent-boys-expulsion-over-toy-gun.html
Wow...EXPELLING a 9-year-old because he had a toy gun in his backpack??
"Zero tolerance" for common sense.
Maybe a few dozen of the people that signed that petition for the kid can show up at tomorrow night's School Board meeting!
Yeah, good, expel the kid. He deserves it. Don't bring a gun to school, real or fake. It isn't hard.
86 FEWER STUDENTS at EHS!
So why did Johnson spend $2.8 million on new space for more students? When there were fewer students.
She paid an extra $500 thousand to finish it quickly.
She started planning late costing 10's of thousands of extra dollars. Education dollars.
What an idiot.
Several things could have happened with that kid bringing the gun:
--Someone else could have put it in his backpack.
--He could have taken his backpack to a friend's house for a sleepover/playdate and forgotten the toy gun was in there when he put his school stuff in later.
--He could have been unaware that having a toy gun in his backpack was as serious as it was.
According to the article, this boy did not brandish the toy gun, much less threaten anyone with it. He's a 9-year-old kid. A suspension was punishment enough...save the expulsions for serious, deliberate wrongdoing.
Fake guns look real and his father works at East Aorora high. Of all things he is a Hall monitor and knows the rules. Expell him
Too bad, soo sad. By kid. Learned a hard lesson.
So a 9 year old kid makes a single mistake that hurts no one, and he deserves to be expelled? Yes, the kid broke the law but that's like throwing someone in jail because they get caught driving with a broken headlight.
So a 9 year-old who brings a fake danger to school gets expelled, but high school students who present a real danger by fighting at school only get suspended?
I guess so Nero. Any more questions.
Our administration has a golden opportunity to show some compassion and understanding in this situation. As a parent, I have to believe that they will be reasonable and allow this child to return to school. His suspension was punishment enough.
Reality Check, there are always fewer students at East High in January than November. This can be for many reasons: kids graduating at the end of first semester, families moving out of the district, students dropping out due to illness. No one can predict how many students will leave, but this year's 86 is not a big percentage of the total.
Come one, superintendent blog knows all and makes no mistakes.
It's hindsight is always perfect.
"Come one"...what on earth does THAT mean, oh illiterate one?
And "It's" means "it is". So your second sentence makes no sense either.
Oh the blog is always right. Praise be to the blog. The blog is all-knowing and powerful
Back to the point at hand.
Screw that kid, he should be expelled.
This child needs a lawyer. It's obvious that the district is trying to make him some type of example by trampling his rights.
Every child has a right to an education and the school district has the responsibility to show how a child is a serious danger or at least a serious disruption to the educational processes of the school before stripping any child of their education.
There was obviously no real threat from a toy even if it "looks" like a weapon and if the child never took the toy out of his backpack, the district will have a difficult time proving that he created any type of disruption to the school.
I would recommend Steven Glink to the parents. He is well aware of the crap this school district attempts and has had many successes representing the victims of this district. He is also from outside the county and isn't part of the good old boy network of lawyers that has allowed much of the corruption in this district.
Go here to sign the petition for Anthony:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/494/348/196/save-9-year-old-anthony-gonzalezs-future
If the SB leaves him with a fake gun the what about the next kid. What if somebody gets shoot. Then all of you would be calling for the boards head
Why didn't his parents check his backpack before he went to school? Why should this child be any different than the other children in the past that got the same pucishment, such as the child who had the knife outside of the school and who was in elementary school also? It is too bad that this happened, but zero tolerance is just that, zero tolerance. That child is old enought to know better and one day it might not be a toy gun that some child might bring to school.
Pops, the elementary child who had a knife outside of school was suspended (as was Anthony). I don't think anyone is saying we shouldn't punish kids who bring fake weapons to school, especially if they did it on purpose (and in this case, the toy gun could have been left in the backpack by mistake).
It's the severity of the punishment (expulsion) that seems heavy-handed and inappropriate in this case.
I agree with pops why didn't his parents check his backpack I know I did with my nine year old when he was in school.
You checked his backpack every single day? Never ever missed a day, or possibly overlooked something in one of the pockets? Then you're a more conscientious parent than I am, Taxpayer 3!
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people signed the petition supporting this child. Many are watching our School Board, waiting to see whether they will listen and consider the community's view that his suspension was punishment enough for an honest mistake.
The School Board will do whatever they please. They will make promises to companies, employees and each other; and then not follow through with them. Madame President is notorious for this!
Strand and Peryea are involved in something illegal BIG NEWS coming. They should save themselves and resign
Do you know how many times somebody has promised BIG NEWS and nothing happens?
Shut up unless you are going to "break the news on this blog"
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25718565-417/board-president-says-east-aurora-deal-for-old-waubonsee-campus-dead.html
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25717578-417/east-aurora-officials-say-investment-account-earning-no-interest.html
So the district's investments aren't doing well. Welcome to 2014, a lot of us retired people are getting next to nothing on our accounts. I was counting on having some dividends in my retirement to help with my Social Security but no luck.
Things are tough for all of us.
If you people spent as much time finding GOOD and QUALITY candidates for the school board and working to get them elected as you do spreading negativity and rumors YOUR school district would be so much better!
Strand and Peryea are lining their own pockets. Strand's husband is on a committee he gets paid for and never attends.
Yes, I checked everyday to make sure he did any homework he had. Why would someone put a fake gun tn a backpack. Fake gun or not it is the parents responsibility to teach a child about guns real or not. How many times has someone had a fake gun and pulled it out on a policeman and they didn't know and shot them. A gun is a gun and the first thing that should be taught is the correct way to use them and that they are not to be taken out of the home. Why would he take it to someones house and why does in this day and time do parents let them have a gun when with all that has been in the news about people being killed because they had one and pointed at someone they where killed. This child is not the first one that has been expelled for bring a weapon to school. A few years back at one of the grade schools a student brought a weapon in his backpack to sell to another student and he was caught giving it to that person on school property and was expelled and it was just before schools end. Parents take the time to know what your children have in their backpacks and if you buy them a fake weapon explains the rules of having them.
If Strands husband is on a committee and he doesn't attend why does the district pay him? Sounds like bad accounting or management in any other business world if you don't show you don't get paid. This is just another example if he doesn't attend the district isn't watching our money.
Taxpayer 3, you sound like a conscientious parent. But you and I definitely disagree about how severely a nine-year-old child should be punished for a mistake (not willful or repeated disobedience, which is another matter altogether). I feel that his suspension was appropriate punishment for this particular offense, and I (along with the more than 10,000 others who signed the petition) hope that the School Board sees fit to allow him to return to school.
It's amazing to me that at the same time the school board is looking to expell a 9 year child for bringing a toy to school, they are taking students who are much older and have brought real weapons back into our schools.
They are closing the Urban League alternative programs and sending many truly violent students back into our schools. These are students who were sent away for possesing weapons, committing violent assaults, sexual assaults, etc.
Only in District 131 could these two actions be placed before the school board in a relatively short period of time. And people wonder why there is no faith in this district's leadership?
I love how taxpayer 8 just took EA$'s post as fact and had already condemned the man and the district for wrongdoing.
Let stupidity reign.
Then they might have a few other parents sue who's children have had the same thing done to their child who forgot that they had a fake weapon in their backpack.
Taxpayer3, can you give just ONE specific example of another grade-school child who has been expelled (not suspended) from school because of a one-time mistake, having a toy weapon in his belongings?
If you can (and I seriously doubt it), then you're correct about other families having the right to sue.
I know the Strand family, and they are among our district's finest! Mr. Strand is an excellent grade-school teacher. Mrs. Strand is showing herself to be a thoughtful, reasonable member of our School Board (I supported her, and will gladly vote for her again). Their two sons are honor roll students who could have thrived in any school in the state, but they attend D131 schools. The family is active in their church, not just on Sundays but "walking the walk".
THANK YOU, Mr. and Mrs. Strand...
You help make our community and district a better place!
I don't see any "taxpayer 8" on this thread.
5:36 a.m., either YOU'RE the stupid, angry moron or you're referring to another blog.
;)
February 21, 2014 at 5:36 AM-talk about bitter angry morons? being angry with a 'blog' does nothing. I do agree with the fact Taxpayer 8 has done the high jump to conclusions.
The Strands have both given-freely- of their time to EA students for a very long while.
Recently, again, someone has thrown their name in this blog forum to try and stir up untruths.
The Strands have done more for our district families than some people who have lived here all their lives. Auroramom has given some facts, but there is no need to sing more praise, their actions have spoken louder than my words ever could.
Oops! I made the same error. Tomcat 8 is my aka Taxpayer 8, I referred to.
http://www.theitem.com/news/local_news/kindergartner-expelled-for-taking-toy-gun-to-school/article_495868eb-5800-5083-a409-f69f069c9df5.html
here is a website regarding a kindergartner being expelled fro bring in a toy gun. Is it right? Probably not - common sense should rule. But you asked for another example.
Ms Strand gets paid for building her church community. She also has suspect relationships with the City of Aurora. Since joining the board her organization is receiving $135,0000 from the City. Why is the City supporting her enquiring minds want to know.
I was defending Strand not talking against him in fact I stated IF he didn't attend the meetings.
How was the gun found in the kids backpack? Did he get to school and see it and say something to the teacher?
The other student I believe that was expelled and it was right at the end of school Denise Crosby did a story on it. The kid brought some kind of bee bee gun to school. Even if it was fake the rules about it are in the School Handbook so parents make sure you check your kids school back packs to make sure they are not carry things that are illegal to school. Get them another bag to carry to friends.
VOICE OF REASON - here is a website -- http://www.theitem.com/news/local_news/kindergartner-expelled-for-taking-toy-gun-to-school/article_495868eb-5800-5083-a409-f69f069c9df5.html
Is it right? probably not. But that is what happens when "zero tolerance" is enforced and no common sense comes into play.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/25741375-418/major-renovations-to-transform-building-into-east-aurora-kindergarten-center.html
Concerned citizen, thanks for the link. I agree that common sense should come into play.
And I noticed that the School Board in that case tried to deny that the kindergartner was expelled:
"Naomi was not expelled, but rather placed on "Administrative Homebased Services." According to the letter, school district officials said Naomi would "receive services through the homebased (sic) teacher."
Sometimes I wonder how people my age ever managed to grow up into productive adults. When I was in grade school my friends & I would play cowboys and Indians after school on the playground. We brought metal Lone-Ranger style guns in our coat pockets and nobody had a problem with it. The kid whose parents wouldn't let him bring a toy gun was teased and called a fairy. Now my grandson and his friends just meet after school at somebody's house and shoot each other up with bloody video games they call first-person-shooters.
Things have changed and not just for the better.
oldtimer
You are mistakenly generalizing that ALL kids are bad in this generation and your generation was productive. INCORRECT Quit playing the self righteous individual you are. Just look at our own District and it starts with the leadership. From Annette Johnson's control of the Board for the past 5 years and her "Bullying" of anyone in her path. Who will stop her? And she is not a youngster. Great role model she is NOT !!
I agree with oldtimer. We played cowboys and Indians (Native Americans), too. The metal guns and bows and arrows could hurt you, but were not life threatening. At least a kid got konked and hurt once in a while so a kid knew about hurting someone else. With video games everything is harmless and gives kids a false sense of reality. " when I was a kid........" The parents would be called to school and everyone would give the kid a good talking to!
Back in the good old days they didn't have people coming into schools shooting children either and that is why they have the rules. The punishment is harsh but rules are rules and kids today don't think rules apply to them.
If you want to know why Strand is getting money from the city FOIA it.
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/crosby/25725656-418/east-board-shakeup-could-be-on-horizon.html
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/crosby/25725656-418/east-board-shakeup-could-be-on-horizon.html
This is great to see Beacon reporting, even if it brings a little negative light on the district. Too long things have been buried or sugar coated. Good work Ms. Crosby!
And as for Ms. Johnson standing on her record...what exactly would that be? The Magnet was in process when she was elected. Educating the children has NEVER been her focus. $ $ $ is all she sees and how to manipulate the facts to appear she is the almighty fixer of everything wrong. If many of the problems facing the district presently could be traced, I believe the finger should be pointed at Dr. J.Roberts and the person who has made it possible for him to renew his contract all the while doing nothing to improve the education of 131 students. Ms. Johnson! The one who wants to take credit for all and blame for nada. I will give her credit for her athletic Shotput abilities, the way she has tossed so many under the bus.
GO RALPH PADRON!!
Strand will be exposed while she targets other non for profits on the board she herself files no forms with the state. Her organization is being investigated by Lisa Madigan. Come on Ms Strand where are your tax returns on Community 4:12".
ea1-get real! The only reason Strand would 'target' other non profits is to include them in the works she & others do in our community.
IF (big if) she were being 'investigated by Lisa Madigan' it would be due to someone making false reports. I wonder who would gain from bad PR about certain School Board members?
ea1-you are far from a #1 when you attempt to discredit and speak negatively about people in this community. Shame on you!
Ea 1 Where is your evidence to support your comment concerning the Strand's ? If there legit, bring them forward. Will anxiously await your response.
Contractors have been in the buildings replacing bathroom fixtures, soap dispensers etc. that were just replaced a few months ago. This is the third set of fixtures installed in the past year.
We were told a few months ago that we were going to a new service and that they were using fixtures that were more universal. Supposedly, most supplies would fit the fixtures installed this past fall and that would lead to cost savings over the long haul. If I remember correctly, the previous supplier was suing the district for breach of contract.
Now we are installing a whole new set of bathroom fixtures at what addition cost to the district? What suuplies will fit the new fixtures? Are they universal or did we just enter another proprietary contract with a new company? Who is profitting from this change?
Has any information been publicly disclosed about another new contract? Inquiring minds would like to know whay this is going to cost the tax payers of District 131.
Goto charity search State of Illinois no mention of Community 4:12 yet she claims to be a 5013c now they turned 165 Hope over to her kind of shady. I will be calling Lisa madrigal myself tomorrow. The Beacon has been reporting she is getting a $135,000 building from the mayor on Laselle St why. Why is the building being taken off fhe tax roles. No Ms Strand is not who she appears to be.
I have been watching this women for years.
Anonymous 1 Do you plan on bringing this out publicly? You can come to a Board meeting and speak. Your info would be invaluable in asking those questions. Thanks ahead of time !!
EA 47
If this is true, please bring forward at the next board meeting,
lets make sure all is fair and accurate. Look forward to you speaking THANKS
beaconnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/25748374-423/east-aurora-high-school-store-only-one-in-state-to-earn-gold.html
EA47-I missed the Beacons report on Mrs. Strand getting a bldg on LaSalle Street. Can you please post the link to that article?
Last I heard the Boy Scouts were getting a bldg and a man who bought a bldg for new age office space. I have seen no mention of what you speak.
Also, why have you felt it necessary to 'watch her for years?' Just wondering...
Compared to the West Aurora board the East Aurora is Great. They should be supported instead do tearing them down
Allum
Not even close!!
EA is in chaos and getting worse until changes are made. And I am not defending WA 209, they need an overhaul also. the shame of Illinois School Boards of Aurora.
All this crap bring up the Band for a while to get of this subject.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of the band, there's a boosters meeting tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.
Come support our high school band program...hopefully the pancake breakfast can be rescheduled!
Central Office news is the new sup can't pass the basic skills State tests.
It is time for the entire board to resign if they continue with him.
Veteran Educator... East Aurora hired one of America's most promising educational leaders as Superintendent. Enjoy him while you can...and good luck to all bullies. He will put you in your place while he represents the best interest of all students. Firm but fair leader. Huge lost to Milwaukee.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25869548-417/grant-money-to-help-expand-diversity-of-texts-at-two-east-aurora-libraries.html
I saw him in my school and we loved him. Very humble yet charismatic. Great job from the board.
I have to agree with anonymous 2. I contacted a retired superintendent and he confirmed that this boy is sharp and dedicated (see message below). Welcome to Aurora.
The 2013 Scholarship sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was awarded at the ALAS Banquet on Thursday, October 17, 2013. The $10,000 winner was Jesse J. Rodriguez, Regional Superintendent, Milwaukee Public ... in Leadership, Learning and Service. This year a second scholarship for $1,000 was awarded to Karla Loria, Chief School Officer from ...
ALASEDU - 12/30/2013 - 06:59
All lies I went to a board meeting and they stated paper work would be completed by April 30th.
Alum,
Just wait until you meet him. I know you appear to be a nay sayer and a negative nancy somewhat unhappy with life. I used to work with him and now I am retired. I had the same opinion as you this kid is 29 and a Principal. Best principal and school leader I had during my 38 years of service. Not only an extraordinary leader but a great human being. Mr. Rodriguez is for all students regardless of race, zip code, ect.
Easickof...we will be very happy if the board chooses not to go with him. It has been bitter sweet for us. Wish him and his family the best. By the way all his children attend public schools. Some of us are talk no action. You will be working with a great leader.
Finally we get a Superintendent that cares about students with special needs. This gentleman is a complete package and exactly what we need. I am so ready for real change focus on teachers and students. Welcome to East Rodriguez. Check this out: http://www.urbancollaborative.org/files/milw.pubic_.schools.pdf
If you missed the concert Wednesday night, here's a YouTube of the most advanced band (Wind Ensemble) performing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3rt2-86ce4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Nice flute solo, good percussion. Middle section has intonation problems and not together. Kind of a mixed bag performance-wise, but the kids are enjoying band and looking forward to their upcoming New York trip.
Rodriquez comes from a school district that is lower pro forming than EA.
He is unable to qualify for a Illinois License I also did my homework and was informed by the ROE that he will not be ready April 30th. Sorry this one is on the board for not having someone in place to take Roberts place.
Maybe our welcome was a little premature. :(
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/25899213-417/new-east-aurora-superintendent-withdraws-from-position.html
The school board has one employee that they are directly in charge of, the superintendent. Who did they select to run our district? Jessie Rodriguez from Milwaukee. The only school district in the entire State of Wisconsin that received the states lowest rating (does not meet any standards). They announce his hiring despite him having no certifications from the State of Illinois. Now we find that he can't pass the minimum skills test and he is high tailing it back to Wisconsin.
This was the man that the board claimed was the best of the candidates that they had to choose from. Now the board is going back to select from the pool of candidates that did not rise to Jessie Rodriguez's level. The board is going to select a superintendent that even they, through their actions, considered second rate and they have to do it in a big hurry since they have accepted Jerome Roberts resignation before securing a new suerintendent.
Could the board have done a worse job throughout this whole process? How can the community have any faith in the school board's decision making processes? And how much money did they pay the consulting firm that was supposed to generate a pool of highly qualified candidates for our district?
The board has obviously failed at every step to hire a highly qualified superintendent that the community can have faith in to lead our childrens education. How do we salvage the debacle that is the District 131 board?
The board is a debacle last week I attended a meeting in which Roberts asked the board to invest the districts tax dollars. They refused.
Then he asked them to do it temporary. Again they refused. Johnson and Gonzalez did vote for it.
Starting this summer we begin contract talks. They better be generous if they have that much money to throw around.
They need to resign.
From D131 website:
Candidate withdraws from consideration for East Aurora School District 131 superintendent
Jesse Rodriguez has withdrawn his name for consideration to be the next superintendent of East Aurora School District 131. Rodriguez notified the East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education on Friday that he wishes to remain at the Milwaukee school district where he currently works.
“I have said from the beginning that there were only two Districts that I was interested in working at: East Aurora and Milwaukee Public Schools,” Rodriguez said. “I appreciate how I was welcomed by the Aurora community. Unfortunately, my future will not be in Aurora, but this was a unique set of circumstances. I know the East Aurora Board of Education will find the right person to lead the District.”
On Feb. 3, the East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education unanimously approved Rodriguez to be the next superintendent. The approval was contingent on final negotiations of Rodriguez’s contract and being certified in Illinois. The Board had not completed contract negotiations when Rodriguez withdrew, so there is no contract that needs to be terminated.
Rodriguez attended Milwaukee Public Schools as a student, then returned to serve as a principal and assistant superintendent. His wife is a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools and his three children attend Milwaukee Public Schools.
Jerome Roberts, who has been superintendent at East Aurora School District 131 for the last eight years, will retire on March 28. Prior to Roberts’ retirement, the Board of Education will approve an interim superintendent to lead the District until a permanent replacement is named.
The Board of Education will resume its search for a new superintendent immediately. The search will begin with members of the Board of Education thoroughly reviewing applications that had previously been submitted.
“We wish Jesse Rodriguez nothing but the best,” said Board President Annette Johnson. “While we obviously thought he would be good to lead the District, he is not the only outstanding candidate we met during our search. We will begin the search for the next superintendent immediately. In the meantime, we’re fortunate to have a staff in place that will keep the District moving forward.”
EA89 you better have another job lined up if you think you will get too much of a raise. The ones that voted against that vote stated they did not have enough information and that they wanted more time to look into it. This board has rushed into many things that later turned bad just look at how many times they have replaced paper towel dispensers.
Now what with the Superintendent and who is going to step in after Roberts leaves until a new Superintendent is chosen.
Any feedback on this? A nationally known education expert will provide inspiration and practical advice for East Aurora School District 131 families at two workshops in March. Dr. Lourdes Ferrer will be the main speaker at the Family Engagement Workshops, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at East Aurora High School and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 11 at Waldo Middle School. Food and child care will be provided. The presentation will be in Spanish; English translation will be available. Families who attend the March 1 presentation in the cafeteria at East Aurora High School should enter through Door 11, on the west side of the school. Ferrer has done national research and consulting on improving academic achievement. She specializes in closing achievement gaps between students from diverse backgrounds through student engagement, staff development and parental empowerment. She is the author of four books, including: “Hispanic Parental Involvement: 10 Competencies"
We are the laughing stock of the area. I hope our next district leader is well prepared to get us ready for Common Core Standards and the upcoming PARCC test. Our district has lacked BADLY in informing us teachers as to what to expect. Instead we get to hear a little about it at the (very useless) SIP day on Friday and on our own personal time. Our students need to be ready and our teachers need a good leader to help get us informed as to how to help our young people get prepared.
The school board had better not give the new superintendant whomever they are more than Roberts made when he first started. Robertw was paid to much when he started and way too much now.
beaconnews.suntimes.com/25957249-417/east-school-board-to-vote-on-7-million-kindergarten-center-renovations.html
Interesting
Cook County School Board hired Mr. David Negron, as the new principal at Heritage Middle School at its Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th. Mr. Negron is filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Mr. Dennis Lewis and will assume his duties on August 1,2014.
Look at what Cook County is doing with education. Dual Language? Wait a minute!!! Elgin Dual Language???dual Language expanding in Illinois? Research shows that California and Texas are Dual Language States. Are we in the right path EA? Time to question our leaders. Great move Mr. Negron.
"It is with great pride that I share the many great things that are happening in Cook County School District 104 this school year! First, we have expanded the dual language program at Graves Elementary School. The program provides instruction in both English and Spanish. Students enter the program at the pre-kindergarten or kindergarten level and will progress through 8th grade. Second, we continue to plan for the development of Math and Science Academy. The academy will integrate math, science, technology, and fine arts in all areas of the learning process. Third, we are continuing our district-wide efforts to align our curriculum to the Common Core State Standards. Finally, we are finalizing a long-range facility needs and capital improvement plan"
With this all day kindergarten opening up on Fransworth that means only students that have someone to give them a ride to school can go. Isn't that a form of discrimination?
The board needs to go. Last night was another example when it was revealed Peryea and Strand did file the necessary forms to be seated on the Board of Ed.
How can we trust that they can make good decisions for our students. David Negron was a fine man but was not given respect. At least the Board could have taken one hour to interview him.
Rumor is they slapped the community in their faces by naming a new Superintendent.
If they don't have tine to file the proper forms and they don't have time to interview it is time to resign.
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