Article appearing in "The Voice" today. by Ralph Padron
East Aurora School District Hiring of Purchasing Agent Called to Question
Recently I received a FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT response to research a very suspicious and questionable hiring of Elise Clever as “Purchasing Agent” .
Here are the facts:
1 May 2011- Nov/Dec 2014 worked at West Aurora Dist 129 in the Accounts Payable Office
2 Per Elise’s cover letter she was “responsible for payables and procurement card management”
3 The “Assistant Superintendent for Finance” at East Aurora is Christi Tyler who worked with Ms Clever at West Aurora Dist 129.
4 This is a newly created position to correct the Purchasing Scandals recently made public.
5 Salary stated on her application was $32,000.00 annually
6 Salary at East Aurora is $53,000.00 annually plus benefits
This is an increase of $ 21,000.00 for someone with no experience in this field.
7 LICENSED TEACHERS WITH MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE DON’T EVEN MAKE THIS MUCH MONEY.
8 I addressed/emailed Board of Education President Ray Hull, Superintendent Dr Michael Popp and Christi Tyler Asst Superintendent Finance/Business Ms Cleve’s application, salary history, and the East Aurora Staff Salary report for 2014-2015 school year to support my discovering this very suspicious/controversial hiring. As is their pattern, I will not get a detailed response of any sort from this trio of individuals in authority.
Cronyism Definition: (Wikipedia) Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy. Cronyism exists when the appointer and the beneficiary are in social contact. Often, the appointer is inadequate to hold his or her own job or position of authority, and for this reason the appointer appoints individuals who will not try to weaken him or her, or express views contrary to those of the appointer. Politically, "cronyism" is derogatorily used. Ralph Padron
Balancing the burdens of transparency in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act
said...
Perhaps by the District should look at Illinois cases and rulings before FOIA requests are denied as being "burdensome" per the FOIA exemption? I assume that is what the report by the FOIA Officer is all about.(Full article link at bottom).
"Illinois courts have made clear that the mere fact that a public body will have to expend valuable labor and computer time to respond to a request does not warrant invoking the exemption. For example, one Illinois court determined that where a FOIA request sought information about an issue that had garnered national attention on an issue of vital importance to the criminal justice system, a public body could not claim an undue burden even if it must dedicate full-time personnel who possess a high level of knowledge and sophistication for several weeks to fulfill the request."
Sad that the Tribune has bought such a third rate newspaper that it is being trumped by the Voice. The Voice is only $12 per year and mailed to your house. it has more news in it than the Beacon News that is twenty times the cost.
mr Padron please FOIA next weeks pay records. Feltes is out of vacation, and sick days but still getting issued a full check. This pay period he missed 8 days yet the district paid him. When Tyler was questioned she snapped and said I don't know what he is doing. Loosely translated we have been down this road before. It means the BOE is playing loose with the tax payers money.
Thanks to poor reporting the district is more corupt than ever. we need to show support for Mr Padron whenever you try to expose truth and justice they try to ruin you to go away. What is the district hiding with FOIA requests for emails.?
It is interesting the district spends their days working on shutting down Mr Padron. Inquirring minds wonder why no announcement has been made on the whereabouts of Feltes. Officially Hull has told members of the maintenance staff Feltes is gone for good. He wants us to remember that and vote for his ticket of Hull. Peryea and Garza. Other rumors in the district claim Feltes lawyered up and is filing a lawsuit. This is unfortunate that money will be taken away from the students and wasted on a person that cost us millions. It is not long ago that we remember all Popp and Hull praising him for all is wonderful work. It had us sick. It proves one man makes a difference since Padron was able to expose him. Thank you Mr Padron tooooo bad the Board members and Popp could not do the same.
If Matt Hanley wrote the article and it is twice the size then he has outdone himself with cover-ups and lies. There is no Defense for the collusion, cronyism, bullying and theft that has gone on in the district.
Four weeks ago Thruckenbrog promised additional protection at the HS in the evening. Last week staff was updated that the BOE had put a hiring freeze on and would not fill any vacant positions district wide until a needs assessment was completed. Last week a teachers keys were stolen and her car taken right out of the parking lot. The reason given was added attendtion was given to door and hallway security. Other Gang related incidents are occurring daily. This is thanks in part to the new and improved discipline policy of the BOE. Teachers need to come out and tell the BOE they can not have it both ways. There interference is making the building unsafe for students and staff. In the next school year over 50% of the teachers are planning on not returning.
If Hull is in fact telling the maintenance staff to vote for him and his ticket then he is breaking the law with campaigning on school grounds. If his ticket is doing this then they have no business being on the board. It just shows how corrupt they are.
The information you have given is helping us greatly in gathering the facts we need to prove without a doubt the corruption and other nefarious things going on in District 131.
All info. is kept strictly confidential!
Please keep sending it here:
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
La información que han dado nos está ayudando mucho en la obtención de la información que necesitamos para demostrar sin lugar a dudas la corrupción y otras cosas nefastas en el distrito 131.
Any information about Ray Hull publicly attending meetings and speaking about Charter Schools or fraudulently trying to obtain votes. Please submit to our tip line below.
ANY information you have on the corruption going on in District 131. Please submit your tips to the email below.
ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE! Thank you!
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Toda la información sobre Ray Hull públicamente a asistir a las reuniones y hablando de las Escuelas Charter o de forma fraudulenta para obtener votos. Por favor, envíe a nuestra línea a continuación.
La información que tenga sobre la corrupción en el distrito 131. Por favor, envíe sus sugerencias al correo electrónico a continuación.
TODA LA INFORMACIÓN SE MANTIENE EN LA MÁS ESTRICTA CONFIDENCIALIDAD. Muchas Gracias!
Hulls election will be paid by the new $12,000 alarm installed at Quad County Urban League. The district removed a new alarm system from ADT at Quad only to install another one from Alarm Detections in a building the district only has a three year lease on. The cost to taxpayer $12,643. Hull personally directed this.
Hull friend former Alderman Chris Byrchek was the salesman at Alarm Detections on this latest fiasco.
So. Let me get this straight. This is a blog about a school district. Full of kids. Your comment is not about a professional team full of grown men with intact egos and self esteem who are paid to play well. You are talking about kids.
Any chance that your priorities and sense of decency are a little skewed?
Sloppy accounting is chalked up as the reason?? That is a cover-up if I've ever heard one! Wait until the facts come out about him. I think even his close friends will be shocked.
We need to elect positive candidates this was another embassing night. Every board member except Johnson attacked Ralph Padron. basically telling him you are not allowed to ask questions. Truza then swore at him. Hull played yo mama again It was a embrassment and it is time the Beacon News report word for word what is happening. They all need to go.
Shocking enough Johnson was the only professional.
If you want to put to rest the “Altered trash Liner Quotes” scandal here are several suggestions to put this issue to rest.
1 Locate the original quote which was altered. If the original was altered then: 2 Locate the scanner where the quote was scanned in the B&G Office. When you find that then you have a good idea who altered the quote. 3 Ask for all quotes given for each purchase in 2014 4 Provide documents which were written to validate that the Vendor could not deliver. 5 Verify that quotes and purchase orders had all correct information required to purchase the specified item
The September purchase had an approval log which was implemented to prevent fraud yetld not be passed. Again how can we state corrective measures taken yet still this passed.
Upon gathering all of the above, I request a member of my team and I, sit in on a presentation to validate that all statements in the Police Report can be supported by the Superintendent and the Supervisor at B&G.
Regarding the Floor Scrubber purchase also mentioned, I now have new evidence to question the decisions to proceed with the 2 purchases totaling $ 51,980.00 K.
1 Please provide all quotes for these purchases 2 All emails regarding information for this purchase
This would be a good start as I finalize all other new evidence. Lets do this together to put to rest the PCS Floor Scrubber Purchases. It must be noted that this issue was discussed in the Police Report.
As you heard tonight from my wife (Lorryl Denny) the allegation of Free Health Insurance in the Police Report is totally false. I can prove that many statements made in that report were false and can not be supported by any documents. We must remember the Police Report was a gathering of statements from those individuals mentioned in my complaint. I supported my complaint with legal documents I obtained, they were not required to do so. This is very important to understand.
I publicly asking to have an open meeting in which all parties can participate and share documents to put this Issue to rest. I am confident that documents can not be provided to support the statements of those individuals Involved. If I am wrong, I will publicly apologize to all present. Please accept my offer.
Regarding True Transparency, why will Dr Popp not respond in writing to my concerns? I am asking AGAIN publicly for responses to all previous emails and issues I have spoken about in these meetings.
Recently I have had many responses from individuals who are willing to provide info for further FOIA Investigation. This Board and EA Staff needs to understand that the employees, taxpayers, and Aurora citizens are fed up with this administration and its mismanagement of Taxpayer Dollars.
I am honored that so many have asked, encouraged, and thanked me for the results that have been made public in these meetings and via the Press. The citizens of Aurora, (Retired, Poverty, and all in between) have been the victim of having their hard earned Tax dollars be spent to benefit those who believe they are above the law.
Good cause, but it's just EAHS Band Boosters as of 2014
said...
Shouldn't that say "East Aurora High School Band Boosters"?
They cut the middle and grade schools out of Boosters last year. The money raised at the breakfast goes to support the high school band program. I still plan to go & support our deserving high school musicians, but the community should know that the booster organization is high school and not district-wide!
Dr Popp told staff members Friday the two perpetrators at EAHS are quote two Hispanic males. Yesterday it was revealed they are Afro American. Dr Popp needs to stop racially profiling our students.
BOE BLASTS Padron- That would be an appropriate title for a media article regarding the terrible behavior witnessed by the board last night. And, "yes", Johnson was the only one who acted in a professional manner. Do not be disheartened new BOE candidates! Now you see we need you more than ever! See what happens when you try to get some transparency in this District? You are attacked!! They are the true bullies here. I applaud Ralph and all the speakers! Keep on keepin' on and fighting the good fight! You have many, many people behind you!
BOE and admin have been bullying employees and students families for many years. It is either their way or they conveniently put them out of their way. Families are given circles to run when searching for answers concerning their students. Same with teachers. The disdvantage to teachers, they must fear retribution. Families either become bothersome until questions are answered, or labeled as " hard to deal with" or something along those lines. BOE turns a blind eye to anything they makes them actually take a stand. Or they write a policy to take it off their hands. The board members of past and present who try to take a stand are labeled like the parents. I am happy to see people like this Padron fella and this blog give people a place to speak out. Now concerns and complaints are being made public and documented......even when anonymous, whether on a blog or an email to Padron, it is a dated statement of concern, so the district cannot say they were not aware. Even if they did, it shows the history of complaints and concerns amongst the D131 community. Whistleblowers unite!! What a fitting time to snowball the problems into an avalanche into the Fifth Street office. How much more can be said and done to make them wake up and fix what's broken and leave all else alone. Let the principals run their schools and the teachers do their job and give them all the tools they need and the policies required to run and effective school. Let police and parents deal with children who do not want to attend school to learn. Take off your mittens admin and BOE and put on the gloves required to get our schools back on track!!
47th Annual Pancake Breakfast February 14th
said...
They'll be forming (making) PANCAKES. The pancakes have to be "preformed" on the griddle before they're flipped over.
Not sure exactly how the jazz band & magnet school band kids are involved in flipping those pancakes, but I'm planning on buying a ticket to see them "preform"!
Ms Turza, To use the words disheartened is putting it mildly. To swear in front of a student board member would never be tolerated on any BOE. Ms Gonzalez looked foolish as usual she could not even read the speech written by Hanley. Morales had to help her. How embarrassing. Dr Popp you need to be fired your laughing and smiling as Padron and then Johnson got attacked is not fitting of a professional. Leonard was the same old stating Marty is a great guy and who cares about the millions wasted. Strand shame on you for not looking into anything and attacking Padron after you heard of bid irregularities from Olson Roofing. It is horrible that we find our tax dollars wasted on not getting the best price. That is what you should have said. Ms Peayea please do us a favor and turn over the keys of the district to new board members. We now know why so many issues exist you are a rubber stamp. Mr Hull talk about a bully you have bullied staff and teachers since you have been BOE President. Please everyone in the audience sees you for what you are a angry black man.
Talk about a bully that word is the defines the entire school board. The community needs more Padrons and it is time for a clean sweep.
The students of EA are in harms way with policy changes by the new administration. The accounting still stinks with coverups and lies. The BOE showed their colors last night. Just get out the broom.
From the D131 website...this could have been TRAGIC:
said...
Serious incident at East Aurora High School
The East Aurora High School staff recently responded to a serious incident outside of the school. On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, two adults came to the lobby of the high school’s fieldhouse after the school day had ended. An East Aurora staff member identified that the two men were not students and they did not belong at the high school. The staff member asked them to leave and the men left. The next day, the same two men returned to the fieldhouse lobby, again after the school day had ended. Thanks to good communication by the high school staff, a different staff member immediately identified the two men as the same people who had tried to enter the school on Thursday. The staff member asked them to leave, which they did. At the same time, the staff member contacted other staff in the high school. The school resource officer went to speak with the men. When the two men saw the officer, they began to run. They were arrested by the school resource officer outside the building, with assistance from other Aurora police officers who were called to the school. When one of the men was searched, police found a loaded weapon in his waistband. Both men were arrested and are facing felony charges. The school’s security systems worked as we intended them to. Our staff members identified a potential issue, responded to that issue and kept all students and all staff safe. None of our students or staff were injured. Staff kept these men from going past the lobby of the school. We are incredibly grateful for the assistance by the Aurora Police Department. They responded immediately and handled the situation with the same professionalism they bring to all situations. Despite the success in turning these men away from the school, the District staff has already engaged in a thorough review of all of our security systems and procedures. We have had these conversations alongside members of the Aurora Police Department, who also review our processes. Although we do not believe there is an ongoing security issue, we will have an extra police presence in and around the school at this time. We will continue to work with the Aurora police. Parents, please talk with your students about the importance of reporting suspicious incidents. We are also reviewing our communications processes so that we can alert families to incidents like these in a more timely manner, while respecting the investigative work that police need to do. If you have questions, please contact me at (630) 299-8000.
Amen BOE please resign. They need to get rid of any board member that swears during a meeting. A Superintendent that laughs at someone who shows how this district misuse money should go.
Has Ralph contacted the State Board of Education with any of this not that they would not anything but they help make the laws they should in force them.
Ms Crosby journalistic abilities are in question. How she could have attended a meeting and come back with the mild article she wrote is unbelievable. Every member of the audience commented on Ray Hulls mental state. Of late it is decline. He speaks of being unable to sleep, his hate for teachers and Johnson and the fact he is more miserable than he has been in five years.
Hull has been given one to many passes and it is time the newpaper discuss a exit plan for all involved.
Maybe Crosby needs to do some research about what Ralph is bring to the board and if his claims are real. I have to admit some purchases are questionable in how items where purchased. Didn't she a couple of years ago FOIA credit card statements and found some questionable did she even look into if the purchases that didn't have receipts even should of been paid. Look into the The IL School Code Ms. Cosby and see why Ralph might be questioning some of the spending.
This is the problematic for teachers: we are in the building trying to teach and protect our students , while the front door goes unmanned, and anyone can buzz in anyone, and the many doors, especially in the freshman center are ajar; kids let people inside and out. There are multiple opportunities to let in people with guns. The PPA's know weapons are let into school every day. Weapons and drugs are in students' lockers, and the admins' try took like they are doing something by waving wands around. So while we are not kept safe, and our students are unsafe the ADMINS ARE SAFE at the service center. they DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR SAFETY, ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS DESIGNING EVALUATIONS AIMED TO SAY" yes YOU THIRTY YEAR VETERAN TEACHER WITH 30 EXCELLENT EVALUATIONS YOU ARE NOW CRAPOLA. It is the year of bashing the teacher. The year of bashing our precious students. Let's pay for a façade for a building, and because it was screwed up, spend 1/2 million dollars for another. I wonder how much metal detectors cost? I bet 500,000 would put a dent in that! One thing you need to remember new admins, Oswego and many other schools have updated systems where people are given an id badge and are run through a system where they are checked for being predators or having prior felonies. Not everyone should be invited in-- WE HAVE NO FRONT LINE PROTECTING US AT SCHOOL!!!!
RAY HULL. It is obvious that you are not longer stable. Your production at Monday's meeting proves that. You are a true BULLY in every sense of the word!
DICK LEONARD. Your obvious cronyism with best friend MARTY FELTES has cost the taxpayers an unfathomable amount of money and crippled this district. Feltes was and is one of the biggest BULLIES to ever be employed in the district. And you still stand up for him?
MARY ANNE TURZA- Swearing in front of a student at a board meeting?? Obviously you have not a clue.
STELLA GONZALEZ. You do not have the skill set required to hold this position. Matt Hanley writing your "comments" last night made this obvious.
MARY LOU PERYEA. Stating that you want the "keys handed over to the administration" means you have no place in this important position. There is a system of checks and balances that need to remain intact. You obviously do not believe in this process.
Resign now and let this district move forward and start to heal.
It is so obvious that a large percentage of the posts here are made by Annette Johnson. The woman would bring down the entire board and district in the hopes of regaining her seat as board president. This from the woman who claimed she was quitting the board and then backtracked and stated that she was quitting after she tied up a few loose ends. Now it is obvious that not only isn't she leaving the board but she is hoping to regain control as president.
Does anybody really want to relive that nightmare? The almost daily public embarrassments, the constant harrassment. I even recall how the board needed police protection because of the death threats they were receiving.
The woman is working with Padron and his small committee trying to create the illusion of corruption just to put her fat A$$ back in the presidents seat. Did anybody else notice that Ralph filed police reports and reports with the States Attorneys office because he felt that board policies had been broken. The police and States Attorney have no juristiction over District 131 Board Policies. It was ridiculous.
The man is either a complete idiot or he understands exactly what he is doing and figures the East Aurora Community is full of idiots. Listening to him is like listening to Bob Green. He takes a board policy and event and twists it to his own distorted conclusions. He doesn't care about the community (that he doesn't even live in) he is only out for revenge because he lost his health insurance.
Ralph should take a moment to recall that it was because of Annette Johnson that he and his wife lost their district insurance before he continues on the path that may put her right back in charge. Wake up Ralph.
This year has certainly been the most challenging with our Division Chairs and the " new" administive changes. EA is now a hotbed of gangs , drugs and weapons. We have always had problems but we are not supported. Teachers write referrals but the kids are back in class next day without any consequence. The 204 way does not work Dr Popp and Thruckenbrod never learned or asked questions they assumed because we work at East we are stupid. Hull has pubically stated that and our union never defended us.
Last week Byrd stated his contract was in flux. This week he claims he is back on. The EA way is a daily game of musical chairs.
It's seems the EA way is to to have Hanley spend his day writting speeches for the BOE to attack residents.m
The Insurance was addressed pubically and the District saved millions. The current administration does not like Johnson because she held them accountable. Today Padron would not have come back if Popp would have addressed the millions Johnson questioned in mismanaged spending with B&G. If you had attended the BOE meeting Padron read a very professional Email questioning spending by Johnson. This email was one Hanley claimed did not exist.
I am sure Padron has many disgruntled employees like in the past who feed him information. It is doubtful after the attacks of Padron he has aligned himself with Johnson. The Board is a joke and at this point I would be happy to turn the keys back over at least students could attend a safe school.
Why don't you come up with some new material? We are really growing weary of your same comments again and again.
The accusations against Padron regarding health insurance has been proven false. Were you not at Monday night's board meeting?
Your comment about the States Atty. shows you are uneducated on what Ralph is fighting for. He went to the police and States Atty. to pursue criminal charges against specific people in the district as is proper procedure in this case.
Let's see (what else), your musings about Annette Johnson is your own uneducated mind wandering about and coming to it's own conclusions. What I will say about Ms. Johnson is that I believe she has learned from the mistakes of the past.
Raplh Padron and his team have the facts. You spew things that belong in Star magazine. You call names. I think we have all had enough of that kind of mentality.
In weird board stories it was revealed today by a teacher I work with at Hermes that Peryea prays for Johnson to go away. Many could not belief what she was saying so she was questioned again and she stated Peryea runs a pray group and they pray that Johnson goes away. This is a bit much.
Johnson helped provide guidance that changed the district for the better. Under the current Board I have seen nothing except cronism, insults, fighting and patronage. Scott Dart is a friend of Popps and never had the skills to lead a building. He is another example of someone who does not get our community. We had two great Hispanic educators that could have lead our building passed up. That would have not happened under the last administration who celebrated a diverse community.
Byrd told staff the distict will back down and expell some students. WOW, Dr Popp this after seven rival gangs took over the HS. Byrd stated the BOE is still hesitant to expell but the Gang wars need to stop two high ranking members will get expelled.
The BOE is responsible for all the safety problems at EA. They would rather keep a few in school because it sounds politically correct. Lets endanger teachers and students because they changed policy.
Teachers at EA would rather return to the old leadership that includes back to department chairs.
Tinley Park proposes new village purchasing policy
This is a article in the Beacon today. is the Tribune trying to tell the Beacon bumping journalist Crosby to listen to Ralph and report the CORUPTION istead of covering it up.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Responses from East Aurora Dist 131 Called into Questioning
Recent response from the Assistant Director of Community Relations Matthew Hanley
“On Jan. 14, 2015, you requested the following documents: All Michael Popp emails to or from Bernie Weiler and the Board of Education regarding “List of Bills & Heat Exchangers” from Aug. 1, 2014 to Nov. 1, 2014 Your request is denied for the following reasons: There are no documents responsive to your request”
I located this email obtained to a recent FOIA response from Mr Hanley. This email was from Board Member Annette Johnson and Superintendent Dr Michael Popp
From: Annette Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 8:36 AM To: Michael A Popp Subject: LIST OF BILLS In today's list we have a check issued for $45,400 to Youngrens. The description states the following ; Allen School replace HEAT EXCHANGERS I do not recall having a public bid on this. I so please give me the date since this is over $25,000. Also they had 13 service calls billed to Allen is this a result of this problem or something else.
Upon reading the content of this email, Mr Hanley’s response is totally incorrect. In addition, due to the importance of the subject matter mentioned, responses by Superintendent Dr Popp and Board Member Annette Johnson would be ongoing. Needless to say, this proves documents exists despite the response of “THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS RESPONSIVE TO YOUR REQUEST”
How can this happen? I have had several Freedom of Information Acts requests declined with the same response.
On January 27th 2015 I emailed to the Board of Education the following
To: Board of Education East Aurora School District 131 Subject: FOIA Request Denied
Greetings Board of Ed Members East Aurora Dist 131
Please review the attached FOIA response regarding the recent denial of FOIA’s I recently submitted. All I am requesting is that if you disagree with the response given, please bring it to the attention of the individual (s) who rejected the FOIA’s in question. I am in no way requesting anyone respond directly to me. .
Needless to say, again the evidence/facts speak for themselves in what is now known as “The Great Cover-Up” at East Aurora. In order to get to “THE TRUTH” it necessitates me to continually request documents (FOIA) and present them knowingly that there will be no response by those responsible.
The Superintendent Michael Popp continues to defiantly disregard and not respond my public and written requests for a response to multiple issues in which I have presented the necessary evidence to support my concerns. It would be in accordance professionally and protocol, that Christi Tyler and Dr Popp provide documents to support their positions.
Recently several individuals have contacted me providing me with “New Leads to pursue and will be brought out publicly when they are investigated thoroughly.
It was pointed out to me that FOIA Complaints/Fraud are to be handled by the Attorney General’s Office.
IS THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TRULY TRANSPARENT AS IT CLAIMS TO BE? Please check the true definition of Transparency
WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE BEING WITHHELD NECESSITATING THEY BE BROUGHT OUT PUBLICLY.
East Aurora Dist 131 is NOT their personal company for others to benefit financially
Why is Peayea having closed door meetings with Hanley? Could it be Matt is helping her with her campaign. We already know he provided pictures to Hull and Peayea for their election. Hanley has lost his ethics is searching our desks and recently pulling records on Weisbrook who recently retired.
At the last meeting you admitted via Dick Leonard that you were not monitoring the purchasing going on in the District. Okay, so why not move on from here and work with Ralph? His team has put countless hours into researching these purchases. The District hired him before to run an audit. Instead of being so defensive why not work with the people that want what is best for EA131 instead of it being Ralph Padron vs the BOE?
Ralph have you done a request for review with the FIOA Officer about the emails? You should they will get farther than you with this board and they might want to know if they don't why.
If Leonard did say they did say they weren't watching how money was spent then why not. All the Administrators that are over those things should know they are suppose to be doing it and The Superintendent is suppose to make sure policies are followed. Maybe it is time to get new Administrators that know The IL School Code and how to follow it.
Johnson had complained six months ago and at every BOE meeting they had not followed the school code with regards to bidding. All the BOE members should resign they looked the other way. Peyrea claims turn over the keys, this women is dangerous and should not serve on the BOE. She never questioned one bill.
She has a major responsibility for the gangs and shooting as well. She along with Hull and Strand changed the policies that lead to no expulsions. So on one hand she claims look the other way in the finances on the other they demanded the new Sup change safety policies. This radical behavior needs to stop we need a new board.
I think the Board needs to apologize for the way they have treated Ralph Padron and others who have spoken up on these topics. They would not have been addressed without his persistence. Then let's move on and right the wrongs and get this district back on track!
Peayea shouldn't have any closed meetings with employees if this is true. If Hanley took pictures of Hull and Peayea for their re election that is wrong too if it is true. These would not be people we need on the board.
The board should apologize for the money they wasted with crony Marty Feltes. After reading the article they should all resign. Asking for more time is another word for don't come and complain. The business office excuse is getting old you do not training on purchase orders to be ethical. They should know how to purchase and spent the districts money the best way possible. Feltes was paid $130,000 a year and should have known what to bid and what work could have been done in house. After all until he worked in 131 every building was serviced by hard working employees. it will be revealed with the millions wasted..
Please resign BOE and thank you to Gonzalez and Truza for not running.
So if everything is okay and they are still learning why is Feltes not coming to work. Tyler will not answer what is going on and Feltes is out of sick days so are we to assume he is being paid. Why the coverup? The standard district line is we can not discuss personnel.
It is interesting that Feltes would give up a $130,000 job if nothing is wrong. The coverup in the Popp administration is troubling but our newspaper will not ask questions. It sounds like Crosby is part of the coverup. Why will the Beacon not report on this.
The Tribune needs to transfer or fire the current employees. They all have a relationship with Hanley and Crosbys daughter works for the district it sounds like a conflict to me. They can no longer be objective in reporting the news.
The Beacon had no problem advertising good employees names two years and talking about record keeping, trips to Menards, and suspensions so why not Feltes
Common on Beacon you played many employees names out it shows your favoritism.
I am a retired East Aurora teacher since 2011 with over 20 years with the district.
My comments are directed towards Dr. Popp. It is a direct quote from the Aurora police report referencing a telephone conversation between Dr. Popp and Officer J. Wiencek on January 20, 2015.
"DR. POPP ADVISED HE ALREADY WAS FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND INFORMED ME PADRON'S WIFE, A RETIRED TEACHER, HAD HER HEALTH INSURANCE ERRONEOUSLY PAID FOR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BY THE DISTRICT. THIS WAS CORRECTED BY THE DISTRICT, WHICH UPSET PADRON."
Dr. Popp-where did you get your information? It would be to your credit to check your facts before making erroneous false allegations. Never has the district paid erroneously or otherwise for my health insurance- when I was actively teaching nor when I retired. I have a sampling of the check copies of insurance premiums sent to the district as proof after I retired. We were given a premium amount to pay which covered myself and my husband, Ralph, and it was paid monthly, unlike Penny Halfax who was allowed to "ride off into the sunset" never paying an insurance premium, as well as the fiasco with Jay Augustine. District insurance only became an issue due to the time constraints and how it was handled-no one wanting to take responsibility for the pain and trouble the changes caused. That is old news and it's done with.
You, Dr. Popp, are upset and angry with my husband, Ralph, and what he is doing regarding the district. In the future, do not try to get back at him by going after me-that is a terrible move and a big mistake. Our phone rings non-stop from 7-8 am until after 10 pm with people checking their facts with Ralph. He does not present any facts that do not have proof. It would behoove you to do the same.
While I believe I am owed an apology, it would be meaningless because I have had to ask for it. When all else fails, this erroneous information regarding the district paying my health insurance appears to surface. It's about time you and anyone else using this line, find a new one.
Lorryl Denny-Padron 2600 Gateshead Dr. Naperville, IL 60564
I would like to add to the insurance comments and say nearly 8 years ago, I was contacted by a retired teacher who had trouble with her insurance. After lots of problems with her post retirement medical bills being paid, she found out her bills were not being paid because, as they explained to her, she had "other insurance." She had no other insurance and she made many calls and argued with her insurance company, only to find out she had insurance through D131 being paid for her. She knew she should not have had this other insurance. Now, It was causing her current carrier NOT to pay her bills, which should have been covered under her current carrier. After numerous calls to the school service center, she called me, and asked if I could help her get it fixed so she could straighten out her insurance woes.
I reported this to Carol Farnum, the board president at the time, and Dr. Roberts. I, also shared this info with newly elected Board members Anita Lewis and Annette Johnson. I was later assured this ladies problem had been fixed and all was well in the insurance dept.
A few years later, certain people took credit for being the first ones to find flaws in the way the district was handling the insurance. Years!! Because in the meantime stuff was being swept under the rug, while fingers were being pointed in all directions, and no one was taking care of the problems. Sounds like the same script replaying, even more years later. There are some new players, some old, still sweeping and still pointing. I have never met Mr.or Mrs. Padron, but I am glad he is doing his best to stop this cycle of bad business practices in our district. I believe he has become a victim of the finger pointing syndrome.
In all this I was giving Dr. Popp a chance but with the information that has recently been posted I can no longer do it. This BOE needs to go also we will never get a good Superintendent in the district if the BOE runs the district.
The District has a history of bad employees. Augustine was forced to resign because he did not process four pages of insurances adjustments that identified employees who should have been taken off the insurance.
These types of situations are why the Board can not just turn the District over to administration. They need to ask questions and follow up that the Superintendent does his job.They now have a system in place that all employees have to register yearly if you do not employees get dropped.
It is too bad the only one asking questions is Ralph Padron that is why the Board is elected.
I retired recently from the District and millions are wasted every year.
DIvision Chairs announced after the HS was taken over by gangs and drug dealers the BOE would return to explusions. BIG WHOOP. This after the HS had a gunman almost discharged a firearm and our safety was in question. We heard this week of extra police protection and keeping keys and purses locked up. A teacher had a car stolen recently. Yes, this is life in EA one year later.
Over 50% of the staff will leave this year and although many did not respect Byrd his recent speaking up against administration saw his job almost eliminated. Everyone realizes going public will make the Popp administration give in.
EA has also had issues but this year ??? WOW the insult of Feltis paid $120,000 makes one review why go into debt, pay student loans , all for this? Thankyou BOE for a wonderful year. Thank you, Mr Hull for your racist comments and let's see if anyone wants the jobs the incompetent middle class teachers will leave because of you!
Working at the district shows everyday it's not about children, its about politics. The Board of Education insisted on no explusions. To make Board members happy Popp did not listen to qualified staff. A experienced Sup would not allow everyone's safety to be put endanger for a few.
ANY information you have on the corruption going on in District 131. Please submit your tips to the email below.
ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE! Thank you!
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Toda la información sobre Ray Hull públicamente a asistir a las reuniones y hablando de las Escuelas Charter o de forma fraudulenta para obtener votos. Por favor, envíe a nuestra línea a continuación.
La información que tenga sobre la corrupción en el distrito 131. Por favor, envíe sus sugerencias al correo electrónico a continuación.
TODA LA INFORMACIÓN SE MANTIENE EN LA MÁS ESTRICTA CONFIDENCIALIDAD. Muchas Gracias!
Some tranparentcy; Perhaps, Hanley has sunk to a all time low.
He has hidden the fact the disrict is having another Citizans Finance meeting. The meeting will take place tonight at 5:30 at the SSC.
Popp uses this committee to direct the way your taxes are being spent. He was forced last month to make the meeting public after he violated the open meetings act.
Now the meeting is hidden for the public not to know what he is doing. Board members can say they are transparent bt these actions continue leaving one to question what else are they hiding?
The committee meeting should be advertised to the public with 48 hours. I reviewed the posting and it does seem strange about the place they are advertising the meeting. You can bet Popp wants no public comments from Padron. If they are so transparent they would not care but it's clear the Popp administration spends more time covering up than telling the truth.
The explusions may start again but everyone knows this is BOE doubletalk and administrative lies. The lap dogs in our union do not support us. Administration promised six weeks ago after teachers threatened to go expose them by going to a BOE meeting that they would get extra protection in the EAHS. To date no extra protection exists. The hours of 3 to 8 pm leave the building open. Our union has never followed up and stopped us from speaking.
What the public doesnot know are computers are being stolen faster than the district can replace them. If something is not nailed down classrooms are getting looted to date no report is on file. The new administration is not capable of running the district and will not admit it.
Upon repeated FOIA requests for emails related to the purchases of over $45,000 in Heat Exchangers made in 2014, these requests have been denied by the District 131 FOIA officer- "There are no documents responsive to your request.The decision to deny was made by Matt Hanley, Assistant Director of Community Relations". (Mr. Hanley is also the FOIA officer for the district). Several notifications to the Board and Admin. have produced no response as well.
These denials have been reported by Ralph Padron to the Office of the Atty. General along with all notifications to the BOE and the Administration as is per the right of the FOIA requester.
The district continues to coverup for this Bozo. Feltes has cost the district millions and now he is being paid for a breaking the law. He has abused workers called them stupid, crooks, liars, lazy and drunks. The Board is well aware of this behavior and he continues to get by. They are working out a deal as we speak. It makes you wonder why won't they turn over the emails.
Mr Padron please contact the Attorney General the documents In question have been given to Hanley. They will not turn them over because it shows Dr Popp, Tyler, Peryea and Feltis have broken bidding law, name calling swearing and hiding information from board members. If the emails ever surface several in question will have to resign. Hanley should also get charged for distruction of government property.
The community needs to remember it was Hanley and his good friend Mike Chapin that covered up the sexual abuse of teenage girls at West Aurora. Ultimately CBS news picked up the story reported to Hanley months before about a janitor coming forward and filing a complaint against the Band Director. It seems history has repeated itself because Hanley is now is distroying government FOIA requests. This is another fine example of EA hiring a loser like Tyler.
thanks to all for the most recent "tips". I did contact the Attorney Generals Office this week in the first of many complaints vs EA. The "Email Scandal/Cover-Up" is very very intensely being researched. More subjects were recently FOIA'd to confirm many suspicious financial scandals. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ALL INFO AT ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Appreciate all the support and encouragement the Team is receiving. THANK YOU
Ray Hull, Board President; M. Popp, Superintendent; C. Tyler, Asst Super Finance 417 5th Street Aurora, IL 60505
Greetings
Recently you prepared a Prequalified Vendor list for board approval. This list was developed from a recent public bid for a variety of trades. The public bid was inadequately researched and prepared indicating a lack of knowledge of the industry and purchasing experience. The list revealed a selection bias and a shortage of contractors in certain trades. As a result of the Public speaking out on these shortcomings the motion was tabled.
It was also tabled “to pursue additional research and prepare a new Prequalified Vendor list”. The question becomes “if you can’t get it correct with the amount of time spent on it the first time with unqualified research why will the next one be correct?”
You all have stated that the 2013 Preferred Vendor contract was a one year contract and was voided in April 2014. Your facts are totally wrong again. The Preferred Vendor contract did not have an end date and is still in place.
The Preferred Vendor contract is not for repairs assigned at will but for emergency work only. All other repair work is to be awarded through the bid process. The amount of the work dictates whether is a public bid or just competitive quotes.
Please read the Approved Preferred Vendor policy put in place at the April 15, 2013 Board meeting.
You have subverted the intent of the Preferred Vendor process. What was the purpose of changing the name to a Prequalified Vendor contract? Is this is a veiled attempt to continue awarding work in the same manner as the last 2 years? This could be interpreted as an attempt to avoid the bid process.
More on this later.
These continued violations of Public Law and Policy must be stopped.
What about the bidding process for our bussing company (Durham)? They charged the district 1.7 million dollars more than our previous carrier for the same service. And what about Sodexho? There was not a legitimate bidding process for the food service bid.
These two contracts are costing the district millions of dollars more than it should be. Where is Ralph Padron's investigation into these contracts? Oh I forgot, they were done when Annette Johnson was the school board president. We don't want to go there.
It's fairly obvious that some people here have their own political agenda.
The Sodexo bid saved the district $700,000 this year and was a example of rebidding. The district put food service out every year and created competive bidding. In fact Mr Hull attempted to stop the rebidding. Let's see what happens this year.
The prior bus company had safety issues and in fact Special Ed child was abused. The prior company did not keep equipment safe or repaired. the new company brough in new buses and not one complaint exists today.
Thanks for reminding us things were better with the old board.
How come Feltes still calls up Dave Rana every day? How come outside vendors are still working on "Marty's List"? Cut the cord already! This bully is still continuing his rein of terror from outside the district!
District employees know the fix is in. Marty remains on the district payroll and the BOE will vote to pay him in Aprill for his entire contract with benefits at that time he will retire and have a lump sum payment from IMRF. Get ready d131 community to write a check.
Marty cronies are working over at Simmons today and Rana still gives work to Arlip and Malcor.
Some bus truths: 1. The current extracurricular bus company, Durham, has been doing the special ed busing for the past few years at the HS. So Durham is responsible for any violations done in the past towards special ed kids. 2. Ask any coach at the HS - his new bus company is horrendous. They are constantly late picking us up, going to wrong doors and having absolutely no clue what route to take to games. We have complained to the Athletic Office and to Nestor Garcia (Hahahaha) and I'm sure it doesn't go any higher up than them. They like to hide the truth!
The old bus company, First Student, had some of the nicest drivers and knew coaches names and multiple routes to all the away game locations. I am not aware of the bidding numbers but, I'm sure Durham was cheaper and that's why our district went with it. Just because something is cheaper, doesn't mean it is better. HS coaches are learning that the hard way.
Rich Lee was the bus company that got replaced three years ago. The district shared the contract with West Aurora. West had many problems with Rich Lee and had a student attacked. Rich Lee could not provide a tape and East went along with West and fired Rich Lee. West then prepared a bid and Durham was hired. East continued to use Durham for Sped.
Funny business? Tyler working as a consultant last year talks East into consolidating all bus services with Durham so West could get out of the Durham contract. Tyler needed to have East absorb the unused miles so West could save money and start busing their own Sped students. The First Student company then lost the business. This is another example of Tyler taking care of West and not East. It is more and more apparent the new administration does not put students first. It is also interesting EA is paying 1 million more so they are not getting the best bargain.
The Durham bus company is costing far more than Central bus used to cost and the service is far worse. $1.7 million more per year.
It is almost impossible to reach their dispatcher. Her name is Dana. I've asked to speak to somebody else and have been told repeatedly that she is the only person dispatching buses. Buses are late constantly, if they arrive at all.
The Waldo band had to walk over to the high school and back (with all their instruments etc.)last spring for the Fine Arts Festival rehearsal because the bus never showed. The Allen kids stood outside of Allen for nearly an hour waiting for their bus and missed most of the rehearsal. Nobody could be reached to remedy the situation.
Also, all field trips have been cut short. Instead of returning to school at 3:00 as was the practice with the Central Bus Company, Durham requires the field trip be done at 1:30 so that their buses can do their after school runs. It seriously limits the education students receive during field trips, etc.
Nearly all of the teachers have been complaining about Durham. I can only imagine why somebody on here would say that there have been no complaints and I'm sure her name is Annette.
The reason we have Durham is because of a partnership with West Aurora. It is true Rich Lee has terminated for poor performance regarding the Hope Wall partnership with EA an WA. Tyler negotiated the Hope Wall Partnership while working at West.
Tyler helped WA out by buying additional hours that WA would have had to pay for. Tyler will not address children walking or poor service. In fact she never returns calls and when Thruckenbrod and Flanagan are asked they state Tyler is busy with B&G .
The Leadership last year addressed issues and staff always knew Dr Roberts had a open door policy. Often you could stop him in hall at SCS. Dr Popp is never seen and is missing more than Roberts. Glozbach and Tyler are running this district into the ground. Johnson was also approachable and if she heard someone was not doing their job you could bet the following week their was action.
THE VOICE FEB 12 2015 East Aurora Superintendent Makes False Statements in Police Report By Ralph Padron
East Aurora Superintendent Dr Michael Popp was confronted at the Board of Education Public meeting February 2, 2015.
“I am a retired East Aurora teacher since 2011 with over 20 years with the district. My comments are directed towards Dr. Popp. It is a direct quote from the Aurora police report referencing a telephone conversation between Dr. Popp and Officer J. Wiencek on January 20, 2015
"DR. POPP ADVISED HE ALREADY WAS FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND INFORMED ME PADRON'S WIFE, A RETIRED TEACHER, HAD HER HEALTH INSURANCE ERRONEOUSLY PAID FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BY THE DISTRICT. THIS WAS CORRECTED BY THE DISTRICT, WHICH UPSET PADRON."
Dr. Popp-where did you get your information? It would be to your credit to check your facts before making erroneous false allegations. Never has the district paid erroneously or otherwise for my health insurance- when I was actively teaching nor when I retired. I have a sampling of the check copies of insurance premiums sent to the district as proof after I retired. We were given a premium amount to pay which covered myself and my husband, Ralph, and it was paid monthly, unlike Penny Halfax who was allowed to "ride off into the sunset" never paying an insurance premium, as well as the fiasco with Jay Augustine. District insurance only became an issue due to the time constraints and how it was handled-no one wanting to take responsibility for the pain and trouble the changes caused. That is old news and it's done with.
You, Dr. Popp, are upset and angry with my husband, Ralph, and what he is doing regarding the district. In the future, do not try to get back at him by going after me-that is a terrible move and a big mistake. Our phone rings non-stop from 7-8 am until after 10 pm with people checking their facts with Ralph. He does not present any facts that do not have proof. It would behoove you to do the same.
While I believe I am owed an apology, it would be meaningless because I have had to ask for it. When all else fails, this erroneous information regarding the district paying my health insurance appears to surface. It's about time you and anyone else using this line, find a new one.” Lorryl Denny-Padron
Mrs Padron did provide Dr Popp copies of personal checks. She welcomes verification of payments of the timeline referred to by Dr Popp at the district office he oversees. Questions arise immediately: Why did Dr Popp not research and provide documents to support his statement? What is his source of information in falsely accusing the Padron’s? Why did the Board of Education not comment nor respond to this serious charge? Does the Board of Education hold those individuals accountable for the scandals which have surfaced?
It must be noted that the response of the 3 individuals mentioned in the Police Report were not required to produce any documentation to support their erroneous statements. The Kane County States Attorney’s Office advised me to submit a complaint with the Aurora Police Dept regarding the “Bid Rigging” at East Aurora. Many a time I have spoken and written letters to the Superintendent and he stubbornly refuses to answer the concerns many citizens and EA Staff have in the wasting of taxpayer dollars, purchases and awarding of contracts by the Building & Grounds Department for many a year.
More on the statements made by Dr Popp, David Rana, and others from this Police Report in the very near future. Recent investigation of several issues has surfaced the past 2 weeks. Upon thorough auditing and research, they will be made public with accompanying documents to prove more wrongdoing at East Aurora School District 131. Due to the severity of this false information given in a police report, we are weighing our options.
I am not suprised to read about Durham administration was treated to dinner along with Hull, Peryea, Strand and Turza for dinner during the Holidays at Mortons Steak House by Durham officals. Sounds like Tyler may have a relationship on this one.
Giving Them Enough Rope to Hang Themselves
said...
The only people on here who should be charged with a crime are Ralph Padron and his wife. It’s called defamation of character/slander (since it has now also been put in print) and they could and should be sued for their actions.
They have repeatedly made claims of crimes, corruption and wrongdoing against employees of this district. While early on, they may have actually believed this to be true, after both the Aurora Police and the Illinois States Attorney have ruled that no crimes were committed, they should know better than to continue to make these accusations. They are compounding this by making accusations that Dr. Popp is lying.
The truth is, there were some purchases made and services contracted that violated board policies. Most were made with the full knowledge and prior approval of the school board, a few were not.
Ralph doesn’t seem to understand that board policies are not school code or state law. A violation of board policy is not a violation of law. Board policies are only enforceable by the school board as a whole. Accusing people of crimes when none exist is a violation of the law. It’s a shame that it’s not politically viable for Dr. Popp to sue the Padron’s. It would certainly make others think twice before making the slanderous comments the Padron’s have.
However, Dr. Popp won’t always be the District 131 superintendent and the Padron’s are certainly leaving a long trail of evidence that can be used against them in the future.
Board policies are part of the IL School Code. The School code gives the blueprint for the policies the board makes. The Board then can make those policies stiffer put not less than what it states.
Here is an article that shows how a school district was taken over for not following rules.
We can only hope Dr Popp will not be the Superintendent. It is up to him and the Board of Education to enforce policies. To date they have not and district employees are sick of it. Padron gets by because nobody has sued him. Dr Roberts, Annette Johnson and Joan Glotzbach sure had reason too. I would sit through meetings when name calling on behalf of Padron did take place. He unfairly destroyed their reputations. Hear are the facts The facts are his wife and himself got insurance at a reduced rate. The facts are current teachers paid astronomical insurance rates for retirees. The retirees knew about the TRS system. Dr Popp is a nice man from a district that never had the challenges d131 had. Our students start school four years behind. Mr Hull blames the teachers for not connecting with students and that is not the case. The Board of Ed put Dr Popp into a situation of learning on the job. If that was not enough, in comes Padron. We now add Leonard and Feltes to the works, along with Hull, along with his personal adenda and the perfect strom is brewing. No, Dr Popp will not be successful he did not have to make decisions, manage a business office, manage Sped, manage PR, manage B&G, manage a high bilingual population, or deal with Gang Violance. Look and listen to his background. Dr Popp is a researcher from a school district that values strong up to date curriculum. The EA curriculum is water downed for basic skills and you would think our Board of Ed would know this. My wish is Padron would stop emailing the entire staff, and go away. I also wish the Board of Ed will be made up of totally new individuals and Dr Popp can find a University job as a researcher.
Nice job trying to place fear and doubt into people's minds, but as usual you fall completely flat on the FACTS.
Let's try to educate you here.
"The only people on here who should be charged with a crime are Ralph Padron and his wife. It’s called defamation of character/slander (since it has now also been put in print) and they could and should be sued for their actions."
People love to toss around the words "slander" and "defamation", as if just by saying the words lends credibility to what you are speaking about. Short definition: If what you say about an individual can be backed by FACTS it is NOT slander, libel nor defamation.
"They have repeatedly made claims of crimes, corruption and wrongdoing against employees of this district. While early on, they may have actually believed this to be true, after both the Aurora Police and the Illinois States Attorney have ruled that no crimes were committed, they should know better than to continue to make these accusations. They are compounding this by making accusations that Dr. Popp is lying. "
Ralph was directed by government representatives to pursue taking these FOIA FACTS to the Aurora P.D as well as the State's Attorney. They were dismissed as there was not enough information at the time to make a case, but rest assured there will be soon. Dr. Popp lied to police about Mr. Padron's wife's insurance. that is a FACT that you saw proven at the last board meeting.
"The truth is, there were some purchases made and services contracted that violated board policies. Most were made with the full knowledge and prior approval of the school board, a few were not."
Ah, where to start here? All the violations were NOT just board policies, but in FACT state law violations as well. While I would hope the board would want to uphold it's own policies, many of their policies are based on the laws which govern our state. Not only does the law state what guidelines are to be followed, but the repercussions for not doing so (especially in a school). Ignorance of the law is not a defense here. There is much more I could expand upon, but I will leave it at that for now Mr. Rope.
"Ralph doesn’t seem to understand that board policies are not school code or state law. A violation of board policy is not a violation of law. Board policies are only enforceable by the school board as a whole. Accusing people of crimes when none exist is a violation of the law. It’s a shame that it’s not politically viable for Dr. Popp to sue the Padron’s. It would certainly make others think twice before making the slanderous comments the Padron’s have."
The paragraph you wrote (above), Mr. Rope, was addressed in my previous responses. I would suggest educating yourself on the subjects before entering into a debate.
"However, Dr. Popp won’t always be the District 131 superintendent and the Padron’s are certainly leaving a long trail of evidence that can be used against them in the future."
Correct! Dr. Popp will not always be the superintendent! "Evidence" to be used against him (Padron) in the future? If by "evidence" you mean FACTS that were presented to the public, press and governing bodies for the betterment of a school district that has been in dire need of help for a long, long time....well, I'd say that is something to be proud of!
How can you even consider bringing back Marty Feltes? After the way he has blown the budget and wasted millions of dollars that directly impacts our students and staff?
You were responsible for monitoring his actions and when you failed we all had to pay a heavy, heavy price!
If things had been looked at more closely we would not be in this sad state. Returning Feltes to his position will not only continue to add to the damage that has already been done to the students, tax-payers and workers of this District, it will prove without a doubt that the administration and board cannot or will not do the jobs they were elected to do.
Band Booster Breakfast was very good. Well attended and the band students did a nice job. Kudos to Ken Darby and the booster organization. Hope you made lots of money
I thought I heard something about the school district doing an internal audit?
Here is something to look at:
How many times did Marty Feltes authorize outside vendors like Youngren's and Artlip to do work in this District that could have been done by in-house maintenance staff??? How much money did he waste on outside vendors? How much work did he take away from union workers??
Start there with your internal audit and you will find much, much more! We could have had so many other things for our kids, but Feltes pretty much single-handedly misused our public funds and drove this District into the ground!
This is from the Chicago Public Schools Policy Manual. I would certainly pray we have something like this in place in D131!
Policy: 1. Any local school funds determined to have been misused, misappropriated or otherwise to have violated the School Internal Accounts Manual, Board policy or applicable city, state or federal laws or regulations shall be restored by the responsible school personnel whenever possible, notwithstanding any disciplinary action the Board may deem to be warranted. 2. If restoration by the responsible school personnel does not occur, legal measures may be authorized by the Attorney, in consultation with the General Superintendent of Schools, Chief Financial Officer and Internal Auditor, to be taken against the responsible school personnel to recover said funds. Under appropriate circumstances and with the Attorney's approval, the services of a collection agency may be used to recover funds from the parties responsible for their misappropriation or misuse.
And you would seriously consider keeping a person like this on??
I work at Brady School with Heather Hook who has a job in the Learning Center. Her husband was recently appointed to the Finance Committee. Heather took a job from a highly qualified applicant. Her children are in the Magnet School and had been given the free computers targeted for low income students Heather claims she is helping the poor but in reality she is exploiting the poor. Ms Strand had forced the administration to hire her. The cronyism with the Popp administration is in parts of the district you can not imagine. Please do us a flavor Kristen take your friends and Dr Popp and move back to Naperville.
I know the Hook family from my church. Heather is highly qualified for her job at Brady, and could be making more money in another district but the family chooses to live here and make D131 better.
Save your vitriol for those who are dragging the district down by wasting thousands of dollars and trying to cover it up. People like the Hooks are assets to our community.
People like the Hooks and Strands fed off our district and many are starting to realize it. It is about their Non Profit and not about the kids. What both have in common is operating a Non for Profit under the guise of their church. That means salaries do not get disclosed. Both are pulling six figures out of this community and now they will have a free community million dollar community center complaiments of the tax payer on La Salle St.
If the Strands and Hooks want the real EA experience they should send their kids to the same schools the community has to. The Magnet School is not a typical EA school and they are given computers to take home that a low income family might otherwise not afford .
The two Hook boys do NOT attend the magnet school. One is at Simmons and the older is at East.
And if they did go to the magnet school, there would be nothing wrong with their parents taking advantage of an option that best serves their child's interests and abilities. That's called GOOD PARENTING.
If anyone is to blame for the bad feeling and ill will that exist on the BOE today that have resulted in a divided BOE and administration, it clearly rests on Strand and Peryea's doorstep.
They started the first negative campaign in the history of 131. They developed thousands of dollars worth of negative campaign material calling the then board names like they lacked Intregirty The blased Robo calls, and delivered campaign materials to everyone doorsteps that the education was horrible, our buildings were getto, children sat on the floors because of a lack of desks, or no books, and tax dollars were mismanaged.
The then board members fired back and so it began. Then the newspaper weighed in focusing on the infighting. The sad story ended with a election that then never stopped.
This was all started by three ministers who sit in services every Sunday and hear a message of forgiveness and peace. Strand and Peryea pass their actions off as well it's only politics, or that is how campaign run. I would hope being a minister would teach you to be above standard politics. As a minister you should teach a message of forgiveness not hate. The East Aurora School district has been harmed and it will take years to recover. Whatever happened to board members that would talk about a imagine campaign and truly build our district up.
I hope new members join the board and put an end to the hate and not elect Peryea and Hull. My hope is that the new candidates do not name call our district. I also hope the three ministers can practice what God preaches.
The District paid over $2,000 in professional photographics for 18 administrators. One of the pictures is for Ray Hull which he is now using on his campaign. The photographer is Donnell Collins long time friend and former Beacon photographer. We never knew Hull was a administrator. It must be nice to be Hulls friend.
Dr Popp may be a "researcher" but he was hired to handle the entire district operations. playing politics with certain BOE members have landed him in a financial scandal. Instead of manning up and admitting mistakes had been made publically he chooses to hide and coverup.
What is the big deal with the emails, if someone is stupid enough to put down something damaging and the person on the receiving end does not correct them, then they need to get fired.
Ask any maintenace person heat exchangers did not need to be replaced in every building. Just like flagpoles not everyone needed to get painted. Feltes was allowed a open check book under Popp. what is not talked about and Glozabach was well aware that district key cards were issued to Youngrans and Arlip. The employees without background checks were allowed to enter buildings. They often time showed up without a assignment and waited for hours with calls into Feltes on their assignment. Union leadership meeting informed Glotzbach and Tyler early in July and nothing was done.
In fairness to both, Feltes was working for Popp at the time. It is possible the emails Popp is holding are referencing his poor leadership. The public has a right to know.
Everyone should look into the better than $10,000 plus being diverted to Sodexo in the way of meals and entertainment.Nothing has changed they just hide it better.
What a news story... East hands out new credit cards... Good thing we have the Voice. It shows Hanley and is old employer are involved in another coverup. Because of Hanley and the Beacon kids at West Aurora got abused. Because of the Beacon at East wasted money and corruption are happening. Hopefully the Tribune will clean house
What the most members of the BOE are failing to see is the severity of the situation in regards to the preferred vendor mismanagement of public funds. These are criminal offenses. There is no way theses are going to be forgotten. Look at other cases on the internet that pale in comparison to the debacle at D131. Offenders must repay or go to jail. Another huge issue is all the time lost by in-house union maintenance workers when Feltes and Rana and everyone else approved this non- emergency work. You think THAT will go away as well? The district owes the union workers the pay taken away from them by hiring Youngren's, Artlip, Malcor and others. It is in the hundreds of thousands. The offenders here are in very deep, so I can understand their attempts to cover-up, make light or outright deny that anything is wrong. The reality is an effort on their part to help now instead of denying the facts would look better for them as more and more mismanagement of funds is revealed. Kudos to Annette Johnson for her stand against the mostly silent BOE members when confronted with this yesterday at the meeting. We need new board members to work to clean this immense mess up and get justice for all those that lost out due to the indifference, laziness, ineptitude of administration and board members alike. Get out there and vote!
The kids should have been given the day off considering we do not have buses. In d131 our Sup believes it to be more important to make one BOE member happy than the safety of kids. Today we had a speaker for Afro American Heritage that could not have been cancelled. Perhaps that is why it was so important not to cancel school. it was also learned all administration and BOE members will honor the speaker at a lunch paid by the district at Gaslite Manor. This is the same administration and BOE that claimed they could not afford a teacher Christmas Party. If Ray Hull had ethics we would have proclaimed this to be a unneeded expense. This board is unethical and needs to go. It shows Dr Popp will continue to play politics and has lost the respect of the entire staff expect a chosen few.
I wonder if they should be paying for a lunch for a non district employee? What is there limit for paying for parties in the district. Do they do this for all Ethic Groups with it is their Month?
There is no heat at EA today in the Fieldhouse and Lunch room. The areas are reading 59 degrees. Nice to know our admin is having a big lunch in a warm building.
"THE VOICE" Feb 19 2015 EAST AURORA REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT” Requests for Emails By Ralph Padron
A recent audit from documents received via FOIA request, an email caught my attention which compelled me to send a follow-up request to question excessive spending in the Building & Grounds Department. What should have been a simple response, escalated to multiple FOIA requests which would answer questions to “Why was the spending of “Taxpayer Dollars” so extreme and was it necessary?” This was the response from the School District’s Community FOIA Officer Matthew Hanley.
Jan 14-Request: “All Michael Popp emails to/or from Bernie Weiler and the Board of Education regarding “heat exchangers & list of bills” from Aug 1,2014 to Nov 1 2014” Jan 15-Reponse: Your request is denied for the following reasons: There are no documents responsive to your request NOTE: Response was given 1 day after request
Jan 27- Request: Revised previous request to include names of the Board of Education and expanded timeline. Feb 9 – Response: The District filed a five-day extension, as allowed by law. Your request is denied for the following reasons: There are no documents responsive to your request. Note: Why would a 5 day extension be filed when the FOIA revision was minimal? Also why would it take nearly 2 weeks for this response?
Feb 11-Request: “Time period January 1 2015-Feb 11th 2015” Please provide the “Email Retrieval Log” results for searches made with the words “List of Bills” & “Heat Exchangers” This would be made available from your e-Discovery Appliance
Feb 12-Response: On Feb. 11, 2015, you requested the following documents: The “Email Retrieval Log” results for searches made with the words “List of Bills” and Heat Exchangers” for Jan 1 2015 to Feb 11 2015 Your request is granted. Image captures of the results of the requested searches are in the attached PDF document. Note: I received E-LOG verifying these EMAILS DO INDEED EXIST! Time span for request and response was 1 day
Feb 13 – Requested again: emails containing the previous request Feb 15 – Response: Not provided despite the E-Log stating they exist
Why will East Aurora not turn over these emails? What is written that is so secretive and unwilling to be given to the public?
As you can see what began as a simple FOIA request, has resulted in multiple requests thus requiring further action to obtain these emails.
I did contact the Illinois Attorney Generals Office requesting an investigation of this attempt to withhold these documents. Will be pursuing this with my Investigative Team along with other subject matters appearing on the E-Log. Come to your own conclusions on why there is such an intense effort to withhold public documents from me. More will be surfacing in the near future
I was embrassed for our students and staff today. Mr Kafala separated the students into groups of learners. He used getto slang and poor grammar skills. He certainly was not the role model portrayed.
Mr Hull is not well educated and that is taken into account but Principal Kafala is " suppose " to be well educated. Shame on Mr Hull and Dr Popp for bring more racist views to our district. The students need a apology.
What is the District hiding! Dr Popp these are not your personal emails these our the citizens emails. SHAME ON You. Why do you continue to not turn over public property.
Watching the news this morning and on the bottom of the screen the scrolling information at the bottom of all the school closings or late starts some district say Due to Extreme Weather parents decide if you student comes to school. Now those are Districts that care for the students and not the activities for the day.
Dr Popp needs to get fired. It is troubling to learn that FOIA documents are not turned over. It shows he is hiding something. It shows he is hiding other things the community does not know about.
The other issue is Feltes. Popp and company don't discuss why he is out. It shows laws have been broken but they are waiting because Popp wants Peryea and Hull to get reelected so more dirt can get covered up. After election Feltes will get paid big money to go away or get his job back. District money was lost by the millions why will they not address it?
Hull has promised Feltis hands off if he is reelected. That is why nothing has happened with Feltis. Hull and Feltis were spotted at Egg and I on Presidents Days. Hull should be meeting with district employees and making deals.
No I'm saying that the districts are letting the parents know they can make that decision thier selfs instead of instead of waiting for the district to close the schools. I know parents that when it is cold like this and since we have no bussing and not all children have parents that can drive them to school can feel free to let their students stay home and not worry if government will step in and punish the students for not going.
What is there to understand nobody knows what the status of Feltes is. A d131 employee that receives no favors must provide a doctors note after three days to their supervisor. Feltes has been out for a five weeks without a reason given to the personnel report. He is attempting to get paid for not working. Hull has a history of paying settlements to employees who steal the district blind. Feltes is guilty of wasting millions and violations of purchasing bidding procedures. It has been proven by Mr Padron. Hull has no right to meet with him that is up to Popp and Gloztbach.
MANY schools were open yesterday! In fact, those school districts who closed yesterday should have closed today, as the temperatures were identical. But, there are only so many emergency closing days a calendar can support.
It is not an indication that the school district does not care for students. In fact, it is an indication that the school district does care for the students. Many students who would have to stay home if the school was closed, would be left home alone due to working parents.
Many students who would have to stay home if the school was closed, would be left home alone due to working parents. What do these parents do during summer time when school is not in session? When my children where in school and I worked I had someone who would watch them I had a backup plan for those days. In fact there are many parents that have a non working parent that drives their children to school each day so if there is no school there should be no problem.
You clearly missed too much school because of snow days, judging by your writing and spelling skills. The fact of the matter is, many of our students are safer, fed, and warm when they are at school.
Losing instruction time for cold weather pushes instruction time later into June without air conditioning. So, the administration made a good call!
UPDATE 1 Submitted Inquiry to Attorney General of Illinois who is now investigating 6 FOIA responses from Matt Hanley and EA 131.
2 FOIA to be submitted on why Marty Feltes is not legally absent from East Aurora. Personnel Report does not report anything.
3 The recent "police report" will be carefully reviewed with very interesting findings questioning the responses of Dave Rana, Mike Popp,& Marty Feltes.
4 More illegal activity to be exposed on Dave Rana's decisions giving certain vendors work in the District. This will be HUGE AND ANOTHER EYE OPENER
5 The Floor Scrubber purchase violations will resurface with newly discovered documents pointing to another of Rana's giving the Purchases to PCS Industries.
6 More email FOIA have been submitted which will expose ongoing Scandals and cover-up by 131.
Comments
Again Mike Popp and Christi Tyler stubbornly refuse to address these areas publicly nor respond to me in writing concerning the Multiple Inquiries I have presented.
Can anything else be brought out that further expose the failure of the Ray Hull, Mike Popp, Christi Tyler regime?
Can this trio bring out documents to prove otherwise? Ray Hull prefers to call me a "Bully"
Popp and Tyler choose to make excuses and say I am wasting Tax Dollars and taking time away from the students.
Hanley is developing a pattern of extending FOIA's another 5 business days and still refuses to hand over the emails. Lisa Madigan's office has been given multiple documents to support my grievance.
Why does this group continue to cover up and attempt to deviate from the truth and respond that they are "over their head" in their areas of responsibilities.
I attended the Principal Kafala speech Thursday and after the speech it is clear Dr Popp has no respect for the community. We constantly heard it is up to us to close the attitude gap. We need to relate to our students. It is our fault. WE, We, WE. The poor grammar and tone was offensive. Kafala told the students the same message. He created a enviroment of victim.
He also stated he would give more details if hired. We work hard for our students and do understand them. Most of the students have a great attitude but education is not a priority when you are fighting to keep food on the table. If that is not the issue try helping the student who reads at a elementary level when you have 36 students in Freshman English.
I have been insulted by Dr Popp and Mr Hull. It is time our Union step up or teachers in district unite for a reverse discrimination lawsuit. The district should have saved the money and let Hull do the speech. Hull and Kafala looked and sounded like two racist with a chip.
I have also attended Loudes Ferrar's speeches and they provided hope and empowerment yet a special night with all the bells and whistles did not happen for our Latino population. THAT IS DISCRIMINATION DR POPP.
The BOE should turn over the emails and if they do not they should all resign. Peryea made a statement that tge district was run like Johnson personal business. Who is running it like her personal business Peryea. These are not her emails. These are the taxpayers emails!!!
Perhaps Matt should follow his own advice when her write Peryea's speeches and spend more time responding to FOIA requests. We have your number Matt and know why you are meeting behind closed doors with Peryea. Campaigning is illegal for a district employee a lesson Ms Peryea still has not learned when her Bible friend was catch and suspended last election.
No Ms Peryea. I am not Johnson but one of those taxpayers you hate. I. Do see a hypocrite who uses God when I see one.
Las Pasados fundraisers for all the school. That is the PTO budget for the entire school year. The event on Thursday cost the district $10,000 plus a lunch at Gaslight for Hull and the administration. Sad that Ray and his few followers hate the Latino community so much. Sad that Popp and Hull claimed no money for Christmas or HALLOWEEN for the students but could stuff their fat faces at the expense or parents, students and teachers.
What money is necessary for Halloween and Christmas for the students? Where do you get the 10,000 figure? What cave do you live in that the district hates Latinos?
You are silly, it is Dr Popp who hates Latinos and yes Las Pasados does pay for many small projects around the schools. What money did this event bring. NOTHING but racist comments towards our teachers.
They will not have a forum because Peryea and Hull do not want to answer any questions about the district corruption. hanley works day and night trying to stop Ralph.
I cannot believe that the PARCC testing is quickly approaching, teachers are unprepared, and we are completely wasting our time on a day that affords us the opportunity for professional development to learn about exercise and eating right!!! I am an adult, I KNOW these things! Do you want less "stress" in the district??? Use COMMON SENSE!!
We start PARCC on Monday. I am totally confused on how to set it up. There are so many different things I have to do. I am not prepared. Our in service was not sufficient and not well run.
To Matt Hanley: quit making your snide remarks to the besieged and beleaguered teachers of district 131. We are not stupid and we are not liars- it is you my friend whose entire job exists to put lipstick on a pig.
I wasn't able to go to the concert last night (roads were snowy & slick). I do appreciate good music, also, so can you post a link for those of us who missed it? Thanks!
Feb 26 2015 To: Board of Ed President Ray Hull, Superintendent Dr Michael Popp, FOIA Officer Matthew Hanley From: Ralph Padron Subject: Bd meeting agenda for March 2 2015 & FOIA response dtd February 25 2015
Greetings
1. Ref Bd Agenda: XII Action Items B. Motion to Approve the Trash Can Liners Bid to North American in the Amount of $15.54 per Case of 30x36 Liners and $21.68 per case of 40x46 Liners. This was approved on Dec 15th 2014 and awarded to PCS Industries. Why is this being awarded again? There is no explanation justifying this. Please explain. 2. Reference Feb 25th 2015 FOIA Response A. Pages 1,4,7,9,11,13,17 is an email from Kirsten Strand to Matt Hanley & Mike Popp. Kirsten acknowledges that emails do indeed exist containing the words “Heat Exchangers” and “List of Bills”. She specifically indicates she does not want to violate “open meetings or FOIA policies” and is requesting guidance on how to respond to my inquiry.
B. I have submitted multiple FOIA’s concerning this issue yet Matt Hanley continued to respond “No Documents Exist”. Mrs Strand’s emails contradict Mr Hanley’s response and proves Dr Popp was aware these emails do exist.
C. Multiple FOIA’s afterwards and I am sure legal counsel has been sought on how to address this most serious violation resulting in “Wasted Time and Resources” in preventing me from obtaining these emails.
Questions: 1 What is the big Secret and why is there such an intense effort to prevent the release of these emails 2 How many hours and Tax Payer dollars has been used in this ongoing issue which could have been avoided 3 Why hasn’t Board President Raymond Hull not intervene and demand answers to put this issue to rest
There is no immediate resolution to this problem thus I was forced to request an investigation by the Illinois States Attorney Office. Due to sensitivity of the status of this problem, I am sure those representing EA Dist 131 cannot respond for legal purposes and rightfully so.
If the first FOIA was conformed to, this would have NEVER become such a major issue. The Public is entitled to these documents and the withholding of releasing them is just another example of the shameful and embarrassment actions of those responsible.
Mr Hull has said to me several times “Ralph, why do you continue to drag the District through the mud and embarrass us” He can label it whatever he wants, I call it “Addressing and Exposing the Truth”
Hanley is lipstick on a pig but he is also corrupt. The emails he will not release are about the way the way the district spends money. Ms Strand knows the emails exist and if she is ethical she should release them. What are they hiding and it makes you wonder what else they are hiding.
We can only get back to transparentcy with a new board. Hull and Peryea are not turning over emails also it shows their ethics.
"Last night's concert", maybe Mrs. Liska was filling in for a student at the last minute who was sick. As a singer myself I have to say she did a beautiful job, but this song is easy enough to be sung well by any capable high school student.
However, if the band director just brought in his wife to perform (instead of a student), that would be depriving a deserving student of an educational opportunity. As I remember, Mr. K had his wife play piano alongside students, and gave any student who was capable & available the opportunity to play. But the administration still used Mrs. K's willingness to volunteer against her husband.
Ten years time does NOT magically turn wrong into right, and there are plenty of people still around with good memories!
If she wasn't filling in for a student it was WRONG
said...
So who was the student singer who was sick last night??
And couldn't Ms. Gawlik have filled in if no student was available? Ms. G has a good singing voice AND is a current faculty member at East High. Mrs. Liska's only current connection is being married to the band director. At least Mrs. K had kids who went to Dieterich!
Strand is not the good Christian everyone believes. I have worked with her at Yellow Box and she has received large pay increases for her ability to bring three fundraising ministries to Aurora. Dont let her kid you her salary runs about $100,000 per year plus benefits.
I no longer attend Yellow Box since it was clear to me it was more about the collection plate and less about worship.
It does not surprise me she is involved in a email coverup. Since Popp was appointed Sup. Strand has brought in volunteers to all schools to promote her agenda. Building leaders are forced to meet with her because of her status on the board. The volunteers run programs and encourage participation in off hours activities with involve her Aurora Campus Ministries. I am very disappointed her and her message.
Why is the district not turning over emails. Matt you were a unemployed hack writer at the Beacon like your friends so why are covering up. This is not your email system. Could it be it shows the millions wasted. Could it be Once revealed a new board board may dismiss Popp, Tyler and Feltes and Rhana.
ATTENTION CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE STAFF!! If you want to keep making the money you deserve instead of having your work GIVEN AWAY to OUTSIDE VENDORS- YOU MUST SPEAK OUT! Come to the next Board Meeting on Monday and tell them what you think about their voting on the PRE-QUALIFIED VENDOR LIST! ALSO, Get out there and VOTE!!! Alex Arroya, Anita Lewis and Ken Darby are your choices if you want CHANGE in this district for you and your children! Your jobs could be outsourced if you do not! NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
CUSTODIA ATENCIÓN Y PERSONAL DE MANTENIMIENTO !! Si quiere seguir haciendo el dinero que corresponde en vez de haber su trabajo regalado a AFUERA VENDORS- Debéis hablar ! Ven a la próxima reunión de la Junta el lunes y decirles lo que piensas acerca de su voto en la lista de proveedores preferidos ! TAMBIÉN , Sal ahí fuera y VOTE !!! Alex Arroyo , Anita Lewis y Ken Darby son tus opciones si usted quiere el cambio en este distrito para usted y sus hijos! Sus trabajos podrían subcontratar si no lo hace ! AHORA ES EL MOMENTO DE ACTUAR !
Every employee in 131 has to live by the rules unless you are in administration or Marty Feltes. He calls in every day and still is allowed access to emails and call the shots. Meanwhile he sits home every day with pay and benefits he is not entitled too. Feltes ran out of sick days in November. He has now been paid over $30,000 for not working.
Dr Popp continues to allow this and Joan Glotzbach looks the other way while teachers, support staff, secretaries and maintenance staff get harassed. The board says nothing.
The only way we can change is by electing a board who will do right by everyone not just their friends. By the looks of Mr Padrons emails Ms Strand needs to join them.
Several teachers at Waldo are very tense about the upcoming PARCC tests. They feel that they are not sure on how to administer the test and they will take the blame if things go wrong on Monday. It is surprisingly complicated.
I will not vote for Anita Lewis she is a big fan of Johnson and looked the other way when Johnson pulled some things that led to Johnson running the district instead of Roberts. She also voted to extend Roberts. She also got a very nice dinner when the board went to Chicago the last year Wells was on the board where they spent alot of money on food and liquor.
Roberts was a terrific Sup compared to Popp. Transparentcy was followed under Roberts. The latest Email scandal shows how bad the new Sup was. The new Sup also reissued all the credit cards. Dr Roberts may have not been prefect but many positive changes happened during his administration. Can anyone name one thing Popp has done.
Speaking of spending money the BOE members were treated to stays at the Downtown Hyatt along with dinner at Mortons Steak House. You would think Hull,Peryea, Gonzalez and Turza would have turned down two nights of entertainment and fun considering they were up for election. Strand attended as well. Shame on them for stealing from the community. Other district administration having a good time were Tyler, Glotzbach, and Popp.
I went to the Movies band concert, my son is in the band and my daughter sings in the choir at East High. The band songs were good and I knew most of them from movies. But when they started playing the Les Miz song Mr. Liskas wife came out on stage and sang.
My daughter has been in love with that show since she saw it in Chicago on a field trip a couple of years ago. She and her choir friends sing that music all the time. Why couldn't they have a choir student sing instead of Mrs. Liska? I would have been so proud of my daughter and I know she would have done a terrific job.
I wasn't here with the other band director so I don't know about what happened back then. But I feel it's just plain wrong to have an adult do something when a student could have the opportunity.
Hull has been seen at Breakfast with Feltes and Leonard has been seen numerous times out with Feltes during working hours. If Feltes is on paid leave Board members should not be going out with him. He also calls into Rhana several times a day. Why is he not working? Tyler has been at meeting saying he will not be back yet again nothing happens. Mr Padron has shown corruption, coverups and lies regarding Feltes yet the board is out making deals with him. Does anyone not have a problem with this. Millions have been wasted and yet no action.
I thought Wellness Day at East Aurora High School today was a success. The opening speaker Aric Bostick impressed many teachers with his humor, wit and compassion. The rest of the day was full of lectures on stress, diet and exercise. I plan to contact one speaker at their office for more information. Give Dr. Popp and his staff credit for a job well done.
What does Wellness Day have to do with Institute Day. What happened to professional development what a waste of time. Wellness Day should be held on the teachers time afterall it benefits them not the students.
I am unaware of what wellness day is for D131. Through the years, the company I worked for offered stretching exercise time, on shift, flu shots by the company Dr. and periodic meetings on health and safety. This was to benefit the employer and employee. Less lost time from work due to,illness and injury. Which included how to be safe at home and on vacation. Plus, I would like to think these things for people working with students would include how to identify mental, physical and emotional health issues with the children. Poor leadership you made a poor assumption.
Thanks to Hull, Strand and Peryea a former student was gunned down yesterday. The millions spent on the termination of the Quad program created this.
I know of the student and his family circumstance. The student was trying to break away from a Gang and become a role model for his two children. He was not attending classes because he became a target. At Quad we understood the student population and in many cases last year when this circumstance occurred we would help the family contact a relative living out of the area and get the student transferred. After a cooling off period the student could return home. Today there are NO home visits and very little contact with parents. The staff does not understand the population. Gang activity because of the "new" administration is at a all time high.
I hope the School Board understands because of their actions many lives are being distroyed. The public should also understand after millions are wasted East Aurora can not even help the 30 students that attend the program daily verses the 200 plus served last year. The School Board needs to remember we trust our children's lives in your hands and you have failed us.
The information you have given is helping us greatly in gathering the facts we need to prove without a doubt the corruption and other nefarious things going on in District 131.
All info. is kept strictly confidential!
Please keep sending it here:
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
La información que han dado nos está ayudando mucho en la obtención de la información que necesitamos para demostrar sin lugar a dudas la corrupción y otras cosas nefastas en el distrito 131.
As a teacher, I enjoyed yesterday's focus on wellness. We invest a lot into our students and their families. It was refreshing to have the district acknowledge that and to find some new ways to care for ourselves so that we can continue to invest in our students. I'll say this: after several years in the district this is definitely not the worst PD I've experienced.
Do you want to see CHANGE in this district? Then get out there and VOTE on election day!
Alex Arroyo, John Lash, Ken Darby
These are candidates who are committed to healing D131!
Do you want to continue to see people like FELTES employed here!?
YOU can be the ones to decide by placing your vote for NEW BOE members who are going to take ACTION!
Would you like to see our kids in a safer environment? Would you like your tax dollars going to the students instead of being wasted? Would you like to keep your jobs instead of being outsourced??
VOTE< VOTE< VOTE!
Voting is YOUR RIGHT and it is confidential.
¿Quieres ver un cambio en este distrito? Luego salir y votar el día de las elecciones!
Alex Arroyo, John Lash, Ken Darby
Estos son los candidatos que están comprometidos con la D131 sanidad!
¿Desea continuar viendo a gente como FELTES empleadas aquí !?
Usted puede ser el que debe decidir mediante la colocación de su voto para los miembros NUEVO BOE que van a tomar acción!
¿Te gustaría ver a nuestros hijos en un entorno más seguro? ¿Le gustaría que sus impuestos van a los estudiantes en lugar de ser desperdiciado? ¿Le gustaría mantener sus puestos de trabajo en lugar de ser externalizado ??
Feltes is still on the Payroll after millions of bidding fraud was uncovered plus the millions mismanaged. Now I read the BOE packet and they are giving Feltes a open checkbook to hire who he wants. It is more smoke and mirrors. Read the new policies shame on the BOE for even allowing this. It is another license to steal. The corruption of this BOE continues.
Don't be fooled by Wellness Day the District is trying to create good will so we will vote for our lame contract. Sarah Intherm is selling us down the river. She is allowing a efficiently study to take place so teachers and support staff staff jobs will go unfilled next year. The District claims many of our classes are not overcrowded enough. What has the District done to solve the Sub problems. It is common to have over 40 students. The District is also offering only 2%. Really? save the Wellness Day and take care of basic needs.
Lewis did Johnsons will and stabbed people have Johnson leading the pack I was surprise when Alex Arroyo has signs out with hers makes me think twice about him.
217 comments:
1 – 200 of 217 Newer› Newest»Be sure and pick up a copy of the Voice newspaper today...there's a big article about things going on in our district!
Article appearing in "The Voice" today. by Ralph Padron
East Aurora School District Hiring of Purchasing Agent Called to Question
Recently I received a FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT response to research a very suspicious and questionable hiring of Elise Clever as “Purchasing Agent” .
Here are the facts:
1 May 2011- Nov/Dec 2014 worked at West Aurora Dist 129 in the Accounts Payable Office
2 Per Elise’s cover letter she was “responsible for payables and procurement card management”
3 The “Assistant Superintendent for Finance” at East Aurora is Christi Tyler who worked with
Ms Clever at West Aurora Dist 129.
4 This is a newly created position to correct the Purchasing Scandals recently made public.
5 Salary stated on her application was $32,000.00 annually
6 Salary at East Aurora is $53,000.00 annually plus benefits
This is an increase of $ 21,000.00 for someone with no experience in this field.
7 LICENSED TEACHERS WITH MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE DON’T EVEN MAKE THIS MUCH MONEY.
8 I addressed/emailed Board of Education President Ray Hull, Superintendent Dr Michael Popp and Christi Tyler Asst Superintendent Finance/Business Ms Cleve’s application, salary history, and the East Aurora Staff Salary report for 2014-2015 school year to support my discovering this very suspicious/controversial hiring. As is their pattern, I will not get a detailed response of any sort from this trio of individuals in authority.
Cronyism Definition: (Wikipedia)
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy.
Cronyism exists when the appointer and the beneficiary are in social contact. Often, the appointer is inadequate to hold his or her own job or position of authority, and for this reason the appointer appoints individuals who will not try to weaken him or her, or express views contrary to those of the appointer. Politically, "cronyism" is derogatorily used.
Ralph Padron
Perhaps by the District should look at Illinois cases and rulings before FOIA requests are denied as being "burdensome" per the FOIA exemption? I assume that is what the report by the FOIA Officer is all about.(Full article link at bottom).
"Illinois courts have made clear that the mere fact that a public body will have to expend valuable labor and computer time to respond to a request does not warrant invoking the exemption. For example, one Illinois court determined that where a FOIA request sought information about an issue that had garnered national attention on an issue of vital importance to the criminal justice system, a public body could not claim an undue burden even if it must dedicate full-time personnel who possess a high level of knowledge and sophistication for several weeks to fulfill the request."
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=970005f6-1fa1-4811-b3de-90d905bfc655
Sad that the Tribune has bought such a third rate newspaper that it is being trumped by the Voice. The Voice is only $12 per year and mailed to your house. it has more news in it than the Beacon News that is twenty times the cost.
mr Padron please FOIA next weeks pay records. Feltes is out of vacation, and sick days but still getting issued a full check. This pay period he missed 8 days yet the district paid him. When Tyler was questioned she snapped and said I don't know what he is doing. Loosely translated we have been down this road before. It means the BOE is playing loose with the tax payers money.
Thanks to poor reporting the district is more corupt than ever. we need to show support for Mr Padron whenever you try to expose truth and justice they try to ruin you to go away. What is the district hiding with FOIA requests for emails.?
The Voice has an article by Matt Hanley also. Twice the size of Ralph's article. Called "Defense presented, errors found, in commentary against EA131.
Well if it's twice the size, it must be better, lol!
It is interesting the district spends their days working on shutting down Mr Padron. Inquirring minds wonder why no announcement has been made on the whereabouts of Feltes. Officially Hull has told members of the maintenance staff Feltes is gone for good. He wants us to remember that and vote for his ticket of Hull. Peryea and Garza. Other rumors in the district claim Feltes lawyered up and is filing a lawsuit. This is unfortunate that money will be taken away from the students and wasted on a person that cost us millions. It is not long ago that we remember all Popp and Hull praising him for all is wonderful work. It had us sick. It proves one man makes a difference since Padron was able to expose him. Thank you Mr Padron tooooo bad the Board members and Popp could not do the same.
If Matt Hanley wrote the article and it is twice the size then he has outdone himself with cover-ups and lies. There is no Defense for the collusion, cronyism, bullying and theft that has gone on in the district.
He is the perfect shill for a corrupt BOE.
EA OK
Four weeks ago Thruckenbrog promised additional protection at the HS in the evening. Last week staff was updated that the BOE had put a hiring freeze on and would not fill any vacant positions district wide until a needs assessment was completed. Last week a teachers keys were stolen and her car taken right out of the parking lot. The reason given was added attendtion was given to door and hallway security. Other Gang related incidents are occurring daily. This is thanks in part to the new and improved discipline policy of the BOE. Teachers need to come out and tell the BOE they can not have it both ways. There interference is making the building unsafe for students and staff. In the next school year over 50% of the teachers are planning on not returning.
EA OK must have graduated from East:
"There interference" should be "Their interference"
If Hull is in fact telling the maintenance staff to vote for him and his ticket then he is breaking the law with campaigning on school grounds. If his ticket is doing this then they have no business being on the board. It just shows how corrupt they are.
The information you have given is helping us greatly in gathering the facts we need to prove without a doubt the corruption and other nefarious things going on in District 131.
All info. is kept strictly confidential!
Please keep sending it here:
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
La información que han dado nos está ayudando mucho en la obtención de la información que necesitamos para demostrar sin lugar a dudas la corrupción y otras cosas nefastas en el distrito 131.
Por favor, tenga que venían aquí:
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Todos son estrictamente confidenciales.
Any information about Ray Hull publicly attending meetings and speaking about Charter Schools or fraudulently trying to obtain votes. Please submit to our tip line below.
ANY information you have on the corruption going on in District 131.
Please submit your tips to the email below.
ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE! Thank you!
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Toda la información sobre Ray Hull públicamente a asistir a las reuniones y hablando de las Escuelas Charter o de forma fraudulenta para obtener votos. Por favor, envíe a nuestra línea a continuación.
La información que tenga sobre la corrupción en el distrito 131.
Por favor, envíe sus sugerencias al correo electrónico a continuación.
TODA LA INFORMACIÓN SE MANTIENE EN LA MÁS ESTRICTA CONFIDENCIALIDAD. Muchas Gracias!
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Hulls election will be paid by the new $12,000 alarm installed at Quad County Urban League. The district removed a new alarm system from ADT at Quad only to install another one from Alarm Detections in a building the district only has a three year lease on. The cost to taxpayer $12,643. Hull personally directed this.
Hull friend former Alderman Chris Byrchek was the salesman at Alarm Detections on this latest fiasco.
East Aurora LOST again at basketball last night.
So. Let me get this straight. This is a blog about a school district. Full of kids. Your comment is not about a professional team full of grown men with intact egos and self esteem who are paid to play well. You are talking about kids.
Any chance that your priorities and sense of decency are a little skewed?
Moron!
Read the Voice so if everything is just sloppy accounting why is Feltes gone for good. We have been told he will not be coming back.
Sloppy accounting is chalked up as the reason?? That is a cover-up if I've ever heard one! Wait until the facts come out about him. I think even his close friends will be shocked.
We need to elect positive candidates this was another embassing night. Every board member except Johnson attacked Ralph Padron. basically telling him you are not allowed to ask questions. Truza then swore at him. Hull played yo mama again It was a embrassment and it is time the Beacon News report word for word what is happening. They all need to go.
Shocking enough Johnson was the only professional.
I also sat within ear shot of a couple of school board candidates that questioned what did they get themselves into. That is unforntunate.
The comments of the Popp also troubled me admitting the school is out of control with Gang members some City we live in
Board Of Ed Meeting Feb 2nd 2015
If you want to put to rest the “Altered trash Liner Quotes” scandal here are several suggestions to put this issue to rest.
1 Locate the original quote which was altered. If the original was altered then:
2 Locate the scanner where the quote was scanned in the B&G Office. When you find that then you have a good idea who altered the quote.
3 Ask for all quotes given for each purchase in 2014
4 Provide documents which were written to validate that the Vendor could not deliver.
5 Verify that quotes and purchase orders had all correct information required to purchase the specified item
The September purchase had an approval log which was implemented to prevent fraud yetld not be passed.
Again how can we state corrective measures taken yet still this passed.
Upon gathering all of the above, I request a member of my team and I, sit in on a presentation to validate that all statements in the Police Report can be supported by the Superintendent and the Supervisor at B&G.
Regarding the Floor Scrubber purchase also mentioned, I now have new evidence to question the decisions to proceed with the 2 purchases totaling $ 51,980.00 K.
1 Please provide all quotes for these purchases
2 All emails regarding information for this purchase
This would be a good start as I finalize all other new evidence.
Lets do this together to put to rest the PCS Floor Scrubber Purchases.
It must be noted that this issue was discussed in the Police Report.
As you heard tonight from my wife (Lorryl Denny) the allegation of Free Health Insurance in the Police Report is totally false. I can prove that many statements made in that report were false and can not be supported by any documents. We must remember the Police Report was a gathering of statements from those individuals mentioned in my complaint. I supported my complaint with legal documents I obtained, they were not required to do so. This is very important to understand.
I publicly asking to have an open meeting in which all parties can participate and share documents to put this
Issue to rest. I am confident that documents can not be provided to support the statements of those individuals
Involved. If I am wrong, I will publicly apologize to all present. Please accept my offer.
Regarding True Transparency, why will Dr Popp not respond in writing to my concerns? I am asking AGAIN publicly for responses to all previous emails and issues I have spoken about in these meetings.
Recently I have had many responses from individuals who are willing to provide info for further FOIA Investigation. This Board and EA Staff needs to understand that the employees, taxpayers, and Aurora citizens are fed up with this administration and its mismanagement of Taxpayer Dollars.
I am honored that so many have asked, encouraged, and thanked me for the results that have been made public in these meetings and via the Press. The citizens of Aurora, (Retired, Poverty, and all in between) have been the victim of having their hard earned Tax dollars be spent to benefit those who believe they are above the law.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205581634081782&set=gm.497478850390394&type=1
Shouldn't that say "East Aurora High School Band Boosters"?
They cut the middle and grade schools out of Boosters last year. The money raised at the breakfast goes to support the high school band program. I still plan to go & support our deserving high school musicians, but the community should know that the booster organization is high school and not district-wide!
Dr Popp told staff members Friday the two perpetrators at EAHS are quote two Hispanic males. Yesterday it was revealed they are Afro American. Dr Popp needs to stop racially profiling our students.
BOE BLASTS Padron- That would be an appropriate title for a media article regarding the terrible behavior witnessed by the board last night. And, "yes", Johnson was the only one who acted in a professional manner. Do not be disheartened new BOE candidates! Now you see we need you more than ever! See what happens when you try to get some transparency in this District? You are attacked!! They are the true bullies here. I applaud Ralph and all the speakers! Keep on keepin' on and fighting the good fight! You have many, many people behind you!
Where are the January 5th School Board meeting minutes?
BOE and admin have been bullying employees and students families for many years. It is either their way or they conveniently put them out of their way. Families are given circles to run when searching for answers concerning their students. Same with teachers. The disdvantage to teachers, they must fear retribution. Families either become bothersome until questions are answered, or labeled as " hard to deal with" or something along those lines. BOE turns a blind eye to anything they makes them actually take a stand. Or they write a policy to take it off their hands. The board members of past and present who try to take a stand are labeled like the parents.
I am happy to see people like this Padron fella and this blog give people a place to speak out. Now concerns and complaints are being made public and documented......even when anonymous, whether on a blog or an email to Padron, it is a dated statement of concern, so the district cannot say they were not aware. Even if they did, it shows the history of complaints and concerns amongst the D131 community. Whistleblowers unite!! What a fitting time to snowball the problems into an avalanche into the Fifth Street office. How much more can be said and done to make them wake up and fix what's broken and leave all else alone. Let the principals run their schools and the teachers do their job and give them all the tools they need and the policies required to run and effective school. Let police and parents deal with children who do not want to attend school to learn. Take off your mittens admin and BOE and put on the gloves required to get our schools back on track!!
About the pancake breakfast: the poster on Facebook says that two groups will be "preforming".
What will they be eventually forming? And why does the finished product require an earlier formation?
EA OK, on display.
They'll be forming (making) PANCAKES. The pancakes have to be "preformed" on the griddle before they're flipped over.
Not sure exactly how the jazz band & magnet school band kids are involved in flipping those pancakes, but I'm planning on buying a ticket to see them "preform"!
I was waiting for Ray Hull to break out singing "Don't cry for me Argentina"
Ms Turza, To use the words disheartened is putting it mildly. To swear in front of a student board member would never be tolerated on any BOE.
Ms Gonzalez looked foolish as usual she could not even read the speech written by Hanley. Morales had to help her. How embarrassing.
Dr Popp you need to be fired your laughing and smiling as Padron and then Johnson got attacked is not fitting of a professional.
Leonard was the same old stating Marty is a great guy and who cares about the millions wasted.
Strand shame on you for not looking into anything and attacking Padron after you heard of bid irregularities from Olson Roofing. It is horrible that we find our tax dollars wasted on not getting the best price. That is what you should have said.
Ms Peayea please do us a favor and turn over the keys of the district to new board members. We now know why so many issues exist you are a rubber stamp.
Mr Hull talk about a bully you have bullied staff and teachers since you have been BOE President. Please everyone in the audience sees you for what you are a angry black man.
Talk about a bully that word is the defines the entire school board. The community needs more Padrons and it is time for a clean sweep.
The students of EA are in harms way with policy changes by the new administration. The accounting still stinks with coverups and lies. The BOE showed their colors last night. Just get out the broom.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-crosby-east-board-st-0204-20150204-story.html
Serious incident at East Aurora High School
The East Aurora High School staff recently responded to a serious incident outside of the school.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, two adults came to the lobby of the high school’s fieldhouse after the school day had ended. An East Aurora staff member identified that the two men were not students and they did not belong at the high school. The staff member asked them to leave and the men left.
The next day, the same two men returned to the fieldhouse lobby, again after the school day had ended. Thanks to good communication by the high school staff, a different staff member immediately identified the two men as the same people who had tried to enter the school on Thursday. The staff member asked them to leave, which they did. At the same time, the staff member contacted other staff in the high school. The school resource officer went to speak with the men.
When the two men saw the officer, they began to run. They were arrested by the school resource officer outside the building, with assistance from other Aurora police officers who were called to the school. When one of the men was searched, police found a loaded weapon in his waistband. Both men were arrested and are facing felony charges.
The school’s security systems worked as we intended them to. Our staff members identified a potential issue, responded to that issue and kept all students and all staff safe. None of our students or staff were injured. Staff kept these men from going past the lobby of the school.
We are incredibly grateful for the assistance by the Aurora Police Department. They responded immediately and handled the situation with the same professionalism they bring to all situations.
Despite the success in turning these men away from the school, the District staff has already engaged in a thorough review of all of our security systems and procedures. We have had these conversations alongside members of the Aurora Police Department, who also review our processes.
Although we do not believe there is an ongoing security issue, we will have an extra police presence in and around the school at this time. We will continue to work with the Aurora police. Parents, please talk with your students about the importance of reporting suspicious incidents.
We are also reviewing our communications processes so that we can alert families to incidents like these in a more timely manner, while respecting the investigative work that police need to do.
If you have questions, please contact me at (630) 299-8000.
Principal Spencer Byrd
Amen BOE please resign. They need to get rid of any board member that swears during a meeting. A Superintendent that laughs at someone who shows how this district misuse money should go.
Has Ralph contacted the State Board of Education with any of this not that they would not anything but they help make the laws they should in force them.
Ms Crosby journalistic abilities are in question. How she could have attended a meeting and come back with the mild article she wrote is unbelievable. Every member of the audience commented on Ray Hulls mental state. Of late it is decline. He speaks of being unable to sleep, his hate for teachers and Johnson and the fact he is more miserable than he has been in five years.
Hull has been given one to many passes and it is time the newpaper discuss a exit plan for all involved.
Maybe Crosby needs to do some research about what Ralph is bring to the board and if his claims are real. I have to admit some purchases are questionable in how items where purchased. Didn't she a couple of years ago FOIA credit card statements and found some questionable did she even look into if the purchases that didn't have receipts even should of been paid. Look into the The IL School Code Ms. Cosby and see why Ralph might be questioning some of the spending.
This is the problematic for teachers: we are in the building trying to teach and protect our students , while the front door goes unmanned, and anyone can buzz in anyone, and the many doors, especially in the freshman center are ajar; kids let people inside and out. There are multiple opportunities to let in people with guns. The PPA's know weapons are let into school every day. Weapons and drugs are in students' lockers, and the admins' try took like they are doing something by waving wands around. So while we are not kept safe, and our students are unsafe the ADMINS ARE SAFE at the service center. they DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR SAFETY, ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS DESIGNING EVALUATIONS AIMED TO SAY" yes YOU THIRTY YEAR VETERAN TEACHER WITH 30 EXCELLENT EVALUATIONS YOU ARE NOW CRAPOLA. It is the year of bashing the teacher. The year of bashing our precious students. Let's pay for a façade for a building, and because it was screwed up, spend 1/2 million dollars for another. I wonder how much metal detectors cost? I bet 500,000 would put a dent in that! One thing you need to remember new admins, Oswego and many other schools have updated systems where people are given an id badge and are run through a system where they are checked for being predators or having prior felonies. Not everyone should be invited in-- WE HAVE NO FRONT LINE PROTECTING US AT SCHOOL!!!!
RAY HULL. It is obvious that you are not longer stable. Your production at Monday's meeting proves that. You are a true BULLY in every sense of the word!
DICK LEONARD. Your obvious cronyism with best friend MARTY FELTES has cost the taxpayers an unfathomable amount of money and crippled this district. Feltes was and is one of the biggest BULLIES to ever be employed in the district. And you still stand up for him?
MARY ANNE TURZA-
Swearing in front of a student at a board meeting?? Obviously you have not a clue.
STELLA GONZALEZ. You do not have the skill set required to hold this position. Matt Hanley writing your "comments" last night made this obvious.
MARY LOU PERYEA. Stating that you want the "keys handed over to the administration" means you have no place in this important position. There is a system of checks and balances that need to remain intact. You obviously do not believe in this process.
Resign now and let this district move forward and start to heal.
It is so obvious that a large percentage of the posts here are made by Annette Johnson. The woman would bring down the entire board and district in the hopes of regaining her seat as board president. This from the woman who claimed she was quitting the board and then backtracked and stated that she was quitting after she tied up a few loose ends. Now it is obvious that not only isn't she leaving the board but she is hoping to regain control as president.
Does anybody really want to relive that nightmare? The almost daily public embarrassments, the constant harrassment. I even recall how the board needed police protection because of the death threats they were receiving.
The woman is working with Padron and his small committee trying to create the illusion of corruption just to put her fat A$$ back in the presidents seat. Did anybody else notice that Ralph filed police reports and reports with the States Attorneys office because he felt that board policies had been broken. The police and States Attorney have no juristiction over District 131 Board Policies. It was ridiculous.
The man is either a complete idiot or he understands exactly what he is doing and figures the East Aurora Community is full of idiots. Listening to him is like listening to Bob Green. He takes a board policy and event and twists it to his own distorted conclusions. He doesn't care about the community (that he doesn't even live in) he is only out for revenge because he lost his health insurance.
Ralph should take a moment to recall that it was because of Annette Johnson that he and his wife lost their district insurance before he continues on the path that may put her right back in charge. Wake up Ralph.
This year has certainly been the most challenging with our Division Chairs and the " new" administive changes. EA is now a hotbed of gangs , drugs and weapons. We have always had problems but we are not supported. Teachers write referrals but the kids are back in class next day without any consequence. The 204 way does not work Dr Popp and Thruckenbrod never learned or asked questions they assumed because we work at East we are stupid. Hull has pubically stated that and our union never defended us.
Last week Byrd stated his contract was in flux. This week he claims he is back on. The EA way is a daily game of musical chairs.
It's seems the EA way is to to have Hanley spend his day writting speeches for the BOE to attack residents.m
The Insurance was addressed pubically and the District saved millions. The current administration does not like Johnson because she held them accountable. Today Padron would not have come back if Popp would have addressed the millions Johnson questioned in mismanaged spending with B&G. If you had attended the BOE meeting Padron read a very professional Email questioning spending by Johnson. This email was one Hanley claimed did not exist.
I am sure Padron has many disgruntled employees like in the past who feed him information. It is doubtful after the attacks of Padron he has aligned himself with Johnson. The Board is a joke and at this point I would be happy to turn the keys back over at least students could attend a safe school.
Dear Wake up EA,
Why don't you come up with some new material? We are really growing weary of your same comments again and again.
The accusations against Padron regarding health insurance has been proven false. Were you not at Monday night's board meeting?
Your comment about the States Atty. shows you are uneducated on what Ralph is fighting for. He went to the police and States Atty. to pursue criminal charges against specific people in the district as is proper procedure in this case.
Let's see (what else), your musings about Annette Johnson is your own uneducated mind wandering about and coming to it's own conclusions. What I will say about Ms. Johnson is that I believe she has learned from the mistakes of the past.
Raplh Padron and his team have the facts. You spew things that belong in Star magazine. You call names. I think we have all had enough of that kind of mentality.
In weird board stories it was revealed today by a teacher I work with at Hermes that Peryea prays for Johnson to go away. Many could not belief what she was saying so she was questioned again and she stated Peryea runs a pray group and they pray that Johnson goes away. This is a bit much.
Johnson helped provide guidance that changed the district for the better. Under the current Board I have seen nothing except cronism, insults, fighting and patronage. Scott Dart is a friend of Popps and never had the skills to lead a building. He is another example of someone who does not get our community. We had two great Hispanic educators that could have lead our building passed up. That would have not happened under the last administration who celebrated a diverse community.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-waubonsee-east-high-st-0203-20150203-story.html#page=1
The district is a reflection of the community. You get what you pay for.
Byrd told staff the distict will back down and expell some students. WOW, Dr Popp this after seven rival gangs took over the HS. Byrd stated the BOE is still hesitant to expell but the Gang wars need to stop two high ranking members will get expelled.
The BOE is responsible for all the safety problems at EA. They would rather keep a few in school because it sounds politically correct. Lets endanger teachers and students because they changed policy.
Teachers at EA would rather return to the old leadership that includes back to department chairs.
Tinley Park proposes new village purchasing policy
This is a article in the Beacon today. is the Tribune trying to tell the Beacon bumping journalist Crosby to listen to Ralph and report the CORUPTION istead of covering it up.
Come on Tribune bring us a real journalist.
THE VOICE FEB 5 2015
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Responses from East Aurora Dist 131 Called into Questioning
Recent response from the Assistant Director of Community Relations Matthew Hanley
“On Jan. 14, 2015, you requested the following documents:
All Michael Popp emails to or from Bernie Weiler and the Board of Education regarding “List of Bills & Heat Exchangers” from Aug. 1, 2014 to Nov. 1, 2014
Your request is denied for the following reasons:
There are no documents responsive to your request”
I located this email obtained to a recent FOIA response from Mr Hanley.
This email was from Board Member Annette Johnson and Superintendent Dr Michael Popp
From: Annette
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 8:36 AM
To: Michael A Popp
Subject: LIST OF BILLS
In today's list we have a check issued for $45,400 to Youngrens. The description states the following ; Allen School replace HEAT EXCHANGERS I do not recall having a public bid on this. I so please give me the date since this is over $25,000. Also they had 13 service calls billed to Allen is this a result of this problem or something else.
Upon reading the content of this email, Mr Hanley’s response is totally incorrect. In addition, due to the importance of the subject matter mentioned, responses by Superintendent Dr Popp and Board Member Annette Johnson would be ongoing. Needless to say, this proves documents exists despite the response of “THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS RESPONSIVE TO YOUR REQUEST”
How can this happen? I have had several Freedom of Information Acts requests declined with the same response.
On January 27th 2015 I emailed to the Board of Education the following
To: Board of Education
East Aurora School District 131
Subject: FOIA Request Denied
Greetings Board of Ed Members East Aurora Dist 131
Please review the attached FOIA response regarding the recent denial of FOIA’s I recently submitted.
All I am requesting is that if you disagree with the response given, please bring it to the attention of
the individual (s) who rejected the FOIA’s in question.
I am in no way requesting anyone respond directly to me. .
Needless to say, again the evidence/facts speak for themselves in what is now known as “The Great Cover-Up” at East Aurora. In order to get to “THE TRUTH” it necessitates me to continually request documents (FOIA) and present them knowingly that there will be no response by those responsible.
The Superintendent Michael Popp continues to defiantly disregard and not respond my public and written requests for a response to multiple issues in which I have presented the necessary evidence to support my concerns. It would be in accordance professionally and protocol, that Christi Tyler and Dr Popp provide documents to support their positions.
Recently several individuals have contacted me providing me with “New Leads to pursue and will be brought out publicly when they are investigated thoroughly.
It was pointed out to me that FOIA Complaints/Fraud are to be handled by the Attorney General’s Office.
IS THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TRULY TRANSPARENT AS IT CLAIMS TO BE?
Please check the true definition of Transparency
WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE BEING WITHHELD NECESSITATING THEY BE BROUGHT OUT PUBLICLY.
East Aurora Dist 131 is NOT their personal company for others to benefit financially
Respectfully
Ralph Padron
Why is Peayea having closed door meetings with Hanley?
Could it be Matt is helping her with her campaign. We already know he provided pictures to Hull and Peayea for their election. Hanley has lost his ethics is searching our desks and recently pulling records on Weisbrook who recently retired.
BOE-
At the last meeting you admitted via Dick Leonard that you were not monitoring the purchasing going on in the District.
Okay, so why not move on from here and work with Ralph? His team has put countless hours into researching these purchases. The District hired him before to run an audit. Instead of being so defensive why not work with the people that want what is best for EA131 instead of it being Ralph Padron vs the BOE?
Ralph have you done a request for review with the FIOA Officer about the emails? You should they will get farther than you with this board and they might want to know if they don't why.
If Leonard did say they did say they weren't watching how money was spent then why not. All the Administrators that are over those things should know they are suppose to be doing it and The Superintendent is suppose to make sure policies are followed. Maybe it is time to get new Administrators that know The IL School Code and how to follow it.
Johnson had complained six months ago and at every BOE meeting they had not followed the school code with regards to bidding. All the BOE members should resign they looked the other way. Peyrea claims turn over the keys, this women is dangerous and should not serve on the BOE. She never questioned one bill.
She has a major responsibility for the gangs and shooting as well. She along with Hull and Strand changed the policies that lead to no expulsions. So on one hand she claims look the other way in the finances on the other they demanded the new Sup change safety policies. This radical behavior needs to stop we need a new board.
I think the Board needs to apologize for the way they have treated Ralph Padron and others who have spoken up on these topics. They would not have been addressed without his persistence. Then let's move on and right the wrongs and get this district back on track!
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-82740598/
Peayea shouldn't have any closed meetings with employees if this is true. If Hanley took pictures of Hull and Peayea for their re election that is wrong too if it is true. These would not be people we need on the board.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-board-repair-st-0206-20150205-story.html
The board should apologize for the money they wasted with crony Marty Feltes. After reading the article they should all resign. Asking for more time is another word for don't come and complain. The business office excuse is getting old you do not training on purchase orders to be ethical. They should know how to purchase and spent the districts money the best way possible. Feltes was paid $130,000 a year and should have known what to bid and what work could have been done in house. After all until he worked in 131 every building was serviced by hard working employees. it will be revealed with the millions wasted..
Please resign BOE and thank you to Gonzalez and Truza for not running.
So if everything is okay and they are still learning why is Feltes not coming to work. Tyler will not answer what is going on and Feltes is out of sick days so are we to assume he is being paid. Why the coverup? The standard district line is we can not discuss personnel.
Sounds like a coverup to me.
According to a custodian pal, Feltes is no longer employed by D131.
It is interesting that Feltes would give up a $130,000 job if nothing is wrong.
The coverup in the Popp administration is troubling but our newspaper will not ask questions. It sounds like Crosby is part of the coverup. Why will the Beacon not report on this.
The Tribune needs to transfer or fire the current employees. They all have a relationship with Hanley and Crosbys daughter works for the district it sounds like a conflict to me. They can no longer be objective in reporting the news.
The Beacon had no problem advertising good employees names two years and talking about record keeping, trips to Menards, and suspensions so why not Feltes
Common on Beacon you played many employees names out it shows your favoritism.
February 2, 2015
I am a retired East Aurora teacher since 2011 with over 20 years with the district.
My comments are directed towards Dr. Popp. It is a direct quote from the Aurora police report referencing a telephone conversation between Dr. Popp and Officer J. Wiencek on January 20, 2015.
"DR. POPP ADVISED HE ALREADY WAS FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND INFORMED ME PADRON'S WIFE, A RETIRED TEACHER, HAD HER HEALTH INSURANCE ERRONEOUSLY PAID FOR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BY THE DISTRICT. THIS WAS CORRECTED BY THE DISTRICT, WHICH UPSET PADRON."
Dr. Popp-where did you get your information? It would be to your credit to check your facts before making erroneous false allegations. Never has the district paid erroneously or otherwise for my health insurance- when I was actively teaching nor when I retired. I have a sampling of the check copies of insurance premiums sent to the district as proof after I retired. We were given a premium amount to pay which covered myself and my husband, Ralph, and it was paid monthly, unlike Penny Halfax who was allowed to "ride off into the sunset" never paying an insurance premium, as well as the fiasco with Jay Augustine. District insurance only became an issue due to the time constraints and how it was handled-no one wanting to take responsibility for the pain and trouble the changes caused. That is old news and it's done with.
You, Dr. Popp, are upset and angry with my husband, Ralph, and what he is doing regarding the district. In the future, do not try to get back at him by going after me-that is a terrible move and a big mistake. Our phone rings non-stop from 7-8 am until after 10 pm with people checking their facts with Ralph. He does not present any facts that do not have proof. It would behoove you to do the same.
While I believe I am owed an apology, it would be meaningless because I have had to ask for it. When all else fails, this erroneous information regarding the district paying my health insurance appears to surface. It's about time you and anyone else using this line, find a new one.
Lorryl Denny-Padron
2600 Gateshead Dr.
Naperville, IL 60564
I would like to add to the insurance comments and say nearly 8 years ago, I was contacted by a retired teacher who had trouble with her insurance. After lots of problems with her post retirement medical bills being paid, she found out her bills were not being paid because, as they explained to her, she had "other insurance." She had no other insurance and she made many calls and argued with her insurance company, only to find out she had insurance through D131 being paid for her. She knew she should not have had this other insurance. Now, It was causing her current carrier NOT to pay her bills, which should have been covered under her current carrier. After numerous calls to the school service center, she called me, and asked if I could help her get it fixed so she could straighten out her insurance woes.
I reported this to Carol Farnum, the board president at the time, and Dr. Roberts. I, also shared this info with newly elected Board members Anita Lewis and Annette Johnson. I was later assured this ladies problem had been fixed and all was well in the insurance dept.
A few years later, certain people took credit for being the first ones to find flaws in the way the district was handling the insurance. Years!! Because in the meantime stuff was being swept under the rug, while fingers were being pointed in all directions, and no one was taking care of the problems. Sounds like the same script replaying, even more years later. There are some new players, some old, still sweeping and still pointing.
I have never met Mr.or Mrs. Padron, but I am glad he is doing his best to stop this cycle of bad business practices in our district. I believe he has become a victim of the finger pointing syndrome.
In all this I was giving Dr. Popp a chance but with the information that has recently been posted I can no longer do it. This BOE needs to go also we will never get a good Superintendent in the district if the BOE runs the district.
The District has a history of bad employees. Augustine was forced to resign because he did not process four pages of insurances adjustments that identified employees who should have been taken off the insurance.
These types of situations are why the Board can not just turn the District over to administration. They need to ask questions and follow up that the Superintendent does his job.They now have a system in place that all employees have to register yearly if you do not employees get dropped.
It is too bad the only one asking questions is Ralph Padron that is why the Board is elected.
I retired recently from the District and millions are wasted every year.
DIvision Chairs announced after the HS was taken over by gangs and drug dealers the BOE would return to explusions. BIG WHOOP. This after the HS had a gunman almost discharged a firearm and our safety was in question. We heard this week of extra police protection and keeping keys and purses locked up. A teacher had a car stolen recently. Yes, this is life in EA one year later.
Over 50% of the staff will leave this year and although many did not respect Byrd his recent speaking up against administration saw his job almost eliminated. Everyone realizes going public will make the Popp administration give in.
EA has also had issues but this year ??? WOW the insult of Feltis paid $120,000 makes one review why go into debt, pay student loans , all for this? Thankyou BOE for a wonderful year. Thank you, Mr Hull for your racist comments and let's see if anyone wants the jobs the incompetent middle class teachers will leave because of you!
Working at the district shows everyday it's not about children, its about politics. The Board of Education insisted on no explusions. To make Board members happy Popp did not listen to qualified staff. A experienced Sup would not allow everyone's safety to be put endanger for a few.
ANY information you have on the corruption going on in District 131.
Please submit your tips to the email below.
ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE! Thank you!
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Toda la información sobre Ray Hull públicamente a asistir a las reuniones y hablando de las Escuelas Charter o de forma fraudulenta para obtener votos. Por favor, envíe a nuestra línea a continuación.
La información que tenga sobre la corrupción en el distrito 131.
Por favor, envíe sus sugerencias al correo electrónico a continuación.
TODA LA INFORMACIÓN SE MANTIENE EN LA MÁS ESTRICTA CONFIDENCIALIDAD. Muchas Gracias!
Motivational speaker at next Thursday's Black History Month program; the public is invited:
http://www.d131.org/newsDetail.asp?id=3201&guid=
Some tranparentcy; Perhaps, Hanley has sunk to a all time low.
He has hidden the fact the disrict is having another Citizans Finance meeting. The meeting will take place tonight at 5:30 at the SSC.
Popp uses this committee to direct the way your taxes are being spent. He was forced last month to make the meeting public after he violated the open meetings act.
Now the meeting is hidden for the public not to know what he is doing. Board members can say they are transparent bt these actions continue leaving one to question what else are they hiding?
The committee meeting should be advertised to the public with 48 hours. I reviewed the posting and it does seem strange about the place they are advertising the meeting. You can bet Popp wants no public comments from Padron. If they are so transparent they would not care but it's clear the Popp administration spends more time covering up than telling the truth.
The explusions may start again but everyone knows this is BOE doubletalk and administrative lies. The lap dogs in our union do not support us. Administration promised six weeks ago after teachers threatened to go expose them by going to a BOE meeting that they would get extra protection in the EAHS. To date no extra protection exists. The hours of 3 to 8 pm leave the building open. Our union has never followed up and stopped us from speaking.
What the public doesnot know are computers are being stolen faster than the district can replace them. If something is not nailed down classrooms are getting looted to date no report is on file. The new administration is not capable of running the district and will not admit it.
Upon repeated FOIA requests for emails related to the purchases of over $45,000 in Heat Exchangers made in 2014, these requests have been denied by the District 131 FOIA officer- "There are no documents responsive to your request.The decision to deny was made by Matt Hanley, Assistant Director of Community Relations". (Mr. Hanley is also the FOIA officer for the district).
Several notifications to the Board and Admin. have produced no response as well.
These denials have been reported by Ralph Padron to the Office of the Atty. General along with all notifications to the BOE and the Administration as is per the right of the FOIA requester.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/lifestyles/ct-abn-east-aurora-black-history-month-st-0209-20150209-story.html
The district continues to coverup for this Bozo. Feltes has cost the district millions and now he is being paid for a breaking the law. He has abused workers called them stupid, crooks, liars, lazy and drunks. The Board is well aware of this behavior and he continues to get by. They are working out a deal as we speak. It makes you wonder why won't they turn over the emails.
Mr Padron please contact the Attorney General the documents In question have been given to Hanley. They will not turn them over because it shows Dr Popp, Tyler, Peryea and Feltis have broken bidding law, name calling swearing and hiding information from board members. If the emails ever surface several in question will have to resign. Hanley should also get charged for distruction of government property.
The community needs to remember it was Hanley and his good friend Mike Chapin that covered up the sexual abuse of teenage girls at West Aurora. Ultimately CBS news picked up the story reported to Hanley months before about a janitor coming forward and filing a complaint against the Band Director. It seems history has repeated itself because Hanley is now is distroying government FOIA requests. This is another fine example of EA hiring a loser like Tyler.
thanks to all for the most recent "tips". I did contact the Attorney Generals Office this week in the first of many complaints vs EA.
The "Email Scandal/Cover-Up" is very very intensely being researched. More subjects were recently FOIA'd to confirm many suspicious financial scandals.
PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ALL INFO AT
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Appreciate all the support and encouragement the Team is receiving.
THANK YOU
February 11, 2015
Ray Hull, Board President; M. Popp, Superintendent; C. Tyler, Asst Super Finance
417 5th Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Greetings
Recently you prepared a Prequalified Vendor list for board approval. This list was developed from a recent public bid for a variety of trades. The public bid was inadequately researched and prepared indicating a lack of knowledge of the industry and purchasing experience. The list revealed a selection bias and a shortage of contractors in certain trades. As a result of the Public speaking out on these shortcomings the motion was tabled.
It was also tabled “to pursue additional research and prepare a new Prequalified Vendor list”. The question becomes “if you can’t get it correct with the amount of time spent on it the first time with unqualified research why will the next one be correct?”
You all have stated that the 2013 Preferred Vendor contract was a one year contract and was voided in April 2014. Your facts are totally wrong again. The Preferred Vendor contract did not have an end date and is still in place.
The Preferred Vendor contract is not for repairs assigned at will but for emergency work only. All other repair work is to be awarded through the bid process. The amount of the work dictates whether is a public bid or just competitive quotes.
Please read the Approved Preferred Vendor policy put in place at the April 15, 2013 Board meeting.
You have subverted the intent of the Preferred Vendor process. What was the purpose of changing the name to a Prequalified Vendor contract? Is this is a veiled attempt to continue awarding work in the same manner as the last 2 years? This could be interpreted as an attempt to avoid the bid process.
More on this later.
These continued violations of Public Law and Policy must be stopped.
Regards,
Ralph
Ralph Padron
Here's a link to 26 pages of recent articles about our district:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=36554781
Mr Padron
Malcor Roof is still being called they recently repaired our roof in the gym at Cowherd. We heard they are a freind of Feltes and more expensive.
What about the bidding process for our bussing company (Durham)? They charged the district 1.7 million dollars more than our previous carrier for the same service. And what about Sodexho? There was not a legitimate bidding process for the food service bid.
These two contracts are costing the district millions of dollars more than it should be. Where is Ralph Padron's investigation into these contracts? Oh I forgot, they were done when Annette Johnson was the school board president. We don't want to go there.
It's fairly obvious that some people here have their own political agenda.
The Sodexo bid saved the district $700,000 this year and was a example of rebidding. The district put food service out every year and created competive bidding. In fact Mr Hull attempted to stop the rebidding. Let's see what happens this year.
The prior bus company had safety issues and in fact Special Ed child was abused. The prior company did not keep equipment safe or repaired. the new company brough in new buses and not one complaint exists today.
Thanks for reminding us things were better with the old board.
Well at least the past leadership bid contracts out. The new leadership allowed Feltes to hand out work to all his friends and cronies.
How come Feltes still calls up Dave Rana every day? How come outside vendors are still working on "Marty's List"? Cut the cord already! This bully is still continuing his rein of terror from outside the district!
District employees know the fix is in. Marty remains on the district payroll and the BOE will vote to pay him in Aprill for his entire contract with benefits at that time he will retire and have a lump sum payment from IMRF. Get ready d131 community to write a check.
Marty cronies are working over at Simmons today and Rana still gives work to Arlip and Malcor.
Some bus truths:
1. The current extracurricular bus company, Durham, has been doing the special ed busing for the past few years at the HS. So Durham is responsible for any violations done in the past towards special ed kids.
2. Ask any coach at the HS - his new bus company is horrendous. They are constantly late picking us up, going to wrong doors and having absolutely no clue what route to take to games. We have complained to the Athletic Office and to Nestor Garcia (Hahahaha) and I'm sure it doesn't go any higher up than them. They like to hide the truth!
The old bus company, First Student, had some of the nicest drivers and knew coaches names and multiple routes to all the away game locations. I am not aware of the bidding numbers but, I'm sure Durham was cheaper and that's why our district went with it. Just because something is cheaper, doesn't mean it is better. HS coaches are learning that the hard way.
Rich Lee was the bus company that got replaced three years ago. The district shared the contract with West Aurora. West had many problems with Rich Lee and had a student attacked. Rich Lee could not provide a tape and East went along with West and fired Rich Lee. West then prepared a bid and Durham was hired. East continued to use Durham for Sped.
Funny business?
Tyler working as a consultant last year talks East into consolidating all bus services with Durham so West could get out of the Durham contract. Tyler needed to have East absorb the unused miles so West could save money and start busing their own Sped students. The First Student company then lost the business. This is another example of Tyler taking care of West and not East. It is more and more apparent the new administration does not put students first. It is also interesting EA is paying 1 million more so they are not getting the best bargain.
The old bus company was not first student. The old bus company was Illinois Central.
The Durham bus company is costing far more than Central bus used to cost and the service is far worse. $1.7 million more per year.
It is almost impossible to reach their dispatcher. Her name is Dana. I've asked to speak to somebody else and have been told repeatedly that she is the only person dispatching buses. Buses are late constantly, if they arrive at all.
The Waldo band had to walk over to the high school and back (with all their instruments etc.)last spring for the Fine Arts Festival rehearsal because the bus never showed. The Allen kids stood outside of Allen for nearly an hour waiting for their bus and missed most of the rehearsal. Nobody could be reached to remedy the situation.
Also, all field trips have been cut short. Instead of returning to school at 3:00 as was the practice with the Central Bus Company, Durham requires the field trip be done at 1:30 so that their buses can do their after school runs. It seriously limits the education students receive during field trips, etc.
Nearly all of the teachers have been complaining about Durham. I can only imagine why somebody on here would say that there have been no complaints and I'm sure her name is Annette.
The Bus Company they had before Durham was Rich Lee here is the article about the switch.
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/11942203-418/aurora-school-districts-likely-to-switch-bus-companies.html
The reason we have Durham is because of a partnership with West Aurora. It is true Rich Lee has terminated for poor performance regarding the Hope Wall partnership with EA an WA. Tyler negotiated the Hope Wall Partnership while working at West.
Tyler helped WA out by buying additional hours that WA would have had to pay for. Tyler will not address children walking or poor service. In fact she never returns calls and when Thruckenbrod and Flanagan are asked they state Tyler is busy with B&G .
The Leadership last year addressed issues and staff always knew Dr Roberts had a open door policy. Often you could stop him in hall at SCS. Dr Popp is never seen and is missing more than Roberts. Glozbach and Tyler are running this district into the ground. Johnson was also approachable and if she heard someone was not doing their job you could bet the following week their was action.
THE VOICE FEB 12 2015
East Aurora Superintendent Makes False Statements in Police Report
By Ralph Padron
East Aurora Superintendent Dr Michael Popp was confronted at the Board of Education Public meeting February 2, 2015.
“I am a retired East Aurora teacher since 2011 with over 20 years with the district.
My comments are directed towards Dr. Popp. It is a direct quote from the Aurora police report referencing a telephone conversation between Dr. Popp and Officer J. Wiencek on January 20, 2015
"DR. POPP ADVISED HE ALREADY WAS FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND INFORMED ME PADRON'S WIFE, A RETIRED TEACHER, HAD HER HEALTH INSURANCE ERRONEOUSLY PAID FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BY THE DISTRICT. THIS WAS CORRECTED BY THE DISTRICT, WHICH UPSET PADRON."
Dr. Popp-where did you get your information? It would be to your credit to check your facts before making erroneous false allegations. Never has the district paid erroneously or otherwise for my health insurance- when I was actively teaching nor when I retired. I have a sampling of the check copies of insurance premiums sent to the district as proof after I retired. We were given a premium amount to pay which covered myself and my husband, Ralph, and it was paid monthly, unlike Penny Halfax who was allowed to "ride off into the sunset" never paying an insurance premium, as well as the fiasco with Jay Augustine. District insurance only became an issue due to the time constraints and how it was handled-no one wanting to take responsibility for the pain and trouble the changes caused. That is old news and it's done with.
You, Dr. Popp, are upset and angry with my husband, Ralph, and what he is doing regarding the district. In the future, do not try to get back at him by going after me-that is a terrible move and a big mistake. Our phone rings non-stop from 7-8 am until after 10 pm with people checking their facts with Ralph. He does not present any facts that do not have proof. It would behoove you to do the same.
While I believe I am owed an apology, it would be meaningless because I have had to ask for it. When all else fails, this erroneous information regarding the district paying my health insurance appears to surface. It's about time you and anyone else using this line, find a new one.”
Lorryl Denny-Padron
Mrs Padron did provide Dr Popp copies of personal checks. She welcomes verification of payments of the timeline referred to by Dr Popp at the district office he oversees.
Questions arise immediately:
Why did Dr Popp not research and provide documents to support his statement?
What is his source of information in falsely accusing the Padron’s?
Why did the Board of Education not comment nor respond to this serious charge?
Does the Board of Education hold those individuals accountable for the scandals which have surfaced?
It must be noted that the response of the 3 individuals mentioned in the Police Report were not required to produce any documentation to support their erroneous statements. The Kane County States Attorney’s Office advised me to submit a complaint with the Aurora Police Dept regarding the “Bid Rigging” at East Aurora. Many a time I have spoken and written letters to the Superintendent and he stubbornly refuses to answer the concerns many citizens and EA Staff have in the wasting of taxpayer dollars, purchases and awarding of contracts by the Building & Grounds Department for many a year.
More on the statements made by Dr Popp, David Rana, and others from this Police Report in the very near future.
Recent investigation of several issues has surfaced the past 2 weeks. Upon thorough auditing and research, they will be made public with accompanying documents to prove more wrongdoing at East Aurora School District 131. Due to the severity of this false information given in a police report, we are weighing our options.
I am not suprised to read about Durham administration was treated to dinner along with Hull, Peryea, Strand and Turza for dinner during the Holidays at Mortons Steak House by Durham officals. Sounds like Tyler may have a relationship on this one.
Popp and the Weasals need to go.
The only people on here who should be charged with a crime are Ralph Padron and his wife. It’s called defamation of character/slander (since it has now also been put in print) and they could and should be sued for their actions.
They have repeatedly made claims of crimes, corruption and wrongdoing against employees of this district. While early on, they may have actually believed this to be true, after both the Aurora Police and the Illinois States Attorney have ruled that no crimes were committed, they should know better than to continue to make these accusations. They are compounding this by making accusations that Dr. Popp is lying.
The truth is, there were some purchases made and services contracted that violated board policies. Most were made with the full knowledge and prior approval of the school board, a few were not.
Ralph doesn’t seem to understand that board policies are not school code or state law. A violation of board policy is not a violation of law. Board policies are only enforceable by the school board as a whole. Accusing people of crimes when none exist is a violation of the law. It’s a shame that it’s not politically viable for Dr. Popp to sue the Padron’s. It would certainly make others think twice before making the slanderous comments the Padron’s have.
However, Dr. Popp won’t always be the District 131 superintendent and the Padron’s are certainly leaving a long trail of evidence that can be used against them in the future.
Board policies are part of the IL School Code. The School code gives the blueprint for the policies the board makes. The Board then can make those policies stiffer put not less than what it states.
Here is an article that shows how a school district was taken over for not following rules.
http://archive.ksdk.com/rss/article/254974/3/East-St-Louis-School-District-takeover
We can only hope Dr Popp will not be the Superintendent. It is up to him and the Board of Education to enforce policies. To date they have not and district employees are sick of it. Padron gets by because nobody has sued him. Dr Roberts, Annette Johnson and Joan Glotzbach sure had reason too. I would sit through meetings when name calling on behalf of Padron did take place. He unfairly destroyed their reputations.
Hear are the facts
The facts are his wife and himself got insurance at a reduced rate. The facts are current teachers paid astronomical insurance rates for retirees. The retirees knew about the TRS system.
Dr Popp is a nice man from a district that never had the challenges d131 had. Our students start school four years behind. Mr Hull blames the teachers for not connecting with students and that is not the case. The Board of Ed put Dr Popp into a situation of learning on the job. If that was not enough, in comes Padron. We now add Leonard and Feltes to the works, along with Hull, along with his personal adenda and the perfect strom is brewing. No, Dr Popp will not be successful he did not have to make decisions, manage a business office, manage Sped, manage PR, manage B&G, manage a high bilingual population, or deal with Gang Violance. Look and listen to his background. Dr Popp is a researcher from a school district that values strong up to date curriculum. The EA curriculum is water downed for basic skills and you would think our Board of Ed would know this.
My wish is Padron would stop emailing the entire staff, and go away. I also wish the Board of Ed will be made up of totally new individuals and Dr Popp can find a University job as a researcher.
"Giving them enough rope..." should pursue Ray Hull for the embezzelment of an ipad, taken from the children of the district for his own use.
Just one of many collusive and corrupt practices that are being exposed.
Then there is Matt Hanley violating Federal Law by not turning over FOIA'd emails.
And Dave Rana continuing to use non preferred vendors at a higher cost even after being told to not to and to comply with the school codes.
And then there's......wow, way too much......
Dear Mr. Rope-
Nice job trying to place fear and doubt into people's minds, but as usual you fall completely flat on the FACTS.
Let's try to educate you here.
"The only people on here who should be charged with a crime are Ralph Padron and his wife. It’s called defamation of character/slander (since it has now also been put in print) and they could and should be sued for their actions."
People love to toss around the words "slander" and "defamation", as if just by saying the words lends credibility to what you are speaking about.
Short definition: If what you say about an individual can be backed by FACTS it is NOT slander, libel nor defamation.
"They have repeatedly made claims of crimes, corruption and wrongdoing against employees of this district. While early on, they may have actually believed this to be true, after both the Aurora Police and the Illinois States Attorney have ruled that no crimes were committed, they should know better than to continue to make these accusations. They are compounding this by making accusations that Dr. Popp is lying. "
Ralph was directed by government representatives to pursue taking these FOIA FACTS to the Aurora P.D as well as the State's Attorney. They were dismissed as there was not enough information at the time to make a case, but rest assured there will be soon.
Dr. Popp lied to police about Mr. Padron's wife's insurance. that is a FACT that you saw proven at the last board meeting.
"The truth is, there were some purchases made and services contracted that violated board policies. Most were made with the full knowledge and prior approval of the school board, a few were not."
Ah, where to start here? All the violations were NOT just board policies, but in FACT state law violations as well. While I would hope the board would want to uphold it's own policies, many of their policies are based on the laws which govern our state. Not only does the law state what guidelines are to be followed, but the repercussions for not doing so (especially in a school). Ignorance of the law is not a defense here. There is much more I could expand upon, but I will leave it at that for now Mr. Rope.
"Ralph doesn’t seem to understand that board policies are not school code or state law. A violation of board policy is not a violation of law. Board policies are only enforceable by the school board as a whole. Accusing people of crimes when none exist is a violation of the law. It’s a shame that it’s not politically viable for Dr. Popp to sue the Padron’s. It would certainly make others think twice before making the slanderous comments the Padron’s have."
The paragraph you wrote (above), Mr. Rope, was addressed in my previous responses. I would suggest educating yourself on the subjects before entering into a debate.
"However, Dr. Popp won’t always be the District 131 superintendent and the Padron’s are certainly leaving a long trail of evidence that can be used against them in the future."
Correct! Dr. Popp will not always be the superintendent! "Evidence" to be used against him (Padron) in the future? If by "evidence" you mean FACTS that were presented to the public, press and governing bodies for the betterment of a school district that has been in dire need of help for a long, long time....well, I'd say that is something to be proud of!
To Dr. Popp-
How can you even consider bringing back Marty Feltes? After the way he has blown the budget and wasted millions of dollars that directly impacts our students and staff?
You were responsible for monitoring his actions and when you failed we all had to pay a heavy, heavy price!
If things had been looked at more closely we would not be in this sad state. Returning Feltes to his position will not only continue to add to the damage that has already been done to the students, tax-payers and workers of this District, it will prove without a doubt that the administration and board cannot or will not do the jobs they were elected to do.
Band Booster Breakfast was very good. Well attended and the band students did a nice job. Kudos to Ken Darby and the booster organization. Hope you made lots of money
I thought I heard something about the school district doing an internal audit?
Here is something to look at:
How many times did Marty Feltes authorize outside vendors like Youngren's and Artlip to do work in this District that could have been done by in-house maintenance staff??? How much money did he waste on outside vendors? How much work did he take away from union workers??
Start there with your internal audit and you will find much, much more! We could have had so many other things for our kids, but
Feltes pretty much single-handedly misused our public funds and drove this District into the ground!
This is from the Chicago Public Schools Policy Manual. I would certainly pray we have something like this in place in D131!
Policy:
1. Any local school funds determined to have been misused, misappropriated or otherwise to have violated
the School Internal Accounts Manual, Board policy or applicable city, state or federal laws or regulations
shall be restored by the responsible school personnel whenever possible, notwithstanding any disciplinary
action the Board may deem to be warranted.
2. If restoration by the responsible school personnel does not occur, legal measures may be authorized by
the Attorney, in consultation with the General Superintendent of Schools, Chief Financial Officer and
Internal Auditor, to be taken against the responsible school personnel to recover said funds. Under appropriate circumstances and with the Attorney's approval, the services of a collection agency may be used to recover funds from the parties responsible for their misappropriation or misuse.
And you would seriously consider keeping a person like this on??
I work at Brady School with Heather Hook who has a job in the Learning Center. Her husband was recently appointed to the Finance Committee. Heather took a job from a highly qualified applicant. Her children are in the Magnet School and had been given the free computers targeted for low income students Heather claims she is helping the poor but in reality she is exploiting the poor. Ms Strand had forced the administration to hire her. The cronyism with the Popp administration is in parts of the district you can not imagine. Please do us a flavor Kristen take your friends and Dr Popp and move back to Naperville.
I know the Hook family from my church. Heather is highly qualified for her job at Brady, and could be making more money in another district but the family chooses to live here and make D131 better.
Save your vitriol for those who are dragging the district down by wasting thousands of dollars and trying to cover it up. People like the Hooks are assets to our community.
People like the Hooks and Strands fed off our district and many are starting to realize it. It is about their Non Profit and not about the kids. What both have in common is operating a Non for Profit under the guise of their church. That means salaries do not get disclosed. Both are pulling six figures out of this community and now they will have a free community million dollar community center complaiments of the tax payer on La Salle St.
If the Strands and Hooks want the real EA experience they should send their kids to the same schools the community has to. The Magnet School is not a typical EA school and they are given computers to take home that a low income family might otherwise not afford .
The two Hook boys do NOT attend the magnet school. One is at Simmons and the older is at East.
And if they did go to the magnet school, there would be nothing wrong with their parents taking advantage of an option that best serves their child's interests and abilities. That's called GOOD PARENTING.
If anyone is to blame for the bad feeling and ill will that exist on the BOE today that have resulted in a divided BOE and administration, it clearly rests on Strand and Peryea's doorstep.
They started the first negative campaign in the history of 131. They developed thousands of dollars worth of negative campaign material calling the then board names like they lacked Intregirty The blased Robo calls, and delivered campaign materials to everyone doorsteps that the education was horrible, our buildings were getto, children sat on the floors because of a lack of desks, or no books, and tax dollars were mismanaged.
The then board members fired back and so it began. Then the newspaper weighed in focusing on the infighting. The sad story ended with a election that then never stopped.
This was all started by three ministers who sit in services every Sunday and hear a message of forgiveness and peace. Strand and Peryea pass their actions off as well it's only politics, or that is how campaign run. I would hope being a minister would teach you to be above standard politics. As a minister you should teach a message of forgiveness not hate. The East Aurora School district has been harmed and it will take years to recover. Whatever happened to board members that would talk about a imagine campaign and truly build our district up.
I hope new members join the board and put an end to the hate and not elect Peryea and Hull. My hope is that the new candidates do not name call our district. I also hope the three ministers can practice what God preaches.
The District paid over $2,000 in professional photographics for 18 administrators. One of the pictures is for Ray Hull which he is now using on his campaign. The photographer is Donnell Collins long time friend and former Beacon photographer. We never knew Hull was a administrator. It must be nice to be Hulls friend.
Another example of cronyism
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.530383893770202.1073741870.239754232833171&type=1
Dr Popp may be a "researcher" but he was hired to handle the entire district operations. playing politics with certain BOE members have landed him in a financial scandal. Instead of manning up and admitting mistakes had been made publically he chooses to hide and coverup.
What is the big deal with the emails, if someone is stupid enough to put down something damaging and the person on the receiving end does not correct them, then they need to get fired.
Ask any maintenace person heat exchangers did not need to be replaced in every building. Just like flagpoles not everyone needed to get painted. Feltes was allowed a open check book under Popp. what is not talked about and Glozabach was well aware that district key cards were issued to Youngrans and Arlip. The employees without background checks were allowed to enter buildings. They often time showed up without a assignment and waited for hours with calls into Feltes on their assignment. Union leadership meeting informed Glotzbach and Tyler early in July and nothing was done.
In fairness to both, Feltes was working for Popp at the time. It is possible the emails Popp is holding are referencing his poor leadership. The public has a right to know.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-credit-st-0218-20150218-story.html
Everyone should look into the better than $10,000 plus being diverted to Sodexo in the way of meals and entertainment.Nothing has changed they just hide it better.
What a news story... East hands out new credit cards... Good thing we have the Voice. It shows Hanley and is old employer are involved in another coverup. Because of Hanley and the Beacon kids at West Aurora got abused. Because of the Beacon at East wasted money and corruption are happening. Hopefully the Tribune will clean house
Everyone knows if you want news on Aurora read the Voice. Don't waste money buying the Beacon. the Voice only costs $12 per year.
http://www.gofundme.com/kppn4k
Has anyone ever been curious to eat a bug? East Aurora High School graduate Jerry Kizer-Mear is starting an entomophagy company!
The consumption of insects is practiced in 80 percent of the world currently and it's a growing trend!
Even if you can't make a donation, check out the page, as it's quite informative!
What the most members of the BOE are failing to see is the severity of the situation in regards to the preferred vendor mismanagement of public funds. These are criminal offenses. There is no way theses are going to be forgotten. Look at other cases on the internet that pale in comparison to the debacle at D131. Offenders must repay or go to jail.
Another huge issue is all the time lost by in-house union maintenance workers when Feltes and Rana and everyone else approved this non- emergency work. You think THAT will go away as well? The district owes the union workers the pay taken away from them by hiring Youngren's, Artlip, Malcor and others. It is in the hundreds of thousands. The offenders here are in very deep, so I can understand their attempts to cover-up, make light or outright deny that anything is wrong. The reality is an effort on their part to help now instead of denying the facts would look better for them as more and more mismanagement of funds is revealed. Kudos to Annette Johnson for her stand against the mostly silent BOE members when confronted with this yesterday at the meeting. We need new board members to work to clean this immense mess up and get justice for all those that lost out due to the indifference, laziness, ineptitude of administration and board members alike. Get out there and vote!
The kids should have been given the day off considering we do not have buses. In d131 our Sup believes it to be more important to make one BOE member happy than the safety of kids. Today we had a speaker for Afro American Heritage that could not have been cancelled. Perhaps that is why it was so important not to cancel school.
it was also learned all administration and BOE members will honor the speaker at a lunch paid by the district at Gaslite Manor. This is the same administration and BOE that claimed they could not afford a teacher Christmas Party. If Ray Hull had ethics we would have proclaimed this to be a unneeded expense. This board is unethical and needs to go. It shows Dr Popp will continue to play politics and has lost the respect of the entire staff expect a chosen few.
I wonder if they should be paying for a lunch for a non district employee? What is there limit for paying for parties in the district. Do they do this for all Ethic Groups with it is their Month?
There is no heat at EA today in the Fieldhouse and Lunch room. The areas are reading 59 degrees. Nice to know our admin is having a big lunch in a warm building.
"THE VOICE" Feb 19 2015
EAST AURORA REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT” Requests for Emails
By Ralph Padron
A recent audit from documents received via FOIA request, an email caught my attention which compelled me to send a follow-up request to question excessive spending in the Building & Grounds Department. What should have been a simple response, escalated to multiple FOIA requests which would answer questions to “Why was the spending of “Taxpayer Dollars” so extreme and was it necessary?” This was the response from the School District’s Community FOIA Officer Matthew Hanley.
Jan 14-Request: “All Michael Popp emails to/or from Bernie Weiler and the Board of Education regarding “heat exchangers & list of bills” from Aug 1,2014 to Nov 1 2014”
Jan 15-Reponse: Your request is denied for the following reasons:
There are no documents responsive to your request
NOTE: Response was given 1 day after request
Jan 27- Request: Revised previous request to include names of the Board of Education and expanded timeline.
Feb 9 – Response:
The District filed a five-day extension, as allowed by law.
Your request is denied for the following reasons:
There are no documents responsive to your request.
Note: Why would a 5 day extension be filed when the FOIA revision was minimal?
Also why would it take nearly 2 weeks for this response?
Feb 11-Request: “Time period January 1 2015-Feb 11th 2015”
Please provide the “Email Retrieval Log” results for searches made with the words
“List of Bills” & “Heat Exchangers”
This would be made available from your e-Discovery Appliance
Feb 12-Response: On Feb. 11, 2015, you requested the following documents:
The “Email Retrieval Log” results for searches made with the words “List of Bills” and Heat Exchangers” for Jan 1 2015 to Feb 11 2015
Your request is granted. Image captures of the results of the requested searches are in the attached PDF document.
Note: I received E-LOG verifying these EMAILS DO INDEED EXIST!
Time span for request and response was 1 day
Feb 13 – Requested again: emails containing the previous request
Feb 15 – Response: Not provided despite the E-Log stating they exist
Why will East Aurora not turn over these emails?
What is written that is so secretive and unwilling to be given to the public?
As you can see what began as a simple FOIA request, has resulted in multiple requests thus requiring further action to obtain these emails.
I did contact the Illinois Attorney Generals Office requesting an investigation of this attempt to withhold these documents.
Will be pursuing this with my Investigative Team along with other subject matters appearing on the E-Log.
Come to your own conclusions on why there is such an intense effort to withhold public documents from me.
More will be surfacing in the near future
I was embrassed for our students and staff today. Mr Kafala separated the students into groups of learners. He used getto slang and poor grammar skills. He certainly was not the role model portrayed.
Mr Hull is not well educated and that is taken into account but Principal Kafala is " suppose " to be well educated. Shame on Mr Hull and Dr Popp for bring more racist views to our district. The students need a apology.
What century are you from that you use the term AFRO AMERICAN?
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CDIQFjADOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.umass.edu%2Fafroam%2F&ei=Gz3mVMbQNqHlsASjg4LoAg&usg=AFQjCNE1I8jPy6YpF6v7fiuMqOX6wN2Q3Q&sig2=SVrcMlNGD7V3F5l-MCaOKw&bvm=bv.85970519,d.cWc
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CCsQFjACOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fafroamericanstudies.wisc.edu%2Fprograms%2Fgrad.html&ei=Gz3mVMbQNqHlsASjg4LoAg&usg=AFQjCNG3_DZy2pxwYXVc-Fi-Xj4PB-zkXA&sig2=TPqJqwiKJa-tB4iROKOIxw&bvm=bv.85970519,d.cWc
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CGYQFjAN&url=http%3A%2F%2Fafam.yalecollege.yale.edu%2F&ei=tTzmVKDVHcXjsATinIHQDA&usg=AFQjCNGHm5xToZdsGymXo68WBpqI1lNZAA&sig2=8xrRhOU8qSN4IlA_zGuJ8w&bvm=bv.85970519,d.cWc
Then why does Hulls employer call it the Afro American Heritage Dinner. Maybe he should tell Mayor WEISNER he is a bigot.
It sounds more like we should be concerned with the message given at EAHS today. Really?
What is the District hiding! Dr Popp these are not your personal emails these our the citizens emails. SHAME ON You. Why do you continue to not turn over public property.
Watching the news this morning and on the bottom of the screen the scrolling information at the bottom of all the school closings or late starts some district say Due to Extreme Weather parents decide if you student comes to school. Now those are Districts that care for the students and not the activities for the day.
Dr Popp needs to get fired. It is troubling to learn that FOIA documents are not turned over. It shows he is hiding something. It shows he is hiding other things the community does not know about.
The other issue is Feltes. Popp and company don't discuss why he is out. It shows laws have been broken but they are waiting because Popp wants Peryea and Hull to get reelected so more dirt can get covered up. After election Feltes will get paid big money to go away or get his job back. District money was lost by the millions why will they not address it?
So Taxpayer8 - You need somebody to tell you if you should send your kid to school?
You can't decide for yourself. You need the government to step in and run your life?
Hull has promised Feltis hands off if he is reelected. That is why nothing has happened with Feltis. Hull and Feltis were spotted at Egg and I on Presidents Days. Hull should be meeting with district employees and making deals.
No I'm saying that the districts are letting the parents know they can make that decision thier selfs instead of instead of waiting for the district to close the schools. I know parents that when it is cold like this and since we have no bussing and not all children have parents that can drive them to school can feel free to let their students stay home and not worry if government will step in and punish the students for not going.
"Hull should be meeting with district employees and making deals."
Why should Hull be meeting with employees and making deals. I don't understand your point.
Parents don't know that they are supposed to make decisions about the well being of their kids?
For those of you that missed Ray Hull's comments at the Board Of Education meeting on February 2nd 2014, here they are on youtube.
http://youtu.be/5yQZWTjisjk
sorry s/b BOE Meeting 2015
What is there to understand nobody knows what the status of Feltes is. A d131 employee that receives no favors must provide a doctors note after three days to their supervisor. Feltes has been out for a five weeks without a reason given to the personnel report. He is attempting to get paid for not working.
Hull has a history of paying settlements to employees who steal the district blind. Feltes is guilty of wasting millions and violations of purchasing bidding procedures. It has been proven by Mr Padron. Hull has no right to meet with him that is up to Popp and Gloztbach.
The 02-02-2015 BOE meeting in it's entirety-
(cut and paste this link into your browser)
http://youtu.be/Up0GgiLVsEA
Everyone is quick to call the race card on him...yet you use an outdated, offensive term to refer to his race.
Just calling it like I see it.
MANY schools were open yesterday! In fact, those school districts who closed yesterday should have closed today, as the temperatures were identical. But, there are only so many emergency closing days a calendar can support.
It is not an indication that the school district does not care for students. In fact, it is an indication that the school district does care for the students. Many students who would have to stay home if the school was closed, would be left home alone due to working parents.
Nothing is outdated Hull is a racist who has made many offensive comments about white teachers.
Many students who would have to stay home if the school was closed, would be left home alone due to working parents. What do these parents do during summer time when school is not in session? When my children where in school and I worked I had someone who would watch them I had a backup plan for those days. In fact there are many parents that have a non working parent that drives their children to school each day so if there is no school there should be no problem.
You clearly missed too much school because of snow days, judging by your writing and spelling skills. The fact of the matter is, many of our students are safer, fed, and warm when they are at school.
Losing instruction time for cold weather pushes instruction time later into June without air conditioning. So, the administration made a good call!
The money wasted by Feltes would pay for busing all our students. If the BOE would end corruption our students could have more.
And you are immune? It is outdated and offensive! How do you justify that?
UPDATE
1 Submitted Inquiry to Attorney General of Illinois who is now investigating 6 FOIA responses from Matt Hanley and EA 131.
2 FOIA to be submitted on why Marty Feltes is not legally absent from East Aurora. Personnel Report does not report anything.
3 The recent "police report" will be carefully reviewed with very interesting findings questioning the responses of Dave Rana, Mike Popp,& Marty Feltes.
4 More illegal activity to be exposed on Dave Rana's decisions giving certain vendors work in the District. This will be HUGE AND ANOTHER EYE OPENER
5 The Floor Scrubber purchase violations will resurface with newly
discovered documents pointing to another of Rana's giving the Purchases to PCS Industries.
6 More email FOIA have been submitted which will expose ongoing Scandals and cover-up by 131.
Comments
Again Mike Popp and Christi Tyler stubbornly refuse to address these areas publicly nor respond to me in writing concerning the Multiple Inquiries I have presented.
Can anything else be brought out that further expose the failure of the Ray Hull, Mike Popp, Christi Tyler regime?
Can this trio bring out documents to prove otherwise?
Ray Hull prefers to call me a "Bully"
Popp and Tyler choose to make excuses and say I am wasting Tax Dollars and taking time away from the students.
Hanley is developing a pattern of extending FOIA's another 5 business days and still refuses to hand over the emails. Lisa Madigan's office has been given multiple documents to support my grievance.
Why does this group continue to cover up and attempt to deviate from the truth and respond that they are "over their head" in their areas of responsibilities.
More being uncovered as I write this
How much worse can it get?
I attended the Principal Kafala speech Thursday and after the speech it is clear Dr Popp has no respect for the community. We constantly heard it is up to us to close the attitude gap. We need to relate to our students. It is our fault. WE, We, WE. The poor grammar and tone was offensive. Kafala told the students the same message. He created a enviroment of victim.
He also stated he would give more details if hired. We work hard for our students and do understand them. Most of the students have a great attitude but education is not a priority when you are fighting to keep food on the table. If that is not the issue try helping the student who reads at a elementary level when you have 36 students in Freshman English.
I have been insulted by Dr Popp and Mr Hull. It is time our Union step up or teachers in district unite for a reverse discrimination lawsuit. The district should have saved the money and let Hull do the speech. Hull and Kafala looked and sounded like two racist with a chip.
I have also attended Loudes Ferrar's speeches and they provided hope and empowerment yet a special night with all the bells and whistles did not happen for our Latino population. THAT IS DISCRIMINATION DR POPP.
Amen!
The BOE should turn over the emails and if they do not they should all resign. Peryea made a statement that tge district was run like Johnson personal business. Who is running it like her personal business Peryea. These are not her emails. These are the taxpayers emails!!!
Perhaps Matt should follow his own advice when her write Peryea's speeches and spend more time responding to FOIA requests. We have your number Matt and know why you are meeting behind closed doors with Peryea. Campaigning is illegal for a district employee a lesson Ms Peryea still has not learned when her Bible friend was catch and suspended last election.
No Ms Peryea. I am not Johnson but one of those taxpayers you hate. I. Do see a hypocrite who uses God when I see one.
What do you call Las Pasados? And all of the other events that celebrate Hispanic culture? No discrimination. You're crazy!
Las Pasados fundraisers for all the school. That is the PTO budget for the entire school year. The event on Thursday cost the district $10,000 plus a lunch at Gaslight for Hull and the administration. Sad that Ray and his few followers hate the Latino community so much. Sad that Popp and Hull claimed no money for Christmas or HALLOWEEN for the students but could stuff their fat faces at the expense or parents, students and teachers.
What money is necessary for Halloween and Christmas for the students? Where do you get the 10,000 figure? What cave do you live in that the district hates Latinos?
You are silly, it is Dr Popp who hates Latinos and yes Las Pasados does pay for many small projects around the schools. What money did this event bring. NOTHING but racist comments towards our teachers.
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=9e23041c-c5c5-4058-abd4-2d9c86a1a233&c=e756ebe0-76ad-11e3-917e-d4ae5292c47d&ch=e8752d20-76ad-11e3-9217-d4ae5292c47d
Thank you for the survey link!
What racist comments were made about teachers and what is your proof?
Has anybody heard if there are going to be candidate forums before election?
If you went to the event there you would have heard. Only about 100 witnesses.
So...if you witnessed....let's hear it. Nothing but lies.
They will not have a forum because Peryea and Hull do not want to answer any questions about the district corruption. hanley works day and night trying to stop Ralph.
I cannot believe that the PARCC testing is quickly approaching, teachers are unprepared, and we are completely wasting our time on a day that affords us the opportunity for professional development to learn about exercise and eating right!!! I am an adult, I KNOW these things! Do you want less "stress" in the district??? Use COMMON SENSE!!
We start PARCC on Monday. I am totally confused on how to set it up. There are so many different things I have to do. I am not prepared. Our in service was not sufficient and not well run.
To Middle School Teacher:
Don't worry; there will be a whole new system to screw up again next year and another again the year after.
Great concert last night -- was very well attended and everyone had a very enjoyable time. Great job East bands. It was a really good concert.
To Matt Hanley: quit making your snide remarks to the besieged and beleaguered teachers of district 131. We are not stupid and we are not liars- it is you my friend whose entire job exists to put lipstick on a pig.
I wasn't able to go to the concert last night (roads were snowy & slick). I do appreciate good music, also, so can you post a link for those of us who missed it? Thanks!
Feb 26 2015
To: Board of Ed President Ray Hull, Superintendent Dr Michael Popp, FOIA Officer Matthew Hanley
From: Ralph Padron
Subject: Bd meeting agenda for March 2 2015 & FOIA response dtd February 25 2015
Greetings
1. Ref Bd Agenda:
XII Action Items
B. Motion to Approve the Trash Can Liners Bid to North American in the Amount of $15.54 per Case of
30x36 Liners and $21.68 per case of 40x46 Liners.
This was approved on Dec 15th 2014 and awarded to PCS Industries. Why is this being awarded again? There is no explanation justifying this. Please explain.
2. Reference Feb 25th 2015 FOIA Response
A. Pages 1,4,7,9,11,13,17 is an email from Kirsten Strand to Matt Hanley & Mike Popp. Kirsten acknowledges that emails do indeed exist containing the words “Heat Exchangers” and “List of Bills”. She specifically indicates she does not want to violate “open meetings or FOIA policies” and is requesting guidance on how to respond to my inquiry.
B. I have submitted multiple FOIA’s concerning this issue yet Matt Hanley continued to respond “No Documents Exist”. Mrs Strand’s emails contradict Mr Hanley’s response and proves Dr Popp was aware these emails do exist.
C. Multiple FOIA’s afterwards and I am sure legal counsel has been sought on how to address this most serious violation resulting in “Wasted Time and Resources” in preventing me from obtaining these emails.
Questions:
1 What is the big Secret and why is there such an intense effort to prevent the release of these emails
2 How many hours and Tax Payer dollars has been used in this ongoing issue which could have been avoided
3 Why hasn’t Board President Raymond Hull not intervene and demand answers to put this issue to rest
There is no immediate resolution to this problem thus I was forced to request an investigation by the Illinois States Attorney Office. Due to sensitivity of the status of this problem, I am sure those representing EA Dist 131 cannot respond for legal purposes and rightfully so.
If the first FOIA was conformed to, this would have NEVER become such a major issue. The Public is entitled to these documents and the withholding of releasing them is just another example of the shameful and embarrassment actions of those responsible.
Mr Hull has said to me several times “Ralph, why do you continue to drag the District through the mud and embarrass us” He can label it whatever he wants, I call it “Addressing and Exposing the Truth”
Respectfully
Ralph
Here's a link to a recording of the Wind Ensemble (most advanced band) from last night's concert:
http://www.d131music.org/concert-recordings3.html
Enjoy!
Mr. Arroyo is one of the east side's "best and brightest"!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-gonzalo-arroyo-retire-st-0225-20150225-story.html
Here's a link to 14 pages of recent articles about our district:
https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=36619150
Video from the concert last night:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=703111479805591&set=o.246316712062552&type=2&theater
Evidently there are no qualified students or faculty members who could sing, so the band director brought in a family member.
If this was wrong ten years ago, then it is STILL wrong.
Hanley is lipstick on a pig but he is also corrupt. The emails he will not release are about the way the way the district spends money. Ms Strand knows the emails exist and if she is ethical she should release them. What are they hiding and it makes you wonder what else they are hiding.
We can only get back to transparentcy with a new board. Hull and Peryea are not turning over emails also it shows their ethics.
"Last night's concert", maybe Mrs. Liska was filling in for a student at the last minute who was sick. As a singer myself I have to say she did a beautiful job, but this song is easy enough to be sung well by any capable high school student.
However, if the band director just brought in his wife to perform (instead of a student), that would be depriving a deserving student of an educational opportunity. As I remember, Mr. K had his wife play piano alongside students, and gave any student who was capable & available the opportunity to play. But the administration still used Mrs. K's willingness to volunteer against her husband.
Ten years time does NOT magically turn wrong into right, and there are plenty of people still around with good memories!
So who was the student singer who was sick last night??
And couldn't Ms. Gawlik have filled in if no student was available? Ms. G has a good singing voice AND is a current faculty member at East High. Mrs. Liska's only current connection is being married to the band director. At least Mrs. K had kids who went to Dieterich!
Strand is not the good Christian everyone believes. I have worked with her at Yellow Box and she has received large pay increases for her ability to bring three fundraising ministries to Aurora. Dont let her kid you her salary runs about $100,000 per year plus benefits.
I no longer attend Yellow Box since it was clear to me it was more about the collection plate and less about worship.
It does not surprise me she is involved in a email coverup. Since Popp was appointed Sup. Strand has brought in volunteers to all schools to promote her agenda. Building leaders are forced to meet with her because of her status on the board. The volunteers run programs and encourage participation in off hours activities with involve her Aurora Campus Ministries. I am very disappointed her and her message.
I was at the concert and there was no student singer mentioned in the program or announcements.
So it does look like a student was denied an opportunity to perform, in favor of an adult family member of the director.
Our students lose out, once again.
Why is the district not turning over emails. Matt you were a unemployed hack writer at the Beacon like your friends so why are covering up. This is not your email system. Could it be it shows the millions wasted. Could it be Once revealed a new board board may dismiss Popp, Tyler and Feltes and Rhana.
ATTENTION CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE STAFF!!
If you want to keep making the money you deserve instead of having your work GIVEN AWAY to OUTSIDE VENDORS-
YOU MUST SPEAK OUT! Come to the next Board Meeting on Monday and tell them what you think about their voting on the PRE-QUALIFIED VENDOR LIST!
ALSO, Get out there and VOTE!!! Alex Arroya, Anita Lewis and Ken Darby are your choices if you want CHANGE in this district for you and your children!
Your jobs could be outsourced if you do not! NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
CUSTODIA ATENCIÓN Y PERSONAL DE MANTENIMIENTO !!
Si quiere seguir haciendo el dinero que corresponde en vez de haber su trabajo regalado a AFUERA VENDORS-
Debéis hablar ! Ven a la próxima reunión de la Junta el lunes y decirles lo que piensas acerca de su voto en la lista de proveedores preferidos !
TAMBIÉN , Sal ahí fuera y VOTE !!! Alex Arroyo , Anita Lewis y Ken Darby son tus opciones si usted quiere el cambio en este distrito para usted y sus hijos!
Sus trabajos podrían subcontratar si no lo hace ! AHORA ES EL MOMENTO DE ACTUAR !
Every employee in 131 has to live by the rules unless you are in administration or Marty Feltes. He calls in every day and still is allowed access to emails and call the shots. Meanwhile he sits home every day with pay and benefits he is not entitled too. Feltes ran out of sick days in November. He has now been paid over $30,000 for not working.
Dr Popp continues to allow this and Joan Glotzbach looks the other way while teachers, support staff, secretaries and maintenance staff get harassed. The board says nothing.
The only way we can change is by electing a board who will do right by everyone not just their friends. By the looks of Mr Padrons emails Ms Strand needs to join them.
Several teachers at Waldo are very tense about the upcoming PARCC tests. They feel that they are not sure on how to administer the test and they will take the blame if things go wrong on Monday. It is surprisingly complicated.
I will not vote for Anita Lewis she is a big fan of Johnson and looked the other way when Johnson pulled some things that led to Johnson running the district instead of Roberts. She also voted to extend Roberts. She also got a very nice dinner when the board went to Chicago the last year Wells was on the board where they spent alot of money on food and liquor.
Roberts was a terrific Sup compared to Popp. Transparentcy was followed under Roberts. The latest Email scandal shows how bad the new Sup was. The new Sup also reissued all the credit cards. Dr Roberts may have not been prefect but many positive changes happened during his administration. Can anyone name one thing Popp has done.
Speaking of spending money the BOE members were treated to stays at the Downtown Hyatt along with dinner at Mortons Steak House. You would think Hull,Peryea, Gonzalez and Turza would have turned down two nights of entertainment and fun considering they were up for election. Strand attended as well. Shame on them for stealing from the community. Other district administration having a good time were Tyler, Glotzbach, and Popp.
http://www.d131.org/newsDetail.asp?id=3246&guid=
I went to the Movies band concert, my son is in the band and my daughter sings in the choir at East High. The band songs were good and I knew most of them from movies. But when they started playing the Les Miz song Mr. Liskas wife came out on stage and sang.
My daughter has been in love with that show since she saw it in Chicago on a field trip a couple of years ago. She and her choir friends sing that music all the time. Why couldn't they have a choir student sing instead of Mrs. Liska? I would have been so proud of my daughter and I know she would have done a terrific job.
I wasn't here with the other band director so I don't know about what happened back then. But I feel it's just plain wrong to have an adult do something when a student could have the opportunity.
Hull has been seen at Breakfast with Feltes and Leonard has been seen numerous times out with Feltes during working hours. If Feltes is on paid leave Board members should not be going out with him. He also calls into Rhana several times a day. Why is he not working? Tyler has been at meeting saying he will not be back yet again nothing happens. Mr Padron has shown corruption, coverups and lies regarding Feltes yet the board is out making deals with him. Does anyone not have a problem with this. Millions have been wasted and yet no action.
Wasting our time at institute day today listening to administration change their minds again. No leadership!
I thought Wellness Day at East Aurora High School today was a success. The opening speaker
Aric Bostick impressed many teachers with his humor, wit and compassion. The rest of the day was full of lectures on stress, diet and exercise. I plan to contact one speaker at their office for more information. Give Dr. Popp and his staff credit for a job well done.
What does Wellness Day have to do with Institute Day. What happened to professional development what a waste of time. Wellness Day should be held on the teachers time afterall it benefits them not the students.
POOR LEADERSHIP
I am unaware of what wellness day is for D131. Through the years, the company I worked for offered stretching exercise time, on shift, flu shots by the company Dr. and periodic meetings on health and safety. This was to benefit the employer and employee. Less lost time from work due to,illness and injury. Which included how to be safe at home and on vacation. Plus, I would like to think these things for people working with students would include how to identify mental, physical and emotional health issues with the children.
Poor leadership you made a poor assumption.
Thanks to Hull, Strand and Peryea a former student was gunned down yesterday. The millions spent on the termination of the Quad program created this.
I know of the student and his family circumstance. The student was trying to break away from a Gang and become a role model for his two children. He was not attending classes because he became a target. At Quad we understood the student population and in many cases last year when this circumstance occurred we would help the family contact a relative living out of the area and get the student transferred. After a cooling off period the student could return home. Today there are NO home visits and very little contact with parents. The staff does not understand the population. Gang activity because of the "new" administration is at a all time high.
I hope the School Board understands because of their actions many lives are being distroyed. The public should also understand after millions are wasted East Aurora can not even help the 30 students that attend the program daily verses the 200 plus served last year. The School Board needs to remember we trust our children's lives in your hands and you have failed us.
The information you have given is helping us greatly in gathering the facts we need to prove without a doubt the corruption and other nefarious things going on in District 131.
All info. is kept strictly confidential!
Please keep sending it here:
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
La información que han dado nos está ayudando mucho en la obtención de la información que necesitamos para demostrar sin lugar a dudas la corrupción y otras cosas nefastas en el distrito 131.
Por favor, tenga que venían aquí:
ralphpadrontips@gmail.com
Todos son estrictamente confidenciales.
As a teacher, I enjoyed yesterday's focus on wellness. We invest a lot into our students and their families. It was refreshing to have the district acknowledge that and to find some new ways to care for ourselves so that we can continue to invest in our students. I'll say this: after several years in the district this is definitely not the worst PD I've experienced.
Do you want to see CHANGE in this district? Then get out there and VOTE on election day!
Alex Arroyo, John Lash, Ken Darby
These are candidates who are committed to healing D131!
Do you want to continue to see people like FELTES employed here!?
YOU can be the ones to decide by placing your vote for NEW BOE members who are going to take ACTION!
Would you like to see our kids in a safer environment?
Would you like your tax dollars going to the students instead of being wasted?
Would you like to keep your jobs instead of being outsourced??
VOTE< VOTE< VOTE!
Voting is YOUR RIGHT and it is confidential.
¿Quieres ver un cambio en este distrito? Luego salir y votar el día de las elecciones!
Alex Arroyo, John Lash, Ken Darby
Estos son los candidatos que están comprometidos con la D131 sanidad!
¿Desea continuar viendo a gente como FELTES empleadas aquí !?
Usted puede ser el que debe decidir mediante la colocación de su voto para los miembros NUEVO BOE que van a tomar acción!
¿Te gustaría ver a nuestros hijos en un entorno más seguro?
¿Le gustaría que sus impuestos van a los estudiantes en lugar de ser desperdiciado?
¿Le gustaría mantener sus puestos de trabajo en lugar de ser externalizado ??
VOTO <VOTO <VOTO!
Votar es su derecho y es confidencial.
Feltes is still on the Payroll after millions of bidding fraud was uncovered plus the millions mismanaged. Now I read the BOE packet and they are giving Feltes a open checkbook to hire who he wants. It is more smoke and mirrors. Read the new policies shame on the BOE for even allowing this. It is another license to steal. The corruption of this BOE continues.
Don't be fooled by Wellness Day the District is trying to create good will so we will vote for our lame contract. Sarah Intherm is selling us down the river. She is allowing a efficiently study to take place so teachers and support staff staff jobs will go unfilled next year. The District claims many of our classes are not overcrowded enough. What has the District done to solve the Sub problems. It is common to have over 40 students. The District is also offering only 2%. Really? save the Wellness Day and take care of basic needs.
Lewis is pro union too. Has worked with a union shop in town for nany years.
Lewis did Johnsons will and stabbed people have Johnson leading the pack I was surprise when Alex Arroyo has signs out with hers makes me think twice about him.
Post a Comment