I for one am glad our district is taking their time finding a new superintendent. We have a history of making less-than-stellar choices where administration is concerned, and desperation hires rarely work out well.
After reading the Tribune article about the cost overruns for the construction project why is anyone surprised. I have seen up and down the blog where citizens concerns about the construction overruns have been mentioned since the project started. Those concerns went unanswered. The only answer from Annette and Beatrice is the stadium cost are a million dollars under budget (which is a lie). The stadium cost was approved by the board at 5.5 million dollars and its pushing 8 million. Oh by the way that 5.5 million number was to include ammines such as new sports equipment, pole vault mate etc. Where was Dr. McDonald who said in a recorded public meeting that he was personally overseeing the construction project. What about the furnishings such as for the new classrooms such as carpets, desks, shades etc. I see they were originally budgeted in the bid and now removed to hide cost overruns. Everyone knows that Annette ordered Dr. McDonald to spend ahead of the upcoming teachers contract. The entire school board needs to look over the approved budget for the construction project and analyze how McDonald and Annette are playing with the numbers. You heard it here first this project will be well over 80 million dollars once it's done.
The entire board including John Laesch, Richard Leonard and Ken Darby who all claimed to be a construction experts voted for the renovations. It sounds like John is writing on the blog again. Maybe John the Union carpenter got kick backs for helping his carpenters union get millions of work.
After reading taxpayer's blog comments and the tribune article, I went back and checked prior board meeting minutes. Interesting a found this in the approved minutes from the June 6, 2016 board meeting "Ms. Tyler stated that the newest number for the high school stadium construction project is $5.6 million. They are estimating 10% for furnishing equipment and 8% architectural cost. Ms. Tyler stated that some of the equipment cost can be absorbed by department budgets. She stated that we are also looking at grants to help offset this cost and there also is the Roy E. Davis fund that is earmarked for stadium improvements." John Cordigan at the May 16, 2016 board meeting said when asked directly by Kimberly Hatchett "what is the total cost of the high school project was going to be? " Mr. Cordigan's answer was ´"46.5 million dollars is the number for the total project." Somebody is not telling the truth and Dr. McDonald has let things get way out of hand. Thank you for the blog contributors . I am new to the district and found there is important information on it if you choose to look.
Bid Results and Scenarios : The following bids were discussed and will go to the Board for approval on September 19, 2016:a. General Trades bid to Lite Construction in the amount of $3,288,417 base bid with: Alternate 1 - Team Rooms in the amount of $127,000 b. Artificial Turf bid to Hoppy’s in the amount of $591,241 c. Track Surfaces bid to R.C.Wegman in the amount of $ 892,300 d. Bleacher/Press Box bid to Southern Bleacher in the amount of $1,013,715 e. Electrical bid to Fitzgerald’s Electric in the amount of $ 1,197,900 with: HID to LED lights in the amount of $22,460.00
Construction update : Mr. Craig Welter and Mr. Rick Krischel from Cordogan Clark and Associates presented a construction update. They reported that fifteen packages will be opened for bidding on Friday, September 9, 2016. Mr. Darby asked how permits were going a t the City. Mr. Welter replied that the City has released the IEPA permit for sanitary pending on discussion about storm water management. The District will need to issue a letter of credit for that value, and once the City has agrees to the value they will release the water permit. Mr. Leonard asked if they changed the water layout to the retention pond, Mr. Welter said yes . Part of the City’s requirement is to show phase parking according to the architects, committing the District to more parking spaces in the future. The City will have stipulations to this requirement. Mr. Prombo added this will add an extra cost in the future. Mr. Arroyo informed the committee that the reason the City was holding back on the permits, was due to a court case in McHenry County. Mr. Arroyo added legally they are a different circuit than we are, what happens in the circuit does not apply to us; there is no legal precedent for it; c an they legally hold our permit or not ? Dr. McDonald said they can hold the permit; the question is if we pressed it legally would we be successful?
Oh and let's see we have more staff "recognitions", what BS. These are just to create enmity between teachers. Also, if you have no computers in your room how will your students vote? This is done to separate and divide teachers and to have people on the edge, feeling badly if they didn't get nominated. I actually know of a teacher that directed her students to the link and offered incentives to write flowery prose about her. How about we have an administrator competition? That wouldn't work, because no one knows who they are or care? How dare you admins do this when it can affect peoples evals, etc. Why don't you focus on the droves of students leaving the building during the day? The blood laden bomb messages? Let's focus on safety instead of separating and pitting staff against each other and manipulating children to write flowery prose right before their grades are due.
I don't think the person on here advocating for marching band to be voluntary would be so outspoken if they knew what was happening with our feeder programs. We are now going into November and we have elementary schools that haven't adequately scheduled band times yet. We have seriously overcrowded rooms at some schools. There are schools where kids haven't received instruments or books yet. In short, the first quarter is done and the kids haven't started band yet.
Araceli Ordaz (the same person who helped orchestrate the demise of encore at the Magnet Academy) put a teacher with one year experience as PLC facilitator of the districts elementary band program. In short District 131 SNAFU. The entire program is a complete mess. The middle schools aren't any better. They are pulling kids out of band for any excuse possible. They have publicly stated that they don't give a damn about encore.
Here's my prediction. Within four years (the amount of time for this recent influx of band students at the high school to filter out) the high school band will be lucky to have 100-125 students in the program again. It's exactly what happens when the administrators deliberately sabotage the program.
I confirm the info posted above about the band program. A few of the feeder schools, I know of, seem to be at different levels of learning. As stated-some received instruments later than others, some still do not have books. Of course Magnet received theirs earlier. This will give the appearance of these students being advanced when in actuality they have had instruments way before other elementary level students. I feel if the band director at the high school were more involved at the elementary level like it used to be, he would be the one to assure his future band students would all be prepared to feed to the success of the program by time they reach his band in high school.
Another sad day for EA. We have seen so many of these sad days under the current board president. A few good deeds do not outweigh all the students affected by the bad choices. A few busses do not justify a whole program being destroyed from the inside (admin/board). That is just one example. Wake up voters. This is your community, take a closer look. Your board is painting the house so you don't see all the damage underneath.
Award winning early learning, and a much needed fix to Magnet show our district is going in the right direction. The busing is icing on the cake. Thank you, Ms Johnson our district is a better place. I will say from a practical stand point band is not a career for many but added math and reading is. The elementary band program is a distraction. In other high performing districts elementary band is a before or after school activity. Kids should not be pulled out of class and I shared my concerns with board members.
Thanks Oldtimer....your name says it all. You have allowed your age and old ideas to dictate your opinion. Band is so much more than an after school activity. It adds much value to a well rounded education for those going into any field after college. I will let the experts weigh in on that one.
Count me as another "oldtimer" who knows the value of music in a well-rounded student's education! Study after study shows that kids who play an instrument (band, orchestra, or piano) get higher grades in school. Part of that may be because their parents commit to buying an instrument and encouraging the kids to stick with it. But for whatever reason, just look at a list of honors graduates or top 10% scholars in our district and notice how many of those kids played in band. Band (and probably choir too to a lesser extent) sharpens many "real-world" skills: hand-eye coordination, cooperation & teamwork, patiently working toward a larger goal, and physical fitness (breathing and stamina).
It's not just coincidence that there are record numbers of band students in our district. Band is one of our STRENGTHS and our kids deserve support!
"Some people see", there are now THREE full-time band directors at the high school (and several additional part-timers during marching season). So don't put the blame on just one person for not being involved with the feeder schools.
You are correct, though, that the high school director(s) used to be more involved with the feeder schools. Back in the 1990s the H.S. band director made several trips around the district to the grade schools and junior highs in the course of a school year. Ironically, one of the reasons the (corrupt) administration gave for removing him from the H.S. was that he didn't make enough contact with feeder schools! "Serial Bully" Radakovich and his pals said they wanted to "unify the district band program"...obviously just a smokescreen to justify giving the middle finger to parents and students who overwhelmingly supported that director.
Amazing (and sad) how decisions made a dozen years ago can still have ramifications today.
Yes some students benefit from band but at some point the district should focus on academics. Why not attend band in elementary school before or after school. Pulling students out of class is disruptive to the entire class.
You appear to be another one of our brainless administrators who are only focused on their bonuses. “At some point the district should focus on academics”? That’s all the district administration has focused on for almost twenty years. Ever since “No Child Left Behind”. What has been the result?... declining test scores and soaring drop out rates. We have lost 400-600 high school students every year since it’s inception.
Here’s the simple truth...children don’t stay in school when they are forced to focus only on academics. They are not doing it for the nonexistent paycheck. They get out of bed each morning, much of the time before the sun rises and walk long distances for that one special thing that they love. It may be band, or sports, or drama or shop class, or one of the many other electives. I’ve taught a long time and I never once heard a kid say they do it for the academics.
As for band, research has proven that playing an instrument increases IQ scores. In fact, it’s about the only activity that uses the entire brain. Playing an instrument forces the brain to create more neural pathways. Band is a communal endeavor that build school spirit. There are many benefits to playing an instrument.
Instead of always focusing on base level thinking, we should be offering higher lever thinking skills. No one has ever succeeded in life by focusing on the lowest levels of achievement.
Its no wonder the American Educational System is falling behind the rest of the world. It’s no wonder we are losing our best students (and teachers for that matter). The system has been turned completely upside down. As long as we set our goals on the bottom, we will never be great again.
Administration does not get bonuses. The district should be concerned about what prepares students both the work force. Playing the drums verses reading or math. Reading and math will get students jobs for the future.
You are kind of correct. They don’t call them bonuses this year (in the past, they did). If test scores go up, they get raises. If scores stay the same, they don’t. If scores go down, there’s the door. The message is clear. They only give a damn about test scores.
Here’s a problem for you to solve. All the best schools have great music departments. All the worst schools have poor or no music departments. Do the math.
Amen, to the Best Years! I don't want to say they are behind us, but they surely are not what is currently being focused on. Especially with attitudes such as "the way it is." Why do we have to say our children can have one or the other....why not all of it?! That is the previous commenters point. Why do EA students have to have minimal opportunities in school and only be expected to meet the standards. Why can't we expect them to exceed in math, reading, band and sports? I won't repeat everything they have already said quite well. Read the post, again. I cannot believe you could possibly be a parent in our district and want so little for your child.
I am a singer and voice teacher. I also have a degree in music education. One of the things I learned in education classes is that there are three modalities or styles of learning: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The most successful students use all three modalities, but most of us have one preferred style of learning.
Singing (and, similarly, playing an instrument) is one of the few activities that uses ALL THREE learning styles. Not only is singing (or playing an instrument) a life-long source of satisfaction...parents get a lot of "bang for the buck" when they buy their child an instrument or pay for music lessons. Specifically:
Visual learning mode: musicians read notation (some have even compared music notation to a language in itself, much like coding for computer programmers). We use our peripheral vision to look ahead in the score, to anticipate upcoming dynamics or key changes. We look at the conductor (well, we're supposed to anyway!) . Singers look at (and read) the text as well as the musical notation. Often the text is in Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, or French (if we're singing opera, art songs, or choral music). I have my students stand in front of a mirror so they can visually observe posture, breathing, etc., and I know a flute teacher who does the same with her students.
Auditory learning mode: musicians produce sound, so listening and constantly evaluating our "product" is essential! We singers listen for correct pitch, focus (clarity of sound), vibrato, and volume as we sing. Musicians constantly listen to others as they rehearse and perform with accompaniment or in a group setting (this helps us develop teamwork skills too!) We sharpen our auditory skills as we mature musically, with many of us able to play by ear or improvise melodies in jazz styles.
Kinesthetic learning mode: making music is a physical activity that requires a great deal of coordination between muscle groups! Especially with singing or playing a wind instrument, a musician must breathe deeply and fully and then direct the airflow through the mouthpiece (or larynx) to produce sound. In singing, certain muscle groups must relax (diaphragm, jaw) and others must tense or form in a particular way (lips, larynx, hard palate) for optimal results. Instrumentalists' fingers must cover keys or valves, and move quickly. Their arms may hold up their instrument (flute, trumpet) or control a slide (trombone). This can involve both fine and gross motor skills.
People who say that kids need to concentrate on reading and math are not wrong; they just may not realize how much reading and math are involved in music! Musicians read and decipher notation that is every bit as complicated as an English textbook. They constantly subdivide beats and compare proportions as they play or sing (that's math, folks!) Let's support our kids by encouraging them to develop their WHOLE selves: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
Focusing on the same things when they result in failure certainly is an EA process. SNAFU The current ACT scores are a perfect example. Only 17% of those taking the test are even average.
Here are a couple of videos that may help the less learned amongst us. The first is a TED Talk. For those that may by unfamiliar, the TED conventions are held and attended by our best and brightest in the world. Leaders, CEO's etc. The second is a study and research on musicians brains. Neuroscientists can actually identify musicians simply from their brain CT's. The musicians brain is significantly more developed than the non-musicians brain. Focusing on only academics is counter productive. You are putting the kids at a significant disadvantage when you pull them out of music.
Here are some real facts based on Illinois Standards. East Aurora has fallen way short again on core subject profientcy. The admin in EA are screwed if they doing nothing about academics they are criticized. It is a no win. It shows not enough focus on what counts.
Manage an elementary class in EA it is impossible. Kids coming and going with interventions and band. Class space is a premium and interventions are taught in the hall. The band does not meet as a full band because of class space so kids are constantly moved around. Friends who teach in 204 do not have this problem so yes I support admin trying to curtail this program if that is what they are doing but it's not happening in my building. We need to decide if we are education institution or a music center.
If you want to know if the administrators and board are doing a good job in East Aurora, just look to the experts. The educators in East Aurora are the true experts in both education and East Aurora. How many of them send their own children to East Aurora schools? Oh that’s right, basically none of them do. Even the few who live in East Aurora find other schools for their children. Nothing is more telling about the experts opinion of East Aurora Leadership. Figure it out.
So... in the past couple of years the graduation rate has increased at a suspicious rate especially since student performance has NOT increased at all. (yet graduation rates are still far below state averages) These numbers still show a dropout of at least 350-400 students.
Translation... the district administration has lowered standards to push more kids through without actually preparing them to succeed.
This is such a disservice to our students. They will not find out how I’ll-prepared they are until they’ve spent a ton of money on college and then find out, they don’t have the basic skills they need to be successful there.
A few years ago it was discipline. The solution then was for administrators to come in and tell teachers to stop writing referrals. They even went so far as to lower teacher evaluations if they wrote too many referrals. Then the administration came out and said that discipline was improving. Discipline has become much worse but the paperwork looks better. This is another significant reason why students are failing the tests. It’s impossible to teach when there is no discipline. Now they are trying to hide behind SB100. Look we can’t discipline students, the state won’t let us. Even though that’s not what the state decreed. The state simply stated that IF you discipline a student, you MUST provide extra support services.
It’s more of the same in Ea. How do we play with the figures to make it look like the administrators are doing something when nothing is changing. That’s the shell game they play to keep their high priced positions. Don’t believe what you see with your own eyes, believe what we are telling you.
That has been the board / district response to many questions. Basically, all is not as it appears....who are you going to believe? Me or your lying eyes?
There is always some blame to go around but in District 131 the administration bullies, intimidates and makes all the key decisions that affect student performance. When the teachers make so few decisions, it’s hard to place much blame there.
The administration (and board) has made a conscience decision to keep the teaching staff at a very inexperienced level. They have done this through the salary schedule and working conditions. 1/3 of the staff has been in the district for three or less years. 1/2 of the teaching staff has been in District 131 for 5 years or less. That’s half the teaching staff that isn’t even tenured. And, 2/3 of the staff has been in district for 10 years or less. This becomes even more outrageous when you consider that the district administration attacked the Charter School Application for wanting to use inexperienced staff to save money.
The administration makes the decisions about the class rooms. They determine class size and composition. The teachers don’t decide to place 30, 40 or even 50+ students in certain classes. The teachers have no say whether the administrators place the honors kids in their class or the students that have no interest in education. The teachers don’t make the decisions on the curriculum or materials supplied in their classrooms. Most teachers still have to fight just to get pencils or paper to make copies.
The teachers have no control over building safety. They have no control when asbestos tiles are crumbling in their rooms, or if the roof is leaking onto the kids heads, or if there’s mold growing in their classrooms or if there is poor circulation in their rooms and students can’t possible concentrate due to high CO2 levels. They have no control when they see brown water coming out of the water taps. All these things go on in our buildings and the administration deliberately turns their heads and at times even worse, they deliberately sabotage the tests so they can get the results they want.
The teachers don’t have a say about discipline. First off it’s impossible to teach if there is not classroom control but when teachers are discouraged from writing referrals, behaviors get out of control. Try having control when the administrators send the child back to your room 5 minutes after you sent them to the office or when administrators combine ten student referrals and give the child a lunch detention. Worse is when teachers write referrals due to severe behaviors and the administration just ignores or deliberately destroys the referrals. All these things happen with all too much frequency in District 131. With the complete lack of discipline in our buildings, it’s amazing any education happens at all. I can’t tell you how many teachers I’ve seen leave this district in less than a week when they see how poorly our administrator handle discipline. They know you can’t teach if there is no discipline.
Further the discipline doesn’t stop with the kids. I’ve seen physical fights between parents or older family members many times over the years. I’ve seen parents taken out in handcuffs on multiple occasions. How often are our classes disturbed due to lock downs because of violence in the community? How many times are fire alarms pulled? How many times are students pulled out by the police? Or are pulled out of class because they need support services due to their circumstances?
We deal with overcrowded classes, lack of support, lack of control, lack of preparation for the conditions these kids come with. We teach in an environment that is completely contrary to the educational process. Ask an administrator why we can’t fix this. Their answer is usually “What do you expect? This is District 131”.
To the finger pointer. I know you were not directing your question to me, but I have to chime in. I am a parent who has participated in my children's education at home and volunteering and helping other people's children. IF...the teachers were given the tools they need to do their job effectively, then I would, without hesitation, point my finger and tell them to step it up. But when I am sitting with 2nd grade children listening to them stammering to read the most basic words. While I am helping this child in the hallway, trying to focus on their reading, in another classroom a child is throwing fits, disrupting his class and all the surrounding classrooms. On one ocassion the whole class was walked out to the hall with the disruptive child left behind until the principal could get there to escort him out. All of this happens because teachers hands are tied. They are not suppose to fail children. They are not supposed to suspend or expel, either, at all levels. So rather than have some help for the teacher, so they are able to give more time to all the children, not just those who have fallen extremely behind. Or rather than remove problem children, we have families opting to move or put their children in other schools. I will not point my finger at any person who dedicates their life to working in a career that is so thankless. Finger pointer, whatever your line of work, imagine doing it without the basic tools, supplies, employees or space to run the business. I have seen this in 131 schools. But those problems never get as much attention as an over budget track and field or other antics in our district. In that arena fingers are pointed all around. When it comes to below average test scores and grad rates, it all slides downhill to our teachers. The people who are just following orders and doing what what they do best......giving our children everything they are able with all they have to give. Imagine if we had manageable class sizes, with every child having the classroom tools they needed for any given class,and were instructed at their level of learning, everyday of each day they are in class....I think we would see meets and exceeds on our state report card. Maybe you need to swing that finger around and direct it at self or elsewhere.
The reality is district 131 did not pay the correct salary for years and many good teachers left for higher paying jobs leaving many bad teachers behind. I do not begrudge the many newer teachers who are now paid correctly. The district has stopped the flood of teachers from leaving. We are have better early learning opportunities. The district needs to do something about all the teachers that do not come to work and they need to stop professional development during the class day. We can not find enough subs and we are forced to cover two classes. The days of overcrowded classrooms seem to be behind us if colleagues would just show up.
On to displine or lack thereof. Why are we not sending more students over to extensiin campus and why is administration allowing students who get arrested for punching out a staff member back in class? That what needs to get addressed.
We have that brown water coming out of the faucets at Simmons. It’s absolutely gross. Most of the teachers I know bring in their own water because they know it’s not safe. The worst part is the lunch service uses that water when preparing the kids food. It became even worse last year when they started the construction at the high school because now they are using the Simmons lunch room to prepare food that is now distributed all over the district. How many kids do we send home with belly aches every day after lunch? It’s a serious safety issue that the administration turns a blind eye to. I can tell you one thing. I’ve never seen an administrator eat a school lunch. They know exactly what they are doing to our children.
The school lunches for Elementary school are not prepared in the district. The kids get at least two selections and everyone should get the same. Sodexo is responsible and it will be interesting once they test water in all schools. Testing has started at here at Johnson and our water always smells bad. The pre packaged should be served across the district. We need to watch what happens on water testing.
Where do you think the elementary lunches are being made? The lunches are being made at the middle schools (most at Simmons) and then distributed throughout the district. Look at past board minutes. It’s all in there
They made the meals for East High at Simmons last year. This year only Simmons meals are cooked here. We never had elementary meals here. I am unaware of any brown water in the building. It proved you can not believe the blog.
It’s too bad we can’t post pictures and video on this blog. If we could, it would be much easier to see whose lying and who’s telling the truth about things like brown water. If everyone could see the evidence, maybe something would be done about it.
If this is true the Sstaff at Simmons including maintenance, and admin should be FIRED. You should post the room number with the sink so it is documented.
Call OSHA-You don't need to get sick or die to have a job. If you have admins that are doing nothing while the bio hazards are happening, they may be culpable in a lawsuit.
District brings in Interims (one of which was run one out of town already) who have done nothing. We buy 2 million dollars in curriculum and say this is the answer to the district's problem. in another 2 years we will buy another 2 million in curriculum and blame failure on the old curriculum. The district does not even know where half that new curriculum is (never inventoried in Follett). The district paid for that software over 4 years ago only to let is it on the shelf. There is no strategic for inventorying district curriculum. Dr. McDonald's answer to the security problem in the district is to keep a gym teacher in charge of the district's security (or is he the assistant athletic director). That why we buy $57,000 worth of cameras without going to public bid (after someone gets stabbed). There is no strategic plan for safety and security in the district. Dr. McDonald has not professionalized the truancy department . He allows undertrained personnel to work without an established truancy goal. The district's truancy rate is atrocious and has gotten worse under Dr. McDonald watch. Truancy leads to many security problems in the school district, not to mention the great loss of revenue to the district. There is no meaningful truancy work being done at the high school and none at the elementary level. We need kids to come to school. There is no strategic truancy plan in place in the district. Dr. McDonald took control of the construction project (how is that working out for the district) millions in cost overruns) There is no strategic construction plan for the district which is overseen by a district employee. Dr. McDonald hires consultants (friends of his) then over pays them. This has happened without board approval and no one questions this. Why is there no follow-up to implement consultant's recommendations. What a waste of time and money. This is all happening on McDonald's watch (no excuses). I hope the board meeting comments are not true that Dr. McDonald is just a place taker until the Board President's girlfriend takes over. I like the direction the blog is going to finally, its addressing some real problems. Parents are demanding results for district administration.
I looked into the band feeder programs. It true, they are in chaos. At least half the elementary schools haven’t started band yet and we are well into the second quarter. In the past, they were playing by the end of September. The kids don’t have instruments. They don’t have their band books. It’s a complete mess. Most of the general music teachers don’t have band backgrounds. They don’t know how to teach band. This is going to destroy the middle school programs and eventually the high school.
I don’t understand. The board is spending what, $10-15 million on a new fine arts wing at the high school? Yet the administration is deliberately destroying the band feeder programs. In a few years that multimillion dollar fine arts wing is going to be sitting empty. How is this a responsible use of the communities tax dollars?
I know District 131 is dysfunctional but when it starts costing the community tens of millions in wasted spending, somebody needs to stand up and say enough is enough.
I work in the schools and the grade level programs 1 thru 5 had nothing to teach with. The new curriculum was a good spend of money. Curriculum today is much more structured. It sounds like a dysfunctional board member who will not allow his step daughter to attend East Aurora Schools is attacking administration. Good education is happening here.
The last time the band and choir rooms had been remodeled was in th 70's. The school population was 2000 students. It is about time the expanded in remodeled.
If marching band was an optional, extracurricular activity (as it is in EVERY OTHER district in this area), it could free up one of the high school band directors to help at the grade schools during the crucial months of September and October.
Our kids deserve a good foundation in band, just like any other subject in school. Over and over it's been proven that band kids are smart, high-achieving students.
Don’t you get it? In a few years, there won’t be extra band directors at the high school to send to the elementary schools. There may not be much of a program at all. The administrators are deliberately destroying the band program from its inception. They are aborting it before birth. They have unqualified people teaching the elementary bands. They are sabotaging the middle schools. The numbers in band and choir are way down at the Magnet due to cutting encore time. At the same time, the school board is investing millions at the high school for a fine arts wing that will be a ghost town in a few years. It’s a complete waste of tax payer dollars. Every tax payer should be outraged. I am all for supporting the arts but not for wasting tax dollars. If the plan is to build the program, spend the money but not what the district is doing now. As usual in District 131, it’s a text book example of dysfunction.
Seems to me the band alum/parent is at least suggesting a short term solution, while we do have several directors at the high school. Who knows what the future holds; let's do what we can for our kids here & now.
My suggestion is for the band parents in this district to get off their collective a$$es and challenge this dysfunctional administration if they want a band program going forward. If not, it will be the same as the orchestra program in District 131 of the 1980's, RIP.
I am giving everyone the information on what the administration is up to so that the community can make informed decisions now, not wait until the program has been destroyed. If the program means nothing to you, it's easy, sit there and do nothing. If you know the benefits of having a strong band program to your children and your community, stand up and speak up. Go to board meetings. Go speak to your childrens principal. Why are the high school band boosters doing nothing?
Challenge those in authority who don't give a damn about the children and teachers of this district. They don't give a damn about this community.The only thing they give a damn about is the PARCC scores because then they can keep their overpaid positions.
RIP is right. As usual in EA, certain individuals who were elected are doing what shines the light on themselves, which ultimately displays the dysfunction that continues. If decisions were truly made with the maximum benefits to the students education being the priority, things would look much differently. The narcissistic decisions led by a few decided they needed a big new football field, a Magnet Academy and a fine arts wing. Those are things the general public can admire and the media can put on the front page and boost the egos of those making these poor decisions. Those of us with children inside those buildings and in those programs affected, and especially those who work there, know it is facade. It hides the reality of what Is actually happening with the educational processes within those news story worthy walls and fences. This is one mans opinion. We can host sporting events and show off our home but it doesn't create the atmosphere of team and pride if we don't have teams that have the time to commit to perform well. We can have a Magnet Academy and talk about how wonderful it is, but the reality is, those parents want their children out of the mainstream public education buildings. They want them in the "showplace" the district is trying to create. They are getting benefits all our districts children should be receiving. It has been discussed many times about the fine arts, particularly band. If you are not building the program from the bottom up, it will eventually crumble. They can fill it in, like the pool, and claim to be creating more classrooms that will improve the learning environment. But EA is losing programs that have brought pride to our community in the past. EA leaders are such a laughing stock. There are not words to describe the disappointment in the choices that are being made under the guise of educating the children in 131.
In agreement It is people like you that continue to bring EA down. Look at the facilities of other school district. We finally have the same. You are clearly a racist scum bag.
FYI I’m hispanic and a strong band supporter so I’m not sure where your racist scum bag comment is coming from.
I would love nothing better than to see the administrators support the band program. I have no issue with the board building a big expensive fine arts wing at the high school, if it’s used wisely. However, i am also a tax payer and I demand that our officials spend our money responsibly.
The issue is that the board is spending money like a bunch of drunk soldiers (just like they do everytime teacher contract talks are nearing) at the same time that the administration is deliberately guaranteeing that the program will fail. That is wasting our tax dollars.
It is way past time that our leaders start making decisions in the best interest of the kids. It would be amazing if the board and administration actually worked together.
It would be in the best interest of the kids for marching band to be an optional, extra-curricular activity--just as it is in EVERY OTHER district in this area!
Sounds like Annette, or a supporter of hers to throw out race in a place it didn't exist. We have heard how quick she is to name call when someone has hit a sore spot with her. I believe most of our community has grown up living in diverse neighborhoods and some who haven't appreciated the diversity have moved out. Some stay and try to pretend they are part of the bordering communities. I, also, am in agreement. I, too, say-enough of the racist crap. Get real or get lost. Don't pretend to be doing what is best for the kids. They have sufficient schools, As long as the building can accommodate the children in a safe learning environment. What they need are all the rest of the things in those buildings to give them a quality education. Qualified, dedicated teachers...check. Updated books and materials in quantities enough for every student? Policies and rules that allow for those who want to teach and those who want to learn to do so without fear or without disruption? The fear and disruption is not just from students who do not wish to learn, but it also comes from those who are making a career of making excuses why are students are not getting what they need. And it includes those elected community reps who allow it to continue year after year
No not Annette just somebody who is glad that our kids have great facilities. The band rooms are overcrowded and not good for the kids hearing. Our kids are now able to run track at home unlike the past 7 years on the road. It is racist to believe that they do not deserve this. The other schools including West Aurora and Naperville have the same.
Our schools have plentiful books and tech devices for all students. Actually it sounds like the rants of John Laesch who by the way we have all tuned out.
Ken Darby and John Laesch will be up for election next and they claim to know about construction. I did not hear either one speak against the construction costs of the band rooms or for that matter anything else related to construction. They both work in the field and Darby has bragged to the band parents he pushed for the expansion so I will not be voting for either one.
Where the he🏒🏒 were you when the construction projects were being discussed publicly; I’d say sitting at the table . How do you justify students stacked on each other in classroom. The old band room couldnt accomodate the band for practice . No one was swimming and certainly not in a competitive way. Are you saying the teachers are okay with the overcrowding. The maintenance crews can’t properly clean the floors due to lack of space between the desk. You could not renovate the football stands without bringing them to ADA standards which would have called for more lanes of the oft repaired track to be removed. The stadium was a shamble and embarrassing . The layers of lead paint was peeling and couldn’t accommodate individuals with disabilities. Now The stadium can certainly generate some revenue through sponsors etc... it can once again host ihsa regional and state events by bringing the track to current standards. Dr Mcdonald is not the long term answer but no one has said he is. The district had many more issues prior to the interims arrival. Annette Johnson can be accused of many things true and untrue but not caring about the students is not one of them and the last I heard they are the number one stakeholder. If you’re not already on the board then step up and out of the shadow or stifle yourself.
While the band room expansion perhaps addresses a need, more creative rather than selective scheduling of students might have dealt with the problem. As for the choir? There are only three choir periods scheduled, possibly four ( I don’t think so though) so expansion there was unnecessary.
Annette Johnson needs to step up at her quote on quote best school in the area that she toots her horn about. A teacher was forced to file her own police report because she was almost poisoned with a syringe. Administration will not tell staff what was in the syringe. Two students formed a pack to do physical harm to teachers. Can you imagine if a student was injured with the needle. We have the Extension Campus and there is always Expulsion but the district has double standards and will not expel from Magnet. Ballard is back to harassing teachers by telling them they either teach or they are out.
We know Laesch will never expel anyone but really Mr Shubert your daughter goes to this school. Do you feel your child is safe?
If is was proven that two students did something with the intention to do harm, if they do not expel them, the least they should do is NOT allow them at the Magnet School. That is a privilege to be chosen to go and they have shown they should no longer be entitled. Personally, I think they should have charges brought against them....we will see.
How do you almost get poisoned. What kind of poison was it? You stated that ad min won’t say what kind of chemical it was. If you’re telling the truth you’d think the teacher or the police lab would name it. You are full of it with your fake stories just like Simmon sucks. Most of those fake stories are to get the principal removed. FYI Magnet is the jewel of the district but exactly what does that mean in comparison
I am so fed up with people yelling “Fake News” everytime they don’t want to believe something or it’s politically inconvenient. Facts are facts and truth is the truth whether you want to believe it or not.
If there was a planned attack, the staff member will have to make the police report. The administration will NOT call the police. In my building, the principal stated that in no uncertain terms. They stated that after SB1 was enacted, the administration’s hands were tied. My principal stated that the central office gave this directive to building administrators. The message was clear.
Teachers and staff, you are on your own for your protection. The admin will not do it. I recommend pressing charges and demanding all information and documentation from the authorities. Don’t expect the district to have your back in any way, shape or form. They don’t give a damn about you. To them, you aren’t human, you’re inventory. And yes, I have the proof. I have an email where a high ranking central office administrator used the term “inventory” when discussing the teaching staff.
SB1 is the law for the state not just EA. I suggest if it’s really too hot then leave the profession. I don’t mean it in a malicious way. Those of us over 53 or so remember Mr Gardner getting stabbed by a student in 77ish. He was a mean man to most students.The moral of that story is treat your students with respect it may save your life. All news is not fake but to act as though it’s all real would be naive.At the least there’s a lot of hyperbole. I’ve read so much crap on this blog and as soon as someone says prove it you can hear crickets.
Nowhere in SB1 does the state prohibit an administrator from contacting or reporting to authorities illegal behaviors. This is an interpretation that District 131 Central Office Administrators have made. They are more concerned with the “Image” than staff safety.
SB1 has nothing to do with it. It’s all District 131 corruption.
Again I say poor management. The district not having a professional district security person leaves the buildings on their own to deal with security situations when they arise. This includes training, intervention in truancy but most of all a district liaison between parents, police and administration. These security issues like the one mentioned in this blog are very time consuming and difficult for building staff to handle. They often involve multiple students from multiple buildings.
Not having a district go to person for help with these situations is a problem. That is why there is no uniformity in discipline and tactics in handling these situations. Some students get suspended while others don't, some get arrested while others don't, even though they are committing the same offense.
As far as the curriculum goes I did not say it is good or bad. I said the district does not know where it is, where it went, how much do we have in storage and where are we storing it. It was never inventoried (bad business practice) and sloppy management.
As far as the construction project goings, the design was terrible wasting variable classroom space and money for the physical looks of the building. The construction overruns falls on the shoulders of Ms. Johnson and Dr. McDonald. The numbers are the numbers they can move them or disguise them all they want. Not all of us parents are stupid and uneducated.
The article says: ..."Liska recalled that the shows were very unsophisticated compared to those of the present"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For at least the first year that Mr. Liska was employed as EAHS band director, a second person was hired to teach the marching portion of the program. Mr. Liska had absolutely NO marching experience in either high school or college; he was essentially a desperation hire, brought in at the last minute after the previous hire backed out. I highly doubt that Mr. Liska had any point of reference to decide how sophisticated the pre-2005 marching shows were, due to his total lack of previous experience!
I DO remember several marching shows from the late 1990's. They were comparable to those performed at other schools such as West and Oswego. Shows back then had to be charted by hand, without assistance from online programs. There weren't as many gimmicks (special effects, electronic enhancement) as today's shows--but the kids played their hearts out and the SOUND filled the stadium. We were so proud to sing along with "Wave the Flag" and the National Anthem. Call me old-fashioned, but I appreciate a band that sounds good over one that just looks flashy.
And I'm very disappointed in Tom Strong for printing those negative comments about the previous band program. Mr. Strong, it's YOUR fault if that dark chapter of our district's history is discussed once again!
I’m glad the article came out. Everyone please note that there are over 300 kids in band in 2017. Watch where the numbers go over the next few years. You will see first hand what happens to a school program when the administration pulls its support. It doesn’t matter how much money you throw into the pit if / when the administration pulls the structural support. It will be all downhill from here because the only thing these administrators give a damn about is test scores.
So there are lots of kids in the high school band program? That's great; kudos to all who helped make that happen!
And all the more reason to join the 21st century and make marching band OPTIONAL. Plenty of kids who would WANT to participate, fewer gaps in the formation, and kids who didn't have to choose between band and their part-time jobs.
So why is our district dragging its feet on this??
The construction projects in the district had been well underway before McDonald started. As for Me Johnson she is one board member who does not make her living at construction that would John Laesch, Ken Darby and Richard Leonard. Maybe It was the change in plans with the City of Aurora. Is Richard Irvin not a East Grad. Why did he allow the project to get stopped for weeks increasing construction cost. Let's talk about the teachers who did not want to start school after Labor Day. It is not just two individuals
Taxpayer, I could not agree more with you. I wonder why blog posters don't blame Ken Darby for the band issues. He is a member of the boosters and should advocate for the band program. I have been to many meeting and have not heard him say a word about construction or changes to elementary band.
It seems he is more interested telling us about his travels around the district or events he attends on the district dime. That is when he is not advocating for a job for himself or a promotion for his girlfriend
The Band Boosters are a high-school-only organization as of several years ago. The feeder schools get no money or support from the Band Boosters, so why would Ken Darby or the Boosters advocate for the younger band students?
There is an unwritten rule for the District 131 administration; If there is any program in District 131 that shows success, they must go in and destroy it. They are not allowed to let our kids compete with the communities around us. Low income, minority children can't possibly be as good as the white children in upscale districts.
In 30 years, I’ve never seen an administrator go after a teacher or coach that’s doing a mediocre or poor job for non performance. If the kids are losing all their games, the coaches job is very secure. It’s only been when coaches have winning seasons that the administration begins to interfere. As long as we are the lovable losers, the administration is content. The band program has been left alone for decades. Yet in the past few years, it’s begun to grow and show success so of course, the administration has to come in and make sweeping changes. The Magnet School last spring had a magazine article written about how they are the best school in Kane County. What was the result? The Central Office Administration felt they had to come in and completely restructure the school to better match the schools that have been consistently failing for years. In no other industry would decisions like this be allowed or accepted. Any business run this poorly would go bankrupt.
This has been the pattern for decades. We can all argue if these decisions are being made for racial reasons, or social economic reasons or a multitude or other reasons. Personally, I believe there is a degree of truth to most of these possibilities but the reasons are not what we should be discussing. What should be discussed is how to ensure this doesn’t continue as a pattern going forward. Our kids are just as capable of competing with the surrounding communities on an even playing field. They have enough challenges in their own lives, they shouldn’t have road blocks put in front of them by our administrators. Administration should be dealing with teachers and coaches that consistently fail, not driving out our best educators. We shouldn’t have a list of “Teachers of the Year” a mile long that have gone to other districts.
It’s unfortunate that administration appears to consistently work against our children. There are so many dedicated teachers and staff that believe in our children. Our kids can accomplish such great things if the system wasn’t working so hard against them. Imagine if the administration supported the staff and kids when a program gained footing and was showing success, instead of fighting against them. Imagine if the administration showed leadership to ensure that all our programs had the best chance of success. Imagine if we had a school board that demanded that administrators support successful programs. Imagine if we had a school board that fired administrators that destroy successful programs.
One thing is clear. We have time and time again seen evidence that our kids can, under the right circumstances be very successful. We have had teachers and coaches prove that our kids are just as awesome as those in the surrounding communities. It’s always been our leaders that interfere with that success. It’s time to write new rules.
New rules put it quite nicely and honestly. I have been in the district for sometime. I have seen this self destruction. They cried lack of parent involvement was a problem in our district. Yet when parents try to be more involved at some of the schools, they are discouraged or never called upon. New rules would be a step in a better direction. Until we elect board members who know what their purpose is, we will not see change.
In 2013 District 204 eliminated elementary band, starting students in sixth grade instead of fifth. There was vigorous discussion at School Board meetings, with two board members and several parents and students speaking out in favor of the elementary band program. One School Board member (the parent of a high school band student) said they were concerned that starting in sixth grade gave an unfair advantage to those families who are able to afford private lessons (and that's in a district where most parents earn sufficient income to be able to pay $15-&20/week for lessons; most families in D131 have more limited financial resources). The superintendent at the time, Kathryn Birkett ("Serial Bully" Radakovich's ex-wife) said the following:
"Since the changes do not affect the instrumental music curriculum itself, just the model of instruction and when it will begin, Superintendent Kathy Birkett said they are moving forward as an administrative decision without a board vote."
The parents, students, and School Board members who lobbied to keep the program were shut down and overruled by an "administrative decision". A very sad day for band families in D204!
Call me cynical, but how do we know the same thing wouldn't happen in our district? And if it did, our kids would be deprived of learning a life-long skill and source of satisfaction at an ideal point in their mental, physical, and social development. Yes, they COULD start in sixth grade...but without access to private lessons they would be behind their classmates if they moved (as many of our families do) to the west side of town or nearby districts.
I know Tom Strong, and I was very disappointed in the article he wrote for the Beacon. Yes, it's a good thing that there are 300 students in band at the high school. The ONE PERSON Tom chose to interview (Brian Liska) was gracious enough to give credit to his two full-time assistants, as well as mention the middle schools who send band students to the high school. But those kids started band in fifth grade, in our (or another) elementary band program. Tom could and should have interviewed (or at least mentioned) our elementary band teachers, who introduced those high school band musicians to their instruments and taught them the fundamentals.
I am very concerned that certain administrators in our district do not recognize the value of our feeder school band programs to the success of the high school program. Money is spent freely for high school building, high school uniforms, high school assistant directors. Meanwhile the elementary and middle school programs are short-staffed and underfunded. Our younger band students NEED and DESERVE encouragement, recognition...and financial support!
Let’s start here; SB 1 is a school funding bill. SB 100 has to do with long/ short term exclusion of students from school. If you’re going to pretend to know something please get it right . Someone said they get tired of folks bringing up fake news while quoting SB1, duhhhh. Excuse me for questioning the BOE goals for the band. The BOE purchased new instruments, new uniforms and created additional storage for those uniforms. The BOE now has created the proper space needed to accommodate a growing band but some clowns says the boe is out to destroy the band; #fakenews. The instruments and uniforms was 2011-13 under a different board but same President; AJ. I guess haters gonna hate that what you do best and when that doesn’t work you just create a Fake narrative
How can 131 have interim superintendents for two years, and then have Hatchett claim the board needs to assess priorities before a permanent superintendent search and hire? Shouldn't that have been a discussion for the past 2 years? The residents of 131 should be appalled at the lack of foresight from their board of education, but nobody bats an eye.
Hatchett is part of the NE part of town and are the voters who have elected these people to the board to do their bidding. Their only interest is to keeping their retirement home property taxes from going up. They have no children in the schools, and have no concern for ours. Not a lot a resident can do once a board member is elected. We are stuck til next election. Without a real supt. Who do you think has been calling the shots?
Did Hatchett not read the responsibilities of the Board of ED? The most important job they have is to hire a Superintendent. What qualifications does anyone on the board have that deals with the IL School Code? Curious of your board is right that said The residents of 131 should be appalled at the lack of foresight from their board of education, but nobody bats an eye.
This District will never get better until we have a Board that follows the IL School Code and not think a board President now more than that code.
Kimberly Hatchett was put in charge of organizing the search committee for the new superintendent as acknowledged and confirmed at the July 5 2016 board meeting. In fact the approved minutes show the following quote "Mr. John Laesch thanked the two interim superintendents for their work. He also thanked Ms. Kimberly Hatchett for organizing the interim superintendent search process.". (which she never completed). I think Hatchett is still waiting for Annette to tell her who can be on the search committee because she has done nothing in organizing that search committee. Hatchett and Annette need to assess who is being elected to the board next election before a permanent superintendent search is made and someone is hired.
Oh by the way, this is the board meeting where the construction bids were approved and Dr. McDonald was interim superintendant at the time.
Saw this on the agenda for next Monday's board meeting:
5. Motion to Approve the Wind Symphony Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School 6. Motion to Approve the Wind Ensemble Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School 7. Motion to Approve the Symphonic Winds Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School 8. Motion to Approve the Symphonic Band Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School 9. Motion to Approve the Percussion Techniques Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Is this a desperate attempt to keep kids in the band program?
And why should just the band students get a PE waiver? Why not the choir kids too??
I'm a singer, and I can vouch for the fact that singing is every bit (if not more) of a physical workout as playing an instrument. First of all, instrumentalists (except percussion) sit as they perform, while singers stand. Choral singers do stretching and breathing exercises before they vocalize (usually in a standing position), while instrumentalists sit and play scales. Yes, band musicians have to hold their (sometimes heavy) instruments while they play; but choristers hold their folders and turn pages as they sing. Both singers and instrumentalists learn to breathe deeply and use their air supply efficiently. Both band and choir musicians must learn to cooperate and work together as a team. Yet ONLY band students are deemed worthy of a PE waiver??
"A desperate attempt" What does that even mean? Yeah, the band sure does seem to be struggling. You are obviously clueless about everything and you write like the person who has been complaining this entire school year about:
1) Marching band should be voluntary like EVERY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE AREA 2) The marching band is playing along to recorded music 3) Marching band should be voluntary (oh wait, I already said that one, but you posted it so many times, at EVERY SINGLE MOMENT YOU COULD)
What do you think "Non-PE" means. If you would have actually clicked on the link you would have seen that these courses are allowing students to be in band but NOT marching band. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ALL YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wait, are you serious. Yeah, marching band is going voluntary!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not to mention, the band wasn't playing to recorded music at all this past season. You mysteriously stopped posting after the video CLEARLY showing keyboard players appeared. You never said, oh, I guess I was wrong, there WERE TWO KEYBOARD PLAYERS IN THE MARCHING BAND.
You really need to stop posting. You don't have a clue and you obviously can't use the internet properly to find out the answers.
To Proposed PE waivers: I agree that it is wrong. I don't think ANY of them should get PE waivers. But the reasoning for marching band having them was that they were moving around in formation while playing, which does increase the physical effort.
I agree that choir involves physical exertion, but so do other activities like drama and art (painting on a canvas or throwing a pot on a wheel use lots of muscles!). So shouldn't those students get PE waivers too?
Well now we know that the person complaining about the marching band for the past year on the blog was Annette Johnson. The board doesn’t respond to the community and certainly not an individual even when they speak before the board. The only way the board would move from an anonymous complaint on a blog is if Annette was the anonymous complainer. District 131 SNAFU
I seriously doubt that Annette was the one who started the complaining about mandatory marching. Looking back over the past couple of threads it seemed to be started by a grandparent upset that her one grandchild is in band at West and has a job, but her other grandchild at East had to choose between band and his job. Then more parents and alums mentioned that no other districts around here require marching. At some point people must have expressed their concern to administration, who put the wheels in motion to make marching optional.
My suggestion to those who want choir students to get PE waivers is to do what that grandparent did: start a discussion and then speak to live people who can get stuff done.
Annette is not the BOE member that is involved with band that would be Ken Darby. If Ken was not so busy patting himself on the back maybe he could help the band.
The stories of Annette and not supporting elementary band person are a lie. I called Annette after many calls that went unanswered at the McKnight Center. I also emailed board members who never answered and she was the only one that helped. The summer tradition was in danger of being cancelled. The summer days went by and with a few days to go the summer camp problem was solved. If not for her younger kids would have had nothing. The following year my child did not receive information from her school about summer camps for art, music and sports. Again I called Annette and it was solved. I support her now because I was one who drank the Kristen Strand kool aid and if we ever had a school board member that was for herself that Ms Strand.
I will always say be careful about what you believe and investigate yourself. My other daughter is working towards a marching band scholarship and can not wait to use the much needed band rooms after overcrowded conditions and two years in the mud behind the school. Its about time.
Hopefully East Aurora will move on from Kurt Becker. The article tonight says it all. He duped the Board into spending $11,000 while he was raising the money for the statue. Sounds like he should repay the district and if not get fired. They need to look at his losing record and his verbal abuse of students.
MacDonald's response, "Just move on". WOW! C'mon Annette - where's your public outcry? You can't believe this is an acceptable response for the leader of a school district with the low-income demographics of East Aurora? I'd bet a large portion of the community pays less than $11,000 for their housing for a year. The Stone Gate Gang should be outraged - this is about the cost of their property taxes. What was the total cost if $11,000 was the down payment? Time to get Ralph on the case. As for Becker, this isn't the first time his 'fundraising' hasn't panned out. I agree with Old Timer - time to cut ties with Becker.
Scripted by Annette Johnson. Sounds very similar to the UCLA athletes thanking Trump. Because they were prompted. https://vimeo.com/243704202 These children did not know what a school board was, even after being told what it was they still did not understand. Then they are directed to thank the board. It is all very cute, and well put together. Funny thing is that, it probably truly reflects the real community view. They don't really know who or what the board is or what the real function of the board is. Yet, if they are being told the board wants to do things to make the school better.....ok...here is the unrealistic things we would like.........and thank you! More district money and time wasted on patting themselves on the back.
The blame needs to go were it belongs. Ken Darby is head of the building committee. He voted for the Tomcat Statue but is now in the paper telling us he is saving money. Why did he not look into to how it was getting paid or what the statue would look like?
Then there is the band issue were Ken serves on the boosters but does nothing to look into why Marching band is a mess.
Wow, it sounds like he is to busy and entertaining himself on the district dime. I wonder who much his trip to Chicago cost and why was he entertaining his girlfriend on the district dime?
The EA Alumni wanted our old Tomcat statue, which sat in front of the high school for years to be displayed at the new stadium. I know the statue was saved and was going to be reused for that historical purpose . The $11,000 was lost because the new design l (that looked like the Picasso and not our Tomcat) was already in production when the board realized it looked like the Picasso. Dr. McDonald again not knowing anything about EA history approved the Picasso Tomcat design (remember he said he was in charge of the construction project). The board then did not like the design (to late after it was approved and in production). A new design was commissioned for the statue driving the cost up well over $20,000 (what a waste of money).
As far as Becker goes he never reimbursed the district for the fireworks ($4,500) and other expenses for the stadium closing ceremony. He promised the event costs would be paid by donations (lie). Who approved the fireworks invoice? It should show the district paid the bill and was never reimbursed.
Dr. McDonald said to " just move on " because in Downers Grove $25,000 out of the district's pocket is nothing. Yes, Dr. McDonald it's small potatoes considering the millions in cost overruns you allowed to go unchecked in the construction project. There is someone out there that knows the truth behind these back door deals made by Annette and carried out by Dr. McDonald. I hope that someone comes forward give the information to press for an investigation can get started (Patron is Annette's attack dog is misinformation) .
Now that the construction project is narrowing down the district wants to hire a construction manager (a little late for that). The district is now figuring out that Dr. McDonald has no idea how to manage a construction project. Where is the rest of the Board?
Somebody should do some research before writing lies. Although anyone who would steals from band children at Cowherd is not a creditable source. In reviewing the comments from the May 3rd 2017 Becker presented plans for a statue and ask the board for a advance of $11,000. He was to fund raise for the rest. The entire board voted for this not Dr McDonald. I guess they are guilty of trust.
Becker makes a lot of promises and never comes through this pattern repeats itself. Years back parents had to bail the Holy Angel Football program out after he overpriced a custom water program sold through his business and told them he would market it. Think about this if you can steal from a church what do you expect. The board needs to cut ties let's see if they will.
Direct quote from the approved minutes for the November 6th 2017 School Board meeting:
"...the East Aurora band held its first concert of the year two weeks ago. It was held on October 26th, and it was the first concert in history that has been held before December"
THIS IS A BLATANT LIE.
It is also an example of "fake news" being published without being fact-checked.
"The first concert in history" that was held before December? Really?? In the whole history of the EAHS band program, which started around 1918? WHO did the research on this statement? Maybe it was Tom Strong, the lazy "journalist" who wrote the recent Beacon article praising the band program without bothering to interview anyone other than one director!
I cannot speak for EAHS band history before 1995 or so, but my kids were in the band from 1997-2003. I have FOUR programs from 4 fall band concerts, as follows:
FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 25, 1998 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 24, 1999 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 22, 2000 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 14, 2001 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Proof positive that this year was NOT the first concert held before December.
Certain people may PRETEND that the current band program is better than the previous one, but at least the previous program's leadership didn't LIE about their accomplishments.
How very disappointing for our alumni, students, and community!
You really need to calm down. You are quoting the student board member report, since you forgot to mention that part. And to a high school student the history of everything they know is about 10 years. Kids often exaggerate things and say wrong information.
No, I am not the person who said there were no keyboard players in the marching band. I am the person who posted the link that showed the keyboards during the marching show. You’re welcome;)
I was quoting the approved school board minutes. That statement by a student school board member was approved and published by the district. It was NOT FACTUAL, and should be corrected or deleted if our district has any integrity or respect for the truth!
I was, indeed, quoting a student school board member’s public comment. Which was approved by the district and published as part of the official minutes for the meeting.
And the approved, published comment was proven to be false. A lie. Untrue.
The student board member who made the statement "it was the first concert in history that has been held before December" was Sebastian Chiu. Young Mr. Chiu is not in the EAHS band program, and his biography on the district's website does not mention his ever participating in band.
So why did he make that (inaccurate) public statement? Did he simply make it up out of thin air because he thought it sounded impressive? Considering his intelligence (he's an honor student who speaks three languages), I doubt it. Maybe he interviewed one of the EAHS band directors; maybe one of his classmates who plays in the band told him it was the first fall concert in the district's history. Maybe Clayton Muhammad told him to say it (Mr. Chiu is a proud member of Boys II Men, and Mr. Muhammad has a long history of blowing up and spinning our district's events).
When public comments are made at a board meeting, the central office approves them and publishes them as "Approved Minutes". So while the inaccurate claim may have been initially made by a student, it was reviewed and APPROVED by adults.
I like to think I'm a reasonable person, so here's what I plan to do:
If and when the false claim that the October 26, 2017 band concert was "the first concert in history that has been held before December" is edited, deleted, or corrected in the approved minutes from the November 6 School Board meeting, I will immediately ask the blog administrator to remove this discussion from this thread.
I will check the district website periodically to see whether the central office does the right thing and corrects the mistake. The truth IS important, and our community deserves better than "EA-OK".
WOW, How did Clayton get into this debate. It is a student comments and not even something the BOE votes on. Mrs Kaisershot really do you not have anything better to do or Ms Carlson but attack a student?
On what planet does pointing out and correcting a false statement equal “attacking” someone? I just read “Band history”s comment again and didn’t see any insults towards a student. If anything it seems like they just want the incorrect statement edited out of the minutes. They’re not even asking for an apology, just a correction.
And like it or not, Clayton Muhammad remains a significant influence upon many of our district’s young people. He is also still connected to the district through the AEEF.
And as far as who is posting, I guess if you can’t dispute the message you go after the messenger. THAT is sick!
Attacking?? What are you reading, where you see anyone attacked?
And what band program is the “child” (actually a high school senior) supposedly speaking about? Some program that never had a concert before December in its history before now. That wouldn’t be EAHS!
"I don't think this is wasted time," she said. "If we spend the rest of this year aligning ourselves and making sure that we are prepared for a new superintendent, that's a good thing to me."
The article in the Beacon went on to say-Board members are expecting to discuss the superintendent search process at a meeting Monday.
REALLY?! Wasting time is what they have done best, followed by wasting money! You have spent several years preparing...since you hired the last superintendent. How many meetings are required to discuss searches and goals, etc. A few people on this board should be experts at this, as many times as they have "aligned" themselves over a few short years.
EA will not be able to find a capable candidate until the people doing the hiring change. Surveys and search firms are a major waste of time and money. Spending money for advice and then not taking that advice because a couple of Board members think they know better than the paid experts, is what happens. Be honest in your search BOE. Be sure to mention in your job description- candidate must be willing to kowtow to the BOE president.
As a staff member I have seen great things happening in our district the last couple of years. I know the haters on this blog will attack my statements. After all we attack everybody. The recent attack of a student tells it all. I am thankful to anyone who serves on our board at one time or another they all get attacked. The same goes for the administration and don't think this blog does not drive them away as well. The district has direction and good leadership. If you have ever had dealings with Steve Megazzini you would know that he is a fair and caring man. Hire him and be done with it. He has the backing of many.
I agree that Steve Megazzini would be a good choice. He appears to have integrity and is definitely qualified!
But I’m confused about your mention of a student being attacked. Looking back over this thread I only see a high school student board member’s public statement corrected. And that student is referred to as intelligent in one comment as well. Did I miss something, where was this attack you refer to?
The BOE should hire Megazzini he has restored confidence in the HR department. I have worked with him on issues related to Waldo and have never felt the retaliation of the Glotzbach days. A Sup greatest skill is communication and Steve is a great choice. It is time the BOE stop wasting money on a search and just name him.
According to the proposal the courses "are being created to students can choose to be in band, but not have to participate in the marching band"
This is definitely a step in the right direction and a decision in students' best interests. Kudos to the students, directors, School Board, administrators, parents, and boosters who helped make this happen.
Let's give credit to helping fix the band program to the right persons. Keene, and Kosek proposed the changes. To the board we have stability, please no changes. The district is improving in small ways and are slowly getting better. I hope they can work on the students that walk with no purpose that is the biggest problem (to many students cursing and acting disrespectful-).
Great article on how a school district turned itself around and became very successful. Of course they enacted policies that are completely contrary to what District 131 board and administration do. For twenty years we’ve cut fine arts and encore and have watched test scores fall.
Somebody should be looking into the significant increase in suicide attempts at the Magnet School this year. It’s interesting that each time the district cuts extra-curricular classes (or in other words the children’s social emotional outlets) there is an increase in social emotional distress for students, not to mention an increase in dropout rates. If a child commits suicide because of the decisions being made by the board and administration, the board and administration should be held criminally liable. They are very aware of what they are doing to these children but the only thing they give a damn about is test scores.
Music is the key is an argument that has been brought before EA boards several times. They want our children to learn to think outside the box. They change programs every few years claiming it is needed and will take a couple years to see it make a difference. Little to no change and a few years later the same song and dance. Hey, there's a thought, go outside the box and put song and dance in the classroom! For every job that must be done, there is an element of fun......
Is the board responsible for their grades,, clothes, grooming, coming to school hungry friends, likes / dislike on Facebook . Is the boss responsible for their family dynamic, fathers in jail, parent deported, The family is responsible for their child’s social emotion condition. Families are raising up over protected , weak minded , entitled kids. Take responsibility for your child and stop blaming others. It’s not the A hole President (45), it’s not rap music, it’s not video games, it’s not the school yard bully. Kids were teased etc... all the time in my generation and they didn’t commit suicide. Now morons have said don’t yell, don’t tease, don’t spank, don’t fight , don’t don’t don’t and then want to blame others for the frailty and lack of coping skills. Obviously this is just is my AHole opinion hopefully you’re not too frail to agree to disagree and go kill yourself
I enjoyed the performance of our students last night but what I did not enjoy was the performance of John Laesch. Sitting in protest while the National Anthem was played was a attention grapper and nothing more. I am happy Mr Jackson recorded his antics so anyone who even thinks they would ever vote for this spectacle of a person again will not.
The suicide attempts happened last year at Magnet as well. Magnet has many problems because students are placed in programs they do not qualify for. I think the district has started to peel back the onion layers at Magnet but they still have a ways to go. Roley was sweeping problems under the rug.
Can anyone fill me in as to why Anthony Crespo was let go? I have read the articles on the School Board silence. I work with him at MHS and have concerns with his student contact. He is constantly hanging around and photographing female students in the PE area. Some of us find it creepy. Some of his conversation with Latino females also leads to question? We can't prove anything because students are inpresable at that age but we have concerns. Some of the blog posts also point to the same patterns.
Dr. McDonald has proved himself to be a liar (again) It was common knowledge around the McKnight Service Center that Dr. McDonald's intention was to not renew Coach Becker 's contact. Dr. McDonald told the Athletic Director to inform Coach Becker at his evaluation that his contract was not going be renewed. It was Dr. McDonald and Steve Megazzini opinion's that there was no point in firing Becker with the end of the football season being around the corner. Dr. McDonald and Annette used Becker to be the fall guy with the cost overruns plaguing the construction project. Dr. McDonald was to be responsible for overseeing the district construction project after he removed the Director of Buildings and Grounds, leaving the district with no one with construction experience to oversee the project for the district. Coach Becker stepped up using his limited expertise in construction to try to fill that void. Dr. McDonald and the School board (most of whom have no idea what's going on behind the scenes) showed their what have you done for me lately attitude with Becker. Coach Becker is a great person who cares about the kids. The district will have to find another source of funds for the millions of dollars needed for the construction debacle. Coach Becker's Job was football coach full time fundraiser. When he told Annette he could not fundraise full time, Annette gave the order to McDonald to whack Becker. Citizens of Aurora get ready, taxes are going up you watch. Thank you Coach for all you have done for the kids, and the community. Don't let Dr. McDonald and the Board call you a liar (behind your back) and give you a plaque to your face. Let the community know the truth.
The District employee is a liar. BECKER TOLD Marina he was not coming back. Many of us attended construction meeting at the HS and Becker was never in charge of the construction project. The project was never over budget. The City of Aurora had issues with the water retention. The delays that occurred are a result of that.
Becker wants to work with the City. It seems School Board member Barierro does not want him. The Board member he refers to is Barierro.
When are all those Accident victims going to get together and file a class action lawsuit? Employees have been being thrown under the bus since Barriero was last on the board. When it comes to light the board has made another extremely poor decision.......boom! Another one bites the dust.
Sorry folks not Barrierro just the rants of John Laesch. When any employee leaves he blames it on Dr McDonald and calls him a liar or blames Johnson. I have known John for years he hates himself, his county and anyone he views as more successful than he. He is extremely charming and acts like he cares but it all a show.
Blame?? When anything goes wrong the fingers get pointed all around the district. Fact is the stuff starts at the top and gets rolled downhill. Maybe Laesch is trying to push it back. I don't know him, but I know that stuff was hitting the fan long before he got on the board. I have read that people who claim to attend meetings say he is not even there, so how can he be blamed when he is a no show. Ya can't have it both ways people.
I read the Tribune article concerning Coach Becker.
The first paragraph says :
" When Kurt Becker walked in to the athletic director's office for his annual review on Dec. 1, he knew there would be a good chance he'd not leave that Friday meeting as head coach of East Aurora High School's football team"
That does not seem like a person who is leaving voluntarily, or did the Tribune miss quote Coach Becker? It seems the standard response from people like "to tell the truth" is to change the subject and attack John Laesch or some other board member who is not aligned with board President Johnson.
I am also concerned as a read up and down the blog and talking to other parents that Dr. McDonald seems to a hot head and makes knee jerk reactions and is a bully when people tell the truth (or speak out). It appears the truth is Dr. McDonald is the Board President Johnson's henchman with a willful disregard for the employees of the district. The school district has lost its way and has to stop this vigilante attitude.
It's disheartening that the hate rhetoric of the Board President and her henchmen Dr. McDonald overshadow the true purpose of their positions. Coach Becker holds is chest out and head up high with this quote in the Tribune article .
"We may not have had the victories on the scoreboard, but what we accomplished is big … including the fact 98 percent of our varsity players have gone on to college.
I now speak to the School Board, this interim superintendent business has to stop and has to stop now. No one should be forced to leave their position because they did not meet the fundraising expectations of Dr.McDonald.
The Tribune needs to do an in depth analysis of the construction project. There has to be employees or other people who know the truth. Whether or not they are willing to talk to the press is another question.
I work with Tomcat Youth Tackle and the TRUTH Kurt talked about resigning all year. He was upset when they pulled the plug on the veterans part of the stadium. He also argued with sports boosters. Darby backed the boosters up not Johnson. As is stated in the paper Johnson praised Kurt. I know Kurt respects Johnson. When one of our own died this year Johnson helped us get counselors and checked on the family. The haters on this blog are destroying our district and making up stories.
We heard what Laesch did and he should stop bashing Kurt.
Please tell us why the District has not gotten any money from Sports Booster in 5 years and why are they giving Frankie Zapata a loan so he can host private tournaments at East? The money from the tournaments goes to Zapatas group. Our Youth tackle group only has EA students and we clean up our space. Zapeta always insists on having a EA janitor.
Becker did have a point when he wanted them removed but Darby rallied Barierro and Melaker to stop Becker from outsourcing the food area. McDonald defended them and should have made them turn in the money. Ben Williams now joined their group and authorized the loan not even asking what schools the kids come from. Darby and Barierro took a oath to protect school resources and they violated that. They should remove themselves from directing McDonald. Melaker profited off EA before and should not be in any superintendents ear.
I work for the district and I feel Annette tries to make the best decisions she can based on the information she has. She is a hard worker and tries to do the best for the district. Although emotional at times she is a good hearted person.
Dr. McDonald who I have to admit is an intimidating force and is not very personable gets his information from , well I don't know where he gets information from sometimes. Dr. McDonald is not a liar, he is miss informed by the people surrounding him giving him information, or should I say not giving him the information he needs. They are scared of him or for their jobs or whatever. Therefore when they have information they do not come forward they stay silent. Now that Steve Megazzini has been promoted things here at the service center are getting better. We now have some we can collaborate with. Steve is approachable and a good listener. Dr. McDonald has a Dr. Hojda style of management which is unfortunate.
The district appears to be ready to waste another $42,000 for a consultant. Let's put that with the Pat Stapleton consultant's fees of $35,000 (Dr. McDonald's friend), Pippins consultant fees (god only knows how much that cost the district), the mascot snafu, construction lack of oversight (now we are stuck with cost overruns) , Magnet schedule nightmare (we had to pay teachers overtime to fix that mess) and now the cost of this search firm to find a new superintendent. We pay Dr. McDonald and his administrators millions of dollars a year to administrate this district. The only department that seems to have it together is the business office. Now we come to find out that administrators are afraid of Dr. McDonald and are afraid to talk to him for fear of retaliation.
A perfect example of no communication is, it took a November 5, 2017 blog posting from Poor Management to tell Dr. McDonald and the school board they needed a professional district wide position for safety and security, and this person needed to be at the district level. Really come on people!!! You had an assistant athletic director handling safety , culture and climate. That seemed normal to Dr. McDonald. It told a blog posting to get the district moving on this issue? I wonder what the district level administrators talk about in the executive cabinet? Apparently they say nothing out of fear of reprisal. There seems to be a complete lack of communication going on at the Service Center. With district administrators being housed all over the district, communication is key. It is UNFORTUNATE that Dr. McDonald is not approachable. This type of leadership is not effective in today's business marketplace. With union negotiations around the corner this lack of communication with the administration team will cost the district millions not to mention the bad blood with staff. A new superintendent will come in and it will take that person over a year just to get acclimated to a school district this size. The district has the opportunity to have a respected member of the administration take over as full time superintendent. Yes, Steve Megazzini can lead the district through negotiations (he helped negotiate the present teacher's contract). Let's right now r running with a person we can trust and who knows the district (will its good points and faults) and a labor agreement in place. Restore district administration collaboration with each other and all stakeholders of the district. Lets not start another year with I don't know I was here when that decision was made. Stop wasting money on interims who can care less and consultants who are just getting paid. Lets not waste another two years waiting to see if the board made another mistake.
We need to stop wasting time and appoint Meggazini if he is in the running. He has restored HR and does not retaliate. It is better to know what you have than start over. It should not be the boards decision alone after all we have to work with him.
Childress is not approachable but would also be better than anything from the outside. We are not feeling another experiment or changes.
To: Another View Beatrice is not superintendent material. Just look at the way the Magnet debacle was handled. She and her motley crew made a mess of the whole thing. She deliberately kept the board and superintendents out of the process. Not to mention the union and community. If you want the district to go down the drain even farther than it has been, put her in charge and see how quickly it all falls apart. She resigned at the beginning of the year but Annette got her to come back. Of course she did it because she knows she can control Beatrice.
Regrettfully, it is the Boards decision alone to hire a superintendent. That is the one employee they hire and oversee. Once hired, they are supposed to let him/ her do his job, per the contract they write, stipulating their expectations. The board tries to put on a good show and invites input from community and staff, but we know there is at least one board member that likes to run the show, no matter what opinion and input is shared. Sadly, most of the other members follow the pied piper to the demise of our students education and the decline in the morale of the staff. We have had change of supt. every few years since this board president has been allowed to preside. Look at the past history of how long supt. normally stayed in position. Some people would like you to believe "the blog" makes candidates turn away. Others try to blame our districts demographics. D131 has good families, great teachers, excellent opportunities through support of local businesses and grants because of the demographics. One thing we have that many other districts don't have is a dysfunctional school board. A board president that tries to be the savior and dictator of 131 and has more faces than a mask factory. This board thinks the busier it appears, that reflects effeicient, competent business choices. When all it has shown is much wasted time and a group chasing its tail with little new accomplishments. Hire a supt. BOE! How much worse can your choice be than all the others you have made in the past? Save your money, time and pick one from the 131 family, if a qualified candidate is available.
The District is in better shape today than in the past and financially we are not cutting major programs like West Aurora, Oswego and Indian Prairie. East Aurora does not have a dysfunctional Board just dysfunctional superintendents who by the time they came to EA they wanted to build big pensions and retire. Let's not even talk about the Poop fiasco.
The reality is Beatrice has done well with early learning and technology. Magazzini has made HR a trusted group after the days of hell with Glotzbach.
The comments on the Magnet School are false the students education and emotional needs were not getting addressed. The teachers had it easy teaching half what others teachers in the district were required to do.
EA is better and does NOT have a dysfunctional board!?! They are the ones who have been hiring those "dysfunctional superintendents!" They hired Popp and the rest. I do agree about Beatrice, the Magnet School and your advice to BOE. Their track record is not encouraging. They spend money on head hunters to accomplish nothing. It is what they were elected to do, hire a supt. Use your lawyer to draft a contract and get it done.Their ONE main purpose and they can't get it right. Year after year after year. No more excuses.
I agree with "Another view " the School Board needs to stop this political non-sense (how embarrassing was Alex Arroyo)? I am a Latino parent who is not political and I was born in this country ( proud to be an American) . I have three children attaining East Aurora Schools this year. Alex Arroyo made the community and the school district look ignorant. His patronizing the community because not all of the parents in the community can speak English and that's is shameful. Does he think we are stupid? Just because some of us don't speak English does not make us stupid? I am saddened by his stereotypical attitude he has for our community .We don't need a politician like Alex Arroyo to tell us what's the best road for the our children's education is. School Board please don't think all of us are imbeciles. We live and die and pay taxes like everyone else.
I am a CPA (yes EA teachers you gave me a great education) and pay taxes in the district. It does not seem we have had stability in the Superintendent's office since my children have attended school here. Superintendent's have come and gone for whatever reason and this has to stop. We need appoint Steve Megazzini (don't waste time). We cannot waste time by bring in someone that has no respect of the community or is led by the politicians on the school board, We need someone that the make an immediate impact and the rank file knows and respects. I want the next school year to start smooth and with no surprises.
This district cannot afford to have a work stoppage or any type of labor unrest. The undisciplined spending and waste of tax dollars cannot continue. The things that i am hearing about the lack of confidence in Dr. Mc Donald is disheartening (he has no confidence from his administrators) We need administrators thinking out of the box on a collaborated effort with our teachers to educate our children. The radical style of style of management exhibited by Dr. McDonald can no longer be tolerated (we need someone who's heart and soul is invested in our children). The school district does not need a part-time superintendent who is just collecting a pay check, (WE IS TO MAKE EVERY DOLLAR COUNT) That's why we pay taxes.
We have a strong board president who has a record of doing what's important for our kids (I voted for her). I feel that Mr. Megazzini is here and he has no excuses for failure. Make him the superintendent and the district will stop wasting money on interim's . Mr. Megazzini will lead the negation team. He has the respect of the community and the respect of the employees of the district. Give him the unobstructed power to correct the errors of the past and bring the district forward.
Arroyo may have been to blunt but I have been with the district as a resident and staff member for many years. I watched them hire the serial bully who destroyed staff and community with no community input. The same was true of Roberts. Sure the board put on a good show but did not listen to the communities choice. I believe Arroyo is referring to Barierro saying he would vote for the community choice and then voted for Roberts because of the City officers told Barierro who to vote for. Popp was another big mistake attempting to turn the district into Indian Prairie with no research. The question today is will they listen to input? Meggazzini would be a good choice. The staff has good communication with him. Curriculum has turned around and hopefully they can keep the same people in place. Something has to done about some Principals but I have heard the HS and Waldo are better. Steve is a good listener and is addressing issues along with Stovall an Reyes Childress in our building.
The board President is the campaign manager of Steve for superintendent . The community has no idea who he is and he has no experience . Being a good listener is not and having the staff like you is not a reason to stay in house. He will Be Annette’s puppit. Then you have to fill his position in HR. Dr McDonald and hoyda didn’t need to pad their pensions . I’m sure they were just fine with their 6 figure pensions, they wanted to see EA be successful and they were paid the going rate. Don’t hate he player hate the game.!!
Coach Becker is a self promoting, back stabbing liar. He didn’t deliver on any of the promises he made when he was hired. He said he was going to get private funding and build the stadium. What in his background says that he is or was capable of racing funds. If he is your friend then I understand your support but stop with the heblived the kids narrative . This is not the EA that he left in 1977. The whole veterans deal was self promoting. The naming of the stadium deal was also self promoting. Now he has tricked Irving. The mayor believes his bloviating; what’s that say about him. Becker supporting Irvin for mayor was so he could get a position at the city , once again self promoting. Congratulations Kurt, ther really is one for every seat and you found it. What do you know about working with youth?😂😂😂😂😂
It’s too bad the local fish wrap only prints articles the district wants to promote. Why aren’t they reporting on the positive lead tests for the water fountains in our districts. Lead in the water that our children are drinking is a much bigger story than some faked testing data. The board and administration are well aware of this. They are having custodians wrap fountains but they are not sharing the reasons why.
The Beacon hasn’t reported on the asbestos, the mold, the CO2 levels or any of the other dangers our kids are exposed to in these old buildings day after day. What made you think they would report on the lead in the drinking water? The board and the administrators have known about these issues for years, the Beacon helps them cover it all up and as always it’s the kids who pay the price.
Feedback from EA is that it is a forgone conclusion that Bldg and Grounds can not move forward until Merle Herren is relieved of his duties.
1 Previous BG Director was doing great however Merle was an obstacle in many an issue 2 Audit his productivity (work tickets) and determine if he is doing his job 3 Audit his computer usage time the past several years and it will show he is on line more than he should be. Yes he thinks he is running the show at EA 4 Hold him accountable on his time in/out and eliminate any OVERTIME he will try to justify
And that is just for openers More to be exposed on his behavior and incompetence
Suggestion to Alberto; Don't let him BULLY and intimidate you. Track every work ticket and time spent every day. MERLE NEEDS TO LISTEN AND QUIT PLAYING MR EAST AURORA SUPT
Dr. McDonald allowed Merle and Ralph Padron to be his eye pieces. Dr. McDonald took actions based on misinformation given to him by these two rabble-rousers. Dr. McDonald and Annette dealt directly with Padron and Merle circumventing the Director of buildings and grounds. That is what got one director fired and the other leaving the district after 90 days to take a big pay cut. The SEIU now is out of control. The building and grounds department has allowed the maintenance men to get out of hand. Alberto Tijerina is a close friend of Beatrice's and thats how he got his job. He has no control over the union and is afraid to follow the contract. Beatrice is now in charge of buildings and grounds; who's bright idea was that? Ralph Padron (Annette's attack dog) and now he going after Merle who has fallen out of favor.
Herren and Ken Darby are childhood friends. Everyone knows Darby has been after the B&G job for years. It is fact that Herren will attack any director that is not Darby. Herren is not a friend of Annette and has openly campaigned against her. We in B&G have been part of his strong arm tactics in asking us not to support her on district time. Something he should have been fired for. Again haters on the blog just make up wild stories. Beatrice has been a big help organizing and getting staff hired that has been stuck in needed positions for years. We now have a scheduling system that Herren needs to account for his time. He does not like that. These are long over due changes. This is the first time we have had a person in a high level position push change. The facts are Ken Waltz took a pay decrease to get a job and as soon as another higher paying job became available he left. Who can blame him. The last two directors were incompetent. Alberto is fair and hard working but make no mistake if the control of the board shifts Herren will become assitant director and Ken Darby will become director.
I see Annette is blogging and defending her girl friend Bea again. The truth is Ken Waltz's position in the Berwyn Hospital he works for is paying him $95,000 a year . You are president of the School Board don't you know the $95,000 is less than $120,000, so that means he took a pay cut to leave EA. By the way he hated Beatrice and McDonald (that is another reason he left). . I would love for someone to reach out to these Ex Buildings and Grounds Directors to hear what they have to say. Luckily for you Annette they left quietly. As far a Merle goes he has the backing of our union (he our shop steward and we support him. Padron is a worthless liar and is no match for S.E.I.U he was paid off my McDonald and now that love affair has come to an end. We dare Padron to mess with Merle.
Merle please stop posting and Bea you need to pull Merle's computer records from when he was on the nights. Everyone knows Merle is useless he talks in circles for hours and is often seen kissing Bea's A**. The work tickets will force him to stop talking and do his job or he will loss his job. NO EXCUSES.
It's sad to see the blog is still attempting to destroy good reputations. There is no doubt that Bea and Alberto care for 131. They both work 16 plus hours a day returning our emails and solving problems. They attend district activities with their families and are proud graduates. Mr Herren is a nice man that seems lonely and gives the appearance of talking to much. I know one time he helped after hours to make our fundraiser successful in which would have otherwise been a failure due to a electrical issue. I believe they all care.
Annette has move our district ahead, my wages and classroom today our better for it. Her heart is in the right place. The blog never commented that our district has seen 5 years of higher growth than our neighboring districts. I learned this standing in line last week for gas. I never dreamed that after 10 plus years we would be compared to Naperville. No mention or link from the Blog to that.
Start a new year let's be positive. There are good people in EA.
There are several reasons why District 131 is regarded as the armpit of all Fox Valley districts, and they begin and end with the incompetent and vindictive district leadership. The school board doesn't have a clue about their role, which is to hire the best Superintendent possible and let that person do their job, including firing and hiring their district and school administrative staff. The board has refused to go through the training program provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards, and continues to support a mentally unstable school board president. The high school graduation rate has been an embarrassment for the past 5-10 years, despite several Superintendents, had a grade weighting scandal two years ago and no one was held responsible, and the majority of schools don't have normal safety procedures in place to monitor visitors who are allowed into the building. Who has been the constant presence at central office over the past years and has supposedly been responsible for progress? How about Beatrice Reyes Childress, who would not be able to get a job even as an Assistant Principal in any well run district, and Diane Argueta, the Bilingual director who most days can't be found anywhere. Anyone who has worked here and moved on to better districts will tell you that nothing will change - nothing - until people are held accountable. Here are some facts: How about Beatrice mismanaging Title I funds so badly that the district has had to return thousands of dollars to the state each year for the past several years? How about central office administrators getting bonuses at the end of every year? How about the bilingual department being so disorganized that they can't give us accurate information about ELL students? How about no one looking at test scores and firing principals who have no idea about how to lead a school? How about the board refusing to fire teachers who are completely incompetent? How about a union that includes support staff as members? How about a Building and Grounds department that is so dysfunctional that no one wants the job? Note to teachers: no successful school district has a teachers' union that includes non-certified members. This district's issues are really about a district system that refuses to believe how far it has fallen and refuses to admit that the only way to get better is to commit to drastic change with completely new leadership and a school board that understands their role.
A Stanford study as documented by the Beacon in headlines this week documented the top student growth in the area surpassing Indian Prarie and West Aurora. Yes, folks that is East Aurora.
The difference with 131 is a blog that anyone can tear down any d131 employee. Dysfunction is Rayanne Carlson for allowing this to continue. District 131 is much improved and yes we do have bitter employees who no longer work for the district that continue to post. Ms Carlson could stop this but now she claims I dont run the blog. Sure Rayanne!
Other then Annette and Dr. McDonald does anyone else think that Mr. Ralph Padron is normal and a person the school district should be listening too? Hasn't he cost the district enough grief and expense?
Dr. McDonald stop enabling Padron and publicly denounce his hated. You sit by and say or do nothing while this man attacks employee after employee. Don't let Padron interfere with union negotiations. Dr. McDonald stand up and be a Superintendent not an errand boy . All eyes will be on you Dr. McDonald, get you self respect back.
"a blog that anyone can tear down any d131 employee"...
Yes, that's true.
At the same time, anyone can DEFEND or SUPPORT a D131 employee as well! Many times someone has posted something that is not factual on the blog, and someone else jumps in with a correction and evidence or information supporting their side.
Wouldn't it be nice if 2018 is the year that positive, constructive comments outnumber negative ones?
I work in maintenance and don't know Patron if I tripped on him. I have never talked with Annette but I support met and talked with Dr McDonald. He is attempting to get some leadership into maintenance. Unfortunately there are about 5 employees one being Herren that tells us to slow down work. Albert and Jorge work long hours and they actually work along with us. Herren has approached us and told us to file a gievance against them. Why because the are working with us? We need to vote Herren out but none of us care about the union they are useless. We have good jobs that support our families that all I care about.
I for one am glad our district is taking their time finding a new superintendent. We have a history of making less-than-stellar choices where administration is concerned, and desperation hires rarely work out well.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the Tribune article about the cost overruns for the construction project why is anyone surprised. I have seen up and down the blog where citizens concerns about the construction overruns have been mentioned since the project started. Those concerns went unanswered. The only answer from Annette and Beatrice is the stadium cost are a million dollars under budget (which is a lie). The stadium cost was approved by the board at 5.5 million dollars and its pushing 8 million. Oh by the way that 5.5 million number was to include ammines such as new sports equipment, pole vault mate etc. Where was Dr. McDonald who said in a recorded public meeting that he was personally overseeing the construction project. What about the furnishings such as for the new classrooms such as carpets, desks, shades etc. I see they were originally budgeted in the bid and now removed to hide cost overruns. Everyone knows that Annette ordered Dr. McDonald to spend ahead of the upcoming teachers contract. The entire school board needs to look over the approved budget for the construction project and analyze how McDonald and Annette are playing with the numbers. You heard it here first this project will be well over 80 million dollars once it's done.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-magnet-st-1026-20171025-story.html
ReplyDeleteThe entire board including John Laesch, Richard Leonard and Ken Darby who all claimed to be a construction experts voted for the renovations. It sounds like John is writing on the blog again. Maybe John the Union carpenter got kick backs for helping his carpenters union get millions of work.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-buses-st-1027-20171025-story.html
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAfter reading taxpayer's blog comments and the tribune article, I went back and checked prior board meeting minutes. Interesting a found this in the approved minutes from the June 6, 2016 board meeting
"Ms. Tyler stated that the newest number for the high school stadium construction project is $5.6 million. They are estimating 10% for furnishing equipment and 8% architectural cost. Ms. Tyler stated that some of the equipment cost can be absorbed by department budgets. She stated that we are also looking at grants to help offset this cost and there also is the Roy E. Davis fund that is earmarked for stadium improvements."
John Cordigan at the May 16, 2016 board meeting said when asked directly by Kimberly Hatchett "what is the total cost of the high school project was going to be? " Mr. Cordigan's answer was ´"46.5 million dollars is the number for the total project."
Somebody is not telling the truth and Dr. McDonald has let things get way out of hand. Thank you for the blog contributors . I am new to the district and found there is important information on it if you choose to look.
ReplyDeleteBid Results and Scenarios
:
The following bids were discussed and will go to the Board for approval on September 19, 2016:a.
General Trades bid to Lite Construction in the amount of $3,288,417 base bid with:
Alternate 1
-
Team Rooms in the amount of $127,000
b.
Artificial Turf bid to Hoppy’s in the amount of $591,241
c.
Track Surfaces bid to R.C.Wegman in the amount of $ 892,300
d.
Bleacher/Press Box bid to Southern Bleacher in the amount of $1,013,715
e.
Electrical bid to Fitzgerald’s Electric in the amount of $ 1,197,900 with: HID to LED lights in the amount of $22,460.00
Construction update
:
Mr. Craig Welter and Mr. Rick Krischel from
Cordogan Clark and Associates presented a construction update.
They reported that fifteen packages will be opened for bidding on Friday, September 9, 2016. Mr. Darby asked how permits were going a
t the City. Mr. Welter replied that the City has released the IEPA permit for
sanitary pending on discussion about storm water management. The District will need to issue a letter of credit for that value, and once the City has agrees to the value they will release the water permit. Mr. Leonard asked if they changed the
water layout to the retention pond, Mr. Welter said yes
.
Part of the City’s requirement is to show phase parking
according to the architects, committing the District to more parking spaces in the future. The City will have stipulations to this requirement. Mr. Prombo added this will add an extra cost in the future. Mr. Arroyo informed the committee that the reason the City was holding back on the permits, was due to a court
case in McHenry County. Mr. Arroyo added legally they are a different circuit than we are, what happens in the circuit does not
apply to us; there is no legal precedent
for it; c
an they legally hold our permit or not
?
Dr. McDonald said they can hold
the
permit;
the question is
if we pressed it legally would we be successful?
Oh and let's see we have more staff "recognitions", what BS. These are just to create enmity between teachers. Also, if you have no computers in your room how will your students vote? This is done to separate and divide teachers and to have people on the edge, feeling badly if they didn't get nominated. I actually know of a teacher that directed her students to the link and offered incentives to write flowery prose about her. How about we have an administrator competition? That wouldn't work, because no one knows who they are or care? How dare you admins do this when it can affect peoples evals, etc. Why don't you focus on the droves of students leaving the building during the day? The blood laden bomb messages? Let's focus on safety instead of separating and pitting staff against each other and manipulating children to write flowery prose right before their grades are due.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the person on here advocating for marching band to be voluntary would be so outspoken if they knew what was happening with our feeder programs. We are now going into November and we have elementary schools that haven't adequately scheduled band times yet. We have seriously overcrowded rooms at some schools. There are schools where kids haven't received instruments or books yet. In short, the first quarter is done and the kids haven't started band yet.
ReplyDeleteAraceli Ordaz (the same person who helped orchestrate the demise of encore at the Magnet Academy) put a teacher with one year experience as PLC facilitator of the districts elementary band program. In short District 131 SNAFU. The entire program is a complete mess. The middle schools aren't any better. They are pulling kids out of band for any excuse possible. They have publicly stated that they don't give a damn about encore.
Here's my prediction. Within four years (the amount of time for this recent influx of band students at the high school to filter out) the high school band will be lucky to have 100-125 students in the program again. It's exactly what happens when the administrators deliberately sabotage the program.
I confirm the info posted above about the band program. A few of the feeder schools, I know of, seem to be at different levels of learning. As stated-some received instruments later than others, some still do not have books. Of course Magnet received theirs earlier. This will give the appearance of these students being advanced when in actuality they have had instruments way before other elementary level students. I feel if the band director at the high school were more involved at the elementary level like it used to be, he would be the one to assure his future band students would all be prepared to feed to the success of the program by time they reach his band in high school.
ReplyDeleteAnother sad day for EA. We have seen so many of these sad days under the current board president. A few good deeds do not outweigh all the students affected by the bad choices. A few busses do not justify a whole program being destroyed from the inside (admin/board). That is just one example. Wake up voters. This is your community, take a closer look. Your board is painting the house so you don't see all the damage underneath.
Award winning early learning, and a much needed fix to Magnet show our district is going in the right direction. The busing is icing on the cake. Thank you, Ms Johnson our district is a better place. I will say from a practical stand point band is not a career for many but added math and
ReplyDeletereading is. The elementary band program is a distraction. In other high performing districts elementary band is a before or after school activity. Kids should not be pulled out of class and I shared my concerns with board members.
Thanks Oldtimer....your name says it all. You have allowed your age and old ideas to dictate your opinion. Band is so much more than an after school activity. It adds much value to a well rounded education for those going into any field after college.
ReplyDeleteI will let the experts weigh in on that one.
Count me as another "oldtimer" who knows the value of music in a well-rounded student's education! Study after study shows that kids who play an instrument (band, orchestra, or piano) get higher grades in school. Part of that may be because their parents commit to buying an instrument and encouraging the kids to stick with it. But for whatever reason, just look at a list of honors graduates or top 10% scholars in our district and notice how many of those kids played in band. Band (and probably choir too to a lesser extent) sharpens many "real-world" skills: hand-eye coordination, cooperation & teamwork, patiently working toward a larger goal, and physical fitness (breathing and stamina).
ReplyDeleteIt's not just coincidence that there are record numbers of band students in our district. Band is one of our STRENGTHS and our kids deserve support!
"Some people see", there are now THREE full-time band directors at the high school (and several additional part-timers during marching season). So don't put the blame on just one person for not being involved with the feeder schools.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, though, that the high school director(s) used to be more involved with the feeder schools. Back in the 1990s the H.S. band director made several trips around the district to the grade schools and junior highs in the course of a school year. Ironically, one of the reasons the (corrupt) administration gave for removing him from the H.S. was that he didn't make enough contact with feeder schools! "Serial Bully" Radakovich and his pals said they wanted to "unify the district band program"...obviously just a smokescreen to justify giving the middle finger to parents and students who overwhelmingly supported that director.
Amazing (and sad) how decisions made a dozen years ago can still have ramifications today.
Yes some students benefit from band but at some point the district should focus on academics. Why not attend band in elementary school before or after school. Pulling students out of class is disruptive to the entire class.
ReplyDeleteTo: Another view
ReplyDeleteYou appear to be another one of our brainless administrators who are only focused on their bonuses. “At some point the district should focus on academics”? That’s all the district administration has focused on for almost twenty years. Ever since “No Child Left Behind”. What has been the result?... declining test scores and soaring drop out rates. We have lost 400-600 high school students every year since it’s inception.
Here’s the simple truth...children don’t stay in school when they are forced to focus only on academics. They are not doing it for the nonexistent paycheck. They get out of bed each morning, much of the time before the sun rises and walk long distances for that one special thing that they love. It may be band, or sports, or drama or shop class, or one of the many other electives. I’ve taught a long time and I never once heard a kid say they do it for the academics.
As for band, research has proven that playing an instrument increases IQ scores. In fact, it’s about the only activity that uses the entire brain. Playing an instrument forces the brain to create more neural pathways. Band is a communal endeavor that build school spirit. There are many benefits to playing an instrument.
Instead of always focusing on base level thinking, we should be offering higher lever thinking skills. No one has ever succeeded in life by focusing on the lowest levels of achievement.
Its no wonder the American Educational System is falling behind the rest of the world. It’s no wonder we are losing our best students (and teachers for that matter). The system has been turned completely upside down. As long as we set our goals on the bottom, we will never be great again.
Administration does not get bonuses. The district should be concerned about what prepares students both the work force. Playing the drums verses reading or math. Reading and math will get students jobs for the future.
ReplyDeleteTo: The Way it is
ReplyDeleteYou are kind of correct. They don’t call them bonuses this year (in the past, they did). If test scores go up, they get raises. If scores stay the same, they don’t. If scores go down, there’s the door. The message is clear. They only give a damn about test scores.
Here’s a problem for you to solve. All the best schools have great music departments. All the worst schools have poor or no music departments.
Do the math.
Amen, to the Best Years! I don't want to say they are behind us, but they surely are not what is currently being focused on. Especially with attitudes such as "the way it is." Why do we have to say our children can have one or the other....why not all of it?! That is the previous commenters point. Why do EA students have to have minimal opportunities in school and only be expected to meet the standards. Why can't we expect them to exceed in math, reading, band and sports? I won't repeat everything they have already said quite well. Read the post, again. I cannot believe you could possibly be a parent in our district and want so little for your child.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-report-card-st-1031-20171030-story.html
ReplyDeleteI am a singer and voice teacher. I also have a degree in music education. One of the things I learned in education classes is that there are three modalities or styles of learning: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The most successful students use all three modalities, but most of us have one preferred style of learning.
ReplyDeleteSinging (and, similarly, playing an instrument) is one of the few activities that uses ALL THREE learning styles. Not only is singing (or playing an instrument) a life-long source of satisfaction...parents get a lot of "bang for the buck" when they buy their child an instrument or pay for music lessons. Specifically:
Visual learning mode: musicians read notation (some have even compared music notation to a language in itself, much like coding for computer programmers). We use our peripheral vision to look ahead in the score, to anticipate upcoming dynamics or key changes. We look at the conductor (well, we're supposed to anyway!) . Singers look at (and read) the text as well as the musical notation. Often the text is in Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, or French (if we're singing opera, art songs, or choral music). I have my students stand in front of a mirror so they can visually observe posture, breathing, etc., and I know a flute teacher who does the same with her students.
Auditory learning mode: musicians produce sound, so listening and constantly evaluating our "product" is essential! We singers listen for correct pitch, focus (clarity of sound), vibrato, and volume as we sing. Musicians constantly listen to others as they rehearse and perform with accompaniment or in a group setting (this helps us develop teamwork skills too!) We sharpen our auditory skills as we mature musically, with many of us able to play by ear or improvise melodies in jazz styles.
Kinesthetic learning mode: making music is a physical activity that requires a great deal of coordination between muscle groups! Especially with singing or playing a wind instrument, a musician must breathe deeply and fully and then direct the airflow through the mouthpiece (or larynx) to produce sound. In singing, certain muscle groups must relax (diaphragm, jaw) and others must tense or form in a particular way (lips, larynx, hard palate) for optimal results. Instrumentalists' fingers must cover keys or valves, and move quickly. Their arms may hold up their instrument (flute, trumpet) or control a slide (trombone). This can involve both fine and gross motor skills.
People who say that kids need to concentrate on reading and math are not wrong; they just may not realize how much reading and math are involved in music! Musicians read and decipher notation that is every bit as complicated as an English textbook. They constantly subdivide beats and compare proportions as they play or sing (that's math, folks!) Let's support our kids by encouraging them to develop their WHOLE selves: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
Can tell it is people writing from the East Side. Your ignorance shows. Math and reading first then focus on extra programs
ReplyDeleteTo EA ok
ReplyDeleteFocusing on the same things when they result in failure certainly is an EA process. SNAFU The current ACT scores are a perfect example. Only 17% of those taking the test are even average.
Here are a couple of videos that may help the less learned amongst us. The first is a TED Talk. For those that may by unfamiliar, the TED conventions are held and attended by our best and brightest in the world. Leaders, CEO's etc. The second is a study and research on musicians brains. Neuroscientists can actually identify musicians simply from their brain CT's. The musicians brain is significantly more developed than the non-musicians brain. Focusing on only academics is counter productive. You are putting the kids at a significant disadvantage when you pull them out of music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUjCO59kNcg
After watching the videos, I would venture a guess that EA ok is definitely not a musician.
ReplyDeleteHere are some real facts based on Illinois Standards. East Aurora has fallen way short again on core subject profientcy. The admin in EA are screwed if they doing nothing about academics they are criticized. It is a no win. It shows not enough focus on what counts.
ReplyDeleteManage an elementary class in EA it is impossible. Kids coming and going with interventions and band. Class space is a premium and interventions are taught in the hall. The band does not meet as a full band because of class space so kids are constantly moved around. Friends who teach in 204 do not have this problem so yes I support admin trying to curtail this program if that is what they are doing but it's not happening in my building. We need to decide if we are education institution or a music center.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to know if the administrators and board are doing a good job in East Aurora, just look to the experts. The educators in East Aurora are the true experts in both education and East Aurora. How many of them send their own children to East Aurora schools? Oh that’s right, basically none of them do. Even the few who live in East Aurora find other schools for their children. Nothing is more telling about the experts opinion of East Aurora Leadership. Figure it out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-graduation-rate-st-1102-20171102-story.html
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to 19 pages of recent articles about our district:
ReplyDeletehttps://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=41475329
To: Newshound
ReplyDeleteSo... in the past couple of years the graduation rate has increased at a suspicious rate especially since student performance has NOT increased at all. (yet graduation rates are still far below state averages) These numbers still show a dropout of at least 350-400 students.
Translation... the district administration has lowered standards to push more kids through without actually preparing them to succeed.
This is such a disservice to our students. They will not find out how I’ll-prepared they are until they’ve spent a ton of money on college and then find out, they don’t have the basic skills they need to be successful there.
A few years ago it was discipline. The solution then was for administrators to come in and tell teachers to stop writing referrals. They even went so far as to lower teacher evaluations if they wrote too many referrals. Then the administration came out and said that discipline was improving. Discipline has become much worse but the paperwork looks better. This is another significant reason why students are failing the tests. It’s impossible to teach when there is no discipline. Now they are trying to hide behind SB100. Look we can’t discipline students, the state won’t let us. Even though that’s not what the state decreed. The state simply stated that IF you discipline a student, you MUST provide extra support services.
It’s more of the same in Ea. How do we play with the figures to make it look like the administrators are doing something when nothing is changing. That’s the shell game they play to keep their high priced positions. Don’t believe what you see with your own eyes, believe what we are telling you.
That has been the board / district response to many questions. Basically, all is not as it appears....who are you going to believe? Me or your lying eyes?
ReplyDeleteNewshound do you think the teachers have no responsibility in the test scores or graduation rate?
ReplyDeleteTo: Points the finger
ReplyDeleteThere is always some blame to go around but in District 131 the administration bullies, intimidates and makes all the key decisions that affect student performance. When the teachers make so few decisions, it’s hard to place much blame there.
The administration (and board) has made a conscience decision to keep the teaching staff at a very inexperienced level. They have done this through the salary schedule and working conditions. 1/3 of the staff has been in the district for three or less years. 1/2 of the teaching staff has been in District 131 for 5 years or less. That’s half the teaching staff that isn’t even tenured. And, 2/3 of the staff has been in district for 10 years or less. This becomes even more outrageous when you consider that the district administration attacked the Charter School Application for wanting to use inexperienced staff to save money.
The administration makes the decisions about the class rooms. They determine class size and composition. The teachers don’t decide to place 30, 40 or even 50+ students in certain classes. The teachers have no say whether the administrators place the honors kids in their class or the students that have no interest in education. The teachers don’t make the decisions on the curriculum or materials supplied in their classrooms. Most teachers still have to fight just to get pencils or paper to make copies.
The teachers have no control over building safety. They have no control when asbestos tiles are crumbling in their rooms, or if the roof is leaking onto the kids heads, or if there’s mold growing in their classrooms or if there is poor circulation in their rooms and students can’t possible concentrate due to high CO2 levels. They have no control when they see brown water coming out of the water taps. All these things go on in our buildings and the administration deliberately turns their heads and at times even worse, they deliberately sabotage the tests so they can get the results they want.
The teachers don’t have a say about discipline. First off it’s impossible to teach if there is not classroom control but when teachers are discouraged from writing referrals, behaviors get out of control. Try having control when the administrators send the child back to your room 5 minutes after you sent them to the office or when administrators combine ten student referrals and give the child a lunch detention. Worse is when teachers write referrals due to severe behaviors and the administration just ignores or deliberately destroys the referrals. All these things happen with all too much frequency in District 131. With the complete lack of discipline in our buildings, it’s amazing any education happens at all. I can’t tell you how many teachers I’ve seen leave this district in less than a week when they see how poorly our administrator handle discipline. They know you can’t teach if there is no discipline.
Further the discipline doesn’t stop with the kids. I’ve seen physical fights between parents or older family members many times over the years. I’ve seen parents taken out in handcuffs on multiple occasions. How often are our classes disturbed due to lock downs because of violence in the community? How many times are fire alarms pulled? How many times are students pulled out by the police? Or are pulled out of class because they need support services due to their circumstances?
We deal with overcrowded classes, lack of support, lack of control, lack of preparation for the conditions these kids come with. We teach in an environment that is completely contrary to the educational process. Ask an administrator why we can’t fix this. Their answer is usually “What do you expect? This is District 131”.
To the finger pointer. I know you were not directing your question to me, but I have to chime in. I am a parent who has participated in my children's education at home and volunteering and helping other people's children. IF...the teachers were given the tools they need to do their job effectively, then I would, without hesitation, point my finger and tell them to step it up. But when I am sitting with 2nd grade children listening to them stammering to read the most basic words. While I am helping this child in the hallway, trying to focus on their reading, in another classroom a child is throwing fits, disrupting his class and all the surrounding classrooms. On one ocassion the whole class was walked out to the hall with the disruptive child left behind until the principal could get there to escort him out.
ReplyDeleteAll of this happens because teachers hands are tied. They are not suppose to fail children. They are not supposed to suspend or expel, either, at all levels. So rather than have some help for the teacher, so they are able to give more time to all the children, not just those who have fallen extremely behind. Or rather than remove problem children, we have families opting to move or put their children in other schools.
I will not point my finger at any person who dedicates their life to working in a career that is so thankless.
Finger pointer, whatever your line of work, imagine doing it without the basic tools, supplies, employees or space to run the business.
I have seen this in 131 schools. But those problems never get as much attention as an over budget track and field or other antics in our district. In that arena fingers are pointed all around. When it comes to below average test scores and grad rates, it all slides downhill to our teachers. The people who are just following orders and doing what what they do best......giving our children everything they are able with all they have to give.
Imagine if we had manageable class sizes, with every child having the classroom tools they needed for any given class,and were instructed at their level of learning, everyday of each day they are in class....I think we would see meets and exceeds on our state report card.
Maybe you need to swing that finger around and direct it at self or elsewhere.
The reality is district 131 did not pay the correct salary for years and many good teachers left for higher paying jobs leaving many bad teachers behind. I do not begrudge
ReplyDeletethe many newer teachers who are now paid correctly. The district has stopped the flood of teachers from leaving. We are have better early learning opportunities. The district needs to do something about all the teachers that do not come to work and they need to stop professional development during the class day. We can not find enough subs and we are forced to cover two classes. The days of overcrowded classrooms seem to be behind us if colleagues would just show up.
On to displine or lack thereof. Why are we not sending more students over to extensiin campus and why is administration allowing students who get arrested for punching out a staff member back in class? That what needs to get addressed.
To: Keeps Going
ReplyDeleteWe have that brown water coming out of the faucets at Simmons. It’s absolutely gross. Most of the teachers I know bring in their own water because they know it’s not safe. The worst part is the lunch service uses that water when preparing the kids food. It became even worse last year when they started the construction at the high school because now they are using the Simmons lunch room to prepare food that is now distributed all over the district. How many kids do we send home with belly aches every day after lunch? It’s a serious safety issue that the administration turns a blind eye to. I can tell you one thing. I’ve never seen an administrator eat a school lunch. They know exactly what they are doing to our children.
Why hasn't an anonymous OSHA complaint been filed about the water?th
ReplyDeleteThe school lunches for Elementary school are not prepared in the district. The kids get at least two selections and everyone should get the same. Sodexo is responsible and it will be interesting once they test water in all schools. Testing has started at here at Johnson and our water always smells bad. The pre packaged should be served across the district. We need to watch what happens on water testing.
ReplyDeleteTo: Why so late
ReplyDeleteWhere do you think the elementary lunches are being made? The lunches are being made at the middle schools (most at Simmons) and then distributed throughout the district. Look at past board minutes. It’s all in there
They made the meals for East High at Simmons last year. This year only Simmons meals are cooked here. We never had elementary meals here. I am unaware of any brown water in the building. It proved you can not believe the blog.
ReplyDeleteTo: Simmons Sucks
ReplyDeleteIt’s too bad we can’t post pictures and video on this blog. If we could, it would be much easier to see whose lying and who’s telling the truth about things like brown water. If everyone could see the evidence, maybe something would be done about it.
If this is true the Sstaff at Simmons including maintenance, and admin should be FIRED. You should post the room number with the sink so it is documented.
ReplyDeleteTo: I've seen it with my own eyes
ReplyDeleteCall OSHA-You don't need to get sick or die to have a job. If you have admins that are doing nothing while the bio hazards are happening, they may be culpable in a lawsuit.
District brings in Interims (one of which was run one out of town already) who have done nothing. We buy 2 million dollars in curriculum and say this is the answer to the district's problem. in another 2 years we will buy another 2 million in curriculum and blame failure on the old curriculum. The district does not even know where half that new curriculum is (never inventoried in Follett). The district paid for that software over 4 years ago only to let is it on the shelf. There is no strategic for inventorying district curriculum.
ReplyDeleteDr. McDonald's answer to the security problem in the district is to keep a gym teacher in charge of the district's security (or is he the assistant athletic director). That why we buy $57,000 worth of cameras without going to public bid (after someone gets stabbed). There is no strategic plan for safety and security in the district.
Dr. McDonald has not professionalized the truancy department . He allows undertrained personnel to work without an established truancy goal. The district's truancy rate is atrocious and has gotten worse under Dr. McDonald watch. Truancy leads to many security problems in the school district, not to mention the great loss of revenue to the district. There is no meaningful truancy work being done at the high school and none at the elementary level. We need kids to come to school. There is no strategic truancy plan in place in the district.
Dr. McDonald took control of the construction project (how is that working out for the district) millions in cost overruns) There is no strategic construction plan for the district which is overseen by a district employee.
Dr. McDonald hires consultants (friends of his) then over pays them. This has happened without board approval and no one questions this. Why is there no follow-up to implement consultant's recommendations. What a waste of time and money.
This is all happening on McDonald's watch (no excuses). I hope the board meeting comments are not true that Dr. McDonald is just a place taker until the Board President's girlfriend takes over.
I like the direction the blog is going to finally, its addressing some real problems. Parents are demanding results for district administration.
I looked into the band feeder programs. It true, they are in chaos. At least half the elementary schools haven’t started band yet and we are well into the second quarter. In the past, they were playing by the end of September. The kids don’t have instruments. They don’t have their band books. It’s a complete mess. Most of the general music teachers don’t have band backgrounds. They don’t know how to teach band. This is going to destroy the middle school programs and eventually the high school.
ReplyDeleteI don’t understand. The board is spending what, $10-15 million on a new fine arts wing at the high school? Yet the administration is deliberately destroying the band feeder programs. In a few years that multimillion dollar fine arts wing is going to be sitting empty. How is this a responsible use of the communities tax dollars?
I know District 131 is dysfunctional but when it starts costing the community tens of millions in wasted spending, somebody needs to stand up and say enough is enough.
To poor management
ReplyDeleteI work in the schools and the grade level programs 1 thru 5 had nothing to teach with. The new curriculum was a good spend of money. Curriculum today is much more structured. It sounds like a dysfunctional board member who will not allow his step daughter to attend East Aurora Schools is attacking administration. Good education is happening here.
The last time the band and choir rooms had been remodeled was in th 70's. The school population was 2000 students. It is about time the expanded in remodeled.
ReplyDeleteIf marching band was an optional, extracurricular activity (as it is in EVERY OTHER district in this area), it could free up one of the high school band directors to help at the grade schools during the crucial months of September and October.
ReplyDeleteOur kids deserve a good foundation in band, just like any other subject in school. Over and over it's been proven that band kids are smart, high-achieving students.
To: Band Alum and Parent
ReplyDeleteDon’t you get it? In a few years, there won’t be extra band directors at the high school to send to the elementary schools. There may not be much of a program at all. The administrators are deliberately destroying the band program from its inception. They are aborting it before birth. They have unqualified people teaching the elementary bands. They are sabotaging the middle schools. The numbers in band and choir are way down at the Magnet due to cutting encore time. At the same time, the school board is investing millions at the high school for a fine arts wing that will be a ghost town in a few years. It’s a complete waste of tax payer dollars. Every tax payer should be outraged. I am all for supporting the arts but not for wasting tax dollars. If the plan is to build the program, spend the money but not what the district is doing now. As usual in District 131, it’s a text book example of dysfunction.
Seems to me the band alum/parent is at least suggesting a short term solution, while we do have several directors at the high school. Who knows what the future holds; let's do what we can for our kids here & now.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is for the band parents in this district to get off their collective a$$es and challenge this dysfunctional administration if they want a band program going forward. If not, it will be the same as the orchestra program in District 131 of the 1980's, RIP.
ReplyDeleteI am giving everyone the information on what the administration is up to so that the community can make informed decisions now, not wait until the program has been destroyed. If the program means nothing to you, it's easy, sit there and do nothing. If you know the benefits of having a strong band program to your children and your community, stand up and speak up. Go to board meetings. Go speak to your childrens principal. Why are the high school band boosters doing nothing?
Challenge those in authority who don't give a damn about the children and teachers of this district. They don't give a damn about this community.The only thing they give a damn about is the PARCC scores because then they can keep their overpaid positions.
WAKE UP EAST AURORA!!!
RIP is right. As usual in EA, certain individuals who were elected are doing what shines the light on themselves, which ultimately displays the dysfunction that continues. If decisions were truly made with the maximum benefits to the students education being the priority, things would look much differently. The narcissistic decisions led by a few decided they needed a big new football field, a Magnet Academy and a fine arts wing. Those are things the general public can admire and the media can put on the front page and boost the egos of those making these poor decisions. Those of us with children inside those buildings and in those programs affected, and especially those who work there, know it is facade.
ReplyDeleteIt hides the reality of what Is actually happening with the educational processes within those news story worthy walls and fences.
This is one mans opinion. We can host sporting events and show off our home but it doesn't create the atmosphere of team and pride if we don't have teams that have the time to commit to perform well. We can have a Magnet Academy and talk about how wonderful it is, but the reality is, those parents want their children out of the mainstream public education buildings. They want them in the "showplace" the district is trying to create. They are getting benefits all our districts children should be receiving. It has been discussed many times about the fine arts, particularly band. If you are not building the program from the bottom up, it will eventually crumble. They can fill it in, like the pool, and claim to be creating more classrooms that will improve the learning environment. But EA is losing programs that have brought pride to our community in the past.
EA leaders are such a laughing stock. There are not words to describe the disappointment in the choices that are being made under the guise of educating the children in 131.
In agreement
ReplyDeleteIt is people like you that continue to bring EA down. Look at the facilities of other school district. We finally have the same. You are clearly a racist scum bag.
To: Our kids deserve the same.
ReplyDeleteFYI I’m hispanic and a strong band supporter so I’m not sure where your racist scum bag comment is coming from.
I would love nothing better than to see the administrators support the band program. I have no issue with the board building a big expensive fine arts wing at the high school, if it’s used wisely. However, i am also a tax payer and I demand that our officials spend our money responsibly.
The issue is that the board is spending money like a bunch of drunk soldiers (just like they do everytime teacher contract talks are nearing) at the same time that the administration is deliberately guaranteeing that the program will fail. That is wasting our tax dollars.
It is way past time that our leaders start making decisions in the best interest of the kids. It would be amazing if the board and administration actually worked together.
It would be in the best interest of the kids for marching band to be an optional, extra-curricular activity--just as it is in EVERY OTHER district in this area!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Annette, or a supporter of hers to throw out race in a place it didn't exist. We have heard how quick she is to name call when someone has hit a sore spot with her. I believe most of our community has grown up living in diverse neighborhoods and some who haven't appreciated the diversity have moved out. Some stay and try to pretend they are part of the bordering communities.
ReplyDeleteI, also, am in agreement. I, too, say-enough of the racist crap. Get real or get lost. Don't pretend to be doing what is best for the kids.
They have sufficient schools, As long as the building can accommodate the children in a safe learning environment. What they need are all the rest of the things in those buildings to give them a quality education.
Qualified, dedicated teachers...check.
Updated books and materials in quantities enough for every student?
Policies and rules that allow for those who want to teach and those who want to learn to do so without fear or without disruption?
The fear and disruption is not just from students who do not wish to learn, but it also comes from those who are making a career of making excuses why are students are not getting what they need. And it includes those elected community reps who allow it to continue year after year
No not Annette just somebody who is glad that our kids have great facilities. The band rooms are overcrowded and not good for the kids hearing. Our kids are now able to run track at home unlike the past 7 years on the road. It is racist to believe that they do not deserve this. The other schools including West Aurora and Naperville have the same.
ReplyDeleteOur schools have plentiful books and tech devices for all students. Actually it sounds like the rants of John Laesch who by the way we have all tuned out.
Ken Darby and John Laesch will be up for election next and they claim to know about construction. I did not hear either one speak against the construction costs of the band rooms or for that matter anything else related to construction. They both work in the field and Darby has bragged to the band parents he pushed for the expansion so I will not be voting for either one.
ReplyDeleteWhere the he🏒🏒 were you when the construction projects were being discussed publicly; I’d say sitting at the table . How do you justify students stacked on each other in classroom. The old band room couldnt accomodate the band for practice . No one was swimming and certainly not in a competitive way. Are you saying the teachers are okay with the overcrowding. The maintenance crews can’t properly clean the floors due to lack of space between the desk. You could not renovate the football stands without bringing them to ADA standards which would have called for more lanes of the oft repaired track to be removed. The stadium was a shamble and embarrassing . The layers of lead paint was peeling and couldn’t accommodate individuals with disabilities. Now The stadium can certainly generate some revenue through sponsors etc... it can once again host ihsa regional and state events by bringing the track to current standards. Dr Mcdonald is not the long term answer but no one has said he is. The district had many more issues prior to the interims arrival. Annette Johnson can be accused of many things true and untrue but not caring about the students is not one of them and the last I heard they are the number one stakeholder. If you’re not already on the board then step up and out of the shadow or stifle yourself.
ReplyDeleteWhile the band room expansion perhaps addresses a need, more creative rather than selective scheduling of students might have dealt with the problem. As for the choir? There are only three choir periods scheduled, possibly four ( I don’t think so though) so expansion there was unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteAnnette Johnson needs to step up at her quote on quote best school in the area that she toots her horn about. A teacher was forced to file her own police report because she was almost poisoned with a syringe. Administration will not tell staff what was in the syringe. Two students formed a pack to do physical harm to teachers. Can you imagine if a student was injured with the needle. We have the Extension Campus and there is always Expulsion but the district has double standards and will not expel from Magnet. Ballard is back to harassing teachers by telling them they either teach or they are out.
ReplyDeleteWe know Laesch will never expel anyone but really Mr Shubert your daughter goes to this school. Do you feel your child is safe?
If is was proven that two students did something with the intention to do harm, if they do not expel them, the least they should do is NOT allow them at the Magnet School. That is a privilege to be chosen to go and they have shown they should no longer be entitled. Personally, I think they should have charges brought against them....we will see.
ReplyDeleteHow do you almost get poisoned. What kind of poison was it? You stated that ad min won’t say what kind of chemical it was. If you’re telling the truth you’d think the teacher or the police lab would name it. You are full of it with your fake stories just like Simmon sucks. Most of those fake stories are to get the principal removed. FYI Magnet is the jewel of the district but exactly what does that mean in comparison
ReplyDeleteI am so fed up with people yelling “Fake News” everytime they don’t want to believe something or it’s politically inconvenient. Facts are facts and truth is the truth whether you want to believe it or not.
ReplyDeleteIf there was a planned attack, the staff member will have to make the police report. The administration will NOT call the police. In my building, the principal stated that in no uncertain terms. They stated that after SB1 was enacted, the administration’s hands were tied. My principal stated that the central office gave this directive to building administrators. The message was clear.
Teachers and staff, you are on your own for your protection. The admin will not do it. I recommend pressing charges and demanding all information and documentation from the authorities. Don’t expect the district to have your back in any way, shape or form. They don’t give a damn about you. To them, you aren’t human, you’re inventory. And yes, I have the proof. I have an email where a high ranking central office administrator used the term “inventory” when discussing the teaching staff.
SB1 is the law for the state not just EA. I suggest if it’s really too hot then leave the profession. I don’t mean it in a malicious way. Those of us over 53 or so remember Mr Gardner getting stabbed by a student in 77ish. He was a mean man to most students.The moral of that story is treat your students with respect it may save your life.
ReplyDeleteAll news is not fake but to act as though it’s all real would be naive.At the least there’s a lot of hyperbole. I’ve read so much crap on this blog and as soon as someone says prove it you can hear crickets.
To: Elected Officials
ReplyDeleteNowhere in SB1 does the state prohibit an administrator from contacting or reporting to authorities illegal behaviors. This is an interpretation that District 131 Central Office Administrators have made. They are more concerned with the “Image” than staff safety.
SB1 has nothing to do with it. It’s all District 131 corruption.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-aurora-band-director-st-1112-20171110-story.html
ReplyDeleteAgain I say poor management. The district not having a professional district security person leaves the buildings on their own to deal with security situations when they arise. This includes training, intervention in truancy but most of all a district liaison between parents, police and administration. These security issues like the one mentioned in this blog are very time consuming and difficult for building staff to handle. They often involve multiple students from multiple buildings.
ReplyDeleteNot having a district go to person for help with these situations is a problem. That is why there is no uniformity in discipline and tactics in handling these situations. Some students get suspended while others don't, some get arrested while others don't, even though they are committing the same offense.
As far as the curriculum goes I did not say it is good or bad. I said the district does not know where it is, where it went, how much do we have in storage and where are we storing it. It was never inventoried (bad business practice) and sloppy management.
As far as the construction project goings, the design was terrible wasting variable classroom space and money for the physical looks of the building. The construction overruns falls on the shoulders of Ms. Johnson and Dr. McDonald. The numbers are the numbers they can move them or disguise them all they want. Not all of us parents are stupid and uneducated.
The article says: ..."Liska recalled that the shows were very unsophisticated compared to those of the present"
ReplyDelete~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For at least the first year that Mr. Liska was employed as EAHS band director, a second person was hired to teach the marching portion of the program. Mr. Liska had absolutely NO marching experience in either high school or college; he was essentially a desperation hire, brought in at the last minute after the previous hire backed out. I highly doubt that Mr. Liska had any point of reference to decide how sophisticated the pre-2005 marching shows were, due to his total lack of previous experience!
I DO remember several marching shows from the late 1990's. They were comparable to those performed at other schools such as West and Oswego. Shows back then had to be charted by hand, without assistance from online programs. There weren't as many gimmicks (special effects, electronic enhancement) as today's shows--but the kids played their hearts out and the SOUND filled the stadium. We were so proud to sing along with "Wave the Flag" and the National Anthem. Call me old-fashioned, but I appreciate a band that sounds good over one that just looks flashy.
And I'm very disappointed in Tom Strong for printing those negative comments about the previous band program. Mr. Strong, it's YOUR fault if that dark chapter of our district's history is discussed once again!
I’m glad the article came out. Everyone please note that there are over 300 kids in band in 2017. Watch where the numbers go over the next few years. You will see first hand what happens to a school program when the administration pulls its support. It doesn’t matter how much money you throw into the pit if / when the administration pulls the structural support. It will be all downhill from here because the only thing these administrators give a damn about is test scores.
ReplyDeleteSo there are lots of kids in the high school band program? That's great; kudos to all who helped make that happen!
ReplyDeleteAnd all the more reason to join the 21st century and make marching band OPTIONAL. Plenty of kids who would WANT to participate, fewer gaps in the formation, and kids who didn't have to choose between band and their part-time jobs.
So why is our district dragging its feet on this??
The construction projects in the district had been well underway before McDonald started. As for Me Johnson she is one board member who does not make her living at construction that would John Laesch, Ken Darby and Richard Leonard. Maybe It was the change in plans with the City of Aurora. Is Richard Irvin not a East Grad. Why did he allow the project to get stopped for weeks increasing construction cost. Let's talk about the teachers who did not want to start school after Labor Day. It is not just two individuals
ReplyDeleteTaxpayer, I could not agree more with you. I wonder why blog posters don't blame Ken Darby for the band issues. He is a member of the boosters and should advocate for the band program. I have been to many meeting and have not heard him say a word about construction or changes to elementary band.
ReplyDeleteIt seems he is more interested telling us about his travels around the district or events he attends on the district dime. That is when he is not advocating for a job for himself or a promotion for his girlfriend
The Band Boosters are a high-school-only organization as of several years ago. The feeder schools get no money or support from the Band Boosters, so why would Ken Darby or the Boosters advocate for the younger band students?
ReplyDeleteMaybe because Ken Darby is a board member. The elementry band recently grows up and goes to HS so you would think he would advocate.
ReplyDeleteThere is an unwritten rule for the District 131 administration; If there is any program in District 131 that shows success, they must go in and destroy it. They are not allowed to let our kids compete with the communities around us. Low income, minority children can't possibly be as good as the white children in upscale districts.
ReplyDeleteIn 30 years, I’ve never seen an administrator go after a teacher or coach that’s doing a mediocre or poor job for non performance. If the kids are losing all their games, the coaches job is very secure. It’s only been when coaches have winning seasons that the administration begins to interfere. As long as we are the lovable losers, the administration is content. The band program has been left alone for decades. Yet in the past few years, it’s begun to grow and show success so of course, the administration has to come in and make sweeping changes. The Magnet School last spring had a magazine article written about how they are the best school in Kane County. What was the result? The Central Office Administration felt they had to come in and completely restructure the school to better match the schools that have been consistently failing for years. In no other industry would decisions like this be allowed or accepted. Any business run this poorly would go bankrupt.
This has been the pattern for decades. We can all argue if these decisions are being made for racial reasons, or social economic reasons or a multitude or other reasons. Personally, I believe there is a degree of truth to most of these possibilities but the reasons are not what we should be discussing. What should be discussed is how to ensure this doesn’t continue as a pattern going forward. Our kids are just as capable of competing with the surrounding communities on an even playing field. They have enough challenges in their own lives, they shouldn’t have road blocks put in front of them by our administrators. Administration should be dealing with teachers and coaches that consistently fail, not driving out our best educators. We shouldn’t have a list of “Teachers of the Year” a mile long that have gone to other districts.
It’s unfortunate that administration appears to consistently work against our children. There are so many dedicated teachers and staff that believe in our children. Our kids can accomplish such great things if the system wasn’t working so hard against them. Imagine if the administration supported the staff and kids when a program gained footing and was showing success, instead of fighting against them. Imagine if the administration showed leadership to ensure that all our programs had the best chance of success. Imagine if we had a school board that demanded that administrators support successful programs. Imagine if we had a school board that fired administrators that destroy successful programs.
One thing is clear. We have time and time again seen evidence that our kids can, under the right circumstances be very successful. We have had teachers and coaches prove that our kids are just as awesome as those in the surrounding communities. It’s always been our leaders that interfere with that success. It’s time to write new rules.
New rules put it quite nicely and honestly. I have been in the district for sometime. I have seen this self destruction. They cried lack of parent involvement was a problem in our district. Yet when parents try to be more involved at some of the schools, they are discouraged or never called upon.
ReplyDeleteNew rules would be a step in a better direction. Until we elect board members who know what their purpose is, we will not see change.
In 2013 District 204 eliminated elementary band, starting students in sixth grade instead of fifth. There was vigorous discussion at School Board meetings, with two board members and several parents and students speaking out in favor of the elementary band program. One School Board member (the parent of a high school band student) said they were concerned that starting in sixth grade gave an unfair advantage to those families who are able to afford private lessons (and that's in a district where most parents earn sufficient income to be able to pay $15-&20/week for lessons; most families in D131 have more limited financial resources). The superintendent at the time, Kathryn Birkett ("Serial Bully" Radakovich's ex-wife) said the following:
ReplyDelete"Since the changes do not affect the instrumental music curriculum itself, just the model of instruction and when it will begin, Superintendent Kathy Birkett said they are moving forward as an administrative decision without a board vote."
The parents, students, and School Board members who lobbied to keep the program were shut down and overruled by an "administrative decision". A very sad day for band families in D204!
Call me cynical, but how do we know the same thing wouldn't happen in our district? And if it did, our kids would be deprived of learning a life-long skill and source of satisfaction at an ideal point in their mental, physical, and social development. Yes, they COULD start in sixth grade...but without access to private lessons they would be behind their classmates if they moved (as many of our families do) to the west side of town or nearby districts.
I know Tom Strong, and I was very disappointed in the article he wrote for the Beacon. Yes, it's a good thing that there are 300 students in band at the high school. The ONE PERSON Tom chose to interview (Brian Liska) was gracious enough to give credit to his two full-time assistants, as well as mention the middle schools who send band students to the high school. But those kids started band in fifth grade, in our (or another) elementary band program. Tom could and should have interviewed (or at least mentioned) our elementary band teachers, who introduced those high school band musicians to their instruments and taught them the fundamentals.
I am very concerned that certain administrators in our district do not recognize the value of our feeder school band programs to the success of the high school program. Money is spent freely for high school building, high school uniforms, high school assistant directors. Meanwhile the elementary and middle school programs are short-staffed and underfunded. Our younger band students NEED and DESERVE encouragement, recognition...and financial support!
Let’s start here; SB 1 is a school funding bill. SB 100 has to do with long/ short term exclusion of students from school. If you’re going to pretend to know something please get it right . Someone said they get tired of folks bringing up fake news while quoting SB1, duhhhh. Excuse me for questioning the BOE goals for the band. The BOE purchased new instruments, new uniforms and created additional storage for those uniforms. The BOE now has created the proper space needed to accommodate a growing band but some clowns says the boe is out to destroy the band; #fakenews. The instruments and uniforms was 2011-13 under a different board but same President; AJ. I guess haters gonna hate that what you do best and when that doesn’t work you just create a Fake narrative
ReplyDeleteI hope that aurora starts to make changes around here or else people are going to get fed up.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to 16 pages of recent articles about our district:
ReplyDeletehttps://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=41559786
How can 131 have interim superintendents for two years, and then have Hatchett claim the board needs to assess priorities before a permanent superintendent search and hire? Shouldn't that have been a discussion for the past 2 years? The residents of 131 should be appalled at the lack of foresight from their board of education, but nobody bats an eye.
ReplyDeleteHatchett is part of the NE part of town and are the voters who have elected these people to the board to do their bidding.
ReplyDeleteTheir only interest is to keeping their retirement home property taxes from going up. They have no children in the schools, and have no concern for ours. Not a lot a resident can do once a board member is elected. We are stuck til next election.
Without a real supt. Who do you think has been calling the shots?
Did Hatchett not read the responsibilities of the Board of ED? The most important job they have is to hire a Superintendent. What qualifications does anyone on the board have that deals with the IL School Code? Curious of your board is right that said The residents of 131 should be appalled at the lack of foresight from their board of education, but nobody bats an eye.
ReplyDeleteThis District will never get better until we have a Board that follows the IL School Code and not think a board President now more than that code.
Kimberly Hatchett was put in charge of organizing the search committee for the new superintendent as acknowledged and confirmed at the July 5 2016 board meeting.
ReplyDeleteIn fact the approved minutes show the following quote "Mr. John Laesch thanked the two interim superintendents for their work. He also thanked Ms. Kimberly Hatchett for organizing the interim superintendent search process.". (which she never completed). I think Hatchett is still waiting for Annette to tell her who can be on the search committee because she has done nothing in organizing that search committee.
Hatchett and Annette need to assess who is being elected to the board next election before a permanent superintendent search is made and someone is hired.
Oh by the way, this is the board meeting where the construction bids were approved and
Dr. McDonald was interim superintendant at the time.
Saw this on the agenda for next Monday's board meeting:
ReplyDelete5. Motion to Approve the Wind Symphony Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School
6. Motion to Approve the Wind Ensemble Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School
7. Motion to Approve the Symphonic Winds Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School
8. Motion to Approve the Symphonic Band Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School
9. Motion to Approve the Percussion Techniques Non-PE Course Proposal for East High School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is this a desperate attempt to keep kids in the band program?
And why should just the band students get a PE waiver? Why not the choir kids too??
I'm a singer, and I can vouch for the fact that singing is every bit (if not more) of a physical workout as playing an instrument. First of all, instrumentalists (except percussion) sit as they perform, while singers stand. Choral singers do stretching and breathing exercises before they vocalize (usually in a standing position), while instrumentalists sit and play scales. Yes, band musicians have to hold their (sometimes heavy) instruments while they play; but choristers hold their folders and turn pages as they sing. Both singers and instrumentalists learn to breathe deeply and use their air supply efficiently. Both band and choir musicians must learn to cooperate and work together as a team. Yet ONLY band students are deemed worthy of a PE waiver??
That's just plain discriminatory and WRONG.
"A desperate attempt" What does that even mean? Yeah, the band sure does seem to be struggling. You are obviously clueless about everything and you write like the person who has been complaining this entire school year about:
ReplyDelete1) Marching band should be voluntary like EVERY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE AREA
2) The marching band is playing along to recorded music
3) Marching band should be voluntary (oh wait, I already said that one, but you posted it so many times, at EVERY SINGLE MOMENT YOU COULD)
What do you think "Non-PE" means. If you would have actually clicked on the link you would have seen that these courses are allowing students to be in band but NOT marching band. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ALL YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wait, are you serious. Yeah, marching band is going voluntary!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not to mention, the band wasn't playing to recorded music at all this past season. You mysteriously stopped posting after the video CLEARLY showing keyboard players appeared. You never said, oh, I guess I was wrong, there WERE TWO KEYBOARD PLAYERS IN THE MARCHING BAND.
You really need to stop posting. You don't have a clue and you obviously can't use the internet properly to find out the answers.
To Proposed PE waivers: I agree that it is wrong. I don't think ANY of them should get PE waivers. But the reasoning for marching band having them was that they were moving around in formation while playing, which does increase the physical effort.
ReplyDeleteI agree that choir involves physical exertion, but so do other activities like drama and art (painting on a canvas or throwing a pot on a wheel use lots of muscles!). So shouldn't those students get PE waivers too?
ReplyDeleteWell now we know that the person complaining about the marching band for the past year on the blog was Annette Johnson. The board doesn’t respond to the community and certainly not an individual even when they speak before the board. The only way the board would move from an anonymous complaint on a blog is if Annette was the anonymous complainer. District 131 SNAFU
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt that Annette was the one who started the complaining about mandatory marching. Looking back over the past couple of threads it seemed to be started by a grandparent upset that her one grandchild is in band at West and has a job, but her other grandchild at East had to choose between band and his job. Then more parents and alums mentioned that no other districts around here require marching. At some point people must have expressed their concern to administration, who put the wheels in motion to make marching optional.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion to those who want choir students to get PE waivers is to do what that grandparent did: start a discussion and then speak to live people who can get stuff done.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-victims-of-violence-st-1119-20171117-story.html
ReplyDeleteAnnette is not the BOE member that is involved with band that would be Ken Darby. If Ken was not so busy patting himself on the back maybe he could help the band.
ReplyDeleteThe stories of Annette and not supporting elementary band person are a lie. I called Annette after many calls that went unanswered at the McKnight Center. I also emailed board members who never answered and she was the only one that helped. The summer tradition was in danger of being cancelled. The summer days went by and with a few days to go the summer camp problem was solved. If not for her younger kids would have had nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe following year my child did not receive information from her school about summer camps for art, music and sports. Again I called Annette and it was solved. I support her now because I was one who drank the Kristen Strand kool aid and if we ever had a school board member that was for herself that Ms Strand.
I will always say be careful about what you believe and investigate yourself. My other daughter is working towards a marching band scholarship and can not wait to use the much needed band rooms after overcrowded conditions and two years in the mud behind the school. Its about time.
Hopefully East Aurora will move on from Kurt Becker. The article tonight says it all. He duped the Board into spending $11,000 while he was raising the money for the statue. Sounds like he should repay the district and if not get fired. They need to look at his losing record and his verbal abuse of students.
ReplyDeleteMacDonald's response, "Just move on". WOW! C'mon Annette - where's your public outcry? You can't believe this is an acceptable response for the leader of a school district with the low-income demographics of East Aurora? I'd bet a large portion of the community pays less than $11,000 for their housing for a year. The Stone Gate Gang should be outraged - this is about the cost of their property taxes. What was the total cost if $11,000 was the down payment? Time to get Ralph on the case. As for Becker, this isn't the first time his 'fundraising' hasn't panned out. I agree with Old Timer - time to cut ties with Becker.
ReplyDeleteScripted by Annette Johnson. Sounds very similar to the UCLA athletes thanking Trump. Because they were prompted.
ReplyDeletehttps://vimeo.com/243704202
These children did not know what a school board was, even after being told what it was they still did not understand. Then they are directed to thank the board. It is all very cute, and well put together.
Funny thing is that, it probably truly reflects the real community view. They don't really know who or what the board is or what the real function of the board is. Yet, if they are being told the board wants to do things to make the school better.....ok...here is the unrealistic things we would like.........and thank you!
More district money and time wasted on patting themselves on the back.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-buildings-and-grounds-st-1122-20171122-story.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-thankful-student-st-1123-20171122-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-tomcat-statue-update-st-1122-20171121-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-buses-st-1122-20171122-story.html
ReplyDeleteThe blame needs to go were it belongs. Ken Darby is head of the building committee. He voted for the Tomcat Statue but is now in the paper telling us he is saving money. Why did he not look into to how it was getting paid or what the statue would look like?
ReplyDeleteThen there is the band issue were Ken serves on the boosters but does nothing to look into why Marching band is a mess.
Wow, it sounds like he is to busy and entertaining himself on the district dime. I wonder who much his trip to Chicago cost and why was he entertaining his girlfriend on the district dime?
The EA Alumni wanted our old Tomcat statue, which sat in front of the high school for years to be displayed at the new stadium. I know the statue was saved and was going to be reused for that historical purpose
ReplyDelete.
The $11,000 was lost because the new design l (that looked like the Picasso and not our Tomcat) was already in production when the board realized it looked like the Picasso. Dr. McDonald again not knowing anything about EA history approved the Picasso Tomcat design (remember he said he was in charge of the construction project). The board then did not like the design (to late after it was approved and in production). A new design was commissioned for the statue driving the cost up well over $20,000 (what a waste of money).
As far as Becker goes he never reimbursed the district for the fireworks ($4,500) and other expenses for the stadium closing ceremony. He promised the event costs would be paid by donations (lie). Who approved the fireworks invoice? It should show the district paid the bill and was never reimbursed.
Dr. McDonald said to " just move on " because in Downers Grove $25,000 out of the district's pocket is nothing. Yes, Dr. McDonald it's small potatoes considering the millions in cost overruns you allowed to go unchecked in the construction project. There is someone out there that knows the truth behind these back door deals made by Annette and carried out by Dr. McDonald. I hope that someone comes forward give the information to press for an investigation can get started (Patron is Annette's attack dog is misinformation) .
Now that the construction project is narrowing down the district wants to hire a construction manager (a little late for that). The district is now figuring out that Dr. McDonald has no idea how to manage a construction project. Where is the rest of the Board?
Somebody should do some research before writing lies. Although anyone who would steals from band children at Cowherd is not a creditable source. In reviewing the comments from the May 3rd 2017 Becker presented plans for a statue and ask the board for a advance of $11,000. He was to fund raise for the rest. The entire board voted for this not Dr McDonald. I guess they are guilty of trust.
ReplyDeleteBecker makes a lot of promises and never comes through this pattern repeats itself. Years back parents had to bail the Holy Angel Football program out after he overpriced a custom water program sold through his business and told them he would market it. Think about this if you can steal from a church what do you expect. The board needs to cut ties let's see if they will.
Direct quote from the approved minutes for the November 6th 2017 School Board meeting:
ReplyDelete"...the East Aurora band held its first concert of the year two weeks ago. It was
held on October 26th, and it was the first concert in history that has been held before December"
THIS IS A BLATANT LIE.
It is also an example of "fake news" being published without being fact-checked.
"The first concert in history" that was held before December? Really?? In the whole history of the EAHS band program, which started around 1918? WHO did the research on this statement? Maybe it was Tom Strong, the lazy "journalist" who wrote the recent Beacon article praising the band program without bothering to interview anyone other than one director!
I cannot speak for EAHS band history before 1995 or so, but my kids were in the band from 1997-2003. I have FOUR programs from 4 fall band concerts, as follows:
FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 25, 1998 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium
FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 24, 1999 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium
FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 22, 2000 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium
FALL CONCERT Sunday, October 14, 2001 3:00 p.m. East High Alumni Hall Auditorium
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Proof positive that this year was NOT the first concert held before December.
Certain people may PRETEND that the current band program is better than the previous one, but at least the previous program's leadership didn't LIE about their accomplishments.
How very disappointing for our alumni, students, and community!
You really need to calm down. You are quoting the student board member report, since you forgot to mention that part. And to a high school student the history of everything they know is about 10 years. Kids often exaggerate things and say wrong information.
ReplyDeleteI hope one day you can find peace.
What program leadership is lying?
ReplyDeleteYou are quoting the student school board member. You are such a sensationalist.
You can't say anything positive and exaggerate the negative.
Hmmmm, I wonder if you are the same person who stated as a fact that the marching band this year has no keyboard players and was using recorded music.
ReplyDeleteThat was proven to be a LIE that you never acknowledged. How dissapointing for our alumni, students and community.
No, I am not the person who said there were no keyboard players in the marching band. I am the person who posted the link that showed the keyboards during the marching show. You’re welcome;)
ReplyDeleteNice try to you. You are the person trying to connect comments too anybody but the person who said them.
ReplyDeleteI was quoting the approved school board minutes. That statement by a student school board member was approved and published by the district. It was NOT FACTUAL, and should be corrected or deleted if our district has any integrity or respect for the truth!
ReplyDeleteYou were quoting the student school board member. You can spin it any way you want.
ReplyDeleteI must be arguing with the blog administrator.
I was, indeed, quoting a student school board member’s public comment. Which was approved by the district and published as part of the official minutes for the meeting.
ReplyDeleteAnd the approved, published comment was proven to be false. A lie. Untrue.
Spin it however you want; it’s still wrong.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-superintendent-search-st-1130-20171129-story.html
ReplyDeleteThe student board member who made the statement "it was the first concert in history that has been held before December" was Sebastian Chiu. Young Mr. Chiu is not in the EAHS band program, and his biography on the district's website does not mention his ever participating in band.
ReplyDeleteSo why did he make that (inaccurate) public statement? Did he simply make it up out of thin air because he thought it sounded impressive? Considering his intelligence (he's an honor student who speaks three languages), I doubt it. Maybe he interviewed one of the EAHS band directors; maybe one of his classmates who plays in the band told him it was the first fall concert in the district's history. Maybe Clayton Muhammad told him to say it (Mr. Chiu is a proud member of Boys II Men, and Mr. Muhammad has a long history of blowing up and spinning our district's events).
When public comments are made at a board meeting, the central office approves them and
publishes them as "Approved Minutes". So while the inaccurate claim may have been initially made by a student, it was reviewed and APPROVED by adults.
I like to think I'm a reasonable person, so here's what I plan to do:
If and when the false claim that the October 26, 2017 band concert was "the first concert in history that has been held before December" is edited, deleted, or corrected in the approved minutes from the November 6 School Board meeting, I will immediately ask the blog administrator to remove this discussion from this thread.
I will check the district website periodically to see whether the central office does the right thing and corrects the mistake. The truth IS important, and our community deserves better than "EA-OK".
WOW, How did Clayton get into this debate. It is a student comments and not even something the BOE votes on. Mrs Kaisershot really do you not have anything better to do or Ms Carlson but attack a student?
ReplyDeleteOn what planet does pointing out and correcting a false statement equal “attacking” someone? I just read “Band history”s comment again and didn’t see any insults towards a student. If anything it seems like they just want the incorrect statement edited out of the minutes. They’re not even asking for an apology, just a correction.
ReplyDeleteAnd like it or not, Clayton Muhammad remains a significant influence upon many of our district’s young people. He is also still connected to the district through the AEEF.
And as far as who is posting, I guess if you can’t dispute the message you go after the messenger. THAT is sick!
Wow
ReplyDeleteAttacking a child for speaking about his band program. Mrs Kaisershot and Rayanne Carlson are haters and have no place in this community.
Attacking?? What are you reading, where you see anyone attacked?
ReplyDeleteAnd what band program is the “child” (actually a high school senior) supposedly speaking about? Some program that never had a concert before December in its history before now. That wouldn’t be EAHS!
Mr./Mrs. Liska, defensive much??
"I don't think this is wasted time," she said. "If we spend the rest of this year aligning ourselves and making sure that we are prepared for a new superintendent, that's a good thing to me."
ReplyDeleteThe article in the Beacon went on to say-Board members are expecting to discuss the superintendent search process at a meeting Monday.
REALLY?! Wasting time is what they have done best, followed by wasting money! You have spent several years preparing...since you hired the last superintendent. How many meetings are required to discuss searches and goals, etc. A few people on this board should be experts at this, as many times as they have "aligned" themselves over a few short years.
EA will not be able to find a capable candidate until the people doing the hiring change. Surveys and search firms are a major waste of time and money.
Spending money for advice and then not taking that advice because a couple of Board members think they know better than the paid experts, is what happens. Be honest in your search BOE. Be sure to mention in your job description- candidate must be willing to kowtow to the BOE president.
As a staff member I have seen great things happening in our district the last couple of years. I know the haters on this blog will attack my statements. After all we attack everybody. The recent attack of a student tells it all. I am thankful to anyone who serves on our board at one time or another they all get attacked. The same goes for the administration and don't think this blog does not drive them away as well. The district has direction and good leadership. If you have ever had dealings with Steve Megazzini you would know that he is a fair and caring man. Hire him and be done with it. He has the backing of many.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Steve Megazzini would be a good choice. He appears to have integrity and is definitely qualified!
ReplyDeleteBut I’m confused about your mention of a student being attacked. Looking back over this thread I only see a high school student board member’s public statement corrected. And that student is referred to as intelligent in one comment as well. Did I miss something, where was this attack you refer to?
The BOE should hire Megazzini he has restored confidence in the HR department. I have worked with him on issues related to Waldo and have never felt the retaliation of the Glotzbach days. A Sup greatest skill is communication and Steve is a great choice. It is time the BOE stop wasting money on a search and just name him.
ReplyDeleteDate: Dec 1 2017
ReplyDeleteSubject: Consultants "Pippens"
Timeline: Jan 1 2016 - Nov 30 2017
Dates: of all seminars, presentations
Minutes/summary
Location
Attendance ( to include those attending)
Billing invoice submitted
thank you
FOIA REQUEST
ReplyDeleteDate: Dec 1 2017
Subject: Consultants "Pippens"
Timeline: as specified
July 1 2016 - Nov 30 2017
ELOG between Marion Hoyda and Pippens
June 1 2017 - Nov 30 2017
Emails to/from Mark McDonald, Steve Megazzini, Beatrice Reyes Childress, Lori Campbell, and Heather Kincaid
Thank you
Ralph
Good news to hear that after the Tomcat Statue debacle the district parted ways with Becker.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-kurt-becker-east-aurora-resign-st-1203-20171201-story.html
ReplyDeleteSaw these listed under proposed courses for school year 2018-2019:
ReplyDeleteWind Symphony Non-PE
Wind Ensemble Non-PE
Symphonic Winds Non-PE
Symphonic Band Non-PE
Percussion Techniques Non-PE
According to the proposal the courses "are being created to students can choose to be in band, but not have to participate in the marching band"
This is definitely a step in the right direction and a decision in students' best interests. Kudos to the students, directors, School Board, administrators, parents, and boosters who helped make this happen.
It's been a while since I've visited this site I see the same hate and finger pointing is still going on SMH
ReplyDeleteSometimes hate and finger pointing are in the eye of the beholder. Please be specific: what in this thread is hateful?
DeleteLet's give credit to helping fix the band program to the right persons.
ReplyDeleteKeene, and Kosek proposed the changes. To the board we have stability, please no changes. The district is improving in small ways and are slowly getting better. I hope they can work on the students that walk with no purpose that is the biggest problem (to many students cursing and acting disrespectful-).
Great article on how a school district turned itself around and became very successful. Of course they enacted policies that are completely contrary to what District 131 board and administration do. For twenty years we’ve cut fine arts and encore and have watched test scores fall.
ReplyDeletehttps://ideapod.com/derelict-school-becomes-national-leader-making-making-surprising-subject-compulsory/
Somebody should be looking into the significant increase in suicide attempts at the Magnet School this year. It’s interesting that each time the district cuts extra-curricular classes (or in other words the children’s social emotional outlets) there is an increase in social emotional distress for students, not to mention an increase in dropout rates. If a child commits suicide because of the decisions being made by the board and administration, the board and administration should be held criminally liable. They are very aware of what they are doing to these children but the only thing they give a damn about is test scores.
ReplyDeleteMusic is the key is an argument that has been brought before EA boards several times. They want our children to learn to think outside the box. They change programs every few years claiming it is needed and will take a couple years to see it make a difference. Little to no change and a few years later the same song and dance. Hey, there's a thought, go outside the box and put song and dance in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteFor every job that must be done, there is an element of fun......
Is the board responsible for their grades,, clothes, grooming, coming to school hungry friends, likes / dislike on Facebook . Is the boss responsible for their family dynamic, fathers in jail, parent deported, The family is responsible for their child’s social emotion condition. Families are raising up over protected , weak minded , entitled kids. Take responsibility for your child and stop blaming others. It’s not the A hole President (45), it’s not rap music, it’s not video games, it’s not the school yard bully. Kids were teased etc... all the time in my generation and they didn’t commit suicide. Now morons have said don’t yell, don’t tease, don’t spank, don’t fight , don’t don’t don’t and then want to blame others for the frailty and lack of coping skills. Obviously this is just is my AHole opinion hopefully you’re not too frail to agree to disagree and go kill yourself
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the performance of our students last night but what I did not enjoy was the performance of John Laesch. Sitting in protest while the National Anthem was played was a attention grapper and nothing more. I am happy Mr Jackson recorded his antics so anyone who even thinks they would ever vote for this spectacle of a person again will not.
ReplyDeleteThe suicide attempts happened last year at Magnet as well. Magnet has many problems because students are placed in programs they do not qualify for. I think the district has started to peel back the onion layers at Magnet but they still have a ways to go. Roley was sweeping problems under the rug.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-superintendent-search-st-1207-20171206-story.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-attendance-construction-st-1207-20171206-story.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-crosby-east-becker-st-1210-20171208-column.html
ReplyDeleteCan anyone fill me in as to why Anthony Crespo was let go? I have read the articles on the School Board silence. I work with him at MHS and have concerns with his student contact. He is constantly hanging around and photographing female students in the PE area. Some of us find it creepy. Some of his conversation with Latino females also leads to question? We can't prove anything because students are inpresable at that age but we have concerns. Some of the blog posts also point to the same patterns.
ReplyDeleteDr. McDonald has proved himself to be a liar (again) It was common knowledge around the McKnight Service Center that Dr. McDonald's intention was to not renew Coach Becker 's contact. Dr. McDonald told the Athletic Director to inform Coach Becker at his evaluation that his contract was not going be renewed. It was Dr. McDonald and Steve Megazzini opinion's that there was no point in firing Becker with the end of the football season being around the corner.
ReplyDeleteDr. McDonald and Annette used Becker to be the fall guy with the cost overruns plaguing the construction project. Dr. McDonald was to be responsible for overseeing the district construction project after he removed the Director of Buildings and Grounds, leaving the district with no one with construction experience to oversee the project for the district. Coach Becker stepped up using his limited expertise in construction to try to fill that void.
Dr. McDonald and the School board (most of whom have no idea what's going on behind the scenes) showed their what have you done for me lately attitude with Becker. Coach Becker is a great person who cares about the kids. The district will have to find another source of funds for the millions of dollars needed for the construction debacle. Coach Becker's Job was football coach full time fundraiser. When he told Annette he could not fundraise full time, Annette gave the order to McDonald to whack Becker. Citizens of Aurora get ready, taxes are going up you watch.
Thank you Coach for all you have done for the kids, and the community. Don't let Dr. McDonald and the Board call you a liar (behind your back) and give you a plaque to your face. Let the community know the truth.
The District employee is a liar. BECKER TOLD Marina he was not coming back. Many of us attended construction meeting at the HS and Becker was never in charge of the construction project. The project was never over budget. The City of Aurora had issues with the water retention. The delays that occurred are a result of that.
ReplyDeleteBecker wants to work with the City. It seems School Board member Barierro does not want him. The Board member he refers to is Barierro.
When are all those Accident victims going to get together and file a class action lawsuit? Employees have been being thrown under the bus since Barriero was last on the board. When it comes to light the board has made another extremely poor decision.......boom! Another one bites the dust.
ReplyDeleteSorry folks not Barrierro just the rants of John Laesch. When any employee leaves he blames it on Dr McDonald and calls him a liar or blames Johnson. I have known John for years he hates himself, his county and anyone he views as more successful than he. He is extremely charming and acts like he cares but it all a show.
ReplyDeleteBlame?? When anything goes wrong the fingers get pointed all around the district. Fact is the stuff starts at the top and gets rolled downhill. Maybe Laesch is trying to push it back. I don't know him, but I know that stuff was hitting the fan long before he got on the board. I have read that people who claim to attend meetings say he is not even there, so how can he be blamed when he is a no show. Ya can't have it both ways people.
ReplyDeleteI read the Tribune article concerning Coach Becker.
ReplyDeleteThe first paragraph says :
" When Kurt Becker walked in to the athletic director's office for his annual review on Dec. 1, he knew there would be a good chance he'd not leave that Friday meeting as head coach of East Aurora High School's football team"
That does not seem like a person who is leaving voluntarily, or did the Tribune miss quote Coach Becker? It seems the standard response from people like "to tell the truth" is to change the subject and attack John Laesch or some other board member who is not aligned with board President Johnson.
I am also concerned as a read up and down the blog and talking to other parents that Dr. McDonald seems to a hot head and makes knee jerk reactions and is a bully when people tell the truth (or speak out). It appears the truth is Dr. McDonald is the Board President Johnson's henchman with a willful disregard for the employees of the district. The school district has lost its way and has to stop this vigilante attitude.
It's disheartening that the hate rhetoric of the Board President and her henchmen Dr. McDonald overshadow the true purpose of their positions. Coach Becker holds is chest out and head up high with this quote in the Tribune article .
"We may not have had the victories on the scoreboard, but what we accomplished is big … including the fact 98 percent of our varsity players have gone on to college.
I now speak to the School Board, this interim superintendent business has to stop and has to stop now. No one should be forced to leave their position because they did not meet the fundraising expectations of Dr.McDonald.
The Tribune needs to do an in depth analysis of the construction project. There has to be employees or other people who know the truth. Whether or not they are willing to talk to the press is another question.
I work with Tomcat Youth Tackle and the TRUTH Kurt talked about resigning all year. He was upset when they pulled the plug on the veterans part of the stadium. He also argued with sports boosters. Darby backed the boosters up not Johnson. As is stated in the paper Johnson praised Kurt. I know Kurt respects Johnson. When one of our own died this year Johnson helped us get counselors and checked on the family. The haters on this blog are destroying our district and making up stories.
ReplyDeleteWe heard what Laesch did and he should stop bashing Kurt.
Please tell us why the District has not gotten any money from Sports Booster in 5 years and why are they giving Frankie Zapata a loan so he can host private tournaments at East? The money from the tournaments goes to Zapatas group. Our Youth tackle group only has EA students and we clean up our space. Zapeta always insists on having a EA janitor.
ReplyDeleteBecker did have a point when he wanted them removed but Darby rallied Barierro and Melaker to stop Becker from outsourcing the food area. McDonald defended them and should have made them turn in the money. Ben Williams now joined their group and authorized the loan not even asking what schools the kids come from. Darby and Barierro took a oath to protect school resources and they violated that. They should remove themselves from directing McDonald. Melaker profited off EA before and should not be in any superintendents ear.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-hanover-research-st-1213-20171212-story.html
ReplyDeleteI work for the district and I feel Annette tries to make the best decisions she can based on the information she has. She is a hard worker and tries to do the best for the district. Although emotional at times she is a good hearted person.
ReplyDeleteDr. McDonald who I have to admit is an intimidating force and is not very personable gets his information from , well I don't know where he gets information from sometimes. Dr. McDonald is not a liar, he is miss informed by the people surrounding him giving him information, or should I say not giving him the information he needs. They are scared of him or for their jobs or whatever. Therefore when they have information they do not come forward they stay silent. Now that Steve Megazzini has been promoted things here at the service center are getting better. We now have some we can collaborate with. Steve is approachable and a good listener. Dr. McDonald has a Dr. Hojda style of management which is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteThe district appears to be ready to waste another $42,000 for a consultant. Let's put that with the Pat Stapleton consultant's fees of $35,000 (Dr. McDonald's friend), Pippins consultant fees (god only knows how much that cost the district), the mascot snafu, construction lack of oversight (now we are stuck with cost overruns) , Magnet schedule nightmare (we had to pay teachers overtime to fix that mess) and now the cost of this search firm to find a new superintendent.
We pay Dr. McDonald and his administrators millions of dollars a year to administrate this district. The only department that seems to have it together is the business office. Now we come to find out that administrators are afraid of Dr. McDonald and are afraid to talk to him for fear of retaliation.
A perfect example of no communication is, it took a November 5, 2017 blog posting from Poor Management to tell Dr. McDonald and the school board they needed a professional district wide position for safety and security, and this person needed to be at the district level. Really come on people!!! You had an assistant athletic director handling safety , culture and climate. That seemed normal to Dr. McDonald. It told a blog posting to get the district moving on this issue?
I wonder what the district level administrators talk about in the executive cabinet? Apparently they say nothing out of fear of reprisal. There seems to be a complete lack of communication going on at the Service Center. With district administrators being housed all over the district, communication is key. It is UNFORTUNATE that Dr. McDonald is not approachable. This type of leadership is not effective in today's business marketplace. With union negotiations around the corner this lack of communication with the administration team will cost the district millions not to mention the bad blood with staff.
A new superintendent will come in and it will take that person over a year just to get acclimated to a school district this size. The district has the opportunity to have a respected member of the administration take over as full time superintendent. Yes, Steve Megazzini can lead the district through negotiations (he helped negotiate the present teacher's contract). Let's right now r running with a person we can trust and who knows the district (will its good points and faults) and a labor agreement in place. Restore district administration collaboration with each other and all stakeholders of the district. Lets not start another year with I don't know I was here when that decision was made. Stop wasting money on interims who can care less and consultants who are just getting paid. Lets not waste another two years waiting to see if the board made another mistake.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-west-side-east-aurora-superintendent-st-1213-20171213-story.html
ReplyDeleteWe need to stop wasting time and appoint Meggazini if he is in the running. He has restored HR and does not retaliate. It is better to know what you have than start over. It should not be the boards decision alone after all we have to work with him.
ReplyDeleteChildress is not approachable but would also be better than anything from the outside. We are not feeling another experiment or changes.
To: Another View
ReplyDeleteBeatrice is not superintendent material. Just look at the way the Magnet debacle was handled. She and her motley crew made a mess of the whole thing. She deliberately kept the board and superintendents out of the process. Not to mention the union and community. If you want the district to go down the drain even farther than it has been, put her in charge and see how quickly it all falls apart. She resigned at the beginning of the year but Annette got her to come back. Of course she did it because she knows she can control Beatrice.
Regrettfully, it is the Boards decision alone to hire a superintendent. That is the one employee they hire and oversee. Once hired, they are supposed to let him/ her do his job, per the contract they write, stipulating their expectations. The board tries to put on a good show and invites input from community and staff, but we know there is at least one board member that likes to run the show, no matter what opinion and input is shared. Sadly, most of the other members follow the pied piper to the demise of our students education and the decline in the morale of the staff. We have had change of supt. every few years since this board president has been allowed to preside. Look at the past history of how long supt. normally stayed in position. Some people would like you to believe "the blog" makes candidates turn away. Others try to blame our districts demographics. D131 has good families, great teachers, excellent opportunities through support of local businesses and grants because of the demographics. One thing we have that many other districts don't have is a dysfunctional school board. A board president that tries to be the savior and dictator of 131 and has more faces than a mask factory.
ReplyDeleteThis board thinks the busier it appears, that reflects effeicient, competent business choices. When all it has shown is much wasted time and a group chasing its tail with little new accomplishments.
Hire a supt. BOE! How much worse can your choice be than all the others you have made in the past? Save your money, time and pick one from the 131 family, if a qualified candidate is available.
The District is in better shape today than in the past and financially we are not cutting major programs like West Aurora, Oswego and Indian Prairie. East Aurora does not have a dysfunctional Board just dysfunctional superintendents who by the time they came to EA they wanted to build big pensions and retire. Let's not even talk about the Poop fiasco.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is Beatrice has done well with early learning and technology. Magazzini has made HR a trusted group after the days of hell with Glotzbach.
The comments on the Magnet School are false the students education and emotional needs were not getting addressed. The teachers had it easy teaching half what others teachers in the district were required to do.
My advice to the BOE don't screw it up
EA is better and does NOT have a dysfunctional board!?! They are the ones who have been hiring those "dysfunctional superintendents!" They hired Popp and the rest. I do agree about Beatrice, the Magnet School and your advice to BOE. Their track record is not encouraging. They spend money on head hunters to accomplish nothing. It is what they were elected to do, hire a supt. Use your lawyer to draft a contract and get it done.Their ONE main purpose and they can't get it right. Year after year after year. No more excuses.
ReplyDeleteI agree with "Another view " the School Board needs to stop this political non-sense (how embarrassing was Alex Arroyo)? I am a Latino parent who is not political and I was born in this country ( proud to be an American) . I have three children attaining East Aurora Schools this year. Alex Arroyo made the community and the school district look ignorant. His patronizing the community because not all of the parents in the community can speak English and that's is shameful. Does he think we are stupid? Just because some of us don't speak English does not make us stupid? I am saddened by his stereotypical attitude he has for our community .We don't need a politician like Alex Arroyo to tell us what's the best road for the our children's education is. School Board please don't think all of us are imbeciles. We live and die and pay taxes like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI am a CPA (yes EA teachers you gave me a great education) and pay taxes in the district. It does not seem we have had stability in the Superintendent's office since my children have attended school here. Superintendent's have come and gone for whatever reason and this has to stop. We need appoint Steve Megazzini (don't waste time). We cannot waste time by bring in someone that has no respect of the community or is led by the politicians on the school board, We need someone that the make an immediate impact and the rank file knows and respects. I want the next school year to start smooth and with no surprises.
This district cannot afford to have a work stoppage or any type of labor unrest. The undisciplined spending and waste of tax dollars cannot continue. The things that i am hearing about the lack of confidence in Dr. Mc Donald is disheartening (he has no confidence from his administrators) We need administrators thinking out of the box on a collaborated effort with our teachers to educate our children. The radical style of style of management exhibited by Dr. McDonald can no longer be tolerated (we need someone who's heart and soul is invested in our children). The school district does not need a part-time superintendent who is just collecting a pay check, (WE IS TO MAKE EVERY DOLLAR COUNT) That's why we pay taxes.
We have a strong board president who has a record of doing what's important for our kids (I voted for her). I feel that Mr. Megazzini is here and he has no excuses for failure. Make him the superintendent and the district will stop wasting money on interim's . Mr. Megazzini will lead the negation team. He has the respect of the community and the respect of the employees of the district. Give him the unobstructed power to correct the errors of the past and bring the district forward.
Arroyo may have been to blunt but I have been with the district as a resident and staff member for many years. I watched them hire the serial bully who destroyed staff and community with no community input. The same was true of Roberts. Sure the board put on a good show but did not listen to the communities choice. I believe Arroyo is referring to Barierro saying he would vote for the community choice and then voted for Roberts because of the City officers told Barierro who to vote for. Popp was another big mistake attempting to turn the district into Indian Prairie with no research.
ReplyDeleteThe question today is will they listen to input? Meggazzini would be a good choice. The staff has good communication with him. Curriculum has turned around and hopefully they can keep the same people in place. Something has to done about some Principals but I have heard the HS and Waldo are better. Steve is a good listener and is addressing issues along with Stovall an Reyes Childress in our building.
The board President is the campaign manager of Steve for superintendent . The community has no idea who he is and he has no experience . Being a good listener is not and having the staff like you is not a reason to stay in house. He will Be Annette’s puppit. Then you have to fill his position in HR. Dr McDonald and hoyda didn’t need to pad their pensions . I’m sure they were just fine with their 6 figure pensions, they wanted to see EA be successful and they were paid the going rate. Don’t hate he player hate the game.!!
ReplyDeleteCoach Becker is a self promoting, back stabbing liar. He didn’t deliver on any of the promises he made when he was hired. He said he was going to get private funding and build the stadium. What in his background says that he is or was capable of racing funds. If he is your friend then I understand your support but stop with the heblived the kids narrative . This is not the EA that he left in 1977. The whole veterans deal was self promoting. The naming of the stadium deal was also self promoting. Now he has tricked Irving. The mayor believes his bloviating; what’s that say about him. Becker supporting Irvin for mayor was so he could get a position at the city , once again self promoting. Congratulations Kurt, ther really is one for every seat and you found it. What do you know about working with youth?😂😂😂😂😂
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-naperville-school-growth-st-1220-20171219-story.html
ReplyDeleteIt’s too bad the local fish wrap only prints articles the district wants to promote. Why aren’t they reporting on the positive lead tests for the water fountains in our districts. Lead in the water that our children are drinking is a much bigger story than some faked testing data. The board and administration are well aware of this. They are having custodians wrap fountains but they are not sharing the reasons why.
ReplyDeleteTo: The real news
ReplyDeleteThe Beacon hasn’t reported on the asbestos, the mold, the CO2 levels or any of the other dangers our kids are exposed to in these old buildings day after day. What made you think they would report on the lead in the drinking water? The board and the administrators have known about these issues for years, the Beacon helps them cover it all up and as always it’s the kids who pay the price.
Feedback from EA is that it is a forgone conclusion that Bldg and Grounds can not move forward until Merle Herren is relieved of his duties.
ReplyDelete1 Previous BG Director was doing great however Merle was an obstacle in many an issue
2 Audit his productivity (work tickets) and determine if he is doing his job
3 Audit his computer usage time the past several years and it will show he is on line more than he should be. Yes he thinks he is running the show at EA
4 Hold him accountable on his time in/out and eliminate any OVERTIME he will try to justify
And that is just for openers
More to be exposed on his behavior and incompetence
Suggestion to Alberto;
Don't let him BULLY and intimidate you.
Track every work ticket and time spent every day.
MERLE NEEDS TO LISTEN AND QUIT PLAYING MR EAST AURORA SUPT
FOIA REQUEST
ReplyDeleteDate: December 21 2017
Subject: Merle Herren
Timeline: July 1 2017 - Dec 21 2017
1 E log
2 Internet web sites visited
Please email results
thank you
Ralph
Dr. McDonald allowed Merle and Ralph Padron to be his eye pieces. Dr. McDonald took actions based on misinformation given to him by these two rabble-rousers. Dr. McDonald and Annette dealt directly with Padron and Merle circumventing the Director of buildings and grounds. That is what got one director fired and the other leaving the district after 90 days to take a big pay cut. The SEIU now is out of control. The building and grounds department has allowed the maintenance men to get out of hand. Alberto Tijerina is a close friend of Beatrice's and thats how he got his job. He has no control over the union and is afraid to follow the contract. Beatrice is now in charge of buildings and grounds; who's bright idea was that? Ralph Padron (Annette's attack dog) and now he going after Merle who has fallen out of favor.
ReplyDeleteHerren and Ken Darby are childhood friends. Everyone knows Darby has been after the B&G job for years. It is fact that Herren will attack any director that is not Darby.
ReplyDeleteHerren is not a friend of Annette and has openly campaigned against her. We in B&G have been part of his strong arm tactics in asking us not to support her on district time. Something he should have been fired for. Again haters on the blog just make up wild stories.
Beatrice has been a big help organizing and getting staff hired that has been stuck in needed positions for years. We now have a scheduling system that Herren needs to account for his time. He does not like that. These are long over due changes. This is the first time we have had a person in a high level position push change.
The facts are Ken Waltz took a pay decrease to get a job and as soon as another higher paying job became available he left. Who can blame him. The last two directors were incompetent. Alberto is fair and hard working but make no mistake if the control of the board shifts Herren will become assitant director and Ken Darby will become director.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-lead-water-results-st-1224-20171222-story.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-stem-steam-st-1221-20171222-story.html
I see Annette is blogging and defending her girl friend Bea again. The truth is Ken Waltz's position in the Berwyn Hospital he works for is paying him $95,000 a year . You are president of the School Board don't you know the $95,000 is less than $120,000, so that means he took a pay cut to leave EA. By the way he hated Beatrice and McDonald (that is another reason he left). .
ReplyDeleteI would love for someone to reach out to these Ex Buildings and Grounds Directors to hear what they have to say. Luckily for you Annette they left quietly. As far a Merle goes he has the backing of our union (he our shop steward and we support him. Padron is a worthless liar and is no match for S.E.I.U he was paid off my McDonald and now that love affair has come to an end. We dare Padron to mess with Merle.
Merle please stop posting and Bea you need to pull Merle's computer records from when he was on the nights. Everyone knows Merle is useless he talks in circles for hours and is often seen kissing Bea's A**. The work tickets will force him to stop talking and do his job or he will loss his job. NO EXCUSES.
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ReplyDeletestop posting Merle:
Thanks for the idea of auditing Merle's work tickets
Will send the FOIA in next week
Last 2 years will be requested
It's sad to see the blog is still attempting to destroy good reputations. There is no doubt that Bea and Alberto care for 131. They both work 16 plus hours a day returning our emails and solving problems. They attend district activities with their families and are proud graduates. Mr Herren is a nice man that seems lonely and gives the appearance of talking to much. I know one time he helped after hours to make our fundraiser successful in which would have otherwise been a failure due to a electrical issue. I believe they all care.
ReplyDeleteAnnette has move our district ahead, my wages and classroom today our better for it. Her heart is in the right place. The blog never commented that our district has seen 5 years of higher growth than our neighboring districts. I learned this standing in line last week for gas. I never dreamed that after 10 plus years we would be compared to Naperville. No mention or link from the Blog to that.
Start a new year let's be positive. There are good people in EA.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/sports/ct-abn-football-east-aurora-nick-kukuc-st-1224-20171223-story.html
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThere are several reasons why District 131 is regarded as the armpit of all Fox Valley districts, and they begin and end with the incompetent and vindictive district leadership. The school board doesn't have a clue about their role, which is to hire the best Superintendent possible and let that person do their job, including firing and hiring their district and school administrative staff. The board has refused to go through the training program provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards, and continues to support a mentally unstable school board president. The high school graduation rate has been an embarrassment for the past 5-10 years, despite several Superintendents, had a grade weighting scandal two years ago and no one was held responsible, and the majority of schools don't have normal safety procedures in place to monitor visitors who are allowed into the building. Who has been the constant presence at central office over the past years and has supposedly been responsible for progress? How about Beatrice Reyes Childress, who would not be able to get a job even as an Assistant Principal in any well run district, and Diane Argueta, the Bilingual director who most days can't be found anywhere. Anyone who has worked here and moved on to better districts will tell you that nothing will change - nothing - until people are held accountable. Here are some facts: How about Beatrice mismanaging Title I funds so badly that the district has had to return thousands of dollars to the state each year for the past several years? How about central office administrators getting bonuses at the end of every year? How about the bilingual department being so disorganized that they can't give us accurate information about ELL students? How about no one looking at test scores and firing principals who have no idea about how to lead a school? How about the board refusing to fire teachers who are completely incompetent? How about a union that includes support staff as members? How about a Building and Grounds department that is so dysfunctional that no one wants the job? Note to teachers: no successful school district has a teachers' union that includes non-certified members. This district's issues are really about a district system that refuses to believe how far it has fallen and refuses to admit that the only way to get better is to commit to drastic change with completely new leadership and a school board that understands their role.
A Stanford study as documented by the Beacon in headlines this week documented the top student growth in the area surpassing Indian Prarie and West Aurora. Yes, folks that is East Aurora.
ReplyDeleteThe difference with 131 is a blog that anyone can tear down any d131 employee. Dysfunction is Rayanne Carlson for allowing this to continue. District 131 is much improved and yes we do have bitter employees who no longer work for the district that continue to post. Ms Carlson could stop this but now she claims I dont run the blog. Sure Rayanne!
Other then Annette and Dr. McDonald does anyone else think that Mr. Ralph Padron is normal and a person the school district should be listening too? Hasn't he cost the district enough grief and expense?
ReplyDeleteDr. McDonald stop enabling Padron and publicly denounce his hated. You sit by and say or do nothing while this man attacks employee after employee. Don't let Padron interfere with union negotiations. Dr. McDonald stand up and be a Superintendent not an errand boy . All eyes will be on you Dr. McDonald, get you self respect back.
"a blog that anyone can tear down any d131 employee"...
ReplyDeleteYes, that's true.
At the same time, anyone can DEFEND or SUPPORT a D131 employee as well! Many times someone has posted something that is not factual on the blog, and someone else jumps in with a correction and evidence or information supporting their side.
Wouldn't it be nice if 2018 is the year that positive, constructive comments outnumber negative ones?
I work in maintenance and don't know Patron if I tripped on him. I have never talked with Annette but I support met and talked with Dr McDonald. He is attempting to get some leadership into maintenance. Unfortunately there are about 5 employees one being Herren that tells us to slow down work. Albert and Jorge work long hours and they actually work along with us. Herren has approached us and told us to file a gievance against them. Why because the are working with us? We need to vote Herren out but none of us care about the union they are useless. We have good jobs that support our families that all I care about.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-education-update-st-1228-20171228-story.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-early-childhood-st-1229-20171229-story.html
ReplyDelete