Friday, May 4, 2018

We're on the home stretch!

Another school year is quickly drawing to an end.  Don't miss the many fun and educational opportunities available in our community during the summer months!

128 comments:

Superintendent search said...

Speaking of "don't miss", don't miss the opportunity to attend next week's superintendent interview sessions. Public questions and comments are welcome!

Blog admin said...

Just a reminder:

All comments must be identified to be published; anonymous comments are directed into the spam file. Pseudonyms are fine (“anonymous 1”, “district staff”, etc.). Thanks, and happy blogging!

Newbie said...

I wondered why my comments weren’t posted last week, I’m pretty new to the district and didn’t notice that all the comments had names. Thanks!

Tomcat hall of famer said...

It looks to me like the search meetings are closed to the public. Is there another meeting?

Next week's meetings said...

All four meetings (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 5:30 p.m.) include time for public comments and questions.

The executive session part of those meetings are probably closed to the public.

Same Sh!7 Different Day said...

I don’t know why they are even bothering with superintendent interviews, Annette Johnson decided long ago that she wants Beatrice Reyes-Childress. Annette knows she can control Beatrice, she’s spineless. Of course, Kimberly Hatchett, Alex Arroyo and Bruce Schubert will follow orders and vote with Annette. The other superintendent interviewees should sue since they have zero chance of getting the job. Welcome to EA.

ECC is the best said...

Here is hoping the hire Reyes-Childress. I have served on many early learning committees and she is a outstanding educator. Her work on the BKC and other programs such as bilingual is the direction many of feel 131 needs to follow.

She is Bilingual and a Tomcat what better choice.

Beatrice is NOT Superintendent Material said...

To: ECC is the best

You are obviously not an educator based on your poor spelling, sentence structure and grammar. It appears, once again that Annette is on here trying to support her lackey.

Beatrice has almost no classroom experience. She was behind the push to have all early education students placed in bilingual classes, even those where English was their primary language. This infuriated many parents and educators in our community.

Beatrice was leading the catastrophe at the Magnet Academy this past fall. The Magnet Academy has been in utter chaos all year. The teachers there have had their assignments changed at least three times this year. Many parents have pulled their kids out or have plans to do so at the end of the year. Many of the teachers are also looking for the door. The Magnet Academy was our crowning jewel, now Beatrice has destroyed it.

Anybody who’s actually been in a meeting with Beatrice knows how I’ll prepared she is for a superintendents position. District 131 is the only district where she would be considered “qualified”.

If you really think that the only qualifications for being a superintendent are to be bilingual and have graduated from East Aurora, you are not qualified to have an opinion on who our next superintendent should be.

Waldo works said...

They addressed Waldo and we are very happy Beatrice could not have been more supportive. I would rather have somebody we know than another Dr Popp.

Don't fool yourself Beatrice not Sup material we know you are from Magnet and have been forced to work this year. The staff could care less about the cry bullies and your opinions.

Enough Already Annette said...

Annette is working overtime today. I don’t who you’re referring to when you say “We”. Waldo is as bad as ever. There is no discipline in the building. Without discipline, there is no education. Administration harasses the teachers mercilessly. There is no support from the Central Office. We wait months as admin blows off building concerns.

Speaking of the building, it’s in as bad a shape as ever. It’s falling apart. There is mold and asbestos everywhere.

We are District 131 teachers. We don’t throw teachers from other schools under the bus to defend Corrupt administrators. Only Annette does that. Annette, you are not fooling anyone anymore. We’ve seen your bag of tricks before. I’m s getting very old.

On the sidelines said...

It is refreshing to hear others are on to Annette. If only the other board members would open their eyes. I will give Annette kudos...she is the master manipulator. She plays the game well enough to either fool people for quite a while, or they fear her wrath, or both. You cannot disagree with her or you become her target. Whether it be threatening your job, or not approving much needed funds, or using personal info against you. She finds a way to bully people into doing things her way. Hopefully, the more people who see her true colors, the less likely she will be elected, again. Especially, by those who vote because they "think" she is keeping their property taxes down.

Ward 1 said...

Cry me a river, Johnson has reduced my property taxes. She has also improved the lives of students and the financial health of the Aurora East. I could care less if she is a bully! District 131 needed a fiscally responsible bully and the community should thank her for her service. The taxing public needs more servant leaders like her.

Waldo works said...

To enough already Annette - I would love to see your data about Waldo discipline and harassment. I will agree that Central Office offers no support for severe discipline issues. However, it is clear from the data that Waldo admin does discipline students. If you have questions about discipline, are you discussing it with the principal? As for harassing people mercilessly- you must not work at Waldo if you believe that. The majority of Waldo staff support the principal but not the assistant principals and know that the principal is doing all the work. What’s baffling is how a certain ap still has a job and The new one doesn’t interact. It’s people like you who post negative comments on an anonymous blog that make good administrators want to leave. I say kudos to Waldo for finally getting an admin who does his job and works around the clock to support everyone. Now maybe central office can support him and work to keep him instead of protecting people that clearly shouldn’t be administrators.

To the blind taxpayer in Ward one. said...

Your wish has already come true, you have that servant leader that is extremely similar to AJ. You call him Mr. President, I call him 45.

Concerned citizen/employee said...

This district has ZERO discipline for students. It puts no expectations of any sort on these poorly behaved kids. They all have excuses why they let the kids do as they please, but it all comes down to the same thing...every administrator in the high school and most at the service center are too busy trying to keep their jobs with BS numbers, that they are not doing their jobs!! Its old. There may be false pretty numbers, but there is ZERO building functionality. This district is in shambles. We need a new building admin and a super from OUTSIDE this district...unless the choice is Stovall. She would be the only one qualified currently in 131.

Unsafe Simmons said...

Zero discipline is correct! In the past 3 weeks at Simmons, two garbage cans have been lit ablaze in the girls restroom. The first incident involved multiple students, one who previously lit off a firework in the school. You'd think expulsion would be a consideration. It was not, and back are the students repeatedly showing up late to class doing as they please. Today and administrator claimed the "minor incident" has been secured and being investigated. Other students repeatedly flee classrooms, exit the school, and wander the halls when they please. Rival gang members continue to disrupt the school and are dealt with by further disrupting classes as they are place in teacher classrooms who are "strong teachers" instead of being removed from the school environment. How about placing these students in an environment outside the "normal" public school? Perhaps they will find success and allow the majority of students a fair chance at an education. Last year Waldo made a change and the new principal is making a positive difference. Cowherd cleaned administrative house this year. How the district allows Simmons, with their head administrator and "partners in cover up" assistants, continue is a mystery. I am sure referrals are down because teachers have given up. They don't know what to do any more. So they will receive deescalation training as the solution because the teachers are the problem. Upper administration has visited Simmons the past two years, asked questions, and let the same injustices happen to students and staff year after year. What needs to happen for people to see how deep the administrator problems are if lighting waste baskets on fire doesn't do it?

Credit is given where blame should be placed. said...

Hey, Ward One! How about a bully for education? We are all for our taxes being kept low, but we want to see our educational taxes going for educating. The children who want to learn are not always getting what they deserve.

How about some of the retirees out there, who are happy about the wonderful job Annette is doing, come on down to her neighborhood and volunteer as hall monitors at Simmons. Come see the educational atmosphere at the middle school level...or high school. Not just one time, that's too easy for a clean house atmosphere to be created. But drop in once a week and volunteer your services, to read or help do copies.....or just be an additional adult presence in a classroom that struggles. Show your gratitude to the district that has eased your financial burden by you helping to ease the burden at the teacher level. The district wants the kids in seats and the appearance of all is well, to the point of dysfunction being the norm. Remember back in your days, when truancy and bad behavior was reason to remove, expell a student from the schools?
If that was more the norm today, in EA, think of how many more students would be able to excel if given a full day of actual, undisrupted education.

Hardy har har said...

Beatrice is a decent candidate but she is no where near qualified to head up this district. Popp had been a principal and head administrator in a high functioning district. To his detriment he never would conform to Johnson’s directives like his predicessor Roberts. Beatrice will be more in the Roberts mold. Being a tomcat is not a qualification . We’ve tried it with the sports teams will no sucess. Having an internal candidate take the helm will only keep this ship on the same course with the same or similar results. A new Captain Bligh will have mutiny If she makes any waves by attempting to make bold changes. Johnson will side with the teachers. Johnsons intentions are well placed but she is not qualified to run the district. My taxes have not gone down they have increased. Whoever claimed their taxes decreased is not being truthful. The growth may have slowed to a crawl but decreased, Not. Good luck D131 you’ll need it

Ea all the way said...

Dr Popp qualified please. He was a horrible educator and has never found a school position since. He hired his friends and watered down the district displine plan. He hired Cresbo who just was fired as a AP. Stop blaming everyone and do your jobs. Beatrice is a successful EA grad and will change the district for the best.

NOT Reyes Childress said...

Popp put himself and his pals first. We the teachers got him out and the BOE listened hopefully the BOE will not hire Reyes Childress. We realize all Sups have pets but she has been part of the same old same old for years. She hired and fired and if anyone thinks Acelia Ordaz is qualified they should not call themselves educators. We know Annette thinks Beatrice is qualified because she is a Tomcat or Bilingual but that is not the case.

Agreed said...

Yep, the staff at many schools is disinterested, disengaged, & disenfranchised due to this districts refusal to enforce anything resembleing consequences. The sad part is you read about West High expelling problem students, Waubonsie as well, etc, etc...and here we sit, with directives handed down to let these kids do as they please with WARNING AFTER WARNING AFTER WARNING...teachers/staff have just thrown in the towel because nobody above us in a position to do anything has our backs. Go look at East High 4-5 minutes after the bell rings...it still looks like a passing period. Approximately 500+ kids PER DAY are late to school...and we DO NOTHING as far as a consequence or discipline. "That data is just recorded & kept in house". THAT IS A FACT! Hire Stovall or go outside the district, cause nothing will change unless we do.

Concerned citizen/employee said...

So true!! Kids in the halls 5-10 min after the bells ring, looks like a 15 min passing period. Kids in and out of the building all day...500+ LATE for SCHOOL DAILY, and that doesnt even count the tardies all day. It was a system set up to fail and all the honus was put in the teachers to write referals for tardies, knowing darn well most will not bother. Weak!!

BILINGUAL IS A JOKE said...

"Bilingual" is a joke...and its advocates are clueless. If I moved to France, id expect to have to learn French to survive. The "bi-lingual" classes in this district are not "BI" but "MONO" lingual...as in just teach the kids in spanish. ESL is what we are supposed to teach, if anything, in an effort to integrate those kids to English. If a kid comes from Poland, he/she is the same ESL as a kid with parents who have chosen not to learn English because this city/district has just allowed them to speak spanish...and Lord knows they dont have the common curteousy to learn the language of the United States. Our district wastes MILLIONS every year to just teach kids in spanish instead of doing their job and integrating English. Walk in any of these classrooms and they are in spanish every day-all day. Thats how the department chairs and their happy leader think is ok. Its not!

I think you're confused said...

Taxes are not reduced, and if they ever were to be reduced, I can assure you that a school board nor its president can claim responsibility for that. The system is just absolutely not set up that way. The township assesor's office can explain that to you should you need further explanation on who/how tax bills are calculated.

Sad isnt it said...

What the hell does that have to do with making a good superintendent. By that logic, about 500 more kids a year are qualified

Sad isnt it said...

And this district needs to put that "ESL" MILLIONS elsewhere. We dont teach kids in spanish...this is America. Go to a special school and learn English, then come sign up when you're ready...like EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, including Illinois until recently. Sad

SENIORS FIRST said...

I think your confused!

The BOE has reduced taxes which included taking money from teachers and reducing their tax levy for years. Johnson always takes care of her senior citizens before the kids.

Waldo has GREAT principal said...

John Simpson is a great guy. This disyrict would be lucky to keep him. He should be a HS principal, and will be shortly, either here or somewhere else.

you're said...

You mean "you're"?? And negative...the tax percentages are not set by school boards. School boards can ask for increases and propose referendums, but nobody on a school district board SETS a tax amout

Its official said...

Yep, beatrice got the superintendent job. So look for more same-old, same-old as far as student accountability & discipline goes. I would have liked to see our district move ahead and get a fresh start w/o all the same old politics and agendas. Somebody that would come in fresh, and treat everyone as if they matter, from the Asst Super, to us teachers, to the lunchroom help. Not somebody with agendas and predetermined ideas. And this whole speaking spanish thing is a joke. We are in middle America, people should be learning the language of THIS nation if you want to live here.

Beatrice is NOT Superintendent Material said...

To: It’s Official

You’re full of it. There has been nothing officially done regarding the superintendent position. The only place Beatrice has a chance is in Annette’s fantasies. She is desperate for another lackey to control.

anonymous1 said...

Can we just get an ESL program for our students please. We are using ReadyGen to help students learn a new language when its way above their grade level. This is definitely not very useful for our students. Teachers all over the district are using what they want or have access. You want students to grow in another language, let's provide them with a resource that will benefit them.

Sad but true said...

Don't shoot the messenger, dummy. I wish it wasn't true either. But i have it from a top source, its done. It will announced publicly tomorrow.

BILINGUAL IS A JOKE said...

Yeah, like eliminate ESL, and put those dollars somewhere deserving. Public school in the USA is not set up to cater to people that refuse to learn the language of this nation. 30-40 years ago, we didnt have any "esl" BS, and when you came to this country, you took English in nite school, and when you were ready, you came to school. THATS THE WAY IT IS ALL OVER THE WORLD!! Stop catering to these people and making it so easy to continue to be mexicans just living in our country, that they'll never do what they should, and become Americans, and adapt to this society. If you go to another country, its your job to adapt, not the country's job to cater to you!

Sad but true said...

Now it appears that may not be the case...different word says new blood. Hope so!! Go Tomcats!

Ditto said...

Yes, Simmons has gotten out of control. Teachers write referrals and they go no where. Students can get in fights, light up trash cans, curse at teachers, and leave school a dozen times and they’ll be reprimanded with a slap on the wrist. Admin tells the teachers to let little things slide, but when you give trouble makers an inch, they’ll take a mile. Part of the blame falls on SB 100, and part of it falls on making the school look good. Several parents could also step up and discipline their kids-not let the kids make the rules.

It’s a hoot... said...

...to see how many posts are people guessing Annette as the true author of other posts.

Your source and you are a moron said...

So tired of these “I know” and “my source” people.....this is why this blog needs to go away....among other reasons like the free for all personal attacks and people hiding behind the internet and not posting their names.....

Hypocrite said...

As you post something on this blog, and don't put your name...hmmm...looks like you might want to check the mirror genious

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-bond-refinancing-st-0524-story.html

newshound said...

https://www.d131.org/news/meet-new-superintendent-at-may-29-meeting-and-reception/

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-school-librarian-st-0525-story.html


http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-summer-construction-st-0528-story.html


http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-principals-st-0528-story.html

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-new-superintendent-st-0530-story.html

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-plano-death-st-0530-story.html

Incompetence Reigns Supreme said...

Looks like we have another administrator from a low functioning district. Has it been documented that the work she did improved the district she came from? No. Hopefully she is not just another token African American figure head like Ponquinette and Roberts.

Here my real question... Is the district going to be reimbursed for all the money that was spent for Beatrice Reyes Childress to get her doctoral degree and superintendents certification? Annette Johnson pushed the policy change through the board compensating Beatrice up to $50,000 per year to get her superintendents certification. Now we hear that after taking the test multiple times, she is too incompetent to pass the test. Is the district going to be reimbursed this huge sum of money? Was there a non-performance clause added to the expenditure? This is the standard crap done in district 131 that pisses so many people off.

Ralph Padron said...

Date: May 28 2018
Subject: Building & Grounds New Vendors issued W9
Timeline: May 1 2018 - May 28 2018

If Purchases were made I request the following
Purchase Orders
Invoices
Competitive Quotes

If any purchases were made with the above please provide PREVIOUS purchases from vendor who was replaced
timeline: March 1 2018 - May 1 2018
Purchase Orders
Invoices
Competitive Quotes

Please notify me when this FOIA is available
Thank you
Ralph

Ralph Padron said...

What is going on at East High new parking spaces near the maintenance Trailer area?

1 The new surface is on a high area and is much higher than the regular surface.
2 Who did the work
3 How much did it cost
4 This needs to be corrected at what cost
5 Whom is liable for these corrected costs
6 What responsibility does the B & G Director and his assistant have in this

Please investigate this and bring out publicly at the next Bd Meeting
Needless to say FOIA will be submitted to gather evidence

Thank you
Ralph

Move on said...

Wow how long did it take for the BLOG to rip apart the new Superintendent. As for Childress she received the same tuition reimbursement that teachers receive. It's time for the old guard of incompetence to leave it go and move on.

Ralph Padron said...

Good afternoon
Here is the evidence again

PO CREATED AFTER INVOICE DATE

Dominion Lighting $ 2,850.00
Invoice Date 5-14
PO 188019 Date 5-21
Purchased by Alberto Tijerina

Funk Trailer Sales $ 4,623.00
Invoice Date 5-12
PO 187956 Date 5-15
Purchased by Jorge Villagomez Freire

Material Systems
Quote dtd 5-11
Amount $2,275.00

PO 187955 Date 5-15
Amount $2,025.00
Invoice 348683 Date 5-18
Amount $2,275.00
Purchased by Jorge Villagomez Freire

PO does not include $ 250.00 shipping & Handling
Should not be paying Freight
Why wasn't a local vendor quoting this purchase

Please investigate
More FOIA's on this to follow

Corruption Still Reigns Supreme said...

To: Move On

You are incorrect, Beatrice is not receiving the same reimbursement that the teachers are offered. The entire staff (teachers, support and secretaries) all 1500 employees pulled from the same pot of $70,000. Beatrice has a separate $50,000 pot all to herself. The old guard of accountability will move on when the old guard of corruption does. I believe the community deserves to know the corruption that continues at the top levels of the district.

Get your facts straight said...

Corruption

Administration just started receiving educational reimbursement as of July 2017. We work a 12 month contract which is prorated and our pot is capped at $50,000 per year. It is first come first serve and unlike teachers we must pay it back if he leave.

Reyes Childress receives no special treatment. What is corrupt is the 8 teachers that went to administrative academy received their administrative certification and found other jobs as AP's

Dear Rayanne said...

It’s not the Old Guard it’s the Hillbilly Mafia that wants to make America great again. Dr P and Roberts were not tokens They were took over a district already broken because the visionless mob. The mafia didn’t like Dr Rad or Popp. They came from higher functioning districts into a broken visionless district. Roberts was the first black principal at Downers North hs, and dupage county. Was he token there? Maybe he was but he was nobody dummy. The new super should have did her homework on this Make America great again district. She will be short term. Between the whining teachers, hillbilly mob and that maggot that does all the FOIA ‘s she will have very little support.

Ralph Padron said...

Greetings

Attached is the BG minutes approved at the April 2nd Board Meeting in addition to pics of the parking area in question

"New High School Parking Area Mr. Tijerina presented a drawing of the proposed temporary parking area at EHS with 5 parking stalls. He informed the Committee he has obtained quotes and the cost would be approximately $13, 500.00. He has met with the City regarding set-back drainage and will need to submit final drawings. The Committee agreed to move forward with the project.
The AFD and KROE were consulted and neither had issue with proposed parking area."

Will submit FOIA requesting the following documents
1 Quotes (see above)
2 Purchase Orders
3 Invoices
4 All communication with the company who performed the work

Questions to be answered
1 Whom is responsible for this error
2 What corrective action will be taken
3 How much will it cost
4 Will disciplinary be taken for those responsible for this fiasco

Please discuss this at your next BG and Board meeting
Would appreciate if you would forward this to Dr Jennifer Norrel

Thank you
Ralph

Parent said...

I hope the new superintendent can work with the middle schools! Kids are allowed to fail more then 4 classes and move on to the next grade with out summer school. And Magnet doesn’t even have a summer school there are kids there who have failed all year and will move on to the next grade with out any kind of summer school. The teachers have no support and it makes it even harder for students that do their work to see others fly by to the next grade, even though they did no work. Sad!!!!

Things that make you go hmmmmm ... said...

A new admin perk of tuition reimbursement is offered as Beatrice is working on her superintendent's endorsement - coincidence? I think not!

EA said...

Who has been hired to replace Jessica Orstead and Glynis Keene?

Happy Person said...

This Person:
"It’s not the Old Guard it’s the Hillbilly Mafia that wants to make America great again. Dr P and Roberts were not tokens They were took over a district already broken because the visionless mob. The mafia didn’t like Dr Rad or Popp. They came from higher functioning districts into a broken visionless district. Roberts was the first black principal at Downers North hs, and dupage county. Was he token there? Maybe he was but he was nobody dummy. The new super should have did her homework on this Make America great again district. She will be short term. Between the whining teachers, hillbilly mob and that maggot that does all the FOIA ‘s she will have very little support."

You should go speak at a board meeting. Stand up and speak loudly. The community needs your voice to be heard!

And? said...

Isn’t that the point of a perk?

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-safe-zone-st-0906-story.html

No scandals here said...

A perk would be defined as something only for Beatrice. All admin gets this benefit along with teachers in our district. Why does anyone not comment about Kincade whom is also getting the same benefit or the teachers who became admins and did not stay. Sorry folks no scandal here.

Things that make you go hmmmmm said...

Why now? Why not all the years and all the admin before taking classes?

No scandals here said...

Stop the conspiracy theory this was the brain child of Dr Hoyda she wanted administration to advance their studies.

Central office news said...

Reyes Childress took advantage of the district for years and rolled the bus over fellow administration, teachers and support staff. The staff is happy that the BOE namely Johnson finally woke up and hired someone from the outside. Most of the debacles including Magnet, Bilingual and who can forget the 5 plus million in wasted curriculum came under Reyes Childress.

DR Norrell should look into why Reyes Childress still does not have Danielson training or evaluator modules completed for teachers and principals. Ask how Reyes Childress can be in charge of educational services? Legally she can not complete a evaluation.

The once a Tomcat always a Tomcat story is over.

No Collusion Here said...

Believe what I tell you, not your own eyes. Evidence doesn’t matter. Alternate Facts. Typical Annette BS.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-office-st-0608-story.html

Ralph Padron said...

Issue # 1

It was brought to my attention that EH Asst Principal Fernando Nieto and BG Director Alberto Tijerina reviewed the cameras when I photographed the "6 stall Parking Lot" on June 2 2018. Evidently they wanted to see whom I met to discuss this issue.

All someone had to do was ask and I would have told them it was former Board Member Richard Leonard. The pics were taken to question the mistakes made with this project. Supposedly this cost $13,000.00 I have a FOIA in house to validate this along with other concerns involving the BG Director.

1 Does Fernando and Alberto have better things to look at from the cameras?
2 Has someone contacted Mr Leonard for his observations?

Issue # 2
Recently a Bardwell Elementary student was severely injured on the playground due to numerous holes The surface of this playground has needed repair for quite some time. I am sure once this injury occured Mr Tijerina finally had the surface repaired. I will FOIA this project for further information.

1 How many other injuries have occurred since the deterioration of this playing surface
2 Did EMERGENCY patching of these holes happen immediately? I am sure it did

Issue # 3

Alberto's supervisor, Beatrice Reyes Childress has been the "Body Guard/Protector" of Alberto since his hiring. (More on Beatrice later)

I would like to ask her these questions

1 Priority # 1 should always be the safety and welfare of the students. Why would this Parking area at EH be constructed when Bardwell has needed repair of this area desperately
2 Is there a status report on the entire district about unsafe areas (Will FOIA this)
3 Doe Beatrice not in her daily job visit other schools If so, does she not see the need for other repairs throughout the District
4 Would Beatrice agree or disagree the $ 13K for EH parking would have better spent for Bardwell repairs. Evidently not

Comments
1 This area is an accident waiting to happen
2 When looking at this 6 parking space area let it be a reminder of
the Bardwell Playground Fiasco and WASTED TAXDOLLARS
3 Remove the parking spaces and accept the loss and more importantly
STOP PUTTING GOOD MONEY INTO A BAD INVESTMENT

Please forward this to Dr Jennifer Norrell for her review

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-guest-column-st-0610-story.html

Corruption Reigns Supreme in EA said...

To: Ralph

The teachers have been bringing up the playground issues for years. The playgrounds are both dangerous and they are not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Administration has been well aware of the situation for years but have always stated that it would cost too much to do the needed repairs and upgrades. They apparently have the money to hire an excessive amount of administrators (It used to be 1 administrator for every 350 students or 1 administrator for every 35 teachers, now it's about 1 administrator to 100 students or 1 administrator for every 10 teachers) and now they want to spend six million dollars building the administrators a new posh facility to house them but they are still unwilling to give the children a safe place to play or make the facilities handicap accessible. As usual or leaders show us exactly where their priorities really lay.

Ralph Padron said...

Factual Info gathered via FOIA and in depth Google search pertaining to Quality Blacktop

1 No PREVAILING WAGE nor INSURANCE documents provided (pg2 FOIA letter)
This is mandatory, who is responsible for not gathering this info
Dept of Labor cited them for violating "Prevailing Wage" law. Underpaying work crew $ 6,116.57 and was fined $3,058.29
Anybody bother to check this See attached Dept of Labor

2 Company address is a residence
Google confirms

3 Quote is dtd March 16 Competive quotes are dtd March 14 and 15
Were the quotes sealed and opened simultaneously with Business Office Rep

4 Who selected this vendor and was Business Office involved

5 Safety Concerns were brought to Alberto's attention
FOIA document pg 21 dtd Jan 3 2018
Why was this being discussed on Jan 3

6 Quality Blacktop is accusing Cordogan & Clark of being incorrect
ref: pg 8 dtd June 4 2018

Comments
I could go on and on with questions and concerns however these are the main points
Need to move on as I will be addressing Beatrice Reyes Childress concerns

Interested said...

What’s going on with the teacher contract?

bring a rain coat said...

We at the SSC invite everyone to come over after today's rain and observe the posh working conditions. Come see the mold, asbestos and lead in our drinking water. We peons welcome high level administration in one place it will show the new Superintendent the little work they are doing. Starting with Jackson right down the row.

Ralph Padron said...

Greetings
Just heard that Bldg & Grounds has been out of cleaning supplies for some time.
Alberto and Jorge are blaming the Board of Education that they could not purchase these items.
Don't know what is true but the fact is another crisis created and is unforgivable BG runs out of supplies Will FOIA this subject next week

Steve Megazzini and Amanda Sanderson have been super professional in getting me the FOIA info which are necessary in exposing the corruption and incompetence of Alberto and Jorge. Unfortunately this has consumed valuable time as Beatrice continues to defend them and not admit the Experiment of making Alberto Tijerina the Director of B&G has failed long ago. More on her later.

MORE ISSUES WILL BE ADDRESSED SOON
Thank you

Ralph
Please forward this to Dr Norrell for her review

EA OKAY said...

Ralph should look into Alberto's half a million dollar house since join EA.

Ralph Padron said...

FOIA REQUEST
Date: June 18 2018
Subject: Jorge Villagomez Freire
Timeline: Oct 1 2017 - Jan 31 2018

1 Text Messages of NON D131 numbers
2 Telephone log of NON D131 numbers
3 Elog to and from YALCANTARA@D131.ORG

thank you
Ralph

Mucho $$$$$ said...

Beatrice made over $192,000 last year. I don’t know why she would have wanted to take a superintendent position with more responsibilities when she almost makes just as much in her current gig.

Another big money job said...

Speaking of excessive admin hires, did Michael Prombo leave the district, or did the board decide to create another position in the finance office? I hear a new person was hired as asst super of finance which I’m sure pays over $100K.

Central office news said...

Prombo retired

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-safe-zone-st-0620-story.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-finance-director-st-0620-story.html

Clueless Board and HR said...

Has the school board not read the local papers over the past year??? Oswego is a financial disaster and 131 decides to bring in their director of finance?!

Ralph Padron said...

FOIA VERIFIES LACK OF CERTIFICATION/TRAINING
Why would Beatrice apply for the Superintendent position lacking the following
A Certifications for Danielson training
B Certificates for teachers and principals evaluator

1 This would complicate the ability for a Supt to lead and make critical decisions
2 Are we going back to the era of evaluations without certifications
3 How embarassing this would have been publicly if she became Supt.
4 It is about integrity and qualifications being in order
5 Does Mrs Childress have a Superintendents Endorsement?

Judge for yourself the findings of the FOIA

Ralph

Old East Side said...

The Board sets the budget and the policies. the Finance guys follows them. Oswego Board was a hot mess with too many individuals and their pet issues.

Incompetence Reigns Supreme in EA said...

Oswego is a financial disaster due to financial mismanagement and the over hiring of administrators. They can’t afford to keep their teachers employed because they hired an additional 32 administrators at overinflated salaries. Does any of this sound familiar? Now we’re hiring their Director of Finance??? Will this community ever learn?

Ralph - please investigate!!! said...

Check out his salary at Oswego - it’s in the upper $90s. The school board is bringing him in at $145,000. Did we really need to give him a $50,000 bump to sign him???

History repeats said...

As always Rayanne Carlson's blog is so positive

Turnabout is fair play said...

Yeah, well, back in the day we sent them ours. Anybody remember Doug Gallois?

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-administrative-office-st-0622-story.html

Ralph Padron said...

blog administer

PLEASE REMOVE THE POST OF ALBERTO TIJERINA'S HOUSE INFO

Ralph Padron said...

Good Morning All
Purchase was made in accordance with custodial bid ref pg 3 of the FOIA Response

1 Product IS NOT in accordance with Bid Specifications
Solid content is 19% NOT 25% (see attached)
https://www.grainger.com/product/DIVERSEY-5-gal-Floor-Finish-10F950
https://www.grainger.com/content/general-catalog?pagelabel=1523&search=10F950

2. Price was based on 25% solid percentage
ref bid Form D131 Custodial Supplies line item 170 reads

Explorer - 25% high solids, acrylic copolymer floor polish
Premiere Plus Simonize OR EQUIVALENT
5 gallon Bag in Box
Estimate usage Qty 100

3. The Custodial Bid price was based on this product being (drop shipped) to each individual building
NOT DIRECTLY TO THE WAREHOUSE ON Hill Ave
RESULT: Now chemicals must be delivered to each building

4. Again a major mistake by B&G asst director Jorge Villagomez Freire

Questions/Comments
1 Why was it delivered to the Warehouse instead of the Buildings. (what is that cost)
2 The shipment needs to be rejected and replaced with the correct product specifications
3 Evidently Warehouse Direct quoted on an inferior product not what was specified.
4 Will the Bid be rejected on this item and awarded to the next lowest bidder
5 Did anyone confirm this item was inferior prior to awarding Warehouse Direct according to bid specifications
6 If estimated yearly qty was 100 cases WHY DID JORGE ORDER 250
7 This is the 2nd violation discovered in accordance to bid results.
8 Paper Products were rejected to Unique Products (St Charles vendor) due to incorrect pricing
9 It shows the incompetence and lack of ability to make a simple Purchase Order
Unfortuantely I will have follow up FOIA's concerning this and more.
Look forward to your response

Ralph

Feckless Board Member Kim said...

I can’t believe Kimberly Hatchett refuses to take a stand against ICE agents coming into schools without a warrant and snatching up children. Is it really that hard to take a stand against this blatant and overt racism happening in our country? It’s a good thing for her that others didn’t share her lack of spine in the 1860’s or she would be picking cotton instead of being a feckless board member. What a disgrace.

Tomcat8 said...

For Anonymous Feckless Board Member Kim said...

I think you mean in the 1960's and this was a different situation. They were citizens living in America that were brought over to America as salves. They were taken from their families and sold to the highest bidder. The salves worked on farms and lived in bad conditions and many of the young women were raped by their owners.

ICE deals with illegal immigrants not American Citizens. There is a law they are breaking. Most of the children I believe would be American Citizens since they were born here. If we teach that some can break laws we don't think are right then what is stopping them to break other laws.

Just words said...

Policies and procedures are already in place. Immigration status is never requested by the district. Declaring East a “safe zone” means nothing. They’re just words and add nothing to policy. Kudos to Hatchett, Arroyo, and Johnson for recognizing that a resolution is less meaningful than policies and action. And stop using the word “feckless” as a word of the day just because you heard Samantha Bee use it as an insult.

High school summer staff said...

To Waldo has a GREAT principal- I agree that you have a great admin but unless he can get rid of his deadweight APs, he will leave. We were sad to see him go at EAST. Since Waldo has summer school at the hs, we get to see your useless AP In action. How is your schedule not done at Waldo? Why does an assistant superintendent have to sit in and help as happened today? Morales has been in the district longer than most administrators and has no business being an ap if he can’t even deal with his main job, the schedule. Didn’t they move him from Simmons? I’m sure since the district did a presentation on racial make up of the admin in the district, that has something to do with the fact that Waldo is stuck with their APs. It’s too bad only one of them works and he’s in school so he’ll probably leave to go somewhere his work is appreciated. We want him to come back to East but I’m sure that wouldn’t be allowed since we have a white principal.

Fed Up said...

Dear Trumpite
Not only do you have a white principle so are the majority of the staff in a school/ district that 99% minorities. If the man is incompetent then call it what it is but then again there’s nothing like hearing white people describe themselves as victims. Similarly whites describing reverse discrimination is a joke as well . However when describing reverse discrimination at least you acknowledge there is real discrimination . Most cases of reverse dis is really where I began with Wilson simply being incompetent . Then again when you see equal opportunity your sense of entitlement kicks in and u vote for bigots who promise the elevator but really give u the shaft

Ralph Padron said...

FOIA REQUEST
Date: June 28 2018
Subject: Credit Card Purchases
Timeline: Jan 1 2018 - June 28 2018

Am looking for all CC Purchases by the following employees

Alberto Tijerina
Jorge Villagomez Freire
Mike Huston

Please include description of items purchased

Dear ‘Fed Up’ said...

Sounds like you are well-versed in making racial generalizations

Waldo said...

Not sure how the district hired a technology person at Waldo who doesn't have the qualifications to hold the position. I would hope the board wants certified people in the right positions.

Ralpher1234 said...

Ralph is a troll. I wonder if he bothers his wife and family as much as he bothers everyone else

anonymous1 said...

When's our wonderful union leadership gonna tell us they walked away from the table?!? Looking like the Supreme Court decision comes at a good time and we can stop wasting dues on a do nothing union.....don’t let them fool you, they’ll be trying to bully us into staying in the union with lies and fallacies upcoming. They’ve wasted what 30k of our money on an attorney that was supposed to fix this and be better?!? You can still have every right in the cba they just won’t represent you should a conflict arise, most would say not having Judy Durham represent you is win win as she gives you false information and thinks playing the “black” card with Kim hatchet will win over the board......ask the two TAs who got fired about the great info they got from her instead of opting to resign..... on We're on the home stretch!

My $ flying away said...

Maybe this ruling will persuade the union to better represent those of us who aren’t classroom teachers, but I won’t hold my breath.
AFT/IFT throws so much money towards crappy politicians like Mike Madison who have put Illinois in the nose dive that we’re in. What a great idea to keep funding campaigns of pols that will bankrupt our state and bleed our own pensions dry!
I, myself am seriously considering leaving the union.

Fed up said...

Interesting, the high school summer staff blogger brought up White Principal / the district makeup but u only noticed my generalization . Let’s just never bring it up and we can pretend we are all color blind😜

Fed up said...

Who the heck is mike Madison ? U don’t know the mans name. It’s funny that the complainers want their dues back but want all the benefits. I want my taxes back that pay y’all for whining and complaining

Still crazy after all these years said...

Look who is on the top of the District 131 list for 2017. None other than Annette's BFF Jerome Roberts. After using her to help himself to this hefty retirement. Remind me, again, what did he do to better the quality of Education for our students, or improve the classroom for our teachers?
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/guest-commentary/2018-07-01/guest-commentary-the-teachers-retirement-systems-100000-club

Wished I would not have retired said...

The reality is Roberts is the only one on the list from the new era of East Aurora and he was Superitendent so your information is misleading.

The serial bully Radakovich who retired years ago and also worked at AU is making the SAME as Roberts. Radakovich also will get a IMRF pension because of AU. The question is what did he do for EA other than bankrupt the district? The reality is that happened under the leadership of current BOE member Dan Barraio. READ the list, Vaughn, Struck, Turicano, Ellsworth, White, Benevides and Holliworth. All of the Radakovich cronies made the top most overpaid pensionairs of EA. All worked together at EA when teachers wages because we had a horrible union and a corrupt BOE

It is also my understanding that Ponquinette still gets free insurance because of a deal shady BOE members of the past like Juaniat Wells gave him. The reality is that move puts him the highest paid of all.

I retired from EA years ago when Annette Johnson was newly elected to the BOE. The reality is today my teacher friends pay is moving up and they will soon earn with other districts pay. I realize that this is due to better union leadership and the hard work of Annette Johnson. Let's stop the bashing and review the facts

Call it said...

Annette stop commending yourself let others do that. Your love of Roberts , hate of Radocavich and Juanita Wells is a matter of public record. Malaker was board president when these employees worked at E A you say Well worked out a crooked deal. If you really were an employee regretting retirement you must have forgot that your insurance was cut off by Johnson and the boe. How much more did you net from free and reduce insurance .

Get a life said...

Call it

I retired several years ago and never used the district insurance but my wages compared to other district suffered. I was fortunate enough not to rely on EA since my husband had insurance. I will not get into the Annette debate other that to state the facts. I challenge anyone to read Openbooks and the employees with the highest pensions. They worked under the BOE of Malaker, Farnum, Mccue, Barraio and Wells. Roberts was Sup for many years and he was hired by the aforementioned group. The truth sometimes hurts but Annette Johnson was not the problem and I am sure she does not need to write about herself. What I am sure is there are many green eyed monsters that are jealous of her.

Sorry for the spellcheck error said...

Are you a non-district employee taxpayer, Fed Up? If so, I don’t know why you would care that I don’t want to pay into unions to help fund corrupt politicians. If they can guarantee that the money is not going to politicians, I’m all in. Otherwise, you can mind your own business in affairs that don’t concern you.
And next time you want to get on my case about the misspelling of a name, I will gladly school you on your poor grammar and spelling.

To “Fed up” said...

You must have never had a complaint at your job before, eh? Must be nice to be perfect.
You do realize that high teacher turnover hurts students, and therefore looks poor when it comes time to sell or assess your property, right? Lowest wages in the area doesn’t look good for anyone. But I’m sure you’re a dyed in the wool Trump supporter, so you wouldn’t understand such concepts.

Inquiring Minds said...

Not one single schedule is done at Waldo yet Cowherd's and Simmons are complete and have been since early June. Why have the board minutes not been posted since early May? Why are we finding out the status of the contract from the Beacon instead of the union?

anonymous1 said...

Here we go again! Why is it now that my child cannot attend the neighborhood elementary school? I have to now take two of my students in elementary school to two different schools that start at the same time! East Aurora lets get it together! Do not blame me for one of my children being late because you decided to make a mess!!! I want to ensure they are both safe before I leave the schools.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-stadium-arch-st-0718-story.html

Feed my staving children said...

I went to the BOE meeting and I must say it was entertaining at best. John Laesch Must really be out of touch. He actually thinks that EA can run a in-house food service program. While I feel sorry for our SODEXO workers I can not believe he thinks our administration can pull off feeding the entire district. Our building of 1000 students is still without a schedule.
Stovall does not care so do we think that she will care if students do not receive a hot meal?

Mr Laesch professes to be a union man but I have not heard once that he has publically acknowledged teachers for working at 131 making less than our peers. What a joke!

Building admin said...

Has anyone in upper admin tried to figure out why we have administrators stepping down or leaving quite frequently? Three at Cowherd in the past few years, plus one transferring. One at Waldo, then Brady, Allen, East. Maybe instead of hiring so many ASC, SSC, CSC admin, they should add some more admin to the buildings. A dean at each middle school maybe. At least building admin work with kids instead of all the deadweight service center people who have never run a building but who feel they can run a district. How many SSC, ASC or CSC admin have ever been an actual building principal for any length of time? Yet, they are the ones leading and causing all these principals to leave. It's never the ones we want to leave either. Look at Waldo stuck with Morales. Nobody will ever hold him accountable- instead of getting rid of him when he was at Simmons they stuck waldo with him. The whole SSC knows he is a hindrance but yet he stays and does whatever he wants. No principal is going to put up with that for long. I for one would prefer to have more in building admin to handle issues and work directly with students to admin that sit in a student less building pretending they have a clue what it is actually like. Maybe if the admin had people above them who actually had been building principals for any length of time, they wouldn't be exiting as fast as they can. Who will be next? I bet Waldo and Simmons.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-early-childhood-st-0719-story.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-safe-zone-flyer-st-0718-story.html

Board notes? said...

Where are the board notes? For those of us who cannot get to board meetings, they are helpful. Why have they not been posted since May? What are they hiding? Feed my starving children- you must work at Waldo. I am sure your principal will end up doing it because nothing ever happens to Morales. He used to have a counselor do it at Simmons.

Tomcat8 said...

If you are so upset about the board minutes you can contact The States Attorney Office and file a complaint. By law they have to be posted after they have been approved.

Waldo works said...

Lisa Morales posts the BOE minutes enough said although Feed my is correct can you see our administration coordinating the food service schedule. The entire administration can do NOTHING on a schedule thus nobody will get ever get any food.

fleeing said...

Wow- two elementary principal positions posted today and a department chair at the high school. What is up with the last minute mass exodus of administrators? Not a good way to start the year when staff come back in three weeks. Also still many openings in most areas. Hopefully, those can be filled so the students don't lose out on services and by having subs start the year.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-summer-graduation-st-0725-story.html

Special School Board meeting Thursday! said...

Special
Thursday, July 26, 2018 6:00 PM
School Service Center - 417 Fifth Street, Aurora, IL
I. Roll Call
II. Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing the Appointment, Employment and Dismissal of a Specific Employee
III. Action, if any, Resulting from Executive Session:
A. Motion to Approve the Personnel Report, as listed:
1. Resignations
2. Appointments
3. Adjusted Appointments
4. Contract Adjustments
5. Retirements
6. Leaves
IV. Public Comments/Questions
V. Adjournment

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-njrotc-union-contract-st-0726-story.html

J. said...

There is a mass exodus every year. This is the standard functioning of 131.

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-appointments-st-0729-story.html

Board member subverting our schools said...

Https://thefirstward.net/2018/07/26/quick-hits-stop-subverting-our-school-boards/

Saw this online 🤔

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-west-aurora-conference-st-0808-story.html

concern employee said...

What is the Director of the Buildings and Grounds Department doing?
After George's departure supplies are no longer coming our way, there is no communication whatsoever- waldo cleaning is a mess
vargas is still hiding at the East doing 0 but harassing employees and Huston does nothing but sitting down at his office reading the damn contract looking for ways to write up union brothers
Fat Loui is now driving around the district again, taking gossip from one school to another meanwhile school are still not done with summer work and all things that we supposed to be done are now on reset mode
and don't let start with the painting and grounds help no George no direction

newshound said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-east-aurora-teachers-st-0812-story.html

Jane Jones said...

The higher ups (i.e., Beatrice Childress-Reyes, Heather Kincaid, Steve Megazzini, Annette Johnson...) are nothing but self-serving parasites. When you look at their actions,you see a great discrepancy from what the focus of the district should be. These administrators continue to use their influence to benefit themselves. A new administrative building is not necessary at this time. Overpaying administrators is not a good use of funds. The 75 million dollars the district has coming to them should be invested in the students.Learning environments (e.g., bug and rodent infestations, air conditioning for all classes, asbestos, mold, high levels of lead in the drinking water, etc.) should be the primary focus.

Come visit said...

I work at the SSC and am not a administrator. Please come to my back office when it rains or in high humidity. The smell of mold, rodents, skunks living under the building and the only building that did not have a lead test completed is plenty reason to get a new facility, seems like you may work at the CSC and do not want to give up your comfortable digs.

Since Johnson wants to compare us to West Aurora may e it's time she takes a tour of their fancy offices and stops allowing her group of seniors influence her decision.