Hello fellow Bloggers,
I apologize for the lack of new posts to this blog. I had been a bit busy and openlineblog had good dialog going on a few of their posts, so I did not see a need for encouraging discussion on this blog.
That will hopefully change. Over the next few months I hope to encourage community input and keep district 131 residents informed of things going on concerning our schools. Our open forum here can be a useful tool to our school board to survey the community and keep it's members up to date on issues that are not normally news worthy to the local media.
I will update this post as I fine tune this blog site to continue to serve the old purpose and realign it as a communication tool within the district.
In the mean time, Dee and I would like to thank all of those who have encouraged and supported us throughout the election process. We look forward to being representatives of our community in District 131 as board members.
We would like to invite everyone to attend the School Board meeting on May 7th @ 7pm. We are scheduled to be sworn in that night. Due to some information that is required to be delivered to the school board prior to our swearing in, the swearing in may be rescheduled to Tuesday May 8th.
The regular board meeting will still take place Monday. Please attend and show support for the dedication of the out going members.
Please note in the comments. An excellent beginning to this blog as a communication tool. I have copied a comment and entered it in this post from Dan Barriero. His dedication is continuing, I hope community members do not stop their campaign to support our schools.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Yes, to transparency, why some will still say NO to the referendum
A blog comment I felt worth posting:
Anonymous said...
The Need for Public School Financial Transparency
The Illinois government-run school system continues to resist financial transparency. Instead of fully disclosing how it’s spending $20 billion dollars of taxpayers’ money, they cry out for more. In the private sector there’s something called GAAP accounting practices. GAAP stands for “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” In the government-run school system in Illinois we see PAAP – “Politically Accepted Accounting Principles.”
We’ve got a simple question: how can anyone not support full disclosure of all government revenues and expenditures? Yet when it comes to the public school spending crisis in Illinois, those who stand to personally profit from increasing taxes resist transparency. As one observer has stated, it’s time to “solve the lexicography of the dissemblers.” Currently there is no citizen oversight of government-run school spending, and there’s precious little effective school board oversight, either.
There should be a standardized accounting and full disclosure of all district revenues and expenditures (including the district’s check register) on the World Wide Web, including:
A list of all employees in an organizational chart.
Every classroom expenditure should be outlined.
Every contract – including those of administrators, should be posted in its entirety.
(It’s clear that many school boards prefer to keep some of the perks and some of the details of the benefit packages away from the public eye, since the scale of their generosity with money earmarked for educating kids would rouse ire on the part of the taxpayers.)
March 14, 2007 10:16 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excellent points and resolution.
It is my understanding, the same time the balanced budget is due from the schools in 2010, the state is going to require some sort of website posting of accounting from the schools.
It is suppose to be part of the total accountability package.
Do we dare to hope the we taxpayers may actually see how our dollars are spent?
Could this possibly be the reason the push is on for referendums to pass and money to be spent, before transparency is law?
Anonymous said...
The Need for Public School Financial Transparency
The Illinois government-run school system continues to resist financial transparency. Instead of fully disclosing how it’s spending $20 billion dollars of taxpayers’ money, they cry out for more. In the private sector there’s something called GAAP accounting practices. GAAP stands for “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” In the government-run school system in Illinois we see PAAP – “Politically Accepted Accounting Principles.”
We’ve got a simple question: how can anyone not support full disclosure of all government revenues and expenditures? Yet when it comes to the public school spending crisis in Illinois, those who stand to personally profit from increasing taxes resist transparency. As one observer has stated, it’s time to “solve the lexicography of the dissemblers.” Currently there is no citizen oversight of government-run school spending, and there’s precious little effective school board oversight, either.
There should be a standardized accounting and full disclosure of all district revenues and expenditures (including the district’s check register) on the World Wide Web, including:
A list of all employees in an organizational chart.
Every classroom expenditure should be outlined.
Every contract – including those of administrators, should be posted in its entirety.
(It’s clear that many school boards prefer to keep some of the perks and some of the details of the benefit packages away from the public eye, since the scale of their generosity with money earmarked for educating kids would rouse ire on the part of the taxpayers.)
March 14, 2007 10:16 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excellent points and resolution.
It is my understanding, the same time the balanced budget is due from the schools in 2010, the state is going to require some sort of website posting of accounting from the schools.
It is suppose to be part of the total accountability package.
Do we dare to hope the we taxpayers may actually see how our dollars are spent?
Could this possibly be the reason the push is on for referendums to pass and money to be spent, before transparency is law?
Monday, February 19, 2007
Show us (where) the money (is spent).
I spoke recently with one of our State representatives. Concerning school finances, they "do NOT think it's about more money. It's about the kids." Which I agreed. They went on to explain the "schools have not been accountable to the state and communities" for sometime.
This is why the state has required the schools to have a balanced budget by 2010.
Similar to our contribution through property taxes, the state has been paying into the schools (with taxpayer money) and is not seeing the accounting for these funds.
For YEARS our district has gone over budget and borrowed against our children's future. The future is here and now and they want us, community members, to pay for it. In some ways we are responsible. We should have been more involved, earlier on, and required more accountability sooner.
The community was not asked for it's input until the district surplus of cash had run dry. In turn, we the community did not ask for more accountability till the district wanted us to cough up more cash. For both sides it has been all about the money and we all are using the kids as the
bargaining chip for our response to the budget dilemma.
This isn't about busing, or kids getting to school or field trips. It is about getting our kids the best basic education we can afford. Schools cannot continue to take over as social workers and surrogate parents to give kids trips to the zoo and offer alternative schools to chronically truant students. Programs for students who want to be in school and whose parents make the effort to be involved are paying the cost. These students are losing lifetime opportunities that cannot be replaced.
National Honor Society, fine arts, clubs and activities are a small investment in keeping students encouraged about school and creating an atmosphere of community within their school. Not to mention, it looks great on the college application.
Below you will see a proposal that was mentioned at one budget forum. It was put aside quickly and I, for one, do not know why. In the list of alternate reductions you will see nearly 3 million could be saved by cuts to administrative positions only. Why wasn't this plan discussed more at the Tuesday Talks? Or at more of the Board forums?
Alternate Reductions
1.1.) Service Center Admin.
a) 81,000
b) 65,000
c) 30,000
d) 76,000
e) 87,500
f) 24,000
g) 65,400
h) 60,900
Total 489,800
2.2.)Elementary Admin.
a) 599,813
b) 319,614
Total 919,427
3.3.) Middle School Admin.
a) 492,059
b) 109,469
Total 601,528
4.) High School Admin.
a) 270,752
b) 10,000
c) 266,415
d) 90,000
e) 197,000
Total 834,167
Grand Total - All Alternative Reductions= $ 2,844,922
This is why the state has required the schools to have a balanced budget by 2010.
Similar to our contribution through property taxes, the state has been paying into the schools (with taxpayer money) and is not seeing the accounting for these funds.
For YEARS our district has gone over budget and borrowed against our children's future. The future is here and now and they want us, community members, to pay for it. In some ways we are responsible. We should have been more involved, earlier on, and required more accountability sooner.
The community was not asked for it's input until the district surplus of cash had run dry. In turn, we the community did not ask for more accountability till the district wanted us to cough up more cash. For both sides it has been all about the money and we all are using the kids as the
bargaining chip for our response to the budget dilemma.
This isn't about busing, or kids getting to school or field trips. It is about getting our kids the best basic education we can afford. Schools cannot continue to take over as social workers and surrogate parents to give kids trips to the zoo and offer alternative schools to chronically truant students. Programs for students who want to be in school and whose parents make the effort to be involved are paying the cost. These students are losing lifetime opportunities that cannot be replaced.
National Honor Society, fine arts, clubs and activities are a small investment in keeping students encouraged about school and creating an atmosphere of community within their school. Not to mention, it looks great on the college application.
Below you will see a proposal that was mentioned at one budget forum. It was put aside quickly and I, for one, do not know why. In the list of alternate reductions you will see nearly 3 million could be saved by cuts to administrative positions only. Why wasn't this plan discussed more at the Tuesday Talks? Or at more of the Board forums?
Alternate Reductions
1.1.) Service Center Admin.
a) 81,000
b) 65,000
c) 30,000
d) 76,000
e) 87,500
f) 24,000
g) 65,400
h) 60,900
Total 489,800
2.2.)Elementary Admin.
a) 599,813
b) 319,614
Total 919,427
3.3.) Middle School Admin.
a) 492,059
b) 109,469
Total 601,528
4.) High School Admin.
a) 270,752
b) 10,000
c) 266,415
d) 90,000
e) 197,000
Total 834,167
Grand Total - All Alternative Reductions= $ 2,844,922
Monday, January 29, 2007
Board in favor of referendum
There was a meeting tonight with administration, a few community members and 6 board members present.
In short, Board member McCue and Barriero were the only ones that took the community input into consideration and suggested asking for 55c instead of 85c increase, to show they listening to the community .
When all was said and done Roberts and Augustine made the recommendation to ask for 85c. The board majority agreed to 75c.
As Dan Barriero suggested, without asking for a lower amount, it is as if all the forums and comments by the public were for nothing, if they come back and ask for the same amount that was rejected in November.
Obviously, that is exactly what their agenda was, so much for transparency. I am sure we all saw that one coming. Maybe not head on, but with a little "side stepping" as it was described in the Beacon.
In short, Board member McCue and Barriero were the only ones that took the community input into consideration and suggested asking for 55c instead of 85c increase, to show they listening to the community .
When all was said and done Roberts and Augustine made the recommendation to ask for 85c. The board majority agreed to 75c.
As Dan Barriero suggested, without asking for a lower amount, it is as if all the forums and comments by the public were for nothing, if they come back and ask for the same amount that was rejected in November.
Obviously, that is exactly what their agenda was, so much for transparency. I am sure we all saw that one coming. Maybe not head on, but with a little "side stepping" as it was described in the Beacon.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
http://openline.blogspot.com/
Hello Folks,
I started this ea131blog when new EA stories quit appearing on "openline blog" yet, people continued to go back to the old East Aurora postings to continue commenting.
I will continue to post when I am able to attend meetings and give details of what goes on at those meetings. In the best interest of keeping active dialogue about district 131, I suggest you continue to read and comment on the "openline blog" site, where I believe many more people will read your comments. You are welcome to continue posting here. I just want to see the comments continue to help us all see different perspectives.
I know there a few new people to this site, may I suggest you go to the site listed in the title of this post, and check it out, too..
Please keep telling friends and neighbors, coworkers and others you meet what the FACTS are with the referendum. The questions left unanswered and the details of a budget left untold.
I have listened to Dr, Roberts and I have listened to the pro ref. individuals. I am not confident my money will be any better spent with additional funds, than it has been in the past.
:o) Till later.
I started this ea131blog when new EA stories quit appearing on "openline blog" yet, people continued to go back to the old East Aurora postings to continue commenting.
I will continue to post when I am able to attend meetings and give details of what goes on at those meetings. In the best interest of keeping active dialogue about district 131, I suggest you continue to read and comment on the "openline blog" site, where I believe many more people will read your comments. You are welcome to continue posting here. I just want to see the comments continue to help us all see different perspectives.
I know there a few new people to this site, may I suggest you go to the site listed in the title of this post, and check it out, too..
Please keep telling friends and neighbors, coworkers and others you meet what the FACTS are with the referendum. The questions left unanswered and the details of a budget left untold.
I have listened to Dr, Roberts and I have listened to the pro ref. individuals. I am not confident my money will be any better spent with additional funds, than it has been in the past.
:o) Till later.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tax caps, band instruments, admin cuts, oh my.....
I attended 2 District 131 meetings on Tuesday, Jan. 16th. I
attended the Tuesday Talks meeting at East HS hosted by Dr. Roberts. I thought it was to be second in a series he has scheduled. I was disappointed to find out this meeting was just a repeat of the first meeting but at a different time of day, and different location. As will be the remaining three talks.
Basically, Dr. Roberts explained “how we got here.” Which I took to mean-How district 131 got in this financial situation. He explained that due to the new law that requires districts to balance their budgets, 131 has a problem. Previously, 131 used to borrow money (deficit financing) to balance their budget.
Approx. 7 years ago they had a surplus of $20 million. At that time, they were spending $4 million more per year than they were taking in. The board chose to spend down the surplus before coming to the electorate to ask for more. Over the last 2 years they have cut $4 million from the budget. They felt there would be a “friendly referendum environment when the tenure of the community changed.”
He feels that great strides have been made in the quality of qualified teachers the district now attracts and retains. Over the last decade they have become more of a preferred employer due to changed working conditions and improved salaries. He feels this has resulted in getting 12 schools getting off the AYP list.
Since the referendum did not pass in Nov. '06, cuts will need to be made in ‘07-‘08 school year. They have attempted to do a balanced reduction “so everyone feels a little pain.” For those who have suggested cutting more administrative positions, Dr. Roberts said even if they cut their 16 principals and 8 central office people at the administrative level, that could not balance the budget.
The rest of the “talks” was stuff you would have already read in the paper or somewhere, if you have been keeping up with 131 and their business dealings.
Yada yada…….boards decides whether or not to put ref. on the ballot; West EAV (tax $$) extremely higher than Easts.
Dr. Roberts ended asking if we can look ourselves in the mirror and ask the question “do they need the money?” If we say no- 13,000 kids in the community will suffer. “Just a guy trying to help 13,000 kids.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I went to the School board meeting that evening. Pretty much, same stuff. Board member,Russ P. expounded on why the tax cap has hurt our revenue. (to save space on this post, I will be adding a comment about tax caps ).
A very surprising comment came from Bud Herbig and the curricular committee. He put a request out for donations of band instruments. It seems there are many students at the elementary level that cannot join band, because they cannot afford the instruments. As you well know, as a band booster, I could write another chapter on that comment.
So for now, I will leave you with this brief overview of the meetings and will add comments later, and I encourage yours. :o)
attended the Tuesday Talks meeting at East HS hosted by Dr. Roberts. I thought it was to be second in a series he has scheduled. I was disappointed to find out this meeting was just a repeat of the first meeting but at a different time of day, and different location. As will be the remaining three talks.
Basically, Dr. Roberts explained “how we got here.” Which I took to mean-How district 131 got in this financial situation. He explained that due to the new law that requires districts to balance their budgets, 131 has a problem. Previously, 131 used to borrow money (deficit financing) to balance their budget.
Approx. 7 years ago they had a surplus of $20 million. At that time, they were spending $4 million more per year than they were taking in. The board chose to spend down the surplus before coming to the electorate to ask for more. Over the last 2 years they have cut $4 million from the budget. They felt there would be a “friendly referendum environment when the tenure of the community changed.”
He feels that great strides have been made in the quality of qualified teachers the district now attracts and retains. Over the last decade they have become more of a preferred employer due to changed working conditions and improved salaries. He feels this has resulted in getting 12 schools getting off the AYP list.
Since the referendum did not pass in Nov. '06, cuts will need to be made in ‘07-‘08 school year. They have attempted to do a balanced reduction “so everyone feels a little pain.” For those who have suggested cutting more administrative positions, Dr. Roberts said even if they cut their 16 principals and 8 central office people at the administrative level, that could not balance the budget.
The rest of the “talks” was stuff you would have already read in the paper or somewhere, if you have been keeping up with 131 and their business dealings.
Yada yada…….boards decides whether or not to put ref. on the ballot; West EAV (tax $$) extremely higher than Easts.
Dr. Roberts ended asking if we can look ourselves in the mirror and ask the question “do they need the money?” If we say no- 13,000 kids in the community will suffer. “Just a guy trying to help 13,000 kids.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I went to the School board meeting that evening. Pretty much, same stuff. Board member,Russ P. expounded on why the tax cap has hurt our revenue. (to save space on this post, I will be adding a comment about tax caps ).
A very surprising comment came from Bud Herbig and the curricular committee. He put a request out for donations of band instruments. It seems there are many students at the elementary level that cannot join band, because they cannot afford the instruments. As you well know, as a band booster, I could write another chapter on that comment.
So for now, I will leave you with this brief overview of the meetings and will add comments later, and I encourage yours. :o)
Monday, January 15, 2007
Meetings in January
The remainder of January there are 4 different meetings scheduled in the district. One will have discussions on the budget, 2 others will focus on the referendum campaign in District 131. The school board meeting offers time for public comment.
For concerned community members, attending all these meetings to keep well informed, can be quite a task.
The community budget forum aka Tuesday Talk, open door meeting will be midday.
The Community Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for January 16th at 12:00 noon will be hosting a community budget forum in lieu of their usual meeting. East Aurora School District 131 Superintendent, Dr. Jerome Roberts will be the host. Also, the meeting location has been changed to East High School room 239 in order to accommodate a larger group.
Referendum Review Council (RRC) meetings are January 18th and 25th at 6:30 at the service center. One meeting was already held on the 11th.
The flyer says: Register for RRC by contacting Info@d131.org or 630-299-5566
This is a group comprised of parents, community members, educators and civic leaders that provides constructive feedback about the district's November referendum campaign. This council focuses on what should be changed, created, cancelled or continued (4 C's) in reference to the previous process. Information collected will be provided to the Board of Education and Administration.
There is a disclaimer of sorts on this flyer that states:
PLEASE NOTE: This council is not the East Aurora Referendum Committee. The Board of Education has yet to vote on placing a referendum on the April ballot. In such case that the Board votes in favor of an April referendum, the EA Referendum committee will be reestablished independent of the School District.
East Aurora Referendum Committee (no meetings yet)
And.........the District 131 School Board meeting is "supposed" to be held on Tuesday this week, due to the holiday. Meeting is posted to take place January 16th at 7:00 p.m at the school service center.
For concerned community members, attending all these meetings to keep well informed, can be quite a task.
The community budget forum aka Tuesday Talk, open door meeting will be midday.
The Community Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for January 16th at 12:00 noon will be hosting a community budget forum in lieu of their usual meeting. East Aurora School District 131 Superintendent, Dr. Jerome Roberts will be the host. Also, the meeting location has been changed to East High School room 239 in order to accommodate a larger group.
Referendum Review Council (RRC) meetings are January 18th and 25th at 6:30 at the service center. One meeting was already held on the 11th.
The flyer says: Register for RRC by contacting Info@d131.org or 630-299-5566
This is a group comprised of parents, community members, educators and civic leaders that provides constructive feedback about the district's November referendum campaign. This council focuses on what should be changed, created, cancelled or continued (4 C's) in reference to the previous process. Information collected will be provided to the Board of Education and Administration.
There is a disclaimer of sorts on this flyer that states:
PLEASE NOTE: This council is not the East Aurora Referendum Committee. The Board of Education has yet to vote on placing a referendum on the April ballot. In such case that the Board votes in favor of an April referendum, the EA Referendum committee will be reestablished independent of the School District.
East Aurora Referendum Committee (no meetings yet)
And.........the District 131 School Board meeting is "supposed" to be held on Tuesday this week, due to the holiday. Meeting is posted to take place January 16th at 7:00 p.m at the school service center.
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