This is a letter to the editor from a paper in McHenry County, that was emailed to me. One man's POV on school board conferences. (May be seen at: http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2008/11/19/opinion/letters/doc4923ed1f7f70d289859069.txt )
Many professions have associations for workers with similar jobs to share ideas and successes. The government “public” school industry takes this concept to an incredible (and costly) level.
School boards, administrators, business officials, principals, public relations officials, nurses, science teachers, psychologists, transportation directors, special education administrators, superintendents, social workers, food service managers – to name a few – all have “associations.” For a partial list, visit www.chrisjenner.org/SchoolAssociations.htm.
Many of these associations maintain legislative agendas, some of which promote more and more revenue, while very few drive for responsible spending or improved student achievement.
The annual climax of school associations in Illinois is November 21-23. More than 12,000 school people swarm over three downtown Chicago hotels, all courtesy of Illinois taxpayers. No fewer than nine seminars are offered on how to raise taxes. More than 250 vendors will tout their architectural, financial, and legal services; carpets, roofs, bleachers, etc.
A handful will offer products and services actually related to learning.
Ask your local school officials what’s spent on this “conference” and how the improvement in our schools is measured. What did your public school district’s architects, accountants, and lawyers spend entertaining their “clients” – with what’s ultimately public money?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Positions opening in the Spring
Community service positions available. Team attitude a plus. Concern for the future of ALL the EA children an absolute necessity. Part time, rewarding-serve as an elected volunteer.
Elections for the East Aurora Board of Education will be April 7, 2009. The terms of 4 of the current members will be expiring.
For those wishing to have their name put on the ballot, nominating petitions may be obtained at the School Service Center.
Information is included in the petition packet on how and when to file. Candidates will be on ballot in an April 2009 election.
Two members of the Board of Education will hold Open Houses to discuss the East Aurora Board of Education roles and responsibilities.
The Open Houses will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. and
Saturday, November 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the School Service Center – 417 Fifth Street.
These events are open to the public. All community members are welcome to attend.
Elections for the East Aurora Board of Education will be April 7, 2009. The terms of 4 of the current members will be expiring.
For those wishing to have their name put on the ballot, nominating petitions may be obtained at the School Service Center.
Information is included in the petition packet on how and when to file. Candidates will be on ballot in an April 2009 election.
Two members of the Board of Education will hold Open Houses to discuss the East Aurora Board of Education roles and responsibilities.
The Open Houses will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. and
Saturday, November 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the School Service Center – 417 Fifth Street.
These events are open to the public. All community members are welcome to attend.
Monday, October 13, 2008
7 Open Houses for Referendum/ Working Cash Fund
October calendar notes numerous opportunities for attending a meeting in District 131. Become an informed & involved community member by attending.
14th- Board Personnel committee 3pm, Board Curriculum Committee 5:15pm, Alumni committee 5:30 pm, Referendum Open House 6:30pm
15th-Board Finance Committee 6pm
17th-Referendum Open House 12pm
20th-Board meeting 7pm, come early for Referendum Open House 5:30pm
21st, 24th, 28th, 31st- Referendum Open Houses @ varied times.
See District calendar for accurate dates and times @ http://www.d131.org
14th- Board Personnel committee 3pm, Board Curriculum Committee 5:15pm, Alumni committee 5:30 pm, Referendum Open House 6:30pm
15th-Board Finance Committee 6pm
17th-Referendum Open House 12pm
20th-Board meeting 7pm, come early for Referendum Open House 5:30pm
21st, 24th, 28th, 31st- Referendum Open Houses @ varied times.
See District calendar for accurate dates and times @ http://www.d131.org
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
EA Parent Workshop planned- Sept. 25th
There have been 8 workshops planned for this school year!
Each event will be at a different 131 school, and each will have a different topic.
The first event will be presented by DeNean Adams @ 6:30-7:30 pm
on Sept. 25, 2008 at Johnson Elementary 1934 Liberty Street
The subjects will be Helping your child develop good study habits and to do well in school. Also, learn more about the Illinois Learning Standards.
I hope many parents/guardians and community members take advantage of this time to come out and meet other 131 neighborhood families.
Each event will be at a different 131 school, and each will have a different topic.
The first event will be presented by DeNean Adams @ 6:30-7:30 pm
on Sept. 25, 2008 at Johnson Elementary 1934 Liberty Street
The subjects will be Helping your child develop good study habits and to do well in school. Also, learn more about the Illinois Learning Standards.
I hope many parents/guardians and community members take advantage of this time to come out and meet other 131 neighborhood families.
Friday, August 22, 2008
August 18, 2008
I asked questions and made comments concerning contract negotiations at the open school board meeting on Monday.
In all fairness, I will not attempt to speak for others and what their comments were that evening.
I sent my comments to our secretary but they did not make it into the minutes. You may read a condensed version of them below.
As of July 11, 2008, Illinois' chief executive officer, Gov. Blagojevich will take home $13,118 more, raising his salary to $184,035.
As a Jr. Senator for the state of Illinois-Barack Obama made $158,100 a year salary
As of January 1, 2008, the annual salary of Linda Chapa LaVia and each of 118 State Representative is $169,300.
These people represent and make decisions for 879 public school districts in IL consisting of over 3 million children under the age of 18.
Our school district has over 13,000 students. One superintendent.
Certain members of this board want our approval of a contract that pays our superintendent more than any of those state officials I have mentioned.
Dee & I have expressed concern, disapproval, disappointment and I personally am disgusted with the way this contract has been moved forward without any concern or consideration of input or discussion of ALL board members. Discussion and decisions seemed to have been made through emails and conversations with a few board members and the districts attorney.
The 100 highest-paid school administrators in Illinois in 2006 had salaries ranging from $205 to $380,000. There were 17 who made more than a quarter million dollars for that year: Guess what school district decide to pay their short term superintendent enough to make it # 14 on this list?
YEP! the same district who is cutting our children’s programs and wanting to increase pay and benefits to our present short term supt. How do we justify this, is the question I asked of this board from the podium a few years ago. I ask you again, how do you justify this attempt to approve a contract with all the added cash benefits, w/o having the last contract fulfilled and without significant indicators of marked improvements in our student scores or our budget?
I am opposed to the way this item was slid in on the Personnel report.
We have had no group decisions regarding salary, goal indicators or the changing of the terms of the last contract by implementing a new one-what the hell kind of "team" is this?
An article in the Christian Science Monitor in March of this year states:
An overly politicized school board, critics say, is often the problem where children's educational needs don't appear to be a priority.
The vote was 5-2 in favor of the contract.
In all fairness, I will not attempt to speak for others and what their comments were that evening.
I sent my comments to our secretary but they did not make it into the minutes. You may read a condensed version of them below.
As of July 11, 2008, Illinois' chief executive officer, Gov. Blagojevich will take home $13,118 more, raising his salary to $184,035.
As a Jr. Senator for the state of Illinois-Barack Obama made $158,100 a year salary
As of January 1, 2008, the annual salary of Linda Chapa LaVia and each of 118 State Representative is $169,300.
These people represent and make decisions for 879 public school districts in IL consisting of over 3 million children under the age of 18.
Our school district has over 13,000 students. One superintendent.
Certain members of this board want our approval of a contract that pays our superintendent more than any of those state officials I have mentioned.
Dee & I have expressed concern, disapproval, disappointment and I personally am disgusted with the way this contract has been moved forward without any concern or consideration of input or discussion of ALL board members. Discussion and decisions seemed to have been made through emails and conversations with a few board members and the districts attorney.
The 100 highest-paid school administrators in Illinois in 2006 had salaries ranging from $205 to $380,000. There were 17 who made more than a quarter million dollars for that year: Guess what school district decide to pay their short term superintendent enough to make it # 14 on this list?
YEP! the same district who is cutting our children’s programs and wanting to increase pay and benefits to our present short term supt. How do we justify this, is the question I asked of this board from the podium a few years ago. I ask you again, how do you justify this attempt to approve a contract with all the added cash benefits, w/o having the last contract fulfilled and without significant indicators of marked improvements in our student scores or our budget?
I am opposed to the way this item was slid in on the Personnel report.
We have had no group decisions regarding salary, goal indicators or the changing of the terms of the last contract by implementing a new one-what the hell kind of "team" is this?
An article in the Christian Science Monitor in March of this year states:
An overly politicized school board, critics say, is often the problem where children's educational needs don't appear to be a priority.
The vote was 5-2 in favor of the contract.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
To each his own
I thought the EA bloggers were on summer break, also.
I was away for 2 days. I return and find discussion has erupted.
In my estimation there has been some very healthy blogging going on. A little religion (if you don’t count the duplicate postings). A little politics, and various points of view. I LOVE IT!
One person and one opinion will not create change. Many people speaking up and out make it clear there is discontent in EA with our school district. Whether we choose to go to meetings, stand and protest, pray, blog , bitch, any or all of the above. Our common ground is our EA community. We all want what is best for our children, our schools and our neighborhoods. Change can and will happen. I assure you there are folks who read this blog that have the authority to help implement change. They may not acknowledge the communities concerns whether we express them at our city meetings, neighbor groups or at the board meetings. That does not mean we should sit down and feel that our opinion is less than valid.
That is why this blog was created to allow you to speak your mind. Tell us your thoughts. To borrow a line from an oldies tune, join the blog and “Express yourself!”
I was away for 2 days. I return and find discussion has erupted.
In my estimation there has been some very healthy blogging going on. A little religion (if you don’t count the duplicate postings). A little politics, and various points of view. I LOVE IT!
One person and one opinion will not create change. Many people speaking up and out make it clear there is discontent in EA with our school district. Whether we choose to go to meetings, stand and protest, pray, blog , bitch, any or all of the above. Our common ground is our EA community. We all want what is best for our children, our schools and our neighborhoods. Change can and will happen. I assure you there are folks who read this blog that have the authority to help implement change. They may not acknowledge the communities concerns whether we express them at our city meetings, neighbor groups or at the board meetings. That does not mean we should sit down and feel that our opinion is less than valid.
That is why this blog was created to allow you to speak your mind. Tell us your thoughts. To borrow a line from an oldies tune, join the blog and “Express yourself!”
Friday, June 27, 2008
Not newsworthy, this time.
It has been pretty quiet here. So I thought this would be a good time to share a bit of good news.
The charges filed by the teachers union president against the district, have been dropped by the union.
If you recall the Beacon reported on February 8, 2008 "Teachers union complains about East board member"
State education officials are reviewing allegations that an East Aurora School Board member encouraged borderline "civil disobedience" at a teachers union meeting.
The charge, filed by the union asked that board member Rayanne Carlson "refrain from ... busting into our meetings, encouraging our members to engage in unlawful activities and suggesting that union members assist (board members) in their personal agendas."
The Education Labor Relations Board will investigate the charge and decide whether to hold a hearing, said general counsel Helen Higgins.
So many have given me much encouragement since the initial report. Those at the meeting and those who know me, knew I had no intentions of malice, as reported.
I am pleased the way this turned out. I wish the teachers stories may have happy endings, also.
I hope the community continues to attempt to stay informed of what happens in 131.
Demand accountability. Support the teachers. Pray for the children.
The charges filed by the teachers union president against the district, have been dropped by the union.
If you recall the Beacon reported on February 8, 2008 "Teachers union complains about East board member"
State education officials are reviewing allegations that an East Aurora School Board member encouraged borderline "civil disobedience" at a teachers union meeting.
The charge, filed by the union asked that board member Rayanne Carlson "refrain from ... busting into our meetings, encouraging our members to engage in unlawful activities and suggesting that union members assist (board members) in their personal agendas."
The Education Labor Relations Board will investigate the charge and decide whether to hold a hearing, said general counsel Helen Higgins.
So many have given me much encouragement since the initial report. Those at the meeting and those who know me, knew I had no intentions of malice, as reported.
I am pleased the way this turned out. I wish the teachers stories may have happy endings, also.
I hope the community continues to attempt to stay informed of what happens in 131.
Demand accountability. Support the teachers. Pray for the children.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)