In Saturday’s paper, the editors write about how terrible it is that the City of Peoria is ending its involvement with District 150’s crossing guard program, looking at water user fees that would impact the district, and moving toward establishing two new TIFs that would also impact D150. The title and main point of their editorial: “Actions speak louder than words.”
Indeed.
From the same paper, in an article on District 150’s plan to demolish three houses they purchased adjacent to Glen Oak Park:
[District treasurer Guy] Cahill said the district hasn’t abandoned its interest in building a school on that site one day, which is part of the reason why demolition is an appropriate choice.
“We never intended to have those houses there in the long-run anyway. In other words, the homes add no value to that property near or long-term,” Cahill said after the meeting.
Never mind that every neighborhood association came out against the school in the park. Never mind that the Park Board denied a land-sharing agreement that was critical for the school’s plans to locate there. Never mind that the City of Peoria, while not officially voting on it, nevertheless made clear its displeasure and even made overtures to help the district keep the school at the current Glen Oak School site. No, today we read that “the district hasn’t abandoned its interest in building a school on that site one day,” and thus will commence with demolishing the houses already purchased — a few at a time, apparently.
In other words, the school district is collectively giving Peoria the finger.
Hence, I don’t shed one tear over the actions the City has taken to start withdrawing support from District 150. It’s not like the City hasn’t tried to cooperate. In 2006, the City extended to District 150 $311,105 in operating costs, $575,000 in capital costs, and $236,000 in debt service costs — a total of $1,122,105. Did they ever ask anything from District 150 in return for that? Once: they asked that the Woodruff attendance area replacement school be built at the site of the current Glen Oak School building — and even offered to throw in $500,000 more for property acquisition to boot. Response from District 150? The finger.
You know what? Cooperation isn’t cooperation when only one party is doing the cooperating. That’s called exploitation. And that’s what District 150 is doing to the City and the taxpayers.
They need to go. Hinton needs to go. Cahill needs to go. And, frankly, the school board needs to go.
Until people are elected/hired that will truly cooperate (partner, collaborate) with others — such as the City, the taxpayers, the parents and teachers — I don’t think they should get one thin dime from the City.
Furthermore, if things don’t turn around soon, I think the Mayor should appeal to the state for authority to take over the school district just like Mayor Daley did with the Chicago public schools over a decade ago. Peoria’s public school district is getting close to a state takeover anyway — why not keep it local?
Best. Post. Ever.
I totaly agree. Your best post! I think #150 has fingered everyone in the city. Who is left that District 150 can piss off?
I’ll jump on the “best post ever” bandwagon, too! Finally Peorians are seeing through Hinton’s facade and realizing there is nothing there except selfishness and the most single-minded determination to have his own way that you will see in a human being.
As for the BOE, at least the “majority of four” needs to go – they have been running, and ruining, things for at least 5 years. This group does nothing but show disdain for the public – their practice of gathering after board meetings (they were going to Leonardo’s but have since changed their location) in flagrant disregard of the Open Meetings Act is outrageous. If my memory is correct, there is/was a process for removing school board members through the Office of the Regional Superintendent of Schools. It may be a long shot, but is worth a try. Contacting the ISBE is another option.
And Mr. Palmer, it seems the only Peoria entity that SD#150 has not angered is the Journal Star. They seem to still enjoy a mutual admiration society.
Kudos…..
btw…Aaron Schock’s silence is deafening. It’s like he’s never heard of District 150.
wouldnt it be wonderful if some of the atlarge candidates had the guts to run on a platform of taking over district150 schools?
i got problems with lots of people on the council… but every one of them are better then all of the idiots on the school board
CJ,
B R A V O ! ! !
Well said my man! Of course anybody who reads my posts know I am forever slamming King Hinton and his Court Jester Cahill. I often speak of Hinton’s arrogance and staff intimidation plus his fine ability of double talk. As for Cahill you must remember he was fired from Pekin. 150 hired him from a Chicago district one fourth the size of district 150, hardly the proving grounds for a CFO. Put Hinton and Cahill together and you spell disaster!
^oo^~
Senility hasn’t set in yet! I’ve researched the removal of BOE members in the Illinois School Code and found the following:
(105 ILCS 5/3‑14.28) (from Ch. 122, par. 3‑14.28)
Sec. 3‑14.28. To remove any member of a school board from office upon the direction of the State Superintendent of Education pursuant to action of the State Board of Education authorized under Section 2‑3.25f and to appoint individuals to fill vacancies thereby created within 30 days. (Source: P.A. 87‑559.)
Also:
(105 ILCS 5/3‑15.5) (from Ch. 122, par. 3‑15.5)
Sec. 3‑15.5. Removal of school board members. To remove any member of a school board from office for wilful failure to perform his official duties.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)
For anyone interested, here is the link for the ISBE:
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/
It would seem the place to start is by writing letters of complaint to the ISBE and the ROE.
Forgot to include the link to Dr. Gerald Brookhart, Regional Superintendent of Schools:
http://peoria.k12.il.us/roe48/
I 100% agree except for:
“I think the Mayor should appeal to the state for authority to take over the school district just like Mayor Daley did with the Chicago public schools over a decade ago. Peoria’s public school district is getting close to a state takeover anyway — why not keep it local?”
Daley runs a machine. (A very high-functioning machine.) Chicago taxpayers could be assured of long-term continuity in the mayor’s office when Daley took over the schools. The council is politically powerful, and Daley has typically wielded an impressive majority in the council throughout his tenure. (Latest elections will be interesting.)
Jim Ardis (and I think this is a compliment to him rather than otherwise) does not run a machine. Peoria doesn’t have the kind of long-term continuity (aka “dynasty”) in the mayor’s office that Chicago does. Our council is less-powerful, less entrenched, and less tied to particular city interests, and officially non-partisan.
Chicago also has a lot more money to throw around — they paid Vallas an ARM AND A LEG.
I’d want to see a really super-solid plan for how the city would manage the schools, particularly through mayoral transitions, before I’d want to buy into that kind of plan.
But SOMETHING has got to happen. This is just disgraceful.
Applause, applause! One of the best critique’s of 150 to date.
One Feral Kat: What are the particulars surrounding your comment?
“As for Cahill you must remember he was fired from Pekin.”
Karrie,
I was merely stating that Cahill was fired by the Pekin school district. I understand that his dismal case is a sealed document and neither he nor the Pekin board can discuss it. On the other hand when the PJS did their muck raking background exposes of Dr Kay Royster they sure speculated time and time again about her employment history elsewhere didn’t they? Seems funny that a white man with a tainted background locally wasn’t subjected to that scrutiny and “creative†public service! ^oo^~
Karrie, for what it is worth, it was told to me that Cahill has some private clients and he was doing work for them on Pekin’s time. Also have heard he is doing the same thing at #150. Don’t know if there is any substance to this or not, but it keeps coming up.