39 thoughts on “D150 approves charter school applications”

1. CJ,
   This is off topic, but as I listen to the school board meeting tonight I cannot help but bring this to the public’s attention. Our school board members and their paid consultants are an embarrassment!
   Cynthia Fischer used the filler work “um” more than one hundred times during her presentation tonight. Wolfmeyer was a close second.
   I am appalled. Both entities should be able to speak well. Additionally, too many of the current school board members used poor grammar or were unable to speak well.
   The board obviously does not value excellence. If they valued excellence they would speak well, speak clearly, and speak into their microphones.
   How can we expect improved overall performance in District 150 without our current leadership setting the best example? They seem to be oblivious at best or ignorant at worse.
   I ask all of you to question whether they should remain in office.

2. George the original NOT Jacob:

   Also off topic, I agree with you. I was also sick due to the fact there is a consultant leading the way to a charter school. Randal, yet another consultant spoke at the meeting also. Grant or no grant, it is obvious Hinton and the board are not listening to the public about cutting the consultants. They do not care what people in the community think. With the consultants doing all this work it is a clear message that Hinton is way in over his head and can not do his job. He was not qualified when he was hired and as far as I am concerned he still is not qualified. Why did people think a person with ZERO experience as a superintendent could lead the district? Look at the mess he has made.

   One more thing, Gorenz was VERY rude to the gentleman that gets up to speak at almost every board meeting. Just who does he think he is?

   Oh and one more, Bob Darling said HR needs an assistant. That may be true however, the current HR director is not a good manager, the department is a mess because of the lack of proper management skills. Fix that before bringing in an assistant.

3. I ask all of you to question whether they should remain in office.

   No they should not.

   Oh and one more, Bob Darling said HR needs an assistant. That may be true however, the current HR director is not a good manager, the department is a mess because of the lack of proper management skills. Fix that before bringing in an assistant.

   Serenity, I thought the exact same thing. In this district the solution to a problem is to just hire MORE people instead of hiring more COMPETANT people.

   I did appreciate Darlings comments regarding the time not being right for charter schools. He felt it would be to the exclusion of the majority of the student body. I couldn’t agree more.

   Also, not sure if you guys caught this, but David Walvoord told the Board of Education that a buyer they had on a property COULD NOT back out of a real estate contract. HELLO!!! Buyers find loopholes in contracts all the time. Buyers can lose their jobs prior to closing. Buyers can get turned down for financing. Buyers can change their minds and say “sue me” I ain’t buyin it. Buyers can discover an undisclosed defect in the property. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. Walvoord gave the board member INCORRECT information on which to base a decision.

   And finally, Serenity, so glad you pointed out the absurdity of the district relying on an outside paid consultant to lead the charge on what they believe will be the saving grace of the district – charter schools. Shouldn’t that be a central admin function and if not, why are we paying them?

4. God invented Real Estate Lawyers for a reason!!

   LOL even the abortion thread has turned into a District 150 thread….. somehow I find that fitting!!!

5. Blame it on CJ. He should have started a new thread. 😉

6. Like the gentleman said at the board meeting last night, “You can’t fix the schools you have now. So so why are you starting a charter school?”

7. Idonotknowme.blogspot.com posted a link to this article from the CATO institute:

   http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10256

   There is a growing trend towards citizens forming their own audit committees to oversee the expenditures of their local school districts. Many of them are asking the school districts to participate in the emerging practice of publishing their check register ON-LINE.

   Hmmm…where is Karrie?

8. “It will be interesting to see who steps forward to operate this proposed charter school.”

   The agenda item – although they didn’t read it this way at the meeting – said that the proposals were by invitation only. So I’m thinking they know who will step forward.

   I thought it was good that Jim Stowell brought up that the private group should be paying Cindy Fischer instead of the school district – it didn’t go anywhere but it was at least good to bring up.

9. Here’s the motive for the charter school: to provide a non-poverty, non-minority school for residents living in West Peoria and Bradley area. They are mad that Tyng kids will be at Whittier, worried about Manual and Peoria High, with Woodruff’s inner city kids soon to go there. So a new school is being created for them.

   It’s also very undemocratic, in that it takes the best students away from their home schools and deprives ordinary students of their influence and friendship. All special schools do this, including Washington Middle School.

   The charter school is also a union busting strategy, as charter schools can employ non certified teachers who are not in the bargaining unit. That’s a perfect job for a failed CEO backing this idea, or the CEO’s friends and relatives.

   Maybe they, like the consultants, will be paid $350 a day. Not great for them but better than nothing.

10. We get it, Elaine – you don’t like any approach that isn’t unionized, centralized, fully-integrated, etc. However, let’s set aside some of these issues and give them credit for moving forward with something of a different approach. Doing what they have already done will result in the same result we’ve gotten for years – a system that is NOT educating all our children. Unions are not the issue – it’s the quality of the teacher. Good managers can get a good result without respect to whether the teacher is union or non-union; that’s nothing but a red-herring designed to elicit an emotional response. Sometimes you have to start from scratch to build a new system that can accomplish what we want.

    When I had a choice to make regarding my child’s education, I choose to pursue a private education – despite the fact that I was already paying over thousands in taxes to the Public School District (just the district portion) and despite the annual tuition of many thousands of dollars. Fortunately, I was in a position to do so – but it wasn’t accomplished without some sacrifice on my part. However, I can’t put a price on the education of my kid and never expected to choose private education – but there I was – making that choice.

11. To be fair, Elaine, one could hardly describe the leadership of Caterpillar under CEO G. Barton “failed”.

12. Is that who Elaine is talking about?

13. Well he is a retired CEO backing the plan so I assumed that is who she was referring to. My bad if I assumed wrong.

14. Or, is Hinton thinking after he retires he’ll come and lead the school? Along with some of his friends. Can you imagine?

15. If that’s the case I have no idea what she means by failed, if anything he was the exact opposite.

16. “In other news, District 150 also voted unanimously to join the Enterprise Zone so that tax incentives can be doled out to developers from CHAMPAIGNE to build student housing on Main Street.”

    – Is that because all of the ‘great’ local construction companies will be sooooo busy building our wonderful new museum?!?

    – Also, if they hire some dufus with local business, money and/or political connections to run this school…I will do EVERYTHING in my power to see kcdad given full control over this project.

17. A friend of mine just e-mailed me who is a parent at Whittier. He was concerned about the statements made regarding Whittier parents by Elaine, and requested that I post his opinion to the contrary…

    He stated emphatically that families there were not “mad” about Tyng families being a part of Whittier. He stated that Whittier was a school with an incredible mix of races and economic backgrounds. If he didn’t want his kids going to a school with minorities and poor kids, he would have chosen somewhere else. He said that all the parents he talked too were just fine with Tyng students as long as the overall number of kids they get doesn’t overwhelm the educational atmosphere.

18. As long as they don’t overwhelm the educational atmosphere…..hmmmmm. They aren’t Tyng kids anymore they are Whittier kids.

19. Diane: I tried to ask you this over on idonotknowme, but was unable to. You stated that:

    “I think that CEO’s posess (or should posess) a very broad, “big picture” sort of way of looking at the global world and the companys place in it.

    Many people’s brains are programmed only to think of the minutia before them. That is why they are the “worker bees” and compensated as such.

    A good CEO on the other hand, should have a very broad vision and insights of a global nature. Their focus should bring about the creation and fulfillment of goals that address not only the immediate needs of the company, but preserve the integrity and profitabilty of the company indefinately. They are more like a monarch and are compensated as such….”

    Do you think we can trust Glen Barton on the benefits of charter schools for District 150, based upon his “big picture” sort of way at looking at things?

20. Patrice – Surely you can understand parents concern that an influx of new children might stress already limited resources, including teachers. I believe that is the only point this parent is trying to make and it is a valid one.

    Emerge – I don’t know Glen Barton, so I can’t answer that question. I do wonder where some of these people have been over the last few years as we have watched our district make one disastrous decision after the other- the cumulative affect of which is unfolding right before our eyes. Remember the districts attempts to shorten the school day? I believe that some of the people that are behind the plans for the charter school are the same ones we begged to join us as we fought to get our full primary school day re-instated.

    http://pundit.blogpeoria.com/2009/01/23/local-admins-stick-together-grab-a-tissue/

    I spoke with a teacher today who told me as they look around their building to see where they are going to put 100 more students they realize that some teachers will be literally teaching out of closets next year. All the while D150 staff and employees sit in full sized air conditioned class rooms as their private offices at Blaine Sumner. Remember Blaine Sumner? That school was closed several years ago to “save money”. Not only was it not closed, but it was rehabbed and turned into large private air-conditioned offices complete with video security.

    http://peoriarocks.blogspot.com/2009/04/district-150-priorities-ill-report-you.html

    I know it seems I’m going off topic, but I believe these issues are all inter-related. I don’t want this current administration making one more decision or overseeing one more project – lest it turn disastrous as well. I believe with all my heart and soul that had there been at least marginally competent management and oversight, not a single school would have to close.

    Lets get a new superintendent in place, and at least one new board member on board, some confidence restored, trust re-instated, and then proceed.

21. I think the question on a lot of peoples mind is the underlying motives of Barton et.al. Are they trying to improve conditions within the district for all children or just the special ones – whoever they may deem them to be. The timing of school closures coupled with the creation of the MST would be curious even under ordinary circumstances…

22. Elaine is incorrect as to how a charter school operates. The charter school, by law, must “increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for at?risk pupils . .”

    Elaine’s statement that “Here’s the motive for the charter school: to provide a non-poverty, non-minority school for residents living in West Peoria and Bradley area.” is unfounded and offensive. Implicit in her comment is that there are no poor and/or minority students that would be capable of availing themselves of the opportunity to attend a school focused on math and science learning.

    And, so what if it encourages or attracts middle class families – I think that is what the District is aiming for. There are constant complaints that families are fleeing the District. This is an attempt to curb that exodus.

    This is absolutely the right time to develop a charter school. In fact, it is long overdue. Mr. Duncan has made clear that states will not be getting federal education dollars without demonstrating they are trying new approaches.

23. Start-up funds are offered through ISBE grants to cover the planning and implementation costs for the development of new Illinois charter schools. It appears from the web site that the application date has just passed for some funding. Does anyone know if the District sought or received such funding to pay for Dr. Fischer’s salary? Maybe its still worth a phone call to see if any funds can be had.

    http://www.incschools.org/charter_starter_resources_statewide.html

24. Jim Stowell brought up the possibility that the private group would pay Cindy Fischer’s salary.

    Perhaps start-up funds wouldn’t be available until they are really starting up – until there is an actual proposal approved by vote by the BoE.

    It also sounded like the ISBE grant money would dry up after 2-3 years. It was also not clear that the school would stay at the money-saving 80% per child funding proposed when up to 125% per child is allowed in the rules for charter schools.

25. While I do understand Elaine’s concerns, frankly, I don’t think West Peoria parents are very much involved in–or even awaiting the charter school. Most West Peoria parents with school-aged children have already moved or chosen private schools. That movement out of District 150 (especially from Manual) started in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is my very personal belief (and hope) that that exodus had little to do with poverty or race—if that had been the case, the dramatic exodus would have occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. Also, I believe the “flight” to be both white and black. I do believe that there are some parents from Peoria’s West Bluff who are anxious for the options that a charter school in their area promises. Also, I believe there are a considerable number of African-American parents who also are counting on the charter school as an alternative to 150 schools. In fact, probably many parents who can’t afford private schools will probably see this as an opportunity. As an “honorary” grandparent of some Whittier (West Peoria) students, I think all of us wait with fingers crossed, hoping that nothing will change Whittier. Therefore, I think there are bound to be misgivings about bringing in a whole new group of students and hope–as Diane quoted a parent as saying “as long as the overall number of kids doesn’t overwhelm the educational atmosphere.” I have stated over and over again that I believe that in the last fifteen to twenty years, District 150 lost its way on two fronts—academic standards and discipline. Many miracle cures have been tried to improve academics but little, or nothing, has been done to confront the discipline problems (or even admit to them). Parents (white and black) simply, given a choice, will not send their children to schools where academic and disciplinary standards are not maintained.
    I have no problem understanding the point of view of parents who want a change. While I may disagree with them that this charter school will offer the opportunity they seek, I understand their desire to seek change. What I don’t understand is District 150’s zeal to shoot themselves in the foot by advocating a charter school. While Terry Knapp continually predicts that this school will engage in cherry picking, 150 officials seem to disagree vehemently. However, Monday night Cindy Fischer stated that “B” and “C” students would be the target group and that parents who have left Peoria will soon be returning because of this charter school. I guess she defines cherry picking as selecting “A” students. If, indeed, this happens, 150 will be left with the “D” and “F” students—and little, if any, hope of success in the future in the schools over which it will still have total control. This charter school may solve the problems of the children of 228 parents, but it will not solve any of District 150’s problems—in fact, the loss of so many “good” students will create even more problems for 150. When is District 150 going to come to grips with their real problems and seek real solutions? District 150 will have absolutely no control over this charter school and will receive absolutely none of the praise if it succeeds. If it fails, 150 will probably be blamed—out of habit. Right now I am basking in the joy of having watched one of my “borrowed” grandchildren graduate from Washington Gifted and win the female Washington Outstanding Citizenship Award, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, two athletic and two music trophies, and a bunch of certificates for outstanding service in other school activities—Go, Mahliyah!

26. WCBU was reporting this evening that the target demographic for the Math and Science ‘charter’ school would be those underperforming in math and science. It didn’t elaborate on what ‘underperforming’ meant. Being a B or C student doesn’t tell you much. A kid is getting a C average in a math class that is 2 years ahead of the rest of the student population versus a kid getting a C and being 2 years behind, are two very different performance levels.

27. I have a one inch thick folder on successes of charter schools. Starting with 5-8 grade kids is the hardest place to start a charter school.

    If you are really interested in the problems of starting at that age, read “Whatever it Takes” by Paul Tough.

    He lived and wrote about the trials and tribulations—and successes and failures.

28. mahkno: I think you are stating the obvious–teacher grades are not an accurate measure as per both of the examples you have just cited. What method of evaluation could be used to determine that a student is underperforming. Right now the primary measurement is the NCLB test scores. According to those scores, many students in District 150 are not performing at grade level–is that their “true” ability or an indication that they are underperforming. To me, the term “underperforming” implies that if the student just puts forth more effort, he/she will succeed. Personally, I believe the low scores often indicate something more serious than that–they mean that development was stopped or slowed at some point and considerable work is needed to “catch” up. The next question: Will the “catching up” be the focus of this charter school?

29. Sharon – congratulations to your borrowed granddaughter. Aren’t you thankful that Washington was available to her to help her grow and develop? I think a charter school can offer the same opportunity for students, although, I am a bit confused at the target group. I understand a target group of average performing students, but not underperforming students.

    My 9th grader is a strong student and is possibly interested in a career in math or science. She was recently in a wrestling match with deductive geometry. For a while it looked like the match could go either way, but in the end she prevailed. My point – study of this subject matter is not for everyone, because it is difficult.

    As Merle states, creating a charter school that begins in 5th is problematic in and of itself. Creating a charter school with students that do not, at least, have a mid-level aptitude for math and science is a recipe for disaster. It’s delusional to expect to be able to deliver an academically competitive math and science curriculum if the charter school is comprised of “underperforming” students. The students will not be able to keep pace with the curriculum necessary to prepare them for high school classes and beyond.

    At the end of the day, a 9th grader that is college bound in a major demanding a high skill level in math and science, must be prepared to “rumble” and survive deductive geometry in 9th grade. Any successful MS math and science charter school that is not selecting and preparing students with this outcome in mind is a sham.

30. Frustrated: There seems to be only one issue on which you and I disagree. I have little problem with schools like Washington Gifted–and it is proof that District 150 (primarily due to its teaching staff) can run a top-notch school without its being a charter school. My problem is that District 150 is doing nothing to improve its failing schools–it’s taking the wrong students out of the failing schools–thus, the urgent need for a viable alternative school for more than 50 or 60 students. Also, I do not want to see a “Gifted High School,” which this charter school could become if all the dreams come true. However, I do not have that much confidence in the success of this school. That’s opinion, of course; now only time will tell because it is full speed ahead for the charter school. Yes, I am glad that my “borrowed” granddaughter had the opportunity to go to Washington Gifted. However, she was a product of Whittier–another proof that District 150 teachers can still do the job. I just hope that Whittier remains viable for her four siblings. As for the charter school target group, I am also confused. As I understand the charter school concept, any student who wants to go to the charter school is eligible–and an overflow of applicants results in a lottery–not cherry picking. Therefore, how will District 150 and/or the holder of the charter reach any goal of selecting average performing schools? District 150 itself could form another “gifted” school, but I don’t think the charter school can control the type of students enrolled.

31. People people people… this whole charter school business is just a magician’s trick. It is misdirection, sleight of hand… the problem is not what type of school they go to, it is what type of system is running it.

    A students will get A’s, B students will still get B’s…
    “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” (Albert Einstein)
    ANYONE can be an Einstein, if they can have the same curiosity he did. It isn’t about how smart a kid is, it is about whether or not a teacher can tap into that curiosity.
    Our school system does not nurture or reward curiosity, it rewards and nurtures CONFORMITY. ( They are requiring UNIFORMS for God’s sake!)

32. OK, not anyone… there are some organic disabilities some children have that prevents them from being mentally acute… but that is rare. The vast majority have a spark of genius in them someplace…

33. Furstrated says: “Any successful MS math and science charter school that is not selecting and preparing students with this outcome in mind is a sham.”

    Any charter school that is “selecting students” is a sham – at the very least it’s not a charter school. If you want the perceived by D150 perks of a charter school – requiring only 75% ceritfied teachers, grants from ISBE, maybe longer school days for Jim Stowell – you have to play by the rules of the charter school. If you want to select the students in any other way – so it’s not a sham – it’s also not a charter school.

34. I do think having some schools with specialized focus is probably a good idea. There are gifted kids, or kids with aptitudes that should be encouraged. My daughter spent 3 years at VHECC and had a great experience. I like the Math /Science academy charter school concept and support it because it will allow Bradley University faculty (experts who cannot teach in a public school) to be a part of it. However, I think the neighborhood school ought to be the center of what the district does. Specialized school and cannot and should not replace the neighborhood school.

35. Conrad: I’m still curious as to how many Bradley University faculty will want to teach at this school. My bet is that there might be some from the education department but none from the math and science departments. Those in the education department are most likely not experts in math and science teaching. These university people chose to teach at the college level for a reason–why do you think they can or would want to switch to 5th graders for an hour or two a day? Does anyone know whether or not charter school teachers pay into the TRS (Teachers’ Retirement System)?

36. Sharon: I guess my point is that the Charter School can have some synergy with BU, regardless of the form it takes- regular instruction, research, maybe brief seminars. Who knows? These “focused” schools are fine , but D150’s main focus should be on the neighborhood school.

37. Conrad – you mean the neighborhood schools they just closed?

38. Conrad: I agree–the district should be spending its time and money returning the K-8 schools. Then they should concentrate on solving the problems in the current schools instead of creating new “magic cure” schools for only a select few students. And, of course, above all else an alternative school.

39. kohlrabi – you are correct. Charter schools must by law be open to all.

    The Il. Charter School law also sets forth that the reason for the creation of these special schools is to “improve pupil learning by creating schools with high, rigorous standards for pupil performance.” Perhaps the “selectivity” must come in the retention phase, not the initial application phase.

    In order for a MS math and science academy to meets its goals and satisfy its “charter” it must maintain a certain level of instruction that is on pace. Wouldn’t you agree? If there are a substantial number of students in a school that cannot perform at the required level, after some period of assistance and intervention, it seems these students would need to be “redirected” to another school. Otherwise, it cannot help but impact the instructional level and ultimately the overall outcome of the program.

    It is a disservice to students and the community not to be delivering a top notch math and science curriculum to all that are able to meet the challenge if a school is to operate under the moniker of Math and Science Charter School.

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