Back in April when the District 150 Board of Education decided to discontinue live broadcasts of the board meetings, they presented it as a cost-saving measure. I had this to say:
In other words, this move has little to do with cost savings. It’s simply a further manifestation of the district’s desire to minimize, if not eliminate, public input and public access to the school board meetings.
Last night, board members admitted that was indeed the case. From Peoria Story:
Board members acknowledged that the reason they stopped the broadcasts was not, as was initially reported, to save money, but because they objected to negative comments from the public during the public comment portion of the meeting. “It (the money) was never my reason,” Jim Stowell said. “Nor mine,” board president Debbie Wolfmeyer said.
And the Journal Star adds these quotes:
“. . . The board has tried, but I think the board has the responsibility to try to shape the message they want to convey to the public. . . . I’ve heard the same four people at 70 percent of those meetings. . . . and I doubt that very few of them, if any, have any children in the district.” . . .
“I was in favor of taking the broadcast off until we could do something about how to answer people or how to tell our own story – we don’t answer people or questions or rebut anything, so all the public really hear is what other people are saying,” board member Martha Ross said, wanting to revisit the idea because community members have asked her to do so. “It’s their only connection to what’s going on at the school district.”
I would submit that these board members don’t quite understand the concept of petitioning the government for redress of grievances. They think they should get to take our money and feed us back a message they “shape” and “want to convey to the public.” All dissenting opinions should be censored or effectively hidden from the public.
Charlie: never let humor get in your way.
Emtronics–Your “get rid of Edison; the unions hates it.” Not so. All who teach there are union members; they do not want to get rid of Edison.” Why, you ask? Because they and Manual teachers (Johns Hopkins) work more hours and make more money. Many teachers would gladly do the same at their own schools.
The current alternative school obviously isn’t solving the problem because there are still many, many discipline problems in some schools. It isn’t that the board agrees with Martha; it’s that they don’t want to talk about the problems at all.
C.J. says year-round school. I don’t think the district can afford it, but the district could afford to bring high school summer school back (by asking students to pay tuition the way it always was before Royster). A strong summer school would (and did) give the help to the students who needed the help without interferring in the summer activities that many parents plan for the their children. I am not saying I am totally against year-round school; I just don’t believe the district would find the money–and they certainly wouldn’t be willing to pay all teachers to work those 2 1/2 months. Kingman and Woodruff (and Tyng until there was room for them at Harrison–Whittier ended up being overcrowded)should never have been closed–then there would be no empty buildings for the district to continue to maintain. The northend just should not have been depeted of schools. I agree whole-heartedly with C.J.–especially, pointing out what we forgot on the list–an error of a previous administration. We should return to K-8 schools–and that should have been done before any schools were closed. This board talked about that and then made stupid decisions that will make it more difficult to bring K-8 back. I don’t agree about the “District has always hired consultants and/or retirees.” Maybe I’m wrong, but I believe that’s a modern-day phenomenon born out of early retirements, leaving “old” administrators with nothing to do and a chance to make more money on top of their retirement pay.
Emtronics: No, not only because I disagree with them. Test scores, enrollment figures, and financial reports are objective measures that have nothing to do with my opinion or the opinions of those who comment on my blog. Test scores are low, enrollment is dropping, and the district has been deficit spending. Everybody on my blog could write positive statements until we’re blue in the face and it wouldn’t change those facts one bit.
But don’t let facts get in your way. Keep stringing those prisms around the room like Pollyanna and pretend there isn’t any problem. Then at least maybe we’ll all be happy, even if the school district is failing.
Sharon says, “C.J. says year-round school.” Not so; I said lengthen the school day/year. Right now D150 is at the absolute minimum; I think another class period could be added to the day and a few more days to the school year.
That’s why you will hear some clowns on these blogs saying…..Stand up, admit who you are, don’t hide behind a blog posting. They want to know who you are so you can get your “proper” amount of retribution from the “Empire” and its loyal stormtroopers.
None of the BOE or Administration (in my opinion) want to hear anything about their wrongdoings.
C.J.–Sorry, I didn’t read carefully enough. Yes, the school day should be lengthened at the high school level. Terry and I disagree on that one. I thought moving from a 6-period day to a 7-period day was the worst thing that ever happened to 150. With that move came the end of many electives, including home ec and industrial arts. Terry says those courses could have been kept and the day still shortened. He (agreeing with Harry Whitaker) that the move had to be made because the longer day included a study hall, where discipline problems were occurring. Terry maintains that Early Bird classes could be increased to get the effects of a longer day. Of course, a longer day now won’t bring back all the course offerings we once had (no money). Also, perhaps you were referring more to lengthening the primary and middle school day.
McArdle went through proper channels with all of her findings first…if you recall, the infamous phone call from Sam’s Discover Card happened in October of 2008, a pretty long time before she was fired in late April of 2009. A simple search of this website will bring up the entire lawsuit so you can read the whole story for yourself. If everything that’s in there is true, that’s some pretty damning stuff.
The board can sit back and say that they knew nothing of all of this stuff, but knowing how board politics work, it’s my humble opinion that they all knew about the entire deal all along (what do you think they talk about in closed sessions, the weather?), and just decided to look the other way and protect a Hinton crony, figuring they could cover their butts by getting rid of her, and that she wouldn’t have enough moxie to sue their sorry hides. Looks like they figured wrong, Jethro.
I also find it humorous that Walvord has since decided to leave as the D150 counsel…I would imagine the D150 board would have consulted him on whether or not to fire McArdle, right?…and I would imagine that if the lawsuit goes to trial, there will be a lot of people that will have a whole lot of explaining to do. Come on…why else do you think Hinton decided to retire when he did?
Randy, I DID think it was funny… that’s why I referenced it. I wanted to make sure people “got it”. (Although… aren’t Notre Dame and Peoria Christian each in some kind of district?) I think both of those schools are out performing the “home team”… as are the “home schooled”. As are those that awaken from long comas to stumble into the state tests.
CJ, urban school districts all over America have serious problems. It isn’t just 150. I talk to high school teachers in district 150 and “back to school night” may have one or two sets of parents there. You can’t compare Pia Christian or PND to these urban schools.
I would add that I don’t favor overthrowing the government. Some here may have strayed that far from the pack, but not I.
I really propose people here run for school board. Seriously. It isn’t that hard to get elected—the Board is not made up of high flying rich people from Peoria.
I realize that the same problems exist all over the country. I don’t see that as a reason to give up. As for comparing, Peoria Christian to Notre Dame, etc., District 150 can’t compete with private schools because private schools can pick and choose who attends and can get rid of those who don’t adhere to academic and behavioral standards. I still maintain that many, many young people have received an education equal to and or superior to that attained at any of Peoria’s private schools. Right now, they might be a few steps ahead because they don’t have to contend with the discipline problems; teachers are free to teach.
District 150 is an urban school district, but it isn’t as big or as bad as the Chicago or New York schools, etc. We still know each other. I count as friends and/or acquaintances people who live in the southend and in its geographic opposite. That would not be true in Chicago, etc. I believe the problems could be solved. The current board and/or previous administrations (I don’t know where Dr. Lathan stands yet) have the mindset that poor children can’t behave or shouldn’t be asked to do so. They have the mindset that the children should not experience failure, etc. C.J.’s discussion about the emphasis on self-esteem fits in here. I don’t care how much the schools inflate the scores, etc., these young people know what they don’t know. The problem is that they are going to experience failure when they leave the protection of the schools. The schools have to find a way to prepare them for that real world. We’ve done it before–it can be done with compassion, but the compassion doesn’t have to show in relaxed standards.
150 Observer says, “urban school districts all over America have serious problems. It isn’t just 150.”
So? What’s your point? And who was comparing D150 to Peoria Christian or Notre Dame?
As for overthrowing the government, I’m not sure what you had in mind. I’m not suggesting we break out the muskets. But it wouldn’t hurt to overhaul the BoE — if nothing else than to establish shorter terms. Five years is too long, especially for a volunteer position.
I agree CJ. they should shorten terms to 4 years . even though it is only a year, I guarantee more people might be tempted to run.
CJ is this your longest thread ever?
Nope, not the longest thread… yet, at least.
Somebody else earlier compared PND and Pia Christian to Dist 150.
who is dr. lathans mentor? still trying to figure that one out. She has been here since the first of May.
I think Dr. Lathan’s appointments have not been highly publicized–or there aren’t that many. Does anyone know the total count of people she brought with her–not District 150 people? I have heard–but have no confirmation–that the transportation director is from San Diego. I can’t imagine that being true–can someone deny or confirm that rumor. I do believe we would need someone who knows Peoria streets, etc., to be on the job this particular up-coming school year with all the new busing. Dr. Lathan was supposed to get the extra money if she didn’t need a mentor–is that what happened? There have been two times I know of when she needed one. First, when she was told and believed that Title I money for high school summer school had been received and returned for several years. Secondly, when she was told and believed that Adult Education cost the district a huge amount of money when I believe most or all is paid for by the state. I believe the only reason Adult Ed should be cancelled is if the state stops funding it.
Sharon said “You can’t fault us for the criticisms if you cannot refute what we are saying.”
On the contrary.
1. I find fault in the manner that some people discuss their concerns – the demeaning and contemptuous nature – even if the comment proves to be correct.
2. I fault the logic of some complaints – even though I cannot “refute” them due to the fact that many of the complaints are but opinions (and acknowledge that my determination of “faulty” logic is merely my own opinion.)
3. I fault what is usually a combination of 1 & 2, the sweeping generalizations that occur all too often about a particular group.
We gave a very specific list–I don’t know where the “generalization” comes in. Of course, you can present your arguments. Since you direct your answer to me, please tell me when I have been demeaning or contemptuous, etc.–that’s never my intention.
Jon – the generalizations are from your side of the camp. The list was very specific. You, Jim, Emerge have now complained that this thread is too harsh. Jim denied that he was even involved in many of the list items. Since the majority of posters on this thread would disagree, we have requested specific examples. What are they?? Where have posters been disrespectful (other than Jim S., District 150 Observer and Emtronics) and what list items did not involve a vote or the support of Jim Stowell? Keep it simple. One example from each of your three categories will do.
No generalizations? Sharon, you first said no administrator should ever get any credit. Upon my question, you then said that a few administrators who have contact with children should get some credit. I don’t know if I have seen many more sweeping generalizations than that.
Sharon, you didn’t read my post either. I quoted CJ about Edison. I have no opinion either way about it but the Union does hate it or why is it Knapp speaks against every time he gets the chance.
CJ: Facts are no problem. I love dicking with you guys.
Is Sharon questioning DR. Lathan? That is hard to believe because in so many of Sharon’s previous post she has blasted bloggers for “not giving Dr. Lathan a chance.”
Sharon you can’t have it both ways. If you are going to question her then you must accept that others are going to question her actions too based upon what they have seen and heard.
Jon, well said.
Wow, Disrespectful? I disagree with someone’s opinion and I get called the dummy or another name. Posting here with a different opinion is like being a democrat on FOX news. “No Whining” where have I been disrespectful? Frustrated yes. Just because 150 Observer, Jim, and a few others go against the general grain of hate here, we are disrespectful? Yes hate. Even though CJ can post what he thinks should be done different, someone here posted I was in a coma. Disrespectful? At least to my opinion. No, the hate here is obvious in a lot of posters for this school district. It goes much deeper than concern or trying to help the district.
(Here is a paragraph for those who hate to read posts in one paragraph)
I know this District has problems. It has always had problems. Back in the 70s, it had problems, a different kind of problems but people didn’t like what was going on then. Then came the 80s and people wanted Middle schools and primary schools so..
Now people want longer days, K thru 8 schools and in 10 years problems will still be there. Nothing to solve these problem will ever come from this blog though. Nothing. All one gets is a small one side opinion on a topic. If one tends to disagree with that opinion, then one is accused of being in a coma or letting the facts get in the way. You know what, I don’t write to the Wall Street Journal and this isn’t the New York Times. I’ve live in this town for 56 years, worked my entire life here, never asked for a hand out, volunteered in the schools for over 12 years including countless Saturdays and many late nights. I do not have a degree in any education field. I do know that this District has done some weird things but to me, Wacky Wednesdays wasn’t one of them, closing Woodruff wasn’t one of them, building Harrison School is, building Glen Oak where it is was a blunder. Buying houses wasn’t. Firing or not offering the option on a contract of a certain Principal wasn’t.
But holy shit, if I don’t have my fact bible and come here saying something different, I am branded. Well folks, after over, what, 160 comments here from what, maybe 15 whole different people, let me offer some true disrespect. You 15 or so people aren’t changing shit other than flaming people, including Board members who don’t have to step up and do this for free. I have been in the schools and believe me, longer days, vocational arts, Edison, or doing away with Edison, bad teachers, good teachers, over paid Principals, whatever, will never make a difference including K thru 8 schools. Why? Because of the clientele this District has. Plain and simple. Poor, broken families or no families, lack of parent support (read none) and drugs and gangs equals failing schools. Oh, and color has nothing to do with it, Pekin High School is on the edge of the State watch list also. They have their version of Wacky Wednesday, and there days are longer but a shorter school year.
So, no matter if they rolled out the red carpet, increase the discipline, lengthen the days, hired nothing but Yale professors, nothing is going to change until our society changes. More interest in our society on what Lindsay Lohan wore to jail than what successes District 150 does have. That is why I try, when it comes to District 150 to be more positive, that and because I am a property owner in this district. I wonder how many posters here actually live in the District’s tax area?
Yes this District does some mind bending things but here on this blog, nothing is being accomplished expect to piss off people.
Oh, and Jon, well said. Also I knew it wouldn’t take long before Lathan (whatever her name is) would be critique. Hell she hasn’t been here what 4 months?
Emtronics, thanks for the paragraph breaks. 🙂
Unfortunately, whining begets whining and when you get a bunch of dissatisfied people together, they feed off each other. Then you throw in the likes of a cheapshot artist like Charlie, and it gets ugly if you don’t follow the “company line” here.
I think a good exchange of ideas on both sides of issues is a good thing, but some make the atmosphere toxic and that is a shame.
Why would you bring Pekin High School into this? The reason “Pekin High School is on the edge of the State watch list” is because the community only has ONE high school with 5 feeder districts. Because of the enormous size of the district we have MORE than 45 students in each of the “subgroups” being tested. That INCLUDES special education students. You must remember that the test the state of IL chose for NCLB is the PSAE and the ACT (college entrance tests). Imagine being a special needs student who reads and comprehends at a 1st grade level and being forced to read a COLLEGE level test(thank your politicians who have NO CLUE about educational needs)……that is the only reason Pekin is on the list. BTW, Pekin High School also has MANY interventions going on in reading and math to HELP and SUSTAIN their students. Yes, many students struggle, but be mindful that NO ONE at Pekin High is ignoring them.
Yes, Pekin High does have an innovative form of school improvement days. Since most high school students like to sleep in, one Wednesday a month school starts at 10 a.m. so teachers can come in at the regular time for their meeting instead of having students let out early. BTW, all the students I have been in contact with, love it…..they go have breakfast with friends or sleep in. In D150, many kids don’t even show up for school at all on SIP days. Evidently it is too much work to get out of bed and go to school for 3 hours.
Why Pekin? Because some narrow minded people think it’s a black thing in Peoria. Pekin has how many black students? Percent wise no where near Peoria. That is why. Again a commenter has missed the point. Stupidity knows no color.
District 150: You’re welcome 🙂 I agree with your statement. Discussion on topics with different views is healthy and leads to solutions. The glaze of hate here for anyone who opposes what is discussed is well not good and leads to nothing. I’m guilty of throwing cheap shots now and then, but I do it because for some sick reason I love to see the rise in people. One of the perks of the internet I guess.
“Wow Em” I fully understand the what and whys of Pekin High School’s status. It is as you say. Like I said, I used it as a color choice, not side by side with District 150 because many, some who won’t publicly admit it, feel color is a problem in Peoria. I disagree.
Emtronics, Terry is not the union; he has absolutely nothing to do with the current teachers’ union. I am sure there is a split about Edison–I doubt that any Edison teachers favor ending the contract with Edison.
Paragraph break 🙂 150 Observor, yes, I made a generalization, but I did correct it as soon as you called me on it. I haven’t seen the same from those of you who generalize about the good things happening in District 150 or just generally state that all the complaints on are list are just whining. Except for Emtronics.
What I said about Dr. Lathan was that I would certainly give her a chance. And that I would judge her one action at a time. I see no reason to give anyone blanket disapproval or approval. Sorry, but I can have it both ways if I am judging a person’s actions, not the person herself/himself. I can disagree with one or more of Dr. Lathan’s or Jim’s or anybody else’s actions, votes, etc., without thinking less of them as humanbeings. Anybody who expects me to hate Jim has another think coming. I sometimes give as good as I get from Jim (and his views certainly baffle me now and then), but I have a history with Jim that overrides his role as a school board member.
If any of you recall, I was never one of the posters who blasted Ken Hinton personally. I just disagreed one issue at a time.
Emtronics, you did provide specifics as to where you stand on specific issue. I respect that and your opinions even when we don’t agree.
Sharon – I meant only to “refute” your general statement that one cannot fault criticisms if the criticisms cannot be refuted – not specifically against your own actions, nor specifically limited to just “the list”. I find your manner to be far more respectful than many of your fellow regular speakers at the board meetings. But since you asked 🙂
Recently, you said:
“The current board and/or previous administrations..have the mindset that poor children can’t behave or shouldn’t be asked to do so. They have the mindset that the children should not experience failure, etc.”
I don’t think ANYONE believes in such an absurd, all encompassing statement. That you attribute it to the board and administration is not only disappointing, but demeaning in nature. To use but one example (though of a board member and administrator, since you did say and/or) I think it is demeaning to Laura Petelle and Steve Ptacek – two people you normally seem to respect. Granted, it’s not as bad as saying board members have “stupid” written on their foreheads, though the implication is the same – that they are so stupid because they believe those things.
It is a generalization of an absolute standard. Not only as to “all” board members and/or administrators, but to the notion that “all” poor kids can’t behave and “none”should be asked to do so. All too often, probably out of understandable frustration, you seem to revert to the extremes. To your credit, you typically acknowledge those types of generalizations and try to clarify your opinions less broadly.
To question the relative amount of discipline (or lack thereof) is certainly a meaningful discussion. That you resort to such outlandish statements (in my opinion) also deflates the power of your other arguments on the issue.
Similarly, you can’t seem to grasp that the board felt closing Woodruff was the right thing to do. Laura, for one, spelled out her arguments quite clearly on her blog. However, rather than simply acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion, you seek out a more nefarious rationale on behalf of the board – that they give too much weight to the opinions of the Chamber of Commerce.
No Whining – I’ll first ask you the same question I asked District Watcher – if you really want to know which items on the list Jim does not agree with – why don’t you simply call him, as he requested?
And, as I explained above to Sharon, my comment was not directed at, nor limited to, the “list”. However, as I also previously discussed on this thread, the notion that Edison and Johns Hopkins should or should not be used in the district is merely an opinion.
First, about calling Jim. Jim has a family and many commitments. Jim knows that he can call me any time he wants to do so–at least, it has never stopped him in the past.
Yes, I erred in the broad statement about all administrative “mindsets.” I hate to keep pinpointing the schools about which I am really speaking–and Richwoods is not one of them. I know that if Laura knew just how low the standards are in some District 150 schools, she, as a teacher, would be appalled. I don’t think that the board knows how bad the attendance is–and I know you will quote the 91% attendance for Manual from 2009 that is posted on the District Dashboard. Thirty of Manual’s 106 graduates this year missed from 20 to 49 full days of school—plus many individual hours of class. Absences in daily classes do not show up in records, but these are the number of 90-minute classes missed by some of these graduates: 66, 40, 48, 74, 91, 46, 40, 64, 53, 57, 45, 52, 62, 67, 43, 52, 56, 57, 65 (believe me that’s just a sample of the highest). Yet 61% of the grades of these seniors were A’s or B’s.
Maybe you can justify the kind of standards that allow students to be absent that much with no penalty–they graduated and their grades were high. Only 11% of the grades were D’s and 2% F’s. I believe that the current Manual administration does many things to shield students from the consequences of their actions. I don’t think these young people are well served by this kind of “protection.” Also, in fairness, I have to add that the some students (two of whom I know personally) had excellent attendance records, earned their high grades, etc. More than any other issue the attendance bothers me the most–students should and could be called to a higher standard.
By the way, Terry did not say that board members have “stupid” written across their foreheads. Terry said something about ever running for the school board, and stated, “Do I have stupid written on my forehead?” I know that it would be stupid for me to run for school board. I can say that without implying at all that I believe all board members are stupid.
I disagree–dropping Edison and Johns Hopkins is not just opinion. The district cannot afford either program period, period, period–no matter how much anyone loves the programs. Jim himself, on more than one occasion, has pointed out how much the Manual administrators cost the district–way too many leaders.
Sharon, I know Knapp is not the union but he despises Edison. Getting rid of Edison is one of CJ’s wishes. I think a lot of parents like Edison and want their kids in it even though they probably have no idea what it costs the District. Myself? I never understood why the District didn’t simply operate of the Edison model. we certainly have the talent here to do so and stop paying some outside company for it that operates for a profit, not necessarily for student success.
I do however agree with your assessment of Manual. The grades were padded on a lot of those kids hurting the students who really put forth the effort. That is criminal in my book. Too many heads.
Emtronics, yes, Terry has wanted Edison out since before he became union president–it was the issue that caused him to run and to win the union election. At the time (after the contract with Edison was a done deal), I believe, Terry worked very hard to get the extra pay for the extra hours for the teachers at Edison. Edison at Loucks was not a success. Remember that the district closed Loucks (not relocating the Edison school) with the excuse that the building was unfit. Well, it’s been fit enough for two years for Thomas Jefferson and now for the charter school. As Terry has pointed out recently, how can a program be so great when half of the Edison primary students (Franklin) can’t complete the program at an Edison middle school? Right now the district really can’t afford these outside programs.
I’m glad we are in agreement about Manual. I think you and I both have a love of Manual and its students. Standards just must be restored or Manual will be the next school on the chopping block.
“As Terry has pointed out recently, how can a program be so great when half of the Edison primary students (Franklin) can’t complete the program at an Edison middle school?”
I had a similar experience with my son last week. It was my wife’s birthday, so our family went out to eat at a fancy restaurant. I said to my 8 year old, “Wasn’t that a great meal?” He replied, “Dad, how can it be so great when we can’t eat here every night?”
Jon, your comparison, of course, is not so good. 🙂 I should have added that Rolling Acres Edison is not in as high demand as it is at Northmoor Edison. From my own study of scores, etc., at all school, I believe that Edison just doesn’t do that grat a job at the middle school level. However, the bottom line is the bottom line–and District 150 has declared that must be the basis for all the decisions. So far they keep forgetting to use that criteria for Edison and Johns Hopkins.
OK, how about this analogy that speaks directly to the claim (#1 on the “list”) that the board hurts the image of D150?
“#1 Hiring Ken Hinton back at 150 after a 27 day “whirlwind” superintendent training course at Western University. Top drawer leadership with that hire. That definitely makes the top 10!”
Well, it seems to me that many people thought Hinton would do a good job (I think even you, Sharon, felt that way at the beginning). Sure, the results have not been very good to say the least.
But does that mean we can blame Terry Knapp for hurting the image of D150 when he said the following about Kay Royster?
“We couldn’t do much better,” said Terry Knapp, the president of the teachers union. “She’s done most things we’re dreaming about.” 2002
Is that fair?
Of course Terry Knapp loved Royster. She broke the bank with teacher raises. 🙂
150 Observor, When did you start observing? You don’t know your District 150 history The contract of which I believe you speak came before Kay Royster–in 2000. Contracts since that one have not been good for teachers (I’m not up-to-date on specifics). Since then teachers have taken a couple of freezes. Jon, I doubt that I made any statements about Hinton when he was voted in because I wasn’t going to board meetings at the time and wasn’t writing on blogs. All that started with Wacky Wednesday and the origin of the District Watch group.
After the terrible split among board members (and in the community) because of Royster’s leaving, Hinton was about the only choice that could have been made. Those who truly hate Hinton won’t agree–but that’s my take. I certainly hoped for the best. I’ve done that all three times. I was totally completely enthralled with Royster, so I don’t doubt that Terry said some complimentary things about her at the time. I’m not following your line of thinking about that optimism hurting 150’s image. Neither Terry nor I (or even the board) were at fault for what happened later.
I did start to wonder when I found out that Hinton did not have his degree, etc., but I wasn’t as disillusioned as quickly as others were, but I was never ecstatic again. All I have left now is cautious hopefulness.
When did I say the board hurts the “image” of District 150–if I said that, then I erred. I don’t give a darn about 150’s “image.” I care about the reality. Image builders definitely hide the truth from the public.
OK, Jon, on to #3. Also, why aren’t any of you willing to admit that the Edison contract has done much to “break the 150 bank”?
The contract negotiated when Terry was Union Pres. did more financial harm to the district than the Edison contract. That is a fact.
History 150 or would that be 150 observor–I will be forever grateful for that contract–the only superior contract ever negotiated in District 150. I am sorry that those who came after me will not be as fortunate as I was for a long time to come, if ever. None of you will be able to shame me into feeling guilty (just grateful) about that contract.
However, that is your idea of split milk over which you can keep crying. Edison, on the hand, just keeps on taking.
The contract negotiated when Terry was Union Pres. did more financial harm to the district than the Edison contract.
Did Terry hold a gun to their head? Was the Admin stupid? Were they spineless? You pick.
no one was trying to shame you, sharon. It is a fact that is overlooked or ignored. The terms and conditions imposed on the district then are largely still in place, so, it keeps on draining the district. Also, your Wacky Weds could have been avoided if the teachers gave the district the extra time they asked for, and not waiting over a year and a half later as part of negotiations. If it was the right thing to do, why did the teachers wait so long?
oh geez – if it were a bank robber not using a gun, but preying on the weak or spineless, does it make it right when it was still robbing the taxpayer?
History 150 – The fact is never overlooked or forgotten–teachers are reminded of that contract every time the subject of money comes up. It sort of reminds me of the days when Richwoods was forced into District 150. They had just bought new buses that District 150, consequently, acquired. The people of the Richwoods area complained for years about giving those buses to 150. By now those buses may have gone to bus heaven. Yes, and those of us who were the recipients of the 2000 contract will also go to eternity–actually, far too many of them already have and every time one of us dies, you can thank God we will no longer be a a recipient of the contract Terry negotiated.
As for the extra time–History 150–you said the magic word “negotiations.” Jim Stowell just wanted teachers to volunteer to give up the time without going through negotiations. Someday those of you who hate unions might get your way and then issues can be resolved by a vote of the Board of Education. Until then, concessions by the teachers need to negotiated, and isn’t it amazing how willing they are to do right by their students?
history 150, let us say that I am your average teacher in 150. I have been working 10 years and my salary is now $50,000. Convince me that I am not worth that salary. I am very reasonable about things and I am even willing to lowball my time.
Let us pretend that I am a teacher who never takes work home, which I am not, but am willing to concede that there may be some that don’t.
50,000 / 185 days / 8 hours = $33.75/hour
That is high right. If I was a 12 month a year employee, that would be a $67,000 a year job. Is that not what teachers are worth.
Average Teacher: You mean 50,000 / 185 days / 6.5 hours = $41.58/hour. That would be an $82,500 a year job.