Monday night there was a big meeting at Godfather’s Pizza to discuss strategies for getting the District 150 School Board to reverse their decision to cut 45 minutes out of the school day for 12 primary schools. The charge was led by Diane Vespa, who reports the outcome of the meeting on her blog:
Ultimately, we were persuaded to “call off the dogs” and place them on a back burner, for now. In the interim, we will meet a few more times to explore options for saving $600K. We don’t anticipate this to be too difficult of an undertaking given the fact that it is less than 1/2 of 1% of their budget. There is a meeting scheduled with the District for May 22. The goal: a full rescission of last Mondays vote.
If negotiations fail, things could get ugly. In the past week, there have been calls for everything from picketing to a city takeover of the school district. Those more extreme measures are on hold for now, in hopes that the board will reverse their decision and find a way to balance the budget that doesn’t rob kindergarten through fourth grade students of teacher contact time.
I think it’s a good idea to try negotiations first, but we must, at the same time, keep the heat up. We won’t let the administration razzle-dazzle us like they did the school board last Monday night.
CJ
I enjoyed the entertaining clip, but it almost made light of the contempt King Hinton expressed the night he rammed that hasty decision through. His arrogance continues to amaze me, let alone why that BOE stays awestruck with him and his merry band of over paid cohorts! Perhaps the reason lies with the saying that in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is King. Throughout the blog reports and emails I have read about the meeting with Collier I sense that Hinton “will consider” alternate savings, but expects them to be handed to him for “his consideration”. That’s fine, but isn’t that what is he, his court jester Cahill and the excess superintendents are being paid their fat-cat salaries to do? Now will they even be allowed to skate on this as well? Geeeeez! I understand the idea of the villagers laying down their arms, but seeing Hinton poo-poo public input time after time I have wonder if he really will accept any recommendations. Maybe it is wise that some villagers stay riled and armed so the King will stay on task.
^oo^~
CJ- I think you have inadvertently stumbled on what possibly could save District 150 regarding their funding crisis- they could reinstate the regular school day and provide lots of good clean fun!
TADA
DISTRICT 150 FOLLIES starring …Ken covered in glitter, Herschel in a fedora, and Ms. Sanfilip in tights and feathers. Now that would be a show that could raise a few dollars. Didn’t some one mention at the last board meeting they should do a fund raiser or two? I think Bill Collier suggested there might be some outside funding sources…this could be it!
Diane, I am so happy you are standing up and letting the district know they have gone to far this time. District 150 needs to straighten up their whole act, not just pieces and parts. This is a public school district! This means the public is suppose to have input. The slate should to be wiped clean and start completly over starting from the top! I am sure they all will be able to find employment with thier expertise.
Babies first take baby steps, before they learn to walk 😉
diane vespa,
Please add my appreciation to your growing list of accolades.
I understand the baby step scenario. I hope you now realize why some of us who have known Hinton’s shenanigans and double talk may seem impatient to newcomers who have finally had their eyes opened. The King tried to again play his trump card because he has gotten away with so much during his administration. His caustic tactics and intimidation while publicly hiding behind his holier-than-thou false front even has that BOE buffaloed or scared. It’s a sad mess that’s for sure, but maybe, just maybe, this is King Hinton’s Waterloo.
^oo^~
Just one example that unexplored options abound:
http://tinyurl.com/5j6pqn
Congratulations to Diane Vespa…Thank you for fighting for our children. There is no/nada/zero tolerance for this decision. It is imperative that each of us share our feeling with every school board member and administrator. My one question is who is going to monitor teachers to ensure that they use this grand 45 minutes every morning for professional development. There are so many questions and scenarios within a teaching day which have been given no thought or discussion. Where was the public input? Whoever uses the term King Hinton could maybe even use a stronger word. By the way do all of you know that King Ken is the only District 150 Superintendent who has not lived in the city. The only one… and therefore pays no/nada/zero property tax in Peoria. He does not live in the city!!! That is worth repeating!! Because he does not live here in the city. Big for those of us who are taxpayers and truly care about our children and what takes place at 3202!
This decision is despicable/ugly/dictatorial/irrational!
Some of us have been fighting this battle with the “pen” for several years. Many times, we have felt isolated, marginalized, and alone in our demand that the BOE and Administration behave in an honorable, truthful, ethical, and just way. Carrying the mantle of Don Quixote and his quest is a daunting and thankless task.
Thank you Diane and all the parents and concerned citizens who finally get what we have known all along. You have come along at the precise time we needed you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.