The Peoria School District 150 Board of Education decided last month to discontinue live broadcasts of the school board meetings on public access cable television starting in May. Instead, they are going to show the meeting a week delayed, and they’re going to excise the public comment portion of the meeting — that is, they are going to censor part of the official meeting because they don’t want the public to see it.
However, since the school board meetings are open meetings, recordings can be made by any member of the public. Former Journal Star employee Elaine Hopkins made an audio recording of the public comments and posted it on her blog, Peoria Story. Kudos to her for keeping the public informed while the school board tries to keep the public in the dark. There are still a few kinks to work out; for instance, she’s uploaded the file in WAV format, which is uncompressed and makes for a hefty download. Once she learns to compress it into a reasonably-sized mp3 file, we’ll really be in business.
It’s funny. These comments used to be available only to those who watched the meeting live on Comcast Cable in Peoria. Now they’re available on demand to anyone in the world who wants to hear them. The school board’s attempt to suppress the broadcast of these comments has resulted in even wider distribution! I love irony.
“Illinois Virtual School” I just friggin love THIS program’s name.
It’s just like going to school … except it’s not. It’s just like learning, but it’s not. ONLINE, ABSENTEE learning doesn’t work. Learning is a process that takes place between two people, a teacher and a student. There MUST be a relationship for learning to take place.
Here…
http://www.hippocampus.org/myHippo/;jsessionid=1B0AB46ED087EAEF177A5048D971DEA2?subject=10&user=myIVS
Take a tour of typical program.
SO what is the deal with Grenita Lathan bringing in three cronies? Is that the typical deal? Everyone appointed to Superintendent gets three “buddies” paid for by the taxpayers? (Didn’t Kay Royster only get 2? And Hinton got how many??)
Emerge, I don’t know if anyone has complained. Nobody has complained yet in part because nobody knew about this decision until yesterday. If some of us hadn’t brought up the issue on the blogs and from the podium, the public still wouldn’t have known about it because there was no discussion from the horseshoe except one sentence in response to what we had said during the public comments. I’m not sure I understand your question about River West students–their home school is not Manual. The boundaries established in the 1960s make Richwoods their home school. Charlie, I do think that the superintendent has always brought in 2 or 3 sidekicks. The difference with Royster and Strand was that they brought in assistants from out of town because they were from out of town. So it isn’t unusual. When this happens, it means that 3 people, instead of one, have to learn about 150 and get acquainted with 150 employees from scratch–unfamiliarity with the area and its people can slow the process down. Charlie, you are so right about the learning process–I am not buying that kids can interact with a computer in the way that they can interact with a teacher. I know that I was surprised to learn that 126 district students last school year failed Credit Recovery classes (computer classes) and that the failure rate last summer 9 students failed credit recovery (and very few took the classes).
So, RiverWest currently has a large number of students who attend Richwoods?
…beat some bushes to find some churches, etc., that would be willing to contribute to this much needed program. The minutes of every meeting lists all District 150 donors–no reason that summer school couldn’t be added to the list of causes for “charity.”
Pekin High School is offering summer school with teachers “teaching them”, not virtual classes….please feel free to call Pekin High and reserve a seat for your child. There is a fee involved but it is high school credit they will receive.
Sharon, I’m glad you brought up Teri Dunn. I agree that we should pay people for the job that they are performing, not simply based on years of service and/or educational level. Perhaps you will suggest the same to the PFT. Think of all the money we could save if we didn’t pay a driver’s ed teacher over $100k, for example.
Also, since you believe that summer school is an “extra” that shouldn’t be funded by taxpayers, but should instead be paid for by the students/families, I’m sure you similarly support the discontinuance of funding Hedy’s GED program by the district. Yes, it’s a very worthy program, but let the students, or at least some other agency, pay for it, no?
See, we CAN agree on some things.
“please feel free to call Pekin High and reserve a seat for your child”
I can hear the phones being dialed now by the parents of black children throughout Peoria…
Well, superintendents bring in people they have worked with who do a good job and they trust. They are not necessarily “cronies” or “buddies”.
I’ve got a great idea… pay new teachers a lot and then gradually reduce their pay until they retire. That we you attract good candidates and then they will only stay if they truly love teaching and not just for the 9 months work and summers off easy money…
“They are not necessarily “cronies” or “buddies”.”
Riiiiiiiiight….
charlie: that was an incredibly insensitive and racist remark. shame on you. all are welcome at pchs!
Get used to outrageous and irresponsible comments by Charlie. Par for the course.
You may welcome them… but they will not be welcome there. Pekin is still as racist as it has ever been. The Dragons… come on… Not the Imperial Dragons? Just ask people of color how they feel about going to Pekin for any reason… I know teachers who won’t go there because of the
racism that is so prevalent.
http://current.com/news/92449103_massive-race-divide-blacks-will-never-gain-wealth-equality-with-whites-under-the-current-system-alternet.htm
Massive Race Divide: Blacks Will Never Gain Wealth Equality With Whites Under the Current System
THIS is our nation.
Our education system feeds this division, because it is about training students to become employees and white don’t hire blacks… if they don’t have to.
Outrageous? I should say so.
Irresponsible? Hardly. We are all responsible for this.
Again. if you need to take a high school class for summer school and Peoria cannot provide it for you then you are welcome to enroll at Pekin High.
Hey Charlie, isn’t it about time for your noon pill?
Emerge, no, I really don’t know the number of RiverWest kids at Richwoods. Of course–and the PJS article understandably couldn’t quote me entirely–however, I certainly am as concerned about the non Title I students at all four high schools that will not be eligible for summer school. Until this morning’s article, I didn’t realize that only 120 Title I students will be allowed the summer school privilege–so that knowledge just made the whole situation worse. And how do you all suppose those 120 students (40 from each school) will be chosen–by lottery?
Jon, I don’t know what is included in Bobby’s salary, but I do assume that it includes the fact that he works all summer teaching drivers’ ed (and now, I believe, is the coordinator for all drivers’ ed teachers) and may even include his pay as a coach–not sure about his pay as a union president. The truth is that the salaries of administrators are higher, depending on the number of years that they taught–so adding longevity to the administrator boost does result in some very high salaries. I do believe that there should be some restraint on these special jobs (coordinators’ etc.) and administrative jobs–these six figure salaries probably are out of line. My opinion is that many people would accept those jobs without the huge jump in pay. Also, I do understand what you are saying about the GED classes; frankly, I think something will be worked out to, at least, keep Hedy’s class going–I think there is a possibility that there might be funds available from some other source. And, yes, as a concerned citizen, I could do some of that. I’m sure several of Hedy’s friends (me included) are willing to help. I haven’t offered help in the monetary facet, but Jeff has volunteered some of his time without pay in helping one of the young men who spoke last night to pass the English portion of the GED–and I was on call to help if needed. The truth is that the state funding is the problem here. None of these programs are on a par with summer school as a point of our discussion. The state stopped funding summer school sometime in the 1970s, I believe, and since that time District 150 has accepted the responsibility for offering high school summer school–it has been an accepted and expected service. The self-funding should never have stopped–if Royster hadn’t made that change, we wouldn’t be in the state we’re in right now. Charlie goes to the extreme of this point of view about racism in the work place–but he doesn’t miss the mark by that much.
Just so you know–are you speak of high school summer school? Are Spanish-speaking children some of the target 120 students?
To Just so you know..
If I understood it right, two schools are being used for summer school for ONLY English as a second language students. Von Steuben Middle and Franklin Elementary. To me, that is providing special privileges to some students.
Yes, middle/elementary summer school. Yes, it is special privileges for ELL students who speak Spanish.
Are all primary and/or middle school students being offered summer school help? If not, how are participants chosen and/or who is being excluded? If the English as a second language students are being served in a separate building while other students are going to summer school elsewhere, then all are being served–just not in the same places.
Why should kids who aren’t Spanish speaking be bused to a school further away simply because they aren’t ESL kids?
Sharon, trying to agree with all and you will only fail everyone.
Lynn, I was just asking questions–haven’t formed any opinions because I don’t know anything about primary/middle school summer school or programs for ESL kids. You brought up a new question for me. Do Spanish-speaking students live near Von Steuben or Franklin? Nor do I know why one school was chosen over another for summer school. I know there is a Spanish-speaking population at Irving, but I don’t know where the majority go to school. There’s no point of disagreeing when I don’t have facts. I wasn’t aware that I was ageeing with all (ask Jon) 🙂 or failing anyone. Also, special services and special privileges are too different situations. Many students in District 150 rightfully receive special services, which even more often are mandated and funded. I think there is a good chance–from what I’m now hearing–that your predictions about security chief will come to pass. I’m not ready to have a firm opinion about that because I don’t know any of the “players” or much about the sitation or anyone’s past record. When you believe something is unfair in District 150, you really should show up at the podium. Many of us do just that–the public has a right to know what is going on behind the scenes. And one among us bought $500 worth of equipment on her own to record the meeting so that the public comments (and the whole meeting) can air on WMBD TV’s website. Last night’s meeting should be up by tomorrow.
In regards to our previous conversation about the new District 150 security chief someone sent me this blog link……
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x258108324/Police-probing-District-150-theft-claims
I wasn’t able to get on last night (I don’t read every day like I used to).
But I missed Charlie actually asking to come by RHS!!
I am booked most of tomorrow with Graduation practice, meetings in the afternoon, graduation, and finishing with lock-in until 5 in the morning. (It is long, but extremely rewarding day)
But as of now I am clear on Thursday… call to make sure I am open and come by Charlie. I would love to meet. Unless something is crucial I will make the time.
Yes we have virtual high school. Other than that we are counseling our students with other options. We can develop a plan to provide students the opportunity to earn much needed credit. But even with summer school these opportunities only offer a limited make-up potential.
PCHS Board member, thank you for the information. We have discussed this option but I will pass your confirmation on to my counselors.
Steve, I am not sure what your comments mean with regard to the new plan for summer school. What do you mean by, “But even with summer school these opportunities only offer a limited make-up potential”? Do you mean that the virtual school and other options help students earn credits but are not so good for students who have failed classes and need to repeat them? I don’t want to put you on the spot–only if you want to answer my question. Also, when you say that you have virtual high school–does that mean the Illinois Virtual HIgh School? And do students use this avenue for basic or for advanced classes?
… or maybe you put him on the spot.
With graduation last week, finishing up the year, and a camping trip with the family this weekend I haven’t been online much.
Sharon, I have spoken in detail with our counseling department about this situation. With IVC, PCHS, credit recovery, and some options in our scheduling we can overcome the loss of summer school. At one time no one was going to have it so we started planning then.
We do have Illinois Virtual Schools (they changed the name.. dropped off the high school) but you are correct in other posts I have seen that this is expensive and doesn’t offer the best experience to replace summer school.
What I mean by “limited make-up potential” is that most students in summer school earn 0.5 – 1.0 credits. It isn’t a method to make up a large amount of lost credit.
I understand that you think that this is unfair. On paper.. it might be. But we are prepared to serve our students without summer school as an option.
Steve, we realize that you have to put your best foot forward and be a cheerleader for your school in a bad situation, but it’s got to just tick you off!
I have had a student in my household use the IVHS and another use the credit recovery program. The first student found himself in trouble and on the verge of being expelled. The second student found himself the victim of “discrimination” by a teacher and therefore needed to re-take an English class. I was furious with both of my students, but very grateful for those programs to be offered, as it allowed them to graduate on time.
That being said, I teach students who are at risk of not graduating. I see on a daily basis and first-hand the ramifications of not seeking proper medical treatment for children, not offering a safe place to live, or, even better, the ostracizing of students (by teachers) because they (students) think WAY outside the box. Many teachers in traditional schools are VERY uncomfortable teaching students who don’t conform to society wholly.
This is not being said to bring criticism upon myself of my students. They are in school to fulfill their desire to graduate.
This is in support of Steve’s ability to adapt to meet students where they are and figure out how to encourage teachers to do the same.
Steve, one of my concerns is that most students who fail classes will have to make up the classes during the regular school year. I’m not sure what Richwoods’ situation is, but I believe that Peoria High’s classes will be overcrowded since PHS will have to accommodate both students taking classes for the first time and those repeating the classes. Also, in my experience, having upperclassmen repeaters in classes with freshmen and sophomores create many of the discipline problems.