In light of the serious issues on the District #150 Board of Education agenda this evening and the decision the board members are being asked by the Administration to make, let’s take the time to review some accurate data. (Note: this data is extracted from the Interactive Illinois Report Card, found at http://iirc.niu.edu/District.aspx?districtID=48072150025)
- District #150 Overall (2008):
Student Demographics:
Black 61.1%
White 30.5%
Hispanic 5.5%
Asian 2.6%
Multiracial 0.2%
Native American 0.0%Low Income: 70%
District Spending vs. State Average (2006-07)
District State
Teacher Salaries/Benefits 48.9% 43.0%
Other Instructional Costs 3.8% 7.1%
Student Support 12.8% 11.6%
Admin/Operations 24.0% 22.7%
Building/Equipment 2.4% 7.4%
Debt Service 5.6% 7.1%
Other 2.5% 1.1% - Kingman Primary School (2008):
Student Demographics:
Black 57.6%
White 32.2%
Hispanic 10.2%
Asian 0.0%
Multiracial 0.0%
Native American 0.0%Enrollment: 304
Average Class Size:
Kindergarten 16.0
Grade 1 15.3
Grade 2 16.7
Grade 3 13.7
Grade 4 13.5
Grade 5 13.0Low Income: 93.1%
Mobility: 61.4%Adequate Yearly Progress:
The school is not making AYP.
The school is not making AYP in Reading.
The school is making AYP in Mathematics.
The school was identified for School Improvement in accordance with NCLB.
The 2008-09 the Federal Improvement Status is Choice.
The 2008-09 State Improvement Status is Academic Early Warning Year 1. - Irving Primary School (2008):
Student Demographics:
Black 69.3%
Hispanic 22.9%
White 6.1%
Asian 1.1%
Multiracial 0.6%
Native American 0.0%Enrollment: 362
Average Class Size:
Kindergarten 17.0
Grade 1 15.6
Grade 2 15.6
Grade 3 16.2
Grade 4 18.3
Grade 5 17.7Low Income: 95.6%
Mobility: 35.1%Adequate Yearly Progress:
The school is not making AYP.
The school is not making AYP in Reading.
The school is making AYP in Mathematics.
The school was identified for School Improvement in accordance with NCLB.
The 2008-09 the Federal Improvement Status is Choice.
The 2008-09 State Improvement Status is Academic Early Warning Year 1. - Garfield Primary School (2008):
Student Demographics:
Black 74.9%
White 17.1%
Hispanic 7.4%
Asian 0.3%
Multiracial 0.3%
Native American 0.0%Enrollment: 299
Average Class Size:
Kindergarten 11.0
Grade 1 17.0
Grade 2 18.3
Grade 3 19.3
Grade 4 15.3Low Income: 94.0%
Mobility: 45.6%Adequate Yearly Progress:
The school is not making AYP.
The school is not making AYP in Reading.
The school is making AYP in Mathematics.
The school was identified for School Improvement in accordance with NCLB.
The 2008-09 the Federal Improvement Status is Restructuring.
The 2008-09 State Improvement Status is Academic Early Warning Year 2. - Tyng Primary School (2008):
Student Demographics:
Black 87.1%
White 9.2%
Hispanic 3.1%
Asian 0.5%
Multiracial 0.0%
Native American 0.0%Enrollment: 381
Average Class Size:
Kindergarten 16.8
Grade 1 19.3
Grade 2 14.4
Grade 3 19.4
Grade 4 13.3
Grade 5 19.0Low Income: 96.9%
Mobility: 59.4%Adequate Yearly Progress:
The school is not making AYP.
The school is not making AYP in Reading.
The school is not making AYP in Mathematics.
The school was identified for School Improvement in accordance with NCLB.
The 2008-09 the Federal Improvement Status is Choice SES.
The 2008-09 State Improvement Status is Academic Early Warning Year 2.
Of the four schools cited above that the Board of Education is considering closing, 93% – 97% of the student populations are low income and 68% – 94% of the student populations are minorities. All four schools are Title I schools; the District’s past practice to determine Title I qualification is to base it on the applications received for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
All four schools are not making Adequate Yearly Progress and are in the State Improvement Academic Early Warning Status. Because they are Title I schools, they have also been identified for Federal Improvement Status ranging from Choice to Restructuring.
Since the 2004-05 school year, what has this Administration and Board done? They closed Blaine Sumner and White Middle Schools, and tonight they are proposing the closing of Kingman Primary School at the end of the 2008-09 school year and Irving Primary School at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Garfield and Tyng Primary Schools are also being considered for closing. They plan to build two new Community Schools (Glen Oak and Harrison), and have discussed some sort of consolidation with the Lincoln and Woodruff campuses to address the needs of the Kingman, Irving, and Lincoln students.
Behind all the passionate rhetoric, both opposing and supporting the District’s plans, one thing is clear: all the schools targeted for closure are south of the invisible Forest Hill-War Memorial Drive boundary.
These neighborhood schools are not to be individually replaced with new facilities; rather the Administration is recommending to the Board of Education that these neighborhood schools be combined into much larger community schools. The rationale behind this is financial. These decisions are not based on what is in the best interest of the students’ education, as stated by Board Vice President Wolfmeyer in the Sunday, April 19th Peoria Journal Star.
A pattern is emerging. The District has targeted the schools with the highest numbers of low income and minority students, and schools not making AYP in both State and Federal improvement status, to close and combine. These schools receive significant Title I funding to supplement the educational services provided the students, including funding for teachers’ salaries.
No schools north of the Forest Hill-War Memorial Drive invisible boundary have been targeted for closure.
Whether they wish to acknowledge it or not, by their recommendations and actions, the Administration and Board of Education are creating a perception of warehousing the minority children and the children of poverty.
There is another name for this practice, segregation.
–PrairieCelt
Emerge Peoria has an interesting post about ‘Desegregation’ in Peoria… or the lack thereof.
http://emergepeoria.blogspot.com/2009/04/school-desegregation-in-peoria-illinois.html
BRAVO! Well laid out for all to see! Clear as a bell isn’t it? By the way…where is Don Jackson and the NAACP?
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU and THANK YOU.
IF District 150 is not allowed to close Woodruff and subsequently change boundry lines – you best believe they will be violating the Civil Rights of a whole lot of black children. The NAACP won’t say it but I will.
District 150 deserves to have a Class Action lawsuit brought against it for constantly pushing black children to the back. Look at the desegregation information – Whitaker clearly states that they would make the decision that would have the least impact on white children. They have failed three generations of black families. THREE GENERATIONS. You still hear many District employees “wishin for the old days”.
Valeska Hinton took part in the Desegregation Report. The Valeska Hinton Ceneter appears to have been the start of taking care of inner city children. Is is ironic that now inner city children have to get on a waiting list to attend Valeska Hinton because parents are taking advantage of the choice.
Right now, people are speculating that they could get away with closing Manuel because “nobody would protest”. Does that make it right?
Mahno: Some might well say, “Oh, no, pages and pages from Sharon Crews again.” Too bad I’m the one on the blog without a job, right? Anyway I’m glad to have these comments of mine on this blog. Yesterday when I was at Walgreen’s I heard one of the many voices that I so often hear “Saying, Miss Crews, don’t you remember me.” And always at that moment my whole career is worth it as all the memories come back to me about my great experiences in District 150 and on Peoria’s southside, especially during the Civil Rights Movement. When I realized to whom this voice belonged, I laughed and said, “Yes, of course, and do you remember the time when other students told me, “Don’t go to your office; ________ is waiting to beat you up. Well, I didn’t go to my office, and she didn’t beat me up. And that didn’t end our relationship for she was a child that I loved–and now probably in her 50s she shares those memories with me.
I’m confused. I’m against this proposal to close these schools, but I don’t see how closing them and moving the (largely minority – largely poor) students to other schools (Whittier, Franklin, Kellar, Hines) is segregation and keeping them in their own buildings is not.
Emerge, since I am one asking for the closing of Manual, I do want to respond. Closing Manual is the last thing I would have suggested 10 years ago, even 5 years ago. What is changed is that I sincerely believe that while these kids are stuck at the southside school, nothing really good is going to happen there. I believe the Johns Hopkins plan, in the end, will be offering these kids an education inferior to the one offered at the other three (or two) high schools. In the end, whatever is really in the best interest of the Manual students, that is the plan I will support. I really don’t want to see the southside without a high school, but I want to see a high school that will draw students back into Manual–I predict Johns Hopkins will chase them away. I’m willing to wait until September to see what Manual’s enrollment is and from where the students come. I’m even willing to wait to see what the test scores are for the next four years–but while we wait, I predict Manual will steadily lose ground–and students. Laughing outloud (and joking), I say, “I’m ready to board up the whole southside. As I’ve stated in my above posts from Emerge.com, the southside started dying with integration–everybody that could leave did leave. That is reality. Why not–it has been a place of viritual imprisonment for black people for decades. I can remember in the early 1970s when I worked Headstart, a team of us (2 black and 1 white) traveled together all day–which meant eating lunch at a restaurant. We weren’t welcome any place past Main Street–and that one place where we were welcome was hard to find–entrance off an alley.
We won’t be moving to Whittier, Kellar, or Franklin.
If by “we” you mean the teachers, you are probably right. But where will the kids be going? And how is their going there more evidence of segregation? I would think keeping all the minority kids in one place would be segregation.
I mean we, the students. Mr. Hinton told us in our meeting on April 1st that the students would be going to Irving and Glen Oak. He said then there was four schools and he named only those two. I heard last night at the meeting at Godfather’s that it’s been reduced to three schools and the other school is Hines.
The schools that have been closed or are slated for closing are all on the state watch list. None were or are making adequate yearly progress, putting District 150 in danger of being taken over by the state.
Closing these schools, regardless of the consequences to the pupils and the city as a whole saves administrator jobs for another few years. That’s what’s really going on here! It’s not about the budget deficits, which seem to keep growing despite promises of stimulus money, more state aid, increasing taxes, closing Blaine Sumner and White, etc. But closing these high poverty, low test score schools gets them off the watch list and keeps the district’s head above water for a while longer, while also likely encouraging more middle class flight to the suburbs which dooms the district in the long run.
My Sunday School teacher, also a local lawyer, asked me a question that I couldn’t answer. How can 70% of 150’s student population be classified as “poverty” status without all the schools being designated as Title I schools?
Elaine is right–and spreading out the students might well create more Title I schools, thus bringing in more federal money. That’s what is really going on here. Kingman, Tyng, Irving students will not be going past War Memorial Drive–none of the sacrifices will be made at the schools beyond War Memorial. Class size maybe but I wouldn’t bet on it. I don’t want to lower the academic status at any schools, below or beyond War Memorial.
Oh, I forgot in all this to mention the change that is most needed in District 150–DISCIPLINE and, consequently, a viable alternative school. Nothing good will happen in 150 until administrators get serious about behavioral problems; all students are cheated by these uncontrolled discipline problems. Forget everything else and concentrate on discipline. A strong message has to be sent to parents and students. Then we will have a win-win–not until.
If you look inside schools that are not “Title I” schools, they are also warehousing low income and minority children who attend schools on a waiver in certain classrooms.
The NAACP has harpped about this very thing for years. It is really interesting that when we were complaining no one would listen. We complain to the board about closing schools in the minority and poor neighboorhood and bussing kids out north which means that they have to get up earlier. We complained about the number of minority and poor children put into Special Ed.
I certainly hope that since others see what is happening maybe, just maybe something will be done.
Teachingrocks: If your kids aren’t going to schools other than the three you mention, why does it appear that there is a shift to extend the max class size to 30? If your kids aren’t going to Franklin, for example, why would they be subject to higher class sizes?
Send all the kindergartners and first graders to one school… all the 2nd and 3rd graders to another and so on up the line. Equal education for everyone. This will help with all of the movement that goes on in the district and kids can still remain at their same school without having to start over some place else. I’m not smart enough to do the math on that, but I wonder what it would do to the Title 1 funds.
Interesting idea, MAWB. At least it is an original and unique idea…
4 high schools, four grades… Richwoods for Freshman, Woodruff for Sophomores, Central for Juniors and Manual (the best building) for the Seniors.
It would certainly improve our competitiveness in state competitions.
Recognize that this isn’t simply a ‘within District 150’ problem anymore. The very school districts themselves increasingly become the segregating line. Maybe its time to rethink the whole notion of school districts and boundries. Many of those school district boundaries were set well over a century ago in very different times.
Sud O. Nym: Franklin would be subject to higher class sizes because of a decrease in staff. I think I’m correct in stating that all first year teachers were pink-slipped this year. I also believe some, if not all, second year teachers were pink-slipped as well. This is what’s going to play into the increase in class size. You eliminate some of the teaching positions and combine classes which leads to an increase in class numbers.
Increasing class size is the wrong solution.
I have no idea how it should play out in high school, kcdad. I am thinking, not so much. Maybe 4 different high schools with 4 different emphasis…. science and math/music… etc. I think sports would be hard in high school if fresh/soph weren’t together… same with jr/seniors. Some fresh/soph kids are smart enough to take some higher level classes, and if they were separated, that opportunity wouldn’t exist. They could implement accelerated classes I suppose. And I am sure parents in N. Peoria would not be happy sending their kids south if that is where their particular school is located.
Something needs to be done, I just don’t know what.
I understand how class size in high schools can increase; but how can class size in primary schools increase. For instance, will schools with say 2 first grades have only one first grade with increased class size?
Mahkno is right; District 150 hasn’t created this new segregation problem. Surrounding communities and parachoial schools have created the problem–and there aren’t any laws that are going to change that. We will have to work with what we have. I really do believe that the racial situation has improved enough so that integregation is really not a problem. However, parents with a choice (black and white) do not want their children going to schools with kids who can’t behave and who are behind grade level–that is the problem now. The problem is discipline and academic unreadiness–some (not I) may perceive this as a racial problem; I DO NOT. I know perfectly well that all children (except those with severe behavioral disorders) can be taught and expected to behave; it is time District 150 finds a way to prove that. Sometimes I believe that 150’s black leadership (super, principals, deans, etc.) believe that discipline is impossible, so they don’t even try to impose and demand rules of behavior (that’s a statement that I may have to explain or take heat for–but I’ll say it for now).
Give up all the magic cures and find a way to create safe, calm environments and learning will take place. And I believe enrollment in 150 will increase–but nothing else will help. And, at least, during the “reeducating stage,” an alternative school is an absolute necessity.
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mahkno: Well, it’s a solution to decreasing the staff needed to “serve” the students. You and I know it does nothing as far as helping the students.
Teachers are pink slipped every year… it is a common occurrence. It has happened for as long as I can remember. Before, they were often hired back. It will be interesting to see what happens this year.
It does happen every year. Generally, though, it is part-time staff members and maybe some first year teachers. They are going as deep as 3 1/2 years with the district. I’m sure most of these teachers will not be asked back due to them having to find spots for all the displaced teachers from Tyng and Kingman.
I’m too tired, but that was some meeting. Martha came alive–the audience clapped for her on several occasions. Alfter the audience participation, Martha was the only good part of the meeting.
Did anyone see what percentage of the total district cost was for administrators in the report? 24%!!!!!! Has anyone seen the salaries of these administrators and consultants that are available under the Freedom of Information Act. How can the district justify consultant costs at $350-$500 per day? How many direct staff costs and teaching materials could that cover?
Sorry these statistics were from the 4/20/09 guest editorial in case anyone is wondering. also can anyone tell me why the District 150 server is NOT accessible this weekend?
Maybe the administrator in charge is no longer available. Double 🙂 There is absolutely no truth to this statement–I don’t think!
OR maybe the server needs to be CLEANED UP!
awh It seems rather strange that all the sudden the server is down 100%. After reading your blog I have tried to reach any school webpage and find it impossible. If anyone has been able to log on let me know. I find it suspicious that they did not let anyone know if they were just cleaning up the server. I have talked to several teachers who said they had no idea…..once again failure to communicate has raised many questions. Did school board members know? At the last board meeting we were all encouraged to communicate with board members through emails rather than standing in line at meetings. Try sending a board member an email to see if it gets through!!!
I think all of us should be genuinely concerned about the many issues facing our school district. All of the concerns I have read on this blog must be addressed by the superintendent and the board.
Thank you CJ for giving us this opportunity to share thoughts with each other!!
Wondering why there is nothing in the PJS….Anybody know!
I’m sure the district’s attorney will “try” to sugar coat this…..walks like a duck, talks like a duck…..it’s a duck. No way to “spin” this one…
The “sugar coat” disappears when the rain falls….and ducks start quacking….
There will be no sugar coating since this is a felony against a governmental institution. Previous convicted embezzlers such as Linda Fuller and Anna Marks were prosecuted to the fullest extent. Perhaps one might say they are punished more severely for sake of example. Either way the conviction means the lost of their ability to hold a teacher’s certificate thus lost of their job, respect and more than likely a crushing blow due to their love of children and love of the teaching profession. It’s sad, but that’s the price they pay for the equivalent of a paltry amount of money.
Both Linda and Anna seemed to me to be the least likely suspects as embezzlers. Maybe the “least likely” are those who are inexperienced in the art of covering their tracks.
I encourage everyone who is reading this blog to call the Peoria Public Schools office to find out when the server will be up and running. As parents, we are always encouraged to use the websites of the schools rather than calling a school. I called they are not sure when it will be up again…possibly not until Wednesday and then they could not be sure. If this is true, there should be a public announcement so parents know. Also, we do have a potential health concern with the Swine Flu…Where is their communication with the public…Many school districts are telling parents of their awareness and to let them know of any suspicions.
It seems part of the “sugar coating” here is closing down the easiest access of communication with the district.
Some staff say that there was an e mail last week asking staff to move e mails to other files if possible but others did not receive the notice. Certainly no indication that the server would be down. Interesting?? Supposedly a hard drive malfunction with no specific timeline for server to be online. For as much as this system cost, there should be a maintenance contract that would have people working around the clock to get it fixed. Perhaps there wasn’t enough money to purchase a service contract!
Well, allegations about a dist 150 admin… news tonight, it just made TV
My sources tell me this has never happened before….I agree…INTERESTING!
http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=56252
I wrote on the blog several days ago–before all this started–that teachers had been asked to delete messages because of FOIAs.
is it on all channels? By the way, I found those consultants’ and administrators’ salaries again. Courtesy of the Peoria Chronicle archive for 3/12/09. Be prepared to question the school board’s claim that schools need to be closed because the district has no money when you look at these figures. Way to go C.J.!
They are making it sound like McArdle is the guilty one… I thought she was the one that discovered the discrepancies?
WMBD didn’t name names–but Channel 25 gave both names.
Sharon are you saying that the deletion was instigated to protect the administration from having their e mails FOIAd? If this is a public site shouldn’t these e mails be available to persons specifically named in the e mails? Transparency, hah!
I too thought that the above named person discovered the discrepancies. Hope she has retained an attorney.
Angel, If what you suggest is true, would this be considered a district wide cover-up?? Instigated by whom? What are the ramifications of something like that???
I heard the same allegation that Sharon is making…I believe it is one of the reasons the server is down. I agree it is a public site.. Once again pretty risky with the health issues going on. Many school districts have had some communication with their parents regarding the Swine Flu….The Health Department confirmed with me this morning that they have not had any communication with PSD 150…doesn’t say much for either one.