There will be a joint meeting of the Peoria City Council and the District 150 Board of Education tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Gateway Building. The meeting is open to the public and will cover this agenda:
ITEM NO. 1 WELCOME – OPENING COMMENTS by MAYOR JIM ARDIS
ITEM NO. 2 WELCOME – OPENING COMMENTS by DISTRICT #150 SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT DEBBIE WOLFMEYER
ITEM NO. 3 PRESENTATION – PEORIA PROMISE
ITEM NO. 4 PRESENTATION – RACE TO THE TOP
ITEM NO. 5 PRESENTATION – DISTRICT #150 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION – NEW and RENOVATIONS
ITEM NO. 6 PRESENTATION – SCHOOL/CITY IMPACT ZONES
ITEM NO. 7 PRESENTATION – PEORIA HIGH SCHOOL and READINESS to OPEN in AUGUST 2010
ITEM NO. 8 PRESENTATION – DISTRICT #150 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE for 2010/11
ITEM NO. 9 PRESENTATION – MAYOR JIM ARDIS — MAYORAL INTERESTS in URBAN EDUCATION
ITEM NO. 10 ANNOUNCEMENTS and CLOSING COMMENTS by MAYOR JIM ARDIS and DISTRICT #150 SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT DEBBIE WOLFMEYER
Item No. 9 should be especially interesting, as it’s being reported that Mayor Ardis hopes to “put to rest” rumors that the City wants to take over the school district.
Yes, should prove interesting.
Will anybody be recording this special meeting?
Emerge, I believe our District Watch members are planning to do so–in an unofficial capacity, of course.
Sharon, thanks to you and the District Watch people for doing this. I have another meeting at 5:30 and probably won’t get to the joint one. I will catch up with CJ’s live blog and also the video. You guys rock!
Sharon have you seen on the District 150 website where they are advertising for an executive secretary for the new superintendent? I guess despite multitudes of pink slips passed out we can still afford the new superintendent a executive secretary.
Oh please oh please, great and powerful District Watch record it so ya all can dissect and ingest it all. By the agenda, it looks like a pat on the back session. Why waste your time?
Sharon, in the alternatively of a secretary, how would you expect her to operate?? Typically those in similar positions, inside or outside of government, have clerical support.
A secretary that will make between between $37,440.00 and $45,760.00 a year. Even if you are a supporter of her you will have to admit that a salary like that is a little excessive.
Lynn Smith: actually, the salary is right in line (the going rate, if you will). An Executive Secretary does not fall under any bargaining unit, meaning, she has to negotiate her own salary. She also is privy to information that others are not, therefore, the expectation would be a person Dr. Lathan would/could have confidence in.
(me) You will have a hard time convincing me that a school superintendent for Peoria, Illinois with a job coach and executive is worth the $300,000+ price tag.
Lyn — what do you think an executive secretary should make? $18/hour? (That would be $36K/year)
You offer only criticism.
If Dr. Lathan can get this corrupt, bleeding red ink district right-sized and in good standing for this community, then she is worth every penny she bargained in her contract and maybe more. Give her the opportunity, I believe she can do it. Rock on, Dr. Lathan……..
hot in the city: I’m not liveblogging the meeting tonight. Wish I could.
that’s okay. you still rock!
I thought about going down & shooting video tonight, but most of time I’m a 1 person shop. So I try to limit myself to just 1 night a week after hours and 1 weekend day a month. I don’t get overtime, just a salary.
I think the Executive Secretary’s salary range is about right. Again, you are privy to very confident information,
and you are the right-hand person to the CEO of a
multi-million dollar corporation, so to speak.
One of the reasons that Dist. 150 is bleeding red, (if you’ve been reading the series in the PJS this week),
is because the State of Illinois is so far behind in
reimbursing them for money paid out. This is also happening
to many Tri-County schools; but why don’t I see any Negative folks clamoring for the heads of those School Boards for having to cut teachers, staff and programs.
Dennis: “One of the reasons that Dist. 150 is bleeding red, (if you’ve been reading the series in the PJS this week),
is because the State of Illinois is so far behind in
reimbursing them for money paid out.”
The tri-county schools also don’t have employees on PAID administrative leave and 86 lawsuits hanging over their heads because of their BoE’s poor decisions.
I’m going to give the new superintendent a pass until she proves she’s not worthy.
well, I hope we would not condemn her before she starts……
A 12 month employee….multiply the hourly rate times 2080 and tell me what you arrive at? That is the yearly salary!
Now that I think about it maybe the executive secretary should make at least half as much as the superintendent $100,000.00. I’ll will join the throw the taxpayers money away society that seems to be the most popular at this point.
ME – I agree, many other tri-county school districts has managed without chaos and have maintained a fairly balanced budget until the shortfall of the State, so they have earned the trust of their communities. The District, not so much.
It is very disconcerting that there is already so much disdain towards Dr. Lathan. She has barely begun. She negotiated no greater salary than the market in which she competes will bear.
The meeting has all been video-taped and will hopefully be on-line here tomorrow:
http://centralillinoisproud.com/district-150
Emtronics is right – it was somewhat of a “cheerleading” session, but it was still informative and God knows we can all use some cheerleading. The last speaker was the new Superintendent. She laid out a fairly compelling case for why she is doing what she is doing. Time will tell. Also an interesting update from Peoria Central Principal Randy Simmons on the progress of the Woodruff/Central Merger.
Question: Is the excecutive secretary a replacement for an exec secretary that is leaving/retiring or is this a newly created position?
Frustrated, why are you “attacking” me for any comments about a secretary–as yet I haven’t commented on the executive secretary issue–and don’t think I need to do so now. The board needs a new secretary–I am assuming we are talking about two different positions–but didn’t the superintendent always have a secretary; I would certainly hope so. Hot in the City–I don’t get any credit for the taping of the meetings–that goes to Diane and to Elaine for providing the audio before the video became an option.
Lynn Smith, I hope the latest information you are providing is based on more truth than the last bit of info you passed on. Tonight at the 150 and city meeting at the Gateway Building, I was talking to a couple of people when a young lady asked if I recognized her–I didn’t. Turned out it was Johnna Timms. I told her that she had been the subject on one of the blogs. I asked her if she was a consultant; she said, “Yes.” I asked if she was on District 150’s payroll. She said, “No.” Actually, our conversation was much more extensive; she is a consultant with some educational business–but not connected to 150. She has just relocated in Peoria because her mother has been ill. Who knows? She may one day work for 150–but right now, that isn’t the case.
Also, I was duly impressed with Dr. Lathan tonight–certainly still willing to let her prove herself before I pick up the stones. And tonight she did ask for that opportunity–and asked in a respectful manner that impressed me. She proved tonight that she even listens to Terry Knapp (yes, maybe, Jim, you have had her ear on the subject, too). She made it a point to say that District 150 does need more course offerings for students interested in the trades, etc. Terry has been speaking on that issue at the last couple of board meetings. The one bit of information that upset me the most tonight was how little money Whittier received for rennovations compared to the schools at the other end of town. Let’s see–Kellar got an elevator and much more. (Lindbergh’s addition looks a bit like a church.) A couple of weeks ago I had to walk to the third floor of Whittier for a meeting (and I don’t do stairs very well any more)–so why can’t Whittier, at least, get an elevator? I’m being facetious–an elevator would be great, but I’m sure there are other improvements that could be made at Whittier.
C.J.–you would have enjoyed #9. Ardis was reading from his prepared statement, and he left out the word “not”–quite unintentionally–stated he wanted to make it clear that he did want to take over the school district–then quickly read it with the “not.” Everyone laughed so much that we couldn’t hear the rest of his statement. Freudian slip, for sure.
District Watcher, I would be interested in getting a DVD
of your footage, if it’s possible. Some items discussed would
be good for our CAPtions program. Let me know.
Sorry Sharon – my mistake. I have a cold and am off a bit. Glad to hear your favorable impression of Dr. Lathan.
If the Mayor has people he wants on the BOE, why can’t they run like all the other BOE members? Remember Chris Crawford, he did it.
Whoever is on the BOE should be running in the best interest of the children, parents and community. Not in the best interests of advancing the Mayors pet projects.
Sharon I haven’t given any wrong information yet on any subject. Please point out what I had wrong on my last topic?
I’m just one of those that can see the collision coming.
Well, Sharon as far as the consultant info, I heard that straight from her father so I guess he must have been wrong. BIG SMILE
I noticed by reading the board minutes of May 10th that the internal auditor hired by the board last year has now become the assistant controller. Was the assistant controller’s job posted and how can his salary be justified? Has it been decided that Dist 150 doesn’t need an internal auditor after all, so they had to find him a position?
Lynn, just joking, but you have indicated before that you don’t trust John, so why would you believe him on this one? I just don’t have any reason to believe that Johnna was not telling me the truth–I guess we need a second person to verify your claim and to tell us what position Johnna holds with the district and how much she is paid. And, Lynn, I don’t think you are clairvoyant, so I don’t think you can see a collision coming. I just believe that Dr. Lathan deserves a chance to prove herself and we can judge her one decision at a time (and judge the decisions, not Dr. Lathan)–not based on our biases or our fears. You don’t need to worry–if things don’t go well, there will be critics. I still haven’t heard about the security chief decision.
unbelievable! They now have an Assistant Controller…that’s a new position at District 150! So between the Controller, the Assistant Controller and Carla Eman, the Business Manager it now takes three people with an aggregate salary and benefits well over $300,000 to do what one person used to do! UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
BTW regarding the secretarial position the previous superintendent’s secretary, Deb Sullivan, will move over to become the BOE secretary replacing Julie Cramer. Cramer jumped at the early retirement incentive as did many others who realized what a terrific life raft they were offered to abandon that sinking ship.
District 150 is a large and complicated organization that requires more than one financial person. They have been woefully understaffed there in the past, and, now that they have eliminated high school treasurers, I am happy they are finally staffing this area appropriately.
Rumor is that the duo at Manual are next. Just today I heard that Jenkins was at Administration all day because she forced teachers to pass seniors to show that since the “takeover” graduation rates have gone up. Let’s hope that Lathan is as angry as the rumor says she is!
I have heard those rumors, also–that the graduation rate isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. I heard that one student stated that he/she was allowed to “graduate early.” Teachers without tenure are at the mercy of administrators who “encourage” them to pass students who haven’t fulfilled course requirements.
Call me harsh but any teacher who would pass a student just because someone “told them to” when they didn’t deserve it shouldn’t be teaching anyway. Teachers and people in general need to use their God-given brains and backbones to do the right thing for our kids. I’m really sick and tired of everyone putting their own needs first and that includes anyone who is afraid of retaliation. Here is a challenge to anyone who truly cares about kids: If someone asks you to do something unethical and you know it is wrong, get proof (or corroboration) and go public. This dirty dealing is sinking us.
Sharon,,,, I really don’t care if his daughter is a consultant or not I just know I heard him say that. As for the new security chief, I would personally like to be able to say that YOU were right and I was wrong on that one but I am terribly afraid I am going to be correct.
Romeo,,,,I have heard that one of the dynamic duo from Manual is moving out to the administration building so she might not be as displeased as you might think.
Lynn, I can’t be right about the security chief because I didn’t have an opinion–don’t know any of the applicants or any of their records, etc. I hope you’re wrong about one the Manual administrators making a move to the board rooms. Nothing ever surprises me–but I can be disappointed.
Seriously…what else is going on that people don’t know about???
Sharon, I’m hearing it from several different sources but as we all know sources can be wrong.
sick of 150 corruption,,,,There is plenty going on and has been going on for years that people don’t know about.
P.S. Sharon, when the new security chief is named you can just address me
as “The Great Karnak” JUST KIDDING
district watcher, you’re a fool. Teachers need a job to feed their family,they are going to do what they are told. “Going public” won’t put food on the table. If you think there is any reward for “doing the right thing” you are woefully naive.
I’ve been told that the Manual graduation issue involves Jenkins and a counselor. Jenkins has been surrounded by controversy and corruption…it’s time for her to go.
The Mouse – there are rules in place to protect whistle-blowers. Ask Julie McArdle. No one says it is easy to take a stand against wrong-doing but it’s the right thing to do – particularly when the future of an entire generation is at risk. I’m glad not everyone thinks the way you do. Although they are few and far between, there are still heroes among us.
District watcher–it may sound easy to say “No one says it is easy to take a stand against wrong-doing but it’s the right thing to do” but until you are in an untenured teachers shoes and a vindictive administrator you have no idea how you will act. I know from personal experience that a long-term sub who tries to do the right thing is often let go for insubordination. Takes a while to convince others that it wasn’t you being defiant as much as it is the admin being a bully.
For those of us that are just starting our careers, we don’t have the option of doing the right thing when nobody has our backs–not admin, not the union, NO ONE!
Until you walk a mile in an un-tenured teachers shoes, does cast stones.
Well let me tell you that administrators do not have anyone covering them unless they are a friend or relative of the sup (such as in HINTON). If they are being bullied along with lies being told about them, there is nowhere to turn. Could be because others are/were afraid of loosing their jobs. There is not any conflict resolution policies in place. You end up out on the street.
The Mouse if you have to resort to name calling to make your point then you’ve already lost the debate.
District Watcher: I don’t know that a teacher would just knuckle under that easily–but I want those who believe in merit pay to understand that there would be no end of pressure put on teachers to change grades, etc. In fact, any such pressure now would most likely be on non-tenure teachers. I can honestly say that I never changed a grade due to pressure from an administrator, but I was asked a significant number of times to “go easy” on a student and a few times to “avoid” failing a student. Quite often basketball players were involved. I never felt that I compromised my principles to bend to these requests, but please don’t be too quick to judge young teachers who don’t know how the system works or how to fight it. Some teachers really do need jobs to support families; single teachers do not have spouses who can pick up the financial slack. Remember, also, at Manual most teachers are non-tenured, so there are few tenured teachers who will help the non-tenured teachers out with advice in these situations. “Mama” is right in what she says. I remember one instance at Manual when a first-year teacher was pressured in many ways to pass a student. Tenured teachers gave her the courage to say “No,” and one teacher, in particular, really went to bat for her. Manual’s current non-tenured teachers don’t have that many mentors.
Great points! Good discussion.