Parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens will be protesting at 5:30 tonight in front of the District 150 administration building on Wisconsin. They’ll be protesting against plans to close schools — especially a high school yet to be named — in order to plug the district’s budget gap. Also scheduled tonight is a public hearing on the district’s plans to issue $38 million in bonds. A revised estimate by the district indicates that this bond issuance will raise property taxes 23 cents (down from 25 cents in an earlier estimate) per $100 equalized assessed valuation.
District 150 Superintendent Ken Hinton was on WTVP’s “At Issue” Thursday night (replayed Sunday afternoon) along with the superintendent of Normal District 5. A few comments I found most interesting:
- Hinton stated that he’s been looking at reducing administrative staff “all along,” and that he’s planning to eliminate vice principals. Then he made some equivocal comment that he might not be able to do that this year because of school closures increasing the enrollment at remaining schools.
- Hinton said that, contrary to popular belief, the district is not top-heavy with administrators, and that he hopes that any administrative positions eliminated now will just be temporary — i.e., that they’ll be able to add those positions back eventually.
- While he declined to get more specific, Hinton said that “the two schools will be combined.” So, as predicted, it sounds like Manual is safe from closure, and that the district is still looking to combine Central and Woodruff. It’s just a question of which building will house them.
- Hinton also said they are looking at establishing an alternative school, but didn’t give any specifics other than this one would be bigger than ones they’ve had in the past.
- Hinton said the new Glen Oak campus is “on the small side” — only 12 acres, whereas the Harrison school campus is 22 acres. When H Wayne Wilson asked him if that was kind of big, Hinton responded, “that’s what they all should be.” He said the research shows that “the outdoors” is important to education — that it increases test scores and makes kids less aggressive. I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating: Sterling Middle School has a 26-acre campus — larger than even the new Harrison School campus — yet their test scores are abysmal, and the school was the site of a brutal beating of a boy on the basketball court in 2006. There is no evidence that increased acreage improves student achievement; that theory has been debunked many times, yet Hinton still clings to it, citing district consultant Dr. Judy Helm as his only source.
On a side note, I wish WTVP would put the latest “At Issue” programs up on its website. The last one they have up is from February. I’d like to watch the show again, since I missed the beginning of it both times it aired.
Sharon thank you so much for the info! Several of us were heading there after the baseball game.
kpower: According to the board policies manual (2:150):
I don’t believe committee meetings have a public comment period.
just would like it known that despite the fact that schools are being closed, 150 is still paying for personal development trips. wife has been employed part time(w/ no recall rights) for 3 yrs @ one of the schools closing @ the end of the yr. she’s fully certified and has done about everything to try and get full time. tonite she shares that someone @ her school(20 plus masters) is gone for a week for a seminar. not only is 150 paying for the cost of the seminar, they’re paying for the cost of a sub for the whole week she is gone. could anyone on the board or on Wisconsin please explain this to some of us whose spouses will not have jobs next yr? Don’t everyone speak at once board members and admin folks!
The recent travel report showed only day trips. I need more info, but the district has drastically reduced travel and we continue to challenge them. Some may be a requirement and fully funded by a grant, but you are correct that a “hidden cost” is the sub.
Jim
I’m curious if you can respond to Hinton’s statement that 150 is not top heavy administratively, despite the numbers presented from School Report card data in this and other posts about the student/administrator ratios at 150, Unit 5, Bloomington, Rockford and Chicago. Perhaps you can just tell us that the data concerns you and will be discussed? (I’m new to blogging, so if my request is out of turn, I apologize)
I recognize that 150 has some major difficulties to address and that everyone is truly working toward what they believe are the students’ best interests, but it seems to me that if fixing 150 was a 10 step plan, we jumped from step 4 to steps 9 and 10 (raising taxes and closing schools) – without doing any of the steps in between.
Add to that Hinton’s statement, seemingly without reference, that 150 is not top heavy, despite strong evidence to the contrary, coupled with the handling of the McArdle/Davis mess – well, let’s just say he’s having another bad week. At the end of the day, he is the captain of this ship, and though many others have a hand in running it, and the ship is in the midst of a terrible storm (natural disaster), the ship is sinking…the passengers are calling on you to get the captain to change course – the one he has been on isn’t taking us out of harm’s way.
Challenging Hinton about travel and stopping the travel are two different things. Maybe Hinton and the others can go out to California again this summer to investigate Charter schools. Oh wait, they have several Charter schools in Chicago. Too bad the board did not think of that last year.
Beautiful, Jon. Can you also ask Jim why Mary Davis is still working?
Maybe Jim can answer the question several have had….Are consultants considered administrators? If so which ones! How many consultants are we paying at the present time…How many administrators are working full time?
Jim, please do the right thing and ask Mr. Hinton to resign. Then we can all kiss and make up and go about the business of remediating the damages.
Thank you Mr. S for responding! Just kind of tough to hear news like the wife brought home tonite in light of her situation. If it’s funded by a grant or whatever, oh well. We respect you for having the guts to reply. will check to make sure if it’s a full wk b4 sharing more.
Wife out of work soon – Has your wife checked into a central admin position? They have excellent job security there.
thanks for the idea, perhaps we should go that route. She had this silly notion of actually making a difference in some childrens lives and really being a teacher! Sadly, she’ll spend her summer looking for a Ft job while getting radiation for breast cancer. but her prognosis is quite good and we will be ok no matter what happens!
Wife out of work….you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers…All the more reason for all us to support the Race for the Cure. How proud to be a Peorian!!
Wife out of work – Absolutely. God bless. May she be enjoying good health soon!
Thanks to both of you for your kind words! If you’re at the race, I’ll probably stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. I’ll be the guy in the band leading the survivors to the starting line with kleenex in hand!
Wife out of work soon-
Looks like we have something in common.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and and your wife.
I thought about my Proud to be a Peorian statement…..I do have to add a qualifier!
I have never, ever been more disappointed in a school administration under Hinton and a yes board who will challenge nothing! The fact that he does not even live in the city is a real problem.
I only hear two school board members standing up for all our children What a travesty!!
Keith, Thank you very much. If you’re who I believe you are, same right back at ya as you and your wife begin what I’m sure will be a long and painful ordeal. We hope things work out ok for you both. As for more info for Mr. Stowell on my previous comments. The person out for a week for PD at the district’s expense is employed at the south side school closing after this year. And surprise, surprise just happens to be that school’s union rep! Even commented to coworkers about being surprised that the trip had been approved. Don’t think a grant was involved.