57 thoughts on “Liveblogging the City Council 11/24/2009”

1. Item c: What projects was the money spent on in Districts 2 and 3? Any idea?

2. Does any of this mean they are going to fix the “intersection”, if that’s what you want to call it, where Alta Road jutts off of Allen Road?

3. Diane-Im afraid they have “fixed” it already when they resurfaced it. The people doing the work or who drew it up obviously hadn’t never tried to turn S off of Allen before. Why would they make the turn lane smaller for those continuing N on Allen.

4. You read it here first. Someone will lose their life at that corner. Not if just when.

5. Item C? What District 2 and 3 projects?

6. Click here for the council communication on item C. It says, under “Background”:

   On July 6, 2004, the City Council allocated $200,000 in CDSG funds to the First, Second, and Third Council Districts ($66,667 each). These funds were to be used for neighborhood improvements at the discretion of the district councilperson and the approval of the City Council.

   The Second and Third District council people at the time recommended using the funds to increase the number of housing rehabilitation projects in their districts. This recommendation was approved by the Council and the funds were invested.

   Councilman Gulley is recommending the allocation of the neighborhood improvement funds for the First District as follows:

   Boys & Girls Club Roof Replacement, Grinnell Street – 50% of the total cost to a maximum of $22,000

   Pocket Parks I Greenways I Community Gardens – $35,000

   PHA Lighting RiverWest South – $9,667

   Each project will have to complete all required local and federal reviews prior to implementation, but all seem to be eligible as outlined.

   In order to guarantee timely investment of these funds, any of the above mentioned projects that are not included in an agreement by June 30,2010, or fully expended by December 31,2010, will be automatically included in a future reallocation.

   Since this council communication only covers District 1, I believe Karrie is asking about districts 2 and 3 — on what projects were CDBG funds spent in those districts? I don’t know off the top of my head. I’d have to research it.

7. Interesting.

8. Diane,

   Not going to fix “the intersection” until 2011-12 when State has it planned. The “schem” for the present was for a temporary access thru adjoining residential neighborhood. Dont know if that was basis for deferral, but I don’t think the “scheme” worked for anyone but the developer. Certainly the surrounding home owners did not want the construction traffic and eventual resident traffic using there current dead end cul-de-sac. I don’t or didn’t blame them. State has know about the deficiencies at this location for a decade and nothing has been done, but rest assure, that location will be fixed before similar dysfunctional intersections in older portions of town are attended to.

9. The Grinnell location for the Boys and Girls Club has been closed since May 1, 2007. According to B & G President, Larry Dunn, the building was closed because the Grinnell B & G location had been taken over by gangs and the club could not afford security to keep it open.

   As late as October, 2008, the Administrator of the B & G Club had evidently not told Caterpillar. Caterpillar sponsored a two page add in an IB issue of that date, the Grinnell location was listed as a location as open. I have a copy.

   Now RiverCity Construction is using the Grinnell location as an office while they construct the new Harrison Grade School.

   It would be interesting to learn more on the deal, financial and otherwise. Also it appears the new roof requested would benefit RC Company?????

   Meantiome, I ask some of you to visit the sites where B & G events are happening on the souths side. Trewyn, Lincon and Von Steuben Schools. I made 4 vists. These sites are basically “out of control” child care centers whith the kids coming and leaving and coming back again when food is served.

   Interesting.

10. I believe Merle is absolutely right. These sites are just another place (like too many 150 schools) where those in charge feel that young people should not be “discouraged” by being asked to follow acceptable standards of behavior. I believe there is a good possibility they could well be “recruiting” locations for gangs.

11. Lincoln and Von Steuben are not on the South Side.

    It is a well known fact that the Boys and Girls Club is just another social service agency making money off of inner city children; a place where people do what they need to keep the grants coming that make their jobs possible. Then they hold a “gala event” or fundraiser every year to schmooze with the people who give corporate dollars away because it’s their job. Everybody keeps their job (just like teachers) year after year (and in some instances the same people have been running these agencies for decades). In the meantime, kids in Peoria continue to run amok, failing, dropping out of schools, joining gangs.

    Do these corporations ever look to see if what they are giving their money to is really benefiting the poor little inner city kids? I think the Caterpillar ad that mentioned the Boys and Girls Club at the Grinnell Street location is an indicator that they don’t.

12. Emerge: You mean that “bad” employees keep their jobs even without tenure and union protection. So it isn’t just like teachers, is it? It’s more like what I believe schools will be like without tenure–the bad teachers will stay on; the good ones will be let go for “telling it like it is.”

13. I am a teacher who formerly worked at Glen Oak School. Yes, the B & G Club near the school is out of control. I had students tell me on a daily basis about the filthy language, theft, fights, and complete lack of respect shown by some of MY OWN students and others when attending the B & G afterschool program. I asked the B & G Club manager to not allow children to attend if they are that misbehaving…….NOTHING was done and these children are allowed to stay–terrorizing other children. WHY? What ended up happening is that the lovely young boys and girls “doing the right thing” quit coming. Their parents refused to allow them to be verbally and physically assaulted, with no consequence for the offenders. So, what you have left is a bunch of thug wannabes and bullies. Yes, I have seen it for myself and believe I am correct in my assumptions.

14. “So, what you have left is a bunch of thug wannabes and bullies”

    You also have a bunch of administrators getting paid for doing very little.

15. without a doubt, you are correct, EmergePeoria. Stop on in and visit that B & G Club right off Wisconsin over by Glen Oak about 4:00 p.m. any given school day and I believe you will see what I mean.

16. a teacher – thank you for your candid feedback. I have attended many fundraisers for the Bs & Gs Club. This is very disappointing information but not surprising. In the past I was on boards with directors from various organizations designed to aid low income and minority citizens of our community. In some cases, the Directors seemed to be helping themselves more than the organization – driving big cars and wearing fine clothes.

    In the end, if the Bs & Gs Club is not operating as it should then the Board is responsible, as it sets the terms and conditions of employment of its’ director.

17. I just returned from the BOE meeting and the update of the Woodruff plan. I am almost speechless. They have several committees that have met only from 2 to 5 times–but they have solved all the problems. They really believe that what they put on paper–all the idealistic hype–is reality. I was especially pleased to learn that the Woodruff students will be given mugs or wristbands at their new school to help make them feel welcome. I’m sorry to be a cynic, but I’ve been down this road before when I heard how wonderful the new Manual would be. Interestingly enough, Manual is to remain a choice school. Therefore, in January the 300 Woodruff students assigned to Manual will have the opportunity to “opt out of Manual.” No one mentioned where those 300 would go to school if they all opt out of Manual. The BOE members were absolutely giddy at the end of the meeting–Butler was reassured, Wolfmeyer was so happy that they had talked to students (30, I believe) who reassured everyone that they will feel safe next year, and Jim had had some misgivings about closing Woodruff but all his issues have been resolved.

18. Since D150 is re-drawing the high school boundaries, can anyone explain why there is a small segment of what appears to be South Side or Manual students who are color coded to attend Richwoods? I recognize that this is not new but based on the new drawings, wouldn’t it make sense to have those students attend school closer to home? I’m just curious about the rationale behind this practice.

19. Sharon,
    Did they say where the Von Steuben/Hines kids will go?
    Tried to watch it on tv but it was not on.

20. The boundary changes (that aren’t really boundary changes 🙂 ) are on the 150 website.

21. And Peoria High is getting 600-plus Woodruff students including about 200 Special Ed/Bd/Life Skills students for next year. That puts PHS at 1500-plus students. I am “glad” the BoE is happy; I hope they will be next year when this reality is operational.

    Whether a school is listed as “choice” or not, students cannot transfer unless there is room at the transferring school. PHS will not have room, Richwoods will not have room unless the student is academically superior or talented in a sport. Sorry but this is true based on past experience. So the Woodruff students directed to Manual will be forced to go there as there will be nowhere for them to transfer to.

    Nowhere have the neighborhood/gang/affiliation issues been addressed/ Has no one looked at what has happened in Chicago when gang/neighborhood issues were ignored?

    SIGH!!!!! And still little, if any, admin staff reductions. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE!!

22. Sharon – all of the issues have not been resolved. Those that reported on one of the several committees involving students expressed that open, on-going lines of communication seem to raise valuable questions and allow ample time for investigation and resolution. The array of surveys and activities also helps this process. The almost 100 individuals who have all volunteered to be part of the committees have done considerable and commendable work in short order, yet there is much to be done. To diminish all of the efforts by students, parents, teachers, and others doesn’t serve to elevate you in the positive role I would hope you would seek. Please don’t apologize for being a cynic, when it is all you seem to be when it comes to the District. There are choice components at each of the HS’s. Good step in the right direction. You should read the report Jeff Adkins-Dutro shared with me, written by his dad, where his father advocates “choices” as it related to “Alternative education and Peoria’s Lateafternoon HS”. Knowing past missteps and helping to avoid replicating them seemed to be the type of help committees were soliciting. One group meets tomorrow @ PHS @ 7am. An enhanced IB program @ RHS, Cisco learning at 2 facilities, enhanced music and art @ PHS, are all parts of a working plan that you chose not to hear. Letters are going out Tuesday to families, early registration to allow for individualized registration begins before year-end. To be so promptly dismissive of all the work that has been done and reported on this evening doesn’t do justice to those who serve. Are there challenges? Many! Will there be roadblocks and pitfalls? Probably. Reaching out to – each student, each family, each situation – will hopefully help make for a successful transition. Although I voted to not close WHS, I feel much better about the plan and offering vibrant choices to HS students, while moving towards fiscal stability. I still feel we need a medical/math/science “choice” and a true “alternative” school within our district – that is where finances pose challenges. The second part of the meeting tonight dealt with budget issues. I remain a skeptic over the sustainability of the current “recovery”. Deficit spending across wide gov’t sectors, while unemployment continues to rise, is not a precursor to a broad economic recovery. The board will have other critical decisions to make soon. Happy Holidays!

23. hot – please talk to your building principal and get the facts. Much attention has been given to this issue. If you have concerns after speaking to him, please pass them along. thx.

24. Jim, will do. And please understand that the neighborhood issues are very real. My students have expressed their concerns multiple times. I would welcome information that would reassure them. I have no reason to distrust Randy and will believe what he tells me unless it proves false.

    I hope and pray that next year’s student body at the three high schools (as well as faculty and staff) will feel as confident as you do. I understand that not everything is solved, but I listen to current student concerns and feel their uncertainty about safety issues. If you want specifics, please call or email me and I will share them. Randy is doing an excellent job preparing students, but there are many students who feel uncertain and unsafe/threatened. Maybe they will be assured when the WHS students are named/identified. Please understand that I am expressing their viewpoints more than my own. I have never felt unsafe at PHS.

    And what about the top-heavy central admin? Where are the deep cuts there? That would save a lot of dollars yearly. According to the most current state report card, the D150 student-admin ratio is one of the most out-of whack in the state for both similarly-sized and similar demographic districts. That does not count consultants and those hired outside the “norm.” Since those are highly compensated postitions, it would seem that they would/should be at the top of the chopping block. (as well as the staff involved in those positions.) Particularly since they are out-of-classroom positions.

    Finally, the large number of Special Ed and special needs students will present a huge challenge to Peoria High. Those classes have smaller class maximum sizes, determined by state and/or federal guidelines. They will have to be housed within the PHS campus, along with the current students, 3+ computer labs, etc. Yes, we will make it happen, but it will be difficult.

    Why so few to Richwoods? And no BD, ED, LifeSkills students? Doesn’t that raise any alarms? What about the racial demographics? I know (and you know) that there are people watching that issue very carefully.

    Thanks for your work for the students of D150 (even when we don’t agree.)

25. Jim: Whenever I hear words from you like “vibrant,” I get nervous. I still remember your “a new way for a new day” to describe the wonderful things that were to happen at Manual. I was hardly the only cynic that left that meeting tonight with a sinking feeling. I’m not sure what Jeff gave you–I assume it’s the newspaper article about the Wecep program that his dad showed us at Thanksgiving (from Gary’s days at the altnernative school). What does the enhanced 1B program have to do with Woodruff’s closing? Enhanced music and art at PHS–I remember that hype when the Fine Arts School started there–so hasn’t it been everything that we were promised the first time around? You say all the issues haven’t been resolved–that’s quite obvious. However, you were all having such a celebration tonight that it appeared you thought you had already achieved success. Yes, I still feel we need an alternative school–by next September–but it won’t happen. Until you all focus on the discipline problems, this merger doesn’t have a prayer of success. Don’t you understand that talking to 30 select students doesn’t give you any idea of how the majority of students are feeling? No one contacted those that already feel left out–they will still feel left out when they move to a new school–and they will be the ones who will create the problems. “Reaching out to each student, each family, etc.–what does that mean (doesn’t that sound a bit like “look the students in the eye and given them a firm handshake” and all will be well)? And what is going to happen if students don’t choose to go to Manual–where will they go? I’m sorry, Jim, I didn’t hear anyone tonight who was in touch with reality. Of course, that is part of the problem–several didn’t speak up enough so that we could even hear what they were saying. I just love the focus circles, the mugs, and the wristbands–now those are real solutions.

26. I’m just curious, Sharon, but once CJ put in that edit button, have you ever gone back and changed a comment? Have you ever gone back and re-read your comments and wondered if you really wanted to say ALL of that?

    Me, I type things all the time but then don’t hit send – or edit them after I do. Many thoughts, like this very one 🙂 , probably should be left unsaid…

27. Yes, Jon, I did err in my last comment–too all inclusive. There were some who spoke who were in touch with reality. The committee leaders did present some real problems that will need to be resolved. I just felt that the more serious problems were not addressed. Most of the discussion related to extra curricular activities, class rank, etc. I think there are problems related to the school day (classrooms, lunch course, etc.) that weren’t even mentioned. I was just struck by the general feeling that this was a wonderful thing that was about to happen. This is not an educational innovation–it is necessary evil, at best. Were you at the meeting?

28. Jim – thank you and the other Board members for tackling an issue that was long overdue (closing a high school). It seems the current Board has become much more proactive in the management of the District and deserves considerably more credit than it receives.

    I reviewed the new high school boundary divisions and they all seem to make sense, except the enclave on the Southside that will still be included in Richwoods. I can understand why this made sense some years ago, as it added much needed diversity to Richwoods, but that need seems to no longer exist given the present day demographics. Please do not dodge this question. Can you please explain this anomaly?

29. BTW, Manual cannot even attract enough teachers to fill the vacancies they have. Which means, new teachers (without a clue) will be teaching(or attempting to teach) there. No way in the world would I want my child there……..

30. a teacher–

    Because it has been public knowledge that I WANT to teach at either PHS or MHS, I want you to know that not all new teachers are clueless. Some of us “new” teachers are actually older than many teachers currently teaching.

31. Last year I FOIAd the experience level of the new Manual teachers who started in 2008-09. Although many were new to the district, many of them did have teaching experience. Only 22 of the Manual teachers chosen for the restructured Manual stayed for both years. Fourteen of those were from the “old” Manual faculty and one had already been teaching in 150. Only 7 of the new teachers stayed for 2 years. Sixteen teachers were pinkslipped, but almost all–if not all–were recalled. Seven of the recalled teachers are the 7 of the 22 who returned to Manual. Three of the recalled teachers are teaching in other 150 schools, not Manual. Of the 36 teachers for the 2008-09 year, 12 stayed for only one year (7 took jobs in other districts and 5 transferred to other 150 schools)and 2 others left before the 2008-09 year ended. This year five non-tenured teachers have left already and a sixth will leave at the end of December (5 were new this year and 1 came in January of 2008-09). I think the record speaks for itself–those with a choice are not choosing to teach at Manual.

32. How much does it pay to teach at Manual?

33. Sharon states, “I think the record speaks for itself–those with a choice are not choosing to teach at Manual.”

    Thanks for assuming that I only want to teach at Manual because I have no other choices. If the opportunity presented itself, I would love to teach at MHS. Will it be a challenge-yes! Will it make me question my choice to become a teacher-NO!!!! No one ever said that anything worth gaining would be easy. Life is a journey and it will have its ups and downs. Teaching, for me, is part of my journey and learning is a journey for the students. I like going on that specific journey with them. I always learn from them.

34. BAM, that was one of those “after I clicked the send button” moments. I just returned to the computer because I realized that I had made that insinuation–didn’t mean to do so. Because so many of the new Manual teachers were chosen from out of the district, I believe they took the jobs without knowing the truth about the kinds of problems they would face. They were just shocked to find that the program wasn’t all that had been presented to them. I certainly hope that there are teachers, like you, who are willing to teach at Manual. Also, I hope that the BOE and administration will conduct exit interviews and listen to the complaints of the current Manual teachers so that some changes can be made very soon (before the Woodruff students and other teachers arrive).
    Manual teachers are paid more than other 150 teachers because they work a longer year and a longer day.

35. As resident of Knoll Crest subdivision I was counting on them sticking with the original plan they had last year to move the kids from Hines and Von Steuben boundaries to Richwood’s boundaries. Now those kids will be split between two high schools when they enter as freshman.
    I have been a supporter of the district but I am starting to loose my patience with them. Glad we are just a few years from being done with it.
    If I had to do all over again knowing what I know now I probably wouldn’t.

    I love our neighborhood- its stable and safe but hardly any kids live here anymore. If they do they are young and go to private school or maybe Hines but we loose most of them by the time they go to middle school.

    I still think they made a mistake by closing Woodruff over Peoria High. That area that Peoria High is in is just scary to most people north of Forest Hill. Sorry but that’s the truth

36. The kids at Calvin Coolidge have been split between Central and Manual for years.

    I never quite understood that. A given school should feed into another in its entirety. I would think that would make for better tracking of a student’s progress by keeping their peer group as consistent as possible.

37. >> I think the record speaks for itself–those with a choice are not choosing to teach at Manual.

    um…

    >> I believe they took the jobs without knowing the truth about the kinds of problems they would face.

    ding-ding-ding-ding. give the cuddly retiree a prize!

    bam, um, no you do not want to teach at manual. it’s a wreck, even the kids that want to learn are frustrated.

    >> Manual teachers are paid more than other 150 teachers because they work a longer year and a longer day.

    No, it’s called combat pay. when kids with no structure in the home “moo” at you while you’re trying to teach, constantly interrupt your lessons and you have to consult the Geneva Conference rules of use of deadly force to keep from wringing their neck, it’s combat pay!

    >> That area that Peoria High is in is just scary to most people north of Forest Hill.

    just kinda stunned on this one…where does it leave us?

38. Mahkno: I don’t think the Calvin Coolidge area (West Peoria, at least) has had a choice for many years. The West Peoria high school is Manual–and fewer and fewer West Peoria students have chosen Manual since the 1990s.

39. ::sung to the tune of the Chimpmunk’s song::

    All I want for Christmas is McArdle to win, McArdle to win, McArdle to win
    Gee, if Julie McArdle could only win
    Then, we’d all have a Merry Christmas!!

40. “I still think they made a mistake by closing Woodruff over Peoria High. That area that Peoria High is in is just scary to most people north of Forest Hill. Sorry but that’s the truth”

    Wow thats really insulting to all of us that choose to live south of the glory that is forest hill. Thats what I have grown to love about Peoria the utter elitest attitude that people have about the forest hill line. Its cute really. Are the people north of forest hill just more easily frightened then all of us that brave the vast south of forest hill frontier? Do we that live south of forest hill just have a special intestinal fortitude that dosnt exist north of the forest hill line? Or are your fellow peorians that live south of the line just inferior and we will settle for our scarry neighborhoods over here?

    Have you ever been into the neighborhood that Woodruff was in….its not alot different from PHS.

    Please do stay in knoll crest for your own safety, I mean we wouldnt want the zombies or whatever it is that is so scarry down here to get you.

41. Yerly–We found something about which to agree! Actually, I thought the elitist line had moved from Forrest Hill to War Memorial.

42. I thought it had moved from War Memorial to Glen!!!! Maybe even Pioneer Parkway!

43. I thought generalizing about those north of a certain street as “elite” was no different than generalizing those south of that line as “scary”.

44. BAM: you have worked for TJ at Roosevelt as a sub. secretary. Tell me: are you that desperate to work for her AGAIN? You have to know she’s running the show over there!

45. MAWB: Love the song. So does Julie…..

46. Jon, you’re probably right except for those who live beyond that line and think of themselves as elite. Obviously, the school boundaries seem to lend themselves to these generalizations–and make it tempting for people to characterize themselves and others according to the boundaries. The Edison school boundaries adhered to either the Forrest Hill or War Memorial boundary did it not–may even have been the origin of that “line in the sand.: I know that some of those who seldom venture below Forrest Hill think of West Peoria as part of the southend. It is interesting that the Edison Schools designated boundaries whereas the proposed charter school is supposed to draw from all 150 schools.

47. I think the elitist line has been moved from Forrest Hill to Lake Street, starting at the ever so special Bournedale Subdivision.

48. Sharon:

    What is Terry’s take on how the African American students fared? I know you all where concerned that black children would get the short end of the stick…

49. a teacher—

    Yes I worked for TJ several years ago and it wasn’t the most pleasant experience I have ever had (I wish I knew how you knew that), BUT I do have the utmost respect for Sharon and would welcome working for her. I have subbed in the building and know, firsthand, how TJ feels about me, so that would make it awkward. Knowing that, I still believe I’m am called to teach at MHS or PHS.

50. Emerge, Terry is out of town. I think things turned out exactly as he expected. Jeannie made a point of saying that no boundaries had been changed–that Woodruff students were just being redistributed. I’m not sure how to view the maps with boundaries drawn–optical illusions, I guess. I think Richwoods is not bearing much of the burden of a high school being closed–somehow that doesn’t seem right to me. I truly believe that at Peoria High classes will be overcrowded–I am still not convinced that there are “extra” classrooms available. That is why I was disappointed in last night’s meeting–I expected to hear numbers–how many rooms, how many students per room. That information seems to me to be far more important than any of the topics discussed last night–class rank, athletic teams, scholarship money, where to put Woodruf trophies, etc. Oh, yes, they discussed their safety plans–seem to be satisfied that they will have that under control.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.