For most races, Tuesday’s election is a primary. But for the third district of the Peoria Board of Education, Tuesday’s election is final. Current board member Dr. David Gorenz is not running for reelection, and will be replaced with one of three candidates: Ernestine Jackson, 69; Christopher Crawford, 37; and Jeff Lickiss, 49.
Ernestine Jackson is an Equal Opportunity Associate for the City of Bloomington. She hasn’t held public office, but has experience in politics. Her husband is attorney Don Jackson, president of the Peoria chapter of the NAACP. She supported the charter school initiative, “with the understanding that it will, in fact, be open to all students, not just select students,” she told the Chamber of Commerce. She believes the number of administrators needs to be reduced, based on declining enrollment. Her top three priorities are getting a balanced budget, closing the achievement gap, and reducing discipline problems. Her stated priorities are right, but her support for the charter school is counter to the first priority on her list. Also, this gave me pause:
What the District is presently producing is unacceptable and does not meet the needs of the business community. There needs to be drastic changes if this District is to produce a competent workforce that is ready to meet the challenges of a changing job market. The city needs to be able to attract new businesses in order to increase its tax base. This cannot be accomplished if the Board continues on the present path.
When I read this, I picture our schools as factories spitting out little workers for area businesses. In fairness, she was responding to a Chamber of Commerce survey, and was thus likely tailoring her answers to her audience. Nevertheless, I chafe when educational benefits are reduced to “meet[ing] the needs of the business community,” as if the only purpose for public schooling is economic utility. It’s hard to inspire kids when all you have to offer is a common cubicle in corporate America.
But I digress. Jackson also promises to “deliver honest and accurate information to parents and the public,” according to her interview with the Times-Observer, and that would certainly be a welcome change. She also pledges to review the district’s current contracts “with the intent to eliminate excessive spending. This includes doing away with the notion that we must hire a consultant to study every issue confronting the District.” She’s also the only candidate who put “discipline” in her top three priorities for the district. All in all, Jackson is a strong candidate, but will likely be discounted by many because of her continued support of former superintendent Kay Royster.
Christopher Crawford is a local attorney with no previous political experience. He has been endorsed by the Journal Star and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. But on the positive side, he has gained favor with various parent-teacher organizations by being, in some cases, the only candidate to attend their meetings. He’s a strong supporter of the charter school initiative and retaining the Edison schools contract. He supported closing Woodruff High School. He’s in favor of an alternative high school, and might be in favor of returning schools to a K-8 configuration, but wants more information before making a decision. Frankly, his stances on the issues appear indistinguishable from those of Dr. Gorenz. Those who are looking for a good status-quo candidate will find one in Crawford.
Jeff Lickiss is a registered nurse and former Peoria County Board member. He is the only candidate who would not have voted for the charter school because of the district’s financial situation. He believes his County Board experience would be an asset on the School Board — especially his ability to “ask the tough questions and demand factual answers.” However, he also thinks the next administrator, by which I think he means superintendent, should be “a candidate with a MBA emphasis” rather than “a candidate with emphasis on Education PhD.” This looks to me like it betrays a less-than-full understanding of the roles of Superintendent and Comptroller, or alternatively, an ignorance of the educational requirements to be Superintendent. Or maybe it was just meant to be rhetorical. In any case, his point is that he’s concerned about the financial health of the district, which is fair. Like Jackson, he would also cut consultants. He would “spend the district’s money on education.” Lickiss says, “The district needs to focus on its core responsibilities, develop a long term strategic plan and stick to it.”
I think change is needed on the Board, so it comes down to either Jackson or Lickiss. They’re both good candidates, and residents of the third district would be well-served by either of them. Since you can only pick one, I’m giving the edge to Lickiss based on his stance on the charter school initiative. It takes guts to stand up to powerful local interests and insist on financial accountability above political expediency. We need more of that on the school board. Lickiss is endorsed.
If a group of mad scientists huddled together in a dark basement laboratory and spit out a clone of Gorenz it would be Crawford.
if everyone is happy with the direction D150 is going (not), then vote for crawford. If you want to see real action from the boe, then vote for Lickess. I know I am.
An endorsement from David Gorenz for his school board replacement would be like Quinn getting an endorsement from Blagovocich.
So you make the assertion that Lickiss doesn’t really understand what he is talking about, yet then you endorse him… Okay…
Thanks for the endorsement. And you’re right, I did misuse “administrator” when I meant Superintendent. Understanding that we need an Education PhD in the superintendent post, I also believe we can find a talented Ed PhD with financial credentials; or have an associate Superintendent with a proven record of financial stewardship. The key to future success of District 150 in a superintendent who is able to propose multiple options to resolve budget shortfalls other than “…which school do we close next…” solution. The game will change when this board starts recommending closing schools Northwest of Forest Hill. Unless we stop this trend now, the future decisions will be Hines vs Lindbergh or Peoria High vs Richwoods. Charter Schools are a good concept, but we need a plan to educate 13,000 kids not just 600. Chris is a nice guy, so is Dr. Gorenz but they are both naive and oblivious to the Peoria, Il that exist Southeast of Northmoor Road. Chris’ campaign stresses “education excellence.” But education excellence can be achieved in the Trades just as it can in math and science. Again, we have 13,000 kids to education and very few have parents who are members of the Chamber of Commerce.
So what if Jeff Lickiss misued the word “administrator.” He’s right about all of the above.
Oh–and Lickiss apparently cares what we think–he’s reading and commenting.
Sharon- yes, Jeff is reading and commenting. In fact, he’s commenting by name-calling. That’s an ingredient that the school board really needs. Less professionalism and more juvenile name-calling. Perfect candidate! / end sarcasm/
No, I don’t think Jeff Lickiss is name calling. I think he’s telling it like it is. If you are happy with the “status quo”, then vote for Chris Crawford, if you are ready for someone who will question the superintendent instead of “rubber stamp”, then vote for Jeff Lickiss. I know I am.
D150 teacher: Does that mean you allow your students to call you ‘naive’ and ‘oblivious’? If it’s not name-calling it shouldn’t be a problem, right?!
Mr. Lickiss didn’t Dr. Gorenz’s kids go to Peoria High School with your kids? So maybe he does know about “the Peoria, Il that exist Southeast of Northmoor Road”.
John Green, What world do you live in? “Naive” and “oblivious”–first of all, those are adjectives, not nouns; therefore, they are not names. Of course, I’m just being facetious–and an English teacher. However, District 150 does believe that adjectives are nouns as in its slogan “Where remarkable happens every day.” The real point I want to make is that “naive” and “oblivious” would hardly be considered offensive by most teachers. Obviously, you have no idea what goes on in schools today. I believe that “naive” and “oblivious” are fairly accurate labels, considering some of the comments I hear from some board members regularly. Certainly, “naive” applies to what seems to be their attitudes about the possibility of gang problems at Peoria High next year. They often seem to be quite “oblivious” to discipline problems (and really offensive name-calling by students) in 150 schools–at least, their lack of attention (and inaction) to these problems could be due to their “oblivious” attitudes about such matters.
Sharon:
Most name-calling involves adjectives, not nouns. Calling someone “ugly” or “stupid”- all adjectives. Of course, you would know that as an English Teacher.
However, the more I read comments on this blog, the more the problems of Dist. 150 become crystal clear to me- thank you for that!
John, I’m sorry “name-calling” infers “names,” which are always nouns. Adjectives describe nouns. I’m just being (as I said) facetious and obnoxious (both adjectives, not nouns)–sorry. I do understand that adjectives are just as hurtful as are names. I am assuming that you are implying that your “crystal” ball is telling you that teachers are the problem in 150 and that you are “inferring” a bit of “name-calling” yourself. I am, also, assuming that you are backing Crawford. I don’t know much about him at all (and I don’t live in his district, so I can’t vote in this race); however, if I could vote, I would not vote for Crawford simply because the Chamber of Commerce is backing him. The Chamber of Commerce has influenced a few too many votes in District 150 of late.
Mr. Green: with all the filthy names I have been called as an elementary school teacher by students as well as “parents”, I welcome being called naive or oblivious! Discipline in D150 is OUT OF CONTROL. The inmates are running the asylum. For all of the parents of students at the Edison schools and now the Charter School, you have no clue how difficult it is to teach with the issues we face DAILY. We don’t need more “special” schools, we need an alternative school from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
C.J. wrote, “It takes guts to stand up to powerful local interests and insist on financial accountability above political expediency. We need more of that on the school board….”
Actually, we need more of that at every level of Peoria City and County politics. Why not throw in the State and Fed as well……
I would also say, for the record, that “naive” and “oblivious,” pretty much describes most of the Peoria City/County politicians currently ‘entrenched.’
Sharon:
I don’t think that teachers are the problem in Dist. 150 and I did not say that they are.
Also, I am not backing anyone in this race, as I do not live in District 3, just like you do not live in Dist. 3 and CJ does not live in Dist. 3.
What I am offended by is seeing a candidate personally come on a blog and lodge personal attacks against a fellow candidate the night before the election. I find it to be unprofessional, distasteful, and not the kind of character we should be seeking on the Dist. 150 BOE.
Dist. 150 Teacher- perhaps I misread the editorial, but I am quite certain all candidates expressed support for an alternative school in the district. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Yes, they all expressed support, however, I know that Jeff Lickiss has that on a “front burner” unlike the other candidates. We need an alternative school NOW, not after the Charter School is up and going, not after the new superintendent gets her feet wet, not after they continually reconfigure the boundaries……NOW!
I am sorry — what is wrong with Chris Crawford? He is educated and given his profession, he should have some business acumen. Definitely should be able to sort through those contracts with consultants and programs so many are against given that he is an experienced attorney? Mr. Lickiss takes issue with Mr. Crawford’s platform of “education excellence” and seems to suggest those students “Southeast of Northmoor Road” are in some other Neverland of performance. I am concerned Mr. Lickiss is painting with an awfully broad brush.
John, I got a bit carried away–I understand your point about making derogatory comments about one’s opponent. I’m just not quite convinced that “naive” and “oblivious” are that offensive. Also, most, if not all, of the current school board members express support for an alternative school, but its all talk and no action. I am still curious–what do you infer to be the problems in 150 (those that became crystal clear after reading comments on this blog)?
Frustrated, my opinions are based solely on a brief conversation I had with Jeff Lickiss after he expressed his opinions about the problems he sees in 150 at a meeting I attended. What I have learned is that I can never be sure what a person will actually do once in office. What candidate wouldn’t state that he/she is for educational excellence–that’s a fairly safe platform on which to run. How to go about achieving academic excellence–that is the real question. You and I will differ because you like all the decisions backed by the Chamber of Commerce–I, on the other hand, do not. Lickiss does seem to be interested in solving the problems in the inner city schools. I’m sure that Earnestine Jackson shares that interest. That’s where I see the need, so I would vote (when I have the opportunity) for a candidate who seems to have the best plan for improving discipline (and, therefore, improving the chances for achieving academic progress).
Sharon – what did Earnestine Jackson used to do? Banking?
I don’t recall that Earnestine ever worked in banking–just don’t know. I know that–probably in the 1960s or 1970s–she worked at CILCO in some sort of race relations capacity–those were the years when black people were just entering the work force in significant numbers. I wored at Caterpillar in 1955 in the Education and Training Department when I was a senior in high school. I really wasn’t very racially aware at the time (there were only two black students at Woodruff) and I didn’t know any other black people. Therefore, I don’t know why I asked the question, but I did ask the head of that department if he would ever hire a black man? His answer was “Only if he was superior to all white applicants.” Coincidently, several years later (after I had gone to college and was teaching), I met one of the first black college graduates to be hired to work in a “white” collar job at Cat.
Sharon, that is right, she worked at CILCO. Interesting story you shared. It makes you realize how far things have come, even thought there is still a way to go. Thanks!
“The inmates are running the asylum.”
The best description of Peoria Public Schools possible. I suggest, literally, that the inmates ARE running the schools. Those administration members have forgotten we are talking about SCHOOLS and are trying to run a prison system instead. The metaphor is appropriate because they re prisoners n the system themselves, and forcing the children under their care to become the next generation of prisoners.
I will, once again, recommend “The War on Kids” from Spectacle Films. I also recommend that anyone interested in fixing or replacing the system reread John Dewey and the foundational authors of American Education.
http://www.thewaronkids.com/
The prison is Behavioral Psychology and we are the ones putting OUR children into the puzzle box.
Off topic:
When is the day coming when you don’t have to declare a party and are just able to have all candidates listed? And why do you have to declare a party?
Mazr:
Open Primary. I agree. Here is a link to view open and closed primary states….and the different rules. Interesting reading.
http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=1801
Wow, did not mean to offend anyone. Was not name calling, but describing perception of someone else’s actions and comments. Lord knows I have been described in less than pleasant ways, sometimes deservingly. Regret if I offended but frankly political correctness is not my bag. Also, didn’t realize candidates are apparently not supposed to read blogs. Bottom line is District 150 is grossly in debt and still not meeting the needs of a vast majority of the students, thus the parents and taxpayers. The buck stops at the BOE. If you are happy with the current state of affairs, go with a BOE member’s recommendation for his replacement. Let me clarify a couple of things. What I was attempting to convey was that the District has kids with various learning types and life goals. Surrounding communities understand this and provided multiple education models for the student population, including vocational training. They provide these various education models without multiple consultants or contract schools. These students live north and south of Northmoor. My point is that the District appears to have written off the students that do not fit a math/science model. This leads to boredom, which leads to discipline problems. Not a hard concept. As far as the alternative school, we need a “boot camp” style education model for the most disruptive students, sooner- than-later. Again, did not mean to offend. Chris and Dr. Gorenz accomplished, respectable people who I am sure can shoulder a couple of adjectives.
Well said, Jeff. Praying for a victory for you tonight!
I guess you really can’t fight City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce.
Or it could be Sharon, that you are in the wrong? Surely that can’t be the case though. It’s that damned Chamber and city hall!
11bravo, and you would be the judge of right and wrong? We all are entitled to our own convictions–of course, I know that I am not always “right.” However, I do accept the fact that in an election the majority wins (and in our government that’s as it should be) but the majority isn’t always right.
WOW!!! I guess I need to let people know who I am. Some one did some checking because I did work at Commercial National Bank after graduation from high school in 1959. Most of you wern’t even born. I was the first African American hired by David Conner to work at the bank. Starting out as a messenger and eventually moving up to teller. Over the years I have been a Personnel Director and Department Head at both the City of Peoria and the City of Champaign. I became the Director of Diversity for CILCO in the late 90’s not 60’s or 70’s. I retired from the City of Champaign. I worked at the University of Illinois as a Personnel Officer while sending my husband through Law School and raising 3 children. I am a certified mediator.I am also a trainer in Diversity, EEO Rules and Regulations, Harassment, Supervisory Training. I have written a manual for Human Relations Commissioners that is used in training across the state. I have done all of that without a degree. Comes from hard work and dedication to my jobs and the organizations that I have served. At the end of my journey some one would ask why I would even think about running for school board in this city. I guess I could sum it up to ” I CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN.” I do not believe that this school board has even thought about their core business. that is the education of children. I also believe that without dealing with the discipline problems in our schools there will be very little education going on in the classrooms. All class rooms ought to be a safe place for everyone.It seems that no one whats to deal with this issue. Parents need to be held accountable for the behavior of their children. Teachers need to have the tools necessary to give instruction. However, now that the elections are over, it will be business as usual. I don’t see any change in the way the board will be functioning. I feel sorry for the children that want to learn and the teachers that really want to teach. I wish them well.
Earnestine, welcome to the blog (I’m sure you’ve been reading all along, right?) Your voice is needed here and at board meetings. I enjoyed our conversation as we sat side by side to listen to the charter school people hawking their “wares.” We will agree sometimes and sometimes we will probably disagree, but we have the same goals–so we are bound to find middle ground. I agree–I, also, am anticipating more business as usual on the board as a result of this election. However, I believe we can all still have a voice (maybe for only 3 minutes a meeting if some board members have their way). I hope to see you more often at BOE meetings and hear from you on this blog.
EHjack:
A question about the school impact zones. As a Commissioner on the Zoning Board of Appeals, are you taking the opportunity to use that position to ensure that children and families in the school impact zones can live in safe and healthy environments? Do you weigh that in your decisions?
It doesn’t have to be “business as usual”, you and your fellow Commissioners can support District 150 and it’s families from where you currently sit. Work on that.
When you can amend the US Constitution to eliminate associations of citizens then you can eliminate parties and primary elections.