Peoria Public Schools

Plan to cut library managers surprises board members

65 Comments

Last week, word started getting out that District 150 was looking at possibly saving money by getting rid of nearly all library managers:

The recommendation calls for the elimination of 23 library positions, said Deb Chavez, president of the Local 6099 support staff and cafeteria union. It would affect nearly all of the primary and middle schools in the district.

Not affected are the four high schools, the two Edison-operated schools and Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Center, where the positions are either certified teachers or set up differently than the rest of the district, Hinton said.

Parents started writing to their school board members protesting this latest plan as ill-advised. Here’s an example of one of the letters that was sent:

Dear [board member],

We have a kindergartner at Whittier Primary School. We are very pleased with our experience at the school and with the staff. Our son loves school and has enjoyed learning. He has specifically enjoyed learning how to read and experiencing the Accelerated Reader program with our school librarian Mrs. Burtsfield. Hence, the proposal of eliminating school library managers saddens my family and me.

The importance of reading and learning how to utilize the library system is a value tool that will follow these children through life. School library programs and resources play a vital role in the development of information-literate students. Research studies continue to show that an active school library program makes a significant difference to student learning outcomes.

In closing, we urge you to please vote against the proposal of eliminating library managers at the primary and middle schools. This measure would be detrimental to our children.

Then parents started getting responses from board members. Several board members said they learned of the proposal like everyone else — from the media. They expressed surprise, and more than a few said they were opposed to such a move. Now there’s speculation that the administration might abandon the proposal. While I would welcome such an outcome, I’ll believe it when I see it (or don’t see it, in this case).

The question I’ve heard over and over is this: Where’s the proposal for deep cuts to the administration? Why are administrator jobs being protected, while those with direct student contact are being heaviest hit with these cost-saving proposals?

65 thoughts on “Plan to cut library managers surprises board members”

  1. CJ asks “Why are administrators jobs being protected?”

    Great question! There appears to be a different set of rules for central office administrators. One of these positions would pay for a few library managers, if not more. Some of these administrators can also violate several district policies and still keep their job.

    Back to the library managers, I do think that if they keep their jobs they should have as many contact hours with students as possible. This is currently not the case in all of the schools.

  2. Couldn’t the teachers be responsible for their own libraries?

    Couldn’t the teachers be responsible for their own administration?

    Couldn’t the teachers be responsible?

    (Or does someone have to make over $100,000 before they can be expected to be responsible?)

  3. First of all, each school should present to the administration and to the board all the jobs that librarians do in each school. I’m hearing things now that I didn’t know–about their “extra” responsibilities. I’m willing to bet that the central administration wasn’t aware of these extra tasks–and they didn’t ask anybody. Anyone interested in this issue, please come to Godfather’s on May 31 at 6 p.m.

  4. Again, why do board members put up with Hinton not communicating. He also gets by with saying “I’ll get that information”, but he never does.

  5. The question I’ve heard over and over is this: Where’s the proposal for deep cuts to the administration? Why are administrator jobs being protected, while those with direct student contact are being heaviest hit with these cost-saving proposals?

    That has been the 10 million dollar question for at least a year now. We of course know the answer – it’s just too distasteful to say it.

  6. Why have we okayed $20 + million dollars for a new library in Peoria when District 150 is going to eliminate the very personnel which is going to teach children how to use this new library? This is totally contradictory to the entire project. Is there anybody in Peoria in administration either in the city the school district or anywhere else that knows what the heck is going on? Every time we open the news either in the paper, tv, radio, or a blog something new is popping up that is in direct opposition to what is best for the general public. PLEASE get your act together and figure out what is best not what is beneficial for your pocket book.

  7. “PLEASE get your act together and figure out what is best not what is beneficial for your pocket book.”

    – Isn’t it possible to do both?

  9. Won’t somebody PLEASE tell me what is going on over on Wisconsin Ave. What’s in the kool-aid? I feel like I’m in “opposite land”……….what is right is wrong; what is good is bad; what is ethical is criminal……I could go on…..how ’bout it stowell… time to put on your big boy trunks and jump off of the Mr. Hinton is ALWAYS right boat

  10. perhaps this is meant to solve the problem at Lindbergh… get rid of the principal and get rid of the librarian and Mary Davis is in the clear….

  12. Hey, the Lindbergh principal job is posted! Can’t wait to see who Mary Davis picks for the new principal. Anyone with half an ounce of integrity would RUN, not walk away from this job and the current admin on wisconsin ave. and into the arms of a district with integrity and a better GRASP on right vs. wrong…..

  16. Excellent job, Diane! As long as I’ve been in District 150, I don’t believe I have ever witnessed anything like this saga at Lindbergh–never anything like this where teachers have pitted themselves against other teachers so blattantly. I’m glad to hear about Hannah’s positive role in this situation. I certainly hope that Hinton and the board do not try to run from this one–I hope they have the integrity to seek out the truth and to be willing to hear from those to whom Diane has spoken, those who have thus far been ignored. Maybe I’m asking too much, but I do believe that the board members–even those who often make decisions with which I disagree–are decent humanbeings who would not be able to condone the activities, etc., about which Diane has written.

  17. Well said, C.J…. well said. I think it’s time for some new administration in our school district… everyone over there seems to be utterly clueless.

  18. Sharon
    If admin and BOE had been willing to listen Diane would not have written that article. They did not seem nterested in the other side of the story.

  19. This is the time of year Mr. Hinton likes to try and slide things through that don’t make a whole lot of sense. A year ago, he eliminated the part-time teachers in the district and tried to get every Friday as a short day. Enough people were still paying attention that he wasn’t able to push it through. It was the week before Easter break when he showed up at Kingman and Tyng to let everyone know HE was closing the buildings. He said the BOE would have no choice but to do what he recommended. He is a master of timing….timing things so the least number of people are paying attention. Because of CJ and Diane and blog readers/contributors, it seems like more and more people are paying attention and, maybe, he will be less likely to push through some of these crazy ideas. Reading is the basis for everything in school. How can the BOE make a decision which essentially closes the libraries in schools where they are needed the most? HA! I still have the ability to think they will do what’s best for the students…..and this is right before I head off to teach in a school which is closing at the end of this year. Forgive me, I’m a teacher. I tend to be optimistic.

  20. YEA!!!!!!!! Diane!!!! YOU ROCK! Now… identify the Fab 5. They have no right or reason to be anonymous… expose them and you can take away their power. Tell us who the “shut up” lady is. The parents and students of Lindbergh need for everyone to know who these “teachers” are.

  21. AS I GAZE INTO MY CRYSTAL BALL….. I see…..

    Mary Davis, interim principal at Lindbergh, receiving her assistant superintendent pay….

  22. Jim S- I assume you are reading these entries and Diane’s blog. I hope you encourage the other Board members to do the same.

    Why didn’t the Board and/or Hinton follow up with the teachers after they sent letters? Were they afraid of what they would be told? For instance they may have been told Mary Davis had an hourly school employee do some work on her personal property (home) during school hours. Good use of district funds. Maybe she was confused about whether it was her business or her personal property 🙂

  23. Tired: I agree–I just wanted to be a little optimistic for a change. Now “Time for a change” comes up with yet another offense that should be investigated. I remember once when an administrator (I think at Limestone) was fired for using Urban League summer workers to do work at his house. Once again I may have some of that wrong because it was a long time ago. I thought that Kevin Lyons was in charge of this case and that we would be hearing something soon. Aside from the money discrepancies there are other District 150 issues–the out-of-boundary students using Lindbergh addresses–that should be dealt with.

  24. Sharon-

    I agree that the Board Members are “decent human beings” and I too hold out hope that they will address this situation by talking with the teachers, the principal and holding Mary Davis accountable for her actions.

  26. I am a member of West Bluff Council and tonight I am to give a presentation as to why WBC should help fight school closures. I am focusing on high schools but will add information about the effect the primary closing will have on Whittier and Franklin, as well. If you have things I should definitely say please let me know. The meeting is tomorrow night at 7 and is held at the student center of Bradley University and Dr. Fischer will be there as well. It would be nice to see faces there to help me out.

  27. Also, remember to join the District Watch group at Godfather’s on May 31 at 6 p.m.

  28. If Hinton and one of his people don’t like someone, they find a way to get rid of them. Apparently the board believes whatever Hinton tells them. They do not follow through with ensuring he is correct and there are no exit interviews. I guess Hinton is afraid the truth will come out. Oh, by the way Tom Broderick is not a good fit. Neither is little miss small town, Mary O’Brian. She has no clue. But Hinton likes them. These people seem to thrive on hostile working environments.

  30. That is true, Serenity, there are no exit interviews. I spoke with a teacher who had been with the district 19 years, gave her resignation and not one person asked why she was leaving. The district lost an excellent teacher, but I think Hinton figured he was losing a highly paid employee that he could replace with a new graduate and save money. Apparently excellence and experience count for nothing.

  31. Since the Lindbergh situation is once again a topic of conversation, most likely the new PFT president is finding himself in a “conflict-of-interest” situation. Certainly, he should be representing teachers at Lindbergh–one side or the other or quite possibly both. I have no idea as to which side his wife (a Lindbergh teacher) is on, but personally I hope she is not one of the Fab 5. I am curious as to whether or not any of these Lindbergh issues (past and more current) have been brought to the PFT–certainly I see some cause for grievances.

  33. Kcdad – it’s too late to stop the bond issue. We will definately get the signatures to block it if they attempt another one however.

    Sharon, it may be too late for the board members to intervene. They have had plenty of opportunity. It is all in the hands of the courts now compliments of Peoria taxpayers.

    KCDad – the Screamer is well known. It wouldn’t be hard to find out. Ask anyone at Lindbergh.

  35. Diane: I’m sure you’re right about it being too late. At this point, there is probably no one willing to admit that he/she was wrong or uninformed, etc. I wish that “saving face” wasn’t quite so important. I know that it is a human tendency, but admitting errors would certainlly give the administration and board more credibility. This time however, culpability probably means losing a lawsuit–so no one will be admitting what I trust is the inevitable.

  36. Seek a win-win and maybe the lawsuit will go away. Give McArdle a fresh start in a different school. Fire Davis, and maybe, just maybe a new principal at Lindbergh will have a chance and the lawsuit can be history. It is not rocket science!
    The Board can save face by saying they did not have all of the facts when they were rushed to make a decision. Most of these lawsuits do not go to trial. They are settled before that point.

  39. The ‘screamer’ issue is not unique to Lindbergh. It seems to be a growing practice through the district.

  40. Yes, Jon, that is funny. Sometimes the “target” for satire is difficult to discern. I hope everyone recognizes that all the “excuses” offered to teachers in this essay are actually all the excuses made today to keep students from being held accountable. When applied to teachers, the “excuses” become absurd, but they are often just as absurd when applied to students. I’m all for helping students with real disabilities but too often we often excuses that really send the message to the student, “We know you have too many strikes against you, so there is no way you can succeed.”
    I especially like these parts:
    “realizing that they no longer have to act out or create disruptions in order to get the attention they so desperately crave.” How true! Teachers in 150 are desperately trying to get the attention of the district–to get the decision-makers to face reality as to what is going on in the schools so that real solutions can be sought.
    “being put in a special classroom has reawakened a love for teaching he hasn’t felt in years” Many teachers who are stuck in classrooms full of disruptive students (because the district won’t face reality) would love to be in a “special” classroom free of these problems so that they could remember the complete joy of teaching.
    “Added Sturges, “You know, something that pays more than $24,000 a year” In light of all the talk about teachers being paid too much, I doubt that too many will agree with this one.

  41. When people survey District 150 salaries at the above-mentioned website I hope they take into consideration that @ 90% of the teachers (not administrators) listed with seemingly exorbitant salaries are teachers who were retiring and the salary stated included their one-time retirement incentive.

  42. Emerge, perhaps we’ll find out soon enough, but I believe your analysis on your blog as to the rationale of Hinton’s decision to cut the library managers is spot on – the belief that the Accelerated Reading program is sufficient at the primary and middle school age groups is a sufficient curriculum, as well as the notion that other clerical folks at the schools (or even parent volunteers?) can presumably fill in for the library managers. Frankly I’m amazed at what many of the librarian managers – which is not a certified position, though some are certified teachers – are able to accomplish and choose to do it for a very low salary (hourly wage, actually). I believe that, today, in addition to reading, librarians go hand in hand with computer classes. Many times it’s not that you know the answer, but you know how to go and get it (and can discern “good” information from “bad”). The following is a good story about “today’s librarian”

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html?ref=arts

  43. Jon: I’m confused. Are you supporting the decision to eliminate the library managers? I thought I understood Emerge to be saying that the library managers are not really needed–as they only facilitate the Accelerated Reader program.

  44. What is the website that lists the salaries of all current District 150 employees?

  45. Sharon, I don’t believe in the decision to eliminate the library managers, but I believe Emerge has correctly guessed Hinton’s rationale. Obviously, I’m biased because my wife is a certified teaching librarian – not a library manager. We used to live in another state and my wife was a primary school librarian there. My wife taught nearly as many classes (lesson plans with a purpose, etc.) as a classroom teacher. When the kids came to the library, she taught a lesson while the classroom teachers used that time for their prep period. I believe that each school should have a certified teaching librarian, not a library manager. If one believes that these library managers are currently merely clerical workers – another form of admin – then I understand the decision. But I believe some do far more and that the library is a poor choice for cutbacks.

  47. Jon: I agree. I do believe that the schools may have assigned them clerical duties that are probably not in their job description–and that the library managers should be freed up to do their intended tasks. I believe I am correct in stating that even the certified librarian at Manual was assigned tasks that were often more clerical than library related. Years ago to cut back on clerical help, it became the librarian’s duty to move TVs and other audio-visual equipment back and forth from one classroom to another. Those kinds of tasks should be left to clerical help so that the certified employees can spend their time with students. That said, I believe the libraries are sometimes underutilized for all kinds of reasons. For instance, we used to take students to the library to get books for book reports for English classes. In later years, we started choosing one book to read as a class–we passed out classroom sets to students; thus, there was no need for the library. No, I don’t think that was the best idea, but because book reports were requirements, it was the best way to be sure of fairness in grading, etc.–and one of the reasons that administrators favored it (if I recall correctly). Again, I am sure that could be viewed as another way of stifling the desire to read–and I would agree. However, recently on the PJS website (for the Manual 100th year anniversary article), two of my former students specifically mentioned how much they loved the book Rebecca–one of the books I taught to students as a class. Reading for a grade–that’s one of those “pro and con” subjects–I can see both sides.

  48. I think the teachers at Lindbergh have been through enough.
    Let all of them keep their identities anonomous. They are busy trying to do what is right for the students and trying to leave politics out of the classroom. Let them heal and move on.

  50. “Let them heal and move on.” huh? It is the district that is in trouble… not the teachers. It is time for the teachers to actually do something for the district and stand up to the tyranny and incompetence at Wisconsin Avenue.

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