Diane Vespa has a post up on her blog detailing what appears to be a clear violation of District 150 policy regarding paid administrative leave.
Board policy 5:240 states that a “professional employee” can be suspended with pay “during an investigation into allegations of disobedience or misconduct,” but, “no suspension with pay shall exceed 10 school or working days in length.” Mary Davis was put on paid administrative leave September 9 while police continue to investigate allegations of misappropriation/theft of funds. Diane was told by D150 spokesperson Stacey Shangraw that Mary Davis is still on paid administrative leave, obviously well past the 10-day limit outlined in the board policy, and “will remain on the payroll until the outcome of an investigation by the States Attorney’s office.”
According to section 2:10, “The Board’s powers and duties include the authority to adopt, enforce and monitor [emphasis added] all policies for the management and governance of the District’s schools.” So why aren’t they doing it? Are they unaware of their own policies (lack of monitoring)? Or are they just giving Mary Davis special treatment (lack of enforcement)?
They certainly follow the letter of the law when the public gets up to speak at board meetings. They have a little timer and don’t mind cutting you off mid-sentence to make sure you don’t go overtime. And they don’t show any favoritism — they made no exception to the policy for former third district councilman Bob Manning when he tried to extend his time. It would be nice if they’d show the same fastidiousness when it comes to spending taxpayer money.
District 150 School Board Members? Anybody? What is going on? Can anyone speak to this? Jim, you’re awful quiet….
When and why did Mary Davis sue the school district?
Her suit was in the late 90’s involving her being let go as a girl’s coach at Richwoods(don’t know the particulars). She won $350,000! Kind of like the show, So, you want to be a millionaire? She not only won a settlement, but almost immediately started moving up the proverbial ladder of success! Then, amazingly enough, a job was created for little ole her at the district office. Since she has been there, people have quit or been “let go” left and right (read into it what you want). MD is a divider, not a team player, obviously. Or as my dear old dad says: she’s a bomb thrower….throws it just far enough so she can stand back and enjoy the chaos……..I call it sociopathic
Off topic–but a personnel matter. Sharon Reed was listed as a new hire on the October 5, 2009 BOE minutes–does anyone know if this is a paid position–another retiree returning in a new position?
21st Century Community Learning Center
Sharon Reed – Program Outreach Liaison 10/6/2009
Well . . . pretty soon the number of teachers carted out of schools in ambulances is going to catch up to the number of District 150 administrators getting paid to stay home and do nothing. Received word that a second Trewyn teacher has been seriously hurt — victim of an assault — carted to the hospital via ambulance. I imagine Mr. Hinton’s response would be that if that teacher knew how to maintain classroom discipline, he / she wouldn’t have been assaulted. Is it true he’s running for chief of police in Mapleton?
Heard a student threw a street sign through a bus window down at Trewyn not too long ago. Another student showed up at the school with a BB gun. Students are brutally disrespectful towards teachers and are running wild.
The teachers have sent out SOS after SOS.
W-O-W.
Jeff, the SOS sent out by the teachers at Trewyn has been answered by the district…….2 more retired/rehired principals down there to “help” the principal do his job. By the way, the principal at Trewyn failed miserably at Glen Oak, yet was “promoted” to a middle school principalship after spending a year of “hard labor” working for the bobsy twin administrators at Manual…….it’s a shell game.
Are assaults on teachers new? I just thought they had been kept from the public. Did any of the recent assaults make the paper?
Hey “fly on the wall”, you know MD too well. You are exactly right about her. Anyone who has “Bobby Knight” as her idol has got to have a screw loose”. No offense intended against Bobby Knight. If those so called illustrious “admin officials” knew how much slander was continually laid down daily at LMS, they would have kicked her out years ago. Constant beratement, ridicule, and disrespect ran rampant at LMS until her departure. She “truly” could not get over the fact that she was always, “simply the best”.
I hope for the city of Peoria that the place on Wisconsin Ave. receives a good cleaning.
Also, Mr. Dutro: I hope that Trewyn gets the help it needs and I sympathesize with the staff. It is a tough situation which virtually receives no support or attention. Maybe if Manual could quit receiving so much attention and money, schools like Trewyn could succeed. But yet, the administrators at MHS are continually supported and praised. We only hope and pray that once the lawsuits have been settled the likes of the administrators of 150 will be seen for what they really are. It took people like Julie McArdle to begin this process, and she has been paying the price. Hopefuly the worm has started to turn!
We’re beginning to see the Light at the end of the tunnel…. When we get there, we’ll be met, by the grace of God, with all NEW administrators…administrators who follow ALL the rules and bylaws set forth by their predecessors. People who GIVE respect and EARN respect. Such a thing has been lacking far too long and its time has come. And, so, too, has THEIR time come…those who looked down on those they promised to do right by.
I need help. I’m becoming addicted to this blog. Does anyone know of a “bloggers anonymous” group? (How do you do those smiley faces?)
section 5:24 deals with professional personnel, section 5:290 deals with educational support personnel. I have asked for definitions as to classification, but in 5:290 it states “A disciplinary suspension shall be with pay (1) when the employee is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal wage and hour laws, or (2) …..”. I believe administrators are “exempt”, but again, have asked for clarification. No maximum number of days is referenced in that classification. I have been told by counsel that, if a suspended employee is convicted on the charges for which they were suspended, that said employee would be liable for restitution of wages received.
TR64–You can smile by typing a colon followed by an ending parentheses mark – 🙂
Good info from Jim–see how things can be cleared up so easily and quickly on the blogs.
MAWB: No, the assaults don’t make the paper–I have always wondered why the police, the city, and the school district do not feel that the public (and especially parents) have a right to know. There has always been a major cover-up–don’t want the district to look bad. As Martha said at the last board meeting, “I don’t want another person to talk about how awful are students are.” She was responding to the speech by Bob Michaels at the previous board meeting when he told some hair-raising stories about discipline problems at the now defunct Loucks-Edison.
Jim,
5:240 deals with certified personnel (i.e. teachers, administrators, etc.)
5:290 deals with non-certified personnel (i.e. secretaries, bus drivers, etc.)
If you continue to read 5:290 in its entirety you will read the references to the union contract and how it effects discipline.
I am very concerned that you as a Board member do not know the difference between non-certified personnel and certified personnel.
Sharon: Jim is confused. Do not believe what he just posted. It’s wrong. need new councel…
Jim: I have a question. Why would you just NOW want to check into the validity of the school board policy? What was wrong with checking with Walvoord on September 8th when Mary Davis was put on paid administrative leave. Obviously, another REACTIVE-KNEE JERK by the D150 Board of Education. Really, do any of you do your due diligence? How much more will it take before you all understand that the admin on Wisconsin Ave. is NOT giving you all the information you need to make qualified/informed decisions? Shame on you ALL!
Again, Jim, do you really expect Mary Davis to pay back ANYTHING?
Diss tressed: Giving Jim the benefit of the doubt, I believed him for a minute (since I don’t know the school code)–I should have believed that Diane knew what she was talking about–sorry, Diane. Now I believe the score is 4+ to 1 (Jim losing). That’s what I mean by the blogs–false information can be identified very quickly. 🙂 I am struggling with the thought that Jim doesn’t know the difference between certified and non-certified. He made that mistake once before at a BOE meeting when the topic of discussion was retirement benefits. He thought they were talking about certified and went off on a tangent about teachers’ retirement–but non-certified issues were on the table; someone had to clarify for him. Yes, give it up, the board should have looked into the length of paid leave–they are the watchdogs, not the lap dogs.
Jim — Besides the reasons already stated, section 5:290 doesn’t apply because it says “A disciplinary suspension shall be with pay (1) when the employee is exempt….” Mary Davis was not suspended as a disciplinary measure, but rather pending an investigation. If section 5:290 applied to Mary Davis, she shouldn’t have even gotten paid for 10 days. It should have all been unpaid leave.
With all the “support” the board gets from the public, know wonder we never get frustrated by all the issues the district faces. If federal labor laws dictate how someone who is not treated by overtime is classified, the “local” definition of exempt/non-exempt would not seem to trump federal law. I have known for sometime Wisconsin Ave. tells us what they want us to know and not what we need to know. I even recollect stating the same many months ago. My “no” votes are many, some even labeled “absurd” by activists who seem to have all the answers and no desire to actually help. Sorry I’m not an anonymous know-it-all. As I said, I have asked. As for needing new council, someone can FOIA my review of their services to see my suggestion. I look forward to the permanent new superintendent taking that on upon arrival. Ring me up, I’m checking out.
Jim:
Jack Frought (previous owner of the Community Word) once wrote — “Respect is earned not given.”
When citizens come to the school board meetings and voice an opinion different than your opinion, you do not show respect. Instead you name call citizens — ‘vocal minority’ comes to mind regarding the Glen Oak school siting issue. Perhaps you would consider removing the charged words and lead by example — show respect and then be given respect.
Elected officials at the local, state and federal levels wonder why citizens are angry — citizens do not feel that anyone is listening to them. Being heard and being listened to are horses of different colors.
Here is an one page summary of the principles of nonviolence that our community may decide to have the courage to adopt for the discussion in the public and private squares.
http://www.arbinger.com/downloads/principles_of_non_violence.pdf
Jim, Why do you believe the district needs new counsel? Why don’t you just save us the two weeks it will take Stacy Shangraw to get us the info through foia, and tell us what you think. The truth shall set you free.
This is hot off the press! Less than an hour ago a Remax for sale sign has gone up in Mary Davis’s front yard and I don’t believe it’s a prank!
What street does she live on and who’s name is on the sign?
If it’s Diane’s listing, I want a picture!!!!
I guess she needs to sell quick so she can hide the money and not have to pay “restitution”…….
Well, she probably doesn’t have the janitor from Lindbergh helping her out any longer, maybe she needs a condo.
so true mawb!
House in Dunlap (great school district) for sale by Remax, contact Scott Rogers…….
Ha ha. Scott Rogers has a guaranteed sale program. She wants outta Dodge!
Can we stop paying her now?
Jim Stowell said:I have been told by counsel that, if a suspended employee is convicted on the charges for which they were suspended, that said employee would be liable for restitution of wages received.
Jim, did your “counsel” also advise you that it can be next to impossible to collect a judgement or restitution, particularly if the person in question is unemployed, incarcerated, or bankrupt?
Why would your “counsel” not just advise you to follow proper procedure in the first place? Doesn’t that make more sense? I hope that your evaluation of your “counsel” is what I think it is.
Jim, Even Bernie Madolf sold off a few assets before the judge stopped him and he went to prison(turns out he was pretty good at hiding much of his assets). Do you board members not realize that you have given MD access to EVERYTHING on Wisconsin Ave. since this all broke in April. God knows the opportunities she has had to manipulate people, falsify records, and to “misplace” important documents. She should have been gone IMMEDIATELY. If your counsel told you different, then, you should have gotten another opinion. Now, her house is for sale for a half million dollars! I bet Ken Hinton doesn’t even live in a 1/2 million dollar home. Repeat after me: DUE DILIGENCE—-DUE DILIGENCE—DUE DILIGENCE……
PS: Make it right with Julie McArdle too!
I live 2 blocks west of the admin building! We lost two great neighbors over the summer to Washington and Limestone areas! Just in the past 6 weeks, there have been 4 homes that have gone up for sale in a 6 block radius of my house!!!! Now, I don’t know the reasoning behind the sale of these homes, but it is alarming to me. I love my neighborhood!! We are the only family on my street (3 blocks) that attends a PSD school. All the other kids are attending private schools and not all of them are for their devotion to faith.
If Mary Davis loses her lawsuit and starts talking, we could all be in for more big surprises!
She had to invest that money she won in her previous lawsuit somewhere… looks like she bought a house! Easy come…. Easy go!!
mawb: please clarify. What lawsuit does Mary Davis have? I think you are talking about her lawsuit back in the late 90’s when she received over 300,000 in a settlement.
I only know what I have read on the blogs. She was involved in a lawsuit when she worked at Richwoods and was a coach for girls’ basketball, I believe, and won. I’m sure there are other people who know the logistics.
This is D.150’s own mission statement!
Mission Statement
The mission of the Peoria Public Schools, the cornerstone of academic excellence and the unifying force of our diverse community, is to ensure that each student reaches his or her full academic and personal potential and is a well-balanced citizen through an educational approach characterized by: continuously redefining teaching and learning, optimizing technology to transform the system, providing safe and nurturing environments, engaging and enabling families, effecting community partnerships, embracing and honoring all aspects of diversity, and guaranteeing professional staff who are committed to students.
———————————————————————————————————
If this is a “true” mission statement, then why could I pick it apart, piece, by smarmy piece, with contradictory examples? For example: The cornerstone of academic excellence and the unifying force of our diverse community……..it makes me physically ill to read such lies. People are leaving this community in droves because of the schools. IF, D.150 does indeed choose to use this mission statement then MANY changes need to be made. Employ administrators that are honest to a fault, have real integrity, and will be transparent to the taxpayers. Then, expect it from all building level administrators straight on down the proverbial hill.
dreamweaver,
That mission statement was created by a large and diverse task force of many Peoria movers and shakers during the honeymoon days of the Kay Royster administration. Furthermore it was authored by a sub-committee which included attorney Don Jackson. In case you were using that as a slam or compliment to Ken Hinton it had nothing to do with him – in fact at the time Hinton was a highly paid Edison executive! Yup, the same Edison which is still sucking nearly $1 million out District 150. Go figure that one…
Jeff Adkins-Dutro: are any of the kids who are involved in the violence at Trewyn special ed?
Secondly, the new HR director that Hinton brought in should be all over the details of MD’s leave. That’s what she is getting paid to do.
Lastly, Hinton and his crew modified the mission statement from the original one.
Trewyn needs help now. It is an unsafe work environment and the chaos that I saw occur Thursday with that teacher broke my heart, and also made a lot of us fear for our safety. Everyday we show up and put our heart and soul into that building only to be cussed at and disrespected in every regard. Even the administration continually states that we don’t do our jobs well enough and it’s our fault the kids act like they do. But our principal had to have others come in to help out. We are sinking fast and many of us want off the ship, but there is nowhere else to go so we keep trying to keep our heads above water with no help whatsoever from the district office. I have worked there for years and have never seen anyone from the headshed in our building to help us. It’s like they close their eyes tight so they don’t have to see what we see. It’s a shame. You are going to end up losing great teachers who do make differences in the kids lives because we can’t take it anymore.
I do not believe 5.24 is applicable in this matter. This policy seems to apply to an internal investigation. MD is being investigated externally.
Typically when employees are “charged” with a crime ( not certain what MD’s status is) they are suspended WITH pay. The District has gotten into difficulty in the past with suspending employees WITHOUT pay when they have been charged with a crime, only to have the case dismissed, etc. . and then they are obligated to pay the individual backpay.
MD is a managerial employee and thus an exempt employee. The federal and state overtime laws do not apply to exempt employees.
Re: New HR Director. I was disappointed that this individual was hired and appears to have no HR, legal, or labor experience. See announcement of her hiring on District website describing her work background.
A skilled HR professional can save on legal fees and can help an organization avert costly mistakes.
… costly mistakes like keeping an employee on paid leave long past the board policy for doing so?
So Frustrated, you don’t think the actions of MD warrant an internal investigation? If not, maybe we should all go apply for district credit cards.
Didn’t Ken Hinton “meet” our HR director while at Western getting his “in a jiffy” superintendents endorsement? Reminds me of my favorite Garth Brooks song, I’ve Got Friends in Low Places…….
Is there a meeting at Godfather’s tonight?
So Jim Stowell chimes in, cant take the heat and goes away because some here are anonymous. Jim, I would love to run for one of the openings on the Board, but I cannot. I own and operate a business plus have an additional full time job and My spouse works full time. In addition we have several children still at home. Maybe 5 years from now i would consider it, but honestly. if things dont get better fast…D150 will be losing the privelge of teaching my kids. I have had 4 children graduate D150. and there are currently 4 in…..I am just about to pull the trigger. And so it continues for D150, more and more of the good students and stable families are moving out
You are on the board now….do something
TR64: No there isn’t a meeting tonight. It is always the Sunday prior to the Monday night board meeting.
Whoever and Frustrated, I am bewildered, too–I believe the investigation should have been internal first. Certainly, the district was given information for probable cause. I would like to think that when there is cause for suspicion–as much as there was in this case–that the district would feel obligated to investigate to be sure that the taxpayers and/or parents’ contributions aren’t being misappropriated. Certainly, the 10-day only paid leave policy should have been followed.
Does being on paid leave mean contributions are also being made to pensions as well as other benefits continuing? Does it add towards time of service (I don’t think so)?
Would those monies also be repaid?