RICK CLOYD SEEKS DISTRICT 150 SCHOOL BOARD 3rd DIST. SEAT
AS WRITE-IN CANDIDATE
Rick CloydPeoria – Citing a long record of community involvement, Rick Cloyd announced today he is a write-in candidate for the Peoria Public School District 150 Board of Education from the 3rd district.
Because no one filed nominating petitions for the expiring Board term of Jim Stowell, anyone seeking the office will have to run as a write-in candidate in the April 5 general election.
“I’m a lifelong resident of Peoria, and as a graduate of Hines Primary and Richwoods High School, I’m a product of District 150,” Cloyd said in announcing his candidacy.
“This community must have a healthy and accountable public school system, because all of us – students, parents and taxpayers — have a big stake in the effectiveness of our local schools,” he said.
For three years, he and his wife Sally have volunteered with Carl Cannon’s ELITE youth outreach. “Our experience with ELITE really opened my eyes to the potential of Peoria’s youth. District 150 can, and must, provide a safe and respectful environment of educational excellence to help students realize that potential,” Cloyd said. He also taught a Junior Achievement economics classroom course for Richwoods High School seniors.
“In my career with Caterpillar, and as a former vice president of Keystone Steel & Wire Company, I’ve gained the business analysis, personnel management, organizational strategy and marketing experience the School Board needs,” he said.
“District 150 spends approximately $1 million per school day. Many business leaders seriously question what stakeholders are getting for that investment. This may be the most critical public body in our community, and it needs people with business experience to provide fact-based and accountable governance,” Cloyd said.
Cloyd, 62, graduated cum laude from Bradley University with a degree in journalism, and earned an MBA with emphasis in finance from the University of Illinois Executive program. He is employed by Caterpillar Inc. in Strategy & Business Development. Prior to joining Caterpillar, Cloyd was vice president of sales and marketing for Keystone in Bartonville, where he worked for 25 years.
Cloyd has served the community in a number of capacities, including as a member of the Greater Peoria YMCA board, and a volunteer with several other civic and charitable organizations.
According to Dave Haney’s blog, Cloyd lives at 9172 N. Picture Ridge Road. Also running as a write-in candidate: Jody Pitcher, 6109 N. Heather Oak Drive. Pitcher is a Republican Precinct Committee Person and the organizer of the Peoria 9-12 Project.
24 thoughts on “Rick Cloyd to run as write-in for D150 seat”
“Many business leaders seriously question what stakeholders are getting for that investment”
Really? Businesses question what they are getting? They are getting desperate people seeking employment without the skills necessary to question autocratic rules.
EXACTLY what they want.
Schools can neither be run, nor evaluated on a business model like 6 Sigma. There are NO STAKEHOLDERS except the students themselves.
I’ll give him a pass as a “product of Dist 150” since he graduated before the district became a complete cesspool.
Okay, so now a couple of serious questions for Cloyd.
“District 150 can, and must, provide a safe and respectful environment of educational excellence to help students realize that potential,” Since you mention this after mentioning your affiliation with Carl Cannon and his ELITE program, are you advocating a bigger role for ELITE, CHOICES, and other programs that will assist the district in creating a more positive environment for our schools?
Since your roles at both Caterpillar and Keystone appear to be primarily administrative in nature, and since both of these businesses are manufacturing concerns, how do you see those skills crossing over to the administration of a Public School District, particularly a district that is facing a severe budget deficit and a spiraling decline in area support?
Hey Frederick, no one else applied for the job. Quit acting like you have a plethora of candidates to choose from.
Jody Pitcher is a ground up leader. I have seen her work in many capacities within the community. She is an excellent leader that works hard for principles of freedom and individual liberty. She is not part of any machine political structure. The work she has done for the veterans in our community is selfless. I’m sure she will fight for the students’ and not big teachers’ union rights. Finally, a citizen patriot is getting involved. Refreshing
“I’m sure she will fight for the students’ and not big teachers’ union rights. ”
Well this sure is a curious statement. Is there someone already on the board that you think fights for big teachers’ union’s rights, Matt?
Yo, News Flash, check the comment directly after yours. Might have a choice after all.
My question is the same as that of District Watcher’s–who on the current (or past) District 150 board is a defender of teachers’ unions?
“I’m sure she will fight for the students’ and not big teachers’ union rights.”
Then we have Mr. Cloyd. Both seem Republican minded. Widmer would be proud.
I would be less concerned about their political affiliation and more interested in their core beliefs. If Matt’s comments truly reflect Jody’s beliefs, (that Teachers unions are at the heart of the problems that plague D150) it would indicate at least to me a shallowness in her understanding of the issues. [Fully realizing that Jody did not make these statements and “Matt” may or may not be authorized to speak on her behalf].
Em, you have bitched ad nauseum about no one stepping up to run. Then, of course, as soon as someone does you begin bitching about who it is. In other words, exactly what I would expect.
I am not a teacher, but I get tired of hearing Teachers, unions, and school employees getting blamed for District 150’s problems. First cut over 3/4 of the staff on Wisconsin and get rid of every consultant. Lots of money saved. Give every school principal the authority to discipline the students and see that they get disciplined. Then and only then will you see a difference in Dist 150 schools.
cttsp5, it’s good to know that you are not a teacher, but support teachers. Sometimes it’s hard to put a dollar sign on intangibles. However, I believe that if discipline were the focus (and if it had been the focus for the last 20+ years)–and teachers had been able to spend their time teaching instead of disciplining, then I believe property owners would have stayed in Peoria and West Peoria and would have sent their kids to District 150. That would have translated into dollars. It’s not too late to begin to recoup some of the dollars–but it would take more guts and effort than any administrators or board members have exhibited so far.
Sharon, AMEN- you hit the proverbial nail on the head.
When you have 9 out of 29 tardy on a consistent basis and 3 to 5 referrals per class period for numerous infractions ghis equates to valuable class time being wasted on discipline. Central administrators need to spend some time in our classes and see how really ineffective is their current means of disciplining students in Disrict 150.
Dispensation of discipline ranges from the same day to over 10 days. Not to mention “demerits” being the primary discipline for students who use several disparaging expletives repeatedly towards teachers and staff members. Just to name a few.
Mrs. Lathan and her consortium of North Carolina brain trusts are way out of touch. A little less politics and a lot more educator is what we need to right this ship, along with parental accoutability/responsibility.
This is just my opinion based on a view from the front lines of the battlefield.
Sorry I forgot my “n” in accountability and misspelled the word “this” Go ahead and blame my poor typing while blogging for our students not meeting AYP. Most are looking for a scapegoat any way, so just go ahead and throw me on the sacrificial alter. I can stand the criticism because I know I make mistakes and I am not to proud to admit it. 🙁
The person who is out of touch is Martha Ross. For years she has voted “no” to discipline, but she has yet to offer ANY solutions. Most of the bad news is out of her District what in particular has she done in ALL of her years on the BOE
Skeptical1, I don’t know whether or not you missed my report on the tardy policy. I first did a FOIA and reported on the literally hundreds of tardies accumulated by last year’s MHS seniors. I subsequently learned (and Dr. Lathan learned at the same time) that District 150 has not had an official tardy policy since about 2005 when I left teaching–it was that board that eliminated official consequences for tardiness.
Out of Touch, I don’t really believe that Martha is the only person responsible for the mess–she couldn’t be because there are 6 votes that override hers every time. Her stand against expulsions is, I believe, unfortunate, but it has never made much of a difference.
Sharon — with all that has been said by so many of us in attempting to define the problem, you not only succinctly defined the problem, you also proferred the most workable solution, and recognized why that solution has yet to be implemented. I hope that Grenita Latham has the courage to do what it takes to put discipline back in our schools. From there, other expectations (student achievement, increased enrollment,etc) will naturally evolve. I believe the reason the district continues to fail is that its goals have been pursued without the committment to discipline as its priority.
I think Cloyd’s background and experience would be very benefical to the Board. His current experience in strategy and business development makes him a valuable resource to Dr. Lathan as she tries to reorganizing and recreate the District.
Out of Touch – you are right on the mark regarding Martha Ross. Refuses to vote on explusions but in all the years on the Board has never offered up soluation to improve the environment of the District.
Frustrated, which of the other board members have offered up solutions to the school environment, especially the discipline problems? I am not defending Martha, but she does always state that her “no” vote is a symbolic one and that she will continue to vote “no” until a solution is found. Personally, I don’t believe Martha has the mindset to advocate what is necessary (consistent discipline and an alternative school for those who can’t conform); however, I haven’t heard any other board members offering up any solutions–just a few band aids, now and then and/or solutions that have little to do with the real problem.
Thanks, Ann, for the supportive words–of course, I don’t know of many teachers who don’t share our views; to us, the solution was and is quite obvious. So far, I have heard Dr. Lathan acknowledge that students need to behave and that the district expects them to behave, but I haven’t heard her even hint at a solution–facility studies, program changes, curricular revamping, etc., are the usual, not the extraordinary, offerings of all our superintendents.
Peoria high schools and a few middle schools are out of control. I think every board member, every candidate running for the board, and Dr. Lathan’s group need to spend a full week (not just show up here and there), but a full week in each high school’s deans offices, academy leaders offices, in the halls, at the front doors one morning after the start of the school day,in the lunch room,answer the phone one day and actually involved in the every day goings on to get a grasp at how bad the tardys and the student behavior is. They would be shocked. Also cell phones need to be banned 100%. Students never had phones years ago and don’t need them now. Parents should be prohibited from getting their kids released from school on a whim. From what I hear that is excessive. There should never be a student allowed out of class for any reason to roam the hall. If they’re in the hall, suspend them. I’m not talking about one or two students, but multiples on a constant basis. You figure if each teacher lets out one student to go to the restroom or the office at how many that would make roaming the halls. So if there were 20 teachers that would be 20 students constantly in the halls. Not that hard to manage the students if the school was allowed to get rid of the students who are acting out and get to discipline them completely. Send them all over to Martha Ross’s and let her take care of them since she is against expulsion. She needs to wake up as well as the rest of them. There is no discipline or accountability for their behavior in the schools and it isn’t just the high schools. The principals need to have complete control over discipline and have the backing of the board in what they do with it.
Frustrated posted: I think Cloyd’s background and experience would be very benefical to the Board. His current experience in strategy and business development makes him a valuable resource to Dr. Lathan as she tries to reorganizing and recreate the District.
Amen
Problem: lack of discipline. Solution……..? How’d you solve this again?
You make education interesting, rewarding and something the the students want to do… duh. In this regard teachers are to blame.
“Many business leaders seriously question what stakeholders are getting for that investment”
Really? Businesses question what they are getting? They are getting desperate people seeking employment without the skills necessary to question autocratic rules.
EXACTLY what they want.
Schools can neither be run, nor evaluated on a business model like 6 Sigma. There are NO STAKEHOLDERS except the students themselves.
I’ll give him a pass as a “product of Dist 150” since he graduated before the district became a complete cesspool.
Okay, so now a couple of serious questions for Cloyd.
“District 150 can, and must, provide a safe and respectful environment of educational excellence to help students realize that potential,” Since you mention this after mentioning your affiliation with Carl Cannon and his ELITE program, are you advocating a bigger role for ELITE, CHOICES, and other programs that will assist the district in creating a more positive environment for our schools?
Since your roles at both Caterpillar and Keystone appear to be primarily administrative in nature, and since both of these businesses are manufacturing concerns, how do you see those skills crossing over to the administration of a Public School District, particularly a district that is facing a severe budget deficit and a spiraling decline in area support?
Hey Frederick, no one else applied for the job. Quit acting like you have a plethora of candidates to choose from.
Jody Pitcher is a ground up leader. I have seen her work in many capacities within the community. She is an excellent leader that works hard for principles of freedom and individual liberty. She is not part of any machine political structure. The work she has done for the veterans in our community is selfless. I’m sure she will fight for the students’ and not big teachers’ union rights. Finally, a citizen patriot is getting involved. Refreshing
“I’m sure she will fight for the students’ and not big teachers’ union rights. ”
Well this sure is a curious statement. Is there someone already on the board that you think fights for big teachers’ union’s rights, Matt?
Yo, News Flash, check the comment directly after yours. Might have a choice after all.
My question is the same as that of District Watcher’s–who on the current (or past) District 150 board is a defender of teachers’ unions?
“I’m sure she will fight for the students’ and not big teachers’ union rights.”
Then we have Mr. Cloyd. Both seem Republican minded. Widmer would be proud.
I would be less concerned about their political affiliation and more interested in their core beliefs. If Matt’s comments truly reflect Jody’s beliefs, (that Teachers unions are at the heart of the problems that plague D150) it would indicate at least to me a shallowness in her understanding of the issues. [Fully realizing that Jody did not make these statements and “Matt” may or may not be authorized to speak on her behalf].
Em, you have bitched ad nauseum about no one stepping up to run. Then, of course, as soon as someone does you begin bitching about who it is. In other words, exactly what I would expect.
I am not a teacher, but I get tired of hearing Teachers, unions, and school employees getting blamed for District 150’s problems. First cut over 3/4 of the staff on Wisconsin and get rid of every consultant. Lots of money saved. Give every school principal the authority to discipline the students and see that they get disciplined. Then and only then will you see a difference in Dist 150 schools.
cttsp5, it’s good to know that you are not a teacher, but support teachers. Sometimes it’s hard to put a dollar sign on intangibles. However, I believe that if discipline were the focus (and if it had been the focus for the last 20+ years)–and teachers had been able to spend their time teaching instead of disciplining, then I believe property owners would have stayed in Peoria and West Peoria and would have sent their kids to District 150. That would have translated into dollars. It’s not too late to begin to recoup some of the dollars–but it would take more guts and effort than any administrators or board members have exhibited so far.
Sharon, AMEN- you hit the proverbial nail on the head.
When you have 9 out of 29 tardy on a consistent basis and 3 to 5 referrals per class period for numerous infractions ghis equates to valuable class time being wasted on discipline. Central administrators need to spend some time in our classes and see how really ineffective is their current means of disciplining students in Disrict 150.
Dispensation of discipline ranges from the same day to over 10 days. Not to mention “demerits” being the primary discipline for students who use several disparaging expletives repeatedly towards teachers and staff members. Just to name a few.
Mrs. Lathan and her consortium of North Carolina brain trusts are way out of touch. A little less politics and a lot more educator is what we need to right this ship, along with parental accoutability/responsibility.
This is just my opinion based on a view from the front lines of the battlefield.
Sorry I forgot my “n” in accountability and misspelled the word “this” Go ahead and blame my poor typing while blogging for our students not meeting AYP. Most are looking for a scapegoat any way, so just go ahead and throw me on the sacrificial alter. I can stand the criticism because I know I make mistakes and I am not to proud to admit it. 🙁
The person who is out of touch is Martha Ross. For years she has voted “no” to discipline, but she has yet to offer ANY solutions. Most of the bad news is out of her District what in particular has she done in ALL of her years on the BOE
Skeptical1, I don’t know whether or not you missed my report on the tardy policy. I first did a FOIA and reported on the literally hundreds of tardies accumulated by last year’s MHS seniors. I subsequently learned (and Dr. Lathan learned at the same time) that District 150 has not had an official tardy policy since about 2005 when I left teaching–it was that board that eliminated official consequences for tardiness.
Out of Touch, I don’t really believe that Martha is the only person responsible for the mess–she couldn’t be because there are 6 votes that override hers every time. Her stand against expulsions is, I believe, unfortunate, but it has never made much of a difference.
Sharon — with all that has been said by so many of us in attempting to define the problem, you not only succinctly defined the problem, you also proferred the most workable solution, and recognized why that solution has yet to be implemented. I hope that Grenita Latham has the courage to do what it takes to put discipline back in our schools. From there, other expectations (student achievement, increased enrollment,etc) will naturally evolve. I believe the reason the district continues to fail is that its goals have been pursued without the committment to discipline as its priority.
I think Cloyd’s background and experience would be very benefical to the Board. His current experience in strategy and business development makes him a valuable resource to Dr. Lathan as she tries to reorganizing and recreate the District.
Out of Touch – you are right on the mark regarding Martha Ross. Refuses to vote on explusions but in all the years on the Board has never offered up soluation to improve the environment of the District.
Frustrated, which of the other board members have offered up solutions to the school environment, especially the discipline problems? I am not defending Martha, but she does always state that her “no” vote is a symbolic one and that she will continue to vote “no” until a solution is found. Personally, I don’t believe Martha has the mindset to advocate what is necessary (consistent discipline and an alternative school for those who can’t conform); however, I haven’t heard any other board members offering up any solutions–just a few band aids, now and then and/or solutions that have little to do with the real problem.
Thanks, Ann, for the supportive words–of course, I don’t know of many teachers who don’t share our views; to us, the solution was and is quite obvious. So far, I have heard Dr. Lathan acknowledge that students need to behave and that the district expects them to behave, but I haven’t heard her even hint at a solution–facility studies, program changes, curricular revamping, etc., are the usual, not the extraordinary, offerings of all our superintendents.
Peoria high schools and a few middle schools are out of control. I think every board member, every candidate running for the board, and Dr. Lathan’s group need to spend a full week (not just show up here and there), but a full week in each high school’s deans offices, academy leaders offices, in the halls, at the front doors one morning after the start of the school day,in the lunch room,answer the phone one day and actually involved in the every day goings on to get a grasp at how bad the tardys and the student behavior is. They would be shocked. Also cell phones need to be banned 100%. Students never had phones years ago and don’t need them now. Parents should be prohibited from getting their kids released from school on a whim. From what I hear that is excessive. There should never be a student allowed out of class for any reason to roam the hall. If they’re in the hall, suspend them. I’m not talking about one or two students, but multiples on a constant basis. You figure if each teacher lets out one student to go to the restroom or the office at how many that would make roaming the halls. So if there were 20 teachers that would be 20 students constantly in the halls. Not that hard to manage the students if the school was allowed to get rid of the students who are acting out and get to discipline them completely. Send them all over to Martha Ross’s and let her take care of them since she is against expulsion. She needs to wake up as well as the rest of them. There is no discipline or accountability for their behavior in the schools and it isn’t just the high schools. The principals need to have complete control over discipline and have the backing of the board in what they do with it.
Frustrated posted: I think Cloyd’s background and experience would be very benefical to the Board. His current experience in strategy and business development makes him a valuable resource to Dr. Lathan as she tries to reorganizing and recreate the District.
Amen
Problem: lack of discipline. Solution……..? How’d you solve this again?
You make education interesting, rewarding and something the the students want to do… duh. In this regard teachers are to blame.
Who wants to go to prison for 6 hours a day?