First, District 150 officials estimated that closing Woodruff High School would save $2.7 million in salary costs plus $800-900k in operating costs. Then, on the night of the vote, the estimate was “$1.5 to $2.7 million.”
This morning on WCBU radio (89.9 FM), it was reported that closing Woodruff High School will save (drum-roll, please): $1.2 million.
District 150 apparently takes the Bullwinkle Moose approach to estimating savings: “Hey, Rocky! Watch me pull a number out of my hat! Nothing up my sleeve. Presto!”
If only someone would have Rocky the Squirrel’s clarity of thought: “But that trick never works!”
Wonder what the savings was with White school closure? Evedently it is a moving target.
I’ve come to believe that it’s all about votes for re-election with this board. Jim did a complete turn around on Edison when he saw those red shirts in the audience. I guess the PJS article misrepresented Jim’s point of view in some way. Wolfmeyer thanked all the Edison people for coming. The charter school, of course, made the Chamber of Commerce and Caterpillar happy. I believe the board plays to the power structure of the city (hence, where the votes are). Wolfmeyer now wants to shut down all controversial comments from the public by limiting each speaker to one time and to only three minutes. Wolvaard doesn’t want to hear any negative or rude comments–he said he thought he heard two or three last night (I wonder to which comments he was referring. We need examples, so we know the boundaries). Martha wants that kindness to extend to students. I don’t think anyone has ever made a rude comment about an individual student. I believe Martha doesn’t want to hear about fights, etc.–anything that makes 150 students look bad. Every time any of us speaks about discipline problems in 150, Martha states that she doesn’t want to hear any more bad things about “our” children. I don’t know how much deeper into the sand this board can put their heads. I am becoming more and more convinced that Woodruff will become the new charter school. Since the lease for Loucks is for only one year, what other suitable building will be available for this miracle cure in another year?
I heard the comment this morning on WCBU that perhaps they should have closed two high schools… they had votes on the docket to close two schools, but tabled the second one when the first one passed.
The only possible second high school to close would be Manual. I can’t fathom that this board would do that.
ken hinton told standard & poors and the pbc board there would be two school closures in 2010-2011 academic year. one high school and one primary school. i wonder when the primary school discussion begins?
also, probably more.
http://www.psd150.org/AcademicAchievementDashboard/Dashboards/enrollment%20detail.html
click on District 150. Enrollment in 2009 = 14,722
enrollment in 2010 = 13,853
That’s very interesting. Do you know of a “discipline dashboard” that shows parents if there has been a sharp spike or decline in behavior interventions at their child’s school upon a change in leadership?
This is all part of the mess Hinton left. He closed schools without a plan in place. This board allowed this and is continuing to make quick decisions without plans in place. Please when it is election time, vote these people off the board. Please do not forget Hinton is on the charter school board, no wonder there is no official plan. Can you say time to move to out of Peoria or put your kids in private schools?
I would really like to hear from some of the realtors in Peoria. I know 2 different people who moved to Peoria area in the past 2 years. Both of these people were gently swayed to live either in Dunlap or a community on the other side of the river by their realtor because of the school system…….Are realtors steering incoming residents to avoid homes in PSD150? I would think anyone that is looking to move into the area would do a simple search of PSD150 and do the research for themselves.
It is against fair housing laws for Realtors to steer towards any particular neighborhood or school district. On the other hand Realtors are required by law to be fair and honest with their buyers. The obvious way then to address these two competing interests would be to refer the Buyers to the state report cards for school district performance.. and that would typically be under the rare circumstance where the buyer had not already identified the areas where they want to live. Most buyers decisions on where to live are influenced by their friends and co-workers and not their Realtor.
A realtor – I agree with you that co-workers and friends have already influenced most buyers before the realtor ever speaks to them. Many buyers with children are much more savvy about doing their homework these days and know beforehand the profile of the school districts in the Peoria area.
Another issue is that most of the housing stock within the District’s boundaries is older and many younger buyers want new.
I was reading through these comments and felt a cold wind across the back of my neck. I instantly broke into a sweat, my heart raced, and a voice in my head urged, “GET OUT!”
Just close the window… geeez
I find the minutes from Dist. 150’s January 11th board mtg. interesting. The parts about credit cards, administrative leaves and school choice seem to all point to Mary Davis. I know I am off topic but what the heck is happening with that? I am beginning to wonder if someone is getting paid to take this slow so Mary can retire with full benefits. Don’t forget Hinton is named in this lawsuit as well as Tom Broderick. Are Tom and Kevin friends? Just asking. They’re both lawyers.
From all I hear the case is moving forward even if at a snail’s pace.
Finalist for dist. 150 superintendent: grenita lathan from San Diego
Sure would like to see the internal audit of those district credit and club account cards. It’s a sad day when district employees need to sign a contract stating it’s wrong to use a district credit card at a spa or casino…not to mention personal purchases made on a district account with tax-exempt status. Even if the personal purchase was reimbursed, it was tax-free.
150 has a new superintendent–announced on WMBD–a woman from Kansas.
Grenita Lathan for superintendent? You sure? She has only been a principal of an elementary school! Hardly sounds experienced enough for D150.
It was on WEEK news.
Before knocking the pick at least take a look @ her qualifications.
http://emergepeoria.blogspot.com/2010/01/district-150-has-their-eye-on.html
How is she with money? She does not have experience as a superintendent. Period. Regardless, the community should have been more involved in this pick. Who chose the people to be on the team for hiring a new sup?
I quote this right out of their own website.
San Diego Unified already faces a projected deficit for 2010/11 of approximately $64 million. These additional state budget cuts would take the total projected deficit to a range of $89 to $99 million.
Sounds to me like someone wants to get out of Dodge!
well, that took all of about 30 seconds before the self-righteous & judgemental chimed in to critcize. Welcome to Peoria Grenita! Hope you rise above the cesspool of incompetence that plagues our schools and our blogs!
Yea, she must be TERRIBLE!! I read in the PJStar the other day that Morton was facing a budget deficit as well. And we know how rotten that school system is! Heck, the entire federal government is and has been running deficits for YEARS, so obviously NO ONE of merit can come from that group, either.
From a San Diego blog and not sure what it means: As a school district insider who was already overseeing principals under Grier, Lathan represents a conservative pick for the school board. The pick surprised principals — gasped out loud when Lathan was announced at the school board meeting. The only school board member to vote against Lathan was President Shelia Jackson.
This was in September.
Why did the principals gasp outloud?
Strong 1-
It appears that the previous super who had hired Dr.Lathan did not always agree with the Board. My guess is folks were surprised she was promoted due to her connection to the previous super.
Emerge- I understand your frustration (on your blog, I would say your outrage) at the criticism that is already taking place. I think some folks (myself included) are disappointed that she does not have previous experience as a superintendent. That being said, she obviously has had a positive impact on the schools that she has been involved with.
If D150 is to have a chance, the community must support Dr. Lathan. She deserves a chance to prove what she can do to turn things around at D150.
Keith, I agree with you. We do all need to back her if she indeed comes here. I admit my skepticism because of her lack of experience as a superintendent, my lack of trust in this particular board of education and past experience when Royster was hired.
I also wonder how well rounded the “search team” was.
It is true; we have burned too often, so skepticism does tend to creep in. My biggest fear came when I heard she had only elementary teaching experience. We need some strong decisions made for our middle and high school students. You all know that I feel that a new mindset must take place with regard to discipline. I will continue to hope for the best on that front. This very young (to me, at least) superintendent will have many challenges and will need all the support she can get.
My concern is that she has been in three district, in three parts of the country – Chicago, North Carolina; and San Diego within the past 4 years. How did she do so many great things when she wasn’t at any of those districts or positions for any lenght of time? I too am wary because of Royster and Hinton with his own lack of experience. We are already deeply financially troubled, did she offer the board any kind of plan to “climb out of it”? If I were a board member, I would want to SEE a plan, not just “hope” for “change”, IF YOU GET MY DRIFT. As an aside: she believes that children should not be suspended and they need to be in school (doesn’t sound like someone that is going to clean up discipline problems).
How long was she in San Diego… google her and you get North Carolina stuff. It seems her job in San Diego was held by someone else just 2 years ago… June 11 2008 she was appointed elementary improvement officer (Chief). So she has 0 experience as a superintendent, 0 experience with anything other than elementary schools… hmmm… I gotta wonder why anyone would leave San Diego for Peoria. Are we gonna be pawning her off on St Louis like Royster in a couple of years?
I am sure there is no one THAT qualified in this area.
If she did say that kids should be in school instead of being suspended, I’m more than worried. I have to hold out hope that she believes that an alternative school is a better solution than suspensions. We don’t need any more women acting as permissive mothers (whose children can do no wrong) running our schools. It’s true–and I’m sorry–but I don’t trust this board to choose a person who is really going to turn our schools around. Their decision-making track record isn’t that great. I truly believe this district needed someone with experience with older children. If they made a good choice, it will certainly be an accident–so I’m hoping for an accident. 🙂
Just an FYI that school district was looking for a superintendent and she didnt get it. Dont know why but just sayin…http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/education/article_91d3aea2-fb2c-11de-9f3d-001cc4c002e0.html
Did you check out the “sister stories” about Grier?
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/education/article_f783d489-6f29-5a64-842b-b7b63dfdddc8.html
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/education/article_93574804-537e-540f-ba46-e6e9e7ddc6bd.html
Apparently San Diego couldn’t find anyone locally, when Grier announced he was leaving after a year and a half!!! His predecessor was there only 2 1/2.
WTF? I REALLY think we need to try doing this public education thing WITHOUT a Superintendent… how could it be any worse?
San Diego would not even consider Dr. Lathan for the superintendency. Now, she works for them and they don’t want her permanently…..why not?
I hope she is prepared because we have problems so big I am not sure how anyone can fix them. For example, teachers have been crying out for help to the people on Wisconsin about Trewyn and still nothing changes. Everyone comes down to just look at things….the problem is the don’t go into classrooms or stay long enough to see anything. We had a fire today in the restroom, but that’s not the first and I am sure it won’t be the last ( we have them weekly- atleast here lately)because no one is held accoutable for their actions down there- teachers or students. Bottom line is our building is not safe and teachers have said this over and over again but yet no one comes down to help out or to try and change things. They are just going to let us suffer. But what’s it going to take for a change? I guess it’s going to take someone seriously getting hurt before the people on Wisconsin pay attention, but then only because they don’t want the bad press.
I know it’s a risk–so I can’t ask too much–but teachers really need to start making these stories public–what appears on the blogs is just the tip of the iceberg. We all want to keep teachers safe from repercussions, but nothing can be done until all the information is out in the open. Parents need to reveal what they know, also. We don’t need to sugarcoat the information for the new superintendent now–she obviously knows 150 has problems and took the job anyway. She needs to know that we know. If things are bad now, I hope no one doubts what Peoria High will be facing next year. The problems are just inevitable.
Does anyone know who was on the Superintendnet interviewing committee? It would be good to get information from them on why they picked her.
The superintendent interviewing committee was announced in the pjstar last year and blogged about at that same time, well before they interviewed anybody.
I believe it was the usual suspects… someone from Caterpillar, Chamber of Commerce, The City, Bradley, ICC, etc… I doubt there were any “interested” parties. You know, 150 parents, teachers, administrators (by that I mean EDUCATIONAL administrators), students, etc.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/tricounty/x1052810223/District-150-forms-superintendent-search-committee
District 150 appointed 10 local people to a panel to form a search committee to find the district’s next superintendent. They are:
– Glen Barton, retired chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc.
– John Erwin, president of Illinois Central College.
– Rita Ali, Illinois Central College’s executive director of diversity.
– Carl Cannon, community organizer and founder of C.H.O.I.C.E.S., a youth outreach program.
– Dr. Andy Chiou, a local physician.
– McFarland Bragg, president of Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity Inc.
– Linda Daley, former District 150 School Board member and current member of the Peoria Public Library Board.
– Jackie Petty, Peoria Park Board trustee.
– Debbie Ritschel, general manager of the Peoria Civic Center.
– Barbara Penelton, formerly in the education department at Bradley University and also on District 150’s original strategic planning group.
A school district that’s as HUGE as San Diego’s would not consider someone who wasn’t a superintendent before. District 150 is a lot smaller. She’s been a successful administrator and a principal and has some success in fixing schools with lack of academic success.
I’m sorry, but I’m just not hearing or reading any valid criticism — other than District 150 hired her so there must be something wrong with her.
And I find it somewhat racist and sexist to instantly compare her to Kay Royster.
As a sports fan, I’m gonna compare her to Theo Epstein, the young protege of San Diego GM Kevin Towers. Hired as the Boston Red Sox’s GM in 2002 at age 28 (the youngest MLB GM in history) Epstein helped lead the Red Sox to World Series victory in 2004, the storied franchise’s first title in 86 years.
Gotta set the bar high 🙂
I don’t think people were comparing her to Royster, but comparing her to the other unqualified, incompetent superintendents we have had in the past.
OK, maybe I was… bopping around from job to job not committing herself to anything for any period of time… and then running off to a new job asap.
As long as she was bopping around with Dr. Grier as mentor, I’m fine with that.
Strong1, thanx for posting the list of the search committee members. does anyone know where any of these people live? Do they all live in Peoria and pay school tax?