A special meeting of the District 150 Board of Education is planned for Tuesday night. There’s only one item of public business on the agenda:
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH HAZARD, YOUNG, ATTEA & ASSOCIATES
Proposed Action: That the Contract with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates covering the Superintendent search and the Controller/Treasurer search be approved. Further, that the Community Superintendent Search Committee’s proposed total budget of $45,000 be approved and that the timeline for commencing the candidate search be changed to August/September, 2009.
The district’s search committee recommended the firm to the board last month. A March 25 Journal Star article reported, “Cost to hire the firm is about $21,000, not including travel costs and office fees.” Apparently travel costs and office fees are no small expense, based on the $45,000 to be budgeted for the search committee.
Current superintendent Ken Hinton plans to retire June 30, 2010.
UPDATE: I received this additional information from School Board member Jim Stowell:
The first story didn’t anticipate them doing a search for Controller/Treasurer as well. Dr. Durflinger and Dr. Butts highly recommended a search firm who might “draw out” better applicants than what applied to our posting on several sources, including all of the “free” postings offered through the state. I had suggested the same firm recommended by the supt. search committee, if they were willing to do it for a reduced fee (and possibly seize on some economies of scale or interest from a duo who might like to work together). The Board saw a list of applicants and will discuss whether to go the search route.
the extra dough is to wine and dine the candidates, ie, ‘travel fees.’ here’s hoping the board asks for an itemized bill and receipts.
“The Board saw a list of applicants …”
Sounds like the windows of opportunity for public input and/or buy in has closed. The next Superintendent deserves an informed public, who will not feel the need to fight for inclusiveness. The BOE should not pass up this opportunity for proactive community involvement, it could go a long way.
EmergePeoria: Regrettably another amen.
Emerge,
maybe I can help (the AFTER is my own):
AFTER
“…posting on several sources, including all of the “free” postings offered through the state…”
“The board saw a list of applicants…”
“…for Controller/Treasurer”
“…will discuss ”
“…whether to go the search route”
“…might “draw out” better applicants…”
“…for Controller/Treasurer”
I think it is smart to engage a search firm for the Controller/Treasurer post, particularly since the District has already tested the waters through other candidate search means and is not satisfied. As a community with a big budget hole, it is certainly clear how important it is to have someone competent in the position.
Emerge, I am not clear what public input you feel is appropriate in selecting individuals for leadership positions? I would like to know the members of the search committee. Has this info been published in the PJS?? That will be very telling. The vetting of candidates should be a confidential process until the final stages.
Karrie et al: Just a quick civics reminder that we do not live in a democracy, and while some communities still hold actual town hall meetings, in Peoria, we elect school board representatives to oversee, set policies and hire the superintendent for the city’s public education system. The public speaks at the voting booth
If you don’t like how the school board handles these issues, then find suitable candidates to run for the school board seats, or better yet, run yourself. You all seem to have so much time to research and comment on all of these issues on blogs, it seems like that time might be better spent serving in a public capacity. It’s easy to sit in the cheap seats and make comments. It’s another matter entirely to actually serve the public.
Food for thought –
“Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos.”
~ John Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1801-1835
J. Madison: D150 School Board Powers and Duties — one example —-
15. Communicating the schools’ activities and operations to the community and representing the needs and desires of the community in educational matters.
And what grade would you give the board carying out these responsibilities and duties?
How would elected officials represent the needs and desires of the community without town hall meetings and/or public input? What can be accomplished when the public input is on the night of the vote? Rushed process and failed results. I guess this is okay if one values the ‘insanity’ cycle as the level of excellence to be achieved by this governing body.
If you do not like the fact that we research an issue and have comments to make — then that is your choice. You serve how you want to serve and we will serve how we want to serve.
Many taxpayers, elected officials and media felt that Citizens for Responsible Spending ‘actually’ served the public very well during the recent proposed public facility sales tax referendum. These were public comments in public settings or meetings that we had served the public. Even elected officials asked that we continue in this capacity.
Freedom of speech. Thank you for the dialogue.
I agree with Madison. Think how well these schools would be ran if Vespa, Alms, CJ, and others were on the Board running things. We got “eyebrows” on there now. When is the protest march at the District Office on this hiring thing going to take place?
Question for you J. Madison: Do you think are children are being/have been well served under the Hinton Admin and Board?
OK, 2 questions. Is it your contention then, that our only remedy to correct deficiencies in a school board and it’s admin is to wait for the next election?
*our children*
Emerge: I believe the list of applicants the school board saw was for controller/treasurer, not superintendent.
Emtronics: Open, inclusive and transparent government —- seems like the people aka parents, students, teachers, principals and taxpayers would be receptive to be know what is going on before reading about it in the press. Just because you were a candidate and the next day are elected does not mean you have a crystal ball nor can mindread what the needs and desires of the community would be unless of course, you would continue to talk with your constituents.
Would that mean that you should not voice your opinion about Councilman Gulley and the lack of sidewalks, curbs and other services in the 1st?
Should the American Revolutionists waited until King George changed his mind or a new ruler was installed?
Just asking…..
Emtronics — Why didn’t you put your name on that list with Vespa, Karrie, and me? Last I checked, you had a blog and you criticized our elected officials, right?
J. Madison — Does the “J” stand for “James,” as in the founding father? Because I believe it was he who said, “The right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication among the people thereon…has ever been justly deemed the only effectual guardian of every other right.”
The Illinois Association of School Boards states that:
“To accommodate those eager for involvement and preclude unreasonable demands, the school board should establish procedures for ascertaining the views of the community in establishing qualifications and standards for the superintendency. There are many ways to seek these views, including surveys, committees, public hearings, and just generally listening to what people say they would like in a new superintendent. Newspapers and broadcast media can play a key role by encouraging interested people to speak up and publicizing different points of view as to what the district needs.”
@ C.J.
Thank you.
@ Frustrated:
“Emerge, I am not clear what public input you feel is appropriate in selecting individuals for leadership positions?”
After asking that – you state this?
“I would like to know the members of the search committee. Has this info been published in the PJS?? That will be very telling. The vetting of candidates should be a confidential process until the final stages.”
Confusing.
Emerge and Frustrated: I wish I had a better memory. I think I recall that before Dr. Royster was selected, the names of three candidates (who had been vetted) were published along with their qualifications and pictures. In that era, I don’t recall that the public had any input at all into the selection process, but I do remember being curious as to which of the three would be selected. Forums for public input, etc., I believe are a relatively new development. Can anyone recall when the whole concept of public forums began in District 150? The world of modern technology–especially the Internet–has certainly changed the degree of public involvement, etc. For instance, when were board meetings first televised. I believe they may have been on the radio first–but I don’t recall listening. In my early years of teaching, I waited until teachers received memos before I learned of anything the BOE had decided–or maybe I just wasn’t interested.
While I agree that the vote belongs to the BOE and no one else, I do believe that the BOE members–as elected officials–should activiely seek out the opinions of the public and teachers for their own benefit so that they can vote intelligently.
150 Teachers or retired teachers: If you happen to read this, please get in your cars and go to the Labor Temple to vote for Jeff Adkins-Dutro for PFT President and Hedy Elliott-Gardner Vice-President. Our fellow blogger Scott Donohue is also on the ballot. If you want to join many of us at Alexander’s Steak House, go straight from where a Peoria Charter Bus will shuttle you to and from the Labor Temple. Retirees: if you aren’t a PFT member, you can join on the spot before you vote (3:30 to 6:30)–$20. Teachers, please don’t forget to vote–my personal prejudice is that this could be giant step forward for 150 and its teachers.
Should be: Go straight “there” from where….
Sharon – the first “forum” that I recall in the past twenty years, was under Royster when they began the strategic planning process. If you remember, there were several, large forums held and many community members included in the actual planning process.
Hinton has – grudgingly – somewhat continued that process.
I used the bus and voted. Now, I will wait to hear the news that the old is out and the new is in!!!
Teachingrocks: Hedy won, but Jeff lost by 50 some votes. Jeff will support Hedy and Bobby Darling and vice versa to do what needs to be done for District 150. I know one 6-year-old that is going to be quite happy that his dad will now have all summer to go fishing with him–instead of worrying about union business. Now I need the rest of the evening to adjust my thinking and to deal with my own dashed hopes for Jeff’s victory. As I just told Jeff, he has always worked hard to support teachers and to stand up for just causes, etc., in District 150; he will continue to do so after a summer with his family. Jeff is an extremely good loser–better than most.
Jeff did a great job advocating for the teachers who are possibly (more than likely) losing their schools next year. We (Kingman staff) appreciated it very much.
Sharon – he will get another chance. Give my love to him and Karen. We are soooo proud of him. Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans…
Ms. Alms: “Emtronics: Open, inclusive and transparent government …”
I don’t deny that at all. All Madison was saying and all I am agreeing with is Yes go to the meetings, find out what’s up or not, but, we elected this board and this board hired the Admin. It seems that when these seats were up in the past, very few took interest in who was running and many times, no one even runs against some of these board members. Now, when things don’t seem to go right for the current group or generation of parents, people want change and demand all kinds of things. Great! One board seat has a new voice on it from this last election cycle that many here seem to support but this one voice may not change much.
It is easy to sit in the “cheaper seats” and watch and critique all the goings on and I don’t understand why some of you that post long and interesting posts here on these blogs, those that seem to have the answers and even make sense, why or where have you people been the last 20 years? This “stuff” that is happening with our schools has been brewing for years and in fact when I served on a sub-committee for the Board many years ago, we were told that many of the problems were going to come to a head and here we are today.
Keep plugging away but the problems we have in this District with financial and academic has been brewing for years and was in fact foretold years ago by many on the Board and the then Admin. It was basically blown off for years and here we are. We get what we vote for and that is the only connection I can make with my city council rep.
I so wanted to run against Gulley. Mickey Mouse could have beaten him as his record or lack of it speaks volumes but nobody wanted to step up much as what has happened over the years with the School Board. Time will pass, those speaking the loudest now both parents and retired teachers, will age, their kids will grow and a new generation of parents with young children will enter. I hope they have the same passion as you guys seem to have otherwise nothing will change in regards to our schools. This is how I have seen it over the last 20 years when my children were young and a small group of parents had issues with the Board. We fought, we asked questions, we voted, we protested, we grew older as did our kids, and we slowly disappeared.
I hope some of you understand what I am trying to say here. That is why I am sometimes so caviler about these issues.
Emtronics: Thank you for the dialogue. What many citizens and taxpayers and parents, teachers, students are communicating is that the methods of communications from the School Board and Administration are ineffective. In my opinion, your post indicates that the more things change the more things remain the same. Same input produces the same output. Same insanity of ineffective process expecting different results.
Like yourself, there are personal reasons why I do not run for office. Society needs many types and levels of participation to run effectively. In my opinion, it would be more helpful to address the process of how we conduct the business of government and the issues rather than individuals and how they choose to participate.
Many people do not participate because the process is considered hostile and unsafe on various levels. You can choose to believe that statement or not. In talking with citizens across the county, it has been reiterated time and time again.
Emtronic – What a depressing but accurate analysis. What has changed is the popluation of families and students that feed into the District. Some got tired of voicing their concerns and seeing no change and so they left.
I do believe the current Board is trying to gather the necessary information to make necessary changes for the future . . . but as you stated the District is in a deep hole due to previous Boards and Administration not seeing the writing on the wall.
“Some got tired of voicing their concerns and seeing no change and so they left.”
Some… yes. Most just didn’t want to lift a finger and left. It’s too easy to move, rather than get involved in the politics of the community.
Good point… some want to fix the system and others realize you can’t fix a bureaucracy.
Emtronics, you may have touched on a very important part of this, and that is when it comes to District #150 there is a repetitive, generational cycle – history keeps repeating itself.
Looking beyond what has already been discussed, is the issue of the District’s organizational culture. They have a history of grooming and promoting their own. On the surface, that doesn’t appear to be negative, but in this case, it very well may be. The two recent superintendents who were not products of the internal “daisy chain” (some might call it the good old boys club), were not able to succeed.
We could stop here and just repeat all the criticisms levelled at these individuals from staff and filtered to the media, and conceivably overlook the fact that a very real fear of change may have played a large – but subtle – part of the criticism. Anyone who has had the audacity to promote real change at #150 has not been well received – whether parents, community groups, superintendents, Board Members, etc. Anyone who has been “inside” the district and has promoted change, has too many times heard we can’t do that because that is not the way it has always been done.
My opinion – #150 as an organization, suffers from cultural sickness. The administration and staff have been conditioned to believe that the way things have always been done is the only way they can be done. Unfortunately, the facts are not supporting that cultural viewpoint. If they were correct, the district would be enjoying a large majority of students making adequate yearly progress and they would have exemplary financial success.
There are many other factors affecting District #150, many of which have been addressed here concerning the changes in student behavior throughout the years, and the changes in families. They cannot be denied. But the district is its own worst enemy, and that, perhaps, is the most critical reason they cannot be successful.
“But the district is its own worst enemy, and that, perhaps, is the most critical reason they cannot be successful.”
I think you mean that the administration of the District is its own worst enemy… and if so, I disagree… They continue day in and out receiving their paychecks and looking forward to the next one… they are the enemy of the student, the teacher and the community. They are their own best friend.
I think the problem is much more malignant than you suggest. I don’t think the School District itself is compatible with the goal of educating our youth. All the administration seems to care about is itself… not the schools, not the students, not the community.
kcdad: “I don’t think the School District itself is compatible with the goal of educating our youth.”
The District does reach it’s goal of educating or kids, just not all of them. My kids got an excellent education all from District 150, succeeded in college and went on to careers, one a high school teacher. I know many many other students who obtained their goals through District 150. True, problems exist with what some see as an arrogant administration and a Board that sometimes seems to ignore the parents, teachers, and yes, even it’s own administration. I do not doubt that at all and there is a hidden inner good ol boy network that seems to lost it’s “luster” over the pass few years within the offices.
That said, a real “white elephant” in the schools is the District’s clientèle. The children that have for 3 or 4 generations been raised by children. The one parent family which offers a destructive home life which makes it even harder for teachers to realize their goals. Unfortunately, this is the biggest make up of the District. Plant these kids in any school district, and you’ll see the same problems. And yes, these kids come mostly from poor black families something that isn’t seen in the burbs of Dunlap, Washington, or Morton.
Now just because you are poor, or black, doesn’t make you the problem otherwise how could one explain Pekin High School which is made up of mostly white kids from poor to middle class families. They have their share of drugs, fights, and they too are fighting low scores.
Which is why I say, with all the problems of the District, environment is the biggest issue. Getting these parents to be held responsible for their children’s education instead of just leaving their kids at the school expecting the schools to discipline, teach, feed, and in some cases even clothe would go along way to improving conditions in the schools and thus relieving un-necessary pressures the teachers and staff face everyday they shouldn’t otherwise have to face.
Kids, at least on the high school level in District 150 are disrespectful and many feel that the “system” owes them. I say the system owes them nothing, they and their parents owe the system the responsibility to come to school to learn, come equipped to learn, and be part of society as a whole. District 150 can not pick and choose it’s students, so the District needs to adapt and they really haven’t over the years.
I know, that is a mouthful, but curing this type of behavior so that the students that do go to get an education and learn values can do it in the proper atmosphere. That is not being done by the current majority of District 150s students and that is sad.
Emtronics, right again! The entitlement concept (and I don’t mean welfare) has become a significant issue over the past years. But it doesn’t end with the students and parents – it is exactly part of what is askew within the district. Too many staff members feel they are entitled to a promotion – or whatever – because they have been there so long. Ability, education, experience, skill levels don’t even enter their minds, and not just with teachers & administrators – with the clerical, custodial, maintenance, etc. groups as well. All part of the “good old boy” mentality.
“The District does reach it’s goal of educating or kids, just not all of them.”
Then it doesn’t reach its goal, does it?
kcdad: In some respect, I agree. But then you can lead a horse to water, but you can;t make him drink. The educations is there, kids have to want it.
What kid doesn’t want to learn?
Question: What makes that kid want to NOT learn.
Answer: Society, aka schools
I suggest you rethink “education”… it is not something that is “out there” to be gotten.
Educare… from the Latin… “to draw out”… it is within all of us.
kcdad & emtronics – if you look at the district’s ISAT scores, the 3rd grade scores are pretty good. But when you look at the 7th grade scores, it is a totally different picture. What is happening between 3d and 7th grades? That’s really where the district is losing the kids. It also explains why a large number of 9th graders enter high school reading at the 3d – 5th grade levels.
That is such an excellent observation… it IS third grade when schools begin to fail the students. It is this point when the indoctrination curriculum takes over and schools stop teaching and start training.
Little kids are easy to control, easy to get interested in what the teacher wants them to be interested in. 12-14 year olds are a completely different story.
PC.
I think it is because those kids are out of the district by middle school. I would be interested in seeing some transfer numbers out of district for 5th grade.
Perhaps it is just my overactive imagination, but can’t help wondering if combining the students from different primary schools into the middle school environment doesn’t result in some territorial conflicts that impact the learning environment. The middle school concept has started to disappear and schools are returning to the K-8 environment. The district’s plan to return some of its schools to a K-8 configuration is one I would support. Just wish they’d quit talking about it and do it.
Jenny, I’m sure the mobility rate is a contributing factor in this equation, but even so, there are still a large number of students enrolled (but not necessarily regularly attending) grades 5-8.
PrairieCelt sez: “What is happening between 3d and 7th grades?”
I sez: In all seriousness, what happens is puberty. The precipitating circumstance is single parent families.
Until ~5th Grade, kids are very much under the influence of their mothers, especially boys. The lack of a good male role model and positive male presence really makes a difference, I believe.
I would bet good money, looking at the numbers, that 5th Grade is when the schools start ‘losing’ male students. It isn’t cool to get good grades any more. Mommy’s approval isn’t enough – peer approval is what is more sought after.
(I am sorry, this is kind of an incomplete thought but I haven’t the time to finish it at the moment.)
Anon, puberty/adolescence almost has to be a factor. But, doesn’t that beg the question, why are some parents and teachers losing the kids, and some continue to be successful? There are many examples – in District #150 – of teachers of “at risk” students having success with the kids, and there are also many examples of parents of “at risk” kids who continue to be effective with their kids. Why some and not the others?
The kids are cute when young. They take their babies to school and show them off. It is a badge for many. Many young girls in high school live to get pregnant yet they don’t understand the ramifications of having a child hence the child gets pawned off to a grandparent. Mothers, no matter how young get their children into Head Start and off to the Vaneska Hinton school early on. Then the kids start to grow up and many of these kids are raised by a grandmother anyway because by then, mom either has had another baby or has lost interest in the kid or is serving time. No sign of the father. The kid comes and goes when he pleases as attested to the fact you can see young kids hanging out on Lincoln at Western at that store at 10 pm any night. Then we now have 13 year olds who think they have to rob banks. A lot of things going on but priorities in these families isn’t one of them. As for your remark kcdad on when training starts in the schools; Have you ever talked to a teacher at the Middle School lately. Teachers spend more time rehashing what was taught and then dealing with disruptive students then they do teaching. They isn’t their fault, Parents should be fined when their kids act up in school. Maybe hitting them where in the pocket might help them see the light of day. Extreme? maybe…
Emtronic – Enjoy reading your posts. I agree a strong education can still be had at District 150 but . . . I don’t believe that is the perception held by the majority that are newer to the community and are not familiar with the District’s long history of academic success. The District does not help itself in this regards.
Why when you access Richwoods’ web site do they not have on the front page the fact they are the only school in downstate Illinois to offer the IB program? Why are the number of AP classes offered by this school not front and center?? Washington Gifted is the District’s best kept secret. I cannot tell you the number of families I have spoken to that would have selected to live in Peoria instead of Dunlap if they had known about this school. When families are shopping around for a school or moving into a community, the school web sites are one of the first things they turn to in order to gather information and get a feel for things. I do think the District does a very good job of touting its’ successes.
Re: Difference in ISAT results in 3rd grade vs. 7th. One reason for the fall in test scores not previously identified by postings is academic limitations. Through fourth grade, the subjects of reading, math, and science progress through a basic level that most students are able to grasp to one degree or another. By 5th grade and certainly by 7th , higher level cognitive ability is required to understand more complex math and to draw inferences from reading assignments. Not all students are able to make these leaps, and thus performance declines.
“not all students are able to make these leaps”…BULKLSHIT@!
Is this your opinion or did you read it somewhere?
Time for celebration! An entire thread that progressed without Em mentioning as the root cause of the subject, Bush I, Bush II, garbage fee, Aaron Schock’s youth, bad drivers or unpopular taxes.
Maybe we have turned a corner.
er…..I rarely mention Schock, That’s Dennis, I liked Bush I, didn’t vote for him, but he was decent. I rarely mention Bush II here because here all the bitching is about A) Schools, B)City Council and C)schools. I do like to mention bad drivers ON MY BLOG and yes I hate the Garbage Fee which is about to become the 5% water usage fee.
Otherwise, back to my meds.
I was told today that the Board of Education WILL be voting at Monday night’s meeting to close “a” high school for the 2010-11 year. This vote is on the draft agenda for that meeting. My understanding is that “which” high school will close will not be announced at the meeting. Supposedly, closing a high school is necessary in order to balance the budget, per last night’s special meeting, where the budget model was demonstrated. Remember, the numbers plugged in come from D150 administration.
“Closing Irving Primary School and a high school would lead to between $3 million and $3.5 million additional savings through 2011 to 2013.” — from PJStar story by Dave Haney, today, p. B3
BTW, at a second meeting for the community removing the Edison out-of-state payment of $877,000 per year was plugged into the computer model and produced projected savings of almost $4.5 over 5 years. For the record, I am not opposed to Edison, but money going out of state seems counterintuitive to me.
Consideration for the increased costs of closing a high school, both financial (ex: increased security) or tangential (more families leaving D150) was not part of the projected “savings.” There STILL have been no major Central Admin. cuts proposed. Five assistant principals, classified as administration, have been proposed for cutting. (forgive me while I roll my eyes!) And she says again (sigh): Cut farthest from the classrooms first!
Only when everything else has been cut to the bone, which it definitely has not–assistant superintendents, associate superintendents, directors, coordinators, managers, consultants,…) will I support closing a high school. I have read too much research that supports smaller school size for urban high schools. There is no educational benefit to closing a high school.
http://www.psd150.org/BOE/Agendas/04%2020%2009%20BOE%20agenda.pdf
The decision on which High School to close will be made by July 1, 2009 by the BOE.