The following email was sent out to District 150 staff members at the end of business today (this is copied and pasted with no omissions, not retyped):
It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement effective December 2, 2009. This decision to retire earlier than my established date of June 30, 2010 is my determination.
It is because of personal and family reasons that I have decided to retire in December of this year as opposed to June, 2010. For too long I have not taken care of my health and not given my family the time that they so richly deserve. It is time for me to concentrate on getting my health back and spend time with my wife, children, and grandchildren.
our school district has in place most competent individuals who will continue to lead the district going forward. Our Board, the Administration, and entire district staff are committed
to our students and their success.Ken Hinton
Superintendent
Peoria Public School District 150
3202 N. Wisconsin Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 672-6768
A special meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, October 14, to appoint an interim superintendent. My sources say that retired Morton School Superintendent Norm Durflinger will be appointed. Durflinger recently served as District 150’s interim Controller after the departure of Guy Cahill.
How about appoint no one and let the assistant, associate, vice and temporary co-superintendents see what they can do? (Without hiring any more consultants)
Is it too late (or early) to fire him for breech of contract?
With incompetence running rampant, I would encourage new blood swinging an ax. Happy Halloween!
Guess he wanted to get on his trusty steed and get out of Dodge before the sheriff came knocking on his door.
This old adage comes to mind: when you play with fire, you will EVENTUALLY get burned. My guess: D150 office on Wisconsin is about to “go up in flames” once the sheriff comes in to clean up what’s left.
T.B. – M.D. – K.H. hmmmm aren’t these three named in a whistleblower lawsuit? Just gives me CHILLS……..
Great sentence structure, huh?
“our school district has in place most competent individuals who will continue to lead the district going forward. Our Board, the Administration, and entire district staff are committed
to our students and their success.”
Rumor has it that Hinton will be taking his month vacation beginning Nov. 1–and Durflinger will take over.
Sharon: does that surprise you. He is a professional at milking the system. He has had many years in D150 to practice. My only hope is that the new supt. will be a person with exceptional experience that is willing to come in swinging the ax, starting on Wisconsin Ave. My only other suggestions for the future would be to retire employees ONCE! This retired/rehired bs needs to stop.
No, not surprised–at least, we don’t exactly have to pay him off to leave. I agree totally about the retired/rehireds. My cry, of course, will continue to be the need for an alternative school. Actually, I think most of the decisions made in the last two years should be undone–to start over. Just a dream!
And double-dipping the system. Now He’ll move on to his Edison gig, which he preserved nicely. They owe him big time. He played it well.
Sharon – why just the last two, why not all the way back to the ’99 contract that Roger warned the district it couldn’t afford, but was gleefully accepted. Maybe then the district could properly provide for the STUDENTS.
I wouldn’t mind going back to the 1980s. If wishes were horses….
Peorian–I just caught the sarcasm–can’t say that I would want to do that–I definitely would not be enjoying retirement–I’d be subbing.
peorian sez: “why just the last two, why not all the way back to the ‘99 contract that Roger warned the district it couldn’t afford, but was gleefully accepted…”
I say: Yep, that teacher’s contract was the start of most of the money problems..
That’s right, its always the teachers’ fault. Just like the post on pjstar about teaching our children at home on the computer. How ridiculous!! It couldn’t be that the administration for the past few decades hasn’t seemed to have a clue about checks and balances and financial management. But still, it always comes down to the teachers being the cause of all the district’s woes. I am hoping and praying that that all citizens will finally wake up and come to their senses.
blah blah blah — Do you think teachers have any responsibility to help the district through this financial crisis? Police officers, fire fighters, etc., are all having to give concessions; is it unreasonable to expect teachers to do the same?
C.J.–Nobody has asked teachers to help in this financial crisis yet–at least, we don’t know what negotiations are taking place. It wouldn’t be the first time that teachers helped out. I believe that the last time teachers helped out, the administrators agreed to take a pay freeze, too. However, I believe that the administrators got that “sacrifice” in back pay not too long after the sacrifice. Is there anyone out there that remembers the details or the accuracy of my recollections (they could be off)?
Obviously, if you have been paying attention, teachers already seem to be helping out in this crisis in that they are buying (as we have regularly done in the past) some very expensive supplies. If teachers would stop spending their own money on supplies and would take home the items in their classrooms that they purchased with their own money, I believe you would see a decline in the “extras” and “necessities” supplied to your children.
I will never talk about a teacher as my children have had the most phenomenal teachers in PSD150. I don’t know much about their union or what they have vs. what they don’t have. What I do know is that Mr. Hinton has created a huge mess! Now his back is up against the wall to start giving the good people of our district some answers. I think the closing of WHS before a plan was is place is the icing on his cake. I think they probably started to look at the logistics of the closure and realized that it isn’t going to work. While I doubt that they can go back and undo years worth of decisions, I can hope and pray that they would at least undo the decisions made in 2009. Every single blasted day, there is another tragic event that unfolds on Wisconsin Avenue. I am guessing that soon the real truth will come out about the Lindbergh mess. I find it somewhat ironic that Mr. Hinton formally announced his decision to retire on the day of the last football game at Woodruff. SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE………….WOW!
dlb: perhaps Mr. Hinton’s departure comes on the heels of a potential indictment of an administrator on PAID leave. Of course, I have no doubt in my mind that the closing of Woodruff was the final straw for anybody that still held out hope for him.
I’ve heard this possible reason for Hinton’s and the Human Resources Director’s early departure. Can someone enlighten me? If they are no longer associated with District 150, will that keep them from being called to testify in the Davis case? I think I heard that an employee no longer with District 150 wouldn’t feel any obligation to protect the district in this case–so that might be an advantage for protecting the district–but not to protect oneself, right?
Sharon-
It does does not matter if they are currently employed with the district. They along with Board members will be deposed as part of the discovery process.
Well now that will make for some fun blog fodder.
CJ,
The teachers were asked to help out when we negotiated our last contract. We took a hard freeze. Once again we are being asked to take a hard freeze. When will admin take a hard freeze? The teachers have done their part to help out in many ways, believe me. (Can you say larger class sizes? … among other things!)
Teachers have helped out on every contract since ’99. I was not there for that contract, but we must have recieved a great contract if it was worth the last three horrible contracts that has been shoved down our throats. I guess that I just don’t believe that we are paid that much more than other districts in the area. I have checked out the Champion and it looks like we compare pretty nicely.
RHSteacher: Unfortunately, you are right. When the union under Terry Knapp negotiated that contract for us (I was the beneficiary of the 1999 contract that took me to retirement), I feared that it would be the last of its kind for a long time or longer. I know that many taxpapers and those who write on this blog feel teachers make too much money, etc. I am always amazed that more of them don’t join us in this easy and lucrative career to feed at our trough–and then to tell us whether or not our salaries are too high. 🙂 I’m wonder how many “bad” contracts teachers have to swallow before they’ve made up for the 1999 contract.
People have very difficult jobs, no doubt. And we teachers do make a nice living, and have an excellent pension program [that I hope will be there for me]. But until one works in a “failing” schools, one really can’t appreciate the daily grinding that takes place almost every day almost every hour. I wish I could not let it bother me – it would so easy to just go with the flow and be accepting of the disrespect, apathy, lack of rules, etc., that occur, but again, one really has to be in these situations constantly to fully understand the job. Being in 150 as long as I have, I know first-hand that it doesn’t have to be this way, that we are cheating the kids first and taxpayers second, and we are sentencing these kids to a difficult life because the powers that be have structured the system to allow them to pass through without being prepared for college or gainful employment. Extreme and constant frustration doesn’t begin to describe how we spend our days.
Is Herschel Hannah the assistant superintendent? If he is indeed the assistant superintendent, why on earth would we have to higher a interim superintendent?? Can someone please confirm this for me!
because HH is incapable of leading and should be following Hinton on his way out.
Maybe Hannah didn’t want the job. I would think, however, that if something happens to the Super it is the Asst’s job to step up to the plate. There have been rumors around for quite some time that Hannan and Hinton are on the outs, but who knows? If that is true, then perhaps the board followed Hinton’s lead once again and hired someone else. I have no idea what the true answer is, so these are just hypotheses. I only know I am sick and tired of paying for consultants because it appears the people on Wisconsin can’t handle their jobs.
No replacement is needed!!! There are far too many Indian Chiefs still running around over there on Wisconsin Ave. Let them earn their money. Also, on another note, now with Hinton gone, how about a re-vote before an injunction. We all know there is no plan in place and there never was. So how about keeping WHS open and the District go back and clean up all of the messes after KH leaves.
In the past, the assistants were chosen by the superintendent and both shared the same philosophies, etc. I have never known an assistant to move up to the top position even on a temporary basis–can’t swear to that. I think the district has to wrap up many loose ends–and hopefully change directions very quickly. I am not sure everything can be put on hold until next summer. I thought (I remember Spangler suggesting) that there was a chance that a superintendent would be chosen earlier than June 2010. Then the possibility was that Hinton would work with the new person for a smooth transition. I believe “smooth” is no longer an option, but I would hope that a new person could be found sooner. However, most potential and attractive candidates probably have contracts that can’t be broken until the end of the year.
Honestman–I am certainly hoping for a revote to keep Woodruff open. I don’t think it’s out of the question.
I went to the Central v Woodruff football game Friday… I think there were 13 Central students there and maybe 300 Woodruff students… if that is any indication, perhaps its time to close Central.
kcdad: I also was shocked at the lack of Central students. I found it sad.
But I cannot think of a dumber reason for declaring that a school needs to be closed.
TPBRicky said
“Being in 150 as long as I have, I know first-hand that it doesn’t have to be this way, that we are cheating the kids first and taxpayers second, and we are sentencing these kids to a difficult life because the powers that be have structured the system to allow them to pass through without being prepared for college or gainful employment. Extreme and constant frustration doesn’t begin to describe how we spend our days.”
When we are getting mad at parents who don’t seem to care – consider this…
The parents and in some instances the grandparents of these children you are teaching today are products of District 150. The condition the District is in today took generations to achieve, it is a result of not teaching and cheating a certain group of Peorians out of being prepared for college or being gainfully employed.
Billy.. where were those kids Friday night? Doing Homework? Not likely. Working? Not likely since the unemployment rate amongst teens is over 50%.
How much money is poured into the football programs in the schools… and how much revenue received (you do understand this economic reality, right?) Bradley dumped their football program so many years ago because… the students didn’t want to play football? NO, because no wanted to pay to see it.
What would be a SMART reason for closing a school?
Granted, closing a school because the students don’t participate in in after school programs is no reason to close the school…. BUT what is a good reason? For what reason was Woodruff closed and NOT Central?
The students at Woodruff DO participate in their school programs.
“The condition the District is in today took generations to achieve, it is a result of not teaching and cheating a certain group of Peorians out of being prepared for college or being gainfully employed.”
Wow. Can that be engraved in stone and placed at Wisconsin Ave????
Emerge: In Peoria, I do disagree about the not teaching and cheating a certain group of Peorians. Many of the parents and grandparents actually did much better than their children and grandchildren. Obviously, you received a good education, I guess, in Peoria–I know that you have said you felt cheated at Woodruff, but the results of your education seem quite apparent to me. In addition to former students, I have family members in their 30s and two in their 50s that received their educations in the southside of Peoria–and they certainly are educated. I hope you recognize that teachers in 150 have been at a tremendous disadvantage in the last 20 years–the administrators have not given them support in maintaining classrooms in which teaching can actually take place. I know that I found it very difficult during those more recent times to get any teaching done when I had to deal with the discipline problems created by just a few students day after day–the majority were cheated; I can’t deny that, but I won’t take the blame either. What I really find amazing right now is how willing everyone is to accept the changes at Manual. The Johns Hopkins program is definitely a watered-down curriculum. Teaching these “career pathways” courses means that there is no time for some college-prep courses. Also, reducing all academic courses from one-year to one-semester courses is a move that would not be tolerated at Richwoods or at Dunlap. However, I don’t feel comfortable in blaming parents either. 150 does little to make it clear to parents what is expected of their children–with regard to discipline or academics. Something has to be done about literacy–I really don’t know how to assess that problem. I’m sure that the foundation for literacy must be built before students enter kindergarten–that isn’t happening for many children. When these kids enter school at a disadvantage, I am sure that making up for lost time compounds the problem of teaching a child to read, etc.–and when the kids are passed on without those skills, they get further behind each year. Now the question is: Who makes the decision to pass them on without the needed skills? My answer is that it is not the teachers.
Certainly, the pull toward the gang and drug culture is one that pulls in far more students today than it did 20 to 40 years ago. We can debate all day as to the causes for the success of this pull–but we do need to find a way to stop it. My contention is that allowing known gang members (as students) into our schools where they do their recruiting is compounding the problem. I have watched while some young kids are sucked into this culture by the bullying older kids. Part of the problem is created when the older kids (who fail courses regularly) are put in freshman and sophomore classes with younger students.. In previous times, these kids were forced to go to summer school. Now they are allowed to try to make up the courses during the school year and, therefore, mingle with the younger students. Frequently, they do not do well in these classes, but their behaviors do destroy the learning environment. Many of them are on probation–and the terms of their probation is that they attend schools (with many absences allowed). There is plenty of blame to go around. More importantly, the solutions must involve all of us.
Billy & kcdad—A few things to keep in mind about the attendance at the PHS v. WHS game:
1) it was WHS’s homecoming
2) it was their last home football game EVER
3) Many visitors who attend a game in inclimate weather often sit on the side where there is shelter
4) WHS invited back many alumni to attend the last football game
There have been more PHS fans sitting in the stands than you are aware of. Also, I have been hearing firsthand how the WHS students believe that they are closing as a result of PHS “winning” the vote. The adults understand that that isn’t the case, but the students apparently don’t. My kids stayed home that night because they didn’t want to witness any fights. Not sure if there were any, but I heard they brought in extra security just in case. I, personally, think that is hilarious because they are going to shove those kids together in a school anyway.
Yes, some of you probably didn’t think about the fear by parents that fights might have broken out at the Woodruff-PHS game–they might keep their kids at home. BAM’s observations are obvious reasons for the perception that few PHS students were at the game–also, that the kids might make the BOE decision an us against them issue. Jeff, as a PHS teacher, went to the game–I will have to remember to ask him if he had the impression that so few PHS students were there. It is certainly true that the PHS fans would seek shelter on the sheltered side.
I’ve been on media over-load lately, so I haven’t read much until today. Regarding CJ’s reply on Oct 10–“Police officers, fire fighters, etc., are all having to give concessions….” What are THEY giving up that John & Jane Q. Public haven’t already given up 10 years ago? On top of it all, policemen and firefighter’s contracts GUARANTEE a pension. How many NON-city/state employees can say that?
I know this was off-subject, but I just had to put in my two cent’s worth…
BAM..oh yeah there were more fans than normal! However, on any given football game vs. PHS the school support is a joke! We went to the QND game vs. Central! There were far more people from QND than PHS. It was other football teams scouting the game, that put a few fans on the PHS side. Just to put your mind to ease, there were not any reports of any sort as a result of this match-up! You might try actually going to a football game someday to show your support for your team and school! You obviously don’t attend many football games.
It is sad that attendance has declined over the years. Years ago, the games were packed! Anyone remember the Turkey Day Game? They should bring it back! Have you ever been to a Metamora game? Holy Chaomoley!!
Sharon Crews:
Great comments, but WHY did the administrations of the last 20-30 years allow discipline to deteriorate? Was it because of pressure from the school boards? Was it fear of lawsuits? 40 years ago corporal punishment was allowed (and feared). What disciplinary methods have, or should have, replaced corporal punishment?
dlb—For the record, I go to almost all of the games (my kids are in the marching band). I missed this one because I was in Seattle with my middle son for a college visit at Renton Technical College. Don’t make assumptions you can’t verify.
jl: You do get to some of the root causes. I started teaching at Roosevelt when every teacher had a paddle to swat students. I have never been very athletic or prone to hitting people, so I was stunned. Now this is a true and endearing story to me. One day my first class of 7th graders told me that I would never make it as a teacher if I didn’t swat them (amazing, but true, that they would so think). They said they would make a paddle for me in woodshop and would let me practice on their behinds for a week–then I was on my own. They did just that–but the swatting was more a joke in my class than a serious punishment–I just didn’t feel comfortable with it. That said, for younger kids it was an effective “tool” and there was nothing quite as effective with which to replace it. Deans and principals administered the paddling. Of course, paddling wouldn’t work with high school students then or now. I was not at all sorry when this method of punishment was outlawed–although I believe it remained a “possibility” if another adult was present. I agree that fear of lawsuits was a major factor–for suspensions, expulsions, etc. My first year at Manual I personally saw to it that a young man have legal representation at his expulsion hearing–that was a fairly new concept. For the time, I have to admit I understand why there were questions about the punishments meted out to students. However, I think we gave up too easily because of the fear of lawsuits–we just needed to be more careful and fair about the consequences for bad behavior. I believe that the alternative school is the answer. I think there is no doubt that some young people need to be removed from the regular schools–to protect the other students from harm and the influence of the students who cannot or will not conform to rules, etc. However, I have no desire to withhold the possibility of an education from these young people. An alternative school–though a “last” chance at public education–should provide the opportunities for an education. Today expulsion seldom means permanent explulsion–it’s just a vacation of a few weeks to usually no more than a semester. Unfortunately, many of the young people who are expelled do not have long range goals, etc., or opportunities for jobs, so they just take the vacation and return to continue with the same behaviors.
bamcdaniel…………..right back at you! “Don’t make assumptions that you can’t verify!”
“BAM..oh yeah there were more fans than normal! However, on any given football game vs. PHS the school support is a joke! We went to the QND game vs. Central! There were far more people from QND than PHS. It was other football teams scouting the game, that put a few fans on the PHS side. Just to put your mind to ease, there were not any reports of any sort as a result of this match-up! You might try actually going to a football game someday to show your support for your team and school! You obviously don’t attend many football games.”
dlb–I didn’t make any assumptions, I only corrected yours of me. You stated that I should go to more football games to show support for my team. I corrected you to say that I DO go to games and I’m not even a graduate of PHS, just a very proud parent of PHS graduates.
Many students quit going to games when it starts to get really cold out, unless they are playoff bound. For many students, their only way of getting to the games is via the bus system (they don’t all have friends that drive or drive themselves). Also, many students have to WORK to pay for the things they want (because parents can barely cover the things they need) and asking off for a football game that they aren’t playing in is money lost.
This argument about attendance at athletic activities is ridiculous. It really has nothing to do with closing schools. This is just another way for the BOE to win…they pit school against school so that when they have to vote to close another one it will be easier. I guess you and I have shown them that that is happening. Kudos to us!
“the last three horrible contracts that has been shoved down our throats. ”
How did I miss this beauty???
RHSteacher… what is so horrible about your contract… it is so bad that you are now working under it even though it is no longer in effect????
Is it the pay? If so, tell us how much you get for your 9 months of work (sometimes more, sometimes less), 6 hours a day (sometimes more , sometimes less), 4 days a week… (sometimes more, sometimes less)
How much do you get for sitting through a study hall or coaching or supervising any other activity… lunch, newspaper, etc????
Is it the benefits? All teachers pay into their own retirements or don’t… its up to them.
Is it the security guards hired for YOUR protection?
Is it the secretarial staff and counselors and deans hired to make YOUR jobs easier? (Those are tasks all teachers used to perform)
Why is it we should feel sorry for you and PAY you more on your next contract?
kcdad: Some of the perks you mention–for coaches, study hall (I don’t think there is much of that for extra pay anymore), activities, etc., are all perks for some, certainly not all, high school teachers. Primary teachers have almost no such opportunities and middle school maybe a few but not many. That’s probably why there is a predominance of married female teachers in the primary and middle schools. What teacher-tasks do the clerical staff now do for teachers? Actually, with the advent of Skyward teachers have many, many more “clerical” tasks–recording attendance, grades, etc., online. Actually, Skyward has probably eliminated some clerical duties. However, I believe the clerical staff (which has been reduced significantly) is more at the beck and call of administrators. And do you really believe the security guards are there only for teacher protection? When was the last time they broke up fights between teachers or even teachers and students? What teacher-tasks do the clerical staff now do for teachers? Actually, with the advent of Skyward teachers have many, many more “clerical” tasks–recording attendance, grades, etc., online. Actually, Skyward has probably eliminated some clerical duties. However, I believe the clerical staff (which has been reduced significantly) is more at the beck and call of administrators. And do you really believe the security guards are there only for teacher protection? When was the last time they broke up fights between teachers or even teachers and students?
Also, What teacher-tasks do the clerical staff now do for teachers? Actually, with the advent of Skyward teachers have many, many more “clerical” tasks–recording attendance, grades, etc., online. Skyward has probably eliminated some clerical duties. However, I believe the clerical staff (which has been reduced significantly) is more at the beck and call of administrators. And do you really believe the security guards are there only for teacher protection? When was the last time they broke up fights between teachers or even teachers and students?