The City Council will hire Patrick Urich as Peoria City Manager next Tuesday night. Urich recently gave 90 days notice of his resignation as Peoria County Administrator. You can read the proposed contract on the City’s website. Here are the highlights:
- Base Salary: $175,000 for the first year
- Starting Date: April 18, 2011
- Incentive Pay: To be negotiated during first three months of employment
- Car Allowance: $500/month
- Vacation Days: 15
- Sick Days: 10
- Personal Days: 5
- Health Benefits: Same as all other City employees
- Term Life Insurance: Paid for by City, not to exceed three times base salary; premiums not to exceed $800/yr.
- Deferred Compensation (457 Plan): Lesser of 9% of base salary or maximum deferred contribution allowed (currently $16,500)
- Retirement System: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
- Fringe Benefits: Laptop; cell phone; dues for local civic organization memberships; dues for membership in two national, one regional, and one state professional association; travel and other expenses to attend one national and one state conference per year; reimbursement of job-affiliated expenses.
- Involuntary termination: Lump sum of 9 months salary if terminated within first two years; 8 months if terminated in year three; 7 months if terminated in year four; 6 months salary if terminated in year five or later. All accrued but unused vacation leave up to 200 hours will be reimbursed. All life, health, dental, and disability insurance continues for 12 months (or until he’s hired somewhere else, whichever comes first) if he’s terminated within the first three years.
How does this compare to previous City Manager Scott Moore’s compensation package? Moore’s base salary was set at $165,000 for the first two years; Urich’s is $175,000 for the first year only. Moore’s contract also capped his salary increase at 8%; no cap exists in Urich’s. The city paid for life insurance equal to Moore’s base salary; will pay for life insurance equal to three times Urich’s base salary. The city contributed 8% of Moore’s base salary toward a deferred compensation (457) plan; Urich is getting 9%. Moore got six months’ salary upon involuntary termination; that would have dropped to four months if Moore had been terminated after serving two years; Urich gets nine months salary if he’s terminated within the first two years. Moore’s contract included no provision for incentive pay, but did include moving expenses since he was coming from out of state.
One last interesting tidbit. This will make the third City Manager who doesn’t go by his first name. Randy Oliver was really Charles R. Oliver. Scott Moore was really L. Scott Moore. And Patrick Urich is really F. Patrick Urich. What is it about City Managers that makes them go by their middle names?
Sharon, I am a believer in standing up to “bullies” and letting them know their behavior is unacceptable. If Charlie wants to personally attack me over and over, I am not going to just sit here and be a pin cushion.
I now know who District 150 O is. She has the right to remain private unless I can get a pic, then I’ll post it. 🙂
Charlie I am a journyman tradesperson. So I am very sure that the person supervising me can and has done my job. In fact I am friends with the guy and respect his ability. Not ever job is a battle not every boss is an overlord. Just seems to come that way from all of you that work in education.
Sharon it is hard to argue with you because many many many people make much less then teachers in both pay and benifits and dont seem to have the pity me memtality that you seem to carry around with you. Merle has posted the teacher pay chart on his blog several times. It is also very easy to find online. At the end of the day teachers pay and benifits program is at or above average for someone with the training needed to be a teacher. One of my friends teachs in Dunlap he is the primary his wife works part time they just bought a new house drive newer cars etc…I dont see them eating cup o soup and burning garbage for heat like you seem to constantly elude to. Im just not that sympothetic to your cause.
It basically takes the same level of education to manage a Starbucks as it does to teach and they both pay starting about the same. To be a manager at Lowes they want you to have BA and experience and it pays around 27k. I think teachers often lack any outside work experience and dont understand the rate of pay that many people in other fields are getting for a similiar education level. Look at a starting salary for a teacher and then compare it to starting salaries across the board for people with a bach in anything and you will see that your not as bad off as you think.
Many if not most professions have a “whoa is me, I am underpaid, overworked and underappreciated” tenor. Human nature. Teachers are no different.
“journyman tradesperson.”
ahhh a union worker… good for you. You actually are becoming competent at what you do then. This is a big difference from the corporate Peter Principle world. The corporate ladder is established in such a way that the supervisors do not know what the workers do or how to do it… which is why Cat began training the supers on the line jobs to get ready for a work stoppage.
Education is similar, with administrators having a completely different focus and agenda than the education of children. Nothing funnier than watching a long time principal or asst principal step into a classroom and fill in for a real teacher.
“Many if not most professions have a “whoa is me, I am underpaid, overworked and underappreciated” tenor. Human nature. Teachers are no different.”
It is these kind of ideas, totally lacking in any thought, that flip me out.
You must live a “beautiful mind”.
Charlie’s hormones raging again.
District observor and outsider, you have me all wrong. I never, never complained about my salary. In fact, I was too busy teaching to go up on the salary schedule as fast as I could have–I saved the taxpayers many years of that higher pay that I could have received. I did get the urge and the time just a few years before I retired but could have made much more along the way (for over 30 years) and in retirement if I had taken more classes, etc.
In fact, during my career I almost never complained about students. I welcomed the opportunity to talk to their parents (many of whom were former students). I loved my job and loved my students. Toward the end of my career, I did complain about the lack of support teachers received from administrators. Personally, however, I was not treated unfairly. My tenure sort of gave me the protection that many of you wouldn’t have wanted me to have. However, I did notice that new, untenured teachers were not treated as well, so I decided that it was up to me to speak up on behalf of them and to point out the general environment created by administrators who had so few expectations for students (especially, in the realm of discipline–but academic standards, also). If asked to choose my battle ground now for teachers, I would choose the intangibles rather than the money as the important cause for which to fight. I still believe tenure is very, very important for many reasons unrelated to money.
The truth is that right now (because of the last 15 years of improvement) teachers have been making more. Most of you, however, seem to believe teachers should go back to earning what they did before the 90s. You all do realize, don’t you that teachers have taken a hard freeze for the last several years? Now teachers are just asking to hold on to the gains that had been made to put them on an equal footing with other professions (and you can argue that all you want but to no avail until you tell me how much our counterparts are making in the “real” world).
Outsider Now, please don’t tell me that the manager of a Starbucks or Lowes have responsibilities equal to those of a teacher. Just because Starbucks and Lowes can get away with demanding that their managers have a college education, doesn’t mean that the jobs warrant a college education. The problem, of course, is that there are too many college grads without jobs, so these ridiculous requirements can be demanded.
Charlie, I agree; I would love to see some 150 principals and assistants back in the classroom (and wish them the same lack of support they have given their teachers). If Dr. Lathan does has she has stated, some of them just might have to once again prove themselves in the classroom. If teachers indeed loved teaching and students, they would still be teaching–not striving for administrative positions.
Thanks Sharon. Well said.
Thanks, 150 Observor, but not so well stated since I should have said that for the former administrators who may be placed back in classrooms, I wish them more support than they provided and the insight to realize what it would be like without the support.
No Sharon Im just stating the fact that those positions require the same level of education and have a similiar pay level for entry level. Im confused why you think that a teacher should be paid more then someone else who has the same level of education and in theory similiar college experience? Do you have any experience in the service or retail industry? Would you know the demands that those jobs have compared to teaching? Thats why it dosnt take much to be a teacher or a sub in the state of Illinois because they know that they can pull any college grad and they can probablly do the job. I mean the public system more often then not gets its pants kicked by private schools and they do not require what public schools do as far as certification?
Lets be honest we spend more then most nations in the world on education and we come in close to the bottom of developed nations as far as return. With that said what difference would we see in returns if we just contracted subs to work teaching jobs. I would be interested if we could really get any worse or if good students from families that stress education would still do well and most of the rest would continue to just get by? To date we require people go to college for education degrees and make them get certificates and then they can get a masters and do admin blah blah blah but what has that got us? A bottom barrel education system they we pay out the crapper for. I wouldnt be cutting in line to take responsibility for that.
How many people could post on here that they havent taken a pay freeze over the last couple years? You do realize what the economy is right now correct? Not many private sector jobs are handing out raises right now and many people are struggling to keep the jobs they have. Im not saying teachers should have their pay cut to the level it was at 15 years ago but I would appreciate it if teachers at least admitted that their pay is not what it used to be and is in fact in some cases is better then what others are making with the same level of education.
Oh the “real world thing” I have a friend who teachs at ND and he told me that he is paid less and his benifit package is worse then what starting teachers make at 150. He has been there a couple years and is currently completing his masters. He said he teachs at ND for less pay because the trade off is he dosnt want to work with the problems that come with 150. My yearly gross comes out to about 40k a year with benifits, but I have a college degree and have more then 5 years in a specialized trade. There you go Sharon.
Outsider Now, Yes, many teachers accept the trade off of less pay for fewer problems. What you may not have mentioned–does the ND teacher have a working spouse whose salary contributes to the household expenses, etc?
Yes, I did work in retail once–at Bergner’s but not in a managerial position (to supplement my teaching salary during my first couple of years of teaching). I now realize that you have a low opinion of teachers. Until you step into a classroom and take on that responsibility, your opinion is very, very uniformed–just as you say mine is of those who have not worked in the “real” world. Personally, I would love to see how you would fare in a classroom. Most of all, I would like you to have that experience and then tell me if you believe that teachers are the root of the problems resulting in the U.S.’s position below standards in developing nations. Also, are you comparing the U.S. with countries that do not try to education their entire population?
I believe you would find that teachers with 5 years experience don’t make any more than you do–so what is your point? Will you be happy making 40k at the end of a 43-year career? Also, my degree and career were in a “specialized” area, also. Your comments about education being just as good if contracted subs would take over is quite absurd. For instance, to teach English, one should have a mastery of the English language, etc. That may be a less “tangible” skill than those required by our trade (which you failed to mention), but it is a skill, nevertheless. And teachers are just trying to hang on to the gains of 15 years ago–but they are slipping away.
“The hand that rocks the cradle rules the nation.” This applies to the classroom too. Teachers have a difficult job and probably don’t get the thanks they deserve.
How much teachers deserve to get paid is a difficult subject. Sometimes its there fault students underperform and sometimes it due to things beyond their control. I think the key to ed success is not $ but dedicated parents, teachers and adminstrators with a heart for the kids.
Where I disagree with teachers is that every teacher deserves to get the same pay. If tests show that a teachers students get awesome test scores year after while other educators students score lower why should not this teacher get payed for the higher test scores. Another disparity is an art teacher gets paid the same as a math teacher say. Nothing against art teachers but a lot of students will need be able to math than draw a picture.
I also think its a crime that taxpayers have to support a retired educator. It should be that persons responsibility to save for retirement while they are working and if there are shortfunds in their pension payments not to expect the taxpayers to make up the shortfall. What makes those in the education field so special to have taxpayers support them for being retired? Its even a bigger crime that the retired educator does not have to pay single penny of state income tax on their pension. Sorry sharon but I think teacher unions are going to have to give more rope in reforming pay structure and retirement funding. We the public are going to have to ensure that teachers have the proper homes and material to do their job.
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. This applies to classrooms, too.
I don’t know how, but then again, I didn’t get how your quote applied either.
One, Where do you get off saying that taxpayer’s shouldn’t have to pay for teacher’s pensions? I didn’t know they were…. I pay close to $500 a MONTH into my PENSION. Blago stole money out of the downstate teacher’s pensions to PAY bills for the state of Illinois, I think you are missing the point. The state OWES us our money BACK.
BTW, at the end of the school day, I stand in a designated hall to help during dismissal. I have been told to stop anyone without a visitor’s pass….PERIOD. I have been told by parents who don’t want to follow the rules to shut the Fxxk Up, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard you, I don’t care, then continue walking…..ALL IN FRONT of their children. Why would their children follow rules when their parents think they don’t have to? If you were treated by the public the way MANY D150 teachers are treated on a DAILY basis, you would agree that we are extremely UNDER PAID. Remember, until you have walked a mile in MY moccasins…..
One, it is quite possible that teachers’ unions will have to give more rope (maybe even enough to hang themselves). 🙂 I do wish, however, that someone could dispel the myth that teachers have not paid into their own retirement. I certainly wish I could put my hands on the dollar amount that I contributed to my own retirement fund. The state did just outright steal (year after year) from the fund and didn’t bother to pay it back. I guess most of you believe we just should willingly hand over our pension payments to the state. Yes, there is every possibility that new teachers (and some already in teaching) will have to find a new way to fund their retirement.
Also, I believe the precedent of private sector company’s paying into the pension funds of their employees (Caterpillar, for example) long before the practice was followed for teachers. It became the accepted way of funding pensions. Maybe it wasn’t a wise move, but hindsight…… Teachers have now become the whipping boys. Remember all who buy a company’s products, also, help pay for the pension plans of its employees. As a taxpayer myself, I have helped pay for the pension plans of many public employees. I guess I have a right to complain about that, also. My taxes, also, help pay for the salary of public employees, other than teachers. However, I believe I benefit from the services offered by many of those public employees, so I guess I won’t complain when taxes go up.
Once again, you are “spot on”. So sad, yet typical, when cyberbullies complain about being bullied.
It is certainly true that teachers contribute to their own pension and that they are not eligible (nor do they contribute from their teacher salary) to the Social Security system. As a comparison, teachers are generally required to contribute 8% of their pay to the TRS whereas most non-public employees contribute 6.2% of their salary to Social Security. The employers of those same non-public employees also contribute 6.2%. Similarly, the “employers” (taxpayers) of public employees, such as teachers, pay a certain amount towards pension benefits. The major difference between the TRS and Social Security is the total cost of the benefits paid, as well as the allocation between employee/employer of those costs.
Attached is an article from the Chicago Tribune describing these differences. Social Security has a current cost of 12.4% – the same as the amount currently contributed (6.2% from employees and 6.2% from employers – a 50/50 share). The TRS, on the other hand, has a current cost of 27% of pay – meaning that the employee’s 8% contribution is supplemented by a 19% contribution by the employer/taxpayer.
So, as much as some people like Sharon complain about their pension benefits – as a whole, teachers are getting nearly 3.5X as much benefit as they contributed.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-13/news/ct-oped-0813-pensions-20100813_1_unfunded-pension-public-pension-systems-type-plan
Jon, do you happen to know (because I don’t rememeber) the history of when District 150 took on a larger share of pension payments? I think through much of my career the percentage I paid is higher than what I paid toward the end of my career.
what percentage of their salary do Caterpillar employees pay in their pension fund and what is the percentage of their return on those payments? I know that my uncle at 90+ is still enjoying a very generous pension. I realize things are changing; they will undoubtedly change for teachers, too. Of course, social security wasn’t meant to be a retirement plan. By the way, for much of my career, I did pay into social security but my social security payments are considerably reduced because I can’t double dip in my retirement–and that’s OK with me. I am just glad to be eligible for Medicare. Don’t most retirees (if they live long enough) get more out of retirement than the amount they actually paid in?
Jon, when did I ever complain about my pension benefits? I am very happy with my retirement benefits.
Pensions are defined benefit plans (in which the company assumes the risk to provide a promised benefit) as opposed to a defined contribution plan (in which no specific benefit, such as XX% of salary until death, is promised). Most companies are either eliminating or scaling back on defined benefit pension plans, in favor of defined contribution plans like a 401k.
“Jon, when did I ever complain about my pension benefits?”
Uh, a few hours ago on your previous post…
“I certainly wish I could put my hands on the dollar amount that I contributed to my own retirement fund. The state did just outright steal (year after year) from the fund and didn’t bother to pay it back.”
Do you mean that wasn’t a complaint???
Jon, please when did I ever complain about my pension. I have never complained about my own pension benefits. What did I say to give you the wrong impression–because I really have nothing to complain about. I complained only about your not giving us credit for the money we contributed to our pension funds (in the years before 150 picked up a greater perentage–that isn’t the same as complaining about my pension).
The state didn’t steal from me–but from the retirement fund. The state borrowed the money and now can’t return it–but that hasn’t and probably won’t affect me personally–but it will probably affect current teachers. Yes, most companies and, undoubtedly, public bodies are changing their pension benefits (or eliminating them), so let’s talk about the future and quit blaming all those who received these rather widespread benefits in good faith. I just hope that current employees will be given the chance to plan ahead given the new necessities.
Sharon – I answered your question already. When you said “I certainly wish I could put my hands on the dollar amount that I contributed to my own retirement fund” what was your point in saying that?
Pensions are deferred wages. Period. End of story.
Or… they are a conspiracy of creeping socialism in that a person is paid to give up his/her job so that a younger less expensive employee can replace him/her.
“The state OWES us our money BACK.”
And the public deserves the money they paid you to teach their children back.
We could play the “owes me” game all day.
Jon, my point was (but not well stated) that I could better discuss the facts if I knew what they were. I have never been a numbers person, so I honestly didn’t pay attention to how much was coming out of my check for pension or insurance–I just looked at the bottom line and cashed my check. My attitude was, more or less, that I don’t have any control over the deductions, so why worry about them. And, believe it or not, not then or now have I ever complained about my paycheck. I have always wished that I had handled my money better (because I am not a numbers person), but that’s my only regret.
However, I am concerned about whether or not my friends in the teaching field will fare as well as I have. I do believe rough roads are ahead for all workers (private and public sector). I don’t know there is much any of us can do about it. I think someday the unions will have their day again but right now the tide is turning. I once was a strong critic of unions (and teachers’ union)–I think I erred. I guess I’m trying to make up for that now–and taking plenty of flack for it. 🙂
Charlie, I am not sure we are talking about the same thing. The state of Illinois has regularly borrowed from the pension funds–and the money wasn’t theirs, so the expectation was that it should be returned. The state has since gotten into so much trouble that it can’t pay the money back. In what sense would the teachers’ pension fund be considered money for the state of Illinois to do with it as it pleased?
Oh, some else–not I–made the statement that the state owes us our money back. I wouldn’t say “us” because I haven’t lost any money because of the borrowing–not yet any way, and I don’t really expect to lose any.
Sharon said:
“I could better discuss the facts if I knew what they were.”
Hmmm…yea…knowing the facts would probably help 🙂 …. Now, gee…how might one go about knowing the facts?… I think “knowing” is the key word. As in “learning” something…in order to “know” the facts. Now, how could one go about “learning” something? Who is it that probably “knows” something about “learning”?… I got it! Someone who is, or was, a teacher probably understands about learning.
Hey, Sharon, you were a teacher for 43 years, right? What do you think someone could do to better “know” the facts?…..Just post a bunch of comments about what they think the facts are? Like this one:
“The state of Illinois has regularly borrowed from the pension funds”
Sorry, Sharon, but the state hasn’t regularly borrowed FROM the pension funds, though it did recently borrow FOR the funds – by issuing bonds in order to make a contribution to the pension fund. There is certainly an issue that the state has failed to make its contributions to the fund (and thus also deprive it of potential investment gain), but that is different from borrowing from the fund and not paying it back – or “stealing” as you previously claimed.
Here is something you may choose to read to better inform yourself on the matter.
http://trs.illinois.gov/subsections/press/TRSIssuesUpdate.htm
Jon, just a question, do you use scarcasm in your verbal one-on-one communications or just in writing? Smiley faces don’t negate the scarcasm. 🙂 Can you get your point across without the scarcasm? Just asking.
Yes, I understand that the state of Illionis does help fund pensions (and I understand that many people want that to stop). However, the truth is that the promise was made, so you shouldn’t blame those of us who counted on the promise. I believe the problem is that the state has often failed to fulfill its promise (using the pension money for other uses, undoubtedly some needed services–that’s a more debatable question) to fund the pension funds and, therefore, has to borrow money to make up for payments not made. Doesn’t the Illinois constitution obligate the state to help fund pensions?
Also, the state contributes but doesn’t account for all the money placed in pension funds–teachers and school districts, also, contribute.
Our differences of opinion (or fact, however, you wish to look at it) revolve around the argument as to whether or not money promised and not given is the same as stealing. For instance, if a parent has promised (or been ordered) to provide x number of dollars for child support and doesn’t pay for several months and then has to borrow to pay the support, was he/she stealing from the child and/or is the child to blame for the parent’s having to borrow and to pay interest on the borrowed money?
Yes, I understand that you believe that the promise should never have been made (or that not so much should have been asked of the state), but the promise was made. As in the case of the parent, should the child then be left to starve and not to have a roof over his/her head because the parent has other places to put his/her money?
Does this problem have to be resolved? Yes, I’m sure it does, but blaming retirees doesn’t seem fair to me–but I am a retiree and you aren’t, so the placing of blame seems a logical choice, I guess.
Also, you took my words out of context–what I didn’t know was how much I contributed to my own pension fund over the years–you didn’t even take my words out of context; you put words in my mouth–that’s not fair, Jon.
Yes, I use sarcasm in verbal one-on-one communications. Yes, I can make my point without sarcasm (not always, of course, much depends on the recipient) – though sometimes I find sarcasm to be a bit more fun (and recognize that it is often at someone’s expense).
You keep saying things like “you shouldn’t blame those of us who counted on the promise” or “blaming retirees doesn’t seem fair to me–but I am a retiree and you aren’t, so the placing of blame seems a logical choice, I guess.”
Please quote for me anywhere that I “blamed retirees” for wanting something that they were promised – other than blaming you (and without specifically saying so, blaming “D150Teacher”) for making statements about the pension system that are simply false.
I never intended to take your words out of context. I sincerely thought that you were admitting that you didn’t know the facts about the pension situation all that well (other than it’s in bad shape) – and as further evidenced by your comments. You might want to look at a dictionary for the definition of “stealing”. As a former English teacher, that you would truly think that not fulfilling a promise is the same as stealing (on the same level – both are generally “bad”) is quite disappointing.
I point these things out to show that, irrespective of your valid concerns and admirable initiative, you all too often don’t know what you are talking about. Most times I even point you to sources so that you can educate yourself on the topic.
Was that clear? Or should I have stuck with the sarcasm?
Wow, some great dialogue on C.J.s site. I’m stilll on extended vacation. Didn’t take my oomputer to Cancun. Also I sm not reading newspapers on the computer so I will have a lot of Journal Star papers, plus, to read when I decide I’ve had enough of this beautiful weather in the southland.
Out of 46 days, only two days of rain. Not warm enough weather in Florida for beach lovers but great for golf and tennis. Played tennis yesterday in Cancun (my daughter has 6 great Royal Carribean time share units) and today in Sarasota.
As we left Cancun, it was pouring just as new vacationers were moving in. We were lucky.
After all those years of community service, I earned this vacation, the longest I ever have taken.
Urich job description? He will have far more authority than any recent city mangager. While attacking the deficit, he will be turning to community leaders to lead a concerted drive for Uni-Gov for Peoria County, one piece at a time.
His additional income will be based on incentives as approved by the Council. Ardis will surrendur some of his authority to Urich or I believe Urich will not stay in Peoria beyond a certain school age of his children and the health of his dad.
My guesses have been on target so far.
Keep the news flowing on the blogs, I do read as many as I can. I note my IMAX stock is doing well. Just thought I’d throw that in for Doug and Dave. But not as well at Caterpillar whose stock has quintripled in 3 years.
The balance of the funding for the PRM and it’s Endowment (my estimate by the time the museum opens; and Endowment of no less than $18 million) should be no problem now. The wealthy elite should fulfill their promises.
“After all those years of community service, I earned this vacation, the longest I ever have taken.”
Merle, how many times has your doctor had to re-set your arm? I’ve lost track of how many times you must have broken it patting yourself on the back.
Nothing better than humility from a community servant.
No Sharon he is a single guy and also he recently bought a house in the neighborhood near ND. He does also drives bus and coachs but otherwise thats it.
See what your missing here Sharon is that I have the credentials to do your job as does anyone with a bach in anything basically. Some of us choose not to do it because we dont want to but technically your job has minimal requirements. If you can get a certificate you can teach according to the state of Illinois. Right once again I get paid 40k and am ok with it teachers are threatening to strike because they arent getting their raise that year. Remember that little strike threat two years ago or whenever it was? I think Jon’s post about disparities in paid in to take out sum up the rest of what I would post on pay and retirement.
I didnt list what my specific trade is because one it dosnt matter, just like I dont care what subject you taught or what grade level, and two I dont want it to come back to bite me, but I work in high end residential construction.
Sharon how is a contracted sub with an english degree any worse then a teacher with an english degree? In fact I would rather have someone teaching me english who actually has applied that skill in the real world then someone who graduates from college with an education degree and a minor in english and starts work two months later. I would rather have an author teaching me to write then a guy with 32 credit hours in creative writting.
The countries that the poll put us up against are basically every developed nation in the world so yeah I guess it could be slightly skewed but Im pretty sure that at least most European countries educate a majority of their population. Quite absurd? Yeah because our system is showing such AWSOME results as it is now! Maybe having people teach something they know how to do, and not just in a classroom setting, would actually be an improvement?
The problem with the education system is we think that if we just keep dumping money into the pit we can finally fill it up. Not going to happen. Education has more to do with socio economic station and family unit as it does a teacher. I dropped out of school took my GED and finished college at 20. The reason I left is because even at 16 I could see that middle and high school were more of a social experience then an educational one. Fill in the blanks to get a piece of paper. Class will be dumbed down so that we can get our 98% graduation rating or whatever shows improvement from last year. Its a JOKE. It doesnt take much to hold a 3.9 GPA on a 20 point grade curve. So yeah my view of secondary ed teachers is basically the same as a paid full time babysitter.
Outsider Now, I’m sorry that your school experience was so unsatisfactory. I know that the system does not meet the needs of all students. I even agree that to many students high school is more of a social than an educational experience. Frankly, my own high school experience didn’t meet my future needs. I thought I wanted to be a secretary without a college education, and no one questioned my decision (mainly, my parents). However, after working in the real world for two years, I realized that clerical and secretarial work was, for me, boring and unsatisfying. Therefore, I decided to go to college to major in journalism but then added English and education. Please, also, consider that receiving an education requires a teacher and someone who responds to the teaching. I did find that some students–for all kinds of reasons beyond my control but which I did understand–just weren’t ready to learn. However, some of those same students, like yourself, did recognize the need after working for a while and did do something about continuing their education. Thanks for your willingness to share more about yourself–helps me to understand.
I wholeheartedly agree with you about the push only to raise the graduation rate, but I can assure you that that is not a teacher initiative–that’s all about being an administrator. I certainly have done more than my share of complaining about this recent, NCLB motivation to raise the graduation rate at the expense of students who then have no reason to work for an education. I recently presented to the board FOIA’d information about Manual grads that completely proves your point about inflated grades.
Yes, teachers have often been forced to be more baby sitter than teacher because the administration refuses to deal with the discipline problems that prevent teachers from teaching. That may seem like a copout to you, but it is reality.
Does anyone know about low income senior housing being built at the corner of War Memorial and Knoxville? Heard about it tonight from someone in the neighborhood association. They are not happy. More traffic at that corner is the last thing we need. People in the Knolls and on Bigelow pay some of the highest taxes in the city and now someone wants to put low income housing there. Can we push people out of Peoria any faster? Can anyone fill in the holes regarding this story?
In the Know: low income housing in the Knolls? Heavens! I know, ok in my neighborhood, not in yours as your money is greener than mine.
In the Know: Which corner of War and Knoxville?
Join the club In The Know. Why cant we just concentrate all those low income people where they belong, in the ghetto and away from us rich white folks. I thought we paid to not have to see those people?
They can’t go in the 5th district. The council voted some time ago to get rid of the inclusionary housing requirement for developers out there.
“The council voted some time ago to get rid of the inclusive housing requirement for developers out there.”
This needs to be revisited. Candidates?
This could be the best thing the City could do for District 150.
Food for thought
link: http://forthegoodofillinois.org/blog/2011/02/perquisites-stunning-government-greed-in-palatine/
Palantine has about 67000 in population in Cook County
Karrie, it is my understanding that it is to be built on the corner where the church now stands.
Outsider, you can be facetious all you like but the truth is, moving low income into a neighborhood affects selling price and property value. With Peoria begging for people to move back into the city, why give them a reason not to?
Paul W. says, “They can’t go in the 5th district. The council voted some time ago to get rid of the inclusionary housing requirement for developers out there.”
I don’t believe this is an accurate statement. Can you provide some supporting evidence of this? Perhaps you meant that the council voted against providing incentives to developers for inclusionary housing? I can’t find any action by the council that bans inclusionary housing from the fifth district.
there is a requirement to have a certain amount of low income housing when developing housing units such as appartment complexes. The council voted to eliminate that criteria as a home rule community some time ago. I can’t give you the exact time yet. I’ll have to find some time to do an email search because it was frustrating to me. I’ll get back to you in a few days. I remember the vote, just not the date of the council meeting.
“Outsider, you can be facetious all you like but the truth is, moving low income into a neighborhood affects selling price and property value. With Peoria begging for people to move back into the city, why give them a reason not to?”
Ok so its bad to put low income housing there but its ok to put it a block off main street where some of us other residents might live? No HUD housing past forest hill but the rest of the neighborhoods its fine for? Arnt we trying to get people to move into the city in general, as in anywhere, not particularly THAT area of the city? Should we just give up everywhere else so that the right people dont have to drive by or see the wrong ones?