Education reformer Paul Vallas, who last visited Peoria in late 2007, is returning this Saturday morning to meet with Peoria City Council members at Mayor Ardis’s request. The Council has scheduled a full-day retreat this Saturday at the Peoria Civic Center’s Lexus Room starting at 9 a.m. The agenda for the meeting includes several guest speakers including Vallas, a representative from Mesirow Financial, and Heart of Illinois United Way Vice President of Community Investment Don Johnson.
Ardis says he didn’t ask Vallas to speak on any specific topic, but about reforming schools in general. “His experience in successfully reforming urban school districts should make his comments informative and relevant,” Ardis said Tuesday.
The last time Vallas was in town (also at Ardis’s request), the Journal Star reported (12/22/2007):
Vallas said if District 150 were to engage in reform efforts, he would spend his spring break in Peoria working with the district. He would recruit one or more persons to work on the project locally, and he would come back to Peoria periodically to monitor the progress.
He said Ardis has agreed to pay for his gas expenses driving to and from Peoria, along with occasional overnight hotel stays during his road trips.
But despite the City’s efforts to help improve the City’s schools, District 150 said, “no thanks.” Since then, the District has shortened the school day for several Wednesdays at a number of primary schools for no justifiable reason, fired their Comptroller/Treasurer for undisclosed reasons, decided to close four schools (including a high school yet to be named), and issue bonds for $38 million to dig out of a budget deficit. No need for outside advice from a proven reformer here, huh?
The following has nothing to do with Vallas, but is education related.
Newsweek just released a list of the top 1500 public high schools in America:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160
Of those 1500, 47 are in Illinois, and the ONLY school outside the Chicago metro area is University High School in Normal, at number 1129. The highest ranking IL school is Northside College Prep in Chicago, at number 57.
In the 5 years this list has been released:
2009 – 47 IL schools – downstate, UH Normal at 1129
2008 – 46 IL schools – downstate, UH Normal at 1153
2007 – 35 IL schools – downstate, none
2006 – 32 IL schools – downstate, none
2005 – 30 IL schools – downstate, none
Northside College Prep, a CPS selective enrollment high school in the heart of the city of Chicago, was developed under Vallas.
Let’s not forget ALL the current lawsuits District 150 is embroiled in…
Someone needs to tell the administration that the money tree out back is dead.
Illinois Math & Science Academy in Aurora was one of the 18 schools omitted from the list:
“(They) were excluded from the list of top high schools because, despite their exceptional quality, their sky-high SAT and ACT scores indicate they have few or no average students.”
Also, I’m not entirely certain how U-High can be considered public, as all the entrants have to apply. Younger siblings get preferential admission only if the older sibling is still enrolled. There is a quota system which spells out the total number of admissions (600) as well as the numbers which will come from Normal Dist. 5., Bloomington Dist. 87 and the rest of the state of IL.
Martha:
I thought only those from Tazewell and Woodford County were eligible to attend U High?
Big fat hairy deal.
What does the city council hope to accomplish?
It’s no secret what District 150 needs to do: Hire fewer administrators and consultants, improve security and discipline so middle and upper-class parents can send their kids to local schools.
The district is poorly lead at the top and the middle.
We’ve been discussing on blogs for YEARS what can be done, structurally. None of our leaders — at the school district OR the city — have the slightest interest in making any changes.
We need to change how board members are elected. Failing that, we need the city to take control of the school system. OR we need to consolidate District 150 with Dunlap.
But the city invites Vallas to Peoria to talk. Again, FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
Feh.
I smell a helpless goat tied to a tree… I must investigate further…. AAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Billy Dennis: “It’s no secret what District 150 needs to do: Hire fewer administrators and consultants, improve security and discipline so middle and upper-class parents can send their kids to local schools.”
Apparently it is a deep dark secret. Improve security and discipline… is that why the rich folk are running to other schools? I thought it was because of all the colored people. I thought it was that those big bad darkies scared the little white kids and their parents.
Sorry.. I am getting a little carried away… the problem is neither discipline or security. The problem is: school is BORING!!!!!!!!! It is neither relevant nor interesting and certainly not fun.
Nothing else matters. In fact all of the other problems would disappear if they just made schools interesting and relevant to the kids.
Kcdad: You continue to be wrong about the problems in District 150.
According to their own website, their combined attendance (Metcalf School and U-High) is set by state law at 1000: 400 for Metcalf and 600 for U-High. Of that, 642 come from Normal #5, 246 from Bloomington #87, and the remaining 112 from across the state of Illinois.
Not actually having been involved in the application process directly (but rather hearing about it from friends and acquaintances), I don’t know how this translates to reality (whether or not other IL counties get preferential treatment).
But at a bare minimum, the U-High website is an interesting read:
http://www.uhigh.ilstu.edu/aboutus.htm
Billy, I keep holding out hope that our elected leaders will take charge and turn this district upside down, cause that is what it needs. Call me an eternal optimist….
Until we see that, I agree with you.
Sharon… maybe I am wrong. Can you tell me why children act up and misbehave in school? Is it because even though they are engaged and interested in what is going on, they are incapable of controlling their behavior? Is it because they would rather act up and get in trouble then participate in something they are thoroughly interested and engaged in learning?
But if I am right, and the reason children (or adults) misbehave is because they are bored, disenfranchised and/or disrespected, then fixing schools (and society) is a rather simple problem.
U high may be “diverse”, but it looks pretty white to me. Of the four pictures and video… without stopping the video I counted 60 people represented, one of which was dark skinned.
kcdad: so what does that tell you about who is interested in being educated?
Wacko: I don’t think I like your assumptions! Kcdad, you come closer to the truth than Wacko. I think all the factors you mention–as to why children act up in school–have merit; they are things which always should be considered. However, I don’t think they are the only reasons–or most important. The truly bored are those who are placed in classes with students who are educationally behind–and are being taught material they already know. In 150 the biggest problem is that children are being asked to master material for which they do not have the foundation skills. In their frustration, they act out and quit working so that no one will know that they “can’t” do what is asked of them. I am not at all sure how to fix this problem–but I don’t think 150 is facing up to the real problems. These students are regularly given passing grades so that they and their parents also do not have to face up to the problem. For instance, at present about 80 out of 120 juniors at Manual read below the 8th grade level (some very much below), yet most are still passing their classes.
AHAHA!!!! You are hilarious, wacko! Don’t those burning crosses just mess up your yard!!!!
I agree with everything Billy says except “we need the city to take control of the school system.”
Do you mean PEORIA CITY?!?! Talk about the blind leading the blind! Peoria City govt. and the group who [control] Dist 150 are, for the most part, one and the same.
Really though…do we want the same people who put Peoria City [how many millions in the hole] running the school district? Do we want the same group of ‘miracle workers’ responsible for ridiculous, million dollar money-pit projects like………………. can’t think of one now, but give me time; trying to fix our schools?
KCDAD is correct. NOTHING will make a child learn unless there is something about ‘learning’ that piques the interest of that child. There is an ‘art’ to teaching. Some teaches are simply ‘better’ than others. The ‘better’ teachers are the ones who make learning fun AND interesting at the same time. This is no secret.
There is NO cure-all. There will ALWAYS be children who lean towards trouble. I am not saying we should do away with discipline tactics, but all things in good measure.
King Hinton would be put to shame if a prince was allowed to come in and show him how to run a school district.
Sharon, where did you get you figures from.
kcdad: I concur. U-High’s website doesn’t give the impression of diversity at all. Couple that with their application requirements and quotas, and you wonder how the school can be called “public.”
I suppose their standard of “public” refers to “from where the money comes” not “open to the.”
The School board should hire Vallas to come in and study the administration and district from top to bottom and listen to his recommendations.
The school board needs to take control and stop ceding their authority to Hinton. I have only lived in Peoria for almost 3 years, but I can see the board does nothing because the superintendent has total control. He works for them, not the other way around.
If the school board won’t do their jobs, then they ALL need to be removed in the next election.
In other districts it is made very clear the superintendent works for them, but it is not that way in Peoria, at least with Hinton. When I see what my tax bill is for dist. 150 it makes me madder than heck knowing district 150 is a sinking ship due to the current leadership. And Hinton does not live within the city. Why did he leave? Didn’t want to pay the taxes?
Serenity, the tax bill that you are looking at today does not include 2 NEW tax increases for District 150 this year that will be reflected in next years tax bill, despite the fact they already spend well above the state average per student. Administrators, consultants, friends of the superintendent are all well taken care of – while they increase class size and condense and warehouse the student body. Of course they don’t want Vallas’ input- he’s bound to give them all a good a$$-kicking.
Lessons and curriculum need to be meaningful to students. Teachers and administrators need a deeper understanding of the background and culure of their students. What has been done in Dist. 150 about that? Don’t forget board member Spangler was not even aware of the gang problems within the schools. Dear Lord.
General: I figured somebody would ask–I didn’t make them up. They probably include special ed students–I don’t know how many students are “labeled” as special ed. I’ll get back to you later–after I see if I can acquire the informatiion through a FOIA. Of course, you could FOIA it, too. My only interest is that the district face up to its real problems–you can’t solve problems you don’t admit to having.
Martha – thank you for setting me straight about U High. It appears U High offers a “diversity” of educational opportunities not otherwise provided in some of the smaller surrounding communities.
Billy says the District needs to ” improve security and discipline so middle and upper-class parents can send their kids to local schools.” I am afraid that is setting the bar a bit too low.
Parents who are looking for the “right” school for their children consider issues like security and discipline a given. Parents are instead looking for more specialized academics, AP classes, foreign language offerings, and a large array of sports and other extra-curricular activities.
I may be a heathen, but I’m diggin’ Catholic school right about now…
Frustrated – What?? You mean they aren’t looking for *large administrative staff*? Huh.
I assume you have all read the morning paper. My thanks goes to Rachael Parker who asked Hinton “who had been involved in making the recommendation (for high school closure) and wondered why staff members in the high schools were not made part of the process.”
Also, did you all notice that the closure of the schools will probably open up a new administrative position as Hinton stated that “he will be asking for the board’s approval to assign a person to the job of seeing the consolidation process through”? PJS added “whether that would be a paid position wasn’t clear. My opinion: Of course, it will be a paid position.
Also, Wolfmeyer suggested that Manual with an enrollment of only 500 perhaps should be, at least, mentioned as a possible closing.
Regarding Vallas: I thought that Vallas offered “free” help to District 150 when he last visited in 2007. I didn’t read the fine print. Apparently, his advice came free but to get it $600,000 would have to be paid to “his” consultants. Therefore, I don’t feel 150 should be criticized for not accepting the offer. Selling ideas (proposed miracle cures) has become a big business in the field of education.
“$600,000 would have to be paid to ‘his’ consultants.”
That is SOP, apparently, in the education business.
Better to pay Vallas “consultant” pay rather than the retired folks who are friends of Hinton. Vallas’s resume is much better.
Have you seen the following agenda for a BOE meeting at 10 a.m. this Saturday: MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. PERSONNEL – Appointment, discipline, performance, dismissal of employees
What might that be about?
PS: That’s a rhetorical question–or informational question; I’m sure C.J. doesn’t want us to do any libelous speculating.
As far as hiring someone to oversee the consolidation, it sounds to me Hinton has a friend he want to hire.
Executive session… I love that euphemism.
Sharon:
http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x1874122335/District-150-nears-treasurer-pick
It was in the paper a few days ago.
kcdad, i have nothing…
Ahh shucks, and here I was hoping they’d resolve the Davis matter.
Erik: Thanks! I read it; I have a short memory. Same here, Jon. One way or the other someone should speak soon.
They (District 150) has no intention of solving the Davis matter. They are going to wait for the courts to do it for them… Tick tock goes the lawyer’s payroll clock……
Jon – I understand your thinking about Catholic Schools in Peoria, however, I do not believe they offer a “better” education, just a “better” popluation of students.
If you compare the educational offering of Richwoods to ND, Richwoods hands down offers a greater variety of courses and a more competitive curriculum. Far more honors courses, AP, advanced Math and Science, etc. And it’s FREE, sort of!
Frustrated; with all do respect I disagree. ND’s curriculum is very competitive. Public schools may offer more courses, but hands down ND is tougher. I know kids who went to Catholic schools their whole life then transferred to Richwoods their junior or senior year and they were amazed how much less demanding it was. Plus the learning environment is much better at the Catholic schools.
Erik… I understand personnel issues are dealt with confidentially… why does District 150 have a Human Resources department?
If they don’t hire, discipline or fire employees, what do they do?
Nope – Sorry Serenity. Not buying it. Maybe one of the teachers that always blogs in here can set the record straight. How many AP level classes does ND offer? Maybe Steve the Principal can provide us with the count at Richwoods.
I did not mean at all to convey that ND offers an inferior level of education. I just do not believe it is superior to Richwoods in its offerings.
OK, Steve P here’s your chance: Which school provides a better education for its students? ND or RHS? (You might want to use a pseudonym for this response.)
Steve – Run away! It’s a trap!
We’re re-hashing what has been said over and over about #150 student learning problems and discipline, vocational training, financial problems, what to do with the expelled, #150’s top administrators and board members. Check my blog site to see what new taxes are on the horizon from Peoria County.
Steve-As much as I enjoy reading your blog entries I must warn you to be careful. If you upset the wrong person you will find yourself packing your bags. Your 4 year contract can only protect you so much. I admire the fact that you are bold enough to post here but it could bite you in the rear.
A “must read”: Kirk Wessler’s article in the sports section of the Peoria Journal Star. District 150 = Cluster @#^%!
Sharon said “Regarding Vallas: I thought that Vallas offered “free” help to District 150 when he last visited in 2007. I didn’t read the fine print. Apparently, his advice came free but to get it $600,000 would have to be paid to “his” consultants. Therefore, I don’t feel 150 should be criticized for not accepting the offer.
Sharon, I’m quite sure that the Mayor had private companies lined up to pay the $600K in consulting fees. The money was not the issue. The issue was, an ever narcissistic superintendent thought it was all and only about him, got his panties in a bunch over the “challenge” to his authority and once again influenced his always adoring Board of Education to only consider his (Hinton’s) feelings over the needs of the district and Peoria’s children.
CJ, can you please fix my html on above post. End italics and new paragraph should start after “criticized for not accepting the offer”