97 thoughts on “Wolfmeyer: “It’s not my role…to meet with individuals””

1. I just love that she knows that she is not an educator, but thinks the Superintendent is. Hinton WAS an educator, now he is an administrator.

   What the heck does she think she is doing on the school board?

2. Yes, CJ, I found her response very disturbing. Classic case of tail wagging the dog. I have a rebuttal that I’ll post later tonight.

3. HERE’S ANOTHER EXAMPLE of how several of you, especially C.J. Summers, are just causing trouble! You don’t REALLY care about Peoria’s schools or it’s children as much as you’re interesting in destroying the school board. If you truly are concerned about District 150, you wouldn’t be working against the board. May God have mercy on Your, vengeful, souls!

   ” For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it has no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. ” – Hosea 8:7

4. Since when are people who are VOTED into office unable to meet with their constituents? She is not an educator, but yet she has the power and authority to override a teacher by changing a grade. I am aghast!!

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6. Christopher: How, pray tell, are we supposed to work with the board if board members won’t even meet with us?

   Also, you might want to review the Declaration of Independence…

   …Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

   …and the Illinois Constitution:

   SECTION 5. RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION. The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances.

   Why do you have such contempt for those who simply exercise their rights?

7. “Christopher”,

   How ignorant you are. It appears that the folks who are trying to change this decision are trying to get the Board members to DO THEIR DAMN JOBS, which is to represent those that elected them. Your sanctimony is noted; how about, if you believe the shorter school day is a good idea, you make your feelings publicly known. To date, other than random anonymous comments, I have seen no support AT ALL for this idea.

   Judge not, for thou shall be judged.

8. Can you imagine if we wanted to discuss an issue with our elected council-person and that council-person said “you have to address your concerns to the city manager”. We’d laugh their asses right off the city council!

9. woah, troll much there Christopher?

10. Someone needs a American Government class refresher. That whole representative democracy thing can be a little tricky to understand. Don’t the school board members take some sort of oath when they are sworn in? I imagine that it mentions something about following the constitution and respecting constituents.

11. Trust me, if I lived in District 3, she would be hearing from me. She will probably hear from me regardless. I am sure that she will just delete the email before even reading it. I wish those in District 3 would email and/or call her and tell her that they expect her to meet with constituents. They voted her in and have every right to do so. She’s not on the board to represent the administration. Also they should be actively looking for someone to replace her on the board. If she doesn’t have the guts to discuss this issue or any issue face to face, she needs to resign and go work for the administration. That way, at least she’d get paid. This way, she isn’t getting paid and is losing respect(I guess her reputation doesn’t mean much to her).

    NOTHING IN LIFE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT COMMUNICATION. TRUST ME, I know for my oldest son is deaf and blind but not as deaf and blind as Ms. Wolfmeyer! I can communicate with him better than I would ever be able to do so with her.

12. The District’s websites says she represents District 2 (not 3). More at http://www.psd150.org/BoardOfEducation.aspx.

    Same website list’s Ms. Wolfmeyer’s email as debbie.wolfmeyer@psd150.org. Phone number on the website is (309) 681-9567. Tell her what you think. Better yet, ask her what she was thinking.

13. oh lord. Did she accidentally hit ‘send’ on that email draft?

14. Quote from Peoria Pundit’s site:

    “If she isn’t going to listen to parents and voters, then her presence on the school board is of absolutely no use to anyone who voted for her. She needs to resign. But she won’t, of course. So we have to wait until 2011 to vote her off the board. And if THAT isn’t reason enough to change how the board gets elected, nothing is.”

    I don’t know if you have to wait until re-elections. Who lives in her district? Someone needs to call for her resignation. Has anyone sent this to the local media yet? Or how about the local and state governing officials over school boards and school districts?

    Gee, what way do you think her vote will go regarding shorter days? Duh!!

    This woman worked for District 150 for years and knows how hard the teachers work yet she had the gall to change a grade. She needs to go!

15. OH MY GOSH, SHE IS A SELL OUT TOO! I HOPE THE THE MAYOR AND THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT READ THIS JUST TO REFRESH THIER MINDS WHAT TROUBLE WE ARE IN! THEY NEED TO STEP IN AND CLEAN THIS MESS UP! I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION FORGOT WHO THEY REPRESENT OR THEY REALLY DONT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE PEOPLE! THE LATTER IS WHAT I AM SEEING AND BELIEVING!

16. Debbie Wolfmeyer represents District 2 and yes, I am sorry to say, the same district I ran to represent but lost. Unfortunately, I am not surprised by her response to Diane Vespa. When I attended the 2007 regional orientation session for school board candidates my take away was school boards should listen to the public at arms length and rely primarily on the district’s administration for information. Here is a window into this position: http://www.iasb.com/pdf/YourSchoolBoardandYou.pdf

    It sounds ok on paper- especially if the local administration is supplying and gathering good information and feed back- but in the case of shortening the school day the administration failed to gather stake holders together early, before the decision was made, to help solve the problem. In fact, most people are still confused as to what exactly the problem is. Is it a money issue or is it a scheduling need to allow teachers more quality time with one another? Some might consider the administration arrogant because of the way it was handled.

    Now, apparently, the administration is making an effort to meet with parents, but why wasn’t that initiated earlier, before the vote? Does the administration really have the full support of principals and teachers? How many people really believe district 150 can afford academically to shorten the school day for elementary students? What about the impacts to the transportation schedule? Do we know we can implement this plan without disruption and is it cost effective? Do they have adequate volunteers scheduled and programs devised for before-school and after-school hours?

    Meetings could have been held in every school, before the vote, giving concerned parties a chance to participate in the solution. The results would have been more satisfying and the solution would have been owned by everyone. It doesn’t have to be a zero sum game.

    In my opinion District 150 needs to spend some time focused on establishing a policy regarding authentic civic engagement. The Glen Oak School siting debacle started over two years ago and yet still today the only way for parents to be heard is to stand before the school board on Monday nights. When you speak for your allotted 5 minutes you open yourself up to be characterized as someone with an “ax” to grind, ignored or both.

    If you are lucky, you will be hand picked to sit on a committee. What has this approach accomplished in the last 25 years? Do we have a stronger district? The answer is no. The best results will only come when more people are involved early in the decision making process and in meaningful ways- not superficial- placating roles. Research proves it.

    District 150 will continue to get push back until there is a satisfying method in place for all stakeholders (parents, students, teachers, principals, non-certified employees, etc) to participate in a meaningful way.

    I ran for the school board in 2007 because I felt decisions were being made without enough information or without due consideration for the broader perspective. In some cases people didn’t know what they didn’t know. In others “Group Think” was taking place. In many cases, and this is one of them, the issue wasn’t framed properly.

    There will always be more to know, more stones to turn over, more people to talk to. If you think you have all the answers- that is a sure sign you don’t. I realize at some point decisions need to be made, policy must be established and perfection should not become the enemy of good. However, we have a long way to go before we have to worry about being over achievers.

    I hope the board members are reading some of the articles published in the Illinois School Board Association Journals. The March/April 2007 edition has an article written by Ginger Wheeler entitled Watchdogs: School board’s best friends or foes? She writes: …In Washington, the saying goes, if you want a friend — get a dog. For Illinois school board members, the saying could be: You already have a friend, whether you know it or not — The Watchdog.

    They may also want to read the January/February 2008 issue with the article Practical PR: Communication travels best on a two-way street
    by Terry Ryan.

    2011 is a long way away.

17. I agree with the 45 minute prep period and I am glad Ms. Wolfmeyer isn’t going to meet. After you all get these people to resign, who is going to fill their seats? Which one of you? I read the whole 6 page pdf CJ posted on this. Where is the problem that garner’s this kind of hate?

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19. That was a very good statement you made Beth. I have noticed for a while now the administration makes decisions behind your back and before you know what hit you (it is done). This has happened over and over again.

20. I read through all of these posts, but I didn’t see any “hate”. I did see an incredible amount of astonishment at her complete disregard to uphold the principles of the office she holds.

    As I recall, there was no problem finding enough people to fill available school board seats last go around. It just seems that the wrong ones may have been picked.

    I am not a D150 voter or parent, nor will I be so the 45 minute prep time is not an issue I am concerned about. But some of the people that get elected in Peoria just astound me…

21. Randall, you have mistaken hate for frustration and unheard voices. Please do not confuse the two.

22. Maybe an online petition in opposition to the administrations new policy would be in order? To make it somewhat legitamate you’d have to include full names, addresses, etc… It would definitely get the attention of the newsrooms around town if it received enough support.

23. Randall,

    Most schools already incorporate a prep period. It isn’t a new concept. It might be new to the public but not to district 150 teachers for whom it is standard operating procedure. It is a smoke screen for what this is all about, a shortened day. Nothing complicated about that.

24. I don’t see hate here per se, I do see it in my mail, my phone, and other places. And, by the way, no one ran against Ross last time. Still, who would fill these seats if they all quit? You say there are plenty. Is there?

25. I’m in the minority here, but I think the board member did the correct thing. She is deferring to the experts and their opinions. I don’t think she is not interested in what the parents have to say, in fact I’m sure there are opportunities for the parents to voice concerns to her. She seems to be trying to avoid being cornered. I don’t blame her for being cautious.

26. BeanCounter:

    Here is the oath from the Illinois School Code:

    (105 ILCS 5/10?16.5)
    Sec. 10?16.5. Oath of office. Each school board member, before taking his or her seat on the board, shall take an oath of office in substantially the following form:
    I, (name of member or successful candidate), do
    solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education (or Board of School Directors, as the case may be) of (name of school district), in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the laws of the State of Illinois, to the best of my ability.

    I further swear (or affirm) that:
    I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school district’s assets;

    I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees;

    I shall recognize that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public board meeting; and

    I shall abide by majority decisions of the board, while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels.

    (Source: P.A. 94?881, eff. 6?20?06.)

27. Here is a copy of my reply to Mrs. Wolfmeyer:

    Dear Mrs. Wolfmeyer,

    I must admit I find your response somewhat disturbing. The school board shall direct, through policy, the superintendant in his or her charge of the administration of the school district. Your response confirms my assertion that in our district the tail very much wags the dog.

    While you were asking your questions, did you ask Mr. Hinton how he would handle the fact that some primary schools include the 5th grade and others do not, precluding the district from according all the 5th grade students the right and opportunity to a free and equal education? [105ILCS 5/10-20.12 and 23 Ill.Admin. Code 1.240(a)]

    Did you ask Mr. Hinton what his response may be to the fact that after fire drills [105ILCS128/1 et seq.], recess, lunch, or change time betweeen classes, there will be many days that the District fails to meet the minimum clock-hours of instruction requirement? [105ILCS5/18-8.05(F)(1), 23 Ill.Admin. Code 1.420(F)(4)(b)] Did you check with the State Board of Education as to the legality of this measure?

    Did you ask Mr. Hinton how he intends to force the teachers to give up their contractual prep time for group collaboration, particularly given the fact that the vast majority of teachers are opposed to this change?

    Did you ask Mr. Hinton how he hopes to account for the animosity that will undoubtedly exist between the public and the school board and the teachers and the school board should this policy change stand, particularly on the verge of new PFT contract negotiations? Will Mr. Hinton be able to successfully complete the goals and objectives attached to, and incorporated in, his employment contract as it regards public/community relations?

    Did you ask Mr Hinton how children with ISP’s will be able to recieve their special services
    and still maintain their studies?

    Did you ask Mr. Hinton if he considered the fact that we will most likely be the only school district in the state that is shortening their school day when all other public and private schools are lengthening their school day?

    Your response begs the question, what questions DID you ask him and did you perform “due diligence?” Did you only consider his arguments or did you conduct your own independent investigation as well? Did you check with any other qualified individual(s) before submitting to such a drastic measure? Did you seek out current research to validate or invalidate his assertions? Did you speak with any outside curriculum experts? Did you speak with anyone at the ISBE to establish the trend for length of school day? Did you really feel that District families would have no objection to this decision? Is it your assessment that that much apathy exists? How sad. Did you talk or solicit feedback from any families within the district that elected you? Did you breach the public trust placed in you by the voters in your district? Did you uphold your fiduciary duty to your constituents? Did you consider even for a moment that the budget shortfall could be just as easily found on the administrative side as on the educational side?

    Your unwillingness to even consider the fact that perhaps you erred in your decision does not bode well for the immediate future of our district or the current Administration. Please be advised we have no plans to quiet the fervor. It will only get louder. To get to our children, you must go through us as parents first.

    I sincerely hope that you reconsider your decision as to wether or not you will further discuss these serious issues with me or any other member of our parent group.

    Sincerely,

    Diane M. Vespa

28. (1) Sorry for the typo — Yes, she is a Dist. 2 rep, not Dist. 3.

    (2) Thanks for the response, Diane.

    (3) I don’t feel any hatred toward anyone. Other words would be more accurate. Words like “incredulous,” “frustrated,” “flabbergasted,” “concerned,” “shocked,” and yes, even “angry.” I spent a long time just simply shaking my head in disbelief as I reread Wolfmeyer’s response.

    (4) We have already started circulating hard-copy petitions; everyone will soon see that we are not a “small” group or a “vocal minority.”

    (5) Randy, don’t worry, there are plenty of people who are willing to run in the second and third districts. I can’t explain the first district. Why don’t you run? Or do you think that the district is doing well and no change is needed?

    (6) John, (a) this isn’t about trying to “corner” anyone. If Wolfmeyer is afraid of meeting with constituents who disagree with her, she shouldn’t be a school board representative. It goes with the territory. And (b) if the school board is there simply to defer to the experts, why do we need a school board? If they’re simply going to parrot what the administration says and rubber-stamp their recommendations, then the school board is unnecessary.

29. 11Brave, there is a petition already being circulated. Please e-mail me or CJ and we can send you a .pdf file to print out and collect signatures. I attended a neighborhood BBQ today and got a full page of signatures without a single refusal. Please also mark your calendars for the June 2 board meeting. We will be staging a demonstration outside the Administration Building on Wisconsin Avenue. Hope to see gazillions of you there!

30. My sentiments exactly. We would be better off with no school board at all than one that pertpetually makes decisions that harm the public interest.

31. Get’em, Diane.

    Randall … do you always need to take a stand that’s a polar opposite to C.J.’s? That’s about the only way I can understand your position on this issue.

    Wolfmeyer is an elected official … a servant of the people in her district. I understand that she can’t meet with everyone, but how can she make the blanket statement that it is not her “role as a Board member to meet with individuals or groups.” I’m absolutely incredulous that Wolfmeyer could really be so obtuse.

    In fact, I’m in a state of disbelief over this whole “shorten the school day” scenario. It almost seems like the District 150 administration and the six board members who voted for this measure are trying to drive people away from the district.

32. For any new readers to Peoriachronicle.com, let it be said that Knight in Dragonland is a PEDIATRICIAN. ‘Nuf said.

33. The remark Wolfmeyer made about not having authority to make decisions is correct. However, it has nothing at all to do with meeting with and listening to her constituents. Anyone in public/elected office knows that it is their responsibility to meet with and answer to those that voted for them. I do believe that we should be thinking about impeaching certain board members. There is a group of parents in Florida who are actually suing their school district for allowing too many children to drop out. These people work for us, they do not govern us and its time we let them know that. We are the parents and grandparents. You know the old story of not touching the cub because you will garner the ire of the mother tigress. Well we as parents are having our ire raised in protection of our cubs and somebody is going to find out just how protective we can be.

34. This really takes the cake. A person who holds an elected position who will not meet with constituants? It is time for some CHANGE!

35. Teachers ALL have prep periods, unless they trade them for study halls, cafeteria supervision or whatever else they pad their paychecks with.

36. Just how much of this 45 minute prep time is going to be that collabrative prep time and how much is going to be coffee break time? Who is going to monitor it and what exactly is the process going to involve? What bang are we getting for our buck if we give up 45 minutes a day of our children’s educational day?

37. To those who feel that caring for our children is hate. You do not grasp the magnitude of this decision by the board. Do you realize we have fifth graders in both elementary and middle schools!!!!!! The fifth graders sitting in the middle schools will be receiving 45 more minutes of instruction than the other fifth graders in elementary school. Do you call this an equal education for all!!!

    Also there is no plan for implementing this change! If you do not believe that ask your school board representative Oops they are not required to meet with you!!! You need to ask yourself what children sitting in classrooms…remember the ages of these elementary students…4-10….must sit in a classroom from 9:15 without any breaks so that teachers can collaborate and chat and solve problems for 45 minutes first thing in the morning. By the way research tells us that our brains function better early in the day. How are they addressing this…Many teachers have grave concerns over this hasty decision…
    At least think of these two genuine concerns…I have many more. This group of caring adults has done far more research than your administration and board members. Rather than considering hate those of you who are using such harsh language…you should consider caring for all our children. I know this group of individuals you may not agree with them but once again do not use such harsh language. Debbie Wolfmeyer should meet with the parents or at least have a conference call. Let’s work together for our children…Please question this discussion and get all the answers before being critical.

38. Knight in Dragonland, I do believe that it must be the District’s intent to drive more families out of Peoria. Perception is reality. Reducing school hours below that of surrounding school districts (regardless of whether there is meanful data to support the decision) does not scream vibrant school district, let’s all move (stay) in Peoria. Why did we waste taxpayer dollars on those big apple billboards, and why host a open house to entice families to come to District 150? They won’t with this lastest maneuver.

    My family and I have recently left the Peoria area and District 150 schools due to a job transfer. My children will be in high school by the time we return. Rest assured, I will not return to District 150 (although I felt my children received a great education)if this decision is not reversed. It was already difficult to sell our house when we departed due to the cloud some schools place over District 150.

    My children currently attend middle school at a private international school. The ironic thing is that the middle school they attended while at District 150 offered a superior education and extra-curricular activities to that of the school they now attend, and it was free!!

    District 150 has troubled spots, no doubt, but for those schools where the balance of the children are ready and able to learn, they do a very good job. They just keep tripping over their feet in so many other matters such as spending, budget management, union relations, proper usage of personnel . . . you get the drift.

39. Knight in Dragonland, I do believe that it must be the District’s intent to drive more families out of Peoria. Perception is reality. Reducing school hours below that of surrounding school districts (regardless of whether there is meanful data to support the decision) does not scream vibrant school district, let’s all move (stay) in Peoria. Why did we waste taxpayer dollars on those big apple billboards, and why host a open house to entice families to come to District 150? They won’t with this lastest maneuver.

    My family and I have recently left the Peoria area and District 150 schools due to a job transfer. My children will be in high school by the time we return. Rest assured, I will not return to District 150 (although I felt my children received a great education)if this decision is not reversed. It was already difficult to sell our house when we departed due to the cloud some schools place over District 150.

    My children currently attend middle school at a private international school. The ironic thing is that the middle school they attended while at District 150 offered a superior education and extra-curricular activities to that of the school they now attend, and it was free!!

    District 150 has troubled spots, no doubt, but for those schools where the balance of the children are ready and able to learn, they do a very good job. They just keep tripping over their feet in so many other matters such as spending, budget management, union relations, proper usage of personnel . . . you get the drift.

40. Well, I recently took a blogging hiatus for the Memorial Day Weekend, but it seems like a lot has happened, or rather, been said.

    Personally, I can’t say one thing or another about the decision that the school board made because I don’t have children, let alone, those who are in school. However, after reading the plethora of comments and blog posts as well as attending high school myself in a small town where budget problems were a larger concern than in a large city such as Peoria, I will have to say that I stand beside Randall. I don’t hold his stance against the issue, but it does seem like if Madam Wolfmeyer had taken the moment out of her day to speak with Diane, these posts and comments wouldn’t be blasting her about this issue, but rather about the few things she may or may not have said during that interview. She would most likely get blasted for anything she said, whether it was a slip up or not. And, unfortunately, we, as humans, make slip ups.

    As for not meeting with the constituents and the different arguments that have been made, I think that applying the idea of the American or State governments’ ruling documents to this situation differs. Yes, the governing body should be democratic, but with contact between board members and their constituents being so close in (possible) personal contact, they have the right to refuse a one-on-one. With the talk that has been going around, if I was on the Board, you wouldn’t find me out after 8 PM at night. Though most of you say that there is no “hatred” being tossed around, you’ve still managed to create an environment of turmoil and upset, which would probably scare anyone, even if they aren’t “being cornered.”

    I also find it interesting that everyone on this particular blog decided to avoid the one person’s comment including the oath that Board members take. It clearly states that the ruling decision lies with the Board as a whole (yes, that doesn’t let Ms. Wolfmeyer off for not listening), but it also states that members of the Board “… shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees.”

    You speak of rights, and I think it is Wolfmeyer’s right to decline. As for how “rude” it may be, I think you are making it a “rude” gesture. I read all the hub-bub before reading the letter and expected a strongly worded, almost spiteful letter toward the parents and their movement. I was “shocked” as well when I read a simple declination with no ulterior motives. I was more “shocked” and “frustrated” to see my fellow bloggers attacking and puffing up such a piece.

    I started blogging in order to discuss and address concerns, not start wars. It seems like, to me, that if we all took a bit of a breather and spent more time on the things that would work to influence change (such as the petition I see floating around the blogosphere) and not attacking individual people (has anyone contacted all the other board members?), then maybe something can be done for the cause.

    Once again, I have no real stand on the issue of the school day length. However, I do feel strongly about the way some of the people within the issue have acted.

41. Word on the Street yesterday stated why Linda Butler wasn’t at the board meeting when they passed this. She was also asked how she would have voted. Everyone needs to read this. Go to PJStar.com, click on NEWS, click on NEWS COLUMNS and read “Word on the Street”. Then, just a I did, I encourage you to comment on what your thoughts are. Don’t let the newspaper or public think that there are just a few involved who care about this issue. You also might want to ask Linda how she would have voted via email or a phonecall. Just a suggestion to all of you who care and are trying to rescind the vote.

42. Mimi, thanks for telling us how to find that on the PJStar website. Since they changed their platform, I wasn’t able to find it…I found it when Peoria Pundit linked to it.

43. Mr. Davis,

    In fact, all the board members have been contacted by several people. We’ve gotten responses back that I could have “blasted,” as you say, by posting them here and picking them apart. I have not done so because we’re trying to be constructive.

    I singled out Wolfmeyer’s response because she is abdicating her responsibility to represent her constituents. This is really a separate issue from the whole shortening-the-school-day issue. Here we have a board member who will not meet with the people she represents — not only that, but says it’s not her “role” to so! That’s outrageous.

44. Click here for the Word on the Street column.

45. Thanks for putting the link on for Word on the Street.

46. If school board members can’t meet with individuals or groups, are not educators and have to rely soley on the Administration for everything, why have a school board? The taxpayers should just buy a rubber stamp. A lot cheaper and more efficient.

47. What the hell are you doing on the school board? How did you earn the position and why? If you are not interested in the welfare of the parents,teachers, and students, why are you on the school board?

48. How is a school board member elected? What are the credentials considered before one is elected? Just curious!

49. I just posted to “Word on The Street” some words from Terry Knapp. Check it out. The link is posted above.

50. Interesting. The comment I left on the article apparently wasn’t approved, since I see it doesn’t show up there.

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