From WMBD-TV:
The district is proposing the following: Closing Tyng primary school and consolidating Harrison, Garfield, Tyng and Trewyn into three pre-kindergarten through 8th grade buildings. The district also wants to close Woodruff High School and essentially merge it with Peoria High.
And from the Journal Star:
With the proposed closure of Tyng this year, students from Tyng, Garfield, Harrison and Trewyn will be consolidated, making the three open schools all pre-K through eighth-grade buildings.
Irving and Kingman also are on the list to close by the end of this school year; the Lincoln-Woodruff site would reopen as a pre-K through eighth-grade campus.
To curb the total number of students at a merged Woodruff-Peoria high school, officials proposed creating a “ninth-grade academy” to be housed at Loucks School for a year until Peoria High could be expanded. That’s provided the renovations at Thomas Jefferson school, closed this year because of a fire, are completed in time, because those students now are at Loucks. Eighth-graders at Hines and Von Steuben schools who would have attended Woodruff or Peoria High would attend Richwoods under the plan.
This plan actually makes sense. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not at all happy about school consolidation, larger class sizes, fewer teachers, or the loss of neighborhood schools. I still think that District 150 administration is top-heavy (and heavy on consultants, aka rehired retirees) and that cuts should start there. But assuming that the school district’s financial situation is as dire as they say it is, and assuming that consolidation is the only way to bridge the funding gap, this makes sense.
High school enrollment is not high enough to support four high schools in Peoria. Geographically, we have one high school to the north (Richwoods), one to the south (Manual), and two that are very close to each other in the middle (Central and Woodruff). It would make sense to close one of the high schools in the middle. Central is the older and more geographically centered of those two schools; it makes sense to keep it.
Reusing the Woodruff/Lincoln campus accomplishes two things: it lowers construction costs because a new primary school won’t need to be built on the campus, and it preserves the building for future use as a high school if enrollments go up again someday. I also like the return to K-8 schools instead of the primary/middle school setup.
However, Terry Knapp and Martha Ross are right. The board needs to solicit and seriously consider ideas from parents, teachers, principals, and staff members — not just make decisions in a vacuum. “It seems like just one or two people are making the decisions,” Martha Ross said, according to the Journal Star. Unfortunately, that’s standard operating procedure for District 150.
Here’s the video from WEEK
http://www.week.com/news/local/37618314.html?video=YHI&t=a
And here’s HOI News’ coverage.
There will be a meeting tonight–Thursday, January 15–at Godfather’s on Glen for anyone who is interested in discussing the Woodruff situation, etc., in order to present the board with some public (all the groups C.J. just mentioned) input before they make the final decision. Terry Knapp will be heading the meeting.
I think the idea makes sense. I am sure the teachers union will fight this until the end but I don’t see where the district has a lot of choices left.
I personally like it because it puts our neighborhood back into the Richwoods area like it was many years ago.
My problem with all District 150 decisions is that “Haste makes waste.” Think about how many decisions have been made this year–major decisions–with very little forethought and/or opposition opinions considered. The decision to add 7th and 8th grade at Manual is costing more money and–if the recommendations of the restructuring advisory board are followed–even more money will be needed to support an idea that was bad from the start.
Much ado was made about needing an all new “hand-picked” faculty at Manual–many of the new teachers are non-tenured (even though some do have previous experience outside of 150). Now with the closing of a high school, high school positions will be lost–and the new teachers at Manual will be the first to go.
The charter school is scheduled to open in 2010–has anyone heard about plans for renovating the building on Moss or plans for implementing a viable program?
The decision about uniforms for primary and middle schools–parents are still waiting (having missed January sales) to find out about what they need to buy.
Of course, there are the two new buildings–Harrison and Glen Oak. Add to that Thomas Jefferson that has to be “rebuilt.”
About closing Woodruff–I’m not really sure how I feel; I do believe it’s time to close a high school. I just think that the board should listen to opinions. One problem with Peoria High is that it doesn’t have a pool and the board just made or is considering the decision not to continue leasing it from the Park Board.
The plans for a “real” alternative school are not even being considered. Again, they are throwing together a plan–in conjunction with this new decision–that will be another “unplanned” failure.
This job was posted on 150’s site on 1/9/09, why?
Chief Accountant/Director Internal Audits-External Assurances
http://www.applitrack.com/psd150/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?category=Administration
Have they sold those houses on Prospect yet?
Serentiy – the newly-created position was also advertised in the PJS.
The insanity continues . . .
Crews: “Think about how many decisions have been made this year–major decisions–with very little forethought and/or opposition opinions considered”
I sez: No, just not the input YOU wanted or liked. Schools are still operating.
So…who are you guys burning in effigy tonight?
I’d come, but my torch is missing. Maybe I could grab a new one at Knapp’s Torch and Rock Turning Shoppes.
I am guessing if I went to the meeting tonight to voice public support of the plan they would run me out of there?
The only thing the teachers union is interested in is saving as many jobs as possible even if it is not in the best interest of the district.
Newly created position?? Another accountant to help Cahill? More Administration? No cutting of consultants? AAAAAH!!!!!!!!
And, why is Special Ed so messed up with Mary O’Brian and Thom Simpson (consultant we apparently do not need) at the helm?
Journal Star
Posted Jan 14, 2009 @ 11:13 PM
——————————————————————————–
A six-page plan unveiled by District 150 administrators on Wednesday called for the closure of schools and consolidating students at a number of newly reconfigured schools. Among the highlights:
– Close Tyng Primary School, redraw boundaries consolidating Tyng, Harrison, Garfield and Trewyn Middle School into three pre-K through eighth-grade buildings.
– Close Woodruff and Peoria high schools but reopen the Peoria High School campus with students, sophomore through senior year, attending the new Peoria-Woodruff high school.
– Redraw boundaries so students from Hines and Von Steuben schools who would have attended Woodruff or Peoria High School next year would instead attend Richwoods High School.
– Expand newly merged Peoria-Woodruff high school by August 2011 with a freshman academy; until then, place for one year those students in an academy located at Loucks School.
– Close Irving and Kingman primary schools. Create a pre-K through eighth grade school at the Lincoln-Woodruff campus with a year-round calendar.
– Expland vocational-technical offerings.
– Consider relocating the Preparatory School for the Fine Arts, now at Peoria High School.
– Request of the Public Building Commission to reallocate $20 million, previously approved to expand Lincoln Middle School, to renovate, remodel and update Peoria, Woodruff, Peoria and Richwoods high school campuses.
– By May 2009, adopt policies setting class size minimums, mid-year enrollment/transfers, “seat available only” enrollment and “choice placement.”
– Suspend summer school this year for remedial purposes to free up staff resources to implement plan; summer school would be offered for required special education only.
peoriafan: in the words of Sarah Palin; “You betcha!” All they want is a couple of knowledgeable people there and a whole lot of people whose minds they can bend their way like sheep. If you show up and show support for this plan, which I agree with CJ on, this plan does make sense, then Yes, you’ll be a rabble rouser and probably will have tasteless pizza slices thrown at you. (It is Godfather’s)
Emtronics–so of the decisions that I mentioned in my earlier post–which ones did you agree with?
I just want to know how much of the 9 million saved will be spent on the new “cost-cutting” ideas. For instance, how much is the new “year-round” calendar for the Lincoln-Woodruff campus going to cost? Sometimes the district just saves money to spend it on something else.
I’m also happy with the K-8 decision and hope all schools go back to that plan.
Also, I want to know why they aren’t going to send the 7th and 8th graders at Manual back to their home schools–if the 7th and 8th grade is going to stay, more money will be needed to expand the facility.
Yes, I can’t deny that the union will try to save jobs–however, most that will be lost will probably be newly hired, non-tenured teachers, so the union has little control over that anyway. I do think that teachers should and will complain more about teaching conditions and environment–all of which affect children as well. I’m not sure why you think administrative decisions are fairer and better than teacher decisions.
I think the main complaint is that such major decisions are not well-thought out decisions–with time for public and teacher input, etc. Also, I think public support will be behind closing a high school–I just think there are some viable ideas that teachers could bring forth.
Of course, I am against the money being spent on Edison and the new John Hopkins program to be instituted at Manual next year.
Why did I violate my own rule? I vowed to never post on a blog again and I broke that rule. I am stepping into the ass kicking machine and pulling the rope.
Well Ms. Crews, Public input? Like if a majority of the parent(s) that send their kids to 150 gave a crap, that would be useful, instead, it is a very small vocal minority that speaks up. A majority of parents just send their kids to school because A) they have too, B) the lunch is usually free, and C) it gets them out of their hair. Sadly, this is the demographic 150 has. So, public input on decisions the Administration and Board make is usually, like I said, from a small concerned group of parents that affect a small percentage of the students. No wonder the Board doesn’t seem to listen.
I also agree that the K through 8th is a great idea and I am glad they are considering that approach.
Basically what all this comes down to is; School District has money problems (blame whoever you want, too late) and the teachers union doesn’t want to lose members. Too many egos here which is why I don’t understand why there is yet another “protest” for the next board meeting by Knapp and what’s her name. What now? Knapp was President of the PFT union. Where was his great leadership then? Apparently the teachers didn’t think it was so great as the PFT dump him for Schiefling. Now Dutro, a very good teacher (but scary), wants the job. Sounds like the kids have been forgotten here someplace.
I just wish all you great posters here with the answers were somehow running the District. It seems that everyone can see the errors of this Board and Administration with some even posting at times, contempt for Hinton. IMO, the problem with 150 is not only money, which can come from a top heavy Admin, but it comes from the demographic it serves and is stuck with. You can bet Notre Dame can pick and choose the students they want.
Maybe it would be nice, say, if District 150 woke up one morning and said: “We are now a private school system. It will cost you XX amount to send your child here per year. You can apply for your child and IF we accept them, we will expect payment in advance. Watch then how performance goes up. Alas, that could never happen so what do you do? That is the question but I don’t think organizing protests over this is the answer in this case. I think holding parent(s) more responsible for their child’s education is the answer, like tying it to benefits received from the State. Your kid fails or you as a parent fail to show up and show interest, then you lose benefits.
Like the FREE lunch. Ms Crews, I think you know my wife. You should hear the abuse she takes from parents that owe a huge amount of money for their child’s lunch or failed to file the proper simple one page form to get their child a free lunch. This is the only time a parent may even show up at a school. Usually it’s only when Johnny has been arrested and or suspended. You were at Manual. You know the parent involvement or the lack of. Our schools in our poorer areas are nothing more than dumping grounds and baby sitting services. Where are the protests for this?
OK… you knew this was coming… the oldest and WORST building in the entire District is going to be kept open… why? Because powerful alumni want their alma mater as a monument to them.
Central is decrepit and over all a mess. The classrooms are small, the stairs are deadly.
I agree that the district administration needs to be cut back, cut down and cut out.
Until that happens we are going to get more of the same…
Hire more accountants… now that makes sense. If we can recount the budget deficit enough, maybe it will go away.
Oh well… I guess it is time to open another private school. Let’s see, we have Notre Dame, Peoria Christian… how about a secular private school?
They couldn’t sell closing Manual. Don’t let ’em sell this bovine fecal matter proposal to the public, either.
A high school needs to be closed — end of debate. The rest, I am not sure and perhaps public input is necessary.
Regarding selection of Manual teachers. I thought the State mandated in the reorg requirements that the District demonstrate that it had reviewed its staffing and had the proper teachers in place. If that is the case, I do not necessarily see why these teachers (non-tenured) are in jeopardy. For the same reason the District was allowed to interview anew, are they not allowed to let these teaching jobs stand as they are? How crazy is that? Some of these teachers were just placed in their positions and are just now getting to know their student body.
Most organizations determine who will be laid off first, by whether the job can be eliminated and after that, employee retention is determined by individual performance. So it should be at the District. I find it heartening to think of a primary school being disrupted and all new staff coming in simply because a system has been created that “entitles” one person to a job over another.
Frustrated: the school code does not compel the district to honorably dismiss all probationary teachers. They do have some discretion. Past practice has been to take all the first year teachers, and, depending on the circumstances, the second year teachers. However, that has not always been the case. Probationary teachers with hard-to-find certification, or certification in a state identified shortage area, as well as special ed teachers, and other special teachers (art, music, P.E., etc.) have not always been honorably dismissed.
Because of the wording of the school code, public school systems are forced to use a different system for staff reduction than organizations in the private sector. A district may honorably dismiss a probationary teacher who is in a position that will be retained for the next school year. That position could conceivably be filled by a tenured transfer, a reassignment, or someone returning from leave of absence.
You are correct about one thing – employee retention should be determined by performance; those probationary teachers whose performance is marginal to unsatisfactory should be released and not rehired before they become tenured (after completion of their 4th full year of teaching). Unfortunately, in District #150 this does not always happen.
KCDad: Frankly, the PHS building is in much better condition than RHS. RHS was built by the Township of Peoria around 1953-55; at the time, the citizens were told that the anticipated life span of the structure was 50 years. It would have to be rebuilt then. Those 50 years have come and gone. RHS does not meet ISBE tornado preparedness standards – PHS exceeds them. Roof repairs/replacement at RHS have been deferred by the administration and this is a serious, ongoing problem. Driving past RHS – arguably the District’s premier high school – what do you see? A building that is slightly more than the old Morton Building structures. If any building needs to be replaced it is Richwoods.
Peoria High, on the other hand, was built to a higher standard and the construction utilized superior building products. The walls are something like 18″- 24″ thick. It is very solid. It certainly needs renovations and updates, but the fact that those haven’t happened is a result of the administration’s priorities.
It is sad that Peoria so often times does not honor their history by preserving more of its architectural gems. Newer is not always better. Older buildings that are well cared for and kept up, are wonderful. Should the White House be torn down and replaced because of its age? What about the U.S. Capitol or the Empire State Building?
By the way, I am neither a PHS or WHS alum.
So, Emtronics, your suggestion would then be for those vocal parents to just shut up and take whatever is dished to them? I get it. Thanks. And please don’t lecture me on volunteering at a school. I already do, as does my wife. We are all entitled to our opinion. Just because 95% of parents don’t care to speak up, doesn’t mean the other 5% cannot. And you are one to talk, given all the bitching you do on your own site. Just swap out traffic lights for District 150.
Emtronics: For the record and for the other readers, the union didn’t dump Terry Knapp–he retired and, therefore, can no longer be union president. Secondly, yes, Jeff Adkins-Dutro is a good teacher–and what do you mean by “scary.” As I’ve said before, I’m biased in Jeff’s favor–as his former teacher, as a colleague, and as a friend. I don’t know of many teachers who care as much about students as Jeff does. I understand what you mean by the way students treat those in authority–I experienced some of that first hand; however, I had more than my share of rewarding experiences, so the negative ones didn’t make me a cynic about kids. My only complaint about student behavior is that the central administration and building administrators do not advocate consequences and consistency of consequences in handling discipline problems–kids have been allowed to get away with too much.
About Frustrated’s comments: “Regarding selection of Manual teachers. I thought the State mandated in the reorg requirements that the District demonstrate that it had reviewed its staffing and had the proper teachers in place. If that is the case, I do not necessarily see why these teachers (non-tenured) are in jeopardy.”
The state mandates that teachers have teaching credentials to teach the subject to which they are assigned. The former Manual teachers and the present Manual teachers all meet that criteria. The choices were the Manual principal’s to make–strictly her own preferences. I did FOIA the credentials of all the old and new teachers. Some are first-year teachers and several of the new teachers are experienced but non-tenured in District 150. First of all, if any of what I’m hearing is correct, some of the new Manual teachers are not all that happy–things aren’t what they were promised. At least, I think some of them will leave if they can find jobs elsewhere–just hearsay, I admit. Per the contract with the union, I believe all first-year teachers are dismissed first, then second, then third. I believe the only discretionary policy would be with regard to positions that are hard to fill (as Prairie Celt has stated). None of those hard-to-fill positions at Manual are presently filled by new teachers. The new teachers have only taught for one semester, so there is really no way to evaluate whether or not they are better teachers then were the ones who were transferred out of Manual–all of whom I believe are now happy where they are. I think the new teachers are probably very qualified–but so were the old ones.
I realize that many of you on the blog are against tenure, etc. And I understand your complaints and the comparisons to businesses in the private sector where employees can be fired more easily. Right now tenure is in place for teachers, so all you can do is complain and/or send your children to private schools, etc. Teachers are not going to give up the union protection willingly (the same as with Caterpillar employees, etc.). It may someday be taken away; then they will have to deal with it. However, I do not understand how several of you seem to assume that a tenured teacher is automatically a bad teacher. And I do not understand what criteria you would use to decide which teachers are good and which are bad–just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Frankly, I believe that even if tenure were taken away, there would not be that great a turnover of teachers from year to year.
Peoria fan, is having 28 kids per classroom including special education students in the “best interest” of the district?
Perhaps that is true but if so, it should be carefully planned and orchestrated. Can District 150 ever see beyond the nose on their face? According to them, they just woke up one morning and said, “crap” we are $2 mil in the hole.
The most interesting thing about all of this is that nowhere, nowhere do we see D150 even considering cuts in administration. We have half the kids, and double the admin costs from 20 years ago. It’s almost like the goal for the district is to have NO kids in school and just mail them their checks.
PrairieCelt – Thank you for explaining things.
Sharon – Every teacher is evaluated annually correct. Those performance appraisals should mean something and be used as the basis for transfer, etc., in goods times and in bad. I realize that if the Administration has not placed proper emphasis on this evaluation tool it is a problem.
Thanks, Diane–good points. And I think it’s 9 million, the other 7 million just took them by surprise recently. Having just come from a filled-to-capacity crowd at Godfather’s, I’m sure Diane and I are still overwhelmed by the things we heard–mostly the wonderful sentiments from parents and students (and teachers) about Woodruff. I am “under” whelmed by hearing that neither the Woodruff nor the Peoria High principal knew about this proposal until they read it in the newspaper. Now that’s the way to treat employees and get them on your side–blindside them!
Sud: No. That is not my suggestion. Those are your words. Complain and protest to your hearts desire. I am just expressing my opinion on maybe why the Board doesn’t seem to take input from the public. Like it or leave it. And Yes I am one to talk, it is MY site and I have just as much right as you or anyone to express an opinion anywhere. Don’t like Sud? Then stick it up your traffic light.
Crews: Yes Dutro is scary as I had to deal with him a few times. Good teacher? Yes but I had to have him explain some things he did to me once.
Good luck to all of you on your effigy burnings and protesting.
If you get what you think you want, then more power to you.
This is bull crap about this high school closing down I went here in “04” This was my school! Why Woodruff why not the other High Schools thre like the ones with all the gangs, drugs and everything else in those school!!! I am sorry but this is my honest option Woodruff should not close down at all and this doctor who wants to shut it down he has no right!!!