When reading Pam Adams' editorial of today, it struck me that apparently very few of the people charged with making decisions about public education in Peoria, have children of school age attending D150 schools (i.e., "real skin in the D150 game").
Apparently when the new Superintendent gets to Peoria, she will be looking for a school for her child. On her recent visit to Peoria, all of the people the new Superintendent met with (the movers and shakers in and around City Hall), either didn’t have children in D150 schools and/or when their children were of school age, they mainly went to private schools. What advice do you think they would give a person relocating to Peoria and looking for a new school?
Adams also mentioned that while at the Heartland Partnership/Chamber of Commerce office, the new Superintendent just so happened upon a group meeting on the Charter School Initiative. What advice do you think they would give a person relocating to Peoria and looking for a new school? (The Charter School has one person listed as "Parent" on their Advisory Committee of 34; with zero parents listed on their Steering Committee of seven.)
With all of the talk about parents not being involved in schools, do you think it would help the situation if parents actually saw people with “real skin in the D150 game” helping to make decisions about the schools their children attend?
Is it fair to expect the new Superintendent to put her "real skin in the D150 game" when none of these other people do and/or have?
46 comments:
Great post! I know lots of capable parents whose children attend 150 that could serve on all these committees and would be happy to speak with Ms. Lathan.
I think you have great insights. Contact Pam Adams and tell her to "hook" you up with Ms. Lathan.
How many of the current District 150 principals and teachers have their children in District 150 schools? How many even live in Peoria? I'm not sure that I have feelings one way or the other--it's just a fact of life in Peoria. That said, I haven't been happy about people like Roberta Parks having so much sway over what happens in District #150--closing of Woodruff, charter school, etc. However, that isn't her fault; it's the fault of those who gave her the power.
If you have ANY connection to this community (taxpayer, parent, volunteer, teacher, etc.) then you have "real skin" in the game. Anything otherwise is to imply that one person's opinion is worth more than another. That simply shouldn't be the case. We are all stakeholders - we should all be involved - and we need more people involved regardless of how much/little "skin" they supposedly have in the game.
Jon
I agree, but the disparity is great.
Fair enough, but let me challenge your post more explicitly:
You said "it struck me that apparently very few of the people charged with making decisions about public education in Peoria".
First of all, who exactly are you talking about (the business leaders Pam referred to in her article?) and why does it matter?
You also said, "Is it fair to expect the new Superintendent to put her "real skin in the D150 game" when none of these other people do and/or have?"
If you truly agree with what I said, then you'll agree that it doesn't matter where she sends her kid(s), or where the administrators and teachers send their kids (or what towns they live in), just as it doesn't matter how little/much "skin" you have in the game. Because we're all in this together and we're all equal, and we all have EQUAL opportunity to make a difference.
I believe that all citizens in Peoria and West Peoria should be interested in what happens in District 150. Most who have no children in school don't see the relevance to them and, therefore, allow the district to do whatever it pleases. Personally, I would love to see Peorians and West Peorians come in droves to the board meetings to express their opinions. Now the only people who speak are those who have a current personal interest in the schools. I think most have just given up on public education--and that disturbs me greatly.
Sharon, when speaking of Parks' influence, you said:
"it's the fault of those who gave her the power"
I think you're giving those in power too little credit (or too much, depending on your point of view) - that they are giving certain people more power than others. It isn't the people, but rather, their ideas, that have the power.
As to the ability to affect the decisions of the board, you have just as much ability as Rob Parks or anyone else. To your credit, you utilize that power more than most - how the board responds to your ideas is what matters (as well as how you continue to communicate those ideas to achieve a desired result).
I am excited that finally our children have the attention of business leaders who are in the position to make things happen.
I am very optimistic about the possibilities, because I know our children will shine once they are given the chance. I applaud philanthropy from wherever it may come.
In my opinion, too often we have people sitting on committees who are out of touch with the clients they serve (see the Boy’s and Girl’s Club Gone With the Wind Fundraiser). Regardless, I don’t doubt that the people who spend their time and money sitting on these committees have their heart in the right place.
Being a native Peorian, this is hardly the first time my interest have been "represented" by people from outside of the community affected, sitting on committees charged with telling people inside "those communities" effected what "they" need.
You are correct any tax paying citizen has skin in the public education game...
However, don't doubt for a minute the power in Dr. Lathan enrolling her child in a District 150 school and having "real skin in the game". She will gain respect and attention right off the bat for that.
Sorry Jon, I am in the trenches with Emerge on this one. Where the mass of employees that work at District 150 send their children is irrelevant to me and there could be a whole host of reasons for these individuals to live outside of the District boundaries. BUT . . . Ms. Lathan was recruited to be the leader of a school that desperately needs reviving and her decision to send her daughter to any school other than 150 kills the spirit movement before it even gets started. She seems like a hard charger to me and someone that is strategic enough to see that placing her daughter at a 150 school will garner her credibility from the get go.
I guess the issue I was most agreeing with Emerge on, though, was the fact that the same old names and faces appear on these committees and initiatives. I would like to see younger leaders in the community that actually have school-aged children be a part of the process. Oh, oops! Their kids attend Peoria Academy or Dunlap or one of the private schools so that won’t work. But I could still come up with a couple of names of individuals that are smart and plugged into what is going on at the District that could provide valuable direction for change, even if their names are not household words.
Oh, I think there's benefit to Dr. Lathan sending her kids to D150 - precisely because so many see that as a benefit. However, I would NOT hold it against her if she sent her kids elsewhere (like Dr. Kherat, for example). It is a personal and, to me, irrelevant issue.
Emerge, I think you were engaging in a bit of hyperbole, but not "all" of the people Dr. Lathan met with at City Hall have no, as you say, "skin in the game." She met me and I have two kids at Whittier.
Also, Sharon, I can't speak for any principal but Renee Andrews, but her kids go to Whittier.
Chris, I'm glad to hear that. I wonder where Renee will send her kids to middle school. I think Sharon Kherat sent her son to primary school in 150, too. The problems definitely begin in middle school. Honestly, I can't fault anyone this side of War Memorial for being concerned about sending their children to a 150 middle school.
Her son is at Calvin Coolidge.
"engaging in bit of hyperbole" you would know it when you see it wouldn't you Chris? :)
My blog post is based upon Pam Adams' editiorial. She didn't mention you. Thanks for the correction.
Jenny--Sharon Kherat's son is at Calvin Coolidge? (or did you mean Renee's son?) I know that he was at Peoria Academy for a year or two.
renee andrews son 5th grade
I still have hope for Calvin Coolidge--I think it is still a viable choice.
I'll just toss in my perspective, being the parent of an eight-year-old whose family is moving to Peoria over the summer. Any childless Peorian who thinks that the perception or reality of District 150 doesn't affect them is dead wrong. Everyone who moves to town is being told not even to look at houses in Peoria proper. We hear constantly from future coworkers, realtors, lenders, everyone to stay the hell away from District 150.
My daughter and I visited the currently displaced Thomas Jefferson elementary just the other day and I was actually impressed. After hearing all the nightmare stories, it felt basically the same as her current elementary school in a small, prosperous university town.
But the perception is a massive problem. As much as we want to live in Peoria, the endless negative talk was really making us second-guess our desire.
I agree Dave.
I have a friend who relocated here about three years ago. She worked in North Peoria and lived in Peoria (not the inner city). She got so much flack from her colleagues that her daughter was receiving a secondary education, that she moved to North Peoria, and took her daughter away from all of her friends to the school were her North Peoria colleagues send their kids.
Dave & Emerge - I have had the same experience. Often families do not really investigate for themselves the choices that are available. Many of my friends that returned to the community to live ran to Dunlap solely on the advice of others and regretted their decision. Especially when I told them of the generally positive experience our family has had with the District.
Emerge,
I just read Pam's column, so now I see what you are referring to. I got to meet Dr. Lathan, albeit briefly, at City Hall. She was able to meet a lot of City employees that day, many of whom have (or had) children in D150. I am by no means a "mover and shaker" (though I do tend to shake when I move), but did want you to know that she met a lot of folks who do have some skin in the game.
This perception and reality (not perception vs reality) is a hard thing for 150 to overcome. There are certainly schools that are teaching at grade level and offering an excellent learning environment. Then there are the others. That is why I have said over and over again that until the reality of all the schools improves, the perception of even the good schools will be hurt. Frankly, I would not have gone public with the reality if anyone on Wisconsin Avenue had listened when we "silently" pled our case. However, we were ignored until the issues became public. The Facebook video is a perfect example--the Trewyn situation was ignored until it became a public embarrassment.
Sharon - being one of the primary instigators of perception, you should think again about your assertions. I have been in Blaine and Trewyn countless times. Despite daunting challenges, good things are taking place. Issues and allegations from teachers and principals have never been "ignored". Ignorant statements such as yours, and having no understanding of what is actually going on, only serve to inflame many of the perceptions our community faces. I only wish I could share more....you keep firing shots across the bow hoping to strike harm. I struggle to understand your anomosity......
let me qualify, you undoubtably have "some" understanding.
Jim, I am having the same struggle understanding your anomosity. I have never said that good things weren't happening at Manual and/or Trewyn. However, I believe that the teachers that are helping to make those good things happen are doing so under the worst of conditions. Why are you bringing Blaine up--and wasn't the situation bad enough there that your sister-in-law (a very, good and caring teacher) just walked out? Have you been at Trewyn during the day when there are fires in the restrooms and fights and attacks on teachers--or have you been to extra curricular activities and pancake breakfasts? What happens at extra curricular activities is not the true picture of what happens during the day. Durflinger didn't ignore the Trewyn situation--but look where that got him? So was it my perception that caused Durflinger to want to find new leadership for Trewyn? I don't think so. Jim, please lay it out--what have I said publicly or on blogs that isn't the truth? Listing all the good things that are happening does not erase the not-so-good things that are happening. The two speakers that came to the podium (a Trewyn teacher and a parent) to complain about what Karen had said from the podium listed all the good things but did not deny or refute any of Karen's allegations. Sorry, but I think you are doing the same thing--trying to make the good outweigh the bad. Did you read Alphonso Lyons' letter to the editor--he seems to understand what is happening at Trewyn. He did defend Thomas but he didn't say that the reports of student behaviors were inaccurate--as a matter of fact so did Terry when he told the board that the overcrowding at Trewyn has made the situation difficult. Thanks for the "some." Please, I have no desire to make-up allegations, so don't just spread out your blanket statements--give me some specifics so that I can be set straight where I am wrong. And I don't doubt that there are times when my info might be wrong--I'll acknowledge it if I am wrong--I think I always have. Will you do the same? What is keeping you from sharing more?
Jim, do you really believe that being at an Honor Roll breakfast at Trewyn puts you "in the know"? I understand that a paddy wagon was called on another day last week to take away those involved in a fight. These frequent fights are not perception--they are reality. How many parents want their children to go to a school with that kind of environment? Don't parents deserve to know?
Sharon - please share your previous acknowledgements about all the good you have related about the goings on at Trewyn and Manual.....from there we might begin to have a reasonable discussion.
Emerge, don't let the commenters here tell you anything other than what common sense already told you - People that choose to live outside of Peoria have no more business making decisions on behalf of Peoria families and taxpayers than you or I, District 150 parents and taxpayers should have on theirs.
The individuals that are sitting on District 150 committees that do not live here should be embarressed and terribly self conscious about sitting on Chamber of Commerce committees that impact our board of Education elections, our Administraters, how much our teachers are paid and how many and which ones of our schools should close. If they had an ounce of common decency they would recuse themselves from decisions impacting Peoria schools.
For one thing, no one should be so naive to believe that it is not possible for ulterior motives to be at play, or at the very least, stupid decision making having zero consequence to them. How this community is standing still and allowing outsiders to make the major decisions impacting our schools is a mystery. Pam Adams article about the new Superintendent meeting almost solely with outsiders and then her "just happening upon" a Chamber of Commerce meeting should have been a clanging wake-up call to Peorians but it was no more than a needle dropping in a forest. They must think we are stupid with a capital "S". At least you were paying attention.
Jim, I have given up having a "reasonable" discussion with you. I wish that were a possibility, but it just doesn't seem to happen. You spend all your words attacking me--while not dealing with the issues at all. I said good things were happening because when teachers who care spend an hour a day with students, good things are bound to happen. These good things aren't single dramatic events; they are just the little things that compound into big things in the lives of young people. You must keep missing the point--you and other board members. You are so busy trying to shut me (and others like me) up, that you keep forgetting how much harm is being done to the young people who have to suffer in violent environments every day. As a board member, you owe them the honesty to acknowledge to them that you know they are being cheated by their classmates who do not respect their right to an education--and you owe them the assurance that you are doing everything you can to change that environment. I know that you don't agree with Martha's voting against suspensions and expulsions, but you do need to be more outraged by the conditions that prevail in these schools.
Sick and tired:
I'm curious - where do you draw the line about those living outside of the community making decisions that affect Peoria families?
Should principals be required to live in district? (e.g. Ptacek and Kherat) How about teachers who educate our children? Aren't they, too, directly making decisions that affect Peoria families? Should all of them be required to live in district? How about the janitors and secretaries? Shouldn't Peoria take care of its own first and not hire "from outside"?
Shouldn't we all "buy American", too? You know, because when we buy that shirt made in Vietnam, we're essentially eliminating the textiles industry here in the U.S. How about that fruit that comes from Costa Rica - you know it's hurting Florida farmers?
Yes, I'd like to see Lathan and others with their children in D150. No, I don't think it's a problem if they are not. Yes, I'd like to see more Peorians on the various boards. No, I don't think it's a problem that they are not (unless it's simply because not enough Peorians step forward)
Jim- you should resign from the School board. You have presided over nothing but chaos. It's obvious that, although you try to talk a good game you have no idea what you are doing and your rude and belittling remarks towards members of the public only compound the poor perception of District Administration. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and leave the school board governance up to someone who has a firm grasp of reality and has the temperment to oversee solutions. You, Sir are just not a "good fit".
Oops - accidentally hit the enter button too soon. J was I.
Sharon, do you recall the "Open Letter to Sharon Crews" post from Emerge on this very blog?
And don't you think it's a little ironic that, from someone who is constantly criticizing the district, you lament not being able to have a reasonable conversation with Jim because you think he is just constantly attacking you - and not dealing with the issues?
Jim Stowell is just what the BOE needs. I hope that he will continue to lend the children of his community his volunteer time and efforts.
There are many who do appreciate what Jim has to say. He doesn't make administration look bad - they do that all by their selves.
I and many others appreciate Jim taking the time to comment and his continued attempts to keep the dialogue going. He and family members are graduates of a D150 school and his children attend a D150 school.
Keep up the hard work Jim – there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Jon, I have had many reasonable conversations with Jim in person and on the phone--not lately, however. In e-mails and on blogs, Jim doesn't respond with substantive answers--just reacts. If my comments are incorrect, he should set the record straight. For the life of me, I cannot understand why all of you believe that young people should be subjected to the chaotic environment at Trewyn and at Manual. I do not understand why you are not outraged by those who destroy the educational opportunities for so many. The real test is whether or not you would send your children to these schools. Jim sent his daughters to 150 schools--but not to Trewyn or Manual Emerge, what do you mean about board members not making the administrators looks bad--that they do that all by themselves. Ultimately, the board is the boss. If administrators are making the district look bad, the board can take action--in fact, the buck does stop with them. If you would look back at some of my comments about Jim, I was one who defended Jim by listing all that he and his family have done for District 150. All I was saying now is that behaviors at an honor roll breakfast or any extra curricular activity will not give anyone an accurate picture of the school environment during the school day. I think you are reacting because you believe that teachers are complaining because their work environment is unpleasant--that they are thinking only of themselves. I would love to know how any of you would react if you were hit by a student and the student suffered no or insignificant consequences. I have a feeling that I know what Jim would do--even if a student called him a name. The truth is that if the environment for the students improves, the teachers' environment will change, also.
Speaking of "having skin in the game," did any of you notice the insert in yesterday's PJS--something about "This is your community." I looked through all the pictures and was appalled to see only one or two "faces of color." That insert could have been published in the 1950s--I find it hard to understand for 2010. Jon, I overlooked this statement of yours a little earlier: "As to the ability to affect the decisions of the board, you have just as much ability as Rob Parks or anyone else." I don't agree. Rob Parks has money behind her comments; I don't have money behind mine. You do forget that much of this is about politics, not about educating our youth. No one gets to be a board member without money behind them.
"For the life of me, I cannot understand why all of you believe that young people should be subjected to the chaotic environment at Trewyn and at Manual."
What was that about not being able to have a reasonable conversation?!?!?!!?
Jon, you just did the same thing that Jim does. You didn't provide any information to the contrary. You just rail at me for being the messenger. What do you know about Trewyn or Manual--how many teachers and/or parents do you talk to on a regular basis? Do you hear very many people north of Forrest Hill talk about improving Trewyn or Manual? Why not--they don't care what happens at inner city schools--only what happens in their schools. So please give me credit for caring what happens in the inner city schools. To Jim's credit, I do know that he cares and I do know that he knows the truth--he just wants to keep it quiet while the board and administration work on the issues. I'll go that route as soon as someone proves to me that something is being done about the problems.
Jon, what is so irrational about Sharon's comments?
Sharon, read your statement that I quoted from a perspective that is not your own.
#1 - quote for me ANYONE who is saying that students (at Trewyn, Manual or anywhere) should be subjected to a "chaotic environment". NO ONE is saying that except YOU (and, yes, that's not because YOU believe it, but you attribute it to those who don't agree with everything you say).
#2 - not everyone agrees that the situation at Trewyn and Manual is as terrible as you seem to imply. Yes, there ARE problems, many of them, but there are many, many good things going on as well. You focus ONLY on the negative.
Countering every negative comment you make related to D150 is a full time job. Here's another one:
"Do you hear very many people north of Forrest Hill talk about improving Trewyn or Manual? Why not--they don't care what happens at inner city schools--only what happens in their schools."
Sorry, Sharon, but many people North of Forrest Hill do care about what happens at the inner city schools. The charter school, for one, will likely serve a population that is very similar to the district as a whole. Many people across the district, including the "north" support the charter school as another option for ALL students, including the inner city.
So, the irrational part is that you attribute certain negative beliefs and generalize for destructive purposes - you make assertions on behalf of people that I don't see them making.
Yes, we all know you care. So do other people - even if they don't agree with you.
Sorry, Jon, I don't feel alone on an island with my own perceptions. You and I obviously have a whole different circle of friends and acquaintances, who provide us with very different information. It doesn't hurt the people on this blog to hear both points of view. I readily acknowledge that both points of view have validity. I think you used a few to many "manys" in describing the wonderful things that happen at Trewyn. Please list them so that we can judge how many and how wonderful. I know that the letter that was sent to Karen by Trewyn's administrative assistant listed several (and was read by a teacher and a parent at a board meeting). The list wasn't all that impressive, so perhaps you can come up with a more extensive list than did Trewyn's own administration. The wonderful things that happen between teachers and students every day can't exactly be quantified--but those are the great things that I have in mind--events that aren't captured by test scores. I will tell you right now that the one group of people that have credibility with me and can make me reconsider my views are my own former students from the inner city. I know that the ones that I run into know that there is something wrong with their alma maters. Why aren't you and Jim taking issue with Alphonso Lyon's letter to the editor? He did support Thomas, but he didn't condone or sugarcoat the behaviors he sees at Trewyn--and he subs at Trewyn. Some of the people who care are interesting in 150's reputation. I'm not interested in 150's reputation; I'm interested in its reality. They have their own PR efforts--they don't need my help.
Alphonso Lyon's letter? Here's my favorite part :)
"At Trewyn, add to this mix disgruntled teachers who instigate rumors."
Really, now, for someone who said the Board's refusal to dismiss Thomas was proof that it would never deal with discipline, you want to use Lyon as some sort of example? Yes, that was half in jest :)
Speaking of your former students, I recall a few months ago a comment on PJStar wherein a former student of yours, now a security officer I believe, told you politely that your portrayal of Manual was TOO harsh and was doing more harm than good.
Yes, there is something wrong with those former students' alma maters, and there is likely something wrong with everyone's alma maters - regardless of where you went to school. The educational system as a whole is worse than it was each of the past several decades.
Did you ever read any of that Willaim Ouchi article I've posted a few times?
Reputation. Reality. You obviously want to change that reality. How do you do that? Sure, bringing up ever problem, every rumor, on every blog will endure you to the TBPRickey's of the world - but you had them at "hello".
How do you effect meaningful change? Remember, it was Nixon who went to China.
Jon, Alphonso does have a right to his opinions. I didn't agree with all of his comments, but I appreciated his willingness to speak on the subject. I do agree with Terry, who said that discipline problems at Trewyn are due, in part, to the merger of Blaine students with Trewyn students and the resulting overcrowded conditions. Perhaps things will change for the better when some Trewyn students move to the new Harrison. I still want to know what "rumors" that I have spread. What events that I have mentioned never happened? What does Nixon have to do with anything--your analogy wasn't clear to me? I have a feeling (but don't know for sure) that TBPRicky is someone I've known for a long time and it is nice to have friends of longstanding. I guess you read that comment before it was wiped out.
Sharon, that TBRicky comment was "wiped out" because he/she was calling names. It didn't matter who he/she called names. The rest of the comment in support of you and offering you a "go girl" was unfortunately lost because of the negative name calling that came before his/her praise of you.
... and isn't Jim Stowell a former student of yours from Manual?
Emerge--I understood the reason. No, I wouldn't call Jim a name. Yes, Jim is a former student--but not from the inner city--which is why I added that qualification because I knew someone would suggest that I don't heed Jim's criticisms. However, that doesn't mean that I don't consider Jim's opinions--I do, but I don't always understand his point of view or agree with it. I take more guff from Jim just because he is a former student. Jim was a Whittier, Washington Gifted student. He is one--but not the only one--I thought of when I said that enrollment at Washington. Gifted is generational since Jim's daughters, also, went to Washington Gifted.
Nixon goes to China:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_goes_to_China
You (and the union) are Nixon. The Administration is China. Improved relations with China led to better relations with the U.S.S.R. (parents and community)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Nixon_visit_to_China
Oh, John--that is a reach. (Just joking--for sure-is that why all our unskilled labor jobs are going to China?) In case anyone is interested, try reading "The Death and Life of the Great American School System--How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education" by Diane Ravitch. I have only read excerpts--just ordered my copy. The author, I believe, worked in the Bush administration and favored choice, but has changed her mind.
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