The changing make-up of the District 150 BOE

Christopher Crawford

On July 1, 2010, the District 150 Board of Education ("BOE") will hold their annual organizational meeting. At that time, they will swear in new BOE member Chris Crawford, who is replacing outgoing BOE member Dr. David Gorenz. They will also elect a Chairman and Secretary Pro Tempore, along with a new President and Vice President. In November, when Rachael Parker takes her seat at the County Board, there will be another vacancy to fill on the BOE.

With the changing political landscape of being a member of a BOE, recently I have been questioning what type of training do BOE members receive. I know that the ISBE offers training - but do local BOE members take it? How do new members of the BOE learn what their role is - history?

The challenges faced by BOE members are huge. As this District is an urban school district where we are dealing with failing schools and issues of equality in education, much of what the BOE does is receiving constant scrutiny from citizens and political leaders alike.

If the board itself does not appear to have a solid understanding of it's governance responsibilities, how is a new BOE member to proceed? If history doesn't reveal what it should look like, how can we the public demand board accountability going forward?

I like these board members, so I won't use the lipstick/pig analogy, but can we trust that this is more than just a change in make-up, or are we destined for more of the same?

Code of Conduct for members of school boards

When getting a job because of who your Daddy is goes wrong 2.0

Watching Today Show Correspondent, Jenna Bush Haegar, at Yellow Stone National Park has been nothing short of painful. She is a perfect example of why children of privilege should work their way up to the top. Jenna is clearly not prepared or qualified to be a Today Show correspondent. Chelsea handles it.

Is that a helicopter hovering overhead

Listening to the scanner and heard about a hostage situation over on New York Street (East Bluff). My daughter walks in and says "Oh my gosh, shootings every night, hostage situation, where are we living Compton? What's next helicopters hovering overhead?"

Hmm... when you think about it a helicopter is not a bad idea. With a reduced police force a helicopter can help police get from point A to point B much more efficiently.

And then there was SMOD

In 2009, the District's Parental Advisory Committee, which is chaired by BOE Member Martha Ross, made the decision to bring school uniforms to District 150.

Phase I of the uniform roll out started with primary schools and middle schools. Now that it is time to role out Phase II, the uniform code for high schools, the decision to do so is being met with strong opposition from parents at Richwoods, who believe that they have so few infractions with dress code violations that they should be exempt.

On the other hand, you have a representative from the Manual High School area who says that they have so many dress code infractions that a dress code is imperative.

Many say we already have a dress code - just enforce it. However, when you are in a school like a Manual where there are so many dress code violations, enforcing the dress code would be very time consuming.

After much discussion among the PAC and no conclusive decision, Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Parker met with groups of local high schoolers to review the current dress code and the development of a standard mode of dress (SMOD) vs. the institution of the school uniform.

In what appears to be an effort not to offend, the PAC is leaning towards no uniforms this year - but holding out the threat of uniforms next year if the new SMOD is not followed.

As of right now, the uniform code is not being equally enforced in the primary/middle schools. There is one middle school Principal in particular who feels that their school does not have to adhere to the uniform code. In the high schools, they all have a dress code, however, it is not consistent from school to school.

My thoughts are that if the PAC rolled out Phase I and said that Phase II would follow, why are they now backing off of instituting uniforms in high schools? When you consider that children in primary and middle school were not the ones who had the problems with thongs, too tight clothes, cleavage and the general showing of underwear, why were they forced to wear uniforms? Should the PAC now consider rolling back requiring primary and middle school children wear uniforms?

If principals didn't enforce the dress code before, what difference will it make to them about the new SMOD? If there is a school with a large number of SMOD violations, should they be forced to wear uniforms when the rest of the District is not?

By the way, aren't there a lot of more important things that parents are concerned about and/or should be concerned about, other than meeting month after month to discuss school uniforms?

The parents are at the table, BOE members are at the table, sounds like a wonderful opportunity to discuss increasing parental involvement, parent/teacher teamwork, increasing communication with parents, etc...

Your thoughts?

Related article

The criminals are active throughout Peoria tonight

At about 11:30 tonight, a twelve year old male was shot on West Millman. He was allegedly standing outside and didn't see anything. It is beleived that the shot came from the alley on Butler.

There have been several seperate incidents of shots being fired in South Peoria tonight. In one incident in particular, a police officer heard the shots.

Just so you all don't feel left out in North Peoria - six men all armed with handguns robbed Flat Top Grill, taking money from the safe and cash register. The robbers also took a large amount of cash from one employee and took employees cell phones.

What is the face of outrage?

Three more people were killed with guns in Peoria last night.

The NAACP has formed a commission with the PPD to talk about nuisance tickets. When I first heard that was what they wanted to meet about, I was somewhat outraged. I wanted them to be meeting about all of the recent gun violence.

I didn't want to take time to see the correlation between the PPD alienating the very snitches they need, by excessively ticketing them for annoying behavior, but I do. It's outrageous, but we need to take this step back in order to go forward.

Outrage comes in many forms and has many faces.

The Peoria Anti-Pundit is showing his outrage by ranting and calling folks out (the black community), even to the extent that he dared being called a bigot. You are not a bigot for being outraged by the recent gun violence Randall. People may not be cussing and pointing fingers, but I think you can trust that they are plenty outraged.

Pastor Harvey Burnett has been in talks with the Mayor's office; he has taken part in gun buy backs; he has organized vigils, he is posting about it regularly; he is holding a rally on June 27th, in an effort to empower citizens to come forward and work with the PPD. I'm thinking he is outraged.

The Commmunity Action Agency's Dennis Eggemeyer will be examining the latest wave of gun violence and revisit shootings and homicides from 2006 in an episode scheduled to broadcast Sunday. Check the promo video - Dennis is outraged.

Should one be more outraged because they are black and this is mostly black on black crime? Should one be more outraged because they live in the inner city?

The confusion appears to be about what exactly this outrage from the black community should look like, what form should it take? Should we march in the streets with our fist raised to show our outrage, while walking behind the mythological black leader who holds within his person all of the answers to the problems that a race of people face? Would that be sufficient outrage?

Perhaps we should get up out of our chairs go to the window, open it and stick our head out and yell, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!". Would that be sufficient outrage?

We, Us, Peorians are all potential targets of violence. To effectuate change - to stop the violence - OUR outrage will need to be sufficiently directed, multifacted and diverse. Do what you can, from where you are.

See this post? This is me being outraged. Will it suffice?

"Don't Be A Zero, Be A Community Hero"

The Peoria Association Of Pastors For Community & Spiritual Renewal are reaching out with a Community Hero Campaign designed to combat and directly effect the challenges associated with the "street rule" of "no-Snitchin'".

There is a Community Rally against crime and violence scheduled for June 27th 2010. "Don't Be A Zero, Be A Community Hero" is the theme. It will be held at the Neighborhood House in the parking lot area from 2-4:00 PM.

Please plan to attend. Your participation is essential in sending the message that this is our community and we want it back.

We want to change the perception around letting individuals and children know that Heroes are the ones who stand to make their community better by demanding accountability from those around them.

Source

Monetary incentives for grades

Dr. Latoy Kennedy

Should students receive monetary incentives for grades and could such a program work in Peoria?

Dr. Latoy Kennedy, District 150's new Director of Curriculum over saw such a cash incentive program when she was the Principal of the Calvin Wiley Elementary School in Guilford County, North Carolina.

In 2008, after only one year at the reins of Calvin Wiley Elementary School, Principal Latoy Kennedy received the district's highest honor for an administrator. After being selected as one of five finalists, from more than 100 principals, Kennedy was named Guilford County Schools Principal of the Year.

"The faculty and staff (make) sure the students feel valued, smart and capable," Kennedy said. "Our kids are just as smart as everybody else's." In addition to the faculty and staff, Kennedy credited the school's incentive programs for the students' success.

The students participated in a program called "It Pays to Do Well." Students are paid cash when they make the honor roll. "If they make honor roll the first time, they get $10, the second time they get $20, the next time it's $40 then $50," Kennedy said.

If they receive a score of three or four on the end-of-grade test, students receive a $100 savings bond. The reward money comes from private donations. "You have to find out what it is to tap into that motivation -- you do what works," she said.

Eventually, the children won't need those incentives to do well, Kennedy said. "Once a person experiences success, they like that feeling."

Source

Images from the Urban League's Black and White Gala

I just came across photos of the Tri-County Urban League’s largest annual fundraiser, the Black and White Gala, which was held on April 17th in the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. The evening featured a silent auction, social hour, dinner and concert by Grammy-nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright.

Just a few of the young, black and fabulous folks in attendance:

The Urban League’s funding has remained steady for the last several years, however, expenses continue go up. For that reason, the Urban League will be putting more emphasis on increasing it’s donor base and will introduce two new fundraisers later this year, a golf outing Sept. 27 and a jazz brunch Oct. 24.

The Urban League's Urban Youth Empowerment Program

The local Urban League is one of six affiliates in the country that has a grant to continue a pilot program designed to prepare young people in the 18 - 24 age group for the workforce.

The local Urban League’s success with its Urban Youth Empowerment Program is the reason the agency is able to continue the pilot project with a $200,000 grant funded through a joint venture between the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Urban League.

Of the 27 affiliates originally funded through the project, the local Urban League had the third-highest number of participants who found and retained jobs after going through the program.

About the Urban League
After a wave of black migrants fleeing oppression in the South for opportunity in the North in the early 1900s, a wealthy white widow, Ruth Standish Baldwin, and George Edmund Haynes, a social worker and the first black to receive a doctoral degree from Columbia University, took the lead in founding the Committee on Urban Conditions Among Negroes in 1910.

Based in New York, the committee soon merged with two other organizations. Haynes became the first director. The organization shortened its name to the National Urban League in 1920.

As the organization grew, independent affiliates spread throughout the country. The Tri-County affiliate, based in Peoria, was founded in 1965 by an interracial group of local citizens.

In 1964, Erma Davis, Valeska Hinton and Helen Leatherwood urged a group of local businessmen and community leaders to start an Urban League affiliate in Peoria. The group passed the hat, raising $27,000 in one night. Frank Campbell was hired as the first director a year later, and Talman Van Arsdale, then president of Bradley University, was the first president of the board of directors.

The national office sets the Urban League’s broad mission on issues of education, employment, housing, health and civil rights while some 100 affiliates are free to localize the mission to suit community needs. Unemployment remains a chief area of concern at the national and local level.

Source

In what order should teachers be let go?

Should teachers who receive "unsatisfactory" ratings be let go first - regarldess of senority?

At the June Board of Education meeting Wednesday, members are considering a resolution “with respect to order of layoff to comply with the Illinois School Code.” At a press conference before the board meeting, Huberman said the Illinois School Code allows CPS to consider factors other than seniority in making layoffs.

He said the small number of teachers—only about 3 percent—who are rated unsatisfactory on their evaluations should be the first to go. “We have to do the best by our students,” he said.

However, he admitted that the school code is in “conflict” with the union contract, which calls for layoffs based on seniority. He said he believes state law takes precedent.

The move spurred an immediate negative reaction from the Caucus of Rank and File Educators. According to a press release issued Wednesday: “Today’s move by the Board is illegal, unnecessarily confrontational, and belligerent,” .

CORE has a different reading of the law. According to the group’s press release: Illinois School Code Section 24-12 is crystal clear: the order of dismissal of teachers for budgetary reasons must be done according to tenure unless another method is established in conjunction with the union.

It is unclear whether the resolution being considered by the board Wednesday allows Huberman to open up discussions with the union, or whether it gives him the go-ahead to change the order of layoffs.

Who is really running our schools...

and what do they care about your child receiving equality in education?

In my opinion, before change can begin to happen within District 150, the Lathan Administration and Board of Education must take a realistic look at the individual culture of each school and find out who is actually running our schools.

As we know from the Lindbergh Middle School fiasco, PTO's and parent groups can be very influential on a Principal. At Lindbergh, it appears that as long as the Principal's core group of supporters were happy, the Principal felt empowered to proceed down a certain path that was not in the best interest of all students or the District. The Davis/McCardle situation is now costing the District tens of thousands (maybe even hundreds of thousands) of dollars.

The voices that are heard in the administration of our individual schools have a say in the programs the school seek out, equipment, placement of children, dress code, etc... Unfortunately, all parents don't have the wherewithal to have input in these decisions that go to the day to day education of their children. It's not necessarily because they don't want to, it's because many don't know that they can have a say. Parents simply are not being empowered to take part in the decisions that directly impact their children's futures.

Oftentimes, important information may be given out in booster or PTO meetings that are attended by a small core group of parents and/or teachers - they could be running the school. Or, there may be a group of volunteers in the school, a church group, for example, that provides the school with a large range of services and funding - they could be running the school. It could be the parent in the school with the powerful spouse, who is from a prominent family - that person could be running the school. It is alleged that at Glen Oak, a volunteer school secretary was running the school. Or, if you look at the "kickin it video" of the Trewyn students - some may say the students are running the school.

The District has had enough clues from both North and South of War Memorial that the District's Principals may be professionally and/or ethically challenged. It is time for the District to take a close look at the Principals and Administrators who are charged to work in the best interest of ALL students. Don't let church groups, PTO's, boosters, school secretaries, powerful parents, neighborhood groups, or even students run our schools.

Principals must take back the power that they have been entrusted with and recommit to do their best to insure that all children have access to equality in education, not just the children whose parents or supporters have your ear.

Envision Peoria - a veritable Edutopia...

Two days and 68 comments after the Peoria Chronicle started the conversation about BOE member Rachael Parker’s comment about perhaps considering a residency requirement for District 150 employees, the pjstar has essentially compiled all of the comments and put forth “Our View”.

From where they appear to sit:

Shame on you Mrs. Parker for daring to put forth the idea of an Edutopia. Yes, shame on you for daring to hope that teachers and learners could/should live together and care enough about each other to work on building a healthy community. You hope for a community that will embrace and celebrate it’s children, when most would prefer to hold them at arms length. Now, can we talk about keeping these children in school year round?

There is a war raging in our City

The Peoria Assn. Of Pastors Community Hero Campaign has been developed to encourage community and citizen involvement in standing up to address crime and violence in neighborhood settings. As Carl Cannon says, "Make The Call!" Citizens must make the call and we must support their efforts. We are doing what we can do to support citizens as they address unlawful activities in their neighborhood and community.

This message is designed to directly address the negative stigmas promoted by the gang and drug culture through their "no-snitchin" efforts. Further details can be found on our Pastor's web site at www.peoriapastors.blogspot.com

Peoria Pastors STOP THE CRIME Award Fund
At the DMI rally a special announcement will be made regarding the establishment of The Peoria Pastors "crime stoppers like" reward fund. This fund will be the first of its kind in Peoria established by Peoria Association Of Pastors Member Churches and supported by churches, community organizations and private donations.

Were they carrying roller skates?

Teens overtake store to steal food

A North Valley gas station attendant told police a group of 20 to 30 teens invaded the convenience store early Sunday morning and made off with more than $500 worth of merchandise.

The attendant at the Mobil Super Pantry, 2900 NE Adams St., also told Peoria police it was the second time a group of teens has grabbed items and ran in recent memory, though the first incident was not reported.

The group came to the station about 2 a.m. Sunday after attending a party, possibly at the Peoria Palace skating rink, the attendant told police. While some of the teens lined up and purchased items, others simultaneously grabbed food and gum and fled.

A police report did not list the exact amount of the theft, but claimed more than $500 worth of merchandise was taken.
Source

A few things about the clerk's story seem off:

Peoria Palace is located at 11009 N. State Street (Mossville), 7 miles away from Mobile Super Pantry. On Sunday's, they close at 10:00 p.m.

How likely is it that 20 -30 teens could walk from Mossville, down North Galena Road, to Peoria, at about 2:00 a.m., without being stopped by the Popo before getting to the Mobile Super Pantry?

Again, Peoria Palace is 7 miles away, don't you think these teens would have more than likely jumped in cars and driven away, rather than running?

Thus hath the candle singed the moth.
O these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.

School's out for Summer!

Today is the last day of school for District 150. Here's the zinger... for primary school the start time is 10:00 - they get out at 11:00.

Student: Why do we have to come just for an hour?
Teacher: ......
Student: Some of us ride the bus and we don't know what time it will be coming.
Teacher: That's not my problem.

I have never been more happy for a school year to end than I am today. TYJ