What makes Quest Charter Academy a different District #150 public school, is a charter/contract that allows a separate, non-elected board of citizens (Peoria Charter School Initiative), to utilize federal tax dollars that District #150 receives, to support their vision of a District #150 public school. However, in every other respect, Quest is a public school that sits within school taxing District #150.
Peoria Charter School Initiative is seeking to expand Quest Charter Academy (a District #150 school) and would like to purchase two school buildings from District #150 for $150,000 each.
Rationalizing: Taxing District #150 is selling the buildings to Peoria County, which will then sell them tocharter school District #150 because school laws prevent the District from selling the buildings directly to the charter school District #150. Huh?
Why all the convolution?
Peoria Charter School Initiative is seeking to expand Quest Charter Academy (a District #150 school) and would like to purchase two school buildings from District #150 for $150,000 each.
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Rationalizing: Taxing District #150 is selling the buildings to Peoria County, which will then sell them to
Why all the convolution?
84 comments:
Terry Knapp reported (from a FOIA) that 7 teachers had left Quest since it opened. Lathan responded that all of those people left because they got promotions--how does she know that? She doesn't, that's how! Then she said she is quite happy with Quest--as proven by walk-throughs that she has done.
Last night the board was all set to vote without either knowing what they were voting on or without letting the public know. However, Cloyd asked questions--not usually expected before a vote. Ha!
Therefore, all the info that came to light was only because of his questions. He asked for the terms--thus the info about the terms of the sale. Secondly, he asked how much--that's the kicker. $150,000 for each piece of property. Isn't that the value of many homes in Peoria. I can't help but believe that the property (if not the building) could bring in my revenue than that.
With all due respect, Sharon, perhaps Dr. Lathan and/or the Board of Directors receives copies of reports and minutes from the Quest Board of Directors?
That would be how she knew about the 7 teacher promotions.
loophole
We do live in the corrupt state of Illinois..... Scary isn't it?
Latham has little to know knowledge of Quest. She wants it to go away but politically know she can't get rid of it. She's created so much chaos, the taxpayers should be happy there is at least one middle school oasis. Good knowledgeable people were hired there when Latham brought in her inept sistas.
Dennis, I don't agree because I know that one of those teachers left under duress. Also, by looking at the places where these teachers have taught, it is fairly clear that some were pink-slipped from 150 and served only one year here or there. For most of them, any job but Quest would be a promotion--at least, where salary is concerned.
Do you really believe that Lathan looks at all those minutes, etc. Besides what does she have to do with it anyway? I thought it was the board members, not Lathan, who vote to renew or discontinue Quest's contract in 5 years.
I'm confused, is Peoria County selling the schools to Quest Charter Academy or are they selling them to Peoria Charter School Initiative?
That is a good question because if Quest folds, who will get the property? I would certainly hope that some out-of-town company would not have the title.
Quest will fold. It's only a matter of time before something weird happens there and news of it gets to the public. Then it'll be lights out. Besides, I think the building is haunted.
Manual already has the 7,8,9th grade jr. academy set up can Quest do it better?
Definitely haunted. Was driving by last night and saw the phantasmagoric likeness of Mary Davis peering out of one of the second story windows.
You know what I am trying to understand? WHY "Dr." Lathan is getting rid of ANOTHER African-American FEMALE principal. Yes, it's true. Evidently she feels threatened by other woman of color.....Shipp, Kherat, etc. She is a tyrant and a bully, telling principals that if test scores are low, it's the administration and teachers of that school that are at fault, not the crack-head, gun-toting, prostitutes these children are raised by. Administrators are being TOLD by her what to give for teacher evaluations. Here's a clue, she has NEVER stepped foot in my classroom, seen me teach, or spent more than a couple of hours a couple of times this year at my building, yet SHE deems ME "satisfactory". Let me tell you what I do that is "satisfactory". I work ten hour days being teacher, mom, nurse, counselor, waitress, seamstress, nurturer, encourager, secretary, tester, data collector/reader. I have these precious children 6 and a half hours a day, the other 17 and a half are with the people who "birthed" them, that can't get them to school on time, pick them up early, send them in urine stinking clothes, shoes with holes, dried snotty faces, with no bookbag or folder or homework to speak of. The only way the scores will raise at my school is to take MOST of these children away from the children that are raising them and take them home with me(which I would GLADLY do). I'm sorry, I am thoroughly disgusted that the BOE of District 150 is soooo out of touch that they don't even see what this DEVIL woman is doing to the employees of this district. Martha, Linda, Deb, Rick,Laura, Lyn, OPEN YOUR EYES, THIS WOMAN IS TAKING OUR DISTRICT INTO THE TOILET. PLEASE, BEFORE SHE FIRES ANOTHER "QUALITY" EMPLOYEE, STOP HER. COME AROUND TO THE SCHOOLS AND FIND OUT HOW TERRIFIED ALL THE PRINCIPALS ARE OF HER AND HER PITBULL, MCKINNON. PLEASE HELP....
Never mind. Drove by again after dinner. Turns out the phantasm in the window was Tanberk the night janitor.
The principals need to grow a collective pair of balls and speak up. Otherwise, too bad for them. I ain't skairt of that lady.
Unfortunately, the first matter of business when Lathan was hired was to "castrate" and tuck said "balls" into her top drawer. Hard to grow new ones.....just sayin.
Nothing will happen until the board members get their heads out of the sand or until Lathan does something to offend them.
Evidently the BOE doesn't care that Lathan has offended pretty nearly every employee of this district considering the fact that she continues to bring in her cronies from NC to fill openings in this district's schools. Are there no teachers "worthy" of working in D150?
I understand it has been suggested by Dr. Lathan that all the school board members resign, so she can bring in NC cronies to fill the board.
I heard Lathan was going to bring in her favorite Deputy from NC to be in charge of security. Barney Fife!
I hope he leaves his one issued bullet in his pocket....
Is it true that LuhToy nearly went into a diabetic coma after eating three Hello Kitty Valentine's cookies at the last Parent University debacle?
No, she went into a blind rage (despite her pizza box quafocals) upon discovering the Hello Kitty cookies she specifically requested weren't ordered in time for the Parent University Valentine's event held at Quest Charter Academy. They tried to placate her with a silver platter bearing Turkish Delight - to no avail.
Turkish Delight AKA smoked camel tongue. I understand it was enjoyed by the administration only.
Did you hear finally some good #150 news...Scott Donahue, teacher, yes I said a TEACHER....is planning on running for Union President next year. This should be a welcome change for the union and all TEACHERS. Wish he could take over now because what we have in place are NOT TEACHERS. They all have offices in the admin building. They don't understand, nor have to deal with, what we teachers have to go through everyday.
Oh boy! That's swell!
I heard Phil Berkmann from the 7th grade academy at Manual Talent Development High School is running.
Uhhhhh. You might be thinking of Berkman Phillips. First year teacher at Manual. He has his doctorate in differentiated instructional methods and was president of the Teamsters Union in Holstein, Iowa, before turning his talents to teaching. He's very well educated, but isn't much of a people person.
I think we all would prefer someone from Peoria leading us. We have seen how well that works with our admin.
I saw Berkman at EP's on karaoke night. He was wearing an I Love Peoria shirt while singing "I'm Proud to be an American." He drives a sweet Ford 4 * 4 with a Buy American Steel number sticker on the tail gate. He even wears Wrangler jeans. His custom cowboy boots were, I thought, a bit much . . . but who am I to judge. He talks like Marion Michael Morrison and doesn't believe in sleeping.
Maybe someone with more than 27 days "training" at Western University. That was a tragic error on the part of the BOE to ever have hired Ken Hinton. He is a very nice person but did not have the hutzpa to be a superintendent. Many, many mistakes were made, many wrongs were done(that cannot be righted). This district needs a leader who is not a "good 'ole boy" but actually has the experience and KNOWLEDGE to take this district forward without destroying careers because of an ENORMOUS ego.(I honestly do not know how she gets that wig on that GIANT, swollen heard of hers).
I saw him too. He ordered three tenderloins, threw away the buns, stacked the loins, and ate the meat sandwich with mustard, ketchup, and extra pickles. He then three down two diet cokes and lit into a two hour stint on the dance floor. I heard he left at ten so he could get a workout in at the gym before it closed.
Well. You know what they say. A three toed sloth actually has twelve toes.
Lathan has her claws out and is directing them towards two principals who have dedicated many more years to the youth of Peoria than she ever will. Both apparently tired of her insanity and ego-tripping and dared to apply for a principalship outside of Peoria to get away from her bullying. Both are now being recommended by her to be returned to the classroom due to "poor leadership". It is funny that this poor leadership did not surface until they both decided to try to save their own mental health and get away from Psycholathan. She said nothing good to the BOE in Dunlap and has now set her sights on destroying their careers.
If you know Annette Coleman or Kevin Curtin, you must know how outstanding both are in their schools as well as this community. To think that Lathan has made their lives so intolerable that both made a choice to leave 150 is nearly criminal.
Something needs to happen in order to stop this woman from destroying the good people who are actually in the school buildings working with Peoria children.
All Lathan has done is tie the hands of principals so no punishment can be given then walk the halls, poke her head into some rooms, deem all teachers she sees as unsatisfactory due to student behavior, and close places like Garfield where absolutely wonderful things were happening. I'm pretty sure she didn't bother to walk those halls before she said, "Close it!"
I pray the board can actually see that the crime of this recommendation has nothing to do with Coleman and Curtin's leadership and everything to do with hers!
That would make 4 excellent principals she has chased away. This must stop. The BOE has to take their heads out of the sand and save this district! Our children deserve better than this! With Lathan, it isn't about the students...it's about her way or the highway. Please, the good, intelligent people on the BOE...look into all of this!
Please be sure to include the loss of Paul Monrad, assistant principal at Glen Oak, in your count of lost talent in 150. His contract has not been renewed and he will be leaving the district at the end of this school year. Yet another unbelievable loss for our students.
Hey Emerge,
the shootings are back in full force. duck for cover....
maybe the new hotel will have bullet proof glass in it.
So many individuals, their careers, and their families have been hurt by Lathan's ego trip. Board members, you read this blog.
What can you show for it? Hightened achievement? Safer schools? A better educated workforce? Confidence in your district leader's examples of balanced leadership?
Think hard about those answers. Is it worth it if you are responsible personally in civil suits b/c of directly supervising a tyrant? Money talks and bs walks. Start thinking of your own bottom line....the way all the wounded zombies aka former PSD 150 admin are.....
I don't understand either...
When interviewed by television reporters the other day, the Principal of Quest mentioned that students are "expelled" when they have behavior issues.
Are they expelled from the whole D150, or just removed from Quest, so Quest has better behavior data to gloat about? Does it give something for the Quest "board" to brag about to all of their business partners?
Where is the D150 board in all of this, because I am sure the answer to my question is that the "behavior" student is sent back to his/her regular school.
"because I am sure the answer to my question is that the "behavior" student is sent back to his/her regular school."
If you're so sure, why are you asking the questions? Judging by your tone, I doubt you would believe the answer if/since it doesn't suit your pre-conceived notions. But here's a hint - read the Illinois School Code sections on charter schools and suspensions/expulsions.
Ahhh...Jon is back.
Charming,isn't he??
The bullying at Quest is just as bad as the other schools. The principal needs to get a handle on it instead of ignoring it and needs to take a harsher stand on discipline. Charter school or no, these kids need to be expelled if they continue to be disruptive. This is what is wrong with Dist 150 schools, no consequences for bad actions. If not for these two problems Quest would be a great school.
All the union has to do is call for a vote of no confidence in Lathan. The problem, however, is that too many of the board members are doltish buffoons who will do nothing more than hire another crackpot to swoop into Peoria and then, three years later, swoop out nearly three quarters of a million dollars richer. I think it's time for a mayoral takeover of the schools - led by the district's various unionized employees. The board is comprised largely of people who like the status they imagine the position affords them - and that's it. They like to dress up and talk into a microphone. It's like no cover karaoke after midnight at the Elbow Room. These people have no real concern for the students in our district and until we uproot this flawed nightmare of a system, we're doomed. Home perm.
Any one of our District 150 schools would be great if the district would get a handle on discipline. Not just the Quest Beauty Academy.
The city council can't meet the needs of the people, put them in charge of the school district. They'd bulldoze the schools and put up a hotel.
no way no how. bad idea.
I am amazed at how the board just marches along like little grenitabots and seems to do NO research at all on any recommendations. The situation with the two principals up for "demotion" needs to be looked at because it is not their performance at their job that has Lathan up in arms. It is that they both had the gall to try and escape Lathantraz and regain some sanity.
Is it true Kevin Curtain has been removed from Irving and a new principal at Glen Oak????????
Is it true Kevin Curtain has been removed from Irving and a new principal at Glen Oak????????
No. Not true at all!
The principal being returned to the classroom will be able to blow the whistle on Lathan whe utilizing the full resources of the union to sue her if she then tries to go after them. She's setting herself up for the BIG PAYBACK.
Some guy I overheard talking at the Laramie Tap was saying LuhToy threw a fit at the mall when getting her toenails did. Apparently, after having Hello Kitty skillfully painted on each of her big toenails, she noticed that she had been charged the male price for her foot massage. She refused to pay and just as the owner was about to call security LT's chauffeur Mr. Chumbly rushed in to pay the bill out of his own pocket. Apparently, he had been watching reruns of The Bodyguard on Lifetime all weekend because he swept LuhToy up and carried her like a princess to his awaiting Geo hybrid.
I heard Kevin Curtin refused to take the flashing pumpkin off of his Halloween vest during a principals' meeting and hence (insubordination) the reason for his return to the classroom. Or was it the flashing heart from his Valentine's vest? I bet Jon would know.
The board has turned into the human caterpillar if it allows quality people like Annette and Kevin be demoted.
The situation is ridiculous. Both Kevin and Annette have been with the district for years and are dedicated, caring, involved principals. Their ONE mistake was not just bowing down to Lathan and letting her run all over them instead of getting sick to death of it and daring to apply at another district. Lathan is the biggest bully in the district and it will be an ABSOLUTE disgrace if this board allows her to get rid of two more top-notch educators in Peoria. Who will be left when this woman heads off for her next paycheck and leaves this district in a mess similar to San Diego? Can't anyone on that BOE put two and two together and actually come up with four?? Instead, they come up with $10,000 and give it to Lathan.
What the board has done by letting Lathan get rid of good principals is nuts. What is wrong with them? Are the board members that wacked out. Since the Board is Lathan's boss can't we all take a vote of no confidence in every board member and get them off. Lathan has completely ruined the school system in the two years she has been here. If she is allowed to stay we won't have a school system left.
Let's buy 'em all magic eight balls. If they use those, things might improve greatly.
When is Schifeling going to run again? He is the best union president we ever had!
I'll take Terry Knapp any day! He was dedicated to the teachers and showed complete support of each and everyone! Like him or not he represented the teachers, unlike the current union president.
schifeling is a putz.
Emerge-the southside was crazy with shootings this afternoon
Schifeling LOL. WOW that was the beginning on the unions downfall.
Schiefling about as impressive as the 21st President of the United States, Chester Arthur. Most people have never heard of him.
He was also Hinton's lap dog. Sold the manual teachers down the river with an MOU. Thanks but no thanks on shifty
A good turn-out is needed for Monday's BOE meeting to support the principals who have helped shape this district and the students in it. Kevin Curtin is way too big a loss as a principal...same with Annette Coleman.
Did the BOE really bring a superintendent from out of state to clean house of the good Principals in this district? What are they thinking? These 2 principals should be the impetus for the BOE to get the collective heads out of the sand and tell Lathan to go destroy somebody else's district, not ours!
If they "helped shape this district" - why should they be protected? I thought we needed great building leaders, not ones who let teachers and staff believe the status quo is good enough.
How many times will the board let Grenita "hand pick" someone like Annette and Michelle only to fire them?
I would like to have Dr Lathan give the public an explanation for her actions. Is it poor performance? The rumor is that it is bc both of these prinicipals applied for jobs outside Dist 150. If that is true, then Dr Lathan is just plain crazy and should be removed immediately. Individuals should be able to move around to other communities if they so choose. Dr Lathan has certainly not remained loyal to one district.
Who is Lathan's NC sidekick Mckinnon and what's her title??
I don't know what she is to Lathan but she is a world class bitch to everyone else. Feel sorry for her kid's teacher...
I don't know her title but I heard that she is about as pleasant as a root canal.
Just heard a rumor that Scott Donahue will be running for PFT President next year. Finally our union is doing something right if that's true!
Hope Scott isn't drinking kool-aid from the same cup as Darling.....just sayin!
you must not know Scott very well I am guessing.... he is very willing to support teachers.
Is he moving to the admin building too. short walk from von stu. union is not worth even talking about. terry and hedy. only good ones.
WOW !! Hedy was so good that she got elected to a position and then quit within a year. Guess we need more of those.
And in that year did more than all other union officers combined.
HEDY refused to drink the D150 koolaid. She was alienated by the executive board. I know how she felt. She wanted to help the teachers and the others want to help themselves. Just saying...
Who is running for president Donahue and Darling? Donahue and Devine? Or Donahue unopposed?
Heard Donahue will still be teaching half day if elected. That was his main point. From what I have heard Darling is not running, nor is Devine, so I assume Donahue will be the choice by the Ex. Board. Maybe they have finally listened to the teachers and made a wise choice. I know Donahue will help the teachers, especially if he stays in the classroom!!
Hedy still has a cult following. Beware. You might just end up with a jack rock stuck in the side of your crooked neck.
Jeff Concretebootstro
Jeff WhoCaresAbouttheTeachersInDistrict150-Dutro
Jeff Adkins-Dutro is an IDIOT. He wears the same five shirts every week but switches up his ties hoping no one will notice. Have you seen the van he drives? Looks like a church bus with tinted windows. And what's up with the hair growing out of his ears? That ain't cute. I heard the district outlawed flip flops just because of HIS toes. I heard his wife married him because she lost a bet and his kids wish the neighbor guy were their dad because he's much cooler. He has a perfect record with union elections - he's lost every single one. His head is so big the barber charges him double for haircuts. He can't get his shirts on over his head so he has to put em on from the feet up. In bigh school he was voted most likely to become a professional blind date. All of his pets run away from home. (just thought I'd poke fun at myself a lil bit . . . gotta be able to do that . . . plus, it helps even out the Karma when you make fun of others)
Adkins-Dutro
That is WHY we love you, Jeff!
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