Somebody asked me to post the definition of cronyism. Seeing how I got nothing else for today, here it is...
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing
them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence,
cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy (wherein
appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals
based upon their "merits", namely intelligence, credentials, and
education.)
Cronyism exists when the appointer and the beneficiary are in social
contact; often, the appointer is inadequate to hold his or her own job or
position of authority and for this reason the appointer appoints
individuals who will not try to weaken him or her, or express views
contrary to those of the appointer. Politically, "cronyism" is derogatorily
used.
136 comments:
After reading about the highly UN-qualified "friends" from NC hired by Lathan, I was a bit miffed. Here I am, a master's degree in READING, yet a woman with a bachelor's degree in el. ed. is the Language Arts Curriculum Director for D150? What's up with that? Geesh, I have more experience and credentials than she does....however, I am not Lathan's bud, hence CRONYISM!
Day by day more of it being exposed.
Cronyism is rampant in Peoria
It's the Chicago way.
Bad practices.
Poor leadership.
It's time for taxpayers to DEMAND better.
In these tough economic times we have no other choice!
Who the heck are you talking out the side of your mouth. "In these touch economic times we have no other choice". Really?????
Tim and Revondas nickname for Toy is special Ed....they don't even respect each other.
I meant our only choice is too DEMAND better,sorry.
DuhTonkaToy
Associate Supt from NC
Principal from NC
Asst principals from NC
Custodian from NC
Thinking Maps from NC
Paxton-Patterson Lab from NC
Cronyism.
Well, Petelle won't argue with it since she isn't "homegrown" either.
This isn't just cronyism.... it's "dumb ass board!" Why would they ever bring in this many people that do not hold a stake in Peoria? None of these people care what happens to our schools, our city nor our children. They are all loading the resumes so they can move on to the next fiasco.
Look at what their qualifications are for the positions they are holding and the high amount of their salary. How can they evaluate anyone or be in the position they are in? None of them have the qualifications. Principals and some employees at the schools here have the very same or higher qualifications and should have been hired for these positions. It would have been way cheaper. No moving costs! How many of these and who are they that have their children in non-district 150 schools?
Harry Whittaker where are you?
Alas, in the raging sea of negativity regarding District 150, here is a lifeboat of positive energy and enthusiasm that is happening in the schools, whether you notice it or not.
This is the latest edition of Remarkable Times, produced in partnership with PCCEO's Media Services. It will be aired as part of CAPtions on Sunday, April 22 at 5 pm on Comcast Cable 22. But you can preview it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS64vM2A7JM
Are Petelle's eyebrows homegrown?
People send emails to your board demanding that they expect Lathan to manage wo retaliation. If not, the mess when she leaves (and she will) will be enormous. The non bid from Harcourt. The current findings the state may uncover with their audit. The lawsuits. The unused programs. Schools reopened wo students. Teachers not adequately evaluated. The yrs of pd not conducted with admin because of the mtgs where they are yelled at...the SIGS not properly implemented. That is quite a growing bill....
It is said Lathan is supported by the business community. How many businesses are run like hers?
Peoria deserves better.
Peoria's business community supports fear and intimidation tactics? It supports bringing over a million dollars worth of new curriculum (some teacher's edition are still not in the hands of the teachers), without the appropriate PD? They support demoting principals well-known in Peoria, even by the business community, because principals understand what is happening and pursued other districts for employment?
What does that say about Peoria? Families are not just running from D150, they are running from Peoria, too, with these attitudes.
If Peoria's bingo hall reopens, LuhToy might stay.
Persia cronies versus NC cronies. what a choice!
Peoria cronies
The cronies you know are better than those you don't. LOL
Whole bunch of NC cronies "flew" in from NC to "teach" D150 teachers a thing or two. Bet there was a big NC party at Lathan's house last night....compliments of D150. P.S. Those NC teachers were mediocre at BEST. Didn't tell us anything that we aren't already doing. WHY would the BOE approve flying all these teachers in for a professional development. Most of these teachers ended up learning from us. Hey, can we bill their school district for the PD we did for THEM?
If anyone doubts that this sort of thing happens, think again. Certainly, (according to FOIAd data) several NC teachers came here to provide professional development for Thinking Maps even though Lathan and Kennedy are themselves trained to do the PD. I think they did have to sign some sort of promise not to provide training outside of NC school. Anyway, the money spent was exhorbitant and not necessary--how hard is it to teach graphic organizers by a new name.
The teachers that flew in from NC neglected their own students. The week they came in their students had snow days. Then, it is said that the teachers took sick leave versus personal leave to come to Peoria....meaning that their kids only saw their teachers one day that week. Those NC teachers signed promises to the program that trained them in NC that they would not train others outside of their buildings.....
What do you think of your superintendent that doesn't think that she or her friends should have to follow the rules? Such as letting NC staff work from home when others are expected to come to work? Such as excluding Toy of numerous gaffes, insults, unprofessionalism but firing/demoting people of proven track records? Such as putting a person in charge of a high school turn around with little to no high school experience while running off its experienced principal?
Must be talking about all those unfamiliar faces at Glen Oak yesterday. Noone in Illinois qualified to talk about literacy work stations?
Any striking news today?
All of this reflects the board of education. This is what our tax dollars are being used for and they are allowing it!
My husband told me about a PD he had to go to last year on Thinking Maps. He was being taught how to use a Venn Diagram, something he was already using in his classroom. What a waste of time and taxpayer dollars. Not to mention confusing for the students who know what a Venn Diagram is, and now they are calling it some silly made-up name.
Yes, the Thinking Maps cost the District over a million dollars. EVERY teacher received one of thos make-shift notebooks that cost $125 each plus hundreds in shipping. The least they could have done is rented a U-Haul and brought them from North Carolina by themselves.
The new program D150 is pulling out is Pinpoint. The principals were pulled from their buildings today for an all day training. After school there is a reception for the principals and select teachers. How much is this costing the taxpayer?
I too went to the Thinking Maps TWO day training (draining). What a joke, the "trainer" was from N.C., omg, what a surprise. Let's see, will I use a "circle map" or a "double-bubble".....worthless. Does NOT make anyone's child smarter, unless, of course, you're from NC, then it makes you smarter and RICHER...
Saw an article online about the characteristics of bad bosses. Here are a few.
1. People are afraid of you.
2. You micromanage.
3. Stress controls you; you don't control stress.
4. You create real and perceived distances between yourself and your team.
5. You're unavailable.
6. YOu don't know your reports.
7. You have no investment in your reports' futures.
8. You manage down more than you manage up.
The original salesperson from Harcourt that negotiated the textbooks, etc. was fired.
Pinpoint might be wonderful. Don't the teachers in Peoria deserve a voice in helping select a million dollar product? The district has to bid toilet paper why didn't it have to bid this?
I have presented FOIAd data about this sale and Terry Knapp has often asked the board why they allowed this expenditure without putting the texts out for bid or allowing teachers to preview the books. The only response from the board or Lathan was from Lathan who stated there was a science teacher on her staff that previewed the books. A FOIA told us that the expert was Kennedy.
The Attorney General finally sided with District 150, so 150 didn't have to release data about the sale and arrangements with a Harcourt representive, Dr. Robert Owens, to do the 150 audit--free of charge. I don't think it was "free."
If the above poster could give me any more ideas as to how to find out more about this sale, I would be happy to pursue it.
Honestly said, I don't think you can do anything to fend off the attacks. I don't think you got attacked because of something you did, but because lots of people admire you and your work. That's apparently enough for some people to hate you. Only by unpassionating your readers, can you hope to actually stop the haters. I hope you will reject that option.
Have you tried calling Laura or another board member?
Uhhhhhh, Laura? Why?
Right, why Laura? I have addressed all my comments (and asked questions) to board members at board meetings--none seem eager to discuss. However, they do continue to extol the wonderful, remarkable things happening in District 150.
Procuring toilet paper is a bit different than procuring textbooks. I'd hate to think our schools would decide to purchase the cheapest textbooks available.
The School Code specifically exempts many purchases from the bidding process, including:
"(xiii) contracts for goods or services which are economically procurable from only one source, such as for the purchase of magazines, books, periodicals, pamphlets and reports, and for utility services such as water, light, heat, telephone or telegraph; "
John is saying there is only ONE place to purchase science books? There is only ONE textbook company in the entire United States? How fortunate for Lathan that company is in North Carolina.
It is true that there aren't many textbook companies--obviously, Harcourt-Mifflin-Houghton have merged. However, there still are other competitive companies. Also, (and I don't know if it's true) someone on this blog reported that in these new texts there are a significant number of factual errors, including putting landmarks in the wrong country.
Also, there just seemed to be something "under the table" about the text purchases because no one wants to be straightforward about the deal and the audit. If everything is on the up and up, then there shouldn't be so many unanswered questions--questions asked but not answered.
And spending 4 million dollars on texts and pinpoint seems a bit too much for the year when money is so tight that teaching positions have to be eliminated.
There's only ONE place to purchase the textbook of your choice - the publisher. Incidentally, HMH is a Boston based company and 3 of its 10 U.S. offices are located in Illinois, with no offices in NC.
While the are other textbook companies, it would seem that people are only speculating that no others were considered (textbooks from companies other than HMH were also purchased).
Oh, Jon...this is Peoria, not the burbs. You really need to be here to understand and be in the know. If everything were on the up-and-up, we would have seen the bids publicly from the other companies as well. The Science series was only a couple years old, and worked very well with middle school kids. Nobody saw that coming! New Science series? Not necessary.
The less transparency the better for people on Wisconsin Avenue!
"be in the know"
Like how the sale of Columbia school was illegal?
Like how the administration wrongfully fired Ungurait?
Like how the district needs to obtain formal bids when purchasing textbooks?
All debunked.
And transparency has its limits - as the AG told Sharon. Much of it isn't necessary - for example, I don't think the public benefits enough to overcome the invasion of privacy that occurs when every single teacher's salary history is posted on the internet.
That said, I do agree that teachers should have been more involved in determining what textbooks to use, including whether new textbooks were necessary at all. Unfortunately, complaining about the lack of bids - when the School Code clearly exempts them in this case - only serves to diminish the valid points.
What they continue to do to Kevin Curtain is outrageous. Lathan is simply a bitch. http://www.pjstar.com/news/x513711997/District-150-hearings-continue
Jon, what Lathan did to Ungurait was unethical and hurtful to Michelle and her family as well as Peoria taxpayers. It may have been legal, but it was still a despicable move on Lathan's part.
I'm not sure I agree with you that the way the district purchased textbooks has been debunked. All of these people coming here from NC, yet putting their kids in Dunlap schools and then bringing in more people from NC to conduct training..... All of this smells of spoiled fish. We have perfectly good people locally (in the Midwest) that should have been eligible for these jobs. Again, taxpayers were raked over the coals.
I have to admit that I agree with you 90% of the time, Jon, but in the case of Lathan, I disagree. I'm in the schools every day. Teachers are unhappy. I have never seen them this unhappy. Principals are unhappy. Most employees are scared and worried, not just teachers.
Students are out of control, rude, and disrespectful. Parents bring their children in whenever they get out of bed. They keep them home so their hair can be braided. They pick them up early because they have baseball games. Honestly, it's crazy.
District 150 is a mess and people from NC are not going to save it. They are collecting pay checks and our board is handing out taxpayer money to them as if it were candy.
Which NC transplants have kids in outlying school districts? How many kids? Do they go to Dunlap with Mr. Curtains children? Or Peoria Academy with Dr. Kherats? Maybe they went to Notre Dame with Mr. Simmons children? What does it suggest?
It suggests some parents want, and provide, what they think is best for their children. Others merely deposit them on the public doorstep
Because some District personnel coming from NC elected to live in Dunlap may indicate a different problem Peoria faces -- limited newer housing stock.
Jon, I wasn't speculating about there being no other texts under consideration--at least, there was no bidding process for sure. However, my biggest complaint is that no teachers were allowed (or asked) to preview the books.
Jon, you refer to some school code allowing the purchase without bids. To what are you referring? I believe the bidding process is still in the code, but no one seems interested in calling District 150 to task for violating the code--at least, that's the conclusion to which I came after some investigating.
Most assuredly there were probably better options than the million-dollar purchase of Thinking Maps from a fly-by-night North Carolina company.
I am not sure we can make a valid criticism for North Carolinians choosing Dunlap. Many District 150 teachers and administrations do not send their children to 150.
However, Ungurait did--her child was at Whittier. Michelle told me that she had heard about Whittier years ago from a friend who knew of its reputation; therefore, Michelle purposely chose to live in the Whittier attendance area.
Standard practices for school districts as outlined by code and funding source dictate a formal review by teachers and parents of proposed adopted textbooks during an adoption year- English one year, Math the next, etc.
Lathan brought in a vendor she was familiar with in San Diego. He presented to her cabinet and offered to conduct the curriuclum audit "for free."
The company hired an assistant superintendent out of Flordia who is a good person to do contract work for them. Peoria did not pay for his services. He in unaware that the superintendent did not follow the standard practices outlined above.
Kennedy presented his curriculum audit with minimal work from her staff or her to the board. The board used it as their strategic plan. The board never questioned why a a non profit or individual not associated with a vendor did the audit. Then Lathan turned around and REWARDED that company who conducted the audit that Sharon has spent months to foia to find any information on with hundreds of thousands of dollars of textbooks that the public had not reviewed, that principals did not give input, and that teachers did not request.
Why Science? Because Kennedy taught Science. That's it. It is that simple.
Those books weren't needed- a comprehensive English Language Arts and Math curriculum, textbooks, and aligned assessment WITH professional development coordinated by individuals who know what they were doing at central office AND supported and involved teachers is what that money should have been spent on.
Jon- when a district buys toliet paper it doesn't just buy the cheapest. It has other measurements that are used such as company previous history of deliverables, credit, etc. Shouldn't instructional resources used by the children of the district deserve the same and thorough process regardless of the illegality of what Lathan and Kennedy lead the board through?
And, Peoria is going to need some durable toliet paper in volumes to clean up all of the crap those two are going to leave behind.....
Thank you, last Anon. You obviously have been here and understand. This BOE is being led down the primrose path, without asking the questions that need to be asked.
Some of us know where the bodies are buried.
Thanks so much for the info above--I find it especially interesting and I suspected that the science texts weren't that old and didn't need to be replaced.
Von Steuben used a textbook from 1985 to teach Health education during this purchase. If the teachers had been listened to...b/c they brought that concern forward more than once, perhaps students would have books they need.
Lathan was in high school in 1985- she probably used the same book.
You know how Grenita has bragged about the achievement of her elementary school? Ranked 3/10 stars:
http://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/greensboro/853-Washington-Montessori-School/
Check out:
http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/nc/853#toc
This shows that the year Lathan was principal was the lowest- 2008- 29% in reading.... All gains were after she left.
BTW, the magnet director and grant manager of that school after Lathan left was Ungurait from 2009-2010. The woman your board fired......
District Watch will meet Sunday at 6 p.m. at Monical's on Knoxville and Lake. Everyone is welcome!
Sharon, how are you feeling?
I will answer the question because I would like to encourage anyone who might wind up in my situation someday. My knee surgery went very, very well (even better than last year). However, my years of smoking have caught up with me, so now I have an oxygen tank as my constant companion. I am quite used to jumping over this cord at home (as are the Adkins-Dutro children and my cat). Carrying the tank around when I go places is a bit of an inconvenience, but not that big a deal. Besides I feel much better--I don't get out of breath any more. I realize now that when I used to see someone using oxygen, I thought they were near death--glad to know that isn't true. I am in the process of returning to my regular activities. Thanks for asking--sorry to take up space on Emerge's blog for such a purpose.
Dunlap bought the same science series that 150 has to use this year. Does anyone know if 150 needed to purchase new science books due to Illinois adopting the Common Core?
Common core is 90 plus percent ELA and Math .. It does have some technical for Science and nonfiction for SS. Science is in the midst of writing its Next Generation...the equivalent of Common Core for science....so the district will get to buy new textbooks, again, when it comes out in about two years.
Let's try this again...
Textbook sellers must annually file sworn statements attesting that the textbooks sold in Illinois will be sold a lower price than anywhere else in the United States. The seller also must file a bond with the state board of education indicating that
textbooks will be sold at the lowest net prices listed in the statements, that the price will be available throughout the state and that if the price of the textbook is lowered anywhere else in the United States, that price will be made available for all
districts in Illinois (105 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/28-1).
There's no need to bid - as the price is already set for each textbook and the vendor has already been approved at the State Board of Ed level.
And if you want to see the full section of the Code dealing with the bid process, (including the exemption quoted earlier) that is found in 105 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/10-20-21.
That no bid process is necessary for the purchase of textbooks is fact. That teachers should be involved in the process is opinion (which I share). We're entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts. When you bring issues to the board or administration or on a blog, and can’t get the facts right (especially when you’re claiming someone is doing something wrong), it’s no wonder that little consideration is given to your opinions.
Jon, you do seem to know the law--I'm not trying to contradict you. What mystifies me is that we have contacted people at the state level and no one has given us this information. In fact, they have told us that the bidding process is still required. Also, Terry Knapp has brought this issue to the board numerous times. Wouldn't you think that a board member or a superintendent would put the complaint to rest by explaining the code you just stated? And, yes, we wouldn't be complaining as much if the preview by teachers had been observed.
I served on many textbook selection committees, and I always knew that in the end someone on Wisconsin Avenue would make the final choice, but there was always the hope that they would take the teachers' recommendations seriously.
What Jon has outlined is the process that textbook vendors go through with the state to secure a price. What he has not outlined is the process that a district goes through to adopt locally.
From PSD 150 policy 4:60
All purchases and contracts shall be entered into in accordance with State law and Federal law and statutes including the Stevens Amendment. All contracts for supplies, materials, or work involving an expenditure in excess of $25,000 shall be made in accordance with the State law bidding procedure, unless specifically exempted. Sealed, competitive bidding, with certain statutory exceptions, is required. The Superintendent or designee shall prepare the necessary legal notices. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, considering conformity with specifications, delivery terms, quality, and serviceability. The Superintendent or designee shall report the results of the bidding to the Board of Education, together with a recommendation and supporting rationale. Contracts will be awarded by the Board of Education at an official meeting. Bid deposits of 10 percent of the bid amount, assuring good faith in bidding, and performance bonds to the extent of 100 percent of the contract amount, may be required.
Except in cases of urgent necessity, all purchases of $25,000 or less but more than $5,000 shall be made by securing sealed bids, written or oral quotations from at least three available competitors. In cases where this is not feasible, a written record shall be filed stating the reason for securing fewer than three bids or quotations. Bids and quotations secured in this manner shall be tabulated and submitted to the Board of Education for approval with recommendations from the administration.
At each Board of Education meeting, a report shall be submitted to the Board for its information, listing all purchase orders issued in excess of $2,500 for which bids or quotations were not obtained and the reason therefore.
Lathan and Kinney didn't prepare legal notices of selection. No one was invited for the review. Only one company was involved. None of it was conducted in good faith.
But, what has she done in good faith?
Sharon - maybe they expect you to check your facts before making wrongful assumptions. But, then where's the fun in that......
Mudslingers fling to see what sticks. They care little about facts or "coloring" the issues.
The fact is...for anybody sitting in Peoria and sits at the Professionals Developments, the people from the company flat out tell everybody in attendance that it is a bidding war, and they have to prove to the district that it was the most beneficial textbook company. There are lots and lots of freebies if they are just there to prove their textbooks excel. Many presenters have said the very same thing. Code or no code.
Isn't Jon charming?
Here is what I don't understand. Where is the outrage over the fact that North Carolina classroom teachers were flown in over their Easter break to give Peoria teachers pd on a Saturday. I am sure they weren't in and out in one day so we paid for some hotel rooms and meals. These teachers were supposed to be training in literacy stations. One they had was a box of books on a desk. Are you kidding me?!?!! And we paid how much for this? It is so obviously wrong and the Board and Peoria don't seem to care one bit. Lathan's actions are becoming more and more ridiculous and people seem to think it is the teachers who are out of order. Think again.
Here is what I don't understand. Where is the outrage over the fact that North Carolina classroom teachers were flown in over their Easter break to give Peoria teachers pd on a Saturday. I am sure they weren't in and out in one day so we paid for some hotel rooms and meals. These teachers were supposed to be training in literacy stations. One they had was a box of books on a desk. Are you kidding me?!?!! And we paid how much for this? It is so obviously wrong and the Board and Peoria don't seem to care one bit. Lathan's actions are becoming more and more ridiculous and people seem to think it is the teachers who are out of order. Think again.
Anonymous that said I was supposed to check my facts--what are you talking about? Sincerely, I don't know to what issue or set of facts you are referring? Also, I guess if they weren't facts, they should be called facts?????
Illinois is a state that allows local districts to make the final textbook selection, as opposed to those states wherein textbooks are selected at the State level to be used across all public schools. D150 policy states:
"A list of textbooks and instructional materials used in the District shall be revised annually by
building administrators under the Superintendent's direction and shall be made available to the Board
and professional staff as a reference."
In other words, the Superintendent can pretty much determine whatever process she wants in connection with selecting textbooks.
Jon, just because she can....doesnt make it right!
Jon, how is revising a list of textbooks annually the same as selecting new textbooks annually? Just asking because I don't understand. I guess it would help if we read the sentence in context--maybe after revising the list, there is another step in the process toward selecting new texts. Also, the sentence reads that the building principal should be part of the process. That didn't happen in last year's selection of books.
Jon, you did not debunk anything here. It was all underhanded. Thus, no replies at all, from the textbook committee, or admin, instead of straightening out the mess. You need to be here to make your biased statements. It is hard to work at D150 due to all of these things you think you debunked. And, you didn't do anything because Lathan says we need to pay for this, and the BOE says how much.
Per PSD 150 board policy 4:60
All purchases and contracts shall be entered into in accordance with State law and Federal law and statutes including the Stevens Amendment. All contracts for supplies, materials, or work involving an expenditure in excess of $25,000 shall be made in accordance with the State law bidding procedure, unless specifically exempted. Sealed, competitive bidding, with certain statutory exceptions, is required. The Superintendent or designee shall prepare the necessary legal notices. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, considering conformity with specifications, delivery terms, quality, and serviceability. The Superintendent or designee shall report the results of the bidding to the Board of Education, together with a recommendation and supporting rationale. Contracts will be awarded by the Board of Education at an official meeting. Bid deposits of 10 percent of the bid amount, assuring good faith in bidding, and performance bonds to the extent of 100 percent of the contract amount, may be required.
The administration did not internally consider more than one vendor. They didn't notice that they were considering more than one vendor. Even if you buy off of a state contract, you still have to review and consider more than one vendor....and might you include one teacher?
Latoy Kennedy's school- Wiley earned 2 stars as well:
http://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/greensboro/855-Wiley-Elementary-School/
Peorians certainly hired the best of the best....
Check out the TERRIBLE achievement while Kennedy was principal in 2009,10....isn't that something it climbs AFTER she leaves:
http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/nc/855#from..HeaderLink
Every teacher and principal that doubts Lathan and Kennedy's vision for success only needs to look at how well their schools were doing in achievement. The students they had in their schools are similar to Peorias.
Is this what business leaders and parents want their schools to look like? Did someone tell big stories during their interview process?
The BOE is really showing how little they know about laws and codes and education.
I see that we've come full circle. Quoting the policy that deal with purchases that references the School Code that describes the bid process that clearly EXEMPTS books sold by one vendor.
Further, there is no evidence that other books/vendors weren't considered - on the contrary, books from other publishers were also purchased.
Again, it is reasonable to expect that teachers should be involved in selecting textbooks. But there is no basis to support that laws and policies weren't followed.
(Sharon, I'll add the obvious response to your earlier comment - the key phrase is "under the Superintendent's direction")
As previously stated, when people make bogus complaints, especially when they are serious complaints of criminal or negligent activity, the valid complaints are even more likely to be ignored.
I could clog up this blog with the district's own policies and how they have not followed them from day one of the Lathan admin...such as this one:
Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs
6:260
Persons with complaints about curriculum, instructional materials, and programs should complete a curriculum objection form and use the Uniform Grievance Procedure. A parent/guardian may request that his/her child be exempt from using a particular instructional material or program by completing a curriculum objection form and using the Uniform Grievance Procedure.
CROSS REF.: ADOPTED:
2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure), 8:110 (Public Complaints) July 18, 2005
How about this one? Did Thinking Maps or the NC Literacy training follow this board policy?
6:40
Experimental Educational Programs and Pilot Projects
The Superintendent may recommend experimental educational programs and/or pilot projects for Board consideration. Proposals must include goals, material needs, anticipated expenses, and an evaluation process. The Superintendent shall submit to the Board periodic progress reports for programs that exceed one year in duration and a final evaluation with recommendation upon the program's completion.
Jon- show us the legal notices on the textbook purchase. Since you are in the know...what other textbooks besides Harcourt were bought?
Some textbooks from other companies were purchased (McMillian, McGraw Hill, Pentice) but they were in language arts, literature and/or math. Harcourt's huge order was mostly for science.
I firmly believe that none of the purchases were the result of any kind of bidding process.
However, I do assume that other companies do produce science texts. If that's the case, would this still apply, Jon: "bid process that clearly EXEMPTS books sold by one vendor."
Several subsriptions for National Geographic were renewed, but they were a conduit purchase for the Diocese and Bishop Jenky.
All this talk about textbooks. Boooorrrrrring. I'd rather sit around and watch Petelle's eyebrows grow.
The Board isn't really going to permanantly change the meetings to include one Committee of the Whole meeting a month, is it?
Do they pull the basketball rims off the outdoor backboards at North Carolina schools? Or just in the Peoria's Glen Oak 25 Million dollar community learning center? Is it a nationwide culture thing that thugs won't allow people to gather and play and enjoy a simple game? Or is it District 150 customers?
I googled outdoor basketball crime and got my answer. It's Chicago, Los Angeles, Ohio, Michigan, basically any state that's blue in an election year .
And, the online data warehousing component to Harcourt- that should have been bid out as well b/c there is more than one company that offers those type of systems. Amazing.
PEORIA —
Demotion hearings scheduled tonight have been canceled for a Peoria School District 150 principal and two assistant principals. The hearings have been tentatively rescheduled for April 30, according to District 150 spokesman Chris Coplan.
The three are entitled to publicly-held hearings on district recommendations to reclassify them to teaching or other positions at lower pay.
Attorneys for the three — Kevin Curtin, principal of Irving Primary School; Gloria Cox, academy leader at Manual Academy; and Michael Smith, assistant principal at Trewyn Middle School — failed to convince board members not to accept the administrative recommendations to demote them after a seven-hour marathon of private hearings last week.
The rarely conducted hearings in public are the second stage of their due process rights.
Board meeting still hasn't started. Apparently, Petelle having a tough time getting her eyebrows through security.
Spectator appropriately comments that the busses run late too - that tardiness seems to be a district wide issue.
Martha Ross brings down the house by replacing the usual Pledge of Allegiance with her solo rendition of the National Anthem. Several audience members and two board members with tears in their eyes.
Young authors recognition. Sharon Crews thinks to self, "I bet the winners of the young authors competition have better grammar than the author of Remarkable Times."
Curtin, Cox, Smith not in attendance. Hearing has been moved to April 30. Buy your tickets early - they will go fast.
Mr. Sierra tries to start "the wave" but is quickly ruled out of order by Linda Butt ler.
ShaRON Reed giving fine arts recognition via her ridiculously fake British accent. Apparently, Reed will be awarded next month for never failing to miss a fine arts presentation at Peoria High School. Congratulations, ShaRON.
Knapp approaches the mound.
Union officer gives speech on how teacher evaluation is supposed to be used to help teachers improve - not to "get" them. Central administrators have a look of "I can't even comprehend what that means" on their faces.
Union officer gives speech on how teacher evaluation is supposed to be used to help teachers improve - not to "get" them. Central administrators have a look of "I can't even comprehend what that means" on their faces.
Apparently, the houses on Prospect are going to be used as form rooms for Parent University.
Mr. Knapp points out that the district's legal fees are going to be astronomical. Sierra scolds board for starting meeting late and points out discipline and dress code aren't enforced in schools. Fails to point out board and admin fashion faux pas.
Sierra points out that district programs are a waste of money and scolds the district for selling buildings too cheap. Says they must need some pocket money for vacations.
College teacher (former District 150 teacher) brought her novice teachers to the board meeting so they can learn how not to run a district.
Union member points out that a survey was sent to board members by grading committee and only one board member took the time (three minutes) to do it.
Union member points out that the evaluation tool was not brought to Peoria by any of the 3,000 employees who were cronied from North Carolina to PIA. the evaluation tool was brought by the PFT and was meant to benefit administrators and TEACHERS.
Union president points out that tenured teachers were not given remediation. Nor were any PFT members given a $10,000 bonus for royally screwing the district.
Speaker points out that if a district 150 applies for job outside of district, that employee will be blackballed. District should check Dr. Lathan.
French teacher cut off before he could get to point. Head of security seen reaching for his taser. Apparently, he affectionately refers to it as Lathan's stinger.
Sadly, ladies and gentlemen, the public comment portion of the meeting has come to an end.
District 150 is the laughing stock of central IL. Hope Lathan is proud of herself.
Mike Smith demoted. A man smarter than all of Lathan's administrative staff put together.
Why do we even have French teachers? Let's teach Mandarin, the Chinese will own the US soon enough. With public representation of Sierra, Knapp, and the like, D150 runs well behind them in the embarassment factor.
Hey Anon, instead of criticizing people that "TRY" to make a difference, why don't you get off your bark-a-lounger and help out. Real easy to be an armchair referee, isn't it....A**hole!
Thank you to tonight's "live" blogger.LOL
Love the "live" blogger! Much needed humor during this time of self-destruction by board and admin.
The people I criticize "try" to do nothing more than snake more of your Peoria tax money to fatten their own pockets.. And my recliner is of the finest mahogany leather - hardly a bark-a-lounger.
Youre still an a@@hole though.
The live blogging was fantastic. With the current administration and the condition of our district, we have reached the "Gotta laugh or you will cry" time of the year.
My heart is broken for Mike Smith. This man did nothing wrong and worked his ass off at Peoria High and Trewyn. Shame on Renee Andrews and Perkins (who sits on her hiney all day long and gets paid for doing nothing except kissing Lathan's ass). They fed him to the wolves.
Smith should have demanded a public hearing instead of backing down. He is a great guy and was a good administrator.
Yeah Mr. Sierra sucks the taxpayers dry, doesn't he? He has a huge mansion on south Stanley.
So tell me 150 bloggers, what happened to the principal at Day Treatment?
I heard she slapped a student....and several adults witnessed it...is that what you are referring to....
Day Treatment does not have a principal. The administrators are an Assistant Principal, and a special education coordinator.
Don't understand what you mean by "what happened to the principal at Day Treatment?" There is no principal, unless you mean the Trewyn Principal.
Who is /was the Principal at Day Treatment?
Carolyn Nunn
temper temper
She is not the principal at Day Treatment. She is an assistant principal.
So how do you slap a kid and not get fired?
Come on guys, be reasonable! Ms Nunn only allegedly smacked a child she really didn't do anything wrong in the eyes of Lathan. It wasn't as if she applied for a job in another district or something..geeesh!!!!
It's all about the children
I heard that while Martha was singing the Star Spangled Banner, Laura Patelle was dressed at George Washington, as he was crossing the Potomac! Eyebrows and all!
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