Decision time.. who will lead the 2012-2013 School Board

Remember last year when the process for choosing who would sit at the head of the School Board was questioned?

Well it's that time of year again and as far as I know, nothing about the process for choosing has changed. 1470 WMBD is reporting that current board vice-president Chris Crawford and board member Martha Ross will likely be nominated for board president. Ross has been on the School Board for nine ten years, longer than any other member. Crawford has been on the School Board since 2010.

Last year it was Ross vs. Linda Butler, with Butler winning the seat. Board member M. Lynne Costic voted with Ross. Voting for Butler, in addition to herself, were Debbie Wolfmeyer, Chris Crawford and new board member Rick Cloyd, who was sworn in that day. Laura Petelle was absent.

Currently, the only qualification to be president is to sit on the board for at least one year. A past policy required a board member to be vice president before becoming president. Source

Dist. 150 school board expected to elect new president

The Peoria District 150 school board apparently will be under new leadership the next fiscal year.

Sources tell 1470 WMBD current board vice-president Chris Crawford and board member Martha Ross will likely be nominated for board president when the panel holds its annual reorganization meeting Monday.

Current board president Linda Butler will not seek another one-year term as president.

Board member Rick Cloyd will likely be the lone nominee to replace Crawford as vice-president.

Board members could make other nominations during the meeting which starts at Noon Monday at the District 150 administration building. Source

UPDATED: Second hand live blogging Board of Education Meeting...

Union President, Bobby Darling "out of order" at BOE meeting...

5:58  No picketers!

6:40  Meeting still hasn't started. Supposed to begin at 6:30

6:41  Meeting finally started

6:50  Teacher spoke regarding Harrison and Glen Oak. "Who is responsible for promising the taxpayers community schools and not delivering?"

6:52  Terry Knapp spoke regarding state baseball tournament. The IHSA baseball championship game help same day as 150 graduation. Lathan promised last June that would not happen. It was brought up last August and she did not change date. He is hoping that will not happen next year.

6:53  Mr Sierra said discipline is NUMBER issue that faces 150.

6:55  Bobby Darling states the district laying off  70 teachers...what will that do to class sizes?

7:00  Speaker asking why board meetings aren't televised live.  Asking for BOE to give community opportunity to watch meetings.

7:00  Public Hearing for Dismissal of Teachers.

7:09  Public Hearing people can speak a second time.

7:18   Bobby Darling asking if layoffs are really for economic reasons? Why does the District continue to buy more  programs if this is truly about economic reasons?

7:19   Teacher said that she has 34 kids in her home room. "…if district is laying off teachers next year will I have 44 or 54?"

7:24  Teacher said layers and layers of bureaucracy ..lots of people making 6 figures that never see the children.

7:25   So it came out that the teachers that will be dismissed tonight were not EVEN NOTIFIED!

7:40  Martha says she doesn't feel comfortable firing people without giving them notice.

7:41  Linda Butler and Dr Lathan says that Union given list.

7:43  Bobby Darling jumped up and yelled "IT'S NOT THE UNION'S JOB TO TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE FIRED!!!!" Linda Butler.." Mr Darling, you are out of order! Mr. Darling you are out of order! "

7:51 Wolfmeyer.."Mr Darling, I totally I agree that it's not the Union's job to tell people that they are fired."

7:54 Martha said she will not support layoffs bc staff was not notified that they were being laid off before vote.

7:59  Does Chris Crawford speak?

8:00  Martha changed her vote 7-0 all teachers dismissed without notification.

8:04 Presentation by BOE. Patelle wants to know where the District is as far as televised meeting. Lathan said something will be in board minutes.

8:11 Meeting over.

Check back regularly for updates.

Hat tip to my friend on the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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