He who laughs last, laughs best

With all that is going on with Manual lately, it got me to thinking about Dr. Kherat. When I followed the link on the "What's going on with Manual Academy" post below to re-read an earlier post. The post reads:

Sources tell 1470 WMBD Dr. Kherat has accepted a job in the Springfield School District's Central office, where she will serve as a turnaround officer. This evening, WMBD31 reported that Kherat expressed her dislike of the the constant changes required by the turnaround process as one of her reasons to leave Manual.

Just a littlle bit ago Emerge Peoria got word that all 150 Principals were called to a meeting. That tidbit was followed up by this post:

Sharon Crews said...

And guess who the presenter from Springfield is at the principals' meeting-Sharon Kherat. Disgruntled employees-fired or resigned, may come back to haunt Lathan. Thursday, 10/06/2011

From what I can find, Dr. Kherat is listed as a Transformation Officer for Springfield Lanphier. The State of Illinois recently created a State turnaround office and they need highly qualified professionals. It is possible that Transformation Officers may work in more than one location. Dr. Kherat would certainly qualify, considering her turnaround experience at Manual. How ironic would that be, if at some point, Dr. Kherat had some input in the turnaround efforts of District 150?

About the Illinois State Board of Education's ("ISBE") turnaround office:

On January 1, 2010, a Task Force reporting on "Innovation, Intervention, and Restructuring", advised that the ISBE should create an effective process for monitoring and oversight of the turnaround school effort. It was highly recommended that the ISBE create a designated unit within the agency that has authority and resources to oversee the lead and supporting partners’ efforts as well as to track and share best practices and collect data on effectiveness. The ISBE was advised to develop an oversight office whether or not they receive funding through Race to the Top.

Turnaround/transformation officers provide coaching to district and school leadership as well as professional development for school administrators engaged in school turnaround and transformation. • Lead, in collaboration with school principal and district leaders, school transformation and turnaround initiatives to meet the requirements of school improvement grant 1003G including progress monitoring and reporting. • Evaluate instructional programs and provide professional development and feedback to teachers • Support family and community engagement initiatives as outlined in district SIG plans • Provide guidance and support on initiatives to the school site on a daily basis.

Donald Jackson, President of the Illinois NAACP throws down the guantlet at last night's meeting of the Board of Education

At last night's BOE meeting, President of the Illinois NAACP, Donald Jackson, made it crystal clear that the NAACP was not pleased with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Grenita Lathan. Here is what the NAACP thinks about the Lathan Administration's handling of Manual High School:

"We are not satisfied with what has been happening with Manual High School, Manual Academy. Given what I know, there is a perception in the community that Manual and the model is being systematically stripped of critical parts with the intent to destroy the model itself.

Manual has made great strides in education and we are not inclined to let you do that without a fight. I just want to put you on notice, that the community is aware of what is happening and we will not stand on the sidelines and watch you change the model and/or destroy Manual High School; the reputation of a good school.

I am just as proud of Manual as a graduate of Manual, as those people are of Central, Richwoods and Woodruff as well, so I am especially concerned about what appears to be a trend to attack the good will and reputation of the people who volunteer at Manual I know there has been some attempts to, how should I say, to pressure some of the advisory council to either give up the ship, to give up the fight but they don’t intend to so and we don’t intend to stand by while lawyers and other people attempt to attack their credibility. so you are on notice now that if this trend continues the fight is on with the NAACP."

Letter from the Manual Restructering Team to Dr. Lathan, dated last June, in support of Manual and Dr. Kherat. Click image to enlarge.