Good for Irving School, a tenured teacher was there

Julie Giles - Shero!
The news report about the sexual predator actually being inside Irving School is disturbing. But what seems to have caught the eye of many that I have heard from, was the mention of a “Principal,” named Julie Giles.

Why did that catch our eye? Well, it’s because the public was initially told that Irving School would not have a principal. It was initially announced that a Cenithia Tice would be in charge at Irving School, as Assistant Principal.

Well, it appears that both Cenithia Tice and Julie Giles are both Assistant Principals to Ursula Brown, who is the principal at Lincoln School. Does that clarify anything? Hmmm, right, I didn’t think so.

The Journal Star could just have the info wrong (we know how they do that from time to time). Still, one can’t help but notice how in District 150, the neediest students continue to have the most precarious school administration schemes.

Here’s another thing that sticks out in  particular for me… Cenithia is new to the area (from North Carolina), good thing a tenured teacher (Julie), was in Irving School and recognized that a sexual predator was actually in the building and interacting with our students.

Teachers are praying that the Board of Education will show some sign of life

Lately life has kept me from blogging as regularly as I used to. However, I have not negelected to read your thoughts each day. As I look through comments, the resounding noise I continue to hear is based around this years Lemon Dance. Although, I'm not so sure it's a lemon dance, as comments seem to indicate that it's more a vindictive Superintendent...

Anonymous said... I can't believe no one has mentioned yet what the bully is doing now, firing the principals at Glen Oak and Irving. Their crime - applying for jobs in another district... I'm all for holding people accountable, which seemed difficult for former sups' when their friends/relatives were in positions, but let's be fair in the delivery. 

That doesn't even begin to address her actual delivery style - bully is right on. I don't remember there ever being a class in college called "Leadership from the Top Down" or "Because I Said So," but apparantly Dr. L found a class like that and then minored in "If I yell at you and demoralize you, you'll listen." Oh and supposedly she's been telling people she's not going to allow public comment Monday night, possibly due to the backlash of her wanting to fire these 2 administrators (again, not the one's that deserve it) and their assistant principals...  

Dr. L has proven in just 2 short years how vindictive she can be. I'll fight and take the risk if my students are being impacted, but so far they are sheltered from all of this mess. The new curriculum objectives are good, everything else about her sucks! Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Comment after comment seemed to back up the sentiments of the Anonymous above; the sheer astonishment that main street media had not picked up on the current upheaval within District 150 based around the rumor that the Superintendent will be sending Glen Oak  principal, Annette Coleman and Irving Principal, Kevin Curtin back to the classroom. It is has been difficult to read the sheer pleas from Anonymous teachers, begging any Board member who may be reading the blog to stop the Superintendent from her latest cuts...

Anonymous said... 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. 

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! Sunday, February 19, 2012 

Anonymous said... 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! Sunday, February 19, 2012 

Anonymous said... 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. Sunday, February 19, 2012

Some issues from the February 14, 2011 BOE meeting that you all may want to discuss...

Glen Oak, Irving and Columbia schools will be restructured.
RECOMMENDATION FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF RISING STAR RESTRUCTURING PLANS – Moved by Butler, seconded by Ross that the Board of Education approve the restructuring plans for Glen Oak, Irving and Columbia schools. These three schools are new to restructuring and require board approval to proceed to submit their plans to the Illinois State Board of Education. On roll call, 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Emtronics has been complaining about treatment of the cafeteria managers and the fact that they have not had a cost of living increase in several years. I guess a 1.1% increase is better than nothing?
COST OF LIVING INCREASE – HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA MANAGERS – Moved by Butler, seconded by Ross that the Board of Education authorize a 1.1% cost of living increase for the high school cafeteria managers. On roll call, 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Time is of the essence in the assignment of Administrators – curious as to what Mrs. Costic needed clarification on?
RESOLUTION TO ASSIGN ADMINISTRATORS TO TEACHING POSITIONS - Moved by Butler, seconded by Crawford that the board of Education adopt the resolution to reassign administrators to teaching positions. Mrs. Costic asked for this resolution to be tabled for further clarification. Dr. Lathan explained that she needs to move forward to realign the district. Delays in this action will have a domino affect in regards to future planning.

Mrs. Ross replied by saying that she would like to wait for the facility study before moving forward with this action. Mrs. Wolfmeyer would like to give Dr. Lathan the flexibility she needs to move forward – closing schools, programs, etc. She also stated that not all of the employees listed on this resolution will be reassigned back in the classroom.

Mrs. Butler spoke out saying that she supports Dr. Lathan and she is doing what she was brought here to do. “Right sizing” this district is a difficult task.

Mr. Stowell supports moving forward – he does not feel we need to continue supporting past practices.

Mrs. Costic replied by saying she understands what everyone is saying. On roll call, 5 ayes – Butler, Costic, Crawford, Stowell, Wolfmeyer. 1 nay – Ross. Motion carried.

So, the District is NOT going to reemploy Administrators who are probationary teachers?
RESOLUTION TO NON-REEMPLOY ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE PROBATIONARY TEACHERS – Moved by Butler, seconded by Stowell that the Board of Education adopt the resolution to non-reemploy administrators who are probationary teachers. On roll call, 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Stowell mentioned several staff members attending the No Child Left Behind Conference in Chicago. I'm curious...how many staff members and at what cost?
TRAVEL REQUESTS – Moved by Butler, seconded by Ross that the Board of Education approve the travel requests as presented by the administration. (Copy is on file in the Board Secretary’s office.)

Mr. Stowell commented on the number of staff members attending the No Child Left Behind conference in Chicago. He would like to see some pushback from the community to state and federal government officials as this is a non-funded program. On roll call, 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Hold off on purchasing school specific uniforms

The decision has been made by District 150 to close Irving School, located at 519 N.E. Glendale Avenue and Kingman Primary School, which is located at 3129 N.E. Madison Avenue. Both schools will close before the start of 2009-2010 school year.

As a result of the closings 660 students are currently in limbo as to where they will go to school next year (hold off on buying those special color coded school uniforms everybody).

It is estimated that closing the two schools will save the District $1.2 million. The recommendation for the closure will be made at Monday’s School Board meeting. The board members will vote on the closings at the April 20 meeting at the latest.

In January, District Administration offered a list of considerations to address the current and long-term budget issues:

Timeline:
February 10 – Announced members of a temporary community Budget and Planning Committee. The group is charged with reviewing district finances and assisting the Board and Administration with budgeting issues.

February / March – Administration continues to look at cost reduction ideas. Superintendent Hinton will establish a district-wide expenditure reduction team consisting of union leaders, principals and other staff.

March / April – Through March and April, a decision will be made as to whether or not we will be closing one or more primary schools for the 2009-2010 school year. If recommended, Superintendent Hinton will bring it to the Board no later than the April 6 meeting; and the Board will vote no later than the April 20 meeting.

March / April - Continue discussions on closing a high school for the 2010-2011 school year. If a recommendation is brought forward, it must be made no later than the May 4 meeting and a decision must be made by the BOE no later than the May 18 meeting.

June – If a recommendation is presented and if the BOE votes to close a high school, BOE must vote on which high schools will be reconfigured and consolidated no later than June 15, 2009.

Mid-June 2009– If directed by the Board, Administration and the Board of Education will gather input and develop details for the closing and consolidation of schools. This 14- month process will include curriculum, transportation, facility, staffing and other needs.

Summer 2009 – Board of Education will consider establishing a committee to review and update the Master Facility plan. The group will gather and analyze data on the facility needs for the buildings not currently in the consolidation, closing or construction phases.
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Did I miss the part where they will decide what to do with the Irving and Kingman students? Will that be part of the June 15, 2009, high school reconfiguration meeting? So what ever shakes out with what everybody else wants will determine where these students get to go to school, I see.

There are already hints that the closing of Irving and Kingman will be used in the argument to keep Woodruff open if necessary. There is a protest planned Monday night in support of Woodruff.

When I was a teenager, I remember hearing my older, Angela Davis quoting sister talk about the disenfranchisement of the black student and communal dissociation. Kind of amazing to see it happening to another generation.

Update:

A commenter on pjstar.com states that - "Mr Hinton met with Irving staff on Tuesday & told them that they are not closing until 10-11. Not sure who the source is for this article, but unless Mr. H met with the staff again after 3:30 yesterday, it is wrong." -mommy9193-

The pjstar.com has since updated their article to confirm this commenters information that Irving Primary will not close this year. At this time, Kingman is the only primary school marked for closure. The other school closing will be announced by April 6.