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.

Did you know that Peoria is on the "cutting edge of "education reform"?

Me neither...

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, one of this country's most visible leaders in education, is visiting District 150 today. The pjstar is reporting that Weingarten is here because Peoria is on the "cutting edge" of "education reform". Did you hear that Peoria - what we have before us is "cutting edge education reform".

What is being called "cutting edge", is the restructuring of Manual and the development of a teacher evaluation tool that is to be used at Manual (which is said to likely be a model for the rest of the state). Having said all that, do we really believe Weingarten is in town to commend the "education reforms" as stated above?

Lately local teacher's union rabblerousers have ratcheted up the dialogue against Edison, Manual and Quest (all entities negotiate contracts with teachers outside the union), call me a skeptic, but it is doubtful that Weingarten is in town to slap Teacher's Union President, Bobby Darling on the back.

The question of the day: Why is a powerful politician - Randi Weingarten really in Peoria - did she get lost on her way to Chicago?

She was involved in the unseating of D.C. Schools Chancellor, Michelle Rhee and the subsequent unseating of D.C. Mayor, Adrian Fenty. Is she in Peoria to put her two cents in on the negotiation of the contract for the Peoria Teacher's Union?

While all of the big wigs are running around town spending our tax dollars, riding in caravans, eating at steak houses and talking the dollars of education, what does any of this really have to do with what our parents and children are dealing with every day? Will there be any discussions about what is best for children and families?

Also in town...Dr. W. Patrick Dolan, a nationally recognized consultant on education reform. Mr. Dolan will be presenting at a forum alongside Bobby Darling. The presentation is entitled "Reforming Schools in Peoria". It is reported that the topic relates to efforts by Mr. Darling and Dr. Dolan to move into a new era of education unionism.

If Darling (as the elected leader of the Teacher's Union) enlisted Patrick Dolan - exactly who invited Randi Weingarten?