Dear District 150,
I defend you every chance I get on my blog and in comments on other blogs. I have had threatening phone calls for my opinions but I have always thought our District is doing the best it can. Now I am sure the reasons behind the recent firing will come out in the long run and just maybe all the Pundits on these blogs will be wrong, I sure hope so. In fact I am confident it will.
I am positive that the Administration, staff, and teachers are working for the greater benefit of our kids. I know this is true because unlike many other media outlets, including so called media blogs, I have seen the successes that this District has turned out first hand. I know many teachers and I know how hard their jobs are. My own son, while not a District teacher, is a high school teacher and I know first hand his dedication. His entire K through 12th grade education is from District 150 and he graduated with honors from ISU.
I know the demographic of children you have to teach with a majority being from poor and sometimes broken families. We have 13 and 15 year olds pulling armed robberies in Peoria and I know this District doesn't have the choice to pick and choose it's students like a private school has. You work with our children the best you can and I firmly believe despite the picketers and nay sayers that pop up every so often like a spring tulip, this District deals with the cards it has the best it can. 80% of the bad perception this District has comes from fewer than 3% of those who make the most noise. Sometimes these people may be right but if they are wrong, then like I have seen over the years, they disappear, but the damage is done in the eyes of the public.
I truly believe that MR Hinton and his staff are not there to see how much they can loot from the system. Nor do I believe that all the teachers are incompetent. We have some very talented and highly educated people in our District and that is why after over 30 years of observing your meetings, I know that the children have always been Job 1. This despite the various groups of parents parading their demands and pointing of fingers either at meetings or in blogs.
I have no problem with concerned parents and taxpayers wanting to know how things are being decided. It is our right to know and sometimes it seems you, the District ignore these rights but then running a multi million dollar District like ours is complex and can be confusing to the lay person on the sidelines and a simple explanation would go along way for us folks.
That is why despite the fact this latest issue of a firing of a Principal, alleged theft of funds will be handled by those in the know and I truly hope that if any wrong doing has been done, it will be corrected. I will not jump on the band wagon of speculation like is being done in the media and on some local blogs. It seems many there on these "blogs" are either laid off lawyers, brain surgeons, or rocket scientists and they have all the answers. If some cases, they have already made up their minds. I'll be satisfied to wait.
Why? Well, you are about to seat a new Board member and although I do not know her I know of her and I think she'll be truthful to the public she serves. I think the other Board members will also see this investigation through properly.
I know that in every business, government and private, there are those that ride the gravy train and "milk" for all they can get. You have people that get 13 sick days a year and think they MUST use everyone no matter how much it costs the company.
I also believe that most those that serve on the School Board do so giving of their time and experiences even if it's just life experiences. They are not paid one dime. I do think one board member sits there because simply she can and even though I don't agree with her 99% of the time, she is there and they all work. I see no free trips to the Bahamas for these people nor do I see free cars, but I do see scorn and resentment thrown many times at these people by those who seem to come out of the woodwork, then in a few years are gone.
I wish you the best District 150 and I believe that these trying times will pass as they have in the past with other problems and you will prevail.
Thank you, Randall L Emert Sr Peoria Anti-Pundit.
22 comments:
Randall, just because your son was successful in 150 and you have been active in 150 doesn't make the behavior of the district any less suspect.
"It is our right to know and sometimes it seems you, the District ignore these rights but then running a multi million dollar District like ours is complex and can be confusing to the lay person on the sidelines and a simple explanation would go along way for us folks."
BINGO!!!! Now, based on past behavior, do you honestly think 150 is going to do the right thing and explain to the public what actually happened? And that any explanation from them is going to be truthful?
I find it funny how something is "speculation" when it's a subject someone disagrees with.
I don't think you can see the forest through the trees on this one, Randall.
marz: I had two successful sons go through this District and they of course had friends that are successful adults today. I saw lots of kids get a quality education. Are you saying that is not possible? That's is bull! I think it is you that miss the point of this post completely and it is you and others that can't see through the forest for the trees. Look me up in 5 years and I'll show you what I mean. If you don't understand that, then we will continue to disagree. Sorry. Maybe the "smoke" around the Admin Building didn't let you see the meaning I posted here. Maybe I'm too "deep" for some readers?
Great post Mr. Emert.I concur.
This Board has done a great job of being professional while under CONSTANT heat.
What are we going to do if they have to lay off people in the department that works on FOIA requests? From reading local blogs you would think they must be deluged with requests.
The Park District, School District, City Council are all community volunteers.
Do we picket City hall? No.
Do we picket the Park District? No.
Do we picket the School District? Yes.
What's really real people?
Randall, I am in total agreement with you on the school board. It is a thankless job. I just hope they step up and do the right thing.
And what is the reason they are under CONSTANT heat? Because of a few pissed off parent or because there are real problems?
EMERGE, I'm looking at my property tax bill and over 50% is going to 150. Sorry if I'm a little bent over the goings on. If you want to stop the FOIA requests, start being a little more forthcoming with the residents who are paying your salary.
Randall, from what I take from your post, it's "innocent until proven guilty" for 150. They no longer have that leeway with me.
And if I missed the point, hey I'm not the brightest bulb in the box.
Right on! I've spoken (both for and against) to the 150 board during public meetings on several occasions and have been astounded at the totally horrid way that folks treat our board members. As you say, they're volunteers who (even if we don't always agree with them) work to support a complex educational system.
In this case, I'm with you. I'll sit back and wait for the facts to come in before rushing to judge. At this point, supposition is all we have...
marz: Thanks for your comments. Yes, some of what I am saying is innocent first whether you or I like it, I would want the same and I am sure you would too. I'm not the brightest bulb either but if you think about it, most of the protests stem from money problems like the shortening of the school day etc etc.
EMERGE: Mr Emert? Please, call me Emert, or Randall, or Randy, or "Hey get off my lawn!" lol
City Council members are paid and have some perks, like city provided PDA phone, entry into Civic Center Events etc etc...which is why some of them feel they don't owe us jack or the time of day.
JC: thanks.
Randall, when your children were in school, Manual was much different than it was just a few years later. I had always argued (for over 30 years) that an education at Manual was equal to any in the city--and pointed out all the success stories from Manual. By the time, I left I was very hesitant to make that claim or to recommend Manual to students who had a choice. Also, I have never said the problem was with the teachers or the kids--kids for the most part (except the hard core minority)will try to live up to expectations--at Manual, the adults in authority stopped having and demanding expectations about behavior or academic performance. I am sorry that you and Emerge see those who FOIA and those who protest as the problem. Even Obama has touted the importance of keeping government honest by using the FOIA privilege. I started out caring only about Manual, but Wacky Wednesday expanded my focus. However, I do agree about the board--but I do disagree with them often. Jim and I can get cryptic with one another--but that isn't disrespect, I hope. Stowell, Parker and Spangler have always given my thoughts more attention than they deserve. The others just haven't responded to me as much--but then I really don't expect any of them to take the time--reading is more than I expect. I am baffled by some of their decisions and the way that they seem to accept at face value everything that Ken Hinton tells them--but, I think that is changing--perhaps because of the public input. However, I am personally very critical of so much in 150--for whatever reason, I just think that there are many decisions made without thoroughly thinking through the repercussions. At the same time, I realize that this administration and this board face many problems that simply did not exist 30 years ago. I just fear that they don't have any more years to make mistakes that are causing the death of the public school--I don't want it to die.
Thank you for the thoughts. No doubt - we face significant challenges. Today, my S-W Kiwanis club hosted Manuals top ten. Coach McClain did an outstanding job addressing the students as our guest speaker. These students, and all who apply themselves, have great opportunities. Most don't appreciate the obstacles these kids overcame to get there. While I don't duck from the critcisms, I appreciate those like you who see we are working towards positive change. Soon, we will have new facilities and a new superintendent, along with many other positive developments. Getting all of our children to embrace the importance of education and apply themselves accordingly would go a long way towards eradicating some of the negative biasis that exist. I will be at Woodruff meeting with student leaders tomorrow afternoon and Central next Friday. Closing a high school will be hard, but I truly believe it can be done with an outcome that positions us to begin growing our District and the core of our city.
I stand corrected and there was some push back on the museum issue.
Just don't call him "Uncle Em"
;)
MAWB
perhaps Auntie Em .... I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto.
mazr: Do you have any clue how a district works or what they are up against? This is not said in haste, I am just curious what your experience in the education profession is...
Jazzbass
I totally agree that District 150 is doing a phenomenal job!! They are truly a world-class school district and should be held up as a model for all other school districts in the state to emulate. Suuperintendant Hinton is a great leader and unifier and his communication skills are second to none! The board members are so plugged into the community and do a wonderful job keeping a system of checks and balances in place. Everyone does their job with the highest degree of integrity and they are ultra-careful with their expenditures. Children are always FIRST in district 150- please dont ever change! We love and worship you exactly the way you are. Rock on!
OMG I love them too! Especially that idea they had last year to shorten the school day for the young'uns. That was fricken awesome. Too bad they didn't thinnk to get a patent on that! Amazing we were the first to think of it! And closing schools - These people are fricken genius! Keep up the outstanding work!
Ha ha ha ha...the cynicism is making me want to VOMIT! ha ha ha...oh boy, some people just don't quit!
BTW: Oh, I love how responsible the people were with the "Build the Block" and how I know the revenue off it is going shatter even there modest predictions. And its going to have an I-MAX and it is going to make Peoria the greatest city on the planet. And we as tax payers will never be asked to pay more than we already have for this and it WILL NEVER be toned back.....AND, CAT will never back out because the economy is bad...
How am I doing so far?
JB
**their
Hey Luv, you are exactly the type of person I am talking about. I mean really, how has shortening a Wednesday affected any student? Giving teachers a universal prep time sounds like the world will end. If you have the balls, use your name and simply state what you don't like. Please hurry, the sky is falling.
Wutchu talkin about?? I'm totally serious! Why would you think I'm kidding? District 150 is awesome! Peoria's best kept secret. Lol!
Hey Luv, read my header. I am to bullshit what rocks are to Stonehenge.
So,...if it looks like shit, feels like shit, smells, like shit, then it's shit. Good thing I didn't step in it.
"Do you have any clue how a district works or what they are up against? This is not said in haste, I am just curious what your experience in the education profession is..."
Absolutely no experience whatsoever. The only experience with 150 I have is over 50% of my property tax bill going to fund them. And I feel I deserve some answers as to why 150 does the things they do.
Sorry I'm not familiar with the inner workings of a school board/system. Just a pissed off taxpayer.
Oh, Randall. Please don't call our schools shit! I thought we both agree that they are fabulous! I really meant it. I hope you did too! You Go D150!!
Oh yeah and this is my real name. I had it legally changed. Oops, well OK, that was little teeny lie. It's actually just got one Luv in it.
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