quote:

My son has his LA block broken up. I wouldn't pay a penny to try and change that. It's been just fine - in fact, probably good for him as he can use a movement break.

TOTALLY AGREE

In fact I bet there is some research out there supporting this. Besides kids diagnoised ADD/ADHD take into consideration their ages (11 - 14). Ever take the younger range to a two hour movie? Bathroon, more popcorn, they are always ready to move and go.

I feel all these changes are benefiting the staff and not the students.

quote:

Originally posted by Buggy24:

quote:

My son has his LA block broken up. I wouldn't pay a penny to try and change that. It's been just fine - in fact, probably good for him as he can use a movement break.

TOTALLY AGREE



I feel all these changes are benefiting the staff and not the students.

There is no doubt about this. At the Hadley Board meeting, the movement issue was addressed in terms of the TEACHER having to move to different classrooms. Also, the TEACHER did not have their own room and had to move equipment from room to room. Of course, the kids are oblivious to this movement, and welcome the break. They are, after all, adolescents.

Just think. 90 minutes. In a room. The same room. The sound of Lurch from the Addams Family comes to mind. errrrrrrrrrr.

I also remind you that we are in the business of creating educational research projects. You don't need an advanced degree to know that the research assistants will be lining up for these kinds of studies. Where do you think the research came from for 5-8 being in one school?

What do you think the consultant hired 5 years from now will say? How about "Our research shows we need to be more flexible, because these American kids can't sit for 90 minutes without a break. Move them around. Maybe we should have them do some movement exercises. Their concentration lags unless they break up the lesson. They need to move to integrate the lesson...."

Come on guys. You aren't being fair to the poor teachers. After all, not having to move between rooms will afford these LA teachers the time they desparately need to carefully assess each and every written assignment that gets handed in.

What's that you say? They DON'T?!

Hi,

I have nothing against anyone on the school board. I think they probably mean well and are trying to do the right thing. But unfortunately, they seem to have lost their way. After watching things unfold over the last few years, it's painfully obvious that our school board seems highly succeptible to the agenda of others who (coincidentally) seem to PROFIT somehow when the school board accepts their "idea du jour" of what is best for our kids.

These "conceptual concepts" take on various forms. Mostly they are born out of a focus group, which may or may not include the taxpayers/parents in our town. Lest we get the false impression that we (the taxpayers) run the show, inevitably lurking around the corner you will find a consultant who is sold as the guru of XYZ, or a highly-paid administrator with statistics chosen from another school district to prove their case. However, when the tables are turned and we look at the PERFORMANCE of some other districts, who manage to run on less funds, with less administrative staff, and with less portables - we are then reminded that Glen Ellyn is UNIQUE and therefore we simply must follow what the consultant/administrator/hand-picked focus group/or agenda-du-jour tells us to.

We probably won't see an end to this until there are at least 2-3 more new board members elected who are willing to ask the tough questions and take an unpopular stand now and then. Hats off to Steve and Bob. We need more like them.

quote:

Originally posted by CovetedLakeEllyn:
Hi,

I have nothing against anyone on the school board. I think they probably mean well and are trying to do the right thing. But unfortunately, they seem to have lost their way. After watching things unfold over the last few years, it's painfully obvious that our school board seems highly succeptible to the agenda of others who (coincidentally) seem to PROFIT somehow when the school board accepts their "idea du jour" of what is best for our kids.

These "conceptual concepts" take on various forms. Mostly they are born out of a focus group, which may or may not include the taxpayers/parents in our town. Lest we get the false impression that we (the taxpayers) run the show, inevitably lurking around the corner you will find a consultant who is sold as the guru of XYZ, or a highly-paid administrator with statistics chosen from another school district to prove their case. However, when the tables are turned and we look at the PERFORMANCE of some other districts, who manage to run on less funds, with less administrative staff, and with less portables - we are then reminded that Glen Ellyn is UNIQUE and therefore we simply must follow what the consultant/administrator/hand-picked focus group/or agenda-du-jour tells us to.

We probably won't see an end to this until there are at least 2-3 more new board members elected who are willing to ask the tough questions and take an unpopular stand now and then. Hats off to Steve and Bob. We need more like them.

This is NOT sarcastic (less anyone not recognize my tone). CLE - when you want to throw your hat in the ring, I will print for you and march streets. Let me know.

Does this vote suprise anyone? I knew from the begining that it was going to be Vondrak/Solak vs the rest.

All we need to do now is target who's terms are ending and select a good candidate to take on the establishment.

Maybe the voices of reason need to take their message to the public directly?? That's what I'm hoping for. Sort of a fireside chat.

quote:

I will walk every door in Glen Ellyn, personally, to ensure some of these current Board members do not get re-elected (If they have the cajones to try based on their voting record, or lack thereof)

Hey Preserve 41, looks like it may be time for you to define precincts and elect captains. Don't want Rob invading my turf.

Hi,

No offense taken Rob. We are on the same page.

Is the election in March or April of next year? And when is the deadline for declaring ones candidacy?

The election is April 7, 2009
Unless things change the deadline for YOUR filing is no more than 78 days nor less than 71 days prior that election.
You needn't worry your little brain about these things

quote:

Originally posted by Candidate:

You needn't worry your little brain about these things

Is that because yours is little enough?

By the way, Coveted, I have that referral for you. Call me tomorrow.

Little enough to know what to do to get coveted, on board.

Hi,

You two crack me up. I'll contact you later today Ronkas, thanks BTW.

I have a suggestion for anyone who might be considering a run for office (School Board or otherwise). Earlier, I think Gus might have mentioned this. Might be a good idea to have an informational meeting (INFORMAL of course....perhaps another wine-tasting at Casa de Coveted) with some of the existing board members to find out firsthand what is involved with serving on the board. I'd love to hear directly from guys like Solak, Vondrak and yes even you Candidate about what you feel the major hurdles have been, and where you see progress has been made. Sort of a 'to do' list for anyone who might want to commit to running for any office here in town. Would be helpful to know what a realistic time commitment is as well, since yes there are jobs and kids to consider.

If you agree, we should set something up and get the word out sometime over the summer. Maybe this would attract a few newbies who are considering whether or not to get more involved.

After all, won't there be a few open positions in Spring '09??

Daily Herald Article on the portables

From the article:

"I feel as if a number of people who were vehemently opposed to the (previous) solution are now saying we need a permanent solution."

From Mr. Vondrak's web-site prior to the election last year: "...I would also like to explore adding some permanent classrooms to Hadley to replace the portables."

I read into the quote from the Herald that there is some implication that because some fellow board members did not back the Taj Ma Hadley, they somehow did not consider a permanent solution to replacing the portables. Yet, there it is. Perhaps some self examination by all elected officials would be helpful. Seems like folks have good memories here in this community. Campaign slogans and promises have a way of not being forgotten.

quote:

Originally posted by ohma:
Daily Herald Article on the portables

From the article:

"I feel as if a number of people who were vehemently opposed to the (previous) solution are now saying we need a permanent solution."

From Mr. Vondrak's web-site prior to the election last year: "...I would also like to explore adding some permanent classrooms to Hadley to replace the portables."

I read into the quote from the Herald that there is some implication that because some fellow board members did not back the Taj Ma Hadley, they somehow did not consider a permanent solution to replacing the portables. Yet, there it is. Perhaps some self examination by all elected officials would be helpful. Seems like folks have good memories here in this community. Campaign slogans and promises have a way of not being forgotten.

Could you possibly be talking about this link?
Illustrious Board President

[quote] We need to make a long term decision that is appropriate educationally for the children and fiscally for the community. This includes pre-determining the costs and educating the community on how the decision will affect their property taxes. We need to optimize our spending by working in conjunction with other governmental bodies i.e. Park District and the Village, to share some of the costs and grant opportunities. For example, a new building could provide a gymnasium or field house where park district programs would operate whereby the Park District could share the cost. [quote]

Has she done any of these promises? She certainly didn't work well intergovernmentally with the PD to provide a solution. She is definitely not thinking long term by forcing a vote for 6 more portables. She is definitely not predetermining the costs of new curriculums that affect facilities.

[quote] Fiscal responsibility

The school district needs to be better money managers. Although the school district does not operate in debt, we can do better job by cutting wasteful spending.
For example, the Watch DOGS program is an excellent way to bring fathers in to the school building to experience their child’s day. However, other resources exist to fund the program instead of district dollars.
Approximately each month we receive a district update and at times a school update from the district office. The school district could work with the school PTAs to include the district newsletter with the PTA newsletter thereby sharing and cutting the cost of publication.
The district needs to examine the number of administrators and the size of their budget.
The school district needs to work to obtain more private and public grants to fund various program throughout the district. We can maximize the opportunities by working together with other community resource programs to benefit all the students. [quote]

Have we cut or expanded on wasteful spending..i.e portables? Have we commissioned a committee to expand on a project to replace Watch Dogs with a more inclusive and infinitely larger costlier program? Have we retained the services of a very well paid communication director and increased our communication? Does communication through the PTA reach anyone but parents? Have we maximized other community resources to benefit all the students? I think Pre-K and all the extra special needs programs brought under our roof answers that question.

[quote] These examples may seem to be "nickel and dime" in a school district with a 30 million dollar budget. However, nickels and dimes add up to educate our children. They provide aides, classroom supplies, books, and additional programming to name a few. Every dollar spent on a consultant, study or piece of paper is a dollar not directly spent on our children. [quote]

Have we increased our budget by over 10 million dollars under her very short tenure with nothing to show "for the children"? How many consultants and reports have been commissioned, and at what cost? How have these expenditures directly benefitted our children?

[quote]The number of English Language Learners (ELL) has grown significantly over the years. It provides our community with diversity that enriches the lives of all our children. However, the school district needs to provide more productive services than just the classroom. After school programs exists to provide additional services but need to be better utilized. Children and their families need to be encouraged to work with our community resource centers to improve their English proficiency. For example, a "wrap around" services model provides an opportunity for services throughout the year. The faster the children become proficient in English the quicker they can be mainstreamed in the classroom. Everyone benefits, including the community when our costs for the program are reduced [quote]

With ever increasing enrollments of "ELL" students, has she done anything to work with our community resource centers to improve their English proficiency? Have the costs for these students, both in space (portables) and teachers, increased or decreased under her watchful eye?

These are but a few of the position items from which we can determine that our sitting President is not living up to her promises. That and the hampering of true discussion regarding fiscal responsibility from her own Board members should provide some future pause at the ballot box.

quote:

Were their absences known in advance of the meeting? Were the absences non-vacation related and thereby, their presence could have been made via teleconference?

From the Herald article:

quote:

Board members voting for the mobile were Howard, Erica Nelson and John Vivoda, while Vondrak and Bob Solak voted against it. Two board members, Kevin Cosgrove and John Kenwood, were invited to phone in their votes but declined to do so.

"According to them they had business commitments and couldn't phone in," Howard said.

Bob, this article makes it sound as though it was as simple as picking up a phone and calling in to cast a vote, a two minute process. What up with dat?

A decsion that is going to cost us taxpayers $739,850 and Cosgrove and Kenwood are too busy? Seriously, I'm with Rob, I will walk to every damn door and pass out literature at every damn event to ensure some of these current Board members do not get re-elected.

Coveted, you throw your hat in and I'm buying me some new shoes and Doctor Scholls.

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:


Bob, this article makes it sound as though it was as simple as picking up a phone and calling in to cast a vote, a two minute process. What up with dat?

Both members were involved in activities that they said would preclude them from joining by phone. It wouldn't have been as simple as picking up the phone for two minutes. The discussion was a bit more lengthy than that. And one cannot be certain what exact time we will get to an agenda item. I suppose the vote could have been put at the beginning of the meeting, and pushed other items down the agenda. But I have no idea if that would have made it any more possible for the other two members to have voted.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Solak:

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:


Bob, this article makes it sound as though it was as simple as picking up a phone and calling in to cast a vote, a two minute process. What up with dat?

Both members were involved in activities that they said would preclude them from joining by phone. It wouldn't have been as simple as picking up the phone for two minutes. The discussion was a bit more lengthy than that. And one cannot be certain what exact time we will get to an agenda item. I suppose the vote could have been put at the beginning of the meeting, and pushed other items down the agenda. But I have no idea if that would have made it any more possible for the other two members to have voted.

You do not have to speak for them, Bob. They have already made their statements loud and clear.

Coveted and Ohma, if you decide to run I will support you with time, effort, and $$. Keep me posted. My email is in my profile.

Well a large "new to us" portable unit is sitting next to the other one on the Hadley grounds. It looks a bit older than the other one. I wonder if that is a message to us or if it will get a coat of paint and landscaping to look more coordinated with the other one. Will 2 teams of 8th go in the mobiles now? I am confused as to what programs will be needing all of that space.

mrsspeechlady, the "6 pack" mobile at a cost of some $700,000 (I believe that was the last figure) is there to accommodate the new 90 minute LA blocks. The Hadley consultant has not finished his work and is expected to wrap things up in the fall. No doubt there will be another request for additional mobiles. If that isn't "in your face" I don't know what is. Likely a plan to make the neighbors around Hadley cry "uncle" and give the district what it really wants. So transparent.

Let's not forget that the vote to place this additional mobile at Hadley was 3 "yes" (Howard, Nelson, Vivoda) 2 "no" (Solak and Vondrak) and 2 unaccounted for (Cosgrove and Kenwood absent for the meeting). It is a shame that the vote could not have been postponed until the full board was present for this type of expenditure.