As the ink is still drying on the first of two 2008 property tax checks that homeowners wrote on Monday, June 1, here’s a piece of news that recently caught my eye from the D87 Regular Meeting Minutes (April 27, 2009):

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RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
The Board returned to Open Session at 10:02 p.m.

ACTION ITEM(s)
Schmidt moved and Schuller seconded THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES AND CLASSIFIED STAFF SALARIES FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT ON THE 2009-2010 DOCUMENT. On roll call voting “Aye”: Malcolm, Schmidt, Schuller, Sebby Trefilek, Brown. Voting “Nay”: Voltaggio. The motion carried.

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The following was subsequently provided via FOIA request from the District.

http://tinyurl.com/d87salary

For the many citizens throughout D87 who have lost their jobs in the recession or who have seen their salaries frozen or who have taken pay cuts just to stay employed . . . it’s reassuring to know that no such inconvenience has disrupted life at our high school district.

While the rest of the world has been tightening its belt, and trying to figure out how to stay alive in this time of historic economic upheaval, D87 has been on one helluva spending bender over the past few months.

In addition to plastic grass, the Board has authorized the total replacement (instead of scheduled refurbishment in two years!) of a perfectly good running track at Glenbard North . . . installation of new concession stand lighting and underground electrical wiring for field lights at Glenbard North . . . double the number of new computers that were budgeted for next year (committing the District to a lease/purchase deal that will add $600K to the overall tab) . . . a million-dollar state-of-the-art telephone sysem . . . and, drum roll please . . . quietly before the old Board members got outta Dodge . . . salary increases ranging from 1.6-3.6% for 61 central office and building administrators, effective July 1, 2009.

Next up for the Board? Seriously. Review of administrative recommendations for budgetary cost containment in light of the dire economic forecast. And the beat goes on.

On the one hand, these raises do not strike me as clearly outrageous in terms of percentage compared to inflation.

On the other hand, of course, you really have to wonder where these folks think all of this money is going to come from. I guess we can always defer some more scheduled maintenance! And for those few of us who believe D87 is administrator-heavy, these raises sure would have been a heck of a lot more palatable had they seen fit to cut at least one dean/assistant principal/assistant superintendent...

Thanks for the correction.
I was comparing this to my recollection of last years Social Security COLA which was (IIRC) 5.8%. But different fiscal years and whatnot.

Is this the only way administrators get pay increases? Is there an administrative "scale" similar to the one for teachers? Again, I'll say that 2.5% pay raises in and of themselves don't impress me as facially outrageous. In the whole meaning of things, however ...

Does anyone know why District 87 elevated the athletic director position to that of an assistant principal? It appears that most other high school systems have athletic directors. Do we need four assistant principals? When did my children's extracurricular activities warrant both an athletic and student services/activities assistant principal? I'm growing increasingly concerned about the focus on athletics and the seeming lack of attention to academics within this district.We moved here for the test scores; not the box scores.

This simply supports my contention that the budget we provide our school board to run the district is far from adequate. When will the residents of this community wake up and realize it costs real money to provide a quality education? Every time I mention increasing the budget the nay sayers are complaining about their taxes. Look yourself in the mirror and tell your self you really cant afford a tax increase. YOu KNOW you can and you KNOW deep down inside you should. Think about the money you waste every week on eating out, beer, wine, rediculous vacations, expensive cars, etc and think how that money could be put to better use n our school system.
Maybe then and only then will we have the resources to effectively run these schools

D87 deserves more money?? No way. Most of my peers have seen pay cuts of 5-15% over the past 12 months. While they didn't enjoy the reduction, it sure beats unemployment! To give anyone a raise during these trying financial times is purely arrogant spending by the district.

Why don't we have MBAs running the district? Mike Meissen's doctor of education makes him very qualified to run an education program not a mid size corporation (aka school district). We should have an MBA educated person handling all business matters and a doctor of education running the education components.

rediculous.
all you need to see.

Interesting view on the subject from today's New York Times...
Next Test: Value of $125,000-a-Year Teachers

”If you pay educators extremely well, will that translate into success for students? A school set to open in New York in September may answer that question...”

In the interst of completeness, there wil be no Social Security COLA incease in 2010. Flat lined. That's as close as they come to a DOLA.

When is this community going to loosen up the pursestrings? It seems to me most residents of GE have plenty of money for fancy cars, vacations, home remodeling, lavish parties, etc. But when it comes to support our children forget it. Lets start putting our money behind what is truly important. Stop being tight wads
and cold hearted when it comes to our childrens future. They deserve the best.

quote:

Originally posted by Ted E.:
Interesting view on the subject from today's New York Times...
Next Test: Value of $125,000-a-Year Teachers

hmmmm, "To make ends meet, teachers will hold responsibilities usually shouldered by other staff members, like assistant principals (there will be none). There will be no deans, substitute teachers (except for extended leaves) or teacher coaches. Teachers will work longer hours and more days, and have 30 pupils, about 6 more than the typical New York City fifth-grade class.

The principal, Mr. Vanderhoek, will earn just $90,000. Teachers will not have the same retirement benefits as members of the city’s teachers’ union. And they can be fired at will."

Here's my responses to two questions from the Glenbard Survey - I'm glad they asked!

29. How can District 87 improve communication with the community?
The District will be better served by open and honest communication, perhaps open forum meetings that promote discussion prior to committing large expenditures of community tax dollars.
The District 87 School Board needs to be mindful of their function, they are elected by the people, for the people, rather than the current perception of the Board working for the Superintendent and Administration.

30. If you have any comments, please include them here.
The latent consequences of the current administration and School Board regarding the reckless spending and administration salary increases will affect this District for years to come. You may think that this fury will die down, however, as we move head long into this deep recession please do not think this community will rescue you from your ill advised actions and expenditures. In the real world, for companies to survive this recession those with collective bargaining agreements have accepted a wage freeze in hourly compensation. Management is taking reduction in pay to survive. This District sees fit to provide administrative increases—even the Superintendent gave himself over a $5,000 raise. Sadly, the students will bear the ultimate consequences of your self-serving actions.

Of Interest...while District 87 Admins are raising their compensation..others are enforcing pay freezes.

docfileserver.net...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

"I wasn't doing it to be punitive. I just felt they had to have some skin
in the game. They had to feel it too."

Now why is that concept so difficult for our locals to comprehend?

Northsider may be a little off, but I think he/she is right about one thing. I smell a referendum coming on. That is the only reason for this survey.

Or it could be a meagre attempt to find out what the public thinks. For those who complain that the School Districts ignore public input, I would see this as a baby step.

Referendum? I can't make that leap in logic yet...

William

This makes me feel sick, knowing that so many people are losing jobs while the D87 administration get a raise. And just before the outgoing board members leave. That's really awful.

But on the other hand, I am happy to hear the possibility that they might be floating a referendum soon. I think a slam-dunk, in-your-face, "HELL NO" (much like the D41 ref) would be a good way to show them where this community stands. Northsider would have to decide if he/she should spend his weekends campaigning in favor of the referendum, or visiting open houses in other communities.

I cant believe how self centered residents of GE are. I thought we were better than this.

It seems fair to me that we ask everyone to pay their fair share of taxes. Yet GE residents think these schools can be run on a shoestring.

If everyone would increase their contributions by a few hundred dollars a year there would be plenty of money and none of these discussions would be neccessary. think about that next time you are enjoying an evening out.

You're very critical of Glen Ellyn residents. We are good and generous people.

Clam,

That's what I love about Northsider. Although I agree that money to schools should be a priority, YOU AND I AGREE that those monies shouldn't go towards TURF.

Someone whose opinions make US AGREE?

That's what I love about him.

William