Goals - Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Williams - 2000-2009

The process set forth for the development of the superintendent’s goals can be found on the East Maine School District 63 website.

Between school years 2000-01 and 2003-04 one finds that goals for Superintendent Williams were developed on a year-to-year basis. This is not the case for contract years 2004-09.

As you review each set of goals keep in mind that the board has full responsibility for their creation.

Between school years 2000-01 to 2003-04, the reader is hard-pressed to find goals directly relating to the primary function of the superintendent, the education of children. What we do find for the most part, are goals relating to process. Only within the last set of goals, school years 2004-09 does one find distinct and quantifiable goals relating to education, but even then, the goals are only set to meet minimal educational standards.

Reasonable people can differ on whether any or all of these goals are valid. I for one, think that the taxpayer has been short changed. The Board has a responsibility to demand, expect and attain a high-quality education for children within the District. Goals such as these, in my opinion, will not achieve those ends.

The taxpayers of this District are constantly reminded that we are lucky to have such a gifted administrator in Dr. Williams. Why then, is the Board so reluctant to demand a high level of excellence (achievement) commensurate to her purported abilities?

Should the taxpayer/parent be upset? I think so! But I can't blame her for taking the easy way out when the board has chosen to do the same.

But of course, that’s my opinion!

Your comments please!



Kenneth Butterly

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School Year 2000-2001

School Year 2001-2002

School Year 2002-2003

School Year 2003-2004

School Year 2004-2009

Job Description - Superintendent - East Maine School District #63

This convoluted document makes the Superintendent's job appear overly difficult and therefore, worthy of the extraordinarily high salary received.

Further, the Job Description does not appear to be the only one used by the District since school year 2000-01, as it references district standards developed since Dr. Williams arrival.

Another Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request will need to be submitted to find out how the description of the Superintendent's job has changed over time.

Of course, that just my opinion!

Your comments please!


Kenneth J. Butterly

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Job Description

Too Bad The Journal-Topics Wasn't Actually There!

The following article appeared within the Niles Journal on June 13, 2007.

“Some Riled By Dist. 63 Teacher Transfer”

“Tensions were high toward the beginning of the East Maine School Dist. 63 (EMSD 63) board meeting June 6. As the meeting was called to order, Board President Jane Wojtkiewicz foreshadowed what was to come, warning the only public speaker not to say anything defamatory. Monica Boyle, representing a group of teachers from Apollo Elementary School in Des Plaines, used a controlled, steady voice to read a letter to the Board of Education protesting the recent transfer of a teacher to Nelson Elementary School, also in EMSD 63. "We are shocked and saddened by the transfer of a teacher who spoke her mind... provided union activism," read Boyle. "Morale is low, the staff feels unappreciated." letter went on to state that the school was setting a poor example to students. No names were mentioned. Following the reading of the letter, which had been distributed to board members previously, administrators questioned the judgment of the teachers in making public a matter they said had been handled, reportedly with full cooperation from the teacher in question. "They're making this public statement as if something improper had been done and in fact, we were following the contract," said Executive Director of Personnel and Pupil‑ Services Scott Clay. Supt. Kathleen Williams responded directly to the letter, saying she was "deeply disturbed" that it had been read publicly and dismissing the notion that it was setting a poor example for students. "When transfers occur, the administration does their best to make decisions for the betterment of the whole," said Williams. "It wasn't a sentence, we didn't exile her. She's going to a great school." Williams went on to criticize the teachers for their behavior in meetings between the staff and Apollo Principal Lynn Glickman. "What Lynn Glickman wanted to tell the Apollo staff is that she is very sorry you are angry but she feels she made the best decision," said Williams. "She will still be principal next year. If you don't like that, you can apply for a voluntary transfer." Glickman declined to comment in detail, saying her choice to transfer the teacher was within district regulations. "The other principal was very in favor of having her come to that building," said Glickman. "It's well within the contract." Boyle declined to comment, referring questions to her union president."

I recognize that it is not always possible for the local newspapers to to attend every meeting.

Too bad!

This article describing the goings-on at a EMSD#63 Board of Education meeting, like quite a few other Niles Journal and Pioneer Press articles published over the last three years, was written without the author actually being present. How did the paper get the information to print the story? They got it directly from the EMSD#63 Administration.

Sorry, I just don't consider that to be journalism.

Mr. Editor, there was a lot more to the meeting than the story you received from the Superintendent's Office.

I am sorry that once again, Journal-Topics management apparently did not see fit to send a "reporter" to the meetings.

But that’s just my opinion!

Your comments please!


Kenneth Butterly

Contract - Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Wiliams - 2004-2009

This 5-year contract was signed 6 months before passage of EMSD63's 22% Tax Increase Referendum.

Your commemts please!

Kenneth J. Butterly

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Superintendant Williams Contract 2004 - 2009

Counterfeit Excellence - Update

This is an update to my March 16, 2007 posting titled Counterfeit Excellence. Since that time, I acquired additional data from East Maine School District 63 (EMSD63).

In the Spring of 2006 and again that Fall, I had short discussions with Mr. Scott Herrmann, Principle at Gemini Jr. High School (GJHS.)

First Discussion.

Mr. Herrmann was informed of my findings and expressed concern about a logical perception of “grade inflation” at Gemini by parents and taxpayers, and said that he would review this issue with his teaching staff.

Second Discussion.

Mr. Hermann reiterated his concern and said that the problem should not we occur in the future.

GJHS Principal Scott Herrmann, is a man who is true to his word!

Where last years “Honor Roll” lists averaged 65.15% of the student population. This year’s lists average close to 20%. Current search indicates that no more than 20% of the student population would normally attain “Honor Roll” status.

Am I happy with the result? Yes! Should I have had to make the comment to Mr. Herrmann to begin with? No!

Had I not intervened, I believe, grade inflation at GJHS would have occurred again this year.

So, where was Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Katherine Ruh? Where was Superintendent Williams? Where was the "ever vigilant" EMSD63 School Board? Were they all brain-dead? How could all of these trusted professionals be so out of touch, that they could not or would not see the the grade inflation/honor roll problems at Gemini?

In the end, I have some satisfaction in knowing that I have done my part to solve this problem!

But that’s just my opinion!

Your comments please!



Kenneth J. Butterly

Sleight-Of-Hand Governance – The Way Things Work in East Maine School District #63

I was going over my notes on the June 6, 2007 Regular Board Meeting when something struck me as odd. So I called two other witnesses to confirm my observation.

What caught my attention was the comment made by Board President Jane Wojtkiewicz, that a change had been made to the list of administrators referred to in the memorandum. I was then expecting to hear the names of those two administrators as well as the new “aggregate sum” amount to be voted on. Neither was forthcoming!

The publicly posted agenda for this meeting included the following “New Business” item.

“# 288-06/07, Recommendation to Approve Administrators’ Compensation and Contracts 2007-2008.”

Later on in the Agenda document one finds:

“ Board of Education Memorandum #288-06/07, Recommendation to Approve Administrators’ Compensation and Contracts 2007-2008 Contact Person: Dr. Kathleen Williams, Superintendent It is the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve administrative contracts and compensation as presented to the board for the 2007-2008 school year in the aggregate sum of $930,323.68 for the following individuals: Dr. Scott Clay Ms. Lynn Glickman Mr. Eric Henry Mr. Scott Herrmann Mr. Nick Maldonado Mr. Larry Mishkin Ms. Katherine Ruh Ms. Judith Satkiewicz Ms. Kristen Ulery...”

So, what did they do?

The Board, in my opinion blatantly ignored their responsibility to inform the public of vital financial information prior to a vote.

Here's how it happened.

The Board properly announced in the June 6, 2007 Agenda that there would be a “New Business” item to be voted on.

Board President Wojtkiewicz adjourned the Board to closed session to discuss among other things, item “# 288-07/07, Recommendation to Approve Administrators’ Compensation and Contracts 2007-2008.”

As you can see from the quotation from the June 6th Board Agenda presented above, nine names appeared on the list, along with an aggregate sum amount.

Following the closed session, President Wojtkiewicz announced that two members of that list had been removed. The remaining administrators names were not made public nor were the adjusted aggregate dollars. Was there public discussion or explanation of the changes? No!

President Wojtkiewicz immediately asked for a roll-call vote. The recommendation passed unanimously (7-0).

Excuuuuuuuuuuse me?

That little maneuver was a good example of the smoke & mirror Board Governance here in EMSD63.

The proper procedure as I understand it is:

The Board must first publicly and clearly state in writing the language of the modified agenda item prior to vote, so that the public knows exactly what the Board Members will be voting on.

The public must then be given an adequate and timely notice of the change, with a reasonable opportunity to review the amended proposal. That means that the new agenda item must be placed in written form for 48 hours prior to the vote for public inspection.

Finally, the public must be given a reasonable opportunity to comment on this new agenda item.

This did not happen!

One could argue that this incident is a clear violation of the "Open Meeting Act."

Was this a mistake? I doubt it. EMSD63's Superintendent Williams and President Wojtkiewicz have won awards for their management and leadership acumen. No, I think they just believed no one was watching. Even members of the press were absent. The Superintendent and President apparently intended to "fast track" the Administrative pay raises by passing that memorandum, no matter what, that night. And, knowing they had the votes based on the results of last April's election, they just did it!

That's the way things are done in East Maine School District #63.

Why? Because they can!

But that’s just my opinion!


Kenneth J. Butterly

“She lacks the indefinable charm of weakness.” - Oscar Wilde

Teachers were made aware of their vulnerabilities last night.

Superintendent Williams and East Maine School District #63’s School Board showed their true colors at the June 6, 2007 Regular Board Meeting. This fatuous group gave the audience, absent the local press, a clear glimpse of EMSD63 administration/teacher union cooperation.

There is no love lost here!

Some teachers from Apollo School came to the meeting to publicly read a letter that had already been delivered to the board, regarding a perceived retaliatory transfer of a well-liked and valuable teacher from Apollo School to Nelson School. A teacher read the letter stating the groups disapproval of the transfer decision and indicated that she and other teacher’s had (I’m paraphrasing here), felt a need to voice their dissatisfaction in spite of their fear of possible retaliation. Teachers sitting around me also echoed her view. Superintendent William’s response to the teacher and to the others present in my opinion, was arrogant, swift, cold and calculating. If I might paraphrase: you teachers signed the contract. The contract gives us the authority to do what we did. Shut up and go away! “What a Bitch”, referring to Dr. Williams, was heard as the teachers exited the room.

These are not the first teachers and probably not the last, to feel the sting of Williams' imperial administration.

Not every teacher is unhappy!

Most new teachers will never have to worry, let alone deal with this problem. Why should they? None will buck the system and most are just happy to have a job. And tenure, what’s that? Have you noticed how few young teachers ever see three years of service in EMSD63? Maybe there is truth to the rumor that there is an unwritten policy to limit the number of tenured teachers in the district.

A little contrition please!

Last nights confrontation did not have to happen. There is an obvious disconnect between the administration and the teachers. Dr. Williams and the President of the Board, in my opinion, showed a clear lack of respect by their arbitrary demeanor, not just to those teachers but to the children and taxpayers they serve.

The Superintendent eventually told the teachers that any of them could transfer to another school. It would serve this arrogant and dismissive School Board and Administration right, if all the teachers from Apollo took them up on the offer!

But of course, that is just my opinion!

Your comments please!


Kenneth Butterly

Read It In The Newspaper – Not!

A couple of you have recently expressed concern regarding a perceived lack of interest by our local newspapers regarding specific East Maine School District #63 activities.

I understand this concern, and here is my take on it.

Sometimes we find ourselves miffed by what we believe to be our local newspapers lack of curiosity and vigilance when it comes to our pet-peeves or interests; in this case, school governance and management at East Maine School District #63.

Like each of us, newspapers are “free” entities. And just like us, they are making choices based their perception on what is good for them. If a newspaper believes that the pursuit of a story will prove disadvantageous to the paper, it will choose not the pursue it. No local paper wants litigation or the loss of advertisers or readers.

To my knowledge, no law exists requiring a new organization to investigate or publish anything, let alone something you or I might deem worthy of publication.

If you want to know the facts regarding your School Districts activities, then you have to get personally involved. Try going to those monthly school board meeting. Take a friend or even better, a fellow parent. Listen to what the Board and Administration have to say. Ask questions. If you’re not satisfied with their explanations and find yourself still curious, submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. And don’t forget to come back and read this Blog from time-to-time.

I will discuss writing FOIA requests in a future post.

Of course, it’s just my opinion.

What do you think?

Kenneth Butterly

Williams/Kaczkowski E-Mail

During the spring of 2005 I received a copy of a very disturbing e-mail. It was included within a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document retrieval initated by me.

The e-mail was authored by Dr. Kathleen Williams on school time and was sent from the district's East Maine School District #63 Board of Education computers on September 08, 2004 at 9:40 a.m. The e-mail was addressed to specific members of the East Maine School District #63 Board Of Education.

Dr. Williams's intent was to inform her board of an e-mail she had received the night before from then referendum committee chairperson, now EMSD#63 School Board Member, Janet Kaczkowski.

I believe the text of Janet Kaczkowski's e-mail is self explanatory.

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Dr. Williams E-Mail to School Board

What does this say about the leadership in East Maine School District #63? What does this say about Dr. Williams, Katherine Ruh and Stacy Mallek? Were they all cooperating and coordinating with this parent to pass the tax increase referendum? What does it say about School Board member Janet Kaczkowski?

Your opinion please!

Kenneth Butterly

Another $735,000 Down the Toilet

In 2001 the East Maine School District #63 (EMSD#63) Board of Education and administration purchased for $560,000 cash, two adjacent single-family buildings located on the southwest corner of Central and Dee roads. This was done with little fanfare, no public participation or PROFESSIONAL WRITTEN APPRAISAL.

A reading of the EMSD#63 Agenda Document for July 18, 2001 covering the June 26th 2001 General Board Meeting, clearly stated, and without any other reasons given for the purchase, the following:

“... announced that the Board had purchased the property located on Central Road, north of the District administrative offices. She indicated that the properties would be used for storage of District files, and the Board would consider housing MTSEP special programs in one of the buildings.”

MTSEP is a special education cooperative serving 4 school districts, including Des Plaines Elementary District 62, East Maine School District 63, Park Ridge School District 64, and Maine Township High School District 207.

At the time of purchase, the 1131 Dee Road property, the one to be used for MTSEP testing, was considered unsuitable for public service and needed an additional infusion of approximately $175,000 cash from MTSEP and EMSD63 taxpayers. That brought the total investment in that property to roughly $460,000.

Now, after six years of apparent neglect, we discover that this same property is worth $285,000, only $5,000 more than when originally purchased. Also, a recent inspection revealed that the building is now considered unsafe, uninhabitable and in need of demolition. The reason? A recently discovered standing water problem located in the buildings crawlspace, the district says.

Dr. Williams and School Board are responsible.

Reasonable people may differ on whether these properties should have been purchased in the first place, considering the districts already known future academic and financial shortcomings. That said, once the decision was made to purchase the property, the superintendent and board were responsible to see that the properties were professionally appraised, inspected and maintained to protect the public’s interest.

Apparently this was not done!

Not that long ago EMSD#63 taxpayers were shocked to learn that the school district had become involved in an “Exercise Equipment Scam” that wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars. Now we have another scandal.

What should be done next?

In my opinion we need a complete public airing of this mess including one or more special public meetings.

Of course, I don’t expect anything concrete to happen regarding this matter any time soon!

It's just my opinion!

Your comments please!


Kenneth Butterly

Counterfeit Excellence

This posting first appeared in June 2006 as "Honor Roll Blues."

Grade Inflation In East Maine School District #63 (EMSD#63)?

You’ve seen them “I’m the proud parent of School Name Here Honor Roll Student.”

Apparently, EMSD#63’s Gemini Junior High School has made quite a few local parents and students proud.

During the first three quarters of school year 2005-06 the published student population for Gemini was 812.

 

Quarter	# Honor Roll Students	# Honor Roll Students
1st	553	68.10%
2nd	509	62.68%
3rd	529	64.66%
	Average:	65.15%

 

In the end, I believe it would have been far less time-consuming to publish the list of students not appearing on the “Honor Roll.”

I originally intended to review 23 quarterly “Honor Roll” lists.

Of the 23 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted, only 3 were returned with lists attached. The remaining 20 received the following response: “No such document exists. The Freedom of Information Act does not require a public entity to create documents.”

At first I was miffed. However, that response now makes sense. EMSD#63 administrators apparently believe as I now do, that Gemini “Honor Roll” lists are not worth keeping!

Current research indicates that no more than 20% of the student population would normally attain “Honor Roll” status.

Being placed on the “Honor Roll” has always been considered an achievement, something special, but when such a significant portion of a school’s population is placed on an “Honor Roll” list (65.15% average over three quarters), the value of the award is diluted. Grade inflation is a common practice to cover up lower academic performance. In short, their coin of excellence is counterfeit.

If I were a Gemini Junior High School student or parent I would feel betrayed by school administrators who apparently value a false sense of “self-esteem” over actual scholastic achievement. It is reasonable to assume that some of our 2005-06 Gemini graduate’s may have found them selves taking remedial courses at Maine East.

It is time for members of the East Maine School District #63 School Board, parents, concerned teachers and taxpayers to demand genuine performance - lets cut out the smoke & mirrors!

But of course, it’s only my opinion!

Your opinion please!

Kenneth Butterly