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

In order to enlarge image, place arrow over the image and click mouse key.

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