There is a great line in the movie The Fugitive. Harrison Ford (the fugitive) is running away from Tommy Lee Jones (the US Marshal). The fugitive, when finally cornered, turns to the marshal and screams, "I didn't kill my wife!" The marshal responds: "I don't care!"
Well that’s how I am starting to feel when I read in the paper about how difficult a teacher’s life is or how teachers and administrators are required to bring non-direct-teaching-related skills or qualities to the job.
When I was a young and inexperienced Project Manager in the 1970’s, I dared to complain to my boss (mentor & friend) that I wasn’t making enough money and that I felt unappreciated. I will always remember his response.
He said: “Look Ken, enough whining already! You knew the job was dangerous when you took it! You are not indispensable and can easily be replaced. Of course, if you think you can do better, you can always quit. Now, go back to work!”
Back then I was lucky to have a job. Back then, as today, there were plenty of other qualified people looking for work. What my boss said was pretty harsh, but he taught me three valuable lessons. Don’t be so quick to complain. Hold on to what you have. Be grateful for having a job to complain about.
Teachers and administrators claim to be professionals. Harping about how difficult your job is or how your job sucks are not attributes normally associated with professional behavior.
I have friends who are teachers; quite a few actually. Those working in less affluent districts are envious of our teachers and administrators. Who can blame them?
Let me give my teacher and administrator friends at District 207 and surrounding districts a little advice.
Enough whining already! It’s unseemly. You knew the job was dangerous when you took it! You are not indispensable and you and I know that your position can be eliminated. Of course, if you think you can do better, you can always quit. Now, let's get on with the job!
But that’s just my opinion.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Nine-Year Report – Des Plaines School District #62
Teacher and Administrator payroll can be up 80% of a school district’s budget.
As you can see, historically, this district spent taxpayer monies fairly well overall. However, the passing of a sizable tax increase referendum in 2004 did not appear to completely bring the School Board to it’s budgetary senses, at least as it relates to Superintendent salaries.
This district’s School Board needs to here from you!
How to read the report.
Nine-Year Report – Des Plaines School District #62
In order to read the full report, click on Fullscreen view. Move your mouse over, and to the sides of the document. A cursor hand will appear. Click your mouse and you will be able to page through the report.
As you can see, historically, this district spent taxpayer monies fairly well overall. However, the passing of a sizable tax increase referendum in 2004 did not appear to completely bring the School Board to it’s budgetary senses, at least as it relates to Superintendent salaries.
This district’s School Board needs to here from you!
How to read the report.
Nine-Year Report – Des Plaines School District #62
In order to read the full report, click on Fullscreen view. Move your mouse over, and to the sides of the document. A cursor hand will appear. Click your mouse and you will be able to page through the report.
Nine-Year Report – Park Ridge School District #64
Teacher and Administrator payroll can be up 80% of a school district’s budget.
This district spent your money like it was theirs before the tax increase referendum and I guess just couldn’t seem to stop. I hope District #64 taxpayers are getting their moneys worth.
This district’s School Board needs to hear from you.
How to read the report.
Nine-Year Report - Park Ridge School District #64
In order to read the full report, click on Fullscreen view. Move your mouse over, and to the sides of the document. A cursor hand will appear. Click your mouse and you will be able to page through the report.
This district spent your money like it was theirs before the tax increase referendum and I guess just couldn’t seem to stop. I hope District #64 taxpayers are getting their moneys worth.
This district’s School Board needs to hear from you.
How to read the report.
Nine-Year Report - Park Ridge School District #64
In order to read the full report, click on Fullscreen view. Move your mouse over, and to the sides of the document. A cursor hand will appear. Click your mouse and you will be able to page through the report.
Friday, March 26, 2010
More Reports To Come!
In my last post: When is Enough, Enough, I included a combination nine and five year payroll analysis for East Maine School District #63.
The report is designed to give the reader a chance to view district total payroll amounts over time. Nine years was as far back as I was prepared to go. The report includes two sections: a nine year payroll history for all Teachers and Administrators employed by the District and a nine year and five year comparison for the Superintendent position.
Over the next few weeks, I intend to publish, in no particular order, similar individual reports for the following Chicago suburban school districts. They are:
|
The reasons for publishing these reports are simple. Property taxes are increasing, school district budgets are getting tighter, and because I can.
The data source for these reports is Champion News. Their source was the State of Illinois Board of Education.
I hope you find this work of value.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
When is enough, enough?
East Maine School District #63 continues to make news. In a story written in the Journal-Topics on August 19, 2009, we were informed that recently retired from EMSD#63 Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Williams, had been awarded a consulting contract for an unspecified number of days, at $900 per day.
The article went on to say that Dr. Williams was being contracted to advise the District:
| “…on a large construction project involving four schools, to prepare H1N1 flu contingencies with other school officials and to mentor several new administrators including her replacement Supt. Dr. Scott Clay.” “In addition to Clay, the district has several new senior administrators Williams will help mentor including a district executive director of curriculum and instruction, executive director of personnel and pupil services, director of special services to oversee special education and health, two interim principals at Washington, two interim principals at Mark Twain and an assistant principal at Gemini Jr. High.” “School Board President Jane Wojtkiewicz could not immediately be reached for comment.” |
At first I found this situation rather odd. In hindsight, I can see why this agreement might have been necessary. The School Board apparently took “someone’s” advice on hiring these seemingly unqualified former underlings, possibly on the cheap, although I doubt that, and needed, at least for a year or so, access to a “highly qualified and award winning” superintendent for guidance, ergo, Dr. Williams.
Now, I have two questions.
First: Why are the EMSD#63 taxpayers paying full-time salaries to apprentice these "highly qualified" professionals.
Second: School Board President Wojtkiewicz and Dr. Williams; when is enough, enough?
Please take a moment to review the enclosed nine-year payroll study for EMSD#63 teachers and administrators. This report covers school years 2001 through 2009. Dr. Williams was superintendent during the entire time. The report is divided into three sections. They are:
- all teachers and administrators (AT&A)
- superintendent all nine years (SA9Y)
- superintendent last five years (SL5Y).
The last five years, 2005 through 2009 are the years covered in Dr. Williams final five-year contract prior to retirement.
The AT&A data show an increase in payroll growth only slightly higher than the growth of inflation. The increases in SA9Y and SL5Y payroll growth are obscene.
How to read the report.
In order to read the full report, click on Fullscreen view. Move your mouse over, and to the sides of the document. A cursor hand will appear. Click your mouse and you will be able to page through the report.
Is Dr. Williams to blame for this situation? Not at all! She is a very shrewd and intelligent woman. I don’t blame her for taking advantage of these opportunities. I mean, that last five-year contract was a doozy and $900 a day ain’t chickenfeed!
The bottom line is this. The District can no longer afford to pay for the former Superintendent's services.
The problem is: This School Board can’t seem to get enough of Dr. Kathleen Williams and Dr. Williams can’t seem to let go.
Of course, all of this is just my opinion.
What do you think?
Kenneth Butterly
Monday, March 22, 2010
Reentering the Fray...
When I first started this Blog in 2006, I did so with the intent of chronicling the actions of East Maine School District #63. Over time, more pressing problems diverted my attention from those activities. Recently, my interest peaked when Maine Township #207, the other school district sharing my real-estate taxes, found itself short of funds and unable to convince the local teachers union to take a smaller pay increase in order to save fellow untenured teachers and help balance the District budget.
After publishing three "Open" letters and two reports on that Park Ridge Underground Blog site on the subject: Essay#1, Essay #2, Essay #3, I decided that maybe it was time to reenter the fray. So, I have changed the masthead to reflect the new direction of the Blog and hope that you’ll come around to take a look from time-to-time and comment as you see fit.
Kenneth Butterly
After publishing three "Open" letters and two reports on that Park Ridge Underground Blog site on the subject: Essay#1, Essay #2, Essay #3, I decided that maybe it was time to reenter the fray. So, I have changed the masthead to reflect the new direction of the Blog and hope that you’ll come around to take a look from time-to-time and comment as you see fit.
Kenneth Butterly
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