I was originally going to write about East Maine School District #63’s Financial Task Force, but I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help but comment on today’s Chicago Tribune story titled: “Loophole lets educators collect pension and salary”. As some of you know, I posted a blog reporting Dr. Williams taking the Wausau Superintendent’s job.
Today’s article clearly shows how clever our former Illinois Superintendents are. Unfortunately, is also shows the opposite for Illinois legislators and school boards.
I was amazed when I read this part of the article:
“Kathleen Williams, 61, said she missed education and wanted to return to work after retiring from East Maine in 2009. After doing some part-time consulting in her old district, she took the fill-time superintendent’s job in Wausau, in north-central Wisconsin. She started there, Nov.1.”
The Tribune’s reporter missed the most important part of her story; Dr. Williams non-transparent, 1 year, no-bid, no-written-contract, $108,000 employee/consulting/mentoring agreement.
The reporter went on to quote Dr. Williams:
“The big difference for me is that when you’re doing it post-retirement, the stress level is not there, Williams said. You are doing it because you truly want to be there, and you are choosing to give up not working to be able to do what you love.”
I for one believe her. She “truly” wanted the consulting gig, and she “truly” wanted to be there (Wausau). She also wanted to be in Oshkosh as early as February 17, 2010 and in Kohler, Wisconsin on April 21, 2010. She finally succeeded in fulfilling her desire to be there last November in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Now, should I be upset with Dr. Williams for searching for fulfillment to her desires or for making her pitch to those Districts or for getting the job?
Not me!
If a district (other than EMSD#63) wishes to employ her for her services, for whatever reason, for whatever the market will bear, so be it. I’m just glad she’s no longer working here.
Of course, that’s just my opinion.
3 comments:
If she loves education so much,why didn't she look for a position in Illinois?
She left probably because she and her sidekick stacey mallek were getting too much heat about budget and salaries. So they packed up and left. Every school system has to deal with this crap, and as a taxpayer in the district, I am fed up with administrators crying poor, but yet they can spend millions of dollars fixing up schools, but they cry poor. If you are poor then don't spend millions of dollars that you may need later. That's what we do in our own households, right?
I don’t know why Stacy Mallek left. It is possible that budget and salary concerns played a part. One would have to ask Ms. Mallek.
Dr. Williams left for her own reasons, which she has certainly never shared with me. Budget and salary issues may have played a part here also. One would have to ask Dr. Williams.
But let’s get down to the meat of your question.
You are tired of the ever-increasing EMSD#63 tax bill.
You are not alone!
Other taxpayers and parents are tired of paying ever-increasing tax levies too. They’re tired of poor academic performance. They're tired of wasted money on “things” and strategies that don’t work.
The Board is responsible.
Over the years, EMSD#63 School Boards, through Policy changes, have relinquished their responsibilities over school performance, in favor of “leaving it to the professionals”. That is not to say that any public board should micro-manage. A balanced approach is vital.
The Superintendent is responsible. Superintendent’s administration is responsible for day-to-day operations, plans and strategies; financial and academic. As they should be!
Failure at this level means failure in the classroom.
There are only two choices, revolution or evolution.
Evolutionary time is running out. There will be no more money to work with than they have this minute.
Are EMSD#63 Administrators up to the task? History does not bode well.
Question is, are you up to the task?
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