So where are the educational achievements?

A perusal around Dr. Clay’s EMSD#63 Blog-site tells a great deal about the disconnect between some educators and education. Let me show you what I mean.

On January 24^th, 2011 Dr. Clay wrote…

“Congratulations Gemini Students

Congratulations goes out to the Gemini Jazz Band and the Jazz Combo for two excellent performance at the North Shore Jazz Festival.  All of the judges and clinicians were amazed with how well they performed for a junior high band.  Not only did the jazz band earn a first division superior rating from all three judges, but with a nearly perfect score, they also won second place overall out of the nearly 20 junior high school performing groups.  An additional congratulations goes out to Kevin Alba who was one of only 5 junior high students to earn recognition as an outstanding soloist.”

On January 14^th, 2011 Dr. Clay wrote…

“Congratulations District 63 Schools!

Six of our schools have been recognized by the Illinois Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Network for reaching one of five levels of implementation during the 2009-2010 school year (start-up, emerging, implementing, fully implemented, exemplar). Emerging Nelson Melzer Washington Implementing Stevenson Apollo Twain A big thank you to all staff members for making PBIS work in our district. Special thanks to Lori Naumowicz (our external coach), all of the internal coaches, and the principals for leading the way in this endeavor.”

On November 15^th, 2010 Dr. Clay wrote…

“School Board Member Day: November 15, 2010

School board members are ordinary people who wear many different hats in their everyday lives.  They might be farmers or bankers, homemakers or doctors, truck drivers or professors, business owners or retirees.   But they all put on the same hat when they get to the board room.  It’s a hat that represents an extraordinary dedication to our public schools and it’s time we thanked them for their untiring efforts. The time school board members spend in board meetings represents just a fraction of the actual hours that they devote to leading the district.  They attend meetings and seminars to learn how to be better board members.  They attend extracurricular events to support our schools.  And often they are involved in other community activities, representing themselves, our community, and our district. School board members are charged with a unique job.  They must listen to the voices of their community and then craft a vision, mission, and goals for the district that accurately reflect those voices in the design.  They must guard two of the community’s most precious resources – our children and our tax dollars – while they create the best educational environment possible with the money available. Too often  school board members are criticized without  people having a full understanding of all the details that went into their decisions.  As  result, the efforts of school board members often go unrecognized and unrewarded. November 15, 2010, has been designated as School Board Member Day in Illinois.  This is a time to show appreciation and to begin to better understand how school board members work together to provide leadership for schools.  Join with others from throughout Illinois in a “tip of the hat” to the men and women who provide the grassroots governance of public schools. Thank you Jane, John, Steve, Janet, Walter, Tom and Sheila for all you do for the children of East Maine School District 63!”

On November 9^th, 2010 Dr. Clay wrote…

“American Education Week

At the November 3rd meeting of the Board of Education, the following resolution was passed in honor of American Education Week, November 14-20, 2010. BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of East Maine School District 63, WHEREAS, public schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our nation’s precious values of freedom, civility, and equality; and WHEREAS, by equipping young Americans with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, schools give them hope for, and access to, a productive future; and WHEREAS, education employees – be they custodians or teachers, bus drivers or librarians – work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and professionalism; and WHEREAS, in recognition of their contributions to education, November 17 has been identified as National Education Support Professionals Day and November 19 as Substitute Educators Day; and WHEREAS, schools are community linchpins, bringing together adults and children, educators and volunteers, business leaders and elected officials in a common enterprise, and WHEREAS, the Board of Education supports this year’s American Education Week theme of “Great Public Schools:  A Basic Right and Our Responsibility” NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Education serving the East Maine School Community does hereby proclaim observation of American Education Week, November 14-20, 2010, and urges all educators and citizens to observe this week with appropriate activities to further renew their commitment to the education of every child.”

On October 21^st, 2010 Dr. Clay wrote…

“Principal Appreciation Day!

October 22nd is Principal Appreciation Day!  Below is a resolution adopted by the school board in honor of these hard working people in our district.  There are only 10 principals and assistant principals in District 63, but the effect they have on our students, staff, and families is immeasurable.  Principal Appreciation Day Resolution WHEREAS, principals make public schools great; and WHEREAS, principals work to open students’ minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams, and WHEREAS, principals keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and WHEREAS, principals fill many roles, as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors; and WHEREAS, principals continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories; NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that October 22, 2010 is hereby recognized as Principal Appreciation Day, and that this state-endorsed occasion honors the work and commitment of principals and assistant principals in school throughout Illinois and acknowledges the leadership provided by these administrators.”

Should taxpayers and parents also join in the fun?

EMSD#63 - Adequate Yearly Progress Results

Data derived from Illinois Interactive Report Cards

AYP Yrs 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010                   District N/A No Yes Yes Yes No No No                   Apollo No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Gemini No No No Yes Yes No No No Mark Twain No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Melzer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Nelson Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Stevenson Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Washington Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Dr. Clay’s posts serve no purpose other than inflate success-starved egos.  So now the Board can feel better about itself. Same with the principals, teachers and support personnel.  Too bad, at least when it comes to academic achievement, Dr. Clay isn’t able to do the same “for the children”.

Finally

Based on my experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone does the best they can, all the time, no matter what the endeavor. I believe no one enters into any enterprise with the intention of failure. 

If my belief is true, then it will be impossible, with EMSD#63’s current personnel and leadership to succeed. 

One can not do better than their best, no matter how much additional tax money they get.

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