Raising Suspicion At a time when schools are cutting back, we question
Palatine Township Elementary District 15's decision to give bus
drivers 3 percent raises. This follows pay
increases - albeit small - in the latest teacher contract. For a
fiscally healthy school district that's projected to be
$7 million in the red in five years, we're
wary of this trend. Daily
Herald, 1/30/10 - Saturday Soapbox
Producing World-Class Learners . . . Really? Then why was a district goal to “Strengthen the Curriculum”
voted down by board members
Chapman, Bokor, Ekeberg and Babcock at the October 14th
meeting?
How would you
rank the following district
goals that were submitted and considered by our seven Board
of Education members?
Plan for Meeting AYP and Growth Target (as measured by MAP)
Develop a Long-Range Facilities Plan
Build a Strong Administrative Team
Update Technology
Strengthen Financial Planning
Strengthen the Curriculum
Foster a Positive, Open Environment That Values Learning
Develop and Implement a Merit Salary Plan for Administrators
Never mind
– it doesn’t really matter what you think – you weren’t elected to serve
the residents of this district. The Board majority decides. That’s the
way it works.
Never mind
that Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Chris Koch believes “we
must ensure that our students receive a quality public education, and
ensure that learning evolves
with the current global
environment.” (Illinois PTA Bulletin, Fall 2009)
Never mind
that the proposed goal of “Strengthen
the Curriculum” provided details such as “Develop and
implement a plan to reduce the number of students that are
required/eligible to take remedial courses when they enter the high
school system” and “Develop a plan to increase rigor of math and
science education.”
No –
instead the majority decided that the district should have a goal to “Fill
all administrative positions with full-time, fully committed and highly
competent professionals” and fill all open D15 cabinet positions.
It begs the question
- Aren’t we doing that already? And does it really qualify as a DISTRICT GOAL? Isn’t it
more of a department goal?
Once again, the
Actions of our Board of Education (Goals Approved)
speak louder than its Words (Mission Statement).
Board of Education Candidate Forum 2009 –
Q1: What do you think are the two most important needs or issues facing
the district?
How would you address these two issues that you have identified?
- (8 minutes)
NOTE:Spotlight Editorial delivers opinions and analysis
of issues discussed at Board of Education meetings. The
perspectives expressed are strictly those of the editor and are not
endorsed by any PTA, parent organization, District 15 or 211 employee or
Board of Education.
