Local Admins stick together – grab a tissue!
I am so touched. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce empathizes and supports Peoria Public Schools Admin as they press forward with plans to shutter schools, increase class size, and downgrade the needs of special needs children. The following press release will put a lump in your throat and warm the cockles of your heart as you realize that these Admins of the public trust agreed to blindly stick together through thick and thin. According to Roberta Parks, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, her board met with Hinton et al. this morning, and by early afternoon released this statement to the press. Understandably, Ms. Parks being the busy professional that she is, surely had no time to meet with other important entities of the district before making this statement. Plus, to put Mr. Hinton’s mind at ease, it was imperative that she do so immediately before anyone else had a chance to register an alternative point of view. So as a favor to her and as sort of a public service, I will provide translation and commentary from a parents perspective for the reader throughout the press release.
Peoria (January 23, 3009) –District 150 has some difficult decisions ahead due to significant budget deficit predictions. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce supports the district’s efforts to make those tough changes for the future of our educational system
District 150 has some difficult decisions ahead due to significant budget deficit predictions that have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their money management skills. It has become clearly apparent that even after spending over $11,300 per student, well above the state average, there are still clearly insufficient funds to properly ejucate Peoria children. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce supports the District’s Administrative payroll and over- spending to make those tough changes for the future of their educational empire.
Members of the school board and the Chamber board met this morning at the Heartland Partnership office to discuss the status of District 150. Superintendent Ken Hinton said the district ended the 2007-2008 school year last July with a very small surplus (for the first time in nine years) of $300,000 on a budget of $140+ million. They approved a balanced budget that same July for the 2008-2009 school year but almost overnight, the economic downturn set in and now there is a projected $9 million budget deficit for the 2010 school year due to a variety of funding changes.
Of course, we conveniently ignored the elephant in the closet type of questions such as “How is Manual’s restructuring going?”, and, “why has the District hemorrhaged enrollment over the past 10 years which has put you in this pickle”, and “why are 2 out of 4 of our high schools going into their 7th year of academic watch and one is being restructured”, and “why are the parents up in arms all the time.. don’t you talk to them?”, and “Why do you have to keep hiring Admins and consultants in the midst of a budget crunch, can’t the ones that are already there do the job?” or “Is it true that ending the charter on these 2 schools would start the 7 year academic watch clock all over again?” No, that would be far too unpleasant and being the Chamber of Commerce we only want to put out warm fuzzy kind of press releases. No one really expects us to do anything now do they?
Hinton acknowledges that some very tough choices will have to be made including whether to close or merge schools. While that is not a popular topic among many in the community, Chamber Board Chairperson Deb Ritschel says change is inevitable. “We must focus on the long term effects this decision will have and the overall big picture.” Ritschel went on to say “Many people are emotional about the thought of closing or merging schools, but we have also look at the realities and focus on the business perspective of this issue which means dealing with capacity issues and matching revenues and expenses.” The goal, Ritschel noted, is to balance the business side of things while continuing focus on student achievement.
I mean seriously, it’s not like we are talking about children here. Oh, wait a minute. Yes we are. OK but remember… capacity, revenue, expenses…. wtf let’s just throw the popular phrase *student achievement* in there for good measure in case someone thinks we don’t give a shit.
The Chamber Board was asked to help by getting community leaders to be a voice of this effort in hopes of changing the perception of the public schools in Peoria. Ritschel responded saying “The Chamber will support the district as it positions itself to ensure children today and children in the future have a stable school system providing a quality education.”
The Chamber Board was asked to help quell the pandemonium that is sure to unfold as Peoria families realize that once again the district will put the needs of the Admin before any and all else. The Chamber will of course, oblige because some day they just might need that same favor.
Now being an intuitive person I would just like to launch a sort of pre-emptive strike against all the anons that will log in as *D150 parent* and *super greatest teacher ever*. I realize that , as anons, it is very possible that you are really Admin trying to save your job. I don’t fault you for that, but let’s cut the crap. Your opinion counts and I feel certain no none will egg your house if you freely express it. Also, don’t think for a moment that you can blame the District’s image problems on people like me. I’ve only been paying attention since last Spring so try again. And while we are at it, can we also lay off the “percent poverty” issue. Most people over 65 grew up in poverty and they aren’t crying a river.
So Peoria Chamber of Commerce… thanks for representing me, a business person and parent of District 150 children. Thanks for rolling out the red carpet for the district to begin closing up shop. Thanks for letting them know that it is perfectly acceptable as far as you are concerned to wave the white flag of surrender and accept the fact that families are moving and ain’t coming back anytime soon. Thanks for letting them know that no matter what, like an errant child, you are there for them with no expectations whatsoever. Thanks for … nothing. By the way, I just renewed my membership. Can I please get my money back? Something tells me you won’t mind giving it.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Diane -I beleive the whole meeting was recorded. Before you froth and prospect, could you please engage the Realtors Association President in a dialogue. Frankly, I don’t expect you to return to me the budget information I provided to you today and I don’t care. It’s been a long but exuberant week. Happy witchhunting.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Ah, the radicalization of Diane! Fun to watch.
She’s right, of course. The emperor is now naked, despite what some in Peoria’s business establishment want to believe.
D150 is a fast moving disaster. Every middle class family with kids who can afford to move to the burbs will do so, or pay for private school.
Shorter school days, closing high schools, destroying solid, historic schools that could more cheaply be renovated without displacing neighborhoods, buying $900,000 worth of properties that can’t be used for a school but taking them off the tax rolls, even raising taxes instead of ditching Edison and excess administrators — what a district!
In the immortal words of Bush, ‘Way to go, Brownie!’
And the C of C falls into line. (Glad I’m not a member.)
January 24th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Elaine Hopkins agrees with ya? That’s like Custer getting another shipment of arrows.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:33 am
You know what, Jim. I like you a lot. I think you are truly doing your best in an impossible situation. Whether you believe it or not, we ARE on the same side. We just have different ways of going about it. I’m sorry if you don’t like the way I see things. It is nothing against you.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Daine: Excellent title for your article. Tenor causes me suspect that you have been dipping into John’s podcast of the G Gordon Liddy Show.
The situation regarding the size and budgets of governments and the relationship to their local economies has me recalling a fable I heard as a child about a family that faced a cold winter and as fuel was scarce they began tearing wood off of their house to feed the furnace. I don’t recall if the family survived the winter, but in the end they had no house.
I don’t know if people who’s personally vested interest is in their government job can escape the bias that they have toward “feeding the furnace” unless they can look ahead and appreciate the long term implications of stripping their “house” of its tax base.
And what a way to start the weekend…..with E. Hopkins on the same side!
January 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Ken Hinton is caught in an impossible situation, one he inherited from that witch before him. The real problem with our schools is the weakness and utter unqualified people on the school board, now and in the past. You put some discipline back in the schools, get rid permanently of the troublemakers, require the parents to pay some attention to what their kids are doing in school, and you will an increase in attendance, accomplishment and pride in being a part of the system. Sounds simple, and it is, look at the private schools in the area. Don’t cop out and take the “no money” route, good heads can solve that over a long period of time. Most people will accedpt a little higher tax for the schools if they can see light at the end of the tunnel.
January 24th, 2009 at 10:19 am
“one he inherited from that witch before him.”… and lets not forget the Wonder Boy Schock too.
January 24th, 2009 at 10:21 am
You know… I still think the city’s residents ought to trigger a full reelection of the school board. I don’t recall how that was to unfold. I think CJ had posted how that would work a while back.
January 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Apologies-you can tell from my spelling above that I did not attend 150 schools.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Excellent post, Diane! You know you hit a nerve when board members insult you. I, too, was disheartened when I saw the comment from the Chamber, but I am also distressed by the less-than-accurate way this proposal is being portrayed in the local media. (Ex.: They are only closing Woodruff, when they are also closing Peoria High.) The media, too, are accepting whatever talking points the district administration puts out and not looking at the actual document(s).
The consensus of those I have talked with about this proposal is that they are suspicious of the proposal because they have little or no trust in the District 150 administration. Most also don’t have much confidence that the school board will ask the right questions and do their jobs. The public perceptions of the administration as inept if not corrupt and of the school board as a rubber stamp for D150 administration did not happen overnight. The citizens of Peoria, particularly students and their families, will bear the brunt of the board’s decisions, but the entire community will be affected as well. We all have a stake in what happens.
BTW, “an exuberant week”, Mr. Stowell? Do you know what that word means? Can you really be exuberant about the need to close schools and increase class size? Are you exhilarated, too, perhaps? That’s sad.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I was refering to the inauguration.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Mary, you caught the word “exuberant” too? What the Hell is there to be exuberant about? How can the proposed closing of schools and the reduction of student services possibly make anyone feel exuberant? That’s just weird.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I wonder if the exuberance that Mr Stowell felt concerning the inauguration this week was the same sort of exuberance that some in the School District felt when they achieved their first African American Superintendent?
The ominous parallel is that we can be exuberant over arriving at a politically correct milestone achieved through racial politics that assuaged our affluent white guilt, even while we ignored the dark clouds of fiscal realities that are now going to economically enslave every one of our children for generations to come.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Jim, I appreciate your clarification. I apologize for misunderstanding your allusion. However, without context, remarks can and will be taken in a different light. Your remark struck me as insensitive to what is happening to District 150 and those affected by this proposal.
(BTW, I still think it’s an incorrect usage! A person, group of people or event can be exuberant, for example, a week cannot. “A week of exuberance” would work. Next time just say “Joyous!” LOL)
And I would also like to say that I appreciate your willingness to post on these boards under your own name. Even when I totally disagree with what you’re saying.
January 24th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Diane,
Glad to find this site through the Peoria Chronicle site. Your article is a good one.
Love this…..
“So Peoria Chamber of Commerce… thanks for representing me, a business person and parent of District 150 children. Thanks for rolling out the red carpet for the district to begin closing up shop. Thanks for letting them know that it is perfectly acceptable as far as you are concerned to wave the white flag of surrender and accept the fact that families are moving and ain’t coming back anytime soon. Thanks for letting them know that no matter what, like an errant child, you are there for them with no expectations whatsoever. Thanks for … nothing. By the way, I just renewed my membership. Can I please get my money back? Something tells me you won’t mind giving it.”
WOW!!!!—-> is all I have to say
January 25th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Thanks, Mary. Your nitpicking of word usage is as becoming as it is invaluable in discussing the subject issue.
January 25th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Nontimendum, I think Mary’s larger point is that anyone representing a body of education should have a higher standard when it comes to using proper English.
Apparently the original document coming out of the District outlining these closings is also riddled with errors and typo’s. Along with all their other public relations problems, you would think this might be just one thing they can manage.
January 25th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Mary’s spokesperson:
Although I can boast no “higher point,” my admittedly lower point was that it was absurd and petty to inject an arguable grammar grievance.
January 25th, 2009 at 11:15 am
K nonntimundum,/ I respex ur opiniun and wonnt wurry bout it annymor.
January 25th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I thought the week had taken on a life of its’ own.
January 25th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
nontimendo\um,
Instead of picking nits yourself, as you have accused me of doing, why not focus on the larger issue(s). The point of my post was my response to the post from Diane Vespa. I think my post is much more becoming than your attack. At least I had something to say about the issue.
Also, it is neither absurd nor petty to ask about someone’s word choice when discussing a controversial issue. As a board member, to make that comment was highly inappropriate without context.
As you have not admitted, I apologized to Mr. Stowell when he clarified his meaning. My comment about his word choice was relevant to the lack of faith that a number of people in this community have regarding the central administration and school board. When a member of the board writes something that can be taken as disrepectful and/or inappropriate it deserves to be called out. This was not a simple typo or grammar error. People make typos all the time (myself included!) and I don’t take anyone to account for that.
Also, Mr. Stowell’s word choice was reminiscent of the document put out by District 150 administration about their proposed cost-cutting measures. That document contained many errors and should not have been released to the public in that state. Like it or not, a school board and a school district should be accountable for their public statements.
January 25th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
See what I mean about typos~ I left an error in nontimendum’s name and misspelled disrespectful. That’s what happens when you type in the dark and don’t check. It’s not the same as using the wrong word!
January 26th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Diane, though you have proved to be a champion in the shortening of the school day debacle, I think you are really off base with your simplistic analysis of the failures of Peoria District 150 schools. Granted there have been some blunders on the part of current and recent past District Administration and Board, but you lay too much of the blame on their shoulders. The shrinking and changing population of Peoria has been in the making for the last 30 years and the past generations of City Council members, Mayors, District Board and Administration, and Chamber did little or nothing to curb the flow of the middle class from Peoria and its public schools.
The true elephant in the closet that so many seem to ignore is the fact that academic abilities are the major determinant of student success. Environment plays a huge role in the way academic abilities develop, as due genes. An overwhelming number of students that attend District 150 have the chips stacked against them, through no fault of their own. The fact that efforts of a school, its administration, and its teachers’ are based on NCLB test standards is an absurd practice that too many have bought into as a tool to bash urban schools. The NCLB is premised on the notion that all children can perform at grade level. In reality, changes that can be expected in academic achievement in the lower half of the ability distribution are marginal. Some schools have been more successfully in teaching to the test than others, but that does not mean that real sustainable cognitive changes have occurred.
As a community we need to begin imagining how we can be part of the solution and admit that some children cannot succeed within the traditional academic tracks and that has to be okay. Denying that reality is a disservice to such children and inhibits the development of an educational system that sets attainable educational goals based on academic capabilities and works to build these students’ self-esteem so that they can become contributing members of society and secure gainful employment.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Cilco shut off?
I just find it reproachable when local officials are gracious enough to engage on local blogs and the commenters circle like a pack of yapping anklebiters.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Non – If Mr. Stowell spoke with commenters respectfully, he could most likely expect the same reverence. The fact is that he is more than capable of slinging his fair share of mud, and he can’t expect a “pass” as a REVERED Board member, who incidentally, is lobbying to close our schools.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:22 am
“Chamber did little or nothing to curb the flow of the middle class from Peoria and its public schools.Chamber did little or nothing to curb the flow of the middle class from Peoria and its public schools.”
I would charge that over the years, they have encouraged the flight out of the city.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Frustrated, I appreciate your reasoned thoughtful response, but respectfully, I must admit it sounds like typical Admin double speak – studying and regurgitating why children cannot learn instead of how they can. Believe it or not, without boring you with the details of my life, I do have some insights on how to help children learn. I have so much to say on this subject, and I will post more about it later when I have the time. But here is a preview – the key to helping children learn is NOT by putting more Admin and consultants on the payroll. More later….
January 26th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
“even while we ignored the dark clouds of fiscal realities that are now going to economically enslave every one of our children for generations to come.”
“Now going to”? Chase, that ship sailed a long time ago. The previous administration, with their borrow-and-spend policy, had already assured that before the election of 2004. The four years that followed only added to the debt our descendents yet unborn will have to bear. And of course all the “OMG they’re going to raise my taxes” crybabies are essentially arguing that we shouldn’t pay down the Bush debt; that we should go right ahead and dump that burden on the grandkids.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I thought your readers should know that Roberta Parks the EO of the Chamber of Commerce who wrote the Chamber press release accompanied representatives of the District on a trip to California to look at Charter Schools. It would be interesting to know who paid for this trip. If this is true, she is clearly biased in favor of the district and that should have been disclosed. Also, an fyi to Roberta – there are more than 6 people who participate on the Peoria blogs.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Roberta Parks, with her “holier than thou” attitude, does not represent even a small part of the Chambers 1200 dues paying memhers.
It is a litle late for some of our “leaders” to try to make an impact. They have tried for years and what do we have. I quote from the Heart of Illinois Study, “over the past 7 years, Illinois has experienced a population growth rate of
3.2.% while the Peoria region has experienced a growth rate of only 1.2%
Median income in Illinois rose by 3.5% from 2005 to 2006, while our region’s median income fell by 1.0% over the same period.
Nice going all you “movers and shakers”!
Who all went on this trip, what was the cost and who paid for it? FOIA, anybody?
Dide the JS report on this? If they did, I missed it.