Peoria Parents and teachers set to protest Neighborhood school closings tonight!
The community room at Godfather’s Pizza was packed once again last night by parents and teachers distressed over the proposed District 150 school closings of Kingman and Tyng. Several of the teachers present reported that Superintendent Ken Hinton met with them last week, spent 25 minutes shoving his agenda down their throats, and 5 minutes to seemingly address any questions, before it was time for class.
One teacher reported that Hinton told them that the closing of Kingman this year made the most economic sense. He saw “no reason why the board would not approve that decision”. Translation: They approve everything else I send down the pipe, why would this be any different? Kingman parents and children were not told the fate of their students for next year but it is assumed they will be split up and dispersed throughout the District. Hinton further explained that the entire district will see larger class sizes as a result.
Please see Peoria Story for more detailed coverage of last night’s meeting.
There is a community wide protest set for 5:15 p.m. prior to this evenings regularly scheduled board meeting. Several plan to call for for the firing of Ken Hinton, as well as the resignation of Board of Education President Dr. David Gorenz, who they feel has not done enough to reign in a rogue administration.
You should attend this evenings protest and board meeting if:
1. You agree that the arbitrary, expeditious closing of neighborhood schools would further de-stabilize neighborhoods
2. You fear that your school may be next on the chopping block (and it might!)
3. You feel that moves of this nature put the physical safety of our children at risk.
4. You feel that moves of this nature significantly threaten academic achievement.
5. You feel that moves of this nature will exasperate the movement of families out of the district and/or into private schools.
6. You are mad as Hell that despite Hinton’s recommendation to close multiple neighborhood schools, not once has this administration or this board seriously considered any significant reduction in a bloated administration and excessive, unnecessary spending that has virtually NO impact on student achievement.
7. You hold the current administration and board at least partially responsible for the current economic and academic chaos that has befallen our district and feel they will be unable to affect the public confidance needed for a successful reconfiguration of the district.
8. You demand and deserve to be heard via the public hearings that were scheduled and shortly thereafter canceled, prior to the closings of any schools.
9. You feel that the District has not adequately explained the cost savings to the district for such drastic cuts.
In short, you should just be there. Let’s take back our schools and take them back now!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
If you folks really want to accomplish, get 150 board to hire Harry Whitaker as a consultant; let him get into the books and make suggestions where cuts and additions can be made-guarantee you he will balance the budget in the best interests of the children, as well as get rid of the troublemakers.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
So since you’ve decided not to fuss about the 3 tier bell schedule you’re picking on something else this year? Do you realize that if your group hadn’t put up such a fuss last year and supported that plan, the district would be better off this year?
If you want to make a difference then you figure out where to come up with 4 million for this year and 9 million for next. Go fuss at the state legislature for poorly funding schools or go ask them to at least release the money it owes to ALL school districts. Go fuss where it counts not at a superintendant who has presented a balanced budget for at least the last 2 years. So easily you folks forget that it was Kay Roster and that board that caused the mess we’re in now – not Mr Hinton.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
If they don’t like it, it must be a bad idea and everyone else should suffer
April 6th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
That is incorrect. The District just borrowed $30,000,000 (million) dollars to meet their debt obligations. Does that sound like a balanced budget? If your answer is “yes” I’m sure your credit card company loves you!
Secondly, there are plenty of other options available to save money that does not involve taking from our children. I hope you watched the board meeting tonight – the 20+ people who spoke laid it out pretty well.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
http://www.week.com/news/local/42553832.html?video=YHI&t=a
April 6th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
http://www.week.com/news/local/42563687.html?video=YHI&t=a
April 6th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Kay Royster bought $900,000 worth of houses on Prospect she can’t use?
April 7th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Chef, there comes a point when you can’t keep blaming it on Royster.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Sorry, Chef but that happened under Hinton’s leadership. Diane, you are correct – it’s pretty hard to blame that on Royster when she was no longer employed by the district and living in St. Louis at the time that travesty was perpetrated.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I have been corresponding by e-mail with a board member since the 4/5/09 meeting. In this last e-mail, this board member said they were willing to consider administrative cuts, but was I, as a staff member, willing to insert into the new contract an 8 hour staff school day, which would benefit our students? This board member also wanted to know who else had a 6% increase built into their salary so their pensions would increase. Since I do not know the background of the comments, I am unwilling to respond until I have done some research. Anyone out there have background, facts backed by evidence that will lead me to give an appropriate response?