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Post by macrockett on Aug 30, 2009 5:05:26 GMT -6
IPSD News Board Goes Paperless, Increases Transparency Reported by janet_buglio@ipsd.org on 8/27/09 Indian Prairie School District 204 is set to launch BoardDocs, a new online tool that increases the transparency of the Board of Education's work and provides enhanced communication with the community. Beginning August 31, meeting agendas and supporting documents will be available online for the community. In addition to increased public access, this software also increases efficiencies by reducing the cost and time associated with producing paper copies. The online distribution of board materials replaces the old method of compiling, printing, binding and distributing a limited number of paper documents for each board meeting. Through the board's website at board.ipsd.org, the public will have unprecedented access to information that board members review to make decisions. This access will allow community members to view information prior to a meeting and see what action was taken by the board after a meeting. Documents are automatically archived and accessible by meeting date or by using the comprehensive search feature. Board members look forward to providing this new online system to the community. "We are pleased to provide open and transparent access to board materials and hope the public will take full advantage of this new resource," Board President Curt Bradshaw said. |
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Post by macrockett on Aug 30, 2009 5:11:45 GMT -6
Hopefully this is a beginning... For many who have attended board meetings, you are painfully aware of how clueless you are to what the Board is talking about most of the time as "you don't have the details." Now maybe some light will be shed on this omission with BoardDocs. We shalll see. This is a step in the right direction, however, this move is only one small piece in providing transparency. Among other things which others will undoubtedly supply, the obvious next move, imo, is to provide all financial information online so we can see where the money is going in real time. That can be done by providing the check register online similar to what is advocated Adam Andrzejewski (pronounced AnGFski) at www.forthegoodofillinois.org. While I am not a fan of the format of how some of this information is presented from what I have seen (I want to see all accounts and a real time balance with every transaction $ that goes out the door and a summary of vendors accounts) it is certainly better than nothing. In addition, our Board should explain decisions that have major impact on our District BEFORE they make them, thereby gaining the backing of the community. As part of that explanation, there should be a clear reasoning process rather than "sit down and shut up," that conveys why the decision is in the best interest of the community. As i stated back in June, in a conversation with Steckdad, such decisions should also involve the input of independent professionals qualified in the subject matter rather than administration who are "jacks of all trades" (as a recent example, Ms. Zozulia, bus czar for D204...need I say more). Finally, input from the community would go along way in avoiding the debacle of MVHS. I personally believe the number of people questioning the decision to build MVHS will only grow as more facts come to light. Our Board should have provided leadership, by involving every one in the community, providing all information relevant to the decision and making sure it was done professionally to decide first, what our capacity needs were, and second, how best to satisfy those needs. Instead, they dropped the ball in many ways. |
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 30, 2009 7:02:56 GMT -6
Hopefully this is a beginning... For many who have attended board meetings, you are painfully aware of how clueless you are to what the Board is talking about most of the time as "you don't have the details." Now maybe some light will be shed on this omission with BoardDocs. We shalll see. This is a step in the right direction, however, this move is only one small piece in providing transparency. Among other things which others will undoubtedly supply, the obvious next move, imo, is to provide all financial information online so we can see where the money is going in real time. That can be done by providing the check register online similar to what is advocated Adam Andrzejewski (pronounced AnGFski) at www.forthegoodofillinois.org. While I am not a fan of the format of how some of this information is presented from what I have seen (I want to see all accounts and a real time balance with every transaction $ that goes out the door and a summary of vendors accounts) it is certainly better than nothing. In addition, our Board should explain decisions that have major impact on our District BEFORE they make them, thereby gaining the backing of the community. As part of that explanation, there should be a clear reasoning process rather than "sit down and shut up," that conveys why the decision is in the best interest of the community. As i stated back in June, in a conversation with Steckdad, such decisions should also involve the input of independent professionals qualified in the subject matter rather than administration who are "jacks of all trades" (as a recent example, Ms. Zozulia, bus czar for D204...need I say more). Finally, input from the community would go along way in avoiding the debacle of MVHS. I personally believe the number of people questioning the decision to build MVHS will only grow as more facts come to light. Our Board should have provided leadership, by involving every one in the community, providing all information relevant to the decision and making sure it was done professionally to decide first, what our capacity needs were, and second, how best to satisfy those needs. Instead, they dropped the ball in many ways. "Finally, input from the community would go along way in avoiding the debacle of MVHS. I personally believe the number of people questioning the decision to build MVHS will only grow as more facts come to light." I believe this also to be true -- as the tax bills arrive and money continues to tighten for everyone..the housing market recovery is years off...people are going to question. And wait until the referendum shoes drops -- And yes I remember they always said they needed a referendum- but that is also before they spent millions and millions ( that supposedly wee savings from BB to AME ) on expediting the unneeded HS, as well as the facts became known that THEY KNEW the real attendance figures before one shovel of dirt was overturned. Many people are going to work overtime to make sure the entire tax base understands how this happened and who knew what when. This will include far more than parents upset over insane boundaries and school placement. The day of financial awareness is comig - and it won't be pretty. |
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Post by steckdad on Aug 30, 2009 23:00:04 GMT -6
Hopefully this is a beginning... For many who have attended board meetings, you are painfully aware of how clueless you are to what the Board is talking about most of the time as "you don't have the details." Now maybe some light will be shed on this omission with BoardDocs. We shalll see. This is a step in the right direction, however, this move is only one small piece in providing transparency. Among other things which others will undoubtedly supply, the obvious next move, imo, is to provide all financial information online so we can see where the money is going in real time. That can be done by providing the check register online similar to what is advocated Adam Andrzejewski (pronounced AnGFski) at www.forthegoodofillinois.org. While I am not a fan of the format of how some of this information is presented from what I have seen (I want to see all accounts and a real time balance with every transaction $ that goes out the door and a summary of vendors accounts) it is certainly better than nothing. In addition, our Board should explain decisions that have major impact on our District BEFORE they make them, thereby gaining the backing of the community. As part of that explanation, there should be a clear reasoning process rather than "sit down and shut up," that conveys why the decision is in the best interest of the community. As i stated back in June, in a conversation with Steckdad, such decisions should also involve the input of independent professionals qualified in the subject matter rather than administration who are "jacks of all trades" (as a recent example, Ms. Zozulia, bus czar for D204...need I say more). Finally, input from the community would go along way in avoiding the debacle of MVHS. I personally believe the number of people questioning the decision to build MVHS will only grow as more facts come to light. Our Board should have provided leadership, by involving every one in the community, providing all information relevant to the decision and making sure it was done professionally to decide first, what our capacity needs were, and second, how best to satisfy those needs. Instead, they dropped the ball in many ways. "Finally, input from the community would go along way in avoiding the debacle of MVHS. I personally believe the number of people questioning the decision to build MVHS will only grow as more facts come to light." I believe this also to be true -- as the tax bills arrive and money continues to tighten for everyone..the housing market recovery is years off...people are going to question. And wait until the referendum shoes drops -- And yes I remember they always said they needed a referendum- but that is also before they spent millions and millions ( that supposedly wee savings from BB to AME ) on expediting the unneeded HS, as well as the facts became known that THEY KNEW the real attendance figures before one shovel of dirt was overturned. Many people are going to work overtime to make sure the entire tax base understands how this happened and who knew what when. This will include far more than parents upset over insane boundaries and school placement. The day of financial awareness is comig - and it won't be pretty. I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? |
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Post by Arch on Aug 30, 2009 23:08:53 GMT -6
I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? I'm sorry, who got re-elected that was here during that time? Oh, that's right, the one who has been talking actual numbers and costs... The rest was new blood to the board after that time. |
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 31, 2009 5:35:19 GMT -6
"Finally, input from the community would go along way in avoiding the debacle of MVHS. I personally believe the number of people questioning the decision to build MVHS will only grow as more facts come to light." I believe this also to be true -- as the tax bills arrive and money continues to tighten for everyone..the housing market recovery is years off...people are going to question. And wait until the referendum shoes drops -- And yes I remember they always said they needed a referendum- but that is also before they spent millions and millions ( that supposedly wee savings from BB to AME ) on expediting the unneeded HS, as well as the facts became known that THEY KNEW the real attendance figures before one shovel of dirt was overturned. Many people are going to work overtime to make sure the entire tax base understands how this happened and who knew what when. This will include far more than parents upset over insane boundaries and school placement. The day of financial awareness is comig - and it won't be pretty. I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? there's only so many rabbits in that hat - I want to be in the front row when they run out |
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Post by macrockett on Aug 31, 2009 8:59:42 GMT -6
I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? I can see you typed something Steck, but did you say anything? |
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Post by steckdad on Aug 31, 2009 20:02:13 GMT -6
I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? I'm sorry, who got re-elected that was here during that time? Oh, that's right, the one who has been talking actual numbers and costs... The rest was new blood to the board after that time. ok...play dumb. |
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Post by steckdad on Aug 31, 2009 20:03:44 GMT -6
I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? I can see you typed something Steck, but did you say anything? first post ever on this board mr. crockett? there is plenty of bandwidth in the archives for you to read.... |
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Post by steckdad on Aug 31, 2009 20:04:25 GMT -6
I am guessing the SB recent elections were too soon for all to realize the grave mistakes that were made? there's only so many rabbits in that hat - I want to be in the front row when they run out don't hold your breath...I wouldn't want you to miss it. |
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Post by Arch on Aug 31, 2009 20:06:13 GMT -6
I'm sorry, who got re-elected that was here during that time? Oh, that's right, the one who has been talking actual numbers and costs... The rest was new blood to the board after that time. ok...play dumb. M2 wasn't up, JC stepped out as did JS... AT wasn't up for re-election and CP who was up for election was not someone who voted on April 14th for the site. CV was the only one re-elected who was there during April 2008 and she voted NO at the time.. So, if this isn't what you meant then try something new and actually explain what you meant in a post that is longer than a half sentence quip. |
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 31, 2009 20:16:12 GMT -6
there's only so many rabbits in that hat - I want to be in the front row when they run out don't hold your breath...I wouldn't want you to miss it. Trust me, I'm not going to miss it. |
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Post by steckdad on Aug 31, 2009 20:19:45 GMT -6
M2 wasn't up, JC stepped out as did JS... AT wasn't up for re-election and CP who was up for election was not someone who voted on April 14th for the site. CV was the only one re-elected who was there during April 2008 and she voted NO at the time.. So, if this isn't what you meant then try something new and actually explain what you meant in a post that is longer than a half sentence quip. were the SB elections a vote of confidence for past SB actions or not? yes or no be honest someones avatar here actually said "change is coming" then after the elections changed it to "we are screwed"...I wonder why? |
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Post by Arch on Aug 31, 2009 20:39:19 GMT -6
M2 wasn't up, JC stepped out as did JS... AT wasn't up for re-election and CP who was up for election was not someone who voted on April 14th for the site. CV was the only one re-elected who was there during April 2008 and she voted NO at the time.. So, if this isn't what you meant then try something new and actually explain what you meant in a post that is longer than a half sentence quip. were the SB elections a vote of confidence for past SB actions or not? yes or no be honest someones avatar here actually said "change is coming" then after the elections changed it to "we are screwed"...I wonder why? Honestly? I don't know what people were thinking or implying when they went to the poll. I honestly don't know if it was a vote of confidence or the PTA Officers just did a nice job of scooting the lines about 'being fond of' certain candidates to get out the votes by wearing campaign buttons at certain PTA functions... or the bullshit fear/smear job of "these candidates will take away your new high school" crap that went on by an interestingly similar group of the same people... As one person said before the elections all that matters is how many people vote for someone... The how or why is irrelevant. You can (and obviously have) read into the tea leaves and concluded your 'why'. |
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Post by steckdad on Aug 31, 2009 20:44:20 GMT -6
the how and why you listed helps you sleep at night I guess....everything I need to know about the election and their results I read here.....
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