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Post by Arch on Feb 17, 2010 17:19:44 GMT -6
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 17, 2010 17:32:19 GMT -6
This also sounds like ANY referendum passed could have the funds used for any other purpose. Am I reading this correctly? Hey for once our district is ahead of the curve--they already use our money for whatever they want.. |
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Post by EagleDad on Feb 17, 2010 19:38:31 GMT -6
I too agree and sent a message stating such to the school board. It really looks tacky not only because this is political info but also because as they put up these signs we've just spent @ $150 million on a new high school still in process. I don't think a whole lot of legislators are going to put us to the front of the payout line when they know how we have been spending as of late. Your message (and mine), as well as others may have gotten through. I've head from multiple sources tonight that the signs come down tomorrow. The official party line will be that 'they have served their purpose', and that's all you'll ever hear of it. Personally I don't care what the reasoning is as long as our children and teachers (many of whom are about to have their career terminated) do not have to be subjected as the middlemen in a game they do not control on a daily basis. In my opinion this did not belong on the front door of the learning environment, but it will be changed soon. |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 17, 2010 19:54:28 GMT -6
I too agree and sent a message stating such to the school board. It really looks tacky not only because this is political info but also because as they put up these signs we've just spent @ $150 million on a new high school still in process. I don't think a whole lot of legislators are going to put us to the front of the payout line when they know how we have been spending as of late. Your message (and mine), as well as others may have gotten through. I've head from multiple sources tonight that the signs come down tomorrow. The official party line will be that 'they have served their purpose', and that's all you'll ever hear of it. Personally I don't care what the reasoning is as long as our children and teachers (many of whom are about to have their career terminated) do not have to be subjected as the middlemen in a game they do not control on a daily basis. In my opinion this did not belong on the front door of the learning environment, but it will be changed soon. coming down, but the damage already done...teachers upset - students upset-- what a stupid idea. March 25 - KB @ MVHS PTSA meeting- people should let her know what they think of this nonsense |
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Post by warriordiva on Feb 17, 2010 23:02:18 GMT -6
-- much of the core of Waubonsie left with Watts and Brookdale who dominated the volunteerism at the school for years.
I'm sorry, but I'm offended by this statement. It's not the first time it's been made. While I'm sure that Watts and Brookdale have done their fair share of volunteering at WVHS, they have not dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. The Steck/Young/Brooks/McCarty areas have provided numerous volunteers over the years. The current PTA executive board has 3 members from the Steck area. They all have upperclassman. These kind of statements do nothing except offend and divide the district - think before you speak.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 17, 2010 23:21:45 GMT -6
-- much of the core of Waubonsie left with Watts and Brookdale who dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. I'm sorry, but I'm offended by this statement. It's not the first time it's been made. While I'm sure that Watts and Brookdale have done their fair share of volunteering at WVHS, they have not dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. The Steck/Young/Brooks/McCarty areas have provided numerous volunteers over the years. The current PTA executive board has 3 members from the Steck area. They all have upperclassman. These kind of statements do nothing except offend and divide the district - think before you speak. I'm sorry, I can only speak for the 4 years I was a parent/volunteer there and for that time period it was a true statement, which is likely why you've heard it before & I didn't say there were no other volunteers but that is the way it was heavily weighted including PTA and Booster club support and events like Senior Sailabration --- if that offends you I'm sorry. Others can speak for their time period there...I will limit my comment to mine from now on - point made I only wish all 204 people were as offended by the SD spending $150M needlessly, putting us in endless debt, sending areas to the far corners of the district, disparities in HS's from $$ allotted to course content, splitting siblings, etc etc.. |
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Post by warriordiva on Feb 18, 2010 0:04:59 GMT -6
-- much of the core of Waubonsie left with Watts and Brookdale who dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. I'm sorry, but I'm offended by this statement. It's not the first time it's been made. While I'm sure that Watts and Brookdale have done their fair share of volunteering at WVHS, they have not dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. The Steck/Young/Brooks/McCarty areas have provided numerous volunteers over the years. The current PTA executive board has 3 members from the Steck area. They all have upperclassman. These kind of statements do nothing except offend and divide the district - think before you speak. I'm sorry, I can only speak for the 4 years I was a parent/volunteer there and for that time period it was a true statement, which is likely why you've heard it before & I didn't say there were no other volunteers but that is the way it was heavily weighted including PTA and Booster club support and events like Senior Sailabration --- if that offends you I'm sorry. Others can speak for their time period there...I will limit my comment to mine from now on - point made I only wish all 204 people were as offended by the SD spending $150M needlessly, putting us in endless debt, sending areas to the far corners of the district, disparities in HS's from $$ allotted to course content, splitting siblings, etc etc.. I should have clarified to say I have heard that statement on this board before - I've never heard anyone at WV say it while I have been there. That is why I commented on it. Right now the majority of volunteers are coming from the Eola corridor, that's not to say there aren't volunteers from other areas, it's just the way it is right now. As to your last comment, I'm offended by all of those things and actually just spoke to one of our SB members about it. I never wanted a third high school, and I'm fairly certain I won't be happy when my youngest gets shuttled off to MV when they close WV. We are in agreement that people need to throw off the mantle of apathy and get with the program. Changes will never occur until we all demand answers. The super is making the rounds to several schools PTA/PTSA meetings. Find out when she will be at your school and make sure you ask her the hard questions. |
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Post by brant on Feb 18, 2010 8:31:51 GMT -6
-- much of the core of Waubonsie left with Watts and Brookdale who dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. I'm sorry, but I'm offended by this statement. It's not the first time it's been made. While I'm sure that Watts and Brookdale have done their fair share of volunteering at WVHS, they have not dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. The Steck/Young/Brooks/McCarty areas have provided numerous volunteers over the years. The current PTA executive board has 3 members from the Steck area. They all have upperclassman. These kind of statements do nothing except offend and divide the district - think before you speak. I'm sorry, I can only speak for the 4 years I was a parent/volunteer there and for that time period it was a true statement, which is likely why you've heard it before & I didn't say there were no other volunteers but that is the way it was heavily weighted including PTA and Booster club support and events like Senior Sailabration --- if that offends you I'm sorry. Others can speak for their time period there...I will limit my comment to mine from now on - point made I only wish all 204 people were as offended by the SD spending $150M needlessly, putting us in endless debt, sending areas to the far corners of the district, disparities in HS's from $$ allotted to course content, splitting siblings, etc etc.. Doc I think many people myself included didn't look beyond the full scope. Call it lazyness or just naive. In my case I considered the SB meetings to be 'entertainment' and looked at JCs breakdown at the Orange shirt night laughable. What didn't occur to me at that time was this person and others were in control of our schools and kids futures. Now we are in deep dodo because many of us were only concerned with our own agendas of the time. Never could I imagine we would be in such debt and a wonderful school in WV might be in danger of closing. Shame on us for not seeing the full picture. |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 18, 2010 8:43:44 GMT -6
I'm sorry, I can only speak for the 4 years I was a parent/volunteer there and for that time period it was a true statement, which is likely why you've heard it before & I didn't say there were no other volunteers but that is the way it was heavily weighted including PTA and Booster club support and events like Senior Sailabration --- if that offends you I'm sorry. Others can speak for their time period there...I will limit my comment to mine from now on - point made I only wish all 204 people were as offended by the SD spending $150M needlessly, putting us in endless debt, sending areas to the far corners of the district, disparities in HS's from $$ allotted to course content, splitting siblings, etc etc.. I should have clarified to say I have heard that statement on this board before - I've never heard anyone at WV say it while I have been there. That is why I commented on it. Right now the majority of volunteers are coming from the Eola corridor, that's not to say there aren't volunteers from other areas, it's just the way it is right now. As to your last comment, I'm offended by all of those things and actually just spoke to one of our SB members about it. I never wanted a third high school, and I'm fairly certain I won't be happy when my youngest gets shuttled off to MV when they close WV. We are in agreement that people need to throw off the mantle of apathy and get with the program. Changes will never occur until we all demand answers. The super is making the rounds to several schools PTA/PTSA meetings. Find out when she will be at your school and make sure you ask her the hard questions. I encourage everyone to do as you say...keep the pressure on her as she is being told ( or maybe she just believes herself ) that the number of people upset with the decisions that have been made is small. Now they have a lot to do with that by never telling people the truth. Have they EVER told people the max number of students will be now -- 8800+ not 10,400 ?- No. Have they ever explained the true cost of MV ? - NO. Now I blame the people who don't ask almost as much as I blame those that withhold this type of information, or just lie about it...but they are supposed to be public servants...somehow that part of the job description gets overlooked. I am glad someone has the mantle @ WVHS as the school has a special place in my heart and always will. There are an awful lot of very good people in the new students that have been moved there, and I now a lot of them are very upset with how this all happened - but I would encourage you to embrace them as well.. they can and will do a lot of good ...at least until the school is closed...and I do believe the is now inevitable.. keep up the pressure on the SB and Admin...and thanks for being well informed....encourage your neighbors to be likewise. If we can just educate everyone on how we got here...and get them to review the facts for themselves..I think eventually the people of 204 can start to reverse all the damage that's been done. Unfortunately--some of the financial damage will be with us all for almost 20 more years-- and look out in 2014 tax wise. |
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Post by macrockett on Feb 18, 2010 10:05:21 GMT -6
-- much of the core of Waubonsie left with Watts and Brookdale who dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. I'm sorry, but I'm offended by this statement. It's not the first time it's been made. While I'm sure that Watts and Brookdale have done their fair share of volunteering at WVHS, they have not dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. The Steck/Young/Brooks/McCarty areas have provided numerous volunteers over the years. The current PTA executive board has 3 members from the Steck area. They all have upperclassman. These kind of statements do nothing except offend and divide the district - think before you speak. and I'm offended when people on your Board call me a liar without having a clue of what they are talking about warriordiva, but I'm not going over there to cry about it. You may get more sympathy with your facts, not the offense. In addition, your self righteousness has a rather hollow ring to it. "We are in agreement that people need to throw off the mantle of apathy and get with the program. Changes will never occur until we all demand answers. The super is making the rounds to several schools PTA/PTSA meetings. Find out when she will be at your school and make sure you ask her the hard questions. " I do agree with what you say in this later statement. I have been asking the hard questions for some time, without results. On several occasions I have addressed the Board directly. Ditto in emails. Again, without results. What do you suggest I do next? |
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Post by warriordiva on Feb 18, 2010 10:38:32 GMT -6
-- much of the core of Waubonsie left with Watts and Brookdale who dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. I'm sorry, but I'm offended by this statement. It's not the first time it's been made. While I'm sure that Watts and Brookdale have done their fair share of volunteering at WVHS, they have not dominated the volunteerism at the school for years. The Steck/Young/Brooks/McCarty areas have provided numerous volunteers over the years. The current PTA executive board has 3 members from the Steck area. They all have upperclassman. These kind of statements do nothing except offend and divide the district - think before you speak. and I'm offended when people on your Board call me a liar without having a clue of what they are talking about warriordiva, but I'm not going over there to cry about it. You may get more sympathy with your facts, not the offense. In addition, your self righteousness has a rather hollow ring to it. I do agree with what you say in this later statement. I have been asking the hard questions for some time, without results. On several occasions I have addressed the Board directly. Ditto in emails. Again, without results. What do you suggest I do next? I don't have all the answers, but I would suggest you continue doing what your doing. I too have spoken to the SB and get very little in the way of response. And now my response to your other statement. I assume you are talking about the PTA Board at WVHS when you mention "my Board". If that is the case, I only stated where they were from, I didn't state that I agreed with everything they do. And furthermore, you don't know me, and you don't know anything about my stance on any of our issues, unless I've stated it on this board. That being the case, don't you call me self-righteous. I have never called you names or slammed you in any way shape or form. I don't know what your problem is, but I have a right to be offended when I volunteer numerous hours and get told that the people in the trenches with me are not the bulk of the volunteers at the school. The person who made the statement clarified their position, and I understand where they are coming from. I wasn't crying about it and I wasn't looking for sympathy. I was looking to set the record straight, and I put forth my current experience to do that. |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 18, 2010 10:48:56 GMT -6
I'm sorry, I can only speak for the 4 years I was a parent/volunteer there and for that time period it was a true statement, which is likely why you've heard it before & I didn't say there were no other volunteers but that is the way it was heavily weighted including PTA and Booster club support and events like Senior Sailabration --- if that offends you I'm sorry. Others can speak for their time period there...I will limit my comment to mine from now on - point made I only wish all 204 people were as offended by the SD spending $150M needlessly, putting us in endless debt, sending areas to the far corners of the district, disparities in HS's from $$ allotted to course content, splitting siblings, etc etc.. Doc I think many people myself included didn't look beyond the full scope. Call it lazyness or just naive. In my case I considered the SB meetings to be 'entertainment' and looked at JCs breakdown at the Orange shirt night laughable. What didn't occur to me at that time was this person and others were in control of our schools and kids futures. Now we are in deep dodo because many of us were only concerned with our own agendas of the time. Never could I imagine we would be in such debt and a wonderful school in WV might be in danger of closing. Shame on us for not seeing the full picture. I understand- it's easy to get caught up in the 'keystone cops' antics of some of those running this district..or listen to the legal advice of SB members and Admin from the firm " Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe "..or to make the asumption SB's always have the best interest of the students and taxpayers balanced and in the forefront of what they do...... however once one sees what is going on we ask they spread the word to friends and neighbors..the group that continues to drive this 'exposure' is larger than they want to admit to ( many prefer to stay way behind the scenes but contribute heavily ( in fact some of those people would shock those in power) -however we need admittedly need to grow larger. Many who continue to push on this no longer have a dog in the race except as a taxpayer..but they want to avoid others going thru what they have, and repeats of the neglect and even abuses of power.We want the truth told- the entire truth, not the spun versions. Even FOIA can't rip some facts from the vaults...which is unbelievable they are allowed to get away with that. WE continue to push 'connections' with people in positions that may one day be able to make things happen here..one can only try. Many will awaken in 2014 when they open their tax bills- we would like to make sure as many as possible are prepared - more referendums are coming regardless of the bull about not being talked about - they were talked about over 3 years ago. The economy will be blamed as the culprit, and surely it is part of the issue, but there is equal blame to be had in this district...who continued to spend like sailors on shore leave even while people warned them the well is drying up money wise. |
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Post by macrockett on Feb 18, 2010 11:25:48 GMT -6
I don't have all the answers, but I would suggest you continue doing what your doing. I too have spoken to the SB and get very little in the way of response. And now my response to your other statement. I assume you are talking about the PTA Board at WVHS when you mention "my Board". If that is the case, I only stated where they were from, I didn't state that I agreed with everything they do. And furthermore, you don't know me, and you don't know anything about my stance on any of our issues, unless I've stated it on this board. That being the case, don't you call me self-righteous. I have never called you names or slammed you in any way shape or form. I don't know what your problem is, but I have a right to be offended when I volunteer numerous hours and get told that the people in the trenches with me are not the bulk of the volunteers at the school. The person who made the statement clarified their position, and I understand where they are coming from. I wasn't crying about it and I wasn't looking for sympathy. I was looking to set the record straight, and I put forth my current experience to do that. I was referring to the green board warriordiva. I thought you were a regular poster there. Never said you personally have slammed me, but others have. So any sense of being offended, to me, is out of place. If that isn't the case, I stand corrected and have confused you with other warriors there. My apologies. |
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Post by warriordiva on Feb 18, 2010 12:35:47 GMT -6
I don't have all the answers, but I would suggest you continue doing what your doing. I too have spoken to the SB and get very little in the way of response. And now my response to your other statement. I assume you are talking about the PTA Board at WVHS when you mention "my Board". If that is the case, I only stated where they were from, I didn't state that I agreed with everything they do. And furthermore, you don't know me, and you don't know anything about my stance on any of our issues, unless I've stated it on this board. That being the case, don't you call me self-righteous. I have never called you names or slammed you in any way shape or form. I don't know what your problem is, but I have a right to be offended when I volunteer numerous hours and get told that the people in the trenches with me are not the bulk of the volunteers at the school. The person who made the statement clarified their position, and I understand where they are coming from. I wasn't crying about it and I wasn't looking for sympathy. I was looking to set the record straight, and I put forth my current experience to do that. I was referring to the green board warriordiva. I thought you were a regular poster there. Never said you personally have slammed me, but others have. So any sense of being offended, to me, is out of place. If that isn't the case, I stand corrected and have confused you with other warriors there. My apologies. I accept your apology. I do not belong to the green board, and have never posted a word on it. Thank you for clarifying your statements. |
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Post by EagleDad on Feb 18, 2010 12:58:00 GMT -6
Here's from today's Daily Herald: dailyherald.com/story/?id=359299Dist. 204 hopes signs shame state into paying debtBy Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald StaffContact writer Signs like this one highlighting the state's debt have popped up at all Indian Prairie Unit District 204 schools. Christie Willhite | Daily Herald Staff Indian Prairie Unit District 204 hopes a little shame goes a long way toward making the state pay its growing debt. Every sign at each of the district's 33 schools now tells anyone who passes by "The state of Illinois owes District 204 $7.8 million." The $7.8 million was due to the district by the end of the 2009 calendar year, and officials believe the state's $13 billion debt will force the legislature to further reduce payments to individual school districts. For Indian Prairie, the estimated $500 to $700 reduction per student will result in $14 million to $20 million in additional budget cuts, which Superintendent Kathryn Birkett said likely will result in program cuts and the release of some nontenured teachers. "I've asked every school to add this to their signs because I think it's important that our community knows the state is now $7.8 million in arrears to us," Birkett said. "Every parent, every citizen, needs to know that." State representatives who serve the district - which covers portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield - say they recognize the effort to let residents know the reason for the budget crunch. "I'm OK with their signs and I like that they're engaged in the political process, but we're asking them to sit tight until we have the cash flow to write those checks," Naperville Republican Rep. Darlene Senger said Friday. "They can keep the signs up as long as they think they need to, but the money is on its way." School board member Dawn DeSart, a Democrat who will challenge Senger for state representative in November's general election, said she has been asking Birkett to put the signs up for weeks. "The state owes us that money and people need to know that," DeSart said. "I was chosen by the voters to sit on the school board and that's my top priority. The state needs to take care of our kids and our schools." Democrat Rep. Linda Chapa La Via of Aurora chairs the House Appropriations Committee for elementary and secondary education; she hopes the signs don't give the wrong message. "I get why they feel the need for the signs, but I'm afraid it makes us look like we don't want to give them the money," Chapa La Via said. "We'd love to be in a situation to give it to them, but we can't give what we don't have." So she offered an alternative. "The other side of those signs should be telling people to call their legislators and demand that we work together to get this crisis fixed before we get into a hole we can't get out of." I heard from a little bird that there may be a follow-up article by Justin in tomorrow's paper exploring the signage removal, and how some of the parents in the area had expressed concern that it was inappropriate to burden the classroom, and kids and teachers with this kind of messaging. Of course the party line from Birkett will remain "they have served thir purpose". |
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