#1 -- For our faithful PRU readers interested in more City circuses, you're in luck! There's a COW meeting tonight (.pdf - supporting documents), beginning at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The PRU Crew is looking forward to hearing all about the Public Works Department's plans for Amending Article 9 to include Parkway Maintenance Responsibilities (.pdf), as neither the cover memo, nor the draft ordinance (.pdf), explains exactly what sections and which "language in various sections of the Municipal Code related to parkway maintenance responsibilities" the Public Works Department is proposing "to consolidate and clarify."
The tree huggers among our faithful PRU readership may also want to take note of the Tree Preservation Task Force's recommended ordinance for TREE PRESERVATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY(.pdf) -- it turned out better than we expected it to. But we have every reason to believe our Alderdopes will try their very best to screw it up.
#2 -- For our faithful PRU readers interested in looking deeper into the recent press coverage on School District 64's recent ISAT test results, you can do so here (.pdf), starting at page 89 -- from the supporting documents for the D64 School Board meeting held on October 25, 2010. The PRU Crew also found these results better than we expected, and we appreciate what appears to be continual growth in the number of D64 students who exceed State testing standards. However, we would like to hear somebody explain how this growth in the exceeds category of testing does or does not correspond to the issues raised in an October 18, 2010 report by the Chicago Tibune -- New ISAT lets kids pass with more wrong answers. Think of it this way, we're just asking for the chiiiiildren!
We've also heard some people grumbling about the announced changes to the middle school lunch program -- specifically, the memorandum of information from the District's Purchasing Manager, Betty Lattanzio (page 144 of the supporting documents), letting the Board know the middle school lunch program will no longer be accepting cash payments for lunches beginning January 4, 2010. In other words, chaaaaarge it! RevTrak, the company so graciously offering this new school meal accounting software interface to the District, has got to love the idea of having likely modest but multiple deposits on account!
So there you go, faithful PRU readers -- pick your public policy poison!
November 8, 2010
Monday PRU Grab Bag!
October 19, 2010
Tuesday Quick Hits!
Last night the City Council, in a vote of 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Carey and Wsol) to 3 (Bach, Allegretti and Ryan), upheld the Mayor's veto of City Manager Hock's contract. We can't account for the apparent change of heart in Alderman Carey, but the PRU Crew approves. As we previously stated, the original contract offer was more than generous. We also believe it is in the City's best interest to make sure all payments to employees are contracted for properly. What we do not approve of is the foot-dragging irresponsibility of having let this issue languish for so long. Like it or not, that kind of irresponsibility creates instability throughout the internal workings of the City. And if controversy is added to the matter, undertaken in public discussions, multiply that instability by 100.
Also last night, despite the issue being, in our opinion, improperly listed under the Mayor's report -- because it is the City Manager's responsibility -- the issue of the vacant Finance and Budget Director position report and discussion was handled by the City Manager. We understand information about potential candidates to fill the vacancy will be given to the Mayor and City Council in the coming days. The PRU Crew is wondering if the City Manager, in hopes of cajoling our elected officials, is bringing them into the process to obtain their approval prior to his hiring a new Director of Finance -- perhaps particularly in relation to an employment contract. Otherwise, the PRU Crew is at a loss to explain what role the Mayor and Aldermen have in this process -- other than micromanagement of personnel issues by elected officials.
The O'Hare airport Resolution – Request for Supplemental Environmental Impact Study passed the Council with...we can't resist...flying colors. We're pleased this action didn't cost anything.
The above report comes on the heels of another Chicago Tribune article -- School days shrinking in Illinois.
The PRU Crew would be mighty pleased to hear the current School Board and candidate hopefuls discuss these issues and share their opinions.
Of course, the PRU Crew has opinions on both of these matters but we want to hear what the school district whizzes have to say about them first.
September 27, 2010
Monday Grab Bag!
Grab a seat at a meeting, or grab a book to read! Either way, there's no reason for boredom here in Action Ridge!
#1 -- Our illustrious City Council will be holding another COW meeting tonight at City Hall, starting at 7:00 pm. The agenda (.pdf) covers Finance and Budget, and Procedures and Regulations.
It looks as if there is a ton of potential fun to be had! The PRU Crew is eagerly anticipating the discussion of the Davis separation agreement (.pdf), as well as another variance discussion concerning zoning code regulations. How new is the new zoning code rewrite? And how much did the City pay for consulting services to rewrite it?
We also see the 5th ward's Benedict Ald. Ryan has gotten his wish -- the Council COW will be discussing the merits of the possible unbudgeted purchase (.pdf) of the Scharringhausen parking lot. The PRU Crew again believes this to be an especially stupid idea at this time. But then again, consider the source of this idea, and stupid is to be expected.
Finally, for our faithful PRU readers who pay very close attention to what's taking place, we're sure the contents of two particular background memos caught your attention -- succinctly stated, no doesn't mean no for some people.
#2 -- The District 64 School Board will be holding their annual budget hearing (agenda.pdf) this evening. The budget hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:20 pm, before the regular School Board meeting (agenda.pdf) begins at 7:30 pm at Jefferson School.
We strongly urge anyone, who is interested in how the School Board has planned to spend our money in the upcoming year, to take full advantage of those ten generous minutes allotted to the task. Though the PRU Crew doesn't blame the School Board for setting such a brief budget hearing schedule -- traditionally, nobody shows up for the monumental event.
3# -- If attending meetings of your local government bodies isn't quite what you do for fun, may we suggest reading a book?
It's once again time for Banned Books Week!
For those interested in making a subversive selection of reading material, you can check here and here for ideas!
As we offered here, the PRU Crew still thinks "District 207 should consider adding an elective Junior and Senior level course to the high school curriculum devoted entirely to the reading and discussion of "banned" books.
With a heavy dose of Constitutional and public policy issues thrown into the mix.
Keep the thought police hopping!"
September 14, 2010
How Many?
A September 1st article in the online version of one of our local rags reported -- Park Ridge executive picked to join District 64 board. The lucky winner of the appointment to the School Board vacancy is Mr. Scott Zimmerman.
The background and credentials Mr. Zimmerman brings to the position are -- "chief information officer of CenterPoint Properties in Oak Brook and [he] has served on company boards and professional advisory committees. He has a master's degree in management information systems from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Loyola University."
Sounds pretty good.
Mr. Zimmerman is quoted in the article as saying, "I had a desire to give back to the community," Zimmerman said. "I felt it was good to get involved."
Sounds pretty cliche.
No offense to Mr. Zimmerman or anybody else, but the PRU Crew is inclined to present a lovely gift certificate to the next person stepping into a public service role who can come up with something, anything, different to say!
However, what really really really caught the PRU Crew's attention in the article is --
"District 64 received 18 applications for the position.
"We had a very healthy number of applicants," said Board President John Heyde, who said the candidates showed a great deal of enthusiasm and were from a wide variety of backgrounds."
How many??? Eighteen???
Outstanding!!!
We hope no less than eighteen candidate packets are requested from the Park Ridge City Clerk for the upcoming elections! We look forward to each of these eighteen enthusiastic people continuing their enthusiasm for...giving back...to the community!
And just in case these eighteen enthusiastic individuals weren't aware of it -- No, you do not -- we repeat, you do NOT -- have to obtain the endorsement of the District 64 & 207 General Caucus in order to run for election to either the District 64 or 207 School Boards!
The PRU Crew may even be more enthusiastic about your candidacy if you didn't!
August 25, 2010
Hump Day Quickies!
As reported in an online article by the Herald-Advocate, the District 64 deadline for adoption of their budget is Sept. 30th. The School Board's Finance Committee of the Whole will be reviewing a final draft of the District's 2010/11 budget at their September 13th meeting! Time to pay attention, people!
What will also be occurring at the Board's regular meeting on September 13th is administration of the oath of office to whomever is selected to fill the current Board vacancy! How exciting!
Previous attempts to persuade the Park Board Commissioners of the wisdom and necessity of this plan were met with little, if any, interest by Board members.
And we don't blame them.
Should the discussion of the City's proposal go beyond a polite "thanks, but no thanks," we fully expect the Park District Commissioners to ask lots and lots of questions before agreeing to allow the use of park land for water retention and flood mitigation .
The article notes, "Traveling the corridor today, one can see why Park Ridge wants to spruce things up. Looking north, the first a visitor sees of the city is a gas station, a grocery store and a sea of parking spaces. Elsewhere is a mishmash of commercial and residential buildings of different styles, sizes and uses."
Because if you're going to have a spruced up "gateway" then it better not be "a gas station, a grocery store and a sea of parking spaces!" Commercial and sales tax revenues shmevenues! Future visitors, probably on their merry way to lose their paycheck at the new Des Plaines casino, must be given something spruced up to look at! Like a shiny glass, multi-story office building! There's a real head turner!
The biggest laugh the PRU Crew got from the whole article was what was missing! There are quotes from Mr. Jacques Gourguechon, principal consultant with Camiros, the urban planning firm hired by Park Ridge -- quotes from the City of Chicago's 41st ward Alderman Brian Doherty -- quotes from Ms. Gail Haller, of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, in which she notably states, "the organization has not discussed the plan other than to note its preliminary approval." which may explain why the article says, "Business owners along the corridor who could be reached said they didn't know much about the plan." -- and finally, there are quotes from Ms. Carrie Davis. Remember her? She used to be employed by the City of Park Ridge as the Director of Community Preservation & Development.
So what is missing from the article? Not a single word from any City of Park Ridge elected official! Though we can't blame the reporter if he didn't want to talk to any of them. As we all know, that bunch can be very annoying. Or maybe the reporter tried to get their statements but they all deferred his calls.
The PRU Crew must admit, we aren't big fans of term limits since we believe limiting terms, or not, is the purpose of elections. And those who tend to support term limits usually do so because they want to limit the terms of, what they perceive to be, the opposition.
Instead of term limits, we would really really really like to see a local recall ordinance. Just a suggestion!
August 17, 2010
Quick Hits!
The issue has been rescheduled for consideration by the City Council at a Special City Council meeting on August 23 at 9p.m.
The PRU Crew really enjoys our smaller, more efficient Council. We all owe former Mayor Howard P. Frimark, and his cut-the-council helpmates, Steve Huening, John Kerin and Amy Sullivan, our undying gratitude!
According to a District 64 announcement, "Interested candidates should submit an application no later than Monday, August 23 at 4:30 p.m." Applications are available here (.pdf)
The PRU Crew feels those anonymous souls who dedicated such tremendous effort circulating flyers opposing the last District 64 referendum should apply!
Nicely done, PRRPD, and long overdue! Drop-down menues would have been nice, but we'll overlook their omission since you've spared us those annoying pop-ups!
The PRU Crew is also looking forward to the time the PRRPD decides on a new method of video hosting and sharing! Just a suggestion!
PRU.ADMIN did attempt to submit comments pointing out the error and requesting a correction. An email was also sent, last Friday morning, to both the Public Watchdog editor and their blog host, Mr. Dave Kaufman at dkworldwide.com. However, our PRU.ADMIN's comments were deleted, we have not received a response to the email, and neither a correction nor retraction seem to have been undertaken by either the Public Watchdog editor nor their blog hosting company, as of this writing, and despite the apparent completion of the site's upgrade.
So much for information being the currency of democracy -- maybe we were wrong to assume Jefferson's quote implied accuracy!
June 1, 2010
Uninspi(red)!
Found at -- schwimmerlegal.com
In last week's online Herald-Advocate, we read the following article -- District 64 board reviews preliminary budget, written by contributor Alex Mcleese.
Contributor Mcleese writes -- "The budget, which is only a first draft, projects a 15.36-percent increase in operating fund expenditures, including a 7.06-percent increase in payments for salaries. But according to District 64 Business Manager Rebecca Allard, much of the calculated increases in capital-improvements expenditures -- representing a 7.94-percent increase -- will be covered by federal government grants.
The Federal Aviation Administration is paying for sound insulation at Roosevelt and Washington schools, and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funding is paying for the improvement of a multipurpose room at Jefferson School."
And the PRU Crew thought, that doesn't sound too bad -- half the increase in expenditures will be covered by money coming from the federales, for the worthy cause of sound insulating two of our local elementary schools and sprucing up another school room.
The article goes on to quote board member Eric Uhlig -- "I'm very pleased with the first draft," said board member Eric Uhlig. "I'm looking forward to comparing next year to this year using this year's actuals."
And the PRU Crew thought, at least one board member is quoted as being pleased with the first draft -- must be a good first draft -- we wonder what else was in that first draft.
So we looked it up on the District 64 website.
On the District 64 website we found the agenda for the May 24th Board of Education Committee of the Whole on Finance, which included a memo from Ms. Rebecca Allard, Business Manager for the school district.
On page 3 (page 5 of the .pdf file) of Ms. Allard's memo to the Board of Education and Superintendent Sally Pryor we read --
"Revenues:
Overall, operating fund revenues are expected to increase by 8.85%, which includes federal funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) summer projects at Roosevelt and Washington schools. Without the FAA federal funding, the revenue budget is expected to increase by 4.86%. Detailed explanations of the budget-to-budget changes are provided throughout this document.
Expenses:
Overall, operating fund expenditures are expected to increase by 15.36%, which includes the FAA projects at Roosevelt and Washington schools. Without these projects, the expenditure budget is expected to increase by 11.14%.
Other than the anomaly of the FAA summer projects, the largest expense category for District 64 is salaries. The salary category is expected to increase by 7.06% from $39,264,833 to $42,035,136. Other expense categories such as employee benefits, purchased services, supplies, capital outlay and other expenses are projected to increase at a total combined rate of 18.5%. Detailed explanations of the budget-to-budget changes are provided throughout this document." (emphasis added)
And the PRU Crew thought, damn, that doesn't sound too good at all! -- without the FAA funds in the mix, expenditures are still expected to increase twice as much as expected revenues? -- and board member Eric Uhlig is pleased about this?
Once again, the PRU Crew feels underwhelmed and uninspired by the fiscal management on display at District 64. Maybe we're missing something, but the continual growth in what looks to us to be red-ink-spending by our local school board and district leaves us feeling rather sucke(red)!
May 13, 2010
From Point A to Point B!
By -- DragonArtz Designs
In a May 10, 2010 online article by the Herald-Advocate,Scores vs. salaries: Survey shows pay outpacing performance, we read --
A study published last month in the Sun-Times showed that some Illinois school districts pay their teachers well but receive mediocre test scores in return. Districts that serve Niles and Park Ridge rank high in both salaries and test scores, with the expenditures sometimes outranking performance.
In each of three districts in the area, test scores trailed to varying degrees behind salaries. Maine High School District 207's salaries ranked eighth out of 483, with an average of $89,356, and its Prairie State Achievement Exam test scores ranked 102nd, with an average of 68.6. Park Ridge-Niles School District 64's salaries ranked 35th out of 769 with an average of $66,323.04, and its Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores ranked 55th with an average of 93.1.
The reporting seems straight-forward and simple enough. So what's the explanation for the discrepancy and apparent lack of teachers' salaries being tied to and based upon performance measures?
Oh. Now we get it -- the straight-foward approach lacks "sophisticated statistical inferences." The PRU Crew is wondering if that's the school district equivalent of "the fulcrum of the genesis" where the school district is a "synergistic center" of learning?District 207 Superintendent Ken Wallace said the simplicity of an approach like the one the Sun-Times took can make its conclusions misleading.
"Part of the problem with some studies is that they make broad generalizations without doing sophisticated statistical inferences to make sense of what all that data means," he said. "We've got rigorous studies showing that among the top high school districts in Illinois we are getting better performance out of our students than many."One study shows that we are second among all districts when you factor in whether students are low-income and how many of their parents went to college."
The PRU Crew sure would like to get a look at those "rigorous studies."
Superintendant Wallace goes on to say --
Wallace pointed out that while some schools in the northern suburbs of Chicago are relatively homogeneous, Maine East High School educates students who speak about 60 different languages in their homes.Oh. Now we get it -- some kids no speaka da Engrish. Dang furinears!
The PRU Crew did wonder if those "60 different languages" spoken in the homes of those students is to be construed as meaning those students aren't speaking Engrish at school and what percentage of the district's student body isn't speaking Engrish at school. But we're probably lacking "sophisticated...inferences" somewhere in our thinking.
And if anyone ever doubted the old mantra of location, location, location --
District 207 administrators said their high rank in salaries is partly due to location, and partly to timing. Wallace said the district's salaries are competitive with those of other school districts in the northern suburban region.Oh. Now we get it -- being competitive with other school districts in the northern suburban region is fine and dandy, as long as the issue is teacher salaries. But whatever you do, don't even think about comparing salary levels in conjunction with other school districts academic performance. And anyone who suggests consideration of any direct connection between the two is just not very sophisticated!
Assistant Superintendent for Business Mary Kalou said the high salaries were agreed upon at a collective-bargaining agreement in 2007, before the current recession began.
The article concludes --
"This contract is similar to bargains we have settled in the past. The biggest difference is the downturn in the economy that occurred. Salaries negotiated after the downturn look very different," she said. "When ours expires in 2012, we will look at salaries, and, given the economic situation, where we should go."Got it. Market forces within and without of the educational arena will be looked at, but there won't be any consideration given to any comparison of district test scores as a measure of teacher performance, which may merit the salaries the union can be expected to demand.
April 8, 2010
School District 64 Invites You To Play --
In an online Herald-Advocate article headlined, Board won't share name of 'preferred' superintendent candidate, we read "We're not ready to let go of the candidate's name and information yet," said School Board President John Heyde.
And in an email sent out yesterday --
So you see people, if the District 64 School Board shared the name of the 'preferred' superintendent candidate before the Mystery Date reception it would totally ruin the game!Message from District 64 Board President John Heyde
To All District 64 Parents:
Just a reminder that you are invited to an informal reception tomorrow – Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. – to meet and learn about the preferred candidate identified by the Board of Education for District 64 Superintendent. We would like to introduce this candidate to our community before making a final decision. It is also an opportunity for the candidate to hear first-hand about the vision we have for our schools. We encourage you to join us for coffee, cookies and conversation.
Preferred Candidate Reception
Thursday, April 8 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Washington School
1500 Stewart Ave., Park Ridge,John Heyde, President
jheyde@d64board.org
Board of Education
The PRU Crew is wondering, if the Mystery Date superintendent candidate wears a name tag, will it look something like this --
We're inclined to suggest, if name tags are passed out, everybody put a big ? mark in the name space provided.
The PRU Crew is also wondering if this Mystery Date reception, which sounds a lot like a public meeting, passes the demands of the IOMA -- which tends to put a damper on the games elected officials enjoy playing, but far be it from us to spoil all the fun!
March 29, 2010
Monday Money Puzzle Twofer!
#1 -- How will they plan to spend your money?
Beginning tonight at 7 p.m. at Park Ridge City Hall, the City Council will hold a Special City Council Meeting & Budget Workshop COW. If you have any interest in watching sausage being made the budget process unfold, as your elected representatives discuss how best to screw up plan for the future of the City of Park Ridge, we encourage you to attend.
#2 -- How have they spent your money?
Some of our faithful PRU readers may have noticed a new link we've added -- Butterly On Education. The PRU Crew heartily welcomes another blogger to the public policy discussion fun!
For Park Ridge taxpayers interested in seeing how School District 64 has spent your money, the Butterly blog has posted a Nine-Year Report – Park Ridge School District #64 for your reading displeasure.
December 2, 2009
Another PRU Two-fer!
We commend District 64 for their efforts on this health concern issue. The PRU Crew feels caution can be its own reward. We also feel soap and water and using kleenex is pretty rewarding to. 
Any PRU readers who may have missed out on the fun, it's too late now -- the Pub-dogs have said they are not accepting any more comments to their post Something To Be Thankful For.
We found the post very good, and the freewheeling conversation about the Taste of Park Ridge event highly entertaining. Thanks, Pub-dogs!
December 1, 2009
Are You Bored?
Looking for excitement or some free entertainment? Have we got deals for you!
#1 -- District 64 Super-duper-intendent Search!
Yesterday in an email invitation sent from the district and forwarded to us by a faithful PRU reader --
The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education would greatly appreciate the input and assistance of all community members.
The Board of Education invites all members of the community to participate in the search for a new school superintendent. Current Superintendent Sally Pryor is retiring on June 30, and the Board is working with consultants to conduct a national search for her replacement.
A key step in the search process is to identify the values and priorities of our community, and create a profile of the characteristics that our community seeks in an outstanding educational leader to guide our schools into the new decade.
The community meetings will be facilitated by representatives of the search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. The north suburban firm has assisted about 600 school boards since it was established in 1987.
Can’t attend, but would like to contribute your thoughts?
Please complete the Leadership Profile Assessment by Friday, December 4 available at this link: d64ssprofile09(.pdf) Thank you for participating.
#2 -- Wannabe Tree Huggers Unite!
Q: What is a tree's least favorite month?
A: Sep-tiiiiimber!
In last week's edition of the Journal & Topics we learned the 'Tree Preservation Task Force Seeks Volunteers' All you tree huggers out there -- now is your chance!
The article says -- "Those interested may obtain an application on the city's Web site at www.parkridge.us under the heading City Forms, Guides, and Publications: City Boards/Commissions Application Form and Biographical Data. Completed application forms are being accepted in the Administration Office at City Hall, 505 Butler Place. For additional information, or if you do not have access to the Web site, contact Barb Cannon, senior administrative assistant, at 847-318-5208."
Alternatively, you can be one of the volunteers who helps keep Park Ridge safe from Killer Trees!
November 16, 2009
The Bi-weekly Goat Rodeo!
1. -- 6:30 pm Special City Council Meeting
Tonight the City Council will be meeting to discuss and review the performance of the City Manager, Mr. Jim Hock. The extensive agenda (.pdf) includes a single motion to go into closed session for the discussion of the City Manager's performance. So anyone hoping to hear the Mayor and Council discussions on the subjects contained in the City Manager's memo (.pdf) -- especially the Mayor's and Council's discussion and opinions on the "prioritized goals" -- will probably be s.o.l.
The PRU Crew is pretty sure discussion of nearly all the subjects contained within the City Manager's memo don't fall under the exceptions to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, but what do we know.
2. -- 7:30 pm Regular City Council Meeting
After reviewing the performance of the City Manager, the Mayor and Council are set to begin their regular meeting festivities. The agenda (.pdf) for the meeting is light but, once again, we encourage PRU readers to pay particular attention to the Planning and Zoning topics on the agenda.
Our sources tell us some of the Aldermopes are wavering on their previous votes concerning whether or not to neuter the independent review authority of the Planning and Zoning Commission. We feel interested parties -- and by that we mean, people interested in a healthy system of governmental checks and balances -- should make the time to show up to tonight's meeting and help the Aldermopes understand that altering the current process is not in the community's best interests.
3. -- School District 64 H1N1 Update
For those who may not have received either the District's robocall or email announcement, District 64 has been informed that schools in the Park Ridge 60068 zip code only are tentatively scheduled for the CCDPH vaccination visit on Wednesday, December 2.
An informational packet and permission form (.pdf) are available in English, Polish and Spanish on the District 64 website.
October 15, 2009
Say What?
Item #1
PRU readers may recall our recent post -- Playing Dress-up -- about the recently held Park Ridge Niles School District 64 Administration and School Board meeting retreat.
The Crew gave the D64 Administration and Board a hard time about taking half of their meeting retreat and holding it out of town, at taxpayer expense. The Crew was only a bit bothered by the lack of consideration for how and where the D64 Administration and Board were choosing to spend taxpayer dollars.
And as a follow-up to our post, we wanted to see what occurred at each half of the meeting retreat. Below are links to the meeting retreat minutes.
-- Glen Club retreat minutes(.pdf)
-- Emerson retreat minutes (.pdf)
The PRU Crew is a lot more than a bit bothered by what we read on page 3, item 2 (Operating Principle 2: Open Communication), bullet point 4 (of the Emerson retreat minutes) which says --• Information required by statute to be discussed in closed session and so discussed will remain confidential.
Say what? What statute? Where? The School Board members actually adopted that bullshit as one of their Operating Principles?
The only statute the PRU Crew is aware of, governing open meetings of public bodies, is the Illinois Open Meetings Act (.pdf). On page 9 of the Illinois Attorney General's guide to the act we read there are exceptions to the requirement of holding open meetings --
Exceptions: Twenty-four exceptions authorizing the closing of meetings are set forth at5 ILCS 120/2(c). Consistent with the public policy of the Act, the exceptions relate to protecting public interests and safeguarding personal privacy. The exceptions "are in derogation of the requirement that public bodies meet in the open, and therefore, the exceptions are to be strictly construed, extending only to subjects clearly within their scope." 5 ILCS 120/2(b). "The exceptions authorize but do not require the holding of a closed meeting to discuss a subject included within an enumerated exception." 5 ILCS 120/2(b).
So essentially, there are NOT any statutes which "require" information to be discussed in closed session, nor is anything discussed in closed session required by statute to remain confidential, at least none that we know of.
We get the distinct impression the
But if Dr. James Warren or Superintendent Sally Pryor or Board President John Heyde, or any other person would like to correct our understanding of the open meetings act, we are all ears!
Item(s) #2
For those of you interested, below are the videos from last night's Flood Control Task Force -- we found some of the conversation very interesting.
video #00000.MTS -- FCTF 10-14-09video #00001.MTS -- FCTF 10-14-09
October 2, 2009
Playing Dress-Up!
'Romeo, Oh Romeo'
By: Sara Butcher-Burrier -- warrior princess dream
William Shakespeare once asked, "What's in a name?"
As it turns out, quite a bit. And if you are the Park Ridge - Niles School District 64 Administration and School Board, you make sure that you call at least one of your meetings a "retreat," because then you have a reason to play dress-up!
And if you just became flush with taxpayer cash, you can play dress-up for at least half of your meeting retreat at The Glen Club! Because you know, it's not as if Park Ridge or Niles has any meeting space...or catering services.
If anyone would like to play dress-up and join the District 64 Administration and School Board for the first half of their open meeting retreat (.pdf), you can join them at The Glen Club tonight -- beginning at 6:00 pm, 2901 W. Lake Ave., Glenview IL.
If you're busy tonight, you may want to join the District 64 Administration and School Board for the second half (.pdf) of their open meeting retreat at the Emerson Middle School LRC tomorrow -- beginning at 9:00 am, 8101 N. Cumberland, Niles IL.
It probably won't be as fancy, but it does appear to offer a free lunch!
Have a good weekend!
September 8, 2009
Another Tuesday Two-fer!
The PRU Crew thanks our faithful readers for the forwards.
item #1
Park Ridge - Niles School District 64 Needs You!
Strategic Plan News
The District is inviting members of the community to volunteer to serve on five Action Planning Teams to identify the specific steps needed to achieve the five identified goals. Volunteers are invited to let us know of their interest by submitting a form, either on-line or by mail. For a form and more information: http://www.d64.org/site/files/strategicplan_8_09_flyer.pdf
item #2
Sincere Ignorance Meets Conscientious Stupidity!
To District 64 Parents:
As you may have heard, President Barack Obama will address the school children of America at 11 a.m. (CST) on Tuesday. It is the first day of school for many districts across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the President’s address “will be an inspirational speech to welcome students back to school, challenge them to work hard and recognize that education can help them to achieve their future dreams. It will not address political issues.” The President is scheduled to speak for 15-20 minutes.
We have been informed that the President’s speech is expected to be posted sometime Monday to the White House Web site (http://www.whitehouse.gov), so that it may be read in advance.
In District 64, schools will make opportunities for our students to view (or record for later viewing) the address as schedules permit and the age of the students is appropriate. No one is required to view the address. If plans are in place to have classes view the speech, alternate activities can be provided. Please contact your child’s teachers if you do not want him or her to participate.
President Obama’s address on Tuesday may be watched live via the Internet by visiting the same White House Web site noted above. C-SPAN, the cable public affairs network, also will broadcast it live on TV, radio and the Internet.
Best wishes for a relaxing Labor Day weekend.
Sally Pryor, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Seriously, the ruckus raised over this issue should be an embarrassment to every thinking conservative and Republican we know. And that back peddling dumbass from Florida needs a trip to the woodshed.
September 2, 2009
Freewheeling -- Sept. 2, 2009!
From wallpaper-s.org
#1 -- Flood Control Task Force
The pocket protector posse will be meeting again tonight! We just love engineers -- really we do! We hope these engineers will manage to stick to the engineering issues facing them again this evening!
#2 -- Baffle Them With Bullshit!
Once again, PRUdos to the Pub-dogs for their highlight of an article in today's Journal & Topics!
#3 -- Surprise! Surprise!
Our long time readers may remember one of our earliest posts -- Drop the Chicken And Put Your Hands Up!
PRU readers will be pleased to learn the good executives at Koch Food won't be facing any repercussions for all the good work they do!
Turns out Koch Food executives are great at doing business, as this article from the Middletown Journal reports, "According to www.forbes.com, Park Ridge, Ill.-based Koch Foods in 2008 ranked at No. 272 on the magazine’s list of largest private companies. It reported sales of $1.8 billion in 2007 and employed 14,000, according to the Web site."
But asking all workers for documentation of citizenship is just too hard, it's really really hard. Just ask Koch Food's attorney Martin Pinales. He'll tell you. According to the article, "Pinales said employment regulations were difficult to follow. "You can’t discriminate against anyone,” Pinales said. “You can’t ask for anyone with a Hispanic-sounding name to provide more documentation than a non-Hispanic."
#4 -- Facts are either stubborn or stupid things! You Decide!
Some PRU readers may be John Adams fans, while others may be Ronald Reagan fans.
The PRU Crew likes to think we're fans of facts.
So we liked a forwarded link we received, in our now working gmail email account today, enough to want to share it with all of you!
Twenty-six Lies About HR 3200 published by the self-proclaimed nonpartisan people at Factcheck.org.
Happy reading!
June 10, 2009
Another Healthful Reminder!
To District 64 Grade 8 Parents & Staff:
We are writing with an update regarding an increase in the number of grade 8 students reporting influenza-like illnesses and to request your cooperation as we prepare for promotion ceremonies tomorrow.
We realize that the promotion ceremony is an important milestone in your child’s life. However, we must ask you to comply with recommended health guidelines in consideration of your own child’s health as well as the hundreds of other students, family members and District 64 staff who will be present at these events.
This means that students must be fever-free for 24 hours prior to the time of the ceremony to participate. Students who have a fever and other flu symptoms must remain at home. Please consult with your physician if you have any questions about your child’s illness and his/her ability to participate. We also encourage you to review cough/sneeze etiquette with your children and the principles of hand hygiene, as explained in detail on our Web site at this link: http://www.d64.org/page.php?pid=389
As a precaution, District 64 staff will not offer the customary congratulatory handshake or hug to students as they receive their diplomas tomorrow evening while on stage.
For students who are unable to participate due to illness, the Board of Education will officially present their certificates at the Monday, July 13 meeting. Please contact the Superintendent’s office at 847-318-4300 if you would like your child to participate at this alternate event.
Thank you for your cooperation in our efforts to promote the good health of all members of the District 64 community.
Sally Pryor, Superintendent
Margaret Petkofski, RN, Facilitator, School Health Services
Our thanks to a PRU reader for the submission
May 20, 2009
Smile for the Camera!
With one very notable exception, the PRU Crew hasn't found much to complain about regarding the Park Ridge Park District. In fact, we feel it's one of the more well-run local governing bodies that we've seen.
Our expectation is that, with most of the new crop of Park Board members, the Park Ridge Park District will continue to function pretty well.
So today the PRU Crew wanted to offer PRUdos to the Park Ridge Park District for making the effort to provide taxpayers with the opportunity to view Park Board meetings on video. Nothing fancy. Simply some straight up and unedited recordings of their meetings. We're betting this doesn't cost anywhere near the costs that were quoted to the City Council for taping meetings.
We understand that such recordings may not always "make our elected officials look their best," as we've been told our City Cluck Betty Henneman has been known to say, but not looking your best is part of the human condition on occasion.
We are also aware the local press doesn't like the idea of video taping meetings -- residents and taxpayers, able to see what actually took place at a meeting, may come to understand the shortcomings of our local press...and the dwindling subscriptions may dwindle even more.
Still, the PRU Crew feels that with the technology available there is nothing preventing either the Park Ridge City Council, the Niles-Park Ridge Community Consolidated School District 64, or Maine Township High School District 207 from video taping meetings, and uploading those videos to their respective web sites.
Maybe some nice Park Board member could let our three other local governing bodies know how it can be done.
April 16, 2009
School Daze!
Last week the PRU Crew's attention was drawn to an article in one of the local rags -- District 64 Board asked to approve $385,000 in new salaries.
The article notes that "Last year, the School Board was asked to consider $700,000 in new staff positions, but the board opted instead to approve half of the positions requested, resulting in a cost of about $425,000 for the 2008-09 school year." So it comes as no surprise that the newest recommendation to increase staffing goes beyond the previously recommended budget.
We can't say with any certainty whether or not any of these staffing recommendations are absolutely necessary or not. But the PRU Crew is aware of at least one tangent issue -- the hiring of an additional school nurse and the position taken by the State's nursing union on treatment of children with diabetes.
It is the union's position that only a trained and registered nurse is capable of over-seeing the administration of medical care such as the injection of insulin for diabetics. This of course is not absolutely true since diabetics have been injecting themselves since forever, and parents of diabetics have been injecting their diabetic kids since forever. However, if one stops to consider the function and purpose of a union, then one may come to understand that taking the position that only a trained and registered nurse is capable of administering medical care sure goes a long way in securing jobs for nurses, which is of course one of the functions of the union. In fact, the State's nursing union has regularly opposed legislation that would allow diabetic children themselves, or a teacher, to administer insulin when necessary. This opposition has regularly created havoc in the lives of diabetic students, and mandated some bizarre routines for both students and parents -- in some cases, requiring that a parent pick up a child from school, move off school property, receive an insulin injection either self-administered or from a parent (we assume not all parents of diabetics are trained and registered nurses; ditto that for school age children), and then the student is returned to school.
And we see that some local priests aren't the only group of adults willing to use children as pawns in political maneuvering.
The PRU Crew also decided to take a look at what else the School District 64 powers that be have been up to.
Some of our readers may remember our post -- Pas Plus Francais. In that post we noted "The standard minimum guideline for weekly instruction for FLES programs, last time we looked, is 75 minutes per week. So, it looks like the district's program isn't just light on grammar, but also light on instruction time."
The district has a FLES (foreign language in elementary school) review committee, which has been tasked with, what else, reviewing the district's FLES program. In the March 9, 2009 School Board minutes (.pdf) we read that the School Board asked questions of the committee -- the first question being, "Has the level of student achievement in the FLES program been affected by the decrease in instructional time?" And the answer is...? Well, see if you can figure it out --
"Ms. Betts explained a table with Educational Ends assessment data for 3rd grade and 5th grade students with 75 minutes of FLES instruction in the original program and with the current 50 minutes per week of instruction. This data was measured from 2001 – 2008.
When the number of minutes decreased in 2005, the assessment and target level of proficiency for 3rd grade were also changed, so a true comparison is difficult to measure.
For 5th grade students, the number of questions on the FLES assessment remains unchanged, but the targeted proficiency level was reduced. Therefore, as with 3rd grade, it is difficult to answer Question 1 as to whether a decrease in minutes directly impacted student achievement."
We think that may mean "yes."
The next question the School Board asked was, "If instructional minutes are increased from 50 to 60 minutes per week, where will this additional 10 minutes come from in the school day?" And the answer is...?
"The elementary schedule is divided into daily blocks of time for reading, language arts, and math. There are also specific times for p.e., music, art, and FLES. The remaining time is used for social studies, science, health and “other” activities, such as civil behavior, holidays, current events, etc. Ms. Betts proposed that the additional 10 minutes of FLES instruction come from this “other” category."
The third question posed by the School Board was, "Would the additional 10 minutes be better spent in another area of the curriculum?" And the answer is...?
"According to data presented, the amount of instructional time District 64 allocates for reading/language arts, science, and social studies is on target with the State average.
However, District 64 is below the State average for math instructional minutes. Fifteen additional minutes were allocated to reading/literacy because of the EIS/RtI initiative.
While some districts choose to allot their instructional minutes and money toward reading and math in order to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), District 64 values teaching the whole child, and continues to allocate minutes for art, music, FLES, health, etc.
Ms. Betts stated that it is the Board’s decision to determine the best use of the additional 10 minutes. The elementary schedule is very fluid. Teachers have more opportunities to capture teachable moments throughout the day, unlike a middle school “bell” schedule.
Ms. Betts summarized by saying that there is no proof that the 10 additional minutes will equate to higher student achievement in FLES. Best practice calls for 75 minutes per week. The goal of our program is to provide students the highest level of proficiency we can. At the April 6th Board meeting, administration will present the additional costs for increasing the number of instructional minutes. A final decision from the Board is expected at the April 27th Board of Education meeting.
Following the presentation by Ms. Betts, the Board discussed whether the additional 10 minutes will have a beneficial impact on students’ language proficiency. Several Board members said the costs to add the ten minutes will be an important element in their decision."
Il est seulement de l'argent. Oh! Excusez-nous! Pas plus francais! Better make that es solo dinero!
In other School District 64 news we read in the School Board report of April 6, 2009 (.pdf) on page 8 that the administration has revised their recommendation to eliminate the Honor Roll in response to School Board members' reluctance. The aptly named Miscellaneous Sub-committee recommends that if the Honor Roll isn't eliminated "the sub-committee also feels that the other categories for student recognition should be recognized equally." The administration's response is that "The administration understands the Board's reluctance to eliminate formal recognition of academic achievement. We agree that academic achievement is an extremely important goal in school and needs to be formally recognized in some way, but believe that other aspects of student growth, effort and involvement should also be recognized."
Uhhhmmm, the PRU Crew was under the apparently deluded impression that academic achievement is THE GOAL in school. We guess we've failed to understand the message that everybody's awesome.
