Education Matters US

I attended the June 12 school board meeting for Hawthorn School District 73, in which the school board approved a 1 percent performance incentive for all school administrators.

The bonus was approved because the children of the district met or exceeded the state standards on the MAP scores or had made a year of progress. The vote was 5 to 2 for approval. I wrote a letter to Ms. Rattner, president of the board, requesting additional information that she could provide during the Aug. 28th meeting.

My letter asked the following questions.

1) What was the total amount of money spent on school administrators for the 1 percent bonuses?

2) How many administrators received the bonus?

3) What was the metrics involved that determined the bonuses were warranted?

4) Did teachers receive any similar bonus for their efforts?

Ms. Rattner responded to me with a letter stating, “The information you requested relating to compensation of administrators was provided at the meeting where it was discussed and approved by the Board.” She also went on to express that adding items to agenda for public discussion was inappropriate.

My intent was to give the school board time to obtain the answers, not to discuss. This June 12 meeting was when the bonuses were approved. There was no mention during the public portion of the meeting of the dollar amount spent and the number of people who received it. I’m sure the transcript of the meeting will corroborate my recollection.

At that meeting, a school board member, Mr. Coli, inquired of the superintendent why the MAP scores for Hawthorn Primary North were lower in both reading and math as compared to Hawthorn Primary South. It was significant enough that he asked the superintendent to investigate this disparity.

Which brings me to my metrics question — does getting one point better justify approving a 1 percent bonus, especially when there are significant differences in scores between the schools? Maybe the money would be better spent on providing more educational tools for Hawthorn Primary North.

I appreciate the school board president taking the time to write me, but couldn’t she just as easily answer the questions? In fact, I have another question for her: what part of the school budget funded the bonuses?

I find it very secretive and patronizing of the school board president to avoid answering my questions. Are the taxpayers not worthy enough to have knowledge on how their money is being spent by the school board? I don’t think it’s too much to ask for disclosure on what the school board is doing on my behalf.

I encourage all taxpayers to attend the Aug. 28 school board meeting at 7:30 p.m., at the district office, 841 West End Court in Vernon Hills.

There is a part of the proceedings that are for public comment where you too can express your thoughts.

Patricia A. Small
Libertyville