According to a report in the Chicago Tribune today, the Big Hollow School Board violated the open meetings law and possible some school codes. [Emphasis mine]
When Big Hollow School District 38 officials voted to cut lunch, gym, recess, the arts and extracurricular activities, among other programs, they violated a state open-meetings law and may have [...]
There is another poignant letter to the editor today in the Daily Herald about the situation in Big Hollow.
Many questions on Dist. 38 decisions
My family and I live in Big Hollow Elementary School District 38, where the school board recently announced it will make dramatic cuts in the educational program for the upcoming school year.
The [...]
While researching the no-bid energy contracts, I was informed that Round Lake Unit School District 116 was a member of the IEC. I have FOIAed there information and found this was true. They joined the IEC back in 1999, renewed with them in 2003 and 2005. From the documentation I was given [...]
The school board in Big Hollow School District 38 has voted to punish the children instead of controlling spending. They have now voted to cut the following:
She said board members agreed to cut all art, music and computer courses, physical education for all students from kindergarten through fifth grade, and lunch/recess for every student. [...]
There is a story and an editorial in the Lakeland Journal this week that the residents of Grayslake High School District 127 should be aware of. The story is on the competitive “not so competive” bidding proccess for the Synthetic turf to be put in at Grayslake Central. [Emphasis mine]
GRAYSLAKE – District [...]
The Fundamental Reform of Illinois Tax and Education Systems is the updated version of the Extreme Wisdom education reform plan. This is the best plan I have seen so far on how to reform education here in Illinois. Read the Executive Summary and also listen to the plan from the link below. [...]
Are our schools failing us, or are we failing our schools? This question was in a newsletter I received today in email. I thought it was a great question to ponder.
At first glance, this appears to be a reasonable question. It gives the impression that the current public school system is doing the best it [...]
Jack Martin, Lake County political activist, has proposed an idea for Warren Township High School District 121 to cover its $3 million dollar deficit. The solution is to have parents of each student attending pay $750.
In the wake of a failed tax-increase request last month, Martin recently told Warren District 121 officials they could [...]
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Many of my readers know that I am a strong proponent of school choice. There is finally a study proving what myself and others have said many times; our current public government school monopoly is a bloated and inefficient. The study cited here found that “private schooling is more efficient”. [Emphasis [...]
The Thomas Fordham Institute has a report about how principals do not have the control they need to improve results. The report is entitled The Autonomy Gap: Barriers to Effective School Leadership. This report should be very enlightening for those of you who still believe the government monopoly of public schools is run [...]
As many of you know the FOIA process can be very difficult. Districts overcharge, deny information making you appeal and just plain hide information by claiming personell related or they don’t have a report for that item, thus they don’t have to create it.
There is now a website devoted to adiing in this process. [...]
Teachers are again loading buses this morning and heading for Springfield. In a report this morning on NBC 5, there were several interesting quotes.
One teacher union member stated about Chicago Public Schools, “the district is claming poor and then hiring $170,00 administrators.” More parents and taxpayers need to understand this fact. [...]
Free to choose, and learn, an article in the Economist explains how new research shows that “parental choice raises standards—including for those who stay in public schools”. (Hat tip: Extreme Wisdom) [Emphasis mine]
The state pays; parents choose; schools compete; standards rise; everybody gains.
A simple plan that is cheaper and results in a better educated [...]
I attended the “I want more money rally†in Springfield Wednesday held by the IEA, CARE, A+ Illinois. There were several thousand participants, with many of them kids. (See pictures below)
Arne Duncan, Superintendent of CPS stated that nearly 5000 students were present as I mentioned in the brief post a couple of days [...]
I received the following email today about HB 261 passing today. Again, taxpayers will pay for this through higher costs for energy, food preparation, construction and other items. I urge you as well to contact your State Senator to stop this atrocious bill before it goes any further. Locate your State Senator [...]
Public schools today taught themselves as the teachers of tolerance and diversity. They claim they have to teach about homosexuality, transgenderism, how to put on a condom and many other subjects many Americans find disgusting to teach to kids in primary and secondary education.
This tolerance only goes so far though. They refuse to let any [...]
I was able to make it to Springfield today and witnessed the taxpayer funded rally where the schools were asking for more money. I took a few pictures, but not as many as I had hoped.
Students First had an article today about thousands being expected at the rally. They were correct, [...]
