December 18 Chicago Board of Education meeting

By Lotty Blumenthal

Chicago Board of Education vice-president Avis LaVelle called the monthly board meeting to order. The Lincoln Park H.S. choir (under the direction of teacher Gabrielle Lynn Watson) sang a show tune medley and Christmas carols.

Then the board honored Marshall H.S student Kamora Walker, who has been awarded a four-year scholarship to Harvard after she graduates in June 2003. Kamora thanked God, her mother, “favorite” teachers Ms. Reinhart, Ms. Krider, Ms. Hart and Ms. Gibson. Kamora was introduced by Ms. York of the “Cradle to Classroom” program. She majored in Health.

Next, the board honored Evylynn (Lynn) Handler, law and history teacher of Lake View H.S. She has taught for 46 years and is still in the classroom. Lynn is also sponsor for Mock Law Trials, one of the hardest activities to sponsor, taking horrendous time and energy.

Also honored was Rosa Covarrubias of Ninos Heroes Elementary, who had started as a parent volunteer, went to school at night to earn an A.A., B.A. and M.A. while raising a family. She was awarded $25,000 for her exemplary teaching by the National Milliken Foundation.

The public participation started at 11:05 a.m. Lewis Flowers was first, representing the Westside Ministers Coalition. He stated that transition schools should not be eliminated and that their programs should be seen because they have done a great job of 1) increasing reading skills; 2) decreasing the drop out rate; 3) and helping students to achieve honors in high school.

Speaker Rosalinda DeSantiago of Beaubien said she deplored the false information gathered by an inept investigator who never contacted her or anyone beside the principal in the matter of her eight-year-old son being taken by the police to a station when he refused to go to class. LaVelle said the law department would investigate.

A woman who headed the Parent Resource Center for Disabilities interrupted to speak on behalf of all parents system wide who’ve had the same problem. She asked that a) police only be called for possible physical danger problems or crimes (there’s no policy now); and b) there be an investigation of investigators and their investigations. Many others who do not have a disability have had serious problems with bad investigations by the board. There will be a workshop on this topic Jan. 18th, at DePaul’s Egan Center involving speakers and rights of children and parents.

Derrick Harris of Herzl LSC talked about the (non-) cheating scandal. He too spoke of a faulty board investigation by a Mr. Mahone of which also was conducted with illegal questioning of children with no parent or teacher present. In fact, one was asked to leave the room. He asked if this was Marilyn Johnson’s policy. He also said that news of cheating was leaked from Arne Duncan’s office. Now Duncan and Deanes leave the room when he appears. He talked to Duncan on Oct. 3. 2002. Duncan said he would contact him with results of all investigations. He hasn’t. He said Duncan does not return Harris’s calls or letters. Since news of the scandal was false, Duncan’s office leaked it, Duncan’s office should announce there’s no cheating and Mahone investigated for his ineptness (similar to the previous speaker).

Next Feliciano Morales of Everett school complained of 20-year-old mobiles in disrepair. LaVelle said board member Munana would be out with Tom Martin (again) to talk to the LSC.

Wanda Hopkins of PURE, Lewis and Prosser LSC’s thanked the board for the change in attitude of the administration and board. She said Scott needs to re-issue his rule that LSC members not be arrested because the problem still exists. However, this administration is willing to sit down and listen to adversaries and keep the goal of “educating children” first, Hopkins said.

Alfred Rodgers of Harper H.S. asked about construction in Region 5. After walk thoughs at Harper and Anderson, he received no letter with dates. Martin said he’s send a copy of the letter he sent the principal.

Laurie LeBreton from PURE talked about teacher intimidation. Two pre-school teachers wrote their opinions to Scott. The head of the Chicago public schools pre-school program called their principals to say that they did not follow procedure by writing their opinions to a number of middlemen, including himself. LeBreton and the teachers recognized this action for what it is, intimidation of teachers and even some administrators for speaking out. Long a major problem in the Chicago schools, she asked Scott to stop it. Good luck.

Michelle Nelson asked that testing of students who failed in Spring be retested at mid-year. In some cases, the poor score may have resulted from extenuating circumstances, which could be resolved by mid-year. Then students would not waste time repeating an entire year needlessly (and tax-payers would not be paying for another entire year). Nelson said she had collected almost three hundred signatures on petitions and was continuing.

Don Redman and LSC members talked about the need at Bethune (a year round school) for air conditioning and an improvement in its security system. Scott told the group he’d be there at 7:30 a.m. the next day to meet them.

Theresa Welch of the May school spoke on behalf a five-year-old who’s been determined autistic by two hospitals and doctors. A board person came out for 1 1/2 hours and decided the child wasn’t. Scott immediately ordered a new assessment. When speaking of attitudes of administrators to the legal guardian, Scott asked Sue Gamm to meet with the area AEO and the principal and parents.

Newell Dana and Shanika Finley of Austin talked of the administration treating parents and students badly. Finley, who operates a west side social agency, talked of her problems with the same administration. Over $750,000 is being spent on a program whereby tardy students were to be admitted to the building, given a detention and sent to a holding room. This policy was not being done. In addition, three students she tried to bring back took from 9:00 until 10:45 am to be admitted. And, of course, she was treated “rudely.” Scott’s reply seems to indicate that he is aware of past problems at Austin. Teachers and former teachers say that the school has had about 30-40 years of inept principals treating people badly. Scott said he would look into it and hear all sides.

Kathy Tasker talked in general about sending elementary students who could not test well on to high school. Then, the high school is put on probation for not having students who test well. An ordinary citizen not connected to any school, she asked if the system used at Mather H.S.’s feeder schools (which have been cited for excellence) would be used as a model for other schools.

Barbara Eason-Watson explained procedures for expenditure of funds by each school in deciding on programs, but that board had spent extra funds this year on additional tutoring and hoped it made a difference. Scott thanked her as a citizen for her interest and time.

Johnny Holmes complained about the authoritarian attitude of the administration of the Military Academy-Bronzville. In addition, he found “an extreme amount of arrogance in the military instructors.” The military officials are trying to replace the LSC with a military governing board instead of the LSC or overruling the LSC. This action would be a violation of state law governing LSC’s. The military board would have 5 military, principal, two non-profit or retired military. Holmes did not mention that there are no teachers or community representation on this “board.” He felt that parents were losing their rights. Scott said he knew little on the subject after Bobbins asked questions about the situation. Scott said if there were inconsistencies or problems in the process and state law, it would be resolved and that he’d meet with Holmes.

Several speakers did not come to the mike and with no politicians coming to the microphone, it was a shorter meeting.

Sylvester Hendricks asked for a moment of silence for student Maurice Davis who had passed. He then went on past the time limit to say that whenever anyone complains at a board meeting and there is an investigation, the victim becomes the target of the investigation. The reason so many people complain at board meetings is the lack of faith of a proper and fair investigation. Scott thanked him for speaking.

Greg Seaphus of the National K.E.Y.S Consortium spoke of the distractions that keep the board from the goal of concentrating on talking to officials and other problems. He gave members a written handout to which he referred by number for models to solve some of the problems with different factions and violence in the schools. Scott thanked him for his being an advocate and consultant who has contributed much by his suggestions.

Gabriel Guiterrez of the Bateman School LSC Chair asked who had the right to approve a contract for $25,000 a year for three years for a Wireless antenna on top of the school. The rincipal, who as to retire the next Friday, said she had the right, the LSC wanted to delay the action and a paper said only the board of education could approve it. Marilyn Johnson explained the process that the LSC must sign off and then the board would approve, and it had never approved one that an LSC did not approve. The Scott explained, “We won’t sign it!”

Brenda Bell of the Chicago School Leadership Co-op talked of LSC training being important. They had conducted 25 sessions so far this year. Through Azcoitia’s offices they were conducting a round table on issues with all sectors of the educational community. She hoped to continue. Scott said he thanked very much for coming.

Adele Barksdale of Bogan spoke of lockers not yet changed. She had been there before. She thanked the Board. Tim Martin explained that the lockers are the last of $12,000,000 that has been spent so far. Scott thanked her for coming.

Finally, Rachelle Lindsey asked a series of questions about the new LINKS book for LSC’s. First, no legislation has been made affecting LSC trainin; ,second. the book is not only for LSC’s; third, any member of the public at large who requested it could have it. A new book was made to simplify and refocus the material in the book. James Deanes dispatched an assistant and Duncan said that their good customer service would present her with LINKS books within the minute. Scott thanked her and all for coming. The Board adjourned.

After the closed session, these points were made: Wendell Phillips H.S. was made a landmark; Phil Hansen is on loan to the state board; (the Chicago board and Chicago taxpayers will still be paying his salary); Mr. Murphy is the new purchasing officer (not procurement officer, although he may be that too); the next board meeting on Jan.22 will have a special hearing from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on changes in Magnet School Policy (anyone involved with a magnet school should be able to send someone from your school). The changes are about ending bus service for 7th and 8th graders to their magnet schools. The deadline for applying for these schools and programs is Jan.17.