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Past Issues January 2005 Tumultuous board meeting
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The holiday songs and the awards ended, and public participation started. There wasn’t a lot of holiday spirit from that point on, and even the often unflappable Michael Scott was losing his temper as the day progressed. When Marilyn Stewart, Chicago Teachers Union President, was announced, first Michael Scott, then Arne Duncan went into a filibuster about the State of Illinois report card indication improvement in 74 percent of Chicago Schools. They thanked the students, parents, principals and teachers for their hard work. Duncan and Scott both repeated the sound bites and talking points about how much they and the mayor had done to make the schools better, which when Stewart is around include a sentence or two about the importance of the “hard working” teachers. Apparently, irked by the oleaginous rhetoric, Stewart’s first words were: “I want to thank you for acknowledging our hard work, and that’s why Renaissance 2010 is so ridiculous ...” Flanked by CTU officers, Stewart presented the Board with petitions against the “Renaissance 2010” program signed by over 15,000 people in the community from the coalition she has helped found, Chicagoans United for Education (CUE). CUE is made up of more than 20 organizations, all against Renaissance 2010. She told of the suffering in the cold and rain all night outside the Board of those who wanted to be a part of the action. She said the board was going about this “in the wrong way.” Finally, she had the bundles of petitions given to the Board, as if a present from the community and unions, saying “Merry Christmas.” Next came Speaker Number One, Diondal Brownan, an appointed TAC (Transition Advisory Committee) person. She spoke about Austin High School and introduced a problem which has gathered steam since the December Board meeting — the result of the Board’s choking off 9th graders from Austin. She said wanted feeder schools to have an extended deadline for high school application, since Austin will again not have freshmen in September 2005, according to her. She noted that scattering the students in what she called “Area 3,” an area with behavior problems, had them going to high school all over. This will eliminate further destructive students from Austin and spread the misbehavior to other parts of the city. Secondly, she wondered where the appropriated funds for external repairs were? According to the Board’s current operations chief, Sean Murphy, the State has not sent the money (Everyone should call House Speaker Michael Madigan was a refrain heard throughout the day). And finally, she asked for more eyeglasses since so many Austin students were being educationally hampered by not having them. Duncan said that they would get glasses if there are “funds available.” After the rather lengthy Austin discussion, Gwendolyn Stewart (Speaker Number 2) of ACORN spoke opposing Renaissance 2010. On behalf of ACORN, she said that while money for pre-school had been expanded, Englewood areas had lost programs of pre-K, cradle to classroom, and other programs. The group also wanted Lindblom High School to return as a regular College Prep high school — and not as a “Renaissance 2010” school. And, like all others, she said the community ACORN represents would like to be communicated with before the Board or Duncan acts, not after. Duncan said that in the next two years CPS would open more than 5,000 pre-K classes, and that Lindblom would reopen in September 2005 in its old building. Scott told how he will continue to work with ACORN. Next Nancy Meyerson (listed as Speaker #34 but given the privilege because she was speaking for an elected official) spoke for Alderman Mary Ann Smith. Meyerson spoke in support of adding 600 “naval academy” students to an overcrowded Senn building. She read a letter stating that she believed it to be good and that the 15,000 votes against the Iraqi War did not equate with her support of another military program at Senn. The mention was to a referendum in the 48th Ward against the Iraq War, in which the voters voted five to one against the war. A number of people in the audience said that we shall see if that is true in the next aldermanic election. Meyerson also cited the opinion of the mathematically challenged demographics department when it said Senn had room for 600 more students, while ignoring the fact that Smith had been contacted (by the editor of this newspaper) about vacant school buildings and other spaces available on the north side. Speaker Number Seven, Chuck Hutchcraft of American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), spoke against adding 600 naval students to Senn. He said that he was against both military at Senn — JROTC and the proposed “naval academy” — noting that the military requirements for “teachers” of the ROTC programs were only a high school diploma, making them not very qualified. He noted that Chicago had more military programs than any other U.S. city, and schools should be teaching peace and academics not war. Bristling that he was overseeing the militarization of Chicago’s public schools, Board President Scott asked for proof. He received it from an article in the National Catholic Reporter that was brought to the front by one of the members of the public who had not been herded to the 19th floor “holding room” that had been used to keep the hundreds of Senn protestors away from the fifth floor board meeting room. Doug Fraser of the Edgewater Community Council then spoke in favor of the naval program. He spoke of pressure in the community, the number of hearings from both sides, before deciding to be for it. Michael Scott said he has always tried to be open with the public, noting that the Board was hearing from “both sides”. This may be true. He just doesn’t let any information at any meetings affect the dictation he follows from up the street. By this point, the order of the speakers was out of sync because of the Senn shuffling. Speaker Number 23 — Daryl Gibson of Carver Military Academy High School and Fenger High School — told why he was against another military academy. He stated that there was a recruiting station in the balcony of Carver, where his son attends school. Gibson, who is a parent, said that between five and ten of his son’s friends, all of whom were at school that morning, had been approached by recruiters. He said that the principal admitted that not notifying parents that they could ask that their children not be contacted by recruiters was his “oversight.” Michael Scott took umbrage with the claim that recruiting was taking place inside Carver High School. Rick Mills, the head of military programs for the the Board of Education, took the microphone and said the principal told him that the recruiters were storing “materials” in the balcony of the school’s auditorium, not setting up a recruiting center there. CEO Arne Duncan told Gibson he was being “dishonest” in his claim that there was Army recruiting going on at Carver Military Academy, and the back and forth became a bit heated, with both Gibson and Mills standing at the microphone. [Much of this exchange was later excised from the broadcast version of the meeting aired on Chicago Cable TV]. Of course, Duncan does not go to school at Carver, but relied on his staff, who do not go to school there. The parent angrily shouted that he — Duncan — was dishonest by trying to tell the public that the military academies were not about teaching a military curriculum and recruiting poor children into the military. Scott finally had Mills speak, and Mills said that he had not been there but was told of the “storage” of recruiting materials by the principal. Parent Gibson told of a large banner displayed saying that “50,000” had joined. Students from Senn in the audience said that students from Carver had been telling them of the banner display. Scott said the material would be removed. Others noted that Carver has seen little academic improvement since becoming a military school. The next speaker was someone named Graham Grady, who is not from Senn, but seems to know Scott. Grady said he was from the Senn community and didn’t think Senn would be the right high school for his children, even though it was later established that he hadn’t visited Senn or looked into its current programs. Grady spoke in favor of the naval academy because, he said, he has lived a few blocks away and has two seventh grade daughters and this would be an option for them. Some of the Senn people in the audience noted that in 2006, we can check to see if the daughters are enrolled in the naval program, since the suspicion was growing that those who were speaking in favor of the “naval academy” were being less than candid and quite political. Grady added that the naval academy should be properly run with no recruitment center. He thought that few entered the military from the program. The Board had obviously set the agenda so that speakers would take the microphone “for” and “against” the naval academy. This leaves the impression that there are an equal number on either side, even though the vast majority (including those on December 15) were opposed to the Board’s plan. The next speaker was Mark Fick, of Stone Soup Cooperative and The Organization of the Northeast (ONE). He was allowed to speak as a point of personal privilege, since Duncan has mentioned his group. The ONE represents 83 other groups in the area, he said. He said Duncan et al had been very open after they had already made all the decisions. He also said no other options were given the community if the goal was to improve Senn. He asked only that the decision be delayed and other options also given to the community. Scott thanked him for coming. Then Scott said he’d allow a student to speak. Speaker Number 32 was Yoddite Woldegebriel, Senior Class President. She said at first she looked forward to telling Duncan of student thought at one of the previous meetings. Then she surmised a cold attitude of not really caring (she’s young; she’s not experienced in arrogance). She wisely said it seemed the whole thing was fixed. She said that the navy academy “invading their freshman wing” would only take away from the students’ opportunities and facilities of those students already there. She said Senn should be commended for its open door policy of accepting students. She then likened Duncan to Creon in a Greek tragedy she had studied in class at Senn. Creon, she said, was blinded to the wisdom of the peasants and others because of his stubbornness (another word for arrogance) and love of power until it was too late. She said it is not too late today and asked Duncan to do something else. She said that she has been accepted to Eastern Illinois University for September. Obviously, Senn is doing its job well. Some in the audience suggested we check how many military program graduates in the city have done as well — or can make accurate analogies between Greek drama and Arne Duncan. After the Senn pros and cons were supposedly exhausted, the Board returned to other problems. Matthew Morgenthau, Community Rep from Steinmetz High School and Mary Lyon Elementary, talked of needed capital improvements to the roofs of both schools. Water damage has been running into rooms, common areas and basements at the schools. Sean Murphy, the operations chief, gets a lot of exercise at Board meetings. He took the mike and said he had just finished the assessment for Steinmetz and yet had to do Lyon. They are starting the Steinmetz repairs, he said. The impact of the Board’s policies on school security and safety was not limited to the schools surrounding Austin High School. The next speaker was Willie Fields of Herzl Elementary. Fields talked of the need for the return of their policeman, who had apparently been removed because of cuts in the department of school security and safety. The school had a problem, Fields said. Then it got a 6’2" uniform-clad, gun carrying policeman. Then CPS removed the policeman and violence quickly returned — with drive shootings, invasion of the school by gangs, and an incident where one group of invaders went to a room and started beating a student, saying they’d shoot anyone interfering. Three passing teachers (occupational hazard), not knowing of the threat, broke up the beating, got the abused student out to a washroom. The gangsters ran out. The Board’s security chief, Andres Durbak, took the mike and said that with budget cutbacks looming he had made a list of incidents per school and reduced security based on a cut-off at a certain number. Scott understood and said they’d find some funds somewhere to bring back the Herzl policeman. Herzl is the elementary school from which Michael Scott graduated, according to Board lore. Valencia Rias (Number eight) of Designs for Change then spoke against the current policy for school closings. You all remember, people noted: first Duncan used “demographics” on schools he claimed were less than 50 percent capacity. The claim was that the buildings should be used “more efficiently” (ignoring the fact that certain buildings — such as the high schools where 9th grade has been cut off — are officially violating that efficiency. At several schools, the “demographics” did not work because no one on staff could count accurately — and schools with good test scores and programs were being closed. Then Duncan wanted to switch back to school that were “performing” or “not performing” according to standardized test scores, selectively interpreted. To make sure there would be some schools to close and to turn over to the private sector (apparently Duncan’s solution to all problems), Duncan arbitrarily raised the level needed to be defined as a “success” by 15 points or so, a number that has never been defended educationally in public debate over the complexity of such evaluation (probably because it can’t be). When people pointed out that if CPS gave the school being closed the same advantages as the private school — more money, hand picked or Lotteryed students, new books and materials, lower student teacher /ratio — the local school would also do better, Duncan and company has asked the public for reasons for closing a school, as part of the “Renaissance 2010” planning. The public has begun noting that there isn’t any money for helping the schools that are there, but plenty to be spent on creating a new school. It is probably time to start finding out who is making the money. Rias spoke also for two other groups. Rias said they would create input for the issue of school closings. She felt that the guidelines were too broad, permitting CPS to close any school for almost any reason. She said that schools should only be closed because of issues of health, life or safety issues. She said the community ought be consulted and the decision taken to the American Arbitration Association. She was also concerned with the problems of two or more schools sharing a single facility and with the non-use of private tutoring companies who had complained to her about the regular teachers doing the tutoring (of course, then they are not making the money). Lisa Scruggs (who has been hired from a major downtown law firm to do the “closing” policy) was called to talk. Scott said wouldn’t they close a school that for five consecutive years only had three percent of the students at “standard” level. Rias said such a school should be considered for some action, but not necessarily closing. Scott was being hypothetical — since no such regular school exists and a school that takes in the most difficult students can have all of its students below “standard” and still be doing a good job with those who are there. The questions about private tutoring companies were a bit easier. Duncan answered by saying the tutoring of 80,000 students (more than any U.S. city, he claimed), was split between private and public programs and that he liked the competition. He said the U.S. Department of Education was cruel in threatening to cut off tutoring in mid-year. Speaker Number Serena Williams, of Carver Military and Southside United Organization, talked about probation and the quality of her school. For the first time in nearly and hour, Scott was able to smile. Williams asked that the new administration be given a new plan to get the school off probation. She said her son was tutored, then started to get “A’s.” She asked that to improve the education at the school. She also asked if the school Local School Council (LSC) was to be replaced by a military governing board. Duncan promised it would not. Barbara Eason-Watkins told of the steps taken and to be taken. Scott said Donald Pittman’s department of high school redesign should go out there as well as the person in charge on NCLB. The next speakers, Susan Steinmiller and Mark Lowe, spoke for Gage Park High School’s request to rehabilitate land adjacent to the school which for ten years has been used as a dumping ground, including workmen who installed trailers to relieve overcrowding. Steinmiller showed how the sports she learned in high school enabled her to teach them to others, but she was hampered in this by the lack of any outdoor facilities for practice. She also sponsors the Student Council and other activities. Mark Lowe, Student Council President, read a resolution passed by the council asking for the repair. ? Norman Bobins, one of three bankers on the Board, asked about the lot and brought out the fact that it was Board property. He called on Sean Murphy, the ubiquitous operations chief, who said it’d cost about $250,000. Scott suggested a challenge — the Board would match any funds raised by the school and they’d try to get it repaired by Spring. Duncan lauded Steinmiller for the hard work she has done, repeating his praise for teachers and all those like her. The regular, Sylvester Hendricks, gave “Seasons Greetings” to the Board. He carried on dialogue with Scott about including even his enemies in views of CPS action, gave Bobins sympathy over the recent fire at LaSalle Bank headquarters (Bobins is President of the large bank across the street from the Board’s offices) and congratulations about recovering from the fire, and was speechless in addressing Duncan. He then went into some detail about the “Comer” prgram at a south side elementary school. He then said that Comer had not only bought the principal, but even the school, which is now Comer-Revere, and the community with a new center; but, academic progress has not changed. With that he wished all a happy holiday. Next speaker number fiftenn, EvAngel Mamatee Yhw Hnew Bn of “Global Committee King Days of Respect” talked of January 15th through the 22nd. During these days a stamp commemorating Emmet Till would be produced, she said, and there’d be a project commemorating him. She also said there should be an increase of Black Studies since no one knew the significance of December 18th historically. The Felicia Searles talked of reforming the way CPS treats some of its employees. She had a legal problem with CPS. She said she had not been given due process and would like an immediate hearing. Scott said one would be arranged as quickly as possible. Speaker number seventenn, Charles Nissin-Sabat, returned to Senn question, pointed out statistics. When Scott did not want to hear any about Senn, Sabat talked of Phoenix Military Academy having zero percent of its students passing the State math tests — but 100 percent graduating. He then cited Bronzeville Military Academy’s curriculum trying brainwash students about what ideas to be armed with when voting. Scott felt he was really talking about Senn, told and cut him off. After a bit more acrimony, Sabat stepped down. Andrea Lee of Neighborhood Capitol Budget Group (NCBG) along with Ms Rias and others talked about school closing policy, saying she had talked to Scruggs and that more than one factor should be considered. Other factors as attendance, safety, accomplishments should be considered. Then a student introduced as Guy Lacante of Senn rose to speak about immigrant youth. Scott gave him a big lecture about the impropriety of getting up to speak, and they dialogued. Scott said that the students were making the process unfair. The students talked of the unfairness of the crowding of their building, the taking of classroom from them. Number 26, Nina Wade, said that after school activities were important. she said that there should be mandatory homework for students as well as increased funding for activities. After the public participation was ended, the Board heard a report on early childhood education and then went into executive session until later in the afternoon. |
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