The August 24, 2005 meeting of the Board of Education began by honoring a student athlete from Morgan Park High School for both her 4.0 academic average and athleticism. Next the Board honored the publisher John Johnson who passed away at 87 in August. A representative of the family received the memorial proclamation honor on their behalf. Johnson graduated from DuSable H.S. in 1936 and always attributed his success to education

Michael Scott started the meeting at 11:05 calling first on alderperson Troutman who was not signed up to speak, but may have been speaking instead of Linda Sudduth who did sign up to speak on the subject of renaming McCosh Elementary for Emmit Till.

Till, who would have graduated from McCosh had he not been murdered, has become historically important as a source of the Civil Rights Movement. Troutman spoke since the school is in her ward. Scott had Legal Counsel Rocks inform her of the procedure for renaming schools which starts with the LSC written request.

Dionda Brown spoke on behalf of Austin High School’s community celebrating the 115th anniversary of the opening of the school. She told of the activities. Then, she asked about programs that are successful at the school being taken away. She spoke of the school not having usable computers, losing the JROTC, and a band program that is good enough to play elsewhere. Scott did not comment on these programs. Time was called on Ms. Brown. It was not called on Troutman. Brown spoke of twins at Austin winning scholarships to Howard University.

Next Phillip Jackson of the “Black Star Project” (and former Chief of Staff under Paul Vallas) told of the project to have fathers take their children to school the first day. He cited “Statistics from the National Father Iniative” which stated the children of involved fathers have higher test scores, attendance, GPA’s, and high school graduation rates. They also have lower suspensions, arrests, violent behavior and are “Less likely to use drugs and alcohol or engage in premature sex.”

Scott said he was “grateful” for Jackson’s activities.

Queen Tiye Searles spoke again of her plight. She is one of many teachers over the last 15 or 20 years who have had their rights and privacy violated by principals who accuse them of needing a psychological exam without representation then depriving them of their jobs and salary for long periods of time by delaying tactics of a real hearing. Searles asked for an out of court settlement in order to save tax money and return as soon as possible to the same classroom. Scott referred the matter to Patrick Rocks, the Board’s attorney.

Audronis Gelazius, a Wildwood parent, explained that the transportation department just informed him they’d no longer provide a bus for his 6th grade daughter. Yet, because of his cancer, the loss of his wife recently through drowning, and grandparents cancer, he couldn’t take his daughter himself. The school counselor said that the child should continue at the same school since separation from her support groups would be like another death. He had talked to the right department which never returned his call. Scott assigned Trujillo for an immediate talk and resolution to the problem for the girl who would be considered having a disability.

Dwayne Truss talked on behalf of Rev. Flowers of the West Side Ministers in thanking, one by one, the administration of CPS for its wonderful work at Austin and elementary school football programs.

Hazel Adams-Shango lauded the 15th anniversary of the Federal Disabilities Act. She wanted a recommitment under Renaissance 2010 to the Board goal of 40 schools per year being accessible.

Veila Soto of Erie Elementary Charter School thanked the Board for the opportunity of working over the summer preparing teachers, administrators, staff and parents to open the school. She explained the school’s philosophy and said how wonderful it was.

Babriela Jimenez, a 7th grader at Salazar, talked of the promised transportation for the school needed for it to stay together. It had not yet been arranged. Eliseo Amezquita and Ivan Haros also spoke on behalf of the school community. The preceding month Scott had promised to have the transportation problem at the school, which is complex, resolved

Jane Mitchell and Rachel Velazquez of Octavio Paz Charter told all the school philosophy and how wonderful it was in response to a parent’s disparaging remark about it the previous month.

David Gregg, Senn High School teacher, questioned the Board’s wisdom and motives in holding a secret meeting on March 10th for enrollment into the Naval Academy which has invaded Senn’s Building, at Loyola University. Gregg noted that the I.B. program at Senn and other schools were denied this list of students. The list was given to the Naval Academy, violating the student’s privacy. When Senn staff showed up to distribute literature about the I.B. program (never mentioning the Naval program), the Navy people called police who removed the people exercising free speech by threatening to arrest them for their free speech. Scott apologized for this infringement of democracy, but not for giving the list to the Navy.

Ms. Johnson of the Coalition of Reavis, made of parents, teachers, and half the LSC, questioned the actions of the first year principal who was accused of improperly getting rid of the CPS’ property and teachers’ personal property. She said that he has also called the police numerous times to arrest teachers and that11 teachers have transferred to other schools in one year. Scott noticed the reading scores have gone up 5.6 percent though math scores are down. Although the coalition has followed procedures so far, Scott said additional investigation and procedures must be followed. He might start with disposal of taxpayer property from there.

September 28, 2005 Board Meeting

Upon entering, student Troy Johnson of Manley Career Academy, a faithful observer of Board meetings via television, was introduced. He is applying to four universities for enrollment next year.

Some of the teachers who were winners of the first DRIVE Awards were presented along with a video explaining the new awards. Winners receive cash awards and a seat on the newly created Teacher Leadership Advisory Council which is supposed to give Arne Duncan direct advice.

Whitney Young Magnet High School was honored for its 30th anniversary. All those who taught and matriculated were honored for their efforts.

Alfred Rodgers thanked both CPS and the junior colleges for opening their arms to Katrina victims. Now, he asked that south side schools have as much spent on them as north side schools and that school and community departments have a bilingual staff member. Scott said he would check the per capita and per foot money spent on new schools and into the use of bilingual staff.

Elizabeth Lennon of and Jan Booker of ACORN and parents talked about the CPS violating students’ privacy by giving the lists of student names, addresses, etc. to military recruiters without proper notice to parents that they could opt out of this practice and request the information not be given. The stated that students could opt out themselves as well if given the forms. They felt that parents should have control of who has access to their minor children. They asked that forms be distributed at report card pick up, forms be given to students in home room, and better communication be given to parents. Rocks explained NCLB rules, then Duncan and Scott said they have some better communication.

Sherri Wiley and Patricia Garner, guardians of children at Kipp YVA school, stated complaints about the implementation of the program. They said they believed in the program, but wanted the Principal to be replaced. Barbara Eason Watkins had the staff member in charge of “specialty” schools tell all that an investigation is ongoing and changes are being made.

Paul Butler and Diana Tolbert Butler who as parents of an autistic child refused his placement in a more restrictive environment because CPS staff had not followed proper procedures, given proper support, or implemented IEP’s or plans. Scott sympathized and said also he’d been in autism classes, he did not understand autism well. He dispatched Renee Grant Mitchell to assist them.

Jose Barrera of Columbia Explorers invited Board Members to view students work on exhibit at the Mexican Museum of Fine Arts.The exhibit will be there until December.

Evangel MamadeeyHWHnewBN asked that people not use the word Kids for children and asked the status of the procedures for making McCosh Elem. into Emmit Till Elem. It was ascertained that the proper paper work was in the AIO office and to be sent to Trujillo’s Office of Schools and Community, from which it would be then sent to Barbara Eason Watkins’ office, thence to the CPS Board.

Wanda Hopkins of P.U.R.E. talked about parents rights being abrogated since there was no clear line item in the budget that was identifiable for expenditures. Also, seven aides for special education required by Federal rules were dismissed,the special ed students now being without aid. Scott directed the staff person in charge of the budget to create an obvious, clear line item.

Juan C, Hernandez gave great thanks to all at CPS for their help and support in helping Inter-American Magnet move into its new facility.

Valencia A. Rias of Designs for change presented a multi-year study which followed the progress of 144 schools which were on probation. It included a thick packet with reliable and valid computations of schools becoming successful using both Iowa and ISAT scores. She concluded that the successful schools were ones where all parts of the school, parents, administration, certified unionized teachers, worked together. She asked these schools become demonstration centers. She said that external partners had done little in being effective. Therefore, she asked that external partners be made accountable, with a time line, with the ineffective ones being removed. The material seemed to imply that there was more success for schools working together independently. Scott agreed that some data should be made on external partners. Eason Watkins told of plans to make some successful schools demonstration centers.

Sylvester Hendricks asked for a moment of silence in respect for the victims of the hurricanes and the loss within a month of his great aunt, cousin and mother. After the silence, he thanked Sean Murphy for his successful help at Fort Dearborn Elem. This action led Scott to thank Murphy and his entire staff for the opening of all schools.

Cleaophus Ingram of the Council of Elders talked of the fact that the “Overall disciplinary system is bad in many of our schools.” He claimed that in many schools, students didn’t listen to teachers who received no support from whomever is supposed to give them support. He felt one of the causes for this situation was too many different level of achievement in single classrooms and situations in the community around the school. Scott thanked him for coming.

Evergreen school’s group had Lois Gagner and Barbara Tobin speak for them. Before they had bus transportation for those students living furthest from the school, 15 blocks. They had had bus service. The children went to Everett to be transported to Evergreen, and no bus showed up. Neither parents nor principals were notified. The parents requests were for safety reasons. Murphy said there were 10 crossing guards. Parents said there weren’t. Lost in the argument was the fact that the Board mandated which schools the students attend, causing parents to drop off different children at each of the schools. Scott asked Murphy to reevaluate conditions for the Board.

Okema Lewis, a private consultant, asked that Board meetings vary in location and time on occasion and read the numbers for budget items which should be in all schools and statements of the State rules concerning them; yet, not all schools had them. Lewis detailed several complaints. Mr. Rocks was designated to look into the State and Federal rules for Title 1 funds and respond in a timely manner about the use of the funds.

Ramon Cervantes, whose speech was cut from the telecast, said the he felt that he was being ignored in his memorializing the 30th anniversary of the death in 1974 of Marco Antonio Sanchez Cervantes. He wanted all schools to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Scott wondered why I am sarcastic. Is being cut, ignored?

Next Sylvia Ramos talked of the problems being resolved at Pritzker Magnet, but it needed help in recovering. It is an arts magnet school, but has zero positions in visual art. Next Mitchell Hutton, an LSC parent, noted the many problems due to neglect. Asbestos is all over the school. They closed it in summer, but only hall asbestos was taken out. The school has all sealed windows and no air conditioning, resulting in 30 children being removed from the school from heat prostration. Scott asked if there were ductwork for air. Hutton, a fireman said no. Scott said then perhaps air was not intended. Hutton said it was not needed. Room air conditioners used in many schools do not require ductwork.Hutton went on listing problems when time was called. Duncan was to visit Pritzger and talk to him there.

Lisa Olsen brought up the sibling problem in respect to the Federal Consent decree. CPS’ Administration had been violating the consent decree by allowing majority people to enroll their children in schools with space available, thus depriving minority children the opportunity to have the spaces. When told to stop, a hardship for families with one child already in the school being allowed to enroll a sibling so the children could go to school together. Olson wrote to all members of the administration and Board as well as her Congressman. All said that they could not help her. After this meeting, she then had to hire her own lawyer to appeal to the federal judge hearing the case.

Next Diane Moore Connell of the Chicagoland Autism Connection wanted better articulation from elementary to high school for autism students. Scott asked her for literature about autism before his meeting with her group and said Dr. Butt would accompany him. He said it was hard to create policy effective for autism students since her south side group seemed to have opinions different from hers.

He said he wanted her group to help formulate that policy.

Debbie Sims former LSC member, spoke of the difficulty in getting copies of a school’s SIPIA. She asked that the process be made simpler. Scott said if she explained the specific school and its process where it was made difficult, he’d help solve the problem.

Anthony Tyler, Vice Chair of the Harper H.S. LSC and an alum, asked that the seven positions scheduled to be cut be delayed one month. He said that enrollment does not stop increasing until mid October. Then they would have to reprogram if they could get the teachers and their positions back. Donald Pittman explained why this is not usually done. Only about 150 additional students needed to be enrolled in order to maintain the positions.

Wanda Hopkins returned to say that Dr. Renee Grant Mitchell has been given the names to investigate. She also thanked Donald Pittman and Barbara Eason Watkins for helping a homeless student become enrolled for the school year.

That ended the public participation. In the regular session, Barbara Eason Watkins explained the new assessment focus involving the dropping of the Iowa test, replacing it with a test done three times in one year and centering on the ISAT.