Does RUSD Need to Include Money for Spell Check?

You may notice that I took down the posting regarding the numerous spelling and grammatical errors I found on a referendum web page found on the RUSD website. I need to explain why I did that. Friday, the school board president called me at home to discuss my blog and this posting specifically (I guess I’m up to 7 readers now!!) . She explained that the referendum Q&A web page had been created by a student.

I am very familiar with this student; he is the only student that takes the time to come to the board meetings and share his feelings. Like most young people, he may be somewhat naïve (but then again, so was I) in thinking that he can change things with a positive message.

Out of respect for him, I took the posting down. That does not excuse the fact that NO RUSD employee bothered to double check his work before uploading it to their website.

Just Give Us One More Year...

2005
State % Proficient/Advanced 81
Red Apple % Proficient/Advanced 83
Roosevelt % Proficient/Advanced 57

2004
State % Proficient/Advanced 81
Red Apple %Proficient/Advanced 79
Roosevelt % Proficient/Advanced 83

2003
State % Proficient/Advanced 81
Red Apple % Proficient/Advanced 85
Roosevelt % Proficient/Advanced 65

2002
State % Proficient/Advanced 80
Red Apple % Proficient/Advanced 81
Roosevelt % Proficient/Advanced 84

Net increase/decrease
State 1.23%
Red Apple 2.47%
Roosevelt -33.33%


In order to put things in perspective, I thought I would post the recent 4th grade reading scores (WKCE) along with previous results.

Testing is a tricky thing; it just provides a snapshot in time. In order to fully comprehend and analyze the results, you need to compare it to something meaningful.

I chose the above schools, because they are 2 of the pilot schools for the Continuous Progress reading strategy implemented soon after the arrival of Dr. Hicks to our district. I also wanted to include the state's overall average.

As you can see, even after millions of dollars in consultants the results are mixed. Continuous Progress has some merit; I think separating children by skill level is great but I certainly question the practice of "letting" a 4th grader read at a 1st or 2nd grade level.

RUSD used to use Title 1 funding to have programs that allowed the child to catch up with the rest of the class; now it is acceptable to keep the child reading at a substandard level.

I believe continuing to use the CP strategy will not bridge the gap; it hasn't brought sustained double digit increases in test scores, it will only hold more children back from reaching their full potential.

Good thing Unified has a plan...

Quote of the Day

This sums up my feelings after email conversations discussing the lack of publicly stated goals with a few RUSD board members; however, it applies to many different scenarios.

“Today we know that the greatest danger is not the evil among those who are evil, but the silence of those who are good.”


Opening remarks of the Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson at the Stockholm International Forum on Combating Intolerance, 29 January 2001

Response to What is Accountability

“For the past 4 years, there has been dogged resistance by RUSD administration to set measurable goals and timetables directly linked to student achievement”.

The above is a quote from a RUSD board member in response to an email I sent citing my frustration in our district’s lack of measurable objectives. I think it speaks volumes on why RUSD has not made any progress in spite of the enormous time and energy spent implementing the Quality District Model.

What is Accountability, Anyway?

What is accountability? An internet search for the definition of accountability found this definition; “being obliged to answer for one's actions, to an authority that may impose a penalty for failure.”

Our district is again asking the voters of eastern Racine County for authorization to exceed their spending caps by $6.45 million. Our district has asked for this same amount for the 3rd time since 2004. That means that many people, who like me, believed that we needed to give our school board and superintendent a little breathing room. They needed the time to develop some long term plans; the public agreed and the board and CEO went ahead and developed those long term plans, right?

NOT!

In this new age of accountability and openness, school districts across Wisconsin are providing the taxpayers and parents with their plans, perhaps to justify the need to exceed the spending caps. Why can’t Racine Unified do the same? Even the worst (by state testing standards) district in the state has academic goals that are shared with the public.

I know that deep within the bowels of Central Office, there has to be some goals. Why not share with us these goals? MPS has done this; there is a different action plan for each of their 223 schools. A closer look at one’s school individual action plan calls for different goals; and example of this would be:

The percentage of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students scoring at/above proficient in Reading will increase by 3% for each grade level as measured by the WKCE and TERRA NOVA.


From looking at the different Educational Plans it is obvious some people at MPS realize that all schools are not the same and should have different goals. From that link provided previously, all the parents would need to scroll down and look on the right for the Educational Plan for their child’s school.

I believe that providing accountability is a good thing; I also believe that the district’s immediate needs (passage of the referendum) would be best served if the district immediately started sharing their goals and needs with the citizens of eastern Racine County. The future of our district depends on it and our children deserve better…

RUSD: A Masterpiece of Obfuscation

We would love it if our schools were successful; we would gladly pay more money in taxes if we thought it would make a difference or knew where the money was going. However, our failing district insists on going to the public (time and time again) without a clear plan with measurable goals and without any accountability. With the introduction of Governance Policy in January of this year, the RUSD board finally has the formal framework to evaluate all functions of the district, both academic and financial.

Publicly stated goals and accountability are not bad things; they are not anti-education or anti-teacher as many would perceive. Citizens like Eric Marcus and Denis Navratil who question the academic and business practices of RUSD should not be viewed as the problem; the problem lies with the rest of us who simply go on with our lives or are too afraid to speak out.

You might ask, “What exactly is a measurable goal”? One example might be a 5% increase in graduation rates over the next year. I’m sure that deep inside the bowels of Central Office, there has to be some goals somewhere. But if the board refuses to commit to these goals, why would our CEO even bother achieving them? Another reason to have measurable goals would be what I like to call the “accountability” factor. If goals, or targets with metrics attached would be in place, the board could hold the CEO accountable and take measures if necessary. The public could then hold the board accountable for not holding the CEO accountable. I guess that could explain why there are not any publicly stated measurable goals with consequences.

While we have some problems with our superintendent, we have heard him ask the board for specific targets with metrics. If our CEO wants goals, why hasn’t the board given him some? We feel that this board, like previous boards, is afraid to take action of any kind. It is much easier to continue the status quo, than to demand any real change. We think it is time to stop making excuses, lay the cards out on the table, and start moving this district out of stagnation and into the open waters of “positivity”.

Pat was a contributor to this post.

I Agree with Dr. Hicks (Really, I Do!)

In retrospect what happened tonight was not a world-changing event – the earth did not fall off its axis but it was a rare event, nonetheless. I AGREE WITH SOMETHING OUR SUPERINTENDENT SAID!

At tonight’s board meeting there was a presentation done by Renee Pfaller, the Director of Special Education for Racine Unified. Our school district has a disproportionate amount of minority children identified as needing special education. I am one of the few who haven’t yet jumped on the bandwagon that RUSD cannot perform better on state tests because we have a high poverty rate and a sizeable minority population. The argument that only white middle class children can learn is completely unfounded, and I believe, totally racist.

I think that if we really want to close the achievement gap, we need to stop making excuses and have some “real” expectations for ALL our children. I fear that these children are being wrongly identified just because their behavior is different than what is desired. I also believe that there may be teachers who simply have higher expectations for some children, simply based on their skin color. I don’t even think that some teachers may be aware they are projecting these different expectations, but it has to stop. Dr. Hicks agreed with Pfaller that RUSD needs to explore why RUSD continues to over identify minority children compared to the other districts in Wisconsin.

The following quote was used in the conclusion of Pfaller’s PowerPoint presentation:

“We must change the way we think about ability, competence and success and encourage schools to redefine support so the need to sort children is reduced”
(Testimony before the President’s Commission, 2002) .

I think that quote pretty much sums it up....

No Openness in RUSD

There has been much discussion about RUSD lately; the skeptics, in my opinion, have mistakenly placed their anger and mistrust towards the teachers and their recently ratified contracts and not where I believe it belongs – at the administrative level.

There are steps that our district’s leadership can take to restore the public’s trust, and I feel these steps are needed for our district to succeed. Our district has done an inadequate job in engaging the community of their needs and objectives.

Concerned citizens can go the twice-monthly board meetings, but the information discussed is contained in the “board packets” or informational handouts and are not typically shared with the audience members. It is difficult to follow the discussions when they refer to specific information not available to the audience. These board packets can be requested through an Open Records Request; they can also be viewed at the library, but possibly not for several weeks after the meeting in which the information was discussed.

The district needs to be proactive in engaging the public and post these board packets on its website, just as they post the agendas and minutes of previous board meetings. Other school districts such as Kenosha Unified are doing this successfully. They can further connect with the community by broadcasting their bi-monthly board meetings on the RUSD cable access channel.

Our community deserves better; a willingness to openly share information would go a long way in restoring faith in our school district.

It's All About Respect

For those readers who know of me personally will understand how difficult what I am about to share. I am extremely pro-education, and therefore pro-teacher. I witnessed something at the RUSD board meeting Monday that has bothered me all week.

As you recall, Monday the board voted to ratify the 2005-2007 and 2007-2009 RUSD teacher contracts. As to be expected, the Racine Taxpayers Association showed up in force; some of them spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. Now I understand that the 10 or 20 REA members present at Monday's meeting are not a fair representation of the 1600 hard-working and honorable teachers employed by RUSD, but their behavior was disgraceful and embarrassing.

They did not give any respect to the citizens who took time out of their day to speak their mind and voice their concerns about the teacher contract; they were shouting, laughing and swearing while these mostly senior citizens were talking. It was more a long- shore men union meeting than a school district’s business meeting! Even the union president was embarrassed; she kept turning around and motioning for them to quiet down. I found the “It’s All About Respect” slogan on the backs of their REA shirts somewhat ironic …

The other incident is even more disturbing. During one of the breaks, our esteemed leader and CEO found it necessary to call a taxpayer an ***hole when questioned on some executive decisions that had been made. If our leader cannot even respect the taxpayer that contributes to his salary, how do you think he treats his employees?

It is “all about respect”, and until we all learn some, nothing in RUSD will ever change.

RUSD CEO Exceeds Authority

The Journal Times reported today that the recently passed teacher contracts included a 3.3% increase which is below the state imposed QEO of 3.8%. In the Journal Times defense, they did not report this as fact, they were quoting Randy Bang’s, RUSD board member, comments. However, they did fail to confirm the facts. Hicks, sans elected officials and legal counsel, negotiated 2 separate contracts and DID EXCEED his authority.

I believe the paper left out an important fact. The 2005-2007 and 2007-2009 were separate contracts, not combined as the paper implied. You cannot average the 2 together; it was 2 different votes and 2 separate contracts and therefore cannot be averaged together, as Bangs suggested.

The ratified contract has language in it that is illegal; first we are told that items cannot be taken out - the vote had to be "up" or "down", yet 7 board members felt that it was their civic duty to vote for a contract that held illegal language and one that exceeded the fiduciary guidelines simply because they were told there is a side agreement that dealt with taking that illegal clause out of the contract. This side agreement was not shown to any board members. Julie, the sole dissenting vote, said she would approve the contract if shown a written statement showing the clause is removed. However I failed to see this document being passed around. If by law, items cannot be taken out of the contract, why was there even a vote with the illegal clause still in the contract? My lingering question, if there is language in the contract that is not “compliant with the law”, is the contract even legal???

I certainly agree that our teachers deserve a big fat raise, but Hicks cannot keep doing things his own way. Our district cannot afford any more of Hicks “lone wolf” tirades. He has alienated and broadsided our teachers with the QDM, RT, CT and CP. Now the board members and the community….How can anyone continue to support this district with the leadership we currently have?

On Notice/Dead to Me

As sort of an homage to Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report, I have created my own On Notice/Dead to Me list. Hopefully, I will be able to take some off, but I am not holding my breath. They will probably just move to the other side.

On Notice
Susan Kutz
Dr. Russ Carlsen
Dr. Armin Clobes
Brian Dey
Randy Bangs


Dead to Me
Dr. Thomas A. Hicks


You may notice that I did not include the newest board members. Since tonight was their very 1st board meeting, I think we can cut them some slack.

I also did not include Julie McKenna because she was the only board member with the political fortitude to hold Hicks accountable for his Governance Policy lone gun approach to running the district. Thank you Julie, I know that tonight was very difficult for you.

This is what I gathered from tonight's board meeting; apparently everything is O.K., and we don't need to worry about anything.

Our test scores are great.
Our teachers are valued.
Responsibility Training is working.
Our schools are safe.
Continous Progress is working.
Board Governance is great.

Why is RUSD paying for Union Activities - Part 2

I have learned that Betsy Kippers is a teacher, although not one in a traditional sense. Apparently a few years ago, in order to cut administrators and their costly salaries, RUSD has given the administration duties to teachers. Similar to the department heads currently in our high schools, these teachers have some classroom time but also focus on coordinating the district’s curriculum.

Actually, replacing costly administrators with teachers sounds like a fiscally responsible plan to me. But as a taxpayer, I still have a problem with the district subsidizing the REA’s union activities. I also have concerns as a parent with 2 children in the district. Long-term substitutes are not good for our children; they may need teachers that have the specialized training. Can a long-term substitute teacher really provide that?

I want to thank Julie McKenna, RUSD Board Member, for helping me understand the logistics and ramifications of this item in the tentative teacher contract. As of right now, Julie is the only board member who has taken the time to explain it to me. I may not always agree with the decisions that she makes, but she is one of only a few board members (in my opinion) who does not have a personal, professional, or political agenda. The decisions she makes (with the limited information provided to the board members) have always had the children’s best interests in mind. She does not always receive enough credit for the years of service she has given the district, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank her.

Why is RUSD paying for Union Activities?

Below is the email I recently sent to the 5 school board members with published email addresses. I will share any responses when I receive (if I receive!!!) some answers. Check back soon….


RUSD Board Member,

I read the article this morning about a provision in the teacher contract where RUSD will paying for REA union activities. I also understand that there are times throughout the year that this may be necessary. However, I do have a question regarding the following paragraph from today's paper.

"The contract provision in question allows the Racine Education Association president - currently Betsy Kippers - to take off essentially a full school year to be used for "association business." The district would continue paying salary and benefits for the union president while the REA would pick up the cost of a substitute teacher."

My question is this. Betsy Kippers is listed on the RUSD website as an administrator, not a classroom teacher as the article will lead us to believe. Therefore is it really necessary for the REA to pay a substitute? If a substitute teacher is not required, wouldn't that mean the district is paying the whole tab for Kippers to do REA business?

I hope you are able to answer my questions, and if you are not, to clarify this before voting to ratify the contract on Monday.

CARE - Not "Anti-Education" - Part 3

As I have reported over the last couple of days, many of the Racine Journal Times weblog postings to The Schools Report blogs have been critical of CARE - Coalition to Actively Reform Education. I feel that the JT education reporter, Brent Killackey, has not fairly represented CARE’s positive message of accountability and vision for RUSD. CARE advocates for decision-making to be made at the school level whenever possible. How can this be viewed as anti-educational?

CARE states:

“Directives from a central office that are removed from the classroom are not working. When ordered to adopt new ways of teaching without having an opportunity to provide any feedback, we do not get the ownership in the classroom needed to make these programs work. Yet, new ways of educating our children that are developed collaboratively get the ownership of teachers, administrators and parents and they will make them work.”


The Independent Commission on Education’s report published in January 2006 also stated that the district’s centralized approach to management “limits flexibility, innovation and accountability” – albeit the Independent Commission’s focus is financial and operational in nature. If it makes good business sense to decentralize operational methods, why should the delivery of the standard curriculum be centralized?

No one is advocating the use of different curricula; that would only add to the chaos, but every school should be allowed to be somewhat unique in the way they deliver the curriculum. If the staff at one school feels that direct-instruction would better serve the student population at their school, they should be able to use that delivery method. Conversely, if a more open-ended mode of delivering the curriculum is desired by the principal and teaching staff of another school; they should be able do so.

We need to better utilize our greatest resources; our building administrators and teachers. They need to provide feedback on what would work best in their schools. Clearly, the single directive (Quality District Model) coming from Central Office is failing to resonate in most of our schools. RUSD needs to do better, our community depends on it.

Who is Education Racine, Inc?

Let the ill-timed polling calls begin… Education Racine, Inc. has begun the process (again) of narrowing down what it will take to pass the June 6th RUSD referendum. I have not received any calls yet, but thought I would share with my 4 readers my friend, Pat’s experiences:

If I was wondering what rabbit RUSD was going to pull out of the hat to pass this year's referendum, I can wonder no more! This evening I received a telephone call conducting a survey regarding the June 6 referendum. The survey was trying to gauge the persuasiveness of select statements for the "Yes" argument including: the Independent Commission findings, preventing cuts that would create larger class sizes, and the ever popular cutting of sports. The survey also tried to gauge why I would vote "No" by gauging the persuasiveness of select statements for the "No" argument. These would include: “my taxes are high enough”, “I don't want to pay for teacher salaries and benefits”, and “big business controls too much in our schools”. I find the last statement somewhat intriguing considering that the survey was conducted by Forward STRATEGIES on behalf of Education Racine Inc., a “partner” of The Johnson Foundation.

Pat

CARE - Not "Anti-Education"- Part 2

As I reported yesterday many of the Racine Journal Times weblog postings to The Schools Report blogs have been critical of CARE - Coalition to Actively Reform Education. I feel that the JT education reporter, Brent Killackey, has not fairly represented CARE’s positive message of accountability. CARE advocates having a measurable plan, both academic and financial, before supporting the upcoming June 6th referendum. CARE has suggested that RUSD make cost reductions that do not adversely affect the classroom be taken promptly.

CARE states: “District management has told the Board that the district could save at least $2MM a year with no impact on students. These savings should have been taken in prior years. The district needs to bring its costs under control and make its expenditures transparent.”

Why is this message of proper use of tax dollars viewed as anti-education? If the leadership of RUSD refuses to make its “expenditures transparent” to the taxpayers of eastern Racine County, how can you or I in good faith vote “yes” to more of the same on June 6th?

The much-heralded Independent Commission on Education’s report published in January 2006 also stated that the district has several “not-fully-realized” opportunities for revenue enhancement and cost-control measures. Why is it that when a citizen’s advocacy group like CARE promotes for proper use of tax dollars they are viewed as anti-education, whereas when the business leaders of greater Racine do so, they are embraced by the community?