“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>If you’ve read any of my columns, regarding the plight of East St. Louis School District 189, then you’ve probably questioned how the State of Illinois could sit idly by and stomach years of poor academic performance, inept leadership, as well as rampant nepotism and cronyism on the part of school board members.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Well, recently, the prayers of ESL parents and citizens were finally answered as the Illinois State Board of Education voted, unanimously, to assume control of ESL public schools.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For the fourth consecutive year, District 189 has landed on the state’s Academic Watch List because students have consistently failed to meet minimum academic standards. For instance, only one in 11 high school students in the district meet state standards in reading and math. In addition, district officials failed to properly staff and operate the 1,100 student special education program as required, despite repeated warnings.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As a result, the ESL School Board wasted no time in throwing Superintendent Theresa Saunders under the bus by voting, unanimously, to rescind her contract, effective immediately. During that same meeting the board also voted to enter into an agreement to relinquish district control over its finances, personnel and education decisions.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In effect, the ESL School Board is now a titular board with no real power which, given their abysmal track record, is a good thing.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Prior to being fired, Saunders was quoted as saying, “The state is coming alongside to help us.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The elimination of Saunders is only a first step, however. Hopefully, once the state-appointed liaison, John Perkins, reviews the district’s operations, nepotism in the hiring of school board member’s relatives (to the tune of $1,414,678) and cronyism, in terms of excessive consultant contracts, then even more cuts will be made.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>And, hopefully, teachers who are burned-out, eligible for retirement or entrenched in the district’s old way of doing business will be transitioned out the door, perhaps, with some combination of severance packages, etc., so that an infusion of new blood may be introduced, along with a more efficient way of educating ESL’s children.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The agreement with the State of Illinois extends through June 2014, with an annual option of renewal for up to three years.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>That’s enough time to phase out the era of Lonzo Greenwood as president of a school board, whose primary focus was proven to be the “hook-up” of family friends and cronies, while sacrificing the education and welfare of the children of East St. Louis.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The gravy train has officially been shut dowm.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For the school board sycophants this is a day of mourning, but for the citizens of ESL it should be a day of celebration which is long overdue.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.
