D159 Board Adopts Budget, Talks Bullying Reports
The board of education for the Mokena school district approved its 2012-13 budget and discussed options for an online bullying reporting system at its meeting Wednesday night.
The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt its proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year at its Wednesday, Sept. 19, meeting.
The meeting was preceded by a public hearing on the budget, during which residents were free to comment. There was no public discussion.
READ: D159 Approves Tentative Budget, Schedules Hearing
The budget breaks down as follows:
| Estimated Revenue | $18,722,724 |
| Estimated Spending | $18,608,693 |
| Total Surplus | $114,031 |
Having discussed the intricacies of the budget in-depth at previous meetings, the board members also had no discussion to add before the vote.
Later in the meeting, the board discussed a possible addendum to the district's parent-student handbook regarding bullying. The item was submitted to the board for first reading by the Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee. The board's discussion on the addendum focused on the process of reporting bullying incidents to the district and how the board could implement an online reporting form.
READ: D159 Board Reduces Transportation Director Job, Clarifies Budget
Board President Patrick Markham initially urged members to adopt an exclusively digital approach because of the valuable data that could be gathered and analysed from online reports.
"The reasons for it are to be able to track it, handle it professionally, keep the data, involve the history in the results, and see what our best practices are, be it peer mediation or whatever the results were," he said. "Paper is what we've been dealing with, and how do you like what we're getting so far? I don't. It's certainly not accountable, and it doesn't call for accountability. So I think it has to go back to the committee with a clear stated direction: We want an online form."
However, other board members disagreed with Markham, arguing that an alternative to the online form should be available for people who don't have online or computer access or who are more comfortable filling out a hard copy. Board member Michael Ford said the district should have a way to keep track of reports that are submitted via hard copy or in person.
"Some people do like to come in face-to-face and see who they're reporting to and have a conversation, see what's going on," he said. "I still think there's a great value to that, but we need some kind of procedure for how it's going to be implemented if it's turned into one of the principals. There needs to be a chain of command of who it goes to."
READ: Talks to Lease Mokena Elementary Hit Standstill
One digital solution the board is examining is a system called "Stop Walk Talk," which Vice President Joseph Spalla said would cost the district $3,000 per year and allow it to direct reports to the appropriate administrator for each school.
Ultimately, the board agreed to send the proposal back to committee to find a way to successfully implement both types of reporting while maintaining the ability to track the data.
Other business at the meeting included a proposal by newly hired Business Operations Director John Troy to develop a fund-balance policy for the district, which would help the board set financial goals and spending guidelines in place depending on the level of its monetary reserves. Troy plans to study the district's financial history over the past few years and have a presentation prepared for the Oct. 17 board meeting.
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R.W.Voter
8:14 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
I felt that it was a very productive meeting and feel that all bullying cases should be issued a case number, and if the form was mailed in, the school should contact the complaintant and give them the number. Well, the budget is passed, now how about we think of ways to reduce it. As the student population keeps declining, why does the budget keep increasing? My personal opinion is that the District doesn't need three school buildings when you don't have the students to fill them. Heat, cooling, staff and administration costs and more. Maybe John Troy can look into this, I was impressed at his proactive approach to his new position, I think it was an excellent choice. Thank you.
carole
8:26 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
I'm glad to see that they are coming up with the study but one would ask ,why wasn't this in place years ago? This is nothing new or genius. I am shocked that Mr. Troy being on the board and past president let this slip under the wire and didn't have this in place previously. Seems that this would be one of the first things requested by the board. Maybe it was suggested and the board didn't think it was important...that could happen. Are we really saying thru all of the Business Directors now and in the past we have not had that study or guideline ? Well, better late than never!!
C. Martinez
11:06 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
It was presented to the board, a hard copy "bullying instance" form for kids to fill out and turn in to the principles and they totally veered off of any ideas for an on-line form. This "new direction" frustrated Mr. Markham. Mr. Markham pointed out that we needed this on-line for instances to be reported so that we can better track the bullying and make better future decisions based on the data recorded and charted. The rest of the school board were all in favor that both an on-line form must be created and hard copy forms as well. I was frustrated because it was made very clear from the school board to the administration and principles (at least 1 1/2 to 2 months ago) that they needed to create both an on-line and hard copy reporting forms but at the last parent/advisory committee meeting the administration/principles focused their time and efforts to try to find excuses and ways out of creating an on-line form. That last meeting was a complete waste of time and pushed back getting an on-line form up and running. It's frustrating for me to see all this time and energy wasted with administration focusing on why they should not put up an on-line form rather than putting together a comprehensive, detailed form to present to the school board at last nights meeting. I would encourage you to contact/email the board/administration/principles and urge them to focus on getting a thorough, detailed on-line form up on our websites soon. This is the right thing to do.
R.W.Voter
11:27 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
You are so right, Mr. Markham has been in your corner from the beginning and the school administration is just really trying to say this doesn't happen in our school but we will humor you with :"Rachael's Challenge". This is never seen by the teachers or school personnel, they have excuses that they were doing something else when it happened. These people are responsible for the safety of the children in school, on school property and in school vehicles. The reports must be documented and assigned to administrators to ensure that the problem is solved. Thank you.
C. Martinez
12:49 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
R.W. Voter: This is why the administration does not want an on-line form. They do not want to track the data. Because the data will proof that in fact, our district has a bullying problem. They do not want to be held accountable and they do not want to take any action.
C. Martinez
11:17 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Mr. John Troy did a great job at last night's meeting in presenting the financial information and giving us better explained answers. It's very obvious that previous Business Managers did not fulfill the requirements and expectations of this position. We are heading in the right direction in weeding out poor financial decisions that were made in the past, questioning these items and making a fair decision. I applaud the school board for continuing to make the right decisions and doing what you were voted and appointed to do. I urge the school board to continue on this path in order to gain the trust and support of the parents, teachers and community member of Mokena. Thanks for doing a great job last night! Now let's get a detailed, comprehensive on-line bullying form up on our district websites.
carole
11:31 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
C. Martinez...how hard can this bullying form be? There must be a hang up somewhere else. Many schools already have something in place. Must we reinvent the wheel ?It doesn't take alot for the administration and the school board to make a few calls and put one in place. Keeping in mind the Administration does weigh the pros and cons of this type of endeavor. I think they know it is the right thing to do but to facilitate it is just as important. Again ,how do other schools do it? Let's hope they get this settled before we are on the 10:00 news. I think they will,but you are right it is important.
C. Martinez
12:04 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Carole, we are trying to figure out that same question. How hard can this bullying form be? We've been met with nothing but hesitation and resistance from very specific individuals within the administration that do not want to pursue implementing a better anti-bullying policy, procedure, defining bullying, tracking system and on-line form. We’ve attended parent/teacher advisory committee meetings, school board meetings and presented to the administration our research, example forms from other schools, a list of contact information to other individuals/organizations that can help us and it's gotten us absolutely nowhere. We're doing our part, I want to know why they refuse to do their part. Why is this so hard? This is a very frustrating fight and yes this is a fight and THEY are wasting OUR wasting time. We need more parents, teachers, community members of Mokena to STEP UP and SPEAK OUT. Come on Mokena! Wake up! I mean, MY GOODNESS, we have to do what’s best for our kids, not what’s most convenient and least time consuming for the administration.
carole
12:24 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Just hang in there...I hope they are trying to streamline the best procedure for our school district. Maybe they are using the info that you gave them. There is more to being on the board than balancing the budget as some have found out...but I will tell you that if you are interested in having a solvent school district then don't wait for the first lawsuit to tip the scales in the other direction for lack of procedure. You talk about a school district in debt...the board has a responsibility to tell you why and if not why not. Maybe there is a good reason administratively. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt but I will say C. it sounds as if you are doing your homework! Thanks!!
C. Martinez
12:37 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Carole, we have done a lot of research. I understand there are a lot of issues to deal with in regards to school atmosphere, the in's and out's, policies and procedures, financial budgeting, etc, I get that. I understand it's a lot of work. But I feel that part of acceptable any position, whether it be hourly, salaried or volunteer is that you need to work hard. I am a mom, small business owner, I deal with customers, vendors issues, etc. I'm a GS Brownie's co-leader, I am a volunteer ESL instructor teaching every Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I try to attend these district board meetings and try to help people that are trying to do what's best for our kids. I do this because I care about our kids and I care about our community. This is important. It's a lot of work but we have to do it. What kind of example are we setting for our kids if we do absolutely nothing and take the easy road. It just does not make sense to me. But I know what I hear and I know what I see and we really do need to expose the truth and bring positive change.
R.W.Voter
12:56 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
C. Martinez, the reason we are having these difficulties is the teachers and administrators want no part of it. They are the ones who tell you it isn't a big problem here, and they are the ones looking at their laptop when a child is bullied. These people do not want to deal with the bully's parents, they are probably in fear of getting sued, or maybe physically hurt. They will tell the child to handle it themselves if they can. Teachers will tell you that the bully's parents are usually very similar in personality to the bully. We all have to keep these people's feet to the fire. Change is difficult when you resist it. Keep plugging, we have Mr. Markham and some of the rest of the Board with us. We will win, but these things have been going on for years with them doing nothing. Thank you
C. Martinez
12:25 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
What it comes down to is this, we addressed the school board MONTHS ago about updating our bullying polices, expanding/defining bullying, creating better policies and procedures, etc. and for start, to add an on-line form to our district websites to report instances and start better tracking. None of this was happening in the past. There is NO accountability and no one want's to accept this error or make it known that we have a bullying issue in our district. Wake up Mokena! There is a problem. We have presented to the administration: research, example forms and contact information for more assistance. The school board agreed to pursue this matter and directed the parent/teacher advisory committee to do more research on this and to come up with an on-line form for the school board to review. Instead of doing what the board asked, the parent/teacher advisory committee presented to the school board what "they" thought was the best thing to do and a hard copy (which looked like it was cut and pasted together very poorly and in an short period of time without any thought) for kids to fill out and turn in to principles. They did not present any on-line form. They determined for themselves that having an on-line form is too much trouble, a waste of time, too many false reporting with happen and they don't have the time or energy to deal with it. That is my own personal conclusion based on the committee's tone of response, excuses and reasoning. Talk about frustration.
carole
12:34 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
So is it still a line item on the agenda or is it a done deal? Have they been advised to handle it that way? That happens...sometime the lawyer feels you are opening yourself up for more problems. Do they think there is no problem?
C. Martinez
12:43 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
The school board all agreed that an on-line form and a hard copy form must both be made and presented to the board for review and approval. The school board all agreed that we must have an on-line form accessible to the students/parents 24/7. The school board requested that the parent/teacher advisory committee come up with an on-line form for the school board to review. I hope at the next parent/teacher advisory committee meeting the administration with work collectively on creating an on-line form rather than making a list of excuses of why we should not have an on-line form.
C. Martinez
12:44 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
I am very thankful to the school board in making this right and correct decision of having an on-line form on our district websites.
carole
12:48 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Hey, you are preaching to the choir! Thank God for parents like you! C. Martinez you just may need to run for the board. I can tell you this. If someone's child on the board was bullied the procedure would be in place. I feel sure that you will find out soon as to why it is not. Good luck! I will say that it is a dilemma to get complaints on line. Look at the "crazy" people on this blog!! HA!HA!
C. Martinez
12:59 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
True Carole. We are entitled to our opinions :) It may be a dilemma to get complaints on-line but it's TOTALLY WORTH it. It will be tough at first, but we will be able to figure out how to handle it and find a way to weed out the false complaints. It's called HARD WORK! Any new venture anyone takes, it's always crazy at first, but then you figure it out and work from there. And for the true victims of bullying that do fill out the forms will have a voice and some sort of security and assurance that the problem will be address and resolved. Yes for me, it it worth ALL the headache and nightmare of the craziness for that one victim. Yes, because these are our kids and we need to protect our kids. This is the right thing to do. I hope the members of the parent/teacher advisory committee with come to this conclusion sometime soon.
carole
1:15 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
OMG, RW do you realize we are on the same side here! That in itself is unbelievable,don't you think? Thank you to you!!
R.W.Voter
1:17 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Together for the common cause,Your Welcome
Heidi Herrmann
8:24 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I'm glad we are all on the same page... I am very very thankful for you and for the fact that Mr Markham is in our corner as well. We have made progress, but we MUST get things on track at these schools! On my journey to right things that are wrong with these schools, I am continually flabbergasted by the blatant level of disrespect the school Administration has treated me with. I must ask this... I see the same handful of people -to each one of you -thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support... How can we get the community involved??? We need a bigger boat... :)