D159 Director of Business Operations Resigns

R.W.Voter July 13, 2012 at 11:49 am

Another open administration position. You have to wonder how many administrative positions this little school district has. The system is overrun with administrators, how about the Director of Student Services, couldn't the cost of filling that position have funded the early start program. If they get rid of some administrators, maybe they can work on the bullying problem, how about cameras in the rooms when there are complaints, if these teachers,aides and administrators can't see the problem maybe that would help. It may have caught that sex offender, who exposed himself to the fourth grader. Hire a Dean of Discipline to deal with the parents who complain. But use the money more wisely, Thank you.

Stephanie Thompson July 13, 2012 at 02:29 pm

Do you know what that the Director of Student Services does? This person is responsible for writing and implementing all modifications (IEPs, 504s and others) necessary to help a student with special challenges academically/physically. An IEP is a legal document by which a school, teachers and parents must come to an agreement regarding these modifications. The school is held legally responsible. Considering a teacher may have a few kids in their class with modifications (each with different requirements), that is a lot of work. The director of Student Services is required to meet with the parents, teachers and other staff at least once a year or anytime an evaluation is necessary (usually requested by the parents). The modifications may include redesigning the test, limiting the number of homework, allowing breaks, receiving medications on time, allowing retakes, keeping students on task, changing assignments, hiring an aide. The constitution states that each child must be educated in the least restrictive environment. For my daughter and many other students with modifications, they simply have difficulty learning in a public system that teaches for the masses due to a variety of circumstances. However, without modifications, they would fall through the loop. In our district, with 30 kids in a class in the Jr. High, the students (and families) with modifications benefit greatly from this position. We are not the only district with this position.

R.W.Voter July 13, 2012 at 03:03 pm

As I grew up in the 50's and 60's, I never heard of special needs children, and never heard of adhd. I learned of all the special needs programs watching Tony Danza teach, on TV. I personally think that government has too much to say about how we educate. As far as I know no children are ever made to retake grades in this system, and I have never seen as many Special Ed busses in my life. My granddaughter was said to have ADHD. The treatment was terrible, so she was given time and parental care and she is now doing very well. At grade level with no special perks like open book test, or more time. Standards have to be maintained. I may be old fashioned, but this is only my opinion, you have yours. This school system is small, it should be merged with another or the staff cut. My opinion again.

DL July 13, 2012 at 04:29 pm

Well..well RW VOTER!!How ignorant you are. As a parent of a special needs child I find your comments and "opinions" highly un-educated and mislead in your knowledge of what these children need and require to function in school and society. While I may agreee with the over diagnosis of ADHD today, that is not the only diagnosis alot of the children have.Perhaps if you got up off of your couch and out from your TV ,and went to one of our schools, you would see kids that truly need these IEP to function in the classroom. Yes,, this does include more time for testing,open books or even an Aide that assists with these students. Our teachers jobs are to educate our children, NO MATTER their disability or not. Special Needs children need and want to learn just like all the other kids. They enjoy the socialization with the other kids and learn a great deal from their peers.Mokena 159 may have had their issues with finances and so forth, but their desire to help these children to succeed and accomplish their goals is apparent in the relationships that are formed . So, RW VOTER...I personally don't care when you grew up it is now 2012 and time for you to accept the reality that things are indeed different than the 50's or 60's!!!

R.W.Voter July 13, 2012 at 05:23 pm

As long as my tax money is going into this money pit, I feel that I have a right to give my opinion, there is special needs and there is wasting money, the two are different or you too ignorant to know that. The push for special education is done to the benefit of teachers union, and the ones who are shortchanged are the children. I want to see all children get a good education, but I thing the whole education field is overblown. Useless degrees from useless universities, some of them on line. DL, I have my opinion and you have yours, obviously from your writing, you were educated by these people. Thank you

Stephanie Thompson July 13, 2012 at 05:55 pm

R.W. Voter,
The whole education system does need to be revamped. That being said, there is a reality that there are kids that simply cannot learn according to the methods and agendas(ie:teaching for the test with no room for deviation or creativity) present in public education today. My tax dollars also pay for the schools (plus the $250 dollar school fees/supplies.....) To parents who have spent countless amounts of time and energy (how about helping with 3 hours of homework a night for one child?) trying to help their child succeed, the idea that Special Education was created to benefit the teachers' union is a slap in the face.

R.W.Voter July 13, 2012 at 06:58 pm

I believe that the children who cannot learn according to the methods and agendas may not be in the proper grade, or may have no motivation to learn because the child knows that he will never be allowed to fail. Allowing some more time,or open book tests is unfair to those who study and try hard. Why work hard to be top of the class when others do absolutely nothing and are right next to you. The system is unfair to the achiever. As far as the teachers union goes, I lost all respect for unionized teachers when I dealt with them striking.Our opinions of how to improve education differ, but we will have to live with it. My goal is to keep costs to a minimum. I firmly believe that the "special needs" term has been grossly overused.Thank you.

Johnny on the spot July 14, 2012 at 06:11 am

let's hire back Perry and Germany fine individuals who failed us on so many levels ...........oh wait that is right Germany is part of a school district the state has taken over because Germany could'nt do her job up there correctly ??? When you fail to lead no-one follows right .Stein better get a grip and quick and start making sound judgement's for this district because you can only do so many friend's favors before you get noticed oh thats right the taxpayers already are watching your every move !!!!!!!!!

Johnny on the spot July 14, 2012 at 06:14 am

Your right on R.W. Voter on so many levels I just reviewed my tax bill and every year it goes up with or with out a referendum so why is it Moore?Peters and Spalla want another referendum Keeps me guessing .

Jill July 14, 2012 at 08:02 am

"It may have caught that sex offender, who exposed himself to the fourth grader." What the HECK is THIS? I must have missed something along the way at some point.

R.W.Voter July 14, 2012 at 11:34 am

Jill, check with the facebook page on bullying, they have stories that will curl your hair. Thank you.

R.W.Voter July 14, 2012 at 01:53 pm

I bet some of our administrators have come up with the idea of hiring one of them back, after all she needs a job.Thank you