This Whole Thing Stinks

Today's likely guilty plea by ex-CEO of CPS, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, is nothing short of shameful, disappointing and harmful. Ms. Byrd-Bennett may well plead guilty today to a scheme of alleged kickbacks. I say alleged as there has been no court proceedings regarding the matter. Apparently, there are plenty of facts that point to the CEO potentially receiving potential monetary kickbacks for directing the services of her former employer(s) to do business with CPS.

I have no desire to get into the details about the case beyond what has been reported. Actually, even if I had more information I wouldn't go into more depth on the matter. Let the law take care of this.

No, the real loser in all of this is CPS as a whole. At a time when finances are in disarray, when schools have had to make personnel cuts in the middle of the year and a contract with CTU needs to be hammered out - among many other real issues - the schools, children and their families don't need anymore chaos and disarray.

It's hard for me to imagine working in this system. It certainly is not serving students, their families and school staffs in an appropriate manner. This whole fiasco is not certainly leading by example. What a travesty.

Dick

I Have an Idea

Yesterday Mayor Emanuel told the City Council that he wants an annual $45 million for construction projects. It seems that there were few specifics in terms which projects would be tackled first or whether there would be borrowing against the new pot of money so that construction can begin in earnest.

Let me say this. Forget using the entire $45 million for construction. Yes, repairs need to be made, crowding does exist in some buildings (remember the 50 schools closed a few years back? Not such a good idea was it?) and upkeep for structures has to take place. But, if the specifics aren't there then a problem exists.

I have an idea. I know two people who are teachers in the CPS system and they have been RIFed (let go) within the past 10 days. That's right, they have been dumped part way through the school year. This has nothing to do with their performance but dollars and enrollment. What a travesty for these individuals and the children they taught.

So, if the City Council and Mayor Emanuel are puzzled over how to use the $45 million, bring back these two staff members and the 500 that have been let go during the school year. That would be a 'constructive' use of the funds.

Dick

Everyone Matters

Whether one attends school in a remote part of the Great Plains or goes to classes in Harlem or any part of the country, one thing remains at the fore of public education...everyone matters!!! Ones station in life, ones struggles (or lack thereof), and ones aspirations should never be ignored.

Every single child who attends school must be given a rich, fulfilling and vibrant education.

If a child can't get their hands on a trumpet or paint brush, we have to find a way to provide these learning tools. Should students not have paper, pencils, books or folders then it is incumbent on all of us to find a way to get these supplies to the kids. If a youngster is hungry how on earth do we expect this student to learn? We can and must provide them with the proper nutritious food.

Put another way, friends, if YOUR son and/or daughter went without the items mentioned in the previous paragraph wouldn't you be grateful for your fellow citizens saying, "I'd be glad to help!!" Whether your family or that of another, "Everyone Matters." And that is exactly why our organization exists.

Thanks,
Dick

The Unsinkable School

The Chicago Sun Times 'Another View' recounts the remarkable 2 minute comment made by Laurie Viets, the mother of three children, who talked about one of her son's experiences at Beard Elementary School. Ms. Viets has three children who attend Beard. What she had to say at the CPS Board of Education meeting yesterday was powerful.

Ms. Beard chose to reference Beard Elementary in terms of comparing it to the 'unsinkable' Titanic. Laurie pointed out the greatness of Beard just as the Titanic was so powerful and majestic when it left England bound for the US. You know what happened on that voyage.

Ms. Viets said that Beard's loss of teachers, building staff and services is tantamount to hitting an iceberg. One is left wondering if Beard will meet the same fate as the Titanic. Clearly losing the services at Beard indicates that the school has hit an iceberg of sorts and the students are losing, her children are losing. When you get right down to it, lots of students are losing, we're all losing.

What will the CPS system do to rescue the kids from the cold water where their schools are slipping into the cold Atlantic?

Dick