The headline in yesterday's Chicago Sun Times dealt with 'Chicago's Top-Paid Principals.' The half page article also laid out the annual salaries of all of the high school and elementary school principals exluding the charters (why is that?).
The range of salaries, from top to bottom, had a high end $154,920.86 to the low end $114,318.29. The average of all principals salaries was reported to be $133,000.
Though the article didn't state that CPS principals are overpaid or paid more than they are worth, I felt that the reporting gave the reader a sense that they were making plenty of money; in fact, maybe too much. I feel this way, in part, because the Sun Times compared CPS principal salaries to those of Elgin and Wheaton Warrenville. The article noted that CPS principal salaries are greater than those in these two districts.
I am certain that had the Sun Times selected Hinsdale District #86, Lyons Twp., Lake Forest District #115 or Niles CHSD #219 to compare salaries, it would be reveled that CPS principals would make far less than their counterparts in these four districts.
So I found it interesting that the Sun Times made sure they found districts, outside of the CPS system, where principals made less than the $133,000 average made by CPS principals.
Here's the real crux of the matter as far as I'm concerned. Running a CPS school, in many cases, is a real challenge. To get right down to it, it's far more than a challenge it's a daunting endeavor. Quite often principals are dealing with broken homes, violence in the neighborhood and too few resources in addition to a whole host of other problems besides working to ensure students get a quality education. They'll earn every bit of the $133,000.
Let's look at it another way. Running a company with 500, 1000, 2100, or 2700 employees is a huge undertaking. I am certain that the vast number of CEO's in America with this number of employees is making far more than $133,000 per year and with far fewer hassles to deal with than CPS principals!!!
I have worked with Chicago Public School principals and can tell you that the money that they earn is not wasted. The vast majority of CPS principals are well worth what they are paid. In fact, it would be pretty easy to prove that far too many principals are worth more than the average $133,000 figure. That should be the emphasis of the Sun Times article.
Dick
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
New CEO for Chicago Public Schools
Terry Mazany is taking over the helm of CPS schools effective immediately. Mr. Mazany is the interim head of the large school system because of the upcoming departure of Ron Hueberman.
Though Mr. Mazany was never a school teacher he does have experience in public schools as he was an associate superintendent in Southfield, MI and Oakland, CA. And the new CEO of the Chicago Public School system is no stranger to the Chicago schools. As President of the Chicago Community Trust Mr. Mazany has been a force behind the Trust pumping $50 million into the school system.
The Chicago Community Trust supports a number of ongoing education programs. The funds have aided reading programs, built new schools, supported teachers seeking national certification in addition to backing Renaissance 2010.
One of the reasons for commenting on the CCT and Mr. Mazany is due to the fact that Schools Count Corp provides classroom supplies to CPS students and we are eager to stay in touch with the leadership of the system.
Let's hope that the short 200 day tenure of Mr. Mazany is a portend of good things to take place at CPS headquarters as well as in the classrooms. Any strides forward that help the children will indeed be welcome.
Dick
Though Mr. Mazany was never a school teacher he does have experience in public schools as he was an associate superintendent in Southfield, MI and Oakland, CA. And the new CEO of the Chicago Public School system is no stranger to the Chicago schools. As President of the Chicago Community Trust Mr. Mazany has been a force behind the Trust pumping $50 million into the school system.
The Chicago Community Trust supports a number of ongoing education programs. The funds have aided reading programs, built new schools, supported teachers seeking national certification in addition to backing Renaissance 2010.
One of the reasons for commenting on the CCT and Mr. Mazany is due to the fact that Schools Count Corp provides classroom supplies to CPS students and we are eager to stay in touch with the leadership of the system.
Let's hope that the short 200 day tenure of Mr. Mazany is a portend of good things to take place at CPS headquarters as well as in the classrooms. Any strides forward that help the children will indeed be welcome.
Dick
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Money Talks
I have heard the argument numerous times that money doesn't make any difference in educating a child. Those who argue this idea point to various districts in the country where money has been poured into schools with little change in achievement.
This idea about 'pouring money into schools' brings up all sorts of questions. Does the money go directly to student support? How much of it goes towards running the building? What portion pays for teacher salaries? Lots of questions to be sure. Don't get me wrong, whenever money from the local, state or federal authorities is directed to schools it ought to be used wisely.
But the people who contend that it is a 'waste' to put money into schools ought to rethink a few facts. Lets take a look at a couple of schools here in Illinois. A comparison of CPS schools and a couple of other top spending schools is most illustrative.
The number #2 school in spending per pupil, in Illinois, is Lake Forest CHSD 115. They spend $23,789 on each student. By the way, there are no percentages of the number of students attending #115 listed as 'low income.' Niles Twp. CHSD 219, the number #3 ranked in spending per pupil, spends $21,990 per student and has a 'low income' student population of 27%. On the other hand, the Chicago Public School system spends just $12,880 on each student and has a 'low income' rate of 87%.
Upon further examination, one finds that test scores, of various sorts, also reflects a wide gap between the highest spending schools and the CPS system. I know that money alone doesn't account for disparity between schools with regard to test scores. There are a whole host of other issues.
However, when students go without basic supplies, when children don't have the proper nutrition, when access to the best learning tools is not readily available and when teachers have to buy resources out of their own pockets then the students are going to suffer.
To the extent that we can, Schools Count Corp will continue to provide students, in areas of limited funding (high rates of 'low income'), with basic resources. Money does talk and money does make a difference when it comes to student learning.
Dick
This idea about 'pouring money into schools' brings up all sorts of questions. Does the money go directly to student support? How much of it goes towards running the building? What portion pays for teacher salaries? Lots of questions to be sure. Don't get me wrong, whenever money from the local, state or federal authorities is directed to schools it ought to be used wisely.
But the people who contend that it is a 'waste' to put money into schools ought to rethink a few facts. Lets take a look at a couple of schools here in Illinois. A comparison of CPS schools and a couple of other top spending schools is most illustrative.
The number #2 school in spending per pupil, in Illinois, is Lake Forest CHSD 115. They spend $23,789 on each student. By the way, there are no percentages of the number of students attending #115 listed as 'low income.' Niles Twp. CHSD 219, the number #3 ranked in spending per pupil, spends $21,990 per student and has a 'low income' student population of 27%. On the other hand, the Chicago Public School system spends just $12,880 on each student and has a 'low income' rate of 87%.
Upon further examination, one finds that test scores, of various sorts, also reflects a wide gap between the highest spending schools and the CPS system. I know that money alone doesn't account for disparity between schools with regard to test scores. There are a whole host of other issues.
However, when students go without basic supplies, when children don't have the proper nutrition, when access to the best learning tools is not readily available and when teachers have to buy resources out of their own pockets then the students are going to suffer.
To the extent that we can, Schools Count Corp will continue to provide students, in areas of limited funding (high rates of 'low income'), with basic resources. Money does talk and money does make a difference when it comes to student learning.
Dick
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Keep the Coats Coming In!
Bargain galore!!! I just noticed that Walmart had a terrific sale on boys and girls winter coats. They are lined and have hoods that are also lined. Lots of great colors and all for only $14 per coat. You can't beat that!!
The $320 donated to Schools Count Corp by Ms. Otahal's English I Honors classes has been put to good use to buy 22 winter coats. This is the first purchase made in the Hinsdale Central High School 'Coats for Curtis' drive sponsored by the Humanitarian Army and Amnesty International.
I know both of the above groups are raising funds, in the upcoming week, to purchase more coats for the students at Curtis Elementary. I have no doubt that we can come up with as many as 35 to 40 winter coats for those children in need. Just think...the children will be able to come to school, and return home, keeping plenty warm as the temps start to fall.
Keep watching for further updates and photos as we get ready to head to Curtis, to make our delivery, during the week of November 22nd. What a way to celebrate the holiday season.
To everyone participating in this program...many thanks!!
Dick Flesher
The $320 donated to Schools Count Corp by Ms. Otahal's English I Honors classes has been put to good use to buy 22 winter coats. This is the first purchase made in the Hinsdale Central High School 'Coats for Curtis' drive sponsored by the Humanitarian Army and Amnesty International.
I know both of the above groups are raising funds, in the upcoming week, to purchase more coats for the students at Curtis Elementary. I have no doubt that we can come up with as many as 35 to 40 winter coats for those children in need. Just think...the children will be able to come to school, and return home, keeping plenty warm as the temps start to fall.
Keep watching for further updates and photos as we get ready to head to Curtis, to make our delivery, during the week of November 22nd. What a way to celebrate the holiday season.
To everyone participating in this program...many thanks!!
Dick Flesher
Friday, November 12, 2010
I Wonder
What must it be like to live in an environment where there is too much poverty, too little neighborhood security, and there is less support than a 3 year old, 7 year old or teenager really needs? Stop and think about it for a few moments. Really, I can't put my hands around it and honestly say how I would react to this type of daily life.
And because I can't really fathom how I would react to living under such circumstances, I am left only with various impressions and anecdotes relative to a young person going to school under these conditions.
There are three things I know for certain. First, I would never judge how a young boy or girl is managing such a situation since I don't really understand their daily lives. Second, I am more convinced than ever before that, with the right assistance, young people in such an environment are well worth assisting in order to overcome the above obstacles. Finally, Schools Count is totally committed to helping those who are struggling with many of the conditions that they had no part in creating.
I wonder...
Dick
And because I can't really fathom how I would react to living under such circumstances, I am left only with various impressions and anecdotes relative to a young person going to school under these conditions.
There are three things I know for certain. First, I would never judge how a young boy or girl is managing such a situation since I don't really understand their daily lives. Second, I am more convinced than ever before that, with the right assistance, young people in such an environment are well worth assisting in order to overcome the above obstacles. Finally, Schools Count is totally committed to helping those who are struggling with many of the conditions that they had no part in creating.
I wonder...
Dick
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Going Forward
It is never too early to make plans relative to helping children in need. Though 2010 is rapidly coming to a close I want to let everyone know that 2011 is already taking shape!
Next year we will continue to work with both New Orleans and Chicago Public Schools. The $5000.00 grant from the Joe W. and Dorothy Brown Dorsett Foundation, in part, will allow SCC to go back to New Orleans for a sixth consecutive year. With regard to CPS schools, it is the intent of SCC to work with up to 30 schools next fall. This is a sizeable increase from the aid rendered this past year. It is exciting to be able to work with students and staff so close to home.
There may very well be some events planned around raising funds for Haitian relief as the January 12th earthquake anniversary approaches.
As events unfold relative to fundraising, events that people can participate in, picking up supplies, loading trucks, and delivering supplies I will be sure to keep you informed. There will certainly be plenty of opportunities for you to pitch in and help.
As always, the success of this charity depends on you and your kind and generous efforts, all of which are apparent to me each and every day. Please let me know of your ideas in terms of extending our outreach and effectiveness.
Many thanks,
Dick
Next year we will continue to work with both New Orleans and Chicago Public Schools. The $5000.00 grant from the Joe W. and Dorothy Brown Dorsett Foundation, in part, will allow SCC to go back to New Orleans for a sixth consecutive year. With regard to CPS schools, it is the intent of SCC to work with up to 30 schools next fall. This is a sizeable increase from the aid rendered this past year. It is exciting to be able to work with students and staff so close to home.
There may very well be some events planned around raising funds for Haitian relief as the January 12th earthquake anniversary approaches.
As events unfold relative to fundraising, events that people can participate in, picking up supplies, loading trucks, and delivering supplies I will be sure to keep you informed. There will certainly be plenty of opportunities for you to pitch in and help.
As always, the success of this charity depends on you and your kind and generous efforts, all of which are apparent to me each and every day. Please let me know of your ideas in terms of extending our outreach and effectiveness.
Many thanks,
Dick
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Cholera Worsens in Haiti
Posted: Wednesday, 10 November 2010 4:44AM
Cholera now in Haiti capital, rapid spread feared
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - A cholera epidemic that has killed nearly 600 people in Haiti has gained a foothold in earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince and is expected to spread widely and quickly in the sprawling city of 3 million people, health authorities said on Tuesday.
The three-week-old epidemic, which had mostly hit Haiti's rural central regions so far, now menaced crowded slum areas of the capital, as well as tent and tarpaulin camps there housing more than 1.3 million survivors of the January 12 quake."The disease has reached the metropolitan area," Gabriel Thimote, the director general of Haiti's health department, told reporters in Port-au-Prince.
The spreading epidemic, which experts predict will be worsened by flooding caused by Hurricane Tomas earlier this month, has piled another humanitarian emergency on the Western Hemisphere's poorest state as it struggles to recover from the devastating earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people.
Presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 28 in the Caribbean nation are set to go ahead.
Thimote said 115 cases and one death had been recorded at a hospital in the city's biggest slum, Cite Soleil, a labyrinth of brick, wood and tin-roof shanties bisected by rubbish-choked canals draining into the sea.Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Deputy Director Jon Andrus said that the Haitian capital, which even before it was wrecked in the January earthquake had suffered from very poor sanitary conditions, was "ripe" for a rapid spread of the diarrheal disease, which is transmitted by contaminated water."We expect transmission to be extensive ... we have to prepare for a large upswing in numbers of cases," he told a news briefing in Washington.
Andrus gave a figure of 73 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince, and said PAHO, the regional office of the World Health Organization, was working with local Haitian health authorities to reconcile reporting of cases.Up to November 7, cholera had killed 583 people in the country and sickened 9,123, Haiti's health ministry said.
The United Nations and aid agencies and private NGOs have set up special cholera treatment centers in the country, including Port-au-Prince.Andrus said facilities were "stretched but sufficient.""We expect patients to be treated in tents, in hospital compounds, outside the walls," he said.He said vaccination was being ruled out at the moment, both because existing oral vaccines for cholera were not effective in the midst of an epidemic and on grounds of logistics, cost and training requirements.There were also limited global supplies of the anti-cholera vaccine, Andrus said.
Cholera can kill in hours, but if caught early can be easily treated through oral rehydration fluids.Making a comparison with a previous cholera epidemic in the Americas that had started in Peru in 1991, the WHO official said "upwards of 270,000 cases" could be expected in Haiti if the epidemic ran for several years.
Cholera now in Haiti capital, rapid spread feared
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - A cholera epidemic that has killed nearly 600 people in Haiti has gained a foothold in earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince and is expected to spread widely and quickly in the sprawling city of 3 million people, health authorities said on Tuesday.
The three-week-old epidemic, which had mostly hit Haiti's rural central regions so far, now menaced crowded slum areas of the capital, as well as tent and tarpaulin camps there housing more than 1.3 million survivors of the January 12 quake."The disease has reached the metropolitan area," Gabriel Thimote, the director general of Haiti's health department, told reporters in Port-au-Prince.
The spreading epidemic, which experts predict will be worsened by flooding caused by Hurricane Tomas earlier this month, has piled another humanitarian emergency on the Western Hemisphere's poorest state as it struggles to recover from the devastating earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people.
Presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 28 in the Caribbean nation are set to go ahead.
Thimote said 115 cases and one death had been recorded at a hospital in the city's biggest slum, Cite Soleil, a labyrinth of brick, wood and tin-roof shanties bisected by rubbish-choked canals draining into the sea.Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Deputy Director Jon Andrus said that the Haitian capital, which even before it was wrecked in the January earthquake had suffered from very poor sanitary conditions, was "ripe" for a rapid spread of the diarrheal disease, which is transmitted by contaminated water."We expect transmission to be extensive ... we have to prepare for a large upswing in numbers of cases," he told a news briefing in Washington.
Andrus gave a figure of 73 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince, and said PAHO, the regional office of the World Health Organization, was working with local Haitian health authorities to reconcile reporting of cases.Up to November 7, cholera had killed 583 people in the country and sickened 9,123, Haiti's health ministry said.
The United Nations and aid agencies and private NGOs have set up special cholera treatment centers in the country, including Port-au-Prince.Andrus said facilities were "stretched but sufficient.""We expect patients to be treated in tents, in hospital compounds, outside the walls," he said.He said vaccination was being ruled out at the moment, both because existing oral vaccines for cholera were not effective in the midst of an epidemic and on grounds of logistics, cost and training requirements.There were also limited global supplies of the anti-cholera vaccine, Andrus said.
Cholera can kill in hours, but if caught early can be easily treated through oral rehydration fluids.Making a comparison with a previous cholera epidemic in the Americas that had started in Peru in 1991, the WHO official said "upwards of 270,000 cases" could be expected in Haiti if the epidemic ran for several years.
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