The following letter is in response to a letter to the editor by Summit Hill School District 161 Board member Sean William Doyle that was published in the Southtown Star. Doyle's letter discussed his concerns about a Sept. 17 special board meeting that approved creating a new assistant superintendent position. In his letter, Doyle said board policy was almost violated when the meeting wasn't initially recorded for a podcast to be posted on the district's website.
READ: Board Members Argue Legality of Sept. 17 Special Meeting
I would like to take the time to rebut the pointless comments from Sean William Doyle in the Southtown Star Forum. I reviewed his open meetings concerns on how he was not notified in time for a special meeting by 30 minutes. In my opinion, this is minor to the point. Should Mr. Doyle and Mrs. Molinare [board member Dee Molinare] channel energy on a committee, such as all others sitting board members they would be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Sean William Doyle's actions since being relieved as president with the former Superintendent Keith Pain, have been childish and very unprofessional.
His constant request of saving the district money and research data to support decisions has dragged the board to a snail's pace. Sean William Doyle was not concerned about money and data this past April when he and Mrs. Molinare voted to increase Mr. Pain's record-setting salary, which sparked comments by editors and community leaders. They both should take a page from Mr. Pain: If you do not what to contribute, then RESIGN.
Timothy Gaffney, Frankfort
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Hugo G
9:06 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Another thought is that the board members who do not like the new members are the unprofessional people.
taxpayer
9:44 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Well put Mr. Gaffney
Kerri U
2:29 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Way to Go, Tim!! I couldn't have said it better myself.
jd
8:00 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Well put Tim, the only time Dee Molinare and Sean William Doyle are ever concerned about money is only when they want to cause problems on this board. You never heard a peep out of either of them when they were passing out our money like candy. Just look at their voting records it is sickening . Sean and Dee if you are not part of the future then get out of the way (RESIGN)
Citizen
8:18 am on Friday, September 30, 2011
Board members not being notified within 48 hours is a minor point- you are correct. That being said, the fact remains the Board is obligated to give members 48 hours notice when a special meeting is called. This whole fiasco could have been avoided if the Board Secretary (or who ever called the meeting) would have followed established procedure.
The bigger point here is spending, this fiscal year district spending will outpace revenues by 2.17 million (plus the cost of the new Asst. Superintendent).
Lastly, did the board expect Ms Rains to perform the duties Superintendent, Human Resource Director and Curriculum Director? Why wasn't the Asst. Superintendent position posted over the summer? Do we want to hire an administrator who is willing to walk away from his current district 2 months into the school year?
Just a Resident
3:41 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
On the podcast it sounds like Mr. Doyle is a crying baby. Is there really a need to Whimper over 30 minutes? Even if 100 hours notice were given to Mr. Doyle, I think he would have had a fit over something else. It sounds to me that he doesn't communicate well with his fellow board members. Our district looks and sounds so pathetic when there is bickering instigated EVERY MEETING by Mr. Doyle. To be quite honest, people don't like going to the board meetings because of the constant bickering. I have yet to see/hear Mr. Doyle meet in the middle and come to an agreement on ANYTHING. Maybe once he and a few other board members conduct themselves in a professional manor and represent district 161 in a positive manor, people will be more inclined to attend the meetings.
It really doesn't matter if the subject of hiring an assistant for Mrs. Rains was approached in the summer or now, Mr. Doyle would be having a hissy fit regardless.
Taxed enough
3:36 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Why wouldn't a principal at a school walk away from his job to be an assistant superintendent? Isn't this is a step up for him? That's like saying if you're a teacher why would you accept a job as a principal? I think the board was hopeful thinking that other administrators could help Barb pick up the slack on some of her added duties, but found she was overwhelmed so they decided to hire an assistant superintendent. I agree the opening meetings act should be followed, but four minutes, come on! There are bigger fish to fry and this is taking the board's focus away from the more important tasks they have ahead of them. Also, I'm sure this has racked up more bills for the district with the attorney having to look into this situation.
Citizen
5:08 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Yes, the Assistant Superintendent position would most likely be a step-up for a Principle. I believe that many qualified candidates would choose not to apply simply based on the timing. These individuals have made commitments to their current School Districts and will choose to honor them.
As for the board thinking that other administrators would "pick up the slack" -that's an area where I have an issue.
They are asking Ms Rains, who has absolutely no experience as Superintendent of Schools, to perform the same duties that last year took 3 people. The Assistant Superintendent position should have been filled in July. In my opinion Ms Rains is being set-up to fail.
One more note, If Mr pain retired " unexpectedly" (as Mrs Borgens put it in her letter to the editor), why did he receive a one-time early retirement payment? If the man walked away from his position, leaving School District 161 in such an awkward position, why did the Board of Education see fit to line his pockets on the way out?
I think most of know the answer.
Karen Schultz
5:04 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
My suggestion to this group is to learn listening skills and appreciative inquiry theory.
Hold a summit and interview eachother about personal stories that contribute to their personal success and strength. From those stories and interviews, list the strengths of the community. The strengths will give you an inventory of where talents and passions lie. Then inventory the groups hopes and dreams. From that list find the common denominators from which to understand what everyone shares in a vision for the community. With the vision in mind, outline the pieces needed. Under those pieces list the action steps to be taken to insure that piece is acquired. Leave the outline on a wall with space to add and place thier name for "responsible for" and will " stay steadfast to get it done". Updates needed every three weeks.
Karen Schultz
5:05 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
At updates discuss achievements made and any discovery that may lead to other opportunities. REdesign your current approach. Leave room for discovery. Decide on a shared vision that everyone is excited about and feels their strength in the part they play toward achievement. A community is a shared experience. Those who are angry....understand their fears and lack of empowerment. Those who are controlling..understand their fears and nondisclosure. Every person who lives in your community lives there for a reason and has chosen to be part of your shared community. Everyone should have a voice. Read the book, Bowling Alone for deeper understanding, along with emptional intelligence and systems thinking related information. You are an educated group but lacking internal understanding. Take a step back and start with understanding. Leave your egos and baggage at the door. Understand the importance of EVERY citizen. Feel empowered equally. Public sector is hired by citizens. If the citzens are unsatisfied about what they pay for in taxes, fire those individuals and take responsibility. Each of you want something...just know if it is self centered or not. I don't think anyone is walking on water so, everyone is at the same level of voice.
tim gaffney
9:59 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Very well said karen! Now here is a suggestion, please try to attend the next board meeting. Just sit back , listen to the push back the two NON working board members have to say. They have their own agenda,they feel other board members are not educated enough to be sitting on the board! Since i have been attending 161 board meetings the two NON working board members have huge ego's and they will work at anything to destroy progress this board makes. FYI the next election for 161 board members is in the spring 2013.