RSS Feeds
November Board Meeting Here's the official agenda for the November Board meeting scheduled for April November 19 (PDF). Here's the action report from last month (PDF). Late-breaking news is that the design team for Solidarity High School has, according to CPS, withdrawn its submission as of Tuesday night. From CPS:
Statement from the design team for the proposed Social Justice High School--Solidarity Campus:
"The design team of the Social Justice High School--Solidarity Campus respectfully withdraws their proposal to Chicago Public Schools Office of New Schools. The proposal has changed since the Oct. 8 public hearing, and the design team is taking an additional year to finalize the proposal. The proposal start date will remain as fall 2010. We look forward to expanding research efforts, collecting more data and building on existing efforts in the Chicago Public Schools to create systemwide change for all students, including LGBT students and their allies. We look forward to working with the Office of New Schools and the Office of High Schools and High School Programs to make this happen."
Statement from the Chicago Public Schools:
"We respect the decision of the design team, and we look forward to them re-submitting their proposal in ’09."
Not a surprise, I guess, though strange to have a statement issued to the press via CPS instead of directly from the design team itself. Anyone know who heads the team or how to reach them?
Digg
Del.icio.us
Mail
Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 11:23 PM
November Board Meeting
She was on Chicago Tonight this evening ... Katie Hogan, at the Social Justice campus I believe.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 1:42 AM
November Board Meeting
As usual, the agenda for today's Board of Education meeting includes dozens of proposed expenses, totaling tens of millions of dollars, that are going to be "debated" with publicity stunts and marketing ploys during "public participation", then rubber stamped late in the afternoon -- without discussion or debate -- when the Board of Education returns from "Executive Session."
As usual, when the Board returns from "Executive Session," the actual business meeting of the Board will be covered by a handful of reporters, none from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ, WBBM, or the TV "news" bureaus. By the time some of us leave 125 S. Clark St. tonight at around six o'clock, the "news" from today's Chicago Board of Education meeting will have been spun in the traditional ways. And the private discussions that have taken place during the "Executive Sessions" will once again be voted as continued private, in other words the Board will again get away with putting a NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS sign on the record of its discussions of the public's business and the public's millions of dollars.
Today the Board will approve many things in addition to the usual list of "New Schools." Among those many things are more than $10 million in outsourced computer work (hardware, software, services).
For the past 13 years, the Board of Education of the City of Chicago has been allowed to get away with sealing the required legal record of its Executive Sessions. Then, today as in every monthly meeting for the past decade, the seven members of the Board will come out and rush through an agenda including more than 100 items, voting to approve the administration's proposals in record time, unanimously and without discussion or public debate.
As usual, when the Board returns from "Executive Session," the actual business meeting of the Board will be covered by a handful of reporters, none from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ, WBBM, or the TV "news" bureaus. By the time some of us leave 125 S. Clark St. tonight at around six o'clock, the "news" from today's Chicago Board of Education meeting will have been spun in the traditional ways. And the private discussions that have taken place during the "Executive Sessions" will once again be voted as continued private, in other words the Board will again get away with putting a NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS sign on the record of its discussions of the public's business and the public's millions of dollars.
Today the Board will approve many things in addition to the usual list of "New Schools." Among those many things are more than $10 million in outsourced computer work (hardware, software, services).
For the past 13 years, the Board of Education of the City of Chicago has been allowed to get away with sealing the required legal record of its Executive Sessions. Then, today as in every monthly meeting for the past decade, the seven members of the Board will come out and rush through an agenda including more than 100 items, voting to approve the administration's proposals in record time, unanimously and without discussion or public debate.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 8:02 PM
November Board Meeting
here's the press release from CPS about the board's actions -- is it unusual for a private school to become a ren10 public school?
Four New Schools Approved by the Board of Education
Full slate of High Schools Set to Open in Fall of 2010
The Chicago Board of Education at today’s board meeting approved four schools to open in the fall of 2010.
All four schools are high schools and will offer either a college prep curriculum, career prep curriculum, or both.
“The schools we approved today are great examples of how innovative, high-quality education options can come out of the new-school process,” said Chicago Board of Education President Rufus Williams. “We’re confident these schools will help prepare our children for post-secondary education and their eventual careers.”
The four schools approved by the board for 2010 are:
o Chicago Hope Academy, a contract school, will offer a curriculum that prepares students on the Near West Side for college and life. The school was originally founded in 2004 as a private school. It will open at 2189 W. Bowler St.
o Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy, a contract school, will offer college-prep and career-prep tracks that focus on majors and careers in the health sciences. Students will have the opportunity to earn industry certification in nursing, health technology, or health administration. The school’s location is yet to be determined.
o Transportation Academy of Chicago, a performance school, will be a career academy in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority, other industry partners and Chicago LEADS. The school will prepare students for post-secondary education and careers in the transportation industry. The school’s location is yet to be determined.
—more—
o Urban Prep Academy for Young Men, a contract school, will be the second CPS school based on the existing model at the all-boys Urban Prep Charter Academy. It will open in South Shore at a location yet to be determined. Last month, the board approved Urban Prep Academy for Young Men East Garfield Park, the first school based on the Urban Prep model.
Prior to today’s board meeting, the Social Justice High School Solidarity Campus proposal was withdrawn from the board agenda by its design team.
Last month, the board approved 12 new schools to open in the fall of 2009. To date, 75 new schools have been created under Renaissance 2010, including 20 new schools that opened this fall.
Four New Schools Approved by the Board of Education
Full slate of High Schools Set to Open in Fall of 2010
The Chicago Board of Education at today’s board meeting approved four schools to open in the fall of 2010.
All four schools are high schools and will offer either a college prep curriculum, career prep curriculum, or both.
“The schools we approved today are great examples of how innovative, high-quality education options can come out of the new-school process,” said Chicago Board of Education President Rufus Williams. “We’re confident these schools will help prepare our children for post-secondary education and their eventual careers.”
The four schools approved by the board for 2010 are:
o Chicago Hope Academy, a contract school, will offer a curriculum that prepares students on the Near West Side for college and life. The school was originally founded in 2004 as a private school. It will open at 2189 W. Bowler St.
o Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy, a contract school, will offer college-prep and career-prep tracks that focus on majors and careers in the health sciences. Students will have the opportunity to earn industry certification in nursing, health technology, or health administration. The school’s location is yet to be determined.
o Transportation Academy of Chicago, a performance school, will be a career academy in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority, other industry partners and Chicago LEADS. The school will prepare students for post-secondary education and careers in the transportation industry. The school’s location is yet to be determined.
—more—
o Urban Prep Academy for Young Men, a contract school, will be the second CPS school based on the existing model at the all-boys Urban Prep Charter Academy. It will open in South Shore at a location yet to be determined. Last month, the board approved Urban Prep Academy for Young Men East Garfield Park, the first school based on the Urban Prep model.
Prior to today’s board meeting, the Social Justice High School Solidarity Campus proposal was withdrawn from the board agenda by its design team.
Last month, the board approved 12 new schools to open in the fall of 2009. To date, 75 new schools have been created under Renaissance 2010, including 20 new schools that opened this fall.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 10:20 PM
November Board Meeting
Plus Sandoval and Tonti teachers were told by Board today that they could "apply" for their jobs to the new Principal of the new building replacing theirs. Ochoa (for MS) noted M&Es in the 80s (from the 40s 7 years ago) but I guess that's what failing is these days. That discussion -- 6 minutes.
Skinner received 30 minutes of air time ... looks like kids on the wrong side of Ashland or not likely to pass the tests are left behind.
7 minutes to Monroe Elem. parent who complained of Prin/AP hired without LSC support and, because new AP comes from a higher than AP salary level, Monroe has to pay that AP $12,000 extra. Plus maintains aspects of SIPAA "disappeared" under new Principal.
A retired teacher of 14 months STILL receiving only 2/3 of her pension left the room with someone from CPS to get it fixed, she insisted for ALL retirees, not just her. Hope she's OK.
At the very end a parent noted how one "lottery school" managed to get 30% Asian students ... wish my notes were better on that one.
Skinner received 30 minutes of air time ... looks like kids on the wrong side of Ashland or not likely to pass the tests are left behind.
7 minutes to Monroe Elem. parent who complained of Prin/AP hired without LSC support and, because new AP comes from a higher than AP salary level, Monroe has to pay that AP $12,000 extra. Plus maintains aspects of SIPAA "disappeared" under new Principal.
A retired teacher of 14 months STILL receiving only 2/3 of her pension left the room with someone from CPS to get it fixed, she insisted for ALL retirees, not just her. Hope she's OK.
At the very end a parent noted how one "lottery school" managed to get 30% Asian students ... wish my notes were better on that one.
Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 1:41 AM
November Board Meeting
"...here's the press release from CPS about the board's actions -- is it unusual for a private school to become a ren10 public school?" (school approvals).
In answer to your question, "school" --
Providence St. Mel's was given the Ralph Bunche elementary school (65th and Ashland) three years ago. The turnover was one of the most dramatic examples of sabotaging a public school, then declaring it a "failure" and flipping it into a privatized thingy. Scores had gone down at Bunche (briefly) because Arne Duncan had the massive rehabilitation of the building going on while the school was trying to function as a school. Naturally, the almighty test scores went "down" and Duncan was able to pass around spreadsheets showing how the "bottom line" justified the giveaway. The parents and teachers even protested outside Mayor Daley's office at City Hall, to no avail. The Renaissance wheels ground them down, and Paul Adams has been running "Providence Englewood" since then, thanks to Arne.
The big news yesterday is that, in effect, Arne Duncan has proclaimed that he will sabotage the remaining public high schools on the "West Side" (basically, between the Eisenhower and Augusta Boulevard, and Ashland to the city limits) to force out the publics and privatize what's left out there.
CPS has been shopping its school buildings for privatization since Renaissance 2010 began.
How the buildings are sabotaged, then flipped, is already worth a book.
Yesterday's approvals for "high schools" is just the latest examples. Ground Zero for the next round of Duncanian attacks on public high schools will probably be what's left of the West Side (Manley and Marshall, perhaps Crane) since Duncan's real estate, corporate, and political masters are dictating that no West Side public high school be left behind by the time "Renaissance 2010" closes its books and becomes -- TA TA! -- "Renaissance 2015".
A lot more happened yesterday than just the further expansion of the Renaissance...
See below
In answer to your question, "school" --
Providence St. Mel's was given the Ralph Bunche elementary school (65th and Ashland) three years ago. The turnover was one of the most dramatic examples of sabotaging a public school, then declaring it a "failure" and flipping it into a privatized thingy. Scores had gone down at Bunche (briefly) because Arne Duncan had the massive rehabilitation of the building going on while the school was trying to function as a school. Naturally, the almighty test scores went "down" and Duncan was able to pass around spreadsheets showing how the "bottom line" justified the giveaway. The parents and teachers even protested outside Mayor Daley's office at City Hall, to no avail. The Renaissance wheels ground them down, and Paul Adams has been running "Providence Englewood" since then, thanks to Arne.
The big news yesterday is that, in effect, Arne Duncan has proclaimed that he will sabotage the remaining public high schools on the "West Side" (basically, between the Eisenhower and Augusta Boulevard, and Ashland to the city limits) to force out the publics and privatize what's left out there.
CPS has been shopping its school buildings for privatization since Renaissance 2010 began.
How the buildings are sabotaged, then flipped, is already worth a book.
Yesterday's approvals for "high schools" is just the latest examples. Ground Zero for the next round of Duncanian attacks on public high schools will probably be what's left of the West Side (Manley and Marshall, perhaps Crane) since Duncan's real estate, corporate, and political masters are dictating that no West Side public high school be left behind by the time "Renaissance 2010" closes its books and becomes -- TA TA! -- "Renaissance 2015".
A lot more happened yesterday than just the further expansion of the Renaissance...
See below
Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 1:49 AM
November Board Meeting
Probably the most dramatic event for the Chicago Teachers Union's beleaguered members yesterday was that Mark Ochoa, the CTU Recording Secretary, appeared "on behalf of" Marilyn Stewart. At the meeting, the privatization ("New Schools") orgy was in full swing, with a few interruptions (the denunciation of the Board by the supporters of the social justice school, for example).
Ochoa ignored all of the attacks on his union's members by the privatization juggernaut and devoted his time at the microphone to pleading (unsuccessfully) that the Board not force the teachers from Tonti and Sandoval to reapply for their jobs (the new Southwest Side middle school will be opening in September). Respectfully, Rufus Williams introduced Rachel Rasnik (Labor Relations) who told Ochoa to get lost. The middle school is a "new school" and therefore the Tonti and Sandoval teachers are out of luck. Ochoa was his usual plodding self, although he didn't say "Thank You" as his colleague Mary McGuire did last February when Rufus Williams responded to her demand (again, "on behalf of -- the always absent -- Marilyn Stewart) that the Board postpone the vote to close a dozen schools, including the six that were brutally subjected to the fraudulent "turnaround" Reconstitution.
If the corporate and CPS leaders who are working ruthlessly to privatize as many CPS schools as possible (and de-unionize them as well) needed any additional examples that the CTU is brain dead and cowardly, Ochoa's performance yesterday on behalf of what was once one of the most powerful unions in Illinois gave them large comfort. Although Ochoa mentioned that he had once been a "coach", people in the back were making the oval symbol (for the egg) as he spoke. It didn't need translation for that part of the audience who watched him turn himself into a gelding in front of the Board meeting audience.
Ochoa ignored all of the attacks on his union's members by the privatization juggernaut and devoted his time at the microphone to pleading (unsuccessfully) that the Board not force the teachers from Tonti and Sandoval to reapply for their jobs (the new Southwest Side middle school will be opening in September). Respectfully, Rufus Williams introduced Rachel Rasnik (Labor Relations) who told Ochoa to get lost. The middle school is a "new school" and therefore the Tonti and Sandoval teachers are out of luck. Ochoa was his usual plodding self, although he didn't say "Thank You" as his colleague Mary McGuire did last February when Rufus Williams responded to her demand (again, "on behalf of -- the always absent -- Marilyn Stewart) that the Board postpone the vote to close a dozen schools, including the six that were brutally subjected to the fraudulent "turnaround" Reconstitution.
If the corporate and CPS leaders who are working ruthlessly to privatize as many CPS schools as possible (and de-unionize them as well) needed any additional examples that the CTU is brain dead and cowardly, Ochoa's performance yesterday on behalf of what was once one of the most powerful unions in Illinois gave them large comfort. Although Ochoa mentioned that he had once been a "coach", people in the back were making the oval symbol (for the egg) as he spoke. It didn't need translation for that part of the audience who watched him turn himself into a gelding in front of the Board meeting audience.
Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 7:29 AM
November Board Meeting
I keep reading this blog and I can't believe how Marilyn has destroyed not just herself but countless other people that once had respect in the Union and were willing to stand up for their members.
Last night, I saw a movie about Circle 10 which is a level of hell reserved for the worst of all offenders who have hurt people they love or are responsible for by lies and that's where Marilyn belongs.
Last night, I saw a movie about Circle 10 which is a level of hell reserved for the worst of all offenders who have hurt people they love or are responsible for by lies and that's where Marilyn belongs.
Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 9:32 AM
November Board Meeting
Will Urban Prep Academy for Young Men, a contract school be housed in the "original" building at South Shore High School at 7627 S Constance Ave?
By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. District 299 reserves the right to delete or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule, and to ban anyone who violates this rule. Reader comments are limited to 500 words.
