| Tempers Flare at Forum
Grayslake Times, April 13-19, 2001 (reprinted with permission) By HELEN MANSFIELD
Nearly 300 hundred parents and
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“Writing skills were down,
reading skills were slipping and math skills were barely holding up against the rest of the country,” she read from a prepared speech. Teaching from the standpoint that “all children can learn” OBE pushed one of her children into a grade she was not prepared for, where another child was bored and unchallenged, becoming what was described as a “non-performing intellect.” During the forum, board of education members spoke to the audience addressing issues that had been brought to their attention. Audience members were then asked to write any additional questions on three by five cards. Several residents took issue with the format, citing that everyone who wanted to comment for the record would not get an opportunity to do so. Board Member Sharon Rogers Werneke said that a new strategic plan was important as the district hasn’t had a new one since 1990. The district, she added, has changed a great deal since then. In ‘90 Dist. 46 had 1,200 students. Now there are 3,400. |
Board Member Nancy Arens said
they initially went with Spady because “he would ask the tough questions.” Each board member reiterated the fact that no changes have been implemented since Spady was put on the payroll and that there will be a number of additional forums with the public before anything is decided. Superintendent Dr. Kurt Anderson said that he didn’t believe that Spady would be involved in the final implementation. Board Member Kathy Lucas said that perhaps Spady was the right choice for the position because the very discussion of him brought the crowd in that night. Following the event, Anderson said he thought the meeting went well, though upcoming strategic planning discussions had to be postponed due the sudden death of Spady’s mother. “Most research tells us that successful organizations experience conflict,” he said. “We have a tendency to think that conflict is bad, but without it, there’s no growth.” The next community meeting will be Tuesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at Frederick School. The public is invited. |