To the Editor: Elected school board is better than appointed
Our local schools may not be perfect, but I like having input as to how they are run. Rockford Public School District 205 has some new, elected school board members. The Chicago Public School system (CPS) will have all new, appointed board members in May. District 205 residents voted for their new board members. Chicago voters had no choice. The Mayor of Chicago appoints CPS board members and the superintendent (CEO). While some prefer Chicago’s method, that method has not worked well for Chicago school children. There have been a few academic successes, but overall, it is a stalemate. Making matters worse, many CPS parents don’t feel they have a say in school board decisions, as the school board has not openly discussed issues. No discussion, no debate, and no recourse for the residents. District 205 may not be perfect, but we have a say in who will lead the district, we can make a difference. So, when the mayor and other officials start preaching “appointed” school boards, tell them “no thanks,” you want to keep your voting rights. Listen to this news article from WBEZ radio regarding Chicago School Board openness: http://www.wbez.org/story/controversial-school-decisions-little-discussion-public-85720.
Paul Gorski
Rockford
From the May 4-10, 2011 issue
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4 Comments
Elected yes, unpaid NO. If each member was paid 50K with benefits, we would solve the problem of getting ho-hum candidates applying for the job. It’s just that simple. Good board members would save us much more that their combined compensation. Why can’t anyone figure this out?
In response to Wonka’s question, “Why can’t anyone figure this out?” The answer is this is Rockford.
We always do what we always did, and don’t understand why we always get what we always got.
The pay issue isn’t Rockford, it is state law. Certain elected offices, school boards, library district trustees, and others are all unpaid by state statute. Don’t like the law, get it changed.
(105 ILCS 5/23-7) (from Ch. 122, par. 23-7)
Sec. 23-7. Compensation and expenses.
No school board member shall receive any compensation for service rendered to any such association, whether as an officer or otherwise, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses actually incurred in the work of such association.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)
Definitely want elected board members otherwise we would be STUCK with the likes of Westholder and Kelley………and hopefully, without Flossie’s (mafia type influence), we will get rid of Jackson (Flossie’s daughter).