Economic Times Hit Local Elementary School In District 89...

According to the Proviso Herald, about 30 teachers and certified staff will not be coming back to work at Maywood School District 89 next year.

At a Special Meeting Monday night, the Maywood School District 89 School Board meeting voted unanimously in favor of the action.

Those who will be let go are part of over 300 teachers and certified staff that work in the school district. The positions were non-renewal contracts.

Along with teachers some of the jobs of certified staff are literacy coaches, technology assistants, teacher assistants and tutors.

Maywood School District 89 Superintendent Thea Perkins said the decision was made in part because of the economy. She said less money is coming in from the state along with the decline in grant money.

She said the district's actions aren't exclusive and these kinds of steps are being taken by school districts across the state.

Perkins said despite the change the district will continue to work hard to provide the best education possible for the students in the district.

Financial Crisis At Regional Superintendent's Office!!!

David Pollard of the Pioneer Press Newspapers, aka the Proviso Herald, is reporting that employees at the Regional Superintendent's Office, headed by Charles A. Flowers, will not be paid today. Pollard writes that:

Friday will be payday for some, but employees working for Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education in Westchester may leave for the weekend empty-handed. Office employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, say they were notified via email April 15 that they would not be paid on April 17.
Although there is the likelihood the office will not have payroll checks for the office's 18 employees, they still continue to come to work and say they are fearful about speaking out publicly about their predicament.
What do you think should be done? Who's to blame? What's your opinion?

Has Flowers destroyed the Regional Superintendent's office?

Proviso Township Election Winners!!!

Proviso Township saw incumbents flex their muscle in last week's local elections. One major upset occurred in the Village of Broadview with the incumbents being ousted by a rising star in Proviso Township politics, Sherman Jones. Here's a break down of the election winners:

For Mayors:

Bellwood-Frank Pasquale
Berkeley-Tony Esposito
Broadview-Sherman Jones
Hillside-Joe Tamburino
Maywood-Henderson Yarbrough
Melrose Park-Ron Serpico
Northlake-Jeff Sherwin
Stone Park-Ben Mazzulla
Westchester-Sam Pullia
Forest Park-No Mayoral contest

For Contested School Boards:
SD88:
Drena Lanier
Dorothy Smith
Maria Castrejon
Marilyn Thurman

SD89:
Regina Rivers
Jaime Aquiano
Loretta Gustello

SD92:
Ida O'Neal
Penny Williams Wolford
Andrew Riouse

SD209:
Emanuel "Chris" Welch
Daniel J. Adams
Brian M. Cross
Kevin McDermott

For Proviso Township:
Michael Corrigan-Supervisor
William Daugherty-Clerk
Steven Zawaski-Assessor
Eric Sawchuck-Collector
Tony Williams-Trustee
Don Sloan-Trustee
Meri Herrell-Trustee
Tony Gillian-Trustee

Welch Wins Big In Proviso SD209 Race...

Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch, who endured the most negative campaign in school board history, won re-election on Tuesday by a landslide. Here's a break down of the votes:

HS Member Bd. Of Ed. Proviso Township 209 - 4yr.
9 Candidates - Vote for 4
Precincts Counted: 120 of 120 (100.00%)
Candidates Votes %
Emanuel ''Chris'' Welch (NP) 7,568 13.56%
Reatha ''Sue'' Henry (NP) 5,724 10.25%
Daniel J. Adams (NP) 7,023 12.58%
Brian M. Cross (NP) 6,999 12.54%
Maria Desena (NP) 4,689 8.40%
Kevin McDermott (NP) 6,842 12.26%
Carlos Anderson (NP) 4,880 8.74%
Rebecca M. Smith (NP) 6,490 11.62%
Arbdella ''Della'' Patterson (NP) 5,614 10.06%


A closer look at the numbers reveal that Welch placed first out of all candidates in Bellwood, Broadview, Northlake and Stone Park. He placed second in Maywood, Melrose Park, and Hillside. Fourth in Berkeley and Westchester, and sixth in Forest Park. Congratulations to Welch and his slate mates Dan Adams and Brian Cross.

Go Vote!!!

Don't forget to vote today in local elections. The future of our schools, municipalities, park districts, etc are at stake. Make your vote count.

Local Elections Are Here...

It's time to cast your ballot for local leaders in our towns and municipalities. When you go to the polls on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, here are some excellent choices for your schools in Bellwood SD88 and Proviso High School District 209:


For Bellwood SD88:

Ronald Anderson 186
Patricia Crawford 187
Beverly Graham 188
Lekeya Shearrill 189

For Proviso High School District 209:

Emanuel "Chris" Welch 201
Reatha "Sue" Henry 202
Daniel J. Adams 203
Brian M. Cross 204

Arbdella "Della" Patterson Wants to Close PMSA and Fire New Superintendent!!!

Arbdella "Della" Patterson, a candidate for SD209 Board, appeared at a candidates forum on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Forest Park Library. The forum was hosted by CU in FP. At the forum, Patterson clearly sent signals that she and her crew will close the Proviso Math and Science Academy if she is elected. In response to an audience question, Patterson said the school is not needed. She also indicated the school district needs a qualified superintendent to be put in place, another signal that she wants to oust new Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart. PMSA was recently ranked by the Chicago Tribune as one of the Top 50 High Schools in the state of Illinois, and Dr. Collins-Hart was the Superintendent of the Year in the state of North Carolina in 2006. She is a recognized expert on closing the achievement gap.