Where were you people when I was complaining months ago about the financial plan and the $3.6 + surplus being too aggressive. I caught so much heat for trying to "change the financial plan". I even suggested less surplus and hire back more teachers. Again, I was attacked. I was told by all the naysayers, "we have to follow the financial plan" or FOP. Now, all of a sudden, you are finally paying attention to the financial plan? Where were you at all the subsquent board meetings during public comments voicing your outrage? Now we can't do anything. The district knew at the time the financial plan was being developed, there would be 12 retiring teachers. That was the time to act. Trying to now change the financial plan "is a bad deal". The district's hands are tied.

The suggestion is not to change the plan. The suggestion is to allow experienced teachers to be interviewed for plan-level pay, to allow them to accept that pay if they choose to and are best qualified fir the job. The board and administrators have yet to discuss this in public or to answer the direct question, why won't you interview experienced teachers if they are willing to accept entry level pay. I agree we should follow the plan. But why not get the best our money can buy?

No special inside information, just rumors I've heard in the community. I asked the board and superintendent directly as did others on this letter. Their responses failed to dispel or confirm what we heard, and we still dont know for sure whats going on, which is why we sent the letter. It's a request for an open discussion and for direct answers.

Rumors in the community? Really? Have a hard time believing that. You wouldn't have acted to this degree on a hunch or a rumor. Since you are the leader behind this letter, I think you have the first hand knowledge of the source of the leak.

Ann.....I believe the real question is this: Why not consider teachers who have experience can work for entry level pay? Remember, these teachers who are being hired are for teachers that have retired, so if experience comes in at year 1.......there is absolutely no change in the financial plan, which is a very good thing.

Now, as far as union issues for hiring experience at year 1, that I would think would be up to the labor contract.......after you posted that as a possibility of why experience may not be hired back, I looked at the labor contract online, and there is no such reference to having to pay for years of experience.

I retired from public education, and had the opportunity to serve on negotiations, twice. In one contract, we had a provision to pay for years of experience, and on another, we took it out, and we were able to hire experience, and put them on year one. In this economy, I would imagine year one is better than nothing at all, so no one would fight it.

Mary Pollard:
1. All school district personnel matters are always handled in closed session. Rumors in the community? BUNK! Either the union or someone on the BOE leaked this confidential information to you and YOU in turn, leaked to the community. Now you have also dragged in the other community members who signed this letter. By your profession, you should know better. If you are creating this issue over rumors, then more shame on you.

2. According to the union contract, steps and/or lane changes are based on experience and education. What you are proposing doesn't work even if he/she accepts a position at the entry-level salary. They don't qualify for BA1 salary. Period. There is nothing in the contract that addresses exceptions to the step/lane changes. I bet in a year, the taxpayers and the district will be liable to uphold the union contract which would give them more money due to their education and experience. The union will make sure of it. Bottom line, the current financial plan only allows for entry-level pay. Remember, the financial plan cannot sustain experienced staffing. Furthermore, ISBE approved the financial plan. I highly doubt they would approve a financial plan that was illegal. Nice try but this just doesn't work.

3. On a positive note, looking forward to some highly motivated, fresh thinking teachers with new ideas to be part of our district. I will support these new teachers and welcome them to our district.

We will all support and welcome all teachers in our schools! Ann, I do not appreciate that you want to imply that we will not. I want to see that our veteran teachers have the first chance for interviews for positions at base pay if the union will allow.

Patie, maybe you should've thought about the union contract before you signed this letter to see if this is even feasible. The way I see it, it's not.

Rumors confirmed compliments of another story on the Patch. Thank you Amanda. Now that the board and superintendent acknowledge they are in fact NOT considering experienced candidates for hire, despite the possibility that experienced candidates may be willing to accept entry-level pay, I'd like an answer as to why that is, and where each board member stands on that policy.

Rumors confirmed due to leaks either from the union and/or the BOE.

Amanda, what happens in years 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . Of course the union won't prohibit the first year at entry-level pay, but that does not address lane changes and steps in years following. Did we all forget the teachers voted no to a pay decrease in order to spare layoffs? Now they are willing to work for less and the union is not against it? As it exists, the contract will give them increases in year 2, etc.

Ann, what is your relationship with District 113A? No one I work with nor that volunteers at school knows who you are. I am a teacher in 113A.

@Bruno, the problem is these people line up their mini-vans and SUVs and follow the leader who tugs on their heart strings to bring back their teacher friends with little thoujght on the impact. They fell right into the union's game and now are mad the union has been called out. Some people just can't stand it when another voice raises legitimiate questions. I never once said don't hire back the experienced teachers. I have been saying to consider the contract implications of doing so and what it will mean for the district long-term. I also said consider the feasibility of hiring experienced teachers and implications of sustaining the financial plan. I think the BOE and the administration already understand those implications. So does the union so they will remain silent. But again, they choose to ignore it.

Ann, I see you are awake. Did you want to share who you are to add credibility to your voice?

Really I don't, as Bruno says want to know because, "Who are you so we can begin the process of marginalizing and ostracizing you and your family members."

I'll be back later today to chat...I've got to get going to teach.

Hey Bruno.....nice to see you back.....are you ready to start your bully antics behind a computer, and then come to one of 113 board meetings and act in a very unprofessional way like you did a couple of years ago? You are just as entertaining as Ann Paul....how is your charter school doing....still have your teachers on call 24/7? Or at least that is the rumor........... And Bruno......as soon as you sign a contract stating that you are "year one"....that is what dictates going forward.

NEWSFLASH: Never once said anti-union. Never once said don't hire experienced teachers back.

All I have been saying is read the teachers contract. There is only ONE CHART in the contract that outlines pay increases which is done through step and lane changes, on page 31. That is the only thing in the whole contract that determines teachers' pay. Explain how an experienced teacher who comes back at entry-level BA1 pay would not get the increase according to their years of experience and education? Point out where that is stated in the contract. If it is not in the contract, that means that they are going to get the pay that is on that chart. Plain and simple. The contract is iron clad and I would bet the union will make sure we uphold the provisions in that chart. The way I see it, the union is purposely not addressing this. They want us to bring back experienced teachers and after year 1, we will be forced into paying their salaries in accordance to their contract. Yes, they say they are okay with hiring experienced teachers at BA1 pay, but wait until year 2 when they will sock it us. Mark my words. I thought this was all about the kids.

Ann Paul....are you a contract lawyer or have any experience in law and contracts at all....you clearly don't understand this issue. Hiring experienced teachers at year one pay happens all the time in school districts, without the threat of the union trying to increase their salaries in future years....you are just basing your statements off of your opinions, and not fact....however, I have lived the fact, and no one can be legally done.

Keep posting Ann.......you make for good reading!!!!

Show me where in the contract what their steps and lane changes would be then. I only see one chart and one chart only.

Here is how it works.......a teacher comes in and is placed on BA1/step 1 for their first year. When the second year begins, they now enter BA1/step 2, because now they are in their second year with that district, third year would be BA1/step 3. I'm still not sure what you don't understand. The only thing that would change that is if that teacher received a masters' degree, then they would move to the MA lane, but the district would have to accept that masters' degree first, it is not a guarantee that they will accept it, it has to be from an approved masters' program in graduate education.

Where is the provision that the district may or may not accept their Master's? If what you say is true and applies to this contract, and the MA is a graduate education program, must it automatically be accepted? Then, I would assume, the individual would move to the MA lane and be paid accordingly in Year 2, 3, 4, etc. Also, what I am not clear in the 113a contract, is it years of district experience or overall teaching experience? You said the provision isn't in there, so how is it determined for years of experience credit in accordance to the chart?

While I appreciate you are trying to shed light on this, I would like confirmation from our union president directly how they would handle this issue. I don't think I am asking too much and I am certainly not judging the contract. I just want to understand the provisions and how the union plans on adhering to the pay scale (in the contract) if experienced teachers were to be rehired. There is an impact on the district financial plan. I think the union should address it publically and if people want to personally attack me for asking questions that I should be entitled to know answers to, so be it. Nor do I think the "concerned citizens" took into account implications of pay scales, contract provisions, financial plan, etc. when signing that letter. It's just not that easy to say let's rehire experienced teachers. People need to understand the ramifications if there are any.

This would be easily rectified if the union president simply answered the questions. End of story.

Ann.....I believe the union president left her telephone number for anyone who would like to ask her questions....why don't you give her a call, or I would imagine she would be at the next board meeting, you can ask her then.

Just wondering...Was Dr. Madonia hired at entry level pay, despite him having prior years of experience? If not, how did the Board manouever around that standard hiring practice? If so, I'm confused, I thought the district was only hiring inexperienced staff since that is all we can afford, per our plan? Or do the standard hiring practices only apply to the staff in the classroom with our children?

Michelle Nevin,
For a better understanding of how lanes/steps page of the teachers' contract works, please answer this example. If the district hired back a teacher with a master's degree and 10 years of experience at BA1 (entry level) pay, what would their 2nd year salary be? Please provide the row, column and salary amount they would be paid from the last page of the teachers' contract for their second year. This would add clarity to understanding things better and be more productive for everyone. Thank you.

As a teacher of 13 years... I can't read all the comments without one of my own. I lager teching after 6 yrs leave. When I wanted to re enter the profession, I was willing to take whatever offer my most coveted school districts would offer. In several interview sessions, I realized that I would have to be willing to take the compensation that the district could afford in order to vie for the same position that newbies wanted. I shaved off several years experience to put me in the BA level. I knew full well that I was locked in to my my original contract and could not seek recompense for my choice down the road.

Keep voting for those democrats.The schools are the way they are because of them..Where is Obama?He's from Illinois correct?Or is it Kenya?Usually when a guy becomes president he helps his former state out.Keep voting for them,i like how it's turning out.I love reading fools argue on local news sites.HAHAHAHA!!!

This question is still being directed to Michelle Nevin due to the fact she is the 113a union board president and negotiated and owns this contract. This is not a personnel matter so it does not need to be privately addressed. It is a contract question so there is absolutely no reason to not publically answer it and put an end to all of this. Set the record straight.

REPEAT:
Michelle Nevin,
For a better understanding of how lanes/steps page of the teachers' contract works, please answer this example. If the district hired back a teacher with a master's degree and 10 years of experience at BA1 (entry level) pay, what would their 2nd year salary be? Please provide the row, column and salary amount they would be paid from the last page of the teachers' contract for their second year. This would add clarity to understanding things better and be more productive for everyone. Thank you.

What I don't understand about all this is that certain board members appear to be petrified with hiring teachers with experience. If they will come is as step 1, and they are the best fit for the school district than hire them The contract is up in 1 year (I think) so why are certain board members, and Ann Paul so worried about this issue. I kept hearing about the financial acumen of a specific board member who wrote that he was a CPA and another board member who is a small business owner. Why are they so afraid of this, I thought they claimed to be experts in negotating contracts. Hire experienced teachers and then negotiate what they district can or can't afford with the next contract. Also you should be ashamed of yourself with pleding transparancy in your election propogranda and then hiding behind close session discussions when you have been publicly asked to comment on this. Sounds like your campaing pledges were just a bunch of garbage

It would appear to me that I am right. Due to Michelle Nevin's deliberate refusal to answer a simple contract clarification question, there is no doubt then, that in Year 2, these experienced rehired teachers would get their pay increases in accordance to the step/lane changes as outlined in the current teachers' contract. It is black and white. No conspiracy theory here. Bottom line, these experienced teachers would not sustain base pay (BA1) beyond Year 1. So I would also assume the BOE and administration know this and know that the escalated teachers' salaries cannot sustain the current financial plan. Nobody wants to deviate from the plan and risk a state takeover.

I am not making phone calls. The public has a right to know and ask contract interpretation questions. Why she keeps dodging this question, only she can answer that, and it speaks volumes. If the union is mad for me asking, so be it.

People see right through this Jorg. The use of several aliases for the same person shows me SOMEONE doesn't want the public to know the truth. This message has been lingering since last week. I even said "please" and "thank you" when asking. Shall I repeat it again? Here it goes:

REPEAT (AGAIN):
Michelle Nevin,
For a better understanding of how lanes/steps page of the teachers' contract works, please answer this example. If the district hired back a teacher with a master's degree and 10 years of experience at BA1 (entry level) pay, what would their 2nd year salary be? Please provide the row, column and salary amount they would be paid from the last page of the teachers' contract for their second year. This would add clarity to understanding things better and be more productive for everyone. Thank you.

Please answer the question and this will all go away. This forum is an appropriate professional enough to answer it. If Michelle Nevin has been so forthright and honest in her responses to teacher contract questions, why does she refuse to answer this question? It's seems pretty cut and dry to me.

Ann, you're losing it, get a grip! A non-response to your endless stream of questions is rationally explained. Possible explanations: 1) not everyone spends every waking moment on the Patch like you do, 2) someone who has provided you with their phone number is awaiting your call, having a phone conversation is something most normal people can do, or 3) that person has determined that you are a message board troll and the best response is no response to a message board troll.

I have some questions for a couple of people who are known to read this message board. Using your irrational "if someone doesn't respond to me then my claims are true" logic, if these people don't respond to these claims then we know these statements are true.

These questions are posted for Al Malley and Laura Reigle.
Question 1, Have either of you ever posted on the Patch or a different message board using an alias?

Question 2, Have either of you had someone else post comments for you on the Patch or a different message board?

Question 3, Have either of you contacted either the Patch or the Reporter with anonymous tips related to 113a?

Question 4, Are either of you Ann Paul or do you know Ann Paul?

So again using your irrational Ann Paul logic, if Al Malley and Laura Regile do not answer these questions publicly on this message board then we can assume the answer is "Yes" to all of the questions above.

PLEASE and THANK-YOU!

Laura Ingalls , will not justify or defend myself against your rants. You are the one teetering on losing a grip. I must really get under your skin. I actually find you humorous. Chill. You'll live longer.

Hi everyone, just wanted to take a minute to address some of the concerns on this thread. First, I obviously don't encourage personal attacks. I have received emails requesting certain comments be removed, so I will review those this afternoon. I agree with Al's point that this forum should have healthy debate, not harsh attacks or criticism. Unfortunately, I realized long ago that trying to censor the comments on this issue is not a productive way to spend my time. We want the debate and back-and-forth on the site, but I cannot control what people write or what names people use (though I wish I could sometimes). When there are comments that violate our terms of use, I usually remove them. If there's ever a concern, it's always best to bring it to my attention directly, since following so many comments can sometimes be difficult when I'm juggling other things as well.

Thanks for reading. Again, if you have concerns, my email is amanda@patch.com.

From our Terms of Use: "We do our best to keep tabs on what is posted on the site, however Patch is under no obligation to screen or monitor Content, but may review Content from time to time at its sole discretion to determine compliance with this Acceptable Use Policy. Patch will make all determinations as to what Content is appropriate at its sole discretion. We may include, edit or remove any Content at any time without notice."

"Without limitation, you agree that you will not post or transmit to other users anything that contains Content that: is defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane or offensive"

I consider "defamatory" to refer to libel in this case. Not to be confused with slander (spoken), libel means written or printed injury to reputation. To be considered libel, the defamatory statement must be a matter of fact, not opinion.

I offer this note because I feel as though many of the comments are matters of opinion, not fact. I do not feel comfortable censoring the comment board unless something is truly defamatory or offensive. To me this would include any racist comments, profanity, threatening language or statements that put others in danger.

Al Malley, just checking, you are an elected member of our society? You use a blog to defend yourself?

AL MALLEY
12:53 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012

I didn’t see your name on the letter to the editor in this article, and I have never seen a Laura Ingalls sign in at any board meeting. Why don’t you post using YOUR real name?

I have read all of your comments since you first appeared in March 2012. Every single comment and I mean every comment from you has been negative and personally attacking of others.

The topic here is about hiring teachers. There is nothing wrong with a good healthy debate. However, the discussion has become more about personal attacks, rumors, innuendo and outright lies.

Sticking to the topic and leaving ALL of the personal attacks out will foster a more productive debate.

If you really want to know my positions or want me to justify my actions, I will always be happy to meet with you.

AL MALLEY
12:53 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012

Delete AL MALLEY
12:52 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012

I can only speak for myself

Question 1,

Patch-no Always used my own name, always will. Even wrote a letters to the editor using my own name.

Suburban Life Papers-Yes, I believe in 2004 I registered under an alias derivative of al**** or something similar. This was while a resident of another village.

Lemont Reporter- I posted using my own name and wrote several letters to the editor using my name.

Question 2,

No, I can speak for myself (as I always have.)

Question 3,

No, when I have something to say I will say it (as I always have). Have I offered my opinions? Yes, many times and I will continue to do so.

Question 4,

I am not Ann Paul and I do not know with 100% certainty who Ann Paul is.

PLEASE and THANK-YOU! You Welcome