District 15 Concerned Parents
 Kids Must Count!

Archives

Flyers
October 9, 2006 Flyer 1:  District 15 Facts (new contract proposals)
October 9, 2006 Flyer 2 Concerned Parents Need Your Help (new contract proposals)

Letters to the Editor
October 10, 2006 (position regarding contract negotiations)

Press Releases
October 9, 2006 (information on beliefs of Concerned Parents regarding negotiation process)

Speeches

The speeches above were given during the negotiation process prior to the agreement of the new contract.  The single exception is the BOE Contract Vote Speeches dated 10/20/2006. These speeches are provided so that our members are informed on how the board members voted.

On September 27, 2006 members of the District 15 Concerned Parents made a speech to the Board of Education.  Their speech is available both in text form and in audio.  We invite you to listen and read.

On October 11, 2006 more members of the District 15 Concerned Parents made speeches before the Board Of Education.  Two of the many speeches are available to read above.

On October 20, 2006, during a special meeting called by members of the Board of Education, a vote was taken on the tentative agreement being offered to the CTC.  These speeches were given by the board members prior to their votes being cast.

If you missed the speeches presented by Nancy Carlson, Board of Education President and Jan Belzer, CTC President, on September 13, 2006, they too are available above in audio format.  We apologize for sound quality.

Previous Messages To Our Members
April 18, 2007 - The election results are in and 1 of our 3 endorsed candidates was elected to the D15 School Board.  Congratulations to Sue Quinn!  We would also like to commend Lisa Neal and Mary Vanek for making a good honest run that they and everyone of us should be proud of. While Mr. Chapman and Dr. Ekeberg were not our endorsed candidates, we welcome them to the School Board team. These three new members will be sworn into office in May and will begin the new business of running the district.  One of their priorities will be the hiring of a new superintendent and bringing the district back together.

The D15 Concerned Parents will remain vigilant and will occasionally update our membership on any new items of concern that come before the school board and impact our children. Continue to email us with your questions and comments and we will continue to do our best to provide accurate and honest information.

We all learned a lot from this election and we will be ready for 2009!  Thank you to every member that helped get out the vote by walking precincts, handing out flyers, forwarding emails and advocating for honest and ethical government.  This truly was a grass roots effort – we look forward to working with all of you again.

April 9, 2007 - The election is only 8 days away.  We urge your support of Lisa Neal, Sue Quinn and Mary Vanek.  We believe that these three embody the best qualifications for a school board member:

1. They have children currently in D15 schools.
2. They have a vested interest in ensuring that D15 excels in what it offers its students and its employees.
3. They have attended every board meeting for the past two years.
4. They know the issues that are affecting our district.
5. They are ethical and honest.
6. They are good financial stewards who will not recklessly spend the districts money.
7. They will represent the community and not special interests.
8. They will provide open and transparent communication with the community.
    

Please support these three excellent candidates, Neal, Quinn and Vanek.  They are parents just like us. Their children are in our schools and they have a vested interest in ensuring that the district – as a whole - succeeds and excels. They want to provide open communication with the community before tough decisions are made.  They want us to be informed. 

District 15 needs a positive change.  We need more board members who can think independently and make tough but good decisions.  We need more board members who will be open and honest with the community and take everyone’s viewpoint under consideration.  We can get this from Lisa Neal, Sue Quinn and Mary Vanek. It is not rhetoric with these candidates. They truly mean what they say.   If you have questions about their campaigns, email them direct, they will answer. 
As parents we count on the District to educate our children and to prepare them for their futures.  We want quality schools, quality teachers, quality tools and quality curriculum.  We know that quality costs money but we also know that our district has limited resources and that the finances must be utilized fairly and responsibly.  Financial responsibility is very important.  We will get true financial responsibility with Neal, Quinn and Vanek.
The D15CP are not against teachers and unions or their members.  We are against giving any one organization or special interest too much control in our community.  We feel that the district hierarchy is designed in such a way to best support the community, the children and the staff members.  It is a triangle with one corner being the district/administration, the other corner being the unions and their membership, and the last corner being the parents and tax payers.  The children are in the middle.  These three groups must come together to maintain and improve the level of education provided by our district.  The scales must return to balance so that every voice is heard. 

Neal, Quinn and Vanek will work with the other remaining board members to ensure that this happens.  By working as a team, the new board can get back to the business of running our great district and bring us forward into excellence.  They will build bridges with the administration, the employees and the community.

1. They have children currently in D15 schools.
2. They have a vested interest in ensuring that D15 excels in what it offers its students and its employees.
3. They have attended every board meeting for the past two years.
4. They know the issues that are affecting our district.
5. They are ethical and honest.
6. They are good financial stewards who will not recklessly spend the districts money.
7. They will represent the community and not special interests.
8. They will provide open and transparent communication with the community.

  During the 2004/2005 school year, the board consisting of Sands, Boucher, Mikula, Silverman, Carlson, Crane and Jung came to us asking for a referendum.  The information provided to us was sketchy at best and was subsequently not supported by the voters in our township.  In the next school board election (April 2005), citizens came forward to run against incumbent board members Sands, Carlson, Crane and Jung.  Only one of these four was re-elected.

 Before the new board was sworn in, the old board cut programs, field trips and staff for the 2005/2006 school year.  However, when the new board was seated, the new board members; Keenan, Millar and Rowden found their voices and they fought for the community and the children of D15.  By pushing for tough decisions, (some which angered union members) they were instrumental in bringing back programs, field trips, and smaller class sizes.  They also finally got the budget balanced and we are now in a good financial position moving forward.  These same three board members argued against an energy deal and convinced the D15 board to vote no on it.  This saved D15 anywhere from 5-15% on electricity and gas costs. With the size of our district, this could result in savings of  thousands of  dollars.  This is the same energy deal that D211 voted yes on and subsequently wound up in court over. The board worked in tandem with the employees of D15 and the community of D15 to achieve their successes.

  District 15 needs more changes like this.  We need more board members who can evaluate situations and make the tough decisions.  We need new faces with better ethics and no more game playing and keeping secrets from the community.  It is time to let the board move forward so that they can get back to the business of running the district instead of fielding attacks from within.

 It is time for our generation to take over the stewardship of our community.  It is time for our generation to make a stand.  It is time to vote for change.  It is time to vote for NEAL, QUINN and VANEK.

Please note:  April 5^th, 5:00 pm is that last date to submit letters to the editor of the Herald regarding the election.  Don’t miss this important cut-off date.  If you are thinking of sending a letter in support of Neal, Quinn and Vanek please do so soon.

March 18, 2007 -    We have carefully reviewed each candidates answers to our questionnaires. We attended the Candidates Forum and we have researched each candidate.  After careful consideration and review, we recommend voting for: Lisa Neal, Sue Quinn and Mary Vanek. We believe that these three candidates will best represent the children and the parents in D15.  All three of these candidates have children in our schools.  Lisa Neal and Sue Quinn have attended every board meeting for the past two years.  They have stayed informed on every issue that has affected D15. Neal, Quinn and Vanek have volunteered in the schools and Quinn has served on District Committees that were formed to enhance our children's education. Neal, Quinn and Vanek are ethical and dedicated and we believe we can trust them with our children's future.  We believe they will truly be fiscally responsible and they will not make decisions that will negatively impact our children or our community.  They believe in openness and they want to hear what we have to say. 
For more detail on our views, click here.  We need your help supporting these candidates.  If interested in helping with their campaigns, please email us at advocate4kdz@comcast.net.

We recommend viewing the candidates websites, reading all articles in the local papers, and contacting the candidates direct. Our hope is that everyone who was concerned about the negotiations process will remain concerned through the election process.  As we all know, the Board of Education is responsible for approving or voting down all of the issues that directly affect our children.  Let us remain advocates for our children and let our voices continue to be strong and continue to be heard.

March 2007 -   April 17, 2007 is ELECTION DAY.  As you all know, 3 seats on the D15 Board of Education are going to be available and 6 candidates are vying for positions.  The D15CP compiled a questionnaire that was sent to each candidate seeking a position on the Board and their answers are posted on this website.  click here.

We received several additional questions from members for each of the 6 candidates. These questions have been compiled and sent to the candidates as well.  As the candidates respond, their answers will be posted under the local advocacy section of this site. For access to this information on the candidates, please click here.

The Candidates Forum was held on March 1, 2007.  The only candidate not in attendance was Mr. Chapman.  This forum was videotaped by the district and is now available for viewing.  You may view the forum on Palatine local cable channel 6 on Fridays at 7pm and Sundays at noon.  This video will air until election day.

We recommend viewing the candidates websites, reading all articles in the local papers, and contacting the candidates direct. Our hope is that everyone who was concerned about the negotiations process will remain concerned through the election process.  As we all know, the Board of Education is responsible for approving or voting down all of the issues that directly affect our children.  Let us remain advocates for our children and let our voices continue to be strong and continue to be heard.
March 2007 -   On April 17, 2007, 3 seats on the D15 Board of Education are up for election.  The D15CP compiled a questionnaire that was sent to each candidate seeking a position on the Board.  We are pleased to say that all questionnaires have been received and the candidates answers are posted on this website.  click here.

The Candidates Forum was held on March 1, 2007.  The only candidate not in attendance was Mr. Chapman.  This forum was videotaped by the district and is now available for viewing.  You may view the forum on Palatine local cable channel 6 on Fridays at 7pm and Sundays at noon.  This video will air until election day.

Currently there are no additional public non-partisan forums scheduled.  If you have additional questions or concerns that you would like addressed - we recommend viewing the candidates websites, reading all articles in the local papers, and contacting the candidates direct.  We have received several additional questions from members that we are compiling.  It is our hope to forward these questions to the candidates and await their responses.  When these questions are completed, they too will be posted here.  For access to our information on the candidates, please click here. 

February 2007 -   On April 17, 2007, 3 seats on the D15 Board of Education are up for election.  The 3 positions on the Board are currently served by Scott Boucher, Paula Mikula, and Linda Silverman. These 3 will not be seeking re-election and we thank them for their years of service.

The D15CP has begun to gather information about the 6 candidates who are hoping to fill the 3 open positions.  The first public Candidate Forum is scheduled for March 1, 2007.  It is hosted by the NWSC PTA and the League of Women Voters.  The Forum is scheduled to begin promptly at 7:30pm at Sundling Jr. High.  It is crucial that the parents of D15 stay informed for this election and that we know how each of the candidates stand on issues that are of importance to the parents, the children, and the citizens of D15. 

February 2007 - On January 29^th, 2007 – anyone interested in running for the Board of Education began turning in their signed petitions. All petitions had to be submitted by Feb 5^th, 2007.  At this time, 6 people have turned in their petitions.  The D15CP will begin to gather information about these 6 candidates who are hoping to fill the 3 open positions.  We will alert all of our members of Candidate Forums hosted by various organizations throughout the community so that everyone can be informed on election day.  It is crucial that the parents of D15 stay informed for this election and that we know how each of the candidates stand on issues that are of importance to the parents, the children, and the citizens of D15. 

We have compiled a questionnaire that will be sent to each candidate.  Our plan is to post their answers on this website by Feb 27th. 

Our hope is that everyone who was concerned about the negotiations process will remain concerned through the election process.  As we all know, the Board of Education is responsible for approving or voting down all of the issues that directly affect our children.  Let us remain advocates for our children and let our voices continue to be strong and continue to be heard.

January 2007 - Now that the negotiations are over and the CTC Contract for the next 3 years has been approved, the district is focusing on new business. The D15CP are focusing on new business as well.  On April 17, 2007, 3 seats on the D15 Board of Education will be up for election.  The 3 positions on the Board are currently served by Scott Boucher, Paula Mikula, and Linda Silverman. It is not known at this time if any of these 3 will be seeking re-election.

On January 29^th, 2007 – anyone interested in running for the Board of Education can begin turning in their signed petitions. All petitions must be submitted by Feb 5^th, 2007.  At this time, the D15CP will begin to gather information about all of the candidates who are running and hoping to fill the 3 open positions.  We will alert all of our members of Candidate Forums hosted by various organizations throughout the community so that everyone can be informed on election day.  It is crucial that the parents of D15 stay informed for this election and that we know how each of the candidates stand on issues that are of importance to the parents, the children, and the citizens of D15. 

We are in the process of compiling a questionnaire that will be sent to each candidate.  Our plan is to post their answers on our website.  If there are questions that you would like us to consider asking the candidates – please email them to us at advocate4kdz@comcast.net. 

Our hope is that everyone who was concerned about the negotiations process will remain concerned through the election process.  As we all know, the Board of Education is responsible for approving or voting down all of the issues that directly affect our children.  Let us remain advocates for our children and let our voices continue to be strong and continue to be heard.

Oct 24, 2006 - The members of the CTC voted on Oct 23, to approve the contract agreement as written. Information on their web page states that base salaries will increase 2.12%, 2.13% and 2.13% respectively over the three year term of the agreement.  These salary percentages do not include step and lane increases which are actually part of their salary schedule. Step is equal to 2.54% per year on top of the 2.12% and 2.13%.  This equals 4.66% for year 1 and 4.67% for years 2 and 3.  The three year agreement for salary equals 14% with base + step and still does not include lane movement or retirement. Additionally, the school year will be shortened each year by one day until the school year is 3 days less than the 04/05 school year. Click Here for New Contract Details
 
Oct 20 2006 - Thank you to everyone who attended the special Board of Education meeting on Friday October 20th.  We realize that this meeting was difficult for many people to attend. Therefore, if you wish to hear the speeches given by the Board Members and their vote on the agreement, please click here.  The Board voted 4-3 to approve the agreement as written. 

Please be advised that the next BOE  meeting is on Wednesday, October 25 at 7:00pm at Sundling Jr. High. We strongly urge you to attend.  We further urge you to pass the word on to others.

As concerned parents who advocated strongly for a fiscally responsible contract it is important that we see this through to the end.  Please do all you can to attend this meeting. We are looking forward to seeing the details of the negotiated agreement when they are released. In the meantime, continue to email the board members and let them know your thoughts.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing everyone again on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13^th, 7pm at SUNDLING JR. HIGH.

District 15 Concerned Parents.