Last week I missed an all-important meeting of the School District 166 school board because it was on the same afternoon as the Cook County Girl Scouts’ Court of Awards. At the time, I wasn’t too upset. As I told School Board Chair Jeanne Anderson before the meeting, I’d rather hang out with the Girl Scouts than sit in a school board meeting.
The Court of Awards is the Girl Scout year end finale. It’s hectic but fun. There is a dinner for parents and important adults. Awards are bestowed and each local Girl Scout Troop has a few minutes in the spotlight. Some of us give a video presentation; some sing; some dance. But everyone has something to share. My troop—No. 4109— sang Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.
This year’s Court of Awards was at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts and taking place simultaneously, in the Jane Mianowski Conference Room to the right of the auditorium, the School Board was meeting. As I visited with parents, helped Girl Scouts with uniform issues, posed for a troop photo, practiced “our” song and more, I glanced now and then into the conference room.
It was packed. Citizens had come out in force to speak their minds about potential budget cuts. I saw some people crying. Again, I was glad I was outside the room with the noisy, but happy, Girl Scouts.
Since I missed the actual meeting because I was wrangling those Girl Scouts, I watched the video on the school’s YouTube channel late last night.
Yes, you read that correctly, there is a School District 166 YouTube channel. If you want to check it out, just Google “Cook County Schools ISD 166 YouTube” and a page will come up with videos of not just school board meetings, but events like the recent band concert and graduation.
The meeting was really long and sometimes it was difficult to hear because of all the people moving around, but it was so helpful to have the video. I was able to listen to the parents and students who were concerned that fine arts programming was to be reduced. Passionate statements were made in support of teachers Kerri Bilben and Mary MacDonald and choir director Erika Ternes.
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Beth Schwarz gave an explanation of how the proposed reduction in teachers’ workweeks would impact students. By then most people had left the meeting, so I encourage folks to “go to the tape” on the website. Some of the angst may be relieved by the superintendent’s report.
Perhaps not, because the bottom line is the teachers who may be impacted are losing time spent with students and they would see a corresponding cut in pay. It is possible that the teachers could decide not to continue working for School District 166. And I agree with many who said that would be a great loss to our school and our community.
I hope amidst all the emotion and upheaval, those teachers are feeling how loved they are by their students and the community.
Another topic was discussed at the school board meeting that I would have thought would have also garnered citizen comment— or at least interest. School District 166 has let bids and accepted bids for changes to the entrance and parking lot at the school. This summer construction will begin— trees will be cut down and green space will be lost to parking.
The video shows that no one came to ask questions about that. I’m guessing there will be an outcry when the work actually begins.
One never knows what agenda item is going to get citizens to come out to a government meeting. As Commissioner Heidi Doo- Kirk told the school board at the start of the video, she empathized with them. She noted that it is tough to be sitting in front of a crowd of tearful or angry folks. She wished them well. I do too.
If you want to see what the school board faces on a regular basis, just roll the tape!
Don’t worry…about a
thing…cause every little
thing…gonna be alright.
Bob Marley
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