[Southsider2k12]

We need more Anvil Chorus letter's like this, instead of ones about how big their own heart is...

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...04954573802.txt

Was superintendent raise premature?

Published: Friday, February 10, 2012 5:07 PM CST
According to the Chicago Sun Times expose printed Feb. 3, “Former Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason-Watkins collected $239,849..., including $159,843 in sick pay” upon retiring from the Chicago Public Schools to become the current superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools.

The sick days were used to “sweeten” her pension, the Sun Times reported further, and, as a result, “Eason-Watkins collects an additional $7,440 annually in pension payments for the rest of her life.”

Here in Indiana, the state legislature is studying a bill to cap school superintendent’s pay and benefits which count toward pensions. Legislation has been introduced to make negotiations of superintendent’s employment contracts public. Both are good moves, I believe.

Yet, on the local scene, near the end of last year, it was the consensus of school board members, on the basis of evaluations they individually submitted, that (per contract), our superintendent be awarded a $10,000 increase on top of the $145,000 she was already being paid, even though the state had given this school district an overall grade of “D.”

*
I personally felt the granting and acceptance of that was premature after the superintendent had served only one year on the job. While one of my board colleagues claims I “begrudge” people getting a raise, in truth, I will certainly support raises which are necessary. However, when someone receives a six-figure salary to begin with, not to mention the since-disclosed retirement payouts noted above, I think it is fair to ask whether such a raise is based on need or greed.

During what U.S. Education Secretary Duncan himself calls “these tight budget times,” let’s hope we are not headed for the complete Chicago-ization of our own school system.

Beryle Burgwald

MCAS Board of Trusteees

Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...6d653679803.txt

Board members respond to Burgwald

Published: Saturday, February 11, 2012 5:06 PM CST
We are writing in reaction to an Anvil Chorus letter published Friday, Feb. 10, by our fellow school board member, Beryle Burgwald.

Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins came to MCAS after more than 35 years of service to the Chicago Public Schools, as a teacher, principal and administrator. Payments and pension enhancements made to her by CPS were in accordance with that board’s policy, and she was not alone in receiving these benefits. More than 100 CPS employees received compensation of more than $100,000 for unused sick and vacation days. The Chicago Board’s policy may be in need of reform. But that issue is not ours to decide.

Here are the facts as they relate to Michigan City Area Schools.

Our superintendent carried over no sick or vacation days to MCAS. Her salary and benefits are on a par with other districts in our region.

*
MCAS recently tightened our policy for administrator compensation, tying pay to performance. We want the best for our children, and we need to hold our administrators – including our superintendent – accountable.

Raises for our superintendent are not based on either “need or greed” as Mr. Burgwald suggests in his letter. They are based on performance and results.

Dr. Eason-Watkins has a passion for our community and the children of Michigan City. Her focus on the instructional core, career and technical education, and programmatic options for families is transforming our school district. In just one year, we have seen graduation rate increase of nearly 10 percent. ISTEP scores are on the rise – up more than 10 percent at some of our buildings. We have launched two successful magnet schools and gifted/talented programs at three of our elementary schools. Dual credit offerings have doubled at our high school. At six schools, students are “dressing for success,” and we are revitalizing our Career and Technical Education programs and partnerships.

Mr. Burgwald himself gave Dr. Eason-Watkins a positive performance review this fall. Based on her contract, the positive review she received entitles her to an incentive. And to earn that incentive next year, she will need to continue to show improvement.

Michigan City Area Schools is making steady progress, thanks in large part to an experienced and respected leader at the helm. We must work together as a school board and as a community, building on the progress we have made. The success of our children – and our community – depends on it.

Don Dulaney, Bill Greene, Jeff Jones, Jim Kintzele, Vidya Kora, Beth Pishkur

Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees

Michigan City, IN

[MC Born & Raised]

I agree with Mr. Burgwald's assessment that the raise is premature, but her situation in Illinois really shouldn't factor in at all. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...20691621222.txt

MCAS board members respond to Burgwald's opinion

By Lois Tomaszewski
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — A difference of opinion among Michigan City Area Schools board members became public Tuesday as four of the six board members present at Tuesday's school board meeting chastised Beryle Burgwald for a published criticism of Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins.

Board member William Greene accused Burgwald of inaction while on the board, citing what he perceived as a negative attitude. Like others on the board, Burgwald signed the superintendent's contract and knew the terms, Greene said. He criticized Burgwald's decision to publish a letter in the News-Dispatch instead of discussing it with the superintendent or fellow board members directly.

Burgwald's letter questioned whether Eason-Watkins deserved the merit increase approved in August. The state grade for Michigan City School's was a "D" last year, which Burgwald argued was not an improvement. He also accused the superintendent, who was hired July 1, 2010, of the "Chicagoization" of the schools.

Eason-Watkins left a position with Chicago Public Schools to accept the position at MCAS. Her contract includes a salary, a monthly allowance for her vehicle and an annual incentive if certain benchmarks were reached during a school year. Unlike the previous superintendent, MCAS is not providing a life insurance policy and there are no vacation or sick days absorbed from Eason-Watkins' previous position.

*
"I think you owe our superintendent a public apology," Greene said.

Fellow board member James Kintzele Sr. voiced his own disappointment with Burgwald's very public stance. He defended Eason-Watkins, saying that her performance evaluation has nothing to do with the state grade. The "D" grade was an improvement over two previous years of a failing grade, he said.

Kintzele said the board had an obligation to protect the superintendent from public criticism because it is one of the only positions which the board directly hires.

Burgwald was quick to rebut his colleagues comments. His fellow board members should be more active, not passive, a reference to what he says is their willingness to approve everything that comes before them without discussion.

Board member Barbara Pishkur told Greene and Kintzele that the public board meeting was not the place to voice their disapproval of Burgwald's action. The board's response was also published in a letter to the newspaper, which should have been the end of it, she said.

Chairman Donald Dulaney said he wanted to address what he saw as misinformation in Burgwald's letter in the newspaper. Eason-Watkins did not receive a raise but a performance incentive. Dulaney said her salary is in line with that paid to superintendents in other districts in northwestern Indiana.

Last to state his opinion was board member Jeffrey Jones. He said Burgwald's use of the term "they" in referring to his fellow board members was an example of improper "boardsmanship." When the board makes a decision, it no longer reflective of individual's votes, but becomes the action of the entire board.

"Once the vote is taken, the board owns that decision," Jones said. Burgwald should have aired his concerns with the board, he said.

Burgwald's response was to suggest that the board may not be as public as it should be, a remark that brought a quick and vocal denial from Jones.

During public comment, parent Angie Nelson voiced her support for Eason-Watkins.

"The atmosphere has changed dramatically when it comes to the school system and what people are saying about the school system," Nelson said.

After years of private school, her youngest child is going to attend a MCAS middle school. She urged Eason-Watkins to stay on and not let the criticism deter her from the improvements Nelson said she could see. "We need you here and we want you here," she said.

Bus driver Don Snapp said he doesn't want a school board that always agrees. "There's nothing wrong with questioning what the superintendent does," he said. "That's a lot of money."

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...a8024591430.txt

[quote]Wishing MCAS continued success in its efforts in improvement

Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:07 PM CST
Michigan City Area School Board members exchanged viewpoints in public in the Anvil Chorus this past week, something that shocked some of our readers and amused others.

The first letter was from school board member Beryle Burgwald, who talked about a payout that Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins received when she retired from the Chicago Public Schools. Burgwald also criticized the board for awarding Eason-Watkins a bonus above the salary she is being paid by MCAS, saying it was premature to do so since the school system received a "D" rating from the state and Eason-Watkins has only been on the job for a year.

In response, the other board members sent a letter pointing out that payments and pension enhancements Eason-Watkins received from Chicago Public Schools were in accordance with that board's policy and that decision was not the MCAS board's decision to make. They also said raises for the superintendent are based on performance and results and pointed out that Burgwald himself gave Eason-Watkins a positive performance review last fall.

The letters provide a stark contrast in looking at the same set of facts, sort of the difference between looking at a situation from a negative point of view and a positive point of view.

*
It's obvious that some people continue to have a negative attitude when looking at Michigan City Area Schools. It was the prevalent attitude for some time and some people are having trouble letting that negative perception go by the wayside.

But after one year, if you look closely, changes are happening in MCAS schools and they are positive.

For example, in just one year, the Michigan City High School graduation rate is up nearly 10 percent. Some ISTEP scores in the school system have improved.

The News-Dispatch is running a series of news stories about teachers using grant money from the Michigan City Education Foundation to teach in new and creative ways and to engage students in new ways of learning.

The school system is operating two new magnet schools and implemented gifted and talented programs at several elementary schools.

At the A.K. Smith Career Center, students are rebuilding a 1968 Ford Mustang in a cooperative effort with Sullair Corp., with the refurbished car to be raffled off to benefit United Way.

New partnerships, initiatives and programs are being started every day in MCAS schools, including an entirely new website where parents and students can explore new opportunities for learning.

There are good things happening in MCAS schools and many if not all of those things stem from the leadership ability of Eason-Watkins and her staff, who are dedicated to taking the "glass half empty" viewpoint and turning it into a "glass half full" outlook.

No one, not even Eason-Watkins, can transform a school system with a failing grade to a five star school overnight, or even in a year. It is going to take time, dedication on the part of the staff, students and parents, and the full support of the school board and the Michigan City community.

And it will take a "glass half full" attitude as we as a community work together to help the schools improve. Not everything is perfect right now in MCAS schools. But the school system is improving day by day. Even if MCAS isn't getting an "A" yet, that day-by-day effort on the part of every teacher, administrator, student and parent will get the school system there eventually.

We applaud Eason-Watkins, the administration, teachers, students and parents for the accomplishments of this past year and wish them continued success in their future efforts.

[Southsider2k12]

I like Burgwald questioning the board on this money. There are still some of the same people on that board who let the former Super run up over $110 million in debt, which my kids, kids, will be paying for.

At the end of the day that is a 6.8% increase for Dr Eason-Watkins. How many people out there got a near 7% raise this year? I know I didn't. I don't even really mind the raise, but how do you look a the people who are actually the ones getting these results in the teachers, faculty, and support staff, and give them a fraction of this, if any raise at all? I think as a leader, you would want to make sure the people whose backs this educational recover is being posted on, also benefit from this, before I took a five figure raise.

[CaddyRich]

"Kintzele said the board had an obligation to protect the superintendent from public criticism because it is one of the only positions which the board directly hires."

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but "protect the superintendent from public criticism"...??? Did Our Fair Schools suddenly become funded by some other source than taxpayer dollars paid by...the public?

[Grammy515]

"Kintzele said the board had an obligation to protect the superintendent from public criticism because it is one of the only positions which the board directly hires."

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but "protect the superintendent from public criticism"...??? Did Our Fair Schools suddenly become funded by some other source than taxpayer dollars paid by...the public?

How is it that Burgawald questioned a raise for someone he helped to hire? Did he not read what was in her contract? His concerns should have been raised before the contract was a done deal....not a year later.

[Southsider2k12]

See now this tone bothers me. NO ONE has said they don't support the Superintendent. Even people who were vocal critics of her hiring have remarked at how well she has done. This is about the raise, nothing more. To bring the other stuff into it, is intentionally misleading. It implies that Burgwald, or anyone who questions the raise, doesn't support her or want her to succeed.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...47847797058.txt

Search committee supports Eason-Watkins

Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012 5:06 PM CST
Three years ago, we were selected by the Michigan City School Board to serve as a search and screen panel in the selection of a new superintendent for the district. We received many applications and, after careful review, sent a short list of candidates for final consideration to the school board. As a result, the search process ended in the hiring of Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins as the superintendent of schools. She was, by far, the best candidate for the position.

Anyone who reviews Dr. Eason-Watkins’ credentials can see that she has had extensive experience in education and she brings that wealth of knowledge to her current position. In her capacity as the second in command in the Chicago Public Schools, she accomplished many things, instituted new and innovative programming and worked very hard to improve the CPS’ reputation in Chicago and among its constituent groups.

We take exception to the earlier letter in the “Anvil Chorus” from school board member Beryl Burgwald. In coming to Michigan City, she took a huge pay cut and did not require any moving expenses since she already had an established home in Michigan City. CPS did pay out her sick time and any accrued vacation time. However, that is not unusual especially in high ranking positions throughout the business world.

Since her arrival at Michigan City we have already seen much progress and change. The creation of the two magnet schools, the use of instructional technology and the improvement in scores on the ISTEP tests are just a few of the accomplishments in the short time she has been superintendent. We believe that the majority of the school board members saw the opportunity to give Dr. Eason-Watkins an incentive as a good faith gesture of the positive impact that she has already made on the Michigan City Area Schools.

We agree with the six board members who recently sent a supportive letter on behalf of Dr. Eason-Watkins to the Anvil Chorus. She has brought a passion to her work for the MCAS in order to create a better learning environment for children. She continues to seek improvements across all spectrums of the corporation to make MCAS the best school corporation in Indiana. The MCAS is very fortunate to have landed her as the superintendent. She has already earned our respect and she deserves our complete support for what she is trying to accomplish.

With her continued hard work and dedication, the children of the Michigan City Area Schools will reap the benefits of her many talents. By doing so, she will ultimately make our community a stronger one.

Jaye Fuller

IBEW Local 531

Chair, SearchCommittee

Paul Applegate

Applegate &Company

Certified PublicAccountants

Chancellor JamesB. Dworkin

Purdue NorthCentral

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...a8024591430.txt

Wishing MCAS continued success in its efforts in improvement

Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:07 PM CST
Michigan City Area School Board members exchanged viewpoints in public in the Anvil Chorus this past week, something that shocked some of our readers and amused others.

The first letter was from school board member Beryle Burgwald, who talked about a payout that Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins received when she retired from the Chicago Public Schools. Burgwald also criticized the board for awarding Eason-Watkins a bonus above the salary she is being paid by MCAS, saying it was premature to do so since the school system received a "D" rating from the state and Eason-Watkins has only been on the job for a year.

In response, the other board members sent a letter pointing out that payments and pension enhancements Eason-Watkins received from Chicago Public Schools were in accordance with that board's policy and that decision was not the MCAS board's decision to make. They also said raises for the superintendent are based on performance and results and pointed out that Burgwald himself gave Eason-Watkins a positive performance review last fall.

The letters provide a stark contrast in looking at the same set of facts, sort of the difference between looking at a situation from a negative point of view and a positive point of view.

*
It's obvious that some people continue to have a negative attitude when looking at Michigan City Area Schools. It was the prevalent attitude for some time and some people are having trouble letting that negative perception go by the wayside.

But after one year, if you look closely, changes are happening in MCAS schools and they are positive.

For example, in just one year, the Michigan City High School graduation rate is up nearly 10 percent. Some ISTEP scores in the school system have improved.

The News-Dispatch is running a series of news stories about teachers using grant money from the Michigan City Education Foundation to teach in new and creative ways and to engage students in new ways of learning.

The school system is operating two new magnet schools and implemented gifted and talented programs at several elementary schools.

At the A.K. Smith Career Center, students are rebuilding a 1968 Ford Mustang in a cooperative effort with Sullair Corp., with the refurbished car to be raffled off to benefit United Way.

New partnerships, initiatives and programs are being started every day in MCAS schools, including an entirely new website where parents and students can explore new opportunities for learning.

There are good things happening in MCAS schools and many if not all of those things stem from the leadership ability of Eason-Watkins and her staff, who are dedicated to taking the "glass half empty" viewpoint and turning it into a "glass half full" outlook.

No one, not even Eason-Watkins, can transform a school system with a failing grade to a five star school overnight, or even in a year. It is going to take time, dedication on the part of the staff, students and parents, and the full support of the school board and the Michigan City community.

And it will take a "glass half full" attitude as we as a community work together to help the schools improve. Not everything is perfect right now in MCAS schools. But the school system is improving day by day. Even if MCAS isn't getting an "A" yet, that day-by-day effort on the part of every teacher, administrator, student and parent will get the school system there eventually.

We applaud Eason-Watkins, the administration, teachers, students and parents for the accomplishments of this past year and wish them continued success in their future efforts.