sorry, I can't agree that 203 does a great job.

In my family's personal dealings with District 203 administrators and Dr. Leis, we found people who were unprofessional and uncaring as to the needs of students in the District. In fact, Dr. Leis couldn't even be bothered to get our names right on a letter to us in response to a very legitimate complaint we have about the lack of appropriately challenging curriculum (by the way, our names were printed right there in front of his face our letter to him - even a monkey could copy them right), and had the nerve to tell us that our daughter would have to wait until high school for the more demanding curriculum that even Northwestern University's Center For Talent Development program highlighted as something she needed.

now that we've experienced a local private school that has a MUCH more challenging curriculum in keeping with the above average achievement capabilities/levels of area students (which apparently 203 can't be bothered to address), we can tell you emphatically that numerous parts of the elementary curriculum are sub-par and some are so bad that they need to be trashed and replaced asap. There is NO EXCUSE to bore kids in elementary school, yet our daughter complained about this numerous times, and with just cause.

And given the extraordinary number of parents who are angry about the horrible elementary math curriculum, the number who have been so moved as to complain to their principals about it (only to be told that they are the only ones who have complained - while amazingly I have personally met through happenstance FIVE different parents who have all complained to DIFFERENT 203 elementary principals about exactly this), and the snotty, uncaring responses from 203 parents are getting because of their legitimate concerns for their kids, I can't see how anyone can blindly claim that Dr. Leis has done a good job other than at obfuscating and obstructing reform and progress. Clearly, 203 seems more interested in spending money on elite sports than on improving the curriculum.

District 203's high test scores have much less to do with the curriculum than with the higher than average socioeconomic status of families living here, parental involvement in education, and substantially increased world learning experiences parents here are able to provide for their kids - believe me, I analyze data for a living and am very, very good at it, and blanket claims that 203's high test scores are 203 curriculum driven are pure drivel. In keeping with the extremely poor spelling/vocabulary in 203's elementary curriculum, Dr. Leis, can you spell "I-R-R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-L-E", "A-R-R-O-G-A-N-T" and "U-N-C-A-R-I-N-G"? apparently not!

given your treatment of that little boy's family, where you basically tried to coerce them and bribe them by withholding their son's learning equipment hostage to the point that TWO judges felt compelled to severely reprimand you for highly inappropriate behavior, it's clear that the arrogance and irresponsible approach 203 has been taking to educating our children and wasting our money start at the top. Good riddance, is all I can say. I'm hoping the new superintendent really wants to meet the needs of every child and believes in transparency, because although you said that was your mission, it's clear that it was only media hype because your actions have made it loud and clear that sentiment was NOT in your heart.

You critics of 203 just don't get it do you? Great schools mean INCREASING real estate values. If 203 didn't have such GREAT schools our REAL ESTATE values would fall at least by 10%

Anonymous,

Well, let us all remember Mr. Davitt's immortal words regarding teachers: "I don't hate teachers, I despise them"

I might also suggest before you accept Mr. Davitt's other comments, you take a look at what school districts in Illinois spend and what the results of that spending are.

This is a good place to start;

http://www.qualityeducation203.org/20080205referendum/costperformance_mediasurvey.shtml

You might also want to consider the fact that a majority of voters removed Mr. Davitt from his school board position, and they recently approved the facilities referendum, so I guess we in the majority see things differently.

You might also want to look at this anonymous website that bears all the hallmarks of Mr. Davitt's hatred for public education. Sadly, it looks like he lacks the courage, or shall I use one of his favorite words, "integrity", to put his name on it.

http://hold203accountable.org/Home_Page.html

Alert, Warning, Someone has either said something bad about School district 203 or are arguing with one of Thom Higgins posts. Here comes the self appointed defender of 203 to the rescue, None other than Thom Higgins. The man who doesn't work for the district but feels they can do no wrong. What gives, I don't know, but do understand that the school district has, to quote one of you favorite punching bags Mike Davitt, "treated the community like an ATM machine".

Dan,

Geez, can't you give it a rest?

There is an infinite variety of ways to say to say you disagree with the conduct and direction of D203, and you seem intent on exploring every one, but the fact remains that voters rejected your bid for the school board, just as they rejected your opposition to the referendum. You can go on and on about it, ad infinitum, making all sorts of claims, but it's long past starting to reek of sour grapes frankly.

You also have the disagreeable tendencies of both putting words in my (and others) mouth, and, of attempting to link me to people where there is no connection.

To whit:

I never said that PURE committed campaign fraud, nor have I condemned them as you imply. Indeed, they operated legally, and in the typical fashion that most, if not all, campaign advocacy groups operate. Do I personally think that everybody should be more transparent as to who they are, and who is funding them? Yes, I think they all, are wrong not to do so, but your attempt to make this into something sinister is a huge overreach, and is getting really old, as is you attempt to align me with people I have absolutely nothing to do with.

I know this thread is off the main page and few look at it. And as soon as I say this, the venom will pour out of Higgins.

Let's clarify a couple of points. A plurality of 25% of the voters does not constitute a mandate on the financial affairs of the District. (And in an election tainted with campaign fraud by PURE, you have stated such) As I said many months ago, if you truly believe this, then put out a referendum to lower the taxes. This is part of the tax cap law, just as you can increase, you can also vote to decrease. One issue, one vote. Why doesn't the Board do this? They know people would vote to lower the taxes.

The board's nobel abatement. A good analogy that I have said before. If a thief contributes part of his stolen property to charity, does that absolve him of a theft? Of course not. Why does the District bother? Create a positive image to try to paint over the crime.

Lastly, you have ignored my question. You have condemned PURE. Diane McGuire was the Treasurer and mastermind of PURE. She is on all of the campaign disclosure documents, you know that. So are you going to condemn her as well or throw your support Reverand Wright and Jesse Jackson and other hypocrites?

You can respond in three concise paragraphs if you have any integrity.

Anonymous,
You can frame your argument as you choose, but, in all honesty, I think it’s all rather contrived.

Residents elected a school board that supported using any surplus funds for facility needs, and then approved the facilities referendum as presented by the District. Residents didn't accept the argument that a portion of their taxes represented an overcharge that should be rebated, or abated, instead they voted in the affirmative to use any surplus funds for facilities needs. While you may want to continue to attempt to frame a specific amount of funds as an overcharge, that position does not represent anything approaching a majority view.

Additionally, and rather importantly from a purely fiscal standpoint, you neglect to account for the fact that any monies allocated from existing revenues saves real dollars by not having to pay the interest costs inherent in the construction bonds you suggest. If the district had to borrow these funds, the interest costs (which would have to be passed on to us) would have been quite significant. You apparently think we all should pay this additional interest why?

Further, your argument finally collapses when we consider the fact that 203 abated the levy to repay the first year’s installment on the referendum. It is my understanding that should the District feel they can safely do so again in the future, they will do so. Seems to me that abating these funds is a pretty good example of D203 being a good and fair steward of our money. They certainly didn't have to abate.

And lets remember, D203 spends just slightly more than the state average per student, but our kids score at the very top of the achievement scale. When you look at what other high performing school districts spend per student it’s pretty clear that D203’s a real bargain. I keep asking for someone to show me a Chicago area district that performs as well or better than D203 at a lower cost. Well, I’m still waiting.

As far as Dr. Leis’ compensation you might be interested to know that even at his new salary he is at the bottom of the pay scale vs. other consolidated school districts. D204 is paying its Supt $29K more per year and the new St. Charles Supt is $21K ahead. I expect we will look at Dr. Leis salary rather fondly when we all find out what it will take to replace him. I think he was worth every single dollar.

One can always complain about salaries, but again, if you look at what this district does in helping out kids achieve, especially compared to other districts, we all should be sending our thanks to Dr. Leis, and all the rest of the district employees who make it happen. This school district is truly something special, and it’s a bargain to boot.

How about it, Thom? What about Leis' lie on the 6% (which he eventually profited from)?

Thom, so what you are saying is that it is acceptable for anyone, including government to overcharge or overtax you as long as in the future they provide a service back to you utilizing those excess funds to provide something. The problem is that there is a process established to finance capital expenditures, that is construction bonds where the taxpayer after the bonds are retired is no longer taxed for any additional costs. Since 203 has decided that they will keep on taking extra taxes when the soon to be issued construction bonds are issued and subsequently retired the community will only stop paying the $82 dollars a year which was quoted, the will still have to keep paying the additional amount that is part of the surplus, but heaven forbid the district give that back.

Last you keep talking about that what a good district this is and what good people they have. However, my last post regarding Dr. Leis's letter in 2005 is a chink in that good armour. That is followed up by discussions in 2005 & 2006 Dr. Leis had where he clearly stated that the 2005 contract would be the last with the 6% kickers for retiring teachers salaries. Where was he follow up to his WORD with the stealth negotiations in 2007 where amazingly the 6% end of career kickers are still present. Then finally last night, Dr Leis receives the same 6% kicker. Please, very simply it is only about the money and the teachers fear that communities will eventually wake up.

IPSD 204 settled for a mediocre candidate who was fired by his previous district. Daschner is wrong for the district and wrong for the kids. Leis did a great job involving the community and listening to the parents. Two traits that are completely lacking in Daschner.

203 has a great district with excellent academic performance and deserve a great leader. Don't settle for a b-string candidate like 204 did take the time and search for someone who will continue to work with the community.

One day (hopefully soon) Daschner will leave 204 and we'll have a chance to do the same. Until then we will suffer under his lame "leadership". 203 parents, don't make the same mistake we did.

I was wondering why Mike McCurry was doing at the District 203 headquarters on August 5th.

Anonymous,

Realize that something like $34 million of the facilities renovation cost is being financed with cash flow that you could say is more or less a result of the 2002 referendum. Same could be said for the dollars that 203 did not charge residents for the first years cost of the referendum.

While there are people who are still displeased with the 2002 referendum, and wanted the surplus' returned, the voters elected/re-elected school board candidates that were in favor of putting the surplus' towards the renovation effort, and of course the referendum passed with full knowledge that the surplus would be used to partially finance the cost. I agree with the majority view here. I think the district handled the surplus and referendum financing correctly.

I'm unsure regarding some of your statements. I assume you meant to say that the administration was "unwilling" to return ....

I'd also be interested in your logic regarding the statement that the district is "resting on an unstable foundation"

In response to Mr Higgins absolute and unwaivering defense of district 203 I would like to remind him of the words Dr Leis used in his 7/1/2005 letter discussing the 2002 referendum. His first listed item stated: "District 203 will have a small budget surplus in June 2006, exceeding what was promised during the referendum." Just so everyone realizes this, this small surplus is no approximately 10 million dollars a year. Where was the courage of the administration and the school board to return this excess. The only reason the school district is in good financial shape is because of this overcollection that the board and administration was willing to return to its rightful owners. This also extends to a current board member on a proposal to return some of the excess said that it is not a question of right or wrong it is a matter of opinion. Contrary to Thom's position I believe the district might look good right now but is resting on an unstable foundation.

Regarding Dan Denys comments above.

I'll make the outlandish (not) statement that Dr. Leis wouldn't agree with Mr. Denys explanation of the "only plausible explanation" why he is retiring.

I think any fair observer can readily accept Dr Leis' own words as follows;

"....after almost 40 years in education, I have decided that it is time for me to retire. To that end, I notified the School Board several months ago of my intent to do so at the end of my current contract (June, 2009)."

"I honestly believe this is a perfect time to leave, both for my family and for me, and for the District as a whole. At this point in time we are doing very well from an instructional, financial, facilities, and staffing perspective, and Naperville 203 is blessed with seven hard-working and dedicated Board of Education members whom, I am certain, will work with each other, and with parents, staff and community, to find a talented and capable leader who will continue to move this District forward."

I've talked to Dr. Leis at length in the past and he is intensely proud of the excellent educational results the district and it's students achieve, as well as the team he has assembled, and the current school board members, where trust and respect flow both ways, (Mr. Denys failed to be elected to the board in 2007). Add to this the recent successful facilities referendum (which Mr. Denys adamantly opposed), and I can see Dr. Leis saying to himself, "My work is done here."

When you consider the disarray the district was in previously, compared to the excellent condition it is in today, it's apparent we all owe him a debt of gratitude for the leadership he provided, and nothing Mr. Denys says can alter that immutable fact.

How much will this school board throw at him in retirement?

This was a surprise. Every year he would have stayed would add $5,000 to his Illinois pension that is currently about $35,000 (three more years would be worth over $15,000). This is without any gimmicks from the last poster by the way. Don't worry, his Virginia pension should make for a comfortable retirement.

Still, he is years younger than the 204 superintendent who was fired in Louisville. And there are still many initiatives that should be implemented.

The only plausible explanation is that Dr. Leis has far more integrity than we all give him credit for. It must have been tough for him to cover for the lies of his business manager with the over collection, the deceit of the teachers union in contract negotiation, and the actions of his board candidates and their union supporters in the last election. It is like being the press secretary for Clinton during the Monica scandals.

But the straw that had to break his back is Caudill's bonehead action (those are Caudill's words, just wanted to give credit where it is due). And the valedictorian.

I would not blame him for heading for the hills where people are honest and true to their words. Test scores do not mean anything if you cannot trust the people that surround you.

If I am right, congradulations Dr. Leis. Unfortunately, the 203 Board will find another person that will coward to the unions and tolerate these atrocities.

Hold on to your wallets!!!

Dr. Leis did a decent job of leading the District and he was paid well while doing it.

Before we get ready to canonize him (Oops! I used a religious term while discussing a publicly-financed school. Shame on me! I should have said "Before we relegate him to legendary status!") we must realize that during his tenure 203 had by far the strongest amount of community involvement and activism in it's history.

We also had, for awhile anyway, a diverse School Board that was absent absolute partisanship and which engaged each other, and the community, in a broad, open debate on many issues. From taxing, to textbooks, to curriculum we had a group that was willing to take "edge" stances and not just go-along to get-along. I suspect we have seen the end to those days.

On the negative side, we need to look at the missed opportunity to return the taxes overcollected on the 2002 referendum; the possibly illegal activities associated with the last Board election cycle; and the fiasco with the "cheating scandals of 2008" (among other lowlights).

Now comes the big question: will he walk away with a big payday for leaving? My prediction is "YES!"

Three of the finalists are internal candidates? I wonder which one of these three clowns was personally responsible for deeming the Hammerschmidt estate uninhabitable for several reasons, one of which was because of a "lack of emergency exits"? This statement was reported earlier in the Naperville Sun who claimed they confirmed this fact with the city themselves.

Lack of emergency exits? Hello! Who is responsible for making these decisions anyway? Whoever is making these decisions at the Fire Department must be a nube who doesn't even have a basic understanding of fire codes. OK, so whoever is doing Fire Prevention doesn't have a clue, but doesn't at least a command officer of the Fire Department have to approve a report like this before any structure is deemed uninhabitable? And they went along with this nonsense?

NO single family residence is required to have any emergency exits. If emergency exits were a determining factor the Fire Department would have to deem every house in Naperville uninhabitable. Hey Naperville Fire Department try turning to Chapter 24 and boning up on the real requirements for One and Two Family Dwellings. Might come in handy for you guys considering over 90% of the structures in Naperville are single family dwellings. Once you guys find the right chapter try reading and understanding the part about Means of Escape. Then you guys might want to go back to the Hammerschmidt estate and take another look to see if the Means of Escape are in compliance or not.

And we pay these guys how much per year? And three of them are finalists? God help us.

I heard the city has chosen finalists for the fire chief position, three of which are internal. Can we see a thread on the pros and cons of hiring from within for this type of job or chosing someone from the outside?

Earlier this year, you had 203 residents sticking their nose in 204 issues. Now, you have 204 residents jumping into this blog.

Six years isn't exactly carpet bagger duration. In light of the plagiarism charges that surfaced at the end of the last school year and how they were (not) dealt with, it is time for a change.

i am glad that Dr. Leis is leaving. Hopefully our school district will find a leader that stands behind our policy of zero tolerence. My children were victims of physical bullying and he did nothing about it.
Shame on you.

Naperville 203 has been so fortunate to have a leader with such intellect, integrity, wisdom AND that endearing sense of humor! I was a teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, where Dr. Leis spent many years. He was cherished and respected. What a further gift to children that he wanted to continue his leadership for another six years, this time in Naperville! He has certainly earned some time for retirement! Best wishes!

Wow, Dr. Leis is a class act, great guy. I wish Dr. Daeschner would retire. He needs to very soon!

I'm saddened to hear that Dr. Leis is leaving. He has done yeomans work for D203, and leaves the district in a far better place that what he found when he started. He will be missed.

Just another in a soon-to-be long line of short-timer carpetbaggers. It would be nice if they put as much into the SD as they take out.

Let's see what havoc Dr. Daeschner can inflict upon 203. He's done such a bang-up job in 204 maybe he can bring his majesty to Naperville 203? Hey, maybe Bruce Glawe can move over to 203 also?

I can't comment much on Alan Leis's retirement since I'm a 204 parent and don't know much about Leis's 203 performance but I'd think that part of his legacy in the short time that he's been here should be the principal/plagiarism debacle. That was handled poorly and I can't help but wonder how much that weighed into his decision to retire? Let's face it, in the business world neither the principal nor the supertintendent would have had a job after such a mess!

Hopefully 203 can find a strong leader to take over.

The press release and the D203 website have pretty clear reasons why Dr. Leis is retiring. Great job and congrats on ending your career on a high note!

That's right it's 204s fault just like the economy, gas prices, global warming. D204 is behind all of it.

In case you haven't noticed, not much attention, in fact none, has been on 204 lately. Pretty much a dead issue now.

You need to come up with another excuse, like maybe, he's tired of dealing with the "wannabes" of Naperville.

I think the 204 board is behind this. It's part of their plan to divert attention from the placement and boundaries for Metea Valley.