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Post by warriorpride on Aug 6, 2008 9:42:16 GMT -5
From the 204 eNews: Indian Prairie's Board of Education announced one of its seven members is stepping down. Bruce Glawe announced this week he is leaving the board effective immediately. Glawe said his decision is based on the demands of serving as CEO of a local bank, coupled with his desire to spend more time with his family and volunteering in other areas. Glawe was first appointed to the board in 2004 and was elected in 2005 to serve a four-year term. His current term would have ended in April 2009. Glawe spent five years teaching math at a suburban high school before entering the banking field in 1980. With a background in education and finance, his work on the board often involved helping the community better understand complicated financial issues facing the district. Glawe credits "incredible participation and teamwork" for some of the district's accomplishments he's seen during the past four years. His list of district accomplishments includes passing a referendum, hiring a superintendent, restructuring the district's long-term debt which reduced the bond and interest portion on tax bills, and focusing on student achievement through programs like all-day kindergarten and a revised middle school schedule. The board of education plans to discuss the process for filling Glawe's term at its meeting on August 11. The process will be shared with the community through 204 E-News and posted on the district's website at www.ipsd.org.
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Post by gatormom on Aug 6, 2008 21:11:30 GMT -5
I really appreciated Bruce Glawe's input at SB meetings. He really did inject a strong sense of fiscal responsibility. He will be missed.
IIRC, the SB has to replace him very quickly. Be interesting to watch this, as it was when Alka Tyle was selected.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Aug 6, 2008 21:22:26 GMT -5
I personally can understand why someone would get burned out after the last year we have had. It's too bad he can't stick it out but on the other hand, this lets some new blood and fresh perspective in there for the start of the school year. I am kind of wondering if some members are just treading water until they can get the heck out of Dodge. I really think we need some new blood. Whether or not this person gets re-elected, I think a little change would be good right now. I think it's good to give a new person a little trial period in front of the podium before we decide to elect him/her for 4 more years.
I also read somewhere that some people would be more inclined to run for something if they are "hired" in an interview process vs. elections. Granted, this person would still have to face an election in a few months, but maybe we will get some people to come out for the seat that normally might not.
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Post by title1parent on Aug 7, 2008 5:54:11 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=226115&src=76Indian Prairie board member resignsBy Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald Staff Published: 8/6/2008 4:22 PM | Updated: 8/6/2008 Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board member Bruce Glawe has resigned effective immediately, eight months short of completing his first term. Glawe, whose term was scheduled to expire next April, said his decision was based on the demands of serving as CEO of an area bank along with his desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other volunteer opportunities. "I'm CEO of a growing, booming company that is hiring and training new employees at a very rapid rate," Glawe said Wednesday afternoon. "I need to be focused on that right now because the demands of the job are only going to go up from here." He also wants to keep time in his schedule to continue his volunteer efforts at his church, the YMCA and Habitat for Humanity. Glawe was appointed to the board in 2004 and elected in 2005 to serve a four-year term. While disappointed he won't be finishing that term, Glawe said his departure and the board's legal obligation to replace him by Sept. 18 puts his incoming replacement "in perfect position." "It is pure coincidence but the timing of my departure couldn't be better," he said. "This will give someone an opportunity to experience almost a complete school year cycle before deciding whether they want to continue on and run for the seat in April. Talk about on-the-job training." Board President Mark Metzger counts Glawe as the 24th board member he's served with and said he was hoping Glawe would reconsider and run for a second term. "Bruce is a numbers-driven guy and we benefited from that as a district," Metzger said. "Bruce brought a lot of interesting leadership qualities to the table every Monday and those will be missed." Glawe insists all of the district's achievements were a team effort. He said he leaves with no regrets. "I couldn't be happier to be on the team that addressed the space concerns and got Metea (Valley High School) going," he said. "This district had incredible space challenges. Taking our youngsters out of an overcrowded environment is going to benefit every last one of them in some way and I'm glad to be a part of that." Glawe said he's also happy his friends on the board are beyond the Metea Valley controversies and can "get back to what a school board should be doing." "This is the time for them to get back to focusing on the classroom and children," Glawe said. "With everything settled with Metea and all-day kindergarten, there should be nothing to distract them from that this year." The school board plans to discuss filling Glawe's term at Monday's meeting. Metzger said he envisions the district will ask interested candidates to submit a resume and support letter to the board by an as yet to be determined deadline. After one or more rounds of interviews, depending on the number of applicants, the board will pick Glawe's replacement. "When the dust settles," he said, "I'm confident we will pick someone who has a passion for education and a passion for Indian Prairie."
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Post by title1parent on Aug 7, 2008 5:57:17 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=226116&src=76School board member's resignation letterPublished: 8/6/2008 4:23 PM DH This is Bruce Glawe's resignation letter to members of the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board: After serving for almost four years, I am resigning my position as a member of the Indian Prairie District 204 school board effective immediately. The demands of my job, coupled with my desire to spend more time with my family and in volunteering in several other places, have brought me to this decision. I believe the timing of my resignation to be advantageous to anyone who has an interest in filling this position. The beginning of a new school year is a perfect time for a new member to join the school board. It has been a very busy four years for the school board. As I reflect on my time as a board member, I am proud of all that has been accomplished in District 204. The short list of accomplishments achieved through incredible participation and teamwork includes: the passing of a building referendum; the start of construction on the new Metea High School; the hiring of a new superintendent; the restructuring of the district's long-term indebtedness resulting in a decline in the bond and interest rate on property tax bills; the district's continued strong financial rating and performance; a heightened focus on improving student achievement by implementing numerous programs such as all-day kindergarten, interventionists, a change in the middle school schedule, a focus on site-specific leadership and initiatives, and the development of data-driven comprehensive plans for school and individual student improvement; the receipt of numerous awards in music, fine arts and athletics; the formation of several citizens advisory committees; a reorganization of the technology department; an extreme makeover of the district's Web site; and finally the openings of Peterson Elementary and the Frontier Campus. I wish to thank my fellow board members for all of the many hours we have spent together focused always on what is best for the students of District 204. We came to realize that it is paramount to focus on what is learned and not what is taught. I wish to thank all of the administrators, principals, teachers and staff who I have come to know personally, not only as true professionals, but as friends. They are the reason why I moved my family into the district years ago and why so many other families have made District 204 their home. The education we are providing our young people in this district is exemplary. Finally, I wish to thank all of the district's parents and parent organizations who spend so much of their time being involved in the education of our children and in supporting the district's efforts in Preparing All Students to Succeed.
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Post by majorianthrax on Aug 7, 2008 10:12:54 GMT -5
Well this subject has got everyone hopping again especially on the blue board. BG can talk about his responsibilities at the bank but the flat out truth is the guy is burned out just like Rodman was. After having to take all that garbage over the last year and that MV is finally over he just wants to bail. I remember during the April 14th meeting a WE resident stood up and accused him of lying right in front of everyone. BG just looked down like he was defeated. He probably thought he had nothing left to offer the board and just wants go get away from it.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Aug 7, 2008 11:21:34 GMT -5
Can anyone blame him? I sure can't. I know you are supposed to know what you are getting into when you apply for the school board, but I don't think anyone on that board could have predicted what transpired in this past year. There were bad things said by both sidesand who knows what was put in some emails to them but from what has been written on blogs about these people, I just can't blame anyone for stepping down. Maybe a new face will help motivate the rest of them.
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Post by sardines on Aug 7, 2008 12:27:28 GMT -5
Can anyone blame him? I sure can't. I know you are supposed to know what you are getting into when you apply for the school board, but I don't think anyone on that board could have predicted what transpired in this past year. There were bad things said by both sidesand who knows what was put in some emails to them but from what has been written on blogs about these people, I just can't blame anyone for stepping down. Maybe a new face will help motivate the rest of them. Agreed. Seriously though, who would want to take on this volunteer job? I would rather stick forks in my eyes. It's the emotional equivalent of a public stoning. The thing that bugs me the most is that typically (o.k. not always) the first ones to criticize are the very ones that would NEVER take on the job themselves whether it be the seat on the school board, the PTA officer, the room parent or the "fun day" coordinator.It's much easier to talk about what you WOULD have done had it been you.....
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Post by Arch on Aug 7, 2008 12:34:02 GMT -5
Criticism done properly shines the light on the wall to what's perceived to be wrong and needs fixing and hopefully has suggestions on how to go about fixing it. Criticism without alternative solutions or suggestions for improvement... I would agree with you is just talk.
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 7, 2008 12:42:00 GMT -5
Can anyone blame him? I sure can't. I know you are supposed to know what you are getting into when you apply for the school board, but I don't think anyone on that board could have predicted what transpired in this past year. There were bad things said by both sidesand who knows what was put in some emails to them but from what has been written on blogs about these people, I just can't blame anyone for stepping down. Maybe a new face will help motivate the rest of them. Agreed. Seriously though, who would want to take on this volunteer job? I would rather stick forks in my eyes. It's the emotional equivalent of a public stoning. The thing that bugs me the most is that typically (o.k. not always) the first ones to criticize are the very ones that would NEVER take on the job themselves whether it be the seat on the school board, the PTA officer, the room parent or the "fun day" coordinator.It's much easier to talk about what you WOULD have done had it been you..... I agree, but in turn it also in my eyes lends even more credibility to a fair number of people on the boards who have been: SB candidates / PTSA officers, Booster club officers, volunteers etc. . There are a lot of them around also, more than one may think. And they are all over the map opinion wise.
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Post by specialneedsmom on Aug 7, 2008 14:47:51 GMT -5
You know what? You have to keep your eye on the prize, and the prize is the best possible public school education for all students in the district. That has to be the ultimate goal of any school board member. If it isn't they shouldn't be there.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Aug 7, 2008 16:26:27 GMT -5
You know what? You have to keep your eye on the prize, and the prize is the best possible public school education for all students in the district. That has to be the ultimate goal of any school board member. If it isn't they shouldn't be there. I agree SNM. And IMHO that is what has been so sad about this last year. It's too bad all of the energy that should have been focused on the kids' educations had to be refocused due to the arguing, criticism etc and the whole boundary/new school process. Whether you agree with their decisions or not, this whole last year really took away alot of energy and focus on other aspects of the system for them. Hopefully with some new members, we can get that focus back.
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Post by majorianthrax on Aug 7, 2008 17:42:57 GMT -5
A good SB member will look out for the interests of all the students in the entire district, not in just one area. Some of the loudest and most obnoxious at the SB meetings were only interested in their own areas and screw the rest. Of course after all that has happened the new candidates will be given a major going over and grilling. Who ever chooses to run will have to have skin as thick as an elephant.
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Post by Arch on Aug 7, 2008 18:29:10 GMT -5
A good SB member will look out for the interests of all the students in the entire district, not in just one area. Some of the loudest and most obnoxious at the SB meetings were only interested in their own areas and screw the rest. Of course after all that has happened the new candidates will be given a major going over and grilling. Who ever chooses to run will have to have skin as thick as an elephant. The most obnoxious one I remember lately was a PTA Prz from the area around MV.
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Post by gatormom on Aug 8, 2008 8:00:32 GMT -5
A good SB member will look out for the interests of all the students in the entire district, not in just one area. Some of the loudest and most obnoxious at the SB meetings were only interested in their own areas and screw the rest. Of course after all that has happened the new candidates will be given a major going over and grilling. Who ever chooses to run will have to have skin as thick as an elephant. The most obnoxious one I remember lately was a PTA Prz from the area around MV. Maybe for you but I recall many who were pretty obnoxious and to be honest, from all parts of the district. Of course, this does nothing but pick at the scab. A few of us are trying to heal. Going back to what majorianthrax said, anyone running for the SB will need pretty tough skin. This district has some very devoted parents who will definitely be looking carefully at everyone running. Hope that doesn't discourage those who are truly qualified.
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