04-24-2010, 05:23 PM
I am here to propose a challenge to the School Board. As an employee of the district at the Brookside Campus I am appauled by the disorganization and the "pass the buck" attitude that has been deployed by the administration up the food chain to the super. I am no way pointing the finger at one paticular person(s) because this goes way deeper than blaming one person. Sure we could say it's this person(s) fault for the way this school operates but in order to run a school it takes a collective effort from everyone from the School Board, the Super, Principal, Asst. Principal's, House Principal's, Teachers, Safety Staff, as well as Paraprofessional's. I am writing this on behalf of the 90% of good students that attend this school. They are the one's that are suffering the most due to the fact they have to deal with the 10% of students who just don't give a S**t. I am talking about the gangbangers, the dope smoker's, the constant truants, the constant hallwalkers, the disrespectful kids who think they can talk to staff as if they were in the hood. I'm sorry but these are the kids that need to go and until something is done and the school board takes a hard stance on students like this, the school will never reach it's full potential. The problem is the School Board is so concerned with numbers(suspensions,expulsions) that it is a reflection on themselves. We all know how politics work. If there's high suspensions and expulsions it looks bad in the public eye and who would want to send their children to a school like this. Not to mention funding (money) the district would lose. The problem is the school staff spends so much of their time dealing with this 10% that they are taken away from encouraging and recognizing the 90%. Let's face it we can not save all our children and unfortunately no matter how hard we try there are some that will fall through the cracks of society. We are not talking about young kids here. We are talking about young adults who know the difference from right and wrong and if they cannot adhere to the rules of the school then they should be removed. Put it back on the shoulders of the parents who many now a days expect the school to raise their children for them. Let them deal with their out of control kid and deal with alternative placement and babysitting. To the School Board come visit the school unannounced, be an outside observer in the hallways and you will see for yourself. Also you need to revamp your discipline handbook and let the parents and kids know that Waukegan School Dist. ain't playin anymore!!! The handbook is too soft for kids of this age. For instance you fight in school your out indefinately. You get caught with drugs your out indefinately. You bring a weapon in school your out indefinately. Doing this will teach the kids responsibility, and being resposible for their actions along with putting the burden on the parents which this district has gotten away from. Have a mandatory orientation at the beginning of each year where students and parent must attend to review the handbook. If they don't attend they don't get in school. In doing this the parent,child and school will all be on the same page. No suprises and no excuses. I know it's easier said then done but think about the outcome. A school where the good kids can come and get an education and not have to worry about the 10%ers.