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1. KimJ
   Member

   http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/GPG0101/806060668

   Jack Baldermann
   Superintendent, Riverside Brookfield High School, Riverside, Ill.

   As Jack Baldermann sees it, there's always room to get better.

   The focus on student achievement is what's led his efforts to increase Advanced Placement test participation and graduation rates at Riverside Brookfield High School, where he serves as superintendent and principal.

   "Everyone talks about making sure that all students are successful," Baldermann said. "It's easy to talk. I'm really extremely passionate about that."

   He's also passionate about being a compassionate leader who lets people know he truly cares about them, Baldermann said.

   He said he has made that a priority during his seven years at Riverside Brookfield, which is a school district unto itself.

   Baldermann also is an innovator, said Larry Herbst, president of the Riverside Brookfield School Board. His passion and leadership ability make teaching positions at the school desirable, Herbst added.

   "Everybody wants to come work for Jack," Herbst said.

   Riverside Brookfield has about 1,500 students, considerably smaller than Green Bay's 20,000. But that wouldn't be a problem, Herbst said.

   "I think we're lucky to have held onto him as long as we have, being such a small school," Herbst said. "Because of his charisma and his ability to lead, he's probably perfectly suited for a larger school district."

   Riverside Brookfield Landmark Online Breaking News

   Green Bay drops Baldermann from job list

   Web Extra!
   A Wisconsin newspaper reported today that the Green Bay School Board will not be interviewing Riverside Brookfield High School Supt./Principal Jack Baldermann tomorrow for a job there because of comments published online yesterday by Landmark.

   Posted Saturday Jun 7, 2008 13:04 #

2. spatny
   Member

   I find it appalling that the School Board can state that it is "investigating rumors" and then, before completing its investigation, talk to the press and name people. If charges of some misconduct have been filed than that is what you investigate - not rumors. I think the School Board should be reprimanded for making such statements and talking to the press about unsubstantiated innuendo. Who benefits from this? The comment by "Anon." above is typical of a disgruntled employee, and might well be the source of such rumor mongering.

   The facts are that Jack Baldermann and his staff have brought RBHS to a level of academic achievement never before equalled.. RBHS has been recognized as a fine school and the attendant notoriety has resulted in making every single property in the district more valuable. What the school board has done in airing this nonsense is unconscionable and akin to asking the Board President "When did you stop beating your wife." I, for one, will demand to know who thinks they will benefit from this character assassination and the reckless disregard of the principle that people are innocent until proven guilty. I am greatly disappointed in our local media's total disregard for anyone's right to privacy. I am willing to contribute to a fund to investigate where this crap comes from and why the school board gives out things like this to the media - and why the media prints them - before establishing the veracity of the source. Regardless of what is behind it, this really sucks.

   Posted Saturday Jun 7, 2008 17:09 #

3. Catherine
   Member

   I agree. It is odious, and not the way to treat a man who has given such service. Frankly, I fail to see it is anyone's business at all.

   Posted Wednesday Jun 11, 2008 13:45 #

4. spatny
   Member

   I attended the Board Meeting at RB last night and voiced my opinion that it was disgraceful to talk to a reporter a week before they authorized their investigation. Last night they named an investigator and a lawyer who will conduct a ten day investigation of what must still be classified as rumors. Then presumably they will come to some conclusion and make their report - or its findings - public. That's when the public should have been informed - not a week ago. If he is proven beyond doubt to have done something outside the rules then he's sanctioned - but not on what has yet to be investigated. If he didn't, if it is BS or some ones' pipe dream, or professional jealousy, or anything else - then you haven't publicly tainted the man as an ogre.

   It's all about sequence. First you investigate, then you charge - publicly - then you sanction. That's how things are done. I have to say i saw a strong current of prurient curiosity in the public last night, people coming to learn the dirt - and a little inappropriate "righteous indignation" as well. On the basis of what? Frankly, I don't need to hear any of this, and I don't think anyone else has to either. Jack Baldermann is an adult, and presumably so are all the teachers at RB. No one has claimed - as far as I kmnow - that this had anything to do with the kids. So what business is the personal interaction of two consenting adults to me or any other party? Unless and until you are ready to make a charge about a transgression that you know for a fact and beyond a doubt is true, how can you talk to the media?

   And especially about someone like Jack, a person who has done so much to shape up RB and take it to new heights? Of course he is very controversial, and his success (and pay for that success) arouses more than a little envy. Jack is a high flyer and pulled the whole school up with him. But eagles don't flock, and there are lots of people that lost elections, promotions or jobs that seem hell-bent to shoot him down. Personally, I hope this is all BS or sour grapes and life goes on as it did for everyone involved. But if that is the outcome it will be very difficult to put the toothpaste back in the tube. So far, in my opinion, this has been a PR disaster that didn't need to happen. And for the record, I'm stickin' with Jack.

   Posted Wednesday Jun 11, 2008 21:59 #

5. spatny
   Member

   I found the following letter, written by a former RB student, on the Suburban Life website. I think it brings an important viewpoint to the fore. Please read it and think about what this RB grad has to say.

   "How should we measure the success of our superintendent? For me, after four years of study in sociology and education, it's clear: gains in student learning outcomes. The improvement in our student achievement shows that Jack really does 'walk the walk.' I It's not an easy target to reach, though, and we've been fortunate to have a leader who is committed to the difficult work of bringing teaching and learning to the top of his district and staff's agenda. t might sound simple, but it's an incredibly complex and demanding process. I see why former RB teachers might be so eager to chime in. I respected my teachers at RB immensely, but they wouldn't be the first people I would turn to for levity on this issue. Jack demands a lot of his staff, and if you're not on board with working hard for our community's children, you might feel that our high school is the wrong place for you to work. That's great. Jack and his leaders aren't afraid to state their expectations; it makes sense for people with poor work ethic and low expectations of their students to get out of the way and find a school where they can check out professionally and cash in financially.

   "The results are clear: RB is thriving because its staff has turned over since the previous administration. Impressively, this is the case in spite of the fact that, in that period, the school has grown by 20% and many of the added students are from typically more challenging backgrounds. Our community is a better place because of Jack and his efforts. I simply don't have respect for disgruntled ex-employees who put the teaching staff and the tax burden ahead of their students. I say this as I enter a master's program in urban education, an opportunity I never would have enjoyed without Jack's personal kindness and generosity, without his professional leadership and passion. Whatever the pending investigation shows, I will be grateful to Jack for all he's done for me and for our community."

   Posted Thursday Jun 12, 2008 09:35 #

6. Catherine
   Member

   1) Stuff like this is why so few people of quality go into public service. Who needs it? I can remember when people moved out of town over that high school.

   2) If I were he, my resignation would be on the table. A man with his record won't have any problems. Unsupported public character assassination is unacceptable, and is perhaps actionable defamation.

   3) The French have a saying: we get the leaders we deserve. Maybe we cannot sustain an eagle.

   Posted Thursday Jun 12, 2008 12:37 #

7. spatny
   Member

   I spoke to several people that have had or have kids at RB and every single one of them was greatly offended that the Board would talk to the press before doing their "investigation." One lady told me how Jack had gone out of his way to help her daughter get into a prestigious school. And I saw this in the Landmark web reportage:

   Posted: Wednesday, June 11, 2008
   Article comment by: Mario Lavorato

   I have come to know and respect Mr. Jack Baldermann these last years he has blessed RB. His word is golden and good enough for me. I do not agree with the action, although understand it, of the board while an investigation is still just pending. I support Jack 100% and wish his family well through this crisis.
   Mario Lavorato
   Former and proud member of the RB Board of Education

   I hope a lot more people will stand up for him as he has done for RB.

   Posted Thursday Jun 12, 2008 20:55 #

8. Catherine
   Member

   Wow, that was a shocker to read teachers were paid 78 grand last summer, cut down to 48 this year. OPRF pays theirs 25 grand per summer unless they are developing new courses. Many people don't make 78 grand in a year! If the Board can cut the pay I presume they approved it last year and are responsible for such matters. I wonder how necessary this is to stay competitive?

   Posted Friday Jun 20, 2008 09:33 #

9. JohnM
   Member

   Individual teachers were not paid 78K last summer--there was a total of 78K paid to all the teachers who did the type of work referenced in the article over the summer. So, for example, if you have 10 department heads and 10 other teachers who put in time over the summer, and were qualified for the extra stipend under this program, the 78K was distributed amongst those 20 individuals.

   Posted Friday Jun 20, 2008 10:26 #

10. Catherine
    Member

    Thank you, I reread it and see "total" now. In the event, I have never heard of paying teachers for preparing for the next year, and rather agree with Oak Park's comment:

    "If it's a teacher teaching a course already in the curriculum, no, we do not pay them to develop that course," said Foran. "That's part of their professional duty."

    I thought teachers were simply on professional salary for the year. Then again, our school is ranked much higher than theirs. Perhaps this is necessary for competitive purposes.

    Posted Monday Jun 23, 2008 11:58 #

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