Streator District 44 Parents & Community Unite

Streator has the lowest property tax values per student of any in La Salle County. So, why do we have 2 highly paid Superintendents. When two comparable school districts Pontiac and Ottawa have one Superintendent.
In 2008, when Superintendent Matt Wilkinson became in charge of District 44 finances the district was at a +6 Million Surplus. With a financial score of 3.35, a score of 4 is the highest a school can receive. District 44 is now at a -2 Million deficit. District 44s financial score has dropped from 3.35 in 2009 to 1.95 today.
Streator District 44 Parents and Community group is calling for the resignation of our

WHY?
On March 18 , 2014, Streator Elementary District 44 Board approved the five-year extension of contracts, with raises, one year prior to them being due for renewal, for Superintendent Matt Willkinson and Assistant Superintended Debbra Martin. The drive behind their proposals is due to the upcoming changes in the pension system reform bill. Starting July 1, 2014, TRS benefits will be paid on a cap salary of $103,000. However, all contracts that are already in place before that date will be "grandfathered" in meaning that Wilkinson and Martin will receive full TRS benefits on their entire salaries for the next five years. This comes at a cost to the district which is difficult to handle considering the loss 18 teaching positions bringing up class sizes and loss of a school. As well, as the loss of student programs. The extensions and raises were granted by the school board and done in closed session after staff, parents and teachers packed into the board room urging the board to deny these requests. It is our belief that any money that could be saved should be used to the best interests of the students. Working towards the rebuilding of our school system, and not used to drive up high administration salaries and benefits. While, our kids suffer the effects of these losses.
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superintendent Mr. Matt Wilkinson. We feel that

Mr. Wilkinson is no longer an asset to our school system. Mr. Wilkinson has never been a teacher or a principal, therefore he doesnt know how to put the students needs first. His actions and over spending have harmed the structure of our district with a loss of students, student programs, and valuable teachers. Allowing him to remain in this position will do even more irreparable damage to our district. Mr. Wilkinson has lost the confidence and trust of parents, students, teachers, district staff, and tax payers of our community with his lack of respect and consideration of the community he works for. In the interest of restoring the reputation of District 44 Mr. Wilkinson should resign without delay so that the District may

Out of 4,453 public schools in the state of Illinois, our financial score is the 5TH lowest in the state. This has all happened since Superintendent Matt Wilkinson became head of finances in 2008. If this is a State issue as Superintendent Matt Wilkinson says why are we one of the 5 lowest schools in the ENTIRE state of Illinois and the only one in our area with a financial score below a 2?

begin restructuring the administration office.

Some of the Costs to Students in the District:

Request for change denied!

Streator you are being LOCKED OUT of your right to attend these school board meetings! What a red flag! Something isn't right! Look at all the area schools listed below & their Board Meeting start times vs. Streator District 44's. I'm sorry, but 4:15 is not a time people can attend!!! Call and demand a later start time! And, in a place that can seat everyone!

The Open Meetings Law is expressly applicable to school boards meetings .The LAW requires that meetings shall be at specified times and places convenient to the public.
The Streator Elementary Teachers Association joins the community in their concern and frustration regarding the time and the place board meetings are held. Union leadership has made repeated requests to Mr. Wilkinson and Dr. Martin to move the time and venue of Board meetings in order to allow the community to attend and participate. Another request was made at the conclusion of the March meeting. Since January, all requests have been denied.

PM start times for area school board meetings:

Allen Otter Creek 6:00 Woodland 6:00 Grand Ridge 7:00 Seneca GS 7:00 Waltham 6:00 Serena 6:15 Deer Park 6:00 Dimmick 6:30 Earlville 6:00 Mendota HS 6:30 Lostant 6:45 Marseilles 7:00 Rutland 6:00 Ottawa HS 6:30 Seneca HS 6:00 Tonica 7:00 LaSalle GS 7:00 Leland 7:30 Flan Cornell 7:30 Mendota GS 6:30 Peru GS 6:00 Ottawa GS 6:30 Streator HS- 6:00 Paw Paw 7:00 Fieldcrest 7:00 Cornell GS 7:00 Milton Pope 7:30

Streator District 44 - 4:15 WHY?

We are petitioning the community and parents of Streator Elementary District 44 based on the actions taken by District 44s School Board on March 18, 2014. By signing, we demand the resignations of the school board members who unjustly silenced the community they were elected to represent by granting both Superintendent Matt Wilkinson and Vice Superintendent Debra Martin early extension of their contract with a 3% raise. The following parents and community members feel as though the board is not making decisions that will benefit public education for their children and the communities future, as well as helping contribute to our current financial crisis. We demand the resignation of school board members: Barbara Ehling, Cheryl Finkelstein, Tony Kestner, and Kim Holloway.

Loss of a school (Oakland Park) Rise in class sizes that will be increasing again next school year. Due to cuts 15 minutes cut from school day = 2700 min/year or 6 days lost. Northlawn students have no computer science class, no art, no music. Down one quarter of p.e. Parents are having to fund sports & 50% of Band through Band-Aids. Transportation of all after school activities was eliminated, making it harder for students to join. Discipline problems have drastically increased at the Jr. High because of this. Forcing the school district to create an new hire position called a Dean of students. This Dean of students is making 100,000 in salary & benefits. Adaptive p.e. for special needs students will be eliminated next year because the district wants to keep one p.e. teacher at part time to avoid paying benefits. Where does the board stand on this one???

Please join us in our efforts to bring change to the Streator District 44 School system. Our groups link is public, you do not have to have a facebook account to view it. For updates visit @

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Streator-District44-Parents-Community-Unite/641627572551089