Question

I have really thought about this the last few days. Who is tired of the lack of leadership in Des Plaines? We have a part time mayor? I don’t think anyone knew this before. Our schools are having all these e learning training but are not teaching anything new. Other districts are following curriculum and state standards we are just reviewing. There is a lack of leadership in Des Plaines and it just isn’t good enough!  

Answer 1

I personally never really cared for our mayor before covid was a topic. I also don’t think e-learning is ever going to replace the classroom experience. If children don’t get back in the classrooms by fall, they are going to be behind. Not to mention some parents can’t afford to stay home and babysit their kids all day. My 2 cents

Answer 2

I agree

Answer 3

The mayor doesn't really have anything to do with the schools curriculum. You need to direct your frustration at the school superintendent, not the mayor. Other than that, what isn't the mayor doing that you think he/she should? Im sorry to admit, I don't even know the mayor's name

Comments

Park Ridge and Elk Grove have full time Mayors

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@eadmund like I said, I really don't know anything about our mayor and I doubt a lot of people do in their towns. I personally think the mayor is just allowing DP to become over built. allowing the amount of new housing and apartment buildings to go up collects more taxes but also turns us into a hotbed of transient residents.  

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@sheff I think a lot of residents in other towns do now because their Mayors have been issuing statements all along through the pandemic. It would be nice for us to have a leader.  

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@eadmund Park Ridge does not have a full time mayor

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Well he seems to be far more involved.  

Answer 4

It's time for a change. This guy thinks his s*** don't stink. The only time you see him is at the Fourth of July parade Dancing in the Street. Also I think he's taking kickbacks from the river road construction. I mean why else would you rip up a road over and over again for four years! I mean just fix it the first time. He never returns calls to his office, never his secretary never even answers. It's time for a change

Comments

Des Plaines has nothing to do with the River Road construction. That's IDOT.  

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Why aren't you calling your alderman?  

Answer 5

We need a good engaged Democratic (I know a few good women) that cares about the people ! Lets get them to run against this MFer. When is his election do you know?  

Comments

@cilice82900 really? Matt’s a republican now?  

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He was always a centrist. Socially liberal fiscally conservative. He fit in better with the Democrats but isn't popular with either at this point.  

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@sphygmic6167 he's a Republican

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@cilice82900 why do you say that though? Bc your a democrat and think he’s doing a bad job?  

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@sphygmic6167 if you Google research on him you'll find out his mentor was Marty Moylan who is a staunch Democrat. None of Matt Bogusz Bios say what party he is affiliated with. If you dive deeper you might find him as an Independent but he's leans to the right he's definitely a Republican. And he's too embarrassed to say so

Answer 6

Other libraries are offering a variety of Zoom presentations!  

Comments

Have you been following all that our library has been offering? I get notices almost every day on Facebook

Answer 7

Please share your feedback directly to the MainTownship superintendent. He needs to get your feedback directly kwallace@maine207. org

Comments

@vienna3985 he is for the high schools

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@vienna3985 I live on the D214 side of DP

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@vienna3985 thanks I am good my son graduates in a couple of weeks.  

Answer 8

He never made good on his promise that flooding would be his #1 priority    ‍♀️‍♀️

Comments

@equidistance38 I know but he sure contracted out that River Road construction project four years in a row. Who does it four years in a row? Who rips up a road repaves it and then rips it up again the next summer. There's Something Fishy in Denmark with that one

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@cilice82900 Having River Road ripped up is annoying, but it's a hard job to fix. The floodplain is low there, which means it requires special materials and crews experienced in working with those conditions. When they rebuilt the Fox River Bridge just outside Elgin, the roadwork took longer than the actual bridge.  

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@cali8930 for 4 years!?  

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@cilice82900 Three years that I know of; I moved so I don't know how long the entire project took, But roadwork and water are a tough combination. And if you get it wrong, it needs re-doing faster and takes even longer.  

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Do you know how much storm drainage has been added? My neighborhood flooded regularly and now it doesn't because of added drainage. If you are close to the river, there are additional floodplain issues that can't be resolved easily including the ridiculous exemptions Wisconsin gave to FoxConn that affect us downriver.  

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@perspiration1 No idea, but it floods so easily that I hope they are re-doing the drainage as well.  

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@cali8930 A lot of drainage has been added since I moved here in 2005. The flooding we get--because so much of our town is on a flood plain -- is dependent on drainage management all the way up river, so not just Des Plaines. That said, I am really disappointed they allowed that construction on Dempster by the Pancake House. That much concrete in the flood plain can't be good.  

Answer 9

My second grader is definitely learning new things, btw, so I don’t think that’s a district thing. Plus schools can’t require parents to be a full time teacher while some of them are working, essentially or remotely, and each parent can possibly have multiple children to assist with learning. The mayor is a separate issue, and I definitely feel the lack of leadership especially since we’re a hot spot, but the e-learning is different.  

Comments

@robbery but the parents are paying the teachers to teach us kids. Part of the tax payers money goes to the school districts

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@loden there is a situation beyond their control and everyone is working so hard to do the best they can for each other. I know this sucks, but I think we should recognize how great they’re doing considering what has been thrown at them. And my daughter is definitely learning new things. If you’re not satisfied with the amount of learning it might be a good idea to reach out to your teacher or principal. As a member of the P@diazomethane78947 at my daughter’s school, I know their principal is readily available to help in anyway he can. I’m sure your local school is in the same boat.  

Answer 10

I'm tired of people not picking up after their dog on our front lawn!  

Comments

Take pics/video and follow them home.  

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@hogan that sure relates to the topic!  

Answer 11

1. You have a mayor who has another job. The city administrator handles the every day things. Prevents career politicians. Also means that he’s not responsible for as much, he’s just the elected official the city administrator works through. 2. Your library is doing things. 3. All school districts are doing things they can. Some instructors had no previous experience running distance learning. If you have complaints that’s the school board. 4. Are River road repairs from the city, the county, or the state? Answer that and you have part of that answer. However, they are repairing it in sections down to the sewers and other pipes, which is not a quick repair since if they did it quickly it would settle and start coming apart as soon as they were finished. All those corrections to your assumptions, but the mayor isn’t great, almost every mayor who has served recently moved to the democrat party if they ran for other office, so just to correct that one, you DO KIT want another democrat mayor, THATS WHAT YOU HAVE.  

Comments

@cilice82900 I disagree. I’ve been able to access digital resources from the library collection with a librarians help via email, have seen their letter of the week posts with ideas to engage young children, and children’s story time videos, and enjoyed the Pete the cat story.  

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@ctenophore5574 Do people even bother to read. What does this link say what does it say? It was posted yesterday they're not up and running yet they have very limited stuff Jesus H Christ  
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...68841

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@cilice82900 as your own link states, the building is closed, but the LIBRARY IS OPEN! How about you read your own links?  

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@ctenophore5574 oh my God anybody could screenshot a picture did you even read the picture? You only screenshot at the top half of the picture. Do you know how to read? They're not open yet what the hell is wrong with you

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That picture is from the link you sent!  but anyway, the library is clearly still providing services. They may not be the services you want, but they are definitely still doing what they can to serve the Des Plaines community. Have a blessed day!  

Answer 12

I’m not a teacher but I think school education is direction from ISBE?  

Comments

@barone it is not at this point all other Districts are doing far more than Ours. Our teachers have the choice to use Zoom how unbelievably ridiculous.  

Answer 13

You all will be happy to know that you get to vote in a new mayor in the next election. Our current mayor's term is up and we have term limits here in DP. Maybe someone in this thread will decide to run to right all the wrongs you feel our mayor has committed as a part time mayor and you can do better.  

Comments

Term limits are a great thing. Too bad we can’t get this done at a state and Congressional level.  

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@embryo9106 it would be nice on the state and the national level to have term limits!  

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@selfish you can all switch parties and vote them out whenever you want. It would be nice to have someone besides myself who enters the polls going “you’re in office now? Not if my vote matters. ”. Problem is, I’m probably the only one in this state wants to change politicians as often as possible.  

Answer 14

Kids graduate from 8th grade at all DP 62 schools in a few weeks and leadership has yet to announce how they are commerating the moment for the kids. Thats so sad. Parents have to do it for them when this should have been priority on their lists to recognize the children in public ways while kids are stuck at home unable to enjoy this time with friends and peers alike. That is a fail on Des Plaines to me.  

Comments

@diazomethane78947 lowest. Priority. For. That. 1. It’s 8th grade. 2. Only parents and families make it a big deal. 3. Did you realize there are school districts in the state that don’t even waste money on 8th grade graduations? Because that’s all it is.  

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@woodsy really? Only kids and parents? Go tell that to the kids and parents then, there are many who share my sentiments! Why are you even chiming in if you're not one yourself!? What else do the kids have to do then? Its just another day for them no big deal? I remember my 8th grade graduation it was a great time. I dont expect anyone to see the kids point of view and thats why I advocate for them. I dont give two shits about the rest of the state or the city - i'm talking about my town - Des Plaines. So to hear its the lowest priority to recognize the kids for the end of one chapter of learning before the next - well thats pretty sad and I therefore question who is in charge of education priorities for our kids.  

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@woodsy agreed 100%. 8th grade is not a milestone or a priority. many schools don't have an 8th grade graduation at all.  

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It's a whole new world we're navigating. Let the kids have their graduation. The closer we get back to normal, the better -- for everyone. =^)

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@diazomethane78947 I agree 100%. I have an 8th grader and am very disappointed. If school Won’t do something we as parents are going to organize.  

Answer 15

I'm sure the school is reviewing because the grades are in a d elearning has no impact on the final grade. Plus, depending on what trade your child is in, a parent shouldn't be responsible for teaching new material. Some parents are essential and still work.  

Answer 16

If I was the mayor I would be in this group.  

Comments

@underglaze, or Superintendent.  

Answer 17

Do you go to city council meetings? School board meetings? Aldermen’s open house evenings?  

Comments

@gynaecocracy, I did.  

Answer 18

The “I’m a tax payer and my kids should have school as usual” during a pandemic is insulting to what the teachers are trying to do in a situation no one signed up for. Enough with that bullshit.  

Comments

@osullivan no one is asking for school as usual but how about a little effort instead of just giving choice boards

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@eadmund Nothing to do with effort. Teachers are working harder than ever to plan for their kids. Choice boards while in the classroom are a thing of beauty. Be grateful they are giving choices. You have no idea how many kids they have at home. Their bandwidth capabilities. Devices. Caring for elderly parents. They’re doing as best they can. Treat them with a little grace.  

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@osullivan every other district is offering far more our teachers have choices whether they want to zoom or teach new instruction all other districts are teaching new instruction by videos and zoom we are not doing anything but choice boards. Not good enough. Other people who are working from home in their other jobs have to work 8 hours a day remotely kids or no kids.  

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@eadmund The state has issued guidance. Schools are following it. Work. Yes. Teach someone else’s kids while teaching/facilitating their own? Providing feedback? Grading? Lesson planning? No. Check out MITs Teaching Systems and read their report on remote learning. Every other school district is not doing school as usual.  

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@osullivan no one is asking for school as usual our district k-8 is not teaching anything new at all it is all review or nonsense busy work that lasts 15 min. Middle school just started using zoom for 25 min 2x a week. No other instruction. Other districts are teaching using videos that are not live but actually teaching lessons. Children deserve to be taught something and to be able to see their teacher I am not asking for all day school but you can’t tell me a teacher can’t put together a 30 min video teaching theses kids. The kids are the ones suffering the most through all this and the district has had the last 6 weeks to do a better job with all their supposed trainings and nothing has changed. So yes I think it is not good enough at all. They are getting paid they need to work! They shouldn’t have choices like they do now of whether or not they want to use zoom or other platforms to teach the kids it should be enforced. I’m not asking for an all day commitment but they can actually do something other than just busy work that literally takes the kids no time and they have no instruction at all or any sense of normalcy.  

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@eadmund Ok.  

Answer 19

How about students from ICS? They will start school year 2020/2021 in the first day of July.  

Comments

@landa they need to makeup lost timelines. That’s really early. Maybe August

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@embryo9106, I asked Board of Education- "decision will be made in next several weeks".