From: Ray Lechner <lechnerr@wilmette39.org> Subject: Fwd: Cyber Privacy Project Statement for Tonight's Board Meeting Date: December 16, 2013 1:50:53 PM CST To: John Flanagin <johnmflanagin@gmail.com>, Alice Schaff <ADSCHAFF@aol.com> I will share this with the entire Board next. I will reply by saying this has been shared with the BOE and will be announced as written communication in public session. At this point I don't want to engage our own counsel (as he asks me to do). I had already cleared this with Ares months ago. If you feel otherwise let me know. Ray Raymond Lechner, Ph.D. Superintendent Wilmette Public Schools 847-512-6030

From: <horwitzb@gtlaw.com> Subject: Cyber Privacy Project Statement for Tonight's Board Meeting Date: December 16, 2013 1:06:06 PM CST To: <lechnerr@wilmette39.org> Cc: <cyberprivacyproject@hotmail.com>, <glj@goldbergkohn.com> Dr. Lechner, You may recall my name from your discussions with Dr. Richard Sobel. Dr. Sobel asked me to send you this statement in advance of this evening’s Board meeting, as neither he nor I can attend tonight’s meeting in person. If possible, please share this statement with the Board and the Board’s counsel, and add it to the minutes. Thank you. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. Barry --------------------------------------------Statement of the Cyber Privacy Project to Wilmette Board 39 on Safety and Privacy, December 16, 2013-------------------------------------------- On behalf of the Cyber Privacy Project and other individuals who value privacy and security on equal footing, we urge the Board to reconsider the vote from last month’s meeting concerning the implementation of the Raptor system. The Board now appears to describe Raptor as a benign “visitor management system,” but that system requires swiping each and every visitor’s state-issued identification card or driver’s license, regardless of whether each visitor presents any individualized suspicion—not to mention any probable cause. As noted before, such a system requires three levels of searches, all of which are constitutionally suspect. In addition, we have recently discovered that certain Illinois law may prohibit the acts required by the Raptor system. Specifically, Article III of Chapter 6 of the Illinois Vehicle Code states: “It is a violation of this Section for any person to possess, use or allow to be used any materials, hardware, or software specifically designed for or primarily used in the reading of encrypted language from the bar code or magnetic strip of an official Illinois driver’s license issued by the Secretary of State.” 625 ILCS 5/6-301.2. The Raptor system is exactly the type of “materials, hardware or software” prohibited by that section, because it reads encrypted language from driver’s license magnetic strips—including driver’s license number and photo ID. As such, we hereby repeat our request that the Board provide an opinion of counsel setting forth the legality and constitutionality of implementing the Raptor system in Wilmette schools. These issues can be avoided by implementing a "double buzz" system that raises neither constitutional nor legal issues, but address both safety and privacy. In closing, we recognize the importance of maintaining the security and safety of our public schools, and we urge the Board to likewise acknowledge the importance of other rights inherent in our democracy, including freedom and privacy. The Board’s November 18 report on implementing the Raptor system conceded that the system will only check against the registered sex offender database, and yet the idea to implement Raptor arose in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut last year. On that basis, the facts of the [local schools]do not pass the constitutionality test, and we have raised legitimate questions as to the legality of this system as well. Thus, we request that the Board delay and reconsider implementing the Raptor system, and provide an opinion of counsel as to how the system is legal and constitutional. Thank you for your time and consideration. CPP

Follow-up Statement to District 39 on Safety and Privacy, December 16, 2013 As most of the speakers at the last two District 39 Board meetings have noted, there can be both safety and privacy in Wilmette schools. The "double buzz" entry system addresses both. This "Safety and Privacy Approach" provides safety and respects rights and people in ways that welcomes community visitors. The "double buzz" entry system, knowing community members, plus signing in and out, provides security. The "Raptor" system is described as a "Visitor Management System" because it "manages" visitors. Neighbors need to be welcomed, not managed. On average, the "Raptor" system makes one "match" per school per 10 years! That's unjustified for requiring such an intrusive system. Since the match list is mainly male offender when most school visitors are women, the system is also discriminatory. In short, it's unreasonably intrusive on thousands of visitors' privacy rights each year to gather and keep in Texas personal data and photographs for up to 3 years. People have a reasonable expectation of privacy and respect, and unreasonable searches are unconstitutional under both the U.S. and Illinois Bills of Rights. There are also questions that existing Illinois law restricts the type of scanning the proposed Visitor Management system involves. These need to be adhered to and addressed prior to any consideration of implementation. The November 28 Wilmette Life reported that the system was bought before the Board approved it. The Superintendent has said the system can be cancelled at any time. Now is the time. District 39 needs to reverse its unfortunate decision to implement the intrusive Raptor system and instead follow the simpler "double buzz" security approach. District 39 leaders needs to respect privacy and opinions that our schools can reflect both safety and rights by implementing the “double” system that addresses both. Richard Sobel, Wilmette Resident, For the Cyber Privacy Project

From: North Shore Coalition for Animals <northshorecoalitionforanimals@gmail.com> Date: December 12, 2013 at 3:21:46 PM CST To: schaffa@wilmette39.org, steenm@wilmette39.org, dronenk@wilmette39.org, levinec@wilmette39.org, donnank@wilmette39.org, flanagij@wilmette39.org, alcantak@wilmette39.org Cc: lechnerr@wilmette39.org Subject: December 16, 2013 Board Meeting Public Comments Dear District 39 Board of Education: We will be commenting on why the D39 School Board must reject any future plans for a circus fundraiser with wild animal acts. The Wilmette Public Schools District 39 owns its land and determines for itself how the land is used and has the ultimate authority in whether a circus will take place on its property. In addition, the school district has been a co-sponsor of this event in the past.

It is documented that circuses are inhumane. 22 states and over 22 countries have nationwide bans on using wild animals for entertainment. Again, the cruelty is not subjective, it is documented. Information about this cruelty can easily be found with a Google search. District 39 prides itself on “teaching tomorrow’s leaders.” A circus with animals is a bad lesson for our children and tomorrow’s leaders. By allowing a circus to take place on your property you are sending a message to the almost 4,000 kids you oversee that the inhumane treatment and bullying of these animals is ok.

It is fundamentally wrong that a school district promotes or benefit in any way from this kind of documented animal cruelty. The elected body of the school board has a legal responsibility, and obligation to the District 39 students and the members of the Wilmette community. The school board needs to take a stance on this issue and stop supporting animal cruelty. Please see attached. Thank you, Janie Jenkins North Shore Coalition for Animals

 

 

December 9, 2013 Wilmette Public Schools District 39 Board of Education 615 Locust Rd. Wilmette, IL 60091 Dear Board Members: On behalf of The Humane Society of the United States, we urge the Wilmette School District to discontinue supporting the fundraiser using Kelly Miller Circus or any other circus that uses animal acts. The HSUS opposes the use of wild animals in circuses and other traveling acts because cruelty to animals is inherent in such displays. Wild animals used in traveling shows are routinely subjected to months on the road in filthy, cramped, poorly ventilated trailers. Often, the animals are provided with limited and inconsistent veterinary care and are denied the ability to express natural behaviors. Trainers typically use excessive and abusive training methods to make animals perform physically difficult and confusing tricks. Training tools include bullhooks (a device resembling a fireplace poker that inflicts pain and trauma to elephants), whips, sticks, and electric prods. Animal suppliers for Kelly Miller Circus have failed to meet minimum federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act. For example, since 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Kelly Miller exhibitors for serious violations, including failure to contact a veterinarian for two tigers with oozing wounds, failure to have an appropriate exercise area to safely contain five tigers, failure to provide minimum space to five tigers who were being transported in only three 5’x8’ cages, unsafe handling of elephants while giving rides to the public, and unsafe caging of three tigers who escaped from a transport cage and were loose for 30 minutes. Some communities have addressed the problem of animal acts by prohibiting circuses that use wild animals from operating within their jurisdictions and some sponsors have replaced circus fundraisers with more humane events. For example, Naper Settlement in Naperville discontinued its annual Kelly Miller Circus fundraiser in 2006 and now has other fun activities, such as partnering with 20 local restaurants for a yearly “Dinner on the Town” fundraiser. We hope you will consider the plight of tigers, elephants, and other animals used in traveling shows and replace the outdated circus fundraiser with a more contemporary event. Thank you for giving this matter your consideration. Sincerely, Kristen Strawbridge Illinois State Director The Humane Society of the United States

From: Janie Jenkins <janiej63@aol.com> Subject: Re: Follow up from Board Meeting Date: November 20, 2013 3:33:39 PM CST To: lechnerr@wilmette39.org Cc: schaffa@wilmette39.org, steenm@wilmette39.org, donnank@wilmette39.org, flanagij@wilmette39.org, alcantak@wilmette39.org, dronenk@wilmette39.org, levinec@wilmette39.org Hello Dr. Lechner: Thank you for your response. While it is good to know there is no circus fundraiser being planned at this time, I am being proactive. The planning will begin soon if it is going to happen and I want to make sure it never happens again. My concerns about an inhumane school fundraiser are not recent. They are ongoing. I have never supported this fundraiser and believe it is fundamentally wrong that a school district promote or benefit in any way from this kind of documented animal cruelty. I appreciate you suggesting I contact the Foundation past and present presidents. Opposition to the circus is no stranger to Kim or Tracy. They will be the first to tell you they have had concerns logged since 2002 not to mention the opposition letters to the editors in the local papers, letters to the village, and to the board of education. The Foundation continues to hold the biannual circus dismissing the concerns. Ultimately it is the elected body of the school board, not the Foundation that has the legal responsibility, oversight and obligation to the district 39 students and the members of the Wilmette community. The school board needs to take a stance on this issue and have a policy in place that says no more inhumane, potentially unsafe activities connected in any way to the district. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Janie Jenkins  

-----Original Message----- From: Ray Lechner <lechnerr@wilmette39.org> To: Janie Jenkins <janiej63@aol.com> Sent: Wed, Nov 20, 2013 8:21 am Subject: Re: Follow up from Board Meeting Good morning Janie, I just wanted to make sure that you were aware that there is no Circus scheduled, planned or even being discussed. I completely understand your view points, but I am curious what is initiating this recent concern? Also, I think you might consider asking to join a Foundation Board meeting. Here are the email addresses of the current and past Presidents. Kim Ratkin <kimratkin@ameritech.net> Tracy Kearney <tjkearneyiii@gmail.com> Thanks, Ray Raymond Lechner, Ph.D. Superintendent Wilmette Public Schools 847-512-6030

November 20, 2013 Dear Board of Education Members: Thank you for listening to my concerns regarding the circus as a fundraiser. I had to leave before the end of the meeting but wanted to follow up on Alice’s additions at the end of the public comments. Alice stated the District and the Foundation are independent entities and each makes their own decisions. I do understand that the District 39 Foundation and the Wilmette Public School District are totally independent entities but the circus is a joint decision. The circus fundraiser does involve the District’s approval as the circus takes place on District property. In addition, The Wilmette Public School District is named as a co-sponsor of this event on the temporary use permits. Furthermore, I have a letter written by Dr. Lechner on District 39 Foundation stationery addressed to the Assistant Director of Community Development that states “We feel the Kelly Miller Circus fits right into the family oriented wholesome image of our organization and the School District”. The comments supporting the circus by the Superintendent of District 39 are short sighted. I realize this is a lucrative fundraiser for the foundation and ultimately the District but times have changed, major cities and states around the country are banning these events because they are inhumane. The District is endorsing the circus and contributing to animal cruelty by allowing it on the property and the comments in the letter speak volumes. Condoning an act of cruelty is the wrong message to send to the 3700 kids in your care. Hosting a show that exemplifies and glamorizes man’s inhumane treatment of animals is an exact contrast to what you should be teaching the leaders of tomorrow. Regarding the Raptor software, Dr. Lechner made a comment referencing “Googling” his name to see the amount of information that came up on the internet. Please Google circus training, you will find a vast amount of information about this cruel industry. What goes on behind the big top is no longer a secret. Organizations such as the Humane Society United States ask people not to attend circuses with animals. I think the District should make a public statement on where they stand on this issue. Again, there are many humane ways the District 39 Foundation can raise and replace the projected revenue of the circus. With this being said, I will ask you again to urge the Foundation board to find humane ways to raise funds. Thank you for your dedication and service to our school system. Sincerely, Janie Jenkins  

From: Ray Lechner <lechnerr@wilmette39.org> Subject: Re: Addressing the board regarding "low expectations" Date: November 20, 2013 8:54:22 AM CST To: Gruia Calinescu <calinesc@gauss.cs.iit.edu> Good morning Dr. Calinescu, As discussed when we met, the District has launched a Math Curriculum Committee to review/improve program. I have asked them to look at math acceleration, specifically. Additionally, as we discussed, the New Trier Math program (NTM) is also reviewing its own standards for qualifying in the program. The current qualification metric includes aptitudes that are not math. In other words, math aptitude alone is not sufficient to get into the NTM program. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions. Raymond Lechner, Ph.D. Superintendent Wilmette Public Schools 847-512-6030

From: Gruia Calinescu <calinesc@gauss.cs.iit.edu> Subject: Addressing the board regarding "low expectations" Date: November 18, 2013 3:19:58 PM CST To: flanagij@wilmette39.org, schaffa@wilmette39.org, alcantak@wilmette39.org, donnank@wilmette39.org, dronenk@wilmette39.org, levinec@wilmette39.org, steenm@wilmette39.org, lechnerr@wilmette39.org Dear members of the District 39 Board of Education, Attached you will find the one-page letter I distributed to you during the September 23 meeting. Since then, I observed the fifth grade system more, and have more comments. Other than Math, standards are quite high. Math standards are indeed low, even in what is supposed to be the most advanced "differentiated" section. Besides the already-mentioned teacher doing Accelerated Math in 6th grade, another current teacher is regularly teaching "differentiated math". My letter is not meant to claim that our children do 11 times more Arts than Math. It does show where the priorities of the administration lie, and that Math is being taught by art-inclined and not science-inclined teachers. While one does not have be a scientist to teach degree-one equations, the art-inclined teacher prefers to spend time (classroom and homeworks) on communication skills, teamwork, and math appreciation, and not on rigorous mathematics. Communication and teamwork are important skills, but they can be taught in any other subject and I only see them done in Math. This is what happened so far in fifth grade. Moreover, to what is supposed to be the more advanced section, one of the teachers assigned, according to http://webprod.isbe.net/ELISInquiry/NormalPages/Educators.aspx, does not have a Math certification (the other does; certification is not required for 5th grade). 3rd-grade problems appeared on homeworks. I resigned myself to private tutoring, as it is cheaper than moving to districts that take academics more seriously. Naperville, for example has two levels of Math above regular, starting with grade 4. District 39 has one level, in grade 6 only (and in 7th grade there is New Trier Math, where students with inclination for science or technology belong). It is up to the board to decide if the number of students in New Trier Math is a valuable metric of the academics of District 39. Thank you for listening. Gruia Calinescu, 1708 Highland Ave.

Low academic expectations from District 39 students

Other than this paragraph this is the same text (slightly better formatted) as given to the board members

during the meeting on Sept. 23, 2013. My name is Gruia Calinescu, 1708 Highland Avenue, and Ihave kids in grades 2 and 5.

Concrete proposal: add metrics to the annual report that better reflect the progress of the aca-demically inclined students. (and leave it to the professionals how to improve the metrics).

I would like to thank Superintendent Lechner and Principal Palznet for a long discussion on thistopic, and Administrator for Curriculum & Instruction Horowitz for a trove of data. I also came to the

conclusions that the administration thinks everything is fine regarding academic expectations.Today I concentrate on mathematics. Math is special: the 5th grade subject by far most relevant

to science and modern technology. See for example News item from the White House.

It is also a ”low-hanging fruit”: subject where a smart student can currently go from Grade 3 (upto which they learn very well) to (standard) Grade 7 and not miss any topic. One draws pie charts

from Grade 1 to at least Grade 6. Everything is redone in Grade 7. Which may be why teachersfeel free to skip required contents in Grade 4. From my experience: differentiated learning does notalways work.

Fortunately, there is New Trier Math starting in Grade 7. The main issue: unless a student qualifiesfor taking New Trier Algebra in Grade 7, (s)he is left at least one year behind the world in math. Itwill handicap this student with respect to any work in the STEM area. At best, s(he) will spend a year

of college catching up. In fact, s(he) must continue to New Trier, Plane Geometry in Grade 8.Moreover: unless a student qualifies for New Trier Plane Geometry in Grade 9, (s)he is left at

least two years behind the world in math. I believe very few can overcome this handicap regardingwork in the STEM area. Pie charts are not enough. One needs problems solving skills, which mathdoes teach after some drill (which should take much less than four years for a smart kid).

Interestingly, to qualify depends on tests given by New Trier High School. So the issue is howwell District 39 prepares students for these tests. 7th grade New Trier math unofficial data: over manyyears, an average of 5% of District 39 students make it in the most advanced level. The range of this

percentage: 2% to 9%, last year circa 6.5%. This data should be official.Is 6.5% OK? Possibly one can do better. Moreover this number seems to come (beside smart and

motivated kids) from the efforts of exactly one District 39 teacher(see Accelerated Math, for 6th graders only) plus private tutoring (which I also started doing).This compares to 11 teachers and staff members mentioned for Arts (see

Link to Related Arts/Fine Arts).Making such data official should incentivize the administration into giving some attention to this

issue, and promptly take action if something goes terribly wrong (2% only at world level?).The number themselves may be improvable – at Grade 3, circa 50% of District 39 students are in

top 10% nationally according to one math test (ISAT?).

Current official data: 30% exceed state standards, is not that meaningful. One should add the

results of this external (New Trier) test. It is also ”hard data” and not a survey. (as in questioning”do you feel well prepared for ..”).

Some longer term numbers could also help, i.e. in which grade do District 39 students takeTrigonometry (could be 10th, 11th, 12th grade, or not qualify at all).

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