Local: Peoria’s schools are worth fighting for

May 8, 2008
By Billy Dennis

Kudos to Peoria Anti Pundit, for correctly calling me out on the negative attitude that permeated this post, in which I advised Peorians with young kids to get them enrolled in private school or to get the Hell out of Peoria.

In my defense, it was a post out of character. Even though I’ve been critical of the way the powers-that-be in this city run things, I’ve consistently advocated activism and participation in the process. I loathe the White-flight attitude so many people possess. Anyone inclined to pack up and leave Peoria didn’t me to give them the idea.

The fact is that there are many things that can be done to fix District 150. All of them begin with replacing the board and the current set of administrators. The decision to eliminate 45 minutes of instruction time from the district’s grade schools may just have been the tipping point. There are a lot of angry People out there and they are getting organized.

Expect change.

Tags: ,

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

10 Responses to “ Local: Peoria’s schools are worth fighting for ”

  1. postsimian on May 8, 2008 at 10:33 am

    It happens. That last post is what blogging is all about.

  2. jenjw4 on May 8, 2008 at 1:28 pm

    Hey, it was how you felt when you posted it and it caused people to think about the issue and wasn’t a misrepresentation of facts, so you shouldn’t feel bad about the post.

  3. postsimian on May 8, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    Ehhhh… I think he’s more concerned about compromising his principles by submitting to the ol’ knee-jerk impulse. It happens to the best of us, but it’s cathartic nonetheless.

  4. Conrad Stinnett on May 8, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    I know you are an advocate for a better Peoria, Bill, and have been for years. Even the best of us get angry and/or discouraged at times. Glad you are continuing the fight. It is worth it. I know I emailed the current board members and asked them each to resign. Not much, but if one person actually asked, how many are actually thinking about it? You are right. Change is coming!

  5. Randall L Emert Sr on May 8, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Billy, your a decent guy. I have eaten foot many times.

  6. C. J. Summers on May 8, 2008 at 8:42 pm

    Good post.

  7. Diane Vespa on May 8, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    Interesting.

  8. Billy Dennis on May 8, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Thought provoking.

  9. Michael on May 9, 2008 at 4:30 am

    Good Post.

  10. East Bluff Barbie on May 9, 2008 at 8:30 am

    I’ll do you one better and say “Great post”. :)