ETHNICITY, Bonnie Libka calling a student "Negroid" [D209]
Memo
To: Ms. Weir
CC: Mrs. Libka, Mr. Patch, Board of Education Proviso Township High Schools
From: Keisha Coleman
Date: 3/14/2006
Re: Racial comment never investigated
In November 2005, I reported to Ms. Weir that Mrs. Libka made inappropriate comments to me. Mrs. Libka and I were discussing students that frequently visit the Career Center. Mrs. Libka proceeded to describe the student (name redacted) to me. Mrs. Libka described him as being short and having “Negroid features”. I questioned her about her comments and expressed my concern with her use of racist comments. I reported the incident to Ms. Weir and forwarded documentation to Human Resources. Mrs. Libka admitted to making the comments but did not apologize to me for her racist comments. I was very offended by her choice of words. It is clear that Mrs. Libka lives in a segregated time period. I have repeatedly reported incidents to administration that have been ignored. Mrs. Libka’s behavior is unprofessional and has been ignored by administration because of her relationship to Robert Libka, CEO of Proviso Township High School. Is this type of behavior tolerated at Proviso Township High Schools District #209? [emphasis added]
I've heard a variety of ethnic labels, slurs and adjectives, but I can't recall anyone ever using the word "Negroid".
For background, Keisha Coleman was recently suspended without pay for two days. She is appealing the discipline. It is clear from the documentation Coleman provided me that she has a poor relationship with her supervisor, Bonnie Libka, the wife of District 209 CEO Robert Libka.
Coleman's appeal was recently reviewed by Superintendent Phyllistine Murphy. Coleman's union representative is Tom Smith. Smith and Coleman were told that the next step for the grievance was to be considered at Monday's board meeting. Then Smith left town (for vacation?). After Smith became unavailable Coleman was told that her grievance had to be reviewed by Robert Libka before going to the board of education.
The collective bargaining agreement provides for a superintendent review. Coleman feels that adding a post superintendent review before going to the board is a violation of the contract.
IMO, it's kinda goofy to have Robert Libka review a grievance against his wife. I would think he'd ask to be out of the loop on Coleman's grievance because of the appearance of impropriety. Plus, it isn't exactly a huge issue.
posted by Carl Nyberg at
11:42 AM
19 Comments:
Ms. Coleman is an asset to the Career Center at Proviso East. She took students on campus trips, and held informative presentations in my classroom. Ms. Coleman deserves better.
By
Anonymous, at 5:21 PM, March 16, 2006
Proviso East Teacher:
The point is Ms. Libka said racial empithets and has not apologized. Are we missing the point here or what? Why would her husband handle this situation? It seems like politics as usual at Proviso!
Ms. Libka is known to make insensitive comments about Blacks? Has anyone done anything, no! She now has her husband to protect her.
By
Anonymous, at 11:29 AM, March 17, 2006
Carl,
Are you aware that Ms. Coleman was suspended today and will be transferred to the special education department?
Mr. Libka passed this down on the advice of the schools attorney. I find this to be highly interesting because this is not proper procedure. Being that Libka is the CEO, the decision should have been rendered by Phyllistine Murphy. Now that this has transpired in an incorrect manner, a lawsuit is soon to follow.
Now, let's look at the bigger problem. A problem bigger than the racial bigotry and insensitivity displayed by the Libkas.
Our School board attorneys have found other forms of kickbacks.
By giving advice that is incorrect and making the environment ripe for a lawsuit, the lawyers can now bill for the time they have to work on the case. Therefore, increasing their billable hours and taxing an already financially strapped District. This is happening in District 88 as well as District 209.
I find it highly irresponsible to allow this type of behavior to exsist. We cannot expect the board president Mr. Welch to cease and desist with this type of behavior when he is doing the same thing as the board attorney for District 88.
Any thoughts?
By
Anonymous, at 1:11 PM, March 17, 2006
Randy what sense does that make Coleman making Welch look bad and Kelly look good. Did you ever stop to think that Welch already looks BAD.
By
Anonymous, at 12:00 AM, March 18, 2006
Proviso Township will now face another law suit! Damn, you would have thought that they learned from Trombetta! See you in court idiots! Oh, Libka and Welch see you in the JAIL.. WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER! :)
By
Anonymous, at 10:30 AM, March 18, 2006
Ms. Coleman has been a cancer since her arrival to East last year. She has challenged the authority of all in the building and does not have to follow a contractual schedule.
She is scheduled to work until 4 but tends to leave anytime that suits her. Many in the building call her the "phantom".
She always uses the "race card" to cover up her inadequacies. If she cared so much about the students, why than is she filing a lawsuit against the children and taxpayers of the community. Who is truly the evil one hear!!!!!!!!
Ms. Weir is fair, hardworking and committed to the students. She always oversees the counselors and is working to improve the level of competency in the office.
She is very sensitive to the needs of the students.
Mr. and Mrs. Libka our part of the community(living in Maywood 25 years) and have invested time and energy toward the success of all connected to District 209.
Ms. Coleman is able to do whatever she wants. She leaves early and cannot be challenged. She wears tight clothing and has been observed on many occassions talking on her cell phone during working hours. I thought students were not allowed to use cell phones in the building!
Bottom LINE>>>> Coleman for President!!!!!
By
Anonymous, at 7:40 AM, March 20, 2006
TIRED OF THE LIBKAS SAYS>>>>>>>>>>>
Anoymous 7:40 A.M. is Mrs. Libka! Everyone knows this is a comment from you. Apparently you have problems with strong Black women who question your unethical actions. Mrs. Libka in her years of service has done NOTHING to help the Black students at Proviso East. Also, the LIBKAS don't live in Maywood anymore. THEY did not even send their kids to PRoviso East. Also, you and your husband moved out of North Maywood because it was getting to BLACK for you religous Lutherans. How can you be religious and LIE SO MUCH! What college fair have you done to help the Black students at PRoviso?
Also, Ms. Weir is known for losing information and sleeping in her office. Ms. Weir is protecting Mrs. Libka because one they are friends and two they both don't belong in a predominately BLACK school, because they have done nothing to help the Black children at East.
Mrs. Libka this past comment sounds so much like you. DId you tell the community that you messed on your self and walked around all day smelling like garbage!
Also, Mrs. Libka smells like feces. Her breathe and body reeks daily of a foul ordor. So you should throw stones at others because how they dress. Mrs. Libka I hope the new Board majority next year sends you and your DUMB husband packing to the Lake in the Hills. YOu FALSE LUTHERANS will go down!
Also, I heard your husband is going to school on work time. I guess he gets to do what he wants. HuH? By the way who paid for his schooling. And what do you do at the Maywood Rotary meetings. Be careful you might be followed next time! HOw much money has rotary given to Proviso East students. If you don't live in Maywood, then why do you attend Maywood Rotary meetings. Answer the questions MRS. "Stinky Breathe" LIBKA! It seems that you get to do want you want, but a BLack woman can't! You and your husband are in the closet RACIST PIGS!
Can your husband say EMBELLZELLING! CAN YOU SAY TAKE A BATH!
By
Anonymous, at 11:25 AM, March 20, 2006
There is so much sickness in some of the comments about Bonnie Libka that I pray she never sees them. I will not comment on the relationship between Mrs. libka and Ms. Coleman becaue I do not have the facts but I will comment on some of the other statements from someone who did send all three of his daughters to Proviso East (and they got only a "fair" education in the 1980's)despite being in the honor programs. They got a worse one in District 89 which was a joke then, at least at Lincoln. They were all generally bored. Back to Proviso, I have a student teacher there now and the two classes I have observed they average only 50% of enrolled students present on a given day (Walther Lutheran which is over 60% minority students averages 90 to 95%!!)this is a travesty and I would say a good third of those who were there were totally uninterested. I have had student teachers at Kelvyn Park, Farragut, Wells and a number of so-called inner city schools and only two, in my opinion, Orr and Best Practices had as poor attendance, lack of discipline, inattention in the classroom as poor, poor Proviso East. I am writing this late on election eve so my comments are not intended to have any effect on who people vote for. Students at Proviso, and there are many great kids there, and faculty, and there are many good to great faculty members, all deserve better BUT, contracts and jobs is not going to help one Proviso kid get a better education!!! Finally, the comments about Rotary are so uninformed, why not ask instead of accusing, and if you do not like the answer, then react negatively. Rotary's 1.2 million worldwide members organized into 30,000 local clubs always have a combination of members who live and/or work in the community that the club directly serves. Our Maywood club over the last 10 years I have been a member has sent, at mostly our expense, about 30 Proviso East students all over the world as part of a summer youth exchange program. This is only ONE of many, but the most costly, of programs that Maywood Rotary sponsors that directly or indirectly help Maywood young people. Mrs. Libka is also the sponsor of our Interact Club in the high school which is like a high school Rotary Club which raises monies for local and international service projects. I have gone on too long but one thing I do agree with, whatever the issue is between Mrs. Libka and Ms. Coleman, CEO Libka should not be involved in the decision-making.
By
Anonymous, at 9:23 PM, March 20, 2006
Mr. Woll did you hear what Mr. Libka said at the board meeting tonight. Well, he basically said that poor income students are more likely to be behavior problems. Does that sound racist to you? So, before you defend the Libkas you need hear their racist comments and how they act at Proviso. I am sure you would not want to be associated with anyone that feels that way about low income children black and latino.
By
Anonymous, at 11:23 PM, March 20, 2006
dave says: There are a few people (teachers incuded) at Proviso who feel they can come in and leave whenever they want. Last year Dr. Baker tried to come down on some of the teacher tardies. I think what they're doing now is just giving habitual tardies 1st period free. We really don't know the whole story about Ms. Coleman. 1. Who is her clout? 2. Does she indeed leave early and use her cell phone during school? 3. Why was this matter not resolved in Nov.? 4. Did Ms. Libka really use the word negroid (where the hell did she dig that word up)? 5. Could it be that both parties are a little bit guilty?
By
Anonymous, at 8:20 AM, March 21, 2006
I want to apologize to the Libka family and all others I have offended on this site. At times I have a problem with people in authority.I guess my insecurity as an individual has been a weakness all my life.
I should feel blessed that I have been able to enjoy employment in such a top-notch district.
I should not judge other races and claim others smell.
I feel I have a very negative attitude towards people who serve our children at the school. There are so many competent and caring teachers at our school.
I should not call individuals fake Lutherans!!!
I should not throw stones until I examine my life. It is obvious I do not love myself!!!!
K.Coleman "pink lady" say it, but don't spray it"
By
Anonymous, at 5:47 PM, March 21, 2006
This past comment from K.Coleman sounds like Ms. Burrell acting like K. Coleman. Ms. Burrell is the known HOE of Proviso Township. I am sure men are putting garbage bags over your head. She is really sore on the eyes!
By
Anonymous, at 7:46 PM, March 21, 2006
The DICK LIBKA says..........
I know how dumb my wife sounds, but people have to understand that my wife has been a racist her whole life. SHe can't help it, she learned it from me. I am always saying dumb stuff before I can think about it. So to everyone out there in the community, please leave the Libkas alone. We are not changing and we are in Proviso Township to stay. Black people are to dumb anyway to realize how horrible my wife and I really are. As for K. Coleman, I plan to have her fired because I am the CEO and I can do that. CEO means Chief of Everything Orange. That's right I run everythnig that is Orange in Proviso. Do you think Welch would give me any other position, STUPID as I am. The LIBKAS are taking over Proviso, and BLACKS are to Dumb to realize it.
By
Anonymous, at 7:54 PM, March 21, 2006
a friend of gary woll comment
Gray Woll you need to wake up and smell the coffee on your prized couple the Libkas. They have definitely fooled you and the parents and students of Proviso Township. Are you in agreement with the deceitful and unethical things he does and says as CEO of Proviso Schools? Will you still claim him as a friend if you knew what really goes on behind closed doors. Welch has Libka under in finger nail. You know the character of Welch, which is of a liar. Now if Libka is such a man of character how can he play by a liar's rule. It seems that the Libkas true colors have just come out and people like me and you were being tricked the whole time. But we have been tricked before, remember Moore and Welch deceived us not to long ago.
By
Anonymous, at 8:01 PM, March 21, 2006
I think all of you should be finding more important things to deal with at Proviso than the he say, she say mess. Believe me, I know both parties and Ms. Coleman is no saint, neither are the Libka's however, if people did what they were paid to do and stay out of other people's business, perhaps the children could have a better education, which is the ultimate goal, remember? Both parties are liars and I do know this first hand. If you don't feed into garbage, you don't have to worry about getting dirty.
Now, that Karen has won, let's focus on getting rid of all the unnecessary administrators hired. Elimation of half the administrators could drastically reduce the deficit Proviso has.
Ms. Coleman, for everything, there's a time and a season. You needed to be moved.
By
Anonymous, at 11:47 PM, March 21, 2006
Mr. Patch needs to be moved. Now what again did he do in District 88?
By
Anonymous, at 8:48 AM, March 23, 2006
I think the teacher's union prez needs to move on. How much did Welch pay her to pipe down and hide under a rock?
By
Anonymous, at 7:22 PM, March 27, 2006
Ne·groid (ngroid) Anthropology
adj.
Of or being a major human racial classification traditionally distinguished by physical characteristics such as brown to black pigmentation and often tightly curled hair and including peoples indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa.
What did she say that was so wrong?
By
Anonymous, at 1:33 PM, April 30, 2006
Sorry, but it's true: Negroids stink like a dead body. That's a common fact. I've heard it in West Point, where I've made my General-Diploma. They even stink worse, when they're dead (Luckily, for us). Sad, but true, you cannon-fodder.
By
Anonymous, at 10:10 AM, July 12, 2006
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