ED, the good and bad of Bob Libka, CEO [D209]
d.r. posted the following to the Proviso Probe entry about Wednesday’s special board meeting to hire a new superintendent.
Robert Libka has been superintendent for an entire academic year.
What has he done that reflects positively on his leadership? Negatively?
The Bickert Group, serving in the capacity of independent advisor to the process, has a reputation for doing thorough investigative work and fitting the right person to the position. It is a fact that all of their past superintendent recommendations involve folk who remain in service to this very day in their respective district assignments.
That Libka withstood the scrutiny is of no surprise to me. Anyone who has worked up close and observed him operate under fire would know that the man is imminently qualified for the position as called for at this time. District 209 is undergoing a unique transformation and part of what was required for the position presented him with a distinct advantage.
Robert Libka has been superintendent for an entire academic year.
What has he done that reflects positively on his leadership? Negatively?
posted by Carl Nyberg at
7:00 PM
28 Comments:
Carl,
I agree with Steven.
By
Anonymous, at 2:36 PM, August 08, 2006
Carl,
Here's one for you...has anyone seen the recent letter from Robert Libka that was sent to the board members? In this letter, Libka is trying to intimidate the minority board as well as accusing the minority board of "lying to the feds".
This was a rather strange letter. Libka cites the minority board as being disruptive and should be censored.
Libka’s letter is disturbing in nature, desperate, undoubtly biased and tactless. It seems that there is a tremendous amount of unwanted attention being conducted by the feds that’s disturbing the status quo of the majority board, Welch and Libka.
Carl, I will supply you with a copy of this letter in the next couple of days, so you can see how Libka has crossed the line.
One should be sent to the feds also…
By
Anonymous, at 2:42 PM, August 08, 2006
What's he done?
Hovered under the radar while lining up his strategy.
By
Anonymous, at 2:52 PM, August 08, 2006
Nah...Libka has no strategy...the PMSA/Forest Park Police debacle is enough to prove that.
Unless you would like to talk about his political alignment with Chris Welch and the $9000.00 check that was used to complete his education.
Someone just resigned from the business office...
Anybody have any insight as to why?
By
Anonymous, at 3:49 PM, August 08, 2006
Are there any new educational initiatives? No
Has the District invested in any new viable programs? No
Then again, he hired the schools lawyers on a "fact finding mission" to investigate Amy Relf and Keisha Coleman, which cost the taxpayers even more money.
Oh, by the way...the incident with Keisha Coleman involved Libka's wife. A direct conflict of interest, yet he felt compelled to preside over the case.
In my opinion...Libka is just filling a space...you know an ass in a seat. Literally!
The posting should have been named, "the bad of Bob Libka".
I haven't witnessed the "good".
By
Anonymous, at 4:03 PM, August 08, 2006
I'm thinking that there were two major qualifications hinging around selection of the new superintendent: 1) intimate awareness of the District's history, combined with the ability to quickly assemble a team, then hit the ground running and, 2) connections to additonal money and other desparately needed resources.
Libka's portfolio simply choked out the competition. The runners-up weren't even close.
To that extent, this job and the necessary credentials for being effective, were no different than what you typically find in any traditional political circle. The execution aspects that were mentioned by a previous poster are basically realizable because the talent is indeed present and in-house.
By
Anonymous, at 5:03 PM, August 08, 2006
If you want to quote something from an earlier thread, go ahead.
Libka got his credentials during the academic year. This either makes him an overachiever or the highest paid truant in the district.
Libka is a Christian.
People allege Libka is well liked.
That seems to be it for specific claims about Libka, although Libka's supporters engaged in personal attacks against others.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 5:09 PM, August 08, 2006
To Charlie Flowers and his taliban from Chris with love!
How many times can you put me down
Till in your heart you realize
If you choose to criticize
You choose your enemies
Everything that I say and do
In your eyes is always wrong
Tell me where do I belong
In this sick society
You're no different to me
You're no different
No different to me
Look at yourself instead of looking at me
With accusation in your eyes
Do you want me crucified
For my profanity
Concealing your crimes behind a grandeur of lies
Tell me where do I begin
If you think that you're without sin
be the first to cast the stone
Can't you see, can't you see
you're no different to me
Won't you see, won't you see
you're no different to me
Living my life in a way that I choose
You say I should apologize
Is that envy in your eyes reflecting jealousy
Tell me the truth and I'll admit to my guilt
If you'll try to understand
But is that blood that's on your hand from your democracy !
By
Anonymous, at 5:32 PM, August 08, 2006
Bob Libka has done more for Proviso in one year then Gilchrist and Jackson did in six. If you could look up the term "a bad educational decision", Gilchrist's picture should appear next to the definition!
By
Anonymous, at 8:25 PM, August 08, 2006
A Proviso Teacher:
Com'on. You don't even believe the story you made up.
Again, everything you mentioned was vague and pointless.
Name specifically and exactly what Bob Libka has done to better District 209 and the community.
Anyone can speak in generals...Oh, he got the school up and running...it means nothing. What did he do to get the schools up and running. What events transpired? What decisions did Libka make to put these schools on the right path?
As "a proviso teacher" surely you have the specifics...
By
Anonymous, at 8:21 AM, August 09, 2006
dega-vu2:
I tend to agree with you that "a proviso teacher" is either a shill for or Dr. Libka himself. There's too much puffery about and too many superlatives used in describing Dr. Libka and/or his performance ---"great", "visionary", and "great integrity, just as a few examples. "A proviso teacher" did not, and probably could not, offer one shred, one iota, of objective and measurable evidence in support of Dr. Libka's effectiveness as superintendent. Yet, "A proviso teacher" stated that he has proven himself.
The argument that Dr. Libka spent a long period of time as a resident of Maywood and that he knows people in the community doesn't enhance his case in the slightest for me. To me, he has had plenty of time to enhance his political underpinnings and to form alliances with certain board members and others whose practices have been described as unscrupulous, self-serving, and definitely not in the best interests of the district's students.
By
Anonymous, at 11:27 AM, August 09, 2006
Perhaps Dannielle-Ashley is being paid to shill for Welch on Proviso Probe?
By
Carl Nyberg, at 11:41 AM, August 09, 2006
Good things Bob Libka has accomplished:
Due to his policies al Qaeda has not attacked any of three Proviso High Schools.
(There was a bomb threat and this was skillfully handled as a Chris Welch media opportunity, although the perpetrator was never caught.)
Areas where Libka probably should have done something else:
1. At the press conference to announce the new teacher contract Libka was either unable or unwilling to tell the taxpayers the financial ramifications of the new contract.
2. Libka circulated to board members allegations from an anonymous source (but purportedly originating from one of the board members exes) that a board member had engaged in homosexual relations.
3. Libka received anonymous allegations that a staff member—a close political ally of Chris Welch—was a serial sexual predator against his students. Libka chose not to investigate.
4. District 209 spends $10,000 in most months on a newsletter that often looks like it is optimized around raising Chris Welch’s name recognition.
5. D209 signs are used to hype politicians.
6. The planning for graduation ran up to the last minute. Rumor has it this caused some family members who booked flights in advance to miss the actual ceremony.
7. D209 vendors gave lavishly to Welch’s state rep campaign creating the impression there was a quid pro quo of allowing the contractors to overcharge D209 in exchange for kickbacks to the Welch campaign.
8. Libka presided over dubious charges being used to harass Ami Relf and Keisha Coleman. Relf is a political critic of Welch. Coleman is a staff member whom Libka’s wife doesn’t like.
9. Two projects that should have been included in the construction of PMSA (the sidewalk and the sign) were given to separate contractors. I discussed with Libka going back the original contractors and making them add these things that should have been included which he agreed was a good idea. Either Libka didn’t bother or he was unable to get the original contractors to pay for their oversights.
10. D209 violated its agreement with Forest Park about summer school. When asked about this Libka dodged the question for weeks.
11. Libka failed to notify board members of a press conference. To compound the error he failed to take responsibility for his mistake.
12. When test scores were released, Libka seemed not to recognize how much the test scores had improved. The improvement was significant. Of course, the improved test scores undermined Welch’s case for firing the previous superintendent. The previous superintendent was fired about the time he showed willingness to end Anthony Bruno’s role as a contractor at PMSA.
13. One of the institute days had a speaker who trained the high school staff on elementary education techniques because she didn’t know she’d be presenting to high school teachers.
Libka seems to be a nice guy in the sense that he’s not going to rock the boat. Libka’s going to run the district the way Welch tells him. And if Libka doesn’t know what Welch wants he’s going to avoid making a decision until he checks with Welch.
Welch is going to run the district in a way that perpetuates the system of hiring political connected contractors and hiring loyalists for staff positions. Meanwhile, the education of the students is just an idea to be used as a lever for advancing the political interests of Welch’s political bosses.
Basically, Libka is willing to sell-out the students (and anybody else) at D209 so he can get a few years at a higher paygrade so he can get the big bucks from Illinois’ pension system.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 11:42 AM, August 09, 2006
If test scores have improved in District 209 it's almost assuredly the results of the principals and teachers, not an effort by Libka.
As late as December Libka was still claiming he was formulating a plan for improving education.
And how often did the school board talk about education policy this last year?
After Charles Flowers nagged them month after month Dr. Gilchrist made two presentations.
Gilchrist's ideas were kinda goofy.
One was that students would be denied the title of the next higher grade level if they didn't improve standardized test scores. It seemed like creating an incentive to tank the first test to me.
And then Gilchrist offered the idea of hassling students on residency. This was one where Welch and I were on the same page. It seemed likely to be racist in implementation. Also, it would reduce the money D209 received from the state.
But both these presentations were with Libka as CEO, so I assume he approved them. That is, unless he's just an irrelevant figurehead.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 11:48 AM, August 09, 2006
If somebody provides me the resumes, I'll post 'em with private information redacted.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 11:49 AM, August 09, 2006
Comparing Alexis Wallace and Bob Libka:
I've met a couple independent sources whom I respect who will go to the mat for Wallace and defend her as a committed educator.
I haven't met anyone who will defend Libka. People don't hate him, but it's he's not really that assertive. Gary Woll says Libka's a nice guy, but this isn't the same as saying he's a passionate or skilled educator.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 3:26 PM, August 09, 2006
Pamela offers some answers
1. Did Libka lose grants? I doubt it. He never was in charge of grants, Dr. Novickis was
2. Is it good for teachers to be terrified of their boss? Look at the teacher attrition during Jackson's regime. I'll be about half the faculty left. There is a lot to be said for a happy workplace. If teachers and admin. pull together, they can get the job done. Jackson was opposed to teachers. Libka's not. Are some teacher unqualified? For sure. You find that in any business. Still, the school runs better wtih everyone on the same side.
3. Libka's truancy? Did any of you hear of night school? I got my masters in night school and never missed a day of employment. I'll bet Libka did this too.
4. Institutes. Libka was never in charge of institutes. A good leader relegates duties. Institutes were relegated to Val Moore who is now gone.
5. Is Libka doing a good job. How can we tell at this point. He hit the ground running when Jackson was fired. Then Gilchrist was fired. The two people that did the worst dqamage are gone. It took them 6 years to ruin the schools and you want Libka to fix everything in one year?
I say give Libka a chance. It's the board that needs to change. If the board actually let the super. run things without all the politics, maybe we could turn the school around. By the way, I'm not Angela, I can spell!
By
Anonymous, at 3:27 PM, August 09, 2006
Does anyone think that Proviso Township High School's most pressing problems can be solved by hiring a Sup't that merely doesn't piss-off the teachers?
Isn't this setting the bar low?
Don't the students deserve someone better?
By
Carl Nyberg, at 3:36 PM, August 09, 2006
Specifically, what has Libka done to support the claim that he's doing a good job?
No hate directed at Jackson or Gilchrist. No claims of "he didn't do this bad thing".
What policy has Libka implemented that has improved the education of Proviso students?
By
Carl Nyberg, at 3:38 PM, August 09, 2006
kt you are absolutely on point asst supt is the most important
By
Anonymous, at 7:46 PM, August 09, 2006
Ms. Coffee says: I don't know anything that Libka has done to improve test scores or teaching and learning. I would like to see a superintendent who controls the board instead of the other way around. I'm not sure Libka can stand up to them. Why is it that at Proviso the board has so much power? Why don't they leave educational matters up to people who know education? Seems to me the only teacher I can remember on the board was Imoni Baxter. I believe she quit in frustration. Oh, I'm sorry, now they have Flowers. Wasn't he fired from Proviso for not doing his job? Heaven help us if he gets to be state superintendent. Then Proviso will be able to get away with more crap. Why did they even have a panel of teachers, residents, etc. to give input into the superintendent hiring if they already intended to hire Libka? I don't think he's an idiot. I do think he has concern for the children. I just don't think the board will let him run the place.
By
Anonymous, at 9:06 PM, August 09, 2006
Does anyone know who the new supt. is at 209. The special was held tonight so it should be over. Is he or isn't he the permanent supt.?
By
Anonymous, at 11:39 PM, August 09, 2006
You guys are all pathetic. Carl, why don't you try teaching at Proviso for a year and then see what a "party" it is. My spouse's life has been sacrificed -- and our family's life -- for Proviso and for the community's children. I come from a family of educators, am an educator myself, and married an educator. I can tell you that Proviso teachers have it harder than the teachers from any other district I know of. How pathetic to read blogs like this that criticize and attempt to degrade, demoralize and humiliate honest, hard-working people that devote their lives to teaching children. Everyone is so busy trying to align themselves politically to get the most of the palm-greasing -- none of you care about the kids. It's all about YOU. Shame on all of you.
I know this will mean nothing to you -- you've all sold yourselves out long ago, as evidenced by the comments here. You all need to grow up and start acting at least as mature as the freshmen at Proviso.
NO CEO is going to be perfect. No teacher is going to be perfect. No school is going to be perfect. But let's be honest here. None of this is really about making the school better, or the admin. better, or getting "the best" CEO. It's about politics and getting what you want. It has nothing to do with really helping the kids. Or making sure the teachers are getting what they need to be able to help the kids. What is wrong with all of you?
By
Anonymous, at 2:01 AM, August 10, 2006
Farmer says: A special message to 209 sucks. Obviously, you don't have your facts straight. First, I was NEVER caught sleeping or smoking on the job. No one can force a teacher to resign. The teacher must apply and fill out mounds of paperwork. You have just lost all your credibility. Your comments about Libka, Flowers and Welch are obviously as false as your comments about me. You know nothing about the dedicated teachers at Proviso. To all: remember that this is a blog. This particular blog is about equal to a tabloid. You can read the tabloids, but don't believe everything you read. Aliens don't really run Proviso.
By
Anonymous, at 8:27 AM, August 10, 2006
Apparently things didn't quite turn out as expected, referring to last nite's meeting about the supt. selection.
Nothing further at this time.
By
Anonymous, at 11:22 AM, August 10, 2006
Judging from the number of posts on this thread and all threads dealing with the school districts of Proviso, it is no wonder that mess is kept up because all of the various stakeholders are always posturing for themselves. The school district is always the hottest topic. Everyone talks that rhetoric about educating "our kids" and "students first" and whatever other cliche they can think of. But in reality, the problem is multifaceted. Everyone is in it for their own benefit. The administrators want to protect their well paid plush benefits jobs. Some of the teachers want more power so that they can have influence over the well paid administrators. The board members want to control jobs so that they can hire their allies in these well paid plush benefit jobs. The inside politics in these school districts are just unbelievable. It'll make real politics look like a fairy tale.
By
Anonymous, at 11:50 AM, August 10, 2006
Phony-clergy ?????
Heck...they have to eat just like the rest of us; and wherever politics are concentrated there is always a cadre of folk looking for handouts. Think Jesse Jackson School of Influence, or the Meeks Wannabe Club. Still, on a higher level, there's even the Vatican.
Also, it's just prudent to keep people of influence close at hand, just not too deep in your pockets. I'm afraid all this simply goes with the territory.
But Saffo is just a lowly messenger. He was probably dispatched to the meeting by Mr. PT Man, operating on instructions that he be present and seed the room with support for his long-time buddy and close confidant.
I can't understand why you think ministers should be different from anyone else. Wake up! This is America!
By
Anonymous, at 1:42 PM, August 10, 2006
saffo is a fence sitter,just like his buddies! He only cries injustice when he does'nt get paid!!!1
I guess Welch's money is green, and that's what counts!
Beware of Saffo's friends, because there all cut from the same cloth!
By
Anonymous, at 7:10 PM, August 10, 2006
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