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CAT Tracks for April 16, 2015
KOCH OUT...SMITH IN |
ISBE votes to replace State Superintendent of Education Dr. Christopher Koch with Anthony "Tony" Smith effective May 1st...
From the Southern Illinoisan
State Board of Education names new Illinois superintendent
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
From the article:
Board members say Smith was the sole candidate for the job recommended by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
I guess Rauner appointee James Meeks hasn't been reading Arne Duncan's pronouncements from on high...
...or he would have included "game changer" to describe Smith.
Whatever...
...meet "Tony", latest hatchet man for Bruce Almighty.
And isn't it more than a little suspicious that "Tony" Smith was the "sole candidate"? Not surprising, though, given Rauner's "my way or the highway" approach to governing.
And, as a "bonus", it cost the bankrupt State of Illinois $89,000 to get rid of Koch and get a Rauner's "yes man" into position. (Hmmm...wonder if Rauner dangled a higher-than-Koch's salary to lure "Tony" to Illinois...after decrying the high salaries of existing state employees?)
Despite claims to the contrary by Rauner, Meeks, and/or Smith...
...I fail to be optimistic about the state of education in Illinois.
In fact, I would wager that we can count our lucky stars if The Who was right...
...'cause early indications from Rauner's reign are that things are about to get a whole helluva lot worse!
So, we might all want to heed the example:
Always one of my favorite songs...
...and you know how I like my music!
So, in honor (?) of the takeover of state houses and the whole damn country by "education reformers", I'm taking the liberty of reproducing the lyrics in full, along with a link to a YouTube video of...
Board Chairman James Meeks calls Smith a "visionary" who will "move the needle" on education reform.
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again!
YouTube Video
We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
No, no!
I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Though I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do ya?
There's nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Are now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
After posting this edition of CAT Tracks, I ran across another pre-firing article that had some interesting comments:
From Education Week
Last Days for Illinois K-12 Chief Koch? Governor Seeks 'Transformational' Leader
