Rantoul, thy name is obtuse--Part 5 in a series

Well, well....here we are.

We walked out of the gifted committee meeting with our heads held high--we went over everything we needed to say at length, made people think, provoked good questions, and gave even better answers. At that point, we were dismissed so the committee could discuss whether the Rantoul, Illinois, school district would rethink and redo its gifted program rules, which grandfathered students once they qualify into the program--as long as there is room as they limit it to 12 students, and once they reach that limit, anyone who qualifies thereafter is just well...not going to be involved.

During this meeting, it should be noted once again that the Rantoul ~~Superintendumbnant~~ Superintendant (oops, Freudian slip) Bill Trankina was at this meeting--and said nothing. His face sure said a lot though--it was as red as a radish, and all he did is take notes. I spoke with my mom after the meeting and went over the fine details and told her this--to which she noted, "Oh, that's not good if he didn't say anything" (my mom and stepdad are lifelong Rantoul residents and former teachers, so they are well aware of Mr. Trankina and his "methods"). When she first said that, I didn't think that had much legitimacy to it. I mean, come ON! We went in there and kicked some major boootay, right? RIGHT? Hello?? This thing on?

Apparently not.

In a letter less than a week after the committee meeting, my ex-wife and her husband received a letter directly from the Rantoul City Schools. First off, it was addressed to Mark, my ex-wife's husband, but they MISSPELLED his last name. Um, this is a man who has gone to a meeting with Trankina, been the main speaker at the board meeting and gifted meeting. Nice respect and attention to detail. (That's not the only detail faux pas--read on, my pets...)

Here is what the letter said verbatim along with my color commentary in italics. And awaaaaaaaaaaaay we go!

To: Mr. Mark Keys (The spelling is actually Keyes)

From: Bill Trankina, Superintendent

Subject: Gifted Committee Finding

This correspondence is being forwarded as a means of communicating the decision reached by the RCS Gifted Committee at the Annual Gifted Committee Meeting (Wow, thanks for explaining that, because there is NO way I would have gotten that from the subject header. I am SO glad my intelligence is not being insulted, YES!). Please note the following:
1. The Gifted Committee began deliberations following the departure of two committee members that are not currently employed certified RCS faculty members. (Well, that really was what was told to us and I don't understand then why they were there in the first place and asked us questions if they had no say in the deliberations..but I digress)

2. As stated before you left, no confidential information regarding Caleb Keys was discussed in the presence of anyone other than individuals that are current RCS certified staff members. (Alright, I'm going to have to roll up my sleeves on this one...Attention to detail MUST not be a strong suit of Mr. Trankina OR his office staff--because the student that was in question--the one that has tested as one of the highest in the district, who has been discussed in every forum available at length---is not named Caleb Keys. His last name is Gossett...always has been! This really brings ALL kinds of credibility to Mr. Trankina, doesn't it? I think so! Secondly, what does it MATTER that they didn't talk about him in closed session--it didn't matter previously in the meeting where his name and accomplishments were openly talked about--not from us, from the teachers, etc. So, basically, this point is just...well, fluff.)

3. The committee discussed a number of options and the ramifications of each. Deliberations continued for approximately forty-five minutes. (Ummm, so you're NOT going to pay attention to detail about names but you are going to give me the time period for which they talked which really has zero relevance? Yeah, ok, now this letter has TOTAL merit...or not)

4. The Gifted Committee decided to conduct quarterly meetings this year to further explore items that were discussed the day of the meeting.

5. The committee decided to not increase the number of students enrolled in the RCS Gifted Program for the 2008-09 school year.

I trust this correspondence is fully responsive to the issues you raised.

And that's it.

Wow. WOW. Wow, wow, wow, WOW. So, out of all of the time that we spent on this and the meetings and the passionate speeches, what we get is....a decision to go from annual meetings to quarterly meetings....where it has already been proven that some individuals don't even know the full aspects of the program. So........the point would be......(Yeah, I don't know, either)

Here's a part from The Shawshank Redemption, one of my favorites of all-time:

Warden Samuel Norton: I have to say that's the most amazing story I've ever heard. What amazes me most is that you were taken in by it.
Andy Dufresne: Sir?
Warden Samuel Norton: It's obvious this fellow Williams is impressed with you, he hears your tale of woe and naturally wants to cheer you up. He's young, not terribly bright, it's not surprising he wouldn't know what a state he put you in.
Andy Dufresne: Sir, he's telling the truth.
Warden Samuel Norton: Let's say for the moment this Blatch does exist. You think he'd just fall to his knees and cry: "Yes, I did it, I confess! Oh, and by the way, add a life term to my sentence."
Andy Dufresne: You know that wouldn't matter. With Tommy's testimony I can a new trial.
Warden Samuel Norton: That's assuming Blatch is still there. Chances are excellent he'd be released by now.
Andy Dufresne: Well they'd have his last known address, names of relatives. It's a *chance*, isn't it.
[Norton shakes his head]
Andy Dufresne: How can you be so obtuse?
Warden Samuel Norton: What? What did you call me?
Andy Dufresne: Obtuse. Is it deliberate?
Warden Samuel Norton: Son, you're forgetting yourself.

Basically, take our side and put it as Andy, and Trankina and the Rantoul School District as Norton. Obtuse is defined as a. Lacking quickness of perception or intellect. b. Characterized by a lack of intelligence or sensitivity. I know this may seem harsh, but this is exactly what RCS represents with this decision--obtuseness.

Now what? Well, that's a great question. My wife and I have addressed the whole due process and the fact that this is just simply unfair and has no bearing whatsoever. The issue is would be that if we tried to get all big and bad in a legal sense that 1) Gifted education is not mandated by the state, which leaves it up to the individual school districts to decide and 2) Any legal proceedings would more than likely not even go forward in a court sense for quite some time, and after this year, Caleb only would have 1 more year potentially in the gifted program. Basically, that route would be very tough to get the end that we desire and Caleb deserves.

On one hand, I am so almost blinded by this lack of change and rigidity that I don't want for Rantoul to benefit from Caleb's intellect and his test scores that he brings to a district that already is below state standards; if we could get him into a nearby school (that would have a gifted program readily available) or even a prep school like University High where I am sure he would be able to get into, simply out of spite I would!

Take it public? Well, that's kind of what I have been doing here. While it's not something really fit to print, I know that some of the people that have responded to me feel the passion and the injustice this situation IS. In discussions with myself and the other three parents of Caleb :), we've said that we will more than likely be writing something to the local newspapers with this situation. Will it really make a difference? Who knows. Hopefully some of the passion that I have seen from all of you can be seen and people can make some noise!!

But that's no guarantee. If there's anything that people know are in human nature, it's apathy to a situation that doesn't directly affect them. You've read the series. You understand what has happened here and you've seen the "obtuse" nature. You can make a difference and do the right thing here....Help us in this cause. I urge for all of you to contact members of the Rantoul School Board and Mr. Trankina himself to made your outrage on this known to help us. Even if it means in the end that things stay the same, we still need you all to be a voice for Caleb. He shouldn't continue to not have opportunities that should be readily available to him without question. Not that he's not doing what he should be doing--remember when I told you that last year he set the district record for accelerated reader points with over 400? In a little over six weeks of school, Caleb already has 100 points of AR. You can't say the child isn't a self-motivator or that he doesn't have pride in his abilities--but that's not the point. This shouldn't be the consolation prize.

RANTOUL IS WRONG, AND THIS POLICY AND DECISION IS GARBAGE. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AND THE LOGIC IS APPALLING.

If you feel the same way I do, I urge you again to contact the district. Here's the information:

Superintendent Bill Trankina's email: bill.trankina@mail.rcs.k12.il.us
Mailing Address: 400 E Wabash Ave., Rantoul IL 61866
Phone Number (office): 217-893-4171

RCS Board of Education Members: (Area code 217)

Kevin Modglin (President)
202-3374

Sandra Uhlott (Vice President)
377-6902

Jeff Seegmiller (Secretary)
840-0117

John Brotherton
893-3670

Kevin McCallister
202-3696

Bill Sweat
215-4953

Teresa Turner
893-9121

I appreciate everyone following me on this journey of epic proportions :) Once again, we are very thankful for the family and friends we have and the fact that we are blessed with such a great child.

This just needs to be made right. Take care, everyone.

TAGS: Being A Parent, Education, Education Issues, Gifted And Talented, Gifted And Talented Education, Gifted Education, Gifted Program Limitations, Illinois Gifted Education, Ing A Dad, Parental Responsibilities, Parenthood, Parenting, Raising Children, Rantoul, Rantoul City Schools, Rantoul School District, School, School Policies, Teaching
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