This is absolutely absurd! Melanie Walsh is an excellent employee and does a fantastic job! She went through the District's hiring process and got the job on her own without any influence from anyone. If knowing someone in the district is a crime why hasn't anyone investigated John Reiniche's on-going nepotism? The board has had no problem approving the hiring of his father, brother-in-law, friends of his family, neighbors, etc. Why not ask the principal of Jerling how she knows Mr. Reiniche?

This is a case of one board member (Gentile) and her personal vendetta against Colleen Schultz who heads special education. Gentile has a handicapped son and has butted heads with Schultz for years. It is unfortunate that Melanie Walsh has become collateral damage!

This also brings to light an on-going issue of the Board voting block of Gentile, Cunningham, Carmody and now Zekich (Gentile's friend who also has a handicapped child) who push each others' and John Reiniche's agendas. Shame on them!

This board and the entire District Office needs to be investigated! My next e-mail will be to Attorney General, Lisa Madigan!

You read an article like this and you immediately think, why would they return her to her previous position without filing complaints?

I think they know they made a mistake and they don't want a lawsuit and a monetary judgement.

How can these people look one another in the face knowing that one of them is disgustingly WRONG.

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Unbelievable! I've heard that these four board members are in bed with each other (figuratively, I hope) and that John Reineche is a power-hungry dictator but this really takes the cake. These four board members are CORRUPT! Forget the Triangle Project and 9750...the bulk of our taxes go to the school district and this is what we're getting? A corrupt, self-proclaimed "assistant superintendant" business manager and board members with agendas that have nothing to do with our children. The board president's kids go to St. Mike's, Cunningham doesn't even have kids in the district or pay property taxes (as he doesn't own the condo he lives in), and Gentile and Zekich who only care about special education kids. Where is Andrea Williams? If anyone could, she could get to the bottom of this!

I don't understand why some of you are involving the Business Manager in this. he does not make hiring decisions, especially in the Student Services area. Having said that, I agree that the board made a bad decision here. Ms. Walsh had to be approved by the board to get that promotion in the first place. If there was a problem with the process, they had ample opportunity to speak up at that point. Four board members could have stopped her promotion before it ever took place. It's one thing if the position was eliminated altogether, but this does not appear to be the case. Also, why has Mrs. Gentile refused to comment on this?

With this board, it's always the same four against the same three. I do not like these factions. Is this Orland Park or Chicago? Politics is alive and well in Orland Park!

Kathie, Thanks for a nice comment.

Board Members, Are you reading and understanding these comments?

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Is there a nepotism policy? If there is and she is related, then there is a violation of policy. If not, she should be able to keep her job. Was the board informed that she was related to Colleen? This is a question that can only be answered by Dr. Howell and the board. Also, if she is related then she really should have never worked at a para if she is related to Colleen. I think the first thing is to find out if there is a policy against hiring relatives? If not, and the board feels this way, they should have a policy on it.

There is not a nepotism policy although the job application asks if the applicant is related to any district employees and asks for names.

To add insult to injury, Melanie's job has just been posted on the District's website.

Orland Park has the best teachers in the state.

No one has mentioned that the board recently threw Colleen Schultz out of distinct office to finish her last year of service. She is currently setting up her office at Prairie school in a classroom because of the childish, vindictive and completely unprofessional actions of these board members. All the while, the taxpayers are paying her and her replacement a salary plus benefits to do the same job for an entire calendar year. Again, board approved decision making! Oh and the teachers are working without a contract~ Let's see how long that lasts! Glad to see these pathetic people abuse the privileges they get for their own secret agendas instead of for "What's Best for Kids!" I just wonder how those 4 hillbillies sleep at night. Orland Park tax payers need to take notice. The community is better than this.

Ann may be the biggest problem but there are 3 others who go alone with her antics and vote with her.

OMG! Please do not attack Ann personally for having a special needs child. If any one of you had a special needs child, you also would fight to get that child the appropriate education. Believe me, Orland 135 needs a lot of improvement in that area. My son graduated from OJH back in 2003. What a joke the special ed services were. I almost went to Due Process (lawsuit) to get my child the help that is required by law to get. Colleen Schultz was one of the problems. D135 was the problem. I had to fight for my son becuase I knew that no one else would. I had an administrator tell me that my son would be a failure at life and never succeed in anything. I had OJH lie to me several times regarding my son's education. That principal is no longer with our district! I filed four complaints againt OJH withe the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and won all four of them. I could have filed more, but I decided to pick my battles. Please do not attack Ann for having a special needs child. You don't know what life is like with one.

Thank God every day that you do not have a child that has special needs. Some one needs to fight for these children because D135's administration did not.

Get off the special ed bandwagon and get back to the issue of why dist 135 board of ed has created such a political fiasco for our community. If only the BOE really made an effort to listen to all its employees then none of this would have happened. Too many people trying to control rather than lead.

Ted -- I will get on whatever bandwagon I want. I am just saying do not attack her for having a special needs child.

Let me tell you that sometimes the BOE only knows what the administration tells them. If they do not believe what the administration is telling them, then it's time for a new administration.

The board has only two responsibilities:
a) Hire a superintendent
b) Set policy

I want to know HOW Pam Hodgskons is related to Reineiche....

Joe, if what you say is correct then 135 needs major overhaul from BOE members to central office. This is a mess!!! Maybe hearing all this will uncover more underhanded tactics used by admin/BOE. It's time to really investigate 135 in a big way. I think there are people who know more than what they can say for fear of losing their job. Obviously this is a tactic this admin/BOE uses, and has used in the past.

The question is: who do we get to investigate? It's one thing to take it to the media but how do we get something done?

Wow, reading this is incredible! Shame on Orland Park District 135. I thought this was an upscale classy area. Where did they get these Board members????

Kathy Quilty,
As you well know, there is no nepotism policy in the district. There are numerous employees of the district who are relatives of board members, administrators and other staff members. We all know that this issue with Melanie Walsh was raised solely and completely because of Ann Gentile's vendetta against Colleen Schultz. And, as point of fact, the reason you did not go forward with your lawsuit (due process) is because you had no case. You personally aligned with Ann in her vendetta against the district and anyone who is aligned with Colleen Schultz. Shame on these four board members for not doing their job and wasting tax-payer money.

Kathy McAlpine,
The reason why I didn't go through with my Due Process is because my son was going into 8th grade and I thought that my $30K would be better spent somewhere else and not fighting a school district who had an unlimited amount of money to fight me back. Instead I asked for an independent evaluator to come out.

I would really like to know how YOU know about my case.

As I read all these comments on here, most of these people are not using their real name. In fact, some name were just made today. If you click on the names, it will tell you what else they have commented on The Patch. Looks like "G" and John Paul are the only other regular posters on here. And John Paul and I are the only ones who actually use our real names.

You are absolutely right Fred. The problem is Ann Gentile. She has her own agenda. She is a Bully. She tries to intimidate others in order to get her own way. Just ask the students and teachers who were present when she verbally attacked one of her son's teachers. Her behavior was not appropriate for a School Board Member. Why is it that some School Board Members feel so free to spend taxpayer’s money to carryout Gentile’s vendetta against Schultz?

Does anybody else think it's inappropriate for a current D230 Board member (Ms. Quilty) to side with the person most responsible (Ms. Gentile) for this fiasco in the first place? The purpose of these discussions is to determine whether Ms. Gentile is targeting Ms. Schultz directly, not to hear about Ms. Quilty's problems with the Special Ed department in the past and how many complaints she filed. Sounds like instead of addressing the hiring process/policy and whether Ms. Walsh followed procedure, she is using this as an excuse to bring up her own past issues. Stick to the issue!

Advocating, fighting for ones child is admirable!!! Bullying, Badgering, and Belittling of adminstration, special services, and staff on the front line is in excusable!!!

Jerling in a "freefall"? Are you kidding? It's a wonderful school with a fabulous staff, great kids, and effective administators at the helm. I don't know or care how Pam Hodgson got her job. All I care about is that she is GOOD at her job. Jerling, and District 135, is lucky to have her!

Fifteen hours ago I made a comment about Mrs Walsh and how she was treated.

For the most part, everyone has strayed from the article. To those who taught she was wronged and might need help or support to correct this matter, I'll be watching to lend support.

What really takes the cake, one posting suggested that real names from posters be used because a few use their real names.

(COMMON SENSE DOES NOT NEED A NAME!)

The subject matter was MRS. WALSH.

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CORRECTION Thought for tauth

All that I have heard and read about Ms. Walsh is that she is a loyal, hard-working and valued employee. I do not think the Board would have offered her - her old position if this was not true. The issue at hand is that the Board made a mistake. The Board oversees the hiring processes. If they had a problem with the process, why wasn't it handled before interviews took place? Instead, Ms. Walsh went through the process and was chosen as the top runner. This recommendation was brought to the Board. Again, they had a chance to refute the process, Ms. Walsh was approved by a majority of the Board to take the position. (btw, what was the vote on that?)
NOW, all of a sudden, the process not acceptable! So as the Board is covering its butt, the district attorneys are faring nicely as they advise and show up as the drama to plays out. How much is this going to cost when it is all said and done? The BOARD needs to rectify a mistake they are making BEFORE more of our tax money is wasted on a lawsuit/court case that has weak legs to begin with and will end in the people of Orland paying Ms. Walsh for damages, and her attorney's fees.

Reading these posts, it looks like just everyone is posting their opinions, and no one really knows what the real reason is that Ms Walsh was asked to return to her former job, or has proof to back up their statements. So I recommend we all wait to see what is discovered during the Orland Council Educators' lawsuit they're filing against the board. Its sad how the truth can only be found during lawsuit investigations now days, but thankfully they're willing to pay for it themselves. And the outcome should determine which of these 7 board members have a chance at being re-elected their next go-around.

There is some talk that these "4" went against the board attorney's advice, and were willing to terminate this employee while incurring legal bills totalling in excess of $100,000+....for a $34K a year job. Supposedly they didn't care, and wanted her out for Ann's sake. Is this fiscal responsibility? Is this fair to the taxpayers? Where is Zekich on this? She's supposedly an attorney or is she too busy trying "NOT" to bite the hand that feeds her? People are losing their homes and their jobs and this is their mentality?

Can Andrea look into this??????
Can the Patch please look into this????????????????

Where is Human Resources in this whole mess?

Also, I would like to know why the other 3 board members voted the way they did. These 3 dissenting board members were obviously making a statement. I also can't see them going quietly either. Patch.....where's the interview?

Ben, good to see that The Patch editor is following this story and reading our comments. Hopefully, coverage will continue with more information surfacing, thereby ending this fiasco swiftly and in a just manner.

Gee, what happened to Ben? Looks like he deleted his comment.

Please cease the personal attacks in this venue. Examine the facts at hand. Ms. Walsh applied for a secretarial position, obtained Board approval, landed the job, and successfully performed her duties.
As a longtime resident taxpayer of Orland Park and former President of the Orland Council of Educators, I am appalled at the actions of the 135 Board. How much of the hard-earned taxpayer monies has the Board spent and will continue to spend defending actions that are clearly in violation of the collective bargaining agreement?
The legal costs associated with this inevitable grievance and past litigations have cost the taxpayers of Orland Park dearly, and have served only to line the pockets of the Board attorney. The shocking legal fees of the school district are a matter of public record. All this because the Board and administration refuse to admit they erred in judgement.
There was a time when 135 was considered a stellar technological school district. That is no longer the case, due to fiscal decisions. Spend the monies instead on upgrading the outdated technology so that the children of Orland Park will be afforded the opportunities they deserve and in settling the still unresolved teacher contract. The teachers and support staff seriously want to do what is best for the children of Orland Park.
Do the right thing and "Play Nice."

Regina Knapp
Having worked in Orland 135 for 35 years, I just want to say that this is not the spirit in which this school district thrived for most of my tenure. There was a day when there was good will between the community, school board, teachers, and administration. The kind of behavior exhibited here was unheard of. This kind of treatment of personnel is stressful and distracting for all those who work their hardest day after day to provide an excellent education for the children of Orland Park. I would urge the school board to focus on the children and their education, which in no way are affected negatively by Ms. Walsh's position.

"Play Nice" words of wisdom from Dr. Pete Yuska ... sure do miss him.

Okay, I know this isn't the central topic, but I just want it known that I am proud to work at Jerling Jr. High, and I believe our principal is as qualified as they come. While my colleague ("Educator") is certainly entitled to his/her opinion, this individual does not speak for all Jerling teachers, and certainly does not speak for me.

I agree Officer of the Court - please do not name a minor child here. What concerns me as a taxpayer and a parent is that this school board is making decisions that appear to be based on vendetta and revenge. Their decision regarding Ms. Walsh as well as some other decisions do not appear to be in the best interest of all the students, employees, or the taxpayers. If the school board members had to pay the financial costs themselves instead of the taxpayers, I believe they would be making better decisions. For whatever reason, some of the School Board Members are behaving like the taxpayers of Orland Park are growing money in our backyards to pay for their inappropriate decisions. Well, my "money tree" is dead, and I have had enough. I trusted this school board with overseeing my children's education. It appears that some of it's members are too immature and not capable to handle that responsibility. Because of their bullying tactics, disregard of policy, lack of decency towards district 135 employees, and vendetta behaviors, I am all for replacing these four power hungry school board members.

Just a few thoughts on this. I see alot of attacks on various administrators in the district. Keep in mind, they work for the board. If the superintendent is directed by a majority of the board to demote someone, he really hasd no choice unless he wants to risk his own job. Also keep in mind that there is no way any of these people, including the board can please everyone all of the time. When I served on the board, I realized that the more you do, the more friends you make; also, the more enemies you make.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the board majority overplayed thier hand on this. They may have thought that Mrs. Walsh would go away quietly. I see that she has already reapplied for the job, this would give the board a chance to save face and rehire her with the "process" they approve of.

That part is also suspect. First, there is no policy that dictates a hiring process. Unless things have changed since I was there, an administrator could use whatever process they chose as long as it was consistent and fair. Any questions about that should have been addressed by the board BEFORE it voted to approve Mrs. Walsh's hiring. Someone should ask Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Carmody, Mrs. Gentile and Mrs. Zekich why they didn't address this when it would have been easier to deal with.

Isn't the staff at 135 there to educate our children in the best way possible? Isn't that the first and foremost priority at a school district? How is this issue benefiting the children? It seems to me what is going on, the children are getting lost. Please put the focus on the children that are our future leaders instead of personal vendettas or egos.

Thanks Andrea. Will support Joe. We will wait, but our time will come.

After reading all these posts concerning District 135, I can see that there is only so much time a person has.

Keep up the great job you are doing. You have many friends,

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After doing some investigation, I have learned that we, the citizens and taxpayers of Orland Park can recall Mrs. Gentile, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Carmody, and Mrs. Zekich!!! Lets stand up and fight this out of control school board.

With all that is happening in S.D. 135, I'm surprised we haven't heard more from Dr. Paul Howell. Isn't the board supposed to set the direction it would like for the 135 ship to sail? Isn't it the Superintendent who reads the map and directs the ship and crew? I don't think we have it right here at 135. It seems like the "Fab 4", under the direction of the little captain, John, is micro-managing our journey and doing things that benefit them and not the people who matter: STUDENTS, TEACHERS and PARENTS! How many of these four board members and little captain John have hired friends and family with no regard to qualifications? Isn't it time that our REAL captain, Dr. HOWELL, put a stop to this nonsense? How much is it going to cost the taxpayers before they wake up and toss the whole bunch overboard?

q

qq

What a beautiful Friday morning and still no answer from our infamous "gang of 4".

Our postings in regards to Mrs Walsh have taken on a nautical theme of late and
a more than subtle overture that their leader swim with the fish.

I don't know about you "john Q public" but I find myself questioning my decision as to why I moved to Orland Park.

Sure, we have elected officials we consider outstanding but collectively recent decisions have made our Village a laughing stock and worthy of rivaling other
U.S. cities that have made the Leno and Letterman Shows.

I'm too old to change the system but I'll gladly contribute to or assist someone who
will step up to the plate and deliver a common sense approach without a self serving or hidden monetary need. The future is now and ELECTIONS like TAXES always come around.

Have a Great Weekend.

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We need to get the word out to all the Orland Park taxpayers. What can we do????

To Supt. Howell: step up and act like the leader you could be if you weren't so worried about displeasing the BOE crazies. You never should have allowed the board to intimidate you into threatening an innocent employee, but you still can make up for your rookie mistake.

John Paul, Rumor has it that the board has already shortened Dr. Howell’s contract and are going to pay him for the years remaining. There comes a time when a person has to stand up and do what is right and ethical regardless of the personal consequences. The question is whether Howell is also being bullied into doing something he does not agree with or is he in agreement with the 4 school board members? I am sure that all the districts students, parents, and employees would expect Howell and the board to respect and protect what is best for the students. Unfortunately, that is not the case here.

So you want another chapter in "Profiles of Courage"?, forget it. All this verbiage of lawsuits or potential lawsuits takes time and money.

What you can do do in the meantime is attend meetings, inform your friends, and VOTE when there is an election. Before you state that you have voted, remember that we didn't have a 100% turnout in our last elections.

Unfortunately, we have to bide our time till we vote these people out.

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aa

Wow .... if the above comment isn't a person attack on someone, I don't know what is. Ann was elected by the votes (and if I recall, she had the most votes too). She is a personal friend of mine. While I may not agree on what her majority has done, you have no right to personally attack her. And BTW, there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mom ... I was one for years.

The personal attack has been on Melanie Walsh.