It’s my personal opinion that no District 150 superintendent in Peoria’s long and historic history has ever caused more anger, chaos, and animosity than Grenita Lathan. No district school superintendent has lost more school court decisions. No superintendent has moved more principals and personnel for no apparent reasons.

It’s time for her to go. The reasons are long and getting longer. As one example, law authorities have been looking closely at concerns over use of P-cards by district administrators and principals, some 54 in all. Critics are anxiously waiting for word whether law officials share such concerns after examining boxes of charges on some of those P-cards/credit cards. In a recent conversation with Harry Whitaker, former District 150 superintendent, he stated during his administration he was the only one with a credit card and it was rarely used. Times have changed and not always for the better.

It appears the current superintendent has a leadership style that’s intimidating and threatening. It’s an outdated “it’s my way or the highway” management philosophy. This was dramatically described by four district security officers before an Administrative Law Judge in Chicago in a hearing that found Dr. Lathan guilty of unfair labor practices. Judge Ellen Strizak issued the guilty verdict after two days of hearings, April 9 and 10. That guilty verdict carried an order for Dr. Lathan to post notices throughout the district regarding employee rights. This was a stunning admonition for the superintendent and the school board.

Then came another setback for the district. A federal jury found Lathan guilty in a lawsuit filed by Pamela Schau, district controller, who claimed she was unfairly discharged without a personnel hearing.

The jury agreed that getting fired at 10:30 at night over the phone violated due process. While Schau only received some $34,000, it cost the district legal fees and was more evidence that Lathan has a rather dictatorial management style. Frankly speaking, who can support a manager, a president, a boss, or a superintendent who fires over the phone at 10:30 at night? It should be noted that Schau had 26 years of financial experience and had just been given a one year contract extension with the district. Lathan was in the third month as superintendent.

What continues to be incomprehensible is the support Lathan continues to receive from the board. Obviously, with the way voters rejected Laura Petelle, one of Lathan’s biggest cheerleaders, people are not happy. More changes can be expected with elections next year. I look for everyone on the board to eventually be removed by voters. The question remains, how much longer will Dr. Lathan have support of the board? She will continue to receive her $207,000 salary plus benefits until the board fires her. If it does, I doubt it’ll be at 10:30 at night.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WAS SOMETHING ELSE

Attendees to the District 150 board meeting August 11 were expecting to see new member Jon Bateman welcomed. Well, he was, but then came a two and half hour presentation with summer school students describing some of their activities. Two and a half hours before a school board meeting? This prompted Terry Knapp to open his remarks during the public comment portion to say, “This was the worst school program I’ve ever witnessed.” Richwoods principal Cindy Clark innocently had asked each person seated at the district horseshoe what they had gotten out of the presentation. It was not meant to be a tough question, said one observer, but it turned out to be one. By the way, the final song sung by the students was done with “step ing.” It was a tribute to Lathan. They shouted together several times, “Lathan,” “Lathan,” The teacher who put together that production will probably be promoted as a principal next week.

WE’RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!

Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” has returned on the radio. Roger, Alicia, and all the sports guys, can once again be heard from 6-9 am, Monday through Friday. We’re broadcasting on the Illinois Central College leased station, WAZU, at FM 90.7. It’s the same format with news, weather, sports, great music and

outstanding guests. The emphasis is on humor and good times…..mostly. Of course, we don’t avoid issues like District 150. Because this is a public radio station similar to WCBU and WGLT at Illinois State University, you won’t hear six to eight straight minutes of commercials. Donations for sponsorships on the show are available by calling 397-1458.

EXCLUSIVE! LEUTHOLD AND TELEVISION

Nathan Leuthold, 39, was convicted of murdering his wife, Denise, after the jury deliberated just 90 minutes. State’s attorney Jerry Brady and his staff put together an effective case against Leuthold who apparently plotted to kill his wife on, of all days, Valentine’s Day. Or was it supposed to be a Valentine’s Day gift to his alleged mistress, 21 year old Aina Dobilaite?

After all, when he messaged Aina to tell her his wife was dead, she replied simply, “Interesting,” with a smiley face.

It was one of the highest profile murder trials in Peoria since Richard Speck was convicted of killing eight student nurses in 1967.

The judge in that case issued a gag order on the press. However, cameras were allowed by Judge Kevin Lyons in the Leuthold murder trial. Details of the trial made everything except the chaos in District 150 irrelevant on television and in the newspaper. Learning the details was bone-chilling at times. The jury heard the prosecution connect the dots in the circumstantial evidence from computer searches by Leuthold for information on how to put on silencer on the type of gun Leuthold owned to his efforts to create an alibi regarding his whereabouts. The jury heard how Leuthold waited in their house behind a closet door when his wife entered and then shot her in the back of the head. We’ve learned that the murder and ensuing trial will be seen on NBC’s “Dateline” later this year.

WE REMEMBER

On August 31, 2005, some 1,300 people gathered for the largest birthday party ever held in Peoria in my memory. We roasted Pete Vonachen at the Civic Center on his 80th birthday. Royce Elliott and I emceed the event that featured Dutchie Caray, Art Holst, George Shadid, and others for a laugh-filled night with proceeds benefiting the Crittenton Home. The birthday highlight was the unveiling of the marvelous statue of Pete handing a baseball to a young boy. That statue welcomes baseball fans as they enter Dozer Park. This August 31, Pete would’ve been 89. Oh, how we miss him!