Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for May 5, 2006 HEAT INTENSIFIES IN KOHL CONTROVERSY

From the Southern Illinoisan...

Local officials concerned, frustrated after loss of ROE funds

BY jim muir, the southern

Reaction was quick and strong from Southern Illinois to Springfield after news spread that the Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education will lose more than $700,000 per year as long as Superintendent Barry Kohl remains on the job.

The U.S. Department of Education issued a letter April 18 suspending Kohl from handling any federally funded grant program, a move that takes hundreds of thousands of dollars from the coffers of the dual district that represents more than 14,000 students. The suspension also threatens the livelihood of up to 25 employees. The $700,000 amount that will be lost is for fiscal year 2006-07, which begins on July 1. However, several programs at Franklin-Williamson ROE have already ceased because funding already has stopped.

While officials from Franklin and Williamson counties huddled Thursday to see if any legal recourse exists to remove Kohl from office, the real-life facts involving children and parents emerged that show numerous programs have already been cut.

Johna Schullian of Herrin has worked at Franklin County ROE for nearly a decade, as a bookkeeper and a project director for an afterschool program. he said a "21st Century Community Center Learning" program ceased operation Thursday, immediately affecting more than 150 children.

Schullian said the program provides afterschool services at three different learning centers and said the suspension of programs also will have a dire impact on employees who are also paid through federal funds.

"I do payroll also and we pay on the 15th and the 30th," Schullian said. "As things stand right now we will be paid on the 15th and then that will be the last pay we receive unless something changes. This will affect 12 full-time employees and 17 part-time employees."

Schullian was asked to describe the current atmosphere at Franklin-Williamson ROE.

"Obviously, everybody is very, very frustrated right now," Schullian said. "But, there is a real sense of panic also."

Schullian said the abrupt stop to the federally funded programs has left many parents scrambling for ways to find care for children involved in the afterschool program.

One of those parents, Kathy Sanders of Johnston City, spoke out saying the ongoing crisis is now taking a toll on children.

"As a parent I count on the afterschool program to help my son," Sanders said. "My son struggles in the classroom and the tutoring he received every day was invaluable to him. Also, I'm a single mother and it gives me peace of mind to know exactly where he is every day after school. And now from tomorrow on he will ride the bus home and be home alone. I think it's very frustrating but it's also very sad that children are going to suffer because of all that has happened."

While employees and parents tried to sort through the crisis, the top legal officials from both Williamson and Franklin counties said they are keeping a close eye on the developments.

Williamson County State's Attorney Charles Garnati called the latest action by the USDE involving Kohl and the regional office "embarrassing."

"Troubled is a mild word about how I feel," said the longtime prosecutor. "I'm extremely disappointed that it has gotten to this point. It's just very frustrating."

When the story first surfaced about the USDE action, Franklin County Board member Ronald House confirmed that a move was made more than a year ago to ask Kohl to resign or go on a paid leave of absence until his current term expires in July 2007.

House said he attended three joint meetings between Franklin County and Williamson County officials concerning the ROE situation and said the general consensus from the state's attorneys from both counties is that "from a legal aspect our hands are tied."

Garnati said Thursday that the action taken by USDE might have opened up a new legal avenue.

"In 2004 the fact was that at that time it was not legally feasible to remove him from office, plus we were assuming that the legal system would take care of the matter in a reasonable time," Garnati said. "In light of the recent developments, and with hundreds of thousands of dollars at issue, my office is going to revisit this issue legally."

Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn would not discuss details of the latest revelations against Kohl but did confirm that he has a meeting scheduled with Garnati Friday to discuss the matter.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, when contacted in Springfield, said he is also closely watching the developments. The 117th District that Bradley represents includes all of Franklin and Williamson counties and approximately one-third of Hamilton County.

"I'm very troubled and very concerned and I am hopeful that there can be some resolution to this quickly," Bradley said. "I think it is time that we put all of this behind us and moved on to do what is in the best interest of our children. I will be involved in trying to resolve these issues and help move the regional office forward. I plan to do all I can within the power of the law."

Also at question is how the suspension will affect other federal funding that provides more than half of the revenue received by Franklin-Williamson ROE. According to the 2004-05 budget, federal funds provided 56 percent of the regional office budget of $5.1 million. If all federal funding is frozen the district could stand to lose more than $2.8 million as long as Kohl remains superintendent.

The latest announcement marks yet another development in the ROE saga that began more than 21 months ago when Attorney General Lisa Madigan handed down a 62-count indictment against Kohl, his wife Janine, Mary Ann Adams and Suzanne Willmore. The indictments allege that the Kohls submitted bogus travel vouchers and received reimbursement from the ROE for personal expenses and also that the couple committed perjury when testifying before the grand jury about the vouchers. The charges also allege that the Kohls solicited Adams and Willmore to commit perjury to cover up the illegal activities. The four were arrested by state police on Aug. 18, 2004.

Kohl was soundly defeated in the March 21 primary by West Frankfort educator Matt Donkin, but his current four-year term does not expire until July 2007.

From the WSIL Channel 3 website...

County Leaders Meet To Decide Fate Of Regional School Supt.

MARION, ILL -- Franklin and Williamson county schools are being squeezed---following the regional superintendent's suspension from federal programs.

As long as Barry Kohl is in office as regional superintendent the federal government has told the Illinois State Board of Education that federal monies for the district are frozen.

The trouble stems from Kohl's legal troubles. Kohl faces more than two-dozen criminal charges--that's why the department of education placed him and the schools under suspension.

While local leaders try to find a solution to the problem- school officials are already feeling the pinch. News 3 spoke with Zeigler-Royalton superintendent George Wilkerson Friday.

Wilkerson said the department of education's decision means there is no federal money for vocational programs like woodworking and computer drafting.

An after school-tutoring program has been cut because the school couldn't pay the teachers.

The cuts will remain in effect as long as Kohl is in office. Meanwhile the superintendent is keeping quiet. His office was empty for the second day in a row.

The assistant ROE Superintendent said Kohl called into the office saying he would not be at work on Friday.

Behind closed doors county leaders discussed the situation and are looking for a resolution.

�There is a provision in the school code, that if you meet the standards, a regional superintendent can be removed from office, � said attorney John Huffman who is advising county leaders.

Huffman would not elaborate on those standards needed to remove Kohl from office. Local leaders did say they plan to meet through the weekend---to try and find a solution.

Kohl's term runs until June of 2007. According to Illinois State board of education Kohl�s salary from the state was $92,080 during the 2004-05 school year.

Update from the Southern Illinoisan...

County officials still trying to oust Kohl

BY jim muir, the southern

After a two-hour closed-door meeting Friday, officials from both Franklin and Williamson counties announced that there was no resolution in a bid to remove Barry Kohl as superintendent of the Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education.

Those attending the meeting included Franklin County Board members Harry Stewart and Ronald House, Williamson County Board Chairman Bob Barnett, Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn, Williamson County State's Attorney Charles Garnati and Carbondale attorney John Huffman.

The meeting comes on the heels of a ruling by the U.S. Department of Education suspending Kohl from handling any federally funded grant programs, a move that will take more than $700,000 annually from the dual-district that serves more than 14,000 students.

As many as 25 employees also will lose their jobs at the regional office and several programs have already ceased this week after all federal funds were frozen. The mandate handed down by the USDE also stipulates that Kohl's wife, Janine, also cannot be involved in any programs dealing with federal funding.

Huffman, who represents both county boards in the matter, acted as spokesperson after the meeting. Huffman said he would give a full disclosure of plans to deal with the Kohl situation after details are worked out.

"We had a very productive meeting with exceptional cooperation between representatives from both counties and the state's attorneys," Huffman said.

"The meeting itself is going to be a continuing meeting throughout the weekend," he said. "We have been in touch with state officials and county officials trying to find a solution to assure the public that these federal funds are not going to be in jeopardy. I can tell you that we will have a better feel for what is going to happen as we move through the weekend. We've put some things in motion today and now we'll just have to sit back and wait to see what happens."

Also at question if a solution is not reached is how the suspension will affect other federal funding that provides the majority of revenue received by Franklin-Williamson ROE. According to the 2004-05 budget, the regional office operated with a budget of $5.1 million with 56 percent of that coming from federal funds. If all federal funding is frozen, the district could stand to lose more than $2.8 million as long as Kohl remains superintendent

And while Franklin and Williamson County officials huddle during the weekend, Benton attorney John Drew, who represents Kohl, said he will be meeting with his client.

"I will tell you that I will meet with Barry and his family over the weekend and we will be discussing all of our options," Drew said. "I can also say that we are in discussion with several people in an effort to try and work out a solution. I want to say also that Barry's biggest concern is the students, teachers and the people he has represented for many years. Whatever is done, those people will be his top priority. We plan to work hard this weekend and try to get something worked out."

In another development Friday Jacob Swain, a trustee of the regional board, came out swinging and called on Kohl to resign immediately.

"These are serious allegations, but the consequences of these indictments became all too real to taxpayers of Franklin and Williamson counties with the announcement of Kohl's suspension by U.S. Department of Education," said Swain. "I believe it is imperative for the good of the students and teachers in our region that Kohl promptly resign from his position as regional superintendent. Unless that is done the Illinois State Board of Education will transfer the grants that are currently allotted for our region to other districts within the state and the students in Franklin and Williamson counties will pay the price for Kohl's indiscretions."

Swain also had some pointed words for elected officials from both counties. He said they have been lax in their duties during the ordeal that has dragged on, counting the grand jury investigation, for more than 2 1/2 years.

"Since I was elected to the regional board I have spent a great deal of time listening to individuals who were concerned about allegations involving Kohl," Swain said. "Like most people I have been alarmed to hear about the charges of gross financial mismanagement and criminal deception within the regional office. The silence from our elected officials of Franklin and Williamson counties before the suspension has been deafening and they owe it to their constituents to join my call for Kohl's resignation and if that fails to pursue every option at their disposal to ensure that our region does not lose federal funding for our children."

Attorney General Lisa Madigan handed down a 62-count indictment 21 months ago against Kohl, his wife Janine, Mary Ann Adams and Suzanne Willmore. The indictments allege the Kohls submitted bogus travel vouchers and received reimbursement from the ROE for personal expenses and also that the couple committed perjury when testifying before the grand jury about the vouchers.

The charges also allege that the Kohls solicited Adams and Willmore to commit perjury to cover up the illegal activities. The four were arrested by state police on Aug. 18, 2004'

Kohl was soundly defeated in the March 21 primary election by West Frankfort educator Matt Donkin. However his current four-year term does not expire until July 2007 - more than 14 months away.

Citing the medical condition of both Barry and Janine Kohl, an agreed order was entered in Franklin County Court in March that indefinitely suspended the legal proceedings against the three ROE employees. No new court date has been set for the Kohls or Adams.