Our state representatives need to address the 83 billion dollar pension liability hole of the state. We are the worst in the nation.

Yeah it's a simple fix. Tell the state to pay back the money they took from the teachers fund. They used the money like a debit card and then blamed the teachers. What a bunch of crooks.

What has happened here is what contributed to our state's dire financial condition. My understanding is that the pension he received is disability-related (144,000) and is tax-free. If another job is taken, shouldn't the disability pension cease? So we are looking at 271,000 plus whatever he gets as mayor for part time work? And the problem is that this type of activity continues in this state. Why is this allowed to happen?

Now he'll be getting a teachers pension too? And you all thought Smith was sneaky...

Wow, $127,000 a year to oversee 100 students. This is raising the bar for other superintendents who oversee thousands of children in a much larger school districts. Another case of the schools are cash always caah strapped when It comes to programs, sports, and extra curricular things, but never cash strapped when it comes down to paying superintendents, principals, and teachers.

I am a teacher and didn't get a raise AGAIN this school year because there was no money. Superintendents and principals make far more then the teachers no matter how big or small the district!

How can this position and its salary of $127k ever be justified? How many teachers are at this school for 110 students - 5, 6, 7? How many children per class? Why is a superintendent even needed? The state has no money for bussing, no money for teachers' pensions, but the district can have an unjustified position at a salary twice what the highest paid teacher makes?

Baldermann is already on a disability pension, so he gets double pay now, and starts another pension for himself? This is insane! If a person in the private sector ends up on social security disability, that disability stops if the person starts working again. What makes politicians and the public sector employees so damn special? We cannot afford this abuse. It robs the children of a quality education to enrich a few politicians. This move needs to be reversed.

And you thought we were Upset about New Lenox gas prices???

As an educator for nearly 20 years this makes my blood boil. I'd like to know how someone who has never taught or worked in a school is even qualified to run one school and/or district. Schools aren't businesses people- aren't we tired of putting our children last?? The salary and pension really get me steamed as well. All teachers including myself have paid our share into our pensions that may not even be there when we TRY to retire and this board approved someone WITH NO EXPERIENCE a $127k salary for one building???!!! Oh and now he can dip into our retirement?? Citizens news to start paying attention to who is running for their school board and what their true motivations are. Those people can do so much damage with their corrupt actions and their need for power.

I totally agree with all the above. He is a crook just like the rest of the politicians. There is no reason for a superintendent to make that much money. Half of them just tell teachers what they think is best and most have only been in a classroom very limited time themselves. Instead they should be letting the teachers do what they know works with the kids and concentrate on putting pushy parents with no educational background to pipe down on what they think is the best practice with their own kid. That is what they should be paid for and it doesn't take 127,000 dollars to do that!

Do you ever stop Marie and James"too chicken to use my real name" Madison? His salary is much less than most superintendents and he is the only administrator there. Other superintendents have assistants and principals to help them. Perhaps if you had more than a high school education you could get one of those jobs.

You can't tell me that at some point a school district with 100 kids couldn't have been combined with either the New Lenox or the Joliet grade school districts. How many other redundancies besides superintendent are there? Obviously, this has been going on for years. Read the other articles online about this school district and no one will be surprised by this. Can you blame Hizzoner for grabbing his piece of the pie when our state and local districts just keep giving it away?

i can not belive the 127k who set this salary? i am now at a loss for words this is absurd.

Just because it's legal doesn't make it right (or ethical). I would encourage the Feds to take a look at this and I would encourage the voters to take a long look at this as well. Absolutely disgusting. No experience? A one building school district? $75k tops and that's in addition to being a principal and some experience is required. Again, absolutely disgusting, but hey, it's a lotto ticket so why not if you can.

This is the beginning of the end for another Baldermann, check his brother Jack who was fired at R-B, Superintendent for misconduct. This is brazen political clout, him and Mike Madigan, Rich Daley, Blago, all cut from the same cloth, they believe they are above ethics and the law. GMc

There was a story in the paper a few months back on how corrupt the Union School Dist. is. Most of the employees are related to the school board members. Disgraceful.

He raises the sales tax twice since becoming mayor. He puts a 5%tax on electric,5%+ tax on natural gas but when some businesses set their prices accordingly he says to boycott them. WHAT A JOKE! Now he's double dipping into the system at the expense of the taxpayers, but thats OK? WHAT A PIECE OF WORK!!!!!!!

How does this guy sleep at night? Unreal! I would never vote for him no matter what he ran for!

So is this just Balderman bashing or do the taxpayers(of 81) have the same issue with Barb Littlejohn the outgoing Superindent? The overall concern is that there is a whole seperate school district for one school and whose is to blame for that,the State of Illinois, and with all due respect, the taxapayers for school district 81? Are their school taxes less then 122 or Joliet and that is why they stay that way? I think the grips here should be with school board for 81 and not who takes the jobs they are offering.

Does anyone else see the big picture here? Sass is leaving 3 years, Manville moves up to Supt. and that leaves an assist supt. position open. By now Baldermann comes in with 3 years experience, hence his 3 year contract.

Duh, ever wonder why he is so in tune with who is on the board at 122?

The 122 board needs to be voted out anyone on it will never get my vote and ill campaign against them also.

Dear Responsible New Lenox Residents,

It is now time for us of to demand by signed petitions that the "impresario"" resign his part-time position as the Mayor of New Lenox. Let's get the word out and get him off the New Lenox payroll ASAP.

Don't hate the "Player", hate the game!!! Baldy saw an oppotunity, I am sure made a few phone calls, favors, and viola he is in. Shouldn't the agner be pointed at the four who voted him hired...shouldn't someone track down the one who did not vote to see why? Fitzgerald is gone now and they will appoint someone who will now take orders not prosecute corruption, so Baldy is good either way.

$ 127,000.00 a year, finaly has paid off to be mayor, knew it was coming sonner or later. Wait for the next move where the Village rewards him with a higher salary as mayor as well.

$ 1,270.00 per student for Baldy, I hope it is worth it.

Our CEO, Tim Baldermann
Tim Baldermann brings a unique background and perspective to his clients. As a current Mayor of a Chicago area suburb, former school board president and retired Chief of Police, Mr. Baldermann knows firsthand the challenges decision makers face daily.

Mr. Baldermann holds a School Superintendents Endorsement, is a State Certified Juvenile Officer and a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Tim is known for his expertise at bringing people together and promoting a team atmosphere that has long-lasting benefits. Mr. Baldermann’s extensive dealings and training with the media/press make him invaluable in times of crisis or with public relations. Tim has negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements for municipal employees and teachers. Tim’s history of successfully organizing large scale special events is second to none.

Mr. Baldermann has a proven ability to assess, inform and make objective recommendations of any given problem or situation. Communicating in a clear and effective manner with creative ideas has made Mr. Baldermann successful throughout his career.

D&B Consultants & Security
1938 East Lincoln Highway, Suite 213
New Lenox, IL 60451

708.514.1428

How does he sleep!

Police and fire pensions get padded despite Illinois' pension deficit crisis
Chicago Ridge boosted salaries for its police chief and a deputy before they retired. Over the next decade, salary benefits for them could reach $2 million, paid out from the village's underfunded police pension.
July 16, 2010|By Steve Schmadeke, Tribune reporter
Shortly before Tim Baldermann retired as Chicago Ridge's police chief, the town boosted his salary by more than $70,000, handing the 44-year-old as big a paycheck in retirement as he earned full time on the police force.

The deputy police chief, who sat on the pension board, received a similar deal. As it did for Baldermann, the town added Dennis Kapelinski's unused vacation time to his final salary — in exchange for opting out of insurance coverage — and gave him a 20 percent raise just before he retired, documents show.

I thought you had to hold a doctorate degree in order to be superintendent. ???

Michael, what are the requirements to receive the state certification? Is there a minimum number of years to work as an administrator or teacher? Does it require employment under a certified school administrator for a certain number of years? Does it require references and/or sponsors, and if so, are those references and/or sponsors' names available to the public? What about continuing education hours? These are normal requirements to obtain and maintain a state certification. Were there favors or shortcuts in Baldermann's case, since he never worked as a teacher or administrator?

When will his contract be published?

Michael, I went to the ISBE website. To obtain the superintendent certificate, a person must hold an administrator certificate and have two years full time experience as an administrator (such as a principal) plus have completed 30 semester hours beyond a masters degree. To obtain an administrator certificate, a person must have at least two years full time teaching experience. A total of 4 years minimum of professional teaching and administration is required to obtain a superintendent certificate. So how was the certification obtained, and how can a district justify hiring a person who does not have this required experience?

I think there might be a real legal issue here. Please read my cut/pastes below. As far as I know, he has not even taught full-time. Everything says a superintendent must have two years as an administrator.
The two bulleted points come from state university sites.
• c) Candidate shall have two years of full time administrative or supervisory experience in
schools. The Superintendent Endorsement shall not be issued as the individual's first
endorsement on the administrative certificate

• Persons seeking Type 75S superintendent's certification through Western Illinois University must complete the Education Specialist degree program including the following 36 semester hours of course work, EDL 655 (Internship), and have a minimum of two years of administrative experience requiring a Type 75 Administrative Certificate or its equivalent

Similar information is also available at http://www.isbe.net/certification/requirements/section10.pdf.
This is the Illinois educational site.

HOW CAN HE BE A SUPERINTENDENT? Something doesn't seem right.

3 other people were competing for this position and he slid right on in to a position he is not qualified for. He is not a educator. With all the teachers out of work im wondering what he did to sneak in under these 3 applicants to get this job.

Quietly spread the word! Let's show them we mean business.