Principal Charles Accardi to retire at end of 2003-04 school year

Anne M. Jeans Elementary School Principal Charles Accardi will retire at the end of the current school year following three years of dedicated service to CCSD 180 and following over 34 years in the field of education. In a letter submitted to the Board of Education at its March 16, 2004 meeting and in related comments made at the meeting, Mr. Accardi indicated, “I have been fortunate to be part of the noblest profession, EDUCATION. For over 30 years, I have experienced joyous fun each day - the fun that only comes from joyful learning. This is the result of years of guiding children to be self-advocates for their learning and their own growth and development.

“Burr Ridge School District 180 is the finest school district I have ever had the pleasure to serve. The dedication of the Board of Education is a visible positive influence in all they do for children. Dr. Rink and Dr. LeBlanc, committed to placing children first, have been models of champions for children and fully supportive to me, both professionally and personally. The only regret I have is that I did not discover this great district 15 years earlier . . .

“So, with mixed emotions, I commission the Board of Education to grant my request for retirement. This district has offered me such a valuable gift that I never perceived as duty. I envy you, the School Board, for your continued dedication to ensure each child is filled with joyful learning daily.

“The sunflower does not thank the sun for shining on it, even though it could not grow without it. I thank you for the opportunity to work with and learn from the finest people in this profession.

“Some people come' into our lives but quickly go. Some even stay awhile leaving valued footprints in our hearts. These are the people that have forever changed us. Each of you has left a footprint on my heart. Moreover, I am a changed man because of your genuine warmth and caring leadership. I sincerely thank you for that.”

Board president Jill Coleman made mention of the numerous innovations that Principal Accardi established within his school and indicated that the school district will miss his foresight and wisdom in the implementation of ideas and strategies that have had a positive impact on the students of CCSD 180.

Superintendent Frank Rink characterized Mr. Accardi as “one with a deep and genuine love of children, as one who has the courage to base difficult decisions on valid data and sound educational practice, as one who truly believes that every child can succeed, and as one who generously acknowledges, in word and in practice, that schools exist primarily, centrally, and unremittingly for the benefit of children and their joyful learning. I will sincerely miss him and his contributions to CCSD 180.”

Mr. Accardi will remain with the school district through June 30, 2004.

In other action, the Burr Ridge CCSD #180 Board . . .

. . . presented the Board of Education’s Award of Excellence to students recently inducted into the Burr Ridge Middle School National Junior Honor Society and to students who were selected for the IEMA Music Festival’s Honor Choir. Honorees were nominated by Dr. Debra LeBlanc, Burr Ridge Middle School Principal.

. . . heard a summary by Mr. Accardi regarding the “All Day Kindergarten” presentation made by Anne M. Jeans Elementary School teachers Maureen Denja, Kristen Drain, Michelle Minger, and Mindy Phelan at the Annual Illinois Kindergarten Conference. The Board was also updated by Mr. Accardi in regard to the continuing progress of the Gifted and Talent Enrichment Program.

. . . learned that the Foundation for Excellence will host a 10 Mile running event through Waterfall Glen on August 14, 2004.

. . . passed a resolution of congratulations for Chairpersons Laura Valcour and Gloria Pavese and all involved in the highly successful International Fair held in the school district on March 13, 2004.

. . . passed a resolution of congratulations for the team members, coaches, and all associated with the Burr Ridge Middle School Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team - Champions of Small School Division of Southeast DuPage Conference.

. . .learned that Athletic Conference changes next school year will include a change from flag to tackle football, a replacement of boys’ softball with boys’ volleyball, and an increase in cross country racing distance from 1.5 to 2 miles.

. . . approved a contract with Bark Associates Ltd. for the fiscal year 2004 audit at a fee of $7,950.

. . . approved an intergovernmental agreement giving the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department more latitude in assisting with traffic snarls and traffic violations at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School during the morning and afternoon arrivals/dismissals.

. . . approved the parameters for the 2004 CCSD 180 Summer School to be held at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School. The program duration will be increased from four to five weeks to accommodate Fast ForWord exposure requirements. However the Board kept the fee for participation at last year’s rate - $60.

. . . in consideration of its school district constituents and the current state of the economy, established that the student fee structure for 2004-05 remain at 2003-04 rates.

. . . accepted the resignation of Teachers Angela Fisher, Debbie Kelley, and Christine Bowermaster with thanks to those individuals for their service to CCSD 180.

. . . dismissed Nontenured Teacher Mrs. Beverly Bankroff.

. . . denied a request by Mrs. Ann McVady and Mrs. Kathy Dineen-Hendricks for a job-sharing arrangement, but offered an alternative suggestion to partially address their request and to provide additional cost-savings opportunities for the school district.

. . . approved the child-care/maternity leave requests of Mrs. Kristen Drain and Mrs. Lynn Moynihan under the terms indicated in their letters of request and contingent upon a doctor’s letter indicating the need for the requested sick leave.

. . . reviewed the results of staff visits to “Success for All” Programs in the Rockford Schools.

. . . heard a preliminary report from Superintendent Rink regarding the DuPage Regional Office of Education’s five-year compliance visit to CCSD 180.

. . . authorized the employment of teacher aide Mrs. Carol DiPietro.

. . . offered employment as Principal of Burr Ridge Middle School to Dr. Debra LeBlanc for the 2004-05 school year.

. . . offered employment as Superintendent of CCSD 180 to Dr. Frank Rink for the 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07 school years.

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

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