Summary of March 20, 2007 Board of Education Meeting

2006 report card reviewed

The CCSD 180 2006 school report card, generated by the Illinois State Board of Education, was reviewed by the Board of Education at its March 20, 2007 meeting. Superintendent Frank Rink presented the report in conjunction with some data that had been compiled for a Civil Rights Survey completed by the school district. Rink indicated that demographic shifts in the school district have been dramatic in the past three years. From an ethnicity perspective, enrollment of African American students has increased 144% while Caucasian student enrollment has decreased by 43%. Current enrollment of all “minorities” in the school district is 78%. In addition, the percentage of students who are eligible for free and reduced price lunches has increased from 24% in 2004-05 to a current eligibility rate of 51%. The mobility rate of students; that is, the percentage of students who enroll in or leave school during the school year, is also at an all-time high at 35.5%, up from 19.6% in 2004-05. Despite the challenges that have arisen, Rink indicated, “As a public school district that has always celebrated diversity, we embrace all children who walk through our doors and will make every effort to help them reach their full potential.”

Rink added, “Our students’ record of academic success as measured by ISAT results does not preclude the need for additional instructional and behavioral interventions. However, and despite the conventional wisdom that would suggest that the schools of CCSD 180 couldn’t meet NCLB Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) mandates based on demographics, mobility rates, and poverty levels, both schools and related subgroups have met AYP for the past four years. That is testament to the work of our schools, our staff, our students, our parents, and community. There is also strong Board commitment to providing programs to meet the needs of all children. This has been done without an education fund referendum in the past 15 years. However, interventions to address the needs of our diverse and mobile student population are increasingly draining the reserves of school district funds. The community must continue to be proactive as we face the growing challenges.”

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

. . . continued to discuss the possibility of establishing an alternative school within the school district, and authorized administrators to further their study of enrollment, curricular, facility, and cost parameters. Tuition and related costs to send district children to out of district placements will approach one million dollars in 2006-07. In addition to the potential for cost savings, a CCSD 180 program will provide consistency of curriculum and staff, which will benefit students in need of a structured approach to their learning.

. . . maintained the current 2006-07 student fee structure for 2007-08. The superintendent stated that students’ parents have not experienced any significant increases in fees since 1995, and the slight increases made in 2003-04 were more reflective of a need for consistency. In addition, many of the district’s families already qualify for a waiver of fees, and the number of those who qualify continues to increase. A fee increase would only affect many of those who are already funding a disproportionate amount of revenues at CCSD 180.

. . . passed a resolution of thanks to Mr. David Crafton for his achievement as Acting Principal of Anne M. Jeans Elementary School during Mrs. Wesley Gosselink’s maternity leave.

. . . passed a resolution of congratulations to the Science Olympiad Team and Coaches Mrs. Krista DePasquale, Mr. Dan Jaczak, and Ms. Jennifer Rogers for their sportsmanship and spirit that earned them the Spirit Award Plaque at the 2007 Science Olympiad Regional Competition held at Benedictine University on Saturday, March 3, 2007.

. . . presented the Board’s Award of Excellence to student Ms. Melissa Nava for her contributions and achievement at Burr Ridge Middle School.

. . . held its second reading and adopted Board Policies relating to Section 8 – Community Relations.

. . . approved a request by Mrs. Ann McVady and Mrs. Kristen Drain to “job-share” a Kindergarten teaching position for 2007-08.

. . . approved a request by Mrs. Candace Scarpelli and Mrs. Maureen Denja to “job-share” the Pre-Kindergarten Parent Coordinator position for 2007-08.

. . . approved revisions to the Burr Ridge Middle School Handbook for 2007-08.

. . . reviewed the Hinsdale South High School Academic and Matriculation Report about students from Burr Ridge Middle School.

. . . reviewed data from Hinsdale Twp. High School District 86 regarding results of Explore Tests for students from CCSD 180.

. . . approved a request by The Community House for use of classrooms at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School for the Willowbrook Corner Summer Day Camp.

. . . reviewed information and photos of the MastroNet building on Rte. 83 as a potential Alternative School site, developed in partnership with The Community House.

. . . employed Ms. Rene Stimetz Pacyna, Social Worker, and Ms. Stephanie Achtien, P.E. Teacher, to serve in interim positions during the child-care leave of Mrs. Meghan Radtke and Mrs. Terrisa Kwasneski.

. . . dismissed non-tenured teachers Mr. Greg Fears, Mrs. Brandy McCarthy, Mrs. Tracy Ritchey, Mr. Andre Ward, and Mr. Michael Wehrle effective at the end of the 2006-07 school year.

. . . heard reports about the following from Superintendent Rink:

A. Workers Compensation Experience Rating Report
B. Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10/Foundation Grants
C. Federal Impact Aid
D. Oklahoma
E. AED Training
F. ISAT Testing
G. March 22 PTC Event at McDonald’s
H. Bus Routes
I. March 10 Band Festival
J. Board of Education Election
K. Citizens’ Advisory Council
L. Ninety-first Street Widening/Construction at Burr Ridge Middle School
M. Compressor Replacement
N. Grounds Maintenance Equipment
O. Drama Program Donations
P. GATE Program
Q. Civil Rights Survey

The Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

Click here to access the actual minutes of this meeting