CCSD 180 Board of Education reorganizes/elects officers

At its April 8, 2003 reorganization meeting, the Burr Ridge CCSD 180 Board of Education canvassed the April 1, 2003 election returns and certified that Jill Ann Coleman (189 votes), Paula Dupont (188 votes), and Linda Jones (182 votes) were elected to four-year terms as Board of Education members. Ms. Dupont is a new Board member, replacing Mr. Bob Middlemas. Following the canvass, Ms. Coleman was elected president; Dr. Don Higgins, vice-president; Dr. Linda Jones, secretary; and Mr. Louis Ebert, treasurer.

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

. . . reviewed the revised 2003-04 Burr Ridge Middle School schedule developed by principal Dr. Debra LeBlanc and staff. Dr. LeBlanc was commended for improvements to the schedule and was asked to further develop the schedule for final Board consideration at the May 2003 Board meeting.

. . . presented its Award of Excellence to parent-vomunteer Mrs. Helen Bell.

. . . heard a presentation by superintendent Dr. Frank Rink regarding the upcoming property tax extension. Revenues from real estate taxes are expected to increase by 4.5% over the previous year. New construction in the district, valued at $5.9 million, was cited as being largely responsible for the increase. The Consumer price Index of 1.6% and tax cap legislation would have held revenue increases to 1.6% over the previous year. However, new construction is not bound by the tax cap formula. Taxpayers in the school district will see a reduction in their CCSD 180 tax rate of approximately 5%.

. . . saw a presentation by teachers Susan Wormley and Suzi Belmonte and their students, Aroosa Khan, Christopher Massimilian, and Justin Brzowski regarding their Tech 2003 projects. These individualsand other students from Anne M. Jeans Elementary School made presentations to legislators in Springfield during the Tech 2003 event held in March.

. . . considered a proposal by Speer Financial, Inc. regarding the possibility of refinancing building bonds at a reduced rate of interest. Further discussion will take place at the May 20, 2003 Board meeting.

. . . approved an academically oriented summer school for grades 1-8 students at risk of retention or failure. This would involve a four-week session of half-days at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . made a review of the Goals and Improvement Plans developed by the staff of Burr Ridge Middle School as the result of the staff's commitment to data-driven decisions. Student achievement, professional practice, curricular structures, and school-community relations are considered in plan development.

. . . heard a presentation by language arts teacher Mrs. Linda Adcock and district staff regarding writing strategies, curricular plans, and related materials that have been developed by staff within the entire district.

. . . congratulated Mr. Bill Russell for being selected by the Darien Wal-Mart store as this area's 2003 Teacher of the Year. The Board also thanked student Ben Lawhead who wrote an outstanding nomination letter that garnered the honor for Mr. Russell.

. . . accepted the resignation of teacher Ms. Stacey Slad effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year.

. . .heard a presentation by math teacher Ms. Debbie Kelly and adopted the Holt mathematics textbook series for grades 6 though 8.

. . . watched a presentation regarding the March 22 "Those Who Excel" ceremonies in Springfield during which Mr. Charles Accardi, Mrs. Linda Adcock, Mrs. Julie Bartell-Madarang. Mrs. Jenifer Mihalkanin, and Mrs. Shonda Whittaker were honored.

. . . heard reports from the administration including the following reports from superintendent Rink:

Civil Rights Survey
Schoolwide Enrichment
Bus Bids
Cafeteria Program
Staff Websites
Cafeteria Tables at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School
State Aid Payments

The Board's next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

Click here to access the actual minutes of this meeting