CCSD 180 Board saves taxpayers $300,000

Although the refinancing of Building Bonds has no effect on the operating funds of School District 180 in Burr Ridge, local residents will realize a tax savings of approximately $300,000 through the refinancing process. At its June 17, 2003 meeting, the CCSD 180 Board of Education began the first of a two-tiered process that will drop the interest rates on its $4,900,000 of remaining building bonds to 2.76%. At the Board meeting, Robert Bergland from Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley, & Co. presented information relative to the refinancing of CCSD 180 building bonds to the Board. A pre-funding issue will be completed in July followed by an October 2003 issue of refinanced bonds that will result in the $300,000 savings to taxpayers. The pre-funding bonds will be sold at an interest rate of 2.76%. The school district was awarded an A1 bond rating, placing it among the top 10% of the state's school districts. The Board and school district were commended for their foresight, for their consideration for their taxpaying constituents, and for their plans to address future funding shortfalls.

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

. . . purchased the Fast ForWord Program for both Burr Ridge Middle School and Anne M. Jeans Elementary School on a five-year purchase program in the amount of $32,838 per year.

The Fast ForWord® family of products develops the critical thinking, listening, and reading skills that are necessary for success in the classroom, the workplace and in everyday life.
Based on over twenty-five years of brain research, Scientific Learning's interactive, adaptive products use patented technology to target the language and reading skills widely recognized as the keys to all learning.

Scientific Learning products use neuroscience principles to create an optimal learning environment that enables educators to:

* Simultaneously develop multiple skill sets to maximize learning
* Identify reading and language difficulties
* Attack the underlying causes of these difficulties.

. . . awarded a food services contract to Arbor Management, Inc. for Food Services for the 2003-04 school year. The per meal bid was $1.94 as compared to the school district's current cost of $2.59 per meal.

. . . awarded a contract for transportation services to Laidlaw Transit, Inc., which submitted the low bid for the 2003-04 school year..

. . . following a presentation by Special Education Coordinator Dr. LeBlanc regarding program costs and enrollment potential, established a 2003-04 CCSD 180 Early-Childhood Program.

. . . reviewed a letter of nomination written by Dr. Frank Rink and presented the Board's Award of Excellence to Mrs. Laura Valcour.

. . . heard a presentation by Superintendent Rink regarding the estimated fund balances for FY03 as compared to the FY03 budget. The Education Fund will realize a deficit of only $93,124 as compared to the projected $551,695. Overall actual savings to the district as compared to budget figures will be over $630,000.

. . . learned that the "Night at the Races" fundraiser sponsored by the CCSD 180 Foundation for Excellence is tentatively set for October 19, 2003.

. . . abated $756,455 of the Working Cash Fund for transfer to the Operations and Maintenance Fund. The abatement completes the plan to add a kindergarten wing to Anne M. Jeans Elementary School and to expand cafeteria and kitchen facilities at Burr Ridge Middle School with existing funds and without the need for an additional referendum.

. . . reviewed attorney suggested school district policies relating to Section 500-Personnel.

. . . heard a report by Gifted Coordinator Charles Accardi regarding the past, present, and future interventions for gifted programming at CCSD 180.

. . . heard a presentation by Mrs. Tracy Swanson, a representative from the Champions/Medallion Child-Care Program, about the before and after school child care program at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . reviewed executive session minutes from January 2003 through May 2003 and deemed them no longer confidential and, subsequently, made them available for public inspection.

. . . adopted the DuPage County prevailing wage rate.

. . . authorized the administration to further investigate, during the 2003-04 school year, the value of the "Success for All" program and its related costs of implementation. "Success for All" is a comprehensive restructuring program for elementary schools.

. . . approved the employment of Mr. Joel Matson as busdriver for the 2003-04 school year.

. . . approved the employment of Mrs. Terri Torres as Gifted Program teacher for the 2003-04 school year.

. . . approved the 2003-04 establishment of an Intramural Club at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School under the sponsorship of Mr. David Crafton.

. . . approved the 2003-04 establishment of a Musical Dramatic Production at Burr Ridge Middle School under the sponsorship of Ms. Penny Wright and Ms. Libby Harrell.

. . . established salary and benefits parameters for educational support personnel and administrators for 2003-04. Salary increases are typically consistent with the percentage increase in faculty salaries ­ 3.57%.

. . . heard reports from the administration including the following reports from superintendent Rink:
Construction Update
Vandalism Damage to Vehicle at BRMS Garage
Summer School
State of the District Report - Board Input
Western Open Child Care
Park District Summer Program at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School
Air Conditioning
Flooring at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School
ISAT/Stanford/ISEL Results

The Board's next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 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