CCSD 180 Students among the State’s Best in ISAT Writing

Students from CCSD 180 far exceeded state of Illinois averages as reflected in the 2003 ISAT (Illinois Standards Achievement Test) results. The Board of Education took a preliminary look at student achievement during its August 19 meeting. During a presentation by superintendent Frank Rink, the Board learned that students at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School and Burr Ridge Middle School exceeded state averages on 15 of the 17 tests given.

Rink made special note of the progress made with writing skills when he said, “The language arts are the foundation upon which effective learning is built. Our teachers and principals have developed and fine-tuned a very focused vision through which writing and reading achievement is addressed by day-to-day instructional strategies, by a well-aligned curriculum map, and by a staff development program that consistently emphasizes our goal to meet the needs of all children. In a highly diverse school district such as ours, it is gratifying to see this staff and student focus reaping rewards. Our successes fly in the face of conventional wisdom which would have our student achievement below state averages because of our higher mobility rates, higher poverty rates, and higher minority enrollment.” Although he applauded the effort of all students and staff within the school district, Rink made special note of the writing scores achieved by the language arts students of Mrs. Libby Wheeler. “I have always contended,” he said, “that our students at CCSD 180 can exceed, by at least ten percent, the percentage of Illinois students who meet or exceed standards on their ISAT tests. Our eighth grade students easily matched and far outdistanced that goal with outstanding writing achievement. While 59% of state of Illinois students met or exceeded state standards in eighth grade writing, 81% of CCSD 180 eighth graders met or exceeded those standards! The data remain consistent no matter what demographic category one wishes to review. For example, 42% of the state’s African American eighth graders met or exceeded standards in writing, whereas 75% of our African American students met and exceeded writing standards. A difference of 33 points is highly significant and validates our work that is ongoing. I celebrate the excellence of our students and staff and look forward to even greater accomplishments in the future.” A more thorough review of results will be conducted at the September 16 Board meeting.

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

. . . gave its Award of Excellence to Burr Ridge Park District staff members Lavonne Campbell and Vicki Manteck for their work with summer child-care and with preparations for a new child-care program at AMJES for the coming school year.

. . . met new teachers and approved the contracts of teachers Felicia Michaels (Grade 5 Science) and Toni Humanski (Early Childhood Special Education) and aides Michael LaCassa and Lillian Grimm.

. . . reviewed the tentative budget for the 2003-04 school year. Superintendent Rink reported that the education fund deficit, as compared to the FY03 budget, has been cut nearly in half. Also noteworthy is the fact that that the end of year projected total balance for all funds is actually higher than the projected balance in the FY03 budget. In addition, the end of year FY04 projected balance in the education fund is nearly $600,000 more than what was projected at the conclusion of collective bargaining last year. Progress is being made toward a more balanced budget.

. . . reviewed the 2002-03 Annual State-of-the-District Report as distributed to all residents of CCSD 180.

. . . passed a resolution of thanks and congratulations to the CCSD 180 summer staff for a job well done in preparing for the 2003-04 school year.

. . . approved a proposal from the Burr Ridge Park District relative to a 2003-04 Before/After School Child-care Program at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . designated Board Vice-President Dr. Don Higgins as IASB Governing Board representative from CCSD 180.

. . . reviewed possible future building improvement projects relating to floor tiling and air-conditioning at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . made its final resolution of approval for implementation of the Fast ForWord reading/language program at both schools in the district.

. . . made it final reading and approved policies relating to the second half of Board Policy Manual Section 500 – Personnel. The Board also revised its policy review schedule.

. . . approved new sick leave parameters for 10-month and 12-month employees.

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

A. Health Insurance Rates for 2003-04
B. Initial Review of ISAT Results
C. CCSD 180 Activities on Public Access TV
D. Summary of Inquiry regarding Telecheck
E. TOP Officers for 2003-04
F. Burr Ridge Standard to Establish Fair Market Value
G. PTC Contributions/Finances for 2003-04
H. Illinois Clean Energy Grant Application
I. Reading Intervention Team Assignments for 2003-04
J. Summer Building/Maintenance/Fire Prevention and Safety Projects
K. Tax Objections
L. Schedule of Board Meetings through December 2003
M. Power School Implementation/Training
N. 2003 Student Registration Procedures
O. Secret Forest Subdivision
P. 2003-04 Transportation and Food Services
Q. Visitor Parking
R. Focus of 2003-04 Staff Development

The Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 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