Curricular alignment and staff development take the spotlight at August 20 Burr Ridge CCSD 180 Board of Education meeting

The CCSD 180 Board of Education heard a report from administrators Debra LeBlanc, Charles Accardi, and Frank Rink at its August 20 meeting, during which curricular alignment goals were presented. Superintendent Rink indicated, "Curricular decisions should be based on the data specific to our own school district. Consequently, our goals for the foreseeable future are not the result of a brainstorming session about national educational trends, but are rather the result of a careful analysis of school district needs based on our assessment results and input from the Board, staff, students, parents, and community. I am proud to say that our vision is closely aligned with data-driven local needs and stakeholder priorities. Focus in 2002-02 will be upon reading and writing strategies, curriculum alignment, differentiated instruction, school improvement plans, and gifted education. Resources will be made available to staff to help get Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) scores at a level that is more consistent with the quality teaching of our staff and the learning capabilities of our students." Nationally recognized experts in curricular and instructional improvement, including Dr. Gretchen Courtney, Dr. Steve Layne, and Mr. Ed Moyer, will make presentations to the staff throughout the year. Faculty members Linda Adcock and Charles Accardi will also share with staff their experiences at a two-week extensive conference about the Schoolwide Enrichment Model held at the University of Connecticut this past summer.
In other action, the Burr Ridge CCSD #180 Board. . .

. . . approved the bid of Shiffler Equipment and Sales, Inc. in the amount of $33,063.50 for purchase and installation of 14 against-the-wall cafeteria tables and benches to replace outdated and potentially dangerous tables at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . authorized the purchase and installation of additional camera and door release security systems at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School, similar to those in place at Burr Ridge Middle School.

. . . reviewed the 2001-02 Annual State-of-the-District Report as distributed to all residents of CCSD 180 and discussed the community's favorable response to the report.

. . . reviewed ISAT results from spring 2002 showing achievement at and slightly above state averages.

. . . reviewed a letter of nomination written by Burr Ridge Middle School Principal Dr. Debra LeBlanc and presented the Board's Award of Excellence to teacher Jessica Bogie for her work with staff in the area of technology.

. . . learned that the new kindergarten wing will be ready for occupancy on the first day of school. The Board also learned that there were nearly 40 days of construction delays on the cafeteria expansion at the middle school due to a garbage fill found beneath the site. Contingency plans for cafeteria use and the lunch program have been formulated and will be shared with teachers and students upon their return.

. . . approved the 2002-03 budget for public display and directed the superintendent to make the necessary preparations for presentation of the final budget at the September 17, 2002 Board of Education meeting.

. . . passed a resolution of thanks and congratulations to the CCSD 180 summer staff for a job well done in preparing for the 2002-03 school year..

. . . met and employed teachers Stacey Slad (BRMS Special Education), Lynn Moynihan (AMJES Social Worker), Fran Frisby (SPROUT), Candace Scarpelli (SPROUT Parent Educator), Dawn Brooks (Kindergarten), David Crafton (AMJES P.E./Health), Mary Plunkett (Art), Elizabeth Harrell (BRMS Language Arts), Lori Falck (BRMS P.E./Health), and aide Kelly Krohn (BIC Room) for the 2002-03 school year.
. . . employed aides Nikhat Razzaq, Veronica Hudson, Stephanie McCain, Stephanie Derkacy, Melanie McDermott, Kristine Jones, Marianne Cozzi and custodian Edward Jannenga for the 2002-03 school year.

. . . accepted the resignations of aide LeAnn Diercks and teachers Jessica Bogie, Vikki Burkhardt, Holly Hanssler, William Norris, Alecia Faull, and Janet Conlisk.

The Board's next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.