Class size, budget, student achievement, tax savings showcased at September 16 Burr Ridge CCSD #180 Board of Education meeting

In keeping with its commitment to low class size, the CCSD 180 Board of Education employed an additional kindergarten teacher and an additional first grade teacher at its September 16 meeting. Kristin Eisinger and Mindy Phelan were offered positions as the Board expanded the sections of kindergarten and first grade from three to four. The Board also reviewed its current class size averages, which fall at 17.7 for grades K and 1; at 21.9 for grades 2, 3, and 4; and at 23.2 for grades 5 through 8. Superintendent Frank Rink lauded and thanked the Board for its commitment to children and to low class size. He cited a recent synthesis of the educational research about class size, which found that “small class size in the early grades generates substantial academic and social gains for students, and those gains are retained even as students move into more standard-sized classrooms in the upper elementary grades, middle school, and high school.”

The Board also held a public hearing and approved the final budget for the 2003-04 school year. The education fund deficit, as compared to the FY03 budget, has been cut nearly in half. 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. Superintendent Rink indicated that a balanced education fund budget was easily attainable had the Board opted to increase class sizes to 27-32 students per class. He, again, applauded the Board for its emphasis on children. In a related financial matter, the Board finalized its second phase of refinancing its current building bonds. The refinancing will result in a savings of $319,000 to local taxpayers. The Board and administration were commended by financial advisor Bob Bergland for their A1 bond rating, for their stewardship of school district funds, and for their work to reduce the burden of their taxpaying constituents.

Following a detailed report by Superintendent Rink in which 2003 Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) results were presented, the Board formally congratulated students and staff at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School and Burr Ridge Middle School for their positive progress on the tests. CCSD 180 students exceeded state averages on 15 of the 17 tests given. Rink indicated, “ In a highly diverse school district such as ours, it is gratifying to see our focus on academics reaping rewards. Our successes fly in the face of the “conventional wisdom” which would have our student achievement below state averages because of our higher mobility rates, higher poverty rates, and higher minority enrollment.”

Acting President Dr. Donald Higgins cautioned that standardized tests are just one measure of student and school success. “As long as our students are making gains, I am not concerned about comparisons of our students’ ISAT results with those of other school districts in the area. What I do not want to see is a formulaic approach through which our educational program stifles creativity and higher level thinking skills with too much focus on standardized tests. Education includes goals and ideals that transcend achievement tests, and those goals must include contributions to the global community and a dedication to more than self,” he said. Rink totally agreed: “The original intention of ISAT tests was to allow school districts an opportunity to align its curriculum to a valid set of educational standards and to measure its progress against its own benchmarks. What ISAT has become is a somewhat juvenile, “can-you-top-this” contest among school districts. I find it laughable that respected administrators in our own county actually graph, compare and publicize the results of several school districts in some misguided attempt to justify the “worth” of their own school district. This is especially ridiculous when you know that they have no idea about the demographic make-up of the school districts they are comparing. Dr. Higgins is absolutely right. ISAT data require analysis, and that analysis must drive some instructional decisions; but there is so much more to education and to the teaching/learning process than some score on a test given once a year.”

In other action, the Board . . .

. . . authorized further study of installation of air conditioning at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . formally approved the master lease agreement for the FastForWord reading/language program.

. . . learned that a committee of staff at CCSD 180 will review the benefits of implementing the Success for All program within the school district.

. . . learned that national and state recognized experts in differentiated instruction will make no less than seven presentations to staff at CCSD 180 throughout the school year.

. . . approved a request by the Muslim Educational Cultural Center of America for use of CCSD 180 facilities for Sunday religious education programs.

. . . employed Melissa Keudell as middle school math teacher and Sharon Palermo as middle school secretary.

. . . accepted the resignation of Jennifer Montgomery as middle school secretary.

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

School District Audit
Curriculum and School District Brochures
Feeder School Dinner
Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting
Focus on Differentiation of Instruction
Computer Infrastructure
Complimentary Passes to H.S. District #86 Events
Recording of Executive Sessions
PTC Activities
Success for All

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 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