Children's safety addressed at September 17 Board meeting

The CCSD 180 Board of Education took yet another step at its September 17 meeting to further ensure the safety of children within its school district. The Board authorized the purchase of additional entry and hallway surveillance equipment to better control and monitor access to Anne M. Jeans Elementary School. Superintendent Frank Rink indicated that effective schools are characterized by a safe and orderly environment, and he applauded the Board for its emphasis on a secure school. In addition, the Board approved a project through which traffic control lighting may be installed on 91st Street to help control speeds through the Anne M. Jeans School zone. With the help of DuPage Police Corporal Wayne Howlett, the district will seek permits from the County and Township Departments of Transportation for installation of the lighting system. Both safety projects will cost the district $14,700 and will be funded through Fire Prevention and Safety Funds following approval from the Illinois State Board of Education. In related action, the Board presented its Award of Excellence to Police Officer Wayne Howlett for his efforts to help assure the safety of students through a variety of traffic control measures he has implemented within and around the school district.

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

. . . heard a presentation by Mary Louise Schram of the Scientific Learning Corporation regarding the benefits of the Fast ForWord reading improvement program. This program involves computer-assisted interventions that have had dramatic effects on reading achievement wherever it is implemented.

. . . employed teachers Michelle Minger (Kindergarten), Debbie Kelley (Math), and aide Karen Korolenko.

. . . accepted, with regret and thanks for their years of dedicated service, the resignations of Susan Wilke, Char Kocourek, and Terri Torres effective at the conclusion of the 2002-03 school year.

. . . established support personnel and administrator salaries and benefits for 2002-03. Most salary increases are in the 4-5% range.

. . . conducted a public hearing and adopted the fiscal year 2003 budget. All school district fund accounts should end the 2002-03 school year with positive balances.

. . . approved the Blue Cross/Blue Shield fully funded health insurance program and related premiums for 2002-03.

. . . heard an update on construction progress and learned that the new kindergarten wing is fully occupied and that the Burr Ridge Middle School cafeteria should be ready by mid-October.
. . . designated Mrs. Barb Foster and Dr. Frank Rink as the Board secretary's designees in regard to processes required for the April 1, 2003 Board of Education Election. The positions of current Board members Jill Coleman, Linda Jones, and Bob Middlemas will be determined at the election. Candidates may begin circulating nominating petitions on October 23.

. . . approved a request by staff and administrators to hold kindergarten orientation in August rather than in May to provide more timely information to kindergarten parents.

. . . reviewed and approved the 2001-02 school district audit.

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

A. Policy on Fee Waivers
B. Board of Education Election
C. IASB Joint Annual Conference
D. Blue Ribbon Schools Selection Criteria Change
E. Installation of Cafeteria Tables - AMJES, BRMS
F. Computer Networking
G. September 25 Consortium for Educational Change Meeting
H. Gretchen Courtney Presentations
I. Policy Review Schedule
J. Business Cards
K. School District Report Card
L. IASB DuPage Division Governing Board and Dinner Meeting
M. Citizens' Advisory Council
N. Differentiation Academy
O. Complimentary Passes to H.S. District #86 Events
P. Bluff Road Townhome Development

The Board's next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.