CCSD 180 Board maintains small class size

At its October 18, 2005 meeting, the CCSD 180 Board of Education authorized the employment of yet another teacher to address growing class size at the fourth grade level. The Board historically has been committed to class size at the elementary level in the 20-25 students-per-class range. Fourth grade classes had grown to 27-28 per homeroom, resulting in the Board action that will have three sections of fourth grade at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School growing to four sections and class sizes of 20-21 by late October. Administrators will employ the approved additional staff member as soon as possible and will work with parents in making the transition from three to four sections of Grade 4. Superintendent Frank Rink applauded the Board for placing children at the top of its list of priorities despite some budget shortfalls that will be a byproduct of the employment of an additional teacher.

In other action, the Board . . .

. . . authorized the letting of bids for 23 portable air conditioning units for use in the classrooms of Anne M. Jeans Elementary School. Superintendent Rink projected that the total cost of the units will be in the $60,000 to $70,000 range. The purchase of the units was supported by the Parent Teacher Council and the Citizens Advisory Council. Board Treasurer Louis Ebert had arranged for the use of a “pilot’ unit free of charge to the school district, and the air conditioner did make a significant, positive difference in a selected first grade classroom during the warm days of September.

. . . employed Ms. Megan Price as a self-contained special education teacher to address the growing needs of CCSD 180 students and employed Ms. Maria Sarmiento as first grade teacher to maintain low class sizes at the primary level.

. . . approved the tentative, amended budget reflecting the recently ratified teachers’ salary schedule. A public hearing about the amended budget will be held at the Board’s November 8, 2005 meeting.

. . . reviewed data regarding mathematics achievement of 2004-05 Second Graders.

. . . passed a resolution of congratulations for sixth grader Kristin Jessup and Coach Meghan Radtke for Kristin’s participation at the Illinois Elementary School Association‘s Cross Country State Championship Meet in Normal on October 15.

. . . presented the Board of Education’s Award of Excellence to Mrs. Gina Schroeder as nominated by Principal Wesley Gosselink.

. . . reviewed the finalized 2005-08 Collective Bargaining Agreement between The Teachers’ Organization of Palisades/IEA-NEA and the CCSD 180 Board of Education. Superintendent Rink publicly recognize Board negotiators, Dr. Donald Higgins and Mrs. Jill Coleman, for the extraordinary effort, talent, and time they put into the negotiations and also commended the Teachers’ Organization of Palisades negotiations team for its work for the teaching faculty.

. . . reviewed and approved the fiscal year 2005 audit.

. . . heard reports from the administration including the following from Superintendent Rink:
Parental Notification and Access to PowerSchool
Safety Reviews at CCSD 180
International Fair
Carpet Installation
Upcoming Tax levy Cycle – November 8 meeting
Bus Leases Status
Sidewalk/Bikepath Status
Report on Impact Aid Conference
HSD #86 Feeder School Dinner Meeting
Family Reading Night
Athletics
Flu Shots
AED Installation

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

Click here to access the actual minutes of this meeting