Summary of November 21, 2006 Board of Education Meeting

CCSD 180 Superintendent search moves forward

The Burr Ridge CCSD 180 Board of Education is close to employing its next Superintendent. At its November 21, 2006 meeting, the Board scheduled special meetings for December 4 and 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of interviewing finalists for the position. The new Superintendent will succeed Dr. Frank Rink who is retiring after six years at CCSD 180 and after 35 years as an Illinois educator.

The Board’s Superintendent Selection Committee, consisting of President Paula Dupont, Secretary Linda Jones, and Superintendent Rink, has spent the past month reviewing the application documents of over 30 candidates, conducting interviews, and reaching consensus on finalist status. The committee presented a slate of finalists to the Board at its November 21 meeting. The entire Board will interview the finalists in closed session at the special December 4 and 5 meetings. Once the field is further narrowed by the December 4 and 5 interview process; staff, parents, and community members will have an opportunity to interview the finalists on an evening selected during the week of December 11. Stakeholder input will be considered as the Board makes its final selection at its December 19, 2006 meeting. It is hoped that a contract will be awarded and a new Superintendent named by the Board in action taken at its January or February 2007 regular meeting.

Rink lauded Committee Members Dupont and Jones for their generous contributions of time, talent, and discussion points throughout the initial document screening of applicants, the interviews, and the selection of the finalists. He indicated that he was impressed by the quality of candidates that applied for the position, appreciated the consensus building that was demonstrated by the selection committee, and wished the Board the very best in its selection of a new Superintendent.

In other action at its November 21 meeting, the Board . . .

. . . passed a resolution estimating the tax levy for the upcoming tax cycle. The resolution and resulting levy will show a slight decrease in the 2006-07 tax rate estimated at 2.0241%. Superintendent Rink indicated that the upcoming tax rate will be well below the state average of 2.90% for elementary schools.

Despite an overall levy increase of 13.22% to address potential revenue increases as the result of new construction, Rink indicated that the actual tax extension received as the result of this levy will be in the 5% range. A levy is only a request, whereas the tax extension, calculated by the County Clerk and subject to tax cap legislation, is the real indication of property tax increases. Tax Cap legislation in Cook and DuPage Counties limits the percentage of tax extension increases over the previous year to the Consumer Price Index (currently 3.4%) and a percentage increase in the tax extension proportional to the increase in the school district’s equalized assessed valuation caused by new construction. A formal hearing on the levy will be conducted on December 19.

. . . revised its dress code, at the recommendation of the administration, to allow students to wear hooded clothing as of December 1, 2006. The wearing of hats and hoods in school will still not be allowed, but outfits with attached hoods will be acceptable.

. . . discussed its schedule for meetings for the 2007 calendar year. Board meetings are tentatively scheduled for January 16, 2007; February 20, 2007; March 20, 2007: April 17, 2007; May 15, 2007; June 26, 2007; August 21, 2007; September 18, 2007; October 16, 2007; November 20, 2007; and December 18, 2007.

. . . made a review of the Illinois School Library Media Association’s program components to comply with guidelines that will allow the school district to receive a library grant from the state through an application written by Mrs. Diann Olson.

. . . saw a demonstration by Gifted and Talent Enrichment Program students, Gifted Program Facilitator Mrs. Mary Kinsman, and visiting engineer Mr. Ron Vlk regarding the creation of an apparatus by student teams that moves a roll of pennies at least three feet through the use of two or more simple machines. Click here for nearly 30 photos from the GATE student demonstration at the November 21, 2006 Board Meeting.

. . . approved the 2006-07 Application for Recognition of CCSD 180 Schools.

. . . made its second reading and adopted selected Burr Ridge CCSD 180 Policies relating to Section 7 of the Policy Manual—Students. The new policies can be reviewed online at http://www.ccsd180.org/policy/section7.html.

. . . approved an intergovernmental agreement with DuPage County for traffic control on Anne M. Jeans Elementary School grounds.

. . . reviewed and awarded the bid for sealant caulking of the exterior of Burr Ridge Middle School to Custom Creations of Plainfield, Illinois.

. . . reviewed the school district’s architects’ assessment of facility renovation and retrofitting to accommodate enrollment and program needs. An estimate of costs will be presented by Wight and Company at the Board’s December 19 meeting.

. . . renewed a contract with Wight and Company for three-year asbestos re-inspection and six month asbestos surveillance services.

. . . issued a one-day in-school suspension to a student following a suspension appeal hearing.

. . . accepted the resignation of Teacher Aide Meronica Hargrove.

. . . heard administrative reports including information from Superintendent Rink about the following:

Thanks to Dr. Michael Dupont for free flu vaccinations for staff
November 30 Feeder School Dinner
Change in Board of Education Election Calendar
Hinsdale High School District 86 Complimentary Activity Cards
Curriculum Mapping
Superintendent’s Meeting with Village of Burr Ridge Officials
November 30 Barnes and Noble PTC Activity
CCSD 180 Nutrition, Health, and Fitness Council
Carpet Estimates/Quotations
ISAT Data and School Report Card Delay
Bus Barn Repair
CCSD 180 Policy Manual
October 29 Family Festival/Middle School Dance
Recent Referenda Results
Holiday Get-together

The Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180. It will hold special meetings for the purpose of Superintendent selection on Monday and Tuesday, December 4 and 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

Click here to access the actual minutes of this meeting