Summary of December 13, 2005 Board of Education Meeting

Tax Imbalance at CCSD 180

In a presentation made to the Board of Education at its December 13, 2005 meeting, Superintendent Frank Rink outlined some of the imbalances in the system of funding schools through local property taxes. Although the current funding system would require major legislative action, Rink indicated that Burr Ridge CCSD 180 is a prime example of inequities in the real estate tax system of funding education. He showed the Board that the property owners of housing from which 70% of CCSD 180 students come (Hinsdale Lake Terrace, Waterfall Glen, and Echo Lane Apartments) pay less than 6% of the real estate tax revenues for the school district. Conversely, the residential homes and surrounding area from which 30% of the district’s students come pay 94% of the real estate tax revenues. The Board of Education will be seeking more equitable distribution of the tax burden by appealing to the Downers Township Assessor throughout the coming tax cycle. The Superintendent prefaced his presentation with a statement that students benefit by their exposure to a rich tapestry of diversity that is characteristic of CCSD 180 and that we value all our children, no matter what “tax revenues” they bring to our schools. In a related matter, the Board scheduled a special meeting for January 11, 2006 to discuss means by which to better address the needs of all students, especially in light of the additional interventions required as the result of some new students who have transferred to the school district.

In other action at its December 13 meeting, the Board . . .

Held its public hearing and adopted the 2005 tax levy. Taxpayers residing in Burr Ridge Community Consolidated School District 180 should see yet another decrease in their property tax rates for CCSD #180 during the coming tax cycle. The levy will result in a decrease from 2.0702% in 2004-05 to approximately 2.0385% for the upcoming cycle. 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 11.83% 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 4% to 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 3.3%) and a percentage increase in the tax extension proportional to the increase in the school district’s equalized assessed valuation caused by new construction.

. . . recognized Mrs. Lynn Moynihan and Mrs. Meghan Radtke with the Board’s Award of Excellence for their leadership with the newly established Character Counts Program.

. . . discussed its schedule for meetings for the 2006 calendar year. Board meetings are tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2006; February 21, 2006; March 21, 2006: April 18, 2006; May 16, 2006; June 27, 2006; August 15, 2006; September 19, 2006; October 17, 2006; November 21, 2006; and December 12, 2006.

. . . held a public hearing regarding the amended 2005-06 budget and adopted the budget to reflect changes in staff salaries based on the recently ratified collective bargaining agreement with the faculty.

. . . heard a presentation by Superintendent Rink regarding the quartile performance of CCSD 180 students on the spring 2005 ISAT tests. For the third year in a row, students at both of the district’s schools met Annual Yearly Progress benchmarks as established by the No Child Left Behind Act.

. . . heard presentation by Superintendent Rink regarding his continued tracking of the ISAT achievement of students who have some tenure at CCSD 180 as compared to those who are relatively new. Two years has been the benchmark in previous studies. Once again, the data show that students who are at CCSD 180 for two years or more perform significantly better on the tests than those who are new to the district.

. . . reviewed a cost quotation and related information for complete camera surveillance of both schools. Quinlan Security Systems, the company that has installed the most recent camera surveillance equipment, completed the estimate. The information will be considered at the Board’s special meeting on January 11, 2006.

. . . reviewed the final Hinsdale Twp. H.S. Dist. 86 2006-07 calendar in anticipation of the decision-making process to establish a 2006-07 CCSD 180 calendar. Further discussion will take place at the Board’s regular January 17, 2006 meeting.

. . . accepted the low bid of Spot Coolers, Inc. for the purchase of 23 portable air conditioners for the classrooms of Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . approved the use of Anne M. Jeans Elementary School facilities for a May 20, 2006 Classic Car Show sponsored by Mr. Bob Klaus.

. . . approved a request by officials of the Cialis Western Open Golf Tournament for use of the Burr Ridge Middle School facilities for the Western Open’s annual childcare program.

. . . reviewed and approved the DuPage/West Cook Low Incidence Special Education Cooperative Articles of Agreement.

. . . during public participation, heard a presentation by Mrs. Cathe Smith, on behalf of the district’s teachers, regarding teacher concerns about the Board’s denial of a request to use district facilities for a Governors’ State University Educational Administration Master’s Degree Cohort Program.

. . . heard administrative reports including information from superintendent Rink about the following:
A. Report Regarding Feeder District Dinner Meeting Hosted by HSD #86
B. SASED Interim Director
C. DuPage County Health Department Cafeteria Inspection
D. Response to DuPage ROE Inspection of Buildings
E. Nutrition Program Annual Financial Report
F. Bus Delivery
G. Immigrant Enrollment at CCSD 180
H. December 8 Health and Nutrition Council Meeting
I. Winter Concerts
J. CCSD 180/SDEAA Athletics
K. 2006 International Fair
L. April 2007 Board of Education Election
M. Technology Plans
N. PTC/AMJES Art Attack
O. CCSD 180 Holiday Dinner
P. 2006 Those Who Excel Program
Q. Junk Food
R. Special Ed Teacher Endorsement
S. Change in Reading Benchmark for Meets Quartile
T. Happy Holidays!

The Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180. The Board will also conduct a special meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD 180.

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