ISAT scores soar when students are at Burr Ridge CCSD 180 for two years or more

At its December 17 meeting, the CCSD 180 Board of Education heard a report by superintendent Frank Rink that shows substantial increases in student ISAT achievement when children have been in the school district for two or more years. Rink said, "Our student population is more mobile than most school districts in DuPage County, giving us some unique challenges. When children remain with us for at least two years, their test scores soar. For example, less than half of last year's third graders were with us as first graders. However, nearly 90% of those third graders who had been with us for two or more years met or exceeded state standards on the third grade mathematics ISAT test. Only 62% of recent move-ins to our school district met or exceeded the standards. Our instructional staff provides outstanding teaching. When a child remains with us, we have a better opportunity to make that positive difference." Rink noted, however, that all students are cherished, no matter when they enroll in the school district and that any district preoccupation with a high mobility rate will not and cannot serve as an obstacle to instructional and curricular improvement strategies.

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

. . . adopted a tax levy that will maintain its trend of keeping tax rates at a reasonable and essentially same level for the past decade. The 2.52% projected tax rate reflects equity with the previous year's rate and is within the 2.50% to 2.55% range that property owners have experienced for the past eleven years. Owners of a $400,000 home will pay approximately $3,360 in property taxes for CCSD 180. The district's tax rate is substantially lower than the average 2.70 to 2.90% tax rate of elementary school districts in the state of Illinois.

. . . presented the Board of Education's Award of Excellence to community resident Mr. Martin Poenisch for his generosity in sharing his citizenship and flag etiquette expertise and materials with the school district.

. . . employed kindergarten teacher Mrs. Ayse Stuhr and middle school science teacher Mr. Dan Holmberg; and accepted the resignations of teachers Mrs. Laura Scott and Mrs. Dawn Brooks.

. . . discussed with two parents their concern regarding the observance of the current holidays that they felt might favor a particular belief. The Board directed the superintendent to place the issue on the discussion agenda of the CCSD 180 Citizens' Advisory Council and to survey music teachers regarding programs held at the two schools.

. . . formally congratulated and commended second grade teacher Mrs. Charlotte Kocourek for her selection as a 2003 Legacy Award Teacher. The award program, sponsored by YMCA Child Development Center of Burr Ridge, will include ceremonies held on March 15, 2003 at the Hinsdale Golf Club.

. . . made its scheduled review of proposed policies relative to Section 400 (Second Half) - Operational Services - as stipulated in the policy review schedule.

. . . tentatively adopted the schedule of Board meetings for the coming calendar year. Regular meetings will be held on the dates listed below and will begin at 7:30 PM in the District Office, 15W451 91st Street, Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 (unless otherwise noted).

Tuesday - December 17, 2002
Thursday - January 9, 2003 (Special, 7:30 a.m.)
Tuesday - January 14, 2003
Tuesday - February 11, 2003
Tuesday - March 18, 2003
Tuesday - April 8, 2003
Tuesday - May 20, 2003
Tuesday - June 17, 2003
Tuesday - August 19, 2003
Tuesday - September 16, 2003
Tuesday - October 21, 2003
Thursday - November 13, 2003
Tuesday - December 16, 2003

. . . discussed the 2003-04 school year calendar as compared to the finalized calendar of Hinsdale Twp. High School District #86.

. . . heard reports from Mrs. Gloria Pavese, Mr. Robert Mihalkanin, Dr. Don Higgins, and Dr. Frank Rink regarding their participation in the November 2002 Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards.

. . . approved the request of the Western Open Associate for use of Burr Ridge Middle School as the site for the Western Open's 2003 childcare program.

Heard reports from the administration including the following from Superintendent Rink:

A. TRS Retirement Legislation
B. Cafeteria Program
C. Citizens' Advisory Council
D. Fast ForWord Update
E. Mathematics Curriculum Update
F. Midyear Evaluation Review in January 2003
G. Power School Student Information System
H. Sidewalk/bikepath Request
I. Local Professional Development Committee
J. EdTech Formula Grant
K. Homework Policy
L. Tech 2000
M. April 2003 Board of Education Election

The Board's next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

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