Building upon existing research and a low initial enrollment in kindergarten for the 2001-02 school year, the CCSD #180 Board of Education is considering strategies and contingency plans that may result in a full day kindergarten program in the school district in the foreseeable future. At its August 21 meeting, the Board was apprised of current kindergarten enrollment and the possibility of piloting a full day kindergarten program for at least one class at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School. The Board directed the administration to further research the project, to develop contingency plans in view of possible increases in kindergarten enrollment, and to report findings and recommendations to the Board at upcoming meetings.

In other CCSD #180 business, the Board . . .

. . . adopted its tentative budget reflecting $6.77 million in revenues and $6.79 million in expenditures. Superintendent Frank Rink indicated that all funds should end the fiscal year with positive balances and that all operating fund revenues should slightly exceed expenditures.

. . . reviewed plans and cost estimates for the expansion of the Burr Ridge Middle School cafeteria and for two additional kindergarten classrooms at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School. After discussion, it was decided to designate a Board committee to review the proposals and make a recommendation to the Board at an upcoming meeting. The school district's architects will be consulted regarding construction costs and chronology.

. . . approved the construction of ten additional parking stalls at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.
. . . met with newly employed teachers Bev Bankroff, 5th grade; Jill Bonniwell, 3rd grade; Vikki Burkhardt, 8th LA/Reading; Jackie Coughlin, 1st grade; Barbara Cunningham, 6th & 8th Math and 8th Algebra; Jennifer Elder, 6th Social Studies, 7th/8th Reading, and Computer; Holly Hanssler, PE at Jeans; Amy Jarrett, 4th grade; Jeanette Mrozek, 3rd grade; Bill Norris, PE at BRMS; Kate Ryan, Spanish; Pat Vlk, 8th Sp. Ed. Facilitator; Pat Wiet, ICPS; Susan Wormley, Computer at Jeans; and Penny Wright, Music and Choir Director. Teachers enthusiastically introduced themselves and their programs during the Board meeting and were thanked for their presentations.

. . . employed Margarito Jaramillo, Carrie Serna, Anwar Sultana , Ellen Reyes, Ashfaq Khan, Oyinda Akeredolu, and Judy Jensen as Teachers' Assistants and Michelle Kaiser as a Nurse/Aide.

. . . heard reports by Principals Charles Accardi and Dr. Debra LeBlanc about use and display of Student Identification cards. The Board directed the Principals to proceed with their plans for displaying ID cards and to bring the issue back to the Board should the plan require revisions or improvements.

. . . approved membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association following a presentation by Superintendent Rink regarding the benefits of participation in IESA and student involvement in Scholastic Bowl activities.

. . . terminated its Value-Link telephone usage contract and approved a 1-year contract with Call One for the District's local telephone service at a cost savings of over $2,300 per year.

. . . authorized enrollment in the Illinois Association of School Boards' policy updating service and directed the superintendent to establish a policy review schedule for Board consideration at its September 25, 2001 meeting.

. . . authorized the development and implementation of a plan to allow 24-hour access to school buildings and classrooms by faculty.
. . . designated Treasurer Lou Ebert as Board representative to attend, with the superintendent and maintenance heads, a no obligation workshop by TAC Controls, International to ascertain district energy conservation needs and possible implementation of a performance contract with TAC.

. . . learned that alternative health insurance programs are available at potential savings to employees and the school district. The Board directed the superintendent to acquire additional information about such programs and to share the information at the September 25, 2001 Board of Education meeting.

. . . commended principals, secretaries, and custodians and thanked the summer staff for its work in preparing for the 2001-02 school year.

. . . authorized additional secretarial help at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . revised Principal Accardi's contract and Bookkeeper Cindi Clausen's contract to include Board paid TRS and THIS contributions.

. . . approved the Interagency Agreement between the Illinois State Police and CCSD #180 for processing criminal history record information inquiries.

. . . adopted the 2001-02 Prevailing Wage Rate.

. . . reviewed administrative and financial reports as well as correspondence from Mr. & Mrs. Bob Mihalkanin, Dr. Terry Tamblyn, and Mrs. Diann Olson.

The Board's next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2001, at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of CCSD #180.

Tonight marks the first time in nearly a decade that somebody other than Dr. Terry Tamblyn has been seated in the "superintendent's chair" during a Board of Education meeting. The thought of following Dr. Tamblyn in this position evokes mixed emotions. On one hand, the thought of following in the footsteps of such an exceptional administrator can be intimidating. On the other hand, we must never lose sight of the fortunate fact that although Dr. Tamblyn may no longer be physically in this chair, the legacy that he has leaves allows all of us an outstanding foundation from which to plan and build the future of Burr Ridge Community Consolidated School District #180. I ask that the Board possibly consider some lasting tribute to or symbol of the dedication to this school district that was so clearly demonstrated by Dr. Terry Tamblyn.

I sincerely look forward to the challenges associated with the superintendency of Burr Ridge CCSD #180. A primary goal for which I will always strive is that when it is my time to make way for another, this administration will be characterized by the term PARTNERSHIP. It is only through a synergy created through collaboration among board members, teachers, students, staff, administrators, and the community that we can hope to achieve and provide an optimal educational experience. As long as we can reach consensus that the benefit of children is the central value in the culture of education and this school, then I see our partnership as flourishing and growing.

Excellence in our school is celebrated, not in the sense that everyone has to be at the top, but that the benefit of children -- academically, socially, physically, and emotionally -- is that which we value most. Schools exist primarily, centrally, and unremittingly for the benefit of children. Without this value, the culture of any school becomes fragmented and unravels the fabric that gives meaning to the process of learning and teaching. When a culture is cohesive in its value that children are central to a school's existence, a partnership flourishes where people contribute their efforts toward a common destiny, rallying around shared values that give meaning to their educational experiences and to their lives.

As I begin the responsibilities associated with the superintendency and because excellence is a state of becoming rather than being, I readily accept the challenges of nurturing the partnership of this educational community, of collaboratively working to enable our students to do the right thing, of helping children associate their educational revelations with the passion and power of possibilities, of singing the praises of our school system and the quality services it provides, and of assuring a continued celebration of excellence at Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

I appreciate the human and material resources provided to this school district by our constituents and by the Board of Education, and I am especially thrilled with two exceptional principals and a dedicated, child-centered staff. I look forward to working with you and for you as, together, we strive to make a wonderful school district even better!

--Frank Rink