The Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 Board of Education held their regular meeting on Monday,
February 11, 2008. The meeting was held in the Burr Ridge Middle School Band Room.
Prior to the start of the Board of Education meeting, a calendar waiver hearing on Pulaski Day
and Veterans Day was held. The board provided concerned citizens the opportunity to provide in
put on the proposed waivers. The Board determined that the calendar waivers were in the best
interests of the students of the district and approved them and sent them to the State Board for
approval.
After approval of the previous month’s minutes and expenditures, the Board then reviewed several
recent communications. Highlighted items are included below:

• A copy of the very encouraging and supportive letter from one of our parents,
Nancy Nash Coleman, regarding the success of our district and the need to continue
to attempt to pass a referendum is included.

• A copy of Amanda Frankel’s heartfelt letter regarding the referendum is also
included. This was added to our web site as well as it eloquently speaks to the
feelings many who care about quality education in Burr Ridge had after the
referendum.

• A copy of Board President Paula Dupont’s letter to The Doings editorial board
rebutting this group’s opposition to the referendum. This information is also
available on our district web site.

• The Suburban Life did a follow up story on the results of the referendum. Board
President Paula Dupont is quoted accurately and the overall article presents a nice
overview of the direction the district will be taking financially.

• CQ Today On-Line News published an update on the status of the No Child Left
Behind reauthorization. The article, like the Education Week article last month,
points out that in spite of the president’s call for reauthorization in the State of the
Union speech, there is little support for reauthorization without changes to some of
the accountability measures. As a result, it doesn’t appear as if schools will seen
any result of major revisions until 2009, perhaps until the next president takes
office. This reauthorization is of special interest to Burr Ridge 180 as the language
which addresses the way IMPACT is distributed is included as a part of this
reauthorization.

The board then reviewed the Principal’s reports included in the board packet. Of primary
interest was a report on requirements on graduation activities.


From the Superintendent’s report the board learned of the following items:

A. Improving Student Achievement

• Pre-School staff is interested in increasing the number of students that can be served
by the program through the addition of a third shift. This would create a third
rotation that would extend the hours of the program until approximately 5:00PM.
The additional staff would be provided through additions to the early childhood
grant. If the district receives this grant, we would like to add this additional
rotation. No additional space or funding (as this would be provided by grant
money) would be needed and we can increase the number of students served.

B. Creating a safe and productive school climate

• Recent legislation has made it mandatory that any school offering a summer school
program must provide breakfast/lunch for all interested parties (enrolled or not
enrolled) during the length of the summer school session. February 15th is the
deadline for having a plan in place to implement this program. The administrative
team has discussed holding the summer school program in late July/early August so
that registration is completed and students who have enrolled are receiving these
services. Additionally, we will have individual test scores so that ISAT testing can
be one of the measures for requiring summer school.

C. Serving the needs of all of our students


• Terry Tamblyn reported on the latest NAFIS conference and the current discussions
over the decreasing amount of Impact Aid funds. There has been a slight reduction
in Section 8002 funds in the recently signed FY 08 appropriations bill. These funds
have been reduced 1.75% or $142,000. While this does not seem like a great deal
of money in a $62 million dollar appropriation, but given this reduction and a slight
increase in the number of eligible schools, it is possible that the district will see a
decrease in the amount of IMPACT aid funds we are eligible to receive.

D. Efficient management practices

• E-Rate is a program that subsidizes communication technology in the schools.
There are various levels of funding for this program. This year, our schools may
have a chance to receive priority-two funding. This would be funding of
approximately 75% of any communication technology purchases for the school.
(There is a very complex formula for figuring out the e-rate reimbursement amounts
and who is eligible for those funds.) Should the district qualify for e-rate
reimbursement at 75%, we would owe just over $10K for nearly $40K of badly
needed communication technology equipment. These are purchases that our district
will be forced to make as a district in the near future. Should the district receive e-
rate reimbursement, this will be brought back to the board for approval.


E. Future facilities planning

The Board of Education took action or considered the following items, agreeing to move
closed session information to the end of the meeting:

A. Improving Student Achievement
B. Creating a safe and productive school climate
C. Serving the needs of all of our students
D. Efficient management practices

a. Amend 2007-08 Calendar

• On Friday, February 1, 2008 the district was closed due to weather conditions. As a
result of that snow day, the board voted to adjust the 2007-08 school year calendar
so that the minimum number of school days is provided. Therefore, the calendar
was adjusted to reflect that school would be in session on Friday, May 30, 2008.

b. Approval of Automated Calling System

• After investigation of several firms, the district entered in to an agreement with
AlertNow to provide automated calling to our parents and staff. This system is
coordinated with our student data system so that new and changed numbers would
be updated automatically. Specific groups of students can be called and we would
have an unlimited number of calls that we can make. The AlertNow system would
have the district as the caller ID and would be able to notify all of our students
within minutes. The district can have this system up and running within a few
weeks of the final agreement. Given the level of safety this system will provide our
students and piece of mind to our parents the board felt strongly that is a worthwhile
expense.

c. Approval of Student Accident Insurance

• The board approved the purchase of insurance, which would kick in for any
student injured on school property or at a school activity. This is not the
primary insurance, but rather insurance, which could be used if the parent was
uninsured, or their insurance company refused coverage. While liability
insurance protects the district from major lawsuits, minor complaints could be
handled through this system. It is believed that having this insurance may
prevent disgruntled parents from seeking payment of medical bills through
legal channels.

d. Approval of Fed Ed Membership

• In March, 2006, the district became a member of the Fed Ed lobbying group. Given
our district’s interests in lobbying efforts in Washington, the board voted to
continue this relationship in an effort to gain access to vital funds from the federal
government.


The Board of Education then met in closed session to discuss the appointment, employment,
compensation, discipline performance or dismissal of an employee, legal counsel for the public
body, collective negotiating matters student disciplinary cases, and closed session minutes.

Upon coming out of closed session, the board approved the Closed Session Minutes from
January 14, 2007, and the destruction of tape recordings of closed sessions from February,
2004 to July, 2006 as per state code that authorizes the destruction of recordings older than 18
months.

The Board of Education then issued the attached statement regarding the future of several
programs at Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 as a result of the failed referendum attempt. That
statement is provided here:

Burr Ridge 180 Outlines Program and Staff Cuts
Due to “No” Vote on Referendum

On Monday, February 11, 2008 the Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 Board of Education met to determine the budget, personnel and programming cuts that would be necessary due to the continued lack of funding in the district’s education fund.

To address this lack of funding, the district sought additional funding through a referendum
question that would have kept the tax rate the same, yet provided the district nearly $1 million
in additional revenues. Unfortunately, the voters did not approve the February 5th
referendum. The no vote has resulted in a budget deficit of over a million dollars. Given the
current situation, the board is working to determine the reductions necessary to eliminate
$900 thousand from the 2008-09 budget and over $400 thousand from the 2009-2010 budget.

The Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 Board of Education is greatly saddened and profoundly regrets
the impact these cuts will have on our students and our community. The board emphasized
that these cuts are made not due to a lack of success, in fact just the opposite; the board is
eliminating programs and staff, which have demonstrated remarkable accomplishment and
achievement. Each of these items has merit and value.

In making the cuts, the Board carefully reviewed all possible options. The Board has
attempted to make cuts, which will have the least impact on the core teaching and learning
which takes place at the district. The board has not focused on one particular area to feel the
impact of these cuts but rather has attempted to share the burden so that the integrity of the
overall educational program the students receive can remain intact. It will hear community
input at its next board meeting March 17th.

Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 will not be able to provide
the following to our students and community due to a lack of funding. The board plans the
following:

• Elimination of 10-15% of certified teaching staff requiring possible Reduction In Force
notification to be sent to all first through third year teachers at its March meeting,
• The closing of INSPIRE Academy,
• Elimination of one administrative position,
• Elimination of full-day kindergarten program,
• Elimination of 25% of para-professional teachers aides, health aides and part-time
staff,
• Elimination of 30% of the District’s GATE gifted education program,
• Elimination of Burr Ridge Middle and fourth grade choir program, resulting in fewer
music programs and instruction for students,
• Elimination of district provided summer school programs,
• Elimination of Burr Ridge Middle School football program,
• Elimination of all part-time summer custodians,
• Elimination of some Burr Ridge Middle School extra-curricular academic clubs,
• 10% reduction in school supplies and textbooks.

As a result of these reductions, class size will be increased at both the primary level and
middle school. There will be less teacher help in these larger classes to assist struggling
students and challenge the most gifted. Teachers will be provided with less planning time for
the creation of engaging lesson plans and cultivation of vital parent contacts.

Incoming first grade students will be less prepared than had they been when they were
provided the opportunity to attend a full day kindergarten program. Students will have fewer
aides to assist them in the classroom when they have difficulties or need additional
assistance.

A large number of students needing additional academic summer school assistance will not
be able to take advantage of the summer as an opportunity to improve their skills. Unless
outside funding for this program can be found, there will be no summer school program.
There will be fewer supplies, materials and books for students next year.

Future Bobby Fisher’s, Walter Payton’s, and Johnny Depp’s will not have the opportunity to
begin their careers and develop their skills at Burr Ridge Middle School due to the elimination
of these programs.

Additionally, should a referendum effort be unsuccessful next November, the board plans the
possible:

• Elimination of most Burr Ridge Middle School extra-curricular programs,
• Elimination of most Burr Ridge Middle School sports programs,
• Closing of all Burr Ridge School District buildings at 5:00PM to all outside groups
resulting in the elimination of three custodial positions,
• Elimination of all Burr Ridge School District library programs, librarians and aides,
• Further reduction of all school supplies and textbooks by 10%,
• Elimination of Burr Ridge School District Gifted Education program,
• Elimination of the reading enhancement program at Burr Ridge Middle School,
• Reduction of Physical Education at one or both schools,
• Significant reduction in social work services and paraprofessional aides.

A successful referendum would make it possible to avoid these additional cuts, bring back
some of these programs and positions being eliminated, and restore the quality of the
educational experience.

The PTC is collecting names of volunteers now for volunteers in the district’s next referendum
campaign.

.........................

This statement can be found on the district’s web site as well as in the board summary
statement.

BOARD MEMBER ITEMS/FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS/CALENDAR


A. February 13, 2008 PTC Meeting @ AMJES @ 9:30AM
B. February 15, 2008 PTC Sponsored Dance @ AMJES 6:30PM
C. February 18, 2008 Presidents Day—No School
D. February 28, 2008 School Improvement Day—Early
Dismissal
E. February 29, 2008 School Improvement Day—No School
F. March 3, 2008 Pulaski Day—No School
G. March 4-14, 2008 ISAT Testing
H. March 8, 2008 SE DuPage Band Fest @ BRMS
I. March 11, 2008 Kindergarten Play @ AMJES 7PM
J. March 13, 2008 McDonalds Night 4PM-8PM
End of 3rd Quarter
K. March 14, 2008 School Improvement Day—Early
Dismissal
L. March 17, 2008 Board of Education Meeting—7PM


The Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Band
Room of Burr Ridge Middle School.

Summary of December 19, 2006 CCSD #180 Board of Education Meeting