Glen Ellyn School District 41 Glen Ellyn School District 41
 

Glen Ellyn School District 41 Mission: It is the mission of District 41 to advocate for students enabling each one to optimize his/her potential within a culture of continuous improvement.

Board Members: Steven Vondrak President | Robert Solak Vice President | Erica Nelson Secretary | Terra Costa Howard | Drew Ellis | Jack Kahler | Dan Smith Jr.

Following is a summary of the Board of Education meeting held on October 5, 2009.   An MP3 recording of the meeting is available on www.d41.org   Minutes are posted once approved.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OVERVIEW
District 41 student performance on standard academic measures continues strong and stable, Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock told the Board of Education (BOE). In a review of student performance and the School Improvement Plans, the administration highlighted strengths and challenges. It also laid out the strategies by which the district plans to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirement that every child meet standards by 2014 (as measured by the Illinois Student Achievement Test, or ISAT). Overall, 91.6% of D41 students meet or exceed standards, but the overall score is not at issue; rather, NCLB tracks performance by subgroup*, and schools must ensure that each subgroup progresses by a certain amount each year and ultimately that all subgroups meet standards. Closing the achievement gap among subgroups and meeting the needs of those who are at or above grade level requires a detailed understanding of each child's learning and a schoolwide commitment to ensure that every child learns. The district uses performance data at system, building and classroom levels to set goals, monitor progress and adjust instruction. ISAT and Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) data is analyzed for trends on grade-level performance as well on student cohorts as they progress through the grades. MAP gives teachers trend data as well as fast feedback about learning that they can use right away to adjust instruction. This year, the schools introduced schedules that allow a more targeted focus on individual learning needs. At the elementary schools, grade-level teachers have time to work together each day on identifying needs and to work with small groups along with the specialists, resource teacher, social workers and others. During this time (called targeted learning time), children work in small groups with others in their grade who have similar learning needs. At Hadley, the Hadley New Horizons schedule provides students who need it academic support in reading and math.  

*Subgroups are defined by gender, economic status, race/ethnicity, language proficiency and special needs. Many students are part of multiple subgroups.		 UPCOMING MEETINGS
The Oct. 19 meeting will be at Churchill School, 240 Geneva Rd., Glen Ellyn, at 7:30 p.m. The Nov. 2 meeting will be at the Central Services Office, 793 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.  
SUPPLEMENTAL PAY POSITIONS DISCUSSED
The BOE reviewed an administrative recommendation for supplemental pay positions at Hadley for extra-curricular work. These positions earn a stipend based on the estimated number of student contact hours that will be required. The BOE discussed adding an art club and the Dare to Dream club, and increasing the pay level for volleyball. The art club will encourage young artists, provide a multi-media approach and include a community art show. Dare to Dream is designed to encourage the education and self-development of Hispanic/Latina girls, and culminates with participation (along with moms) in a spring conference. The change in pay for the volleyball positions is due to the increased schedule of the interscholastic volleyball league and commensurate increase in student contact hours. The BOE expects to take action on the matter at its Oct. 19 meeting.




FGM CONTRACT FOR PROPOSED HADLEY ADDITION
The district has an ongoing contract with FGM, Inc, its architect of record. The Illinois School Code requires districts to have an architect of record, and architectural services are needed for life safety work, construction projects and other services that are beyond the expertise of the district. The BOE reviewed a proposed amendment to its existing FGM contract for an additional $96,000 related to the proposed Hadley addition (previously discussed by the BOE Aug. 10 and Aug. 24). The BOE expects to take action on the matter at its Oct. 19 meeting.










About the Glen Ellyn School District Board of Education
Board members are unpaid volunteers, each representing the whole district. The board is accountable to the public and makes decisions as a unit based on what is best for the whole district. The board hires the superintendent, sets instructional policy, approves the budget and ongoing expenditures, and is ultimately responsible for the performance of the district. Board meetings are working sessions held in public during which the board conducts its business, and ample time is always set aside for public participation.  
Please direct your questions or comments to our Communications Director, Julie Worthen at jworthen@d41.org.
Glen Ellyn School District 41