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 March 15, 2010.   An MP3 recording of the meeting is available on www.d41.org   Minutes are posted once approved.
TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING
Technology Director Mike Wood and Instructional Technology Specialist Christina Kellam provided an overview of how teachers are using technology in the classroom to support learning. The District provides up-to-date and relevant instructional software and equipment, as well as training and support for teachers to help them make the best use of technology to support the curriculum. Most curricular materials the District purchases include a technology component. The District has recently adopted an Internet Safety curriculum, updated its software approval process, and created a library of technology projects and lessons for teachers. Using a Smartboard for the presentation, Mr. Wood and Ms. Kellam explained the role of the Technology Committee in setting direction, and showed examples of student work at all levels. Technology, said Mr. Wood, is a tool; the important thing is how it's used. Mr. Wood noted that the District is piloting 11 Smartboards throughout the buildings, and hopes to deploy more Smartboards in the future. Teachers who are using them have noticed increased student engagement and excitement coming from the interactivity that Smartboard technology allows. Today's version of a chalkboard, Smartboards integrate software, touch-screen attributes, Web access and many other features. They can be operated from a computer or by touch, and by the teacher or by the students.
 UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next regular meeting is Ap. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Services Office. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting will be preceded at 6 p.m. by the Finance Committee meeting, which is an open meeting. The BOE plans to conduct its self-evaluation on Mar. 22, at 5:30 p.m., also at the Central Services Office. The self-evaluation will begin in open session, and then go into closed session for the work with an Illinois Association of School Board facilitator.      
PERSONNEL ACTION
The BOE approved the administrative recommendation not to renew contracts for 13 first-year teachers. By taking this action, the BOE is not eliminating these roles, but complying with a legal deadline that says teachers must be notified well in advance of the end of the year if they are not going to be re-hired; otherwise, they are guaranteed a job. The District does not know in March how many teachers it will need for the coming year, and some of these teachers will likely be rehired.




LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT DISCUSSED 
The BOE discussed the administrative recommendation of a contract for routine grounds maintenance by Olive Grove Landscaping for $46,990 over two years. Olive Grove was the second-lowest of four bidders; the District had terminated a previous contract with the low bid company ($40,350) due to unsatisfactory work, and was advised by its attorney that it is not obligated to accept the low bid in that case. The work covered by the contract includes mowing, weed trimming, fertilization, shrub trimming and other routine work. The BOE expects to take action on the matter at its April 5 meeting.





ELECTRIC SERVICES CONTRACT APPROVED
The BOE accepted a bid for electric services from the Illinois Energy Consortium for $0.060600 per kilowatt hour. The bid was the lowest of five received by the District. The BOE discussed the matter in Finance Committee and at its Mar. 1 meeting.


 
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Two parents urged the District not to make cuts that affect children in the face of financial stress; one parent supported continuing to employ full-time rather than half-time elementary assistant principals, and the other spoke of the benefits to learning of the additional class sections that were added at some grades last year. Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock clarified that the staffing plan for next year is still under consideration, and is a separate matter from the decision not to renew some teachers for next year, and from the reduction plan the BOE discussed Mar. 1





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