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: Terra Costa Howard President | John Kenwood Vice President | Erica Nelson Secretary | Kevin Cosgrove | Robert Solak | John Vivoda | Steven Vondrak
Following is a summary of the Board of Education (BOE) May 19, 2008 meeting. Minutes are posted on www.d41.org once approved.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT RECOMMENDATION
This year, the WatchD.O.G.S. father-involvement program was put on hiatus while the administration worked with a committee to create a recommendation for parent involvement. The result is a recommendation that is consistent with the objectives and criteria set forth by the Continuous Improvement Team (CIT): a program that that supports the learning environment, can be implemented in a consistent manner across the District, and provides opportunities for all parents—particularly those who experience barriers to traditional involvement opportunities. Committee members told the Board of Education (BOE) how their attitudes evolved as they listened to each other, studied the work of parent-involvement expert Joyce Epstein, and came to understand that dads were not the only parent group that is often under-represented in involvement opportunities. Through their work, the committee focus shifted from WatchD.O.G.S. to a desire to help ensure that meaningful parent involvement is embedded in the educational experience of all D41 students. Committee members said they came to realize that a WatchD.O.G.S.-style program could not meet the CIT criteria and objectives. “We had the opportunity to create something much richer, and to help take the school district where we want to go,” said committee member and parent Shawn Lewis. “We wanted to make sure the spirit of WatchD.O.G.S. is not lost,” added committee member and parent Mike Eichen. Committee member and teacher Lynn Rumel said “We let go of our personal visions and it became about the kids.” Committee members said that the recommendation is meant to complement and strengthen the impressive number of involvement opportunities that already exist. The recommendation, which focuses on Pre-K through grade 5, includes a framework to promote “opportunity, access and invitation” around existing and new involvement activities; volunteer male and female Parent Involvement Liaisons to foster involvement at each grade; new involvement activities to be implemented consistently across the District; and next steps for the administration to take in order to begin implementation of the recommendation. BOE members said they were pleased with the recommendation, particularly the plans for the Parent Liaisons and the consistency across the district.
NEXT MEETING:
Board meetings are held at Central Services, 793 N. Main St., unless otherwise noted. The public is encouraged to attend meetings. The regular June 9 meeting was cancelled to accommodate the Vision Project session on that date.

SIX PORTABLES PLANNED FOR HADLEY
The BOE approved a three-year lease of a six-classroom portable unit for Hadley, bringing the total number of portable classrooms at Hadley to 10. The BOE took action following a public hearing on the matter, during which residents expressed support for and objection to the plan. The recent BrainSpaces Space Utilization study recommended adding six to eight classrooms. While Hadley is crowded, the main trigger for the decision was to provide enough classrooms for appropriate implementation of the literacy curriculum. Hadley staff provided data to show that six additional classrooms will allow consistent delivery of key elements: all students will have an uninterrupted block of LA instruction and fewer teachers will have to carry their materials from room to room thereby improving student access to supporting resources and student access to their teachers between classes. Other benefits include reduction of instruction in inappropriate spaces such as the Pods. The BOE did not take issue with the need, but some members questioned whether adding portables is the right decision. Among other options discussed were whether to add fewer portables, build an addition, or postpone action until the Vision Project, Hadley New Horizons and the Master Facilities Plan are complete. Hadley Principal Chris Dransoff said the space is needed now, and to delay action pending a permanent solution will adversely affect students for the next three years at least.


Next Steps
The unit will be installed over the summer. One-time all-inclusive costs for installation, furnishings, electrical hookups, landscaping, stairs, ramps and fees will be $525,000 and the annual lease cost is $54,950, for a total over three years of $689,850. By comparison, purchasing the unit outright would cost $835,000 installed and furnished. Unit removal and site remediation would cost approximately $50,000 regardless of whether the unit is leased or purchased.


HADLEY STUDENT COUNCIL WRAPS UP YEAR
Representatives of the Hadley Student Council and faculty advisor Kelly Coleman reported on their activities of the year. In August, the Student Council had shared their ambitious plans with the BOE, which invited them back to report on how the year went. The BOE praised the Student Council’s efforts in reaching out in the community and the world to raise melanoma awareness, raise funds for cancer research, raise funds to fight hunger, and survey students to learn their preferences for future student activity nights.


HADLEY NEW HORIZONS
Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock gave an update on Hadley New Horizons, an organizational improvement process underway with the help of Ron Williamson, an expert in middle-level education who has worked with schools across the nation. Minor changes may be made for next year, with the work focusing on implementation in 2009-2010. The general process is that study groups composed of staff and parent representatives convene around a component that has been identified for improvement. Once a study group has developed a recommendation that meets the need and is consistent with the best in middle-level education, the recommendation goes to the HNH Steering Committee for review. The Steering Committee is now processing recommendations that have been put forth regarding adjusting Hadley’s start and dismissal times, changes for the  Exploratory program, and adding Academic Support and Core Extension courses. The Steering Committee is seeking input, including surveying students, parents and staff. Dr. Riebock stressed that the recommendations presented so far are in the discussion phase, and that there is more work to be done before final proposals would be brought before the BOE for discussion and/or action. An HNH Town Hall meeting has been set for Tuesday, June 10, 7-8 p.m. at Hadley to provide more information to parents and community members.


DISTRICT 41 2008 VISION PROJECT
Three Vision Project sessions are set for May 28, June 9 and June 17. D41 has recruited participants from many stakeholder groups, including parents, local businesspeople, senior citizens, preschool parents, the clergy, and more. Nearly 400 invitations were mailed, and a general invitation was made to community members via the local press, D41 E-News and other channels. Approximately 65 stakeholders have committed to participate, fewer than D41’s goal of 100, but sufficient to produce a vigorous cross-section of perspectives. The purpose is to define the shared values and key elements to be embodied in the District 41 Vision and Mission and to provide the broad direction for D41’s renewed long-range plan. Following the three sessions, a small writing team will be convened to create the supporting documents that capture the group’s work.


PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident urged the BOE to approve the portables, even though it is not an ideal solution, it is needed now. A resident opposed adding portables at Hadley, saying programming should be made to fit the available space and that it is best to look for a permanent solution to space issues. A resident suggested that D41 explore providing a way to help fund college for needy students.


Our Vision: Exceptional Learning in a Respectful and Supportive Environment.