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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.
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Following is a summary of the Board of Education meeting held on June 15, 2009. An MP3 recording of the meeting is available on www.d41.org Minutes are posted once approved.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW
Consistent with its continuous improvement approach, District 41 routinely evaluates its programs to assess effectiveness and identify areas for growth. Recently, the district has reviewed the Hadley Exploratory, Gifted Services, and English as New Language programs. Patricia Chamberlain shared the findings of her Special Education program review with the Board of Education (BOE). Ms. Chamberlain is an independent consultant with decades of experience in the field who is also a faculty member at National Louis University and other institutions of higher learning. She talked about the strengths of the special education programs that reside within the district, the challenges, and the opportunities for future success; her scope did not include programs hosted by the Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), of which D41 is a member. It's helpful to know that special education law requires districts to provide a "free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment." Ms. Chamberlain noted that:
· D41 provides a wide continuum of services.
· D41 programs are "inclusion oriented," meaning that while there are self-contained programs, most special education students spend the bulk of their time in the general education classroom, and are provided with a wide range of services and support.
· D41 special education staff members have plentiful resources, many opportunities to collaborate, connect instruction to the core curriculum, and receive professional development. The staff "love what they do," and know each child.
· The assistant principals offer expertise in special education service delivery, advocating for the children, and working with parents.
· In general, the district's special education facilities are appropriate to the needs and provide a balance of large- and small-group work areas, specialized areas and resource materials.
Ms. Chamberlain also identified a number of challenges and opportunities:
· Up to now, D41 special education students have met the requirements of No Child Left Behind, but this will become more difficult with each year, as the requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) become increasingly stringent.
· Special education needs to be better aligned with English as a New Language programs.
· D41 should follow a more strategic instructional approach to help the students develop cognitive strategies for learning.
· D41 should examine a blended Pre-Kindergarten program that includes Special Education students, at risk students and typically developing students who would pay tuition.
· D41 should continue its efforts to carefully evaluate providing extra support so that the students have the help they need, but still have the opportunity to become self-sufficient and independent learners.
· D41 should emphasize disability awareness, which can have a powerful impact on the culture and on student achievement.
Next steps: The evaluation will be shared with staff in August. Jennifer Law will replace retiring Director of Special Education Jan Palmer on July 1, and will work with the administration to develop an implementation plan for the recommendations which will be presented to the BOE. |
UPCOMING MEETINGS
On Monday, June 22 and June 29, the BOE will hold its summer retreat from 5-9 p.m. at the Central Services Office, 793 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. The public is always welcome to attend Board meetings. |
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TENTATIVE 2009-2010 BUDGET ON DISPLAY
At its last meeting the BOE approved the amended 2008-2009 budget. At its June 15 meeting, it approved putting the tentative 2009-2010 budget on display. This means the document is posted on the D41 Web site, and is available for public review at the Central Services Office. The document covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The Illinois School Code regulates school funding and dictates that the budget be organized consistent with fund accounting. Budgeting activities such as strategic planning, departmental needs analysis and expenditure prioritization occur throughout the year, culminating in budget adoption. Overall, the tentative budget outlines $45,973,319 in revenues and $44,816,091 in expenditures, a 2.27% increase in expenditures over last year's budget. Illinois school funding is based on the philosophy of local control, and 85% of district revenues come directly from local property taxes; the remainder comes from a combination of other local revenues, and state and federal sources.
Education is a people business, and 70% of the expenditures are for salaries and benefits. Other major categories of expenditures include school maintenance, curricular materials, supplies, equipment, and reserve funds needed to maintain consistent operations in case of emergencies, delays or decreases in state funding and other unexpected events. The budget is a spending plan, and the BOE may discuss, review and amend expenditures during the course of the year, with BOE action required for single expenditures of more than $10,000. The administration is developing a plan for managing and conserving resources over time without adversely affecting the classroom, a plan that may include a combination of spending reductions and drawing down reserve funds. This will help D41 navigate a challenging economic climate and a decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI is one factor used in calculating the amount of tax money D41 receives each year. For the 2009-2010 budget cycle, CPI was 4.1%; for the 2010-2011 budget cycle, CPI will be 0.1%, which means revenues will be essentially flat. In addition, although the proportion of district revenues from the state is small, state budget decisions could have a major impact on district finances.
Next Steps: The BOE expects to take action on adopting the budget at its Aug. 24 meeting, following a public hearing. By law, it must adopt a budget by Sept. 30.
STIMULUS MONEY TO BE USED FOR SMALL ADDITION
Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock told the BOE that D41 will receive approximately $800,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, or stimulus) funds, which must be used for special education and in compliance with ARRA's complex set of requirements. The funds will be administered by the Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) and must be spent no later than September of 2011. Rather than use the money to create new programs that the district may not be able to sustain, the administration is planning a Hadley addition of two special education classrooms, including a much-needed time-out center. Care will be taken to design the addition so that it could blend with any possible future renovations. Dr. Riebock characterized the funds as a "once in a lifetime opportunity," noting that the addition will have lasting impact, provide appropriate space for special education students, and ease the stress on general education space at Hadley.
ADDITIONAL STAFF APPROVED FOR CHURCHILL AND LINCOLN
The BOE approved hiring two additional teachers at Churchill and one at Abraham Lincoln. Target class size ranges guide the annual staffing plan, and the BOE has developed student achievement criteria for considering smaller than target class sizes. After analyzing student learning data, Dr. Riebock said that an achievement gap was apparent in some grade levels and recommended adding one section at fourth and one at fifth grade at Churchill, and one section at fourth grade at Lincoln. The goal is to move all children forward, whether they are currently achieving below, at, or above grade expectations. The impact on learning of the additional sections and resources will be evaluated before the 2010-2011 staffing request is brought to the BOE. While there is not a direct correlation between lower class size and improved achievement, Dr. Riebock noted that the objective is to reduce the wide range of learning needs in the classroom so that the teachers are better able to individualize instruction, can create a more flexible environment and work with smaller groups of students. In addition, the administration is looking at other resources that can be brought to bear to close this achievement gap, such as hiring part-time retired teachers to work with small groups, improving after-school learning opportunities and developing a D41 sponsored summer school that aligns with and supports the curriculum.
ART AND MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED
The BOE approved the elementary art and music materials adoptions that had been presented and discussed at its May 18 meeting. The music recommendation includes a CD, and the Macmillan/McGaw Hill "Spotlight on Music Series," which consists of two books and a teacher manual. The art recommendation includes "Elements and Principles of Design." Both recommendations include classroom document cameras.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident offered guidance on using MAP data, asked the BOE to furnish a bathroom for the Modified Instructional Program classroom at Ben Franklin, and offered observations on how the district allocates space. Another resident questioned the analysis behind the decision to add sections at Churchill and Lincoln. A parent spoke in support of adding sections at Churchill to improve student learning.
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.
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Please direct your questions or comments to our Communications Director, Julie Worthen at jworthen@d41.org. |
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