BOARD NARROWS FACILITIES FOCUS: Since October, D41 has conducted six public workshops, generating scores of possible solutions for overcrowding. At the May 13 workshop, the board directed the administration to pursue the following options: contract for a new demographic and enrollment projection study that will provide needed planning data; provide a cost and architectural analysis for a 5-6 grade center, an elementary building and a pre-kindergarten building; and explore and analyze staffing patterns that might be employed with limited space. No decisions on any options have been made. The board dropped Multi-Track, Year-Round Education as a possible option, saying that there is strong community opposition to such a direction and few if any educational benefits. The board has emphasized its commitment to a public, participative process and said that if additional funds were needed to implement space solutions, it would ask taxpayers for an increase via referendum. Information on the facilities planning process, including presentations and recaps of all the workshops so far, is posted on www.d41.org.
NEXT
STEPS ... Superintendent Dr. Jack Barshinger will provide
ongoing information on these options to the board. In the interim, the
board has directed the district to continue using portable classrooms,
with Board Member John Ruckstaetter stating his opposition to portables
and his belief that their use is inconsistent with the D41 Mission Statement.
One four-classroom portable unit will be installed at both Churchill and
Hadley over the summer, in addition to one two-classroom unit already
in place at both Forest Glen and Lincoln. A total of 12 classrooms will
be housed in portables next year.
STAFF APPOINTMENTS FINALIZED: D41 has restructured the
administrative team to put greater emphasis on continuous improvement,
quality and alignment with D41’s strategic initiatives.
Overall staffing has been increased by one position but the district is
not spending additional funds on salaries. The board approved contracts
for the following: Dinah Bryant, Director of Continuous Improvement; Dr.
Marilyn Finesilver (currently the principal for Hadley), Acting Director
of Human Resources; David Zolnier, Director of Technology; Lillie Abbot,
Director of Programs and Grants; Dr. Chris Dransoff (currently the principal
for Lincoln), Principal for Hadley; Jeff Bragg, Assistant Principal at
Churchill; Bobbie Kane, Assistant Principal at Lincoln; Linda Schweikhofer,
District Math Specialist; and Judy Heller, District Literacy Specialist.
NEXT STEPS ... The new roles become effective July 1. Yet to be selected: District Gifted Specialist and the Principal for Lincoln.
WATCH D.O.G.S. FUNDED FOR ALL SCHOOLS: Following the success of the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) father-involvement program at Forest Glen School this year, the board authorized funding the program at all five D41 schools next year. Forest Glen’s was first Watch D.O.G.S. program in Illinois and the most successful in the history of the program. Principal Doug Craig launched the Arkansas-based program last September and has since drawn hundreds of dads, step-dads, grandpas, uncles and so forth into the schools to spend at least one full day with their kids. Wheaton philanthropist Ron Rice funded the program this year, donating about $4,000 for T-shirts for the participating dads, refreshments for the kick-off meeting (90 pizzas and 40 cases of pop) and other related expenses.
NEXT STEPS ... D41 will fund the program for the 2004-5 school year at all five schools. Watch D.O.G. dads from Forest Glen told the board that benefits will include stronger dad-child relationships, more “dad power” in the schools and greater understanding by dads about what goes on in the school and especially how hard teachers work. By funding the program, the board is showing its support and commitment to involving and welcoming dads and dad-surrogates in the schools.
HADLEY MUSIC PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED: The board recognized Hadley Band Director Don Crews, Orchestra Director Georgia Glyman and Choral Director Juli Mozockie for the outstanding achievements of their programs, which received "Honor" ratings for their performances at the Illinois Grade School Music Association State contest in April.
GIRL SCOUTS PRESENT COMMUNITY AWARD: Forest Glen Principal Doug Craig received the a Community Award from the Girl Scouts for his advocacy and unstinting support of scouting activities and his efforts to promote scouting to the community.
ADDITIONAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE STAFF APPROVED FOR HADLEY: In order to serve an increasing number of 7th and 8th graders wishing to take French or Spanish, the board approved hiring up to an additional half-time foreign language instructor for next year.
NEXT STEPS ... Board Member Carol McElvain, board liaison to the Learning Leadership Team (LLT), talked about some future issues for foreign language in D41 that have been brought forth by the LLT foreign language committee, including when to begin instruction, the increase in participants at Hadley, the impact of increasing numbers of elementary students signing up for extra-curricular foreign language and continued articulation with Glenbard West. The board noted it needed to give attention to this matter and include it in facilities planning.
NEXT MEETING: The next regular board meeting is set for Monday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the board room. The public is welcome. GETV Channel 17 videotapes the meetings for broadcast the following Monday at 8 p.m. Listening Post, an opportunity for the public to talk informally with board members, is held from 7-7:30 before the board meeting. There is no obligation to stay for the meeting.
BUDGET HEARING: The public hearing
on the 2005-2005 Budget is set for July 19 at 7:15 p.m.
in the Central Services Board Room. The budget will be on public display
at Central Services and at the Glen Ellyn Public Library starting June
17. A summary, the “Budget in Brief,” will be posted on www.d41.org.
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