Glen Ellyn School District 41 Mission: To be an advocate for children and to provide the highest quality educational programs and services.
Board Members: John Vivoda President | Willie DiFabio Vice President | Debbie Hoffman Secretary
John Marcheschi | Carol McElvain | John Ruckstaetter | Walter Snodell
Following is a summary of two Board of Education meetings: the regular meeting of July 19, 2004 and the budget workshop of July 26, 2004. Board meetings are preceded by the half-hour "Listening Post", during which board members are on hand to listen to residents' comments.
2004-2005 BUDGET APPROVED After a two-part process consisting of a public hearing on July 19 and an in-depth workshop on July 26, the board has approved a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2004-5. A snapshot in time of district finances, the $33 million budget lays out in detail how the district will pursue its goals: continuing improvement in all areas; developing challenging curriculum aligned to standards; ensuring student achievement; hiring, retaining and developing the best staff; using technology to optimize student learning; involving stakeholders; and providing an excellent learning environment in well-maintained facilities. The budget clearly shows that education is a people business, with more than 70% of its expenditures going for salaries and benefits. Other significant expenditures reflected in the budget are maintenance and facilities improvement projects such a roof replacement and new district phone system. The budget is based on the upcoming program plan (including class sizes, services and curriculum) as well as revenue projections, with over 90% of district revenues from local property taxes. Accounting for about 7% of D41’s revenues, state and federal grants fund programs for disadvantaged children, teacher quality, safe and drug-free schools and others. Every year, school districts wait anxiously for the outcome of the state budget process to learn if they will receive their hoped-for grants. This year, the state budget does include these grants; however, the D41 board has committed to build in contingency funds for these programs in next year’s budget, in case the state cuts grant funds in the future. The 2004-2005 budget process was accelerated to align with the beginning of the fiscal year July 1 and the district plans to approve next year’s budget in June. |
 The Board of Education John Vivoda, President Willie DiFabio, Vice President Debbie Hoffman, Secretary John Marcheschi Carol McElvain John Ruckstaetter Walter Snodell |
NEXT STEPS ... The approved budget summary is posted here on www.d41.org, is available at Central Services, at each school and at the Glen Ellyn Public Library.
In the last two years, D41 has exceeded its current enrollment projections. Since accurate projections are essential to successful facility planning, the board authorized a $17,000 contract with The Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University for an enrollment projection study. Superintendent Dr. Jack Barshinger explained that the center, which is highly recommended, has extensive experience in research and services rendered to school districts and municipalities for economic and community development. The scope of the study exceeds previous D41 enrollment studies and includes a thorough investigation of factors influencing D41’s enrollment patterns, including but not limited to tear downs, intergenerational turnover, changes in land use or zoning, and analysis of the impact of private schools on D41 enrollment patterns.
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NEXT STEPS ... The study will be completed by October of this year and will furnish data for the program and facility planning process (see below).
FGM ARCHITECTS HIRED TO HELP WITH FACILITY PLANNING PROCESS
The Board authorized a contract not to exceed $35,000 with FGM Architectural Firm to oversee a program and facilities planning process that incorporates data collection (including the new enrollment projection study mentioned above), community input and program planning. The process will include numerous public meetings and will conclude with a recommendation to the board in mid-December. Dr. Barshinger stressed that development of facilities plans goes hand-in-hand with program development. FGM has been a key participant in the facilities planning process that began last year and involved hundreds of community members over several months.
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NEXT STEPS ... Public meetings will be scheduled for the fall. Among the specific options that will be developed in detail are a pre-Kindergarten center, a fifth- and sixth-grade center, and a new elementary school. Should the Board adopt a facilities plan that exceeds its financial resources, a referendum may be needed. In order to place a referendum on the April, 2005 ballot, the board would have to file plans in January, 2005.
GLEN ELLYN ROTARY DONATES $1,500
The board gratefully accepted a generous $1,500 donation from the Glen Ellyn Rotary Club. The funds will be used to provide eligible students with summer school scholarships, allowing four students from grades 2 through 8 to participate in Reading/Writing and Math classes.
RECOGNITION
For the sixth time, D41 has earned the Association of School Business Officials Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Financial Reporting Recognition Award for continued excellence in school system reporting through its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). “By preparing and presenting a CAFR, the district provides its stakeholders with a complete picture of district operations and finances in a clear and understandable format,” explained Jeanette Kreuz, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Facilities and Operations, whose department is largely responsible for producing the CAFR.
The next regular board meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 23 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, will be held from 7-7:30 before the meeting. There is no obligation to stay for the meeting.
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