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Glen Ellyn School District 41 Mission: Ignite passion. Inspire excellence. Imagine possibilities.
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 1, 2009. An MP3 recording of the meeting is available on www.d41.org Minutes are posted once approved.
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AMENDED 2008-2009 BUDGET APPROVED
After a public hearing, the Board of Education (BOE) approved the amended 2008-2009 budget, which has been on public display for a month. Overall, the amendment brings the budget into compliance with the 5% limitation on administrative expenditures and reflects increased state revenues, decreased federal revenues, and realignment of salaries and benefits to reflect actual staffing and salaries. Also, the amended budget shows inter-fund transfers resulting from the district returning to the individual fund method of accounting, and the transfer of certain printing costs to a fund that is not subject to the administrative cap.
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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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TEAMS FOR EXCELLENCE ANNUAL REPORT
Hadley teacher and Glen Ellyn Education Association Co-President Karen Dymit and Continuous Improvement Director Dinah Bryant gave a summary of the Teams For Excellence (TFE) work over the course of the year. Ms. Dymit and Ms. Bryant are co-chairs of the Continuous Improvement Team (CIT). The other Teams for Excellence are the Learning Leadership Team (LLT), the Professional Development Team (PDT) and the five Building Leadership Teams (BLTs), one at each school. While each team has a specific function, together they help make sure that district work is aligned to the Vision, Mission, Beliefs, to the Long-Range Plan, and is conducted using continuous improvement principles and processes. CIT looks at the big picture, LLT focuses on matters of curriculum and instruction, PDT works on meeting professional development needs throughout the organization, and the Building Leadership Teams focus on developing and monitoring School Improvement Plans.
The teams played a key part in many district initiatives this year, including development of a district scorecard to track key success indicators, creation of the curriculum review cycle and adoption of new math, social studies, music and art curricula, and development of a professional development plan that addresses the needs of teachers and support staff. The BLTs developed and monitored School Improvement Plans, collected and monitored data about student learning, and created grade level action plans in support of student learning needs. Established in 2004, the TFEs keep the organization focused on student learning, help the district become more adept at using data, and have developed and standardized a number of tools and processes that can be used district-wide. Team members include teachers and support staff who are elected to represent their buildings, and administrators. CIT and LLT also include parent representatives and a BOE liaison.
CLASS SIZE AND RESOURCES FOR ACADEMIC PROGRESS DISCUSSED
Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock provided the BOE with information about class size target ranges and student achievement. Class size targets serve as guidelines, and classrooms are often either slightly above or slightly below target ranges. The ranges are: K-2, 20-22 students; Gr. 3, 23-25 students; Gr. 4-5, 25-27 students; and Gr. 6-8, 26-28 students. Dr. Riebock said that an early analysis of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test shows a gap in student achievement in some classrooms with high numbers of special needs or at-risk students, and that students in those classes might benefit from either smaller class size or additional resources. While education research does not correlate class size with student achievement (unless classes are 15 or fewer students), reducing the size of some high-need classrooms may help teachers meet the needs of all students, whether they are performing below, at, or above grade level. Dr. Riebock stressed that by itself, exceeding target does not mean a class would need additional resources, or that a section would be added; that decision depends on what the data say about the progress of the children. The administration will review the MAP data relative to class size annually and based on its analysis, it may request approval for additional staff or resources from the BOE. The district is currently working on its staffing plan for the coming year.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAY RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED
The BOE approved supplemental pay positions at Hadley for the Lego-Robotics Club, the Animal Helpers Club, and the Performing Arts Club. These positions will be added starting in the 2009-2010 school year.
FIRST STUDENT CONTRACT RENEWAL
The BOE approved a one-year contract extension for bus transportation services with First Student at an overall increase of 2.5%.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
In response to the BOE discussion about the MAP data and class size, a resident advised the BOE to view data with caution, and not look for things it wants to see.
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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