D41 Board Highlights

Following is a summary of the Board of Education (BOE) meeting held on September 24, 2007. Minutes are posted on www.d41.org once approved.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock reported on the professional development that occurred during the Sept. 24 Institute Day, much of which focused on the Literacy curriculum. The training was systemic and differentiated to meet the needs of classroom teachers, Literacy Specialists and support personnel. She congratulated Hadley on the progress it has made with its organizational improvement work, and the Hadley Physical Education Department for winning the Blue Ribbon award for excellence from the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAHPERD).

NEXT MEETING
A special meeting will be held on Oct. 10, 7 p.m. at CSO to provide an opportunity for the BOE to meet consultant Ron Williamson, who is working with Hadley staff. The next regular BOE workshop meeting will be held October 15—the location has been changed to Hadley Junior High, 240 Hawthorne Blvd. The meeting will be preceded at 7 p.m. by a reception for new staff members. The next business meeting will be held October 29. Meetings are held in Central Services, 793 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Other special meetings may be called and their agendas will be posted on www.d41.org at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

BUDGET PROCESS A YEAR-LONG PLANNING CYCLE
Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Facilities and Operations Bob Ciserella provided an overview of the budget process, highlighting when the various budgeting steps occur, explaining revenue sources and how the District’s fiscal year relates to the timing of other components of financial planning. He noted that the budget is the capstone of a year-long process and that major expenditures have been discussed by the BOE before the actual document is put forth for adoption. Education being a people business, 70% of budgeted expenditures are for salaries and benefits. The District 41 fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, and the District receives the majority of its revenues from local property taxes, which come in two installments: June and September. Planning for the 2008-2009 budget has already begun with a review of upcoming capital projects. The Illinois School Code requires the District to finalize its tax levy (request for tax revenues made to the County Clerk) in December, which is early in the budgeting process.

BOE APPROVES SPACE, SECURITY STUDIES
As part of its work in developing a master facilities plan to take the District out 15 or 20 years, the BOE approved two studies: a space utilization study to determine if the District is maximizing available space, and a security audit to review District safety and security policies, processes and equipment. The contracts were awarded after a request for proposal (RFP) process that was followed in compliance with the Illinois School Code to determine qualifications and costs. The BOE approved the $30,880 security audit proposal from National School Safety and Security Services. It also approved the space study proposal from BrainSpaces, which is anticipated to cost between $21,000-$33,000.

BUSING APPROVED FOR PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT RISK
The BOE approved an additional bus route for the Pre-Kindergarten At Risk program, a half-day program that prepares eligible students to be successful in kindergarten. The program emphasizes the readiness, literacy and social skills that will be necessary and that these students may need help with due to socio-economic circumstances, language barriers and other risk factors. This early education program is largely grant-funded, but there are not sufficient grant funds to pay for this additional route. Because the program is not mandated (unlike Early Childhood Special Education), the District is not required to provide transportation. However, most of the children need bus transportation to get to school. Pre-K enrollment is expected to increase until all four sections are filled, and the District anticipates needing another bus route to meet student needs. The additional bus will cost approximately $53,000; bus transportation for preschool children costs more than busing children in kindergarten and up, because it must be door-to-door, and provide child car seats.

BOARD ADOPTS GOALS
To guide its work, the BOE adopted four goals: increase community confidence in the BOE, examine alternatives to the current superintendent evaluation tool and decide on a tool for use, develop and codify a fiscal philosophy, and create a process for developing a long-range vision for educational excellence and an accompanying process for developing a facilities plan to support the vision.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident asked if there would be an official District response to a recent news article about the increase in area school revenues, and if the District was looking at a future referendum. Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock said that the District was interested in engaging in conversation on the topic, but did not want to get into a pattern of responding to articles. She noted that the article in question was the first in a series of 10. Dr. Riebock has stated in the September Update (posted on www.d41.org) that a referendum is likely at some point in the future, but that the District will strive to postpone one as long as possible.

Please direct your questions or comments to our Communications Director, Julie Worthen at jworthen@d41.org. We ask that you do not reply directly to this email. Thank you!

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