Glen Ellyn School District 41 Mission: Ignite passion. Inspire excellence. Imagine possibilities.
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 the Board of Education meeting held on April 18, 2005
The Board of Education
Willie DiFabio, Vice President; John Marcheschi; Carol McElvain; John Vivoda, President; Debbie Hoffman, Secretary; Walter Snodell and John Ruckstaetter
LINCOLN PORTABLE TO BE PLACED ON NEWTON: As part of the plan to deploy another 14 portable classrooms in D41 next year, the BOE approved placing four portable classrooms on the west side of the Lincoln school site site. The plan has been approved by the Village of Glen Ellyn and is in compliance with all village zoning regulations. The Village said D41’s original proposal to place the portable behind the school would have put the unit in a floodplain. Faced with a costly and lengthy zoning variance and permit process, the administration recommended an alternative location along Newton Avenue. The Village approved the location but encouraged the district to pursue the variances needed for placement in the floodplain for safety, esthetic and tree-preservation reasons. The Glen Ellyn Police Chief also expressed safety concerns about the Newton location. The administration assured the BOE that it could create a safe environment for students. The BOE approved the placement a week after the April 11 public hearing on the matter. At that hearing, some residents opposed the Newton location for safety and esthetic reasons, while others supported it, fearing placement in the floodplain could create neighborhood stormwater problems. Click here to read the superintendent's report to the BOE NEXT STEPS: As has been the process for other portable installations in the district, a committee of staff and parents will develop a safety plan for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, entering and exiting the main building and the portables, and other security features. Superintendent Dr. Jack Barshinger said he was confident the district could address all the safety concerns raised by the village, the police and residents. Two trees will come down to make room for the units; in addition, three trees were recently taken down for safety reasons upon recommendation of an arborist. The landscape plan will include replacement trees, visual buffers and other esthetic features. The units will be leased for three-years. |
WATCHD.O.G.S
Survey results on the pilot year of the WatchD.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program from parents and staff were presented to the BOE. Approximately 1,100 fathers and father-figures participated among the five schools this year. Forest Glen Principal Doug Craig, who was instrumental in bringing the program to D41, said that he has tried throughout his 32-year career to get dads into school—with the WatchD.O.G.S. program hundreds of fathers, stepfathers, uncles and so forth spent time in the building. Last year, Forest Glen piloted the program with the help of a $4,000 donation; this year, the BOE budgeted $18,000 to launch the program district-wide. Actual costs were $22,500. The reason for funding it at a district level was to make sure the program was supported equitably at all five schools. The data showed that the program did a good job of getting an under-represented stakeholder group—fathers and father-figures—into the schools. It fostered stronger connections to the schools, a better understanding of what goes on in the classroom and insight into the scope of a teacher’s job today. Data also show that many think the program is too costly and that there should be a similar program for moms. Respondents suggested other changes such as finding a way to include children who for a variety of reasons are left out, and setting standards of behavior for the participants. BOE members commented that the program had demonstrated a lot of value, but that concerns should be addressed and special efforts must be made to reach out to English Language Learner populations and other groups that were not as well-represented. Steps also must be taken to make sure the program is more flexible and does not disrupt instruction. See the Evaluation Results here.
NEXT STEPS: The BOE asked the administration to submit recommendations based on the data to be voted on at the May 16 meeting.
TWO-YEAR CALENDAR APPROVED; SIP DAYS ON FRIDAYS
The BOE approved a two-year calendar aligned with Glenbard High School District 87’s calendar. This year, the district piloted a new School Improvement (SIP) Day format of late arrival on Tuesdays. Based on a survey of staff, parents and the business community, the district is reverting to its previous SIP Day schedule of early dismissal on Fridays. Also, teachers will have an additional workday as D41 implements four additional teacher workdays over the four-year teachers’ contract. This time is dedicated toward professional growth and to improve student learning. The calendars are posted here and will be distributed to parents.
NEXT STEPS: D41 will continue to develop two-year calendars to assist staff, parents and the community in long-range planning.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN LEARNING AND TEACHING
Hadley science teacher Bob Thompson and Franklin teacher Heather Farrar provided an overview of D41’s participation in the Science Olympiad. Overall, more than 200 students participated, fourth and fifth grade students on a more limited basis than Hadley students. The Science Olympiad is a non-profit organization that promotes interest in science, improved science instruction and recognition of science achievement. Participants compete in a range of activities, challenges and problems that align with Illinois Learning Standards. Elementary students do not have a state competition, but the Hadley team qualified for the state tournament for the second year running, finishing 16th out of 40. Representatives of the Hadley team, some of whom sported medals, explained the numerous events to the BOE, events such as Mission Possible, Disease Detective, Dynamic Planet, Egg Drop and Compute This!
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Resident Mary Ellen Walksler read a statement saying that D41 had taken unauthorized tax increases due to phasing in the 2001 referendum and had neglected its obligation to inform the public of the full impact of the tax increase. She called on the Board to produce documents detailing the costs to voters and asked for financial remediation.
NEXT MEETING
The new BOE members will be installed at a special meeting on Monday, April 25 at the Forest Glen School library at 7:30 p.m. Three BOE members will conclude their terms: Willie DiFabio, John Ruckstaetter and Walter Snodell.The meeting will be preceded at 7 p.m. by an appreciation celebration hosted by PTA Council and D41. All are welcome and there is no obligation to stay for the short meeting that will follow.
The next regular meeting is May 16, 7:30 p.m. , preceded by a public hearing for the 2005-2006 budget. Both will be in the Board Room at Central Services, 793 N. Main St. GETV Channel 17 videotapes the regular 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 at 7 p.m. preceding regular meetings.