Eastland Board of Education Approves $6.5 Million Levy

At their meeting on December 16, 2009 the Eastland Board of Education approved the tax levy for fiscal year 2011. The total levy will be for $6,589,000, a 4.8% increase over the December, 2008 levy.

At the November meeting, Hansen emphasized that whether the levy is sufficient to cover costs for the 2010-11 school year will depend largely on the extent to which the State meets its obligation to provide supplemental funding to Illinois public schools. Reductions in state funding will likely result in the District using some fund balances to pay expenditures in 2010-11.

Taking personnel action, the Board hired Brian Archer as Assistant High School Scholastic Bowl coach.

During Board Input, members shared information from the sessions they attended at the Board Convention in November. There was also a brief discussion about the Board evaluation of the Superintendent scheduled for January. The Board agreed to survey district employees as part of the evaluation process again this year, using the same survey as in the past.

It was also decided that Superintendent Hansen would represent the Board as a volunteer on the Lanark City Council Strategic Planning Committee. Principal Ritchie recognized the Girls’ State Champion Volleyball team, and presented plaques on behalf of the Board of Education to each player and coach.

In Communications, Superintendent Hansen thanked Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo for their donation of more than $5,000 worth of video editing equipment to the Eastland Schools. In addition, he thanked the Eastland Council of Churches for their $1,000 donation to Eastland Schools to be used to purchase winter wear and clothes for needy students.

Continuing, the Board heard a report on 2008-09 Indicators of Success for Social Studies:

- Goal #1, that 100% of students will earn a grade of C or better on the 7th grade Constitution tests, was not met. But 100% of 7th graders passed the tests on the first try, and 85% earned a grade of “C” or better.

- Goal #2 stated that 100% of students will earn a grade of C or better on the 12th grade Constitution tests. Although they did not meet this goal, 100% of 12th graders passed the tests, with 86% passing on the first try.

- Goal #3, that 100% of students will pass 11th grade U.S. History, was not met. Three (3) students failed U.S. History the first semester, but no students failed the second semester.

- Goal #4 said that 100% of students will write an original essay referencing social studies to address a current issue or topic. This indicator was met with 100% of Geography and World History students writing original essays with references.

- Goal #5 hoped that 100% of eligible students would register to vote. Every eligible high school student was registered to vote, and registered for the draft.The Board heard a report from the Transportation Committee, and approved maintenance expenditures for the two Buick LeSabres and the Dodge Van. The committee also referred to the Facilities Committee information on costs to improve and maintain the bus garage in Shannon. The Facilities Committee will consider these costs along with other facility needs after the February 2nd referendum.

Moving to New Business, the Board took action to approve Superintendent Hansen as the District’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer. DiAnn Adolph was approved as a secondary FOIA Officer. These actions were necessary in order to comply with new laws effective January 1, 2010.

Continuing, the Board heard reports on plans to improve math outcomes in the district, and also a recommendation on a new K-5 math curriculum. Superintendent Hansen presented a 10-point plan for improving math outcomes. The administration and staff will:

1. implement a K-5 Math Curriculum that 1) uses a standards-based approach, 2) has problem-solving as its central focus, 3) provides graphic representations in every lesson.

2. develop daily schedules that ensure 60 minutes of math instruction per day at every level.

3. develop structures to provide at least 30 additional minutes of evidenced-based math interventions for struggling students.

4. reduce the amount of instructional time lost to activities, events, interruptions, etc.

5. disaggregate and evaluate student progress toward ACT College-Readiness Benchmarks for a minimum of 2-points of growth annually determine which groups of students are not making 2-points of growth; determine which courses are failing to produce 2-points of growth; using the EPAS objectives, re-work, improve, and raise the expectations for student learning

6. establish an assessment system in grade 6 that provides a summative (year-end) measure of each student’s progress toward college-readiness based on the ACT College-Readiness Benchmarks, and provides a formative (periodic, within each year) measure of each student’s progress.

7. conference annually with each student and his/her parents on the student’s status in relation to the ACT College-Readiness Benchmarks in Math.

8. schedule periodic (3x annually) grade level data meetings, with joint planning time.

9. schedule ongoing professional development in standards-based lesson planning and instructional methods, and joint planning.

10. Provide administrative oversight/supervision to ensure that standards-based instruction is being implemented, including data meetings, progress meetings, and unannounced walk-thrus.

A math textbook committee of teachers and administrators recommended that the District adopt and implement Math in Focus (2009 copyright) as the new curriculum for grades K-5 beginning in 2010-11. This is also known as Singapore Math, and is based on the approach adopted by the country of Singapore and used nationwide since approximately 1984.

The Singapore Math approach is a standards-based approach, as opposed to a more traditional math curriculum. This means that the focus is on developing a deeper, conceptual understanding of mathematics. In addition, a central emphasis of Singapore Math is on problem solving. This type of curricular approach is supported by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and by scholarly research. By teaching toward a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics, improved number sense and problem solving skills, Eastland will be preparing K-5 students to be more successful with higher level math: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Board action to approve the recommended curriculum is scheduled for January.

Continuing, the Board heard a first reading of policies and administrative procedures for revision. The following policies were recommended for deletion: 6:15 AP1; 6:15 AP2; 6:15 AP3; 6:15 AP4; 6:15 E2; 6:15 E3; 6:15 E4. Action to approve these policy recommendations will be scheduled for January.

The Board also took action to approve the fiscal year 2009 district financial audit completed by The Benning Group, CPA. The report showed no material weaknesses in the accounting, and reflected a Financial Recognition Status according to the Illinois School Financial Profile rating system. Eastland is projected to receive a score of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. Hansen commended bookkeeper DiAnn Adolph for the clean audit.

As a final item, Superintendent Hansen spoke briefly about the book Fertilizers, Pills, and Magnetic Strips, by Gene Glass. He recommended the book to Board members and educators as a way of better understanding the political tensions within the country, and the likely impact on education in the near and distant future.

In the Prinicpals’ Reports, Mr. Ritchie congratulated Mr. O’Keefe and the high school band and chorus students on an excellent Christmas Concert. He also recognized Seniors Olivia Barr, Greta Augsburger, Blair Bates, Francesca Huggins, and Jenna Matthew on their selection as Illinois State Scholars.

Principal Feltmeyer reported on the progress made by the Middle School Scheduling Committee to develop a schedule that provides sufficient core and supplemental instructional time for reading and mathematics. She also thanked volunteers Dr. Connie Lower and Mrs. Cathy Aram for their work helping students who are struggling with math. Finally, she thanked Ms. Brendel and the 3rd through 8th grade students for an outstanding Christmas Concert on December 15th.

The Board entered closed session to discuss personnel at 8:42 p.m. They exited closed session at 8:48, with no further action taken. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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