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School Board News Bulletin
January, 2005

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ARTICLES

IASB delegates push school funding overhaul

School construction funding stalls in fall veto session

State repairs report card data

Schools make 'AYP'

Boards, candidates face '05 election deadlines

72nd Joint Annual Conference: continued success

2005 Conference speakers announced

IASB mails position statements booklet to member districts

IASB launches online learning center

Grant managers encouraging 'zero waste'

No agreement reached on early retirement option extension bill

Attorney urges school boards to investigate, challenge tax appeals

Winkel sponsors new reform plan

ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Conference rules clamp down on fan misconduct

Voters avert drastic cuts in Huntley D-158

After two strikes in 2004 one already begun in 2005

FEDERAL UPDATE

Bush picks nominee for Secretary of Education

Federal Relations Network charts lobbying conference

LETTER TO THE EDTITOR

Writer demands school funding overhaul

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NEWS FROM ISBE

Administrative cuts will reduce budget

Dunn recommends retaining ACT with state tests

IASB delegates push school funding overhaul

Board members also seek tax reform and foundation level of $1,000 per child

A group of 334 Illinois school board members voted on Saturday, November 20, to support a plan that calls for $1.8 billion in new revenue to increase the foundation level for school funding by more than $1,000 per child. The plan also calls for $2.4 billion in relief for property taxpayers and various other state tax reforms.

Specifically, board members agreed to back the general concepts identified in a legislative outline regarding H.B. 750 prepared by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability in June 2004. Funding reform is clearly needed because "eighty percent of Illinois school districts are in deficit spending mode," said Jolynn Patterson, a member of the Morris District 54 Board of Education. "This is a ‘bring the bottom school districts up’ funding plan, not a ‘bring the top districts down’ plan," she added.

The plan was approved in the Delegate Assembly of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) during the Association’s 72nd joint annual conference, held in conjunction with the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), and Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO).

Local school board delegates also voted to adopt new resolutions directing IASB to:

• Establish a four-year time limit on tax caps starting from the time they are approved by voters.
• Promote a study of aligning local, state and federal regulations, mandates and funding for bilingual education.
• Support legislation to give college credit to Illinois public high school graduates who pass advance placement exams.

In other Delegate Assembly voting, school board representatives reaffirmed an existing resolution directing IASB to urge state leaders to implement the constitutional requirement that the state take primary responsibility for financing public schools. The resolution urges schools to push for legislation requiring the state to pay most of the cost of funding educational reform. The plan also asks lawmakers to adjust the state aid formula to offset increased inflationary costs.

The delegates also voted to amend an existing IASB position statement on the use of "impact fees" collected from homebuilders and residential developers as soon as new homes are occupied. Specifically, the position was amended to allow cash payments of impact fees to be used for school operational expenses, a recognition that school expenses rise immediately in response to enrollment increases.

One other position statement, amended with a minor update in wording, calls for IASB to support legislation exempting public schools from all taxation, arguing that, "taxing taxed dollars is unconstitutional," while noting, "schools are funded with taxed dollars."

School board leaders at the conference also chose IASB officers for the coming year:

• President: Raymond Zimmerman
• Vice President: Marie Slater
• Treasurer: Thomas Hannigan

In other conference action, school law experts met on November 19 in the 18th annual Illinois Council of School Attorneys to share presentations on hot topics in school law. One presenter suggested that school districts that stand to lose revenue because of any large, unexplained property tax refund should investigate the circumstances of the refund carefully. For more information, see "Attorney urges school boards to investigate, challenge tax appeals," on page 7.

Excellent board president snags Burroughs Award

Another key feature of the conference was the Saturday presentation of awards for significant achievements in school leadership. Jane Wojtkiewicz, this year’s recipient of the Thomas Lay Burroughs Outstanding School Board President Award, credited her district’s success to the high level of trust shared among the board, the administration and the staff at East Maine School District 63 in Des Plaines.

That high level of trust gives added strength to her board, and "no one needs to tell you how important it is to have a strong board team," Wojtkiewicz said as she accepted her award from Randy Dunn, interim state superintendent of education.

A board member at East Maine SD 63 for 13 years, Wojtkiewicz’s nomination cited increased achievement levels all across the PreK-8 districts’ seven buildings and a referendum campaign in November that showed "remarkable courage" at bringing people together.

The Outstanding School Board President Award is presented annually in honor of Collinsville native Thomas Lay Burroughs, the ISBE chairman who died in 1991.

‘Can-do’ Karanovich corners Superintendent honors

Also at the closing session, the Illinois Association of School Administrators named Frances B. Karanovich of Macomb Community Unit School District 185 as Superintendent of the Year. The 33-year veteran of education, now in her fourth year as superintendent in Macomb, earned the award with an amazing level of energy and a seemingly limitless "can-do" attitude.

"I would hope all of us in our lives have the opportunity to be affirmed in what we do," Karanovich said.

For more information about the conference, visit the IASB Web site at www.iasb.com.

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School construction funding stalls in fall veto session

School construction funds stalled in the state legislature in the two-week veto session in November. Major legislative issues like a capital projects bill, and expanded gaming were held over until next year. Because no capital projects legislation moved, school construction funding was also delayed.

The legislature, however, will convene on January 10 and 11 to wrap up the business of the 93rd General Assembly. If discussions continue between the four legislative leaders through December, some action could be taken on these two days on these pressing issues.

There is a chance that enough funding would be made available to at least "clear the list" of those school districts waiting for funding that have already been promised by the state. These 24 school districts have already received notice of their entitlement (nearly two years ago), have passed a referendum, and in many cases, have already issued bonds for the building projects.

"The total cost to cover these districts is just over $150 million," said Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance lobbyist Ben Schwarm. "The state would have to expend about $12 million out of the General Revenue Fund (GRF) to cover the costs of state bonding for this purpose," he added.

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State repairs report card data

Working together with local districts, the new ISBE has corrected nearly all of the errors in this year’s School Report Cards, which were distributed to districts on Nov. 16. The new State Board’s leaders say they avoided the problems that plagued last year’s report cards, which caused more than 400 Illinois schools to be incorrectly identified as not making adequate yearly progress (AYP). ISBE staff worked with local districts to correct the data errors impacting more than 1,900 schools.

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Schools make ‘AYP’

A total of 2,715 schools—more than two thirds of the 3,801 public schools in Illinois—met the state’s high standards for compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act last year.

Twelve percent more Illinois schools made "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) in 2003 than the previous year. Specifically, 133 more schools and 110 more districts made AYP. That total comes from the 2004 Illinois State Report Card, which was released on Dec. 15.

"It’s very positive. It’s better results than last year," said ISBE spokeswoman Becky Watts. But on the downside, 28.5 percent of public schools fell short of the AYP guidelines, as determined by the state’s standardized tests.

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Boards, candidates face ‘05 election deadlines

Note: For more detailed information, including duties of the board secretary, visit the IASB Web site at www.iasb.com/election07/electioncalendar.htm .

Duties of the school board

Monday, January 31, 2005 — Last day for the school board to adopt a resolution putting public policy questions on the ballot for the April 5 election. Resolution must provide wording for ballot proposition.

Tuesday, April 26 — Last day for the school board to meet, canvass the precinct returns, declare winners and transmit certificates of results of school board election and any referendum to the election authority.

Also — Board of education is required to immediately transmit a signed copy of its abstract of votes to the election authority with a copy to the State Board of Elections.

Tuesday, May 3 — Last day for the school board to reorganize by seating new members, electing officers and setting a time and place for regular meetings.

Important dates for candidates

Monday, January 17 or Tuesday, January 18, 2005 — First day that candidates for the April 5, 2005 school board election may file nominating papers with board secretary, depending upon whether the school office is open on Monday or closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., birthday.

Tuesday, January 25 — Last day to file nominating petitions with the board secretary.

Also — Last day for candidate to file receipt for Statement of Economic Interests to accompany nominating papers.

NOTE: As a practical matter, the Statement of Economic Interests for 2005 must be filed between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25 for any incumbent board member seeking re-election as well as for any new candidate.

Thursday, February 24 — Last day for organizations to register pollwatchers with the election authority.

Tuesday, March 22 — Last day for election authority to have pollwatchers’ credentials available for distribution.

Tuesday, March 29 — Last day to file a declaration of intent to run for the school board as a write-in candidate at the April 5 election. Within five days after the board of education proclaims winners, a successful write-in candidate must file a statement of candidacy and a county clerk’s receipt for the Statement of Economic Interests.

Friday, April 1 — Last day for the election authority to have ballots printed and available for inspection by candidates and their agents for the April 5 election.

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72nd Joint Annual Conference: continued success

Representatives from 730 Illinois public school districts attended this year’s Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials, held Nov. 19-21, 2004, in Chicago.

A total of 10,688 members, guests and exhibitors registered for the "Triple-I" Conference, as it is commonly known, making it one of the largest state school association conferences in the nation.

There were 3,412 board members, 24 IASB directors, 647 superintendents and 900 other school administrators, plus 4,036 guests, and 1,570 exhibitors registered for this year’s Conference.

A wide variety of subjects and activities were presented for those who attended the three General Sessions, five Chicago school tours, seven pre-conference workshops, 126 panels, and 280 exhibit booths of services and vendors.

Panel sessions included topics in governance/leadership, finance and funding, community relations, facilities/transportation/technology, No Child Left Behind, current issues, school law, government relations, best practices, and numerous topics for newer board members. The three-day Conference drew 9,068 people to panel events, for an average attendance of 65.

Governance is hot

The hot topic in 2004 was governance and leadership, with 26 different panels showcasing myriad subjects related to it. Three of those panels – Board’s Key to Attaining a Positive Culture, Board-Savvy Superintendent, and What Every Board Member Needs to Know – drew 509 of the 1,423 guests.

School law was an equally popular topic, with 12 panels drawing a combined 1,415 visitors. The three largest panels – Legal Updates for Schools, Fundamentals of Collective Bargaining and Contract Management, and Understanding Options for NCLB Corrective Action, collectively welcomed 580 guests.

A staple of Conference panels is school finance. Two of this year’s 17 panels – Curing the Skyrocketing Health Care Costs and Why Can’t They Understand – combined to attract 288 of the 1,170 people attending finance and funding panels.

Two of the seven governmental relations panels drew the largest attendance of the entire Conference. School Funding Reform Solution and Legislative Issues Impacting Schools reported attendance of 400 and 475, respectively.

NCLB remains big

The 2004 Conference also offered eight panels on No Child Left Behind, nine panels on facilities/transportation/technology, 11 panels for newer board members, 13 panels on current issues, 14 panels on community relations, and 14 panels on best practices.

More than 500 Conference-goers arrived early to attend Friday’s pre-conference workshops. IASB staff conducted five of the 5-hour workshops on school board leadership, board presidency, detecting and communicating a vision, accountability and monitoring, and the role of school boards in a democracy. Two other workshops featured consultants who specialize in ethics practice and collective bargaining.

Secretary’s seminar is new

A new event in 2004 was the board secretary’s seminar. This all-day event on Saturday pre-registered 150 people, comprised largely of district employees, including many superintendents’ secretaries. Organizers said the workshop was created to assist many new board secretaries with their increasing workload and responsibilities.

In addition, the Conference hosted IASB’s annual Delegate Assembly, where representatives from 330 districts voted on 13 new resolutions to sharpen the voice of public education before the state legislature. They also amended or reaffirmed three existing positions.

Board representatives re-elected IASB officers: president Ray Zimmerman, Flanagan CUSD 4; vice president Marie Slater, Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200; and treasurer Thomas Hannigan, Mundelein CHSD 120.

Among the Conference guest speakers were George McShan, president of the National School Boards Association, and Donald Kussmaul, president of the American Association of School Administrators.

Returning for the second year was an IASB hospitality suite, where Association benefits and services were explained and demonstrated, including a new Association service, il.schoolboard.net. A total of 184 visitors logged on to the program and many participated in an online survey. The IASB room also hosted new members of the Illinois State Board of Education and State Superintendent Randy Dunn, who were introduced to visitors.

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2005 Conference speakers announced

Next year’s Annual Conference will be held Nov. 18-20, 2005, in Chicago. Featured speakers are expected to include:

• Eric Wahl, 1st General Session, a professional artist, is founder of The Wahl Group, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations identify breakthrough thinking to achieve extraordinary results. Erik’s blend of warmth, humor and experience helps audiences identify their unchallenged roadblocks to success.

• Jennifer James, 2nd General Session speaker, is a specialist in the cultural elements of technological change and marketing intelligence. Her unique background (history, psychology and anthropology) has led her to work extensively with boards and high-level executive groups on strategic planning and international problem solving.

• Vicki Sanderson, 3rd General Session, is an inspirational speaker, entertainer and humorist, and the co-author of the book Life Would Be Easier If It Weren’t For Other People. A classroom teacher for 12 years, her presentations have inspired audiences to work better together, take risks, build stronger relationships and take a closer look at themselves.

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IASB mails position statements booklet to member districts

Among the recent mailings from IASB was the 2005 IASB Constitution and Position Statements booklet. But what is it, and what does it mean?

Both the IASB Constitution and the position statements are products of the IASB Delegate Assembly (for details on action at this year’s Delegate Assembly, see top story on p. 1). IASB operates within the framework of its Constitution, and lobbies on behalf of its position statements, which reflect the beliefs, aspirations and aims of IASB and its member school boards.

Position statements are those resolutions adopted by the IASB Delegate Assembly, which provide major policies for the Association and establish an official stance on legislation and related matters of public policy. The Delegate Assembly, consisting of one voting representative from each member school board, meets each year in Chicago on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Thus, in summary, the full text of all new position statements established at the Delegate Assembly in November 2004 are presented in this year’s Constitution and Position Statements booklet.

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IASB launches online learning center

IASB is opening its Online Learning Center in January. The center has been designed to help school board members acquire knowledge that can be taught without face-to-face interaction.

Self-paced online courses also will aid board members who do not have large blocs of time necessary for attending regional workshops. Most of the core material that IASB considers essential for effective boardsmanship, however, depends heavily on personal interaction and will not be offered online.

The courses offered through the Online Learning Center will complement those made available at regional and statewide School Board LeaderShop events. Most of these courses will be "electives," consisting mainly of factual information, that are not offered in face-to-face settings.

Participants will earn both LeaderShop and Master Board Member credit for each online course they complete, depending on the course and its time requirements.

Courses that will be offered, beginning in January, include:

• Robert’s Rules of Order for School Boards
• School District Labor Relations: What Illinois Law Requires
• Constructive Superintendent Evaluations
• Lighthouse Learning: the Board’s Role in Increasing Student Achievement

To learn more about these four courses, and how you can take advantage of 24/7 availability to meet your professional development needs, visit www.iasb.com/onlearn05.pdf.

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Grant managers encouraging ‘zero waste’

Under the governor’s Safe and Healthy Schools Initiative, the state has expanded "recycling and waste reduction grants" to encourage schools to become waste-free, where virtually all waste generated is reduced, reused or recycled.

Schools may apply now for up to $10,000 in grant funds to purchase containers and equipment to collect and store recycled material at schools. Funds may also be used to reduce waste generation and implement composting projects.

Grants will be awarded based on the proposed plan to attain Zero Waste and on the cost-effective use of funds. Applications are being accepted through February 17, 2005. The grant application form can be obtained from the program’s Web site at http://www.illinoisrecycles.com or by calling 800/252-8955.

For more information contact Bina Fleck, Communications and Education Division, Bureau of Energy and Recycling, e-mail: bina_fleck@commerce.state.il.us or phone: 217/524-1838.

To be eligible, each participant school must conduct a waste audit before and after implementing the project.

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No agreement reached on early retirement option extension bill

The extension of the Teachers Early Retirement Option (ERO) in the pension code appears doomed. Without legislation to extend the expiration date, the program will sunset on June 30, 2005.

House Speaker Michael Madigan has stated that the ERO will not be extended unless changes are made to the program that removes all state unfunded liability to the Teachers’ Retirement System. Nearly $800 million would have to be contributed by school districts and district employees over the next five years to cover the cost.

Contribution increase proposals:

• limit sick leave counting toward pension eligibility
• increase contributions from employees (now 7%), employers (now 20%)
• end ERO contribution waiver for employees with 34 years of service
• reduce top salary increases for TRS members (now capped at 20%)
• allow ERO provision to expire.

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Attorney urges school boards to investigate, challenge tax appeals

School districts that stand to lose revenue because of a large, unexplained property tax refund should investigate the circumstances carefully, one school attorney says. District representatives should begin by filing requests under the Freedom of Information Act to the county board of review seeking documents relating to the assessment appeal, but they should also seek explanations from the county assessor’s legal department.

"The state’s attorney’s office also needs to be contacted for explanations about such refunds," according to attorney Ares G. Dalianis, who spoke during a pre-conference seminar on school law.

Dalianis appeared at the 18th annual school law seminar, held Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The event is sponsored by the Illinois Council of School Attorneys, which is affiliated with IASB and the National School Boards Association. The event gave school attorneys a chance to discuss vital legal issues facing their school clients, including harassment claims, student residency challenges, and special education concerns.

Dalianis, of Franczek Sullivan, P.C., told assembled school attorneys that both the law department of the state’s attorney’s office and the county assessor’s office were helpful in getting a Cook County tax appeal reversed. As a result of his challenge to a successful property tax appeal, the lion’s share of a questionable $1.7 million tax refund was ordered to be repaid to local schools and other taxing districts. The order concerned an Oak Park hospital’s successful property tax appeal for an under-occupied medical office building.

Another seminar discussion dealt with preparing a law case to challenge a student’s residency. Attorney James G. Wargo, of Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Ltd., said a school district’s residency investigator is commonly a key witness in student residency cases. Wargo also said photos are extremely helpful.

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Winkel sponsors new reform plan

Illinois Sen. Rick Winkel (R-Champaign) recently introduced legislation to increase funding for schools. His plan, introduced as a proposed amendment, would increase the individual income tax rate from 3 percent to 4.75 percent and raise the corporate income tax rate from 4.8 percent to 7.6 percent.

"About 85 percent of our school districts are in deficit spending," Winkel said. "We’ve been talking about how we need to change education funding for 30 or 40 years. And my message to my colleagues is that it is either time to put up or shut up."

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ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICTS

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Conference rules clamp down on fan misconduct

Principals from the 11 high schools in the Fox Valley Conference — which includes schools in Kane, Lake and McHenry counties — recently discussed a new code of conduct aimed at preventing poor sportsmanship by students attending sporting events.

The common-sense code includes rules against taunting opposing players or teams, causing trouble in the visiting team’s fan section and using certain disparaging chants. The code should make it easier for school officials to enforce the rules

Source: Daily Herald, Nov. 2, 2004.

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Voters avert drastic cuts in Huntley D-158

When voters in fast-growing Huntley Dist. 158 recently approved a tax-rate increase of 55 cents, they headed off deep cuts and enabled the district to open four new schools.

Although residents in District 158 have now approved four tax referendums in recent years, the November referendum was the first to raise cash for operating costs.

Source: Northwest Herald, Nov. 3, 2004.

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After two strikes in 2004 one already begun in 2005

Teachers went on strike on Jan. 10 in Minooka Dist. 211. Only two districts encountered strikes in 2004. Those districts are Channahon District 17: Notice Filed on Sept. 9, 2004; Strike began Oct. 4; Settled on Oct. 5; and Harlem District 122, Loves Park: Notice Filed on Aug. 12, 2004; Strike began Aug. 24; Settled on Sept. 2.

Source: Illinois Association of School Administrators, figures current as of Jan. 12.

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FEDERAL UPDATE

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Bush picks nominee for Secretary of Education

President George W. Bush announced the nomination on Nov. 17 of NCLB proponent Margaret Spellings to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Spellings has been the president’s chief domestic policy advisor since 2001. She is a former associate director of the Texas Association of School Boards.

"Margaret Spellings and I are determined to extend the high standards and accountability measures of the No Child Left Behind Act to all of America’s public high schools," the president said.

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Federal Relations Network charts lobbying conference

A delegation of IASB school board members and Association staff will join hundreds of others from across the nation to lobby federal officials in Washington, D.C. from Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2005. The event marks the 32nd Annual Federal Relations Network (FRN) legislative conference.

Sponsored by NSBA, the FRN conference will focus on:

• Increasing the federal investment in education to help improve student achievement.
• Securing changes to the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Addressing new and pending legislation that directly impacts America’s public schoolchildren.

Participants — who will include IASB President Ray Zimmerman, Vice President Marie Slater, and Past President Christy Coleman — will spend a full day meeting with their senators and representatives on Feb. 1. They will present NSBA’s legislative agenda for 2005 — and use their influence as constituents to shape the federal education agenda.

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LETTER TO THE EDTITOR

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Writer demands school funding overhaul

A letter to the editor, excerpted below, was sent to the IASB Newsbulletin, and various newspapers around the state.

Going into ... a new legislative year, it is vital to know that Illinois’ funding of education is broken. It is broken by definition, by default, and by design …[which is currently resulting in] a $1.8 billion gap in adequacy.

Currently, the only solution that addresses the definition, the default and the design, is HB 750. It is systemic, sustainable and rational. It provides a measure of adequacy and relief for every single community and school district in the state. In ensures continuation of local control and puts the State’s responsibility for education funding in writing. It is written in such a way that it is guaranteed (no more lottery shell games) and it is enforceable.

We need to challenge our legislators to take all of the grown-ups’ agendas off the table, and instead, take care of the children’s priorities … It is time to put action to words and fix the school funding system in Illinois.

Ursula M. Ahern, Chair
Lake County Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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January 17 – Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday

January 31 – NSBA Federal Relations Network, Washington, D.C.

January 31 – Three Rivers Division Winter Dinner Meeting, 6 p.m., Renaissance Center, Joliet

February 3 – Targeting Student Learning: Focusing on the Real Work of Boards, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Touch of Nature, Carbondale

February 5 – South Cook Division Legislative Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Matteson Holiday Inn

February 5 – Lake County Division Legislative Breakfast, 9:00 a.m., Grayslake CCSD 46

February 7 – Targeting Student Learning: Focusing on the Real Work of Boards, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, Decatur

February 9 – Ash Wednesday

February 10 - Targeting Student Learning: Focusing on the Real Work of Boards, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., NIU, Naperville

February 10 – Starved Rock Winter Dinner Meeting, 6 p.m., Celebrations 150, Utica

February 11-12 – IASB Leadership Conference, Hyatt Regency, Chicago

February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday

February 15 - Targeting Student Learning: Focusing on the Real Work of Boards, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, Tinley Park

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NEWS FROM ISBE

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Administrative cuts will reduce budget

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently announced completion of the first phase of its plans to streamline ISBE agency operations. The plan will cut costs by an estimated $2.6 million in FY 2005 and $3.8 million in FY 2006. Interim State Superintendent Randy Dunn presented the plan to the nine-member State Board of Education at its monthly meeting on Nov. 18.

"We had to find ways to streamline the agency and get more money going directly to schools. It’s the right thing to do," Dunn said.

The cost savings began with the new leadership’s appointment. The new team’s executive management salaries are lower than the previous team, projected to save at least $100,000 annually. Dunn also found a way to significantly reduce the agency’s lease costs by downsizing and relocating executive offices. Potential lease savings could exceed $300,000 annually. In addition, he called for eliminating two high-level posts.

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Dunn recommends retaining ACT with state tests

Interim State Superintendent of Schools Randy Dunn recommended to the Illinois State Board of Education on December 20 that the state retain a college entrance exam as part of the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE).

"It gives all students in Illinois access to a free college entrance exam, which for many kids is the only way they’ll be able to take one," Dunn said.

In 2003, two years after incorporating the ACT exam into the PSAE, the number of graduating seniors taking the ACT in Illinois jumped by 51 percent.

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