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School Board News Bulletin
May 2000

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Budget for schools provides $327 million funding boost

Lawmakers approve incentives for school breakfast programs

Referendum Results

Northbrook middle school earns national recognition

How boards can focus on student achievement

ISBE meeting explores standards & certification

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Bills await governor's signature

NEWS FROM IASB

IASB to strengthen board training efforts

News from IASB

Cole Award nominations sought

Resolutions invited

RESEARCH REPORTS

School planners urged to consider demographic trends

Teachers say guidelines haven't raised expectations for students

FEDERAL UPDATE

Illinois schools among top e-rate winners

TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

Board leadership developed in IASB-Motorola sessions

A $327 million increase in elementary and secondary education funding is the highlight of the fiscal year 2001 state budget adopted by lawmakers April 15. State legislators also made welcome news for public school leaders, however, by rejecting a proposal that would have provided roughly $12 million in taxpayer funding for parochial school aid.

The funds, which were to have been earmarked for "parochi-aid," were instead added to the Illinois State Board of Education budget for public schools. A total of $6 million was transferred to the textbook loan line item, and $6 million more was re-directed to the transportation reimbursement line item.

"The bottom line is that a significant and hard-fought battle has been won. Legislators heard from school superintendents, board members, principals, business officials, teachers, and yes, teachers' unions, on this matter. And the legislators, despite the pressure from their leadership, stood firm on this issue," said a spokesman for the Illinois School Management Alliance.

In elementary and secondary education budgeting, lawmakers:

* increased General State Aid (GSA) by $17.4 million in order to boost the foundation level to $4,425 per pupil;

* fully funded the GSA hold-harmless provision by providing a $17 million increase;

* fully funded categorical grants; and

* provided a large increase in funding to the school safety and education improvement block grant -- $69 million above last year's level.

Expenditures on public schools represent more than 51 percent of the state's new revenue for the coming fiscal year. Governor George Ryan campaigned in 1998 on a pledge to spend at least 51 percent of new state revenue for education each year, and this year's state budget is the second in a row to surpass that promised level of funding.

After passing the new $46 billion state budget, the General Assembly adjourned April 15, the legislature's earliest adjournment in more than a century.

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State lawmakers voted April 11 to grant final approval to legislation that creates financial incentives for Illinois school districts to launch or expand school breakfast programs. The bill, H. B. 2379, sponsored by Rep. Sonia Silva (D-Chicago), and Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst), would provide start-up grants and enhanced subsidies for districts that initiate or enlarge school breakfast programs serving their students. These additions to the program would cost roughly $1 million.

Supporters said only about half of Illinois schools offer free or reduced-price breakfasts, despite research showing that children learn better when they have eaten a nutritious breakfast. Opponents argued that the bill was unnecessary because state law already allows school districts to start breakfast programs. Some lawmakers also said they were concerned the program might soon become a mandate. The bill has been sent to the governor, who is expected to sign it into law.

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The approval rate for bond issues reached 71.6 percent in the March 21 primary, with 48 of 67 bond referendum questions winning approval from local voters. That's roughly on par with the approval rate of bond issues in most recent elections, including a 71 percent approval rate in the last election, in April 1999.

All bond questions on the ballot at the March primary were for building purposes.

Among those boasting successful building bond referendums were several of the state's neediest school districts. The winners included one district operating under state financial oversight, East St. Louis District 189, and one district currently certified by the state as being "in financial difficulty," Round Lake C.U. District 116.

Other school districts that met with success in their building bond proposals were: Bond County C.U. District 2, Greenville; Tolono C.U. District 7; Clay City C.U. District 10; Evanston-Skokie District 65; Niles District 219, Skokie; Prairie Hills District 144, Hazel Crest; Wheeling C.C. District 21; Winnetka District 36; Tuscola C.U. District 301; Elmhurst C.U. District 205; Gower Elementary District 62; Hinsdale C.C. District 181; Vandalia C.U. District 203; Colona C.U. District 190; Vienna District 55; Elgin Unit District U-46; Grant Park C.U. District 6; Beach Park C.C. District 3; Diamond Lake District 76; Grant High School District 124, Fox Lake; Lawrence County C.U. District 20, Lawrenceville; Bunker Hill C.U. District 8; and Carlinville C.U. District 1.

Also boasting success with bond referendums were: Cary C.C. District 26; Fox River Grove C.C. District 3; McLean C.U. District 5, Normal (which passed two separate bond issues); Aledo C.U. District 201; Nokomis C.U. District 22; Meridian C.U. District 223, Stillman Valley; Dunlap C.U. District 323; Pleasant Valley District 62, Peoria; Carbon Cliff-Barstow District 36; East Moline District 37; Carrier Mills-Stonefort C.U. District 2; Eldorado C.U. District 4; Belleville District 118; Whiteside District 115, Belleville; Pearl City C.U. District 200; Cobden C.U. District 17; Dongola C.U. District 66; Elwood C.C. District 203; Mokena District 159; New Lenox District 122; Plainfield C.C. District 202; and El Paso C.U. District 375.

In addition to tax and bond questions, a number of other referendum questions appeared on the March 21 ballot, including two proposed school district consolidations, only one of which passed. It was approved by voters of Richmond District 13 and Spring Grove District 11, in McHenry County. But voters in Shelby County defeated the proposed consolidation of Findlay C.U. District 2, and Shelbyville C.U. District 4. Meanwhile, voters in Chenoa District 9 defeated a plan to elect school board members at-large, rather than from the existing sub-districts.

Finally, an advisory referendum for construction of a junior high school building was rejected in Massac District 1, Metropolis, and a voter authorization referendum for construction of a new school was approved in Rockton District 140.

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Field Middle School, West Northfield District 31, Northbrook, has been designated a National Service Learning Leader School by the Corporation for National Service and the U.S. Department of Education. Six middle schools in Illinois were given the opportunity to submit applications. Field was the only public school in the state, and one of only 66 nationwide, to earn the honor. Barb Kurth, 7th grade language arts teacher and advisory coordinator, oversees the program. Paul Kimmelman is district superintendent. Robert Machak is principal. Representatives of Field will travel to Washington, D.C. in June for the awards ceremony.

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The following checklist is designed to help school board members determine how well they have focused their board activities on student achievement.

* Our school board meetings are focused on issues related to student achievement.

* Our board has led or facilitated conversations in our community that have helped set a common vision for student achievement and a clear definition of student success.

* Our board uses reliable data to make informed decisions about how to support student achievement goals and how to measure progress.

* Our board acts to bring diverse opinions to bear and create community consensus on student achievement goals.

* Our board sets benchmarks and discusses progress toward student achievement goals.

* Our board and superintendent play a leadership role in defining standards of achievement for all students.

* Our board has developed a process for maintaining accountability within the schools, the district office and the school board itself.

* Our board-superintendent team, in board meetings and in its relation to the district, models teamwork and partnership for the schools and the community.

* Our board has established mechanisms for feedback from parents, administrators, teachers and the greater community regarding student achievement goals.

* Our board works to create policies that clearly support the student achievement goals.

Source: NSBA. For more information see the Web site at http://www.nsba.com/keywork.

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At its April 19-20 meeting the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) discussed proposals to revise special education rules; the board has agreed to act on the proposed rules in May. Discussion focused on case-load issues, including proposed maximum case loads for speech-language pathologists, and limits to student-to-teacher ratios in special education.

A subsequent presentation explored the systems being built for standards implementation. Foundational criteria have been developed from the answers to two basic questions: 1) What assistance is given to teachers to help them use standards?; and 2) What do performance standards look like when they are completed?

An item for immediate action on the agenda dealt with the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE). The board voted, essentially, to endorse the concept of including national college tests and workplace skills tests in the PSAE. By its vote the board also essentially gave direction to the state superintendent to invest time and resources, as necessary, to meet existing timelines for the PSAE.

Source: Cynthia S. Woods, IASB staff.

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LEGISLATIVE ACTION

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Bills await governor's signature

The following bills of major interest to school leaders have been approved by both chambers of the General Assembly and are on their way to the governor's desk.

* H.B. 2977 (Bassi, R-Palatine) allows a school board to require that only a school employee who is a non-certificated registered professional nurse may administer medication to students at school.

* H.B. 3881 (Kosel, R-New Lenox) amends the Open Meetings Act to provide that a school board may hold a closed meeting to consider security procedures and the use of personnel and equipment to respond whenever school safety is in peril. Specifically, the bill permits closed meetings to respond to an actual, threatened, or reasonably potential danger to the safety of students, school employees, school staff or school property.

* H.B. 4266 (Ryder, R-Jerseyville) transfers all powers and duties concerning adult education from the Illinois State Board of Education to the Illinois Community College Board.

* H.B. 4439 (Hannig, D-Litchfield) provides fiscal year 2001 funding for various state capital projects, including funding for the School Construction Law.

For further information on bill text or status visit the Legislative Information Service (LIS) Web site at http://www legis.state.il.us.

Source: Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance.

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NEWS FROM IASB

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IASB to strengthen board training efforts

The Illinois Association of School Boards is seeking to fill a vacancy on its field services staff created by a change in assignments.

Angela Peifer, who handles field services for the Egyptian, Illini, Shawnee and Wabash Valley Divisions, has agreed to take on a new assignment as director of school board development. This means IASB will need to employ a field services director to assume most of Peifer's current responsibilities.

The new board development position does not increase the size of the Association staff, but will fill a vacancy that will be created with the retirement of Joan Isenberg on July 1.

The purpose of the change is to focus more direct attention on programs aimed at developing school boards and school board members. In coordinating the development of school board training programs, Angie Peifer's charge will be to capture the best thinking of the entire staff and crystallize it in a coherent training program that (a) effectively promotes excellence in school governance and (b) is attractive to the membership. In addition to regional programs, the Association will be looking at other means of conveying knowledge and insights to school boards, including television, the Internet, customized local workshops and publications.

Peifer will continue to work with IASB leadership and member districts in her four divisions until a new staff member can be employed and oriented to take on those responsibilities. The aim is to get a new person on board in July or August and allow Peifer to assume her new duties by early autumn.

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News from IASB

The 2000 Nominating Committee of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) is now seeking candidates for the offices of president, vice president, and four directors-at-large of the Association.

The following criteria are used by the committee in considering nominees: 1) leadership experience and general participation in IASB activities, 2) leadership experience on the local school board, 3) involvement with other education-related associations or organizations, 4) other leadership experiences, and 5) special talent or interests of benefit to IASB as currently constituted.

Interviews for candidates will be conducted in August. A slate of candidates will be presented to the Delegate Assembly meeting in Chicago at the 2000 Joint Annual Conference.

To request the necessary forms, interested candidates should write IASB, 2921 Baker Drive, Springfield, IL 62703; or phone 217/528-9688, ext. 1102.

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Cole Award nominations sought

If your local newspaper does a good job of covering local school board matters, you may wish to give the beat reporter some positive reinforcement. One approach is to encourage him or her to enter articles in the 2000 Robert M. Cole Awards competition.

These newspaper awards, sponsored annually by IASB and administered by the Illinois Press Association, are named for IASB's first executive director. Entries will be judged July 27 as part of the IPA's annual newspaper awards, with presentations in the fall. The deadline for entry is Friday, June 18. For more information contact the Illinois Press Association, 900 Community Drive, Springfield, IL 62703; phone 217/241-1300.

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Resolutions invited

The IASB Delegate Assembly will convene in conjunction with the 2000 Joint Annual Conference, November 17-19 in Chicago. One of the most important parts of that meeting is the consideration of resolutions submitted by member boards. A copy of the resolution submission form may be obtained by calling IASB at extension 1132. Active member school boards within the Association are invited to submit proposals for: 1) new IASB resolutions; 2) amendments to existing position statements; or 3) reaffirmation of existing position statements.

The submission deadline is Wednesday, June 21, 2000. Earlier submission, however, will allow our staff to better serve you in preparing background material for the Resolutions Committee. IASB mailed a letter inviting resolutions to board presidents and superintendents of all member districts, dated April 3, along with forms for submitting the resolutions. For more information, please contact your division representative to the Resolutions Committee (a list of these representatives also was included in the April 3 mailing) or contact the IASB Governmental Relations staff in Springfield, at extension 1132.

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RESEARCH REPORTS

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School planners urged to consider demographic trends

School officials will not face huge enrollment increases over the coming decade. But they will be challenged by an increasingly diverse school population, higher levels of mobility, and an aging population, reports demographer Harold L. Hodgkinson.

A new report, Secondary Schools in a New Millennium; Demographic Certainties, Social Realities, published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, analyzes the demographic and social trends school leaders need to consider as they plan new middle and high schools during the next few decades.

Over the next decade, the population of America's children under age 18 will increase by roughly 1.7 million, but most of this growth will be among children of middle and high school age, the report finds.

Between 1995 and 2005, the number of youths of high school age (15-17) will increase by 15 percent nationwide, those of middle school age (12-14) by 12 percent, and those of elementary school age (6-11) will increase by just 4 percent.

At the same time, the school-age population will become much more diverse. The Hispanic population will increase by 30 percent from 1995-2005 and the number of blacks by 8 percent. Meanwhile, the white population will decline by 3 percent.

While the elderly population is increasing, this trend varies greatly across the nation. In Alaska, only 5 percent of the population is over 65, in Florida it is approaching 20 percent. In 2025, the report says, "there will be 27 ‘Floridas'-states with at least 20 percent of the population over 65." According to the report, communities with larger elderly populations might have more trouble getting school bonds passed.

Contact: NAESP online at http://www.nassp.org; or phone 800/253-7746.

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Teachers say guidelines haven't raised expectations for students

According to Public Agenda's latest Reality Check study, roughly half of America's teachers report that state or school district guidelines have not led them to raise their expectations for their students. Roughly the same ratio of teachers report that their peers still pass students to the next grade level on the basis of effort, not achievement. To learn more about the survey, conducted jointly with Education Week, see the Web site at http://www.publicagenda.org.

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TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

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Board leadership developed in IASB-Motorola sessions

It is undeniably difficult to acquire the brand of dynamic, effective leadership that every school board member wishes to provide. That's why a growing number of committed board members have tackled the tough question of effective leadership at the School Board Institute, a two-day learning session offered by IASB and Motorola.

In a recent session, for example, the following five keys to improved leadership were presented:

* developing a shared vision for the future with other board members

* learning to be a good listener and to focus outward

* understanding other board members and their personality styles

* learning to think "outside the box"-beyond the usual limitations

* learning to use decision-framing and decision-making tools

The first of these items-to develop a shared vision for the future-is explored in an exercise for creating an Education Community of the Future, wherein teams discuss leadership characteristics suggested by the group's previously assigned reading. Participants then select two characteristics they believe a board member needs in order to build such a community.

Learning to be a good listener begins on the first day of this two-day leadership session. The initial exercise, in which no writing is allowed, involves having others at your table introduce you to the larger group, after each person has had an opportunity first to tell what they want others to know about them.

When everyone has been introduced, and the group has fully defined its Education Community of the Future, the trained facilitators direct the group to discuss changing paradigms. This is accompanied by videos that explain futures envisioning. Included is a video and presentation on Motorola Corporation's vision and leadership style.

The second day begins with an exercise focusing on real issues. The majority of the day is spent with presentations, exercises and discussions on a variety of decision-making and decision-framing tools. All these tools are options to help one understand leadership and find personal guidance to become a better leader in all aspects of one's life.

The day winds down with a discussion of what has been learned and how it can be applied back home. The institute ends with an evaluation of the two days and a celebration of each person's accomplishments while attending.

Jenny Carlson, board member from Salem District 111, discussed what she brought away from the institute when she attended last summer. She said she acquired four basic service concepts that she applies to her personal life, as well as to her boardsmanship.

Carlson said, "I learned true leadership versus management; it encouraged me to be visionary, and to share this with others; it taught me to focus outward rather than inward, and to think outside the box."

Session dates remaining for this year are: June 15-16, July 17-18, September 21-22, October 16-17 and November 15-16. Tuition cost is $400 per person and is a legitimate school board expense. For more information about the Institute, phone IASB, ext. 1228.

Source: Cynthia S. Woods, IASB Advocacy staff.

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FEDERAL UPDATE

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Illinois schools among top e-rate winners

Just six states captured a larger share of federal e-rate funding per school-age child than Illinois in the second year of the program. The e-rate program provides discounts of 20 to 90 percent on the purchase of educational technology services. An analysis of e-rate program funding data conducted by a consulting firm called Funds For Learning found Illinois schools and libraries obtained roughly $104 per school-age child. The top-ranked state in terms of e-rate funding was Alaska, at $172; the lowest-ranked state was North Dakota, at $37. The full breakdown of state rankings is available online at http://www.fundsforlearning.com.

Meanwhile, schools and libraries have filed a record number of applications for funding in the program's third year, with over 36,000 applications, compared to roughly 32,000 the previous year. For more information about the e-rate program, visit the Web site: http://www.sl.universalservice.org.

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IASB ARCHIVES HOME

Illinois Association of School Boards

2921 Baker Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703