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School Board News Bulletin
June, 2003

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Lawmakers adopt governor's proposed school budget

State board approves firms for NCLB supplemental services

IASB survey: School leaders expect NCLB will harm their districts

High school writing revolution needed, commission finds

IPA names new executive director

In memorium...

NEWS FROM IASB

Divisions select trio to join IASB Board of Directors

IASB announces a degree of good news on 2003-2004 dues

Open house event launches new headquarters building

WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

IASB Joint Annual Conference set for November 21-23

Nation's premiere school technology meeting set

Seminars announced on 'planned giving' for schools

LEGAL F.A.Q.

NEWS HEADLINES

Lawmakers adopt governor's proposed school budget
But plan would give $200 million more to schools than Gov. Blagojevich had requested

The Illinois General Assembly recently approved and sent to Governor Rod R. Blagojevich an education budget for FY 2004 totaling $6.56 billion in General Funds, an increase of $330 million over FY 2003. The budget for elementary and secondary education includes $200 million more than the Governor had requested.

Yet until the governor signs the appropriation bills those totals are subject to his line item veto authority, meaning school districts really cannot count on the $200 million in additional funds.

The adopted budget adds $57 million to mandated categorical grants. Specifically, it adds $31 million to the line item for Special Education Personnel Reimbursement, and $26 million to the line item for Special Education Transportation Reimbursement (both of which were added to meet the state's total commitment of funding). All other mandated categorical grant line items will continue to be funded at the 91 percent level.

The budget adopted by lawmakers also adds $43 million to the School Safety and Educational Block Grant. This would total approximately $23 more per student.

"In a year with a multi-billion dollar state deficit, public education certainly fared well in the FY '04 budget," said Ben Schwarm, IASB Director of Governmental Relations.

As for other highlights, the budget:

• maintains Governor Blagojevich's recommended increase of $250 per pupil in the foundation level, raising the per pupil foundation level to $4,810;
• increases the poverty grant calculation using the Department of Human Services index rather than the federal census figures (a change requiring a $54 million increase from the governor's proposal). For FY '04, however, the count will be based on the average low income count over the immediate preceding two years and for FY '05 and thereafter, the average over the most immediate preceding three years will be used.
• restores full funding for: Textbook Loan Program, Materials Center for the Visually Impaired, School District Consolidation, Community Residential Services Authority, and Illinois Governmental Internship Program (all of which require a total increase of $33 million over the governor's proposal);
• restores partial funding for the following items: Truant Alternative program, Regional Offices of Education (funded at $17 million rather than the $22 million necessary for full funding), and Charter Schools Program (lawmakers adopted a total increase of $37 million over governor's proposal);
• eliminates funding for the following items: Teachers Academy for Mathematics and Sciences, Mentoring and Induction, Parental Involvement (total decrease of $14 million); and transfers back to the State Board of Education funding for Phil Rock Center, Agriculture Education, and Jobs for Illinois Graduates.

The plan also puts back $450,000 for the Teach for America Program, $222,600 for Tax Equivalent Grants, and $11.5 million for Technology for Success. There also is $5.2 million in "transition funding," intended to make sure no school district receives less money in fiscal year 2004 than it received in fiscal year 2003.

Insiders say the partial funding restored for Regional Offices of Education may be vetoed by the governor, who, after all, is on record as labeling state support for ROEs as wasteful.

A district-by-district printout based on this non-final appropriation level is available on the Web site of the Illinois State Board of Education: www.isbe.net/news/2003/ProjCats_FY04_Districts_Only.pdf

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State board approves firms for NCLB supplemental services

The Illinois State Board of Education met in Springfield on Tuesday, May 13 and approved an updated list of supplemental educational service providers for services required by NCLB. The state board received 39 applications from potential providers, but only 8 were approved after staff confirmed they met all the criteria.

They include: Computer Services & Consulting, Inc., EdSolutions, Inc., HOSTS Learning, Kaplan K12 Learning Services, KidBiz3000, Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. and Whirlwind.

The board ruled, however, that state board staff need to monitor these providers closely in the next year. The state board determined, also, to make its list of supplemental service providers available to school districts and parents with eligible children on the state board Web site; see the list at: www.isbe.state.il.us/nclb/pdfs/sesprovider.pdf.

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IASB survey:
School leaders expect NCLB will harm their districts

A newly released IASB survey of Illinois school board members and district superintendents shows school leaders generally are pessimistic about the prospects for Illinois schools under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In fact, more than 57 percent of superintendents and 44 percent of Illinois school board members surveyed say NCLB will harm their school districts.

In contrast, just 25.6 percent of superintendents and 31.9 percent of board members believe NCLB will have a positive impact on their school district. Only 4.5 percent of superintendents and 8.5 percent of board members expect NCLB's impact to be "very positive."

That news is derived from a lengthy survey of school leaders conducted by IASB in 865 Illinois school districts in February 2003. Response rates were as follows: 2,008 board members responded, or about 33 percent of the 6,050 total population; and 444 district superintendents responded, or about 51 percent of the 865 total population.

Detailed results of these in-depth surveys of board members and superintendents in Illinois are available online at www.iasb.com/files/03surveys_menu.htm.

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High school writing revolution needed, commission finds

Students often finish high school without the ability to write in an advanced, engaging or precise way, said a new report released by the National Commission on Writing in America's Schools and Colleges.

Nearly 50 percent of high school juniors can't write a satisfactory paragraph about a haunted house, largely because writing has been neglected in school reform.

For a copy of the writing report, visit the Web site at: www.writingcommission.org.

Source: The Associated Press, April 26, 2003.

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IPA names new executive director

The Illinois Principals' Association (IPA) has selected John Dively, Principal of Carbondale High School, as their organization's new executive director. An attorney, Dively also holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations from Illinois State University. He will officially assume the IPA leadership post on July 1, 2004, when Dave Turner retires.

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In memorium...

IASB received late word on June 17 from Johnsburg C.U. District 12 that IASB Director John Heidler had passed away. He had represented the Kishwaukee Division on the IASB Board of Directors since 1994 and had served as a member of the Johnsburg Board of Education since 1975. Friends will remember that he was a very bright, soft-spoken man whose contributions will be greatly missed in his community and in the Kishwaukee Division.

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NEWS FROM IASB

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Divisions select trio to join IASB Board of Directors

There will be three new faces at the table the next time the IASB Board of Directors meets, namely Steven Hawk, Blackhawk Division; Sara Brown, Egyptian Division; and Helen McClelland, South Cook Division. In addition, Michelle Skinlo will remain on the board as director of the Illini Division rather than departing as an at-large director, a position that no longer exists.

Steven Hawk is board vice president from Erie C.U. Dist. 1; while Sara Brown is board secretary from Carmi-White County C.U. Dist. 5; Helen McClelland is a board member from Country Club Hills Dist. 160; and Michelle Skinlo is board secretary from Mattoon C.U. Dist. 2.

The April school board elections produced a turnover of nearly 50 percent. But turnover was less common among the 12 IASB directors whose local school board terms were due to expire in April 2003. Seven of those 12 directors were reelected, three lost races for reelection and two chose not to run.

Retirees from the board this year will include IASB Treasurer Mary Walsh, a member of the Rosemont ESD 78 since 1983, and a member of the IASB board since 1991 (retiring at the end of this year); and former South Cook Division Director Patricia Stroube, of Steger Dist. 194, who joined her local board in 1979, joining IASB's board in 1997. Also retiring from board service is IASB Immediate Past President Dennis McConville, who joined the board in 1992, and whose local board service ended in 2001.

The board must also bid farewell to two individuals who had occupied the now expired position of director at- large, namely: Mark Metzger, Indian Prairie C.U. Dist. 204; and Frances Roll, Cary C.C. Dist 26. A recent change in Association bylaws called for phasing out the post.

The 24 incumbents on the board of directors at present include: President Christy Coleman, Geneseo C.U. Dist. 228; Vice President Ray Zimmerman, Flanagan C.U. Dist. 4; Treasurer Mary Walsh, Rosemont Elementary Dist. 78; Roger Edgecombe, Warrensburg-Latham C.U. Dist. 11; Joe Alesandrini, Pekin CHSD 303; Cheryl Jackson, Bloomington Dist. 87; Marie Slater, Wheaton Warrenville C.U. Dist. 200; Kent Kistler, Brownstown C.U. Dist. 201; John Heidler, Johnsburg C.U. Dist. 12; Thomas Hannigan, Mundelein CHSD 120; Barbara Somogyi, Elk Grove CCSD 59; Lowell Beggs, Amboy CUSD 272; Roger Pfister, Carbondale ESD 95; Wesley Stellhorn, Red Bud C.U. Dist. 132; Brian Waitkus, LaSalle ESD 122; Debora McCleary, Coal City CUSD 1; David Barton, Pikeland C.U. Dist 10; Fred Clatfelter, Hutsonville C.U. Dist. 1; Donna Cech, River Forest Dist. 90; Gerald White, Colchester CUSD 180; Michelle Skinlo, Mattoon C.U. Dist. 2; Tariq Butt, Chicago Dist. 299 Representative; David Henebry, Service Associates Representative; and Ronald Szabo, Trustees Council Representative.

IASB's 21 divisions select their own division officers - including IASB directors - by whatever method they choose. Several divisions have their own written bylaws covering this matter, and some require election of the director at specific division meetings, which explains why some IASB board vacancies weren't filled in time to be listed in the May Newsbulletin.

The IASB Board will meet next on August 22-24, at Eagle Ridge, Galena.

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IASB announces a degree of good news on 2003-2004 dues

IASB recently notified school district leaders the IASB Board has decided not to collect calculated dues increases for districts that have experienced an increase in operating expenses. This action to head off some 2003-2004 dues increases was taken in light of the severe financial conditions facing Illinois school districts.

Thus, dues for fiscal year 2004 membership in IASB will be the same as last year unless the calculated rate is lower, and then districts will pay the lower dues figure. This action on dues will apply for this year only because the IASB Board's intent has been to permit minimal yearly increases rather than to permit a larger increase every few years.

IASB's Board of Directors has not increased the association's dues rate structure (dues formula) in over 18 years. A school district's dues only increase if its enrollment increases beyond the district's current categorical range or if the district's operating expense increases. For the past 18 years all dues increases have been limited to a range of $85 to $300 per district.

If an enrollment decline drops a district into a lower range or the district's operating expense declines, so does its annual dues. Each year approximately 30 districts get a dues decrease.

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Open house event launches new headquarters building

On June 10 officers and staff of IASB showcased the association's new headquarters at 2921Baker Drive in Springfield, welcoming back many close friends. In attendance were numerous dignitaries, including IASB Past Presidents G. Howard "Bud" Thompson (1976-77), Elizabeth "Betty" M. Cleaver (1980-81), Wayne L. Sampson (1986-87 and Executive Director 1989-2000); Stanton E. Morgan (1994-95), Jay B. Tovian (1996-98), E. Jerald "Jerry" Eiffert (1999-00).

Cleaver, the first woman president of the association, told IASB staff members she would not trade her time in statewide school leadership for anything. "Second to my marriage, being Association president was the greatest thing that ever happened to me," she said. Cleaver showed just how much she still cares about IASB by taking a taxi from Peoria to attend the event.

Bud Thompson, currently the mayor of Prophetstown, said he treasured his experience in school leadership, adding "what could be more important than school board work?"

Sampson said he missed all of the people at IASB, and noted that his health has improved since he retired as the executive director: "it's a fact that 90 percent of division dinners feature fried chicken."

Staff members commemorated the event by distributing a special publication at the open house - supported by ads from the association's many well-wishers - which briefly looked at the entire 90-year history of IASB. Included were concise timelines reflecting the development of the association and its new 20,600-square-foot building, the first office specifically constructed for IASB.

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WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

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IASB Joint Annual Conference set for November 21-23

Plans are well under way for the nation's largest state education conference, November 21-23, 2003 in Chicago. More than 5,000 school board members and administrators take part each year in the event, the Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association of School Business Officials.

Conference registration and housing information was mailed to individual districts and affiliate members of IASB on June 9. It also may be obtained by calling 217/528-9688, extension 1134.

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Nation's premiere school technology meeting set

For 16 years the National School Boards Association's original Technology + Learning Conference - known as T+L - has helped school leaders write technology plans, understand connectivity, and get excited about new possibilities. Now NSBA says it's time to focus on the ultimate goal: increasing student achievement.

NSBA's 2003 education technology event, "T+L2," will be held October 22-24 in Anaheim, California. "T+L2 gives you tools and strategies to best use the technology woven through the fabric of today's schools. New programming focuses on best practices and proven solutions for teaching and learning, assessment, and achievement," according to event sponsors.

T+L2 still will include world-class speakers, plus the latest technology in more than 350 exhibits of products and services. Attendees can also choose from dozens of workshops and roundtables, organized into strands to help focus on issues of relevance to school leaders. Plus an Education Excellence Fair will exhibit what's working today, and a Facilities Design Display will showcase the schools of tomorrow.

For more information, visit NSBA's Web site for the event at: www.nsba.org/t+l/.

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Seminars announced on 'planned giving' for schools

If your school foundation wants to explore planned giving possibilities with major donors, a great place to start would be the seminars of the Central Illinois Planned Giving Council. Upcoming programs include two seminars in Bloomington on August 5 and 6, with sessions ranging from the basics to the advanced. Public school foundation representatives are welcome to register and attend.

For information about the August programs in Bloomington, a brochure is available online at http://gift-estate.com/ashton2.pdf.

To be kept informed of future programs of the Council, send your email address to Vaughn Henry at VWHenry@aol.com. You can visit Henry's Web site at http://gift-estate.com/crt.html.

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LEGAL F.A.Q.

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How well do you know Illinois school laws?

Q: Are fraternities, sororities or secret organizations permitted in public schools?

A: A school board must suspend or expel any pupil who is a member or who becomes or promises to become a member, or who becomes pledged to become a member or who solicits any other person to promise to join or be pledged to become a member of any public school fraternity or sorority or secret society.

105 ILCS 5/31-3 et seq.

Q: What are the criminal penalties for using threats to recruit students into street gangs [or other organizations or associations]?

A: A person who expressly or implicitly threatens to do bodily harm or does bodily harm to an individual or to that individual's family or uses any other criminally unlawful means to solicit or cause any person to join, or deter any person from leaving any organization or association, regardless of the nature of such organization or association, is guilty of a Class 3 felony. The matter becomes a Class 2 felony when a person older than 18 years threatens a person younger than 18 years. A person convicted of violation of this statute cannot be sentenced to probation, conditional discharge or periodic imprisonment.

720 ILCS, 5/12-6.1 et seq.

Source: Illinois School Law Survey, Seventh Edition, by Brian A. Braun, IASB, March 2002, Chapter 12, questions 170 and 180; for more information contact the IASB publications department at 217/528-9688, ext. 1108.

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The Northfield Township High School District 225 board is seeking to head off any future hazing incidents such as the videotaped donnybrook on May 4 that horrified Northbrook and the nation. The board voted June 9 to approve the formation of a task force to study teen-related issues such as bullying, drinking and parental responsibilities. The panel would study whether new policies or programs are needed (June 10, Chicago Tribune) ... The Texas Supreme Court has revived a challenge to a law requiring more affluent school districts to share their wealth with poorer ones. By an 8-1 vote May 29 the court overruled two lower courts, giving a partial victory to four property-rich districts. The law, called Robin Hood by opponents, has survived numerous court challenges since it was adopted in 1993 (May 30, The Associated Press) ... Are fourth-grade kids living with a smoker more likely to skip school because of a respiratory illness than kids from a smokeless household? The answer is yes, according to a new study. Having two or more smokers at home boosts the odds that kids will call in sick, according to a report in the May 15th issue of the

American Journal of Epidemiology (May 22, The Associated Press) ... A school business official who helped turn around finances for Danville Unit District 118 has been chosen CEO for Round Lake area schools. The Round Lake Area Unit District 116 finance authority hired Dennis Stonewall on May 14 as the district's chief executive officer. Stonewall will take his new post July 1. Chicago public schools are the only other public schools in Illinois to be run by a CEO. In the new position, Stonewall will function much like a typical school superintendent, but will report to the finance authority rather than the local school board (May 19, Arlington Daily Herald) ...

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IASB ARCHIVES HOME

Illinois Association of School Boards

2921 Baker Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703