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Member district resolutions cover wide range of vital school concerns
IASB will submit 23 resolutions, the topics of which were listed in last month’s issue, for consideration by delegates to the 2012 IASB Delegate Assembly. Some are proposals previously submitted; however, several new proposals relate directly to the declining state education budget and its effect on districts.
The delegate assembly will meet Nov. 17 at the Joint Annual Conference to vote on resolutions that, if passed, will be adopted as official position statements.
The resolutions committee, chaired by IASB Vice President Karen Fisher, was scheduled to meet Aug. 3 in Oak Brook to review the proposals. The committee plans to take testimony from the submitting districts, deliberate on each proposal, and then make recommendations to adopt or not adopt each measure.
The resolutions include:
Criminal History Records Expansion , Be it resolved that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek to have 105 ILCS 5/10-21.9 Criminal History Records Information expanded to include the following:
Each member of any board of education, within 30 days of election or appointment to that board, shall undergo a criminal history background investigation for the purpose of ensuring that the member is not disqualified from membership due to a conviction of certain crime or offense. A member of a board of education shall submit to the school district his or her, name, address and fingerprints taken in accordance with procedures established by the district. School district is hereby authorized to exchange fingerprint data with and receive criminal history records information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of State Police for use in making the determinations required by this act. A member shall furnish his or her written consent to such a check as a condition of holding the office of school board member. South Cook Division; submitted by Orland SD 135, Orland Park.
P.E. Exemption for Show Choir, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall attempt to have legislation passed that would amend 105 ILCS 5/27-6 of the School Code of Illinois to grant an exemption for students, grades 9-12, enrolled in an ongoing Show Choir program for credit. Abe Lincoln Division, submitted by Ball-Chatham CUSD 5
Revenue Sources for Pension Funding, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards lobby the legislature of the State of Illinois to allow for expanded and/or additional revenue including potential TIF reform sources to cover any cost shifting responsibilities to individual school districts regarding the pension benefits of teachers within the Teachers’ Retirement System. Blackhawk Division, submitted by Sherrard Unit SD 200
Pension Reform Constitutionality, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support only pension reform measures that are clearly constitutional under the Illinois State Constitution as presently written. Blackhawk Division, submitted by Sherrard Unit SD 200
State Authorized Charter School Funding, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall urge adoption of legislation which would revise the method of funding State-authorized charter schools so as to limit the withholding of state funds from host school districts to reflect the percentage of state funding to the district in the prior fiscal year and to ensure state provision of the entire balance of per capita funding entitlement to the charter school. Lake Division, submitted by Woodland CCSD 50, Gurnee (Co-sponsors: Rich THSD 227, Olympia Fields; Freemont SD 79; Thornton THSD 205, South Holland; Glenwood SD 167; Bremen HSD 228, Midlothian; Hazel Crest SD 152.5; Grayslake HSD 127; and Oaklawn- Hometown SD 123.)
Attorney General Monitoring, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall in their role of representing their member school boards establish and enact procedures to monitor monthly the official website of the Office of the State Attorney General and notify monthly in writing member Illinois School Districts of all binding orders. Further to establish procedures for receipt and notification of all binding orders received by the member Illinois school districts and sent to IASB for dissemination to its members. Lake Division, submitted by Woodland CCSD 50, Gurnee
Consolidation into Unit Districts, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek and support legislation to promote the consolidation of all Illinois’ school districts into unit districts. Lake Division; submitted by Barrington CUSD 220
Third Party Contracting, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall strongly oppose legislation or rulemaking that regulates and restricts the ability of school boards to contract with third-parties for the provision of non-instructional services. The Illinois Association of School Boards shall seek to repeal or amend the provisions of the School Code which unreasonably restrict the ability of school boards to enter into contracts with third-parties for the provision of non-instruction services.Two Rivers Division; submitted by Quincy SD 172
Cyber Bullying Definition, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall develop and implement legislation to include in the definition of “bullying,” acts of cyber bullying, including verbal, physical or visual bullying. Further, school boards are encouraged to consider cyber bullying as gross misconduct which may be punishable by progressive discipline determined at the local school level (i.e. detention, in-school/out-of-school suspension and/or expulsion) as per the Illinois School Code. Central Illinois Valley Division; submitted by Dunlap CUSD 323, Peoria
Two Year State Budget Cycle, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation requiring the Illinois General Assembly to determine the state budget, including the amount of funding for educational entitlements and General State Aid, on a rolling two year basis. West Cook Division; submitted by Oak Park SD 97
Align State Budgeting with School Timelines, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation to better align the state’s adoption of school funding commitments and the deadlines for school districts to lay off staff and adopt budgets. West Cook Division; submitted by Oak Park SD 97
State Adopt Budget before School Deadlines, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation prohibiting any decrease in school funding commitments in the state budget from the prior year’s level unless the state budget is adopted prior to the deadline for school districts to set their budgets and make staffing decisions. West Cook Division; submitted by Oak Park SD 97
Policy on Bullying, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall advocate for legislation that requires all Illinois public school districts’ “Policy on Bullying” to include a bullying definition, which includes “cyber-bullying”, and includes to whom a student or a parent should report an incident of bullying, how the district would respond to such a report, how the incident would be investigated and on what basis disciplinary action would be taken if the incident report is determined to be valid. It may also include the interventions that can be taken to address bullying, and is based on the engagement of a range of school stakeholders, including students and families and is consistent with the school district’s current board policies. DuPage Division, submitted by Indian Prairie SD 204, Naperville
Time Off Allowed for Required Training, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards believes that the work of locally elected, volunteer school board members should be valued and that employers should be encouraged to allow employees to utilize vacation days or days off with pay to attend mandated school board member training and professional development opportunities offered by the Illinois Association of School Boards or other approved training providers. Wabash Valley Division; submitted by Jasper County CUSD 1.
GSA & Transportation Funding Guarantee, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall suggest an alternate way to balance the budget other than the reduction of General State Aid and Transportation reimbursement. The percent of the budget represented by General State Aid should be used to pro-rate the deductions made in any unrestricted grants-in-aid or restricted grants-in-aid.Northwest Division, submitted by Orangeville CUSD 203
PTELL, No Penalty for Under Levy, BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation that allows school districts to levy an amount less than the PTELL formula would allow without penalty in future years. This would require that when a district “under” levies, that the full allowable extension amount be tracked and made accessible for future years. South Cook Division; submitted by Homer CCSD 33C, Homer Glen
Reaffirmation of Position Statements 2.38, 2.53, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04, 5.07, 5.08, 5.12 and 6.01 ,The Illinois Association of School Boards shall reaffirm the following Position Statements 2.38-School Finance Reform; 2.53-Non-Public School Funding; 3.03-Limited Bill Introductions; 3.04-General Assembly Rules; 3.05 Effective Date & State Board Rules and Regulations; 5.02-Teacher Salaries (Length of Contract); 5.03-Collective Bargaining; 5.04-Unemployment Compensation (Substitute Teachers); 5.07-Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act; 5.08-Workers’ Compensation Law; 5.12-School Employee Strikes; and 6.01-Local Control. Corn Belt Division, submitted by Woodland CUSD 5, Streator
Reaffirmation of Position Statement 5.05 Prevailing Wage Act, The Illinois Association of School Boards shall reaffirm Position Statement 5.05-Prevailing Wage Act. Kishwaukee Division; submitted by Cary CCSD 26
Reaffirmation of Tenure Repeal Position Statement 5.11, The Illinois Association of School Boards shall reaffirm Position Statement 5.11-Tenure Repeal. Kishwaukee Division; submitted by Cary CCSD 26
Reaffirmation of Position Statement 5.12 School Employee Strikes, The Illinois Association of School Boards shall reaffirm Position Statement 5.12-School District Strikes. Kishwaukee Division; submitted by Cary CCSD 26
Homeless Student Transportation, The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation conforming Illinois law with federal law, specifically related to 105 ILCS 45 and the requirement for school districts to transport homeless students beyond district boundaries. Kishwaukee Division; submitted by Aurora West USD 129
Transportation - Sharing Vehicles, The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support an amendment to Section 12-806a of the Illinois Vehicle Code in accordance with the attached proposal, so as to allow the use of school buses in conjunction with the supplemental transportation needs of a government entity, a not-for-profit organization, or a private school institution. Kishwaukee Division; submitted by Aurora West USD 129
State-Authorized Charter School Funding, The Illinois Association of School Boards shall support legislation for funding state-authorized charter schools. [This resolution is identical to the one listed above on Charter Schools Funding, which was submitted by WoodlandCCSD 50, Gurnee. Nine districts agreed to seek the resolution, and two districts independently submitted it to IASB.] South Cook Division; submitted by Rich THSD 227, Olympia Fields (Co-Sponsors: Woodland CCSD 50, Gurnee; Freemont SD 79; Thornton THSD 205, South Holland; Glenwood SD 167; Bremen HSD 228, Midlothian; Hazel Crest SD 152.5; Grayslake HSD 127; and Oaklawn- Hometown SD 123.)
“The resolutions we’ve received cover many topics of great interest to school board members. Many arise from school funding concerns and the financial difficulties schools are facing in these tough times,” said Ben Schwarm, IASB’s deputy executive director, who heads the Association’s advocacy and governmental relations department.
Schwarm said IASB’s yearly Report to the Membership publication for 2012 will provide fuller detail about the resolutions, including the rationale behind each. The report is expected to be printed by late August and the target mailing date is Sep. 1.
Districts’ response to Classrooms First ideas largely favorable so far
Reaction from school leaders has generally been positive to the final recommendations of the Classrooms First Commission, led by Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon. The 23 recommendations were published by the panel, officially known as School District Realignment and Consolidation Commission, in a final state report on June 28. Simon has said she will work with state lawmakers in the coming months to introduce several legislative recommendations outlined in the commission’s final report, “A Guide to P-20 Efficiency and Opportunity.”
The Commission’s proposals aim to streamline school district operations and spur district consolidation, with the goal of redirecting $1 billion to classrooms from administration spending, Simon announced.
Among the top priorities listed by the bipartisan advisory panel is the need to replace the state’s consolidation incentive system. The commission recommends sun-setting current incentives in 2017 and replacing them with a system that is both affordable to the state and responsive to needs of merging districts.
The commission was created a year ago by Governor Pat Quinn and General Assembly after a failed attempt to cut the state’s 868 school districts by half. The commission, in fact, found it would cost well over $3 billion under Illinois’ current consolidation incentive structure to facilitate that.
The commission called for the existing incentives to sunset in five years and a commission to develop a new system based on a predictable, affordable formula or factors such as the square footage of a new district.
“We want Illinois to lead the nation in education performance, not bureaucracy,” Simon said. “Taking a ‘cookie cutter’ approach to efficiency ignores fiscal and educational realities. This report recommends several well-reasoned steps to spend smarter and expand opportunity.”
Simon said that while new incentives are being developed, lawmakers should implement several Classrooms First recommendations that promote consolidation in regions where it will produce cost savings and increase educational opportunity.
The first step is for Gov. Quinn to sign Senate Bill 3252. The bill allows new “unit” or P-12 districts to gradually reduce their tax rate over four years following a consolidation. The maximum tax rate for a unit district is below the combined rate for separate elementary districts that feed into a high school district, so the legislation aims to give a district time to adjust to the lower tax rate, while providing residents with property tax relief.
The second step is to make legislative changes next session to reduce barriers to consolidation and cut red tape, the report cited. This would allow districts to merge with other neighbors when contiguous districts reject consolidation; expand the authority of regional board of school trustees to dissolve districts; and authorize districts to delay the effective date of a consolidation while waiting for construction funding.
“These recommendations eliminate bureaucratic burdens that keep districts from consolidating even when it makes sense,” said Simon. “Removing these roadblocks will allow districts to focus on the merits and potential benefits of consolidation.”
“Forcing districts to merge is not realistic, but providing them the resources and tools to consolidate on a voluntary or virtual basis is well within reach,” agreed state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, (D-Aurora), and a member of the commission.
Within two years, the commission wants to see legislation authorizing the state to conduct feasibility and efficiency studies for districts in counties with small and declining school-age populations, which could lead them to consolidate. At that time, the state should also pilot a consolidation construction program that prioritizes funding for merging districts.
Beyond voluntary consolidation, the commission also recommended several legislative changes that would make it easier for districts to share staff and services. One proposal would create a revolving fund to provide short-term, low-interest loans to seed cooperative service agreements or conduct efficiency studies. The loans would be repaid with the money gained through resulting streamlining. Another would permit districts to outsource non-instructional services if they were provided on a multi-district basis.
“Shared services offer school districts the opportunity to provide more diverse curriculum options and expand educational opportunity, while streamlining delivery and saving money,” said Jason Leahy, executive director of the Illinois Principals Association and another member of the Classrooms First Commission.
A third shared services proposal would authorize the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to provide a web-based resource management program to districts so they can identify potential savings in five major spending areas: instruction, transportation, food services, administration, and facility maintenance. A pilot program of a similar service in Ohio resulted in at least a 5 percent operational savings at participating districts.
The Classrooms First report is the result of an 11-month, three-stage process that gave commission members the chance to review research and Illinois data, create working groups to draft recommendations and collect public input from hundreds of administrators, teachers, parents, and taxpayers from across Illinois.
“When this commission was formed it was a political football, and it has been wrested away from that,” said member Brent Clark, executive director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators. “We put this in a place where it could be talked about and not kicked around politically.”
Educators agree careful fact-finding was a strength of the panel’s work.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” said Paul Swanstrom, who represented the High School District Organization of Illinois on the commission. “The Lt. Governor asked us to be open-minded and in so doing I think we have all learned things. One of the key elements of the success of this commission is we heard from people across the state about what they are doing, and the members of the commission were able to use this information in their deliberations.”
Simon has said she will soon begin meeting with stakeholders to move legislative recommendations. To read the commission’s final report visit www.ltgov.illinois.gov.
Gov. Quinn calls session on pensions for Aug. 17, warns push may take time
Gov. Pat Quinn announced July 30 that solving Illinois’ costly pension concerns is vital. Calling a special session for Aug. 17, he warned lawmakers not to go anywhere in August. State legislators cannot “drift through the summer and do nothing about it,” he said.
The House was already set to return, but the Senate had planned to send its regrets, according to legislative leaders. Speaker Michael Madigan scheduled House lawmakers to convene Aug. 17 in Springfield to vote on expelling indicted State Rep. Derrick Smith. The House’s planned return led to speculation that lawmakers could deal with pension reform that day, too.
But Senate President John Cullerton originally said he had no plans to convene the Senate, his spokesman told the Associated Press. The governor does, however, have the power to call a special session, which he used on July 30.
Illinois has $85 billion in unfunded liability in its pension systems. That total continues to grow, but attempts at reforming the pension system thus far have not been successful.
Legislative leaders last met in June to seek a compromise about who should pay retirement costs for downstate and suburban schools. But their discussions became mired in concerns about school funding equality. The state’s top leaders said a compromise would require yet more time.
Lawmakers in June said they needed another five weeks to study school-funding equality.
Pensions cost Illinoisans $12.6 million a day, Quinn has said. He called for fast action and has urged leaders to come to an agreement this summer, well ahead of the November election and before the veto session begins in late November.
According to an Associated Press report dated July 19, Republican leaders say making districts pay retirement costs is a separate issue. They would rather first pass a pension reform plan that appears to have wide support. But Quinn and House Speaker Michael Madigan both want a comprehensive deal that would include schools.
Superintendents polled on NCLB evaluation plans
As the state reworks it waiver application for the No Child Left Behind Act officials are seeking clarification and additional information. One of the items they are seeking more information on is when local districts intend to begin using student growth as a component of local evaluation systems. Superintendents are being asked to take a few moments to visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7MKNRV3 to complete a simple survey to share this information.
School leaders get creative finance ideas to save money now
Not all of the Classrooms First Commission’s creative financing ideas require legislative action. For example, Lt. Gov. Simon, who led the commission, has suggested school district leaders should become familiar with the budgets of nearby school districts in order to look for ways to boost use of shared services agreements.
The following commission recommendations, taken directly from the panel’s final report, represent some of the ideas school leaders might choose to act upon themselves or adapt in creative ways to save money for school districts while maintaining or improving school functioning:
Recommendation 15, Accelerated P-12 Learning Options:
This would create new learning options based on standards attainment and allow for accelerated graduation options. It would also move away from current requirements based on seat time and completed course credits and move toward a system that would allow eligible students to follow individualized learning plans, proceed more effectively through the learning process, and potentially graduate earlier.
Rationale :
Education should maximize the potential of every student. While many students struggle to meet grade-level standards in school and need more time and resources, other students outpace their same-age peers and need more rigorous, challenging curriculum and opportunities for acceleration. A “one size fits all” curriculum delivery model is outdated for students who will compete globally in the 21st century.
The National Governors Association published an Issue Brief recommending that governors enact new policies that build more flexibility for students to earn academic credit when mastery occurs and allocate funding based on student mastery of content rather than the current system of seat time/attendance.
Thirty-six states, including Illinois, already provide districts with some flexibility in meeting state seat-time requirements. For example, Illinois allows students to earn credits through the Illinois Virtual School and through allowing physical education credit for athletic team participation after school. Expanded options for students should include early graduation, dual credit, independent study, and distance learning opportunities.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) cites performance-based learning as one of six attributes of “next-generation learning.” The state of Florida has already enacted legislation to create accelerated learning options and related support systems.
Illinois has incorporated the Common Core Standards into the Illinois Learning Standards; this step sets the stage for creating new competency-based learning models. A national discussion on the policies needed for personalized learning has begun through CCSSO, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning ( iNACOL), the Gates Foundation, and others.
Accelerated learning opportunities will allow students to progress more effectively to standards attainment. Documenting standards attainment will support more targeted post-secondary planning than will documenting seat time and credits. More students will acquire post-secondary credentials at an earlier age.
Alignment with Other Past Recommendations :
This recommendation aligns with SB 3244 (97th General Assembly), which directs ISBE to develop mathematics curriculum models aligned to Common Core Standards. The recommendation also aligns to the Response to Intervention Initiative. [More information on Response to Intervention can be found at http://www.isbe.state.il.us/rti_plan/default.htm
Responsible Parties :
The Illinois General Assembly and ISBE for legislative and policy modifications (see below), higher education institutions for providing advanced credit opportunities and flexible admissions policies, district commitments to individualized student learning plans and related instructional delivery, professional development for implementation.
Legislation, Rules, Policy Changes Required :
Legislative changes to establish accelerated learning opportunities and “stackable” K-12 credentials (e.g., modifying seat time requirements to allow for demonstrations of mastery through a variety of learning experiences); changes to middle/high school course credit system; higher education admissions policies that allow credits earned through demonstrations of mastery; access to dual credit and other accelerated learning opportunities for all eligible students.
Estimated Cost or Savings for Implementation and Funding Source :
Investment required in infrastructure (e.g., technology) as well as educator training. Once customized learning becomes a “normal business practice,” costs should go down. It is worth noting that anytime programs individualize something rather than standardize it, costs will go up, at least initially, the commission said. Funds could potentially be redirected from a variety of state and federal grant sources currently supporting traditional delivery methods.
Recommendation 17, P-20 Learning Pathways:
This wouldsupport implementation and statewide scale-up of the Illinois Pathways Initiative, offering students access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programs of Study through STEM Learning Exchanges. It would also foster local programs through public/private partnerships, including both the academic and business communities.
Rationale:
Illinois needs to create new opportunities for students to accelerate learning and explore career options. It is critical that students are given ways to transfer seamlessly from their elementary and secondary education to college and careers. The new Illinois Pathways Initiative and its STEM learning exchanges bring together the State of Illinois’ education and economic development agencies, local business and sector leaders to support programs that empower students to explore their academic and career interests. More information on the Illinois Pathways Initiative can be found at http://www.illinoisworknet.com/vos_portal/STEM/en/Home/, and more information on the Pathways to Results can be found at http://occrl.illinois.edu/projects/pathways.
Illinois Pathways supports the increase of credential attainment aligned to the state’s economic development objectives. P-20 STEM Programs of Study provide an opportunity for education institutions to align their program pathways and diverse delivery network to promote greater efficiencies in curriculum delivery, career guidance, and support services.
Alignment with Other Past Recommendations :
This recommendation aligns with the recommendations of the Streamlining Illinois’ Educational Delivery Systems Task Force and P.A. 97-357, which requires shared service participation and reporting. It also aligns with recommendations of the Illinois P-20 Council. More information on the Illinois P-20 Council can be found at http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/P20/Pages/default.aspx.
Responsible parties :
Illinois Pathways Interagency Committee (DCEO, IDES, ISBE, ICCB, IBHE and ISAC); participating Race to the Top districts; Education for Employment offices; Regional Offices of Education/Intermediate Service Centers; community colleges and four-year institutions; industry associations and employers; labor organizations; Office of the Governor; Illinois General Assembly; Illinois P-20 Council.
Legislation, Rules, Policy Changes Required :
State matches for private sector support; align existing programs and policies to support Illinois Pathways, including the use of Title 1, School Improvement Grants, Perkins and Workforce Investment Act funds. Promote credit transfer among schools and institutions.
Estimated Cost or Savings for Implementation and Funding Source :
P-20 STEM Programs of Study are funded by federal Round 3 Race to the Top funds. State Perkins reimbursements and incentive funds should be targeted to support the scale-up and sustainability of program offerings. P-20 STEM Programs of Study will achieve cost-savings through the sharing of curriculum resources and assessments as well as through greater utilization of regional assets.
Recommendation 18, P-20 Technology Infrastructure:
This would develop the means to provide broadband connectivity, wireless access, and computing hardware for all schools, educators, and students. It would also coordinate with statewide broadband projects, national FCC and e-Rate projects, and regional consortia.
Rationale :
Districts are beginning to collaborate on technology services and infrastructure, a trend that must accelerate so that all districts and students can reap the benefits afforded by access. The Classrooms First Commission has collected many examples of shared learning environments and technology collaboratives in Illinois and elsewhere. Educational delivery of the future depends on Illinois investing today in the necessary connectivity and content to provide globally competitive educational resources. Leaving districts to their individual devices and resources will create a system of “haves” and “have nots” that will hamper the state’s attainment of its educational and economic goals. This effort will parallel similar information technology advancements elsewhere, both state and federal … [It] will provide students access to high quality content/instructors any time, any place; extended learning day, week and year; ability to share virtual infrastructure from cloud computing and other virtual resources; cost reduction and improved managing of licenses and resources, including both free and proprietary content.
Responsible Parties :
ISBE; regional delivery systems such as Regional Offices of Education, Intermediate Service Centers, and Learning Technology Centers; school districts, cooperatives, special education, career and technical education providers, IlliniCloud, Illinois Broadband Initiatives, universities and community colleges, community libraries, the legislature & other educational and operational government agencies; DCEO and regional workforce entities; professional organizations.
Legislation, Rules, Policy Changes Required :
Removal, revision and/or creation of shared/cooperative policy agreements, business and service level agreements, infrastructure and statement of understandings for legally/financially sharing services, staff, etc. will be necessary.
Estimated Cost or Savings for Implementation and Funding Source :
Estimated cost-savings for shared IT services alone ranges from 30-70%. Potential funding sources include reallocation of existing funds, e-Rate and other grant funds, foundation funding, or state-managed personal investment fund.
Source: School District Realignment and Consolidation Commission’s final report, “A Guide to P-20 Efficiency and Opportunity,” June 28, 2012. The entire report is available online at: www.ltgov.illinois.gov.
New laws reduce ranks of regional superintendents, add hours in school
A new law has allowed Gov. Pat Quinn the chance to reduce the number of regional school superintendents—a group of elected officials he tried to eliminate altogether last year.
Signed on June 25 by Gov. Quinn, Public Act 97-0703 reduces the number of regional superintendents from 44 to 35 and requires funding the superintendent positions in future years out of the state’s general revenue fund.
Quinn last year zeroed out funding for these state-established positions, saying they should be funded by local sources. Lawmakers eventually restored state funding through the corporate personal property replacement tax.
The signed legislation increases the number of residents in each regional superintendent’s district from 43,000 to 61,000. The state board of education has the authority, however, to reduce the number of superintendents further if necessary, according to Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.
“That population figure is vitally important. If they don’t reach that 61,000 population in each of the service regions, then the state board has the right to add to those service regions until that 61,000 population is met,” Mitchell told the Galesburg Register-Mail for an article that followed House adoption, which as dated May 29. “So the maximum number of regions you’ll have is 35. It could be less, but it won’t be more.”
The Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents supported the proposal.
In other recent legislative action, Governor Quinn also signed into law a bill that removes the provision allowing for less than five hours of instruction on the first and last day of school.
Senate Bill 2850 ( Luechtefeld, R- Okawville) was signed by Gov. Quinn on July 5 to become Public Act 97-0742. It repeals Section 18-8.05 (F )(2)(b) of the School Code, which allows the reduced instructional hours. Except as otherwise provided in Section 18-8.05 of the School Code, beginning with the 2013-14 school year calendar, for Public School Calendar and General State Aid attendance calculation purposes, days of attendance by pupils, including the first and last day of pupil attendance, shall be counted only for sessions of not less than five clock hours of school work per day. For more detailed information regarding the new public act, visit the following document online: http://www.isbe.net/funding/pdf/pa97-0742guidelines.pdf .
For more information on the text and status of legislation, visit the Illinois General Assembly’swebsite at:www.ilga.gov.
Descriptions of other bills passed this spring are contained in the 2012 edition of IASB’s Digest of Bills Passed recently by the legislature, available on the IASB website at: https://www.iasb.com/govrel/digestofbillspassed2012.pdf. This Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance publication, written by the IASB governmental relations department, contains a list of the education-related bills that were approved by the legislature this spring and that are pending before the governor. The publication was printed and was mailed June 28 to every school district by the Alliance partners.
Deadline nears for boards to pass balanced budget
The end of the first quarter of the fiscal year is fast approaching. In nearly all Illinois school districts the quarter comes to a close on Sep. 30, which is also the last day for the school board to adopt its balanced budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Although state law requires boards to adopt a balanced budget, the governing statute does not establish a penalty for adopting an unbalanced one. But an unbalanced budget does trigger a statutory requirement that the school district must adopt and file with the Illinois State Board of Education a deficit reduction plan to balance the budget within three years.
In any case, within 30 days of its adoption the board’s annual budget must be filed with the county clerk and the Illinois State Board of Education. These key budget deadlines, for adoption and filing, are contained in state law at 105 ILCS 5/17-1 and at 35 ILCS 200/18-50.
Note: IASB posts a new legal dates calendar online at the end of August each year. Staff members proof the calendar for accuracy with the Illinois State Board of Elections calendar (it is not yet online, although the 2013 Candidate’s Guide is now posted on the State Board of Elections website: http://www.elections.state.il.us/DocDisplay.aspx?Doc=Downloads/ElectionInformation/PDF/2013CanGuide.pdf ). The ISBE calendar generally is not finalized until the middle of August. Dates for August and September of 2012 can be obtained from the current calendar, online at: http://iasb.com/pdf/cal_12.pdf.
Division events feature legislative news, hot topics in governance
A wide range of topics—from school funding matters to the latest communications ideas—will be covered at division meetings this fall throughout IASB’s 21 divisions (see link to list below).
Beginning Sep. 13 in the Starved Rock Division and concluding on Oct. 30 in the Three Rivers Division, IASB’s fall division dinner meetings are a good place to catch up on school leadership developments and to share ideas and solutions with fellow school leaders and IASB leadership.
The complete schedule is available at IASB’s online Events Calendar: https://www.iasb.com/calendar/. This calendar can be searched in its entirety, or events can be found in drop-down menus by division, area, event type, subject, or keyword.
The division dinner meeting represents a chance to learn more about hot topics in school governance and administration, and legislative developments affecting public education. The fall meeting is also when IASB Master Board Members are recognized.
That program recognizes and honors board members for the time and effort they devote to self-improvement and leadership activities within their district, and participation in IASB and NSBA programs and leadership functions. More information about the Master Board Member program is available at: http://iasb.com/training/mbm.cfm.
The fall division dinner meeting is also where IASB executives, directors, and division officers will present information. Many of these dinner meetings are held at local school districts, while others are held at hotels or restaurants. Regardless of location, all are designed to allow both new and veteran board members the opportunity to meet colleagues and network on common issues and concerns.
Registration is required for the dinner meetings and can be done by phone, mail, fax or online. Links to brochures and registration will be posted on the online calendar of events as they are activated.
New superintendents invited to lunch with IASB to find how Association can help them
First-time superintendents and superintendents new to Illinois or new to their job are invited to one of four new superintendent luncheons to be held around the state. The aim is to acquaint recently hired superintendents with IASB’s Foundational Principles of Effective Governance as well as Association resources, staff and services.
Superintendents play a key role in the promotion of good governance and IASB stands ready to support that work. This is an opportunity, luncheon event organizers say, for superintendents to learn the principles of effective school governance, the importance of a quality relationship with their board, and the resources available from IASB.
The first such event was held Aug. 9 in Lombard, with additional luncheons scheduled in Mt. Vernon (Aug. 28), Springfield (Aug. 29) and East Peoria (Aug. 30). All will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and registration is free.
A brochure, and online registration, is available at www.iasb.com/calendar/calendar.cfm.
For further information, call Judy Niezgoda at 630/629-3776, ext. 1220 or email jniezgoda@iasb.com, or Jenny Harkins at 217/528-9688, ext. 1118 or email jharkins@iasb.com.
Directors to go on with work on governance plan
The IASB Board of Directors’ next quarterly meeting, Aug. 24-25 at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, is expected to include a governance work session, board review and assessments of current-year activity reports, plus monitoring reports. The meeting is to be preceded by Audit and Nominating Committees, who will meet on Aug. 24.
The agenda for this board meeting had not been set at press time.
The meeting will follow the board’s annual retreat, and will continue the board’s ongoing work on its governance plan. The board’s next meetings after the retreat will take place at the Joint Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago, on Nov. 15 and 18, respectively.
Policy staff revamps administrative procedures project to add speed, impact
IASB Policy Services staff members have recently re-designed IASB’s Administrative Procedures Project service to make it more effective and less time consuming for busy administrators. This service is designed to help district administrators provide the procedures necessary to assure implementation of and alignment with board policy.
“The service is not only ‘new and improved’ but is also more cost effective,” according to Anna Lovern, director of policy services.
How are board policies being implemented? Are administrative procedures up to date? Are the administrative procedures in alignment with board policy?
The answers to these questions are as important to school board members as they are to district administrators and staff. The board is clearly responsible for having up-to-date policies in place to guide the administration. The board is also responsible for ensuring that administrators have the resources necessary to put procedures in place to implement policy.
Draft procedures are developed using IASB’s sample base of administrative procedures and exhibits. These samples are then customized to align with language contained in the district’s custom policy manual and to address any unique policies added to the policy manual by the district that require the superintendent to develop procedures.
The cost, based on a district’s student enrollment, is now the same as for a policy manual customization, a considerable savings over the previous cost of the AP service, Lovern said. And the new service is designed to require only two editing meetings with the Policy Consultant, saving administrators valuable time, she added.
More information about the redesigned Administrative Procedures Project service is available by contacting a member of the IASB Policy Services Staff: https://www.iasb.com/policy/staff.cfm.
IEC ventures into new territory to save school districts on utilities via pooled energy purchases
The Illinois Energy Consortium, a joint energy purchasing consortium sponsored by IASB, along with IASA and Illinois ASBO, has recently marketed its services outside the state’s borders. Designed to lower utility costs for Illinois school districts and community colleges making more funds available for technology, staff development and other educational goals, the organization has recently been presenting its services at school leadership meetings in Iowa.
The IEC is governed by a board consisting of representatives from each sponsoring association including each association’s executive director. The IEC, with the assistance of Latham and Associates, an energy-consulting firm, conducted an economic feasibility study of forming an electric purchasing consortium for its members and found that members can expect significant savings by forming an energy consortium.
The IEC is one of six sponsored programs that are endorsed by the Illinois Association of School Boards. Such programs are offered to districts through pooling or trust arrangements, often governed by the school districts themselves.
For IEC information contact: Ron Steigerwald, Statewide Marketing Director, Illinois Energy Consortium, by phone at: 847/567-3051; or email: rsteigerwald@hotmail.com; or see the Illinois Energy Consortium website: www.illec.org
2012 Conference preview document on way with master schedule, panel listings
A preview booklet for the 2012 Joint Annual Conference that will be available online in September will include a master schedule of the major conference events, descriptions and time slots for 110 panel sessions, as well as descriptions of pre-conference workshops and much more.
This year’s event will be the 80th Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association of School Business Officials in Chicago.
Many of this year’s sessions are designed to help schools save money, boost revenue or monitor school finances.
For example, the session on Finance for Veteran Board Members will feature tips on monitoring the financial performance of a school district. And the panel called 10 Ways to Implement Technology on a Shoestring will focus on the use of free technology resources that session participants can put to use right away in their districts.
Other planned panels that relate to finances include:
• School Finance: Revenues for the Novice
• Considering Consolidation: Financial/Legal Factors
• Maximize Benefits, Reduce Cost in PPACA Era
• Rural Partnerships Research – Across Distance and Time
• Revenue
• What Happened to Our Interest Income?
• Learn How to Monitor Your District’s Finances in Today’s Economy
• School Finance: Expenditures for the Novice
The 2012 conference also will include pre-conference workshops, a tour of Chicago public schools, a Carousel of Panels, professional development activities for board and district secretaries, coffee and conversation sessions, three inspirational general-session speakers, annual Delegate Assembly, bookstore, and much more.
Early registration is $375 per registrant. Beginning Oct. 20, the registration fee will be $400.
Members can find both registration and housing forms and instructions online at: https://www.iasb.com/jac12/registration.cfm. These essential forms, along with deposits and/or fees, must be mailed or delivered to IASB.
In addition to the Conference Preview document, everyone attending the 2012 event will receive a copy of the official Conference Program. And by early November, IASB will post online a personal conference planner and a list of available panel handouts.
Between now and November school boards are encouraged to draft and adopt a resolution confirming their desire to attend the 2012 conference and their support for professional development for the board.
More information about this year’s conference can be found at: https://www.iasb.com/jac12/.
Bloomington (July 5, The Pantagraph) The company best known for the ACT college-entrance exam is developing a digital tool to test academic and behavioral skills starting in third grade. Adoption by Bloomington and Normal schools will depend on whether Illinois chooses the tool, which would track students’ career interests, academic performance and progress toward goals from elementary school through high school. “We’d be interested (only) if it were adopted by the state,” said Bloomington District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly. Illinois is phasing in a similar system but hasn’t announced details.
Carbondale (July 13, The Southern Illinoisan) The questions of whether teacher pensions should continue to be funded by the state or if the burden should shift to local school districts, and whether or not that shift would translate to higher property taxes, brought discussion on the issue to a grinding halt in the General Assembly last month. On July 12, education representatives, along with a government affairs director from one of Illinois’ policy think-tanks discussed the issue in Carbondale. Carbondale Community High School Superintendent Steve Murphy said the constitutionality of shifting pension costs is questionable. He said pension benefits are written into the constitution so that the governor cannot diminish benefits. The impact on local districts would vary, Murphy said, but many districts are struggling to figure out how to absorb the new $200 million cut in general state aid.
Carol Stream (July 6, The Daily Herald) By 2015, all 4,000 students who attend school in Carol Stream Elementary District 93 could have their own computer to use in the classroom. The district is rolling out its so-called “1:1 learning initiative” that will put new iPads and MacBook Airs in the hands of students and teachers to use as learning and teaching tools. Teachers will receive training on how to use the devices beginning this fall, and students in sixth grade and kindergarten will have use of the computers starting in January. Officials said the devices will allow students to take “virtual” field trips, and read e-texts with the ability to highlight and take notes. The technology also will provide teachers with real-time assessment data to evaluate student strengths and weaknesses.
Gurnee (July 3, The Daily Herald) More than $250,000 will be paid to Jeff Brierton for quitting shortly before he was scheduled to advance this month from principal to superintendent at Warren Township High School in Gurnee. Brierton, who led a campus for freshmen and sophomores, was chosen for the superintendent’s job in December 2010. He was supposed to replace Phil Sobocinski, whose retirement became effective June 30.
Logan County (July 17, The Pantagraph, Bloomington) Schools with Logan County students are benefiting from a special sales tax that took effect this year, and school officials are hoping the idea catches on with voters in other counties. A 1 percent sales tax that took effect in January is expected to generate more than $1 million a year for public schools that serve Logan County students. By law, the money can be used for renovating or constructing buildings, paying off construction debt or providing a rebate to taxpayers. The money is distributed based on each district’s enrollment of Logan County students. Revenue generated by the tax in April and soon to be distributed to the schools was $151,361.
Metamora (July 13, GateHouse News Service) At Metamora Township High School, the District 122 board approved a policy July 12 that regulates etiquette at school dances. The new policy forbids “grinding,” a dance style in which one or more partners stands behind another and rubs or bumps bodies. Only face-to-face dancing will be allowed at the four or five events Metamora sponsors each school year.
Palatine (June 14, The Daily Herald) Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has released drafts of proposed two-tiered salary schedules contained in the district’s new teachers contract. Drafts of the salary schedules paint a clearer picture of officials’ claims it will help eliminate the district’s structural deficit. There are two separate schedules based on years of experience and level of education: Tier 1 includes all current teachers, while Tier 2 applies to new hires. The most stark differences in pay come toward the middle and end of a career.
Statewide (June 1, The Washington Post) Minority babies make up a majority of all births in the United States and immigrant youths and the children of immigrants are among the lowest-performing groups in U.S. public schools. Yet they will account for virtually all growth in the workforce over the next 40 years, the Brookings Institution has estimated, based on census data. But absent an effective strategy for exposing immigrant children to English and building their literacy skills, these kids are at risk of falling behind. So, where to start? Some lessons are emerging from Illinois, where state leaders have decided to focus on the needs of English-language learners at a young age. This strategy is in touch with the state’s demographics: An estimated 21 percent of Illinois residents speak a language other than English at home. As in other states, the achievement gap is apparent by the fourth grade, at which only 7 percent of English-language learners in Illinois are reading on grade level, compared with 33 percent of their peers.
Progress on strategic plan
ISBE recently submitted a progress report to its strategic plan, as mandated by Public Act 93-1036. Since 2005, ISBE has been required to develop a five-year Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Elementary and Secondary Education in Illinois and to update it annually. The so-called progress report for 2012 can be viewed at http://www.isbe.state.il.us/reports/strategic_ plan12.pdf .
Board’s removal restrained
St. Clair County Associate Judge Stephen Rice issued a preliminary restraining order on July 1, declaring it was unconstitutional to remove an elected board, in this case the school board of East St. Louis SD 189. The board was removed June 21 by ISBE through the area’s regional superintendent. Rice declared the board had not been given due process and the School Code provision used for the removal was selectively applied to only a few of the 120 boards subject to removal. ISBE earlier announced it has named a Financial Oversight Panel (FOP) for the board it removed in North Chicago School District 187, with David Agazzi serving as the chair. The FOP, with five ISBE-appointed volunteer members, will serve District 187 for at least three years in order to help the district achieve financial stability. The members of the FOP are: David Agazzi, vice president of administrative affairs for the College of Lake County; Evelyn Alexander, retired assistant to the mayor of North Chicago after 28 years of service; Cheryl Crates, retiring chief financial officer for Community Unit School District 300, Carpentersville; Hornsby Kneeland, design engineer at Molex; Shaunese Teamer, executive director of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Recent court decisions
The latest court decisions affecting schools includes cases on the Family Medical Leave Act, discrimination in employment, disability discrimination, hostile work environments, busing, and No Child Left Behind. IASB compiles the list online at: https://www.iasb.com/law/decisions.cfm?AreaID=1.
Use of non-member fees
IASB has posted new guidance on the Supreme Court decision regarding unions’ use of non-member fees for ideological purposes. A summary is online at: http://iasb.com/law/PublSectorUnionsUseNonMemberFees6.2012.pdf.
Criminal background checks
A summary of ISBE’s guidance for criminal background checks has been posted. A link to the document is available online at: http://iasb.com/law/ISBECriminalHistoryRecordsCheck.pdf.
School Code shipped
A complimentary copy of the 2012 Illinois School Code was mailed to member districts on June 11. It carries other statutes of importance to districts and a well crafted index. The 2012 School Code is current through all 2011 legislative activity. Additional copies of the 2012 School Code Service is available from the IASB online bookstore: https://www.iasb.com/shop/details.cfm?Item_Num=ISC12.
Guide to Illinois statutes
IASB has updated the Guide to Illinois Statutes Affecting Schools which serves as a reference to those statutes that are not in the School Code but affect schools. Information about the guide and access to the PDF is available online at: http://iasb.com/law/isas.cfm.
August 24-25 — IASB Board of Directors’ Annual Retreat, Oak Brook Hills Marriot, Oak Brook
August 28 — New Superintendents’ Luncheon, Elk’s Lodge, Mt. Vernon
August 29 — New Superintendents’ Luncheon, IASB, Springfield Office
August 30 — New Superintendents’ Luncheon, Jonah’s Seafood, East Peoria
September 12 — Professional Advancement – Seeking the Superintendency, IASB, Lombard
September 13 — Starved Rock Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Ottawa ESD 141, Central Intermediate School, Ottawa
September 18 — Professional Advancement – Seeking the Superintendency, IASB, Springfield
September 19 — North Cook Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Rosewood Restaurant and Banquets, Rosemont
September 20 — Northwest Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Durand CUSD 322, Durand
September 25 — Wabash Valley Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Jasper Co. CUSD 1, Newton
September 25 — Western Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Macomb CUSD 185, Macomb
September 26 — Central Illinois Valley Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Washington CHSD 308, Washington
For more current information, see www.iasb.com/calendar/