Board Meeting Highlights from March 4th

Staff and Administration from Westbrook School presented their School Improvement Plan. I would like to acknowledge Westbrook Staff members Heidi Jorgenson, Lara Vickers, Jean Imburgia, Kathy Winters, Jan Zemaitis, and Principal Jan Ewing for their fine presentation.

The Board of Education discussed Student Fees, Waivers, the use of a Collection Service to collect unpaid registration fees, and Residency Investigation to ensure that all students attending District 57 schools live in our attendance boundary area or are paying tuition.

The Superintendent provided a brief report on the District Strategic Planning Committee meeting that was held Friday morning, February 26th at Westbrook School. Participants on the Committee included Parents, Community Members, Teachers, Educational Support Staff, and Administration. They were presented an overview of the current strategic plan with an update of proposed changes to the action plans for 2010- 2011. Small group discussion addressed perceived needs and provided suggestions in Curriculum and Programs, Climate and Communication, and Facilities. The group also provided input into a revised District Mission Statement.

The Board of Education took action to approve revision and adoption for a number of District Policies. See March 4, 2010 Board meeting Agenda for a list of specific policies. The Board of Education took action to approve the 2010-2011 Staffing Plan. The Board approved the Plan with a 7-0 vote. With minimal adjustments, the Plan is the same as I presented to each Building Staff last month. The overall Plan is relatively stable to the current year’s Plan but does have some non-certified staffing reduction. The District’s Staffing Plan comprises approximately 80% of the District’s overall budget. In these difficult economic times, the Board of Education is working diligently to find ways to support a high level of instruction and programming for our students and still be fiscally responsible.

I want to thank the Staff for your patience these past few weeks as we worked to finalize the 2010-2011 Staffing Plan. Until the Board of Education was able to take action last night and approve the Plan, the staffing process was on a temporary hold. Now that the Plan has been approved, individual conversations with staff will be taking place immediately to finalize positions for 2010-2011. Building Principals and/or I will be meeting with certified and support staff starting today to clarify those positions that have been somewhat unknown. Again, thank you for your patience.

The Board of Education approved a series of Construction Bids for capital improvement projects to be completed during Summer 2010.