District 100 Watchdog

Law Schools face legal suits regarding employment statistics on graduates

2012-02-01T16:11:00.001-06:00

Ed Clinton Jr. who filed the suit against John Marshall said he also plans to file similar complaints against DePaul University's law school and IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law later Wednesday.

Click on the following for more of this Chicago Tribune story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-john-marshall-grads-sue-school-over-employment-statistics,0,7639944.story

District 100 needs a new special education director?

2012-02-01T14:44:00.001-06:00

The board of education for Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 approved the hiring of Ms. Erin Pittman as the new assistant superintendent for student services at the Jan. 26 board meeting.

Ms. Pittman is currently the director of special education for Belvidere Community Unit School District 100, where she is responsible for all special education programs in the district from early childhood to transition

Click on the following for more details: http://lakezurich.patch.com/articles/new-assistant-superintendent-hired-for-district-95

District 100’s Community Cupboard

2012-01-25T22:04:00.001-06:00

The following is taken from: http://www.district100.com/District/Pages/Community-Cupboard.aspx

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Union Plus® Scholarship Program

2012-01-25T11:04:00.001-06:00

Union Plus® Scholarship Program

To apply go to: https://unionplusscholars.communityforce.com/Student/Introduction.aspx

Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $3.2 million to students of working families. Over 2,100 families have benefited from our commitment to higher education.

The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, which is sponsored by Union Privilege. Your union membership also entitles you to a family of Union Plus benefits including College Test Prep Discounts, Education Rebates, National Labor College Scholarships, AT&T Wireless Discounts, Budget Truck Rental Discounts and much more. See a full list of your Union Plus benefits here.

The Union Plus Education Foundation is funded in part by donations from HSBC Credit Card Services, Inc., the provider of the Union Plus Credit Card. (You do not need to be Union Plus Credit Card holder to apply.)

Application Deadline: A complete application must be received on or before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday January 31, 2012. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Scholarship Award Amounts: Amounts range from $500 to $4000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the fall of 2012. Students may re-apply each year.

Award Date: The Scholarship Committee will determine recipients of the scholarship by May 31, 2012. Recipients are notified by mail during the first two weeks of June 2012. Due to the volume of applications we can only notify award recipients.

Eligibility Criteria:

This is a competitive scholarship, and applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

Current and retired members of unions participating in any Union Plus program, their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations). At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2012.

Members of participating unions from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

The applicant must be accepted into a U.S. accredited college or university, community college, technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. Awards must be used for the 2012 - 2013 school year.
Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.
Scholarship applications are judged by a committee of impartial post secondary educators.

Vindication for RVC’s decision to end football?

2012-01-24T11:55:00.001-06:00

Harper, a community college in Palatine that serves 35,000 students annually, announced last week that it was closing down the football program it has run since 1971. Two schools in its conference, Joliet Junior College and Grand Rapids Community College, had just shed their squads, prompting Harper officials to rethink whether it still made sense to offer the sport. The answer they settled on was "no."

Read the rest of the article by clicking on the following: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-keilman-harper-20120124,0,350764.story

University of Illinois raises tuition by 4.8 percent

2012-01-20T08:21:00.001-06:00

CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois will raise tuition for incoming students at its three campuses next school year by 4.8 percent, a move that when combined with increases in housing and student fees will push the price of a year at the flagship campus at Urbana-Champaign to more than $24,000.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2012/01/19/university-of-illinois-raises-tuition-by-4-8-pecent/ar5jihe/

District 100’s Revised FOIA policy is a good primer on citizen’s FOIA Rights.

2012-01-17T11:39:00.001-06:00

These are a citizens’ right at all levels of government in Illinois with only minor exceptions for special units such as the courts.

The following is taken from this month’s board packet:

http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/files/8PSHQM499EE1/$file/Working%202.250%20Access%20to%20District%20Public%20Records.pdf

Top TRS Pensioners in Rockford District 205

2012-01-09T19:55:00.001-06:00

Find other Illinois pensioners by going to: http://www.webploration.com/Pensions/pension.php

Why RVC teachers cannot accept the Board’s proposal

2012-01-07T14:04:00.001-06:00

This is taken from the Rock River Times article: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/01/06/rock-valley-college-faculty-association-addresses-ongoing-contract-dispute/

It shows that the Board’s proposal will lead to a decrease in net pay for three of the next four years. Can the public expect teachers to take such a cut?

For example, a faculty member currently making $43,265 pays 3.75 percent of salary, or $1,622 for family coverage. Based on the Board’s proposal, that faculty member would see their annual take-home pay cut by over $2,200 during the four years of the contract. That number is based on the following (annualized) amounts:

Current year — Base pay of $43,265, health care contribution of $1,622, net take-home of $41,643;

First year of proposal — Base pay of $45,019, health care contribution of $4,940, net take-home of $40,079;

Second year of proposal — Base pay of $45,019, health care contribution of $5,484, net take-home of $39,535;

Third year of proposal — Base pay of $46,755, health care contribution of $7,102, net take-home of $39,653; and

Fourth year of proposal — Base pay of $48,428, health care contribution of $9,009, net take-home of $39,419.

Many faculty members see losses similar to those described above.

Current Status of McHenry County’s Vacant Regional Superintendent of Schools

2012-01-05T20:10:00.001-06:00

Click on the following for best summary of the problems: http://www.firstelectricnewspaper.com/2012/01/new-barrier-to-regional-school-chief.html

Are individuals gaming the state retirement system?

2011-12-28T11:31:00.001-06:00

The previous posts on local government pensioners (http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2011/12/local-government-pensions.html ) indicates that Belvidere School District 100’s “business managers” receive both IMFR and Teachers’ pensions.

I trust that this is completely legal but is this fair to the taxpayers? Did each of those systems use those “six figure” last years salaries in calculating their respective pensions? If so—is that double counting?

Look at the numbers.

Biesladecki, James P. $80,878 TRS 23 years

Biesladecki, James P. $29,603 IMFR 11 years

Metz, James D. $11,053 TRS 4 years

Metz, James D. $10,810 IMFR 7 years

Local Government Pensions

2011-12-28T10:55:00.001-06:00

The following are taken from Champion pension site. Some of the list are only partial list of the highest paid.

All are taken from the following: http://www.webploration.com/Pensions/PBE.php?Employer_search=belvidere&sel_id=2544&pe_op=send&PE_submit=Find+Pensions

Belvidere Community Schools IMFR

Boone County

Rock Valley College—SURS

Other “note worthies” by name only:

Family Taxpayers Foundation’s List of Highest paid educator in Illinois

2011-12-26T09:21:00.001-06:00

TOP 200 Salaries* in Illinois

*The word "salary" used here is synonymous with "compensation." According to the ISBE, the technical term for the data we post is "total creditable earnings."

Public school employees are compensated in many ways. The numbers we post are the official "total creditable earnings" that school districts report annually to the Illinois State Board of Education.

According to the ISBE, the annual salary data reported to them is the same as the "total creditable earnings" reported to the Teachers Retirement System. It includes, among other things, extra-duty pay (coaching, clubs, etc.), board-paid retirement contributions, vacation and sick day buyouts, bonuses, and other compensation that the Teachers Retirement System includes in total creditable earnings. This salary data does not include the cost of employer-paid health insurance. Individual school district contracts should be consulted for details.

Following is taken from: http://www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php

Districts for for 2010:

Russell, Lucille
$413,000

Engler, Thomas
$350,154

Dada, M Mohsin
$341,747

Fleming, Larry
$334,912

Lamberson, Jonathan
$318,324

Giannetti, Glen
$307,471

Many, Thomas
$299,600

Harper, John
$297,605

May, Loren
$292,157

Mical, Gary
$288,564

Lane, Bruce
$282,648

Rafferty, Edward
$282,121

Carmine, Joyce
$281,950

McTague, Frances
$279,670

Mansfield, Edward
$276,014

Barshinger, Jack
$274,934

Buckner, J Kamala
$274,592

Nebor, Jon
$272,412

Schoffstall, Phillip
$271,241

Hill, Gerald
$271,142

Humphrey, Steven
$270,635

Doebert, Sandra
$270,197

Swanstrom, Paul
$269,342

Fornero, George
$269,335

Yonke, Linda
$266,420

Robbins, Kathryn
$265,724

Joy, Donna
$262,431

Porto, Joseph
$262,325

Kroeze, David
$261,900

Schlomann, Donald—#30
$261,398

Vieth, Linda
$259,892

Boyd, Alex
$259,844

Rodgers, John
$259,604

Weninger, Attila
$258,991

Thomas, Timothy
$258,004

Raymond, Garry
$257,332

Renner, Sandra
$256,633

Perdue, John
$255,353

Riebock, Ann
$255,271

Wyllie, Lawrence
$252,775

Sorrick, Kenneth
$251,922

Schweers, Daniel
$251,461

Jerome, Sarah
$251,460

Wahl, Nicholas
$250,702

Pryor, Sally
$250,300

Gatta, Nanciann
$250,167

Sobocinski, Philip
$249,655

Twadell, Eric
$248,283

Blanche, James
$245,692

Behlow, David
$245,000

Schuler, David
$245,000

Meissen, Michael
$245,000

Batiste, Donaldo
$245,000

Kurr, Gregory
$245,000

Culver, Arthur
$245,000

Williams, Creg
$245,000

Rydland, James
$245,000

Milton, Walter
$245,000

Wilson, Phyllis
$245,000

Riggle, Michael
$245,000

Davis, Blondean
$245,000

Lindsay, Thomas
$244,962

Witherspoon, Eric
$244,461

Goers, Donald
$244,397

Westerhold, Jane
$242,902

Mitrovich, Mark
$242,884

Murphy, Hardy
$242,843

Torres, Jose
$242,825

Jordan, William
$242,406

Dart, Paul
$241,994

Taylor, Rick
$240,387

Gillum, Robert
$239,755

Bridges, Lela
$238,824

Lee, Calvin
$237,769

Robb, Nancy
$237,566

Lechner, Raymond
$236,621

Tivador, Edward
$236,605

Hawk, Jill
$236,539

Collins, Constance
$236,029

Baule, Steven
$236,014

Sass, Michael
$234,420

Benedetti, John
$233,353

Byrne, John
$232,871

Brendel, Jerome
$232,757

Birkett, Kathryn
$231,796

Sheffield, LaVonne
$231,788

Butts, John
$231,588

Amadio, Thomas
$231,237

Shields, William
$230,896

Dada, Yasmine
$230,610

Nielsen, Robert
$230,497

Lukich, Daniel
$230,220

Berger, Robert
$229,299

Edgecombe, Jason
$228,173

Leonard, Thomas
$227,991

Lea, Prentiss
$227,973

Ward-Epstein, Dennice
$227,914

Kalinich, Kelley
$227,214

Handcock, Darryl
$226,913

Steyskal, James
$226,260

Hewitt, Larry
$226,053

Davis, Gloria
$226,007

Armanetti, Arleen
$225,893

Michelini, Mark
$225,830

Collins-Hart, Nettie
$225,165

Hagerman, Thomas
$224,878

Longo, Margaret
$224,492

Arndt, Kenneth
$224,134

Goier, Renee
$223,413

Albus, Allen
$222,255

Finger, Catherine
$222,152

Gonzalez, Janet
$222,056

Berning, Catherine
$221,767

Swoboda, Joy
$221,393

Surber, James
$221,335

O'Donnell, Daniel
$220,751

Kendall, William
$220,187

Kilrea, Timothy
$220,046

Foderaro, Kerry
$219,872

Clark, Christine
$219,646

Bolek, Barry
$219,360

Mutchler, Kent
$218,709

Roberts, Jerome
$217,973

Millard, Beth
$217,838

Auer, Carol
$216,907

Zafiratos, Dr. Thomas
$216,780

Cooper, Laura
$216,746

Obradovich, George
$216,445

Correll, Ellen
$215,702

Paraday, Troy
$215,539

Perkins, Kim
$215,406

Wallace, Kenneth
$215,231

Krizic, Lynn
$215,231

Lupo, Robert
$214,992

Trumble, Douglas
$214,794

MacAskill, Dan
$214,619

Ware, Jody
$214,309

Martin, John
$214,289

Whittaker, Cindy
$213,922

Mattingly, William
$213,194

Krause, Ronald
$213,090

Adamic, Donna
$211,768

Sheahan, Mark
$211,717

Hackett, Judith
$211,427

Buchanan, Gregory
$210,847

Hoyda, Marion
$210,717

Riordan, Michael
$210,615

Benway, Darcy
$210,527

Ehrhardt, Philip
$210,414

Briscoe, James
$210,320

Young, Christopher
$210,020

Vincenti, Robert
$209,936

Hebson, Suzan
$209,721

Prince, John
$209,700

Shinners, Marie
$209,010

Bonner, Barbara
$208,974

Rudig, Douglas
$208,972

Majchrowicz, Joseph
$208,833

Dagley, Glenna
$208,712

Zabilka, Gary
$208,698

Claypool, David
$208,165

Dubec, Joseph
$208,030

Drury, Richard
$208,000

Borja, Janet
$207,810

Gunnell, James
$207,806

Niehaus, Gary
$207,793

Eddy, Thomas
$207,340

Di Virgilio, Robert
$206,870

Engel, Jill
$206,516

Williams, Rudolph
$206,265

Gay, James
$206,251

Zaander, Paul
$206,167

Herrmann, Mary
$205,800

Tabbert, Victoria
$205,560

Eason-Watkins, Barbara
$205,556

Hollich, Pamela
$205,463

Fredisdorf, Mark
$204,746

Schlichting, Glenn
$204,731

Taylor, Roberta
$204,499

Asplund, John
$203,887

Prosise, Roger
$203,424

Swanson, Bradley
$203,275

Wrzeski, Ellyn
$203,248

Ward, Maria
$203,076

O'Mara, Kevin
$202,814

White, Donald
$202,566

Middleton, David
$202,472

Hutton, John
$202,263

Barnhart, Brian
$202,262

Guarrine, Gregory
$202,161

Pierce, Kathleen
$201,932

Houselog, Michael
$201,928

Donegan, Catherine
$201,894

Cavallo, Jr., Louis
$201,743

Matthews, Janice
$201,301

Manville, Margaret
$200,794

Ireland, Susan
$200,736

Wernet, Patricia
$200,654

Brown, Traci
$200,653

Freeman, Robert
$200,058

District 100 foresees continued decrease in student enrollment

2011-12-21T22:06:00.001-06:00

The following is taken from the agenda item #E-3 from the December 19, 2011 Board of Education Meeting. It is available on the internet at:http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/files/8PGTQM783B28/$file/Copy%20of%20FY%2013%20Enrollment%20Projections.pdf

Click on the the photocopy to enlarge:

Wisconsin public school employee pay for the 2010-2011 school year - JSOnline

2011-12-08T23:03:00.001-06:00

How well are Wisconsin teachers paid?—Find a district or teacher’s name and find out.

Click on the following to research this data base:Wisconsin public school employee pay for the 2009-2010 school year - JSOnline

Beloit School Board nears tax-vote decision

2011-12-07T19:21:00.001-06:00

the proposed referendum is intended to improve all facilities and build two new 4-8 grade intermediate schools at the Cunningham and Morgan school sites. Under the proposed plan Burdge, McLenegan, Royce and Kolak Education Center would be retired. Administration and the charter schools would each move into one of the closed schools, leaving a net loss of two buildings which would later be sold.

The property tax increase for homeowners would be $108 annually for a home valued at $100,000. McNeal noted that the average home value in Beloit is $74,600 and said most taxpayers will likely pay less.

One part of the proposed referendum includes plans for a new pool at Beloit Memorial High School. The high school can no longer have a swim team because the pool doesn't meet code, and practices for students are inadequate. Manager of Facility Services Jeff Jacobson gave some updates on the deficiencies of the pool.

Jacobson said the perimeter pool gutter system is deteriorated and a source of water loss. Water circulation piping is undersized and deteriorated and pool mechanical and HVAC systems are undersized. The pool floor is too shallow for starting blocks - the minimum pool depth should be four feet. The locker rooms are in poor condition and do not meet ADA codes.

Click on the following for more information: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/school-board-nears-tax-vote-decision/article_e9c45bb8-20f8-11e1-8af2-001871e3ce6c.html

Beginning with the next fiscal year IMRF employees making more than $75,000 must have their wages and benefits posted on government’s website

2011-12-07T00:15:00.001-06:00

It appears that high paying grounds and building personnel at District 100 will have their wages posted next Fiscal Year.

This is taken from Boone County board minutes: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/8PAKRM52DF30/$file/salaries%20open%20meetings%20act.pdf

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Channel 17: RVC Board of Trustees Respond to Union Vote of No Confidence

2011-12-05T22:20:00.001-06:00

Rockford - The Rock Valley College faculty union announced a vote of no confidence in the school's Board of Trustees during a board meeting on Tuesday, today the board responds.
The main issue of concern centers around healthcare benefits. The school wants teachers to contribute 1-3.75% of their salary to help keep the current benefits package.
But, the teachers union rejected it.
They've been working without a contract since July.
In a statement to WTVO from the RVC Board of Trustees they said "The bottom line is that the college's health insurance plan does not have a financially viable employee cost sharing formula. [With] revenue sources... and student enrollment down... a meaningful employee premium sharing plan is needed to ensure the continued viability of the college's group healthcare program."
The teachers union say they're prepared to strike if necessary.

District 100 does refunding to hold down 2011 and 2012 bond levy

2011-12-04T21:50:00.001-06:00

On November 29 approximately $7.08 million will be borrowed for refunding of debt.

See below the interest on the new borrowing is anticipated to be 3.75%. The following figures are taken from: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/files/8NPK59/$file/Final+POS+11-9-11.pdf

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

The proceeds will be used on lessen levies for the following notes.

More exacting details should be available after the December School Board meeting.

District 100 is attempting to take the following debt structure: (from: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/files/8NPK5S/$file/Pricing+Final+2011+Nov+16.pdf)

and changing it to the following:

Basically total tax rate—education tax, misc and bond and interest—will be frozen for next year 2011 levy and following year 2012 levy.

Levy Yr Current After refunding

2011 5.25 5.00

2012 5.34 5.00

2013 5.57 5.50

2014 5.60 5.63

Journal reveals CPA Audit criticisms of District 100’s Accounting

2011-11-18T22:51:00.001-06:00

The following is taken from the November 18, 2011 Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on-line at: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2011/Boone-County-News-11-18-11.pdf#page=1

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

To read more about the CPA criticisms go to any of these three postings:

http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2011/11/interesting-items-on-district-100-cpa.html

http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/dist-100-announces-levy-and-financial.html

http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/district-100-does-not-balance-its.html

Funding in place, McHenry County moves to fill vacant regional superintendent’s office

2011-11-14T21:41:00.001-06:00

By KEVIN P. CRAVER

The one candidate who met all the qualifications wanted to keep his current education job as well to earn a salary, but backed out because the law forbids regional superintendents from holding any other employment….

McHenry County joined other governments and their lobbying groups in opposing the funding bill out of fear that the move will open the door to the cash-strapped state skimming more from shared revenues.

State Rep. Mike Tryon, R-Crystal Lake, voted for the bill, while Reps. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, Kent Gaffney, R-Lake Barrington, and Sen. Dan Duffy, R-Lake Barrington, opposed it. Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry, missed the vote because of a family emergency.

The Lake County Regional Office of Education has been helping McHenry County fulfill the office’s statutory duties.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/11/11/funding-in-place-county-moves-to-fill-vacant-regional-superintendents-office/a74a0r3/?page=2

Interesting Items on Belvidere District 100 CPA Audit—do they deserve questioning?

2011-11-08T12:03:00.001-06:00

The complete District 100 Audit is available at: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/files/8MLRXH/$file/2011+Financial+Statements+District+100.pdf

Page 82—District is still not balancing its checking account to the general ledger—This is a significant deficiency—See below statement from the Auditor’s Management Letter (page 3) defining this term.

Our consideration of internal control over financial reporting was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in the internal control over financial reporting that might be deficiencies, significant deficiencies or be material weaknesses. We did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be material weaknesses, as defined above. However, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, described in the accompanying schedule of findings and questioned costs that we consider to be significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting. Findings 11-03 has been identified as significant deficiency. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

In an October 11, 2011 memo to the Board of Education, Mr. Brown had the following comment.

If the check book did not reconcile with ledger on June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011 when did they become properly reconciled? if the financials provided the audit team by management on the above audit dates did not reconcile how do we know that the accounts are now reconciled each month? Management certainly did not supply the audit team financials that they “knew”did not reconcile to the checking account.

Mr. Brown states that amounts were “immaterial”. What is the amount? Why not provide a formal reconciliation of the difference.

See the “corrective action” shown above. 12-1-2011 is the anticipated date of the corrective action. Is this in conflict with Mr. Brown’s Memo to the Board of Education? The management reaction in 2010, see Findings 10-1 below indicated that monthly reports would be reviewed for accuracy. Why then was the June 30, 2011 financials for the auditors not accurate?

This item regarding not balancing the district’s checking account was previously posted in 2010 at: http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/district-100-does-not-balance-its.html and at: http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/dist-100-announces-levy-and-financial.html

Did the CPA firm really handle this item properly? The following is Schedule 15 where the accounting firm indicates that finding 10-1 from last year is resolved yet they list the same item as a 11-3 finding in the current audit(see above) and indicated that the item was reported in the prior year. The 10-1 finding is shown below the wording is only slight different.

2010 Audit—Finding 10-1

Page 49—District 100’s increasing debt costs for the upcoming years.

Page 45—Last year the District paid nearly a quarter of a million dollars($234,224) because some district retirees’ salary increases for the last years before retirement exceed the 6% limit. There was no such expense last year. Is a further explanation needed? Will this occur next year as well?

Cary District 26 unanimously approves 3-year contract with CEA

2011-11-02T15:31:00.001-05:00

For all teachers not in the retirement pipeline, the contract includes a three-percent pay cut in the 2011-12 school year and a pay freeze in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years…..

The new contract also changes the employee insurance program. Under the 2008-11 agreement, the board paid 100 percent of single coverage and between 20 and 40 percent of family coverage depending upon a teacher’s years of service in the district.

Under the agreement approved Tuesday, the district will pay 50 percent of single coverage and between 10 and 40 percent of family coverage.

Click on the following for the complete story: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/11/01/district-26-unanimously-approves-3-year-contract-with-cea/a7rrolz/?page=1

McHenry County School has Whopping Cough

2011-10-31T22:45:00.001-05:00

The following is taken from: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/10/28/countys-whooping-cough-cases-rise-to-at-least-31/at4hyqo/

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

McHenry County School Performance

2011-10-31T22:40:00.001-05:00

More schools fall back in No Child Left Behind

By BRETT ROWLAND - browland@shawmedia.com

'Making the Grade' - 2011 School Report Cards

CRYSTAL LAKE – More McHenry County schools are falling behind federal education standards as the state seeks a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law.

Of the 19 districts with schools in McHenry County, four made adequate yearly progress, or AYP, in 2011. That’s on par with last year. But a growing number of schools within the districts failed to meet federal benchmarks. Sixty-two of the county’s 99 schools failed to make AYP, up from 48 schools in 2010, according to data released today by the state Department of Education.

None of the county’s high school’s made AYP this year. Only eight high schools in Illinois did. Statewide, 65 percent of schools and 80 percent of districts came up short of AYP

Click on the following to read the rest of the story: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/10/26/more-schools-fall-back-in-no-child-left-behind/a66blx3/

Boone County Journal: District 100—Considers Short Term Debt Refunding

2011-10-11T11:01:00.001-05:00

The following is taken from 10-8-2011 Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across the county or available on line at:

http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2011/Boone-County-News-10-07-11.pdf#page=1

Click on individual photocopy to enlarge:

Letter to Editor of RR Star: Belvidere has become a divided city

2011-10-11T10:28:00.001-05:00

The following appears on the Opinion Page of today’s Rockford Register Star.

Should the people of Belvidere be concerned about our school system?
I think we should. Having two high schools has not only affected our extracurricular program but has divided our city. What a shame.
Remember Buc Pride? Belvidere was proud of its school and its activities. Now we have small numbers taking part in sports and music.
Will the variety of classes as well as advanced placement classes also be adversely affected?
To go to a football game and see 25 players on the varsity team and 50-60 musicians at halftime makes you wonder:
How does that affect the players competing against larger teams?
How does that affect students who would qualify for scholarships but have less exposure because the team didn’t get past the regular season?
How does that affect attendance and the income from activities?
How much more is it costing the taxpayers?
It seems there could have been a better way of solving the crowding problem at the school. Now that we’re in this situation, how about the leaders coming up with a solution that would better fit our community for all concerned

— Lois McKenna, Belvidere

Editorial on rising District 100 debt levy

2011-10-10T10:31:00.001-05:00

The following is taken from the October 7, 2011 Boone County Journal.

TRS official gives state of teacher pensions, reform

2011-10-06T23:21:00.001-05:00

By HILARY GOWINS

Although many in the audience mumbled about the phrase’s origin as a curse and not a proverb, most in Illinois would agree that for those at the helm of pensions and their reform, these are very interesting times.

It was the state of these times and the reform that has been looming but not executed that Ingram spent the majority of the evening discussing with a full auditorium of educators and other spectators that traveled from near and far to Husmann Elementary School in Crystal Lake.

By the latest numbers from 2010, TRS has 378,288 members, 171,000 of whom are active teachers.

The average pension is $46,452, although that number is slightly lower for the McHenry County area, which Ingram said averages pensions of $39,075.

In fiscal year 2012, $4.5 billion will be paid in benefits.

The two biggest numbers on the agenda, however, were $81 billion – total pension liability – and $44 billion – unfunded pension liability.

“We don’t want anyone to confuse the mortgage with the mortgage payment,” Ingram said. “You can’t go to the bank and pay off the mortgage, but you can make your payment every month.”

Ingram used this comparison to say that although the debt is high, the sky isn’t yet falling.

“TRS has carried an unfunded liability since 1953,” he added.

Click on the following for the rest of this article: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/10/05/trs-official-gives-state-of-teacher-pensions-reform/a7szi5f/

RVC student complains of college policy regulating student postings and handbills

2011-10-04T23:16:00.001-05:00

District 100 levy rates to rise because of increasing debt service demands

2011-10-04T00:37:00.001-05:00

Below is a chart prepared by William Blair for a presentation concerning a possible restructuring a portion of District 100 debt so as to hold down tax levies for the near future. The area in yellow is the projected levies for the present and near future.

Bond and Interest will double from 2007 levy .61 to 2015’s 1.20. Because there also is an increase of the operating tax levy and actual decreases in assessed Value, total levy is skyrocketing.

I prepared the following chart to clarify what district taxpayers are facing. In levy year 2010 and 2011 (Taxes paid in 2011 and 2012) the levy rates are up double digits—see figures in red. Even if your individual property declines by an amount approximately equal to the decline is EAV, nearly a 5% annual increase in taxes will occur in 2010 & 2011. (2010—12.8% change in tax rate minus 7.78% decrease in value equals 5.02% increase and 2011—14.2% change in tax rate minus 9.58% decrease in value equals 4.68% increase). And if 2012 and 2013 have flat increases in EAV growth as the William Blair assumptions-- approximately 3% increase in total levy will occur for each of these years. Even greater residential property tax increases might occur because the biggest property devaluation are occurring with commercial property.

The back end financing of Belvidere North High School is coming due. Will the Board of Education devise a plan to alleviate some of the pain in this the Great Recession? Some of the proposals which William Blair are proposing are available at the District 100 website:

District 100 Administrative Salaries 2011-12 vs. prior years

2011-10-03T19:46:00.001-05:00

Guess who received a raises? Superintendent Houselog Total 2011-12 $205,075; 2010-11 $200,075—2.25% INCREASE NOT BAD—OH IS THERE A BONUS IN THE WORKS FOR 2011-12 AS WELL?

Fiscal year 11-12 The following is taken from: http://www.district100.com/District/Business%20Office/Collective%20Bargaining%20Contracts/2011-2012%20Administrator%20Salary%20Compensation%20Report.pdf

Fiscal Year 10-11: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/files/894PPJ/$file/Administrators+Salary+Compensation+Report+-+2010.pdf

Fiscal Year 09-10

Elgin-area school districts post some six-figure salaries for administrators

2011-10-02T23:57:00.001-05:00

By Emily McFarlan

Those salaries were required to be posted on school districts’ websites by Saturday, according to Illinois Public Act 96-0434.

That bill, which took effect in 2009, requires Illinois school districts to post an “itemized salary compensation report for every employee in the district holding an administrative certificate and working in that capacity, including the district superintendent.”

That includes base salary, bonuses, pension contributions, retirement increases, the cost of health insurance, the cost of life insurance, paid sick and vacation day payouts, annuities and any other form of compensation.

The school district employs 183 administrators, whose base pay, before benefits, ranges from $30,000 for a food service manager to at least $223,300 for Superintendent Jose Torres, according to FOIA information requested by The Courier-News. One of the district’s newest additions, Ushma Shah — hired this summer to fill its newly created chief of equity and social justice position — earns a base salary of $120,000.

Within a position such as elementary school principal, those base salaries still range from $75,379.20 for Huff Elementary School Principal Angelica Ernst to $121,594.59 for Thomas Stiglic, principal of Centennial Elementary School in Bartlett. Ernst has been employed by the district seven years, and Stiglic 15.

Click on the following to read the rest of the story: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/7927919-417/elgin-area-school-districts-post-some-six-figure-salaries-for-administrators.html

Washington Academy’s technology lab offers students a glimpse into the digital world

2011-09-29T20:47:00.001-05:00

The door to Ms. Rios’ Technology Lab at Washington Academy opens and a bunch of excited little people dressed in navy blue tops and khaki slacks and skirts scoot to their favorite places at tables, and on the rug. Two to each laptop computer, they take turns drawing with their fingers on the touch screens, using tools like virtual paint brushes, creating shapes or clicking with the mouse on templates to color

DeKalb District-428 wants to unload empty buildings, expenses

2011-09-27T16:36:00.001-05:00

By ANDREW MITCHELL

With the budget constraints we’re in, it just costs too much to keep them sitting empty like that,” he said.

State and local regulations require the district to maintain the unused buildings; vandalism has to be cleaned up, damage has to be repaired and the schools have to be heated in the winter to prevent pipes from freezing and breaking. Sidewalks and streets also have to be salted and plowed.

August, the school board approved spending $5,500 to appraise the three buildings, along with other pieces of property in the district. Gorla said the board should receive the final results of the appraisal within two weeks.

From there, Briscoe said the matter likely would be discussed in the district’s soon-to-be-formed finance committee. He hopes the board finds new owners for the schools in Cortland and Malta.

But failing that, the district would likely demolish them – something that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars – depending on what bids come in and if there are any asbestos to remove

Click on the following for the rest of the story: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/09/26/d-428-wants-to-unload-empty-buildings-expenses/ars7h7p/?page=2

Homecoming Photo for Belvidere North

2011-09-27T16:19:00.001-05:00

Belvidere Daily Republican has a few homecoming photos.Click on the following: http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6984:community-photo-album-week-of-sept-25&catid=108:boone-county&Itemid=510

NEA President earns large TRS pension

2011-09-26T14:44:00.001-05:00

“We’ll shine the light. You’ll bring the heat.”

Thank you for registering and searching at www.openthebooks.com.
You’re ready for reform. Over 25,000 people have rendered over 300,000 pageviews since our spectacular online launch.
As the Chicago Tribune exposé of sweetheart union access to City pensions became a national story, we have the only publicly accessible City of Chicago retirement database. Choose RETIREMENT and CITY OF CHICAGO from the two dropdown search boxes on the homepage, then click twice on MONTHLY ANNUITY AMOUNT (orders from most to least).
Union Chief, Dennis Gannon has the top city pension of the last ten years. Retiring in 2004, Gannon worked one day for the city and has a monthly pension of $13,583. He has already collected over $1 million.
If our portal was up five years ago, three years ago, or last year, the sunlight would have made insider union pensions impossible! In Illinois, transparency is the foundation for good government.
On September 6th, we exposed that the unions also have insider access at the state level. Read the post, here. Listen to my interview with Big John & Amy on WIND 560AM Chicago, here.
The second highest teacher pension in teacher retirement history ($20,200/month) went to the President of the National Education Association (NEA), Washington DC. His Illinois government pension was predicated on his out-of-state union pay and not his earnings as an elementary school teacher from Harvey. For his earnings, contributions and monthly annuity, click here.
What are you finding? On a confidential basis, please let us know.
Thank you for being a part of our website launch and a watershed moment in Illinois politics.

Sincerely,

Adam Andrzejewski
Founder | CEO
For the Good of Illinois

Letter to Editor of NW Herald draws over 300 comments

2011-09-26T10:04:00.001-05:00

This letter to editor regarding teachers has over 300 comments at last count. Take a look for yourself at: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/09/21/demonizing-teachers/aetdmqf/

DEMONIZING TEACHERS

To the Editor:

If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck. That saying is true and also works in reverse. If you treat someone like a duck, don’t be surprised when they start acting like one.

Take our much maligned teachers with their evil pensions. In our quest to Walmart-ize every last job in America, we have cut teachers’ pay, reduced their benefits, attacked their right to collectively bargain, and lengthened their workday.

In Wisconsin, scores of the best and most experienced teachers have decided, for whatever reason, to retire early. Don’t be surprised when a teacher who used to forgo lunch, or stay after school to help the struggling student, suddenly decides not to.

When more and more teaching time is spent grading the previous day’s assignments rather than taking it home to complete, again don’t be surprised. Forget about school spirit. Why promote it by helping out at a football game or an after-school event.

Today’s teachers are burdened with very little resources, often funding the day’s art project themselves, all the while being portrayed as greedy villains.

We have all had a teacher who has left a lasting impression on us or our kids. There are many good, honest, hardworking people working everywhere, including Walmart. But the next time you go there, look around and ask yourself who you really want to entrust the next generation to.

Jeff Albertz

Woodstock

Rock Valley College Enrollment similar to rest of state

2011-09-25T00:02:00.001-05:00

Just like the majority of Illinois public junior colleges shows a slight decrease in enrollment from the all time highs of Spring 2011.

These charts are available at: http://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/About/upload/BOT-Packet-092711-2.pdf

St. Charles North teacher faces theft charges

2011-09-24T22:55:00.001-05:00

By Erika Wurst

St. Charles North High School physical education teacher charged with two counts of retail theft is back in the classroom following a weeklong paid administrative leave.

Katie Sauber (Duraski), 34, 600 block of Dural Lane, North Aurora, was arrested twice last month for allegedly stealing items from a Von Maur department store and a Target, according to Kane County Court documents.

Sauber was put on paid administrative leave on Sept. 1, said Jim Blaney, director of school and community relations for the St. Charles School District. She returned to work on Sept. 8, Blaney said.

Click on the following for more details; http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/7826937-418/st-charles-north-teacher-faces-theft-charges.html

Enrollment leveling at Elgin Community College

2011-09-24T22:50:00.001-05:00

By Emily McFarlan

Last spring, 11,943 students had enrolled at the community college. Enrollment last fall, at the start of the 2010-11 school year, remains the highest on record at 12,219 students.

Sam said that enrollment has been up over the past few years at all age levels and in all fields of study except health care.

“The thing with health care is we’ve been stymied by the size” of the school’s health care facilities, he said. “We always get more applications than we are able to admit.”

That will change when the college’s 130,000-square-foot Health Careers Center opens this spring, according to the college president.

That building, part of the Elgin Community College Facilities Master Plan, was scheduled for completion in summer 2012. It also was expected to cost the school $55 million, the bulk of the $178 million bond referendum amount that voters in Elgin Community College District 509 approved in April 2009

Click on the following for more details: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/7810682-417/enrollment-leveling-at-ecc.html

SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere Launches Student Art Program

2011-09-24T12:29:00.001-05:00

ROCKFORD (SAH) -- Students from Belvidere-area schools have an opportunity to display their artwork in the hallways of SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere, thanks to a new art program established by the hospital in partnership with the Belvidere School District.

The program was developed at the end of the 2010-2011 school year when Medical Center/Belvidere Administrator Dawna Menke reached out to the Belvidere School District to discuss how the facility could connect with area students.

"We are committed to being an active member of the Belvidere community," says Menke. "By utilizing available wall space and public areas of the hospital, we have been able to create a gallery space where the public can see how creative area students are."

Recently, artwork from students at Meehan Elementary School, Belvidere North High School and Belvidere High School was framed and put on display on the first floor of the hospital. Artwork was provided by the following students:

-Avry Blume
-Dakoda Hattendorf
-Mackenzie Morris
-Alejandra Pasillas
-Elizabeth Resendiz
-Natalia Rodriguez

“I think it's amazing that one of my pieces hangs in the halls for everyone to see,” says former Belvidere North High School student Dakoda Hattendorf. “It's a pretty cool feeling.” Dakota is currently attending Rock Valley College and hopes to transfer to an art institute where she will focus on advertising design.

These pieces are being displayed outside of the vending area of Medical Center/Belvidere and are visible to patients and visitors. Although space is limited, students interested in having their work considered may contact their art teachers and/or Shannon Hansen, the Communications Coordinator for the Belvidere School District, at (815) 544-8528 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (815) 544-8528

Click on e following for more details: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/SwedishAmerican_Medical_CenterBelvidere_Launches_Student_Art_Program_129841573.html

Education pensions receive diagnosis at DeKalb High School

2011-09-23T08:20:00.001-05:00

In fact, the TRS brought in $10.5 billion last fiscal year while scheduled benefits for this fiscal year amount to $4.5 billion. Dick Ingram, executive director for TRS, said it is that perceived cushion that has led some lawmakers to question why the state needs to make its full contribution.

Ingram said it is important for the state to make its full contribution because the results of partial payments has led to an inequitable burden on taxpayers. Previous taxpayer generations did not make full contributions to the system, so the current taxpayers are responsible for two or three generations of teachers, he said.

“The right people aren’t paying for the right costs,” Ingram said.

The result is a $44 billion unfunded liability in the system. Ingram said it is important to realize the unfunded liability is more like a mortgage, and that the liability should go down each year if payments by the state, members and school districts are made on time and as the formula requires.

But the state has struggled to make contributions in the past and is on the hook for $2.4 billion in contributions this fiscal year, two-thirds of which is past due payments and loan interest. Ingram said if the state had not “kicked the can down the road,” it would have $1.6 billion more for other budget items.

“That’s the cost of the can,” Ingram said.

The average educator in the DeKalb area now will have, upon retirement, a pension of $34,152 per year, down from the state average of $46,452. But all teachers could see a change in their pensions because of pending legislation in Springfield.

Read more of this Daily Chronicle article by clicking on the following: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/09/22/education-pensions-receive-diagnosis-at-dekalb-high-school/am3cbvv/

McHenry County to wait to fill ROE post

2011-09-22T22:07:00.001-05:00

By KEVIN P. CRAVER

McHenry County Board has given up on finding a new regional superintendent of schools for the time being.

With 10 candidates rejected for the now-unpaid elected office defunded by Gov. Pat Quinn, and the courts so far siding with Quinn’s power to do so, the county is not pursuing the matter further until the money from the state is there, County Board Chairman Ken Koehler said.

“We have basically come to the conclusion that until we know there’s a funding source, we can’t hire anybody on,” Koehler told the County Board on Tuesday evening.

McHenry County faced a daunting problem – find someone who met the long list of qualifications who would work for free.

State law requires regional superintendents to have a master’s degree, a state education supervisory certificate, at least 20 credit hours of graduate professional education, and at least four years of teaching experience. Candidates must have spent two of the past four years either teaching or supervising. Because the position is elected, a vacancy must be filled by a Republican, the same party as the previous officeholder

Read the rest of the story by clicking on the following: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/09/21/county-to-wait-to-fill-roe-post/augozxl/

Kishwaukee Community College's growth hasn’t hit ceiling other community colleges have reached

2011-09-21T21:30:00.001-05:00

By ANDREW MITCHELL

report from the Illinois Community College Board found spring 2011 enrollment fell nearly 2 percent statewide from 2010’s record enrollment.
Of the state’s 48 community colleges, 18 saw an increase in total students from last year; 15 saw an increase in full-time equivalent – or FTE – enrollments. That number is determined by calculating the total number of credit hours being taken by students and dividing by 15, the number of hours traditionally considered a full-time class load.
Kishwaukee College is among the schools that saw an increase in both categories. While the actual number of students increased by only 13 from spring 2010 to spring 2011, more students increased their credit hours, bumping up the college’s FTE by 82, or 2.9 percent.

Click on the following for the rest of the article: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/09/20/kishwaukees-growth-hasnt-hit-ceiling-other-community-colleges-have-reached/alt7o0w/

District 100 and mandated School Choice/Tutoring

2011-09-20T09:04:00.001-05:00

Because Lincoln and Washington have not made adequate annual progress under “No Child Left Behind” school choice and tutoring was mandated. What is the participation rate in these programs?

The photocopy below is from: http://www2.district100.com/District/Pages/default.aspx?RootFolder=%2FDistrict%2FAbout%20Us%2FSchool%20Choice%20Information&FolderCTID=0x0120000C45CF7286A2014883760031B8AE7D93&View={F3AE284C-49AF-4FEB-9DE8-18A9CA0F4E19}

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

Here are some highlights from the above posting:

1. With a combined enrollment of 1,436 students, a total of 29 students have requested transfers to other elementary buildings.

2. Historical Data: 2009-2010 was the first year students at Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools had the option to transfer to either Kishwaukee or Perry Elementary Schools. Of the 1,724 students, 4 exercised this option

3. Supplemental Educational Services (tutoring), 2010-2011 is the first year of student eligibility. Of the 822 student families who meet the income limits under the law, 175 have elected to receive tutoring

McHenry Community College enrollment drops, follows statewide trend

2011-09-18T19:51:00.001-05:00

Enrollment dropped nearly 4 percent to 7,104 students this fall, compared with 7,392 last year, college officials said.

MCC had led the state in enrollment growth in recent years. Overall, students have enrolled in 22 percent more credit hours since fall semester 2008, said Joe Baumann, director of institutional research at McHenry County College

“Community college enrollment often works in opposition to the state of the economy; as the economy becomes stronger, enrollment tends to balance out,” Smith said. “However, in this particular economic downturn, a better assumption may be that students have less flexibility now than they have in past economic downturns and they may have to work, leaving less time for taking classes.”

Read the entire article: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/09/16/mcc-enrollment-drops-follows-statewide-trend/atfq2dd/

Task force to pitch ideas to D-156 McHenry

2011-09-18T19:45:00.001-05:00

One of the recommendations that came out of a brainstorming session was “pass a referendum.”

Orendorff said a referendum would be part of six overall suggestions, and any referendum would need to come in later in the future.

“We know it shouldn’t be right away,” Orendorff said.

In November and April, District 156 had two property tax-hike referendums that would have benefited day-to-day operations and programming in the district.

Both were overwhelmingly defeated.

Orendorff declined to give further details about the presentation.

According to documents provided by the district, among the ideas that came out of the Finance Committee during a brainstorming session: reduce pay for staff, reduce the amount of staff through attrition, increase student fees, consider early retirement buyouts for staff members nearing retirement, create corporate sponsorships and partnerships, solicit donations, reduce outside special education placements, and reward staff for financial suggestions that result in financial savings for the district.

It will call for enhanced systems that will create energy-efficient facilities, expanding buildings to meet current and future needs, and working with the community to meet space and educational needs.

The committee recommends that there be an upgrade to the East Campus kitchen, expansions of energy-efficiency initiatives, replacement of mobile classrooms, an addition onto West Campus, and discussion of additional sharing of assets with the city, among other things, according to district documents.

Read more by clicking on the following: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/09/16/task-force-to-pitch-ideas-to-d-156/arigw82/

Calif. schools turn away unvaccinated students

2011-09-16T23:38:00.001-05:00

Some California schools are turning away middle and high school students who have not received a required whooping cough vaccine while others are defying a law passed last year after a historic spike in cases of the potentially fatal disease.

The law approved last September initially required all students entering grades seven through 12 to get vaccinated by the start of the 2011-2012 school year. Lawmakers passed a 30-day extension this summer as districts worried many students wouldn't meet the deadline.

Under California law, students also can still attend if their parents file a form saying they oppose vaccines.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/national/calif-schools-turn-away-unvaccinated-students/article_b6a8dc29-52bd-5002-aef6-d69ab949c29a.html

SIU faculty to vote on possible strike

2011-09-16T14:15:00.001-05:00

CARBONDALE (AP) – Faculty at Southern Illinois University's flagship campus in Carbondale will be voting later this month on whether to go on strike as part of a lingering contract dispute.

The Southern Illinoisan reports that the group representing tenured and tenure-track faculty at the 20,000-student school voted unanimously Thursday to seek a strike-authorization vote. That means the entire membership will vote Sept. 28 on whether a walkout is in order.

A representative of the group says the union began bargaining with the administration in April of last year.

A spokesman for the university told The Associated Press on Friday he hopes both sides continue talks. He says a walkout would be unfortunate but that the school would do whatever it takes to minimize disruption of courses during a strike.

Discipline Reports for School Year 2011

2011-09-13T22:42:00.001-05:00

Listen to tape on this item by going to: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/Public—as shown below. Click on Item E-3, PBIS report, then click on second icon 6 PBIS Report

Below is the actual data which is being detailed.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Adequate Yearly Progress: Only Kishwaukee and Caledonia meet all of the guideposts

2011-09-13T21:58:00.001-05:00

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

What happened to the graduation rate at North High School in SY 2011?

Here are the individual test/school scores for the elementary schools and middle schools

Those responsible: The Board of Education

Neighboring ZIP codes absorb Rockford exodus

2011-09-11T01:59:00.001-05:00

To read the entire article go to: http://www.rrstar.com/insight/alexgary/x219198780/In-Sundays-paper-Suburbs-absorb-exodus-from-Rockford

The latest release of 2010 census data proves what anyone driving around the Rock River Valley already knows — the population is moving.
The U.S. Census Bureau released population changes from 2000 to 2010 broken down by ZIP code. In Winnebago County, just two major ZIP codes lost population. Downtown Rockford east of the river, 61104, fell by nearly 6 percent. And 61101, which is Rockford’s northwest side, declined by 8.1 percent. And of those Rockford ZIP codes that did see population growth, not one saw even 10 percent growth.
For much of the decade, the moving vans were heading to such places as Poplar Grove and Belvidere, where populations grew by 35.8 and 17.3 percent, respectively, and Winnebago, up 20.4 percent.
…..
Both the Belvidere and North Boone school districts in Boone County felt the crunch of new families flocking to their areas. Belvidere built a new middle school and a second high school. North Boone expanded an elementary school, built a new high school and put on an addition to the old high school.
Michael Houselog was superintendent of North Boone for much of the decade and now is the superintendent of Belvidere. In the 2000-01 school year, Belvidere had 6,352 students and North Boone 1,283. By 2007, Belvidere’s student population surged to 8,728 and North Boone’s to 1,686.
But in the wake of the Great Recession, the growth rate has slowed. In 2010, Belvidere was up to 9,001 and North Boone to 1,746.
And Houselog said that unless the economy revives and people begin returning to Boone County, Belvidere is going to have too many schools within five years.
“This year, our three smallest grades are kindergarten, first and second grade,” Houselog said. “This will put it in into context. In 2005, we had more than 700 kids in kindergarten. This year we have 485.”
Still, Houselog is confident that Boone County will become a destination of choice again.
“The things that made this a desirable place haven’t changed. We have lower tax rates than what you’ll find in the Chicago area. Having (Interstate 90) coming through our county allows easy access to Rockford, Madison, Chicago,” he said. “When the economy turns, we think it’ll turn here first. The question is when.”
While the once hot growth areas wait for another boom, Krause said the aging areas of Rockford are waiting on something else — reinvestment.
“In Chicago, there are a number of aging neighborhoods that have done well because developers took industrial buildings and turned them into condos,” Krause said. “Part of the reason they took that risk is because prices in Chicago’s suburbs had increased so much that it made sense to reinvest in the older neighborhoods. That could happen here, but so many developers were hurt by the recession that few are ready to take that risk in Rockford.”
Krause said there have been some residential redevelopment success stories in Rockford, such as the Brown building downtown and the Garrison Lofts & Town Homes, but much more is needed to persuade retailers to come back as well.
Assistant Business Editor Alex Gary may be reached at agary@rrstar.com or at 815-987-1339 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 815-987-1339 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Access takes another hit

2011-08-31T16:10:00.001-05:00

Quinn was at it again last Friday, when he signed into law House Bill 1716. The law further erodes the state’s Freedom of Information Act – something Quinn and the state Legislature have been doing since FOIA reform went into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Some of HB 1716’s lowlights:

• It eliminates the requirement that public bodies ask for permission from the Public Access Counselor’s Office of the state Attorney General before denying records requests based on exemptions for personal privacy and preliminary drafts of documents.

• It allows governments to take up to 21 days to respond to FOIA requests by “recurrent” requesters – people who file more than 50 FOIA requests in a year, more than 15 requests in a month or more than seven in a week.

• It allows government entities to charge for the actual costs of retrieving information stored off-site.

Click on the following for the complete story: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/08/29/access-takes-another-hit/apziqnd/

St. James Capital Campaign demands “allegiance”

2011-08-31T10:41:00.001-05:00

The following letter was sent home Friday with children from the St. James pre-school (3 year old and older). My latest understanding is that the same message will be sent out to parents of regular school children at St. James. Will children attending CCD classes (Wednesday, Thursday evenings and Sunday morning) also be required to give their parents such a letter? No, CCD classes start after Labor Day.

I have a problem equating Catholic faith with supporting a zoning request—opposing the zoning request is being against God.

Mr. Rod Snyder and Mrs. Cathy Vendemia are co-chairpersons of the Campaign Leadership Committee. Father Geary is on vacation the weeks of August 22 thru September 5, 2011.

Updated: Index of postings on Concerned Catholics of Boone County

2011-08-31T10:39:00.001-05:00

Click on the following to read these postings:

▼ July (50)

Court delays superintendent pay case

2011-08-25T07:32:00.001-05:00

August 23, 2011

By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Statehouse News

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ regional school superintendents are going to have to show a central Illinois judge why he should force the state to pay them if the superintendents are going to get a paycheck anytime soon.

Illinois’ 44 regional superintendents have been working without a paycheck since July 1, when Gov. Pat Quinn used his veto power to strip $11 million from the state budget. Last Friday, the superintendents filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court asking a judge to issue a temporary restraining order that would force the Quinn administration to pay them.

But it will be Thursday before the superintendents learn if their case will go forward.

Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Schmidt on Tuesday delayed a hearing on the restraining order request, giving lawyers for Quinn more time to prepare their response to the lawsuit. Schmidt scheduled a hearing Thursday, and tipped both sides to the question he wants answered.

“Temporary restraining orders usually stop something,” Schmidt said. “This request would force the state to start paying the superintendents. I’d like to hear arguments on that.”

Terence Corrigan, assistant bureau chief for the Illinois Attorney General’s Springfield office, argued the case Tuesday on behalf of the Quinn administration. Corrigan asked Schmidt for more time to deal with what Corrigan called the “serious constitutional issues” involved in the superintendents’ requests.

Bob Daiber, president of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, which lobbies for the regional superintendents, agreed that there are serious constitutional issues at hand. But he said the case before Schmidt is simple.

“It stops the state from violating the law,” Daiber said.

Daiber has been talking with Quinn’s office since July 1. He said the reality of two months without pay forced the superintendents into court.

“We’re looking at going another complete month without pay. We realize that is we continue with talks, we’ll probably go a third month without pay,” Daiber said. “There are members of our association that feel we have exhausted our options.”

Kelly Kraft, the governor’s budget spokeswoman, said the administration continues to talk with Daiber and the regional superintendents.

“We continue to work toward a short-term solution to ensure payment through the veto session,” Kraft said. “The conversations continue to be productive.”

The governor has said for months that he wants to pay the superintendents, but wants to take the money from local sources. Local voters elect regional superintendents, but the state pays their nearly $100,000 a year salaries.

But Quinn’s plan to shift superintendents’ pay from the state to local taxpayers requires action from the Illinois General Assembly. Lawmakers are not expected to be back at the Capitol until late October. Once they return, there also is a possibility that legislators will overrule Quinn’s veto and restore state funding for the superintendents.

Daiber is quick to say the superintendents cannot wait that long.

“We already have one regional superintendent who intends to leave at the end of this month because of the situation,” Daiber said.

Daiber said St. Clair County Regional Superintendent Brad Harriman has indicated he will leave his post soon.

Harriman said his last day will be Sept. 7.

“I’m gone,” Harriman said by phone Tuesday. “I’ve already made up my mind.”

Harriman said he was not thinking about leaving his post until recently. Even if the state starts sending checks in September, he said he will not not stay.

“This is something that wasn’t even on my mind two weeks ago,” Harriman added. “And I know I’ll take a hit to my pension, but I’m going to retire early.”

Harriman was elected to his second term in 2010. He said he does not have another job lined-up.

Both the Quinn administration and the superintendents are due back in Schmidt’s courtroom Thursday afternoon.

Despite complaint, textbook stays in St. Charles classes

2011-08-21T08:03:00.001-05:00

Parent sees liberal bias, but board says replacing book would be costly

Parent Jennifer Nazlian had challenged the third-grade book "Social Studies Alive!: Our Community and Beyond," saying it has a liberal slant on issues such as health care, immigration, unions and natural resources.
After Superintendent Don Schlomann ruled last month that the book should stay in the classroom, Nazlian appealed to the school board. She has said she is not trying to ban the book but wants additional teaching resources used if the book remains.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-st-charles-textbook-0817-20110817,0,4677142.story

Low enrollment leaves empty EIU dorms

2011-08-19T00:32:00.001-05:00

The university's freshmen enrollment dropped by approximately 200 students in fall 2010 after declining by about 100 students the year before.

EIU officials hope enrollment will level off this fall but could go down a little again, Hudson said.

The university is trying to add to enrollment and has cut tuition for students from surrounding states, but those efforts are relatively new, Hudson said.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-low-enrollment-leaves-empty-eiu-dorms-20110808,0,4119313.story

Quinn to lawmakers: Eliminate 'perk' scholarships

2011-08-13T07:51:00.001-05:00

By Jamey Dunn

Gov. Pat Quinn used his veto pen today to urge lawmakers to end the legislative scholarship program for the second time in as many years.
The governor rejected a bill last year that would have put a ban on lawmakers awarding the scholarships to campaign contributors or their families. In the veto message, he called on the legislature to instead approve an abolition of the program. Lawmakers never tried to override the veto, so the underlying bill died.
This time around, Quinn made the changes to the legislation himself. He used his amendatory power to tweak House Bill 1353, a bill that in its original form would bar lawmakers from giving the scholarship to family members. If the General Assembly approves his changes, the program would be eliminated on June 1, 2012.

Click on the following for more details: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/quinn-to-lawmakers-eliminate-perk.html

Here are some of the scholarship recipients during retired Rep. Wait’s reign:

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

'No Child Left Behind' waivers are a product of congressional gridlock

2011-08-13T07:36:00.001-05:00

By Jamey Dunn
President Barack Obama called for a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind Act before the beginning of the school year, but gridlock in Congress has led his administration to pursue a stopgap measure to keep thousands of schools from failing under the law's standards.

The Obama administration has been pushing for a change for more than a year, warning that up to 80 percent of schools will be labeled as failures in the near future. Obama rolled out his plan for a rewrite in March 2010. “The stakes are high. As it currently exists, NCLB is creating a slow-motion educational train wreck for children, parents and teachers. Under the law, an overwhelming number of schools in the country may soon be labeled as 'failing,' eventually triggering impractical and ineffective sanctions,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan wrote in an opinion peace he penned in July urging Congress to rewrite the law.
In a Congress that is falling into venomous partisan struggles over authorizing more federal borrowing and approving funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, two things that have been generally routine actions, changes to the No Child Left Behind Act, which is the current version of the complicated and controversial Elementary and Secondary Education Act, have little chance of being approved quickly. “The law, NCLB, as it currently stands is four years overdue for being rewritten. It is far too punitive; it is far too prescriptive. It led to a dumbing down of the standards, led to a narrowing of the curriculum,” Duncan said at a news conference in Washington, D.C.

… the administration is going around Congress for the time being and plans to offer states waivers so they do not have to meet the ever-increasing goals of the act. But the feds say they will not just give states a free pass. “Where there’s a high bar, where folks are really doing the right thing for children, we want to give them a lot more flexibility,” Duncan said.
The Department of Education plans to announce the requirements for waivers in September.

Read the rest of article by clicking on the following: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-child-waivers-are-product-of.html

District’s first STEM school opens doors

2011-08-10T00:08:00.001-05:00

Washington Academy is taking this challenge and running with it. Principal Megan Johnson stated that during staff development this summer, teachers created a vision statement: “Washington Academy focuses on student-centered excellence through autonomous learning that emphasizes ownership and responsibility for personal growth. This vision will develop independent, critical thinkers who will become the global, competitive leaders of tomorrow.”

They also worked out a 3-year plan which includes the school curriculum expansion next year to K-8.

Ms. Johnson went on to say that the school will adopt an integrated curriculum approach with hands-on projects sure to capture students’ interest and creativity.

Click on the following for the rest of his story: http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6844:districts-first-stem-school-opens-doors&catid=106:belvidere&Itemid=508

McHenry District 156 looking to change retirement policy

2011-07-24T06:30:00.001-05:00

Under the current system in the district, certified staff members, such as teachers and administrators, may receive up to 6 percent salary increases a year for up to the last four years of their career.

That is the maximum amount allowed under state law. Any higher, and the district would have to pay a penalty to the Teacher Retirement System.

Teachers also may receive a $20,000 post-retirement payment if they’ve been with the district for 10 consecutive years and if the payment will not create a penalty with the Teacher Retirement System.

To start the process of changing the retirement policy in the district, the school board this week formally notified its teachers’ union that it plans to delete the retirement policy at the board’s Aug. 16 meeting.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/07/22/district-156-looking-to-change-retirement-policy/aawppws/

Superintendent Houselog takes on additional job

2011-07-07T11:21:00.001-05:00

Currently District 100 is also paying for Mr. Houselog’s pursuit of a doctorate degree at Aurora University. Interesting that he has time for all these endeavors.

The following is taken from the Beloit Daily News:

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2011/07/05/business/business_news/bus502.txt

ROCKFORD — Michael Houselog, superintendent of schools for Belvidere School District and Daniel Ross, president of Williams-Manny Inc., have joined SwedishAmerican Health System’s board of directors.
In addition to his role with the school district, Houselog is an active member of the community, serving as secretary of the Salvation Army board and vice president of the United Way of Boone County board.

New Website on St. James Church

2011-07-04T10:31:00.001-05:00

I have posted numerous articles regarding St. James Parish and the new church project. For your convenience I have gathered the posting together into a new website available at: http://www.boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/

Below is the a photocopy of the website’s banner.

District 100 Education Tax Rate still lowest

2011-06-23T00:10:00.001-05:00

The following tax rate comparison was presented at the June 22, 2011 District 100 school board meeting. Belvidere has the lowest rate in Winnebago-Boone Counties. Is District 100 Board of Education thinking about asking for an increase in the education tax rate?

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Belvidere’s 4.59702 rate is a substantially higher rate than the prior year’s 4.06682 and is projected to be up to 5.22190 for next tax year See the document shown below from the May 16, 2011 District 100 board meeting. In percentage terms this year’s tax rate went up 13.04%; next year is projected to increase 13.59%. An individual home’s tax increase should be somewhat less because assessed values (EAV) are projected to decrease 10% for 2011-2.

Assuming the projected 5.22190 rate to be correct—Belvidere will still have the lowest rate in 2011-2 but the gap maybe narrowing. Also note the largest increase is in Bond Taxes (17.3% for 2010-11). Much larger increases in Bond Taxes will occur in upcoming years not yet shown in 2011-2.

Here is proof that other districts are thinking of increases.

Judge rules in favor of St. Charles Dist. 303 in school shuffle

2011-06-22T10:46:00.001-05:00

Perhaps I am reading thing into it—but there are some striking similarities with District 100’s New Washington STEM school in this case.

The school board approved the plan in March and parents filed suit shortly after claiming the changes would violate state regulations for creating a School Improvement Plan under No Child Left Behind. The parents’ attorney, Timothy Dwyer, told the judge Monday the school district is ignoring the issue of failing test scores and it is trying to “circumvent the regulatory process.”

District 303 attorney Robert Swain argued a plan to improve a school isn’t necessarily a formal School Improvement Plan as defined by law, so it doesn’t need to follow the same guidelines

district saying from a legal standpoint it is a coincidence that the district decided to shift attendance patterns at the same time as it faced sanctions under No Child Left Behind and the timing does not preclude it from making changes.

Click on the following to read more about this case: http://triblocal.com/st-charles/2011/06/20/judge-rules-in-favor-of-dist-303/

Financial theft alleged at St. Charles East

2011-06-12T18:56:00.001-05:00

St. Charles Unit District 303 will open the books on one of its 53 booster clubs stemming, in part, from a police report alleging the theft of athletic funds at St. Charles East High School.

Superintendent Don Schlomann Thursday announced an outside audit of the club will be done next week. The announcement comes one week after the police report was filed by a person who is not employed by the school district. The police will conduct its own investigation even as the audit occurs.

Schlomann said he has no reason to believe any of the allegations are true. However, with the recent firing of the varsity boys basketball coach and subsequent retirement announced by Jerry Krieg, the school’s athletic director, Schlomann said the sports administration at the school deserves a clean slate.

In the same vein, Schlomann said Krieg welcomes the audit during his final weeks at the school so he can leave without the hint of a dark cloud over his tenure.

Also see: http://stcharles-il.patch.com/articles/10000-returned-to-one-east-high-school-sports-donor

for more of the following:

The St. Charles East football team was supposed to have a state-of-the-art scoreboard and thousands of dollars were raised for the project. But, in at least one case, a donor has received a refund check from District 303.

It's been more than a year and the scoreboard at East High School has yet to go up.

The refund was $10,000, returned to a Geneva-based clinic by East Athletic Director Jerry Krieg

Some Illinois public school teachers earning six-figure salaries - Courier News

2011-05-31T20:15:00.001-05:00

As teachers’ salaries face national scrutiny and calls for pay tied to student performance, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis of educator earnings, based on total compensation last school year, found that public school teachers who make at least $100,000 like those in District 113 are the exception rather than the rule in Illinois.

Statewide, 11.25 percent of high school teachers and 2.26 percent of elementary-grade teachers hit that mark. Statewide, the average elementary teacher made $61,140 — including all benefits, summer school pay, after-school stipends and retirement payouts. The average high school teacher took home $69,366.

In Chicago, where the typical teacher stands at the head of a classroom comprised of 87 percent low-income kids, a six-figure pulldown was rarer still. Just over 1 percent of Chicago public elementary and high school teachers hit that mark.

Some Illinois public school teachers earning six-figure salaries - Courier News

Belvidere Community Unit School District #100 Jobs | K12 Jobspot

2011-05-31T18:21:00.001-05:00

Here is the list of teaching positions for which District 100 is seeking (outside the district) applicants. Note, many of the coaching positions are part-time and seasonal. Some of the full-time positions were opened by the lay-off of non-tenured teachers.

Health/PE

Belvidere South Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Health/Physical Education : Health

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/27/2011

Art Teacher

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Art

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/24/2011

Intramural Soccer Coach (2)

Belvidere South Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: 8/1/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/23/2011

eSchool Coordinator/Help Desk

Central Office

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Secretarial/Clerical : eSchool Coordinator/Help Desk

Available: 06/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/20/2011

Assistant Principal for Student Services

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: 08/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/18/2011

Football Asst. Coach

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: ASAP

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/13/2011

TBE Kindergarten Teacher

Meehan Elementary School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL : Bilingual Teacher

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/10/2011

Anticipated TBE ELL Teacher - Elementary

TBD

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL : Bilingual Teacher

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/10/2011

TBE 1st Grade Teacher

Lincoln Elementary School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL : Bilingual Teacher

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/10/2011

Science Teacher

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Science : Science - Physical Science

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/09/2011

Special Education Teacher

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/09/2011

LD Self Contained Resource Teacher

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL : LD Resource

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/27/2011

Reading Specialist/RAP

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Reading Specialist : Reading

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/27/2011

Language Arts Teacher

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Middle School : Language Arts

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/26/2011

Library/Media Specialist

Seth Whitman Elementary School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Library/Media Center : Library/Media Specialist

Available: 08/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/26/2011

Elementary Music Teacher

Lincoln Elementary School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Music - Vocal

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/26/2011

Reading Specialist

Seth Whitman Elementary School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL : Reading Specialist Teacher

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/26/2011

Cheer Assistant Fall Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: 5/1/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/26/2011

Volleyball Assistant Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: 5/1/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/25/2011

LD Resource (2)

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: 8/15/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Basketball Girls Head Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Soccer Boys Assistant Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Soccer Boys Head Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Cross Country Assistant Girls Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Swimming Boys Assistant Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Swimming Girls Assistant Coach

Belvidere High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Golf Girls Head Coach

Belvidere North High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Competitive Cheer Assitant Coach

Belvidere North High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Cheer Assistant Fall Coach

Belvidere North High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Basketball Girlst Assistant Coach (3)

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: May 1, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/20/2011

Spanish Teacher

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Foreign Language : Foreign Language - Spanish

Available: August 15, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/19/2011

Spanish/English Teacher

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Foreign Language : Foreign Language - Spanish

Available: August 15, 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/19/2011

Science/Ag Teacher

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Social Studies : Science-Ag

Available: August 15. 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/19/2011

PT Music Teacher

Meehan Elementary School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Music - Vocal

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/15/2011

High School Teacher (multiple endorsements)

Alternative Education High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: High School

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/14/2011

Special Education Teachers

Alternative Education High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/14/2011

Guidance Counselor

Alternative Education High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Social Worker : Guidance Counselor

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/14/2011

Business/Key Boarding Teacher

Belvidere South Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Computer/Computer Science : Computer

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/12/2011

Science Teacher

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Science : Science - General

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/12/2011

PT-Technology Teacher

Washington STEM Academy

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Bilingual/ESL/ELL : Technology

Available: 08/01/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/12/2011

Bilingual 3rd Grade Teacher

Washington STEM Academy

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: 08/01/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/07/2011

Speech and Language Pathologist

Elementary

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Speech and Language Pathologist

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/06/2011

Assistant Principal

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Assistant Principal

Available: 07/2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:3/29/2011

Track Assistant Coach

Belvidere South Middle School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:1/25/2011

Baseball - Assistant Coaches (2)

Belvidere North High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:1/14/2011

School Psychologist

TBD

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Psychologist

Available: August 2011

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:12/21/2010

Track Assistant Coach (2)

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:10/27/2010

Track-Girls Assistant Coach (3)

Belvidere High School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: for 2010-11 school year

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:6/02/2010

Volleyball Coach - 7th Grade

Belvidere South Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: 08/01/2010

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/26/2010

Speech and Language Pathologist (2)

North Boone Schools

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Speech and Language Pathologist

Available: 08/16/2010

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/26/2010

Psychologist Intern

TBD

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Psychologist : Psychologist Intern

Available: 08/16/2010

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/17/2010

Basketball-Boys Coach (2)

Belvidere Central Middle School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Coaching

Available: 08/01/2010

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:5/17/2010

Tennis-Head Boys Coach

Belvidere North High School

Location: 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere IL 61008

Available: 08/01/2010

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:4/12/2010

General Educational Support Staff

Any School

Location: Belvidere IL 61008 · Type: Paraprofessional

view similar, Rating, distance

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted:10/17/2007

Belvidere Community Unit School District #100 Jobs | K12 Jobspot

McHenry County College land acquisition headed to court — Crystal Lake news, photos and events — TribLocal.com

2011-05-31T07:52:00.001-05:00

The community college made a $750,000 offer for land at 9010 Route 14 owned by GHM Trust in late April. The trust rejected that deal and made a counter offer of $1.5 million, a price Smith said was too steep considering two independent appraisals put the land at $700,000 and $750,000, respectively.

Harding Real Estate has the property listed on its website for $3.1 million. The flat, agricultural land has

moved forward with acquisition through condemnation based on the college’s need for expansion, and belief that the offers were reasonable and future negotiations would prove unsuccessful, documents show.

Also included in the plan was approval to file a motion for relief from stay. The the property is listed as an asset in an ongoing bankruptcy case of a trust member. The stay needs to be lifted so the ownership of the property can be transferred should the eminent domain be successful.

a two-story farmhouse located on it.

MCC land acquisition headed to court — Crystal Lake news, photos and events — TribLocal.com

District 100 Calendar - Uniform try-on for Washington Academy students...

2011-05-30T18:10:00.001-05:00

Title

Uniform try-on for Washington Academy students
Time and Location

Location

Washington Academy
Start Time

6/1/2011 3:00 PM
End Time

6/1/2011 6:00 PM
Description

Category

district
All Day Event

Recurrence

Workspace

Attachments

Content Type: Event

Created at 5/27/2011 10:54 AM by Hansen, Shannon

Last modified at 5/27/2011 10:54 AM by Hansen, Shannon

District Calendar - Uniform try-on for Washington Academy students...

A District 100 Teacher’s letter of concern

2011-05-29T16:31:00.001-05:00

The following is taken from this Friday’s Boone County Journal which is available free of charge at merchants across the county and on-line at: http://boonecountyjournal.com/news/2011/Boone-County-News-05-27-11.pdf#page=5

The same letter was also printed in the Belvidere Daily Republican and available at: http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6598:to-the-taxpayers-of-belvidere-school-district-100&catid=104:letters-to-the-editor&Itemid=497

To the taxpayers of Belvidere School District 100,

As I reflect on my 31 years of teaching in this district, there are some changes happening now that deeply concern me. Belvidere School District 100 has always done more with less. By this I mean we have always had the lowest tax rates around (just check your local real estate listings that advertise that fact), yet our schools and the students in them do well. This success is a reflection of the fact that all stakeholders, parents, administrators, school board, teachers, and community leaders, have been part of the decision making process.

In the last year or two, teacher input is no longer sought and, at times, is even discouraged. Decisions such as elementary reading programs, the Washington STEM Academy, and decisions about how interventions will be incorporated into the school day are made without teacher input. Why should we be consulted? We are the professionals in your child's classroom. We all have at least a bachelor's degree in teaching and the majority of us have a master's degree. We are the people with the experience and training as well as the people who will deliver these programs to the students in our classrooms.

Instead of being consulted, elementary teachers were given parts of the new reading series and their old reading materials were taken away even though they were not given all materials needed for the new series. These elementary teachers are told exactly how to teach and how long to teach each part of the reading program. Teacher discretion and teachable moments are a thing of the past. Subjects like social studies and science are greatly reduced or eliminated in favor of teaching reading and math which are tested on the ISATs, the state high stakes test by which we are judged. This idea of reducing science and social studies almost made it into the middle school level this year and could come up again if we don't pay attention to what is going on in our schools. Why would science and social studies classes be reduced? We need to remediate students who are not meeting the standards on the ISAT tests and since science is only tested in third and seventh grade and social studies is never tested, these subjects are seen as dispensable. As a middle school science teacher, the lack of science instruction in the elementary grades is noticeable and would be more so if we cut back on science in the middle school. I especially found it distressing that all sixth graders were going to have science and social studies time cut in half even if they met the standards on the ISATs and did not need interventions. This idea has been put on the back shelf for now but only your vigilance will keep it there.

The Washington STEM Academy is another quick fix suddenly brought up and approved in one weekend. The academy in and of itself is probably a good idea but it needs thorough planning to be sucessful not a “leap of faith” that depends on young teachers being put in new positions. When all first through fourth year teachers were non-renewed, they were told most would get hired back but staffing needs for all buildings, especially the new academy, needed to be determined first. Since hiring for the academy was done first, these young teachers who wanted a job applied and were hired instead of the more experienced teachers with good past evaluations who were already there. These more experienced, tenured teachers are being placed elsewhere in the district but as anyone in teaching can tell you, it takes time for teachers to be their best in a new assignment. The apple cart has been upset, and it did not need to be. If these upsetting conditions result in our scores getting worse instead of better, let the people in charge know of your displeasure.

Actually, my main purpose behind writing this letter is to encourage you, the taxpayers and parents, to stay involved in this school district. Go to board meetings and talk to the board members you have elected. There are many other issues that need to be decided, and you are the ones with the real power. Recently, the board wanted to approve a calendar with a very early start date but community members from the fair board pointed out how starting before fair week was over would not be a good idea for this community. The board listened. The budget is being prepared now. What will be cut? Shall advanced placement classes only be offered by project running start or can we continue to have our own honors classes? All social workers were let go. How many will be hired back and who will fulfill their duties? How will interventions be instituted? Will all students lose classes? Will there be after school programs for the students to get caught up? Please stay involved because you are the ones ultimately in control of the school district.

Jeanne Kovanda

Assistant Principal for Student Services | K12 Jobspot

2011-05-27T00:53:00.001-05:00

Assistant Principal for Student Services

Organization: Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Posted: 5/18/2011

Available: 08/2011

Belvidere Central Middle School

Position DetailsAbout Belvidere Community Unit School District #100

Description:
Need for the 2011-12 school year; 10 month administration position. $58,514-$63,015 + TRS.
Qualifications:
Type 75 certificate. Masters degree in Educational Administration. Supervisory of Special Education endorsement.
Application Procedure:
Qualified applicants should apply on line.
Selection Procedure:
If you are selected you will be contacted by phone.

Assistant Principal for Student Services | K12 Jobspot

78 get layoff notices at Aramark in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

2011-05-07T02:39:00.001-05:00

Food service provider Aramark is closing its Belvidere operation and cutting 78 jobs after it was outbid on a contract to provide student meal services to the Belvidere School District.
According to Belvidere School District meeting minutes, Aramark was outbid for the work by Sodexo America LLC, a Texas-based company. Sodexo’s bid was $2.89 million for the first year of the contract; Aramark’s bid was slightly higher, at $2.98 million. Three other companies also submitted proposals. The bid was for a one-year contract with four one-year extensions possible.

Click on the following for more details: 78 get layoff notices at Aramark in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Belvidere School District Meet and Greet

2011-05-03T08:42:00.001-05:00

Press Release****
The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford to hold Meet and Greets for School Board Members in the Harlem and Belvidere Districts.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford will hold open house Meet and Greets for the new and continuing school board members of the Harlem and Belvidere School Districts. All parents, district staff, and community members in the districts are invited to hear the school board members’ plans to meet the challenges as they participate in guiding their school districts.

This will be followed by a social hour where the public can mingle with the school board to ask questions and get to know their new school boards.

Belvidere School District Meet and Greet:

May 9th, 2011 6:00-7:30 PM
Ida Public Library
330 N. State St., Belvidere

For more information, contact Ann Powell at 815-633-4247x13. Hosted by
The League of Women Voters Greater Rockford, 4990 East State Street,
Rockford, Il 61108. The LWVGR is a nonpartisan political organization,
dedicated to Making Democracy Work, through voter education, issue
advocacy, and citizen participation.
Claire Flynn McIntyre
815-623-9004

Click on the following for more details: WIFR Community Events

Woodstock PTO officer arrested for theft - The Woodstock Independent.com

2011-04-28T20:46:00.001-05:00

Laura L. Brokaw, 48, Woodstock, was charged April 12 with three counts of theft totaling more than $30,000 from the Northwood Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.

alleged theft of $30,069.32 in funds between September 2007 and September 2010, a Class 2 felony. She also was charged with the alleged theft of $1,000 and $500 in funds between September 2009 and May 2010, a Class 3 felony and Class A misdemeanor, respectively

a grand total of $31,569 was taken from the organization by Brokaw, who was treasurer at the time.

PTO officer arrested for theft - The Woodstock Independent.com

In Wednesday's Rockford Register Star: Patrick Hardy letter details a bitter end

2011-04-27T10:03:00.001-05:00

Patrick Hardy/ LaVonne Sheffield letters details a bitter end

Apr 26, 2011 @ 08:19 PM

ROCKFORD — Nearly five months after a scathing exchange of letters between outgoing Superintendent LaVonne Sheffield and then-Auburn High School Principal Patrick Hardy was released, the Rockford Register Star presents the results of its investigation into the allegations raised in each letter. It finds that behind the he-said, she-said anecdotes is a story of a once-promising professional relationship that quickly soured.
Excited about what he could learn working with Sheffield, Hardy agreed in the summer of 2009 to serve as her chief academic officer.
It was a time of almost limitless possibility and potential.
Experienced in urban settings, Sheffield was the Rockford School District’s new top administrator. She brought with her Hardy, a man who had been a rising star as principal of Ellis Arts Academy but had left a year earlier to pursue a career in ministry.
Much like Sheffield’s relationship with the Rockford community, her relationship with Hardy started to crumble before it even began.

There is little more available on line but if you wish click on following: In Wednesday's paper: Patrick Hardy letter details a bitter end - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

If you wish to read the entire Hardy letter go to: http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/dr-patrick-hardys-response-to-rockford.html

I found the RRStar’s newsstand version long and very inconclusive as to what really happened.

District 100 Rumor: Change in Middle School Curriculum

2011-04-25T18:09:00.001-05:00

“Rumor has it that next year the middle school will cut the time in half it teaches the kids science and social science or history.” A reader would
like to find out if this is true. “Is this the plan from the school board to save money?”.
Any info would be great. Thanks

Please address your comments to the email address above or use the comment section below.

Many-Many District 100 teaching jobs on the internet

2011-04-22T15:35:00.001-05:00