Information on current construction projects in District 211... Updated
July 3,, 2008 go to photos
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District 211 PSAE Appeal (Amended Oct. 2, 2008)
District 211 PSAE Appeal
High School District 211 Superintendent Roger Thornton and Superintendent-Elect Nancy Robb delivered the District's appeal of its Prairie State Achievement Examination scores to Illinois State Superintendent Chris Koch on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.
As part of a presentation by Associate Superintendent David Torres, the Board of Education received information on the proposed 2008 levy at its October 30, 2008 meeting. Following a complete review and discussion of the information presented, the Board approved the amount of $188,227,285 (excluding the Debt Service levy) as the proposed 2008 levy. A public hearing will be held at the December 11, 2008 regular Board meeting to receive public input on the proposed 2008 levy. The final levy amount must be adopted and filed with the Cook County Clerk before the last Tuesday in December (December 30).
Also at the October 30, 2008 meeting, the Board of Education received information on the June 30, 2008 fund balance as reported in the District’s Annual Financial Report. The report lists total expenditures, total fund balance, unreserved-designated fund balance and undesignated fund balance for the District’s respective operating funds in comparison to the 2006-2007 prior-year actuals and 2008-2009 budget.
The Board adopted an Operating Fund Balance policy (DCA) at its April 10, 2008 meeting. The policy provides for the District to maintain adequate fund balance levels for operational and financial planning purposes. Specifically, it targets an operating fund balance of approximately 33% of the next budget year’s expenditures, or approximately four months of operations.
At its September 25, 2008 meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2008-2009 budget as presented. In accordance with School Code, a public hearing and adoption of the 2008-2009 budget must be finalized by September 30, 2008.
Beginning with Fiscal Year 2009, new administrative rules have been enacted that require minor changes to school district budgets and accounts. The most recognized changes include the renaming of the “Bond & Interest Fund” to “Debt Service Fund;” and “Site & Construction Fund” to “Capital Projects Fund.” The rule changes also expand accounts to address pledged transfers for the Debt Service Fund and Capital Projects Fund. For District 211, the Capital Projects fund will now be utilized to account for all construction-related receipts and expenditures that were previously recorded in the Operations/Maintenance Fund. This includes all remaining costs associated with approved additions and renovations to District facilities. Funds appropriated for these remaining projects will be transferred from the Operations/Maintenance and Working Cash Fund. General maintenance and repairs to facilities and life safety projects will continue to be represented in the Operations/Maintenance Fund and Fire Prevention/Life Safety Fund, respectively.
The 2008-2009 budget will provide for the following:
- Local Property Taxes of approximately $183.5 million (reflects very little change from prior year due to approved $3.0 million levy abatement in Debt Service Levy; also reflects second installment of 2007 taxes and first installment of 2008 taxes payable in the spring of 2009). The 2007 levy (2007 taxes payable in 2008) was increased 1.2% by the Board of Education (while the 2007 levy, by statute, is capped at 2.5% plus new property, overall levy was lowered by abating $3.0 million from this year’s Debt Service Levy).
- Permanent transfers to the newly established Capital Projects Fund as follows:
ü $11.3 million Working Cash abatement transfer for planned construction projects.
ü $12.3 million Operations/Maintenance Fund abatement transfer for planned construction projects.
ü $350,000 of interest earnings from the Debt Service Fund.
- Salaries and Benefits at Board-approved parameters for non-union groups and collective bargaining agreements with all union groups.
- Aggregate increase in operating funds for supplies, purchased services, capital outlay, and other costs within CPI of 2.5% on a FY09 budget to FY08 actual comparison. (3.1% decrease budget to budget)
- Technology improvements for students and staff.
- $21 million of construction of additions/renovations.
- Planned Life Safety projects.
- Maintenance of buildings and grounds.
- Debt service.
- Student transportation services.
- Pension obligations.
- $5.0 million of contingency amounts spread over the individual funds
The Board also approved the transfer of approximately $350,000 of interest earnings from the Debt Service fund to the Capital Projects Fund. In addition, the Board approved to partially abate ($11,295,000) and transfer ($12,279,000) monies from the Working Cash Fund and the Operations & Maintenance Fund to the Capital Projects Fund.
Morning Work Sessions (Student Late Start Days) The Board of Education has provided schools with opportunities to hold morning work sessions...
Morning Work Sessions (Student Late Start Days)
The Board of Education has provided schools with opportunities to hold morning work sessions (late start school days for students) on multiple dates throughout the past three school years. The vision that has guided these work sessions has stemmed from the three questions that must be addressed if District 211 is to achieve its educational mission:
1.) What should our students know?
2.) How will we be able to tell if they know it?
3.) What will we do if they do not know it?
Many innovative programs and practices now in place had a genesis in these work sessions. While each school has specific educational needs, the universal focus for all schools, and all faculty, on specific educational objectives would guide morning work sessions. These include:
1.) Necessity of Literacy;
2.) Data provides real-time basis from which teaching can be accelerated;
3.) Removing roadblocks to learning; and
4.) Implementation of Literacy Practices
At its September 25, 2008 meeting, the Board authorized the Superintendent to approve morning work sessions, each 90 minutes in length, on Tuesdays, October 28, 2008; November 18, 2008; December 9, 2008; February 3 and 17, 2009; March 10, 2009; April 7, 2009; and May 19, 2009. On these days, classes at Fremd, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg High Schools will begin at 9:10 a.m., while classes at Conant and Palatine High Schools will start at 9:55 a.m.
District 211 Awarded $1 Million American History Grant High School District 211 has received a grant of $991,860 from the United States Department of Education to improve the quality of...
District 211 Awarded $1 Million American History Grant
High School District 211 has received a grant of $991,860 from the United States Department of Education to improve the quality of American history education. The grant was awarded in conjunction with High School District 214. Retired Palatine High School Social Studies Department Chair David Freeman, along with Schaumburg High School Social Studies Department Chair Maribeth Westlund and Social Studies Teacher Mary Lopez, presented information about the grant to the Board of Education at its April 10 meeting.
The Northwest Suburban American History Consortium (NSAHC) offers teachers in Districts 211 and 214 to work with multiple educational resources. A comprehensive program has been designed by District 211 and 214 teachers to meet teacher needs while providing a mechanism for widespread dissemination of course work.
The main structure of the program is a series of eight graduate courses taught by University of Illinois-Chicago professors over a three-year period. Each course will be taught with the rigor of graduate-level courses with the understanding that teachers will develop classroom applications of the newly acquired knowledge.
Recently, there have been sporadic cases of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) reported in Illinois, some among student-athletes. The health and safety of all District 211 students and staff is our top priority. We’d like to address any concerns you may have by sharing the following information.
What is MRSA (or Staph)? It is a type of bacteria. According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, it may cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils; may be red, swollen, painful, or have drainage. Some are resistant to certain antibiotics.
How is it spread? According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, it is easily spread by contaminated hands, by contact with contaminated objects and surfaces, and by contact with secretions from infected skin lesions, wounds, and nasal discharge. It is often spread within crowded conditions, as with athletes, the military, and crowded living conditions.
How serious are Staph Infections? Most Staph skin infections are easily treatable. It is very important, however, to see your healthcare provider and follow all directions. If after treatment, there is not improvement within several days, inform your healthcare provider immediately.
Are there precautions to prevent infection? Practicing good hygiene is one of the most important things to control and prevent the spread of staph and other infections. The Health Department recommends the following measures:
• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Do not share personal items like towels, razors, or water bottles
• Avoid any contact with others’ wounds; keep cuts or scrapes clean and bandaged
Students participating in contact sports or other activities that lead to close skin to skin contact should take additional precautions related to skin infections and hygiene:
• Student-athletes should shower immediately following exercise, practice, or a game
• Do not store wet, dirty clothing in lockers
• Do not share towels, clothing, or uniforms, or other personal equipment
• Keep equipment clean; launder towels, uniforms, gym clothing, etc. frequently
• Keep cuts, abrasions, and wounds covered with clean, dry bandages
• Report any cuts, abrasions, or wounds to the coaching staff, trainer, and/or school nurse
What are our schools doing to protect students and staff? As always, District 211 schools are sanitized and disinfected daily; they are cleaned every evening, using a hospital-grade disinfectant known to kill the MRSA bacteria on all high-touch areas (including desktops, light switches, doorknobs, drinking fountains, etc.).
What can I do? Remind your child to take precautions. Good hygiene is the best defense against any illness. If your child develops a skin infection, get medical attention promptly.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the principal’s office or your high school’s nurse.
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