School Board

Today's NG:

Before voting unanimously to approve $2.3 million in cuts and revenue enhancements, several board members said they were satisfied the district has done that as well as it could.

The cuts also include: reductions in departmental budgets at the district level (not building budgets); the elimination of three director jobs and one special education administrator job; and the end of the extended-day program at Stratton Elementary School. The district also proposes selling land near Barkstall Elementary School and Dr. Howard Elementary School, and putting an energy savings program into place.

Discuss.

This happened last night, and the NG article has been up for a while, but I've had a slightly busy day:

Champaign school district Superintendent Arthur Culver got a one-year extension on his contract, in large part because of his work in helping the district successfully satisfy the requirements of its federal consent decree.

The school board evaluated Culver in closed session Tuesday night and voted 4-3 to extend his contract for an additional year, to June 30, 2014.

The three board members voting against the contract extension did so because they don't agree with having a contract extended beyond three years, not because of any dissatisfaction with the superintendent's performance, they said.

One of those board members, Sue Grey, noted the district's teachers and support personnel have three-year contracts. She said she doesn't want to vote for a contract extension beyond her term on the board.

I agree that Culver did an excellent job in stewarding Unit 4 through the end of the Consent Decree.   I don't agree that his contract should perpetually be four years from expiring.  And I agree with those Board members who don't want to push the contract into the term of the next Board.  Grey, Lockman and Novak are absolutely correct in voting against this extension.

Been meaning to post on IP for some time on the sate of Unit Four from my personal viewpoint and have not been able to find the time. However IP’s recent post “Be It Resolved” managed to get me moving – so here go my thoughts – and they are ONLY MY THOUGHTS – and I have no power by myself to seek for the Board of Education.
 
First and foremost – I am not hanging out any sort of a MISSION ACCOMPLISHED banner and taking a victory lap. As a historian of sorts – the only messages I could see flying might be Nelson’s ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, though most days Beatty’s comments at Jutland of “SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH OUR BLOODLY SHIPS TODAY” seems to ring true. In my opinion – the district has a long way to go to get where I would like to see it – but we have made some steps in 2009.
 
Consider
 
THE CONSENT DECREE IS OVER: Yes the final legal costs have to be settled by the judge- but the days of the district producing a 3300 page quarterly report (that’s a three thousand and three hundred page report four times a year) are over. And since the report was sent to Boston to be analyzed by graduate students at district expense – and sent back to Chicago to be poured over by lawyers – after which the district had to answer any questions and report back and repeat the process. The bottom line is that said reports were
Often not formally released until almost a year after they were submitted – and then recommendations had to wait till the next school year – by which time a new report would have come out. That process – with costs in time and money is OVER – though more then one person doubted that it would ever end.  
 
THE COUNTY WIDE SALES TAX PASSED: This year the Board of Education for Unit Four did not levy any taxes to pay for the building bonds for Barkstall, Stratton and Central. Everyone in Unit Four will not pay that amount in June. Since Unit Four does NOT control the Property Assessment system I will not state that your Unit Four taxes will be less in all cases – but for most homeowners in Unit Four you should see less of a tax bite in June from Unit Four.
 
          In addition without adding to property taxes the district is able to rebuild Booker T. Washington and add an addition on to Garden Hills – build a new school in Savoy due to open in August of 2012, and renovate Bottenfield, Kenwood, Robeson and Westview over the next seven years – and no I don’t know the order of renovation yet. These will be “green” schools –with additional savings to be seen in the long run through energy savings as we add geothermal systems, insulation, and modern windows.
We still have to deal with issues at Edison, Central, Dr. Howard and Southside – but we are moving in the right direction of proving schools for the 21st Century.
 
EDUCATION EQUITY EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE IS UP AND RUNNING: We not only have ten good community members on this committee to represent all elements of Unit Four, but we have set specific terms of office. Five of the members will be up in 2011, and the other five in 2012. That means that any future School Board, starting with the next Board elected in 2011, will be able to appoint members and ensure that the EEE committee remains attuned to the school system of today.
 
OTHER COMMITTES AND GROUPS: The district has set up a long term planning group to get that vision we have lacked in the past. We are working with the City of Champaign Planning Office to provide services (for a fee). There is now a Promises Made and Promises Kept Committee to oversee the district pledges for the Sales Tax Income. The district has been reaching out to get more community involvement – instead of being a self center group off on its own (IN MY OPINION)
 
WHAT COMES NEXT – IN MY OPINION!!! 
 
          When I was elected to the Board in 2009 I wrote down seven goals – which I grade myself at the end of each year. Here are my goals – as well as my grades – you may disagree
 

1. Establish a Long Range Building Program – including funding

2008 Grade Inc = Incomplete
2009 Grade C
 
Rationale: We have started on the elementary buildings – will still have some way to go – especially at the secondary level.
 
2. Building Level Administrative Compensation and Assignment
2008 Grade C
2009 Grade B
 
Rationale: Elementary principals are now on a year round contract – which should help us get better candidates. Athletic directors at the high schools are now administrators, so that they can evaluate their coaching staff properly. Elementary principals now have real administrative assistants who can also do teacher evaluation.
On the down side – we have upped everyone’s title at the secondary level – even though it will mean more money in the long run for the same amount of work.
 
3. Central Office Administrative Compensation and Assignment
2008 Grade F
2009 Grade F
 
Rationale: Too many “stealth administrators’ – that is too many “teachers” in non teaching administrative positions so that they are not counted as administrators. No system for individual accountability or merit pay – and if we can’t do it at central office how do we ever get it into the buildings. Many of the “stealth administrator” jobs are necessary and needed – but in their current status they make little sense.
 
4. Alternative Schools
2008 Grade B
2009 Grade C
 
Rationale: The Academic Alternative School is off and running well an is helping it’s students succeed. But it is NOT designed for all students – nor should it be. Students at the Academic Alternative School must meet criteria to attend – and removing or reducing that criteria will be fatal to the program.
We need a program for other students with issues. We send secondary students to READY, which does an excellent job in my opinion, but I worry about overloading them. I am also concerned about how do we reach students in the elementary levels. When one spends Sunday afternoon reading ALL of the district suspension letters one worries about what is happening out there in the buildings, and my monthly attempts to visit every school in the district often confirm my concerns.
 
5. CFT Contract      
2008 Grade F
2009 Grade D
 
Rationale: I wanted to see it done as soon as possible. We got it done in the end – and if I were giving the CFT leadership a grade it would be far higher – again MY OPINION!!
 
6. District Libraries
2008 Grade D
2009 Grade C
 
Rationale: This one is personal as I used to be a Unit Four Librarian and know what is needed. The district libraries were well supported from 1997 to 2002 – and its been downhill. Some progress has been made in MY OPINION – more needs to be made.
 
7. Building Budgets
2008 Grade C
2009 Grade B
 
Rationale: Again, this one is personal as I used to serve on my Building Council – and were tight fisted as our building had a long term plan where any surplus went into capital items such as new classroom furniture. Because we were tight fisted – we got hit the hardest in the budget cut as we proved we could live on less.
We now have a building budget that looks at the makeup of buildings and gives them more funding based on student indicators. Its getting better but there is always room for improvement.
 
OVERALL GRADE FOR NOVAK – HIS OPINION
2008 Grade D
2009 Grade C
 
Rationale: Effort is nice – but results count
 
 
THE PRECEDING IS THE EXPRESSED OPINION OF GREG NOVAK. COMMENTS ON UNIT FOUR AND GREG NOVAK WILL BE APPRECIATED, REMEMBER I’M ONE OF SEVEN, AND INDIVIDUALLY HAVE NO POWER OF MY OWN
 
Respectively submitted
 
Greg Novak

The Federal Lord Judge has finally signed off on the negotiated end to the Consent Decree.

The Champaign school district’s consent decree case is officially over.

Federal District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade entered an order Wednesday afternoon approving the proposed settlement agreement reached by the school district and the plaintiffs this summer.

"The Consent Decree is hereby terminated in its entirety."  Yea!

Today's NG:

The Champaign school district needs to cut $2 million from its budget for each of the next two years, says its chief financial officer, Gene Logas.

Logas talked to school board members at a Monday night study session about his predictions for the district's finances for the next two years and his suggestions for making cuts to balance the budgets.

Logas recommended the board consider $2 million in cuts next year, as well as issuing working cash bonds and further spending down its fund balance.

Logas predicted the school district will end this fiscal year with a deficit of nearly $4 million.

Discuss.

No, that's not a typo:

District officials have said they will not pay for any work related to trying to extend the consent decree. They have also objected to specific fee requests based on the presence of more than two plaintiffs' attorneys at certain meetings, the time spent on certain work, and hourly rates, among other things.

Ashley says, in the court filings, that the amount owed to her Chicago law firm is $1,091,381.50.

Although she called the district's distinction between work related to extending the consent decree and work which was not a "false" distinction, she divided the fees according to the related work.

She says the firm is owed $336,667 for work that is not related to extending the consent decree, and $670,461 for extension-related work, as well as $84,253.50 for work related to seeking payment of fees – "work largely created by District's counsel."

The court document also states that $169,232.85 is owed to Rockford attorney Venita Hervey, who also did work for the plaintiffs.

Ugh.

Just posted on the News-Gazette website:  "Judge terminates most of Champaign consent decree."  The remaining parts of the Consent Decree that are still operable are those that the plaintiffs had filed a motion requesting an extension for a few months ago.  The specific areas, according to the article, are "special education, alternative education, and the addition of elementary seats in north Champaign."  The next hearing is currently set for August 3, but Judge McDade may schedule conferences in order to reach a settlement prior to that hearing date.  Personally, I don't see how the complaint about adding elementary seats in north Champaign would be extended, given how the recent tax increase measures failed during the last few elections.  The district seems to have done everything in its power to increase seats, but the voters would not approve a tx increase to fund those new seats; I don't see how the district could reasonably be faulted for that.

As an aside, I found the article is somewhat confusing to read; it may be a "breaking news" type entry, and will be refined later however.

As IP says, discuss...

HG

Today's (morning!) News-Gazette:

The school district spends, on average, about $150,000 per month on consent decree-related fees, for its own lawyer, the plaintiffs' lawyer, and all consultants doing work on consent decree issues, said Gene Logas, the chief financial officer for the district.

That's nearly $2 million per year.

Logas anticipates that expense will decrease by about $1 million in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, and he's budgeted that much less in the proposed 2010 budget.

Logas noted the legal fees will continue in July and August, as the district prepares for the Aug. 3 court hearing. And some bills from the current fiscal year will come in for a few more months, he said.

Also, both sides can appeal whatever ruling the court makes, Scott said.

"It's likely to be tied up in litigation for some time," she said.

Ugh.  This is the gift that just keeps on giving.

Today's NG:

A federal judge has denied a request for a comprehensive good faith hearing before the Champaign school district’s consent decree case ends.

District Judge Joe Billy McDade issued his order Monday afternoon. It states the consent decree does not require a good faith hearing at its termination. McDade also said such a hearing isn’t necessary to decide the pending motions to extend the consent decree.

Discuss.

Today's NG:

The district filed its objection last week to both proposed hearings, saying they are not necessary and would be a waste of judicial and district resources.

In the document filed Wednesday, Ashley said the court has the authority at any time to look at the district's good faith and compliance with the consent decree, and it did so in public hearingsa in 2002 and 2006.

The district's objection to a public hearing even on the court monitor's final report "suggests a troubling insensitivity on the part of the district to its minority constituents and to the community as a whole," Ashley wrote. She said the failure to provide a public forum for milestone events in public interest consent decree cases "shuts out the community and threatens to undermine the legitimacy of the decree."

Ashley also claimed the district suggested, in 2005, that a good faith inquiry would take place prior to the end of the consent decree. She said that admission is binding now.

Discuss.

The discovery recount for the Unit 4 School Boad race has showed no change from the computer count.  Stuckey will now decide whether to pursue a full recount.

More details later.

UPDATE from the County Clerk's blog:

With the caveats below applying today, the redundant recount of 4395 ballots in the Unit 4 school district race showed no change in results.

It's my understanding that Tomlinson, Lockman and Lanesskog were sworn in as new Board members prior to last night's meeting.

Today's NG:

The plaintiffs in the Champaign school district's consent-decree case have filed a second motion seeking to extend the consent decree, in the areas of special education and alternative education.

The motion was filed Monday afternoon, the day before the two sides in the case appear in federal district court in Peoria to argue on a previous motion to extend the decree.

The motion, filed by plaintiffs' attorney Carol Ashley, says the district has not made progress in the area of special education.

"No other area of the district's operations boasts such a comprehensive absence of progress over the course of the last seven years," it states. "The racial disparity in referral rates for special education has not budged over the life of the Decree."

The goal of the consent decree is to eliminate unwarranted disparities between black and white students in assignment to special education, along with achievement, discipline, attendance and enrollment in gifted and honors classes, among other things.

Well, at least the plaintiffs are conceding significant progress in many areas.

And here's another story about today's hearings, regarding school assignments using socio-economic status instead of race.

UPDATED and BUMPED:  An email sent by Superintendent Arthur Culver to Board Members and Staff:

From: Arthur Culver
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 3:45 PM
To: u4staff
Cc: u4boe
Subject: Update on April 28th Consent Decree Hearing
 
This morning, I accompanied our attorneys, other district administrators, and Board members to federal court in Peoria to hear Judge McDade’s opinion on Plaintiffs’ request for a Limited Extension of the Consent Decree in the areas of student assignment and the addition of two strands of seats north of University Avenue. We were very pleased that Judge McDade agreed that the District could proceed with our new process of student assignment that replaces the use of race as an assignment criteria with the use of socioeconomic status. Our kindergarten lottery has been run using socioeconomic status, and we will be sending placement letters next week. We are extremely proud of the fact that the 2009 kindergarten lottery had the largest number of participants in district history.
 
Also at today’s hearing, Judge McDade discussed two additional motions filed by Plaintiffs yesterday. In addition to the earlier motion regarding student assignment and the addition of seats north of University, Plaintiffs filed a motion seeking a Limited Extension of the Consent Decree relating to Special Education and Alternative Education. The second motion filed by Plaintiffs yesterday asks for a Comprehensive Good Faith Hearing and a Request for Consolidation of Hearings.
 
By Friday, our attorneys will respond to the Plaintiffs’ request to combine the hearings for Limited Extensions to the Consent Decree and to the motion for a Good Faith Hearing. Plaintiffs will have 3 days to reply after receipt of our response.
 
We have 14 days to respond specifically to Plaintiffs’ motions for a Limited Extension of the Consent Decree in the areas of special education and alternative education. During this same time period, the District was directed to meet and confer with Plaintiffs regarding a limited discovery plan and hearing schedule. We have previously responded to the motion for a Limited Extension of the Consent Decree in the areas of student assignment and seats north of University Avenue.
 
I will provide additional updates regarding the expiration of the Consent Decree as they become available.
 
I am sharing this information with each of you for two reasons. First, I want to keep you apprised of the process leading to the expiration of the Consent Decree on June 30, 2009. Second, I want you to know how much I appreciate all that you have done for the past seven years and before to meet the goals of the Consent Decree. We have all worked diligently on the legal and reporting requirements of the Consent Decree. We can all take pride in what we have accomplished for students. Plaintiffs and the Monitoring Team have acknowledged our success in many areas. We have acknowledged areas where we continue to seek improvement. Today, and always, I want to acknowledge the unbelievable talent, commitment, and hard work of our teachers, administrators and support staff. You give your best every day, and I will make sure that your efforts are recognized. Thank you for all that you do.
 
Arthur
 
Arthur R. Culver, Superintendent
Champaign Unit #4
703 S. New Street
Champaign, IL 61820

Didn't see this anywhere but the DI:

Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden has announced that a recount will be held for the Champaign School District's School Board election.

Lynn Stuckey, who was one of seven candidates competing for three spots on the board, finished fourth, leaving her one spot away from being a member of the board.

“By statute, Ms. Stuckey has the right to request that a discovery recount of 13 of the 52 precincts in the Champaign Unit 4 School District,” Shelden said in a press release. “While we are confident that the voting equipment used in Champaign County produces true and accurate results, this process allows us to confirm our beliefs.”

The recount is being held Friday May 1 at 8:30 a.m.

Encouraging:

In his last visit to the Champaign school district before a federal consent decree is scheduled to expire, court monitor Robert Peterkin said the district has made changes in the last couple of years that have made a difference for students and that have "enormous potential" for the future.

"I think they are in the best position they've been in to attack the problems brought up in the consent decree," Peterkin said, "but they can't claim total victory."

Peterkin, a Boston-based consultant who has been working with the district on equity issues for 12 years, spent the last three days meeting with administrators, teachers and students and visiting schools. He meets quarterly with district administrators and plaintiffs' representatives to monitor the district's progress on meeting the goals of the consent decree.

Discuss.

On Election Day, three votes separated Stig Lanesskog and Lynn Stuckey for the third and final spot on Champaign Unit 4 School Board.  An additional nine ballots (late arriving absentees and provisional ballots) remained to be counted today.  After that counting, Lanesskog is the winner by two votes.  I don't know if Stuckey will ask for a recount.

It seems to have gone without much notice or discussion, but the Champaign Unit 4 Schools posted 12 Assistant Principal positions in the elementary schools and 2 Administrator for Facilities & Program Management positions on their website the day after the election.  The election is over, they've secured funding for capital projects, and their next actions are to increase the number of administrators????  This is crazy.  Adding administrators at a time where budgets are ugly and projected to get worse.  Who is making these decisions?  Where is the school board on this?  Championship rings are one thing but adding 14 administrative jobs and the associated benefits is crazy!

For what its worth - and its dammed little - here are my personal thoughts on tomorrows election and who I would like to see on the Unit Four School Board. This may be the liss of  death for several candidates I think - but my phone has been ringing all weekend from people asking me what I think. I am not sure if an endorsement is in line but since I have signs in my yard - and walked door to door for Dave I will go forward and state my mind.

The sad thing is that we have so many excellent candidates and only three seats on the board open. I have had face to face meetings with six of the candidates - all whom asked to meet with me - as well having attended meetings at which they spoke - or checked their writings.

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

DAVE TOMLINSON - because we need him to continue as President of the Board. Dave and I do not agree on all things - and he has taken me out to the woodshed more then once - but he does a GREAT job as President of the Board. His leadership skills in serving as the connection between the Administration and the Board will be difficult to replace. Dave is thoughtful - concerned about the students we serve - and more then willing to stand up for what he belives. Dave is a critical player and if you listen to me on no other person - please vote for Dave.

TOMMY LOCKMAN - I was not a fan of Tommy at first - but am impressed by the time he already spends in the schools as a volunteer coach and as a mentor/volunteer as well as what I have heard from him  and seen. One of the important parts of the being on the School Board is doing "oversight" - which to me translates to being out in the buildings to see what is happening. Tommy does this well and I have his sign in my yard.

STIG LANESSKOG: Stig did a great job on the Great Schools Together project and helped give Unit Four its first community based Strategic Plan. He is a visible parent at Westview and has experience in the community. He is up to speed on a number of issues and would be a good member of the Board,

HONORABLE MENTION:

JEFF KOHMSTEDT: I was greatly impressed by Jeff and wish that there was an extra seat open for him. He has some good ideas, and would not be a rubber stanp for anyone.

VICTOR MULLINS: Victor would also be a great addition to the school board. He has experience working with students at the U of I and would bring that to the Board table,

SPECIAL MENTION

STEPHANIE YOUSEF: I was impressed with Stephanie and her knowledge of the district - my one concern is that as a full time Parkland student she may not have the time needed to carry out her job. I spend 60 to 80 hours a month on Board business - between reading the weekly packet, the Board packet and trying to get out and visit buildings

That's my thoughts - for what they are worth

Greg Novak

The NG article about yesterday's candidate forum:

The candidates generally agreed on a variety of issues:

– They said fixing the aging buildings in the district was a priority, and they advocated work to improve energy efficiency of the buildings.

– Several said the consent decree needs to end, but the district must continue to monitor equity issues and keep in place programs that will help eliminate the achievement gap between student groups.

– They were generally supportive of the concept of charter schools, but said such a school is not necessary in Champaign unless it could be shown the district is not meeting the needs of some students.

– Most said they would not support just one high school for the district, because it would be too large.

– All the potential board members said they would not be a rubber stamp for the district's administration. Current board President David Tomlinson noted he's voted against a number of recommendations, and the board often has votes that are not unanimous. Candidate Lynn Stuckey said she has no problem questioning decisions at board meetings.

The NG also endorsed incumbent President Dave Tomlinson and newcomers Stig Lanesskog and Tommy Lockman today.

Someone emailed me the website for Lynn Stuckey, running for Unit 4 School Board, and asked that I post it.  I'm happy to, but wanted to ask at the same time for websites or information about the other candidates for Unit 4. Please email them to me or post them in comments, and I'll add them to this post as they come in.

While we're at it - what questions would you like to ask the field of candidates running for Unit 4 Board?

And please use this thread to discuss the upcoming Unit 4 School Board election.  Thanks!

UPDATE:  Bumped with the updates.  Tommy Lockman has a website here.  Stig Lanesskog and Victor Mullins have a flier here.

UPDATE (3-27):  Bumped with more updates: 

• Jeff Kohmstedt has a website and posted some information here. 
• Stephanie Yousef also has a website.
• Dave Tomlinson, the incumbent President, posted some information here and is a regular IP.com participant.

UPDATE (3-30):  Candidate forum upcoming:

Community members will have the chance to find out this week, at a candidate forum hosted by the Champaign PTA Council. The forum will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Mellon Administrative Center, 703 S. New St., C.

The Champaign school board has three open seats, and seven candidates are running for those seats. All seven have committed to being at the forum, said Nancy Hoetker, president of the PTA Council.

Lots of news today.  Unit 4 releases their building priorities if the countywide sales tax passes:

If the sales tax passes, he recommended the district take out a $70 million bond (equaling several years of sales tax income) that would cover construction for projects including adding a strand to Garden Hills Elementary and rebuilding B.T. Washington Elementary, at a cost of about $30 million. An elementary in Savoy would cost an estimated $18 million.

About $14.5 million would pay off existing bond debt, which Gene Logas, the district's assistant superintendent for financial services and operations, said would allow property tax abatement of about $32 per $150,000 in a home's value.

Logas said he's presenting the list now so voters will know how the dollars would be spent.

Discuss.