Sunday, April 26, 2009

State of our Berwyn Schools by Mark Titzer

Here’s a quick recap of the State of the Schools presentation hosted by the All Berwyn Committee (ABC). Many thanks to the ABC for hosting this. 26 people were in the audience. I was hoping for around 26,000. Maybe next year…

DISTRICT 98: Mr. John Belmont, Superintendent of North Berwyn District 98 began by showing a thought provoking video clip on world demographics and education trends. Mr. Belmont provided some interesting historical perspectives on district 98 (including that the district has been in existence since 1899 – longer than Berwyn itself). He reviewed some of the recent trends in demographics, and provided some points on the financial state of the district. He commented on the 6 year rotating curriculum review cycle in place, and stressed that parental involvement is the single most important factor in educational success. The district runs an annual surplus on its roughly $30M budget, and anticipates being debt free by 2012. Impressive.

Dr. Stan Fields, Superintendent of South Berwyn District 100 followed, with a similar overview of district statistics. He reiterated the recently adopted strategic vision of the district to place in the top 25% of Illinois schools in terms of meeting/exceeding state standards. He admitted this will take some time and a lot of hard work, but exuded confidence that, by establishing a stretch goal, changes and improvements will be immediate. (I agree.) He talked about the very generous donation by the South Berwyn Education Foundation, which has enabled 19 classrooms to be outfitted with ‘smart board’ technology. (If you haven’t seen these smart boards, find an opportunity to visit a Dist. 100 classroom – they are amazing.)

Finally, Dr. Victoria Parkinson, Asst. Superintendent for Support Services for District 201 provided a presentation on the curricular approaches that the District is employing. She talked fairly candidly about the low test scores and graduation rates within the district and the strategies the district is implementing to address them.

Dr. Navarro, head of Morton College, was apparently unable to attend.

Elected officials in the audience included Mr. Tony Laureto, District 98 President and 2 fellow board members Brian Swade and Stephen Lancsak, Dist. 100 President Joanne Zendol, Alderman Skryd and Alderman-elect Laureto.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Is School Funding in Illinois Discriminatory?

I read with interest a recent e-mail newsletter from the State School News Service. Before reading the article, consider that while Berwyn elementary schools spend thousands less per pupil than neighboring suburban districts, our minority population rate is much higher.

State Board soon to be busy with Urban League suit
By Jim Broadway, Publisher, State School News Service

Not much has been written about the Chicago Urban League's suit challenging Illinois school funding system since a circuit judge gave the go-ahead last week allowing the litigation to proceed. The major Chicago newspapers gave the story just four paragraphs each online. A writer for the Chicago Catalyst (a school reform publication) provided more detail. Was last week's ruling a big deal?

As we told you last August when the suit was filed, it has the potential to be a major deal statewide. Last week's ruling, allowing the challenge to proceed as a civil rights action (in contrast with past failed attacks on our school funding system) raises that potential considerably. We'll know more on May 5, when lawyers for the Urban League and for the Illinois State Board of Education gather for a "status hearing" and argue over what's "discoverable" in this dispute.

Here's some background. In 2003, the legislature passed HB 2330 (now Public Act 93-0425) prohibiting the state, any county or unit of local government from discriminating against any "person or activity" on the basis of race, color or national origin. The more significant paragraph of that law makes a governmental entity vulnerable to charges of such discrimination if it uses "criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of subjecting individuals" to such discrimination.

The "method" ISBE uses to implement school funding policy is prescribed by law. The question will be, does that method "have the effect" of discriminating against those on whose behalf the Urban League has filed the suit - African-American and Hispanic citizens? The disparities of resources from one school to another - and the fact that property taxpayers in poorer communities pay far higher tax rates for education than are paid in more affluent communities - are points of contention.

It is not ISBE's fault that Illinois' communities of abject poverty are not racially heterogeneous, nor does the ISBE control the law on how schools are funded. Those issues are not in question. But if the court finds ISBE's methods discriminatory and orders the agency to stop using them, what would happen? No schools would get any state funding until the legislature enacts school policy that does not have the effect of being discriminatory.

As Catalyst writer John Myers reported last week, the ruling by Circuit Judge Martin Agran has stimulated some legislators to action. Rep. David Miller (D-Dolton), one of the more active school funding reform advocates in the legislature, is trying to get the issue on the 2009 agenda. The suit "puts pressure on the legislature to do the right thing," he told Myers. Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago), who chairs the Senate Education Committee, is taking similar action in his chamber.

Immediate policy change seems unlikely. Lawsuits drag on. Resolution of this one may be two years away. Whatever remedy the court would order would be a radical change in the status quo. Legislatures tend not to want to make such changes. Most probably believe they have enough "tough" decisions to make this year already, with a budget deficit of historic proportions staring them in the face, mounting deficits and calls for "ethics reform" in their own chambers.

But this lawsuit is one to be watched. Even Judge Agran has observed effects of the current school funding mechanism that might be considered discriminatory. The Chicago Urban League has the momentum now, and it is represented pro bono by some of the nation's most credible lawyers.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

State of the Schools

If you wonder what is going on in Berwyn Public Schools...wonder no longer!

The All Berwyn Committee presents
"State of our Berwyn Schools"

When: Thursday, April 23rd, 7 p.m.
Where: Berwyn City HallCouncil Chambers

Speakers include the Superintendents and The Boards of Education from:

*North Berwyn School District 98
*South Berwyn School District 100
*Morton High School 201
*Morton College 527

Questions and Answers to follow!

Refreshments Will Be Served

Friday, April 17, 2009

3rd Annual Spring Fundraiser for Scholarships

The 3rd annual BerwynCARES Spring Fundraiser
Saturday May 2nd at Tiger O'Stylies, 6300 W. Ogden, 7pm.


Local Band Goat Rodeo will rock out for scholarships! Tickets are $15 which includes food and entertainment with a cash bar. Silent Auction and raffle items include theater and restaurant gift certificates, a 2 night stay at a Lake Geneva condo, sporting event tickets, spa services, piano and voice lessons and much more! Something for everyone!

You'll pay at the door, but we strongly recommend that you reserve tickets at info@berwyncares.org.

ALL proceeds go to award scholarships for Morton West students headed to college in the Fall. This year especially, THE NEED IS GREAT! Please support our scholarship fund by:

1. Attending the event. Reserve your tickets at info@berwyncares.org
2. Sponsoring a scholarship in honor of someone or making a monetary donation.
3. Donate an item or service to our silent auction.
4. Spread the word. This will be a fun opportunity to get together for a GREAT cause. Call your friends and plan a night out. Alumni, plan a reunion with your old classmates!

Together we can make a difference.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Don't Forget to VOTE!

Tuesday, April 7th is Election Day. There are elections for the School Boards of Education for District 98, District 100 and District 201. Click here for a sample ballot.

Be an informed voter. Go to our website to read profiles of the candidates!