State of Our Schools: Town Hall Test Score Summit

Cermak TIF Ends, Schools Benefit

I read with interest this article highlighting the impact of the newly expired Cermak TIF.  It is promising that our schools will be given a bit of help by the additional tax revenue that the expiration will bring.  However, it is worth noting that the city of Berwyn created a new TIF that covers the western part of the old TIF district as well as a portion of Harlem south of Cermak to about 31st street.  The new TIF will freeze tax rates at the present level with all new incremental revenue being invested into those businesses rather than schools and other taxing bodies.  It is also concerning that after 23 years of diverting funds away from schools, there is little in the way of new development and increased tax revenue for which those diverted funds were supposed to create.  The recent development of Harlem and Cermak, including the spruce up of the Cermak plaza  holds promise that the new TIF will invest the funds wisely to ultimately increase tax revenue.  Hopefully, our schools will not have to wait another 23 years for the funds they so desperately need.

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How Do Berwyn Schools Compare?

Recently, The State Board of Education released school report cards for each public school in the state of Illinois.  In an effort to provide clarity to parents and local residents, each year Berwyn CARES prepares a summary of school report card data for Berwyn's 13 schools along with an analysis of where each school ranks within the State of Illinois.  This information for 2011 will be posted on this blog and our website very soon.

This December CARES will once again host a town-hall style meeting to address the ‘State of the Test Scores’.   This event will take place on December 6, 2011 at 6:30 PM at the Berwyn Public Library.   School district administrations have been invited to provide a short presentation on where each district is headed.  There will be an opportunity for the audience and a CARES panel to ask additional questions and discuss the accomplishments and the challenges our schools face in light of this new data.    

Please plan to attend and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.  This is a great chance to become informed about YOUR schools and to join the discussion.