Ideas and Issues

Registration materials for our Enrichment Summer School program have been sent home. Classes are offered for every type of student interest whether it be in the area of athletics and fitness, recreation, crafts, music, problem solving or home arts. Sign your child up today for a wonderful three week experience that will operate from June 9 until June 27. If you have misplaced your catalog there is one available at the Center Cass Homepage at www.ccsd66.org.

Now that warmer weather has returned it is a good time to remind your children about “Stranger Danger”. We will talking to all students in the next few days about this topic also. Remind them to follow those common safety procedures. Be vigilant about your neighborhood and report any strange or unusual cars or activities to the proper authorities. Keep our children SAFE!

Legislature Returns to Springfield

Our elected officials return to Springfield tomorrow with veiled hopes of meeting their adjournment deadline of May 29th. I doubt that they will meet that deadline. While the state desperately needs a solid and balanced financial plan and a steady hand on the controls at this time of fiscal crisis, it is not likely that such a plan will emerge. The pressure in Springfield will continue to build as our legislators return. They will be inhibited from doing their constitutional duty by Senate President Jones who continues to stand by Governor Blagojevich, even though he has an approval rating of just 13%, on most issues only to be stymied by House Speaker Madigan. This dysfunctional leadership model will prevent any significant progress toward a budget agreement and capital program. In an election year, our legislators are leery of tax increases, additional gambling and other smoke and mirror plans. The Governor, though discredited and beaten by the continuing Rezko trial, continues to exert influence on the process in his own solitary style that creates more division. We are in for a long month of wrangling!

Band Tour May 1-4, 2008

The Lakeview Spartan Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band depart early this Thursday morning, May 1st for competition in Branson, MO. The tour this year will not include a Marching Band component, so both the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band are entered in the competition. 102 - students, directors and chaperones will be traveling to Branson for the long weekend. The competition will be held in nearby Springfield, MO on Friday. In addition to the performance competition students will also visit local sites and enjoy a dinner performance at the Dixie Stampede. The musicians will return on Sunday evening. Good luck to Mr. Olhsen, Mr. Tedeschi and the young musicians!

RtI Tiers of Instruction

To complete our discussion of RtI I wanted to describe the structure of our RtI program that we will be operating for the 2008-2009 in all buildings. This program is mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The RtI program will place all students into “Tiers” based on benchmarks specified by the state. Students who make expected progress in the general curriculum and who demonstrate social competence are placed into Tier 1. Tier 1 should include about 80-90% of the entire student population within the district. Students identified as requiring strategic or targeted interventions are placed in Tier 2. Tier 2 should include about 5-15% of the student population. Interventions are scientifically research-based and could include; core instruction with supplemental materials to promote learning, small group instruction to promote skill building, differentiated instruction in general education and the use of specialists to assist with strategic instruction both in and out of the general education classroom. Tier 3 should include the smallest student population. Approximately 1-5% of the student population will be found in Tier 3. Students in Tier 3 require intensive intervention and support which may include special education programs or resources.

RtL Part II

Early this week I mentioned that the District would be implementing a RtI program in grades K-6 in the fall. I also shared some of the basic premises of the RtI philosophy. Today, I want to share some ideas or concepts surrounding RtI. These concepts have been well stated by School Psychologist Ms. Kim Montes below:

A belief that all students can learn, and the The District supports all students.

The District focuses on student intervention needs and not on “What is wrong with the student.”

RtI is an integrated, proactive approach to determining student needs.

There is an increased focus on instructional strategies, interventions and effective teaching.

Student progress is monitored frequently to determine if the interventions enabled the student to catch up to his/her peers.

If significant improvement is not identified in the monitored student, then evidence now exists of a possible underlying learning disability.

In my next post I will talk about the structure of the RtI program.

Have you Heard About RtI?

Center Cass School District 66 is in the process of implementing an Illinois State Board of Education mandate, Response to Intervention (RtI) which will change classroom instruction in many ways, some subtle and some very obvious. This program will strive to align school district resources from all sources such as regular education, special education and other specialist programs. RtI will provide school staff with methods to identify “at-risk” students. This new program will also identify students with learning disabilities. RtI is an integral part of the ISBE Rules and Regulations which require that all school districts have an RtI process in place by the 2010-2011 school year. Watch your newsletters and Principal blogs in the future for more information about this program and how it will impact programming in each building.

Six Weeks To Go – Legislative Session

The Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield tomorrow, April 15th. This week both Houses will focus on legislation. The House deadline to pass bills on third reading is Friday while the Senate deadline is Thursday. In spite of not spending a great deal of time in session this spring, the legislature will be on vacation next week, not returning until April 29th. Adjournment is scheduled for May 29th, although it is doubtful that they will make that deadline again this year. Many legislators are already planning for another long summer in Springfield.

SJRCA 92 is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday this week. This amendment would allow for a graduated income tax but does not require it, as did HJRCA 42 that was defeated in the House last week. This amendment would allow the legislature to set graduated tax rates and would have to be passed and placed on the November election ballot for approval. The earliest impact this amendment could have on State finances would be 2010.

In the meanwhile, legislators will continue to admire the same three funding options for the FY 09 budget. The “Tax Swap” plans found in HB 750 and SB 2288 would raise tax rates to fund schools and cut property tax rates. There is not much chance of these bills moving this year. Gambling expansion is still on the table but unlikely to advance to the degree that significant increases of money could be found. The Senate approved plan to allow the Governor to “sweep” $530 million in funds to reduce the $750 million shortfall is still in play and while it could help the fiscal problems of the present, is just bad policy to take designated funds in this manner. There is no doubt that the 2009 budget will be a last minute effort and focused on austerity! Perhaps the concept of a “temporary” tax rate increase such as we used back in the 1980's could help alleviate our problems. There is no doubt, as Speaker Madigan described the “civil war” underway that this will be another tough year for Illinois government agencies and families.

Governor Blagojevich Poll Ratings

Did anyone see the statewide poll regarding the performance of Governor Blagojevich? It was conducted by the Ipsos group. The poll indicated that the Governor had an overall 13% job approval rating, while 54% disapproved and 33% had mixed feelings about the Governor's job performance. In specific areas the Governor did not fare well either. 67% disapproved of his work to facilitate “good” government, while 33% did approve. 72% of those responding disapproved of Blagojevich's efforts to fight corruption in government while only 28% approved of his efforts. 73% disapproved of the Governor's plan to reduce debt while only 27% approved of these plans. How do you rate the performance of our Governor?

School Activities Abound!

Congratulations to Mr. Tedeschi and members of the Cadet and Concert Bands for their fine performances this past Saturday at the Annual Band-O-Rama Festival held at Wilkens Junior High School is nearby Willow Springs. Our young musicians performed at a high level and earned many fine comments from the adjudicator.

This week, if the weather cooperates, we hope to begin our spring sports season! Last week's games were all canceled due to the incessant rain! This week both boys and girls soccer teams, boys volleyball and girls softball teams will be in action. The Lakeview swim team is organized and will soon be preparing for the annual SEDAA Conference Swim Meet to be held at Downers South High School. The Lakeview Track and Field Team is also practicing for the Conference Meet to be held at Westmont High School. Be sure to come out and support our students!

Tax Levy 2007

Last week we received the results of our 2007 tax levy from the DuPage County Clerk. For FY 2007, our Equalizer Assessed Valuation rose 16.3% percent to a total assessment for all properties within the District to $495,243,849 from $460,020,509 in FY 2006. This growth rate has been very high the last two years as we have had substantial commercial development within the District. Commercial development brings tax dollars to fund operations but no students. Since we receive over 80% of our funding from local taxes this is important information. The total tax levy in actual dollars increased 3.87% this year. The total amount of the levy FY 2007 is $9,077,503 not including debt service.

Property taxes in DuPage County are protected by the “tax cap” which limits the increase of taxes extended to 5% or the Cost of Living Index (CPI). For the 2007 levy the tax cap was 2.5% which restricted any increases to 2.5% of the 2006 extension plus any new construction within the District which is not subject to the cap during the first year. While our extension did rise 3.87% , our actual tax rate fell from $1.76 to $1.68 for all operating funds.

Some historic figures about our tax levy; over the past ten years our EAV has averaged an increase of 9.03%, our average increase in funds for the past ten years has averaged 4.42%, while the tax cap has averaged 2.44% during the same time. New construction growth has averaged 1.98% over the past ten years. Throughout the 16 years we have lived with the tax cap, local tax rates have fallen as EAV increases.

Funding Options

Perhaps the citizens of our great state will get a chance to decide on taxes! Since the Governor and the Legislature can't decide on how to raise money to pay for state operations, two new bills have been proposed to allow the general public a voice through a constitutional amendment. HJRCA 42, sponsored by Rep. Mike Smith (D-Pekin), would raise the income tax on people making more than $250,000 to 6% of net income while leaving the general rate at 3%. Revenue from this plan would be split between schools, capital construction and to increase the standard tax exemption to reduce the tax load on the poor. This could raise about $1 billion for education.
SJRCA 89 would eliminate the current prohibition against a graduated income tax system. It assumes a graduated rate might be put into place but does not require it. It also is mute on where any additional funds would go.

To get either of these issues on the November ballot is a very remote possibility. Perhaps the new reality is that the general public will have to assume the role of our elected officials to solve our fiscal crisis. Read about these bills at www.ilga.gov

Money Games

What do you think of Senate President Emil Jones's plan to increase state spending by $638 million? In a bill sent to the House last week Jones proposes to increase spending for “pork” projects as well as allow the Governor access to currently restricted accounts so that he can find funds to further increase his health care initiative without legislative approval. All of this when we already have a $750 million shortfall in revenues for this budget. Hopefully someone has some sense in Springfield!

Do you support the current elected official recall plan being developed in Springfield? Check out the news at www.ilga.gov.

Springfield News

The Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield yesterday. They have scheduled 30 days of sessions over the next 60 calendar days. While they will certainly pass many bills, the task of passing a budget in the next 60 days is very uncertain. This could be the “perfect storm” in terms of the impending budget. Speaker Madigan recently held budget hearings throughout the state that revealed that state revenues will not cover mandated programs as well as other priority programs. With no new sources of revenue, the state will incur increased debt and additional program cuts will be inevitable. No revenue sources appear to be on the horizon. It now appears that any expansion of gambling will not occur in this election year. The sale of state assets such as the lottery and tollway no longer has much luster as such acts would burden future generations with increased debt. Governor Blagojevich maintains his vow to veto any increased taxes and has no credibility to be helpful in developing a solution for the fiscal crisis. The plight of his former fund-raiser Tony Rezko has further isolated the Governor. Most citizens have already rejected his revenue schemes.

It will be interesting to see if there is any move to involve the Republicans in a plan to pass a temporary “surcharge” to the personal income tax rate. This move would require a strong three-fifths majority to override any vetoes by the Governor. This could be tied to the much needed capital program to gather needed Republican support. A capital program could also help the state access the $6.1 billion in federal funds that will soon be gone. You may remember that such an action occurred in 1983 when a .05% surcharge was temporarily added to the state income tax and later became permanent.

In other news, it was enlightening to learn that Illinois is one of just six states that does not have a “rainy day” fund to help carry the state through rough times, such as we are currently enduring. Comptroller Dan Hynes suggested such a fund back in 2002 that would take $300 million a year to create a $1.5 billion reserve fund. If you recall, Governor Blagojevich was elected in 2002 and since then our style of financial management has been to shift current financial obligations to the future generations. Stay tuned!

Legislative Session Resumes

The Illinois General Assembly returns to action Tuesday, April 1st. It will be interesting to see what actions are taken to deal with the impending fiscal crisis facing our state. Will this be a two ring circus with just the House and Senate or a three ring circus with the House, Senate and Governor? Nevertheless, this session promises to be long on drama and most likely short on any substantive action. Tune in at www.ilga.gov.

In other action, word has come from ISBE that some appropriated funds for FY 08 are not going to be released to local districts. Among these funds are; Gifted education funding that were just restored to the budget last year, Rural Learning Initiative, Teacher Mentoring, and Classroom Cubed. Approximately $25 million for these and other budget lines will not be expended this year in order to help the state deal with an estimated $750 million shortfall in revenue for the FY 08 budget.
HB 4180 that would have lifted the mandate for schools to begin each day with “moment of silent reflection” has hit a snag as Senator Kimberly Lightford, original sponsor of this bill, has taken over the sponsorship of this bill in an effort to preserve this ridiculous law. Obviously, she does not feel that local school districts are able to decide how to start the school day and need direction form the state to do so.

Stay tuned!!