The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By David Grimes, Quill Correspondent
Union school board members reported on their experiences at the state school board convention in Chicago last month during their first regular December board meeting last week.
Reporting first, Bill Allaman described his trip to the Chicago High School for Ag Sciences, which he described as very enjoyable. The school receives 1,200 applications annually for 150 openings. The student population mix is 25 percent white, 61 percent black and 14 percent other race groups. The student body is 100 percent bussed to the central location, either on city buses or school buses. Of those who attend, 43.7 percent of the students come from low income families.
"I'd never attended a functioning school before," Allaman said, adding that he found the school's approach to areas such as academics, transportation and athletics to be much the same as Union's.
"Each student wears a photo ID badge with their name, photo and a bar code on it," Allaman said. "The bar code is to keep track of tardy and absent students."
Allaman said he was impressed that parents pick up their children's report cards at the school twice during the school year. Each student is also required to perform 40 hours of community service throughout the year.
Doug Sams reported how impressed he was by strong representation at the convention by board members from neighboring districts, with particular reference to Stronghurst and Yorkwood. In describing topics covered at a finance session, Sams said he was glad he waited a year after going on the board to attend the convention.
"Someone just coming on the board would have trouble grasping it all", he explained, with particular reference to discussion of tax levies and use of restricted funds.
High school principal Pat Collins described her observations at a No Child Left Behind session and another on annexations, detachments and consolidations.
She also attended a session where the state superintendent spoke, but said he offered no details on education reform.
Elementary principal Tony Ryan reported that he hit all quality sessions, including one conducted by Peter Yarrow, formerly of the group Peter, Paul and Mary, on how to deal with problems stemming from bullying, taunting and teasing.
Superintendent Dean Irlbeck described sessions he attended, including the one on No Child Left Behind as well as sessions on legal issues and personnel matters.
Board members approved a resolution backing the Educational Funding Advisory Board recommendation to state legislators that the state provide more of the funding in public schools and rely less on local communities for education dollars.
Discussion of issuing bonds for the purpose of refinancing current bond indebtedness resulted in the board taking no action on the matter. The issue will likely be revisited after the first of the year, since the next following coupon date will come up in August 2003. Irlbeck recommended that waiting might be the best approach in light of current consolidation talks. If refinancing is approved, it would most likely receive that approval in April or May.
Irlbeck offered a clarification to the board regarding consolidation matters. He said Charlie Barber (Southern Supt.) had told him that a letter from La Harpe had not been received, but that one was expected to be received.
With regard to review of board policies, discussion of board and administrative roles and developing the school's statement of mission and philosophy and code of ethics, members divided into three groups to assess the needs in those areas.
Those sub-committees will review their assigned portions of school policy and bring their recommendations before the board at their January meeting.
"It'll be a healthy homework assignment," said board president Joe Bigger.
A two-hour executive session preceded the open meeting. No formal action followed the closed session.
Reaves was absent.
The board meets for its second regular December meeting on December 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the unit office.