Only hours after Summit Hill School District 161 board members voted to close for the 2012-13 school year, Principal Kathy Klein was holding an assembly for students, teachers and staff Thursday explaining what that decision would mean for them.
Klein--sometimes through tears, according to those in attendance--told the children that the closing was an example of adults having to occasionally make adult decisions, and despite that, everyone was still determined to have a good year, especially with Illinois Standard Achievement Tests scheduled next week.
"She did a wonderful job of setting the tone in the morning," said D161 Supt. Barb Rains, who spent much of the day talking with Mary Drew teachers and staff about the closing, which was done by the board in order to chip away at the district's $3 million deficit over three years. The board wants to cut at least $1.4 million of that this year.
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Now that the board has made its decision to close Mary Drew, Rains said her next step is to figure out the staffing details for the district with one less school. Mary Drew eachers expressed curiosity more than fear Thursday on what district schools they might end up teaching at next school year. Some board members Wednesday said the 16 Mary Drew classroom teachers would not be let go with the school closing, and they would "follow the students" to the other schools in the district.
Although she wouldn't guarantee that no Mary Drew teachers would be eliminated, Rains said it was likely that most would stay on because most of them were tenured, meaning they would be found other spots in the district. As part of the board's cost-cutting model, nine teaching positions are to be dropped district-wide, and Rains said she wasn't sure specifically how many more would be cut because of the closing. The financial model involving closing a school states that there would be a 5 percent staff reduction, but that would be spread throughout the other district schools. Teachers must be informed if they are being let go by the end of March, Rains said, adding that the board will need to address that at its March 28 meeting.
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Board members also indicated Wednesday night that Klein would be retained by the district in a new position. Rains said she agreed with that statement, but she didn't know specifically what Klein's future role would be. Principal Jan Zevkovich announced she was retiring after the school year Wednesday, meaning there would be a principal opening in the district for 2012-13.
As for Mary Drew support staff, Rains said an effort would be made to try to find other positions for them in the district. Those employees, such as clerical workers and janitorial staff, are not guarantee spots at other schools.
No committee was formed, but Supt. Rains held public forums where community members were able to share their ideas, concerns and suggestions. A superintendent's advisory committee has been formed that includes parents and residents of the community. Joe Vince Local Editor, Frankfort
To imply that ANY kid that goes to ANY of our schools is "dirty" is just insane and down right maddening if someone thinks that!
@Dan, are you concerned with 4200 seats with only 3400 students? Supt. Rains said every year we will be dropping approx. 100 students....so your suggesting to just attack our teachers contract and NOT deal with capicities? You're not wrong explaining all of your so called facts. You're not 100% accurate, let's start... teachers DO NOT receive 100% insur. far from it...ask a teacher, then find a teacher with a family and see what they pay EVERY year? Teachers ALL over the state have many of these perks...not just Summit Hill. They work hard with our children and you left that out...shame on you! Administration cuts are on the table listen to the podcast or go to a meeting.
Do you have a copy of the teachers contract in front of you, because I don't. Are you just guessing and trying to put fear into the community to stir the pot.
Build a STRONG team that will stand up and fight for our teachers! Don't forget your salary is still at or a bit below state average. Your raise was an agreement, the union members did not strong arm anyone....so @Dan YOU RELAX! I will fight for teachers.
I've excerpted the part of the teachers' union contract with the district concerning health insurance premiums. You can look at the entire contract here: http://www.summithill.org/Documents/Ctrl_Hyperlink/2008-13_Board-Union_Agreement_uid892010215482.pdf: "For the first year of this contract, the Board shall pay the entire cost of employee group health insurance for each full-time tenured Teacher. ... "For each additional year, the Board will pay up to a 20 percent increase in the cost of employee health insurance premiums. A committee comprised of the Union and Administration shall study cost containment options for the plan. The committee will provide information to the Union and Board. If agreement cannot be reached by the Union and the Board on cost containment options that reduce the premium increase to 20 percent or less, the increase in premiums will be paid by the employees. ... "The Union agrees that all Teachers hired after September 1, 2006, shall pay 10 percent of the annual premium for single health insurance in the first year of employment, 8 percent of the annual premium for single health insurance in the second year of employment, 6 percent of the annual premium for the single health insurance in the third year of employment, and 4 percent of the annual premium for single health insurance in the fourth year of employment. Joe Vince Local Editor, Frankfort
The district pays 100 percent of the health insurance premiums for certain administrators, such as superintendent. It depends on the contract. This is a common practice throughout the state. In fact, the Illinois Association of School Boards encourages boards to use this as a way to attract and retain good administrators. Joe Vince Local Editor, Frankfort
http://www.hlerk.com/pdf/Salary%20Compensation.pdf
http://www.hlerk.com/pdf/Salary%20Compensation.pdf
You hit the nail on the head! Everything you list here, and on a much larger scale, is what's wrong in the entire state. It goes beyond just teacher pension/medical reform, but rather Public Service pension/medical reform. Our tax dollars fund the future of some politicians, state employees and teachers. I'm sorry, but I would much rather see my dollars doing to fund eduction and other programs in the state of illinois that protect the future of our children. Working adults can fund their own retirement and medical coverage. Please people, as you review the issue and closing of our school, be thinking of the larger problem here: the state is broke - we have no money to continue to fund basic and promised programs such as education. EVERYONE has to be willing to give something up: and like the private sector, fringe benefits should be the first thing to go. I am wondering how we can convince the rule makers to recind pensions and medical coverage when they are clearly in it to protect themselves and not the students.