Board reiterates expansion need at
Glenwood Intermediate
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
As progress continues to be made on the building of a new elementary school, the Ball-Chatham
Board of Education and Supt. Bob Gillum are working on the next phase of building projects.
The district is already projecting enrollment to be over capacity at Glenwood Intermediate School
for the 2010-11 school year. Initial estimates are at 676 students for a 650 student capacity facility.
“We will work around it this year,” Gillum stated. “We’ve discussed different funding sources, but
this builds some immediacy into the sales tax solution.”
The proposed 40,000 square foot addition to GIS would most likely occur on the northeast side of
the building, Gillum added. It would bring capacity to 950 students for what will become a grades 5-6
facility beginning with the 2011-12 school year, or whenever the new elementary school is up and
running. The projected cost is $7.2 million.
And with district reserves footing the bill for the $17 million-plus elementary school, the district will
have to ask local taxpayers for a referendum.
The wild card is the county sales tax plan, which has enough support of local school boards and
now must go through the process of the Sangamon County Board. The issue is expected to be
placed on the ballot this November, but even if passed, the County Board controls how much, if any, of
the tax can be levied. If the tax is put to the full one cent levy, the estimated income for Ball-Chatham
has been put at $2.8 to $3 million per year, eliminating any present need for a property tax referendum.
Gillum said that local school districts and community groups are working with the County Board.
Monies from the sales tax initiative can only be used for building construction, additions or paying
down old bond debt. County Board members have tried to tie in a guarantee of increased student
achievement should the tax be levied.
“There’s very little correlation to proving that bricks and mortar lead to a guarantee of student
performance,” Gillum told the Clarion. “The likelihood that Ball-Chatham would sign a memorandum
of understanding linking the sales tax to guarantee of better test scores is unlikely.”
Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce members John John Fulgenzi and Jane Hay have joined in
to provide community support to the sales tax plan.
From a Ball-Chatham perspective, local taxpayers are going to be hit for a tax increase one of two
ways - either by sales tax or property tax. And with the sales tax plan, anywhere from 20 to 32 percent
of the revenues will be coming from folks who live outside Sangamon County.
“We can share the burden instead of having our patrons bear the sole burden,” Gillum added.
Discussions will continue. The County Board is expected to take up the issue again at its Aug. 10
meeting.
The multi-phase plan for Ball-Chatham after the GIS expansion includes demolition and
replacement of the oldest part of Ball Elementary, and addition to the new elementary school, an
addition of classroom space at GHS and finding additional space for the District Office. Later plans
could include a pool and fitness center.
•Gillum and Interim CSBO Dr. Brent McArdle have been working on the fiscal year 2011 budget.
State revenues still are not known, but the district is expecting to get only 50 percent of its Categorical
payments (B-C is still owed 50 percent from 2010) and the Foundation Level could see some
proration during the year, Gillum said.
“We’re anticipating a deficit budget due to reduced revenues,” he stated. “We’re doing everything
we can to hold expenditures in check.”
More concrete budget figures will be available at the August board meeting.
•Work on the new elementary school site has progressed, with dry weather the first half of July.
The pad is ready for foundation operations. Workers were able to access the site seven days a week
for 10 hours a day during the dry period, and the project is now within two weeks of its original
schedule.
•The district has mobilized two additional Action Teams, one of which will address the time
schedule and review process of the board and superintendent. The second team will develop plans
for succession in leadership roles, helping to establish a proactive process and a “grow your own”
mentality for the administration.
•Some public relations options for the 2010-11 school year were brought forth by Communications
Director Betsy Schroeder. The district is considering adding a Facebook page, along with more
conversion to web-based communication for contact with parents, staff and students.
•In personnel moves, the board accepted a request from GMS assistant principal Mark Strawn to
transfer to a classroom position, due to personal reasons. Strawn will be transferred to a special
education classroom position at Chatham Elementary.
As reported two months ago in the Clarion, Tommy Johnson has resigned as the GHS head
wrestling coach, and as expected, Jeremy Mosier has been promoted to head coach. Johnson will be
an assistant, as the two have essentially switched roles. Both Mosier and Johnson teach Driver’s
Education at GHS.
The board has hired Jennifer Babbitt as the new Athletic Department Administrative Secretary.
She will take over for Kim Midden, who has moved to the GHS Administrative Assistant position
formerly occupied by the retired Mary Ann Ramsey. Babbitt was formerly the Athletic/Administrative
Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
The board also approved the following hires: 2010 Freshman Advantage Staff, Brittany Bisch (GHS
P.E. teacher - part time), Rebecca Lipscomb (GIS 4th grade teacher), Sarah Harkness (Pre-K/Special
Education teacher), Gina Carr (Vision Itinerant), Mariann Pickrel (GHS cafeteria), Deborah Passavage
(CE special needs aide) and the 2010-11 mentors.
Glenwood Intermediate
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
As progress continues to be made on the building of a new elementary school, the Ball-Chatham
Board of Education and Supt. Bob Gillum are working on the next phase of building projects.
The district is already projecting enrollment to be over capacity at Glenwood Intermediate School
for the 2010-11 school year. Initial estimates are at 676 students for a 650 student capacity facility.
“We will work around it this year,” Gillum stated. “We’ve discussed different funding sources, but
this builds some immediacy into the sales tax solution.”
The proposed 40,000 square foot addition to GIS would most likely occur on the northeast side of
the building, Gillum added. It would bring capacity to 950 students for what will become a grades 5-6
facility beginning with the 2011-12 school year, or whenever the new elementary school is up and
running. The projected cost is $7.2 million.
And with district reserves footing the bill for the $17 million-plus elementary school, the district will
have to ask local taxpayers for a referendum.
The wild card is the county sales tax plan, which has enough support of local school boards and
now must go through the process of the Sangamon County Board. The issue is expected to be
placed on the ballot this November, but even if passed, the County Board controls how much, if any, of
the tax can be levied. If the tax is put to the full one cent levy, the estimated income for Ball-Chatham
has been put at $2.8 to $3 million per year, eliminating any present need for a property tax referendum.
Gillum said that local school districts and community groups are working with the County Board.
Monies from the sales tax initiative can only be used for building construction, additions or paying
down old bond debt. County Board members have tried to tie in a guarantee of increased student
achievement should the tax be levied.
“There’s very little correlation to proving that bricks and mortar lead to a guarantee of student
performance,” Gillum told the Clarion. “The likelihood that Ball-Chatham would sign a memorandum
of understanding linking the sales tax to guarantee of better test scores is unlikely.”
Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce members John John Fulgenzi and Jane Hay have joined in
to provide community support to the sales tax plan.
From a Ball-Chatham perspective, local taxpayers are going to be hit for a tax increase one of two
ways - either by sales tax or property tax. And with the sales tax plan, anywhere from 20 to 32 percent
of the revenues will be coming from folks who live outside Sangamon County.
“We can share the burden instead of having our patrons bear the sole burden,” Gillum added.
Discussions will continue. The County Board is expected to take up the issue again at its Aug. 10
meeting.
The multi-phase plan for Ball-Chatham after the GIS expansion includes demolition and
replacement of the oldest part of Ball Elementary, and addition to the new elementary school, an
addition of classroom space at GHS and finding additional space for the District Office. Later plans
could include a pool and fitness center.
•Gillum and Interim CSBO Dr. Brent McArdle have been working on the fiscal year 2011 budget.
State revenues still are not known, but the district is expecting to get only 50 percent of its Categorical
payments (B-C is still owed 50 percent from 2010) and the Foundation Level could see some
proration during the year, Gillum said.
“We’re anticipating a deficit budget due to reduced revenues,” he stated. “We’re doing everything
we can to hold expenditures in check.”
More concrete budget figures will be available at the August board meeting.
•Work on the new elementary school site has progressed, with dry weather the first half of July.
The pad is ready for foundation operations. Workers were able to access the site seven days a week
for 10 hours a day during the dry period, and the project is now within two weeks of its original
schedule.
•The district has mobilized two additional Action Teams, one of which will address the time
schedule and review process of the board and superintendent. The second team will develop plans
for succession in leadership roles, helping to establish a proactive process and a “grow your own”
mentality for the administration.
•Some public relations options for the 2010-11 school year were brought forth by Communications
Director Betsy Schroeder. The district is considering adding a Facebook page, along with more
conversion to web-based communication for contact with parents, staff and students.
•In personnel moves, the board accepted a request from GMS assistant principal Mark Strawn to
transfer to a classroom position, due to personal reasons. Strawn will be transferred to a special
education classroom position at Chatham Elementary.
As reported two months ago in the Clarion, Tommy Johnson has resigned as the GHS head
wrestling coach, and as expected, Jeremy Mosier has been promoted to head coach. Johnson will be
an assistant, as the two have essentially switched roles. Both Mosier and Johnson teach Driver’s
Education at GHS.
The board has hired Jennifer Babbitt as the new Athletic Department Administrative Secretary.
She will take over for Kim Midden, who has moved to the GHS Administrative Assistant position
formerly occupied by the retired Mary Ann Ramsey. Babbitt was formerly the Athletic/Administrative
Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
The board also approved the following hires: 2010 Freshman Advantage Staff, Brittany Bisch (GHS
P.E. teacher - part time), Rebecca Lipscomb (GIS 4th grade teacher), Sarah Harkness (Pre-K/Special
Education teacher), Gina Carr (Vision Itinerant), Mariann Pickrel (GHS cafeteria), Deborah Passavage
(CE special needs aide) and the 2010-11 mentors.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: July 22, 2010