| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Root: Pre-K will not be eliminated next year
By Byron Painter
Editor
Building on discussions from last month, Williamsville Superintendent Dave Root on Monday night
confirmed that the school district will have a Pre-K program for next year, even if the state does not
contribute to the funding.
“The Pre-K program is vital,” said Root. “Eliminating the program is not an option.”
While cutting the program might be a short-term financial gain, long-term it would not be beneficial
because of the almost certain learning problems that students who do not have Pre-K would face.
“It would cost more in the long run to not have it,” he said.
There was some discussion of charging students to be in the program, but if the state provides any
grant funding, that option would be off the table.
The board as part of the approval of the consent agenda accepted two resignations (cook Kay Faucon
and ELL aide Erica Green) and two retirements (maintenance employee Rick Gentry and SES teacher
Donna Wade).
In the monthly cash flow update, Root noted that the January 2010 numbers are much more positive
than in recent years.
The all funds balance as of the end of January is $3,355,763, with the operating funds balance at
$3,199,984.
That is significantly better than in January 2007 ($1,050,720 and $138,785, respectively), January 2008
($590,631 and $392,236) and January 2009 ($2,069,005 and $1,897,296).
Root updated the board that the district is in financial recognition in the state financial profile, the highest
level of recognition; the district was two rungs lower (early warning) last year on the four-level scale.
Of course, the district could see itself back in the same precarious financial position if the state
continues to be derelict in its funding of schools. The state currently owes Williamsville roughly $280,000.
The board discussed its meeting calendar, including how several meetings next year fall during
holidays and breaks (though no vote was taken to finalize the calendar), and next year’s school calendar,
which already has been approved by the teacher’s union.
If the calendar is approved by the board next month without changes, the first day of school for teachers
would be Aug. 23, with two half-days after that and the first full day of student attendance Aug. 26. It is later
because the Illinois State Fair is later.
Christmas break would commence after classes Dec. 17, with a teacher’s institute Jan. 3 and the first
day students returning would be Jan. 4.
April 18-22 is Spring Break (Easter is April 24), and the final day of attendance would be June 2 if no
emergency days are used.
The Consumer Price Index is projected to be at 2.7 percent next year, according to Root, which is
“relatively good news.” This past year, the CPI was only 0.1 percent.
Root then discussed the school facilities tax, which he wrote a column about in the Sun-Times recently.
Springfield District 186’s school board has signified approval to move forward.
If a one percent countywide facilities tax was approved, the school district could realize around $960,000
in funding for facilities each year ($693 per pupil, approximately). The district could pay off any bonds much
faster and also lower property tax rates if that funding ever came to fruition.
“It is a great way to fund schools,” said Root.
Root reiterated track resurfacing bids received, from last month’s discussion; the district is 2-3 years
past due on the recommended usual maintenance on such a project. A vote to approve the project, with the
money already being budgeted, likely will happen next month.
The next topic was enrollment projections at SES; there has been discussion at recent meetings about
the possible need to add an elementary teacher if enrollment dictated it.
The biggest variable right now is kindergarten enrollment, according to Root. No decision to add a staff
member will be finalized until enrollment numbers are more concrete.
After approving the following action items, all by 7-0 votes, the board went into closed session. There
were no votes taken before adjournment.
--Recommendation to approve membership in SAPCO (bids for milk and bread)
--Recommendation to approve the reinstatement of the assistant elementary principal position with the
additional duties of Curriculum Director and RtI Coordinator for the 2010-11 school year (building on
discussion in previous meetings)
--Recommendation to employ Sonya Jones as the HS Head Girls Track Coach for the 2009-10 school
year
--Recommendation to employ Sonya Jones as the JH Head Softball Coach for the 2010-11 school year
--Recommendation to employ Mindy Ashbaugh as the JH Assistant Softball Coach for the 2010-11
school year
--Recommendation to approve Brittany Casson as a JH Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach for the 2010-
11 school year
--Recommendation to approve Brett Stallone as ELL/Individual Aide at Sherman Elementary
By Byron Painter
Editor
Building on discussions from last month, Williamsville Superintendent Dave Root on Monday night
confirmed that the school district will have a Pre-K program for next year, even if the state does not
contribute to the funding.
“The Pre-K program is vital,” said Root. “Eliminating the program is not an option.”
While cutting the program might be a short-term financial gain, long-term it would not be beneficial
because of the almost certain learning problems that students who do not have Pre-K would face.
“It would cost more in the long run to not have it,” he said.
There was some discussion of charging students to be in the program, but if the state provides any
grant funding, that option would be off the table.
The board as part of the approval of the consent agenda accepted two resignations (cook Kay Faucon
and ELL aide Erica Green) and two retirements (maintenance employee Rick Gentry and SES teacher
Donna Wade).
In the monthly cash flow update, Root noted that the January 2010 numbers are much more positive
than in recent years.
The all funds balance as of the end of January is $3,355,763, with the operating funds balance at
$3,199,984.
That is significantly better than in January 2007 ($1,050,720 and $138,785, respectively), January 2008
($590,631 and $392,236) and January 2009 ($2,069,005 and $1,897,296).
Root updated the board that the district is in financial recognition in the state financial profile, the highest
level of recognition; the district was two rungs lower (early warning) last year on the four-level scale.
Of course, the district could see itself back in the same precarious financial position if the state
continues to be derelict in its funding of schools. The state currently owes Williamsville roughly $280,000.
The board discussed its meeting calendar, including how several meetings next year fall during
holidays and breaks (though no vote was taken to finalize the calendar), and next year’s school calendar,
which already has been approved by the teacher’s union.
If the calendar is approved by the board next month without changes, the first day of school for teachers
would be Aug. 23, with two half-days after that and the first full day of student attendance Aug. 26. It is later
because the Illinois State Fair is later.
Christmas break would commence after classes Dec. 17, with a teacher’s institute Jan. 3 and the first
day students returning would be Jan. 4.
April 18-22 is Spring Break (Easter is April 24), and the final day of attendance would be June 2 if no
emergency days are used.
The Consumer Price Index is projected to be at 2.7 percent next year, according to Root, which is
“relatively good news.” This past year, the CPI was only 0.1 percent.
Root then discussed the school facilities tax, which he wrote a column about in the Sun-Times recently.
Springfield District 186’s school board has signified approval to move forward.
If a one percent countywide facilities tax was approved, the school district could realize around $960,000
in funding for facilities each year ($693 per pupil, approximately). The district could pay off any bonds much
faster and also lower property tax rates if that funding ever came to fruition.
“It is a great way to fund schools,” said Root.
Root reiterated track resurfacing bids received, from last month’s discussion; the district is 2-3 years
past due on the recommended usual maintenance on such a project. A vote to approve the project, with the
money already being budgeted, likely will happen next month.
The next topic was enrollment projections at SES; there has been discussion at recent meetings about
the possible need to add an elementary teacher if enrollment dictated it.
The biggest variable right now is kindergarten enrollment, according to Root. No decision to add a staff
member will be finalized until enrollment numbers are more concrete.
After approving the following action items, all by 7-0 votes, the board went into closed session. There
were no votes taken before adjournment.
--Recommendation to approve membership in SAPCO (bids for milk and bread)
--Recommendation to approve the reinstatement of the assistant elementary principal position with the
additional duties of Curriculum Director and RtI Coordinator for the 2010-11 school year (building on
discussion in previous meetings)
--Recommendation to employ Sonya Jones as the HS Head Girls Track Coach for the 2009-10 school
year
--Recommendation to employ Sonya Jones as the JH Head Softball Coach for the 2010-11 school year
--Recommendation to employ Mindy Ashbaugh as the JH Assistant Softball Coach for the 2010-11
school year
--Recommendation to approve Brittany Casson as a JH Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach for the 2010-
11 school year
--Recommendation to approve Brett Stallone as ELL/Individual Aide at Sherman Elementary
Issue Date: Feb. 18, 2010