D62 Board: Possible Teaching Positions Cut, Students Awarded

Here is recap of Tuesday's District 62 Board of Education meeting:

• Four students were recognized by David Murphy, commander of VFW Post 2992 and Mike Lake of Post 2992, for their essays in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Program, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars. This year's topic for the contest, which is held across the nation and open to students in grades 6-8 was “Does Patriotism Still Matter?”  First place winner, Bennett Norris, from Chippewa Middle School, read his essay aloud. Second and third place winners Ethan Stoneburner and Erika Hahn, and Honorable Mention winner Giada Morresi, were also from Chippewa.
• John Hecker, Executive Director for the Des Plaines Park District, presented a Community Service Award to 9-year board member Steve Adams for his involvement in the Master Plan process of improving learning and physical activity spaces.
• Technology Infusion Agenda: Staff and students demonstrated the interactive benefits of SMART boards. Children stepped up to the projector-like screen, and using their fingers or a stylus, followed lessons in grammar and math.
• A Master Planning update showed the goal of establishing an early learning center by 2013 to be well underway. Also in the update was the evaluation of the gifted program, as well as special education, with modules currently in creation. Providing exposure to world cultures and other languages was also on the agenda.
• The review of the year-round calendar for 2011-2012 proved to be an ongoing agenda item with the construction at and the management of students being off-site for the duration of the construction a concern. Communication with parents both in the form of newsletters and meetings addressing any concerns has been successful.
• The board discussed cutting back an average of four teaching positions and an average of 11 classified positions (i.e. teacher assistants and janitorial positions) in the coming year.
• The board approved bidder Durham School Services for the Transportation Provider Contract. Durham will only provide regular transportation, not special education transportation. Three representatives for Durham were present.
• The District 62 Foundation Dinner Benefit will be held this Friday night, Feb. 25 at Grazie! Ristorante and Banquets and will include a silent raffle.