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Girard and Carlinville school board
representatives conduct joint meeting
By
Jim Zuber
Representatives of the Carlinville and Girard boards of
education conducted a joint meeting Monday, June 30, in the
Carlinville Primary School cafeteria to hear results of a
feasibility study conducted to explore possible
reorganization. With the two districts in very preliminary
stages of considering reorganization, the purpose of the
feasibility study was to provide both districts with
information to help them better determine the best options
for their students, parents and communities. This was done
by providing a neutral viewpoint based on the analysis of
curriculum, finances, staff needs, transportation issues,
facilities, discussions with school board members and
community perceptions.
The 285-page study, conducted by Dr. William H. Phillips,
Dr. Scott L. Day and Dr. Leonard R. Bogle, also looked at
both districts’ transportation situation, including the
number of buses and bus routes, costs, number of students
transported and geographic boundaries, as well as route
mileage and costs, special education buses and other
transportation services and costs.
The study’s analysis of the districts’ facilities focused on
the number of buildings and grades housed in each building,
building enrollments and capacities and the age of the
facilities, as well their accessibility for the physically
challenged and their general upkeep and building conditions.
Phillips shared that the study of both districts’ curriculum
and instruction found both Carlinville and Girard have
shifted their focus of curriculum alignment to the Illinois
learning standards.
In a reorganization, Phillips explained, this will help
better prepare all students for the Illinois Standards
Achievement Tests at grades 3, 5, and 8 in reading, math and
writing and grades 4 and 7 in science and social science.
Phillips added discussions had taken place with the high
school administration to ensure standards are met with
incoming groups from the elementary districts.
The study found the curriculum alignment work is out of sync
due to the fact that the two districts have not previously
worked together as they would if they were merged. As a
result, there is no complete PK-12 alignment of any subject
area with Illinois Learning Standards. If a merger occurs,
Phillips shared, teachers from both districts involved need
time for development and training on the new curriculum and
a plan will need to be set as to how the two districts’
curriculums would mesh in the process. The existing early
childhood programs could continue to meet the needs of
children ages 3-5 as they are currently offered.
The existing overall PK-8 organization of grades into PK- 3,
4-5, 6-8 or PK- 5, and 6-8 among the attendance centers
could be continued in a reorganized district, although how
these grades are housed in the various buildings and sites
could be subject to change. The study noted a new PK-12
textbook adoption schedule would have to be established over
time in a reorganized district, since each district is
following a different schedule.
The study found very few changes in staff assignments may be
necessary due to retirements coming in the Carlinville
School District in band, guidance and history. Within five
years, Phillips noted, there may be additional retirements,
as well. With the merger of additional faculty in
specialized subjects, electives in vocational, technical,
foreign language (French and Spanish), and art could be
added to the middle school curriculum in Girard.
Girard High School currently sends 32 students to the CACC
for vocational training, while Carlinville High School
offers similar courses on site with equipment, certified
staff, and facilities for vocational, technical and
agricultural studies, representing a cost savings of $2,500
per student, not including transportation, as the CACC
transportation and program costs would be eliminated.
Weighted grading at Girard High School differs from
Carlinville’s curriculum of nonweighted grades, and a newly
merged district would need to evaluate the rigor of high
school course content and assessments to determine if
weighted grading is necessary. Should it be determined
courses are appropriately rigorous, weighted grades should
not be needed.
A decision regarding special education services for K-12
would have to be made between SASED which serves Girard
schools, and MidState, which serves Carlinville.
Phillips explained student projections are made using
existing class numbers to develop percentages. Projections
indicate the enrollment for both districts will continue to
steadily and slowly decrease over the next five years.
Carlinville saw a reduction of 133 students from 2003-2004
to 2007-2008 and is projected to lose an additional 81
students between 2007-2008 and 2012-2013.
Girard gained 14 students from 2003-2004 to 2007-2008.
Girard is projected to lose 50 students between 2007-2008
and 2012-2013.
A study of both districts’ transportation programs showed
both own and maintain their buses, with Carlinville spending
$439,358 for regular transportation or $2.98 per mile and
Girard spending $170,570 for regular transportation or $3.88
per mile. Special education rates are $51,758 and $2.55 per
mile for Carlinville and $77,934 and $3.72 per mile for
Girard.
The study indicated the Carlinville border is within eight
miles of Girard High School. Vocational costs are $1,106 for
Carlinville and $43,800 for Girard, with anticipated
increases in transportation costs for a consolidated high
school offset by the savings in vocational transportation.
The difference between the vocational expenses and the
additional cost for transportation equals $27,000 per year.
The study of both district’s buildings found them to be well
maintained, clean and attractive, with the major health life
safety requirements having been addressed, and roofing and
electrical needs also addressed by both districts. Girard is
using every room and two additional rooms would provide
better service to their students. The study noted the two
gymnasiums at Girard present an issue when scheduling
physical education for all grades in the district.
Carlinville has no space issues at the middle school and
high school and could accommodate an additional 300 students
using the existing rooms based upon the 650 students once
housed in the building. The study also showed Carlinville
has a large vocational department that can accommodate and
provide classes for additional students. Combining the two
high schools results in a current population of 667, with
the population projected to total 584 by 2012-2012. The
study found that creating a new high school from the two
districts would increase school size, provide greater
educational opportunities for the high school students and
open up space within the Girard school building to better
serve the PK to 8th-grade students.
Phillips explained current property tax rates between the
two districts are very similar in rates and amounts, with
both districts having a positive balance in their main
operating funds. The equalized assessed valuation of both
districts, which determines local tax revenue, is increasing
at a moderate pace for both districts. A total tax rate of
$4.22 would generate the same amount of revenue for the new
district as compared to the current tax rate for Carlinville
of $4.23 and $4.58. If Carlinville merges with the current
territory of Girard, the entire new district would be exempt
from tax caps, with voter approval required for all levy
funding for newly-formed district as determined by a
committee of 10 appointed to shepherd the referendum.
Over a four-year period, the newly-reorganized district
would receive approximately $1,229,464 and would receive
approximately $324,866 less annually in General State Aid
after the four-year incentive period is over. The entire
newly-organized district would be a non-PTELL district and
Carlinville’s current status as a tax capped district would
be discontinued.
Under the teacher salary equalization, the newly-formed
district would receive $1,995,660 over a four-year period,
with the actual number calculated on a teacher-by-teacher
basis after reorganization. Total reorganization incentives
would amount to $4,915,124. “We joked that we’d like to put
that figure on a neon sign in town,” said Phillips.
Each school district’s salary schedule and contract would be
abolished and a new contract most likely negotiated by the
certified staff. Likewise, if a successful referendum were
achieved, both boards of education would be abolished and a
new board elected.
Phillips stated there are 11 current allowable procedures
for the merger of school districts in the state of Illinois,
with his committee recommending utilizing the Article 11 A-3
method, which would entail the required referendum to pass
with a simple majority of votes in both districts.
Article 11A-3 would require a petition to the Regional
Superintendent of Education by both districts or a citizen
petition with at least 50 voters signing from each district.
After a petition is received, Phillips explained, the
regional superintendent would gather information and publish
the time and place of a public hearing at which constituents
from both districts could speak on the issue. After the
hearing, the regional superintendent and, subsequently, the
state superintendent must approve the reorganization
petition. Should both superintendents approve the petition,
the referendum would be scheduled for the next regularly
scheduled election. If the referendum is approved by a
majority of voters in each district, the newly-organized
district would begin operation the next July 1 after
successful reorganization.
Responding to a question regarding the length of time
involved in the reorganization process. Phillips stated,
“The normal time frame is about one year, sometimes two,
There’s a lot of information that needs to get gathered and
information that needs to get out to the public.”
In closing, Phillips praised those in attendance and the
board members for their interest in the young people of
their communities. “It’s not up to me to decide what’s best
for the boys and girls of your district,” said Phillips.”
That’s up to you.” /p>
Source: Macoupin County Enquirer, July. 3, 2008 |