Riverside Info Tag: schools

Riverside Info Tag: schools http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ Discussion Forum for Riverside Illinois en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:49:49 +0000 CuriousResident on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8729 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:18:08 +0000 CuriousResident 8729@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ I've never seen this sight before... <a href="http://www.greatschools.net/search/search.page?search_type=0&q=riverside&state=IL&x=0&y=0&c=school">www.greatschools.net</a> <a href="http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/il/3510">All of our schools look good; R-B's rating is impressive!</a> CuriousResident on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8715 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:46:17 +0000 CuriousResident 8715@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ The threads were starting to weave, so I'm going to try and tie this one back together... Idic responded to my question on the Baldermann Resigned thread <blockquote> <blockquote> Anyone know which board candidates have a background in education? </blockquote> reasonable question for education board elections I checked the bios for District 208 from the sub life and I found that none of the D208 candidates, incumbent or otherwise are involved in education as an occupation. It looks like the only candidate whose academic background was in education is Laura Hruska. </blockquote> I found the same on the educational backgrounds. I'd like to know more about Hruska's background/experience as it could relate to understanding how to foster acedmic excellence; in particular with the brew-ha-ha kicked off by Marciniak's letter. CuriousResident on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8714 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:23:08 +0000 CuriousResident 8714@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ Websites for the challengers <a href="http://www.improve-rb.com/">Improve-RB/SWiM</a> <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/rbhsdist208/letter-to-residents">Letter from Duve</a> Anyone know of websites or statements from Bensfield and Hruska? CuriousResident on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8710 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:20:36 +0000 CuriousResident 8710@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ I found these on the suburbanlife website Riverside Brookfield High School District 208 Karen Bensfield Position sought: Riverside Brookfield High School Board Member Hometown: North Riverside Age: 57 Family: Thomas, son, 35; Jennifer Kotor, daughter, 34; Robert, son, 30; Rebecca, daughter, 28; Makenna Kotor, granddaughter, 4; Leo Kotor, grandson, 3; Kennedi Bensfield, granddaughter, 1; Leo Kotor, son-in-law, 33 Educational background: Grade School, S. E. Gross; High School, Riverside Brookfield High School; Attended Western Illinois University Occupation: Caregiver Party affiliation: Independent Previously held elected offices: School Board member, Riverside Brookfield High School What other applicable experience do you have? I attended RB, my 4 children attended RB as well. I have always been an involved parent at all of the schools my children attended, from PTA board member on the PTA’s President (12+ yrs) I coached and managed North Riverside Little League and was a board member (6+ yrs), I taught St. Mary’s CCD (12+ yrs),RB Booster board member and president (10+yrs), I was a member of the North Riverside Recreation Board (4 yrs). I was a special education aide (1 yr) and I worked as an office manager for an Accounting Office (5+yrs). Why do you believe that voters should select you? I feel my experience with Ames, Hauser and RBHS as an involved parent for 15+ years has given me a different perspective. I’ve had dealings with teachers and administrators as a parent. I offer an insight that most professional candidates don’t have. I have been a board member for the past four years at RB. We have done great things; the renovation, is on time and under budget and we have become more transparent; much of our financial information is on RB’s Web site. The board now faces a problem with our economy. (.1% CPI has contributed) There must be some deep sole searching, not only the board of education but the community as well; do we continue in the direction we have been going and achieving much success and look to a referendum or make cuts while keeping as many programs we can in place. I feel completing our renovation project and being fiscally responsible to our community, while still providing the very best education we can are the two most important aspects of the RB Board for the next term. Eric Duve Position sought: District 208 School Board Member Hometown: Riverside Age: 44 Family: Tina, wife, 41; Stephanie, daughter, 17; Elena, daughter, 15; Max, son, 13 Educational background: Masters Business Administration, DePaul University; Masters Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, IIT; Bachelors Engineering, Northern Arizona University Occupation: Sr. Project Engineer, Navistar International Party affiliation: Independent Previously held elected offices: none What other applicable experience do you have? My education and profession have given me the tools to execute difficult research and find solutions to complex problems. Also, 8-year board member of Riverside Little League Why do you believe that voters should select you? I offer the entire community the most diverse and independent representation. I lived in Brookfield for 25 years, North Riverside for 10, and Riverside for 9. Each one of these villages means a great deal to me and I am sympathetic to each community’s needs. My children will be the third generation in my family to graduate from RB. I am a 1983 graduate and I am passionate about the school and the entire 208 community. I am the type of person who rolls up my sleeves and works tirelessly until all options are exhausted, and only then can the decisions be made. I envision a school that not only excels in academics at all levels, but also provides the foundation for building the moral character of its students; a school that graduates young adults that can be contributing members of our communities at the lowest burden to the taxpayers. Laura Hruska Position sought: School Board Member, District 208 Hometown: Brookfield Age: 46 Family: I have 4 children, 2 dogs, 1 cat. Pamella, age 20, graduate RBHS 2006, college student, Columbia college in Chicago. Hannah, age 18, graduate RBHS 2008, college student at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Peter, age 16, RBHS junior. Ruth, age 9, Timothy Christian School, Elmhurst. Maeve, age 10, German Shepherd. Daisy, age 6 months, boxer and terrier, household pet. Charcol, age 12, cat and head of household Educational background: Bachelor degree in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute; Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Mathematics Minor from UIC at Chicago; Master in Education (Evaluation & Research) from UIC at Chicago; Coursework completed towards a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology; I have had to put off the dissertation and concentrate on job and kids’ college Occupation: Manager, Examinations, Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Party affiliation: I think this would be distracting and not necessary for school board member position because the entire authority of the board is in the collective vote of the majority, not any one rogue vote. Previously held elected offices: School Board Member, District 208 What other applicable experience do you have? As an educational researcher and evaluator I am trained to look for evidence. As an evaluator we always stress that a robust assessment system should include multiple sources of data from multiple assessment tools. I am a long time resident to this general area, having graduated from Morton West which make me believe I understand the neighborhood. Why do you believe that voters should select you? I have always believed that we should use our gifts and talents and invest them into our families and communities and that is why I ran the first time for school board member. Education for me is one of the best tools we can equip our children with and not because it will necessarily provide them with money to buy things, but because a strong education will prepare them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. What we learn from the educational theories of Dewey, is that a democracy thrives on an educated public that can reason to solve its problems and generate solutions. I believe that being a school board member is a responsibility and that is why I have taken as many of the training courses from the state of Illinois that I was able to fit into my schedule. I take my role on the board seriously. I also have deep knowledge of the financial constraints that all families are facing. We are a one income home and we are a family of five which means I have to be very careful with our resources if we are going to survive. I have learned to take nothing for granted, so that when times are good, I am grateful and give thanks, and when times are difficult I buckle down for the tasks and give thanks each day I am able. Dan Moon Position sought: Member, Board of Education, D-208 Hometown: Riverside Age: 61 Family: Caryl, spouse; Ross, son, 15; Ariel, daughter, 14 Educational background: B.S. Industrial Design, University of Cincinnati Occupation: Industrial design consultant Party affiliation: Conservative independent Previously held elected offices: None What other applicable experience do you have? Successful management in the private sector Why do you believe that voters should select you? A platform that is timely that includes our attention to fiscal responsibility, communication transparency, and leadership, and, not the least, the quality of our preparation of our young people for their future. Additionally, I have a personal stake in the community as a 16-year resident, and I’ve tried to project convincing integrity to our district constituents. Matthew Sinde Jr. Position sought: Riverside Brookfield High School Board Member (District 208) Hometown: Brookfield Age: 51 Family: Jenifer Sinde, wife, 50; Claire Sinde, daughter, 17; Julianne Sinde, daughter, 15 Educational background: Bachelor of Science, DePaul University; Master Business Administration, DePaul University Occupation: Marketing Consultant (food industry) Party affiliation: SWiM team Your Previously held elected offices: None What other applicable experience do you have? I have been deeply involved in Brookfield and La Grange Park area for years. I developed education experience as the president of the St. Louise de Marillac School Board. Brookfield village government named me chairman of the Brookfield Zoning Board of Appeals and I was proud to chair the village’s 2020 Master plan committee. Why do you believe that voters should select you? Riverside Brookfield High School is quite significant to this community. I think it has made strides, but it can do better. I intend to offer new ideas: 1. Restore Leadership: The administration must take the leadership role with our faculty to ensure all strategic initiatives are being implemented. It should work with the RB faculty to develop innovative educational programs that will position students on every level for future success. The administration must maintain the confidence of the faculty, students, parents and community to be effective. If that confidence is lost, leadership goes with it. 2. Financial Responsibility: The board is legally responsible for the fiscal health and strength of RB. It must ensure to the voters and taxpayers that tax dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. I support a more transparent approach to RB’s financial life. I support web-based disclosure and search capabilities. 3. The AP Issue: We must look at our emphasis on AP college courses to all students. We need to look beyond the Newsweek magazine rankings. We need to provide a sufficient number of AP classes to challenge students who choose to enroll in them, while returning basic classes like Honors English 11 back to our curriculum offerings. We must support learning while promoting balance in our student’s lives. I and my running mates on the SWiM team ask for your vote on April 7, 2009. If all of us are elected, then we can make the improvements RB High School deserves to be a great place to educate your children. Thank you for taking time to read this and consider my candidacy. Whoever you support, please do not forget to vote. Michael J. Welch Position sought: School Board Riverside Brookfield High School Hometown: Riverside Age: 48 Family: Mary Welch, wife; Elizabeth Welch, daughter; Megan Welch, daughter Educational background: B.S. Accounting, Southern Illinois University; Masters Accounting-Taxation, Southern Illinois University Occupation: Revenue Agent, U.S. Department of Treasury Party affiliation: None Previously held elected offices: None What other applicable experience do you have? Treasurer, Riverside Swim Club, November 2003 to December 2007; Treasurer Riverside Brookfield Swim Club OTTERS May 2004 to January 2008; Treasurer for Aquatic Director at RBHS from July 2004 to present; St. Mary pastoral counsel 2001 to 2002. Why do you believe that voters should select you? Voters reached out to me in the summer of 2008, asking me to run for the RB school board. The community knew that I would bring my dedication and integrity to the RB Board. It was a calling. Would I run for the RB board? Mary and I knew that this would take away from our family time together. We had a family meeting. We decided, “Yes.” I have been an agent with the U.S. Treasury Department for 25 years. I have volunteered as treasurer for the Riverside Swim Club and OTTERS Swim Team. I will bring my dedication, education, and experience to the board. We must remember that the education of our children is the foundation of our community. I support Matt Sinde and Dan Moon as part of the SWiM team. I would not put my name along side these individuals unless I knew they were dedicated, invested and possessed the integrity that I would want to see on the RB board. idic5 on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8629 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:56:45 +0000 idic5 8629@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ I's like to say the obvious - those awards look pretty good. They seem like indicators of academic bang. Catherine on "District 96 - 208 Forum at Hauser" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/district-96-208-forum-at-hauser#post-8621 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:19:53 +0000 Catherine 8621@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ I can tell you that the high school, D 208, got 2 1/2 times the money as the village in 2007. So, for everyone 100 to the village, about 250 to the high school. And that the primary system, D 96, got 1.67 times as much as the village in 2007. For every 100 to the village, 167 to the primary district. So, for 100 to the village, over 420 to the schools. This comes from my property tax bill. The budget of one of these is, I believe, equivalent to the budget to run the entire village. Therefore I am trying to determine which candidates are most 1) determined to realize efficiencies in the budgets and 2) are committed to and embody academic excellence. idic5 on "District 96 - 208 Forum at Hauser" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/district-96-208-forum-at-hauser#post-8618 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:26:50 +0000 idic5 8618@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ There have been other threads concerning schools since this one was last updated. Since the schools account for the largest share of our taxes (does anyone know what the pct is?), I feel there has not been enough coverage of the schools. KimJ provided some stmts from some of the d 96 candidates. Anyone have any other stmts from the others? I cd not find the sub life recommendations online. if anyone can find them ,pls add. thanks landmark rec d 96 <a href="http://rblandmark.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4802&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=46&S=1" rel="nofollow">http://rblandmark.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4802&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=46&S=1</a> landmark rec d 208 <a href="http://rblandmark.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4801&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=46&S=1" rel="nofollow">http://rblandmark.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4801&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=46&S=1</a> neg for status quo of schools <a href="http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/district-98-wasting-money-again" rel="nofollow">http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/district-98-wasting-money-again</a> pos for status quo schools <a href="http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8544" rel="nofollow">http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8544</a> neg for d 208 <a href="http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/raise-for-rb-assistant-principal" rel="nofollow">http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/raise-for-rb-assistant-principal</a> Can anyone characterize the school board candidates' affinity with the incumbent administration of each district? pls correct me if I got the incumbent wrong. D 96 LaFonzo Palmer, Linda LaBelle Mary Ellen Meindl Jensen incumbent Stimming Leimberer Perry D208 Karen Bensfield incumbent Eric Duve Dan Moon Sinde Welch Hruska incumbent CuriousResident on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8544 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:40:14 +0000 CuriousResident 8544@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ Here is some comparison data of high school admin salaries 2008: Name Salary Ms Exp Degree District Kelly Dennis G $342,075 12 40 Doctorate LT Baldermann John $253,863 12 21 Master's RB Weninger Attila $220,751 12 31 Doctorate OPRF Edgecombe Jason $196,071 12 32 Master's OPRF Sellers David S $190,539 12 14 Master's LT Franson David C $182,920 12 24 Master's LT Koehn Lilane R $170,655 11 38 Master's LT Eggerding Scott $167,775 12 16 Master's LT Kilrea Timothy $161,310 12 21 Doctorate LT Lanenga Jack J $156,130 12 9 Master's OPRF Prale Philip M $153,888 10 23 Master's OPRF Cada Linda S $152,936 12 31 Master's OPRF Grundke John A $149,000 12 14 C.A.S. LT Stickels Leslie $146,827 11 31 Master's LT Brown Karen C $143,870 12 31 Master's LT Nelson Mary T $143,716 12 18 Master's LT Vogel Donald C $142,865 10 34 Master's OPRF Richter Nancy $142,829 11 19 C.A.S. LT Scanlon Martin $141,036 12 25 Master's RB Gevinson Steven $140,144 10 30 Doctorate OPRF Hurt Marcia L $135,815 10 32 Master's OPRF Whelton Chris $135,761 12 5 Master's RB Neuman Deborah $130,846 10 28 Master's OPRF Perna Richard C $125,843 10 34 Master's OPRF Wavra Mary R $121,306 10 26 Master's RB Boulware Billy $116,589 10 22 Master's OPRF Passarella John $114,347 12 26 Master's RB Sibley David L $104,392 10 22 Master's RB Hill Amy V $104,186 10 15 Master's OPRF Mertz Richard A $102,706 10 13 Doctorate OPRF Sahagun - C $88,815 10 11 Master's OPRF Foley Emily C $78,927 10 9 Master's OPRF Beyond Baldermann's dual role, I do not know the specifics of any of the others roles. Interestingly, folks commonly criticize Baldermann's "excessive" salary, but if you were to hire 2 people at these rates it *would* cost more. Granted we may get more output (more resources), but it seems logical that the board included the finance part of this in the decision to have 1 guy fill both roles. As comparison for the cost of a Super and a Principle, if you were to add the salaries of Lamberson and Limperis together it would be $327k (2008 salaries)~ KimJ on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8538 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:09:35 +0000 KimJ 8538@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ Great info above. Here is more interesting information I received about the district from Network 96. <a href="http://network96.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">http://network96.wordpress.com/</a> CuriousResident on "Riverside Schools - Public Information" http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/riverside-schools-public-information#post-8537 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:04:49 +0000 CuriousResident 8537@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <a href="http://www.isbe.net/research/pdfs/teacher_salary_07-08.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.isbe.net/research/pdfs/teacher_salary_07-08.pdf</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/">D96</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mission-statement.pdf">Mission Statement</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/district-96.pdf">District Report Card</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/about-district-96/finance/">D96 finance page</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/district-96-2008-2009-budget.pdf">Budget</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/form-isbe-50-36.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.district96.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/form-isbe-50-36.pdf</a> <a href="http://www.district96.org/2009/03/19/bulletin-from-the-board-2/">March bulletin-from-the-board</a> <blockquote># Supt. Lamberson reported that District 96 received the 2009 “Bright Red Apple” award for academic excellence based on academic performance, pupil/teacher ratio, expenditure per pupil, educational level of teachers, and average teacher salary. # Supt. Lamberson and the Board extended congratulations to the students and staff at Blythe Park and Central Schools for having received the 2008 Academic Excellence Award from the Illinois State Board of Education. This distinction is given to schools that sustain very high performance levels on state assessments - 90% of students must meet or exceed state standards in both reading and math - for at least three years.</blockquote> Board candidates (all?) <a href="http://www.vote96.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.vote96.org/</a> R-B D208 <a href="http://www.rbhs208.org/SuptLetter.pdf">SuptLetter</a> <a href="http://www.rbhs208.org/BusnServices/FinGuidPrinc.htm">FinGuidPrinc</a> <a href="http://www.rbhs208.org/BusnServices/FingoalsObj.htm">Fingoals</a> <a href="http://www.rbhs208.org/WebBudget.pdf">WebBudget</a> <a href="http://www.rbhs208.org/Aug12Finance.pdf">Aug12 2008 Finance review</a> <a href="http://www.rbhs208.org/BusnServices/FINAL%20AUDITED%20FINANCIAL%20STATEMENTS%206-30-08.pdf">FINAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 2008</a> <a href="http://www.rblandmark.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=3727&TM=83507.02"> 4/22/2008 Competition drives RBHS teacher salaries</a> Salaries in line with other suburban districts ...new five year contract approved by the District 208 School Board... ...The new contract was designed to just maintain RB's position, Herbst and Marciniak said... This is just to save others the time of locating these "hot topic" facts/information.