The Fieldcrest Board of Education discussed the attendance center issue again at its monthly meeting
Thursday night. The board previously voted against adopting any attendance proposals last year. However,
the overwhelming referendum defeat last fall and a sense that the public is looking for some action by
the board to cut costs brought the issue back to the forefront.
Garilyn Wells of the Reconfiguration Committee told the board that the committee felt insulted that
its recommendation to adopt some sort of attendance center was rebuked by the board. Wells said that a lot
of work went into the reconfiguration study and felt that the board does not need any additional information
to make a decision. She said a new superintendent will not be able to shed any new light on the subject.
She urged the board to pass some kind of reconfiguration.
Board member Tom Barth said that promises offered by the consolidation of Fieldcrest 12 years ago did not
materialize. He said the school is now deep in debt and will keep on getting deeper in debt if the school
doesn't adopt some type of attendance center. He said a new superintendent will not be ready to make any
decision on attendance centers. Barth said that we are probably scared of change but we need to do what's
best for the kids. He said we need to be proactive, not reactive, by making the decision now rather than
waiting for a new superintendent.
Board member Tim McNamara said that an attendance center is a start to get us out of debt. He said we should
take advantage of the $75,000 savings. He added that it would be nice to be able to bring back some of the
discontinued programs for the students. McNamara said "Our $500,000 annual deficit spending has to
stop. The new superintendent is not going know anymore than what we already know. Tbe board lost a lot
of community support when it failed to act on the proposals presented last fall."
Board member Pat Schmillen said that money is not the issue. She maintained that the savings from attendance
centers is not significant and added that the board has already cut spending to the bone. She felt that the
new superintendent should be allowed to have a hand in the decision and in the implementation of an attendance
center. She concluded by saying that we shouldn't have to vote on something that we have already voted on.
Joe Kirkpatrick said attendance centers is supported by the community as the first step towards saving money.
He felt the public would more likely support a referendum if the board takes the right steps now. He said,
"The time to act is now instead of throwing this monkey on someone else's back."
Kris Klieber said staff reductions have to be made to cut costs and said the savings from attendance centers
must be pursued.
Melinada Tiraboschi said that the voters spoke very loudly at the last election when it turned down the
referenduum. She said that she thought everyone felt like her in that they wanted what was best for
their kids. However, she said even her kids said that they felt that it would be better for kids
to have gone to school together before they reach high school. She said it is hard to admit that maybe you were wrong.
Board President Jeff Pickard did not change his stance on the attendance center issue stating that he still is against
attendance centers because it is not a long term approach. He said saving $75,000 a year will not stem the tide of the
deficit. Pickard said that each year the school will continue to keep looking for ways to save money. He said if you
want to save a lot of money, then we should close Fieldcrest South. He added that consolidating classes will result in
less opportunities for students in sports which will upset parents. Pickard said that we will keep moving kids around
each year in an effort to keep costs down. He said the only apology he has on behalf of the board is not coming up
with a long term plan. He concluded by saying, "The board must give the new superintendent time to adjust to his new job before
throwing attendance centers on his back."
McNamara made a motion to discuss the attendance center issue at the next board meeting with an option to vote on the issue.
The motion passed with Pickard and Schmillen voting no.
School Finances
Superintendent Dr. Michael Stagliano said that the school's finances are improving but that there is still a ways to go
before the school regains financial solvency. He said that the school is still on the Financial Watch List but that the
school's rating has improved from 1.95 to 2.55. He said that the only debt right now is the working cash bonds which have
two more years of payment. Also, he mentioned that the average monthly workers compensation claims
have dropped from $10,000 per month to $8142. Stagliano said that if everything goes ok, the school should end the year with a small reserve
in both the education and the building fund. He said that the state is broke and is borrowing money in order to pay the
schools. Stagliano concluded by saying, "We have to be prudent in bringing back programs. If things turn worse, we will
have to borrow in December again."
Superintendent's Report
Dr. Michael Stagliano acknowledged 10 year old Tyler McGillis who is conducting an aluminum can collection to benefit
Habit for Humanity Charity
Nancy Reiter, District nurse, said that Smile Illinois will be performing dental check-ups for all District
elementary (K-8) children at no cost to the District. The program is funded by a grant. The mobile dentist office will
be at South Elementary on March 23; East on March 30; and West on April 28.
The Fieldcrest Dance Team, headed by Tina Fortner, has qualified for Super Sectionals. They have three more competitions;
the next one is February 12, 2005 before advancing to State.
Chuck Volker, Head of Maintenance, has completed workshops in Loss Control and Prevention and addressed safety concerns in
all of the buildings. In addition, he has assisted in repairing the boiler at East and is currently addressing the asbestos
concerns with IDEAL and Associates. Finally, he also assisted in installing the noise reduction panels at West this past
December.
11 candidates for Board of Education
Dr. Stagaliano said that four Board of Education Seats are up for re-election on April 5th. Incumbments Tom Barth and
Tim McNamara are running as are the other following candidates: Linda Regineir, Patrick McGuane, Scott Hillenburg, Heidi Cook,
Gary Wolf, Tammi Coons, Jeff Geringer, Darren Hester and Eric Schultz. The last day to file petitions for the April 5th
election is Tuesday, January 25th between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Dr. Stagliano will be meeting with each of the candidates
to present an orientation on District 6.
K of C presents check to school
Robert Prince presented a check from the Knights of Columbus for $1,118.37 to the school for special education. The check represents the proceeds
from the annual Tootsie Roll drive conducted by the K of C.
