Even though most recognize July and August as "summer break", the calendar has turned to the next
school year, and preparations for the 2015-2016 school year are in full swing. Summer camps and
practices have been in session, and the school year is not far away. For most families, the next calendar
event to watch is registration. The district is encouraging families to register online, with the online
registration opening July 20, 2015. There will be more information sent out in mid-July via the various
media sources and social media regarding specific registration procedures.
Parents have expressed concerns about registration fees for the 2015-2016 school year. The Board of
Education adopted some changes in registration fees from the previous year at the June Board meeting,
although they are not are intensive as were originally proposed.
At the regular June Board of Education meeting, Laurie Lorton, district Comprehensive Literacy Model
coach, and the district elementary principals updated the Board on the progress of CLM in the
elementary grades. Mrs. Lorton noted that the program was focused in large part in one building this
school year, but will expand next year to include all buildings and grade levels K-6 across the district. The
data from the initial steps showed great growth using the CLM methodology. A more complete summary
of the June Board of Education meeting has been submitted for publication.
The district budget will be built over the next month or so, with no budget agreement in sight in
Springfield. Barring some significant changes in the way Springfield does business, the district will again
be looking at a negative balance for the budget, although it should be much closer to the black than it
has been for several years. The Fieldcrest district does need to prepare for the possibility of budgetary
issues that extend from the state, and plans to authorize the process for the selling of Working Cash
bonds as a "what if" wild card.
Speaking of budgets, the Board of Education adopted an amended budget for the just finished school
year. This was necessary because the Fire Prevention/Safety fund was used at a much higher level than
was anticipated at the beginning of the school year. Projects such as the needed replacement of part of
the fire alarm system at West required much more expenditures than was originally projected.
Otherwise, the general budget numbers were very close to the original budget passed in September of
2014. Kudos to Julie May and Rose Lutz for their excellent work and foresight in this area.
Congratulations to Mr. Bill Lapp, high school principal, on his appointment to the IHSA football advisory
committee. He will represent our area at the IHSA.
Have a great summer!