Palos 118 is committed to learning, and it shows in the accolades we have received as a district, and the awards we are privileged to present to our students. I was proud to see at the Board of Education meeting last night, that 128 eighth graders received Presidential Academic Fitness Awards for academic excellence. We also had students recognized for representing District 118 at the Providence High School Academic Bowl, National Geographic Geography Bee, You Be The Chemist, and winners of the Palos South Young Authors Contest.

Our district's dedication to excellence is also reflected in consistently high Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISATS) scores. I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for preparing your students for the standardized test earlier this month by sending them to school each morning well rested and properly nourished. A special thanks also to all district staff for their efforts during ISATS and every school day.

School consolidation has been in the news and is currently an issue in Springfield. Word from the Governor's office is that the Governor is still seriously looking into school consolidation - and it could well be without local input or legislative approval. School consolidation can mean many different things and various bills have been introduced this year which would force school districts to consolidate into county-wide districts (Rita, D - Blue Island, HB 1886) and to create commissions to study consolidation (Chapa LaVia D-Aurora HB1216 and Schoenberg, D-Evanston SB 1324). I encourage you to stay informed and to voice your opinion to our state legislators and the governor. Schools are important to our community and help define who and what we are all about. For more information, please read the story below: Legislative Update from the Board of Education Government and Legislative Committee.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable, safe, and well-deserved spring break. I look forward to the last few months of the school year filled with many fun activities and events with a renewed spirit for learning. 

Sincerely,

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

From the Board of Education Government/Legislative Committee 

School consolidation has been in the news and is currently an issue in Springfield. Word from the Governor's office is that the Governor is still seriously looking into school consolidation - and it could well be without local input or legislative approval. School consolidation can mean many different things and various bills have been introduced this year:  

(Rita, D - Blue Island) HB 1886) would dissolve all school districts by July 1, 20102; abolish all school boards on July 1, 2012; establish county school districts: set a date for a special election for each county to elect members of the new county school board; and, transfer all powers duties assets, property and employees from the former school boards to the newly created county school board. The bill is scheduled for subcommittee hearing Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 8:10 a.m.

(Chapa LaVia D-Aurora) HB1216 establishes the School District Realignment and Consolidation Commission to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on the number of school districts in this State, the optimal amount of enrollment of a school district, and where consolidation and realignment would be beneficial. As amended, is on 2nd reading in the Illinois House of Representatives.

(Schoenberg, D-Evanston) SB 1324 requires the ISBE to conduct a study regarding the feasibility and cost saving benefits of consolidation specific school district in a geographic area. The study must include recommendations regarding which schools should be consolidated. The report shall be submitted to the General Assembly and Governor by January 1, 2013.  After public hearings are conducted, the consolidations occur with either a majority vote of the General Assembly or within 90 days of the General Assembly failing to act.  The bill has been placed in the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Education ad is posted for hearing March 16, 2011.

Some bill proponents claim that consolidation will "save" money, however, no specifics have been provided, and many recent studies say the opposite. Everyone does agree that consolidation will change what schools and school districts look like today. Connecting school districts together creates changes which include: the curriculum taught, student school assignment, pupil opportunities, class size, use of school buildings, property tax moving from local funding to supporting a larger geographic area, and creating an administrative organization to manage the new consolidated district. The current concept of a local board of education and community control of its schools will change to membership in a larger entity which reduces the impact of the individual citizen. School boards will change to a new single board for the total consolidated district. There is no evidence that larger school districts provide better instruction or greater pupil success than do smaller districts.

See what research says on consolidation: 

http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/consolidation-schools-districts

Voice your opinion to our state legislators and the governor.

The Green Hills Public Library will be holding a reception on Monday, April 4th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for State Senator Ed Maloney (18th Illinois Senate District) and State Representative Bill Cunningham. These legislators will also be providing constituent outreach services at the Green Hills Public Library District beginning Monday, March 28th. Hours will be Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

• Representative Rita's Phone numbers in Springfield and Blue Island are: (217) 558-1000 (708) 396-2822.
• Governor Quinn Phone numbers are: Springfield Office (217) 782-0244 and Chicago Office (312) 814-2121.

Your phone call counts. Legislators and the governor log pro and con positions on all legislation. The volume of calls also sends a message from the citizenry.

Palos 118 thanks School Board President

Richard Nogal for dedicated service

After eight years serving on the Palos 118 School Board, President Richard J. Nogal will be leaving the school board when his tenure expires in April.  Palos 118 has thrived under his leadership and guidance.

"I will miss the professional camaraderie that we developed between our board, administration, teachers, parents, and community," said Nogal, "Everyone always worked together in the best interests of our students."

Nogal's involvement with the board began in 2001 when the school board asked him to chair the Partners and Buildings Solutions Committee and review the facility needs of the district. He then became a member of the school board in 2003, and was elected president in 2009.  During Nogal's tenure, District 118 has flourished, receiving recognition for the district's financial reporting, maintaining a balanced budget, and implementing Smartboard technology in every classroom. 

A 2002 memo from former Superintendent, Dr. Rosemarie Carroll to Nogal, who was serving on the Educational Foundation at the time, outlined district needs. They included; playground renewal/building updates at East and West, media center renewals and reading themes for all schools, air conditioning for classrooms in each school, and an industrial technology student lab and fitness center at South.  Nogal and school board members worked in the years that followed to ensure that every need on the 2002 wish list was met. 

Of his many accomplishments, Nogal said, "I am most proud of the district-wide team effort that resulted in the renovation and updating of our three schools.  I will always remember the ceremony commemorating the Dr. Carroll Center at Palos South, in memory of our late superintendent."

Nogal has also been a dedicated member of the community, serving as chairman of the board of Palos Community Hospital, chairman of the Our Lady of the Woods Parish Council, and a member of the Palos Fire Protection Commission. 

"District 118 is grateful for Mr. Nogal's dedicated service," said Superintendent Joseph Dubec, "Our success is a testament to his strong leadership, and we wish him luck as he runs for High School District 230's school board."