School building budgets for 2012-13 remain steady

The district utilizes a site-based management structure that allows GBN and GBS to allocate their non-personnel building budgets based on each school's respective needs and priorities. Both schools receive a budget amount annually to fund items such as department budgets, small building projects, professional development, hourly overtime, equipment/capital purchases, and student transportation. This amount is generally based on two variables: projected enrollment and annual cost of living adjustments. For the 2013-14 school year, GBN's budget is $2,375,413, a decrease of 1.5 percent from last year. GBS's budget is $3,045,037, an increase of 3.9
percent from last year.

Glenbrook South recommends daily schedule change

A committee of Glenbrook South administrators and teachers recently reviewed daily schedule options and concluded that a "block" schedule would be the most beneficial for students.

The block schedule provides students with longer class times, fewer times per week. For example, an average student may have four, 90-minute classes each day under the new schedule. Potential benefits of the block schedule include extended instructional time, increased opportunities for students to take additional classes, increased building capacity, additional time for access to support services, more time for teacher planning and collaboration, and less frequent passing periods.

The review process began in 2011. Members of the committee conducted numerous meetings to consider the strengths and challenges of both the current 8-period schedule and the block schedule. Parents, students and staff provided input as well in form of focus groups and informal surveys. A strong majority of participants favored the block schedule.

If approved by the Board of Education, Glenbrook South expects the new schedule to take effect at the start of the 2014-15 school year. The Board will continue to review the proposal over the next month and will vote prior to the end of the current school year.