D39: Board of Education Gets A New Face, Positions

District 39's Board of Education got a new look last night when it resumed business for the first time since the April 5 election.

The biggest change came with the addition of Alice Schaff, replacing eight-year board veteran Judy Schnecke. Members of the board each expressed that the outgoing Schnecke’s meticulous note keeping and passion as a mentor would be greatly missed.

“You know I will be watching you and if I see something I don’t like,” the board will be hearing from me, Schnecke said.

Schnecke said that during her time on the board, one of the most visible changes to the district’s curriculum was the implementation of foreign language in kindergarten through fourth grades. And without her help these items never would have come to fruition, she added.

Schnecke addressed the board, warning “issues being considered by the Illinois general assembly include the cost shifting of state mandated pensions onto local taxing bodies, like D39 and involuntary school district consolidation. "

Currently, district consolidation is being pitched as a way for the state to save money, Schnecke said.

“That’s debatable, but it could have a negative impact on small successful district, like our district,” Schnecke said.

Meanwhile Karen Donnan, Keith Dronen and Schaff were all sworn in during a pre-board meeting session. The board was reorganized with Donnan becoming president and John Flanagan becoming vice-president.

“I love gavels,” said Donnan after being named board president.

At the meeting the board also presented the Red Cross with a check for $32,651 for the relief efforts for the victims of the recent tsunami. More than 91 percent of all funds donated are used in the actual effort the Red Cross representative said.

The same evening, the D39 Referendum was officially deemed successful, announced superintendent Dr. Ray Lechner.

“This revenue increase will allow us to continue to deliver the high quality services our district expects,” Lechner said, cautioning that, “New revenue does not mean new programs and services.”

During the past several months the board has been reading through various budgets and developed a “containment plan” to remain fiscally responsible with the districts funds, Lechner said.

These measures already taken have resulted in $1.8 million in cuts, many of which have already been implemented, the superintendent said.

District 39 will host a public hearing on the proposed 2010 levy on May 16 at 7p.m. and adoption of 2010 levy.