Citizens For A Better Education

Our desire is to increase the quality of education all students receive in the East Alton, Hartford and Wood River school districts and strengthen the surrounding communities. THE CONCERN:
About one year ago, a group of about 20 concerned citizens met to discuss what could be done to reduce personal property taxes in our communities. After several meetings, the group decided the number one priorit

y was the school tax rate. In the East Alton, Wood River and Hartford communities dual districts, the rate is 31% higher than all surrounding communities, per Illinois State Board of Education website. The group began to look at the issue in detail to understand why the rate was so much higher and what could be done to bring the rate in line with the surrounding communities. THE FIRST FINDING:
The committee discovered East Alton, Wood River and Hartford school systems are divided into three separate, independent School Districts. Each District has its own administration, support staff and teachers. The two Elementary Districts have their own curriculum and teaching philosophy. One Elementary District works under a Middle School concept and the other Elementary District works under a Junior High School concept. Both Elementary Districts feed into the EAWR Community High School. With the two different K-8 Elementary District philosophies, students arrive to begin their High School Freshman year at different educational levels and expectations. This creates challenges for high school teachers and proves detrimental to our children's education at such an important time in their educational experience. THE ACTION PLAN:
The committee met with the three Superintendents to discuss what could be done. After discussion, it was agreed a new study be completed to determine if consolidation of the three districts was the correct decision. A consultant was hired to complete the study, and addressed ONLY questions outlined in the criteria. THE STUDY FINDINGS:
The study was completed and presented to a group of parents, board members and Administrators. At this time, the Committee also officially organized into a non-profit organization called "Citizens For A Better Education" as it was now obvious from our research and data obtained from the study that our children's education value was also being hampered by our current school system. THE "OFFICIAL" STUDY FINDINGS:
The study was completed and presented to a group of parents, board members and Administrators. The presentation of facts and data in the study definitely support consolidation. During the presentation by the consultants, hired by the three School Boards to perform the study, the verbal recommendation by the presenter was that consolidation was not recommended at this time. He went on to clarify that there was a financial advantage to consolidation but their conclusion was that there was not enough advantage to warrant the effort. The single most significant factor against consolidation, according to the consultant, was that none of the three districts involved were financially troubled enough to qualify for the deficit fund balance incentive. The consultants then advised that they have provided the data and that all concerned parties should review the report and draw their own conclusion whether consolidation would be beneficial for their community since they obviously do not live here. If you carefully read the report, you will find at least 42 instances in that clearly support consolidation, and five references in the report that do not support consolidation. None of the five instances were relevant to our situation. THE "UNOFFICIAL" FINDINGS DIFFER:
During an open question and answer session, the consultant was questioned about the school tax rates being extremely out of line with surrounding communities. His response was "That issue was out of scope of the project." Even though the report contains some good, solid information, the troubling fact is that it fails to provide the reader with other pertinent information. This key information, which we believe is crucial to the educated voter, is how does our present educational system compare to our surrounding unit school districts in two areas, test scores and cost per pupil? Even though this information is readily available, there was no direct comparisons made by the consultants. Our research data, obtained from the Illinois State Board of Education website, shows that we are obviously deficient in both areas when compared to our Unit School District neighbors. This deficiency is in no way traced to our teaching staff's performance, but rather an antiquated system. Illinois State Board of Education website is:
http://webprod.isbe.net/ereportcard/publicsite/getReport.aspx?year=2010&code=410570140_e.pdf

WHAT THE STUDY SAYS:
There is only one recommendation in the actual report. The recommendation is as follows, “The consultants recommend that the districts in this study utilize an 11A/3 reorganization procedure in which all districts would vote for the formation of a new Unit District and all Districts would be required to vote in the majority for the affirmative to be successful.”

POST STUDY ACTIONS:
The committee decided to accept the recommendation stated in the report and let the people decide what is best for our students and community. PETITION DRIVE TO GET ISSUE ON BALLOT:
In September 2010, a petition drive was held. Approximately 30 people joined together to obtain signatures on the petition. Quickly, in just a few days, over 500 signatures were obtained to support Consolidation. The petitions were delivered to the Regional Office of Education in October. PUBLIC HEARING BY REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION:
A public hearing was held in November and the vast majority of speakers supported the concept of Consolidation. The Regional Office of Education supported our efforts and forwarded our Petition to the State Superintendent. STATE SUPERINTENDENT SUPPORTS EFFORT:
In December, the "Citizens For A Better Education" along with the three School Boards, received certified letters from the State Superintendent, allowing the Consolidation issue be placed on the ballot for April 5, 2011.