Articles filed under Palatine Township District 15

• ‘Friday dismissal’ candidates get vote Apr 3, 2013 12:00 AM
  Letter to the editor: Mark Evenson believes early dismissal on Fridays in District 15 makes more sense for children than does a late start on Wednesdays. "For those putting the needs of the children first, one only need to look at the first three names on the ballot on April 9: Matt Lyons, Jennifer Zold and Donna Johnson," he writes.
  

   
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  Dist. 15 candidates share views on bus outsourcing at forum Apr 3, 2013 12:00 AM
  Nine candidates faced nine questions — some more controversial than others — at a forum Tuesday for the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board race. In front of about 75 people gathered at Sundling Junior High, candidates shared their views on the new common core standards, class sizes and continuing the district's current communications forums. But the issue of outsourcing transportation drew the most varied responses.
  

   

• PTA to offer ‘A Night of Knowledge’ educational sessions Apr 1, 2013 12:00 AM
  On Wednesday, April 3, the Northwest Cook Region of Illinois PTA presents "The Value of PTA: A Night of Knowledge" from 6:45to 9 p.m. at Keller Junior High School, 820 Bode Road, Schaumburg. This evening of education is open to anyone interested in the health, education, and welfare of all children. The event is free for members of any PTA, or $10 for non-PTA members. To register, send your name, email address, PTA name, and phone number to Nicole Fentem at HYPERLINK "mailto:nfentem%40illinoispta.org?subject="nfentem@illinoispta.org.
  

   

• A look at what’s in the new kindergarten assessment Mar 31, 2013 12:00 AM
  A new assessment for kindergartners will not require them to fill in the bubbles on an answer sheet. Here's a look at what it is, where it came from, how it's used; and the design of the pilot program.
  

   
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  Suburban teachers try new assessment of kindergartners that emphasizes play Mar 31, 2013 12:00 AM
  Ten suburban school districts are piloting a new assessment of kindergartners that asks teachers to monitor students and document their everyday activities. It's as much about kids' behavioral development as academics. "It's going to put kindergarten back where it should be," said Julie Kallenbach, director of early learner initiatives at Elgin Area School District U-46. "It's going to make us pay attention to play."
  

   

• Local primaries make case for less democracyMar 31, 2013 12:00 AM
  About that February primary. The weather was lousy, the turnout awful, the expense excessive. And many people didn't have anything to vote on. Why continue with such a system? wonders Jim Davis, news director for the DuPage and Fox Valley editions.
  

   

• Dist. 15 candidates forum set for April 2 Mar 26, 2013 12:00 AM
  The Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA will put on a Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board candidates forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Sundling Junior High, 1100 N. Smith St., Palatine.
  

   
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  District 15 board member admits he was wrong to forward confidential emailMar 25, 2013 12:00 AM
  Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board member Rich Bokor said Monday that passing along confidential email correspondence last month to a former board member was a lapse in judgment. However, Bokor said he wouldn't have sought the advice of former District 211 Superintendent Gerald Chapman had the board been better informed. "Was I wrong? Yes," Bokor said. "Was I seeking counsel on a decision that affects many people where I didn't understand what was going on? Yes."
  

   

• Dist. 15 union says lone bid to outsource busing is costlier Mar 21, 2013 12:00 AM
  The Palatine Township Elementary District 15 transportation union — whose 200 members received layoff notices on Thursday — said the one private busing company to submit a second-round bid will be costlier than keeping operations in-house. Amy Kunz, who works with the union through the Illinois Education Association, said outsourcing with Durham will cost about $750,000 more over three years.
  

   

• Endorsements: Babcock, Bokor, Ekeberg, Seiffert for Palatine Dist. 15 Mar 20, 2013 12:00 AM
  The Daily Herald endorses Peggy Babcock, Richard Bokor, James Ekeberg and David Seiffert for Palatine Elementary District 15 school board.
  

   

• Wants three new faces on D15 board Mar 18, 2013 12:00 AM
  Letter to the editor: Former Palatine Township District 15 school board member Sue Quinn endorses three new faces for the school board this April.
  

   
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  Dist. 15 candidates examine strides made in communicationMar 16, 2013 12:00 AM
  When a slate of challengers defeated the incumbents in the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board race two years ago, communication and relationships — or a lack thereof — were a hot campaign topic among the victors. The Daily Herald recently asked the nine candidates running for four open seats about whether the board has made strides in that regard. Here are their answers.
  

   
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  District 15 bus drivers fuming over “premature” layoff noticesMar 15, 2013 12:00 AM
  Members of the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 transportation department are livid they'll soon receive layoff notices, calling the action premature and based on inaccurate information. The board Wednesday voted 4 to 0, with three members abstaining, to move forward with a reduction in force, or "RIF," of the roughly 200 bus drivers and aides.
  

   

• Dist. 15 parents prefer early dismissal to late start Mar 13, 2013 12:00 AM
  Although a vote won't take place until next month, signs point to the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board backing parents' wishes over those of the teachers on next year's start and dismissal times. That means most of the roughly 12,000 students would end their week 45 minutes early every Friday to allow for professional development time among the district's 830 teachers. "It's clear there was a strong preference and that it affects a lot of people," board member Scott Herr said.
  

   
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  Dist. 15 candidates weigh in on financial turnaround, uncertain futureMar 11, 2013 12:00 AM
  Budget cuts and a less costly teachers contract have reversed a trend of deficit spending, and plugged a hole in the district's diminishing reserves in Palatine Township Elementary School District 15. The nine candidates seeking four school board seats in the April 9 election weigh in on the financial turnaround and future uncertainties.
  

   
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  Central Road students enjoy benefits of PTA grant Mar 5, 2013 12:00 AM
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• The Soapbox Mar 2, 2013 12:00 AM
  The Soapbox celebrates suburban achievements in girls basketball and charity fund-raising but laments a poor voter turnout and some ugly contract negotiations.
  

   

• Palatine Twp. District 15, bus union contract strife goes public Feb 28, 2013 12:00 AM
  The strife over Palatine Township Elementary District 15’s decision to explore outsourcing its busing system has spilled over to contract negotiations. The District Transportation Union this week posted a copy of the board of education’s initial proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement on its website and Facebook page, leading the district and board to issue a letter Thursday outlining seven “myths and facts” about the process.
  

   

• Nekritz delivers bad news to Dist. 15 officials Feb 21, 2013 12:00 AM
  The budget crisis in Illinois — and subsequent trickle-down effect on schools — has gotten so bad, that Palatine Township Elementary District 15 officials can't help but sometimes laugh.
  

   
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  David Seiffert: Candidate ProfileFeb 15, 2013 12:00 AM
  Candidate information for David Seiffert, running for Palatine District 15 School Board (4-year Terms)