Reply to letters on grade level centers
I would like to clarify some issues raised in letters published in the Daily Herald regarding the conversion to grade level centers at Wood Dale School District 7.
With regard to the comment that the board rushed their decision and kept the process quiet:
The process occurred over six months. Parents were informed in writing three times (in three languages) about how to communicate their feelings to the board regarding this possible change. The issue was presented in my speech at the Wood Dale Town Meeting in October, which was then broadcast numerous times on the local cable station.
A feasibility study regarding the possible change and a timeline were presented at the October school board meeting. Parents were notified in writing that the feasibility study was posted on our Web site (this information was also printed in an article in the Daily Herald). An article was placed in the city newsletter (mailed to every taxpayer in Wood Dale) announcing the study and how to access the report on the Web.
Three evening parent forums to discuss the study were held at the schools. Written notifications announcing the forums were sent home to parents by the school district and the PTO's. Notification that the vote was taking place was listed on the December school board agenda.
Some of the benefits of this new configuration:
There will no longer be the need to annually involuntarily transfer 15-20 kindergarten students between schools to balance enrollment. Classroom space will be opened up at Oakbrook School, eliminating the need for students in need of specialized instruction to be taught in the school library.
All families will be treated equally by having their children placed in a school based on their age, rather than individual classroom enrollment numbers. Physical education will now be offered to kindergarten students and a new gymnasium will be built for grades three through five.
While I acknowledge this change will be difficult for some families, I believe the board has acted in the best interest of all children attending our schools now, as well as those who will attend in the future.
Debra Morgan
President
Wood Dale District 7
Board of Education