Grayslake school district employees going to Disney World

Grayslake Elementary District 46 is sending a team of employees to a consultant's warm-weather convention in early December for the third consecutive year, this time with Walt Disney World in Orlando as the destination.

Unlike the first two trips to Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Inc. events in South Carolina, some parents are raising questions in advance about spending public money to send 10 educators to Disney World while classes are in session.

Cathy Neuman, who has a son at Prairieview School in Hainesville, said the Florida convention costs are inappropriate for the district in difficult economic times when some taxpayers are losing jobs or taking salary cuts.

"As a parent, I kind of feel it's a slap in the face," Neuman said.

But District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll remains positive about the relationship with South Carolina-based Blue Ribbon Schools. She said the company's assessments have led to initiatives not seen elsewhere locally, such as "data dens" in each school that track student performance and drive instruction.

"Based on my experience in my five years here, we get the most value for the dollar (from Blue Ribbon) on a daily, weekly basis," Correll said.

As part of the trip from Dec. 8-12 in Orlando, the district's 10 educators are to make presentations to peers. The paid consultant is scheduled to present an award to Woodview School in Grayslake.

District 46's Blue Ribbon Schools-related expenses have totaled at least $73,654 since 2007. That amount includes consulting and conference fees, airfare, hotels, substitute teachers, rental vehicles, food, gas and incidentals, according to district documents.

Records show the district sent 20 employees to the convention in North Charleston, S.C., in 2007 and 25 to the Myrtle Beach event in 2008.

Correll said about $9,315 will be spent on the 10 staffers for the Disney World trip next month. She said Blue Ribbon Schools selected the Florida venue for a good reason.

"They go where it's the cheapest," she said.

Neuman countered that District 46 should consider having teachers and administrators share ideas at a local gathering with educators from other nearby Lake County schools to eliminate convention expenses.

While at Disney World, District 46's team is to give presentations on topics ranging from managing knowledge in an organization to implementing math centers in grades one through four.

Jeff Knapp, principal of the Woodview building for kindergarten through fourth grade, said at a recent school board meeting he'll be among those presenting at the event. He said District 46 has made great strides in technology integration since affiliating with Blue Ribbon Schools in 2007.

"We are excited to be going down to the national conference," Knapp told elected board members.

On the evening of Dec. 11, Woodview is slated to receive the company's highest Blue Ribbon Lighthouse award at a banquet in Disney World's Contemporary Resort.

Woodview will join Meadowview School in Grayslake and Prairieview, both serving kindergarten through fourth grade, as Blue Ribbon Lighthouse winners.

District 46's financial connection to founder Bart Teal's nonprofit company was not spelled out for the public after Prairieview and Meadowview received the awards. Meadowview Principal Laura Morgan is one of the endorsers on a Blue Ribbon Schools promotional video.

Privately operated Blue Ribbon Schools has a name similar to a program run by the U.S. Department of Education. Correll reiterated there is nothing wrong with the business' honors.

"It's like any test you could take," she said. "There are standards you have to meet."

Blue Ribbon Schools has extended "early bird" registration for the Disney World event, noting some school districts have yet to receive federal stimulus money. Teal did not return a message seeking elaboration about the stimulus reference on his Web site.

More than education is promoted by Blue Ribbon Schools for the five-day December convention.

Educators in Disney lodging may obtain special theme park tickets. Starting in late afternoon on the convention's second day, a reception, candlelight processional and fireworks will cover five hours at Epcot.

Some parents questioned District 46's link to Blue Ribbon Schools at a community forum in June. They said the spending on the 2008 Myrtle Beach trip came when the district worked to eliminate 29 jobs as part of roughly $2.8 million in cost-cutting measures before this academic year.

Correll said District 46 students will benefit from the knowledge gained by the employees who attend the Florida convention next month. She said she takes seriously the spending of taxpayers' money.

"I think the public needs to know that every week, I approve conferences for staff for professional development," she said. "There is not a conference that has had as widespread, positive effects on our students (as Blue Ribbon). I invite any critic to come into our schools, review the data and talk to our principals."