As recently as 2013, our community and the School Board were aligned in a vision for the education of our children:
“The Winnetka Public Schools is a community that honors the whole child, fosters creativity, inspires lifelong learning, and develops civic responsibility. District 36 will develop learners who are compassionate citizens, who contribute to their community, and are well prepared for a dynamic future”.
–From The Strategic Plan (2013)
It is in the context of staying true to this mission that we would like to engage the Winnetka community in reviewing and responding to the School Board’s most recent decision through this petition.
On February 25, 2014, the Board voted unanimously to “benchmark” the full-time status of Art and Music teachers to the projected level of student enrollment. The practical outcomes of the Board’s decision are:
a. Art and Music teachers may teach art and music only part of their time at their schools.
b. Successful programs like young composers, chorus and potentially many more could be eliminated or altered.
c. Art and Music teachers might have to travel to other schools within the district.
d. Music and Art teachers that have flexible time may provide special education services and Response-to-Intervention (RtI). This would be in place of hiring specialized, experienced teachers that are certified in these areas.
e. Electives at Washburne may be reduced.
It should be noted that the Board and Dr. Hagerman acknowledged that this decision was not made as a cost cutting measure and would not result in significant cost savings.
More than 200 people attended the five-hour board meeting on February 25th, 2014. Many concerns were emailed to the Board before the meeting. Many of the attendees were distressed by the limited discussion and the Board’s unwillingness to explain their position, which appeared to have been decided before they heard the community’s concerns.
The Board’s latest decision is a serious departure from our District’s mission of educating the whole child. Furthermore, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Wilmette and Avoca are all committed to full time art and music teachers. At the very least, Winnetka District 36 should meet the standards of our neighboring districts.
The Board’s latest decision will:
- Dilute the quality of our public schools
- Impair our district’s ability to be innovative educational leaders
- Negatively impact teacher morale
- Reduce Winnetka’s ability to recruit and retain excellent teachers and administrators.
- Reduce the quality of our Special Education / RtI services
- Eliminate or alter the programs that are unique to our district
- Limit our children’s preparation for the robust Art and Music programs at New Trier
- Lower our property values
- Contribute to continued lower enrollment in our schools
We ask that you sign and forward this petition to insist that the Board reconsider its decision and identify solutions that preserve the quality, character, and culture of our public schools.
Updates
March 8, 2014
Reaching this point has taken a lot more out of me than I care to admit. Seeing this level of engagement keeps me going when the board keeps pushing back against us.
Reached 100 supporters
March 8, 2014
38 Comments
As a graduate of the Winnetka public schools and a proud parent, I fbelieve that arts and music are as important to the education of all children as are math and social studies. Do not deprive our children of the fine education that they deserve and we support.
As a former winnetka teacher, what is happening in the district makes me want to cry. I hope this petition and other parent and staff efforts will help stop the loss of history that is happening in Winnekta.
Considering that there is no cost saving in this decision, what is the reasoning? We should not be trimming programs that add value to our schools unless there is an important goal being achieved. Aligning with enrollment numbers is not a valid nor valuable goal.
The Board materials in support of this action mention that these cuts will not impact "core programs." However, it seems that school community, flexibility in meeting RtI needs, and enrichment or electives for students are dispensable. Does this square with the broader community's notion of a rich education?
Art and Music programs at our schools that are strong should not be touched by our Board! Each school should have a full-time Art teacher and a full-time Music teacher. In addition, the Board must give us more dialog on significant changes affecting our children's education.
We have an outstanding program in place in creative music. I have not heard any sound case for removing the resource enabling this program. Because the program achieves such a high level of music and arts growth, and the district can afford the cost, there is no reason to practice cost accounting in this instance. .
Please preserve the quality of our schools.
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As recently as 2013, our community and the School Board were aligned in a vision for the education of our children:
“The Winnetka Public Schools is a community that honors the whole child, fosters creativity, inspires lifelong learning, and develops civic responsibility. District 36 will develop learners who are compassionate citizens, who contribute to their community, and are well prepared for a dynamic future”.
–From The Strategic Plan (2013)
It is in the context of staying true to this mission that we would like to engage the Winnetka community in reviewing and responding to the School Board’s most recent decision through this petition.
On February 25, 2014, the Board voted unanimously to “benchmark” the full-time status of Art and Music teachers to the projected level of student enrollment. The practical outcomes of the Board’s decision are:
a. Art and Music teachers may teach art and music only part of their time at their schools.
b. Successful programs like young composers, chorus and potentially many more could be eliminated or altered.
c. Art and Music teachers might have to travel to other schools within the district.
d. Music and Art teachers that have flexible time may provide special education services and Response-to-Intervention (RtI). This would be in place of hiring specialized, experienced teachers that are certified in these areas.
e. Electives at Washburne may be reduced.
It should be noted that the Board and Dr. Hagerman acknowledged that this decision was not made as a cost cutting measure and would not result in significant cost savings.
More than 200 people attended the five-hour board meeting on February 25th, 2014. Many concerns were emailed to the Board before the meeting. Many of the attendees were distressed by the limited discussion and the Board’s unwillingness to explain their position, which appeared to have been decided before they heard the community’s concerns.
The Board’s latest decision is a serious departure from our District’s mission of educating the whole child. Furthermore, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Wilmette and Avoca are all committed to full time art and music teachers. At the very least, Winnetka District 36 should meet the standards of our neighboring districts.
The Board’s latest decision will:
- Dilute the quality of our public schools
- Impair our district’s ability to be innovative educational leaders
- Negatively impact teacher morale
- Reduce Winnetka’s ability to recruit and retain excellent teachers and administrators.
- Reduce the quality of our Special Education / RtI services
- Eliminate or alter the programs that are unique to our district
- Limit our children’s preparation for the robust Art and Music programs at New Trier
- Lower our property values
- Contribute to continued lower enrollment in our schools
We ask that you sign and forward this petition to insist that the Board reconsider its decision and identify solutions that preserve the quality, character, and culture of our public schools.
Updates
March 8, 2014
Reaching this point has taken a lot more out of me than I care to admit. Seeing this level of engagement keeps me going when the board keeps pushing back against us.
Reached 100 supporters
March 8, 2014
38 Comments
Having a MUSICIAN that has come out of the Winnetka Public Schools System and is now a Country CHARTING artist recognized by the Country Music Association as on of the top new artists to watch in 2014- she got her foundation and roots from the strong programs of District 36. This to me is unacceptable decision on behalf of our children and community.
As a graduate of the Winnetka public schools and a proud parent, I fbelieve that arts and music are as important to the education of all children as are math and social studies. Do not deprive our children of the fine education that they deserve and we support.
As a former winnetka teacher, what is happening in the district makes me want to cry. I hope this petition and other parent and staff efforts will help stop the loss of history that is happening in Winnekta.
Considering that there is no cost saving in this decision, what is the reasoning? We should not be trimming programs that add value to our schools unless there is an important goal being achieved. Aligning with enrollment numbers is not a valid nor valuable goal.
The Board materials in support of this action mention that these cuts will not impact "core programs." However, it seems that school community, flexibility in meeting RtI needs, and enrichment or electives for students are dispensable. Does this square with the broader community's notion of a rich education?
Art and Music programs at our schools that are strong should not be touched by our Board! Each school should have a full-time Art teacher and a full-time Music teacher. In addition, the Board must give us more dialog on significant changes affecting our children's education.
We have an outstanding program in place in creative music. I have not heard any sound case for removing the resource enabling this program. Because the program achieves such a high level of music and arts growth, and the district can afford the cost, there is no reason to practice cost accounting in this instance. .
Please preserve the quality of our schools.
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Having a MUSICIAN that has come out of the Winnetka Public Schools System and is now a Country CHARTING artist recognized by the Country Music Association as on of the top new artists to watch in 2014- she got her foundation and roots from the strong programs of District 36. This to me is unacceptable decision on behalf of our children and community.