The Geneva Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association ratify a three year contract

The Geneva Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association have formally ratified a three-
year contract. The agreement was approved by the Geneva Education Association on Wednesday, June
3, and by the Geneva Board of Education on Monday, June 8.

Both the Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association are pleased that the settlement was
reached in a short period of time. Negotiating teams for both the Board of Education and the Geneva
Education Association cited a commitment to a process that was focused, positive and realistic in light
of the current economic times and the school district’s resources and budget. The contract is the result
of the continuation of the problem-solving negotiation model adopted in the school district 15 years ago.
The negotiation model is based upon identification of issues by each side and the development of
mutually acceptable solutions. Negotiators from the Board of Education and the Geneva Education
Association firmly believe that the negotiation process has served our students and the community well.

The contract will cover the 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12 academic years. The base salary rate will
increase 0.58% over the course of the three-year contract. The base salary will increase $39 from
$38,968 to $39,007 in the first year, followed by no increase the second year, and an increase of $644 to
$39,651 in the third year. The total percentage increase for salaries and extracurricular stipends is
2.67% in the first year, 2.96% in the second year, and 3.49% in the third year.

The insurance premium will be reduced by raising the deductible while working to preserve quality
health coverage.

Tuition reimbursement will be reduced by $70,000, or 37.5%, over the next three years. In addition, the
school district only will reimburse teachers for one graduate program.

In addition to salary and benefit matters, the Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association
agreed to changes and additions to certain working conditions in the best interest of the students, staff,
school district and community.

Information provided by:  Geneva School District 304

Geneva bus and school day schedule changes for 2009-2010 school year

Effective August 2009, bus pick up and drop off times and school day schedules will be altered to gain
efficiencies in transportation and save money on transportation costs. This plan was approved by the
Board of Education on May 26 is expected to save Geneva School District at least $300,000 in the 2009-
10 school year and additional money in future years due to the reduction in bus routes.

This change will impact all levels of education in Geneva School District. Bus drop off times at the
beginning of the day will be changed: five minutes earlier for elementary and high school students, and
five minutes later for middle school students. The actual school day schedules will also be modified:
15 minutes earlier for elementary students (based on the final/tardy bell, which currently rings at 8:15
a.m. at all schools), five minutes earlier for high school students, and five minutes later for middle
school students. Bus pick-up times at the end of the day, then, will also change: 15 minutes earlier for
elementary students, five minutes earlier for high school students, and five minutes later for middle
school students. In addition, kindergarten timing and routing is also being adjusted, making it possible
to reduce the number of kindergarten routes from 34 to 17.

The new schedules for the 2009-10 school year are as follows:

Elementary
Drop Off: 7:45 a.m.
School Start: 8:00 a.m.
School Dismissal: 2:15 p.m.
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:20 a.m.

Kindergarten
AM Session: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
PM Session: 11:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Middle School
Drop Off: 8:20 a.m.
School Start: 8:35 a.m.
School Dismissal: 3:24 p.m.
Half-Day Dismissal: 12:00 p.m.

High School
Drop Off: 7:15 a.m.
School Start: 7:40 a.m.
School Dismissal: 2:45 p.m.
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:05 a.m.

Information provided by:  Geneva School District 304

Acknowledging Greatness

What an amazing school year it’s been!

What’s more amazing is that it’s only a little more than half over! Academics, athletics, you name it! Geneva’s students and staff are making headlines!

Had you heard that:

• Four Geneva High School students achieved perfect scores (36) on the ACT.
• Four students were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, five were named Semi-Finalists and 16 were named Commended Students.
• There were 102 Illinois State Scholars this year at Geneva High School.
• Fifteen students received College Board Advanced Placement Scholar Awards, some with Distinction and Honors.

How about the fact that:

• Another Geneva teacher achieved National Board Certification, bringing Geneva School District’s number of National Board Certified teachers to 12.
• Geneva School District was the recipient, for the fifth year in a row, of the Bright Red Apple Award for academic excellence.
• Geneva High School ranked #23 in the Chicago Tribune’s list of the top 50 high schools in Illinois based on performance on the 2008 Prairie State Achievement Exam.

And we’re sure you heard that:

• The Varsity Girls’ Cross Country team won their second consecutive state championship.
• The Varsity Football team had an undefeated season and made it to the state championship for the first time since 1975.
• The Varsity Girls’ Basketball team finished fourth in state.
• The Dance Team won first place at state in lyrical dance and third place in open dance.
• The Vikings were conference champions in all eight conference fall sports and four of the winter sports and activities in which they compete.
• The Varsity Boys’ Cross Country team finished third in state.
• Four Girls’ Tennis players and one Girls’ Golf Team member competed in the state finals.
• Eight Geneva High School students were selected to perform in the All-State Music Festival.

All of this in a matter of months! And we haven’t even gotten to the end of winter sports and activities, the start of spring sports and activities or the second semester of academic accolades!

We simply do not have enough good things to say about the amazing students and staff at Geneva School District or the incredibly supportive community in which we reside. It is through the efforts of all that these and many other students and staff members are able to achieve and succeed to such profound levels!

Kelley is the Geneva School District’s communications coordinator.

This article first appeared in the April 2009 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

PRIDE in Geneva 304

In the fall of 2005, Geneva School District opened its doors to senior citizens wishing to volunteer their time in classrooms working with students and providing an “extra set of eyes, ears and hands” to the teachers.

In four short years, the program known as Proud Retired (and other) Individuals Dedicated to Education or P.R.I.D.E. has come to be called “a win-win,” “ success” and “very satisfying.” It has also grown to include nearly 40 volunteers in six of Geneva School District’s eight schools!

“I do think there are times when some of the kids just need a little bit more help, and when you have one teacher and 24 kids that’s difficult to do,” said Rose Fausey, one of P.R.I.D.E.’s first volunteers. “To have that extra help, it really benefits the child.”

“The P.R.I.D.E. program creates intergenerational relationships, opening doors and allowing for the sharing of experiences to create a better understanding between students and seniors,” said P.R.I.D.E. coordinator Steve Lillie.

“Students are so full of energy; and P.R.I.D.E. volunteers are positive, high-energy people, too,” Mr. Lillie said. “It is a wonderful match, and both the student and the volunteer benefit.”

At each level volunteering is flexible to accommodate the talents, availability and comfort level of each volunteer; and there is no special training required. Rose Fausey has volunteered at the elementary level for four years and has both learned from and enjoyed the weekly interaction with today’s students.

“It is satisfying,” said Mrs. Fausey. “They do want to learn, and you can see the results by how much effort they put into what they’re doing and when you do the follow-up. It’s just a good feeling you get.”

If you or someone you know would like more information about the P.R.I.D.E. program, call Geneva School District’s administrative offices, 630-463-3000.

Kelley Munch is the Communications Coordinator.

This article first appeared in the March 2009 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

American Education Week

We all have a lot to celebrate in Geneva!

Just last year, there were 106 Illinois State Scholars from Geneva High School. The varsity girls’ cross country team earned a state champion title. The average ACT score of the class of 2008 increased to 23.9 compared to the state average of 20.7.

Dozens of students and teams qualified to compete in state competitions including girls’ golf, girls’ and boys’ tennis, girls’ and boys’ track and field, boys’ gymnastics, dance team, math team, the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team, the Illinois Drafting Educators’ Association team and more! And believe it or not, the list of amazing accomplishments goes on and on!

School District’s staff works hard to help each and every student succeed, and a huge factor in the success of Geneva’s students–at the elementary, middle and high school levels–is the fact that we have parents and a community that place a high value on education. This value is translated into successful educational careers, inspiring athletic performances and smart, well-rounded students ready to take on the world after graduation!

It is this partnership with the greater Geneva community that we celebrate during American Education Week! American Education Week was first observed in 1921 to shine the spotlight on the wonderful things public schools do for students and to thank local communities for their support of public education.

It is during this week–November 17 to 21–that we recognize our educational partners like the City of Geneva, the Geneva History Center, the Geneva Library and Park Districts, local businesses and civic organizations, student leaders, Parent Teacher Organizations, and volunteers who contribute so much to our students’ success.

From time, talent, and treasure … everything you do to help and support Geneva’s youth speaks volumes to the tradition of excellence that includes the greater Geneva community. Thank you for all you do! We really can’t do it without you!

This article first appeared in the November 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Transitioning in Every Sense of the Word

New faces, new places.

This statement encapsulates much of Geneva School District’s hard work this busy summer. Coultrap Elementary School was moved to its replacement on Williamsburg Avenue, the Harrison Street School community moved to its temporary home in the Coultrap building and seven administrators took on new roles within the district beginning July 1. We’d like to introduce you to these new additions to Geneva School District’s administrative team:

Dan Killeen, Harrison Street Elementary School principal, has taught and held administrative positions in Elgin and Lombard. He is known for his commitment to collaboration and has a strong record as an elementary teacher and administrator.

Dr. Margaret Pennington, Heartland Elementary School principal, is known as a knowledgeable and resourceful leader. Margaret has taught in Wisconsin, at the Illinois Math and Science Academy and has served as a consultant to the Illinois State Board of Education. She earned her Doctor of Education degree from National Louis University.

Ron Zeman, Western Avenue Elementary School principal, was a physical education specialist, teacher and student services coordinator before becoming an elementary principal in Indian Prairie School District. He is viewed as an effective school leader with a genuine commitment to children.

Olivia Smith, Geneva Middle School North assistant principal, is known to have good communication skills and confidence. Olivia begins her administrative career in Geneva after teaching English in Michigan and at West Aurora High School.

Donna Oberg, assistant superintendent for business services, has many years of experience and extensive knowledge of school finance. Donna is known for her expertise and work ethic. She has worked in Marengo-Union, Grayslake and St. Charles school districts.

Patty O’Neil, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, became Geneva’s first director of curriculum in 2006 after a successful teaching and administrative career in Sycamore and Plainfield. She is known for her problem-solving abilities and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Northern Illinois University.

Kathy Pease, director of curriculum, served the last two years as principal of Western Avenue Elementary School and has a reputation for bringing about constructive change in the classroom. She has held teaching and administrative positions in Indian Prairie School District.

Please welcome and support these administrators throughout the year. It is with their expertise and care that we make great strides every day toward our goal of success for all students!

This article first appeared in the September 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.