REORGANIZATION STUDY

1
REORGANIZATION STUDY

• Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4
• Westville CUSD 2
• May 13, 2015

2
Midwest School Consultants

• Dr. William H. Phillips
• Dr. Scott L. Day
• Dr. Leonard R. Bogle

3
Purpose of a Feasibility Study

• Provide participating districts with information
  which can help them determine the best options
  for students, parents, and communities.
• Provide a neutral viewpoint based on the analysis
  of curriculum, finances, staff needs,
  transportation issues, and facilities.

4
FINANCIAL COMPARISONS

• School District Financial Profile
• General State Aid, ADA, Personal Property
  Replacement Tax, Operating Tax Expense, Property
  Tax Rates per Pupil, and General State Aid per
  Pupil.
• Education Fund, Operations Fund, Transportation
  Fund, IMRF, Bond Interest Fund, Working Cash,
  Site Construction, Safety Prevention, EAV, and
  Projected Tax Rate of a new District.
• Incentive Payments.

5
FACILITIES

• Number of buildings
• Grades housed in each building
• Building enrollments capacities
• Age of facilities
• Life Safety/asbestos
• Accessibility for the physically challenged
• General upkeep building conditions

6
TRANSPORTATION

• Number of Buses
• Number of Bus Routes
• Costs
• Number of students transported
• Route Mileage Costs
• Special Education Buses
• Other Transportation Services Costs

7
CURRICULUM COMPARISONS

• Program highlights
• Grade Level enrollments vs. numbers of teachers
  in each community
• Test scores-ISAT PSAE
• Junior High and High School courses electives
• High School schedule graduation requirements
• Final recommendations for participating districts

8
Grade Configurations

• The curricula of the two districts in the study
  are organized into grades K-5 and 6-8 with grade
  configurations. Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4
  (1,054 students) consists of Pine Crest
  Elementary, grades PK-5 (499 students) and Mary
  Miller Junior High, grades 6-8 (237 students) at
  two separate sites.
• Westville CUSD 2 (1,353 students) consists of
  Giacoma Elementary, grades PK-6 (719 students)
  and Westville Junior High, grades 7-8 (188
  students) at two separate sites.

9
PK, Kindergarten, Early Childhood

• Georgetown-Ridge Farm offers 3 sections of
  full-day Kindergarten with three teachers.
  Special education and Title 1 services are
  available for these students. The Pre-K program
  is serviced with two teachers (1PSFA, 1 ECSE).
  Early Childhood programming is available for 12
  students. These programs are offered at Pine
  Crest Elementary School.
• Westville Pre-K program at Giacoma Elementary is
  offered with 2 teachers (61 students). This site
  also offers ECH and a Care Classroom for
  Vermilion County. Giacoma Elementary offers 5
  sections of full-day Kindergarten with 5
  teachers.

10
PRE-K TO 8 SECTIONS
Grade Georgetown Ridge Farm Westville
Pre-K 2 2
KG 3 5
1 4 5
2 4 4
3 3 4
4 3 4
5 3 4
6 3 4
7 3 5
8 3 5

11
Special Subject Teachers
  Georgetown Ridge Farm Westville
Band 1 (6-12) 1 (5-12)
Chorus 1 (6-12) 1 (5-12)
General Music 1 (K-5) 2 (K-6)
Physical Education/ Health 1 (K-5) 1 (6-8) 1 (K-6) 1 (7-8)
12
Demographic Comparisons2014 ISBE Data
  Georgetown Ridge Farm 4 Westville CUSD 2
4 year Graduation Rate 77 90
Attendance Rate 93 95
Low Income 63 57
Mobility Rate 11 10
Truancy Rate 7 1.8
Students with Disabilities 16 16
English Language Learners (ELL) 0.1 0
 
4 year Graduation Rate 77 90
13
Special Education Programs

• Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4 provides special
  education services at the elementary level (PK-5)
  houses the Early Childhood program at the high
  school building. The district also provides
  services with 3 certified staff (K-5) in 2
  self-contained classrooms (K-3) and (4-5).
  Instruction is also provided for resource and/or
  co-teaching, Title 1 and Speech services. Mary
  Miller Junior High provides services (6-8) with 3
  certified staff. Special education staff also
  provides support and instructional services, 504
  plan management, co-teaching, Response to
  Intervention (RtI), Speech, Social Work, and
  Community Training. Occupational Therapy,
  Physical Therapy, Hearing, and a School
  Psychologist are provided through the Vermilion
  County Special Education Cooperative (VASE).

14
Special Education Programs

• Westville CUSD 2 employs 7 special education
  teachers, 2 cross-categorical teachers, and 1
  early childhood teacher. The district houses
  elementary services at Giacoma Elementary with 6
  sections of special education resource and 2
  sections of self-contained instruction with 8
  staff members. Westville Junior High offers
  services (7-8) with 2 certified teachers and 1
  resource classroom. Core courses are co-taught.
  The building has also moved away from
  self-contained classrooms in Science and Social
  Studies. Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy,
  Hearing, and a School Psychologist are provided
  through the Vermilion County Special Education
  Cooperative (VASE).

15
Mary Miller Jr. High

• Georgetown-Ridge Farm students (6-8) (245
  students) are taught in a junior high schedule at
  Mary Miller Junior High. Electives are offered in
  Band and Chorus (6-8). Girls and Boys sports
  teams include Basketball, Cross-Country, Track,
  Volleyball, Baseball, Archery, Volleyball, and
  Cheerleading. Clubs are offered in Spelling Team,
  Scholastic Bowl, Student Council, and Yearbook.

16
Westville Jr. High

• Westville Junior High School, grades 7-8 (188
  students) receive Chorus, Band Study Skills, and
  Technology (6-8) as their elective courses.
  Students also receive a curriculum in Gateway to
  Technology (GTT) in which 7 8 grade core
  teachers co-teach with Science teachers. Girls
  and Boys sports teams include Basketball, Track,
  Volleyball, Baseball, Volleyball, and
  Cheerleading. Clubs include Student Council,
  Newspaper, and Yearbook.

17
Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School

• Several course options at various levels in
  Mathematics, Math 1 2, Basic Algebra, Algebra
  1, Algebra 1 S2, Algebra 2 Concepts, Algebra 2,
  Algebra 2 Honors, Geometry Concepts, Geometry
  Honors, Trigonometry, and Calculus.
• Science courses in General Science, Biology CT,
  Biology 1-3, Honors Biology, Chemistry 1, and
  Physics.
• English courses in English 1 2, English 1 2
  SE, English 2-4 CT, English 4, English 4-101,
  and Literature.
• Social Science courses ranging from American
  History, American History CT, Geography, Consumer
  Economics, Modern Problems, American Government,
  and History of US Crime.
• Foreign Language is offered in Spanish 1-3.
• Business courses are offered in Accounting 1,
  Business Technology, and Keyboarding.

18
Georgetown-Ridge Farm

• Family and Consumer Sciences offer courses in
  Child Development, Family/Housing, and
  Orientation to Family.
• Fine Arts-Drawing, Design, and Yearbook.
• Music-Chorus and Band.
• Industrial Technology courses are offered in
  Introduction to Construction Trades, Construction
  Trades, and Building Trades 1-3.
• Agriculture courses are offered in Introduction
  to Horticulture, Intro. to Agriculture,
  Agriculture Biology, and Agriculture Mechanics
  1-2.
• Physical Education is offered at all grade levels
  in Physical Education

19
Westville High School

• Course options at various levels in Mathematics,
  Applied Math, Algebra 1 2, Geometry,
  Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and
  Calculus.
• Science courses in Science are General Science,
  Biology 1, Anatomy Physiology, Chemistry 1 2,
  Forensic Science, Conceptual Science 1, Physics,
  Environmental Science, Physical Science,
  Astronomy, and Zoology.
• English offers courses in English 1-4, Honors
  English 1-4, College Prep English, Creative
  Writing, Publishing, Publications, Rhetoric
  Composition 1 2, Speech, and Theater/Film.
• Social Studies courses ranging from World
  History, Cultural History, Consumer Education,
  Representative Government, Brother Against
  Brother, Reconstruction, Psychology, Sociology,
  United States History, Modern United States
  World History, Holocaust Genocidal Studies,
  Ancient Civilizations, and The Creation of a
  Nation.
• Foreign Language is offered in Spanish 1-4.

20
Westville High School

• Business Education courses are offered in
  Computer Concepts/Intro. to Business, Computer
  Applications, Desktop Publishing, Business
  Management, Electronic Media Production,
  Cooperative Education,
• Home Economics offer courses in Orientation to
  Home Economics, Food Nutrition, Clothing
  Textiles, Parenting 1 2, Living Environment,
  Adult Living, and Child Development.
• Visual Arts courses in Art 1-4.
• Music offers organizational groups in Band,
  Concert Choir, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo.
• Industrial Technology courses are offered in
  Industrial Technology Orientation, Manufacturing,
  Drafting/Construction Drawing/Estimating, and
  Construction 1 2.
• Physical Education is offered at all grade levels
  in Physical Education, Health, and Driver
  Education.

21
HS Graduation Requirements

• Georgetown-Ridge Farm HS
• A high school student must complete 22 credits
  including the following to be eligible for
  graduation 4 credits in English, 2 credits in
  social studies, 3 credits in Mathematics, 2
  credits in Science, 1 semester in Health and
  Drivers Education, 3 credits in Physical
  Education.
• Westville HS
• A high school student must complete 57 credits
  (counted each semester) including the following
  to be eligible for graduation 6 credits (3
  years) of Math-including Algebra and a course
  with Geometry content 4 credits (2 years) of
  Science 8 credits (4 years) of English, which
  includes 2 years of writing intensive courses 5
  credits (.5 year) of Social Science 4 credits (4
  years) in physical education 1 credit in Health
  and 2 credit in Consumer Education.

22
Additional Gains in Course OfferingsIn a
Combined High School Curriculum
Department Courses from Georgetown Courses from Westville
Mathematics   Statistics
Science   Anatomy Physiology
    Forensic Science
    Astronomy
    Zoology
English   Creative Writing
    Rhetoric Composition
Speech
Theatre/Film
23
Combined HS Curriculum
Department Courses from Georgetown Courses from Westville
Social Studies History of US Crime Cultural History
    Reconstruction
    Brother Against Brother
    Psychology
    Sociology
    Holocaust Genocidal Studies
    Ancient Civilization
    The Creation of a Nation
     
Business Accounting Electronic Media Production
    Cooperative Education

24
Combined HS Curriculum
Department Courses from Georgetown Courses from Westville
Foreign Language   Spanish 4
Industrial Technology Construction Trades Drafting (CAD) Construction Drawing/Estimating
  Building Trades 1 2  
Agriculture Introduction to Horticulture  
  Intro to Agriculture  
  Agricultural Biology  
  Agriculture Mechanics 1 2  
Home Economics   Foods Nutrition
    Clothing Textiles
Music   Jazz Band
Jazz Combo
25
Programmatic Considerations

• Existing special education program and services
  received by students will not be affected by
  reorganization. Special Education services could
  be combined as additional services are provided
  by the same cooperative (VASE).
• The existing organization of grades into 6-8 or
  7-8, among the two districts will have to be
  considered in a reorganized district. In the case
  of Westville, more classroom space would be
  available at the elementary level if the Middle
  School/Junior High site became a grades 6-8
  facility and the elementary centers all became
  PK-5 schools. Giacoma Elementary would have four
  additional rooms free.

26
Programmatic Consideration

• Consider utilizing a high school facility (GFHS)
  for a new Junior High(/- 450 students). Due to
  classroom space, shop facilities, and faculty
  expertise, a more enhanced curriculum could be
  provided (i.e., a more in-depth set of electives)
  in industrial technology, family consumer
  sciences, technology courses, visual arts, and
  music. A survey course as an introduction to
  Spanish should also be considered.
• At the high school level, departments from both
  high schools could be melded and course
  assignments determined by certification and areas
  of expertise. There are several cases in which
  the curriculum will be enhanced because both
  schools do not have identical courses and
  programs.

27
ENROLLMENT
28
ENROLLMENT

• Student projections are made using existing class
  numbers to develop percentages
• These percentages are applied to future classes
  using the Cohort Survival Method
• Live births provided by the Census Bureau are
  used to project Pre-K and K enrollments
• Each school in this study will see decreasing
  student enrollment over the next five years.

29
COUNTY Population Estimates Population Estimates  
COUNTY 2000 2010 GAIN/LOSS
Vermilion 19,791 19,818 27
VILLAGE Population Estimates Population Estimates  
VILLAGE 2000 2010 GAIN/LOSS
       
Georgetown 3,628 3,474 -154
Ridge Farm 912 882 -30
Westville 3,175 3,202 27
TOTAL 7,715 7,558 -157
30
DISTRICT STUDENTS GAINED/LOST
2010-11 to 2014-15
Georgetown/Ridge Farm
- Pre k to 8 -50
- High School -17
Westville
- Pre K to 8 -26
- High School 11
DISTRICT STUDENTS GAINED/LOST
2014-15 to 2019-20
Georgetown/Ridge Farm
- Pre k to 8 -20
- High School -53
Westville
- Pre K to 8 -38
- High School -41
31
5 YEAR PROJECTIONS
32
PERCENT INCREASE BY GRADE
ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS GEORGETOWN/RIDGE FARM
K K TO 1 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6 6 to 7 7 to 8 8 to 9 9 to 10 10 to 11 11 to 12
7.64 103.2 87.43 99.01 100.00 94.35 103.09 92.78 99.7 111.2 87.07 93.46 88.15
ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE PROJECTIONS WESTVILLE
K K TO 1 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6 6 to 7 7 to 8 8 to 9 9 to 10 10 to 11 11 to 12
9.92 92.24 98.51 99.50 95.31 99.74 101.46 96.09 100.00 95.44 94.23 93.58 94.15
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HIGH SCHOOL TOTALS
GEORGETOWN / RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL GEORGETOWN / RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL GEORGETOWN / RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL GEORGETOWN / RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL GEORGETOWN / RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL GEORGETOWN / RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL
  9 10 11 12 TOTAL
2010-11 87 75 80 93 335
2011-12 95 73 72 70 310
2012-13 103 77 69 69 318
2013-14 94 96 66 58 314
1014-15 85 84 93 56 318
PROJECTED          
2015-16 96 74 79 82 330
2016-17 82 83 69 69 304
2017-18 79 71 78 61 289
2018-19 72 69 67 69 276
2019-20 79 63 64 59 265
WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
  9 10 11 12 TOTAL
2010-11 97 104 94 75 370
2011-12 96 86 92 81 355
2012-13 98 93 81 85 357
2013-14 90 91 92 79 352
1014-15 114 89 85 93 381
PROJECTED          
2015-16 102 107 83 80 373
2016-17 81 96 101 78 356
2017-18 95 76 90 95 357
2018-19 93 90 72 85 339
2019-20 101 88 84 67 340
35
COMBINED HIGH SCHOOLS
36
COMBINED 6,7,8
37
ENROLLMENT SUMMARY
GRADE LEVEL CHANGE 2014-15 to 2019-20
HIGH SCHOOLS -94 (699 to 605)
6, 7, 8 -52 (533 to 481)
38
BUILDINGS
39
BUILDINGS

• Georgetown/Ridge Farm High School
• Single story structure constructed in 1975.
• 1984 6 classroom addition and weight room
• Large gymnasium can seat 1,500.
• Band room opens into the gym providing easy
  access for games and concerts.
• Auto and welding shop and a woods and metal shop
  provide the opportunity for students to learn
  these skills on campus.
• Heating and cooling is provided through rooftop
  units These units are computer-controlled.
• Plumbing in good condition no electrical needs
  or issues were identified in the 2005 Health Life
  Safety Report.
• Handicapped accessible.

40
BUILDINGS

• Georgetown/Ridge Farm High School
• Only one classroom not used on a regular basis
• Houses 318 students
• Little opportunity for adding a large number of
  students to this facility
• If the superintendents office is removed this
  would create four additional classrooms
• Early Childhood classes could be moved which
  could provide for 80 to 100 additional students
  to be housed in this facility
• Increase capacity to 480 6,7,8,at or over 500
  for coming years
• Needs
• replace the carpet with tile
• cosmetic improvements in the classrooms and
  hallways
• new labs
• media/computer center

41
BUILDINGS

• Mary Miller Junior High School
• Constructed in 1960
• Houses 296 students
• Well-maintained with all health-life safety
  requirements completed
• Gymnasium meets the needs floor is two years old
• Large band room, a chorus and music room
• All of the rooms are currently in use.
• Building is air-conditioned (window units)
• No plumbing, boiler or electrical issues
• Totals for the combined 6th grades would be 181
• Reduces student stress on Mary Miller and good
  transition from grade school to middle school

42

• Westville Junior High School
• Houses 7th and 8th 192 students
• Original building 1955
• 1990 addition containing a science room and music
  room
• No extra rooms available
• Lunch prepared at the high school three lunch
  periods
• No reports of asbestos, plumbing or electrical
  concerns
• Boilers in good condition
• All rooms are air-conditioned and handicapped
  accessible
• If the junior high was reconfigured to a 6,7,8
  format, this building would be available for use
  by the high school to accommodate the 9th grade
  students (198) in a Freshmen campus
• Current and projected 9th grade numbers show this
  building could house them without any space issues

43

• Westville High School
• Built in stages 1929
• First addition - 1954
• 1968 addition has cafeteria, kitchen, industrial
  arts, 2 science rooms, chemistry room, 2 computer
  labs, a classroom and a large janitors closet
• 1982 addition - large gymnasium, computer lab,
  weight room, 13 classrooms, art room, band room,
  teachers lounge and numerous storage rooms
• No asbestos, electrical, or plumbing issues
• Entire building is air-conditioned
• Meets handicapped accessibility requirements
• Cafeteria can house 150 175 students
• Needs
• Addition of auditorium for music/band/drama would
  help these programs
• Paved lot at the high school needs to be
  resurfaced
• Student lot would need to be expanded and paved
• Can house approximately 600 10th through 12th
  grade 500
• Could house these students using the 9th grade
  campus concept

44

• Summary
• Combining these two districts presents a
  challenge in that neither high school is large
  enough to contain the students who will come to
  them.
• This challenge can be made into an opportunity by
  creating a 6th grade center at Mary Miller Junior
  High and a 9th grade center at Westville Junior
  High.
• Both centers provide the opportunity for these
  students to make the transition from elementary
  to junior high and from junior high to high
  school smoother.
• The issues that arise in these situations concern
  getting the students to certain classes such as
  band, chorus, and art but these transportation
  issues are small when compared to building
  classrooms to accommodate the numbers.

45
TRANSPORTATION
46
FLEET SUMMARY
  Georgetown/Ridge Farm Westville
Buses 8 14
Vans 0 Owns van
Type of Program Lease (own 1) Lease
REGULAR ROUTES
Regular Route Information Regular Route Information Regular Route Information Regular Route Information
  Georgetown/Ridge Farm Westville Average - All Districts
Routes 5 10  
Cost 245,454 434,968 340,211
Students Transported 591 1064 828
Cost/student 415.32 408.80 412
Regular Route Miles 48677 76043 62,360
Cost/mile 5.04 5.72 5.38
47
SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES
Special Education Information Special Education Information Special Education Information Special Education Information
  Georgetown/Ridge Farm Westville Average - All Districts
Students Transported 39 32 36
Cost 126,324 117,376 121,850
Miles 30,518 25,012 27,765
Cost/student 3,239 3,668 3,454
Cost/mile 4.14 4.69 4.42
VOCATIONAL
Vocational Transportation Information Vocational Transportation Information Vocational Transportation Information Vocational Transportation Information
  Georgetown/Ridge Farm Westville Average - All Districts
Students Transported 41 82 61
Cost 16,452 15,607 16,030
Miles 4814 3046 3930
Cost/Mile 3.42 5.12 4.27
Cost/Student 401.27 190.33 295.80
48
Other Transportation Information Other Transportation Information Other Transportation Information Other Transportation Information
  Georgetown/Ridge Farm Westville Average - All Districts
Cost 56,722 8,999 32,861
Miles 20,281 24,206 22,244
Cost/mile 2.80 0.37 1.58
TOTAL TRANSPORTATION COST 428,500 576,950 502,725
49
Cost to transport students for high school attendance Cost to transport students for high school attendance
176 days x 10 miles/day x 5.38/mile Figuring 3 buses
28,406 28,406
Cost to transport students for junior high (6,7,8) school attendance Cost to transport students for junior high (6,7,8) school attendance
176 days x 10 miles/day x 5.38/mile Figuring 4 buses
37,875 37,875
Cost to transport students for co-curricular activities (Junior High and High School) Cost to transport students for co-curricular activities (Junior High and High School)
180 days x 10 miles/day x 5.38/mile Figuring 2 buses
19,368 19,368
TOTAL NEW COST 76,180 - 16,452 59,728.00
50
FINANCIAL AREAS
51
PROPERTY TAX RATES AND EXTENSIONS
Fund Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4 Rate Westville CUSD 2 Rate
Ed. 1,199,848 1.98 1,045,521 2.37
OBM 299,976 .49 220,532 .50
Trans. 119,924 .19 88,213 .20
Sp. Ed. 30,011 .04 17,640 .04
Working Cash 30,011 . 04 22,053 .05
Bonds 621,101 1.92 349,252 .79
IMRF 192,048 .31 343,574 .77
Social Security 226,063 .37 -0- .0
TORT 360,032 .57 171,000 .38
Lease 30,011 . 04 22,053 .05
Life Safety 30,011 .04 22,053 .05
Total 3,122,938 5.16 2,260,998 5.12
52
GENERAL DISTRICT COMPARISONS2013-14
  Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4 Westville CUSD 2
Average Daily Attendance 974 1,127
General State Aid Revenue 4,287,223 5,647,756
GSA Revenue/Per Student 4,401 3,913
Total District Expenditures 10,495,672 10,748623
Operating Expense Per Pupil 9,441 10,566
Assessed Valuation Per Pupil 62,242 39,136
Total Certified Staff (2013-2014) 83 89
Average Teachers Salary (2013-2014) 47,722 43,712
EAV 2013-2014 60,624,622 44,106,378
53
GENERAL STATE AID COMPARISONS
  Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4 Westville CUSD 2
General State Aid 2013-2014 4,287,223 5,647,756
Average Daily Attendance 2013-2014 974 1,127
ADA 2012-2013 1029 1,132
ADA 2011-2012 1013 1,176
Personal Property Replacement Tax 2013-2014 152,809 189,495
Operating Tax Expense Per Pupil 9,441 8,388
54
REORGANIZATION STUDYBackground Information

• The actual tax rates to be utilized by both
  districts would be voted upon at the referenda
  for the major tax rates of Ed., OBM, and Transp.
  
• Both districts have a bond levy rate to pay off
  its outstanding bonds of various varieties.
  Bonds continue to be the responsibility of the
  original district that sold the bonds.
• Teacher tenure is maintained for all certified
  employees. ESP personnel utilize a combined
  seniority list for staffing levels in new
  district.
• Collectively bargained contracts are nullified.
• Other multi-year agreements must be honored.

55
2014 EAV
Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4 60,624,622
Westville CUSD 2 44,106,378
  Total Total Extension
Georgetown-Ridge Farm CUSD 4 Total K-12 rate of   5.16   3,122,938
Westville CUSD 2 Total K-12 rate of   5.12   2,260,996
Total Extension   5,383,934
56
New Projected Tax Rate

• The tax rates the new district will be determined
  by the Committee of Ten and approved in the
  referendum with the exception of the Bond
  Interest rate which will remain different until
  bonds previously sold by both districts are paid
  off.
• The author feels that the current rate is
  adequate but the new district may need to
  increase the current rates in determining the
  future financial needs of the district due to the
  decline of state support for education in the
  recent past.
• The projected tax rate only generates the same
  amount of revenue that current districts enjoy.

57
STAFF AND ADA

• Teacher tenure is guaranteed for certified staff
  that are maintained by the new district.
• Moderate ability to reduce staff to any
  significant degree for a newly reorganized
  district.
• This factor would be determined by existing
  school districts prior to a reorganization
  referendum and new district would determine
  future staffing levels.
• All districts decreasing enrollment.
• There probably are savings to be realized in
  consolidation of central offices and perhaps in
  junior/ high school staff which may be
  duplicated.

58
REORGANIZATION STUDYBackground Information

• Substantial Incentives
• Will incentives actually exist?
• While incentives have been prorated in the past,
  they have always been restored. However, future
  is problematic.

59
INCENTIVES

• General
  State Aid Incentive
• GSA Difference Incentive 165,368
• 41,342 annually for four years.
• Deficit Fund Balance Incentive -0-
• 4,000 Certified Staff Incentive 2,220,000
• 740,000 At the end of the second, third
  year and fourth year
• of the new district
• Salary Difference Incentive  1,427,560
• 356,890 annually for four years.
• Incentive funds are unrestricted for district
  use.
• Total Incentives 3,812,928

60
REORGANIZATION RECOMMENDATION

• There are eleven current allowable procedures for
  the merger of school districts in the State of
  Illinois
• It is the recommendation of the consultants that
  the Georgetown-Ridge Farm and Westville Unit
  districts utilize an Article 11-AE reorganization
  process to merge the districts into a new unit
  district. In this reorganization method a new
  school district is created with a new school
  board and all collectively bargained agreements
  are nullified but individual and corporate
  multi-year agreements must be honored.
• This reorganization method requires approval by
  both districts in a referendum.

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RATIONALE

• Together the districts would become more fiscally
  and financially stable.
• The junior and senior high curriculum would be
  greatly enhanced by coalescing the enrollment of
  the junior high and high schools and most likely
  an improved junior high and high school
  curricular offering.
• The various tax rates, teacher salary schedules,
  could be equalized for all community citizens.
• An economy of scale in purchasing would be
  realized with increased size of the school
  district and its concurrent purchasing power.
• Curriculum articulation between the districts
  would be guaranteed in a unit district,
  eliminating the various textbooks, testing
  programs.

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ARTICLE 11E Consolidation SUMMARY

• This process may begin in one of two ways.
• The Boards of Education in the affected
  district(s) may petition the Regional
  Superintendent for consolidation. or/
• The petition for consolidation may also be made
  by 200 valid signatures of the registered voters,
  at least 50 of which must come from each
  district.
• After a petition is received by the Regional
  Superintendent. The Regional Superintendent holds
  a hearing at which the Regional Superintendent
  submits maps, report of financial and educational
  conditions of the districts involved, and the
  probable effect of the proposed changes.
• Any resident of the territory in the affected
  districts may appear at the hearing and present
  evidence in support of, or in opposition to the
  petition. Within ten days of the hearing, the
  Regional Superintendent shall render a decision.
• The State Superintendent is also required to
  render a decision.

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Publications

• Phillips, W., Day, S., Bogle, L. (2014).
  School District Reorganization in Illinois
  Navigating your Options.  Illinois Association
  of School Boards. Springfield, IL.
• Phillips, W. Day, S. (2004). Exploring
  Realities of Reorganization Navigating your
  Options. The Illinois School Board Journal, 72,
  (4), 10-15. July/August
• Phillips, W. (2006). Consolidation Proposal
  Expert Analysis. State School News Service,
  January 2006. Retrieved online from
  www.stateschoolnews.com
• Phillips. W., Day.Scott, Bogle. L. (2014)
  Exploring School District Reorganization in
  Illinois. IASB Publication, Springfield, Il..

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Publications

• Phillips, W. (2006). Proposed Legislation
  Realigns Reorganization. The Illinois School
  Board Journal, 74, (2), 7-10. March/April
• Phillips, W. (2007). New Reorganization Law
  Expert Analysis. State School News Service,
  April
• Phillips, W. (2012). The Mechanics of School
  Consolidation. Illinois ASBO Update, Spring
  Edition

65
Questions from the Audience

• Dr. William Phillips
• 217 206-7155
• phillips.william_at_uis.edu