2018
ANNUAL REPORT
Ensuring a Foundation for Future Success in Life for Every Student
D205 Annual Report – 2018
In order to support a collaborative culture of innovation, D205 must build financial sustainability into its long range planning. This report focuses on District finances. District 205 has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Association of School Business Officials International for the past eight years. The District’s finances are on solid footing, but uncertainty in funding and policy at the state and national levels could present significant challenges. In addition, we are exploring ways to ensure many of our aging school buildings are safe and well-maintained. This report explains our current funding situation, including financial concerns we are facing and how the District is being proactive and efficient in our budgeting.
Our District
Message From The Superintendent I AM PROUD TO SHARE THIS ANNUAL REPORT WITH THE ELMHURST DISTRICT 205 COMMUNITY. D205 is rapidly emerging as a national leader in Future Ready Learning. The District has four belief statements that support a vision of ensuring that all students graduate college, career and life ready. They are: ALL students must learn and grow; We accept shared responsibility for student growth; We make decisions based on what is best for students; and We are a futurefocused community of learners. Innovation is a key to everything we do. Examples of progressive programming are the implementation of Dual Language Immersion at Fischer Elementary School and Project Lead the Way at the three middle schools for 2018-19, and a Defined STEM pilot that will expand and support D205’s focus on increasing rigor and interdisciplinary learning at all grade levels. Our staff deserves high praise for its excellent work to help make this vision a reality for our students.
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D205 Annual Report – 2018
District 205 is home to five National Blue Ribbon schools and 23 National Board Certified teachers. Our high school graduation rate is 96 percent—well above the state graduation rate of 87 percent. York Community High School ranked the 8th best in Illinois for 2017 and 2018 by Niche, with an overall grade of A+. York garnered a U.S. News and World Report ranking of the 18th best high school in Illinois and 687th nationally in 2017. These accomplishments are possible only with strong community support for public education. I am proud to live and serve in Elmhurst, a community that clearly values and supports its public schools. The dedication of District staff, as well as the high expectations and support of our families, continue to produce a safe and excellent learning environment for our students. I also want to thank our many community partners for all that they do for our students and schools. Ensuring strong public schools for future generations is a process of both innovation and continuous improvement. District 205 is currently studying how to address pressing facility needs. Additional community engagement around this issue will continue until solutions are defined. I invite you to contact me at any time with questions and concerns.
About D205 Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 currently serves more than 8,000 students who reside primarily in the City of Elmhurst and small portions of Oak Brook, Bensenville and Addison. Approximately 93 percent of students live in Elmhurst with the remainder living outside of the City, but within the District 205 boundaries.
Elmhurst School District 205 Belief Statements • ALL students must learn and grow • We accept shared responsibility for student growth • We make decisions based on what is best for students • We are a future-focused community of learners Developed by the District 205 Leadership Team (August 2016) to support the work of Accelerating Learning for All Students.
Sincerely, Dr. Dave Moyer, Superintendent superintendent@elmhurst205.org
D205 Annual Report – 2018
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D205: Get To Know Our Schools
We Are Future Focused Supporting the vision that all District 205 students will be college, career and life ready when they graduate from high school. District 205 is creating a Master Facility Plan (MFP) that will focus on educational needs for students, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), All Day Kindergarten, and Future Ready Learning. The plan will also address pressing maintenance and facility needs.
School
Enrollment
Year Built
Additions Built
Lincoln Elementary School
557 students
1915
1924, 1931, 1955, 1961, 2001, 2007
York Community High School
2,694 students
1926
1929, 1954, 1989, 2002, 2004
Hawthorne Elementary School
542 students
1928
1929, 2001, 2007
Field Elementary School
406 students
1931
1950, 1958, 2007
Sandburg Middle School
709 students
1950
1954, 2007
Jackson Elementary School
411 students
1952
1955, 1962, 1996, 2001, 2007
Emerson Elementary School
498 students
1954
1987, 1996, 2002, 2007
Jefferson Elementary School
385 students
1954
1996, 2001, 2007
Edison Elementary School
271 students
1956
1996, 2001, 2007
Fischer Elementary School
430 students
1957
1959, 1962, 1996, 2001, 2007
Madison Early Childhood Education Center
248 students
1958
1965
Bryan Middle School
692 students
1960
1961, 1963, 2007
Churchville Middle School
520 students
1970
1973, 2002, 2007
How can you help? D205 will provide multiple opportunities for the community to give their feedback on the Master Facility Plan this spring. We want to hear from you about how to plan for our community’s future. Want to learn more about how we are Future Focused? Visit our web page here: http://www.elmhurst205.org/MasterFacilityPlan
The MFP will allow the District to continue offering exceptional student experiences, while ensuring their safety and security in our buildings. It reflects the District’s commitment to: • Future Ready Learning • Equal access to technology • Equitable learning spaces in all schools The process began in 2015 with Focus 205, a collaborative conversation between the community and the District. The team’s recommendations included developing a Master Facility Plan, exploring All Day Kindergarten, which is offered by most other high-performing unit districts, and bringing preliminary plans and costs back to the community for additional feedback.
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D205 Annual Report – 2018
What about All Day Kindergarten? In the fall of 2017, the District conducted an All Day Kindergarten (ADK) Feasibility Study and discovered that all but one of the high-performing comparable unit districts in the Chicago suburbs offer the option of all day kindergarten, as do 67% of DuPage County schools. A curriculum committee has been formed to conduct preliminary work to help the community understand what an all day kindergarten program looks like and why it can help improve student outcomes. The Master Facility Plan will determine how to best offer ADK at neighborhood schools.
Thank you to our dedicated D205 community! Our district is thankful for the past referendum support that has allowed D205 to maintain, improve and build schools to ensure our students have safe learning environments that promote academic success. D205 Annual Report – 2018
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Student Demographics Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 is an increasingly diverse and growing district. In today’s global society, D205 embraces all students regardless of ethnicity, ability level, and socioeconomic status, and implements initiatives to ensure the needs of all students are met..
73.5%
2.1%
White
Hispanic
0.1%
0.1%
D205 Stats and State Stats
5
50%
D205 Low Income Rate
State Low Income Rate
6.5%
11%
D205 English Learners
State English Learners
D205 Annual Report – 2018
15.1%
Black
Pacific Islander
15.7%
SAT: How Do We Compare
American Indian
5.6% Asian
3.5%
Two or More Races
D205 belief: High educational standards are critical to student achievement, and students of all backgrounds and ability levels should be challenged to their full potential through differentiated learning techniques, consistently and equitably across the entire District.
Elmhurst 205 Averages
State Averages
96%
87%
Elmhurst Graduation Rate
State Graduation Rate
1162.6
1015.9
Total SAT Score
Total SAT Score
582.4
511.5
English Language Arts SAT Score
580.2 Math SAT Score
English Language Arts SAT Score
504.4 Math SAT Score
District Averages Barrington 220: Total: 1135.5 ELA: 568.2 Mathematics: 567.4
St. Charles 303: Total: 1121.5 ELA: 560.5 Mathematics: 561.0
Wheaton 200: Total: 1105.7 ELA: 554.6 Mathematics: 551.1
Batavia 101: Total: 1117.3 ELA: 559.2 Mathematics: 558.1
Naperville 203: Total: 1179.7 ELA: 587.9 Mathematics: 591.9
Geneva 304: Total: 1145.2 ELA: 573.9 Mathematics: 571.3
Indian Prairie 204: Total: 1165.9 ELA: 583.4 Mathematics: 582.6
Our Amazing Graduates In 2012, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 launched the York Distinguished Alumni Program, honoring exemplary York Community High School graduates as Dukes of Distinction. York Community High School and Indiana University have formed a dual credit partnership called The Advanced College Project (ACP). York was the first high school in Illinois to offer this opportunity for its students to earn college credit from IU while still in high school. And, for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, the fee for these college credit courses are waived.
We are proud of the Class of 2017!
93
percent of 2017 graduates are attending a degreegranting institution
72
percent are attending a four-year college
21 3 1 1
percent are attending a two-year college
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D205 by the Numbers
percent are going into the workforce
14.4% 50.2%
percent entered the military percent are attending school for certification percent were undecided about their plans
Our 611 York High School graduates are attending 139 different colleges, spanning 32 states and two foreign countries.
13%
The York Distinguished Alumni Program honors exemplary York Community High School graduates who: • Display leadership characteristics through achievement of significant and/or extraordinary accomplishments or service
Special Education Enrollment
• Have made an outstanding contribution to society
Percentage of Students Eligible for Free/ Reduced Meals
State Average Free/Reduced
8,499
Total Enrollment
611
Number of 2017 Graduates
• Serve as a positive influence while exemplifying the honored York traditions of teamwork and selflessness • Embody the ideals of York Community High School and School District 205, therefore bringing pride and prestige to the school, the District and the community
75%
The 36 notable alumni who have received this award since its inaugural year (2013) are leaders in numerous fields including medicine, science, the arts, the humanities, athletics, the media, and the military.
The percentage of students involved in an extracurricular activity or athletics at York High School in 2017
The exemplary graduates who receive the York Distinguished Alumni Award raise the self-expectations of current students, who recognize that these “Dukes of Distinction” once walked the halls of York High School.
1,160
Total Number of Employees
570
Number of Teachers
Statistics taken from the 2017 Illinois School Report Card
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D205 Annual Report – 2018
2016 (upper photo) & 2017 Dukes of Distinction (bottom photo)
D205 Annual Report – 2018
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Where Does D205 Funding Come From? Revenue for Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 is generated primarily from local property tax dollars. Roughly 90 percent of our funding comes from local taxes, 3 percent from federal and other sources and 8 percent from the state. We strive to maximize these funds and deliver educational programs efficiently.
Where does our funding come from? Federal:
2.88% State:
8.05%
Local
$106.74m State
$9.64m Federal Local:
89.07%
$3.45m Total
$119.83m
Where Does D205 Funding Go? Staffing—teachers, support staff, aides, administrators—make up the bulk of our expenses. We invest in our teachers and staff to make sure students have the high-quality teaching and services they need to be successful. Public school districts are required to meet state and federal mandates, which are frequently unfunded, and community expectations, which are reflected in strategic planning goals. The District is subject to constraints that are quite different from those that businesses and individuals face.
• Inconsistent revenue stream—the District receives most of its funding twice a year, but has monthly and bi-monthly expenses. • Expenses not tied to Consumer Price Index (CPI)—Tax levy increases are linked to the CPI, yet salaries and benefits often increase at a higher rate. • Funds are not transferable. By law, the District is obligated to deposit revenues into one of seven accounts that have a specific purpose. Only specific types of transfers are permitted and must be approved by the Board of Education.
“As we look toward our future needs, it is important to also review our work as thoughtful stewards of community tax dollars,” said Shannon Ebner, President of the Board of Education. “I want to assure you that both the school board and staff are committed to delivering educational programs and maintaining District buildings as efficiently as possible.” Currently, D205 relies almost entirely on local revenue to fund its schools, with 89 percent coming from local sources. While the District’s finances are sound, the next several years likely pose significant financial challenges. Under the state’s Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTEL), the District’s annual levy can only increase over the previous year by the rate of inflation not to exceed 5 percent, plus any new growth. But our budget could be impacted significantly by a proposed property tax freeze being considered by the Illinois Legislature. This would prevent us from accessing more than $4 million over the next two years.
academic success while also having an efficient, balanced budget.”
“We will continue to focus prioritizing on our students’ academic success while also having an efficient, balanced budget.” Christopher Whelton, D205 Assistant Superintendent For Finance and Operations
District 205 relies on property taxes to help fund education. We are proud that we have been excellent stewards of our funding, and have maintained a competitive tax rate, while offering a high-quality education for all students.
“Our mission is to advance student achievement in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Christopher Whelton, D205 assistant superintendent for finance and operations. “We will continue to focus on prioritizing our students’
How does D205 allocate its funding?
LEVIES Are For Learning
A tax levy is the amount of money the District requests via property taxes. Due to Tax Caps - known as PTELL - the tax extension (total amount billed) can only be increased by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 5 percent, whichever is less, annually. The only exception is for new property (property within District boundaries that has been newly developed and assessed during the tax year). Levies pay for annual school district costs including salaries and benefits; teaching materials and equipment; programs including special education, athletics, drama; bus transportation and some building maintenance projects.
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D205 Annual Report – 2018
BONDS Are For Building
School districts can finance capital improvements including construction, renovation and major maintenance projects by issuing bonds. Bond sales must be approved by tax payers via a referendum. Typically, the money is received up-front and the district pays back the funds over a 20 or 25-year period (similar to a home mortgage).
Other Objects: Non-Capitalized Equipment: 4.43% .85% Capital Outlay: 0.36% Supplies & Materials: 4.82% Purchased Services: 12.01% Employee Benefits: 13.99%
Salaries: 63.54%
Salaries
$77.48 M
63.54%
Employees Benefits
$17.06 M
13.99%
Purchased Services
$14.64 M
12.01%
Supplies and Materials
$5.87 M
4.82%
Capital Outlays
$ .44 M
0.36%
Other Objects
$5.40 M
4.43%
Non-Capitalized Equipment
$1.04 M
0.85%
$121.93 M
Salaries and Benefits represent 77.53% of the total operating expenditures. (Operating Funds excludes the Debt Service Funds, the Capital Projects Funds, and the Fire Prevention and Safety Fund)
D205 Annual Report – 2018
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How Do We Compare? District 205 has one of the lowest tax rates in our region. We also have one of the highest enrollment increases in our area in the past 10 years.
D205: Student Enrollment Growth Since 2003 No. of Students
9,000 8,500 8,000 7,500 7,000
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
D205: Growing Faster Than Our Neighboring School Districts 8.00%
7.99%
Percentage of Enrollment Change
6.00% 4.00%
Elmhurst (D205)
2.00% 0.00%
Indian Prairie (D204)
-2.00% -4.00% -6.00% -8.00% -10.00%
Batavia (D101)
-7.84%
Wheaton (D200)
-7.08%
Barrington (D220)
-4.20%
Naperville (D203)
-5.81%
Geneva (D304) St. Charles (D303)
-3.96%
At the heart of our district are dedicated teachers, principals and staff members. District 205 faculty
-8.49%
-9.24%
D205: Our amazing staff
represent some of the finest and best-qualified teachers in the State of Illinois. They provide the
Unit School District Property Tax Rate Comparison
knowledge, dedication and educational leadership that are critical to the success of D205 students.
$7.00
And our school leaders and support staff ensure
$6.00
that each and every child is known by name,
$5.00
strength and need in their school communities.
Tax Rate
$4.00 $3.00
Staff by the numbers Total Number of Employees:
1,160
Total Number of Teachers:
570
Teachers With Advanced Degrees:
63%
National Board Certified Teachers:
23
$2.00 $1.00 $
Barrington
Wheaton
Elmhurst
Naperville
(D220)
(D200)
(D205)
(D203)
Indian Prairie
St. Charles
(D204)
(D303)
Batavia
Geneva
(D101)
(D304)
Tax rate per $100 of assessed home valuation.
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D205 Annual Report – 2018
D205 Annual Report – 2018
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Elmhurst launching STEM-focused Project Lead The Way Future Ready Learning Elmhurst residents have indicated a strong interest in increasing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities for students. In response, we are launching Project Lead the Way in our middle schools, starting with the 2018-19 school year. Students learn the impact of innovation in their own lives when they are challenged to design therapeutic toys. –Elmhurst Middle School Task Force recommendation
This program, which is offered in high-performing school districts across the U.S., is aimed at helping students develop in-demand STEM skills through interactive classroom learning experiences. It also provides teacher training, resources and support. Project Lead the Way curriculum consists of Launch (K-5), Gateway (6-8), plus pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science at the high school level. Elmhurst will eventually add this program at the high school, and possibly the elementary level as well.
The Gateway 6-8 program consists of 10 modules: Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, App Creators, Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Energy and the Environment, Flight and Space, Science of Technology, Magic of Electrons, Green Architecture, and Medical Detectives. Teachers and administrators will spend the remainder of the 2017-18 school year planning for the launch of two semester-long Project Lead the Way modules next fall: Design and Modeling, and Computer Science for Innovators and Makers.
From left to right: Margaret Harrell, Vice President, Jim Collins, Shannon Ebner, President, Chris Blum, Karen Stuefen, Secretary, John McDonough, Kara Caforio
Board of Education Students are the center of everything we do, and the Board of Education strives to allocate resources effectively and where it matters most—the classroom. The District 205 board generally meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m. Workshop and business meetings are open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend. Recordings of past District 205 Board of Education meetings can also be accessed on the ElmhurstTV YouTube channel or at www.elmhurst205.org/meetings. A complete schedule of meetings is available on the District website at www.elmhurst205.org under Board of Education Calendar.
Want more information about D205? • Visit our website at www.elmhurst205.org • Follow us on Facebook • Sign up for our Talk205 e-newsletter at www.elmhurst205.org/talk205
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D205 Annual Report – 2018
D205 Annual Report – 2018
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Events
Master Facility Plan Community Meetings A preliminary Master Facility Plan that reflects community feedback gathered during Focus 205, educational priorities, and professional assessments of our school buildings is being developed. Community feedback is essential to refining the plan.
Please Join us at a community meeting to find out more about the Master Facility Plan and how the District is Future Focused. Learn about future ready educational experiences and environments including STEM and All-Day Kindergarten
Community Meetings Will Be At: York Community High School
Saturday, May 12 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Hear about the state of our facilities, their maintenance needs, and potential solutions.
Churchville Middle School
Share your feedback, submit questions, and learn about other community engagement opportunities.
Bryan Middle School
Watch out for more information in the mail.
Sandburg Middle School
Sign up for the email list at elmhurst205.org/Talk205. You’ll get the latest updates and we won’t share your address. Your voice is important! Community feedback is essential to the District’s success. Please join the conversation!
ELMHURST COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 205 162 S. York Elmhurst, IL 60126
Monday, May 14 from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 23 from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 from 7-9 p.m.