Thursday October 30, 2014 Vol. 2, No. 36
The Weekly Post
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Changes shown in 2014 ISBE School Report Cards By BILL KNIGHT
The Illinois State Board of Education is giving the five school districts and students’ families in The Weekly Post area information to celebrate or accept as challenges with the 2014 School Report Card, scheduled to be available to the public online on Friday (Oct. 31). Each school has areas of “well done” and “needs work.” On the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT), Elmwood students improved the most of the five schools. For The Weekly Post
Farmington improved somewhat, Brimfield and Princeville remained the same, and Williamsfield dropped. In the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE), Elmwood again improved the most, but Brimfield, Farmington and Princeville all showed progress, and Williamsfield declined. “We have an average class size of 12 students,” said Williamsfield Superintendent Tim Farquer. “Our chronic truancy and student mobility rates are well below the state average. The environ-
ment of our district positions us to excel. As an institution, we must embrace current opportunities to improve and ensure more of our students position themselves for success in college and career. “I’m excited at the opportunity to place primary focus on academic growth,” he continued. “ ‘Meets or Exceeds’ is still important, but measuring, honoring and celebrating growth is why my friends and I went into teaching.” Statewide, Illinois students’ academic growth performance (the growth from
year to year on ISAT scores) decreased in reading from 102.1 in 2013 to 99.4, the ISBE reported, but increased in math from 101.4 in 2013 to 102.9. The spring 2014 exams marked the final time students took the reading and math ISATs. The state will launch new exams this school year. “We stopped using ISAT data a few years ago when they changed the test,” said Farmington Superintendent John Asplund. “It is difficult to determine any useful trends when the test changes too Continued on Page 8
Elmwood board denies plan for tuition waiver
TRUNK OR TREAT
By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – The Board of Education on Monday accepted its audit report and denied a proposal to waive tuition for teachers’ children not in the District. That suggestion was to encourage full-time employees, some of whom are unable to move here, to enroll their kids without an out-of-district penalty, which was defeated 4-2 with one abstention. Hundreds of Illinois school districts have enacted such a five-year waiver based on state law, including Havana, Peoria Heights, Princeville, ROWVA, VIT and Williamsfield, the board heard – along with support by teachers in attendance, including Dawn Buchanan, Katie Janovetz and Erich Weiger. Buchanan praised the school, its employees and the quality of education in Elmwood, but said because of her husband’s job, her family can’t come here. So she commutes and juggles schedules for the couple and their three children. Weiger thanked the board for considering the measure and said his situation isn’t that unusual: He and his wife, who works in Peoria, years ago bought a home in West Peoria and are unable to sell their house. “It’s not that easy to move,” Weiger said. Neverthelesss, the opposition, led by Board member Dean Cantu, was worried the waiver would be unfair and unpopular. “I’m concerned in terms of the fairness of some individuals having this privilege if they don’t live here,” Cantu said. “You’re [proposing] incentivizing living outside the District. I For The Weekly Post
Clockwise from left, Bobbi Millinger helps (left to right), Payge Ryan, Carly Hart and Libby Hart become “fishers of men” during Sunday’s Trunk or Treat event on Elmwood’s square. Costumed kids and adults (above and right) turned out in force for the event, and organizers said more than 650 hot dogs were given away. Photos by Bill Knight and Amy Davis.
102-year-old reader eager for new library By MICHELLE SHERMAN
FARMINGTON – When the Farmington Area Public Library District’s new building opens on Saturday, one long-time patron will be front and center for the event. Dorothy Dunblazier, 102, of Hanna City hasn’t been able to enter the library’s Carnegie building for several years due to mobility issues. But now that the new facility, 411 N. Lightfoot Road, Farmington, is wheelchair-accessible, she can enjoy everything the library has to offer. For The Weekly Post
Dorothy Dunblazier, 102, of Hanna City is eager for the opening of the new Farmington library this Saturday.
“We have an outreach library in Hanna City,” says friend and neighbor Myrna Klatt, “and I would always take her up there.
“Normally, we’d get five different books a week (for Dunblazier) to read.” With two deceased sons and a daughter in Georgia, friends and neighbors stepped up to make sure Dunblazier has care and rides to church or local events. The new library building boasts 9,300 square feet of space, which includes a community meeting room and special young-adult section. A drive-up window also will be available for quick pick-ups and dropoffs of materials. Continued on Page 9
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