On November 12, 2009 the RLAS-116 Board of Education and School Finance Authority held a special meeting in order to complete a comprehensive review of the goals and benchmarks that have been components of the transition plan to return RLAS-116 to independent governance away from the School Finance Authority. At that meeting the School Finance Authority issued a preliminary recommendation that beginning with the 2010-11 school year, the RLAS-116 Board of Education will assume primary responsibility for both administrative and fiscal operation of the school district. This is exciting news for not only the Board of Education but for staff, parents and community members of RLAS-116.
As I have stated in previous newsletters and communications, RLAS-116 has gradually “repaired” many if not most of the areas of operation in the district. The success that has been demonstrated in terms of financial stability, administrative leadership, board governance, teaching, labor relations, and facility management has been outstanding. The district has had four successive years of designation by state officials of a district worthy of “Finance Recognition”. This accomplishment does not come easy, but reflects a level of financial stability that now exists in RLAS-116. In these difficult economic times, it will be important however, for the district to be very sensitive to the pattern of expenditure and the future acquisition of revenue. RLAS-116 is heavily reliant upon state support in terms of much of its receipts of annual revenue. The State of Illinois’s current economic difficulty will make adequate receipt of revenue a challenge over the next couple years. It will be very important for the community and Board of Education to be cautious as to how they maintain their current pattern of success dealing with these challenges.
Next year the School Finance Authority, as a step of final transition will maintain a supervisory presence to ensure that RLAS-116 continues on the path of improvement and success. The presence of a financial consultant and State Board supervision will monitor the action and leadership of the new Superintendent and Board of Education. It is hoped that at the end of the 2010-11 school year, a continued demonstration of success will result in a complete exodus of the School Finance Authority. It is however possible that a continued presence of the School Finance Authority beyond the 2010-11 school year would occur if success is not sustained.
The Board of Education is currently working with a school search firm, PROACT Search, to help find a Superintendent to lead RLAS-116 next year. With the School Finance Authority changing their governance structure, the position of Chief Executive Officer will be eliminated after the hiring of a Superintendent. The Board of Education will also begin to engage in a comprehensive strategic planning process to provide a definition of new goals and objectives that will take the district into the next chapter of improvement and existence. This strategic planning process will occur in late spring and will involve strong community participation.
RLAS-116 will be the first school district in the state of Illinois to successfully recover to such a degree to be able to return to independent governance away from a School Finance Authority. This is truly a tremendous accomplishment and is due to the resolve of the Board of Education, the dedication of the staff, the perseverance of the district administration, and the support of the parents and community. As we enter and experience the holiday season it is a time for everybody to reflect on such a positive accomplishment and to thank everyone for all of their contributions.
Sincerely,
Ben Martindale
Chief Executive Officer
847-270-9003
bmartindale@rlas-116.org