The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 board will discuss several reports at its meeting tonight, including evaluations of two bilingual programs and a report on financial projections that show a possible $5 million budget deficit by 2005.
The bilingual program evaluations cover both regular bilingual education programs and experimental two-way immersion program implemented at Orrington and Washington Elementary schools in 2000. Under the experimental program, two kindergarten classes at each school composed of both English and Spanish speakers were taught in both languages.
The reports show that by the end of the first year, Spanish-speaking students in the two-way immersion program demonstrated higher levels of proficiency in both English and Spanish literacy than their peers in D65’s traditional bilingual programs. English-speaking students began to learn Spanish, an opportunity most normally do not have until after elementary school.
Board member Greg Klaiber said the new program, in which students will continue immersion classes through fifth grade, has shown promising early results for the district.
“The two-way immersion program has proven to be very successful,” Klaiber said. “Our Spanish-speaking students in that program are learning English faster than those in the other programs.”
Board member Bob Eder praised the two-way immersion program, which he said shows advantages over some of the other programs that make it valuable.
“I see an effort to build on the strengths (Latino students) bring into the classroom,” Eder said.
Klaiber said the district should consider expanding the program to other schools if it continues to show positive results.
“Speaking as one board member, I’m interested in moving students forward quicker,” he said.
The board also will discuss a report from D65 Chief Financial Officer Larry Shanok that predicts increasing budget deficits over the next few years. In September the board approved a $74.7 million operating budget with a $1.5 million deficit, the first unbalanced budget in several years.
The administration’s report predicts the annual deficit will grow to nearly $3 million in 2002-03, $3.8 million in 2003-04 and $5.1 million in 2004-05.
The board will try to avert a deficit in the next budget, Klaiber said. The Finance Committee already has begun next year’s budget process, which is earlier than in the past, he said.
“It is the major concern for me, and I would say for the rest of the board,” Klaiber said. “We’re going to have to make some cuts.”
At tonight’s meeting, the board also will:
• vote to adopt academic calendars for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years.
• discuss the administration’s evaluation of the 2001 summer school program and its plans for the 2002 session.
Last summer, 1,289 students attended classes in the district’s programs. Summer school was required for students who did not meet certain standards or were held back at the end of the 2000-01 school year, and it was optional for other students.
Next summer, the district plans to continue the program and expects 1,100 students to enroll as teachers recommend or require them to attend. D65 again will seek out state funding for the Summer Bridges reading program for summer school students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
