First Days, Initial Thoughts of 202 Superintendent Eric Witherspoon

Dr. Eric Witherspoon began his new job as superintendent of District 202 on Monday, July 3. Last Thursday, he met with RoundTable reporter Jennie Berkson to talk about some of his first activities, to discuss important Evanston Township High School issues and his thoughts for the coming school year.

What's the first thing you did when you arrived here?
I asked Kim [Engel, Superintendent's Secretary] who I needed to meet with. I was impressed that it was July 3 and there were plenty of people around for me to see. The learning curve is steep but I'm getting more and more familiar on an hourly basis.

Anything else?
I was able to march in the Fourth of July Parade with members of the Alumni Association. It was a great way to get a sense of Evanston.

When you were interviewed at the public forum last February, you said that you saw the three top priorities for ETHS as "erase the achievement gap, erase the achievement gap, erase the achievement gap." Is that your only priority for District 202?
Closing the achievement gap is one critical priority. We need to ensure that every student who gets an ETHS diploma gets a fine education and has many opportunities for a lifetime. We also need to preserve and enhance all the things that are already in place, Advanced Placement courses, athletics, and the arts that make ETHS a premiere institution. Finally, we have to make sure that this is a place for every student, in the sincerest and most personal way, where they feel safe and want to be here.

How will that personalization be accomplished?
Well, I think the counselors could be helpful in this area. Also, what we do as adults, how we reach out to others here and in the rest of the community will help us wrap our arms around the students. There isn't one formula. If we really believe it, it focuses our interaction.

Speaking of personalization, what do you think about Homebase?
I think the premises are wonderful and important. Maybe what we need to do is examine the underpinnings of its intents, and ask if those are still valid. We have to look at all of that and determine if there are ways to modify or improve it.

I've heard that you advocate a sort of ombudsman program to help personalize the school for students and parents. There has been concern expressed at Board meetings that we have lots of programs to help kids, but it's not always easy to navigate or know which are appropriate.
We have to ask ourselves if it is possible that we could have someone in that kind of role. Someone who parents or students could email or phone to help make linkages and really maximize the services we have available. I don't have all the answers, but I think the idea has huge potential.

There were some serious acts of violence last spring, where students, on two separate occasions, were attacked in the school building. What do you think should be done to prevent such events from re-occurring and do you think this is part of a bigger problem?
First, I think the incidents were bizarre, random violence, which were almost impossible to explain. We know, that in general, ETHS is a safe place and I am determined that we can never lessen our resolve on this. If there are things we can beef up, we'll do them, and we will also reach out to the community to connect on this issue.

Bill Branch, the associate principal who retired this past year, said he would like to see the school improve suitable alternatives to suspension. What are your thoughts on that?
I think that there are certainly times when we have to use discipline with students, but we want to use it to modify behavior. Sometimes a student misbehaves because he or she is not finding success in school. There are many excellent technologies with guided study materials that we could use to help students who cannot be in the classroom for a period of time due to disciplinary problems.

What have you done so far to connect with District 65?
Without going into a whole lot of detail, I can say that Dr. Murphy and I have had some contact and have met at length over dinner. We both want to enhance the continuity between the two districts. We are both very committed: These are the same students, after all.

What happens if District 202 does not make adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act this year? There are sanctions which potentially involve changes in curriculum and length of the school day.
What ETHS is already doing is light years ahead of other schools in the nation. I don't see the sanctions as having value or applicability here. There may be bureaucratic demands, but we will show what we are already doing to address the problem. If there's a fine idea that is suggested, then we will consider it.

Can you summarize your plans for the upcoming school year?
I'm looking forward to building on all of the fine things that Allan [Alson] put in place. We have several people new to their leadership positions and I hope to establish a collaborative environment, including the School Board. I like the idea of the Professional Learning Communities that has been established and I want to build strongly on this. As good as we are we want to get better for each and every student.

Do you know the words to the ETHS fight song?
I promise to have them down by the first day of school.

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By Larry Gavin

Dr. Valerie Moore was confirmed by the District 65 School Board on June 19 as the District's new assistant superintendent of school operations. Dr. Moore replaces Dr. Lynn McCarthy, who is retiring.

Superintendent Hardy Murphy said Dr. Moore holds a doctorate in educational administration and a master of arts in educational administration. She most recently served as director of research for professional development and research and school improvement at Proviso Township High School in Maywood. She previously served as a principal at Northwood Jr. High School in Highland Park and prior to that was a fine arts and performing arts teacher and staff development coordinator at Evanston Township High School.

Dr. Moore said, "I know you have the highest of high expectations for students. So do I. And just like you, I value academic excellence and achievement. I will be committed to work tirelessly to continue the great work that you are doing in this District."

Dr. Murphy said Dr. McCarthy was retiring to be a full-time grandmother. Addressing Dr. McCarthy, he said, "All of us, Lynn, and I especially, will miss you. It's important to have, in light of the challenges faced in the District, someone who has an infinite amount of energy and willingness to take on tasks, to have someone on your staff who will say, ‘I'll do it.' I will always remember that about you. It's been a delight to have you as part of our team." Dr. Murphy added, "The principals have talked about how you got the job done.…This entire District appreciates you and that's the hallmark of success."

New Orrington Principal
Dr. Murphy also announced that Debbie Gardner would be the new principal at Orrington School. Ms. Gardner holds a master's in education and administration and previously served as a principal at schools in Barrington and Riverside.

Ms. Gardner said, "I'm very excited about getting to know the families and staff at Orrington, and I look forward to a wonderful year."

Special Board Meeting to Discuss District 202 Outreach, Goals

By Jennie Berkson

The District 202 Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Wed., July 19 to discuss community outreach, district goals and other issues and concerns facing ETHS.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the high school in room N112.

"We don't have enough time at our regular board meetings to discuss everything," said Board President Ross Friedman.

The Board had a similar meeting last May, that they called a "Board retreat," at which they discussed the code of conduct for Board members, effective handling of complaints within the Board and Board goals and priorities, as well as arrangements for a farewell party for retiring Superintendent Allan Alson, and a welcome party for the incoming superintendent Eric Witherspoon.

Agenda items for this special meeting will include discussion of a community-engagement initiative, in which Board members would meet with community members in various locations around town to get input and facilitate communication. The Board will also discuss its goals for the upcoming school year and will review a document titled "ETHS Status Overview," prepared by Dr. Alson before he retired. The document summarized key issues and concerns facing ETHS, including regular- level classes, literacy, mathematics, special education, ninth-grade interventions, discipline, technology and budget.

"We will probably have other meetings like this one in the future," said Mr. Friedman.

District 202 in the Red for 2006-07

By Jennie Berkson

District 202's Chief Financial Officer Bill Stafford presented the 2006-07 fiscal budget, which is not balanced, to the School Board at its meeting on July 10.

The total deficit is projected at $767,098, with revenues projected at $64,214,827 and expenses projected at $64,981,925. Expenditures in two major funds - the Education Fund and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) - will exceed revenues by $305,768 (Ed. Fund) and $461,330 (IMRF fund).

According to the report presented by Mr. Stafford, the budget deficit for the upcoming year was anticipated. In fact, it is actually slightly less than the approved budget deficit for the present year, which was $776,339.

Revenue from residential and corporate property taxes will increase next year, said Mr. Stafford, as will state aid and interest income. However, state and federal grants will be funded at the present levels.

The increased expenses come from salaries due to union contract progressions and retirement costs. Mr. Stafford commented that departments have "done a solid job of trying to contain as much of the non-personnel budget expenditures as possible."

Further additional expenses are being incurred because of the increased cost of energy, which affects the district most in natural gas and electricity costs.

The administration recommended that the Board accept the tentative budget, which they did unanimously.