District 34 plan aims to improve test scores, balance budget

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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:02AM

Glenview School District 34 recently approved a strategic plan intended to increase by 20 percent the amount of students that meet or exceed standardized testing standards.

The plan aims to improve students’ academic performance and those in subgroups by 2016, as well as 95 percent of all students meeting or exceeding achievement expectations by the same year.

Under the mission statement of “To empower children to be self-directed learners and responsible decision makers,” since March several groups have participated in the plan, such as district administrators, faculty, staff and the community.

A third goal was for students to perform in the top 10 percent nationwide on “common core” testing in English, language arts and math in 2014.

For standardized tests, also called valid assessments, students will take The Northwest Evaluation Association and Illinois Standards Achievement Tests.

The plan also called for a balanced budget no later than 2016.

Currently, the district has a $68 million budget, showing a $2.4 million deficit — the first deficit in six years.

The Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee stated in a report that $2.6 million in cuts should be made to balance the 2012-13 budget.

The committee also stated $4 million needed to be cut by 2015 to balance the budget and maintain the desired 30 percent of the budget in cash reserves.

Michael Nicholson, district deputy superintendent, said the plan was aimed at improving student performance and teacher instruction, too.

“We want a more rigorous, deeper curriculum and benchmark ourselves will all other districts in the state and country,” Nicholson said.

The last strategic plan was adopted in 2009, and it is updated every two to three years, after elections typically change members of the school board.

The plan was expected to evolve over time, said school officials.