Council Grills School Board on Equity and Excellence Review

Two hours into the town council's Wednesday budget meeting it was clear council members were not engaged in a typical review of the board of education's budget request.

While the council certainly delivered its fair share of budget related questions, the majority of time devoted to education was spent asking questions about an initiative that won't be funded by local dollars.

That initiative is the equity and excellence review to be conducted at Windsor High School by Loyola University-Chicago professor Dr. Marlon James and his colleagues.

Time devoted to the controversial study, which aims to produce data capable of assisting the district in its efforts to close the achievement gap between students of color and white students, was marked by a considerable amount of skepticism Wednesday.

"Don't gt me wrong, I'm not against closing the gap," Mayor Don Trinks told Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar, Board President Doreen Richardson and Board Finance Chair Kristin Ingram. "I just want to be sure we'll get results we can measure so we can look back at it and say we got something out of it.

"I'm just looking to see — because I've got to go out and sell this budget — that we're getting our money's worth in a tangible way."

Trinks largest concern seemed to be whether or not the district's current efforts to close the achievement gap would be successful without the introduction of the equity and excellence study.

"I want to be able to hold (James) and the people from Loyola accountable, and to be able to say the work that done... wouldn't hab been made without this study," said Trinks.

Both Villar and Richardson responded by presenting the study as one piece in a large effort to improve district performance.

According to Villar, "the study will give us a wealth of information about ways to improve learning for all students in the district." The real difference will be made by teachers in the classrooms, Villar said, but the study will inform practices and help teachers and administrators improve their craft.

Richardson expounded on the role of the study, saying its not a panacea for under-performance in the district. Instead, the study is one element among a multitude of initiatives to close the gap.

Trinks wasn't the only member of the council looking for answers. Deputy Mayor Al Simon brought of the topic, saying he was looking for answers, and wanted to know why Villar and Richardson felt the study was important.

Councilor Jubrey questioned whether or not the study took the right approach, saying a study conducted at the high school may have little effect on older students who have already established a negative view of education.

It wasn't all skeptical, however. The study did receive some support Wednesday, and from opposite sides of the table.

Councilor Don Jepsen (R) said he supports the study, but he wishes the board and administrators would have done a better job of presenting it to the public.

Councilor Randy McKenney (D) was most vocal about his support of the study, saying he's glad to see the district being active in its mission to close the gap, which has been in existence for decades.

McKenney added that the study will cost the district no money and that the council should support the board of education's efforts.