REORGANIZATION
STUDY
Hutsonville CUSD #1
Palestine CUSD #3
Robinson CUSD #2
November 10, 2014
Midwest School
Consultants
Dr. William H. Phillips
Dr. Scott L. Day
Dr. Leonard R. Bogle
Purpose of a Feasibility Study


Provide participating districts with
information which can help them
determine the best options for
students, parents, and communities.
Provide a neutral viewpoint based on
the analysis of curriculum, finances,
staff needs, transportation issues, and
facilities.
FINANCIAL COMPARISONS
School District Financial Profile



General State Aid, ADA, Personal Property
Replacement Tax, Operating Tax Expense,
Property Tax Rates per Pupil, and General State
Aid per Pupil.
Education Fund, Operations Fund,
Transportation Fund, IMRF, Bond & Interest
Fund, Working Cash, Site & Construction,
Safety Prevention, EAV, and Projected Tax Rate
of a new District.
Incentive Payments.
FACILITIES







Number of buildings
Grades housed in each building
Building enrollments & capacities
Age of facilities
Life Safety/asbestos
Accessibility for the physically
challenged
General upkeep & building conditions
TRANSPORTATION







Number of Buses
Number of Bus Routes
Costs
Number of students transported
Route Mileage & Costs
Special Education Buses
Other Transportation Services & Costs
CURRICULUM
K-8 Grade Configurations



Hutsonville-147 elementary & 89 junior
high = 236
Robinson-360 (K-2), 347 (3-5),
& 338 (6-8) =1,136
Palestine- (K-8) = 236
High Schools

Hutsonville (9-12) 114 students

Robinson (9-12) 500 students

Palestine (9-12) 127 students
Number of Teachers in Early Childhood, Pre K- 8
Grades (2013)
(Excluding Specialty Teachers)
Grade
Pre-K
KG
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Hutsonville Robinson
2
2
1
6
1
5
1
6
1.5
5
1.5
5
5
5
6
5
8
5
8
5
Palestine
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
5
4
4
K 8 Specialty Subjects in the Curriculum
Hutsonville
Robinson
Palestine
1 (5-8)
1 (K-2)
1 (K-8)
Subject
PE/Health
1 (3-5)
2 (6-8)
Art
.25
.5 (K-2)
.5 (3-5)
.5 (6-8)
Band
1 (5-12)
1 (6-8)
Chorus
1 (K-2)
General Music
Technology
1 (6-8)
.5 (3-5)
1 (K-12)
1 (5-12)
Demographic Comparisons
2013 ISBE Data
4 year
Graduation Rate
Robinson CUSD 2 Hutsonville CUSD Palestine CUSD 3
1
94%
69%
96%
Attendance Rate
94%
96%
95%
Low Income
46.8%
48.1%
41.1%
Mobility Rate
12%
7%
16%
Truancy Rate
3%
6.4%
2.1%
Students with
Disabilities
15%
17.8%
15.4%
English
Language
Learners (ELL)
0.1%
0%
0%
High School Requirements

Hutsonville
A high school student must complete 24 credits
including the following to be eligible for
graduation: 4 credits in English, 2.5 credits in
social studies, 3 credits in mathematics, 2credits
in science, .5 in Health and Driver’s Education, 1
credit in Physical Education, .5 credit in
Workplace Readiness, Fine Arts Survey, and
Resource Management, and 1 credit in any
combination of vocational education, music, art,
or foreign language.
High School Requirements

Robinson
A high school student must complete 29
credits including the following to be eligible
for graduation: 3 credits of Math-including
Algebra, 3 credits of Science, 4 credits of
English, 3 credits of Social Science, and must
pass physical education each semester.
Other requirements include: Need 16 total
core course credits to meet the graduation
requirements.
High School Requirements

Palestine
A high school student must complete 26
credits including the following to be eligible
for graduation: 3 years of Math-including
Algebra, 2 years of Science, 2 years of
Writing, 4 years of Language Arts, 2 years of
Social Science, and must pass physical
education all four years. Other requirements
include: .5 credit each in Consumer
Education and Computer Applications.

A minimum college preparatory plan includes:

4 credits in English, 3 credits in social
studies, 3 credits in mathematics, 3 credits in
laboratory sciences, 2 credits in music, art,
vocational, or a foreign language sequence.
Some universities waive foreign language
requirements if four years are taken at the
high school level.

Based on our Recommendations
Benefit of a Curricular
Merger
between
Hutsonville and Palestine
High Schools
English



HHS
English 1-4, Resource English 1-3, Applied
Communications 1& 2, Drama, Novels,
Journalism, and Speech Communications.
PHS
English 1-4, Applied English, Composition,
Communications, and Review English 1-4.
*PHS students would benefit from additional
English courses in: Drama, Novels, Journalism,
and Speech Communications.
Mathematics



HHS
Resource Pre-Algebra, Pre-Algebra, Algebra
Essentials, Algebra I, Geometry Essentials,
Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Lincoln
Trail College Calculus & Analytic Geometry 1& 2.
PHS
Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Informal Geometry, PreCalculus, Calculus, Statistics, and RtI Math.
*HHS students would have Calculus and
Statistics available at the school site.
Science



HHS
Resource Integrated Science, Integrated Science,
Resource Applied Biology, Applied Biology, Biology,
Human Anatomy & Physiology, Earth Science,
Chemistry, and Physics.
PHS
Physical Science, Life Science, Biology 1-3,
Botany/Genetics, Chemistry 1 & 2, and Physics.
*PHS students would have additional courses available
to them in Resource Integrated Science, Integrated
Science, Resource Applied Biology, Applied Biology,
Human Anatomy & Physiology, Earth Science, and an
additional course in Chemistry.
Social Studies



HHS
Ancient World History, Middle Ages World History, Modern
World History, Resource World Geography, World
Geography, Resource U.S. History, U.S. History, Psychology,
Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Advanced Studies in
U.S. History, Resource American Government, and American
Government.
PHS
U.S. History, World History, Current Events, World
Geography, and Constitutional History.
*Increased number of Social Science courses for PHS
students. Ancient World History, Middle Ages World History,
Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics,
Advanced Studies in U.S. History, Resource American
Government, and American Government.
Foreign Language

HHS
Elementary Spanish 1& 2, and
Intermediate Spanish 1 & 2.
PHS
Spanish 1 & 2.

*Combine resources to offer Spanish 1-4.

Family & Consumer Sciences



HHS
Intro. to Family/Consumer Sciences Careers,
Child Development & Parenting, Care & Learning
Services Occupations, Care & Learning Services
Management, Food & Nutrition, and Culinary
Occupations 1.
PHS
Orientation to Home Economics Child
Development, Foods & Nutrition, Resource
Management, and Food Services Occupations.
*Added student enrollments will strengthen the
department.
Business/Computer Science


HHS
Business & Technology Concepts, Computer
Concepts & Software Applications,
Accounting 1 & 2, Microsoft PowerPoint
Applications, Microsoft Word Applications,
Microsoft Excel Applications, Microsoft
Access Applications, Intro. to Web Page
Construction, and Intermediate Web Page
Construction.
*PHS students will benefit from a curriculum
not currently offered.
Art


HHS
Art 1-4 and Fine Arts Survey.
* PHS students will benefit from a
curriculum not currently offered

A more in-depth exploration into the high
school curriculum will need to take place in
any combination of a merger as the latest
literature on high school reform calls for a
connection of curricula to the workforce and
college entrance, more rigorous, option-rich
curriculum; personalized learning; and
student support, and the improvement of
instruction by mining data and using digital
technologies (Educational Leadership, 2008,
p. 8-13).
ENROLLMENT
ENROLLMENT


Student projections are made using existing class
numbers to develop percentages
 These percentages are applied to future classes
using the Cohort Survival Method
 Live births provided by the Census Bureau are
used to project Pre-K and K enrollments
Hutsonville High School will see a slight growth
over the next five years, Robinson High School
will see a slight reduction and Palestine will see a
large reduction in students based on current
numbers and projections.
DISTRICT
ENROLLMENT CHANGE 2009-10 TO 2013-14
Hutsonville
- Pre-K to 8
+12
- High School
-8
Palestine
- Pre-K to 8
-53
- High School
+18
Robinson
- Pre-K to 8
-7
- High School
-4
DISTRICT
ENROLLMENT CHANGE 2013-14 TO 2018-19
Hutsonville
- Pre-K to 8
-14
- High School
+14
Palestine
- Pre-K to 8
+17
- High School
-56
Robinson
- Pre-K to 8
+7
- High School
-24
5 YEAR PROJECTIONS
PERCENT INCREASE BY GRADE
SCHOOL
K
Hutsonville
9.89%
110.71%
100.00%
113.83%
110.62%
Palestine
13.28%
95.83%
97.70%
96.34%
97.50%
Robinson
60.67%
99.14%
101.05%
98.00%
9
10
11
12
88.52%
93.64%
97.06%
106.19%
80.53%
89.92%
101.69%
Hutsonville 125.26%
Palestine
108.33%
Robinson
110.40%
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
87.79%
96.11%
100.89%
96.61%
98.25%
104.44%
104.50%
99.77%
104.06%
104.63%
96.30%
92.06%
99.17%
98.74%
99.79%
Palestine High School
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
109 115 111 116
127
114
105 98
82
71
ENROLLMENT SUMMARY
YEAR
Palestine
Hutsonville
Robinson
TOTAL
2009-10
278
224
1143
1645
2010-11
274
244
1094
1612
2011-12
271
231
1154
1656
2012-13
248
232
1130
1610
2013-14
225
236
1136
1597
2014-15
228
239
1137
1603
2015-16
228
233
1142
1604
2016-17
229
226
1154
1609
2017-18
236
226
1152
1614
2018-19
242
222
1143
1607
PROJECTED
HIGH SCHOOL SUMMARY
Year
Hutsonville
Robinson
Palestine
Total
2009-10
122
504
109
735
2010-11
110
507
115
732
2011-12
99
513
111
723
2012-13
106
476
116
698
2013-14
114
500
127
741
2014-15
114
486
114
714
2015-16
116
485
105
706
2016-17
124
466
98
688
2017-18
122
468
82
672
2018-19
128
476
71
676
PROJECTED
TRANSPORTATION
FLEET SUMMARY
TRANSPORTATION
# Buses
# Vans
Type of
Program
Replacement
policy
Hutsonville
10
Palestine
9
Robinson
32
1 small van
1 tiger
transport
1
7 (Chevy
Suburbans and
GMC Yukons)
Own
Own
Own
No
No
No
No (Have shared
Share
Athletics with Athletics with with Palestine in
transportatio
Palestine
Hutsonville
the past on
n
occasion)
REGULAR ROUTES
Regular Route Information
Hutsonville
5
Palestine
4
Robinson
24
Average
Cost
# Students
Transported
$220,143
$99,394
$696,005
$338,514
341
129
1,387
619.00
Cost/student
$646
$770
$502
$639
Regular
Route Miles
Cost/mile
86,745
$2.54
40,432
$2.46
156,846
$4.44
94,674
$3.14
# Routes
SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES
Hutsonville
Palestine
Robinson
Average
# Students
Transported
4
13
31
16
Special
Education
Total Cost
$85,426
$90,359
$260,387
$145,391
Total miles
32,507
37,922
58,684
43,038
Cost/student
$21,357
$6,951
$8,400
12,236
Cost/mile
$2.63
$2.38
$4.44
$3.15
TRANSPORTATION
VOCATIONAL
Palestine
Robinson
Average
# students
Vocational
transportation
costs
34
37
$27,602
$64,390
$45,996
Vocational
transportation
miles
7,856
14,500
$11,178
Cost/mile
$3.51
$4.44
$4
Cost/student
$812
$1,740
$1,276
OTHER COSTS
Hutsonville
Palestine
Robinson
Average
Transportation
costs
$47,143
$36,948
$198,134
$94,075
Transportation
miles
20,766
14,366
46,889
27,340
Cost/mile
$2.27
$2.57
$4.23
$3.02
TOTAL COST ALL AREAS
$352,712
$254,303
$206,534
$608,644
SUMMARY - SCENARIO 1
School
M.S.
Transport
H.S.
# Buses
Miles to
HS
Total
Miles
(Sum x
176 x 2 x
# buses)
Hutsonville
0
2
10
3,520
$11,053
1
Palestine
0
2
8
5,632
$17,684
1
0
$0
0
36 miles
round trip
all
schools
Total
$28,737
2
$40,694
Robinson
Cost
(Total miles x
$3.14)
Athletics (#
Buses)
Athletic Cost
(# Buses x
180 x round
trip
milesx3.14)
SUMMARY - SCENARIO 2
School
M.S.
Transport
#
Buses
Miles to
HS
Total
Miles
(Sum x
176 x 2
x#
buses)
Robinson
0
0
0
0
$0
0
Palestine
0
2
8
5,632
$14,136
1
16 miles
round
trip
all
schools
Total
$14,136
1
$9,936
Cost
(Total miles x
$3.45)
Athletics
(# Buses)
Athletic
Cost
(# Buses x
180 x
round trip
milesx3.45)
SUMMARY - SCENARIO 3
*NO ATHLETIC COSTS AS THEY ALREADY SHARE
Total
Miles
(Sum x
176 x 2 x #
buses)
Cost
(Total miles x
$2.51)
School
M.S.
Transport
# Buses
Miles to
HS
Hutsonville
0
0
0
0
$0
Palestine
0
2
10
7,040
$17,670
TRANSPORTATION


This reorganization would result in small
increase to the transportation costs based upon
the transportation of students REGARDLES of
the Scenario selected.
Scenario 3 – Hutsonville/Palestine – would result
in a $17,670 increase for the new district.
BUILDINGS
BUILDINGS
Hutsonville H.S.








New facility constructed in 2005 and is connected to an older facility
that has been well-maintained with excellent lighting and attractive
murals.
The library is an open concept and is an impressive facility.
Large gymnasium - capacity of 759.
Handicapped accessible
Air conditioned.
All of the parking lots have been recently resurfaced at a cost of
$12,320.
No electrical, plumbing or heating needs and the only boiler in the
middle school has been replaced at a cost of $50,000.
There is sufficient classroom space in this building, when the
capacity of the attached junior high is added, to accommodate the
high school students from Palestine while keeping the current 6 – 12
student population in Hutsonville should the boards and citizens
choose to move in this direction.
BUILDINGS
Palestine H.S.







Built in 1940 and the Industrial Arts area completed in 1953.
Four doors have been replaced summer 2014.
Issues noted in the Health Life Safety Report have been addressed at a
cost of $14,000 with an additional $3,000 projected to complete the
identified areas.
A number of issues exist for the high school to include plumbing, brick work
and the need for a new boiler within the next two to three years.
A cost projection for these items was not provided but the boiler alone
would be $50,000.
ADG Architecture & Design addressed the possibility of moving the high
school students into the existing grade school in an effort to address the
building concerns at the high school. The findings, (March 14, 2014 letter)
indicated this was not feasible given the space available.
The building needs at the high school combined with the lack of space to
house the existing high school students elsewhere within the district
presents a situation in which the high school students would need to be
transported to the other high school should any of the scenarios be chosen.
BUILDINGS
Robinson H.S.









Excellent facility that consists of additions built over a period of time.
First addition was constructed in 1955 and renovated in 1999.
Additions in 1999, 2004 and 2006.
One story structure that is handicapped accessible, has no
asbestos, plumbing or electrical issues.
Boiler room was converted as it exists now in 2005.
Gas-fired water boilers are located in the 2004 renovation section
with a cooling tower installed in 1999 near this area.
Entire building has air conditioning.
Paving and parking lots are acceptable but the high school back
driveway may need some attention within the next few years.
Has one gravel lot used for staff parking at the southwest corner of
the building.
Robinson H.S.








Fitness center
Huge gymnasium, a chorus room, large band room
Auto shop classroom is a one-story structure built in 1971 and
provides instruction for each of the schools in this study.
The building/trades section was constructed in 1995 with additional
storage added in 2005. This area provides instruction for each
school in this study.
Child care center is shared with Hutsonville and Palestine.
Has sufficient room for the student population and contains 5 or 6
rooms that are not used 100% of the time and adjustments could be
made if necessary to provide room for growth.
Could accommodate the addition of students from Hutsonville and
Palestine should these districts decide to merge into one.
Relatively new structure with adequate space for their students and
for others in the study. No additional cost would be incurred should
either or both of the districts joining in this study would desire to
merge with Robinson.
BUILDING CAPACITIES
High School
Capacity
Current Number of
Students
Hutsonville
577 (counts Jr. High)
114 + 89 (Jr. High) =
293
Palestine
250
127
Robinson
700-800
500
Note: Hutsonville H.S./M.S. capacity can accommodate Palestine H.S. population
FINANCIAL AREAS
PROPERTY TAX RATES AND EXTENSIONS
Rate
Palestine
CUSD #3
Rate
2.60
605,429
2.44
.50
124,679
.50
.20
49,871
.20
.04
9,978
.04
7,412
.04
12,471
.05
Bonds
72,155
.46
232,151
.89
IMRF
67,367
.45
104,964
.45
Fund
Ed.
OBM
Trans.
Sp. Ed.
Working
Cash
Hutsonville
CUSD #1
385,462
74,127
29,650
5,930
Robinson CUSD
#2
Rate
5,816,020
2.00
1,454,005
.50
581,602
.20
116,320
.04
145,400
.05
1,528,568
.52
380000
.13
.12
Social
Security
67,367
.45
84,985
.35
365,000
TORT
60,576
.40
99,975
.57
Lease
.-0-
-0-
12,471
.05
845,000
145,000
.29
.05
7,412
.05
12,471
.05
26,169
.05
777,463
5,24
1,349,445
5.60
Life Safety
Total
11,522,716
3.95
GENERAL DISTRICT COMPARISONS
2012-13
Hutsonville CUSD #1
Palestine CUSD #3
Average Daily
Attendance
371
347
General State Aid
Revenue
1,278,950
1,354,686
GSA Revenue/Per
Student
3,447
3,903
Total District
Expenditures
2,692,738
3,921,133
Operating Expense
Per Pupil
10,404
10,566
Assessed Valuation
Per Pupil
86,777
Total Certified Staff
(2010-2011)
32
36
Average Teacher’s
Salary (2010-2011)
42,252
48,189
EAV 2010-2011
18,252,508
24,628,454
Robinson CUSD #2
1598
1,335,995
836
16,597,779
9742
119,507
181,978
116
47,645
290,800,984
REORGANIZATION STUDY:
Background Information


A possible range of tax rates for the newly reorganized
district would emerge. The actual rates to be voted upon
would be determined by the Committee of Ten
This range of rates does not attempt to project the
amount for all funds as all districts will have a different
tax rate until all of their current bonded debt is paid off.
 Two of the three districts are deficit spending
 Bond and interest goes on top of that
PROJECTED RATE FOR NEW DISTRICT






Combined unit district EAV of $42,365,193 (for only Hutsonville and
Palestine) means a penny of local property taxes would generate
approximately $4,236/per $100 of EAV.
$4,236 x $4.99 of the tax rate approximates the tax rate needed to generate
the same amount of funds generated previously by the existing districts.
What you now have in $4.79 is a projected UNIT DISTRICT rate for a newly
reorganized unit district instead of separate district rates to generate the
same amount of dollars in a unit district.
The case of a lower tax rate to generate the same amount of taxes in a
newly reorganized school district occurs because it seems that a previous
Ameren EAV agreement has affected the rate at Hutsonville.
While it may appear that a lower tax rate may be possible to achieve
funding parity, there are extraneous circumstances in this instance.
Therefore with a merger of the districts, it would be necessary to
decrease taxes for Palestine by $1.01 and for Hutsonville by $.41
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE AUTHOR DOES IN NO WAY
SUGGEST THAT THIS RATE WOULD BE UTILIZED FOR PLANNING
FOR A REORGANIZATION REFERENDUM.
STAFF AND ADA




Teacher tenure is guaranteed for certified staff that
are maintained by the new district.
Appears little need to reduce staff to any significant
degree for a newly reorganized district.
 This factor would be determined by existing
school districts prior to a reorganization
referendum.
Enrollment varies with Hutsonville remaining
constant while Palestine is decreasing rapidly.
New district (Hutsonville/Palestine) is projected to
have increased ADA in the next five years.
GENERAL STATE AID COMPARISONS
Robinson
CUSD #2
Hutsonville
CUSD #1
Palestine
CUSD #3
General State Aid
2012-2013
1,278,950
1.354.686
Average Daily
Attendance
2012-2013
371
347
1,598
ADA 2011-2012
343
333
1,518
ADA 2010-2011
354
322
1,482
Personal Property
Replacement Tax
2012-2013
262,401
53,791
859,790
Operating Tax Expense
Per Pupil
10,404
10,566
9,742
1,335,995
REORGANIZATION STUDY:
Background Information
 Substantial
Incentives
 Will incentives actually exist?
Salary difference will present
significant issue after
incentives.
INCENTIVES







Scenario 1: Unit District/ Hutsonville, Palestine, Robinson
GSA Equalization = $3,009,504 over four years. The new district would
receive less GSA as a unit district: $752,376 annually after the four
year incentive period.
Scenario 2: Unit District/Palestine, Robinson
GSA Equalization = Palestine/Robinson = $2,983,128 over four years. The
new district would receive less GSA =$745,782 annually after the four
year incentive period.
Scenario 3: Unit District/Hutsonville, Palestine
GSA Equalization = $5,300 over four years. The new district would
receive less GSA = $1,325 annually after the four year incentive
period.
Therefore, of the three scenarios the third Scenario is by far the best
of the formulas for a minimal loss of GSA after the four year incentive
period expires.
TEACHER SALARY EQUALIZATION
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Scenario 1: Unit District/ = $1,012,352 over a four year period.
Annually, there is a difference in salaries paid by the State of Illinois
of $253,088
Scenario 2: Unit District/Palestine, Robinson over a four year
period = $252,416
Annually, there is a difference in salaries paid by the State of Illinois
= $63,104.
Scenario 3: Unit District/Hutsonville, Palestine over a four year
period = $759,936
Annually, there is a difference in salaries paid by the State of Illinois
= $189,984.
The average salaries of the districts are: Hutsonville = $42,252,
Palestine = $48,189, Robinson = $47,645.
For purposes of this study the combination of the districts with the least
difference is preferential for a newly reorganized district and that would be
Scenario Two as the salaries of the Palestine and Robinson teachers would be
the closest to the same.
Deficit Difference Payment
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Eligible for this payment are new school districts formed by
combining property within two or more previously existing districts.
The payment is made once and is equal to the difference between
the larger and smaller deficits.
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Palestine qualifies for a debt deficit payment
of $248,441 and this amount would be
available to the new district in all three
scenarios.
INCENTIVES
$4,000 PAYMENT FOR CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
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Scenario 1: Unit District $1,576,000 or $788,000
annually for two years.
Scenario 2: Unit District $652,000 - annually for one
year,
Scenario 3: Unit District $864,000 – $288,000 annually
for three years.
Therefore in the fall of Years 2-4 of the newly
reorganized district(s), there would be an annual
payment of the aforementioned amounts.
TOTAL REORGANIZATION INCENTIVES
Total Incentives =
Scenario 1 = $5,846,297
Scenario 2 = $4,135,985
Scenario 3 = $1,577,677
GSA Difference Incentive =
Scenario 1 =$3,009,504
Scenario 2 = $2,893,128
Scenario 3 = $5,300
Deficit Fund Balance Incentive =
Scenario 1/2/3 = $248,441
$4,000 Certified Staff Incentive =
Scenario 1 = $1,576,,000
Scenario 2 = $652,000
Scenario 3 = $864,000
Salary Difference Incentive =
Scenario 1 = $1,012,352
Scenario 2 = $252,416
Scenario 3 = $759,936
REORGANIZATION RECOMMENDATION
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There are eleven current allowable procedures for the reorganization
of districts in the state of Illinois.
It is the recommendation of the consultants that the Hutsonville and
Palestine Unit districts utilize an Article 11-A reorganization process to
merge the districts into a new unit district.
Rationale for a possible reorganization involving any of the
aforementioned procedures could include:
Together the districts would become more fiscally and financially stable.
The junior and senior high curriculum would be greatly enhanced by
coalescing the enrollment of the junior high and high schools and most likely
an improved junior high and high school curricular offering.
The various tax rates, teacher salary schedules, could be equalized for all
community citizens.
An “economy of scale” in purchasing would be realized with increased size
of the school district and its concurrent purchasing power.
Curriculum articulation between the districts would be guaranteed in a unit
district, eliminating the various textbooks, testing programs.
Certified and Non-Certified staff would be utilized more efficiently.
ARTICLE 11 – A SUMMARY
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Would require a petition to the Regional Superintendent of
Education by all districts or a citizen petition with at least fifty
voters signing the petition from each district for 200 total
signatures.
After a petition is received, the Regional Superintendent would
gather information and publish the time and place of a public
hearing.
At this hearing, constituents of districts may speak to this
issue.
After the hearing the Regional Superintendent and
subsequently the State Superintendent must approve the
reorganization petition.
If both officers approve the petition, the referendum is
scheduled for the next regularly scheduled election. If the
election is approved by a majority of voters in “each district”
then the newly reorganized district would begin operation on
the next July 1, after the successful reorganization.
Publications

Phillips, W. & Day, S. (2004). “Exploring
Realities of Reorganization: Navigating
your Options”. The Illinois School Board
Journal, 72, (4), 10-15. July/August.

Phillips, W. (2006). “Consolidation
Proposal Expert Analysis”. State School
News Service, January 2006. Retrieved
online from www.stateschoolnews.com
Publications
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Phillips, W. (2006). “Proposed Legislation
Realigns Reorganization”. The Illinois
School Board Journal, 74, (2), 7-10.
March/April.
Phillips, W., Day, S., Bogle, L. (2014).
“Exploring School District Reorganization;
Navigating Your Options”. IASB
Publication.
Questions from the
Audience
Dr. William Phillips
217 206-7155
phillips.william@uis.edu