Norridge’s Pennoyer School cuts teachers, arts, sports, library, and approves referendum for April 4

Pennoyer School District 79′s Board of Education on Jan. 17 voted to cut several teachers, eliminate sports, art and music, close the school library and make other cuts at its lone school, Pennoyer School in Norridge, in an effort to save up enough money to replace the school’s fire alarm system and outdated plumbing, as well as avoid falling under state oversight.

“This is definitely one of the hardest nights for the school board,” a visibly emotional Board President Sheila Wachholder said. “I’ve been on this board many, many years. Never did I think we would be having a meeting with these items on our agenda.”

The board also approved two referendum questions for the April 4 municipal election ballot. One measure asks voters for $9.7 million in property tax revenues and the other asks to increase the limiting rate for property taxes by 0.17%to raise money for the school’s education fund.

The budget reductions and two referenda come on the heels of the school’s sixth failed attempt to ask its taxpayers for more money. The most recent referendum, which was on the ballot in November, would have authorized $7.9 million in bonds. It failed by fewer than 100 votes.

Among the cuts that will take effect this coming school year are the elimination of a bilingual Polish/English language learner teaching position, one kindergarten teaching position, one music teaching position, one art teaching position, one physical education teaching position and one elementary classroom teacher.

Other cuts include discontinuing after-school sports, reducing full day kindergarten to half day, combining grade levels with fewer than 38 students into one class, eliminating art and music, reducing physical education classes and English language learning instruction and closing the school’s media center and library.

The board also voted to approve an increase in registration fees to $300 per student, an increase in technology fees to $100 per student and to change the school day schedule to end at 2:30 p.m. beginning next school year.

In a public comment before the board, union representative and 3rd grade teacher Sarah Adkins said the cuts were necessary, but that the meeting was a sad day for her and her colleagues.

“It has been heartbreaking for us to have to lose teachers and programs that are so important to our students,” she said.

Adkins thanked the board for making “hard decisions.”

“I understand this is not what you want for our school and our staff or for your own children,” she said.

She closed with an appeal to residents to vote in favor of the referenda on April 4.

“Until then we will continue to do our best with what we have,” she said.

District Superintendent Kristin Kopta is set to make a presentation Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. on the budget cuts and referenda questions.