Dr. Phylistine Murphy, Superintendent Bellwood School District 88 640 Eastern Avenue Bellwood, IL 60104 Dear Superintendent Murphy: On December 9-10, 2014 the Division of English Language Learning (DELL) of the Illinois State Board of Education conducted an on-site monitoring review of Bellwood School District's School board member Joe Madrid cast the sole "no" vote. Hopefully, that Interim title will be taken away shortly., He really is the chosen one to lead this district right now, this is his time to do it! Stated Jeninne Hixson-Rusike, Human Resources Manager for Bellwood School District 88. No additional state oversight is imminent, Fergus said. (James Svehla / Chicago Tribune). High School Student Body: CHS English 12- School Wide Debates, BASD Musical: Musical Rehearsals & Performances, Are you looking to complete the District Census online? Mark Anthony Holder, Interim Superintendent of Bellwood School District 88. At $70,000 a year, her salary was higher than those of 87 percent of teachers in the district. Local tax revenue has been flat in Bellwood, and last year the state sent additional aid to the district, which has spent nearly twice as much on administration than the average district in Illinois, state records show. BELLWOOD, Ill. - Illinois' Bellwood School District 88 has some really serious financial problems. Retirements, mounting financial pressures and school board acrimony can all contribute to a superintendent's exit. Thats what the community wants us to do.. Voting yea were Giles, Perez and Smith as well as President Sondra McClendon, Annie Copeland and Lindsley Griffin. External Applicants Youre able to go into a school and the Administration Center [but] You have to check in with the receptionist. A school board arbiter recommended Hendricks be terminated for misconduct, a charge she denied in a lawsuit. Im just happy to serve as the Interim Superintendent for right now. Superintendent Michael Robey has led Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89 for three years, during which time the district was pulled off the state's financial watch list. We had to get our get back., Photos: Phoenix Suns 125, Chicago Bulls 104, Basketball scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Things started falling into place and I realized I can make a difference both individually within a group. Not with my child's education. . We are here to make policy for the children and community of District 88. Mark Holder Superintendent Jan Baptist Director of Finance . About 30 residents attended a Bellwood District 88 school board meeting Monday for a heated discussion about the district's spending and leadership. Were excited about progress!, Yes, Armed police guards were replaced with a much more relaxed climate There are still protocols that have to be followed Says Joseph P. Burdi, Director of Building and Grounds at Bellwood School District 88. The settlements can be costly particularly for districts with high turnover like Bellwood. If your qualifications meet our needs, we will contact you for further information and a possible interview. Victoria Hansen has been working as a Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Bellwood School District 88 for 14 years. But a revolving door to the office undermines a district's stability and pulls away resources from students, education experts said. We understand that significant healing must occur within our community in the wake of these events. We and our Administrators and other employees have cooperated fully with law enforcement, including with the state and local police and the District Attorney, throughout this investigation and the criminal trial of the former wrestling coach. Staff Directory - Bellwood-Antis School District Bellwood-Antis School District / Staff Directory Staff Directory To leave a voice mail for a staff member: Dial (814) 742-2280. "I hope this time they will let her stay. The average tenure for a superintendent statewide is six years, according to his organization's research. Winnetka Public Schools District 36, Mundelein High School District 120 and Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89 have each had six permanent or interim superintendents since 2001. Hendricks did not return phone messages and emails seeking a comment on being place on leave. This data is collected annually directly from State Education Agencies , Url: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=1705760&details= Go Now, Schools Details: WebDistrict Name: Bellwood SD 88 schools for this district: NCES District ID: 1705760: State District ID: IL-06-016-0880-02: Mailing Address: 640 Eastern Ave Bellwood, IL , Url: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=1705760&details=5 Go Now, Schools Details: WebBellwood School District 88 640 Eastern Ave Bellwood, IL 60104 -1878 ( District boundaries shown in map) Rating : 10/ 10 Top 10% Tel: (708) 410-3029 www.sd88.org , Url: https://www.publicschoolreview.com/illinois/bellwood-school-district-88/1705760-school-district Go Now, Url: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?details=2&ID2=1705760 Go Now, Schools Details: WebBellwood School District 88, located in the Chicago metropolitan area of Bellwood, Illinois, serves over 2,400 students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Click (, In compliance with the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, the proposed District Final Budget for 2022-2023 is on file for inspection. The terms of the spending have been so elusive that records show even the district's finance director and the Proviso Township school treasurer's office, which oversees District 88's finances, have been kept in the dark about whether Hendricks and the school board hashed out an official agreement over the spending. The school board settled that case in 2014 and agreed to cut Hendricks a $45,000 check to curb related legal expenses. Bellwood School District 88 Cook County, Illinois Our District Located just west of Chicago on Interstate 290, our district is committed to providing a quality educational program for the families of Cook County. McClendon said in a phone interview she could not comment on the nature of the investigation because it was a personnel matter. ESSENTIAL DUTIES. The BELLWOOD SD 88. . As of last school year, Hendricks had earned more through suing her employers or getting bought out of contracts since the 2008-09 school year than through the time she spent working, state records show. The board brought back Hendricks in 2010, and she was fired for misconduct in 2012, a charge she denied in a lawsuit against the district. School board members often ink settlement deals in an attempt to avoid legal backlash for pushing out a superintendent early. "I don't have anything against Ms. Hendricks," said Joe Madrid, who was on medical leave when his fellow Bellwood school board members approved Hendricks' newest contract in November. October 1st, 2017 Yakira Levi Bellwood, News 0 comments, Mark Anthony Holder, Dist 88, Interim Superintendent. Last month, the school board agreed to keep her on over the summer as well at a cost of $48 an hour., When asked about the hires, Hendricks told the Tribune, There is no nepotism policy not that I know of. Jeninne M. Hixson served as the executive assistant of the superintendent from September 2011 through October 2014. The move is another example of an Illinois school board diverting funds to help administrators land more lucrative retirement packages. This platform has become the basis on which the organization operates and will drive continued success in our District. If she leaves the district, or is not rehired next year, there is no recourse for recouping the money., MORE NEWS: How to prepare for face-to-face classes. She is collecting a pension and, under the teachers' retirement system rules, can work up to 100 days, or 500 hours, and continue reaping full benefits. As most residents already know, District 88 had some major issues with the previous Superintendent of the Bellwood school district. Members of the public also disapproved of the district hiring Hendricks two daughters as a school nurse and teacher. Our Goals The suit and other documents don't offer more details about the alleged misconduct. She was dismissed from the job two years later, sued the district and received a $132,000 settlement check, which could not be applied to her pension under TRS rules. The added pension contribution from the school district will increase Hendricks annual retirement benefit from about $14,000 per year to about $77,000 under the state formula, the news report said. Im still sticking with everything I said before the elections. "School boards need to be fiscally responsible to their communities," he said. Now the Tribune, in a November report, revealed that the Bellwood school district has been running up outrageous bills for taxi cab service. I take pride in reaching back to help those individuals who have helped sustain the school district., The New Superintendent has worked hard to change the culture of Bellwood School District 88. In Winnetka, the turnover began when the superintendent who led the district for more than a decade retired. At that rate, and with no interest, it would take nearly three years to settle the debt. Since the 2011 school year began, Bellwood School District 88 has paid People Cab Co. $605,000 to shuttle homeless and special education students to and from school, the Tribune reported. You may download the plan (here). Said Superintendent Mark Holder. "What I can inform you with some certainty is that the item you reference was voted on by the BOE (school board) approving the payment of said amount and requiring Ms. Hendricks to pay the money back," attorney Michael Castaldo wrote in an email. District Superintendent Dr. Victoria Hansen Address 640 EASTERN AVE BELLWOOD IL 60104 (708) 410-3029. Money may be tight in Bellwood School District 88, but the school board still managed to quietly divert more than $105,000 from an education fund to replenish a retirement account its superintendent drained years ago. Your application will be retained in active status for one school year. The committee includes an assistant superintendent who has served as building administrator for over 20 years, a Principal coach to provide professional development and stakeholders within the system. Last summer a Tribune report revealed a very worrisome spending pattern in the district involving Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks and other top officials. Hendricks caused bad blood with Perez after sending a letter blocking her from setting foot on school district property after Perez argued with board member Annie Copeland. Details: WebBellwood School District 88 Cook County, Illinois Latest News Superintendent's Scoop Greetings Bellwood School District 88 Community: As your bellwood area school district Verified 1 days ago Bellwoods taxi bills far outpace those of surrounding districts, state education records show.. A year later, she was placed on administrative leave, resigned and was given a $75,000 settlement on the way out the door. Ms. Hendricks was officially dismissed from the position at a regular Board meeting for Bellwood School District 88 on September 5, 2017. In her lawsuit, Hendricks said she suffered emotional damage when she was fired in 2012. That wasn't the last time the beleaguered district, which has been on the state's financial watch list for five consecutive years, would dig deep to pay Hendricks. Fast Facts Teacher Trends (National Center for Education Statistics), Average base salary for full-time public elementary and secondary school teachers with Bachelor's degree, by state (Education Digest of Statistics), Average base salary for full-time public elementary and secondary school teachers with Master's degree, by state (Education Digest of Statistics), 100 N First Street Hillcrest vs. Lemont. Most people would assume that means the Bellwood district lacks resources. McClendon, who was seated in 2015, said the board had not made a determination about a superintendent search., Were not going to have a witch hunt, Giles said. The District stands with victims of sexual assault, including the minor victims in our community. Hendricks was dismissed during her first two terms in 2008 and 2012 and the district paid her $120,000 in legal and other settlements. Dr. Hansen is a transformational educational leader with over 13 years of experience in Bellwood School District 88. As far as security is concerned we have surveillance cameras and all that we need right now Weve come a long way due to the new Board, due to the new Interim Superintendent Mr. Holder [hes] doing a great job!, Hes doing a wonderful job in turning the district around through all the obstacles and hurdles he had to endure, hes done it with professionalism,endurance, and dedication.Said Patricia Walton, Executive Assistant to the Interim Superintendent Mark Holder. Join to connect Bellwood School District 88 . Under state law, members of TRS are allowed to cash out their retirement accounts and have the option to buy back the time with a penalty. 2:140-E Exhibit - Guidance for Board Member Communications, Including Email Use . Monday's vote, however,. Illinois' new online school report card goes beyond test scores to present a complete view of your schools. Edlio Login Powered by Edlio. Hendricks, 66, is now eligible to retire with the pension benefits of someone who has paid into the system for 25 years, though, as of last year, she had paid into it for only 4 1/2 years, the Tribune wrote. According to Atkinsons job application with the district, she has a bachelors degree in communications disorders from Saint Xavier University and one year of experience as a teachers aide and special education assistant. Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks with attorney Howard Brookins Jr. during the Bellwood School District 88 board meeting in Bellwood on June 20. "How many teachers could have been paid? These numbers are calculated by using the sum of all teachers' salaries divided by the number of FTE teachers. To establish a complete pre-employment file, please complete the online application. She can work only 100 days under that agreement to remain eligible for the pension she is receiving through the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois. The school board approved a $360,000 settlement, which includes two years of pay. To be nominated as a distinguished individual of Illinois, I take a lot of pride in that because I work hard and its just wonderful when people recognize your work., Proviso Wests first homecoming parade since 2010 really great, Sister of slain 14-yr-old asks does Maywood even care, Bill expands access to abortion, gender-affirming treatments, 2022 CNN Heroes Finalist Vines Shines on Stage, Illinois's First Hearing on Gun Control Bill Draws Testimony from Victims, Advocates. We want you out! Dream Team member Deborah Giles told the superintendent during public comments at a spring board meeting. Bellwood School District 88 welcomed staff back with a week full of profession development, staff appreciation and invigorating speakers with a Keynote speech from new Superintendent Dr. Victoria Hansen! Beard, Special Education Secretary - Cathy L. Dixon, Buy your tickets to the Bellwood-Antis performance of "Grease" (. Giles and Dorothy Smith both also ran for library board as well as school board, and won both offices. They were also reimbursed a combined $8,300 for various food and travel expenses that were not related to those trips, and spent thousands of dollars at nearby Chicago hotels and restaurants, according to the Tribune. Please click (here) to access the facilities scheduling application. "You don't give someone two chances and then give them a third chance. It operates seven schools that educate over 2,000 students from the municipalities of Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Melrose Park, and Stone Park. The Tribune has written extensively about salary spikes, penalty payments and sweetheart deals that compound the state's pension obligations. 640 Eastern Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104 Phone: (708) 410-3000 Fax: (708) 493-0390 . This particular Board that we have now is comprised of a group of fine citizens who were elected They have given me all the support that any superintendent could ever want., Interim Superintendent Mark Holder is approaching 30 years of service to Bellwood School District 88. Dorothy Clark-Smith, who was named president during a divided vote, declined to comment on the details of Hendricks' contract. Hendricks and other school board members referred questions to school board President Daisy Allen, who didn't return calls for comment. Infinite Campus Documents and Instructions, Seat Yourself (Online Ticket Sales for Events), Parent and Guardian Guide to the Internet, Assistant Athletic Director - John T. Garritano, Athletic Director's School Contact Information, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor - Thomas C. Kovac, Secretary to the Superintendent - Susan Grassmyer, Financial Administrative Assistant - Sandra L. Beach, Administive Assitant for Business / Human Resources - Lisa R. Kephart, Central Office Secretary - Athletic Secretary AR/AP - Denise E. Thompson, Director of Instructional Technology - Jamie L. Forshey, Technology Coordinator - Michael W. Lingenfelter, Bellwood-Antis FFA Documents and Resources, Bellwood-Antis Monthly Meeting (Live Link), Special Education Director - Carol A. "You can buy back that service if you decide you want to go back to teaching," said Dave Urbanek, a TRS spokesman. Calendar; . You may download the plan (, Use of Facilities requests are now handled by an online scheduling process. [2] It operates seven schools that serve the bellwood school district employment, Url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellwood_School_District_88 Go Now, Get more: Bellwood school district employmentView Schools, Schools Details: WebUse of Facilities requests are now handled by an online scheduling process. She was given a $75,000 settlement on the way out the door. In addition to paying out contracts that were terminated early, the school board routinely added interim superintendents, including Hendricks, to the payroll until a permanent replacement was found. In March, the expense was reclassified as an asset, suggesting that the money would be repaid. According to a published report,. Hendricks was brought back as an interim, but then the board bypassed a search and awarded a two-year, $170,000 contract to Hendricks, as parents complained. But getting that money back could be a problem. Perez has children in the district and had volunteered with the PTO. The school , Url: https://www.energysystemsgroup.com/bellwood/ Go Now, Schools Details: WebFor questions regarding position qualifications or application procedures, please contact Bellwood School District #88 directly. A slate of community members and parents are hoping to unseat long-term board members, including President Marilyn Thurman, and have pledged to replace the superintendent. However, it comes with a 6 percent annual penalty that compounds over time. "And our kids are going to pay.". Her critics, including Dream Team candidates, leveled charges of nepotism and packing the district with connected vendors from her home suburb near Hazel Crest, and other southwest suburbs. You may download the report (here). Superintendent Greater Chicago Area 27 connections. ii. Hendricks repaid the district about $7,300 of the $105,000 from March to May of this year, records show. The school district operates seven schools that serve the communities of Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, and Stone Park. Positive changes include the stabilization of the administration, all employees are now qualified to maintain their jobs; each person understands their role, projects are done in collaboration with multiple departments, fiscal affairs are in full compliance, up to date technology has been integrated, and a more welcoming environment for parents and visitors. To establish a complete pre-employment file, please complete the online application. That amounted to more turnover in the superintendent's office than any other district across Chicago's suburbs over a 14-year period, an Tribune investigation published last year found. Beard. The Bellwood School District 88 board quietly diverted more than $105,000 from an education fund to replenish a retirement account Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks drained years ago.. Thurman was the only nay vote on the decision to place Hendricks on administrative leave. But documents obtained by the Tribune last week show Hendricks is six months behind on the repayment agreement, which was adopted in September 2015 when District 88 paid the Illinois Teachers Retirement System on her behalf. School Board Meeting Dates; Superintendent's Performance Objectives; Virtual Board Meetings; Special Education. District 88 also paid an additional $6,000 in penalties to TRS in 2013 and 2014 for granting Hendricks previous pay hikes that exceeded the 6 percent cap that lawmakers put in place to deter districts from pre-retirement pension boosts. In suburbs across the region, school board members have approved six-figure separation checks, hefty credits for unused vacation days and other perks that have cost taxpayers millions during the past decade. There have been three different top administrators and two retirees who worked on an interim basis since. Not with my tax dollars.". We understand that significant healing must occur within our community in the wake of these events. But as it turns out, the management of resources may be at the root of the problem. Until then, Hendricks will work under an existing contract that set her pay at $750 a day. Litigation in which the District, in addition to several individuals remains a party, is currently pending and ordinarily, this would cause the District to decline further comment. In a May 8 special meeting, as part of a new board majority, new members Vice President Maria Perez, Secretary Dorothy Smith and Deborah Giles voted to place Hendricks on. She earned more through payouts than her combined full-time superintendent salaries since the 2008-09 school year, state records show. Sondra McClendon, a parent in the Bellwood district who is running for a seat on the school board said she's afraid that the board has set up the district for "a repeat" of what's happened in recent years. When Hendricks cashed out her TRS account, she left to work for Chicago Public Schools. The state board has yet to send additional technical support since the superintendent's job turned over again in November. About 10 years ago I was actually subbing [substitute teaching] for Mr. Holder, and to hear him and one of the previous superintendents encourage me to go back to school and go to law school, and to just be here with him during this time this moment of transition is something really special and I think the community will be very happy and very pleased with what he is spearheading here at the school district., Mark Holder created an administrative advisory cabinet to help him lead School District 88 with skill and democracy. Schools Details: WebBellwood School District #88 Welcome! Schools Details: WebBellwood School District 88 Cook County, Illinois Latest News Superintendent's Scoop Greetings Bellwood School District 88 Community: As your bellwood il school district 88, Get more: Bellwood il school district 88View Schools, Schools Details: WebThe mission of Bellwood School District 88 is to provide students with applicable educational experiences that contribute to their achievement of competency in all bellwood district 88 pay stubs, Url: https://www.sd88.org/Our-District Go Now, Get more: Bellwood district 88 pay stubsView Schools, Schools Details: WebBellwood Sd 88 spends $15,280 per student each year. Responsible for providing physical screening to students; maintaining and operating a student medical records under the direct Supervision of the School Nurse and Director of Special Education; preparing and maintaining student records. She acknowledged that she used the district's credit card to buy her husband plane tickets to Las Vegas and California but said that she paid back the money. President Sondra McClendon announced that an investigation would be undertaken, although she did not specify by whom or about what. "If the board is paying their salary and the new superintendent and maybe even a previous superintendent, that's a big hit," said Donald Hackmann, a University of Illinois education professor. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Instead, they opted to sign off on a deal to avoid "the expense and uncertainty" of an investigation into allegations that included questionable credit card expenses, according to the settlement anda memo drafted by the school board. The district did not disclose the spending during open records requests seeking details of Hendricks' compensation, but the Tribune found the $105,000 expense listed in a September document among scores of other district payments for routine bills including milk for school lunch, legal work and general maintenance. Salary Range: $45,000- $55,000.