Hinsdale High School Teachers Association

They say that communications is a vital key to solving all problems.  As President of the Hinsdale Central Association I have been working to increase communication between the Association and the Principal, the Superintendent, and members of the Board of Education. 

Starting last year, the negotiation team helped establish quarterly Roundtable meetings with two board members and membership from both Central and South. 

As of this year, I can say that communication has increased and improved.  I now have monthly meetings with Mr. Pobst and Dr. Wahl.  Mr. Pobst and Dr. Wahl have both had an open door policy allowing me to meet with them whenever needed. 

This increased communication has allowed us to work more effectively as a team to be proactive in solving issues that have come up.  I am very appreciative of this increased availability of communication and I hope this will continue in the future.

Tom Ludovice

 Last night’s school board meeting saw the presentation of a comprehensive Administrative Organizational Study (AOS) conducted by ECRA Group. The purpose of the study was to determine the most effective, efficient and productive organizational management structure for District 86. Below are links to the executive summary of the report, as well as the January update of Strategic Planning activities.

Strategic Plan Status Report: Jan. 10, 2008
Administrative Organization Study: Executive Summary

Round Table Meetings occurs quarterly with Dr. Wahl, two board members, both Association presidents and two additional members from each school. The goal of these meetings is to discuss mutual areas of concern between the Association and district administration and try to create effective solutions to any potential problems through an interest based conflict resolution model. We are also trying to build a better working relationship with the board that involves a more intimate and frank atmosphere where honest discussion can occur. Below is a link to the minutes of our November 2007 meeting.

Round Table Minutes, 11-7-07

In the spring of 2006 HHSTA informed the Superintendent and the School Board that the State Board of Education recommended Science class sizes not to exceed 24 students for safety concerns. During negotiations, the current administration of District 86 said that science classes would not exceed 24 students. This same pledge was made by the administration in the local paper. At the start of the 2007-2008 school year, I was surprised to discover several Science sections above 24. When I asked why this had occurred, the administration told me that it was a mistake. We later discovered that the same mistake must have been made at Hinsdale South because they also have Science sections above 24.

As a teacher and a parent I know that larger class size is never a good thing. It makes it increasingly difficult to have meaningful connections with each individual student. Larger classes limit the amount of participation that can occur during class. Assessment of student progress becomes much more challenging especially in cases where activities are presented on a regular basis. The larger numbers make it more difficult for a teacher to manage the classroom in a way to ensure that everyone is engaged and on task. The State Board of Education is so concerned that they advise teachers who teach science classes that exceeded the recommended number to get a waiver signed by the school lawyer.

The administration continually asks the teachers and the Association to move forward, but this is extremely difficult when your word is not honored. As a teacher, if I say something to my students and I don’t follow up on it I will instantly lose credibility with my students, which will affect my working relationship with them. This situation has affected HHSTA’s working relationship with the Administration and it makes it hard to move forward because to move forward you need to trust the other party. As President of the Association, I am always looking forward and looking for ways to improve education in District 86, but this broken promise makes it very hard to do.