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Schools

You Ask, Patch Answers

Hinsdale residents pose questions about the community's public schools.

Patch.com is embarking on its first Patchwide reporting project. Together, we will examine how schools are making financial decisions during this recession. First in this series, we wanted to know what questions you have about Hinsdale's schools, so we hit the streets to find out. You asked, we answered.

Lisa Pollard: What is the average class size in Hinsdale's elementary schools? 

Hinsdale Patch: About 20 students—generally on par with state averages.

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In 2009, District 181's Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades had classes that were slightly under the state average, with around 20 students per class. The second grade classes had an average of 22.2 students, compared to the state's average of 21.3. All grades in the 181 middle schools fared slightly worse than the elementary schools, with an average of 26 students per sixth grade class (the state average was 22), 25.5 in seventh grade, and 24.2 in eighth grade. 

Kathy Javois: How do the high school rankings in Illinois work? Is Hinsdale Central ranked with Hinsdale South? How many high schools are in the state and what criteria do they have to meet?

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Hinsdale Patch:  The State Board of Education doesn't officially rank Illinois' public schools; however, the Chicago Sun-Times ranks the state's high schools every fall, using each school's standardized testing scores in math and reading. In 2009, Hinsdale Central was ranked fifth in the state, behind Northside College Prep, Walter Payton College Prep, New Trier, and Whitney Young Magnet High School. Hinsdale South came in at #37. The Illinois State Board of Education creates a report card for each public school in the state every year, in addition to creating a report for each public school district (Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South are the only two high schools in District 86). In 2009, there were 3,910 public schools in Illinois, and 100 high school districts (compared to 379 elementary school districts). Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South are each evaluated in their individual report cards, as well as in the report card of District 86. 

Barb Schwartz: The [United States] Government just passed a bill that increases educational spending.  Will any of the Hinsdale school districts be entitled to any of that money? 

Hinsdale Patch: There is no guarantee that schools in Hinsdale will directly benefit from this. This is because states must apply individually to receive funding for their districts. By signing the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act into law, President Obama authorized $10 billion to used by our nation's school districts in order to prevent teacher layoffs. The Department of Education estimates that it will save or create 161,000 jobs for teachers in 2010.

Teri Zeidel: How does one become a board member in District 181? 

Hinsdale Patch: Board members must meet certain requirements, such as being a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of District 181 for at least a year prior to the election. The person also must be registered to vote and cannot be a school trustee or school treasurer.

The Board consists of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer (who must be 21 years old instead of 18,) all of whom are elected at the board organizational meeting and serve a one-year term. In addition to these positions, the board can establish committees to help carry out functions.

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