D228 Administrators Take a Pay Freeze

Oak Forest Patch has the scoop on the dealings between the school, administrators and teachers union. Find it here.

District 228 Chief 'Not Interested' in Giving Cash to Local Mayoral Campaigns

In light of revelations Bloom Trail High School donated to the South Chicago Heights mayor's campaign fund the last four years, Patch asked our local superintendents for their take.

Should a school district be donating money to a political campaign? That's the question raised by a south suburban school district's contributions to a local mayor with money earned through the school's pop machines. Whether those donations are illegal, or merely unethical, depends on how you interpret "public funds" under state law. Bloom Trail High School donated to the South Chicago Heights mayor's campaign fund for the last four years, according to a report on Chicago Heights Patch, giving at least $200 to "Citizens for Dave Owen" every January since 2008. This year, the amount increased to $250. District 206 Supt. Glen Giannetti told Patch he made the contributions, and that he sees nothing wrong with using the money this way because …

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Bremen District 228 Candidates Answer: What Areas Within the District Could Use Work?

The second in a series of issue-based questions directed at the candidates for Bremen High School District 228.

With just over a week until elections, Patch wants to help you prepare before you head to the polls April 5. Patch will provide you with Bremen High School District 228 candidates' answers to a different questions that deal with the financial and educational issues facing school districts statewide. For more Patch election coverage, visit Election Central and the Bremen District 228 main election information page. Today's question: What areas do you think the district can afford to strengthen? Which can stand a little less attention? David Mensing We cannot afford not to strengthen our program, our offerings, our standards, our opportunities, our support for challenged students as well as for the gifted, and our ongoing efforts to do more …

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District 228 Makes Big Changes to Curriculum

Physics will come first to build foundations on other sciences. British and American lit are new required courses, too. And the computer coursework gets an upgrade, as well.

A sweeping set of curriculum changes in Bremen High School District 228 will take effect in the 2011-2012 school year, affecting science, literature and industrial technology. On Nov. 17, the board of education unanimously approved the new standards for all four district schools, including Oak Forest High School. The most significant changes take place in the science department, where the new methods have been tested at Tinley Park High School the past eight years. The new science standard is similar to those implemented in high schools such as New Trier, often ranked among the best in the Chicago region. Dr. Corinne Williams, District 228's assistant superintendent for teaching and learning and a former science teacher, said the new …

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