K4, blending schools key topics for Elmbrook in 2012

When asked to look back at 2011 and ahead to 2012, Elmbrook School District Superintendent Matt Gibson showed a level of preparedness that has served him well throughout his 17 years at the district's helm.

He wrote an outline, dividing the subject into quarters for each year.

"I looked at the year and wrote down the highlights," Gibson said. It will be the last time he will need to do so. Forty years after starting his career as a teacher and eventually an administrator, Gibson will retire at the end of this school year.

A political last year

"What comes to mind for me at the beginning of 2011 is Feb. 18, when Act 10 was passed and many districts had to close because that's when teachers were protesting," Gibson said. "I was glad our employees were here and we were still having classes.

"As an educator, it's the most major change in the governance of education in the 40 years I have been in the field."

Noting that all the upheaval resulted in good and bad in what he calls a nonpartisan view, Gibson said the positive outcome was that the district was able to balance its budget by making changes within the absence of collective bargaining despite the revenue drop of $5.9 million.

"The jury is still out on what support there will be for education in the future," Gibson said. "Was this a correction that needed to be made? I would say yes, but will a correction need to be made over and over again, or will there be a new normal in an economy that will sustain that new model? Nobody knows right now, but if you are an advocate of public education, which I am, then I am interested in that topic."

Academic, building changes

Closer to the classroom, Gibson points to the mid-2011 change to block scheduling, which allows subjects to be taught in bigger chunks so "you get more depth and variety."

He said the move saves the district six teachers per year.

Other 2011 accomplishments and highlights included ACT scores exceeding 25 at both high schools, the School Board decision to not add new Chapter 220 seats, the completion of SMART technology that enhances information sharing within and among classes, and the beginning of the process to replace him.

The most obvious milestone of 2011, though, was the decision in November to close Hillside Elementary, a move that drew months of conversation, debate and raw emotion from parents who bristled at losing a neighborhood school.

In response to the biennial budget and Act 10, Gibson said, the board weighed its option in approaching a possible school closing to do what is called a Quality Function Deployment analysis. He said the board indicated it would be easiest to rely on his experience to give them a recommendation.

"It was painful because the odds of reopening a school are not good," he said. "I didn't take any happiness in doing that, but as a leader you have to take an unpopular stance on some things."

A view of 2012

The aftermath of that decision, he noted, will flow into 2012 as redistricting and staffing redeployment decisions are made, as well as plans for the proper special events recognizing Hillside's history and the new cultures that will be created at the blended schools.

"We just sent letters out to families affected by redistricting," Gibson said. "We will be working on a number of issues, including those structural things that involve numbers of classrooms, teachers, principals and reading specialists."

Building decisions also will be made during the first half of 2012. Gibson said he expects a decision on where the administrative offices will be as the district continues its attempts to sell the current location on Hope Street.

Another 2012 decision, he said, will be whether to reinstate 4-year-old kindergarten in the district. Gibson pointed out that the K4 pilot had been narrowly supported a few years ago by a 4-3 board vote, but that the board majority shifted and the program was curtailed.

"The board will probably make a decision in the first quarter, probably in late January or early February," he said.

As the school year winds down, Gibson expects to be in somewhat of a consultant role for a new superintendent. That person is expected to be selected in February or March.