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. 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. She would have to delay retirement to take the job permanently. Not with my child's education. Bilingual Education Teacher ( Spanish Speaking) 2023-2024 Youre able to go into a school and the Administration Center [but] You have to check in with the receptionist. A wave of retirements has led to more job openings in recent years, Leahy added. Bellwood School District 88 (SD88) is a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school district located in the western suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area. Mark Anthony Holder, Interim Superintendent of Bellwood School District 88. "I'm fine with bringing Ms. Hendricks back," Thurman said. PDF Illinois State Board of Education Illinois' new online school report card goes beyond test scores to present a complete view of your schools. External Applicants Hendricks other daughter, Jocelyn Hendricks, who has an associate degree and is a licensed practical nurse according to her job application, was hired to fill a $78,500-a-year job as a district nurse. This platform has become the basis on which the organization operates and will drive continued success in our District. Listings and Applications can be found (here). 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 Thurman, along with Annie Copeland, also voted nay on Holders appointment. "This is embarrassing," said April Falco, who has a first-grader in the district. "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. If your qualifications meet our needs, we will contact you for further information and a possible interview. 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. Director at Bellwood School District 88 Westchester, IL. 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. Ms. Hendricks was officially dismissed from the position at a regular Board meeting for Bellwood School District 88 on September 5, 2017. The first check for $180,000 was cut in November. 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. Board members hung their heads as they voted to approve the contract among a room full of angry parents who called for a professional search before settling on a new hire. Turnover is relatively new to the Mundelein district, according to Superintendent Kevin Myers. BELLWOOD, Ill. Illinois Bellwood School District 88 has some really serious financial problems. At $70,000 a year, her salary was higher than those of 87 percent of teachers in the district. My focus was always to create an environment for educators who have endured the system and have been a part of the system, to give them the opportunity to serve and work along with me. Mr. Holder Stated. Staff Directory - Bellwood-Antis School District Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks of Bellwood School District 88. Hendricks revolved in and out of the district three times in 10 years, as nine superintendents came and went in 15 years. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Documents obtained by the Tribune show that district finance officials initially paid the pension system with money that was earmarked for maintenance and supplies. Contact Us 300 Martin Street, bellwood area school district, Url: https://www.blwd.k12.pa.us/ Go Now, Get more: Bellwood area school districtView Schools, Schools Details: WebBellwood School District 88. The district crowned a winner at the Annual Spelling Bee held February 1, 2023 at Marshall Elementary. Quentin Heady kept thinking about two things. Bellwood School District 88 Employment - schoolslearning.info As most residents already know, District 88 had some major issues with the previous Superintendent of the Bellwood school district. It's not clear whether Hendricks will be hired permanently to lead the cash-strapped district, which has cut more than 100 teachers, counselors and other professional staff and shuttered two school buildings since she was hired seven years ago. Please click (here) to access the facilities scheduling application. ii. The school board also approved paying Hendricks for 33 vacation days per year, rather than the original 24, which amounts to a bonus of about $5,800, according to the newspaper. These numbers are calculated by using the sum of all teachers' salaries divided by the number of FTE teachers. "And our kids are going to pay.". Schools Details: WebBellwood School District #88 Welcome! There is, understandably, hurt and anger that remains for the victims, their families, and the larger community. District Census22-23: Are you looking to complete the District Census online? The You may download the report (, In compliance with the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, the proposed District Special Education Plan for 2021-2024 is on file for inspection. In November, Bellwood School. 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. For instance, the school board voted to replenish a $105,103 retirement account that Hendricks had cashed out a long time ago, the news report said. But getting that money back could be a problem. To establish a complete pre-employment file, please complete the online application. 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. 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. 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. President Sondra McClendon announced that an investigation would be undertaken, although she did not specify by whom or about what. Learn More. Exec. Asst. to former Bellwood school superintendent says district Hendricks held various teaching and administrative jobs in the Chicago area before she was hired as superintendent by Bellwood District 88 in 2007. 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 Overall, the district spends $7,038.2 million on instruction, $6,492.8 million bellwood illinois school district Quentin Heady kept thinking about two things. 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 select the schools, and this tool provides comparisons of Fast Facts, Academic Progress, and School Environment. The Tribune has written extensively about salary spikes, penalty payments and sweetheart deals that compound the state's pension obligations. Make your selections and click "Generate Report", The display shows the average salary for teachers over the past 5 years. District Receptionist 2022-2023 Job in Bellwood, IL at Bellwood School In compliance with the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, the proposed District Special Education Plan for 2021-2024 is on file for inspection. The Bellwood district hasn't demonstrated the same progress. "For candidates it says there are red flags or cautions," Leahy said. Beard. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES. 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. School board President Marilyn Thurman declined to comment, referring questions to the district's attorney. "School boards need to be fiscally responsible to their communities," he said. 1 Independent Auditor's Report Board of Education . A year later, she was placed on administrative leave, resigned and was given a $75,000 settlement on the way out the door. As of 2014, she had eight years of service credit in the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, which will be factored to determine her final pension benefits. 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. Late last month, board members put the contract on the agenda during a meeting where they voted to restructure the board, removing the president and secretary from their positions. High turnover can also make it difficult to attract high-caliber administrators, he said. According to the settlement, obtainedby the Tribune, the board was on the verge of trying to fire Murphy. We join in celebration recognizing the history, achievements and contributions of black people to our nation. Hendricks will make $170,000 for the current fiscal year ending this month, her contract states. There have been three different top administrators and two retirees who worked on an interim basis since. Thursday night was the second attempt to push through Hendricks' contract. 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. Tablets or new textbooks are just a dream. The school district operates seven schools that serve the communities of Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, and Stone Park. "Handing out contracts should be done by the incoming board" after the upcoming April election, Madrid said. 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. Bellwood School District 88 (James Svehla / Chicago Tribune). 2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship 2:140 Communications To and From the Board. School board members often ink settlement deals in an attempt to avoid legal backlash for pushing out a superintendent early. Residents question Bellwood school district about hiring, spending Stated the Interim Superintendent Mark Holder. In Hendricks' case, it cost more than $105,000 to replenish the money she withdrew. DiSabato said he recently accepted a position as superintendent of the Bellwood-Antis School District, Bellwood, Blair County. The annual salary for public school teachers varies greatly depending on location, years of experience, level of education, and financial resources of the district. The Bellwood school board has filled the superintendent job nine times since 2001. While Hendricks has 36 months to repay the district for the $105,000, there are only 12 months left in her $175,000-a-year contract. 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. You may download the plan (here). Bellwood School District 88 voted Thursday to give Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks a new two-year contract. 30-Year-Old Felony Conviction Might Keep Lindsley Griffin Off Bellwood Said Superintendent Mark Holder. Bellwood School District 88 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. Then, shortly before the 2017 election, the board, then headed by President Marilyn Thurman awarded Hendricks another one-year contract extension. The school board settled that case in 2014 and agreed to cut Hendricks a $45,000 check to curb related legal expenses. "They would look at it as, 'Will I be able to stay?'". 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. Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks with attorney Howard Brookins Jr. during the Bellwood School District 88 board meeting in Bellwood on June 20. You cant just walk through the building. And revenge. Im thankful that hes here and Im looking forward to our continued working relationship in Bellwood School District 88., Superintendent Mark Anthony Holder was nominated as one of Illinois Most Outstanding Men, by Children and Youth Services, Inc. and CAT [Continuing Academic Training] There have been a lot of great things that have happened to me in the year 2017 Superintendent Mark Holder stated. Outgoing Superintendent Phylistine Murphy, the district's eighth hire since 2001, was bought out of her contract this fall after two years on the job. 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. 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. Springfield, IL 62777, Download Historical District Report Cards. A west suburban school district hired and removed the same superintendent twice in five years, giving her a combined $120,000 package on the way out. She returned to the beleaguered district which is on the state's financial watch list this school year on an interim basis. You may download the plan (, Use of Facilities requests are now handled by an online scheduling process. The most recent superintendent to terminate his contract early did not cash in on time unworked, according to district spokeswoman Marcia Sutter. Taxpayers across the state will pick up the tab, potentially for years to come. District 88's attorney said Hendricks, 66, is required to repay the $105,504 to the district, but the district has not provided a copy of that agreement or any details about a repayment plan or said whether she must pay interest. We want you out! Dream Team member Deborah Giles told the superintendent during public comments at a spring board meeting. 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. Between March and November 2015, Hendricks and various school board members spent more than $20,000 on trips to Las Vegas; Nashville; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix; and Washington D.C., according to the news report. The suit and other documents don't offer more details about the alleged misconduct. She was given a $75,000 settlement on the way out the door. Bellwood School District #88 - Frontline Recruitment We understand that significant healing must occur within our community in the wake of these events. The stint with former Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks aroused suspicion around her business practices including "alleged" fiscal mismanagement. 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. In 2017, he was appointed to the Bellwood School District 88 governing board to fill a vacancy, and was elected to the position earlier this month, even though state law bars convicted felons from . 2023 EAGNews.org ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Perez has children in the district and had volunteered with the PTO. 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. Hendricks was rehired by the board in 2010, but then fired for misconduct two years later and sued the district, which later settled for $45,000. 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 paid administrative leave and appoint Roosevelt Middle School Principal Mark Holder as interim superintendent. 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. Its ethically and morally wrong to see a problem you know you can help solve and not do it., Read the current issue of the Cook County Chronicle, Free subscription to the digital edition of the Cook County Chronicle, Bellwood D88 Board places Superintendent on leave for investigation, Subscribe to Cook County Chronicle digital edition. Hendricks also collected a third $132,000 settlement from south suburban Hoover-Shrum Memorial School District 157 in 2009. At that rate, and with no interest, it would take nearly three years to settle the debt. 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. Click (, In compliance with the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, the proposed District Final Budget for 2022-2023 is on file for inspection. MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK, District officials made enough budget cuts over the past couple years to get off the states financial watch list, but the district is still mired in nearly $30 million worth of bond debt and has exceeded a state-imposed borrowing cap.. As candidates, members of the "Bellwood 88 Dream Team" were vocal before the April 4 election that they wanted accountability from controversial Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks. The settlements can be costly particularly for districts with high turnover like Bellwood. BELLWOOD SD 88. . School board member Joe Madrid cast the sole "no" vote. Hendricks declined to comment on her taxpayer-funded compensation. Administration and Staff - Bellwood School District 88 Bellwood School District 88 (High-Needs School) Date Available: Immediate Need Closing Date: Until FilledJob Title: District Receptionist Department: Human Resource/Personnel Reports To: Human Resources/Personnel Director FLSA Status: Non-exempt Prepared By: Superintendent/School Board Approved Date: February 2018 Hourly: $16.21-$18.62 per hour . ESSENTIAL DUTIES. The classroom basics such as paper and calculators are often paid for by teachers or through fundraisers, said PTA leader Maria Perez. 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! The District stands with victims of sexual assault, including the minor victims in our community. Hillcrest vs. Lemont. BELLWOOD SD 88. . Bellwood D88 Board places Superintendent on leave for 'investigation' Bellwoods taxi bills far outpace those of surrounding districts, state education records show..