District 113A Votes to Close Central School

7-0 vote to shutter school reflects intent for district-wide reorganization.

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education approved the closing of Central School for the 2011-2012 school year. The district reorganization plan approved by board members will send all students in early childhood through second grade to Oakwood School, and all third- and fourth-grade students to River Valley School. All fifth-grade students will attend Old Quarry Middle School, along with students in sixth through eighth grade. The decision is based on the district's need for a "sound long-range plan, fiscal responsibility, optimization of facilities and optimization of staffing resources," according to District 113A Supt. Tim Ricker. The closing of Central School will save …

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Central School Principal Announces Resignation

Gina Rodewald will leave Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A this fall for a principal position in Gower School District 62.

Central School Principal Gina Rodewald has submitted her resignation from Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A to accept a new position at a Willowbrook elementary school this fall. Rodewald, who has served in District 113A for 14 years, informed faculty and staff last week that she had accepted the principal position at Gower West Elementary School in Gower School District 62. The hire was formally approved Tuesday night by the District 62 Board of Education, Rodewald said. "I knew that my role (in District 113A) would be changing, though I wasn't completely sure because we haven't settled on any scenario," she said. "This was an opportunity for me to look into other possibilities. I do love it here, though, so it was a very …

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Science Grant Provides Unique Opportunities for Central School Fifth-Graders

Students took part in a Family Science Night at DuPage Children's Museum last week, taking part in experiments and fun activities.

Most students start their weekends with possibilities of sleepovers or a night at the movies. But last Friday, the fifth-graders from Lemont’s Central School got to experience something different. Thanks to a professional development grant awarded to teacher Michelle Anderson from the DuPage Children’s Museum, her students and their families got to spend the evening at the Naperville facility, taking part in a Family Science Night. The event included science games, hands-on experiment and other fun activities. When Anderson initially heard about the Exploring Forces and Motion grant offered by the DuPage Children's Museum, she immediately applied. “I take every opportunity I can for professional development,” she said. “I keep pushing …

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Lemont Election Log

Election Issues: District 113A Candidates Talk Central School

School Board candidates offer their perspectives on key issues in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A.

On March 4, Patch published its 2011 Election Central, a complete guide to the April 5 consolidated election in Lemont. There you'll find voter information, recent election news and complete candidate biographies. Before Lemont voters head to the polls, Patch wants to give readers an opportunity to compare where candidates for the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A School Board stand on key issues. We will publish the questions in separate posts over the next two weeks, along with responses from all nine candidates. Are you in favor of closing Central School? Why or why not? If the referendum does not pass I would be in favor of any measure that would reduce the need to cut more teachers and keep the class sizes from becoming …

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District 113A: Failed Referendum Would Likely Force Closing of Central School

Without an increase in revenue, the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education is expected to make another $670,000 in cuts this year.

Administrators in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A will begin working on plans to close Central School next year as they prepare for the possibility of a failed referendum in April. During Monday's regular meeting of the District 113A Board of Education, board members were presented options for facility use and reorganization, which will in large part be determined by the outcome of the proposed $20 million working cash bond referendum on the April 5 ballot. Should the referendum fail, the district would need to make cost reductions of at least $670,000, per the financial plan approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. "We need to have parallel planning in place for whether the referendum passes or fails," District …

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Tom Klimczak

10:16 am on Monday, February 28, 2011

Yes. Absolutely. You must demonize yourself. As a counselor, you know the effect that a good verbal assault on oneself can have. LOL I do lament every one of our brothers and sisters of the paycheck chuck wagon who have had their pay cut, be it hours, pay rate, benefits, or, in the case of those who own their own businesses out there, sales. Every story hurts. Pat, although this did affect you in…   more ›

Lemont Students Encouraged to Enter New Community-Wide Art Showcase

All entries for the Artistic Expressions program are due Wednesday, Jan. 19, at any of Lemont's public or private schools.

Students have just a few more days to enter Artistic Expressions, the new art showcase sponsored by several public and private elementary schools in Lemont. Created by the Lemont Parent-Teacher Organization, Artistic Expressions celebrates the creative talents of Lemont children. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are encouraged to enter projects in the following categories: photography, fine arts, literature, video, dance, music or computer-generated art. The program is open schools in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A, as well as SS. Cyril and Methodius School, St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick’s School and Everest Academy.  Students may submit one entry in the individual category, and one in the group category. All …

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LHS Drama Club Hits the Road for Annual Winter Children's Play

Students performed "Fairy Tale Courtroom" on Friday, Dec. 3, for senior citizens at Franciscan Village and students at River Valley and Central schools.

The Lemont High School Drama Club took their act on the road last week for their annual winter children's play. Students put on three performances Friday, Dec. 3, for students at River Valley and Central schools. They also traveled to Franciscan Village to provide entertainment for the seniors' weekly social gathering. This year, students performed "Fairy Tale Courtroom," which tells the story of the Big Bad Wolf and Wicked Witch being prosecuted for their various crimes in fairy tale land. The play was about 45 minutes long, and was directed by students. "With the children's play, we try to take a step back as directors and let the students have fun with it," said Drama Club sponsor Sharon Jacobs, who oversaw the production with Lemont …

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Lemont Schools Go Green Thanks to State Grant

Old Quarry, River Valley and Central receive funding for recycling and reduction efforts.

Three schools in Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A will be "greener" this year after receiving grants  to buy materials and implement programs that will reduce their impact on the environment. The Illinois Zero Waste Schools Grant Program awarded more than $10,000 to Old Quarry Middle School, River Valley and Central School for the 2010-11 school year. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) provided the grants to each school based on a formula that takes into account the number of students in each school.    Funding for each school was: Oakwood School applied for the grant, but did not receive one. With limited funding available, DCEO denied some schools within the same district if they felt the application…

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