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Regional superintendent denies Union County petition to consolidate

BY BRENT STEWART
THE SOUTHERN

UNION COUNTY - Janet Ulrich, regional superintendent of schools for Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Union counties, has denied a petition to consolidate Lick Creek CCSD 16, Anna CCSD 37, Jonesboro CCSD 43, and Anna-Jonesboro CHSD 81 into a new unit district.

Ulrich's order will now go to the Illinois State Superintendent of Schools Christopher Koch. Koch could also deny the petition, affirming Ulrich's order or he could approve the petition, sending it back to be placed on the March ballot.

After the state superintendent makes his decision, it can be appealed within 35 days.

This instance of consolidation is actually a first in Illinois. The option for consolidation, an Optional Elementary District or Hybrid District, was first enacted by the Illinois legislature in 2008. Voters in each elementary district would decide whether their school will be part of the new unit district. If there is not a majority of votes for consolidation in the particular district, they are not included.

Ulrich said her decision was based solely on the merits of the petition and that the Committee of Ten did not reach their burden of proof that consolidation would improve the districts' situations.

"I could not see where their plan to improve or plan to change the districts for the better, in the best interests of the children, was clear and concise," Ulrich said. "There just wasn't a definite plan put together."

At a public hearing Nov. 22, the Committee of Ten, who were chosen to execute their petition, presented their evidence to Ulrich. Three of the four school boards - Lick Creek CCSD 16, Anna CCSD 37 and Jonesboro CCSD 43 - were represented by attorneys who testified opposing the legality of the petition.

John Bigler, both a member and an attorney representing the Committee of Ten, said there were definite problems with Ulrich's order and criticized her handling of the hearing and decision-making process.

"The bias she has shown throughout this process, we weren't surprised she denied it," Bigler said.

Two studies were conducted concerning consolidation - one by Midwest School Consultants, funded through the Illinois State Board of Education and the other by Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk and Miller, LTD, of Monticello, funded by Cunningham Investments.

The study by Midwest School Consultants recommended the "all or nothing" consolidation option, where all districts must vote to approve the unit and be included.

The other study by Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk and Miller, LTD recommended the hybrid reorganization because it felt it was the best way a unit district could be accomplished.

Bigler said the Committee of Ten has yet to meet to discuss Ulrich's order, but they would most likely contact the Illinois State Board of Education with their concerns before Koch's decision.