Even though 90 percent of Community Consolidated School District 89 students met or exceeded statewide testing standards for math, science and reading in 2009, officials said Monday that the district failed to meet all necessary criteria for adequate yearly progress (AYP) for the first time since federally-mandated achievement targets were set in 2003.

"Black and Hispanic students are not performing at the same level as our White and Asian students and those are some areas we need to focus on and adjust," Assistant Superintendent for Learning, Emily Tammaru said at the CCSD 89 monthly meeting.

Discussing the District's 2009 student achievement report, Tammaru said that while CCSD 89 test scores among all students dropped two percentage points and statewide testing scores rose one percent, overall the district still ranks well above the state average.

"The number of schools in Illinois not making AYP is increasing as standards escalate and state funding goes down," CCSD 89 Superintendent, Dr. John Perdue said. "Three years out from now I'm sure this will look entirely different."

Dr. Perdue also made mention of the consequence-driven nature of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), which requires complete compliance with testing expectations to maintain current funding levels, noting  that the bill requires schools to have 100 percent of students meet or exceed AYP expectations by 2014.

In addition to the report on the district's testing report card, board members agreed to begin seeking bids for a potential district-wide hot-lunch program and approved the 2010-2011 budget. Dr. Perdue said the budget's nearly $300,000 deficit is largely the result of State Board of Education shortfalls.

The Board also discussed that, beginning Sep. 21, nominating petitions would be allowed to circulate for three CCSD 89 Board of Education seats in the upcoming April 5, 2011 Consolidated Election. Board member Mary Kataura announced at the meeting that she will not be seeking reelection, and Board President Lori Gaspar and Board member Terry Lachcik said they were undecided and would make an announcement at the next monthly meeting on Oct. 18.