Superintendent's Welcome
By Mike Ryan
August 14, 2007
On behalf of the Board of Education, administrative staff and students, I would like to welcome you to Erie Community Unit School District #1 where our students are our first priority, and our best asset is our excellence in educational tradition. Our students' test scores, graduation and attendance rates continue to be above the state averages and we are proud of their efforts that provide this standard of excellence.
The communities of Erie, Cordova and Fenton make up the Erie Community Unit District. With a population of approximately 3,000, Erie rests on the Rock River, along I88, just thirty-five (35) minutes from the Illinois Quad Cities. The district encompasses 156 square miles.
Excellence in Education is our vision and we continue to strive for this excellence!
We have one of the finest public school systems anywhere, staffed by experienced, dedicated administrators and enthusiastic, hardworking teachers who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students. We have technology-rich facilities that are well maintained to provide a safe, caring environment that is highly conducive to learning. Ongoing professional development is an integral part of District #1's learning community. Our certified staff continues to participate in graduate programs. The ultimate effectiveness of our district depends on the quality of our employees.
District #1 is fortunate to have an active and highly involved Board of Education and an experienced administrative staff who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our work.
Building strong home/school partnerships is one of our keys to success. When parents are involved in their children's education, the children excel.
Erie #1 also embrace the concept of continuous improvement and work to incorporate the best practices into our instruction and curriculum. We make every effort to provide an educational program that is engaging and challenging and encourages students t develop into citizens who continue learning, not only inside the classroom, but also outside the classroom and throughout life. We believe in the uniqueness of the child. Every child comes to school with a different set of background experiences that make up his/her personality, attitudes, and abilities. It is necessary for our staff to make every effort to meet the needs of each student.
If you haven't already already had the opportunity, I encourage you to take a firsthand look at our schools, programs, and activities all found here on District #1 web pages. We are extremely proud of our programs and facilities, but most importantly our families, students, and staff.
School District Highlights
* Recognized in the State of Illinois as a Top 10 School District for Operating and Instructional Expenditures per pupil ($10,200).
* Acknowledged as one of the top Unit School Districts, through ISAT testing, in Whiteside County.
* 2007 ACT Scores were 22.5% in the core areas.
* First School District in United States to have the entire district powered by a 1.2MW wind turbine.
* All school district attendance centers are fully air conditioned.
The Board of Education, administration, and teachers plan to continue our motto in the years ahead: "Erie School - Where Students Come First".
It is my hope that you will enjoy the journey as you visit the Erie School District web site!
