Across the Board in D303
Notes from the District 303 School Board Meeting
February 13, 2023
All agenda items, documents, and recorded meetings are available to view on BoardDocs.
School Board
Joe Lackner, Vice President
Becky McCabe, Secretary
Jillian Barker
Kate Bell
Matthew Kuschert
Ed McNally
Superintendent Report
District 303 schools are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness week through various acts of goodwill to their fellow students, teachers and throughout the community. On Monday, the Anderson Elementary Student Council stopped by to distribute hand sanitizer as part of its "Spread Joy, Not Germs" campaign.
National Board Certification Renewals
National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment of a teacher’s pedagogical skills and content knowledge. The certification process generally takes one to three years to complete.
This past year, 10 teachers in District 303 recertified as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). They include: Lindsay Amezotchi, Andrew Johnson, Denise Leatherman, Lindsay Madej, Rory Pine, Julia Sanderson, Sharon Stewart, Scott Von Essen, Kristin Williams, Michael Zernone.
These teachers were among 336 across the state of Illinois to be recertified, while 127 teachers in the state achieved certification for the first time.
National School Counselor Week
February 6-10 marked National School Counselor Week. Thank you to District 303’s School Counselors for the work you do to connect with our students. Each day, our counselors at all levels are supporting students throughout their educational journeys and helping them meet their goals upon graduation, including college and career readiness.
Susan Brenner Named Assistant Coach of the Year
The Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTCA) recently named Susan Brenner the 2A Illinois Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2022 season.
Brenner is coach of the St. Charles East High School JV1 Girls Tennis team, which completed an undefeated regular season and had the highest placement in the conference tournament in decades.
Book Reconsideration
A reconsideration request was submitted by a community member for the book “Home After Dark.” This book is available for check out in the high school Learning Resource Centers, and is not a required reading. The submitted request noted concerns with drawings on two of the book’s pages. Per the District’s reconsideration guidelines, a committee made up of representatives from the District and community was formed to review the book and determine whether it will remain accessible within our schools.
The committee concluded that the drawings support the storytelling, it is not salacious, and its purpose is not intended to cause sexual excitement or arousal. The committee stated that the subject matter is appropriate for grades 9-12 and will remain in high school libraries.
The requestor also asked the committee to review Policy 7:315 - Restrictions on Publications: High Schools. This policy only governs student-generated publications and does not fall within this reconsideration process.
During the January Board meeting, Dr. Gordon provided an overview of the selection process for LRC materials.
Data Dashboard
The Data Dashboard provides a monthly summary on the health of District 303. This chart, which will be updated monthly on the District website, provides an overview of nine important measurements in the categories of Academics, Operations and Belonging.
For February, two new measurements are featured: 8th graders on track to pass Algebra 1, and 9th graders on track to graduate.
Reports to Board
Superintendent Committee Updates
This presentation shared a progress update on District 303’s Strategic Plan and the work of the Strategic Plan Development Committee, which has been meeting regularly since September. The Strategic Plan guides the District’s long-term priorities, resources and intended outcomes in order to drive student success. The committee is made up of nearly 20 individuals, including two Board members, two students, District administrators and certified and classified staff members.
The presentation shared Strategic Plan draft updates in the following areas:
- Theory of Action: Outlines techniques for implementing plan
- Core Values: Definitions of Belonging, Perseverance and Achievement
- Profile of a Graduate: Characteristics to be instilled in each student
- Strategic Priorities: Definitions and action steps
The committee anticipates sharing the final version of the Strategic Plan in May, and it will launch in August for the 2023-2024 School Year. In the coming weeks, the committee will use continuous feedback loops to gather input from the full Board and other stakeholders throughout D303.
Equity Committee
The Strategic Plan features elements of the District’s equity work, which is being prepared by the Equity Committee. This group is using data from last year’s equity audit to build an equitable and inclusive learning environment for each student. The committee is also made up of Board, staff and student representatives, and its full complement of work will be aligned in the Strategic Plan’s final version.
The Equity Committee’s work is being built upon three foundational components: Belonging, opportunities and meaningful participation; which collectively are represented within the Strategic Plan. To achieve this work, these components must be included and maintained within District 303 curriculum, instruction and assessment, so that students see themselves positively represented in the resources and materials used. Success indicators for each student will include ELA and math proficiency, a sense of belonging, reading on grade level or beyond by third grade, and graduate with early college credit or industry credentials.
The Equity Committee will also use continuous feedback loops to gather input in finalizing its work and fully aligning to the Strategic Plan.
Listen Learn Return Update
Approximately 70 people attended over the two sessions to hear a status update on the action steps for this theme. We provided additional feedback data, updates on the District’s Facility Master Plan, and previewed the enrollment and capacity study that will be unveiled at the February 23 Business Services Committee, beginning at 4:45 p.m. This report will be distributed by RSP & Associates, a demographer hired by the District last fall to review how District buildings are currently being utilized and to project future enrollment, including impacts from new or planned developments in the community.
Board Committee Updates
Received a presentation on Mathematical Discourse in schools, including how the District is adapting to new state standards, existing strengths and opportunities for growth. Board members are beginning to participate in classroom observations to see how this type of learning and others are taking place. The next Learning and Teaching Committee meeting is on February 21.
Business Services
Proposed changes to school fees were discussed, including reductions and removal of some fees, and increases to others. There was also discussion on maintaining the District’s two food service providers for the 2023-2024 school year, and partnering with West Chicago to fund a crossing guard. The Business Services Committee will meet next in a special meeting on February 23.
Policy
Reviewed Policy: 7:20 Intra-District transfer for elementary students. Four policy change scenarios were presented for consideration. The Board will revisit the policy once its able to review the demographer report that will be presented during the Feb. 23 Business Services Committee special meeting. Changes to the PRESS policy packet were also reviewed. The next Policy Committee meeting is on March 23.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was approved by a vote of 6-0.
The consent agenda includes items such as:
- Minutes from previous committee meetings
- Personnel Reports
- List of Bills, Treasurer's Report, and Payroll
- Budget Calendar FY 24
- School Fees FY 24
- Board policies
For Action
Handle with Care Memorandum of Understanding
Motion to table to item for a later date. Motion carries 6-0.
The proposed MOU between the St. Charles Police Department and District 303 is aimed to further implement an initiative aimed at addressing children's exposure to violence and trauma. The focus of the MOU is on notification to the school system by law enforcement when a child is exposed to trauma in the home or in the community. This is done to enable the child's school to handle the child with care upon his or her arrival at school the next school day following the incident.
Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System Intergovernmental Agreement
Motion carries 6-0.
The agreement is between Districts 303, 300, 301 and U-46 to offer shared career and technical education programs where desirable and practical. This provides each district with a wider variety of programs and more efficient services.
SCESP Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Substitutes
Motion carries 6-0.
The MOU clarifies language that is already in the contract and adds one group, speech teacher assistants. Compensation remains the same.
Settlement Agreement and Release – KR Miller Contractors, Inc. Litigation
Motion carries 6-0.
Notice of Remedial Warning of Teacher
Motion to table item. Motion carries 6-0.
This item was discussed in closed session.
For Information
Informational reports are typically provided monthly to the Board. There is no action taken.
District 303 Financial Report
Mid Valley Financial Report
FOIA Requests
District Enrollment
New Business
An opportunity for Board members to bring up items that they would like to discuss at a future Board or committee meeting.
- No new business items were presented