Across the Board in D303
Notes from the District 303 School Board Meeting
August 8, 2022
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
Naming of the John Vanko Community Room
The Community Unit School District 303 School Board has named its meeting room in honor of the late John Vanko, who served as superintendent from 1991-1996. Vanko was previously assistant superintendent from 1976-1991, and was instrumental in several District expansion projects during his 20-year tenure.
“Educational leaders are recognized in various ways in this community for their part in building the foundation and structure that is School District 303 today,” said Ray Rogina (pictured below fifth from left), former St. Charles Mayor and colleague of Vanko's. “It is appropriate and said with great admiration and appreciation that this School Board places the Vanko name on its decision-making, policy-creating room.”
Superintendent Report
On Monday, August 8, staff members across the District gathered for an Opening Day assembly in preparation for the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
In his email to staff following the event, Dr. Gordon remarked, "We are 1,850 staff strong, and I truly believe and know that every role in D303 has an opportunity to transform someone else’s life. To Be Here. Be You. Belong. means to take time to listen to each other, to care for each other, to be there for someone else, to help each person be their authentic self, and to create spaces where each person belongs. Together, we will model a welcoming environment for each of our 11,783 students."
The school year starts on Wednesday, August 10. Everyone is excited to welcome students back in the buildings. "Schools have this really unique piece about beginning new again each year," said Dr. Gordon. "It's an opportunity to start anew, start fresh."
Special Board Meeting
There will be a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, August 11 at 5:30 pm to discuss the Strategic Plan.
Equity Audit Report
During the next Learning and Teaching Committee meeting on Monday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m., the Board will discuss the results from the Equity Audit reports from the Catalyst for Educational Change (CEC) and the University of Chicago.
Listen Learn Return
Dr. Gordon is inviting the community to a series of listening sessions this school year to hear feedback and guide the direction of the District. All students, families and community members in the District are invited. Save the date - sessions are currently scheduled for:
- August 31
- September 6
- September 8
Times and a RSVP form will be shared soon.
Committee Reports
There was not a Learning & Teaching committee meeting in July. The next meeting will be held on August 15 to discuss the Equity Audit report.
Business Services
Mr. Lackner summarized the Business Services committee meeting that was held on August 1.
Review of Mid Valley and District 303 financial reports for June
Proposals from Business Services included in For Action items
Demographer study will help in decision making for Facility Master Plan
Final draft budget will be on display for 30 days starting on August 8
Hazardous bus routes
HVAC control infrastructure to be updated
The next meeting will be held on August 29.
Policy
Mr. McNally briefly summarized the policies discussed during the Policy Committee meeting held on August 1. The next meeting will be held on September 26.
For Discussion
- District Administration sought Board approval for the discontinuation of the Citizen Advisory Committee as a standing Board Committee.
- Listen Learn Return sessions will allow for deeper and broader community engagement in its place. The Board is hopeful that it will increase participation and encourage a wider variety of community members to feel comfortable sharing feedback on the District.
- CAC members have been invited to a meeting to review the Listen Learn Return plan and share their thoughts.
- Topics for discussion in future sessions can include Equity and Portrait of a Learner.
Audio Recording vs Livestreaming Committee Meetings
- District Administration recommended continuing to livestream committee meetings.
- New audio/video equipment will allow for reduced setup time and staff support for livestreaming.
- The District will explore adding time stamps in YouTube to indicate when discussion on agenda items begin. This will support viewers who watch the meeting recording later.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda, without item T, was approved by a vote of 7-0.
The consent agenda includes items such as:
- Minutes from previous committee meetings
- Personnel Reports
- List of Bills, Treasurer's Report, and Payroll
- Public Display and Scheduled Public Hearing of 2022-2023 Budget for District 303
- Public Display and Scheduled Public Hearing of 2022-2023 Budget for Mid Valley
- Annual Approval of Hazardous Bus Routes for 2022-2023
- K-8 Food Service Contract Amendment
- Technology Purchases
- Updating Appointed Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Complaint Managers, and Title IX Coordinator
- Adoption of Policy Revisions from PRESS Issue 109
- Adoption of District Policy Revisions
- Gifts and Donations
Item T: Policy 2:230 Public Participation at School Board Meetings
This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda for clarification.
The item was passed by a vote of 7-0.
For Action
The motion passed by a vote of 5-2.
- At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, Administration received a letter from the Village of Wayne expressing concern over the usage of Country Club Road by District 303 buses.
- Based on the District’s current bus routes, the total annual fee due to the Village of Wayne would be $5,400.
- The Board's attorney recommends adoption of the agreement to prevent incurring fines and to keep routes efficient.
- The Board hopes to explore other resolutions in the future.
HVAC Control Infrastructure
The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.
- The District recommends the purchase and installation of JACE (Java Application Control Engine) controllers to replace obsolete and outdated HVAC controls.
- Total cost of upgrades will be $77,451.
Demographer Contract
The motion passed by a vote of 6-1.
- As part of the Facility Master Plan, the District would like to complete a detailed enrollment study and facility capacity study to ensure the District is utilizing its current buildings efficiently.
- The District recommends contracting with RSP & Associates to complete both studies.
- RSP & Associates expects to have data and analysis to present to the Board by January 2023.
Triple I Registration
The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.
- 5 Board members plan to attend the Triple I Conference in Chicago from November 18-20.
- The total cost for 5 members to attend will be $3,545.
Facility Master Plan - Guiding Principals
The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.
- District Administration and Wold Architects have developed a set of guiding principles that will be used to prioritize projects.
For Information
District 303 Financial Report
Mid Valley Financial Report
FOIA Requests
Preliminary District Enrollment
New Business
- New Training Opportunities
- Field Trips
- Let's Talk