Board Meeting Summary

Glen Ellyn School District 41

April 27, 2020 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education provides a "Board Meeting Summary" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a brief description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations and action items. For the full packet of information including presentations and reports, Click Here

NOTE: In the interest of safety for Board and staff members, as well as the school community, the meeting format was adjusted. All Board and staff members participated remotely.

Meetings are video streamed live online and the videos are archived on the District website, Click Here.

In Attendance

In attendance - President Dr. Robert Bruno, Vice President Jason Loebach, Secretary Jessica Buttimer, Bruce Currie, Ted Estes, Julie Hill, Guillermo Guzman

Student Board Members: Ashlynn Kousggard and Abigail Herbold

Superintendent Report | watch

  • Strategic Planning Committee
    The District is putting the strategic plan process on hold as attention needs to be on planning for the Fall and the realities of what “recovery” will look like and mean for the District and for families.
  • Remote Learning
    Dr. Kaczkowski explained details about how the Illinois Education Association (IEA) has provided guidance that teachers can provide live virtual instruction but they cannot be mandated to do so. IEA does support an expectation that teachers provide recorded virtual instruction utilizing the platforms and tools that are provided by the school district. Dr. Kaczkowski explained that we are required to work collaboratively with our associations (GEEA and AFSCME) to develop Memos of Understanding as part of the requirements for getting the eLearning Plan approved. We are required to work within the contractually bargained agreements and the MOUs during e-learning and now for Remote Learning.
  • IASA DuPage - Scenarios for the Fall
    The Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) DuPage is working with the members of the COVID Task Force to start planning a variety of scenarios for the Fall. Dr. Kaczkwoski shared that there may be some significant challenges that we will need to tackle from the number of students in the building, on school buses, etc. The District will launch a significant communications plan inclusive of parent/community education. As of now, there has been no decision made by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) regarding what is or is not allowable for next year’s school calendar. The District will not be able to firm up any specific plan for a calendar nor for what restrictions there may or may not be when schools reopen.
  • Special Education Celebration
    Dr. Kaczkwoski shared that the District 41 special education program has been given a Meets Expectations rating by the Illinois State Board of Education. This is the highest designation given to districts. It is based on the level of compliance with Federal requirements and indicators related to the Individuals with Disabilities Act. The district's commitment to improving inclusive practices remains a major priority for the Board and for the district.


Board Reports | watch

Public Participation | none


Presentations

Special Education Review Report | watch

TJ Consultants presented their report on District 41’s special education program. This was a follow up to the 2017 special education audit conducted by TJ Consultants for District 41. Click here for the presentation.

School Improvement Plan Update - Hadley Junior HIgh School | watch

Hadley Principal Steve Diveley and his team shared information about Hadley in general and how they make a big school feel more personable through a team based approach. He also talked about his exploratory curriculum and how it provides more options for student learning. In addition, they shared student achievement and growth data. Board members asked questions and engaged in conversation with the Hadley team.
Click here for the presentation.


Discussion

Board Policy Revisions - First Review | watch

As part of the Board Policy Committee, Mrs. Buttimer reviewed the policy revisions presented to the Board for first review.


2020 Technology Recommendation - Firewall Replacement | watch

Director of Technology Mike Wood shared why we are recommending an upgrade to the District’s firewall.


Action Items | watch

Consent Agenda
At the request of Bruce Currie, the personnel report was removed from the consent agenda.

Finance, Facilities and Operations

Board Meeting Minutes

Personnel Report | watch

  • Resignation
  • Administration Compensation
  • Exempt Non-Exempt Compensation
    (Voted Yes - Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Guzman, Hill)
    (Voted No - Currie)


Superintendent Recommendations | watch

  • Transportation Contract Amendment - Hopewell

    (Voted yes - Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Currie, Estes, Guzman, Hill)

  • 2020 Technology Recommendation - Student Chromebooks
    (Voted yes - Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Currie, Estes, Guzman, Hill)
  • Agreement to Roll Over Five Vacation Days from 2020 to 12 Month Staff
    (Voted yes - Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Currie, Estes, Guzman, Hill)

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Monday, May 11, 2020 | Regular Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.