D103 News
School Board Highlights
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Community Participation
About 50 members of the community attended the Board of Education meeting. Many in attendance asked the Board to make masks optional in schools. Other members of the community asked to keep the mask mandate in place at this time.
Learning Update
Lawsuit Overview: Dr. Scott Warren, D103 Superintendent, shared the status of a lawsuit against D103 and over 140 other school districts across Illinois. The lawsuit questions the legality of mandatory mask requirements and quarantining students who are close contacts to someone with COVID. Dr. Warren said the ruling, including the judge’s decision to lift the mask and quarantine mandates, only applies to the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. The Attorney General and defendants filed appeals and a ruling is expected to be made by the end of next week.
D103 “Off Ramp”: Dr. Warren and the Board discussed an exit strategy around current Covid mitigations including mask wearing. Over the past few months, the Board and administration have been discussing this exit strategy as well as asking for guidance from state and local organizations on this topic. To date, no state or local health department guidance has been given. Dr. Warren said he would work with school administrators to outline a plan including a timetable to prepare and educate staff, students, and parents regarding mitigation changes including making masks optional during school hours. The Board agreed that now was a good time to have a plan given the decline in COVID hospitalization rates and the number of COVID cases.
Vaccine Clinic: D103 is offering a vaccine clinic on Saturday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Laura B. Sprague school. Booster shots for ages 12 and older as well as 1st and 2nd dose shots for 5-years-old and older will be available.
COVID Metrics: COVID numbers in Lake County and the District 103 area are declining.
Website Refresh
A new design and upgraded functional District website is ready to be launched. Margaret Van Duch, Communications Coordinator, worked with the District’s host company, Blackboard, to create the improved site. Ms. Van Duch solicited input from staff and parents in the upgraded creation, layout and functioning of the website. An overview of the new design was presented at the meeting.
Backup Generators
Administration presented the Board with an estimate of the cost to purchase backup generators in order for Half Day and Sprague schools to operate critical systems for safety and security during temporary power outages. The Board requested further information on larger units that would power the entire building, not just critical items. Additional information will be provided at the next board meeting.
Enrollment Review
A report on enrollment projections indicated fluctuations of between 1,785 and 1,844 for D103 K-8 students over the next 5 years. Currently, there are 1,834 students, from kindergarten to eighth-grade enrolled in D103 schools. Enrollment projections will be used to determine classroom sections needed and draft the staffing plan for next year.
Associate Compensation
The administration recommended increasing the starting rate of English Learners (EL) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) associates from $15 an hour to $17 an hour, including increasing those individuals already in these positions, in order to remain competitive with neighboring districts. The Board is expected to act on this proposal at its next meeting.
Energy Resiliency Commission
The Board decided to continue investigating the potential benefits of participating in a Co-op of governmental organizations looking into potential energy efficiencies. At this time, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allowing Veregy to review the district’s gas and electric usage with possible recommendations for upgrades will be signed. The MOU will have no financial burden to the district.
Board of Education Meeting
The next Board of Education meeting will occur at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 22. The notice and agenda can be found on the District 103 Board meeting website page. D103 board meetings are being held in-person and live-streamed each month on our YouTube Channel. Members of the community should attend the meeting at 111 Barclay Boulevard, Lincolnshire if they would like to make a public comment. The public can also contact the Board at board@d103.org.
D103 Calendar of Events
Partnerships
PTO
The D103 PTO is a completely volunteer-run organization, dedicated to enhancing and enriching the educational experience of our students. Please visit the PTO store to become a member.
LFF
Leaders in Learning
Email: ask103@d103.org
Website: www.d103.org
Location: 111 Barclay Blvd, Lincolnshire, IL 60069, USA
Phone: 847-295-4030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolDistrict103/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @district103