Board Briefs
Highlights of the February Board of Education Meeting
Welcome to Board Briefs
Note: This communication should not be viewed as a replacement to the minutes taken at each Board of Education meeting. While we aim to provide critical information about need-to-know topics, all of our stakeholders are encouraged to view the full agenda and minutes from each meeting in order to have a deeper understanding.
Board Discussions
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine for District 44 Staff
January 25, 2021 was the date set by the Governor for the vaccine to be available to educators and those 65-years and older. There has been a great deal of confusion and concern over accessibility.
Districts part of the Glenbard consortium partnered together to offer the vaccine as quickly as possible to our staff. The clinic officially opened this week, with 170 of our staff members able to be vaccinated with the first dose this coming Saturday. We are hopeful we can continue offering this to 170 staff members at a time until all are vaccinated.
Superintendent Ted Stec cautioned, though, that availability of the vaccine remains very much out of our control. While we do have a plan in place for our educators, all of our staff should continue to explore as many avenues as possible.
Review of Current Instructional Schedule
- Availability of the Vaccine: While some vaccines have been made available to our staff, accessibility remains very much in flux. We have been promised much more than we are receiving. This continues to impact the overall timeline as to when all staff could be potentially vaccinated.
- Local COVID-19 Positivity Rates are Declining. This has resulted in local communities opening up with bars, restaurants, etc. expanding their offerings.
- Area School Districts are Expanding Onsite Options. Locally we are seeing schools modifying their schedules to have students in school for more days.
Superintendent Stec noted that these factors have greatly influenced parent interest in us expanding our own instructional model. Parents are seeing their communities open up, and they are expecting the same from schools.
He also has heard a growing number of concerns from parents about lack of student interest in school; wanting more instructional offerings on Wednesdays; and expanding specials to occur more frequently throughout the week. Our first and second grades also seem to be the grade levels struggling the most with student engagement in learning.
Members of the Leadership Team spoke to the Board about all of the considerations the team has been evaluating to improve upon our current schedule. Part of this work has been centered around the possibility of condensing smaller onsite class sections so students can be in more frequently. Building administrators shared with the Board how this would look different building by building and grade level by grade level, noting space restrictions and higher in-person numbers at some schools compared to others.
Board members noted that moving forward with this would require clear communication regarding the possibility of district-wide inequity. We would also have to reinforce our continued commitment to safety.
When Will We Know More? Expectations of Communications
- THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18: DISTRICT COMMUNICATION ISSUED TO STAFF
Focus: What the changes will be to the schedule and when they will be implemented
- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19: DISTRICT COMMUNICATION ISSUED TO FAMILIES
Focus: What the changes will be to the schedule and when they will be implemented
Following this first round of communication, additional communication will follow in March, which will included a survey for parents to choose their preferred learning model following spring break.
Board Approval
2021-2022 School Calendar Approved
- The first day of school FOR STAFF will be August 16, 2021
- The first of school FOR STUDENTS will be August 18, 2021
- The last day of school (pending no winter weather days) will be May 25, 2022
For more information, please click here.
Looking Ahead
- Update on Current Instructional Schedule
- Plans for Upcoming School Year
Meet the Lombard District 44
Website: https://www.sd44.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=435498&type=d&pREC_ID=946172
Location: 150 West Madison Street, Lombard, IL, USA
Phone: 630-827-4400