Virtual Board Briefs
Summary of the June 22, 2020 BOE meeting, held virtually
Board Briefs is a newsletter-style overview of the highlights of the Board of Education's discussion and action. You can find the meeting agenda online here, and look for minutes of the meeting to be posted after they are approved at the next BOE meeting (July 13, 2020).
D34 Board Meetings: Virtual for Now
tinyurl.com/D34BoardMeeting
Meeting ID 87144781279
Password LoveD34
Public Hearing: Remote Learning Plan
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning Dr. Matt Silverman presented an overview of the Remote Learning Plan required to be submitted to the state. The State of Illinois requires districts to submit remote learning plans for approval, per Public Act 101-0012 of the 101st Illinois General Assembly.
After approval by the Board of Education, the plan will be submitted for approval to the North Cook Intermediate Service Center (NCISC). If approved by the NCISC, the plan will be in effect for three years, allowing the District to utilize Remote Learning for emergency days.
In the regular meeting, the Board approved the Remote Learning Plan.
Superintendent's Reflections
The administration will present a detailed plan for Board approval at the July 13 meeting.
Community Participation
- Jana Tranas, parent of District 34 students, expressed that other professions are going back to work, and that risk can never be eliminated only reduced. She said that the District has an obligation to the taxpayers to open schools and educate the children.
- Becky Thalmann, parent of District 34 students, shared appreciation to Dr. Delli and staff taking time to lay out all the thinking around Fall. She asked two questions:
- What is the specific type of decision making (democratic, consensus, etc.) for the 50 person Fall Planning committee to put forth recommendations to the Board?
- How will the committee and Board select the Fall recommendation?
During this period, the Board is in listening mode. Responses to questions or other follow-up information is provided to the community member directly and, when appropriate, to the community as a whole.
Resolutions
The Board also approved the Remote Learning Plan.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Eric Miller presented the tentative budget, which shows a deficit of approximately $3 million. It assumes a loss of revenue and increased expenses (for PPE and cleaning supplies) due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, Mr. Miller said that there likely will be changes before the budget is final. The Board approved the 2021 tentative budget and the call for public hearing on the budget.
Discussion
Mentor Program Update
They shared comments from the mentees, including:
"My mentor is fabulous! It has been incredibly helpful to have a mentor to discuss different things with. The weekly meetings are also very helpful to ensure that I am getting everything I need from my mentor and the program. It is very well organized and helpful. I feel, as a teacher with experience, I am still getting what I need and thing that are helpful and valuable."
Teaching & Learning Updates: Summer Learning, Fall Planning
Summer CAMP
There are 650 students registered in the free summer learning program (CAMP) open to all students. The summer learning team designed a creative, engaging lessons and activities. The PTAs, Glenview Education Foundation, Staples and Culver's are community partners providing support of the District's program, and the student campers:
PTAs are donating $3,000 to fund a keychain for each student. The students will add to their keychain each week, over the duration of the 4-week Summer Learning program. These funds will also pay for the supplies to mail the to kits to each of the students’ homes.
The GEF donated $10,000 to funds to supply students in need with a summer learning supply kit. These kits contain basic school supplies that will enhance our students’ camp experience.
Staples at 1509 Waukegan Road is donating 500 notebooks to students participating in our Summer Learning program. These notebooks will serve as journals so our campers can write about their summer experiences.
Culver’s on Waukegan Rd. is donating up to 1000 certificates for free ice cream. Anyone who completes at least one week and fills out a form will receive the certificate in the mail.
Fall Planning
The team shared information on the staff, student and parent survey results that the fall planning team reviewed as they began their work and discussed the planning process and the considerations (much of which was shared in the parent webinar the previous week). They shared diagrams the District's architects prepared to show what a typical classroom could look like if the distancing requirements are in place. Parent review panels will provide input before the fall planning team makes a final recommendation and before the Board makes a final decision at the July 13 Board of Education meeting.
Board President Natalie Jachtorowycz said that the primary concern is the safety and health of students. Dr. Delli expressed the importance of the Illinois State Board of Education providing timely guidance to school districts.
Transitions and social emotional learning are being addressed in planning, with building relationships at the center. The District nurses are helping the District interpret and understand the health information and guidance. The recommendation will be a framework with parameters.
Second Community Participation Period
- Robin Cohen, parent of D34 students, asked if the District has considered two tracks, an e-learning track for families not comfortable sending children and an in person option. She also expressed the wish to see actual instruction of content taught via Zoom if we are in an e-learning situation. She felt that students had almost no direct instruction, small group meetings, leveled groups, and that children had limited opportunities for teacher feedback during e-learning at the intermediate grade level in the spring.
- William Chapman, parent of D34 students, pointed out that the e-learning policy suggests a period of learning that is twice as long as the regular day for kindergarten and asked the intent of requiring 5 hours of instruction when a normal day of instruction is 2.5 hours/
- Dana Doffin, parent of D34 students, shared appreciated for the thoughtfulness and time taken to share the preliminary information. She expressed concern at the idea that children would be required to stay in their seats for the entire day and not have clear plans or ability to move. She said that children need large muscle movement for their brains to work in a way that benefits their ability to learn and there will be significant challenges in the classroom with children who can’t move around.
Meet the Board of Education
Glenview District 34 is governed by a seven-person Board of Education, elected by the community, that consists of the following individuals:
- Natalie Jachtorowycz (President)
- Jim Baumstark (Vice President)
- John Heggie
- Katie Jones
- Mike Korman
- Scott Nelson
- Diane Stefani
You can contact the Board at board@glenview34.org.
About Us
Email: news@glenview34.org
Website: www.glenview34.org
Location: 1401 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL, USA
Phone: 847-998-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/glenview34
Twitter: @glenview34