Board Briefs
March 9, 2020
Deerfield Public School District 109
Public Hearing: e-Learning Days
The purpose of the hearing was to seek input from school personnel, parents, and other community members concerning the provision of the School Code allowing for eLearning days in lieu of closing schools and using an emergency make-up day as amended by Public Act 101-0012. Section 5/10-20.56 of the School Code contains the minimum requirements to ensure staff and student participation in an eLearning day will allow the day to be counted as a day of student attendance.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, notice was published in The Lake County Sun News on Friday, February 28, 2020.
There were no public comments.
Superintendent's Report
COVID-19
Dr. McConnell updated the Board on the District's efforts and response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The District is taking proactive steps to ensure a safe and healthy school environment. The District continues to take guidance from the Lake County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Health and also remains in contact with local school districts.
For more information about please see the COVID-19 Updates webpage on our website.
Kindergarten Registration
Dr. McConnell shared that there are currently 240 kindergarteners registered for the 2020-2021 school year, which is down 35 students from this time last school year.
Middle School Schedule Update
Dr. McConnell gave an update regarding changes to the middle school schedule. Throughout this school year, teachers and administrators have been working on a schedule solution to address declining enrollment. At this time, there are still some outstanding questions and finishing touches to be put on any proposal. Therefore, with the time sensitive nature of creating student schedules and course offerings there will be no changes to the middle school schedule for the 2020-2021 school year.
Discussion of Recording Future Board Meetings
Various options and cost estimates for recording future Board meetings were presented. The Board discussed their preferences of recording the Board meetings as well as the options presented for recording. A final proposal will be coming to the Board at a future meeting.
World Language
The Board of Education approved a recommendation to return to three years of world language in middle school (in lieu of “Launch” in 6th grade). Starting in 2020-21, 6th-8th graders will have the opportunity to learn Spanish, French, Hebrew, or Mandarin for three years. DPS109 and Deerfield High School have, and continue, to collaborate to ensure curricular alignment.
Math Programming
At the January Board meeting, math programming proposals were presented as a result of the feedback gathered from stakeholder groups and further review of student data. As approved by the Board of Education at Monday’s meeting, two pathways of mathematics will continue to exist in 6th grade. Upon entering 7th grade, this will expand to three pathways.
The 7th and 8th grade pathways are as follows:
Pre-Algebra Pathway: Students will receive grade-level standards. This pathway prepares students for the transition to an Algebra I course when entering high school.
Algebra Pathway: Students will receive a compacted curriculum in 7th grade, which is a combination of 7th and 8th grade Common Core Standards. In 8th grade, students will receive Algebra I. This accelerated pathway prepares students for the transition to a Geometry course when entering high school.
Geometry Pathway: Students enrolled in this pathway complete Algebra I in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th grade. This advanced pathway, which is accelerated two years, prepares students to enroll in Algebra 2 Advanced or Algebra 2 Honors when entering high school.
Families will hear further information from their school about any changes to their child’s placement later this spring.
Action Items
The consent agenda was approved.
Personnel items were approved.
Bills for payment were approved.
The destruction of closed session recordings from August 20, 2018, was approved.
Administrative contracts for the 2020-2021 school year were approved.
The settlement agreement for L.C. was approved.
The contract with School Exec was approved.
The proposal to offer three years of world language in grades 6-8 was approved.
The proposal for math programming in grades 5-8 was approved.
The e-Learning plan was approved.
The DESSA probationary non-renewal was approved.
Open Community Participation
There was no open community participation.
Upcoming Meetings
Monday, March 30, 2020 - Regular Board Meeting
Monday, April 20, 2020 - Regular Board Meeting
Monday, May 18, 2020 - Regular Board Meeting
