ACROSS THE BOARD
October 2021 Committee Meetings
October 18: Learning & Teaching Committee Meeting
October 18: Special School Board Meeting
October 21: Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting
October 25: Business Services Committee Meeting
Agendas, minutes, documents, and recordings from all meetings are available to view on BoardBook.
Learning & Teaching Committee - October 18, 2021
Equity Audit Proposal
The Consortium for Educational Changes presented information about their equity audit process.
Purpose: Provide insight into the local culture to continue building an equitable school system.
Benefit: The community can have a more robust conversation and build on next steps.
Design: The Building Equity Taxonomy provides a snapshot of key indicators related to equitable programming.
Background on the Consortium for Educational Changes (CEC)
CEC built collaborative cultures and equitable, evidence-based practices that support student learning across districts and schools. They have partnerships with institutions across the country to provide the best services, but they do not make political contributions.
The CEC defines educational equity as:
- Access
- Opportunity
- Success
Audit Process
- Questionnaire
- Data review
- Listening tours: Interviews & focus groups
- Throughout the process, CEC will intentionally include a variety of many voices. This includes students, parents, and staff members.
CEC will provide findings through:
- School- and district-based reports
- A summary of key findings
- Suggested next steps
Special Education Overview
Purpose:
Ensure that all students
- Have equal access and make progress in grade level curriculum.
- With disabilities receive free and appropriate education.
- Are educated in the least restrictive environment.
Ensure that decisions are based on each student's unique needs.
The team presented data from the 2020-2021 school year on students who are eligible for special education.
2021-22 Enrollment & Future Projections
Class Size Guidelines
Presented by Mrs. Jan Geier
The class size guidelines balance student needs, programs, staffing, space, district needs, community priorities, and the budget.
Recommended students per class:
- Early childhood blended classroom: 14-15 students
- Elementary school: 24-27 students
- High school and middle school: 24-27 students with an educator load of 125 students in 5 classes
District 303 plans for classes with an overall average of 24 students.
Early Childhood and Elementary Enrollment Data as of October 5, 2021
Presented by Mrs. Jan Geier
Fox Ridge also has 25 students enrolled in walk-in speech services.
Comprehensive data for each elementary school is available to view on BoardBook.
Presented by Mrs. Audra Christenson
Currently, 82 students are enrolled in Compass Academy
- 31 full-time Compass students
- 51 part-time students - these students are counted in enrollment data for their attendance area high school
Enrollment Projections
Presented by Mr. David Chiszar
- Mr. Chiszar reviewed the capacity, enrollment, and projections for all schools.
- The Illinois Department of Public Health will invite us back into their offices soon to gather about 1.5 years of correct birth rate projections.
- Currently there are under 12,000 students across 13 grade levels, which is projected to remain consistent.
Innovative Learning Goal Discussion
In regards to the district’s goals for student achievement, Dr. Pearson and Dr. Igoe asked the Board to clarify the following:
Is the district asking the right questions to monitor progress and achievement?
Which points of data should be brought to the attention of the Board when considering progress towards the district’s goals?
Dr. Pearson presented these questions for the Board to consider when assessing student achievement goals:
Is the district making progress towards the overall goal with all students?
Is the district making progress towards the overall goal at an appropriate rate with all students?
If not, how do we need to adjust our resources to move us toward our goals?
Dr. Igoe presented key monitoring milestones the district uses to track student progress.
At each grade level, the district asks certain questions to determine if students are meeting their growth targets.
The district is also considering looking at post-secondary data to ensure that the district continues to support students on various paths to success after graduation.
Future Agenda Items
- Student Achievement Report
- World language resources
- Update on math/phonics implementation
- Equity Audit
The next Learning & Teaching Committee meeting is scheduled for November 15 at 5:30 p.m.
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Special Board Meeting - October 18, 2021
The School Board received guidance from legal counsel to create a special committee to review current grievances against school board members.
The other option is for the UGP to come directly to the full board.
The creation of this committee is temporary and will conclude at the end of the current grievances.
Mrs. Barker appointed Mr. Lackner, Mrs. McCabe, and Mrs. Bell as the representatives.
Board Vacancy
The timeline to fill the Board vacancy is as follows:
October 25: Applications are due. Applicants will be sent a questionnaire.
November 1: Due date for applicants to complete and return questionnaire. Candidate questionnaire packets will be made available to the public shortly thereafter.
November 8: Board members will be in closed session to review applications.
November 22: Candidate interviews at 5:30 p.m.
November 29: Selected candidate will be seated at a special meeting prior to Business Services.
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Citizen Advisory Committee - October 21, 2021
Superintendent Report
For Discussion
CAC Norm Review
- A 6th norm was discussed as a potential addition.
- It proposes that committee members bring items to meetings instead of engaging in sidebar conversations outside of meetings so all can participate.
- The committee ultimately decided that the norm was not defined well enough to be added.
- Mrs. McCabe asked members to reach out to Mrs. Smith with ideas relative to the proposed norm.
Community Wonderings
This item will now be included at each meeting giving members opportunities to ask Dr. Pearson to respond to questions or wonderings they are hearing in the community.
There were no wonderings at this meeting.
Open Meetings Act/Legal Considerations
CAC members are required to complete electronic training on Public Access Counselor's Open Meetings Act (OMA). However, the training is offline indefinitely. Mr. Steven Richart, an attorney at Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn (HLERK), reviewed committee members' responsibilities under OMA.
Mr. Richart's presentation provided an overview of OMA, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), confidentiality, and communications.
Connecting with the Community
In small groups, the CAC addressed key thoughts from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) document, Connecting with the Community: The Purpose and Process of Community Engagement as Part of Effective School Board Governance.
Future Agenda Items
- November 18, 6 p.m.
- January 27, 6 p.m.
- February 24, 6 p.m.
- March TBD
- April 28, 6 p.m.
- May TBD
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Business Services Committee - October 25, 2021
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Leadership Council
- This is a new student group of juniors and seniors from East, North, and Compass.
- 46 students have applied.
- The first meeting was held on October 27.
Transportation
- On Friday, October 22, we had struggles covering some bus routes in the morning. However, adjustments were made so that only 2 buses were delayed in the afternoon.
- The district needs about 12 bus drivers.
- Accepted applicants will need to complete about 6 weeks of training before beginning.
Vaccine Clinic
- Booster shots will be available for staff members on November 19.
Details and the registration form will be sent by e-mail next week.
For Discussion
Financial Reports
Presented by Ms. Melissa Maeder
Mid Valley September 30, 2021 Financial Report
Both revenues and expenditures are trending slightly lower than the previous year, but there are currently no areas of concern.
CUSD 303 September 30, 2021 Financial Report
- The state of Illinois is making Evidence-Based Funding payments.
- There are no concerns about revenues or expenditures.
- There is an additional investment account at 5/3 Bank.
CUSD 303 Near Final - June 30, 2021 Financial Report
Miller Cooper is wrapping up the report and will make a presentation in November.
COVID-19 Financial Impact Summary
- $650,000 for devices has been charged to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II fund.
- We have expended all ESSER I and ESSER II funds and are waiting for word about the FEMA/IEMA grant application that was previously submitted.
Facility Master Plan (FMP) Update
- A recommendation for air conditioning in community rooms and gymnasiums will be brought up at the November meeting.
- The standards for delivery are now at 40 weeks, which is double what it was pre-pandemic.
- The FMP will be a standing item on Business Services meetings going forward as we plan for the next 10 years. Using it as a lens to apply to the buildings will help the district make decisions concerning operating within our financial means, using spaces efficiently, enrollment balance between buildings, and other decisions.
Facility Planning/Criteria for Prioritization presentation
Presented by Mr. Dan Kritta from Wold Architects
- Recommendations from the FMP Committee
- Criteria for establishing priorities
- District standards for spaces/programs
- Comparing buildings to standards
FY 2021-2022 Capital Improvement Plan
- Mr. Baird and Mr. Kritta are reviewing the Capital Improvement Plan.
- Due to issues in the supply chain, these items are brought up early to ensure enough time to bid for items and for delivery.
- The Thompson Middle School track only has a base track. The plan has always been to put the additional layer three years out.
2021 Tax Levy Workshop and Determination Resolution
- The Baker TIF is expiring and will come back on the levy cycle
- Most homeowners in District 303 will not see a significant increase in their 2021 property taxes. Some residences might even see a decrease.
Silver Glen Property Farm Lease
- The District owns 39 acres on the corner of Silver Glen Road and Crane Road.
- The property is leased to a farmer who is interested in continuing the lease.
- Revenue from that property will be $8,262.94.
Substitute Teacher Pay
Substitute rates in school districts across Kane County have increased since January. To remain competitive, the District asked the School Board to approve of increasing pay for substitutes as follows:
- $120 per day
- $140 per day longevity rate
- $200 per day for long-term substitution
If the Board approves of the increase, the new rates shall take effect on November 29.
Renewals to be Approved
Infinite Visions Software Suite supports our Finance and Human Resources Departments. The cost of renewal this year is $92,443.85.
WeVideo Editing Software
WeVideo is an easy to use cloud-based video editing software used by students and staff in every building. The cost of renewal this year is $25,994.88.
Future Agenda Items
- Building standards
- Tax Levy
- Food Service
- Purchase of mowers
The next Business Services meeting is scheduled on November 29 at 6:45 p.m.