District 103
School Board Highlights
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
National Board Certification Recognition
Congratulations to Half Day teachers Kerry Sweet, Art Teacher, and Ashley Smidt, Music Teacher, for recertifying their National Board status. The Board congratulated them at the meeting. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students, and schools. It was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. Teachers must recertify every five years to maintain the certification status.
Celebrating Success
Half Day Principal Jill Mau and fifth-grade students shared with the Board the school’s Hawk Nest initiatives that are made up of team building activities as part of their social emotional learning.
Guided Program
The Guided Program is for students with diverse learning needs. It focuses on functional academic skills, social communication, independent living skills, prevocational skills, self care, and self management. For the past 10 years, Districts 96, 102, and 103 had an intergovernmental agreement to share services and host a grade level band in their districts (D102 Grades K-2, D96 Grades 3-5, D103 Grades 6-8). In discussions this year, it has been determined that each district will begin to have some students who attend the Guided Program return to their own districts in the 2023-2024 school year, and all students to return to their home districts by the 2024-2025 school year. The new structure will benefit all students as they will attend their home districts.
Staffing Plan for District 103
The Board reviewed a second draft of the district certified staffing plan, classified plan, and administrative plan. Staffing is based on the educational needs of the students as well as the district’s class size guidelines. The Board will approve the staffing plan at a future meeting.
Bus Lease
The Board reviewed the district’s expiring lease contract with Midwest Transit Equipment. Patrick Palbicke, Assistant Superintendent for Business, recommended renewing the contract. The estimated cost for a 2-year lease will be $566,634 a year, for all vehicles. The Board will take action on the recommendation at a later date.
Reproductive Health Update
District 103 sixth- through eighth-grade health teachers and Katie Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, have reviewed the alignment between the grades 6-8 puberty/reproductive health curriculum and the National Sex Education Standards for Illinois schools. The Illinois State Board of Education adopted these standards in June 2022 for use in reproductive health units. After an extensive review of state and national sex education standards, Mrs. Reynolds shared with the Board that the district does not have any plans to teach the National Sex Education Standards (NSES) in its entirety to students, but will include portions of the standards. For more information, please review the complete report to the Board.
Board Meeting Dates
The Board reviewed Board meeting dates for the 2023-2024 school year taking into account holidays, conferences, and school breaks. A couple of dates were adjusted. The Board will approve the meeting dates at a future meeting.
Annual Financial Report
Under a new amended state requirement, the Board reviewed the FY-2022 audited Annual Financial Report. The amended school code requires each school district to approve the annual State Board of Education report regarding improving fiscal efficiency through shared services or outsourcing at an open meeting with an opportunity for public comment, in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. In addition, the school district must also publish the report on the school district’s website, which it has done.
Superintendent’s Report
There has been an uptick in behavior issues at Daniel Wright resulting from online behavior choices that begin outside of school, Dr. Scott Warren, Superintendent, reported to the Board. He said students have been using electronic devices to post negative comments or pictures on social media sites, emailing, or texting each other. At the Board meeting, Dr. Warren encouraged parents to monitor students’ online behavior, talk to students about proper online behavior, and restrict access to their devices when misbehavior occurs. When the behavior occurs at school, the district investigates, addresses the inappropriate behaviors, and provides consequences appropriate to the level of the misbehavior, Dr. Warren said.
Teacher Conference Feedback
We are gathering feedback from families regarding their experience with remote conferences. Please take a moment to complete this short survey prior to Friday, March 24. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Your Opinion Matters
Parents, please participate in this state survey by giving feedback on school climate and learning conditions in District 103 through the state-administered, Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
This 20-minute survey is a great way for D103 parents to provide input into the five indicators from the survey that affect and predict school success:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
For more about the survey, please visit the D103 website.
Board of Education Meeting
The next Board of Education meeting will occur at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 21. The notice and agenda can be found on the District 103 Board meeting website page. D103 board meetings will be 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.
Partnerships
LFF
The Learning Fund Foundation is a group of volunteers who collaborate to bring innovative learning programs and experiences to students across all D103 schools. We welcome you to check us out and learn more at one of our monthly meetings. Contact us at lff@d103.org for more information.
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.
D103 Calendar of Events
Leaders in Learning
Email: ask103@d103.org
Website: www.d103.org
Location: 111 Barclay Boulevard, Lincolnshire, IL, USA
Phone: 847-295-4030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolDistrict103
Twitter: @district103