Highlights of the meeting included:
Expanded social emotional learning curriculum will benefit all students in 2017-18 - Helping students make positive choices was the focus of an overview on Student Wellness, Data and Citizenship Education, which spotlighted the District's current curricular offerings to encourage the healthy social emotional development of students by focusing on overall wellness. The District also reported on the expansion of a new curricular resource to all schools and grade levels in 2017-18 to explicitly teach behavioral expectations, while providing common language and opportunities for students to apply what they’ve learned in various social settings. Our Social Emotional Learning Committee has taken the lead in developing this curriculum and resources in conjunction with the 2020 Vision Strategic Plan. Looking ahead, vaping (e-cigarettes) was identified as an area of rising concern in our community that could be a focus for 2017-18. Park Ridge Police reported on penalties added to the smoking ordinance. District 64 also discussed our continuing cooperation with MCYAF to raise awareness about vaping’s dangers among parents and students, and our plans for a new series of “Healthy U” programs modeled after our popular Parent University. A final idea arising in this discussion of community partnerships was to explore the possibility of inviting local police into both Lincoln and Emerson middle schools to cultivate positive relationships with our students. An initial suggestion was made to consider inviting an officer for perhaps four hours a week in both our middle schools to help students see police -- along with teachers and parents -- as trusted adults available to support them. Based on the Board’s discussion, District 64 will be working with both Park Ridge and Niles police departments and our middle schools to consider how officers might be added and whether funding could be identified for a possible pilot program in the future. Our social emotional learning curriculum while strong, relies on the support and partnership of parents at home as well as the greater community.
Food composting at lunch rooms to begin - With the transition to a new District-wide food service provider and the extension of the hot lunch program to the elementary schools in 2017-18, the District will begin food composting in all lunch rooms as part of its sustainability initiatives. The Board also set a hot lunch price of $4.40 for elementary and $4.30 for middle schools this year.
Federal Title I funds will be focused on remedial math - The District recommended that grant funding for 2017-18 continue to be used for remedial math services that supplement other District programs and services at the schools determined to be eligible. The funding for the coming year is not yet known; in 2016-17, the District received almost $400,000. The grant process uses the poverty levels at each school to determine which of the buildings may access the funds. This is the fourth year District 64 has received Title I grants.
Staff added for English Learner program - The Board approved adding an additional teacher to provide required services to English Learners in 2017-18. The District's EL population has doubled in seven years, and fewer students are exiting the program this year due to new state standards.The District also reported on program improvements underway guided by feedback from a recent ISBE audit.
Board orientation on legal topics - Following the seating of new members in May, the Board is participating in a series of orientation sessions. The District's legal counsel provided perspectives on Board member duties and prohibited conduct, and reviewed responsibilities under the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and other education laws and matters. A further orientation is being planned with a representative from the Illinois Association of School Boards on self-governance and other responsibilities.
Compensation increases for administrators and exempt staff discussed - The Board discussed a proposal for 2017-18 to maintain its approach of providing Superintendent Laurie Heinz with a pool of funds to be distributed to school and District administrators as increases to base salary and potentially for market adjustments compared to regional districts. The topic will return for further discussion and Board action on August 28.