Highlights of the meeting include:
- Field School welcomes Board for annual visit - Principal Jason Bednar welcomed the Board for its annual on-site meeting, and shared a video of students describing what they are excited to be learning and their favorite class activity so far. Student engagement is a District-wide focus this year.
- Balanced budget passed for 2017-18 - Concluding a process initiated in early 2017, the Board adopted a final budget with an operating surplus for the year of just under $1 million. The budget is a reflection of the work that the District will continue this year guided by the third year of the 2020 Vision Strategic Plan in terms of curriculum, technology, special education, staffing and facilities. Updated financial projections also show that based on current assumptions, the Board will not only meet its promise to taxpayers as part of the 2007 referendum to not request additional referendum funding for at least 10 years, but extend it to at least the 2020-21 fiscal year. The complete budget and informative accompanying reports may be viewed on the Financial Data - Current webpage.
- Status of safety and security improvements reviewed - The District detailed the recommendations made by RETA Security in its 2013 physical security audit; what has been accomplished thus far to enhance security and safety practices; and what remains to be done. The 10-year Health Life Safety survey and five-year Master Facilities Plan incorporate enhancements at all buildings. Recommendations for summer 2018 facilities projects were introduced at the September 18, 2017 Committee-of-the-Whole: Facilities and will be returned for further discussion at upcoming Board meetings.
- Intergovernmental agreement approved with Park District - District 64 and the Park District have added a separate agreement regarding facilities use and operations specifically for the Beyond the Bell before/after school recreational program.
Adding to their continuing orientation following the spring elections, at a Committee-of-the-Whole earlier in the evening Board members participated in a "Starting Right" workshop guided by a representative from the Illinois Association of Schools Boards (IASB). The workshop focused on clarifying roles and responsibilities of the Board and Superintendent, and on coming to consensus on working relationships and expectations for the team.