In addition to announcing the five educators who have achieved National Board Certification, other highlights of the meeting include:
- Discussion continues on draft of School Resource Officer agreements - Building on its previous lengthy discussions last month, the Board finalized proposed wording changes, and identified several points needing further discussion, primarily focused on the number of police who could serve as SROs at the schools. Intergovernmental Agreements are needed with both the City of Park Ridge and Village of Niles before a pilot program to place an SRO at D64 middle schools for 8-10 hours per week can be launched.
- Board authorizes 2018-19 staffing plan to maintain class size guidelines - With enrollment projected to swell by 73 students in the coming year across the District, the Board authorized up to seven new classroom teachers and up to four associated staff for "special" classes (art, music, physical education, and Spanish) so that class size guidelines can be maintained. Actual hiring, however, does not occur until all students are fully registered and class counts have been reverified when a new homeroom section is to be added to a grade at any school.
- Additional elementary school resources approved - The Board approved the addition of one elementary Assistant Principal so that Carpenter and Franklin schools will each have a full-time assistant administrator, instead of sharing one person. The schools have experienced a 20% increase in combined enrollment over the past six years.One Special Education Coordinator also will be added to provide services and support to the elementary schools, similar to the middle school ratio.
- Required student fees will remain unchanged for 10th year - Required student fees will remain the same in 2018-19 for grades K-8. The Board approved increases for participation in interscholastic sports and cross country, and for the optional Extended Day Kindergarten Program and the Community Preschool Program.
- Additional Roosevelt summer 2018 work approved - The Board approved a $72,000 asbestos abatement project in preparation for flooring replacement in hallways and the art room previously approved for summer 2018.
- Special Education audit will get underway in April - District 64 has selected Lisa Harrod of LMT Consulting to lead an audit that will provide a baseline study of the District's current service delivery model and point out both strengths and opportunities for growth. The consultant also will be introduced to parents at the next Special Education Parent Group meeting on Wednesday, April 11.
- Progress continues during Year 3 of 2020 Vision Strategic Plan - District 64 provided a written report tracking significant activities during the first half of 2017-18 on the plan's six strategic objectives related to student learning, professional development, finance and facilities.
- Other Board matters - The Board approved a Settlement Agreement with Student 2017-18(2); took action on various staffing resolutions legally required before the end of the school year; and reviewed a series of policies recommended for routine updating, which will return for adoption at an upcoming meeting.