The District 64 Board of Education held its its monthly virtual public meeting Monday, May 18 to discuss regular business. Highlights include:
- Technology purchases -- The School Board moved one step closer to expanding the 1:1 Digital Learning Program to supporting kindergarten through second grade as it agreed to purchase Apple iPads for first-graders. The total cost, including cases, charging carts and licensing is $287,000. The Board is also waiting on bids to purchase Chromebooks for all second-graders. The goal is to have all students with ready access to their own devices in the event of any learning situation that might present itself. Part of the cost would be covered by the estimated $171,000 being allocated to District 64 from the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
- Tenured teachers -- Certified staff members who are about to receive tenure in District 64 were honored by the School Board Monday evening during its virtual meeting. Tenure is earned by staff members who complete their fourth year of full-time teaching in the District and move into their fifth year. This marks the end of their probationary status. In their first four years, all full-time teachers undergo a much more intensive evaluation process, with double the formal observations and are subject to possible non-renewals.