Board Update 8/14/2023
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Board Recognition/Presentations
Agenda Item 3.0
Summer Programming – 3.01
Staff members provided a recap of 2023 summer programming for CCSD59, including what programs were offered, feedback from families, and opportunities for growth in the future. You can view the presentation here.
ACTION ITEMS
Agenda Item 7.0
Approval of Board Policies Recommended by IASB – 7.01
Strategic Goal (SG) 3: Family and Community Partnerships
The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Policy Reference Manual provides a system for regularly updating policies to ensure legal compliance. Every policy is reviewed at least once every five years or as a result of state or federal, Illinois School Code, or Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) regulation or rule changes. The administration also makes recommendations for policy revisions as needed. Additionally, the board of education is required by School Code to review select policies either annually or every two years.
The board approved the recommended revisions, which will reflect in the Board of Education Policy Manual.
Approval of Phone System Upgrade – 7.02
Strategic Goal (SG) 4: Stewardship of Resources
The district issued a request for proposals (RFP) to purchase a district-wide telecommunications system that will incorporate fifteen locations throughout the district and replace the current system that is over 10 years old.
Proposals were received from 11 vendors, and the board approved awarding the recommended contract to B2B Networks for a Ring Central System at a cost of $241,343 for the first year and $137,032 for years two through five
DISCUSSion Items
Agenda Item 8.0
ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Title I School Improvement 1003(a) Grant and IL-Empower School Improvement Plan Approval
SG 2: Inclusive Learning Environment
Any school in Illinois that is targeted for improvement by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) must have a School Improvement Plan approved by the district Board of Education. Rupley Elementary was designated as a targeted school as part of the Illinois School Report Card two years ago, meaning a group of students performed below a specific level.
Rupley staff created a plan to address the necessary improvement, which the board reviews annually. The school has received $54,000 from the state to help implement this plan. If this targeted group shows improvement to earn a higher designation before the four-year timeline of the plan, Rupley can exit the plan early. It is currently year two of the plan.
INFORMATion Items
Agenda Item 10.0
Educational Alignment Studies Update: Brentwood & Junior High Schools – 10.01
Strategic Goal (SG) 4: Stewardship of Resources
Wold Architects & Engineers has been contracted to perform an educational alignment study on the three junior high buildings as well as Brentwood Elementary. Representatives from Wold have been part of discussions at the Facilities and Finance Committees and also attended the recent space utilization meeting at Brentwood.
Wold is expected to present their findings to the board at the September 11, 2023, board meeting.
Superintendent’s Safety Committee Update – 10.02
Strategic Goal (SG) 3: Family and Community Partnerships
The Superintendent’s Safety Committee met on Monday, August 7, to complete annual emergency procedure reviews, share updates, and discuss continuous improvement of school safety. The meeting included representatives from our four municipalities, Cook County, teachers, and district administrators. Areas of continued focus this year are risk assessment procedures, communication procedures, emergency procedures, and school resource officer programs. Task forces will be established for each of the areas of focus from the Safety Committee, and each task force will share updates with the CCSD59 Board of Education throughout the 2023-24 school year.
Staffing & Class Sectioning – 10.03
Strategic Goal (SG) 4: Stewardship of Resources
Dr. Terri Bresnahan reiterated the importance of keeping class sizes in mind as one of the district’s eight areas of focus. Elementary class sizes currently range from 9-27 students, and staff members have been relocated this summer to help alleviate some of the challenges posed by increased class sizes and program sectioning needs. Staff are planning to convene a task force to look at possible changes for next school year that would help mitigate the class section challenges.
