Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education met June 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The first regular meeting of the month of June of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order by Board President Brad Paulsen at 7:00 PM. To maintain social distancing practices during COVID-19, this meeting was held virtually through ZOOM as permitted by Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-39.
ROLL CALL
Upon the roll being called, the following were virtually present:
Board Members: Brad Paulsen
Chris Crabtree
Rob Hanlon
Susan Booton
Ginna Ericksen
Dave Long
Jim Mathieson
Also in Attendance: Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent
Mr. Bill Farley
Dr. Charlie Kyle
Mrs. Erica Loiacono
Mr. Rodney Mack
Mrs. Melissa Murphy
Dr. Chris Silagi
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Board President Paulsen led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPENING STATEMENT
President Paulsen noted that due to the current social distancing guidelines and Executive Order 2020-39, the Board Meeting was being conducted via Zoom. The community was able to view and listen to the meeting via the link that was provided to the public on the District 200 website. The members of the audience were reminded there was no opportunity for live comment or interaction with the Board. The public was thanked for their understanding of the need for the meeting to be conducted in this format.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Agenda and Non-Agenda Items during Virtual BOE Meeting
Due to current social distancing guidelines and the Stay at Home Order, The Board of Education temporarily modified public comment procedures for Board Meetings. There was one opportunity for public comment on both agenda and non agenda items at the beginning of the meeting.
Community members who wished to provide public comment could send an email to the Board of Education at board@cusd200.org between the time the packet was released and 6:58 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The emails were read during the virtual Zoom Board Meeting during the public comment portion of the agenda. A copy of each email was also sent to each member of the Board of Education.
Public comments are valuable and important to the Board of Education. We welcome the opportunity to listen to concerns and issues that are important to our community.
Please be aware that it is the Board’s regular practice, to not directly discuss, ask questions, or take action on public comments until the time has been taken to gather adequate information.
The Board is there to listen. Lack of action or a direct response following public comments does not imply any lack of interest in what is being shared.
In addition, to preserve confidentiality, the Board and its President reserve the right to request that items relating to either personnel or students be provided to the Board privately or in writing for consideration in a future closed session, if necessary.
The Board must protect the civility and decorum of the meeting. Please be respectful for the duties of the Board, our District Leadership Team, and the democratic process in your public comment:
- Please limit your email comments to a length that can be read in 3 minutes.
- Please be factual and courteous, and do not include statements that are personally disrespectful or condescending to members of the Board or staff.
The public was thanked for their understanding of the need for this temporary procedure and for the interest in providing feedback to the Board of Education.
President Paulsen noted there were two groups of comments, those that were submitted to be read for public comment and another group of emails that appear to be regular board communication, and not clear they are to be read for public comment. It was noted that Dr. Schuler would read those emails submitted stating for public comment and if time, read the general topic and person submitted information from the other emails, as is detailed in board policy 2:230, which allows 30 minutes for public comment.
Speaker Adeline Hakes
Topic Combat Racism and Discrimination in D200
Speaker Lee Samuelson Prior
Topic Addressing Equity and Proactive Practices
Speaker Cheryl Davidson
Topic Return to In-Person Instruction
Speaker Kelly Gross
Topic Arts Education
Speaker Mary Yeboah
Topic Equitable Educational Experiences and Outcomes for All Students
Speaker Mark Cechini
Topic Arts, Music, PE - Funding
Speaker Gina DeCarlo
Topic Equity in Our Schools - Proactive Measures
Speaker Mayura Kumar
Topic E-Learning Survey
Speaker Michelle Gorman
Topic Acknowledge/Celebrate Pride Month
Speaker Julie Logan
Topic Curtailment of Normal School Curriculum Offerings/Extracurricular Activities
Speaker Kimberly Andersen
Topic 5G Infrastructure in Schools
Speaker Karen Hecht
Topic Summer Programs and School Opening
Speaker Carolyn Sultz
Topic Next Year Learning Environment
Speaker Emma Quiroa-Crowell
Topic Racism in the District – Bring Justice and Equality to Victims
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Dr. Schuler reported the following:
· June is Pride Month – Dr. Schuler recognized the LGBTQ+ students, parents, and community members, not just during Pride Month, but every day. They are valued members of our school community.
· The District continues planning for the next school year. There has been a lot of feedback received regarding the fall and the reopening of schools. An update as to where the District is at will be provided later in the agenda. Teams continue to provide detail regarding planning for in-person instruction, remote instruction, or a combination of the two. A specific plan will not be provided at tonight’s meeting. Plans cannot be finalized until updated guidance is provided from the IL State Board of Education, which is expected to be released later this month.
· A calendar change will need to be made for the fall. The upcoming fall election day will be a holiday for all schools in the State. As of today, it is not clear how that will be reflected in the calendar. We are waiting for additional guidance from the state.
· Annika Barron, a 2020 graduate from WWSHS, was the winner for the graduation speech contest in the Chicago Tribune.
· Gifts accepted by the Board of Education for the 2019-2020 year totaled $249,603. These gifts to the district came from partner organizations (such as PTA’s and the Student Excellence Foundation), as well as from individuals that made donations. The list was uploaded to the Superintendent Report on the board agenda.
There were questions and/or discussion on the following:
· It was requested that Dr. Schuler read the public comment from Emma Quiroa-Crowell in its entirety, instead of summarizing the comments from the former student.
· The feedback from the virtual graduation ceremonies that the District held for both WNHS and WWSHS, as well as the virtual staff recognition event was very positive. The Board thanked all those involved with the process.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Acceptance of Gift from Lincoln Elementary School PTA – Recommend acceptance of gift from Lincoln PTA as presented.
2. Approval to Post High School, Middle School, and Elementary School Handbooks for the 2020-2021 School Year – Recommend approval to post-high school, middle school, and elementary school handbooks for 2020-21 school year as presented.
3. Approval of Literacy Footprints Online Subscription - Recommend approval of Literacy Footprints online subscription as presented.
4. Approval of Zearn Math School Subscriptions for a Districtwide K-5 Pilot - Recommend approval of the Zearn Math School subscriptions as presented.
5. Approval of IReady Personalized Math Instruction Subscriptions - Recommend approval of IReady Personalized Math Instruction subscriptions as presented.
6. Approval of Imagine Reading Digital Subscription – Recommend approval of Imagine Reading digital subscription as presented.
7. Approval of Resolution of CARES Act Changes and Authorize Amendment to the Community Unit School District #200 403(b) Plan and the Section 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan for Wheaton Community Unit School District No. 200 – Recommend approval of the resolutions authorizing the District’s Administration to implement and administer the Plan changes authorized by the CARES Act and to approve and execute the Plan amendments incorporating CARES Act changes as presented.
8. Approval of Physical Education Uniforms Proposal – Recommend approval of physical education uniforms proposal as presented. (Moved to Action Items #2)
9. Approval of Athletic Trainer Services Contract Proposal – Recommend approval of athletic trainer services contract proposal as presented.
10. Approval of Single Student and Small Group Student Transportation Services Contract Extension – Recommend approval of single student and small group student transportation services contract extension as presented.
11. Approval of Contract Second Amendment with Organic Life, LLC – Recommend approval of the second amendment to food service contract with Organic Life, LLC as presented.
12. Approval of Cafeteria Plan Restatement – Recommend approval of Cafeteria Plan restatement as presented.
13. Approval of FASTBridge Assessment Software – Recommend approval of FASTBridge Assessment software as presented.
14. Approval of Lease for District Desktops and Laptops – Recommend approval of lease for district desktops and laptops as presented pending review by legal counsel.
15. Approval of SentinalOne End Point Security Anti-Virus Renewal – Recommend approval of SentinalOne End Point Security Anti-Virus renewal as presented.
16. Approval of Network Access Control and Firewall Solution – Recommend approval of Network Access Control and Firewall solution as presented.
17. Approval of Bills Payable and Payroll – Recommend approval of the bills payable and payroll as presented.
18. Approval of Minutes – May 13, 2020, Open and Closed and Approval to Destroy Recordings of Closed Sessions Prior to January 2019 As Allowable by Law – Recommend approval of the minutes as presented and approval to destroy recordings of closed sessions prior to January 2019 as allowable by law.
19. Approval of Personnel Report to Include Employment, Resignation, Retirement, and Leave of Absence of Administrative, Certified, Classified and Non-Union Staff – Recommend approval of the personnel report as presented.
Member Booton requested that Consent Agenda item #8 (approval of physical education uniforms proposal) be moved to Action item #2.
There were questions and/or discussion on the following:
· #3,4,5 – approval of digital materials. Mrs. Murphy will provide a detailed update in an oral report later on the agenda. These materials will benefit the remote learning experience and are good quality purchases, whether the instruction will be in-person or remote.
· #2 – approval to post handbooks:
o Any changes, errors, or questions should be provided to the Administration before the July meeting.
o Handbooks – necessary to address the move to a 1:1 technology environment?
o Verification of how parents acknowledge they are aware of the handbook and how to access it electronically.
· Schools operating in Phase 4 – schools would reopen, but the specific conditions or guidelines as to how that will work or parameters set by the state have not been released as of today.
MOTION
Member Booton moved, Member Hanlon seconded to accept the Consent Agenda as modified, moving #8 to Action Item #2. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.
CONSENT AGENDA 2
1. Acceptance of Workers’ Compensation Renewal with SELF - Recommend acceptance of the workers’ compensation renewal with SELF as presented.
2. Acceptance of Liability Insurance with CLIC – Recommend acceptance of liability insurance with CLIC for the term July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, as well as the fiduciary policy and the cyber policy as presented.
It was noted these two items sit under this separate agenda as there is a Board Member who will abstain from the vote.
MOTION
Member Ericksen moved, Member Crabtree seconded to accept the Consent Agenda 2 as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 6 (Ericksen, Crabtree, Booton, Hanlon, Long, Paulsen), NAY 0, ABSTAIN 1 (Mathieson).
The motion carried 6-0-1.
ACTION ITEMS
Approval of Lease for 1:1 Chromebooks for High School Students
The Master Technology Plan presented in February 2020 Committee of the Whole presented the plan to move to a 1:1 device technology solution for both the high school and middle schools during the 2021-2022 school year. Given the state of education and e-learning that was thrust upon all this spring, the District has moved up the need to move 1:1 to this fall.
During this school year, high school students used and tested a 1:1 solution if they were enrolled in a blended class. A device was identified that will fit most needs for high school students in District 200. With COVID-19 the planning moved up one year so all students will be ready for the fall no matter how school will be scheduled.
The Acer model preferred is a touch screen chromebook with an interactive pen that increases functionality in the science, math, and art curriculums. The District is purchasing 4200 of these units and moving all the current high school chromebooks to the middle and elementary schools.
The addition of these 4200 chromebooks allows the District to have one device for each student grades 1-12, thus allowing us to be 1:1 at all three levels. The total cost of the chromebooks is $1,398,600.
Quotes for the best leasing options were requested. Lease quotes from three leasing companies were received. The proposal from Providence Capital was the best option for the District with the lowest total cost and a yearly payment of $359,947.
The total cost of the lease $359,947 is allocated in the 2020-2021 Technology Budget.
There were questions/comments/discussion on the following:
· The effort of the Technology Department, as well as all buildings’ staff to get technology devices in the hands of students and families once the decision was made in mid-March to suspend in-school instruction.
· The likelihood that remote learning will be part of the plan for next year, as there are
families that are not comfortable returning to the classroom until a vaccine for Covid-19 is available.
· High School and Middle School students will be assigned devices to be available during the school day, as well as for use at home.
· Are there any other pieces that will be needed to have students fully access classroom learning from home?
· The continued monitoring of hotspots to ensure students/families have access to the internet.
· Part of core team conversations - staffing considerations if classroom teachers have students learning in the classroom and students who will be e-learning from home.
· Budget implications of purchasing devices in the FY21 budget as opposed to the planned purchase for the 2021-22 school year.
· The use of CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) dollars toward technology purchases.
· CARES Act – definition, determination for distribution among institutions. It is estimated there will be one million dollars allocated to the District under the CARES Act.
It was recommended that the Board approve the lease as presented pending review by legal counsel.
MOTION
Member Mathieson moved, Member Hanlon seconded to approve the lease as presented pending review by legal counsel. Upon a roll call being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0.
The motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Physical Education Uniforms Proposal (Moved from Consent Agenda #8)
In May 2017 the Board of Education approved the proposal from Wheaton Sport Center to be the supplier of student Physical Education uniforms for a three school year period. This contract expires on June 30, 2020.
A request for proposal was prepared and sent to several vendors. The advertisement for the proposal was also placed in the local paper and on our District’s website. We received proposals from three (3) vendors: Home Team Athletics, Riddell, and Wheaton Sport Center. Consistent with the practice students were accustomed to previously, the selected vendor will store the uniforms and sell directly to the students, offer online ordering, and be available on-site at student registration days in August. The contract is for a three (3) school year period, ending on June 30, 2023, with the price to hold constant for the entire three (3) school year period. After the initial three-year term, the contract may be extended by mutual agreement.
Riddell’s submission did not comply with the proposal specifications, so it cannot be considered.
After an evaluation of the proposals, it was determined that the proposal from Wheaton Sport Center qualified as the best selection.
It was recommended that the Board of Education approve the proposal from Wheaton Sport Center to be the supplier of student Physical Education uniforms for a three school year period, ending on June 30, 2023, as described above, and authorize the administration to execute a contract with Wheaton Sport Center in accordance with the proposal.
MOTION
Member Crabtree moved, Member Long seconded to approve the proposal from Wheaton Sport Center as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 6 (Crabtree, Long, Ericksen, Hanlon, Mathieson, Paulsen), NAY 0, ABSTAIN 1 (Booton).
The motion carried 6-0-1.
ORAL REPORTS
Proactive Practices and Equity Work
Throughout the 2019-2020 school year, District 200 has been engaged in proactive practices aligned to equity work. The work is aligned with the District Mission Statement to inspire, educate, challenge, and support all students to reach their highest level of learning and personal development. The District’s Vision 2022 Plan identified an action step to provide experiences and instruction to develop students’ appreciation of culture and diversity.
The Administration provided an update on the District’s proactive practice and equity work.
This update included the information on the following:
· Proactive Practices – Equity Work
o Why?
§ Our Mission
§ Our Vision
§ BOE Policy
§ Many Positive Ways Staff and Students Bring Diversity to our Schools
o Dialogues
§ EC-12 Leadership and Staff – August 2019 through June 2020
§ Community – December 2019 through February 2020
o Social-Emotional Learning
§ School Connectedness
§ Trauma-Informed to Trauma Responsive
§ Action Steps
o Student Discipline & Restorative Practices
§ Student Discipline Data Analysis
§ Trauma-Informed Perspective
§ Action Steps
o Human Resources
§ Analysis of Intervention and Supports for Equitable Allocation
§ Active Recruitment of Diverse Teaching Candidates
§ Action Steps
o Student Learning
§ Diverse Texts Purchase
§ WNHS Curriculum Work (SEED Grant Funds)
§ Spanish Language Arts Exploratory Committee
§ Co-teaching Training and Implementation
§ Multilingual Parent Roundtables
§ EL/Bilingual Language Calendars/Newcomer Choice Boards
§ Action Steps
o Community Engagement
§ Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC)
§ Board of Education
§ DuPage ROE Equity Microcredential for Building Principals
§ Action Steps
There were additional comments on the following:
· Educators serve as allies and advocates for students and families.
· Racism has no place in our society, yet still exists.
· Listening and learning from our families and community members of color.
· How can we contribute to positive change?
· Staff must work to ensure that we create and sustain an inclusive culture where children feel safe, cared for, and supported.
· Student connectedness is a core value and critical to providing equity in opportunities and outcomes for students.
· This is an update of the District’s proactive practices/equity commitments.
· A commitment to equity is a value that must always be present in our work.
· Equity practices as it relates to access to technology, connectivity, and access to resources outside the school building
· There were planned leadership dialogues during the April – June timeframe that were halted due to the stay-at-home order and Covid-19.
· Doing whatever it takes to ensure all students feel connected.
· The role of emotional wellness coordinators at the high schools, behavioral specialist models at the elementary level, and behavioral interventionists at the middle and high schools.
· Formation of an equity task force in partnership with Dr. Marcus Croom; actively being compiled with experts in the community and the district.
· The partnership with Dr. Tyrone Howard for staff-wide capacity, specific to implicit bias. Working to get Dr. Howard back, as soon as larger in-person meetings are allowable.
There were questions or comments on the following:
· Finding a way to engage our students and inform them of all of the work the District is doing in this area; adding student voice into the work that is going on.
· Board opportunity to sit in on meetings with Dr. Croom and Dr. Howard?
· The current protocol for students to communicate any problems or issues they make be having concerning an issue at school.
· Staff participation in training – how is staff chosen?
· Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) – being more proactive to get representation from groups of color.
· Response protocol – administrative procedure vs. policy.
· Purchase of diverse texts – what are they and how will they be used in terms of the curriculum?
· Potential to work with local municipalities in the recruiting of diverse staff efforts? Making communities more welcome to people of color.
· The number of students enrolled in the new class at WWSHS – African American U.S. History Class?
· The equity task force – the makeup of this committee; identifying the right time to get the group together – Zoom vs. in-person meetings.
· Curriculum renewals – important to look at unpacking the past for us to move onto the present.
· Restorative justice as it relates to our policy – do they go hand-in-hand?
· Career pathways – may be a 4-6-year plan as we grow our own. How can we work with colleges now to recruit?
· Implicit bias training – should be an opportunity for board members, as well as staff.
· The most important piece of this is the student voice – to be a part of this solution.
· The need to figure out a way to measure progress as we move forward. This will be continuous work.
President Paulsen noted the operating standard followed by the Board of Education as related to responding to emails that are addressed to “Board”. All Board members see and read all of the emails that come to the board; board members do not individually respond to emails, however, someone from staff responds on behalf of the board. Only the board president can speak on behalf of the board.
It was also noted while the board operates as one unit, speak as one voice, and cannot individually respond, board members represent the entire community and can/should be gathering information from students, parents, and the community members.
Social-Emotional Learning Report
The Board of Education is committed to providing students with social-emotional learning that enhances students’ abilities in school, careers, and life. The Board of Education has identified social-emotional learning as a key focus area. A report on the 2019-2020 Social-Emotional Learning work plan was given to the Board of Education. Additional information on adjustments to our Social-Emotional Learning Plan was also presented to the Board of Education in this report, including immediate shifts that were made by District 200 due to the pandemic, and shifts in approaches for 2020-21 in Social-Emotional Learning. The update included information on the following:
· SEL Progress and Future Plans
o From February 2020
§ 2018-19
§ 2019-20
§ 2020-21
o Shifting the Framework March to May 2020
§ Adjusted SEL Priorities in Framework
§ Comprehensive Resource Hub for SEL
§ Weekly Skill and Speaker Series
§ Wellness Wednesday
§ Grief Training
§ Closure for School Community
o Shifting the Focus, But Not the Framework
§ 2018-19
§ 2019-20
§ 2020-21
o Relationships
§ School Connectedness
· September 2019: The Foundation
· April 2020 (Postponed)
· Shifts in Approach
o Emotional Wellness
§ 2019-2020 Trauma-Informed Schools (All Students)
§ 2019-2020 Intervention Systems (At-Risk)
§ 2020-2021
§ Shifts in Approach
o Learning
§ Elementary Report Card Training/Implementation (Postponed)
§ High School Co-Curricular Participation – Baseline Data Establishment
§ Universal Screening (Research Stage)
§ Shifts in Approach
o Behavioral Wellness
§ Tier 1 Behavioral Expectations (Postponed Training)
§ Significant Behavioral Disruptions Protocol – Elem Training Spring 2020
§ Camp Kinder – Early Behavioral Intervention Program (Postponed)
§ Behavioral Wellness Programming – Alternative to Suspension
§ Shifts in Approach
o Community Engagement
§ Parent Education (Workshops, Speakers, Wellness Wednesdays, Twitter Chat)
§ Shifts in Approach
o Resources and Budget Consideration
§ Materials & Professional Learning
§ Coordinated Re-entry
There were additional comments and/or discussion on the following:
· The agility of having a flexible SEL framework.
· Grief training for loss, not only the loss of a person.
· The approach concerning school connectedness needs to be flexible.
· Behavioral wellness – shift the approach to focus on developing expectations in compliance with the health guidelines as related to arrival and dismissal, bus, lunch, movement throughout the building, classroom, bathroom, and health.
· The new budget line item is for the coordinated re-entry positions at both HS.
· The annual SEL report for the District dashboard – the administrative recommendation is for “making progress” in both areas (% of students engaged in a co-curricular activity and the annual board report SEL (State 5-essentials data).
· Key word – “shift”; everything had to shift due to shut down and Covid-19.
· Trauma-informed vs. trauma-responsive.
· Being aware of transitions for students – especially those that moved from one level to another; and working with students/families as we approach the new school year.
· Addressing any health concerns and options for the fall for staff issues.
· Building in lessons learned from isolation experiences and acknowledgment of how important human connections are to all.
· Potential for a shared virtual lunch experience should remote learning be required?
· Summer activities for kids – working with community partners – there are resources out there in place of activities and athletics that may have been canceled. (It was noted to view the choice board on the website for some virtual club opportunities for students).
Update on Student Learning for 2020-2021
District 200 is currently engaged in comprehensive planning for 2020-2021 to return students to school as soon as it is safe to do so and in compliance with all applicable guidelines. Planning instructional delivery for each potential school scenario is one of the seven workgroups preparing for 2020-2021. During the ten weeks of E-Learning District 200 surveyed staff, students, and parents to obtain feedback from different stakeholder groups. The purpose of collecting this information is to continue to understand how to meet student, educator, and family needs in an E-Learning environment and hybrid learning environment.
The instructional reopening team has created a work plan that focuses on curriculum, assessment, instructional scheduling, and professional learning for each potential school scenario. The survey results of our stakeholders have provided valuable information for summer planning. This oral report provides an overview of the results and analysis of the survey to students, educators, and families and of the work plan to prepare for student learning in 2020-2021. Mrs. Melissa Murphy provided an update to the Board. This update included information on the planning for 2020-21, including the following:
· Three Possible Plans/Scenarios
o Plan A (School with all students attending in person)
o Plan B (Hybrid option allows District to operate under CDC guidance – some inperson and some e-learning)
o Plan C (E-learning for all levels)
· Hybrid and E-Learning Digital Instructional Pathways
o Asynchronous Learning
o Synchronous Learning
· Four Key Priorities
o Instructional Schedules, Curriculum, Professional Learning, Assessment
· Guiding Question - How did we seek input about the E-learning experience?
o Stakeholder surveys (elementary students, secondary students, staff, parents)
o Survey Topics
· Guiding Question - What did we learn about E-learning from our stakeholders and what are the areas for consideration?
o Elementary
§ Student and Parent Celebrations
§ Areas of Consideration
§ Shift: Digital Resources
o Middle School and High School
§ Student and Parent Celebrations
§ Areas of Consideration
§ Shift: Blended Learning to Support Secondary Students
· Guiding Question - What has already been done and what are the additional next steps for instructional planning?
o June 1-3 Remote Professional Learning Days
§ Multiple Learning Opportunities to Prepare for Fall Instruction
o Additional Summer Professional Learning Opportunities
§ New Instructional Resources, Digital Tools, and Blended Learning Available to Staff this Summer
o Teaching and Learning Sub-Teams Key Priorities
§ Curriculum, Instructional Schedules, Assessment, Professional Learning
There were additional comments/questions on the following:
· The District is preparing for all scenarios and for quick pivots that may need to be made as the landscape changes.
· Definition of “leveled text” at the elementary level.
· How to ensure students are staying engaged when students have working parents.
· Definition of math manipulatives.
· Synchronous vs. asynchronous student learning feedback.
· This experience is changing the future, in education, but also is teaching the students to learn to adapt and to self-motivate.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
2020-21 Reopening Teams Update
District 200 has established a Core Reopening Team that is responsible for the development of
plans for opening schools in 2020-21 under three scenarios: in-person instruction, a hybrid model of in-person and e-learning experiences, and e-learning. The team is comprised of representatives from our administration, teaching staff, classified staff, and Board of Education. Updates from the Core Reopening Team were given to the Board of Education. This included updated information from ISBE regarding allowable activities that can resume as part of phase 3, including the following:
· 2020 Extended School Year (ESY) Programming
· CUSD 200 Summer Athletic and Activity Reopening
· 2020 Behind the Wheel Driver’s Education
There was additional information/comments on the following:
· Until last Friday, the message was that in-person instruction for ESY would not be allowed. The District designed the summer ESY program around this assumption.
· The administration did not recommend a pivot to in-person instruction for ESY as there were several steps to prepare for this. It would be way beyond the midpoint for ESY before in-person instruction could happen.
· Behind the Wheel Driver’s Education – the intent is to resume in one week, on June 17th .
· The requirements for the summer athletic and activity reopening were attached to the board agenda item as required by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS). The anticipated start date would also be June 17th .
· Phase 4 Core Planning Team – consists of 23 individuals.
· Six subject-specific teams are working on potential reopening protocols for each of the three scenarios.
· The need to have options ready and available so that as soon as guidelines are released from ISBE and we get clear direction as to what the fall can look like, a lot of the pertinent discussions have taken place.
· Remote learning is going to be a part of D200 fall planning, in some form.
· The parent survey that went out at the end of the year asked parents about the fall, and at least 5% of parents indicated they would not be sending their kids back in the fall until a vaccine is available, with another 20% indicating they are unsure if they would send their kids back this fall.
· The plan is to replicate the survey in another 3 weeks to see if there are any shifts in the percentages.
· The District believes an option needs to be available in the fall for families that indicate they are not comfortable with in-person learning until a vaccine is available.
· How to best accommodate those families/students that want remote learning.
· Understand how school operations will look with physical distancing.
· Physical distancing protocols – what does that look like and how does that impact the number of students in the classroom, lunch, buses, how to move within the building, recess, etc.
· Board member Booton is the board representative that sits on the core team – noted every single option is being explored and the District is doing a thorough job of looking at options.
· The need to think out-of-the-box as to what can work and what we can make work.
There were questions or comments on the following:
· Providing e-learning if parents are not comfortable returning students to in-person instruction – mandated or choice?
· How to utilize staff that may be uncomfortable coming back to in-person instruction (without creating jobs that do not exist within the school system)?
· Is it possible to aggregate all of the costs the District may experience for this and calculate a cost per student impact?
· One of the problems with having 100 staff members involved with the planning and investigating of scenarios being considered – when there are this many people involved, information gets out. Continue to remind the community nothing is official until you see it communicated by the district as official.
· There have been no conversations about cutting the arts – there have been conversations about what art may look like, what music may look like, but no conversations about cutting the programs.
Proposed IASB Resolution for Consideration
At the May Board of Education Meeting, Board Member Booton introduced a proposed resolution for consideration for the IASB Delegate Assembly at the 2020 IASB//IASA/IASBO Joint Annual Conference. A draft of the resolution for consideration was attached to the Board report on May 13, 2020, and again on June 10, 2020, and was discussed by the Board.
There were questions or comments on the following:
· This was a continuation of a topic that was presented at the May Board meeting, with the discussion centered on whether the draft of the resolution should be taken to the assembly this year or keep at the local level.
· The individual board members were asked to look at the draft resolution to decide if this is something they would like to be presented to the delegate assembly.
· The resolution drafted was on the topic of gun safety and how can we educate our kids.
· The concern over asking other school districts to implement this without our District first trying it out.
· Controversial topic – gun control; potentially unfunded mandate; national or state level discussion as opposed to the school district level.
· Inclusion of information as part of the curriculum vs. inclusion of information in the handbook?
· Would this come across better as part of a public service announcement during safety week?
· The decision point for the evening is whether to bring this forward as a resolution or put this on hold.
· Trying something internally before going the resolution route.
· The resolution deadline for this year is June 24, 2020.
Board members agreed to pause on the resolution, do something first internally, understand who the audience is, and collaborate with community partners before submitting this as a resolution. It was also recommended to check in with surrounding districts to see if they have something similar in the works and look at the potential to partner with those districts. President Paulsen will bring this to the group of school board presidents he has been virtually meeting with during his next weekly conversation.
WRITTEN REPORTS
Monthly Financial Reports FOIA Report
ELC Construction Update Board Communication Log
There was a question on the following:
· Any early feedback received regarding a delay in payment of real estate taxes? No, waiting on June 15th payment, which is the next big payment that is expected.
REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Other Reports from Board Members
· Member Long noted the feedback received from the community regarding the virtual graduation ceremonies was very positive.
· Member Mathieson is part of a City Task Force with the Downtown Wheaton
Association and includes other community organizations. As part of getting the community back operating, there are tents on Hale Street available for outdoor dining to support local businesses.
TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
FY21 Tentative Budget
Continue Discussion of 2020-21 School Year
CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session Items are Listed for Possible Action - The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees, Specific Individuals who Serve as Independent Contractors in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or Specific Volunteers of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee, a Specific Individual who Serves as an Independent Contractor in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or a Volunteer of the Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine its Validity 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).
MOTION
Member Paulsen moved, Member Hanlon seconded to adjourn the meeting to closed session for the purpose of discussing The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees, Specific Individuals who Serve as Independent Contractors in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or Specific Volunteers of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee, a Specific Individual who Serves as an Independent Contractor in a Park, Recreational, or Educational Setting, or a Volunteer of the Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine its Validity 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1). The motion carried 7-0.
There was no action expected following the Closed Session.
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session at 11:02 PM
https://www.cusd200.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=22857&dataid=33054&FileName=Minutes%20Jun%2010%202020.pdf
Alerts Sign-up