Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education Met March 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A special meeting of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order at the Hubble Middle School, 3S600 Herrick Rd, Warrenville, IL by Board President Brad Paulsen,, at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Upon the roll being called, the following were present:
Board Members: Mr. Brad Paulsen
Mrs. Chris Crabtree
Mrs. Susan Booton
Mr. Dave Long
Absent: Mr. Rob Hanlon
Mrs. Ginna Ericksen
Mr. 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 Brad Paulsen led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM BOARD PRESIDENT
After the March 10 meeting, the District sought input from both parents and staff on potential adjustments to the middle school and elementary school in-person learning options. Every pivot has brought forward new voices and revealed new concerns and opinions about the best (or a better) solution or plan. Those who have shared their feedback to the board via email were thanked.
At tonight’s Special Meeting, in response to feedback received, recommendations from Dr. Schuler and his team for proposed changes to the middle school and elementary school in-person learning model that would take place around mid-April will be presented. Getting one step closer to the traditional learning schedule for students is essential and will help everyone be better positioned for a successful transition into the next school year.
It was noted there are three Board Members that were not able to make tonight’s special meeting. Statements from Mrs. Ericksen, Mr. Mathieson, and Mr. Hanlon will be read later in the meeting regarding the recommendations.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Procedures for Public Comments for March 24, 2021 Due to the ongoing pandemic the Board again temporarily amended their public comment procedures for this meeting to allow comments to be made in person or emailed to the Board and acknowledged in the meeting at Hubble Middle School on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m.
In accordance with Board Policy 2.230, members of the public wishing to offer public comment in person had the opportunity to do so. A public comment sign-up sheet was made available at the entrance to the building until 7:00 p.m. The Board Meeting was available for viewing via live stream on the District’s YouTube channel.
Per Board Policy, 30 minutes was allocated for public comments, and comments on any one subject was limited to 20 minutes. The Board may shorten the time allocation for each person to less than 3 minutes to allow the maximum number of people the opportunity to speak. To preserve confidentiality, the Board and its President 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.
| Speaker: | Chuck Corbett (WWEA Vice President) |
| Topic | In-Person Learning |
| Speaker: | Bryce Cann (WWEA President) |
| Topic | In-Person Learning |
The Board had received public comment emails from the following individuals that were specifically noted for acknowledgment during the meeting.
| Emails Sent By: | Beth and Jeff Roekle
Jennifer Lombardo Dullum |
| Topic: | In-Person Learning |
ORAL REPORTS
Return to Learn Work Plan Update
At the March 10th Board of Education Meeting, administrators provided the Board of Education with options for adjustments to the middle and elementary school in-person learning plans. The middle school plan option was a five-day-a-week in-person adjustment that combines the two hybrid groups. The elementary options included a plan that could extend the current school day by 30 minutes and a second plan that would run from 9:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. five days per week.
A survey was released last Friday for each of the levels. Middle school results show that 86% of parent responses support a change to the new plan. Elementary results show that 66% of parents support the 9:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. option, 13% of parents support the 30 minutes extension, and 21% support the current schedule.
At the meeting on Wednesday, the District 200 Administration will recommend the following adjustments to our middle and elementary learning models to the Board of Education:
- Middle school students in the current hybrid learning model will return to school 5 full days a week beginning Monday, April 12
- Elementary school students who are learning in-person will return to a more traditional schedule of 9:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, April 15
Specific details about these extended learning models will be shared at the meeting, including the work that continues to be done to ensure buildings are fully prepared for the adjustment to the new plans.
Dr. Schuler thanked the Board for adding the meeting tonight to come back together after feedback was received from the community and staff regarding the return to learn updates to the plan and options for consideration. This feedback came through the survey that was conducted, through direct emails, and through the work the leadership teams have continued to do with staff. All those that have shared their feedback were thanked for taking the time to share feedback. While there are a variety of opinions as to the path to take, the ultimate goal of getting the students back into our schools on their regular schedule continues to be the goal for all.
Dr. Schuler and members of the Leadership Team shared an update and PowerPoint on the In Person Learning Update which included the following:
∙ Foundational Beliefs That Have Guided Planning (07.08.20)
o Protecting the health and safety of all students and staff to the greatest extent possible is the top priority
o Safely bringing students and staff back to school but also ensuring our practices keep students in school
o Ensuring appropriate rigor to promote student academic and social-emotional growth. Interventions will be strengthened to address skill deficiencies that may have emerged due to the disruption in the educational process
o Re-establishing relationships and ensuring that the social-emotional needs of students and the basic wellness needs of families will be prominent in the learning, resources allocation, and decision-making processes
o Creating a reopening plan that complies with state and local directives and guidance while incorporating the agility and flexibility to adjust for the potential of rapidly changing environments and expectations
∙ 2021-2022 Full Traditional School Day
o Planning to offer a traditional school day, five full days a week
∙ Updated Guidance
o IDPH/ISBE Revised Guidance Issued 03.09.21
o CDC Operational Strategy for School Reopening
o ABC Science: What the CDC School Reopening Strategy Means for Superintendents
∙ Research on Physical Distancing
o Research and recommendations from American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts School Study
∙ Updated Guidance – Key Changes & Clarifications
o New definition of physical distancing (3 to 6 feet as much as possible)
o Requirements when face masks removed for eating or when outdoors (6 feet required)
o No limits on capacity of a single space (except the bus) as long as physical distancing is maintained
o Staff vaccination identified as additional layer of mitigation, but is not a prerequisite for new guidelines
∙ Key Mitigations That Remain Unchanged
o Required universal and correct use of appropriate PPE (including face masks)
o Contact tracing, in combination with isolation, is still required
o Quarantine is still required for close contact to a confirmed case
o Close contact definition (within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes within 24 hours and not fully vaccinated)
∙ In-Person Learning Update
o Options presented to Board on 03.10.21 for adjusted in-person school experience
o Survey released on 03.12.21
o Middle School: 86% of parents support 5 days/week full-day learning
o Elementary: 66% of parents’ support transition to a more traditional school day; 13% support extending the day by 30 minutes; 21% prefer to keep the current day
∙ Elementary Update (9:35 am - 3:30 pm, 5 days per week, beginning April 15)
o PE Daily – 30 minutes
o Art Weekly – 40 minutes
o Music Weekly – 30 minutes
o Lunch Daily – 30 minutes
o Optional Class Recess
o Expanded BASP Hours: 7:30 – 9:35 am; 3:30 - 5:30 pm
o AM Kindergarten 9:35 am – 12:00 pm
o PM Kindergarten 1:05 pm – 3:30 pm
∙ Elementary Update
o Finalize PE, Art, and Music Hires
o Securing Lunch Supervision Hires – Still in Need of Supervisors
o Finalize Scheduling Adjustments
o ISBE Remote Planning Day for Elementary – April 14 (no in-person attendance)
∙ Middle School Full In-Person Learning Update
o Beginning Apr 12, all students in the hybrid model will return to full in-person learning, 5 days a week
o Buildings have worked through logistical considerations presented on Mar 10:
▪ Passing periods will remain at 3 minutes; lockers will not be used
▪ Additional desks have been secured
▪ Reorganization of lunch periods and space
▪ Finalized plans for new fully remote students
▪ Creation of new digital tool to support the contact tracing process
o ISBE Remote Planning Day for MS – April 7 for final preparations (no in-person attendance)
∙ Remote Learning
o Families interested in changing to the full remote option must notify the District by March 26 at noon (families will receive info this evening on how to request a change)
o MS students requesting remote option will be enrolled in the Virtual Academy
o Additional sections will be added to Virtual Academy (VA) if needed
o Specific info about VA will be included in the email to all current families enrolled in the hybrid model
∙ Live Streaming Supports
o Live streaming was implemented as an enhancement to the hybrid model and not intended as a substitute for in-person attendance
o Beginning Apr 12, the hybrid model will no longer be used; recommended live streaming supports only used for the following:
▪ Documented positive COVID-19 test
▪ Documented close contact that requires student(s) to be placed in quarantine
▪ Other medical circumstances that prevent a student from attending in-person learning for 3 or more days
∙ Human Resources Support
o Adjusting guest teacher rates to assure substitute coverage for all learning environments this spring
o Onboarding more guest teachers, permanent guest teachers, and lunchroom supervisors for the remainder of the school year
o Processing and onboarding additional teachers for expanded elementary day
o Staff any additional sections for Middle School VA if needed
There was additional information/comments on the following:
∙ The goal is to transition to a stable model that will continue through the balance of the school year.
∙ Timeline for the shift on in-person learning – the District has said from the start we want to be able to operate consistently with the guidance that ISBE and IDPH have provided. On 03.09.21 they issued guidance that allowed us to accelerate that timeline of moving forward.
∙ CDC adjusted their guidance to align with what IDPH and ISBE were recommending concerning physical distancing (now recommending 3-6 feet as much as possible).
∙ The District has completed the first dose vaccine clinic held at Bower Elementary for staff. Second doses will be administered after spring break and the clinic will be complete by 04.14.21.
∙ Tools to assist with contact tracing at the MS level as we bring more students back into the buildings.
∙ Input from the survey is critically important for the community and as you look at that in combination with the guidance that is out there. This drives the recommendation for tonight.
∙ Expansion of the Before & After School Program (BASP) to assist parents.
∙ Revising and expanding the AM and PM Kindergarten hours.
∙ Key operational pieces that come into play for the elementary recommendation include staffing – finalizing the PE, Art, and Music hires, as well as securing the lunch supervision hires. There are some permanent guest teachers in the buildings that have expressed interest in taking on the roles of the PE, Art, and Music hires. Building principals to work with PTAs to assist in securing the lunch supervision hires.
∙ Finalizing schedule adjustments includes integrating specials into the day, as well as integrating a daily lunch period into the day. Also, for students that receive intervention or special education services - their time for services may change as well.
∙ Important to note that when looking at intervention services that are being provided, while there may be a change in the time of day that the services are provided, do not anticipate a significant change being made as to the service provider for individual students.
∙ The remote planning day that is being recommended at the elementary level is April 14, which is the day before the recommended start of the new schedule for in-person learning (at the elementary level).
∙ Creation of a digital tool to support the contact tracing process at the MS level. The MS teacher leadership team was instrumental in providing input to the technology instruction coordinator - this will be very useful for the administrative staff.
∙ Recommending a remote planning day for the MS level on April 7, which is the final Wednesday before all students are recommended to return to in-person learning on April 12 (at the MS level).
∙ Procedures for live streaming moving forward and the list of acceptable reasons to attend virtually, as well as the reasons/absences that do not include live streaming supports. This document regarding live streaming will be provided and communicated to families as well as staff.
∙ The Human Resources Staff is working hard to make sure they are supporting the needs that the Elementary, MS, and HS levels need to be successful.
∙ In summary, as was shared with the community in an email at the end of last week, the administration is recommending moving forward with the options the community supported in the survey that includes the five days per week option at the MS level (beginning on Monday, April 12) and the expanded day to a more traditional day at the Elementary level (beginning on Thursday, April 15).
∙ The District was intentional about staggering the start of the two levels, wanting to ensure this is done well. Also, starting the elementary extended day mid-week allows the students to transition into the expanded day for a couple of days, followed by the weekend, before transitioning to a full week of full days.
∙ Recommending the use of two remote planning days – the MS remote planning day on Wednesday, April 7, and the Elementary planning day on Wednesday, April 14. These days are to ensure all of the logistics and plans are in order before students return to full days, five days per week.
∙ It has taken a village, a community of learners to help navigate through this year of adjusted learning and experiences.
∙ April 12 is the beginning of the fourth quarter of the 2020-21 school year.
There were comments and/or questions on the following:
∙ Clarification on remote planning days – teachers are planning and preparing for the adjusted learning model and it is a non-attendance day for students.
∙ Planning for schedule adjustments in the new model – there are a lot of different hands involved in this. This is ongoing work and is a fluid process.
∙ Extension of the Elementary day and the focus/use of the additional daily instruction time.
∙ Elementary open positions (PE, art, and music; lunch supervisors) and the plan if those positions are not all filled by April 15.
∙ Parent and community volunteers for lunch supervision – are we seeing this? Utilization of PTA’s to help with this outreach.
∙ Evaluation of MS lunchroom spaces.
∙ MS level – the number of students/families that may migrate to VA as a result of a new learning model? Do not anticipate a major migration to VA.
∙ The need for mitigations to be followed; need to be vigilant and the help of the community to ensure kids can stay in school and keep the students and staff safe.
∙ Acknowledging our teachers as changes occur in the teaching model(s); asking for patience and grace for our teachers and buildings as we navigate through these changes.
∙ The development of curriculums for specials (art, music, PE) as it relates to the use of permanent subs to fill these open positions.
∙ Service provider stability for students with IEP’s - not seeing a significant change in service providers for those students that require services – the schedule or time services will be provided is more likely to change.
∙ Preparing youngest students (Kindergarten and primary grades) for transition – time change for Kindergarten and full-day for primary grades.
∙ MS live streaming for those students in quarantine or isolation – will depend on the number of students and how to best support the individual students and respect the privacy of students. There is flexibility with the MS staff on how to design that live streaming experience based on the objectives for the lesson of the day.
∙ There are differences between expanded in-person day and Virtual Academy at the elementary level in terms of schedule/hours. Looking at the potential to offer PACE ELA for fourth/fifth grade VA students. Other than that potential offering, there are no plans to change the structure of the VA elementary day.
∙ Not anticipating opening up a return from VA to in-person learning at the MS level. Families were asked for a commitment for the semester.
∙ Facing a second “first day of school” this year with the expansion of the day.
∙ Core instructional minutes at the elementary level - how the teacher utilizes those minutes and delivers that instruction, and building upon the structures that are already in place – there should be flexibility and autonomy; the role of the administration and building leadership teams to create conditions to be successful.
∙ Elementary lunch periods and what this will look like at the buildings – number of lunch periods, time, spaces used, etc.
∙ Kindergarten families are affected by the time change, particularly P.M. students, and working with families if there are individual circumstances that arise due to the schedule change.
∙ PE schedule at the elementary.
∙ Remote learning days do not add days to the end of the school year.
∙ Prepping for this transition – marking and setting up classrooms and well as lesson planning, and being respectful of staff that has not been vaccinated.
∙ Elementary BASP (Before & After School Program) – opening up for new families if they need it due to the revised schedule? The need to have adequate staff to support this.
∙ Survey results and the data cleaning process to ensure no duplicate entries, valid student/AO numbers, etc. all to ensure valid submissions.
∙ The value of these transitions occurring in this school year, even if occurring in the fourth quarter, to navigate kids back to a normal schedule experience and to show the ability to run the programs safely.
∙ Ensuring families do not miss their opportunity to respond to the communication regarding these changes and the choices by sending out email communications as well as a phone call. Will also share information on social media.
∙ MS – acceptable reasons to attend virtually and those absences that do not include live streaming supports.
∙ The reasoning for the 9:35 AM vs 9:00 AM start to the elementary day and how this ties into other changes being made.
∙ Current HS percentages for those students attending four days per week in person; attending two days per week in person; and those that remain fully remote.
∙ One vs. two remote planning days per level – after discussion, it was noted the Board is supportive of identifying one day of remote planning each for the elementary and MS levels. There is a meeting scheduled for April 14, at which time we will be two days into the new MS plan and a status report can be provided on the new model. If it is determined that an additional planning day is needed, it can be discussed then.
President Paulsen reached out to the three Board members that could not be present at the meeting (Secretary Hanlon, Member Ericksen, and Member Mathieson) to offer thoughts and weigh in on the recommendations that were presented tonight. The statements by the three Board Members were submitted to President Paulsen. Those were given at the meeting to individual Board Members to read out loud at the meeting.
Board Members did a straw poll and were supportive of the plans as presented at the meeting for both the MS and elementary levels.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
There being no further business to come before the Board in Open Session, Member Crabtree moved, Member Booton seconded to adjourn the meeting. Upon a voice call being taken, all were in favor and the motion carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.
https://www.cusd200.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=22857&dataid=34663&FileName=Minutes%20Mar%2024%20%202021%20Special.pdf
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