SE Illinois News

Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education met Feb. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The first regular meeting of the month of February of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District 200, DuPage County, Illinois, was called to order at the Monroe Middle School, 1855 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL by Board President Rob Hanlon, on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL

Upon the roll being called, the following were present:

Board Members: Mr. Rob Hanlon

Ms. Julie Kulovits

Mr. Dave Long

Ms. Angela Blatner

Mr. Erik Hjerpe

Mr. Brad Paulsen

Mr. John Rutledge

Also in Attendance: Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent

Ms. Alyssa Barry

Mr. Matt Biscan

Ms. Melissa Murphy

Dr. Chris Silagi

Mr. Jason Spencer

Mr. Jordan Thorse

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Board Member Angela Blatner led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE HOST SCHOOL

Ms. Ashley Huettemann, Principal of Monroe Middle School, welcomed everyone to Monroe and thanked the Jazz Band and Chamber Orchestra who performed just before the meeting. It was noted that well over half of the Monroe students are actively involved in the music and performing arts programming at the school. Principal Huettemann shared a presentation on the Essentials Program at Monroe, which services students with moderate to significant disabilities and is organized around four community living domains (domestic, community, vocational, and recreation). Ms. Huettemann also noted the inclusive community at Monroe and thanked the staff and PTA.

MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS – Agenda Items & Non-Agenda Items

In accordance with Board Policy 2.230, members of the public wishing to offer public comment had the opportunity to do so. A public comment sign-up sheet was made available until 7:00 p.m. at the meeting site. The Board Meeting was available for viewing via live stream on the District’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/communityunitschooldistrict200.

Per Board Policy, the Board may shorten the time allocation for each person to less than three minutes to allow the maximum number of people the opportunity to speak. The Board did not shorten the time allocation for each person to speak due to the number of speakers.

Speaker Topic

Tammy Croll Why I Love This District and Monroe Amy Erkenswick Conduct & Communication

Mary Ann Vitone IL State Statute

Jan Shaw Transparency

Jennifer Castino Monroe/Performing Arts

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Dr. Schuler provided the following updates:

● Thank you to Monroe for hosting the meeting and to the Essentials program. Noted the feedback from the community on the facilities' work - the community has placed a value on the spaces that support Essentials and the District’s most vulnerable students.

● Special Administrative welcomes under the Personnel Report for Board approval - Ms. Katie DeLaRosa will be the new Principal at Emerson Elementary School beginning in the 2024-25 school year, and Mr. Joe Drover will be the new Assistant Principal at Wheaton North High School beginning in 2024-25. Both will be replacing administrators who are retiring.

● Met with the PTA Council earlier this week at their monthly meeting, along with Board President Hanlon and Vice President Kulovits. Shared information on a research study conducted last year by Harvard/Stanford evaluating learning loss coming out of the pandemic. Highlighted District 200’s learning results coming out of the pandemic far exceeded those of other school districts around the state. This study has now been updated, noting in the last year not only did the District outperform students from around the state, but on a national level, the results were through the roof, especially in the area of ELA. This is a huge testament to the continued work of everyone in the District who has worked to make this happen.

● The 5 Essentials annual state culture climate survey is now open. Dr. Schuler encouraged all parents to consider participating in the survey. This survey is also completed by staff and students in grades four and up.

● The application for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will be released in the next couple of weeks. There will be at least five seats open on the committee as we have five members who will be rolling off after spending five years on the committee. The three attendance areas being highlighted are Emerson, Johnson, and Lincoln as we will have only one returning member from each of those schools. PTA Council members have been asked to get the word out. CAC applications are due back by Spring Break.

Student ambassadors were asked to report on their respective high schools:

o WNHS - noted the boys' basketball team that was victorious in the crosstown classic, and competitions taking place for girls’ basketball, cheer and dance, coop gymnastics, speech team, boys’ wrestling, chess team, winter guard, and showchoir.

o WWSHS - noted the great things happening, including important competitions for the speech team, girls' basketball, girls' gymnastics, boys' swimming, and boys' basketball; There will be a Barbie fashion show happening in two weeks that will benefit Cal’s Angels, a childhood cancer charity that funds research as well as some of the families who are struggling through it; Spring Break is six weeks away; noted the P.E. program for seniors which offers yoga, rock climbing, and bowling; also noted the Business Incubator Class that just completed their first round of pitches.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Acceptance of Gift to Wheaton North High School - Girls Softball Program – Recommend acceptance of gift to WNHS girls softball program as presented.

2. Acceptance of Gift to Wheaton Warrenville South High School - Activities & Athletics – Recommend acceptance of gift to WWSHS Activities & Athletics as presented.

3. Approval of ROE Building Permits for 2024 Summer Architectural Capital Projects – Recommend approval of ROE building permits for 2024 summer architectural capital projects as presented.

4. Approval of Professional Learning Expenditure Request for Board Members – Recommend approval of professional learning expenditure request for board members as presented.

5. Approval to Open Previously Closed Minutes – Recommend approval to open previously closed minutes as presented.

6. Approval of the 2023-2024 Student Discipline Improvement Plan – Recommend approval of the 23-24 student discipline approval plan as presented.

7. Approval of Bills Payable and Payroll – Recommend approval of bills payable and payroll as presented.

8. Approval of Minutes –January 10, 2024, Regular Meeting Open, January 24, 2024, Committee of the Whole, Open, and Approval to Destroy Recordings of Closed Sessions Prior to September 2022 As Allowable by Law – Recommend approval of the minutes as presented and approve the destruction of recordings of closed sessions prior to September 2022 as presented.

9. 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.

There were no comments and/or questions on the consent agenda.

MOTION

Member Rutledge moved, Member Paulsen seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0 The motion carried 7-0.

POLICY POSTING CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approval to Post Revised Policy 6:230 Library Media Program for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 6:230 for public review and comment as presented.

2. Approval to Post Revised Policy 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students for Public Review and Comment – Recommend approval to post revised policy 7:270 for public review and comment as presented.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● These are the last of the policies from the most recent issue of PRESS. The HR/Policy committee had some additional questions on the policies which were answered and reviewed at the last committee meeting.

MOTION

Member Long moved, Member Kulovits seconded to approve the Policy Posting Consent Agenda as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was: AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

ORAL REPORTS

Vision 2026 - Department of Innovation and Technology Workplan Update The Department of Innovation and Technology updates the Board yearly on the status of the major workplan items. The Board was presented with the DoIT workplan items for the school year 2023-24 that support Vision 2026 goals. Mr. Jason Spencer, Executive Director provided a Dept. of Innovation and Technology Infrastructure Update that included information on the following:

● DoIT Infrastructure Categories - Vision 2026 Develop implementation resources aligned with our Portrait of a Graduate (POG)

○ Identify digital tools that are aligned to each descriptor

■ Provide staff with information on district supported digital tools that support POG descriptors

● Innovation and Technology coordinators lead cohorts to merge POG skills and modern ways those skills can be practiced

● Learn Platform now has a District recommended tool as well as tools that are purchased with District funds

● Professional development (PD) is provided on tools purchased with District funds to increase staff adoption

○ Identify how an innovative 1:1 environment can create opportunities for students to increase their exposure to each descriptor in POG work

■ Provide digital citizenship opportunities for all students to increase exposure to problem solving and resilient learner skills

● Elementary level - provided teachers with three mini lessons on key behaviors of distracted learners and resources to correct behaviors

■ Address the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) by staff and students to support POG characteristics. AI ethics and guidelines to orient us on proper use:

● AI is a supplement not a replacement for teacher-created work or district-adopted curriculum

● AI isn’t perfect. It has bias and hallucinations

● Data security matters greatly in the world of AI

● AI is evolving rapidly! Digital literacy work matters!

● AI use will likely require significant financial dollars

○ AI Examples - Exciting Possibilities

■ Step I - Whatever you are teaching, we’ve got you covered

■ Step 2 - Customize - because teachers know best

■ Step 3 - Get student-ready activities

■ Support for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and Support in Student Services

■ Cautious Use - AI is meant to be convincing not always accurate; AI can show bias towards ML students; critical thinking skills are more important than ever

○ Innovative Support of POG - Address the responsible use of AI by staff and students to support POG characteristics

■ EC-12 admin given PD on AI use by staff

Open Session Minutes – February 14, 2024 Page 4

■ EC-12 staff given PD on AI use by staff

● Dedicated PD on Institute Days

● Staff meetings at buildings

● AI education campaign online

● Local cohort work at select buildings

■ To be addressed: How is AI currently being used by students? What education do students need around the ethical use of AI?

● DoIT Infrastructure Categories - Vision 2026 Develop and Maintain Robust Technoloogy Systems

○ Annually assess the stability and security of District technology systems

■ Fully join CUSD200 Transition Center to District network

■ Implement new cloud-based telecommunications system districtwide

■ Evaluate current firewall solution

■ Conduct annual penetration testing

■ Continue ongoing cybersecurity education and phishing campaigns with CUSD200 staff

■ Implementation of Verkada Guest Management System Districtwide

○ Ensure comprehensive data systems are accessible and usable for staff

■ Assess areas of need for innovation and reliability in District SIS

● Our SIS data is now stored in the cloud via our vendor Edupoint

● Online registration is now live for all families with students new to CUSD200

● Returning student registration is anticipated to go live in late Spring 2024 and will ensure updated information is provided

○ Regularly evaluate digital tools and subscriptions to ensure they are meeting the needs of the school system and are aligned with strategic work

■ SOPPA Compliance

● All District 200 digital tools are monitored for student data and privacy requirements

● Learn Platform is the central hub teachers use to check which tools are allowed

● Learn Platform has a public facing site that parents can see which tools are allowed as well

● Phase 2 - while a tool may be SOPPA compliant we need to ensure it can also be fully supported with district resources

There was additional information on the following:

● There are two District Innovation and Technology Coordinators and each high school also has an embedded Technology Coach.

● Feedback coming out of the pandemic - there was an increase in distracted learners and students having multiple screens in their lives. Tried to work on ways to get students to understand when they are in school to become school-ready and to use devices responsibly.

● Artificial Intelligence (AI) took up most of the time and resources this year; one of the biggest disruptors we will see in education in this lifetime - in a good sense; it is changing rapidly and difficult to stay in front of this particular technology; it is very useful once you understand how it works and some of the ways we can harness it proactively for education.

● There is no replacement for the expertise and the knowledge that a teacher has.

● AI hallucinations - will make things up wholesale.

● As data security matters greatly in AI, we need to be careful with the tools we put in front of the staff and may someday put in front of the students.

● The need for there to be a concerted level at each level to commit ourselves to digital literacy work.

● Cost of AI - Right now, there are many AI tools out there for free (because they need free data), however, they will go behind a paywall once people are trained. It costs a lot of money to run an AI tool.

● Examples of AI tools that have been beneficial to D200 staff - Magic AI (has helped teachers get the ball rolling with more of the administrative tasks and saved them time) and Diffit (takes a resource and levels it; gives different depth of knowledge/supports to support abilities and needs in the classroom; creates activities for students to engage in).

● 80/20 rule - AI will give you about 80% of what you are looking for, but the remaining 20% is where the real magic happens and where the expertise is seen from staff.

● Shared video of AI as it relates to translation - recorded a video in English and how it translated into Spanish, synced lip movement, and cloned the person’s voice that recorded it. When this technology becomes more available, it could be used to translate into the home languages of various D200 students.

● ML staff has been using Diffit to make materials for students and translate some materials into different languages.

● Support in Student Services - using Generative AI - write natural language text and ask AI to generate a visual of that particular picture.

● AI can create people/make convincing photos of people that never existed.

● There are a number of businesses and tools that claim they can detect AI-generated text.

● From a safety/data privacy standpoint, there is not an education-vetted AI tool that the District can formally get behind in a classroom setting at this time. This does not mean that students are not using AI outside of the classroom.

● The student ambassadors from WNHS and WWSHS commented on the following: 

○ How is AI currently being used by students?

○ What education do students need around the ethical use of AI?

● AI is never going to replace all of the skills of writing and all of the skills students get through the POG work, but the back-and-forth conversation that you have with the AI tool is the real power of it. This can be a powerful critical thinking skill for students.

● Security has become a huge cornerstone for schools; noted the significant increase in the number of ransomware attacks against K-12 institutions.

● By implementing the new cloud-based telecommunications system districtwide, it means if the power were to ever go out in the District, the phones would still remain functional.

● Penetration testing - partnering with other vendors to provide safety and security services at a lower cost as part of our cybersecurity insurance.

● Cyber criminals are becoming much more advanced, which is why ongoing education with staff is crucial.

There were comments and/or questions on the following:

● Appreciation for the deep dive and understanding of AI and for having a responsible plan starting with the staff and then students. Are students exposed to some of the risks and considerations of using AI and how are we getting that education in front of them? That is in phase II and are actively involved in researching and brainstorming ways to put this information in front of students.

● There is a “what if” plan (incident response plan) in place internally with the team should a ransomware attack happen - this is required for cybersecurity insurance; this is exercised and tested.

● Cybersecurity insurance - making sure we are aware of all preventative measures that are offered/included with the premium and take advantage of it since we are paying for it.

● The Verkada Guest Management system is fully implemented.

● SOPPA - Student Online Privacy Protection Act.

● Rockford school system ransomware incident from five years ago, where all data was erased.

● There is a system to evaluate emails to see if they are legitimate before releasing them to the recipient within the District. Cybercriminals are figuring ways around this. The need to be diligent.

● Security performance and reliability - there was a comprehensive upgrade to some of our core infrastructure; also noted access points added, and the student information system and IVisions being in the cloud which speeds up how quickly we can access the information.

● Finding ways to weave into the student education of AI - productive uses of the technology and learning smart.

● Related to AI and the Portrait of a Graduate, has the District given any thoughts on areas to deemphasize from the curriculum recognizing they may not be as relevant in the future due to AI? Noted while content may change, the skills that surround the content are not going to change. Looking at AI as augmentation rather than replacement.

● Learn Platform - looking for ways to make that easier for parents to find.

● The use of generative AI being a powerful tool - from a legal and policy standpoint and a fine arts standpoint. Noted visual arts teachers being part of a cohort (images as well as music can be created).

● Only 1-2 states have issued any kind of statewide guidance, especially in education, toward AI. Also noted policy needs to come, but is behind in development.

● Appreciation for using “caution” when it comes to AI; value in working harder.

● Details of the AI education campaign online - weeklong online campaign with staff and educating them with a different aspect of AI daily for seven days.

● Chat GPT being blocked on student devices - terms of service are for ages 18 and older. Noted Google, Microsoft, and Open AI are actively working on education-friendly versions of their AI tools.

● Critical thinking skills are more important than ever.

● Boxes and wires side - in the audit process, do they look at protocols/controls on admin passwords? The District does follow all recommendations on admin passwords, kept in bitwarden, and are randomly generated; committed to network segmentation; there are internal penetration tests as well.

● Phishing testing - trends in failure rates; span from 8-15%; noted the phishing tests are much harder to spot. There is follow-up remediation for individuals who have failed the phishing tests.

● Controls for approving wires and payments - part of audit review?

● Discussing the Board's role in the governance of the District’s Incident Response Plan.

● Recovery time in the event of the Incident Response Plan being activated - dependent on the nature of the attack.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

Board Facilities Committee

The Board Facilities Committee met on January 30, 2024. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. There was additional information on the following:

● Timeline considerations for the middle school master plans; talk about alternative timelines to consider.

● A follow-up meeting will take place next week and will be discussed at the February COW meeting.

● Middle School maintenance/custodial staff plans.

Board Finance Committee

The Board Finance Committee met on January 18, 2024. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. There was additional information on the following:

● The bulk of the discussion was on the 5-year forecast as was discussed at the January COW meeting.

● Touched on potential funding mechanisms, and noted this is premature until the direction is defined; will be discussing in the coming months.

Board Human Resources (HR)/Policy Committee

The Board HR/Policy Committee met on February 1, 2024. The meeting notes were attached to the agenda item. There was additional information on the following:

● Continued review of the administrative procedures - section 6.

● Reviewed the ISBE discipline improvement plan (approved earlier on the consent agenda); will be digging into disciplinary data in a future HR/policy meeting.

● Discussion on the two recommended policy revisions from PRESS.

● Attended the PTA Council meeting - there was a question regarding some of the work that goes on with the Board outside of the regular meeting. Noted the committee meetings and the work that takes place. There were several members of the leadership team that participated in the last HR/policy meeting.

REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Other Reports from Board Members

● Board members noted visits to/participating in the following:

o Adopted school visit to Hawthorne Elementary School.

o The annual Bowl for the Torch fundraiser to support D200 Special Olympics.

o PTA Council meeting - thank you for all that PTA does for our schools.

WRITTEN REPORTS

Monthly Financial Reports

FOIA Report

Board Communication Log

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Report

TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION

Middle School Facilities Plans

Food Service RFP

Transportation Provider Contract Renewal

NEXT REGULAR MEETING

March 13, 2024, 7:00 PM, Wheaton Warrenville South High School

ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 24, 2024, Coffee with the Board, 9:00 AM, School Service Center February 28, 2024, Committee of the Whole, 7:00 PM, School Service Center

CLOSED SESSION

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) and Student Disciplinary Issues 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (9).

MOTION

Member Hjerpe moved, Member Rutledge seconded to adjourn the meeting to closed session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (9). Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

Action will be taken following the closed session.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 8:55 PM.

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

Member Paulsen moved, Member Hjerpe seconded to reconvene in Open Session. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

Roll call was taken, all Board Members were present, and the open session was reconvened at 10:44 PM.

ACTION ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM

Approval of Student Discipline Recommendation, Student E2023-24-01

The Board of Education is authorized to expel students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct for a period not to exceed two years. The Board, in Closed Session, reviewed information regarding a student discipline issue.

It was recommended that the Board approve the administrative recommendation related to the student disciplinary matter reviewed in Closed Session.

MOTION

Member Hanlon moved, Member Rutledge seconded to approve the student discipline recommendation determined in Closed Session for student E2023-24-01. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the vote was AYE 7, NAY 0. The motion carried 7-0.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

There being no further business to come before the Board in Open Session, Member Hjerpe moved, Member Long seconded to adjourn the meeting. Upon a voice call being taken, all were in favor. The motion carried 7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 10:48 PM.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3696/CUSD200/4087694/Minutes_2.14.24.docx.pdf