Board Update 2/13/23
Presentations
Agenda Item 4.0
Rupley School – Rupley Broadcasting Crew – 4.01
Students from the Rupley Broadcasting Crew (RBC) shared how they broadcast news and announcements to Rupley Elementary each day. The group presented a video to give a look behind the scenes of a typical broadcast and explained what each student does to contribute to the show.
The student video presentation is available here.
Recognition of National Board Certification – 4.02
The board presented a certificate of achievement to Brentwood teacher Jennifer Swarbrick, who recently received her National Board Certification. This prestigious accomplishment is one of the highest professional certifications available in education. You can learn more about the certification here.
2022 – 23 Winter Benchmark Update – 4.03
The board viewed a presentation on how the district is assessing student progress in math and reading as part of winter benchmarking. Data was shared and discussed from the assessments conducted, with areas of growth and improvement highlighted for the board to review and discuss. Highlights of the celebrations shared include:
- A majority of students are on track to meet expected levels of Typical & Stretch Growth in math & reading
- Typical & Stretch Growth data indicates intervention structures & programs are positively impacting Tier 2 & Tier 3 students district-wide
- ALL grade levels, schools, & demographics groups increased proficiency from fall to winter in math & reading, with a majority (82.5%) making double-digit increases
- Assessment of Spanish Reading (ASR) results showed positive growth with high levels of students meeting or partially meeting Spanish Reading expectations
- Ongoing deployment of Math (Illustrative Math) & ELA (Learning Targets / Scope & Sequence / Phonics Program / JH StudySync) curriculums indicates continued impact on student learning district-wide
Additional information was also shared on growth opportunities and on how the district and schools utilize benchmarking data.
The winter benchmark presentation can be viewed here and the full standard report is available here.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 7.0
K – 8 Literacy Curriculum – 7.01
Strategic Goal (SG) 1: Student Growth and Achievement
As part of the ongoing CCSD59 curriculum review process, the literacy program for kindergarten through eighth grade has been under a planned evaluation and review. Areas of need and key elements have been identified through this process, and the CCSD59 Literacy Council and Dual Language Leadership Team are recommending the following resources be adopted as universal core resources:
- Grades 6 – 8 English Language Arts – StudySync (McGraw Hill)
- Grades K – 5 English Language Arts – Into Reading (HMH)
- Grades K – 5 Spanish Language Arts – Adelante (Benchmark)
The presentation, which includes the curriculum framework, critical features of each curriculum, and teacher testimonials can be viewed here.
The board will vote on finalizing these recommendations at the board meeting on March 13, 2023, and if approved, the resources would begin to be implemented for the 2023-24 school year.
Resource Allocation Process Overview – 7.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The district has begun its annual process of determining appropriate resource allocation. Each year, the district allocates, reallocates, and assigns personnel resources following guiding principles and drivers that align to the district vision and strategic plan. This allocation is also driven by equity, student needs, research, data analysis, and fiscal responsibility.
The board received a review of this process at the meeting, and the presentation can be viewed here. As additional needs are determined, district leaders will share information and suggestions to be approved by the board at a future board meeting.
Sealcoating and Restriping Bid – 7.03
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
CCSD59 has an asphalt maintenance program where approximately half of the district’s parking lots and playground areas have sealcoating and crack filling work performed every other year. This program is designed to prolong the life of the asphalt areas.
This summer, asphalt maintenance is scheduled at: Clearmont, John Jay, Juliette Low, Ridge, Robert Frost, Rupley, and Salt Creek.
The lowest responsive bid to perform the asphalt maintenance work was submitted by Pavement Systems Inc. for $44,471.
The board will vote on approval of the bid at the board meeting on March 13, 2023.
Transportation Bid – 7.04
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The district is going out to bid for general education and special education transportation. Currently, the administration is following up on proposals with reference checks and reviewing all submissions. The board is expected to have additional discussions regarding transportation at the board meeting on March 13, 2023.
Utilities / Co-op Membership – 7.05
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The district’s energy contract with its current vendor, AEP Energy, expires in June, 2023.
Illinois Energy Consortium (IEC) is Illinois’ largest electric and natural gas buying pool, providing electric and natural gas account management and supplying cost saving options to all public school districts. IEC is also a not-for-profit and joint energy buying program sponsored by the IASB, IASA, and Illinois ASBO.
To utilize this program, the district must enter into a Membership Participation Agreement with IEC and can begin with them as the new energy provider on July 1, 2023.
Comparing the district’s current electric rate with AEP Energy to the IEC rate, the district would save an estimated $18,829.03 annually.
The board will vote on approval of the contract at the board meeting on March 13, 2023.
Brentwood Playground Bid – 7.06
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The board discussed replacing the playground equipment at Brentwood Elementary due to the age of the current structures. A call to bid will be issued for both the new playground materials and labor under the district’s 10-Year Facilities Plan.
The board will vote on the award of the bid at the board meeting on March 13, 2023.
Food Service Contract Renewal for 2023-24 Lunch and Breakfast Programs – 7.07
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
For the 2023-24 school year, the state of Illinois is allowing districts to choose to either renew their current breakfast and lunch contracts or go out to bid utilizing new bid rules.
No operational changes have been requested for the 2023-24 school year for the existing lunch program, therefore the increase is based on the allowable December consumer price index of 6.5%. There is no annual management fee for lunch or the junior high a la carte program, so the district has determined that renewing with Organic Life, the current food service provider, is the preferred option.
The district will also continue to offer breakfast programs in 2023-24 according to the Childhood Hunger Relief Act (PA093-1086).
The board will vote on the recommendation at the board meeting on March 13, 2023.
Action Items
Agenda Item 8.0
Approval of 2023 – 24 Calendar – 8.01
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The board discussed and approved the 2023-24 school year calendar. Highlights include:
- An opening day for staff on Monday, August 14, 2023
- An opening day for students in grades 1 through 8 on Thursday, August 17, 2023, and for kindergarten students on Friday, August 18, 2023
- Continued alignment with District 214 and neighboring school districts
- An ending date for students and staff for the 2023-24 school year on Friday, May 31, 2024 (five emergency days are available, if needed, to be used from June 3 – 7, 2024)
- 184 staff work days with a total of 198 calendar days
All CCSD59 schools will operate under this calendar for the 2023-24 school year. You can view the approved calendar here.
Approval of 2023 – 24 Holidays – 8.02
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
Each year, the board adopts a resolution establishing official holidays for the next fiscal year. The holiday schedule serves as a guide for implementing negotiated contracts with employees while also establishing holidays.
- July 4: Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Labor Day: Monday, September 4, 2023
- Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day: Observed Tuesday, November 21, 2023
- Veterans Day: Observed Wednesday, November 22, 2023
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Day-After Thanksgiving: Friday, November 24, 2023
- Christmas Eve: Observed Friday, December 22, 2023
- Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 2023
- New Year’s Eve: Observed Friday, December 29, 2023
- New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1, 2024
- Martin Luther King’s Birthday: Monday, January 15, 2024
- President’s Day: Monday, February 19, 2024
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 27, 2024
- Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
The board approved the designated holidays for the 2023-24 school year, which can be viewed here.
Approval of District 59 Education Foundation Donation to Five CCSD59 Schools – 8.03
SG 4: Stewardship of Resources
The District 59 Education donated a total of $2,491 to be distributed to five CCSD59 schools:
- Holmes Junior High received $500 for the Music in the Parks performance
- Friendship Junior High received $500 for the sixth grade play field trip
- Devonshire Elementary School received $491 for STEM activities for the fifth grade classrooms
- The Early Learning Center received $500 for supplies for the student garden
- Frost Elementary School received $500 for flexible seating in the school
The board approved the donation to be distributed as outlined above.
