District 15 Board of Education News
January 17, 2024
Pledge of Allegiance Led by Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill Elementary School students led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Principal Dr. Morris invited students who were elected by their peers to represent PH as members of their Student Council to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Students proudly shared the election process and each of their roles on the Student Council. The students shared some of the work the Student Council has accomplished so far this year. Highlights include coordinating school spirit days, planning Veterans’ Day celebrations, becoming their school mascot for school events, and their upcoming food drives.
Thank you for your dedication to PH and for the very special trinkets you bought from your school store and shared with Dr. Heinz and the Board. Way to go, Cougars!
RECOGNITION
Above and Beyond, Spanish Teacher, Amy Flores
Amy Flores was selected for the Above and Beyond recognition for the month of January following a nomination by Carl Sandburg Junior High’s administrators.
Assistant Principal West shared that Amy came to Carl Sandburg after serving as a Bilingual Interventionist at an elementary school to teach Spanish at CSJH. Despite a learning curve, it was shared that Amy, “works tirelessly on her curriculum and instructional practices to align with middle school expectations and best practices.”
Thank you, Amy, for all you do for Carl Sandburg and District 15! We are lucky and thankful to have you on staff.
Above and Beyond, Paty Lopez-Pullman
Paty Lopez-Pullman was selected for the Above and Beyond recognition for the month of January following a nomination by Principal Dietz, Principal of Walter R. Sundling.
Mr. Dietz shared that Paty is a wonderful role model for others, an amazing employee, but most of all an excellent person.
Thank you, Paty, for all you do for Walter R. Sundling’s students, families, and staff! It’s a good day to be a Paladin. We are grateful to have you on staff.
PRESENTATIONS
Moving 15 Forward Update
The Moving 15 Forward team provided a truly comprehensive update surrounding all of the work completed since passing the referendum in 2022 and our plan to keep all aspects of our work moving through the remainder of the school year until school opens on September 5, 2024!
Dr. Heinz shared that the work and presentation continue to focus around our three criritcal gears:
1. Repair & Restore Facilities
2. Update Learning Spaces
3. Improve Student Transitions
The comprehensive presentation included:
An update, on work completed and work yet to come, as it relates to our 4 phase construction plan led by representatives from Nicholas and Associates as well as Architects from both ARCON and Wold;
A status report on work in process or completed within our 5-Year Master Facility Plan;
A review of projected enrollment by school and review of boundaries by feeder patterns;
Sharing placement of special education and EL programs across our district;
An overview and recommendation from FDK and Middle School Committees;
School tiers and busing capacity update;
Transition Planning: January Institute Days and Beyond;
Plans for welcoming students and staff to their new schools;
Staffing, Moves, and Overall Logistics;
Kindergarten Kick-Off night on February 15 at all elementary schools;
Registration plans for the 2024-2025 school year (registration opens on January 30!); and
A review and discussion of the 2025-26 Calendar.
The presentation is full of exciting information so we hope you take time to view the full presentation in BoardDocs (beginning on slide 16).
Early Childhood Bilingual Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) and Reallocation of Bilingual EBF Funding
District 15 was approved for an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Early Childhood - Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) grant this school year in the amount of $425,000. Mrs. Urbanski shared her enthusiasm in our ability to open our first classroom at Virginia Lake Elementary School on February 1, 2024. She shared that this classroom will meet the needs of 20 three and four year olds with at-risk status as demonstrated by factors such as homelessness, involvement in the child welfare system, developmental delays and disabilities, no previous early learning experiences, and families below the 50% and 100% federal poverty level.
The Early Childhood Bilingual Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) and Reallocation of Bilingual EBF Funding were approved.
Full-Day Kindergarten for 2024-2025
As a result of our successful Moving 15 Forward referendum, District 15 will offer Full-Day Kindergarten beginning in the 2024-2025 school year! Therefore, the Board was asked to authorize an intent to do so that will be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
First Reading of Press 113
District administration regularly reviews and recommends updates to the Board’s policies. These reviews are conducted to ensure all policies are up to date, compliant with recent new legal requirements, and/or are consistent with all other Board policies.
To view policies within PRESS 113, please click here to view them in BoardDocs.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ED-RED Committee
Board Member Annerino shared ED-RED discussed TIF resolutions which he will bring to the Board of review once it is finalized. The transportation committee discussed issues and funding for transportation, as well as ways to attract more applicants.
one-five Foundation
Board Member Taylor shared that the Staff Mini-Grant were presented to all staff. There were 16 projects totalling $31,459. Beginning February 14, the one-five Foundation will again be selling their 50/50 raffle tickets. Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle support future staff mini-grants. Many thanks to the one-five Foundation for this amazing donation to our staff which impacts our students!
Finance Committee
Board Member Wang shared there are no new updates at this time.
Equity Committee
Board Members Khan and Ader shared they will be scheduling a meeting with Dr. Heinz to discuss ways to incorporate student voice on the Board of Education. Ader shared she will be attending the Illinois Association of Latino Administrator and Superintendents conference focused on equity, leadership, and the teacher pipeline.
ACTION ITEMS
- 9.1 Approval of Personnel Report: Recommendations for Administration, Certified, and Non-Certified Staff members - approved
- 9.2 Approval of the Resolution to Establish a Fiscal Year and Prepare a Budget - approved
- 9.3 Approval of Early Childhood Bilingual Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) and Reallocation of Bilingual EBF Funding - approved
- 9.4 Approval of the Resolution Establishing Intent to Implement Full-Day Kindergarten for the 2024-25 School Year - approved