June 2023 Board Meeting Recap
Fremont School District 79
The evening began with a Public Hearing regarding the FY23 Amended Budget, which includes changes to Funds 10, 20, and 60. The changes were made to realign actual expenditures vs. budget-to-budget planning and to account for the increase in revenues and expenditures in Funds 20 and 60. The District is on schedule to collect more impact fees than originally budgeted and various small capital repairs and capital projects that were approved after the FY23 budget was finalized.
Regular Board Meeting
Gabriela Whipple, Board President, opened by reflecting on a wonderful recently completed school year, while expressing pride in accomplishments such as incorporating free full-day kindergarten, the upcoming middle school CTE pilot, and student performance continuing to rebound post-pandemic. A moment of silence was held in memory of intermediate school teacher Amy Herchenbach, who recently passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Dr. Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent of Schools, began by thanking all those who made numerous year-end events possible, including field days, graduation, and the staff retirement and recognition event. She also highlighted a new partnership with Wauconda Park District, which will be hosting after-school art and sports enrichment programs on Wednesdays beginning this fall. Finally, current intermediate school assistant principal Nick Atchley is the recommended candidate to move into the same role at the middle school, while the search for his replacement at the intermediate school is winding down.
Informational Items
2023-2027 Strategic Plan Recommendation
The Superintendent Entry Plan and ensuing Strategic Planning process included feedback from over 450 individuals as well as over 1,000 responses via a community survey. These processes helped the District identify priorities and themes and eventually strategic goal focus areas and complementary objectives. A work session was held with the Board on May 22 to review the draft strategic plan, provide feedback, and build shared understanding of the priorities. The administrative team will present the 2023-2024 annual goals in August for Board consideration and approval, while a communication plan will be launched in August in order to inform the Fremont community.
Dr. Kocanda, Superintendent of Schools, provided a Spring 2023 MAP data update. Overall, the District is back to expected growth on spring MAP for both math and reading for the first time since the spring of 2019. In math, 6 of 8 grade levels met or exceeded growth. Positive growth has been made in closing achievement gaps between males and females. In reading, grades 1, 4, and 6 experienced the largest jumps in cohort growth percentile over the past year.
FY24 Health Insurance Renewal Rates
Ivy Fleming, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, provided an update on employee insurance renewal rates for FY24, which were favorable for the District.
End of Year 2022-2023 Goal Report
Members of the Central Office team provided a year-end update on the District's annual goals for the 2022-2023 school year. The goal areas focused on Community Engagement, Student Achievement, High-Quality Staff, and Financial Stewardship.
The Consent Agenda and Following Action Items Were Approved:
2023-2027 Strategic Plan
2023-2024 Lunch Prices
FY23 Amended Budget
Treasurer's Bond
FY24 Shared Transportation Agreement
CLIC Insurance Renewals
Updated 2023-2024 Work Calendars
Resolution Authorizing Disposal of School District Personal Property
Middle School Assistant Principal Contract
Reduction In Force: Business Office
To view the Board Packet materials from the June 26, 2023 Meeting, click here.
Fremont School District 79
Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL
Phone: (847) 566-0169
Website: fsd79.org
Twitter: @FSD79
Instagram: @FSD79
YouTube: youtube.com/FSD79