Board Meeting Summary

The Board of Education provides a "Board Meeting Summary" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a brief description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations and action items. For the full packet of information including presentations and reports, Click Here

Meetings are video streamed live online and the videos are archived on the District website, Click Here.

In Attendance

President Robert Bruno, Vice President Jason Loebach, Secretary Jess Buttimer, Ted Estes, Julie Hill, Chris Martelli (via zoom), Tayyaba Syed

Student Board Member Elizabeth Bredfeldt

Celebrations and Recognitions

2023 IHSA Dramatic Interpretation Speech State Champion | watch
Superintendent Dr. Melissa Kaczkowski introduced former District 41 student and current Glenbard West student Rachel Travers and congratulated her on winning the Dramatic Interpretation Speech State Competition. Board members asked questions and she provided a summary of her speech topic.

Hadley Jr. High School National School To Watch | watch
Hadley Principal Steve Diveley introduced the School to Watch team at Hadley and shared background information about the National School to Watch redesignation. In addition, the Hadley team provided details about how the school has grown over the years related to 1) Systems and Structures 2) Social Equity 3) Academic Excellence and 4) Developmental Responsiveness. Executive Director for the Association of Illinois Middle Schools Mr. John Viano presented the Hadley team with a plaque in recognition of the National School to Watch designation.

Presentations

Student Attributes: Benjamin Franklin Elementary School | watch
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Jeff Burke presented about the student attribute “Growth Mindset.” He defined growth mindset as “Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset.” He talked about fostering a growth mindset in the classroom through time, practice and consistency. He shared examples from teachers and also shared how they foster a growth mindset within the staff as well.

Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Calendar | watch
Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Facilities and Operations Eric DePorter provided an annual overview of the next fiscal year budget development calendar.

Public Participation | watch

Superintendent’s Report | watch
Dr. Kaczkowski led a moment of silence in memory of Mrs. Suzanne Chlalpecka. She also thanked all who have supported Churchill School during this difficult time.

Dr. Kaczkowski shared an update about the format for reporting about the Strategic Plan work. Modifications to the Strategic Plan reporting will include having a public facing data dashboard. The District will focus on one Goal Area Team (GAT) at each Committee of the Whole Board meeting. At the next regular Board meeting after the Committee of the Whole, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Accountability Dr. Kris Webster will do a short presentation that will walk through how the info discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting directly impacts students. In addition, she shared that as we are closing out Year 1/baseline year of the plan, we are working with our consultant, Dr. Steve Webb to define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for monitoring.

Board Reports | watch

Student Board Reports | watch

Adjourn to Closed Session

Return to Open Session Discussion

Legislative Report | watch
Dr. Kaczkowski shared that Board members requested information about house bills and what the District knows about them. She provided an overview of the bills related to education and how they could impact District 41. Board members asked questions and engaged in discussion.

Literacy Curriculum Review Update | watch
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Accountability Dr. Kris Webster provided an update on the literacy curriculum review. She shared that district literacy committees have been meeting twice a month since January to conduct the district literacy review. These committees consist of teachers that represent each of the grade bands (K-2, 3-5, and 6-8), literacy coaches, a building administrator, as well as special programs such as special education, language programs and technology. Each building has a representative on the committee. During this time the committee collected essential standards from each grade level, reviewed district data, analyzed feedback from teachers, vetted literacy curriculums, and identified two curriculum resources to pilot. The committee used both EdReports and WIDA Prime to ensure the resources considered were research based and high quality. Based on this work, the committee recommends the district pilot HMH Into Reading at the elementary level. This curriculum is highly rated by both EdReports and WIDA Prime. The committee also recommended a pilot of Wonders at the elementary level, however the publisher withdrew their curriculum from our pilot. At the next elementary literacy committee meeting, the committee will discuss next steps: 1) reconsider the third curriculum that was under consideration to pilot, 2) go back to EdReports and consider another curriculum to pilot, or 3) remain solely with Into Reading as the pilot. This is yet to be determined. Once the pilots are complete and the committee reviews the feedback, a formal recommendation will be made to the Board in accordance with Board policy and Illinois School Code for district-wide implementation. Board members asked questions of Dr. Webster and engaged in conversation about next steps.

Action Items | watch | documents
Consent Agenda

Monthly Financial Reports

Disposal of Surplus Property

Donation and Gifts

Investment Schedule

Monthly Revenue/Expenditure Summary Report

School District Payment Order

Summary of Bills and Payroll

Treasurer's Report

Board Meeting Minutes

- March 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes

- March 20, 2023, Closed Meeting Minutes

- April 3, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes

- April 3, 2023, Closed Meeting Minutes

(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Recommendations | watch
Last Day of School 2022-2023 SY

(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Technology: Staff Laptop Recommendation

(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Staff Laptop Recommendation

(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Transportation Contract Extension

(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Approve New or Revised Job Descriptions | watch
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. David Bruno explained that the majority of the job descriptions are not new and are being updated. He went through each of the job descriptions being presented and also shared that overall there is a cost savings.
(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Personnel Report
(Voted Yes: Bruno, Loebach, Buttimer, Estes, Hill, Martelli, Syed)

Other/Board Governance - Learning Together | watch

Secretary Buttimer recommended two books for the Board to consider, The Power of Moments by Dan and Chip Heath as well as High Conflict by Amanda Ripley.

• Monday, May 1, 2023, Reorganizational Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Hadley Jr. High School
  
• Monday, May 15, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Hadley Jr. High School
  
• Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Hadley Jr. High School
  

Email: ekrehbiel@d41.org
Website: www.d41.org
Location: 793 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: 630.790.6400
Facebook: facebook.com/glenellynd41
Twitter: @glenellynd41