Board Highlights

This newsletter features highlights from District 97 Board of Education meetings.

Click here to access full meeting agendas and packets. Recordings of our meetings are also available on our YouTube page. For more about our board, visit www.op97.org/boe.

Our Board Highlights are designed to provide transparency around the work we’re doing to advance District 97’s Transformation Goals. These goals guide our efforts to create meaningful change and align our work across the district.

The February 25 edition includes several updates connected to our goals:

• School improvement logic model presentations from Beye and Irving Elementary Schools (Goal 2: We Design for All - Improving Elementary School Core Instruction Foundations);
• Strategic staffing (Goal 3: We Align Resources);
• This year's approach for the BRAVO and CAST summer theater programs (Goal 4: We Learn Everywhere).
  
  

We remain committed to sharing how these goals shape our efforts every day. Thank you for your partnership in this work!

Transformation Goal 2: We Design for All

Subgoal 2A: Elementary School Core Instruction Foundations

District 97 schools are committed to creating engaging and inclusive learning environments that support every child’s growth. Each year, our building leadership teams (BLTs) create detailed school improvement logic models to plan, implement, and evaluate school improvement initiatives.

All 10 schools will be presenting their school improvement logic models at board meetings throughout the 2024-25 school year. On Tuesday night, Beye and Irving elementary schools presented to the board, sharing how they are applying their logic models to improve outcomes in belonging, engagement, and academics through student-centered strategies and data-driven decisions.

• Beye Elementary School highlighted the significance of collective efficacy—the belief that every staff member plays a crucial role in student success. The team also spoke about aligning efforts with the school year theme, “Find Joy in the Journey,” and the instructional guide Unearthing Joy to promote a culturally and historically responsive curriculum.
  
  The school is focusing on initiatives like "Bobcat Dens," reading buddies, and social-emotional learning tools such as PAW Passes and calm corners to help create a welcoming and supportive environment. The school is also promoting student leadership through activities like Student Council and cultural celebrations, including Lunar New Year and Black History Month events. Principal Cheryl Sullivan emphasized the school’s dedication to creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
  
  
• Irving Elementary School shared how they use “street data”—or direct student feedback—to guide improvement strategies. Relying on data to make instructional decisions has resulted in significant growth in student achievement.
  
  Initiatives like the “Eagles Nest” program, morning meetings, and cultural celebrations are creating a welcoming environment where students feel supported. Students are also participated in leadership opportunities and school-wide reward activities like earning “Eagle Slips” for special events. Principal Susan Mura ended the presentation with the Irving School Improvement Mantra, which students say together every day: "We are readers. We are mathematicians. We work hard. We all belong at Irving."
  

The full presentation is available by clicking the following links: Recording | Slides

To view specific school portions, click the school links above.

District Transformation Goal 3: We Align Resources

During the Feb. 25 meeting, the District 97 Board approved a two-year contract extension for Superintendent Ushma Shah, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.

“The board and Superintendent Shah have agreed on a two-year contract extension, which will take us through June 30, 2027, which we are very happy about," Board President Gavin Kearney said. "We’re looking forward to continuing the great work of the district.”

Building on this shared commitment, Shah expressed her gratitude and optimism for the future.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Oak Park District 97, " she said. "I am confident that we will continue to come together to transform the district and achieve universal student success."

As part of the vote, the board approved a retroactive salary increase of 3.4% for the 2024-25 school year. This increase will take effect after all other employee salary adjustments are applied.

District Transformation Goal 4: We Learn Everywhere

The district remains deeply committed to supporting the theater arts as an integral part of its value aligned to the Portrait of an 8th Grade Oak Park Graduate, especially the dimension of “Creative Dreamer.” The district is focused on preserving the innovative spirit of BRAVO (Brooks Middle School) and CAST (Julian Middle School) while ensuring consistent support, operational compliance, and equitable access for all students.

During the Feb. 25 meeting, a two-part approach for 2025 summer programming was proposed:

1. BRAVO will operate as a community partner-sponsored initiative, through which students will pay a tuition fee (with the program managed by a 501(c)(3) organization).

2. CAST will remain district run, with no tuition fees for students.

As a next step, the board will vote on the CAST operational budget during the next regularly scheduled board meeting. After summer programs conclude, the district team will work alongside community partners to evaluate program outcomes and determine areas of improvement to ensure the sustainability of these important arts programs.

The full presentation is available by clicking the following links: Recording | Slides

Next Board Meeting

The District 97 Board of Education will hold its next regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Meeting agendas, recordings and materials can be found on our new Diligent platform: https://op97.diligent.community/Portal/

Upcoming Professional Development

On Monday, March 3, we will hold an all-staff Institute Day to build upon the equity-focused work from our January 2025 Institute Day. Our collaboration with the National Equity Project will help shape the discussions. For more details on the proposed contract with the National Equity Project, please refer to the Jan. 28 Board Highlights.