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
NOTE: In the interest of safety for Board and staff members, as well as the school community, the meeting format was adjusted. Due to current Executive Order requirements social distancing guidelines were in effect.
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, Bruce Currie, Ted Estes, Guillermo Guzman, Julie Hill

Student Board Members -- Asiya Ahmed, Blake Noble

Seat Student Board Members | watch

Hadley Junior High School 8th graders Asiya Ahmed and Blake Noble were seated as student Board of Education members.

2021/22 Return to School Update | watch

Superintendent Kaczkowski presented information about a possible partnership with Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern to further analyze the positive samples and study the different covid strains present. Dr. Judd F. Hultquist, PhD presented information about how the program would work and why they would like to study our probable positive saliva samples.

Chief Communications Officer Erika Krehbiel presented information about a parent survey being developed by School Perceptions. The survey is tentatively scheduled to be administered on March 16 and open through March 29. The results would be presented to the Board in April.

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Accountability Dr. Katie McCluskey presented the schedule for literacy and math in the blended model. She talked through the instructional minutes in the blended model vs. the minutes in a traditional year.

Epidemiologist Dr. Mark Dworkin was in attendance via zoom and answered questions from Board members about topics such as masking, social distancing, vaccinations, medically fragile students and staff, etc. Dr. Kaczkowski shared that District 41 is planning on moving to less than 3 feet social distancing in the fall based on being more aggressive with mitigation efforts and staff/community vaccination rates.

Dr. Kaczkwoski shared more details about what is possible for next school year. She talked about what is in our control and what is not to fully open school next year. She shared information about plans for more aggressive mitigation measures if we lessen the social distancing. In addition, the Board discussed the possibility of bringing in 18 portable classrooms to use across the district to help add some additional space. The Board came to a consensus not to commit to portables at this time. They will consider the use of a smaller number of portables at a later date. Board members asked questions and engaged in conversation about the various options Dr. Kaczkowski presented for next school year.

Pandemic Response Advisory Team (PRAT) Report | watch

Dr. Kaczkowski introduced the PRAT members who were in attendance to present a report from the Student and Family Needs subcommittee -- Jill Tedford, Kim Lechner, Jackie Reeves, Erica Nelson. They presented the goals of their subcommittee and how the goals were met and continue to be met. They also presented information about resources created in response to the pandemic. Moving forward they will continue to work with the district to connect with families. Click here for the presentation.

Public Participation | watch

Board of Education Book Study Discussion | watch

Secretary Buttimer presented the first two chapters of the book, “Why Race and Culture Matter in Schools,” by Tyrone C. Howard, that the Board members are reading in conjunction with a Glenbard Parent Series author presentation. Board members discussed the chapters and shared their thoughts on the content.

Clarifying the Function of a Workshop Meeting | watch

Dr. Kaczkowski discussed the different goals and structural differences between a Regular Board Meeting and a Board Workshop Meeting.

Upcoming Meetings | watch

Items for Future Agenda | watch

Mr. Currie recommended adding a discussion item at a future meeting about reopening fully in person after spring break. The Board discussed how to move forward and if they would consider more in-person learning after spring break given the space limitations and social distancing. They asked Dr. Kaczkowski to come back with more information.

Monday, March 22, 2021 | Regular Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Monday, April 12, 2021 | Regular Board Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

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