Board RECAP

The High School District 211 Board of Education met Thursday, August 15, 2024, in the Board Room of the G.A. McElroy Administration Center. This is a summary of key items acted on and reviewed.

The Board formally recognized 21 new administrators and deans who are new to the District or new to their roles:

Teresa Brand, Program Administrator at the Alternative Learning Academy
Kimberly Davis, 10-Month Assistant Principal at Conant High School

Anthony Ganas, 12-Month Assistant Principal at Schaumburg High School

Delaina Heracklis, Dean of Students at Hoffman Estates High School
James Herron, Buildings and Grounds Manager at Fremd High School

Jake Hughes, 10-Month Assistant Principal at Schaumburg High School

Kathryn Johnson, Dean of Building and Grounds at Fremd High School

Kendra Letzel, 12-month Assistant Principal at Schaumburg High School
Matt Marks, Dean of Building and Grounds at Conant High School

Helen Miller, Director of Insurance and Group Benefits

Zia Nathan, 10-Month Assistant Principal at Palatine High School

Charles Nichols, 10-month Assistant Principal at Hoffman Estates High School

Aaron Pollack, 12-Month Assistant Principal at Fremd High School

Chris Rafaj, Dean of Students at Schaumburg High School

Kathryn Sall, Dean of Students at Conant High School

Michael Smith, 12-Month Assistant Principal at Fremd High School

Jason Stevens, Dean of Buildings and Grounds at Hoffman Estates High School

Ashley Volgi, Dean of Buildings and Grounds at Palatine High School

Jessica Wienke, Dean of Buildings and Grounds at Schaumburg High School

Jennifer Wrzala, Dean of Students at Fremd High School

Kathy Zalwski, Controller and Treasurer, CSBO-Elect.

The Board reviewed the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 tentative budget for High School District 211. The tentative budget includes all funds and represents the finance and operations plan that supports the instructional program for District 211. Chief Operating Officer Lauren Hummel and Controller and Treasurer Barbara Peterson presented an overview of the proposed budget.

View the presentation here.

The Board later reviewed the overall budget timeline, parameters and assumptions and approved the 2024-2025 Tentative Budget as presented.The document will be available for public inspection for a minimum of 30 days, and a public hearing will be held September 19.

Full details are available here

View the Tentative Budget booklet here.

The Board of Education approved the minutes from its July 18, 2024 meeting.

In 2022, the Board adopted the District 211 Strategic Plan: Forward Together 2022-2027. The Plan builds on the Board-adopted Academic Goals and Equity Plan and identifies ten priorities aligned with goals, indicators, strategies and targets to move the District forward. Throughout the year, the Board received updates on the goals of the plan. On Thursday, the Board reviewed a progress report summarizing the targets for the 2023-2024 school year. The Board will receive presentations throughout this year highlighting points of the 2024-2025 targets.

View the full report here.

Review the goals, indicators and strategies here.

The Strategic Plan brochure is available here.

At its meeting June 20, 2024, the Board approved the 2024-2025 renewal of health/dental claims administration services with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Each fall, projected claim experience based on historical claims costs and health inflation trends is used to determine premium equivalent rates for all health plan options. Premium equivalent rates established in the fall are for the health plan year beginning January 1, 2025. The District offers various plans.

The Board reviewed recommended rate increases for 2025 and established Blue Cross/Blue Shield premium equivalent rates, contribution percentages and a wellness incentive structure for the applicable employee groups, effective January 1, 2025 as presented.

Full details are available here.

District 211 strives to continuously improve teaching and learning through rigorous and relevant learning experiences for students. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have become more prevalent in the tools and systems used daily around the globe. In educational systems, AI has the potential to support instructional innovation in multiple ways. AI can assist teachers in increasing efficiency and enhancing instructional experiences,and support students by providing individualized learning, differentiated learning experiences and immediate feedback.

At its May 16, 2024 Board meeting, ChatGPT was approved as an educational technology. ChatGPT Enterprise offers advanced security measures, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with education-related regulations. This ensures data is protected. The Board approved a $149,760 one-year agreement for ChatGPT Enterprise.

Professional learning is a link between design and implementation of educational trends and effective practices that lead to extraordinary opportunities, innovative teaching and exceptional learning. District 211 develops and implements a variety of opportunities to support and sustain teacher learning in a culture of continual improvement. Educators who participate in professional learning opportunities can put their acquired knowledge, skills and practices to work in order to impact the students’ learning experiences. District 211 staff have the opportunity to participate in professional learning opportunities offered by outside educational institutions or organizations and by the District through opportunities such as in-district courses.

The Board reviewed proposed in-district courses connected to the District 211 Strategic Plan, the District 211 Equity Plan and the District 211 Academic Goals. The courses would be offered beginning in the spring semester of the 2024-2025 school year. The Board authorized the Superintendent to offer professional learning opportunities for in-District credit as presented.

Full details, including courses, are available here.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024, with closed session beginning at 6:30 p.m. and open session beginning at 7:30 p.m.