Board RECAP
October 19, 2023
February 22, 2024
The District 211 Board of Education met Thursday, February 22, 2024, in the Board Room of the G.A. McElroy Administration Center. The following is a recap of key items acted upon and reviewed.
Appointments
William Fremd High School: 12-Month Assistant Principal (Building & Grounds Administrator)
Mr. Michael Smith has been appointed 12-Month Assistant Principal (Building & Grounds Administrator) at William Fremd High School. Since 2022, he has served as a 12-month lead interventionist assistant principal at Fremd. He joined District 211 in 2020 as a 10-month assistant principal at Palatine High School. Prior to that role, Michael held an administrative position as dean of students at Hinsdale South High School from 2017 to 2020 and served as an English teacher and assistant department chair for English at Hinsdale South. He previously was an English teacher and head girls soccer coach at Hinsdale Central High School. He began his career as an English teacher at East Peoria Community High School in 2005. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English secondary education from Bradley University and a master’s in educational leadership from Concordia University.
William Fremd High School – 12-Month Assistant Principal (Lead Interventionist)
Mr. Aaron Pollack has been appointed the 12-Month Assistant Principal (Lead Interventionist) at William Fremd High School. He currently serves as a 10-month assistant principal at Palatine High School, a position he has held since 2022. Aaron began his teaching career in 2005 as a Social Studies teacher at Natick High School in Massachusetts. In 2008, he took a position at CICS Ralph Ellison High School in Chicago as a teacher and Social Science Team Lead. He later served as an associate principal at Ralph Ellison and dean of students at Thomas Jefferson Junior High in Woodridge School District 68. He holds a bachelor’s in history with a philosophy minor from DePauw University, and a master’s in Secondary Teaching in History from Boston College. He earned a second master’s in Educational Leadership/Organizational Change from Roosevelt University and is pursuing his doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Palatine High School – 10-Month Assistant Principal
Mr. Zia Nathan has been appointed 10-Month Assistant Principal at Palatine High School. He currently is an English teacher at Conant High School, a position he has held since 2015. For the past two years, Zia also served as dean of students. He received his bachelor’s in English Education from Roosevelt University and holds two master’s degrees: one in English from Northeastern Illinois University and one in Instructional Leadership from Roosevelt University.
Schaumburg High School – 10-Month Assistant Principal
Mr. Jacob Hughes has been appointed 10-Month Assistant Principal at Schaumburg High School. He currently serves as program administrator for District 211’s Alternative Learning Academy, a position he has held since 2020. Jacob began his career in education as a teacher assistant at Academy North in 2009. From 2013 to 2020, he served as a special education teacher at Schaumburg and was dean of students for the 2019-2020 school year. Jacob holds a bachelor’s in physical education from Illinois State University. He earned his special education endorsement and a master’s in Instructional Leadership from Roosevelt University.
Student Recognition
Students selected for the ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra, Choir, Band, Chorus and Jazz Ensembles were invited to receive Board of Education recognition.
William Fremd High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Marla Caballero
Maxwell Blanco - Double Bass
Alexander Kim - Violin
Kailene Liao - Violin
Nadia Rosadi - Violin
ILMEA All-State Honors Choir
Presenter Christina Collins
Rashi Ravi - Alto 1
ILMEA All-State Honors Band/Orchestra
Presenter Matthew Moore
Christopher Chung - Band, Clarinet
Milan Huff - Band, Tuba
Yechan Kim - Band, Percussion
Ashwin Mahidhara - Band, Percussion
Sena Kim -Orchestra, Piccolo
Elyse Schlesinger -Orchestra, Horn
Conant High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Devin Godzicki
Eric Davidson - 2nd Violin
Lily Yoshihara - Ranked Second Violin in the state, Principal 2nd Violin
Airi Ito - Ranked First Violin in the State, Concertmaster
ILMEA All-State Honors Band
Presenter Leann Roder-Manson
Jiho Park - Participant
Gaven Corpin - Participant
ILMEA All-State Honors Senior Chorus
Presenter Tim Koll
Nina Rosiles - Participant
Schaumburg High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Susan Carlson
Evangeline Silker - Viola
Amelia Sanders - Viola
ILMEA All-State Honors Ensembles
Presenter Vincent Inendino
Esteban Avila - Orchestra, Bassoon
Narin Kim - Band, Clarinet
Jacob Mendez -Jazz Ensemble, Lead Alto Saxophone
Leah Robin - Band, Horn
Hoffman Estates High School
ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra
Presenter Tom Chester
Lauren Kim - Participant
Public Hearing: Proposal to Extend Contract with a Driver Training School
In accordance with the Illinois School Code, the Board of Education conducted a public hearing to receive comments on the proposal to contract with a commercial driver training school to provide driver education.
The Board authorized the superintendent or designee to extend the existing contract in a form approved by the superintendent and the Board’s attorney with Top Driver to provide behind-the-wheel instructional services to District 211 students enrolled in a District 211 driver education course for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
More information is available here.
Strategic Plan: Equity Presentation
District 211 is committed to preparing students for their future. We strive to build the following skills in each of our future graduates: academic growth, college and career readiness, student involvement, global competitive skills and wellness. These skills form the foundation of our District 211 Strategic Plan which outlines the priorities, goals, strategies and targets to drive innovative progress over five years. A benchmark of the Plan is the commitment to increase equity in our schools. Josh Schumacher, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and LaShaunda Sandifer, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, presented on the District’s progress toward the equity goal of the Strategic Plan.
The presentation is available here.
Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from its regular meeting on January 25, 2024.
Acceptance of Donations
The Board formally accepted the donations of a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze from Triton College for the automotive classes at Schaumburg High School; and 85 dresses from Barbara and Roy Surdej of Peaches Boutique-Chicago, to support the Say Yes to the Dress program at Hoffman Estates High School.
Class Size Committee Report
Following each semester’s sixth-day audit, the Class Size Committee meets to comply with a Letter of Agreement contained within the Master Contract between the Board and the District 211 Teachers Union.
The second semester of the 2023-2024 school year began with 3,468 active course sections across the District’s five high schools. The schools’ master schedules organize course sections to accommodate nearly 12,000 students, each of whom averages five academic courses in their daily class schedules. As a result of student services directors’ efforts, only 16 course sections began the semester with more students than prescribed by scheduling guidelines, and each exceeded the limit by a single student. Half of the 16 were in the English Learner Department. Seven of the overages were resolved within days of the Class Size Committee meeting.
2024-2025 Financial Calendar Including Budget & Levy Sequence
The annual financial calendar spans the course of each calendar year. Financial planning for the District requires approval of both the levy and budget, and numerous communications are shared throughout the year providing detailed information for the Board to make informed financial decisions that will maintain financial stability in both the short and extended terms.
The Board reviewed the budget and levy calendars, budget development considerations, operating fund expenditures and the 2024 levy sequence.
The full report is available here.
Initial Discussion of Superintendent Search
The current superintendent’s pending retirement is effective June 2025. The Board will consider information regarding soliciting proposals from search firms to assist in conducting the superintendent search and selection process.
The Board reviewed a potential timeline that allows for the next superintendent to be named in the fall of 2024 for the position beginning the 2025-2026 school year. A suggested scope of services was also available for Board consideration.
The full timeline and more information is available here.
In-Service Dates and Early Morning Work Sessions for 2024-2025
At its October 19, 2023 meeting, the Board revised and approved a school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year, with 180 student attendance days and four institute days. Shortened days for in-service training of our staff have been used in the past and are consistent with the allowances under School Code. The principal at each school has determined which days will be used for in-service training in coordination with our bus route constraints across the District.
The Board approved the following shortened school days: August 29, 2024 for Parent Open House; March 6, 2025 for College Night; and Friday, November 8, 2024; Friday, February 14, 2025; Friday, February 21, 2025; and Friday, May 9, 2025 as shortened days for in-service training of certified staff and special events, of which each school may choose a maximum of two days for 2024-2025; two shortened days for state-required testing days as determined by the Illinois State Board of Education; and implementation of 12 morning work sessions, each of which would be 75 minutes on the following Tuesdays: August 20, 2024; September 3, 2024; September 17, 2024; October 15, 2024; November 12, 2024; December 3, 2024; January 14, 2025; January 28, 2025; February 11, 2025; February 25, 2025; March 11, 2025; and April 1, 2025.
More information is available here.
Food Service Purchasing Cooperative Restated Articles of Joint Agreement/Bylaws
The District’s Food and Nutrition Service Department operates under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Regulations for items sold under these programs are established by the United States Department of Agriculture and were most recently redefined through the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.
In March 2016, the Board approved membership in the Northern Illinois Independent Purchasing Cooperative (NIIPC). The NIIPC bids over $28 million annually and works with several manufacturers and authorized Illinois food distributors. Under the cooperative, it is estimated the District saves in excess of $65,000 annually through joint purchasing. The NIIPC has been governed by its membership to ensure the products bid are approved by its membership.
Under the current model, purchasing is compiled on behalf of the cooperative membership with bids presented to the cooperative’s administrative district, Oak Park River Forest High School District 200, for award. Effective July 1, 2024, the NIIPC will transition to operating under a governing board of member districts. The NIIPC has consulted with the Illinois State Board of Education and legal counsel to ensure all child nutrition procurement requirements will remain compliant within the new structure. To transition to a member governing board, a new joint agreement and bylaws must be adopted by member districts.
The Board authorized continued membership in the Northern Illinois Independent Purchasing Cooperative and authorized membership through execution of the restated articles of joint agreement and bylaws effective July 1, 2024, as presented. The new joint agreement and bylaws are available here.
One-to-One Program and Electronic Device Purchase
For the past ten years, District 211 has provided each student an iPad as part of the District's one-to-one program. The program has become an integral element in the District’s instructional model and has earned recognition by Apple for the program’s efficient and effective integration into students’ learning experiences.
The District’s one-to-one program is designed around a four-year device life cycle. Each student is assigned an iPad as a freshman and the student keeps that same device for the full four-year high school experience. Upon graduation, the senior has the option to purchase the assigned iPad at current market value. Any iPads not purchased by graduates will be sold to a third-party vendor.
Revenue obtained from the sale of used iPads to third-party resellers and to graduating students is used to offset overall one-to-one program costs. Faculty-assigned iPads are refreshed every two years to ensure teachers’ devices align with the device standards and feature sets used by students.
Each freshman in the Class of 2028 will be assigned a new iPad and protective case at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Since the District replaces teacher iPads on a two-year cycle, and there was such a purchase made last year, the District only needs to purchase student devices and cases this year.
The Board authorized the purchase of 3,400 iPads and 3,400 UZBL cases from Apple at a cost of $1,220,430 to support the one-to-one learning program during the 2024-2025 school year.
District-wide Telephone System Replacement
The District’s existing VoIP telephone system was purchased from Cisco and installed in 2013. It was expected to provide service for ten years and is showing signs of deterioration and obsolescence. The desktop units cannot be repaired and new units are no longer available. The servers associated with the system are due for replacement. The inventory of spares on hand is diminishing quickly. Additionally, the maturity and availability of full-function, cloud-based telephone systems make a migration to that type of solution more attractive from a sustainability, economic and system stability perspective.
Currently, the system that serves the District handles about 8,000 calls per day.
Throughout the past year, the District has engaged in a series of steps to ensure an efficient and reliable new telephone system again utilizing voice-over IP (VoIP) technology. The new system will utilize the District’s electronic network and technology that interfaces with a cloud-hosted telephone system and carrier services. User requirements were established via input from employee groups and incorporated into a Request for Proposal for VoIP telecommunications system. Users also had the opportunity to view various demonstrations of the latest telephone technology, services and telephone device options.
The D211 technology team studied various solutions. Input from Gartner Research regarding various potential solutions was also considered.
The Board accepted the proposal from Mindsight for a 5-year agreement to license and implement the Cisco Webex telephone system/service across the District at a cost of $1,041,312.17 plus implementation fees estimated not to exceed $50,000.
Full information is available here.
Professional Learning: Courageous Conversations
District 211 Strategic Plan Priority 6 focuses on increasing equity within our schools and includes two indicators. Indicator 6.3 details the work to expand the use of equitable practices through the increased use of positive behavior supports and restorative practices to address inequities in student disciplinary practices and increase the use of culturally relevant materials and culturally relevant teaching practices. As part of the implementation of these strategies, targets over multiple school years seek to provide professional development to staff regarding strategies related to culturally responsive teaching.
Courageous Conversations Beyond Diversity training is designed to build community, launch innovation and navigate the predictable pitfalls in interracial, multi-cultural conversations about race. The two-day seminar supports organizational leaders, staff members and organizations understanding the impact of race on interpersonal interactions, organizational performance and academic disparities.
The Board approved an agreement with Courageous Conversations to facilitate three two-day trainings at a cost of $55,000. which will be funded through the Title II grant. Each training will include up to 80 District 211 staff members.
Proposed Policy Revisions
The Board reviewed proposed changes to seven Board Policies reflecting updates to language since the previous review. Revisions were reviewed by the Administrative Board Policy group comprising Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Joshua Schumacher, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Kurt Tenopir, Director of Administrative Services Matt Hildebrand and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion LaShaunda Sandifer.
More information is available below:
JHCE Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention
KK Visitors to and Conduct on School Property
JEDB Student Attendance and Truancy
Next Board Meeting
The next scheduled regular Board of Education meeting will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, with closed session beginning at 6:30 p.m. and open session beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Anne Koller Board Meeting Room at the G.A. McElroy Administration Center.