District 15 Board of Education News
March 13, 2024
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance - Frank C. Whiteley
Frank C. Whiteley’s Principal, Theresa Drogos, provided Dr. Heinz and the Board of Education with an overview of the work of the Wildcat Crew composed of 5th and 6th grade Whiteley students.
The Wildcat Crew helps with various jobs and leadership opportunities throughout the school year and require a commitment of responsibility, hard work, and of course, fun! This year, the Wildcat Crew has helped with 1st through 4th grade lunches, created PBIS station rotation videos, promoted their Thanksgiving food drive with commercials and partnership with the PTA, managed the PAW Store, coordinated Kindness Week, and helped with whole-school celebrations and assemblies.
Mrs. Drogos shared that the Wildcat Crew plays an integral part of their school community and each member leads by example every day. Thank you to our FCW students for helping lead the Pledge at our Board meeting!
RECOGNITION
District 15 2-Ball Competition Winners
This year’s District 15’s annual 2-Ball competition took place on February 13th and 14th and included both 5th and 6th grade students.
Two divisions, based on enrollment, were created. The large school divisions included Hunting Ridge, Stuart R. Paddock, Virginia Lake, Frank C. Whiteley, Lincoln School, Marion Jordan, and Kimball Hill, and the small school division included Jane Addams, Central Road, Pleasant Hill, Willow Bend, Thomas Jefferson, Winston Campus Elementary, Lake Louise, and Gray M. Sanborn.
Congratulations to all of the participants for their teamwork and skill. Dr. Heinz and the Board recognized 1st place winners from both 5th and 6th grade divisions.
Girls Small School Division
5th Grade - Ella K. and Nora M. from Hunting Ridge
6th Grade - Sadie D. and Maddie M. from Pleasant Hill
Boys Small School Division
5th Grade - Owen E. and Michael W. from Virginia Lake
6th Grade - Jake L. and AJ F. from Pleasant Hill
Girls Large School Division
5th Grade - Kaleigh L. and Sanvika S. from Marion Jordan
6th Grade - Addi S. and Chloe L. from Thomas Jefferson
Boys Large School Division
5th Grade - Edward H. and Travis D. from Marion Jordan
6th Grade - Cole R. and David K. from Thomas Jefferson
A special shout out to our coaches for keeping this D15 tradition rolling, or should we say dribbling!
5th Grade Students
6th Grade Students
Infinitec Outstanding Student Technology Award
Jonah G., a student at Marion Jordan (MJ), received the 2024 Infinitec North Technology Achievement Award, honoring students who excel in use of assistive technology.
It was shared that the initiation of technology into Jonah’s life has been very impactful because it has empowered Jonah to become a more confident, independent learner. It has also allowed for improved communication with friends, peers, teachers, and family. Jonah is highly motivated to use technology to communicate. He advocates for himself, seeks out his tools, and uses them independently and appropriately throughout the day.
Jonah has been invited to be recognized at an Infinitec awards ceremony on Thursday, April 18, 2024. We are so proud of Jonah for all he’s accomplished! An additional shout out goes to Jonah’s team at MJ (pictured) for helping Jonah soar.
Above and Beyond - Carol Coutts-Siepka
Carol Coutts-Siepka, Plum Grove Junior High’s Library Innovation Teacher, was selected for the Above and Beyond recognition this month following a nomination by PGJH’s administrative team.
Mrs. Coutts-Siepka’s nominators shared that Carol is committed to providing and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment within the school library. Furthermore, they shared that she consistently goes above and beyond to cater to the diverse needs of PGJH students, fostering an atmosphere where all students feel valued and encouraged to explore the vast world.
Thank you, Carol! We are so honored to recognize such an amazing staff member for going Above and Beyond!
PRESENTATIONS
2024-2025 Staffing Report
Dr. Laurie Heinz, Superintendent of Schools, updated the Board on staffing increases administration are seeking to support the work of our schools.
Requests included an Instructional Coach for Conyers Learning Academy, seven Student Services Coordinators, an increase of .5 Psych Coordinator, Assistant Principals at Plum Grove and Gray M. Sanborn, and an increase of .5 Assistant Principals at Walter R. Sundling and Lincoln. The Instructional Coach for CLA is grant funded. The Student Services Coordinators were offset by reduced spending in other areas, and a portion of the two additional Assistant Principals will be offset by a reduction of an Assistant Director in Human Resources.
The 2024-2025 staffing requests were approved by the Board of Education.
Additional School Resource Officer (SRO) for Hoffman Estates
Under the Moving 15 Forward Plan, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School will become Thomas Jefferson Middle School (TJMS) beginning with the 2024-25 school year, making it the first time Hoffman Estates has its own middle school. With the addition of a fifth middle school in the district, the District would like to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Hoffman Estates to employ a School Resource Officer (SRO) to support our Hoffman Estates schools for a one year pilot period. The District currently has Intergovernmental Agreements with the Palatine Police Department and the Rolling Meadows Police Department where we have four SROs supporting our Palatine and Rolling Meadows schools.
It was shared that our SRO’s conduct safety checks in our buildings, monitor our hallways during passing periods, help with traffic flow at the schools at arrival and dismissal, monitor the cafeterias during lunch periods, attend sporting events, attend re-entry meetings for students returning after out-of-school suspensions, attend safety plan meetings on students, serve on the building threat assessment teams, conduct lockdown and relocation drills, serve as student mentors, accompany building administration on home visits, and help with parental concerns. According to our building leaders, they provide an invaluable resource to our schools.
The Board of Education will vote on the addition of an SRO for our Hoffman Estates Schools at its April meeting.
Revised 2024-2025 School Calendar
The Board of Education reviewed the proposed 2024-2025 revised school calendar. The school year will begin with one Teacher Plan Day on Friday, August 30, 2024, and two teacher Institute Days on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 and Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
All students will begin classes on Thursday, September 5, 2024. As a part of our Moving 15 Forward Initiative, Early Childhood (full and half day) as well as all kindergarten classes will be in attendance beginning on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Winter Break will run from Monday, December 23, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. The first day for students after Winter Break will be Monday, January 6, 2025. Spring Break will run from Monday, March 24, 2025, through Friday, March 28, 2025. The first day for students after Spring Break would be Monday, March 31, 2025. The school year would end on June 12, 2025.
While we understand that eLearning is not everyone’s favorite option, we know that many staff and families do not want the school year to go past the middle of June. Therefore, it was proposed that we utilize eLearning Days in the event we need to use an inclement weather day next year.
The 2024-2025 School Calendar was approved by the Board of Education.
First Reading: Update to BOE Policy 2:150 Committees
Policy 2:150 outlines various Board of Education committees in District 15. This policy suggested changes that will be brought back for a second reading and approval at the April 10, 2024, Board of Education Meeting.
View additional information about Policy 2:150 in BoardDocs.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ED-RED Committee
Board Member Annerino shared there is a lot of legislation moving around in committees such as legislation to equalize the high costs of special education funding, school bus seat belts, a regulated training cycle, and the TIF reform resolution. The TIF reform resolution was created to give school boards a greater voice when approving TIFs. This resolution will be on a future board agenda for discussion.
one-five Foundation
Board Member Taylor shared that the one-five Foundation continues to do amazing things in our schools. The Foundation recently approved $20,000 to be used to support Blessings in a Backpack in two of our schools that do not currently have it set up. This program provides students with food over the weekend.
Taylor also reminded everyone that the best way to support the Foundation in their efforts is through programs like their 50/50 raffle. Tickets were on sale through Friday, March 15. The live drawing took place on Friday, March 15 at noon.
Finance Committee
Board Members Wang and Hunt shared there are no new updates at this time.
Equity Committee
Board Members Khan and Ader shared that they met last week. In their meeting, they planned for the Equity Committee to have representation during Tony Sanders, State Superintendent’s, visit in April. Additionally, the Equity Committee will partake in the strategic planning monitoring and will participate at the District’s Administrative Advance during their discussion of SMARTIE goals for the District.
ACTION ITEMS
1 - Approval of Resolution: Dismissal of First Year Probationary Teacher - approved
2 - Approval of Personnel Report: Recommendations for Administration, Certified and Non-Certified staff members - approved
3 - Approval of Settlement Agreement - Case No. 2022 L 063021. - approved
4 - Approval of 2024-2025 Staffing Requests - approved
5 - Approval of Additional School Resource Officer for Hoffman Estate Schools -Action item moved to April Board meeting
6 - Approval of First Student Transportation Bid and Agreement for Unassigned School Bus Routes - approved
7 - Approval of Bid Award #24-005 School Buses - approved
8 - Approval of Bid Award #24-007 Hunting Ridge Parking Lot Improvements - approved
9 - Approval of Bid Award #24-008 Lincoln School Parking Lot Improvements - approved
10 - Approval of Revised 2024-2025 Official School Calendar - approved
11 - Approval of Infinitec Agreement 2024-2025 - approved