February 2024 Board Meeting Recap

Regular Board Meeting

Gabriela Whipple, Board President, congratulated all of our Fremont Middle School wrestlers who are continuing to compete this postseason. She also highlighted the band and choir members who recently participated in their winter concerts, as well as the Elementary School Kindness Club students who created bookmarks for teachers and staff in conjunction with Random Act of Kindness Day. The Board continues to invest in its own professional development, attending the National Consortium of State School Board Association conference in Dallas last weekend where it engaged in presentations from national leaders on a variety of trending topics.

Dr. Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent of Schools, expressed her appreciation for our Board's dedication to providing the highest level of service to our community as evidenced by their voluntary participation in the CSSBA conference. Fremont Elementary School staff members Tiffany Martinelli, Christie Johnson, and Mike Smith were recognized as this year's "Those Who Excel" award winners, presented by the Illinois State Board of Education. Finally, Congressman Brad Schneider toured the FSD79 schools on Monday, while meeting with a group of intermediate and middle school students. The focus of a presentation with the Congressman was on student leadership within our schools and the community.

Board of Education Recognition

This month's recognition was for the members of the Lincoln Early Learning Center staff. Our Lincoln staff members have done a tremendous job of providing a positive and inclusive environment for all our students. In her first year as the principal, Katie O’Brien has led the team with an open heart and the willingness to learn alongside the team.

Presentations

Student Services Strategic Goals Update

Krista Winkelman, Executive Director of Student Services, and Tegan Dittmer, Assistant Director of Student Services, provided a mid-year update for the Student Services Department. Professional development time has been spent focused on student behavior, de-escalation techniques, and restorative practices. The District social-emotional learning (SEL) committee is reviewing current practices and determining the best path to embed SEL practices throughout the day and across grades. Positive behavioral intervention supports (PBS) and restorative practices are being further integrated and grown, with building-level PAWS committees updating the documentation system and increasing professional development. Students who qualify for multilingual services have seen a 5.5% increase in their time spent in the K-8 general education setting, while students with IEPs at the intermediate school have seen a 13% increase in their time in the general education setting. Inclusion practices at Lincoln Early Learning Center include providing support to students, embedding social-emotional learning throughout the day, and personalizing learning schedules.

Educational Long-Range Facility Plan & Ivanhoe Village Update

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Trisha Kocanda provided an update on the development of the District's Educational Long Range Facility Plan (ELFP) in collaboration with planning for growth from three active developments and the forthcoming Ivanhoe Village project. The objectives of the ELFP are to 1) create a plan that is community-based, 2) maintain a focus on teaching, learning, and safety, 3) account for future enrollment growth, and 4) commit to wise investments as responsible stewards. An ELFP Steering Committee is meeting monthly—along with architectural partner DLR Group—and will recommend a 10-year plan for the School Board in fall 2024. The District will be further engaging our community to learn their facility planning priorities and how to best represent their short-term and long-term interests. Dr. Koncanda stressed the importance of negotiating fair impact fees in order to maintain our education standards and keep our taxpayers whole.

Informational Items

Mid-Year Strategic Goal Update

A mid-year update was provided on the District's progress toward the Strategic Plan's annual goals. The four goal areas are:

• Safe, Healthy & Connected Culture
• Growth and Achievement for All
• Talent Recruitment & Development
• Financial & Facility Stewardship

Fremont College Course Offering Spring 2024

FSD79 is piloting Fremont College this spring, our new internal, credit-bearing, professional development model, which will enhance our ability to learn and grow together and from one

another. Three District staff members have submitted and had approved their courses that they are interested in teaching. Registration is slated to run through Monday, March 4.

2024-25 Bus Routing Guidelines: Parent Communication Plan

The District communicated to families on February 15 its plan to rework its bus routes for the 2024-25 school year based on the approved Transportation Guidelines. The District will be holding a virtual webinar for families to further explain the new routing guidelines on March 19. Additionally, we will be reaching out to local law enforcement agencies, highway departments, and homeowners associations in the communities we serve to inform them that we are reworking our bus routes. Bus route assignments for the 2024-25 school year are expected to be communicated no later than August 5, 2024.

The Consent Agenda and Following Action Items Were Approved:

1. Disposal of School District Personal Property
   

2. Review of Closed Session Minutes
   

3. Impact Fee Negotiations Resolution
   

4. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Resolution
   

5. Annual Tuition Rate
   
6. Director of Building, Grounds and Safety Contract
   
7. Superintendent of Schools 2024-2029 Contract
   

To view the Board Packet materials from the February 26, 2024 Meeting, click here.

Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL

Phone: (847) 566-0169

Website: fsd79.org

Twitter: @FSD79

Instagram: @FSD79

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