USD116 BOE Update: Feb. 18, 2025

• The Board addressed upcoming vacancies on the board and suggested timelines for accepting applications.

Transportation Overview

• An overview of transportation services with First Student and MTD was discussed, which included data on behavioral incidents on buses.

• The District's Discipline Improvement Plan was presented to the Board, highlighting the need for addressing disproportionality in disciplinary actions and the goal of reducing exclusionary practices. The plan includes tiered strategies for addressing student behavior, focusing on restorative practices.

• The district calendar for the 2025-26 school year was not approved, with concerns raised about inclusivity and representation of various religious observances. A motion was made to send the calendar back to the committee for further consideration of alternatives regarding holiday observances.

• The superintendent shared updates on strategic planning, including ongoing engagement efforts to gather community input. Plans for future community meetings and listening sessions were discussed, emphasizing the importance of involving families and stakeholders in the planning process.

The Urbana School District #116 Board of Education is opening applications in anticipation of vacancies for the Sub-District 1 and Sub-District 6 Board of Education Seats.

Statement of Interest forms may be picked up at 1101 E. University, Suite B, Urbana, IL 61802, beginning Monday, March 3, 2025. You can also request a Statement of Interest form electronically.

A completed statement of interest, current resume, and a letter that includes your reasons for wanting to serve on the Urbana School District #116 Board of Education must be turned in by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31.

MTD and First Student gave an overview of their services with USD116.

MTD: USD has an annual contract with MTD. The 2024-25 contract was $237,690.

For UMS and UHS, there is an MTD supervisor who makes sure busses are there on time; ready to assist operators and release busses at dismissal.

• If there are incidents, the school administrators reach out to MTD to request video if applicable. The school administrator handles discipline adhering to the District’s Student Behavior Response Continuum
• For the Sixth Grade Center, the District is working with MTD to present expectations to incoming 6th grade students ahead of the new year -- "Learn to Ride Program."
• For 2025-26, MTD is adding three new buses (Green/Orange/Gold) to address the number of students on each bus and hopefully further decrease behavior concerns.

First Student: SY25 USD has 1,765 eligible riders

• There has been an overall 55 percent referral reduction this year on First Student buses.

View the full presentation

Q: Do we review bus expectations with students each year?

A: As part of the registration process, families have to acknowledge they have reviewed bus expectations with their student. For elementary students, we talk about behavior on the yellow buses each year as part of discussing expectations in different school related spaces. For middle and high school students, we talk about expectations at the beginning of the year.

Q: How has the transition been after redistricting?

A: In the beginning we had some challenges with Yankee Ridge, but that has gotten better. Everyone has adapted well. I think it has helped the behavior on the buses. - (First Student Rep)

The Board of Education approved the District’s Discipline Improvement Plan.

USD116 is in the top 20% in the state for exclusionary practices. A Joint Student Discipline Committee (JSDC) was created to make a plan to improve the data. The JSDC created a Student Behavior Response Continuum & Discipline Matrix.

• Analyze and Identify Root Causes of Disproportionality in Exclusionary Practices and provide recommendations for addressing these issues through improved policies and practices.
• Develop and Implement Restorative and Inclusive Practices to Reduce Exclusionary Discipline and develop an action plan with specific restorative and inclusive practices to be implemented across the district.

Potential Action Plan to Reduce the Use of Exclusionary Discipline and/or Racial Disproportionality

• Tier 1 Strategy/Action: Restorative Practices and Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBIS)
• Tier 2 Strategy/Action: Targeted Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Interventions for At-Risk Students
  
• Tier 3 Strategy/Action: Intensive Individualized Support for Students with Chronic Behavioral Issues

View the presentation

Q: Is there a distinction in these metrics between in-school and out-of-school suspensions?

A: ISBE counts exclusionary practices as being out of the school. But as a team, we are talking about time out of class overall, which is impeding their learning.

Q: Do you feel like you have sufficient resources for the plan you're implementing?

A: I do feel like we need Professional Development time. Restorative Practices take a long time to learn and train people on.

11.2 District Calendar 2025-2026 - Not approved

The Board made a new motion that the Calendar Committee consider one of the other alternatives to add another religious holiday into the calendar, in order to be more inclusive to all cultures/religions.

11.3 District Discipline Improvement Plan - Approved

Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report: February 18, 2025

Highlights:

• Three UHS wrestlers have qualified for the state competition
• The UHS Winter Guard's lyrical routine placed 4th at State
• Sixth Grade Center Family Orientation is March 6 from 6-7 p.m. at UMS