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District 15 Board of Education News
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December 13, 2023
Pledge of Allegiance Led by Virginia Lake Elementary School
Virginia Lake Elementary School students led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Principal VanWinkle invited students who worked diligently to memorize a skit that was performed during their school assemblies honoring fourteen special Veterans at their annual Veterans’ Day celebration. We are so grateful to have such caring students creating a memorable performance to recognize Veterans near and dear to VL. Nice job, VL Dolphins!
RECOGNITION
Above and Beyond, Instructional Coach Jennifer Bustos
Jennifer Bustos was selected for the Above and Beyond recognition for the month of December following a nomination by Amy Molinsky, Principal of Jane Addams, and an additional nomination from Kari Keith, Director of Multilingual Services.
Jennifer is an Instructional Coach at Jane Addams. It was shared that Jen, “has been instrumental in supporting new staff, leading professional learning communities, and demonstrating flexibility with new initiatives.”
Thank you, Jen, for all you do for Jane Addams and District 15! We are lucky and thankful to have you on staff.
Above and Beyond, TJ Safety Patrol Sharon Lawson
Sharon Lawson was selected for the Above and Beyond recognition following a nomination by Larry Sasso, Principal of Thomas Jefferson, and Jack Olson, Assistant Principal of Thomas Jefferson.
Sharon has been a crossing guard for Thomas Jefferson for the last 45 years! We appreciate all she does to keep our students and staff safe as they arrive and leave TJ each day! Thank you, Sharon!
DISTRICT UPDATES
Update to Graduation Dates
All 8th grade graduations will take place on Wednesday, May 22. The last day of school for 1st through 7th grade students is on Thursday, May 23. Please note that 8th grade students do not need to attend school on Thursday, May 23.
Schedule for Graduations on Wednesday, May 22:
We can’t wait to celebrate our eighth graders completing their educational experience in District 15!
PUBLIC HEARING
Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
The District held a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing where Mrs. McCluskey presented a synopsis from the formal levy presentation at the November 15, 2023, meeting. The Truth in Taxation Hearing is required when the levy exceeds 5% of the previous year’s extension.
The LY23 levy is approximately a 7.41% increase from the LY22 levy. Under PTELL, the Cook County Clerk will limit the final extension to the 5% CPI maximum allowed. The final extension will be more than 5% due to new property coming on the tax rolls.
The final LY23 levy is $153,580,221.
View the presentation for more information about the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.
PRESENTATIONS
FY2023 Final Audit from Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd.
John Epperson, Partner, Miller Cooper & Co. Ltd. presented the final audit from Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd. He shared that all school districts are required to have an annual audit conducted by a public accounting firm in Illinois.
District 15 received the highest level of assurance meaning the financial statements presented fairly and changes in financial position for the year ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US.
2024-2025 Student Fees
Diana McCluskey, Chief Business School Officer, presented an update to the students fees for the 2024-2025 school year. Like most districts in Illinois, District 15 collects student fees to help offset the cost of programs and services, district initiatives, new instructional resources, and technology purchases provided to students. District 15 relies on student fees collected to help offset our per-pupil expenditures. The Board approved the updated student fees as seen below.
Review of Student Information System and Migration Plan
Mary Jane Warden, Chief Technology Officer, presented an overview of the Student Information System review and migration plan. She shared that a student information system (SIS) is a critical core system for school districts that plays a vital core role in many aspects of operating a school and district such as:
Managing student data and records including attendance, discipline, schedules, courses, and grades;
Enrollment monitoring and reporting;
Constructing required reports to ISBE as well as information required in Title grants;
Providing a hub of staff and student information as it intersects with various systems like transportation, food service, and resource management;
Streamlining administrative processes; and
Providing communication between school, parents, and students.
The District selected PowerSchool SIS for its new Student Information System. The transition from Infinite Campus to Power School will take time and is expected to go live in August of 2025.
Strategic Plan Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
Dr. Laurie Heinz, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Tom Edgar, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services; Dr. Lori Lopez, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; Dr. Mindy McGuffin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Dr. Shari Lazor, Director for Human Resources; Mrs. Renee Urbanski, Assistant Superintendent for Multilingual Programs; and Mrs. MJ Warden, Chief Technology Officer, presented the Strategic Plan’s Key Performance Indicators.
As we have discussed at the Board table, District 15 recently developed a new strategic plan. At the December 13th meeting, the team provided an in-depth overview of the themes and associated Key Performance Indicators (KPI). Strategic Priorities and Associated Themes reviewed are as follows:
KPI linked to each theme were presented. Interested in learning more? View the full presentation in BoardDocs.
First Reading and Approval of Press 113 BOE policy 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students
District 15 has an existing Board Policy 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students. However, per statute 105 ILCS 5/22-30 (f), effective January 1, 2024, school districts are required to maintain a supply of undesignated opioid antagonists to administer as necessary.
The statute also now permits school districts to maintain a supply of undesignated albuterol, which has been supplied by ISBE, without cost to the district. This will allow students experiencing a significant asthmatic episode to be treated and remain at school, rather than transported via ambulance, should parents not be available.
For more information, please view the documents in BoardDocs.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ED-RED Committee
Board Member Annerino shared that he will be joining a few ED-RED committees including transportation, the TIF reform, and the plans for new arrival students.
one-five Foundation
Board Member Taylor shared that the one-five Foundation sponsored a LEGO robotics team from Willow Bend. The one-five Foundation approved 16 mini-grants this year totalling $21,620.
Finance Committee
Board Member Wang shared that they met to discuss the audit results and the student fee structure which were both presented at the meeting.
Equity Committee
Board Members Khan and Ader shared that they will schedule a meeting to discuss how they will continue to be a part of the strategic plan to ensure the district is holding itself accountable to supporting all students equitably.
ACTION ITEMS
10.1 Approval of Personnel Report: Recommendations for Administration, Certified and Non-Certified Staff members. - approved
10.2 Acceptance of FY2023 Final Audit. -approved
10.3 Approval of the Resolution Authorizing Final Aggregate Tax Levy 2023 and Certificate of Tax Levy. -approved
10.4 Approval of First Student Transportation bid and the Agreement for Unassigned School Bus Routes. -approved
10.5 Approval of Resolution Awarding and Assigning Trade Contracts for Additions and Renovations related to Hunting Ridge School. -approved
10.6 Approval of PowerSchool Contract. -approved
10.7 Approval of 2024-25 Fees: Textbook Rental, Material, Technology Fee and Interscholastic. -approved
10.8 Approval of Second Reading of Press 113 BOE policy 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students. -approved