Board President's Report
Board President Reese Marcusson
welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the 2017-18 school year. He noted that he is always envious of the beginning of the school year - fresh start, and new energy and hope. Reese stated it is the same for the board as the board is starting to see some of the things put in place over the last few years bear fruit. He commented that the high school has a great new leader, Dr. Holland, block scheduling, new supports, new food service and more. Dr. Holland consistently talks to the board about how to challenge and support students - all our students. This is the year the board wants to add to student supports.
In closing, Reese commented that the board will conduct a lot of business, addressing policies, contracts, budgets, and state funding this year. All of this is done so the board can provide the best staff and teachers in the state with the right amount of resources to develop passionate, courageous and insightful young adults that will make a difference in their world. View video for complete report.
Superintendent's Report
Principal Chala Holland introduced Student Council leaders Trisha Bhagat and Drew Arnson who
will represent the student body at the monthly Board of Education meetings. The students reviewed highlights of the start of school and discussed the newly adopted Learning Management System, Schoology.
Chala highlighted a number of successful opening activities including, Freshman Orientation, changes to attendance procedures, Open House, Be True to Your School, Homecoming, and Schoology. She noted that Schoology enables our students, teachers, and parents to engage with learning materials and their school community from the classroom and beyond. Additionally, Schoology benefits all stakeholders as a single, unified digital workflow system. She encouraged everyone, students, staff and parents, to be involved this year to support clubs, activities, performances and athletics.
Superintendent Mike Simeck announced that Lake Forest School Districts 115, 67 and LEAD will be hosting a presentation by Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult on Monday, December 4 at 7pm in the Lake Forest High School Auditorium. She will also be presenting to teachers during the day. The Lake Forest Book Store will offer a 15% discount on the purchase of the book. Mike also showed a video "Why We Play," featuring our students. It emphasizes our school's values and the importance of school connections. View video for complete report.
Public Participation
Several neighbors of Lake Forest High School raised concerns about the pond located at the school. A teacher from the Science Department noted the educational value of this pond. View video for complete information.
Strategic Plan
Principal Chala Holland presented an overview of the Strategic Plan. She commented that the District Milestones span all of the school's work. The plan and work is a progression over time. Chala outlined four core areas of focus for the upcoming year. She commented that specifics and metrics were included in the board packet.
Written Report
View video for complete report.
Finance Committee
Committee Chair David Lane noted that the committee had a very productive meeting. Agenda items included an orientation for new members, a budget discussion, information about the high school's Transition Program, and the solar project. Additionally, upcoming meeting dates were set for the year. View video for complete report.
Education, Research, Development (ED-RED)
Sally Davis reported that in
August,Governor Rauner signed SB1947, titled the "Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act." Legislators are calling the Act historic because it changes the Illinois school funding model by: (i) adopting an Evidence-Based "Adequacy Model," which uses 25+ factors to determine unique student funding needs to build a district's "Adequacy Target;" and (ii) pairing that Model with a method to disburse new General State Aid (GSA) dollars first to those districts that are furthest from their Adequacy Target.
She outlined key provisions of the Act as they relate to the Lake Forest High School community. She reported that there are significant questions about the scope, meaning, and administration of the Act that cannot be answered with certainty as of yet. Legislators already have begun preparing proposed amendments for the General Assembly's next session in late October to clarify or harmonize the legislation's language.
The Board and Administration will continue to closely monitor legislative developments, ISBE rulemaking, and ED-RED activities in this rapidly evolving environment and communicate new developments frequently and proactively with the community. For complete information and further detail view the Written Report.
View video.
For more information:
The Board Highlights are not the official minutes of the Board of Education. Minutes, once approved, all board agendas, packets, and videos can be
found here.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - Board of Education Meeting 7:00pm, LFHS West Campus Board Room.
