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Dear LFHS Community Member,
To keep you informed, we will be sending you the Board Meeting Highlights on a monthly basis. These are not the official minutes of the Board of Education. Minutes once approved, all board agendas, packets, and videos can be
found here.
Board President's Report
Board President Reese Marcusson announced the passing of former LFHS Board President Dick Block. He noted Dick's kind nature, intellect and tenacity. Reese underscored the positive impact that Dick had on our school and community.
Reese commented that the Board, Mr. Simeck and Dr. Holland have been focused on district-wide and school goals to ensure the they have identified the right direction and metrics. He noted that one of the most notable goals is that ALL of our students are college and career ready. He commented that LFHS's aspirational vision, to prepare students to make a difference in their world, is of utmost importance. He concluded his report by stating the Board's responsibility is to make sure the resources, systems, and focus are in place, as well as the right goals and metrics.
View complete report here.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Mike Simeck reported that the schools, in partnership with LEAD, hosted a community viewing of the movie Screenagers, Growing Up in a Digital Age. The district and LEAD are also planning a presentation by
Julie Lythcott-Haims,
the author of How to Raise an Adult. Mike thanked LEAD for their support of these important school community initiatives.
Dr. Holland reported that the schedule committee met throughout the year, hosted parent and staff meetings, and surveyed students for feedback. The committee will reconvene to discuss the collective information.
Dr. Holland noted that the Curriculum Committee has been reviewing and considering new course proposals. In addition to a number of new courses in math, Dr. Holland announced the launch of a Theater Department for next year. Informational meetings will be scheduled to provide more detail to the school community. Three courses Theater 1, Theater 2, and Stagecraft and Tech Design will be the first offerings. Additionally, LFHS is planning an executive functioning discussion for parents, in partnership with Rush Neurobehavioral Center, on February 2 at 7:00pm (more information will be forthcoming). This meeting will focus on executive functioning and the teenage brain.
View complete report here.
College Acceptance
Tom Meagher presented a post-high school progress overview including patterns of college choice and college completion rates (see report for detail). Tom indicated that the high school is analyzing defined college readiness indicators and benchmarks to identify possible correlations to post high school success. View complete report here. View Video.
Education Committee
Committee Chair
Lise Eliot reported that three students, seniors Jenny Romanchek, Alec Brandel, and Vanessa Deubler presented an update on a Solar Panel project they developed under the supervision of Mrs. Davenport. The students reviewed the carbon and financial savings the panels could provide as well as the educational opportunities for science and math classes. They discussed the cost and proposed financing and energy savings. The committee encouraged the students to continue to explore funding/fundraising strategies and other details to further their goal of making this proposal a reality.
The committee met LFHS Director of Special Education Jenny Sterpin. Mrs. Sterpin explained the research evidence that peer environment is critical for learning. She outlined benefits and methods to foster an inclusive approach to special education.
Dr. Holland completed an overview of the goals for 2016-17. These goals center around four targets: 1) guaranteed and viable curriculum, 2) college- and career-readiness, 3) all students will participate in at least two extracurricular activities, 4) active engagement in learning, and development of executive skills and habits of mind.
View complete report here.
ED-RED
Sally Davis reported on the Illinois Association of School Board Joint Annual Conference in November. She attended three sessions addressing educational funding reform efforts in our State, which included panel discussions by legislators serving on the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission. The panelists reported that their Commission is fully committed to proposing a bipartisan bill to address educational funding reform. While details of the proposed legislation have not been disclosed, the speakers said their negotiation and drafting efforts are addressing all of the major factors affecting the current funding formula, including pension funding (as the State explores shifting funding to the districts), workers compensation reform, tax caps, and potentially, mandate relief. The proposed bill will first go to Governor Rauner and the majority and minority leaders of the Illinois House and Senate for their review and potential support on what the speakers called a "hard sell" to the entire Legislature. Sally indicted the legislators seemed optimistic about being able to propose joint legislation, but less optimistic about its reception from the leaders. The bill is due to be released to the leaders on Feb. 1 with the expectation that it would be proposed in the General Assembly's Spring Session. Sally will continue to monitor the progress of this effort. View complete report here.
2016 Tax Levy
The Board adopted the 2016 Tax Levy. The net taxes for existing property owners will be slightly lower in 2017. This small adjustment is due in part to a .7% increase in CPI, projected new property growth of an estimated $22 million, and the savings related to the July refinancing of the series 2006 referendum bonds in the amount of $27 million.
For more detailed information:
December Board Videos
Next Meeting
Monday, January 9, 2017, 6:30pm, West Campus.
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