Regular Board Meeting (with Class of 2021 Board Members)

Dawn Livingston, President, noted the successful launch of the Modified Full Day program for first through sixth graders.  Ms. Livingston reviewed the purpose and agenda for the series of meetings for the evening. 

Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent, recognized the importance of continuing to make progress toward ensuring our planning reflects the needs of our students, families and staff in the fall. 

Other Business:
Retiring Board Members Mr. Scott Conine (2017-2021) and Mr. Nat Roberts (2017-2021) were recognized for their leadership on behalf of the school community. They were thanked for their integrity while navigating the District through a variety of initiatives over the past four years. Books have been donated to every school Resource Center in their honor.

The Consent agenda and following Action Items were approved:
  1. Preliminary Staffing Plan SY21-22
  2. Settlement Agreement and Release
  3. Settlement Agreement and Release
  4. Third Memorandum of Understanding (WEA) Regarding 2020-2021 School Year
  5. Renewal of Existing IT Managed Services with Dyopath
Organizational Meeting (with newly seated Board Members)

New Board Members, Alyssa Rapp and Dan Waters, took the Oath of Office, along with re-elected Board Member, Steve Cirulis. Officer positions were determined for 2021-2022. Dawn Livingston was elected as President. Emily Rose was elected as Vice-President, and Maxie Clarke will serve as Secretary. The 2021-2022 Board committee assignments and calendar were approved. For now, meetings will continue to be held at 7:15 p.m. at Carleton Washburne School. 

Regular Meeting

Emily Rose, Board Secretary, shared that the School Board composed a letter to send to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to advocate for timelier COVID-related updates and increased opportunities for District autonomy.

Presentation

Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent, and Kelly Tess, Assistant Superintendent, shared an update on both the current modified full-day schedule as well as planning for 2021-2022. District staff is focusing on bridging the academic, social, and emotional experiences from this year to next with intentional planning, programming, and communication. In order to reflect on the emotional toll and/or strength that evolved over the past fourteen months, District leadership has started gathering feedback from our students, staff, parents and administrators.

Linked to the following questions are short video vignettes highlighting the individualized "human element" influencing the District's planning. 

 
What is top-of-mind for next year's planning?
 
Dr. Kocanda noted that the District seeks to tie common threads and needs together to build a cohesive plan that affords time and place for healing while addressing the critical academic and social priorities.

Informational Items
 
Ms. Denise Matthews was approved as the new Director of Student Services,
Equity & Inclusion at the November 2020 Board meeting. She will be replacing
Ms. Beth Martin upon her retirement in June, officially starting with the District on July 1, 2021. Information was shared regarding a timeline and plans for Ms. Matthew's transition into the role.

Educational Master Facility Plan (EMFP) Advancement
The Citizens Task Force held its second meeting on April 21, 2021, which included a review of revised facility and funding proposals to determine if the new proposal(s) should be shared and tested community-wide. The 2007 Referendum outcomes were also discussed. 

Brad Goldstein, CFO, shared that there is enough interest in transportation for the 2021-2022 school year that the District will move forward with our contract with North Shore Transit.   
 
The following Action Item was approved:
  1. North Shore Transit Contract

 
The Complete Board Packets for the April 27, 2021 School Board Meetings are here.
Upcoming Regular Meeting Dates
May 25, 2021
June 22, 2021



Regular meetings are open to the public and will be held at Carleton Washburne School through June 2021. Regular meetings begin at 7:15 p.m. Work sessions are also open to the public and may be scheduled at the discretion of the Board. Discussion topics and times for work sessions will be posted on the District website 24 hours in advance.
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