Action Items
Approval of the Summer Curriculum and Program Development Workshop Proposals
The Board approved a second reading of summer curriculum and program development workshops. One workshop was added since the March 6 Committee of the Whole meeting to support the expansion of LT’s EL/Bilingual program as a result of an ISBE EL/Bilingual audit.
For the summer of 2023, 21 summer curriculum and program development workshops
were reviewed. Highlights include:
- Co-Teaching training and a co-teaching workshop for teachers who will begin co-teaching in the fall;
- Cultivating Curriculum workshop for teams for teachers to create a unit of study incorporating Gholdy Muhammed’s five pursuits of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy;
- 6 workshops for freshman core course teams who have been a part of the curriculum review this year;
- EL/Bilingual Curriculum Map Updates;
- Curriculum change proposal workshops, including:
- Adaptive PE Leaders.
- Medical Terminology.
- Sustainable Urban Agriculture.
- Earth and Space Science.
- Updates as required by Indiana University for Spanish III ACP.
- Updates to the AP Psychology course as necessitated by the College Board.
Notice to Remedy
The Board of Education approved a Notice to Remedy regarding a certified staff member.
Additional Textbook Change Requests (First Reading)
The Board approved additional textbook change requests. Included in the requests are a new English Learner program, a redesign of Freshman English Courses, a new series for Italian, a new book for AP US Government and Politics, and a textbook for our new course in Medical Terminology.
The total additional amount requested is $18,811.95, which brings the total costs of textbook changes to $148,334.
Textbooks will be on display in the LT Board Room until the May Board meeting for community review and comment.
Approval of the FY2023 Amended Budget
The FY2023 Amended Budget was approved as presented. Below is a summary of the major changes that have been made to the amended budget:
Revenue:
- Increase to Corporate Personal Property Tax Revenue of just over $2.25 million.
- Add budget for $1.8 million of revenue in Activity Funds (does not affect District operating budget)
Expense:
- Decrease in expense for Capital Projects Fund related to summer 2023 Capital Projects of $1.1 million.
- Add budget for $1.8 million of expense to Activity Funds (does not affect District operating budget).
- Decrease of $200,000 in Transportation Fund Expenses and Increase in Building & Grounds expenses of $200,000 due to additional repairs needed in District buildings.
- Increase of $300,000 for LADSE expenses.
- Increase of $470,000 for out-of-District related student expenses.
The amended Illinois State Board of Education budget form shows a $7.0 million surplus in the operating funds (Education, O&M, Transportation and Working Cash Funds). However, we are offsetting that with $7.8 million of expense in the Capital Projects Fund. The original budget suggested that the decrease of fund balance would be $3.4 million. The amended budget now reflects a decrease to a $.8 million loss of fund balance.
Approval of the Amended Superintendent Contract (Dr. Waterman) 2023-2028
The Board approved a 5-year contract extension with Superintendent, Dr. Brian Waterman.
Approval of the Negotiated Agreement between the Board of Education of Lyons Township High School District 204 and the Lyons Township High School Education Association 2023-2028
The Board approved a 5-year successor agreement with the Lyons Township Education Association. The agreement provides a base salary increase, per the following schedule:
- Year 1: 4%
- Year 2: 3%
- Year 3: 3%
- Year 4: 2%
- Year 5: 2%
The agreement also includes a 6% increase for summer academic program wages and includes no changes to the insurance contribution percentages. The approved agreement takes effect July 1, 2023, and will sunset on June 30, 2028.
Discussion Items
Information Only
2023 Summer Reading List
The Board reviewed the 2023 Summer Reading List. Students will select a title from the suggested list and will engage in classroom-based discussions and/or assignments during the first week of school in August. In addition, students in all freshman and sophomore English classes will read a title from the LT summer reading list. All AP courses will have separate reading lists from which to choose a text. Although students in the AP classes will not complete a formal assignment over the summer, they will be given guided suggestions for critical reading to help transition them to the demands of an AP curriculum.
Senior Honors Day Declaration Class of 2023
Board President Kari Dillon read a declaration congratulating the Class of 2023 and acknowledging the variety of celebratory events that will occur over the next several weeks prior to the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, May 31.
Superintendent’s District Report
Superintendent Dr. Brian Waterman presented a report that included the following updates:
- Dr. Waterman recognized Student Rep to the Board, Matthew Walsh, for his service to the Board during the 2022-23 school year.
- Dr. Waterman expressed his appreciation for everyone’s efforts, as LT administered 3,000 total assessment during the week of April 10. Our juniors took the SAT and our freshmen and sophomores took the practice SAT. Special thanks to Kristine Zieman and all Testing Office staff, as well as all staff who proctored an exam, monitored a hallway, packed up a box, checked in a student, prepared a room with the right # of desks, or anything else that was necessary to complete a successful testing week.
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Dr. Waterman also congratulated the Class of 2023 in anticipation of President Dillon reading the Senior Honors Day Declaration. All of the details for the Class of 2023 can be found at www.lths.net/seniors. We are looking forward to celebrating the amazing Class of 2023 over the next several weeks.
- The District has received 9 FOIA requests since the March meeting.
Student Representative to the Board Report
Student Representative to the Board, Matthew Walsh, presented an update that included the following highlights:
Athletics
- A variety of LT athletes were highlighted this month for their achievements this year: Matthew Adler for Boys Gymnastics, and Aggie Driscoll and Elle Ownby for Badminton.
- The Athlete of the Week is Will Glimco for his accomplishments in Boy's Lacrosse.
- Girls Water Polo won against New Trier on March 21.
- The new scoreboard is up at the South Campus pool.
- LT Baseball started with wins against Glenbard West, the Morton Mustangs, and Lincoln Way Central.
Activities
- At the US High School Chess Championships the LT Under 1900 rated team finished 9th, the Unrated team finished 5th.
- The LION Newspaper won multiple awards and was acknowledged for its excellence at the NISPA Awards.
- Over Spring Break, The LT Choir and the LT Orchestra visited New York, Latin Club visited Italy and Greece, LT German Club visited Germany.
- The Eurythmic Dance Company is preparing for their show that will take place in the Reber Center from May 4 to May 6.
LTEA Report
LT Education Association President Andrew Johannes shared the following report:
- The faculty voted to approve the tentative agreement. He thanked everyone involved in the negotiations.
- The teachers appreciate the support of the Board in offering summer workshops. He thanked the leadership team for organizing and coordinating the different options for summer workshops.
- Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Dawn Saukstelis has been working with various news outlets putting a spotlight on the teaching internship program she coordinates.
- Congratulations to Emily Fellmann, Will Meuer, Lawrence Keller, and Pat Callahan who were honored by the Illinois Directors of Student Activities for their work with students, including French Club, Recycling Club, Theater, and the SAVE Promise Club.
- Andrew recognized the Testing Office for their work coordinating a successful administration of the SAT and PSATs at both campuses. He also thanked all of the teachers, paraeducators, and other staff members for their assistance in proctoring and ensuring that the testing environment was ideal for student success.
- Andrew thanked Allison Kelly for her service to LT. The faculty are truly grateful for Alison’s invaluable contributions to LT.
Public Participation
6 individuals participated in agenda or non-agenda related public participation.
