Reorganization Meeting
The Board conducted a Reorganization Meeting on May 8, 2023. This included the swearing in and seating of the newly elected members, Kari Dillon, Jill Beda Daniels, and Tim Albores. The Board warmly welcomed Tim Albores as he embarked on his term. The meeting also provided an opportunity to honor and express gratitude to Alison Kelly for her extensive service to the Board and her dedicated work for the LT community.
The election of the Board's Executive Committee followed. Members chose Dawn Aubert as President, Jill Grech as Vice President, and Tim Albores as Secretary.
Action Items
Textbook Change Requests Approval (Second Reading)
The Board approved a final round of textbooks for the 2023-24 school year. Included in the changes were student choices for novels in English I, a new text and resources for English Language Learners, a new text for Italian classes, a new text for AP US Government and Politics, and a textbook for the new Medical Terminology class.
The total additional amount requested is $18,811.95, which brings the total costs of textbook changes to $148,334. The cost of the ELL resources will likely be paid for with state grants which will reduce the total by $10,000.
Discussion Items
Policy Updates - PRESS 111 Review (First Reading)
The District maintains its policies through the PRESS service provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). We recently received PRESS Issue 111, which included 14 policies for review by the Board of Education. The Board of Education reviewed and discussed the recommendations. The recommendations will be reviewed by the Board for a second reading in June, 2023.
Update to Policy 2:150 Committees
The Board conducted a 1st Reading of a proposed update to Board Policy 2:150 on Committee Structure. This update reflects the current Board committee structure and includes a Parent- Teacher/Behavioral Interventions Committee to the list of standing board committees moving forward.
2023-2024 Capital Outlay Requests
A list of capital outlay and equipment recommendations for purchase in the FY24 budget was presented. The District Administration reviewed and provided feedback on the requests in preparation to recommend a final list to the Board of Education. The total amount for these current requests is estimated to be $2,188,702 and represents the majority of the “Priority 1” requests that were submitted. This total amount is higher than the amount suggested for capital expense in FY24 in the five-year forecast. Much of that determination will be dependent upon the estimate for CPPRT revenue in FY24. The request to approve the FY24 recommended Education Fund and O&M Fund capital outlay and equipment was approved as presented.
Superintendent’s District Report
Superintendent Dr. Brian Waterman began his report by presenting the following statement regarding two recent student incidents:
I want to start off by reiterating information that we have previously shared with the LT community regarding both the serious incident that happened outside of North Campus on May 1, and regarding the student who was struck by a car near North Campus on May 10.
Both of our students are still receiving medical treatment for their injuries, and our hearts and well wishes continue to be with them, their families and their loved ones.
Regarding the student injured in the altercation on May 1st, District 204, in collaboration with the LaGrange PD, wants to be clear that this is still an ongoing investigation. This was an isolated incident and does not pose a threat to our community. The La Grange Police Department has worked closely with our leadership team throughout its investigation. and will continue to do so.
This is a challenging time for our community and our Student Services staff continue to provide support for our students. In addition, school safety has and will continue to be a point of discussion at LT. With 4,000 students and 400+ staff spread across two campuses, safety is always our number one concern. We regularly review and update our safety response, which include violent critical incident plans, evacuation plans, crisis response teams, threat assessment teams, and bias response plans. The last few weeks have served as another reminder of how important these researched-based plans are.
Most importantly, we want to thank our caring community for the patience and support that it continues to show during this difficult time.
In addition, Dr. Waterman introduced the 2023-24 Student Representative to the Board of Education, Sophia Szymanski. Sophia was selected from an outstanding candidate pool of interested students. Sophia is from LaGrange, attended middle school at Gurrie Middle School, and is the daughter of Bartlomiej and Kathleen Szymanski. Sophia participates in Model United Nations, French Club, Future Healthcare Professionals, Polish Club, Peaceable Schools Initiative, and is the founder of Chemistry Club. Sophia also has been inducted into French National Honors Society and National Honor Society, and serves as a World Language Drop-in Center Tutor. We are excited to welcome Sophia to this role, and she will officially begin her tenure at the August Regular Action Meeting.
In addition, Dr. Waterman introduced LT Community Advisory Council Chair, Shelley Taylor who presented a summary of the most recent LTCAC meeting, which was held on April 26 on the topic of discussion was Assessment and Academics. Specifically, the Advisory Council heard a presentation that included an overview of SAT performance data, as well as AP and Dual Credit participation. Our presenters were Scott Eggerding, Director of Curriculum, Jennifer Rowe, Director of Equity and Belonging, and Kristine Zieman, Coordinator of Assessment and Research. The presentation and feedback can be accessed on the LTCAC website.
In addition, Dr. Waterman presented the monthly FOIA report, which included 8 FOIA requests received since the April meeting.
Finally, Dr. Waterman recognized the Class of 2023. Last month, the Board adopted a resolution honoring our senior class and throughout the month of May, we continue to celebrate their accomplishments. On Thursday, May 25, LT will host the Class of 2023 Senior Awards Ceremony and, on Wednesday, May 31 (weather permitting) the 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be held. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
Student Representative to the Board Report
Student Representative to the Board for this year, Matthew Walsh, provided a final statement to the Board:
It has been an absolute honor to fill the position of Student Representative this year and to highlight all the remarkable students and their accomplishments here at LT. Thank you to Dr. Waterman, Dr. Tyrrell, and all of the Board Members for being so incredibly supportive and kind, and giving me this great opportunity. You all gave me great life advice this year and taught me many lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I look up to you all very much, and this will be an experience I will never forget.
LTEA Report
LT Education Association President Andrew Johannes shared the following report:
- The teachers thoughts and prayers are with the two students and their families who were injured this month.
- We are in the final week of classes and preparing for finals next week. The seniors celebrated Prom last Thursday and their official last day of school is on Friday.
- The LTEA celebrates the Class of 2023 and congratulates them for all of their successes and accomplishments during their time at LT.
- Andrew also shared a few highlights of the work the teachers have done:
- Congrats to Spanish teacher, Lisa Plichta, and the foreign language department for raising $3,500 during their Pulsera Project.
- Congratulations to Mica Vahl and Kris Blachinski and all of the Class of 2023 students that participated in Baccalaureate.
- Congratulations to all the Spring sports.
- Thank you to Darragh Voy, Maggie Quane, Martha Berg, Lauren Rabbitt, Shannon Donahue, and Kurt Johns for organizing Wellness Week for our staff.
Public Participation
1 individual participated in agenda or non-agenda related public participation.
