President’s Report
President Justin Engelland began the District 67 Board of Education’s August 24 meeting with a special welcome for families new to Lake Forest.
“You’ve chosen a great place for your kids to go to school,” he said. “District 67 is recognized both nationally and statewide for its educational practices. Our teachers and administrators are focused on the growth of every student. Our community is invested in modernizing our buildings and learning spaces. And you will not find a town anywhere that has a more deeply engaged, supportive, and loving parent community.”
“As we begin a new school year,” he added, “there’s a lot to be excited about. Getting back to All In, Every Day learning, welcoming our new superintendent and his family to Lake Forest, and welcoming new principals to both Cherokee and Everett Elementary Schools.
“While we may face some challenges ahead,” Mr. Engelland added, “we’re committed to working together to navigate them as one team, All In, Every Day, doing what’s best for Lake Forest kids.”
Superintendent’s Report
In his first Superintendent’s Report for District 67, Dr. Matthew Montgomery focused on four topics:
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Welcoming three new leaders: Director of Student Services JoAnn Ford-Halvorsen; Cherokee Principal Chad Prosen; and Director of Buildings and Grounds Daniel Mortensen, who is also in the same role at District 115.
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Institute Day events: With students returning to District classrooms on August 25, Deputy Superintendent Rebecca Jenkins shared that the entire District staff was together earlier in the week for Institute Days. All met at the Lake Forest High School football field, she said, “to celebrate the start of the school year.”
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Overview of current health and safety protocols: Dr. Montgomery shared COVID-19 case data for the District 67 and District 115 ZIP Codes as well as for Lake County, and said the District urges vaccinations for children ages 12 and up, requires (per the governor’s executive order) masks in school, and aims to have three feet of social distancing whenever possible. Additionally the Lake County Health Department earlier on August 24 released quarantine guidelines, Dr. Montgomery said, adding that they would be posted on the District website. Students who are quarantined, Mrs. Jenkins told the Board, will have Google Meet audio access to provide a window into the classroom while home. Those instructional options and other topics are addressed in the D67 and D115 Health and Safety Guidance, which is posted on the District website.
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Superintendent’s Entry Plan status update: With his 100-day Entry Plan, “progressing quite nicely,” Dr. Montgomery said one of the more positive achievements recently has been his ability to do more one-on-one interviews, including with parent volunteer organization leaders and Lake Forest and Lake Bluff city/village officials. Those interviews, he told the Board, help him to “make the most informed decisions possible as your new leader.”
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Public Participation
One member of the community shared his wish that District students can in fact be “All In, Every Day,” meaning all students are in school full-time.
Education Committee
Committee Chair Suzanne Sands said the committee had not yet met.
Finance & Operations Committee
Committee Chair Alice LeVert said the committee met July 21 to welcome new community members and to review the tentative 2021-22 budget. (The Board later in the meeting approved the resolution to display the tentative budget.) The final budget, she added, will be presented in September and, meanwhile, District 67 “remains in a very strong financial position with AAA bond rating.”
Policy Committee
Committee member Anne Helms reported that the panel had discussed two policies that the full Board would vote on (and approve) later in the meeting. The committee also approved the latest PRESS Issue updates (also later getting first-reading approval by the Board).
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 Liaison
The former North Suburban Special Education District (formerly NSSED) is now in its second month with its new name, TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, Suzanne Sands told the Board. It is, she said, “a very exciting time.” She added that TrueNorth is for the first time fully engaged on social media platforms, including Twitter.
Legislative Liaison
In his written report, Carl Kirar shared the latest steps taken by the state on masks, including the Governor’s August 4 Executive Order requiring them to be worn inside schools. Also, work continues, he said, with District 115 on potential legislative initiatives that the entire community can support.
Executive APT Liaison
Emily Bernahl provided upcoming dates of note for the APT including its September 8 All District 67 Meeting to welcome Superintendent Matthew Montgomery, which takes place at 9:30 a.m. at CROYA, 400 Hastings Rd, in Lake Forest. Also, she said, building APT meetings start the week of Sepember 13.
Action Items
- PRESS Issue 107:
- 1:10 School District Legal Status
- 1:20 District Organization, Operations, and Cooperative Agreements
- 1:30 School District Philosophy
- 2:10 School District Governance
- 2:30 School District Elections
- 2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship
- 2:240 Board Policy Development
- 3:30 Chain of Command
- 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment
- 6:100 Using Animals in the Educational Program
- 6:145 Migrant Students
- 6:160 English Learners
- 6:170 Title I Programs
- 6:235 Access to Electronic Networks
- 6:255 Assemblies and Ceremonies
- 7:220 Bus Conduct
- 7:230 Misconduct by Students with Disabilities
- 7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
- 8:90 Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs
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Next District 67 Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, September 28 2021 — 7:00 p.m.
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