The information below summarizes highlights from the District 38 Board of Education (BOE) meetings. Agendas are posted 48 hours in advance of meetings to the website and Board packets before each meeting and Board minutes once approved. Regular meetings are recorded and posted to the school website within approximately 48 hours for viewing.
Kenilworth School District 38 Board Briefs

Highlights from the Regular Meeting on June 21, 2021
 
Contract Negotiations: Negotiations with both classified and certified employee associations are still in progress.
Assessment Data: Superintendent Kate Donegan presented the school’s assessment data from 2020-2021. Results from the AIMSweb assessment and MAP were reviewed. Ms. Donegan mentioned that we were fortunate to have MAP results three times this year during the pandemic. The data is used in developing a personalized learning environment for our students. This summer, the assessment program will be reviewed and evaluated to ensure the most effective assessment methods for student growth and achievement are utilized. Please note: the comparative norms for these tests are 2015 — a non-pandemic year.
Curriculum: Dr. Helfand shared the Future Ready Learning Goals Curriculum initiative. In February, teachers and administrators participated in a workshop designed to build on Future Ready Learning Goals developed during the March 2020 Facility Visioning Session, facilitated by David Stephen of New Vista Design. Stephen also led the Visioning Sessions for the Master Facilities Plan (MFP). During the workshop, participants reviewed highlights from the Visioning Sessions for the MFP, including Design Patterns and Guiding Principles and the implications for teaching and learning. As a result, a series of structures and practices were created to help students learn and grow, and for the school community to thrive.

  • The Future Ready Learning Goals include:
  • Global Citizenship
  • Fearless Learning
  • Creativity and Curiosity
  • Critical Thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Mastery of Priority Standards

Teachers and administrators have used the ideas generated at the workshop to create a multi-year plan to achieve the Future Ready Learning Goals.

These plans include:
  • District-Wide Curriculum Articulation & Renewal
  • Social-Emotional Learning Program and Advisory Program Development Review
  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports Review
  • Equity Audit
  • Student Leadership Expansion
  • Strategic Planning

All faculty workgroups for the 2021-2022 school year have been aligned with these focus areas.
Master Schedule: Assistant Principal Mr. Marty Heffner presented the master schedule for the 2021-2022 school year. The schedule was created with the following guidelines in mind:
  • Equitable Planning Time
  • Common Grade Level Planning Time
  • Intervention and Physical Education (PE) Aligned for Elementary
  • Junior High Intervention Period
  • More Frequent Specials Rotation (Elementary - Three Day, Fifth Grade runs a Junior High Specials Rotation, Junior High - Four Day)
  • Math alignment for New Trier Math and for students who are grade-level accelerated
These guidelines helped us create a master schedule that is equitable and student-centered. View the Master Schedule.
Master Facilities Plan (MFP) Update: DLA Architects shared updated schematic designs for review that focus on work to be initiated in Summer 2022 and included exterior work, the interior Commons, Library Tech Center, and Cafenasium. DLA Architects has incorporated stakeholder feedback into the designs throughout the design process, including conversations with faculty and the Sustainability and Diversity Equity and Belonging committees. The latest renderings reflect these conversations and are designed to improve accessible and equitable spaces using Universal Design principles. The next steps in the design process include creating more specific detailed drawings that include civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical details.

The Board of Education (BOE) reviewed the updated project timeline and a detailed schematic design budget presented by construction management company Frederick Quinn Corporation. Once the highly detailed drawings and specifications are developed, budgetary decisions on the plan will be considered and finalized this summer, leading to bidding in late fall to award the project bids in early 2022 and begin construction in Spring 2022. 

The Building and Finance Committee’s primary focus is the implementation of the MFP. The Board and Administration are committed to including stakeholder feedback throughout the execution of the MFP. Members of the community are welcome to attend the Regular BOE meetings and the Building and Finance Committee Meetings. In addition, you can see the details about the project on the school website at Vision Sears.
Financial: Business Manager Dr. Joe Bailey presented the projected 2021-2022 budget. At the request of the BOE, and in partnership with faculty and staff, the administrative team is working on a zero-based budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022. The draft budget reflects the work completed to date, and the budget information presented is subject to change as this process is still fluid. The budget development process will continue, and the FY22 Draft budget will be adjusted as necessary, up to and beyond posting in August of 2021.
Legislation to Make Taxing District Whole for Property Tax Refunds: The Illinois Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation to create a new Illinois Property Tax Code section. Section 18-233 automatically increases taxing district levies to make taxing districts whole for all refunds that result from Property Tax Appeal Board (“PTAB”) reductions, Circuit Court Orders in assessment cases, and Certificates of Error resulting from assessment mistakes. If signed by the Governor, the new law will require county tax officials, beginning with the 2021 levy, to increase each taxing district’s levy by the total amount that the taxing district lost due to refunds from the prior year. For reference, visit the notification from District attorney firm Robbins-Schwartz.
Cost Structure and Tax Premium Analysis: Business Manager Dr. Joe Bailey presented a cost structure and tax premium analysis. The presentation reviewed the total cost per student compared to other schools in Illinois with over 200 students and included teacher salaries and benefits per student. He also reviewed the funding mechanisms for The Joseph Sears School compared to the other New Trier feeder schools.
Board of Education Calendar Review:

  • July 5, 2021; Independence Day Observed - District/School Offices Closed
  • July 19, 2021; Special Board of Education Meeting - Meeting Training IASB and Strategic Plan Work
  • August 17, 2021; Regular Board of Education Meeting
Please direct your questions or comments to the Kenilworth School District No. 38 by sending an email to listen@kenilworth38.org. All messages are sent to the Board of Education members, Superintendent, and the Board of Education Secretary, and are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Thank you!
Kenilworth School District No. 38 Board of Education
Responsibility, Kindness, Honesty, Respect