February 25 Board Brief

February 25 Board Brief

Dear District 30 Family,

I am excited to be writing this Board Brief on our last day of school in February. We can all look forward to warmer and brighter days ahead! 

Our last Board Meeting included the following relevant items:

Personnel Report

The Board accepted Sheila Nelson’s retirement at the end of this school year. We wish her well and thank her for her service to District 30! The Board was also informed about one leave of absence.

Memorandum of Understanding Approved

The Board of Education approved a Supplemental Leave Memorandum of Understanding with the Education Association that grants up to ten (10) working days of administrative leave, without deduction from accumulated sick leave, during the 2020-21 School Year for staff who are unable to work remotely, and in conjunction with a school-related exposure or quarantine.

Phased Operations Update

The Board and I shared sincere appreciation for our staff’s commitment, students’ engagement, and parents’ partnership. The fact that everyone continues to give more during this time was recognized and celebrated.

The Phased Operations update included our area COVID-19 metrics stabilizing, our plans to resume our models after Spring Break, updated travel guidance, staff vaccination progress, and the new CDC Guidance. 

Looking Ahead to the 2021-22 School Year

It was reinforced that travel and operational guidance will continue to be monitored. We also highlighted that once our staff and community have been vaccinated by the fall, area COVID-19 metrics and risk-levels are expected to decrease significantly. Should metrics and risk-levels decline as anticipated, District 30 will target a full in-person return to school in the fall of 2021 with consideration of remote options. Our additional elementary capacity will increase our flexibility, and we anticipate guidance to include masks and social distancing as much as possible. The health department and Illinois State Board of Education guidance will continue to evolve and inform District 30’s operational plans for the 2021-22 School Year.

Elementary Capacity Project Update

The Board was informed that construction would begin at Wescott School on March 20, 2021. Construction fencing will be erected around construction areas for the new classroom and gym additions, and underground water detention will be installed during spring break. 

It was noted that construction traffic would avoid the beginning and end of the school day; however, beginning after spring break, there will be a loss of parking spots in the south parking lot, which will cause bus traffic and temporary parking to occur in the front of Wescott. This essential capacity project is projected to be completed in August, in time for the first day of school on September 2, 2021.

ELA Grades 3-5 Summer Curriculum Report Shared

Thank you to Anna Davis, Margaret Janavicius, Katie Keesbury, Nadine Lee, Lainie Levin, and Molly Shanahan for showcasing the vertical articulation process and progress made within our 3-5 ELA curriculum. Teachers have continued to evolve and align our ELA maps to state standards and continued to engage in conversations with grade-level colleagues in the prior grade and the grade level after them. By evolving this process, teaching experiences in fourth and fifth-grade are not redundant, and concepts can be further explored and implemented with depth and investigation. 

Kindergarten Mathematics-Bridges Summer Curriculum Report Shared

Thank you to Amy Buzil, Caroline Drake, Courtney Erickson, Rachel Hawkins, Lisa Kauth, Sarah Lerman, Megan Roberts, Candace Samuels, Amy Schutz, and Kery Obradovich for highlighting the recent Kindergarten Mathematics-Bridges curriculum work. These new materials have brought forward greater rigor and challenge while maintaining high engagement and hands-on learning with our social distancing standards.

Strategic Planning Update

The administrative team provided a progress update on the 2020-21 Strategic Plan in support of the District 30 Board Goals:

Goal 1: Increase District 30’s capacity to systemically collaborate within grade-level teams to execute the cycle of continuous instructional improvement.

Goal 2: Ensure District 30 facilities possess the capacity to support our evolving and emerging programs and contribute to optimal educational experiences.

Thank you to our team and everyone involved in our improvement efforts this year.

Let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to join us at our next Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18, at Maple School.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian K. Wegley
Superintendent