Dear District 30 Family,
I hope that this email finds you well and you’re having a great summer! This week, we wrapped up a very successful summer school. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and to all of the students who joined us. We held our Board Meeting last night, and relevant items included:
Personnel Report
The Board officially hired:
- Morgan Mittelbrun (part-time Art Teacher) at Wescott to support rising enrollment
- Katie Cowhey (School Building Administrative Assistant) at Maple
- Kyle Manders (English Language Arts Teacher) at Maple
Please help welcome these individuals into our District 30 Family!
The Board also approved the resignation of two individuals, including Rebecca Urban (Instructional Assistant) from Willowbrook and Eleni Lamson (Mathematics Teacher) at Maple.
Bipolar Ionization Units Approved
At the recommendation of our architects and engineers, the Board of Education approved bipolar ionization units for every classroom univent and air handler in all District 30 buildings. Bipolar ionization units are designed to reduce bacteria, mold, and viruses to improve air quality. Board approval followed a competitive bid process won by Quality Mechanical. Board President Nancy Artz thanked our architects and engineers for researching and recommending these air purifiers. She highlighted that “They appear to offer advantages during and beyond COVID.”
Evolving 2021-22 School Year Planning Hearing & Approval
The Board received, provided input into, and adopted tentative and evolving plans for the 2021-22 School Year. Due to our anticipated receipt of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds, a required public hearing was held.
Requirements & Guidance
The fact that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has mandated full in-person learning and to provide remote instruction to quarantined students without access to vaccinations was reviewed. Noting waiting on anticipated health and safety advice from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), the Board also discussed the new Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for schools that was adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The new guidance includes:
- Masking indoors for unvaccinated individuals, optional masking for vaccinated individuals, and universal masking on school transportation and in health offices
- Social Distancing of 3 feet, as much as possible
- Continuing hand hygiene practices (frequent hand washing & sanitizer)
- Supplying fresh air through ventilation systems
- Close Contact for K-12 unvaccinated students who have been within 3 to 6’ of an infected individual are no longer required to quarantine if engaged in the consistent and correct use of well-fitting masks
Clear Educational Goal with Evolving Plans
The Board focused on the goal of a safe return to full in-person instruction for all students. They reviewed that operations will be as normal as possible following mitigation measures that will continue to evolve with COVID-19 Case Information and health guidance.
The Board supported preliminary discussions about following the CDC's health and safety advice that IDPH adopted, including considering required masking indoors for unvaccinated individuals with optional masking for vaccinated individuals and universal masking on school transportation and in health offices. The concept of collecting student vaccination verifications for those who choose to exercise optional masking indoors was reviewed and supported by the Board. The following operations were noted for daily in-person instruction:
- Rotating through classes which will occur with set seating charts
- Resuming athletics & activities while implementing recommended mitigations
- Using lockers and sharing materials to resume, including in P.E. and recess
- Providing special lunch and ice cream days with the PTOs supported by vaccinated parent volunteers
- Providing instruction options for students who can’t get vaccinated AND are quarantined
Additional planning that was shared included:
- Ongoing work on Board Goal 2 that provides for social-emotional support, leveraging lessons, and academic growth
- The hiring of three additional Instructors to ensure 3’ between students within classrooms
- Securing “T.V. tray tables” to assist with 6’ of distancing during lunch, should it be required
- Installing bipolar ionization systems across the district
COVID-19 Metrics & Staff Vaccinations
The Board also reviewed relatively low local COVID-19 Metrics and high vaccination rates across Northfield Township. CCDPH reports that over 90% of Northbrook has received one shot, with 82.2% fully vaccinated, while Glenview’s rates are 87.9% and 75%, respectively.
After administrative verification of staff vaccination status, the Board was informed that 217 out of 219 (99%) staff members are vaccinated. After reviewing that moving toward mandating vaccinations requires religious, health, and conscientious objector exemptions, the Board came to a consensus on maintaining our course of strongly encouraging vaccinations as they celebrated our staff’s high vaccination rates. The Board of Education and District 30’s administrative team encourage vaccinations for all who are eligible as we continue to fight this global pandemic and keep each other safe.
Plans Continue to Evolve
We will continue to receive health and safety requirements, coordinate with Northfield Township, and monitor local COVID-19 rates. By the beginning of August, we will update and finalize fall plans on the District 30’s Return to School website that will be shared with our community.
Elementary Capacity Project Update
The Board received an Elementary Capacity Project Update that highlighted the construction progress of Wescott’s new gym and eight classrooms. Roof installations for these new additions are being completed, and internal construction continues to go well! The Board was also informed of interior remodeling that generates needed flexible space, including modernizing Willowbrook’s library. Dr. Wegley shared his appreciation for our Board and community’s support to begin school on September 2. Every day will be needed to complete this complicated construction project and prepare rooms for the school year. He also highlighted the incredibly positive impact this project would have on operations next year and in the future, noting that this essential project continues to be on time and within budget.
New & Revised Board Policies Approved
District 30 revises Board Policies twice a year. Revisions and additions occur due to new legislation and the need to ensure that our policies support and align with our practices. We completed the second reading of the following Board Policies revisions:
400 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES; 405.01 to Fiscal and Business Management from BUDGET - Planning; 405.02 BUDGET - Preliminary Adoption Procedures; 405.03 BUDGET - Final Adoption Procedures; 405.04 BUDGET - Transfer of Funds; 405.08 BUDGET - Tax Levy; 410 Payment Procedures; 410.01 Revenues & Investments; 410.04 FISCAL MANAGEMENT - REVENUE - Investments; 410.06 to Activity and Fiduciary Funds from FISCAL MANAGEMENT - REVENUE - Sources; 410.10 FISCAL MANAGEMENT - REVENUE - Borrowing; 415.02 Purchases and Contracts from FISCAL MANAGEMENT - EXPENDITURES - Purchases; 415.06 FISCAL MANAGEMENT - EXPENDITURES - Vendor Relationships; 415.07 FISCAL MANAGEMENT - EXPENDITURES - Bidding Requirements; New Policy: 416 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds; 420.04 FISCAL MANAGEMENT - ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING - Inventories; 430.01 to Waiver of Student Fees from STUDENT FEE WAIVERS; 435 Transportation; 435.01 Free Transportation; 440.01 to Free Food Service from FOOD SERVICES - Free Milk and Free Lunch Program; 465.04 to Convicted Child Sex Offender, and Notifications from SAFETY PROGRAM - Convicted Child Sex Offender, and Notifications; 465.06 SAFETY PROGRAM - Fire Prevention; 465.07 to Safety from SAFETY PROGRAM - PHYSICAL FITNESS FACILITY MEDICAL EMERGENCY ACT; 465.08 to Facility Management and Building Programs from SAFETY PROGRAM - Green Cleaning Policy; 480 to Pandemic Preparedness; Management; and Recovery from SAFETY PROGRAM - Pandemic Preparedness; Management; and Recovery; 500.3 GENERAL PERSONNEL - Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act; 645.02 to Access to Electronic Networks from INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES - Acceptable Use of District's Electronic Network; 715.01 to Student Behavior from DISCIPLINE - Student Behavior; 715.04 to Suspension Procedures from DISCIPLINE - Suspension; 715.06 DISCIPLINE - Gun-Free Schools/Dangerous Weapons; 715.05 to Expulsion Procedures from DISCIPLINE - Expulsion; 715.07 to Misconduct by Students With Disabilities from DISCIPLINE - Behavior Interventions For Students With Disabilities; and New Policy: 734.5 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security
Let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to join us at our next Board Meeting on August 19, 2021, at Maple School.
Enjoy the weekend and the remainder of summer!
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian K. Wegley
Superintendent
