A video from tonight’s meeting will be posted to our YouTube channel once it is done processing.
Public Comment
No one asked to speak.
Administrative Report – Math Task Force
A District 54 Math Task Force, with representation from all schools, has been meeting this fall to review math programs to identify which one best supports student mastery of the Illinois Learning Standards. District 54 continually evaluates our curricular resources and instructional practices to ensure students are provided with what they need to be successful.
The 90-member task force determined that its top priorities were engaging lessons, opportunities for problem-solving, hands-on activities and high-quality resources that support differentiation. The task force is recommending the Origo Stepping Stones curriculum for kindergarten through seventh grade and the Imagine IM curriculum for seventh and eighth grade.
Pending Board approval, staff will begin training on these new curriculums this spring, and into the summer, and students will begin using the new curriculum in August 2025.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
District 54 received and replied to two Freedom of Information Act requests since the last report to the Board related to purchasing and employee records.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda.
- Minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting on November 14, 2024
- Resignations, leaves and employment of personnel
- Checks dated November 1, 15 and 26, 2024
- The treasurer’s report on cash and investments for October 2024
- The monthly update of revenues and expenditures for October 2024
- Roofing replacement contracts to Anthony Roofing Tecta America LLC and Olsson Roofing
- The purchase of one pickup and two utility vehicles from Roesch Ford
- The purchase of a multiyear license for Google Workspace for Education
- The destruction of the verbatim records of the closed-session school board meeting held on May 18, 2023, for which approved minutes already exist
Board Reports
Board President’s Report
Board President Jim Pye congratulated the District 54 Grizzlies Special Olympics basketball team for defeating the U-46 team during its annual Pack the Stands night. He also thanked the District 54 Sensations Poms team for a fabulous halftime performance. In November, all schools held fall conferences and in December the junior high schools held information nights for sixth-grade students and their families.
District Citizens’ Advisory Committee Report
Board Member Barbara Hengels reported that DCAC heard an update on the K-2 Literacy Plan.
D54 Foundation Report
Board Member Bob Kaplan encouraged people to donate to the Foundation during this giving season by visiting the website at d54foundation.org.
New Business
The Board Policy Committee brought the following policies for a first reading:
- 2:105, Ethics and Gift Ban (replaces current 2:105(b)
- 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure (replaces current 1:70)
- 4:140(b), Waiver of Fees for Low Income Families
- 4:165, Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors (NEW)
- 5:100, Staff Development (NEW)
- 5:120, Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct, Conflict of Interest (NEW)
- 6:370, Student Progress Reports to Parents/Guardian
- 6:60, Curriculum Content
- 7:100, Health, Eye and Dental Examinations, Immunizations and Exclusion of Students
- 7:260, Exemption from Physical Education (NEW)
- 7:270, Administering Medicine to Students
- 7:340(b), Students Records – Special Services Confidential Files
- 7:370, Student Absences and Homework
- 7:60(b), Non-Resident Students
- 7:70, Attendance and Truancy (replaces current 7:70(a) and 7:70(b))
Announcements
Board members applauded the students who presented their research this week in the Mead Magnet Science Symposium. They also praised the engagement of staff at today’s Key Communicators meeting.
Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 7:32 p.m. to closed session for employment/appointment matters and school matters.
