Regular Open Meeting Brief – October 19, 2023
The entire meeting agenda can be viewed at: October 19, 2023 BOE Meeting
School Improvement Plans (SIP)
The Board heard SIP presentations from Butcher-Greene, Belvidere and Conn West Elementary Schools. The SIP format includes root cause analyses and 30, 60, and 90-day reviews to determine if adjustments to the plans are needed throughout the year. Goals include improving teaching and learning to increase the percentage of students achieving at grade level or higher in math and reading, and creating a culture of belonging by nurturing relationships.
Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) Update
The C&I Department presented data from fall iReady testing, which assess how prepared students are to begin learning in the grade they are assigned for the year. The data showed a number of positive trends in the percentage of students starting the year ready for grade level instruction at the elementary level but also areas where improvement is still needed, particularly in secondary grades. The Action Plan to address these needs includes aligning priority standards and assessments to the state requirements, systematic and explicit preK-5 instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness, and reading interventionist support in secondary schools.
Professional Development Plan
The Board approved the 2023-24 Professional Development (PD) Plan. PD activities are designed to improve student performance by providing high quality adult learning opportunities. Action plans include ensuring diversified learning experiences and achieving academic targets for students, enhancing new staff on-boarding, and creating a culture of employee empowerment to provide each student access to a qualified and effective teacher in every classroom, an effective principal in every school, and an effective employee in every position.
Purchase of Passenger Vans
The Board approved the purchase of two vans with the capacity of 10 passengers to assist in curbing the use of charter vehicles to transport smaller groups and to combat bus driver shortages. Staff utilizing these vehicles are not required to have commercial driver’s licenses, but will be subject to driving record reports and verifications.
Board of Education Filing for the April 2, 2024 Election
The Board approved a legal notice of the filing dates and times for Board of Education candidates for the April 2, 2024 election. The state sets the dates for filing, which are December 5 through December 26, 2023, and the district establishes which days/times the district offices will be open for filing during that period. Visit the district website for more information.