USD116 BOE Update: March 1, 2022

• This spring, the East Addition will start (gym and fine arts addition).
• Work on the geothermal well field has begun. This will be used to heat and cool the building.
• Construction fencing has already been placed.
• Temporary, alternate playground areas are being discussed.

View the full presentation and design images here: Thomas Paine renovation update

Dr. Ivory-Tatum gave an update on the legal implications for continuing to enforce our current Board policy requiring face coverings.

• On Monday, February 28, Governor Pritzker lifted the mask requirement in most indoor settings. In accordance with CDC guidance, the updated executive order also lifts the mask requirement in schools and daycares. School districts and private businesses can continue to require masks at their discretion.

• The elimination of the emergency rules also removed the exclusion provisions, allowing schools to exclude COVID-positive students, close contacts, or symptomatic individuals.

• Our Board policies related to student illnesses allow the district to require students and staff displaying symptoms of illness or COVID positive to remain home.

• The executive order that continues the testing requirement expires March 6, and we do not know if it will be reissued. Once the order expires, we will continue to strongly encourage unvaccinated staff to test for their own health and wellness but no longer require them to test and submit results.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS

• Children under 5 cannot be vaccinated. This impacts our PreK students and staff.

• We need time to develop plans for the safety of our immunocompromised staff and students.

• Currently, many of our medically fragile students are homebound. If we unmask too soon, we can expect that more of our medically fragile students attending in person may now request homebound or home school.

• Spring Break travel may bring an increase in positivity rates to the community and possibly more cases of the variant (currently, we are in the moderate range).

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATION

To maintain our commitment to a safe and healthy environment and to minimize disruptions to student learning, the administration recommends the District and the Board continue with masks. We will re-evaluate and re-assess our position after Spring Break.

Following Spring Break, the District will:

• Highly encourage testing, as we have after every extended break
• Continue our rigorous approach to comprehensive testing at our schools and through our drive-thru testing sites
• Continue to monitor County metrics and our District positivity rates

View the full presentation

During the Board discussion, many BOE members voiced support for continuing with masking.

10.2 BOE Policy - Face Coverings - Students, Employees and Visitors: No Motion Given, Item dropped. Policy stays in effect as-is.

The Director of Urbana Adult Education Center gave an overview of programming.

Current UAEC Programming:

• ELA- English Language Acquisition
• HS Diploma
• CNA- Certified Nursing Assistant
• Pre-CNA- improves reading and/or English language skills to prepare students for the CNA course

• Secretary of State Literacy Grant- Salt and Light partnership

○ 2021-22: workplace skills enhancement math course

○ 2022-23: plan to increase grant request to add a reading course

Current Enrollment:

Total students all programs:

• 2021/22: 365

*Aged 16-21: 124

• 2019/20: 670

*Aged 16-21: 188

UAEC Building Needs

• Front desk/Student Check-In Area
• Assessment Center
• Computer Lab: computer class, tech portion of classes, pre-CNA class
• Student Services space: flexible space for a few computers, small group meeting area, etc.
• 5-7 classrooms with space for 15-20 students
• 5-7 Offices

View the full presentation

The Board also discussed concerns with the current condition of the Race St. property and UAEC's immediate and future space needs.

The building at 205 Race St needs additional repairs on the roof, and sections of the building need masonry repairs.

OPTION 1: Utilize District funds to repair the building UAEC currently occupies on Race St. at a minimal cost of $120,000. Those costs might be higher once contractors assess the damage and repairs needed.

OPTION 2: The District would financially support Adult Ed in locating to a new space and entering into a monthly lease. The program needs a minimum of 15,000 square feet for multiple classrooms and offices.

OPTION 3: Utilize District funds to repair one of the spaces at our property at Fairlawn and Vine St. for Urbana Adult Education to relocate to for the foreseeable future.

Options 2 and 3 would allow Adult Ed to relocate while the District prepares the Race St. property for sale.

Option 3 would allow the District to begin the next steps in creating a third secondary campus. This site would potentially provide an alternative, inclusionary program for 6-12 grade students experiencing challenges at UMS and UHS.

Dr. Ivory-Tatum also shared that the District is looking to add an administrative position that would provide leadership to developing the mission and vision work necessary to bring this alternative, inclusionary program to fruition.

Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report is available here: March 1, 2022

Highlights:

• Student led parent/teacher conferences are March 10 from 4-8 p.m. and March 11 from 8-11 a.m.
• USD is holding a COVID-19 booster shot clinic for staff and students on March 4 from 3:30-6 p.m. in the UHS small gym.
• A retirement reception for Carol Baker, Chief Financial Officer, is set for March 30 at UHS starting at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.
• UHS is wrapping up its Black History Month celebrations with a Talent Showcase on Thursday.

Email: contactus@usd116.org
Website: usd116.org
Location: 205 North Race Street, Urbana, IL, USA
Phone: (217) 384-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/usd116
Twitter: @urbana116