USD116 BOE Update: March 21, 2023

A moment of silence was held for Dr. Preston Williams Elementary teacher, Ms. Emerald Coleman, and UHS Student, Montrell Emery, at the start of the meeting.

Montrell lost his life to gun violence last week. He was a student at UHS and previously at UMS. This loss is devastating and #USD116 extends our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.

Ms. Coleman, a 5th grade teacher at DPW, passed away unexpectedly March 10. Please keep the students, staff and families at DPW as well as all of Ms. Coleman's family and friends in your thoughts.

UHS student Jurdan Tyler was recognized as the first female wrestler to place 3rd at state in Urbana History. She was also named WCIA Athlete of the Week and named to the News Gazette All Area First-Team.

The Board approved Dr. Jennifer Heinhorst as UECS Principal for the 2023-24 school year, during the asbestos abatement at Wiley Elementary. Dr. Heinhorst has several years of successful administrative and teaching experience, along with being an accomplished grant writer and researcher.

The Board approved Imani Carr as Assistant Principal at Urbana Middle School effective July 1, 2023.

Ms. Carr currently works as the 7th grade Student Interventionist at UMS. She began her career at USD as a Floater Sub at DPW Elementary. She has also served as a 5th grade teacher at DPW and a 7th grade English Language Arts Teacher at Urbana Middle School.

The Board of Education approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of

Urbana and Urbana School District to accept the ARPA funds allocated for public recreation

space and youth programming, community violence interventions, and job training in the amount of $814,375 to Urbana School District #116’s violence prevention activities.

12.2 IGW Architectural Engineering Proposal for Renovation (APPROVED)

The Board approved a proposal from IGW Architecture for professional architectural and engineering services in connection with the renovation of Wiley Elementary School.

12.3 Approval of a Facilities Planning Committee Charge (APPROVED)

The Board approved establishing a Facilities Planning Committee to advise the Board of Education on a plan to address the District’s future facilities needs specific to Wiley Elementary following the asbestos abatement and renovation project.

The committee will be co-chaired and include representatives from each elementary school and Urbana Middle school, the Urbana Education Association, District Administrators, and members from the Board of Education.

As part of the comprehensive examination to best meet the needs of the entire district, the committee will consider, but not be limited to, the following:

• Reopening Wiley Elementary as a neighborhood elementary school
• Reopening Wiley as a newly themed elementary with a specific focus (e.g., International
• Baccalaureate, Balanced Calendar, Magnet School)
• Reopening Wiley as a second middle school campus (e.g., a 6th Grade Center, specialized 6, 7, 8 Grade Center)
• Reopening Wiley as a whole school Dual Language campus

The committee’s meetings will be publicly noticed and held either monthly or bi-weekly, beginning in April 2023. The administration’s goal is for the committee to provide its final report to the Board in August 2023.

12.4 Approval of Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center Facility Intergovernmental Agreement (APPROVED)

The Board approved the 2023-2027 Intergovernmental Agreement and between Urbana Park District and Urbana School District.

12.5 Approval of Cleaning Bids (APPROVED)

The Board approved the bids for 2023-2026 contractual cleaning services to four contractors at a cost of:

• $1,569,147 in year one
• $1,672,478 in year two
• $1,753,128 in year three.

Each contract allows for the option to renew additional years (one year at a time) at a rate not exceeding the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report is available here: March 21, 2023

Highlights:

• Kindergarten Registration is April 4
• Online Registration for Returning Students begins April 24
• Celebration of Life for 5th grade teacher, Ms. Emerald Coleman is Thursday at DPW from 6-7 p.m.

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