USD116 BOE Update: Nov. 16, 2021

The Board President called for a moment of silence for Janice Mitchell who passed away early Monday morning. Mrs. Mitchell was a former USD Parent and a Community Outreach Liaison, with special interests in improving the academic social-emotional and behavioral performance of African American children.

In 2010 Janice’s vision of establishing a neighborhood center came into fruition when Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center, Inc. opened its doors to provide year-round services and supports to children and families.

Mrs. Mitchell's family would like to extend the opportunity for her Urbana family and the community to share in her Celebration of Life:

There will be a public viewing:

Sunday, November 21st 2- 4 p.m.

Leek & Sons Funeral Home

1215 W. Bradley Ave. Champaign, IL

The public visitation will be:

Monday, November 22nd 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Vineyard Church

1500 N. Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL

The Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow the visitation at Vineyard Church.

The family also requests that anyone attending any of the Celebration of Life events adhere to the following:

• Masks must be worn at all times indoors regardless of vaccination status
• Please no pictures at any of the services

Obituary

The Board approved a new policy that will guide the BOE Student Ambassador Program.

This program started as part of the Board of Education's effort to engage and be responsive to all District stakeholders; this includes learning about opinions, issues and concerns related to student experiences in District schools.

Student Ambassador Program Policy

Student Ambassador Program - Administrative Procedures

The BOE Student Ambassadors and took the oath of office at the beginning of the meeting. Sophomore Parker Schroeder and Freshman Mycal Turner will serve as Student Ambassadors until June 21, 2022. Sophomore Achly Ramos Rivera will serve as an alternate.

There were nine students who applied for the position. The other applicants will be invited to participate in a Superintendent advisory group and these three students will lead the group along with the Superintendent.

The BOE continued a discussion on redistricting and set the following timeline:

• The deadline for final map submissions is March 1.
• The Board will give final approval of a map on May 3.

BACKGROUND:

The 2020 Census data indicates that School Board Member Districts have grown disproportionately over the past decade, thereby requiring redistricting in 2021 to achieve greater equality between Districts.

The new apportionment map will be bound by specific Board established criteria. Based on the Board’s discussion at the last Board meeting, that criteria is as follows:

• Sub-districts that are substantially equal in population based on the 2020 US Census
• Sub-districts that are contiguous in territory
• Sub-districts that are compact
• Sub-districts maintain proper minority balance in compliance with voter’s rights act
• Sub-districts that exhibit equitable distribution of University of Illinois students
• Sub-districts where at least 2 BOE representatives are attached to an existing elementary school attendance area

The BOE approved the 2021 proposed tax levy of $48,168,000.

Background

Each year, the school district must approve and file a property tax levy with the County Clerk. This estimated levy identifies the amount of money requested to be raised by taxation for the year 2021. This is the first step in the process to secure the District's property tax revenue.

Timeline:

November 16, 2021: Board of Education approves proposed 2021 Tax Levy.

December 14, 2021: Public Hearing on Proposed Levy | Board of Education certifies Tax Levy

December 28, 2021: Deadline to file tax levy with County Clerk

April, 2022: County Clerk completes extension cycle and final computation reports released.

June & September 2022 Taxpayer bills are due

Proposed Tax Levy

Tax Levy History

Dr. Ivory-Tatum’s Superintendent Report is available HERE.

There has been ongoing discussion and questions around the Board’s desire to hear from additional external auditors for the equity audit. Because of this, the action item to vote on the proposal was taken off Tuesday night's agenda.

After discussion, the Board decided to interview several external auditors in one meeting. It was also noted that the Equity Task Force will continue its work while awaiting the upcoming meeting to review additional external auditors.

• November 22 and 23: E-Learning Days (students do not attend in-person)

• Nov. 24-26: Thanksgiving Break - No School
• Dec. 7: BOE Meeting

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