ACROSS THE BOARD

Recommendations during Committee meetings go to the full Board for consideration, with final action taken during future Regular or Special meetings. This issue of Across the Board provides summaries from the following meetings:

• February 26 Business Services Committee
• February 20 Learning and Teaching Committee

Meeting memos, presentations and other documents in BoardDocs

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Dr. Paul Gordon shares updates on District initiatives as well as school, staff and student activities.

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Upon thorough deliberation and acknowledging the notable developments within District 303 this year, I am pleased to announce my decision to appoint Mrs. Michelle Woodring as the next Principal of Fox Ridge Elementary.

Michelle has demonstrated exceptional leadership during her tenure at Lincoln Elementary, and I am confident that she will continue to excel in her role at Fox Ridge Elementary. With changes to boundaries beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, we will welcome portions of students and families from Lincoln, Norton Creek, and Munhall to the Fox Ridge Elementary community next year.

At a time of significant change in our District, Michelle’s consistent presence as a building leader, paired with her experience and dedication to our students, staff and families, will be invaluable as the principal of Fox Ridge Elementary School. On behalf of District 303, I want to congratulate Michelle Woodring on this appointment. as she welcomes students and families from Lincoln, Norton Creek, and Munhall to the Fox Ridge Elementary community next year.

The next Listen Learn Return community engagement session is this Thursday, February 29 at 6 p.m. at the Haines Center. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Christine Igoe and her team will be sharing more about academic initiatives in District 303. We look forward to sharing information on curriculum changes, how we are leveraging Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to support each student, and improving the overall learning school experience for each student.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP and can submit questions in advance that may be answered during the session. For those unable to attend or who wish to watch later, this session will be recorded and video published to our website.

Our next quarterly community newsletter, called Into Focus, will be mailed to all District 303 residents in March. This is a brief summary of current District initiatives, including information on the newly approved boundary changes, as well as reminders about registration and other important dates.

In the coming weeks, school principals will be sending letters to their newly assigned students and their families starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Each elementary school that is welcoming new families will have a minimum of one event this spring to get new families and their children into the building, meet staff, and build a sense of community. The ideas range from a formal parent evening to small group tours.

As part of our facility updates at Haines and Lincoln, we will be tentatively moving Board meetings to the Thompson Middle School LRC, effective March 1. Monday's meeting was the final Board meeting at Haines, and Thursday’s LLR session will be the final community meeting prior to construction. Board meetings are expected to take place inside the Thompson LRC for the spring and summer until a new, permanent location is ready for use. Once ready, we look forward to holding our Board meetings at Lincoln.

Agenda items for Board discussion. There is no action taken at this time.

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Background

In addition to the school and district building sites, the school district owns nine parcels of vacant land within district boundaries. These parcels are largely unimproved and may be available for future improvement or sale. At the Business Services meeting on November 28, 2023, the Board asked administration to obtain appraisals for seven of the vacant parcels, which were presented on March 23, 3023.

Discussion

Two of the parcels of vacant land exist next to Cranston Meadows Park, at the corner of Falcons Trail and Cloverfield Drive. Due to their location in a neighborhood next to an existing park, the St. Charles Park District has expressed interest in purchasing the parcels from the school district. Additionally, the sites are of little use to District 303 due to their sizes and location. District 303 administration negotiated a purchase agreement with St. Charles Park District for the appraised value of the property. The purchase agreement and associated resolution are included in the packet for review.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board approve the resolution and purchase agreement with St. Charles Park District for the sale of the two vacant parcels next to Cranston Meadows Park.

Background

District 303 offers several programs to students within its educational services, including advanced learning and language acquisition programs. During recent discussions of District programs, several questions were raised regarding the cost of programs offered, the associated impact to the annual budget, and the outcomes and impacts of the programs for students.

Discussion

An online professional development program offered through District Management Group, the Academic Return on Investment (A-ROI) Institute, supports district finance and academic leadership. Participation by District 303 administrators in this program equips them with knowledge and skills to evaluate future district programming and to analyze the programs objectively and transparently for the Board and community. The next cohort is scheduled for Fall 2024, and the estimated cost for the District 303 team is $18,000 (or $16,200 through early-bird pricing).

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board approve the District leadership’s participation in the fall cohort of the Academic Return on Investment Institute through DM Group.

Background

Multiple large, priority capital projects are planned for summer 2024. This includes reopening Fox Ridge as an elementary school, relocating the Transition program to Lincoln School, and relocating early childhood to Haines. Furthermore, Summer 2024 will include several other large, priority capital projects including, but not limited to, Access Control Upgrades, Districtwide Air Conditioning Enhancement, parking lot and roof improvements and playground development.

Discussion

• Haines Center: Preparations have been made to renovate the section of the building that will house the Early Childhood program this fall. A new playground will also be installed outside, and parking lot improvements are planned to ease traffic flow. Building construction starts this March and site work will begin later this spring.
• Lincoln: Renovation work this summer will include the modification of the gym into the new Board and community room, as well as other professional development space needs. An elevator is being installed, and parking lot improvements are planned.
• Playground improvements: Funds have been allocated for improvements to playgrounds at Norton Creek and Wasco and anticipated this summer to improve accessibility features at these sites.
• Access Control: The District is moving forward with the Phase 1 installation this summer of multi-site door and security improvements. Phase I includes improvements to the middle and high schools, Administration Center, Peck Operating Building, and possibly incorporated into the Haines and Lincoln summer projects.

Recommendation: This agenda item is for discussion only. There are no recommendations at this time

Background

In December 2023 and January 2024, the Board approved contracts for significant construction projects at Lincoln and Haines for Summer 2024. Although the construction documents attempt to address all aspects of the construction process for contractors, there are occasionally unforeseen conditions that arise during construction that require change orders to the contract documents.

Discussion

The resolution addresses the approval of change orders and delegates the authority to approve change orders that fall within certain parameters to the Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer. This ensures that construction will continue on schedule and minimizes the risk of delays while the change orders await Board approval at the next meeting.

Recommendation: Administration recommends that the Board approve the resolution titled “Resolution Delegating Authority to Approve Change Orders for the Haines Center and Lincoln School Facilities Projects”. The Board requested further review of the portion of the resolution focused on project delays. Additional information will be shared at the March 11 Regular Board meeting before action is taken.

Background

In June 2022, the Board of Education approved moving forward with the districtwide improvements to provide air conditioning in all school gyms, cafeterias, and other ancillary spaces. Due to procurement lead times and other variables, these projects were deferred. As referenced in the Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan presented to the Business Services Committee in August 2023, this project is now moving forward in a phased approach over three summers, commencing in Summer 2024.

Discussion

The Phase I proposals were separate into two packages. The first proposal in the amount of $669,290.00 was approved by the Board in November 2023 and primarily included major, long lead-time equipment related to the summer 2024. This current proposal includes the remaining equipment, material, and labor needed to provide a turn-key solution for the mechanical, electrical, structural, and other scope items needed to complete the work at the summer 2024 sites including:

• Anderson: Gym/Cafeteria
• Corron: Gym & Cafeteria
• Bell Graham: Gym & Cafeteria
• Norton Creek: Gym & Cafeteria
• East HS: Gym
• Thompson MS: Large Gym, Small Gym, & Locker Rooms

Recommendation: District 303 Administration recommends awarding a contract to Helm Mechanical through the Equalis Cooperative for the Districtwide Air Conditioning Improvements Phase I, in the amount of $2,986,026.

Background

The existing lighting and control system at the St. Charles North High School Auditorium is original to the building and has been used for over 20 years. Spot repairs and replacements have been made over time to keep the system operational; however, within the past year, the system has failed multiple times during events. Lighting failures could pose disruption to performances and emergency egress concerns. Additionally, a newer system will allow for the lighting to transition to LED over the upcoming years, reducing the need for maintenance and lowering power consumption.

Discussion

Staff solicited a proposal from Grand Stage, a reputable vendor very familiar with the District’s auditoriums. The proposal outlines a new control operating system, replacement control panels on the stage, and various ancillary equipment needed for operations. Staff will budget and plan for replacement and upgrade of the associated light fixtures to LED in future years.

Recommendation: District 303 Administration recommends the Board approves the proposal in the amount of $49,985 with Grand Stage for the North High School Auditorium Lighting Controls Replacement.

Background

The Peck Road Operations Building houses the Transportation Department, including the maintenance garage for repairs and maintenance of our District’s fleet. The maintenance garage has one trench drain system near the south end of the garage that handles water and snow runoff. The current trench drain is deteriorating and as parts break loose, pose a safety hazard within the garage. These issues don’t allow the water to flow properly into the drain in some areas, which could lead to further concrete issues in the future if not addressed.

Discussion

Staff solicited a proposal from BEAR Construction Company through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS). A site walkthrough was conducted to review the existing conditions and to discuss the logistics of the project. The scope of work includes removing and replacing the trench drain and grate system with similar size. This will also include the associated concrete work surrounding the trench. Additionally, two catch basins will be installed to aide in proper maintenance of the system.

Recommendation: District 303 Administration recommends awarding a contract to BEAR Construction Company through The Interlocal Purchasing System for the Operations Building Garage Trench in the amount of $53,591.74.

Background

On July 26, 2023, the Board approved construction for summer 2024 that includes opening Fox Ridge as an elementary school, relocating Transitions to Lincoln, and relocating early childhood to Haines. As part of this change a playground is needed at Haines to accommodate the early childhood program.

Discussion

Staff engaged with Play Illinois, LLC to develop concepts and designs for two new adjacent playgrounds on the west side of the Haines Center. Facilities and Early Childhood Staff met to discuss playground needs. Due to the associated lead times, this proposal is being brought forth for approval now. A second proposal will be brought forth in March for committee review that includes the labor for installation, as well as the concrete, poured-in-place ground cover, fencing, and other site work. If approved, the playground specific sitework and installation would begin mid-May 2024.

Recommendation: District 303 Administration recommends that the Board approves award of the Early Childhood Center at Haines Playground Equipment through OMNIA in the amount of $133,648.85 to Play Illinois, LLC.

Administration continually monitors the actual revenues and expenditures for Mid Valley and District 303 throughout the fiscal year, and reports them to the Board on a monthly basis.

• Mid Valley: Revenue and expenditures are trending close to the prior year and there are no areas of concern at this time.
• District 303: Revenue and expenditures are currently tending close to prior year. The District will see purchase services and capital outlay expenditures begin to outpace the prior year expenditures due to facility updates that are beginning in the District. There are no areas of concern at this time.

Recommendations: Administration recommends that the Board accepts the Mid Valley and CUSD 303 Financial Reports as presented.

The next Business Services Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m.

• Updated 5-year capital improvement plan
• Department budgets for next year

Meeting memos, presentations and other documents in BoardDocs

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The Board received an update from Chief Academic Officer Dr. Christine Igoe and summaries from teachers regarding the District's Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs focus on instructional strategies that support student learning in specific areas. Educators are building the PLC culture in District 303 through:

• Teaching behaviors and actions that are based on evidenced-based practices
• Continual educator engagement in learning to enhance and refine practices
• Collective responsibility for each student learning and the learning of the entire team

New priority standards guide PLCs in streamlining the teaching process to meet students’ essential learning needs. Additionally, PLCs utilize weekly quick checks to track student progress and use common resources for lesson planning. In District 303, grade levels at each building have a PLC leader. There are also PLC leaders for every district-wide course special, and for every core subject at the middle and high schools.

During the meeting, teachers in the 2nd Grade PLC at Corron Elementary School shared the following insights:

How has your PLC process evolved over this school year?

• "We've really become more comfortable with the backwards planning that's required. When we look at the summative data and we look backwards at what is the most essential strand that's running through this entire unit with regard to the priority standards? From there we're able to narrow our focus and develop our quick checks as a result of that. After each quick check we're able to have a very analytical discussion about the data... As a result of that we've really seen tremendous growth in a students' summatives." - Lisa McMorris
  

How are you analyzing data differently?

• "We can look at question by question to see who's classroom is really getting it, whose classroom is struggling a little bit, what instructional practices are we using. And then we can add all that data together and we get overall grade-level data. And that really let's us know that it's not just one teacher's kids, it's all of Corron's kids." - Ryan Flanagan
• "What did [teachers] do to get your students there or what instructional practices did you use or how did that happen? We're sharing these ideas that may not have happened before, and we're using those ideas with our own students... Now we're actually using this data to do a quick lesson or to reteach or something different in our classroom." - Page Pavelich

Since 2017, the math resource for K-5 has been Eureka Math, published by Great Minds. In the 2024-25 school year, our K-5 math resource is being updated to a new version of Eureka Math Squared. New teacher editions are needed for teachers.

Discussion

Eureka Math² includes coherent math models, rigor to support productive struggle, and coherence across lessons, modules, and grades—and adds a new level of accessibility, flexibility, and visibility into student understanding to make math instruction exponentially more teachable and engaging.

Recommendation: The District 303 Administration recommends updating our current K-5 math resource to the new edition of Eureka Math Squared.

The Student Achievement report was presented to the Board of Education on November 27, 2023, which summarized the overall student achievement across the district and progress towards the 2025 academic achievement goals and interim benchmarks. Additionally, the report included action steps for the 23-24 school year to support student growth and achievement.

Discussion

An update on the Student Achievement and the designated action steps was presented to the Board. The report included winter i-Ready data and updates on progress toward the action steps outlined in the student achievement report. Specifically, the report looked at on-track indicators regarding ELA and math data at each level, as well as College and Career Readiness (CCR). On-track indicators display baseline, benchmark and actual data for the past few years and gauge the likelihood to reach benchmark goals in the future.

Recommendation: This report is for informational purposes only.

The next Learning and Teaching Committee meeting will take place on Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m.

• Curriculum renewals

• Update on summer school

• STEM (formerly Empower) at K-5