USD116 BOE Update: March 19, 2024

The District Mentoring and Community Involvement Coordinator gave an overview of the District’s CU 1-to-1 Mentoring and community volunteer programs.

If you would like to volunteer in USD #116:

• Complete Application
• Pass a background check
• Attend a 10 minute orientation

If you are interested in mentoring (1 hour/week commitment)

View the full presentation

Q: What are observers?

A: Typically they are college students who are observing classrooms before they student teach.

Q: Is there a need for people who are bilingual to help in our Dual Language classrooms?

A: Yes. We are always looking for more volunteers. Some of the bilingual staff in the Dual Language schools have helped with recruiting volunteers who speak Spanish/French.

RSP presented the boundary analysis public input and survey results. The survey had 263 responses (a small sample size compared to the size of USD and the Urbana community)

• Concept 1 had slightly more support by survey respondents with 104 total votes (ten more votes than Concept 2)
• 66 respondents did not provide an answer to this question - Unknown concept support

Main Takeaway:

• Based on the provided comments, it appears that there is mixed support for both Yankee Ridge and Thomas Paine as the location for the Dual Language (DL) program.

Concerns from survey respondents:

• Disruption to students
• Proximity/safety/travel time
• Neighborhood connectivity

The sample size is relatively too small to make a statistically definitive statement as to what concept is better:

• Concept 1 was slightly more favored than Concept 2
• Request to investigate a revision to Concept 1 that re-establishes Thomas Paine northern boundary (area P)
• Request to provide an additional opportunity for public input and stakeholder involvement in this process (A third public input session has been scheduled for March 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. at DPW Elementary)
• Continue to analyze benefits and challenges of Dual Language school assignment – many challenges and benefits noted by public comment for either site chosen for the program.

• Wiley School to reopen as 6th grade center in 2025-26
• District to consolidate Dual Language program in one school
• District considering Dual Language program location at either Thomas Paine and Yankee Ridge schools
• Preference to maintain neighborhood schools over balancing socioeconomics

Note: Changes to items above would require Board action.

View the full presentation

Q: There are so many families who will be impacted, specifically at Dr. Williams school, when the DL program is in one building. The survey responses were so low for that school. Is there any way to get more responses from that community?

A: Surveys are always a challenging way to gather feedback; especially for difficult topics.

* The Board and Administration agreed to open a new survey in an attempt to gather feedback from a larger group of people.

Other notes:

• There will be small revisions made to Concept 1 and Concept 2. Those will be presented at the third public input session on March 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. at DPW Elementary.
• On April 2, RSP will bring back a recommendation. It will be a Board decision as to where the Dual Language school is located.

The Board approved the appointments of Mr. Craig Keer as the next Principal and Mrs. Emily Reilly as the next Assistant Principal of Leal Elementary, effective July 29, 2024.

Welcome to USD #116! Read more: https://usd116.org/leal-principal-2024/

Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report is available here: March 19, 2024

Highlights:

• A third public input session on the elementary attendance boundary maps has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. at DPW Elementary. RSP will discuss changes based on feedback from the survey and the February public input meetings. (Translators and childcare will be available.)

• A candidate forum with the applicants for the Sub-District 2 Board vacancy will be held Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30 in the Board of Education Room at Tiger Academy (303 East Fairlawn). The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. Please note: The application window has been extended. The new deadline to submit materials is April 3 at 4:30 p.m.

The Student Ambassador Report is available here: March 19 Student Ambassador Report

Highlights:

• UHS mural
• UHS Theater Production: KALA
  
• Harmony week at UHS