USD116 BOE Update: November 2, 2021

In honor of Veterans Day, the Board of Education recognized the following USD 116 Employees who have served in the Armed Services:

• Elizabeth Chin: Served in the United States Army for 10 years. Chin works at King Elementary as an early childhood teaching assistant.

• Daniel Lance: Served in the United States Navy for 4 years. Lance works in the Facilities Dept.

• James Robert McCune: Served in the United States Navy for 4 years. McCune works at Leal as a P.E. Teacher.

• Patricia McFall: Served in the United States Army for 3 years. McFall is a building based Substitute at UMS.

• Patrick Russell: Served in the United States Army for 6 years. Russell works at UMS as an Associate Principal.

• Nathan Watson: Served in the United States Navy for 8 years. Watson is a Driver's Ed Teacher at UHS.

THANK U FOR YOUR SERVICE!

The Board reviewed two new PRESS policies that will guide the BOE Student Ambassador Program. The application process to be a Student Ambassador is currently underway. In the future, the application process will open in April for the following year and the students will be seated in September.

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.

The student ambassadors will be responsible for the following:

1. Attending all regular meetings of the Board of Education
2. Meeting with a variety of students and student groups in order to gain a broad understanding of student interests, concerns, and needs.
3. Share information received from the Board of Education meetings with the student body.
4. Representing all students.
5. Communicating student viewpoints on issues before the Board
6. Answering Board questions and concerns from a student perspective.
7. Reviewing the Board meeting packet and student-generated discussion items with their Principal prior to each Board meeting.

Applications for this year's Student Ambassadors are due Friday, November 5. The plan is to conduct interviews the following week and seat the selected Student Ambassadors at the November 16 BOE meeting.

The Student Ambassadors will attend Board meetings, but will not have voting privileges and may not participate in closed executive sessions of the Board.

Student Ambassador Program - Administrative Procedures

Student Ambassador Program Policy

The Board of Education heard from the equity consulting firm Systemic Educational Equity, LLC. This is the consultant firm tasked with working with the Equity Task Force and leading the District through the Equity Audit and Equity Implementation Planning Phases.

EQUITY AUDIT

• The equity audit process engages the collection and analysis of comprehensive quantitative data with critical qualitative information.

• The expected outcomes of an equity audit is the development of strategic, accountable, measurable and sustainable action plans.

• The purpose of an equity audit is to identify areas of strength and needed improvement with particular attention to historically marginalized groups. It is a fact-finding process that aids in the development of tangible recommendations to mitigate inequities.

There are 5 phases to the Equity Audit and it is usually a 9-12 month process.

• PHASE 1: Identify and assemble District Equity Leadership Team (DELT). Completion of needs assessment. Data and inquiry direction.

• PHASE 2: Gather and synthesize disaggregated data.
• PHASE 3: Conduct focus groups with a variety of stakeholders.
• PHASE 4: Analysis of all quantitative and qualitative data.
• PHASE 5: Findings based on data. Limited recommendations and research to support findings. All findings organized into the Five Strands of Systemic Equity©

Read the full Equity Audit Overview

Watch the Equity Audit Overview

The first public presentation regarding door detection at UHS was given at Tuesday's meeting. The company, Evolv Door Detection Systems gave a demonstration to show how the system is a faster, less obtrusive alternative to traditional metal detectors.

These would be used at Door 1 and Door 9 at UHS. All students and visitors would have to enter one of these doors. The District would have a team stationed at each of these doors. The staff would be trained by the company prior to first use.

This system is also portable, so it can also be used at extracurricular events/sporting events.

Read more about the Evolv Door Detection Systems

The District will solicit feedback from staff, students and other stakeholders before making a final decision.

Watch a demo of the door detection system

Watch the full presentation and Board Q&A

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the Illinois Report Card last week. The limited in-person instruction last school year dramatically impacted report card metrics across the state for a second year. ISBE has indicated within the report card the metrics most significantly affected by COVID-19.

District Highlights:

• Attendance: Attendance data is not comparable to prior years because a majority of students participated in online learning from March 2020 through May 2021. However, the district average for attendance reflected 92%.

• Graduation Rates: Across the state and in USD116, the four-year graduation rate held steady with 2019 and previous years. We are slightly higher than the state average, with a four-year graduation rate of 87%.

• Advanced Placement & Career and Technical Education: Across the state, more students than ever took college and career preparation coursework last year. USD116 saw a significant increase in the number of students taking early college coursework by 29%. During the 2020-2021 school year, 743 students were enrolled in at least one CTE course. This is the first year ISBE has collected Career and Technical Education information for the school report card.

COVID-19 IMPACT:

• Assessments: All students did not take the state assessments if they were not attending in person.
• Ninth-Graders on Track and 8th graders Passing Algebra I: Across the state, 9th graders on track to graduate and 8th graders passing Algebra I dropped due to increases in failing grades. The impact of not having students in person and a full year of remote instruction for the majority of these students was significant.
• Summative Designations: Accountability for the 2020-21 school year was waived; therefore, summative designations will not be calculated for 2021. Our schools that have been previously identified for support will maintain their support status, but no summative designations will be reported.

• Five Essentials Data: Reported by Schools Only

NEXT STEPS:

• All schools will offer extended day learning.
• Designated schools offer resources and professional development aligned to SIP goals.
• All schools review and revise action plans quarterly.
• Comprehensive new teacher mentoring through an induction program.
• The District is dedicated to aligning resources and supports by reviewing multiple indicators.

• SEL support and meeting the needs of the whole child will continue to be a priority.

View the entire presentation

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

John Gutzmer, Chief Information Officer gave a demo of how the public can create and post sub-district boundary maps to evaluate.

Board Member Redistricting does not in any way impact School Attendance Zones.

Current District Map

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

• Nov. 5: Elementary students do not have school. UMS and UHS have early dismissal. (Staff Development Day)
  

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

• Nov. 24-26: Thanksgiving Break - No School

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