USD116 BOE Update: April 18, 2023

UMS Teacher Karen Hollett received a $1,000 grant from Epsilon Delta- University of Illinois

Several National Board Certified Teachers were recognized. The following are new National Board Certified Teachers:

• Amanda Lappin (King)

• Katheryn Plotner (Leal)

The following successfully renewed their certification:

• Nechele Johnson (Thomas Paine)

• Kevin Kennedy (UHS)

• Amanda Perez-Rosser (UHS)

• Nick Stillwell (UHS)

The Board of Education approved hiring the following administrators at Urbana High School for the 2023-24 school year.

• Jesse Guzman, Principal, Urbana High School effective July 1, 2023

• Jessica Hines, Assistant Principal, Urbana High School effective July 1, 2023

• Melissa Kearns, Assistant Principal, Urbana High School effective July 1, 2023

Mr. Jesse Guzman currently serves as the principal of Jefferson Middle School in Champaign. His previous experience includes roles as both an associate and an assistant principal, a middle level summer school principal and a social studies teacher at the middle school level.

Mr. Guzman holds his Superintendent Endorsement and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from St. Louis University.

Mrs. Hines currently serves as the Associate Principal at Jefferson Middle School. Her previous roles include Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, AVID coordinator and an ELA and Social Studies teacher.

Mrs. Hines is a Golden Apple Scholar and currently works with the Golden Apple Foundation, growing and mentoring future educators. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Illinois at Champaign and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University.

Ms. Kearns, an Urbana High School graduate, is currently an Assistant Principal at Jefferson Middle School where she has been involved in school improvement and equity initiatives. Her previous experience includes Instructional Coach, Magnet Site Coordinator, elementary teacher and middle school science teacher.

Ms. Kearns holds two Master’s Degrees, one in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Leadership, both from American College of Education. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree and an Associate's Degree in Elementary Education.

We are excited to work with these three proven leaders in our mission to educate, nurture and engage all students.

The Board of Education approved Maria Elvir as the District Special Education Administrator beginning July 1, 2023.

Ms. Elvir is currently an Associate Principal at Urbana Middle School, where she has served for the last five years. Ms Elvir’s previous roles include special education coordinator, special education teacher, and a supervisory role at a community-based residential program that partnered with the local school district.

Ms. Elvir’s career in special education spans 22 years and includes serving students in multiple roles at both the elementary and secondary levels, and in both alternative and public schools in Illinois.

USD116 is adopting Illustrative Mathematics beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

Beginning this spring and summer, there will be series and platform trainings, supportive

professional development, and prep time provided for all math teachers. There will also be additional trainings with Janet Moore.

This fall, new teachers will be trained and support systems for teachers will be in place. There will also be student support systems implemented.

View the presentation

A representative from Quest Food discussed a proposal for a one-year emergency food service contract for the 2023-24 school year. This is the second food vendor to give a presentation to the board related to the one-year emergency food service contract.This would allow the District to continue researching and work with the Wellness Committee to put together an RFP for following years.

The Board is expected to vote on a food service provider for the 2023-24 school year next month.

View the Quest Food presentation

The Board approved entering into a letter of intent with Veregy to provide roof work at Wiley Elementary and solar work at both Wiley and Thomas Paine.

Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report is available here: April 18, 2023

2023 District Facilities Committee Composition

• 41 parents, teachers, staff, and community members from across the district and the community responded to the interest form.

• The screening form will generate a total composite score and the following breakdown of participants with the highest scores will be invited to participate:

* 14 elementary parents (2 from each school and 4 from Wiley)
* 6 middle school parents
* 6 elementary teachers/staff
* 6 middle school teachers/staff
* 3 community members
Total = 33 total from interest survey

Invited members:

• 2 - Co-chairs

• 2 - board members

• 2 - district parent liaisons

• 3 - UEA Representatives

• 7 - building principals

• 6 - district administrators

• 5 - district administrators (ex-officio/non-voting)

Total = 27 invited members

Total number of Committee Members = 62

The Board of Education revisited the discussion of the District Facilities Planning Committee.

• One of the co-chairs will be from Wiley
• Wiley will have four parents on the committee (all other schools will have two)

The Board of Education approved a three year extension of the Superintendent's contract. The new contract runs from 2024-2027.

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