The District 58 Board of Education held its regular business meeting on Monday, May 14, 2018. View the agenda and presentation links. When available, meeting audio will be posted here. Highlights from the meeting include:
Spotlight on our Schools: Refresh and Renew 1:1 Learning in District 58
Director of Innovative Technology and Learning James Eichmiller and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul presented the District’s 1:1 initiative history, accomplishments, challenges and plans for the future.
Eichmiller shared how iPads have enhanced learning, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills in District 58. He also acknowledged, though, that the District has not been as successful at expecting and supporting these practices as integrated components within its instructional program district-wide. Sisul said that the District is committed to this initiative and plans to enhance its staff professional development next year to ensure that the technology is used consistently district-wide.
“The District will work to ensure all teachers have the time, support and encouragement needed to pursue 1:1 technology to its fullest,” Sisul said. “Since so much of the District’s curriculum contains a technology component, professional learning about technology should naturally coincide with all other aspects of our staff professional development.”
Superintendent Kari Cremascoli said the District must do a better job supporting teachers and nurturing collaboration, but it needs the tools to do that. Technology professional development will be included in District institute days, school faculty meetings and grade-level collaboration meetings, among other opportunities.
District administration plans to bring a 1:1 refresh recommendation to the Board in June. They plan to recommend 1:1 iPads with keyboard for students in grades 3-6; 1:1 iPads without keyboards for grades 1-2; and 2:1 iPads for kindergarteners. Middle schoolers will continue to use their existing Chromebooks.
Board members Darren Hughes and Beth Taylor shared that they recently visited Lester School and appreciated seeing how teachers seamlessly integrated 1:1 technology into their instruction. Board members stressed that they want to see increased consistency and accountability with the District’s 1:1 initiative, should the refresh be approved next month. Member Jill Samonte shared concerns about the refresh, noting that it is an expensive purchase at a time when budgets are tight. View the Refresh and Renew 1:1 Learning in District 58 presentation.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli provided the Board with the draft 2018-19 meeting calendar, a 2018-19 school registration update and the Board vacancy application timeline. Members of the community who wish to be considered for this appointment may submit an application here. She also shared recent and upcoming celebrations, including last week’s Select 58 event recognizing eighth graders for service and this week’s Distinguished Service Awards ceremony recognizing staff.
Business Report
Assistant Superintendent for Business/Chief School Business Official David Bein gave an update on the projects funded by the District’s recent bond sale—the Lester construction project is on schedule, and bids have closed on the Kingsley fire alarm and Fairmount electric work projects. Bein also shared that the State of Illinois paid approximately $400,000 to District 58 last month. The State currently owes the District nearly a half million dollars, primarily for special education and early childhood education.
Belle Aire Spotlight
Belle Aire School Student Council Officers Abbey, Megan, Gianna and Kate shared some of their school’s recent charitable efforts, including a Thanksgiving fundraiser, a holiday giving tree and their upcoming Cancer Awareness Week fundraiser to support St. Jude’s.
Carrie Blonigan, Belle Aire PTA president-elect, said that the PTA led many diverse activities and services this school year, including offering fitness, Spanish and engineering classes and providing a Belle Aire alumni scholarship.
Belle Aire Principal Brent Borchelt noted that he often receives questions about Belle Aire’s open concept floor plan from families considering a move to the area. To help new families better envision the school, he created a short video.
“My original intent was to capture the inner workings of our school and its open concept, but after putting it together I realized I captured much more, the very heart of our school and culture,” Borchelt said. View the Belle Aire School video.
During the meeting, the Board also:
- Held a public hearing on the proposed 2017-18 amended budget and adopted the budget as presented.
- Listened to a presentation by Clarissa and Ensara, members of the O’Neill Robotics Team.
- Recognized the Herrick and O’Neill Robotics Teams for their hard work and recent successes at a robotics challenge.
- Recognized students who served on the Safety Patrol.
- Listened to a presentation by El Sierra School and PTA leaders, requesting approval to begin fundraising for their playground project. The Board was pleased to give their approval.
- Approved minutes from the April 9 Regular Meeting and April 23 Budget Workshop.
- Approved all items on the Consent Agenda as presented in the packet materials, including the approval of Todd Drafall as the District’s assistant superintendent for business/chief school business official and Lauri Cole as Pierce Downer and Hillcrest’s assistant principal.
- Approved the 2018-2022 District 58 Strategic Plan Report.
- Approved the first-year renewal contract for food service management with Aramark for next school year.
- Approved the cost of a reimbursable paid lunch at Herrick, O’Neill and Henry Puffer to $2.85 for next school year.
- Approved an agreement to lease five classrooms to SASED for the 2018-19 school year.
- Approved bids for playground mulch installation to Cedar Valley Express Blower; for custodial supplies to Ramrod Distributors and Performance Chemical; and for ink cartridges, drums and printheads to Genesis Technologies.
- Approved the Village of Downers Grove to sign a contract with Abbey Paving Inc. for asphalt and concrete work at Lester.
- Approved bids related to the recent bond issue: The Board accepted the withdrawal request of the Kingsley fire alarm bid from BMI Electric and awarded the bid to Lyons Electric Company; they also awarded a base and alternate bid for Fairmount electrical work to Ashburn Power & Light.
- Designated 4,400 iPad Minis purchased between 2013-2015 as surplus equipment.
- Designated the District’s 2002 GMC pickup truck and snowplow as surplus equipment.
Upcoming events:
- Thursday, May 24 at 7 a.m.: Meet & Confer Strategic Plan Committee Meeting at Longfellow
- Monday, June 11 at 6 p.m.: Board Special Meeting at Downers Grove Village Hall
- Monday, June 11 at 7 p.m.: Regular Board Meeting at Downers Grove Village Hall
District 58 Board of Education members are: Doug Purcell, president; Elizabeth Sigale, vice president; Greg Harris, Darren Hughes, John Miller, Jill Samonte and Beth Taylor, with Dr. Kari Cremascoli, superintendent; and Melissa Jerves, board secretary.