The District 58 Board of Education held its regular business meeting on Monday, July 11, 2016. Highlights from the meeting include:
Spring Learning Data Update:
District presents spring MAP and AIMSweb data
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Matt Rich reviewed data from this spring’s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment and the AIMSweb assessment.
Dr. Rich reported that District 58 continues to exceed national averages on the MAP assessment, with many grade levels having median scores at or above the 70th percentile. He also noted that the number of students who surpassed the national average score increased this spring.
MAP tests students on Math, Reading and Language Usage. The District’s Reading and Language Usage scores continued to be a consistent strength with strong separation from the national mean.
“The average sixth grade District 58 student surpassed the 11th grade national mean in Language Usage for the first time,” Dr. Rich said.
The District’s Math scores also showed strong growth. Historically, District 58 students in grades K-2 and 6-8 greatly exceed state averages in Math, while students in grades 3-5 tend to score closer to national average. This year, the District offered more differentiation opportunities and support for students at these grade levels – and it paid off. The spring mean MAP data showed improvement in MAP scores for students in many grades as compared to spring assessments in prior years.
“Many of our third, fourth and fifth grade students improved their scores in Math, offering clear distinction above the national average,” Dr. Rich said. “Seeing this growth is very exciting and we hope to continue it next year.”
Dr. Rich also noted an area of future improvement within the 2015-16 fifth grade students’ math performance. While this cohort’s average performance remained above the national mean, its median scores lagged in comparison with other grade level cohorts in the district.
Dr. Rich also presented spring AIMSweb data. AIMSweb is a tool used to assess a student’s reading health. Students exit this assessment when they are at least in third grade and demonstrate mastery in several reading criteria. This year’s AIMSweb results are commensurate with last year, with the exception of third grade. Dr. Rich noted that an exceptionally high number of third graders graduated from AIMSweb in spring 2015. This year, the number of third graders exiting AIMSweb decreased back to its usual average. District 58 will continue to monitor this data point to see if spring 2015 third graders were outliers.
Dr. Rich also noted that the middle schools decreased their use of AIMSweb to support high-risk students only. This helps to limit unnecessary testing at the middle school level. In 2016-17, the District will try a multiple measure approach to determine the best way to support literacy growth for high-risk middle school students.
Strategic Goals Action Plan
Dr. Cremascoli reports on 2015-16 progress, looks ahead to 2016-17
Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli shared a progress report on the District’s 2015-16 Strategic Goals Action Plan, as well as a preview to the 2016-17 Strategic Goals Action Plan. The District annually creates its Strategic Goals Action Plan to align with the District’s mission, vision and core beliefs, as well as the Board’s Strategic Plan that was established in 2011. The 2015-16 report showed significant progress in many areas. For example, the District:
- Increased professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, particularly in the areas of differentiated, flexible instruction; teacher collaboration; and social-emotional learning.
- Deployed the universal student data system, making student achievement data more accessible for staff and parents. The District continues to refine this system, with input from faculty, administrators and parents.
- Implemented the Optional Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program at Title 1 schools and approved the program’s district-wide expansion for next school year.
- Expanded the Biliteracy Program to second grade.
- Completed a comprehensive review of Grove Children’s Preschool, resulting in many program improvements.
- Launched a new special education program for students with autism.
- Completed substantial curriculum committee work, including that of the English Language Arts (ELA) Committee, the Science/STEM Committee and the Math Committee.
- Piloted Next Generation Science Standards at the middle school level.
- Increased community engagement across a variety of communication channels.
- Completed key facilities projects, and launched a new and more efficient District administrative software system.
- Achieved ongoing fiscally responsible and proactive budgeting, including work with the district’s Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) and monitoring of legislative changes.
Key focus areas for the 2016-17 school year will include:
- Student learning: Curriculum, instruction and programming
- Student well-being and social-emotional learning
- Technology for teaching and learning
- Facilities, finance operations and maintenance
View the 2015-16 Strategic Goals Action Plan progress update presentation.
View the 2016-17 Strategic Goals Action Plan preview presentation.
The Board provided input and feedback regarding the 2016-17 Strategic Goals Action Plan proposal. The final Plan will be presented to the Board for approval in August. Both reports will be posted on the District’s Strategic Plan webpage after approval. Visitors may also view this page to read the District’s mission, core beliefs, vision statement and previous Strategic Goals Action Plans and Reports.
Demographer Proposal
Due to the expansion of the Optional Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program and recent concerns regarding space at Lester, Belle Aire and Highland schools, District 58 requested a more comprehensive demographer proposal from Cropper GIS Consulting, which would include 10-year population and enrollment forecasts. An updated and comprehensive report would help District 58 better plan facilities projects and ascertain if future building additions or boundary changes should be considered.
The District shared Cropper GIS Consulting’s eight-paged proposal with the Board of Education. The Board indicated support for this endeavor moving forward. The Board expects to receive a complete report and presentation from the demographer by November 2016.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli reported that summer curriculum work is progressing very well, with grade-level teams refining curriculum and blueprints for Math and Middle School Science. In addition, she said that the summer iPad refresh and summer facility work is underway and ahead of schedule.
Dr. Cremascoli also shared information related to the recent stop gap budget, the Village of Downers Grove’s proposed super retreat, Hillcrest playground construction progress, summer school and District 58 representation at the recent International Society for Technology in Education conference. She also shared the state’s recent announcement that the SAT will replace the PARCC next school year as the high school accountability exam in Illinois.
Business Report
Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO David Bein reported that fiscal year 2015-16 concluded June 30, and District 58 ended on track with one exception: the State of Illinois still owes District 58 nearly $800,000 in categorical payments, up slightly from this time last year.
Bein explained that the District receives about $4.2 million in state funding. Of that, only approximately $1.3 million is in General State Aid. The remainder is considered “categorical,” or, funding that is earmarked for very specific purposes, such as transportation and special education. He said that if the state pays its $780,000 categorical payment within the next four to six weeks, it may still be included in the 2015-16 District 58 audit.
Bein also shared that the recently-passed state stop gap budget should help District 58 retain steady funding for the 2016-17 school year, provided the State of Illinois makes payments as projected. The new budget will increase the District’s General State Aid by $76,000. Other funding is expected to remain relatively flat. Bein cautioned the Board that school funding formula and pension cost shift conversations continue in Springfield, and it’s very possible that many suburban school districts, including District 58, may see significant cuts to state funding or increases in local costs in future years.
Board Approvals and Reports
During the July 11 meeting, the Board also:
- Reported on the July 11 Financial Advisory Committee meeting. The committee discussed the May Consumer Price Index (CPI) and conducted its annual review of the Medical Reserve Fund, which remained flat during 2015-16. The committee also reviewed the 2015-16 budget, the proposed 2016-17 budget, and the state’s stop gap budget.
- Received two visitors who provided community input regarding curriculum development and LRC teacher assignments.
- Approved the consent agenda.
- Adopted the prevailing wage resolution regarding the wages for District 58’s laborers, workers and mechanics employed on public works.
- Approved new Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO David Bein as an authorized signatory for District 58.
- Authorized its annual distribution of the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax.
- Approved a contract with Pediatric Services of America to provide contractual nursing services to one student in District 58.
- Adopted a resolution that named Michael Davenport as representative to the Village of Downers Grove Plan Commission for 2016-17.
- Adopted revisions to Policy #5151 regarding student fees.
- (Added July 15, 2016): Seventh grade placement for accelerated math students was mentioned during communications with the Board. Dr. Rich and Mr. Eichmiller provided Board Members with an Analysis of Placement of Accelerated 7th Grade Math Students for the 2016-17 School Year.
District 58 Board of Education members include: John Cooper, president; Doug Purcell, vice president; Roberta Diehl; Christopher Heppner; Sallie Lupescu; John Miller; and Elizabeth Sigale, with Dr. Kari Cremascoli, superintendent; and Pam Osika, board secretary.