Board Briefs

The Board of Education welcomed the District’s 12 new teachers during a reception prior to the regular Board meeting on September 21.

 

The Board received a report on the start of the school year from the District’s principals. Hickory Point, Shabonee, and Wood Oaks have all experienced a joyful first four weeks of school. Students have been busy learning school and classroom behavior expectations, as well as developing a greater sense of community and connection through all-school assemblies.

Mr. Rick Hansen, Director of Facilities, provided the Board with a transportation report. Mr. Hansen stated that the school transportation service has been running smoothly with 639 students, or about 48% of the student population, enrolled in the service this year with North Shore Transit.

Board Adopts Budget for FY24

The Board formally adopted a $33 million budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which is a 4.5 percent increase over the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. A public hearing was held on September 7. The budget allocates $300,000 toward contingencies and includes a 56 percent fund balance reserve.

Fall Enrollment Report

Superintendent Dr. John Deiter delivered the District’s Fall Enrollment Report to the Board and discussed future projections. The District’s enrollment is 1,333. Enrollment at Hickory Point is 423 students, while Shabonee is at 433, and Wood Oaks is at 447. Enrollment is strong and stable, Dr. Deiter said. Class sizes continue to reflect the District’s preferred student-teacher ratios. Projections show that Shabonee will see increased enrollment beginning this school year and continuing for the next four years as larger classes matriculate through the grades, potentially reaching 464 students during the 2025-26 school year. Hickory Point enrollment increased the most this year with the addition of the early childhood program. Longitudinal data shows that the incoming kindergarten class has been trending about 6 students higher than previous years. The District continues to review its Master Facilities Plan and any needs for additional space. Enrollment projections are revised annually.

2023 Illinois Assessment of Readiness Results

Dr. Katharine Olson, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, reported to the Board on the State standardized testing results. Students that were in grades 3-8 (this past school year) took the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in the spring. Dr. Olson reported that, overall, the District’s IAR performance results continue to improve with some grade levels meeting or achieving the pre-pandemic performance levels (2019). To continue to support students, the district is moving into its second year of implementing comprehensive action plans in reading and math. Individual results are expected to be mailed home by the end of September, and districtwide and statewide data is expected to be released with the State Report Card at the end of October.