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January Board Highlights

Cathy Hite

January 19, 2024

Communications

Public: None.

MTA/MCSA:  Jessica Lucas-Nihei, School Psychologist, spoke about facilitating an Executive Skills Workshop with Gen Ed and Special Ed Teachers.  She mentioned that she continues to assist transitioning early learners into the preschool program as well as reviewing FastBridge Benchmark data to identify how to further support students’ needs.  Ms. Lucas-Nihei will be attending the National Association of School Psychologists’ Annual Convention and looks forward to bringing many resources back to D159.  Megan Horsch spoke about all the goings on in 4th grade.  She highlighted that students are working on fractions in Math and are using the same writing format MJH adopted called CER.  Students completed their poetry module of EL education and presented their poems to the class as well as administrators.  Lastly, students will begin squid dissection in Science with the guidance of a presenter.

MEF/PTA:  None.

Board of Education:  Mrs. Oost thanked the MTA for continuing to bring grade level updates to the monthly Board meetings.  Mrs. Oost also shared that she is reading the book titled, Think Again, which has helped her in her role as a Board Member.  Mrs. Tunney shared that she has an open-door policy and is always willing to have conversations.  Mr. Andresen thanked all staff for being able to pivot and make the best out of E:Learning.  Mr. Bush congratulated the District for being recognized by the State of Illinois for their efforts in directing funds to improve student achievement with Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.  Mr. Bush also gave a “shout out” to Jessica Mucenski for making such a positive impact on his daughter.  Mrs. MacMillan stated she would like to see the renewal of the District’s E:Learning Plan added to the Parent-Advisory Committee agenda in the Spring.

Presentation – School Improvement Plan

Building Principals each shared an overview of their school goals.  The School Improvement Plan (SIP) identifies the academic and priority goals along with strategies for each school.  School leadership teams refine their SIP annually to define their school’s targeted work to raise achievement and prepare every student to graduate. 

Information Reports

Superintendent – Dr. Cohen

  • The District was recognized by the IL State Board of Education for using ESSER funds (Federal Pandemic Relief funding) to improve student achievement.  The first goal concentrated on enhancing ELA education by procuring comprehensive instructional materials for K-5 students.  ESSER funds also enabled the introduction of a STEM course at MJH.  These funds also supported the District’s goal to provide interventions to students not yet meeting standards by hiring a reading interventionist, offering a summer school program, and providing after-school tutoring.  The strategic use of ESSER funds directly influenced student learning outcomes, leading to growth far above in the 60th percentile in ELA and 58th percentile in Math. 
  • Dr. Cohen provided two drafts of the 2024-2025 school calendar for the Board and shared highlights from the calendars.  Questions were asked and answered.  Approval of the 2024-2025 school calendar is scheduled for the February Board meeting.

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction – Dr. Johnson

  • Dr. Johnson shared with the Board an overview of the professional learning provided for staff on the January Early Release Day.
  • Advanced Learners Programming Update - Dr. Cohen and Dr. Johnson met with Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) on January 16th.  Timeline and details were discussed as well as bringing the CTD team up to speed on the scope of the project.
  • Winter FastBridge Data Update – Building principals and teacher teams will be meeting to analyze the data and determine next steps in instruction and intervention based on the results.  Dr. Johnson provided a District summary of the data to the Board.
  • The District was awarded the state’s School District Library Grant in the amount of $1,329.27.  This grant provides supplementary support for the school district’s library media program to enhance student learning and academics.  The District will use the funds to support its electronic library automations systems for book checkout and book catalogs.

Interim Director of Student Services – Mrs. Volpe

  • A workshop on Executive Functioning was offered for paraprofessionals and certified student services staff.  The presenter offered strategies and supports for students who struggle with organization, time management, and task completion.
  • The District welcomes Rebecca Vance, a contracted certified school nurse. 
  • The department completed its interviews to replace Administrative Assistant for Student Services, Luann Lodes, who will be retiring at the end of June.  Once this candidate receives Board approval, the training process will begin.
  • The department is still in need of an Interim Coordinator, School Psychologist, Part-time Homebound instructor, and a Part-time SPED teacher. 

Chief School Business Official – Dr. Shaw

  • Finance Report – Posted on website.
  • Dr. Shaw provided a historical year over year CPI (Consumer Price Index) change for the Board.  The data reflects the year over year change in the seasonally adjusted CPI, and the YTD cumulative change in the CPI.
  • The District has two of its fleet buses with leases that will expire at the end of the school year.  The District is looking to replace those two buses and are exploring options including purchasing two gas buses, lease cost for buses for 5 years, lease cost for buses for a single year.  More information to come at the February Board meeting.
  • HR Update – Orientation for substitute teachers, paraprofessionals and building aides is scheduled for February.  The District will host its annual Wellness Clinic in March.  HR will be distributing W-2 and 1095 forms to staff prior to January 31st.  
  • Food Service Update – 6,016 lunches were served in the month of December.  The District will be receiving $10,024.70 from the government.  Register revenue brought in $22,547.00.  The featured lunch for the month is whole grain cinnamon rolls.  These cinnamon rolls were provided to the Board to sample.
  • Transportation Update – One new bus driver has joined the department and another driver candidate is tentatively set to begin at the end of January.  No field trips were scheduled this month but drivers will be filling the athletic needs of MJH.
  • O&M Update – During the winter break, the electrical issue in the 1st grade wing was resolved and univents returned to normal operation.  The MES South gym was upgraded to efficient LED lighting.  The new playground received upgraded LED security lighting.  Ramps, entrances and PreK hallways received a fresh coat of paint as well as the MIS staff lounge and the MJHS Commons café.

Director of Technology – Mr. Henson

  • During winter break, the department replaced 3 small UPS/Battery backups in hallways at MES and MJH.  The bad UPS in the MJH server room was also replaced.  Speakers were rewired for the audio enhancements pilot room in the Kindergarten wing.  The Tech department worked in conjunction with the Maintenance department to pull network cable in key locations to prep for new access points. 
  • Mr. Henson provided for the Board the results from a laptop refresh survey that was sent to all certified staff and administrators.  The department will start the search for a new laptop that will fulfill the requested needs.

Principals Reports – Dr. Rolinitis shared that the Geography Bee will be held on January 19th.   A big “shout out” to the History department for continuing to keep such a fun event going.  Dr. Rolinitis thanked the music department for overcoming all their challenges and putting on a great winter concert.  And lastly, a big welcome to Matthew Gellert who is the new STEM teacher at MJH and a big thank you to Nancie Miller for all her help as the long-term substitute teacher.  Mr. McAtee thanked MJH for hosting the winter concert for the MIS students.  A huge “shout out” to Doug Ellsworth for helping teachers with technical difficulties during E:Learning.  Mrs. Chorley shared that the Kid’s Heart Challenge has raised over $23,000 to date and she is so proud of the students.  A huge thank you to Jessica Lucas-Nihei as she plans on attending the annual National Conference in which she will bring back many resources and act on them.  A big thank you to staff for doing an amazing job during E:Learning and a big thank you to Dave Rana for always being so responsive when a maintenance issue arises in the building.

Action Items that were approved include:

  • Previous Month Minutes
  • District Bills
  • Personnel – Classified – Change in Position:  Judy Muellerschoen.  Certified – Resignation:  Breann Bosco.  Certified – Amended Salary:  Matthew Gellert.
  • Consent Agenda:  1) RFP for electrical repairs at MES and District office; 2) Disposal of Materials
  • MES front door replacement project
  • MES parking lot expansion & MIS hard surface play area

For the Good of Mokena

  • Mrs. Oost recognized and congratulated Vincent Bencic and Claire Roberts from MIS for winning the Mokena Fire Protection Essay Contest.

Respectfully,

Submitted on behalf of Dr. Mark A. Cohen, Superintendent