(Report of January 22 and February 2, 2009, Board of Education Meetings)
Employment Matters
The Board approved a one-year, child-rearing leave of absence request from Marie Murphy School seventh grade English teacher Emily A. Gaul for the 2009-2010 school year.
Avoca Video Screening
At the January 22 meeting, the Board viewed a 10-minute video produced in-house that is designed to celebrate the tradition of sustained excellence in Avoca and that will be used during future referendum presentations to the community. The video contains interviews, testimonials, and film clips from children, teachers, parents, former parents, multi-generational Avoca families and community members. A longer, 28-minute version of the video is also being produced in-house that will be streamed on Avoca’s Web site and run periodically on local cable stations between now and April 7, when the public will vote on the referendum.
Update on Progress of District Goal #2
During the January Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Porto discussed the progress to date on District Goal #2: Review, refine and improve surveys and other measure tools to assess Avoca’s progress toward greatness. The goal is being implemented over a three-year period. As they pertained to a review of the goal, the Board was provided with a list of Greatness Indicators with corresponding measurements, a Distinctive Impact Log, and an Awards and Recognition Log. The Board will continue to receive updates on the progress of the District’s five District goals over the next few months.
New Curriculum Development Model
This particular discussion item relates to District Goal #3: Create a specific curriculum review process corresponding to Avoca’s instructional needs, etc. This item was discussed in detail during the January Board meeting. The Board was provided with a proposed master schedule for the District’s curriculum studies/review and a 30-month timeline of curriculum processes and procedures. Principals Reed and Jauch reviewed each document and answered questions from the Board on the newly-created Curriculum Development Model. It was explained that the new adoption timeline allows the District to order materials earlier than in the past, and the teachers will have training over the summer so they are fully prepared to implement the new curriculum at the start of school in the fall.
2008 ISAT Results
During the Board’s February 2 Committee of the Whole meeting, statistician/consultant Clay Graham gave a very positive PowerPoint presentation on the District’s 2008 ISAT results and recommendations for improvement. The presentation included ranking comparisons between Avoca School District 37 and 18 similar, high-achieving Illinois schools, which were based on achievement test scale scores rather than a percentage of meets and exceeds scores provided by the state. Based on Mr. Graham’s findings, it was reported that District 37 ranked sixth in the State of Illinois in student achievement. Mr. Graham concluded by offering recommendations for further improvement by the District: Look into improving benchmark averages in elementary reading; improve scores in two specific grade levels; and deal with the District’s budget deficit.
Upcoming Board Meeting Dates
Regular Board meetings are open to the public and are held in the Community Room at Marie Murphy School during the school year. The public is invited to share input during the two visitors’ comments portions of the meeting. Regular Board meetings normally begin at 6:30 p.m. on the second to the last Thursday of the month. Committee of the Whole meetings usually take place at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Marie Murphy School Library. To confirm the times and locations of these meetings, please contact the superintendent’s secretary at 847-251-3587. All School Board and Committee of the Whole meetings are videotaped, and the tapes may be checked out by the public through the Marie Murphy School Library (847-251-3617). Upcoming meeting dates include:
-3/2, 5:30 p.m. – Committee of the Whole
-3/19, 5:30 p.m. – Board Finance Committee
-3/19, 6:30 p.m. – Board of Education
-4/23, 5:30 p.m. – Board Finance Committee
-4/23, 6:30 p.m. – Board of Education
