We hope you find this first edition of Board Highlights informative. This summary of what transpires at each School Board meeting is one of several new types of communication you will be receiving. 

Please forward this issue of Board Highlights to neighbors who you think might be interested in the Winnetka Public Schools. 

To view a podcast episode of the full four-and-a-half-hour meeting click here. 

In addition to the regular Board meeting at 7:15 P.M. on August 23, 2011, there will be a special Board meeting at 5:30 P.M. Goal setting will be discussed at the first meeting. The public is invited to attend both sessions.

Dr. Thomas Hagerman
Superintendent

The Winnetka Public Schools

A special Board meeting was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 in the Resource Center of Carleton Washburne School. Notes from the meeting follow in green:

I.   CALL TO ORDER 

 

II.  ROLL CALL 

Board members Beth Moritz Filip and Mathew Hulsizer were absent.

 

III.  WELCOME BY BOARD PRESIDENT

Board President Dana Crumley welcomed new members of the administrative team and thanked everyone for attending the special board meeting. 

 

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

Community members Ian Larkin and Connie Henry addressed the Board.

 

V. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

 

A. Information Items

After a brief welcome, Dr. Thomas Hagerman explained that the math curriculum and assessment are two high priority topics for the administrative team and Board as they set goals for the 2011-2012 school year. He affirmed his commitment to transparency and communication. Board meeting packets are now available online prior to meetings and Board Highlights will be published following meetings. 

 

1. Math Curriculum Review 

Assistant Superintendent Trisha Kocanda began her presentation by defining:

 

Curriculum - Learning expectations and objectives are based on current Illinois Learning Standards. It is the core of, but not everything, students learn. It is extended for some learners based on assessment.

 

Materials - Texts and other tools used for presenting information to students. The materials we use for math are approved by the NSF (National Science Foundation).

 

She explained that while curriculum is reviewed and adjusted throughout the school year Curriculum Reviews are a more thorough and thoughtful type of planning done by all school districts. The District 36 Curriculum Review Cycle:

 

Year

  1    Research and Development (Staff Committee)

  2    Development and Design (Staff Committee)

  3    Implement and Align (In the classroom)

  4    Monitor, Evaluate, Revise

  5    Monitor, Evaluate, Revise

  6    Monitor, Evaluate, Revise

 

This Curriculum Review is especially important because Illinois is about to adopt the Common Core State Standards which includes a new approach to learning math. She added that District 36 is in a fortunate position because the Common Core emphasis on practice and precision is well aligned with District 36 philosophy.

The District has hired a consultant, Dr. Nanci Smith, who helped develop the Common Core, to work on the Curriculum Review. During the first phase of the review she will perform a classroom audit. 

Prior to taking questions from the Board, Ms. Kocanda emphasized the following:

 

2. District-wide Assessment Review 

Dr. Thomas Hagerman began the discussion with a quote from a 1951 District document, "Historically students have been tested in multiple ways. Evaluation is proper and necessary to measure growth but not the purpose of education or life."

  

He went on to say that the primary purpose of assessment should be to inform instruction and student growth. This would include (but not be limited to): work samples, screeners, diagnostic tools, common assessments, academic progress measures, progress monitoring and standardized achievement tests. These assessments are used by staff and shared with parents and students.

 

Another goal of assessment is to compare cohorts (schools, school districts, grades, etc.). These assessments are useful to the Board, administration and community.

 

Assistant Superintendent Trisha Kocanda presented the assessments currently used by District 36. They were selected based on District goals and needs and include:

 

GRADE - Group Reading and Diagnostic Evaluation given in 3rd through 8th grades

 

YEA - Year End Math Assessment given in spring, and aligned with ISAT strands

 

AIMSweb: M-CAP Math Concepts & 

Applications - Screener

 

AIMSweb: Reading Universal Screener

 

ISAT - accountability measure for Illinois Learning Standards (scheduled to be replaced in 2014)

 

ERB CTP 4 - Educational Records Bureau administered by New Trier for placement purposes

 

Local Common Writing Assessment (new for 2012) 

 

As an example of ways to monitor student growth, educational statistician Philip Earvolino presented ISAT trend data. His analysis indicated that when students graduate from District 36 their scores are consistently amongst the highest when compared to similar districts on the North Shore and in Illinois.

 

Following his presentation, the Board discussed at length what types of assessments would be most useful in the future. This conversation will serve as a platform for the Board goal setting discussion on August 23, 2011. 

 

3. Computer Equipment Lease 2011-2015

Technology Director Matt Fuller presented a proposal for a four-year computer lease which will be voted on at the next Board meeting.  

 

B. Action Items 

None

 

VI. OTHER BUSINESS 

None

 

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT 

Community members Lori von Kapff , Ian Larkin, Jeff Hoch, and Becky Hurley addressed the Board.

 

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

For purpose of discussion on collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)).

 

IX. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION 

 

X. ADJOURNMENT