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Board Highlights are timely recaps of School Board meetings. They are emailed to staff, parents, and interested community members before the official minutes are approved and posted. 

 

Links to pertinent memos and presentations from the Board packet are highlighted in green. Board packets are posted the day before regularly scheduled Board meetings.

 

Meeting podcasts, packets, and Board information can be accessed using the links on the left. 

Regular Meeting

Board President, Kendra Wallace, called the meeting to order. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and expressed appreciation to the staff who hosted Board visitors in the STEAM Pilot Spaces and Kindergarten classrooms.

Superintendent, Trisha Kocanda, acknowledged that the STAR assessment's growth measure (SGP) is able to be longitudinally analyzed for trend data. As a contrary statement was shared in September, Superintendent Kocanda has asked Renaissance Learning, the parent company of STAR, to present the longitudinal analysis at next month's Board work session.

Superintendent Kocanda wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and shared recent highlights from District schools. She also thanked the School Board for their unwavering dedication to the Winnetka Community, in light of this week's School Board Members Day.


Presentations

Director of Student Services, Beth Martin, presented quantitative data from the recent community survey, a research summary, site-visit findings, and gave an update on variables such as staffing, facility space, enrollment, and cost that are essential to the feasibility study. A more comprehensive cost analysis, qualitative survey findings, and recommendations for potential options for a lengthened Kindergarten day will be shared at the December Board Meeting.

Director of Technology, Maureen Miller and Winnetka University committee members presented details on the infrastructure of this recently unveiled comprehensive professional learning program for District teachers. Winnetka University is intended to ensure learning opportunities for teachers that promote student growth and achievement. The program's first courses will be implemented in spring 2016.
Director of Student Services, Beth Martin, discussed how the SOAR program's implementation is serving the academic and social/emotional needs of students at The Skokie School and Carleton Washburne School. She made recommendations on how the District may refine the program to address challenges and noted plans for potential expansion.
Chief Financial Officer, Greg Kurr, presented detailed information on the implications of the 2015 Tentative Levy. This included a recommendation for the Board to approve the 2015 Tentative Levy as presented for proscribed publication as part of a public notice of a 2015 Levy Hearing to be held at the December 15, 2015, Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.


Informational Memos


District 36 received preliminary results for the PARCC test this week, and officials will be reviewing the initial test results for accuracy, which is consistent with the process that has been used with ISATs and other previous assessments.
 
The recommendation was made for the Board to abstain from voting on District 109's withdrawal from NSSED as bylaw procedures require a hearing with District 109 representatives.
Update: District 109 extended the withdrawal timeline from NSSED this week.

The school, a longtime District tenant, would like to replace its front entry awning prior to the winter.


Action Items

The Consent Agenda and the following items were approved:

  1. Winnetka Public School Nursery Facility Improvement
  2. Approval of Employment Contract for the Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Human Resources
  3. Approval of the 2015 Tentative Levy

The following item was not approved:
  1. District 109/NSSED Withdrawal Resolution (Board abstained)
Upcoming Regular Meeting Dates

December 15, 2015
January 26, 2016
February 23, 2016
March 15, 2016

April 19, 2016
May 17, 2016
June 8, 2016

Regular meetings are open to the public and will be held in The Skokie School Resource Center. Regular meetings begin at 7:15 P.M. Work sessions are also open to the public and may be scheduled at the discretion of the Board. Discussion topics and times for work sessions will be posted on the District website 24 hours in advance.
The Winnetka Public Schools | 847-446-9400 | katehughes@winnetka36.org | http://www.winnetka36.org
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Winnetka, IL 60093
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