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December 13, 2022 Board Meeting

Regular meeting on December 13, 2022, the Freeport School District Board of Education:

Student Spotlight:Freeport Middle School Dance team qualified for the State Finals competition in February at their very first competition of the season… and placed 1st in the jazz and hip-hop category! Congratulations to Coach Sam Warner and her team. So proud of these pretzel dancers!

 

Received Numerous Reports that will be detailed in the Board Meeting Minutes:

FSD 145 Three Year Vision - Moving Forward

 Now until February

  • Departments Engaging in Data Review

  • Once departments have provided their input, articulation with unions begin to get their voice and build consensus on the draft

  • Work with groups to gather feedback and incorporate these into the next three-year vision

                 March-May

  • Final edits and feedback, including tech layout for the website

  • Board approval 

  • Post on the website for the final product

 

AVID Systemic Implementation Plan

 College and Career Readiness: FSD145 students develop certain essential skills to design their own futures; critical thinking, collaboration, reading, writing and relationship building. The development of these skills is rooted in belief in self. If students believe they are capable, there is foundational confidence to learn and a resiliency to overcome setbacks.

 

Data Dashboard 

The Tech Department has been instrumental in the development of our district wide data dashboard that will be a useful tool for tracking and evaluating our progress towards the various initiatives such as On Track, MTSS, PBIS. Principals and her team will have access to the reports that can help set goals, monitor goals and its implementation in a more efficient manner.

 

Facilities

We are in the planning process for CSMS, the FHS third floor science lab, playground installation of the  soccer field  and baseball in the elementary schools, tennis courts and turf field. 

The bid for CSMS is up for board approval and in process for the science lab project and the tennis courts.  

We are still assessing past the end zone area where the grass is to see if work needs to be done in that area. Ferh Graham is going to be looking at the drainage to assess the extent and timeline. 

 

Cardonex to maximize scheduling in the middle and high school

We are beginning to plan for the 2023 school year and one area that we are solving for is efficiencies in student scheduling. Details will be provided in the board meeting minutes.

 

The Monthly Financial Report & Levy 2022 was presented by Dr. Patrick McDermott

School Improvement Plan presentations were given by the principals of Blackhawk, Empire & Center Schools.

 

Student Discipline Action Plan

 

The Illinois State Board of Education has identified Freeport School District as being in the top 20% for exclusionary discipline practices. Therefore, FSD145 must provide an updated Action Plan to address this issue. The original Student Discipline Plan was presented to the Freeport Board of Education in 2019-2020 but it has not been Board approved. This Plan aligns to the District's Strategic Plan as a means to address inequities in disciplinary practices through the implementation of SEL, while supporting a more culturally relevant academic learning environment for all students. 

 

Board Policy 7:70 

 

Proposed changes to the policy were presented. ISBE is requiring schools to strategically address the Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy rates that are affecting student attendance. 

ISBE requires school districts to update and approve their Absenteeism and Truancy Policy to address Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy rates at each school. This aligns to the Strategic Plan as a means to increase the attendance rate and to decrease the Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy rates in FSD 145.

 

 

Took Action in Favor of the Consent Agenda:

A. Freeport School District & Career Tec Bills

B. Personnel Report, December 13, 2023

C. Closed Session Minutes Disclosure

D. CollegeNOW Agreement FY2024

E. Hazardous Walking Areas

F. Interior Renovation Work at Carl Sandburg School Bid

Took Action in Favor Of Previously Presented Items:

A. Greece Trip Proposal

B. FSD 145 Student Discipline Action Plan

C. Board Policy 7:70

D. Approve the 2022 Levy

 

Board members gave committee reports, including Equity and Finance. Board members and administrators shared highlights from the IASB/ISBE/IASBO Joint Conference  they attended in Chicago.

The public is always invited and encouraged to attend Freeport School District Board of Education meetings. ​The next scheduled regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM.  Meetings are held at the FSD administrative office, located at 500 E. South St and can be accessed virtually. Information on joining the meetings can be found here.