Illinois State Board of Education met June 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL Chair of the Board Darren Reisberg called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m.
Chair Reisberg announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded.
Chair Reisberg asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with eight members. State Superintendent Dr. Carmen I. Ayala was also in attendance.
Members Present (In Person):
Darren Reisberg, Chairperson
Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair
Jaime Guzman, Secretary
Dr. Christine Benson
Roger Eddy
Dr. David Lett
Susie Morrison
Dr. Nike Vieille
RECOGNITIONS
Chair Reisberg recognized the 2022 Teacher of the Year, Kim Radostits.
Ms. Radostits thanked the Board and offered her recommendations.
RESOLUTION
Dr. Ayala read the resolution for Chair Reisberg.
Ms. Morrison moved that the State Board of Education hereby approves the resolution for Chair Reisberg.
Mr. Guzman seconded the motion, and it passed with a roll call vote with 7 member voting in favor. Chair Reisberg abstained.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Chair Reisberg reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign up procedures for today’s meeting.
Paul Zavitkovsky, a policy advocate for the Center for Urban Education Leadership at the University of Illinois Chicago, discussed the statewide assessment. He requested clear and specific information regarding assessment and offered two suggestions to the Board.
Cynthia Riseman-Lund, legislative director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), spoke about assessment. She shared a letter written by the IFT that included teachers’ recommendations.
Jodie Cantrell, director of communications for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, discussed charter school facilities funding. She thanked the governor for the funding and the state investment. She shared the ways the funding will be used and noted she is looking forward to collaborating with ISBE.
Hezekiah Israel from the B’nai Or congregation in Dyer, Indiana, spoke about what is causing increased violence and proposed a solution. He expressed the need to include God in the curriculum and is worried about the curriculum regarding evolution. He believes that a comparative religion could be beneficial.
Dr. Cassie Creswell, president of Illinois Families for Public Schools, spoke about assessment. She thanked ISBE for its collaboration with the Center for Assessment and shared two goals that she believes ISBE should work on.
Diana Zaleski, instructional resource and professional development director for the Illinois Education Association (IEA), discussed assessment. She appreciated and supported the recommendations from the Center for Assessment. She hopes that the Board takes the next steps to work on the suggestions.
Christine Dussault, representing the Chicago Teachers Union, spoke about the future of assessment in Illinois. She noted the negative effects of testing, specifically for students of color. She stated that she needs clarification from ISBE regarding its next steps and offered two suggestions.
Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, discussed the importance of inclusion of the contributions made by Americans of Italian extraction to the development of the United States. He gave historical context on Italian Americans and expressed how important their history is as part of the curriculum.
Jim Fisher, a parent from Valley View School District - 365U, spoke about cyberbullying on social media. He discussed the cyberbullying that has occurred over the past few months. He would like guidance from ISBE regarding how to delete an Instagram account on which cyberbullying is occurring.
Terri Smith, an individual from Chicago, discussed special education. She shared that the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) five-year plan is not offering schools guidance. She would like ISBE to create a straightforward policy with CPS so advocates will understand the policies and practices.
Ms. Morrison asked about next steps for the state assessment- Dr. Ayala noted that staff is working to discuss recommendations, Ms. Morrison asked if the Board will discuss assessment in the fall. Dr. Ayala stated that the team will go through the recommendations and see what is possible for assessment next spring. Ms. Morrison asked if ISBE can continue to work with the Center for Assessment, and Dr. Ayala noted that is possible.
Mr. Eddy said that it was a really important investment of time to look at the assessment and believes that assessment has evolved. He expressed his gratitude toward stakeholders and thinks there is a great opportunity to move forward with action. He added that the team should consider giving testing information back to teachers and parents faster and added that the time of testing can be shortened. He agreed that ISBE should continue to work with the Center for Assessment.
Dr. Leak added that it is vital to look at what other states are doing that is successful.
PRESENTATIONS | CHAMPAIGN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 4 PRESENTATION
Dr. Shelia Boozer, superintendent of Champaign Community School District 4, and Champaign educators presented on Champaign Community School District 4. She introduced and thanked her staff. She discussed Unit 4’s vision and mission, shared the antiracism resolution, noted Unit 4’s strategic plan and the five priorities of the district. She noted the strong community partnerships and highlighted current projects and the district’s current requests from ISBE.
Dr. Leak congratulated Dr. Boozer for her first year. She asked Dr. Boozer to elaborate on the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) national demonstration school program. Dr. Boozer noted the tutorials and curriculum that are available in elementary, middle, and high school. She stressed the importance of asking higher-level questions.
Mr. Guzman asked Dr. Boozer for her suggestions regarding supporting her district with assessment. Dr. Boozer noted that benchmarking is essential, along with giving educators the time to analyze the data and connecting it to social-emotional well-being.
Chair Reisberg asked if the district uses virtual teacher mentoring. Dr. Boozer noted that her team has not used it yet but are looking forward to using it in the future.
PRESENTATIONS | IWERC STUDY OF INSTRUCTIONAL MODALITY AND LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC
Research and Evaluation Officer Dr. Brenda Dixon and Dr. Meg Bates shared the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) study of instructional modality and learning during the pandemic. Dr. Dixon noted the outline of the project. Dr. Bates, IWERC’s director, first shared how instructional modality was distributed across schools. She then noted how school instructional modality is related to average school achievement. She next discussed how student participation and in-person instruction are related to student achievement. She finally shared the findings, specifically the outcomes by percentage of in-person instruction.
Chair Reisberg noted the research is valuable and necessary and thanked the team for its work. He would like ISBE staff and the Board to think about how to use the data for policymaking.
Ms. Morrison also appreciated the research. She wondered how the team can prioritize the issue of unfinished learning for students most in need, especially K-5 students. She asked if there is tutoring for K-2 learners. ISBE Education Officer Dr. Ernesto Matias noted the decision lies with districts and added that there are also Jump Start programs.
Dr. Leak noted that there is a great discrepancy by race and believes the gap needs to be closed. Ms. Morrison agreed and encouraged more conversations in the next months. She noted the flatline in student outcome and wondered what the agency should be doing differently. She added that the team can include success stories that specify what schools did well.
Dr. Ayala noted that the team has worked tirelessly on equity, and it is an integral part of the strategic plan. She brought up the equity journey continuum and added that ISBE is having a literacy conversation later in the summer.
Dr. Benson agreed with Ms. Morrison and Dr. Leak’s points and noted this has been a conversation even before the pandemic.
DISCUSSION | STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REPORT
Dr. Ayala, Dr. Matias, Financial Officer Robert Wolfe, and Dr. Dixon shared the Strategic Plan annual report. The team shared background information and accomplishments. They also discussed the equity statement and the three goals.
CLOSED SESSION Dr. Lett moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception items:
A. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)
They further moved that Board members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session.
Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
The open meeting recessed at 2:08 p.m. to go into closed session at 2:10 p.m. The open meeting reconvened at 2:29 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
Dr. Ayala reviewed the items under the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Eddy moved that the State Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Guzman seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
The following motions were approved by action taken in the Consent Agenda motion:
Approval of Minutes
Plenary Minutes: May 18, 2022
The Illinois State Board of Education hereby approves the May 18, 2022 meeting minutes.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Significant Revenue Loss Grants
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to award Significant Revenue Loss Grants for fiscal year 2023 to Galatia CUSD 1 in the amount of $1,249,975 and to Shawnee CUSD 84 in the amount of $1,182,936.
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of FY 2023 Virtual Coaching/Mentoring for
New Teachers
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent of education to enter a sole source contract with Illinois Education Association to provide coaching and mentoring to new teachers and clinicians during FY 2023. The term of the contract shall be July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, and shall not exceed $7,472,968.03.
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Award of Invitation for Bid for USDA Foods Warehousing and Distribution
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to award and enter into a contract with the lowest responsive bidder for the Invitation for Bid for the warehousing and distribution of USDA Foods to schools, beginning July 1, 2022. The maximum cost for a five-year period covering activities from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027, will not exceed $21.25 million.
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to Release FY 2023 Parent Mentor Program Grant to Southwest Organizing Project (State General Revenue Funds)
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to release a grant not to exceed the amount of $8 million to the Southwest Organizing Project for the expansion of the Parent Mentor Program. The grant term will be July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Approvals
*Approval of Enhanced General Supervision Plan Regarding Chicago Public Schools
Education
The State Board of Education hereby approves the conclusion of the CPS Public Inquiry and supports Enhanced General Supervision of CPS special education, based on the need to address continuing and other elements of concern that lie within monitoring projects, special education supervision activities, formal and informal complaints, dispute resolution, and legal matters.
*Approval of State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board Appointees
The Illinois State Board of Education hereby approves the appointment of the following individuals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board:
• Joi Patterson, director of educator preparation at Governors State University, as a representative of administrative or faculty members of public colleges and universities;
• Natasha Flowers, assistant dean at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, as a representative of administrative or faculty members of public colleges and universities;
• Jacob Carlson, secondary English teacher at Bethalto Civic Memorial High School, as a representative of classroom teachers from IEA;
• Jay Mehta, secondary English teacher at Wheaton North High School, as a representative of classroom teachers from IEA; and
• Rachel Juarez, a secondary social science teacher at Yorkville High School, as a representative of classroom teachers from IEA;
• Chris Tennyson, regional superintendent for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties (ROE 47), as a representative of regional superintendents.
*Approval of the Revised FY 2023 Board Meeting Calendar
The State Board of Education hereby approves the revised FY 2023 dates for State Board of Education meetings.
*Approval of National Association of State Boards of Education Membership Dues
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to renew NASBE membership for 2023 for the amount of $42,499.00.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION - APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO LANTER DISTRIBUTING LLC CONTRACT FOR THE USDA FOODS WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION
Director of Nutrition Mark Haller presented on this item.
Dr. Vieille moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to increase the total annual award for contract MY18842 Lanter Distributing by $125,000 in FY 2022. The total maximum award for contract MY18842 Lanter Distributing shall not exceed the original $12.5 million approved for the five-year period covering activities from July 2017 – June 2022.
Ms. Morrison seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION – APPROVAL OF QUALIFIED LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS TRAINING
Director of Special Education Barbara Moore presented on this item.
Dr. Benson moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to join an intergovernmental agreement with the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign to provide training for qualified language interpreters as required by 23 IAC 226.800. This IGA would be for FY 2023 through FY 2027, and the cost would not exceed $5,028,537 over the course of five years.
Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION – APPROVAL OF THE KIDS COACHING IGA EXTENSION
Director of Early Childhood Carisa Hurley presented on this item.
Mr. Eddy moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to approve a two-month extension of the intergovernmental agreement with ROE 51 in order to continue to provide KIDS Training and Coaching Project services from July 1 – August 31, 2022.
Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION – APPROVAL OF THE KIDS COACHING IGA EXTENSION
Director of Family and Community Engagement Sergio Hernandez presented on this item.
Mr. Guzman moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to release a state grant not to exceed $350,000 to ParenTeach LLC for the statewide provision of the Parenting Education Pilot for a grant term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Dr. Vieille seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION - APPROVAL TO RELEASE A REQUEST FOR SEALED PROPOSALS (RFSP) AND AWARD A SUBSEQUENT CONTRACT TO CONDUCT INITIAL SCHOOL-LEVEL NEEDS ASSESSMENTS FOR IL-EMPOWER SCHOOLS
Director of ESSA and IL-EMPOWER Christine Paxson presented on this item.
Ms. Morrison moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to issue a Request for Sealed Proposals and to award a no-cost contract to a qualified vendor to conduct school-level needs assessment services on behalf of IL EMPOWER for all newly identified lowest-performing and consistently lowest-performing schools.
Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION - APPROVAL TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE GRANT TO YOUTHBUILD ILLINOIS
Director of CTE and Innovation Marci Johnson presented on this item.
Dr. Lett moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to award a sole source grant to YouthBuild Illinois in the amount of $5.5 million for FY 2023.
Dr. Vieille seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION - APPROVAL OF THE RELEASE AND AWARD OF A REQUEST FOR SOLE SOURCE AGREEMENT: PFA/PFAE PROGRAM MONITORING FOR QUALITY AND COMPLIANCENATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Ms. Hurley presented on this item.
Dr. Leak moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to approve an FY 2023 Sole Source with National Louis University for the Preschool Monitoring for Quality and Compliance Project. The sole source is for one year and will not exceed $1,663,202.55.
Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL | CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION -APPROVAL OF THE RELEASE AND AWARD OF A REQUEST FOR SOLE SOURCE AGREEMENT: COMMUNITY SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT - ILLINOIS ACTION FOR CHILDREN
Ms. Hurley presented on this item.
Dr. Vieille moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to enter into a one-year sole source agreement not to exceed $1.4 million with Illinois Action for Children to continue the community systems development work.
Mr. Eddy seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
UPCOMING BOARD ACTIONS
Approval for Publication – Part 226 (Special Education)
Dr. Matias and Ms. Moore presented on this item.
There were no questions for this item.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to release an RFSP to enter into a competitive bid for the administration of the Illinois Science Assessment Dr. Dixon and Director of Assessment Dr. Sean Clayton presented on this item.
There were no questions for this item.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to Request to Enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with University of Illinois Springfield for the reduction of Exclusionary Discipline
Dr. Matias and Director of Student Care Molly Uhe-Edmonds presented on this item.
Dr. Leak asked if this is funded through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, and the answer was yes. Dr. Leak asked what the future plan is once the ESSER funds expire and how the program can impact more districts. Ms. Uhe-Edmonds noted that the team is working with the Wellness Department and is developing a plan to continue the work. Dr. Leak noted that she would like to see the data, specifically for males of color.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Superintendent/Senior Staff Announcements
Dr. Ayala reminded the Board of the structure of the September Board retreat in 2021 and asked the Board for any suggestions.
Dr. Leak noted that the retreat is not just a meeting but also a time to reflect and establish relationships. She added that there will be a new chair at this point.
Ms. Morrison wondered if the retreat can occur in an alternate location other than the Springfield office. She agreed that the team can work on relationship building and dive deeply into one particular topic.
Chair Reisberg agreed that the retreat can be a time for self-reflection.
Mr. Guzman noted that it could be interesting to hear from individuals from the field and stakeholders during the retreat.
Chair of the Board’s Report
There were no announcements.
Member Reports
There were no announcements.
INFORMATION ITEMS
ISBE Fiscal & Administrative Monthly Reports
Freedom of Information Act Monthly Report
ISBE Quarterly Staff Demographics Report
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Benson moved that the State Board of Education adjourn the June 15 Board meeting.
Dr. Lett seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m.
https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/061522-Agenda.pdf
Alerts Sign-up