Illinois State Board of Education met March 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the Board:
ROLL CALL Chair of the Board Steven Isoye called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.
Chair Isoye announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded.
Chair Isoye asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with six members attending, all of whom were physically present. State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders was also in attendance.
Members Present:
Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Board
Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair
Dr. Christine Benson, Secretary
Roger Eddy
Dr. Anna Grassellino
Dr. Patricia Nugent
Members Absent:
Dr. James Anderson
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
Chair Isoye reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures for today’s meeting.
Madeline Wood, a music teacher at United High School in Monmouth, spoke on making schools racism-free. Ms. Wood is ISBE’s West Central Regional Teacher of the Year for 2023. She discussed a racist incident in the school, and spoke on the rise of such incidences in other schools. She advocated for the adoption of the Racism-Free Schools Act, which seeks to reduce race and gender-based harassment in schools. Ms. Wood spoke on the importance of ensuring every student’s safety, social-emotional well-being, and academic achievement.
Dr. David Lett, Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinator at Litchfield CUSD 12 and former ISBE Board member, spoke on funding for CTE. He thanked Dr. Sanders for his previous work on funding equity for schools. He said that 30% of students are generally supported by a focus on high traditional academic achievement, but that 70% of students are not as well served. He discussed the limited funding for CTE programming and mentioned its demonstrated value and the need for greater investment. He advocated for quick action to improve the CTE funding formula and advocated for the use of reserve funds to support CTE in the upcoming fiscal year.
Dr. John Burkey, executive director of the Large Unit District Association, and Cynthia Riseman-Lund, legislative director of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, spoke on assessment. Dr. Burkey discussed the history of assessment in Illinois, noting the evolution of state and federal requirements for accountability assessments. He commented that interim assessments can help identify students’ growth and needs. He noted the recommendations from the Center for Assessment provided to ISBE last year.
Ms. Riseman-Lund discussed these recommendations and advocated for short-term improvements to the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. She also noted the importance of not losing focus on other recommendations in the long term. She said that the Center for Assessment could be a valued partner in further implementation of recommendations, given its expertise and previous work with ISBE.
Kellyn Sirach, a teacher in Champaign Unit 4 SD, spoke on literacy. She supported a comprehensive plan for literacy statewide. She noted the necessity of literacy skills, and the importance of further supporting children. She advocated for an improved literacy curriculum and greater educator training on literacy.
Dr. Jason Leahy, executive director of the Illinois Principals Association, spoke on his organization. He introduced himself to Dr. Sanders and new Board members, and discussed his excitement to collaborate and improve education and school leadership.
Gina Gamboa, director of bilingual school programs at Northeastern Illinois University, spoke about funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) fiscal year 2019 cohort. She advocated for the Board to issue a continuance of these programs. She spoke about the support that these programs provide for students and families, particularly those with greater needs. She discussed the difficulties presented by the pandemic and the shifting conditions for funding, which has made it difficult for the programs to operate effectively. She advocated for urgent action by ISBE to address this issue.
Susan Stanton, network lead with ACT Now Illinois, also spoke on 21st CCLC funding. She mentioned the need for ISBE action to address concerns about the lack of certainty of operations after the current fiscal year.
Dr. Chuck Lane, superintendent of Centralia High School District, spoke on support for paraprofessionals earning educator’s licenses. He advocated for ISBE to utilize Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to give more support for this pipeline. He said that paraprofessionals are highly qualified for the teaching profession, but that between 2017-2020, only 3% of them had earned a Professional Educator License. He said that ISBE should work with the Illinois Board of Higher Education to communicate these opportunities to the field and incentivize participation in these programs.
Dr. Ericka Smith, a parent representative on Bogan Computer Technical High School’s local school council, spoke on graduation rate data. She said that Chicago Public Schools had discrepancies with its graduation rate data, and that it has not communicated with the council on the source of these discrepancies. She asked for ISBE to investigate this situation.
Michael Hannan, director of programming of the Alternative Schools Network, spoke on 21st CCLC funding. He described the work of his organization, which supports students with nontraditional and disrupted education experiences. He said there had been little communication with ISBE on plans for the FY 2019 CCLC cohort. He spoke on the need for ISBE action for these organizations to continue to operate and advocated for a continuation application for the FY 2019 cohort.
Amanda Klemas, senior supervising attorney at Equip for Equality, spoke on restraint and time out (RTO) benchmarks. She said stakeholders had concerns about RTO goals, and said that the current benchmark of a 10% reduction does not effectively work to reduce usage of RTO. She noted that there was an increase in the past year. She advocated for a higher benchmark of reduction and further action from ISBE to reduce usage of RTO.
Kimberly David, associate director of Project Success of Vermilion County, spoke on the 21st CCLC funding. She shared the success of the programs in the community, and the potential impact of losing these programs without sufficient funding. She advocated for ISBE to support 21st CCLC FY 2019 continuation opportunities.
Mr. Eddy discussed CTE funding, noting the support that the ISBE Finance and Audit Committee has for the program. He said it was urgent to support increased and equitable funding. He also discussed assessment, noting the continued advocacy and the delay on implementing improvement recommendations. He said that assessment should be more useful for classroom instruction. He also discussed the 21st CCLC program, noting the uncertainty of the intent for the program after the five-year term of the initial grant.
Dr. Sanders said that he was planning to meet with CTE stakeholders and that ISBE representatives had been testifying to the General Assembly on their budget recommendations. He said that he wanted to review assessment recommendations with the Center for Assessment. He said that staff were working on the 21st CCLC FY2019 issue, and that they would provide follow up to the Board when more information was available.
Chair Isoye noted that the State Assessment Review Committee (SARC) was slated to meet soon. Dr. Leak asked about the date, and interim director of Research and Evaluation Dr. Melissa DiGangi said that the next SARC meeting was scheduled for April 11, 2023. Dr. Sanders said he would be attending.
Dr. Benson noted that the Finance and Audit Committee had considered CTE when discussing a budget recommendation. She said that allocation of ESSER funds would not necessarily be easy, but that there was room to consider a one-year boost to CTE while waiting on funding formula adjustments. She also noted that the transition to a new superintendent had meant a hold on addressing funding questions. Mr. Eddy agreed with this, noting that he had faith the new superintendent and Board would work it out, but wanted to acknowledge the advocacy from the field.
Dr. Leak highlighted the impact of the pandemic as potentially affecting the sustainability of the 21st CCLC FY 2019 cohort, and that this should be considered in work on that issue.
Chair Isoye thanked Board members for their comments.
Supervisor in Student Care Erin Saxton-Snodgrass announced the winners for the 2023 Arts Contest. She provided an overview of the program and shared the winning works.
Lauren Lee, a student at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, won the High School Division and Best in Show. Anaya Chikhalia, a student at Hanover Countryside Elementary in Streamwood, won the Middle School Division. Hailey Gainer, a student at Three Oaks Elementary School in Cary, won the Elementary School Division. Sebastian De Guzman, a student at Westchester Primary School in Westchester, won the Early Learning School Division.
Dr. Benson noted her appreciation for the narratives students submitted with the work. Ms. Saxton-Snodgrass acknowledged staff at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for their work to coordinate and select.
Chair Isoye congratulated the winners of the contest.
CLOSED SESSION Dr. Leak moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception items:
A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)
B. 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)
C. Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(29)
D. Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)
She 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 by a unanimous roll call vote.
The open meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 12:13 p.m.
Dr. Nugent said that pursuant to Section 2.06(d) of the Open Meetings Act, the State Board of Education has reviewed the minutes of its closed sessions for September 21, 2022; October 19, 2022; November 17, 2022; December 14, 2022; January 18, 2023; January 31, 2023; and February 16, 2023.
She moved that the State Board of Education certifies that the need for confidentiality still exists for all of the closed session minutes for September 21, 2022; October 19, 2022; November 17, 2022; December 14, 2022; January 18, 2023; January 31, 2023; and February 16, 2023, and that these minutes should be approved and remain closed.
Mr. Eddy seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Isoye reviewed the items under the Consent Agenda.
Dr. Leak noted that Board members had discussed these items at length and encouraged interested members of the public to attend committee meetings and hear more detailed discussion.
Dr. Leak said that she was eager for continued work to incorporate commonly approved waiver requests into legislation and reduce the associated burden for districts. Mr. Eddy noted one item that was currently in a process for legislative consideration but encouraged continued work to include other items in statute and shorten the waiver report.
Mr. Eddy moved that the State Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda.
Dr. Nugent seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
The following motions were approved by action taken in the Consent Agenda motion:
Approval of Minutes
Plenary Minutes: February 16, 2023
The State Board of Education hereby approves the February 16, 2023, meeting minutes.
Rules for Initial Review
*Approval for Publication – Part 256 (Career and Technical Education)
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes solicitation of public comment on the proposed rulemaking for Part 256 (Career and Technical Education), including publication of the proposed rules in the Illinois Register to elicit public comment.
Rules for Adoption
*Approval for Adoption – Part 269 (Freedom Schools Grant Program)
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to submit the proposed rulemaking for Part 269 to Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for second notice.
Further, the Board authorizes the state superintendent of education to make such technical and non-substantive changes as the state superintendent may deem necessary in response to suggestions or objections of JCAR.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Sole Source Grant to Illinois Association of School Administrators for New Superintendent Mentoring
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to award a sole source grant to the Illinois Association of School Administrators to provide new superintendent mentoring. The term of the grant will begin July 1, 2023, and extend through June 30, 2024. The estimated total cost will not exceed $298,250 in FY 2024.
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Programs Grant
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to release the Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Program FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity/Request for Proposal and award funds to successful applicants. The initial term of the grant will begin July 1, 2023, and extend through June 30, 2024. There will be two one year renewals contingent upon a sufficient appropriation and satisfactory performance in each preceding grant year. The estimated total cost, including cohort renewals, will not exceed $11.5 million in FY 2024.
The State Board of Education further authorizes the state superintendent to execute grant agreements within defined parameters to any entity eligible to receive more than $1 million for a single award or over the life of the grant.
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to Amend Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Board of Higher Education to Support High-Impact Tutoring The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to amend the intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Board of Higher Education to extend high impact tutoring through August 31, 2024. The total value of the agreement shall not exceed $28,034,200.
*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of the Release and Award of a Request for Sealed Proposal for Two SharePoint Developers – ISBE Web and ISBE Connects The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to release a Request for Sealed Proposal to procure the services of two software developers to assist in the continued development and maintenance of various SharePoint applications. The initial term of the contract will begin July 1, 2023, and extend through June 30, 2028. The estimated contract total costs will not exceed $2.04 million.
Approvals
*Approval of Material Modification of Charter Agreement with ACE Amandla Charter School The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to execute a material modification to ACE Amandla Charter School’s charter agreement to change the contract end date from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
*Approval of Material Modification of Charter Agreement with Betty Shabazz International Charter School
The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to execute a material modification to Betty Shabazz International Charter School’s charter agreement to change the contract end date from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
*Approval of Spring 2023 Waiver Report
The State Board of Education hereby approves all waiver requests.
DECISION ON URBAN PREP ACADEMIES – ENGLEWOOD
CAMPUS CHARTER SCHOOL APPEAL
DECISION ON URBAN PREP ACADEMIES – BRONZEVILLE
CAMPUS CHARTER SCHOOL APPEAL
UPCOMING BOARD ACTIONS
Chair Isoye said that the Board would not be voting on either of the appeal items at the meeting, and that they would instead be considered at the April 19, 2023, meeting to allow Urban Prep Academies additional due process required by ISBE regulations.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for the provision of the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map
Director of Early Childhood Carisa Hurley-Davis discussed this item.
Dr. Benson asked about the distinction between specialized reports and individualized data requests. Ms. Hurley-Davis responded that the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map provides responses to individual requests for information. She said she could follow up with more detailed information on the specialized reports.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval to Amend Contract with Catapult Learning West LLC to extend Nonpublic Tutoring
Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jennifer Kirmes discussed this item.
Dr. Leak asked to confirm that this would just be an extension for the summer. Dr. Kirmes confirmed this and said that there was no additional cost for this extension.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Learning Conditions – Statewide Trauma Response Initiative – Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Department of Public Health: Three Month Extension
Executive Director of Safe and Healthy Climate Jeff Aranowski discussed this item. There were no questions.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Learning Conditions – Statewide Trauma Response Initiative – Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Department of Public Health Mr. Aranowski discussed this item.
Dr. Leak asked about a mention of anticipated planning for FY 2025 and FY 2026 in the memo for this item. Mr. Aranowski said that staff would be doing analysis of program data and funding to determine potential future offerings through the program.
Dr. Leak asked if there was the potential to extend services beyond the current districts and students receiving support, namely through virtual opportunities or support systems. Mr. Aranowski noted that the REACH Out program had virtual offerings, but also said that staff would explore and implement formats to benefit the greatest number of people.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with West 40 for the Execution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant/REACH Out Program
Director of Wellness Kimberly Barnes-Cummins discussed this item.
Dr. Leak emphasized an interest in serving as many people as possible with the program and ensuring that districts are aware of these resources. Ms. Barnes-Cummins agreed.
Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of the One-Year Intergovernmental Agreement with Northern Illinois University for the Illinois Report Card, My Data Dashboard, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Director of Data Strategies and Analytics Maureen Font discussed this item.
There were no questions.
Approval of FY 2024 Board Meeting Calendar
Interim Board Services Coordinator Kim Clarke discussed this item.
Mr. Eddy encouraged a visit to southern Illinois and offered to help coordinate, as needed. Board members discussed previous district visits. Ms. Clarke also said that committee dates would be set after Board meeting dates were finalized.
DISCUSSION ITEMS Legislative Update
Director of Government Relations Hector Rodriguez provided this update.
He said that agency initiatives were on track to pass in the General Assembly. He also discussed other education-related proposals being presented in the legislature.
Dr. Leak asked about a full list of education-related proposals. Staff said they could provide this information.
Mr. Eddy discussed the status of many bills exiting committees with an expectation for second committee review. Mr. Rodriguez said that ISBE staff were working to provide support for bill drafting to address implementation concerns. Mr. Eddy asked about bills addressing literacy. Mr. Rodriguez said there were three major bills still in negotiation and that he would provide information once they were more established.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Superintendent/Senior Staff Announcements
Dr. Sanders said he was continuing to engage in listening and learning within ISBE and with various education organizations and stakeholders. He anticipated updating the Board at the end of this period.
Chair of the Board’s Report
Chair Isoye discussed his visit to Regional Office of Education 33. He visited various district and school facilities, and he said he gained an appreciation for the size of the region and the strengths and challenges of education in the region. He said that administrators asked him to note that schools were largely responsible for providing services, compared to the prevalence of community-based organizations in more urban and suburban areas. He discussed the importance of Board members visiting districts and schools across the state to see various perspectives.
He also discussed his and Dr. Sanders’ attendance at the Teacher of the Year reception, and their excitement to engage with various educators at the event.
He also discussed the Educators Rising conference, with 800 high schoolers interested in the education profession attending. He thanked teachers for their support of students in that pathway.
Member Reports
Dr. Benson discussed National Association of State Boards of Education initiatives, her work as its chair, and the perspective gained when hearing from Board members in different states and territories.
Dr. Leak echoed the appreciation for a chance to engage with representatives from other states, especially on issues like assessment. She thanked Krish Mohip for his service as interim state superintendent. She also thanked Dr. Sanders for his presence at a meeting in South Cook County with various education organizations.
INFORMATION ITEMS ISBE
Fiscal & Administrative Monthly Reports Freedom of Information Act Monthly Report
ISBE Quarterly Staff Demographics Report
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Grassellino moved to adjourn the March 15, 2023, meeting of the Illinois State Board of Education.
Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:49 p.m.
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/CQULZH5893E3/$file/06.A%20Plenary%20Minutes%20March%2015%202023.pdf
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