Southern Illinois News

Illinois State Board of Education, Education Policy Planning Committee of the Whole met Jan. 23.

1. Roll Call 

Chair Dr. Donna Leak brought the meeting to order at 3:26 p.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with five members attending in person. Chair Leak, Dr. Chris Benson, Dr. Sherly Chavarria, Laura Gonzalez, and Dr. Steven Isoye were physically present, and Dr. Patricia Nugent attended via video conference. Dr. James Anderson, Roger Eddy, and Dr. Anna Grassellino were absent. State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders was also in attendance. 

Chair Leak stated that members would consider the participation of Dr. Nugent via video conference due to employment purposes. In accordance with the bylaws of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Board may permit a member to participate by other means if they cannot physically attend a meeting because of employment purposes. 

Ms. Gonzalez moved that the State Board of Education permit the participation of Dr. Nugent via video conference. Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. 

Members Present 

Chair Dr. Donna Leak 

Dr. Chris Benson 

Dr. Sherly Chavarria 

Laura Gonzalez 

Dr. Steven Isoye 

Dr. Patricia Nugent 

Members Absent 

Dr. James Anderson 

Roger Eddy 

Dr. Anna Grassellino 

Staff Present 

Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent 

Jo Ireland, Board Services Coordinator 

Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent 

Ann Whalen, Chief Advisor to Early Childhood Transition 

Kirsten Parr, Project Lead, Standards and Instruction 

Dr. Erica Thieman, Director of Standards and Instruction 

David Turovetz, Director of Charter Schools 

Kristen Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer 

Dr. Kimako Patterson, Chief of Staff  

Krish Mohip, Chief Education Officer – Operations  

Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer 

Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer  

Dr. Jason Helfer, Chief Education Officer – Instruction  

Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer 

Melissa Oller, Chief Operating Officer 

Edobor Efam, Chief Information Officer 

Dr. Christine Paxson, Director of School/District Improvement  

Madan Damodaran, Director of Software Solutions  

Jennifer Saba, Executive Director of Improvement and Innovation 

Thomas Bazan, Director of Budget 

Marci Johnson, Director of CTE 

David Williams, Director of Technology Support and Infrastructure 

Rae Clementz, Executive Director of Data, Accountability and Assessment 

Angela Foxall, Director of Assessment 

Jeff Aranowski, Executive Director of Safe and Healthy Climate 

Iliana El-Khailani, Executive Director of Specialized Instruction  

Jennifer Kirmes, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning 

2. Public Participation 

There was no public participation.  

3. Approval of Minutes: December 12, 2023 

Dr. Benson moved that the Education Policy Planning Committee of the Whole approves the Dec. 12, 2023, meeting  minutes. Dr. Chavarria seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. 

4. Superintendent’s Consent Agenda – January 23, 2024 

There were no questions regarding the Consent Agenda items.  

5. Discussion and Approval  

A. Approval of the Strategic Plan 

Chief of Staff Dr. Kimako Patterson and Chief Education Officer -- Instruction Dr. Jason Helfer discussed this item.  Dr. Patterson noted that there would be a more in-depth presentation the following day. She said that they would  discuss the equity goals and the equity impact analysis tool, community engagement analysis and strategies, as  well as accountability and administration. She explained that the overarching goals of the Strategic Plan are equity,  student instruction, learning conditions, and elevating educators. Dr. Helfer added that they would present a  cohesive plan drawing on a variety of strategies, supports, and resources tied to these four goals. 

Dr. Leak said that she appreciated the continuity of the goals. Dr. Chavarria said that she looked forward to hearing  how Goal 1.2, regarding the statewide system of support, will relate to student learning. 

6. Upcoming February Board Action 

A. Approval of the Spring 2024 Waiver Report 

Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Dana Stoerger discussed this item.  

Dr. Isoye asked which districts had submitted waiver reports, and Mr. Stoerger said that this information would be  transmitted in the report. Dr. Leak inquired about districts that had submitted non-resident tuition waiver reports.  Mr. Stoerger said that those districts had been informed that that waiver was no longer necessary.  

B. Approval of Renewal Decision for Bronzeville Academy Charter School 

Director of Charter Schools David Turovetz discussed this item.  

Ms. Gonzalez asked if the surrounding location would be impacted by the school’s move. Mr. Turovetz explained  that the new school will only be four blocks away. Dr. Leak asked to confirm that the school would still be in Bronzeville. Mr. Turovetz confirmed this. He added that the application was taking a little longer due to the sale of  the property and the need to secure funding.  

C. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Board Meeting Calendar  

Board Services Coordinator Jo Ireland discussed this item.  

Dr. Isoye noted that committee meetings would fall the day before the Board meetings, and that the September  retreat, committee meetings, and Board meeting would comprise just two days. Ms. Ireland added that in November,  the committee meetings would take place in the morning and the Board meeting in the afternoon so that Board 

members could attend the Triple I conference. Ms. Gonzalez asked if the October and March meetings were always  spent in the field, and Kim Clarke, executive assistant to the state superintendent, said that this was historically the  pattern. Dr. Leak added that this tradition gives schools the chance to showcase various student activities. Dr. Isoye  noted that each of these meetings requires an in-person quorum.  

7. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda 

Dr. Leak echoed Dr. Benson’s earlier remarks on the importance of incorporating student voice into the Board  meetings. 

She also requested that a document be sent to districts as a reminder of the funding and programs that will end  with the expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds in September 2024. This would  serve as a reminder that if districts wish to continue any of these programs, they must start to budget for them now.  Dr. Isoye also requested that this document give districts a sense of which programs ISBE is recommending  continue with state funding. 

8. Next Meeting: February 14, 2024 

9. Adjourn 

Dr. Chavarria made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Gonzalez seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll  call vote. Chair Leak adjourned the Education Policy Planning Committee of the Whole meeting at 3:50 p.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/012324-EPP-Minutes.pdf