Southern Illinois News

Illinois State Board of Education met March 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Roll Call

Chair of the Board Dr. Steven Isoye called the meeting to order at 10:34 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 in person. Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders also was in attendance.

Members Present:

Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Board

Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair

Dr. Sherly Chavarria, Secretary

Dr. James Anderson

Laura Gonzalez

Dr. Patricia Nugent

Staff Present

Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent

Jo Ireland, Board Services Coordinator

Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent

Isabel Schoeman, Special Assistant to the State Superintendent

Kristen Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer

Dr. Jason Helfer, Chief Education Officer – Instruction (virtual)

Jennifer Saba, Chief Education Officer – Operations

Dr. Matt Seaton, Chief Financial Officer

Tassi Maton, Chief Internal Audit Officer

Edobor Efam, Chief Information Officer

Irma Snopek, Chief Policy and Communications Officer

Ann Whalen, Chief Advisor to Early Childhood Transition

Miguel Calderon, Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Tiffany Burnett, Executive Director of Safe and Healthy Climate

Dana Stoerger, Executive Director of Legislative Affairs

Angela Foxall, Director of Assessment

Dr. Ronda Dawson, Executive Director for Teaching and Learning

Jeffrey Judge, Director of Wellness and Student Care

Nick Heckel, Supervisor of School/District Improvement (virtual)

Jackie Matthews, Executive Director of Communications

2. Swearing-In of Board Member(s)/Roll Call (as needed)

The swearing-in of Board members was unnecessary.

3. Public Participation

Chair Isoye reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures for today’s meeting.

Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff, regional superintendent for Will County Regional Office of Education, spoke on safety and security. She shared that she worked with the Will County Board to secure $70,000 in funding to strengthen safety and security in Will County high schools. The Will County Board is working with provider Clear Armor to put bullet-resistant film on one entrance/exit per high school in Will County. She shared that Plainfield CCSD 202 was one of the first districts to sign up for this initiative, noting it was heartwarming to see the support from this district.

Shannon Adcock, president of Awake Illinois, spoke on programming. She shared a recent civil rights complaint against ISBE claiming that the agency discriminates on the basis of race through its funding of Teach Plus Illinois Affinity Groups. She took issue with the targeting of these programs toward teachers of color, stating that programming cannot favor certain educators at the expense of equal opportunity for others. She argued that student performance metrics like literacy are down across the state and money given to initiatives like affinity groups does not help children. She encouraged the Board to direct funding in a manner that supports all Illinois students and educators.

Steve Lucie, a taxpayer, spoke on programming. He shared that he spent 17 years on the school board of a small district. He stated that he thought it was wrong for ISBE to keep students out of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged Board members to listen to taxpayers about what is right for children. He argued that ISBE is once again doing the wrong thing in risking federal funding by, in his own words, allowing boys in girls’ locker rooms. He stated that allowing this will not help with improving literacy.

Adam Seaney, vocational director of the Galesburg Area Vocational Center, spoke on Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding. He advocated for a continued annual $10 million increase in CTE funding and an additional $25 million annual allocation for Area Career Centers (ACCs). He spoke on the benefits of CTE, noting that at least 10% of interested students are turned away from CTE programs due to capacity issues from lack of funding. Mr. Seaney stated that the CTE funding he is requesting would address capacity issues, and he hopes to expand access to CTE programs statewide and in underserved regions. He said that funding CTE helps foster the aspirations of students and strengthen the vitality of the state economy.

Bryce Hansen, director of the Bloomington Area Career Center (BACC), spoke on CTE funding. He expressed appreciation for $10 million increase in CTE funding last year and shared that the funding has had a big impact on students. He advocated for continued additional CTE funding, including a $10 million annual increase in CTE funding and a $25 million annual allocation for ACC improvement and expansion, including capital upgrades. Mr. Hansen spoke on the impactful programs offered by BACC, which will have 19 unique offerings next year. He shared that the ACC line item would be particularly beneficial for his region, as BACC recently acquired a new facility for its career center that requires capital improvements. Mr. Hansen explained that investment in CTE is an investment in student success and economic growth, fostering economic mobility with a guaranteed high return on investment.

4. Presentations

A. Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Chair Isoye thanked Superintendent Dr. Glenn Wood for his and the district’s hospitality and the school tours provided by student leaders. He also welcomed Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, who was in the audience of the meeting.

Superintendent Wood and Plainfield CCSD 202 Board President Rod Westfall presented on Plainfield CCSD 202. Dr. Wood thanked ISBE for visiting the district, other district board members for attending, the Plainfield student leaders for guiding ISBE staff and Board members who went on school tours that morning, Dr. Caparelli-Ruff, and other members of the district team. He also acknowledged Mr. Westfall for his long term of service on the district’s board. Mr. Westfall thanked the Board for coming and emphasized the district’s goal to ensure every student who enters their schools and the Wilco Area Career Center leaves prepared to succeed with many options for their path forward. He spoke on additional initiatives taken on by the district board, including the implementation of full day kindergarten and an upcoming plan for eight period school days in district high schools. He thanked his fellow board members, past and present, for their hard work and Senator Cappel for attending. Dr. Wood noted that the Plainfield CCSD 202 Board and Mr. Westfall were recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards at the Triple I Conference.

Dr. Wood gave a history and overview of the district to date, which covers 64 square miles and serves approximately 25,000 students. He shared a video highlighting student voices. He also explained the district’s “house concept” and that community partnerships -- from parades to community service initiatives – are a key to district success. Dr. Wood invited Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Mina Griffith to speak on community partnerships that support mental health and well-being of families, staff, and students. Ms. Griffith highlighted numerous parent groups and scholarship opportunities for students and staff. She also spoke on the district Care Closet, an initiative funded through McKinney-Vento funds granted by ISBE.

Dr. Wood gave an overview of the students in Plainfield CCSD 202, showing exponential growth from a devastating 1990 tornado to the present day and a shift toward a more diverse student body. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Paula Sereleas spoke about efforts, including professional development for educators, comprehensive curriculum enhancement, parental and family engagement, and data driven decision making, to improve reading and math in the district. She also spoke on the district’s school improvement plans. Ms. Griffith talked about the district’s early childhood programming, which is centered at the Bonnie McBeth Learning Center and is qualified by ExceleRate Illinois. She highlighted that the Kindergarten

Individual Development Survey (KIDS) data from the district shows that students who attend its preschool program outperform others. District staff have seen continued growth of enrollment in the preschool program. She said the district intends to continue to match this high demand for preschool programming and has included the goal in its strategic plan.

Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Personnel Jennifer Orlos spoke about the district staff. She celebrated the recent approval of a three-year contract for Plainfield teachers and focused on other initiatives meant to increase teacher retention, including encouraging teachers to enter master’s degree programs. Ms. Sereleas added that the district provides new teacher mentoring and coaching, using some of their funding from the Teacher Vacancy Grant to support this program. Ms. Orlos spoke about Plainfield’s future leader pipeline providing professional development for teachers interested in leadership. She also talked more about uses of the Teacher Vacancy Grant for educator recruitment and retention, which has led to positive results and a decrease in vacancies. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Richard Engstrom then gave a brief overview of the district’s finances, noting it has an adequacy target of 73% and thanking the Board for advocating for districts and providing funding through the Evidence-Based Funding formula. Dr. Wood concluded by encouraging the Board to explore the rest of the slides available and saying he is proud to be the superintendent of Plainfield CCSD 202. He thanked the Board for coming.

Chair Isoye thanked Dr. Wood, Mr. Westfall, and the district team for the presentation. Dr. Leak commended Dr. Wood for his leadership as a superintendent, noting that collaboration amongst his team is evident. She thanked the district for providing school visits and said she noticed the intentionality of the administration/faculty in shaping well-rounded students. Ms. Gonzalez applauded what she saw on the early childhood and elementary school tour and said it was wonderful to witness the teachers collaborate for student success. Dr. Chavarria thanked Dr. Wood and Mr. Westfall for the thoughtfulness of their presentation, saying it was enlightening to see the district leveraging resources approved by the Board and to see the pride that Plainfield educators and students have in their community. Dr. Sanders thanked the student ambassadors and commended Dr. Wood and Mr. Westfall for their work in the district. He commented that their district showcases the success of following a strategic vision, which is reflected in their strong performance on every metric -- especially the impressive 94% graduation rate within a large district. He stated his hopes for every district to engage in continuous improvement practices. Dr. Nugent shared her thanks for the tour of Wilco Area Career Center, particularly for the student ambassador for sharing her CTE experiences. Dr. Wood echoed thanks for the student ambassadors. Chair Isoye thanked the district for hosting the Board, acknowledging the time it takes to do so. He also spoke about his experience on the middle school tour, emphasizing the incredible environment and impressive students he was able to talk with. Dr. Wood thanked Jo Ireland and Kim Clarke of ISBE for their work in organizing the Board meeting, and he also shouted out his administrative assistants, Charlie Ward and Jennifer Small.

5. Closed Session

Dr. Chavarria 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. The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)

C. 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)

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. Anderson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The open meeting recessed at 11:36 a.m. to go into closed session. The open meeting reconvened at 12:07 p.m.

6. Semiannual Review of Closed Session Minutes

Dr. Nugent stated 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 Sept. 18, 2024; Sept. 19, 2024; Oct. 16, 2024; Nov. 21, 2024; Dec. 18, 2024; Jan. 15, 2025; and Feb. 20, 2025.

She moved that the State Board of Education certifies that the need for confidentiality still exists for all of the closed session minutes for Sept. 18, 2024; Sept. 19, 2024; Oct. 16, 2024; Nov. 21, 2024; Dec. 18, 2024; Jan. 15, 2025; and Feb. 20, 2025. She stated that these minutes should be approved and remain closed.

Dr. Anderson seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

7. Public Participation

There was no further public participation.

8. Consent Agenda

Chair Isoye reviewed the items under the Consent Agenda. Dr. Leak emphasized a need for cognizance of potential federal funding fluctuations. Dr. Nugent added that the Board has previously reviewed and discussed the consent agenda items.

Dr. Leak moved that the State Board of Education hereby approve the Consent Agenda.

Ms. Gonzalez seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The following motions were approved by action taken in the Consent Agenda:

Approval of Minutes

*Plenary Minutes: Feb. 20, 2025

The Illinois State Board of Education hereby approves the Feb. 20, 2025, meeting minutes.

Approvals

*Approval of the Spring 2025 Waiver Report

The State Board of Education hereby approves all waiver requests, with the exception of the Administrative Cost Limitation waiver request from Cairo School District 1. The waiver request from Cairo School District 1 shall be submitted by the Board to the General Assembly for consideration because the Board received a notice of further consideration on this waiver from three or more members of a General Assembly panel.

Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million

*Approval of New Intergovernmental Agreement with University of Kansas Center for Research for the Dynamic Learning Maps- Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA)

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to enter a new five-year intergovernmental agreement with a five-year renewal with the University of Kansas for the administration of the alternate state accountability assessment starting July 1, 2026, to not exceed total pricing of $30,621,200.

9. Announcements and Reports

Superintendent/Senior Staff Announcements

Dr. Sanders shared that he and Chair Isoye visited Ottawa ESD 141 together and were able to have lunch with former ISBE Board member Dr. Christine Benson while in town. The two also visited Kaneland CUSD 302, and Dr. Sanders independently visited Bunker Hill CUSD 8. He thanked every district that has invited them to come visit and reflected on how great it was to see what the districts are accomplishing across the state. He then said that ISBE hosted its second Statewide System of Support tour examining assessment and accountability in Champaign the week prior; he encouraged anyone interested to view upcoming tour dates on the ISBE website. Dr. Sanders updated the Board that the previous weekend, he and Chair Isoye attended the Teacher of the Year reception and issued congratulations to all of the finalists. He noted that finalist Jennifer Gruca is a teacher in Plainfield CCSD 202. He also reminded everyone that the first ISBE Student Summit would be taking place the following day in Bloomington.

There were no senior staff announcements.

Chair of the Board’s Report

Chair Isoye shared that he attended the Illinois House Appropriations Committee meeting with Dr. Nugent and Dr. Sanders. He added that the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing will occur on the same day as ISBE’s April committee meetings; since the hearing time has been moved up, the ISBE committee meetings will begin at 10:30 a.m., and anyone interested will be able to attend the hearing after. He then shared that he was invited to the Illinois Japan Bowl at North Central College to give closing remarks. Chair Isoye reminded the Board that the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) exchange has been happening; he is the director of NASBE Central States, which will meet on March 25. He encouraged the Board members to attend and stated that he has invited all of the board of education chairs of the central states and asked them to share the invite with their board members.

Member Reports

Dr. Leak noted that Illinois legislators noticed the high number of ISBE attendees at the appropriations hearings last year, and she encouraged the Board members to attend the Senate appropriations hearing in April. She also thanked ISBE staff for rearranging the Board committee meeting schedule to allow for Board members to attend the hearing.

Chair Isoye thanked ISBE staff and Plainfield CCSD 202 staff for organizing the Board’s visit to the school district.

10. Information Items

ISBE Fiscal & Administrative Monthly Reports

Freedom of Information Act Monthly Report

ISBE Quarterly Staff Demographic Report

11. Motion for Adjournment

Chair Isoye stated that the next Board meeting will be held on April 16, 2025.

Dr. Anderson moved to adjourn the March 12, 2025, meeting of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Dr. Nugent seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:16 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/DFEKPF52D1E1/$file/DRAFT%20Plenary%20Minutes%20-%20March%2012%202025.pdf