Christa L. Blatt

This Comprehensive Plan outlines the framework for the Gifted & Academically Talented Education (GATE) program at New Lenox School District #122. Its core mission is to motivate, challenge, and educate all students to achieve their highest potential, fostering contributions to society. The plan focuses on key areas including identification of gifted students, implementation of differentiated instructional strategies, continuous program evaluation and refinement, ongoing staff development, and parent engagement. It further aims to emphasize basic and higher-level thinking skills, enrichment, creativity, and holistic student development.

The strategic planning meeting included an overview of the meeting intention and a mid-year check-in on DIT/Board Goals, focusing on student achievement, instructional strategies, budget maintenance, and preparations for collective bargaining and the superintendent search. A major discussion centered on the proposed implementation of full-day kindergarten for the 2027-2028 school year, covering enrollment data, space utilization, cost estimates, and the decision timeline, with a tentative consensus reached to proceed. The Board also reviewed the proposed 2026-2027 school calendar and expressed openness to a proposal from the Village regarding a potential 15-year tax abatement for a new senior rental development, requesting further information. Financial planning covered 10-year enrollment forecasts and capacity modeling, alongside a review of the District's financial philosophy, highlighting concerns about revenue cushions disappearing after FY30 and FY32, prompting discussions on preliminary cuts. Facility updates included progress on the Tyler HVAC project and Haines heating issues, planning for Summer 2026 and 2027 capital projects, and a discussion recommending a one-year HVAC Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Precision Control Systems, Inc. Personnel updates involved the status of the new Premier HRA program, the transition to electronic student records (Yellow Folder), and new protocols for addressing student chronic absenteeism. Program planning featured curriculum adoptions, including SAVVAS myView for ELA (K-5), updates on adopting Policy 6:315 regarding high school credit for 7th/8th-grade coursework, and the development of an Artificial Intelligence Guidebook. Special Education addressed piloting the Rush Executive Function Curriculum and the planned transition from EasyIEP to the Embrace system. Technology discussed staffing shortages and presented a 5-Year Plan, alongside findings from a recent cybersecurity penetration test.

The New Lenox School District 122 Comprehensive Plan for Gifted & Academically Talented Education (GATE) outlines a framework to identify, motivate, challenge, and educate gifted and academically talented students. The plan aims to foster students' highest level of performance, nurturing unique talents and promoting emotional and academic growth through basic skills development, higher-level thinking, enrichment, and creativity. Key components include student identification procedures, differentiated instruction, ongoing program evaluation and refinement, and staff development, with program structures supporting grades K-3 through differentiated techniques and grades 4-8 through accelerated classes in ELA and Mathematics.

The meeting commenced with the recognition of New Lenox Notables, including Mr. Foster, recipient of the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award, and winners of the VFW Patriot Pen Essay Contest. Student artists from various schools were also acknowledged for showcasing their artwork. The consent agenda covered approvals for routine items such as the Treasurer's Report, authorization to pay bills, the Personnel Report, the 2026-2027 School Fees, and the FY26 Tentative Bid/Contract Renewal Schedule. Significant administrative actions included adopting the October 2025 PRESS board policy and approving overnight/200-mile radius field trips for 2026-2027. The Business Manager reported on the required Ten-Year Safety Survey for Liberty Junior High, which the Board approved for submission. The Superintendent highlighted the 20th anniversary of the District's art program.

Key discussions and recognitions during the meeting included honoring Martino Jr. High Cross Country Medalists and Liberty Jr. High State Qualifying Musicians, along with performances by the Liberty Jr. High Orchestra and Chorus groups. A public comment raised concerns regarding consistency and support for the District's music education programs. The consent agenda covered the approval of various items including previous meeting minutes, the Treasurer's Report, personnel actions, and financial documents such as the Monthly Cash Flow Update and Financial Planning Update. In the Superintendent's report, updates were provided on attendance at parent-teacher conferences and upcoming district events. The Business Manager presented the bid results for the Summer 2026 Tyler HVAC project, which involved awarding construction contracts to three bidders, funded by Life Safety Bonds. The Board also conducted the first reading of the October 2025 PRESS policies.