Craig Chatham

The board meeting included a recognition of volunteer efforts by the PTO and Learning Fund Foundation, followed by a presentation from students and staff regarding science curriculum projects involving best beetles and crayfish. Other key topics discussed were student graduation awards, planning for the eighth-grade dance, and a performance of the musical The Adams Family. Administrative actions included the review of proposed salary increases for staff, the current amended budget to account for EV bus purchases, and preliminary budget planning for the upcoming school year.

The meeting included student representative reports detailing teacher incorporation of Magic School AI in projects and feedback from 34 students regarding its usage, common subjects of use (social studies, science, math), and concerns about overuse/copying, necessitating clearer guidelines. An update was provided on a field trip for 80 eighth-grade students to the Google campus in Chicago, involving workshops on AI and machine learning, a scavenger hunt, and discussions about career paths. The board reviewed enrollment projections, which indicated a flat to downward trend over a five-year span, partly due to stable housing turnover rather than high influx from new building developments. A draft staffing plan was presented, noting reductions due to enrollment changes, with finalization expected in March. Committee updates covered PTO activities, including an 'Explore the Arts' day and a 5K event, as well as progress on finalizing the superintendent contract and searching for a CSBO at the ELC board. The SASSY committee piloted interview questions focused on student experiences regarding comfort, safety, and adult responsiveness, with plans to interview students directly next.

This strategic plan for District 103, covering the period from 2022 to 2026, is designed to provide innovative learning experiences that empower each student to excel and make a difference in a diverse and interconnected world. The plan is structured around specific goals, with regular updates on its progress.

The budget includes estimated beginning and ending fund balances, receipts/revenues from local, state, and federal sources, and disbursements/expenditures for educational operations, maintenance, debt service, transportation, municipal retirement/social security, capital projects, working cash, tort, and fire prevention & safety. It covers various funds, including the Educational Fund (ED), and outlines expenditures for instruction, support services, community services, and payments to other districts & government units. The budget also details other sources and uses of funds, such as transfers and sales of bonds.

The meeting included celebrating success at Daniel Wright with a presentation on the STEM program, featuring student demonstrations of projects like Sphero robots. The board also heard updates from student representatives about Red Ribbon Week, which promotes drug prevention through activities like dress-up days and a scavenger hunt, and new clubs such as the News Media Club and Dungeons and Dragons Club.