Michael Bellm

This Discipline Improvement Plan aims to reduce exclusionary discipline practices and decrease racial disproportionality in discipline outcomes. The plan outlines five key strategies: improving data accuracy and use, strengthening administrator and staff capacity for equitable restorative practices, expanding non-exclusionary discipline responses within the MTSS framework, addressing discipline through improved instructional engagement and student ownership, and utilizing Professional Learning Communities to proactively reduce behavior concerns. The overall objective is to foster a culture of belonging for all students and staff.

This document presents an executive summary of the 'Reimagine Alton' Community Engagement Session held on September 30, 2025, which gathered community input for the Alton Schools' multi-year District Improvement Plan. Participants identified systemic challenges such as attendance rates, academic performance, and staff retention, alongside opportunities for improvement including restorative practices, parent engagement, communication, and fostering a culture of belonging. Key priorities emerging from the session include enhancing communication with families, strengthening student and staff relationships, improving attendance and absenteeism interventions, expanding extracurricular opportunities, ensuring equity and belonging, and providing enhanced mental health and safety support. The consensus points emphasize prioritizing student attendance, improving communication transparency, supporting staff retention, ensuring culturally responsive learning environments, and addressing mental health and individualized support for students.

The budget includes estimated beginning and ending fund balances, receipts/revenues from local, state, and federal sources, and disbursements/expenditures across various funds such as Educational Operations & Maintenance, Debt Service, Transportation, Municipal Retirement/Social Security, Capital Projects, Working Cash, Tort, and Fire Prevention & Safety. Key areas covered are instruction, support services, and community services, with detailed breakdowns of expenditures by function and object.

The District Improvement Plan for Alton Community School District focuses on creating a culture of belonging, ensuring grade-appropriate instruction, and fostering effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Key goals include reducing student chronic absenteeism, increasing average daily attendance, improving student performance on state assessments, and increasing graduation rates. The plan outlines strategies such as implementing a centralized attendance data dashboard, enhancing parent engagement through ParentSquare, utilizing data-driven Results-Oriented Practices (ROPs), and providing professional development on assessment design.

The committee discussed the FRIS report, noting the amount received and pending from the comptroller, and expressed hope for the 4th categorical payment before year-end. The Revenue-Expenditure Report indicated local revenue exceeded budget due to interest income, state revenue was on target, federal revenue was slightly higher than anticipated, and salaries/benefits/purchased services were on target. A budget amendment was discussed to increase budgeted expenditures in certain funds and decrease them in others. There was a review of action items and discussion of a band/marching fee to fund uniform replacements. A renewal of the Alton Police Departments Intergovernmental Agreement was mentioned, along with bridging the gap with due process for SRO officers and working on language for SRO expectations. A reminder of a special board meeting on June 23rd for budget adjustments was given.