Scott Bedell

The meeting commenced with roll call and a pledge to the flag. Key segments included staff and student recognition, featuring presentations by members of the Black Student Association (BSA) regarding their activities, community service efforts such as blanket making and participation in Feed My Starving Children, and plans for Black History Month celebrations, including a trip to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Student Kobe Jones presented artwork celebrating African-American culture and hairstyles, followed by a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The board then received an invitation for summer school, which detailed plans for elementary students (Summer Connections, Step Up to Kindergarten, Maker Spaces, and tutoring with Huntington Learning Center), junior high students (self-paced Egeneuity courses for acceleration), and high school students (initial credit and credit recovery via Egeneuity). Extended School Year (ESY) plans for students with IEPs were also reviewed, covering staffing, site locations, and coordination with transportation. Follow-up discussions addressed benchmarking ESY curriculum and transportation pain points from previous years, as well as internal discussions regarding learning platforms. The session concluded with superintendent's comments emphasizing reflection during Black History Month.

The board meeting included significant recognition for student athletic achievements, including state champions and runners-up in swim/dive and golf, as well as the Asiggo High School football team's historic playoff run to the state championship. A major portion of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the NextGen Residency Program, in partnership with Aurora University, which aims to equip future educators, particularly in high-need areas like Special Education and ESL. Statistics were shared regarding teacher retirements and the program's success in retaining current district employees as new teachers. The presentation highlighted the demographics of the 42 current residents, noting their representation compared to the district's student population, and milestones achieved by program graduates, including placements in administrative and leadership roles. Future plans included expanding ESL and SPED endorsements and exploring leadership pathway continuation.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to recognizing Pride Award winners from Grand Park Elementary, Homestead Elementary, Wolf's Crossing Elementary, and Murphy Junior High for January, celebrating individuals demonstrating excellence. Following the awards, the Board received an update on the Oiggo East High School performing arts center project, which involved repair and replacement of fire-resistant coating (Intumescent coating) on structural steel due to delamination, with substantial completion tracking for the first week of February (projected February 5th). The Superintendent's report included several commendations, such as the success of cross-town basketball games, the kickoff event for the Garrett Forward Robotics team, the naming of Elizabeth Stoers as a 2026 elementary school principal of the year, Coach Brian Cooney's participation in the Navy All-American Bowl, Rachel Maxwell's recognition by the Illinois Music Education Association, and Kevin Schubach being selected as a top 10 finalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award.

This memorandum outlines the Illinois FY2026-FY2031 Fiscal Outlook, projecting increasing structural deficits due to federal policy changes, slowing economic growth, and rising mandated costs. It analyzes the potential implications for K-12 education, including risks to Evidence-Based Funding, special education, early childhood programs, and categorical grants, as well as pension cost pressures. The document emphasizes the need for cautious long-term planning by districts to maintain program stability and educational outcomes amidst evolving fiscal uncertainties.

The Oswego CUSD 308 Long Range Facility Plan, presented as Phase 3, outlines a strategic framework for managing and improving the district's physical infrastructure over a multi-year horizon. This plan aligns with the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, integrating extensive stakeholder engagement to define guiding principles and key priorities for elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and extension programs. Key investment areas include capital repairs and infrastructure, safety and security improvements, enhancements to educational environments, and capacity expansions through comprehensive reconfigurations to support instructional goals and community values.