Toni Fishel

This District Improvement Plan for Arcola School District outlines a one-year roadmap (September 2023 - September 2024) aligned with the district's long-term vision to be an innovative leader providing individualized educational experiences. It is supported by three Pillars of Excellence: Learning, Culture, and Opportunities. The plan focuses on eight strategic goals: enhancing individualized learning and post-secondary readiness, improving reading and math proficiency across grade levels, increasing third-grade reading levels, boosting certified staff retention, fostering high-quality instruction, cultivating a positive school climate through community engagement, maintaining a high graduation rate, and ensuring financial stability to support quality educational opportunities.

The Arcola Board of Education held a special meeting to review superintendent candidates. The board entered into an executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, independent contractors, or volunteers of the District, and to hear testimony on a complaint. The board then returned to regular session and adjourned.

The special meeting of the Board of Education was called to order to discuss personnel matters. The board entered into an executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, independent contractors, or volunteers of the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint. The board then returned to the regular session and adjourned.

The Finance Committee discussed the possibility of selling working cash bonds to replace those being paid off this year. The district aims to use these funds for upgrading technology infrastructure, equipment, and online instructional tools from the 2026-2027 school year through 2030-2031, without raising the district tax rate. Financial estimates and the timeline were presented, with a resolution of intent to sell the bonds potentially at the October 8, 2025, board meeting and a final resolution at the November 12, 2025, board meeting.

The board discussed and approved several key items, including the FY26 tentative budget, setting the budget hearing for September 10, 2025, and the 2025-2026 District Risk Management Plan. They also approved an agreement with Bushue HR and switched the school district attorney. The administrative team reported on the success of in-person registration and upcoming MAP testing. The board approved the employment of several new staff members and a Memorandum of Understanding regarding student growth and evaluations.