Diamond Lake School District #76

The meeting began with public comments, followed by recognitions, including the presentation of a Diamond Award to staff member Kate Kousnets off for her extraordinary work as a special education teacher and dedication to language access. Student recognition followed with awards for Addison Gad, Olivia (eighth grader), and Patrick for their achievements in the spelling bee. The primary agenda included the superintendent's administrative report, providing a midyear progress update on district goals. Discussions covered goal one regarding professional learning communities (PLCs), data on student projected growth via STAR assessments, and updates to action steps based on data-driven reflection. Goal two focused on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), presenting data showing a decrease in major referrals compared to the previous year, and detailing reflections on teaching expectations. Goal three addressed increasing student attendance, noting current progress through December and efforts such as personalized phone calls, while also reporting a 6% decrease in staff absenteeism. The administration outlined next steps, including building-level reflections in January and implementation monitoring through May to guide goals for the upcoming school year.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a period for public comments, of which there were none. The primary focus was on Recognitions, where the theater club and several students were honored for going above and beyond, including specific recognition for the theater club sponsor, Miss Emily Fineoldfisher. Following recognitions, the superintendent and administrative report updated the board on professional development offerings aligned with district goals, emphasizing support for academic achievement and social-emotional well-being. Key professional development methods discussed included Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) focused on desired student outcomes, instructional coaching, team planning workshops, and on-demand PD. Further discussion covered social-emotional support through CHAMPS, PBIS implementation, trauma-informed practices, crisis response training via Ukuru, and monthly meetings for social workers and nurses to assess trends and coordinate support. The staff capacity building through continuous professional learning and curriculum updates was also highlighted.

This document provides a mid-year update on Diamond Lake School District 76's progress towards its three district goals: professional learning communities, positive behavior interventions and supports, and presence. These goals are designed to embrace, empower, and excel each child each day. The update highlights strengthened instructional decisions through data-informed Professional Learning Communities, improved school climate with reductions in office discipline referrals via Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and enhanced student engagement and attendance driven by a focus on presence and relationships. The district demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement in student learning, well-being, and success.

This document provides a mid-year update on Diamond Lake School District 76's strategic goals for the 2025-2026 academic year. The plan focuses on three key pillars: Deep Implementation of Professional Learning Community (PLC) Practices, Fostering rich learning environments based on Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS), and Increasing student Presence to ensure all can engage in daily learning. It outlines recommended action plans and reflections for each goal.

The meeting included recognitions for the Diamond Award winner and above and beyond students. Discussions covered the 2025 tax levy, including the timeline of events, the tax levy process, and historical data on the consumer price index, equalized assessed value, and tax rates. The Illinois assessment of readiness results were also presented, focusing on the three Ps initiative and measuring student learning.