Forest Park School District 91

The meeting included discussions and recognitions, such as honoring John Ericson, a dedicated educator. There was a focus on the importance of school principals and custodians, with October being appreciation month for both. The board also recognized National Instructional Coaches Day and encouraged participation in Down Syndrome Awareness Month by wearing blue and yellow on October 16th. Celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month were highlighted across various schools. A presentation was given on state proficiency score benchmarks and their comparison to national percentiles, addressing concerns about the rigor and clarity of proficiency standards.

The meeting included discussions on custodian staff recognition, welcoming new ensemble members, and the provision of free school supplies to students. There was an update on the summer university program, which offered a variety of classes. The back-to-school bash was canceled due to weather, but alternative celebrations were planned. The leadership team had a retreat to reaffirm their commitment and identify the theme for the school year. Smart goals for school improvement were shared, focusing on improving ELA and math scores, social-emotional learning, and overall five essentials. The state of the district's finances for the fourth quarter was reviewed, including revenues, expenditures, and fund balances. Upcoming fundraising activities were discussed, as well as a tentative budget for the year.

The meeting included a fiscal year 2026 budget public hearing, covering the district's strategic plan centered around learning and achievement, family community engagement, and talent recruitment and development. Discussion included the state of Illinois' evidence-based funding model, enrollment data, the needs of low-income students, and the allocation of funds for social emotional learning. The board addressed the adequacy of funding, per pupil spending, special education, multilingual learners, and cash on hand. Major expenditures were planned for special education outplacement tuition, transportation, food service, professional development, science lab renovations, permanent subs, and HVAC controls.

The State of the District 2022 document outlines Forest Park District 91's mission, vision, and equity imperatives, emphasizing life-long learning and global citizenship for every student. It reviews core values, enrollment, attendance, grades, and various assessment data (KIDS, FastBridge, IAR). The document highlights successes in learning, family engagement, and talent development, with next steps focusing on data-informed instruction, STEAM labs, standard-based grading, and a clear understanding of equity. Key goals by 2026 include 80% growth in ELA and Math, 98% attendance, 95% staff retention, and increased enrollment.

The "State of the District 2023" report for Forest Park School District 91 focuses on lifelong learning and global citizenship for every student. It highlights achievements in learning, family and community engagement, and talent recruitment and development from SY21-22 to SY23-24. Key goals for 2026 include achieving 80% growth in ELA and Math, 98% attendance, 95% staff retention, 80% KIDS readiness, and a 15% increase in enrollment, supported by fiscally responsible planning and continuous improvement.