Harlem Unit School District 122

The Special Board Meeting focused on the analysis and discussion of several proposed scenarios (Scenario One, Two, Six, and Seven) related to restructuring specialized programs within the district buildings. Key concerns discussed included specialized program member percentages exceeding the state's 30% threshold in certain locations and the limited exposure of students to opportunities. Specific issues raised across scenarios involved program housing, capacity for expansion, maintaining inclusion, and the impact of transitions on students, particularly those with special emotional needs. Scenario Seven, which builds on Scenario Six, was detailed as providing broad exposure and maintaining balanced percentages but still created transition challenges. A significant outcome of the meeting was the superintendent's recommendation, supported by board consensus, to pause the decision process until January to address community feedback and 'pinch points' like transportation and transitions, with a revised plan expected to be presented in January.

The meeting, structured as a public hearing pursuant to section 10-22.13 of the Illinois school code, began with presentations regarding various scenarios affecting the district, followed by public comments addressing key themes. Discussion centered on facility utilization, class size limits set by the collective bargaining agreement, and the efficiency of grade level grouping across sites. Specific topics included the impact of scenarios on Early Childhood programming, the allocation of interventionists and social workers based on Title One funding, and the constraints imposed by specialized programs like STP, Life Skills, and Learning Lab locations. Special Education services were also addressed, noting capacity limits at Windsor and instances where Special Education percentages exceeded state requirements. The Superintendent recommended pausing the current proposal, specifically Scenario 7 (which was built upon Scenario 6), to gather further community feedback and address 'pinch points' like student transitions, proposing a review schedule through mid-January 2026. Board members concurred with the recommendation to pause and refine the plan based on community input, noting that transportation tiers would also be affected by any final proposal.

This document is a follow-up to a public hearing, providing clarification and evaluation of an elementary building consolidation proposal. It explores various scenarios aimed at optimizing class sizes, ensuring equitable access to early childhood programs, and strategically allocating support staff like interventionists and social workers. A key objective is the integration of specialized education programs (STP, learning lab, life skills) across all elementary buildings to promote an inclusive culture and manage special education percentages effectively. The proposed consolidation seeks to enhance operational efficiency, provide long-term flexibility for program expansion, and ensure consistent support for students while carefully managing transitions.

The meeting commenced with the affirmation of the agenda and the reading of the district's mission statement. Public comments focused heavily on the proposed budget implications of school closures, specifically calculating the per-household cost to potentially save two schools, and urging the board to consider alternative, "outside the box" solutions such as partnering with local businesses like Henik and Woodwork. One speaker emphasized the importance of supporting struggling schools by placing them at the front of the pack, analogous to a wolf pack structure. Another speaker expressed personal distress over the impending closure of their own school building and advocated for retaining neighborhood schools over the sister school option based on student support and resource utilization, while acknowledging the fiscal difficulty of the decision. The board also addressed communication failures regarding a serious incident involving a pedophile on a bus, which occurred over a month prior, leading to public concern about transparency and safety protocols. The main action item was the formal vote to approve the building closure of Maple Elementary School and Olsson Park Elementary School for district consolidation purposes. Following this vote, the board planned to discuss consensus regarding options one and four for the subsequent consolidation steps.

The document details a Special Board Meeting that included a public hearing conducted pursuant to section 10-22.13 of the Illinois School Code. The primary discussion points addressed declining K-5 enrollment trends, which have resulted in several buildings operating significantly below the optimal 80% utilization capacity. Administration clarified that while the district has a $3.1 million operational deficit in the education fund, the overall fund balance is robust (over $34 million as of FY25 ending). Key concerns discussed included the rising costs associated with the Early Childhood Preschool for All grant, noting that stagnant state funding increases (only 2% since 2019) have not kept pace with inflation (25-30% cost of living increases), forcing difficult decisions such as reducing the number of early childhood classrooms from nine to two, and eliminating two parent educator positions. Transportation costs specific to the grant, which require mid-day busing not covered by state claims, were also detailed. Public comments raised concerns regarding financial transparency, salary expenditures, insurance costs, and administrative staffing ratios compared to other districts.