Special education update

Director of Special Education Dr. Anne Bowers and Special Education Instructional Coach Morgan Frontera provided an update on student trends, department accomplishments, and priorities for the coming school year. The district currently serves 581 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), with 67% spending 80% or more of their school day in general education settings, exceeding the Illinois State Board of Education benchmark of 54%.

Highlights from 2025-26 included the implementation of a new Facilitated IEP model, adoption of the Goalbook resource to support standards-based IEP development, and the addition of a Special Education Instructional Coach to strengthen co-teaching, co-planning, and inclusive instructional practices. Parent feedback on the Facilitated IEP process has been overwhelmingly positive, citing strong collaboration, meaningful participation, and improved communication during meetings.

Looking ahead to 2026-27, the department will continue to expand coaching and professional learning opportunities, strengthen multi-tiered system of supports practices, refine specialized program transitions, and further support inclusive learning environments for students across the district.

Student enrollment & staffing report

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Bill Schmidt presented an update on student enrollment trends and staffing projections for the 2026-27 school year. District enrollment has increased for the third consecutive year, with K-8 enrollment reaching 2,737 students in 2025-26, while elementary enrollment has grown for the fifth straight year, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Looking ahead, enrollment is expected to remain stable, with total K-8 enrollment projected to stay between 2,700 and 2,800 students over the next several years. Kindergarten enrollment is also expected to remain steady at approximately 290 students annually. While Jefferson Junior High is projected to experience a temporary decline as two smaller grade-level cohorts move through the school, enrollment is expected to rebound to more than 600 students in future years.

Dr. Schmidt also reviewed staffing projections and class size guidelines, noting that the district will continue to monitor enrollment patterns and staffing needs to ensure appropriate class sizes and support for students across all schools.

SASED Joint Articles of Agreement

The School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED) has been working on amending its Joint Articles of Agreement and bylaws. These amendments are part of a broader facility planning process aimed at consolidating SASED programming into a centralized, efficient, and modern building, which is intended to be cost-neutral to our district through tuition restructuring. The Board of Education approved the adoption of the proposed Resolution Approving the Proposed Amendments to SASED Articles of Joint Agreement.

Resolution to transfer funds

The Board of Education approved the resolution to transfer interest earned and available fund balance reserves if needed, as presented.

Workers' compensation insurance renewal

The Board of Education approved, as presented, the renewal of the workers' compensation insurance program. The school district purchases this insurance through a school cooperative, School Employee Loss Fund (SELF), as administered by Arthur J. Gallagher and Associates and managed by Comprehensive Risk Services (CRS). Total net cost for the 2026-27 fiscal year will be $66,310.

Energy management system upgrade

The Board approved the professional service contract proposal and price quote from Interactive Building Solutions of Joliet, for $34,890, to convert Jefferson Junior High and Murphy Elementary School’s HVAC energy management systems (EMS) from the current system to the same system used at the other five schools in the district. Having all schools on the same EMS platform will allow Buildings & Grounds staff to more easily remotely monitor, manage and adjust the schools' HVAC systems, as needed. Work is scheduled for completion in late summer/early fall.

Discussion items

The following topics were discussed by the Board of Education. Any action has not yet been taken.

• Board operations topics
• Hazardous crossing determinations
• Summer construction
• Budget - revised preliminary projections
• In-house data, data recovery and application management system conversion and migration
• WEA stipend proposal

Next meeting

The next Woodridge School District 68 board of education regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026 at 7:30pm at the District Administrative Center. All regular Board meetings are also streamed live on the Zoom platform; links to the livestream will be posted on the district calendar. A schedule of upcoming meetings, notices and agendas are posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/) on the district website through BoardBook.