An update from 
Community Consolidated School District 15
Board of Education

Aug. 11, 2017

BOARD OF EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATION OUTLINE 2017-18 GOALS

As it does each summer, the Board of Education and administration gathered together in July for a district retreat to discuss shared goals and vision for the 2017-18 school year. 

A productive evening of small and large group discussion resulted in the following goals, which were presented at the Aug. 9 board meeting: 

 

  • Create a systematic and cohesive plan to reduce/eliminate student achievement gaps between different groups of students through a thorough examination of achievement of all student groups.
  • Develop a strategic plan to create a roadmap for the near and distant futures of the district. The plan should be the result of community input and be data-driven to ensure positive results.
  • Establish an integrated plan for district communications that is infused with tactical actions needed to accomplish the plan. The plan must include a marketing strategy and re-branding work, as well as an updated website platform and enhanced use of social media.
  • After an analysis of student data and facilities usage, construct a plan for dual-language schools and investigate opportunities for needs-based, full-day kindergarten.
The goals will be open for public comment and review through the Sept. 13 board meeting. Community members can contact the board by clicking here.  Watch the full board meeting online by clicking here. 

 

 


SCHOOL BEGINS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

CCSD15 is gearing up for another great school year, set to begin Wednesday, Aug. 16 for students in grades 1-8, and Thursday, Aug. 17 for preschool and kindergarten students. 

Teacher assignments, bus schedules and other school-specific information has been mailed to each child's home. 

Junior high school students are invited to walk through their schedule on Aug. 14 and elementary students can meet their teacher Aug. 15. Information on the timing of those events is included in your back-to-school mailer. 


BOARD HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON 2017-18 BUDGET

At its Aug. 9 meeting, the Board of Education held a public hearing related to the tentative fiscal year 2018 budget.

The projected revenue for the 2017-18 school year is about $157 million, with 77 percent of the revenue coming from local property taxes. The remaining 23 percent comes from a combination of state and federal dollars. With no state appropriation for K-12 school funding, and the suspension of payments for several federal title funds, it is unclear if the district will receive more than $7 million in payments owed by the end of the 2017-18 school year. 


Due to a fiscally responsible budget reserve that includes about $50 million, or 33 percent of district-wide operating expenses, District 15 will maintain operations and services in spite of the uncertainty of state and federal allocations.  

The 2017-18 budget will be adopted by the Board of Education at its Sept. 13 meeting. 

NEW SAFETY MEASURES IN ALL SCHOOL BUILDINGS

New measures are being taken this school year to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff.

Each building will now be equipped with visitor management software from Raptor Technologies. The software scans personal identification cards that visitors present upon entry to the building and alerts office staff to anyone flagged as a registered sex offender.

Raptor is a trusted system widely used in school districts across the country to enhance safety and security measures. Please note that as office staff adjust to the Raptor system, entrance to schools may take slightly longer than you may be used to. We are appreciative of your patience and understanding.



SECOND-ANNUAL INNOVATION SUMMIT HELD FOR STAFF

On Aug. 10, District 15 hosted its second-annual Innovation Summit, providing digital-age instruction best practices to almost 300 staff members.

Held at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, participants were greeted by building principal Jason Dietz who discussed the changing landscape of technology in the lives of our children. The keynote speaker, Katrina Keene, highlighted the ways in which the classroom landscape has changed from the tech-free 1980s of her childhood to the tech-filled lives our children are experiencing.

Founded by District 15 Deputy Superintendent Dr. Matt Barbini and planned carefully by the technology department and technology coordinators, attendees were able to choose from among 41 varied learning opportunities - from Digital Differentiation to Google Expedition to Twitter for Teachers.

This summit was planned by teachers, administrators and staff. 

12,700 SUMMER MEALS SERVED

During District 15's free student breakfast program this summer, 12,700 meals were served at 10 locations. This is an increase of 1,300 meals from last summer. Any person under the age of 18 was given a free meal during select times and locations from June through early August.  

Thanks to Northwest Community Hospital for its generosity in purchasing the fresh fruit served at Falcon Park. More than 600 meals were served at this site over a two-week period.

CCSD15 Board of Education
580 N. 1st Bank Drive, Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 963-3000