[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6320477,"mediaKeyId","2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589","parentId",2356612,"title","O'Neil Middle highlights student leadership, behavior program and English‑learner supports","audioSeconds",2483,"startMs",92000,"endMs",2575000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589&start=92&end=2575","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589/thumbnail_92000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6320477/Illinois/ONeil-Middle-highlights-student-leadership-behavior-program-and-Englishlearner-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320477-fe7fd26fba8afaa447416d8fac4153cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776141977&Signature=Ko3~eKL9AQd0nTHXjDBcBOFOb-Sinz~Pbt9CuvTXsC4M8F87vskp0pvp6~UDsegNpVMCbKyIBDU4o~SR9JoJaQXzYi0fKxTAAawvok-cig2DHe82rg8faKUGV5rmPyd5HvfAqdahJJvLsDh9xYuiqaa2AKl-21we8BeYgoxI6KAJS8tYeAzDq3CERYQgF7TO7rKl8k86M1255XfyuYwoSjSjsnXRrbs89-3R4-HEeN4guPRwiYzLO7T-OElQxZRR7XNAYXT6jq~ANpInRaQy8hHTOp26pcZSbBXSX-AfhsfpBXd-okNhNVYB2tYpEHg3vEVvflmV6cAh2Gv~MDCneA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Downers Grove GSD 58","date","2025-02-19T18:44:10Z","article","Principal Danielle Humphreys of O'Neil Middle School told the Downers Grove GSD 58 Board of Education on Feb. 10 that the school is emphasizing student culture and targeted instructional improvements as it completes building renovations.

The presentation combined student remarks, a summary of behavior and staff‑wellness efforts and descriptions of classroom supports for multilingual learners. Humphreys introduced student council members and athletes who described expanded opportunities under a new athletic conference and student service projects.

The principal framed the presentation around a focus on academic growth and culture, saying O'Neil is ‘‘embracing this idea of construction throughout the building’’ by upgrading classrooms and schedules and by adding common planning time and professional learning communities.

Mason Fuller, identified as student council president, summarized the council's role in school life: \"O'Neil prides itself on its senator values of being safe, respectful, and responsible, and the student council upholds that.\" Fuller described fundraisers and drives, including a book drive that he said collected \"over 2,300 books to support literacy and provide books to children in need.\"

Assistant Principal Mrs. Bongiorno explained elements of the school's PBSS (positive behavioral supports) approach and how it connects to anti‑bullying talks and student reflection. \"I highlighted the importance of decision making and our decisions have the power to build others up and they also have the power to tear them down,\" she said while describing expectation talks and weekly celebrations.

Bongiorno described several concrete programs: weekly raffle rewards tied to behavior and attendance; \"senator shout outs\" (staff, student and parent acknowledgments sent home); and Funnapalooza, an inclusive end‑of‑trimester event that required students to meet behavioral expectations and be passing their classes in order to participate. She said case managers and teachers developed plans for students with 504 plans or IEPs to ensure equity of access.

O'Neil's multilingual (ML/EL) team described co‑teaching arrangements in seventh‑ and eighth‑grade ELA classes. Mrs. Cordova said teachers use dual‑language texts and a bilingual word wall; Mrs. Baca and colleagues said the school provides earbuds and device‑based translations to help newcomers access English‑language instruction. A presenter said the building has \"about 30 identified EL kids,\" including \"8 of those are newcomers,\" and several students with very limited English.

PTA leaders also spoke, and PTA president Mrs. Suva said membership and fundraising have grown; PTA vice president Mrs. Duda said the group doubled membership this year and underwrote teacher grants and grade‑level trips.

Students from cross country, wrestling, basketball, cheer and chess gave short remarks about competition, teamwork and the benefits of the new conference. Several athletes credited the conference change with more competitive opportunities, and one boys' team member noted the school won a regional championship this year.

Humphreys and Bongiorno tied the cultural work to measurable academic goals: school leaders said they are using PLCs, common learning objectives, frequent formative assessment and student data reviews to support learning. Humphreys told the board winter assessment results showed movement in reading and math and framed the instructional shifts as part of a broader school improvement plan.

The presentation concluded with thanks to staff, PTA volunteers and the students who spoke.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","District 58 Board of Education Meeting February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Principal Danielle Humphreys told the board that O'Neil Middle is pairing construction‑era facility upgrades with new scheduling, staff wellness and behavioral supports to raise student engagement and achievement.","taxTitle","Downers Grove GSD 58, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",38498,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6320457,"Votes at a glance: Downers Grove GSD 58 Board actions on Feb. 10, 2025",209,6831000,7040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589&start=6831&end=7040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589/thumbnail_6831000.jpg","/articles/6320457/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-Downers-Grove-GSD-58-Board-actions-on-Feb-10-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320457-4e208dcd40337c5e0dd29d3e53353af8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776141977&Signature=PoJ6MB0M9AF3~lB~ECOYotkRcaHzWCHmup7vQ8TbkpwCAJpVN5-BxsJVtiPDQDxLjLflS3nhSty6mdzQ-4B46YLmDb5fHxRTK3dVxJoCKcfHRYLHSo9bL0h8LrIm8pgbRRj8JamWx4ec1nl-TwWL8qqWav~vn3xXm6EYePCi32rTwAH-4~DUl8~nRGdxypwjX9qEhy7FRI5XlHG35CWDNdZpJJKwEovzjls4NdhttLNuYO8tO02Q7YZbzLuY6V9OnFSSwaOChVcopaWRNKOqEx6iwmPzD9w2CVCrsE0No1rVjelXHxcBp5tBfAXYUPsr95G926vxPU~PxHNe0e94rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 10 meeting the Downers Grove GSD 58 Board of Education recorded the following formal actions and roll‑call votes.

Approve minutes — Jan. 13, 2025 regular meeting
Motion: Approve minutes as presented.
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Approved.

Approve minutes — Jan. 27, 2025 special meeting
Motion: Approve minutes as presented.
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Approved.

Consent agenda (personnel report and financial statements including bills)
Motion: Approve consent agenda as presented.
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Approved.

Appointment of vice president
Motion: Nomination and vote to fill vice president vacancy.
Nomination: Member Doshi nominated; no additional nominations.
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Member Doshi elected vice president.

AT&T managed Internet services contract
Motion: Approve a 24‑month managed Internet services contract with AT&T for a total cost of $33,931.20.
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Approved. Contract total: $33,931.20.

Construction consent agenda: referendum furniture purchase for middle school classrooms
Motion: Approve construction consent agenda as presented (referendum furniture purchase for middle school classrooms).
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Approved.

Closed session motion
Motion: Move to closed session to discuss the selection of a person to fill a public office and to review closed minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)).
Vote: Member Doshi — Aye; Member Hannes — Aye; Member Weiner — Aye; Member Hughes — Aye.
Outcome: Motion carried; board recessed to closed session.

Notes: The minutes record \"So moved\" and \"Second\" for motions without identifying the maker or seconder by name in the dialogue; final roll‑call votes are recorded in the transcript and minutes.","The board approved routine minutes and consent items, appointed Member Doshi as vice president, approved a 24‑month AT&T managed Internet services contract, and approved referendum furniture purchasing in the construction consent agenda. Roll calls are recorded in the minutes for each action.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6320462,"Board staff say $50M bond likely; FAC recommends straightforward 20‑year issue, not immediate restructuring",1069,5291000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589&start=5291&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589/thumbnail_5291000.jpg","/articles/6320462/Illinois/Board-staff-say-50M-bond-likely-FAC-recommends-straightforward-20year-issue-not-immediate-restructuring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320462-cdb1cc38184c418324cc0d24d0509d22/orig.mp4?Expires=1776141977&Signature=ojUF8m0Nk8Y6~HG05Mc0fJ~G7GE7fsj-hehMNEwNVEiI0xXmnyyr2bUdtyKKacx1YprIrk-ojlbCn6XvbF944HWPxRE21LTjts6ZhTR6WL~-Q41pukqIEOeEKjH9HZOi-tppXVTACAo1TD2sryF3vlVvf9P~VNhcYsy0aL1O97mCLXP7x0INN1BxAjWWyub~EgZu~IX2jEnBPul-YMpiq5Y7i7DCnfngdWetveJIF5RzUV3XRerSM-xVE7scxBWdiUcLAbg6wAV7akw3AqXKigcuSfHR5baZx8Y0mhtFaQeWLrTxrlhCMS0BglWgJhDTuuvn~7vXxI3x4VP3uEZeXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Treasurer Tad Bridal and district financial advisers briefed the board on Feb. 10 on plans for a second referendum bond issuance and other capital finance matters.

Bridal said the district has authority from the referendum for $179 million in total projects. The first bond issuance raised about $125 million; staff said the remaining expected borrowing for the referendum program is in the roughly $50 million range and that the board will be asked to approve a bond resolution in March.

Financial Advisory Committee members reviewed multiple scenarios, including restructuring or refinancing existing debt and exploring the recently extended legal allowance for 30‑year debt. FAC members recommended a conventional 20‑year issuance for the next borrowing and advised against immediate restructuring because the preliminary analysis did not show a compelling taxpayer benefit.

Bridal said there will be a pricing and rating process in the coming weeks and the board will receive a recommended resolution at the March meeting. Ray (Oppenheimer), the district's municipal finance advisor, attended the meeting and supported the timeline and technical process.

Board discussion emphasized transparency: several board members said the board promised the community a 20‑year financing plan and preferred to keep the second issuance simple unless future market opportunities make restructuring beneficial. Staff said they would proceed with the March calendar for bond pricing and bring a resolution for board action.","District finance staff and the Financial Advisory Committee reviewed options for a second referendum bond issuance to replace expiring authorization; the first bond issuance was about $125M and the recommended next issue is approximately $50M on a 20‑year term without restructuring, to align with prior community expectations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6320467,"Referendum projects advancing; transformers and ComEd schedule pose critical path risk",610,3778000,4388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589&start=3778&end=4388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589/thumbnail_3778000.jpg","/articles/6320467/Illinois/Referendum-projects-advancing-transformers-and-ComEd-schedule-pose-critical-path-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320467-28fa6e48cfd2898991439555a9cae5dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776141977&Signature=PnyQp6-yWOGGf-XN61Cyug0Ch0ijYncL~ix8PBXJlZ7ZJPkQkBsCLgT14OJrASnyaXSDakmzPkekYy3GxLHZyrrZ4IO1C12xgMfP8K-Iz8Kfsby--9eImxAVQ71rpWEnTpM0Dzmw-EohD~VovTOMcyxBhu~QlvgpIoWMM2hdRgZx8OqujTHDzKE27d4FOMcsjPkVSlF~VK69hs-xQnFY8KT2AMQRUIRHZXNGtfShWK73XxK8GtqGc3bzF1hg76445qQia~u3RzBsMVyhkLpwD2RMOW6Y1bAHjV75BlZR-MQhnWOE7PHiWy29kHtaVXo3uAbEXHWlkabIF5JlQ5Qtug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jordan Schultz, project manager from Huffman Kiel, gave the board a construction update on Feb. 10 covering the district's referendum projects, phases 1–3 work and schedule risks.

Schultz said interior renovations at Herrick and the O'Neil addition are progressing: curtain wall glazing, kitchen hood installation and unit vents are in place and work will proceed to drywall once the buildings are weather tight. He said turnover for some areas is scheduled after spring break and the district's focal target for full turnover remains in August to allow two weeks for furniture installation and move logistics before staff return.

On utility infrastructure, Schultz said the ComEd transformer for O'Neil remained on track to arrive in March, but the transformer for Herrick was delayed. \"What we're working on and are kind of pushing for is, hey, could we spend a little bit of extra money?\" Schultz said, explaining the team was exploring temporary transformers or temporary heating and cooling to accelerate interior finishing rather than compressing large amounts of work into July and August.

The project manager said the team is seeking a response from ComEd in the next two weeks and is pursuing a single point of contact to streamline communications. He warned that finishes such as gym wood floors and other specialty items are vulnerable to weather and schedule compression and that additional overtime or contingency spending might be required if ComEd cannot meet timing expectations.

Financial and schedule highlights Schultz provided: the overall referendum program was about 45% invoiced to date and roughly 94% of project costs were committed; phase‑1 rebates from third parties were projected at about $90,000; and phase‑1 final closeout had a small remaining contingency estimated in the $50,000–$100,000 range. Phase‑2 contractor submittals were under review and phase‑3 design meetings were underway.

Board members pressed about schedule and ComEd, and Schultz and district staff said they would continue pressing the utility for either permanent or temporary provisions to avoid summer schedule risks.

Superintendent Kevin Russell and construction staff thanked the project team and emphasized that staff will continue coordinating logistics, furniture ordering and technology delivery to hit the August milestone if feasible.","Huffman Kiel project manager Jordan Schultz told the board that O'Neil and Herrick additions are progressing, turnover is targeted after spring break for some areas, overall referendum work is 45% invoiced and 94% committed, but ComEd transformer timing could force temporary solutions and summer overtime to meet an August turnover goal.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6320472,"District winter snapshot shows reading gains; middle‑school math flagged for curriculum review",332,2602000,2934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589&start=2602&end=2934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356612-82b83f28383c130c431dd6b24e78d589/thumbnail_2602000.jpg","/articles/6320472/Illinois/District-winter-snapshot-shows-reading-gains-middleschool-math-flagged-for-curriculum-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320472-b43a9d08ff6f1fb97eab4e374d69f40a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776141977&Signature=LjUwrfCeGHCxKOY7qy1AGNNumvNjLLp6mjU5hdpDb3xwKThNswHsV-02WFGOAj598O3A-ZFIta8AOLe3oCBPWlW3gmKNLTu8rPoXp6-7CMRagZoOVgVKbQF8ea-sR5gKqkZByIgOJBnX5DjD7ZlOXX9MJgFGPDi4krB6a4AkA-tTYRc5SBOSx9Gbf5ZbXTDYcp74RGe75nahka19EDLUoV~IFpFjz4aAX6PHzGhOlVjGuAj-sKxevboCwuzANoXObUiBtqgY1yiLKJwYZY8Lz7kFxddvJlqCOzeUyYLGzo3IqO-ruTBlXHX9xKaz-xiUDaDNX9F011G~8Hff68SKvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liz Earhart, district director of assessment and curriculum, presented a district‑level winter benchmarking overview at the Feb. 10 board meeting, describing how the ECRA model projects student growth and how the district interprets the winter MAP/benchmark results.

Earhart said ECRA \"takes all of last year's student performance data, creates an individual student composite and projects a future score for the upcoming spring.\" Schools use the model to classify students as making greater than expected growth, expected growth, lower than expected growth or unsatisfactory growth and to plan tiered supports.

The district summary showed reading growth increases across multiple grade levels, including higher‑than‑expected growth in first and fifth grades, and improvement in eighth‑grade reading and math from fall to winter. Earhart credited the district's ELA resource adoption and UFLI foundational skills work in early grades for some reading gains.

By contrast, math growth at the middle school level was highlighted as an area of concern. Earhart said math growth in seventh grade remains \"lower than expected in the ECRA model,\" and she described a curriculum review process for sixth through eighth grade math resources. \"We're identifying students through our data review who are in need of additional supports,\" she said, and the district is weighing whether to continue with the Big Ideas resource with added professional development or to pursue new vendors.

District strategies already in place include unit previews (PLM), grade‑level PLCs, instructional coaches assigned to grade bands, and closer monitoring of intervention and enrichment to ensure the MTSS model serves both students needing support and those needing acceleration. Earhart said winter data begins spring eligibility determinations for acceleration and gifted programming.

Board members asked for more longitudinal, cohort and trajectory reporting rather than only snapshots. Dr. Kevin Russell, superintendent, told the board he and staff want to assemble multi‑year trend visualizations so the board can evaluate momentum across cohorts as they move from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The district scheduled a curriculum workshop for Feb. 24 to dig deeper into ELA implementation and to discuss curriculum and budget planning for the next school year.","District staff presented winter benchmarking using the ECRA model; reading growth rose in multiple grades while seventh‑grade math remained below expected growth. The district will review sixth–eighth grade math curriculum and increase unit‑level PL and coaching.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

O'Neil Middle highlights student leadership, behavior program and English‑learner supports

Votes at a glance: Downers Grove GSD 58 Board actions on Feb. 10, 2025

Board staff say $50M bond likely; FAC recommends straightforward 20‑year issue, not immediate restructuring

Referendum projects advancing; transformers and ComEd schedule pose critical path risk

District winter snapshot shows reading gains; middle‑school math flagged for curriculum review