[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6305553,"mediaKeyId","2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39","parentId",2445254,"title","District 128 reports MTSS progress; joint committee recommends classroom interventionists and daytime support","audioSeconds",885,"startMs",2463000,"endMs",3348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39&start=2463&end=3348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39/thumbnail_2463000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6305553/Illinois/District-128-reports-MTSS-progress-joint-committee-recommends-classroom-interventionists-and-daytime-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305553-f19502faf5e27e5eb8ec2149ebb3360b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=j4WM88bTz7ep3wVs0L2fEqJ5hd0Uj3BMVnk5zqQW69ISD4Bm1EI0uBRTR7XSuUk5fkTAFwAwGIq0~fOPkcRyOd7RNgm6S-DZqWUvD0lkeNqhfSEw0WeelsGq3D8Oak5MI-EalTJ~EZodYFwQe-ZDwFFugS7JMRj~4CRbjGDWJvp2ycZksof1B--66lXLX6JYHOWfKMlB2vrJ8i3pXBlHoBqc6OnixslEeZpQp8bjU-zPJp4Lxo87Q73n9PCIjbZWG4~~I~DCOePM~5~z1WgA-3Ms~NuH5DIKxqrv0WqDPYyBEbPhJecm7OaSRew5rkBCfhvI1fxhtL2q1ysbWIxmJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CHSD 128","date","2025-02-28T15:32:49Z","article","District 128 administrators reported Feb. 24 on the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), describing first-semester outcomes after curriculum and placement changes and outlining committee recommendations for intervention staffing and delivery.

District presenters said the MTSS effort is a framework \"for organizing schools for continuous improvement that is meant to be systemic, sustainable, and data informed.\" Administrators reported that after implementing heterogeneous ninth-grade college-prep courses and placement changes tied to the district’s APA process, the grade distributions for ninth graders and upperclassmen were “nearly identical” to the previous year. The presentation concluded that the worst-case scenarios discussed last year did not materialize first semester, and most ninth graders remained in the courses they had chosen.

A joint committee composed of ESP union representatives, teacher union representatives, and building and district administration met weekly in January and February to assess the district’s academic intervention model and propose design changes. The committee recommended several themes the administration is still developing with union leadership:

- Expand math supports at Tier 1 through increased ESP presence and drop-in supports, since the committee identified math as the most frequent area students seek help.
- Create interventionist positions within the English, math and science departments, with interventionists carrying caseloads to design differentiated lessons and reteaching activities during the school day (rather than before-school or in limited-time slots) so students are available to receive supports without transportation or circadian-rhythm barriers.
- Increase classroom TA utilization to support teacher delivery and student learning.
- Continue executive-function coaching ESP positions, which the committee said have demonstrated success at both high schools.
- At Tier 3, co-locate literacy and numeracy interventions to reduce student travel time across buildings and improve delivery efficiency.

Administrators emphasized that no final staffing decisions have been made. The transcript records that final recommendations will be presented to the board as part of the district staffing plan in March. Administrators also described the ongoing culture shift to data-informed decision-making through “lunch and learns,” LST meetings, institute days (including edX) and department meetings.

Clarifying details noted in the presentation: the joint committee met weekly in January and February; interventionist roles were described as having caseloads and designing differentiated lessons; executive-function coaching is an ESP position the district proposes to continue; final staffing plans will return to the board in March for approval as part of the staffing process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 2025 Meeting of the D128 School Board","oneSentenceSummary","District 128 administrators reported Feb. 24 that first-semester student grades held steady after placement and curriculum changes and that a joint committee recommended shifting some intervention resources into the school day, adding interventionist positions and expanding executive-function coaching.","taxTitle","CHSD 128, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",74239,"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},6305548,"Board approves director of equity and inclusion contract after split vote and extended debate",688,3670000,4358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39&start=3670&end=4358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39/thumbnail_3670000.jpg","/articles/6305548/Illinois/Board-approves-director-of-equity-and-inclusion-contract-after-split-vote-and-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305548-46b636d79cbafaeb41f7795dcb8c516d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=CM3yWVgVu1PywujcT~NdbzMgeQsfoi0JWgBbEVOVf36hdX8rJ-aFI2jYPO~KdXBKQeZC0sp6WOywGpxjuRXvWkANgconqA0x2DRYV0DM2lUFsiZzifBxd2DRD6HhZ0KG4B-fe6QFy238vJi0-laCM0w915bM0zt2iLx31VRQDoqYpzCxDDXE5XnP6ugTnBVGJbNvbonRJeEWPiTEb1J2knazQ08T3HLfukn7~55uZRrXkfrPJg31RPwwIjkv2DSCpfIIgFvlslzopIRIwhorjiQqq4rVKmH1CPtY1bGgJGqmwtcgkwSAZHPPtIiWy5OaACdcbz8dXK0Hmng7oTsNvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community High School District 128 Board of Education voted Feb. 24 to approve the contract for the district’s director of equity and inclusion after extended debate. The item was removed from a broader slate of administrator contracts at the request of some board members and then voted on separately.

Board member Cara Drumke began the conversation by requesting the director of equity and inclusion contract be separated from the omnibus motion. \"My biggest concern is that any vote will indicate some kind of a value placed on the work that the district is doing towards equity and inclusion, and that is not my intent,\" Drumke said. She added she values the work done at the building level but questioned whether a district-level administrator is the best implementation vehicle.

Several other board members echoed concerns about implementation and return on investment. Sonal Kulkarni said she was not convinced the role as designed had returned the level of benefit the board expected. Don Carmichael and other supporters emphasized continuity and the recommendation that led to creating the position: Carmichael noted that the district’s equity committee, made up of teachers, ESP and administrators, had asked for the position three years earlier and that removing it now would undercut that recommendation and the incoming superintendent’s ability to lead with an assembled team.

The board debated operational implications, including who would absorb the director’s responsibilities if the position were eliminated and whether school-level structures could assume the work. Several members argued that removing the contract now would make it harder for the incoming superintendent to review and reorganize the administrative team.

The motion to approve the director-of-equity-and-inclusion contract was made by Don Carmichael and seconded by Jera Benjamin. The roll-call vote was: Jim Batson — aye; Jera Benjamin — aye; Don Carmichael — aye; Cara Drumke — no; Lisa Hessel — aye; Middleish Katwal (spelled variously in the transcript as Katwal/Atwal/Kotwal) — no; Sonal Kulkarni — no. The motion passed 4–3.

Clarifying details discussed in the debate: the position was developed following a request from an equity committee composed of teachers, ESP staff and administrators; the director role had been expanded to include enhanced district safety duties; opponents argued that building-level work could continue without a district administrator and that costs and implementation fidelity should be reviewed; supporters argued that removing the position would disrupt continuity and the incoming superintendent’s transition.","After extended debate, the CHSD 128 board approved the director of equity and inclusion contract Feb. 24 by a 4–3 roll-call vote, after separating the item from other administrator contracts for individual consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6305543,"Votes at a glance: CHSD 128 board actions on superintendent appointment, contracts, bids, and financial reports (Feb. 24, 2025)",4184,174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39&start=174&end=4358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39/thumbnail_174000.jpg","/articles/6305543/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-CHSD-128-board-actions-on-superintendent-appointment-contracts-bids-and-financial-reports-Feb-24-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305543-a9ad35add3842f56a3d8ab5cc8a52289/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=FnrXROSh2UfPlDV5d67-QzLt7DODXmkJFhkgxTe-Lxx3jy3iJ4jlrHokFf34OxPcZPfoHwm0BJl3rFmStdGM6ulxNP6axYu3wGO8jX3fbYIYvCJyOEMc4qskK0G1Cklo4LL7IQLpPwU~AMeFBAROLAnyl~JJbwqdn3H0DTzIETM4uAAqFyFknh~icpY8uUZ~B9jpF5-0OPhlf77DsKPiDHWMt~OHInCBkc0krOHxr6S8gyNDkM2cWfMD9VGthMdY3TITOivNhWlvWUhJcVVr-nxygDtW3kYYpDeEQN6B2Nkcfl1lVLHk06WxThp7~LkOWzvdCDFu5DyuT5E0DheyTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 24 meeting the Community High School District 128 Board of Education recorded multiple formal actions. Below are the motions, movers, votes and outcomes captured in the meeting transcript.

1) Superintendent contract (Dr. Mark Schaeffer)
- Motion: Approve the contract as presented for Dr. Mark Schaeffer as CHSD 128 superintendent beginning July 1, 2025.
- Moved: Lisa Hessel. Second: Don Carmichael.
- Vote: Unanimous (7–0). Outcome: Approved.

2) Consent vote agenda
- Motion: Approve consent vote agenda (routine items previously discussed in committee).
- Moved: Don Carmichael. Second: Lisa Hessel.
- Vote: Unanimous (recorded as all \"Aye\"). Outcome: Approved.

3) Employment of employees (consent/individual motion)
- Motion: Approve employment items as listed.
- Moved: Don Carmichael. Second: Cara Drumke.
- Vote: Recorded as unanimous by roll call. Outcome: Approved.

4) Educational tour requests (received after committee)
- Motion: Approve two educational tour requests (VHS dance team and wrestling team trips) received after the PMP committee meeting.
- Moved: Don Carmichael. Second: Jera Benjamin.
- Vote: Roll call recorded as all \"Aye.\" Outcome: Approved.

5) 10-month and 12-month administrator contracts (omnibus except DEI)
- Motion: Approve 10-month and 12-month administrative contracts and salary increases as presented, with the exception of the director of equity and inclusion (pulled for separate vote).
- Moved: Don Carmichael. Second: (second indicated).
- Vote: Motion passed on omnibus items by roll call (recorded as unanimous for the non-DEI items). Outcome: Approved for the omnibus list excluding the DEI director.

6) Director of equity and inclusion contract (separate vote)
- Motion: Approve the contract for the director of equity and inclusion.
- Moved: Don Carmichael. Second: Jera Benjamin.
- Vote: Kulkarni — No; Batson — Aye; Benjamin — Aye; Carmichael — Aye; Drumke — No; Hessel — Aye; Katwal (Kotwal/Atwal variants in transcript) — No. Tally: 4–3 in favor. Outcome: Approved.

7) Fiscal Year 2024 annual comprehensive financial report (audited)
- Motion: Approve the fiscal year 2024 annual comprehensive financial report as presented.
- Moved: Lisa Hessel. Second: Sonal Kulkarni.
- Vote: Roll call recorded as all \"Aye.\" Outcome: Approved.

8) Bid approvals
- VHHS asphalt repaving and LHS concrete work (TrocmcNeil Paving Company): Base bids plus alternatives for a total cost transcribed as $1,044,160.
- Motion: Approve the Vernon Hills High School asphalt repaving and LHS concrete work.
- Moved: Don Carmichael. Second: (recorded as Courtney/Kulkarni in roll call process).
- Vote: Roll call recorded as all \"Aye.\" Outcome: Approved.

- LHS varsity baseball safety netting (Bayer Construction): total cost $52,785.
- Motion: Approve replacement of safety netting.
- Moved: (recorded). Second: Don Carmichael.
- Vote: Roll call recorded as all \"Aye.\" Outcome: Approved.

9) Three‑year yearbook agreement with Varsity Yearbooks
- Motion: Approve three-year quarter and supplemental agreement with varsity yearbooks at an annual price recorded as $64,952.85.
- Moved: Lisa Hessel. Second: Sonal Kulkarni.
- Vote: Roll call recorded as all \"Aye.\" Outcome: Approved.

10) Other routine items
- The board also received the FY midyear financial review and five-year financial projections (presentations; no specific board vote required at the Feb. 24 meeting other than accepting the audited report noted above).

Notes and clarifications: dollar figures were read from printed materials in the meeting packet; the transcript contains the amounts as read (e.g., asphalt repaving $1,044,160, netting $52,785, yearbook annual amount $64,952.85). Some roll-call names in the transcript show variant spellings (Katwal/Atwal/Kotwal) that should be verified against the official board minutes and roll-call record.","Summary of formal motions and roll-call results from the Community High School District 128 Board of Education meeting on Feb. 24, 2025.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6305557,"Libertyville High School students urge Illinois bill to shift high school start times to 8:45 a.m.; board offers to help advocate",262,478000,740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39&start=478&end=740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39/thumbnail_478000.jpg","/articles/6305557/Illinois/Libertyville-High-School-students-urge-Illinois-bill-to-shift-high-school-start-times-to-845-am-board-offers-to-help-advocate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305557-526c30f6d4d05459b2909520ab596bda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=STlWVRZ9Jmjw-OctN8aku~ooLeQs-Tqcdc8Cs~-JEY9fqQahJ~Rq5ipFFdE7CffitwR7t7ODcw~vMVenUT6TtPEsNbc1px6cSx0X1BP9mI~6-zW9WBUZ7SYJYg67L7oXYeJOms0xouQSEKZgapJUiCJq2UqGwnTt5ddjstopPoPBwgZAatk9qBe68ojG06Zh187nXxVX5hEbnLfpWklGgXSNhQtndgywbKShYCD5MeQt6Sbf5EUccqUCN-T~ghVsTlGcjxocWNoahhEVom8HEckmrCcs7lnzjg6mDDkg1Yao~gH09RIK2omR4bxWcwg39OU6nrKAYtrp61rvL1IYMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A delegation from the Libertyville High School Youth Connect Council (YCC) asked the Community High School District 128 Board of Education on Feb. 24 to support House Bill 2951 (HB 2951), legislation that — as presented by the students — would require Illinois high schools to start no earlier than 8:45 a.m.

Brenda Nelson, prevention and wellness program coordinator and sponsor for the YCC, introduced the student speakers. Student presenters described adolescent circadian rhythm research and cited national examples and medical groups to support later start times. One student summarized the council’s case: “Having a school start time of 08:45AM or later would allow students to get the rest they need and ultimately help students thrive in and out of school.”

The students told the board that five YCC members plan to travel to Springfield in March to meet with the House education committee and other legislators to advocate for HB 2951. The presenters said Representative Laura Favor Dias sponsored the bill on the students’ behalf and asked for the board’s support.

Board members expressed interest in assisting the students’ advocacy. The board president asked the students to provide additional materials to the district office so the board could consider taking a formal advocacy step through the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), which accepts proposed legislative priorities from member districts. The transcript records the board president saying he would “love to be able to put that through as something that we would advocate for on your behalf” and suggested routing materials to the IASB process.

During a question-and-answer exchange, students acknowledged that a statewide mandate would likely change dismissal and extracurricular schedules but noted that bills in other states provided multi-year implementation windows. The YCC presenters cited California and Florida rules for later high school start times (the students said California law requires no earlier than 8:30 a.m.) and referenced research, including an American Academy of Pediatrics study, associating later start times with better attendance and fewer teen car crashes.

Clarifying details from the presentation and Q&A: the students asked the board to support HB 2951 (referred to by the presenters as house bill 2951) and said their planned Springfield trip is scheduled for March (year not specified in the transcript). The students reported that CHSD 128 previously moved its start time in 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and that the YCC first convened in 2019.

The board did not take a formal legislative action at the Feb. 24 meeting; rather, members asked for materials and discussed using the IASB process to consider a formal advocacy request.","Students from the Libertyville High School Youth Connect Council urged the CHSD 128 board Feb. 24 to support House Bill 2951, which the students said would require high schools statewide to start no earlier than 8:45 a.m.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6305562,"CHSD 128 board unanimously approves Dr. Mark Schaeffer as superintendent, effective July 1, 2025",249,157000,406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39&start=157&end=406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445254-1b914e29203539af054c45a1d9cdfc39/thumbnail_157000.jpg","/articles/6305562/Illinois/CHSD-128-board-unanimously-approves-Dr-Mark-Schaeffer-as-superintendent-effective-July-1-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305562-0313636008d27cdd658f74b51204606b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=SH3W0NY-F7Q-ftVCuH2TDRffuaTEMs4~ty4Ewhuf0YqjK-EVmgC6HRkWFay1YLfMC1HPNLxEe92HRvaOA18fwSC827G3NYq~Qbe6XLfZnTYR4Z8kEpJFhWmUVV8i7NMm~9AzMa8gch617rJc1DKNXbEE2Y2nt3V6ugN9ujZ94ftiOKBPQN5JpGHpWSJCQJZ8c18NzJIqmOndMC6oC~SU8UNg02Bb0Hqlnu~u8Q6-fS5gS6jM069PPgOBDOB5EPB~7gPbHGdae6hOYepe7JUI2jzGhu~Fn~7UZ-NFEtAlFczq8NHpni70QhsT2j4-NNKaW499bovvj-J3l11XudrVwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community High School District 128 Board of Education voted unanimously Feb. 24 to approve a contract hiring Dr. Mark Schaeffer as the district’s next superintendent, with his contract to begin July 1, 2025.

Board President (name not specified) formally presented the contract and asked for a motion to approve. Board member Lisa Hessel moved to approve the contract; Don Carmichael seconded the motion. A roll call produced unanimous \"aye\" votes from the board, and the motion passed.

Board members praised Schaeffer’s background and the selection process. The board’s remarks emphasized his “leadership and respect for input from others and collaboration,” and that his “extensive experience as an educator, administrator, and superintendent makes him well equipped to lead our district,” according to the remarks read by the presiding board member.

Dr. Mark Schaeffer addressed the board remotely following the vote. \"I'm incredibly proud, honored, and humbled to be joining Community High School District 128,\" he said. \"This district is a shining example of a world class education system driven by its exceptional students, dedicated staff, and a supportive, engaged community. I am excited and energized to continue building on the strong traditions of excellence in student achievement, outcomes, and experiences.\"

The board president thanked Schaeffer and said the board looks forward to his in-person attendance at the March 10 meeting. No additional conditions or contingencies tied to the appointment were stated in the meeting transcript.

Clarifying details provided during the meeting: the contract start date is July 1, 2025; the board characterized the candidate group as \"very impressive\" and credited focus groups, surveys, and a consultant team for the selection process. The board also said the process involved \"hundreds of people\" in interviews and stakeholder feedback.

The district will continue normal superintendent onboarding procedures; the transcript records no further board actions tied specifically to the appointment during the meeting.","The Community High School District 128 Board of Education voted unanimously Feb. 24 to approve a contract bringing Dr. Mark Schaeffer to the district as superintendent beginning July 1, 2025. Board members praised his experience and the selection process; Schaeffer addressed the board by phone.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District 128 reports MTSS progress; joint committee recommends classroom interventionists and daytime support

Board approves director of equity and inclusion contract after split vote and extended debate

Votes at a glance: CHSD 128 board actions on superintendent appointment, contracts, bids, and financial reports (Feb. 24, 2025)

Libertyville High School students urge Illinois bill to shift high school start times to 8:45 a.m.; board offers to help advocate

CHSD 128 board unanimously approves Dr. Mark Schaeffer as superintendent, effective July 1, 2025