[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6298543,"mediaKeyId","2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311","parentId",2504085,"title","Aurora East USD 131 superintendent honored in EdWeek report; board hears student and district updates","audioSeconds",222,"startMs",751000,"endMs",973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311&start=751&end=973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311/thumbnail_751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298543/Illinois/Aurora-East-USD-131-superintendent-honored-in-EdWeek-report-board-hears-student-and-district-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298543-88afde638e14a6319fe447799a70412c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453070&Signature=PI8knXKe9kN-Ec1~gIjVyfaDEWoZeKTYwThRDT0OrG42ezUvLzMhSwK5VOqCn4jP-PV7zNCNScG5cb1cjdVxmCNTVxdSBD5g9uNFYmTLu3wBp76Dcm3srE1f6~y~jzbTsJoMaHscZjDT1HvEVwjKZttrpzc5XOKOPn~1~yLVEAQsR4XRt0R9vNACrAogTwyVrEup7WJWDCh9~i~PG6mMTwdyI6byZJ6pUuddnC8x25N0iJGU9RmplkPr9dOMmvbqRVhlnbGGd0TlihF2oXzOviQqMY-yih~laz-pcN8v62L-l~e8Y2xiBCPGAf8Rze1lT3oFEa3nD4me8oe~zQPhSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aurora East USD 131","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The board heard several non‑action updates, including recognition of Superintendent Doctor Jennifer Norrell and a student‑board member report highlighting student activities and achievements.

Doctor Norrell was named to Education Week’s 2025 “Leaders to Learn From” list, an honor the district noted in the superintendent’s report. The superintendent’s recognition was cited in the context of district efforts on college and workforce readiness and expanded advanced coursework at East Aurora High School.

The student board member reviewed recent events and achievements including freshman orientation activities, planned college field trips (first scheduled visit to the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign on February 26), girls wrestling and chess team accomplishments, and individual student recognitions including a named student who maintained a perfect GPA while taking 10 AP courses.

District staff announced a Black History Month student celebration scheduled for Thursday, February 27 at East High from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.; the district said it would provide buses for interested eighth graders and that the program will feature student performances and professional artists. The board also received brief reports from curriculum and buildings-and‑grounds committees; buildings and grounds noted its next meeting is March 3 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Center.

Board members recognized outgoing member Alex Arroyo, who has stepped down to accept a county‑level role; the board held a brief reception and presented an award of appreciation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Jennifer Norrell was named to Education Week's 'Leaders to Learn From.' The board also heard a student report, announcements about Black History Month events, and building and grounds scheduling.","taxTitle","Aurora East USD 131, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",74116,"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},6298548,"Aurora East USD 131 board approves $2.6 million HMH curriculum purchase, literacy tools and staff credential program",257,2199000,2456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311&start=2199&end=2456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311/thumbnail_2199000.jpg","/articles/6298548/Illinois/Aurora-East-USD-131-board-approves-26-million-HMH-curriculum-purchase-literacy-tools-and-staff-credential-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298548-517949a45a58286b10a00a817c28d85d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453070&Signature=ECHstWJQ0F5KeOBwdzIMRTsW7EakBvQt0UcjUXuvDcsACmAhbwQYls3rkVpRiYng-pzIbCgEH8XJBJGpYAjzMIXz5rVYTaoJ8c9miGJiwkY9hITLtWBSJ0yYXumVhMRXFCRHFKvtVk7N4Qr8JVXq~jFV95CEVa9aBaY76YlzKT1L-O7miy3bW-JY~yn4WdlkJwUAXvawao3NCTRJNUPogtWFqCgAQt68X~3hhXfoI7ZHZ4NxE9Q-BAlEaH80pEpnQglx8A2zzUmp8JqNPm0wfEig~akDlnq31IHWMGDjCmwaHBSDATmRu9RZu0C2Qw1JVyplA9GfFwd3bX5rVFUjxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aurora East USD 131 Board of Education approved four curriculum and staff‑development actions at its meeting: a $2,516,441.01 purchase from HMH for K–5 English and Spanish language arts, a $65,200 Lightsail reading purchase funded through Title I, a world‑language pilot for heritage and AP Spanish, and a partnership with Northern Illinois University to support non‑certified staff in earning teaching credentials.

Doctor Engel presented the Lightsail reading purchase and said the total cost is $65,200 and that Title I funds will cover the expense. The board approved the motion by roll call.

Doctor Engel also presented the K–5 literacy pilot recommendation. The curriculum committee recommended HMH and Arriba La Lectura for K–5 English and Spanish language arts. The proposed cost for that adoption is $2,516,441.01; board members were told the agreement is a six‑year commitment. A board member asked whether dual‑language and language‑acquisition stakeholders had reviewed the selection; presenters said the language acquisition committee had reviewed the materials and would collaborate on implementation.

Doctor Guzman presented a world‑language curricular resource proposal for Spanish textbooks at the high school. The district is piloting vendor options including Vista Higher Learning, Wayside and Carnegie for heritage and AP Spanish; the motion to approve the world‑language pilot passed by roll call.

Mister Asa Gordon presented an educational credential program in partnership with Northern Illinois University to support 28 non‑certified staff members in earning a professional educator license (bachelor’s or master’s level pathways were described). The district said the program will be funded through the teacher vacancy grant; the projected total cost is $596,775. The board approved the partnership by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Motion 7.b.0.1: Approve purchase of Lightsail reading from 3 11 literacy in the amount of $65,200 (funded through Title I). Outcome: approved by roll call vote.
- Motion 7.b.0.2: Approve purchase of Intel reading and Arriba La Lectura from HMH in the amount of $2,516,441.01 (six‑year agreement). Outcome: approved by roll call vote.
- Motion 7.b.0.3: Approve world‑language pilot for heritage and AP Spanish. Outcome: approved by roll call vote.
- Motion 7.b.0.4: Approve educational credential BA program partnership through Northern Illinois University (projected total cost $596,775; funded by teacher vacancy grant). Outcome: approved by roll call vote.

Board members called roll for each item and the motions passed as recorded in the meeting minutes. Presenters said implementation will include professional development and collaborative work with curriculum and language‑acquisition committees; specific rollout timelines and classroom materials distribution were not detailed during the meeting.","The board approved a $2,516,441.01 purchase of HMH English/Spanish curriculum (six‑year agreement), a $65,200 Lightsail literacy purchase funded through Title I, a world‑language pilot, and a Northern Illinois University credential program for non‑certified staff funded by a teacher vacancy grant.",{"_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},6298553,"Former JROTC instructor asks Aurora East USD 131 board to reinstate him after dismissal",360,70000,430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311&start=70&end=430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504085-00cc24c9b772c3c9ebde8b1b57174311/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6298553/Illinois/Former-JROTC-instructor-asks-Aurora-East-USD-131-board-to-reinstate-him-after-dismissal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298553-08caa4ba9e6cec0a602352773c93ef2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453070&Signature=iuLVxmdy1zr0NVSBBIzpbwODNC-zxEHMrZDBXpqD~8dckVpzTXGfEOTdBrkrTfZO24Qw~o6EWFG6fRHX~xKyRN3gBWLSC4ZSZVCR2r-zXM~TBdVVV7EHhwKr449CMQtJlxD9l01PnwAMAeL4-z-kc5aXCWPSo1Idag9DkoFBouWG~yVlhg5i0b1OPmgwQaMzJ4~Q0~J5Zm7FWee~cw8TzXNblavljWVu4T7xCoJik7iAtGWNdWeTFgXVwTd2FNfSzMG6t2sfvk7g6hrIVZ1MTQWkrbNeqa-fGjNxMoS~qEhtIXV~uEk7J~npxy2Iy8Hkkx0JUAYWFREQe~KNatEaEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A former employee who identified himself during public comment asked the Aurora East USD 131 Board of Education to reinstate him, saying his December dismissal was unjust and that a state unemployment determination supported his claim.

The commenter said he had been an employee of District 131 and not a shared resource with the U.S. Navy, and said the Navy “train[s] and certify[s] instructors, and they audit units. They do not make recommendations on hiring or retention.” He said the program contract included in his meeting packet was dated 2014 and that other JROTC instructors at East Aurora High School have individual or union contracts while he did not.

The speaker said he brought the matter to the attention of district leadership in November 2024 and provided suggested contract language; he said he was promised a contract by July 2024 but that one was never completed. He told the board he had sought clarification about why he was treated differently and asked whether his gender, race, age or disability status played a part.

He said he had appealed to the Illinois unemployment authority after being dismissed and read the agency’s determination into the record, quoting in part: “the claimant was discharged because he borrowed his school access badge to a student to retrieve a flag they forgot for a parade” and that the agency found the discharge was “not deliberate or willful.” He said the state decision was “in my favor.”

The commenter asked the school board to vote to reinstate him so he could return to campus for the remaining four months of the school year. He named several people in the audience who he said supported him, including Ginger Ingram and Jerry Paulson, and said he had spoken with Jan Jason Rampa, his area manager at Great Lakes, who “verbalized support” for his efforts.

The board did not take action during public comment; the speaker’s time expired after he asked for one final sentence and closed by stressing the importance of “a consistent, trusted, and supportive adult present on campus.”","A former Aurora East USD 131 JROTC instructor told the board he was wrongfully dismissed and asked to be reinstated after a state unemployment determination sided with him.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora East USD 131 superintendent honored in EdWeek report; board hears student and district updates

Aurora East USD 131 board approves $2.6 million HMH curriculum purchase, literacy tools and staff credential program

Former JROTC instructor asks Aurora East USD 131 board to reinstate him after dismissal