[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6275265,"mediaKeyId","2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a","parentId",2775584,"title","Board reviews Vision 2030 draft; members split on value of formal endorsement","audioSeconds",146,"startMs",6623000,"endMs",6769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a&start=6623&end=6769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a/thumbnail_6623000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275265/Illinois/Board-reviews-Vision-2030-draft-members-split-on-value-of-formal-endorsement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275265-2283f7aac6e3a0f31e638ac8ccf0a3a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175248&Signature=f12tHsmtCPQvQCpfDwymDLFGq5NOyAIhrj7CVaXWtZzCudG4Hu7DTCdZm51USK4xHPSp9HZgLcCg1GdFCJRKFKKrrit5i4cvTv8Wl5N2D-yRwwaWmB8rOE~JpBIo4lmxO8nb~f48iAm67QWIWljoMjBbPP4oPvMf6daupMD4ksRzBNGM2gKsFQhl0aWHagyqQAoeergJ4LSbpABVhufzrSxM30WMOvdR8e5x9Q9PjZn7kaD1uJLhFwsOZUknCz76VvYIzcriyMDto85q4clJzA09GJRp4HpWWGdQPQcI0uateiX45yq~ZRZLS1OU~2OiNrAD~TsvRRqS1iwzfqZsjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Flossmoor SD 161","date","2025-03-26T13:08:11.2Z","article","Board members reviewed Vision 2030, a statewide policy initiative promoted by a coalition of Illinois education stakeholders, and discussed whether to sign a resolution supporting its tenets.

Staff and committee members described Vision 2030 as a collaborative set of recommendations on future-focused learning, shared accountability and predictable funding tied to the state’s Evidence‑Based Funding model. The learning and instruction committee provided links and a short briefing in advance of the meeting.

What board members said
- Supporters: Some board members said Vision 2030’s focus on actionable data and predictable funding aligns with the district’s priorities and could be useful background for state advocacy. One committee participant said, “Actionable data is a good thing,” referencing the report materials provided.
- Skeptics: Other board members pushed back that Vision 2030 is broad and that hundreds of districts have already signed on; one member said the document felt like “a vague show of support” and questioned whether the board’s time should be spent on endorsement when district goal‑setting is underway.

Outcome and context: The board did not take an immediate vote to adopt or reject the vision during the meeting; members noted neighboring districts’ positions and the possibility of joining as a stakeholder later. The item was noted for the record and referred to committee follow-up as appropriate.

Why it matters: If the board endorses Vision 2030, that would join the district with a statewide coalition pressing the legislature on assessment timelines, funding predictability and measures of exemplary schools — issues that can affect resources and accountability expectations for local districts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee Of The Whole Meeting 03-24-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Flossmoor SD 161 board members reviewed Vision 2030, a statewide education stakeholder initiative. Some members supported its emphasis on actionable data and predictable funding; others said the document was too vague to merit board time.","taxTitle","Flossmoor SD 161, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",53605,"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},6275270,"Board holds first reading on staff‑residency policy; proposal would allow staff children in kindergarten when home district lacks full‑day K",288,6154000,6442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a&start=6154&end=6442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a/thumbnail_6154000.jpg","/articles/6275270/Illinois/Board-holds-first-reading-on-staffresidency-policy-proposal-would-allow-staff-children-in-kindergarten-when-home-district-lacks-fullday-K","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275270-2c803003df543ab4011a25207a06ad59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175248&Signature=G0~FmzEdiTalk8hZ3Lh30ekCWPolzjqT0UeTfc6sTDIkVr4emUX~obYkzU7HMz2rVTlv4oVojYUEVD6-kk5KvkZWqQTwZHYnZBq3YFgP2-UvMAsAgc~Aro4fgrsIFsvXOOGtLivK20EooebBYEOSNDAJKK-IZyAEgyj6URVlBAC0UoYktpEv~J2~C7YqlVKHmogRLmSxgjyuCKmt6RBcDnF~GmeYeuLp3vqaO0wPKp-iGQ83skhnwMBt7xVhBEvJHbgchpncWY3NiKSZ2VecWmrqEajNZx0FH8A~TOeGSr8xJgP7FL~5ZzSA~mufhw9pWUWeuuHdNpZXiEoQOHHyNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flossmoor SD 161 Board of Education considered a first reading of revised residency policy language to clarify whether staff members may enroll their children in the district when the staff member’s home district does not offer full‑day kindergarten.

District administrators said the most frequent request is for staff to enroll kindergarten-age children because some neighboring home districts offer only half‑day kindergarten. The draft language presented would permit a staff member’s child to attend district kindergarten only if the child’s home district does not offer full‑day kindergarten; the district attorney recommended putting the allowance explicitly in the residency policy if the board chooses to permit the practice.

Board discussion and clarifications
- Frequency and scale: Staff reported that in the past five years two staff members used this provision. A board member characterized the cost “at a theoretical cost of $13,000-ish per student,” which staff noted is a rough average and not an itemized district charge.
- Limits in the draft: The proposed language conditions eligibility on the staff member’s home district lacking full‑day kindergarten and returns the child to the home district in first grade under the presented language.
- Equity and taxpayer concerns: Some board members raised concerns that nonresident use of district seats could affect district taxpayers and recommended caution; others noted the practice has been used sparingly to retain staff during teacher shortages.

Outcome and next steps: The item was presented as a first reading; board members requested additional questions and public feedback. Staff will provide any additional data requested and the item will return for a future second reading or adoption vote.","Board members reviewed a first reading of a revised residency policy that would allow district staff to enroll kindergarten-age children when the staff member’s home district does not offer full‑day kindergarten. Board members asked for more data and noted the district has used the practice only twice in recent years.",{"_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},6275275,"Flossmoor SD 161 board debates multi-year goals; early childhood expansion framed as strategy vs. goal",32,5064000,5096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a&start=5064&end=5096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a/thumbnail_5064000.jpg","/articles/6275275/Illinois/Flossmoor-SD-161-board-debates-multi-year-goals-early-childhood-expansion-framed-as-strategy-vs-goal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275275-44ebc609267f0e9e89e23a8ee58f6aa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175248&Signature=n8dPNguUZ0sSpMPtMBX~YkKGedFSxHDysbE-DgDhfqchNn-7GHdSbDLM-Wnjr-T7-z8wqn6~2RD9ZONigCQEcVmKZEOi22xsyRlSel6Lrk3AybsiF73iSV3hTMGX9MaiEQuxOwv7a9W8raogE9A9tOjC2fDxGvmPwjRs3YG8RV9WfhlJe7tIeOFCSwZ4sqdJ4NIWO21sCXwz1QU38E6eYWnnDkHDtPHqGdLthF1QTvAFplibyS-WbiBJZJLXReoFTKqEwME4oygxB-0w5MyOxpoc1IsQcsOMgJHKWPu53SwZ7ChfvD9n2U3GbarNj7vMsnLOzUu2tziSptVGA9-QaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Flossmoor SD 161 board members spent substantial time discussing the district’s goal-setting framework and whether early childhood expansion should be treated as a standalone goal or a strategy to close achievement gaps.

During the learning and instruction committee report and subsequent discussion, district staff presented a draft goal that would aim to reduce subgroup achievement gaps from roughly 17% to under 10% within five years. District leaders and committee members emphasized the need to separate “goals” (the outcomes the district wants) from “strategies” (the programs and actions that produce the outcomes) before the board finalizes a small set of multi-year goals.

Dr. Marty, the superintendent, described the approach and said a clear format would help the board “get the format set on the academic goals” so related work by other committees and the finance office can follow. Dr. Marty noted: “If we're setting an academic goal, is expanding pre-K the goal or the strategy?” (meeting transcript). Several board members and committee participants agreed the question mattered because large-scale early childhood expansion carries significant financial implications.

Key takeaways from the discussion
- Goal vs. strategy: Some board members argued early childhood expansion is a strategy — a means to close long-term achievement gaps — while others said it could be framed as a goal because of the scale and resources required.
- Lead and lag metrics: Committee members recommended using lead indicators (daily and in‑class behaviors such as minutes of targeted instruction, diagnostic cut scores and walkthrough data) alongside lag indicators (IAR/assessment outcomes) and adding those metrics to a district scorecard.
- Process: Staff will draft 2–5 candidate goals in the proposed format (goal with A, B, C lead/lag indicators) and return to the board for refinement; community engagement and finance committees will align their work after goals are approved.

Why it matters: Framing determines budgeting, staffing and program choices. If early childhood expansion becomes a formal goal, the board and finance committee would need to identify funding sources and tradeoffs; if the board treats it as a strategy, it may be one of several approaches used to meet an academic goal.

Next steps: District staff and committee chairs will produce a revised draft in the requested format and return with recommended lead/lag indicators and an estimated menu of strategies for board consideration.","Board members and committee representatives debated whether expanding early childhood programs should be a formal district goal or a strategy to close subgroup achievement gaps. The learning and instruction committee recommended a goals/strategies format with lead and lag metrics to guide implementation.",{"_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},6275280,"Flossmoor SD 161 board approves playground and construction contracts, asbestos abatement and an expulsion",24,4962000,4986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a&start=4962&end=4986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775584-cb9962fab48128ea878b39b27a51d98a/thumbnail_4962000.jpg","/articles/6275280/Illinois/Flossmoor-SD-161-board-approves-playground-and-construction-contracts-asbestos-abatement-and-an-expulsion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275280-52cfdda4e52be2d1f197084fcb2186ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175248&Signature=nVto4tk6qpJuQb6MbpN-84ccJRLO5QM9gfTUVre-vGnPgoAzNYcHCIJag8l8EKTVaCfwwCwy3R1WS~v2lLbcjO5hzLTJxFaN6RW18g9p-BVR4khxyhGSgVLXn-tp8y9AubVHXhe-5BD95LbZADkdP1ImSz4zfUySVGSHEa~FaS0KWcgJ1g7KYvVziexiIlXpTx9aTkY5Lsg~bQBxN7ULmJZyUdXl79WXPWZRhVMQpe~bbU~3ICeh3GDHOggHQt2rkWYShDDizJtLilirzFjepz15RuoWe4m91pp4m5oIaR23r0UnSwZ-UdqvJFjm3hmNSUxAcpGdwsa8VKobdH3Q4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flossmoor SD 161 Board of Education voted to approve capital projects, vendor contracts and an expulsion during its March meeting.

The board approved installation of a playground at Heather Hill School for $294,239 and swing sets at Serena Hills School for $204,559.25. The board then approved a contract with Low Voltage Systems for low-voltage construction at Heather Hill and Serena Hill for $141,403. The board also approved a contract with NES Environmental for asbestos abatement at Heather Hill and Serena Hill; the amount was read aloud during the meeting in a nonstandard verbal form and is recorded in the minutes as spoken in the meeting transcript. Finally, the board approved an expulsion recommendation for student 2025-D-6.

Why it matters: The capital and remediation contracts fund play- and site-related improvements at two elementary schools and address hazardous materials found during renovation work, which are necessary steps before construction can proceed. The expulsion is a formal disciplinary outcome recorded by the board.

Details and outcomes
- Playground and swing-set installations: motion made, seconded and approved by roll call; motion recorded as passing.
- Low-voltage construction contract (Low Voltage Systems, $141,403): motion made, seconded and approved by roll call; Nelson explicitly recorded a “Yes” during the roll call.
- Asbestos abatement contract (NES Environmental): motion made, seconded and approved by roll call; the dollar amount was read during the meeting in a spoken form (see provenance) and appears in the official minutes as read.
- Expulsion recommendation for student 2025-D-6: motion made, seconded and approved by roll call; the board recorded the motion as passing.

The consent agenda — which included the personnel report, a FOIA response, Board of Education and executive session minutes, and a Project Sincere summer STEM camp agreement — was approved by roll call earlier in the meeting.

The board recorded the motions as passing; the meeting transcript shows roll-call “Yes” responses and the moderator’s confirmation that each motion passed. The transcript does not contain full numeric tallies for each vote in a machine‑readable format; the official minutes should be consulted for the formal roll-call tallies.

Notes: The transcript presented the asbestos contract dollar amount in a nonstandard spoken form (the clerk read a long numeric phrase rather than a single numeric string). The article quotes the three clearly stated dollar values from the transcript for the playgrounds and low-voltage contract; the asbestos amount is described as read aloud in the transcript rather than normalized here to avoid misstatement.","The Flossmoor SD 161 Board of Education approved multiple construction contracts for Heather Hill and Serena Hill schools, accepted an asbestos abatement contract, and approved an expulsion recommendation during its March meeting. All items were approved by roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews Vision 2030 draft; members split on value of formal endorsement

Board holds first reading on staff‑residency policy; proposal would allow staff children in kindergarten when home district lacks full‑day K

Flossmoor SD 161 board debates multi-year goals; early childhood expansion framed as strategy vs. goal

Flossmoor SD 161 board approves playground and construction contracts, asbestos abatement and an expulsion