[{"_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",6086900,"mediaKeyId","2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7","parentId",2894020,"title","Board reviews summer-reading recommendations and first reading of additional textbooks, including Algebra pilot and dual-credit course","audioSeconds",882,"startMs",1326000,"endMs",2208000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7&start=1326&end=2208","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7/thumbnail_1326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086900/Illinois/Board-reviews-summer-reading-recommendations-and-first-reading-of-additional-textbooks-including-Algebra-pilot-and-dual-credit-course","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086900-74ab3fc862d7a25bbde5e8a4558d9d8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152457&Signature=hWQaKqI-a9wW0rt~enC7JGmKFkRWqZkSsaF-eZTCCw29DgmZn8qiBW1phAjyPjRg~sFyOBE14Y~jjwKJF80WbuqP1ycwXXX55bQTVPDoo2LsaWnMQLCBOo97S2ifanv8NJ27xL-8CL~SYgmAHjDKftOnfEbJD4QEBmQy73ZhlZoQSF~CC5pnPGBKE6QQM1hSHCKzniKypLx0lpjU2NvFlwrP2Nt2IdhpyWpfH52EjmxBzpC8fMTunTdvr1y4vI0KGre98bKtj8G09WptRcj6jMnDeFd1MI3jhtG3ebWWfyl9FSXd7ckDkhRultuzZXMDmSvXyqEAY5aJM3DOCsgJMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lyons Twp HSD 204","date","2025-04-08T07:11:27.44Z","article","Lyons Township High School District 204 staff presented the district’s 2025 summer-reading recommendations and conducted a first reading of additional textbooks and instructional materials, describing the review process, student choice aims and several course-specific pilots.

Scott, the district curriculum presenter, said the summer-reading program’s goal is “the opportunity to just read, not have to worry about doing a project,” and that teachers, librarians and students curated a wide list of options. Staff noted outreach efforts including an Instagram account, book trailers on the district website, posters to associate schools and local-library partnerships; Barnes & Noble in Oak Brook will display the recommended titles.

On the first reading of additional textbooks, staff said most items are being offered as choices rather than required texts and that the district will keep physical copies on public display in the boardroom for two weeks. Key course notes: AP Language and Composition will emphasize nonfiction; Into the Wild will be used as part of AP Language materials for summer reading; the English 3 American Literature class will include a Gothic unit featuring The Crucible; and Between the World and Me was described as a counterpoint text to The Things They Carried for discussions about bias and perspective.

Staff also described three instructional-material items of operational interest: a sustainable urban agriculture textbook required for a new dual-credit arrangement with the College of DuPage (materials expected to arrive for display), Yoga 3 course materials served through the My Vinyasa online platform to support student certification, and an Algebra 1 pilot using Amplify’s Desmos-based curriculum. On the latter, staff said the district will pilot Unit 6 materials soon and that the package includes online, textbook and workbook components; they emphasized the pilot will require teacher professional learning and that the district will not purchase the materials unless teachers endorse them after the pilot.

Board members asked about where the pilot will be used and whether co-teachers and general-education classes are included; staff said the pilot included math teachers, co-teachers and students and that implementation would be supported by professional learning next year. Staff reiterated that the materials on display will return for approval at the April 21 meeting.

Why it matters: The reading list and textbook adoptions shape students’ summer engagement and next-year curriculum, affect AP course preparation and introduce pilots that could change math instruction and dual-credit offerings.

Additional details: Staff provided a summer-reading survey summary showing student input (about 477 survey respondents), encouraged students to choose at least one title and emphasized that students are not required to finish a book they do not like. The board discussed alignments to social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, and English-language development standards as part of the curriculum-review process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-07 Lyons Township High School D204 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Lyons Township staff presented the 2025 summer-reading recommendations and a first reading of additional textbooks, including a pilot for an Algebra 1 Amplify/Desmos curriculum and a dual-credit sustainable urban agriculture text.","taxTitle","Lyons Twp HSD 204, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",74185,"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},6086905,"District outlines summer extended contracts for counselors, special education and athletics",150,868000,1018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7&start=868&end=1018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7/thumbnail_868000.jpg","/articles/6086905/Illinois/District-outlines-summer-extended-contracts-for-counselors-special-education-and-athletics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086905-ad4e9bed3d3b61022f3246ba1b65382f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152457&Signature=kmf0aqubqxCesgpIKXj3Gv4M4QbmEMvmbqQTzl7tQ8mP2GWF9zVi7mdiql1WJKdtz2C71AfMJEshhSNIGgHKiVIOF8NrTmFk1PUYiQSoHWo1NaQtJFpi2ghWSxyTIHVxb8g8W21Ac-dWAV~9Y7hMeWYxxz9bfCkeeeTM1NDFmedTl7Qck5RPWun~tLvvMe9MhrGh1D4XOhNyF9BDXBpgM290qgdzYw8AdnlPfmiHYPypz6Y1JYb63f8K9XNsZ~mhu7JkuZcEV9x60l0PZBBtI6Qx-bppoZ9d1HX2ydQdELnLv74PF5BsHLszT-0E3RCeDfx5BQFvhTgOymZFdHtcxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ed Petrovsky, speaking for the district’s human-resources team, presented the annual recommendation for summer extended contracts to the Lyons Township High School District 204 board, describing how the days are allocated and why the work is needed.

Petrovsky said the recommendation covers three main areas: student services, special education and athletics. For student services, “Each counselor is assigned 5 summer days to complete these tasks and we're also requesting an additional 5 days of floating use,” he said, and noted the college-and-career counselor is being allocated 12 summer days. For special education, program coordinators would use 5 days and inclusion facilitators 2 days; Petrovsky said leadership is reviewing how to reallocate roles so some of those days might be used for a transition specialist but that he did not expect a significant change in overall cost.

In athletics, the district is requesting summer time for the assistant athletic director to finalize event schedules, staff officials, update the athletic handbook and prepare preseason materials.

Board members asked how the rates are calculated and about historical spending. Petrovsky said rates are “based on a per diem rate that's based on the negotiated agreement,” and explained that, unlike summer curriculum work which is often only partially used, these extended contracts are assigned and therefore generally used; he estimated curriculum-related allocations typically run about 75–80% of budgeted funds while summer contract days for assigned roles are expected to be used in full. He also said some summer-day allocations are reserved to address potential transfer-student volume.

Why it matters: These summer days support end-of-year closeout, transfer registrations, scheduling and transition work that feed into fall scheduling and compliance (IEPs, out-of-district placements). The board did not take final action on the request at this first reading; staff said any adjustments would be reported at the April 21 meeting.

Additional details: Petrovsky identified potential internal reallocation within special education (possible shift from inclusion-facilitator days to a transition specialist) and committed to returning with updates if the plan changes before the next regular meeting.","District staff presented an annual request to approve summer extended contracts covering counselors, special education coordinators, inclusion facilitators and athletic administration; board members asked for historical usage and possible reallocation for transition services.",{"_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},6086910,"Residents urge broad choices as district opens additional textbooks for public review",504,229000,733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7&start=229&end=733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894020-d815572ade2ccde026e2d4a4a55b81c7/thumbnail_229000.jpg","/articles/6086910/Illinois/Residents-urge-broad-choices-as-district-opens-additional-textbooks-for-public-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086910-5173bc4258963d0f60960c293252df11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152457&Signature=GChiH6Wse8WEk5s8HOYcFB~jkK6m-80LuTdX~it81rwmx~dT846ODnx6jYclfE13ZmNdaKVw9XX386oaksddkQm5gQ6KwvwO79dsO7xah3GO0JBwAdmzCS7u5YUT5txgM-~TxZnT650gf0lmLKvv9aQ4Wdw7vKzMno0qddLnQxoov8A6YX-muN-hzReOHi6O3GDAjpcbhTxpEwt5RLO1NMbTuwXcaRRdKDfeXzLlekkgyapCTn7DnWfEMA5eKgGT2t97Mf4om3XgdVVTWq5rf8MXl0--f--BxP~95hRkIWMVo4Yc~9~nDt7v2IuqC704tSJvipbF1Ixs6dqTd9aMhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents urged Lyons Township High School District 204 board members to preserve broad choice in classroom reading lists as the district placed additional textbooks and instructional materials on public display for review.

Mrs. Anderson, a retired LT teacher, told the board she supports diverse materials and recalled her own college experience as formative: “I hope that our students here get a diverse background and that we don't ever limit the books that children can read.”

Tim Penrod said he was not against the books under review but criticized the list as one-sided. He named titles and authors discussed in public debate and argued the curriculum lacks countervailing viewpoints: “I do not believe in banning books, but when there is no alternative material presented, this becomes nothing more than indoctrination, not teaching.” Penrod cited authors including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Michelle Alexander and recommended works by Thomas Sowell as examples of contrasting perspectives.

Mary Ann Quinlan, a Western Springs resident and parent, spoke in favor of the district’s selections and said reading the books on the list helped her better understand perspectives different from her own. She singled out Between the World and Me and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible for their capacity to prompt discussion: “This book helped me see everyday things from the perspective of a black man.”

Board members acknowledged the public comments and reiterated that the additional textbook list will be on display in the boardroom for two weeks before the board returns for a second reading and potential approval. The district’s public-participation announcement reminded speakers of board policies 2 2 30 and 8 30 and the three-minute limit for comments.

Why it matters: The public comments come as the district advances a first reading of additional instructional materials. Community views on balance, alternative viewpoints and age-appropriateness are likely to shape the board’s final decisions at the next meeting.

Additional details: Commenters referenced specific titles and authors that appear on the district’s review list and in local news coverage, including Between the World and Me; Poverty in America (Matthew Desmond); The Crucible; works by Ta-Nehisi Coates; and The New Jim Crow (Michelle Alexander). Board staff emphasized the public display process and timeline but did not take a formal vote on the materials at this meeting.","Three residents and other commenters addressed the Lyons Township High School District 204 board during public participation, offering differing views on proposed reading materials and asking the district to include countervailing viewpoints alongside books addressing race, poverty and inequality.","actionData","errors"]

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Board reviews summer-reading recommendations and first reading of additional textbooks, including Algebra pilot and dual-credit course

District outlines summer extended contracts for counselors, special education and athletics

Residents urge broad choices as district opens additional textbooks for public review