[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6261563,"mediaKeyId","3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992","parentId",3122512,"title","Votes at a glance: Glen Ellyn SD 41 approves contracts, curriculum adoption, fees and strategic plan update","audioSeconds",724,"startMs",9382000,"endMs",10106000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992&start=9382&end=10106","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992/thumbnail_9382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261563/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-Glen-Ellyn-SD-41-approves-contracts-curriculum-adoption-fees-and-strategic-plan-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261563-6562f41868237b28d609adeb91f7a5a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143948&Signature=VRl45WZ6d0NG7HuXRNNj~tlVhnGKEJXNSK1oe2rG5ofjLet7SZkIzdYW3rPzc8-ja3ecC16rfNhBZ9AHxZLXjtDKQXz-FZe6vnDZNxyGrSeEK84sXWG8cqUHzUTT8wSxRVnSI7aXE4dQzSvgrIommwvESyQE3CuHP9i5yyJPCDRLDdo~1HLT4wDvGCF-N5CC0mIgVnV~DdbHh61~7fclWh6magvvdPu-QPUwVpGHT4snEtVOsl3WW0cFBe09Vj3ISKARpSU5l~ywLCgVzyzJ5~RRVzFB0ElJq-kJk6UKCslBAXyO0C456eip0PDm2SA9jzFrSUeG~Pvcp1TVbrSjMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Glen Ellyn SD 41","date","2025-04-25T13:22:04.04Z","article","The Glen Ellyn SD 41 Board of Education took a series of formal votes at its March 17 meeting. The roll call for each recorded vote appears below in the actions list and all motions passed by roll call unless noted.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved (items included personnel actions, disposal of surplus property, donations, FOIA report, investment schedule, payment orders, treasurer's report, minutes, facility use agreements and a resolution regarding the DuPage West Cook intergovernmental agreement).

- Resignation agreement and general release (teacher Serena Simarazzi): Approved.

- Professional services contract with AHS Staffing LLC (special education staffing): Approved; cost approximately $19,864 for remainder of 2024–25 school year; funded from special education contract services account.

- IESB/PressPlus policy library transition and implementation: Approved; superintendent authorized to engage IESB/PressPlus for policy library customization.

- Technology purchases for the kindergarten center: Approved; purchases to be supported by 2024–25 and 2025–26 technology budgets.

- Social studies curricular resource adoption at Hadley Junior High (National Geographic): Approved.

- Student fees for 2025–26: Approved; board noted one correction: a $3 music field trip fee will be covered by PTA donations and will not be assessed.

- Quest Food Management Services contract extension (three years): Approved; the board discussed halal menu options and replacement of black plastic trays with a compostable/alternative container; Eric DePorter reported the cost increase was minimal for the alternative containers.

- Strategic plan update (2022–2027): Approved (see detailed article on plan revisions).

Formal actions (structured)

See the structured actions array below for motions, vote tallies and implementation notes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting - March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Glen Ellyn SD 41 Board of Education approved the consent agenda and multiple contracts, curriculum adoptions, fees and the strategic plan update at its March 17 meeting; all recorded motions passed by roll call.","taxTitle","Glen Ellyn SD 41, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",74212,"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},6261569,"Glen Ellyn SD 41 leans toward ‘out of sight’ rule for preK–8, will include watches; enforcement details to follow",132,8621000,8753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992&start=8621&end=8753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992/thumbnail_8621000.jpg","/articles/6261569/Illinois/Glen-Ellyn-SD-41-leans-toward-out-of-sight-rule-for-preK8-will-include-watches-enforcement-details-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261569-5ead897df98da2c79974bfca42052b57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143948&Signature=bV6UMQ8006588ZbEcZCN55xIfSz4Qu8Fk0xRAY2DuL2Jpci3BRUr61tcOl8989wv3wqATyz9IUINJgatWCg4oW1oPGJwcnpO7Q53TtK2m-9EbByeViZlbzPW2HRwdcoI2SMVTSlbmAS2Xs85wqfvqVYTm8VNTOROF3FJdQia~8nHG5eyqKLCZqauw1aer5xqCQQ-0KUxZjtFWSEP8Nde3rYdpbdk8rXmMSlcGiLp3CKvLKrowtEmpYCnuHGzjvyJ~9G2WX4spz-NAcRZePPNlaptf2X~gBxs8AEvLVZjmmn10v-QF-iIlvbTrn-ApQ-bikBDT-y8R9E1G4m~XGNQQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Glen Ellyn SD 41 administrators told the Board March 17 they intend to recommend a personal technology policy that requires devices to be “often out of sight” for preK through eighth grade and that explicitly covers watches. The superintendent said the recommendation follows input from the Committee of the Whole and from both the Student Advisory Council and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

“Directionally, I am leaning toward ‘often out of sight’ and that would be for preK all the way up through eighth grade, and that would include watches,” the superintendent said. He asked the board to forward any specific concerns to him by email so the administration could draft a policy the board would consider at its April meeting. He emphasized the need to make enforcement workable for teachers.

Several public commenters and board members urged clarity about enforcement and practical measures to reduce the burden on teachers. Public commenter Rebecca Coleman Taylor, a parent, praised the district’s stakeholder engagement and urged the administration to focus on precise wording and enforceability. “The potential new policy is really quite similar to what’s already on the books,” she said. “If the policy will really not shift that much, then any changes will primarily be seen in enforcement changes and better clarity in how the policy is communicated to stakeholders.”

Board members and staff discussed enforcement options, including centralized collection systems (pouches) and building‑level tweaks. The superintendent said districts that have adopted similar policies report a brief period of adjustment and then greater clarity for teachers and families. Staff will draft a formal policy for the board’s April meeting with more concrete enforcement language and suggested timelines for communication and a potential pilot at individual buildings.","After feedback from advisory councils and public comment, the superintendent told the board the district plans to move toward an “often out of sight” personal technology policy for preK–8 that explicitly includes smart watches; staff will return with detailed enforcement options next month.",{"_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},6261573,"Glen Ellyn SD 41 says bus service has improved; bids show large premium for untiered alternative",256,6380000,6636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992&start=6380&end=6636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992/thumbnail_6380000.jpg","/articles/6261573/Illinois/Glen-Ellyn-SD-41-says-bus-service-has-improved-bids-show-large-premium-for-untiered-alternative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261573-85d91ec3291804aafeeedd8b1724fa03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143948&Signature=ChVYasnDhS5Om2qQq6xB1q5gTzYAZXZKzXH~-4KV~7-aUrUNgEyBrdXGlLCmHJnL~rCTLLiCWMTXmy15G8mwicaQPwtdjeOHuspELqeGqkysXgGEdoHmGw8Et4sigoDp24sNXatFrZxN7A~GXyvFC2nl94RlwfS7IjjI6OTXebdb5nGlT7siPHGkoNmedXsUbxjcLg8OHV1NDDBOdxM9bzwGTQdtQl~UF7mKI8-73Jw1juMcCfwrAZfbmGYoznoygS3Gj8yOgd085js3HUUnhZnKBXw4f~ZFAjTVDBA95taK80XMuqTSglQAIdIb~lfdm5ov1a~jTxJ2CBvCwZL~ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Glen Ellyn SD 41 officials reported March 17 that school transportation service provided by Safeway Transportation Services has improved in recent weeks after a difficult start to the school year, but that competitive bids to replace the vendor indicate significantly higher costs.

Eric DePorter, the district's Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Facilities and Operations, said the district now runs 36 morning and 36 afternoon routes and that Safeway has reduced late runs: “In the month March, so far, we've had 3 late buses,” he reported. Eric told the board Safeway reorganized depot leadership, revised its cold‑weather procedures, and has met the district’s target run times in recent weeks.

The district ran a bid process in February. Eric said the district received three bids; one was substantially higher than current costs and one was slightly higher than Safeway. He said an option to stop tiering with the high school and operate untiered routes would raise costs “approximately 80% more than what we're paying today,” and that continuing a shared/tiered arrangement with District 87 would cost roughly $5 million more over four years than the low‑cost Safeway proposal.

Board members pressed for a clear accountability plan going into next fall, when the district will add kindergarten routes. Eric said the district and Safeway have already discussed a summer schedule of operational checks and registration deadlines to allow route optimization, and that Safeway expects to add six to eight buses depending on final kindergarten registration. He said the contract language currently expects buses to arrive 10 minutes before school bell times; the board allowed five minutes before without penalty during the tight morning window created by the shared high school schedule earlier in the year.

Board members said they appreciate the improvement but noted the high cost of an untiered switch when the district is expanding kindergarten transportation. “I have a lot of reservations about maximizing our premium,” one board member said, noting uncertainty about federal funding and the district’s ability to pay a large premium. The board did not take a final procurement decision at the meeting and staff said they will continue negotiating with Safeway and monitoring performance.","District staff told the board that bus service has materially improved since winter break but that market bids to replace current contractor are substantially higher; board members asked for assurances for next school year as kindergarten service expands.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":46,"_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},6261577,"Glen Ellyn SD 41 updates strategic plan, adds focus on special education and preschool facilities",5349,4757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992&start=4757&end=10106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3122512-2c173c2727accdd3133ee41048eec992/thumbnail_4757000.jpg","/articles/6261577/Illinois/Glen-Ellyn-SD-41-updates-strategic-plan-adds-focus-on-special-education-and-preschool-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261577-a8ce3f5bc50c5a451b2bead3456c4dd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143948&Signature=PjPdvErlCHm28dJb3A0phndvcnktUsqpfZjaTMGhPwPezGepnOMPghE-NN1qdGKUu-5V1Q~GGtU3mq3psnt4qVbUd0dvVk1LcPw0pLyOMjQqSeFabcKRYS3WwTUFK~1DXQDEx2-sj1LnhVjieQbbGfkwUeLWgKbiGPvW-WzVjbvSb~UBj472HgmgG4sewwFn3guM8c3agc5zbWJoVvgQOoINe0cqIvmrpiHS7pgqGZtnEuo4ZXgdAJEu76qJqdDR7HIwR0HmnOEVJFLjZD9B-ZtTSq0ojniW1iwN7UG2hulnVRAzIu3G4gU-l2dX14pCDcY9LRSu6BhWHn9I9iIPfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glen Ellyn SD 41 Board of Education reviewed and discussed a refreshed strategic plan March 17 that highlights special education and language services, adds a commitment to evaluate preschool facility needs, and reorganizes committee structure to improve implementation and stakeholder feedback.

The presentation, led by a district staff member identified as Jeff, described specific edits made after prior board input and stakeholder feedback. “We broke the action step into two parts, implementing instructional best practices for all students, but also reviewing special education and language learner services to ensure high rigor and expectations,” Jeff said, summarizing how the plan now pulls special education work into explicit action steps. The district named Molly Victor and Libby Janssen as staff assisting the effort.

Board members pressed for measurable monitoring of the new kindergarten center, which opens this year. Jeff said the district will gather baseline data throughout the first year and use the 5 Essentials survey as a recurring metric rather than adding a stand‑alone metric immediately: “For the first year, we don't have a baseline. We'll gather baseline throughout the year,” he said. Board member Jess recommended a short satisfaction question plus more targeted, formative questions tied to key events such as curriculum night to capture early impressions.

To reduce duplication and improve oversight, the district proposed aligning one subcommittee to each strategic goal. Under the model, short‑term staff committees would assemble to complete work and disband, while standing subcommittees that include board members, staff and community members would provide a cross‑sectional sounding board. Jeff said the subcommittee structure is intended to “maximize all of those stakeholder groups to get feedback so that when we bring it to the board we know we've run it up and down the chain multiple times.”

The administration also proposed a communications plan to inform families and community members about the updated plan. Jeff said the district will include plan highlights in a community satisfaction survey to be mailed beginning April 7 so the district can capture responses from households without students in the schools. He said communications will include a road show and presentations to advisory groups.

Board members asked how the plan's metrics will be monitored across the year. Jeff said the district will develop a monitoring timeline and noted that the 5 Essentials results, typically available in the fall, would be discussed at a September meeting as part of regular monitoring. Dr. David Bruno (Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources) clarified that timing of some measures depends on state reporting cycles.

The board discussed next steps for policy and committee work and invited continued feedback from advisory councils. Later in the meeting the Board voted to adopt the presented changes to the district's strategic plan (see Votes at a glance).","After months of drafting and stakeholder feedback, the Glen Ellyn SD 41 Board reviewed revisions to its strategic plan that emphasize special education and language supports, add preschool facility evaluation, streamline committee structure and commit to a community satisfaction baseline survey; the Board later voted to adopt the changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Glen Ellyn SD 41 approves contracts, curriculum adoption, fees and strategic plan update

Glen Ellyn SD 41 leans toward ‘out of sight’ rule for preK–8, will include watches; enforcement details to follow

Glen Ellyn SD 41 says bus service has improved; bids show large premium for untiered alternative

Glen Ellyn SD 41 updates strategic plan, adds focus on special education and preschool facilities