[{"_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",6206785,"mediaKeyId","3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a","parentId",3760618,"title","District 58 lays out 9‑period plan, staffing steps for shift to 6‑8 middle schools in 2026‑27","audioSeconds",1871,"startMs",1329000,"endMs",3200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a&start=1329&end=3200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a/thumbnail_1329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206785/Illinois/District-58-lays-out-9period-plan-staffing-steps-for-shift-to-68-middle-schools-in-202627","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206785-1fe2a78f4c3dbb9959bc4dd6ec923cf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936419&Signature=XXij19vF58NrRNc~O~qYpVXUu32LGoaIU1tbd7aqFZRjyQ2rLUYN7KBvAZeuuRtPqvXZSdo8oraizzyuMmgSxDGdQZTMF75gnlIzHectWPMt6rDyI79aQnm99gX-3PC41BJHKTwVE3IqNmYs9CLire4Pzfx9p6BeuVbsviZWsyJ55c7IKFJGOzNvojyQEJtcU7qZYJqEUqAxNTo7PL1omN3ZZM1ck4RryzwtbXn~iHenw8lEuVf6C-djGNgCoWRRb269~S2b7FEYxXTB6rLUFVnbGIdKYp2Hu1bq2uh0MK5a6EgAMai1ZqWxfqaIDBQ4wsqPYCOQ13AWcDSeSx73Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Downers Grove GSD 58","date","2025-06-11T09:11:17.627Z","article","District 58 officials on Monday presented a draft schedule and staffing plan for the district's move to a 6-8 middle school model that would take effect in the 2026-27 school year. The administration proposes a nine-period student day, moving advisory to the opposite-lunch period and creating two staff preparation periods while holding total certified FTE steady.

The plan matters because it changes when and how students receive exploratory and intervention time and will require staff reassignments and professional learning. \"We have a whole another year to really plan the full implementation of this schedule,\" Mr. Sissel said during the presentation, noting the district intends to use the coming year to build and test instructional and staffing details.

District presenters said the nine-period day adds roughly 20 instructional minutes to the day under the proposed schedule, shifting start and end times (a sample presented showed a move from an 8:30 a.m. start to 8:20 a.m. and dismissal on Tuesday–Friday from 3:17 p.m. to 3:27 p.m.). Advisory would meet opposite lunch to make space for longer blocks for exploratory classes and targeted student support. The administration emphasized that the model is designed so students would not be pulled from both exploratory periods for intervention: \"The one commitment we've made is that we wouldn't want a student to be pulled from both of those periods for academic support,\" Mr. Sissel said.

Staffing will focus on reallocating current positions rather than adding staff, the presenters said. That reallocation will be concerted: grade-level teachers will move as teams where possible, but related-service staff, specialists and elementary shared positions will require more complex reassignments. The district has started an interest survey for certified staff and plans an \"interest solicitation process\" in fall 2025 so employees can indicate preferences ahead of 2026-27 assignments. The administration also said it will provide targeted professional learning for teachers making the transition from teaching a full grade to teaching a content area in a middle school schedule.

Special education leaders described a dedicated administrative position that will lead middle-level special education programs, and explained a plan to shift toward student-centered case managers for incoming students with IEPs. The student services subcommittee described flexible models intended to preserve inclusive opportunities and create spaces for calming and life-skills instruction in the new middle schools.

Board members asked for additional analysis and community supports. Member Ellis raised concerns about the short gap between elementary and middle school start times and possible traffic congestion where families drop off at different schools. Members also asked about gifted and accelerated math placement, certification of teachers moving to middle school roles, and how exploratory offerings and extracurriculars will be preserved for students who need interventions. The presenters said some accelerated math and gifted arrangements will move earlier (for example, some acceleration that now happens in grade will take place one year earlier) and that the district is planning to continue offering gifted ELA classes as the configuration changes.

There were no formal board votes on the schedule at the meeting; the presentation was informational and the administration said the next steps are to finalize templates, continue staff and community input, and \"live\" the tentative schedule during the 2026-27 year and refine it afterward. The board approved the consent agenda later in the meeting, which included a personnel report recalling 21 certified staff members; the presenters said staffing confirmations will continue to depend on final enrollments.

The district asked boards and families to expect more communications, including curriculum-night materials, counselor visits, parent FAQs and transition events (for example, \"Sneak Preview\" visits hosted by the Downers Grove District 58 Education Foundation) to familiarize families and students with the new middle schools.

Implementation risks identified by presenters included dependencies on final enrollment numbers, transportation coordination, and staff certification; presenters described those risks as part of ongoing planning rather than resolved decisions.

Board discussion and staff responses signaled continued work in the coming year on certification plans, detailed staffing trackers and clarifying how interventions and exploratories will operate in practice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","District 58 Board of Education Meeting May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District 58 officials on Monday presented a draft nine‑period bell schedule and staffing plan to guide the district's switch to a 6‑8 middle school model in 2026‑27, with the administration committing to a year of planning, professional learning and additional family outreach before implementation.","taxTitle","Downers Grove GSD 58, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",38498,"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},6206770,"Parents tell board they fear larger K‑2 class sizes and want clearer data on staffing and budget choices",549,6741000,7290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a&start=6741&end=7290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a/thumbnail_6741000.jpg","/articles/6206770/Illinois/Parents-tell-board-they-fear-larger-K2-class-sizes-and-want-clearer-data-on-staffing-and-budget-choices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206770-19c11191a6ecfe33f2d65b588d121916/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936419&Signature=PKLeDoBe674fHAMiquMQjx76noj1bihsvemklp12--azNXoE2z1VECyq8BEXXQ8LDvW2qEfW6nbxsKYbzuumr3LjwcvqAfpCRHIhunpkZSnc0hKEthqw2fk-4VSx5zXiiXAhlkHpvPF7MbrDVIar2UlDZRLoRZU5Uda-CHuYcETJWLm2QNflqrCMXpzTFW8PnymEOxYwGkUQ4Z~N8nQ4hOR9OSGC8yQGrnPROxMtrUyBZ-Zn8KJ2D7S0p5Dmx14mFtODAQJHU2DImtd2jWfcp2zL4HAVTVEg~~TlYPgmAiLpcqh-eGZQGjt4Rlj2OrJw7bJefVBYv9yAbZu~kn-Rvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three parents used the meeting's public comment period to press the board for clearer information about class sizes and staffing decisions tied to budget pressures.

Melissa Capheim said she and other families feel \"blindsided and uncertain\" by pending section cuts and asked for more transparency on the data the district is using to make staffing choices. \"Transparency is all I'm asking for,\" she said, adding that parents want to know what student‑teacher ratios the district considers appropriate and why some grade levels face cuts while others do not.

Catherine Yank (parent) urged the board to prioritize individualized attention in early grades, saying that larger classes reduce time teachers can spend with individual students. \"My number one priority is making sure my child is thriving in his academic career,\" she said, noting her concern about moving from three sections to two and what that would mean for student movement and classroom activities.

A third parent, Lisonbee Sues, said she and other incoming-grade families are worried that the incoming kindergarten cohort could consolidate into two classrooms of 27 students each if no additional students enroll. She asked what compensating resources—such as aides, part‑time staff or targeted interventions—the district would provide should sections be reduced, and she requested clearer communication so parents can plan.

Superintendent Dr. Russell acknowledged the difficulty of finalizing staffing while enrollment figures are still arriving and noted the district will continue to refine staffing plans as registration completes. He also referenced the personnel recall included in the consent agenda (21 certified staff recalled) as one step in the ongoing staffing work. The board did not take action on class-size policy during the meeting; comments were part of the public‑comment record and the district said it would continue outreach and communications.

Parents requested specific district information: the target that \"80% of K–2 students have class sizes of 24 or fewer\" (cited by a commenter), current projected K–2 distributions by building, and the rationale used to prioritize which sections to retain. Administrators replied that final staffing decisions depend on confirmed registrations and planned scheduling choices.","Three parents raised concerns during public comment about proposed section cuts and larger class sizes (some citing the district's 80% K‑2 target), requested more transparency on data and staffing decisions, and asked the board to prioritize student experience when finalizing budget-driven staffing changes.",{"_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},6206775,"Hillcrest students showcase phonics, SEL and digital learning gains at District 58 board meeting",561,59000,620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a&start=59&end=620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6206775/Illinois/Hillcrest-students-showcase-phonics-SEL-and-digital-learning-gains-at-District-58-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206775-201a25118e08fefbdcc8f9ab9b6f3879/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936419&Signature=eB25lVfPb7J22Ok22oegUeqxz2oJG-PaNyz3TvYG9lvc-EqZedD7HODySRLBklm~lQa6A1XGRzi-9otBKbVOxjlD-X-8d40ZNr52bEqMZNgXIqASTV3g~xzcLYLK05iYcnnBi-kenu17c8KVhnzu9rxKENM8sR3nrs0EcmvrbixL2WuYAhZ0YR3uPDSeMofNF7GFNgeFqsDaukUzXQ1hyqSti28lqjmONNQHazTiFMewKJi3G9-E5ukTOcu-iCbk0g7Dexl5Fl3ej3-XVRgMACZRQ4-Du28je~~KoeoqPUguvXw3hl1b0LJWYpqRW8Ta-NGz0OAP6Lu6C3RNiZEm6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Student council officers and Hillcrest staff on Monday presented school highlights to the Board of Education, describing classroom programs, social-emotional learning and recent building enhancements the PTA helped fund.

\"Hi. I'm Johnny Colavenu and I am the student council president,\" said the Hillcrest student council president during the board meeting presentation, introducing classmates who described monthly family meetings, service projects and spirit days. PTA co-presidents Kelly Falin Wilson and Katie Wojciechowski told the board the PTA prioritized community-building while expanding volunteer leadership.

Principal Zabka and presenters noted Hillcrest is a phase‑1 school that has received building improvements, including a renovated front entry and an enhanced office area. Staff highlighted new classroom equipment purchased with PTA support: more xylophones for music, styluses for iPads, a new projector and screen and assistive equipment for occupational therapy. The presenters thanked the board and district for those phase‑1 enhancements.

Instructionally, Hillcrest staff described expansive use of UFLI (UFLI phonics) for kindergarten through third grade with four lessons per week and created sound walls in classrooms. The school also reported using benchmark reading tools and common literacy resources, and the district's math platforms DreamBox and IXL. Staff noted a DreamBox goal of five lessons per week (about 15 minutes per day) and reported that students regularly completing five or more lessons per week are showing strong growth: \"Students who have completed 5 or more lessons per week are demonstrating an average of 1 and a half grade levels of growth in 1 year's time,\" the presenter said.

Hillcrest also described sustained work on the Zones of Regulation curriculum to support student self‑regulation and calming areas available in kindergarten through grade classrooms. Staff reported a decline in both classroom-managed and office-managed behavior incidents since October, attributing improvements to SEL routines and targeted interventions.

PTA leaders said community-building and volunteer recruitment helped fund equipment that staff said has improved classroom experiences. Board members thanked students and staff for attending and noted the value of student presentations at board meetings.

The Hillcrest presentation was informational; no board action was requested.","Student council members and Hillcrest staff presented highlights including the UFLI phonics program, zones of regulation SEL work, DreamBox math usage and PTA-funded equipment upgrades; staff and PTA leaders thanked board for building enhancements and new classroom technology.",{"_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},6206780,"Construction on Herrick and O'Neil advances; ComEd timing and phase‑3 budgeting remain key risks",726,4806000,5532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a&start=4806&end=5532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760618-89873e696646a0b573d2494582cd978a/thumbnail_4806000.jpg","/articles/6206780/Illinois/Construction-on-Herrick-and-ONeil-advances-ComEd-timing-and-phase3-budgeting-remain-key-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206780-340104b4ec639651ab2a62de63fd562b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936419&Signature=RQon585n43NnsALbuJA6SId2QPGlVh0XO6WZQ91sJMZSkqAZZ05kBp8~eMxOjFYHIHHGKCDlKpYyinMeLaC8f8mZnr7uuPL17kv1sjqLg2GGZlIJniW4K44~O-dIQPL2HGwot-ZVDh6Ex01FirW5rv0N2xdD5LaZGAq~-MrYIVzmVI1L73N9EnDswCagNmvDcyOWV80O8Ht1YlRM9ZSptm2MlSQ1PDc5vTx6twc6su5JYcmE2vabz5U3VBsWl2V7ca2Ym0CNGMNEaz7SrIn63On-OqLZ0FNXQiC2g75TrdueTMmsvgGsPq~zrHZXniG6himrawqsARAVYX8vuaP33g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Project managers and contractors gave the board a construction update showing steady progress at Herrick and O'Neil and plans to start phase 2 elementary work this summer.

Jordan Schultz of the Huffman Kiel Forge team and representatives from Bulley & Andrews reviewed recent milestones: classroom finishes and casework are moving to punch lists, kitchen equipment deliveries were arriving, gym flooring at O'Neil was being installed and site work (drive ring road and student turf pad) was advancing. Jordan clarified the planned turf was natural grass: \"Not plastic,\" he said when asked about turf type.

The presentation flagged two dependencies that could affect schedules and budgets. First, transformer and electrical work await ComEd coordination; project staff hold biweekly ComEd calls and said they continue to press for firm utility dates. Second, design completion for some long-lead mechanical items remains a pressure point: staff and the construction manager discussed whether to issue an interim mechanical procurement package to lock pricing and avoid tariff-driven cost increases. Project managers reported that some electrical components for the summer work are already staged in local warehouses.

On budget items, the team reported 94% of referendum project costs are now committed and that the district is targeting a $16 million design budget for phase 3 elementary work with a planning buffer of about $2 million. The FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) packet on the construction consent agenda totaled about $246,000; the board approved the construction consent agenda later in the meeting, which included purchases for middle-school common spaces and fitness equipment.

Project staff described completion timing: some additions (science at O'Neil) are expected to be complete in July, with broader summer renovation work continuing into August to allow movers, staff setup and punch-list completion. Construction managers emphasized the need to control overtime costs and keep design deliverables on schedule to avoid cascading delays and cost growth.

The board and project team discussed bidding tactics for long-lead items, staging procurement to avoid tariff exposure, and lessons learned from phases 1 and 2. Project leaders said design releases and bid documents for phase 3 will be issued for budgeting in June with some long-lead bid items to follow in late summer or September.

No new contract awards were voted on during the presentation. The board approved the related consent agenda items for FF&E and fitness equipment by roll call later in the meeting.","District and contractor presentations showed progress on Herrick and O'Neil renovations, early completion of some science and kitchen work, and remaining dependencies on ComEd and bid timing for phase 3 elementary schools. Board approved related FF&E and equipment on the construction consent agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District 58 lays out 9‑period plan, staffing steps for shift to 6‑8 middle schools in 2026‑27

Parents tell board they fear larger K‑2 class sizes and want clearer data on staffing and budget choices

Hillcrest students showcase phonics, SEL and digital learning gains at District 58 board meeting

Construction on Herrick and O'Neil advances; ComEd timing and phase‑3 budgeting remain key risks