[{"_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",6201378,"mediaKeyId","3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051","parentId",3794339,"title","Board approves FY24–25 amended budget after public hearing; fund balance now near policy ceiling","audioSeconds",456,"startMs",6669000,"endMs",7125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051&start=6669&end=7125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051/thumbnail_6669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6201378/Illinois/Board-approves-FY2425-amended-budget-after-public-hearing-fund-balance-now-near-policy-ceiling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201378-37918e57ae6a47219945136e307a07a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771047893&Signature=aSWStnYkrdr2~ORPRMIw2ezYqi~hN02pHfRCGUofEiQ9axtbNRs8t9lta3sfzz~hXtyziNvkh4INqZV8VDArEMX8f1Ju~neizTLf4C~8-IxKwxqgqGZDYb8Lk322xrnSwuODJeCyB8p4bBbvygr6k3g0WoTuGFa57D474OwHbmqzDIa7-exLfSJLQnaTXPs5rHxq7L3SlBVjTyBptO70sV5UKeEBdwnNRAQZSZm6H7KOhjxIpBIfgXEUYzE6mDF5MZRwFUuCr4o-1TX8p2WL8zpBMRNBrIZU9Hau-k8eItlKXExTILWH3H2jZ0U02oGJ7JlOM3oPspDnGVisornmVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wheeling CCSD 21","date","2025-06-12T22:43:35Z","article","The Wheeling CCSD 21 board held and closed a public hearing June 12 and then approved an amended FY24–25 budget that reflects administrative transfers and actual revenue and expenditure changes recorded during the fiscal year.

Superintendent Dr. Connolly and Chief Operating Officer Mike Zager presented the amendment and said it was required because actual variances exceeded 10% in some operating categories, triggering the statutory requirement to file an amendment. The board convened a public hearing and received no public comments.

What changed: Mr. Zager told the board the amended operating budget shows roughly a 3% increase in revenues—driven in part by higher-than-expected property-tax interest and a roughly $1 million uptick in federal grant dollars (title funds, IDEA and others). Expenditures increased by about 5.9% overall. Noted changes included approximately $650,000 higher salary costs (substitute staffing and grant‑funded positions), about $2 million higher purchased services (outsourced services, including NSSEO non‑tuition costs), roughly $1.3 million in increased supply/technology spending (including an early Chromebook purchase), and a $2.3 million capital outlay for recent land purchase previously approved by the board.

Fund balance and policy: After the amendments and approved transfers, the district fund balance rose to roughly 44% of operating funds—near the board policy range ceiling of 45% (policy range: 35–45%). Zager said the district is comfortable with the level and does not expect an unbalanced budget in the upcoming fiscal year.

Questions: Board members asked about federal fund “clawback” risk and whether the district could be affected. Zager said he was not concerned about clawbacks affecting the district this fiscal year and noted federal funds are a relatively small share of the budget (~10%), and that the district had already spent available federal dollars. The board voted to approve the amended budget; no public comments were received during the hearing.

Outcome: The resolution to convene the public hearing and the amended FY24–25 budget were approved by voice vote; the record shows the board proceeded with the amendment and reconvened the regular meeting to adopt the budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CCSD21 Board Of Education Meeting - June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a public hearing, the Wheeling CCSD 21 board approved an amended FY24–25 budget reflecting revenue increases (interest, grants) and higher expenditures (salaries, outsourced services, technology purchases and recent land acquisition); the district fund balance now sits near the top of its 35–45% policy range.","taxTitle","Wheeling CCSD 21, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",38576,"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},6201383,"Kilmer Nears Capacity; District 21 Readies Enrollment Caps and Alternate Placements",422,5678000,6100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051&start=5678&end=6100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051/thumbnail_5678000.jpg","/articles/6201383/Illinois/Kilmer-Nears-Capacity-District-21-Readies-Enrollment-Caps-and-Alternate-Placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201383-2e25c39383c62c32a7e8e3760110ef78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771047893&Signature=IIykrA0a29U-b9kNEZh0dmE911WrwqMLHj988zF6tqHGNqoGuSfa2ST8S2Efb5VNueV8UTjSCPCpMhLzg1PDz4SMmhr~drx1dGP613m9aGEtfE5E-KTR-t6dD2a6JW-CiymQHo5v0gVlJfcyracl2QkDsvmio419I4ET5NeHoChC6pTxtrOXmiZoQ76YzN7p7xaZKT8DeVZg8H8peM8xnNKAUrXFGDxOUGl8bQ3zBlRkllqqqdz6b6OYm0b~NC8i-oTF4abXlNVwfaVyPrDt~O9XNoRgpYngNI7gQSRhNquBw3XQjL7TFNhujRsFg6iqt9ZfbAo-slS2~EytPhaZzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 21 administrators told trustees June 12 they are monitoring hot spots in elementary enrollment and may impose enrollment caps at Kilmer to manage overcrowding.

Enrollment staff presented a summer registration update showing some schools with rising class-size averages and ranges near or above the district’s target guidelines (K–3 target 25; grades 4–5 target 26; grades 6–8 target 27). Kilmer was identified as a “hot spot” with the greatest pressure. Superintendent Dr. Connolly and enrollment staff said they had conducted direct outreach—phone calls and email—to families who had not yet registered to get a more accurate count for staffing and class-section planning.

Why it matters: District leaders said physical capacity and daily operations at Kilmer have become strained. Kilmer administrators warned that with current numbers the school is tight for classroom space and student movement (multiple lunch periods, crowded hallways). The board was told that if registrations continue, the district will consider enrollment management actions—potentially closing new enrollment to Kilmer and directing new families to nearby schools.

Key details: Enrollment staff reported the district is down from roughly 200 unregistered returning students to about 155 after outreach. The presentation included a historical reduction in blended classes (from 34 blended classes in 2019–20 to zero currently) and a listing of schools that gained or lost sections based on projected enrollment changes. The district uses class-size guidelines (K–3: 25; 4–5: 26; 6–8: 27) and checks section ranges when deciding whether to add sections where feasible. The enrollment office flagged Field, Frost, Kilmer and a few sections at Cooper and London as hot spots.

Operational constraints and next steps: Board members were told that Kilmer staff have been following families and the district is “very, very close” to enacting caps. If enacted, district staff said new families seeking Kilmer placements may be offered seats at alternate schools. The district indicated it will provide the board with a more formal notice in the coming days explaining any enrollment-management steps.

Board context: Trustees asked about the potential impact on staffing and spaces; district staff said decisions about adding sections depend on final registration counts and available classrooms. The board asked district staff to move carefully and communicate quickly with families once decisions are finalized.","District officials told the board they are closely monitoring rising enrollment at Kilmer School, reduced available classroom space and tightly scheduled movement flows in the building; administrators said they are prepared to cap new enrollment and redirect families if registrations continue.",{"_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},6201387,"District 21 reports rising English‑learner exit rates; language services to expand screenings and refine K–5 dual bilingual allocations",1177,3583000,4760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051&start=3583&end=4760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051/thumbnail_3583000.jpg","/articles/6201387/Illinois/District-21-reports-rising-Englishlearner-exit-rates-language-services-to-expand-screenings-and-refine-K5-dual-bilingual-allocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201387-13bb479f6fafcedd86951188cfbc2bd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771047893&Signature=GvaMGhm37pP3W5RkB9LJ24uPUhGJejF9GshrX~-O1m7C1II1ibgNaDVav7Foi3Cdu88nm9oMoc1UM67n9wg1F2u1tWVfp1e4GG45kdm8DW5Hzvqmt99M9K71fC3~V5jcknljKiWEOsOrwVZ1OSoTbjCUo8VfGk37JlLlFct3YRAEUp3mU5g25YpaqLU5hfWQBMFswe-69to1s-rpdNvwpsCrKzf32WWylTJnH2Lr9hTP3sn3-W3lyi1~Ro0gpVdFeXZB3hq0J3FIIL7oEoi6WOM5uG8unOItqdOmnWITO7J~J-tuh55J-6vNPVAGEOe9KMDC3h0joUhI0aw0Abawsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wheeling CCSD 21’s director of language services, Anya Figueroa, presented an update June 12 on services for English learners (ELs), preliminary ACCESS assessment results and program adjustments for the 2025–26 school year.

Figueroa told the board that roughly 53–54% of the district’s students qualify as English learners and that the district’s top home languages remain Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian. She said the district is aligning instruction to the WIDA 2020 English language development standards and that the state-administered ACCESS assessment will incorporate the WIDA 2020 standards next year.

Why it matters: ACCESS exit criteria (state benchmark 4.8 overall) indicate when students have the academic English proficiency to access grade-level instruction without EL-specific scaffolds. Figueroa said districtwide exit rates have generally trended upward after a dip in 2023 when the district experienced a rapid influx of new-to-country students.

Key data and program changes: The presentation included a four‑year historical view of ACCESS exit rates and literacy proficiency growth. Figueroa said Tarkington had more than 20% exit rate this year and that some schools have brought targeted focus to students near the 4.8 threshold. She described K–5 dual-language programming in Spanish and Russian and said language allocations were adjusted to increase consistency and fidelity of targeted instruction, particularly in kindergarten–third grade where home-language instruction gradually shifts toward English instruction by later elementary grades.

Screenings and placements: The language-services office reported it has been contacting families and scheduling summer screening appointments for newly registered students; as of the presentation, about 179 new students were registered districtwide who require screening. Figueroa said the team will offer multiple screening days in June and August, including evening hours and some Saturdays, and will finalize placement recommendations for fall.

Questions and clarifications: Board members asked whether exit-rate percentages include students who arrive mid‑grade; Figueroa answered that the figures combine cohorts—students who began in kindergarten and those who entered later are all included in the exit-rate numbers. Board members requested further disaggregation (e.g., students who have been enrolled since kindergarten vs. later entrants); Figueroa said the department will break down the data in upcoming analyses.

Capacity and program thresholds: Figueroa said the practical enrollment threshold for maintaining a bilingual classroom is typically around 15 students; she reported Tarkington had only seven kindergarten Spanish‑bilingual qualifiers at the start of 2024–25, a number that fell to six after family choices, prompting discussions about where to seat those students.

Next steps: The department will finalize screening schedules, disaggregate ACCESS outcomes by student enrollment history, and continue staff professional development on integrating WIDA 2020 standards into core instruction. The state’s decision to fold WIDA 2020 into ACCESS next year means local staff retraining is expected in fall director meetings, Figueroa said.","District director of language services presented preliminary ACCESS assessment data showing increases toward the 4.8 state criterion, described program changes for K–5 Spanish and Russian bilingual classrooms, and outlined summer screenings and placement plans for new students.",{"_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},6201391,"District 21 to Launch Humanex ‘Insight’ Climate Survey for Staff; Results to Guide Fall Action",2062,1328000,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051&start=1328&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794339-1fa55e146d2a5be0df37b9e802024051/thumbnail_1328000.jpg","/articles/6201391/Illinois/District-21-to-Launch-Humanex-Insight-Climate-Survey-for-Staff-Results-to-Guide-Fall-Action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201391-d23c483078af70a830cb1f63797ff8a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771047893&Signature=jSG8DvFP3T9uQcPkVWk7NHHdZcl6GPTso~lnbf4~zxWuHUndc4QNGsw88-TgDyKGET-bX2cqOQ4O2HgsaXBRd~415uvZg2vRdAXJYGptAXGMY~8ngIEUf3w3PV4FOwhc9~5Zrif8BuSIc1xh4jjYJoxpGRaG~6TePepkKo-H~ypu3vFz~9WrjgsElM4z2v5uO0rwpzuxEU3oHUnKZr0k1VhTHnrNBXPh9TI34Frv-h5LvMFBnkCxnLSam4xc98QqFBpmkvj-8olmomx8lSsptnHL1lMIsipty-hFLl3QLvDtUr6DZ4OQtDFBPuVlrnvLcwEhBeP1xpJQHwfgW8MB7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wheeling CCSD 21 trustees heard a presentation June 12 on a new staff culture and climate program the district will roll out in the 2025–26 school year in partnership with Humanex Ventures.

The program will begin with a 92‑question, anonymous survey called “Insight into Excellence,” administered at the district and building levels in early fall and again in the spring, Humanex presenter Brad said. \"It's an anonymous confidential survey,\" Brad told the board, describing the instrument as covering 15 dimensions of workplace culture and intended to produce actionable diagnostics the district can use to improve climates at each building.

Humanex framed the survey as a tool to create a common language about talent, culture and teams across District 21 and to produce both building-level and districtwide priorities. The presenter said the firm typically achieves 80–100% participation and delivers data the next day; feedback sessions then guide local action plans. The district and Humanex plan a joint district-level committee with equal representation of administration and the District 21 Education Association (DEA) to oversee aggregate analysis and systemic planning.

Why it matters: Humanex and district leaders said school building culture correlates with staff engagement and student outcomes, and that repeated measurement plus facilitated feedback is intended to drive continuous improvement. Superintendent Dr. Connolly told the board the district began a working relationship with Humanex this year focused on recruitment and leadership development and will expand to systemwide culture work, including administering the survey and facilitating feedback sessions.

Key details and next steps: Brad described the instrument as 92 statements across 15 dimensions, using a Likert response scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), plus an option for participants who have been on the job too short to respond. The district plans two measurement cycles next year—his target was \"sometime in September\" for the baseline and again in spring—and to facilitate building and district feedback sessions after each administration. Brad said the process includes voting within buildings to choose the top item to focus on and producing an action plan with “GPS coordinates” for the next cycle.

Board members asked about question phrasing and open-ended responses. Brad and district staff explained that items are phrased positively but can be answered across the scale; the survey does not include free-text comment fields to protect anonymity and avoid inflaming local disputes. The district will provide training and support: Humanex will facilitate feedback and action planning with the intent of building local capacity to eventually lead sessions themselves.

Concerns and safeguards: Board members asked about confidentiality and whether issues tied to a single supervisor would surface; Brad said low scores (ones and twos) indicate a local problem to investigate, and that the anonymous, aggregate design prevents identifying individual respondents. The district also plans a joint district–DEA committee to oversee use of results and follow-through.

What the district will measure and how it will be used: The presenter said the survey’s dimensions include pride, engagement, talent fit, communication and continuous improvement. Humanex said the analysis provides “gas pedals and gear shifts” — specific questions and actions tied to low scores — and that the firm will return to check progress after action planning. Board members and administrators said they expect the work to be used for building-level improvement and districtwide strategic priorities.","The Wheeling CCSD 21 board heard a presentation from Humanex Ventures on a 92-question, anonymous staff culture and climate survey the district will administer twice next school year, with building-level feedback sessions and districtwide action planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves FY24–25 amended budget after public hearing; fund balance now near policy ceiling

Kilmer Nears Capacity; District 21 Readies Enrollment Caps and Alternate Placements

District 21 reports rising English‑learner exit rates; language services to expand screenings and refine K–5 dual bilingual allocations

District 21 to Launch Humanex ‘Insight’ Climate Survey for Staff; Results to Guide Fall Action