[{"_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",6787871,"mediaKeyId","5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f","parentId",5687520,"title","District 300: 908 students completed Summer Read 300; back-to-school attendance up, officials say","audioSeconds",289,"startMs",694140,"endMs",983600,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f&start=694&end=983","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f/thumbnail_694140.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6787871/Illinois/District-300-908-students-completed-Summer-Read-300-back-to-school-attendance-up-officials-say","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6787871-4d09a445a3dd578d0b944c0b6fb68fc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983178&Signature=kfBqFfGuMbBdzgMH0iZWhhIwBPiMhlti57ENErzaUdiDjzXvtjjkJM0hlnGh5wzeAENLrSCKcD-4muFnw8orOCD4pNu7K8eK6DtlDYM3Z6p71haoLpVDzReaFWQNg2u~U6jYKXjnpPyMKRHP8NDhCD0bBoxN~hxZ~ijAoolXjKQ937qXk4A8M0e7bnWltlvjA2PDz-3E5BXEzZ-PImXirfuJ0JEwIHG1QTruePIRSKam4OsyLNLEOE7pUMo0XpTZzFYl7ljFOxJCGsmB2djx3W~rpRWfyWsGtMDX0M0kqjoIL~Rxe31t5Z~0tfPEYBUTxQThzNHvPQPfzdFcYMZUlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CUSD 300","date","2025-08-27T12:40:13Z","article","District 300 officials on Aug. 26 reported participation and operational metrics for the start of the 2025-26 school year, including results from the Summer Read 300 literacy program.

Beth Gowdy, director of literacy (preK–8), said 908 District 300 students completed Summer Read 300; certificates and T-shirts were provided by the District 300 Foundation and top-participation schools were East View Elementary, Algonquin Middle and Jacobs High.

Anthony McGinn, chief communications officer, reported that the district welcomed 20,793 students, 1,681 teachers and 364 paraprofessionals on the first day of the school year. McGinn said the district ran 848 bus routes and served 44,755 meals in the first week. He told the board that first-nine-day attendance rates, which were previously around 91–92%, have increased to about 96% since the district began coordinated summer communications, noting the rise as an encouraging trend.

Officials also highlighted safety and student-leadership priorities tied to the district\u000027s communications and training work and said they will provide additional updates to the board later this year.

Next steps: district staff said they will continue the Summer Read 300 program next year and will bring further metrics and participation photos to a future board update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 26, 2025 - Board of Education - Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","District 300 officials reported that 908 students completed Summer Read 300 and provided back-to-school metrics including 20,793 students returning the first day; administrators credited a summer communications campaign with improving early attendance.","taxTitle","CUSD 300, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",13066,"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},6787874,"District 300 launches Superintendent Student Advisory Council, honors students and staff",395,144900,540140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f&start=144&end=540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f/thumbnail_144900.jpg","/articles/6787874/Illinois/District-300-launches-Superintendent-Student-Advisory-Council-honors-students-and-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6787874-98df4659327f8df5220d46ac32d7efc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983178&Signature=bL9hS8D8Vx5GEtrsZLF7VzaxVJQOVx~GolJx~2Xnha6NagmP44t13p31MIALGJT8XWSpzail-ZhCPmq7GlWlxMqw2riU4Qo0Kf1bLomVY7iDrW4hKesHYb4OPfvhUKfEBKaZneQrb9Y0yu2bsShFCva5oWGnSY0my2xoNAb0elezgF053ZqNCHstWjiA~CODYz89rHcOcEdJIAwfjeFZzvFapFtByCnsHwZ5n8ttB22DxoTRQwoOJw~x2rmc5Ket795wIxCFMTfuhTDwyosJQk68XEjddTZUQoFISkJpBcGeekc5NjLBi4HrW16stL65T8hgWfspT6eVFl0UQB-5IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education on Aug. 26 welcomed student representatives to a newly launched Superintendent Student Advisory Council and recognized staff for Financial Awareness Day.

Adrian Harries, director of student learning and development, introduced student leaders from each high school and said the council will \"help us make decisions and...present to the board before the end of the semester.\" Superintendent Dr. Smith described the launch as \"a super proud moment in District 300\" and emphasized that students will provide input across schools.

The board also observed a moment of silence for Deegan Kirchke, a Hampshire High School student who died Aug. 16; Dr. Smith asked attendees to honor the student and later corrected that Kirchke was a senior.

In the staff recognition portion, Dr. Smith highlighted the business office\u000027s role in maintaining transparent financial operations, noting the staff\u000027s dedication to district fiscal stewardship. The board applauded the students and staff and invited the newly formed council to return with a presentation later in the school year.

Next steps: the student advisory council will continue meeting this semester and present its first updates to the board before the semester ends.","The Community Unit School District 300 Board heard the launch of a Superintendent Student Advisory Council and recognized students and the business office; the board also observed a moment of silence for a recently deceased student.",{"_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},6787864,"Board approves agenda and consent items, votes to enter closed session",3804,60250,3864490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f&start=60&end=3864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f/thumbnail_60250.jpg","/articles/6787864/Illinois/Board-approves-agenda-and-consent-items-votes-to-enter-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6787864-d9365f2304a321382ad711530053df10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983178&Signature=WJkC0rk7WJKnokkX8z6-z0ziExU7J8f-wwstxsH6~dfuSPrI8DB7XbCU4bWX9S22Q2mVGvfCaqmds11gSseYqMm7hyWGLXS-z4FSVizNXGKH5OQfjETcB~pNJDPOQPVR2W2aqzS0XvmaB2vQncNmb17aVY~w84WYqjMcjOBPZ4MDearbkuVFL-81Bt~ItMY4WyugCP2m7lPUqu0TUp~yCNunCpmA90IdyVgftmQLHSyKqwIPxx2gRm2EywfDPx2SBXUT5SA~ptXTApsoyo7sKT1BTjd0qhkir65~PTOQ45WkmCIe3zkucuWZyJ9DJLH800nHutUijRUtcTI9jLgmDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Aug. 26 meeting, the Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education completed several routine and procedural votes.

A motion to approve the meeting agenda was moved and seconded and passed by roll call with seven ayes (7-0). The board then approved consent items under $35,000 and consent items over $35,000; both votes passed by roll call (7-0). Later in the meeting the board considered and approved a charge sheet for the Master Facility Plan community engagement program (vote 7-0).

Near the end of the public meeting, the board moved and seconded to go into closed session to discuss \"the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees,\" litigation, student disciplinary cases and security procedures (the motion cited 2C sections as stated in the meeting). The roll-call vote to enter closed session was recorded as seven ayes and the motion passed. The board indicated it planned no action following the closed session.

Public participation: the board announced no members of the public were registered to speak that evening.

Vote-at-a-glance:
- Approve agenda: passed, roll-call 7-0.
- Consent items <$35,000: passed, roll-call 7-0.
- Consent items >$35,000: passed, roll-call 7-0.
- Approve MFP community engagement charge sheet: passed, roll-call 7-0.
- Enter closed session (personnel/litigation/student security): passed, roll-call 7-0.

The board recessed into closed session; no public action was announced before the recess.","The District 300 board approved the meeting agenda and both consent-item groupings, unanimously approved the MFP charge sheet, and voted to enter closed session to discuss personnel, litigation, student disciplinary matters and security.",{"_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},6787868,"District 300 outlines $28.4M in summer projects, approves Master Facility Plan engagement charge sheet",1878,1599920,3478900,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f&start=1599&end=3478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687520-2fc07a149ba2aa628ce09591a6b8631f/thumbnail_1599920.jpg","/articles/6787868/Illinois/District-300-outlines-284M-in-summer-projects-approves-Master-Facility-Plan-engagement-charge-sheet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6787868-db56b65f1ff5323509d71c1f31cc9e5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983178&Signature=QRhrgfoyanZz~IuldqvDOLF9qlZlEWCIWFgyEPS3ccBYnhhIA~2Ye3v-8CYNpCTG5yZ~ESSSWH-QVsLcpB2DyDjxI7DrS~3sM~7YFHQJhMJ9DryCKwTlDgq~RnwN63Wa2C2X-r7ta7WVnGsOFm4fqoSm-zvfx2t384vsjtEDdR44lDm5jrSJ484AuA0pU4-fRmCfqlKhAIDKvD7jPxRPBGjtBwlLIk2uup6R3b2xKBUNE7geSTx9e7skW~sPdo2SctFKL8xQc6JnRoIpbplJDzSiMLr7qpie1WGIpoLMVLnA27uhz8FJc0loUqkY2dfJnI9Sdjti1279ZetXr7K3DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 300 officials on Aug. 26 provided a wide-ranging update on summer capital work and the next steps for the district\u000027s Master Facility Plan (MFP). The board unanimously approved a charge sheet to begin a community-led engagement phase.

Facilities staff said they completed 24 projects between the end of the 2024-25 school year and the start of 2025-26 in a 53-workday window and cited an original budget of $28.4 million (final invoicing was still being finalized). Projects included flooring and LED lighting upgrades, kitchen remodels with gas-to-electric conversions, HVAC and geothermal installations (Dundee Middle School: 96 wells drilled about 500 feet deep), track resurfacing at Jacobs and Dundee Middle, playground replacements and new shade structures, and extensive concrete and seal-coating work districtwide.

Facilities director John Mickle highlighted district energy work, reporting a savings of about 720,000 kilowatt-hours and a rebate check to the district of \"a little over $37,000,\" and credited in-house staff along with partners (Alera, Dewberry, Leggett, LAMP) for completing the work.

On governance, the board approved a charge sheet to establish a facilitating team of about 20\u00002D25 community members, board members, district staff and professional advisors to lead the MFP community engagement process. Jennifer Volk of Discovery Works Collaborative said an application and nominations process would open pending board approval, with the first facilitating-team meeting planned for October and survey results expected by the end of October.

Vote: The board approved the MFP community engagement charge sheet by roll-call vote, 7-0.

Next steps: the district will open the facilitating-team application, conduct an online survey and continue community workshops; final recommendations from the engagement process are expected to be part of future board presentations.","District 300 officials said 24 summer capital projects were completed in a 53-workday window (original budget $28.4M), highlighted geothermal and HVAC upgrades, energy savings and playground improvements, and the board unanimously approved a charge sheet to begin Master Facility Plan community engagement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District 300: 908 students completed Summer Read 300; back-to-school attendance up, officials say

District 300 launches Superintendent Student Advisory Council, honors students and staff

Board approves agenda and consent items, votes to enter closed session

District 300 outlines $28.4M in summer projects, approves Master Facility Plan engagement charge sheet