The District 118 Board of Education approved a $49,795 contract with Urban Learning Leadership Center (ULLC) to provide leadership training, coaching and targeted professional development for Southview Upper Elementary. Chris Rice, director of early learning, said the work is required by the Illinois State Board of Education for schools in designation status and will be paid from Southview’s Illinois Empower grant funds.

“ULLC meets with our admin team, conducted a case study and is working with our leadership team to help us become better instructional leaders,” said Chris Rice. He said ULLC’s consultant met with staff and students for interviews and surveys and has begun helping the school develop an instructional improvement plan.

Assistant Principal Edrington described how ULLC conducted interviews and classroom observations and said the consultant selected student groups directly for conversations and surveys. Board members asked that the school provide periodic one-page updates on how staff are responding and how instruction is changing; Rice said the district can provide short summaries to the board.

Board members discussed ULLC’s use of evidence-based practices and praised the company for measurable benchmarks and peer-reviewed approaches. The motion to approve the contract carried on roll call, 7–0.