District staff will attend and present at the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) SEL Exchange after being selected to present again. Kyle Gertas described the invitation and said district leaders would present poster sessions and participate in the fellowship cohort.

Gertas said those scheduled to attend include Dr. Becker (assistant director, Student and Family Services), Sarah Bates (coordinator for social-emotional learning), and additional district staff who support SEL implementation, including a restorative-dean, an MTSS-B facilitator and a cultural coach. "In addition to attending the conference, they will also have the opportunity to represent B428," he said, and noted the travel and attendance would be funded with Stronger Connections grant money.

A board member praised the invitation and district work, saying the national conference's recognition reflected positively on district SEL implementation and the work being done across tiers.

Why it matters: CASEL is a national organization that sets standards for social-emotional learning; being selected to present and to participate in a fellowship raises the district profile and is used as professional development for staff implementing SEL districtwide.

Action: Board gave consensus to bring the item back (information/action) and to allow staff to proceed with the travel funded by the grant; no out-of-state-expense vote was recorded at length beyond the consensus to return the item for formal action if required.