Kaneland trustees hear detailed update as McDowell Elementary begins four‑year state turnaround cycle

McDowell Elementary has completed the state’s planning year after being identified as a targeted school for students with disabilities in mathematics, Principal Brian Zervis told the Kaneland CUSD 302 Board of Education on May 12.

The planning year is the first of a four‑year cycle under Illinois accountability. Zervis said the planning phase focused on building‑level review and design: a newly formed school leadership team (SLT) completed the Illinois Quality Framework supporting rubric (IQFSR), and the school developed three school improvement goals with nine 45‑day action items that will guide implementation in the coming years.

The update matters because the designation triggers additional state supports and a required multi‑year improvement process. Zervis said the planning work is intended to produce a concrete roadmap so McDowell can use state funds and outside partners to raise student outcomes during implementation years one and two.

Zervis said the SLT was a volunteer group made up of a wide cross section of building staff and administrators. Team members…