Huntley 158 board presses staff on social-emotional screener pilot, data use and state law

The Huntley Community School District 158 Board of Education on Oct. 16 questioned district staff about the district's pilot of an SEL screening tool, how results are integrated into PowerSchool, and whether the product will satisfy pending state requirements.

Board members pressed Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Innovation Dr. McBurnell for specifics about the pilot: how long the district has been in the pilot, where results are stored, who can see them, how history is retained and what happens when a student's responses trigger a flag. "We are waiting for our state accountability ratings, which will come live on October 30," McBurnell told the board while answering broader accountability questions; she later explained technical details of the screener.

Why it matters: The district is using the screener as part of its multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and is considering whether to continue paying for the vendor at the end of the pilot. Board members said they want clarity on whether the district has alternatives and whether the contract provides value given other systems already in use.