Administrators at Elmwood Park CUSD 401 presented the district’s Illinois School Report Card and school-level performance updates and the board took action on several routine items, including a school maintenance grant and a student conference trip.

District overview: Business and instructional leaders told the board that all four schools in the district received the summative designation of “commendable” under the state's new accountability cut scores. Staff said the state’s switch from SAT to ACT-based cut scores and other assessment changes mean proficiency comparisons to prior years are limited; growth metrics remain comparable year to year.

Key metrics and local initiatives: Presenters highlighted several specific data points: district English learners rose to 32.6% with an exit rate of 13.3% (111 students exited), teacher attendance showed 73.9% of teachers with 10 or fewer absences in 2025, and the district’s average teacher salary was reported at about $84,000 versus a 78.5K state average. Administrators also noted the district is designated Tier 1 for state funding and reported average per-pupil spending of about $17,000, below some neighboring districts.

School-by-school highlights: Elmwood principal Mister Lerner described reduced chronic absenteeism and math growth tied to targeted programs. John Mills leadership emphasized communication, attendance campaigns and intervention blocks. Elm Middle School reported 60% ELA proficiency under new cut scores and a 7% English-learner exit rate, and the high school described Progress Learning adoption to prepare students for the ACT, a universal advisory called Tiger Time, LED lighting upgrades at athletic facilities and wraparound 'tiger teams' focused on freshman-on-track and graduation rates.

Finance, grants and agreements: Business staff presented a tax-levy calculation summary and said the district is subject to Cook County’s property-tax cap (district will likely receive the lower of CPI or 5%). The board also reviewed a School Maintenance Grant application (matching funds): the district must spend $100,000 on listed projects (doors and concrete at Elmwood Park High School) to receive a $50,000 state reimbursement. The grant package was brought forward as an action item.

Board actions and votes: Trustees approved the Model UN conference at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago and the School Maintenance Grant, and they adopted the consent agenda. Roll calls recorded affirmative votes from the trustees present; the meeting record shows unanimous approvals for the items taken up at this session. The intergovernmental agreement with the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and a substantial press-policy update were presented as first readings and scheduled for future action.

What’s next: The district said the ONCC agreement and press policy updates will return for formal approval at a future meeting (the ONCC agreement was noted for the December meeting). The tax-levy materials will be posted for the public; the district said it does not expect a Truth in Taxation hearing because the levy was prepared under the tax cap threshold.

Vote details (at-a-glance):
- Model UN conference (motion carried): yes votes recorded from listed trustees present; no recorded 'no' votes in the transcript.
- School Maintenance Grant (motion carried): roll-call yes votes recorded and motion carried.
- Consent agenda (motion carried): approved with roll-call yes votes.

The board adjourned at 8:40 p.m.