Huntley 158 administration outlines FOIA changes, attendance concerns and student supports
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Summary
District leaders briefed the board on Senate Bill 0243 changes to FOIA related to suspected AI-generated requests, reported enrollment decline and shared chronic-absence patterns; trustees and parents pressed for clearer attendance letters and outreach to families.
District administrators updated the board on several operational and policy matters, including recent changes to the Freedom of Information Act, attendance trends and student supports.
FOIA and AI: Administration told trustees that Gov. action on Senate Bill 0243 allows public bodies to seek verification that a FOIA requester is a person when there is reasonable belief a request was AI-generated. Staff said FOIA officers would contact requesters for written verification and that the district will consider posting procedural guidance on the website to manage timelines and verifications.
Attendance and communication: Administrators presented data showing a continuing enrollment decline and chronic-absence concentrations in seniors, juniors and kindergarten, with grades 3–6 showing lower chronic absenteeism. Parents and trustees raised concerns about the wording of automated attendance letters that some families find punitive; staff reminded the board that chronic absenteeism metrics follow school-code definitions (absent days count toward chronic absenteeism regardless of excused/unexcused status) and said nurses and school teams will review cases with legitimate medical documentation before escalation. “If there was the key indicators that this was generated...we would reach back out,” staff said regarding FOIA verification; on attendance, administration said they will re-review letter wording and processes.
Student supports and curriculum: Assistant Superintendent Dr. McCrindle summarized district assessment windows (STAR, AIMSweb/state screener timing) and professional learning days (early release and institute-day PD in January). Trustees and students noted student‑led programs (Link Crew) that discuss online safety and sextortion topics; trustees asked administration to explore community education options through parent meetings.
Next steps: administration will update the board on FOIA process refinements, review attendance‑letter wording and return with proposals for parent outreach on online safety and sextortion education.