Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
District instructional leaders told the Aurora West USD 129 board on Oct. 20 that the district is in the first year of implementing the HMH elementary literacy curriculum (InterReading and Arriba La Lectura) across all 10 elementary buildings.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
Board presented certificates to leaders and parent mentors from eight schools and thanked Family Focus for partnership in the program that supports classroom volunteers and community events.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
District staff and consultants provided a planning update on capital projects at West Aurora High School, including discussion of tennis courts and coordination with the park district; board was presented future design steps that will return for approval if budgets allow.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
Superintendent Mike Smith told the board that all 15 Title I schools have developed schoolwide plans for 202526 in coordination with the grants department and that the plans are in the board packet for review and future approval.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
District staff and consultants presented a phased plan for West High campus improvements — fields, parking, stadium lighting and classroom modernization — and presented preliminary cost estimates and options to use fund balances to accelerate work.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
District staff presented Policy 7255, aligning district procedures with Article 26a of the School Code to provide supports for students who are parents, expectant parents or victims of domestic violence.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
The board recognized St. Mark's Lutheran Church for donating use of greenspace next to the district early learning center; district and church representatives described a shared‑use agreement that will let students use the playground during the school day and church members use it evenings and weekends, with installation expected before winter.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
The Board of Education approved the purchase of a home at 134 South Glenwood Place for $300,000 to create additional staff parking for Freeman Elementary. District staff said the house would be removed in spring and the parking lot constructed the following summer; formal approval for the construction project will be brought separately.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
West High student council presented survey results showing 85.4% of seniors supported switching from rental graduation gowns to purchasable "keeper" gowns priced at $42 (rental price currently $50). Students and staff said the change reduces returns, packaging waste and cost; students noted keeper gowns are slightly lower material quality.
Illinois / School Boards / Aurora West USD 129
A senior resident and student board members raised concerns during public comment about uneven facility investment across the district and student-led protests about gun violence; board members acknowledged the comments and said they would take them seriously.