Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
At its board meeting, Oak Park ESD 97 leaders reviewed district safety protocols, including use of the I Love You Guys Standard Response Protocol and Raptor notifications, and announced Black History Month activities and a forthcoming FAQ for families.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
The Oak Park ESD 97 board approved the consent agenda by voice vote; the board also provided an update on the superintendent search and previewed the Feb. 24 agenda, which includes action on the Oak Park Township IGA.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
A district presentation described an intergovernmental agreement with Oak Park Township to formalize expansion of 'Rise' programming: six existing sites would be covered initially, expansion beyond the six would be billed at $6,000 per 8–12-week session; the IGA is scheduled for board action on Feb. 24.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
District presenters described a middle-school redesign focused on equity and belonging, reported improved Panorama survey results (sense of belonging up ~14 points), outlined advisory development and 'win time' tiered supports, and previewed career-day plans with high student participation.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
District 97 presented its K–5 math pilot process, saying two resources were piloted and evaluated on seven criteria, with pre‑ and post‑assessments and teacher/family feedback to shape an April recommendation for a single Tier 1 curriculum. Board members asked about differentiation, special‑education supports, and parent transition help.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
A Julian Middle School student told the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 board that gender‑neutral bathroom stalls are routinely dirty, sometimes locked for months and were the site of a homophobic slur the student reported to staff. Board members asked staff to contact the student and consider fixes.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
District administrators told the board that while student growth percentiles rose for many groups, the state changed proficiency thresholds; using old thresholds on preliminary data the district met ELA goals and met math goals, but under new comparisons it trails peer districts by about five points in ELA and seven in math.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
Public comment urged the district to expand middle-school sports rosters; librarians described the 1 Book 1 District kickoff (Wedgie and Gizmo) and a virtual author visit; the board approved the consent agenda with the personnel report pulled and previewed a Park District IGA for summer programming.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
At a Jan. board meeting, the district detailed its acceleration policy under the 2019 Accelerated Placement Act: a family session is set for Feb. 18, applications open March 2April 24, and students must meet an 80% rubric threshold to qualify; Access to Algebra remains a separate pathway for grades 57.
Illinois / School Boards / Oak Park ESD 97
The Oak Park ESD 97 Board approved a contract with Otis Elevator Company for the Brooks Elevator Modernization project for $158,834; the motion was moved and seconded and the board announced the motion passed.