Hinsdale High School District 86 Board
Among other business Dec. 16, board members:
• approved a final levy of $89.7 million for operations and $12.2 million to pay off debt. The levy for funds controlled by the tax cap is 2.2 percent higher than it was last year.
• approved a revised 2021-22 school calendar that reflects the decision to hold graduation ceremonies for Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South on the same date (May 26, at 7 p.m.) and the finalization of spring testing dates (April 13-14).
• listened to an update on Illinois School Report Card from Chris Covino, assistant superintendent for academics, on SAT data for the district. In math, 63 percent of students were in the meets or exceeds categories, compared to an estimated state average of 30 percent. In English/language arts, 65 percent of students were in meets or exceeds, compared to 33 percent statewide. Those percentages at Central are 72 percent meets/exceeds in math and 73 percent in ELA.
• took an informal vote and decided not to discuss the creation of an academic committee or a task-force to identify solutions for addressing course offerings and scheduling conflicts, even though both items were listed on the agenda. Four members had agreed at the Oct. 28 meeting to add the items to the agenda of a future meeting.
• heard an update on grading, with answers to 14 questions submitted by board members and other information. The presentation can be accessed online at https://www.bit.ly/3E40cW1.
Community Consolidated District 181 Board
Among other business Dec. 13, board members:
• authorized the list of recommended summer 2022 capital projects. The work, with an estimated total cost of $2.5 million, includes HVAC upgrades at The Lane School for $476,000; floor replacement at Prospect School for $400,00; parking lot, playground and apron resurfacing at Madison School for $385,560; roof, gutters/downspouts and ice melt system replacement at Clarendon Hills Middle School for $265,370; and playground upgrades at Elm, Monroe and Oak schools for a combined $500,000.
• approved advanced and accelerated math criteria and ELA/ACE criteria to guide administrators’ placement decisions in grades three through eight for fall 2022. The placement criteria include several assessments, including the NWEA MAP, CogAT, The Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test, Common Unit Assessments, and Common Writing Assessment and Common Literature Assessment and rubric from William & Mary. Students whose scores do not meet the criteria for placement will be eligible for appeal. The placement criteria report is available through the Dec. 13 agenda on Board Docs on the district’s website at https://www.d181.org.
• heard a presentation on the overall results of the district’s spring 2021 administration of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. The percentage of district students meeting/exceeding state standards on the IAR was 71 percent in both reading and math. Eighteen percent of students scored a level five (exceeding) and 53 percent scored a level four (meeting) in reading, while 21 percent scored a level five and 50 percent scored a level four in math. Tracey Miller, director of assessment, instruction and evaluation, said the district will compare student results of the spring 2021 IAR and MAP testing, and fall 2021 MAP testing will be added into the data analysis as an additional point of reference of students’ performance.
• accepted a donation of $18,243 from the Madison School PTO for enhancements and updates to the school’s existing outdoor living classroom
Hinsdale Village Board
Among other business Dec. 14, trustees:
• unanimously approved a final 2022 budget showing $18.4 million in operating expenses and $21.4 million in operating revenue, including about $8 million in property taxes.
Since the board reviewed the draft budget Nov. 30, some changes were made. The wage and benefits line was reduced by $133,124 to account for the retirement of a police officer, an $800,000 transfer from the general fund to the water fund was eliminated because water fund revenue is higher than expected, legal fees were increased by $615,000 to account for pending litigation and the contingency was increased by $150,000 to take into account the rising cost goods and services, including gas and oil.
• voted 6-0 to approve a 3-percent increase for village manager Kathleen Gargano, bringing her salary to $211,465 a year.
“I think all of you will agree Kathleen has done an outstanding job last year and in prior years,” Village President Tom Cauley said, noting her raise and overall compensation package are consistent with those of village managers in comparable communities.
• agreed to participate in a nationwide settlement of $22.7 billion against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Illinois is expected to receive 3.3 percent of the total, and the village board needed to vote to opt in in order to receive funds. Any proceeds must be used to mitigate the effects of opioid use in the village.
• approved a new 7 p.m. start time for village board meetings, effective Jan. 4
