Community Consolidated District 181 Board
Among other action Monday, board members:
• voted unanimously to adopt new science resources, choosing Mystery Science for elementary schools at a cost of $238,850 and Elevate Science for middle schools at a cost of $335,298. Costs include online access, science kits, lab materials and professional development. The resources were piloted this year and are within the $600,000 budget.
• agreed to lease 420 iPads for kindergartners and 440 iPads for third-graders as part of the iPad refresh program at a cost of $397,886 over three years. Students will keep the devices for three years. (Sixth-graders receive Chromebooks when they get to middle school.)
• accepted six gifts and donations, including $60,000 from the HMS PTO to update the rooftop outdoor garden and $15,000 from the CHMS PTO to purchase flexible seating.
• heard an update on winter MAP test scores. Thirty-six percent of students were in the 90 to 99th percentile in reading and 57.5 percent were in that percentile in math. All but one grade level at one school (third grade at Oak) showed greater than expected growth in reading, and all grade levels at all schools showed greater than expected growth in math.
Hinsdale Village Board
Among other business Tuesday, trustees
• approved a special use permit for the operation of a Montessori Gifted Prep Preschool at First United Methodist Church of Hinsdale, 945 S. Garfield Ave. Trustees discussed the matter during a first read on March 5.
• held a first read on a recommendation to eliminate the deputy fire chief position. In her board memo, village manager Kathleen Gargano said the recommendation comes in conjunction with the announced retirement of Fire Chief John Giannelli on April 5.
“With each vacancy in the village, the village routinely takes the opportunity to evaluate staffing needs against the work the department must accomplish,” Gargano stated. “After review, it has been determined the needs of the village are best met by eliminating the position of deputy fire chief.”
• referred to the plan commission a request by UChicago Medicine Advent Health for changes to the hospital campus’ signage. The medical center would like new signs reflecting its present name, proposing 21 ground signs and one awning sign with a combined sign face area of 619.8 feet. Currently there are 24 signs with a combined area of 568.2 feet.
• referred to the plan commission a request by Mouse Motors for changes to its exterior appearance and site plan, including sign changes, the installation of a vertical pivot gate, landscaping adjustments and modifications to building elevations
