By Ken Knutson
Using data to boost academic performance is important to Hinsdale High School District 86 Board members.
And they want their new superintendent to make it a priority.
At the board’s Aug. 22 meeting, Superintendent Michael Lach was given his five goals for the 2024-25 school year, the first of which is to “identify and improve the academic performance of all students and address achievements gaps in performance results.”
Board President Cat Greenspon said there’s room for growth in the area.
“I think this district has a tremendous amount of data,” she said. “We need to work on how to effectively harness that data and understand it.”
Board member Heather Kartsounes inquired as to the method for measuring success — or lack thereof.
“Are there metrics that could help us measure this?” she posed.
Greenspon said the state’s transition this year from the SAT to ACT for high school assessments as well as Lach’s recent arrival represent a chance to set fresh benchmarks.
“We have no basis for comparison for standardized testing right now,” she said. “I personally feel that the superintendent needs an opportunity to learn about the district, our employees, our students, and then start moving the dial.”
Board member Jeff Waters expressed a desire for more targeted objectives concerning student cohorts.
“I believe that we need to support the kids that need the most help. But by the same token, the highest achievers could be achieving even greater success if they we’re challenging themselves with more rigor,” Waters said. “I just want to make sure that excellence is championed, but it’s not championed in such a high-level definition as it is (in the goal’s wording).”
Walker cautioned her colleagues not to make goals too specific.
“We will potentially put ourselves in a difficult situation if we say we expect the test scores to improve by ‘X’ percentage, and they don’t,” she said. “We should be able to add to this or delete from it if there’s something that changes.”
Lach said accountability is important, but that it’s just as important that all stakeholders are on the same page.
“Let’s figure out what our ‘north star’ is so we can have a set of metrics that matter that will help you hold me accountable,” he advised. “I don’t think we have those right now in a way that are fully embraced and fully understood by everyone.”
The other four board-enacted goals for the top administrator, in order, are as follows:
• recruit, hire and retain high-quality, effective teachers, school leaders and support staff
• evaluate and manage human, financial and physical resources and processes effectively and efficiently
• implement effective systems of support for students and staff that promote quality learning experiences and social and emotional growth
• engage stakeholders to determine priorities, foster partnerships and promote learning
“I think this goal five is very, very important for our community to stabilize the district,” Greenspon said.
Lach was asked to present a “portfolio of evidence” at the end of the year to demonstrate progress on the goals. Walker reiterated the need to be adaptable.
“We will, over time, work on some additional indicators,“ she said. “This is the starting point.”
