The Nov. 11, 2024 Kaneland board meeting focused on several topics, including multiple recurring topics such as the Crown Community Development Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Sugar Grove and the Kaneland referendum with a focus on student surveys and perspectives. All board members were present, excluding Board President Addam Gonzales.
Other topics that were mentioned included applause for the boys cross country team’s successful season that ended with them placing fifth at the State finals in Peoria this past weekend, the presentation of the school report card data and the audit presentation involving both the Fox Valley Center (FVCC) and Kaneland CUSD #302.
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m., followed by superintendent salutes made by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kurt Rohlwing who acknowledged the seven board members who voluntarily give roughly 48.6 hours to the board of education each year. Following that, there was another salute by Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO Dr. Jackie Bogan to District Director of Technology Tim Wolf, who donated $8,000 worth of second-hand technology for the Kaneland district from District #131.
The meeting continued with three public comments. Maple Park resident and parent of two elementary age students Tonia Groezinger informed the board of the reading and math goals that were completed early by her children. She expressed her concern for her and other families that their children have no motivation to continue their education after being told they could not advance.
“This year, he seems to be slowing down a little bit, and they mentioned it in his math conference and I was assured and tried to assure him that even if you finish fourth grade before fourth grade is over, they have assured you will continue and start with fifth grade,” Groezinger said. “It kicked him in the gut so much that he has zero desire to push himself, and seeing a kid who was literally multiplying numbers in his head at the age of three in the back of my car to know he is just fine or whatever [when it comes to math]. I strongly attribute this to the lack of motivation that was given to him at the end of last year.”
The next public comment was from Elburn resident David Dias, as he brought his concern of the chant “your body, my choice” allegedly circulating the high school. Dias brought his worry to the board due to merchandise that has been made with this chant on it. He asked the board how that affected the dress code within the high school.
“There is merchandise available with that catch phrase,” Dias said. “The current school handbook [provides a change] the shirt option, but it is a threat. You have students threatening other students, and the only punishment is to change your shirt.”
Following Dias’ public comment, there was a final public comment made by Sugar Grove resident Scott Stalcup who gave a shout out to the boys cross country team’s successful performance at the IHSA State Final on Saturday Nov. 9, where they placed fifth overall. Senior Evan Nosek placed third individually, freshman Carson Kaiser placed sixth and junior Evan Whildin placed 36th.
Next, there was a School Report Card Data presentation given by Director of Educational Services 6-12 Dr. James Horne, Director of Educational Service EC-5 Dr. Sarah Mumm and Rohlwing. Mumm overviewed the IAR scores between third and fifth grade, while showing all the elementary schools and state percentages. Horne overviewed the Kaneland Harter Middle School (KHMS) IAR scores and growth compared to the last three years, also including the state percentages. He also included the Kaneland High School (KHS) SAT scores for juniors to show how they have increased over the years, in addition to showing the state percentages.
Rohlwing then presented the results from a student survey regarding the referendum. He showed the results from all eight questions. Out of 1,200 high school students, 608 responded to the survey and 150 students participated in a focus group. Student representative and senior Sarah Slattery spoke about how she can confirm her feelings, along with the feelings of many of her peers, about the poor conditions of locker rooms, bathrooms and the seemingly uncontrollable fluctuations in temperatures around the school.
Then the board invited attorney Ken Florey to provide updated information on how the Crown Community Development TIF would be proposed. Florey explained how he will draft a proposal and is feeling hopeful about how when the language is written out, it will be clearer for everyone.
“First, we had a discussion about [school tuition payments],” Florey said. “The ball is in my court now to revise the intergovernmental agreement that I first put together, while trying to maximize the payment of each of these categories.” Florey provided the board with a draft of the plan to revise the agreement. He plans to maximize all available funds they get.
The board then approved the course book for the 2025-26 school year. As it continued to be adjusted, Horne stood up once again and went over the language that was cleared up for better understanding. He also presented the addition of the Dual Credit-101 theater class that will be taught by Kaneland High School English teacher Rachel Giles-Bachman.
To end the meeting, Rohlwing gave a shout out to the boys cross country team once again, as he shared how he was able to go to Peoria High School and support them in person. Then, Bogan announced that the KHS track is officially painted as of Thursday, Nov. 7, and pictures will be released in the upcoming weeks.
The meeting neared conclusion with a public comment from Elburn resident Megan Mussano, who spoke on the data from the report cards. Mussano expressed her opinion on how the district needs to accept and support the children’s change in learning. Mussano said that it would be great to see the numbers increase, but she believes the numbers are low due to COVID-19 and the reality that kids did not have the necessary access to educational resources to increase their learning during those times.
“When you see the numbers for our school report cards, ELA is only at 40% of where we need to be in our third grade through eighth grade, and our math is 26.5% at extending level,” Mussano said. “I am absolutely thrilled that we are in a math curriculum review this year and implementation next year. Our kids are different now than they were 10 years ago or pre-COVID Life has changed unfortunately or fortunately, but it’s changed. It is more important than ever that we implement with fidelity with the PD and acknowledging that our kids have changed and meeting those needs.”
The meeting ended with a closed session with no possible action as a result. The next Kaneland school board meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 25.
