USD116 BOE Update: June 2, 2026

Highlights

• UHS college and career readiness initiatives showed strong results with 85% of freshmen on track for graduation and 93% of 9th graders completing career and college planning activities
• Exclusionary discipline for students with IEPs decreased by 14%, exceeding the district goal
• Staff retention and recruitment goals are being met: Licensed teacher retention reached 88.2%
• ParentSquare was successfully implemented as the district's unified communication platform
• Family engagement expanded through Neighborhood Night, attendance initiatives, and school-based family events
• Facilities planning is underway

Looking Ahead

While several goals are already meeting or exceeding annual benchmarks, there are still areas of growth in academic achievement, chronic absenteeism, and behavioral intervention supports that will remain priorities for the 2026–27 school year.

Administrators from Dr. Williams, Dr. King, Leal, Thomas Paine, Yankee Ridge and Gerber presented the progress on this year's school improvement plan goals. Each school had a goal around Literacy, Math, Attendance, and Culture and Climate.

The Principals will come back at the beginning of the school year to present their school improvement plan for the 2026-27 school year.

The Human Resources Department continues to make progress toward the district's strategic goals of attracting, retaining, and supporting high-quality staff.

Goal 2A: Retain highly effective staff

• By the end of 2026, 83 percent of all staff will be retained from 2024-2025
• By the end of 2026, 88 percent of all licensed teachers will be retained from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026

Goal 2B: GOAL 2B: Recruit staff that represents and reflects our student body

Recruitment efforts showed positive results. The District increased the teacher retention rate from 85 to 88.2%, meeting their goal. Teachers of color now represent 32.1% of licensed teaching staff, exceeding the district's annual goal. Through student teaching partnerships, Tiger Tours, and job fair outreach, the district has already secured several hires for the upcoming school year.

A stay survey was created as part of a strategic plan subgroup. The survey gave valuable feedback/data on reasons teachers are staying (what they like) and things that could be improved on for retention.

The Board of Education received a tentative budget for 2026-27 (fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027). This budget is tentative and will be changed once contract negotiations are finalized and salaries and benefits can be updated appropriately.

The Board will adopt a tentative budget on June 16 and approve a final budget in September.

10.3 Diligent Agreement: The Board approved a service agreement with Diligent, an organizational tool for Board of Education meetings/documents

10.5 Young Adult House The Board approved an emergency exception process allowed under district purchasing and procurement guidelines. This will allow the administration to move forward with this project and work with a home builder that satisfies the Board’s previously approved budget and project timeline.

June 2 Superintendent Report

USD/UHS have been awarded $250,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund. This funding was awarded by the Illinois Senate Democrats from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The funds are designated specifically for capital improvements.

Senator Faraci has been following the District’s efforts to increase Career and Technical Education opportunities for our youth and nominated us for this grant to kick off our plans for future CTE capital improvements at Urbana High School.

1101 East University Avenue, Suite B, Urbana, IL, USA

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