Board Highlights

This newsletter features highlights from District 97 Board of Education meetings.

Other key items from Aug. 13, 2024, include:

Click here to access full meeting agendas and packets. Recordings of our meetings are also available on our YouTube page. For more about our board, visit www.op97.org/boe.

Starting the year with clarity and connection at Brooks and Julian middle schools.

During the Superintendent Update, Dr. Luis Fernando De León, assistant superintendent of middle schools, shared an update on the district's Middle School Redesign, which includes Middle School Connection—a three-day program to help incoming sixth-graders transition smoothly.

Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Patrick Robinson also highlighted the summer work of building leadership and school improvement teams to enhance educational outcomes and create a supportive environment.

This work led to the development of District 97 Middle School-Wide Behavior Expectations in five key areas: cell phones, lockers/backpacks, IDs, hallways and bathrooms, and lunch and social time. These guidelines, created by nearly 70 educators and staff from Brooks and Julian middle schools, aim to foster a respectful, responsible, and safe learning environment for all students. Click the following links to access the full presentation: Recording | Slides

Increasing transparency and access to D97 Board of Education meetings.

We are excited to introduce "Board Highlights," our new District 97 Board of Education newsletter designed to enhance transparency and make it easier for our community to stay informed about the decisions and initiatives that impact our students and schools. We're aiming to keep this updates brief, accessible and visual. Each edition will be shared in the district's Weekly Wrap-Up on the Friday following each board meeting.

We're also excited to introduce our new Board of Education platform, Diligent, which will make it easier than ever to stay connected. This platform provides quick access to meeting packets, presentations, calendars, and video recordings, ensuring you have all the information you need at your fingertips. You can explore the new platform here. We'll be introducing additional features as we build out the platform over the next few months.

An archive of meetings held prior to August 2024 will continue to be available at www.op97.org/boe.

Strengthening our commitment to operational excellence.

These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to operational excellence and our dedication to providing the best possible support for our students and staff. We look forward to the positive impact these leaders will have on our district community and their contributions to our shared vision.

Click here to learn more about our new leaders. >>

The D97 Board is seeking community members who are interested in offering their expertise and guidance to support the success of our schools. You can make a difference by volunteering to serve on one of the district's board committees:

• Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC)
• Finance Oversight and Review Committee (FORC)
  
  

Interested individuals who would like to be considered for membership are asked to complete a brief form. The board of education and committees will be reviewing all applications received for consideration until all vacancies are filled. Selected applicants will be contacted directly.

Candidates can access additional information about board committees by visiting https://www.op97.org/boe/committees. If you have any questions about committees or the application process, please contact Board Secretary Lonya Boose at lboose@op97.org.