Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley shared how proud we are of our students who were recognized this evening as National Merit Scholars and Special Olympics Soccer State Champs. He shared that we have really great kids who are doing really great things. Our teachers are doing exceptional things in challenging times across the country. We have a really good school. Yesterday, he spoke with faculty members at Prairie State College about the partnerships we can build to have HF students earn college credit while still in high school and to strengthen our community.
Board Member Pam Jackson shared that she is representing HF at the Triple I conference to vote on ISBE Resolutions. She also shared that "at our last board meeting, a proposal for new course (LGBTQ+ Lives and Literature) was brought forward by our Curriculum Director and English department. As someone who values process and data when making decisions, my priority has always been to enhance academic achievement for all students at HF and elevate our school's standing within the community. I typically do not feel the need to explain my votes in detail, as they are usually guided by my inquiries during discussions. However, in this instance, I feel compelled to provide clarity on my decision-making process. Before this year, we lacked a clear procedure for introducing new courses. Consequently, our Planning committee devoted substantial time to refining the selection process and gaining insight. In my opinion, the decision on which courses to propose should be informed by factors such as data and evidence, including the potential student interest, outcomes at other schools, and the impact on academic achievement, as well as adherence to state mandates and cost considerations. The recent survey, which solicited feedback from 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, was a positive step towards inclusivity and understanding student interests. Interestingly, the survey revealed that there were several courses, like Aviation, Certified Nursing Assistant, Cosmetology and Barber, Construction Trades, Welding, Law Enforcement, Cybersecurity, Computer Repair/Networking, Esports, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Diesel Mechanics, Advanced Manufacturing to name a few. These courses garnered significantly more interest from students compared to the proposed new course. Therefore, in the interest of prioritizing courses with higher student demand and potential for academic success, I could not support the approval of the new course at this time. I am committed to working collaboratively to enhance academic achievement for all students at HF. When I think of cutting edge, what first comes to mind is being competitive which means raising our state standards and school ranking."
Chief School Business Official Dr. Lawrence Cook shared that the student committee regarding food service met where they sampled potential menu items and shared their insights. They also shared their thoughts about portion size and pricing. Dr. Cook explained that school food service is not immune to the pricing increases seen throughout the country. He also shared that the Steppers Showcase this past weekend was a great success and was very well organized by Steppers Coach Wesley Stewart.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Jen Hester highlighted the work of our teachers saying we have asked a lot of them and they are highly engaged in the work related to SBL, PLCs, and on various curricular committees. This is in addition to their excellent work in the classroom every day. She also shared that we have a rigorous assessment program in place.
