USD116 BOE Update: May 19, 2026
from Superintendent Ivory-Tatum
Commendations and Recognitions
District Student Artwork Presentation / Elementary Fine Arts Presentation
The Elementary Fine Arts Coordinator presented an end-of-the-year presentation, which included performances from elementary students and the annual presentation of artwork to the Board of Education.
State Seal of Biliteracy
39 Urbana High School students have earned the Seal of Biliteracy this year. 21 students earned the Commendation of Biliteracy. Of those 60 students, 32 were part of Urbana's dual language program.
The State Seal of Biliteracy program recognizes high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and in one or more foreign or world languages. The Seal is designated on the student’s diploma and transcript. To determine proficiency, students must take an assessment that determines whether they meet the state qualifications for the Seal. The assessment tests for proficiency in the four language domains: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
The following students have been awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy:
Spanish:
- Diego Alvarez Rivera
- Alexander Ashley
- Cora Baker
- Alexandria Bauer
- Isabela Castillo Perez
- Sam Clancy-Harley
- Benjamin Diaz
- Marcos Domingo- Mateo
- Nadav Gal
- Valentina Gonzalez
- Kate Gresch
- Arelly Gutierrez
- Elvis Hoyos
- Juan Jose Anastacio
- John Lee
- Adrian Lopez
- Sheyla Lopez Tomas
- Amelia McCarver
- Miranda Nieto
- Marissa Olson
- Isabela Pascual Andres
- Will Pedro Esteban
- Antonio Poblano
- Natalie Pociask
- Isaac Quintas
- Lourdes Reynolds
- Illiana Rosaliano
- Karen Sanchez
- Madelyn Scherer
- Lily Schroeder
- Hazel Tracy
- Julian Valadez
- Samantha Walden
- Elianna Lee
- Theodore Nevins
- Miles Sola
- Lavie Maisha Wema
- Joyce Malaki
- Ushindi Mushengezi
- Lourdes Reynolds
- Rachel Wiley
- Nadav Gal
The Commendation toward Biliteracy is awarded to students who demonstrate progress toward biliteracy, but do not fully meet the requirements of the Seal.The following students have been awarded the State Commendation Towards Biliteracy:
Spanish:
- Celeste Bello Moran
- Abigail Bernstein
- Yarili Canales Reyes
- Lillian DiSanto
- Gabriel Gallendo More
- Samantha Hernandez Davila
- Kaya Hill
- Joyce Malaki
- Emir Martinez
- Adamari Ortiz
- Madolyn Posey
- Jason Ravanh
- Asha Williams
- Beatrice Biggs
- Anika Drasgow
- Brock Gallo Parkos
- Max Kooper
- Jimmy McCumber
- Adrian Lopez
- Mia Schroder
Student Ambassador Recognition
The Board of Education recognized Mia Schroeder, Ke’Andre Towns and Sophia Sheyko Frailey for their service as the BOE Student Ambassadors for the 2025-26 School Year.
DPW Elementary Leadership and Community School Program
Urbana School District has received a $336,000 federal grant to support the development of a Community School at Dr. Williams Elementary School. This funding will help expand programs and services designed to support students, families, and the broader community by strengthening partnerships, increasing access to resources, and creating more opportunities for student and family success.
A community school is a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources and entities intended to transform neighborhoods into environments where our children and their families thrive. The grant funding may support initiatives such as:
Expanded Learning Opportunities: Academic enrichment and after-school programming
Family Engagement Supports: Access to adult education, job training, and services
Student and Community Supports: Access to health, wellness, and social services
Beginning July 1, 2026, current Dr. Williams Elementary Principal Danielle Jackson will continue serving in a leadership role by transitioning to the Community School Program Administrator position, where she will focus on developing and implementing the District’s Community School Program.
Dr. Williams Elementary Assistant Principal, Derrius Hightower, will serve as interim principal for the 2026-27 school year.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program End-of-Year Review
The School Resource Officers gave an end of year review to the Board of Education, which included a review of various incidents at SGC/UMS/UHS.
SROs are law enforcement officers working in schools to promote safety and build positive relationships. They focus on high-threat situations and do not manage student behavior or discipline.
SROs Activities and Duties
Urbana SROs have varying responsibilities including but not limited to:
- Serving as a liaison between UPD and the schools to inform about safety concerns and incidents happening after hours and on weekends
- They are members of School Threat Assessment Teams, District Crisis Committee and School Crisis Teams
- Serve as a resource for students navigating the court system
- Driver's Ed - Distracted Driving Class and Business Law Class
Career, Technical, Education (CTE) Programming and College & Career Readiness
The Board was given an overview of the District's College and Career Readiness Programming and Career and Technical Education programming for students in grades 6-12. The presentation highlighted increased student participation in CTE courses, new middle and high school elective offerings, and expanded career readiness opportunities aligned with the District’s Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate goals.
The Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework was developed to provide guidance to students, families, and educators on what types of experiences and information a student should have in order to make the most informed decisions about college and career planning. Originally for grades 9-12, the PaCE Framework was expanded to include grades 6-12.
As part of expanding our PaCE Framework to include grades 6-8, a Career Pathways Coordinator position was created to support grades 6-12. This role will support, implement and sustain our career readiness program including:
- Working with CTE teams and leadership to incorporate grades 6th, 7th, and 8th grades into our PaCE Framework
- Work closely with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade counselors and the College and Career Counselor to ensure each USD student in grades 6-12 has an individualized learning plan
- Work with CTE Departments and leaders to align career exploration, career fairs, work-based learning, AVID, and other CTE initiatives for grades 6-12
- Collaborate with teachers, counselors, administrators, families, higher ed partners, trade unions, and business and industry leaders to support meaningful pathways from grades 6 through graduation and beyond
As part of the expanded PaCE Framework, the Sixth Grade Center and Urbana Middle School will have new elective options, including Intro to Careers and Intro to Computer Science at the SGC and AgVentures, Building Basics (Trades), and Woodworking at UMS.
Monitoring Outcomes
The District is shifting to SchoolLinks beginning next school year for students in 6th-9th grade. UHS 10-12th grade students who have already been utilizing Xello will continue to use this platform until they graduate
SchoolLinks is a college and career readiness platform to prepare students for what comes after graduation. SchooLinks helps students discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their post-secondary goals.
Action Items
Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report
- We celebrated our Class of 2026 during our 2nd Annual Grad Walk
- 3 athletes from UHS have qualified for the Track and Field State Championship
- 16 athletes from UMS are headed to the Track and Field State Championship
Urbana School District #116
Stronger Together. Leading For The Future.