Reports and Presentations
Lincoln Elementary School Spotlight
Principal Smith shared a presentation about how the Lincoln Lions bring P.R.I.D.E to life in Lincoln Elementary School. This work in the Learning Environment helps set a foundation for success. At Lincoln, they believe that every student should feel like they belong—where everyone knows their name. Their commitment aligns with our district's mission of Educating, Engaging, and Empowering Students.
Bryan Middle School Spotlight
Principal Discipio shared highlights of their work on how their school teams collaborate to meet their goals. Specifically focusing around the learning environment and school improvement efforts including their targeted areas of focus around the 5Essentials, they saw year-over-year growth.
Learning Environment: Promoting Positive Culture & Relationships
District 205 reported continued improvements in the learning environment, a key driver of student success. Data from 2024–25 shows chronic absenteeism has declined significantly, with rates at York High School now half of what they were three years ago. New sports and student activities have been added to support belonging, while survey results from both the Illinois 5Essentials and Panorama SEL show growth in school climate and student social-emotional skills.
Medical Insurance Plan Recommendation
The Board approved 2026 Medical and Dental Insurance Plan changes following unanimous support from the District Insurance Committee, which includes representatives from employee groups, administration, and the Board. Key updates include an 8% premium increase (below the industry trend of 11%), a pharmacy plan shift to Vyttl-1, elimination of GLP-1 coverage under PPO and HSA plans, removal of future mandatory wellness screeners, sunset of retiree dental benefits for those eligible for state plans, and increased deductible and out-of-pocket costs for PPO1. The District’s Dental Plan will also continue with its phased-in rate change in its second year.
Agenda Action and Consent Items
Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
The Board of Education approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The budget reflects District 205’s continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational excellence, with FY25 closing nearly $5 million under budget. The FY26 plan includes a modest 0.92% increase in revenues, driven primarily by local property taxes, and ensures high-quality learning opportunities while maximizing efficiency of district funds. Updates since the tentative budget included adjustments to federal grants, athletic programs, and copier maintenance costs.
Special Education Supplemental Staff Contracts
The Board approved contracts with staffing agencies to address ongoing shortages in certain educational assistant positions and specialized roles. The agreements include educational assistants and a nurse from Amergis, as well as a school psychologist from Soliant, at a total cost of $229,575. These expenses are budgeted within special education accounts, and union leadership has been notified in accordance with the PSRP agreement. The flexible contracts allow releases if permanent hires are made, ensuring buildings receive needed support for the 2025–26 school year.
Compensation Compliance Reports
The Board approved the posting of the annual EIS Report, which lists administrator and teacher salaries and benefits, and the IMRF Report, which discloses total compensation packages for employees earning more than $75,000. Both reports are required by state law to be presented at a public meeting and posted on the District website.
Agency Staffing Contracts for Special Education
The Board approved staffing contracts totaling $54,322 to cover special education leave of absence positions for the 2025–26 school year. The agreements include a 1.0 FTE special education teacher through AYA and a 0.5 FTE speech/language pathologist through Onward Search. These flexible contracts, funded through special education accounts, allow agency staff to be released if permanent hires are secured.
Technology & Facilities Work Management System
Starting this year, District 205 is moving to IncidentIQ for all technology and facilities requests. This single, easy-to-use system will replace SolarWinds and Akitabox, so staff will now submit all tech and maintenance needs in one place. The change will streamline workflows, improve support, and save the District $25,000 annually.
Resolution of Intent to Issue Working Cash Bonds
The Board adopted a resolution of intent to issue up to $8.5 million in Working Cash Bonds to strengthen the District’s fund balance and support the annual Capital Projects Transfer. A public hearing on the proposed bonds as well, as Life Safety Bonds, is scheduled for October 21.
Approval of Contract with Nania Energy Advisors
The Board approved a Master Agreement with Nania Energy Advisors to assist with natural gas procurement, following the expiration of the District’s fixed-rate contract in June 2025. Partnering with Nania, which works with over 50 Illinois school districts, will help District 205 secure competitive long-term rates and mitigate the projected 20% increase in natural gas costs. Current electricity rates remain locked through December 2026.
Superintendent's Communication & Communications Highlight
13th Edition of the Community Connections Newsletter
The 13th Edition of the Community Connections Newsletter is coming soon to mailboxes! Topics covered in the newsletter include a recap and highlights video of the newly renovated Madison Early Childhood Center, the introduction of the Elmhurst D205 Podcast and the launch of the We are Dukes Video Series/Podcast with Dr. Hurt - Episode 1 is a Q and A with Dr. Hurt.
State of the District
I’m excited to share that the District’s Annual State of the District will be held on October 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary. We look forward to sharing data and information and reflecting on the 24/25 school year.
State Reporting (IAR/ISA/ACT will be shared with families on 10/17) - New, Unified Performance Levels for All State Tests
Families will receive students' individual score reports on the Spring 2025 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) with families by the end of October. PDF copies of the reports will be sent digitally to authorized parents & guardians via ParentSquare. Results from our PreACT and ACT state testing for high school students were shared in the spring.
These reports will reflect student performance through a new framework adopted this summer by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The new framework contains four performance ratings - Below Proficient, Approaching Proficient, Proficient, and Above Proficient - for all state assessments, including IAR ISA, PreACT, and ACT. These changes are shown in the graphic below, provided by ISBE:
To establish score ranges for the performance ratings, ISBE analyzed how previous proficiency levels in Illinois compare with those in other states, and how proficiency ratings align with evidence of students' readiness for college and careers. At the October Committee of the Whole, we will review the new proficiency thresholds and D205’s performance on all state summative assessments, including IAR, ISA, and ACT.
Importantly, ISBE has made no substantial changes to the underlying assessments. The individual score reports provided to families will also contain the scale score along with much more detailed information regarding the students' performance on the assessment.
October 10th Institute Day - Engage 2025!
Over the past several years district educators have partnered with school and district leaders and instructional coaches to deepen their knowledge of curricular resources, engage in new teaching strategies, expand their understanding of educational research, and execute standards-aligned practices..
At the upcoming October 10th Institute Day, ENGAGE 2025, D205 is excited to provide the space for EC-8 educators to share all that they’ve learned with their fellow colleagues. As a way to foster continued growth and development and to expand leadership opportunities, D205 has encouraged staff to propose a 1.5 hour or 3 hour workshop session to share their expertise with one another.
We’re looking forward to engaging in an enriching learning experience on the 10th!