So, it's really just your eighth graders from all these different districts in Camden County um get together and they just kind of get to answer different questions and um so it's a Yeah. Yeah. It's pretty it's pretty neat. It's neat to see the kids and some of the kids are of course shy being on that big stage and others are super outspoken and >> um to know what >> Yeah. So yeah, we do that every year. Every year we we send somebody. Um so again, if anyone is open and they still would like to consider going, just let me know. Shoot me an email. Um any other questions? New business. >> And that's at Eastern. >> It's at Eastern this year. Yeah. Correct. Which is nice. Last year it was Ben, right? Was it Penalkin? >> Yeah. >> That was a hike. I had to go because my son was me.
Thank you, Maddie. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, my name is Marty Eldbog. I am a graduate. Um, sorry, 2025. Um, today I'm here to speak on the same topic as the lady before me. Um, during my time at Andrew High School, I had several conversations with multiple friends of all different backgrounds, telling me how useful Arabic would be as a world language. So when I heard that at the last board meeting it wasn't second, I felt compelled to um speak on it. Um Arabic is a very important language in the community of Simley Park, Orland Park, and all like neighboring towns. Um Arabic should be offered, especially with the two-year language requirement approaching in six years. We need diverse options in all of our schools. Students are not forced to take a specific language. So adding this simply just creates more valuable options uh for students, taxpayers and voters.
And site one on the plan is also 100% wetlands. >> Okay, >> we'll take those off. I'm sorry. you know, they must have been things that the community members suggested and then we just kind of blindly put them in. So, I apologize that we missed that. >> Yeah. >> And thank you, Becca Solomon, for giving us the information. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. Well, anything else for us? >> I'm just trying to understand the the goals for the um you know, to meet your timeline. So, it sounds like each board in the upcoming two weeks will be meeting and talking about the plan in greater detail and then um are we sending are we sending questions at that time or are we voting at that time? You know, I do you mind if I chime in? >> Please. I want to try. >> I guess I would say I I think it's um it would crunch the end of the process to wait till, for example, the planning board's meeting on the 12th, I think.
>> Um so all right. So public comments. Can I have a motion and a second to open the meeting to the public for discussion of um agenda or non-aggenda items? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed or abstain? >> Seeing no public has arrived. U may I have a motion and second to close the meeting to the public? >> Motion second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed or all right. So at this point we do not have an executive session this evening. So can I have a motion and a second to adjurnn the meeting? >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? >> Opposed or abstain? Who's going to abain or oppose? >> All right. You guys are good.
If this course were available, it should definitely be for all four years. So students can try for the seal by literacy. Now as a student here, I tried for it for a different language, did not get it. But I do know how important seal by literacy is to a school district for annual scores and ratings. Not only this, but students passing the exam can save them and their parents $4,000 or more for college classes because college classes do offer Arabic. And from what I've seen in my community, I feel like a lot of people do take Arabic in college. It's very useful language. Um, additionally, this program would give students an edge in the job market since uh more employers in modern day are seeking um individuals who speak English and Arabic. There are many advantages to having this program at all three schools. I ask you vote yes to approve it rather than just saying you are on board which often feels like an excuse to support the idea without taking any action.
>> Right. >> I I would prefer if it's okay with you all to get comments before that, even if they are those individual comments. And I think the select board meeting on the 4th, that's fine. if you can get us comments like on the 5th or something, we can start making those revisions. Um and then um when if you're meeting on the 12th planning board, would your packet go out on the 5th? >> Yes. >> So, yeah, I'm not sure that we can make the fifth deadline if we only get the comments in on the 5th. >> Yeah, that's true. U but but I but I think you can um I think whenever they're available if if before our meeting if they can just be sent >> we try we try to get it out a week ahead of time but obviously that certainly doesn't always happen and would rather have the comments even if they're late even if we're discussing them at at the meeting we would like to >> Okay so what we could do is um select board do you think it's realistic to get us the comments the day after your meeting >> will try >> I think I think we probably could >> I have to ask my my clerk if if she if she >> I think we probably could.
That is all I have for you guys. Thank you and good night everybody. Okay. Next, Edith Kavanagh. Good evening. I am a current resident and respectfully oppose in the proposed Thank you. the proposal to introduce Arabic as an additional language offering within district 230. Before expanding the curriculum, it would be helpful to understand the demonstrated level of interest and demand from the broader student population. Spec specifically, how many non-Arabic students have formerly requested Arabic as a language option? How many non-Arabic families across the district have expressed interest? What established criteria and process does the district use when evaluating addition of the new academic subjects? Currently, the district offers four world languages, Spanish, French, German, and Latin. These languages provide students with access to widely used linguistic foundations that support global communications, higher education pathways, and uh career readiness. For example, Spanish and French are among the most commonly taught and utilized international languages across diplomatic business and travel.
>> Okay, that's fine. Uh and then so that I think what we could then do is I don't know how substantial they'll be, but we can turn it around as quickly as possible. Um but why don't we say at the very latest by the end of the day on Monday the 9th, we could send it to the planning board revised showing the changes. Um and then you can have it, you know, a few days ahead of that meeting on the 12th. Does that sound fair? Yeah, I I think I think that's I think that's fine. And we can obviously do our homework ahead of time and then if especially if the changes are possible to be highlighted in some way so they kind of jump out at us what's different. Um then we can absolutely can review those and >> and then would we would we as a select board have to join you on that meeting or could we then wait until the next Wednesday the 18th which is our next meeting to approve the plan.
German remains an important language in global commerce and industrial fields. I'm sorry, engineering fields. Latin supports fundamental understanding of terminology used in medicine, law and science, strengthening academic literacy across disciplines. Given fin instructional time, staffing of budget resources and any expansion of language offerings should be carefully evaluated against student demand, long-term academic value, and alignment within district educational priorities. Additionally, many families choose to supplement cultural or heritage language learning through community-based programs, religious institution, or private instruction outside of the public school settings. These avenues could provide meaningful opportunities for students seeking deeper cultural and linguist linguistic connections without requiring changes to the district's current curriculum. For these reasons, I encourage the district to prioritize strengthening and expanding access to the existing language programs before considering the addition of new offerings. Thank you. >> Next, Amad Good evening. My name is Ahmed Zahadan. I co-founded an edtech startup in the future of work and I spent the past 14 years helping schools and governments aligned curriculum with real student needs.
I think that would be fine if you if the planning board approved on the 12th, the select board approved on the 18th and you can still approve it with there are just a few more changes, Jen, that's fine. Um, as long as you can vote to approve it with those changes um then we can make the changes and get it back to Jasmine and then um Jasmine submit. >> Okay, >> so I actually had a question related to that, Jen. Mhm. >> Um, if we submit to the state and they haven't approved it yet, but our other housing production plan expires, are we still covered because they have a new we have a new one that's been voted in town or are we then in limbo between when it expires and when they approve our new one? >> Okay. So, I sometimes I have a slide on this, so listen carefully because this is a little that's a little complicated.
I sold my startup to Google two years ago. So I'm coming from a position of facts and statistics. After watching districts across the US, Europe, and Asia evolve their programs, one pattern is universally clear. The schools that thrive are the schools that expand choice. They meet students where the world is going, not where it used to be. I'm here to advocate for district 230 to add Arabic as a world language. This is not a cultural decision. It's an academic and economic one for the future of all of our students. Arabic, as mentioned earlier, is the fastest growing language studied in the US, fastest growing spoken language in the world. Enrollment in Arabic courses has grown faster than any other major language over the past three decades in the United States. Right now, our curriculum is behind where the world is heading. Students shouldn't be limited by a narrow language menu when colleges and employers are demanding broader global competency.
So, one, they'll approve it retroactively to when you submitted a complete plan. >> Okay? >> And by complete, I mean it meets all those things that I just said. >> Okay? >> Um, assuming we submit a complete plan on whichever day, let's just say it was March 31st, and they take 30 days to determine it was complete, then they have another 90 days to determine whether they're going to approve it or not, and your plan's already expired. Mhm. >> As long as we submitted that complete plan and then they approve that complete plan, it's approved retroactively to the date we submitted the complete plan. >> Okay. >> There's a risk if we submit it, either they say it's not complete, then we have to >> fix something, submit it again, and then the clock starts again. >> Um the other risk is if they don't approve it for some reason, but I've never had them not approve it.
Adding Arabic aligns with district 230. What that high performing district's already doing, preparing students for a competitive world. Here's a key point. Students are not forced into any language. By adding Arabic, you give them a choice. A choice drives engagement. Choice raises achievement. in every single district I've supported across the world, expanding language options, increased student participation, and strengthened academic outcomes across the board. We also have a large and growing community here with cultural and linguistic ties to Arabic. Ignoring that reality means ignoring the students that you serve. Offering Arabic tells every family that this district values inclusion, not just statements, but in action. The decision in front of you is very straightforward. You can keep the curriculum limited or you can modernize it. You can tell students that global readiness matters or you can show it by expanding their opportunities. I urge you to approve Arabic as a world language and act with your three pillars that were up on the screen earlier which are be innovative, be empathetic and act with bold leadership.
They've always, you know, if there's anything that gets kicked back, they're like, "Oh, no. we want this appendix in there or you know we already know that now. So um so it shouldn't get kicked back but I can't guarantee it but it is retroactive to the day you submit the complete plan. So that gives you some protection. >> So as long as we submit it before our other ones expo expires we should be okay. >> You should be I would rather have a little time to fix it if there's >> I agree. When does our current one actually expire? >> Is it the end of June? Jasmine I don't have that date in front of me. It's the It's actually in May. I don't have the exact date. >> Oh, it's May. Okay. Okay. >> Okay. So, we should be with this timing, we should we should be okay, >> right?
Thank you. Wid to see you. >> Hello. So today I'm speaking uh my name is Widana and I'm speaking to advocate for the adoption of Arabic into our world language program. I'm speaking as a high school educator, resident of this district and a community representative in the building and finance committee. Um I've been following the advancement of world language development in high school districts throughout the Chicagoland area. It has been growing especially in the district where I work there's been expansion world language offerings where the mindset is that personal and career benefits and understanding of multiple languages and cultures is important for personal growth and professional growth. Um here in district 230 we have teachers and administrators that are phenomenal that are capable and that want to create a c curriculum that keeps this district at the level at or above other suburban high school districts in the Chicagoland area.
So, if anything if any changes or questions or >> if there's any qu changes that either group brings up >> that you feel Jenner going too close to the line, you're going to let us know. >> Yeah, that sounds fine. And the biggest one that they've kicked back that I found is if you don't say there's at least one private parcel and at least one town owned parcel. >> It's May 19th is what the >> date. >> So we want to think generously about those things because they're not you have to use it but it might be a possibility. It's something we should look at. Yeah. >> It's not a G. Okay. All right. Well, well, thank you.
They understand that adding Arabic to the world language curriculum would fulfill the core one of the core pillars of district 230 of providing an authentic learning experience to our students by providing realworld opportunities. Um Arabic is the fifth there's fourth but I'm going to settle on fifth just to go there. Um is the fifth most spoken language in the world one of the official languages of the United Nations. Um it was also labeled in 2008 as a critical language by the US state department. So the US government, the US State Department want people learning Arabic, want more Americans to learn Arabic for a variety of reasons, national security, business opportunities, and also furthermore, um, oh yeah, and offering this opportunity to all of our students to learn Arabic as a world language would allow them to compete in the global job market after they graduate and also be ahead when they go to college.
If there's no other questions, >> I was just wanted to ask, um, we do have a few members online and I cannot even see their faces right now because of the way the screens are, but um, if there's any questions from board members who are online somehow might have to >> I think it's just myself, Anna, and I don't have any questions on this. Thank you. >> I think Bry's online as well. Okay, >> I'm good. Thank you very much. Thanks, Jen. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Sorry. >> Thanks, Jen. It was good seeing you. >> Thank you, everyone. Good to see you, too. >> Bye. >> All your work. >> Bye. >> Okay. So, we all know the assignment, I guess, as they say. Um, all right. Next on our agenda is uh the comprehensive plan implementation committee. Um I'm going to turn this one over to Anna and Yolanda who I think have been kind of spearheading Sure.
If they pass the four years in high school, pass the seal of literacy, they'll go to college with the credit, uh, which will, you know, advance their path towards graduation. So what's required now is from our board to empower the teachers, empower the administrators to update the curriculum which allows our district 230 graduates to compete in an emerging job market in the present time and also in the projected future. Thank you. Okay, asalam alaikum everyone. This means may peace be upon you in Arabic. My name is Hanan Jasum. I am a parent of a current uh Andrew student. Um I am also a speech language pathologist and an Iraqi American who used to work in the public schools. I know the joy of hearing and seeing Arabic being used, a language of my community and my family. I would love to share that joy with any student wanting to learn Arabic.
>> that committee. >> Sure. I'll just speak briefly that after a multi-year process that was great partnership between the planning board and the select board and town management, we as a comprehensive plan committee together with our consultant um came up with a way to implement or create the implementation committee. The implementation committee is a key component of the success of a comprehensive plan in communities and the comprehensive plan itself has mention of it of how it should be set up. And then Yolanda and myself, mostly Yolanda, um I gave Yolanda my notes of how the committee had resolved to create the implementation committee and Yolanda did a great job uh putting that into a memo which I believe has been shared with both boards. Is that right, Jasmine? >> Yes. Um, and since Yolanda did the heavy lifting of the draft, I'll turn this over to Yolanda to speak to what was in there and then I guess we can open up for discussion.