Um, we've done some work with our counseling and advising groups to try to target some of those areas for um outreach and we're excited to see some opportunity there. All right. So, like I said, there's a difference between proficiency and growth. We've talked about that in each presentation that you guys have had. If you look at our math scores, we did not reach our growth target. But if you look at our achievement growth, we went from um 73 76% to 81% um for our students who are scoring in proficiency range. So that's a huge jump for us. Even though enough kids didn't grow for us to meet our growth target, our kids are showing proficiency at a very high rate. So they're doing well on the test, they're just not all growing. We still want to see our kids grow regardless of where they're placing, but it's hard to grow when you're in that higher percentile.
This is where you all can take a sides with me. So, as you move into high school and beyond, I want to focus on these specific human soft skills real quick. Work ethic, having the discipline to show up on time, do your best, manage your day. That's the foundation being successful in the workforce. Communication. AI cannot look somebody in the eye and truly connect with them. Be a good communicator. That will set you apart. Adaptability when things go wrong or plans change. Your ability to pivot and make changes is important. Teamwork, knowing how to work with a team. Your ability, your ability to solve tough challenges with people. Problem solving. Computers follow instructions, but you have the ability to look at a mess and figure it out. Creativity. AI can remix things that already exist. But you all have the imagination to make things happen.
So we will uh the consent agenda is 10.1 close session minutes from April 20th close session meeting minutes 10.2 2 open and close session minutes from April 27th, 2026 regular board of education meeting 10.3 monthly bills and payroll for approval are in the amount of 2,294,469.99 10.4 4, the treasur's report. 10.5, resignation, dismissal, retirement. 10.6, Employment. 10.7 Destruction of closed meeting audio recordings. 10.8 Disposal of Assets, which were none. 10.9 Regional Safe School Resolution. 10.10 10 student lunch prices for 2026 to 2027 10.12 press plus issue and 121 policy updates and exhibits recommended to move to policy recommended motion. May I have a motion to approve the following 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 and 10.12 as presented. >> So moved. >> Second.
So, when students are getting caught or in trouble, like how are we looking at that student saying, "What's the why behind your nicotine use and how can we help you through this?" Um, and then I work with all of the um counselors. So, if we have a student that's at Parkview Behavioral Health or Maple Heights and they are re-entering, reintegrating into our community that we are going to work with that student so that they're just not popping back in after having this really intense um inpatient experience. So, those are all of the different things that I do for tier three students. And then I wanted to highlight two really great programs. I'm excited about everything. Um so, I have one program that I'm starting. We received a grant through a program called One in Five. And if you're interested in one in Five, you have to spell out the words one and five um because there's two different organizations.
the 2030. >> Yo, Max, say Allan. Say Allan really loud. >> No, no, no. I'm double I love I love opening up the shift and just see like when I'm working open shift nonstop nonstop >> How many hours are you working >> a week? starting June uh like 16 like 17 but I'm trying to go up to like I just pick some shifts where you want to do >> you work at Walgreens >> yeah basically >> are they looking for employees >> how much of you work >> 16 hours for whatever >> I used to 1950. >> Yeah. >> So, you could tell his company. >> That was necessary. >> That was tough. >> Right next to each other. >> I like that. >> I got What >> is that place? Okay. >> You work there? >> No. >> Wait, where? Where? >> Yo, Mac, they want >> Wait, wait, where?
Um the window of growth kind of shortens a little bit. So that is one of the reasons we think we might not have seen as much growth as we were hoping for. We have growth in our ELA um classes as well. While we were in the 61st percentile for growth, we did see 71 to 73rd percentile for our actual proficiency scores. So again, our kids are improving. It's just not an all students improving situation like we would like to see. I do think that our aligned curriculums in math and ELA being fully implemented next year will show opportunity and growth in those areas. So, we're excited to see what those new curriculums do for our kids. >> Um, so some action steps that we completed. Um, we have an aligned bulldog block at our middle school and we're kind of excited for the progress and the shift it's going to make next year where every student will have it all at the same time at the end of the day so they can come get support in their exploratory classes as well as their other interventions that they need.
And then leadership and influence. Machines can inspire people, but it takes human beings to have a heart to lead others. So the truth is right now we are all preparing you for jobs that may not even exist yet. We can't predict what tools you're going to use in the workforce or what your jobs will look like. But what we do know is the value of these skills I just laid out for you are not going to go away. Whether you become a doctor, an artist, an engineer, or a job that we haven't even come up with yet, your success will largely depend on a strong work ethic, your ability to communicate, the ability to adapt when things get tough, the ability to work with a team, the ability to problem solve, your creativity, and the ability to lead others, lead and inspire others. Those are important things, and that's what you all have control of in this whole new world of AI.
>> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Stacy Salt, >> yes. >> Darling, >> yes. >> Julie Jetty, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. So the motion is approved. Moving on to those items for discussion and board approval. Our first one is approval of the memorandum of agreement between Kerry District 26 and CESPA IEA- NEA. Dr. Thomas, >> thank you. So in November of 2025, the Illinois Labor Relations Board certified lunchroom supervisors to join the SESPA union. Um, in February, the union requested to negotiate to add them to the union or add them to the contract. And then on April 24th, Mr. Shepard and I met with CEUS representatives and the IEA representative to bargain and add this group to the uh contract. It was a successful negotiation. The memo of agreement is in your packet.
But we received a grant to start a peer um counseling program. So 12 students were identified that are juniors and seniors um this year and they were trained on two different half days in the one and five curriculum. And then those students are now going to be called what we're calling them peer support people. um or I'm calling them expert listeners. Like they got trained in how to listen. And so we're looking for students who are coming up from eighth grade that are going to be freshmen and maybe need a little bit of mental health support and these students are going to be um meeting with them one-on-one during study hall to offer that kind of listening ear. Um and then we had this really cool opportunity where um all of the counselors and myself read this great book called Anxious Generation, which I really recommend if you haven't read this, this would be a great book for you to read.
>> The one nearest. >> No, but like where in this location? >> No. No. >> Was it in the shops? >> Yeah. Yeah, the girl I knew that there she got like paid like so >> under the table cuz you don't get punished they do. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Yeah, >> he is legal. They just lie. >> They just lie. >> Real business. They just don't have any. >> So, it was in the plaza. >> Yeah. >> I didn't know about that. How long ago was this? >> Recent. >> Yeah, recent. I'm not surprised. >> No, they're not fully >> that collection. I wonder how >> dare wins 31. Wait, if you like if we win to play. >> Yeah, >> because a 4-1 victory doesn't matter. >> Yeah, it does, I guess. Yeah, >> we get to play for >> But he actually does like >> he's a freshman.
Um, the intentional champs utilization, many walkthroughs throughout the course of the year. We did classroom visits by all of our SLT, TLS, and admin throughout the course of the year focusing on each grade level as well as our exploratories. Um we had common exit slips to make sure that we could identify which kids needed the enrichment or which kids needed the interventions during those times as well as um the informal visits just to kind of see what was going on in the various classrooms by all of the various teachers. >> All right. >> Um we had some improvement in our five essentials data as well. Um back in 2003 our safety component was not very good. It was at a 33% which is an all-time low. But in the past four years, this score is all the way up to 70, which increasing by 7% over last year alone.
you have control of those things. So AI might be the engine of the future, but you're still driving them. So keep sharpening those skills and you have something that no computer is going to have. So I could go back to Jim and I to close this out with some inspiring message, but I'm going to give you some very simple personal advice from Mr. Ro. Be kind, work hard, and show grant the Grant community what awesome individuals you've become leaving Big H. So, I wish you all the best. Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. W. I would now like to recognize this year's recipients of the Illinois Principal Association Award. These two students were voted on by our staff and were chosen because they consistently exhibit the qualities of leadership, integrity, strong work ethic, and a willingness to serve. This year's winners are Jack Walls and Kennedy Joseph.
Um it adds those staff with to the compensation groups with annual increases aligned to the other SESSPA employees and uh the regular work hours of 10 hours per week which is 2 hours a day for 5 days a week. So we are recommending approval of the uh update the memo of agreement to the sessa contract.
Um, we read that and then we had this opportunity where a book was created called The Amazing Generation. So, everybody that had read that was like, we need a book for kids. And so then they had this um contest where kids or schools could apply and say, I want to be able to win these books and be able to pass them out to students. And so we won. And so now we have um selected five students from Crest View and five students from Riverview. And some of those students are here now. And some of the students are here today. And um so I went to the sixth grade teachers and I said, "Okay, I want your students like be in a line." Yeah, great. Okay, great. These are awesome students. Okay. I said, "I want your students who like reading." That has to be one of the things.
I don't >> Doesn't matter. >> He's only like lost like >> Oh, is Dart your best single? >> Yeah, that's what I was saying. That's what I was saying. Why don't you just like >> Yeah. He's only lost two. >> I'll tell his face, bro. I mean, I guess that makes sense. >> I don't blame him. >> Every one of the soccer programs though. >> No, I don't think they will be. No, Arish is good. >> Arish is Arish is Arish literally has a book full of bra. I love Arish. He's actually so dope. >> Is that like Tommy? >> He will be >> right now. Who? >> I've heard he's good. I didn't I didn't get to see him play, but I >> he was No, he was a swing column, I think. >> Oh, no. He would take it. >> I don't think he played.
Um, also our various different groups of students, each group saw an increased amount of per uh safety throughout the course of the year with it ranging obviously from anywhere from eight points to uh 13 points throughout the year. And then with the new math and ELA instruction, um, all of those ratings went up, math up 18 points and ELA up about nine points. And then our continued focus as we move forward next year will be to work towards an align curriculum in with science and social studies field testing. Um look at the curriculum around our focus with bulldog block all being at the end of the day next year and then develop additional checks and balances to ensure our plans are executed as well as provide the necessary PD and tools that the staff can use for implementing those things. >> Questions for us? That's all we have.
I would now like to welcome to the stage Brad C. Steelinger, Sergeant-at-Arms, to present the American Legion Awards. Thank you, Principal Summers. >> Thank you, Principal Summers. Lindsay Datusa and school board members. Greetings and congratulations to all the 2026 graduates, family, and friends. On behalf of the commander of the lakes region post73 of the American Legion of Fox Lake, Illinois, it is both my privilege and honor to recognize two outstanding students that were selected to participate in the American Legion Americanism program. This program was established at a national level to enhance, ensure, and recognize the patriotism and valor within our young citizens of today and leaders of tomorrow. These students are recognized for their distinguished achievement and possession of the high qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service which are necessary for the preservation and protection of the fundamental institution of our government and the advancement of our society.
Any questions? May I have a motion to approve the memorandum of agreement between Kerry District 26 and CESPA IEA- NEA as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Darling, >> yes. >> Julie Jetty, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. >> Stacy Salt, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Okay. approval of the district salary study. Um I'll turn this over to Dr. Thomas, Mrs. Colonis. Thank you. So this is uh we're bringing back uh the information about the salary study. The salary study study is done by Gallagher. Looks at uh comp uh compensation of the entire district, every unit, every group uh whether they're union or non-union. Uh takes about five months to complete. The cost is $29,225 as discussed last week and the board had several questions uh and Miss Kenyon has reached out to Gallagher and has answers to those.
And not all of the kids actually knew what this book was about. parents were like she got to like chapter two and was like wait a second is this about screen time oh no so it's about mental health and how mental health has to do with screens right um so we chose 10 students and all 10 students are invited to then read the book which I think they've all finished it already but it was supposed to be like the whole summer um so they read the book and then in September they are part of a nationwide contest to enter an essay into like what did I learn about screens and mental health and what did I do this summer that didn't have to do with screens but I like went out and did something. So all four of these students are part of the 10 um that have signed up for this and I really hope that you'll have us back in September um which is suicide prevention month and I would love for some of them to be able to read like excerpts from their essays and tell us what they learned about this summer.
He came to basketball. Yeah, actually pretty damn good. Lea Brady here's walking behind >> we No, we're up. >> Oh, yeah. surprise. >> Hey, >> how you doing? >> Good. How you guys doing? >> Pretty good. >> Damn. >> Yeah. Good serve UI. >> No, I mean I mean I mean it's smart Yeah. Silver. >> Yeah. No, Max. He's being honest, >> huh? >> How much time did you get? >> One game and then never again for no reason. No, there was that one where you put you >> actually played more lacrosse >> first first four games I was fine >> but you're better at lacrosse >> and then the third game >> not even not even trying to throw shade like I don't know why he could have put you in any of the other games that was a really important game I don't know I don't know why he >> like no against the first game this tie was so against yeah Hollison the first game.