And tying to this the handbook, there is some language changes related to our academic integrity, right? And so it's from the lessons that we learned this year to make it clearer for the students, for our staff, right? Making sure that it's it's of the uh assessments of learning, right? that that it this is applying to the assessments for learning, our course team decisions and and things along those lines. So that is clearly spelled out in the in the revisions to the handbook. >> We had new language in the handbook this school year for cell phones as well. Um and we've got documented there the number of total referrals and then the number of unique students. So, um, South saw more students repeat the behavior than North did. Um, and in general though, we're continuing to learn and there was just legislation. Um, so I guess you know if you want to advance to the next slide for me on the right hand column, watch legislation.
um even when I read things and go ask somebody else what I just read, they have a different opinion sometimes of the very words that I read. So I think you know the more we can communicate with each other and be respectful of each other, the better off we're all going to be. >> Um I just I've gotten a couple of questions about the the loss of the free lunches and so can you kind of explain a little bit as to how that >> So yeah, good good question. Um so the last two years um we were able to provide free breakfast and lunches for all students. Um part of that offset money um that we have is supposed to come with the aloc cart line right so when when kids go in they get a pot they get an extra cheeseburger whatever that may be and that's supposed to help offset the the numbers financially for us.
We just watched it happen. Um, so every school district is required to have a policy similar to what we have in place um, for next year, but we're continuing to do learning as well around what, you know, we also have young adults in our buildings and how do we teach them to be responsible, follow our rules, yes, but also prepare them for the notsodistant future when they are employed and need to be disengaged from their phone when they are in a lecture hall at college and need to be disengaged and so on. Um, and so Angela Duckworth um has done a lot she's the same uh researcher who researched grit and wrote a book about it maybe 15ish years ago now. Um, but she has done a lot of uh research around cell phones in schools. Um Patrick let me know that because of him we participated District 99 participated in said survey.
Um that that didn't occur but more importantly what didn't occur was our free and reduced paperwork. Um, so Peggy can can talk to this very well. Um, we went from what 67% free >> reduced with the federal government for title one funding and title two and title four down to 42%. Because parents did not complete their free and reduced forms because we provided food and we have lost money, rent money sadly. So that that's really the those two things put together the it's just financially not stable for us. >> And I might add we are not a district where we only have 42% free and reduced. We're not we are a district of 67 to 70%. >> So if that paperwork had been turned in then we wouldn't be in this situation >> for the most part. Yes. I will say it's also based upon the census with title one and we had many people and city limits, our county limits, right, for knock school district that did not perfectly the census.
Um so we're included in her data. Um but one thing that she speaks about is situational agency. Um and it's what we many of us do anyway, right? Like if you want to make sure you exercise in the morning, you're going to be more successful if your shoes are right next to your bed, your workout shoes, right? when I go to the grocery store, if I can say no to the candy aisle once, the chocolate doesn't wind up in my pantry. So, I don't have to say no to it every time I walk past the pantry. So, similarly, what her research found is that the further away the phone is, the higher the GPA. So the kids who study with their phones here are less are more distracted by their phone than the kids who have it on the other side of the room and have to get up to go check it who are even less success who are more successful than the ones with it here.
Every year we try, we send things out, we do it through our teachers, our, you know, but this latest one, free and reduced, that really has hurt us. >> So, that's a great plug, too. Please fill out that paperwork. It's so important to our funding um >> in many ways. >> Yes. >> And it's important to fill it out whether or not you qualify. >> Correct. because there's a different threshold than what you may think qualifies for free and reduced and they change it every year state level. >> Um I also wanted to um congratulate Mr. Fipps. He has gotten a couple of awards recently. Um Michigan Outstanding Music Educator Award as well as the 2026 Heart of the Arts Award and for his job his work with We really do have an amazing program. We really do. Um the community is very proud. So thank you.
But the ones who have it, you know, charging in the kitchen outside of the space where they're studying are most able to be um engaged in their learning. Um and so we plan next year to continue the the use of the phone pouches and um that phones, you know, if they're visible in the classroom without explicit adult permission, um that's a referral. And so we, you know, will see high numbers of cell phone referrals probably um initially until kids adjust those behaviors and those uh not obsessions, behaviors like patterns like uh routines, rhythms, >> habits. That's the word I'm looking for. Thank you. Yes, those habits >> and included in those revisions as well, right? Instead of talking specifically about phones, we're talking more about personal devices, >> right? So, um smart glasses are uh becoming more of a thing, right? So, being clear that if they're using smart glasses that could be asked to put those in the in the holder, right?
>> Um I'm just going to add that when if there's information out there and people have questions then, you know, reach out to I I know that your your guys' doors are always open. um you know or any of us um instead of just um trickles and rumors and gets out of hand. So um >> all of our emails are on the school website. >> So probably they're gone but like thank the administrators for their uh info and I'd like to thank uh Jake uh to off and leave for your your input uh with the D program. So that's all I have. >> Congratulations, Craig. I didn't hear anything like that. And I know you got a couple uh awards, too, or recognitions, I think, or one. So congratulations, speak about that. But um yeah, that's it. >> Yeah, I'll say thanks for thanks for coming in, sharing your your concerns.
So, we're going to communicate that well. Um because some of times they're prescription, right? So then what do I do with those? So be clear that that that is that is something um that that could also that that goes in the in the pouch. So instead of just focusing on cell phones, we have the pouch. It can fit more than a cell phone uh in there. And just doing a first read through that uh through that legislation, we have things in place that that are going to carry us through 2030, right? So the 2030 2031 year is when we would need to address and that'll give ISBY time to write their guidelines and regulations and uh we can see what what exactly that looks like. But we're we're well positioned um with the recent legislation that was passed sometime early this morning.
And uh you know, I think we said it, but we've always been supportive of it. It's just getting to the right spot to where it helps everybody out. That's why we're here this community of kids. And uh I don't think there's a person at this table that doesn't want to do the right thing to help everybody out. So please understand that, folks. I appreciate you coming in sharing and and very kind of sharing your concerns and not being the that means a lot. It's a testament to the people. So thank you. Um, congratulations Craig. That's awesome. And probably got to share a little something about your stuff right now. >> No, he should. Yes, congratulations Craig. I did not know that. Thank you, Aaron, for sharing that. Um, and yes, Mr. Mid, congratulations. He too has received some nice awards writ recently and he shared with that in schoolboard notes.
Any questions about any of the the components that we covered in the behavior? We're seeing we're seeing an impact on all areas related to the the decisions uh that we made last year and that we put into place this year. Positive. >> Okay. Good. So going right along into the uh student uh and family handbook, I will say that the athletic activity handbook, there are no changes right to that. Um when we look at the uh the handbook changes for uh we covered most of them as we were talking uh through this. Um we added loss of privileges to all of the um different consequences as a component that could be utilized. um we have found that that has a a nice impact on students, right? Um having just one thing uh doesn't usually work. You got to find out what works for for students um as they're as they're going.
I think that we should be very proud that he's going to take over some of that leadership for the district for the I don't know what you call that district. You want region? >> Well, you want me to explain it? >> Yeah. Well, go ahead. You can interrupt me. I'll tell you. >> Well, you finish and I'll explain it. >> Well, you explain it when it's your turn. >> Okay. >> Um I'm getting a little sassy as I end my >> uh speaking of which, I'm very happy. Uh Academy, we're going to graduate 21 of 21 seniors. That's a huge accomplishment at Academy. A lot of help to Mr. Miller and Mrs. Lenhard. And Sam was telling me that we're going to have a 100% graduation rate at Knox High School this year. That is phenomenal. In his words, I would agree with that. >> Um, >> right.
So um the the additional uh the search for with using a handheld uh metal detector, we have that as a a clarifying uh option for us, right? If that is if that is needed. talked about loss of privileges and then we talked about uh in the last presentation of the assessment of learning versus assessment for learning. >> So any handheld metal detectors used entering the building? >> No. If it's a search in a dean's office. Okay. >> We we have reasonable suspicion and we may use a a wand. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I was worried about profile. >> No. But it it also could be used as part of our our exit or our entry strategy, right, with the student. If there's a if there's a concern that we have with a a student, it could be >> Yeah. If we have reasonable suspicion and we're searching, then yeah.
That is his word. >> That is his word. But it is it's it's wonderful work from the staff and you know it starts from preschool on. I would like to add just one thing about that accountability even though you know I won't be here to see that. Um the state they have a lot of different concoctions over the years I have noticed and in past years the accountability it always was slanted to get an A at your high school. I'm just going to be honest. Let's just call it like it is. They have many ways of getting A's at a high school. All right. And and that's good. But the SAT doesn't count. It counts 10% at the high school. So okay, take it for what you want. middle school. Now, they they've given more bonus points to help the middle school out with that graduation plan, getting credits, which is important at eighth grade, don't get me wrong.
>> So, these are up for approval uh at the next board next. So, if you have any questions between now and then, go ahead and reach out. It's kind of like a policy revision because ultimately a handbook is board policy after the board approves it. Uh school resource officer agreement with Downer's Grove. Uh we have a school resource officer in each of the two schools.
This is all important. Um, but it's always been the elementary where they struggle to have higher grades and for whatever re I know what the reason is. You have to understand the state superintendent her platform is reading. Everybody will read by the end of grade three, no matter what your ability is to read, right? schools that have high special ed populations are going to struggle with this. I'm just going to say that because as an educator many many years I can tell you not everybody has the same ability to fill the same cup. You can take a cup and put your water in. Many students we can fill it to the top but there are just some students whose cup will never get filled academically because of some of their disabilities. and that is not enough on those students. But in the state's eyes at the elementary, every student must read at grade level no matter what your disability.
Uh they are Thank you Karen and Patrick. >> Good job. >> Appreciate you guys. >> Good job. Thank you. >> Uh we have a SRO in each of the buildings. uh they are employees of the village of Downers Grove as Downers Grove Police. Then we have a uh an agreement with them, an intergovernmental agreement that outlines all of the practices. Over the years, we have we've had an intergovernmental agreement with them for decades. Uh that has had like minor updates here and there. A few years back, uh Chris, you probably were on the board when we had the body worn cameras added. Uh so we've had addendums over the years. This year, because of changes in state law, there's a total rewrite of that agreement. Uh that has been reviewed both by the board's attorneys and the village attorneys. So it's all all legal uh stuff aligning with changes in state law.
I'm not using that as an excuse, but we need to understand that. and my the frustration and it's not your fault but when Michelle Tarno the principal of the elementary tells you that we're at a I don't want to call it a disadvantage but there are no bonus points for an elementary school if a student cannot pass I read. So they can pass I learn all they want but they're not going to get those bonus points if they fail I read. I think that's important when a school board starts looking at well why is our high school a B why is our middle school a B or a C and our elementary is a CC c minus D. You need to understand that right last year by the end of summer school we had 100% of our third grade greater general ed students pass I read which is exactly what you would hope for.
Uh, so, um, ultimately I I can do my best to answer questions for you, but really this is something that the attorneys have worked out and is aligned with all all of the changes that have occurred over the last couple of years regarding SRO's. Um, this also comes back uh for approval at the next board meeting.
So no third grader by law had to be retained last year. Please understand those special ed students who didn't pass got a good cause exemption. Those students are still testing. In fourth grade, we had nine, right? They were all special ed students. Half of them passed. Fifth grade, we still had to test them. That's the new law. We had three special ed students still retesting. I'm talking I read retesting I read. in fifth grade, one of them passed. Those two students will continue to sixth grade and have to test. So, you're going to take a third grader testing all the way through sixth grade if he has a disability and just can't read any more any higher level. Does that make sense what I'm saying? But our teachers work non-stop with these students. They do. They deserve a pat on the back for what they do.