Meeting roundup

District 181 Board

Among other business at their Monday meeting, board members

• approved the Rising Stars Extended Day pilot for 60 kindergartners in need of additional academic support. The program will be offered in the mornings and afternoons at three buildings for the 2022-23 school year. Incoming kindergartners will be screened May 31 and June 1. The pilot could cost up to $542,000, depending on how many students require transportation.

• agreed to spend $215,014 for 500 Chromebooks for middle school students and $311,629 to leave 850 iPads and cases for three years for elementary students as part of the district’s digital learning device refresh program.

• approved $2.78 million in summer capital projects, including a roofing and ice melt system for Clarendon Hills Middle School ($771,000), an HVAC upgrade at The Lane ($297,000), paving work at Madison ($285,600) and door and hardware upgrades at Walker ($71,400)

• heard a report from Rick Engstrom, assistant superintendent of business and operations, highlighting the department’s accomplishments over the past year. The district has earned Financial Recognition status from the Illinois State Board of Education, a AAA credit rating from Moody’s and a Certificate of Excellence and Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International.

• accepted gifts including $2,999 from the Illinois State Library for the Axis 360 digital reading resource and $40,000 to $80,000 from the Clarendon Hills Middle School PTO for a living garden learning environment