Community Listen & Learn - Union Leadership

Thank you to all of the individuals who invested the time to engage in our Listen & Learn sessions regarding the Structural Deficit Reduction Plan.

Meeting summaries were created to provide increased transparency across the community and to provide insight as to the perspectives and thoughts across various stakeholders.

Robust conversation took place across sessions and content from the meetings were summarized based on high level themes that emerged. In community and parent/caregiver advisory sessions, the responses to questions 1 and 2 were transcribed directly from the chart paper provided from the various groups. Identifying information has been removed and responses to question 3 are provided in summary form (not verbatim quotes).

An asterisk indicates that the idea was supported or named by other individuals within the session. The total number of participants does not include district facilitators.

Meeting details:

• Date and time: December 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
• Location: Virtual via Zoom
• Number of active participants: 5

Question 1: As difficult decisions lie ahead to balance the budget, what are the top three priorities that you believe must be protected?

Having enough staff to properly support classrooms*

• including childcare programs and ability to support the needs of all students
• support for students with IEPs

High quality individualized education services**

Adequate transportation services (safe, timely)

Access to appropriate, high quality curriculum and instructional materials for ALL students*

Consideration must be given for the increasing needs among students and the best learning environment/supports (especially in early childhood given the very young age of students)

Buildings need to be in tip-top shape and an environment conducive to student learning

Preserving teaching positions connected to supportive programs in the district

Protecting new and veteran educators and support staff so that they are able to grow with the district as it evolves in new structure

Importance of support staff in attending to student needs (holistic support)

School Age Child Care -  great resource and provides connection that parents rely on, especially working parents. Also a revenue generating program for the district.

Question 2: When thinking about your experience in District 65, what programs, services, or shared values make you most proud?

Increased enrollment in School Age Child Care - parents have a program with staff that they can depend on along with a great value for the money. Great collaboration across SACC coordinators, educators, and other school-based staff.

Staff in this district are very committed to teaching our children, despite everything going on.

Showing up every day to see our kids in school and their experiences, they come in safely and leave safely. Proud of the staff who show up every day.

Proud of early childhood program and the high levels of enthusiasm across students, staff, and families

Question 3: Please share any additional information that should be considered as we prioritize budget reductions.

Concern over the usage of agency services to support teachers in classrooms. This money could potentially be reallocated to recruit and retain current staff.

Look at people and services being outsourced and why?

Is there a return on investment for all the supports and programs in place? Are they making a difference for our kids?

Rely on leadership of staff within the building and invest in better utilization of professional development opportunities for staff*

Reduce private placements

Everything should be taken into consideration and nothing left off the table.

The District needs to speak with the treasurer -  there is state money owed to the District that should be collected. 

Engage in fundraising efforts

We have very talented staff and parents within this community and the district should leverage their expertise.