What did District 200 do over summer vacation?
A common question at this time of the year is, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" Some may have traveled to exotic places, while others took advantage of the staycation to complete much needed home improvements. In District 200, many staff members spent the summer working on projects and programs aimed at supporting student achievement all year long.
Guided by the Vision 2018 document created with community input, staff members made significant progress this summer in a variety of areas that I would like to share with you.
District 200 ended fiscal year 2016 with a balanced budget and an operating surplus. At its regular meeting in July, school board approved posting the 2016-17 tentative budget, marking the seventh year in a row with a proposed balanced budget. You may view the budget on our website cusd200.org.
The increased use of technology by our students both inside and outside the school setting has necessitated infrastructure and hardware improvements. This summer the technology department upgraded our bandwidth, resulting in more than double the previous amount, and installed additional access points in our elementary and middle schools. Coupled with the purchase of 4,700 Chromebooks, students at all levels will have new devices and faster internet connections to help build their technology skills and enhance their educational experiences. Through a grant from Sprint, students also will be able to check out one of 250 hot spots that will give them internet access at home.
Our educational services department spent the summer working on implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards at the elementary level. The new standards place increased emphasis on engineering and scientific inquiry and include hands-on activities. District 200 staff members designed engineering cubes so students in grades three through five can work on engineering practices while they collaborate, create and use their critical thinking skills.
The educational services department and school teams also use the summer months to review student achievement data, identifying strengths and areas of focus for professional development during the coming school year.
Providing safe and secure learning environments for our students is a top priority in District 200. Each year maintenance staff members clean and make repairs so that our buildings are ready for students in August. As you drive by our buildings you probably have noticed work being completed to outside areas, such as playgrounds with new mulch and playing surfaces, new roofing at Sandburg and Monroe, and replacement of the 42-year-old bleachers at Wheaton Warrenville South.
The District 200 school board is focused on the master facility plan and will continue to refine costs and make key decisions about how the plan will be implemented and funded.
As we start the 2016-17 school year, I want to assure you that the efforts of many staff members during the summer months are done in keeping with our mission to inspire, educate, challenge and support all students to reach their highest level of learning and personal development.
• Jeff Schuler is superintendent of Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. His column runs monthly in Neighbor during the school year.