February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

2.2. Student Board Report
 

• On January 15, the district-wide School Improvement Team, composed of faculty and administrators, met for a collegial discussion focused on identifying key instructional challenges and establishing long-term improvement goals for the district. The meeting centered on reviewing district achievement data in reading and mathematics and engaging in collaborative dialogue to identify areas of need and guide improvement efforts over the next five years.
• In the area of reading, the team reviewed district achievement data indicating that not all students are meeting grade-level proficiency expectations. This trend highlighted a need for greater consistency and coherence in literacy skill development and reading instruction across grade levels. Faculty and administrators discussed the importance of aligning instructional practices to ensure that foundational literacy skills are intentionally developed and reinforced as students progress through the district. As a result of this analysis, the team identified a district improvement goal to increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level reading proficiency over the next five years by strengthening literacy skill development and improving the quality and consistency of reading instruction across all grade levels.
• The team also examined district math data, which showed that a measurable number of students experience difficulty demonstrating proficiency in foundational pre-algebraic skills, particularly in one-step problem solving. Discussion indicated that instructional focus and coherence in these areas are not consistently aligned across grade levels. Faculty and administrators agreed that strengthening instruction in foundational mathematical skills is essential to improving overall mathematics achievement. Accordingly, the team identified a district improvement goal to improve student mathematics achievement over the next five years by strengthening pre-algebraic skills, with a specific emphasis on one-step problem solving across grade levels.
• This month, the team will work to fully develop our school improvement goals and begin developing an action plan that will enable the district to achieve them. 

• On January 19, 2026, the district held a professional development day for all certified staff focused on strengthening instructional practice and deepening understanding of the challenges faced by students and families. The day was intentionally structured into two complementary learning experiences that addressed both academic instruction and student support.
• During the first half of the day, staff began literacy training through Solution Tree’s Master Class: The Science of Reading. Most buildings completed Block 1, of a 4 block series, during the morning session. This professional development supports the district’s commitment to strengthening reading instruction and helps meet requirements to train all certified staff on the elements of the science of teaching. The training is designed to be versatile and cross-curricular, reinforcing effective literacy practices across content areas and grade levels.
• The second half of the day took place at McCook Community College’s new East Campus building and focused on deepening staff understanding of poverty and the complexities it creates for families and students. Staff participated in a hands-on Poverty Simulator that provided an engaging and impactful learning experience. Through this community partnership training, participants explored the stressors and barriers families experiencing poverty often face as they navigate everyday challenges.

• The district will continue to focus professional development on strengthening core instruction through the use of the Instructional Practice Guide (IPG). This work is grounded in the belief that high-quality, consistent Tier 1 instruction is the most effective way to improve student learning outcomes for all students. IPG professional development provides:
  • A shared framework for understanding what effective instruction looks like in practice;
  • Supports teachers in aligning instruction, materials, and classroom practices to clearly defined learning expectations.
• Through this work, staff will deepen their understanding of:
  • Instructional rigor
  • Student engagement
  • Alignment to grade-level learning objectives.
• IPG also supports reflective practice by helping educators analyze instruction through a common lens, fostering professional dialogue focused on continuous improvement rather than compliance. 
• Core instruction professional development will emphasize clarity of learning targets, effective use of instructional time, and strategies that support all learners within the general education classroom. Together, IPG and core instruction training will support a coherent, district-wide approach to instruction, ensuring consistency across classrooms while honoring professional expertise and collaboration.

January 2026 for February 2026 Board Meeting

• Monthly Lunch #’s =   13,324 meals served
• Financial #’s = After 41.6% of fiscal year = General Fund YTD Revenue is 41% YTD Expense is 43%
• All Funds YTD Revenue is 41%, YTD Expenses is 44

• We are currently updating a 1st grade classroom at McCook elementary.

• We have released a RFP for a new school auditor.

• To be held on February 18th at 2:15 by the wellness committee.

• None