Goals & Progress 2026-2027

A. Continue to deepen and expand Math Specialist roles by strengthening instructional coaching skills to better support math teaching and learning in classrooms. Math Specialists participated in three full days of professional learning focused on the student-centered coaching framework, instructional coaching best practices, individualized consultations, and coaching labs, where they observed instructional coaching in action.

Improvement in math proficiency levels among students at all achievement levels. Student growth and achievement scores on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) at the November Board of Education Meeting.

Complete

June 2026

B. The District 63 Math Leadership Team met three times during the school year, with the middle school subgroup meeting more frequently. The elementary representatives opted to stay with the current core curriculum, Eureka^2, by an 80% margin. The middle school representatives opted to evaluate and pilot alternative math curricula. After a thorough piloting process, the middle school representatives recommended adoption of a new math curriculum: Amplify Desmos Math.

A new Math Instructional Framework will be introduced to staff in August 2026. The accompanying one-page overview outlines the District's expectations for high-quality math instruction in K-8 classrooms. In addition, middle school members of the Math Leadership Team shared their feedback and recommendations following the grades 6–8 math curriculum review process. Based on this work, the Board of Education approved the adoption of Amplify Desmos Math as the new middle school curriculum resource for the 2026–2027 school year at its June 4, 2026, meeting.

Complete

June 2026

C. Engage in monthly Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, a form of action research designed to support ongoing professional learning and continuous improvement, at all schools, focusing on two shared school improvement goals: implementing the District's new Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework with fidelity and strengthening practical, "doable" differentiation practices in the classroom to meet the needs of learners at all levels.

Improved classroom instruction and student outcomes through effective differentiation practices, supported by positive teacher feedback and observation data. Student growth and achievement scores on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) at the November Board of Education Meeting.

Complete

June 2026

A.  Provide professional learning support for K-8 teachers through monthly Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, which will focus on differentiation during writing instruction. This work will specifically focus on best practices when leading small-group instruction and through one-to-one conferring between teachers and students.

Improved classroom instruction and student outcomes through effective writing differentiation practices, supported by positive teacher feedback and observation data.

Not Started

June 2027

B.  Form a District 63 Health Leadership Team to evaluate current curricular resources used for K-8 Health instruction and decide if a full health curriculum review process is needed.

A committee is formed and makes a determination if a full health curriculum review process is needed.

Not Started

June 2027

A. The Director of ML Services provided professional development focused on improving differentiation practices for newcomer/multilingual students and refining co-planning/co-teaching practices.

A guidance document outlining best practices for co-planning and co-teaching diverse learners and for supporting continuity of expectations across the District was developed and disseminated to staff. Professional development focused on improving differentiation practices for newcomer/multilingual students was provided to ensure staff meet their needs. Classroom teachers continue to tailor instruction through these effective practices, leading to improved student outcomes, as validated by teacher feedback and observation data.

Complete

June 2026

B. Regular communication was sent through Parent Square during the school year regarding student attendance, including monthly attendance reminders as well as more direct communication to parents when students missed over 5% of total school days or were frequently tardy. Additionally, new sign-in procedures were implemented at the Early Learning Center and in our elementary schools that require parents or guardians to enter the building with their children to sign them into school.

In Progress

June 2027

C. Following up on its September meeting, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee met on January 22 and April 16. The team participated in professional development, worked on the tasks outlined in the three-year EDI plan, and gathered feedback on the overall operational framework of the EDI team during the 2025-2026 school year as we plan for next year.

In Progress

June 2027

A. Lead professional development and collaborative planning with Multilingual Learner (ML) Resource Teachers and grade-level teams, prioritizing differentiated writing instruction and standards-based language goal setting, to accelerate student growth.

ML Resource teachers are successfully co-teaching, delivering differentiated writing instruction, and, alongside classroom teachers, crafting targeted language development goals based on the new WIDA Language Charts.

Not Started

June 2027

B.  Continue to implement systems to increase student attendance

Not Started

June 2027

C.  Hold three District-level EDI Committee meetings over the 2026-2027 school year.

Not Started

June 2027

A.   Continue to offer quality services within budget that are aligned to community needs.

Quality services provided within budget.

In Progress

June 2027

A.  Instructional Technology Coaches delivered specialized professional development in March and April on AI prompting and introduced teachers to the newly established District Technology Committee guidelines for student AI use.

Following the training, users of our District approved AI platform jumped by 15% (from 391 to 450). Staff are preparing to guide students in using AI safely and responsibly.

In Progress

June (Annual)

B.  Build upon the foundational Digital Citizenship Framework mini-lessons completed during the fall by having Librarians and social studies teachers finalize the delivery of their full, year-long lessons.

100% of social studies teachers completed the digital citizenship lessons for grades 6-8. 73% of elementary and middle school classrooms taught all of the digital citizenship mini-lessons, and 27% of classrooms completed most of the mini-lessons.

In Progress

June 2026

A.    Provide ongoing professional development for teachers on Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and practical student integration skills.

Teachers will complete three professional development sessions on AI integration and apply these practical skills to teach their students age-appropriate AI literacy.

Not Started

June 2027

B.  Elementary librarians and classroom teachers will implement the updated Digital Citizenship Framework. Simultaneously, middle school implementation will occur through extended advisory, library, and STEAM classes to consistently reinforce safe and ethical online behavior.

All required, age-appropriate digital citizenship lessons will be fully implemented and documented across elementary classrooms and libraries, as well as middle school extended advisory, library, and STEAM classes.

Not Started

June 2027

A.  Complete virtual onboarding training for each new 2025-26 certified staff member.

All certified staff completed training.

Complete

April 2026

B.  STEAM clubs took place at all schools. Three elementary schools introduced an invention convention club, while two continued to host robotics and 3D printing clubs. Gemini Middle School continued to host robotics clubs.

All clubs were completed in the Spring.

In Progress

April 2026

C.  Review and approve the District AI Guidelines for teachers and students. The guidelines were rolled out to all certified staff in the spring.

The District AI Guidelines for teachers and students were officially finalized and published. 100% of certified staff received the new guidelines during the spring rollout.

In Progress

June 2026

A.  Continue to implement virtual onboarding training for new staff.

Staff complete all training prior to new staff orientation.

In Progress

August 2026

B.    Prioritize parent technology education by providing targeted workshops and resources to help them navigate and support the use of educational technology at home.

Technology committee members will facilitate local parent workshops at their schools. Concurrently, the District will host District-wide parent technology workshops at the Family Resource Center.

Not Started

June 2027

C.    Roll out the Technology Committee’s AI Stop Light Framework across all classrooms to guide students in the responsible, daily use of Artificial Intelligence.

Every classroom across the District will reference the AI Stop Light Framework to communicate safe and acceptable Artificial Intelligence usage to students.

Not Started

June 2027

A.  Continue using our new school-to-home communication application, Parent Square, to keep communication with district parents on one platform.

Through our District outreach, we have a 97.6% outreach to all families using our new communication application.

Complete

June 2026

B.  Complete training for all elementary and early childhood staff in January 2026. Begin work with Schoolytics, which offers a more dynamic and intuitive product that will provide us with greater flexibility in the product. In February 2026, information we received from our vendor caused us to look for other data warehouse solutions. Our customized data warehouse and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) system are currently being produced, and training will begin on August 12, 2026.

Staff in all elementary schools and the Early Learning Center completed training in Analytics and Insights in January 2026. Classroom teachers used the MTSS Intervention platform to track at least one classroom-based intervention group and tracked data for students.

In Progress

June 2026

C.  Complete another audit of our cybersecurity best practices in March. In May, all administrators participated in a cybersecurity tabletop exercise.

The completion of the March cybersecurity audit and the May administrator tabletop exercise demonstrated our ongoing commitment to data privacy. Because of these continued efforts to enhance cybersecurity and protect student and staff online data, the District was awarded the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seals for Professional Development and Classroom Practices.

In Progress

June 2026

A.  Support the Special Services Department with the transition from Analytics and Insights to Schoolytics through product development, training, and staff job aids.

Staff utilization of Schoolytics during the Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) process, including the retrieval of student data to facilitate conversations and staff entry of enrichment and intervention data.

Not Started

June 2027

B.  Upgrade District-wide security protocols by implementing the findings of the updated cybersecurity level 2 audit, and finalize our application to successfully achieve the full Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) seal.

The cybersecurity specialist will implement a targeted action plan based on the level 2 audit findings and successfully submit the final TLE mini-seal application on data security to achieve the full Trusted Learning Environment seal.

In Progress

June 2027

A.  Financial results for the 2026 Fiscal Year (FY26) are projected to deliver a rating of at least Financial Review, and it is estimated that we will remain at the highest rating of recognition. The tentative budget for FY27 maintains this rating.

Achieving a rating of Recognition or Financial Review.

In Progress

September (Annual)

B.    Five-year financial projections, presented at the April 2026 Board meeting, indicate that our revenues and expenditures are aligned, resulting in an estimated balanced budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (FY27). This is primarily driven by staff attrition from the prior two fiscal years. The projection model shows a fund balance of 62% of annual expenses in the 2030-2031 fiscal year (FY31). This strong fund balance is significantly higher than the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidance of 25%.

Annual revenues are aligned with annual expenditures for the FY27 Budget.

In Progress

April/May (Annual)

A.  Present the budget for adoption at the September 3rd Board meeting. The budget maintains that the District finances are at the Recognition or Review ISBE ratings.

Achieving a rating of Recognition or Financial Review.

In Progress

September 2026

A.    In March and April presented the details of the Facilities Plan to all Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and held individual school meetings with school staff to share the proposed plan to raise funds. The next phase of significant improvements in the District's learning spaces hinges on a successful infusion of capital. The rest of the community was also informed of the plan during open houses held at each elementary school.

An infusion of capital to address facility needs.

In Progress

November 2026

B.      Continue to prepare for a possible referendum and develop a plan to address facility needs, including the timing and sequence of potential projects. It's important to note that the extent of the improvements will depend on available capital to address facility needs.

The BOE approves a plan to improve our learning spaces, which includes timing of funding, procurement method, and completion timelines.

In Progress

March 2027

A.  Pending Board approval, present updated details of the Facilities Plan during open houses at each elementary school in September. The next phase of significant improvements in the District's learning spaces hinges on a successful infusion of capital.

An infusion of capital to address facility needs.

In Progress

November 2026

B.  Continue to prepare for a possible referendum and develop a plan to address facility needs, including the timing and sequence of potential projects. It's important to note that the extent of the improvements will depend on available capital to address facility needs.

The Board of Education approves a plan to improve our learning spaces, which includes timing of funding, procurement method, and completion timelines.

In Progress

March 2027

A.    Wold Architects filed the Life Safety reports with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in March. Since then, our architects have answered questions and provided additional information.

The Life Safety Reports were approved by ISBE on June 22.

Complete

June 2026

B.    Update the District's priority list with the updated Life Safety Reports, which include replacing all sidewalks and parking lots, roofs, and upgrading all galvanized piping to copper piping at each school.

Priority list and plan for replacing infrastructure presented to the BOE.

In Progress

December 2026

C.    The Board of Education (BOE) approved a resolution of intent to issue life-safety bonds in the amount of up to $35 million. Additionally, the BOE held a hearing at the April board meeting regarding the intent to issue said life-safety bonds. Based on these BOE actions and having received full approval from ISBE, we are moving forward with the issuance of the bonds and anticipate that the sale will close and proceeds will be received on September 14.

Issuance of bonds is complete.

In Progress

September 2026

A.  The Life Safety Reports approved by ISBE will become the priority list we will follow. The reports include replacing all sidewalks, parking lots, and roofs, as well as upgrading all galvanized piping to copper piping at each school.

Priority list and plan for replacing infrastructure presented to the BOE.

In Progress

December 2026

B.  Make a presentation with the District's financial advisor, PTMA, to representatives from the bond rating agency, Moody's. They are the institution that rates the credit worthiness of our bonds and the presentation is a required step in the bond issuance process.

Issuance of bonds is complete.

In Progress

September 2026

A.    The District shifted to ParentSquare's Smart Sites website, which will better align with our ParentSquare school-to-home communications platform. The site went live on July 1. Of note: over the last few months, the District undertook extensive communication with families (and the broader community) about the Facilities Plan and our potential referendum.

Successful launch of ParentSquare website in June. All relevant staff trained, parents able to identify and navigate to needed information easily. Community well-informed about our facilities needs and the potential bond referendum.

In Progress

June (Annual)

B.    Communications supported a wide variety of school and District priorities during the second half of the school year. Most prominently, the facilities proposal and work on a possible referendum. Other highlights included the winter print newsletter, promoting the Foundation Board, school activities, 2026-2027 registration, summer school and music program sign-up, new administrator appointments, Visitor Aware, graduation, and more.

School and District priorities comprehensively communicated to key audiences.

In Progress

June (Annual)

C.    See Item A above - the new website will make parent access to District and school news even more seamless.

The District shifted to ParentSquare's Smart Sites website, which will better align with our ParentSquare school-to-home communications platform. The site went live on July 1. Of note: over the last few months, the District undertook extensive communication efforts with families (and the broader community) about our Facilities Plan and our potential referendum.

In Progress

June (Annual)

A.  Continue to train all relevant personnel on our new ParentSquare Smart Sites website to ensure that each school can use the platform to effectively reach its parent audience

All relevant staff are trained and equipped to use ParentSquare to update the website and effectively communicate with parents.

In Progress

June 2027

B.  Utilize additional channels to inform the public and broader community of our potential referendum and tailor our message to fit the audiences of each channel. These channels include the summer print newsletter, social media, and other avenues.

Analytics show that our communication has reached an audience beyond the District's walls.

In Progress

November 2026

C.  Engage with stakeholders regarding the potential bond referendum.

Newsletters sent to all District addresses, community officials, staff, and administrators effectively inform decision-making ahead of the November election.

In Progress

November 2026

A.    Our third 2025-26 PTO President Leadership Council took place on April 1. We also included Presidents in Facilities Plan Task Force meetings and asked for help in spreading the word about our community meetings.

Leadership Council meetings complete for 2025-2026 school year. Attendance at Task Force meetings.

In Progress

September (Annual)

B.    See Objective 1 Items A & C above.

Parents are educated about how to translate website content.

In Progress

C.    FRC programming continues to leverage District communications.

FRC families are aware of District initiatives and events.

In Progress

June (Annual)

A.  Plan additional PTO meetings to help spread the word about the updated bond referendum proposal.

Meetings will take place in September. Flyers will be handed out that give attendees the proper information.

In Progress

September 2026

B.  Leverage PTO events, fundraisers, and open houses as additional avenues of communication on our bond referendum.

Attendance at several PTO events with relevant information handed out at each event.

In Progress

November 2026

A.    Our local partners list was updated in January.

Task completed in January

Complete

January 2026

B.    Apollo and Twain once again participated in Congressman Mike Quigley's Valentine for Vets Program in February. Virtual meeting with Senator Ram Villivalam in March. In April, Morton Grove Mayor Jane Witko visited Melzer and State Representative Justin Cochran visited Apollo, and the ELC.

Elected officials are familiar with our schools and District.

In Progress

June (Annual)

A.  The new Director will build relationships with elected officials.

One contact with elected officials at local, state, and federal levels and at least one visit from a legislator during the year.

In Progress

June 2027

A.  Conduct stay interviews with individuals from each work group to better understand why employees continue to want to work in District 63.  

Trends that have been shared by staff include highlighting district diversity, collaboration, satisfaction with our compensation, and ample professional development opportunities.

Complete

June (Annual)

A.  Conduct stay interviews with individuals from each work group to better understand why employees continue to want to work in District 63.

Submission of a stay interview presentation proposal for the American Association of School Personnel Administrators 2027 conference.

Not Started

June 2027

B.  Create a third 'District 63 in 63 seconds' recruiting video.

Gather feedback from teaching candidates about the video's hiring impact during stay interviews.

Not Started

June 2027

A.  Continue marketing open positions using student perspectives on why individuals should work in District 63.    

A student-focused marketing flyer was created and used at job fairs this past hiring season.

Complete

June 2026

B.    Attend three job fairs in winter/spring: Eastern Illinois/University of Illinois, North Cook ROE, and Illinois State University.

Three job fairs were attended by our administrative team and we continue to analyze staff hired from each university.

Complete

April 2026

C.    Select seven Illinois State University student teachers who are participating in the year-long PDS program for the 2026-2027 school year.

We will evaluate how many of the Illinois State University PDS students we hire in the future.

In Progress

June 2027

A.    Prepare for the East Maine Custodial Maintenance Association (EMCMA) negotiations scheduled for 2026.  

East Maine Custodial Maintenance Association (EMCMA) negotiations were successfully completed.

Complete

May 2026

B.  Collect and analyze benefits information from our neighboring school districts, including District 34 (Glenview), District 62 (Des Plaines), District 57 (Mount Prospect), District 70 (Morton Grove), District 21 (Wheeling), District 23 (Prospect Heights), and District 26 (River Trails).  

Benefits data were collected and analyzed, and a summary was provided to the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services on ways to maintain and/or enhance our benefits.

Complete

June 2026