Prairie State Wire

Illinois State Board of Education Full Day Kindergarten Task Force met Jan. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the task force:

Full-Day Kindergarten Task Force members present:

▪ Dr. Kimako Patterson

▪ Dr. Jason Helfer

▪ Dr. Tiffany Brunson

▪ Marcy Joerger

▪ Ralph Martire

▪ Leslie Harder

▪ Kimberly Devore

▪ Dr. Robert Bruno

▪ Dr. Lori Motsch

▪ Leslie McKinily

The following task force members were absent:

▪ Kate Ansorge

▪ Arnita Scott

▪ Kimberly Hefner

▪ Megan Hillegass

▪ Julian Orozco

▪ Nicholas Zuhone

▪ Laura Garcia

▪ Christopher Silagi

▪ Dr. Kevin Blankenship

Also in attendance:

▪ Mary Ann Hall

▪ Cathy Mannen

Chair: Dr. Kimako Patterson

Vice Chair: Dr. Jason Helfer

Call to Order

Dr. Patterson called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.

A quorum was reached.

Approval of Minutes:

Dr. Lori Motsch moved to approve the minutes from Oct. 24, 2024, and Nov. 14, 2024, and Dr. Robert Bruno seconded that motion. A roll call was taken, and the minutes were approved.

Old Business:

Dr. Helfer opened the meeting by reviewing the recommendations submitted by the task force. The first topic addressed was a query from a committee member regarding footnote 30 in the draft report, which referenced a request for data on early childhood construction grants. Dr. Helfer clarified that this data had been submitted in a previous round, though no specific details were provided regarding the nature of the request. He emphasized that the inclusion of this feedback was important to ensure that the expertise of task force members was accurately reflected in the report.

Dr. Helfer then outlined the structure of the meeting, stating that the primary objective was to review the draft report, which had been developed based on feedback from the task force. He noted that at the next meeting, the task force would vote on whether to approve the submission of the report to the Illinois General Assembly by Jan. 31, in accordance with the task force’s mandate. Dr. Helfer further explained that should the task force fail to reach an agreement on the recommendations, the report would still be submitted, with a notation that the task force did not reach consensus. He emphasized that the next steps would involve the staff at the State Board of Education working on the recommended process. The report, Dr. Helfer clarified, focuses on the potential for an additional criterion to allow districts that used fiscal year 2023 Evidence Based Funding (EBF) figures to apply for a delay in the implementation of the full-day kindergarten mandate. This language was directly derived from the relevant statute.

Dr. Helfer proceeded to Recommendation 1 and asked if any task force members had additional comments or suggestions. He noted that members would have until the end of business on Jan. 14 to submit any further feedback. Dr. Helfer also mentioned that one task force member had requested an action plan detailing how districts would proceed with the delay in full-day kindergarten implementation based on available evidence.

Dr. Motsch inquired whether the task force had decided on a specific timeframe for districts to complete implementation, or if this would remain open-ended. Dr. Helfer responded that the task force had opted to leave the timeline open-ended to allow flexibility based on the data from the second survey.

Ralph Martire raised a concern regarding the action plan, questioning how a district could develop a plan if the submission of evidence indicated a lack of financial capacity, particularly if there was no specified limit on the duration for compliance. Dr. Helfer explained that the task force aimed to provide as much flexibility as possible, taking into account factors such as opportunity costs, district constraints, and attempts to secure funding through referenda. Dr. Patterson added that leaving the timeline open was in the best interest of all districts, given the variances across the 851 school districts in the state.

Following this discussion, the task force agreed that the language in the draft report should reflect that districts would submit an action plan with a timeline and process that they deem reasonable.

Dr. Helfer moved on to discuss the recommendation regarding districts’ health and safety capital needs, which would require capital expenditures. He explained that the recommendation suggested the submission of an affirmation for approval to the school business services department, ensuring clarity on where the submission would go and who would be involved in the process.

Next, Dr. Helfer reviewed Recommendation 2, which related to the potential barriers districts may face in implementing the full-day kindergarten mandate. He read from the draft report, highlighting that the Early Childhood Construction Grants are managed by the Capital Development Board and are funded through an allocation outside typical district funding streams. Dr. Helfer pointed out that the report includes footnotes that provide the rationale for each recommendation.

The task force then reviewed a recommendation that includes the use of EBF adequacy, the percentage of students of color, the percentage of low-income students, and geographic location in determining the 25% of districts that applied for the FY 2022 grant but did not receive an Early Childhood Capital Grant. Dr. Helfer explained that districts would be ranked based on their average adequacy from fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, with priority given to districts with the lowest adequacy rates and the highest percentages of students of color and low-income students, particularly those located in preschool deserts.

Marcy Joerger, from the Capital Development Board, shared that applications for early childhood grants were reviewed by multiple agencies, and no preference was initially given to school districts. She noted that there had been criticism that half of the grants were allocated to school districts, and there was a recommendation for the newly established early childhood agency to reassess the application process, including scoring criteria.

Dr. Helfer and Dr. Patterson agreed that Marcy Joerger's input should be included in the report. They noted that addressing the task force’s charge, which involved evaluating the relationship between districts and early childhood construction grants, was essential, and the information would be added to the report’s footnote.

Dr. Helfer then introduced Recommendation 3, which focused on providing clarity regarding the rollover of unused funds if additional allocations for early childhood grants are made.

Dr. Robert Bruno suggested that the title of Recommendation 3 be revised to “State Funding for Full-Day Kindergarten” to better reflect its content. He also recommended that the last paragraph of the report be restructured into a standalone recommendation.

Dr. Helfer informed the task force that all suggested changes would be incorporated, and Mary Ann Hall would send out the updated draft report to members. Task force members would have one week to submit any further comments or suggestions before finalizing the document.

New Business:

Dr. Helfer mentioned that at the next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23, there will be a motion to approve the report and that this would be added as an item to the agenda.

Dr. Lori Motsch asked what would be the next steps after the task force makes the recommendations?

Dr. Helfer answered that the next steps would be to submit the report to the General Assembly and to the Governor’s Office that by the end of the fiscal year there will be a process for the additional criteria. Dr. Patterson mentioned that they will keep the committee members informed as communication is critical and their intent.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments at this time.

Adjournment:

Dr. Patterson asked for a motion to adjourn. Ralph Martire made the motion. Dr. Bruno seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_FullDayKindergartenTF/010725-Minutes.pdf