Schools

District 99 Continues to Update Policies

The school board approves several policies, gives a first reading to others.

Even parents of current North and South high school students may be surprised to learn their kids can earn up to two credits toward graduation by taking online courses.

Or that all graduates of District 99 should "exhibit the essentials of good character, including honesty, loyalty, courage, compassion, responsibility, hard work and integrity" and be able to "recognize the commonalities that unite us as American citizens while respecting the diversity of all."

Or that veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts are eligible for a District 99 diploma if they resided within the district before leaving high school to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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Those requirements are from three instructional policies approved Monday by the District 99 school board.

The board's policy committee, under the guidance of Assistant Superintendent Mary Biniewicz, has been working its way through the district's voluminous policy manual for some time in an effort to streamline and update the guidelines.

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Many of the older policies were more "philosophical" in nature, said Jill Browning, district communications director. In contrast, the updated policies rely heavily on wording provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards, in part to avoid potential litigation.

"For us to deviate from the IASB wording could be dangerous," said Bill White, a member of the board's policy committee.

Several other instructional policies were given a first reading by the board, allowing for public comment before they are finalized. Excerpts from those policies:

  • "The superintendent or designee will invite suggestions and comments concerning the development, implementation and improvement of the school wellness policy from community members, including parents, students and representatives of the school food authority, school administrators and the public." (School Wellness, Policy 6.50)
  • "The superintendent shall ensure that all school-sponsored presentations and discussions of controversial or sensitive topics in the instructional program, including those made by guest speakers, are: Age-appropriate, consistent with the curriculum and serve and educational purpose, informative and present a balanced view, respectful of the rights and opinions of everyone, not tolerant of profanity or slander." (Teaching About Controversial Issues, Policy 6.80)
  • "Equal educational and extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students without regard to color, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability." (Equal Educational Opportunities, Policy 7.10)
  • Curriculum must contain instruction on subjects required by State statute or regulation including steroid abuse prevention, character education, citizenship values and conservation of natural resources, among others. "In addition, all schools shall hold an educational program on the U.S. Constitution on Constitution Day, Sept. 17," and "courses containing U.S. history or a combination of U.S. history and American government must view a Congressional Medal of Honor film made by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, provided there is no cost for the film." (Curriculum Content, Policy 6.60).


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