Student Mental Health and New School Ratings
The Springfield District 186 Board of Education hears student leaders advocate for expanding teen mental health first aid, reviews new statewide school designations and district plans to close achievement gaps, and announces calendar changes including a shift back to traditional snow days and a three‑year preview of school schedules, along with updates on transportation performance and the upcoming property tax levy hearing. 26mins
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Original Meeting
Monday, November 2nd, 2026
6795.273
Board of Education Meeting: November 2, 2026
Brian Wojcicki
Springfield, Illinois
In This Video
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Superintendent Jordan outlined the school calendar committee’s recommended three-year calendars, noting key dates, shifting observance from Veterans Day to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, adding student days off for parent-teacher conferences, and confirming the plans to start after the fair and end before Memorial Day pending board approval at the next meeting.
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Superintendent Jordan announced that for the 2026–27 school year the district would prioritize traditional emergency snow days over e-learning days, citing benefits for in-person instruction, cost savings on technology, reduced screen time, and the potential use of built-in emergency days at the end of the calendar at district administration’s discretion.
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Superintendent Jordan introduced Chief Achievement and Improvement Officer Scott, who began an overview of the district report card results by explaining what school designations revealed about instructional effectiveness and how the district should use them to celebrate progress and address areas needing improvement.
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Chief Achievement and Improvement Officer Scott reviewed how schools were distributed across accountability pathways, explained the role of elevating indicators like English learner progress, attendance, and climate in supporting but not replacing core academic outcomes, and highlighted several schools that advanced their summative designations due to strong performance on these elevating indicators.
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Chief Achievement and Improvement Officer Scott highlighted districtwide achievement gaps for students with disabilities, Black students, and economically disadvantaged students, emphasizing the need to address systemic instructional practices, learn from higher-performing schools, and provide differentiated support rather than one-size-fits-all improvement strategies.
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Assistant Superintendent Filipiak outlined proactive district plans following new school designations, including frequent MTSS data monitoring, an Inspire transition-support course piloted in 6th and 9th grades, and a Progress Learning ACT preparation program with mock exams and individualized practice for high school students.
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Superintendent Jordan and Director Miller introduced a resolution to authorize public notice for a truth-in-taxation hearing, with Director Miller clarifying that it did not approve the tax levy itself and outlining the upcoming presentation, board vote, and deadline for filing the levy with the county clerk.
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Board Member Miller asked for a layperson explanation of property tax extension limitation law, and Director Miller, with Superintendent Jordan, clarified the tax cap rules tying levy increases to the lower of 5% or CPI and explained that modest property tax increases were needed to keep up with rising operating costs.
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