LaGrange Highlands
School District 106

reports and discussions

The Superintendent’s Report included information on the District's plan for student assessment this year which included the following highlights.

• Our new i-Ready Math program features an adaptive diagnostic assessment administered three times per year. These assessments:
  • Help teachers identify each student’s strengths and areas for growth.
  • Allow for personalized instruction and ongoing progress monitoring.
  • Provide precise data to inform targeted, individualized support.
  • Add to an already full lineup of student assessments.
• We conducted a review of all K-8 student assessments, which resulted in several adjustments to our 2025–2026 testing framework. The following changes were made:
  • Instead of using the MAP assessment for math, we will use the i-Ready benchmark assessment three times per year.
  • The i-Ready Reading benchmark will be piloted with targeted classrooms to determine whether it is a better fit and more meaningful than MAP. During this trial period, students will still complete the MAP Reading assessment in the spring.

A second review of revised Board policies was presented. The primary changes in these policies were based on returning to the use of the 2020 Title IX Regulations.

An update on our Framework for Excellence was presented. Recent progress included:

• Analyzing the results from a parent survey sent to staff and parents. Several clear themes about what makes Highlands great were present and were woven into the framework. 
• An initial draft of the Framework includes the following six tenets.
  • Foster a culture where kindness, respect, perseverance, and growth are exemplified
  • Be a student-focused staff that is intentional about building positive and caring relationships
  • Strengthen organizational health through clarity and cohesion
  • Equip students to achieve high levels of growth and academic achievement
  • Teach and model social, emotional, and personal skills needed for success
  • Support the Framework for Excellence through the strategic use of money, time, and talent

Action items

The Board adopted recommended policies that establish a threshold for capitalizing assets and defines the procedure for handling outstanding checks. 

Consent agenda items

The Board approved the minutes of previous meetings, financial business, personnel report, FOIA report, destruction of certain closed session audio recordings, and a revised salary and benefits report.

Reports and discussions

Superintendent’s Report: Information will be provided on the student assessments that will be used this year.

Board Policy Revisions: A second read of proposed revisions to Board policy will include a summary of the impact of Title IX changes.

Framework for Excellence: Updates on progress made to the Framework since September will be reviewed. Opportunity for community involvement will be available starting in November.

IASB Delegate Assembly: The board will decide whether or not to send a delegate to the assembly, and will review proposed constitutional language revisions for discussion at the November meeting.

Blue Ribbon Award

Governor Pritzker announced today that Highlands Elementary School has received the Blue Ribbon Award for its exemplary academic achievement. This is a tremendous honor and a testament to the incredible educational experience our students receive at Highlands.

We are incredibly proud of our staff for all the effort it takes to make Highlands a school that is worthy of this kind of recognition. Achieving this level of excellence is truly a team effort. Custodians providing a clean and safe learning environment, a tech department that ensures our students have the tools they need, office staff providing masterful coordination of a thousand details, paraprofessionals providing essential student support, a teaching staff who goes above and beyond on a daily basis, and effective leadership at the building and district level all play a part in making this award a reality.

Our school's excellence can also be credited to the amazing partnerships we share with our parent community. A school board and community that ensures we have the needed resources to succeed, parents who are invested in their children's education, and organizations like the Highlands PTC and D106 Foundation must be recognized for their essential role in making Highlands great.

Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has identified National Blue Ribbon Schools. These schools are recognized for their exemplary academic achievement or success in closing achievement gaps. In January of 2025, Highlands Elementary School was nominated by the Illinois State Board of Education to apply for the National Blue Ribbon Award based on our exemplary achievement and service to students. 

During the Spring of 2025, a team of administrators and staff completed the application process, detailing the staff's extensive efforts which have resulted in consistent and outstanding academic growth and achievement. In June, we received notification from the U.S. Department of Education that we had been selected and that our award would be officially announced in September. Due to government cuts which have impacted this program, Blue Ribbon recipients are being recognized at the state level this year instead of being announced by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Congratulations to Ms. Magruder, Mr. Steele, and the entire Highlands Elementary Staff for this well-deserved honor. We will provide additional information in the coming months on our plan to recognize the staff and celebrate this award.

It's an honor to serve the students, staff, and community of Highlands. 

John Munch, Superintendent

help define our foundational values

As part of the work to create our Framework for Excellence, we are answering the question, "How do we behave?" The answer to this question will help us identify the foundational values and characteristics that are essential for us to focus on and exemplify. We are inviting every parent and staff member to contribute to this conversation by providing feedback in the one-question survey linked below.

Foundational Values survey

REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS

FY26 Budget Hearing & Approval
A hearing was held and presentation made about the District's budget for FY26. In short, an operating surplus of $160,000 is projected for this year which allows us to maintain responsible fund balances of around 76% of the prior year's expenses. 

Superintendent's Report
A fire drill and lockdown drill have been completed in conjunction with members of the fire department and police department. Tornado and bus evacuation drills are scheduled for later this fall. 

A memorandum of understanding was proposed with the Highlands Association of Teachers regarding coach pay for IESA post-season competitions. 

Strategic Plan Work
As summarized above, an update was provided on this year's strategic plan work. 

Joint Annual Conference
Board members are welcome to attend the IASB, IASA, and IASBO joint annual conference to receive professional development and participate in the annual delegate assembly.

Staffing and Enrollment Report
Enrollment numbers and staffing levels remained relatively unchanged from the prior school year.

Annual Transfer of Funds
For many years, the District has been setting aside funds to complete capital improvement projects. Our need to do so again this year will depend on a review of a newly revised 10-year master facility plan that we expect to receive from our architect in the coming weeks. 

consent items

The Board approved meeting minutes, financial business, a personnel report, compensation reports, and a FOIA report. 

Reports and discussions

• The Superintendent’s report includes information on completed safety drills and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Highlands Association of Teachers regarding compensation for IESA postseason competitions.
• Strategic Plan Update: Administrators have been working on updating a Framework For Excellence to guide the District’s objectives over the next few years.
• Joint Annual Conference: Information on the general session and the Delegate Assembly will be presented.
• Staffing and Enrollment Report: Elementary and Middle School staffing and enrollment will be reviewed.
• Fund Transfer Discussion: The annual transfer of funds will be reviewed.

Here We go!

We are so excited to welcome our students back for another great year at Highlands. Below are a few important things we want you to know as we start the year.

Student Safety & School Security
Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our most important responsibility and is a top priority for us. Some of the safety measures we have in place are listed below.

• Secured entrances- All exterior doors remain locked at all times, and when not in use, are always closed. All visitors to the school must enter at the main office, and all visitors are screened using our visitor management system before being allowed into student spaces. In all three main offices, the door that leads to the school is always locked, and is only opened for those who have been cleared to enter student spaces. 

• Readiness to respond- Through explicit direction and repeated practice, our students and teachers are ready to respond to a threat in a matter of seconds. This response is situation-specific and tailored to the capacity of the students, but typically includes securing themselves in a locked room.

• Hardened exterior- All glass on first-story windows and doors has been treated with 3M shatter-resistant glass, which significantly slows entry to the school by shooting or smashing the glass.

• Refined practices- Each year, we collaborate with local law enforcement to review and refine our safety protocols and practices. We also do safety drills under their supervision and refine practices based on their feedback. 

Educating the Whole Child
Academic growth and achievement is very important and is the goal that demands most of our time during the school day. However, we firmly believe that our students’ well-being is significantly impacted by their ability to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, effectively collaborate with others, plan, organize, be flexible, etc. We dedicate time throughout the school year to engage our students in instruction and discussion with the goal of growing their skills and understanding in these important areas.

Academic Growth and Excellence
We take great pride in preparing our students for future success and are intentional in using research-backed curricular resources and instructional practices. 

• New for this year- We are excited to start using iReady, our new K-8 math curriculum. The instructional practices and opportunities for differentiation, challenge, individualized independent practice, and progress monitoring that it provides will be very beneficial for our students. Additionally, we are excited to be piloting an executive functioning course with groups of students in each grade level. This course will explicitly teach executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, time management, self-control, and flexible thinking.
• Continued Focus- We will continue to provide daily instruction in math, reading/language arts, science, social studies, and PE. Additionally, students will be provided with opportunities for enrichment in music, art, STEM, world languages, and through visiting the library. We will also continue our focus on using regular formative assessment to monitor student learning and provide instruction that is informed by our students’ needs and readiness.

reports and discussions

The Superintendent’s Report included information on the playground event, start of the school year, and some areas of focus for the beginning of the year.

The Achievement Gap Analysis revealed that our subgroups are performing significantly better than those same groups as the state level, but that there are definitely areas to investigate further and address.

The FY26 Tentative Budget was presented for review. The proposed budget projects an operating surplus of $160,000 and healthy fund balances of approximately 77%. The budget will be on display for public review for the next month. A public hearing for the final FY26 budget will be held immediately prior to the September Board meeting. 

Action items

The Board accepted the FY26 Tentative Budget and approved the 2025-26 Student Handbook revisions.

Consent agenda items

The Board approved meeting minutes, financial business, the personnel report, and FOIA report.

registration for students entering grades 1-8

Registration will be open from March 21-April 6. Use the link below to register for the 2025-26 school year and 2025 Summer School Camps. Please note that Summer School Camps are only available to students who are currently in kindergarten through 7th grade.

Payment is due immediately for Summer School and by August 19 for the remainder of the registration fees. Credit card, check, or cash payments are accepted.

grades 1-8 and summer school registration

summer school information