[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6278039,"mediaKeyId","2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d","parentId",2643124,"title","Parents and teachers urge reconsideration of 1‑to‑1 Chromebooks for elementary grades","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",1916000,"endMs",2196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d&start=1916&end=2196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d/thumbnail_1916000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278039/Illinois/Parents-and-teachers-urge-reconsideration-of-1to1-Chromebooks-for-elementary-grades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278039-1a54161e962ec6937eed20e82a1e2572/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182507&Signature=G0KeOCdJ0gjXJ5QEcixhPjLjEEGhMuoJizcrRYdREpcuyt07I2bjH~EQ8JPqbeg6MN41CilT6Yl81167O4Y743TVRF8ndW~ABfKfxqQXSgTwoEKkGd2Dmai1~xh9jWJaCpYAkvCPWfWuZO-JTtNJMtMKTHc3T-AQKgQTebZ-hf85qjyz~kE67gF5WjATlYqaxcidtw01VBe7VpOIeCtzMwQWvxeO2biehzAZTPFz-gsBYClTyxrquaLKpmPAtZDCFnx6Z9P1K85KCyohA1Wr8DIDwAeiopy3J7Am8t2nGib3TrpCYwSh5SblLpagW1oq6BzfW1NhPBYakCkOGWLXpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CUSD 200","date","2025-03-13T13:44:55Z","article","At CUSD 200’s Board of Education meeting, multiple public commenters urged the district to reconsider one‑to‑one Chromebook distribution for elementary students and presented alternatives and concerns.

Sally Gurgis, a Longfellow parent and PTA volunteer, told the board that 1‑to‑1 laptops are “not appropriate” for elementary grades. She said parents do not want another source of conflict at home and argued that devices increase screen time and decrease outdoor play. Gurgis cited recent books and reports she said address harms from screens and social media and urged the district to consider shared computer labs or a checkout model similar to library books instead of issuing devices to every child.

Mary Louise Henjesbaugh, also a Longfellow parent and a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), echoed concerns about at‑home screen time and said Chromebooks had created a “wedge between parents and kids” in her household. Henjesbaugh told the board students with special needs in her family struggled more with digital addiction and described two incidents this school year when a child was on a district Chromebook overnight. She thanked the district IT department for effective content filters but asked the board to consider mobile docking stations, shared carts, or staggered testing schedules so devices need not be sent home nightly.

Aaron Perlman, a Wheaton North mathematics teacher and coach, spoke during public comment about resilience in students and the value of engagement and relationships in school; his remarks addressed classroom practice rather than the Chromebook issue directly but were part of the public comment period.

Administration response and context: The board chair reminded speakers that personnel and student‑specific matters should be raised privately and described board policy that allows the board to shorten speaker time when needed; the chair said the board would not discuss public comments directly during the meeting until context had been reviewed. Several members of the administration and the CAC were noted as participating in ongoing conversations about device policy; administration said it would present a recommendation to the board in April after additional input from building administrators and stakeholder groups.

Why it matters: Device distribution policies affect home routines, equity (access to internet), testing schedules and special‑needs accommodations. Parents offered alternatives such as shared devices, checkout programs, docking stations and staggered test schedules aimed at reducing daily home device use for younger students.

What’s next: Administration said it will bring a recommendation to the board at the April meeting after further review and stakeholder input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 12th, 2025 - CUSD200 Board of Education - (LIVE)","oneSentenceSummary","Several speakers during public comment urged the board to reconsider issuing district Chromebooks to elementary students, citing screen time, family conflict, unequal impacts on lower‑income students and suggestions for alternative approaches such as shared carts or checkout programs.","taxTitle","CUSD 200, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",14969,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278044,"Board previews proposed Franklin Middle School boundary change, plans community engagement",410,4238000,4648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d&start=4238&end=4648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d/thumbnail_4238000.jpg","/articles/6278044/Illinois/Board-previews-proposed-Franklin-Middle-School-boundary-change-plans-community-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278044-3c26837b11208db34e85c7aac14a3a5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137260&Signature=UZcCXA3cd3eVjG51IFDhbAMnEU3wAnivn5lDEURHkFLyQhmFsBCcRCCehLP7oHgbnI7JoREHibfzjbwIuHAaJumMaaFG7bzmjVLdvR9WMZHdLJwDJZumGHZ5AfoVGcczfBpo0v8dzrQP0rsMNLlvjpQhpevewOecJgjh5Y2IRm4E8Z7jEKFewlJdBiWbkZhtNqyqC02iscfhnXMtJpmsXid85takP8otKcdDdLIWarMoZbOb~W29DsW999GEmzp5Nvq~nA95jze8QhtrK-yFo4EgufIFkQrJpt4YeukIocW4IZb2GbBtybizIGQoFGL0rsiSSpnpDWvUv1B~MLTnJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CUSD 200 administrators presented a proposed boundary adjustment that would move three portions of the Washington Elementary feeder pattern back to Franklin Middle School from Monroe Middle School and outlined a community engagement schedule leading to a board decision in April.

The proposal revisits a 2012 boundary change that had shifted the Gary Gardens area and two apartment complexes from Franklin to Monroe. Administration said recent enrollment patterns make it feasible to return those areas to Franklin without creating a capacity problem; the district’s enrollment projections through the 2030–31 school year show Franklin remaining at roughly 600 students under the proposed configuration, below the roughly 700 students Franklin had when the original change occurred.

Superintendent Dr. Schuler said the district would not act immediately; instead the administration plans targeted communications and two community forums — one in person at Washington Elementary and a virtual forum the next day — plus direct letters to affected families. Administration said it will make phone contacts with incoming sixth‑grade families to make sure they understand the proposal and planned transition.

If the board approves the change, administration recommended phasing it in as the 2012 change was phased: begin with incoming sixth graders while giving current seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students the option to remain at Monroe through graduation or transfer immediately to Franklin. The district said busing will be provided to either school for affected families during the phased period. Administration said about 50 students live in the affected boundary area, including 15 who will be sixth graders next year.

Why it matters: Boundary changes can affect families’ school assignments, transportation and social transitions; administrators emphasized keeping elementary feeder groups intact so classmates can move to middle school together.

What’s next: Administration said it will bring a recommendation to the board at its April 9 meeting after community input. The board and administration also said there is flexibility to seek more information at the March Committee of the Whole meeting (April 23) if community feedback highlights questions requiring additional study.

","Administrators presented a proposed boundary change to move parts of the Washington elementary feeder back to Franklin Middle School and described a community outreach plan; a final recommendation will come to the board in April.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278049,"Board awards first round of contracts for middle school capital projects after bids come under estimate",216,3026000,3242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d&start=3026&end=3242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d/thumbnail_3026000.jpg","/articles/6278049/Illinois/Board-awards-first-round-of-contracts-for-middle-school-capital-projects-after-bids-come-under-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278049-091001b02005520e0d89eacf3e13d34e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182507&Signature=Yhf1xxz6ZWsSFjQkeFniKopFvH6HGoGJP04skMZsmrHEyHSLTLPWMS-bQqCBD8bimtO5ruoA7CNARfZg05Rw0bp5f1-Ii5FsRMeh3JFDsjULOEoZs9kM3NI3jWaaz-hvYxAdyBRhInzGJp1B-dL-1APgbTJ0Y8pCjOKyIjgyVln1u4N8tLj3a5tWOJGWQW5gRNGp9oeIvngHhqDuR3TfOggpfekyOSqApgkbZXNAzsq8rLHLQbhK3sEvecSiBfJAJEn4~zIUgMf-wSQVQkw4vWqZmuvyEBJLgkdlTdHrQYtxaLPIQl0A5lv12wNqeAjkKuvL3JCAoN3-ocQmf-X0Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CUSD 200’s Board of Education awarded the first round of construction contracts for the district’s middle school capital projects and discussed how the low bid results affect the program budget and schedule.

Administrators recommended awarding Bid Package 1 to Monarch Construction of Elk Grove Village for $2,645,100; Bid Package 2 (mechanical work) to Helm Mechanical of Westmont for $671,500; and Bid Package 3 to Meany Inc. of East Hazel Crest for $1,130,500. The board approved the awards in a roll call vote.

Superintendent Dr. Schuler told the board the first set of bids covered work at Monroe Middle School for the coming summer and some “enabling” work related to additions. He said the results were “a good first start” and that the awards were a “commitment to make sure that this work…comes in on time and on or under budget.”

District administrators and construction staff described some of the technical choices embedded in the bid package. One discussion point was adding natural light to windowless classrooms at Monroe: administration presented two alternatives — a skylight option and a solar (light) tube option. The skylight alternative was chosen after staff noted the skylights would require fewer roof penetrations than the solar tube system, and the cost differential was smaller than expected. The skylights will include operating shades, which require additional electrical work; mechanical work will relocate some ductwork to accommodate the new roof openings.

Chief operating staff said the first contract work will begin “literally within 30 minutes after the last day of our school year,” reflecting the district’s brief summer construction window. Officials emphasized that the first bid package represents a relatively small portion of the overall program — administration said the current awards represent about 3% of the total anticipated program budget — and that larger bid issuances for new construction spaces and interior renovations will follow in subsequent months.

Why it matters: These awards allow the district to start summer enabling and renovation work at Monroe Middle School. The selection of skylights over solar tubes also reflects tradeoffs among long‑term roofing integrity, mechanical changes and upfront costs.

What’s next: Administration said the next bid issuances (2A and 2B) will be released in April and May, with a third issuance later in the year. The facilities team will provide regular construction and budget updates to the board as the program advances.

","CUSD 200 awarded three contracts to start the middle school capital project; administrators said the first bid package came in well under earlier estimates and work will begin this summer after school ends.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278054,"Board approves consent agenda, three action items and posts amended budget hearing",450,2940000,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d&start=2940&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643124-a767d36cd61dc7fe443d1afea5f3035d/thumbnail_2940000.jpg","/articles/6278054/Illinois/Board-approves-consent-agenda-three-action-items-and-posts-amended-budget-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278054-fe59a4bd02cf605b0a4cd40740bac877/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182507&Signature=aVw84NzEpDNmCKeru3gg8f50qzFFIfG-~KuxGF-bpySijDeTq0FBpx6YpiL9LB-A6n49X~H7fnx~G-yAisZkmHXo1LPdIuXqpfADt7CGKMWKr7fXe~NY3NGHLIBtS-x76~5wdeAWSRNzxkMROj01ocNLwSSQwlur0OW~L6B3rMp0li7~SnleepWRI~X4Sy~UwVDB6TRGMYIgESUgRJUhZzLsr9td-mLUIPpIo-4Eg-BYlMk41k9gGeTW9TSsnWkqk3kJZHBWCPcyzrcam~Mkp7j~qO-gwq1IRzi7hwAzgXtrfFLEcXfH46byYlkJsgpbwPi5dwr1jlQwvyGx5OVU-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CUSD 200’s Board of Education approved the meeting’s consent agenda and three action items, and voted to post a tentative amended fiscal year 2025 budget with a public hearing set for May 8, 2025.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included acceptance of gifts, approval of interfund repayable loans from the working cash fund to the education and transportation funds, the destruction of closed-session recordings allowed by law, routine personnel actions and approval of bills and payroll. The consent agenda passed on a roll call vote.

On separate motions the board:
- Awarded contracts for the 2025 middle school capital project (Bid Package 1) to Monarch Construction of Elk Grove Village for $2,645,100; Bid Package 2 (mechanical) to Helm Mechanical of Westmont for $671,500; and Bid Package 3 to Meany Inc. of East Hazel Crest for $1,130,500. The board’s motion included base bids and specified alternates as presented by administration. Board members said the first round of bids came in below estimates.

- Approved the district’s 2025–26 student fee schedule after a review by the finance committee. Administration said some consumable costs for grades 1–5 were rolled into registration to reduce line‑item complexity for families.

- Voted to post a tentative amended fiscal year 2025 budget and set a public hearing for Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the School Service Center, 130 W. Park Ave., Wheaton. Administration said the amended budget is required because of proceeds and project costs arising from the district’s recent bond sale tied to the middle school referendum and associated consulting/contract obligations.

All four votes carried on recorded roll call votes with the board voting in favor. Administration did not report any “no” votes during the meeting. The board then moved into closed session under exemptions to the Illinois Open Meetings Act as cited in the agenda; no action was expected after the closed session.

Why it matters: The contract awards and the amended budget move the district closer to beginning substantial construction and renovation work at the district’s middle schools. The fee schedule affects families’ out‑of‑pocket costs for the 2025–26 school year.

What’s next: Administration said work covered by the first bid package will begin soon after the last day of school; further bid packages and budget updates will return to the board as the larger capital program progresses.

","CUSD 200’s Board of Education approved the consent agenda, awarded three construction contracts for the middle school capital project, adopted the 2025–26 student fee schedule and voted to post a tentative amended FY2025 budget and set a May 8 public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents and teachers urge reconsideration of 1‑to‑1 Chromebooks for elementary grades

Board previews proposed Franklin Middle School boundary change, plans community engagement

Board awards first round of contracts for middle school capital projects after bids come under estimate

Board approves consent agenda, three action items and posts amended budget hearing