ISD 166 pauses 4-day school week discussions, preps for the Veterans Day program, and wraps up fall sports
The Cook County School District ISD 166 School Board held a meeting on Oct. 24 to discuss a handful of agenda items, including a 4-day school week, the proposed bond referendum, school improvement plan reports, and more.
With one week to go until election day, Superintendent Chris Lindholm said he is still fielding a few final questions about the three-question bond referendum from community members. “Nothing that’s, you know, out of the ordinary. A simple detail question here or there, or what if it passes, or how long will construction take?”
Earlier this spring, the Cook County ISD 166 School Board reviewed and unanimously approved a resolution to move forward with a $36.78 million three-question proposal for Cook County voters in November.
In other school news, during the Oct. 24 meeting, the school board resumed 4-day school week discussions. Lindholm said in recent weeks, he has met with staff and community members, and after numerous conversations, the consensus was that “We need more data. We need more information.”
During the Oct. 24 meeting, a parent and ISD 166 and Great Expectations School teacher spoke during the public comment period to express her concern over the proposed 4-day school week. Lindholm said he has also received emails from parents in recent weeks.
The School Board then discussed the matter. School Board Member Erik Redix said, “Table it. It’s a terrible idea.”
Lindholm said he talked to School Board Member Rena Rogers, who was unable to attend the meeting, but wanted to provide comments. Rogers told Lindholm before the meeting that if there is a time for a 4-day school week proposal, it’s not now.
School Board Member Carrie Jansen said she has considered the pros and cons but agrees that now is not the time. School Board Member Dan Shirley said while he thinks there are some potential positives to the 4-day school week, he said, “I agree with the sentiment that it’s too much right now to pursue.”
“What we really want to prioritize right now is the bond referendum,” Lindholm said in an interview with WTIP. “So officially, that conversation is tabled indefinitely.”
In the coming weeks, the school will host its annual Veterans Day program on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Pam Taylor Gymnasium. Lindholm said the school is still trying to secure a keynote speaker for the event and is open to the public to attend.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Superintendent Chris Lindholm about the 4-day school week discussion, school improvement plan reports, Veterans Day program, bond referendum, and more. The audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins October 29, 2024
