District 202’s School Board meeting on Monday, October 14th discussed a number of exciting new initiatives including the renovation of the Arts and Innovation Wing and the reveal of the official land acknowledgment in Heritage Hall in ETHS.
Prior to the meeting’s official start, Superintendent Marcus Campbell and Reine Hanna led the board and community members to the front of the school, where the official announcement of the land acknowledgment took place. This piece was designed by Eva Oldman, a Michigan-based designer.
As ETHS stands on the homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, also including the Menominee, Miami, and Ho-Chunk nations, this statement contributes to the school’s allegiance in elevating Native and Indigenous Peoples history.
Following the land acknowledgment ceremony, English teacher Patricia Delacruz and Science teacher TaRhonda Woods introduced a new two-year course for ETHS students called Transdisciplinary Science. This new program mixes biology, chemistry and literacy, aiming to improve scientific literacy, sustainability and racial equity.
Next on the agenda was the much anticipated Centennial Renovation Update celebrating 100 years of ETHS. Speaking at the table were Chief Financial Officer Kendra Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Pete Bavis, architect Michael Dolter and new Chief Advancement Officer Jeff Hammock. Dolter shared plans for developing the space in the Arts and Innovation wing including a new theater, orchestra room and exterior improvements. Also shared are possible renovations to the Culinary Labs, Visual Arts classrooms and concepts for a building an addition of a studio theater and a gathering space in replacement of the little theater.
Though there is no proposed budget for this renovation, Hammock reports his plans for gathering funds for these projects through the ETHS Foundation. To close off this section of the meeting Bavis emphasizes the importance of making these spaces flexible for ETHS students and staff and the overall flow of ETHS.
The next topic discussed was the quarterly data update. Carrie Levy led the section by first introducing the new data District dashboard and its attributes. Then, she transitions to this years data, which includes four tabs: academic supports, attendance, discipline and student services and special education. This data comes out quarterly.
Nearing the end of the meeting was the Student Board Report led by Student Representative Rachel Durango-Cohen. Her quick statement included topics like the ending of first quarter and seniors preparing their first round of early applications for next fall. Finishing off her section with an update about Student Union, Durango-Cohen provides details about the Student Voice Forum which took place on Monday, October 21st in the Hub.
Following this report, Dr. Marcus Campbell takes time to recognize Native and Indigenous Peoples Day and how the ETHS community elevated Indigenous voices by providing all students with knowledge on the culture and history of this day on October 14th.
To close out the meeting, the topic of course changes, new courses, and course deletion is introduced. Board member Pete Bavis explained the pauses of certain courses and their possible adoption next year. He also gives incite on the amount of work needed to be put into certain courses to bring them to their fullest potential.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:41 pm. The board committee has the next meeting scheduled for Monday, October 28th, 2024.
