This committee started several years ago at the request of a board member. The purpose is to look for/seek out opportunities to engage our parents/guardians to become partners in the education of their children. This committee helped to create the technology/stem night held at BJHS that showcases activities across the district. This committee meets on an as-needed basis.

Board members serve on the Beyond the Books Foundation as a representative of the district. The mission of the BTBF is to fund innovative enrichment programs for the students of District 87 and Unit 5.

This committee works mainly with the Superintendent, Chief Financial and Facilities Officer, district architect, building principals, and others associated with various facility projects across the district. This group helps to plan and report to the entire board of education. The committee meets on an as-needed basis.

Though we have specific individuals identified for this committee, it typically consists of all board members and has met on a 5-10 year cycle to revisit and/or revise our board mission, vision, and goals. Our current goals were established in 2013.

This committee works with representatives from our bargaining units and other groups to oversee our group medical plan. This group meets on a quarterly basis and at times will meet more to consider third-party administrators.

We have board representation on the MCRPC. This commission meets on a monthly basis. The mission of the MCRPC is to bring expert planning, deep local knowledge, and vibrant public participation to shape the future to promote opportunity, livability, and sustainability in McLean County.

This is a joint effort with Unit 5, ISU, IWU, HCC, and Lincoln College. The goal is to provide teacher candidates with scholarships at those respective higher education institutions. In return, those who receive the scholarship agree to teach a minimum of 2 years in Unit 5 or District 87 if offered a position. This committee has just been revived and normally meets on a semi-annual basis.

This committee works with the negotiation team on issues relating to collective bargaining with the Bloomington Education Association. They will participate in negotiations with representatives from the administration and district attorney. This is done on an as-needed basis, typically beginning during the spring semester of the final year of the contract.

This committee will consider all new and updated board policy recommendations in coordination with the superintendent and his/her designee(s). This committee usually meets several times per year.

This committee considers changes/updates to the structure of the superintendent’s contract. They will communicate with the superintendent when considering the employment of a new superintendent or the renewal of an existing contract. This would be on an as-needed basis.

This committee will coordinate the evaluation of the Superintendent using the appropriate state-required form (or based on Illinois Performance Standards for School Leaders). Committee members will work with the superintendent on timelines and the collection of artifacts. This is done on an annual basis.

his committee will participate in the 1:1 task force. Now that 1:1 is in full implementation, we will need to refocus the work of this group or discontinue it. This committee met on a quarterly basis.

The D87 Wellness Committee meets about 4x/year, typically on SIP days to allow for more building-level participation. We focus on wellness initiatives in the district: current and future. We have been focusing on a new theme each year and this year is Love Languages. Our goal has been to reach a broad audience: students, families, faculty/staff with this message, so that we can all learn more about ourselves to build healthier relationships with one another and all reach our best potential at work, at home, and in the classroom. We are currently providing the assessment to students in many schools and will be sending a notice to teachers and families of the results to open communication.

In addition, we provide monthly toilet talks to instill positive wellness messaging in the faculty/staff bathrooms. Mindful Mondays and Wellness Wednesday messages are sent out via email to “all staff.” We look at wellness through the lens of Coordinated School Health, which focuses on 8 core areas of wellness: Physical education, Health education, Employee wellness, Building/Environment, Nutrition, Social/emotional wellness, Family/Community involvement, and Health (nurse-related items). We have assessed the schools and will continue every 3 years using the School Health Index (CDC tool) and help them to tailor a plan for their building. Each building has a wellness champion that we are trying to grow into more independent committees that are school-based.

One board member is selected to represent the district at the annual Triple I Conference Convention Delegate Assembly. This is our representative to address issues that impact school districts through policy. Annually, this individual will gather feedback from all board members to carry our positions to the state organization.

One board member is selected to represent the district as the Corn Belt Division Representative. This is our representative to address issues that impact school districts in the Corn Belt region through policy. The division normally has 2-3 meetings per year.