Student board member and task force push class‑size review as district highlights student voice and DEI work

DeKalb — A student presentation and a class‑size task‑force briefing were among the substantive items at the DeKalb CUSD 428 Board of Education meeting, where district leaders also delivered a broad end‑of‑year strategic update on equity, instruction and student support programs.

Student board member Jenna Zimmerman summarized a student survey and mini‑board work, reporting that roughly 236 students responded to a grading‑scale and study‑hall survey. Zimmerman said about 41% of respondents indicated they would “highly benefit” from a mandatory study hall; she reported an average rating of the current grading scale as roughly 4.91 on the district slide and that 55.5% favored a decreased grading scale over other models. Board members praised the student engagement; a board member told Jenna, “Your feedback has been valuable not only to the administrators, but... to us as a board.”

Dina Sweet, secretary of DCTA and co‑chair of the class‑size task force, outlined how the committee — reconstituted in 2023 — is reviewing MOU language and monitoring class‑size thresholds. Sweet said stipends tied to MOU caps have been paid twice yearly and that payouts so far total “just over $7,000.” She noted the district’s K–5 threshold is currently 28 students (with a stated goal of 25 or below once the new elementary school opens) and that grades 6–12 thresholds are set at 35 as a long‑term target to be reduced over time.

The superintendent and department leaders delivered the district strategic report: DEI leadership said the district has focused on elevating student voice and involving students in hiring processes, with one presenter saying, “we are allowing students to drive decisions.” Teaching & Learning highlighted literacy work, growth in third‑grade math after a three‑year curriculum implementation and expansion of two‑way dual‑language programs. Student Services reported that restorative practices, including restorative deans, corresponded with declines in office referrals at some sites — one example cited a 69% decrease at Founders Elementary.

Administrators described ongoing recruitment efforts (including outreach to Puerto Rico), cybersecurity partnerships with federal and local resources, and planned coaching support within a restructured business office. The strategic update also previewed Project Lead The Way rollouts and an ongoing program evaluation intended to complete in June.

What’s next: The class‑size task force will continue meetings through the coming year and will bring recommendations and updates on FTEs, stipends and facilities as the new elementary school comes online.