Superintendent presents consolidated district plan; board hears that Title I services for private/parochial students are supplemental, not vouchers

The superintendent presented Berwyn South SD 100’s consolidated district plan at the board’s May meeting and said the document identifies 14 formula grants the district will pursue, explains which programs the district qualifies for, and integrates needs-assessment data and stakeholder input before submission to the state for approval. The plan was listed as an action item on the agenda for board approval.

Why it matters: The consolidated plan guides how the district applies federal and state formula grants and how those funds are targeted to student needs. District staff framed the plan as the roadmap for meeting the district’s 2027 goals: 53% of students in preK–8 meeting or exceeding literacy standards and 40% meeting or exceeding math standards.

During a question-and-answer exchange, a board member asked how the district interacts with nonpublic and parochial schools that educate District 100 students. The superintendent explained that Illinois requires timely consultation with private schools that enroll district students and that the services and funds provided through Title I are supplemental in nature. "No, this isn't vouchers. It's through Title One, the federal program," the superintendent said, adding that the per-student amounts are minimal and intended for supplemental materials, interventions, or professional development rather than to cover private school tuition.

District staff also described the process used to set the 2027 targets. They said the goals were based on a comprehensive review of multiple data sources — local and state assessments, NWEA and FastBridge results, cohort analyses and the district’s five-essentials survey — and reflect observed growth trends. Staff said literacy gains have accelerated after adopting a new literacy program based on the science of reading; math remains the district’s largest area of need and the math target was set more conservatively because gains there have been smaller.

The superintendent noted that two district schools qualify for Title I school improvement funding and that the district consults with nearby nonpublic schools (St. Leonard, Our Lady of Charity, and St. Francis of Rome) to identify needs for District 100 students enrolled there. Once the board acts on the consolidated plan, staff will submit it to the state as required.

Next steps: The consolidated district plan was presented as an action item for approval so the district can submit the plan to the Illinois state education authorities following board action.